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Objective: Research suggests that both compulsive exercise and eating disordered behaviors increase during college. Despite strong cross‐sectional associations between compulsive exercise and eating disorders, it is unknown if compulsive exercise is a variable risk factor for eating disorders or simply a correlate. It was hypothesized that increases in compulsive exercise would significantly and prospectively predict increases in overall number of eating disorder symptoms over the study period. Method: A total of 265 first year college students who did not meet criteria for a full or subthreshold eating disorder diagnosis at Time 1 (age M = 18.15; SD = 0.42; 122 female [46%] at Time 1) completed reports of compulsive exercise and eating disorder symptoms via online questionnaires at four timepoints over the 9‐month 2021–2022 academic year (76% retention rate). Hypotheses were tested using a bivariate latent change score model. Results: Hypotheses were not supported. Change in compulsive exercise did not predict change in number of eating disorder symptoms. Change in number of eating disorder symptoms also did not predict change in compulsive exercise. Conclusions: Compulsive exercise did not emerge as a variable risk factor for the development of eating disorder symptoms among first year college students. The relationship between these behaviors should be investigated at different developmental timepoints, such as early adolescence, and potential third variables that may explain the observed co‐occurrence should be explored. Public significance: This study investigated whether increases in compulsive exercise predicted increases in number of eating disorder symptoms among first year college students. Compulsive exercise did not significantly predict number of eating disorder symptoms. Additional research is warranted to clarify the relationship between compulsive exercise and eating disorder symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College student athletes are at risk for mental health difficulties. Athletic identity – the degree of strength and exclusivity to which a person identifies with the athletic role – is associated with health risk behaviors and mental health concerns broadly among student athletes. Given a variety of barriers to college athletes disclosing mental health difficulties, measuring athletic identity may be an indirect way to screen athletes for being at-risk for mental health concerns. The current study examined the factor structure of an increasingly popular measure of athletic identity (the AIMS-Plus) across two samples of self-identified athletes (Nstudy1 = 201; 60.2% male; 61.19% White; 21.39% Hispanic; NStudy2 = 175; 45.29% male; 70.86% White; 20.57% Hispanic) to offer a peer-reviewed validation of the measure. Results suggest that the factor structure of the AIMS-Plus was not supported; however, both a modified version of the AIMS-Plus (the AIMS-Plus-R) and the 7-item AIMS may be acceptable. Continued work refining measures of athletic identity is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among Adolescents Presenting for Bariatric Surgery Candidacy: Examining Differences by Sex and Racial Minority Status" published in Obesity Surgery. The authors found duplicate cases in the original article, but the study's findings remain largely unchanged after excluding the duplicate data. The document provides revised numeric information and updated tables, including demographic characteristics of the participants, the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms, and differences in disordered eating behaviors based on sex and racial/ethnic background. The study compares disordered eating behaviors across different racial and ethnic groups and finds no significant differences in eating disorder diagnoses or binge eating episodes among non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic minority individuals. However, there is a higher prevalence of excessive exercise among Hispanic individuals compared to non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic minority individuals. The study suggests the need for further research to better understand the relationship between race, ethnicity, and disordered eating behaviors. [Extracted from the article]

Body talk among adolescent females has been associated with negative outcomes, including depressed mood, disordered eating, and body dissatisfaction. Yet, little work has investigated the manifestation of body talk in actual conversations between adolescent females or explored pathways through which body talk is spread (e.g., co-rumination). The present study examined body talk among adolescent female dyads (N = 23 dyads) ages 13 to 17 (M age = 15.12) using an observational design. Reciprocally nominated dyads were recruited from a high school in the southeastern United States. Conversations between dyads were qualitatively coded using an applied thematic analysis approach. Identified themes were related to weight, appearance, and personality. Results provide insight into the social context in which sociocultural norms of weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, and eating-related psychopathology may be reinforced. Findings have implications for informing the development of interventions to reduce co-rumination of negative weight- and appearance-related body talk and to promote positive body image and healthy weight among adolescent girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Obesity is a major public health crisis in Latino youth. Mounting evidence implicates stress in the development and maintenance of obesity. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of having community health workers, i.e. promotoras, deliver A daptando D ieta y A cción P ara T odos (ADAPT)+, a family-based health promotion program integrating mindfulness strategies for stress reduction to underserved Latino families in rural communities. Methods In an ORBIT model Phase IIb longitudinal quasi-cluster feasibility study, promotoras delivered the 6-session ADAPT+ intervention and 1-session Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) in rural Florida. Feasibility was assessed via sample size and recruitment, randomization by community, data collection completion, and intervention fidelity. Acceptability was assessed via participant retention and program satisfaction. Effect sizes of differences in parent stress and mindful eating between conditions at baseline, end of treatment, and 3-month follow-up were calculated. Results Feasibility and acceptability were demonstrated. The recruitment target was 99% met (n  = 95 recruited). Randomization was limited to site level due to coronavirus disease 2019-related challenges. Data collection procedures were feasible (100% completion). Retention was 86% at post-assessment and 82.6% at 3-month follow-up. All sessions were completed (100% fidelity). Mean program satisfaction was 3.91/4.00. ADAPT+ parents reported lower stress (difference = −3.04, medium-to-large effect, d =.70) and more mindful eating (difference = 2.00, medium effect, d =.44) than EUC parents at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion Study implementation and intervention delivery to rural Latino families using promotoras were feasible and acceptable. Promising findings regarding parent stress and mindful eating support a larger (ORBIT Phase III) efficacy trial. Clinical Trial Registration This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04800432. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study extended research examining the validity of the two‐step Water Load Test (WLT‐II), an objective, laboratory‐based measure of gastric interoception, by investigating the validity of the WLT‐II in a nonclinical sample and testing its contribution to the prediction of eating and weight/shape concerns. Methods: Participants (n = 129, 73.6% cisgender female, M = 20.13 years old) completed the WLT‐II Questionnaire and two‐step WLT‐II, as well as self‐report measures of eating and weight/shape concerns (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire; EDE‐Q) and interoception (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness‐2; Intuitive Eating Scale‐2 Reliance on Hunger and Satiety), in the lab at a large southeastern university. Data analysis included repeated measures ANOVA, correlations, and a series of hierarchical linear regressions. Results: Participants reported considerably more discomfort after the "maximum fullness" trial compared to the "satiation" trial. The WLT‐II's objective measure of gastric interoception (sat_%) was not significantly correlated with the self‐report measures of interoception and did not predict EDE‐Q Dietary Restraint, Eating Shame, or Weight/Shape Concerns. Unexpectedly, greater gastric sensitivity was associated with less EDE‐Q Preoccupation/Restriction. Exploratory analyses suggested a possible nonlinear association. Discussion: These results support the validity of the WLT‐II in its ability to create, measure, and distinguish between the states of satiation and maximum fullness. However, results also suggest additional work is needed to better understand what the WLT‐II's sat_% measure is capturing, as well as investigate potential nonlinear associations of the WLT‐II with disordered eating. Public Significance: Interoception, or the processing of internal body signals, shows important links to disordered eating. Despite the clear relevance of gastric interoception to disordered eating—such as the ability to detect satiety signals—existing research has relied on general, self‐report measures of interoception. This study examined the utility of a laboratory‐based measure of gastric interoception. Results suggested mixed support for its validity and utility for predicting eating and weight/shape concerns in a nonclinical population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College student athletes are at risk for mental health difficulties. Athletic identity – the degree of strength and exclusivity to which a person identifies with the athletic role – is associated with health risk behaviors and mental health concerns broadly among student athletes. Given a variety of barriers to college athletes disclosing mental health difficulties, measuring athletic identity may be an indirect way to screen athletes for being at-risk for mental health concerns. The current study examined the factor structure of an increasingly popular measure of athletic identity (the AIMS-Plus) across two samples of self-identified athletes (Nstudy1 = 201; 60.2% male; 61.19% White; 21.39% Hispanic; NStudy2 = 175; 45.29% male; 70.86% White; 20.57% Hispanic) to offer a peer-reviewed validation of the measure. Results suggest that the factor structure of the AIMS-Plus was not supported; however, both a modified version of the AIMS-Plus (the AIMS-Plus-R) and the 7-item AIMS may be acceptable. Continued work refining measures of athletic identity is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biobehavioral model of food insecurity and chronic disease posits that stress perpetuates the cycle of food insecurity and chronic disease, in part, through changes in eating behaviors and weight gain. The current study conducted a preliminary test of the biobehavioral model in a sample of Hispanic older adolescents. It was hypothesized that older adolescents experiencing food insecurity would report greater depressive symptoms, which would be associated with more disordered eating, which would be associated with worse cardiometabolic indicators. Hispanic older adolescents (N = 113; 60% female; 15–21 years with mean age of 19.1; BMImean = 24.4) completed self-report baseline measures of food insecurity, depression, and disordered eating behaviors as part of a larger experimental study. Anthropometrics and body composition, blood pressure, heart rate, and resting metabolic rate were objectively measured. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Experiencing food insecurity was associated with more disordered eating (b = 2.20, p = 0.032). Greater depressive symptoms were associated with more disordered eating (b = 0.28, p = 0.025) and worse cardiometabolic indicators (b = 0.15, p = 0.017). The full biobehavioral model, however, was not supported. Findings underscore the complex interaction of social and psychological functioning and physical health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: College students who are members of groups in which appearance and alcohol norms are highly salient may be at particular risk for engaging in food and alcohol disturbance (FAD) behaviors. This study compared demographically-matched sorority- and non-sorority members on FAD and associated behaviors. Participants: College women who self-identified as being in a sorority (n = 95) were matched with non-sorority peers (n = 95) on age, body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and race. Methods: Participants completed an online survey assessing alcohol use, eating disorder symptoms, appearance-related peer pressure, FAD behaviors, and demographic information. Mann–Whitney U tests and generalized linear models tested hypotheses. Results: Sorority members reported more alcohol use and FAD behaviors; however, after controlling for year in school, alcohol use, and eating disorder symptoms, Greek status no longer predicted FAD behaviors. Conclusions: Differences in FAD behaviors across sorority- and non-sorority women were due to differences in alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research on adolescent bariatric surgery candidates is limited by insufficient inclusion of ethnic minorities and males, and lack of consideration of the full spectrum of disordered eating behaviors (i.e., restriction, compensatory behaviors [e.g., purging], overeating/binge eating behaviors). Objectives The current study investigated differences in the full range of disordered eating behaviors across sex and ethnicity among adolescents seeking bariatric surgery. Setting Teaching hospital, United States. Methods Data were collected using retrospective chart review of 79 adolescent bariatric surgery candidates (59% female, 46.8% Hispanic, MBMI = 50.2, SDBMI = 10.0, Mage = 17.3, SDage = 2.02) who had completed the self-reported Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale for DSM-5 at intake. Results Approximately 33% of study participants met self-reported criteria for an eating disorder, with 35% endorsing binge eating behaviors and 50% endorsing compensatory behaviors. Few differences in behavior frequencies were observed across sex or racial/ethnic status. Conclusions Findings underscore the importance of assessing the full spectrum of disordered eating behaviors among adolescent bariatric surgery candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the association between self-identified athlete status and Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) behaviors, and whether this association was moderated by drives for thinness or muscularity, and sex. 575 individuals (77.6% female, 40.0% identifying as athletes) recruited from a large southeastern university. Participants completed online measures of athletic identity, drives for muscularity and thinness, FAD behaviors, and demographic variables. Compared to non-athletes, male athletes with higher drive for muscularity endorsed more alcohol effects behaviors; female athletes endorsed the inverse relationship. Higher drive for thinness was associated with more diet and exercise behaviors among all participants, and extreme weight control behaviors among athletes. Athlete status moderated the associations between drives for thinness/muscularity and FAD Alcohol Effects and Extreme Weight Control Behaviors. Regardless of athlete status, college students with higher drive for thinness are at risk for engaging in more FAD Diet & Exercise behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has created disruptions in global and national food supply chains. Along with an increase in the unemployment rate, this resulted in a rise in food insecurity at the community-level, threatening individual and family well-being. Food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrient intakes, weight gain, and psychological distress, including anxiety and depressive symptoms, all of which are known to affect sleep. Yet, little is known about whether and how food insecurity is associated with sleep health, a critical but underrecognized health outcome. This paper reviews literature describing associations between food insecurity and sleep, summarizes key findings based on proposed mechanisms, and discusses directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evidence supports the transdiagnostic importance of food cravings across the spectrum of disordered eating behaviors. The ambivalence model of craving (AMC), originally applied to substance use craving, highlights the need to consider not just the motivational state of "approach," but also that of "avoidance." The aims of this project were to (a) extend the existing literature by providing additional psychometric support for the food approach and avoidance questionnaire (FAAQ), (b) extend research supporting the validity of applying the AMC to disordered eating by incorporating a cue‐reactivity paradigm, and (c) examine the unique contributions of the FAAQ and in‐the‐moment cue‐elicited craving to the prediction of disordered eating. Method: Participants (N = 223; 52.0% female, age M = 20.51 years) were recruited from a large southeastern university. Participants completed a food cue‐reactivity paradigm and measures of food craving and disordered eating in a lab setting. Results: The factor structure and construct validity of the FAAQ was supported and both general states of food craving (i.e., FAAQ) and cue‐elicited food craving were incrementally associated with the spectrum of disordered eating behaviors. As anticipated, both FAAQ and in‐the‐moment cue‐elicited approach were primarily associated with overeating