Teen Health

Archive for May, 2010

Someone once said that people are products of society. This is true because outside the home, friends influence the person and this could either mean doing some good or bad things.

In the end, whatever happens outside comes back into the home. Teachers will probably talk to the parents to update the his or her development in the school. The worse can scenario is being called to the precinct to pick up the teen.

Many people will say that parents should be blamed should the child go astray. This is partly true given that these people are the legal guardians. Letting the child know how valuable that person is being a member of the family can prevent this.

It is not enough to just say, “I love you.” Parents should do more by spending more time and getting involved in some of the activities that the teen is doing. Mom or dad can encourage the person to practice harder learning an instrument, while participating in a sport or working on a piece of art work.

Parents should also be there to not only talk but also to listen to the teen. There are a lot of things that happen to an individual during the puberty and the best source of information should come from the parents and not from television, friends or the Internet.

When the child is still an infant, parents need to hold on to make sure he or she does not fall. As a grownup, this isn’t needed anymore so part of building self esteem among teens is to learning to trust certain decisions.

Empowerment is a word used very often in the workplace. This is when people are assigned a task with minimal supervision but in the event are able to deliver the desired results. Years from now, the teen will join the workforce and before that happens, one of best things that parents can give is empowerment to make certain decisions.

Not everyone may be that self confident compared to others so parents can help along by helping the teen find that forte. If the person is good with electronics, perhaps the son or daughter can become an engineer. Those who are good in the sciences can become a doctor.

These are just two examples of what could happen to a teen by fostering such talents now with the end result ten or fifteen years from now. 

Parents will not be able to make the teen always do everything which is perhaps because of free will. Mom or dad should just say something and then it is up to the teen what to do next.

This may be whether the teen has a shot at being a member of the varsity team or what school and course the teenager would like to take up in college. These are big decisions and those who are mature enough will be to overcome the challenges.

With great power comes responsibility. Parents should instill that in the minds of the teens that the decisions made are things that the individual will have to live with. The person is the only one that can control his or her destiny.

There is no magic solution in helping a teen build up that self esteem. Parents, teachers, friends and the person will just have to hope for the best.

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Teenagers are at that stage where they are most impressionable and prone to peer influence and pressure. They want to fit in. And if they see smoking as a way to do that, they would try it without a second thought. Unless you are a teacher who works at the same school your teen goes to, you cannot really keep an eye on him at all times and see what heâ??s up to. Even if you are, you cannot latch yourself onto your teen all the time since you also have things to do. If you are like most parents who only want the best for their child in terms of health and wellbeing, you probably want to prevent and stop your teen from smoking. Hereâ??s how you can do it without resorting to nagging like a broken record:

 

Get proof before moving in on your kid.

As weird as it sounds, your teen may keep his smoking from you due to respect. Accusing him outright of smoking will only make him more secretive â?? who knows what other jinks he could get himself into? The best way to broach the topic is to get some proof. His clothes are likely to smell of smoke. You can also search for proof in his room under the pretext of cleaning up. Lighters and cigarettes are proof enough that he smokes. Do not be bothered about privacy issues, itâ??s your house; you pay the mortgage. Besides, his health is of higher value than privacy. If you get wind of a party and your kid goes, you can pass by the house and see if heâ??s smoking.

 

Set aside personal talk time with your teen.

Do not make the mistake of berating your teen in public. Heâ??s more likely to be defensive and walk away. Set a time and date for both of you to talk. While itâ??s better if you talk at home, you can also set your talk at a place thatâ??s special for both of you. Do not ask him if he smokes; both of you already know the answer to that. Tell him that you know about his smoking; that you saw him at the party, smelled his clothes, or found that pack and lighter in his room. Proceed to tell him that you want him to quit and that youâ??ll help him. Be firm but kind in getting his commitment.

 

Schedule a doctor visit.

You can cite statistics of smoking-related deaths or diseases, but your teen may dismiss these. Heâ??s at that stage where he thinks that nothing bad is going to happen to him or is happening to him. For both of your benefits, schedule a visit to your family doctor. He or she is more equipped at handling issues of teen smoking and can competently explain to your teen the possible consequences of his actions. If your teen has been smoking for a several months or years, quitting the habit may not be easy. Talk to the doctor for possible smoking cessation aids that your teen may use.

 

Show your teen encouragement and support.

Simple things like reminding your teen to take his anti-smoking meds, watching his game, or attending his recital will show him that he has you on his side. Build your teenâ??s confidence by a show of encouragement and support. A confident teen is less likely to succumb to peer pressure about smoking.

 

Reiterate your trust in your teen.

