Q: My 15-year-old son started taking Ritalin for his ADHD when he was 8. Now I hear more kids are trying drugs at younger ages. Is he at greater risk for drug abuse or addiction because he's been taking this medication?
—Lynda M., Springfield, Indiana
A: Back about 10 or 12 years ago, some people thought this was a real possibility, but since then studies have shown that kids who start on prescription ADHD meds, such as Ritalin or Adderall, when they're young are not more likely than other kids to become addicted to other drugs as they become young adults. (And yes, a recent study from the University of Michigan Medical School reveals that kids 16 to 19 are trying stimulants for the first time at higher rates than we previously thought.) But the kids who are at risk? Those without ADHD who use and abuse such ADHD medications to boost study time (it doesn't increase retention) or to get a buzz.
So where are they getting them? Often from pals who legitimately take the meds for ADHD. If a teen, like your son, has been taking ADHD medications for a long time, chances are his classmates know. This could make him popular for the wrong reasons. Some studies show that around 25 percent of adolescents who have an ADHD prescription either share or sell it, and about one in 14 report that they've had their meds stolen.
So we suggest that you and all parents of kids taking ADHD medications talk to your child about the risks of giving a classmate their medications. Peer pressure is very difficult for some kids to contend with. But with the right information and support from you, Mom, and your dedication to increasing your child's self-confidence, he will be able to deflect such requests effectively. That's how to keep him, his friends and his medications safe.
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Q: You had a column recently about standing/sitting classroom desks being healthier for kids. Wouldn't the same be true for us grownups at work? We need to do something!
—Frank V., Toledo, Ohio
A: We've got lots of ammunition to help you convince your boss that the smart, healthy option is to upgrade your workstations to what's being called a stand-based setup. When you and your colleagues spend more time on your feet, you'll increase productivity and reduce medical costs.
Some background: In North America, 70 to 95 percent of adults are inactive. And most don't come close to getting the 150 minutes of physical activity a week that's the minimum requirement for staving off everything from obesity to cancer.
The health benefits: A 12-year retrospective analysis of data from the Canada Fitness Survey shows that standing two or more hours a day significantly reduces risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and four hours a day provides the most risk reduction. Other studies show that two to four hours of standing time at work can slash the risk of diabetes and heart disease in half, reduce cancer risk by 17 percent and substantially reduce mobility problems associated with weak muscles and back strain.
The furniture: In the British Journal of Sports Medicine, a panel of experts looking at health risks associated with sedentary jobs said their top choice for office desks is an adjustable-height desk that allows standing, sitting and perching on a high stool.
The economic benefits: If your company were to institute a corporate wellness program -- standup time and standing desks are a valuable part of that -- they could realize major savings. The Institute for HealthCare Consumerism looked at 42 published studies on the economic impact of company-based wellness programs and found that they lead to a 28 percent reduction in sick days, a 26 percent reduction in health costs and a 30 percent reduction in worker's comp and disability claims. For every dollar spent, $5.93 was saved. (Dr. Mike's Wellness Institute is a leader in helping companies establishes such programs.) This should help you stand your ground.
(Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen at [email protected].)