Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Research at Oregon State University shows that frequent, long-term PE instruction equips adolescents with knowledge about the role of physical activity in good health. The study found strong correlation between regular PE and students meeting federal guidelines for moderate to vigorous physical activity.
A new study from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia finds that nearly 90% of teens with ASD obtain their intermediate driver's license within two years of becoming eligible. Most teens with ASD receive their license in their 17th year, suggesting families make the decision to drive before their teen gets behind the wheel.
A study published in Pediatrics found that obesity significantly increases the risk of high blood pressure in Hispanic adolescents, with a prevalence rate nearly six times higher than in non-Hispanic peers. Researchers attribute this disparity to lack of data on health risks for Hispanic youth.
Researchers found that adolescents exposed to severe stressors are more likely to drop out of high school. Stressors can come from family members, conflicts with peers, work issues, health problems, and legal issues, often occurring away from school.
A recent study found that adolescents' use of Instagram strengthened their friendships, leading to lower levels of depression. Frequent Instagram use was related to increased closeness to friends, which in turn was linked to better mental health.
A new study presents evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased markers of cardiovascular disease in overweight and obese children. The research found a significant link between low vitamin D levels and higher levels of atherogenic lipids, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol.
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics reports a global decline in child and adolescent deaths from nearly 14.2 million in 1990 to over 7.2 million in 2015. The progress has been uneven, with countries with lower socioeconomic indices bearing the greatest burden of death, particularly in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Research by Fordham University found that gender-neutral restrooms in schools have a significant impact on the overall school security, self-esteem, and grades of trans students. The study also highlighted demographic disparities by gender, race, and sexual orientation in school facilities.
A new study has identified an early vulnerability brain marker for psychosis in late adolescence, which can be detected through exaggerated emotional responses to non-threatening cues. This finding could lead to the development of new intervention strategies for at-risk youth.
Teenagers involved in bullying have a higher preoccupation with weight loss than their peers, with 42% of bullies and 55% of victims showing extreme obsession. Clinicians should target emotional wellbeing and self-esteem issues when treating victims of bullying.
The US Preventive Services Task Force found inadequate evidence on celiac disease screening accuracy, benefits and harms of screening, and treatment effects. Current evidence is insufficient to assess balance of benefits and harms of screening for asymptomatic individuals.
Research from the University of Surrey and Harvard Medical School found that delaying school start times in the UK won't reduce sleep deprivation in teenagers. Instead, they recommend exposing teens to bright light during the day and turning off lights at night as an effective solution.
A new study published in the Journal of Child and Family Studies suggests that psychoeducation and skills building can help sever the emotion-behavior link contributing to HIV/STI risk among black adolescents with mental illnesses. The study found that improving coping mechanisms to regulate emotions may be crucial for preventing HIV/S...
A new study has found that U.S. youth infected with HIV around the time of their birth are at higher risk for experiencing serious health problems, poor control of the HIV virus, or death as they age. The study highlights the need to strengthen services for these patients, taking into account their developmentally specific needs.
Researchers compare arm anthropometry measures to BMI to determine nutritional status in leukemia survivors. Arm measurements distinguish between fat and muscle mass, providing a valuable tool for assessing muscle loss.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology found that female adolescent and young adult cancer survivors have a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, including preterm birth and low-birth weight. The study also suggests an increased likelihood of cesarean births among this population.
Researchers found no relationship between family-meal frequency and weight but did find that eating home-cooked meals without TV or video significantly lowered obesity odds. Engaging in both healthy practices every time they ate family meal was the lowest risk.
A large study of 309 adolescent boys and girls found that moderate to intense physical activity during growth spurt years significantly increases bone mass and strength. The study suggests a balance between physical activity and recovery time is needed to enhance bone health.
A new study examined the Identity Project, a mental-health promotion intervention that explores ethnic and racial identities in young people. The program helps promote key developmental constructs that can enhance the positive development of youth from diverse backgrounds.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology found that children who receive guidance on intervening in bullying incidents are more likely to do so. Conversely, parents telling their children to 'stay out of it' can actually increase the likelihood of bystander involvement in bullying. The research highl...
A Penn study reveals new patterns of coordinated brain development during adolescence, relating structural patterns to functional networks. This finding may open opportunities for future research into preventing psychiatric disorders that begin during this age.
Adolescents who fantasize about casual sex and have had casual relationships are more likely to be harassed. Researchers found that those who have been sexually harassed also prefer casual sex, highlighting the need for better communication scripts among young people.
A recent study published in Sex Roles found that female cyberbullies and victims perceive school and learning as less important after experiencing online harassment. Researchers discovered that girls who engaged in cyberbullying felt the least accepted by their peers, which negatively impacted their attitudes towards education.
A team of experts concludes that regulatory, behavioral and scientific evidence supports making oral contraceptives available over-the-counter for adults and teens. Studies show that teens can safely use 'the pill' to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and wider access could lead to fewer teen pregnancies.
A new study by Oxford casts doubt on whether internet filters in the home effectively shield young people from unpleasant online experiences. Researchers found that homes with internet filters had no link to lower rates of negative online experiences among teenagers.
A long-term study of British children found that physical activity levels began to decline at age 7, not just during adolescence. The study suggests that a shift in research focus is needed to understand the factors behind this decline and inform policy and practice.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has awarded a $10.3 million grant to create a Youth Opportunity Hub in Northern Manhattan, providing wraparound support and opportunities to youth through partnerships with community-based organizations. The project aims to reduce involvement in the criminal justice system among high-risk youth.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that increasing the minimum wage would likely reduce the US adolescent birth rate by about 2%. This translates to approximately 5,000 fewer births annually. Higher wages can motivate teens to work and delay childbearing or prioritize leisure time over parenthood.
Research from the University of Warwick suggests that cyberbullying is mostly an extension of traditional playground bullying, rather than a standalone phenomenon. The study found that 29% of UK teenagers reported being bullied, with only 1% experiencing cyberbullying alone.
A new study from Southern Methodist University found that a self-persuasion app on an iPad motivated low-income parents to vaccinate their teens against human papillomavirus, a cancer-causing virus. The app used audio prompts and guided parents in thinking through the importance of vaccination.
Researchers have discovered a relationship between brain structure and dimensional measures of ADHD symptoms, particularly inattention. The study found reduced gray matter volume in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) was associated with increased symptom severity.
A pilot study of guanfacine, an alpha2-agonist, found the drug safe and well-tolerated in pediatric patients with anxiety disorder. The study suggests potential effectiveness and opens doors to further clinical testing.
Despite significant weight gain, anorexia nervosa patients' brains continue to exhibit elevated reward systems, suggesting a prolonged recovery period. The study suggests that neurotransmitter dopamine plays a key role in the disease's pathology and may require targeted treatments.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that women who consumed a diet high in sugar-sweetened drinks and processed meats during adolescence or young adulthood had a higher risk of premenopausal breast cancer. The researchers recommend consuming a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds...
Research shows teens exhibit safer driving behavior after involvement in a severe collision, with risk levels decreasing by up to 34% in two months. The study tracked data from over 250 teens and found that elevated acceleration events, such as rapid turns or stops, were higher among those who later crashed compared to those who did not.
A new study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that childhood abuse impairs associative learning, contributing to misbehavior patterns later in life. Researchers discovered that abused children struggled with learning which stimuli were associated with rewards, leading to pessimism and poor decision-making.
A recent study found that teenagers and young adults with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop complications, such as diabetic kidney disease, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy, compared to those with type 1 diabetes. The study also revealed higher prevalence of hypertension in both groups.
A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that adolescents with autism are four times more likely to visit the emergency department than their non-autistic peers. The research suggests that youth with autism may need better access to primary care and specialist services.
A new study found that adolescents and young adults with type 2 diabetes experience more than double the health complications compared to those with type 1 diabetes. Health complications include retinopathy, diabetic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, arterial stiffness, and high blood pressure.
A recent study of 74 Android mobile apps found that 89% focus on parental control, while only 11% support teen self-regulation. This approach may hinder teens' ability to develop essential online safety skills and cope with future encounters.
A recent study links adolescent sleepiness to future crime rates, with sleepy teens more likely to commit crimes by age 29. The study suggests that poor daytime attention and social adversity may contribute to the relationship between sleepiness and crime.
