Your 15-year-old child's well-child visit: Let's be aware of this!

If you have a big child in your house now, that is, a young child of about 15 years old, then this article will be very important for you. There are special things that need to be taken care of for the health of children at this age. So, today we will talk about what happens and what is discussed when you go to see a doctor, that is, when you go for a well-child visit. Let's try to understand this simply as if you were talking to a friend.

So, what happens at this doctor's appointment?

When you take a child of this age to the doctor, they focus on a few main things. Let's see what they are.

First, let's see how the child is growing and developing.

The doctor or nurse will first measure your child's weight and height . Then, using those values, they will calculate a body mass index (BMI) . Simply put, this BMI (Body Mass Index) tells you whether the child has a suitable weight for his height. All these details are recorded on a special growth chart. This will give you a good idea of ​​how your child is growing over time.

Then we look at some important things.

After looking at growth, we examine a few other important things.

• Blood pressure is being measured.
• The child's vision is checked. Sometimes an eye exam may also be performed .
• There is also the possibility of testing for hearing .

Things the doctor will ask you and your child about and advice you will give

This is a very important part of the appointment. The doctor will ask you and your child a lot of questions, and will also give you important advice. Let's see what they will talk about.

About food and drink

It is very important for children to receive good nutrition at this age. The doctor talks about this.

• You should eat three main meals a day.
• These meals should include lean protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables (at least 5 servings per day), and low-fat or fat-free dairy or fortified soy milk (3 servings per day). These are the things that provide the energy your child needs for physical and brain development.

About sleep

"Oh, doctor, he's on the phone all night, he won't sleep" – this is something many parents say.

• A young child of this age needs between 8 and 10 hours of sleep per day.
• However, with the changes in children's bodies during this time, it may be late for them to fall asleep at night. But since school starts early in the morning, they may not get the sleep they need.
• Not getting enough sleep affects schoolwork and play.
• Therefore, create a relaxing bedtime routine for your child. Make sure to turn off electronic devices like phones and computers before going to bed .

About physical activity and other work

Nowadays, many children seem to be addicted to their phones, tablets, and computers.

• A child this age should be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. That means running, jumping, and playing.
• Help your child balance screen time, which includes time spent watching TV, playing video games, using smartphones, tablets, and computers, with healthy activities like spending time with others, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
• Be a role model yourself. Set a good example for your child by exercising instead of constantly being on your phone.

About child growth and development

15 years is a time when a lot of changes happen in a child's life. The doctor talks about this too.

• If it's a girl: Most girls should have had their first period by this age. If they haven't yet, talk to your doctor about it.
• If it's a boy: At this age, he begins to show signs of puberty (pubertal development) . This means that the testicles enlarge, the penis increases in length, and hair grows in the private areas.
• Peer group influence: During this time, children feel the influence of peers very strongly. They may feel that "because others are doing it, I should do it too."
• Finding who you are: You are tempted to try different things to find out where you fit into society and what your identity is.
• Sexual feelings: It's normal to develop sexual feelings at this age. That means they're interested in dating and relationships, exploring their sexuality, and becoming aware of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Thinking differently: Even though you start to think about things abstractly and how to make decisions, you still tend to be impulsive-driven. You may not think much about the consequences of your actions.
• Temptation to do risky things: Children of this age may sometimes be tempted to do risky things without even realizing it.

Think about how new these changes are for a child. That's why they need your love, understanding, and guidance more than ever during this time.

Physical Exam

Next, the doctor examines the child's body.

• Looking at the skin.
• Listening to the heart and lungs.
• Checking for curvature of the spine.
• We also examine how puberty development is progressing.
• When doing this type of test, it is important to have a guardian or chaperone with the child. In most cases, this will be yourself.

Vaccines update

Vaccines are the best way to protect against serious diseases. So, the doctor will check if the child has received the vaccines on time. They may also give a new vaccine that is appropriate for this age. Vaccine schedules may vary slightly from doctor to doctor. So, talk to your doctor about it.

Tests as required

Sometimes the doctor may order a few more tests. For example:

• Check for anemia , that is, blood deficiency.
• Check for high cholesterol levels.
• Check for diseases like tuberculosis .
• You may also be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) .

Keep these things in mind until your next checkup (at age 16).

After the doctor's appointment, there are a few important things for you and your child to remember until next year's checkup.

I also have to take a look at school work.

• Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities at school, such as music, art, sports, and after-school clubs.
• Teach your child to take responsibility for their schoolwork. Praise them when they show talent, and help them when they are struggling.
• Talk to your child about future college or work plans .
• If your child is having trouble with schoolwork, consider whether the cause is bullying , depression , or learning or attention problems . If so, talk to your child's doctor or teachers for help.

Let's talk about the child's thoughts and feelings.

There are so many things going on in children's minds these days. They need your support a lot.

• Spend some time with your child every day. Eat meals together, do something active together, talk about things that are important to your child.
• Praise good decisions. Involve your child in family decisions.
• Make house rules, explain what they are, and what is expected of them. The consequences for breaking the rules should be fair.
• Kindly advise your child to wait until they are sexually active with other people. Explain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy , as well as the importance of birth control and condom use .
• Children should brush their teeth twice a day, floss once a day, and see a dentist every 6 months.
• Explain to your child the dangers of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drugs . Also talk about the dangers of prescription drug misuse. Praise your child for saying "no" to these things.
• Be on the lookout for signs of depression. If you have symptoms such as frequent irritability, lack of joy, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, poor grades in school, or talk of suicide, seek medical advice immediately.
• Teach your child to take responsibility for their own health. Keep doctor appointments on time, renew prescriptions before they run out, and teach them to take care of health problems.

Safety! This is very important.

We also need to think a lot about the safety of children at this age.

• You must wear a seatbelt whenever you are in a vehicle.
• When your child starts driving , set limits on the number of passengers they can carry, set limits on when they can drive at night , and emphasize the dangers of using your phone and texting while driving .
• Talk about the dangers of drinking and driving . Tell your child to never get in a car with someone who has been drinking or using drugs. Instead, tell your child that they can always call you for help.
• Remind your child to apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 (Sun Protection Factor) 15 minutes before going outside and to reapply every 2 hours. Tell them not to go to tanning beds, as they increase the risk of skin cancer.
• Make sure your child is aware of online safety, cyberbullying, and how to use social media wisely .
• Do not keep a gun at home. If you do, keep it locked up, empty, and inaccessible. Keep ammunition locked up separately. Keep the keys out of reach of children.
• If you have a problem with your living situation (e.g., not having enough food, not living in a safe place, not having health insurance), talk to your doctor about it. He or she can refer you to community resources or a social worker.

Finally, the most important take-home message

So, considering all of this, a wellness checkup for a 15-year-old is a very important thing.

Remember, your child is going through a lot of changes physically, mentally, and socially during this time. They need your love, support, guidance, and understanding more than ever.

• Talk openly with your child. Listen to their questions.
• Help develop good health habits .
• Always be aware of safety.
• Go to the doctor for checkups on time. That way, if there are any problems, they can be identified and treated early.

I hope you find this information useful. These things will help guide your child to a healthy, happy future!

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