What's New on the PAMF Teen and Preteen Sites

Transition to High School

2009-09-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

By Leigha Winters, college student writer

Starting high school is an overwhelming experience for any teenager. Whether you are coming from a middle school (grades six through eight) or a junior high school (grades seven through nine), there are many things about high school that are different from your old school environment, and you will experience many changes.

You will face navigating a new school, making new friends in an unfamiliar class and getting to know new teachers. These new teachers will usually have higher academic expectations than your middle and junior-high school teachers. They want to help you get into college; in return, they expect you to work hard and improve your skills. On top of all this, peer pressure to do drugs and alcohol and have sex often increases in high school.

Although these are all big changes, they are nothing you cannot handle. There are many resources available to help you deal with any problems. Your teachers, counselors, doctors, parents and friends are there to help you transition into this great new time in your life. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to any of these people, there are many help hotlines you can call to talk anonymously. High school may be a time of change, but these changes should be for the better.

Your high school years are a great time in your life. You will gain new freedoms and have new experiences and new responsibilities. Many high school students get their drivers license when they turn 16 and gain a new type of independence.

However, other changes are less fun. To fully enjoy your high school experience, try to address the aspects of your life with which you are not happy. If you are feeling pressure to do something you feel is wrong, talk to a friend, parent or counselor to find a solution. If you are not succeeding academically, find a tutor or someone to help you improve. If you feel isolated socially, try to join a school club or group to make new friends.

High school may seem rather daunting at first, but with time, you will come to appreciate everything about your experience.

Teen Safety on the Internet

2009-06-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

By Katie and Julia Ransohoff, high school student writers

More and more teenagers are logging on to the Internet every day. Although the Internet is a great source for research projects and networking, there are also dangers involved with surfing the Web. Enjoy the Internet, but take precautions to keep yourself safe.

How to Stay Safe on the Internet

Remember that the Web allows you to be completely anonymous. Someone who says that he is a 15-year-old boy may actually be a 50-year-old man pretending to be a teen for inappropriate reasons. A business Web site that looks legitimate might be part of a scheme to steal your money or identity. To be cautious, follow these guidelines:

Never give out personal information, such as your name, home address or phone number, the name of your school, pictures, credit card numbers or the names of your parents without permission from your parents.
Do not meet someone you met online in person.
Do not give out your password to anyone.
In chat rooms, use a name that is not gender-specific, so you are less likely to receive pornographic material or other forms of harassment.
If you do receive pornographic material, report it to your local police department.

E-mail Safety

Most of us get volumes of unsolicited email everyday. Take these precautions to keep your spam to a minimum:

Do not open links or files from people you do not know.
Never respond to e-mails with pornographic or other inappropriate material.
Do not respond to advertisements -- this confirms that you have a working e-mail account, and you will only receive more junk e-mail.

Chat Rooms

Chat rooms can be particularly dangerous. Even when chat rooms are specifically for teens, participants are not necessarily all teens. Someone you meet in the chat room may actually be an adult predator who has made up an identity to hide his or her age.

Blogging

Blog is short for Web log. Blogs allow people to write on many topics in somewhat of an online diary. However, blogs are not private like diaries. People of all ages all over the world can read your blog, even people who know you only through your writing. Blogging can be a fun way to meet people with similar interests, connect with friends who live far away and develop your writing. Blogging can help teens communicate and develop their interests, but there are also dangers to blogging.The internet is anonymous. Also, remember that the Internet is public domain that anyone can access, so it is important to be take precautions when you blog.

PAMF's We're Talking Teen Health and We're Talking Too Preteen Health are great sources for internet safety, making smart online choices, and an Online Safety Pledge.

Trauma: Facing and Overcoming It

2009-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Some traumatic events happen once and involve an injury or threat of injury to yourself, friends or loved ones. Other traumas can happen repeatedly over long periods of time. They generate feelings of guilt, anxiety or shame. You can be involved, or just witness something and still be traumatized by it.

This reaction is called traumatic stress. These reactions can last a long time after the event is over. Remember that you are not alone, and everything you are experiencing is normal. After a trauma, you may face:

Fear and anxiety. Thinking about the trauma can make you anxious.
Re-experiencing the trauma. Unwanted thoughts, nightmares and flashbacks can spring up.
Increased arousal. You may feel very alert, jumpy, jittery, shaky and have trouble concentrating.
Avoidance. You may feel numb and even avoid all feelings.
Uncontrollable feelings of anger, shame or guilt. You may get very irritable with the people trying to help.
Grief and depression. You may feel hopeless, cry often, lose interest in things and people.
Relationship trouble. Trusting people, feeling good about yourself, and having sexual relationships may be tough following a trauma.

