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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.
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.
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.
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.
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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots in both lungs.
In a statement on October 19, the team said the 28-year-old was clinically stable with no significant functional limitations. However, he needs blood thinners and cannot participate in contact sports while taking them.
His diagnosis raises questions about how blood clots travel from the legs to the lungs, why they are dangerous and how to reduce the risk.
Hurts was initially diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his left calf after reporting discomfort following a cleat injury during the October 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Although doctors initially cleared him to play, a follow-up ultrasound in Philadelphia and further testing identified DVT and blood clots in both lungs, known as bilateral pulmonary emboli.
The team said his treatment would involve anticoagulants, or blood thinners. He can resume football activities once he stops taking the medication.
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Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg. If part of the clot breaks away and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism (PE), a potentially life-threatening condition.
Prolonged sitting, hospitalization, bed rest, injuries and certain genetic factors can increase the risk of developing blood clots.
A clot can break away from a deep vein in the leg, travel to the right side of the heart and then enter the arteries supplying the lungs. There, it can block blood flow and strain the heart.
“You have a clot in your leg. The problem is it can travel up the veins and go to your heart, and from there, go to your lungs, and block the blood vessels in your lungs,” CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, who is not treating Hurts, told CBS Mornings.
“That's very serious,” he added.
Read More: World Thrombosis Day: Can An Unexplained Blood Clot Be The First Sign Of Cancer? Experts Explain
Hurts is not the first high-profile athlete to experience blood clots. Tennis star Serena Williams has a history of clots, while NBA Hall of Famer Chris Bosh retired early following blood-clot-related complications.
Fitness does not eliminate the risk. Injuries and prolonged immobility, including during long-haul flights, can slow blood flow and contribute to clot formation.
DJ Corey, director of Northeastern University’s EMT program, said extended periods of sitting during air or road travel can increase the risk because leg muscles help maintain blood circulation.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also warns that limited mobility during long-distance travel can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes DVT and pulmonary embolism.
To improve circulation during long journeys, the CDC recommends:
Compression stockings may help some travellers at increased risk, depending on their medical needs.
DVT symptoms can include leg swelling, pain, tenderness, warmth and skin discoloration. Some people may have no obvious symptoms.
Pulmonary embolism warning signs include sudden breathlessness, chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness and coughing up blood.
Sudden breathing difficulties, chest pain or fainting require immediate medical attention, as a pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening.
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More than 20 vials of compounded tirzepatide, a GLP-1 medication containing the same active ingredient as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, have been recalled in the US over sterility concerns, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The recall, issued by Apothecary Pharma, also includes a vial of NAD+ injection.
The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the affected products could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, while the likelihood of serious harm is considered low.
The recall follows a December 2025 FDA warning letter to Apothecary Pharma, which cited serious deficiencies in the North Carolina company’s sterile drug production practices.
The recalled injections are compounded versions of tirzepatide. Unlike FDA-approved, brand-name medications, compounded drugs are custom-prepared by pharmacies to meet specific patient needs.
Also read: US FDA May Allow Pharmacies To Make Unapproved Peptide Injections: What Are the Safety Concerns?
The affected tirzepatide product is a prescription injection with a concentration of 18 mg/mL, supplied in a 4 mL multidose vial. Its National Drug Code (NDC) number is 85091-001-18.
The recalled lot numbers are AP-202622 through AP-202625 and AP-202627 through AP-202644. The products have beyond-use dates ranging from October 7 to November 26, 2026.
The recall also includes one vial of NAD+ injection.
The FDA and Apothecary Pharma have not issued a public statement clarifying what patients should do with the affected vials. Some customers have reported receiving requests through their prescribers to return or dispose of the products or contact the manufacturer directly.
NewLife Rx, a pharmaceutical fulfillment service that distributed some of the recalled vials, reportedly told certain customers that Apothecary had described the recall as a documentation issue.
