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Health Information For Parents
The doctor and/or nurse will probably:
1. Check weight and height, calculate body mass index (BMI), and plot the measurements on growth charts.
2. Check blood pressure, vision, and possibly hearing.
3. Give a screening (test) that checks for depression.
4. Ask questions, address concerns, and offer advice about:
Eating. Young adults should eat three meals a day that include lean protein, at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and at least three servings of dairy products or a fortified milk alternative. Limit food and drinks that are high in fat and sugar.
Sleeping. Young adults need about 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep makes them less alert and cause problems at work or school. Follow a relaxing bedtime routine and turn off devices, including phones and computers, before bed.
Physical activity. Each week, young adults should aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity (like fast walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (like running).
Growth and development. By 20, it’s common for young adults to:
5. Do a physical exam. The doctor will look at the skin and listen to the heart and lungs. Young women will undergo a pelvic exam or be referred to a gynecologist. In guys, the doctor will check the testicles for masses and varicocele (swollen veins).
6. Update immunizations. Immunizations can protect people from serious illnesses, so it’s important to get them on time. Immunization schedules vary from office to office, so talk to the doctor about what to expect.
7. Order tests. Your doctor may check for anemia, high cholesterol, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and order tests, if needed.
Here are some things young adults should keep in mind until their next checkup:
These checkup sheets are consistent with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Bright Futures guidelines.
Knowing what drugs are out there, what they can do, and how they can affect someone is the first step in raising drug-free kids.
If your daughter is pregnant and planning to have the baby, many changes await your family. How can you support her through the challenges to come?
Talking to your kids about sex can be a challenge. But discussing issues like birth control can help lower teens’ risk of unintended pregnancy or getting an STD.
Help your teen or young adult make the transition from pediatric health care to adult health care. Get tips on finding a new doctor and getting health insurance.
When teens get their driver’s license, parents should consider creating their own rules of the road beyond the relevant driving laws.
Parents should learn about the most common STDs, how they spread, and how they’re diagnosed and treated.
Involving teens in their health care can help prepare them for managing it on their own as adults.
Vaccines help keep kids healthy, but many parents still have questions about them. Get answers here.