HEALTH CONCERNS OF
ADOLESCENTS
“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who
will never be able to repay you.”
—John Wooden
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
145
HEALTH CONCERNS OF ADOLESCENTS
Introduction
Risk behaviors are voluntary actions that threaten to harm an individual’s mental or physical health,
or increase the likelihood of illnesses, injury, and premature death. The CDC has identified six
categories of risk behaviors in today’s adolescent students. These include:
 Behaviors that result in unintentional and intentional injuries
 Tobacco use
 Alcohol and other drug use
 Sexual behaviors that result in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs,) and unintended pregnancy
 Dietary patterns that contribute to disease
 Insufficient physical activity
The following provides information on each of these categories, as well as familiarizes mentors with
the issues teenagers face on a daily basis and how involvement in these activities can harm youth.
Unintentional and Intentional Behaviors
Unintentional injuries are those that occur as a result of accidents where there is no intent to harm.
Examples of accidental injuries include those resulting from:
 Being struck by an automobile or being in an automobile crash
 Being injured in a fire
 Careless play around water
Nearly 70 percent of deaths in older children are the result of preventable accidents. Prevention
programs warn individuals of the dangers of risky behaviors, such as reckless driving, careless use of
fire, or reckless water play and can greatly reduce the risk of unintentional accidents in youth (Meeks,
Heit, & Page, 1996).
Intentional injuries result from interpersonal and self-directed violence (Meeks, Heit, & Page, 1996).
Interpersonal violence involves two or more individuals and includes domestic violence, bullying,
fighting, and homicide. Interpersonal violence may mean threatening or actually harming another
person. The violence can be subtle as in bullying or as ultimately destructive as murder. Either way,
adolescents are threatened psychologically, emotionally, or physically on a daily basis because of the
increasing incidence of interpersonal confrontations in schools and homes.
Self-directed violence is the result of self-inflicted injury, including suicide (Meeks, Heit, & Page,
1996). Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents; yet, it often surprises people
because of general lack of awareness about the warning signs. It is vital for a mentor to know the
warning signs of suicide in order to intervene in mentee self-directed violence. The warning signs
include:
 Giving away cherished possessions
 Being preoccupied with death
 Talking about suicide
 Depression (Parley International, 1998)
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
146
If a mentor suspects that a mentee is considering suicide, it is essential to take the warning signs
seriously. Mentors must report concerns about suicide to a qualified professional. A list of appropriate
referral agencies is included at the end of this section. Mentors should also encourage mentees to
speak with a school nurse or counselor.
Violence of any type, interpersonal or self-directed, has a devastating effect on the individual and the
intimates in his life. Below are suggestions for mentors when mentees are victims of violence.
 Acknowledge personal feelings about violence
 Respect the mentee’s decision about how to deal with the violence
 Provide support and suggestions for help
Following these guidelines will enable mentors to unconditionally support mentees who are victims
of violence (Parley International, 1998).
Tobacco Use
Although tobacco use is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 in the United States, there is a high
incidence of use among adolescents. By their senior year of high school, more than two-thirds of
students have tried or are regularly using tobacco products. According to a 2001 national survey of
high school students, the overall prevalence of current cigarette use was 28 percent. Nearly 20 percent
of 12th graders, 12 percent of 10th graders, and 5.5 percent of 8th graders smoke cigarettes daily.
Tobacco use in adolescence is associated with a range of health-compromising behaviors, including
being involved in fights, carrying weapons, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior, and using alcohol
and other drugs.
Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths and is responsible for most cancers of the
larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, and bladder. Secondhand smoke is responsible for an estimated 3,000
lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers each year. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemical
agents, including more than 60 substances that are known to cause cancer. The risk of developing
smoking-related cancers, as well as noncancerous diseases, increases with total lifetime exposure to
cigarette smoke.
Each day, nearly 6,000 children under 18 start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular
smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually. It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are
cigarette smokers. Approximately 90 percent of smokers begin smoking before the age of 21. If
current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 million children will die prematurely from a
smoking-related disease. Overall, each year 430,000 people die from smoking-related diseases, and
30 percent of all cancer deaths are related to smoking.
Tobacco consumption includes the use of cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. A type of
central nervous system stimulant, tobacco makes a first-time user feel dizzy, light headed, excited, or
nauseous. Over time, regular users develop a craving for nicotine, followed by relief and relaxation
when the product is used. Tobacco use affects both mind and body. It increases feelings of alertness
and relaxation, and lowers stress and irritability. Tobacco also raises blood pressure, breathing, and
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
147
heart rate; increases muscle relaxation; reduces pain; and decreases appetite. In addition, tobacco use
can lead to chronic illnesses such as:
 Heart disease
 Cancer of the throat, mouth, and lungs
 Bronchitis
 Lowered resistance to colds, flu, and other infections
(Facts according to National Cancer Institute and the American Lung Association, 2003)
Alcohol and Other Drug Use
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that depresses the central nervous system. Alcohol comes in many
forms including clear, absolute liquid diluted and blended as beer, wine, or liquor. Alcohol initially
makes individuals feel relaxed and sociable, but with prolonged use, these feelings will be replaced
by feelings of depression, anger, loss of control, and drowsiness. Because of the large variance of
tolerance levels, alcohol can have differing effects on individuals. Like tobacco, alcohol is a drug that
affects both the mind and the body. Alcohol lowers the ability of the brain to control behavior and
impairs the ability to perform motor skills. In addition, alcohol lessens an individual’s ability to move
and speak. Alcohol can also cause the following:
 Memory loss
 Addiction
 Liver, kidney, stomach, and intestine damage
 Brain damage
 Death from breathing or heart failure, and interactions with other drugs (Parley International,
1998)
Alcohol is the most commonly used drug among America’s youth. More young people drink alcohol
than smoke tobacco or use marijuana (Institute of Medicine and National Research Council, 2001). In
the U.S., data suggests that almost all young people use alcohol before they are 21. Those who drink
tend to drink much more heavily than adults. Based on the National Household Survey on Drug
Abuse, it is estimated that those who drink heavily consume 91 percent of all drinks consumed by
teenagers. The average age of first alcohol use has generally decreased since 1965 (Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration, 2003). According to 2002 Monitoring the Future (MTF)
data, almost half (48.6 percent) of 12th graders reported recent (within the past 30 days) alcohol use.
This early onset and heavy use of alcohol poses serious concerns for healthy, unimpeded
development.
The percentage of alcohol in the blood determines how well a person can function. A blood alcohol
content of .10 percent means that the blood contains 1/10 of 1 percent of alcohol. The following is a
chart detailing the effects of alcohol on the body (TCADA).
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
148
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
.05
.10
.20
.30
.40-.50
Effects on the Body
 Changes in mood and behavior

