Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Adolescents who consume high amounts of fructose are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to a recent study. The researchers found that heavy consumers of fructose had lower levels of protective fats like HDL cholesterol and adiponectin.
A new study by Leticia Marteleto found that the educational gap between black and white Brazilians remains significant, with whites completing nearly a year more education. The study suggests that large gains in family resources among black adolescents and shifts in racial labeling have contributed to the closing of the gap.
Researchers found increased brain cell activity in adolescent rats in an unusual area called the dorsal striatum, associated with habit formation and decision-making. This suggests that adolescents may be more susceptible to developing disorders like addiction and depression due to their unique brain response to reward.
According to the study published in JAMA Network, the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among US adults remains at 35.7%, while children and teens show a higher prevalence of obesity, with significant increases in certain demographics, particularly among non-Hispanic black men and Mexican American women.
A new study compares brain activity in adolescents with and without a family history of alcoholism, finding that those at risk for alcohol use disorder show weaker activation in key brain regions. This suggests an increased vulnerability to poor decision-making regarding future alcohol use.
A Northwestern University study shows that India's affirmative action law for village councils has a positive impact on young women's aspirations and behavior. The law gave girls direct role models, leading to increased attendance at school and reduced household chores, as well as improved attitudes toward higher education goals.
A new teaching program improved siblings' knowledge and coping skills, enhancing their adjustment and psychological well-being after a sibling's cancer diagnosis. The pilot study showed promising results, with the intervention group showing better improvement in psychological well-being.
A new study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that guanfacine extended release significantly improves symptoms in children with ADHD who have a suboptimal response to psychostimulants. The study, conducted by Dr. Timothy E. Wilens and colleagues, showed that adjunctive administrat...
A new study recommends using the body mass index (BMI) method to calculate expected body weights in children with eating disorders. The research found that this method is more accurate than others and can account for varying heights and weights, making it a valuable tool for clinicians and researchers.
Adolescents diagnosed with schizophrenia show greater decreases in gray matter volume and increases in cerebrospinal fluid in the frontal lobe compared to healthy peers. Progressive brain changes are also linked to poorer prognosis, including longer hospitalization and reduced symptom improvement.
A systematic review of studies suggests that physical activity is positively related to improved academic performance in children. The findings support the idea that exercise may help cognition by increasing blood flow to the brain, reducing stress, and improving mood.
A longitudinal study of over 17,000 youths found that frequent school absences are associated with a higher prevalence of mental health problems during adolescence. Students who were chronically absent in one year tended to have more depression and antisocial problems in subsequent years.
A study found that emergency contraception misinformation is common in low-income neighborhoods, with pharmacies incorrectly stating the age limit for over-the-counter access. This misinformation can restrict access to emergency contraception, a vital service for adolescents and individuals of childbearing age.
A recent study published in the Journal of Urban Health found that one in 13 teenage girls reported having group-sex experience, which was often pressured or coerced. The study highlights the need for additional research on this topic and provides insights into the potential risks to sexual and reproductive health.
A study by McMaster researchers found that young adults' physical activity declines sharply after transitioning to university or college, with men experiencing the largest decrease. This decline can be attributed to a combination of factors, including changes in lifestyle and reduced engagement in leisure activities.
A new study found that providing clear caloric information about sugar-sweetened beverages may reduce their consumption among adolescents. Researchers discovered that physically presenting calories as physical activity equivalents was most effective in decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage purchases among black adolescents.
A new study found a strong relationship between adolescent drinking and criminal activity, including property crime, predatory crime, and victimization. Frequent alcohol consumption was associated with a greater probability of committing crimes and being victims, regardless of gender.
A new study by UCSF researchers found that adolescents with anorexia nervosa who receive high-calorie diets during hospitalization experience significant weight gain and have a shorter stay. The current conservative approach, which starts with low calorie intake, is not effective in preventing refeeding syndrome.
A systematic review of chronic pain in children and adolescents found that most types of pain are more prevalent in girls than in boys, with headache being the most common studied pain type. The prevalence rates of childhood pain have increased over the last several decades, highlighting the need for early interventions.
