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PubMed1995

Dieting and "watching" behaviors among adolescent females: report of a multimethod study.

PURPOSE: This study posits a distinction between "watching what you eat" and dieting behaviors in a sample of adolescent females. Findings suggest that the dichotomy of dieter/nondieter fails to capture a range of healthful behaviors practiced by many adolescent girls. METHODS: Anthropologic and nutritional research methods were used in this study. Data were drawn from 1 year of a longitudinal study of food intake and dieting behaviors in a sample of 231 adolescent females. Multiple methods including one ethnographic interview, a survey questionnaire, a telephone interview, and food records were collected from each informant. RESULTS: Although 44% of the girls in this sample reported trying to lose weight on the day of the survey, only 8.6% of the food records reflected dieting days. In interviews, many identified "watching what they eat" as a health-promoting strategy that allowed them to maintain their weight. Analysis of food record data confirmed a trend toward higher intakes of micronutrients. CONCLUSIONS: Research concerned with adolescent weight loss behaviors has focused more on negative than positive health attitudes and behaviors. The present study identified the behavior of "watching" as distinct from dieting. "Watching" was widely utilized by girls in this sample as a way to maintain weight and promote health.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Tattooing: another adolescent risk behavior warranting health education.

A cross-sectional, convenient sample of adolescents (N = 2101) from 8 states were queried regarding interest in tattooing. Permanent markings and blood-borne diseases were reasons respondents refrain from tattooing, yet 55% (n = 1159) expressed an interest in tattooing. Tattooed adolescents in the sample (10%, n = 213) responded with their experiences. Tattooing was frequently done around the 9th grade and as early as 8 years of age; over half (56%, n = 120) report academic grades of As and Bs. Potential health risks and definite psychosocial findings of purchase and possession risks were evident, building on data from a similar 1994 study by Armstrong and McConnell. Health providers and educators should initiate applicable health education and become community adolescent advocates regarding this risk-taking behavior. Findings indicate that adolescents who want a tattoo will obtain one, regardless of money, regulations, or risks. Adolescents view the tattoos as objects of self-identity and body art, whereas adults perceive the markings as deviant behavior. Informed decision-making could be promoted in health education by incorporating information about the possibility of blood-borne diseases, permanent markings, and themselves as growing and changing people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Nutrition behavior in adolescent students (15-19 years of age) in the Nancy metropolitan area. A comparison with the recommended nutritional intake of the French population].

This paper describes the food behavior of 495 adolescents (15-19 years old) sample living in Nancy (France). The results are compared with the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for French adolescent population. The RDA are not satisfied for important percentages of girls for the daily energy intake (26.3% of girls have allowances less than 30% RDA), for the calcium intake (28.7% of girls have allowances less than 40% RDA), and for the protein intake (17.6% of girls have allowances less than 20% RDA). Lipids consumption is excessive (19.9% of boys and 23.4% of girls have allowances greater than 20% RDA) and energy intake from breakfast are low (25% of adolescents provide less 10% of daily energy intake by breakfast) for all these teen-agers. These results confirm the data observed in two others studies concerning the food behavior of French adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Embedded health behaviors from adolescence to adulthood: the impact of tobacco.

