The most sedentary: Teens and those 60+
In a study conducted as part of the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 12,529 Americans ages 6 to 85 wore devices designed to measure their movement — movement of all types, not just exercise — during the course of one week. The study’s goal was to determine how one’s level of physical activity changes over time. The results... READ MORE
The pressures beauty standards impose
Many people are brainwashed into buying into our culture’s steady message about what is attractive. Teenagers like myself are certainly encouraged by society (and our peers) to look a certain way. Women, we’re basically told, should be equipped with shiny, long hair, dark eyelashes and a slim waist, while men should be tall, lean and muscular. These standards of “beauty” are... READ MORE
Bullying can affect older adults, too
What do you think of when you hear the term “bullying?” Perhaps you envision a small child being beaten up by an older boy on the school playground, or a group of middle school girls gossiping about the “nerdy” kid in class. But bullying isn’t limited to these types of scenarios as much as stories in the media may suggest. In fact, bullying is not experienced solely by the... READ MORE
Eating disorders can eat away at all of us
Have you ever glanced into a mirror, given yourself a once-over, and thought, “I hate the way my body looks?” Imagine feeling this way every day of your life. Whether it’s anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating, an eating disorder can have a profound and dangerous impact on one’s health. In fact, an estimated 10 million men and 20 million women in the United States experience a... READ MORE
Consider a second career in childcare
Fed up with the inflexibility of the typical public-school curriculum, and passionate about working with children, PJ Lents of Palo Alto, Calif., founded the Periwinkle School — a “young 5’s” program for children transitioning from daycare to kindergarten — that she operates in her own home. Referring to her own school-age rebellion against the lack of creativity and... READ MORE
Local students envision a winning city
If you could design a city that facilitated aging, what would you include? Students at the Edlin School, a private school in Reston, Va., did just that — and recently won a first-place award for their innovations. Students Vinay Ayala, Lucas Ribeiro, Nikhita Kuntipuram and Nikhil Kuntipuram recently competed in the 26th Annual Future City Competition. This contest, open to sixth... READ MORE
Communicating across the generations
Alexis Bentz is a high school student who writes for the Beacon about ways older adults and students can learn from each other and develop better communication. All humans have an innate need for connection. We crave social interaction and thrive when we are surrounded by friends and loved ones. At the same time, we also have a natural fear of putting ourselves out there to make new... READ MORE
Be a happy camper with your grandchild
If you attended a camp as a child or teenager, you might remember the meaningful experiences you enjoyed, or the long-lasting friendships you forged. You may also yearn to go back to those days of s’mores, sing-alongs and summer sun. The good news? Just because you are no longer a kid doesn’t mean you can’t go to camp. There has been a recent increase in the number of... READ MORE
