Critical Developmental Period Research Articles

Global research trends and hotspots in overweight/obese comorbid with depression among children and adolescents: A bibliometric analysis.

Overweight/obesity combined with depression among children and adolescents (ODCA) is a global concern. The bidirectional relationship between depression and overweight/obesity often leads to their comorbidity. Childhood and adolescence represent critical periods for physical and psychological development, during which the comorbidity of overweight/obesity and depression may increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. To evaluate the relationship between ODCA, we conduct a bibliometric analysis to aid in formulating prevention and treatment strategies. From 2004 to 2023, articles related to ODCA were selected using the Science Citation Index Expanded from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis of relevant publications, including countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, references, and keywords, was conducted using the online bibliometric analysis platforms, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and bibliometrix. Between 2004 and 2023, a total of 1573 articles were published on ODCA. The United States has made leading contributions in this field, with Harvard University emerging as the leading contributor in terms of research output, and Tanofsky being the most prolific author. The J Adolescent Health has shown significant activity in this domain. Based on the results of the keyword and reference analyses, inequality, adverse childhood experiences, and comorbidities have become hot topics in ODCA. Moreover, the impact of balanced-related behavior and exploration of the biological mechanisms, including the potential role of key adipocytokines and lipokines, as well as inflammation in ODCA, have emerged as frontier topics. The trend of a significant increase in ODCA publications is expected to continue. The research findings will contribute to elucidating the pathogenic mechanisms of ODCA and its prevention and treatment.

Neonatal overfeeding promotes anxiety, impairs episodic-like memory, and disrupts transcriptional regulation of hippocampal steroidogenic enzymes

The objective of our study was to investigate the impact of neonatal overfeeding on cognitive functions and neurosteroidogenesis in male rats. Offspring were assigned to either small litters (SL; 4 pups/mother), resulting in increased milk intake and body weight gain, or normal litters (NL; 10 pups/mother). On postnatal day (PND) 21, half of the male rats were euthanized, while the remaining were kept under standard conditions (4 rats/cage) until PND70. At this stage, subjects underwent assessments for locomotor activity, anxiety levels via the elevated plus maze, and episodic-like memory (ELM) tests. By PND90, the rats were euthanized for brain dissection. Utilizing micropunch techniques, dentate gyrus (DG), CA1, and CA3 regions were extracted for analysis of mRNA expression and methylation patterns. At PND21, SL rats exhibited increased body and adipose tissue weights, alongside elevated cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride levels compared to NL counterparts. By PND90, although metabolic disparities were no longer evident, SL rats demonstrated heightened anxiety-like behavior and diminished performance in ELM tests. Early life changes included a decreased expression of aromatase (P450arom) and 3α-HSD in CA1, with increased levels in CA3 and DG among SL rats. Additionally, PND90 rats from SL exhibited increased P450arom and decreased 5α-reductase 1 (5αR-1) expression in DG. Notably, some of these variations were correlated with changes in methylation patterns of their promoter regions. Our findings reveal that neonatal overfeeding exerts a long-term adverse effect on cognitive abilities and neurosteroidogenic pathways, underscoring the lasting impact of nutritional experiences during critical early postnatal development periods.

Microglia: The Drunken Gardeners of Early Adversity.

Early life adversity (ELA) is a heterogeneous group of negative childhood experiences that can lead to abnormal brain development and more severe psychiatric, neurological, and medical conditions in adulthood. According to the immune hypothesis, ELA leads to an abnormal immune response characterized by high levels of inflammatory cytokines. This abnormal immune response contributes to more severe negative health outcomes and a refractory response to treatment in individuals with a history of ELA. Here, we examine this hypothesis in the context of recent rodent studies that focus on the impact of ELA on microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We review recent progress in our ability to mechanistically link molecular alterations in microglial function during a critical period of development with changes in synaptic connectivity, cognition, and stress reactivity later in life. We also examine recent research showing that ELA induces long-term alterations in microglial inflammatory response to "secondary hits" such as traumatic brain injury, substance use, and exposure to additional stress in adulthood. We conclude with a discussion on future directions and unresolved questions regarding the signals that modify microglial function and the clinical significance of rodent studies for humans.

