Technological developments in recent decades have increased young people's engagement with screen-based technologies (screen time), and a reduction in young people's contact with nature (green time) has been observed concurrently. This combination of high screen time and low green time may affect mental health and well-being. The aim of this systematic scoping review was to collate evidence assessing associations between screen time, green time, and psychological outcomes (including mental health, cognitive functioning, and academic achievement) for young children (<5 years), schoolchildren (5-11 years), early adolescents (12-14 years), and older adolescents (15-18 years). Original quantitative studies were identified in four databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus, Embase), resulting in 186 eligible studies. A third of included studies were undertaken in Europe and almost as many in the United States. The majority of studies were cross-sectional (62%). In general, high levels of screen time appeared to be associated with unfavourable psychological outcomes while green time appeared to be associated with favourable psychological outcomes. The ways screen time and green time were conceptualised and measured were highly heterogeneous, limiting the ability to synthesise the literature. The preponderance of cross-sectional studies with broadly similar findings, despite heterogeneous exposure measures, suggested results were not artefacts. However, additional high-quality longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials are needed to make a compelling case for causal relationships. Different developmental stages appeared to shape which exposures and outcomes were salient. Young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds may be disproportionately affected by high screen time and low green time. Future research should distinguish between passive and interactive screen activities, and incidental versus purposive exposure to nature. Few studies considered screen time and green time together, and possible reciprocal psychological effects. However, there is preliminary evidence that green time could buffer consequences of high screen time, therefore nature may be an under-utilised public health resource for youth psychological well-being in a high-tech era.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is widely understood to have contributed to mental health problems. In Australia, young people (18–24 years) have been disproportionately affected. To date, research has predominantly focused on the presence or absence of mental illness symptoms, while aspects of mental well-being have been overlooked. We aimed to explore associations between potential risk and protective factors and mental health more comprehensively, using the Complete State Model of Mental Health. An online survey of 1004 young Australians (55% female; M age = 21.23) was undertaken. Assessment of both mental illness and mental well-being enabled participants to be cross-classified into four mental health states. Those with ‘Floundering’ (13%) or ‘Struggling’ (47.5%) mental health reported symptoms of mental illness; a ‘Languishing’ group (25.5%) did not report symptoms of mental illness but mental well-being was compromised relative to those who were ‘Flourishing’ (14%) with high mental well-being. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine associations, adjusting for socio-demographic confounders. Protective factors associated with Flourishing mental health included being in secure employment, using screen time to connect with others, and reporting high levels of hope. Both incidental and purposive contact with nature were also associated with Flourishing, while a lack of green/bluespace within walking distance was associated with Languishing, absence of outdoor residential space was associated with Floundering, and lower neighbourhood greenness was associated with all three suboptimal mental health states. Precarious employment, financial stress, living alone, reporting decreased screen time during lockdowns, lower levels of hope, and high disruption of core beliefs were also associated with Struggling and Floundering mental health. Those who were Languishing reported somewhat less hardship and little disruption to core beliefs, but lower levels of hope compared to young people who were Flourishing. This study highlights that young adults require dedicated mental health services to deal with current burden, but should also be supported through a range of preventive strategies which target mental health risk factors, like precarious employment, and enhance protective factors, such as urban green infrastructure.
Pregnancy in adolescence and malnutrition are common challenges in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and are associated with many complications and comorbidities. The preconception period is an ideal period for intervention as a preventative tactic for teenage pregnancy, and to increase micronutrient supplementation prior to conception. Over twenty databases and websites were searched and 45 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental interventions with intent to delay the age at first pregnancy (n = 26), to optimize inter-pregnancy intervals (n = 4), and supplementation of folic acid (n = 5) or a combination of iron and folic acid (n = 10) during the periconception period were included. The review found that educational interventions to delay the age at first pregnancy and optimizing inter-pregnancy intervals significantly improved the uptake of contraception use (RR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.42–2.05; two studies, n = 911; I2 = 0%) and (RR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.29–3.93; one study, n = 338), respectively. For periconceptional folic acid supplementation, the incidence of neural tube defects were reduced (RR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.41–0.77; two studies, n = 248,056; I2 = 0%), and iron-folic acid supplementation improved the rates of anemia (RR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53–0.81; six studies; n = 3430, I2 = 88%), particularly when supplemented weekly and in a school setting. Notwithstanding the findings, more robust RCTs are required from LMICs to further support the evidence.
This study examined the nature and accuracy of information available across online platforms for couples trying to conceive. A consumer simulation-based investigation of English websites and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) was undertaken using common search terms identified in a pilot study. Claims about fertility and pregnancy health were then extracted from the results and analysed thematically. The accuracy of each claim was assessed independently by six fertility and conception experts, rated on a scale of 1 (not factual) to 4 (highly factual), with scores collated to produce a median rating. Claims with a median score b 3 were classified as inaccurate. The use of the terms 'trying to conceive' and '#TTC' were common identifiers on online platforms. Claims were extracted predominantly from websites (n = 89) rather than social media, with Twitter and Instagram
Background: The preconception period is an ideal time to introduce interventions relating to nutrition and other lifestyle factors to ensure good pregnancy preparedness, and to promote health of mothers and babies. In adolescents, malnutrition and early pregnancy are the common challenges, particularly among those who live in lowand middle-income countries (LMIC) where 99% of all maternal and newborn deaths occur. These girls receive little or no attention until their first pregnancy and often the interventions after pregnancy are too late to revert any detrimental health risks that may have occurred due to malnutrition and early pregnancy.Objectives: To synthesise the evidence of the effectiveness of preconception care interventions relating to delayed age at first pregnancy, optimising inter-pregnancy intervals, periconception folic acid, and periconception iron-folic acid supplementation on maternal, pregnancy, birth and child outcomes.Search Methods: Numerous electronic databases (e.g., CINAHL, ERIC) and databases of selected development agencies or research firms were systematically searched for all available years up to July 2019. In addition, we searched the reference lists of relevant articles and reviews, and asked experts in the area about ongoing and unpublished studies.Selection Criteria: Primary studies, including large-scale programme evaluations that assessed the effectiveness of interventions using randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental designs (natural experiments, controlled before-after studies, regression discontinuity designs, interrupted time series [ITS]), that targeted women of reproductive age (i.e., 10-49 years) during the pre-and periconceptional period in LMICs were included. Interventions were compared against no intervention, standard of care or placebo.
Funding informationBill & Melinda Gates Foundation 1 | BACKGROUND 1.1 | The problem, condition or issue Interest in preconception health for maximising gains for mothers and babies started with the release of the seminal report from Centre for Disease Control (Johnson et al., 2006). Further, in 2011, the World Health Organisation (WHO) convened a meeting of experts where there was an overwhelming agreement on the potential for preconception care to have a positive impact on maternal and child health outcomes (World Health Organisation, 2013). Since then there is growing awareness of the importance of the preconception period and efforts have been made to increase awareness and promote reproductive health from adolescents onwards.Preconception care is important for healthy maternal, birth, and neonatal health outcomes . Optimising a woman's health before planning and conceiving pregnancy is increasingly recognised as an important strategy to enhance maternal and child health (Dean, Imam, Lassi and Bhutta, 2013). Preconception period is an ideal time to introduce interventions relating to nutrition and other lifestyle factors to promote health and for ensuring good pregnancy preparedness. Since 99% of all maternal and newborn deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs; World Health Organisation, 2017), early start of preconception care particularly for girls living in LMICs is very crucial. At present, policies and guidelines on preconception care are scarce and the care starts when the women becomes pregnant and extends to childbirth
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