Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
A new study from the University of Washington finds that abused children are more likely to smoke excessively in adolescence and adulthood, with girls who were sexually abused being particularly at risk. The study suggests that early intervention and prevention of child abuse can lead to long-term public health benefits.
A new Florida State University study has found a significant link between physical fights and IQ decline in teenagers. After two fights, boys experience an average IQ loss of 1.62 points, while girls lose an average of 3.02 points.
According to new research, nearly 1 in 3 American youths aged 14-20 have been victims of dating violence and almost as many acknowledge committing violence toward a date. The study found significant overlap between victimization and perpetration, highlighting the importance of prevention programs that consider these dynamics.
A longitudinal study of over 1,300 youths found that early school engagement is crucial in avoiding problem behaviors and eventual dropout. The study highlights the importance of creating a supportive learning environment that fosters emotional well-being and competence.
Patients who received their first kidney transplant between ages 14 and 16 appear to be at increased risk for graft failure. Black adolescents have a disproportionately higher risk of graft failure compared to other age groups.
A University of Pittsburgh study found that diets lacking omega-3 fatty acids can worsen effects over consecutive generations, particularly affecting teens. Adolescents with omega-3 deficiencies showed increased anxiety and hyperactivity, impaired learning and memory, and problem-solving abilities.
Researchers found that marijuana use in adolescence can lead to impaired cognitive abilities and abnormal brain activity, persisting into adulthood. The study suggests a critical period of development during adolescence where marijuana exposure can have lasting effects on brain function and cognition.
A nationwide study of Spanish adolescents reveals that girls who walk to school for over 15 minutes perform better in cognitive tests. The researchers argue that inactive adolescence could be missed out on a key stimulus to improve learning and cognitive function.
A new study found that adolescent girls who experience depressive and anxious symptoms, and have a history of binge eating behaviors, are more likely to report suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that prevention programs targeting individuals at high risk of psychiatric problems could be effective in reducing suicide attempts.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that East Asian adolescents in BC who are sexually active may engage in high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug use before sex. The top reasons for abstinence were not feeling ready and wanting to meet the right person.
A recent study published in the American Heart Association journal found that elevated blood pressure rates rose by 27% in children and adolescents over a 13-year period. The research highlights the link between high body mass, larger waistlines, and excessive sodium intake as contributing factors to this trend.
A study of over 6,500 children found that early childhood temperament styles can predict alcohol use and problems in mid-adolescence. Temperaments such as emotional and behavioral difficulties were linked to an increased risk of drinking, while sociability was also a significant factor.
A UCLA study shows that a four-week program teaching yoga-based breathing practices can significantly reduce impulsive behavior in adolescents, leading to improved emotional regulation and decision-making skills. The program was found to be effective in reducing impulsive acts such as drug abuse, risky sexual behaviors, and violence.
New research reveals that young people with impulsive tendencies are at a higher risk of heavy drinking. The study found a link between impulsivity and adolescent drinking, but suggests that alcohol may not necessarily lead to increased impulsive behavior in the short-term. By identifying key personality traits, such as impulsivity, ta...
A new study reveals that teenagers' sensitivity to social evaluation is linked to specific brain areas and physiological responses that peak during adolescence. The research found that late-developing regions of the brain, such as the medial prefrontal cortex, play a unique role in monitoring social evaluative contexts.
A Swedish study found that exercising as a teenager can reduce the risk of suicidal behavior later in life. Researchers analyzed data from over 1.1 million men and found a link between poor physical shape at age 18 and an increased risk of suicidal behavior as an adult.
A study published in JAMA found that 20.2% of adolescents in Ontario experienced traumatic brain injury, with sports injuries accounting for over half of cases. The study also identified associations between TBI and substance use, highlighting the need for improved prevention and response strategies among adolescents.
A study found that conversations between parents and adolescents focused on weight are associated with an increased risk of unhealthy adolescent weight-control behaviors. On the other hand, mothers who engaged in healthful eating conversations were less likely to diet and use unhealthy weight-control behaviors.
Two studies suggest teenagers use social media to express suicidal thoughts and intentions, with 64 comments on MySpace revealing adolescents' desire to die. Researchers found that texting is the second-most common way for young adults to seek help when feeling depressed.
A recent study published by The Laryngoscope journal found that obesity is associated with sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies in adolescents, with almost twice the likelihood of unilateral low-frequency hearing loss compared to non-obese teens.
A new study in mice found that a high-fat diet in adolescence can lead to impaired spatial memory and learning in adulthood. The researchers also found long-lasting brain changes in the mice with memory deficits, including a partial loss of leptin, a hormone that supports cognitive function.
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.