Articles tagged with Adolescents
A Stanford/Packard study found that a short self-defense course can dramatically reduce the vulnerability of adolescent girls to sexual assault in Kenya. The 12-hour training program taught verbal and physical self-defense techniques, resulting in a significant decrease in rape cases among participants.
A new study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that chronic exposure to rocket attacks from Gaza into Israel is associated with an increase in severe adolescent violence. The study followed 362 Israeli adolescents and found that prolonged exposure predicted a steep increase in violent incidents.
A new study found that 9% of pediatric and adolescent heart transplant recipients experience non-adherence within two years of receiving their transplant. The risk of mortality among non-adhering patients is significantly higher, with a 26% chance of death within one year and 33% within two years.
Researchers found that interacting with shelter dogs increased joviality, positive affect, attentiveness, and serenity among teenagers. The study suggests that dog-interaction activities could be a beneficial addition to traditional treatments for teenagers struggling with drug abuse and related issues.
Scientists identify five epigenetic biomarkers associated with better weight loss response in obese adolescents participating in the EVASYON weight loss program. These biomarkers may help predict an individual's response to weight loss intervention and offer therapeutic targets for enhancing its effects.
A Baylor University study finds that fast-food availability near school magnifies negative effects on black and Hispanic adolescents, who are more likely to be overweight and receive less benefit from exercise. The study highlights the importance of targeted marketing strategies to promote healthier food environments.
Research suggests that living in a poor neighborhood as an adolescent increases the risk of getting chlamydia in young adulthood. A study published in Journal of Urban Health found that children who grew up in disadvantaged areas had a higher risk of contracting the bacterial infection, even if they didn't experience other risk factors.
A new study reveals that childhood bullying can significantly increase the likelihood of self-harm in late adolescence. The research found that those subjected to chronic bullying over several years at primary school were nearly five times more likely to engage in self-harm six to seven years later.
A large cross-sectional study found that adults, adolescents, and parents of school-age children consistently underestimate the calorie content of their meals, especially large ones. The researchers suggest that menu labelling requirements and social marketing campaigns could help correct this underestimation.
A new study reveals that individuals who initiate alcohol consumption during puberty tend to drink more and more frequently than those starting after puberty. The research suggests that the pubertal stage may serve as a risk window for early-onset drinking, and intervention programs should be directed towards young people in puberty.
Researchers have identified a gene, GPR126, linked to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. The study reveals that the gene is involved in spinal growth during childhood.
Researchers found that adolescents and young adults with cancer are at higher risk for social isolation due to lack of understanding from friends and family. The study suggests developing targeted support programs to address these social information needs, including online connections and communication tools.
A recent UCLA study found that adolescents who purchased Subway meals consumed nearly as many calories as they did at McDonald's. The researchers also noted that both restaurants' meals likely contribute to overeating and obesity.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that schools significantly associated with adolescent mental health service use. Schools that engage in early identification of emotional problems were more likely to receive mental health services.
A UCLA-led study found that teen girls are more likely to continue using methamphetamine during treatment, suggesting a need for new approaches. The study suggests that gender differences in addiction may begin in adolescence.
The USPSTF recommends screening all adults and adolescents aged 15-65 and pregnant women for HIV to improve clinical outcomes and reduce mother-to-child transmission rates. Universal screening is associated with minimal harm and targeted screening misses a substantial number of cases.
A recent survey of 4,600 young adults aged 15-25 found that 88% of males and 45% of females had consumed sexually explicit content in the past year. While there was a modest association between this behavior and sexual activities, other factors such as personal dispositions may play a more significant role in shaping their behaviors.
Researchers found that adolescents are less sensitive to the aversive effects of MDPV bath salts and exhibit different physiological responses, such as lower dopamine levels and decreased body temperature. These findings suggest that adolescents may be more vulnerable to the use and abuse of these drugs.
A study of 27 children using fMRI found a specific brain region, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex, increasingly devoted to social self-evaluations during puberty. This region showed significant increases in blood-oxygen levels when responding to questions about identity and peer status.
Between 2000-2008, 6,920 youths were injured due to firearms, resulting in 17 fatalities, highlighting the need for increased focus on preventing pediatric firearm injuries.
