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births and miscarriages. Teenagers who smoke face all these risks example:
and harmful side effects and it bodes ill for the life they will lead ● being unusually talkative, “up” and cheerful, with seemingly
as adults –and as if that was not quite enough, they also put non- boundless energy.
smokers in the risk of smoking-related diseases. Nonsmokers who ● increased irritability, agitation and anger
are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their ● unusual calmness, unresponsiveness or looking “spaced out”
heart disease risk by 25–30 percent and their lung cancer risk by ● apathy and depression
20–30 percent. ● paranoia, delusions
Breathing secondhand smoke has immediate harmful effects on ● temporary psychosis, hallucinations
the cardiovascular system that can increase the risk of heart attack. Drug Abuse: Intervention
Also, there is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure Look out for marked changes in behavior, appearance and
–even a brief exposure can be dangerous. health, especially among the young who are undergoing a difficult
Many youth claim stress, pressures from friends and a hectic time or may have reason to seek escape or release. Seek advice from
lifestyle as the reasons for their smoking. However, this addictive, doctors and research on the effects of drug abuse. Get help from
deadly bad habit is a serious threat to the young, who are putting experts and form a support system to deal with the rehabilitation of
themselves and the people around them at risk by smoking. drug abuse in a loved one.
Other rising health dangers that have plagued the young include
eating disorders and, in contrast, obesity and its related health 2. Depression: What is it?
problems (increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and high blood Depression is a deep, psychological illness that is characterized
pressure). by a lack of will to live, hopelessness, unhappiness, an increasing
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates each disinterest in life, severe mood swings and health effects such as
year, 65,000 children under the age of 15 develop Type 1 diabetes insomnia and confusion. Many times, severe depression leads to
worldwide. Type 2 diabetes, once regarded as an adult disease, suicide.
is today increasing at a disturbing rate among children and Depression: Warning Signs
adolescents. All these statistics help paint a scary picture of what is There are many physical and emotional effects of depression, for
really happening among the children, and eventually, the youth. instance:
“The temptation to food, advertisements, easy availability and ● difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making
indiscipline can be said to be the cause of this,” says Vithylingam.
“As such, creating awareness and comprehensive health education
in schools and colleges by the Ministry of Health and other relevant
authorities is the best way to combat this issue.”
However, in stark, almost scary contrast to obesity, are eating
disorders –namely, anorexia nervosa (characterised by a complete
refusal to eat, or eat only extremely limited amounts) and bulimia
nervosa (characterized by excessive binging, followed by forced
expulsion via vomiting or laxatives).
These eating disorders are extremely prevalent in young girls,
and though there is so much that has been said about it, there
is still so little awareness about it –brought on by denial and the
bombardment of images of ‘perfect’ physiques.
In a study conducted by chartered psychologist Dr Hera Lukman
dating two years back, it was said that one in 10 young urban female
college students is prone to eating disorders in their quest for a
perfect body shape.
The survey was conducted among 578 female college students
aged between 18 and 25 in the Klang Valley. Even though this
problem can be seen to be a rising concern, there is still no way to
determine the actual number.
Depression, obesity and diabetes, AIDs, eating disorders and
smoking –these are very real, very fatal concerns that many youth
often choose to close their eyes to. There are many warning signs to
these dangers, and much can be done to prevent it.
Top Five Killers of the Young: What They Are, Warning Signs and
Intervention.