Tag

Adolescent Health

All articles tagged with #adolescent health

UCSF Study Links Early Smartphone Access to Higher Eating Disorder Symptoms in Teens
health5 days ago

UCSF Study Links Early Smartphone Access to Higher Eating Disorder Symptoms in Teens

A new study of nearly 9,000 US adolescents finds that owning a smartphone at age 12 is associated with a 49% higher risk of reporting eating disorder symptoms by age 14. The research, led by UCSF, highlights that early access to social media may exacerbate body dissatisfaction during puberty. While the study does not prove causation, it suggests that delaying smartphone ownership and supervising digital use could mitigate these risks. By age 14, nearly 24% of early smartphone owners reported at least one symptom, compared to fewer than 16% of non-owners. The findings emphasize the need for parental guidance and clinical screening for digital exposure in teens.

New data links early smartphone ownership to higher eating disorder risk in preteens
health12 days ago

New data links early smartphone ownership to higher eating disorder risk in preteens

A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that 12-year-olds with smartphones are significantly more likely to develop eating disorder symptoms by age 14. The research, led by Dr. Jason Nagata of the University of California, San Francisco, analyzed data from nearly 9,000 U.S. adolescents. Experts advise parents to delay smartphone introduction and implement strict usage guardrails to protect children's mental health during puberty.

Early Smartphone Access Linked to Higher Eating Disorder Risk in Teens
health16 days ago

Early Smartphone Access Linked to Higher Eating Disorder Risk in Teens

A new study published in JAMA Network Open finds that 12-year-olds with smartphones are significantly more likely to develop eating disorder symptoms by age 14. The research, led by Dr. Jason Nagata of UCSF, analyzed data from nearly 9,000 U.S. adolescents and highlights the risks of early exposure to appearance-focused content. Experts recommend delaying smartphone access and implementing strict usage guardrails to protect adolescent mental health during puberty.

Early Smartphone Use Linked to Sleep and Obesity Risks in Teens
health9 months ago

Early Smartphone Use Linked to Sleep and Obesity Risks in Teens

Recent large-scale studies show that early smartphone use and heavy social media engagement are linked to negative effects on teens, including poor sleep, obesity, cognitive decline, and mental health issues, prompting countries like Australia to ban social media for under-16s and encouraging parents to delay giving phones to children for better well-being.

Early Smartphone Use Linked to Sleep and Obesity Risks in Teens
health9 months ago

Early Smartphone Use Linked to Sleep and Obesity Risks in Teens

Recent large-scale studies show that early smartphone use and heavy social media engagement are linked to negative effects on teens, including poor sleep, obesity, cognitive decline, and mental health issues, prompting countries like Australia to ban social media for under-16s and encouraging parents to delay giving phones to children for better well-being.

"Rising Teen Fentanyl Overdoses: Urgent Call for Naloxone in Schools"
health-teen-health2 years ago

"Rising Teen Fentanyl Overdoses: Urgent Call for Naloxone in Schools"

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that a record number of high school teens died of drug overdoses in 2022, primarily due to fentanyl poisonings from counterfeit pills. The death rate for drug overdoses among teens has more than doubled since 2018, with at least 75% of adolescent drug overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl poisonings. The trend has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with Arizona, Colorado, and Washington identified as hotspot states. Experts recommend discussing the dangers of counterfeit pills with teens and keeping overdose reversal medicine readily available at home, while also emphasizing frank conversations about risk reduction strategies for those experimenting with drugs.

"Rising Teen Overdose Crisis: Fentanyl, Naloxone, and Hotspots"
health2 years ago

"Rising Teen Overdose Crisis: Fentanyl, Naloxone, and Hotspots"

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that a record number of high school teens died of drug overdoses in 2022, primarily due to fentanyl poisonings from counterfeit pills. The death rate for drug overdoses among teens has more than doubled since 2018, with at least 75% of adolescent drug overdose deaths attributed to fentanyl poisonings. Experts recommend that parents discuss the dangers of counterfeit pills with their teens and keep overdose reversal medicine readily available at home, while also emphasizing the importance of staying drug-free and having frank conversations about risk reduction strategies for those experimenting with drugs.