Relationship between macro- and micronutrient intakes with undernutrition among toddlers aged 12-23 months in Aceh, Indonesia

Introduction: Foods consumed contain macro- and micronutrients necessary for the growth and development of children. This study aimed to analyse the relationship between macronutrient and micronutrient intakes with undernutrition in toddlers aged 12-23 months. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 18 Integrated Healthcare Centres (Posyandu) in Simpang Tiga, Aceh Besar Regency. A total of 138 toddlers were selected using simple random sampling technique. Data collected included family demographics, characteristics, nutritional status of children, and food consumption for macro- and micronutrient intake analyses. Results: Prevalence of malnutrition in toddlers was relatively high – severe underweight and underweight totaled 23.2%, severe wasting and wasting 18.1%, and severe stunting and stunting 27.5%. Significant associations (p<0.05) were found between underweight and intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, and niacin. Wasting was significantly associated (p<0.05) with intakes of energy, protein, and vitamin A. Stunting was significantly associated (p<0.05) with intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Conclusion: Certain macro- and micronutrient intakes were correlated with undernutrition in toddlers. The results of this study can be used as a reference for planning the development of supplementary feeding programmes for children aged 12-23 months, considering that the critical period of child growth and development is in the first 1000 days of life.

Research on the Working Path of Adolescent Psychological Health Education Under the Background of China's New Education Reform

Adolescence is a critical period for rapid development in behavior, personality, and intelligence. Currently, the frequent occurrence of psychological crises among Chinese adolescents is detrimental to the comprehensive development of talents, the implementation of quality-oriented education, and the harmonious development of society. Based on multi-level questionnaire surveys and interview studies, this paper finds that China's education sector is increasingly emphasizing psychological health education for adolescents, continuously improving supporting mechanisms. The initial system of psychological health services in schools has taken shape, with psychological health training benefiting both schools and families, and autonomous attention from adolescents groups has increased. However, issues persist, including inadequate psychological health curricula, incomplete linkage mechanisms, imperfect family support, insufficient teacher staffing and re-education training, and inadequate identification and rescue of students' psychological crises. Therefore, this paper argues that systematically and deeply promoting the multi-faceted psychological health education model of "family-school-society," adopting multiple measures to collaboratively build and optimize coordination mechanisms, and establishing a more robust and effective approach to adolescent psychological health work, aligns with the direction of educational evaluation reform in the new era, fosters a favorable social atmosphere, and is the inevitable path to better promote the healthy growth and talent development of adolescents.

Factors that Affect Mental Health in Adolescents: A Literature Review

Adolescence is a critical period in individual development marked by various physical, emotional, and social changes. Mental health at this age is very important because it can affect development and quality of life in adulthood. This research aims to identify and analyze factors influencing adolescent mental health through a literature review. The method used in this literature review is literature analysis from several international databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The results of the literature review show that adolescent mental health is influenced by various factors, including individual, family, school environment, and social factors. Individual factors include genetics, personality, and traumatic experiences. Family factors include family dynamics, parental support, and economic conditions. School environmental factors include academic pressure, peer relationships, and teacher support. Meanwhile, social factors include social media, community environment, and access to mental health services. This literature review found that the interaction between these factors plays an important role in shaping adolescent mental health. Strong social support, a stable family environment, and access to adequate mental health services can contribute positively to adolescent mental health. Conversely, high academic pressure, experiences of bullying, and lack of social support may be significant risk factors.

The impact of regular workouts and fitness on psychological health and cognitive growth in adolescents

Adolescents' general Mental Health (MH), that involves factors like emotional stability, self-esteem, coping mechanisms, and the absence of MH conditions like depression and anxiety, is referred to as Psychological Health (PH). It includes elements that support resilient and healthy mental functioning. This study demonstrates exercise's role in fostering PH and Cognitive Growth (CG) throughout this critical development period. The beneficial effects of Regular Workouts (RW) on PH include decreased depressive and anxiety symptoms, better stress management, increased self-esteem, and body image, and better sleep. There are 163 adolescents aged 15 to 16 who took part in the study. This study assessed that a group of adolescents' Physical Activity (PA) and Physical Fitness (PF) correlated with their CG and psychosocial functioning. The research variables were measured using the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale, the D2 Attention Test, the Form 5 Self-Concept Questionnaire (AF5), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The study findings suggested a beneficial association between PA and PF and the cognitive and psychosocial functioning of the investigated adolescents. Adolescents that exercised more, for instance, performed better on tests of Processing Speed, general self-efficacy (SE) and in selective attention, additionally, test results used to evaluate cognitive capacity and psychosocial factors were best predicted by cardio-respiratory fitness. Because of the consequences for different aspects of adolescent health and development, these results emphasize the need to encourage PA among adolescents.

