#Teenhealth

When a parent sits across from a clinician and hears their child describe a body they want to change, the moment carries a weight that goes far beyond a medical appointment. Recent global research suggests that, for many young people who pursue gender-affirming care, regrets are uncommon and mental health often improves after access to appropriate treatment. Yet experts caution that decisions about body modification in adolescence are complex, deeply personal, and best navigated with careful support from families, clinicians, and communities. For Thai families, where respect for elders and careful family decision-making are valued, these insights illuminate a path through a tense but hopeful landscape of youth wellness, identity, and care.

A new snapshot of Gen Z family planning finds young adults are delaying parenthood into their late 20s and, worryingly, a significant share are relying on the withdrawal or “pull-out” method as a primary form of birth control. The findings, drawn from a survey by pregnancy test brand First Response and women’s media platform Her Campus and reported by the New York Post, underscore a generational rethinking of when to have children — and a risk calculus around contraception that health experts say could backfire. For Thailand, where the birth rate has plunged to historic lows, the mix of delayed childbearing and inconsistent contraceptive protection holds lessons for sex education, public health, and demographic policy.

Alarming new research reveals that Generation Z adults are increasingly delaying parenthood while simultaneously relying on ineffective contraceptive methods, creating a perfect storm of reproductive health risks that could significantly impact Thailand’s already plummeting birth rates. A comprehensive survey conducted by pregnancy test manufacturer First Response in collaboration with women’s media platform Her Campus discovered that nearly 37% of young adults favor the withdrawal or “pull-out” method as their primary contraceptive approach, despite medical evidence showing this technique fails for approximately one in five couples annually. These findings arrive at a critical moment for Thailand, where birth rates have collapsed to historic lows below population replacement levels, requiring urgent attention to both reproductive health education and family planning support systems.

A new study highlights a troubling trend among Gen Z: many are delaying parenthood while relying on withdrawal as a primary contraceptive. This method has a documented failure rate of about 20-22 percent with typical use, raising the risk of unintended pregnancies in the interim. In Thailand, where birth rates have fallen to historic lows, the findings underscore an urgent need for stronger reproductive health education and accessible family planning services.

A rising current in youth health is sweeping through Thailand: interest in protein supplements. Social media, coaches, and family members influence the belief that more protein equals stronger muscles and better well-being. Protein shakes, bars, and powders are increasingly present in Thai supermarkets and convenience stores, but experts warn unsupervised use may pose health risks for adolescents seeking rapid results.

The trend is amplified by online fitness culture. In the United States, research from a leading children’s hospital shows about four in ten teens used some form of protein supplement in the past year, with teen boys more likely to use protein daily. In Thailand’s urban centers, gyms, school teams, and sports clubs report growing inquiries and usage among teens, signaling a broader shift toward Western-style nutrition and body image ideals.

A new wave of protein supplement use among teenagers is sweeping across the globe and reaching Thailand, with social media influencers, coaches, and even some parents fueling the belief that more protein equals more muscle and better health. While protein shakes, bars, and powders are easily found in Thai supermarkets and convenience stores, new research and expert opinion warn that excessive and unsupervised use of these supplements may carry concerning health risks—especially among youths chasing rapid results.

Across the globe, an increasing number of teenagers are turning to protein supplements as they strive to build muscle and achieve the body ideals promoted on social media. Recent research from the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital has brought this trend into sharp focus, revealing that approximately 40% of teens consumed some form of protein supplement in the past year. This surge in popularity—echoed from the United States to Europe, and increasingly within Asian contexts—raises important questions for Thai parents, educators, and health professionals as social media-driven fitness trends reach new heights in the Kingdom.

A growing number of teenagers view protein supplements as a quick path to muscle and the body ideals popular on social media. Research from a leading U.S. pediatric hospital indicates that around 40% of teens used some form of protein supplement in the past year. The trend is spreading beyond the United States to Europe and increasingly to Asia, prompting Thai parents, teachers, and health professionals to consider how online fitness messaging affects youths in Thailand.

A growing trend among teenagers to pursue what they see as natural, “crunchy” wellness is raising new concerns among health professionals, who warn that teens embracing extreme eating habits in the name of health may be putting themselves at real risk. The so-called “crunchy teen” movement, which promotes natural foods, holistic remedies, and sometimes outright rejection of conventional medicine, is spreading rapidly on social media platforms and affecting adolescent behaviors worldwide, including here in Thailand.

A growing “crunchy teen” wellness movement is drawing concern from health professionals who warn that extreme, unverified practices can harm young people. The trend promotes natural foods and holistic remedies and sometimes questions conventional medicine. It spreads rapidly on social media and influences Thai youths as well as peers worldwide, making reliable guidance essential.

While the desire for healthier living is common, the crunchy teen phenomenon differs from ordinary nutrition advice. Some adolescents pursue restrictive diets, parasite cleansing, or raw and fermented foods based on online claims. A family medicine practitioner at a leading health system notes that the movement fuels the spread of misleading health information among youth, with potentially serious consequences.

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 recent nationwide US survey reveals a remarkable finding: 90% of teenagers report that exercise makes them feel happy, yet half admit their fitness levels decline during school holidays—a trend with clear relevance for Thai families as the summer heat and academic break threaten to sap teens’ motivation to move. The study, conducted by Planet Fitness and summarized in a recent Parents.com article, asked 1,000 teens aged 14-19 and their parents about physical activity and well-being, surfacing fresh insight into how exercise fuels adolescent happiness—and practical approaches families can adopt to keep teens active despite seasonal slumps.

