A randomized controlled study found a modest but significant reduction in asthma risk at 12 months in high-risk infants through a multifaceted intervention program. The program included avoidance of house dust mites, pet allergens, and tobacco smoke, as well as breastfeeding promotion and partially hydrolyzed formula supplementation.
Research suggests that different categories of adolescent smokers, such as persistent, experimenter, or intermittent smokers, have distinct characteristics and challenges. These differences can inform the development of targeted smoking prevention and treatment programs.
Longitudinal studies show that psychological health increases steadily after age 30, regardless of initial teenage health. Participants who started with fewer signs of psychological health in adolescence still showed improvement in adulthood.
Research suggests that middle and high school students with restrictive home smoking policies are less likely to start smoking. The study also found that parental influences can play a significant role in preventing adolescent smoking, alongside other parenting practices such as discussion, punishment, and rules against smoking.
A survey of over 15,000 adolescent patients found that smoking was associated with higher rates of substance abuse, poor physical activity, and academic struggles. Orthodontists are uniquely positioned to promote healthy lifestyle messages to adolescents, who tend to visit them more frequently than other healthcare providers.
A study by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that US adolescents are physically inactive due to limited access to school physical education programs and community recreation centers. High-crime neighborhoods also contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, increasing the risk of obesity and poor health.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that adult memories of childhood events and relationships are no more accurate than chance, contradicting the idea that memory is a continuous tape. The study's findings have important implications for psychiatrists and mental health professionals who rely on patient reports.
Canadian physicians consider whether adolescents should be allowed to make health care decisions, citing the concept of proportionality and competency. Most adolescents are deemed capable of making competent health care decisions, warranting respect for their autonomy.
A study of rural teenagers found lower asthma rates among farm-raised teens, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in infancy strongly correlates with later development of asthma and other breathing issues. Asthma experts emphasize the need for tailored management strategies addressing different stages of the disease.
The study suggests that teenagers' recommendations can inform effective school-based obesity prevention programs, prioritizing fun and interactive activities over weight control. Schools can also create support groups specifically for overweight youth, leveraging their resources to provide low-cost programs.
A study of 294 adolescents found that having an adult mentor significantly reduces the likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors such as carrying a weapon, using illicit drugs, and smoking. Mentorship appears to be an effective strategy in reducing certain risk behaviors and their consequences.
Researchers discovered a robust immune response in adolescents infected with HIV, suggesting they may benefit from aggressive early treatment. The study found higher levels of CD8 naïve T lymphocytes, which could mount an effective immune response against the virus.
A recent study found that attending religious services is associated with lower likelihoods of voluntary sexual activity in adolescents. Spiritual interconnectedness and importance of religion also play a role in delaying sexual activity.
A new study found that adolescents from different ethnic groups share similar levels of illegal drug use with their friends. The study suggests that historical and cultural circumstances may influence the selection of friends, but not to an extent that identical friends are avoided.
Research found that frequent family dinners lead to better diet quality in adolescents, including more fruits and veggies, and fewer unhealthy foods. Health professionals can support this trend by encouraging family meals as a way to improve the dietary habits of older children and adolescents.
A new test using a urine sample and written survey can help doctors identify adolescents who smoke cigarettes, allowing for early intervention. The test also identifies 'experimenters' - young people who smoke occasionally but haven't committed to the habit full-time.
Researchers found that intelligent adolescents tend to postpone any kind of lesser sexual activity, as well as first sex, compared to their less intelligent peers. The association between intelligence and refraining from sexual intercourse was stronger for girls than boys, and age-dependent.
Researchers analyzed 15,414 student and faculty yearbook photos to pinpoint the age when girls begin smiling more often than boys. The study found that girls start smiling significantly more than boys as early as the fourth grade, with a widening gender gap by high school.
Researchers explore methods to prevent nicotine dependence and mitigate its effects, particularly among adolescents. Studies suggest a vaccine may help prevent tobacco addiction, while depression and delinquency are linked to the progression of tobacco dependence in young people.
A recent study found that heavy drinking during adolescence can cause significant damage to thinking abilities, particularly information recall. The researchers also discovered a link between withdrawal experiences and poorer neuropsychological functioning in adolescents.
