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.

Pharmacies across Britain are reporting serious shortages of a widely used medication, raising concerns that patients could face a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes. Pharmacists have described the situation as “madness,” warning that current NHS prescribing rules are stopping them from switching patients to suitable blood-thinning alternatives when aspirin is unavailable.

While aspirin is commonly taken as a pain reliever, it is also prescribed as a blood thinner. Around one-third of women and nearly 45 percent of men over the age of 65 rely on it as part of their daily medication routine.

Aspirin Shortage Hits UK Pharmacies

A new survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), involving 540 community pharmacies across the UK, found that 86 percent are currently unable to supply aspirin. The shortage appears to be most severe for the low-dose 75mg tablets, although pharmacists report that all strengths are affected. Several pharmacies have also stopped selling aspirin over the counter due to limited stock.

As per The Independent, Olivier Picard, chair of the NPA, said pharmacists are deeply concerned about their inability to order sufficient supplies and the impact this could have on patients who depend on the drug. Low-dose aspirin, particularly the 75mg dose, is commonly prescribed for its antiplatelet effect, which helps prevent the formation of blood clots and lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Who Is Prescribed Aspirin?

Doctors often prescribe aspirin to people who have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke, experienced a transient ischaemic attack, or have conditions such as angina or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It may also be recommended after certain types of surgery to reduce the risk of clotting.

Aspirin: Why Is UK Facing A Shortage?

The NPA is urging the government to reform prescribing regulations that currently prevent pharmacists from offering safe alternatives when the prescribed medicine is unavailable. Mr Picard said pharmacists have long argued for the ability to make appropriate substitutions in these situations.

He added that forcing patients to return to their GP for a revised prescription when an alternative drug is already available is not only frustrating but potentially dangerous. Delays or interruptions in treatment could lead patients to miss vital medication, increasing risks to their health.

Aspirin Added To Export Ban List

In response to the ongoing issue, the Government has added aspirin to its export ban list in an attempt to safeguard supplies for patients in the UK.

The NPA also said pharmacists have been forced to tightly ration the remaining stock, prioritising patients with the most urgent heart conditions or those requiring emergency prescriptions.

According to the Independent Pharmacies Association, international manufacturing delays and wider supply chain disruptions are key reasons behind the shortage. The organisation also pointed to low prices negotiated by the NHS, which can make the UK a lower priority for pharmaceutical manufacturers when stock is limited.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said it is deeply concerning to see shortages affecting essential medicines such as aspirin and blood pressure treatments. She explained that while manufacturing delays play a role, pharmacies are also struggling because they cannot order the quantities they need.

She added that low reimbursement rates mean manufacturers often prioritise other countries, leaving the UK at the back of the queue. In the meantime, patients affected by shortages are advised to speak to their local pharmacist, who can offer guidance on suitable alternatives where available.

Aspirin Rising Prices Add Pressure On Pharmacies

The shortage has also led to sharp price increases in pharmacies that have managed to secure supplies. The NPA said the cost of a packet of 75mg dispersible aspirin tablets has risen from 18p earlier last year to £3.90 this month.

However, the NHS reimbursement rate remains at £2.18 per packet, meaning pharmacies lose an average of £1.72 every time the medication is dispensed. Mr Picard said this is yet another sign of a pharmacy contract system that urgently needs reform.

Actor Shreyas Talpade recalls that during a shoot for Single Salma in Lucknow, he felt unusually drained after an intense action sequence. In an interview with the Times of India, he revealed, along with the fatigue, there was an odd sensation in his throat, something he had never experienced before. He sat down briefly, brushed it aside, and convinced himself that he was fine.

Yet, something did not sit right with him. Concerned, Shreyas decided to consult a doctor. He underwent an ECG and a 2D echo, and both reports came back normal. While he did not completely ignore what his body was telling him, he also did not probe further. He assumed the medical reports meant there was nothing to worry about.

Months later, in December 2023, Shreyas Talpade suffered a major cardiac episode, an experience that would alter his life in ways he never imagined.

Shreyas Talpade Had No Classic Risk Factors, Yet He Suffered a Heart Attack

Shreyas was only in his mid-40s when the incident occurred, but it changed him both physically and emotionally.

Physically, he now follows lifelong precautions to ensure such an episode does not recur. Regular medication, scheduled follow-ups, routine checkups, and strict adherence to medical advice have become a permanent part of his life.

Emotionally, the impact was even more intense. Shreyas points out that he had none of the four common risk factors associated with heart attacks. He did not smoke or drink. He was neither diabetic nor hypertensive. And yet, the cardiac episode happened.

