Psychology & Psychiatry

Academic performance predicts risk of suicide attempt

In a recent Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica study, poor academic performance, measured as grade point average (GPA) at age 16, was a robust and strong predictor of suicide attempt up to middle age.

Health

Poor health habits add up to poor grades for teens

(HealthDay)—American high school students with poor grades are much more likely to have unhealthy behaviors—including illegal drug use—than teens at the top of the class, federal health officials say.

Medical research

Study suggests fitness and iron deficiency linked to GPA

Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Pennsylvania State University have found that a student's fitness level and iron status could be the difference between making an A or a B.

Health

Why do young adults start smoking?

The risk of becoming a smoker among young adults who have never smoked is high: 14% will become smokers between the ages of 18 and 24, and three factors predict this behaviour.