Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A large study found that teenagers who experienced frequent bullying were more than twice as likely to develop depression later in life. The study analyzed data from over 3,800 participants and suggested that antibullying interventions at school may help reduce depression in later years.
A national survey found that 84% of teens turn to the internet for health information, but 88% do not share their concerns with friends or social media. This study highlights the importance of accurate and accessible digital health resources for teenagers, who use online tools to make behavior changes and take care of themselves.
A new mobile app called Seventeen Days aims to educate teenagers about the risks of risky sexual behavior. The app is based on an interactive movie of the same name and has been developed with researchers at several universities, including Carnegie Mellon University.
Researchers gave disposable cameras to 40 adolescents with Type 1 diabetes to capture their experiences. The findings reveal key differences in boys and less-affluent young people, which could shape patient care and education. The study also highlights the impact of food on managing the disease.
Research shows teenage girls value women in non-appearance focused careers, such as CEOs and military pilots, over those in appearance-focused jobs like modeling. Girls rate female CEOs and military pilots as more competent and likable than women in appearance-focused roles.
A study of 11.2 million US adolescents over 50 years found that millennials have lower religious involvement than previous generations, due to cultural change rather than youth-related factors. This trend is part of a larger cultural context of rising individualism in the US.
Researchers found that afternoon snacking on high-protein-soy foods reduces afternoon appetite, delays subsequent eating, and reduces unhealthy evening snacking in teenagers. Additionally, high-protein snacks improved mood and cognitive function, incorporating more protein throughout the day and consuming less dietary fat.
A Dartmouth study found that TV food commercials stimulate the brains of overweight teenagers, particularly those controlling pleasure, taste, and mouth regions. The findings suggest these mental simulations may make it difficult for obese teens to lose weight later in life.
Sending periodic text messages to teens can improve birth control adherence. The study found that 87% of patients with personalized daily texts showed up for their first injection, compared to 56% without texts. Text messaging also helped increase adherence to a tight treatment schedule and regularly taking prescription medications.
A recent study found that youth dance classes offer only limited amounts of physical activity, with an average of 17 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per class. The CDC's guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily for kids aged 6-17, but most dance classes fall short of this target.
A new RAND Corporation study reveals an association between teen sleep patterns and substance use, including alcohol and marijuana. Adolescents who sleep less or stay up later are more likely to have used these substances over the past month.
The study found that decisional bias is more lenient for younger children when highlighting bad intent or damage, and changes with age as they develop their understanding of the task. The research suggests a moral development framework to examine developmental changes in eyewitness identification.
A gap year between high school and university studies does not negatively impact motivation or performance. In fact, those who take a break show improved resilience in their studies and are more committed to achieving goals.
Researchers found that teens aged 15-17 who mixed energy drinks with alcohol were four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. The study highlights the potential risks of combining these substances, particularly among adolescents.
Five teenagers with Type 1 diabetes will participate in a four-day study to test an 'artificial pancreas,' which automatically monitors and adjusts insulin delivery. The device has the potential to transform diabetes treatment by providing continuous glucose control, reducing anxiety for patients and parents.
Breast cancer in young women is characterized by more aggressive disease and increased risk of treatment-related toxicities. Research priorities focus on risk factors, fertility, pregnancy, quality of life, and metastases to improve patient outcomes.
A study on adolescent bariatric surgery found that severely obese teens experience musculoskeletal pain and functional difficulties. Lower extremity pain was a key predictor of functional impairment and low health-related quality of life scores.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescent girls who consumed 2,400 mg or more of potassium per day had lower blood pressures at the end of adolescence. In contrast, higher sodium intakes were not linked to increased blood pressure in this age group.
Research suggests that adolescent brain exposure to alcohol can lead to changes in learning and memory, even after adulthood. The study found hyperactive long-term potentiation in the brains of exposed rats, which may contribute to impaired cognitive functions.
A recent study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that teenagers who survive self-poisoning are at a significantly increased risk of dying by suicide in the following decade. Half of all suicides among these teens occurred more than three years after their initial episode, highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts.
