This month, we will explore the adolescent population and various practices that can be used to ensure that they are getting everything they need to maintain optimal health.
Just as with the infants, toddlers and children, it is suggested that this age group be provided a safe environment where healthy behaviors and reduced injuries are promoted.
However, this may be difficult because this population is known for its "Superman" mentality. Teens feel that there is no situation or environment they cannot handle.
They are less likely to listen to parents because they are striving to become independent.
This age group struggles to exist between the worlds of being a child and wanting to be "grown" or an adult.
For this reason, they are more likely to have unhealthy diets, engage in risky behaviors and ultimately live unhealthy lives. This leaves them open to unintentional injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, accidental pregnancies and substance abuse.
This group thrives on the opinions of their friends more so than authority figures, such as parents, guardians or health-care providers.
Therefore, it is up to all of us to positively influence them as a whole. If you can teach one adolescent within a group that a certain behavior is a good decision, then the rest of the group will likely follow.
During their struggle for independence, an area that suffers greatly in respect to adolescents' health is their diet. Many times, their diets are filled with fast food, junk food and caffeine.
It is important that this group gets the necessary vitamins and nutrition from the recommended food groups, especially calcium because it is needed to build strong bones and decrease chances of osteoporosis later on in life.
Setting a good example of the types of foods that should be eaten is a great way to get this population to have a healthier lifestyle.
Also, parents and adolescents can pick one low-fat or low-sugar product to try out together to see if it can be added to their diet as a substitute for foods high in sugars and fats.
For the most part, physical activity is not a problem for this age group. As mentioned previously, they thrive off the energy of their peers, so they are more likely to participate in sports or activities that make them seem popular or talented.
However, if they are not active in activities that allow them to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, take the time to find out what a potential interest may be and do it together.
This will help them be active and open the lines of communication between the parent and child.
This population is generally healthy with the exception of poor dietary habits. Most adolescents only see a provider for immunizations, injuries or sexual/reproductive issues.
Recommended vaccinations for this age group are varicella and meningococcal vaccines. Gardasil also is an option for adolescent girls.
The average age of sexual initiation is 12. Therefore, it is important that parents are involved and establish open communication so that adolescents feel safe coming to them without being judged regarding issues regarding dating, sex, drugs and alcohol abuse.
Remember, authority and family figures are not who they are trying to impress, it's their friends.
There are several ways that cognitive development can be enhanced in this population.
One way to aid cognitive development is to involve adolescents in various discussions regarding current events. Allow them to think through and develop their own ideas.
Help them to set goals for the present as well as the future.
All of these ideas will help them cognitively as well as give them that "grown up" feeling they are striving to for.
Lastly, take the opportunity to praise them for good decisions and help them with poor decisions. This is not the time to be negative because they get enough of this from their friends.
The leading cause of death for this population is motor vehicle accidents, followed by homicide and suicide.
For this reason, it is important that we provide a great example by using seat belts every time that we get in a car. Also, it is important that firearms and other weapons are safely locked away in the home.
Once again, communication is key to teaching this population as well as recognizing that ill feelings may exist within themselves or toward someone else.
If you have not figured it out yet, communication is key in the parent-child relationship in this age group.
Their determination to be "grown" outweighs any decision-making process and they are more likely to engage in behaviors and lifestyles that could negatively impact their health.
It is up to us as parents, neighbors and health-care providers to ensure that we have an open door policy so that this age group continues to develop into healthy young adults with healthy lifestyle behaviors.
For more ideas about how to promote optimal health in your adolescent, visit the American Academy of Pediatricians Web site at www.aap.org or the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov.
For any other ideas, contact your primary care provider.
- Courtney Young, MPH, a native of Greenwood, is currently working on her master's degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn. She is a second-year nursing student in the Family Nurse Practitioner program.
