Articles tagged with Adolescents
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. Routine screening may not provide sufficient benefits to outweigh potential harms.
A study published in eNeuro found that amphetamine exposure during adolescence impairs the development of the mouse prefrontal cortex. This region is critical for decision-making and other complex functions. The researchers observed reduced synapses and axon growth, suggesting a lasting impact on brain structure.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that adolescents with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery showed significant improvements in cardiovascular disease risk factors. The study, known as Teen-LABS, demonstrated a reduction in the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
A recent Oregon Research Institute study found that recreational marijuana legalization had no significant effect on the number of youth who used marijuana, but increased the frequency of use among those already using it. The study suggests that community sales policies may not reduce teenage marijuana use and highlights the need for p...
A new study led by Rutgers University-Camden researcher Wenhua Lu found that Black adolescents express depressive symptoms through complaints about interpersonal struggles and physical pains. This highlights the need for clinicians to tailor treatments such as interpersonal psychotherapy to address these unique expressions of depression.
Adolescents who used electronic cigarettes, hookahs, noncigarette combustible tobacco or smokeless tobacco were more likely to start smoking conventional cigarettes within a year. Any use of all forms of noncigarette tobacco was associated with a greater risk of future conventional cigarette smoking.
Researchers found epigenetic changes in the CRH gene, a key player in the body's stress system, are linked to serious suicide attempts and psychiatric illness. The study suggests environmental factors can affect genetic expression, highlighting the importance of regulating the stress system for mental health.
A nationwide study found that ADHD medication use was associated with a lower risk of developing sexually transmitted infections. The study, which tracked data from over 17,000 individuals with ADHD, found that those who used ADHD medications had a 30-41% lower risk of STIs compared to non-ADHD controls.
A recent study found that the frequency of autism spectrum disorder among US children and adolescents remained stable between 2014-2016. The study analyzed data from a nationally representative annual survey and included 30,502 participants. No apparent increase in ASD prevalence was detected during this three-year period.
A new study found that adolescents who experienced frequent psychosocial risks are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior and report unprotected sex. The longitudinal study of 850 African-American students from age 14 to 32 revealed a higher risk of HIV infection for those with co-occurring psychological and social risk factors.
Adolescents who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or questioning are at a significantly higher risk of suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. The study found that 40% of sexual-minority adolescents seriously considered suicide, while 15% of heterosexual counterparts did so.
A new special issue of Birth Defects Research: The Teenage Brain examines the potential risks of junk food and energy drinks on teen brain development. Research suggests that high consumption of these substances may negatively affect decision-making, reward-seeking behavior, and eating habits throughout adulthood.
A new study reveals that teenagers are slower to learn about their peers' preferences due to underdeveloped brain regions. The fusiform cortex and medial prefrontal cortex, responsible for understanding mental states, show ongoing development during adolescence, which may explain these differences.
The projects focus on advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. In Rwanda, affordable menstrual pads will be distributed to adolescent girls, while in Kenya, HIV/STI education and vocational training will reduce infections among vulnerable adolescents.
A longitudinal study by BYU School of Family Life professor Laura Padilla-Walker found that adolescents who exhibited prosocial behavior towards strangers had higher self-esteem a year later. This suggests that helping others can have a significant impact on a teenager's moral identity and perceptions of self.
A study by Provenzano found that adolescents with lower 'Honesty-Humility' scores tend to use bullying tactics to pursue more sexual partners. They may strategically manipulate others to display traits like strength and dominance, attracting the opposite sex and gaining an advantage in intra-sexual competition.
A new study found that graphic anti-smoking posters in convenience stores can increase the risk of some teens starting to smoke. The study discovered that adolescents who were already at risk for smoking reported being more susceptible to cigarette smoking after viewing the displays.
A new study by USC researchers links higher levels of air pollution to increased teenage delinquency, citing tiny, toxic particles as a major contributor. Exposure to PM2.5 has been shown to cause inflammation in the brain, damaging neural networks and influencing adolescent behavior.
Researchers found that father rejection predicted increases in social anxiety, which in turn led to more loneliness in adolescents. Forming good relationships with parents is essential for an adolescent's well-being, with thriving friendships associated with better psychological health and academic performance.
A new study found that typical teens are resilient to negative online experiences, with effects vanishing within a week. Researchers believe coping skills may be learned through online interactions with friends or social media communities.
