Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study found that AMH levels are related to high testosterone secretion and abdominal adiposity, making it a possible surrogate for ovarian antral follicle number. Additionally, AMH levels were correlated with age and body mass index, indicating its potential as a biomarker for PCOS diagnosis in obese adolescent girls.
A new study found that higher levels of cord-blood leptin and adiponectin at birth were associated with greater fat in the child at ages 9 and 17. This suggests that fetal overnutrition may program greater adiposity in the child, extending into childhood and adolescence.
Five researchers who designed and executed the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health will receive the Golden Goose Award. The study has provided unanticipated insights into how adolescent health affects wellbeing long into adulthood and laid essential groundwork for research into the nation's obesity epidemic.
Research highlights the importance of involving young cancer survivors in health behavior interventions and leveraging e-health technologies to support behavior change. The study identifies successful characteristics shared by effective interventions, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to this population.
A study by Case Western Reserve University found a dose-response relationship between substance use severity and low-regard for others in adolescents. Adolescents with severe addiction were more likely to engage in riskier behaviors, such as unprotected sex and driving under the influence.
A study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that nearly 10% of Canadian teens gamble online, while 42% report gambling in any form. The study highlights concerns about problem gambling among youth who engage in both online and offline activities.
A rat study found that adolescent amphetamine abuse leads to long-lasting changes in brain function, affecting dopamine signaling and prefrontal cortex development. These changes persist into adulthood, contributing to behavioral consequences like addiction and relapse.
A new report by academics at the University of Stirling found that adolescents with emotional problems are 32% more likely to be unemployed and 26% more likely to be out of the workforce. The study suggests that investing in childhood and adolescent mental health services could have economic benefits, including reducing population-leve...
The narrative review discusses current status of adolescent and young adult cancer, highlighting areas for improvement and opportunities for progress. The authors emphasize the need for increased accrual to therapeutic clinical trials and enhanced investment in psychological support.
Researchers conducted focus groups with children (8-12 years) and adolescents (13-17 years) to elicit perceptions of oral health. Three themes emerged: maintaining good oral health for longevity, positive associations between oral health and relationships, and benefits of orthodontic treatment. These findings inform the development of ...
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver shows that adolescents who grow up and consistently live in poor neighborhoods are more likely to become or remain obese in adulthood than their peers. Moving into a poor neighborhood increases risk, while moving out decreases it, with young women at greatest risk.
High school girls using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) were less likely to use condoms compared to those using oral contraceptives. LARC users were also more likely to have multiple sexual partners.
A Kansas State University researcher found that an integrated approach to address hot topics like substance use, obesity, and mental health is critical for teen health. The research involved a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from online surveys, community focus groups, and interviews with key individuals.
A clinical risk score developed among children presenting to an emergency department with a concussion was significantly better than physician judgment in predicting future persistent postconcussion symptoms. The study found that approximately 33% of children experience ongoing symptoms, which can have serious adverse effects.
A recent study published in Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that nearly half of adolescents consume caffeinated beverages one to six times a week. Researchers believe that further education could lead to better decision-making regarding caffeine intake and mitigate potential health risks.
Researchers found that neglected neighborhoods with poor street lighting, vacant lots, and fewer parks had higher rates of teen homicides. Modifying these features through low-cost improvements may foster community interaction and reduce youth violence.
Research found that neighborhood features such as street lighting, parks, and public transportation are associated with lower odds of adolescent homicide. Maintained vacant lots also showed promise in reducing youth violence.
A study published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine found that homeschooled children get an average of 90 minutes more sleep per night than their public and private school peers. Experts argue that this is due to the altered biological clocks of teenagers, who need nine hours of sleep a night but often don't get it.
African American adolescents experiencing high levels of racial discrimination show cellular wear and tear, but supportive family environments protect against premature aging. Family support reduces the link between discrimination and cellular aging.
A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Research found that Asian-American adolescents desire more open discussions about sexual health with healthcare providers. Key themes included confidentiality concerns, a general lack of knowledge regarding STIs and contraception, and hesitation to discuss sexual histories. Providers can a...
