Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
Researchers found that eating family meals together during adolescence resulted in adults who ate more fruit and vegetables, and drank less soft drinks. The study also showed that frequency of family meals predicted eating habits such as breakfast and dinner frequency, as well as intakes of key nutrients.
A new study by the Society for Prevention Research reveals that many children are starting to drink alcohol as early as 4th grade. The survey data shows a concerning trend among 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who have already begun drinking.
A University of Florida study found that teenage girls who start dieting are twice as likely to begin smoking. Researchers analyzed the dieting and smoking practices of 8,000 adolescents and discovered that consistent dieters were more likely to smoke.
Studies show abused children are more likely to commit delinquent crimes, with the type of abuse connected to the crime. The special issue examines moderating factors connecting child maltreatment to delinquent behavior in adolescence.
A randomized controlled trial found that group psychotherapy was effective in reducing depression symptoms among displaced adolescent girls, but not boys, who were survivors of war in northern Uganda. The intervention also showed promise for helping adolescents living in poor, rural, and illiterate communities.
A four-year study of 1,869 women found that the Active Management of Risk in Pregnancy at Term approach resulted in lower cesarean delivery rates compared to traditional care. Preventive labor induction also appeared to lower adverse birth outcomes. The findings challenge current beliefs about labor induction and suggest a preventive a...
A University of Illinois study found that teenagers can become insightful about their emotional patterns and learn to intervene in their emotional episodes. In a high-school musical theater production, teens developed rich emotional growth by learning to identify and control their emotions, as well as use them positively.
Researchers found that a high school theater program helped adolescents develop emotional intelligence by learning to respond constructively to different emotions. The program provided a culture of acceptance and concern for others, where youth could engage in emotional learning through rehearsal experiences.
A new study found that early behavior problems in elementary school are associated with increased risk of peer rejection, loneliness, and depression in adolescence. Children who exhibit disruptive or anxious behavior in early childhood are more likely to lack friends and be rejected by their peers.
A new study suggests that non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a common occurrence among high school students, with nearly half of teens experiencing NSSI in the past year. The most common reasons for engaging in NSSI include regulating emotional states and managing situations.
A new MUHC study found that wearing soft protective headgear reduces the risk of concussions by 53% among adolescents aged 12-17 who played soccer. The research also suggests that most sports-related injuries are not reported, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures.
The study found that 75 percent of US adults will be overweight by 2015, with minority groups and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds facing the greatest disparities. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the growing obesity crisis in the United States.
A study by Elizabeth J. Susman found that kids who prefer evenings are more likely to exhibit antisocial behavior, rule-breaking, and attention problems. Earlier puberty is linked to more antisocial behavior in boys and relational aggression in girls.
A new study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that 10% of youth who smoke cigarettes are addicted within two days of first inhaling from a cigarette. Adolescents who smoke even just a few cigarettes per month suffer withdrawal symptoms when deprived of nicotine.
Regulatory warnings about antidepressant risks led to a 33% decrease in new prescriptions among Tennessee's expanded Medicaid program. Fluoxetine prescriptions actually increased, suggesting altered treatment decisions.
A recent study published in Neurology found that teenagers from low-income households are more likely to suffer from migraine compared to those from upper-income families. The study surveyed over 18,700 adolescents and their parents, revealing a significant association between socioeconomic status and migraine prevalence.
A study of 1,491 teens aged 10-19 found that video game players spent less time on reading and homework compared to non-gamers. However, gaming habits did not affect social interactions or parent-child relationships, with girls spending more quality time with parents when playing games.
A Canadian study found that behaviors like dating, substance use, and sexual activity make teens feel older than they are. The gap widens as adolescents get older, with girls more likely to feel older than boys.
A study by Brown University found that teenagers who stay up late and sleep in on weekends are more likely to have poor academic performance. To prevent this, experts recommend getting enough sleep each night and maintaining a regular schedule. By following these tips, teens can improve their sleep quality and perform better in school.
A study of 1,362 Chinese adolescents found that sleep deprivation was significantly associated with increased risk of smoking and drinking. Sleeping less than eight hours at night, nightmares, and difficulty initiating sleep were key factors linked to these behaviors.
