April 27, 2005

Teen Girls on Steroids

Steroid use among teen girls is at an all-time high—5% of high school girls and 7% of middle school girls admit to trying anabolic steroids at least once. Bulking up a la Governor Schwarzenegger isn't the goal, rather steroid using girls are hoping to lose weight and tone their bodies. Often these same girls suffer from eating disorders.

In teenage girls, the side effects from taking male sex hormones can include severe acne, smaller breasts, deeper voice, irregular periods, excess facial and body hair, depression, paranoia and the fits of anger dubbed "roid rage." Steroids also carry higher risks of heart attack, stroke and some forms of cancer.

Something tells me losing a few pounds isn't worth all that.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:52 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 22, 2005

The Dangers of Tanning

Spring has come and that means people are donning shorter sleeve, baring flesh and hoping to soak up the sun with a good tan. Which is a great way to get skin cancer and die.

A nice tan may be the cool look, but it's also deadly. Tanned skin is damaged skin, and it's the first step towards premature aging and skin cancer. Experts say 80% of the damage to your skin will happen by age 18. Skin cancer is the number one cancer among women under 35, and doctors blame high levels of UV radiation. Which means sun bathing and tanning booths can kill you. Yes, the UV rays from a tanning booth can have the same skin-wrinkling, cancer-causing effect.

37% of young women have used tanning booths at least once, along with 11% of guys. They may be joining the estimated 1 million people diagnosed with skin cancer last year, more than all other cancers combined. (American Academy of Dermatology)

If you must have the in-look of orange, cancer-susceptible skin, a safer way to go is sunless tanning sprays and lotions.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 09:12 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Generation Rx: Teens Abusing Prescription Drugs

Percentage of teens who have ever tried:

37% - Marijuana
19% - Inhalants
18% - Vicodin*
10% - OxyContin*
10% - Ritalin/Adderall*
9% - Cough Medicine
9% - Crack/Cocaine
9% - Ecstasy
8% - Meth

While the rise in prescription drug abuse is perplexing, there is good news: Marijuana, tobacco and alcohol abuse are all down.

(*without a doctor's prescription, Partnership for a Drug Free America)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:21 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

April 14, 2005

Are You Suicidal?

Every year 3 million teens ages 15-19 seriously consider suicide; 1.7 million actually try it. Are you thinking about suicide?

According to a new study asking that question doesn't make suicide more likely. In fact, it can be a release valve and shows that you care.

So if you're worried about a friend, it's OK to ask. Just know that a suicidal friend is a big deal—it's not something you should have to handle yourself. Get help. (link via YS Update)

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 08:16 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

April 08, 2005

C is for Cookie, and it's Sometimes Good Enough for Me

Healthy living has come to Sesame Street, and it means changes for ol' Cookie Monster. A focus on health in response to soaring obesity has meant new segments on exercise and nutrition, including a new song for the cookie-scarfing monster, "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food," where he learns the difference between "sometimes" foods and "anytime" foods.

"We are not putting him on a diet," said his spokesman, [Dr. Rosemarie T.] Truglio. "And we would never take the position of no sugar. We're teaching him moderation."

The furry one also plans to try different kinds of cookies (read: healthier cookies) rather than his just staple, chocolate chip.

But will he still scarf his food? Yes, plus the occasional object, Truglio said.

But isn't that unhealthy? Her reply: He's still Cookie Monster.

Cookie Monster appears to be happy with the new "sometimes food" song, because at the end he warbles: "Is sometimes now?"

"Yes," he's told.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 04:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 01, 2005

22% of Teens Want to Get Lung Cancer and Die

Or maybe those 22% just want to look cool. Whatever the reason, 22% of high school students smoke cigarettes, a number that used to be dropping but is now holding steady. Health advocates blame a lack of funding for anti-smoking measures, which seemed to be working but have recently been cut back.

Only 8% of middle schoolers smoke, which makes you wonder who's smarter.

Posted by Kevin D. Hendricks at 03:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack