Management of

Health
Concerns
during Puberty
Poor eating habits
6 steps to help you get rid of your old, unhealthy habits and
create healthier ones:
1. Take Baby Steps. Making small changes in your diet and
lifestyle can improve your health as well as trim your waistline.
Some suggestions from the experts
• Start each day with a nutritious breakfast.
• Get 8 hours of sleep each night, as fatigue can lead to
overeating.
• Eat your meals seated at a table, without distractions.
• Eat more meals with your partner or family.
• Eat a nutritious meal or snack every few hours.
• Drink more water and fewer sugary drinks.
• Eat smaller portions of calorie-dense foods (like casseroles
and
• 2. Become More Mindful. One of the first steps toward
conquering bad eating habits is paying more attention to what
you're eating and drinking.
• 3. Make a Plan; Be Specific.
• 4. Tackle a New Mini-Goal Each Week.
• 5. Be Realistic.
Dental problems
• The more common dental problems of teenagers include dental
caries or tooth decay, halitosis or bad breath, and gingivitis or
swelling of the gums. Both dental caries and gingivitis can lead
to halitosis. It is important to remember that all of these are
brought about by not brushing, poor tooth brushing skills and
drinking carbonated drinks and eating sweets frequently. This
can lead to proliferation of dental plaque, which is made up of
colonies of microorganisms. Dental plaque hardens to “tartar”
if not removed. So tooth brushing after every 29 meal and
flossing at least twice a day should take at least a minimum of
three minutes to remove all food particles lodged between the
teeth.
Dental problems can also be prevented by doing
the following:
• a. Eating nutritious foods
• b. Limiting between-meal snacks, especially
sweet and sticky foods
• c. Brushing and flossing to remove plaque or
tartar
• d. Visiting the dentist regularly, at least twice a
year
Body Odor
During the early teen years, the sweat glands
become more active. When teenagers play
actively or engage in sports or other physical
activities, they tend to perspire profusely.
• Take a bath or shower daily. Soap and water
will remove bacteria and excess oil on the skin.
• Apply deodorant or antiperspirant daily.
• Be sure to bring extra clothes and change
when needed. These may prevent unpleasant
body odor.
Lack of Sleep
While sleeping, the body gets a chance to rest.
Although most body activities slow down while
sleeping, some remain active. The pituitary gland
releases more hormones, like growth hormones,
when one is asleep. Body cells grow and repair
themselves more rapidly during sleep. Lack of
sleep during the adolescent years interferes with
these processes and might interfere also with
proper growth and development.
• Teenagers need nine to ten hours sleep
each night to feel well and rested. So you
should refrain from staying late at night
playing computer games, watching
television or just staying awake doing
something. Insufficient sleep has negative
effects on your growth and development.
Lack of Physical Activity
Postural Problems
• You will notice a great variation in the size and
shape of adolescents of the same age. This
variation can be a source of concern among
teenagers who compare themselves with
others. During the growth spurt, teenagers
begin to grow at a rapid rate. Teenagers who
grow taller than their classmates may feel
conscious about their height. Some teenagers
may begin to slouch because they are not used
to their new height. Others may slouch on their
chairs as they study.
• Some girls who develop their breast
earlier may also feel conscious and tend
to slouch. They may develop poor posture
if they continue to do this. Remember,
good posture helps maintain body
alignment. It also helps the bones and
muscles to continue to grow properly
during adolescence.