Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study found that asking early adolescents to evaluate the healthiness of their peers' food choices leads to significantly healthier food selections. The stage of cognitive development also plays a role, with older students benefiting more from this approach.
Researchers found that early-life inflammation weakens the brain's ability to cope with stress, leading to adolescent depression. Microglial cells overengage with neurons, reducing glutamatergic neuronal activity.
A new study found that teens with secure family relationships at age 14 provide greater empathic support to their close friends across adolescence. They also tend to receive more support from their friends, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between the two.
A study found that teenagers who have self-harmed five or more times in their life have a significantly higher threshold for pain compared to adolescents that have not. This has clinical potential as an effective test for identifying youths at the highest risk of suicide.
A new study suggests a significant increase in hospitalizations for eating disorders among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, with admissions more than doubling at one center. The study attributes this surge to disruptions in daily routines and social isolation, which may have triggered or worsened symptoms.
A research group from Universitat Rovira i Virgili analyzed the concentration of toxic elements in various sushi types, finding higher levels of arsenic and mercury in maki and nigiri. They recommend adults limit tuna-based sushi to 8 pieces a day, while infants can have 3 pieces, citing methylmercury as a major concern
A recent study published in SLEEP found that teenagers who slept only five hours per night experienced significant depression, anger, and confusion. In contrast, those who slept ten hours reported increased happiness. The study highlights the importance of sufficient sleep for adolescents to mitigate mood deficits.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center are exploring telehealth as a treatment option for adolescents with suicidal thoughts, following a $7.5 million PCORI award. The study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of suicide prevention treatment delivered by telehealth during the pandemic.
Despite significant declines in perceived availability of marijuana and alcohol, adolescent use rates remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicotine vaping, however, declined significantly, with a sharp decrease in respondents who said they could easily obtain vaping devices.
A University of Houston researcher found significant discrepancies between teenagers' dream careers and job availability in the US labor market. Most adolescents aspired to low-automation careers, but these jobs account for only 8% of available positions.
A study developed a genetic risk score to predict adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) onset and severity. The score may help identify children at risk who could benefit from preventive treatments.
A new study found that children with obstructive sleep apnea are nearly three times more likely to develop high blood pressure when they become teenagers than those without the disorder. Early treatment is crucial to prevent future cardiovascular disease, researchers say.
A new study from the University of Ottawa found that Ontario high school students are more likely to drive after consuming cannabis than alcohol, with 10% reporting driving within an hour of cannabis use. The study suggests that educating adolescents about cannabis risks may be effective in reducing dangerous driving behaviors.
A high childhood BMI is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and early heart attack in adulthood. Adults who had a high BMI in adolescence were at highest risk for these conditions, regardless of their adult BMI.
The World Health Organization and UNESCO have created global standards to embed health and wellbeing into the education system, addressing rising mental health problems. The guidelines cover policy, resources, leadership, and community partnerships, aiming to foster a holistic approach to learning and student health.
A review published in Harvard Review of Psychiatry found that cannabis use by young people with ADHD does not appear to have additional adverse effects on brain development or functioning. However, the authors note a need for further research to clarify possible effects and consider factors such as potency and frequency of use.
Researchers found a correlation between inflammatory profile and cannabis use on a daily basis or during adolescence, increasing the odds of suffering from a psychotic disorder. Immune system dysfunction can modify the association between cannabis use and psychosis.
A recent study found that cannabis use during adolescence is associated with reduced thickness in certain brain areas, according to researchers at the University of Vermont. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain structure and suggest a possible link between early cannabis use and neurodevelopmental changes.
A qualitative study found that adolescents feel helpless when exposed to secondhand racism online, with many describing it as a constant force. However, participating in activism is seen as a way to cope with vicarious racism, and may even mitigate negative emotions.
A study examines how teenagers respond emotionally to exposure to online and media-based vicarious racism. The research highlights the development of effective coping strategies to mitigate negative emotions associated with witnessing racist incidents through media. By exploring these responses, healthcare professionals can better supp...
Researchers found two subgroups of adolescents who self-harm, one with emotional and behavioral difficulties, and a second group without those difficulties but with different risk factors. The study suggests that it may be possible to predict which individuals are most at risk of self-harm up to a decade ahead of time.