A new study found that students who attend schools with programs and policies supporting LGBTQ youth are less likely to binge drink, regardless of their sexual identity. Living in states or cities with more affirmative school climates was associated with fewer binge drinking days for gay/lesbian and heterosexual students.
A study found that adolescents who slept only five hours a night for seven nights experienced significant cognitive degradation, including decreased sustained attention and working memory. Even after recovery sleep, residual effects persisted.
A recent US study of over 3,000 adolescent girls found that nearly a fifth of lesbian and four-fifths of bisexual teens had a male sex partner recently. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive sexual health education for all youth, including those who identify as lesbian or bisexual.
A new report from the American Brain Tumor Association reveals that malignant brain tumors are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in adolescents and young adults aged 15-39. The study, which analyzed data from 2008-2012, also found a shift towards high-grade tumors with increasing age.
A new study found that a computer-based attention bias modification treatment reduced negative attention biases and clinician-rated depressive symptoms in adolescents with major depression. After 12 months, participants in the active ABM group reported even greater reductions in self-reported depressive and anxious feelings.
Maladaptive and impulsive aggression is a disabling symptom in children with psychiatric disorders, characterized by explosive behavior triggered by routine cues. The development of effective treatments requires better descriptive and quantitative methods to characterize this disorder.
A study from Hasbro Children's Hospital found nearly 50% of teens seen in the emergency department report peer violence and cyberbullying. Almost one-quarter also report symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
A new study found that more than half of young women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer did not believe endocrine therapy was essential. The study emphasizes the need for better education on the benefits of endocrine therapy and medication adherence among this age group.
A new Northwestern Medicine study found that an adolescent male's attitude toward risky sex, pregnancy, and birth control can predict whether he will end up living with his future offspring. Young men who felt more favorable towards pregnancy had a higher chance of becoming nonresident fathers.
Researchers found that boys who experience a greater decline in slow-wave sleep during adolescence are at higher risk for developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and impaired attention. In contrast, girls showed no significant associations between SWS loss and health outcomes.
New research from the University of Missouri suggests that biculturalism is linked to higher self-esteem and prosocial tendencies in Mexican-American youth. This positive association allows them to maintain connection with both their culture of origin and mainstream American culture.
Research suggests that starting age of marijuana use can impact brain structures responsible for judgment, reasoning, and complex thinking. Heavy marijuana users who began using before age 16 showed arrested brain development, while those who started after 16 demonstrated accelerated brain aging.
A new Northwestern University study found that about a third of adolescents experience severe and ongoing bullying, which can lead to major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The study also highlighted the importance of addressing these patterns in schools through policies and programs.
A Kaiser Permanente study found moderate protection against whooping cough during the first year after vaccination, but effectiveness dwindles to less than 9% after four years among teenagers vaccinated with newer acellular pertussis vaccine as infants and children. Targeted rounds of vaccination may be necessary for adolescents.
A study of Italian sixth- to eighth-graders found a high rate of gambling, which was associated with substance use and other risk-taking behaviors. The study suggests that parents and healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential risks of gambling in early adolescence.
Child abuse in youth-serving organizations is a problem but much less common than family maltreatment. Verbal abuse was reported by most YSO survivors, with physical abuse and neglect occurring at lower rates.
Open discussion of shame and blame is crucial for helping teens who self-harm and their families move forward. Separate sessions allow parents and teens to process emotions before joint discussions, promoting healing and understanding.
A study by University of Rochester researchers found that teenagers' caring behavior decreases during adolescence but rebounds when they feel supported by their social circles. The study also revealed that volunteering leads to increased values of social responsibility.
A study found that nearly 40% of adolescents prescribed antidepressant medication did not receive documented follow-up care for three months. This lack of care raises concerns about the quality of treatment for adolescent depression, a condition affecting 12% of adolescents.
A new study published in Pediatrics suggests that a higher dietary fiber intake during adolescence and young adulthood may lower breast cancer risk. The researchers analyzed data from 90,534 women and found a significant inverse association between fiber intake and breast cancer incidence.
