Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study finds that adolescents experience mixed feelings about multitasking, with positive emotions increasing feelings of reward and pleasantness, but not reducing subsequent multitasking. Negative emotions have no effect on later actions.
A University of Washington study found that children whose parents used marijuana during adolescence are more likely to use marijuana and other substances, while those from non-using families have better grades, according to lead author Marina Epstein.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends increased access to metabolic and bariatric surgery for children and adolescents with severe obesity, citing the growing public health crisis. Studies show that surgery is safe and effective, but underutilized due to barriers such as insurance coverage and limited centers.
A new study from Penn Medicine shows that bariatric surgery is safe and effective for teenagers with morbid obesity, with low rates of complications and readmissions. The study found no evidence that higher BMI was associated with poor health outcomes following adolescent bariatric surgery.
A new study finds that bariatric surgery is a safe option for young adolescents with morbid obesity, with low rates of complications and readmissions. The research analyzed over 3,700 cases and found no deaths in the first 30 days after surgery.
A scoping review found that school-based interventions have great potential for preventing adverse mental health outcomes among adolescent forced migrants. Many girls and boys manage to adjust to their new lives despite recurring challenges, thanks to holistic support programs offered by schools.
A new BYU study found that the amount of time teenagers spend on social media is not directly related to their anxiety and depression levels. Researchers analyzed data from 500 youth aged 13-20 over eight years, finding no strong correlation between increased social media use and mental health outcomes.
A new study of nearly 11,000 youth followed for 14 years found that adolescents who play contact sports are not more likely to experience cognitive impairment, depression, or suicidal thoughts later in life. In fact, football players were less likely to suffer from depression in early adulthood compared to other groups.
A new study has revealed three simple factors that predict whether a healthy weight child will be overweight or obese by adolescence. The research found that a child's and mother's Body Mass Index (BMI) and the mother's education level are key predictors of weight problems by age 14-15 years.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that self-reported suicide attempts are increasing among Black teenagers, even as they decline in other racial and ethnic groups. The study also revealed a significant increase in injuries from suicide attempts among Black male teenagers.
A randomized clinical trial found that varenicline was well-tolerated but did not significantly improve abstinence rates among adolescents and young adults. However, secondary findings suggest that varenicline helped smokers achieve earlier and better self-reported abstinence during treatment and follow-up.
Researchers will develop novel metrics to gauge the impact of tobacco ads on adolescent smoking and vaping rates. The grant aims to improve the selection of effective ads for youth tobacco prevention campaigns.
Between 2008 and 2014, approximately 1,972 firearm-related eye injuries occurred in patients under 21, mostly sight-threatening and associated with severe trauma. Black patients were more likely to be injured in assaults, while white patients had a higher rate of self-inflicted firearm-related injuries.
A phase IIa trial and a subsequent extension trial show dupilumab's long-term safety and efficacy in treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adolescents. The medication works by blocking specific substances that cause eczema symptoms, providing substantial clinical benefit with an acceptable safety profile.
A new study analyzed data from 2010 to 2015 and found that body mass index of Wisconsin children rose in the summer and decreased in the fall. The study suggests that school-based obesity prevention initiatives may benefit from additional weight management support delivered at the start of the school year.
People with low intelligence scores are at a higher risk of suicide and attempted suicide later in life. The study found that the association between suicidal behavior and emotional control develops over time, with men with low IQ remaining vulnerable throughout their lives.
A review and meta-analysis of 47 articles found childhood hypertension affects 4% of children and adolescents globally. The condition is more prevalent among overweight or obese youth undergoing puberty.
A study of 18,000 adolescents found that positive family relationships during adolescence were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms from adolescence to midlife. The benefit was greater for females than males, particularly during the early adult years.
A Swedish study of over 384,000 women found that those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a higher likelihood of giving birth as teenagers. The research suggests that teenage girls with ADHD may face increased risk of early childbirth, highlighting the need for closer monitoring and support.
A study of over 1,000 Dutch adolescents and young women found that concurrent oral contraceptive use was associated with increased depressive symptoms, especially among 16-year-old girls. The authors suggest that this association may be due to the impact of oral contraceptives on hormone levels and mood regulation.
A new study found that traumatic grief reactions in youth post-9/11 warrant separate clinical attention. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, identified a distinct bereavement-related disorder that captures maladaptive reactions after 9/11.
South Africa sees a tenfold increase in adolescents on HIV treatment since 2010, yet fewer than 50% successfully initiate antiretroviral therapy. The rise is attributed to the country's successful ART program, but concerns about stigma and care barriers persist.
A new paper published in JAMA recommends a continuum of care approach, including lifestyle modification therapy, medications, and bariatric surgery, to treat adolescents with obesity. The study suggests that filling the treatment gap between lifestyle modification and surgery is crucial.
Teenage e-cigarette use is heavily influenced by parental and sibling attitudes, with flavors being a major draw for young users. Research also highlights the need for mandatory education on e-cigarette use among teens and increased regulation of flavored products.
A new study found that schools are breeding grounds for teenage vaping, with students accessing devices and peer influence playing a significant role. Schools can be effective in preventing teen e-cigarette use if they implement health education programs and restrict access to devices.
A worldwide study found that sleep patterns differ among 16-30 year olds, with varying durations and timings based on age, sex, and region. The study tracked nearly quarter of a million nights of sleep using wearable devices, revealing significant geographical and gender-based variations in sleep habits.
A study from Stanford University School of Medicine has found that a combination of light therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy can increase teen sleep duration by 43 minutes per night. The treatment consists of brief flashes of bright light to reset the body clocks, followed by motivation techniques to encourage earlier bedtimes.
Researchers propose that teenage acne is a naturally occurring, inflammatory state caused by the sudden change in skin microbiota composition and increased sebum production during adolescence. This hypothesis challenges conventional thinking and may explain special clinical characteristics of acne.
A new study from Cardiff University found that teenagers are less responsive to instructions from their mothers when spoken in a controlling tone of voice. The researchers discovered that autonomy-supportive tones, on the other hand, elicit positive reactions and encourage self-expression.
A new Stanford University study has found that a four-week combination therapy involving brief light flashes and cognitive behavioral therapy can increase teenagers' sleep duration by 43 minutes per night. The treatment helped teens adjust their body clocks and motivated them to try earlier bedtimes.
Researchers outline effective engagement strategies, including youth community advisory boards and social media outreach. They also provide guidance on selecting and training recruitment staff, monitoring study progress, and addressing legal issues.
A study of 211 children found adverse childhood experiences and caregiver support are associated with changes in brain regions, particularly those involved in emotional regulation and social behavior. The research suggests that strong caregiver support can mitigate negative effects of childhood adversity on brain development.
A study by Florida Atlantic University found three distinct groups of popular teenagers: prosocial popular, aggressive popular and bistrategic or Machiavellian-like. Bistrategic teens had the highest level of popularity and balanced getting their way with kindness.
Research finds that pediatricians in many countries do not meet the needs of adolescents, who face complex health burdens including chronic conditions and mental health disorders. The study suggests that investment in adolescent health training is necessary to improve care and address global health disparities.
A new study found that adolescent sleep timing preferences and patterns can be a significant risk factor for obesity and cardiometabolic health. Teenagers who prefer to go to bed late had higher waist circumference and greater abdominal fat deposition than those who prefer to go to bed early.
A study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that physicians' delivery and communication practices must improve to boost HPV vaccine completion rates. Pediatricians who strongly recommend the vaccine have higher acceptance rates, and optimizing HPV delivery through standing orders and alert systems can also help.
New research shows that e-cigarette ads are highly effective in targeting adolescents, with many failing to critically evaluate the information presented. The study found that youths are drawn to the 'cool factor' and emotional appeal of the ads, which can lead to an increased desire to try e-cigarettes.
A study of 804 adolescents found that adolescent girls with an evening chronotype who prefers going to bed and waking up later tend to have bigger waistlines and greater fat mass. This association holds true even after adjusting for other lifestyle factors. The study suggests that addressing irregular sleep patterns may be important in...
A new study suggests that slower growth in working memory is associated with motor vehicle crashes among teenagers. The research found that young drivers with less-than-average working memory growth were more likely to report being involved in a crash, while those with greater-than-average growth were less likely.
A new study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media are at higher risk for reporting internalizing behaviors. The study suggests that setting boundaries and improving media literacy may help mitigate these risks.
