Prayagraj: With lifestyle-related disorders and mental health concerns rising rapidly among adolescents, leading pediatricians and adolescent health experts stressed the urgent need for early intervention during the “preteen” years at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme organised in Prayagraj.
The event, focused on “Preteen Behaviour,” was jointly organised by the Adolescent Health Academy, Prayagraj, and Indian Academy of Pediatrics Prayagraj branch. The programme witnessed active participation from pediatricians and healthcare professionals from across the city.
Experts at the CME emphasized that the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) defines the “Preteen” or “Tween” age group as children between 8 and 12 years — a crucial developmental phase that can significantly influence long-term physical and mental well-being.
Doctors highlighted growing concerns over increasing cases of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, depression, screen addiction, and other mental health disorders among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years. According to specialists, many of these issues can be prevented or minimized if healthy behavioural patterns are introduced during the prepubertal years.
The experts noted that the preteen stage provides a critical opportunity for parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals to guide children towards balanced lifestyles involving healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, responsible screen usage, emotional well-being, and self-care practices.
Delivering the keynote session, Dr. Shalini Bhasin, President of the Lucknow Academy of Pediatrics 2025 and a senior adolescent health expert from Lucknow, shared insights drawn from her 35 years of clinical experience.
Speaking on the topic “Rebellion or Disorder: Decoding Pre-Pubertal Behaviour,” Dr. Bhasin discussed the psychological and behavioural changes commonly observed in children approaching adolescence. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between normal developmental behaviour and early signs of emotional or behavioural disorders.
The session also included expert inputs from Dr. Ritu Jain and senior consultant Dr. Ajai Gopal, who highlighted the role of parental counselling and early behavioural guidance in reducing future health risks among adolescents.
The organisers stated that the objective of the CME was to encourage pediatricians to identify behavioural and lifestyle concerns at an early stage and equip parents with practical strategies to support children during the sensitive transition from childhood to adolescence.
Medical experts attending the event agreed that preventive intervention during the preteen years could play a major role in building healthier future generations and reducing the burden of chronic lifestyle and mental health disorders in society.