New research shows that state laws banning texting while driving led to a significant reduction in teens using their cell phones behind the wheel, but 30% of teens still admitted to texting. Experienced drivers, especially those over 16, were more likely to use their phones while driving.
Researchers present key factors contributing to suicidal risk and new assessment and treatment approaches for adolescents. Studies investigate predictors of acute risk, relationship between suicide attempts and impulsive-aggressive responsiveness.
The study found a 18% decline in recorded acts of violence against children and adolescents. Serious violence affecting all age groups decreased by 10% in 2014 compared to 2013.
Researchers found that teens are more likely to make risky decisions when driving alone, but with a mother present, they become less likely to take risks. The brain regions responsible for this behavior include the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex.
Disorders of sex development affect young women's bodily autonomy, social interactions, and perceived sexual fulfillment. They require empathic support from knowledgeable health professionals to address their psychosocial needs.
A new study of adolescents finds that youth who mentally step back from their thoughts can deal with negative emotions more effectively and become less upset by them. This self-distancing technique was found to be associated with less emotional distress and greater insights into the experience.
A study found that socially anxious youth in treatment who participated in low-intensity service activities during AA meetings had better outcomes and higher abstinence rates. This approach helped them tolerate interpersonal differences and uncomfortable feelings, developing emotional maturity and self-acceptance.
A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that mental disorders and physical diseases often co-occur in teenagers. The strongest correlations were found between affective disorders (e.g. depression) and diseases of the digestive system, as well as anxiety disorders and arthritis. These associations highlight the need for...
Females with eating disorders in late adolescence tend to have lower educational attainment and personal income in early adulthood. They are also less likely to own a home, with males experiencing different life trajectories.
A new study links long-term exposure to family stressors like family disruption, financial stress, and maternal poor health to increased risk of obesity in adolescents. Findings suggest female and male adolescents respond differently to stress, highlighting the need for tailored social services in obesity prevention programs.
Researchers found that adolescent binge-drinking can alter brain development and lead to increased anxiety-like behaviors and a preference for alcohol in adulthood. Epigenetic changes, which affect how genes are expressed, play a key role in these effects.
A recent study warns that adolescents consuming energy drinks are at risk of sudden cardiac deaths and arrhythmias. The researchers recommend caution when it comes to ED consumption before or during sports practice, as well as consulting cardiologists for underlying medical conditions.
Training pediatric primary care providers improved their confidence and knowledge of adolescent depression, increasing screening frequency. The study found that providers who received training were more likely to identify early signs of depression and discuss treatment options with patients.
A new study found that anhedonia, the inability to gain pleasure, is associated with more severe depression and worse outcomes in adolescents. Anhedonia severity showed a significant correlation with overall outcomes, including illness severity and episode duration.
A study of 16,193 teenagers found that one in five had accessed e-cigarettes, with regular smokers being the most frequent users. E-cigarette access was associated with binge drinking and involvement with violence after drinking, suggesting that these devices may be linked to increased risk-taking behaviors.
Research from University College London found that young adolescents (aged 12-14) were most influenced by their peers' opinions on risk, while older age groups adjusted their ratings more towards adults. The study suggests that targeting adolescent social norms may be key to public health interventions.
A UConn Health study finds that smaller plates do not universally help reduce portions in children and teens with obesity. The researchers suggest that diet education should be clear, simple, repeated, and interesting for this population.
Researchers at NYU Langone found that adolescent patients who undergo high-volume scoliosis surgery have significantly lower reoperation rates compared to those with low-volume surgeons. The study suggests that experienced spine surgeons can reduce complications and need for revision surgeries.
Research found that music TV exposure triggers increased sexual activities in boys but not girls, due to perceived peer norms. Girls exhibit resistance to media content portraying women as objects of lust, leading them to watch less music TV.
Research reveals distinct patterns of substance use among white, black, and Hispanic teenagers, with notable age-related disparities. Cigarette use peaks later in life for African Americans compared to whites, while alcohol use is higher among males than females during adolescence.
