Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Heavy drinking during adolescence reduces brain growth in male and female rhesus monkeys, affecting white matter and thalamus development. Research supports potential link to problematic drinking later in life.
Heavy alcohol use among adolescents and young adults slows brain growth by 0.25 milliliters per year for every gram of alcohol consumed. Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain growth in 71 rhesus macaques and found a significant reduction in brain volume due to ethanol consumption.
A new 12-year longitudinal study found that consistent treatment with methylphenidate-based medications during childhood increases the risk of antidepressant use during adolescence. Children with high adherence (above 50%) were at significantly greater risk of being prescribed antidepressants between the ages of 12-18.
A new study suggests that chosen solitude is a positive experience for adolescents and young adults, contributing to personal growth and self-acceptance. In contrast, imposed solitude can be problematic, increasing the risk of social anxiety, loneliness, and depression. The research highlights the importance of understanding individual...
A new study from the University of Missouri-Columbia found that consistently eating breakfast as a family is associated with positive body image for children and adolescents. Regularly eating breakfast with parents can have long-term effects on well-being, promoting healthy habits and self-esteem.
Anxiety in childhood and adolescence is associated with a higher likelihood of later alcohol use disorders, according to an analysis of relevant studies. The positive associations were found in approximately 43% of cases, while negative associations were found in 11% of cases.
A study found that economic growth in China led to a decrease in stunting and thinness among children and adolescents, but a significant increase in overweight and obesity rates. The research suggests a need for policies promoting dietary diversity, physical activity, and health education.
A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teen marijuana use decreased significantly after legalization in Washington state. High school seniors who work more than 11 hours per week were more likely to report using marijuana, highlighting the need for employers to enforce zero-tolerance policies and ensure...
Daily teen e-cigarette users are more likely to purchase from commercial sources like drug stores and vape shops, while non-daily users turn to friends and family. The study suggests restricting e-cigarette sales and informing parents about online purchases to prevent adolescent access.
The study found that high parenting support, government cash transfers, and safe schools were associated with positive outcomes for targets in at least three Sustainable Development Goals. The UN's development approach was validated as an effective solution to maximize positive policy impacts.
A study of over 1000 adolescents found that bullying roles persist into adulthood, with victims often transitioning out but perpetrators remaining involved. The research sheds light on the evolution of bullying and its long-term consequences.
A new paper reviews key theories and methods to study puberty, highlighting its importance in understanding adolescent development and welfare. The review emphasizes the need to integrate sociological and psychological impacts into research models, as current approaches focus solely on biological processes.
A study by Oxford University and UN agencies finds that key services can contribute to multiple sustainable development goals, even among high-risk children and adolescents. Simple combinations of programs such as parenting support, cash transfers, and safe schools provide greater impacts.
Research found that adolescents who witness parental conflict experience lower self-efficacy, but success in school and peer support can compensate. Schools may be an untapped resource for helping teens develop self-efficacy, suggesting a broader developmental context beyond academics.
A global study of 1.8 billion adolescents found a growing health inequality, with more adolescents facing triple-burden diseases and unmet needs in health systems. The US is lagging behind other high-income countries in preventing injuries, obesity, and childbirth among young people.
A double-blind controlled trial of TNS found significant reductions in ADHD symptoms and associated improvements in brain functioning. The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, suggests that TNS has great potential as an additional option for managing ADHD.
The Lancet report highlights the alarming rise in adolescent disease burden worldwide, with an additional 250 million adolescents living in multi-burden countries. The prevalence of obesity, anaemia, and child marriage has increased significantly between 1990 and 2016, posing a major threat to their health and wellbeing.
The study reveals that adolescent health has not kept pace with population growth, with significant increases in obesity, anaemia, and non-communicable diseases. Investments in adolescent health are needed to address these challenges, particularly in low-income countries where adolescents carry a heavy disease burden.
Research suggests that adolescent binge drinking increases risk for anxiety later in life by altering brain connectivity and epigenetic programming. Abnormal epigenetic changes in the amygdala, a key emotional regulation center, can lead to lasting susceptibility to psychological issues.
A study of 315,000 US adults found that maintaining physical activity from adolescence into later adulthood and increasing leisure-time activity in adulthood were associated with lower risk of dying. Adults who had been less active before age 40 also saw benefits when they increased their physical activity between ages 41-60.
A study published in Pediatric Research found that having a TV in the bedroom at age 4 is associated with later physical, mental, and social problems. Children who spent more time watching TV in their room had higher body mass indexes, unhealthy eating habits, lower sociability, and increased emotional distress.
A new study aims to understand the biological mechanisms behind increased HIV risk in women who have experienced sexual trauma, especially among adolescents. The THRIVE Study will examine the impact of forced vaginal sex on immune system and stress response in young girls and women.
Researchers found that controlled stress in adolescence attenuates HPA axis activation in adulthood, reducing motor impulsivity and increasing dopamine type 2 receptors. Uncontrollable stress, however, increases impulsivity and cognitive inflexibility.
Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been awarded a grant to adapt a patient-driven model of care that increases treatment compliance among difficult-to-reach populations, particularly adolescents with diabetes. The goal is to improve the quality of life and manage diabetes effectively in young adults.
A study of over 346,000 patients found that those with a family member using opioids long-term were more likely to develop persistent opioid use after first-time prescriptions for surgical or dental procedures. Persistent opioid use was seen in 4.1% of patients with a long-term family opioid user compared to 2.4% without.
Experts argue that the UK's policy of recruiting children to the Armed Forces is harmful to teen health and causes specific health harms. The UK is one of only two countries in the world to recruit teenagers, with 15-year-olds allowed to begin the enlistment process at age 16.
A national longitudinal study found that school-based health centers contribute to academic achievement among adolescents, with immunizations and physical exams associated with higher educational attainment. However, individual-level emotional counseling was inversely associated with educational attainment.
A new study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology found that saffron was as effective as methylphenidate in controlling ADHD symptoms in children and teens. The researchers also noted similar side effects, making saffron a promising herbal alternative for treating ADHD.
A new study from the University of Kent found no association between countries with tougher policies and lower rates of teenage cannabis use. Despite calls for harsher penalties, the research suggests that cannabis policy liberalization is not linked to reduced adolescent cannabis use.
A new study found that adolescent female blood donors are more likely to have low iron stores and iron deficiency anemia. The researchers propose various measures to help this vulnerable population, including oral iron supplementation and increasing the minimum time interval between donations.
A new screening tool designed specifically for human trafficking was found to be more effective than a commonly used psychosocial assessment in identifying sexual and labor exploitation of youth. The study found that 44% of youth had been arrested, 35% had a history of foster care, and 71% had been kicked out of their homes.
A recent study found that parents' ability to self-regulate and think flexibly is crucial in navigating conflicts with teenagers. Fathers were less capable of set-shifting and physiological regulation than mothers, leading to more hostile behavior. However, better-set-shifting fathers could counteract dysregulation and reduce angry res...
A new study found that drinking in outdoor settings is linked to early age of first intoxication and increased problems, whereas homes are not. The researchers aimed to understand modifiable circumstances enabling early onset drinking among youth.
A large-scale study of American high school students found that legalizing medicinal marijuana has led to a drop in cannabis use among teenagers. The study, which used data from over 800,000 students across 45 states, found a 1.1% reduction in teen cannabis smokers in states with medical marijuana laws compared to those without.
A new study found that male squirrels store more food than females and inheriting a territory from a male squirrel can increase lifetime pup production by 50%. This means young squirrels that take over prime real estate from a male will have better survival rates and reproductive success.
Research analyzing 23,300 people found marijuana use during adolescence increases risk of depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts in young adulthood. There was no similar association with anxiety.
A qualitative analysis of Física o Química reveals that Spanish teens internalized stereotypes and myths of romantic love that justify male violence against women. The study found that audiences reflected in gender stereotypes and romantic inequalities.
A new international study reveals that adolescent cannabis use can harmfully alter mental health, even in teenagers without pre-existing depressive symptoms. The risk is particularly elevated in North America, where adolescents have higher rates of cannabis use compared to peers in other developed countries.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found cannabis use among adolescents is associated with a significant increased risk of depression in adulthood. The study's findings suggest that widespread cannabis use among young people makes the scale of the risk more serious, with a population attributable risk of around 7%.
A clinical trial, REACH, is examining the safety and use of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and a vaginal ring in adolescent girls and young women in southern Africa. The study aims to expand HIV prevention choices for this disproportionately affected population.
