Articles tagged with Adolescents
Researchers have identified a biological marker for major depression in teenage boys, combining elevated cortisol levels with depressive symptoms. The study found that these individuals are up to fourteen times more likely to develop major depression than those without these traits.
A University of Colorado study shows that teens who watched a video about the cosmetic effects of UV exposure were more likely to use sunscreen than those who watched a health-based video. This finding suggests that addressing appearance-related concerns can be an effective way to modify sun-protective behaviors in teenagers.
A Norwegian University of Science and Technology study found that seven out of ten teenagers reported chronic pain, with depressed girls experiencing the highest rate. The researchers emphasize the importance of treating physical pain alongside mental health issues.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya aims to improve girls' lives in Kenya through health, wealth creation, education, and violence-prevention sectors. The program will reach at least 10,000 girls ages 10-14 with rigorous evaluation to determine the most effective interventions.
A recent study published in Journal of Addiction Medicine found that US adolescents consuming energy drinks have higher rates of alcohol, cigarette, or drug use. The study analyzed data from nearly 22,000 secondary school students and suggested that energy drink users are more likely to report other types of substance use.
A large international study identified an 'invisible-risk' group of adolescents with psychiatric symptoms, despite low risk behaviours being overlooked by parents and teachers. The study found that 13% of adolescents were classified as 'high-risk', while a third group showed similar prevalence of mental health issues.
A new study reveals that adolescents consuming excessive salt are more likely to develop obesity and chronic inflammation. The research, published in the journal Pediatrics, found a significant correlation between sodium intake and fatness, even when calories were controlled for.
African American youth experiencing frequent discrimination during adolescence are at risk for chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Emotional support from parents and peers can protect against stress-related damage.
Studies of adult twins and adolescents reveal a strong connection between short or long sleep durations and increased risk of depressive symptoms. Optimal sleep duration is essential for mental health, suggesting that prioritizing sleep may enhance treatment effectiveness for depression.
The report estimates new cancer cases and deaths among children and adolescents in the US, summarizing data on incidence, mortality, and survival. Childhood cancers remain a significant cause of death, with many long-term health issues affecting survivors, and only a small percentage having known preventable causes.
Adolescents who ate poor breakfasts displayed a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome 27 years later. The study found that abdominal obesity and high levels of fasting blood glucose levels were the subcomponents linked to poor breakfast in youth.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that including waist circumference measurements in clinical practice can help identify children and adolescents at higher risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In Spanish children aged 6-17, 21.3% have abdominal obesity, with traditional screening methods missing 70% of cases.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has released new resources to help parents, healthcare providers, and treatment specialists address teen substance abuse. The guides cover treatment approaches, screening tools, and evidence-based practices, highlighting the unique challenges faced by adolescents in addressing drug use.
A study found significant gaps in perceptions of anti-social behavior between age groups. Adults were more likely than young people to interpret behaviors like swearing and cycling on the street as ASB. Young people, particularly teenagers, were seen as perpetrators of ASB, but also as victims when an elderly man shouted insults at them.
Researchers found that homosexual youth found comfort in messages supporting them and advocating for social change, with such messages being more comforting than those focused solely on social connection. The study highlights the importance of intergroup communication and its impact on targets of prejudice.
A study by Julie Boergers linked later school start times to improved sleep and mood in teens. The research found a significant increase in sleep duration and reduction in daytime sleepiness, depressed mood, and caffeine use after the delay in school start time.
Teenage boys who perceive themselves as underweight are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and engage in steroid use. The research highlights the importance of addressing body image concerns among adolescent boys, particularly those who feel bullied or underweight.
A study by UPV/EHU links high dietary fat content with increased abdominal fat in adolescents, regardless of physical activity levels. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring dietary fat intake for preventing obesity and related health issues in this vulnerable age group.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study tracked over 36,000 children taking two commonly prescribed antidepressants and found no evidence of increased suicidal risk. The research aimed to inform decision-making on treatment options for pediatric patients with major depressive disorder.
Conversations about sex are rare between doctors and teenagers, lasting only a minute on average, despite the American Academy of Pediatrics recommending physicians address these topics. Longer visits and confidentiality increase the chances that sex is mentioned.
