ADOLESCENCE

Counseling

General

• Adolescents should be physically active every day or nearly every day, as part of play, games, physical education, planned physical activities, recreation, and sports, in the context of family, school, and community activities.

• Physical activity is recommended on most, if not all, days of the week. Explain that adolescents can achieve this level of activity through moderate physical activities (e.g., brisk walking for 30 minutes) or through shorter, more intense activities (e.g., jogging or playing basketball for 15 to 20 minutes).

• Moderate to vigorous physical activities (e.g., jogging, playing basketball or racquet sports, dancing, skating, biking) are those that require as much effort as brisk walking. The goal for adolescents is to engage in these activities at least three times a week for at least 20 minutes each time.

• Encourage adolescents to find physical activities they enjoy and can continue into adulthood.

• Discuss how adolescents can incorporate physical activity into their daily lives (e.g., by using the stairs instead of taking the elevator or escalator; by walking or riding a bike instead of driving or riding in a car).

• Encourage adolescents to participate in a variety of noncompetitive physical activities they enjoy (e.g., biking, in-line skating, jogging, swimming).

• Many adolescents enjoy participating in organized physical activity programs with friends and peers. Adolescents need to choose activities they enjoy and that make them feel competent.

• Encourage adolescents to take on new challenges that will increase their self-confidence (e.g., becoming physically active or learning a new sport). Teach them to set reasonable but challenging goals.

• Encourage parents to participate in physical activity with their adolescents and to be positive role models by participating in physical activity themselves.

Injury Prevention

• Encourage adolescents to drink plenty of fluids when they are physically active. (See the Heat-Related Illness chapter.)

• Emphasize the use of appropriate safety equipment (e.g., helmets, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads) when the adolescent participates in physical activity. (See the Injury chapter.)

• Discuss the importance of an appropriate pace when beginning a new activity. Encourage adolescents to avoid doing too much too soon.

• Discuss the importance of using proper technique during weight or strength training, emphasizing sets of low resistance and high repetition.

• Emphasize the importance of adolescents reducing their exposure to sunlight while participating in physical activity outdoors and thus their risk of developing skin cancer. Recommend preventive strategies such as (1) applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of 15 or greater to exposed skin 30 minutes before going outdoors, (2) reapplying sunscreen every 2 hours, and (3) wearing broad-spectrum sunglasses and brimmed hats and clothing that protect the skin as much as possible.

• Determine whether adolescents who are involved in organized sports are being properly supervised. Make sure that adolescents enjoy participating in sports and are not being compelled to participate by an adult.

Safety

• If the safety of the environment or neighborhood is a concern, help parents and adolescents find other settings for physical activity (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs of America, recreation centers, churches and other places of worship).

• Remind adolescents that they can do many activities indoors (e.g., calisthenics, aerobics, dancing, weight or strength training).

Special Issues

• Emphasize that achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is best accomplished through healthy eating behaviors and regular physical activity. (See the Nutrition chapter.)

• Encourage adolescents, especially those who are overweight, to limit sedentary behaviors (e.g., watching television and videotapes, playing computer games) to 1 to 2 hours per day. (See the Obesity chapter.)

• Encourage adolescents with special health care needs to participate in physical activity for cardiovascular fitness within the limits of their medical or physical conditions. Explain that adaptive physical education is often helpful and that a physical therapist can help identify appropriate activities. (See the Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs chapter.)

Substance Use

• Warn adolescents about the risk of using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

• Adolescents, particularly males, may be interested in using protein supplements or anabolic steroids to try to build muscle mass. Discourage the use of these products, and encourage healthy eating behaviors and participation in a supervised strength-training program. (See the Ergogenic Aids chapter.)

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