HHS HealthBeat (August 05, 2008)

Less trouble

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Today’s parents may deserve a pat on the back. Surveys show that kids are doing fewer things that put their health at risk than in the 1990s. But we could do better.

Howell Wechsler of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most students don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables and don’t get enough exercise. About half of kids have had sex and drink alcohol. One out of five smoke cigarettes.

Wechsler says that the growing improvement in kids’ behavior should help parents encourage children to avoid risky behavior.

“Sometimes we just need to teach them that `Hey, it’s too many kids who are smoking but it’s only one out of five.’ That means that only four of five kids are not smoking, so most of the crowd is not taking these risks with their health.” (13 seconds)

Learn more at hhs.gov.

Last revised: August, 05 2008