In the course of the German KiGGS study, almost 7000 boys and girls aged between 11 and 17 years were weighed and asked about their self-assessment, ranging from “far too thin” to “far too fat.” In addition, they all completed a questionnaire about quality of life. As a result of their analysis, the scientists established that about three quarters of adolescents are of normal weight. Almost 55% of the girls, but just under 36% of the boys thought that they were “too fat,” although only about 18% of the adolescents were actually overweight. 7% to 8% of the adolescents were underweight. [continue reading…]
Adolescent Health
Whether it be for two hours or an entire day, millions of tweens – children ages 11 to 13 – will be left home alone this summer, despite their parents’ concerns that they may not have the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe at home.
According to a report released today by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, many parents worry that their at-home tweens do not know how to safely use kitchen appliances, where to go to stay safe during a severe storm, or that they should not give out personal information online or over the phone. Yet, one in five parents polled say that they have left tweens home alone for an entire day. [continue reading…]
Overall, the study showed that:
• 23 percent of the college students reported inconsistent condom use compared to 35 percent of the non-college subjects.
• 15 percent of the college students engaged in casual sex vs. 29 percent of the others.
• 5 percent of the college students had high-risk sex vs. 16 percent of the others.
• 53 percent of the college students engaged in sex in the previous month vs. 70 percent of the others.
The finding that living at home did not confer defense against risky sexual behavior was unexpected. [continue reading…]
The advertising of alcohol, the marketing of alcoholic products, peer pressure and parental influence all play a part in the level of alcohol consumption among young people.
These are the findings of a team of University of Leicester experts who have been investigating the effect of alcohol advertising on young people, which also indicate that advertising seems to be most effective in the case of alcopops and cider.
The study was funded by the Alcohol Education and Research Council. [continue reading…]