A national survey of US high school girls found that those reporting anabolic steroid use had more health-harming behaviors, including smoking and taking diet pills. They were also more likely to experience mental health issues, such as depression and suicidal thoughts.
A study analyzing self-administered questionnaires from 8,080 urban teen students found associations between persistent sadness, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Lifetime history of sexual assault was reported by 9.6% of females and 5.4% of males, while dating violence in the past year was associated with female suicide attempts.
Researchers found that female teen steroid users were more likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors, including substance abuse, sexual activity before age 13, and mental health issues. The study suggests that anabolic steroid use is a marker for high-risk girls who need targeted interventions.
The 'Energy Up' program successfully tackles behavioral issues in adolescent girls by promoting healthy lifestyle habits and addressing food addiction. Participants experienced significant weight loss, with obese girls losing the most weight, while normal-weight girls gained expected weight for their age.
Early onset type 2 diabetes in adolescents is associated with rapid progression of complications, including hypertension, nephropathy, retinopathy, and psychiatric disorders. The unborn children of pregnant young women are also at increased risk.
A study found that adolescents experiencing relational aggression perceive their schools as less safe and have a lower quality social atmosphere. Relational aggression is linked to increased carrying of weapons among boys but not girls.
A team of scientists found that limiting food intake during pregnancy impairs nutrient supply to fetuses and slows soft tissue growth. Adequate weight gain by pregnant teen girls is crucial to reduce low-birth-weight infant risk, suggesting a need for personalized dietary advice.
In a six-week study, Aripiprazole demonstrated significant improvement compared to placebo on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) Total Score. The study found that approximately 85% of patients completed the study, and both doses of Aripiprazole showed improvement compared to placebo.
A study found that adolescents who have friends with high-risk sexual attitudes are more likely to adopt similar behaviors, while those who believe sex has undesirable consequences choose new friends with similar attitudes. The effect of peer influence on adolescent behavior was stronger for females than males.
Research suggests that chunky adolescents are headed in the wrong direction regarding cardiovascular health, with increased blood pressure and sodium intake found across all weight categories.
A study found that parents typically focus on negative aspects of sex, while peers promote positive messages. Parents are strongest supporters of abstinence and provide information on pregnancy and fertilization, but fail to discuss other topics. Peers encourage non-relational sex and promote sexual freedom, while the media reinforces ...
Research suggests that teenagers who watch television for three or more hours per day are at a higher risk of developing attention and learning difficulties. This is because excessive TV viewing can take up time that could be spent on reading, homework, and other intellectually stimulating activities.
Two studies by Dartmouth Medical School researchers reveal that US movies deliver billions of smoking impressions to American teens, with youth-rated movies delivering 61% of the total images. The studies also found that high-impact movies, mostly rated PG-13, deliver over 100 million smoking impressions each.
Research links tobacco display advertising in retail stores with teens experimenting with cigarette smoking. Promotional giveaways and price breaks may be associated with the transition to regular smoking among youth.
Children exposed to higher levels of alcohol advertising are more likely to drink and intend to drink in the future, according to a RAND Corporation study. Parents can influence their children's behavior by discussing alcohol marketing techniques and encouraging critical thinking about ads.
A study found that children with cystic fibrosis exhibit defective bone mineralization as early as 2 years old, which is not caused by nutritional status or lung disease. This abnormality can lead to reduced bone density and increased risk of osteoporosis.
A new study reveals that a simple and brief screening measure can quickly identify the broad range of risk behaviors found among adolescents. The adolescent risk inventory (ARI) identifies behavior problems that may prevent teens from engaging in other risky behaviors.
The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine recommends increasing the availability of low-fat and nonfat dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in school environments. This move aims to improve children's diets and combat obesity rates.
The study found that most current pay-for-performance programs focus on women's, children's, and adolescents' health issues, while new programs are shifting emphasis to chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes. The majority of existing programs operate in managed care or primary care case management environments.
Research suggests that heightened risk taking during adolescence is driven by conflicting brain systems. The socioemotional system becomes more assertive during puberty, while the cognitive-control system matures later. This leads to a vulnerability window in teens where impulsive behavior can be triggered.
A recent study by Deakin University found that Australian teenagers eat fast food daily, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Only one-third of teens consume a variety of foods from the five food groups every day.
