The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) claims that American teenagers (ages 13 to 19) underwent 244,124 cosmetic surgery procedures in 2006. Sadly, this number has almost doubled since 2002. Included in the number are:

• 47,000 nose jobs
• 9,000 breast augmentations

This growing trend in plastic surgery is a good indicator that American teenagers are increasingly feeling self-conscious and dissatisfied. As a result, youth ministers must put an even greater importance on encouraging their students and helping them understand who they are in Christ.

[via MSNBC & Trend Hunter]