Impact of COVID-19 on adolescent health and use of social media.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changed access to healthcare and decreased mental and physical wellbeing. It also significantly altered teens' relationship with social media. This article is a current review of the literature on the impact of COVID-19 on adolescent health overall. In addition, how social media use has both improved and worsened the impact of COVID-19, along with strategies providers should consider in wanting to address social media use with teens. RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected adolescents through increased social isolation and decreased access to healthcare resources. Social media use has both positive and negative effects on adolescent health. Positive effects include sustained connection to friends, family and community while negative effects include lower self-esteem and increased incidence of eating disorders. SUMMARY: Our findings underscore the multifaceted impact of social media on adolescent mental health, physical wellbeing, and healthcare access. Of particular relevance to the physician is the potential of leveraging social media to promote healthy behaviors in vulnerable age groups and populations. Social media can be used to connect teens with reputable websites where they can seek medical or health information that would otherwise not readily be available.

'Let's talk about sex' - A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice study among Paediatric Nurses about Teen Sexual Health in Hong Kong.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of paediatric nurses in Hong Kong towards adolescent sexual health issues. BACKGROUND: In Hong Kong, teens are becoming more sexually permissive. As a result, early sexual activity, Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and unplanned pregnancies among adolescents are increasing. Paediatric nurses are potentially excellent sexual health educators; however, studies in other countries have reported that nurses have inadequate knowledge and skills about sexual health. Little is known about the knowledge, attitudes and practices of nurses in Hong Kong related to teen sexual health. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey study. The survey was developed after an extensive literature review and partially adapted from previously validated questionnaires on nursing needs, knowledge, attitude and practice. METHODS: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire in Chinese was distributed to 500 nurses in Hong Kong attending a local paediatric conference. Participants (n = 394) were recruited using convenience sampling methods. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The majority of nurses had a high awareness of the importance of sexual healthcare, but rarely felt knowledgeable or comfortable discussing sexual health issues with adolescents. Higher comfort level was associated with higher frequency of practice with an average adjusted odds ratios of 2·64. Inadequate or lack of training (39·4%) was the most significant barrier in providing adolescent sexual health screening and counselling. CONCLUSION: Nurses' clinical practices towards adolescent's sexual health issues were influenced by their perceived comfort level followed by their self-ranked knowledge and training experience. Further specific training on communication, counselling and general sexual health should be provided to nurses in Hong Kong. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nurses' comfort level was the most important factor influencing their clinical practice with teens. Further specific training should be provided to nurses in Hong Kong to improve adolescent sexual health.

Anomalous Bronchial Artery Origin - Canary in the Coal Mine - For Diagnosing Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension.

Anomalous bronchial artery origins may have clinical implications beyond their anatomical curiosity. In this case, identification of such an anomaly led to the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). A 49-year-old male with a history of recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) on anticoagulation presented with chest pain and shortness of breath. Laboratory analysis was remarkable for a troponin peak of 14.74 ng/ml, a brain natriuretic peptide level of 602 pg/ml and a D-dimer level of 0.62 µg/ml. Electrocardiogram showed non-specific ST elevation in the anterolateral and inferior leads. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest was positive for PE involving the right lower lobe pulmonary arterial tree. Echocardiogram showed reduced left ventricular function (ejection fraction 38%) and akinesis of the antero-apical and infero-apical segments. Cardiac catheterization revealed non-obstructive coronary arteries, and an anomalous origin of a right bronchial artery from the right coronary artery. The right bronchial hypertrophied as it supplied collateral flow to the occluded right pulmonary artery. This anomaly and the patient's history of multiple DVT/PEs while on therapeutic levels of warfarin with near normal D-dimer levels raised suspicion for a false positive PE. Pulmonary angiogram revealed chronic occlusion in branches of the right pulmonary artery, mean pulmonary artery pressure of 36 mmHg and no acute thrombus. Ventilation-perfusion scan confirmed the diagnosis of CTEPH. The patient underwent successful pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and subsequently had normalization of mean pulmonary artery pressure. This case underscores the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic approach, and consideration of alternative explanations for imaging findings, that unveiled the diagnosis of a complex and life-threatening condition such as CTEPH. LEARNING POINTS: This case underscores the diagnostic significance of identifying anomalous bronchial artery origin which played a crucial role in the diagnosis of the underlying chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).It is important to understand the limitations of computed tomography angiography (CTA) chest for diagnosis of CTEPH.

