Teen Violence

Teen violence is on the rise. An average of 15 young people are killed every year, most of them with guns. In one high school that was recently surveyed, 17% of students admitted to bringing a weapon on campus for protection within the last month. Each year there are more than half a million violence related injuries involving teens. Bullying, fighting, and even threatening text messages occur throughout our U.S. school systems everyday. Why do these teens have so much anger and how do you keep yours from becoming violent?

There are several risk factors that can make individual teens more likely to become violent. One of the biggest risk factors in any kind of gang activity. Often, when a teen is associated with a gang, they are encouraged to participate in or initiate violent acts in order to be accepted by the other gang members. Also, teens who use drugs, particularly harder drugs like cocaine or heroin, are more likely to be perpetrators of misconduct. The intense highs and lows that are associated with drug use and withdrawal often cause feelings of irritability, paranoia, or invincibility. Plus, there are often disputes about drug deals among teens that don't go as planned. Violence in the home is also a contributing factor. Teens without a structured and supportive family may turn to violence, especially those who are often left unsupervised or physically abused themselves.

While the statistics for teen violence seem bleak, school seems to be the safest place for these kids. Less than 1% of violence related deaths occur inside of a school building. If your child is a victim or a perpetrator of violent activities, you should contact the school counselor and find out where to get help. Teens who are violent need to be counseled and taught ways to express their anger that are not harmful to themselves or others. Parents should be involved in their teen's lives. Know who their friends are and encourage positive activities. Communicate with them about non violent ways to solve problems from a young age and always ensure that they have a safe and violent free home.

Teen Eating Disorders

Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating are the three most common teenage eating disorders. Each of them involves deeply rooted psychological issues and poses apparent health risks. Usually, eating disorders are associated with a distorted body image and an obsession with being thin. Due to our society's emphasis on physical appearance, a recent study revealed that in a survey of small children (1st -3rd graders) 42% of them wanted to be thinner. Plus, 81% of 10 year old report a fear of being fat. By the time the teen years roll around, some of them will be at great risk for an eating disorder that could affect their health, even costing them their lives.

Approximately 1% of all teenage girls become anorexic. Although 95% of cases are in females, male anorexia may be more common than you think. Anorexia can be defined as going without food or severely restricting a caloric intake due to an unhealthy obsession to be thin. Anorexic teens often consume less than 500 calories a day and may abuse laxatives or water pills to keep their weight down. They are generally under their healthy weight range.

Bulimia is a cycle of binging and purging. It means eating a large amount of food in a short period of time, feeling guilty about it, and vomiting to avoid weight gain. Bulimic teens may be seen visiting the restroom immediately, following every meal. Often they have broken blood vessels around their eyes, tooth decay, and scratch marks on their knuckles from inducing vomit. However, this eating disorder may be more difficult to detect. A bulimic person can fluctuate from being slightly underweight to slightly overweight.

Binge Eating Disorder has just recently become widely acknowledged in the United States. Although a lot of studies are inconclusive, it is estimated that as many as 20% of all teens may suffer from this disorder to some degree or another. It can be defined as consuming large amounts of high calorie foods in a short time with a sense of being out of control. The body has more calories than it can burn, resulting in excessive weight gain.

All eating disorders require psychological and behavioral counseling. Plus, some victims may need physical treatment to regain their health and strength. If left untreated, they can have negative health consequences. Often, teens don't recognize that they have a problem, so it is important to talk to them about eating disorders and teach healthy eating practices. Seek professional help immediately if you or someone you know has a problem.

Overweight Teens

Overweight does not refer to a few extra pounds of body fat. It is a term used to describe a weight range that is greater than what is generally considered healthy. For children and adolescence, a BMI at or above the 95th percentile is considered overweight. The United States has a larger number of overweight teens than 14 other industrialized nations that were recently studied. It is estimated that 13.9% of boys and 15.1% of girls who are 15 years old are overweight. Being overweight can cause both psychological and physical problems.

Teens who are overweight are at a disadvantage in life during the already difficult time of adolescence. They are at greater risk for self esteem issues or becoming the target of a bully. Often, they miss out on team sports and school dances. It can lead to depression that might effect every aspect of their lives. Overweight teens often struggle with their body image and may develop eating disorders as a result.

In addition to the negative psychological and social effects of being of an overweight teen, it is just unhealthy. In this society where we are so concerned with appearance, often we fail to see the big picture. A teen who is substantially overweight is at a high risk for multiple health problems. Often we hear about diabetes and heart disease. However, in addition to this, overweight teens can struggle with present and future problems that include joint pain and low energy levels. Plus, being overweight can effect their breathing, sleep, mood, and overall quality of life.

Although it not uncommon to be an overweight teen in the United States these days, we shouldn't ignore the negative impact that carrying extra weight can cause. Teens need to be encouraged to participate in physical activities. Regularly, they need to turn off the television and go for a walk outside, visit the gym, play a sport, or anything else that involves getting up and moving around. Equally important is teaching our teens to eat healthy. Proper nutrition and an appropriate caloric intake must be taught in our education system and in our homes.