A new study by Yale University found that adolescents who were abused and neglected have less gray matter in certain brain areas than their non-maltreated peers. The study suggests a link between maltreatment and future mental health issues, with some areas affected more in boys or girls.
Adolescents with childhood maltreatment experience reduced cerebral gray matter volume, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, associated with behavioral difficulties and increased risk of psychiatric disorders. Self-reported CM subtypes show distinct patterns of gray matter changes, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Researchers analyzed the prevalence of headaches three and 12 months after mild, moderate, or severe TBI in children aged 5-17. The study found that headache was a significant problem for some children after TBI, with adolescents and girls at highest risk. Most children recover from TBI-related headaches within several weeks.
A recent study found that 65.8% of public gardens offer some form of adolescent programming, but only 28.9% provide long-term programs. The research identified seven institutional benefits and strategies for implementing successful youth programming.
A new study reveals that US teens are at a higher risk of dying from heart disease due to high blood sugar levels, obesity, and poor diets. The research found that only zero children or adolescents met the criteria for ideal cardiovascular health.
A study published in The Lancet found that around 1 in 12 adolescents self-harm, with girls being more likely to do so. Most participants who self-harmed as teens stopped doing so by their early twenties.
Researchers found that adolescent male hamsters showed signs of depressive-like behaviors, lower body mass, and changes in brain cells after early-life sexual experience. This suggests that sex during adolescence may be interpreted by the body as a stressor, leading to lasting negative effects on adult body and mood.
A new study from the University of Missouri found that rural adolescents who engage in prosocial behaviors like volunteering and helping others are less likely to use substances as young adults. This research has important implications for substance use prevention and intervention programs aimed at teens.
A recent study by Case Western Reserve University found that helping others in 12-step programs significantly improves adolescent treatment response, reducing cravings for alcohol and drugs. The study also highlights the influence of religious practices on treatment outcomes.
A bivalent HPV vaccine has been shown to offer excellent protection against the most serious immediate precursor to invasive cervical cancer. The vaccine also partially protects against four other cancer-causing HPV types, which together with HPV16/18 cause about 85% of cervical cancer worldwide.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that banning all sugar-sweetened beverages in schools reduces in-school access and purchase, but not overall consumption among adolescents. Approximately 85% of students reported consuming sugar-sweetened beverages at least once a week, regardless of policy.
A web-based intervention aimed at promoting healthy eating and physical activity among adolescents was found to have no long-term effects on weight gain, but did show positive short-term changes in dietary behavior. The study evaluated the effectiveness of the FATaintPHAT intervention over two years, finding it ineffective in reducing ...
A four-country study published in the Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing found that verbal intervention was the favoured technique for dealing with aggressive episodes involving young offenders. The research team also recommended continuous education, sufficient resources, and further studies to improve practices.
A study by McGill University Health Centre researchers found that adolescent amphetamine use can cause neurobiological imbalances and increase risk-taking behavior, effects that persist into adulthood. The study used animal models and found abnormalities in key neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
A new study explores the challenges of making sense of conflicting reports from parents, teachers, and children about a child's behavioral problems. The research reveals that clinicians can benefit from considering these discrepancies as valuable information to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers find that providing obese adolescents with a daily dose of 4,000 IUs of vitamin D3 improves their vitamin D status. The study suggests that obese adolescents require higher doses due to reduced absorption in fat stores.
A recent study found that teenage girls and senior students suffered high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a major earthquake. The research suggests that young people, particularly those aged 16+, require prompt psychological support to avoid long-term mental health problems.
A study found that US adolescents are heavily exposed to alcohol brand references in popular music, often associated with a luxury lifestyle. The researchers suggest that frequent exposure may contribute to early initiation and maintenance of substance use among adolescents.
A balanced amount of spare time is crucial for happiness in a consumer society. Materialistic teenagers with compulsive buying issues need just the right amount of leisure time to feel happier. Moderate time affluence alleviates negative side effects of material values and compulsive buying on adolescent happiness.
A study published in the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology found that adolescents sleeping more hours scored higher in math, especially in physical education. Those with good sleep latency (less than 15 minutes) also performed better academically.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that children and adolescents in foster care are at increased risk of suicide attempts and hospitalizations, but rates decrease after they enter care. Children with psychiatric disorders had the largest decrease in attempted suicides and hospitalizations.
The Lancet Series on Global Mental Health highlights the need for improved child and adolescent mental health services in low-income and middle-income countries. The authors call for early interventions to prevent long-term health and socioeconomic burdens.
Research found a 400% increase in knee injuries among children and adolescents over the last decade, with ACL and meniscus tears rising significantly.
A study published in American Sociological Review found that teenage drinking habits are influenced more by their date's friends than their own. The presence of prior drinking among the friend increases the odds of future binge drinking by 80%, while the date's drinking habits have a lower impact, increasing binge drinking by 32%.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison study suggests that short-term sleep restriction in adolescent mice prevented balanced growth and depletion of brain synapses, which may have lasting consequences for the wiring of the brain. The study's findings could be relevant to mental illnesses like schizophrenia that often start during adolescence.
A new study found that teenagers experience more arguments with family members on days when they had conflicts with peers, and vice versa. Family fights lasted longer than peer conflicts, affecting relationships for up to two days later.
A study published in Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that college students who display references to intoxication or problem drinking on their Facebook profiles are more likely to report alcohol-related injuries. The study suggests using social media monitoring as a tool for identifying at-risk students, potentiall...
A study of 2,200 Australian youths aged 9-16 found that those who went to bed early and woke up early had lower risks of obesity and were more physically active. In contrast, late-nighters were more likely to engage in sedentary behaviors and have higher body mass indexes.
Researchers at the University of Houston have found a connection between borderline personality disorder and hypermentalizing in adolescents, which can lead to emotional regulation challenges. The study's findings suggest that early intervention and treatment can improve strategies for managing BPD symptoms.
A new Northwestern University study found that adolescents in mixed friend groups were insulated from the influence of peers who were delinquent or low-academic achievers. Neighborhood violence and territorial boundaries constrained their friendship choices.
A recent study published in the American Sociological Review found that adolescents are more susceptible to drinking habits of their romantic partner's friends than their own friends or significant others. This influence can be either positive or negative, depending on whether the partner's friends drink heavily.
A Northwestern University study found that adolescents can be insulated from the negative influence of their peers by having characteristics respected by friends, such as close friendships with members of the opposite sex. Insulation also occurs if individuals have something their friends need, like a car.
Researchers found that the increase in intelligence during adolescence can be largely attributed to improvements in mental speed. The study analyzed data from over 6,900 teenagers and discovered that older teens performed better and worked faster on cognitive tests.
A Tel Aviv University researcher found that social networking on Facebook can be beneficial for teens' psychological development. The study discovered a positive correlation between Internet use and self-understanding, ego development, and clarity of self-perception.
Researchers are developing a computer-delivered intervention to increase parental motivation and adolescent engagement in diabetes care. The study, targeting urban African American youth, aims to address poor health outcomes related to diabetes management.
Researchers have found that brain wiring continues to develop well into our 20s, with structural changes in the white matter being detected in healthy adults using magnetic resonance imaging. This challenges the long-held belief that brain development stops at adolescence.
A new study will assess the effectiveness of Project REACH, a prenatal intervention designed to prevent postpartum depression in adolescent mothers. The program focuses on strengthening social relationships and encouraging support, with a goal of reducing symptoms before they occur.
A new study published in Academic Pediatrics reports that adolescents are at heightened risk of alcohol use onset due to their position in the social network. The study found that closer proximity to more popular individuals and larger social networks increase the likelihood of drinking initiation.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that optimal sleep duration for teenagers can help stabilize blood sugar levels and insulin secretion. The researchers discovered that 7.5-8.5 hours of sleep per night may protect against the development of type 2 diabetes in obese adolescents.
Experts argue that current film classification guidelines are inadequate and failing to control the impact on adolescents. Studies show a significant association between smoking depiction in films and increased risk of tobacco use among teenagers. The authors propose applying default 18 classification for all films containing smoking.
Research from Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network found that over half of children and adolescents with autism also have ADHD symptoms, compromising their adaptive abilities and quality of life. The study highlights the importance of identifying and treating ADHD symptoms in individuals with autism.