A study from Finland found that the proportion of adolescents diagnosed with depression in specialized services has been increasing, largely due to an earlier age of diagnosis. The increase in service use poses a burden on specialized mental health services as they provide evidence-based treatment for a growing patient population.
Adolescents spending more than three hours a day on social media may face higher risks for internalizing and externalizing problems, including depression, anxiety, and aggression. The study found that excessive social media use was associated with increased symptoms of both internalizing and externalizing problems.
A review of the literature suggests that adolescents with severe opioid use disorder can be treated with these medications as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. However, further research is needed to understand optimal treatment duration and retention rates.
A new study from Finland found that adolescents with higher levels of physical activity performed better in school during a two-year follow-up period. However, the results also showed that increasing physical activity did not necessarily result in improved academic performance, and may even lead to lower grades for some participants.
Research shows that puberty affects brain networks differently in males and females, with boys experiencing increased connectivity and girls experiencing decreased connectivity. This study found significant changes in mood-related brain areas during puberty, which may be linked to the higher incidence of depression in girls.
A South African study found a strong link between low language ability and ADHD-type attention problems, as well as depressive symptoms in adolescents. The research highlights the need for better support for children with reduced language ability to prevent long-term mental health issues.
Research from the University of Georgia found that adolescents who were not in romantic relationships during middle and high school had good social skills and low depression. Non-dating teens fared equally well or even better than their peers who dated, according to a new study.
A new study published in Journal of School Health found that non-daters have good social skills and low depression. Adolescents who were not in a romantic relationship fared better or equal to peers who dated.
Research suggests that overweight adolescents experience a biological response driving reduced appetite when stressed, eating about 35% fewer calories in the two hours following. This study challenges the common assumption that stress leads to overeating and highlights the importance of understanding individual responses to stress.
A study using a blood marker of inflammation found an association between late adolescence inflammation and death among Swedish men up to age 57. The results suggest that chronic inflammation in young adulthood may increase the risk of mortality decades later.
Women who used oral contraceptives during adolescence are more likely to develop depression as adults, according to a new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. The research found that teenage birth control pill users were up to three times more likely to be clinically depressed in adulthood.
A new study found that adolescents who engage in more fun-seeking behaviors tend to exhibit both risk-taking and prosocial behavior. Researchers also discovered that faster brain development in certain regions is associated with less rebellious behavior.
A new study by Arizona State University researchers found that nearly one in four Arizona teens have used marijuana concentrate, a highly potent form of marijuana. The study also discovered that teens who used concentrates had more risk factors for addiction, including lower perceived risk of harm and peer substance use.
Research reveals that prenatal organophosphate exposure is associated with decreased brain activity in adolescents, particularly in regions related to cognitive and language functions. The study also identifies sex-dependent differences in brain activation patterns following OP exposure.
A recent study of over 400 teenagers found no significant link between smartphone usage and poor mental health outcomes. In fact, adolescents who sent more text messages reported feeling better, suggesting a potential positive impact of digital technology on their well-being.
Tuberculosis cases among children and adolescents in the USA have almost halved within a decade, yet stark differences exist in incidence rates between different groups. Disparities persist despite successful overall burden reduction, with higher rates found in indigenous populations, US islands, and children born outside the USA.
A review of adolescent brains across species reveals that impulsiveness is a biological adaptation crucial for brain maturation. The human brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence, including pruning of neural connections and strengthening of white matter tracts, which enables optimal brain function in the adult stage.
A University of Michigan study found that children with vitamin D deficiency during elementary school were nearly twice as likely to develop externalizing behavior problems as those with higher levels. Low levels of the protein transporting vitamin D were also linked to self-reported aggressive behavior and anxious/depressed symptoms.
Researchers found that a drug used for Alzheimer's reversed brain inflammation and neuron damage in rats exposed to alcohol during adolescence. The study suggests that adolescent binge drinking can lead to subtle deficits in brain function, anxiety, and social behaviors.
A study analyzing data from almost 30,000 nurses found that physical activity in adolescence and later life cumulatively reduce the risk of advanced adenomatous polyps, a precursor to colorectal cancer. The study showed that adequate physical activity in both adolescence and adulthood reduces the risk by 39%.