Latest news with #KyleGanson
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Excessive phone and screen use tied to manic symptoms for one group, study finds
A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that pre-teens with greater exposure to certain types of tech use could be at a higher risk of developing manic symptoms. Published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, the study analyzed a nationwide sample of 9,243 children in the U.S. between 10 and 11 years old. Young people who spent more time engaged with social media, texting, videos and video games were more likely to have "inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, rapid speech, racing thoughts and impulsivity — behaviors characteristic of manic episodes, a key feature of bipolar-spectrum disorders," a press release noted. Limit Of 3 Hours Of Weekly Screen Time For Kids Has 'Positive Effect' On Behavior, Mental Health: Study "This study underscores the importance of cultivating healthy screen use habits early," said co-author Kyle Ganson, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, in the release. "Future research can help us better understand the behaviors and brain mechanisms linking screen use with manic symptoms to help inform prevention and intervention efforts." Read On The Fox News App To mark the Global Day of Unplugging (March 7), Verizon hosted its first-ever "digital wellness summit" in New York City to share insights with the public about the safe use of technology. Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, discussed the importance of setting digital boundaries, especially for kids. "Digital wellness should be for every age, but really we need a new blueprint as parents, because we've never been through this before," Sampath said at the event in the Big Apple. "This digital age is new to us all. There's no time in history we can reclaim how we handle that." In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Sampath shared compelling statistics on phone use, including findings from Verizon's 2024 Consumer Connections Report. Kids and teenagers use social media for four to five hours a day and receive between 250 and 275 notifications daily, the report revealed. Kids were also found to touch and pick up their phones about 150 times per day. A quarter of these events occurred during school hours. "This is what sparked us to think there is a healthier relationship people can have," Sampath said. Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, attending psychologist at Boston's Children's Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, also spoke at a panel at the Verizon event and in a follow-up interview with Fox News Digital. The expert noted that kids spending "hours and hours" of their free time on their phones can be "problematic," especially considering the possibility that they'll experience threats such as cyberbullying and hate speech. Kids And Smartphones: How Young Is Too Young? Experts Reveal Important Recommendations "We know that these are associated with depressive symptoms and other mental health concerns," she said. "We also know that there's so much positive for social connection, learning and fun, so we have to balance those two things." She pointed out that some social media apps are "designed to keep you stuck" through the loop of an algorithm. This problematic use can lead to poorer functioning at work or school and can negatively impact sleep and relationships, Sinclair-McBride warned. "Are they able to live their life and do the things they want and need to do in a positive way? If there are concerns in any of those areas, that's usually a sign of something needing to be reassessed." Sinclair-McBride encouraged parents and grandparents to learn about the apps children are using and teach them to be "critical consumers" of content by training them to detect scams, misinformation or AI-generated content. "Slowing down and being more thoughtful and mindful about what you're doing is, I think, the first step in modeling that as a parent," she told Fox News Digital. What Is 'Brain Rot'? The Science Behind What Too Much Scrolling Does To Our Brains "Parents can also look at their own use and [ask], 'Am I on my phone too much? Am I too addicted to social media?'" The CEO also urged adults to set boundaries involving phone use, whether it's limited to certain spaces in the home or specific times of day. Sampath shared simple advice for families to ensure a healthy balance between tech use and unplugged activities. "Go for a movie. Go for a walk. Go and play a game or just hang out with friends. Or just hang out with your family in your kitchen and do fun things," he suggested. "I think kids are going to have to be comfortable sometimes doing nothing … reading a book, just hanging out," he said. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "Kids are going to have to get way more comfortable doing that – that's part of a healthy boundary, and it's part of a good relationship with technology." Sampath also encouraged Americans to take advantage of living in areas with "some of the best weather" and "the best natural sights in the world" by exploring outdoor spaces and moving more. "You want to create space to have fun. You want to create space to play. You want to create space to have physical activity, to have real relationships," he said. "It has long-term benefits on mental health … When you do things in real life, you feel happier." For more Health articles, visit Sinclair-McBride echoed the advice to get outside and "touch grass." "The time that people spend with digital technology needs to be balanced with real-life stuff, whether it's sports, the arts, creative activities, reading or actual hands-on, tangible things," she said. "I think people are in this mindset that this generation only wants to do digital, digital, digital," she added. "They still like other stuff, too. We have to give them options, space and freedom to have that time."Original article source: Excessive phone and screen use tied to manic symptoms for one group, study finds
Fox News
08-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Excessive phone and screen use tied to manic symptoms for one group, study finds
A recent study from the University of California, San Francisco, indicates that pre-teens with greater exposure to certain types of tech use could be at a higher risk of developing manic symptoms. Published in the journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, the study analyzed a nationwide sample of 9,243 children in the U.S. between 10 and 11 years old. Young people who spent more time engaged with social media, texting, videos and video games were more likely to have "inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, rapid speech, racing thoughts and impulsivity — behaviors characteristic of manic episodes, a key feature of bipolar-spectrum disorders," a press release noted. "This study underscores the importance of cultivating healthy screen use habits early," said co-author Kyle Ganson, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, in the release. "Future research can help us better understand the behaviors and brain mechanisms linking screen use with manic symptoms to help inform prevention and intervention efforts." To mark the Global Day of Unplugging (March 7), Verizon hosted its first-ever "digital wellness summit" in New York City to share insights with the public about the safe use of technology. Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, discussed the importance of setting digital boundaries, especially for kids. "Digital wellness should be for every age, but really we need a new blueprint as parents, because we've never been through this before," Sampath said at the event in the Big Apple. "There is a healthier relationship people can have." "This digital age is new to us all. There's no time in history we can reclaim how we handle that." In a separate interview with Fox News Digital, Sampath shared compelling statistics on phone use, including findings from Verizon's 2024 Consumer Connections Report. Kids and teenagers use social media for four to five hours a day and receive between 250 and 275 notifications daily, the report revealed. Kids were also found to touch and pick up their phones about 150 times per day. A quarter of these events occurred during school hours. "This is what sparked us to think there is a healthier relationship people can have," Sampath said. Dr. Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, attending psychologist at Boston's Children's Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, also spoke at a panel at the Verizon event and in a follow-up interview with Fox News Digital. The expert noted that kids spending "hours and hours" of their free time on their phones can be "problematic," especially considering the possibility that they'll experience threats such as cyberbullying and hate speech. "We know that these are associated with depressive symptoms and other mental health concerns," she said. "We also know that there's so much positive for social connection, learning and fun, so we have to balance those two things." She pointed out that some social media apps are "designed to keep you stuck" through the loop of an algorithm. This problematic use can lead to poorer functioning at work or school and can negatively impact sleep and relationships, Sinclair-McBride warned. "Are they able to live their life and do the things they want and need to do in a positive way? If there are concerns in any of those areas, that's usually a sign of something needing to be reassessed." Sinclair-McBride encouraged parents and grandparents to learn about the apps children are using and teach them to be "critical consumers" of content by training them to detect scams, misinformation or AI-generated content. "Slowing down and being more thoughtful and mindful about what you're doing is, I think, the first step in modeling that as a parent," she told Fox News Digital. "Parents can also look at their own use and [ask], 'Am I on my phone too much? Am I too addicted to social media?'" The CEO also urged adults to set boundaries involving phone use, whether it's limited to certain spaces in the home or specific times of day. Sampath shared simple advice for families to ensure a healthy balance between tech use and unplugged activities. "Go for a movie. Go for a walk. Go and play a game or just hang out with friends. Or just hang out with your family in your kitchen and do fun things," he suggested. "I think kids are going to have to be comfortable sometimes doing nothing … reading a book, just hanging out," he said. "Kids are going to have to get way more comfortable doing that – that's part of a healthy boundary, and it's part of a good relationship with technology." Sampath also encouraged Americans to take advantage of living in areas with "some of the best weather" and "the best natural sights in the world" by exploring outdoor spaces and moving more. "You want to create space to have fun. You want to create space to play. You want to create space to have physical activity, to have real relationships," he said. "It has long-term benefits on mental health … When you do things in real life, you feel happier." For more Health articles, visit Sinclair-McBride echoed the advice to get outside and "touch grass." "The time that people spend with digital technology needs to be balanced with real-life stuff, whether it's sports, the arts, creative activities, reading or actual hands-on, tangible things," she said. "I think people are in this mindset that this generation only wants to do digital, digital, digital," she added. "They still like other stuff, too. We have to give them options, space and freedom to have that time."
