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Health News Results - 131

Preschoolers' Tantrums Can Be Early Sign of ADHD

Preschoolers prone to tantrums appear to have a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by the time they reach school age, a new study says.

Young children who struggle to control their emotions and behavior have more ADHD symptoms by age 7, researchers found.

Their ...

Poll Finds Many Parents Struggling to Manage Kids' Anger

Angry outbursts are common among children, as siblings squabble and kids protest the unfairness of rules like screen time limits.

Now, a new survey shows that many parents struggle to manage their kids’ anger, and some even suspect they’re not providing a good example themselves.

Seven in 10 parents think they sometimes don't handle anger well and their kids may model th...

When Schools Give Kids Time in Nature, Anxiety and Behavior Issues Ease

A dose of green may be just what school kids with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues need, new research shows.

Canadian investigators found that a school program that let 10- to 12-year-olds spend a little time each week in nature paid dividends in improving kids' mental well-being.

"Nature-based programs may offer targeted benefits for children with higher levels of...

1 in 3 U.S. Teens Say They've Been Bullied

Bullying among American teens remains a big threat, with more than a third (34%) saying they've been bullied over the past year, new government data shows.

According to the report's authors, bullying occurs when a person is "exposed to aggressive behavior repeatedly over time by one or more people and is unable to defend themself."

The new report, from the U.S Centers for Disease C...

More Kids With Food Allergies Are Needing Psychological Care

Anxiety is driving more children with potentially dangerous food allergies to seek out psychological care, a new study finds.

Focusing on one Ohio hospital, the researchers found a more than 50% jump in psychology referrals for kids with food allergies between 2018 and 2023.

“Our c...

Fussy Eater? It Might Be in Your Kid's Genes

Pulling your hair out in frustration with your finicky youngster?

Don’t blame your parenting style -- genetics likely played a huge role in their eating habits, a new twins study FINDs.

Fussy eating is mainly influenced by genes, according to findings published Sept. 19 in the Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry<...

Childhood Trauma Can Raise Health Risks for a Lifetime

Deprivation, neglect and abuse during childhood can increase a person’s long-term risk of health problems, a new study warns.

“Stress is implicated in nine of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States today,” said senior researcher Dr. George Slavich, director of the UCLA Laboratory for S...

Poll Finds Many Parents Worry About Kids Finding Friends

Many parents worry that their kids aren’t popular enough, or that they aren’t making the right friends, a new survey finds.

About 1 in 5 parents say their child aged 6 to 12 has no friends or not enough friends, according to the results of the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital

  • Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
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  • September 16, 2024
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  • Full Page
  • Helicopter Parenting: Spotting It, and Expert Tips to Curb It

    It’s natural for a parent to want to protect their children and keep them from harm.

    But sometimes this understandable desire crosses over into “helicopter parenting,” an overbearing need to be part of a child’s every decision and dilemma.

    “A helicopter parent is often fueled by anxiety, and that anxiety can come in different flavors: anxiety for their ...

    School-Based Mindfulness Programs May Boost Kids' Mental Health

    FRIDAY, August 30, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Teaching schoolkids to practice mindfulness can boost their mental health — and, maybe, even their grades.

    That's the takeaway from a new review of more than three dozen research studies on school-based mindfulness interventions, such as seated or slow-walking meditation. 

    In a nutshell, these programs teach kids to pay att...

    Trans Kids More Often Turn to Teachers Than Parents for Help

    Troubled transgender students are more likely to turn to school staff than their own parents for support, a new study finds.

    Trans teens feeling depressed and anxious are 74% less likely to seek help from parents than from adults at school, compared to ci...

    PE Class: It Can Boost a Child's Body and Mind

    A quality physical education program involves more than just getting kids to move for a set amount of time during the school day, experts say.

    PE classes can teach lessons not found in any other classroom, Erika Mundt, a PE teacher at Iowa West City High School in Iowa.

    ...

    Parents' Excessive Smartphone Use Could Harm Children's Mental Health

    A child at the dinner table talks about trouble at school or an argument with a friend, but parents aren't listening: They're checking their smartphones instead.

    It's a scenario that plays out millions of times per day across America, and it could be harming the mental health of children, a new study suggests.