Getting Support

Traumatic experiences often leave you feeling misunderstood, isolated and alone. Seeking support from people close to you can help you cope with a traumatic experience. Unfortunately, sometimes teens can’t find this support in their families. If this is the case, schools, churches, therapists and extended family members can all serve this purpose.

Talking to a professional helper

Many trauma survivors benefit from talking to a professional:

A priest, rabbi, or other member of the clergy
A doctor or nurse
A counselor (psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist)

For more information on dealing with trauma and traumatic stress, visit PAMF's Teens and Trauma Web site.

Phobias, Fears and Panic

2009-05-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

By Katie Ransahoff, student writer

It's normal to be scared of some things, but when the fear is so bad that it disrupts everyday life, it is called a phobia. Phobias can affect people's lives because they prevent people from carrying on everyday activities. In extreme cases, a phobia can cause a panic attack.

What is a panic attack?
A panic attack is a physical reaction to a fear or phobia. They usually don't last very long, but they feel like forever for the person who's experiencing them. Symptoms of a panic attack include:

A faster heartbeat

Dizziness

Difficulty breathing

Shaking or sweating

Feeling hopeless or closed-in

Common Phobias
There are many types of phobias, but the more common ones include:

Social phobia: The fear of being embarrassed in social situations. There is a difference between shyness and social phobia. A shy person might feel more comfortable in small groups of people, but a person with social phobia will do everything they can to avoid social situations.

Agoraphobia: The fear of having a panic attack in public place. People with agoraphobia may avoid public places that are crowded.

Claustrophobia: The fear of a closed-in space, such as an elevator or a plane.
Arachnophobia: The fear of spiders.

Ablutophobia: The fear of baths, showers or washing.

Atelophobia: The fear of things that aren't perfect.

Hypsiphobia (also called acrophobia): The fear of heights.

Zoophobia: The fear of animals.

Why do people develop phobias?
Doctors think that a tendency to develop phobias could be genetic. This means that if someone in your family has a phobia, you could have one too. Phobias can also be caused by a trauma or big change, such as a divorce, move or illness. If you have a phobia, don't worry -- phobias can be treated.

How are phobias treated?
Behavior therapy with a psychologist, therapist or psychiatrist is the standard treatment for phobias. There are also medicines to treat phobias, used in conjunction with behavior therapy.

For more information, read Katie's article on our We're Talking Too preteen site.

Keys to a Successful Exercise Program

2009-05-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

Regular exercise helps you look and feel better. Your skin, hair, posture and muscle tone all improve. You'll be stronger and you'll have more energy. Activity also helps you avoid depression, stress and boredom. Experts say just 30 minutes of activity a day keeps you healthier. Here are some tips for starting a successful fitness program.

Build up your activity level gradually.
For example, if you are inactive now and want to begin walking regularly, you might begin slowly with a 10- to 15-minute walk, three times a week. As you become more fit, you can increase the sessions to every day.

If you choose a fairly vigorous activity, begin each session slowly. Allow a five-minute period of stretching and slow movement to give your body a chance to "warm up." At the end of your workout, take another five minutes to "cool down" with a slower exercise pace.

Listen to your body.
A certain amount of stiffness is normal at first. But if you hurt a joint or pull a muscle or tendon, stop the activity for several days to avoid more serious injury. Most minor muscle and joint problems can be relieved by rest and over-the-counter painkillers.

Pay attention to warning signals.
While regular physical activity can strengthen your heart, some types of activity may worsen existing heart problems. Warning signals include sudden dizziness, cold sweat, paleness, fainting, or pain or pressure in your upper body just after exercising. If you notice any of these signs, stop the activity and call your doctor immediately.

Check the weather report.
On hot, humid days, do outdoor activities during the cooler and less humid parts of the day. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and drink lots of water before, during and after the activity. On cold days, wear one layer less of clothing than you would wear if you were outside but not exercising. Also wear gloves and a hat.

Keep at it.
Unless you have to stop your regular physical activity for a health reason, stay with it. Set small, short-term goals for yourself. If you find yourself becoming bored, try doing the activity with a friend or family member. Or switch to another activity. The health rewards of regular physical activity are well worth the effort.

For more information see PAMF's Exercise Web site.

Summer Sun Safety

2009-04-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

By Nancy Brown, Ph.D., and Kelly Troiano, M.D.

It is time for the summer sun reminder. The sun is out and on these beautiful days it is easy to stay outside too long, or forget to wear a hat and sunscreen. Please be careful with your skin when you are exposed to the sun.