Judgment, thought, and restraint
affected

Voluntary motor actions become
clumsy

Blurring and split vision may occur

Brain is greatly impaired

Behavior is obviously affected

Brain’s response to stimuli is
appreciably dulled

Ability to see and hear is diminished or
distorted

Individuals usually become
unconscious

Breathing and heartbeat are depressed

Death may result
After drinking, individuals may look for ways to sober up. It takes most people about one hour to
burn up the alcohol in an average serving of beer, wine, or liquor. Alcohol is processed by the liver.
No amount of exercise, food, fresh air, cold showers, or caffeine will speed up the process (DIN,
1994).
An individual’s blood alcohol content is influenced by many factors including gender, weight, stress
level, use of other drugs, and overall health. For adolescents, alcohol is especially dangerous. Today,
students often begin drinking at 12 or 13, and nearly nine out of 10 high school students report
drinking alcohol. Over 1.1 billion beers and 35 percent of all wine coolers are consumed annually by
students under18 (Meeks, Heit, & Page, 1996).
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
149
In addition to alcohol and tobacco, mentees may be involved with other types of drugs. The following
chart provides information about other drug use, and the drug effects on the body (Meeks, Heit, &
Page, 1996).
Drug/Drug Statistics
Marijuana: Over 25 percent of high
school seniors reported having used the
drug. Marijuana is used by approximately
one in 45 high school students on a daily
basis.
Cocaine: Nearly 6 percent of high school
students have used cocaine at least once.
Steroids: 3 percent of high school
students report using steroids and 5 percent
of all men report using them.
Designer Drugs: Over 200 known highrisk synthetic drugs with potentially fatal
toxic effects are available on the street.
Inhalants: 18 percent of high school
students report using inhalants.
Effects on the Body
 Increases heartbeat