    Kids ages 9 to 11 who said their parents spent way too much on their smar...

    Text Message Program Helps Teens at Risk for Suicide

    Kids considering suicide after receiving mental health care at a hospital can be helped by automated text messages that help them feel hopeful and supported, a new study finds.

    Children receiving the texts as part of a program called Caring Contacts said they felt more positive after receiving the messages.

    “Prior research has shown that patients are around 300 times more at r...

    Parents Think Social Media, Tech Is School Kids' Greatest Foe: Poll

    Parents are worried that social media and technology will get in the way of schoolkids building meaningful connections with classmates and teachers during the upcoming school year, a new poll finds.

    Half of parents (50%) say too much time spent with technology will be their kids’ top challenge in forming positive connections with those around them, say national poll results from the...

    Tips to Help Your Child Adjust to a New School Year

    Back-to-school can feel like a rushed jumble, as kids leave behind summer fun for the next step in their education.

    But there are specific ways parents can help students show up sharper, get young athletes ready to compete, and have anxious kids settled down and ready to learn, experts say.

    Prioritize sleep

    Kids will have a good start to the school year if the...

    One Key to Better Parenting: Laughter

    Want to be a better, more effective mom or dad? Trying sharing a good laugh with your kid.

    New research among folks ages 18 to 45 found many citing humor as one of the reasons they had, and continue to have, a positive relationship with their parents.

    “My hope is that people can learn to use humor as an effective parenting tool, not only to diffuse tension but develop resilien...

    More Toddler Screen Time Brings More Tantrums, Study Finds

    Using tablets as 'e-babysitters' for toddlers could lead to more tantrums, which in turn can have harried parents trying to calm a child by handing them a tablet, new research shows.

    This type of "vicious cycle" played out during the early years of many of the Canadian youngsters tracked in the study.

    The bottom line, according to the researchers: "Tablet use in early childhood can ...

    Suicides Among Kids Ages 8 to 12 Are Rising, Especially Among Girls

    The kids are not alright.

    New data shows a troubling 8% annual increase in the number of American children ages 8 to 12 who died by suicide, with the sharpest increase seen among girls.

    Suicide has now become the fifth leading cause of death among both male and female preteens, report a team led by ...

    One Emotion Drives Teens to Scroll Through Instagram

    Boredom is the key emotion behind most teens’ use of Instagram, a new study says.

    Teens open the app because they’re bored, then sift through its contents looking for interesting bits to relieve their boredom, researchers report.

    Then, bored by slogging through the site’s “content soup,” the teens log off, researchers found.

    “We saw teens...

    Brain Changes Seen in Kids With Conduct Disorder

    Defiance, tantrums, aggression: All signs of a condition called conduct disorder, which Mental Health America says affects up to 16% of boys and 9% of girls.

    Now, research is revealing real differences in the brain structure of children and...

    Weighted Blankets May Not Help Troubled Children Sleep

    Weighted blankets are trendy items, largely based on the idea that the pressure of a heavy blanket will help a person more easily slip into slumber.

    But they do little to help troubled children sleep better, a new study has found.

    There was no difference in sleep between weighted and normal blankets among a group of 30 children ages 6 to 15 adopted from foster care in Texas, accordi...

    Moms, Even When Kids Reject Your Advice, It's Still Helping Them

    Does advising your teen sometimes feel like talking to the proverbial brick wall?

    Don't fret: New research shows that even when your preteen or teen gives your advice a flat "no way," your counsel is probably having an impact.

    It may simply be tucked away by your child, ready for use another day.

    "The kids are at an age where they're maturing and wanting to make their own de...

    Medical Costs for Kids' Mental Health Jumped 31% in 5 Years

    The cost to American families of caring for a child with a mental health condition rose by almost a third between 2017 and 2021, a new report finds, to an average $4,361 per year. 

    Overall, American families spent an estimated $31 billion in 2021 on child mental health services, which now make up nearly half (about 47%) of all child medical spending, the report found.

    The findi...

    Stressed Parents Could Mean More Self-Harm by Kids

    Teens have a higher risk of self-injury -- deliberately cutting or burning themselves -- if they have a fraught relationship with a struggling parent, a new study shows.

