Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A University of Otago study found that screen use before bed does not significantly affect youth sleep, but using screens while in bed severely disrupts sleep patterns. The study suggests reevaluating sleep guidelines to accommodate modern lifestyles.
A study of over 5,000 Australian high school students found that those with severe depressive symptoms were more than twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes. The research highlights the urgent need for effective mental health support to prevent vaping onset during early adolescence.
Vultures, like young humans, explore new sites and socialize frequently when they're young. However, as they age from around 10 years old, they scale back on socializing and prefer to stay at the same roosting site, similar to humans who tend to stay home.
A recent study reveals racial disparities in cancer stage at diagnosis and survival for adolescents and young adults, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to achieve cancer care equity. The findings support health policy and funding implications, emphasizing the importance of addressing these disparities.
A new NIH-funded study found minor changes in youth mental health overall, but significant variations depending on age, race, gender, and pre-existing mental health. Children with clinically significant problems before the pandemic improved, while others experienced declines or no change.
Researchers found that intensive outpatient group- and family-based CBT that integrates telehealth can lead to significant improvements in pediatric anxiety and OCD symptoms. The hybrid model showed lasting gains for children even after treatment ended, with most families continuing to meet with clinicians after discharge.
Obesity-related cancer rates in China have risen sharply among young people, with an alarming 3.6% annual increase between 2007 and 2021. The trend is particularly pronounced among those aged 25-29, highlighting the urgent need for better public health policies to address China's growing overweight and obesity rates.
Researchers developed a tool to identify high-risk children and adolescents with pediatric postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), also known as long COVID. The study found that symptoms differed by age group, with some similarities but distinct patterns across childhood ages.
A study of 1,300 emerging adolescents found that higher parental technoference levels were associated with increased anxiety symptoms, inattention, and hyperactivity. The findings highlight the need for parents and emerging adolescents to discuss digital technology use and mental health as part of routine care.
A study reveals that memories of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns predict declines in psychological well-being among children and adolescents. The research found that adolescent females fared the worst, with memories containing more factual information about COVID-19 predicting more robust declines in mental health.
A new study finds that policing incidents are linked to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization among young people in heavily policed neighborhoods. The association is stronger in neighborhoods with a larger proportion of Black residents and persists even after controlling for crime levels.
A panel cohort study found that increases in depressive symptoms in adolescence persisted into young adulthood. This suggests a pressing need for intervention and support during the adolescent years to prevent long-term mental health issues.
A long-term study analyzing sugar intake among children and adolescents in Germany found a decline in free sugar consumption since 2010, but average daily intake remains high. The study suggests that awareness campaigns may have contributed to the decline, while age groups showed varying levels of sugar intake.
A study found that children who went to bed later and slept fewer hours during childhood and adolescence were more likely to try alcohol or marijuana by age 15. The researchers suggest that improving sleep in the school-age population could lead to improvements in other aspects of health, such as decision making.
A new multi-site randomized-controlled study evaluates an innovative healthy relationships program for teens. The study found the program may have influenced abstinence but not relationship communication, highlighting the need for tailored program components to address unique environmental contexts.
A cohort study found that childhood and adolescent depression symptoms were associated with impaired adult psychosocial functioning. The study highlights the importance of screening and monitoring children and adolescents for depression to inform policymaking regarding young adult mental health and psychosocial outcomes.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will test a multilevel intervention, FinFit, to address financial hardship among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. The five-year trial aims to reduce financial burden by targeting education, insurance, and financial asset levels.
A tailored, interactive text message intervention was found to increase self-reported vaping cessation rates among adolescents recruited via social media channels. The program effectively reduced dual use and prevented teens from starting to smoke.
The study found that sugary drink intake among children and adolescents increased by an average of 23% from 1990 to 2018, with the largest increases seen in sub-Saharan Africa. The global average intake was 3.6 standard servings per week, with significant variations by region, age, sex, parental education, and rural vs urban residence.
A new study from the University of Illinois examines the interpersonal effects of racial discrimination on parents and their adolescent children, finding that interactive effects of exposure to discrimination lead to increased psychological distress and lower levels of family support. The researchers identify four clusters of responses...
