Adolescents may need encouragement to make healthy choices about diet and physical activity. They need to know the importance of balancing food intake and physical activity. A balanced diet and regular exercise can affect future health but it may also improve a young teen's physical appearance and their sense of well being. Your child needs your guidance to increase the value that they place on health, and to increase their confidence in their ability to make healthy choices. Today's teenagers face difficult lifestyle choices with the prevalence of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sexually transmitted diseases.
Discussion can keep the lines of communication open.
To help make the important responsibility of being a parent a little easier, we have provided a list of helpful resources for parents of young teens to obtain information and educational materials to help them advise their children. The following organizations are sources of health education information to assist you in discussing subjects that concern your adolescent. The above agencies are sources of additional information where you, your adolescent, and even younger children can learn more about health issues. You can also check your phone book or contact your child's school nurse for more sources of information. Together, Independence Blue Cross and you can work to keep your child healthy throughout their adolescent years and beyond.