Damages the lungs

Blocks short-term memory

Causes restlessness and mood swings

Creates dependence

Produces eating and sleeping disorders

Triggers personality changes

Increases heart rate and blood pressure

Cause premature fusing of the bones in
adolescents

Create dependence

Trigger personality changes

Depress body systems

Prompt muscle rigidity

Cause nerve, kidney, and liver damage

Increase injury proneness because of
inaccurate perception of time and space

Trigger pain in chest, muscles, and
joints

Generate comas, seizures, and brain
damage
Two information sheets on drinking and drugs have been included in this manual, one for young
women and one for young men. Each addresses specific issues concerning the population and serves
as a valuable reference for mentors. If a mentee has an alcohol or drug problem, it is essential to
contact a professional trained to handle the situation. A list of national agencies appropriate for
referral on this topic is included at the end of this section. In addition, mentors may want to encourage
youth to talk with their parents and with a school nurse for additional resources.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
150
Sexual Behaviors That Result in HIV Infection, Other STDs, and Unintended
Pregnancy
Current trends of sexual behavior among youth are alarming. The CDC regularly publishes the Youth
Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS). The 2001 Report found that 45.6 percent of high school
students (48.5 percent of males and 42.9 percent of females) reported having had sexual intercourse.
Of these, 60.5 percent were 12th graders, 51.9 percent were 11th graders, 40.8 percent were 10th
graders, 34.4 percent were 9th graders, and 6.6 percent reported initiating sexual intercourse before
age 13. Ethnically, these statistics break down to 60.8 percent of black students, 48.4 percent of
Hispanic students, and 43.2 percent of white students who reported having had sexual intercourse at
least once. More than one-quarter of black students, nearly 15 percent of Hispanic students, and 12
percent of white students reported having four or more sexual partners. Among the 33.4 percent of
teens who said they were currently sexually active, 25.6 percent reported using alcohol or drugs
during last intercourse, with white students comprising the largest group in this category.
By comparison, the YRBS Reports over the past decade indicate trends: 45.6 percent of students
reported having ever had sexual intercourse in 2001 compared to 53.1 percent in 1995 and 54.1
percent in 1991. Students who are sexually active face a number of possible consequences. Most
serious is the risk of HIV infection.
 HIV Infection. HIV destroys the body’s immune system, allowing the development of acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS.) Specifically, HIV antibodies attack white blood cells. These
are the cells responsible for fighting infection, and when attacked, the immune system is
suppressed. AIDS is a later stage of HIV infection. At this point, the immune system can no
longer fight infections and the virus becomes life threatening. Symptoms of AIDS include
diarrhea; dry cough; fatigue; fevers, chills, and night sweats; genital herpes; genital warts;
persistent skin problems; pink, purple, and brown spots; and swollen lymph glands (Bete, Inc.,
1998).
At present, there is no cure for AIDS and the disease results in death. Unprotected sexual
intercourse is a risk behavior that can lead to infection; yet, numerous students engage in
unprotected sex. Since 1991, the number of infected 12 to 21 year olds in the United States has
increased by 77 percent (Kolbe, 1992). Twenty percent of people with AIDS are in their 20s,
which means that they were probably infected as teenagers. In April 2003, the Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation’s “Daily Reports” reported that one-fourth of all new HIV cases in the U.S.
occur in people under age 21, attributed by some to the false sense of security created by the
success of antiretroviral treatment and by teen feelings of invincibility, leading to risky behaviors.

