While teenagers may seem like one of the healthiest groups of people, they can become victims of some serious conditions.
1. Eating disorders. New evidence shows that teenage boys are a growing population of anorexia victims. The disease that leads people to starve themselves in a desperate bid for self-control now includes many young boys among its numbers. Symptoms include steady weight loss, poor appetite, hair loss, poor muscle tone and heart or other organ failure. Obesity, on the other hand, is becoming an epidemic in this country. Too many kids are eating a lot and exercising little. Encourage your teens to eat properly and enjoy physical exercise. If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, make an appointment with the doctor for a checkup.
2. Inadequate sleep. Teens should get eight to nine hours of sleep each night to protect their health. Otherwise they can get run down and start getting sick with a number of ailments. But many kids this age resist sleep; staying up late makes them feel more adult-like. Set limits without being too pushy about it to encourage your teens to get to bed at a decent time and arise early enough to catch the school bus after eating a healthy breakfast.
3. Car accidents. Teenage drivers form the largest age group that is involved in fatal or disabling car accidents. Make sure your teen receives proper driving classes and adequate practice behind the wheel before getting a driver's license. And then remind him not to take more than one friend in the car at a time, to wear his seat belt, and to obey driving laws. If you find out he is not following these rules, suspend driving privileges for a time.
4. Sports over-involvement. If your teen enjoys playing sports, he may be tempted to join several teams. This can lead to physical burnout and even muscle injury. Talk with the coach to be sure your child is not overdoing it. Find out what type of safety procedures and accident prevention guidelines are being used. Emphasize to your son or daughter the need to live a balanced life, with room for study, friends, and chores in addition to sports.
5. Violence. In some populations and neighborhoods, violence is an everyday reality resulting in wounds and deaths for many teens. If possible, get your child involved in positive activities with upbeat influences. Avoid dangerous areas and questionable people. Make sure your teen doesn't get involved with gang or criminal activity. Find a good role model or mentor for your child, especially if you are a single parent or have a busy schedule.
Simple steps like these can help parents learn to help their teenagers from becoming ill or encountering danger. While there is no way to provide 100% protection all the time, following guidelines like these can offer a measure of reassurance.
