common problems faced during adolescence

Brief description of problems faced by adolescents

1. COMMON
PROBLEMS FACED
BY ADOLESCENTS
COMMON
PROBLEMS FACED
BY ADOLESCENTS
By Zehna Farook

2. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTIONAdolescents are under immense pressure because of the
rapid changes in their hormonal milieu, changing ideas
and concepts about the world, having to cope up with the
expectations from society and the need to establish their
own identity. The problems faced by an adolescent in India
are diverse and are often not addressed by the
health care system.

3. HEALTH PROBLEMSHEALTH PROBLEMSa) Nutrition and Eating Disorders
b) Mental Health Problems
c) Sleep Disturbances
d) Infections
e) Menstrual Issues

4. NUTRITION AND
EATING DISORDERS
NUTRITION AND
EATING DISORDERSHigh nutritional needs during growth; deficiencies common.
NFHS-5: 57% girls & 31% boys anemic.
Low sun exposure + poor dairy intake → vitamin D & calcium
deficiency.
Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia (increasing in urban
youth).

5. MENTAL HEALTH
PROBLEMS
MENTAL HEALTH
PROBLEMSAnxiety, depression, poor body image, low self-esteem.
Onset around 14 years.
Suicide attempts more in girls; completed suicides more
in boys.
Risk factors: family conflict, abuse, family history of
suicide.

6. SLEEP
DISTURBANCES
SLEEP
DISTURBANCES
Delay in melatonin secretion → sleep onset &
awakening delayed by ~1 hr.
Poor sleep worsens concentration, academic
performance, and mood.

7. INFECTIONSINFECTIONS
Higher exposure to TB, HIV, STDs, skin
& parasitic infections.
Early sexual activity → risk of
gonorrhea, chlamydia, PID (pelvic
inflammatory disease.

8. MENSTRUAL ISSUESMENSTRUAL ISSUES
Taboos and lack of sanitary products →
absenteeism in girls.
Poor hygiene → risk of reproductive
infections.
Irregular cycles, PCOS common.

9. LIFESTYLE
DISEASES
LIFESTYLE
DISEASES
Obesity epidemic in urban settings (5% obese,
17–19% overweight).
Associated problems: asthma, fatty liver,
hypertension, PCOS, T2DM, dyslipidemia.

10. SUBSTANCE ABUSESUBSTANCE ABUSE
Around 40% boys & 20% girls consume
tobacco/alcohol by 15 years.
Cannabis, opium, and newer drugs also
abused.
Leads to accidents, violence, unsafe sex,
HIV/hepatitis.

11. VULNERABILITY
AND VIOLENCE
VULNERABILITY
AND VIOLENCE
20–30% young females face domestic
violence.
2% face sexual violence before 18 years.
Other risks: road accidents (boys),
burns/poisoning (girls).

12. ADOLESCENT
PREGNANCY
ADOLESCENT
PREGNANCY
Unsafe abortions → septicemia, mortality.
Higher risk of pre-eclampsia, obstructed labor,
hemorrhage.
Children of adolescent mothers → higher neonatal,
infant, child mortality.

13. ENVIRONMENTAL &
SOCIAL CHALLENGES
ENVIRONMENTAL &
SOCIAL CHALLENGES
a) Media Influence
Exposure to tobacco/alcohol glamorization.
Unrealistic expectations, aggression, risky sexual behavior.
b) Peer Pressure
Strong role in adolescent behavior → substance abuse, risk-taking.
c) Academic & Emotional Stress
Exams, language shift, tuitions → psychological strain.
Peer acceptance, discrimination, parental expectations worsen stress.
d) Early Marriage
Legal age: 18 yrs (girls), 21 yrs (boys).
Still prevalent in rural India (up to 30%).
e) Discrimination & Gender Issues
Girls confined to household work, limited education/extracurricular activity.
Gender-based food and health discrimination persists.

14. CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
Adolescents face a multi-dimensional set of problems:
biological, psychological, and social.
Requires integrated approach: health care, education,
family, and policy support.

15. THANK YOUTHANK YOU