Articles tagged with Adolescents
A University of Minnesota study found that girls who eat three to four family meals per week are at one-third the risk for extreme weight control practices. Regular family meals also benefit boys, although the association is weaker than for girls.
The NIH awarded Indiana University a $7 million grant to establish the Midwest Sexually Transmitted Infections and Topical Microbicides Cooperative Research Center. The center will focus on researching epidemiology, acquisition, prevention, and pathogenesis of sexually transmitted infections in young women.
A US study found that most low-grade cervical lesions (LSIL) in young women will regress spontaneously, lending support for monitoring these cytological lesions. Follow-up HPV status was a strong predictor of regression, but persistent multiple HPV types slowed rates of regression.
A recent study found that most pediatricians significantly underestimate the severity of adolescent substance use, with only 10% accurate assessments of 'dependence'. The use of a structured screening tool, like the CRAFFT test, can help improve identification of adolescents at risk.
Research found that adolescent gamblers are more likely to experience severe psychiatric problems, including substance use disorders and depression. Early-onset gambling is associated with more severe problems compared to adult-onset gambling.
A new pertussis booster vaccine candidate has shown promising results in a clinical trial, providing extended protection against whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus for adolescents. The vaccine, Boostrix, demonstrated high levels of anti-pertussis antibodies and comparable side effects to the existing Td vaccine.
A 12-week study found that combining sertraline and CBT was more effective than treatment with just one or the other in reducing symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in adolescents. CBT alone was also shown to be effective, particularly at the University of Pennsylvania site.
Researchers found that the combination of nicotine and acetaldehyde significantly enhances addictiveness in adolescent rats, while adult rats show no significant increase. The study suggests studying interactions between nicotine and other tobacco smoke components could improve smoking cessation efforts.
A Yale University study will investigate the effects of marijuana, ecstasy, and teen cognitive deficits in 200 adolescents. The research aims to determine if sustained abstinence leads to recovery of cognitive function in this population.
Children and adolescents with OCD benefit from a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication, specifically sertraline. The treatment results in significant symptom reduction for 53.6% of participants. CBT alone is also effective, with 39.3% becoming nearly asymptomatic.
A randomized controlled trial found that patients treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) alone or in combination with medication showed a substantially higher probability of improvement. The combined treatment proved more effective than CBT alone and sertraline alone in treating children and adolescents with OCD.
A nationwide study found that only 36% of teenagers achieved moderate to vigorous physical activity weekly, and only 4.4% maintained this level into adulthood. This decline in physical activity contributes to the rising burden of obesity and related health issues in the US.
New research reveals distinct brain structure and function differences in adolescents compared to adults, leading to impulsive decision-making and increased risk-taking behavior. Puberty appears to be a critical stage of development, characterized by heightened novelty seeking and exploratory behavior.
Research suggests that teenage hormone therapy to reduce adult height in tall girls is linked to impaired fertility later in life. Women who received oestrogen therapy were more likely to experience difficulty becoming pregnant and had a lower per cycle rate of conception.
A recent study by Professor Nazilla Khanlou found that multicultural teenagers in Canada have similar levels of self-esteem, regardless of their ethnic background. The research, published in Public Health Nursing, explored influences on adolescent self-esteem and identified factors such as school, lifestyle, personality, and relationsh...
The panel found that traditional 'get tough' approaches exacerbate problems, while positive intervention programs like Functional Family Therapy and Multisystemic Therapy show promise in reducing arrests and out-of-home placements. These effective programs focus on developing social competency skills and family involvement.
A study found that parental approval of underage alcohol use is prevalent, but strict consequences and responsible parenting can deter teenage drinking. Parents who model moderate drinking behaviors may also teach their children the same.
A study of 1,323 students found that teenage perceptions of math and English changed over time, with boys generally liking math more and girls preferring English. Initially, girls found math harder than boys but this gap narrowed by senior years.
Girls spent more time in feminine activities with lower testosterone levels and reported interest, while masculine activities increased until age 13. Family characteristics, such as personality traits and attitudes, also predicted involvement in sex-typed activities.
The study found that adolescents' autonomy increased over five years, with more independence in personal and multifaceted issues as they aged. Parental involvement in prudential and conventional decisions was associated with better adjustment, while joint decision-making on multifaceted issues predicted positive outcomes.