A new study found that gastric bypass surgery in adolescents significantly improved bone density, which returned to normal levels within two years. The results suggest that obesity surgery may have favorable effects on the adolescent skeleton.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that nearly half of energy drink advertisements aired on networks with themes likely to appeal to adolescents. The study highlights the potential dangers of energy drink consumption among teenagers, particularly due to high caffeine content.
Research found that alcohol consumption patterns shift from adolescence to old age, with men increasing their intake more than women. The study suggests incorporating changes in drinking behavior into risk estimates for better public health initiatives.
A recent study published in SAGE Open suggests that poverty rates are a more significant factor than age in determining high rates of teen crime. The study analyzed over 54,000 homicide deaths in California and found that when teenagers' poverty levels are low, they have similar murder rates to older adults.
New research suggests that day-to-day variations in sleep duration, rather than overall sleep duration, can impact food intake in teenagers. The study found that teens who slept more or less on any given night consumed an average of 201 more calories per day, with higher rates of nighttime snacking and increased carbohydrate consumption.
Researchers found that low stress resilience in adolescence increases heart disease risk, even with good physical fitness. The study of 237,980 men suggests that promoting both exercise and stress management could help prevent heart disease.
A global review found family-based programs can effectively stop children from taking up smoking, with high-intensity interventions showing the most promising results. The programs encourage parents to set limits, strengthen nurturing skills, and discuss substances with their adolescents, helping them resist peer pressure.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found a strong association between adolescent BMI and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The study, which examined over 715,000 Israeli adolescents, revealed a significant increase in obesity rates and high blood pressure among teens.
A new study from UC Berkeley found that young women with ADHD who experienced childhood trauma are at higher risk for self-injury, eating disorders, and suicide. The research adds to evidence that environmental factors contribute to negative psychosocial outcomes in individuals with ADHD.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that Family Based Interpersonal Psychotherapy (FB-IPT) is more effective than child-centered therapy (CCT) in treating preadolescent children with depression. Preadolescents with depressive symptoms are at increased risk of experien...
A new study by the American Heart Association found that children being physically active with friends may accomplish more than hearing encouragement from family members. Friends getting involved significantly lowers perceived barriers to physical activity.
A new study reveals high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among war-afflicted teenagers in Northern Uganda, with former child soldiers showing the highest rates. The study suggests that psychological support should be offered through the education system to all young people in the region.
A study by the University of North Carolina found that 93.7% of online e-cigarette vendors failed to properly verify customers' ages, allowing minors to easily purchase electronic cigarettes online. This lack of age verification is concerning, especially given the increasing use of e-cigarettes among teenagers.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Developmental Psychology found that children who struggle with sympathy are more likely to share resources with peers they respect. The research suggests a compensatory relationship between sympathy and respect, helping kids navigate prosocial solutions even when empathy is lacking.
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics assessed cardiovascular risks among adolescents with severe obesity undergoing weight-loss surgery. The study found that nearly 95% of participants had at least one CVD risk factor, with high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels common among the group.
Research reveals an association between aggressive tendencies and increased physical strength in adolescent males, which may be linked to evolutionary pressures.
A new study found that lower IQ is associated with greater and riskier drinking among young adult men in Sweden. Intelligence may come before behavior, and poor performance on IQ tests may be linked to other disadvantages.
Nearly 3 in 5 pregnant teens report using substances in the previous 12 months, with alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used. Engaged parents and academically involved teens show lower rates of substance use during pregnancy.
Researchers found that teenagers who relied on executive function processes, particularly in the pre-frontal cortex, were more successful in losing weight. Successful programs involve repeated practice and ramping up challenges to executive control, such as computerized training and aerobic physical activity.
A study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that female students, racial/ethnic minorities, and students of lower socioeconomic status are particularly affected by inadequate sleep. The proportion of adolescents who regularly get seven hours of sleep decreased among all groups between 1991 and 2012.