Skin cancer is one of the most widespread and dangerous forms of cancer. It develops invisibly over the years, primarily through overexposure to the sun's dangerous rays. Two common types of skin cancer are carcinoma and melanoma. Being tan makes most of us feel healthy, so it's easy to forget the damage the sun is doing to your skin. The long-term damage to your skin however, is not worth the glow of golden skin.

To be sun-safe:

Remember to avoid the hottest sun, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cover all of your skin with sunscreen, at least SPF 30.
Apply sunscreen every few hours, and especially after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
Use lip balm with SPF 15 whenever you are outside.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV protective sunglasses.
Remember that UV rays bounce off concrete, water, sand and snow.
Never use tanning beds or sun lamps.
If you are babysitting, keep babies less than six months old out of the sun completely.

Resources

Sun Safety Alliance
Healthwise Sunburn article

PAMF articles

Body Drama and Girls:A presentation by Nancy Redd

2009-04-08T11:23:00.000-07:00

Nancy Redd, author of the best-selling book Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers, will talk about how today’s marketing culture can distort women's self-image. She will read passages from the book, answer questions and be available for book signings.

Date and time: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 7 p.m.
Location: Menlo School Commons, 50 Valparasio, Atherton
Admission: $5 (at the door)

Sponsored by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Castilleja School and Menlo School with support from Kehillah High School, Palo Alto High School and the Girls Middle School.

For more information, contact Nancy Brown.

Body Art: Getting It Done Safely

2009-03-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

So you think you're ready to get that tattoo or piercing -- what next? Where do you go and who do you get to do it? There are serious health risks involved if the conditions are not clean. Here are some things you should consider before getting a tattoo or piercing.

Choosing a Studio

There are several things you can look for:

The work areas should be kept in a clean and sanitary condition and have good lighting.
The studio should have an autoclave -- a machine used to sterilize equipment between customers.
Packaged, sterilized tattoo needles should be used only once and then thrown away in a special biohazard container.
Leftover ink should be thrown away after each procedure. Needles should never be inserted into the bottle.
If the artist uses deodorant to create a darker impression of the transfer copy on your skin, the artist should never use the deodorant stick directly on your skin. Instead, the deodorant should be wiped onto a tissue, and the tissue placed on your skin.
The tattoo artist or piercer should wash and dry his or her hands and wear latex gloves during the procedure.
A consent form should be completed by the customer before the procedure is completed.

Choosing an Artist

Tattoo artists are not licensed and there are no FDA-approved pigments that can be used. You could ask the following questions.

Is the tattooist is certified by the Alliance for Professional Tattooists (APT)?
Has the tattooist has completed any training and are certificates available for you to see?
Is the artist vaccinated for Hepatitis B?
Are there see pictures of finished work you can see?

Other Considerations

Allergic Reaction: Hypersensitivity to a tattoo pigment may result in an allergic response. Scars can also develop. Exposure to the sun can also stimulate an allergic reaction to the pigment used in a tattoo.

Risks: Unsterile tattooing and piercing equipment and needles can spread serious infection, hepatitis, tetanus and even HIV. Without proper cleaning and protection from the sun, the tattoo or piercing site can become infected.

Piercing complications: Tongue piercings initially swell a lot. Nipple piercings may burrow through milk-producing ducts and cause infection or problems with breastfeeding.

Blood Donations: You cannot make blood donations for a year after getting a tattoo, body piercing or permanent make-up.

Infection: The signs of infection you should look for include:

Oozing or bleeding
Yellow or green discharge, or pus coming from the body art
Area feels hot to the touch
Red lines starting at body art

Coming of Age Rituals

2009-03-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Author: PAMF Health Educator Nancy Brown, Ph.D., M.A., Ed.S

The life cycle can be categorized into three different stages: childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The period of adolescence, ages 13 to 22, include physical changes associated with puberty along with completing middle school, high school, and for some, college. This stage of life involves major undertakings and the assumption of adult responsibility associated with them. In spite of this, in the United States we do not systematically celebrate or ritualize the transition from childhood to adolescence.

In many cultures, a ceremony, ritual or celebration rings in a time when a child becomes a young adult. For boys the age is usually 12 or 13. For girls, the coming-of-age is usually celebrated at their first menstruation, which can be as early as 9 or as late as 15. A Quinceañera is celebrated in the Mexican culture when a girl turns fifteen. It is a social introduction and dates back to the Aztec and Mayan times, somewhere around 500 B.C.

In other cultures, the coming-of-age is usually a celebration. It may include a tattoo, a trial, the piercing of a body part or a period of isolation. Native Americans have many variations of the coming-of-age ritual, depending on the tribe. For the most part, girls have their rite of passage with the first menses and boys have theirs at the age of fourteen or fifteen. Both boys and girls are separated from the tribe to spend several days alone fasting. The hunger teaches the child patience and discipline. The isolation allows the child to stay completely focused on their goal, which is to have a dream or vision. This could take anywhere from four to fourteen days.

