Loneliness associated with unhealthful diets and physical inactivity among US college students

January 20, 2023

Science Daily/George Mason University

Transitioning to a new environment, as many college freshman do, can increase feelings of loneliness, and feelings of loneliness in college students have dramatically increased in the last decade, according to the National College Health Assessment. Additionally, a 2021 survey reported that 44% of U.S. college students described their weight as more than normal, i.e. either in the overweight or obese category. Though loneliness has been linked to unhealthy weight and physical inactivity, there is a lack of research on dietary behaviors in college students and the role it can play in obesity in college students.

With data from the Mason: Health Starts Here cohort study, Master of Nutrition alum Li Jiang found that loneliness was related to altered diet quality and physical inactivity. The research was done as part of Jiang's master's thesis, and Mason Nutrition and Food Studies Department Chair Lawrence J. Cheskin, Associate Professor Lilian de Jonge, former faculty member Cara Frankenfeld, and former postdoctoral fellow Ziaul H. Rana also contributed to the project.

"Our study supports a potential need for further research in understanding unhealthful dietary behavior and physical activity which may be related to loneliness, an emotion that impacts many college students," says Jiang.

Sedentary (19.2%) and low active (53.8%) behaviors were more frequent in students reporting high loneliness (score ranges of 4-6 and 7-9) than those reporting low loneliness (score of 10-12). Students reporting more loneliness had higher fat diets than students reporting less loneliness.

"Interventions to reduce loneliness may have a positive effect on health promotion in this population. This data go along with other initial findings from the Health Starts Here study that college students are not meeting healthy dietary guidelines or getting enough physical activity," said Cheskin, who has an MD.

The study is a cross-sectional study that analyzed baseline data collected in the first wave of Mason: Health Start Here in 2019, and was funded by George Mason University's Institute for BioHealth Innovation.

"Loneliness is associated with unhealthful dietary behaviors and physical inactivity among US college students," was published in November 2022 in the Journal of American College Health.

Mason: Health Starts Here is a first-of-its-kind transdisciplinary student cohort study to understand and improve the health and well-being of university students. This research will follow a broad sample of young adults, specifically Mason students, over time to capture the diversity of their experiences in college and how it affects their health and well-being.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230120131311.htm

Music education benefits youth wellbeing

January 18, 2023

Science Daily/University of Southern California

The latest USC research on the impact of music education shows that for adolescents, the benefits appear to extend beyond a surge in neural connections in their brains. It actually boosts their wellbeing.

The study published Wednesday by the journal Frontiers In Psychology comes just weeks after voters statewide approved Prop. 28 to increase funding for arts and music education in California public schools.

A USC Thornton School of Music researcher said the results are especially meaningful amid a nationwide mental health crisis.

"We know that the pandemic has taken a toll on student mental health. The many narratives of learning loss that have emerged since the start of the pandemic paint a grim picture of what some call a 'lost generation'," said Beatriz Ilari, an associate professor of music education at the USC Thornton School of Music and corresponding author of the study. "Music might be an activity to help students develop skills and competencies, work out their emotions, engage in identity work and strengthen connections to the school and community."

The work was supported by grants including one from the Fender Play Foundation, a nonprofit organization that places instruments in the hands of youth who aspire to play and reap the powerful benefits of music education.

Evidence of those benefits continues to mount, although many states and school districts have reduced the amount of class time, faculty and curriculum dedicated to the arts amid budget crunches and changes in curriculum standards.

Ilari contributed to prior studies, including a longitudinal one by the USC Brain and Creativity Institute, that demonstrated children who learn a musical instrument have enhanced cognitive function. Other research also has shown music education contributes to improved creativity and confidence, better mental health and emotional stability, and student performance, according to a paper published last year by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Greater hope for the future

For the study, researchers examined the impact of music on "positive youth development," a measure of the strengths of adolescents and their potential to contribute to society developed by scholars from Tufts University. Researchers also included measures for school connectedness and hopeful future expectations.

The researchers administered anonymous, online surveys to 120 students from 52 Los Angeles Unified School District middle schools. The survey questions covered the key domains of positive youth development including competence and confidence. Past research shows that adolescents who manifest these attributes are more likely to make positive contributions to society and less likely to engage in risky behaviors later in life.

