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Objective: Screen time has been reported to be associated with binge‐eating disorder (BED) among adolescents in the US; however, potential mediators remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate depression symptoms as a mediator of the prospective association between screen time and BED. Method: We utilized data from 9465 children (aged 9–11 years at baseline) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (2016–2021). A generalized structural equation model was used to examine the prospective association between average daily screen time at baseline and BED at year 2, adjusting for baseline BED diagnosis, and other potential covariates (e.g., age, sex, and income). Mediation was examined using bias‐corrected (BC) 95% confidence intervals for the indirect effect of baseline screen time on year 2 BED through depression symptoms (change from baseline to year 1). Results: One hundred and one participants (42.7% male, 49.4% racial/ethnic minority) met the criteria for BED in year 2. Participants were 9.9 years of age on average at baseline, 51.3% identified as male, and 43.1% identified as a racial/ethnic minority. Adjusting for covariates, screen time was prospectively associated with BED (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.14], p =.005). Depression symptoms (B =.19, BC 95% CI [0.10, 0.28]) partially mediated (9.2%) the prospective association between screen time and BED. Discussion: Among US adolescents, higher baseline screen time was prospectively associated with BED diagnosis at year 2, and this relationship was partially mediated by increased depression symptoms. Preventive approaches targeting high screen use may have utility for reducing BED risk among adolescents. Public significance: Among U.S. adolescents, higher screen time was prospectively associated with the incidence of BED. This association was partially mediated by the change in depressive symptoms. Preventive approaches targeting high screen use may have utility for reducing BED risk among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cigarette smoking and physical inactivity are two critical risk factors for noncommunicable diseases and all-cause mortality. However, few studies have compared the long-term trajectories of both behaviors, as well as multilevel factors associated with trajectory patterns. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) Wave I through V survey data, this study characterized distinct subgroups of the population sharing similar behavioral patterns from adolescence to adulthood, as well as predictors of subgroup membership for physical activity (PA) and cigarette smoking behavior respectively. Methods: Using the Add Health Wave I through V survey data, we identified the optimal number of latent classes and class-specific trajectories of PA and cigarette smoking from early adolescence to adulthood, fitting latent growth mixture models with standardized PA score and past 30-day cigarette smoking intensity as outcome measures and age as a continuous time variable. Associations of baseline sociodemographic factors, neighborhood characteristics, and sociopsychological factors with trajectory class membership were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Results: We identified three distinct subgroups of non-linear PA trajectories in the study population: moderately active group (N = 1067, 5%), persistently inactive group (N = 14,257, 69%) and worsening activity group (N = 5410, 26%). Foror cigarette smoking, we identified three distinct non-linear trajectory subgroups: persistent non-smoker (N = 14,939, 72%), gradual quitter (N = 2357, 11%), and progressing smoker (N = 3393, 16%). Sex, race/ethnicity, neighborhood environment and perceived peer support during adolescence were significant predictors of both physical activity and cigarette smoking trajectory subgroup membership from early adolescence to adulthood. Conclusions: There are three distinct subgroups of individuals sharing similar PA and cigarette smoking behavioral profile respectively from adolescence to adulthood in the Add Health study population. Behavioral interventions that focus on neighborhood environment (e.g. establish community-based activity center) and relationship to peers during adolescence (e.g. peer counseling) could be key to long-term PA promotion and cigarette smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence shows that cyberbullying is an important risk factor for various adverse mental health outcomes, such as substance use. However, there is limited evidence from longitudinal studies that assessed whether cyberbullying victimization is associated with substance use initiation, especially among adolescent population. Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, we assessed the association between cyberbullying victimization and substance use initiation among adolescents. In the cross-sectional analysis at year 2, multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess the association between cyberbullying victimization history and substance use initiation. Additionally, the association between year 2 cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months/lifetime and year 3 substance use initiation was assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and the presence of depression/anxiety symptoms, lifetime history of cyberbullying victimization was significantly associated with substance use initiation (OR= 2.17, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.81). Recent cyberbullying victimization in the past 12 months was associated with two-times higher odds of initiating substances (OR= 2.31, 95% CI: 1.71, 3.12). In addition, both lifetime history of cyberbullying victimization and recent cyberbullying victimization at year 2 were associated with two times increased risk in substance use initiation at year 3 (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.68, 2.93; OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.68, 3.26). There is a significant relationship between cyberbullying victimization and substance use initiation among adolescents. Cyberbullying victims are at an increased risk of initiating substance use later in life. ∘ Cyberbullying victimization is associated with substance use initiation among adolescents. ∘ History of cyberbullying victimization increases the risk of initiating substances among adolescents later in life. ∘ Adolescents with a history of cyberbullying victimization have the highest risk of initiating alcohol later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Method Results Discussion To assess associations between multiple dimensions of gender diversity with eating disorder symptoms in a national cohort of U.S. early adolescents.This cross‐sectional study utilized data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N = 10,092, Mage = 12.9 years, 2019–2021). Gender diversity was measured using multiple dimensions, including categorical gender identity (e.g., transgender, cisgender), categorical and continuous felt gender (congruence between gender identity and assigned sex), ordinal gender non‐contentedness (dissatisfaction with one's gender), and ordinal gender expression (communication of gender through appearance and mannerisms). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations among gender diversity measures and eating disorder symptoms, adjusting for potential confounders.Greater felt gender diversity was associated with self‐worth tied to weight (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.11–1.53), binge eating (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06–1.46), and distress with binge eating (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.09–1.59). Greater gender expression diversity was associated with self‐worth tied to weight (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02–1.33), distress with binge eating (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.51), and characteristics of binge eating episodes (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.06–1.66). Gender non‐contentedness was associated with self‐worth tied to weight (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.20–1.58) and compensatory behaviors related to weight gain (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01–1.26). Transgender identity was not significantly associated with any eating disorder symptoms.We found that greater gender diversity across multiple dimensions was associated with various eating disorder symptoms, and that measures beyond binary gender identity may be important to assess gender diversity in early adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic associations of online dating in a demographically diverse U.S. national cohort of early adolescents. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (Year 2, 2018–2020, ages 11–12; N = 10,157). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate associations between sociodemographic factors (e.g., age, sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, household income, parental education) and early adolescent-reported online dating behaviors. Results: Overall, 0.4% (n = 38) of participants reported ever using a dating app. Males (AOR 2.72, 95% CI 1.11–6.78) had higher odds of online dating compared to females, and sexual minority identification (e.g., lesbian, gay, or bisexual; AOR 12.97, 95% CI 4.32–38.96) was associated with greater odds of online dating compared to heterosexual identification. Conclusion: Given the occurrence of online dating among early adolescents despite age restrictions, interventions might address age misrepresentation. Adolescent sexual health education may consider incorporating anticipatory guidance on online dating, especially for males and sexual minorities. Future research could further investigate online dating patterns from early to late adolescence and associated health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and bullying victimization are linked with mental health problems in adolescents. However, little is known about the overlap between the two factors and how this impacts adolescent mental health problems (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). The current study analyzed data from 8,085 participants (47.7% female; 44.1% racial/ethnic minority) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, baseline (2016–2018, ages 9–10 years) to Year 2. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between ACEs, bullying victimization and mental health problems, respectively, adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, country of birth, household income, parental education, and study site. The findings showed that both ACEs and bullying victimization were independently associated with higher internalizing and higher externalizing problems. However, no significant interaction was found between ACEs and bullying victimization. Overall, the results align with the cumulative risk model of adversity, linking cumulative ACEs and bullying victimization to internalizing and externalizing problems in early adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between body mass index (BMI) and binge-eating disorder (BED) is well-established. However, data on the extent to which BMI is associated with progression from binge-eating behavior into BED among adolescents are limited, which was the aim of this investigation. Participants were 9964 U.S. adolescents from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, aged 9–13 at the time of study enrollment. A computerized parent-reported assessment was used to establish adolescents' binge-eating behaviors and BED. Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates were used to examine prospective associations between BMI and likelihood of BED onset among a) adolescents with binge-eating behavior, and b) adolescents with no binge-eating behavior. Of 975 adolescents who met the study criteria for binge-eating behavior, 89 (9.1%) subsequently met the study criteria for BED. Of 8989 adolescents with no binge-eating behavior, 82 (0.9%) subsequently met the study criteria for BED. BMI percentile was significantly associated with the likelihood of BED onset in participants with (adjusted HR = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00, 1.06) and participants without (adjusted HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07) binge-eating behavior. Results were also significant when examining BMI as a dichotomous predictor (above and below 85th percentile) among those with (adjusted HR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.00, 6.68) and those without (adjusted HR = 6.01, 95% CI 3.90, 11.10) binge-eating behavior. Overall, results indicate that elevated BMI is prospectively associated with a greater risk for BED onset among U.S. adolescents with or without binge-eating behavior. Adolescents with a higher BMI may benefit from screening for binge eating, and prevention/early intervention strategies to mitigate the risk for developing BED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]