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. A Canadian study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, finds that young people who consume multiple muscle-building products are more likely to show symptoms of a condition called muscle dysphoria. About 2,730 Canadian teens and adults ages 16–30, mostly white males and females, were recruited via Instagram and Snapchat advertisements. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 26% of the boys and men scored above the level for muscle dysmorphia — that is, being extremely preoccupied with a perceived lack of muscle mass or tone. Use of the workout supplements and products was associated with more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." Experts said the findings spotlight how unrealistic body ideals — often fueled by fitness influencers who promote or sell workout supplements online — may be driving more children and young adults to overuse powders or pills. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.' This article was originally published on
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. A Canadian study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, finds that young people who consume multiple muscle-building products are more likely to show symptoms of a condition called muscle dysphoria. About 2,730 Canadian teens and adults ages 16–30, mostly white males and females, were recruited via Instagram and Snapchat advertisements. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 26% of the boys and men scored above the level for muscle dysmorphia — that is, being extremely preoccupied with a perceived lack of muscle mass or tone. Use of the workout supplements and products was associated with more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." Experts said the findings spotlight how unrealistic body ideals — often fueled by fitness influencers who promote or sell workout supplements online — may be driving more children and young adults to overuse powders or pills. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
21-02-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Overuse of muscle-building products associated with body image condition
Muscle-building supplements are increasingly popular with teen boys and young men. New research suggests overuse of products like whey powder or creatine may be affecting young people's mental health as well as their their physical health. A Canadian study, published Wednesday in the journal PLOS Mental Health, finds that young people who consume multiple muscle-building products are more likely to show symptoms of a condition called muscle dysphoria. About 2,730 Canadian teens and adults ages 16–30, mostly white males and females, were recruited via Instagram and Snapchat advertisements. They were asked about their use of six different common workout products — amino acids, creatine monohydrate, pre-workout drinks or powders, protein bars, weight or mass gainers, and whey protein shakes or powders. Protein bars were the most commonly consumed, followed by whey protein shakes or powders and creatine. The study also asked about body image, asking for responses to statements such as, 'I feel like I have too much body fat' or 'I feel depressed when I miss one or more workout days.' Whether they used supplements or not, 26% of the boys and men scored above the level for muscle dysmorphia — that is, being extremely preoccupied with a perceived lack of muscle mass or tone. Use of the workout supplements and products was associated with more symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, what the researchers called greater 'drive for size' (the desire to have bigger muscles) and 'functional impairment' (the inability to work or maintain a social life). On the positive side, young people who used supplements were generally satisfied with how their bodies were responding to them, the study showed. Boys and young men can be susceptible to fixating on their muscles, which can lead to obsessive thoughts and exercising to build muscle — weightlifting for many hours a day, for example — to the point it interferes with daily life, Kyle Ganson, lead study author and assistant professor of clinical social work at the University of Toronto, said. It's not known how many people in general are affected by this kind of body dissatisfaction, but it's thought to be 'quite rampant in the gym space,' Ganson said. Ganson said the findings reflect data and trends seen in the U.S. as well. About 55% adolescents and young men in the U.S. use bodybuilding supplements, according to some estimates. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association and lobbying group that represents businesses that manufacture supplements, said in a statement released after the study: "The most obvious explanation is that people who are dissatisfied with their appearance take steps to change it. That might mean adjusting their diet, exercising more, or taking supplements to support their goals. In fact, the study itself found that supplement users were actually more satisfied with their progress than non-users." Experts said the findings spotlight how unrealistic body ideals — often fueled by fitness influencers who promote or sell workout supplements online — may be driving more children and young adults to overuse powders or pills. It doesn't help that many fitness influencers use filters that deceive others into thinking their appearance is real or naturally attainable, said Dr. Jesse Mills, a urologist and men's health specialist with UCLA Health, who was not involved in the study. 'It's a global trend towards anime-like figures and cartoonish proportions,' Mills said. 'I really think body dysmorphia in general is the new pandemic.' In a study Ganson published last year, nearly half of respondents said online influencers who promoted workout supplements were a 'primary' motivation for their own use of the products. The hashtag #creatine, for example, has over 382,000 posts, many of which are flagged with 'creator earns commission' warnings. The pressure to meet muscular body standards may motivate young men and boys to use supplements more often, to the point where 'it's like second nature,' Ganson said. Interestingly, among girls and women, supplement use was also associated with stronger desires for bigger, more toned muscles. The study's findings underscore the dangerous reality that 'companies are profiting off the mental health distress of young people,' said S. Bryn Austin, a social epidemiologist and behavioral scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who was not involved in the study. 'We have a public health problem here.' What's more, these companies don't have to prove their products' safety before hitting the market, Bryn added. Some bodybuilding supplements have been found to be contaminated with prescription drugs, anabolic steroids and toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, according to a recent report by the Clean Label Project. Evidence is mixed whether the supplements do all they claim, like enhance athletic performance and improve muscle stamina. But when used appropriately, many of the ingredients in muscle-building supplements such as whey protein are safe. Some, like creatine, have been shown to boost muscle mass and strength. Using supplements isn't 'inherently problematic,' Ganson said. Once started, though, 'it's kind of like a Pandora's box,' especially for boys and young men who often turn to social media for advice. 'That's why you should be careful when taking these supplements; they can only support your goals in so many ways.' Mills, the men's health specialist, cautioned that, for some young men, supplement powders may not be enough. 'Imagine you're an impressionable 18- to 25-year-old who's working out but not seeing the gains that other guys have,' said Mills, who emphasized that genetics can make it harder for some people to grow muscle. 'That is certainly a gateway to, 'what else is out there?'' Bryn's team conducted a study published last year in the journal JAMA Network Open that followed 4,000 boys and young men ages 10–27 over 14 years. The group found that people who used muscle-building supplements were eight times more likely to start anabolic steroids compared to those who didn't. Steroids are 'an incredibly effective way to put on lots of mass in a very little bit of time,' Mills said. Because even low doses are associated with side effects, this dangerous mental and physical cycle has become a 'public health concern.'