A recent study found that genetic susceptibility to bipolar disorder increases the risk for suicide attempt, but only among those who have experienced traumatic stress such as bullying, sexual abuse, and domestic violence. The research highlights the importance of environmental stressors in developing suicide attempts in individuals at...
A survey of over 6,000 Brazilian teenagers found that parental attention and responsiveness can significantly reduce the risk of drug abuse in adolescence. The study also revealed that well-off students are more likely to engage in binge drinking and polydrug use.
Teenage cannabis use at least 2-3 times weekly is directly associated with suffering from symptoms of hypomania in later years. The study found that adolescent cannabis use is an independent risk factor for future hypomania, suggesting a potential causal link.
Research reveals a concerning relationship between excessive screen time and mental health issues, including depression and suicidal behaviors, particularly among teenage girls. Limiting screen time to an hour or two daily may help reduce the risk of depressive symptoms and suicidal attempts.
A new study using advanced MRI techniques has discovered disrupted brain connectivity in obese adolescents, affecting regions involved in appetite regulation. The findings suggest a possible underlying cause for the rising rates of childhood obesity and its associated health risks.
A study found that genetic determinants of puberty timing are associated with lower bone mineral density in childhood and adulthood. Later puberty is linked to lower bone mineral density, especially in the lower spine, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
A recent study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals that cognitive-behavioral sleep interventions are most effective for adolescents with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that sleep improvement treatments can be a useful tool in addressing mental health issues.
A new study found that child snoring is associated with worsening obesity and increased metabolic risk, creating a vicious cycle. Children who snored were more likely to develop higher body fat mass and obesity later in childhood or adolescence.
A longitudinal study found that French adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds experience varying levels of pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. Boys in North African French groups reported increasing felt pressure, while girls in both groups showed declining pressure over four years.
A study by Aarhus University finds that cognitive behavioral therapy is highly effective in treating OCD in children and adolescents. The research, involving 269 participants from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, showed that 92% of those who benefited from the treatment remained symptom-free a year after completion.
Researchers found that a genetic variant in the dopamine receptor gene delayed maturation of a brain region involved in reward planning in boys, but not girls. In girls, the opposite effect was seen, with the same variant delaying cortical maturation while promoting healthy development in boys.
Research finds a link between insomnia and frequency of alcohol use among seventh- and eighth-grade students. Insomnia is identified as a risk marker for alcohol use, while symptoms of mental health problems and parental monitoring do not account for the association.
A high percentage of adolescents in developed countries use dietary supplements for sports performance and immune system benefits. The study found that boys and girls cite similar reasons, with enhancing sport performance as the top reason among athletes and nonathletes alike.
The study found that annual well-visit rates among adolescents increased from 41% to 48% after the ACA, with significant gains among minority and low-income adolescents. The ACA's requirement for coverage of preventive services without a copay led to increases in the receipt of recommended services up to age 21.
Researchers found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in children and adolescents, regardless of pre-existing conduct disorder. The study suggests that prevention programs can help break the cycle of violence.
A recent study has discovered a potential treatment for adult alcohol dependence caused by teenage binge drinking behavior. Researchers found that a specific drug can prevent the detrimental effects of adolescent binge drinking on brain development and reduce alcohol consumption in adulthood.
Penn State researchers recommend removing electronic devices from bedrooms, establishing bedtime routines, and avoiding bright lights to improve sleep in children and adolescents. The study suggests screen-based media consumption leads to delayed bedtimes, reduced total sleep duration, and negative effects on sleep quality.
Researchers found that nearly three-quarters of participants didn't develop problems with marijuana during young adulthood. The remaining quarter showed varying levels of limited, persistent, and delayed problems, often linked to childhood family conflict and instability. Anxiety disorders were a common issue among these users.
A large national sample of youth will be studied over several years to understand how sexual minority stress changes over time and its resulting health risks. The study aims to enable the development of targeted and effective behavioral health interventions to improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.
A new study from UMass Amherst suggests that women who are underweight during adolescence or adulthood may be at increased risk for early menopause. The research, which followed nearly 80,000 women over 25 years, found a significant association between being underweight and an earlier onset of natural menopause.
Researchers from Lancaster University found that teenagers who do not access healthcare when needed are at greater risk of dropping out of high school. More than one in five young people globally experience this issue, leading to increased unemployment, poor health, and crime.