STDs. Another concern among adolescents is the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
According to the CDC, there are 12 million new cases of STDs reported annually, and currently,
there are 3 million youth infected with one or more STDs. Some of the diseases, such as herpes,
are still incurable. Others, such as gonorrhea and syphilis, are curable if both partners are treated
quickly with antibiotics (Parley International, 1998). Common sexually transmitted diseases
within the student population include Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, genital herpes,
and genital warts. STDs increase the likelihood of HIV transmission two to seven times.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
151
The fastest-growing STD is genital warts, with an estimated 750,000 new cases annually.
Chlamydia results in 4 million new cases each year (Texas Department of Health, 1992). In 2003,
25 percent of all new STDs occurred in teenagers.
Several factors contribute to the high incidence and rapid spread of STDs within the adolescent
population. First, youth are sexually active at a younger age and with more than one partner.
Second, adolescents tend not to use contraceptives consistently, and very few use condoms.
Finally, many adolescents combine the use of drugs or alcohol with sex.
If a mentor suspects that a mentee is potentially infected with HIV, AIDS, or an STD, it is
important to suggest medical intervention. Included at the end of this section is a list of national
organizations that can provide information about the above medical problems.
 Teenage Pregnancy. It is estimated that 30 percent of female adolescents will become
pregnant before the age of 20, and many will become pregnant more than once. Of those who
become pregnant before the age of 15, 60 percent will have three children before the age of 19.
Rates of child abuse and neglect are disproportionately high among adolescent parents because of
inadequate parenting skills (Attico, 1992). In addition, pregnancy in youth affects the health of the
baby. Typically, babies born to adolescents are premature and have low birth weights. This
increases the likelihood that the infant’s health status will be impaired, as prematurity and low
birth weight increase the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome and other maladies.
Mentors may discover that mentees are more inclined to speak with them than to speak with their
parents. Mentors need to be equipped to handle the situation. Pregnancy is incredibly stressful for
youth. Initially, mentees are likely to feel overwhelmed as they consider whether to keep the baby,
give it up for adoption, or terminate the pregnancy. They may consider whether to marry and
whether to tell their parents. In this situation, mentors should encourage mentees to seek medical
attention. Mentors may want to encourage mentees to speak with their parents and with a school
nurse for additional guidance.
Dietary Patterns That Contribute to Disease
In today’s fast food, convenience culture, many adolescents have poor eating habits. Busy parents do
not take time to prepare healthful meals and teach their children appropriate nutrition habits. This has
unfortunate consequences because eating habits learned in childhood tend to last throughout life.
Obesity, caused by inactivity and poor diet, is a rapidly growing adolescent problem. Nearly 87
percent of all high school students report that they do not eat the recommended daily allowance of
five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Over 25 percent of the same population reports eating
more than two servings of food high in fat content (Kann, 1993). Because eating habits affect future
health, public health officials are alarmed at these trends. At present, seven out of the 10 leading
causes of death are the result of nutritional and diet choices (Meeks, Heit, & Page, 1996).
Many problems can arise from feelings about perceived deficiencies in physical appearance. Eating
disorders arise out of perceived negative body image and low self-esteem. One of the two main types
of eating disorders is anorexia nervosa, which can be defined as “an eating disorder…characterized
by an intentional loss of a substantial amount of weight” (American Anorexia Bulimia Association,
1997). It is estimated to effect one in 100 females between the ages of 12 and 18 (Page & Page,
1992). An additional 10 percent of females are considered mildly anorexic (Page & Page, 1992).
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
152
Individuals suffering from anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and perceive themselves to
be fat even when they are often 15 percent below their normal body weight (American Anorexia
Bulimia Association, 1997). The weight loss leads to drastic changes in appearance and body
functions, and can be fatal (Page & Page, 1992).
Some Facts:
 5-13 percent of adolescents suffer from anorexia, and these percentages are increasing every year
(Le Devoir, August 20, 2001).
 Nine out of 10 people with anorexia are girls (Le Devoir, August 20, 2001).
 10-15 percent of those with anorexia or bulimia will die of it (Healthy Bites, National Institute of
Nutrition, 1993).
Symptoms of anorexia include:
 Depression, anxiety
 Distorted body image
 Cessation of menstrual period in women
 Fainting spells
 Hyperactivity
 Heart tremors
 Cold hands and feet
 Dry, brittle skin (American Anorexia Bulimia Association, 1997)
Some medical consequences of anorexia include:
 Shrunken organs
 Bone mineral loss, which can lead to osteoporosis
 Low body temperature
 Low blood pressure
 Slowed metabolism and reflexes
 Irregular heartbeat, which can lead to cardiac arrest (American Anorexia Bulimia Association,
1997)
Bulimia is the second main type of eating disorder, also very dangerous and pervasive. Research
estimates that between 20-30 percent of college women and 6-17 percent of high school girls suffer
from symptoms of bulimia (Page & Page, 1992). Bulimia is defined as an eating disorder “in which
an individual engages in recurrent binging and purging” (American Anorexia Bulimia Association,
1997). Binging normally involves rapid consumption of massive amounts of food. Food binging
episodes are followed by drastic efforts to lose weight, including the aforementioned self-induced
vomiting, fasting, use of laxatives, diuretics, and compulsive exercising. The binges are brought on
by intense mood changes, anger, depression, stress, or loneliness (Page & Page, 1992).
Symptoms of bulimia include:
 Mood swings, depression, feeling out of control
 Vomiting blood
 Loss of tooth enamel, which leads to decay
 Swollen glands in the neck and face
 Dry, flaky skin
 Weakness, exhaustion
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
153