A six-year study found prolonged exposure-A to be more effective than supportive counseling in reducing PTSD and depression symptom severity in adolescent girls who have experienced sexual abuse. The therapy, modified for the developmental stage of adolescents, showed improved overall functioning and long-term benefits.
A study published in JAMA Network found that prolonged exposure therapy significantly improved PTSD symptoms and depression in adolescent girls with a history of sexual abuse. The therapy was more effective than supportive counseling, with participants showing greater improvement in general functioning.
A study by Dr. Nathan Watemberg found that gum-chewing teenagers experience headaches due to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which can be treated by quitting gum chewing. The study involved 30 patients between six and 19 years old who had chronic migraine or tension headaches
African American women and girls living in urban areas face significant barriers to physical activity, including lack of access to gyms and limited time. Wanda Thompson's research suggests that personalized, community-based programs like church fitness initiatives can promote a healthier lifestyle and reduce health risks.
Researchers have identified a key 'teenage gene' that plays a role in mental health vulnerability, particularly during adolescence. The DCC gene's dysfunction has been linked to behavioral consequences that persist into adulthood.
New research found that six in ten 13-year-old girls are afraid of gaining weight or getting fat, with one in three girls and one in five boys avoiding fatty foods. The study also revealed that unhealthy weight-control strategies can lead to higher odds of being overweight and obese at age 15.
A new analysis found that children aged 6 to 11 years on the waiting list have similar mortality rates to older candidates, contradicting earlier data suggesting higher death rates. The study helps inform ongoing discussions about potential changes to the US lung allocation policy.
A new study suggests that social ties, including relationships with peers and parents, play a more significant role in teen sleep problems than biological factors. The research found that parental monitoring, pro-social friendships, and time spent on screens can impact adolescent sleep habits.
Researchers found that adolescent mice consume more alcohol when surrounded by peers, challenging the assumption that peer pressure is solely responsible for teen risk-taking. This study supports Steinberg's previous findings that peer influence primes the reward system in adolescents.
Research from North Carolina State University found that nonstandard work schedules can hurt parent-child relationships, increasing delinquent behaviors. However, certain circumstances can be beneficial for children, particularly when one parent works a nonstandard schedule while the other maintains a standard schedule.
Research reveals that congenital heart defects can have a lasting impact on brain development in children, with smaller brain volumes associated with learning difficulties. Brain changes may already exist before surgery, reducing the risk of neurological complications.
A strong sense of ethnic identity can help Latina girls feel positive about their body and appearance by acting as a buffer against the media's barrage of unrealistic images. The study found that cultural pride can be partially protective against body dissatisfaction, but it's not a panacea.
A new study refutes the theory that lions are a major predator of cheetah cubs and finds that big cats can coexist in protected areas. Cheetah cub survival rates were found to be higher in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park than previously thought.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that e-cigarette use is associated with heavier cigarette smoking and lower quit rates among Korean youth. The study suggests that e-cigarettes may be creating a new route to nicotine addiction for kids.
A recent study found that cannabis use among adolescents is stable or increasing in developing countries, unlike richer nations where it's declining. The research suggests that socioeconomic factors may play a role in shaping cannabis use patterns among young people.
A study of teens and young adults found a link between poor mental health and casual sex, with each contributing to the other over time. Researchers found that those who engaged in casual sex were more likely to later seriously consider suicide.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that teenage milk consumption is associated with an increased risk of hip fractures in men, while no such association was found in women. The authors suggest that further research is needed to understand the relationship between early milk consumption and height on hip fracture risk.
A new study by Duke University professor E. Jane Costello found that more than half of adolescents with psychiatric disorders receive no treatment. Treatment rates vary greatly depending on the disorder and provider, with teens suffering from phobias or anxiety disorders being the least likely to be treated.
Researchers at UCLA have identified the medial prefrontal cortex as a key player in how anxious youths interpret neutral information. Increased activity in this brain region is observed when teenagers with anxiety disorders view faces that might be perceived as threatening, highlighting the importance of context in shaping their percep...
