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Smoking Cigarettes Changes the Teenage Brain, New Study Finds Smoking Cigarettes Changes the Teenage Brain, New Study Finds

A new study finds gray matter differences in the teenage brain that may lead to early nicotine use and long-term addiction.
Popular Weight Loss Drug Helps Reverse Obesity in Teens, New Study Finds Popular Weight Loss Drug Helps Reverse Obesity in Teens, New Study Finds

Nearly half of teens with obesity no longer had the disease after taking once-weekly semaglutide (Wegovy) as part of an overall weight loss program, researchers say.
Can You Protect Your Kid's Mental Health by Limiting Social Media Use? Can You Protect Your Kid's Mental Health by Limiting Social Media Use?

A new study finds college students are much happier and less lonely, anxious, and depressed when they limit their time on social media.
American Psychological Association Issues Its First Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence American Psychological Association Issues Its First Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence

Psychologists offer 10 recommendations to help train children on the safe and healthy use of social media
Too Much Screen Time Linked to Adolescent Brain Changes and Increased Depression and Anxiety in New Study Too Much Screen Time Linked to Adolescent Brain Changes and Increased Depression and Anxiety in New Study

MRI scans show structural changes in the brains of adolescents who spend greater amounts of time on cell phones, video games. TVs and other screens. Researchers say these changes were associated with increased depression and anxiety.
Vaping Nicotine or THC Linked to Higher Anxiety in Teens Vaping Nicotine or THC Linked to Higher Anxiety in Teens

A new study finds teens and young adults who vape experience more symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Cutting Back on Social Media Significantly Boosts Teens’ Self-Image, Study Finds Cutting Back on Social Media Significantly Boosts Teens’ Self-Image, Study Finds

Teenagers and young adults who cut their social media use by 50% felt much better about their appearance and weight, researchers say.
Teens Who Feel Happy and Loved Become Heart-Healthy Adults, New Study Finds Teens Who Feel Happy and Loved Become Heart-Healthy Adults, New Study Finds

Teens who feel loved and are optimistic about their lives are more likely to have optimal heart health in their 20s and 30s.
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Health News Results - 878

Teens With Multiple Concussions Face Higher Risk of Suicidal Thoughts

TUESDAY, Nov. 21, 2023 (HealthDay News) — A year after suffering a concussion, teens, especially boys, are more likely than their peers to think about, plan and even attempt suicide, new research finds.

With more concussions, the risk grows. 

Teen boys who reported two or more concussions in the past year were two times more likely to report a suicide attempt than those who h...

Melatonin Use Skyrockets Among U.S. Kids, Study Finds

Record numbers of children and tweens now take melatonin for sleep, potentially doing harm to their development, a new study warns.

Nearly one in five school-aged kids are popping melatonin to help them rest, often with the help of their parents, researchers reported in the Nov. 13 issue of the journal JAMA ...

U.S. Teens Are Driving Drowsy at High Rates

Drowsy driving causes thousands of car crashes a year and teen drivers say they are often sleepy behind the wheel.

In a new survey, teens reported high rates of drowsy driving. School and job commitments were the top factors keeping them up at nigh...

Vaping's Popularity Falls Among U.S. High School Students

Warnings about the dangers of vaping may be reaching American teens: A new U.S. government report shows e-cigarette use is down among high school students.

In fact, use of any tobacco product over the past 30 days declined among this age group during the 2022-2023 school year, from 16.5% to 12.6%.

This was driven largely by a decline in e-cigarette use, which dropped from 14.1% to...

Biden Administration Urges Schools to Carry Naloxone, the Opioid Overdose Treatment

The Biden administration is encouraging schools throughout the United States to carry naloxone to help prevent fatal drug overdoses in students.

The medication (Narcan) was approved earlier this year as an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal spray. 

Faculty and studen...