Girls stay in a wigwam made by their mothers away from the tribe, and after their vision, return to a feast. They are welcomed back with someone saying: "You left as a girl; you return as a woman. We sorrowed when you departed, leaving behind a girl we had grown to love. We rejoice at your return, new and different. Through you, the people will live."

Today in the United States, boys do not usually mark the transition. For girls, periods are kept very private and rarely spoken about, unless the family welcomes womanhood with a special gift, meal or celebration. When you celebrate a coming-of-age, you are acknowledging: the shift in the relationship between parent and child, the ties betweens friends and the path the person will take as an adult.

Many teens start assuming many of the responsibilities their parents had for the first 12 years. Parents may begin to shift some of the money management decisions to the teen. Some will ask teens to do more chores around the house, including helping with laundry and cooking. Some teens begin to make their own doctors appointments, and most become responsible for their own homework and time management.

Relationships with peers change as well. Friendships may change less frequently than they did in middle school. Interests are solidified and friends are important emotional supporters and social allies. Teens spend much of their free time with their friends, and those friends influence many of their decisions about participation in church, clubs, sports and other social activities.

No matter what their focus will be, teens begin to spend more time away from home. You can design a ritual that focuses on both the joy of the childhood they have experienced and the beginning of the transition into adulthood. Developing a ritual opens the conversation about how relationships and people will change in the coming years. Not everything happens at once, but there is a definite change beginning--one that teens may feel insecure about but families can embrace it instead of dread.

Buffalo Burgers

2009-02-27T13:14:00.000-08:00

Buffalo Burgers are lower in fat than regular ground-beef burgers.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or rosemary or oregano (only 1/2 teaspoon if you used dried)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons horseradish
1/2 teaspoon tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound buffalo meat (can be found in the meat section of grocery stores -- in a square package)
4 hamburger buns
4 leaves of lettuce
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
Dill pickles slices
Ketchup
Mayonnaise

Preparation

In a skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Fry the diced onion until soft, about five minutes.

Let the onions cool while you put the spices, horseradish, mustard, salt, pepper, and buffalo meat into a bowl.

Add the onions to the mixture and then make into four patties.

Heat patties in skillet or on the grill for about 10 minutes, turning once so they are no longer pink in the middle.

Toast the buns, put on condiments of your choice, add lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles and viola -– you have made a buffalo burger.

Teen Skin Care Workshop

2009-02-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Palo Alto Medical Foundation is hosting a Teen Skin Care workshop for both boys and girls designed to help devise a skin care routine that leads to a lifetime of healthy skin. The instructor covers acne, shaving, sun protection and makeup. You'll have a chance to try out different products. At the end, you can ask questions, and receive product recommendations.

Times:
Saturday, February 28, 2009 10:30 - Noon
Saturday, September 26, 2009 10:30 - Noon

Fee:
$20 per person

Location:
Palo Alto Medical Foundation Mountain View Center
701 E El Camino Real, Floor 3
Mountain View, California
650-934-7373
Email

For more information, visit our Health Education site.

Strawberry Banana Milkshake

2009-01-28T15:04:00.000-08:00

By Marlana Jean Shile

This is a great after-school snack or dessert treat. Unlike a big bowl of ice-cream, this milkshake is low in sodium and fat.

Ingredients
6 frozen strawberries, chopped
1 medium banana
1/2 cup soymilk
1 cup fat-free vanilla frozen yogurt
2 fresh strawberries, sliced

Preparation

In a blender, combine the frozen strawberries, banana, soymilk and frozen yogurt.

Blend until smooth.

Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.

Dating Violence and Abuse

2009-01-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Although many people can't imagine being in an abusive relationship, one in three teen relationships involves violence. Most of these teens don't tell their parents, and don't know where to seek help. Abuse affects people of every gender, race, class, sexual orientation and nationality.

Adolescents and adults are often unaware about how regularly dating abuse occurs. Here are some statistics about dating abuse and how common it is:

One study by Choose Respect found that one in four adolescents reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse each year.

Recent studies shows that one third of teens experience some form of abuse in dating relationships.

More than half of the teens surveyed know of someone who has been abused.

For more information on dating violence, refer to the following Palo Alto Medical Foundation Web sites:

Forms of Abuse

Dating Violence Cycle

Myths of Dating Violence

Abusive Romantic Relationship

Scuba Diving As A Hobby

2008-12-23T12:01:00.000-08:00

By Surya, Middle School Writer

Scuba diving is like escaping into a different, underwater world. Once you are certified, you can go anywhere in the world and dive.