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that adolescents who drink alone are more likely to develop alcohol problems in early adulthood. These solitary drinkers are also heavier drinkers and use alcohol to cope with negative emotions.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that student creative writing is showing signs of decline over the past 20 years, while visual art is experiencing an increase in sophistication and complexity. The study analyzed 354 examples of visual art and 50 examples of creative writing by teenagers between 1990 and 2011.
Researchers at Bradley Hospital found that healthy adolescents with shorter sleep patterns were more prone to acute illnesses, while consistent sleep schedules reduced the risk of illness. The study suggests prioritizing regular sleep can help teenagers stay healthier.
A study by researchers from The University of Akron found that increased spirituality in teens undergoing substance abuse treatment is linked to greater likelihood of abstinence, positive social behaviors, and reduced narcissism. This shift was strongest among teens who reported a spiritual identity at discharge.
Research found that adolescents with poor parental supervision were more likely to be problem gamblers between ages 16-22. Parental monitoring is a known effective intervention throughout early adolescence and can help prevent future problems with gambling.
A new study from the University of California, Berkeley found that teenagers who go to bed late during the school year are more prone to academic and emotional difficulties. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 U.S. adolescents and found that school-year night owls had lower GPA scores and were more vulnerable to emotional problems.
A recent study published in Nutrition found that higher chocolate consumption is associated with lower total and central body fat levels in European adolescents. The researchers controlled for other factors, such as diet and physical activity, to reach this conclusion.
A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that mothers' friendships with other adults can impact their adolescent children's relationships with their own friends. Mothers who display high levels of conflict with friends may signal to their children that such behavior is acceptable, leading to anxiety and depression.
Researchers found that only 66% of participants experienced complications after undergoing bariatric surgery, with most being minor and temporary. The study's findings provide encouragement to adolescents and their families considering weight loss surgery as a treatment option for severe obesity-related health issues.
Severely obese teenagers who underwent weight-loss surgery experienced minimal complications, with no major complications or deaths reported during the initial hospitalization period. The study included 242 teens and found that only 8% experienced reoperation and 15% had minor complications like readmission for dehydration.
A study found that teenagers in the child welfare system have a higher risk of abusing marijuana, inhalants, and other drugs compared to their counterparts outside the system. Parental involvement is a key factor in reducing this risk, with youth who feel supported by parents being less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.
Two studies surveyed parents and adolescents at school-based health centers (SBHCs) and found highly positive views, with 83% trusting the providers to take good care of their children. SBHCs serve as the main source of medical care for many students, offering vaccinations, check-ups, and mental health counseling.
Research at Northwestern University finds that adolescents from lower maternal educational backgrounds have noisier neural activity, erratic responses to speech sounds, and poorer reading performance. The study suggests that poverty can shape the brain's representation of auditory information.
The study found that children under 14 are four times more likely to be shot at home and are much more likely to arrive by ambulance than older teens. Older teens often walk in or are dropped off at emergency department entrances.
A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that different helmet brands and custom mouth guards did not reduce concussion risk in high school football players. The study tested various mouth guard brands, including custom-fit mouth guards, and new and older football helmets.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a collaborative team approach to help students recover from concussions. A gradual return to academics, with individualized adjustments as needed, is suggested to minimize disruptions and promote optimal learning and recovery.
A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that maternal anxiety and depression can lead to increased risk of emotional and disruptive problem behaviors in children as early as 18 months old. The study also highlights the importance of early prevention and intervention, particularly for mothers with high levels of ...
A UCSB anthropologist examines the enduring practice of hazing, finding a connection between its persistence across cultures and our shared evolved psychology. He suggests that group benefits may be a key factor in hazing behavior, as individuals with automatic benefits are more likely to haze.
A new University of Michigan study suggests that the newly insured will make more outpatient visits and fewer emergency room (ER) visits than they do today. The study found that clinic visits rose significantly among adolescents after the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) went into effect, while ER visits remained flat. Howeve...
A new study found that different trajectories of adolescent drinking are influenced by gene-parenting interactions, specifically the mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1) genotype and parental rule-setting. The study suggests that strict parental rules can prevent youth from drinking more alcohol.
A special issue of Preventive Medicine explores common misconceptions about the HPV vaccine, including concerns about sexual disinhibition and vaccine safety. Studies show that these fears are largely unfounded, and that the vaccine can help prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-associated cancers.