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12-18 years: Teen

Parents with teen daughters often describe the same experience: their daughter receives a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and suddenly a constellation of symptoms — irregular periods, persistent acne, unexpected weight changes — finally has a name. There’s relief in that moment, but still some confusion. And now, you may start hearing a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This new name is far more than a simple rebranding, however. It signals a profound evolution in how clinicians understand what’s actually happening in the bodies of millions of girls and women living with this condition. For parents especially, the new name can help make sense of symptoms that may have felt disconnected from one another. Whether your daughter has already received a PCOS diagnosis or you’re still searching for answers, here’s what this change means, and what you need to know. Why is PCOS now called PMOS? For […]

Every year, 13 million Americans — including teenagers — contract HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly every sexually active person will get an HPV infection at some point in their life. Most infections clear up, but some persist and develop into cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent this, yet many parents remain uncertain about whether or not to vaccinate their children. For some, it’s fear of side effects. For others, it’s concerns about why it needs to be given so young, and even the implication of saying yes. If you’re a parent trying to make the best decision for your child, here are answers to the most common questions and concerns about the HPV vaccine. What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some strains of HPV cause warts, and […]

Supporting a growing athlete starts with understanding one key principle: performance nutrition isn’t about exotic supplements or complicated meal plans. The good news for parents of young athletes is that fueling your competitor is simply about eating the right balance of quality foods for the right activity — from training to post workout recovery to the big game. While athletes do need strategic nutrition to support their performance, the foundation is the same balanced, wholesome eating that benefits everyone in your family. Sports nutrition is really just smart, consistent healthy eating — with a few key timing adjustments. Building Blocks of Sports Nutrition Carbohydrates: The Primary Energy Source for Young Athletes Carbohydrates are found in foods like pasta, rice, bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. They are the body’s preferred source of energy during a workout. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into sugar and used immediately for energy, while […]

As the world changes and technology develops, kids have more and more access to the internet and social media. In fact, 50% of 11-year-olds have a cell phone and upwards of 90% of 14-year-olds have one. It can be incredibly challenging to figure out how to navigate tech, especially when many parents of teens didn’t even have social media to use at that age. But there’s no opting out of dealing with social media for teens. As a parent, you may have read some of the recent books and articles about the dangers of creating anxiety or affecting teen mental health by allowing kids to have phones. The data is pretty clear that kids who have increasing use of social media, especially Snapchat, tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety. Parents are looking for answers to understand, and somehow remedy: How does social media affect mental health? Still, […]

People often assume that natural products are harmless or non-addictive. However, natural products can have side effects just like pharmaceuticals. In March 2025, Botanic Tonics’ CEO reported that Feel Free had surpassed a quarter of a billion dollars in annual sales profitability during its third year. According to NielsenIQ data, as of July 2024, Feel Free held the No. 1 spot for eight consecutive quarters in the ‘Shelf Stable Energy & Supplements in Convenience’ category. By August 2025, Botanic Tonics stated it had sold over 129.7 million servings of Feel Free. Yet, despite its commercial success, some users have begun to question the product’s true cost, with some even referring to it as “Feel Trapped” due to concerns over dependency or side effects. What are the ingredients in Feel Free CLASSIC? Unlike pharmaceuticals, natural products like Feel Free aren’t subject to rigorous regulation, leaving consumers uncertain about their actual composition. […]

Many teens enjoy how they look with a fresh tan. To keep that glow year-round, some turn to tanning beds believing it’s a safer or easier option than sunbathing. But here’s the truth: research shows that tanning beds are actually more harmful than natural sun exposure. How Tanning Beds Work and Their Risks Tanning beds use florescent lights to emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation that darkens the skin. The UV exposure stimulates melanocytes — cells in the skin that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning. While it may seem like a simple process, tanning beds expose the skin to high levels of UVA and UVB radiation. While early detection is important, prevention is key. Just 10 minutes in a tanning bed exposes your teen’s skin to concentrated UVA and UVB rays that are often much stronger than natural sunlight — these rays penetrate deep, damaging the DNA in skin cells. […]