A multilevel intervention in pediatric primary care for youth tobacco control: Outcomes of implementing an Ask, Advise, and Connect model.

Multilevel interventions in healthcare settings (e.g. Ask, Advise, and Connect; AAC) can reduce tobacco product use among adult patients: their effectiveness in pediatric practice is largely unknown. We implemented an AAC model in pediatric primary care to deter children's tobacco use, and evaluated its effectiveness in a single-arm trial. At wellness visits, young patients (ages 12-17) completed a tablet-based assessment (Ask) of lifetime and current tobacco use. These data were made available within the electronic health record to pediatric primary care providers for preventive counseling (Advise). Providers then referred patients to an e-health evidence-based tobacco control intervention (Connect). Tobacco control outcomes were examined in the clinic population (N = 2219) and in a sample of patients (N = 388, 62% female, 39% non-White, M age = 15) over time, along with intervention engagement. Population use of tobacco products decreased following introduction of AAC (more than 2-fold). At the patient level, most children (80.9%) engaged with the intervention: those who were Black or African American, who never used tobacco products/were not susceptible to use, and who used fewer non-cigarette tobacco products were more likely to engage, but only after multiple prompts versus a single prompt. Engagement was positively associated with lowering children's susceptibility to using tobacco at follow-up. A pediatric AAC model holds promise in deterring youth tobacco use, including among historically marginalized populations who may require additional support.

By implementing a multilevel Ask, Advise, and Connect intervention, pediatric tobacco use declined in a clinical population, with high intervention engagement and improved outcomes.

Efficacy of a Brief Self-management Intervention in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial from India.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus places a considerable burden on the individual and the family with respect to lifestyle changes. There is a paucity of systematic studies in India examining the efficacy of self-management programs for diabetes. The study examined the impact of a brief self-management intervention (SMI) on primary outcome of HbA1c and secondary outcomes of quality of life (QOL), self-care, perceived barriers to self-care (BSC), perceptions regarding illness and mood in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eighty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly allocated to either a 4-session SMI or treatment as usual (TAU) and were assessed on HbA1c levels, QOL, self-care, BSC, illness perceptions, anxiety, and depression at baseline, postintervention , and at three-month postintervention follow-up. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant improvement in the SMI group from baseline to follow-up on HbA1c (P = 0.001), impact of diabetes on QOL (P = 0.006), self-care with respect to diet and exercise (Ps = 0.001), perceived barriers in adherence to diet, exercise, (P = 0.001), medication (P < 0.01), glucose testing (P = 0.04), general BSC (P = 0.001), total barriers (P = 0.001), illness perceptions-timeline or chronicity of illness (P = 0.002), personal control over illness, (P = 0.001), belief in effectiveness of treatment (P = 0.002), understanding of one's illness (P = 0.001), and emotional representations regarding illness (P =0.001), depression, (P = 0.001), and anxiety (P = 0.001). In the SMI group, large effect sizes were obtained at the postintervention assessment and the three-month follow-up on most outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Brief psychological intervention is efficacious in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Association of multiple behavioral risk factors with adolescents' willingness to engage in eHealth promotion.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines adolescents' willingness to use the internet and other forms of technology for health promotion purposes (i.e., "eHealth promotion" willingness) and determines if a relationship exists between adolescents' behavioral risks and their eHealth promotion willingness. METHODS: A total of 332 adolescents provided data at a routine medical check-up, including assessments of technology access, eHealth promotion willingness, and multiple behavioral risk factors for child- and adult-onset disease (body mass index, physical activity, smoking, sun protection, depression). RESULTS: The level of access to technology among the sample was high, with moderate willingness to engage in eHealth promotion. After adjusting for adolescents' access to technology, the presence of multiple behavioral risk factors was positively associated with willingness to use technology for health promotion purposes (beta =.12, p =.03). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with both single and multiple behavioral risk factors are in need of health promotion to prevent the onset of disease later in life. eHealth appears to be an acceptable and promising intervention approach with this population.