Do not let teen smoking get in the way of your relationship with your kid. Everybody commits mistakes, so now itâ??s time for both of you to move on. Do not remind him often of his smoking. Instead, show him that you trust him to make the right choices this time around. If you are a smoker, now is the best time to quit. Nothing is better than leading by example.

There are several opportunities for teens in for making money through online. They have to just voice their opinions in the online portals, as lots of companies are very much interested in knowing the opinion of the teens on their products and services which are available in the market. It doesn’t stop with money paid for their opinion, and they get lot more gifts and prizes also.

Companies which manufacture and supply products for teens intend to know more about teen’s opinion. For this the companies go in for online paid survey providers and get their help. So survey providers take the subscription of the company for some particular period and work on it. The work of the teen is to sign up for a free user account and create a member profile and share the ideas and opinions about the products with the people. For this, in return, the teens will get gifts and some times cash also. After signing up in the website the teens will get a survey through email or they have to take the survey in the website itself. It depends upon the online survey providers.

The products offered for teens in paid online surveys will be related to travel, magazines or books, food and entertainment, health products, cosmetics or beauty products, fashion, crafts etc. Teen’s remark about the products plays a vital role in the companies’ decision and products or services will be developed or improved if necessary according to their ideas. The teens will be receiving many numbers of surveys as soon as they complete one, and this process continues till their membership exists or till they are a member in the website.

Truthfulness and frankness are very important in answering the surveys; the person must not hesitate in expressing his opinion, and even if it is unfavorable to the company or some negative aspect. Because through these types of surveys only, the companies will be able to know the opinion of the public and which product has more demand and this helps in improving their products or services.

Some of the important points for the teens to take online surveys are as follows:

Helps to develop or improve the new products or services.

Can make money easily and earn rewards or gifts as well.

Surveys can be done according to individual convenience.

Nothing has to be paid as joining fees.

Get to know the details about the new products, before it comes to the market.

It is easy and simple to take surveys.

Each and every teens opinion has an impact on the products output.

Before going in for an online survey provider check whether they are genuine. Check with the privacy policy before registering with any of the online service providers. Do some companies charge for registering, check with them through some search engines and get the details of the same. Other than this, paid online surveys for teens are a great path to make good money and rewards and selecting a good portal is in their hands only.

Kids today eat more and exercise less than the last generation, and this is poised to continue unless something changes. One of the best things you can do for your children’s health is to get them moving and teach them the value of physical activity. Numerous studies have shown that regular childhood exercise is one of the leading indicators of good, lifelong health habits.

If you were an active child who loved playing sports and on the playground, you probably still do something to stay in shape today – but do you involve your children in these activities? If not, you are not doing all you can to prepare your children to lead healthy, adult lives. Show your children you care about exercise – take them with you on walks. They may not want to start jogging right away, but if you take your toddlers on short walks with you now, they will get used to the idea of exercising.

For children to stay in shape, they need about an hour of physical activity every day. What type of activity depends on the child’s age, temperament, and interests. Check out the recommendations below to help find the right activity for the children in your family.

Toddlers and kids up to 5 years old are not ready for intense, organized sports or games with many rules. Choose games that are simple and easy to play, like “Hide and Go Seek” or “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Encourage physical activity that will develop balance and agility such as running, jumping, climbing, and sliding. Trips to the playground to climb on a jungle gym or swing are also good options.

6 to 8 year-old children can understand rules that are more complex and are ready to learn new skills. You can begin instilling a sense of teamwork and competition in them, although pushing too much competitive drive at a young age is not a good idea. Encourage children to cooperate and help each other in small groups. Organize informal games at the local playground or park with other kids the same age to get your children used to socializing and playing with others.

When it comes to sports, enroll your child in a sport that he or she shows a genuine interest in and let him or her take the lead. While teaching your child to follow-through with commitments is great, don’t force your child to stay on a team if they are not enjoying the sport. Let your child try a few sports before you ask them to commit. Children this age may take some time to find the right sport for their personality – but once they have found it, they tend to love it for a lifetime.

Around ages 6 to 8 is also when most children learn how to ride a bike, skateboard, and inline skate. All of these activities will encourage balance, muscle development, and hand-eye coordination, as well as cardiovascular health and overall physical fitness. Remember to invest in the appropriate safety gear, including helmets and pads, and make sure the kids wear them all the time.

9 to 12 year-olds tend to develop interests that are more specific. Many will still be interested in playgrounds and swings, but around ages 9-12, many kids become active in organized sports. Many will begin to focus on a particular sport or activity they find is their favorite. Encourage your adolescent to develop his or her skills and interests, and support them at practices, matches, and games. Make sure they have qualified coaches and are completing the proper strength training. Most importantly, make sure they are having fun!

If team sports don’t interest your child, invite them to try individual sports like karate or tennis. Hiking or rock climbing is an excellent alternative for the nature-loving child who loves solitude and contemplation, and swimming is a good option if your child loves the water. What form the exercise takes is not as important as whether your child enjoys the activity and sticks with it throughout the years.

Teens can participate in almost any sport they choose, and usually throw themselves into activities with great enthusiasm. Competition and team spirit comes to the forefront at this stage, and sports can become a driving force in your teenager’s life. Activities like waterskiing and snowboarding are popular with teens because they require self-discipline and allow them to develop and apply advanced skills. Likewise, passion for their favorite team sports may carry over from their adolescent years, and activities like dancing or cheerleading may take on new importance. Be supportive.

If your teen is interested, weight training can be added to existing exercise programs to add muscle tone and definition, as long as an adult supervises it. If your teen has access to a gym or health club, encourage him or her to work with a personal trainer to learn how to lift weights properly.

The best way to motivate your children to exercise is by example. Play physical games with them and show your excitement for outdoor activities and sports. When young, take your children to the playground, climb on the jungle gym and swing on the swings. As they mature, challenge them to excel in their favorite sports – shoot basketballs, volley on a tennis court, or pitch baseballs with them.

No matter activity you choose, as long as you get moving with your kids, you will all live longer, healthier lives, not to mention have a lifetime of memories to share.

The two major health issues that our pre-teens and teens face today are Obesity and “Diabetes 2″. What they eat and what they drink are suspects in slowly leading them to their death because of their contents—the sugars or artificial sweeteners present in the products they consume.

These health issues that have arisen to major proportions over the last twenty years are now transforming the landscapes of middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools across this country. Cafeterias and vending areas are being re-evaluated for the food and beverages that are being served in hopes that healthier options can be provided to our children in curbing these two major health issues.

The body counts on natural sugars, called glyconutrients, to help support the body’s growth and immune systems. They include the following

· Glucose

· Galactose

· Mannose

· Xylose

· Fructose

· N-Acetyl-glucosamine

· N-Acetyl-galactosamine

· N-Acetyl-neuraminic acid

Science Magazine – March 2001 issue devoted a large part of that issue to address the extensive research that is being conducted on glyconutrients and their potential benefits. This comes on the heels of Dr. Gunter Blobel’s 1999 Nobel Prize for Medicine for his studies in the new field of Glycobiology.

The body produces its own sugars, glucose and lactose. We add natural sugars with fruits and vegetables, such as fructose and glucose. One set of our taste buds registers the sweetness of that which we eat or drink. Over time, as individuals, we develop a craving for the sweet tasting foods and drinks.

Some very concerned mothers chose not to offer their babies 100% fruit juice for this very reason. But when you travel through the supermarket aisles you can see the sections devoted to developing a taste for sweets…fruit juices, powder mixes for flavored drinks, soda pop, bakery goods, cookies, ice cream and toppings, and all the candy and gum at the check out counter as your last temptation.

The processed sugar products that we consume makes it easy for the health professionals explain the weight gain that most Americans register to their surprise as they willingly or unwillingly step on the scale and weigh themselves. The obesity problem which is affecting many of our children today has been offered little help from the food industry across the country to curb our appetite for sweets.

The artificial sweeteners that are on the market and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have only increased one’s desire to satisfy our sweet tooth. These artificial sweeteners are still very controversial as one research study showed that two-thirds of the respondents are concerned about the safety of these products. These sweeteners multiply the sweetness of processed sugar:

· Aspertame is 200x (NutraSweet and Equal)

· Saccharin is 200 – 700x sweeter (Sweet ‘N Low)

· Sacradose is 600x sweeter (Splenda)

and each one of these adds to the increased desire of the taste buds for the higher intensified sweetness that they deliver. Though one may feel good for not adding calories by using these products instead of sugar, artificial sweeteners have a history of health concerns and may still lead to weight gain.

Major cola companies have drawn up plans for each educational level setting as to the different products that will be offered to students in their vending machines. They highlight healthier choices by increasing their bottled water and juices.

Where it has been permitted or a dietician educated chef has been hired, the menu have changed to reflect a healthier choice of foods with an increase in fruits and vegetables served in a more creative way that is more appealing to pre-teens and teens. Even the trend toward more organic foods has given our children more of the rich vitamin nutrition that these fruits and vegetables lose due to early harvesting, modern food processing and food packaging.

Therefore, if parents want to help their children grow strong and healthy, it is important that they be aware of what they are eating and drinking not only at home, but at school and after school. Too much sugar and/or artificial sweeteners may put their child’s health at risk. Obesity and “Diabetes 2″ are two serious health risks already on the health care radar screen. Hopefully, the changes one might find in schools’ cafeterias and vending areas are only the beginning of healthier choices, and thus healthier lives for your children.