The USPSTF reviewed evidence on suicide screening and treatment for adults and adolescents, finding that primary care-feasible screening tools can identify adults at increased risk for suicide but have limited ability to detect risk in adolescents. Treatment with psychotherapy reduced the risk of suicide attempts by 32% in high-risk ad...
A pediatric emergency medicine physician at Hasbro Children's Hospital is leading a $3.2 million NIH-funded study to validate a two-question screen for adolescent alcohol abuse. The goal is to determine if the shorter survey can predict risky behaviors as effectively as longer questionnaires.
Menstrual problems among adolescents with learning and physical disabilities are more common than in the general population. A new review highlights the need for individualized care and multidisciplinary teams to manage symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, and self-mutilation.
A Concordia University study compares how early adolescents from Montreal and Barranquilla, Colombia, assess their self-worth. The researchers found significant commonalities but also differences in the factors considered most important by the children.
A novel study found that increased brain activity in reward regions predicts future substance use onset among initially healthy weight adolescents. Even a limited history of substance use was related to less responsivity in the reward circuitry, suggesting a potential contributing factor to the escalating spiral of drug use.
Research by Ha and colleagues found that teens' likelihood to break up is independent of how well they handle conflicts, contradicting previous studies on adult relationships. The authors suggest differences in relationship goals among younger teen couples may be the reason for this finding.
Research suggests that teenagers' brains are more sensitive to rewarding feedback from peers, changing their calculation of risk. This sensitivity is linked to the unique effect of peer influence on the developing teenage brain, with adolescents taking more risks when observed by peers.
The study suggests 12 principles for effective contraceptive counseling, including establishing expertise and trustworthiness with adolescents and using active learning strategies to engage patients. These principles aim to address the unique developmental needs of adolescents in healthcare settings.
New research from USC highlights opportunities for smoking intervention programs that target junior high and parental influence. The study found that friends' influence on cigarette use was higher in junior high than high school, while parental influence remained relatively stable.
Teenagers who increased daily exercise to at least 20 minutes were able to cut back on their smoking habit. The study found that this short walk helped teens resist lighting up a cigarette and increase their chances of quitting altogether.
A large study shows IUDs have complication rates similar to adults, and hormonal IUDs are safer than copper ones in all age groups. The research opens doors for more teens to benefit from long-lasting contraception.
A recent study published in Pediatrics found that exposure to tobacco smoke can damage adolescent kidneys, with effects beginning in childhood. The research used a nationally representative sample of US adolescents and found associations between tobacco use and lower kidney function.
A new study found that each additional hour of sleep is associated with a lower BMI for teens. Increasing sleep duration to 10 hours per day could help reduce the prevalence of adolescent obesity. The findings suggest delaying school start times could also aid in reducing obesity rates.
Researchers found that smoking and depressive symptoms in adolescent girls negatively impact bone accrual and may be associated with lower bone mass or osteoporosis. The study suggests these factors have a negative impact on bone health, increasing the risk of fractures in postmenopausal years.
Researchers found that a specific gene's function during adolescent trauma exposure is crucial for developing PTSD. The study suggests targeting the CCKR-2 gene as a potential therapy strategy to prevent or cure PTSD.
New research found that U.S. adolescents with poor health behaviors and unfavorable cardiovascular risk factors are at increased risk of developing heart disease in adulthood. The study analyzed data from over 4,700 adolescents aged 12-19 and found that nearly 80% had a poor diet, while less than 50% met the recommended levels for phys...
A new study by University of New Hampshire researchers finds that wilderness and adventure therapy programs significantly reduce the risk of injury compared to everyday activities. The programs boast lower injury rates than sports like football, snowboarding, and downhill skiing.
A new longitudinal study found that teens who struggled to connect with their peers in early adolescence were more likely to have difficulty establishing close friendships in young adulthood. Conversely, those who established autonomy and independence from peer influences had lower risks of problems with alcohol and substance use.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplements can help control blood-sugar levels in obese youths, potentially staving off Type 2 diabetes. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, showed a significant decrease in insulin levels despite no changes in body weight or activity.
A large community sample of adolescents found that regular family suppers were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, greater emotional well-being, and higher life satisfaction. The study suggests that family mealtimes provide opportunities for open interactions and teaching positive health behaviors.