If you think you might like scuba, give it a try. Most diving centers have "try scuba" classes in a pool, with professional divers to help you. If you like it, you can begin the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification process.

You need to be 13 years old to do a PADI class, as I did, but if you are 10 to 12 years old, you can sign up for a "traditional" class at a local dive center. In a PADI class, you will learn controlled swimming ascents, buddy breathing in case you or a buddy are out of oxygen and knowing how to properly weight yourself in fresh and salt water.

Once you know the information, then there are at least two pool dives, a swimming test, and finally four ocean dives (in one weekend). You will be tested to make sure you are safe, can navigate in poor visibility conditions, and can do everything correctly and safely underwater without perfect conditions.

You can rent much of the equipment, but you will need your own mask, fins and snorkel. When you go to try on wet suits, do it on a cool day -- I got blisters trying mine on during the summer! Wet suits should be hard to get on because they have to fit you tightly or you will be cold under the water because of the loss of heat, which causes hypothermia.

Read more of Surya's Scuba Diving article.

True or False: Is It the Stomach Flu or Food Poisoning?

2008-12-01T17:23:00.000-08:00

By Liza Marinaro
High school student writer

According to Dr. Dean Edell, there is no such thing as the stomach flu. It's possible that a stomach upset may be due to a virus, but most are bacterial, usually from something eaten. Food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and shigella are very common throughout America, only two of the many bacteria that have this possible effect.

Also, the term "stomach flu" is technically incorrect. The word "flu" refers to influenza, a viral infection of the respiratory system (where and how you breathe). And of course, there is no respiratory system inside your stomach, so therefore it is impossible.

Remember that Snopes.com: Rumor has it is a great place to check things out that just sound bizarre.

Can Fast Food be Nutritious?

2008-11-14T11:45:00.000-08:00

Just how common is fast food in America? There are more than 500,000 fast food places in the world. Ninety-six percent of kids in school could recognize an image of Ronald McDonald, the face of McDonalds. The only recognizable figure that ranked higher was Santa Claus. To top it off, Americans spend nearly $100 billion on fast food every year.

Unhealthy Fast Food

Most people don’t consider fast food as their healthiest option. While you can eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal at a fast food restaurant, the unhealthy options are more common. You can easily eat all of the calories they need for the entire day in one sitting at a fast food restaurant.

Eating fattening fast food on occasion is not a problem. However, if you are eating at fast food restaurants more than once a week, consider ordering some healthier options that are more nutritional. Check out these fast food comparisons. You might be surprised at what you find!

Nutritious Fast Food

Increasingly, fast food restaurants offer healthier options and new menu items. You can also customize your order to be healthy for you. To cut down on the calories and extra fat in many fast food options, try some of the tips listed below.

Don’t order the biggest sizes. While it may seem like a bargain to super-size your order, it is no bargain for your health. The largest sizes have the most fat, calories, sugar and sodium, and you will probably be just as satisfied with a smaller portion.

Take the sugar out of your drink. Sugar soda is full of sugar and calories, but it does not fill you up. It is important to stay hydrated, but make a smarter choice and select skim or low-fat milk, fruit juice, diet soda or water.

Go easy on the condiments. Sauces such as mayonnaise, tartar sauce, some spreads or salad dressing can add loads of extra fat and calories where you might not need them, as can cheese, sour cream, guacamole, gravy and "special" sauces. Order a sandwich without the condiments, or ask for them on the side so you can add your own. Most places give you more salad dressing than you need, so add it yourself and don’t use the whole packet. Chose low-fat or reduced fat options when possible. Salads are a healthy option, especially with a healthier dressing.

Stay away from fried foods. Generally, fried foods are not the best choice. Choose items that are labeled as grilled or baked.

Go for the kids menu. The portions are smaller, and you can usually make substitutions. Another option is to bring half of what you order home to eat later instead of all in one sitting.

Choose from the items labeled as "healthy" or "light." Most places now offer special sections on their menu.

Fast food does not have to be bad for you. By making smart choices, eating fast food restaurants can be healthy.

Interview with Dr. Sally Harris about ACL Injuries

2008-11-07T13:31:00.000-08:00

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The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (the ACL) is one of the four ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. Without the ACL, many people feel as though their knee is "giving way" and they cannot walk comfortably.

In this interview, Dr. Sally Harris of the PAMF Sport Medicine Department talks about treatment options for ACL injuries.

How does this injury happen?
Dr. Harris: This injury is specific to sports that involve starting, stopping, pivoting and turning with some speed -- particularly in sports like basketball, soccer, volleyball, football, field hockey, skiing and lacrosse. There are two ways the injury happens:

Landing on an overly straight (hyper-extended) knee.

