Your Checkup Checklist: 16 Years Old

Is it time for your 16-year-old's yearly physical and health screening? This exam will cover a wide range of issues, so you and your teen should prepare together. Here's what to expect, including the questions your teen's doctor might ask.

Key issues for 16-year-olds

• Fears about the future. Your teen may be driving or taking public transportation on their own, giving them more control over their schedule. Careers and college might be front and center as they work on their qualifications. Still, all this activity can mask a sense of dread in many young people. Pressure to perform can lure them toward the perfectionism they might encounter in sports and social media. Teens might also wonder how they can survive in a world where mass shootings, natural disasters, wars and cultural conflicts destroy so many lives.
  
  
• Body image. Flawless, AI-enhanced images of celebrities can make young people feel ashamed of their bodies. Countless studies link body anxiety to extreme workouts, disordered eating and crippling anxiety in teens, who are just beginning to learn who they are socially and sexually. Feeling awkward or unattractive can spark anxiety in any teen, but those who face cultural or racial stereotypes that distort beauty standards may need extra support.
  
  
• Digital health. Most teens are immersed in the online world, prompting concerns about what excess screen time does to growing bodies and brains. If you haven't created a family media plan yet, now's the time. Your 16-year-old can contribute to family-wide guidelines on social media, gaming, video streaming and more. A conversation about safe and unsafe uses of AI should be part of the process.
  

What to expect at your 16-year-old's yearly checkup

Many teens prefer to meet with the pediatrician on their own, at least for part of the visit. Find out what your child prefers and encourage them to make a list of questions they'd like to explore. (The doctor will make time for your questions and concerns too.)

Your teen's doctor may ask:

• Do you enjoy school? If not, what makes school hard for you?

• Any big changes in your life lately? (Examples: moving to a new school or neighborhood, family conflict, loss of a loved one due to divorce, separation, death or illness)

• Do you feel good about yourself most of the time? Why or why not?

• Do you have at least one trusted adult you can go to for support?
  
  

Your get-ready checklist

✅ Immunizations

Pediatricians and family doctors recommend a yearly flu shot for teens. A review of your child's health record might show they've missed vaccines for meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) or human papillomavirus (HPV). If you're worried about vaccine risks, be sure to air your concerns. Your child's doctor can support you in making informed choices that feel right for your family.

✅ Physical health

Your 16-year-old's checkup will include a full physical exam. Tests might include a lipid profile to check for high cholesterol and a vision screening if your child wears glasses or contact lenses.

Depending on your teen's overall health and other factors, the doctor may also screen your child for:

• Anemia (low iron in the blood)

• Tuberculosis

• Hepatitis B

• Sexually transmitted diseases
  
  

Questions the doctor may ask your teen:

• Have you been to the emergency room since your last checkup?

• Do you get at least one hour of exercise a day?

• Do you spend a lot of time online? Any problems stopping when it's time?

• Do you smoke, vape, or use smokeless tobacco?

• Have you experimented with alcohol or drugs?
  

• How much sleep do you get? Any problems falling or staying asleep?
  
  

✅ Emotional and mental health

The body and mind are one integrated system. This is why mental health is an essential part of your 16-year-old's checkup. The doctor may ask your teen:

• Do you ever feel sad or helpless? When? How long does it last?

• Have you ever had thoughts of ending your own life?

• Are you sometimes so anxious or angry that you don't know what to do?

• How do you cope with stress?

• Have you ever felt bullied or threatened by anyone?

• Do you get into physical fights sometimes? Has anyone ever hit or hurt you?

• Has anyone ever touched you in a way that didn't feel right?
  
  

✅ Sexuality

Sex is a crucial topic for older teens. By age 16, around 30% of females and 34% of males in the U.S. have had intercourse. Open conversations about pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and consent become part of regular health checks. Kids who identify as LGBTQ+ may feel especially awkward discussing these topics, especially if they haven't come out yet. Pediatricians take extra steps to make kids feel comfortable discussing sex as part of their overall health.

Questions your teen's doctor might ask include:

• Are you sexually active?

• If yes, do you practice safe sex and pregnancy prevention?

• If not, do you ever feel pressured to have sex? How do you handle it?

• Has anyone ever touched you in a way that felt wrong? How did you protect yourself?

• Do you watch pornography online? Does it change how you feel about sex or your body?
  

✅ Healthy eating

Most 16-year-olds have active, independent lives—which makes it hard to monitor what they eat or drink. Modeling and encouraging good choices can still help teens improve their diet. Make sure they know that healthy eating helps build a healthy body—with the bonus of clearer skin and brighter smiles.

Planning meals and snacks together can reinforce these messages. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and other nutritious choices should fill your family table. What teens drink matters, too, so talk with them about the impact of caffeine, sports or energy drinks and sugary options that cause cavities and contribute to unhealthy weight.

Your pediatrician will ask questions about nutrition, including some that look for signs of disordered eating. This is not a judgment on your child's weight, diet or struggles with food. It's a proven way to screen for mental health conditions that can harm health and even claim lives if they're not treated early.

The pediatrician might ask your 16-year-old:

• What foods do you love to eat? Any you would NEVER eat?

• Do you skip meals sometimes? How often?

• Do you count calories, carbs or fat when you eat?

• Do you sometimes work out to burn off a big meal?

• Do you drink plenty of water each day?

• Any questions or concerns about your weight or body shape?

  
  

✅ Safety

• Online. Teens spend hours every day on the web, with smartphones giving most kids continuous access. Doctors may ask teens about experiences with online predators, porn sites, sexting and more. They also screen for signs of digital addiction that can disrupt young lives and concerns about unsafe use of AI.
  
  
• At home. Gun safety is a crucial topic for every family, not just those who own weapons. This is why your pediatrician may ask if your child has access to guns at home or through friends and family. Gun accidents can claim lives and lead to lifelong disabilities, so don't hesitate to talk with other parents and families about keeping kids safe. Keeping teens safe at home also means protecting them near home swimming pools and trampolines. Set clear rules for outdoor fun and require everyone, including guests, to follow them.
  
  
• Away from home. Teens who live near lakes, rivers or beaches need to know the rules of water safety and sunburn prevention. Helmets, pads, mouthguards and other athletic equipment are a must for keeping young bodies safe. If your 16-year-old drives, here are effective ways to discuss road safety with them and use our parent-teen driving agreement to set expectations.

In discussing safety, your child's doctor may ask:

• Have you ever tried drugs or alcohol, alone or with friends?

• Do you feel safe in your neighborhood? Why or why not?

• Have you been bullied online or at school?

• Do you know how to get emergency help for yourself or a friend?

• Do you feel confident saying "no" to something that feels dangerous?
  
  

✅ After your visit: communicating with your child's doctor

Your teen's health is your pediatrician's first priority. When you're concerned about a specific issue—from screen time to sexual issues—talk with your child's doctor. If needed, they can refer you to specialists who focus on the issue that worries you. They can also help you find community health resources that will benefit you, your child and your family.

More resources

• Sex, gender identity and puberty: helpful insights for families

• Finding mental health care for your child

• How to talk with your teen about drugs & alcohol
  

• Social media, body image & self-esteem
  

• Parent-teen driving safety agreement