Researchers found that adolescent alcohol dependence was associated with impaired memory function, particularly in verbal and nonverbal retention. Heavy drinking over time also linked to poor visuospatial functioning and retrieval of verbal and nonverbal information.
A new report by WHO found that US 15-year-olds are less likely to watch television, smoke, or engage in regular physical activity. In contrast, 11-year-old US students began smoking at rates comparable to other countries.
A skills-based program can significantly increase a student's confidence in refusing an offer to smoke and their expectation that peers will accept the decision. However, it had little effect on objectively evaluating favorable images of smoking.
Adolescents who participate in date violence are more likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors such as attempted suicide, sexual risk-taking, and pregnancy. Males and females exhibit different patterns of risk, with males showing associations between same-sex partners, forced sex, and physical violence.
The American Psychoanalytic Association's Fall 1999 meeting explores the latest in psychiatric research, including topics such as school violence and adolescent therapy. Key perspectives on psychoanalysis goals and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing complex issues were also presented.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that only 17% of office visits included smoking-related counseling for adolescents. The frequency of questioning about smoking habits did not improve during the study period, and younger nonwhite adolescents were less likely to receive counseling.
A new report by Robert H. DuRant shows a significant link between sexual experience and violent behavior in North Carolina high school males. Males who have been involved in pregnancy are more likely to engage in behaviors increasing their risk of injury or death, such as fighting, carrying a gun to school, and using illegal substances.
According to a study, 22.8% of middle school students in North Carolina have smoked within the past 30 days and 39% purchased their cigarettes from a store. Adolescents who were asked for proof of age and denied purchasing cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes.
A study by Dr. Elizabeth Goodman found a significant association between socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms, obesity, and poorer ratings of overall health among teenagers. The research examined data from over 15,000 surveys and found that lower socioeconomic status was linked to higher rates of these chronic illnesses.
Research reveals striking increase in CD8 memory cells among HIV-positive teens, highlighting differences between male and female populations. The study provides a foundation for understanding adolescent immunity during HIV infection.
Researchers found that interventions with peers grouped together often worsen adolescent problem behavior, leading to increased delinquency and substance abuse. Training adolescents to give up destructive behaviors seems ineffective when several group members have a tendency toward these behaviors.
A recent study suggests that teens from low-SES neighborhoods with higher educated parents exhibit reduced blood pressure responses to stress. This finding reinforces the importance of education in mitigating health risks for adolescents.
Research reveals US adolescents are physically inactive, with minorities facing greater health risks from being overweight. The study found girls, especially older ones, tend to be least active, while programs targeting minority adolescents could help mitigate these risks.
A study at Ohio State University found that parents continue to have a significant influence on their adolescents' behavior throughout the teen years. The research tracked 1,725 children for five years, revealing that the effect of friends and school grew during early adolescence, but parental influence remained steady.
A new study found that exposure to fashion magazines did not lead to excessive dieting, body dissatisfaction, or depression among adolescent girls. Only those with existing body-image problems showed increased negative affect after reading the magazine for 15 months.
A new study by psychologist Harold D. Fishbein, Ph.D., and sociologist Neal Ritchey, Ph.D., found no significant effects from the attitudes of friends on an adolescent's prejudices or stereotypes. The researchers administered questionnaires to 426 ninth and eleventh graders at two nearly exclusively white Catholic schools.
A recent study found that approximately 4.2 million adolescents had no health insurance coverage in 1995, leaving them with significant obstacles to accessing adequate healthcare. The study suggests that a shift from private to public insurance has not led to an improvement in health insurance coverage for this age group.
According to the third annual Federal report on America's Children, infant, childhood, and adolescent death rates are down, as well as teen smoking, teen crime, and teen birth rates. However, most children and adolescents have poor or improving diets, with 12 percent having difficulty performing everyday activities.
Dr. Carol Ford will conduct research to understand motivations for testing and seeking treatment for STDs, aiming to increase effectiveness of screening programs and reduce preventable illnesses. She'll collaborate with the Add Health project and train healthcare professionals to provide high-quality care to adolescents.