1 in 5 U.S. Parents Worry Their Teen Is Addicted to the Internet

American parents fear their teens’ internet use could expose them to cyberbullying, harmful content and set them up for addiction, a new study shows.

A survey of about 1,000 moms and dads found more than 22% were concerned their children might be dependent on the internet. Twice as many were worried about internet addiction as were concerned about addiction to substances like drugs or a...

CDC Advisors Say High-Risk Men Should Still Get MPox Vaccine

THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- High-risk men should still get their mpox vaccinations even after the ongoing outbreak ends, advisors to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Wednesday.

That vulnerable group includes men who have sex with men; people who have more than one sexual partner; those who have recently had a sexually transmitted disease; a...

Steroid Use Could Raise Teen Athletes' Odds for Concussion

Use of steroids among high school athletes is a continuing problem, and now new research finds these youths are also more likely to suffer a concussion while they play.

The study was published Oct. 20 in the Journal of Osteopathic ...

Drug-Linked Disciplinary Actions by Schools Spiked After Oregon Legalized Marijuana

New research suggests a link between middle school students being disciplined for marijuana use and legalization of recreational weed, particularly when schools are close to dispensaries that sell the drug.

Researchers studied this in Oregon, where recreational marijuana became legal for adults back in 2015.

They found that middle school students received office discipline referra...

Teens Are Quitting Sports as Social Media Ups Body Image Concerns

Kids who get discouraged by idealized athletic bodies on social media may end up dropping out of sports, a small study suggests.

In a preliminary study of 70 kids who played -- or used to play -- sports, researchers found that some had quit because they thought they didn't have the "right" body for the activity. And most got that idea from media images, including TikTok and Instagram post...

New Technology Could Predict Your Teen Driver's Risk for a Crash

When your teen gets a driver's license, you'll likely have mixed emotions. While you're off the hook for carpools, it's scary to think about your baby behind the wheel.

Now, a new video game technology that exposes drivers to the most common serious crash scenarios and sees how they react may help predict what type of driver your teen will be. It can also highlight any potential prob...

California Governor Rejects Bill to Provide Free Condoms to High Schoolers

A California bill would have made free condoms available for high schoolers, but it was vetoed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom because of cost.

California has a budget deficit of $30 billion, Newsom noted in his veto of Senate Bill 541....

1 in 4 Teens With Autism May Be Undiagnosed

As many as 1 in 4 teens with autism may be undiagnosed, new research suggests.

“Autism is much more prevalent than people assume,” said lead researcher Walter Zahorodny, an associate professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark.

The

  • Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
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  • October 6, 2023
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    • Kids' ER Visits for Mental Health Crises Rise When School Term Begins

    While the start of the school year can give kids and teens the chance to reconnect with friends and enjoy school sports and activities, it can also trigger stressors that send many to the emergency room for mental health woes, a new report shows.

    Among children aged 5 to 17, emergency department visits for depression, suicidal thoughts, stress and substance abuse increased significantly i...

    Vaping Raises a Teen's Odds of Developing Asthma

    New research underscores the harms of e-cigarettes, showing that vaping increases the risk of asthma in teens who have never smoked cigarettes.

    Although e-cigarettes have fewer toxins than regular cigarettes, they still contain a mixture of harmful chemicals and raise the risk of respiratory diseases, researchers say.

    “Increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of e-cigarette ...

    FDA Must Crack Down on Retailers Selling Tobacco to Teens: Report

    A new government report finds that federal regulators need to do more to help in the battle to keep kids and teens off tobacco.

    Among the report's findings were that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration needs to get tough on retailers selling tobacco to youth and should improve its oversight of online retailers.

    The FDA should also work with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm...

    Should Kids Take Ozempic, Wegovy? The Idea Has Some Experts Worried

    Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are surging in popularity, but that doesn't mean they're good for everyone.

    Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) may be dangerous for children, warned researchers at University of California, Irvine.

    Treating childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes with these injected medications may have unintended and adverse consequences in p...

