#Adolescentpsychology

A new wellness phenomenon, dubbed the “crunchy teen” trend, is taking hold among adolescents worldwide, with many Thai parents and educators beginning to notice the ripple effects at home. While this movement—which promotes a nature-focused, supposedly “clean” approach to eating—may sound healthy on the surface, recent expert warnings highlight an alarming rise in misinformation, extreme food beliefs, and real health risks linked to its practices. A leading family medicine specialist from Kaiser Permanente in Fairfax, Virginia, recently told US media that these trends could set off a new wave of disordered eating and anxiety among teenagers seeking dietary “perfection” rather than balance (wtop.com).

A global wellness trend dubbed the “crunchy teen” is reaching Thai youths, drawing concern from parents and teachers. While choosing natural foods can be positive, experts warn that misinformation and extreme nutrition beliefs are spreading, risking teens’ health. A senior family medicine specialist from a leading health system in the United States says these trends can fuel disordered eating and anxiety as teens chase an illusion of perfection.

The movement starts on Western social media and promotes avoiding processed foods, relying on unverified natural remedies, and distrusting mainstream nutrition guidance. Teens may encounter viral challenges, including parasite cleanses with questionable herbal doses or eating raw or undercooked animal products. Claims that parasite cleanses cure illnesses or that raw meat provides vitality lack scientific support and can be dangerous. Health professionals warn that raw meat can harbor bacteria such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.

A new international study sheds light on why some Thai teens respond with heightened fear in everyday, safe situations. Researchers show that early-life adversity—such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction—can impair fear learning. This makes it harder for adolescents to distinguish safety from threat, triggering stronger emotional and physical reactions in daily life. The findings offer important context for Thailand’s ongoing focus on youth mental health and stress the need for culturally sensitive interventions in schools and communities.

A recent psychological study has found that adolescents who experienced adversity in childhood are more likely to respond with unwarranted fear to safe situations, revealing key insights into the long-term mental health risks faced by vulnerable Thai youths. Researchers discovered that teens exposed to early stressors such as abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction show greater difficulty distinguishing between safe and threatening cues, leading to heightened physiological and emotional reactions in everyday life. These findings, published in the prestigious Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, may help to explain the rising rates of anxiety and depression among Thai adolescents and underscore the urgent need for culturally sensitive mental health interventions (PsyPost.org, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry).