Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study by Lund University researchers found that half of young people treated for severe obesity have neuropsychiatric problems, with two-thirds experiencing mental health issues. The study also revealed that symptoms of ADHD and autism are often misdiagnosed in teenagers with severe obesity.
Girls who experienced emotional neglect or severe sexual abuse early in life reported riskier sexual behaviors during adolescence. The study identified four patterns of maltreatment that led to distinct trajectories of risky sexual behavior.
A Danish study examines the association between childhood experiences and early adulthood outcomes, finding a link between negative experiences in childhood and adolescence and poorer outcomes. The research uses population data from Denmark to investigate how age at exposure to adverse experiences affects adult life.
A new study found that a quarter of young adults in the US rely on porn for information on how to have sex. Heterosexual men were more likely to use porn than female respondents, who preferred their partners as sources of guidance. The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive sex education and communication skills.
A study by North Carolina State University found that non-immigrant adolescents object less to bullying when the victim is an immigrant, but more strongly with increased contact and higher Theory of Mind scores. The researchers also discovered that positive interactions between groups can encourage kids to intervene in bullying.
Researchers found that rural girls in South Africa rely on peer, parental, and environmental factors to prevent pregnancy and HIV/AIDS, rather than modern contraceptive methods. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive education on sexual health beyond HIV/AIDS prevention.
A national study found significant sex and age-based differences in nonfatal opioid overdoses among youth, with female youth between 11-16 having a higher incidence. The study highlights specific risk factors that could inform targeted interventions to prevent opioid overdoses in adolescents and young adults.
A study found that daily physical activity of children and adolescents increased during the lockdown, with an average of 36 minutes more activity per day. However, this was largely replaced by screen time, highlighting the need for alternative physical activities.
Researchers found that adolescents raised in nurturing environments had significantly higher IQ scores compared to those without such care. This was particularly true for children who experienced early adversities, such as poverty and pre-term birth.
Researchers found that hospital clowns significantly reduced anxiety during medical procedures and improved psychological wellbeing in children with acute and chronic conditions. However, the study also highlighted some limitations, including risk of bias and differences in data collection.
A study found that nearly half of adolescents who sought specialty care for a concussion were back to driving within two weeks, despite few returning to exercise and sports. The researchers recommend a staged approach to cognitive activities, including driving, with clinicians implementing a gradual return-to-driving protocol.
Nicotine vaping among US youth increased in prevalence from 2017 to 2020, with a significant rise in perceived harm. The study found that accessibility of nicotine vaping products also increased during this period.
The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus infection in adolescents and adults at increased risk due to its effectiveness in reducing mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral therapy improves intermediate outcomes associated with better health outcomes, strengthening the 2014 recommendation.
Adolescent stress can lead to long-term changes in brain function, resulting in learning difficulties and increased anxiety in adulthood. The study found that rats with impaired stress recovery had reduced cognitive performance and anxiety-related behaviors.
A new study reveals that children and adolescents diagnosed with depression are at a higher risk of developing physical health problems and experiencing premature death. The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, highlights the importance of addressing mental health concerns early on to prevent long-term consequences.
Depressed children and teenagers have a significantly higher risk of premature death, self-harm, and suffering from other diseases later in life. The study found that depression was associated with 66 out of 69 examined medical conditions, including sleep disorders, type 2 diabetes, and kidney disease.
A new study led by the University of Ottawa found that chronic sleep disruption during adolescence can lead to depression in both males and females. Adolescent females were particularly vulnerable to stress hormone release and activation of stress-sensitive brain cells, suggesting a higher risk of mood disorder development.
Females who participated in competitive sport during adolescence had better fitness at midlife, with higher lean mass and bone density. A later age of menarche was associated with lower bone density, regardless of physical activity levels.
A new study found that male adolescents with ADHD who have positive relationships with their mothers exhibit less external conflict about their career choices. The findings suggest a potential link between negative career thoughts and family dynamics.
Vaccination uptake in children and adolescents decreased in Colorado following the COVID-19 outbreak. The study used data from the Colorado Immunization Information System to analyze vaccination trends before and after the outbreak.
