Teens
From vaping to poor nutrition. And iron deficiency to mental health challenges, today’s teenagers face many pressures that may affect their bodies and minds.
Mental health and suicide risk
According to Dr Chundu, many teens feel overwhelmed because of school, social media, or family pressures. If your teenager is withdrawing, losing interest in things they used to enjoy, becoming grumpy or more tearful, or showing changes in eating or sleep patterns, these could be warning signs of depression or anxiety.
Depression and anxiety remain the leading causes of illness and disability, especially in teenagers. Alarmingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) rates suicide as the third leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 29 years old. To fight the rise in mental health disorders, the WHO recommends fostering a supportive environment where teenagers feel they can be open about the challenges they are facing, especially at home.
Vaping and nicotine addiction
According to WHO, an estimated 37 million teenagers aged 13 to 15 years old use tobacco products . For example, vaping products may seem harmless, but many teens are struggling to stop once they start. If your teenager always carries a vape, uses it first thing in the morning, or says they “need it to get through the day,” they may already be dependent.
Signs of addiction to look out for include irritability when they have gone long periods without vaping, shortness of breath, coughing, or difficulty concentrating. Nicotine affects brain development, memory and mood, on top of the risks to the teenager's lungs and heart health.
Obesity and poor nutrition
While past decades were marked by anorexia and teens being underweight, obesity has now become a leading adolescent health issue. Heavily processed foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats are the main culprits in South Africa. Health risks include developing joint and bone issues, being insulin resistant and type 2 diabetes. Encouraging regular exercise, by making it a family affair and healthy home-cooked meals, can make a huge difference.
Iron deficiency and low energy
Anaemia affects 1 in 4 people worldwide, with adolescent girls being the most vulnerable. Many teenagers often dismiss constant fatigue as “normal,” meaning low iron levels often go unnoticed. However, constant fatigue could be linked to iron deficiency. Teenage girls are especially at risk due to heavy periods combined with rapid growth. Symptoms of anaemia to look out for include low energy levels, joint pain, shortness of breath during exercise, or sudden weight changes. If left untreated, anaemia can be detrimental to a teenager's educational outcomes and their overall health.