Pivoting the leg inward (internal rotation) with a foot planted, without the foot pivoting as well. This can happen in contact and noncontact injuries.

How is this injury usually diagnosed?
Dr. Harris: Usually there is significant swelling, and there are only a few injuries with this amount of swelling. There is an exam maneuver done to test for looseness of the ligament (if it is firm it is not torn, and if it is loose, it is likely torn), and an MRI is usually done to confirm the diagnosis.

How is this injury typically treated?
Dr. Harris: If the injury is in an adolescent who intends to go back to sports that involve pivoting, s/he will need surgery. If the injury is in an older person, the injury may not need to be repaired.

What is the recovery like if this injury is treated with surgery?
Dr. Harris: The patient will need to be on crutches for about one week, and have physical therapy twice a week for a month. Then they can start biking, jogging, and swimming, but need to wait approximately four months before going back to the sport that requires any pivoting or turning. This is because the surgery includes adding some new ligament, which will get weaker before it gets stronger and takes this long to heal.

How can teens prevent an ACL injury?
Dr. Harris: This is really a hot topic because ACL tears are much more common in female than male athletes. There has been a lot of research done about why this is the case, and the results suggest that it is not because of the physiology or hormones of the female body. Instead it is more likely to be:

Muscle imbalance in the thigh. The quadriceps muscles overpower the hamstring muscles, which need to work together to straighten (extend) and bend (flex) the leg.

The way female athletes move during their sport, remaining more upright with their knees less bent than their male counterparts. This puts the ACL in a vulnerable position.

Prevention programs include 15 minutes several times a week training to learn how to:

Stop and start keeping the knee straight over the foot. This avoids the knock-knee position that makes the ACL vulnerable.

Keep the knee straight over the foot while standing on a block and jumping.
Strengthen the hamstring muscles.

Read more about Sports Injuries on the PAMF We're Talking Teen Health Web site.

Virginity and First-Time Sex

2008-10-29T14:29:00.000-07:00

There is no doubt about it: sexual pleasure is one of the best feelings in the world. Most people's first experience with sexual pleasure and orgasm is through masturbation. There are many feelings and opinions about "getting off" through masturbation (sometimes referred to as solo sex). For more information read our page on Masturbation and Sexual Pleasure.

What about sexual activity with someone else? Whether it is your first kiss, touching, oral sex or "going all the way," sexual activity with a partner is a powerful experience. There are choices to be made about how far you go and what responsibility you have to protect your partner and yourself from disease or pregnancy. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation "We're Talking Teen Health" Web site has information about these issues.

Virginity
If you want support for keeping or "reclaiming" your virginity, read the articles below.

Defining Virginity: What does "virginity" really mean?
Second-Generation Virginity: Do you wish you had your virginity back? You're not alone.
Not Everyone's Doing 'It!': The number of teens having sex has decreased over the past decade.
Gender Pressures and Virginity: Do men want it more than women?

Preparing for the 'First Time'
What should you consider if you're "ready"? We offer comprehensive advice.

Ready or Not?: Ask yourself if the time is right for you.
Getting Prepared: Find a comfortable location and familiarize yourself with birth control.
The Big Moment -- What the First Time May Be Like: It may be wonderful, disappointing or even painful.
Common Disappointments with Sex: What are some common issues that may arise during sex?

Sugar and Other Sweeteners

2008-10-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

By Christina Ma

Do you often find yourself craving sugary foods and drinks? You are not alone, because all humans are born with a "sweet tooth." Historically, a preference for sweet foods gave our ancestors an advantage: high energy, sugar laden, carbohydrate-rich roots and plants helped them survive for longer periods during food shortages.

While we no longer a need to forage for food, we have retained a taste for it. The average per capita sugar consumption has risen 25 pounds a year over the past five decades.

Sugars are part of the simplest group of carbohydrates. Monosaccharides are the smallest, simplest sugars that form polysaccharides, which are longer chains of sugars. Glucose and fructose, which are monosaccharides, are the main molecules that provide fuel for the body's cells.

Other Types of Sugar
Common white sugar is pure sucrose and naturally colorless; brown sugar is sucrose with molasses. Other natural sweeteners include:

Honey: Honey is a mixture of plant nectar and traces of natural enzymes produced by bees. Honey is 20 percent water, 30 percent glucose, 40 percent fructose, and 1 percent sucrose (all are different types of sugars).

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup contains 33 percent water, 60 percent sucrose and naturally present particles.

Dextrose: Dextrose is crystalline glucose made from starch, and is commonly used in sweetening baked goods and deserts.

Maltodextrin: Made from starchy corn, potato, or rice, maltodextrin is used to sweeten many canned fruits and snacks.