A cross-sectional study of 13,000 pediatric emergency department visits found that school reopening after a COVID-19 disruption was associated with an increase in acute psychiatric emergencies. School stress may be a significant factor in youth mental health, highlighting the need for further investigation into mediating factors.
The study found a disproportionate increase in female suicide rates relative to male preteens between 2001 and 2022. Suicide was the 5th leading cause of death among both males and females during this period.
A study of nearly 150,000 young people found a strong association between breakfast consumption and life satisfaction. Regularly eating breakfast was associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, while skipping breakfast was linked to lower life satisfaction scores.
US adolescents have reported decreases in both medical and nonmedical use of prescription medications between 2009 and 2022. The study attributes these changes to factors such as revised prescribing guidelines and COVID-related school closures.
Researchers evaluated the implementation of a virtual driving assessment in primary care settings, resulting in promising initial results with over 75% of teens recommending the assessment to friends. The tool measures driving skills in common serious crash scenarios, providing personalized feedback to families on areas for improvement.
A new national study found that leaving phone notifications on leads to less sleep compared to turning the phone off or keeping it outside the bedroom. Adolescents are highly sensitive to phone notifications, which can disrupt their sleep patterns.
Researchers are studying brain connectivity and hormonal changes in adolescent girls to predict who will develop migraine headaches. The study aims to identify the girls at risk of developing the condition, which can help develop new interventions and preventive strategies.
A new virtual driving assessment model integrated into primary care has shown promising results, with 77% of teens agreeing to recommend it to friends and wanting to retake the test. The assessment provides personalized feedback to identify risks and areas for improvement, addressing a leading cause of adolescent morbidity and mortality.
A Rutgers Health study found that Black LGB adolescents experienced the highest rising rates of suicidal ideation and bullying in NYC youth. Compared to their heterosexual peers, these trends are at least double, with bullying linked to increased suicidal thoughts and attempts among all adolescents.
A new study found that children who move multiple times between ages 10 and 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who don't move. This effect is stronger than growing up in an income-deprived neighborhood, suggesting a settled home environment may protect against future mental health issues.
A new report highlights a troubling trend: while global adolescent fertility rates have significantly declined, sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing an increase in teen births. The region's share of global adolescent births surged from 12% in 1950 to 47% in 2020 and is projected to reach a majority by 2035.
A new study found that UK adolescents consume a majority of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, with consumption highest among deprived backgrounds and younger teens. The high intake is associated with negative health impacts, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A new study highlights the importance of friendships in supporting young people who self-harm, while also considering the potential negative impact on friends' own mental wellbeing. The review recommends that adults should extend support to young people who disclose a friend's self-harming behavior.
A new study found that adolescent boys respond aggressively when they believe their masculinity is under threat, particularly in environments with rigid, stereotypical gender norms. The researchers suggest challenging restrictive norms and social pressure to prevent the development of 'fragile' masculinities.
A short-term reduction in leisure-time screen media use within families was found to positively affect psychological symptoms of children and adolescents. This effect was particularly notable in mitigating internalizing behavioral issues and enhancing prosocial behavior.
A Mediterranean diet-based intervention has been shown to optimize cardiometabolic biomarkers in children and adolescents. The study found that this dietary approach can help improve cardiovascular health in young people, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
The University of Toronto has introduced comprehensive guidelines for healthcare professionals to address muscle-building supplement use among adolescents and young adults. These guidelines focus on assessment and harm reduction strategies to better support young individuals engaged in the use of these supplements. Healthcare professio...
A study published in Nature Mental Health found associations between prenatal cannabis exposure and potential mental health conditions in childhood and adolescence. Researchers identified potential biological mechanisms, including reductions in neuroinflammation, that could explain this association.
Nearly 20,000 US youth deaths could be avoided if US infant mortality rates matched those of 16 comparison countries. The study highlights the need for improved healthcare and interventions to reduce US youth mortality rates.
A large international study reveals that most Asian and European adolescents do not seek professional help despite having high levels of mental health problems. In middle-income countries, less than 1% of adolescents with severe mental health issues sought formal help.
