Objective: To evaluate demographic and psychosocial predictors of attrition and weight loss in a behaviorally based adolescent weight control trial. Methods and Procedures: Adolescents (N = 76) aged 13-16 years and 20-80% overweight (M = 60.56%, s.d. = 15.17%) received standard group-based behavioral treatment as part of a randomized trial comparing different activity interventions for overweight adolescents. Anthropometric and psychosocial measures were obtained at baseline and after the 16-week intervention. Results: Higher parent (P < 0.01) and adolescent BMI (P < 0.05) at baseline, as well as ethnic minority status (P < 0.05) were significantly associated with attrition in univariate analyses. Parent BMI remained the only significant predictor of attrition in multivariate analyses. BMI change for completers (N = 62) was highly variable, ranging from -6.09 to +1.62 BMI units. Male gender (P < 0.01) was a significant predictor of reduction in BMI, whereas not being from an ethnic minority group (P < 0.05) and attendance at group sessions (P = 0.05) were associated with ≥5% absolute weight loss in multivariate analyses. Absolute weight loss during the first 4 weeks of the program was strongly associated with weight loss (pr = 0.44, P < 0.001) during the remainder of the intervention. Psychosocial variables were unrelated to attrition or treatment outcome. Discussion: These findings highlight the potential importance of attending to parental BMI in efforts to retain adolescent participants in treatment, as well as the need to develop weight control interventions that are more effective for ethnic minority youth.

Objectives To evaluate the efficacy of behavioral weight control intervention combined with a peer-enhanced activity intervention versus structured aerobic exercise in decreasing BMI and z-BMI in overweight adolescents. Study design Participants were randomized to one of two group-based treatment conditions: 1) cognitive behavioral treatment combined with peer enhanced adventure therapy (CBT+PEAT) or 2) cognitive behavioral weight control treatment combined with supervised aerobic exercise (CBT+EXER). Participants included 118 overweight adolescents, ages 13 – 16 years, and a primary caregiver. Changes in body mass index (BMI), standardized BMI, percent over BMI, and waist circumference were examined. Results Analysis of variance based on intent to treat (ITT) indicated significant decreases in all weight change outcomes at end of treatment, with significant decreases maintained at 12-month follow-up. No differences between treatment conditions were observed. Secondary analyses indicated that adherence with attendance and completion of weekly diet records contributed significantly to reductions in BMI. Conclusions A cognitive behavioral weight control intervention combined with supervised aerobic exercise or peer-enhanced adventure therapy is equally effective in short-term reduction of BMI and z-BMI among overweight adolescents. Adherence, as measured by session attendance and self-monitoring, is a key dimension of weight change.

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Although physical violence against children is common worldwide, there are no national estimates in Haiti. To establish baseline national estimates, a three-stage clustered sampling design was utilized to administer a population-based household survey about victimization due to physical violence to 13–24 year old Haitians (n = 2,916), including those residing in camps or settlements. Descriptive statistics and weighted analysis techniques were used to estimate national lifetime prevalence and characteristics of physical violence against children. About two-thirds of respondents reported having experienced physical violence during childhood (67.0%; 95% CI 63.4–70.4), the percentage being similar in males and females. More than one-third of 13–17 year old respondents were victimized in the 12 months prior to survey administration (37.8%; 95% CI 33.6–42.1). The majority of violence was committed by parents and teachers; and the perceived intent was often punishment or discipline. While virtually all (98.8%; 95% CI 98.0–99.3) victims of childhood physical violence were punched, kicked, whipped or beaten; 11.0% (95% CI 9.2–13.2) were subject to abuse by a knife or other weapon. Injuries sustained from violence varied by victim gender and perpetrator, with twice as many females (9.6%; 95% CI 7.1–12.7) than males (4.0%; 95% CI 2.6–6.1) sustaining permanent injury or disfigurement by a family member or caregiver (p-value <.001). Our findings suggest that physical violence against children in Haiti is common, and may lead to severe injury. Characterization of the frequency and nature of this violence provides baseline estimates to inform interventions.

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Children with severe TBI and higher ISS were more likely to have delayed initiation of enteral nutrition. Delayed enteral nutrition was an independent risk factor for worse functional status at ICU discharge for the entire cohort, but not for the severe TBI group.

Purpose-To determine whether baseline intake or initial changes in intake of fruits (F), vegetables (V), snack foods (SF), and reduced-calorie snack foods (RCSF) during standard behavioral weight loss treatment predict BMI reductions among overweight adolescents. Given conflicting messages between child and adult weight loss interventions, the role of RCSF in adolescent weight control was of particular interest.Methods-Seventy-two adolescents, 13-16 years old, participating in a 16-week behavioral weight loss trial with diet records at baseline and 4 weeks were included. Height and weight were measured at 0 and 16 weeks. Frequency of intake of F, V, SF, and RCSF were obtained from 7-day food records at 0 and 4 weeks.Results-Male gender, higher initial frequency of intake of V and increased frequency of intake of F and RCSF over the first 4 weeks of treatment accounted for 43% of the variance in BMI reduction at 16 weeks (p < .001).Conclusions-Early changes in eating habits, including increased frequency of intake of F and RCSF may promote greater adolescent BMI reductions.