Research on teenage health, behavior, and development. Covers vaping and smoking, youth mental health, social media, and emergency-care trends.
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.
A study of 819 early adolescents found that unsupervised out-of-home care and lack of parental monitoring predict increased problem behaviors. In contrast, consistent adult supervision and community engagement appear protective against these issues.
A study found significant increases in blood pressure levels among children and adolescents between 1988-1994 and 1999-2000, with systolic levels increasing by 1.4mmHg and diastolic levels by 3.3mmHg. The researchers suggest that effective primary and secondary hypertension prevention programs are needed to address this trend.
A new study has found a significant link between caffeine consumption and increased blood pressure in black adolescents. Adolescents who drank the most caffeinated beverages had higher systolic pressures, with black adolescents showing a greater impact. The researchers suggest that further research is needed to explore this relationship.
A study found that caffeine consumption is associated with increased systolic blood pressure in adolescents, particularly those who consume more than 100mg of caffeine per day. The researchers suggest that high caffeine intakes may be a marker for unhealthy dietary and lifestyle practices that increase the risk of hypertension.
A study found that bupropion significantly reduced daily cigarette smoke among adolescents with ADHD, leading to lower carbon monoxide levels. No change was noted in ADHD symptom scores.
Researchers at Saint Louis University found a potential link between adolescent marijuana use and increased risk of cerebellar strokes. Dr. Thomas Geller's study revealed three cases of teenage boys who suffered strokes after consuming large doses of marijuana.
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that teens eating lean beef maintained higher levels of iron and lower LDL cholesterol. The researchers also aimed to establish healthy eating habits among young adults, as they are more likely to pass them down to their own children.
A study in rats found that prenatal nicotine exposure leads to a decline in brain activity and loss of brain cells, worsening the effects of nicotine withdrawal. This may drive teens to self-administer nicotine, increasing the likelihood of long-term addiction.
A longitudinal study found that early childhood sleep problems predicted substance abuse during adolescence, with around half of children experiencing sleep issues also starting to use substances at an early age. Researchers hope that identifying and treating sleep problems early on may help prevent later substance-use problems.
The DVD offers a self-contained, research-based education on how to make better decisions for oneself. Girls who watched the DVD were more likely to become abstinent or report fewer STD cases compared to those who didn't.
A UCSD study found that adolescents who engaged in less vigorous physical activity were more likely to be overweight or at risk for obesity. The researchers also discovered that fiber intake was closely linked to weight, with normal-weight teens consuming more fibrous foods like whole grains and fruits and vegetables.
A study of 5,800 California adolescents found that gun threats were more common than self-defense instances, with most threats coming from other teenagers. The research suggests that gun use for self-defense often involves hostile interactions between teens with weapons.
A study by Express Scripts found that antidepressant use increased significantly among children and adolescents between 1998 and 2002. The fastest-growing segment was preschoolers aged 0-5 years, with use doubling in girls and growing by 64% in boys.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that southern India has the world's highest rates of suicide among young people, particularly young women. The study found that suicide accounted for between half and three-quarters of deaths among young women, highlighting a need for urgent intervention.
A study found that adolescent girls and boys drink fewer soft drinks than perceived, with an average of one can per day. Despite this, younger children and African-American children have lower calcium intakes. The study suggests increasing milk consumption and calcium supplements to improve dietary habits.
Research found frequent demand/withdraw patterns in parent-adolescent communication linked to low self-esteem, high drug use, and poor health outcomes. Parents should focus on constructive strategies for dealing with everyday conflicts rather than just discussing serious issues.
A study of 59 adolescents aged 12-14 found that those exhibiting aggressive and hyperactive behaviors were more likely to start smoking. The researchers suggest that identifying these behavioral symptoms could aid in the development of effective prevention programs for adolescent smokers.
A study found that even light to moderate drinking during pregnancy may cause learning and memory difficulties in adolescents. Researchers assessed 580 children and their mothers, and discovered an association between low levels of alcohol consumption and subtle difficulties with verbal/auditory abilities at 14 years old.
The 'Keepin' it R.E.A.L.' curriculum targets European-American, Mexican-American and African-American cultures, with mixed results. The program helps students understand risks, make prudent decisions and refuse drug offers, leading to better outcomes.