Gender Differences in Inflammation and Teen Depression
health3 years ago

Gender Differences in Inflammation and Teen Depression

A study conducted by researchers from King's College London has found that there are sex-specific differences in the inflammatory proteins associated with depression in adolescents. Elevated levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) were linked to increased depression risk and severity in boys, while higher levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were associated with depression severity in girls. The findings highlight the importance of personalized treatments based on biological sex and could contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying depression in adolescence.

Revolutionary Sleep-Wake Therapy Gives Hope to Depressed Teens
health3 years ago

Revolutionary Sleep-Wake Therapy Gives Hope to Depressed Teens

Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that promoting appropriate sleep patterns in teenagers, particularly those with depression, can help improve their symptoms. The study focused on "night owls," adolescents who naturally stay up late, and found that teaching them to structure their lives to sleep as late as possible while gradually adjusting their sleep schedule led to a significant reduction in depression symptoms. This intervention, called the Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Intervention (TransS-C), proved more effective than educational sessions on leading a healthy lifestyle. A larger study is being funded to further explore the benefits of sleep-wake therapy for teens with depression.

Internet Use Linked to Increased Depression Risk in Girls, Study Reveals
mental-health3 years ago

Internet Use Linked to Increased Depression Risk in Girls, Study Reveals

A longitudinal study in Canada found that girls who spent more time on the internet at ages 13 and 15 were more likely to experience depressive symptoms at ages 15 and 17, respectively. The study did not find the same association in boys. Depression is a significant mental health disorder that can have long-term effects on individuals, and adolescence is a critical period for mental health. The study highlights the need for further research on the relationship between internet use and depression, particularly among girls. However, the study's limitations include relying on self-reported internet use and focusing on a specific region and language group.

"The Weight-Loss Benefits of Cannabis: Weighing the Consequences"
health3 years ago

"The Weight-Loss Benefits of Cannabis: Weighing the Consequences"

A study from the University of California, Irvine reveals that adolescent exposure to low-dose THC, a component of cannabis, can disrupt energy balance and fat storage processes in adulthood, resulting in a leaner body and reduced risk of obesity and diabetes. However, this altered process impairs the ability to mobilize stored nutrients, potentially affecting physical activity and cognitive functions. The study found that fat cells exposed to THC produce muscle proteins, interfering with their ability to store and release nutrients. These findings highlight the long-term consequences of cannabis use during adolescence on physical and mental health.

Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis in Teenagers
health3 years ago

Recognizing and Treating Endometriosis in Teenagers

Endometriosis, a painful and incurable disease that affects roughly 10% of women and girls worldwide, is often dismissed as menstrual cramps in adolescents. A lack of awareness, education, and research about endometriosis among adolescents often results in delayed diagnosis and has made it difficult to know how common endometriosis is in teens. Many myths surrounding endometriosis are slowing fading, but some persist, including that endometriosis does not usually affect women of color. Treatment options include medication, hormonal therapy, and surgical options.

CDC Reports Mixed Findings on Teen Mental Health Crisis
health3 years ago

CDC Reports Mixed Findings on Teen Mental Health Crisis

A new report by the CDC shows that while there has been a decline in emergency department visits for mental health conditions, suicide-related behaviors, and drug overdoses among adolescents, poor mental health remains a substantial public health problem, especially among teen girls. Emergency department visits for mental and behavioral health remained at or higher than pre-pandemic baseline levels for teen girls, and rates remained significantly higher among adolescent girls compared with adolescent boys. Health experts recommend evidence-based, comprehensive prevention efforts and trauma-informed interventions to support the mental health of adolescents.

Digital Technology Use Linked to Adolescent Sleep Loss Across 18 Countries.
health3 years ago

Digital Technology Use Linked to Adolescent Sleep Loss Across 18 Countries.

A study across 18 countries found that intense social media use by adolescents is linked to poor sleep patterns, including reduced sleep hours, delayed bedtime, and increased social jetlag. The research suggests that social media use by adolescents may be a global concern that should become a priority of international public health efforts. The study analyzed various levels of digital media use, ranging from nonactive to problematic, and found that both intense and problematic social media use were linked to sleep-related issues. However, regular online interaction with others and non-problematic social media use have only minor effects on sleep patterns compared to nonactive social media use in most countries.