Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAutomobile AccidentsSuicideGun ViolenceBullyingSexual RisksTobacco UseAlcoholRecreational DrugsEating DisordersObesity
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Automobile Accidents
Suicide
Gun Violence
Bullying
Sexual Risks
Tobacco Use
Alcohol
Recreational Drugs
Eating Disorders
Obesity
Teenagers today are exposed to more risks than ever before. From online bullying and school shootings toalcoholandopioid abuse, teens have higher levels of stress than in years past and increasing rates of suicide.
For parents and caregivers, this means having difficult conversations with their increasingly independent children about making smart choices about health and safety. If you’re one of those caregivers, arm yourself with facts about the top 10 teen health issues as well as resources to help navigate the stormy waters of adolescence.
Barbara Peacock / Getty Images
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of teen deaths in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that every day seven teens between the ages of 16 and 19 die from motor vehicle injuries and even more are treated in emergency rooms for serious injuries.
Teens 16–19 have a greater risk of death or injury in a car crash than any other age group.
Before your teen gets behind the wheel, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to teen car accidents. These include:
Contributing factors for suicide include loneliness, depression, family problems, andsubstance use disorder. The issues are complex and aren’t usually a result of one or two factors. Teens who have good communication with at least one adult are less likely to engage in risky behaviors and less likely to become depressed.
Learn to recognize the warning signs of suicidal thoughts in teens, which include:
If you suspect your child may be thinking of harming themself, ask if they are having thoughts of suicide, express your concerns about their behavior, listen attentively without judgment, let them know they have been heard and are not alone, and guide them to professional help.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Regardless of your personal stance on guns, it is important to talk to your children about gun safety. If you keep firearms in your home, be sure to keep them locked up and unloaded.
Research shows roughly 1 in 3 handguns is kept loaded and unlocked in the home and most children know where their parents keep their guns.The majority of firearm injuries and deaths in children and adolescents are related to guns in the home.
Whether a child has had firsthand experience with gun violence or learns about a mass shooting on the news, the opportunity to discuss this important topic with your teen will likely arise. The American Psychological Association offers the following tips for families:
Persistent bullying can cause feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair, as well asdepression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal behavior. However, the majority of teens who are bullied do not attempt suicide. While any teen can be a victim of bullying, LGBTQ youth are at a heightened risk of being targeted.
STI Causes and Risk Factors
Despite many teens experiencing bullying, only 20%–30% of teens who are bullied report it to an adult.
Signs that your teen may be experiencing bullying include:
Sex, Pregnancy, and STIs
Having the sex talk with your child can be uncomfortable, but it is important to make sure your teen understands the risks of sexual activity, how to practice safer sex, and the importance of consent. The health consequences of teen sex—namelypregnancyandsexually transmitted infections (STIs)—can have lifelong impacts. Arming yourself with facts can help facilitate a productive conversation.
Teens are at an increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection than older adults, with studies showing that 46% of sexually active teens did not use acondomthe last time they had sex.
In the United States, an estimated one-fifth of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses each year are among people between the ages of 13 and 24, while half of all reportedSTIsoccur in those 15–24.
On the bright side, the teen pregnancy rate has declined in recent years from its high in the 1980s and 1990s. In 2012, only about 29 per 1,000 women between 15 and 19 became pregnant. By 2016, that figure dropped even further to 18 per 1,000, according to the CDC. This decline is due to an increase in teens usingbirth controlandpracticing abstinence.
Another important sex topic to discuss with your teen isconsent—the agreement between two parties regarding sexual activity. Failure to get consent from a partner can lead to legal consequences. Explain to your child the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and respecting their partners.
Make sure your child understands that pressuring someone to engage in activities they are not ready for or taking advantage of someone who is drunk or drugged is never OK. Likewise, if a teen is feeling pressured or uncomfortable in a situation, it is important to speak up and leave if necessary.
How to Practice Safer Sex
Tobacco useis the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and nearly allnicotine addictionsstart in young adults.By their senior year of high school, more than two-thirds of kids have tried or are regularly using tobacco products.
While the use of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products has been in sharp decline over the past 25 years, vaping (the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems) has grown exponentially.
Initially, vaping was believed to be safer than smoking cigarettes; however, a new lung disease known as EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury) was identified in 2019.
The American Lung Association offers the following tips for talking to your kids about smoking and vaping:
If you catch your teen smoking or vaping, avoid threats and ultimatums, and instead talk with them to find out why they are using nicotine and help them to find healthier ways to cope.
