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.

In a remarkable emergency response, Dubai paramedics revived a man who collapsed from a heart attack, earning widespread praise on social media.

The man reportedly collapsed suddenly and showed no signs of consciousness or a pulse. People at the scene immediately alerted emergency services, who responded within minutes. The team began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using an advanced CPR machine.

A video now going viral on social media shows paramedics arriving within minutes and performing CPR using the LUCAS 3 automatic chest compression device. The machine, which delivers high-quality chest compressions more consistently than manual CPR, helped circulate blood to vital organs and revived the man within minutes.

“Dubai’s emergency response looks like the future: a man collapses from a heart attack, paramedics arrive within minutes, strap on the LUCAS 3 automatic CPR device, and revive him right there,” a social media user wrote.

“If there were a machine like this, it would be a huge help because people wouldn’t have to perform CPR for a long time,” another user added.

How The LUCAS 3 Device Saves Lives

The LUCAS 3 chest compression system is a mechanical CPR device originally developed by Swedish startup Jolife AB in collaboration with Norwegian inventor Willy Vistung and cardiologist Stig Steen. The device and company were later acquired by medical technology company Stryker in 2016.

The device is designed to deliver continuous, high-quality chest compressions while reducing physical strain on caregivers.

According to the company, studies have shown that the LUCAS device can improve blood flow to the brain and achieve higher EtCO2 values compared to manual chest compressions. With more than 50,000 devices in use worldwide, including within the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, a patient is reportedly treated using the device approximately every minute, it added.

What Is CPR? How To Give CPR?

CPR, or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, is an emergency life-saving technique used when a person stops breathing or their heart stops beating. Quick action is critical, as CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of survival.

Steps to keep in Mind While Giving CPR

Step 1: Check The Surroundings

Ensure the area is safe by checking for dangers such as traffic, fire, or falling objects.

Step 2: Position The Person

Lay the person on their back on a firm surface and open the airway by tilting the head back slightly. Check the mouth for any visible obstruction and remove it carefully if possible.

Step 3: Check Breathing

Listen for breathing sounds for no more than 10 seconds. If the person is not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately.

Step 4: Chest Compressions

Place the heel of one hand at the center of the chest, slightly below the nipple line. Place your other hand on top and interlock your fingers. Keep your elbows straight and push hard and fast — about 2 inches deep — at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Allow the chest to rise fully between compressions.

Step 5: Rescue Breaths

After 30 compressions, tilt the person’s head back, lift the chin, pinch the nose shut, and seal your mouth over theirs. Give two rescue breaths, each lasting about one second, while watching for chest rise. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again.

Step 6: Repeat The Cycle

Continue alternating 30 chest compressions with 2 rescue breaths until the person starts breathing or emergency medical professionals arrive.

Key Considerations For CPR

• CPR should be used in emergencies such as cardiac arrest, drowning, choking, or severe trauma.

• Always confirm that the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally before starting CPR.

• CPR is intended for emergency situations. If a healthcare professional is nearby, seek their assistance immediately.

Excessive screen time use is harming sleep, mental health, learning, and development of children, according to a new advisory by the US surgeon general’s office, which urged parents to limit children’s screen time.

Even as President Donald Trump's nominee for surgeon general awaits confirmation, the "Harms of Screen Use" bulletin warns that children and teens are spending more time on their digital devices than on sleep or school, the USA Today reported.

It noted that excessive screen use is linked to heavy or compulsive screen use

• anxiety,
• depression,
• poor academic performance,
• behavioral problems
• developmental delays.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said evidence of risks to children’s physical and mental health is “mounting,” even though screens can also provide some benefits.

The advisory promotes the slogan “Live real life,” encouraging children and families to replace excessive screen use with in-person activities and healthier routines.

Alongside the report, the officials also released a toolkit recommending steps for parents, schools, healthcare providers, and policymakers to help reduce screen dependence and encourage safer technology habits among young people.

The advisory also links excessive and "compulsive" screen use to

• poor sleep and school performance,
• mental health issues like anxiety and depression,
• behavioral and social issues, substance abuse, and developmental disruptions.

The report aligns with recent studies, which show how too much screen time affects developing minds.

Recent findings from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, suggest that early digital exposure to children before the age of one increases the baby's risk of autism.

