Is your teenager skipping breakfast? Why is that happening and what can you do? As per the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which surveyed adolescent health and well-being found that 1 in 4 students in high school ate breakfast, which means 3 in 4 high school students are not eating their breakfast. This data is as per the 2023 survey.

What Did The Study Intend?

The report describes a 10-year long trend and also recent changes among the two years. The study delved deeper into adolescents' dietary, physical activity and sleep behaviors. The study is also based on a national youth risk behavior survey of a representative sample of students from grade nine to 12.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found that while high school students drank slightly less soda and sports drinks and consumed more water, other healthy eating habits declined. In 2023, only 27% of students ate breakfast every day in the past week. The numbers were even lower for female students, with just 22% eating breakfast daily, compared to 32% of male students. Boys were also more likely to eat fruits and vegetables daily and drink water at least three times a day. Poor mental health and lack of physical activity have also been linked to skipping breakfast.

The other findings included a survey across 10-year period, where a decrease in the percentage of students eating fruits from 65% to 55%, eating vegetables, from 61% to 58%, and having breakfast daily from 38% to 27% was noted.

However, there was a positive trend among this, which was in children drinking plain water at least three times a day, which increased from 49% to 54% from when the survey began in 2015.. There were fewer students who also said that they drank soda in 2023 than in 2013. On an average, in 2013, around 22% students avoided soda, whereas in 2023, 31% students avoided it.

The report also emphasized that a healthy diet, along with daily physical activity and sufficient sleep further contributes to a healthy lifestyle. “The 10-year trends from 2013 to 2023 also show a decline in healthy dietary, physical activity, and sleep behaviors,” the survey reported.

Why Do High School Students Skip Breakfast?

While there is no one straightforward answer to it, psychologists and those who study children, believe that for many high school going kids, it is the easiest time to skip a meal. This is because they are caught between rushing to school, or not just that hungry in the morning. So for them, to sit down to have a breakfast may seem hassle and something they would have to take time out from their busy schedule. They at this age also prioritize their extra-curricular activities.

There has also been a shift in their circadian rhythm, and most teens cannot fall asleep before 11 pm, or even at midnight. Which means they wake up tired and struggle to do things right in the morning, which is why they choose to skip breakfast or give extra minutes to any other activities.

There is of course another, more popular reason, to lose weight. While experts and studies, like the one published in the Journal of Nutrition that found skipping breakfast leads to higher levels of hunger hormones, the students still feel the need to do this. However, it could lead to a slow metabolism, prompt the body to conserve energy and burn fewer calories, weight gain and deprive yo off the essential nutrients like calcium, iron, and vitamin D.

Without a morning breakfast, your blood sugar might drop too, which can increase irritability and stress, along with including the risk of depression in teenage.

Health officials in Kerala have reported two deaths caused by West Nile fever in Ernakulam district.

The deceased was identified as Muraleedharan, a 70-year-old man from Kadangalloor near Aluva. The elderly man died while undergoing treatment on Monday at Kalamassery Medical College, officials said.

Muraleedharan, who was suffering from cancer and had respiratory problems, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital a few days ago with symptoms of West Nile fever. This is the second death from West Nile fever in the Ernakulam district in a week.

Saraswathiyamma, a native of Paravur, died of West Nile fever the other day. Many people have reportedly sought treatment at various hospitals in Ernakulam district with West Nile fever and dengue fever symptoms.

Health Department Issues Advisory

Following the incident, the state health department urged people to remain cautious and also issued an advisory urging the public to take precautions against the mosquito-borne disease.

The West Nile Fever "is caused by a flavivirus commonly found in migratory birds and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes," the department said, in a statement.

It clarified that "the disease does not spread from person to person and that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid infection".

According to health authorities, symptoms may include fever, high body temperature, stiffness of the neck, behavioral changes, confusion, semi-consciousness, or loss of consciousness, PTI reported.

The statement warned that severe infection could affect the nervous system and lead to conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis.

"Elderly persons, those with low immunity, individuals with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, and children have been identified as high-risk groups requiring special attention. Culex mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant and polluted water bodies, drainage channels, septic tanks, marshy areas, paddy fields, and overgrown vegetation, are the primary carriers of the disease," the statement said.

What Is West Nile Fever?

The disease is spread through mosquito bites, and most who get infected do not have any symptoms. However, one in every five infected people has a fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

The West Nile virus also infects the nervous system and is capable of causing serious brain or spinal cord inflammation.

According to the WHO, West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.

The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds that carry the virus in their blood, and then bite humans and infect them.

West Nile Fever: The Symptoms

The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, rash around the chest and back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throats, and pain behind the eyes.

In severe cases, individuals may have an intense headache, high fever, stiff neck, making you unable to move your chin towards your chest, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of control over your muscle movements, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

West Nile Fever: How Does It Spread?

While the mosquitoes that feed on infected birds are the carriers, there is still a lack of evidence to determine whether it comes directly from the birds. The incubation period for symptoms to show up is two to six days, but it can extend to 14 days, too.

It can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their fetus, through human milk, blood transfusion, and organ transplant. People who are over the age of 60, have cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure are more prone to the virus.

