The National Commission on Prevention Priorities said 3,700 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of women age 40 and older who have been screened for breast cancer in the past 2 years. or 42,000 additional lives would be saved each year if we increased to 90 percent the portion of smokers who are advised by a health professional to quit and are offered medication or other assistance.
well I get a mammogram every year and I started when I was 35. I stopped eating red meat and fried foods ( i love french fries) also I excersise 30 minutes five days a week. There are several more things I could do but Rome was not built in a day right?
How can we encourage adolescents to follow healthy behaviors?
Well, for starters we can lean to love ourselves and set the example. Encouragement starts with us parents, teachers and mentors. How many ads have you seen promoting the perfect butt, perfect nose, bigger burgers or more sugar in our energy drinks. We are over stimulated, caffeine addicted, and sex crazed. We have to go back to the basics with our youth. Let’s turn the Television off and start talking again. What happened to growing your own food or being an individual was the norm not the abnormal. If I see one more reality show with these crazy mixed up teens promoting everything from sex to anorexia, I’ll scream. Child obesity and teen pregnancy is what it says Children dealing with adult issues because of lack of education. Smooches!
I am in complete agreement that before we can encourage adolescents or anyone else for that matter to make and follow healthy behaviors, we have to lead by example. The rate of childhood and adolescent obesity in this country is appalling to me. However with the obesity rate reaching epidemic proportions among adults how can we expect the younger generation to make healthy choices. Children learn what they live and see. We live in a quick fix society and want immediate gratification, and are becoming a toxic nation.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we as a country need to get back to basics and look at what needs to be a priority regarding healthy lifestyle choices on every level. I believe if adults start taking responsibility for their health and lifestyle changes then we start seeing a tremendous decrease in obesity among children and adolescents. Adults and their families need to get out from the TV and Play stations and get active. This is good place to start, as from there other healthy choices can begin such as eating more nutritiously. These processes have to begin with baby steps, and improvements must be able to be seen in order for people to be consistent in their goals.
Michelle
It was interesting to read your blog. I agree completely as well, that we should be a role model for our children. I also take care of my diet my eating right and excercise 30 mins a day. I feel great and very much energetic. Its easy to say then doing it, but healthy lifestle is the best way to live healthy life. I noticed by eating right even my 7yrs old daughter gets in a habit of eating nutrition and healthy.
ReplyDeleteHi..Desi;) I believe along with you that we should return back to the basics of life. I agree strongly as parents that we should be the 1st and upmost premative examples for our children. For we are the first (parents) people they encounter with in the world! In every aspect building values and morals into there lives. Let us as parents be the first educators, teachers, mentors, and persons they look up to because of good positive reinforcement. Let them not give into peer pressure and let us build a good,healthy, and strong foundation for them. For they are the future of tomarrow!
ReplyDeleteHi Desi, you are right about everything. We, as a society, have gone too far away from the basics. I have a few classes where there are serial texters [okay-now you know Im just as old:]and yet they have nothing to say in class. I think the trends of today are creating a serious lack in communication skills which further alienates child from family and hence family values. With role models like Rhianna promoting sexual violence and Heidi Montag promoting self-hate, this young generation will be completely lost without parents getting back into "parenting". I know I sound really old but I guess I am. I have a five year old daughter and I try to promote individualism in her. I also try to teach her simple lessons in learning how to take care of herself and hope to always keep the lines of communication open. It will make a difference. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeletethank guys...fight the power! :)...LOL
ReplyDeleteDesi,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog and seeing your perspective. You were definitely able to make me laugh. I agree that we need to get back to the basics (Or at least to the basics of life). There is something to be said about the ability to communicate effectively which some adolescents today do not have the capability to do. The education does start at the home with education from parents. It is important for them to teach their children the importance of a healthy lifestyle but to also live a healthy lifestyle.
Charis