Constipation
Indigestion (American Anorexia Bulimia Association, 1997)
Some medical consequences of bulimia include:
 Dehydration
 Damage to bowels, liver, and kidneys
 Electrolyte imbalance which can lead to an irregular heartbeat and cardiac arrest in some cases
(American Anorexia Bulimia Association, 1997)
Because of the serious risks of eating disorders, it is important to encourage mentees with potential or
known problems to seek professional help. A list of organizations that can provide information and
help is located at the end of the section.
Insufficient Physical Activity
Another category of risky behavior is insufficient physical activity. Physical activity is any bodily
movement produced by skeletal muscles that results in the expenditure of energy (Meeks, Heit, and
Page, 1996). When students are physically active, they are more inclined to be energetic, maintain
their ideal weight, and cope with stress. In addition, students are less likely to have chronic diseases.
Currently, more than one-third of students do not get enough activity. Of all students in grades 1
through 12, only 36 percent on average are enrolled in daily physical education programs (Meeks,
Heit, & Page, 1996).
Obesity
Adolescent obesity is another important health concern. Between the ages of 12 and 17, at least one
child in five is overweight (Anand, 1998), and 50 percent of these children will become overweight
adults (Murray & Murray, 1999). Furthermore, a recent Surgeon General’s report (as cited in Murray
& Murray, 1999) stated that 1 percent of children in America reported that they did not recently
engage in any form of physical activity, with this trend increasing as children get older.
The prevalence of obesity in adolescents has nearly tripled in the past two decades. Risk factors for
heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in
overweight persons. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased
dramatically in children and adolescents. Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of
becoming overweight or obese adults (80 percent if one or more parents is overweight), setting them
up for a number of health problems. The most immediate consequence of obesity as perceived by the
adolescents themselves is social discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem and
depression.
Depression
With the mood swings and emotional intensity of adolescence, depression is not unusual. Although
figures vary depending on the measurement method utilized, approximately 5–7 percent of
adolescents in the general population experience depression, while 10–40 percent of adolescents
report experiencing depressed or unhappy moods (Rice & Leffert, 1997). Rates of depression increase
significantly throughout adolescence (see Peterson, Compas, Brooks-Gunn, Stemmler, Ey, & Grant,
1993, for a review), with girls twice as likely as boys to experience depression (Nolen-Hoeksema &
Girgus, 1994). Mentors should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of depression to reassure
mentees that temporary depressed moods are normal and expected, but prolonged clinical symptoms
are a medical problem that should be addressed by a professional.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
154
What Does This Mean?
Any one of these issues can harm the health of today’s students. The frightening fact is that most
students have one or more of these characteristics or habits, or engages in more than one of these
behaviors. As a positive role model, a mentor can encourage a mentee to reduce the number of risk
behaviors in which he or she might be participating.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
155
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Lesson Plan
Objectives: To help mentors understand some of the health concerns of adolescents and apply this
knowledge to their mentoring relationship.
Lesson: The instructor will discuss:

Unintentional and intentional behaviors

Tobacco use

Alcohol and drug abuse

Sexual behavior

HIV

STDs

Pregnancy

Dietary Patterns

Insufficient Physical Activity
Materials:

