This Issue

Adolescent Health

Marching toward a healthier beat

Teen depression: More than just a bleak mood

Start young to defuse stress

Q & A

Think immunizations are just for kids? Think again.

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Signs and symptoms

Some children have no symptoms of type 2 diabetes, while others may experience:

• Increased thirst

• Frequent urination

• Increased hunger but loss of weight

• Blurred vision

• Fatigue

• Frequent infections or slow-healing sores

• Tingling in hands and feet

• High blood pressure or high cholesterol

• Areas of darkened skin

Long-term planning … Stock up on healthy bone now



Need more information?

• Take Charge of Your Health!
A Teenager’s Guide to Better Health
877-946-4627

• National Diabetes Education Program
888-693-NDEP

• MyPyramid.gov

• American Diabetes Association Planet D
800-342-2383
www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/parents-and-kids/planet-d/


So what’s to eat? You choose

So what’s to eat? You choose


There is no one eating plan that all adolescents should follow. The amount of food to meet a teen’s daily nutritional needs depends on height, weight, gender, physical activity and health status. The following estimate, based on 2,200 calories, is designed for a 16-year-old female of average height and weight who exercises 30 to 60 minutes a day. Each person should develop his or her own eating plan. Visit www.mypyramid.gov to get ideas and get started.


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Start young to defuse stress

 

“Parents can help children develop resilience by learning ways to cope with stress early on,” says Dr. M. Elyce Kearns, child psychiatrist. Try to model healthy stress-easing tactics when life runs you ragged. Encourage children to find a mix of calming choices that work for them (see bullets). Stick to sleep and mealtime routines, and keep communicating. Checking in daily about homework, plans and activities, and what happened during the day helps keep communication lines open for more difficult times.

• Time out: Take a break to do anything you enjoy.

• Deep breathing: Try this in a quiet spot or while walking. For five minutes, breathe in through the nose while silently counting 1-2-3-4. Breathe out through the mouth while silently counting 4-3-2-1.

• Activity: Go for a run or walk, bounce around, skip rope, do jumping jacks or push-ups, shoot hoops, practice yoga or get moving any way you like.

• Creative outlets: Scribble, draw, paint or try journal writing.

Think immunizations are just for kids?

Think again.


The protection provided by some early childhood vaccines can wear off, and risks for other diseases increase as children approach their teen years. Recommendations for immunization are made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Make sure your adolescent is fully protected. If your teen was not immunized at the recommended age, for most illnesses, there’s still time to catch up. Check the list below and ask advice from your pediatrician.

 

Recommended Immunizations for
adolescents 11 to 19 years

Dosing Requirements
Tetanus, Diptheria toxoids, acellular Pertussis (Tdap) 1 dose
Hepatitis B 3 doses
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) 2 doses
Chickenpox (varicella) 2 doses
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 3 doses
Meningococcal (MCV4) 1 dose
Influenza Yearly
Hepatitis A High risk*
Pneumococcal (PPSV) High risk*
Polio 3 doses

*Recommended for adolescents with certain chronic health problems.
Visit www.vaccinesforteens.net/index.html for more information.