A recent nationwide study in the United States found that 90% of teenagers say exercise makes them feel happier, but about half report their fitness declines during school holidays. The findings resonate with Thai families as intense heat and a long break from school can dampen teens’ motivation to move. The survey, conducted by Planet Fitness and summarized for parents, polled 1,000 teens aged 14-19 and their parents about activity and well-being, offering practical ideas for families to keep teens active during seasonal changes.

A groundbreaking study published in Development and Psychopathology has revealed that the way parents respond to their daughters during emotionally charged arguments may help predict the likelihood of suicidal thoughts a year later. Specifically, adolescent girls whose parents failed to reciprocate eye contact and happy facial expressions during parent-child conflicts were found to be at greater risk for developing suicidal ideation. This research underscores the profound impact of subtle, moment-to-moment behaviors on mental health—a finding especially relevant for families and professionals concerned about the rising rates of suicide among adolescent girls worldwide.

A new study in Development and Psychopathology shows that how parents respond during heated exchanges with their daughters may predict suicidal thoughts a year later. Specifically, girls whose parents do not reciprocate eye contact or smiles during conflicts are at higher risk for later suicidal ideation. The findings highlight how moment-to-moment parental behaviors shape mental health, offering practical guidance for families and educators concerned about rising suicide risk among teenage girls.

Open, honest conversations between mothers and their teenage daughters about masturbation can improve emotional well-being and physical health. Leading psychologists, sex education experts, and parents are advocating a shift in how sexuality is discussed—moving beyond basic topics like consent and contraception to include self-exploration as a normal part of adolescence. This perspective is relevant for Thai families and resonates with global research on healthy development.

In many Thai households, sexuality remains a sensitive topic. Parents often frame sex discussions around risk prevention—pregnancy and infections—and shy away from self-pleasure. A 2020 study in the Journal of Sex Research found that masturbation ranked only 12th among topics discussed with daughters, well behind pregnancy, abstinence, and sexually transmitted infections. This pattern mirrors experiences in many cultures, where female self-pleasure is rarely addressed in home or school settings.

In a world where sexuality is often clouded by stigma and misinformation, leading psychologists, sex education experts, and parents are urging a generational shift: mothers must have open, honest conversations with their teenage daughters about masturbation and self-exploration, not just about more mainstream issues like consent, contraception, or relationships. Recent discussions, including a widely shared article from the UK and mounting research in sexual health, highlight the crucial importance of normalizing this dialogue — for both emotional well-being and physical health — here in Thailand and globally.

Recent research and expert opinion from leading child health advocates underscore a growing crisis in sex education: parents are increasingly reluctant to discuss sexual health with their children, while the availability of formal sex education in schools continues to decline. This trend, highlighted in a recent article by a renowned sexual health expert in the Philadelphia Inquirer, has profound implications for both Western and Thai families, particularly as children turn to unregulated online sources or even pornography in place of accurate, age-appropriate information (inquirer.com). The article draws upon decades of international research supporting the benefits of parent-led sex education and offers urgently needed strategies for parents who wish to guide their children responsibly.

Recent research and expert opinion from leading child health advocates point to a growing crisis in sex education: many parents are hesitant to discuss sexual health with their children, while school-based programs are not keeping pace. A prominent health expert’s analysis highlights how this gap affects both Western and Thai families, especially as children seek information online. Research indicates parent-led conversations can boost understanding, safety, and trust, while providing practical strategies for responsible guidance.

A new online initiative out of Syracuse, New York, is quietly transforming the way adolescents seek answers about sexual health—ushering in a digital age of confidential support. “Layla’s Got You,” a Syracuse-based website, harnesses the power of chatbot technology to help teens, particularly Black and Latina young women, find accessible, judgment-free information on sex, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted diseases. Launched in 2019 under the direction of the women’s health and empowerment director at the Allyn Family Foundation, this pioneering tool is quickly becoming a vital companion for U.S. teens hesitant to ask sensitive questions elsewhere.

A Syracuse-based digital initiative is quietly reshaping how adolescents access sexual health information in the United States, and its approach offers lessons for Thai readers as well. Layla’s Got You uses a chatbot to provide confidential, non-judgmental guidance on sex, pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. Launched in 2019 under the direction of a women’s health and empowerment advocate at the Allyn Family Foundation, Layla’s Got You has become a trusted companion for teens who hesitate to seek information through traditional channels.

For 16-year-old Molly from Weymouth, every day presents a battle—one that began four years ago when she first developed long Covid. From severe fatigue and heart palpitations to fainting spells, seizures, and even allergic reactions, Molly describes her experience as “horrible”, with basic activities now requiring a wheelchair and “two good days a week, maybe three”. With dedicated NHS long Covid support for young people in Dorset shuttered, Molly is preparing to journey 300 miles to Liverpool for private treatment, illuminating a broader crisis faced by young long Covid patients and raising urgent questions about national and global responses to this lingering pandemic (BBC).

Molly, a 16-year-old from Weymouth, wakes each day to fatigue, heart palpitations, and episodes that include fainting and seizures. Once she could walk through a school day, now basic activities require a wheelchair on many days, with “two good days a week, maybe three.” With local NHS long Covid support for young people shuttered, Molly’s family plans a 300-mile journey to Liverpool for private treatment. Her story reflects a broader crisis: young patients navigating a blurred landscape of limited services and uncertain futures.