Play to Resolve: Educational Games as a Pathway to Conflict Resolution for Early Learners

This study explores the role of educational games in developing conflict resolution skills among children aged 6 to 8, a critical period for social and emotional development. Utilizing a qualitative research design and an exploratory case study approach, the research was conducted in two educational institutions in X, Indonesia, involving 60 children from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity provided insights into how educational games affect children with varying levels of social experience and resource access. Data collection methods included observations, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Findings indicate that educational games significantly enhance conflict resolution skills by improving communication, empathy, teamwork, and self-regulation. Children demonstrated increased impulse control and thoughtful responses during game-related conflicts, as reported by teachers and parents. These improvements align with Vygotsky's theory of social development, highlighting the importance of structured play in cognitive and social growth. The study concludes that educational games offer a dynamic platform for practicing conflict resolution, thereby fostering children's social and emotional development. Recommendations for educators include integrating a variety of cooperative and role-playing games into curricula and conducting regular debriefing sessions to reinforce learning. This research underscores the broad applicability of educational games in diverse contexts, supporting their integration into educational settings to equip children with essential life skills.

Pubertal maternal presence reduces anxiety and increases adult neurogenesis in Kunming mice offspring

Puberty is a critical period of emotional development and neuroplasticity. However, most studies have focused on early development, with limited research on puberty, particularly the parental presence. In this study, four groups were established, and pubertal maternal presence (PMP) was assessed until postnatal days 21 (PD21), 28 (PD28), 35 (PD35), and 42 (PD42), respectively. The social interaction and anxiety behaviors, as well as the expression of oxytocin (OT) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON), and the number of new generated neurons and the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the dentate gyrus (DG) were assessed. The results suggest that there is a lot of physical contact between the mother and offspring from 21 to 42 days of age, which reduces anxiety in both female and male offspring in adulthood; for example, the PMP increased the amount of time mice spent in the center area in the open field experiment and in the bright area in the light-dark box experiment. PMP increased OT expression in the PVN and SON and the number of newly generated neurons in the DG. However, there was a sexual difference in ERα, with ERα increasing in females but decreasing in males. In conclusion, PMP reduces the anxiety of offspring in adulthood, increases OT in the PVN and SON, and adult neurogenesis; ERα in the DG may be involved in this process.

Pubertal stress in male rats: Effects on juvenile play behavior and adult sexual partner preference

Puberty is a period of brain organization impacting the expression of social and sexual behaviors. Here, we assessed the effects of an acute pubertal stressor (immune challenge) on the expression of juvenile play (short-term) and sexual partner preference (long-term) in male rats. Juvenile play was assessed over ten trials at postnatal days (PND) (31–40) with age- and sex-matched conspecifics, and at PND35 males received a single injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1.5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline. Then, sexual partner preference was assessed at PND 60, 64, and 68, in a three-compartment chamber with a sexually receptive female and a male as potential partners simultaneously. The results confirmed that a single injection of LPS during puberty induced sickness signs indicative of an immune challenge. However, juvenile play was not affected by LPS treatment during the following days (PND36–40), nor was sexual behavior and partner preference for females in adulthood. These findings highlight that, while other studies have shown that LPS-induced immunological stress during puberty affects behavior and neuroendocrine responses, it does not affect juvenile play and sexual behavior in male rats. This suggests a remarkable resilience of these behavioral systems for adaptation to stressful experiences mediated by immune challenges during critical periods of development. These behaviors, however, might be affected by other types of stress.

Frontoparietal and salience network synchronizations during nonsymbolic magnitude processing predict brain age and mathematical performance in youth.