Overheads 1–10

Suicide Help Lines

HIV and STD Help Lines

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hotlines

Pregnancy Center Help Lines

Eating Disorder Help Centers
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
156
Suicide Listings
National Listings
National Youth Crisis Hotline
1-800-448-4663
Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-827-7571
HIV and STD Help Lines
National Listings
National STD Hotline
1-800-227-8922
10:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
National AIDS Hotline
1-800-342-AIDS
Centers for Disease Control
Technical Information Services
State and Community Services Division
Atlanta, GA 30333
404-639-3311; 800-311-3435
American Council for Healthy Living
439 Main Street
Orange, NJ 07050
American Social Health Association
260 Sheridan Ave.
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-849-0319
Pregnancy Center Help Lines
National Listings
Nine Line
(Help line for young people)
800-999-9999
National Youth Crisis Hotline
800-448-4663
Eating Disorder Help Centers
National Listings
Compcare Eating Disorders Program
18551 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine, CA 92715
1-800-556-CARE
National Anorexic Aid Society
P.O. Box 29461
Columbus, OH 43229
614-436-2833
American Anorexia/Bulimia Association, Inc.
133 Cedar Lane
Teaneck, NJ 07666
201-836-1800
201-836-1815
Healthy Living (multiple resources)
www.teenshealth.org
www.healthynj.org/health-wellness/teens/main.htm
www.livingleantoday.com
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
P.O. Box 7
Highland Park, IL 60035
312-831-3438
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
157
Overhead (1)
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Six Categories of Risk Behaviors in Adolescents
1. Behaviors resulting in unintentional and intentional injuries
2. Tobacco use
3. Alcohol and other drug use
4. Sexual behaviors resulting in HIV infection, other STDs, and
unintended pregnancy
5. Dietary patterns contributing to disease
6. Insufficient physical activity
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
158
Overhead (2)
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Unintentional and Intentional Injuries
Unintentional Injuries—including injuries resulting from:
1. Automobile crash or being pedestrian victim of
automobile
2. Fire
3. Careless play around water
Intentional Injuries—including injuries the result of:
1. Domestic violence
2. Bullying or fighting
3. Homicide
4. Suicide
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
159
Overhead (3)
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drug Use
Tobacco:
 More than two-thirds of high school seniors have tried or
are using tobacco products

430,000 people die from smoking related diseases annually

30 percent of all cancer deaths are related to smoking
Alcohol:

On average, students today first drink alcohol between
ages 12–13

Nine of 10 high school students report that they drink alcohol

High school students consume over 1.1 billion beers annually

35 percent of all wine coolers are consumed by students
under 18
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
160
Overhead (4)
Drug/Drug Statistics
Marijuana: Over 25 percent
of high school seniors
reported having used the
drug. Marijuana is used
daily by approximately one
in 45 high school students.
Effects on the Body
 Increases heartbeat
 Damages the lungs
 Blocks short-term
memory
 Causes restlessness and
mood swings
Nearly 6 percent of  Causes dependence
high school students have
 Causes eating and
used cocaine at least once.
sleeping disorders
Cocaine:
 Causes personality
changes
 Causes increase in heart
rate and blood pressure
3 percent of high
school students and 5
percent of all men report
using them.
Steroids:
 Cause premature fusing of
the bones in adolescents
 Create dependence
 Produce personality
changes
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
161
Of all similar drugs,
individuals are more likely
to become addicted to
heroin.
Heroin:
 Produces pains in the
chest, muscles, and joints
 Triggers coma, seizures,
and brain damage
 Causes respiratory and
cardiac arrest
 May create mental
retardation in unborn
children of using mothers
200+ high Depress body systems
risk synthetic drugs with
 Cause muscle rigidity
potentially fatal toxic effects
are available on the street.
 Produce nerve, kidney,
and liver damage
Designer Drugs:
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
162
Overhead (6)
Inhalants: 18 percent of
high school students report
using inhalants.
 Increase likelihood of
injury because of
inaccurate perception of
time and space
 Prompt pain in chest,
muscles, and joints
 Produce comas, seizures,
and brain damage
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
163
Overhead (7)
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Sexual Behaviors That Result in HIV Infection,
Other STDs, and Unintended Pregnancy
 45 percent of high school students have had sexual intercourse at
least once.
 26 percent of sexually active students used alcohol or drugs
during their last intercourse.
 25 percent of black, 15 percent of Hispanic, and 12 percent of
white students have had four or more sexual partners.
HIV: Destroys the body’s immune system allowing for the
development of AIDS.
STDs: Sexually transmitted diseases transmitted through sexual
contact. They include:
1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis
4. Chancroid
5. Genital herpes
Teenage Pregnancy:
 An estimated 30 percent of adolescents will become pregnant
before 20.
 Of those pregnant by 15, 60 percent will have three children
before the age of 20.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
164
Overhead (8)
Health Concerns of Adolescents
Dietary Patterns That Contribute to Disease

87 percent of high school students do not eat the recommended
daily five servings of fruits and vegetables.

