According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, fostering positive psychological assets in teenagers can help prevent cardiometabolic disease in adulthood. The study revealed that it can also help address health inequities. According to the study, how teens, particularly Black youth, feel about their lives can influence their cardiometabolic health risk as adults.

In the study, the researchers identified five mental health assets associated with better cardiometabolic health outcomes, namely optimism, happiness, self-esteem, belonging, and feeling loved. These assets were identified using a survey that was conducted among teenagers. The findings of the study revealed that 5% of youth had zero to one positive mental health asset, while 2% had two to three assets, and 16% had four to five assets.

Additionally, it was observed that only 12% of participants maintained cardiometabolic health over time. Also, white youth were more likely to maintain good health later in life in comparison to black or Latino youth. Teens with four to five positive mental health assets were 69% more likely to maintain positive cardiometabolic health as young adults.

According to the study, although psychological assets were beneficial to all racial and ethnic groups, black youth experienced the greatest health benefits. 

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1038767 )