Prevention of cancer risk behaviors before they become embedded in an individual's life is crucial. Health-related behaviors should be viewed for their embeddedness, critical aspects of which are (a) the complexity of the behavior itself; (.b) factors, both biological and psychological, within the individual communicator; (c) and external situational or sociocultural factors. The more extensively a behavior is embedded, the more difficult it will be to alter. Relative levels of embeddedness of the risk behavior and its entanglement with other nonrisky behaviors will evolve and change throughout one's life course. Smoking across the life span provides an excellent example of a thoroughly integrated, embedded behavior. How smoking is embedded with other behaviors changes from adolescence, where biological factors may be less salient and habit strength less pronounced, through adulthood, where habit strength is greater but health concerns are a more predictive factor. Researchers can produce more focused communication interventions by examining how health-endangering behaviors are embedded among benign behaviors or among other potentially dangerous behaviors. Ideally, the pattern of health behavior embeddedness should be analyzed prior to developing intervention communication strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Validity of self-reported sexual behaviors in adolescent women using biomarker outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the criterion-related validity of alternative approaches to the measurement of sexual intercourse using sexually transmitted diseases (STD) as a biomarker (the criterion). STUDY DESIGN: Analyses are based on an urban sample of 255 adolescent women, 15 to 19 years of age, treated for genitourinary infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis or Trichomonas vaginalis who returned 3 months later for reexamination. Subjects completed self-administered questionnaires at enrollment and at 3 months. Genitourinary cultures were obtained at enrollment, 2 to 4 weeks later at a test-of-treatment visit (TOT), and at 3 months. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen of the 255 adolescents also returned for a TOT culture; 186 of these 214 (73%) were free of infection 2 to 4 weeks after enrollment and 30% (56/186) acquired a subsequent STD by 3 months. The validity of questions about sexual behavior differed. No adolescent who denied interim intercourse by reporting "0" sexual partners or "0" coitions acquired an interval STD. Adolescents who denied regular intercourse (vaginal sex) or failed to indicate the number of interim coitions were at high risk for new STD-23% and 21%, respectively. A new measure of sexual intercourse using both the number of sexual partners and the number of coitions contained no missing data; adolescents classified as not having had interim sexual intercourse were free of infection at 3 months, whereas 32% of those who reported intercourse acquired an interim infection. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that high-risk urban adolescent women can accurately report whether they have engaged in vaginal intercourse. The validity of the report appears sensitive to the wording and content of the questions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Adolescent suicidal behaviors as a function of depression, hopelessness, alcohol use, and social support: a longitudinal investigation.

Surveyed two high school cohorts (ns = 698 and 283) to study independent, prospective predictors of adolescent suicidal behaviors (thoughts, communication to others, attempts). Within each cohort, there were two measurements conducted 6 months apart. Structural equation models were tested, with depressive symptoms, hopelessness, alcohol consumption, social support, and gender serving as predictors. In the larger cohort, depression predicted later levels of all three suicidal behaviors controlling for baseline suicidal behaviors. Also, suicidal thoughts predicted later communications, and suicide attempts predicted future thoughts. In the smaller cohort, alcohol consumption predicted all three suicidal behaviors at the later measurement, whereas depression was predictive only of later thoughts. Major issues regarding prevention, theories of suicide and negative affect, and methodological/analytical approaches were discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Alcohol self-control behaviors of adolescents.

PURPOSE: The aims of the present study were to: (1) factor analyze a 13-item adolescent alcohol self-control behavior scale, (2) examine associations between frequency of self-control behavior use and alcohol consumption, and (3) to determine which self-control behaviors best predict alcohol use and consequences. METHODS: A confidential standardized survey was used to collect data on participant's 30-day frequency, quantity, and heavy use of alcohol; alcohol-related consequences; and alcohol self-control behaviors. RESULTS: A principal component factor analysis produced the following three components: Healthy Alternatives (alpha=.81), Self-regulation (alpha=.72), and Assertive Communication (alpha=.73). MANOVAs indicated strong associations between frequency of use of the three types of self-control behaviors and alcohol consumption (p values< or =.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that Self-regulation behaviors were the best predictor for all alcohol use measures and consequences (p values< or =.001). CONCLUSION: Self-control behaviors differ in their ability to predict alcohol use and consequences. Self-regulation strategies emerged as the most consistent predictor of alcohol use patterns and consequences among adolescents, followed by Healthy Alternatives.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Relative influences of perceived parental monitoring and perceived peer involvement on adolescent risk behaviors: an analysis of six cross-sectional data sets.

PURPOSE: To assess: (a) the relative impact of monitoring and peer involvement among six cohorts of African-American youth in their mid-adolescent years, over a decade of research in one urban area, and (b) the consistency of the impact of the two influences over time. METHODS: Baseline data were collected from six cohorts involving 1279 low income African-American youth aged 13 to 16 years involved in community based studies conducted over a decade in an urban area. Self-reported behaviors, and perceptions of parental monitoring and peer risk-involvement were assessed through structured questions. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution, one-way ANOVA, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: There was a rapid increase in sexual activity and substance use behaviors during mid-adolescence. Monitoring had a protective influence on substance use behaviors and sexual activity, but had no impact on condom use or drug trafficking. Peer involvement influenced all evaluated risk behaviors. The influences overall did not statistically change over time. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the marked increase in risk behaviors during mid-adolescence, monitoring and peer involvement both influenced adolescent behaviors across each cohort.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Self-concept and behavior in adolescent girls with Turner syndrome: potential estrogen effects.

