Articles tagged with Adolescents
A 28-year study tracking over 500,000 adolescents in the US found a decline in substance abuse, except for an increase in cannabis and vaping use. Low social engagement and participation in structured activities were key predictors of substance abuse avoidance.
A school-based educational program successfully lowered mental health stigma among Black and Latinx adolescents, particularly eliminating disparities among girls. The intervention was more effective than contact alone, but showed variation in outcomes among boys of color.
A recent study published in Radiology found persistent lung damage on MRI scans in children and teens who recovered from or have long COVID. Lung function and structure show signs of dysfunction, with V/Q matches indicating impaired air and blood flow.
A study by researchers from UTHealth Houston and the University of Miami found that adolescents with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery before age 22 lost significant weight and experienced complete remission of comorbidities such as diabetes, asthma, and elevated lipids. The study's results show that these young patients c...
The study found that nearly 9% of Americans aged 12 or older experienced a past-year major depressive episode. Depression was particularly common among adolescents (16.9%) and young adults (17%), with increased prevalence among various demographic groups, yet low help-seeking rates remained consistently low.
Non-traditional lifestyle interventions, such as physical activity, sleep habits and nutrition, can effectively reduce depressive symptoms in adolescents. These interventions are cost-effective, versatile, and can be implemented by both licensed and non-licensed providers.
A new study found that teenagers' exploration of their environment is associated with enhanced psychological well-being and larger social networks. Higher levels of exploration are also linked to increased risk-taking behaviors.
A synthetic prophylactic gel developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology has shown promising results in lab tests, with a 70% effectiveness rate against HIV and an 80% effectiveness rate against herpes.
The Regional Transition Navigator program aims to connect youth and young adults aged 14-25 with needed resources, emphasizing those at risk of homelessness, human trafficking or substance use disorders. The program's long-term goal is to teach problem-solving skills and provide support for a healthier transition into adulthood.
Adolescent children from marginalized backgrounds exhibit poorer subjective visual function and worse objective visual acuity testing outcomes. These racial and socioeconomic disparities are concerning indicators of potential long-term vision problems.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that air pollution may trigger irregular heart rhythms in healthy teenagers, with exposure causing arrhythmias to occur within two hours. The research analyzed data from over 300 adolescents and found a significant impact of fine particulate matter on cardiac ...
Researchers found that standard scoring tools missed cases of depression in teenagers with Type 1 diabetes, leading to lower sensitivity. They recommend adjusting cut-off scores to detect depressive symptoms more accurately.
Scientists found that adolescent rats consuming low-calorie sweeteners like saccharin and stevia exhibited long-term impairments in memory. The researchers used real-life conditions and multiple low-calorie sweeteners to determine the effects on brain function and reward-motivated behavior.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that children who experience a mild traumatic brain injury are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems. The study, which analyzed data from thousands of children, revealed a 15-percent increased risk of these problems in kids with a mild TBI.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a significant increase in years of life lost to unintentional drug overdose among adolescents, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to the rising trend. Researchers found that mortality due to unintentional overdose in adolescents reached an all-time high in 2020.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) states that screening for type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic children and adolescents under 18 has insufficient evidence to support a recommendation. As of 2018, approximately 23,000 children and adolescents had type 2 diabetes, with incidence rates rising.
A study led by Arizona State University Professor Gabriel Shaibi found that a community-based program combining education and exercise significantly improves the health of Latino children at risk for diabetes. The program, which included 117 families from around the Valley, provided culturally focused lessons on healthy eating and phys...
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that children exposed to cannabis in the womb continue to exhibit increased signs of psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety. The study, which followed over 10,500 children, revealed no significant changes in psychiatric condition rates as they aged into adolescence.
A study published in Injury Prevention found that adolescents who experienced a concussion in the past 12 months were 25% more likely to be in poor academic standing. This association was stronger with a history of repeated concussions, and varied by race/ethnicity.
A recent study found that nearly half of men and one in five women engaged in 'bulk and cut' cycles, connected with a greater desire for muscularity. The study also linked this dietary method to symptoms of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia among participants.
A new study by UC Berkeley neuroscientists simulated food insecurity in juvenile mice, finding lasting changes in learning, decision-making, and dopamine neurons. The stability of the food supply during young age affects cognitive flexibility in adulthood.
