Drug Education For Youth

February is Heart Health Month. It may not seem like a top concern for young people, but 1 in 10 teens have elevated blood pressure, and over-consumption of caffeine certainly doesn't help. Additionally, if kids are on stimulant medication for conditions like ADHD, caffeine can increase negative side effects. Read further for health impacts and suggestions for caffeinated drink substitutes: https://utswmed.org/medblog/kids-caffeine-heart-problems/ #:~:text=Long%2Dterm%20overconsumption%20of%20caffeine,10%20have%20elevated%20blood%20pressure.

How caffeine affects heart health in kids | Diet and Nutrition | Heart | Pediatrics | UT Southwestern Medical Center Caffeine is a daily habit for many U.S. kids and teens. Pediatric cardiologist Colin Kane, M.D., discusses how caffeine affects kids’ health, plus tasty beverage swaps.

Moodiness, isolation, erratic sleep patterns... typical teen behavior can make detection of "abnormal" behavior very difficult! The attached guide features specific behavioral and physical indicators of teen drug use that can help separate normal behavior from that which warrants concern.

Early Warning Signs of Teen Substance Use | Hazelden Betty Ford When teen drug use surfaces, parents may wonder if it could have been prevented and what behavioral and physical signs of their teen's drug abuse they may have missed.

One (of many) things that make raising children so difficult is that cause-and-effect is often not a straight line. They're grumpy? Maybe they missed a nap. Maybe they're hungry. Maybe it's Tuesday. To help teens avoid peer pressure, the preventive measures, also, aren't so straight-forward. Building self-confidence, encouraging a wide social circle, and practicing boundary-setting are some tactics that make resisting negative peer pressure easier. Read on for tips that may not seem obvious, but can make a big difference:

How to Help Your Teen Handle Peer Pressure - Help Your Teens Why does my teen choose the wrong peers? Acceptance can be everything to a teenager. Peer pressure can lead your teen in either a good direction or in some

Va**ng continues to be widespread among youth. While the health dangers may be effective deterrents for adults, teens tend to shrug off long-term consequences. The attached guide has great advice for the best approaches for talking about va**ng with teens (such as focusing on the motives of Big To***co). Don't assume your child is immune to peer pressure; have these conversations!

Va**ng Conversation Guide You can play a significant role in protecting your child from the dangers of va**ng and ni****ne dependence. Maintain an open line of communication with your kid, and use the tips and suggestions below as a framework for having a productive conversation.

We've known about the dangers of secondhand smoke for years, but are you aware of the risks associated with thirdhand smoke?? In a recent study, 95% of children from a sample of "smoke-free" homes had ni****ne residue on their hands. Certainly makes you think twice about who you accept used furniture from...

Many Children Still Exposed to To***co Smoke Pollution Even in ‘Smoke-Free’ Homes - Research Horizons The person who smoked a pack a day may have moved out years ago, but the toxic substances left behind stuck around. And to this day, the particles that settled deep into furniture, carpets–even the drywall–remain available to be picked up and adsorbed by growing children.

Do kids need vitamin supplements? A quick search online will turn up contradicting opinions, but what is undisputed: 1) Don't call vitamins (or medications) "candy" in an attempt to make them more appealing, 2) Keep vitamins out of reach of children, 3) The best source of vitamins is found in whole food (or, for Vitamin D, sunlight), 4) Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child's diet.

Do Kids Need Vitamin Supplements? While vitamins aren’t usually harmful to children, Johns Hopkins All Children’s offers advice about kids and vitamins.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is self-acceptance. Although well-intentioned, excessive compliments that focus on appearance ("What a beautiful girl!" "You look so pretty in that dress!" or-- cringe!-- "That outfit makes you look so skinny!") can backfire; every child should know that their worth is not determined by their looks. With children as young as FIVE dieting (!), adults must take care to not inadvertently reinforce the negative societal message that there are "good" or "bad" bodies.

How to Teach Your Child Body Positivity Teaching your children body positivity and healthy habits around food and physical activity can have a lasting impact on their self-esteem, self-perception and how they interact with an image-driven culture.

It's never too early to teach kids about nutrition! Check out the following tips for explaining why "eating the rainbow" is important for good health and how to describe the roles different foods play in fueling our bodies.

How to Teach Kids About Nutrition Nutrition for kids is important to any parent. Learn more about how food can help support kids' growth and how to talk to your kids about nutrition.

If your kids love playing sports, you probably don't have to worry about them getting enough exercise. But what if your child's idea of "activity" is playing video games? Most kids will concede to interest in at least a couple physical endeavors. Consider trying a lesson in three different activities and then letting your child choose one to focus on a few times a week. And, making your home conducive to physical activity-- installing a basketball hoop or setting up a trampoline or ping pong table-- can help get everyone up and moving.

Fitness for Kids Who Don't Like Sports (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth Some kids aren't natural athletes and they may say they just don't like sports. What then?

Happy New Year! If you are among the many people who make the resolution to lose weight this year, be mindful of how you talk about this plan in front of your children. Labeling certain foods as "good" or "bad," or talking badly about your appearance can have a lifelong impact on your child's relationship with food (for girls AND boys). Instead, discuss your commitment to taking care of your health by getting the right nutrition and becoming stronger with exercise. Read more to learn how to instill a positive relationship with food and weight in children:

How to talk -- or not talk -- to kids about weight | CNN Praising a child’s appearance, discouraging junk food and promoting exercise may seem like ways to raise a healthy kid. But conversations around weight and body image can be complicated. Experts share how to talk to kids to promote good relationships with food.

New Year's Eve is fast approaching! There are many ways to celebrate with kids (and they never need to know that 10 or 11 pm isn't actually 12 am... ) Plan your own balloon drop, blow some horns, and toast a Shirley Temple to a great 2024! 🎉

How to Celebrate New Year's Eve and Day With Your Family New Year's is a time of reflection, celebration, and hope. Here are some family-friendly ways to celebrate.

As the end of 2023 draws nearer, why not purge your medicine cabinet of expired medicines? Expired medicine can be less effective or downright risky due to a change in chemical composition (or bacterial growth-- yuck!). Read on to learn how to properly dispose of medications and keep your family safe. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/dont-be-tempted-use-expired-medicines #:~:text=Expired%20medical%20products%20can%20be,serious%20illnesses%20and%20antibiotic%20resistance.

Don’t Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines Don’t Be Tempted to Use Expired Medicines