Latest news with #teenhealth
South China Morning Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Teen health at ‘tipping point' as 464 million youth at risk of obesity by 2030, report warns
Almost half a billion teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030, experts predicted, as they warned that adolescent health was at a 'tipping point'. In a major new review of the health and well-being of adolescents, experts said some main drivers of ill-health among teenagers have switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems. They warned that mental health among teenagers had seen a 'significant decline' over the past three decades, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. And they projected that 464 million teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030 – 143 million more than in 2015. But the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing pointed out: 'In terms of health risks, substance use [specifically tobacco and alcohol] has declined in every region.' The experts on the commission said action is needed to tackle threats to adolescents' health and well-being.
Sky News
21-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Almost half a billion teenagers will be overweight by 2030, experts warn
Almost half a billion teenagers around the world will be obese by 2030, experts have warned. Adolescent health has reached a "tipping point", according to the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing. Experts warned the main drivers of ill health among teens has switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems. They projected 464 million teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030 - 143 million more than in 2015. But they did acknowledge that substance abuse among teenagers had declined. It comes as separate research claimed weight-loss jabs for obese children could be effective in reducing parent battles around mealtimes. But the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is "unable to make a recommendation" about use of the jabs on teenagers because of a lack of evidence of their impacts. Weight-loss jabs, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by reducing food cravings but are known to cause nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vision problems. They have surged in popularity in recent years, and are available on the NHS for adults with a high body mass index (BMI) or through private providers. 1:31 Progress in teen health 'lagging well behind' Today's Lancet report warned that progress in teenage health has "lagged well behind" the improvements that have been made in the health and development of young children, adding that these benefits could subsequently be "undermined" by increasing ill health as children enter their teenage years. With a shift to an increasingly online world, the commission also argued against overly restricting access. Australia has recently approved a law to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, in one of the strictest measures in the world. The experts also said this generation is the first to grow up under harsher climate conditions making them the "first cohort of humans who will live their entire life experiencing the growing reverberations of climate change". Commission co-chairwoman Professor Sarah Baird, from George Washington University in the US, said: "The health and wellbeing of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point, with mixed progress observed over the past three decades. "Whilst tobacco and alcohol use has declined and participation in secondary and tertiary education has increased, overweight and obesity have risen by up to eight-fold in some countries in Africa and Asia over the past three decades, and there is a growing burden of poor adolescent mental health globally. "Additionally, the challenges faced by the world's adolescents are at risk of being exacerbated by emerging global issues including climate change, world conflicts and a rapid transition to a more digital world. "Investing in the health and wellbeing of young people is crucial for safeguarding our collective future." Last year, a report by the Food Foundation said children in the UK were getting shorter, fatter and sicker due to "shocking levels" of poverty and food deprivation.
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Number of obese and overweight teenagers predicted to rocket over five years
Almost half a billion teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030, experts predicted as they warned that adolescent health is at a 'tipping point'. In a major new review of the health and wellbeing of adolescents, experts said some main drivers of ill-health among teenagers have switched from cigarettes and alcohol to weight gain and mental health problems. They warned that mental health among teenagers has seen a 'significant decline' over the past three decades, which was exacerbated by the Covid-19 crisis. And they projected that 464 million teenagers around the world will be overweight or obese by 2030 – 143 million more than in 2015. But the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing pointed out: 'In terms of health risks, substance use (specifically tobacco and alcohol) has declined in every region.' The experts on the commission said action is needed to tackle threats to adolescents' health and wellbeing. They warned that progress in teenage health has 'lagged well behind' the improvements that have been made in the health and development of young children – with these benefits being at risk of being 'undermined' with increased ill-health in teenagers. They added that current funding is 'not proportionate with the magnitude of the challenge'. They wrote: ' Adolescence can no longer be ignored… the time to act is now.' The authors of the report also highlighted how the shift towards a 'more digital world' could have a 'profound impact on young people's future health and wellbeing'. But they warned against 'overly restricting' access, saying there needs to be be a balance, highlighting that the online world offers teenagers new opportunities for social interaction, education, employment and health promotion. Meanwhile, they pointed out that this generation of teenagers is the first to grow up among harsher climate conditions. 'Today's adolescents are the first cohort of humans who will live their entire life experiencing the growing reverberations of climate change,' they wrote. Commission co-chairwoman Professor Sarah Baird, from George Washington University in the US, said: 'The health and wellbeing of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point, with mixed progress observed over the past three decades. 'Whilst tobacco and alcohol use has declined and participation in secondary and tertiary education has increased, overweight and obesity have risen by up to eight-fold in some countries in Africa and Asia over the past three decades, and there is a growing burden of poor adolescent mental health globally. 'Additionally, the challenges faced by the world's adolescents are at risk of being exacerbated by emerging global issues including climate change, world conflicts and a rapid transition to a more digital world. 'Investing in the health and wellbeing of young people is crucial for safeguarding our collective future.' The authors of the commission's report point out that 'investment in adolescent health will become increasingly important throughout the 21st century', adding: 'As populations age and fertility rates fall in even the poorest countries, ensuring the health and wellbeing of adolescents will be crucial to all countries' health and prosperity.'