Research finds that rates of drinking among American youth have remained relatively stable since the 1990s, with high prevalence rates among 8th-12th graders. The study highlights the need for new approaches to reduce alcohol use and its associated risks.
A survey found that an estimated 12.8% of U.S. children had special health care needs in 2001, with significant disparities among disadvantaged groups. The study also highlighted the impact on families, including reduced employment and financial problems due to healthcare costs.
Research finds that many adolescent substance abuse treatment programs in the US are not addressing crucial components, with only 3% fulfilling four-fifths of required elements. However, individual program high scores suggest existing capacity for effective implementation.
The TADS clinical trial found combined antidepressant and talk therapy treatment yielded the best results, followed by antidepressants alone. Talk therapy on its own was no more effective than placebo.
The TADS study found that treatment combining fluoxetine with CBT was superior to each alone in improving rates of response for adolescents with MDD. Clinically significant suicidal thinking improved significantly in all four treatment groups, with the greatest reduction seen in those receiving fluoxetine and CBT.
Adolescents living with both biological or adoptive parents tend to have higher grades and greater college expectations. In contrast, adolescents from single-mother families often experience lower academic achievement due to economic deprivation. Single mothers face significant challenges in planning for their children's future education.
A stage one trial found that fluoxetine plus CBT offered greater effectiveness in treatment than the drug alone for adolescents diagnosed with MDD. Combination therapy proved superior to fluoxetine and CBT alone, with a 71 percent response rate.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that teens with depression experience significant improvement when treated with a combination of medication and cognitive-behavior therapy. The treatment resulted in a 71% improvement rate, compared to 60% for those taking Prozac alone or 43% for those receiving only therapy.
A study found that nicotine therapy works as well for teens as for adults when used with behavioral skills training, but the effectiveness drops off for women. In contrast, adult smokers tend to maintain abstinence longer and are more successful in quitting with NRT.
The survey found that despite parents' awareness of hepatitis B, many are unaware of the disease's severity and the availability of a vaccine. The Society for Adolescent Medicine provides guidance to enhance parent-adolescent relationships and offers resources to promote healthy behaviors.
A study found that vaccinated cases were half as contagious as unvaccinated cases, with varying levels of contagiousness depending on the number of lesions. The authors suggest continued monitoring to improve vaccine policy decisions for future generations.
A UCLA study found that HIV-coping programs for families with infected parents reduced dropout rates, teenage pregnancy, and public welfare claims among children. The program also improved mental health outcomes and social relationships.
A study of 8,250 US adolescent girls found that 29.1% experience headaches, 20.7% stomachaches, and 30.6% morning fatigue more than once a week. Social and environmental factors such as alcohol use, caffeine intake, and parent support are strongly associated with the symptoms.
A 20-year study found that adolescents hospitalized for psychiatric disorders experienced more emotional distress, died at a higher rate, and had limited educational attainment compared to their peers. The researchers emphasize the need for ongoing mental health support and education to mitigate these outcomes.
The proportion of Tennessee children using antipsychotic medications for conditions other than psychosis nearly doubled between 1996 and 2001, with significant increases in ADHD and affective disorders. The study suggests an urgent need for well-controlled clinical studies to weigh the benefits against the risks.
A study of over 113,000 adolescents from 25 countries found that involvement in bullying was associated with poor physical health, emotional adjustment, school performance, peer relationships, alcohol use, and carrying weapons. The researchers also observed a significant overlap between bullies, victims, and bully-victims.
Regular family meals are associated with better nutritional intake, lower substance use, and improved emotional health among adolescent girls. The study found that frequent family mealtimes can be a protective factor against various negative outcomes, including suicidal involvement.
A yearlong study found that negative self-image in adolescents fosters increasingly damaging behaviors, including social isolation, peer conflict, and victimization. The study suggests that early intervention is needed to improve peer interactions in schools.
A study of low-income African-American adolescent girls aged 14-18 found that those with a desire to become pregnant are more likely to have older partners and engage in casual sex. Researchers emphasize the need for targeted education and policy changes to address the root causes of adolescent childbearing.
The study suggests that the risk of suicidal behavior is similar among users of different antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. The risk of suicidal behavior is highest in the first month after starting treatment, particularly within the first nine days.
Adolescents from lower socioeconomic families exhibit heightened biological responses to stressful situations, interpreting ambiguous social interactions negatively. Positive life experiences and alternative interpretations can promote better physical health for these children.
