These factors can all contribute to teens taking less than the best care of themselves. Smoking continues to increase among teenagers. In a 1996 survey, more than one in five girls said they smoked in an effort to control their weight or relieve stress. Teen pregnancy rates are higher in the United States than any other industrialized nation in the world. Most recent results from the Alan Guttmacher Institute show 101 pregnancies for every 1,000 females age 15-19 which represents a 14 percent decline since peak numbers were recorded in 1990.
Alcohol abuse remains problematic for teenagers.
Young men and women now report they begin drinking at age 15. Drug use continues to climb as well. Teens cite depression, anxiety, identity issues and peer pressure as the main reasons that they turn to alcohol and other drugs. All rights reserved.