Teen Health

Child abuse or neglect are strong predictors of major health and emotional problems, but little is known about how the chronicity of the maltreatment may increase future harm apart from other risk factors in a child’s life. Scientist have now taken a closer look at how chronic maltreatment has impacted the future health and behavior of children and adults.

That overweight during pregnancy can lead to overweight children and adolescents has been known for some time, but new research indicates that excess weight before and during pregnancy can have long-lasting health consequences for the offspring of such mothers even later in life.

The peak risk for misusing prescription pain relievers occurs in mid-adolescence, specifically about 16 years old and earlier than many experts thought, according to a new study. The results, based on recent nationwide surveys of nearly 120,000 US adolescents, suggest prevention programs may need to be introduced earlier, in childhood and early adolescence.

Television viewing and unhealthy eating habits in U.S. adolescents appear to be linked in a national survey of students in the fifth to tenth grades, according to a new report.

Surveys of U.S. adolescents suggest that the estimated peak risk of using prescription pain relievers for extramedical use, such as to get high or for other unapproved indications, occurs in mid-adolescence, according to a new report.

A new study suggests clinicians might be able to identify children at risk of later emotional or behavioral problems by paying attention to a few key signs during early well-child check-ups.

In a large imaging study of the human brain -- involving 1,896 14-year-olds -- scientists have discovered networks that go a long way toward explaining why some teenagers start experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Scientists report that differences in these brain networks make some adolescents more impulsive. These networks appear to exist prior to drug experimentation. Other separate brain networks were discovered that connect to ADHD.

Newborns whose mothers are under stress during the first trimester of pregnancy may be at risk for low iron status, which could lead to physical and mental delays down the road, according to a new study.

Teen drivers who live in states with “secondary enforcement” seat belt laws are less likely to stay buckled up than in “primary enforcement” states.

Teen drivers who live in states with “secondary enforcement” seat belt laws are less likely to stay buckled up than in “primary enforcement” states.

A five year study conducted with thousands of teenagers reveals that those who used speed (meth/ampthetamine) or ecstasy (MDMA) at fifteen or sixteen years of age were significantly more likely to suffer elevated depressive symptoms the following year.

Scientists have developed the first blood test to diagnose major depression in teens, a breakthrough approach that allows an objective diagnosis by measuring a specific set of genetic markers found in a patient's blood. The test also is the first to identify subtypes of depression, raising hopes for individualized treatment. The current method of diagnosing depression is subjective.

Scientists have developed the first blood test to diagnose major depression in teens, a breakthrough approach that allows an objective diagnosis by measuring a specific set of genetic markers found in a patient's blood. The test also is the first to identify subtypes of depression, raising hopes for individualized treatment. The current method of diagnosing depression is subjective.

Pregnant women who are overweight with moderately elevated blood sugar are at a higher risk of bad pregnancy outcomes than previously known. Their risk is higher than pregnant women who are obese with normal blood sugar or pregnant women who have gestational diabetes and a normal weight.

In order for the nation to achieve goals set by the federal government for reducing obesity rates by 2020, children in the United States would need to eliminate an average of 64 excess calories per day, researchers calculated in a new study. This reduction could be achieved by decreasing calorie intake, increasing physical activity, or both.

In order for the nation to achieve goals set by the federal government for reducing obesity rates by 2020, children in the United States would need to eliminate an average of 64 excess calories per day, researchers calculated in a new study. This reduction could be achieved by decreasing calorie intake, increasing physical activity, or both.

Young males who have been sexually abused are five times more likely to cause teen pregnancy compared to those with no abuse history, according to new research. Sexually abused boys are also three times more likely to have multiple sexual partners and twice as likely to engage in unprotected sex.

Yoga classes have positive psychological effects for high-school students, according to a pilot study.

A survey of a nationally representative sample of US teenagers suggests that most cases of alcohol and drug abuse have their initial onset at this important period of development. The median age at onset was 14 years old for regular alcohol use or abuse with or without dependence; 14 years old for drug abuse with dependence; and 15 years old for drug abuse without dependence.

Obese white teenage girls who lose weight may benefit physically, but the weight change does not guarantee they are going to feel better about themselves, according to a new study.