The endocannabinoid (eCB) system underlies many biological processes and is thought to be critical in adolescent brain development. However, the eCB system’s contributions to brain morphometry during adolescence remains understudied. Here we investigated cross-sectional associations between brain structure and circulating eCBs and related lipids in a subsample of adolescents (N = 294, ages 10–14, 44.5% female, 65.3% White) from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development (ABCD) study utilizing a structural equation modeling approach. After accounting for sex and age, significant covariance between circulating eCBs and related lipids and cortical thickness, surface area, and volume in brain regions throughout the cortex were revealed. While the mechanisms underlying these associations need further research, these results suggest that the eCB system likely plays a critical role in early-adolescent brain development. Future work should determine underlying mechanisms, evaluate these associations longitudinally, and consider sex differences and the modulatory effects of pubertal hormones.

Irritability is a ubiquitous clinical phenomenon, and yet its definition and specific role within psychiatric disorders have long eluded the field. By understanding what irritability is, in whom it should be studied and how it should be modelled, new insights into the disorders within which it manifests may be gained.

The study aimed to evaluate ultra-processed foods (UPFs) consumption among school-aged children and adolescents in Lebanon and examine factors associated with its intake. A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in 2014–2015 on a nationally representative sample of households with children and adolescents aged 5–18 years in Lebanon (n = 1111). Dietary assessment was performed using 24-h recall method and UPF were identified based on the NOVA classification. Information pertinent to sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity levels was also collected. Percent of energy intake (%E) from UPF ranged between 48.3% and 51.4% amongst children in our study sample with pizzas, dough-based dishes, sweets, and fast food as main energy contributors. Overall, UPFs were the largest contributors to carbohydrates, total sugar, total fat, saturated fat, sodium, and iron intakes. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods contributed most to protein, fibre, calcium, zinc, and vitamins A and C intakes, while being the lowest contributors to sodium intakes. Age and sex-based differences in UPF intakes were also noted. Adjusted regression models showed that girls and children of working fathers had significantly lower %E from UPF compared to boys and children of unemployed fathers (β: −0.18, 95% CI: −0.22, −0.14 and β: −0.27, 95% CI: −0.34, −0.20, respectively). In addition, higher household income was associated with increased %E from UPF. Public health action is needed to reduce the high UPF intake observed amongst children and adolescents in Lebanon and promote minimally processed, culturally appropriate diets to improve nutrition and protect the health of this vulnerable population.

In Switzerland, as in many other countries, national guidelines recommend individualized rather than systematic vitamin D supplementation in children beyond the age of three, making routine assessment challenging. This study aimed to examine paediatricians’ reported practices and opinions regarding vitamin D management in children aged 3–17 years in Geneva, Switzerland. A cross-sectional online survey was distributed to 193 paediatricians, of whom 59 completed the questionnaire (85% women). The questionnaire covered assessment frequency and methods, deficiency management, and views on systematic supplementation. Fewer than half reported assessing vitamin D adequacy at every check-up, with 49% (n = 29) for children aged 3–10 years and 44% (n = 26) for adolescents. Among children with clinical signs of deficiency, 76% (n = 45) reported assessment at every check-up, compared with 63% (n = 37) for children with dark skin or chronic digestive disorders and 58% (n = 34) for those with overweight or obesity. Assessments relied mainly on reported supplementation, followed by diet and sun exposure. Regarding prophylactic supplementation, 61% of paediatricians were in favour for children aged 3–10 years and 76% for those aged 11–17 years. Among those opposed, the main reason cited was the absence of clear national guidelines. Overall, this survey highlights marked variability in paediatricians’ approaches to vitamin D, with routine assessment remaining infrequent, even among children with clinical signs of deficiency. This gap may leave vulnerable children and adolescents with undetected deficiency, underscoring the need for harmonized national guidance and targeted educational initiatives to support preventive paediatric care.