A study found that adolescents who used a web-based intervention to learn about healthy eating had higher self-efficacy for healthy eating and more dietary knowledge compared to those in traditional classes. The results suggest that technology-based activities can be an effective way to promote lifelong healthy eating habits.
A new study suggests that aggressive antismoking campaigns and higher prices could save thousands of lives by reducing smoking prevalence. By raising cigarette prices and disseminating multimedia antismoking campaigns, smoking rates among adolescents could be reduced by up to 26%, leading to significant life-saving benefits.
A study found that gender-and culturally-tailored HIV prevention programs reduced HIV incidence among African American teen girls. The interventions also showed promise in reducing chlamydia cases and promoting healthier relationships.
A University of Washington study found that adolescent binge drinking is linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and other health issues by age 24. The study identified four distinct patterns of binge drinking among teenagers, which can have serious effects on their health.
A pediatric gastroenterologist urges increasing availability of comprehensive weight loss programs to support adolescents struggling with obesity. High-quality behavior-based weight-control programs are rare and expensive, but essential for reducing the need for life-altering bariatric surgery.
A recent study found that high levels of perceived parental supervision were linked with reduced gonorrhea and chlamydia infections in African American female adolescents. The study, which recruited 158 adolescent females aged 14-19 years, discovered a correlation between high parental supervision and lower incidence rates of these STDs.
A study analyzing data from Chicago's youth between ages 9-19 found that teenagers living in safer neighborhoods were significantly less likely to carry concealed firearms compared to those in more disordered areas. The research suggests that decreasing community violence and disorder can positively impact youth gun carrying behavior.
A study found that adolescent girls were overexposed to alcohol advertisements in magazines, with 45% more beer and ale ads, 12% more distilled spirits ads, and 65% more low-alcohol refreshers (LARs) ads compared to their male counterparts. The researchers called for further action due to the failure of industry self-regulation.
Researchers found that younger patients, rural areas, and pregnant women were more likely to have their smoking status recorded in patient charts. However, only 50% of identified teen smokers received physician advice to quit and counseling was the most common form of assistance offered.
The editorial emphasizes the importance of adolescent participation in identifying problems and devising strategies for improving health. Key findings include slow progress in specialist health services for adolescents, but also highlight the need for non-judgmental information, education, and accessible services tailored to their needs.
A recent study published in JAMA found that lean adolescents who consume fast food are less likely to compensate for the excess energy by adjusting their daily intake compared to overweight peers. In contrast, overweight participants tend to overconsume fast food and fail to make up for it throughout the day.
Recent studies sponsored by GSK have shown mixed results for paroxetine's safety and efficacy in children. The company faces criticism for 'off-label' prescribing, despite a lack of published trials demonstrating its benefits. GSK is urged to disclose all relevant documents related to paroxetine use in minors.
A study published in Archives of General Psychiatry found that school-based interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-A) is an effective treatment for depressed adolescents. The therapy helped reduce depressive symptoms and improve overall functioning, particularly among females and Hispanic participants.
A study of 307 healthy adolescents found that 24.1% were vitamin D deficient, with African Americans and winter seasons having the highest prevalence. Season, ethnicity, diet, BMI, and physical activity were also significant predictors of vitamin D insufficiency.
A study comparing violent behaviors among adolescents in five countries found that fighting, bullying, and weapon carrying were prevalent across nations. The researchers observed significant correlations between violence-related behaviors and irritability, bad temperament, and bullying.
A one-year study involving 539 adolescents aged 12 to 16 found that Xenical significantly reduced fat mass, waist circumference, and BMI compared to lifestyle changes alone. The medication was well-tolerated, with similar adverse events reported as in adults.
Adolescents are more susceptible to the rewarding effects of nicotine due to age-related differences in brain maturation and chemical interactions. Research findings also suggest that programs to prevent teen smoking have a significant positive economic impact.
A study by USC researchers found that job loss in a family can increase the risk of adolescents starting to smoke. The longitudinal study surveyed over 2,000 middle school students in Southern California and found that students who reported a family member's job loss were 87% more likely to try or smoke within 30 days.
A study found that parents' close relationships with their children and efforts to monitor their behavior can help prevent adolescents from engaging in substance use and delinquent activities. Parental control was also a strong predictor of lower levels of problem behavior, regardless of the level of knowledge gained through monitoring.