Weight status and depressive symptoms in 18 year-old Greek adolescents

Depressive symptoms in adolescence have been a subject of considerable controversy in terms of their nature, severity and identification. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible association between weight status and depressive symptoms among 18 year-old Greek adolescents. A cross-sectional study design was used. The study population consisted of 200 students of the University of Athens who fulfilled the following criteria: age 18 years, absence of clinical depression, no history of hospitalization in a mental institution, no history of alcohol abuse. Weight status was assessed by Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2) and calculated from weight and height measurements. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). In univariate analysis, CES-D score was significantly associated with adolescents' gender and BMI. The multivariate analysis showed that CES-D score was negatively related to BMI even after controlling the confounding effect of gender (P=0.018, B=-0.378). Depressive symptoms are related to weight status of adolescents

Psychosocial distress and functioning of Greek youth with cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: To assess psychosocial functioning and distress of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis compared to healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with cystic fibrosis aged 8–18 years (24 boys, mean age ± SD: 11.5 ± 2.6 years) and 31 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (18 boys, mean age ± SD: 12 ± 2.5 years) were enrolled in the study. In order to assess the self-esteem, social adjustment, and family functioning of these young people, the Culture-free Self-esteem Inventory, the Social Adjustment Scale–Self-Report, and the Family Assessment Device were administered. Emotional/ behavioral problems were assessed through the Youth Self Report and the Child Behavior Checklist given to both the subjects and their parents. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for self-esteem between the two study groups. Regarding social adjustment, children with cystic fibrosis reported significantly worse friendship and overall adjustment (P < 0.05). Moreover, no difference was found in the levels of family functioning between the two groups. No significant differences between the groups were found in emotional/ behavioral problems from the self-reports. On the contrary, parents of children with cystic fibrosis reported significantly higher levels of withdrawal/ depression, thought problems, and delinquent behavior (P ≤ 0.01) as compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis appear to be a psychosocially vulnerable group. A biopsychosocial approach should emphasize the assessment and treatment of the psychosocial distress of these patients alongside multiple somatic treatments

Hearing impairment and psychosis: a replication in a cohort of young adults

Previous work has demonstrated an association between hearing impairment and psychosis. In the current study, this association was studied in a cohort of young people. In addition, it was studied to what degree duration of hearing problems (i.e. onset earlier in life) impacted on risk. Data were derived from the Greek National Perinatal Survey, a prospective birth cohort study of 11,048 neonates at baseline, 6594 seven-year olds at T1 and 3500 nineteen-year olds at T2. A significant association was found at age 19 years between the presence of hearing impairment and the presence of self-reported positive psychotic-like experiences (beta = 0.18, S.E. = 0.02, p < 0.000). In addition, this association was conditional on the duration of hearing problems, in that the association at age 19 years was stronger if hearing impairment had already been reported at age 7 years (test for interaction: p = 0.022). These results replicate previous findings of an association between hearing impairment and psychosis, extend it to the age range of late adolescence, and suggest that longer duration is associated with stronger risk.status: publishe

Evidence breast is best

Aim: To examine the prevalence and determinants of breastfeeding and to identify perinatal, sociodemographic, psychosocial and environmental factors associated with maternal infant feeding intention. Methods: A sample of 3734 Greek mothers that delivered their infants in 2000 was recruited in a longitudinal cohort study. Data on duration of breastfeeding was based on a questionnaire answered by 76.6% of the participants at 8-12 months postpartum. Results: The rates of any breastfeeding at 3 and 6 months were 52% and 24%, respectively. The corresponding rates of exclusive breastfeeding were 37% and 17%. From Cox regression analysis mother’s intention to breastfeed for a short time and upbringing in the area of Athens were significantly associated with early termination of any breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. A positive intention to breastfeed was influenced by maternal entitlement more than 6 months, delivery in autumn or winter, mother’s upbringing abroad and previous breastfeeding experience. Conclusions: The rates of any breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding during the first year of life were fairly satisfactory. Programs to support breastfeeding are necessary and should encourage women to feel positive to breastfeed, focusing particularly on non-working mothers, mothers with a maternity entitlement less than 6 months and mothers who lack previous breastfeeding experience

On the history of animals

Aim: To examine the secular trend of menarcheal age in Greek girls during the last decade. Methods: Seven hundred and fifty senior high schoolgirls were asked through a questionnaire to report their date of menarche, participation in physical activities and their weight status at menarche. The data were compared with those of a study of 1996. Results: Mean age at menarche (+/- SD) in 2006 was 12.29 (1.19) and in 1996 it was 12.27 (1.13) years, p = 0.73. Maternal menarcheal age was 13.02 (1.32). There was a significant correlation between age at menarche of the schoolgirls and their mothers, p &lt; 0.0001. There was a significant difference in the age at menarche according to the schoolgirls’ perceived weight status. Menarcheal age of obese girls (n = 56) was 11.73 (1.21) years, of normal weight girls (n = 474) was 12.29 (1.21) years and of lean girls (n = 220) was 12.42 (1.14) years, p &lt; 0.001. There was no significant difference in the age at menarche between the girls that participated, 12.23 (1.19), and those that did not participate in sporting activities, 12.32 (1.19), p = 0.31. Conclusion: Levelling-off of the age at menarche over the last 10 years occurred in Greek girls living in Athens. Menarcheal age is influenced by the weight status and maternal menarcheal age

Relationship between eating behavior, breakfast consumption, and obesity among Finnish and Greek adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between eating-related behaviors, particularly breakfast consumption, and weight status in Finnish and Greek adolescents. METHODS: A total of 6,468 16-year-old Finnish adolescents and 2,842 17- and 18-year-old Greek adolescents, based on the latest follow-up of 2 population-based cohorts, were studied. Univariate analysis examined the associations between breakfast consumption, family meals, emotional eating, bingeing, and weight status in both populations. Multiple logistic regression models focused on the relationship between breakfast consumption and overweight/obesity taking potential confounders into account. RESULTS: Daily breakfast consumption was associated with lower levels of overweight/obesity among Finnish and Greek boys, but not among girls. Adjusting for confounders did not change the result among Greek boys, but adjustment for father's body mass index, weight control, and fear of getting fat attenuated the association among Finnish boys. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study highlights the importance of breakfast consumption, particularly among male adolescents, in obesity prevention programs