Reproductive health

• The state of physical, mental and social well being of an individual is known as an individual’s health. Health is maintained by three main things: nutrition, hygiene, exercise and good habits.

Nutritional Needs of the Adolescents:

• Adolescence is a stage of rapid physical and mental. Thus the nutritional requirements of the body increase tremendously so the balanced diet as per requirement should be consumed.
• A balanced diet is the meal that includes all essential nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fats and vitamins) in sufficient proportions.
• Milk, green-leafy vegetables, and fruits are some examples of foodstuffs that are good for adolescents.
• For infants, mother’s milk provides all the nourishment that they need.
• Since girls start menstruating at this stage, they need to consume foods rich in iron, calcium, and zinc.
• Iron builds blood and iron-rich food such as leafy vegetables, jaggery, meat, citrus, Indian gooseberry (amla) are goods for adolescents.

Personal Hygiene:

• Personal hygiene is also very important during adolescence.
• Sweating may become a major problem at this stage.
• Bacteria multiply rapidly in sweat and cause bad odour.
• These problems can be avoided by proper cleaning and bathing and wearing sun dried cloths.
• A deodorant can also be used.
• It is also very important to keep the genital areas clean.
• A large number of adolescents are affected by acne or pimples. These should never be pricked or squeezed, as this can cause permanent scarring.
• One should wash the face with a mild non-oily soap to keep it clean. In some cases, acne may require medical attention.
• Girls should use sanitary pads during menstruation instead of cloth.

Physical exercise:

• Walking, exercising and playing in fresh air are the best way to keep our body fit and healthy. It is recommended not only for growing adolescents but for all.

Say “NO” to Drugs:

• Drugs are chemical substances that produce physical, mental, behavioral, or emotional changes in the user as they affect the nervous system.
• Use of a drug for purposes other than medicinal use is called drug abuse which is usually addictive.
• Addiction is habit developed in a person for particular thing. Example: Alcohol, nicotine (present in tobacco products such as cigarettes, gutka, and pan masala), cocaine and marijuana.
• They harm the body in the long run, ruin health and happiness.
• People addicted to drugs are also prone to catch the deadly virus HIV which causes the disease AIDS.
• This virus can spread by sharing syringes used for injecting some drugs. It also spreads through sexual contact with an infected person.