Surprising teen health hazards

The callow mind of an adolescent is susceptible to temptations. Children in this age bracket are antsy. They do not like listening to or abiding by rules. They might even yawn to your face if you teach them the importance of a healthy lifestyle. But you are the parent. And you have the power - not to dominate the child with your lessons, but to inculcate healthy habits into them without overwhelming them. It helps to strike a friendly chord with children.

Here is a list of teen health hazards which the parental clan would want to warn their growing little ones about:

1. Fast food fad

While those cheese burgers are scrumptious and filled crust pizzas are succulent, they lack in essential nutrients big-time. And with fast food chains spreading across the streets, the probability of these antsy teens getting tempted is elevated. The latest trend among this age group is to guiltlessly delve into these delicacies and break it even by pulling off a high intensity run in the gym to fit into the trendy clothes they bought after their high calorie lunch. In this run-of-the-mill lifestyle, they miss out on nutrition which is important to propel them when they senesce.

Parents should make sure the kids finish their breakfast before they head out. Making sure there’s variety and taste in breakfast will keep their taste buds in check. You can develop taste into them by replacing, for example, aerated drinks with squashes, plain milk with hot/cold chocolate, etc.

2. Smoking and drinking

Parents cannot spy on their children to find out if they’re into smoking or drinking habits. But there are signs they can look for. Better would be to explain to them the side effects of drinking and smoking at such early age and how it can badly effect the physical, mental and emotional growth.

3. Relationships and sex

It might be awkward for the children if parents are upfront with the sex talk. But ensuring that the idea makes way into their understanding is vital. Parents need to ensure that their teenagers have awareness about sexually transmitted diseases, birth control etc. They need to have a subtle yet stern conversation around this and make them available with important articles. Instead of barring them from dating, parents should be sure that they’re dating the right person.

4. Managing the distress

Not every child is a born Einstein. Parents need to understand that their teenager children might already be dealing with a lot of competition with peers or at the relationship front. They need to let and help their children to carve their own niche.

5. Safety

Teenagers are gullible. It is the parents who need to tell them that not everyone is trustworthy out there. Parents should make them aware of the crook happenings both in the real world and over the internet. They need to explain why it is risky to publish photos on the internet or why a chat friend cannot be blindly trusted. Instead of peeping into their private data, maintain a rapport where they openly allow you to follow them on social network.

6. Cleanliness

Parents need to inculcate sanitary habits in their children right from an early age. Most children can be seen repeating the socks or under garments and sharing combs, lip balms, etc. They need to be made aware that they might be picking germs and bacteria. Making sure a fresh and separate set of such commodities can help keep a lot of contagious infections at bay.

7. Mania of tattoos and unusual piercing

Movie actors, rockstars, celebrities are all getting tattoos and piercing. In all friendliness topped by jokes, explain to them how their personality will change with time. Then they would laugh at the juvenile design. Suggest them to go for an alternative temporary airbrush tattoo. Children might brush-off your advice at first, but it will give them a point to consider.