Researchers found that teenagers with lower BMIs had higher average anger control scores, while those with increasing BMI's had decreasing anger expression scores. This suggests that unhealthy ways of expressing anger are associated with overweight in teens.
Research found that young children who consumed moderate amounts of dairy products and fat experienced less weight gain than those on low-fat or high-fat diets. Increased consumption of fruits and vegetables was also associated with lower gains in body fat.
A study found that obesity rates among US teens have increased significantly since the 1970s, with total cholesterol and blood pressure strongly correlated to weight gain. The rate of weight gain during the teen years has roughly doubled, posing a significant risk for diabetes, strokes, and heart disease later in life.
Researchers found that 9-11 attacks had a significant impact on black adolescents, with 28% feeling pessimistic about their future and 22% losing faith in government protection. The Iraq War study showed military youth experiencing higher blood pressures, heart rates, and anxiety symptoms.
The Providence Journal won the 2004 Dart Award for its 'Rape in a Small Town' series, which delves into the life of Laura, a girl who was raped by a popular classmate during her sophomore year. The series also explores the lingering effects of rape on the victim and their family, as well as the community's response to the crime.
The UK Teenage Cancer Trust is calling for government action to address the poor survival rates and lack of support for young cancer patients. The charity argues that current systems often lead to late diagnosis, inadequate clinical trials, and a lack of specialized care, resulting in poor outcomes.
A study found that minors can purchase nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products in 81% of attempts, with most sellers not asking for proof of age. The FDA-approved labeling has little effect on actual sales practice, highlighting the need for improved access to NRT for teens.
Cancer specialist Professor Bleyer warns that teenagers and young adults are 'orphaned in the world of cancer care delivery,' citing a 25-year stagnation in survival rates compared to children and older adults. The main reasons include delayed diagnosis due to psychological factors, lack of routine medical care, and underinsured status.
A UK MP emphasizes the need to increase teenage participation in cancer clinical trials to improve survival rates. Currently, many teenagers face lengthy travel distances for treatment at specialized units, often exceeding 200 miles from their homes.
Osteosarcoma survival rates have remained unchanged for 20 years, with only 54% of patients alive after five years. The Teenage Cancer Trust is urging more research to develop effective new treatments that prioritize patient well-being. Delays in diagnosis and non-specific symptoms make it challenging to treat the disease successfully.
Researchers found adolescents exhibit lower activation in brain regions motivating behavior toward rewards, but similar responses to obtaining gains. The study resolves debates about adolescent reward processing and may explain why many young people struggle with long-term goals.
ATLAS reduces anabolic steroid use among male adolescent athletes in schools nationwide. ATHENA aims to reduce eating disorders and drug use among young female sport teams. Both programs have been designated national models and are easy to implement.
A study of 3,288 teenage girls found that those with multiple sexual partners were more likely to have unprotected sex and experience negative health consequences. Girls tend to limit their partners as they progress through high school, but education before ninth grade may help reduce these risks.
The study found that school sports participation was associated with lower odds of currently smoking cigarettes. However, both chewing tobacco and snuff use were higher among athletic adolescents, indicating that sports do not help keep students away from less incendiary forms of tobacco.
A recent study found that 25% of teenage girls experience major depression, highlighting the need for earlier identification and treatment. Decreases in social support and increases in smoking were linked to increased depressive symptoms.
A study of 177 young boys found that one in five carried a concealed gun between ages 12 and 17, with prevalence increasing with age. Conduct disorder was positively associated with gun carrying, even when controlling for other factors.
Researchers found that adolescents with early onset depression had significantly smaller left hippocampuses compared to healthy controls. The study also revealed that those with longer histories of depression had larger hippocampuses, suggesting that initial differences may not be apparent in adult patients.
A study found that adolescent rodents experience less anxiety and recover faster from a hangover than adult rodents. In contrast, adolescents tend to drink more in social situations due to the lack of aversive effects, which may lead to dependency.
Girls are nearly twice as likely to think about suicide if they have only a few friends and feel isolated from their peers. Boys, on the other hand, do not show a significant relationship between friendships and suicidal thoughts.
A recent study found that the US has the highest prevalence of overweight teenagers among 15 countries, with adolescents aged 13-15 years experiencing significantly high rates of obesity. The study analyzed data from over 29,000 children and adolescents across Europe, Israel, and the US.