Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that adolescents are more receptive to rewards than punishments of equal value. The researchers suggest using positive reinforcement methods in education and parenting to encourage desired behavior, as reward-based systems may be more effective for this age group.
A new study found that adolescents who get insufficient sleep experience increased variability in sadness, anger, and energy levels. Healthy teens who restrict their sleep have worse moods the next day, while those with higher daily mood scores predict poor sleep quality the following night.
A new study by RAND Corporation found that adolescents using both marijuana and alcohol during middle school and high school are more likely to experience poor academic performance, mental health issues, and physical health problems. Nonwhite youth tend to face greater disparities in functioning compared to white youth.
A Princeton University study examines the impact of parent incarceration on a child's future and finds youth who experience household member imprisonment are 41% more likely to give birth before marriage. This risk is highest for fathers or extended family members, highlighting the need for interventions targeting vulnerable populations.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends specific sleep hours for children and teenagers to avoid health risks. Sleeping within recommended hours is associated with better health outcomes, while insufficient sleep increases risks of accidents, injuries, and mental health problems.
Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch found that adolescent and young adult cancer survivors are more likely to be current cigarette smokers. The study highlights the importance of addressing smoking during medical visits to encourage survivors to quit.
A recent study confirms a strong association between depression symptom severity and the level of disease activity and disability in adolescent patients with juvenile inflammatory arthritis. The findings underscore the need for psychological health assessment and support to be fully integrated into their routine care.
A national sample of 10,000 US adolescents found that exposure to abuse and domestic violence before age 11 increased the likelihood of drug use in adolescence. Childhood trauma was particularly harmful, with a greater number of traumatic experiences associated with an increase in risk for marijuana and other drugs.
A study of 1.4 million Danish children found that moving to a new home during childhood increases the risk of attempted suicide, violent criminality, and psychiatric illness in adulthood. The research, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, suggests that frequent residential mobility is associated with long-term adve...
A study found that teenage boys and girls close to someone who tried to kill themselves may face a higher rate of risk factors for heart disease in their twenties. Young adult men had higher blood pressure and systemic low-grade inflammation, while young adult women were more likely to be overweight/obese and have high blood pressure.
A recent study found a small rise in obesity prevalence among US teenagers over the last 25 years, with a notable increase in adolescent obesity between 1988-1994 and 2013-2014. Obesity rates have decreased among younger children but plateaued for older kids before rising again.
A new study suggests that a lack of common language between parents and teenagers can have negative effects on self-control and aggression. Positive discipline and warm parenting are more effective when both parent and child speak the same language.
A pilot study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that using everyday environments to increase physical activity led to significant gains in daily activity. Adolescents who participated in the program showed a 7.7-minute increase in moderate-to-vigorous activity, compared to half a minute for control group participants.
A meta-analysis of 39 studies found that one in ten youths treated with an antipsychotic have autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability. The study suggests that more youths with autism or intellectual disability have received antipsychotics, raising concerns over their efficacy and potential side effects.
A new UCLA study found that teenagers' brains activate the same reward circuitry when seeing high and low social media likes, influencing their behavior. The study suggests that social media can have a significant impact on teens' willingness to conform and engage in risk-taking behavior.
According to a new study published in The Lancet Oncology, teenagers and young adults have lower chances of surviving certain cancers compared to children. Despite improvements in overall childhood cancer survival rates, adolescents and young adults still tend to die earlier from blood cancers like leukaemias and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A Mayo Clinic-led study discovered that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may play a role in weight gain. The study suggests that spexin could be involved in childhood obesity and potentially used to treat or manage the condition.
A new study found that Mexican-American adolescents who experience their parents' ethnic discrimination have lower self-esteem and more emotional problems. Parents' discussions about culture, race, and ethnicity with their teens can positively impact their psychological adjustment.
A study of over 216,000 adolescents found a 24% decline in marijuana-related problems and a 10% decrease in marijuana use between 2002 and 2013. Behavioral problems also decreased, suggesting a link between early treatment and reduced substance abuse.
A study by Duke University scientists reveals a biological pathway for depression in adolescents from socioeconomically disadvantaged families. The research shows that these individuals accumulate epigenetic tags on a gene linked to depression, leading to increased amygdala activity and higher risk of depression symptoms.