    As Parents Drop Kids Off for Their Freshman Year at College, An Expert Offers Tips

    Tears may flow when parents drop their teen off at college. Watching kids leave the nest can tug at the heart and make parents a little anxious about what's to come.

    That makes sense, but it's natural that young adults will become more independent and develop autonomy from their parents and grandparents. So, how can parents rise to the occasion?

    An expert from Virginia Tech offers s...

    U.S. Kids' HPV Vaccination Rate Has Stalled

    For the first time in a decade, the rate at which American adolescents received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has not increased, new data show.

    Current guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that both girls and boys receive t...

    Climate Change Is Stressing Out the Young, But Inspiring Some to Action

    Young people have high levels of distress about climate change, and a new study argues that their anguish could be key to fighting it.

    “People of all ages are being affected by the climate crisis. Young people in particular, though, will live through more of the unfolding hazards of the climate crisis than older generations,” said researcher

  • Sarah D. Collins HealthDay Reporter
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  • August 23, 2023
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    • Social Media Is Parents' Top Concern as Kids Head Back to School: Poll

    When U.S. parents express their concerns about their school-aged children, social media use and the internet are at the top of the list.

    Mental health issues are another top worry, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

    “Parents still view problems di...

    The #1 Enemy of Good Sleep for School Kids: Screens

    Video games and social media are keeping school kids up at night, according to a new survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

    But so, too, are more constructive pursuits, including homework and extracurricular activities, which can be a problem when it comes to setting a good sleep routine early in the school year.

    “Getting enough sleep is just as crucial as nutr...

    Does Smoking Change the Teenage Brain?

    Teens' desire to start smoking, and later to keep smoking, may be linked to differences in gray matter in their brains, a new study reveals.

    Researchers found that reduced gray matter in the left frontal lobe was found in kids who started smoking by age 14. This area is involved in decision-making and rule-breaking.

    Once they started smoking, they also had reduced gray matter in th...

    CBD Vapes Rising in Popularity Among Teens

    Vaping CBD (cannabidiol) is on the rise among middle and high school students, according to a national U.S. survey, and health experts warn there can be serious risks involved.

    More than 1 in 5 students who use electronic cigarettes said they had vaped CBD, a component of marijuana that does not get people high the way THC does, according to results of the 2022 National Youth Tobacco...

    Vaping Can Hamper Breathing in the Young

    When teens vape, their lungs pay a price, researchers report.

    The warning stems from a detailed analysis of smoking habit histories shared by just over 2,000 U.S. teens during a series of recent annual surveys.

    The upshot: When compared with teens who've never vaped, those who reported using electronic cigarettes in the month prior to being surveyed saw their risk for wheezing and s...

    ERs Are Flooded With Kids in Mental Health Crisis, U.S. Doctors' Groups Warn

    America's emergency rooms are being flooded by children suffering from psychiatric emergencies like anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts, a new joint report from three leading medical associations warns.

    This surge in pediatric mental health emergencies has overwhelmed ERs in the United States, says the joint paper from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American ...

    It's Back-to-School, and Who's Popular or Not Remains Key

    “She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers,” Taylor Swift laments to her popular crush in the song “You Belong With Me.”

    The lyrics of longing to fit in at school reflect an old trope re-confirmed by a new study that compared teens in the United States and Lithu...

    Help Kids Hit 'Reset' on Sleep as They Head Back to School

    Keeping to a consistent bedtime routine is the key to helping your kids get restful and refreshing sleep.

    Fortunately, about 81% of parents with kids under 18 surveyed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) say that's happening in their house.

    The AASM offers some sleep tips to start the school year off right.

    “Setting a consistent bedtime routine is very important...

    Police Often Fail to Enforce Laws on Underage Drinking: Study

    Underage drinking is an issue in many U.S. communities, but the number of law enforcement agencies using alcohol-related enforcement strategies has remained low or dropped in the past decade.

    In a new study, researchers tracked law enforcement strategies for underage drinking, impaired driving and sales to obviously intoxicated persons between 2010 and 2019. The research updated an earli...

    COVID Pandemic Might Have Pushed More Girls Into Early Puberty

    More girls started puberty before age 8 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenon called precocious puberty, researchers say.

    The reasons include potential risk factors such as increased screen time and less exercise, according to a new study, published online Aug. 3 in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.

    In precocious puberty, children's bodies begin changing into adult...

    Marijuana Use by Youth: After Legalization, Education Seems to Matter

    After their U.S. states legalize marijuana, young adults who aren't in college are more likely than college kids to use the drug and progress to cannabis use disorder, a new study finds.

    Prior to legalization, 23% of non-college young adults reported using cannabis in the past month, and after legalization it went up to 28%, researchers found. Among U.S. college students in the same ...

    Bullying Could Help Bring on Headaches for Teens

    So, your high schooler has been complaining of headaches. Should you worry?

    Maybe, claims new research that finds bullying and suicidal thoughts are both linked to more frequent headaches in teens.

    “Headaches are a common problem for teenagers, but our study looked beyond the biological factors to also consider the psychological and social factors that are associated with headache...

    Your Teen & Social Media: Experts Offer Tips to Parents

    When parents meet U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, one concern comes up time after time.

    "The most common question parents ask me is: 'Is social media safe for my kids,' " Murthy said. "The answer is that we don't have enough evidence to say it's safe, and in fact, there is...

    Summer Jobs Give Kids More Than a Paycheck

    Summer jobs can give teens valuable life experience that help them transition to adulthood -- not just a paycheck, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

    Benefits of summer jobs include:

    • Career exploration: Summer jobs and internships help high school students explore different careers that might interest them. They also provide opportunities to netwo...

    LeBron James' Son Suffers Cardiac Arrest During Basketball Practice, Now in Stable Condition

    The 18-year-old son of basketball superstar LeBron James suffered cardiac arrest during a workout Monday at the University of Southern California.

    Bronny James, an incoming USC freshman, was listed in stable condition Tuesday morning after a brief stay in intensive care, a family spokesperson said in a

    For Over 1 in 10 Young U.S. Adults, Vaping Is a Regular Habit

    About 11% of young adults in the United States now actively use electronic cigarettes, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says in a new report.

    The report, from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, adds to growing concerns about the harms of vaping.

    ...

    5 Ways Your Teen Can Prepare for Sports Season

    Competitive sports can be a lot of fun for kids and teens, but starting a new season requires some planning.

    Nemours TeensHealth offers some suggestions for kids and teens who are taking up a new sport or beginning a new season.

    • Start by getting into shape. That will make it easier when you begin your sport.

    You can do this by writing down an e...

    Racial Discrimination Raises Risk for Childhood Obesity

    Racial discrimination may drive health inequities from an early age, according to researchers who found that it puts kids at risk for obesity.

    “Exposure to racial discrimination must be acknowledged as both a social determinant of obesity and a significant contributor to obesity disparities among children and adolescents,” said lead researcher

  • Cara Murez HealthDay Reporter
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  • July 14, 2023
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    • Study Delivers More Evidence of a Mental Health Crisis Among Teens, Particularly Girls

    Depression, suicidal thoughts and other mental health problems sent record numbers of American kids, especially girls, to emergency rooms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Once there, many waited days or even weeks to be admitted to the hospital, a new study reports.

    "The system was already stretched to begin with and then the pandemic hit and more people were seeking care," said senior...

    Obesity, Overweight Shrinks Survival Rates Against Childhood Leukemia

    A growing obesity epidemic may affect the outcome of treatment for those dealing with cancer, according to a new study of adults and teens being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

    Researchers called for further study of how weight affects the response to different chemotherapy regimens for ALL.

    “We have known for roughly 15 years that obesity affects survival in pedia...