Project Strive, a UCLA research project, aims to reconnect chronically homeless teens with their families, teaching them skills to manage conflict and prevent further runaways. The intervention program offers five short-term sessions between parents and adolescents, focusing on emotional management, communication, and problem-solving.
Teens who receive state health insurance through programs like Child Health Plus see improved access to care, reduced racial disparities, and increased preventive services. The program eliminates disparities in care among adolescents, bringing the percentage of all teens seeking care with the same healthcare professionals up to 95%.
A new study found that less than a quarter of US child and adolescent psychiatrists screen for dating violence, despite its common occurrence among teens. The authors emphasize the importance of clinicians taking the lead in discussing romantic relationships to identify potential abuse.
A study led by Children's Hospital Boston found that lesbian/gay adolescents were three to four times more likely to report having been bullied than heterosexuals. The study analyzed data from over 7,500 adolescents aged 14 to 22 and found nearly half of the lesbian and gay youth had been bullied in the past year.
A new study by Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University found that adolescents with psychiatric disorders were less likely to use condoms consistently if they felt stressed or anxious about it. Helping teens manage their emotions may be crucial in preventing HIV and other STIs.
Researchers found that adolescence leads to a significant loss of neurons in the ventral prefrontal cortex, particularly in females, which challenges current models of brain development. This finding has implications for understanding human psychopathologies like schizophrenia and depression that often arise during late adolescence.
A new study reveals that up to 1 in 10 infected infants may survive into late childhood or early adolescence without diagnosis or treatment. Late diagnosis can significantly affect their future health and long-term survival, emphasizing the need for accessible and sympathetic HIV testing and treatment services.
Research at the University of Minnesota found a strong association between participating in weight-related sports and unhealthy weight control behaviors, including induced vomiting and laxative use. Steroid use was also more common among teens who participated in these sports, particularly boys.
The rate of bariatric surgeries among adolescents more than tripled between 2000 and 2003, with only 771 teens undergoing the procedure in 2003. Most obese teens are still treated through diet and behavioral methods, but health problems related to weight make surgery an increasingly considered option.
Research suggests that low birth weight may be linked to an increased risk of depression in teenage girls, with 38.1% experiencing at least one episode of depression between ages 13 and 16. In contrast, no significant association was found for boys.
A study found that children aged 4-7 in states with booster seat laws were 39% more likely to be properly restrained than those in states without such laws. Booster seat use increased significantly between 1999 and 2004, especially among 4-5 year olds.
Researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine discovered a significant link between stress levels and acne severity in teenagers. The study, involving 94 adolescents from Singapore, found that high-stress teens were 23% more likely to have increased acne severity, with no correlation to sebum production.
A study found that white adolescents with high exposure to R-rated movies and unsupervised television viewing are more likely to start smoking. However, this association was not seen in black adolescents, who were equally likely to initiate smoking regardless of media exposure. The reasons for these racial differences are unclear.
Participation in sports that emphasize weight loss is strongly linked to unhealthful weight-control behaviors and steroid use among adolescents. Additionally, dieting may predict weight gain in teens due to long-term adoption of counterproductive behavioral patterns.
A national study found that adolescents who had sex early showed a 20 percent increase in delinquent acts one year later compared to those whose first sexual experience occurred at the average age for their school. In contrast, those teens who waited longer than average to have sex had delinquency rates 50 percent lower.
Organized youth activities facilitate teen independence in a way parents can appreciate, while also improving family relationships. Teens develop skills such as self-confidence, emotional regulation, and teamwork, leading to closer ties with their families.
Researchers found a significant decline in moderate to vigorous physical activity among teenagers, from 5.9 hours/week in early adolescence to 4.9 hours/week in midadolescence for girls. Meanwhile, sedentary behaviors like computer use increased substantially, associated with increased risk of obesity.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine finds that adolescents with sleep disturbances are more likely to receive bad grades, experiencing symptoms such as restless legs, difficulty concentrating, and snoring. Parents and teens can improve school performance by following recommended sleep habits.
A study of 32 African adolescents reveals long-standing HIV infection leads to stunted growth, chronic ill health and organ damage. Early testing and care can prevent this, highlighting the need for reduced barriers.