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Posts for: June, 2017
Half of teens have consumed alcohol by the time they are 15 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health, and underage drinking only becomes more common
as teens approach adulthood. By the time they've reached 18, more than 70% of teens have had at least one alcoholic beverage.
This prevalence of underage drinking is problematic for a number of reasons. First of all, it's dangerous. Alcohol can impair anyone's judgment and physical coordination, but drinkers younger than 21 often hesitate to seek help in dangerous situations involving alcohol, for fear of getting in trouble. Roughly 5,000 young people die in the U.S. annually in conjunction with underage drinking, according to the Surgeon General, most often as a result of car accidents.
How Does Drinking Affect Development?
There's much more to the danger of alcohol than death, particularly among young people. Those who drink in their teen years may harm their brain development — because the brain develops into a person's 20s, people who start drinking early and heavily are at risk of developing alcohol dependence and diminishing their capacity to learn. Research also ties alcohol consumption to an increased likelihood of drug use, problems with academic performance and trouble with the law.
These facts may not surprise a lot of people, as there have been efforts in the last few decades to better educate teens about the consequences of alcohol consumption. The good news is something is making a difference, as underage drinking rates have declined: Binge drinking among 12 to 20 year olds fell 26% between 2003 and 2013, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Still, it's common, so the risks remain.
Perhaps the best thing society can do to continue reducing underage drinking is to maintain conversations about the risks. Taking action to prevent drinking, like making it difficult for teens to access alcohol and setting strict consequences for those who violate the law, will help, as well.
For parents, it's important to set clear expectations and stay connected to what's going on in teens' lives so it's easy to identify signs of alcohol use, like falling grades, behavior problems, significant shifts in demeanor and a change in friend groups. Navigating a good relationship with a teenager is easier said than done, but it's certainly more effective than avoiding tough conversations and potentially ignoring major problems.
Whether it's a two-year-old screaming for chicken nuggets or a three-year-old who refuses to eat anything other than cereal, there are several instances when parents
wonder if the food battle is even worth it. After all, we all know plenty of children who grew up on nothing but hot dogs and turned out alright, so why fight food battles today when you could just worry about them later? Is establishing good eating habits at an early age really that important?
Eating Healthy Makes For Healthy Kids
Unfortunately for stressed out moms and dads, the truth is that teaching your children to eat healthy foods from an early age really is that important. Not only do young children need the nutrition that a healthy diet provides, but the food habits parents begin now will likely continue throughout the child's life.
Childhood is a tremendous time of growth for children, especially children from the ages of birth to five. While they are still small, they are growing and developing rapidly. Children need the nutrients that come from a varied diet. They don't have to have every food group at every meal or even every day, but it is essential that they receive all of the nutrients that they need on a regular basis.
Healthy Habits Carry Into Adulthood
Secondly, while it may not seem like it at the time, starting good habits younger is actually far easier than starting them later in life, when a child's eating preferences are already established. Babies who are trying new things are generally more willing to try a wide variety of new tastes and textures, while three-year-olds who are used to only eating one or two things are just as happy to continue being picky.
Getting your children to try new things can be difficult, but take heart in the fact that this resistance is normal. In fact, your children may need to try a new food as many as twenty times before they learn to like it! Instead of force-feeding your children new foods or giving in to their constant demands, slowly begin adding a little more variety in addition to their usual fare. Over time, these new foods will become normal and familiar, and it won't be long until you realize your children aren't so picky after all.