HHS HealthBeat (July 28, 2010)

Bad moves in the teen years

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

In the Great Race of Life, a bad start in the teen years raises the risk of an early finish. At the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Danice Eaton has been looking at data on the health habits of teenagers. Poor habits can contribute to life-shortening conditions in adulthood, such as heart disease.

Eaton says there are some encouraging trends, such as fewer students using unhealthy weight control methods. She also says parents can encourage teens to eat better and exercise more.

"For example, nearly half of high school students have ever smoked cigarettes, about three quarters are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, and over 80 percent did not get enough physical activity."  (11 seconds)

The data are in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: November 21, 2011