A new study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that increased social media usage 18 months into the pandemic had a negative effect on college students' mental health. Students who spent more time on social media were more likely to experience depression and anxiety.
Research emphasizes the impact of parental factors on offspring's health outcomes. The study discovered a significant association between parents' weight status at 17 and their children's risk of obesity. This finding suggests that health issues can be inherited across generations, with parental characteristics playing a crucial role.
Research reveals a lack of training and resources for US caseworkers to address online safety concerns, resulting in prioritization of physical safety over emotional and social well-being. The study proposes socio-technical systems to improve online safety for foster youths.
A study by JGU found that adolescents (14-20 years) are more satisfied with being single than their counterparts ten years ago. The researchers attribute this to the growing normalization of singlehood and changing attitudes towards romantic conventions among younger generations.
A study published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience found that high-quality friendships among adolescents are strongly associated with resilient functioning in early adulthood. The researchers used brain imaging scans to examine neural responses to social exclusion, revealing a link between better friendship quality and po...
Researchers found associations between childhood cognition, adolescent crystalized intelligence, and midlife fluid intelligence with DNA methylation age acceleration. A 1-unit increase in adolescent PPVT was associated with a 0.048-year decrease in aging.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that military stress can lead to feelings of guilt among service members about their work impacting family life. The researchers analyzed data from over 200 military families and discovered that when fathers reported struggling with military demands, they perceived their work as not enri...
A new study, led by University of Notre Dame researcher Santosh Kumar, evaluates the relationship between anemia and school attendance in India's adolescents. Contrary to previous research, the study found no significant link between anemia and attendance after accounting for household factors.
The USPSTF recommends providing or referring children and adolescents with a high body mass index (BMI) to comprehensive behavioral interventions. Approximately 19.7% of US children aged 2-19 have a BMI at or above the 95th percentile, with higher prevalence among Hispanic/Latino, Native American/Alaska Native, and lower-income families.
Researchers found a negative association between highly processed food consumption and healthy eating among Japanese children and adolescents, with confectioneries positively correlated. The study suggests that reducing processed food intake could be beneficial for public health.
A newly developed adolescent health questionnaire has been successfully adapted across pediatric primary care, increasing discussions about sensitive topics such as tobacco use, sexual behavior, and mental health. The questionnaire has improved data collection rates, with up to 95% of visit records capturing information on these topics.
A study found that neural balance, measured by the E/I ratio, is associated with brain maturity and better cognitive ability. Research suggests that as children develop, their E/I ratios decrease, leading to improved performance in cognitive tests.
Patients with anorexia nervosa have a 4.5-times higher risk of dying compared to the general population, with psychiatric conditions doubling this risk. The presence of these conditions is also associated with a 1.9-fold higher risk of 10-year mortality in individuals diagnosed at age 6–25 years.
A new study found that adolescents with higher rates of prediabetes often experience adverse social determinants of health, such as food insecurity and low household income. Screening for these non-medical factors may help identify youth at risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes.
Children and adolescents with acute SARS-CoV-2 or MIS-C and severe neurological manifestations are at high risk for long-term impairment. Early intervention and screening may be beneficial to assist recovery.
The study found that 1 in 5 children and adolescents experience excess weight, with rates varying by region. Excess weight is linked to multiple factors, including inherent, behavioral, environmental, and sociocultural influences.
A new study finds that adolescents with higher levels of social anxiety symptoms are more likely to report increased suicidal thoughts and depressive symptoms two years later. Early intervention for social anxiety may be crucial in preventing these mental health issues.
A new study at the University of Toronto reveals a significant association between photo filter use and increased symptoms of muscle dysmorphia among adolescents and young adults. The research found that frequent use of photo filters is linked to greater muscle dissatisfaction and overall muscle dysmorphia symptoms, particularly among ...
A new study found that circadian misalignment in teens is associated with increased carbohydrate intake and sedentary behavior. The research involved 377 adolescents and showed that a later sleep schedule was linked to greater carb consumption and sedentary behavior.
A Finnish study found that adolescents with higher blood pressure and arterial stiffness exhibit poorer cognitive functions, particularly attention and learning. The study also reveals interesting sex differences in the associations between blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and cognition in adolescents.