Too Many Young People Today
Have Unhealthy Lifestyles
Essay Planning
For the motion
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Modern life does little to encourage health
Obesity
Television, computers in bedrooms etc.
Parents’ fear of children playing outside
Too much money – junk food – alcohol – cigarettes etc.
Focus on study means teens don’t have enough free
time
• Peer pressure to go out and party
• Not just physical health but mental health – drugs,
cyberbullying etc.
Thesis
• It is a problem caused by our modern lifestyle
• Fast pace of life and fast pace of technological
advances mean that it is difficult to keep track
of the effects these changes have
• If we examine the issues and address them,
we may come up with some solutions
• Can’t go back to our parents’ era, so must face
challenges and adapt to cope
Facts, figures and quotes
• Last ten years, weight problems have doubled
• One in five fifteen year olds is obese
• Some under-sixteens admit to drinking ten units
of alcohol a week
• One quarter of fifteen year olds are regular
smokers
• One in three has tried cannabis
• Health of teenagers is deteriorating at the same
time that health of other groups is improving
Proposed solutions?
• Increased parental involvement
• Wider range of sports available in schools
• After school sports should focus on participation rather
than just winning
• Encourage regular health checks with doctors coming to
schools and explaining situation to teens
• Encourage teens to take responsibility for their own health
• Schools should make cookery lessons compulsory
• Older students could mentor younger ones
• Use technology in a positive way: apps to track fitness,
weight loss, diet etc.
Conclusion
• It is a problem, and a growing one
• However, we should focus on what can be
done rather than blaming teens for existing
situation