New research suggests that US states adopting voucher and charter school choice laws witnessed declines in suicide rates among young people. Private schooling was also associated with better mental health in adulthood, even after controlling for important sociodemographic factors.
A 12-year longitudinal study found that young people who develop higher levels of conscientiousness and emotional stability tend to be more successful in their early careers. The study's findings suggest that personality growth can have real-world benefits for career outcomes.
Researchers developed a mobile health app to improve HPV vaccine uptake among adolescents. The app targets key parental beliefs and demonstrates high intention to use among parents and adolescents. The study found that theory-based content design can be an effective approach in developing apps for behavioral interventions.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that observing safe peers can encourage young people to make healthier decisions. The research team found that substance-naïve teens were more likely to follow their safe peers' choices, leading to safer outcomes.
A study of US adolescents aged 15-17 found that those who had not used substances exhibited enhanced neural responses when observing peers making safe choices. Peer influence was associated with safer health risk behaviors in adolescents.
A recent study found that Black and Hispanic adolescents are more likely to die from police-related shootings compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents. The study highlights the need for interventions and policies to mitigate racial disparities in policing.
A recent study has found that sleeve gastrectomy in adolescents leads to a significant increase in bone marrow fat and a decrease in bone density. The procedure, which restricts food intake, causes the stomach to take on a tube-like shape, leading to weight loss of up to 75 pounds.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Colorado found that 80-90% of adolescents experience remission of obesity-related complications after bariatric surgery. The study suggests that patients' health improves regardless of whether they sustain high levels of weight loss long-term.
Researchers found significant differences in substance use, socioemotional health and academic achievement across Somali, Hmong and Latino youth. Acculturated individuals were more likely to engage in substance use and have lower academic achievement.
A medical case series presents three teenagers with unexplained breathing problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting similarities between vaping-related lung injury and COVID-19 symptoms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering EVALI in pediatric patients with respiratory failure and recommends vaping cessation coun...
A rapid review found extensive evidence of an association between loneliness and increased risk of mental health problems for children and young people. Loneliness is associated with both depression and anxiety, with some studies suggesting a three-fold increase in depression among lonely youth.
A 2019 study found a contagion effect among boys, but an Annenberg Public Policy Center reanalysis concluded that the series had no clear effect on teen suicide. Recent commentaries challenge the reanalysis and defend it.
A recent UCL-led study found that UK teenagers are increasingly dieting to lose weight, with girls being more likely to experience depressive symptoms. The research also showed that boys are becoming more likely to try to gain weight, and both sexes are overestimating their weight.
A study of 1038 mother-child pairs found that cumulative early life risk factors cumulatively predict increased indicators of adiposity and metabolic risk markers. Children with more risk factors had a higher risk of overweight or obesity and metabolic risk in early adolescence.
A 60-year-old cohort study found that prioritizing interests and curiosity during adolescence enhances wellbeing in later life. The research, conducted over 60 years, suggests creating an environment fostering intrinsic motivations can promote old-age wellbeing.
A Texas A&M University researcher found that age gates on alcohol websites are mostly ineffective in preventing underage users from accessing the site. The study found that most sites had no process for verifying the accuracy of user-provided birth dates, allowing users to bypass the age gate through repeated attempts.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System are searching for biomarkers to predict the duration and severity of depression in adolescents. The goal is to identify teens who need more significant help with their depression, potentially leading to new treatments.
A recent study found that declining teenage pregnancy rates in England are related to local areas experiencing less youth unemployment, growing Black or South Asian teenage populations, and more educational attainment. The study also suggests that unaffordable housing and a lack of social housing contribute to lower conception rates.
The USPSTF found that high blood pressure affects 3-4% of children and teens in the US, but recommends no routine screening due to lack of evidence. The organization suggests no routine screening for children without hypertension or symptoms.
A new study finds that e-cigarette use is associated with a higher risk of cigarette smoking among adolescents who had no prior intention of taking up conventional smoking. E-cigarette users are more than four times more likely to start smoking cigarettes one year later compared to non-users.
Researchers studied risk and protection factors for violence among children and adolescents, finding that victimization, morality, empathy, and social-emotional skills predict violent behavior. Reducing victimization in schools could decrease violence in different contexts.