    In Study, Almost Half of Obese Teens Were No Longer So After Taking Wegovy/Ozempic

    The drugs Wegovy and Ozempic are all the rage for weight loss these days, and now a new study shows these injections may be game-changers for obese teenagers, too.

    This trial, funded by drug maker Novo Nordisk, found that nearly half of all adolescents on semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic) were able to achieve a healthy weight in about 17 months.

    Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor...

    Depression Rates Rise for Minority Youth in States With Anti-LGBT Legislation

    Youth who are both LGBTQ+ and either Black or Hispanic and live in U.S. states that have discriminatory policies are more likely to have depression than their counterparts in states that are more affirming to gender and sexual identity, new research finds.

    “This study provides scientific evidence to what many queer and trans people of color in the U.S. are experiencing day to day,” s...

    More Teens Worldwide Are Underestimating Their Weight

    Fewer teens consider themselves overweight and more underestimate what they weigh, a perception concerning to experts worried about childhood obesity.

    These trends could reduce the effectiveness of public health interventions meant to help young people lose weight, researchers warn. Their findings were published July 3 in the journal Child and Adolescent Obesity.

    "Young peo...

    The Age at Which People Experience Gender Dysphoria Is Falling

    Growing numbers of young people are expressing a sense of a "mismatch" between the gender on their birth certificate and the one that they "feel" inside, particularly those assigned female at birth.

    And the age when these people are seeking help and gender-affirming medical care is dropping, according to a new study of more than 66 million people. Those assigned female at birth seek such ...

    FDA Orders Stores to Stop Selling Elf Bar Disposable Vapes

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Thursday it has sent warning letters to 189 retailers, telling them to stop selling unauthorized tobacco products such as Elf Bar and Esco Bars.

    Both brands are disposable e-cigarettes sold in flavors known to appeal to kids, including bubblegum and cotton candy. A federal ban on flavored vapes that was issued in early 2020 does not cover disposa...

    Vape Sales Soared in 2022, Especially Flavors Appealing to Youth

    Despite a federal ban that has removed many flavored vapes from the U.S. market, monthly e-cigarette sales jumped 47% in the first two years of the pandemic, a new government study shows.

    "The surge in total e-cigarette sales during 2020-2022 was driven by non-tobacco flavored e-cigarette sales, such as menthol, which dominates the prefilled cartridge market, and fruit and candy flavors, ...

    Using 'Grey's Anatomy' to Warn Teens Away From Vaping

    Could popular TV medical dramas jump-start a discussion about vaping among teens and almost teens?

    A recent experiment using clips from "Grey's Anatomy,” “New Amsterdam” and “Chicago Med” suggests the answer is yes. Watching the clips appeared to help kids open up and talk about the health impacts of using electronic cigarettes.

    Along the way, researchers learned more abou...

    Sleep Troubles Tied to Suicidal Thoughts in Teens

    It is already known that getting enough sleep is vital to good health, but now new research suggests that having a sleep disorder is linked to suicidal thoughts in children, teens and young adults.

    Treating these sleep issues could be an inroad to improving their mental health, the study authors suggested.

    “People so often think of sleep disorders as being a symptom of other menta...

    Rates for Suicides, Homicides Keep Rising for Young Americans

    Suicides and homicides among young Americans are steadily increasing, U.S. federal health officials reported Thursday.

    Between 2007 and 2021, suicide rates among 10- to 24-year-olds soared 62% -- from 6.8 to 11 per 100,000, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    While homicide rates were stable from 2001 through 2006 and dropped 28% betw...

    Stress that Farm Families Face Affects Parents, Kids Alike

    While the challenges of farm work are well noted, the stressors affect not just the mental health of adults, but also their teenage children, according to new research.

    In results from the first year of a five-year study, researchers found that 60% of both adults and teens on U.S. farms met the criteria for at least mild depression. About 55% of the adults and 45% of the teenagers had sym...

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