Recent studies suggest that technology can have positive effects on social connections and mental well-being, but these benefits often fall short of those provided by in-person interactions. Research has shown that face-to-face communication is more effective at creating a positive mood and reducing stress than text messaging.
A study by Lucy Hunt found that certain evaluative contexts elicit similar first impressions, such as face-to-face and video, but not face-to-face and photo. Meanwhile, Dr. Kristina Durante's research on mate choice suggests that encountering a potential partner serendipitously enhances perceptions of future love and satisfaction. Thes...
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that adolescents who were chronically victimized during school years are five times more likely to think about suicide and six times more likely to attempt it at 15. The research highlights the importance of early interventions to p...
Research finds that breastfeeding can add billions to the global economy by preventing child deaths and improving cognitive abilities. Globally, improved breastfeeding rates could prevent 820,000 child deaths annually and save over $2.45 billion in treatment costs.
A recent study found that adolescents are more prudent in their decision-making when a slightly older adult is present. The researchers discovered that groups with younger soldiers benefited from the inclusion of a mid- to late-20s soldier, who led to fewer risks and a stronger preference for delayed rewards.
Researchers found that severely obese adolescents had a nearly 10% chance of high blood pressure, 40% for high triglycerides, and 27% for high fasting glucose. The study highlights the urgent need for effective treatment programs for severely obese teens and prevention strategies at earlier ages.
A new Rutgers University study found that instant messaging at night negatively impacts teenagers' sleep health and school performance. Students who messaged for less than 30 minutes after lights out performed significantly better academically.
A new group therapy program has been shown to improve social skills in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), helping them cope better in everyday life. The therapy, developed at Goethe University Frankfurt, was tested in six clinics and found to have a lasting effect on social behavior.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that bullying significantly impacts the positive youth development of sexual-minority youth. The research used data from a survey of over 1,800 adolescents and revealed that these youths scored lower on key indicators such as competence, confidence, and connection ...
Research finds that teens who vape are almost three times more likely to start smoking a year later than non-vapers. Vaping is also associated with increased e-cigarette use among teens, but not necessarily reduced smoking frequency.
The study found that 7.7 million deaths occurred globally in 2013, with lower respiratory tract infections, preterm birth complications, and malaria being the leading causes of death among children under 5. The report highlights the need for effective interventions to prevent these preventable causes of death.
A University at Buffalo-led study will examine the effectiveness of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse among adolescents who have experienced multiple traumas. NET, a cognitive behavioral therapy, helps participants reconstruct fragmented memories into a clear, persona...
Analyses of a survey suggest an association between substance use and indoor tanning among Colorado high school students. Lifetime steroid use was most strongly linked to indoor tanning, especially among adolescent boys.
A study in rats suggests that over-consuming sugary foods during adolescence can lead to reduced activity in the nucleus accumbens, a key hub of the brain's reward circuitry. This alteration could have long-lasting implications for individuals and may contribute to the development of substance abuse or eating disorders later in life.
A new study from MSK highlights the fertility concerns of young adult and adolescent cancer survivors, with nearly half reporting uncertainty about their reproductive health. The researchers emphasize the need for more comprehensive fertility-related information and support services in survivorship care.
Research by Mary Kohn and colleagues suggests that language change is more individualistic and varies for each person, not just during the teenage years. Language development occurs constantly, adapting to the generation speaking it, according to the study.
Adolescent weapon involvement is linked to injuries and long-term mental health problems. Researchers identified risk and protective factors varying by race and gender, with boys being more likely than girls to be involved.
A recent study found a significant increase in kidney stone cases among adolescents, particularly females, and African-Americans in the US. The incidence of kidney stones doubled during childhood for both boys and girls, while there was a 45% increase in lifetime risk for women.
New research reveals that many adolescents with asthma do not have elevated levels of eosinophils or neutrophils, which are typically associated with inflammation. This finding has significant implications for the development of alternative treatments for asthmatics.
The article argues that parental permission is not required ethically and may hinder public health interests, as adolescents account for 26% of new HIV infections. The authors propose strategies to address state minor-consent laws and institutional review board interpretations.