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Departments: Health All adolescents struggle with issues surrounding sexuality and sex. But the pressures on gay and lesbian youth are far greater due to the isolation and confusion many suffer. Paul Sathrum of NEA's Health Information Network spoke to Karen Anderson and Dusty Porter of the American Psychological Association on health issues affecting gay teens. Do gay teens face more significant health
issues than other youth? For example, a national study on adolescent health indicates that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth reported higher levels of emotional distress, greater use of marijuana, and earlier sexual debut. Gay and lesbian youth are at higher risk for using alcohol and other drugs, becoming a teen parent, and of having made a suicide plan or attempt. Most alarming is the significant rate of HIV infection among young men with same-sex partners. From July 1998 to June 1999, 50 percent of all HIV diagnoses among adolescent males aged 13-19 were attributed to this. Why is it so critical to recognize the specific
needs of gay students? Gay teens often report a sense of isolation and lack of visibility, and the fact that relatively few messages are targeted to gay teens compounds their sense of isolation. For example, what does the message of "abstinence until marriage" say to a gay teen? One possible conclusion they may come to is, "I don't have to wait because I won't be getting married." By not developing messages that are specific to gay teens, we potentially could be placing them at greater risk. It is important to note, however, that many gay and lesbian teens have sophisticated coping and resiliency skills, according to recent studies. These students use a broader range of coping resources than their heterosexual peers and may be more likely to develop greater interpersonal problem-solving skills. Realistically, is it possible to identify
students who are gay? But we do know that gay and lesbian youth are coming out at earlier ages. Only a few years ago, the age of self-disclosure was between 18-22. Now gay youth are coming out as early as age 12. This trend may be due to increased media visibility and availability of resources such as the gay, lesbian, and straight student organizations that are forming to help young people attempting to deal with their sexual orientation. What can schools and school staff do to address
the health issues of gay and lesbian youth? Remember, as with other sensitive social issues, we may never fully agree on issues around sexuality. But we must create a safe environment for all students. Resources:
Squeezing Fitness into Your Busy Day
Finding out she was at-risk for heart disease gave Barbara Pollack the jump-start she needed to make time for fitness and weight loss. "Who has time to exercise?" thought Barbara Pollak, an English-as-second-language teacher in New Jersey. She was too busy doing what busy educators do: teaching all day, grading papers at night, and caring for her own children when she got home. But with a little creativity, and help from an at-work weight program, Pollak--who splits her time between Clark Mills and Pinebrook schools in the Manalapan-Englishtown regional district--has found great ways to "sneak" exercise and nutrition into her hectic schedule. "I used to eat two hamburgers in one sitting," she recalls. "And exercise was for other people, not me." But when she learned she was at-risk for heart disease, Pollak made the decision then and there to live healthier. "I started reading whatever nutrition and exercise materials I could get my hands on and did a lot of research on the Internet," says Pollak, who has since dropped two dress sizes and lowered her blood pressure and cholesterol. She learned about appropriate portion sizes, moderation, the importance of drinking water, and just how fun exercise could be. "I use my prep period to do crunches in the corner, and I try to take a brisk 20-minute walk around the school neighborhood at lunch," she says. "If the weather is bad, I walk in the halls around the school. I've actually been known to join in the children's gym classes, especially if they are jumping rope." Pollak also squeezes in fitness at night and on weekends--enough to meet her goal of at least 30 minutes of exercise three to five days per week. She takes a folk dancing class, walks four miles with her friends every Saturday, swims, and lifts hand weights while watching TV. She also bikes the four miles to her weekly meeting in good weather. "I'm not an exercise freak, and I'm not one of those people who can live on salads," she says. "Even though it's taken me the better part of two years, I've learned you can be more fit at size 14 than models who are size 2. I'm proud that eating healthy and exercise now have a place in my daily routine." As proof, Pollak found herself longing for crunches after a six-week recovery following surgery. "I couldn't wait to exercise," says Pollak, "because I wanted that overall healthy feeling I get knowing I've done something good for me." Easy Steps1. Do sit-ups during your prep period or break. If you don't have a carpeted area, bring a yoga mat. 2. Use soup cans for weights. They're just as good as dumbbells. 3. Tape exercise shows on TV to provide new routines and moves. 4. Don't keep your exercise machines in the basement--you'll make excuses not to use them. 5. Bring healthy snacks to school and take the time to eat them. 6. Sign up for E-mail tips on Web sites such as E-diets, Prevention Magazine Online, and Weight Watchers. --Dina S. Gómez Quick TipBy Cindy Brune
Cindy Brune, guidance counselor at Iowa's Wilton Elementary, conducts motivational talks on fitness and stress reduction. cbrune@mail.wilton.k12.ia.us From the NEA Health Information Network
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Think
it's too hard to find time to exercise and eat right? Take heart from one
NEA member who has found a will, and a way.
On
eating differently, exercising more, and reducing stress:
