1. Health - 'Bottom of the waiting list'

"Experience is a great advantage. The problem is that when you get the experience, you're too damn old to do anything about it." - Jimmy Connors

At the age of 17, and just over a week away from 18- I am stuck in limbo. Entering the time in life where I’m too old to enjoy the innocence and laughter I had as a child, but too young to try and make a difference and maybe achieve my biggest dreams and desires.

When you’re young, you look up at the older teens and think ‘that’s where I want to be…that’s where the fun is’. And at times, it is! But it’s not all it’s made out to be. Teenagers are looked down at, we’re seen as a threat. I don’t understand why I’m so scary? We’re like any ‘normal’ adults that you may see in the street. Sure we might be more naive, lazy and hormonal, but generally the barriers in life remain the same – health, money, and love.

But it is also those three things that separate us too.

It seems that us teenagers are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to health.
There are so many claims about our ‘corrupt’ generation. With STI’s, teenage pregnancy’s, anorexia, drugs and suicide.
And from what I’ve seen, a lot of it is true to an extent. But it seems that the bigger chunk of us aren’t completely stupid and making idiotic decisions that completely alter our life. I like to call those the ‘sensible’ teens. And I am happy to say I believe I’m one of them.

It seems that if you ever want to progress at anything, you are required to step out of your comfort zone. To accomplish what you want, or to get what you want, you always need to take risks. Nothing is ever easy, but I guess that’s what makes it more exciting. Right?

Moving onto another topic, looking through Yahoo news today, I discovered something rather odd. Apparently being with a women that has had a better education improves a man’s lifespan. This came from a study of 1.5 Million people aged between 30 and 59.

"Education may also have an indirect effect through its possible importance for choice of partner,"

Firstly, I wondered whether education actually effects who you may end up in a relationship with. Does your intelligence have an effect on your decisions when ‘finding a partner’? I can certainly see how that would come into effect, for one thing, two well educated people are more likely to be together than an idiot and a braniac. At least from my point of view. Mainly because you’d have more in common, and more to talk about.

Also the idea of education affecting a lifespan is also quite plausible. As more educated people will have better knowledge, and a deeper understanding of health, and would most likely force their partner into a much more healthier lifestyle. But why only limit this statement to men? Surely a well educated man can also effect a women’s health?
Putting these two together (only just realised they’re linked) it seems teenage men are at the bottom of the barrel for health. Not because we’re unhealthy, but simply because we’re seen as men that perhaps don’t get as ill as others. We’re more immune at this stage in life, or maybe…we’re just lazy couch potatoes that happen to avoid illness.

Until next time, stay healthy!!!

Daniel Mackrell

Posted in: Teenage Health Education