Biomedical subjects

Stephen Houghton

Publications and source records attributed to Stephen Houghton.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Chocolate craving among children: implications for disordered eating patterns.

The aim was to test the validity of a multidimensional model of chocolate craving among children, and to examine if the dimensions underlying the model predict consumption and eating disordered symptoms. Participants were 602 children (53% female) aged 11, 12, and 13 from 11 schools in Western Australia. Measures included the Orientation to Chocolate Questionnaire (OCQ) designed to assess three components of chocolate craving (approach, avoidance, and guilt), questions assessing body image dissatisfaction and dieting, and body mass index (BMI). Using structural equation modeling, results confirmed that chocolate craving among children is best conceptualized as a three-factor model (approach, avoidance, guilt). The underlying dimensions were differentially associated with self-reported chocolate consumption and indicators of disordered eating patterns. After controlling for BMI and gender, chocolate-related guilt was strongly associated with greater body dissatisfaction and dieting, and avoidance inclinations were also associated with dieting. Chocolate-related guilt was higher in girls than in boys. Results suggest that children experience chocolate craving as a multidimensional phenomenon reflecting some ambivalence. A gender difference in chocolate-related guilt appears to emerge in childhood, potentially contributing to a greater risk for girls to develop exaggerated concerns about body shape and weight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Effect of attentional state on frequency discrimination: a comparison of children with ADHD on and off medication.

Debate continues over the hypothesis that children with language or literacy difficulties have a genuine auditory processing deficit. Several recent studies have reported deficits in frequency discrimination (FD), but it is unclear whether these are genuine perceptual impairments or reflective of the comorbid attentional problems that exist in many children with language and literacy difficulties. The present study investigated FD in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when their attentional state was altered with stimulant medication. Auditory thresholds were obtained using FD and frequency modulation detection (FM) tasks. In the FD task, participants judged which of 2 pairs contained a high-low frequency sound, and in the FM task, children judged which of two tones "wobbled" (i.e., modulated). Children with ADHD had significantly poorer and more variable FD performance when off compared to on stimulant medication, and did significantly worse than controls on all FD runs when off but not on stimulant medication. However, children with ADHD did not differ from controls on the FM task. These findings demonstrate that certain auditory discrimination tasks are influenced by the child's attentional status. In addition, significant relationships between FD and measures of language and reading were abolished when comorbid attentional difficulties were taken into account. The study has implications for design and interpretation of studies investigating links between auditory discrimination and difficulties in language and literacy.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2006

Students with mild disabilities in regular classrooms: the development and utility of the Student Perceptions of Classroom Support scale.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of empirical research pertaining to the perceptions of students with mild disabilities of the academic and social outcomes of classroom support mechanisms. The absence of suitable measures is a primary issue contributing to this situation. METHOD: The present study reports the development and utility of the Student Perceptions of Classroom Support (SPCS) scale, which was specifically designed to assess students' perceptions of curricular, instructional, physical, and peer support received in regular classrooms from both an academic and social perspective. The SPCS was administered to 60 secondary school-aged students with mild disabilities who experienced both regular classroom and traditional special education. RESULTS: Person and item discrimination analyses, and calculation of internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha) revealed the SPCS to have excellent psychometric properties (alpha = 0.92 for academic outcomes and alpha = 0.87 for overall social outcomes). Internal consistencies for each of the subscales are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: The SPCS provides educators with a valid method of assessing students' preferred support strategies, which can then be articulated within Individual Education Plans (IEPs).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Use of interactive voice response (IVR) technology in health research with children.

This article reports on the feasibility of using interactive voice response (IVR) technology to obtain daily reports of attitudes toward alcohol and tobacco use among children 9-13 years of age. Two studies were conducted. The first was an investigation of the use of IVR technology to obtain daily data from a sample of primary school children over a period of 8 weeks. The second was an extension of the research to a large sample of primary and secondary school children in urban and rural areas who provided daily data over a 4-week period. Retention and compliance rates comparable to those obtained with adults were evident in both studies, supporting the feasibility of this technology with children. The results are discussed in relation to the benefits of this methodology for health research, particularly for studies of sensitive topics conducted with children and adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Executive function and ADHD: a comparison of children's performance during neuropsychological testing and real-world activities.

OBJECTIVE: Current understanding of executive function deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is derived almost exclusively from neuropsychological testing conducted in laboratory settings. This study compared children's performance on both neuropsychological and real-life measures of executive function and processing speed. METHOD: The Stroop and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task (WCST) were selected as neuropsychological measures, whereas route tasks in a videogame and at the zoo were used to index real-life measures. Participants comprised a community sample of 22 unmedicated boys with ADHD individually matched on age and IQ with 22 normally developing control boys. RESULTS: There were no group differences in executive function on the Stroop or zoo tasks, but the ADHD group exhibited deficits in set-shifting as assessed by the WCST (perseverative errors and responses) and videogame play (fewer challenges completed). Also, the ADHD group showed slowed processing speed on the Stroop (slower color naming) and zoo activity (longer time to complete task), as well as a slower rate of acquisition of the sorting rule on the WCST (more trials to complete first category). Efficient and flexible videogame play (number of challenges completed) was related positively to efficacy on the Stroop (number of items named correctly in the interference and two control conditions) and inversely related to set-shifting problems on the WCST (perseverative responses and errors). Also, problems in goal-directed behavior at the zoo (number of deviations from designated route) were related to problems in set-shifting on the WCST (perseverative responding). CONCLUSIONS: Children with ADHD exhibit impairments in executive function and processing speed in real-world activities as well as in neuropsychological testing. Cognitive deficits detected by standardized neuropsychological testing are related to performance difficulties in real-world activities.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed2003

Physical activity and nutrition programs for couples: a randomized controlled trial.