The Healthy-Day-App assesses time use patterns in children and predicts outcomes on body fat percentages, wellbeing, and academic performance. Shifting screen time to physical activity results in improved health outcomes, including 4.2% lower body fat and 2.5% better wellbeing.
A study of 543 children and teenagers found that those whose parents preferred a language other than English were twice as likely to wait more than 90 days for surgery. The researchers urge orthopedic departments to provide more equitable care for non-English speaking families.
A new study by a global team of researchers has revealed subtle alterations in the size of the brain's prefrontal region in young people with mood disorders and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The study suggests that these associations may be absent or more difficult to identify in more diverse samples.
A new study published in Information, Communication and Society journal found a strong link between economic inequality and problematic social media use among adolescents. The research, involving over 179,000 schoolchildren from 40 countries, suggests that new strategies are needed to reduce the impact of deprivation on social media use.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior reveals that parents' eating behaviors play a significant role in shaping their teenagers' emotional eating habits. The research found that restrictive feeding practices and monitoring food led to increased emotional eating, while a parent's restrained eating beha...
A new study led by a 16-year-old scientist found that certain ultra-processed foods, such as candy and pastries, can lead to increased consumption of other unhealthy foods among teenagers. Reducing consumption of these 'gateway' foods may help reduce overall unhealthy food intake and positively impact health.
A study of Irish teenagers found that those whose parents smoked were 55% more likely to try e-cigarettes. The proportion who had tried e-cigarettes increased from 23% in 2014 to 39% in 2019. This trend is concerning, as vaping can lead to nicotine addiction and other health problems.
Research suggests that arterial stiffness increases blood pressure in adolescents due to insulin resistance, not body fat. Healthy lifestyle choices like exercise and a balanced diet may help lower blood pressure in this age group.
A study by researchers at the University of Cambridge found no difference in motivation or enjoyment between adult and adolescent cannabis users and non-users. Cannabis use was not linked to apathy, anhedonia, or brain response to rewards. The findings contradict common stereotypes portrayed in media.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that youth engaged in digital self-harm are 5-7 times more likely to have considered suicide and 9-15 times more likely to attempt it. The research highlights the importance of screening for digital self-harm to address underlying mental health issues.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that better glucose control can improve brain structure and function in youth with Type 1 diabetes. The findings indicate that participants using a hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system showed significant improvement in key brain metrics compared to those receiving standard care.
A new study found that 41% of teenagers can't tell the difference between true and fake online health messages. The researchers suggest focusing on health literacy and media literacy training, as well as skills like analytical thinking and scientific reasoning to help teenagers spot editing cues.
Researchers found that adolescents with faster dental biorhythms (5-6 day cycle) weighed less and gained less weight over 14 months. Those with slower biorhythms (7-8 day cycle) produced the greatest weight gain, suggesting a link between tooth growth patterns and metabolic rate.
Research from the University of Georgia found that physically active high school students were 23% more likely to use e-cigarettes than their less active peers. The study linked physical activity levels to risk of e-cigarette use among American adolescents.
Research found that adolescents with faster dental biorhythms (five or six-day cycle) weighed less and gained less weight than those with slower biorhythms. This discovery provides a new avenue for exploring links between childhood overweight and adult health risks.
Past-year marijuana use reached its highest level since 1988, with past-month use also increasing. Hallucinogen use surged to an all-time high, while nicotine vaping prevalence nearly tripled among young adults in 2021.
A new study estimates that over 5.5 million U.S. adults used hallucinogens in the past year, with a significant increase in LSD use between 2002 and 2019. The study found that PCP use decreased during this period, while Ecstasy use also declined since 2015.
Researchers estimated long-term effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 infection and critical infections among 3.2 million South Korean adolescents. The study found high vaccine effectiveness in preventing severe illnesses.
A new study found that over half of participants engaged in at least one 'cheat meal' per year, associated with binge-eating, compulsive exercise, and fasting behaviors among men. Women's engagement was linked to all seven types of eating disorder behaviors.