    Teenagers were nearly five times more likely to self-injure if, when they were 6, their moms and dads reported stress and discomfort in their role as parents, researchers found.

    Teens also had a nearly doubled risk ...

    How to Calm Your Child After a Nightmare

    Most parents have experienced it: Your young child wakes up distraught, sure that the nightmare they've just suffered through is real.

    Dr. Anis Rehman, an internal medicine specialist and consultant to the Sleep Foundation, says that...

    More Kids, Teens May Be Taking Multiple Psychiatric Meds

    A study of mental health care in Maryland finds an increasing number of children and teens covered by Medicaid are taking multiple psychiatric meds.

    This trend towards "polypharmacy" might be happening elsewhere, prior research suggests.

    In the new study, Maryland kids ages 17 or younger experienced "a 4% increased odds of psychotropic polypharmacy per year from 2015 to 2020," repor...

    Even 'White Lies' From Parents Encourage Lying by Kids

    Kids are more likely to lie to their parents if their parents have been lying to them -- even with positive "white"lies, a new study shows.

    But researchers found a difference between encouraging white lies and "instrumental"lies that involve false threats or promises.

    Any sort of instrumental lie -- "Behave or I'll call the police"or "Finish your homework and we'll go to Disneyland"...

    Holidays Can Be Tough on Kids With ADHD, Anxiety: Some Tips for Parents

    Kids with emotional problems or ADHD can find the holidays a very challenging time, as all the routines that provide a sense of order are jumbled in a whirl of activities.

    The kids are home from school and restless, their parents are hauling them along to Christmas shopping and holiday gatherings, and they're eating lots of heavy meals and sugary treats.

    But there are ways to limit ...

    Better Grades, Less Time on Phones: Poll Shows Kids', Parents' Resolutions for 2024

    More patience. Less time on phones. Healthier habits. Better grades.

    Parents and kids alike are making resolutions for the New Year, setting personal goals for themselves in 2024, a new poll has found.

    Nearly three in four parents say they will adopt a resolution or personal goal in the coming year, and over half say their tween or teen child will do the same, according to the Unive...

    Mom's Mental Health in Pregnancy Could Affect That of Her Child

    A pregnant woman's mental health might have profound effects on the mind of her unborn child, a new evidence review warns.

    Children appear to be at higher risk for mental health and behavior issues if their moms were highly stressed, anxious or depressed during pregnancy, researchers report.

    In particular, children were more likely to have ADHD symptoms or exhibit aggressive or host...

    As Atrocities in Gaza and Israel Unfold, Psychiatrists Give Advice on Coping

    Whether or not you have loved ones in the Middle East, the horrors of the violence and suffering in Israel and Gaza are heart-wrenching and difficult to bear.

    "It's important to be informed, but don't stress yourself out," said Dr. Gary Small, chair of psychiat...

    Think You're Not a 'Helicopter' Parent? New Poll Finds Many Are

    As kids grow up, their desire to venture out on their own and gain some independence is natural.

    And a new national poll suggests that most parents say they're fine with that.

    The problem? The poll highlights a pretty big gap between what parents say and what they actually allow, with many choosing to keep their kids on a pretty short leash.

    "We wanted to see if paren...

    Climate Change Will Harm Children's Mental Health: Report

    Raging wildfires, droughts, floods and record-breaking heat brought on by climate change are taking a toll on kids' already fragile mental health.

    This is the main message from a new report by the American Psychological Association and the climate advocacy organization ecoAme...

    Want Your Child to Have Empathy? Stay Close

    Young children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up to be kind, caring and considerate. These kids may also have fewer mental health problems during early childhood and adolescence, a new study finds.

    By contrast, children whose early relationships with their parents are emotionally strained or abusive are less likely to become thoughtful and generous.

    "Taking t...

    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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  • Spending on Kids' Mental Health Keeps Rising

    In yet another reminder of the psychic toll the pandemic has taken on young people, new research shows spending on mental health services for U.S. children and adolescents has risen sharply since 2020.