The development and refinement of functional brain circuits crucial to human cognition is a continuous process that spans from childhood to adulthood. Research increasingly focuses on mapping these evolving configurations, with the aim to identify markers for functional impairments and atypical development. Among human cognitive systems, nonsymbolic magnitude representations serve as a foundational building block for future success in mathematical learning and achievement for individuals. Using task-based frontoparietal (FPN) and salience network (SN) features during nonsymbolic magnitude processing alongside machine learning algorithms, we developed a framework to construct brain age prediction models for participants aged 7-30. Our study revealed differential developmental profiles in the synchronization within and between FPN and SN networks. Specifically, we observed a linear increase in FPN connectivity, concomitant with a decline in SN connectivity across the age span. A nonlinear U-shaped trajectory in the connectivity between the FPN and SN was discerned, revealing reduced FPN-SN synchronization among adolescents compared to both pediatric and adult cohorts. Leveraging the Gradient Boosting machine learning algorithm and nested fivefold stratified cross-validation with independent training datasets, we demonstrated that functional connectivity measures of the FPN and SN nodes predict chronological age, with a correlation coefficient of .727 and a mean absolute error of 2.944 between actual and predicted ages. Notably, connectivity within the FPN emerged as the most contributing feature for age prediction. Critically, a more matured brain age estimate is associated with better arithmetic performance. Our findings shed light on the intricate developmental changes occurring in the neural networks supporting magnitude representations. We emphasize brain age estimation as a potent tool for understanding cognitive development and its relationship to mathematical abilities across the critical developmental period of youth. PRACTITIONER POINTS: This study investigated the prolonged changes in the brain's architecture across childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, with a focus on task-state frontoparietal and salience networks. Distinct developmental pathways were identified: frontoparietal synchronization strengthens consistently throughout development, while salience network connectivity diminishes with age. Furthermore, adolescents show a unique dip in connectivity between these networks. Leveraging advanced machine learning methods, we accurately predicted individuals' ages based on these brain circuits, with a more mature estimated brain age correlating with better math skills.

The Impact of Non-Physical Bullying on Adolescents' Self-Concept: An Observational Study in the Adolescent Community in Sausapor, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua, Indonesia

Introduction: Non-physical bullying, often subtle and insidious, poses a significant threat to adolescents' self-concept during a critical developmental period. This study investigates the prevalence and impact of non-physical bullying on adolescents' self-concept within the unique cultural context of Sausapor, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among adolescents aged 12-17 years in Sausapor. Data were collected using validated questionnaires assessing non-physical bullying experiences and self-concept dimensions (self-esteem, self-efficacy, and body image). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and regression analyses were employed to examine the relationship between non-physical bullying and self-concept. Results: The study revealed a significant prevalence of non-physical bullying in the Sausapor adolescent community, with verbal abuse and social exclusion being the most common forms. Non-physical bullying was significantly associated with lower self-esteem, reduced self-efficacy, and negative body image among adolescents. Regression analyses confirmed the detrimental impact of non-physical bullying on self-concept, even after controlling for sociodemographic factors. Conclusion: Non-physical bullying is a pervasive issue in Sausapor, with profound negative consequences for adolescents’ self-concept. Culturally sensitive interventions are urgently needed to prevent and address non-physical bullying, promote positive self-concept development, and foster a supportive environment for adolescents in this community.

Children's Memory for Events: The Challenge of Free Recall.

Early childhood is a critical period for episodic memory development, with sharp behavioral improvements between ages 4 to 7 years. Prior work has demonstrated this extensively with prompted memory tasks, but we explored performance on unprompted, free recall of a naturalistic experience in children, and how their performance relates to other cognitive measures. We asked children and adults to view a television episode, a naturalistic task for which there exists a ground truth, and assessed their free recall memory for the episode. Children's free recall performance improved dramatically with age, with many young children producing no verbal free recall whatsoever, although prompted recognition memory measures showed retention of material. However, the detail in free recall was related to both recognition and temporal order forced-choice memory performance in our full sample, showing agreement among memory measures. Free recall was strongly predicted by verbal skills, suggesting that children's sparse recall reflects verbal skill development rather than a pure mnemonic deficit. We propose that free recall has a more protracted developmental trajectory because it requires more substantial verbal skills as well as metacognitive skills that direct memory search, as compared with forced-choice memory tasks.