A Kaiser Permanente study of over 250,000 patients found that those infected with COVID-19 used more healthcare services in the 6 months following their infection. The study revealed a 4% increase in encounters, including virtual visits and emergency department visits, resulting in over 27,000 extra encounters.
A monoclonal antibody, mepolizumab, decreased asthma attacks in Black and Hispanic children and adolescents living in low-income urban neighborhoods. The study identified three networks of genes associated with airway inflammation and asthma attacks that were reduced by the drug.
Mothers with personality disorder symptoms have a higher likelihood of insecure attachment with their adolescents, who are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and substance use problems. Maternal recalled experiences with caregivers also play a mediating role in this relationship.
A new study suggests targeting early adolescent impulsivity could prevent later behavioral disorders. The research found that adolescents with high levels of impulsivity in early adolescence were at risk for developing antisocial personality disorder and alcohol use disorder.
A study found that higher empathy in adolescents is linked to lower odds of cyberbullying others based on their race, religion, or other identity factors. Cognitive empathy was the key factor in reducing bias-based cyberbullying.
A study by researchers at Keck School of Medicine found that flavored oral nicotine products, such as gum and gummies, are increasingly popular among US teens, with 3.4% having used them at least once and 1.7% in the past six months. The use of these products was more common among Hispanic teens, teen girls, and LGBTQ+ teens.
A study of 482,000 children and adolescents found no link between state laws limiting opioid prescriptions and the receipt of these prescriptions. Alternative strategies, such as youth-specific guidelines, are needed to address this public health concern.
The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine demonstrated high levels of protection against emergency department and urgent care encounters related to Delta and Omicron variants. A third dose improved protection against Omicron beyond initial two-dose efficacy, emphasizing the importance of boosters for adolescents aged 12-17.
A new study has examined the relationship between physical activity and body fat in children, finding that increased body fat leads to less physical activity in boys, while no such link was found for girls. The researchers also found a link between sedentary lifestyle and body fat in boys.
A Michigan Medicine study found that patients who received preoperative education on opioid risks and nonopioid pain management options consumed significantly less oxycodone, with only 16 doses used despite similar pain scores. The results suggest a multimodal approach to managing pain can reduce harm and prevent substance use disorders.
A new breath-driven hand prosthesis offers a lightweight, low-maintenance option for children and those in low-resource settings. The device is powered by the user's breathing and provides simultaneous control and actuation, with minimal maintenance required.
A consensus paper by heart health experts highlights the importance of a healthy lifestyle in preventing high blood pressure in children and adolescents. The document recommends dietary changes, regular physical activity, and family involvement to promote healthy habits and reduce the risk of hypertension.
A new study co-authored by economist Dr. Reto Odermatt found that educational and occupational aspirations are important predictors of career success, with ambitious goals motivating people to invest more in their future career success. However, unrealistically high aspirations as a teenager can have negative effects on well-being as a...
Arterial stiffness in adolescence is a novel risk factor for hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in young adulthood and mid-adulthood. Risk factors include maternal smoking habits, early life smoking patterns, high salt intake, genetic inheritance, obesity, and elevated blood pressure from childhood.
A study published in Pediatrics found that there is no consistent medical definition of growing pains, with over 93% of studies not referencing growth or age. The condition's vague and contradictory definitions raise questions about its connection to growth and cause.
A study found that Black adolescents experienced high rates of online racial discrimination, which predicted worse mental health outcomes. The researchers suggest that recognizing online spaces as impediments to mental growth and well-being is crucial.
A study found that cannabis use and daily use are more common in US states with recreational cannabis laws compared to those without. Cigarette smokers in these states have even higher rates of cannabis use.
According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, adolescents were found to have a significantly higher incidence rate and relative risk of COVID-19 infection from wild-type SARS-CoV-2 compared to older adults. The study analyzed data from the start of the pandemic through fall 2020 across 16 of the 19 states examined.
A substantial increase in eating disorder diagnoses was found among Norwegian girls aged 6-16 after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding is consistent with similar increases observed in North America, suggesting an international trend.
A recent study published by The BMJ confirms previous reports that myocarditis is rare but cases are highest among young males shortly after a second dose of mRNA vaccine, especially Moderna. The risk of myocarditis or pericarditis might be lower when the second dose is given more than 30 days after the first dose.