Ilari and her fellow researchers, including USC Thornton alumna Eun Cho, found many positive effects. They found that students who started music education before age 8 were more hopeful about the future, and younger students receiving musical training scored higher in key measures of positive youth development.

The research team also found that younger students scored higher in key development measures than their older peers. Sixth-grade students, for example, scored higher for overall positive youth development than -- eighth-graders, and scored higher in the confidence domain than both seventh and eighth-graders. Seventh-grade students also scored higher in overall positive youth development than eighth-graders.

In completing the study's survey questions, students were invited to choose from multiple gender categories beyond the usual binary gender options, including "non-binary" and "prefer not to answer," to identify themselves. Non-binary students scored lower in overall positive youth development and connection than girls. They also scored lower in confidence and connection than boys.

"Given the high levels of depression and suicide ideation among LGBTQ+ and non-gender conforming students, it is crucial that research examining adolescent well-being move beyond the gender binary," Ilari said. "In addition to filling critical gaps in the existing literature, results from our study can be used to inform the development of programs and policy for all young people."

The study included students of diverse backgrounds. However, students participating in a virtual music education program primarily came from poor neighborhoods, indicating disparities in access to formal music education.

In addition, the study explored students' engagement in different music programs, including the Virtual Middle School Music Enrichment (VMSME), a tuition-free, extracurricular program that focuses on popular music education and virtual learning. The program is available through a school district partnership with the Fender Play Foundation. Researchers found that students participating in multiple forms of music education and for longer periods of time scored higher in measures for competence and hopeful future expectations. Some participants in these groups were also enrolled in private lessons and/or playing in small ensembles that offer more individual attention than large group classes. In contrast, students in the extracurricular VMSME program came from low-income neighborhoods and participated in fewer extracurricular activities.

"By expanding access to instruments and music classes for students from low socioeconomic areas -- a population that is often left out of school music programs -- VMSME contributed to the democratization of music education," Ilari said. "Throughout the pandemic, students in public schools, especially in urban areas, were disproportionately impacted by the lockdowns that deprived them of physical and social contact with peers. VMSME brought together students from different neighborhoods and at a time when forming peer groups is essential to social identity development."

More research is needed to better understand disparities in access to formal music education, Ilari said, but she said programs that give student agency in their learning and allow them to engage with peers from other schools, like VMSME, have the potential to promote learning and wellbeing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230118195730.htm

The link between mental health and ADHD is strong -- so why aren't we paying attention?

January 16, 2023

Science Daily/University of Bath

Adults with high levels of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than adults with high levels of autistic traits, according to new research led by psychologists at the University of Bath in the UK.

This study is the first to show that ADHD is more predictive of poor mental health outcomes in adults than other neurodevelopmental conditions, like autism.

Until now, there has been a dearth of information on the effects of ADHD on poor mental health, with far more research focusing on the impact of autism on depression, anxiety and quality of life. As a result, people with ADHD have often struggled to access the clinical care they need to cope with their symptoms.

The authors of the study hope their findings will trigger new research into ADHD and ultimately improve the mental health outcomes for people with the condition. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity. The condition is estimated to affect between 3% and 9% of the population.

Blue Monday

Speaking on Blue Monday (January 16) -- the third Monday of January, described by some as the gloomiest day of the year -- lead researcher, Luca Hargitai, said: "Scientists have long known that autism is linked to anxiety and depression, but ADHD has been somewhat neglected.

"Researchers have also struggled to statistically separate the importance of ADHD and autism for mental health outcomes because of how frequently they occur together."

Ms Hargitai, a PhD Researcher at Bath, added: "Our aim was to precisely measure how strongly ADHD personality traits were linked to poor mental health while statistically accounting for autistic traits."

The new research -- a collaborative effort between the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Cardiff, and King's College London -- is published this week in Scientific Reports. It comes in the same month that two British TV personalities -- Johnny Vegas and Sue Perkins -- have opened up about their recent diagnoses of ADHD.

"The condition affects many people -- both children and adults -- and the fact that more people are willing to talk about it is to be welcomed," said Ms Hargitai. "The hope is that with greater awareness will come more research in this area and better resources to support individuals in better managing their mental health."

Overly active, as though driven by a motor

The study used a large, nationally representative sample of adults from the UK population. All participants completed gold standard questionnaires -- one on autistic traits, the other on ADHD traits -- responding to statements such as "I frequently get strongly absorbed in one thing" and "How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do things, like you were driven by a motor?"