A longitudinal research project found a link between digital addiction and school burnout in Finnish adolescents, with excessive internet use contributing to school burnout and potentially leading to depression. The study suggests that promoting school engagement and motivation can prevent these issues.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that obese teenagers have lower levels of the hormone spexin, which may contribute to weight gain and obesity. The study suggests that spexin may play a role in regulating body fat mass and energy balance.
Research from Binghamton University found that adolescent alcohol exposure can lead to a lack of hormonal stress adaptation, making adults more vulnerable to chronic stress. Adult males exposed to alcohol during adolescence showed elevated cortisol levels and impaired stress response.
Research found that both low- and high-birthweight babies are at increased risk for developing dangerous fat around major organs, leading to related problems such as insulin resistance and inflammation. The association between birthweight and future cardiovascular disease may not be easily modified by healthy eating and exercise.
Teenagers who experienced childhood family adversity are more likely to be bullied at school and develop depressive symptoms. However, supportive family or friends in early adolescence can help reduce depressive symptoms later on.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that consuming high amounts of saturated fat or low amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fats during adolescence is associated with higher breast density in young adulthood. This increased risk of breast cancer was observed after adjusting for multiple variables.
A study of 88 teenage boys found that those who experienced sudden growth spurts had lower coordination and more irregular gaits than their peers, suggesting that the brain needs time to adjust to rapid height increases.
A study found that teenagers who multitask between media while studying perform worse academically, having lower working memory and being more impulsive
A new study by RAND Corporation reveals that Southern California middle school students are exposed to an average of 3.1 alcohol advertisements every day. Racial disparities were also observed, with African Americans and Hispanics experiencing higher levels of exposure compared to white youths.
A sharp increase in teen poisonings has been reported in the UK over the past 20 years, particularly among girls. Socioeconomic deprivation is strongly linked to this trend, with those from the most deprived areas two to three times more likely to poison themselves.
Researchers at the University of Sussex discovered a genetic link between impulsivity and teenage binge-drinking, identifying a specific gene variant called KALRN. This finding may help understand why some young people struggle with controlling their urges for risky behavior like binge drinking.
A study of 16,132 participants found that midlife loneliness is associated with low income, health restrictions, and limited social interaction. High income, professional status, and good job security are protective factors against loneliness in this age group.
Researchers identified a specific gene, KALRN, linked to impulsive behavior and binge drinking in teenagers. The study used a two-step approach to investigate genetic factors contributing to early experimentation with and abuse of alcohol.
A study of 90,000 nurses found that high fruit consumption during adolescence was associated with a 25% lower risk of breast cancer diagnosed in middle age. Increasing alcohol intake in later life was linked to a higher risk of breast cancer and heart disease.
Babies born with low birthweight are at a higher risk of death from infancy through to adolescence compared to those born at normal weight. The research found that death rates were 130 times more frequent in very low birthweight infants, highlighting the importance of targeting factors contributing to low birthweights.
A population study found that low birthweight babies had increased death rates from infancy to adolescence, with causes including perinatal events and congenital malformations. The study suggests focusing on upstream events to prevent low birthweight remains an important health goal.
A new study found that parental depression is linked to increased brain activity in areas responsible for risk taking in adolescent children, leading to more rule-breaking behaviors. The study suggests that even mild depressive symptoms in parents can influence teens' behavior through changes in the brain's response to rewards.
A new report by The Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing reveals that unsafe sex has become the fastest-growing risk factor for ill health among young people aged 10-24 years. Guaranteeing access to free quality secondary education is identified as a single best investment to improve adolescent health.
A major new Lancet Commission highlights the critical need for increased investment in adolescent health and wellbeing, citing alarming rates of preventable deaths and diseases among young people. The report emphasizes that behaviors established during adolescence can determine lifelong health outcomes.
A new study published in Addictive Behaviors found that family warmth and support are indicators of decreased tobacco use in Native American adolescents. Engagement in school through positive activities was also found to be a preventive tool against frequent smoking.
Vaping has become the new drug of choice among teens who are unaware of its dangers and risks, according to UB addictions expert Nancy Campbell-Heider. Screening early can stage interventions before vaping leads to other tobacco products.
