Teenagers are increasingly turning to protein-packed bars, shakes and powders to help them add muscle to their frames, a new study shows. Two in five parents say their teen consumed protein supplements in the past year, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. Teen boys more… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Some IUDs May Raise The Odds for Breast Cancer, But Overall Risk Remains Low
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) may raise the chances of a breast cancer diagnosis for women who use the hormonal birth control method, but that risk remains low, new research finds. In the study of 150,000 Danish women, published this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers discovered there was a 40% higher risk of… read on > read on >
Family, Friends Crucial to Whether You Get Screened for Cancer
Having close family and friends who care about their health makes women more likely to get regularly screened for cancer, a new study has found. Women are more likely to undergo regular cancer screening if they have a tighter web of social and emotional connections, researchers reported Oct. 17 in the journal Cancer Causes &… read on > read on >
Fitness, Activity Boosts Kids’ Mental Health, Too
Kids with good physical fitness are more likely to grow into teens with better mental health and brain function, a new study has found. Children who performed better at shuttle sprints scored better on cognitive tests as teenagers, researchers found. In addition, better cardio fitness in childhood added up to lower levels of stress and… read on > read on >
Vaping Rates Hit Record Lows for U.S. High School Students
Is vaping finally losing its coolness for American teens? The latest tally of federal data finds that 550,000 school kids, mostly high schoolers, quit using e-cigarettes in 2024. Vaping rates fell from 10% of high school students in 2023 to 7.8% this year, “reaching the lowest level ever measured” by the National Youth Tobacco Survey,… read on > read on >
Dad’s Use of Diabetes Med Metformin Won’t Raise Birth Defect Risk
A new, reassuring study finds that men can take the diabetes drug metformin without worrying that their offspring will suffer from birth defects. Recent research raised concerns that metformin could promote birth defects in children by damaging the quality of a man’s sperm. But this study of more than 3 million pregnancies, published Oct. 16… read on > read on >
More Kids Having Seizures After Swallowing Rx Painkillers, Synthetic Pot
The number of U.S. children who suffer seizures after swallowing prescription medications or illicit drugs has doubled in recent years, a new study finds. Drug poisonings among kids resulting in seizures increased from 1,418 in 2009 to 2,749 in 2023, steadily rising about 5% each year, results showed. These cases doubled among children ages 6… read on > read on >
Parents or Ambulance: How a Child Reaches an ER Could Matter
It’s natural for a parent to bundle an injured child into a car and rush their kid to the emergency room. But that decision could actually delay their child’s emergency care, a new study shows. Severely injured children brought to an ER by their parents aren’t treated as quickly as those who arrive via ambulance,… read on > read on >
Could Dad’s Sperm Raise Odds for Common Complications of Pregnancy?
Some men might have damaged sperm that will increase the risk of pregnancy complications and health problems in newborns, a new study finds. DNA defects in sperm can double the risk of preeclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. These defects also increase the risk of premature birth, the researchers added. “The next… read on > read on >
GLP-1 Weight-Loss Meds Won’t Raise Teens’ Suicide Risk, May Even Lower It
As with any new drug, parents and doctors may worry that the use of GLP-1 weight-loss meds by children and teens might raise psychiatric risks, including the risk for suicide and suicidal thoughts. But a new study involving more than 54,000 U.S. adolescents found no such link. In fact, obese kids who used the drugs… read on > read on >