Adolescent medical providers' willingness to recommend genetic susceptibility testing for nicotine addiction and lung cancer risk to adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influences of disease, lifestyle, and other factors on adolescent medical providers' willingness to recommend genetic susceptibility testing (GST). METHOD: Providers attending a national conference completed a self-report survey (n = 232) about their willingness to recommend hypothetical GSTs, differentiated by disease (nicotine addiction/lung cancer), patient lifestyle (nonsmoker/smoker), and other contextual factors. RESULTS: Compared to recommending GST unconditionally, providers were more willing to recommend GST with parental/patient consent/assent, and in the presence of a preexisting illness and substance abuse history. Compared to offering nicotine addiction GST to a nonsmoker, providers were more willing to offer this type of testing to a smoker and were more willing to offer GST for lung cancer regardless of patient lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Providers' willingness to recommend GSTs is sensitive to many factors. Efforts to integrate GST into adolescent preventive care likely will need to address these and other influences on provider behavior.

Adolescents' social environment and depression: social networks, extracurricular activity, and family relationship influences.

The present study examined components of adolescents' social environment (social network, extracurricular activities, and family relationships) in association with depression. A total of 332 adolescents presenting for a routine medical check-up were self-assessed for social network risk (i.e., smoking habits of best male and female friends), extracurricular activity level (i.e., participation in organized sports teams, clubs, etc.), family relationship quality (i.e., cohesion and conflict), and symptoms of depression (i.e., minimal, mild, moderate/severe). Results of a forward linear regression modeling indicate that social environment components were associated with a significant proportion of the variance in adolescent depression (Adjusted R (2) = .177, p < or = .05). Specifically, adolescent females (beta = .166, p < .01) and those having more smokers in their social network (beta = .107, p < .05) presented with significantly greater depression symptoms. Conversely, adolescents who engaged in more extracurricular activities (beta = -.118, p < .05) and experienced higher quality family relationships (beta = -.368, p < .001) presented with significantly lower depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the important role that the social environment plays in adolescent depression, as well as yields new insights into socially-based intervention targets that may ameliorate adolescent depression. These intervention targets may be gender-specific, include positive social network skills training, increase adolescents' engagement in organized activities, and attend to the quality of their family relationships.

Screening military dependent adolescent females for disordered eating.

Eating disorders are increasing in frequency among adolescents. The active duty military population has a high prevalence of eating disorders. This study, conducted at a major medical center, determined the prevalence of disordered eating among military dependents and the correlation between adolescent and parent eating behaviors. Three hundred forty adolescent and parent pairs completed the Eating Attitude Test-26 question-based survey. Twenty-one percent of the adolescents and 26% of the parents met the criteria for disordered eating, with a strong correlation between at-risk parents and their adolescent daughters. Overall, the rate of disordered eating in this military sample was significantly higher than the comparable civilian population. Military families should be considered at high risk for disordered eating and eating disorders. Screening for disordered eating should be incorporated into routine practice to identify at-risk individuals.

Knowledge, attitudes, and consequences of menstrual health in urban adolescent females.

PURPOSE: There is a lack of current information concerning the knowledge and attitudes of urban adolescents regarding menstruation. The purpose of this research was to determine: (1) The prevalence of dysmenorrhea, premenstrual symptoms and other menstrual disorders among adolescents who receive their health care at an urban adolescent health center; (2) The attitudes and expectations adolescents have relating to their menstrual period; and (3) The relationship between teens' attitudes and expectations regarding menses and actual menstrual-related morbidities such as school absenteeism. METHODS: A 35-item, survey was administered to postmenarcheal adolescents ages 12-21 years. Descriptive analysis of the prevalence of the menstrual disorders was completed. Chi-square testing was used to compare the prevalence of menstrual-related morbidities with the level of adolescents' expectations regarding menstruation. RESULTS: 91.5% of the respondents were African-American. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) was the most prevalent reported menstrual disorder (84.3%) followed by dysmenorrhea (65%), abnormal cycle lengths (13.2%), and excessive uterine bleeding (8.6%). Only 2% of teens report receiving information about menstruation from their health care provider. Negative expectations regarding menstruation were associated with higher rates of school absenteeism and missed activities (P = 0.0790 and P = 0.0297 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PMS and dysmenorrhea are prevalent medical disorders among urban adolescents. Morbidities, including school absenteeism, are higher among those with negative period expectations. Since only 2% of teens received information regarding menstruation from their health care provider, it is imperative that health care providers increase their anticipatory guidance regarding normal menstruation. This may aid in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of menstrual disorders, and decrease their associated morbidities.