Post-weaning social isolation alters sociability in a sex-specific manner.

Adolescence is a critical period for brain development in humans and stress exposure during this time can have lasting effects on behavior and brain development. Social isolation and loneliness are particularly salient stressors that lead to detrimental mental health outcomes particularly in females, although most of the preclinical work on social isolation has been done in male animals. Our lab has developed a model of post-weaning adolescent social isolation that leads to increased drug reward sensitivity and altered neuronal structure in limbic brain regions. The current study utilized this model to determine the impact of adolescent social isolation on a three-chamber social interaction task both during adolescence and adulthood. We found that while post-weaning isolation does not alter social interaction during adolescence (PND45), it has sex-specific effects on social interaction in adulthood (PND60), potentiating social interaction in male mice and decreasing it in female mice. As early life stress can activate microglia leading to alterations in neuronal pruning, we next examined the impact of inhibiting microglial activation with daily minocycline administration during the first three weeks of social isolation on these changes in social interaction. During adolescence, minocycline dampened social interaction in male mice, while having no effect in females. In contrast, during adulthood, minocycline did not alter the impact of adolescent social isolation in males, with socially isolated males exhibiting higher levels of social interaction compared to their group housed counterparts. In females, adolescent minocycline treatment reversed the effect of social isolation leading to increased social interaction in the social isolation group, mimicking what is seen in naïve males. Taken together, adolescent social isolation leads to sex-specific effects on social interaction in adulthood and adolescent minocycline treatment alters the effects of social isolation in females, but not males.

Empathy Capacity-Building through a Community of Practice Approach: Exploring Perceived Impacts and Implications

Empathy can be a powerful catalyst for caring action toward wildlife and nature more broadly. Given the critical developmental period of early childhood, interventions that build the capacity of educators to support empathy development in young children are needed. We report on an evaluation of an empathy-focused Community of Practice (CoP) that engaged 15 regional early childhood professionals (including four zoo preschool staff) in the co-creation of empathy practices that are deepened through a ‘Two-Worlds’ (Indigenous and Western) approach. Ripple effect mapping was the evaluation approach used, as its participatory nature and emphasis on reflection were well aligned with the CoP approach. The results suggest CoP participation influenced teachers’ capacity for supporting empathy development, which rippled outward from teacher-level impacts to positive impacts on children, families, and beyond. We also offer reflections on the use of a CoP approach to build individual, organizational, and community capacity for supporting empathy, as well as on the conduciveness of ripple effect mapping for evaluating capacity-building professional learning in the context of empathy conservation.

Acute social defeat during adolescence promotes long-lasting aggression through activation of the medial amygdala.

Traumatic stress, particularly during critical developmental periods such as adolescence, has been strongly linked to an increased propensity and severity of aggression. Existing literature underscores that being a victim of abuse can exacerbate aggressive behaviors, with the amygdala playing a pivotal role in mediating these effects. Historically, animal models have demonstrated that traumatic stressors can increase attack behavior, implicating various amygdala nuclei. Building on this foundation, our previous work has highlighted how traumatic stress invokes long-lasting aggression via an excitatory pathway within the posterior ventral medial amygdala (MeApv). In the current study, we sought to further delineate this mechanism by examining the effects of acute social defeat during adolescence on aggressive behaviors and neural activation in mice. Using a common social defeat paradigm, we first established that acute social defeat during late adolescence indeed promotes long-lasting aggression, measured as attack behavior 7 days after the defeat session. Immunolabeling with c-Fos demonstrated that acute social defeat activates the MeApv and ventrolateral aspect of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VmHvl), consistent with our previous studies that used foot shock as an acute stressor. Finally, chemogenetically inhibiting excitatory MeApv neurons during social defeat significantly mitigated the aggression increase without affecting non-aggressive social behavior. These results strongly suggest that the MeApv plays a critical role in the onset of aggression following traumatic social experience, and offer the MeA as a potential target for therapeutic interventions.