The findings led by the Department of Pediatric Neurology showed that infants exposed to high levels of digital media at around one year of age are significantly more likely to display autistic signs by the time they reach age three.

India has also issued pediatric and education guidelines advising parents to limit screen exposure for young children, though there is no nationwide ban. States like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have also taken up action against social media use and screen time.

Countries banning screen time

While countries are not fully “banning” screen time, several of them have introduced restrictions, guidelines, or proposed laws aimed at reducing children’s screen time, especially around smartphones and social media in schools.

• France banned smartphones in primary and middle schools in 2018 and has tested stricter “digital pause” policies for students under 15.
• China has some of the world’s toughest rules, including limits on video game play for minors, restrictions on nighttime gaming, and proposed limits on smartphone use for children.
• South Korea introduced laws targeting gaming addiction among minors, including past shutdown rules that blocked late-night gaming for children.
• Netherlands and Finland have encouraged schools to restrict phones in classrooms to improve concentration and learning.
• Australia has debated stronger social media age restrictions, and several states have tightened school phone bans.
• United Kingdom schools widely enforce smartphone bans, while lawmakers continue discussing stricter online safety rules for children.
• Sweden has pushed for reduced screen exposure in early childhood education, emphasizing printed books and traditional learning methods.

India has successfully linked the health records of more than 100 crore people with Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said today.

Implemented by the National Health Authority, the milestone marks a major step towards building an integrated, citizen-centric, and interoperable digital healthcare ecosystem in the country.

“The linking of over 100 crore health records with ABHA is an important milestone in the journey of Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. ABHA-linked health records empower citizens with secure and consent-based access to their health information and support continuity of care across the healthcare ecosystem,” said Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, CEO, NHA.

The Growing Adoption Of ABDM

According to the Ministry, more than 450 public and private health technology solutions have integrated with the ABDM ecosystem, enabling digitisation and seamless exchange of health records across healthcare facilities.

The ministry said ABDM doubled the number of linked health records from 50 crore in February 2025 to over 100 crore in just 15 months.

Nearly 10 crore health records are now being linked every two to three months. From fewer than 1,000 linked records during its initial phase to over 100 crore today, ABDM has evolved into one of the world’s largest digital health ecosystems.

Uttar Pradesh emerged as the leading contributor with over 15.03 crore ABHA-linked health records, followed by Andhra Pradesh with over 11.95 crore linked records.

Bihar, Rajasthan, and Gujarat also recorded major progress by linking over 7.37 crore, 6.32 crore, and 4.77 crore health records, respectively.

Also read: Preeclampsia Is Preventable & Treatable. Yet It’s India’s 3rd Leading Cause Of Maternal Deaths, Says AIIMS doctor

Programs Contributing To The Milestone

Among the major government programs and digital platforms contributing to the milestone are:

• Non-Communicable Disease Program
• CoWIN
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
• Uttar Pradesh government’s eKavach platform
• Andhra Pradesh health programs
• Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program
• eHospital by National Informatics Centre
• eSushrut by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing
• Gujarat government’s TeCHO platform
• Rajasthan government’s iHMS platform

Private health technology partners and ABDM-enabled digital solutions have also contributed significantly towards the creation and linkage of ABHA-linked health records.

What Is ABHA?

ABHA is a unique digital health identity that allows citizens to securely link and access their health records across hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and healthcare providers.

Through ABDM’s consent-based health information exchange mechanism, citizens can digitally share their medical records with registered healthcare providers while maintaining the privacy and security of personal health information.

“ABDM is designed to place citizens at the center of the digital health ecosystem. With consent-based sharing of health records, individuals can access their medical information whenever required and share relevant records with healthcare providers digitally. This will help make healthcare delivery more accessible, efficient, and patient-centric,” Barnwal said.

Key Digital Building Blocks Of ABDM

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is creating the digital public infrastructure required for an interoperable healthcare ecosystem through key digital building blocks such as:

• Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
• Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR)
• Health Facility Registry (HFR)
• Health Information Exchange and Consent Manager (HIE-CM)
• Unified Health Interface (UHI)
• National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX)

With over 100 crore health records now linked with ABHA, ABDM has marked another milestone towards creating longitudinal digital health records for citizens and enabling a more connected, paperless, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem in the country.