International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health最新文献

Objectives: Climate change presents a significant threat to the well-being of medical students, further impacting their physical and mental health in the context of already demanding academic and clinical responsibilities. This study aims to examine how future healthcare professionals perceive the health-related consequences of climate change and to what extent they feel equipped to address the challenges posed by this global issue.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an online questionnaire to gather data. The invitation to participate was extended to students from different academic programs within a medical university. A total of 697 students completed the survey.

Results: Most respondents were male students aged between 21 and 23 years, with the majority hailing from Pakistan, India, and Kazakhstan. The survey showed a high level of awareness among students about the health impacts of climate change: 80 % expect serious health impacts in their communities in the next 20 years. The majority believe that climate change will increase the burden of health care, lead to an increase in infectious and mental diseases, and affect vulnerable populations. 72.9 % support the inclusion of climate in health education. The relationship between awareness and support for mandatory climate education is statistically confirmed (p<0.001).

Conclusions: This study highlights medical students' strong awareness of climate change's impact on health and the importance of integrating this topic into medical education. Enhancing future physicians' knowledge and resilience to environmental threats is crucial for effective healthcare in a changing climate.

Purpose: It is known that the frequency of eating disorders (EDs) increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study evaluates the presentation of demographic/clinical characteristics of patients with EDs during the pandemic, and compares them to those that presented during 2014-2015.

Methods: Our division conducted a study on EDs in adolescent patients presenting from May 2014 to April 2015. That study examined presenting demographic/clinical variables. This current study looked at those same variables for patients presenting from September 2020 to May 2021, during the pandemic. The variables were compared.

Results: 285 patients (23.8/month) presented for an ED evaluation beginning May 2014: Earlier Group (EG); 365 patients (40.6/month) presented during the pandemic: Covid Group (CG). The following differences were found: (1) 81 % of EG and 70 % in CG identified as White (p<0.001). (2) Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (AAN) was diagnosed in 23.2 % of EG and 36.4 % of CG - Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) was diagnosed in 16.1 % of EG and 21.0 % of CG (p<0.001). The frequency of AAN patients/month nearly tripled and ARFID doubled. (3) 34.0 % of EG had a history of anxiety compared with 41.9 % in CG (p<0.05), and this increase in anxiety was seen primarily in patients with AAN and ARFID. (4) In EG, 60.0 % were scheduled to return in 1 week and 23.9 % in 2 weeks, while in CG 32.1 % were scheduled to return in 1 week and 42.2 % in 2 weeks (p<0.001), and this difference was seen primarily in patients with AN and ARFID. There was no significant difference in age, gender, weight, BMI, illness length, menstrual status, ED behaviors, medications and history of OCD/depression between the groups.

Discussion: The presentation of EDs in adolescents rose dramatically during the pandemic, prompting a question of if and what changed in characteristics about EDs. Although the nature of the disorder remained largely the same pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, there were some noted demographic and clinical differences. Some of these may be pandemic related - worsening adolescent mental health increased ED prevalence, so return visits were spaced farther apart. Other differences reflect societal changes - a wider racial distribution may represent the increased diversity of the NYC area; increased AAN may represent the increase in overweight patients during the pandemic; the rise in co-morbid anxiety correlates with increased prevalence of mental health issues during the pandemic. Further research needs to be done to address the evolving qualities and characteristics of EDs.

Objectives: Deficits in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been implicated in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These fatty acids are essential for neurodevelopment and cognitive functioning during childhood and early adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between ADHD symptoms and dietary omega-3 intake among Palestinian early adolescents aged 10-12 years, with particular attention to socioeconomic determinants.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 211 participants (38 with ADHD, 173 without ADHD). Parents completed a culturally adapted Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate intake of omega-3-rich foods (e.g., fish, nuts, seeds). ADHD symptoms were assessed by subtype, and socioeconomic factors were recorded. Group differences were tested, and logistic regression evaluated associations between omega-3 intake and ADHD symptoms.

Results: Children with ADHD reported significantly lower omega-3 intake (mean=0.60 ± 0.68) than their peers without ADHD (mean=0.89 ± 0.72; p<0.001). The hyperactive/impulsive subtype had the lowest intake (mean=0.42 ± 0.62). Logistic regression indicated that each unit increase in omega-3 intake was associated with a 45 % reduction in hyperactive/impulsive symptoms (OR=0.55, p=0.03). Adolescents' age, gender, parental education, parental employment, and family income were significantly associated with children's omega-3 intake (p<0.05).