A recent study examines differences in suicidal thoughts and nonfatal suicide attempts among US adolescents over the last three decades. The research highlights varying rates of suicidal ideation and behavior across different racial and ethnic groups.
A study of over 53,000 Korean adolescents found that moderate smartphone use is associated with unhealthy eating behaviors, including a higher intake of junk food and fewer fruits and vegetables. Teens who spent more than 3 hours per day on their phone were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese.
A new study found that COVID-19 in children and adolescents produces more symptoms and complications than seasonal influenza, including asthma, obesity, and rare conditions. Fatality rates were rare, with most 30-day complications being hypoxemia and pneumonia.
A new study suggests that not having any math education after age 16 can disadvantage adolescents. Adolescents who stopped studying math showed reduced critical brain chemical, which predicted lower cognitive performance 19 months later.
A recent study reveals that socially isolated kids face different risks than those who experience peer rejection. The researchers found that socially isolated kids are more likely to exhibit internalizing behaviors like shyness and withdrawal, while those in the rejected group are more prone to aggressive behavior.
A study of over 59,000 Icelandic adolescents found COVID-19 has significantly impacted their mental health, particularly among girls and older teens. Substantially lower rates of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette usage, and alcohol intoxication were also reported.
A new study found that engaged listening techniques like eye contact and praising openness help teenagers feel more authentic and connected with their parents. The research showed that being more attentive while listening made teenagers feel better about themselves and more likely to open up again in the future.
A new study found that over half of transgender adolescents engage in substance use as a coping strategy for GM-related stressors. Internalized transphobia and family functioning were key factors in predicting substance use.
A recent study published in Nutrients found that socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents' diets worsened significantly during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study, which involved 303 Catalan young people aged 12-18, revealed a 21% greater risk of worsening diet among those from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
The USPSTF recommends behavioral counseling interventions for promoting healthy weight gain and preventing excess gestational weight gain in pregnancy. Excess weight at the beginning of pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and infant health outcomes, including cesarean delivery or preterm birth.
Since 1949, China has made notable progress in reducing maternal mortality and improving child survival rates, with significant reductions in death ratios from 1500 to 17.8 cases per 100,000 births and infant deaths from 200 to 5.6 cases per 1,000 births.
A Boston Children's Hospital study using neuroimaging data from nearly 6,000 early adolescents found that regular physical activity was associated with more efficiently organized, flexible, and robust brain networks. Physical activity also partially offset the effects of unhealthy body mass index (BMI) on brain circuitry.
A study of 100 transgender adolescents found that gender-affirming hormone therapy does not increase cardiovascular disease risk. The treatment was associated with reduced symptoms of gender dysphoria and improved mental health outcomes.
Research has found that strict lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic delayed normal cardiorespiratory development in adolescents. The study, which involved 89 children aged 12-14 from Spain, found lower levels of fitness and health based on age and sex.
A UBCO study reveals that kids who grow up in homes where parents consume cannabis are more likely to use it themselves. The research suggests that understanding parental influence can help develop effective prevention programs by addressing how youth think about substance use based on their familial and personal experiences.
A recent study suggests that COVID-19 may cause myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in young people. Three case studies reviewed by Johns Hopkins Medicine found ME/CFS-like symptoms within two weeks of illness, with all patients meeting criteria for the condition six months later.
A survey study of 25,305 adolescents from eight countries found that experiencing one's own competence and feeling connected to others were linked to positive emotion, self-motivation to learn, and pro-learning behaviors. The findings support self-determination theory and inform the design of distance education programs.
A web-based survey found that e-cigarette users had a higher risk of asthma, wheezing, and shortness of breath compared to non-users. The study also showed that past 30-day e-cigarette use was associated with increased respiratory symptoms even after controlling for cigarette and cannabis use.
A study published in Spine Journal reveals that most pediatric spinal fractures occur in motor vehicle accidents where seatbelts are not used. The majority of these injuries (63%) occur in teenagers aged 15-17, who are at highest risk for MVA-related spinal fractures. Wearing a seatbelt significantly reduces the risk of death and spina...