A new study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies 2016 Meeting found that teens in Washington State reported no increase in ease of accessing marijuana after its recreational use was legalized for adults. Despite this, adolescents reported increased difficulty in accessing other illicit substances.
Research found that children exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during gestation had a cumulative incidence of 8.2% of depression by age 15, compared to 1.9% for those without antidepressant use. The study also showed no significant difference in anxiety or ASD diagnoses.
A new study by Adam Lippert finds that e-cigarette use among teens is clustered in schools with high rates of use, suggesting a cultural factor at play. The research suggests that educators should consider perceptions of e-cigarettes as less harmful when implementing initiatives to curb teen vaping.
The program, launched in 1998, focuses on primary prevention and has led to significant reductions in substance use among adolescents. Key findings include a drop from 42% to 5% in getting drunk within a month, and declines in daily smoking and cannabis lifetime use.
Researchers found a significant reduction in bullying behavior among students who completed the online program StandUp, which teaches verbal, physical, sexual, and cyberbullying prevention. The program increased the use of healthy relationship skills and reduced bystander passivity to both emotional and physical bullying.
Depressed teenagers who received cognitive behavioral therapy in their primary care clinic recovered faster and were more likely to recover than those without the counseling. The study found that 70% of teens in the program had recovered after six months, compared to 43% in the standard care group.
Research finds harsh parenting increases risk of poor physical health and obesity, while a warm coparent can partially mitigate this risk. However, the effect on body mass index is counterintuitive, as increased warmth from the other parent increases the health risk.
A new study has demonstrated the efficacy of all-oral treatment regimens in adolescents with hepatitis C virus. The study found that 97% of patients achieved sustained virologic response rates after 12 weeks of treatment, suggesting a promising treatment option for this patient group.
A nationwide study of 2.3 million Israeli adolescents found an association between elevated BMI in late adolescence and subsequent cardiovascular mortality in midlife. Even BMI considered 'normal' during adolescence was associated with a graded increase in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality.
Adolescents who recall seeing e-cigarettes in shops are more likely to have tried them and intend to try them in the future. The study, which involved 3,808 Scottish adolescents, found a strong association between recall of e-cigarette displays at point of sale and use of e-cigarettes.
A genetic test for adolescents with scoliosis can now predict worsening curves, guiding treatment decisions. The study reveals an overactive gene linked to scoliosis, providing insights into its development and potential prevention methods.
Research presented at The International Liver Congress 2016 found that breastfeeding exclusively for six months can reduce the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescence by a third. Pre-pregnancy BMI within the normal range also reduces the risk, by half.
A father's family values can predict the family values held by Mexican-origin youth as well as the amount of time they spend with their families, according to new research. The study also found that parental acceptance and warmth play a crucial role in determining the link between family time and young adults' depressive symptoms.
A new mouse model has been developed to study anorexia-like conditions triggered by a combination of genetic risk, stress, and dieting. The model closely resembles the conditions leading up to anorexia in humans, particularly in adolescents, and may help identify prevention and treatment strategies.
A nationwide study found that skateboarding-related injuries affected 64,572 children and adolescents annually, with most being male and injured at home or on the street. The study emphasizes the importance of wearing protective gear and finding safe routes for kids to ride, especially before they reach 6 years old.
Research from the University of Warwick found that adolescents who spend quality time with their parents are more likely to pursue further study. Cultural activities, such as visiting museums and galleries, also play a significant role in increasing educational aspirations.
A new study found that 85% of Scandinavian adolescents' Instagram accounts share at least one food image, with high-calorie foods like candy and ice cream being the most common. Positive descriptions and festive environments, such as birthday parties, were also strongly linked to these types of posts.
A pilot study found that mindfulness-based eating awareness training encouraged adolescents to eat healthier and exercise more. While the intervention had some limitations, it showed promise in reducing weight gain risk and improving physical activity levels.
A new study suggests that taking antibiotics in early childhood may disrupt the gut's microbial ecosystem and increase the risk of developing prediabetes in adolescence. The researchers found that a depletion of beneficial bacteria, such as Ruminococcus species, was associated with higher rates of antibiotic use.