The health of adolescents returning to face-to-face school activities after two years of the Covid-19 pandemic - school-based cross-sectional study in Pelotas/RS / A saúde de adolescentes na volta às atividades escolares presenciais após dois anos de pandemia do Covid-19 ­ estudo transversal de base escolar em Pelotas/RS / La salud de los adolescentes que retornan a las actividades escolares presenciales después de dos años de la pandemia de Covid-19 - estudio transversal escolar en Pelotas/RS

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a percepção sobre a massa corporal, comportamentos relacionados à saúde, e a saúde mental de escolares adolescentes durante o período de retorno às atividades escolares presenciais com o período anterior à pandemia de COVID-19. O estudo foi realizado com 425 escolares (16,96±1,39 anos; 60,2% do sexo feminino) selecionados aleatoriamente de escolas das redes pública e privada de Pelotas/RS. Para a coleta dos dados foi utilizado um questionário de autopreenchimento contendo perguntas retrospectivas e atuais sobre as variáveis analisadas. Os resultados indicaram que a percepção sobre a massa corporal, o nível de atividade física, o tempo de sono, e a saúde mental (apenas para as meninas) estão piores (p<0,05) no momento atual quando comparados ao período anterior à pandemia. Por outro lado, hábitos alimentares e tempo de tela recreativo apresentaram melhores resultados (p<0,05) no momento atual do que no período anterior à pandemia. Estes resultados mostram um complexo panorama em relação à saúde de adolescentes no período de retomada das atividades presencias, tornando o retorno às atividades escolares presenciais um desafio para os próprios adolescentes, seus familiares, para professores, e para as escolas.

The aim of this study was to compare the perception of body mass, health- related behaviors and mental health of adolescent schoolchildren during the period of return to face to face school activities with the period before COVID-19 pandemic. The study was carried out with 425 students (16.96±1.39 years; 60.2% female) randomly selected from public and private schools in Pelotas/RS. For data collection, a self-completion questionnaire was used, containing retrospective and current questions about analyzed outcomes. The results indicated that the perception of body mass, level of physical activity, sleep time, and mental health (only for girls) are worse (p<0.05) at present when compared to the period before the pandemic. On the other hand, eating habits and recreational screen time showed better results (p<0.05) at present than in the period before the pandemic. These results show a complex panorama concerning the health of adolescents in the period of resumption of face to face activities, making this return a challenge for the adolescents themselves, their families, teachers and for schools.

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la percepción de masa corporal, comportamientos relacionados a la salud y salud mental de escolares adolescentes durante el período de retorno a las actividades escolares presenciales con el período anterior a la pandemia de COVID-19. El estudio fue realizado con 425 alumnos (16,96±1,39 años; 60,2% del sexo femenino) seleccionados aleatoriamente de escuelas públicas y privadas de Pelotas/RS. Para la recolección de datos, se utilizó un cuestionario auto-completado, conteniendo preguntas retrospectivas y actuales sobre los resultados analizados. Los resultados indicaron que la percepción de la masa corporal, el nivel de actividad física, el tiempo de sueño y la salud mental (sólo para las niñas) son peores (p<0,05) en la actualidad en comparación con el período anterior a la pandemia. Por otro lado, los hábitos alimentarios y el tiempo de pantalla recreativo mostraron mejores resultados (p<0,05) en la actualidad que en el periodo anterior a la pandemia. Estos resultados muestran un panorama complejo en relación a la salud de los adolescentes en el período de reanudación de las actividades presenciales, haciendo de este retorno un desafío para los propios adolescentes, sus familias, profesores y para las escuelas.

Coping through crisis: COVID-19 pandemic experiences and adolescent mental health and well-being in the WHO European Region: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people’s health and well-being from the findings of the HBSC survey round 2021/2022

COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures, such as social distancing, school closures and isolation, have affected the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. This report outlines three factors of adolescent mental health and well-being (life satisfaction and psychological and physical health complaints) and focuses on links between self-reported negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (on school performance and relationships with family and peers) and adolescent mental health and well-being in 22 countries and regions of the WHO European Region. The information and data presented were collected from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey round 2021/2022. Thirty per cent of adolescents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had had a negative impact on their mental health. Relatively more adolescents (37%) experienced no impact on their mental health, and 33% reported positive impacts. Adolescents who indicated a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on school performance and relationships with family and friends were more likely to report low life satisfaction and high levels of psychological and physical health complaints than the group reporting a neutral impact. Variations across countries and regions in the links between negative impacts on school performance and relationships with family and peers and mental health were wide. Girls and 15-year-olds were more likely to report low life satisfaction and high levels of psychological and physical health complaints that were linked to negative impacts of the pandemic.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders risk and symptoms: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Social distancing and quarantine imposed by the authority during the COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions, which had a negative impact on eating behavior, especially among adolescents. We proposed a retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders risk and symptoms. METHODS: In this study, a group of 127 pediatric patients (117 females and 10 males) with eating disorders admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital of Rome (Italy), in the period between August 2019 and April 2021, was analyzed. All patient data were collected from patients' electronic medical records. RESULTS: We found that 80.3% of patients were at the onset of eating disorders and that 26% of patients had familiarity for psychotic disorders. Often these patients had comorbidities and alterations in blood parameters such as leukocytopenia, neutropenia, hypovitaminosis and hormonal problems that could affect their future. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings could provide a framework for developing clinical and educational interventions to mitigate the short- and long-term negative impact of the pandemic on adolescent future health.

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.

Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology.

