The prevalence of obesity among adolescents is about 30%, and adult obesity will follow! Special clinic for adolescents provides consultation

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as those aged 10 to 19. Taiwan does not have an official definition and usually refers to junior high school, high school and early college stages as adolescents. Adolescence is the period between childhood and adulthood and is the second peak of growth in life. Life during this period is school-centered, and the body undergoes hormonal changes as well as rapid physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial growth and development. The various behavioral patterns established during this period have a profound impact on adult eating habits, sexual development, substance abuse and addiction, and physical fitness and body shape.

Eating habits and body shape of adolescents

According to the National Nutrition Survey, the prevalence of obesity among adolescents is about 30%. This is related to the unbalanced ratio of protein and fat intake by Chinese teenagers, and they also lack the intake of some vitamin B and minerals. People who are vulnerable to obesity during adolescence are also more likely to become obese as adults, and their risks of developing metabolic syndrome, the three highs, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers are increased. Therefore, correctly guiding teenagers on healthy eating and healthy body management, and developing good exercise habits, is an important part of health promotion.

Accidental injuries among teenagers

The leading cause of death among Taiwanese teenagers is accidental injuries, with traffic accidents being the largest cause. At the same time, according to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24 worldwide is traffic accidents. These accidents are avoidable, and we should take a positive attitude to prevent traffic accidents. Providing health education to young people to avoid injury accidents is an important issue.

Youth Mental Health

According to statistics from Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare, the suicide death rate among young people has increased year by year, ranking second among the top ten causes of death among young people, second only to accidental injuries. During adolescence, teenagers experience pressure from themselves, their families, the opposite sex, their peers, schoolwork, and the Internet. In addition, due to the popularity of social media and online communication software in recent years, they may also encounter interpersonal relationships and bullying, emotional disorders such as depression, etc. on the Internet, which is also one of the reasons why the suicide rate is rising year by year. Assisting young people to adjust their psychology and emotions, providing them with a window to vent their emotions, and even preventing and treating depression are important trends in the future.

Adolescent Sexual Health

During adolescence, secondary sexual characteristics develop rapidly. With the development of the Internet, teenagers are easily exposed to incorrect sexual information online without realizing it. Therefore, it is necessary to properly guide young people to learn healthy sexual knowledge, help them establish good concepts and behaviors, respect their body autonomy and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. According to the 2022 Taiwan Ministry of the Interior population statistics, the fertility rate among teenagers aged 15 to 19 has dropped from 6‰ in 2007 to 3‰, but is still higher than that of neighboring countries such as South Korea. The National Health Administration has set up the "Healthy 99 Website", in which the "Youth Hall" provides information related to sexual health among teenagers and can promote sexual health knowledge among teenagers.

During adolescence, secondary sexual characteristics develop rapidly. With the development of the Internet, teenagers are easily exposed to incorrect sexual information online without realizing it. Therefore, it is necessary to properly guide young people to learn healthy sexual knowledge, help them establish good concepts and behaviors, respect their body autonomy and prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Substance abuse and addiction in adolescents

Adolescence is an important period of brain development. Substance abuse during this period often causes irreversible changes in the brain. The 2022 Health Behavior Survey Report on High School, Vocational College, and Technical School Students shows that more than 25% of high school and vocational school students have smoked before, and 12.2% have smoked in the past 30 days. In addition to the tobacco, alcohol, betel nut, amphetamines, and ketamine that we have heard of in the past, the proportion of young people using emerging tobacco products (such as heated tobacco and e-cigarettes) has increased rapidly in recent years. Foreign studies have shown that adolescents who use new tobacco products are more likely to become addicted to and abuse traditional cigarettes and other substances when they grow up.

in conclusion

Our hospital has been operating the "Youth Preventive Health Clinic", "Happiness No. 9 (Youth-Friendly Reproductive Service)", and "Youth Campus Health Promotion Activities" since 2003. In 2004, we took over the "Youth Health Center Experimental Project" of the National Health Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and obtained the "Youth-Friendly Care Institution Certification" from the National Health Administration in 2019. At the same time, the current director of the Department of Family Medicine, Chen Zhidao, is also the chairman of the Taiwan Society of Adolescent Medicine and Health, and he spares no effort in caring for adolescents.

Our Youth Health Center provides adolescent physical and mental health consultation and assistance, including: weight management, reproductive health, teenage pregnancy, substance addiction, emotional distress, etc. Ways of seeking medical treatment include proactively seeking medical treatment or being referred by school institutions. Family medicine physicians will also provide assistance or refer adolescents to appropriate specialists or psychologists for follow-up diagnosis and treatment based on their individual circumstances, hoping to accompany adolescents in their healthy growth and develop their unlimited potential.