Diet and physical activity habits may deteriorate after cohabitation, leading to weight gain and increased risk of lifestyle diseases. We carried out a 4-month, randomized controlled trial of a diet and physical activity program for couples with a 1-year follow-up, comparing two methods of delivery. The program used six modules, which, after an initial group session, were mailed to the low-level intervention group. In the high-level intervention group, half of the modules were mailed, and the others were delivered at interactive group sessions. A control group received no intervention. Postintervention and at follow-up, physical fitness improved in the high-level group, saturated fat intake decreased in both intervention groups, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol fell in the high-level group. Fewer participants in the high-level group became overweight or obese. Health promotion for couples can improve health behaviors and potentially lower the risk of lifestyle diseases in participants and their future families.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

ADHD outside the laboratory: boys' executive function performance on tasks in videogame play and on a visit to the zoo.

One current theory of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) proposes that a primary deficit in behavioral inhibition gives rise to secondary deficits in 4 executive functions and motor control. To date, empirical support for this model is based primarily on laboratory-based cognitive methods. This study assessed behavioral inhibition and executive functioning in children with ADHD in 2 real-life contexts: videogames (motor-skill target game, cognitively demanding adventure game) and an outing at the zoo (route tasks). Participants were a community sample of 57 boys diagnosed with ADHD (20 inattentive, 37 combined type) and 57 normally developing control boys, matched individually for age and nonverbal IQ. Operationally defined measures of behavioral inhibition and specific executive functions were derived from these activities and assessed under contrasting conditions of low or high working memory and distractor loads. There were no group differences in basic motor skills on the target game, nor in terms of the ability to inhibit a prepotent or ongoing response in the adventure videogame. However, boys with ADHD exhibited more self-talk, more effortful response preparation, and completed fewer challenges in the latter videogame. Also, they manifested inhibition deficits in terms of interference control during the route task at the zoo and took longer to complete the tasks. Typically, these differences were greatest under conditions of high working memory and distractor loads. Findings from this study suggest that cognitive difficulties in ADHD may be context dependent and that ADHD is associated with deficits in some but not all aspects of behavioral inhibition.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2002

An innovative program for changing health behaviours.

Health-related behaviours affecting diet, weight control and physical activity are important for long-term cardiovascular health but behaviour change is difficult to initiate and even more difficult to maintain. We have developed a health promotion program, in which social support has a key role, to encourage a prudent diet, weight control and physical activity. Behaviour change is based on evaluating initial behaviour, weighing up costs and benefits, assessing barriers to change and goal-setting. We first evaluated the program in couples beginning to live together, a group chosen because of the risk of weight gain and decreased physical activity after marriage, readiness to change behaviour at that time in the life course and the opportunity to use partner's support in achieving behaviour change. In an initial short-term study with 39 couples, intake of fat and take-away foods decreased and consumption of fruit, vegetables and reduced fat foods increased. Physical activity increased and there was a 6% fall in blood cholesterol. Further evaluation in 137 couples included assessment after 12 months. A decrease in fat intake and increase in physical activity and fitness seen at the end of the program persisted 1 year later. Lower cholesterol and a trend to lower weight gain and lower blood pressure were also maintained after 12 months. We have modified the program aiming for weight loss, improved dietary habits and increased physical activity in overweight treated hypertensives, supported by their partners. Decreased intake of energy, total and saturated fat, and weight loss seen at the end of the 16 week program was significantly greater in the intervention group than with usual care. Blood pressure fell in the program group at the end of intervention and, in men, withdrawal of antihypertensive drugs was significantly associated with the intervention. Weight loss and a decrease in waist circumference were maintained in the program group up to 16 months after entering the study. This program has the potential for wider application in other at-risk groups.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in cognitive measures in a randomized controlled trial of a health promotion program for couples targeting diet and physical activity.

PURPOSE: To examine cognitive responses to a 4-month health promotion program targeting diet and physical activity in recently cohabiting couples. DESIGN: A three-group randomized controlled trial: no intervention (Controls), interactive group sessions and mail-outs (Interactive), and one group session followed by mail-outs (Mail). SETTING: Australian research studies unit. SUBJECTS: Seventy-eight of 137 couples cohabiting for < 2 years, recruited by advertising, completed the study. MEASURES: Stages of change; health beliefs; self-efficacy; and perceived barriers to change evaluated by questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 1-year follow-up. Data were analyzed using mixed models, factor analysis, and linear regression. RESULTS: In the Mail group, the perceived importance of barriers to dietary change decreased by 19% at postintervention and 16% at 1-year follow-up; dietary self-efficacy increased by 9% and 3%, respectively. In the Interactive group, the perceived importance of barriers to dietary change decreased by 26% and 20%, and dietary self-efficacy increased by 14% and 12%, respectively. Similar trends for physical activity were not statistically significant. However, changes in self-efficacy and perceived barriers to change significantly predicted dietary and physical activity behaviors. A preponderance of higher socio-economic groups and the proportion of drop-out may have biased results. CONCLUSIONS: Health promotion using partners' support and targeting diet and physical activity improves associated cognitive variables in couples. Most improvements were greater and more sustained with interactive group sessions.

Adult↗