1-3 Taking Charge Of your Life

I. Taking responsibility for your health How do you bridge the gap between a teenager and a fully responsible adult? Two Steps: 1. Increase your awareness of risk factors (actions/behaviors representing potential threats to health.) 2. Examine current actions and behaviors, make necessary changes. or

II. Risk Factors & Teens Risk factors, action, and behaviors represent threats to your health. The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) conduct yearly surveys of 16,000 American youth, questioning about 6 personal risk factor categories.

Results 1. Behaviors that contribute to unintentional/intentional injuries: - been in a physical fight= 38.7% - had carried a weapon= 20.0% - rarely/never wore safety belts= 21.7% - rarely/never wore a motorcycle helmet= 43.8% - rarely/never wore a bicycle helmet= 92.8% 2. Tobacco use: - had ever tried a cigarette smoking= 71.3% - had ever tried smokeless tobacco= 11.4% 3. Alcohol/Drug use: - had tried alcohol= 80.4% - drove after drinking alcohol= 15.4% - had used marijuana= 42.2%

Results Continued 4. Sexual Behaviors: - in 2008 non-married females had intercourse at least one time=42% ( 4.3 million) CDC. - in 2008 non-married males had intercourse at least one time= 43% ( 4.5 million ) CDC. 5. Unhealthy eating disorders: - typically ate foods high in fat=60.5% - viewed themselves as overweight= 27.6% 6. Physical Inactivity: - Typically did not participate in regular, physical activity= 33.3% You will learn how to reduce or eliminate risk factors in your life.

III. Cumulative Risks Risks increase gradually and may add up to a greater than expected total. Smoking 1 cigarette is not likely to end in death. Repeat the habit over time, the negative effects accumulate and cause serious health consequences. Can also be a combination of risk factors, whose impact is more serious than any compound risk alone ( speeding and not wearing a seatbelt). Cumulative risks can and do occur in all areas of health and safety.

IV. Protective Factors When certain protective factors are present in a teens life, the amount of risk taking factors decrease. Positive Role Models: Family, Peers you look up to. Positive Values: Beliefs and Standards of conduct you find important.

Abstinence & Your Health Stay away from sexual activity before marriage, other high risk behaviors, smoking, drugs, and alcohol. Abstinence from high risk behaviors is one of the most important health behaviors you can have as a teen.