According to a series of papers published in The Lancet on adolescent health, the current generation of teenagers is less healthy when compared to their parents. The infections of the earlier times like polio and tuberculosis have given way to venereal diseases, drinking, smoking, obesity, drug abuse etc. The only silver lining to this issue is that these conditions can be treated.
Obesity in adolescents has increased fourfold between 1970 and 2000 while there is a three fold increase of sexually transmitted diseases. Drinking, teenage pregnancy and suicides have also increased and smoking remains the same since 1982.According to the report, smoking, drinking and initiation into sex activity commences during adolescence which could have a negative impact on their health. The report also added that the opportunity to intervene was being missed.
Russell Viner, a specialist in adolescent health at University College Hospital said that the age of an adolescent when he is allowed to vote, drink or drive does not correspond correctly with his biological and social maturity. This leads to an increase of risky behavior resulting in injuries, mental disorders and suicides.
Source-Medindia
JYT