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Screening Teens, Clinicians Discover a Tampon Access Crisis
Asking teenage girls about their access to menstruation products can help pediatricians gain a better understanding of the resources their patients need, whether it be more education or pads and tampons, according to a new study published in Pediatrics . An academic pediatric clinic in North Carolina implemented a three-question screener inquiring if teens had problems acquiring products to manage their periods, such as pads and tampons. Researchers found 1 in 10 of 73 girls had these issues. Some girls reported they resorted to using toilet paper as menstrual pads or missed school because they were worried about bleeding through their clothing. Clinicians who screened the teens reported that patient responses were sometimes surprising and opened dialogue for broader conversations about menstrual health. 'I was surprised: I feel like, 30%...of my teens have screened positive, and sometimes even just the period poverty screener itself makes me probe a little bit more on questions,' said one clinician involved in the study. 'And even if they're not positive on the screener, sometimes they'll realize they really actually don't have the things that they need.' The study took place in 2022 during well visits at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist's Downtown Health Plaza Pediatric Clinic in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, with a patient population with mostly Medicaid coverage. Teens were also asked if they had ever missed school (7%) or experienced anxiety because of their period (10%). Girls who answered yes to any of the questions received a bag of menstrual supplies and information about where to obtain additional free products. The clinic partnered with a local chapter of The Period Project, a nonprofit aimed at eliminating menstrual poverty. The North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology in 2022 called for clinicians to ask their patients about access to menstrual products, educate them about menstruation, and speak openly with girls about their periods. A recent study found that 1 in 3 girls who visited an emergency department in Washington, DC, said they were unable to afford supplies or had to use cloth, toilet paper, tissues, or rags as alternatives. Tambu Kudze, MD Girls who struggle to afford supplies may 'resort to using products beyond their recommended use,' which increases their risk for toxic shock syndrome, said Tambu Kudze, MD, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, who was not associated with the study. The use of items like cloth or toilet paper can also increase the risk for vulvar irritation, poor hygiene, and infection, Kudze said. However, asking questions about access to menstrual products is not a widespread clinical practice, said Callie Brown, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and senior author of the study. Callie Brown, MD 'I would say honestly that some of these teens lack understanding for their menstrual cycles in general, and not understanding that it can be irregular, and how much they need to use pads and tampons,' said one clinician. 'Sometimes, they're using them inappropriately, so the education part has been an issue for some kids.' Kudze said that written questionnaires could easily be integrated into clinical practice and might help patients disclose their struggles. 'One of my biggest takeaways from the study is we can ask these questions, but it's important to then have the resources,' Kudze said. 'You can't just say 'I'm sorry that you don't have pads' and then leave it there.' Kudze and Brown reported having no disclosures. The study was independently funded.
