I found an article titled "Smoking, physical activity, and diet in North American Youth" from the Canadian Journal of Public Health. This article basically states the problems and risk factors associated with today's youth health. There are many causes and reasons for today's unhealthy population, but the main cause is unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. There is a growing concern for youth health because the majority of these unhealthy behaviors can be prevented.
             Smoking among adolescents has increased in North America over the past decade. The average age that children smoke their first cigarette is around 12 years old (O'Loughlin, Tarasuk). The number one reason children begin smoking is to look cool. Other reasons include depression, weight control and stress management. Although many attempts have been made to reduce youth smoking through prevention programs and health warnings, little progress has been made.
             Research shows that during adolescents girls smoke more than boys. This is due to mainly maintain weight and deal with stress. Around the age of 16 daily smoking begins, and the earlier one starts the harder it is to quit (O'Loughlin, Tarasuk). Nicotine dependence is the reason people get addicted to smoking. Recent research is being conducted on nicotine dependence and the level of exposure that causes addiction.
             Not only is smoking a problem in the youth population, but physical inactivity is as well. Around 35% of youth do not participate in any level of physical activity, and this percentage is slowly increasing (O'Loughlin, Tarasuk). This is mainly due to the media and technological boom. Children spend four hours a day with technology on average. Other reasons include reduction of physical education classes and increased time in automobiles. Children should be engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least three times a week for at least 20 minutes eac...