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.

Bangladesh’s deadliest measles outbreak is showing no signs of abating. Since March, the highly infectious disease has claimed nearly 600 children, while suspected cases have crossed 72,000.

What is more worrying is that there are no signs of a slowdown despite nationwide vaccination efforts, and experts believe infections could surge further following increased transmission during the Eid Al-Adha homecoming period.

“Over the weekend, Bangladesh documented more than 1,300 suspected measles cases and two deaths, pushing the country’s tally to nearly 71,000 infections and 585 fatalities since the outbreak began in mid-March,” according to the Bangladeshi Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

As many as 56,886 suspected measles patients have been hospitalized in Bangladesh since March 15, of whom 52,841 have recovered, according to the DGHS, United News of Bangladesh reported.

“There is no sign of a downtrend in measles infection rate across the country,” Dr. Ariful Bashar from Mohakhali Contagious Disease Hospital told Arab News.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease, even six times more than COVID-19. Unless 95 percent immunity is achieved through vaccination, there will be no downtrend in the infection rate,” he added.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, millions of Bangladeshis travelled to their hometowns last week to celebrate Eid Al-Adha.

Bashar said that “as health protocols were not maintained properly”, the country is likely to “witness a future increase in the infection rate”.

The expert noted that Bangladesh also lacks facilities for efficient contact tracing of measles patients, which could further increase the spread of what he described as “the most contagious disease in the world”.

Hospitals Overwhelmed

Since March, hospitals across the country have been overwhelmed as they struggle to isolate and treat hundreds of children admitted every day.

Dr. Mirza Ziaul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, told Arab News that “during the Eid travel period, it was not possible to keep infected patients isolated”, increasing the risk of further transmission.

Also read: India Concerned Over Measles Outbreak, Action Underway: Dr N K Arora| Exclusive

Most Cases And Deaths Among Young Children

Four out of five measles patients are younger than five years, according to The New York Times. The vast majority of deaths have also occurred in this age group, which is highly vulnerable to the airborne virus.

According to the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Bangladesh had largely contained measles outbreaks since the 1990s through vaccination campaigns. However, immunization efforts were disrupted in 2024 after student-led protests overthrew the government.

The interim administration that governed Bangladesh until elections in late February did not conduct a supplementary mass vaccination campaign as recommended.

Last week, UNICEF said it had repeatedly warned the country’s interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, through written communications and meetings with Health Ministry officials about vaccine shortages that could trigger a major health crisis, local media reported.

Vaccination Drive Underway

In April, Bangladesh’s new government launched an emergency campaign to vaccinate 20 million children.

Although the campaign has reportedly achieved 110 percent of its target and remains ongoing, experts note that only one of the two doses required for strong and durable immunity has been administered so far.

In addition, it takes four to six weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.

Outbreak Spreads Nationwide

The outbreak began in January in Rohingya refugee camps near the Myanmar border and quickly spread nationwide. It has now reached 58 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, causing more than 21,000 hospitalisations.

In an April 23 update, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a “considerable risk” of spread to Myanmar, where civil strife has disrupted immunisation efforts, and to India, which remains vulnerable. WHO described the outbreak as “a reversal from Bangladesh’s previous progress towards measles elimination.”

Scientists in Cuba have developed a novel vaccine against lung cancer that has shown the potential to improve survival rates among people living with the disease.

The vaccine, chemically known as racotumomab, has been developed in collaboration with scientists from Argentina. Vaxira has been approved in Cuba and Argentina for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

How Does Vaxira Work?

It helps the immune system recognize and destroy lung cancer cells.

According to the Cuban Embassy in the US, the vaccine "works by mimicking a molecule found on cancer cells but almost entirely absent in healthy human tissue". It also targets tumors with remarkable precision and has very few side effects.

While advanced NSCLC has limited curative options and poor survival rates, clinical trials of Vaxira showed a significant improvement in survival.

Notably, "one-year survival among patients receiving the vaccine nearly doubled compared with the control group," the post said.

"Real-world data shows median survival of up to 24.5 months in maintenance therapy," it added.

Improved Survival And Minimal Side Effects

Importantly, the vaccine has demonstrated minimal side effects and is considered suitable for long-term use.

The embassy described the vaccine as affordable and accessible compared with many immunotherapies.

In 2025, Vaxira also received Cuba's National Technological Innovation Award.

The commercial rollout of Vaxira is being facilitated by the international public-private consortium ReComBio, linking Havana's Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM) with Argentina's Elea Laboratories.

Also read: Potential 'Functional Cure' For Hepatitis B: Trial Give Hope To Millions

What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung Cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. It is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 2.5 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths reported in 2022.

According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; a very small number of people diagnosed are younger than 45.

The average age of people when diagnosed is about 70.

It is also the leading cause of cancer death in the US, accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths.

The two main types of lung cancers are:

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases. NSCLC includes three subtypes:

• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Adenocarcinoma
• Large-cell carcinoma

Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC): Less common than NSCLC, this type tends to grow and spread more quickly.

Early Signs and Symptoms to Look Out For

Lung cancer symptoms can mimic less serious conditions, which is why they’re often dismissed or misdiagnosed. If you experience the following symptoms persistently, don’t ignore them—regardless of your age or smoking history:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Unexplained shortness of breath
• Persistent cough or wheezing
• Shoulder, back, or rib pain
• Fatigue or sudden weight loss
• Blood in sputum (though not always present).

The International Space Station is conducting a very important study as Expedition 74 astronauts are researching how to manufacture large quantities of stem cells for treatment purposes on Earth. Research previously mostly worked on hardware to produce a large amount of stem cells, but now the InSPA-StemCellEX-H2 is trying to produce the cells for medical purposes.

This endeavor will rely on the process called “expansion”, which will use the stem cells from the human body and divide them. Though this is already possible on earth, the quality of created stem cells is far poorer than those from the human body, as it cannot create new cells in the blood, but the ones created in space will solve this problem, which will be crucial in the treatment of leukemia, as they need stem cells in the blood system post-chemotherapy.

Dr. Tobias Niederwieser, assistant research professor at BioServe Space Technologies within the University of Colorado Boulder, says, “The microgravity environment in space is much more suitable for keeping the stem cells in their high-quality state during expansion.” He added, “The result is really to benefit patients in hospitals here on Earth.”

Read Also: Pancreatic Cancer: What Is The Role Of Keratin 17 In Driving The Feared Disease?

What Are The Daily Habits That Can Reduce Cancer Risk?

• Consuming a healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can reduce cancer risk. Berries, nuts, and green leafy vegetables contain many antioxidant properties that are useful in fighting oxidative stress-induced cancer.

• Regular physical activity keeps the body fit and reduces the risk of breast, colon, and endometrial cancers. Participating in moderate exercise for at least 150 minutes per week or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga.

• Avoid tobacco and cut down on alcohol consumption.

• Skin cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. Applying sunscreen with high SPF, finding shade, and avoiding tanning beds would save you from harmful ultraviolet rays.

• Long-term stress can weaken the immune system and may contribute to an increased risk of cancer. Incorporating stress-relief techniques such as mindfulness, practising deep-breathing exercises, and engaging in enjoyable hobbies can enhance overall well-being. Also, having adequate sleep, 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night, aids cellular repair and maintains a robust immune system.

• Exposure to environmental elements like pesticides, pollutants, and workplace chemicals can increase the risk of cancer. To avoid this risk, wearing protective gear, opting for organic produce, and ensuring adequate ventilation in living or working areas can greatly assist.