Abstract
In the society, there are various aspects that affect well being of people more so high school teenagers. High school teenagers are highlighted in this case as they are mostly prone to peer pressure from adolescence that drives them to some of the negative vices. The negative vices discussed in this paper are: absence of exercise; tanning in the sun; inability to deal with anxiety disorders; and binge drinking. They are discussed in the form of article reviews with personal opinions on how they affect the community being incorporated.
Article 1: Exercise is Wise
Summary
The article by Mary L. Gavin titled “Exercise is Wise” highlights the importance of physical exercise to young people in college and in careers. The recommended duration of any exercise is an hour per day and results in benefits such as: preventing diseases and losing weight; looking better; helping people age well; and in improving the spirit and whole body of a person. Gavin further divides exercise into three components which must be done together for best practices. They are aerobic, flexibility, and strength exercises. Aerobic exercises are those that make the heart beat faster accelerating breathing and can easily be obtained by participating in team and individual sports such as soccer and tennis. Flexibility exercises are meant to make muscles and joint stretch and can be obtained in sports such as ballet and gymnastics. The last exercise is in strength where muscles apart from the heart are strengthened to allow them to stay active for long periods without being worn out and can be found in doing push-ups and even sit-ups.
The article further discusses the main reason as to why many young people do not exercise which is absence of interest. Once the motivation is obtained Gavin advices that young people should pick the right exercise according to their liking then they plan for it. In also doing the exercise the author further warns against excessive exercise where she recommends that the maximum limit should be five times in a week so as to give the body ample time to recover.
Opinion
The article is very relevant in our present society where young people are living unhealthy life styles. The focus has shifted to classroom education and after which they get careers which are mostly white collar jobs. This trend has resulted in young people that are inactive, a condition that has increased diseases such as obesity and type-2 diabetes amongst the youth. Therefore, the article has educated the reader on benefits of exercises. Again, amongst the youth group who exercise frequently, there are instances that they do it irregularly and inappropriately. It is because they lack knowledge and on complete exercises and therefore this article will provide a way of getting the three components of physical exercise. Furthermore, the article is representative where the author provides supporting evidences on reasons why other teens do not exercise, while other overdo it, and reasons why the youth should pick exercises that suit them. However, the article lacks credibility in the sense that there is no research or statistical evidences on benefits of exercise that would sell the notion that exercise is wise.
Article 2: Tanning
Summary
The article by Patrice Hyde discusses the common practice of skin tanning by the natural sun. The author asserts that tanning is carried out for the sole purpose of good appearances that are associated by darker skin. He highlights the mechanisms that result in tanning which is through UVA and UVB radiations that are associated with sun rays. UVB radiations cause skin burns while UVA’s are the ones that penetrate deeper in the skin stimulating melanine formation hence the major reason for tanning. However, despite the advantage of UVA radiation in causing tanning, there are downsides as illustrated in the article. The demerit of the radiations is that it causes melanoma—deadly skin cancer—when it penetrates deeper. It is also proved that the disease is diagnosed in one million people annually showing its hazard. Furthermore, in the case of UVB which causes sun burns in the outer skin, diseases associated with it are squamous and basal cell carcinoma—types of cancer. Treatments of these cancers are mainly through excisions that result in permanent scars. Further effects of tanning in the sun are premature skin aging and eye problem cataracts.
The article has also provided safer ways of tanning which are using sunscreens and sun blocks that have SPF numbers that provide certain levels of UVA and UVB protection. In case one wants to tan their body, then trauma-free tans should be used which are: sunless self-tanners; sprays; lotions; towelettes; airbrush tanning all of which contain DHA (dihydroxyacetone).
Opinion
The article is relevant in the society since there is a believe that tanning in the sun is the best way to get Vitamin D and also in getting the best dark pigment called tan which improves the physical appearance of someone. There is also the risk of UVB and UVA radiations from the sun where many people are unconsciously exposed when taking vacations, working outside, and even when just relaxing. In the community there is also lack of knowledge as to the dangers of sun tanning and as to what are the advisable methods in case one needs to carry out a tan. In taking the advice of Hyde, the community can greatly reduce rates of skin cancer associated with UVA and UVB radiations from the sun. The article is also factual and representative where there are statistical data on consequences of sun tanning and in showing what different stakeholders in the community could do in carrying out best practices in tanning.
