Originally Posted by New Scientist

Teenagers face health timebomb

Teenagers are facing a health timebomb, warned a UK report on Monday. Under-age sex, binge-drinking, drug abuse, smoking and poor diet are contributing to epidemics of obesity, ill-health and sexually transmitted diseases among UK teens.

The British Medical Association (BMA) analysis paints an alarming picture of teenage health in the UK.

Nearly one in five 15-year-olds are overweight or obese. Psychological problems such as depression and anorexia now afflict one fifth of adolescents, says the report.

These problems are being fuelled by an increasingly impoverished diet, insufficient exercise, excessive alcohol and drug consumption, and tobacco smoking. According to the BMA, less than 15 per cent of girls aged 13 to 15 eat the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables.

Almost a quarter of 15 and 16-year-olds will have smoked cigarettes in the past week. And a fifth will have taken an illegal drug in the last month, says the document.

Sexual health in adolescents is also deteriorating, says the BMA. As many as one in ten young women aged 16 to 19 may be infected with Chlamydia, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The rate of teenage pregnancy is also high - but stable - at around 3 per cent.

"It seems that adolescents are the only group whose health is getting worse," says Russell Viner, consultant in adolescent medicine at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.


Fast-food industry


"Better drugs are protecting older people from disease and vaccinations have brought huge improvements for infants," Viner told New Scientist. "But for people in their teens there are social health problems which mean worrying rates of accidents, suicide, drug use, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases."

The rapid rise in obesity is being blamed by some experts on the fast-food industry and a society focused increasingly around car use.

Philip James, adviser to the House of Commons select committee on obesity, told New Scientist: "The whole environment is geared towards selling off playing fields and preventing people from walking or cycling to work or school.

"As a society we've abandoned any pretence of nurturing children in an appropriate environment," he adds. "We've told them to eat what they like and do what they like and failed to inculcate them with good habits."


Basic social skills


The BMA is calling for a comprehensive plan to tackle the root causes of deteriorating teenage health. It recommends a ban on alcohol advertising and an increase in the price of cigarettes to reduce their affordability to teenagers.

It says mental health can be improved by teaching teenagers basic social skills and through anti-bullying policies in schools. Sexual health can be improved by enhancing sex education and through easier access to contraception and confidential advice.

Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's head of science and ethics, says: "Services targeting the needs of adolescents are almost non-existent. We must invest properly in sexual health and provide services that young people feel comfortable using if we are to reduce the burgeoning levels of sexually transmitted diseases.

The study by the BMA's board of science and education, is a comprehensive analysis of recent studies on adolescent health.

Originally Posted by Sexeh Panda

You're sick of teenagers being stereotyped, so am I. But, the fact is (and you know it) that there's more "crazy" teenagers around than there are adults. Adolescence is a period of experiment - pushing the limits, and not giving a damn about anything. Everyone's been through that period, some push the limits farther, some not as much, and some never stop.

You exercise regularly and do great in school - then good for you. I try to, but I'd be too busy or lazy to go exercise. I understand you not wanting to be stereotyped as a typical teenager, but perhaps just forgetting about everyone else would be better? Who cares about what other teens are doing, and who cares what articles etc write about teens. Just continue doing what you feel is a good lifestyle.

Originally Posted by Spero

Who said I wasn't into experimenting? I've been on more benders than I can count! Including a VERY embarressing stroy that NOBODY WILL EVER HEAR!!!

Spero

Originally Posted by Head

YEs, teenagers are soooo stupid that they can't look after themselves.

Now, people aged between 32 and 37... they'll NEVER take any drugs or eat horribly fatty foods or smoke or drink or...

Hang on... That's not right, is it?