Chronic fatigue is three times more prevalent among adult cancer survivors than the general population. A persistent low-grade inflammatory response may contribute to chronic fatigue in these individuals. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to communicate with cancer survivor patients about possible chronic fatigue.
Research found that cushioned heel trainers alter an adolescent runner's biomechanics and diminish performance by promoting a heel-strike pattern. In contrast, runners with track flats and barefoot had a forefoot or mid-foot strike pattern.
Researchers monitored sleeping adolescents' brain waves, finding that synaptic density in the cerebral cortex peaks at age 8 and declines until adulthood. EEG sleep analysis identifies crucial aspects of adolescent brain maturation.
A survey of 236 US adolescents found that teens believe sexting causes more harm to others than themselves, but also consider consensual sexting between two people as less harmful. The study reveals a significant gender gap in perceptions, with girls perceived as more harmed by sexting.
A new educational tool has demonstrated significant reduction in stress hormones and depressive symptoms among adolescents transitioning to high school. The DeStress for Success Program showed improved mental health outcomes, especially among students with initial high anger levels.
A study found that family-focused treatment improved mood symptoms in children and adolescents at risk for bipolar disorder, with significant benefits for those from high expressed emotion families. The treatment showed promise in stabilizing symptoms and improving long-term outcomes.
Yale researchers have identified a key genetic switch that facilitates brain maturation and plasticity. By blocking this gene, they were able to reset the old brain to adolescent levels of plasticity, allowing adult mice to recover from injuries and master new motor tasks more quickly.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that healthy adolescent females have predetermined expectations for becoming parents but worry about fertility and childbearing due to a life-threatening illness like cancer. The study validated a tool to assess teenage girls' hopes and feelings about reproduction.
A prospective study found that adolescents with joint hypermobility are approximately twice as likely to develop musculoskeletal pain at these joints. The study suggests a possible genetic basis for joint hypermobility, and further investigation is warranted to determine the long-term effects of joint hypermobility on osteoarthritis risk.
New research investigates how social information processing patterns, urgency, and rumination contribute to adolescent mental health disorders. The studies found that Fast Track intervention improved antisocial behavior in youth, while urgency levels predicted depression, and individual differences in distraction shared genetic sources...
Adolescents who volunteered regularly for 10 weeks showed improved cardiovascular health by having lower levels of inflammation and cholesterol. The volunteers also experienced increased empathy, altruistic behavior, and mental health benefits, which contributed to their improved heart health.
A new study found that teaching teenagers that people can change reduces aggressive reactions to peer conflicts. The research suggests that believing people's traits are fixed leads teens to respond aggressively, but an intervention that teaches the potential for change can reduce this behavior.
A recent study from UCSF found that parents are more accepting of oral birth control pills (59%) than other forms of contraception. The most effective methods, such as implants and IUDs, were less acceptable to a minority of parents. Parental recognition of their teen's autonomy was the only predictor of acceptability across all methods.
Researchers found a significantly higher prevalence of substance abuse and cigarette use among adolescents with ADHD histories compared to those without. The study also showed that current medications for ADHD do not counter the risk for substance abuse.
A study found a significant increase in dance-related injuries among children and adolescents from 1991 to 2007. The annual number of dance-related injuries climbed 37 percent, with sprains and/or strains accounting for 52 percent of all injuries. Falls were the most common cause of injuries, affecting 45 percent of dancers.
Surgeons have found improved surgical treatment for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition causing pain and numbness in the shoulder and arm. Adolescents tend to do better after surgery than adults, with significant improvements in symptoms and function.
A clinical trial found that treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with reduced body mass index and body weight in adolescents with severe obesity. The medication exenatide resulted in a significant reduction in BMI, with an average decrease of 4 percent during the open-label phase.
A recent study found that water tubing-related injuries increased by 250% over a 19-year period, with 65+ injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments daily during summer. The most common types of injuries were sprains and strains, followed by soft tissue injuries.
New research from Concordia University found that caring relationships in friendships can foster a desire to make a positive impact on one's community and world. Adolescents who exhibit empathic care towards their friends are more likely to develop concern for others beyond their immediate circle.
A positive family climate in adolescence is associated with more positive engagement in marriages and lower hostility towards spouses. This link suggests that family dynamics can influence relationship style into adulthood.