Articles tagged with Adolescents
A new study found that Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) improved the mental and physical health of adolescents in foster care by reducing anxiety and increasing feelings of hopefulness. CBCT also reduced inflammation levels, which is a fundamental risk factor for chronic illnesses.
Teenage girls with eating disorders experienced improved essential fatty acid levels once their weight normalized. The study suggests that providing omega-3 supplements is not necessary if they adopt healthy eating behaviors and gain weight.
A study found that exposure to sexual content in movies predicts earlier sexual debut and increased risk-taking behavior in adolescents. Researchers discovered that greater exposure to sexual content led to a higher peak in sensation-seeking during adolescence, which can last into young adulthood.
A large pregnancy follow-up study found that adolescent boys with higher alcohol consumption, girls using oral contraceptives, and both sexes with high salt intake and BMI had higher blood pressure levels. The study warns that these lifestyle behaviors can lead to adverse health consequences in adulthood.
A recent study found that multiracial adolescents are more similar to their white counterparts in terms of vulnerability to peer pressure. However, multiracial youth who reported higher rates of problem behaviors were more likely to come from poor families.
A recent study found that African-American youths living in public housing communities are 2.3 times more likely to use tobacco than their peers. Early interventions, such as smoking cessation programs and addressing depressive symptoms, can help reverse positive attitudes towards tobacco use and reduce the risk of delinquent behaviors.
A new study published in Pediatrics found that rating films with an R for smoking can significantly reduce smoking onset in U.S. adolescents. The research, conducted at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, estimates that eliminating smoking from PG-13 movies could lower adolescent smoking rates by as much as 18 percent.
A study by Penn State researchers has found that exposure to violence among adolescents can have lasting physical stress response effects up to a year after the exposure. Cortisol levels were found to be lower in males with higher exposure to violence, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to suppress cortisol levels.
A study found that nearly 30 percent of teens send nude pictures via email or text, and this behavior is indicative of their overall sexual activity. Teen girls who engage in sexting are more likely to participate in risky behaviors, including multiple partners and substance use before sex.
A study of Texas high school students found that over 1 in 4 adolescents have sent nude pictures through electronic means. The prevalence of teen sexting is linked to their sexual behavior, with those who sexted more likely to have begun dating and had sex than their peers.
A new study finds nearly two-thirds of US adolescents have experienced severe anger attacks, with 1 in 12 meeting criteria for IED. The disorder is under-treated, with only 6.5% receiving professional help.
A recent study by Marisa Censani found that over half of adolescents undergoing evaluation for weight-loss surgery were vitamin D deficient, with severe deficiencies present in 8% of patients. African Americans were most likely to have a deficiency, while Caucasians had the lowest rate.
Researchers developed a new scoring system that identifies adolescents with the metabolic syndrome, increasing the chances of early intervention and preventive therapy. The system shows promise in diagnosing the condition in racial-ethnic groups, particularly male African Americans.
A study of 1,978 Spanish adolescents found that those who ate more frequently had lower accumulated fat rates, regardless of physical activity. Eating breakfast daily was particularly beneficial for young men who did not exercise.
A study of 1117 children aged 12-36 months found that many were investigated for maltreatment and had mental health problems, but only a small percentage received treatment. The findings highlight the need for early intervention and services for young children in child welfare.
Research from Brigham Young University found that dads play a crucial role in teaching their children persistence, which leads to better outcomes in school and lower rates of delinquency. The study examined 325 families over several years and showed that dads who practice authoritative parenting are more likely to instill this trait in...
A longitudinal study found that marital discord in kindergarten years can lead to emotional problems and difficulties in adolescence, including depression and anxiety. Children's early experiences of conflict between parents can have long-lasting negative effects on their emotional security and social adjustment.
A Baylor University study reveals that juvenile rats build up a physical tolerance to alcohol but not cognitive impairment. This finding has significant implications for understanding adolescent behavior and the development of alcoholism.
A significant number of teenagers engage in sexting despite being unaware of the potential consequences. Nearly 20% of students surveyed had sent a sexually explicit image via cell phone, with over a third doing so despite believing there could be serious legal and other consequences.
A new sociological study shows that alcohol consumption leads to increased social stress and poor grades among teens, especially those in tightly-connected friendship cliques. The study found a correlation between drinking and feelings of loneliness and not fitting in, which can lead to declining grades.
A new analysis found that many adolescent and young adult cancer survivors experience chronic medical conditions, poor quality of life, and barriers to healthcare access. The study suggests that these negative behaviors are potentially modifiable through proper follow-up care and promotion of healthy habits.
Developing a reliable measure of mental illness stigma in adolescents is crucial for encouraging teens to seek help. A study published in the Journal of Nursing Measurement found that the Revised Attribution Questionnaire (r-AQ) can be considered reliable and valid for assessing stigma among this age group.
A longitudinal study found that adolescents and young adults with mental health disorders are 2.4 times more likely to become long-term opioid users than those without a mental health disorder. Long-term opioid use is common among males, older youth, and those from poorer communities.
A study in rats found that adolescent female rats exposed to marijuana-like cannabinoids through their mothers had a higher preference for morphine, suggesting increased risk of drug abuse in their male offspring. The findings support earlier reports on the negative effects of prenatal cannabinoid exposure on development and behavior.
A five-year study of nearly 200 youths found that treating adolescents for major depression can also reduce their chances of abusing drugs later on. The study, led by John Curry at Duke University, found that only 10% of those who responded to treatment within 12 weeks later abused drugs, compared to 25% of those who did not respond.
A study of 559 adolescents found that those with low-fiber diets had bigger bellies, higher levels of inflammatory factors, and more visceral fat. Increasing fiber intake is crucial for reducing these risks, particularly in a time when one-third of children are overweight or obese.
A Cornell University study found that the perceived benefits of family meals on teen well-being may not be as strong or lasting when controlled for other aspects of the family environment. Family resources and relationships are key factors in facilitating regular family dinners.
New research reveals that obese adolescents, even those without symptoms of heart disease, already have structural and functional changes to their hearts. The study found that measures of heart size and function were increased in parallel to BMI, indicating damaged hearts with thicker walls and impaired systolic and diastolic function.
A new study by Brigham Young University professor Sarah Coyne analyzed 40 teen novels and found that 88% of them contained at least one instance of profanity. The study also discovered that characters with higher social status, better looks, and more money were more likely to swear.
A new study finds that high resiliency in early adolescence may protect against later alcohol problems and drug use. Resiliency is associated with better working memory performance, which may work through basal ganglia structures of the brain.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that male adolescents have bacteria in their urinary tracts, which are similar to those found in young women. The researchers discovered that the types of bacteria on the penis differ from those in the urethra and that circumcision status affects bacterial composition.
A Wayne State University researcher is investigating the influences of conscientiousness-related personality traits, cognitive ability, and social investment on patterns of excessive alcohol use over time. The study aims to develop interventions that can help foster maturation by increasing normative social investment.
A US survey study found that mid-adolescence is the peak risk period for young people to use prescription pain relievers for non-medical purposes. The study estimates that around 1 in 60 young people starts using these medications extramedically between ages 12 and 21, with a notable acceleration in risk between ages 13 and 14.
A national survey of US adolescents aged 5-10th grades found TV viewing time associated with lower odds of consuming fruits and vegetables daily and higher odds of consuming candy and sugar-sweetened soda. The study suggests that reducing TV viewing time may lead to improvements in adolescents' dietary intake.
A study published in Pediatrics shows that school-based health centers are effective in delivering vaccines to adolescents, particularly when students receive timely reminders. The research found that 77% of females and 66% of males received at least one vaccine after receiving reminders.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found a 12-month obesity prevention program for adolescent girls showed small changes in body composition measures. However, the small effects were not statistically significant, but still had potential clinical importance.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that the peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically around 16 years old. The results suggest that prevention programs may need to be introduced earlier, in childhood and early adolescence.
A new study by Penn State researchers reveals that parenting behaviors and adolescents' substance-use behaviors are significantly correlated. Higher levels of parental knowledge and disciplinary consistency lead to a lower likelihood of substance use, while inconsistent parents and aware peers can increase the risk of substance use.
A large study of 1,896 14-year-olds found differences in brain networks that precede drug use and are associated with impulsivity. The findings suggest that certain teenagers are at higher risk for drug experimentation due to their brain's structure and function.
A study published in Journal of Adolescent Health found that happy body image is linked to lower rates of depression, anxiety, and unhealthy eating habits among overweight teenagers. Researchers suggest improving body satisfaction could be a key component of interventions for overweight youth.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center found that adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer have strong concerns about their ability to have children as cancer survivors. Parents often inaccurately relayed their child's reproductive concerns and underestimated their daughters' desires for future parenthood.
The largest generation of adolescents worldwide faces significant health risks, including high rates of tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity. The study highlights the need for better coordination across UN agencies and countries to produce regular reports on adolescent health.
The Lancet series highlights the major challenges facing adolescents today, including disparities in access to resources and services. Sexually transmitted infections with protracted courses are of particular concern, exacerbated by poverty and social inequalities in countries of all incomes.
A new paper recommends cost-effective policies and programs to prevent behavior problems and conditions contributing to poor health. The initiatives have been tested in high-income countries and shown to reduce smoking, drinking, and other substance use among adolescents.
A randomized controlled trial found that targeted text messages increased influenza vaccination coverage among low-income, urban children and adolescents. The study showed a higher proportion of vaccinated individuals in the intervention group, with 93.9% receiving vaccines outside of Saturday clinics compared to 97.2% in usual care.
The Lancet emphasizes the importance of measuring adolescent health and behavior, setting goals for healthy development, and implementing preventive interventions. By prioritizing adolescent health, policymakers can harness young people's energy, innovation, and productivity to drive progress.
Structural changes to improve access to education and employment are crucial for improving adolescent health, with studies showing completion of secondary school provides great benefits. Education also improves survival rates, reduces injury mortality, and lowers HIV prevalence among adolescents.
Prevention programmes in adolescents are vital to prevent problems in adolescence and into adulthood. Successful policies include providing minors with free contraception, raising taxes on alcohol, and graduated licensing policies.
The Lancet comments urge major investments in adolescent health, with a focus on preventive interventions. The authors argue that adolescence is critical for global health goals and that investing in the second decade of life will determine economic success and quality of life.
The Lancet Series on Adolescent Health highlights the worsening health status of adolescents worldwide, who face new challenges such as social media. The authors emphasize the need for improved adolescent health, considering factors like poverty, education, and digital media.
The report emphasizes the need for more attention and resources devoted to issues facing older children. Adverse trends include early marriage and birth among girls, and high adolescent birth rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
A new study found that exposure to alcohol use in Bollywood movies is directly associated with alcohol consumption among Indian adolescents. The study, presented at the World Congress of Cardiology, reveals that students who were highly exposed to such content were 2.78 times more likely to have tried alcohol.
A five-year study involving Quebec secondary school students found that recreational MDMA and meth/amphetamine use places teenagers at greater risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The study suggests long-term negative influences of synthetic drug use on mental health.
A new blood test can diagnose major depression in teens with high accuracy, distinguishing between subtypes such as major depression with anxiety disorder. The test's development holds promise for tailored treatments and reduced stigma around the disease.
Research found that adolescent attendance and involvement in 12-step meetings, such as AA and NA, promote greater abstinence among young people. Attending meetings at least once a week or more significantly improves substance use outcomes.
A study found that adolescents are more likely to drink when their peers have pro-alcohol norms, but less likely when they have anti-alcohol norms. Popular peers' anti-alcohol views were most influential in reducing drinking behavior.
A large-scale study will analyze the content of Facebook posts from a sample of 200 adolescents to examine relationships, social adjustment, and psychological health. The research aims to better understand the potential benefits and risks of social media use among teens.
A UBC study involving 17,000 Vancouver students found that 25-30% experience or participate in cyberbullying, compared to 12% for schoolyard bullying. Online behavior is often underestimated, with youth downplaying harm and failing to recognize its consequences.
A review article highlights the need for more comprehensive health assessments in young adult cancer survivors, who are living longer and experiencing late effects from treatment. The study concludes that traditional tools created for adult-onset cancer are insufficient for this population, requiring a broader range of measurement.
A study by Yale researchers found that about 25% of classic autism diagnoses and 75% of Asperger's Syndrome diagnoses may not meet the new DSM-5 criteria. The study suggests that higher-functioning individuals with intellectual disabilities may be more likely to qualify for a diagnosis.