Lifestyle intervention using an internet-based curriculum with cell phone reminders for obese Chinese teens: a randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is an increasing public health problem affecting young people. The causes of obesity are multi-factorial among Chinese youth including lack of physical activity and poor eating habits. The use of an internet curriculum and cell phone reminders and texting may be an innovative means of increasing follow up and compliance with obese teens. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility of using an adapted internet curriculum and existing nutritional program along with cell phone follow up for obese Chinese teens. DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a randomized controlled study involving obese teens receiving care at a paediatric obesity clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Hong Kong. Forty-eight subjects aged 12 to 18 years were randomized into three groups. The control group received usual care visits with a physician in the obesity clinic every three months. The first intervention (IT) group received usual care visits every three months plus a 12-week internet-based curriculum with cell phone calls/texts reminders. The second intervention group received usual care visits every three months plus four nutritional counselling sessions. RESULTS: The use of the internet-based curriculum was shown to be feasible as evidenced by the high recruitment rate, internet log-in rate, compliance with completing the curriculum and responses to phone reminders. No significant differences in weight were found between IT, sLMP and control groups. CONCLUSION: An internet-based curriculum with cell phone reminders as a supplement to usual care of obesity is feasible. Further study is required to determine whether an internet plus text intervention can be both an effective and a cost-effective adjunct to changing weight in obese youth. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-TRC-12002624.

Adolescent exergame play for weight loss and psychosocial improvement: a controlled physical activity intervention.

UNLABELLED: Overweight and obese youth, who face increased risk of medical complications including heart disease and type II diabetes, can benefit from sustainable physical activity interventions that result in weight loss. OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether a 20-week exergame (i.e., videogame that requires gross motor activity) intervention can produce weight loss and improve psychosocial outcomes for 54 overweight and obese African-American adolescents. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants were recruited from a public high school and randomly assigned to competitive exergame, cooperative exergame, or control conditions. All exergame participants were encouraged to play the Nintendo Wii Active game for 30-60 min per school day in a lunch-time or after-school program. Cooperative exergame participants worked with a peer to expend calories and earn points together, whereas competitive exergame participants competed against a peer. Control participants continued regular daily activities. Outcome measures included changes in weight, peer support, self-efficacy, and self-esteem, measured at baseline, and at ∼10 and 20 weeks. RESULTS: Growth curve analysis revealed that cooperative exergame players lost significantly more weight (mean = 1.65 kg; s.d. = 4.52) than the control group, which did not lose weight. The competitive exergame players did not differ significantly from the other conditions. Cooperative exergame players also significantly increased in self-efficacy compared to the control group, and both exergame conditions significantly increased in peer support more than the control group. CONCLUSION: Exergames, especially played cooperatively, can be an effective technological tool for weight loss among youth.

The Wii Club: Gaming for Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Youth.

Our 20-week "Wii Club" intervention for overweight and obese adolescents demonstrated weight loss, increased self-efficacy, and improved peer support from cooperative exergame play. Videogames that require motor activity in a social context may be a fun, effective tool to promote healthy weight and physical activity among youth.

Competitive versus cooperative exergame play for African American adolescents' executive function skills: short-term effects in a long-term training intervention.

Exergames are videogames that require gross motor activity, thereby combining gaming with physical activity. This study examined the role of competitive versus cooperative exergame play on short-term changes in executive function skills, following a 10-week exergame training intervention. Fifty-four low-income overweight and obese African American adolescents were randomly assigned to a competitive exergame condition, a cooperative exergame condition, or a no-play control group. Youths in the competitive exergame condition improved in executive function skills more than did those in the cooperative exergame condition and the no-play control group. Weight loss during the intervention was also significantly positively correlated with improved executive function skills. The findings link competitive exergame play to beneficial cognitive outcomes for at-risk ethnic minority adolescents.