Unravelling the Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Insights into Genetic Mechanisms and Developmental Pathways.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are complex neurodevelopmental conditions characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, as well as repetitive behaviors. Although the etiology of ASD is multifactorial, with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to its development, a strong genetic basis is widely recognized. Recent research has identified numerous genetic mutations and genomic rearrangements associated with ASD-characterizing genes involved in brain development. Alterations in developmental programs are particularly harmful during critical periods of brain development. Notably, studies have indicated that genetic disruptions occurring during the second trimester of pregnancy affect cortical development, while disturbances in the perinatal and early postnatal period affect cerebellar development. The developmental defects must be viewed in the context of the role of the cerebellum in cognitive processes, which is now well established. The present review emphasizes the genetic complexity and neuropathological mechanisms underlying ASD and aims to provide insights into the cerebellar involvement in the disorder, focusing on recent advances in the molecular landscape governing its development in humans. Furthermore, we highlight when and in which cerebellar neurons the ASD-associated genes may play a role in the development of cortico-cerebellar circuits. Finally, we discuss improvements in protocols for generating cerebellar organoids to recapitulate the long period of development and maturation of this organ. These models, if generated from patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), could provide a valuable approach to elucidate the contribution of defective genes to ASD pathology and inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Crocodilians and Climate Challenges.

The sex of crocodilians is determined by the temperature to which the eggs, and hence the developing embryo are exposed during critical periods of development. Temperature-dependent sex determination is a process that occurs in all crocodilians and numerous other reptile taxa. The study of artificial incubation temperatures in different species of crocodiles and alligators has determined the specific temperature ranges that result in altered sex ratios. It has also revealed the precise temperature thresholds at which an equal number of males and females are generated, as well as the specific developmental period during which the sex of the hatchlings may be shifted. This review will examine the molecular basis of the sex-determination mechanism in crocodilians elucidated during recent decades. It will focus on the many patterns and theories associated with this process. Additionally, we will examine the consequences that arise after hatching due to changes in incubation temperatures, as well as the potential benefits and dangers of a changing climate for crocodilians who display sex determination based on temperature.

Discrimination experiences and problematic alcohol and cannabis use in young adulthood.

Limited research has examined how discrimination in young adulthood relates to substance use. We examined how multiple and specific types (e.g., race-based) of experiences of unfair treatment are related to problematic alcohol and cannabis use. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a diverse cohort of young adults (mean age 24.7) predominantly residing in southern California (n = 2303) to examine associations of multiple (count) and specific experiences (race-, sexual orientation-, gender-based) of perceived everyday discrimination with self-reported alcohol and cannabis use outcomes (consequences, use disorders, and solitary use). We also tested interactions between the three specific discrimination experiences and sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., race-based discrimination × race/ethnicity). In this diverse sample (e.g., 47% Latinx/o and 22% Asian; 22% sexual/gender diverse; 56% female) of young adults, about 46% reported up to four different discrimination experiences and 27% reported race-, 26% gender-, and 5% sexual orientation-based discrimination. Race- and gender-based discrimination and experiencing more types of discrimination were associated with worse cannabis use outcomes. Race-based discrimination was associated with fewer alcohol consequences and lower Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scores. Associations with sexual orientation-based discrimination and the interactions were not significant. Findings build on limited research on associations of discrimination with cannabis use in young adults. More work is needed to understand the mechanisms by which discrimination influences drinking behaviors. This study advances the field by examining the unique contributions of specific and multiple types of discrimination experiences in young adulthood, a critical developmental period in which substance use peaks.

Research progress on the association between screen content and mental health issue in children and adolescents

With the wide use of screen media, screen exposure shows a trend of younger age, and the screen exposure of children and adolescents has become a global public health issue of concern. Childhood and adolescence are important stages of growth and development, as well as critical periods of cognitive ability, emotional development and socialization. Previous studies have shown that screen time is closely related to the mental health of children and adolescents, but few studies have focused on the correlation between screen content and their mental health. The screen content for children and adolescents mainly comes from traditional TV and emerging interactive electronic media. Children and adolescents are highly sensitive to screen content. This paper summarizes the current situation of screen content for children and adolescents and reviews the correlation between screen content and their mental health issues. It also reveals the potential mechanism of the correlation between the two to provide a theoretical basis for the selection and supervision of screen content for children and adolescents.