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Healthy' schoolgirl, 17, ‘dies' in front of terrified classmates after GP dismissed symptoms as ‘anxiety'
TEENAGER Evelyn Walker was assured by doctors that her symptoms were caused by anxiety. But two years later, the seemingly fit and healthy 17-year-old schoolgirl collapsed and 'died' in front of her terrified classmates. 8 8 Sixth form student Evelyn began her day as normal on February 7 but started to feel unwell before her first lesson. She was experiencing chest pains, nausea and fatigue and quickly collapsed in her form room. Evelyn had gone into cardiac arrest; her heart had suddenly stopped beating and she wasn't breathing. A teacher raced across the building to grab their on-site defibrillator while school staff desperately performed CPR. The school's medical officer then shocked an unconscious Evelyn twice in a frantic bid to restart her heart and bring her back to life. Evelyn, a year 12 pupil, believes her heart stopped for five minutes before she was stabilised by paramedics from the East Anglian Air Ambulance and blue-lighted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. There, she was placed in a three-day coma and admitted for a month before being fitted with an internal defibrillator to prevent any similar incidents in the future. Evelyn, who lives in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, says: 'It was just a normal morning. 'I got up, had my breakfast, got ready, walked to school with my friend, but when I arrived at around 8.30am, I basically just collapsed. 'I felt fine that morning. Everything was normal until I started getting chest pains, began feeling sick and collapsed. Woman left fighting for her life in organ failure after 4 cardiac arrests moments after sipping drink loved by millions 'I don't have any memories of the event. I completely blacked out. 'I just remember waking up in hospital a few days later.' As soon as her petrified mum Jennifer and dad Nick heard what happened, they rushed to their daughter's side. Jennifer, 47, says: 'It was the worst moment of my entire life. 'I was in bed asleep having a lie-in and heard my phone going then saw the word 'ambulance' on my phone. 'I just thought Evelyn had bumped her head or fallen over. Then the police were on my doorstep and I just thought she was dead. 'It was absolutely awful. I was screaming and screaming. 'Then when I realised she wasn't dead, I chucked some jeans on and we went to the school. 'I was in complete shock. Nothing like this had ever happened before. 'It was completely out of the blue. She's a healthy, vibrant young girl.' FOBBED OFF BY DOCS Despite being 'dead' for five minutes straight, Evelyn miraculously made a full recovery. Medics initially said there was no clear cause of the sudden cardiac arrest, but the schoolgirl believes she may have an underlying heart issue. Evelyn had flagged chest pains to her GP two years earlier, but says they were dismissed as ' anxiety ' - though she wasn't prescribed any medication. After multiple tests, doctors now believe there may be abnormalities in Evelyn's heart, but the medical cause of her cardiac arrest is still under investigation. After being fobbed off by her GP, she is urging others to push medical professionals for answers when it comes to concerns about their health. 12 young people under 35 die each week in the UK from sudden cardiac arrest. Don't assume your symptoms are nothing Jennifer WalkerMum Evelyn, who loves performing arts and does theatre outside of school, says: 'I thought I was young and healthy and nothing like this would ever happen to me. 'The only indication that I had any issue was that I had mild chest pains. 'We went to the GP about it a couple of years ago but they just put it down to physical symptoms of anxiety and it never got investigated. 'We still don't know if that was linked to my cardiac arrest, but I'm quite frustrated that I was brushed aside, probably just because I'm a young person. 'I'm sure if I was over 60 and complaining of chest pain, they would have looked into it further. 'Don't just assume that doctors are right. You know your body better than anyone else. 'If you think something is off then don't be afraid to push. Heart problems can affect anyone.' 8 8 8 She adds: 'My outlook on life has really changed. 'Now that this has happened, I just want to pursue the life that I want to live. I feel like I've been given a second chance. 'I want to take every opportunity that is handed to me, pursue a career in the creative arts and not be so afraid of failure.' Jennifer, a bid consultant who has launched a Facebook page called Young Hearts UK to help raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest in young people, wants more people to learn CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training in light of her daughter's episode. Heart attack vs cardiac arrest A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest. A heart attack is when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked. The heart muscle is robbed of its vital blood supply and, if left untreated, will begin to die because it is not getting enough oxygen. A cardiac arrest is when a person's heart stops pumping blood around their body and they stop breathing normally. Many cardiac arrests in adults happen because of a heart attack. This is because a person who is having a heart attack may develop a dangerous heart rhythm, which can cause a cardiac arrest. A heart attack and a cardiac arrest are both emergency situations. A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm, which happens when the electrical system in the heart isn't working properly. Not all abnormal heart rhythms are life-threatening, but some mean that the heart cannot pump blood around the body. If someone is in cardiac arrest, they collapse suddenly and: Will be unconscious Unresponsive, and Not breathing or not breathing normally – this may mean they're making gasping noises. Without immediate treatment, the person will die. If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, phone 999 immediately and start CPR. Source: NHS She says: 'If you have some sort of chest pain, get it looked into and don't just assume it's nothing. 'If [doctors] had just done a five-minute ECG, they would've seen Evelyn's results weren't normal. 'Sudden cardiac arrest is fairly rare for young people but not unheard of. 'In fact, 12 young people under 35 die each week in the UK from it. 'That's why we want people to know CPR and to know where their nearest defibrillator is.' 8 8 8 How to do CPR If someone is unconscious, not breathing and has a weak or no pulse, call an ambulance and ask a bystander to find a defibrillator then start CPR 1. Lie the person flat on their back on the floor and remove anything from behind their head. 2. Kneel by their side. Put one hand flat in the middle of their chest and the other on top of it, locking your fingers together. 3. Lean over their chest and keep your arms straight to push directly down with your body weight. 4. Push hard on the chest about twice per second (in time to the tune of Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees) keeping your arms straight and aiming to squash it by 5cm to 6cm each time. 5. Keep going until paramedics arrive.
