Cross-sectional study showed psychosocial variables, gender and family involvement played an important role in an adolescent weight management programme

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: [Cross-sectional study showed psychosocial variables, gender and family involvement played an important role in an adolescent weight management programme], which has been published in final form at [10.1111/apa.13616]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial gains perceived by overweightadolescents attending a 12-week weight management programme and to analyse gender-specific differences. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 70overweight adolescents aged between 12 and 18 (52.9% girls), evaluated at baseline andat week 12 using anthropometric measurements and self-reported questionnaires. Weanalysed gender-specific differences related to body self-esteem, social life, relationshipswith their family, physical comfort, health responsibility, perceived benefits of theintervention, self-efficacy and adherence. We further investigated whether the variables atweek 12 would predict changes in their body mass index. Results: While weight had a greater impact on the body self-esteem of girls, both atbaseline and week 12, boys reported higher self-efficacy and adherence as well as agreater perception of the benefits of the intervention at week 12. The body mass indexchange was positively associated with body self-esteem, relationships within the family andself-efficacy and adherence. Conclusion: Gender specifics and the role of psychosocial variables must be taken intoaccount during weight management programmes for adolescents, and it is important toinclude the family throughout the entire process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk factors for suicidal thoughts in adolescence-a prospective cohort study: the Young-HUNT study

OBJECTIVES: Examining the associations between health and lifestyle factors recorded in the participants’ early teens and development of suicidal thoughts recorded 4 years later. DESIGN: Population-based prospective cohort study. SETTINGS: All students in the two relevant year classes in Nord-Trøndelag County were invited, 80% attended both waves of data collection. PARTICIPANTS: 2399 secondary school students who participated in the Young-HUNT1 study in 1995–1997 (13–15 years old) were included in a follow-up study 4 years later (17–19 years old). PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Suicidal thoughts reported at age 17–19 years. RESULTS: 408 (17%, 95% CI 15.5% to 18.5%) of the adolescents reported suicidal thoughts at follow-up, 158 (14.2%, CI 13.6% to 16.4%) boys and 250 (19.5%, CI 18.8% to 22.0%) girls. Baseline anxiety and depressive symptoms (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.9, CI 1.4 to 2.6), conduct problems (aOR 1.8, CI 1.3 to 2.6), overweight (aOR 1.9 CI 1.4 to 2.4), and muscular pain and tension (aOR 1.8, CI 1.4 to 2.4), were all associated with reporting suicidal thoughts at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One in six young adults experienced suicidal thoughts, girls predominating. Suicidal thoughts were most strongly associated with symptoms of anxiety/depression, conduct problems, pain/tension and overweight reported when participants were 13–15 years old. Specific preventive efforts in these groups might be indicated. Future research should investigate whether similar associations are seen with suicide/suicidal attempts as endpoints