Much to my chagrin, a new study has linked teen obesity to premature death, according to a report on Forbes.com.

Teenage girls who are obese run a three-fold greater risk of premature death in middle age, according to new research in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Doctors found that excess weight during adolescence can increase the risk for such diseases as heart disease and diabetes, both of which can lead to complications and death in adulthood.

Not exactly what you want to hear when you were fat from birth, as I was.

But another report, also in the July 18 issue of the journal, found that the diet drug sibutramine -- brand-named Meridia -- along with behavior therapy, helps very obese adolescents lose weight. That study was funded by the makers of Meridia, Abbott Laboratories, Inc.

I tried Meridia but it was pretty harsh to my system and it was expensive, so I gave it up. Have any of you tried weight-loss drugs? I'd be curious as to how they worked for you. I've considered some of the over-the-counter pills, but I am scared of having an adverse reaction. What's been your experience?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com