In these national samples of black, Hispanic, and white youth, unique and cross-cutting factors derived from a resiliency framework predicted or protected against attempting suicide. In addition to risk reduction, promotion of protective factors may offer an effective approach to primary as well as secondary prevention of adolescent suicidal behavior.

Multiple types of adverse childhood experiences should be considered as risk factors for a spectrum of violence-related outcomes during adolescence. Providers and advocates should be aware of the interrelatedness and cumulative impact of adverse-event types. Study findings support broadening the current discourse on types of adverse events when considering pathways from child maltreatment to adolescent perpetration of delinquent and violent outcomes.

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Nearly 3 in 10 overweight adolescents do not consider themselves overweight. Those with an accurate weight perception reported some healthy weight-related behaviors but not higher levels of unhealthy weight-related behaviors. With the substantial prevalence of weight misperception, clinicians should consider their patients' perceived weight status when pursuing patient-centered counseling of overweight adolescents.

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Regional variations in capillary density, glucose utilization rate, and activities of the glycolytic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase and the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome oxidase were compared in the rat brain. The distributions of capillaries and enzymes were studied by means of histochemical staining techniques, and glucose metabolism was measured by means of [14C]2-deoxyglucose autoradiography. Analysis of 18 gray and five white matter regions revealed a positive correlation between capillary density and glucose utilization rate. A negative correlation was found between capillary density and lactate dehydrogenase among gray matter structures. Analysis of capillaries and enzymes was also performed within laminated histological fields: hippocampus, olfactory bulb, and olfactory cortex. In general, this revealed reciprocal patterns of staining for lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase. Capillary density paralleled cytochrome oxidase activity. The zones of intense staining for lactate dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase corresponded to the synaptic terminal fields of different input pathways. These findings demonstrate distinct distributions of a glycolytic and an oxidative enzyme within the brain which are at least partly associated with pathway specificity.

ABSTRACT. Objective. Little research addresses the correlates of sexual aggression in nonclinical populations of adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify risk and protective factors associated with sexual violence among male and female adolescents.Methods. We analyzed data on 71 594 students in the 9th and 12th grades responding to the 1992 Minnesota Student Survey, an anonymous, self-report survey examining an array of risk environments, health-compromising behaviors, and protective factors. The responses of students reporting a history of forcing someone into a sexual act were compared with those who reported that they had never forced someone into a sexual act. Separate analyses were conducted for males and females.Results. A history of sexual violence perpetration was reported by 4.8% of male and 1.3% of female adolescents. Using a logistic regression model, sexual aggression was associated with experiencing intrafamilial or extrafamilial sexual abuse, witnessing family violence, frequent use of illegal drugs, anabolic steroid use, daily alcohol use, gang membership, high levels of suicide risk behavior, and excessive time spent "hanging out." Emotional health and connectedness with friends and adults in the community were protective factors for male adolescents against sexually aggressive behavior, and academic achievement was a protective factor for female adolescents.Conclusions. A history of forcing someone into a sexual act was associated with several risk and protective factors. Efforts to prevent adolescent sexual violence should target individuals at increased risk. Through their psychosocial assessment of young people, health care professionals can play a role in identifying, counseling, and making appropriate referrals for adolescents at risk for sexually aggressive behavior. Pediatrics 1997;100(6). URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/100/6/e7; adolescence, sexual aggression, violence, risk factors, protective factors.

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