25 percent of high school students eat more than two servings of
high-fat products daily.

Adolescents are at great risk for developing eating disorders.
Warning signs:
1. Fear of weight gain
2. Unable to stop eating at will
3. Binging regularly, usually uncontrollably, on large
quantities within a short period
4. Intentional vomiting after meals
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
165
Overhead (9)
Dietary Patterns That Contribute to Disease, Continued
5. Consuming inadequate calories or crash dieting
6. Compulsive exercise with strict “exercise rules”
7. Using body weight to measure self-worth
8. Thinking or talking constantly about food
9. Refusing to discuss food at all
10. Using food to hide anger, loneliness, or feelings of
rejection
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
166
Overhead (10)
Insufficient Physical Activity:
An Added Health Risk

33 percent of students do not get enough physical activity

Only 36 percent of students are enrolled in daily physical
education programs
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
167
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
168
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
169
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
170
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
171
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
172
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
173
Bibliography
American Anorexia Bulimia Association. (1997). Facts on eating disorders. [Brochure]. New York,
NY: Author.
Anand, R. (1998. October, 27). Childhood obesity: causes and prevention. [On-line]. Available:
www.usda.gov/cnpp/seminars/obesity.pdf.
Article on anorexia and bulimia in August 20, 2001 Mental Illness Foundation website. See
www.fmm-mif.ca/en/maladies/liste/alimentation.
Attico, N.B, & Hartner, J. (1992). Teenage pregnancy: Identifying the scope of the problem. Family
practice recertification, 14.
Bete Publications (1998). STD’s: What you need to know. Deerfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc.
Publications.
DIN Publications. (1994). Booze: Why not ask why. [Brochure]. Tempe, AZ. Jimm Parker.
Kann, L., Warren, W., Collins, J., Ross, J., Collins, B., & Kolbe, L.J. (1993). Results from the
national school-based 1991 youth risk behavior survey and progress toward achieving related health
objectives for the nation. Public Health Reports, (108), (Supplement 1), 47–67.
Kolbe, L.J. (1992). Statement. In Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Family, U.S. House of
Representatives, The risky business of adolescence: How to help teens stay safe - part 1. hearing
before the select committee on children, youth, and families, 22–23. Washington D.C.: U.S.
Government Printing Office.
Meeks, L., Heit, P., & Page, R. (1996). Comprehensive School Health Education. Meeks Heit
Publishing Company, Columbus, OH.
Murray, B. A., & Murray, K. T. (1999). A nation out of shape. The American School Board Journal,
186, 29–30.
National Institute of Nutrition. (1993.) Giving adolescents a fighting chance against eating disorders.
Healthy Bites, (Winter), 163.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Girgus, J. S. (1994). The emergence of gender differences in depression
during adolescence. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 424–443.
Page, R. and Page, T. (1992). Fostering emotional well-being in the classroom. Boston: Jones and
Bartlett.
Parley International. (1998). Facts about Alcohol. Student assistance: resources for troubled youth.
Author.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
174
Parley International. (1998). Getting Help for Eating Disorders. Student assistance: Resources for
troubled youth. Author.
Parley International. (1998). The Warning Signs of Suicide. Student assistance: resources for
troubled youth. Author.
Parley International. (1998). When Food Becomes a Problem. Signs of eating disorders student
assistance: Resources for troubled youth. Author.
Petersen, A. C., Compas, B. E., Brooks-Gunn, J., Stemmler, M., Ey, S., & Grant, K. E. (1993).
Depression in adolescence. American Psychologist, 48, 155–168.
Rice, K. G., & Leffert, N. (1997). Depression in adolescence: Implications for school counsellors.
Canadian Journal of Counselling, 31, 18–34.
Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Drunken driving: Everyone’s problem. [Brochure].
Austin, TX.
Texas Department of Health. (1992). What everyone should know about chlamydia. [Brochure].
Austin, TX.
Baylor University’s Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development
175