West Nile Fever: Treatment

There are no treatments or antiviral medications available for it. However, one can treat the mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications that you take for a cold or the flu. The best way to prevent is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Health officials in Kerala have reported two deaths caused by West Nile fever in Ernakulam district.

The deceased was identified as Muraleedharan, a 70-year-old man from Kadangalloor near Aluva. The elderly man died while undergoing treatment on Monday at Kalamassery Medical College, officials said.

Muraleedharan, who was suffering from cancer and had respiratory problems, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital a few days ago with symptoms of West Nile fever. This is the second death from West Nile fever in the Ernakulam district in a week.

Saraswathiyamma, a native of Paravur, died of West Nile fever the other day. Many people have reportedly sought treatment at various hospitals in Ernakulam district with West Nile fever and dengue fever symptoms.

Health Department Issues Advisory

Following the incident, the state health department urged people to remain cautious and also issued an advisory urging the public to take precautions against the mosquito-borne disease.

In a statement, the department said the disease is caused by a flavivirus commonly found in migratory birds and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes.

It clarified that the disease does not spread from person to person and that preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid infection.

According to health authorities, symptoms may include fever, high body temperature, stiffness of the neck, behavioral changes, confusion, semi-consciousness, or loss of consciousness, PTI reported.

Also read: Shigella: The Infection That Claimed A 4-Year-Old's Life In Kerala; Government On Alert

The statement warned that severe infection could affect the nervous system and lead to conditions such as encephalitis and meningitis.

"Elderly persons, those with low immunity, individuals with underlying illnesses, pregnant women, and children have been identified as high-risk groups requiring special attention. Culex mosquitoes, which breed in stagnant and polluted water bodies, drainage channels, septic tanks, marshy areas, paddy fields, and overgrown vegetation, are the primary carriers of the disease," the statement said.

What Is West Nile Fever?

The disease is spread through mosquito bites, and most who get infected do not have any symptoms. However, one in every five infected people has a fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

The West Nile virus also infects the nervous system and is capable of causing serious brain or spinal cord inflammation.

According to the WHO, West Nile Virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae.

The mosquitoes become infected when they feed on birds that carry the virus in their blood, and then bite humans and infect them.

It is found in different parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Australia, and Asia. Cases in 49 states in the US have been reported, and the total number of symptomatic cases in the US is 51,000 since the first cases were detected in the country in 1999.

Read More: Salmonella Outbreak: Instant Noodles Sicken Over 80 In The UK, Europe

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, rash around the chest and back, swollen lymph nodes, sore throats, and pain behind the eyes.

In severe cases, individuals may have an intense headache, high fever, stiff neck, making you unable to move your chin towards your chest, confusion, muscle weakness, loss of control over your muscle movements, seizures, paralysis, and coma.

How Can It Spread?

While the mosquitoes that feed on infected birds are the carriers, there is still a lack of evidence to determine whether it comes directly from the birds. The incubation period for symptoms to show up is two to six days, but it can extend to 14 days, too.

It can be transmitted from a pregnant person to their fetus, through human milk, blood transfusion, and organ transplant. People who are over the age of 60, have cancer, diabetes, or high blood pressure are more prone to the virus.

Treatment

There are no treatments or antiviral medications available for it. However, you can treat the mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medications that you take for a cold or the flu. The best way to prevent is to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

There is an outbreak of food poisoning in the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe. Notably, almost all cases are linked to the same strain, thus suggesting a common source of infection. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has confirmed 83 cases of Salmonella Stanley ST2045 in the first week of June, and of these, 20 have been hospitalized.

The ECDC also states that 26 more cases are not sequenced and may also be linked to the outbreak.

As per the health authorities, the cases have been found in nations including the United Kingdom, Austria, Czechia, Estonia, France, Germany, Lithuania, and the Netherlands.

The ECDC has said, “collaborating closely with the affected countries and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)”.

Gauri Godbole, Deputy Director of Gastrointestinal Infections at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), told journalists, “We are supporting an ongoing investigation into an international Salmonella outbreak, with most reported cases occurring in children and young people."

She also added that the current findings are leading the health authorities to the possibility that the source of the outbreak was potentially chicken‑flavoured instant noodles or processed chicken products, or both, as they share ingredients.

“Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, although vulnerable groups with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness.” She added.

Though ECDC also states that not all cases can be explained by exposure to these instant noodles. They emphasized ongoing investigations into the cases. They added, “Based on what is currently known, the overall risk of Salmonella Stanley infection is assessed as very low for the general population and low for children and young adults, as long as cooking instructions are adhered to.”

What Is Salmonella?

As per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illness and fever called salmonellosis. It can be spread by food handlers who do not wash their hands and/or the surfaces and tools they use between food preparation steps. It can also happen when people consume uncooked and raw food. Salmonella can also spread from animals to people.

The FDA notes that people who have direct contact with certain animals, including poultry and reptiles, can spread the bacteria from the animal to food if hand washing hygiene is not practiced.

Pets, too, could spread the bacteria within the home environment if they eat food contaminated with Salmonella.

Also Read: Ebola Outbreak Escalates: Uganda Rushes Medics To Congo Border Regions

Common symptoms of Salmonella include:

• diarrhea,
• fever,
• stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment, though in some cases it may lead to hospitalization.

Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness.