4. Obesity and Youth

For obese children, life can be tough and troubled. Youth with serious weight problems often face social problems and may have trouble fitting in. In addition, they have higher rates of depression and behavior problems. If your child is overweight, be aware of his or her self-esteem, and offer assistance in helping your child overcome the weight issues as well as the other issues that may come with it.

5. Troubled Kids and Self-Esteem Issues

For many troubled youth, self-esteem can be a problem. There are numerous ways to help your child build a healthy self-esteem. Be positive, and give them opportunities to both succeed and fail. And be sure you point out that you do not expect perfection from your child – you just want him to try.

6. Kids, Trouble and Free Time

Kids can find their way to trouble in any number of ways. But when children have plenty of unsupervised free time, they can easily find ways to stumble into problems. Your child should know that you keep track of him, and that certain behaviors are off limits, no matter what. 

7. Перечитайте текст, сосредоточив внимание на его важнейших деталях, и выполните нижеследующие задания.

7.1. Выберите правильные варианты ответов на поставленные вопросы (на каждый вопрос – только один правильный ответ).

1. How do some troubled teens and preteens express themselves through risk taking?

a) they take chances with their own safety

b) they try having sex

c) they try binge drinking

d) both “a” and “c”

e) “a”, “b” and “c”

2. What kinds of substance abuse do many preteens engage in?

a) underage drinking

b) smoking

c) abusing inhalants

d) using drugs

e) all of the variants given

3. What are the main signs of depression?

a) pulling away from friends

b) trouble sleeping

c) changes in eating habits

d) “a”, “b” and “c”.

e) both “a” and “b”

4. What problems may be caused by obesity?

a) social (communication) problems

b) depression

c) behaviour problems

d) both “a” and “b”

e) “a”, “b” and “c”

5. What are the ways to help a child build a healthy self-esteem?

a) to be positive

b) to give opportunities to both succeed and fail

c) to expect perfection from a child

d) both “a” and “b”

e) “a”, “b” and “c”

7.2. Заполните таблицу, посоветовав, как следует поступить в каждой из предложенных ситуаций.

What should one do…
1	…if their child stumbled into trouble?
2	… if their child wants to self-express through risk taking?
3	… if their child shows the signs of using alcohol or drugs?
4	… if they suspect their child to be suffering from depression and anxiety?
5	… if their child has serious weight problems?
6	… if their child has a low self-esteem?
7	… if their child has a plenty of unsupervised free time?

7.3. Определите, истинно или ложно каждое из нижеперечисленных утверждений (относительно текста). Пометьте каждое предложение как “T (true)” или “F (false)”. Откорректируйте ложные утверждения.

1. Parents, teachers, and other adults can help troubled youth by being supportive, and by setting fair limits.

2. Risk taking is usually more common among teens than preteens.

3. Many parents believe that the risks of smoking, underage drinking, and drugs are reserved for teenagers.

4. Depression and anxiety is not so difficult and challenging when it strikes not children but adults.

5. Physical activity can help with depression and anxiety symptoms.

6. For obese children, life can be tough and troubled.

7. Your child shouldn’t know that you keep track of him.