Data on self-concept and behavior were gathered from 31 girls with Turner syndrome (TS) followed longitudinally between the ages of 12 and 16 and from 89 normal control girls recruited from public schools and assessed cross-sectionally. The two groups of girls were similar in age and racial composition. The girls with TS were treated with estrogen replacement therapy in increasing doses between the ages of 12 and 16 (100-400 ng/kg-day ethinyl estradiol). Their self-reported self-esteem and psychological well-being (Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale) revealed significant improvement over time for most scales as well as the total score (P < 0.001). Parents reported improvement in problem behaviors, as reflected in the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scales: Behavior Total, Externalizing Behavior, Aggressive Behavior, and Social Problems Behavior scales (all P < 0.001). Analysis of covariance comparing normal controls to the TS subjects revealed that at age 12 yr, TS and normal subjects differed significantly for the School Social Competency sub-scale and the Social Problems Behavior subscale (all P < 0.001). Girls with TS resembled the normal controls on all CBCL scales by ages 14-15 yr. Thus, we found improved self-concept both by self- and parental report in estrogen-treated girls with TS followed longitudinally through adolescence. An analogous correlation with age was not seen in the cross-sectional normal control sample. These findings support positive effects of estrogen on psychological well-being in girls with TS and underscores the need to initiate estrogen replacement therapy by ages 12-14 yr in this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Couch potatoes or french fries: are sedentary behaviors associated with body mass index, physical activity, and dietary behaviors among adolescents?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic characteristics of adolescent boys and girls who engage in three sedentary behaviors (television/video use, computer use, and reading/homework), and to explore how each sedentary activity is associated with body mass index (BMI), dietary behaviors, and leisure time physical activity. DESIGN: This study draws on data collected from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a school-based survey examining personal, behavioral, and socioenvironmental factors that are associated with nutritional intake among adolescents. SUBJECTS: The study sample consists of 4746 middle and high school students from 31 public schools in a metropolitan area of the upper Midwest. All students were invited to participate. The overall response rate for Project EAT was 81.5%. Data collection was completed during the 1998-1999 school year. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multivariate linear regression was used for examining associations between independent and dependent variables, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. All differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. RESULTS: Among boys, television/video use and time spent reading/doing homework were positively associated with BMI (P<.05), whereas for girls television/video and computer use were positively associated with BMI (P<.05). High television/video use among boys and girls was associated with more unhealthful dietary behaviors (eg, increased consumption of soft drinks, fried foods, and snacks) (P<.05). In contrast, time spent reading/doing homework was associated with more healthful dietary behaviors (eg, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables) (P<.05). Leisure time physical activity was not associated with television/video use among boys or girls, but was positively associated with computer use and time spent reading/doing homework (P<.05). Applications/Conclusions Messages and advice aimed at reducing time spent in sedentary activities should be targeted at television/video use instead of time spent reading, doing homework, or using a computer. Nutrition education should incorporate messages about the influence of the media and advertising on dietary behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Family structure and dating behavior of adolescents.

This study investigated the effect of family structure on previous dating behavior of older adolescents, and examined the relationship of family structure, family relationship variables, and personal attributes to previous dating behaviors. Data were obtained from 96 males and 81 females enrolled in human development courses at two midwestern universities; 122 were from intact, nuclear families and 55 were from nonintact families. The Dating and Courtship Behavior Questionnaire, adapted from questionnaires by Winch (1949a) and Landis (1963), was administered to subjects during regular class periods. Family structure did not have an effect on number of partners or steadies, but adolescents from nonintact households began dating at younger ages than those from intact households. Personal attributes were more often related to dating behaviors than family structure or family relationship variables. Little support was found for the proposition that dating behaviors were affected by family structure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Parental consent and adolescent risk behavior research.

