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.

The six-week-long incubation period of Hantavirus is a matter of concern, but the rat-borne disease is certainly not a large epidemic, said the World Health Organization today.

At a media briefing, the WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed concerns about the time taken for the symptoms of the disease to appear.

He noted that so far the disease has been limited to the 150 people who traveled on board the MV Hondius ship. Of these, only 8 people have been infected - 3 have died, and 5 have been confirmed.

A case has been reported in a person who disembarked from the ship, without having the symptoms, and some have self-isolated to prevent the risk of spreading.

Among those on board the ship, now travelling to the Canary Islands, "currently no one is symptomatic".

However, "with a six-week incubation period, more cases are expected to be reported".

Countries involved in the contact tracing efforts of people who disembarked at St. Helena Islands include Canada, the Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey, the UK, and the US, the WHO chief said.

WHO infectious disease epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove reiterated that the disease spreads only among close, prolonged contacts or those providing care, as seen in the case of the doctor who got infected on board.

The WHO also noted that the disease is unlikely to become a large epidemic, as it's an isolated case occurring in a closed environment. However, public health measures like contact tracing and testing are key to preventing any further spread.

According to the WHO, the outbreak of the rat-borne disease among people aboard the MV Hondius ship after it left Argentina on April 1 was caused by the Andes strain.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Gautam Menon, Epidemiologist and Professor of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, Delhi-NCR, said that the long incubation period is likely to complicate the spread of the hantavirus.

"What complicates matters is that incubation periods - the time between getting infected and symptoms showing - are large, up to several weeks, so passengers and their contacts will have to be quarantined for a long period before they can be declared safe." The expert said.

Is Hantavirus Similar To COVID-19?

Ven Kerkhove said that hantavirus causes severe respiratory issues, but it is still not the same as SARS-CoV-2.

This is not a new virus and is completely different from SARS-COV-2. It has caused similar outbreaks in Argentina in 2018, where contact tracing and other public health measures contained the spread.

"The outbreak of Hantavirus on a cruise ship has generated significant anxiety around the world, evoking memories of cruise ships affected by COVID-19 in the first phase of the pandemic. However, this is a different virus that is not known to spread efficiently from person to person. Its characteristics are already well-documented, unlike the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was an unknown organism until then," Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Ex-President of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, told HealthandMe.

"The current cases do not indicate a pandemic threat, but they underline the growing importance of surveillance of zoonotic diseases. Strengthening rodent control, environmental hygiene, and early detection systems remains essential to prevent localized outbreaks and public panic. There is neither a proven treatment for its cure nor is there any vaccine," added Dr.Ishwar Gilada, Mumbai-based infectious disease expert.

How does The Hantavirus Affect The Human Body?

Hantavirus infection is caused by the hantavirus, which belongs to the Hantaviridae family. It is is rare but can be life-threatening.

The infection presents with initial symptoms resembling the flu and has a relatively high mortality of about 40%.

Even though this virus is not believed to spread very efficiently, it would have done so far more easily in the enclosed environment that the ship provided, the experts said.

Dr Neha Rastogi, Senior Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told HealthandMe that it can be contracted by coming into contact with rodent saliva, urine, and feces.

Hantavirus can cause infection - 2 syndromes: hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and haemorrhagic fever that may quickly develop into severe respiratory illness, as flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, and fatigue) occur before developing serious respiratory symptoms (dyspnea) that may require respiratory assistance.

"On rare occasions, it can also spread from person to person through close contact. Rapid diagnosis and intensive medical treatment are critical for a successful outcome," Dr Rastogi said.

"Preventative measures include proper personal hygiene, avoiding contact with rodents or rodent-inhabited areas; using PPE when cleaning; and ensuring the area is well-ventilated," she added.

Although hantavirus infections can cause severe respiratory illness with high mortality, confirmed human cases globally remain relatively uncommon, Dr Gilada told HealthandMe

"The pneumonia syndrome caused by the virus is due to excessive permeability of blood vessels, resulting in fluid accumulation. It is managed with expert supportive care while the lungs recover, as there are currently no known antivirals or vaccines available for the Andes virus. By carefully tracking contacts and isolating those who might be infected, the virus can be stopped in its tracks, bringing this outbreak under control," Dr Jaydevan said.

Most people often wrap up their day at work with a sense of stress and severe exhaustion. But if you are part of the group that experiences severe headaches after office hours, it could be because of one common habit that may be causing you discomfort — chronic stress. When the mind keeps racing all day long because of deadlines, tension, and pressure, even during breaks, it leaves behind a sense of urgency. And that sense of urgency does not mitigate or come to an end when the day ends.

