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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.
Credit: Trump/Truth Social
Amid increasing conversations about Donald Trump suffering from dementia, the US President posted an AI-generated video of himself as a doctor diagnosing celebrities with what he calls "Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS)."
The clip features AI recreations of Hollywood actors and celebrities, including Whoopi Goldberg, Robert De Niro, Julia Roberts and Rosie O'Donnell, all of whom have previously criticized Trump.
"Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with TDS?" the AI Trump asks at the start of the clip posted on Truth Social.
Calling the "symptoms relentless," the 80-year-old President said that "fortunately, I'm Doctor Trump, and I have a treatment plan," The Independent reported.
The AI-generated Trump then invited viewers to hear from some of his "patients."
"I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, constantly angry…" the fake De Niro said. "I made everyone miserable around me."
"I feel like I've aged 20 years in the last two years," added the AI version of Roberts, claiming that she was starting to "worry about her future."
The fake O'Donnell claimed that she had been "suffering for over a decade," while the AI Goldberg said she believed she was a "lost cause."
Other stars spoofed in the 90-second clip include actors Edward Norton and John Leguizamo, both of whom have criticized the president.
Also read: Norovirus Hits Princess Cruise Ship; US CDC Reports 5th Stomach Bug Outbreak of 2026
At the end of the video, "Doctor Trump" revealed his "treatment" plan: "Turn off fake news."
He further instructed the AI patients to: "Say your prayers and, if you ever feel anxious, just have a Diet Coke like me and you're gonna see a remarkable difference in your life."
READ: Scientific Breakthrough: US Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell That Eats and Reproduces
Trump has often labeled his detractors as having Trump Derangement Syndrome, even claiming in the Oval Office that he had heard it "actually is a disease."
The term is an adaptation of "Bush Derangement Syndrome," which was coined by columnist Charles Krauthammer in 2003.
Krauthammer described the term as "the acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the presidency—nay—the very existence of George W. Bush."
Read More: New Book Examines Donald Trump's Health, Age Concerns; White House Responds
Trump, who became the oldest US president in history after turning 80 this year, has faced growing public scrutiny over his health.
Recent public appearances have prompted speculation after observers noted swollen ankles, bruising on his hands, verbal slips and occasional episodes in which he appeared drowsy during meetings and international summits.
Some physicians have also publicly expressed concerns about the president's physical and cognitive health, although none have diagnosed him with dementia.
But Trump has repeatedly rejected allegations of cognitive decline or other serious health issues. His most recent annual physical examination also concluded him to be "in excellent health."
The White House also maintains that: "President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises."
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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported another norovirus outbreak aboard a Cruise ship that has sickened nearly 125 people.
So far this year, the CDC has reported seven outbreaks on cruise ships under its jurisdiction, five of which were caused by norovirus.
The outbreak occurred aboard the Ruby Princess during a 20-day voyage along the west coast of North America.
According to the CDC, 102 passengers and 23 crew members reported gastrointestinal illness during the voyage.
The outbreak was first reported to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program on June 28.
The Ruby Princess was carrying more than 3,000 passengers and 1,144 crew members during the outbreak.
According to the CDC, Princess Cruises and the ship's crew implemented increased cleaning and disinfection procedures under the company's outbreak prevention and response plan.
Crew members also collected stool specimens from affected individuals for testing, isolated ill passengers and crew members, and consulted with the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program.
Also read: Australia Reports More H5 Bird Flu Cases: Does It Have Pandemic Potential?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Speaking to HealthandMe, epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, described norovirus as “notorious because it spreads very fast.”
“It can spread through fomites like handles and knobs, and even a very low infectious dose—around 18 viral particles—can cause infection. So it spreads very fast,” he said.
He added that while many common disinfectants are ineffective against it, norovirus can be inactivated using bleach and chlorine-based cleaning agents.
Although outbreaks can look alarming, Dr. Banerjee emphasized that norovirus infections are generally self-limiting.
“In the ship, it can be managed with oral rehydration, and in severe cases, IV fluids can help prevent complications and mortality,” he said.
Dr. Banerjee also clarified that, unlike diseases with pandemic potential, norovirus outbreaks—while explosive in nature—do not typically pose a long-term global threat.