The researchers found that ADHD traits were highly predictive of the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms: the higher the levels of ADHD traits, the more likely a person is to experience severe mental health symptoms. Through innovative analytical techniques, the study authors further confirmed that having more of an ADHD personality was more strongly linked to anxiety and depression than autistic traits.

These results were replicated in computerised simulations with a 100% 'reproducibility rate'. This showed, with great confidence, that ADHD traits are almost certainly linked to more severe anxiety and depression symptoms in adults than autistic traits.

Shifting the focus of research and clinical practice

Ms Hargitai said: "Our findings suggest that research and clinical practice must shift some of the focus from autism to ADHD. This may help to identify those most at risk of anxiety and depression so that preventative measures -- such as supporting children and adults with the management of their ADHD symptoms -- can be put in place earlier to have a greater impact on improving people's wellbeing."

According to Dr Punit Shah, senior author and associate professor of Psychology at Bath, another important aspect of the new study is that it advances scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions.

"By addressing the shortcomings of previous research, our work provides fresh information about the complex links between neurodiversity and mental health in adults -- an area that is often overlooked.

"Further research is now needed to delve deeper into understanding exactly why ADHD is linked to poor mental health, particularly in terms of the mental processes that might drive people with ADHD traits to engage in anxious and depressive thinking.

"At the moment, funding for ADHD research -- particularly psychological research -- is lacking. This is especially pronounced when you compare it to the relatively high level of funds directed at autism.

"As the evidence becomes clear that ADHD isn't just a childhood condition but persists throughout life, we must adjust our research agendas to better understand ADHD in adulthood."

Commenting on the new findings, Dr Tony Floyd, CEO of ADHD Foundation, The Neurodiversity Foundation, said: "This research demonstrates clear evidence of the increased risks of mental health comorbidities associated with adult ADHD. This is a step towards recognising the broader impact of unmanaged and untreated ADHD. We hope this research will lead to more research being commissioned in this area. We also hope it will result in changes to the design and delivery of health services.

"The cost implications to the NHS of leaving ADHD untreated, and the need to better train health practitioners in both primary and secondary care, are now more apparent. And of course there are other costs too that need to be considered -- to the health of UK citizens with ADHD and to their family life, employability and economic wellbeing. These costs are often hidden but they are considerable.

"This research from Bath University will add to the growing national debate and the business case for a national review of health services for ADHD across a person's lifespan."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230116112600.htm

Feeling loved, optimistic or happy as a teen may lead to better health in adulthood

January 11, 2023

Science Daily/American Heart Association

Teenagers who reported feeling optimism, happiness, self-esteem, belongingness, and feeling loved and wanted were more likely to reach their 20s and 30s in good cardiometabolic health compared to teens with fewer of these positive mental health assets, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

Previous studies have found that psychological facets of mental well-being, such as optimism and happiness, may be important modifiable factors related to better cardiometabolic health over time. While most of this research was conducted among older adults, this study focused earlier in life and considered a broader measure of cardiometabolic health, which also included indicators of blood sugar levels and inflammation.

"We learned a lot in the last few decades about the impact of discrimination and other social risks youth of color face that may explain their elevated rates of cardiometabolic disease, however, much less attention is paid to the inherent strengths they possess and the ways those strengths may be leveraged to advance health equity," said lead study author Farah Qureshi, Sc.D., M.H.S., an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. "In this study, we wanted to shift the paradigm in public health beyond the traditional focus on deficits to one that concentrates on resource building."

Researchers examined data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which enrolled nearly 3,500 U.S. high schoolers (average age 16 years) in 1994 and were followed for more than two decades. Nearly half were girls, 67% were white youth, 15% were Black teens, 11% were Latino teenagers and 6% reported their race as either Native American, Asian, or "other." Researchers periodically collected data on the participants' health and well-being, with the most recent wave of data collection occurring in 2018, when their average age was 38.

Using initial survey responses from when participants were teenagers, researchers identified five mental health assets related to better cardiometabolic health outcomes: optimism, happiness, self-esteem, a sense of belonging and feeling loved. This information was cross-referenced with health data recorded over 3 decades to assess whether teens who had more of these positive assets were more likely to maintain optimal cardiometabolic health in adulthood.