A new study found that parents who acknowledge their adolescent children's perspectives and encourage them to express themselves have youths with stronger self-worth, intrinsic motivation, and engagement. However, the benefits of autonomy and decision-making differ across cultures.
A new study published by Binghamton University found that even small amounts of alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause anxiety in offspring, lasting through adolescence and adulthood. The research used low levels of alcohol exposure to reach this conclusion, differing from previous studies that used high levels.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that e-cigarette users who vaped with higher nicotine concentrations were more likely to use combustible cigarettes and experience intense vaping. The research suggests regulatory policies addressing nicotine concentration levels may affect progression of smoking and vaping among adolescents.
A new study by Nutrition Strategies Inc. found that sandwich ingredients, not the bread itself, are the most significant drivers of calories, fat and sodium in US children's diets. By building a better sandwich on either whole grain or enriched grain bread, American children can reduce their intake of these nutrients
A study found that having a parent with an alcohol use disorder increases the risk of teenage dating violence. Researchers identified family dynamics in infancy and middle childhood as critical factors in the development of aggression and dating violence.
A new study by San Diego State University finds that adolescents are sleeping fewer hours per night than older generations, with 40% of teenagers in 2015 sleeping less than 7 hours a night. Young people's increased smartphone use is linked to decreased sleep, with teens who spend more time online being more likely to not get enough sleep.
A study by Kathryn Farr found that school shooters often experience social shunning, bullying, and rejection due to their perceived masculine struggles. Schools can help prevent rampage shootings by addressing adolescent masculinity issues through in-school services, discussion-based forums, and curriculum changes.
Adolescents display nuanced views on pediatric genetic testing for adult-onset conditions, with approximately half agreeing to defer testing. Students' opinions were influenced by the preventability of the condition, with those focused on early-onset diseases supporting deferral and those on preventable conditions opposing it.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that teenage girls are more likely to self-harm than boys, with a sharp rise in self-harm rates among UK girls aged 13-16. The study analyzed data from 16,912 patients and found that girls were nine times more likely to die unnaturally than unaffected children.
A new study by Imperial College London and the World Health Organization found that childhood and adolescent obesity rates increased tenfold over four decades, from less than 1% in 1975 to nearly 6% in girls and 8% in boys in 2016. The number of obese children and adolescents is expected to surpass those who are underweight by 2022. He...
Global childhood obesity rates have increased ten-fold over four decades, with 12-16 million overweight youth in Europe. Early intervention and comprehensive policies are crucial to address this complex disease, which has strong associations with adult mortality and morbidity.
The global prevalence of child and adolescent obesity has increased significantly over the past four decades, from 0.7% to 5.6% for girls and 0.9% to 7.8% for boys. Despite this rise, more children remain moderately or severely underweight than obese globally, highlighting the need to improve food security.
A recent study from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that teenagers who start high school before 8:30 a.m. are at higher risk of depression and anxiety, even with good sleep hygiene. The study suggests that later school start times may be a strong protective factor for teens.
A study tracking over 3600 participants found that maternal factors and depression/anxiety were significant predictors of adolescent sleep problems. Conversely, an active lifestyle was found to decrease future incidence of sleep problems.
A study published in JAMA found that about 20 percent of adolescents reported having had a concussion during their lifetime. The prevalence was higher among males, whites, and those who participated in contact sports, with 11.1% reporting multiple concussions.
A phase 3 study of children ages 6-12 years with ADHD found that a delayed-release, long-acting formulation of methylphenidate improved ADHD symptoms and functional impairment in the morning. The medication provided sustained release throughout the day, reducing the need for multiple doses.
A study found low compliance with CDC recommendations for HIV and syphilis screening in at-risk adolescent patients in US emergency departments. The lack of adherence was attributed to inadequate clinician education, emphasizing the need for enhanced training.
A study published in the Annals of Neurology found a link between adolescent concussions and an increased risk of multiple sclerosis. The study, which analyzed over 7,000 patients, found that repeated head trauma was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of developing the condition.
A 15-country study reveals that adolescent interventions should begin with preteens to avoid the health risks of 'gender straitjackets' that include abuse and suicide. Researchers found that rigidly enforced gender expectations are linked to increased lifelong risks, including HIV, depression, violence, and suicide.