This study aimed to conduct the first known systematic review concerning the evidence on probiotic-fermented food consumption among the young population across multiple countries and its dietary outcomes, including diet quality and nutrient intakes. Five databases were searched through December 8, 2025: Web of Science, Scopus, OVID Medline, EBSCO CINAHL, and ProQuest. English-language quantitative studies from 2004 to 2025 were included. Eligible studies reported probiotic-fermented food consumption patterns in youth aged 2–24 years and examined associations with dietary quality and nutrient intakes. Initial searches identified 11,844 records, of which twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies originated predominantly from high-income countries in North America and Europe, with limited representation from Africa and Asia. Consumption patterns varied widely, with both children and adolescents consuming probiotic-fermented foods at least once a week and having fewer daily servings, particularly for yogurt. Of the seven studies that examined dietary outcomes, six reported positive associations between consumption of probiotic-fermented foods and improved dietary quality scores, and six studies reported associations with higher nutrient intakes. The review underscored the need to increase the consumption of probiotic-fermented foods among the younger population to improve nutrient intake in the early stages. Further research is needed in under-represented regions, including Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, where fermented food traditions are culturally significant but population-level consumption data among youth remain scarce.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescence associates with impairment across several developmentally salient life domains. Treating adolescents’ SAD with school-based interventions has multiple benefits. We examined the preliminary feasibility and effectiveness of the brief Developmentally Oriented Cognitive Therapy for SAD (DOCT-SAD), among adolescents with SAD and their parents delivered in the school setting by school psychologists. Participants (n=11, mean age 15.8 years, females 81.8%) were recruited from secondary schools in Tampere, Finland. K-SADS-PL was used to determine primary and co-morbid disorders, augmented with ADIS-5. All participants had primary SAD. Structured feasibility interviews were administered at post-treatment to young people, parents, and school psychologists. Primary outcome measures (SPIN, ADIS-5 based CSR) and secondary outcome measures (SAFE, PHQ-9, YP-CORE, CALIS-C, and CALIS-P) were collected at pre- and post-treatment. On a scale of 0–10, young people perceived the treatment as suitable for them (mean 8.7, SD=1.0). Parents’ general experience of the DOCT-SAD treatment was overall positive (mean 8.9, SD=0.7). Treatment providers rated their general experience of the treatment as good (mean 8.5, SD=0.6). All participants completed the treatment. Significant pre–post decrease in SAD symptoms measured with SPIN was found (mean reduction −8.4, p=.021, r=0.7). Of participants, six (54.5%) were in diagnostic remission at post-treatment according to ADIS-5. The brief, 10-session DOCT-SAD intervention was accepted by young people, their parents and school psychologists. DOCT-SAD seems feasible and beneficial in treating adolescents with SAD in the school environment.

Despite its well-established predictive validity across indicators of rationality and sound decision-making, actively open-minded thinking (AOT) remains understudied in adolescent populations. Even less is known about educational activities that might cultivate AOT during adolescence. The present study had two aims: first, to examine the psychometric functioning of existing AOT items in adolescents, and second, to investigate whether participation in competitive debate is associated with longitudinal change in AOT. The first measurement point included 420 high school students (69.5% girls; M = 16.20 years). Longitudinal analyses included 161 participants (73.3% girls; M = 16.55 years), with the primary comparison focusing on 40 debaters and 101 non-debate/non-journalism students. Psychometric analyses indicated substantial item heterogeneity and method effects related to item keying. Although a shorter positively worded item subset showed good internal coherence, its construct coverage and criterion validity were more limited than expected. For the longitudinal analyses, we therefore prioritized broader construct coverage over factorial purity. Debaters showed an increase in AOT over the course of a single semester, whereas the non-debate comparison group remained essentially unchanged. Exploratory item-level analyses suggested that debate-related change was most visible in openness to opposing perspectives, engagement with disagreement, and active search for reasons why one might be wrong. Although the observational design prevents causal conclusions, the findings point to competitive debate as a promising context for fostering AOT in adolescence and highlight the need for future research using larger samples, additional measurement points, and multimethod assessments.