To examine cardiometabolic health in this study, researchers reviewed health measures for seven cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk factors collected during clinic visits when participants were in their late 20s and 30s. The factors included high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good" cholesterol; non-HDL cholesterol -- calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol; systolic blood pressure (top number); diastolic blood pressure (bottom number); hemoglobin A1c, a measure of blood sugar; C-reactive protein, a measure of inflammation; and body mass index, or BMI, the ratio of height to weight to estimate body fat.

The analysis found:

• Overall, 55% of youth had zero to one positive mental health asset, while 29% had two to three assets and 16% had four to five assets.

• As young adults, only 12% of participants maintained cardiometabolic health over time, and white youth were more likely to maintain good health later in life compared to Black or Latino youth.

• Teens with four to five positive mental health assets were 69% more likely to maintain positive cardiometabolic health as young adults.

• There was also a cumulative effect, with each additional mental health asset conferring a 12% greater likelihood of positive cardiometabolic health.

• Although psychological assets were found to be protective across all racial and ethnic groups, the largest health benefits were noted among Black youth. Black teens also reported having more positive mental health assets than youth of any other racial or ethnic groups.

Despite Black teens having the most assets and deriving the most health benefits from them, racial disparities in cardiometabolic health were still apparent in adulthood. Black individuals were the least likely to maintain good cardiometabolic health over time.

"These somewhat counterintuitive findings were surprising," Qureshi said. "When we dug deeper, we found that the absence of psychological assets being was particularly health-damaging for Black youth." She further elaborated that the findings point to the role structural racism plays in shaping cardiometabolic health patterns in the first decades of life: "For Black youth -- who face numerous barriers to achieving and sustaining optimal cardiometabolic health in adulthood -- not having these additional mental health resources makes a big difference."

"This work suggests that early investments in youth mental health may be a critical new frontier in the advancement of cardiometabolic health equity," according to Qureshi.

"We need more large-scale studies to monitor these and other positive mental health factors starting in childhood to understand how these assets may influence health and disease over the life course. This information may help us identify new ways to improve health and reduce disparities," she said.

Limitations of the study include that there were relatively few participants who were Latino, Asian or Native American and there were variations in blood sample collection methods over time.

Health care professionals measure cardiovascular health with the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 tool, which measures 4 indicators related to cardiovascular and metabolic health status (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and body mass index); and 4 behavioral/lifestyle factors (smoking status, physical activity, sleep and diet). According to Life's Essential 8 data:

• only 45% of U.S. adolescents have five or more indicators of ideal cardiovascular health, and the percentage declines in adulthood; and

• there are persistent differences in cardiovascular health levels by self-reported race and ethnicity, and these disparities are larger at younger ages.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230111075843.htm

Researchers gain a better understanding of how the most commonly used ADHD medication works

December 8, 2022

Science Daily/Elsevier

For decades, doctors have treated kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with methylphenidate, a stimulant drug sold as Ritalin and Concerta, making it one of the most widely prescribed medications aimed at the central nervous system. One might expect that researchers would know how methylphenidate works in the brain by now, but little is known about the drug's mechanism of action. Now, a new study seeks to close this gap and understand how methylphenidate interacts with cognitive control networks and attentional behavior.

The new study appears in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, published by Elsevier.

What researchers do know is that individuals with ADHD have lower dopamine signaling activity than neurotypical individuals in the interconnected brain networks that control attention and goal-directed behaviors. Specifically, methylphenidate is hypothesized to ameliorate ADHD symptoms by increasing dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a hub for dopamine signaling.

In the new study, researchers led by Yoshifumi Mizuno, MD, PhD, Weidong Cai, PhD, and Vinod Menon, PhD, used brain imaging to explore the effects of methylphenidate on the NAc and a so-called triple network system that plays a key role in behaviors that require adaptive control of attention. The three networks include the salience, frontoparietal, and default mode networks. Aberrant activity was detected in the NAc and in multiple brain networks in children with ADHD, suggesting that dysregulation in the system may underlie ADHD symptoms, and that correcting the dysfunction might alleviate those symptoms.