A new study found that social media quantity, content, and context significantly impact adolescents' sleep. Excessive screen time and disturbing content before bed were associated with later bedtime and reduced sleep duration. In contrast, reading books before bed was linked to an earlier bedtime.
Research from Washington State University found that adolescent males associate cannabis use with improved sexual activity, leading them to express intentions to use marijuana. In contrast, female peers were less swayed by similar messages.
Researchers found that nearly 19% of US children and adolescents are obese, with severe obesity rates higher in Hispanic and Black youth. Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective option for treating these patients, but many are not being offered the treatment due to lack of access.
Researchers studying vaping and secondary exposure to e-cigarettes warn that adolescent use is at epidemic proportions. The study aims to uncover health effects of e-cigarettes on younger patients and explore the risks of secondary exposure.
Research across 40 low- and middle-income countries found that adolescent girls face high burdens of poor sexual reproductive health, violence, and child marriage. Boys experience poorer outcomes in areas like mortality, substance use, and labor, highlighting the need to address gender inequality during early adolescence.
A nearly 1.5-kilometer-long trackway of early-human footprints has been discovered at White Sands National Park, showing a woman or adolescent male carrying a toddler in their arms. The tracks, dating back over 11,500 years, suggest a perilous journey through mud and animal habitats.
A MU researcher developed a world's first health care transition readiness assessment for adolescents with autism, identifying skills needed for transition from pediatric care to adult care. The study found that young adults with autism can benefit from better understanding medication management, insurance policies and health care fina...
Researchers investigated the association between e-cigarette use and self-reported wheezing among adolescents. The study found a significant link between e-cigarette use and increased risk of respiratory symptoms in this age group.
A recent NIH-funded study found that microstructural brain differences in the nucleus accumbens predict increases in indicators of obesity in children. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study reveals a link between diet-related inflammation and unhealthy eating behaviors.
A new study has found that both mothers and fathers with mental health problems are more likely to have a baby born prematurely. Men with persistent mental health issues were more likely to have a preterm birth, while women with anxiety and depression during pregnancy also increased the risk.
A new study by University of York found that TV advertising, free tobacco products, and exposure to smoking in public places are the biggest drivers of tobacco use among teens in South Asia. Teaching adolescents about the harmful effects of tobacco at school was effective in reducing smokeless tobacco use but not smoking.
A research team at HKUMed discovered that exosomes derived from Vδ2-T cells can effectively control EBV-associated tumours and induce T-cell anti-tumour immunity. Allogeneic Vδ2-T-Exos showed higher therapeutic efficacy than autologous Vδ2-T-Exos in humanized mice.
A recent study found that regular exposure to marijuana advertising on storefronts and billboards increased the likelihood of adolescents using marijuana. Location of retail stores also played a role, with participants who lived close to shops being more likely to report intentions to use the drug.
Certain internal and external factors increase adolescent suicidal behavior risk, including poor coping, smartphone abuse, and mental health history in parents. Reframing with meaningful life, adequate nutrition, and positive relationships can reduce the risk.
Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia demonstrate the effectiveness of virtual driving assessments in identifying safety-critical skill deficits and providing personalized feedback. The tool has been shown to be valid, feasible, and efficient, with a potential to reduce crashes and improve driver safety.
A University of Ottawa study suggests non-suicidal self-injury is contagious among teenagers, with those knowing someone who has harmed themselves twice as likely to try it. The study found over 1,400 Ontario teens aged 14-17 were more likely to harm themselves if they knew someone who had.
A new study by Michigan State University found that teens with fewer friends are more likely to experience depression as adults. However, for women, being popular in adolescence can lead to lower depressive symptoms in adulthood. The study suggests that gender roles and expectations may contribute to this difference.
Adolescents with compulsivity traits show reduced brain development and delayed goal-directed behavior, suggesting a link between compulsivity and atypical cognitive development. Compulsivity is associated with less-pronounced remodeling of brain circuitry during adolescence.
A systematic review and meta-analysis compared the susceptibility to and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among children and adolescents. The study highlights differences in susceptibility between age groups, with varying levels of protection against severe illness.