Conclusions: Lower dietary omega-3 intake is associated with more severe ADHD symptoms, particularly in the hyperactive/impulsive subtype. Socioeconomic disparities further exacerbate nutritional deficiencies, with potential consequences for neurodevelopment and behavioral health. Public health interventions-such as school-based nutrition programs, caregiver education, and subsidies for omega-3-rich foods-may support mental health and cognitive development among children and early adolescents in resource-limited and conflict-affected settings.

The dynamic interplay between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), sense of coherence (SOC), and dental anxiety has garnered increasing attention in recent years, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of their interconnections. This review synthesizes current evidence from interdisciplinary research to explore how these constructs interact and influence one another. OHRQoL reflects the functional, psychological, and social impact of oral health, while SOC represents an individual's capacity to perceive life as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Dental anxiety, a prevalent barrier to oral healthcare, can significantly impair OHRQoL and is influenced by both subjective health perceptions and coping mechanisms. The literature indicates that a strong SOC may mitigate dental anxiety and buffer the negative effects of poor oral health on quality of life. Conversely, heightened dental anxiety can lead to avoidance behaviors, exacerbating oral health problems and diminishing OHRQoL. This review underscores the importance of a biopsychosocial approach in dental care, advocating for integrative strategies that enhance SOC and reduce anxiety to improve overall oral health outcomes and patient well-being. Gaps in the literature and directions for future research are also discussed, with emphasis on longitudinal studies and intervention-based approaches.

Objectives: Adolescents with congenital gastrointestinal malformations, such as esophageal atresia, anorectal malformations, and Hirschsprung's disease, frequently face long-term physical and psychological sequelae. Despite increasing recognition of the need for structured transition of care (TOC) programs, standardization remains limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured interdisciplinary TOC program for adolescents with gastrointestinal malformations, focusing on patient well-being, gastrointestinal quality of life, transition competence, and satisfaction.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study including all patients aged ≥14 years with esophageal atresia, anorectal malformations, and/or Hirschsprung's disease who participated in a standardized TOC program at Hannover Medical School. The multidisciplinary team included pediatric and adult gastroenterologists, nutritionists, psychologists, and surgeons. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed at baseline and follow-up using validated instruments: WHO-5 (well-being), GIQLI (gastrointestinal quality of life), TCS (transition competence), and the ZAP questionnaire (satisfaction).

Results: A total of 63 patients were included. Compared to healthy controls, patients scored significantly lower on the WHO-5 and GIQLI (p<0.0001), indicating reduced well-being and quality of life. TCS scores improved significantly from 27.35 to 31.80 (p=0.015) during the visits, reflecting increased transition competence. Satisfaction with the program was high across all ZAP domains, particularly in interaction (93.1 %) and organization (91.3 %).

Conclusions: This study presents the first standardized transition of care program for patients with congenital gastrointestinal malformations in Germany. The program improved transition competence and was associated with high patient satisfaction. While emphasizing the value of structured, patient-centered transition care, larger studies are needed to validate these findings and support wider implementation.

Objectives: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are strongly linked to behavioral issues in adolescents, yet the protective role of family dynamics remains unclear. This study aims to examine the relationship betwen ACEs and adolescent behavioral problems while exploring the moderating role of family functioning.

Methods: The case-control study analyzed secondary data from the Indonesia National Mental Health Survey (I-NAMHS) on 198 male adolescents (10-17 years). Conditional logistic regression and moderation analysis were used to assess the impact of ACEs on behavioral problems and the moderating role of family function.

Results: Compared with adolescents with no ACE exposure, adolescents with 1-2 ACEs had a higher risk of behavioral problems (OR=5.96, 95 % CI [2.29, 15.15], p<0.001), increasing further with ≥3 ACEs (OR=8.65, 95 % CI [3.21, 23.3], p<0.001). Positive family function reduced these risks (adjusted OR=4.94 for 1-2 ACEs; OR=6.95 for ≥3 ACEs). Family communication had the strongest protective effect (OR=0.33-0.41, p<0.05), but mediation analysis showed family function was not a strong mediator (OR=2.73, p>0.05).

Conclusions: Family function is a predictive factor in adolescent behavioral outcomes, serving as a protective buffer against the negative effects of ACEs. However, it does not fully mediate this relationship. Future research should explore additional mediators, such as peer support and coping strategies, to develop more targeted interventions.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, knowledge, and practices related to non-prescribed weight loss supplements among university students, and to identify reported side effects to support targeted health education.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among students at a public Egyptian university using a self-administered bilingual (English and Arabic) questionnaire. A total of 437 male and female undergraduates from all academic years were selected through multistage random sampling technique. Sample size was calculated via OpenEpi (v24.1), and data were analyzed using SPSS (v25).