Motivating effects of cooperative exergame play for overweight and obese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Exergames (i.e., video games that require gross motor activity) may provide intrinsically motivating experiences that engage youth in sustained physical activity. METHOD: Thirty-one low-income 15- to 19-year-old overweight and obese African American adolescents were randomly assigned to a competitive exergame (n = 17) or a cooperative exergame (n = 14) condition. Participants played a preassigned Wii Active exergame routine that took between 30 and 60 min each school day, and sessions occurred during lunch time or an after-school program over a 6 month period. Participation was voluntary, so students decided whether to come or not on a given day. Cooperative exergame players worked together with a peer to expend calories and earn points, while competitive exergame players competed individually against a peer to expend calories and earn points. Motivation was measured through surveys and interviews at the end of the intervention, and energy expenditure was measured by accelerometry during game play. RESULTS: Compared with the competitive group, the cooperative players were significantly more intrinsically motivated to play (p = .034, partial eta-squared = 0.366) and more psychologically attracted to the design of the exergame (p = .034, partial eta-squared = 0.320). Intrinsic motivation was significantly positively correlated with energy expenditure during game play: individuals who were motivated by control/choice had higher energy expenditure (p = .026), and those who were more goal motivated (p = .004) and more immersed in game play (p = .024) had lower energy expenditure during game play. CONCLUSIONS: Cooperative exergame play produced higher intrinsic motivation to play the exergame than competitive exergame play did. Intrinsic motivation that came from a desire for control/choice was related to higher energy expenditure during game play. Cooperative exergame play holds promise as a method for engaging overweight and obese youth in physical activity.

Correlates of adherence to a telephone-based multiple health behavior change cancer preventive intervention for teens: the Healthy for Life Program (HELP).

This study examined factors associated with teens' adherence to a multiple health behavior cancer preventive intervention. Analyses identified predictors of trial enrollment, run-in completion, and adherence (intervention initiation, number of sessions completed). Of 104 teens screened, 73% (n = 76) were trial eligible. White teens were more likely to enroll than non-Whites (χ(2)[1] df = 4.49, p = .04). Among enrolled teens, 76% (n = 50) completed the run-in; there were no differences between run-in completers and noncompleters. A majority of run-in completers (70%, n = 35) initiated the intervention, though teens who initiated the intervention were significantly younger than those who did not (p < .05). The mean number of sessions completed was 5.7 (SD = 2.6; maximum = 8). After adjusting for age, teens with poorer session engagement (e.g., less cooperative) completed fewer sessions (B = -1.97, p = .003, R (2) = .24). Implications for adolescent cancer prevention research are discussed.

Patterns and correlates of multiple risk factors for adult-onset cancer among adolescents(1).

The authors investigated patterns and correlates of multiple cancer risk factors (MCRFs) among adolescents. Baseline data from an intervention efficacy trial were analyzed to examine patterns of co-occurring MCRFs and sociodemographic and theoretical (e.g. prevention self-efficacy) correlates of MCRFs among adolescents (N = 50) aged 13-21 years. The mean total MCRFs was 4.6 (SD = 1.6; range = 0-9). The most common risk factors were intentions to use alcohol (n = 40, 80%), <5 daily servings of fruits/vegetables (n = 40, 80%), and lifetime alcohol use (n = 38, 76%). MCRFs commonly co-occurred, suggesting a clustered risk profile. Higher age (B = 0.19, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01, 0.38) and lower prevention self-efficacy (B = -0.16, 95% CI: -0.30, -0.02) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with MCRFs. Multiple health behavior change interventions are needed to prevent accumulation of risk factors as youth mature. Self-efficacy may be an important target for prevention interventions.

Adolescents and driving: a position paper of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of mortality and severe morbidity among adolescents and young adults. All states have changed their drivers' licensure laws to make the process of obtaining a license more protracted and focused on the development of safe driving skills. Health care providers who counsel children and adolescents should actively address safe driving with them, and also involve their parents in this discussion. Additionally, they should also advocate for strict and uniform graduated licensure laws.