"Our findings demonstrate in two independent cohorts that methylphenidate changes spontaneous neural activity in reward and cognitive control systems in children with ADHD. Medication-induced changes in cognitive control networks result in more stable sustained attention. Our findings reveal a novel brain mechanism underlying methylphenidate treatment in ADHD and inform biomarker development for evaluating treatment outcomes," noted Dr. Menon, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine.

The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to measure the effects of methylphenidate on spontaneous brain activity in 27 children with ADHD and 49 typically developing controls. Children with ADHD were scanned during two different visits one to six weeks apart -- once while receiving methylphenidate and once while receiving a placebo. (Typically developing children did not receive medication or placebo.) Outside the scanner, children with ADHD also performed a standardized task to assess sustained attention. Additionally, the researchers tested the replicability of methylphenidate's effects on spontaneous brain activity in a second independent cohort.

Not surprisingly, children performed better on the attention tasks when they were medicated. And as the researchers hypothesized, they also saw greater spontaneous neural activity in the NAc and the salience and default mode networks when methylphenidate was administered. Children with ADHD who displayed enhanced changes in brain activity patterns in the default mode network with medication performed better on the attention tasks with medication. Findings were replicated across two independent cohorts, providing further evidence that methylphenidate may alleviate ADHD symptoms by its actions on the NAc and the triple network cognitive system.

Cameron Carter, MD, editor of Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, said of the study, "The findings, which used the widely available technique of resting-state functional MRI, confirm the positive effects of methylphenidate on attention in children with ADHD and reveal the likely mechanism of action, through improved coordinated brain network activity and a likely key role for enhanced dopamine effects in the NAc region of the brain."

The work advances researchers' understanding of how ADHD affects cognitive control networks in the brain and how methylphenidate interacts with these networks to shift behavior. The findings could guide future work using brain imaging as a clinically useful biomarker of response to treatments.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221208123533.htm

Studies ID ways to help young adults avoid health impacts of stress

December 5, 2022

Science Daily/North Carolina State University

It's well established that experiencing stress can hurt our physical health. Now two new studies find that younger adults who take preemptive steps to respond to stress are better able to avoid those negative health outcomes.

"The fact that we have two studies with the same results highlights the importance of proactive coping for younger adults when it comes to handling stress," says Shevaun Neupert, corresponding author of a paper on the two studies and a professor of psychology at North Carolina State University.

"These results are important for helping us work with people to build resilience, since proactive coping refers to skills that can be taught. The findings also suggest that younger adults, in particular, can benefit significantly from these skills."

Proactive coping is an umbrella term for behaviors that allow people to avoid future stressors or prepare themselves to respond to those stressors. These can be behavioral, such as saving money to deal with unexpected expenses, or cognitive, such as visualizing how to deal with potential challenges.

"You can also think of proactive coping as a way of helping people continue to work toward their goals, even when dealing with challenges," Neupert says.

The first of the two studies focused on skills that allowed people to concentrate on their goals when dealing with stressors. For this study, the researchers enlisted 223 people: 107 younger adults (ages 18-36) and 116 older adults (ages 60-90). Study participants completed an initial survey that focused on understanding goal-oriented proactive coping behaviors that the participants engaged in. The participants then completed daily surveys for the next eight days, recording the stressors they experienced each day, as well as their physical health symptoms.

"We found that younger adults who consistently engaged in proactive coping, such as thinking about what they need in order to be successful, experienced fewer negative physical health symptoms on stressful days," Neupert says. "However, there was no positive or negative effect of proactive coping for older adults."

The second study focused on efforts aimed at avoiding or preventing stressors. For this study, the researchers enlisted 140 people between the ages of 19 and 86. Study participants completed a baseline survey designed to capture their stress-prevention proactive coping behaviors. After that, the study participants completed daily surveys for 29 consecutive days, reporting on their daily stressors and physical health.

For this study, the researchers found that adults between the ages of 19 and 36 who engaged in proactive coping reported little or no drop-off in physical health on stressful days, compared to adults in the same age range who engage in less proactive coping. However, as with the first study, proactive coping had no effect for older adults.

"The effects in the both studies were linear, so the more proactive coping younger adults engaged in, the better their physical health on stressful days," Neupert says.

"These findings suggest there is tremendous value in teaching young people how to engage in proactive coping, starting with college-age young adults, but extending through to people who are established in adulthood."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221205104145.htm

Excessive television viewing in childhood is a risk factor for later smoking and gambling disorders

November 30, 2022

Science Daily/University of Otago

Excessive television viewing as a child can lead to a higher risk of tobacco use and gambling disorders in adulthood, a new University of Otago study shows.

