Healthier Choices

Source: http://www.timeforkids.com/news/move-over-mms/168286

Date: September 28, 2014

Summary: In Chicago an organization called Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities (HKHC) replaced vending machine foods, with healthier snacks. A recent study

by Northern University said that during the first fifteen months, vending machines increased from $84-$351. Each machine was required to state the nutrition standards. These standards are that snacks can't contain more than twice their serving size, snacks must be free of trans fat, and no more than thirty-five percent of their weight can be from sugar and sweeteners. Instead of candy and cookies, there are granola bars, fruit snack, and baked chips. In the past couple years the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) created new nutrition standards for school lunches. 

Connection with Health Class: So far we have been discussing about obesity, diabetes and we have been bringing healthy snacks for movie days. As teenagers we tend to choose the junk food over the healthy snacks because it taste better. Our body responds to all the sugar we eat and we can develop diabetes. The more junk we eat, the more we can get obese, because all these small snacks add up. It is very important to keep track of what you eat. 

Questions for Health Class: In a week how many times do you get snacks from a vending machine? Do you get the junk snacks or the healthy snacks? Do you keep track of what you eat? If you do, is the food you eat healthy?

Talking to Parents About Depression

Source: http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/Parents/talk_depression.html

Date: September 25, 2014

Summary: When feeling depressed, alone, or having any kind emotional problems, the best way to reach for help and support is to talk with a parent. Although at first, it may seem like a bizarre or awkward thing to do, parents are constantly seeking to help out their children the best they can, even when it seems they are just trying to put even more stress on you. With a courageous will, a calm attitude, and talking honestly with them, in the end, parents will be supportive; they will show that they truly care for you, and they will want to help improve your situation.

Connection with Health Class: We've been discussing about how kids tend to shy away from their parents. They typically refuse to talk about their daily personal emotions and activities with them. If kids decided to form closer relationships with their parents, then in most cases, the amount of pressure and stress in their lives will decrease by a significant amount (of course only if they communicate during a relaxed and calm time).

Question for Health Class: Have you ever talked with a parent about any stress or depression you've had? If so, how has it worked out in the end? If you haven't, do you think talking with your parent(s) would help benefit yourself? 

Teen Stress

Date: September 25, 2014

Source: http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2014/02/teen-stress.aspx

Summary: A recent survey released by the American Psychological Associated reveals that teen stress levels are just as high, if not higher, than those of adults. The stress rates among teens during the school year skyrocket. However, teenagers neglect to realize the effects of not effectively managing their stress. High levels of stress increase irritability, lack of sleep, and overeating.

Connection to Health Class: We have been studying the effects and perception of stress recently. As teenagers, we are susceptible to these bad habits due to stress. As stress decreases the hours we sleep at night, our ability to function decreases as well. Overeating or eating the wrong kinds of food will cause us to gain weight, leading to higher risks of diseases.

Discussion Question: How stressed out are you as a teenager in high school? Do you manage your stress wisely? If so, how? If not, how can you better manage your stress levels to prevent future consequences?

Teen Prescription Drug Abuse

Source:  http://teens.drugabuse.gov/drug-facts/prescription-drugs

Summary: Prescription drug abuse is when someone takes a medication that was prescribed for someone else. It has become a big health issue because of the things that it does to your body. For teens, it is a growing problem. Teens abuse prescription drugs for a many reasons, such as to get high, to stop pain, or because they think it will help them with school work. Most teens get prescription drugs they abuse from friends and relatives, sometimes without the person knowing.

Connection: This topic relates to health class because we have be learning about how it is very important to not take anybody's prescription because it is very dangerous. In a video that we watched we learned some reasons teens today use other peoples prescription. We found that the main reason that teens took illegal prescriptions was because of stress. 

Discussion Question: What do you think we should do to avoid Prescription drug abuse? Should schools limit the amount of homework given? How much will it impact teens when cutting down the amount of homework?

