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.

Donald Trump’s health has long been under scrutiny, and a recent Instagram post by a physical therapist, @epistemiccrisis, who holds a doctorate and has 14 years of experience treating dementia patients, has stirred fresh speculation. The doctor discussed how tertiary stage syphilis, also known as neurosyphilis, can closely mimic the symptoms of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.

What Is Tertiary Stage Syphilis?

Tertiary syphilis is the late stage of a syphilis infection, and it is relatively uncommon, usually appearing years or even decades after the initial infection. Its manifestations can vary, but the most common forms include cardiovascular syphilis, central nervous system involvement—classically presenting as tabes dorsalis or general paresis—and gummatous syphilis, which most often affects the liver. In the United States, syphilis is considered a reportable illness, meaning cases must be reported to public health authorities.

Tertiary Stage Syphilis And The Brain

Tertiary stage syphilis occurs when the infection remains untreated for years, potentially causing serious neurological complications. Before antibiotics were widely available, neurosyphilis accounted for roughly 15% of psychiatric inpatients, as per the doctor. The disease can damage the frontal and temporal lobes, producing behavioural changes strikingly similar to dementia.

Case Study Explains The Symptom Overlap

The doctor referenced a PubMed case study of a 47-year-old male whose behaviour drastically changed, leading to psychiatric admission. The patient showed extreme disorientation and poor hygiene, including rubbing his own faeces in his hair. After receiving antibiotics, his symptoms resolved, and brain scans later revealed improved blood flow to the frontal lobe.

Could Donald Trump Have Tertiary Stage Syphilis?

Red marks on Trump’s hands have sparked discussion about possible tertiary stage syphilis. However, the doctor noted that untreated syphilis in someone of Trump’s age would generally produce more severe complications, making the likelihood low. Additional health factors, including possible history of stroke, heart issues, and kidney disease, further complicate speculation.

Are Frontotemporal Dementia and Tertiary Syphilis Related?

Donald Trump has been speculated to show signs of frontotemporal dementia, a condition affecting behavior, personality, and decision-making. Interestingly, tertiary stage syphilis, specifically neurosyphilis, can cause similar symptoms by damaging the frontal and temporal lobes. Both conditions may lead to changes in social behavior, judgment, and cognitive function, making it challenging to differentiate without proper medical evaluation. Unlike frontotemporal dementia, which is progressive and currently incurable, tertiary syphilis is treatable with antibiotics, underscoring the need for accurate diagnosis.

Is Tertiary Stage Syphilis Treatable?

Neurosyphilis is treatable with antibiotics, and early detection is critical. The case study highlights how the condition can mimic dementia, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation—even for high-profile figures like Donald Trump.

Disclaimer: The claims discussed in this article are being made by the Instagram user @epistemiccrisis. Health & Me does not verify or endorse these claims, and this content is intended for informational purposes only, not as a medical diagnosis or advice.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the Ayush Mark at the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine on Friday. The Ayush Mark is envisioned as a global standard for quality Ayush products and services. The WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was held at Bharat Mandapam from December 17 to December 19, 2025, with this year’s theme, “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” Speaking at the closing ceremony, PM Modi highlighted India’s rising leadership in promoting traditional medicine as an evidence-based, integrated, and people-focused part of global health systems.

Alongside the Ayush Mark, PM Modi also introduced the My Ayush Integrated Services Portal (MAISP), the central digital platform of the Ayush Grid, released a commemorative Ashwagandha postal stamp, the WHO technical report on Yoga training, and the book “From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in Ayush.” He also presented the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga, recognizing both national and international individuals and organizations for their exceptional service.

Speaking at the event, he said, “Over the past three days, experts from across the world in traditional medicine have held meaningful discussions here. I am glad India is providing a strong platform for this, and the WHO has actively participated. It is our good fortune and a matter of pride that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar, India. The world entrusted us with this responsibility with great confidence at the first Traditional Medicine Summit.”

What Is The Ayush Mark?

The Ayush Mark is a label issued by the Ministry of Ayush for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy products and services. The Ayush Mark Certification Scheme has been run by the Quality Council of India (QCI) since 2009.

Products and services carrying the Ayush Mark follow quality manufacturing practices, use standard raw materials, and undergo safety testing. The Ayush Mark and its two previous certification levels have existed for several years. The new label builds on them and aims to set a global benchmark for traditional medicine products and services. Earlier certifications included the Ayush Standard Mark and the Ayush Premium Mark.

