Adolescent health is a growing concern. As a parent, your teenager’s health is probably one of your top priorities. Of course, you want them to be happy and healthy, but sometimes that can be challenging. But as they enter adolescence, their health concerns change, and we must create awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Adolescence is the developmental stage between childhood and adulthood. It generally refers to the years between 10 and 19, although some experts consider 12 to 21 a more accurate range.

Possible Health Risks During Adolescence

Adolescents are at an increased risk of developing mental and physical health problems. Here are the Top 5 things to be discussed.

1. Mental Health Problems:

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders that adolescents face. Other mental health disorders that adolescents may experience include anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Research indicates that violence, poverty, stigma, exclusion, and living in humanitarian and fragile settings may be risk factors for mental health problems. Adolescents should also be aware of the dangers of substance abuse and how it can lead to serious health problems.

2. Obesity:

This is a major concern, as adolescents who are obese are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions later in life. Obesity can lead to high blood pressure and high cholesterol and, in turn, lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Encouraging healthy eating habits and physical activity is an excellent place to start.

Adolescent bone and cardiovascular health improve through physical activity for children, in addition to improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness and weight management.

3. 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.

4. Nutrition:

Iron deficiency anemia was the second leading cause of declining health and death among adolescents in 2019. Iron and folate supplements can also help promote health.

Maintain healthy dietary habits through adolescence to initiate lifelong practices promoting 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.

5. Menstrual Hygiene:

Menstrual hygiene is an integral part of adolescent health. It is a time when girls' bodies change, and they must 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 now and in the future.

In conclusion, adolescent health is a complex and vital issue. Many factors contribute to adolescent health, and awareness of them is important. Adolescent health should be taken seriously, and everyone should do their part to promote it.