A new study published in Stroke found that adolescents with higher body mass index (BMI) are at a significantly higher risk of first ischemic stroke as adults. The study, which analyzed data from over 1.9 million participants, also found that even those with high-normal BMI had a higher stroke risk compared to those with low-normal BMI.
Researchers found that adolescents and older adults pay less attention to social cues than young adults, leading to impaired social interaction. This can result in isolation, loneliness, and poor health, particularly during adolescence and older adulthood.
This survey study estimated US children and adolescents who received medical care due to assault, abuse, or violence. The study found that approximately 9% of children aged 2-17 experienced violence-related injury or death.
Researchers found that internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as conventional CBT in reducing OCD symptoms in children and adolescents. The study showed that stepped digital CBT reduced symptoms as much as conventional CBT and required fewer resources.
A new LifeLab programme, led by the University of Southampton, has been shown to significantly increase young people's understanding of healthy lifestyles. Participants judged their own lifestyles more critically after the programme, suggesting a lasting impact on health literacy.
New research shows that higher levels of ultra-processed food in childhood are associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity, as well as alterations in the metabolome. The study found that a diet high in ultra-processed foods is negatively associated with certain biomarkers, such as docosahexaenoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids.
Marshall University prof Brandon J. Henderson receives $1.8 million NIH grant to study vaping nicotine addiction in adolescents. The research aims to understand how e-cigarettes alter neurobiology and trigger nicotine addiction.
A survey of 1000 British adolescents found that nearly four-fifths have encountered pornographic content online, with many visiting dedicated sites frequently. The study suggests pressure should be placed on global publishers to introduce effective age restrictions across social media platforms.
A survey of over 13,000 adolescents in Europe found that students who are older relative to their peers are more likely to be popular. The study also showed strong associations between relative age and popularity in the Netherlands and England.
A new study published in Clinical Psychological Science found little evidence of increased association between adolescents' technology engagement and mental health problems. Only social media use showed a slight increase in emotional problems, while other associations remained consistent or decreased over time.
A USC study found that neighborhoods with poverty and unemployment may pose an environmental risk to children's brains, impacting neurocognitive performance and brain size. The research highlights the importance of neighborhood environments for child and adolescent brain development.
A recent survey study estimated that the percentage of US adolescents who reported at least one diagnosed concussion during their lifetime has increased. The study found that nearly 3% of adolescents in the United States experienced a concussion, with higher rates among males and those participating in contact sports.
A meta-analysis of 14 air pollution studies found that short- and long-term exposure to certain environmental air pollutants is associated with elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in children and adolescents. Regular blood pressure measurement can help identify individuals with elevated blood pressure early.
A new University of Michigan study reveals that nearly 1 in 4 adolescents reported at least one concussion in 2020, up from 20% in 2016. Concussion rates increased among Hispanic and non-Hispanic youth who participated in sports, contradicting emergency department data showing a decline in sports-related traumatic brain injuries.
A new study from Aarhus University finds that symptoms of health anxiety are common in childhood and adolescence, often resulting in persistent and significant problems. Children who experience these symptoms may require specialized psychological treatment, and parents play a crucial role in supporting their mental health.
A study by University of Zurich found that more than half of young women experienced symptoms of depression, while nearly half reported anxiety. The lockdown also showed a significant decrease in risky alcohol use, particularly among women.
The study examines changes in adolescents' e-cigarette, cannabis, and alcohol use as well as physical activity behaviors following the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Researchers found significant increases in substance use and decreases in physical activity among California adolescents during this time.
Computerized cognitive behavioral therapy was found effective for anxiety and depression in adolescents and young people. However, the effectiveness of other digital interventions remains inconclusive. Engagement with a health professional or peer can strengthen the effectiveness of these interventions.
Adolescents who experience early puberty are more likely to drink alcohol, with peer drinking and parental permissiveness contributing to this risk. Early maturing girls are particularly vulnerable, with a higher likelihood of binge drinking and substance use disorders.
A new Penn State study found that parents of adolescents who experience puberty early may be more lenient when it comes to letting them consume alcohol. Adolescents who go through puberty early are at a greater risk for problem behaviors, including being two to three times as likely to drink alcohol.