Fitness:
60 minutes of moderate exercise daily.
Nutrition:
Ages 13-19: 5-6 oz. protein, 3 cups dairy, 1â€2 cups fruit, 2â€3 cups vegetables and 6-7 oz. grains daily.
Oral care:
Teeth should be brushed twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. Consider the need for braces.
Sleep:
Ages 11-19: 81/2â€91/2â€hours nightly.
Vision:
Ages 13-19: Exams every two years.
Major concern for teens: mental health
Half of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14, with one in five children affected by mental illness and often not getting treatment for years. About 20 percent of teens ages 13-18 experience severe disorders in a given year. “Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24,” says National Alliance on Mental Illness executive director Mary Giliberti. “Early recognition of symptoms in children and early treatment can save lives and ensures a better future.”