The researchers used unique, follow-up data from the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (known as the Dunedin Study) to investigate how television viewing in childhood was related to the risk of having a substance use disorder or disordered gambling in adulthood.

Study author Dr Helena McAnally says that the study indicates that excessive leisure time television viewing between the age of 5 and 15, may be a risk factor for the development of later disorders.

"People often talk of television viewing as an addiction; this research indicates that, for some people, television viewing may be an early expression of an addictive disorder or may lead to later substance-related and other addictive disorders," she says.

Spending time watching television during childhood and adolescence was associated with a higher risk of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis disorders and disordered gambling in adulthood. For tobacco and gambling, these associations were independent of other potential influences on these outcomes such as sex, socioeconomic status, and measures of childhood self-control.

Co-author Professor Bob Hancox says excessive leisure time television viewing in childhood and adolescence has been associated with a range of poorer adult health and wellbeing outcomes, but "to our knowledge this research is among the first to assess how a common, but potentially addictive behaviour, such as television viewing is related to later substance disorder and disordered gambling."

The study highlights the potential need for guidance on digital health and wellbeing, he says.

"Public health agencies have put great effort into advocating for safer alcohol use and safe sexual practices; similar campaigns could be used to advocate for safe screen use.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics' previous recommendation of a daily average limit of two hours of screen time may remain a reasonable guide for leisure-time screen time in children and adolescents," Professor Hancox says.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221129184438.htm

Most young people's well-being falls sharply in first years of secondary school

November 23, 2022

Science Daily/University of Cambridge

Most young people in the UK experience a sharp decline in their well-being during their first years at secondary school, regardless of their circumstances or background, new research shows.

Academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Manchester analysed the well-being and self-esteem of more than 11,000 young people from across the UK, using data collected when they were 11, and again when they were 14. The adolescents' overall 'subjective well-being' -- their satisfaction with different aspects of life (such as friends, school and family) -- dropped significantly during the intervening years.

It is widely accepted that young people's well-being and mental health are influenced by factors such as economic circumstances and family life. The research shows that notwithstanding this, well-being tends to fall steeply and across the board during early adolescence.

That decline is probably linked to the transition to secondary school at age 11. The study identified that the particular aspects of well-being which changed in early adolescence were typically related to school and peer relationships, suggesting a close connection with shifts in these young people's academic and social lives.

In addition, students with higher self-esteem at age 11 experienced a less significant drop in well-being at age 14. This indicates that structured efforts to strengthen adolescents' self-esteem, particularly during the first years of secondary school, could mitigate the likely downturn in well-being and life satisfaction.

Ioannis Katsantonis, a doctoral researcher at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, who led the study said: "Even though this was a large, diverse group of adolescents, we saw a consistent fall in well-being. One of the most striking aspects was the clear association with changes at school. It suggests we urgently need to do more to support students' well-being at secondary schools across the UK."

Ros McLellan, Associate Professor at the University of Cambridge, specialist in student well-being, and co-author, said: "The link between self-esteem and well-being seems especially important. Supporting students' capacity to feel positive about themselves during early adolescence is not a fix-all solution, but it could be highly beneficial, given that we know their well-being is vulnerable."

Globally, adolescent well-being is in decline. In the UK, the Children's Society has shown that 12% of young people aged 10 to 17 have poor well-being. Dr Jose Marquez, a Research Associate at the Institute of Education, University of Manchester, and co-author, said: "Until now, we haven't fully understood how universally poor well-being is experienced. The relationship between well-being and self-esteem has also been unclear."

The researchers used data from the Millennium Cohort Study, which involves a nationally representative sample of people born between 2000 and 2002 and incorporates standard questionnaires about well-being and self-esteem. They then calculated a well-being 'score' for each student, balanced to control for other factors that influence well-being -- such as economic advantage, bullying, and general feelings of safety.

While most adolescents were satisfied with life at age 11, the majority were extremely dissatisfied by age 14. By that age, the well-being scores of 79% of the participants fell below what had been the average score for the entire group three years earlier. "This is a statistically significant drop," Katsantonis said. "It goes far beyond anything we would classify as moderate."