    It climbed 26% for youths aged 19 and younger between March 2020 and August 2022, the RAND Corp. study found. Among a large group whose families had employer-provided insurance, use of ment...

    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...

    Kids Have Already 'Normalized' Gender Roles by Preschool, Study Finds

    So much for the powerful feminist messaging in the new Barbie movie.

    Director Greta Gerwig's feminist interpretation of Barbie depicted the fashion dolls as judges, surgeons, naval officers, astronauts and U.S. Presidents in Barbie World, and it resonated. The Barbie movie broke box office records this summer.

    But new research shows most people are not living in this re-imagined Bar...

    Boosting Their Creativity Helps Kids Face Life's Challenges, Study Finds

    Just like adults, kids face daily stressors.

    Luckily, a new study suggests that teaching them creative thinking can help them manage it all.

    Researchers found that when school-age children learned some "narrative creativity" techniques -- such as shifting your perspective and imagining "what if" scenarios -- they quickly became better problem-solvers.

    After a week-long creativ...

    Childhood Trauma Can Affect a Woman's Adult Sex Life, Study Finds

    A stressful or traumatic childhood experience -- anything from parents divorcing to a sibling's drug problem -- may have long-term effects on a woman's sexual health.

    These adverse childhood experiences may be linked to sexual inactivity and dysfunction in women later in life, a

    Better Sleep, Less Stress-Linked 'Acting Out' in Kids

    If your child is acting out and you're looking for solutions, researchers at the University of Georgia's Youth Development Institute suggest better sleep might be the answer.

    Getting more hours of slumber could reduce impulsive behavior in kids, their new study showed.

    "Stressful environments are shown to make adolescents seek immediate rewards rather than delayed rewards, but there...

    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 dire...

    Do Short Kids Need Growth Hormone to Boost Self-Esteem? Maybe Not

    Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Erin Okawa works in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood and sees many parents worried about their kids' height.

    "I have a clinic in Manhattan Beach, which was apparently settled by ex-volleyball players and ex-soccer players,"she said. "So there are a lot of very tall parents in Manh...

    Fewer Kids Are Being Prescribed Antipsychotic Meds

    The use of antipsychotic medication in children is continuing to plummet, likely because of better policies and education, new research shows.

    The study found a 43% drop in antipsychotic prescriptions for Medicaid-enrolled children in 45 states, a stark contrast from the sharp rise in the 2000s.

    "The decline we observed likely reflects the convergence of multiple state safer-use pol...

    Kids Who Read for Pleasure Grow Into Better-Adjusted Teens: Study

    Young children may be fascinated by electronic devices, but a new study suggests that old-fashioned reading may help them grow into better adjusted middle schoolers.

    The study, of more than 10,000 U.S. "tweens," found that those who'd begun reading for fun early in childhood tended to be faring better in several ways: They scored higher on tests of skills like memory and speech developmen...

    Loving, Supportive Daycare Tied to Better Grades Years Later

    Could high-quality child care for young children translate into better grades in math and science?

    Yes, says new research that found children with caregivers who provided both warmth and mental stimulation go on to do better in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in high school.

    "Our results suggest that caregiving quality in early childhood can build a strong foundatio...

    Nearly 15% of School-Age Children in U.S. Have Received Mental Health Treatment

    About one in every seven American kids aged 5 to 17 underwent some form of mental health treatment in 2021, the latest year for which statistics are available.

    So finds a new report from researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which pegs the percentage of kids who got mental he...

    Kids With ADHD, Behavior Issues Have Poorer Trajectories as Adults

    Kids with poor impulse control -- a common characteristic of ADHD -- may be at higher risk for health, social and criminal problems as adults, a new study indicates.

    Researchers found that having attention and behavior problems in childhood was linked to less money, lower educational achievement and poorer health in adulthood when compared to those who could regulate their behavior as ki...

    Many Kids Wait Too Long for Mental Health Care After Gun Injury

    U.S. gun deaths and injuries in children have risen at astronomical rates. Yet, among kids on Medicaid, only about two of every five children who get shot receive mental health care within six months of these traumatic incidents, researchers say.

    The need is great, given that more than 11,250 U.S. kids experienced nonfatal firearm injuries in 2020.

    "There are many things ...