Fighting adolescent obesity may help prevent MS.

Swedish researchers have found that subjects whose body mass index (BMI) was more than 27 at age 20 had a two-fold increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) compared with normal weight subjects. The Nurse's Health Study reported similar findings, indicating that a BMI of 30 or more at the age of 18 is associated with more than double the risk of MS compared to those not obese. However, this study found no significant association between adult BMI and MS risk. The obesity epidemic may explain the increasing incidence of MS, although the factors involved remain unknown.

Society has good reason to recognize teenagers' lack of fear.

Ever noticed how fearless adolescents can be, and then wonder if they would ever become more cautious as they get older? In a careful study of adolescent and adult mice, researchers have demonstrated neurophysiological differences that help explain why teenagers often struggle to appropriately judge danger.

PositiveTip: A legal age for driving actually does have a biological basis.

One in four US female adolescents have at least one sexually transmitted infection.

A nationally representative survey of the prevalence of the five most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) revealed that 24% of US teenage women between the ages of 14 and 19 years old are infected with at least one STI. Additionally, half of all female adolescents in the study reported sexual experience. Prevalence of STI in those reporting only one sexual partner was 20% and those who reported 3 or more sexual partners had a 53% prevalence rate. 

PositiveTip: It is vital for parents to begin appropriate principle-based sex education for their girls long before they become teens.

Combining high control and high support for teens reduces their likelihood of a car accident.

Can parenting style influence teen driving safety? It very much can according to a new study of more than 5000 American teenage drivers. Teens with parents who were authoritative (high control and high support) had less than one-half the accidents compared to those whose parents were uninvolved (low control and low support). Also, teenagers with authoritarian parents (high control, low support) had the same number of accidents as those who had permissive parents (low control, high support). 

PositiveTip: Make sure your teen experiences love and support combined with clear lines of control to be a safer driver.

Parents with teen drivers: sharing a vehicle with others in the family reduces accidents.

Teens look forward to the day they can drive, and parents often fear the same event! Interestingly, new research shows that teens who shared a vehicle with others in the family report only half as many accidents compared to those who had primary access to a car. Those who did not have to share a car also reportedthey were 1.25 times as likely to use a cell phone while driving and to drive more than 10 mph above the speed limit!

PositiveTip: Make sure your teens do not have unrestricted access to a car. You will have more peace of mind and they will be safer.