According to a notice reviewed by USA TODAY, the recall was conducted at the retail level and did not extend to patients or require them to stop using or return their medications.
However, neither the FDA nor Apothecary Pharma has publicly clarified the reason for the recall or the safety of the affected products.
Although a Class II classification indicates a relatively low likelihood of serious harm, it does not mean a product is entirely risk-free.
If you have an affected lot, consult your prescriber or healthcare provider before using it again and follow their instructions.
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A compounded drug is a medication prepared by a compounding pharmacy to meet an individual patient's specific medical needs. This may include removing an allergen, adjusting a dosage, or preparing a formulation that is not commercially available.
While these medications can serve specific medical needs, they are not FDA-approved in the same way as branded drugs. The FDA does not review compounded formulations for safety, effectiveness, and quality before they are marketed.
Demand for GLP-1 medications for weight loss skyrocketed worldwide between 2022 and 2025, leading to shortages of semaglutide and tirzepatide.
During these shortages, compounding pharmacies were legally allowed under specific circumstances to prepare several versions of these medications.
Many patients turned to compounded GLP-1s because they were often affordable, available, and easier to buy online.
Potential risks of compounded GLP-1 drugs include:
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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Hibsago (bepirovirsen), a first-of-its kind treatment for certain adults with chronic hepatitis B. The drug controlled virus activity in some patients after stopping all treatment.
Announced on October 20, 2026, the approval makes Hibsago the first FDA-approved antisense oligonucleotide for chronic hepatitis B.
It is approved for certain adults without cirrhosis who have already been taking antiviral medication for at least six months, have suppressed levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and meet specific criteria for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
In clinical trials, 19% of patients receiving Hibsago maintained viral control 24 weeks after stopping all hepatitis B treatment. No amount of HBsAg was detected in their blood. The treatment is meant to offer an alternative for some patients who otherwise need long-term antiviral medication.
“For many people living with chronic hepatitis B, treatment can mean taking antiviral medication for years to keep the virus suppressed,” said Wendy Carter, DO, acting director of the Office of Infectious Diseases in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
“Hibsago provides a new treatment approach that gives some patients the possibility of maintaining control of the virus after all chronic HBV treatment has ended. This approval represents an important advance for people living with this serious disease.”
Hibsago targets the genetic aspects the hepatitis B virus targets. By reducing viral RNA and hepatitis B surface antigen, the drug helps the immune system control the infection even after after treatment ends.
The drug is administered as an injection under the skin for up to 24 weeks, alongside a patient's existing hepatitis B medication. Patients continue their treatment for at least 24 weeks after the final Hibsago injection. They can then stop all treatment if they meet specified clinical and laboratory criteria.
The FDA also authorised a diagnostic test to help identify eligible patients and monitor them during treatment.
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The approval was supported by two Phase 3 trials, B-Well 1 and B-Well 2, which compared Hibsago with a placebo in adults receiving established antiviral treatment.
Across the trials, 24% of patients receiving Hibsago met the criteria to stop their existing antiviral medication, compared to none in the placebo groups.
At 24 weeks after stopping all treatment, 19% of patients receiving Hibsago maintained viral control. Hepatitis B surface antigen was also no longer detectable in their blood.
The outcome means the virus remains controlled without ongoing treatment according to specified laboratory criteria.
Also read: H. pylori, HPV Among Five Infections Behind 1 In 8 Cancers Worldwide: Lancet
Hibsago carries a warning for serious liver reactions and thrombocytopenia, or low platelet counts, which can increase the risk of life-threatening bleeding.
Other warnings include poor kidney function and inflammatory reactions like vasculitis. Patients require regular blood tests and medical monitoring before and during treatment.
The FDA granted Hibsago Fast Track and Breakthrough Therapy designations, along with Priority Review. The drug was approved for GSK plc.
The treatment is not suitable for everyone with chronic hepatitis B. Eligibility depends on liver health, existing treatment, viral suppression and laboratory results.
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