COVID-19 and behavioral addictions: worrying consequences?

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. The health measures implemented by the governments of all countries were strict, to prevent the virus from spreading out of control. The results of these measures and the situation resulting from the health crisis had an impact not only on the physical health of individuals, but also on their habits, mental health (Constanza et al., 2020; Baenas et al., 2020) and cognitive impairment (Montejo et al., 2021) Moreover, the impact of stress, isolation, boredom and lack of activity and stimuli on substance use, as well as on other addictive behaviors, such as gambling, video games or pornography viewing is widely known (Király et al., 2020). In addition, for many people, these restrictions meant a reduction in their economic income, loss of employment, and significant concern as well as uncertainties for their families' jobs and financial future. This situation raised alarms from governments, especially in relation to gambling activity (Gainsbury et al., 2021)

Network for blood pressure research in children and adolescents (COST Action CA 19115)

High blood pressure is a clearly established modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. Although most of its adverse effects develop in adulthood, it has become clear that high BP is a lifelong problem that can manifest early in life. While few would dispute the importance of taking effective steps to identify and manage this condition in middle-aged and elderly individuals, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of high BP in children and adolescents. Therefore,the development of actions focused on early childhood, childhood and adolescence and the investigation of the underlying causes of this epidemic are of utmost importance. There is a pressing need for comprehensive pan-European action to increase the knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents, the current scarcity of which impedes the development of consensus across different research fields and hinders efforts to introduce changes in clinical practice. There are some aspects that demand urgent action: the definition of hypertension, the prevalence of high BP in Europe, accurate measurement for early identification, the assessment of hypertension-mediated organ damage and the development and implementation of prevention strategies. In order to provide answers to all of these unanswered questions and challenges, a multidisciplinary network was established, maintained and funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology(COST) Association. COST is a funding organization for the creation of research networks known as COST Actions. In this case, the network will promote coordinated and collaborative activities on personalized preventive measures for children and adolescents across Europe. © 2021 Published by Elsevier Espana'-

Editorial : Neurological, psychological and endocrine markers of eating disorders and obesity

Altres ajuts: Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas (2019I47 and 2021I031

Gambling-Like Day Trading During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Need for Research on a Pandemic-Related Risk of Indebtedness and Mental Health Impact

Stock exchange trading increasingly has been highlighted as a possible cause of gambling disorder, typically in rapid and excessive "day trading" which may cause over-indebtedness and mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has been suspected to increase online gambling and gambling problems. In a number of recent media reports, day trading has been reported to increase during COVID-19, possibly in relation to changes in everyday life, financial problems and job insecurity during the pandemic. Increasing day trading has thereby been suspected to cause addictive behavior, financial difficulties, and poor mental health. However, there is hitherto a lack of research in the area. The present paper addresses the potential for day trading to cause problem gambling, debts and mental health problems, and calls for research and clinical guidelines in problem gambling related to stock market behavior as a problematic gambling behavior. Screening tools, awareness among clinicians, and longitudinal research studies may be warranted, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

European Network for blood pressure research in children and adolescents

High blood pressure is a clearly established modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and renal disease. Although most of its adverse effects develop in adulthood, it has become clear that high BP is a lifelong problem that can manifest early in life. While few would dispute the importance of taking effective steps to identify and manage this condition in middle-aged and elderly individuals, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of high BP in children and adolescents. Therefore, the development of actions focused on early childhood, childhood and adolescence and the investigation of the underlying causes of this epidemic are of utmost importance. There is a pressing need for comprehensive pan-European action to increase the knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents, the current scarcity of which impedes the development of consensus across different research fields and hinders efforts to introduce changes in clinical practice. There are some aspects that demand urgent action: the definition of hypertension, the prevalence of high BP in Europe, accurate measurement for early identification, the assessment of hypertension-mediated organ damage and the development and implementation of prevention strategies. In order to provide answers to all of these unanswered questions and challenges, a multidisciplinary network was established, maintained and funded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Association. COST is a funding organization for the creation of research networks known as COST Actions. In this case, the network will promote coordinated and collaborative activities on personalized preventive measures for children and adolescents across Europe

Are Trans diagnostic models of eating disorders fit for purpose? A consideration of the evidence for food addiction