A study of 9,838 LGBTQ teens found that 44-70% reported weight-based teasing from family members and peers, while 1 in 4 teens experienced these experiences at school. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and addressing weight-based victimization in school settings.
Excessive weight gain in early childhood can lead to higher cholesterol levels, central fat, and cardiovascular disease risk in teenagers. A new study found that earlier onset of high BMI in children under two years is associated with more severe health outcomes.
A study found that grandchildren of adolescent mothers have lower school readiness scores and lag behind in physical and social development. The multigenerational effect suggests that interventions targeting children born to adolescent mothers should also consider their own grandchildren.
Dasotraline shows significant improvement in efficacy in the treatment of ADHD compared to placebo, particularly at a dose of 4mg/day. The study also assesses safety and subgroup analysis, providing hope for new treatments with fewer side effects.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescent athletes who underwent a supervised aerobic exercise regimen recovered more quickly from concussions. The research, which is the first randomized clinical trial of its kind, suggests that prescribed, progressive sub-symptom threshold exercise can be an effective treatment w...
A study of nearly 60,000 US adolescents found that only 1 in 20 meet national recommendations for sleep, physical activity, and screen time. The research highlights the need for doctors to advise parents on parenting style and home environment to promote healthier lifestyles.
Research published in Clinical Psychological Science found no evidence that social media use predicts later depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults. Instead, greater depressive symptoms predicted more social media use over time, but only among adolescent girls.
Pre-teens using screens an hour before bed are at risk of poor sleep quality, with a 31% increase in likelihood when done in the dark. Insufficient sleep has been linked to impaired immune responses, depression, anxiety and obesity in children and adolescents.
A study conducted by Columbia Mailman School of Public Health found that alcohol use intersects with spatial dimensions, influencing young people's likelihood of using condoms. Young people prefer convenient spaces for sex after drinking, but may engage in 'rushed' sex due to cost constraints.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a significant association between tobacco use and paranoid experiences in adolescents. The study, which used data from over 3,700 twin pairs, suggested that genetic influences played a key role in this link.
A longitudinal study found that skills learned in friendships with peers of the same gender were strongest predictors of later romantic satisfaction. Adolescents' progress in social developmental tasks, such as establishing positive relationships and managing peer relationships, predicted future romantic competence.
The UKRI Global Research Hubs aim to improve the health and life prospects of Africa's youth by identifying effective service combinations. Researchers will test 'accelerator synergy' services in various sectors, aiming to lead better lives for teenagers across Africa.
A review aims to help primary care physicians care for vulnerable adolescents with gender dysphoria, emphasizing individualized approaches and collaborative decision-making. The review highlights the need for optimal care for this population, particularly in addressing gaps in research and ethnocultural diversity.
Only about 16% of U.S. adolescents have been fully vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) by age 13, despite national recommendations. Timely HPV vaccination at 11-12 years old has several advantages, including a stronger immune response and better protection against cancers.
Researchers from the University of Warwick have discovered a genetic mutation associated with higher risk for schizophrenia, which disrupts brain development and increases mental illness risk. A new pathway of genetic risk was found, providing possibilities for prevention and theoretical study before clinical symptoms emerge.
A new study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that fewer than half of young people in the US discuss sensitive topics with their regular healthcare providers. The researchers suggest modifying healthcare delivery practices could improve these discussions, promoting better health outcomes for young people.
A prospective cohort study found that adolescents with a sports-related concussion or fracture experience significant impairments in health-related quality of life, particularly in physical and cognitive functioning. The study suggests that early interventions can aid in the recovery process and optimize QOL.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that technology use has at most a 0.4% association with adolescent wellbeing, surpassing the negative effect of eating potatoes. Activities like getting enough sleep and eating breakfast had a stronger positive association with wellbeing.
A long-term study of institutionalized children in Romanian found that those who experienced early deprivation and neglect had impaired memory and executive functioning by age 16. However, when placed early in quality foster homes, these difficulties diminished, suggesting a critical role of caregiving environments in child development.
A new study finds that even a small amount of cannabis use by teenagers is linked to differences in their brains, including increased gray matter volume in areas involved in emotion and memory development. The researchers also ruled out pre-existing brain differences or personality traits as possible explanations for the findings.