The study also captured information about the adolescents' satisfaction with specific aspects of their lives, such as schoolwork, personal appearance, family and friends. This suggested that the most dramatic downturns between 11 and 14 were probably related to school and relationships with peers.

Despite the overall fall, students with better well-being at age 14 tended to be those who had higher self-esteem at age 11. The pattern did not apply in reverse, however: better well-being at age 11 did not predict better self-esteem later. This implies a causal link in which self-esteem seems to protect adolescents from what would otherwise be sharper declines in well-being.

"Supporting self-esteem is not the only thing we need to do to improve young people's well-being," Katsantonis said. "It should never, for example, become an excuse not to tackle poverty or address bullying -- but it can be used to improve young people's life satisfaction at this critical stage."

The researchers identify various ways in which schools could support this. At a basic level, Katsantonis suggested that celebrating students' achievements, underlining the value of things they had done well, and avoiding negative comparisons with other students, could all help.

More strategically, the study suggests incorporating more features that promote self-esteem into England's well-being curriculum, and stresses the need to ensure that similar efforts are made across the UK. Recent studies have, for example, highlighted the potential benefits of mindfulness training in schools, and of 'positive psychology' initiatives which teach adolescents to set achievable personal goals, and to acknowledge and reflect on their own character strengths.

McLellan added: "It's really important that this is sustained -- it can't just be a case of doing something once when students start secondary school, or implementing the odd practice here and there. A concerted effort to improve students' sense of self-worth could have really positive results. Many good teachers are doing this already, but it is perhaps even more important than we thought."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221123114210.htm

Activities to Enhance Kids Sleep Quality: Insights from Sleep Science

Guest Post by Eliza Brooks

 https://www.radbounce.com/scottsdale/

Sleep is crucial for a child's overall well-being, growth, and development. However, many children today struggle with sleep-related issues, such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, or not getting enough sleep. This can lead to fatigue, irritability, poor academic performance, and even health problems. Fortunately, there are various activities and techniques that can help enhance a child's sleep quality. In this article, we will explore some insights from sleep science and provide practical tips for parents and caregivers to help their children establish healthy sleep habits.

The Importance of Having a Regular Sleep Schedule: The Science behind It

One of the most important factors in promoting good sleep quality in children is having a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day can help regulate the body's internal clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is a natural 24-hour cycle that regulates various bodily functions, including sleep and wakefulness.

Research has shown that when children have a consistent sleep schedule, they tend to fall asleep faster, wake up less often during the night, and experience fewer sleep disturbances. Moreover, consistent sleep patterns help improve the quality of sleep, resulting in better academic performance, improved cognitive function, and reduced risk of health problems like obesity and diabetes.

Tips for Creating a Calming and Relaxing Atmosphere at Home

Creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere at home can help promote better sleep quality in children. Here are some tips on how to set up a sleep-friendly environment:

·       Use blackout curtains: Darkening the room can help reduce exposure to external light, making it easier for children to fall asleep and stay asleep.

·       Keep the bedroom cool: The ideal temperature for sleep is around 68-72°F (20-22°C). Cooling down the room can help promote sleepiness and prevent night sweats.

·       Use a noise machine: Playing white noise or soothing sounds like ocean waves or rain can help drown out background noise and create a calming atmosphere.

·       Avoid bright screens: The blue light emitted by electronic devices can suppress melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid bright screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

Establishing a Calming Pre-Bedtime Ritual

Establishing a pre-bedtime routine can help children wind down and prepare for sleep. Here are some activities that can help promote relaxation and calmness:

·       Reading stories: Reading a book before bedtime can help children relax and wind down. It can also promote language development and literacy skills.

·       Playing puzzles: Engaging in quiet activities like puzzles or coloring can help children calm their minds and transition from the stimulation of the day to a more relaxed state.

·       Relaxation techniques: Breathing exercises, meditation, or simple stretches can help release tension and promote relaxation before bedtime.

Discover How to Inhibit Screen Time Before Bedtime While Still Entertaining Kids - Tips & Tricks!

Limiting screen time before bedtime is essential to promote better sleep quality in children. However, it can be challenging to find engaging activities that do not involve electronic devices. Here are some ideas for screen-free activities:

·       Play board games: Board games like chess, checkers, or memory games can be fun and engaging while also promoting cognitive development and critical thinking.

