To synthesize evidence on the association of active or passive smoking with asthma in adolescents. A comprehensive search of Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and We

Increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) is a global health concern associated with adverse health outcomes. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent among a

Background: Prolonged obesity in children can lead to a gradual decline in postural stability due to changes in biomechanics, musculoskeletal function, and neuromuscular control. Early interventions may help address these issues. This exploratory study examined the potential influence of Thai massage on postural stability in children with overweight and obesity. Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental, comparative design and was conducted at the Pa Tueng Sub-district Health Promoting Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand. A total of 58 children meeting the criteria for overweight or obesity were systematically assigned to either the Thai massage group or the control group based on the order in which they were recruited. The Thai massage group received 45 min full-body Thai massage sessions combined with stretching exercises twice a week for six weeks (a total of 12 sessions), while the control group was advised to perform daily stretching exercises at home. Postural stability was assessed by measuring sway path length and sway velocity during double-leg and single-leg stances with eyes closed, both before and after the intervention. Results: While no statistically significant differences were found between the groups, the Thai massage group exhibited a non-significant trend toward reduced sway path length and sway velocity, whereas the control group showed a significant increase in both measures (p < 0.05), indicating a decline in postural stability over time. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Thai massage showed a potential trend toward stabilizing postural stability in children with overweight and obesity; however, the between-group differences were not statistically significant. As an exploratory study, further research with longer intervention durations and follow-up assessments is needed to determine whether clinically meaningful effects can be established.

Background: Adolescence represents a critical developmental window characterized by heightened vulnerability to environmental exposures yet has received less focused attention than early childhood in air pollution research. Existing epidemiological evidence remains inconclusive because of variations in exposure assessment, study design, and asthma definitions across studies. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the association between indoor air pollutants and asthma among adolescents. A comprehensive literature search of Scopus, PubMed, and Embase was undertaken using controlled vocabulary and free‐text search terms. Observational studies reporting adjusted effect estimates with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), including odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs), relative risks (RRs), prevalence ratios (PRs), incidence rate ratios (IRRs), or prevalence odds ratios (PORs), were eligible for inclusion. Pooled estimates were generated using inverse‐variance weighting under fixed or random effects models according to the degree of between‐study heterogeneity, which was evaluated using Cochran′s Q test and the I ² statistic. Results: Of the 80 eligible studies identified, 77 were included in the meta‐analysis of 11 indoor air pollutants. Strong associations, albeit with predominantly low or very low certainty of evidence on GRADE assessment, were observed for dust mite (OR 2.03, 95% CI: 1.41–2.65; I ² = 23.7 % ; moderate certainty), pollen (OR 1.70, 95% CI: 1.30–2.11), mold/dampness (OR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03–1.24), and pets (OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.16). Cooking/heating system showed borderline significance (OR 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00–1.17; very low certainty), with open fire sources associated with increased risk (OR 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.44). No significant associations were found for climate control appliances, cockroaches, home textiles, other animals, indoor plants, or volatile organic compounds. Conclusion: Adolescent asthma is strongly associated with indoor biological pollutants, especially dust mites, mold/dampness, and pollen. However, the evidence assessed by GRADE was predominantly low or very low for most associations, so these findings should be interpreted with caution. To unravel the complexity of the association, future research should integrate multipollutant exposure, omics‐based biomarkers, and exposome frameworks to clarify mechanisms. Policy‐oriented studies are needed to quantify risks and guide adolescent asthma prevention strategies.