Adolescence is a stage of development and human growth that, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), It occurs between the ages of 10 and 19, after childhood and before adulthood. It is a stage of great changes for the human being and is one of the most important transitions that we will have throughout our life, characterized by an accelerated growth rate.
During this stage, great physical development takes place, but also, many opportunities for personal and emotional growth. However, as these exist, some situations may appear that are not so positive. We share you the biggest health risks for teenagers, according to WHO.
Health risks for adolescents
According to a report published by WHO in 2017, more than 3,000 teenagers die every day from causes that, for the most part, could be avoided. Although the causes of death and health risks vary due to different factors such as country of residence, gender or age range, a series of main problems for adolescent health. We share what they are and what we can do as parents to prevent them.
Pregnancies and early births
During adolescence, it is when the body begins to manufacture the sex hormones that are responsible for all the physical transformation that our children will go through. In this stage It is very important to talk with them not only about all these changes, but also about sexuality, to prevent teenage pregnancy.
According to WHO figures, Complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of mortality among adolescents aged 15 to 19 in the world. 11% of all births worldwide correspond to women aged 15 to 19, with most of them registered in low and middle-income countries.
In Babies and more Teen pregnancy: they enter a pregnant girl with only 12 yearsHIV
Another reason to talk about sexuality and contraceptive measures with our children, is because HIV is also one of the health risks of adolescents, because despite the fact that the number of deaths related to this disease has decreased in the general population , more than two million teenagers live with HIV.
Although deaths from HIV in adolescence are mainly recorded in the Africa region, we must ensure that educate our children with the necessary and sufficient information to protect themselves and prevent transmission of this and other diseases.
In Babies and more, they recommend vaccinating adolescents against meningococcal meningitis Other infectious diseases
According to WHO figures, diarrhea and lower respiratory tract infections They are among the first five causes of death in the group of 10 to 19 years. In addition, together with meningitis, they are the first three causes of death of adolescents in low and middle income countries.
Mental health
A very important aspect that we must take care of during our adolescence of our children is their mental health, because as we know, half of the mental disorders begin before the age of 14. One of them, depression is the third leading cause of morbidity and disability among adolescents, while suicide is the third cause of death among older adolescents (between 15 and 19 years old).
There are certain factors such as poverty, violence and humiliation, which may increase the risk of teenagers having a mental health problem, but it is important that as parents we always take care of this aspect and be attentive, accompanying our children, offering them the emotional support they need, letting them know that they are loved and worth a lot, and strengthen as much as we can the relationship with them.
If we notice very sudden changes in your personality and healthLike stopping doing things that used to make you happy, being sad or angry all day, isolating yourself from family and friends, presenting sleep or eating disorders or complaining often about aches or pains, let's do our best to approach and talk with them to Know what happens and know how to act as soon as possible.
Violence
Worldwide, one in ten women under 20 has suffered sexual violence. In the case of men, interpersonal violence represents 43% of adolescent deaths in low and medium-sized countries in the WHO region of the Americas.
In Babies and more Children and adolescents are less violent in countries where corporal punishment is prohibitedRegarding this point and also the previous one about mental health, childhood is a key moment to prevent both. As parents we must educate our children in an environment of love, respect, tolerance and understanding, in which we can also form strong and trustworthy bonds with them.
Alcohol and drugs
Although in most countries there are laws that prohibit the purchase and consumption of alcohol before coming of age, during adolescence it is when our children are usually exposed to it for the first time. The harmful consumption of this among adolescents is worrisome, since increases the appearance of risk behaviors mentioned in previous points, such as unprotected sex or violence, as well as traffic accidents.
On the other hand, drug use among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years is also worrying. In both situations, as parents we should talk to our children before they are exposed to both, to talk to them about the risk and danger they represent for their health, and above all, so they know they don't have to give in to the pressure of others to consume them.
In Babies and more, they propose that a drug test be included in the 14-year-old pediatric review Trauma
According to WHO, involuntary injuries are the main cause of mortality and disability among adolescents. According to their figures, more than 115,000 adolescents died in traffic accidents in 2015, mainly due to the lack of information on road safety and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
But not only car accidents are worrisome. Approximately 57,000 teenagers were drowned in 2015, of which two thirds were men. This can be prevented by teaching children and teenagers to swim, as drowning is also one of the main causes of mortality.
Malnutrition and obesity
As for your eating habits, extremes are never good. Malnutrition makes them more likely to get diseases and die at an early age, while obesity or excess weight leads to serious diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular and joint diseases, cancer and mental health problems.
Physical activity and nutrition
Hand in hand with the previous point, WHO also lists physical activity and proper nutrition, both key points for the healthy development of all people, from children to adults. But establishing them from adolescence will make the difference between good health or poor health in adulthood.
At home, let's set the example. Let's offer healthy food and a balanced diet, also making physical activity more of our routine. Some time ago we shared that 80% of girls do not perform the physical activity recommended by WHO and in the case of teenagers, less than one in four meets the 60 daily minutes of moderate or intense physical activity that are recommended.
In Babies and more These are the five habits you must follow to prevent your children from suffering from obesityTobacco consumption
Finally, tobacco use is another of the health risks for adolescents, as it is the age at which most people who use tobacco today began to do so. According to WHO, at least one in ten adolescents between 13 and 15 years old consume tobacco.
Remember that Although teenagers are no longer children, they still need us as parents, even more than ever at this stage, in which we must continue to accompany them, educate them, guide them and inform them, so that they are able to make good decisions for their life and their health.