While the literature supports positive associations between nature and adolescent mental health, mechanisms are not well understood, and assessment of nature varies widely among existing studies. To partner with the most insightful informants, we enrolled eight adolescent participants from a conservation-informed summer volunteer program, applying qualitative photovoice methodology to understand their use of nature to relieve stress. Across five group sessions, participants identified four themes: (1) Nature shows us different aspects of beauty; (2) nature helps us relieve stressful experiences by balancing our senses; (3) nature gives us space to find solutions; and (4) we want to find time to enjoy nature. At the conclusion of the project, youth participants reported that the research experience was overwhelmingly positive, enlightening, and inspired appreciation of nature. We found that, while our participants unanimously reported that nature relieved their stress, prior to this project, they were not always intentional in seeking time in nature for this purpose. Through the photovoice process, these participants noted the usefulness of nature for stress relief. We conclude with recommendations for leveraging nature to decrease adolescent stress. Our findings are relevant for families, educators, students, healthcare professionals, and anyone who works with or cares for adolescents.

Health Equity and the Impact of Racism on Adolescent Health.

Racism is woven within the fabric of the United States culture, structures, and systems, including its healthcare system. There is extensive research on adults demonstrating racial discrimination's physical and mental health impacts, and the evidence showing similar disproportionate effects for adolescents of color continues to grow. Furthermore, the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic has paralleled the resurgence of white nationalism movements and adverse outcomes associated with the over-policing of Black and Brown communities. Scientific evidence continues to illustrate how sociopolitical determinants of health and experiencing vicarious racism amplify overt racism and implicit bias actions individually and within health care structures. Therefore, evidence-based strategic interventions are desperately needed to ensure the health and well-being of adolescents and young adults.

The Association of School Learning Environment With Adolescent Health Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, schools shifted to remote learning in response to mitigating COVID-19. Since then, students have fluctuated between in-person and remote learning environments. Changes to instructional models raise questions about the impact on health. METHODS: This study leveraged a statewide surveillance system (Healthy Kids Colorado Survey) to examine the relationship between learning environment and adolescent health. The survey was administered in Fall 2020 to 26 high schools, resulting in 4564 respondents. RESULTS: Overall, results suggested positive and negative associations between the 3 learning environments. Notably, as compared to in-person students, hybrid and remote students reported more stress (OR = 1.82, p < .001; OR = 1.41, p = .001), less school connectedness (OR = 0.71 and 0.61, p < .001); remote students reported more parental abuse (OR = 1.33, p = .010) and less alcohol consumption (OR = 0.61, p < .001). CONCLUSION: This study may be used to better understand risk and protective factors experienced by youth at school and home with the goal of improving prevention strategies.

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal [2023; Vol.29, Issue 2]

Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal is the official health journal published by the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization. It is a forum for the presentation and promotion of new policies and initiatives in health services; and for the exchange of ideas concepts epidemiological data research findings and other information with special reference to the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It addresses all members of the health profession medical and other health educational institutes interested NGOs WHO Collaborating Centres and individuals within and outside the Region

المجلة الصحية لشرق المتوسط هى المجلة الرسمية التى تصدرعن المكتب الاقليمى لشرق المتوسط بمنظمة الصحة العالمية. وهى منبر لتقديم السياسات والمبادرات الجديدة فى الصحة العامة والخدمات الصحية والترويج لها، و لتبادل الاراء و المفاهيم والمعطيات الوبائية ونتائج الابحاث وغير ذلك من المعلومات، و خاصة ما يتعلق منها باقليم شرق المتوسط. وهى موجهة الى كل اعضاء المهن الصحية، والكليات الطبية وسائر المعاهد التعليمية، و كذا المنظمات غير الحكومية المعنية، والمراكز المتعاونة مع منظمة الصحة العالمية والافراد المهتمين بالصحة فى الاقليم و خارجه

La Revue de Santé de la Méditerranée Orientale est une revue de santé officielle publiée par le Bureau régional de l’Organisation mondiale de la Santé pour la Méditerranée orientale. Elle offre une tribune pour la présentation et la promotion de nouvelles politiques et initiatives dans le domaine de la santé publique et des services de santé ainsi qu’à l’échange d’idées de concepts de données épidémiologiques de résultats de recherches et d’autres informations se rapportant plus particulièrement à la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. Elle s’adresse à tous les professionnels de la santé aux membres des instituts médicaux et autres instituts de formation médico-sanitaire aux ONG Centres collaborateurs de l’OMS et personnes concernés au sein et hors de la Région

Child and adolescent health in Europe: Towards meeting the 2030 agenda.

Background: Childhood and adolescence are critical stages for a healthy life. To support countries in promoting health and development and improving health care for this age group, the WHO Regional Office for Europe developed the European strategy for child and adolescent health 2015-2020, which was adopted by all countries. This paper reports progress in the strategy's implementation until 2020. Methods: A survey was sent to all ministries of health of the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region. Responses were received from 45 Member States. Results are presented in this paper. Results: The European Region made overall progress in recent years, but increasing levels of overweight and obesity among children, adolescent mental health and low breastfeeding rates are recognized as key national challenges. Although forty-one countries adopted a national child and adolescent health strategy, only eight countries involve children in their review, development and implementation stages. Two-thirds of countries have a strategy for health-promoting schools and a school curriculum for health education. One-third of countries do not have legislation against marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children. Most countries reported routine assessment for developmental difficulties in children, but less than a quarter collected and reported data on children who are developmentally on track. There are major gaps in data collection for migrant children. Hospitalization rates for young children vary five-fold across the region, indicating over-hospitalization and access problems in some countries. Only ten countries allow minors access to health care without parental consent based on their maturity and only eleven countries allow school nurses to dispense contraceptives to adolescents without a doctor's prescription. Conclusions: This paper shows the progress in child and adolescent health made by countries in Europe until 2020 and key areas where additional work is needed to move the 2030 agenda forward. The survey was undertaken before the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Both will likely exacerbate many of the observed problems and potentially reverse some gains reported. A renewed commitment is needed.