With the joys of parenthood comes a
host of worries. According to a report by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott
Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, the following are
parents’ top 10 health concerns for 2017 - 2018:
1. Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity continues to outrank
all other health problems as the number-one concern for children in the U.S.
While 35 percent of adults believed childhood obesity was a major problem in 2015,
that number increased to 42 percent in 2016. And for the first time, all three
major ethnic groups (white, Hispanic and black) agree that obesity is the most
pressing concern facing American children.
Rates of childhood obesity have tripled
in the last 25 years, putting many children at risk for diabetes and heart
disease, according to a report in Academic Pediatrics. Overweight and
obese children are also likely to experience a lowered quality of life, an
increased likelihood of contracting several serious disorders and a potential
reduction in life expectancy.There are numerous approaches to treating
childhood obesity, but all boil down to a change in diet and lifestyle.
Learning to eat well and incorporate physical activity into daily life can be
made simpler by getting help from a weight-loss camp for children and teens or
weight-loss boarding school.
2. Drug Abuse
Although rates of illegal drug abuse
among teens have been declining over the past few years, abuse of prescription
medications and over-the-counter cough medicines remain at high levels,
according to the latest Monitoring the Future survey by the National Institute
on Drug Abuse. The most common drugs abused by children and teens include
alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, and over-the-counter and prescription
medications.
Despite the prevalence of teen drug
abuse, reports suggest that only 10 percent of adolescents needing help for
substance abuse problems actually receive treatment. Research shows that a
majority of teens requiring substance abuse treatment also need treatment for
co-occurring mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or
emotional or behavioral disorders.
The key to combating drug abuse among
children and adolescents is finding high-quality drug rehab programs that
specialize in treating youth. There are a number of wilderness therapy
programs, therapeutic boarding schools and teen residential treatment centers
that focus on preventing and treating adolescent substance abuse. These
therapeutic programs for teens have proven highly effective in stopping drug
abuse and addressing co-occurring mental health issues while healing strained
family relationships and getting teens back on track in school.
3. Smoking
It is estimated that at least 4.5
million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers. Each day, nearly 6,000 children
under 18 start smoking, and nearly one-third of those youth become regular
smokers. Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence produces
significant health problems, including an increase in respiratory illnesses,
decreased physical fitness, and potential retardation in lung growth and lung
function.
Prevention is critical when it comes to
teen smoking. Make sure your children know that you disapprove of the habit and
set a good example by avoiding cigarettes yourself. If your teen is already
addicted to nicotine, talk about why they are smoking and ways to quit such as
hanging out with friends who don’t smoke or getting involved in new activities.
4. Bullying
The National Youth Violence Prevention
Resource Center estimates that about one-third of all U.S. youth are involved
in bullying, either as a victim, a perpetrator or both. The American Academy of
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry reports that as many as half of all children
and adolescents are bullied at least once during their school years, with about
one in 10 suffering from ongoing harassment.
Teen bullying can be a serious problem.
Bullies and their victims are likely to suffer from a wide range of mental
health and behavioral conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD,
PTSD, low self-esteem and oppositional defiant disorder.
The first step in addressing teen
bullying is to stop the violence and threats. Talk to your child’s teacher,
guidance counselor or principal and work together to find solutions to the
problem. If the bullying is severe, enrollment in a wilderness program or other
residential program for adolescents may be the best option.
5. Internet Safety
The Internet is a fun and informative,
but dangerous place. With concerns ranging from Internet predators and identity
theft to cyberbullying and Internet addiction, it is important for parents to
limit their children’s time on the computer and be aware of what their children
are doing online.
Talk to your child about the risks of
sharing information online and let them know they can come to you if they feel
threatened or uncomfortable with anything happening online. Keep all computers
in the house in an open area like the kitchen or family room where you can
supervise your child’s Internet usage and utilize privacy settings whenever
possible. Rather than spending hours surfing the Web, encourage your child to
get involved in sports, hobbies or other extracurricular activities.
6. Child Abuse and Neglect
The most recent report from the
National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, approximately 794,000 children
were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect. The consequences of child
maltreatment, which can include physical injuries, low self-esteem, attention
disorders, brain damage and violent behavior, can endure well into adolescence and
adulthood.
Children should never suffer in
silence. Strong family bonds, consistent rules and expectations and open lines
of communication are important in preventing child abuse and neglect. Parents
who are equipped to cope with the stresses of everyday life, who are resilient
and who know when to reach out for support are in the best position to protect
their children.
7. Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol is the most frequently used
drug by teenagers in the United States. About half of middle school and high
school students drink alcohol on a monthly basis, and 14 percent of teens have
been intoxicated at least once in the past year. Adolescents who drink alcohol
are more likely to become alcoholics later in life, be involved in drunk
driving accidents, attempt suicide, engage in sexual activity, drop out of
school and experiment with other drugs.
Parents have a strong influence on
their teen’s decision to use alcohol. Teens are most protected when they feel
that they can discuss issues like drugs and alcohol with their parents. If your
teen has a drinking problem, start the conversation, encourage them to attend
self-help groups like AA, and get them involved in a wilderness therapy program
or residential alcohol abuse treatment program before the problem spirals out
of control.
8. Stress
A survey conducted by The National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reported that
high-stress teens are twice as likely as low-stress teens to smoke, drink and
use illegal drugs.
Your children can learn to keep stress
under control by taking good care of themselves (e.g., getting enough sleep,
eating a well-balanced diet and exercising every day). It may also be helpful
to learn relaxation techniques, find outlets for fun and recreation, and build a
support network of friends and family who can provide help if necessary.
9. Not Enough Opportunities for
Physical Activity
Sedentary lifestyles have become the
norm in the U.S., with children spending more time in front of the TV, computer
or video game console than reading books, playing outside or engaging in
extracurricular activities. Get your kids active by setting a good example,
taking advantage of community sports and activities, or signing them up for a
fit camp or weight-loss boarding school.
10. Teen Pregnancy
Approximately one-third of young women
in the United States become pregnant during their teens. In addition to
increased health risks to mother and baby, there are a number of social and
socioeconomic concerns as well. Education about sex and the consequences of
pregnancy are essential to lower teen pregnancy rates.
This article is not meant to scare, but to educate. The hope here is that parents will see the
problem and make changes that will ensure the younger generation does not make
the same mistakes that we adults have already made. Be safe, and be happy !
-bird