Article 3: Five Ways to Deal with Anxiety
Summary
The article was written by Dr. D’Arcy Lyness in the intention of educating people on personal ways of combating anxiety. He lists five ways which could be discussed as follows. The first way is through mastering relaxation techniques that include deep breathing, yoga, and tai-chi all of which have a physical effect on the mind. Secondly, the author advices on having enough sleep, exercise, and nourishment. In carrying out the three activities in tandem then the brain would work at optimal peaks and avoid anxiety. Thirdly, the advice is in connecting with people who mostly are family and friends. In spending time with them and having fun, then there would be not time in thinking with upsetting things that cause anxiety. Fourthly, the advice in the article is in connecting with the environment or nature so that one can feel peaceful and grounded. Nature connection could be done with relatives and friends or as part of exercising when hiking or even walking in a park. Lastly, the advice is thinking positively even in the face of calamity. This is done by having faith that in every negative situation there is an opportunity waiting to be explored.
Opinion
The article is factual and representative of what is happening in the community presently. The author is an expert having a doctoral degree in his profession hence the theory that he proposes is accurate. However, more statistical data on researches could have been incorporated in the essay to make the article more credible and professional to academicians. The topic on anxiety prevention and cure is of major importance to the community where everyone is dealing with an issue that makes them anxious. Despite, being disturbed by issues majority people have no clue of dealing with anxiety with a few thinking that health professionals would best deal with the condition. The community has higher cases of depression, heart attack, blood pressure, and even ulcers which are largely caused by anxiety. Therefore in giving each individual the guideline to personally deal with anxiety, then the rates of diseases caused by anxiety will decline.
Article 4: Binge Drinking
Summary
The article was reviewed by Dowshen Steven, and it discuses effects of Binge drinking among high school teenagers and how it can be tackled. The article begins with a case study of two friends Chet and Dave whose relationship was greatly affected by the latter involving himself with binge drinking. Therefore the definition about binge drinking that is highlighted in the article is drinking large amounts of alcohol within a small time frame. This behaviour amongst high school teenagers has been proved to result as a result of: peer pressure; curiosity; feeling of being older; stress reducer; and a feel good substance. However, the risks associated with this vice are many and include: alcohol poisoning which ultimately result to death; impaired judgments making teens engage in risky behaviours; poor health such as high blood pressures and obesity; poor mental health; and alcoholism. Therefore since the article proves that binge drinking is very bad, it further provides procedures for dealing with the problem. The author advices that affected teens should seek help from professionals and also in speaking out to close friends so that they support the victim.
Opinion
The article is very factual and credible in that it can be used by professional in the academic field. It includes researches that act as concrete evidence in supporting the notion that binge drinking is detrimental to high school teenagers. The effects of the vice are also clearly listed hence educating the community. The topic is critical in the society since many youths are falling victim to underage drinking. Drinking is mostly accelerated by peer pressures and imitations of parents who drink. Therefore when many high school teens indulge in binge drinking, then the future of the community is at risk where they perform poorly at school, and even become irresponsible citizens in the society.
Conclusion
The four articles highlight the major hazards that affect the society. The major hazards are lack of exercise, tanning in the sun, anxiety disorders, and binge drinking. It is very important that common effort be directed in combating these risks so that the community can be safer, healthy, and productive. The articles are representative and credible in issues that affect the community as they have all been reviewed by professionals in various disciplines.
References
Dowshen, S. (April, 2009). Binge Drinking. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/binge_drink.html
Gavin, M. L. (February, 2009). Exercise is Wise. Available at:
http://www.communityradar.com/story.php?title=for-teens-why-exercise-is-wise
Hyde, P. (June, 2009). Tanning. Available at:
http://teenshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/tanning.html
Lyness, D. (October, 2010). Five Ways to Deal with Anxiety. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/emotions/anxiety_tips.html