Optimism vs. Pessimism; The Power In A Single Thought

Title: Optimism vs. Pessimism; The Power In A Single Thought

Source: http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/optimism.html

Date: September 24, 2014

Summary: Optimism is many opinions; variations; for seeing something from different points of view. An example of optimism would be seeing a glass as half full rather than half empty. Being optimistic is a necessary factor in improving your lifestyle, health, and the levels of your happiness, which will result in benefiting you in the long run. According to statistics, those who have a optimistic attitude tends to be more successful, less vulnerable to stress, and are less likely to fall into depression. 

Connection with health class: From a video that we watched in class, we learned that viewing stress negatively while only being under the influence of little amounts has resulted in more deaths than viewing stress positively even if you may face it at every corner. However, we didn't have the opportunity to look at how we could avoid bearing that extra load of burden, which can be avoided with an optimistic attitude. Optimism is a positive outlook of a situation, instead of beating down on yourself all the time, you instead would look at the better side of every conflict, finding the light under even the darkest circumstances, which could help us evade the seemingly impossible situations and come out on top.

Question for health class: How optimistic or pessimistic have you been recently, did it get worse? If so, was it due to the stress school tends to have on different individuals? How can you change the circumstance and take control of your life to ensure a better future and a more stable mental state?

“Perhaps our eyes need to be washed by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view again.”

The "New" Parents

Source: http://www.essentialkids.com.au/older-kids/behaviour-and-discipline-for-older-kids/parents-fears-for-todays-teenagers-are-very-different-from-last-generation-20131125-2y5j8.html

Date: 9/25/14

Summary: Today's teens generations has never been so unique, we're the only one having so much access to technologies and therefore more knowledge. Our parents do not know how to deal with that much stress and fear, they're always looking for their kids to be open to their parents and tell them about what is going on in their lives. They're scared about cyberbully, parties, all the images and thoughts on the internet going around; today, we can learn as teenagers what people knew when they were in their mid 20s. Teens have so much power and knowledge which scares teen's parents.

Connection With Health Class: This topic connects with health class because we talked about stress and interviewed our parents about stress, and today's generation (technologies, internet etc.) scare them and stresses them a lot.

Discussion Question: Do you think parents have a good reason to worry, or should they trust teens more and stop worrying so much ?                                                                                                       

Title: Inside the teenage brain: New studies explain risky behavior

SOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140827203544.htm

Date: August 27, 201 4

Summary:  It’s common knowledge that teenage boys seem predisposed to risky behaviors. Now, a series of new studies is shedding light on specific brain mechanisms that help to explain what might be going on inside juvenile male brains. t’s common knowledge that teenage boys seem predisposed to risky behaviors. Now, a series of new studies is shedding light on specific brain mechanisms that help to explain what might be going on inside juvenile male brains.

Connection with health class: We know that our brains are not fully developed until about age 25.We have studied the 7 health risk behaviors and the brain parts to better understand the function of the brain. We haven't looked into the differences between male and female brain development.

Question for health class: How should we go about designing or approaching educational strategies to teach teens on this subject? (The brain and risky behavior)

Soda - The Real Truth!

Title: 63% of Americans Actively Avoid Soda

SOURCE: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/13/soda-consumption.aspx?x_cid=20140813_nonlead_facebookdoc

DATE: August 13, 2014



Summary of article:
Soda consumption is at its lowest level in decades, due to the rise in obesity and diabetes. Coca-cola is trying to introduce smaller sizes to the teen market.
The amount of sugar in one 20 ounce bottle of soda equals 16 teaspoons of sugar, which is the recommended daily allowance of total sugar intake. People who drink soda (non-diet) may gain weight, develop type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and suffer from a stroke. Current studies show issues regarding the effects of soda on the teen brain involve problems with learning and memory. Diet drinks containing aspartame and caramel coloring are potential cancer causing ingredients. Break free of your soda habit in a healthy way and overcome your cravings using suggested tools for success.

Connection with health class:
What happens in your body when you drink soda? Within 20 minutes your blood sugar spikes and body starts turning sugar into fat. Within 40 minutes the caffeine has been absorbed into your body and your blood pressure rises. Within 45 minutes your brain increases dopamine levels. Within 60 minutes your blood sugar crashes, and you may crave more sugar.

My question for health class:
Have you given up soda and why? If not . . . 
Can you try to give up soda for 2 or 3 days and document the changes/responses in your body?