Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
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.
Researchers found that both positive and negative moods can spread through friendship networks, but depression has limited impact. Having more depressed friends increases the risk of low moods, while a positive social circle decreases it.
A study by Jean M. Twenge and Heejung Park found that teenagers today are less likely to engage in adult activities such as working, driving, dating, drinking alcohol, and having sex compared to previous decades. The decline in these activities is observed across demographic groups and suggests a broad-based cultural shift.
Research found that transgender adolescents are up to four times more likely to engage in substance use and nearly double the risk of suicidal thoughts compared to non-transgender peers. School-based victimization and depression were significant factors contributing to these disparities.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has released its first clinical report on tattoos and piercings, providing guidance for pediatricians on body modifications. The report highlights potential risks and complications, including infection, and emphasizes the importance of proper care and caution when getting a tattoo or piercing.
Teenagers who try e-cigarettes are 2.16 times more likely to be susceptible to cigarette smoking, according to a study from the University of Waterloo and Wake Forest School of Medicine. The use of e-cigarettes among adolescents may lead to an increase in harmful cigarette use.
A new meta-analysis of over 6,500 patients found that antidepressants work better than placebos across various mental disorders, with the difference varying by disorder type. The study also highlights the strong placebo effect in depression and its potential for new treatment concepts.
A new study reveals that post-surgical painkiller prescriptions can become a pathway to continued, nonmedical opioid use in teens and young adults. The research found that nearly 5% of patients who underwent common surgeries had persistent opioid use after 90 days.
Western researchers have identified a specific mechanism in the prefrontal cortex for the mental health risks associated with adolescent marijuana use and developed a way to reverse those risks using pharmaceuticals. The study found that reducing GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, can lead to hyperactive states in the brain's dopami...
A recent UC Davis study found that early adolescents with cross-ethnic friendships had significantly higher GPAs and teacher expectations. Students who interacted with peers from other ethnicities experienced an average grade point increase of one-third of a point, corresponding to a B-plus to A-minus average.
A new study by Dr Daniel Brown defines thriving as a combination of personal development, succeeding at mastering something, and feeling good about life. The research outlines six recommendations for future studies on thriving.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that cannabidiol reduces symptoms such as impaired memory in adolescent mice exposed to THC, suggesting a protective effect of CBD against the negative effects of chronic THC use.
A study found PrEP effective in preventing HIV infection among adolescent men who have sex with men, but struggled with low adherence rates. The treatment was safe, with most participants having detectable drug levels throughout the study.
A research team led by Deborah Ellis aims to improve asthma management and reduce deaths among minority children, with a focus on African American adolescents. The project will test an adapted intervention, REACH for Control, in real-world settings.
A recent study published in NeuroImage found that adolescents at risk for obesity have reduced neural activity in attention and self-regulation circuits. The researchers used fMRI to investigate the relationship between neurological activity and risk for obesity, suggesting that interventions targeting self-regulatory systems may be a ...
A new longitudinal study suggests that high-quality friendships during adolescence can predict better mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Teens with stronger close friendships tend to experience lower social anxiety and increased self-worth, while those who are popular in high school may be more prone to social anxiety later on.
New research reveals abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are ineffective in delaying sexual initiation and reducing risk behaviors. Comprehensive sex education has favorable effects on multiple adolescent behaviors, including delayed initiation of sexual activity.
A study using fMRI scans found that reduced neural activity in teens at high risk of adult obesity may be an early predictor. The researchers discovered that lean adolescents with a family history of overweight parents showed less self-regulation activity than their peers.
A recent study found that female adolescents from low-income households with wide salary gaps show changes to their brain maturation, indicating a higher risk of developing mental illness. The research suggests that social environment and income inequality can influence brain development.
A new meta-analysis finds that having friends who smoke doubles the risk of adolescents starting and continuing to smoke. The study also reveals that peer influence is stronger in collectivist cultures, where adolescents are 4.3 times more likely to pick up smoking if their peers smoke.
A recent UK study found that schoolchildren who use e-cigarettes are 34% more likely to smoke a cigarette within a year. The research, led by the University of Leeds, surveyed over 2,800 adolescents and found that e-cigarette use was a strong predictor of smoking initiation, particularly among those with no friends who smoked.
A survey of Russian high school students reveals that those without university plans consume alcohol more often. Reading habits also show a positive correlation with sobriety among university-bound teens.