PURPOSE: To identify methodological issues related to the use of active or passive parental consent in school-based research on adolescent risk behavior research and to propose recommendations consistent with current legal and ethical standards in the United States. METHODS: Review and synthesis of the professional literature related to adolescents and parental consent, federal regulations and guidelines in the United States, and the author's experience presenting these arguments and issues to institutional review boards and funding agencies for over 10 years. FINDINGS: The procedures used for parental consent affect a study's participation rates, costs, and selection bias. When active parental consent is required, parental permission is typically obtained for only 30%-60% of students, compared to 93%-100% when passive consent is used. Extensive follow-up may result in 55%-100% of parents giving permission, but at significant cost (typically $20-$25 per student). Active consent results in the exclusion of minorities, students having problems in school, and students already engaged in or at risk for problem behaviors. Strong methodological reasons were identified for using passive parental consent procedures when possible. Current federal regulations include four areas for possible waiver or alterations in parental consent procedures, including the use of passive parental consent. CONCLUSIONS: Health researchers must understand the methodological, legal, and ethical issues related to parental consent to produce high-quality, valid research about adolescents and to provide evidence for laws, policies, and regulations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Heritability for adolescent antisocial behavior differs with socioeconomic status: gene-environment interaction.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status is often assumed to be of importance for the development of antisocial behavior, yet it explains only a fraction of the variance. One explanation for this paradox could be that socioeconomic status moderates the influence of genetic and environmental effects on antisocial behavior. METHOD: TCHAD is a Swedish longitudinal population-based twin study that contains 1,480 twin pairs born 1985-1986. The present study included 1,133 twin pairs, aged 16-17 years. Antisocial behavior was measured through self-report. Family socioeconomic status was assessed by parental-reported education and occupational status. Neighborhood socioeconomic conditions were assessed using five aggregated level variables: ethnic diversity, basic educational level, unemployment level, buying power, and crime-rate. We used structural equation modeling to test whether socioeconomic status interacted with latent genetic and environmental effects for antisocial behavior. RESULTS: Genetic influences on antisocial behavior were more important in adolescents in socioeconomically more advantaged environments, whereas the shared environment was higher in adolescents in socioeconomically less advantaged environments. Heritability for antisocial behavior was higher in girls than in boys, irrespective of socioeconomic background. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that different intervention policies should be considered in different socioeconomic areas. In socioeconomically advantaged areas, it might be more fruitful to focus on individually based preventions and treatments. In socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, intervention and prevention policies might be more effective on a community level, to account for shared environmental risk factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effect of parental mental health status on adolescents' dietary behaviors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore whether adolescents of substance-abusing and depressed parents were more likely to have poor dietary behaviors than those in the health comparison families. METHODS: The sample consisted of 841 adolescents in families of substance-abusing parents, depressed parents, and parents without a diagnosable psychiatric disorder. All adolescents were given a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Adolescents whose parents had substance abuse disorder had lower intakes of fruits and higher intakes of high fat foods, and also ate more frequently at fast-food restaurants and purchased more snacks. Adolescents whose parents were depressed had lower intakes of all food groups. Mother's mental health status impacted more on adolescents' dietary behaviors than did the father's mental health status. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that at-risk behaviors among youth of psychiatrically impaired parents may extend to food behaviors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biosocial models of adolescent problem behaviors.

This paper develops a biosocial model of adolescent age-graded norm violations ("problem behaviors"), combining a traditional social control model with a biological model using steroid hormones. Subjects were 101 white boys drawn from the 8th-, 9th-, and 10th-grade rosters of selected public schools, and ranging in age from 13 to 16. Subjects completed self-administered questionnaires and provided blood samples which were assayed for the behaviorally relevant hormones. Boys' problem behavior shows strong hormone effects. Social and biological variables have both additive and indirect effects. Using a biosocial model leads to conclusions which are different from those which would have been drawn from the sociological model alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Illicit substance use, gender, and the risk of violent behavior among adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze data from a nationally representative sample of high school students to investigate the relationship between substance use and violent behavior among adolescents and to examine this relationship in both male and female adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses of the 1991 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. SETTING: Public and private schools in the 50 states. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 12,272 high school students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: To determine the prevalence of weapon carrying and physical fighting among male and female adolescents. RESULTS: A significant increase in the number of male and female adolescents carrying weapons and physically fighting was associated with all forms of substance use. Reports of carrying a weapon increased with recent alcohol consumption (34% vs 17%, P < .001) and use of marijuana (48% vs 22%, P < .001), cocaine (71% vs 25%, P < .001), and anabolic steroids (62% vs 25%, P < .001). The prevalence of physical fighting was also significantly higher among adolescents who used illicit substances than among adolescents who denied drug use. The risk of violent behavior increased significantly, and was of equal magnitude, for adolescent females and males who were illicit substance users. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol and illicit substance use are highly associated with an increased risk of violent behavior. These data also demonstrate that the risk of violence by adolescent females who are substance users is substantial.

Adolescent↗