The Ayush Standard Mark follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicines under Schedule T of the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945. The Ayush Premium Mark is aligned with WHO GMP guidelines for herbal medicines.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, also attended the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. He praised PM Modi for elevating traditional medicine to a global platform. Dr Tedros commended India for turning vision into action, calling the country a global leader in transforming traditional medicine from heritage to evidence-informed practice. He highlighted landmark initiatives like the establishment of the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, noting these efforts have strengthened the integration of traditional medicine into health systems, research, and policy, supporting universal health coverage and sustainable development worldwide.

Global Recognition and Impact of Ayush Mark

The Ayush Mark is not just a certification but a step toward placing Indian traditional medicine on the world stage. By setting internationally recognized quality benchmarks, it aims to boost confidence among global consumers and practitioners, encouraging the adoption of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy products and services worldwide. This initiative reinforces India’s role in shaping evidence-based, safe, and sustainable traditional medicine practices across borders.

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to announce changes to the childhood immunisation schedule early next year, with a proposal that would recommend fewer vaccines and bring U.S. policy closer to Denmark’s model. A source familiar with the discussions told NewsNation correspondent Libbey Dean that the revised schedule, expected next year, would involve fewer shots and would be “more in line with Denmark’s vaccination schedule,” according to The Hill. This has raised an important question: what does Denmark’s vaccine schedule look like, and is it realistic for the U.S. to follow it?

Denmark Vaccine Schedule: What Is It?

Denmark runs a clearly defined childhood vaccination programme that is free and voluntary, aimed at protecting children from serious infectious diseases. Infants are given combination vaccines that cover diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, and Haemophilus influenzae type b, along with the pneumococcal vaccine, at 3, 5, and 12 months. Children receive their first dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 15 months, with a second dose at 4 years.

A booster shot for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio is administered at 5 years. Around the age of 12, both boys and girls are offered the HPV vaccine to reduce the risk of cancers linked to the virus. Vaccines for chickenpox, rotavirus, hepatitis A, or meningococcal disease are not routinely included in Denmark’s standard schedule, according to official guidance from the Danish Health Authority’s Childhood Vaccination Programme.

RFK Jr. Is Considering Denmark Vaccine Schedule For US

Reports suggest that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is exploring additional changes to federal childhood vaccine recommendations, with a focus on aligning them more closely with those followed by other developed nations, especially Denmark, as per The Washington Post. This discussion comes after a meeting earlier this month of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), where childhood vaccine schedules in the U.S. and Denmark were reviewed and adjustments to the U.S. schedule were made. It was followed by a memorandum from President Trump directing HHS to begin a “process to align U.S. core childhood vaccine recommendations with best practices from peer, developed countries.”

Denmark Vaccine Schedule: What Happens If the US Adopts It?

If the U.S. were to adopt Denmark’s schedule in full, it would result in fewer vaccines being recommended for children up to age 18. When comparing vaccines that are universally advised in both countries, Denmark’s programme covers protection against 10 diseases, while the U.S. schedule includes vaccines for 16 diseases, following the removal of hepatitis B from universal recommendations. The additional vaccines recommended in the U.S. address respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, varicella, hepatitis A, and meningococcal disease. Although the U.S. advises more childhood vaccines than many comparable countries, Denmark stands out for recommending fewer than most. Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) vaccine scheduler shows that none of the other 29 ECDC member countries limits its routine childhood schedule to just 10 diseases. Several countries, including Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Poland, recommend vaccines against 15 or more diseases, while Austria’s schedule covers 17 diseases, which is even more than the U.S. currently recommends.

Every country follows its own process when setting vaccine recommendations, shaped by its specific circumstances. Childhood immunisation schedules are built over years by reviewing available evidence and weighing factors such as healthcare systems, insurance coverage, public health infrastructure, and national priorities. This explains why vaccine schedules vary across countries, and so far, no developed nation has based its decisions solely on what another “peer” country does.

Importantly, Denmark’s approach is not based on a different interpretation of vaccine science or effectiveness. Instead, Danish health authorities prioritise recommending vaccines that significantly lower the risk of death or serious illness in children. For instance, while rotavirus infections do occur among children in Denmark, they rarely result in death or long-term harm in a setting with universal healthcare access, strong medical systems, and lower inequality than in the U.S. By contrast, neighbouring countries such as Norway and Finland do include the rotavirus vaccine in their routine schedules, as does the U.S., where before the vaccine was introduced, rotavirus caused an estimated 2.7 million infections each year, leading to 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalisations and 20 to 60 deaths among children under five.