A UK study found that e-cigarette use among teens is associated with an increased risk of starting conventional cigarette smoking and escalating their habit. The study suggests that e-cigarette use may be a marker for those who would have started smoking anyway, but more research is needed to confirm this.
A recent literature review suggests that adolescent risk-taking behavior is not due to a brain development deficit, but rather exploration and learning. The review highlights that most adolescents pass through this period without significant problems, while a smaller subset is at higher risk of unhealthy outcomes.
A new study from McGill University Health Centre highlights significant gaps in transition care services for young adults with diabetes in Quebec. Pediatric care providers reported lack of standardized policies and limited communication between settings, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to improve the transition process.
Research published by Chapman University found that transgender students in California are at a higher risk of substance use compared to their non-transgender peers. The study showed that transgender students were more than two times more likely to engage in substance use throughout their lifetimes.
Researchers found that adolescents aged 11-17 spent over an hour less daily in their neighborhoods if residents had a high fear of crime, compared to kids from safer areas. The study used smartphone data to track kids' whereabouts and linked collective fear of crime to high-poverty neighborhoods.
A study by Oregon Research Institute found that e-cigarette use among 8th and 9th graders is higher than national samples, closely linked to marijuana and tobacco use. The study tracked usage patterns from 8th grade through 9th grade, revealing high rates of addiction.
Research suggests that traumatic brain injuries in childhood and adolescence can increase the risk of alcohol abuse problems in adulthood. The study found a clearer link between brain injury and alcohol abuse in people who suffered an injury before age 5, with children under 5 being over 3.6 times more likely to exhibit substance abuse...
A new study found that cognitive abilities in adolescence are positively related, suggesting a 'mutualism' model where skills help each other develop. This research has implications for understanding developmental challenges and life outcomes, such as academic success and longevity.
A study of age and crime statistics from Taiwan suggests that cultural factors, such as collectivist societies and parental supervision, may influence the age-crime relationship. The findings challenge the long-held assumption that biology drives teen criminal behavior, instead highlighting the importance of cultural influences.
The CHLA Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (LEAH) Program will train healthcare professionals to address emerging health issues among adolescents and young adults. The five-year program aims to prepare providers for culturally competent care, particularly for underrepresented populations such as LGBTQ youth and system-involved ...
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found a consistent pattern of increased risk of later violence among adolescents with depression. The research team identified modest increases in risk of violence in depression, with an odds ratio of two-fold in one sample.
A new study by Duke researchers found that teenagers who were exposed to violence consumed more unhealthy foods and beverages, including increased soda consumption, which is a strong predictor of weight gain. The study also revealed that adolescents took more steps on days they were exposed to violence, contrary to expectations.
A randomized trial found that incorporating 12-step program elements into adolescent substance-use disorder treatment resulted in significantly reduced substance-related consequences. Participants in the integrated program also reported higher rates of 12-step meeting attendance, associated with longer periods of continuous abstinence.
A study found that extended-release guanfacine only showed a small reduction in tic severity among children with chronic tic disorders, with no significant difference between the drug and placebo. The medication was associated with common side effects such as fatigue, dry mouth, and headache.
Two clinical trials found that adolescents using oral Truvada and a vaginal ring for HIV prevention had high adherence rates, with most participants taking the medication as prescribed. The studies pave the way for larger trials of these interventions in this vulnerable age group.
A study found that adolescents with an increasing pattern of marijuana use over their teens had the greatest dysfunction in brain reward circuitry, highest rates of depression, and lowest educational achievements. The findings highlight the importance of understanding marijuana use across adolescence to predict long-term impacts.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends focusing on clusters of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as high blood sugar, hypertension, and obesity, to identify overweight or obese children at highest risk for cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Pediatricians should target youth with multiple component risk factors for more...
A recent study found that parents have a significant impact on their teenagers' decisions regarding alcohol, with parental behavior and attitudes being key factors in preventing or delaying underage drinking. The study suggests that parents should discuss alcohol use with their children, set clear expectations, and avoid binge drinking.
A comprehensive treatment framework is presented to guide the management of children with PANS/PANDAS, focusing on psychiatric interventions, infection prevention, and immunomodulatory therapies. The guidelines aim to improve symptom relief, functioning, and adherence to therapeutic interventions.