Adolescent Health
Adolescence is a critical juncture that shapes the future of young individuals. It's a time when habits and behaviors, both positive and negative, can have lasting impacts on their physical and mental health. By addressing the unique challenges faced by adolescents, we can foster a generation that is empowered, resilient, and equipped to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Mental health also matters:
Mental health is an important topic for adolescents, and it's something that should be discussed from a young age. Too often, mental health problems go untreated or are ignored in children and teenagers. This can have severe consequences down the road, both physically and emotionally.
Adolescents need to feel safe enough to talk about their feelings – even if they're scared or embarrassed. They also need to know that there is someone who will listen without judgment and help them find ways to cope with their struggles.
Nutrition:
The second leading cause of declining health and death among adolescents in 2019 was iron deficiency anemia. Iron and folate supplements are a way that helps promote health as well.
Maintain healthy dietary habits through adolescence to initialize lifelong practices that promote good health. Endeavor to eliminate advertising for high-sugar, high-fat, trans-fatty, and high-salt foods and replace their marketing with uninhibited access to healthy food.
Obesity:
Obesity during adolescence is a growing epidemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than two-thirds of the world's population, or over 2 billion people, are overweight or obese. This increases their risk for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
Menstrual hygiene:
Menstrual hygiene is an integral part of adolescent health. It is a time when girls' bodies are changing, and they need to be extra careful about their hygiene.
Several health risks are associated with poor menstrual hygiene, including infections, reproductive tract disorders, and even cancer.
Menstrual hygiene should be a part of every adolescent girl's education. By teaching them the importance of keeping clean and using the right products, we can help keep them healthy both now and in the future.
Sexually transmitted infections:
While some STDs can be cured with medication, others (like HIV/AIDS) are incurable and can lead to a lifetime of health problems. And even if an STD is curable, it can still cause serious health complications if not treated early. So teenagers need to understand how STDs are transmitted and how to protect themselves from them.
Adolescents are entitled to and in need of comprehensive sexual education, a process that involves educating them on a variety of aspects of sex, including cognitive, emotional, physical, and social.