Researchers used brain scans to improve predictions of adolescent problem drug use, correctly identifying 2/3 of those who would abuse drugs. Novelty-seeking scores were associated with reduced anticipation in brain reward centers, a key predictor of future drug use.
Research published in BMJ Open found that brainy teens are less likely to smoke, but more likely to drink alcohol and use cannabis. The study tracked the substance use of over 6,000 English teenagers from age 11 to 19, revealing persistent patterns into adulthood.
Researchers discovered that drugs targeting inhibitory brain receptors can alter synapse number, potentially offering therapeutic strategies for autism and schizophrenia. Targeted therapy during adolescence may help normalize synapse numbers in individuals with abnormal numbers of synapses.
Research suggests that state-level same-sex marriage policies are associated with a significant reduction in adolescent suicide attempts, particularly among gay, lesbian and bisexual adolescents. The study found a seven percent reduction in suicide attempts among high school students generally.
New research in adolescent rodents identifies under-expression of α4βδ-GABAA receptors as a risk factor for anorexia nervosa-like behavior. Boosting receptor activity may be a promising treatment strategy, addressing the high mortality rate of this mental illness.
A Saint Louis University study found nearly 50% of adolescents thought it was 'probably impossible' to acquire heroin in 2014, compared to 39% in 2002. The number of teens who believed it was easy or very easy to get heroin also declined between 2002 and 2014.
A nationwide analysis suggests same-sex marriage policies were associated with a 7% reduction in suicide attempts among adolescents. Same-sex marriage policies were found to be concentrated among adolescents who were sexual minorities, resulting in over 134,000 fewer adolescents attempting suicide annually.
Researchers found that adolescents with weak working memory and progressive drug use are at a higher risk of developing substance abuse problems later in life. Interventions targeting these underlying factors can help prevent substance abuse problems in adolescents.
A study found that moderate to high levels of screen time are not associated with negative outcomes in teenagers. The researcher suggests that parents should focus on how media is used rather than just time consumption, as it can foster learning and socialization.
A study found that brain responses to rewards are a significant predictor of pain symptoms in adolescents, with patterns of reward processing at age 14-15 predicting pain complaints at age 16-17. Genetic variants affecting pain sensitivity may also play a role.
Dr. Sandra B. Sexson, a renowned child and adolescent psychiatrist, has received the Vestermark Psychiatry Educator Award for her leadership and creativity in psychiatric education. She is recognized for her 40-year dedication to advancing the field of psychiatry through various academic and professional roles.
A new study found that delaying marijuana use until age 17 is associated with better brain function and fewer cognitive declines. Adolescents who started using cannabis earlier showed poorer verbal skills and vocabulary, as well as difficulties with problem-solving and daily adaptation.
A recent study found a 19.2% increase in cigarette smoking among pregnant teenagers following the enactment of minimum legal sale ages for e-cigarettes. The policy had the greatest effects on the youngest pregnant women, with an average underage pregnant woman smoking about half a cigarette extra per day.
A new study finds that e-cigarettes are expanding tobacco product use among youth, particularly those at low risk of starting with cigarettes. The researchers analyzed survey data from over 140,000 middle and high school students and found no evidence that e-cigarettes have caused a decline in youth smoking
A new study reveals that obesity surgery has been shown to be as effective for teenagers as for adults, resulting in significant weight loss. However, the study also highlights potential complications, including bowel obstruction and gallstones, which require further monitoring and support.
A study by McGill University researchers found that students from schools starting earlier slept less and were more likely to be tired in the morning. Delaying school start times could help Canadian teenagers sleep better and give them a better chance for success.
Researchers find a positive correlation between belief in free will and happiness among Chinese teenagers, contrasting with previous Western studies. The study suggests that believing in free will may lead to increased perceived autonomy, self-control, and deliberate effort to achieve goals, ultimately contributing to happiness.
A new study from the University of Cambridge found that teenagers with mental health problems who receive treatment experience a greater decrease in depressive symptoms than those without. By age 17, service users were more than seven times less likely to report clinical depression compared to untreated individuals.
A study published in Addiction Biology found that long-term heavy drinking in adolescents alters brain electrical activity, particularly in the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission system. This alteration may be detrimental to a developing brain, warranting tighter diagnostic criteria for substance abuse disorders.