The Preteen Digest
The Preteen Digest is a summary of recent news and research about
preteens.
August 2003
Topics:
News & Research
Stressed
Preteens Take Refuge in Comfort Food
A British study of more than 4,000 11-year-olds found that as stress increases,
children become more likely to eat unhealthful food and less likely to
eat fruits and vegetables. The children in the study who were most stressed,
in fact, ate nearly twice as much fatty food as the least stressed group.
How
Sexually Active Are Preteens?
Nearly 20 percent of young teens said they have had sex before age 15,
according to a recent analysis by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen
Pregnancy. The report also notes that between 57 to 74 percent of sexually
active preteens said they used some form of contraception the first time
they had sex.
Are
Sexually Active Adolescents Happy?
New research from the Heritage Foundation shows that sexually active teens
and preteens are at a higher risk of depression and suicide attempts.
Emotional
Health Top Concern for Parents of Preteens
While most parents reported that their preteen children are doing well
overall, a recent survey suggests that issues related to emotional well
being are the chief worry for parents of preteens in San Mateo and Santa
Clara counties, and that a significant number of parents have serious
concerns.
Former
Surgeon General Urges Communities to Bond with Preteens
Dr. David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General under President Bill Clinton,
drew more than 200 people to Redwood City on June 12 for a conversation
about -- and with -- preteens, regarding the risks and choices that young
people face today. Satcher emphasized that parents and communities both
need to create bonds with preteens to help children get through this transitional
period.
Big
Differences in Why Girls/Boys Use Drugs
Substance abuse prevention programs should recognize that girls turn to
drugs, alcohol and other substances for different reasons from boys, say
researchers at Columbia University. The researchers also note that girls
who experience puberty at an early age are at a higher risk for abusing
substances.
New Children's
Health Calendar
Want to know what's going on in children's health in Santa
Clara and San Mateo counties? Find parents' groups, classes, health events
related to preteens, and much more in a new children's health calendar
for San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Also, post a free listing of your
nonprofit organization's events.
Facts & Figures
Santa Clara County recently released a report on children and youth
that includes the latest California Healthy Kids Survey data, which is
based on responses from almost 16,000 7th, 9th, and 11th graders in the
county. Among the findings:
Body Image: 31 percent of 7th graders said they consider
themselves overweight.
Emotional Health: 24 percent of 7th graders said they
felt so sad that they
stopped doing their usual activities for 14 or more consecutive days in
the past year.
Smoking: 11 percent of 7th graders said they think smoking
helps you make friends.
Suicide: 22 percent of 7th graders say they seriously
considered suicide in the past year, and 10 percent said they even had
made a suicide plan in the past year.
Press
release in PDF format | Full
report in PDF format
|