Corn Syrup: Corn syrup varies in the amount of dextrose present. Therefore, it is impossible for consumers to know the glucose content in the "corn syrup" on ingredient labels.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup: This is fructose, or fruit-sugar-enriched corn syrup, that has been processed to hold as much dextrose as possible. Because it is inexpensive, it is frequently used to sweeten carbonated soft drinks and canned fruits.

Read more of Christine's Sugar article.
Read Christine's articles on Artificial Sweetners and Natural Sweetners.

From the Doctor: Lice in your life

2008-10-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

By Elizabeth Lee, M.D.

The school year is upon us. Time to see old friends and meet new ones. New teachers, new rules, and new bugs? Or is that old bugs?

Probably the most dreaded of the school-acquired infection is lice. Just the mention of it makes people wince and scratch. It is likely that more elementary school children are affected by head lice more than any other communicable disease, other than the common cold.

Usually topical insecticides such as permethrin, pyrethin and malathion have been used to treat lice. But lice are becoming more resistant to these treatments.

Here is the protocol we use at PAMF for lice.

Comb out all Cetaphil possible, first with coarse detangler comb, then with a fine comb. You may then finish combing with a nit removal comb (the LiceMeister comb is best). This part is optional, and only necessary if your child's school has a "no nits" policy. Otherwise, it adds a lot more work, and does not increase the cure rate.

Dry the hair with a handheld hair dryer.

After waiting eight hours or more, shampoo with your regular shampoo.
Repeat this weekly, up to three treatments, or until no more nits or lice are found. Nits more than one-half inch from the scalp are empty egg cases and are not contagious.

Bedmates should be treated as well.

If you want to remove nits, wrap the hair in a towel soaked in white vinegar for 30 to 60 minutes to loosen nits. Then comb the hair with a nit comb.

To eliminate transmission in the home, wash all potentially contaminated items (bedding, clothes worn in the last three days, hats, towels, stuffed animals, etc.) in hot water (less than 120 degrees)> Alternately, dry clean the items or store them in sealed plastic bags for two weeks (the longest period nits can survive without contact to a person). Immerse combs and brushes in boiling water or soak in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

Note: this is a suggested treatment and we cannot guarantee results. If there is a recurring rash, reappearance of nits or lice, or sores on the scalp or skin, see your doctor.

Check out PAMF's Word from the Doctor for more health information.

Field Hockey

2008-10-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

By Marlana Jean Shile
College student writer

Field hockey is an organized team sport and a lot of fun to play. It's different from ice hockey or roller hockey. It's played with 11 players on a side, including a goalie. The set up is very similar to soccer except that the goalies wear a lot of padding and the game is played using sticks and a ball.

Field hockey is not as popular as other sports, but it is getting more common. Your school may have a team or there may be a local club that you can join.

Playing
The goal of field hockey is to score more goals than the other team. There is one goalie and 10 field players divided into three lines, similar to soccer. There are defenders, midfielders and forwards. Unlike soccer, there is no "off-sides" and you can’t touch the ball with any part of your body. The only thing that can touch the ball is one side of your sick.

Stick Skills
The stick is a tricky part of field hockey because it is very short and you can only use one side of it to dribble. The stick is rounded on one side and flat on the other. You can only use the flat side to dribble, stop and hit with. Your stick should not come up higher than your ribs.

Hitting
In order to hit the ball you have to change your grip on the stick. Bring your hands together like you would swing a golf club at the top of the stick. When you hit the ball you want to follow through with your stick in the direction you want the ball to go. Try not to swing too high because that is a dangerous foul.

Stopping
To stop a field hockey ball widen your grip to give yourself more control. Watch the ball closely and bring your stick very low to the ground. Make sure you angle the stick forward towards the ball so it won't pop up and hit you.

Skills
Field hockey takes a lot of hand-eye coordination and teamwork. Stick skill is important in moving the ball up and down the field and in scoring. Learning how to read the play and follow the ball are also important skills in field hockey.

Protection
The ball and stick are very hard so you should always wear shin-guards and a mouth-guard. You can find both at most sport equipment stores and some drugstores.

What other hobbies can you try?

Lymes Disease: Thoughts about Ticks

2008-09-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

By Elizabeth W. Lee, M.D.

These early fall days are a perfect time for hikes in the parks and woods. Before you go –- some thoughts about the bugs living in the forest. Many people worry most about ticks and Lyme disease.

So, how much should you worry? If you live on the Pacific coast, not too much. Lyme disease is most commonly found in the northeastern United States. It is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted by the deer tick, called Ixodes scapularis. On the West Coast, the tick is the Ixodes pacificus.

