With studies showing that almost half of America's teenagers have experienced sexual intercourse by the age of 18, educating kids about sex is something all parents need to do. Parents must be prepared to help their teens with emerging sexual issues. Otherwise their teens could be risking early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and emotional turmoil. [...]
When Marie gets home from her full-time job as a Seattle nurse administrator, her workday is only half over. Next up is driving her two boys to band practice, soccer, and art lessons, supervising homework, taking them to the mall for supplies—and sitting up with them all night when they're sick. "I didn't want to [...]
In the whirl of adolescence, peer pressure can get the best of children and push them to do things that they don't really want to do. Whether this pressure comes from friends or other kids at school, parents can counter it, if they're ready to help. It's natural that children get some guidance from outside [...]
Adolescence is a difficult time for young people. During those years, they face physical changes; peer pressure; exposure to drugs, alcohol and sexual relationships; and increased expectations and scrutiny from parents and teachers. But, as difficult as it is being a teenager, being a parent of one may be even harder. After years of being [...]
You don't have to look far to find diet advice. It's as close as your Web browser, your local bookstore, or that pop culture magazine you leafed through. But how accurate is the information? Some diet advice is just plain wrong—and some can be dangerous to your health. Here's a closer look at several of [...]
Moderately intense activities, such as walking briskly from your parked car to the mall entrance and taking your dog for a quick jog after dinner, won't help you train for a sport. But they can help you achieve and maintain a healthful weight and improve your overall fitness level. They can also help reduce your [...]
If you've ever felt like you had to have a candy bar, some potato chips, or a bowl of ice cream, you've had a food craving—an intense desire for a certain food or foods. Some people experience such cravings only now and then, while others have them daily or weekly. Depending on the person and [...]
Nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and many are trying to slim down. But in the battle of the bulge, more people are losing than winning these days. Whether you have tried to lose weight on your own or with the help of a weight-loss program, the focus is too often on [...]
More than two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the Weight-control Information Network. Each year, countless studies investigate various weight-loss tactics, such as low-fat versus high-fat diets, the benefits of snacking, and the importance of exercise for weight loss and maintenance. Data from large groups whose members lost weight on their own, [...]
If you're the parent of a preteen, you've likely heard this line many times: "I have to have it because everyone else does." The "it" can be anything from designer jeans to a video game. Why do children want to be like everyone else? They're going through a transition from child to adult, says Vivian [...]