Why does stress build up even after work?

Several times, there are difficult or unpleasant situations at work — it could be because of unfinished tasks and conversations that play and replay in the mind. The nervous system, therefore, gets overburdened, thereby leading to headaches. According to doctors, a lot of corporate employees experience this pain after a day at their high-pressure jobs. And while it may sound like something that is out of your control, there is something that you can do.

How to deal with chronic stress after work?

Stress inherently is not bad for you, but only if it occurs in short bursts. In that case, it can improve performance, focus, and may even prepare the body to handle challenges. Problems, however, arise when stress becomes chronic. As a result, the nervous system starts to process both pain and stress at the same time, and while one is built to be highly adaptable, stress starts to respond to external and internal factors. When the brain continues to receive signals without getting ample time for recovery, the body enters a state of prolonged alertness.

In a sensitised state, situations that would otherwise be interpreted as minor may even get ignored. This can increase heart rate and muscle tension, thereby putting the nervous system into a fight-or-flight mode. In cases of constant headaches, sensitisation can lower the pain threshold. Consequently, headaches begin and become much harder to stop. Over time, this constant activation can disrupt the body's natural balance and create an environment for headaches to worsen.

Chronic stress and migraines

Chronic stress acts as a trigger for migraines — it can even worsen the discomfort. The neurological system of people experiencing migraines is more responsive to changes in hormones, environmental factors, and sleep patterns. Constant exposure to a stressor, therefore, can drive the severity and frequency of migraines. To make matters worse, muscle tension in the shoulders, neck, and scalp can also trigger headaches. Extended periods of sustained concentration and sitting can cause headaches later in the day.

Can sleep help reduce stress headaches?

Chronic stress has a debilitating impact on sleep quality as well. People who feel persistently wired at the end of the workday struggle to fall or stay asleep. As a result, the brain fails to recover properly. Poor sleep can therefore worsen the stress cycle, leading to headaches the next day as well. The loop is difficult to break, and excessive fatigue building up over time can make you feel overwhelmed. Over time, this loop leads to a decline in productivity, focus, and the ability to solve problems.

Public health officials in South Wales, UK, have issued an alert on a localized outbreak of hepatitis A, and have urged residents to maintain hygiene as well as vaccinate children.

Cases of hepatitis A involving the same strain have been identified in three separate households in Barry, according to Public Health Wales.

The health body, in a statement, said the strain’s characteristics “suggest the infection may be spreading locally.” Investigations into the “small number” of cases are ongoing.

To curb the outbreak, the officials have also issued an urgent appeal to parents to ensure their children remain “vigilant with their handwashing.”

Those infected are “receiving appropriate care and are recovering well,” Public Health Wales said. As a precaution, close contacts of the affected individuals have also been offered vaccination.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water, or through close personal contact with an infected person.

The infection can lead to liver inflammation, jaundice, extreme fatigue, and stomach pain. In most cases, it is a short-term illness that clears on its own without specific treatment, although severe cases can occur. Unlike hepatitis B or C, hepatitis A does not usually cause long-term liver damage.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent infection.

Also read: Hepatitis Infections Claims 1.3 Million Lives Worldwide, India Among Top Contributors: WHO

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Symptoms usually appear a few weeks after exposure to the virus, although some people may not develop noticeable signs. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms can include:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness
• Sudden nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Pain or discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen near the liver
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Reduced appetite
• Mild fever
• Dark-colored urine
• Joint pain
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Severe itching

Can Hepatitis A Be Prevented?

Read More: UK Parliament Bans Smoking For People Born After 2008: Know All About It

“The best way to prevent the spread of hepatitis A is to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water. This is important after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before preparing or eating food,” said Susan Mably, Consultant in Health Protection for Public Health Wales.

Vaccination against hepatitis A is also highly effective in preventing the disease.

Doctors recommend the vaccine for:

• Children older than 12 months
• Adults at risk of exposure at home or work
• Travelers visiting regions where the virus is more common
• People with existing liver conditions

• drinking boiled or bottled water,
• avoiding food from unhygienic sources,
• peeling fruits at home and not getting pre-cut from stores.

If someone in the household is infected, cleanliness becomes even more important. Surfaces should be disinfected, food prepared carefully, and personal items not shared.

Safe sexual practices also matter, as the virus can spread through oral-anal contact. On a broader level, preventing future outbreaks requires more than short-term fixes. Improving water quality, repairing sewage systems, and strengthening public health surveillance are essential to stop the cycle from repeating.