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Treasure, J., Leslie, M., Chami, R., Fernandez-Aranda, F. (2018). Are trans diagnostic models of eating disorders fit for purpose? A consideration of the evidence for food addiction. European Eating Disorders Review, 26(2), 83-91. , which has been published in final form at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/erv.2578. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Explanatory models for eating disorders have changed over time to account for changing clinical presentations. The transdiagnostic model evolved from the maintenance model, which provided the framework for cognitive behavioural therapy for bulimia nervosa. However, for many individuals (especially those at the extreme ends of the weight spectrum), this account does not fully fit. New evidence generated from research framed within the food addiction hypothesis is synthesised here into a model that can explain recurrent binge eating behaviour. New interventions that target core maintenance elements identified within the model may be useful additions to a complex model of treatment for eating disorders

Exploring internet gaming disorder: an updated perspective of empirical evidence (from 2016 to 2021)

Background and aims: Since the acceptance of Internet gaming disorder (IGD) as a "disorder due to addictive behaviors", research has proliferated exponentially. The present review focuses on the conceptualization of IGD, its diagnosis and assessment, associated factors and existing prevention and treatment plans to address it. Results and conclusions: The discrepancies between the diagnostic criteria for IGD proposed by the two central diagnostic entities, as well as the questioning of their clinical validity, have generated multiple proposals for the diagnosis and psychometric evaluation of IGD. Likewise, there have been numerous suggestions to prevent this pathology, with the involvement of governments, the gaming industry and health institutions. Finally, multiple treatment plans have been proposed, both pharmacological and psychological, although only the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy has been tested. It is essential, therefore, to delve deeper into this disorder by addressing the central limitations of the current literature

Una teràpia per a la bulímia

Un estudi realitzat per un equip de l'Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, dirigit pel Dr. Fernando Fernández-Aranda i analitzat per les professores Roser Granero i Eva Penelo del Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de la Ciències de la Salut de la UAB, ha aprofundit en com la teràpia cognitiva-conductual en pacients que pateixen un trastorn de la conducta alimentària permet reduir els símptomes depressius de les afectades. El treball mostra com aquest tipus de tractament, amb una actitud positiva, permet modificar trets de caràcter que en principi estan considerats genèticament determinats.Un estudio realizado por un equipo del Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, dirigido por el Dr. Fernando Fernández-Aranda y analizado por las profesoras Roser Granero y Eva Penelo del Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de la Ciencias de la Salud de la UAB, ha profundizado en cómo la terapia cognitiva-conductual en pacientes que padecen un trastorno de la conducta alimentaria permite reducir los síntomas depresivos de las afectadas. El trabajo muestra cómo este tipo de tratamiento, con una actitud positiva, permite modificar rasgos de carácter que en principio están considerados genéticamente determinados

Videojocs per tractar trastorns mentals

Un videojoc, anomenat Island, dissenyat i desenvolupat per un equip multidisciplinari de clínics, enginyers i programadors, del que forma part l'Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge i en el qual hi col·laboren les professores Roser Granero i Eva Penelo de la UAB, sembla permetre a pacients amb malalties mentals adquirir noves estratègies per afrontar-se a les pròpies emocions negatives en situacions estressants de la vida quotidiana. Aquests pacients també senten que utilitzant aquest videojoc participen més activament en el seu procés de recuperació. Així, els videojocs apareixen amb un futur prometedor com a complement a tractaments tradicionals d'aquestes malalties.Un videojuego, llamado Island, diseñado y desarrollado por un equipo multidisciplinar de clínicos, ingenieros y programadores, del que forma parte el Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge y en el que colaboran las profesoras Rosario Granero y Eva Penelo de la UAB, parece permitir a pacientes con enfermedades mentales adquirir nuevas estrategias para afrontar las propias emociones negativas en situaciones estresantes de la vida cotidiana. Estos pacientes también sienten que utilizando este videojuego participan más activamente en su proceso de recuperación. Así, los videojuegos aparecen con un futuro prometedor como complemento a tratamientos tradicionales de estas enfermedades

Organizational learning and performance: Relationship between the dynamic and the operational capabilities of the firm

This paper analyzes the relationship between organizational learning mechanisms, normally regarded as dynamic capabilities, and the operational flexibility of the firm, considered as an operational capability, within the context of the measurement of firm performance. Organizational learning is a dynamic process which enables the firm to adapt to changing environments, so making it easier for it to change established behaviour patterns and routines. This dynamic capability is therefore directly related to organizational routines and the operational processes that underlie these routines, and the objective of this study is to analyze this relationship and its effect on firm performance. To this end, we carried out an empirical study to test the relationships proposed in our model. Our most important findings were firstly that there is a link between the dynamic and the operational capabilities of the firm, and secondly that the development of dynamic capabilities will result in improved firm performance