Safety of Vaping Marijuana vs. Smoking
Underage drinking can lead to many problems, including difficulty at school, poor judgment and impulse control, legal troubles, andhealth problems. According to a 2019 survey, 30% of high school seniors reported drinking alcohol in the last month and 14% admitted to binge drinking (defined as consuming four or more alcoholic beverages per occasion for women, five or more drinks per occasion for men).
The CDC reports more than 4,000 underage teens die fromexcessive drinkingeach year and there are close to 120,000 emergency room visits among 12- to 21-year-olds related to alcohol use.
Having an ongoing discussion with your teen about underage drinking is important. Encourage a two-way conversation with your teen and clearly state your expectations. Ask open-ended questions that encourage your child to tell you how they feel without lecturing.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism advises keeping the lines of communication open and emphasizing some key points, including:
While most parents do not want their teens to drink, it is important to keep lines of communication open, especially when it comes todrunk driving.
Emphasize to your teen that they should never get behind a wheel after drinking or get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Let them know they can always call you if they need a ride, no questions asked.
Recreational drug use is a serious health risk for teens. Roughly half of all high school students report having tried cannabis, 14% have takenprescription medicationinappropriately, and 15% have tried “illicit or injection drugs (i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy.)”
How Anabolic Steroids Increase Your HIV Risk
Opioidspresent the largest drug-related health risk for teens, with more than 4,000 young adults ages 15–25 overdosing and dying each year.A highly addictive group of drugs, opioids include both prescription pain medications and street drugs like:
Opioid addiction can have major life-threatening consequences. Many people start out taking prescription tablets, become addicted, and turn to heroin because it is less expensive.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends talking with your teen often about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. Encourage your child to have an exit plan if they are offered drugs, such as texting a code word to a family member, and practice how to say no assertively.
If you suspect your child is addicted to opioids or abusing drugs, seek professional help. Talk to your child’s doctor or school counselor or contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at800-662-HELP (4357).
Opioid Abuse and the Hepatitis C Epidemic
Eating disordersfrequently first appear during adolescence. Often misunderstood as a lifestyle choice, eating disorders such asanorexia nervosa,bulimia nervosa, andbinge-eating disorderare serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that alter behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
Both sexes can develop eating disorders, however, rates are higher in girls than boys. If your child seems preoccupied with food, their weight, and the shape of their body, they may have an eating disorder.
Other signs to watch for include:
If your teen is showing signs of having an eating disorder, it is important to seek treatment, which may include psychotherapy, medications, and nutritional classes. For support, education, and assistance finding resources for treatment, contact theNational Alliance for Eating DisordersHelpline at 1-866-662-1235.
An estimated 20% of teens in the United States meet the medical definition ofobesity, which is having abody mass index (BMI)at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex.
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such as body composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age.Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
The health consequences of childhood obesity are serious and includetype 2 diabetes,heart disease,asthma, andfatty liver disease. It also can lead to psychological problems including anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and bullying. Childhood obesity also sets the stage for obesity and health problems in adulthood.
Differences Between Obesity and Being Overweight
Factors associated with excessive weight gain in teens include:
In fact, about 87% of high school students do not eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, while more than 25% eat more than two servings of high-fat products a day.According to the CDC, around 33% of high school students do not get enoughexerciseand only 36% percent are enrolled in daily physical education programs.
Weight issues during the teenage years can be complicated to approach. Most teens go through growth spurts during these years, and teens often gain weight before they grow taller. Many teens feel uncomfortable in their new bodies and can be sensitive to discussions about weight.
If you are concerned that your teen is gaining too much weight, use the CDC’sBMI Calculator for Child and Teenor ask for an assessment at your child’s next physical. A BMI percentile of 85% is considered overweight, while 95% is obese.
Thetreatment of obesityinvolves weight loss and lifestyle changes, including an improved diet and routine exercise. It can help to see anutritionistto develop a balanced eating plan. Healthy eating as a family can help support your teen without causing them to feel singled out.
Weight Loss Help for Kids Who Aren’t Losing Weight
A Word From Verywell
The teen years can be a challenge for many parents. As children grow more independent and form new friendships, it becomes more difficult to monitor their behavior than when they were younger.
At the same time, teens need guidance navigating peer pressure and making smart choices, so it is essential to keep the lines of communication open. Many parents find having these talks with their teens is more productive when the conversation flows naturally while doing something else, like playing a board game, taking a walk, or driving in the car.
Arming yourself with facts in advance can help facilitate a productive discussion. At the end of the day, the most important thing is for teens to know they are loved and that they always have someone to come to with their problems.
Common Teen Illnesses Every Parent Should Know
28 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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