Adolescence represents a critical window in development, marked by rapid growth and the formation of eating habits and preferences. Understanding how adolescent food choices are shaped is fundamental to encouraging healthy diets. This study is the first to explore associations between eating contexts and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and its contribution to energy intake by meal occasion among New Zealand (NZ) adolescents. A secondary objective examined associations between where foods were sourced and UPF intake. Dietary intake was assessed via a 24-hour food recall, using the web-based technology Intake24 from a convenience sample of adolescents (n=631), aged 12-17, from schools within the Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions in NZ. Foods were categorised into their level of processing using the NOVA classification system(1). Eating context was assessed by location consumed, with whom and whether an electronic device was present, across six mealtimes. Frequent eating patterns, classed as social dyads (where and with whom), were identified. Linear regression models were used to analyse the association between contextual factors and UPF intake in SPSS v.29.0.UPF contributed 62.5% (SD 25.3) of total daily energy intake overall. Intake was significantly higher at snack times, particularly evening snacks, where UPF accounted for 79.6% (SD 34.5) of energy intake at that occasion (P < 0.05). Meals consumed on the go (81.4%, SD 31.7), in bedrooms (73.7%, SD 36.5), and eaten at fast-food outlets (74.0%, SD 38.7) had the highest UPF contributions by location. Parental presence, especially at the family table, was protective (51.3%, SD 39.5), whereas UPF intake was significantly higher when eating meals alone (65.6%, SD 38.6), with friends (66.2%, SD 37.8), or with others (80.0%, SD 30.1) (P < 0.05). Food sourced from convenience stores and fast-food outlets contributed more than 80% UPF, whereas school lunch programmes contributed only 31.4% (SD 37.7). Strategies to reduce UPF consumption in New Zealand adolescents could include encouraging family meals, reduced or healthier snacking, and increased eligibility and uptake of the government-funded school lunch programme.

Adolescence is a peak period for myopia onset, which is closely related to environmental and lifestyle factors. Relative fat mass (RFM), a novel indicator of body fat, provides a more precise measure of adiposity. However, its relationship with myopia in adolescents remains poorly understood. To probe the connection between RFM and myopia in adolescents, this study included 8746 adolescents aged 12–19 years, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2008). Myopia was defined as a spherical equivalent (SE) ≤ −1.0 D. The relationship between RFM and adolescent myopia was assessed using a weighted logistic regression model. Restricted cubic spline analysis was employed to examine the nonlinear relationship between RFM and the odds of myopia. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests were also conducted. Sensitivity analyses were performed using broader myopia diagnostic criteria (SE ≤ −0.75 D and SE ≤ −0.50 D). After adjusting for all confounding factors, the odds of myopia in the third and highest quartiles of RFM were 33% higher (odds ratio (OR) = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.07–1.64) and 35% higher (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.80), respectively, compared to the lowest quartile. Each one-standard-deviation (9.06) increase in RFM was associated with a 12% higher odds of myopia in adolescents (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01–1.25). This association was more pronounced in males (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09–1.43). A significant positive association was also observed in the low-income population (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.08–1.49). Sensitivity analysis showed that when using SE ≤ −0.75 D and SE ≤ −0.50 D as the diagnostic criteria for myopia, RFM remained significantly positively associated with the odds of adolescent myopia, indicating the robustness of the results. Increased RFM was significantly associated with higher odds of myopia in adolescents, with a stronger association observed among males, suggesting that body fat control and RFM reduction may represent a promising direction for comprehensive myopia prevention and management in adolescents. Targeted interventions integrating weight management, healthy diet, regular physical activity, and accessible eye health services could be developed, particularly for male and low-income adolescents. However, longitudinal studies are needed for further validation.

