Teen lifestyle 'health timebomb'

Teenage drinking is on the increase

The party lifestyles of teenagers today could be destroying their health later in life, warn doctors.

The British Medical Association describes their obesity, binge drinking, and promiscuity as a "potential public health timebomb".

It is calling for swift action to reverse the worsening trends in adolescent health.

It follows a prediction from England's Chief Medical Officer that children could die before their parents.

Official health statistics suggest a growing threat to child health on a number of fronts, says the BMA

The number of children with weight problems has doubled in the last two decades, with nearly one in five 15-year-olds now classed as obese.

It's not until you take all these figures together that you realise how worrying the situation is Dr Russell Viner, Great Ormond Street Hospital

Alcohol consumption among the young is also on the rise - some under-16s admitting drinking an average of ten units of alcohol a week, five pints of beer or ten normal glasses of wine.

Six out of ten 16 to 24-year-olds admit not using condoms and rates of certain sexually transmitted diseases is soaring among this age group.

In addition, almost a quarter of 15-year-olds are regular smokers, and cannabis has been tried by one in three.

Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA's Head of Science and Ethics said: "Young people in Britain are increasingly likely to be overweight, indulge in binge drinking, have a sexually transmitted infection and suffer mental health problems.

"It is high time we provided education and healthcare services that target the specific needs of young people.

"We need to ensure that young people do not fall in between the gap between services for children and those designed for adults."

Dr Russell Viner, from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, was one of the authors of the BMA report.

He told a newspaper: "The report paints a bleak picture.

"It's not until you take all these figures together that you realise how worrying the situation is.

"It seems that adolescents are the only age group whose health is actually getting worse."

Obesity

The government is already considering moves to limit snack food advertising to children as experts warn of a child obesity "epidemic".

If we do not treat these problems when people are young they will carry poor health into adulthood Dr Peter Maguire, BMA

Doctors are already seeing cases of diabetes brought on by poor diet and lack of exercise in children as young as 13.

They believe that being obese at this age increases the chance of obesity in adulthood, which is linked to a host of medical problems, including heart disease and cancer.

Dr Peter Maguire, deputy chairman of the BMA's Board of Science said: "The UK is facing a crisis in adolescent health.

"Problems such as obesity, addictions, poor mental and sexual health, all respond best to early intervention, but are not being effectively addressed.

"If we do not treat these problems when people are young they will carry poor health into adulthood."

The rise of the sex disease chlamydia is particularly worrying for doctors.

This may not cause symptoms in women - and remain hidden for years.

However, it can cause severe damage to fertility, leaving thousands unable to conceive naturally.

Campaigns

The government is spending money on campaigns to improve child health, including a free school fruit initiative.

It has published a sexual health strategy, and a teenage pregnancy strategy in an effort to reduce the UK's high rates.

However, it has faced criticism for failing to halt the selling off of school playing fields.

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