The bacteria can only be transmitted from the tick to a human after it has been attached and feeding for two to three days and mainly by a tick in its immature or nymphal stage. This is usually in the spring to early fall months, about May to August.

If you see a tick and remove it soon, you are very unlikely to get infected. Again, it has to be the right tick and it has to be on you for enough time. Most people who get Lyme disease never remember getting a tick bite, but may have been in an area for a period of time where infected ticks live (again, happens more commonly in the Northeast US).

What can you do to protect yourself? Wear long sleeves and longs pants that you tuck into your socks. You can also use bug repellent. The most effective are the ones with DEET. Be sure to check with your parents about how to use this safely. And most important -- after you get out of the "tick area" -- do a whole body check for ticks. Especially important to check are the hair and ears, as sometimes you can miss something there.

If you do find a tick -- don’t worry! Have an adult remove it with fine-tipped tweezers. If you think the head is still attached, just use some disinfectant such as rubbing alcohol to remove it. The actual tick bite can cause an initial red rash, which will go away, and doesn't have anything to do with Lyme disease. If you feel sick and get a rash about seven to ten days later, then you should talk to your doctor. Identifying the tick and getting blood tests usually isn't helpful.

Remember prevention is the key -- and not getting freaked out! If you have questions, you should talk with your doctor.

Read more at the PAMF Preteen Web site

Creative ideas for getting more fruit and veggies into your preteens!

2008-09-22T11:25:00.000-07:00

As a kid who has grown up eating lots of veggies and fruit without a fight, I thought I would share a few of my mom's and my favorite ideas with you!

Add a can of coconut milk to rice right after it finishes cooking and serve with frozen or fresh mango slices.

Mix yogurt with slightly frozen berries, especially blueberries.

If you like crunchy, mix the yogurt with the berries, and add a bit of cereal or granola, tasty way to get calcium if you do not drink milk.

Rice with pineapple slices. Good warm or cold.

Smoothies.

Sweet potatoes (mashed) with a small amount of brown sugar in them, and marshmallows toasted on the top (Mom says -- marshmallows are for holidays only)

Green beans sautéed a minute with butter and garlic (works with spinach too)

Sweet carrots -- add a little butter or brown sugar to the carrots after they are cooked

Read the rest of this article on PAMF's preteen nutrition page.

Molten Mocha Cake

2008-09-15T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 cup semisweet (or dark) chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1 (15.8 ounce) box Pillsbury Fudge Supreme Double Chocolate Premium Brownie Mix
2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur or strong brewed coffee
12 fresh strawberries
12 fresh mint sprigs
1 quart vanilla ice cream

Preparation:
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Grease 12 (2 3/4×1 1/4-inch) nonstick muffin cups. In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and butter. Microwave on High for 45 to 60 seconds or until melted, stirring every 15 seconds until smooth. Cool 5 minutes.

2. In large bowl, combine eggs and egg yolks; beat with electric mixer at high speed for 4 to 6 minutes or until foamy and doubled in size. Keep the chocolate syrup packet from brownie mix out – you will use it at the end. Gradually add brownie mix to egg mixture, beating until well blended. Fold in melted chocolate chip mixture and liqueur. Divide batter evenly into greased muffin cups. (Cups will be full.)

3. Bake at 400 degrees Farenheit for 10 to 14 minutes or until edges are set/hard. Do not overbake. Centers will be soft. Cool 2 minutes.

4. While cakes are cooling, drizzle chocolate syrup from packet onto each individual serving plate. Run knife around edge of each cake to loosen. Invert warm cake over chocolate on each plate. Garnish each serving with strawberry, mint sprig, and ice cream.

Yield: 12 servings

Teens and Sports

2008-09-12T13:42:00.000-07:00

Playing sports helps you stay in shape, teaches you how to organize your time, boosts friendships and builds relationships with your peers and adults. Through athletics, you gain skills that can best be acquired on the court, track or field.

Friendships: Playing sports enables you to create friendships you otherwise might not have formed. Sports bring teens together from different schools, backgrounds, and communities. Many times, the friendships you create on the field remain intact even when you are not playing sports.

Family: The fans on the sidelines are one of the most important parts of the game. The constant support of your parents helps you to feel good about yourself and strengthens your connection to them. As a teen, it is not always easy to find time to spend time with your parents. Sports give you and your parents time to appreciate one another.

School: It’s a common misconception that being both a student and an athlete is hard if not impossible. Participating in sports can actually have a positive impact on school. Sports force you to organize your time so that you can both go to practice and finish your homework. The key is finding a balance. If you can learn to organize your time then you can succeed in both.

To read more about teens and sports, visit the PAMF Teen Sports page.