Mania symptoms in youth predict poor long-term mental health outcomes, yet their developmental trajectories and associated risk factors remain unclear. Leveraging data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (N = 10,474; 9–10 years at baseline; 48% female, 65% white), we used latent growth mixture models to identify trajectories of mania symptoms across two years in early adolescence. We used multinomial logistic regressions to examine associations between trajectories and risk factors across mental and physical health, cognition, and family/environmental domains. We identified three trajectories: Low (58%), Moderate (32%), and High/Variable Mania Symptoms (10%). All mental health symptoms (depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct and oppositional defiant disorders and anxiety), two physical health factors (sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms), one cognitive factor (verbal learning impairment), and three family/environmental factors (trauma, parent- and youth-reported family conflict) significantly differentiated between all three trajectories, reflecting incremental increases in risk factor severity with increasing mania symptoms. Other physical, cognitive, family and environmental factors were also associated with more severe mania symptom trajectories. More severe mania symptom trajectories in early adolescence are associated with multiple mental, physical, cognitive, family and environmental risk factors, underscoring the need for comprehensive risk prediction approaches in youth.

This cross-sectional study examined the independent and combined associations of breakfast frequency, forced vital capacity (FVC) and psychological symptoms among Chinese adolescents. A total of 2776 adolescents aged 12–17 years were recruited from three regions of Anhui Province using stratified cluster random sampling. Breakfast frequency was self-reported as days per week over the past month and categorised as low, medium or high. FVC was measured with a standardised electronic spirometer (CSTF-FH) following CNSSCH (Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Survey) protocols. Psychological symptoms were assessed using the Multidimensional Subhealth Assessment Questionnaire for Adolescents (MSQA) and dichotomised according to established cut-offs. Covariates included age, height, weight, grip strength, standing long jump, sleep duration and parental education. Binary logistic regression was used, building three models. The overall prevalence of psychological symptoms was 14 %. Breakfast frequency was inversely correlated with psychological symptoms (P < 0·001). Low breakfast frequency (1–2 d/week) was associated with a higher symptom rate (31 %) than high frequency (5–7 d/week, 12 %) and increased odds of symptoms (OR = 3·34, 95 % CI 2·04, 5·60). No independent association was found between FVC and psychological symptoms. However, adolescents with both low breakfast frequency and low FVC had 4·10 times higher odds of psychological symptoms (95 % CI 1·83, 9·21, P < 0·001) than those with high breakfast frequency and high FVC. These findings suggest that low breakfast frequency is a robust correlate of psychological symptoms in adolescents, and that the combination of low breakfast frequency with low FVC identifies a particularly high-risk group.

Accurately assessing dietary intake in children and adolescents is essential for understanding dietary patterns and informing public health strategies. In Latin America, rapid nutrition transitions and increasing childhood obesity highlight the need for culturally appropriate, validated dietary assessment tools (DATs). However, methodological challenges and limited regional data hinder effective dietary surveillance. This scoping review identified and characterised DATs used among children and adolescents (5–18 years) in Latin America, examining tool types, features, validation and regional coverage. Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, comprehensive searches were conducted in EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, and LILACS (April 2024) in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Eligible studies included original research developing, validating, or applying DATs in Latin American populations. Of 13,946 records screened, 105 reports met the inclusion criteria. Brazil and Mexico contributed the most studies, while six countries (Paraguay, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Belize) had none. Forty-three DATs were identified, 77% of which were food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Half targeted adolescents, 39% children, and 11% both groups. Most were interviewer-administered (58%) and applied in person (49%), with only 19% conducted online, reflecting regional digital limitations. Validation was reported for 70% of tools, primarily against 24 HR. The DAT landscape in Latin America remains dominated by FFQs and traditional administration methods, with limited use of digital platforms. Developing age-appropriate, validated and culturally adapted digital DATs is essential to strengthen dietary surveillance and guide effective nutrition policies across the region.