Results: The prevalence of weight loss supplement use among students was 12.6 %. Among users, 43.6 % self-prescribed these products, and 80 % were females. Social media and family recommendations were key influencing sources for nearly 60 % of users. Moreover, 40 % of users reported experiencing side effects. The mean knowledge score among all participants was 3.15 ± 0.89 out of 4.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that 12.6 % of university students use weight loss supplements, and 43.6 % of them consume these products without medical consultation. The gap between knowledge and practice highlights the need for targeted awareness campaigns and stricter regulation.

Objectives: Optimal cognitive development in early life is crucial for academic achievement and long-term quality of life. However, there is limited and inconsistent evidence regarding its association with nutritional status, especially among underprivileged school-aged children and adolescent girls. This study aimed to assess the association between nutritional status and cognitive function among adolescent girls aged 11 to 17 years.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 372 adolescent girls from two schools in Takalar District between July and November 2024. Data collection included questionnaires, 24-h dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, and cognitive function assessments using the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT). Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of cognitive function.

Results: The mean age of participants was 14.0 ± 1.5 years. The prevalence of stunting, wasting, and chronic energy deficiency (CED) was 18.0 , 11.3, and 19.9 %, respectively. Girls with CED and stunting had significantly lower cognitive scores than their counterparts (CED: 74.3 ± 13.8 vs. 78.8 ± 13.8; p<0.05; Stunting: 73.3 ± 12.6 vs. 79.0 ± 13.9; p<0.01). Regular intake of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements was associated with higher cognitive scores (80.2 ± 13.1 vs. 77.0 ± 14.1; p<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that BMI-for-age z-score (β=3.419; p<0.01), IFA intake (β=4.054; p<0.05), and height-for-age z-score (β=0.652; p<0.01) were significant predictors of cognitive performance.

Conclusions: Nutritional status was significantly associated with cognitive function among adolescent girls in underprivileged communities. Targeted nutrition interventions may be critical in supporting cognitive development in this vulnerable population.

Objectives: To estimate anemia prevalence and risk factors among adolescent females in Beni-Suef Governorate.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional mixed quantitative and qualitative survey was conducted among 1000 adolescent females in the seven Beni-Suef governorate, Upper Egypt districts from November 2023 to March 2024. A structured questionnaire including socio-demographic and menstrual history was used. Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted to assess their awareness. Hemoglobin testing was performed on the participants, and the diseased ones were treated.

Results: Anemia is highly prevalent among adolescent females in the Beni-Suef governorate (35.8 %). Residence (Adjusted OR=0.652, 95 % CI:0.439-0.970), and daily number of pads (Adjusted OR=1.208, 95 % CI:1.006-1.451) were found to be statistically significant risk factors for anemia in adolescent females.

Conclusions: Anemia is highly prevalent among adolescent females. Early assessment and management of anemia is highly recommended. Nutritional interventions such as food fortification, supplementation, and nutrition education should be provided. Micronutrient supplementation programs should be implemented in all basic schools, and extensive nutrition awareness initiatives should be implemented for adolescent females and caregivers.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the dietary patterns of adolescents to develop targeted medical and organizational interventions for optimizing nutrition and physical activity.

Methods: Research was conducted in Astana in the fall of 2024 and involved 162 adolescents aged 15-19 years (mean age: 17.8 ± 0.41 years) who were classified into special medical groups based on preventive health examinations. Dietary data were collected using the World Health Organization-recommended 24-h recall method, and nutrient intake was assessed against national dietary recommendations and Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization standards.

Results: The analysis demonstrated that adolescents in special medical groups had significantly reduced daily caloric intake (p<0.001) and an imbalanced macronutrient profile, characterized by excessive consumption of animal fats and simple carbohydrates alongside insufficient intake of polysaccharides and dietary fiber. Widespread deficiencies in essential micronutrients were observed, particularly in vitamins A, D, B1, B6, B9, C, and E, as well as calcium, iodine, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. These nutritional inadequacies were closely associated with reduced physical endurance, increased fatigue, and lower academic and physical performance, underscoring the urgent need for targeted nutritional interventions.

Conclusions: These findings emphasize the necessity of dietary interventions and tailored physical activity programs to enhance the overall health and functional capacity of adolescents requiring specialized medical supervision.