Tune in this Monday, July 19 to the Dr. Oz Show when America’s most beloved doctor hosts the grand finale of his school challenge.

Dr. Oz goes back to school to fight teen obesity – a national problem that has reached epidemic proportions. Along with his Health Corps team, Dr. Oz is committed to getting America’s teens back on the right track.

You can learn what you and your family can do to make better food and lifestyle choices by following Dr. Oz’s four healthy behaviors, specifically created for his school challenge. Read the rest of this entry »

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), cigarette smoking is at its lowest among students in high school since the survey began in 1975. The survey samples students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades, and gathers data about the type and frequency of drug use. The study, which aims to track teenage substance abuse, is conducted by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.

Other findings include a decline in methamphetamine, amphetamines and cocaine between 2004 and 2009. In 2009, 12th graders reported declines in the use of hallucinogens, particularly LSD. The use of marijuana has plateaued, with reported use by 11.8% of 8th graders, 26.7 percent of 10th graders and 12th graders. Read the rest of this entry »

A long running joke goes something like:

Q: “Why did God invent beer?”
A: “To keep the Irish from taking over the world.”

The Irish have always been known for their preference for alcohol; until now, I thought it was just a stereotype that should not be taken too seriously. Turns out though, maybe it is based on the truth.

A recent European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs revealed that 47 percent of Irish 15- to 16-year-olds have been drunk in the past year. This is higher than the European average, which is still high at 39 percent.

The legal drinking age in Europe is 18, so drinking alcohol at 16 is not as unheard of there as it is in the U.S. In fact, 90 percent of students surveyed had tasted alcohol in the past year. But that could mean a glass of wine at dinner. It did not mean “staggering when walking, slurred speech or throwing up,” which is how the survey defined drunkenness. Read the rest of this entry »

Why do most teens get a job? So they can earn money and spend it, right? Well, evidently not.

A new survey conducted by TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. shows that 63 percent of teens save their money to help pay for college. This is much higher than our parents’ generation. Only 40 percent of the generation before us saved money when they were teens. This finding was somewhat unexpected. Most adults assume that if teens are actually saving their money, they will spend it on the latest fashions, entertainment, or electronics.

In response to the new trend, Joseph Peri, CEO of the Council for Economic Education, said “it’s a pleasant surprise that we’re seeing young people paying that much attention to the importance of this issue. Part of teaching the importance of investing is showing that the best investment a young person can make is an investment in themselves.” Read the rest of this entry »

Being deemed a safe driver by an automotive insurance company is a way individuals are able to save on their car insurance rates. There are many different ways to be considered a safe driver in the eyes of an insurance company, one of which being driver’s education.

New drivers are a group of consumers being hit hard by high automotive insurance rates.  The only way to combat these financially taxing rates is by educating the young drivers. Read the rest of this entry »