Researchers found that teenagers interpret probability terms differently than adults, with varying ranges within each age group. The study suggests using numeric scales or visual aids to convey risk information effectively and asks for further testing to confirm its findings.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine found that teenagers with chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis benefit from an online platform, Hopkins Teen Central. The site provides a virtual support group where teens can connect with each other and share their experiences, leading to increased perceptions of having friends with CF.
A new study by Brown University researchers found that teenagers with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) experience significant impairment in social functioning, with 94% reporting difficulties. The disorder often begins before age 18, particularly at age 13, and can be treated effectively with antidepressants.
A recent study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found that middle school-aged adolescents who begin smoking cigarettes at age 11 or younger engage in twice the number of risky behaviors that could end their life. These risk behaviors include substance abuse, violence, and suicidal thoughts.
A study of 129 children and their parents found that adolescent girls are more helpful and affectionate towards their parents. The quality of the parent-child relationship plays a significant role in determining the level of affection and helpfulness displayed by adolescents.
Researchers found that urine tests can detect asymptomatic STDs in adolescent girls, leading to earlier treatment and prevention of serious complications like PID. This could expand screening to more teens, particularly boys, and reduce costs compared to traditional pelvic exams.
A recent study found that 5% of North Carolina middle school boys carried guns, while 20.2% carried clubs or knives, with both linked to substance use and violence. The study suggests that similar prevention programs should be introduced in elementary schools, along with substance use prevention.
A study published in Preventive Medicine reveals a significant decline in total cholesterol levels among U.S. adolescents, from 167 mg/dL in 1970 to 160 mg/dL in 1994. This decrease is similar to the drop in cholesterol levels among adults during the same period.
A study by Ohio State University researchers found that teens with low self-esteem were not more likely to engage in delinquent behavior, and those who did experience a decrease in self-esteem. Conversely, associating with delinquent peers enhanced later self-esteem.
A new study found that prime-time TV programs show alcohol more frequently than any other drink or food, and adolescent characters are almost twice as likely to drink it compared to older characters.
Health ministers in the Americas call for urgent steps to regulate tobacco advertising and prevent minors' access, with a focus on educational, legislative, and fiscal measures. The region faces significant health and economic burdens due to tobacco use, with 670,000 deaths annually attributed to tobacco.
Chlamydia infection can occur without symptoms, highlighting the need for more frequent testing. The study found that over 50% of infected adolescent females tested positive within six months, emphasizing the importance of regular screenings.
Researchers at Penn State found that sex hormones have little effect on adolescent sexual behavior after a nearly two-year study. Social factors like peer pressure are believed to have a much larger impact on behavior.
Adolescents born to US-born parents show poorer health and riskier behavior compared to foreign-born youth. Foreign-born teens have better physical health and are less likely to engage in delinquent or violent acts.
A study by pediatricians from Wake Forest University found that gay teenage boys with multiple male partners are more likely to experience violence, drug abuse, and absence from school. The researchers suggest that clinicians can apply these findings to provide targeted support for these adolescents.
The largest generation of adolescents is at risk of premarital pregnancy, STDs, and adverse health effects. Key findings include increased time between first intercourse and marriage, low contraceptive use among teens, and the influence of peers and partners on adolescent sexuality.
A new study by UNC-CH researchers found that adolescent obesity rates among second- and third-generation immigrants to the US have increased significantly. The study, based on a nationally representative sample of 13,783 adolescents, suggests that less physical activity and a higher-fat diet are likely responsible for this trend.
A study found that teenagers who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual are more likely to report engaging in multiple risky behaviors and starting them at an earlier age. These teens also experience higher rates of emotional distress, including missed school due to fear and physical threats.
Researchers found that focusing on mastering skills and self-improvement boosts adolescent girls' motivation and reduces dropouts from sports. A mastery-oriented approach can optimize motivation for all participants, leading to a better pool of talent at higher levels.
A study of 101 adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus found that young people are more likely to adhere to treatment plans when given empowering messages. Health professionals may need to shift their communication strategy from focusing on risks to emphasizing the benefits and capabilities of following a treatment plan.
A Cornell University study found that overweight and obese women have significantly less success breastfeeding their babies than normal-weight counterparts. The researchers also discovered that mechanical difficulties and biological factors contribute to the lower success rates.