Shreyas Talpade’s Five Mantras For Heart Health

• Listen to your body: If something feels unusual, do not delay or dismiss it.
• Get tested early: The sooner you detect a problem, the faster you can respond.
• Stay consistent: Fixed timings for meals, medicines, and sleep are essential. A healthy life depends on routine, not randomness.
• Rest adequately: Seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep is non-negotiable. It plays a vital role in healing and recovery.
• Monitor your heart regularly: ECGs, 2D echo tests, stress tests, and calcium score screenings can save lives. Prevention is always better than cure.
• Manage stress: Stress is unavoidable, but learning to manage it is crucial. Focus on what you can control and let go of the rest.

Shreyas believes that while life brings uncertainty, many aspects of health remain within our control. After an experience like his, priorities naturally shift. Family becomes the top priority, and staying healthy becomes essential to spend meaningful time with loved ones. That, he says, means sleeping well, exercising four to five times a week, and eating nutritious meals on time.

Heart Attack: Why Timely Meals Matter More Than Extreme Diets

He stresses that while nutritious food is important, eating at regular times is even more critical. Maintaining fixed meal schedules helps the body function better. Having dinner early allows the digestive system enough time to rest. Even the healthiest food, he notes, loses its benefit if meal timings are irregular.

His earlier discipline with clean eating and regular workouts played a significant role in his recovery. Shreyas also believes that post-pandemic health changes and the Covid vaccine may have triggered complications, but his active lifestyle helped him bounce back faster.

According to him, proper nutrition, regular exercise, quality sleep, and balance strengthen the body. Without these habits, the outcome could have been very different. He firmly believes the body responds to the care it receives.

Learning To Handle Stress And Let Go

Shreyas acknowledges that stress is an unavoidable part of life. However, he believes learning how to manage it is essential.

Over time, he has realised that not everything lies within one’s control. Letting go of what cannot be changed is just as important as addressing what can be managed. Wisdom often comes with age, but when someone shares their experiences, he feels it is important to listen.

His message is clear: do not wait for a personal crisis to learn lessons the hard way.

The United States under President Donald Trump’s administration has completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The US Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the news on Thursday. This has been a longstanding goal of President Trump.

Trump’s Goal To Exit From WHO

During Trump’s first term, he tried to leave WHO, then gave a notice through an executive order on the first day of his second term. It noted that the US would leave the organization. As per law, the US must give WHO a one-year notice and pay all outstanding fees before its departure. This means the US still owes WHO roughly $260 million. However, legal experts said that US is unlikely to pay up and WHO will have little recourse.

Dr. Lawrence Gostin, an expert on global health law and public health at Georgetown University told CNN, “As a matter of law, it is very clear that the United States cannot officially withdraw from WHO unless it pays its outstanding financial obligations. But WHO has no power to force the US to pay what it owes.”

WHO could pass a resolution saying that US cannot withdraw until it pays, however, it won’t risk creating any further tension that there already is.

The HHS on Thursday confirmed that all US government funding to WHO has been terminated and all personnel and contractors assigned or embedded within the organization have been recalled. It also said the US had ceased official participation in WHO-sponsored committees, leadership bodies, governance structures and technical working groups.

What the US Exit From WHO Means for the World

The US government has said it is moving ahead with its decision to exit the World Health Organization (WHO), arguing that the country has not received enough value for the money, staff, and support it has given to the global health body over the years.

Senior officials from HHS said the WHO acted against US interests, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. They accused the organization of delaying the declaration of a global public health emergency and of praising China’s early response despite signs of underreporting, information suppression, and delays in confirming human-to-human transmission.

HHS also criticized the WHO for being slow to acknowledge airborne spread of Covid-19 and for downplaying the role of people without symptoms in spreading the virus. According to officials, these missteps cost the world precious time as the virus spread rapidly.

While the US has been the WHO’s largest funder, officials pointed out that no American has ever served as the organization’s director-general. “A promise made and a promise kept,” one senior official said, adding that US health policies should not be shaped by “unaccountable foreign bureaucrats.”

That said, the administration has not completely ruled out cooperation with the WHO. When asked whether the US would take part in an upcoming WHO meeting on next year’s flu vaccine composition, officials said discussions are still ongoing.

The government has insisted that leaving the WHO does not mean stepping away from global health leadership. Instead, the US plans to work directly with individual countries, health ministries, non-governmental organizations, and religious groups on disease surveillance and data sharing. This effort is expected to be led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Global Health Center. Officials have promised more announcements on this strategy in the coming months.

However, many public health experts are deeply concerned. Some warn that replacing the WHO with country-by-country agreements will create a fragmented system that lacks coordination and adequate funding. Former CDC officials note that the CDC has staff in about 60 countries, far fewer than the global reach of the WHO.

Critics say the move could leave both the US and the world vulnerable to future outbreaks. Experts argue that infectious diseases do not respect borders and that global cooperation is essential for early detection, data sharing, and rapid response.

Several health leaders have called the decision dangerous and short-sighted, warning that without WHO membership, the US could lose timely access to critical data, virus samples, and genomic information needed to develop vaccines and treatments. WHO’s director-general has described the US withdrawal as a “lose-lose” situation, saying both America and the rest of the world stand to suffer.