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.

A North Carolina teen is reportedly critically ill after being infected with a rare “brain-eating” amoeba called Naegleria fowleri, according to health officials.

The case comes barely a week after an 8-year-old Louisiana girl died after contracting the infection.

North Carolina Teen Critically Ill

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced on August 27 that a teen resident had been infected with the rare amoeba, which is commonly found in freshwater. The teen is critically ill and receiving medical care.

The department said it is not releasing further information to protect the family’s privacy. The source of the infection is under investigation.

“While these infections are very rare, this is an important reminder that this amoeba is present in our state and across the US,” North Carolina State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a statement.

What Happened To The Louisiana Girl?

Eight-year-old Lillian Smart of Ruston died on August 22, just one day after her eighth birthday. She had been hospitalised since August 15 after developing the infection, which was believed to have been acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne.

The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed the case on August 19 but did not publicly identify the child.

One of the biggest challenges is the speed at which the infection progresses. According to recent CDC data cited in coverage of the Louisiana case, 173 Naegleria fowleri infections were documented in the US between 1937 and 2025, with only four known survivors. This puts the fatality rate at roughly 97%.

What Is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba naturally present in warm freshwater such as ponds, lakes and rivers. It is not found in salt water or properly maintained and chlorinated pools.

The amoeba does not cause illness if swallowed. However, it can be fatal if water containing the amoeba is forced up the nose and reaches the brain. This can happen during activities such as jumping into water, diving and water-skiing.

Symptoms Of Naegleria fowleri Infection

The infection caused by N. fowleri, also called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), starts with symptoms including:

• Severe headache
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The infection can then progress to:

• Stiff neck
• Seizures
• Coma

These rare infections usually occur when it is hot for prolonged periods, leading to higher water temperatures and lower water levels. Naegleria fowleri grows best at higher temperatures, up to 115°F.

How To Stay Safe?

While there is no way to eliminate the amoeba from the environment, some safety measures can reduce the risk:

• Prevent water from going up your nose by holding your nose shut, using nose clips or keeping your head above water during warm freshwater activities.
• Avoid putting your head underwater in hot springs and thermal waters.
• Avoid jumping or diving into warm freshwater during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
• Avoid digging in or stirring up sediment while taking part in water-related activities in shallow.

Norway's King Harald V died on Friday at an Oslo hospital where he was undergoing treatment for a rare blood disorder. He was 89.

“King Harald passed away peacefully at Oslo University Hospital on Friday 28 August, 0635 (local time, 0435 GMT),” the Royal Palace said on its website.

Harald, who was Europe's oldest living monarch, had been hospitalized on August 17. He was initially being treated for complications related to hemolytic anemia — a blood condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than the body can replace them. He later developed an infection.

King Harald V’s Health Deteriorated

Harald's condition worsened in recent days after he was admitted to hospital with fluid accumulation in the body linked to a blood disorder. He subsequently developed an infection.

Family members were called to his bedside on Thursday as his condition deteriorated at Oslo University Hospital.

Following his death, the royal flag was flown at half-mast on the palace roof.

Harald had faced several medical setbacks in recent years. He underwent heart surgeries in 2005 and 2020 and was hospitalised multiple times for infections.

What Is Hemolytic Anemia?

According to Johns Hopkins, haemolytic anaemia is a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be produced. The destruction of red blood cells is known as haemolysis.

Red blood cells normally carry oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When they are destroyed prematurely and faster than the bone marrow can replace them, the number of circulating red blood cells falls.

This can reduce the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues and cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hemolytic Anemia?

Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include:

• Abnormally pale skin
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Dark-coloured urine
• Fever
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Reduced ability to tolerate physical activity
• Enlarged spleen or liver
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• Heart murmur

These symptoms can also occur with other blood conditions or health problems. A healthcare professional should be consulted for diagnosis.

How Is Haemolytic Anaemia Diagnosed And Treated?

Diagnosis may involve tests such as:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Urine test
• Bone marrow aspiration or biopsy

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Blood transfusions
• Corticosteroid medicines
• Intravenous immune globulin to help regulate the immune system
• Rituximab

In more severe cases, treatment may include surgery to remove the spleen or immunosuppressive therapy to reduce immune-system activity.

King Harald V’s Family

Harald leaves behind his wife, Queen Sonja, his son and new King Haakon, daughter Princess Märtha Louise and six grandchildren.

Harald V was the first Norwegian-born prince in 567 years.

Following Harald's death, hundreds of people gathered outside the palace in Oslo to lay flowers, while the government declared nationwide mourning until after his funeral.

Harald's 53-year-old son will become Norway's new king, Haakon VIII, while Haakon's 22-year-old daughter Ingrid Alexandra becomes crown princess.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced recalls of multiple injectable drugs from Baxter International over potential contamination with fiberglass and stainless-steel particles.

Baxter voluntarily recalled:

• two injections used to provide nutrition, water, and electrolytes to patients.
• an injectable anticoagulant — a substance used to slow blood clotting — was also recalled, but the affected product was distributed to only one customer.

In a notice, the FDA said the medications could be contaminated with fiberglass or stainless-steel particles. Injecting contaminated products intravenously may lead to serious adverse health consequences.

“Particulate matter can cause blockage and clotting in blood vessels, which can cut off blood flow to vital organs, lead to a life-threatening blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and cause permanent organ damage or death,” the FDA said.

“Additionally, these particles may cause local vein irritation, inflammatory reaction, aggravation of preexisting infections, and allergic

reactions,” it added. Baxter said it has not received any reports of adverse events related to the issue.

Which Medications Were Recalled?

The recalled Baxter medications include:

• 70% Dextrose Injection, USP, 2000 mL, in a Viaflex plastic container.

• 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP, 500 mL, in a Viaflex plastic container.

• Anticoagulant Sodium Citrate Solution USP, 250 mL, in a Viaflex plastic container. The FDA noted that this product was distributed to only one customer.

Nutrition Injection Recalled

The 70% Dextrose Injection is a liquid solution mixed with other fluids to provide calories and nutrition through a person's veins when they cannot get necessary nutrients by mouth or through a feeding tube, USA Today reported.

The impacted products were sold between July 25 and July 28 to healthcare providers and distributors in several states, including Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. No adverse reactions have been reported.

Water And Electrolyte Injection Recalled

The 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection is commonly used as a source of water and electrolytes. It is administered through the veins when a person cannot get adequate amounts through eating, drinking or other medical treatments.

The injection may also be used during medical procedures, including blood transfusions and hemodialysis, a procedure that helps filter waste from the blood when the kidneys cannot do so adequately.

The impacted product was distributed between July 31 and August 3 to healthcare providers and distributors in several states, including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. No adverse reactions have been reported.