| "Many people use their youth to make their old | | | | People who develop eating disorders may also be |
| age miserable." - Anonymous | | | | suffering from anxiety disorder and depression. |
| Youth is characterized by exuberance and | | | | Without proper attention and treatment, |
| gaiety. Throwing all caution to the wind, they are | | | | emotional problems may become |
| adventurous in nature and are typically curious | | | | obsessive-compulsive disorder. They become |
| about anything that arouse their interests. Their | | | | withdrawn and develop social anxiety. |
| young minds are comparable to a sponge that | | | | On the other hand, teens experimenting with |
| absorbs practically anything it touches, and their | | | | alcohol is very common. Aside from the media, |
| restless spirits can become reckless and | | | | they see their parents and other adults enjoying |
| uninhibited if not properly guided and reined in. | | | | alcohol occasionally or socially. Seeing them drink |
| Such are the traits of the youth that, without | | | | beer or wine during special dinners may appear to |
| guidance, they can be easily corrupted or | | | | be harmless. Other reasons why young people |
| intoxicated. Scientists believe that the human | | | | are encouraged to drink may be out of curiosity, |
| brains continue to develop until the age of 21, | | | | peer pressure and to be with the "in" crowd, the |
| that's why teens are considered not just | | | | desire to feel like an adult, and for relaxation or |
| emotionally and psychologically vulnerable. | | | | leisure. |
| The effects of media in shaping public values is | | | | Though drinking alcohol moderately may have |
| very significant, especially in terms of the youth | | | | some positive health benefits such as longevity |
| who may easily emulate what they see, hear or | | | | and healthier life, too much alcohol consumption |
| read. The idea that "thin is in" as endorsed by | | | | can negate all these potential benefits which could |
| celebrities and models in all forms of advertising to | | | | lead to serious health conditions such as liver |
| promote weight loss has resulted to unhealthy | | | | disease, heart attack, pancreatitis, and brain |
| dieting. The celebrity diets and the images | | | | atrophy, among others. |
| projected by movie stars have indirectly spawned | | | | Young people should understand that certain |
| cases of anorexia and bulimia. Constant | | | | health conditions can be made worse by drinking |
| exposure to advertisements depicting beautiful | | | | any amount of alcohol. Those who have history |
| people enjoying life and alcohol may encourage | | | | of a hemorrhagic stroke, liver disease, pancreatic |
| young people to drink, without knowing its | | | | disease and those with evidence of pre-cancerous |
| adverse effects on their health and academic life. | | | | stages in the esophagus, larynx, pharynx, or |
| Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are both | | | | mouth must never take any alcohol. Young |
| eating disorders that affect most girls than | | | | people with a family history of alcoholism are at |
| boys. Girls are considered to be more | | | | higher risk of becoming alcoholics themselves. |
| figure-conscious which explains their desire to | | | | Teens may not realize it but too much alcohol, like |
| engage in different weight loss programs. Their | | | | drug use, can develop into abuse and even |
| obsession with physical beauty has led them to | | | | addiction which may become a problem for them |
| deprive their bodies of the nutrients they need to | | | | and those around them. |
| maintain health. | | | | Adults have the responsibility to provide support |
| While anorexic people have an intense fear of | | | | and encouragement to the youth who may be |
| being fat and would avoid eating at all cost due to | | | | veer away from the norms. It may take a lot |
| their extreme desire to be very thin, people | | | | of understanding to win over young people who |
| suffering from bulimia, on the other hand, would | | | | are suffering from various emotional problems, |
| take in large amount of food and get rid of it | | | | anxiety disorder or drug situation. Consulting with |
| quickly by inducing vomiting or with the use of | | | | health care professionals may help in the situation. |
| laxatives. | | | | |