"Norovirus is a stomach infection contracted through the consumption of contaminated food or water or through contact with an infected individual. The infection is highly contagious, but not life-threatening, and is manageable with proper care and hydration," Dr Suresh Kumar D, Senior Specialist - Infectious Diseases, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Vanagaram, Chennai, told HealthandMe.
Dr. Banerjee noted that extreme age groups, especially very young infants and the elderly, are at higher risk due to dehydration from diarrheal illness. However, deaths remain rare when proper care is provided.
Norovirus illnesses usually last between two and three days. Symptoms usually begin suddenly within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and may include:
Because of how fast viruses spread, experts highly recommend preventive actions such as:
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Health officials in Australia have confirmed two more suspected cases of H5 bird flu in migratory birds in Western Australia and New South Wales.
The latest detections take the total number of cases to five in Australia, which is no longer H5-free. The first two cases were reported in Western Australia. The third case of avian influenza was recorded in a giant petrel found at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
ABC News reported that samples taken from a giant petrel near Hawks Nest on the NSW Mid North Coast tested positive for the influenza strain in preliminary testing.
NSW Agricultural Minister Tara Moriarty said the bird was wild and had flown in from "other parts of the world" after being identified by a member of the public who noticed it was ill.
"We don't know yet if it is the worst strain of the virus," she said.
Samples from the bird at NSW's Bennetts Beach have been sent to the national testing laboratory in Geelong to determine the strain after being assessed by veterinarians and testing positive for H5 at an agricultural institute in Sydney's Camden.
"We expect to have the results of that at some point tomorrow," Moriarty said.
The NSW Government said it marks the first wild migratory seabird in the state to return a suspected positive result.
Also read: Australia Reports H5 Bird Flu In Second State; Can It Spread to Humans?
Authorities in Western Australia confirmed H5 in a dead giant petrel found near Mullaloo in Perth's north. It is the first time the infection has been detected in the Perth metropolitan area.
The other WA cases were detected at Quindalup, about 250 kilometres south of Perth, and at Esperance, about 700 kilometes south-east of Perth in the Great Southern region.
The NSW Government said that, at this stage, bird flu has not been detected in commercial poultry flocks, captive birds or any other birds in NSW. There is no evidence of mass mortality in wildlife or spread to other animals.
"This strain of avian influenza has had significant impacts overseas, causing widespread mortality in poultry, wild birds and some mammals," it said, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any sick or dead poultry, wild birds or wildlife.
Read More: Australia’s H5N1 Detection Marks End Of Last Virus-Free Continent
Professor of Immunology at Murdoch University Cassandra Berry said the detection of the H5 subtype in Australia "doesn't necessarily mean that the next pandemic has started", newsGP reported.
"Contraction of H5N1 influenza in humans usually requires close contact with sick or dying birds. So, it is cautionary to be alert and stay away from distressed birds," she said.
"Although human-to-human transmission has occurred in other countries, it is rare. Bird-to-human transmission has been associated with a high fatality (~60%). There have been nearly 1,000 cases of human H5N1 infection reported over the last three decades, since H5N1 jumped the species barrier in 1997," the expert said.
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has urged GPs across Australia to "remain on alert and vigilant of their patients."
The cases mark the first time this H5 subtype (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) has been detected in animals in Australia.
Globally, the subtype has caused mass mortality in poultry, wild birds and sea mammals.
READ: Hantavirus Outbreak Linked To Luxury Cruise Ship Over, Says WHO
The Federal Government and the Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have also updated their advice, while confirming that "the risk to human health remains low."
"Bird flu in people is rare and often mild but can cause severe disease or death. Spread from person-to-person is very rare," the CDC said.
"There have been no human cases of bird flu caused by influenza A virus subtype H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in Australia."
RACGP President Dr Michael Wright said it is important that GPs remain vigilant. "Now the virus has arrived, it needs to be put on GPs' radar," he told newsGP. "If you see someone potentially who has been handling these birds, particularly in WA, we need to be on alert."
According to the CDC, while some infected people have no symptoms, others may experience:
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually begin one to 10 days after infection.
People can become infected by breathing in contaminated dust or air, or by touching an infected animal, its body fluids, or contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
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