·       Play active games: Engaging in active games like tag or hide-and-seek can help children expend energy and promote healthy physical development.

·       Read books: Reading books together can be a great bonding experience while also promoting literacy skills.

·       Listen to music: Playing calming music or lullabies can help children relax and wind down before bedtime.

·       Try relaxation apps: There are various apps available that provide guided relaxation exercises or soothing sounds to help children calm down before bed. Some examples include Calm, Headspace, and Relax Melodies.

Benefits of Physical Activity during the Day for Improving Sleep

Engaging in regular physical activity during the day can help promote better sleep quality in children. Physical activity helps release tension, reduce stress, and promote healthy physical development. Moreover, it can help regulate the circadian rhythm, making it easier for children to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Some of the fun physical activities that children can engage in include playing tag, jumping rope, riding a bike, or playing sports like soccer and basketball. Additionally, outdoor activities like exploring nature or going on hikes can help promote mental well-being and relaxation.

Playing with some bounce house rentals is also a great way to get kids up and moving. You can set them up indoors or outdoors and let kids play away.

However, it is essential to note that the timing of physical activity can impact sleep quality. Engaging in intense physical activity too close to bedtime can stimulate the body and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Therefore, it is recommended to schedule physical activity earlier in the day or at least a few hours before bedtime.

Examples of Healthy Bedtime Snacks

Choosing the right bedtime snack can help promote better sleep quality in children. Here are some healthy snack options that can help:

·       Bananas: Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, which help promote muscle relaxation and calmness.

·       Yogurt: Yogurt is a good source of calcium, which is essential for the body to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep.

·       Almonds: Almonds are rich in magnesium, which helps promote relaxation and calmness.

·       Whole-grain crackers: Whole-grain crackers are a good source of carbohydrates, which can help promote the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness.

·       Chamomile tea: Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties and can help promote relaxation before bedtime.

Establishing healthy sleep habits is essential for promoting children's overall health and well-being. By incorporating activities that promote relaxation, establishing a consistent sleep routine, and creating a sleep-friendly environment, parents and caregivers can help their children achieve better sleep quality. Moreover, engaging in physical activity during the day, limiting screen time before bedtime, and choosing the right bedtime snacks can further enhance sleep quality. By implementing these activities and insights from sleep science, parents and caregivers can help their children establish healthy sleep habits that will benefit them for years to come.

Mild traumatic brain injury increases risk of behavioral and emotional problems in kids

September 13, 2022

Science Daily University of Rochester Medical Center

University of Rochester researchers have been at the forefront of efforts to understand how blows to the head impact the brain, including how concussions change brain structure . Now researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience have found that kids who experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI), even a mild one, have more emotional and behavioral problems than kids who do not.

"These hits to the head are hard to study because much of it depends on recall of an injury since the impacts do not all require a visit to a doctor," said Daniel Lopez, a Ph.D. candidate in the Epidemiology program and first author of the study out today in NeuroImage. "But being able to analyze longitudinal data from a large cohort and ask important questions like this gives us valuable information into how a TBI, even a mild one, impacts a developing brain."

Researchers used MRI and behavioral data collected from thousands of children who participated in the Adolescence Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. They revealed children with a mild TBI experienced a 15-percent increased risk of an emotional or behavioral problem. The risk was the highest in children around ten years old. Researchers found that children who had a significant hit to the head but did not meet diagnostic criteria for a mild TBI also had an increased risk of these behavioral and emotional problems.

The University of Rochester Medical Center is one of 21 research sites collecting data for the National Institutes of Health ABCD Study. Since 2017, 340 children from the greater Rochester area have been part of the 10-year study that is following 11,750 children through early adulthood. It looks at how biological development, behaviors, and experiences impact brain maturation and other aspects of their lives, including academic achievement, social development, and overall health.

Researchers hope future ABCD Study data will better reveal the impact these head hits have on mental health and psychiatric problems. "We know some of the brain regions associated with increased risk of mental health problems are impacted during a TBI," said Ed Freedman, Ph.D., associate professor of Neuroscience and co-principal investigator of the ABCD Study at the University of Rochester. Freedman also led this study. "With more time and data, we hope to gain a better understanding of the long-term impact of even a mild TBI."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220913183124.htm