Boys & Girls Clubs of America Celebrate Teen Health Week

Boys & Girls Clubs of America Celebrate Teen Health Week

Youth development expert Dr. Jennifer Bateman shares tips to get teens active and away from screen time

The first week of April, health advocates around the country use this time to raise awareness of the unique health issues facing teens all over the world, with 37 countries on 6 continents coming together to advocate for teen health and wellness. Known as Teen Health Week, this global initiative encourages teens to take charge of their physical and mental health to facilitate healthy habits they will carry with them throughout their lives. This emphasis is critical now, more than ever, as some experts believe kids today will be the first generation not to live longer than their parents.

One of the ways Boys & Girls Clubs help to reinforce physical and emotional health is through the Triple Play program. “The Triple Play program is our signature health and wellness program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” said Dr. Jennifer Bateman, Boys and Girls Clubs of America. “It is one of our highly utilized programs among our 4300 club sites. It serves young people ages 6 – 18 and it really targets a whole set of skills that sets them for success and healthy lifestyle for over the course of their lives. For example it targets social and emotional skills, physical activity, confidence and competence and also healthy eating habits. “

“Teens and young adults do spend a lot of time on social media and screen time,” said Dr. Laura Scott, Anthem Foundation. “The importance of limiting that is it has an impact on sleep. So limiting that blue light before they go to be can impact whether they fall asleep or how fast they fall asleep which makes them more tired in the morning when they have to get up in the morning, go to school and be ready to learn. Limit that screen time before they go to bed. Engaging your young teen as part of meal prep at the home so they understand healthy food choices and what is being prepared at home. And getting them to interact with their peers’ in-person and not just relying on social media. If they play sports its even better or find some fun activity outside the home that they can engage in that limits that screen time on social media.”

In honor of Teen Health Week, here are 5 ways to engage teens in your life with activities that encourage and reinforce positive health behaviors:

Meal Prep Together

Allowing teens to help with meal prep teaches them responsibility, builds confidence and allows them to take a hands-on role in their health. Including them in meal prep builds skills they need when it is time to cook their own food. Let your teen create the grocery list, meals for the week and take them with you to the grocery store. Task them with creating recipes and finding healthy alternatives to some of their favorite foods.

Encourage Self-Expression

Art, music and dance are great ways for teens to express themselves and build self-awareness. It gives teens a voice and the ability to take control of something. The arts promote problem solving and is a great confidence builder for teens. Encourage your teens to take an art class, sign up for dance lessons or learn to play an instrument.

Get Active

Regular physical activity is important for promoting lifelong health and well-being. Teen’s participating in sports and recreation activities develop perseverance, goal-setting and improve cardio-respiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Sign your teen up for a physical activity, team sport or take them with you to the park or the gym to get active.

Promote Positive Relationships

Positive peer relationships can help teens hone their social skills and develop their own personal identities. These friendships allow teens an opportunity to practice impulse control, develop conflict resolution skills and provide fun and excitement for teens through companionship and recreation. Allow your teen to join affinity groups, camps or attend an afterschool program with positive recreational and social activities.

Listen & communicate

Creating a safe place for teens to use their voice and express themselves gives them the permission and confidence to practice declaring themselves – stating their feelings, beliefs, questions, needs, wants, disagreements, and limits. This builds their confidence and fosters their ability to make well informed decisions.

Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body and Soul is BGCA’s proven health and wellness program co-sponsored by the Anthem Foundation and founding partner The Coca-Cola Company.

For more information visit bgca.org

Dr. Jennifer Bateman is the National Vice President for Health, Wellness & Gender for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In this role, Bateman drives the health and wellness agenda for BGCA and leads efforts designed to foster holistic well-being in youth including physical health, nutrition, mental and emotional wellness and access to preventive care. She has a Ph.D. in Applied Psychology and Human Development from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.Ed. in Developmental Psychology from Harvard University.

For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, 4,300 Clubs serve 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Club programs promote academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at on Facebook and Twitter.

Courtesy: Boys & Girls Clubs of America