behaviors, whereas FAAQ and cue‐elicited avoidance were primarily associated with restrictive eating behaviors. Discussion: Findings highlight the importance of including an avoidance dimension of food craving and have important implications for disordered eating prevention and intervention work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preliminary evidence supports the integration of type 1 diabetes (T1D) disease-specific factors into eating disorder risk models. The current study explored whether cross-sectional associations among constructs included in the modified dual pathway model of eating disorder risk for individuals with T1D are similar across sex among adolescents and young adults with T1D.Methods: Original study participants were recruited from the T1D Exchange Clinic Network, a U.S. registry of individuals with T1D. Online surveys included measures of general eating disorder risk factors, hypothesized T1D-specific risk factors, and a T1D-specific eating disorder questionnaire. The current study is a secondary analysis with the adolescents (13-17 years; n = 307; 46.9% female) and young adults (18-25 years; n = 313; 62.6% female) from the original sample. In the absence of strong measurement invariance for all measures of interest, sex-specific path models were estimated among the adolescent and young adult cohorts.Results: Only two paths emerged as significant in the female, but not male, adolescent model. In the young adult cohort, all significant paths were the same across sex.Conclusions: Both general and T1D-specific risk factors are associated with disordered eating behaviors in the T1D population. Patterns of associations were similar across male and female youth with T1D, suggesting that sex-specific prevention approaches to disordered eating behaviors among T1D youth may not be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health screening of athletes is of increasing concern to key stakeholders (e.g., sport administrators, psychologists, performance consultants, and coaches) at many institutions and governing bodies in the United States. Recently, Tomalski et al. (2019) described the implementation of a comprehensive collegiate student-athlete mental health screening program, including recommendations for professionals interested in replicating this program at other institutions. This excellent program involves resources and staffing that many institutions may not have. The current paper describes a variety of recommended adaptations of this comprehensive program and additional considerations to help professionals who have fewer resources or less institutional support to implement key aspects of student-athlete mental health screening. Specifically, recommendations for how to address staffing and time limitations, identify mental health providers, select screening questionnaires that maximize classification accuracy, and encourage accurate student-athlete reporting of mental health concerns are provided. Moreover, we emphasize the importance and utility of supporting mental health literacy of coaching staff as a cornerstone to effective mental health screening and intervention with collegiate student-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) demonstrate high rates of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) and may experience physiological and psychological vulnerabilities not currently included in established risk models of DEBs. This study examined associations among constructs included in the recently proposed T1D‐specific modified dual pathway model and examined age as a moderator of these associations. Method: Participants included adolescents (n = 307; age M = 15.71, SD = 1.33), young adults (n = 313; age M = 21.20, SD = 2.10), and adults (n = 198; age M = 30.51, SD = 2.81) recruited via the T1D Exchange Clinic Registry. Data were collected from participants' medical records and from self‐report questionnaires assessing dietary regimen, dietary restraint, body dissatisfaction, hunger/satiety, diabetes‐specific negative affect, and DEBs. Multiple group path modeling was used to test hypotheses. Results: Approximately 31% of participants were at risk for an eating disorder. The original modified dual pathway model had poor model fit. The addition of three empirically defensible paths improved model fit. Diabetes‐specific dietary regimen, diabetes‐specific negative affect, and hunger/satiety disruption all were associated with DEBs. A fully varying multiple group model by age fit best; however, only the dietary restraint to DEBs pathway demonstrated a distinct pattern across age cohort, which attenuated from the adolescent to the adult cohort. Discussion: This study provides preliminary support for associations proposed in the modified dual pathway model and suggests potential for intervening on disease‐specific risk factors of DEBs in a T1D population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Approach and Avoidance of Alcohol Questionnaire (AAAQ) was developed as a measure of craving to assess both desires to consume and desires to avoid consuming alcohol. Although the measure has been used in a variety of populations to predict future alcohol use behavior, the factor structures observed vary based on sample type (e.g., clinical vs. college samples) and may be overly long for use in repeated measures designs. The current article describes the development of a brief version of the AAAQ for use in clinical populations. Methods: Using existing data sets of individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorder, exploratory analyses (e.g., exploratory factor analysis and item response theory) were conducted using an inpatient sample (N = 298) at a substance abuse treatment facility. Confirmatory analyses (e.g., confirmatory factor analysis and multiple regression) were conducted using an inpatient detoxification sample (N = 175) and a longitudinal outpatient treatment sample (N = 53). Results: The brief AAAQ had comparable internal consistency, explained a similar amount of variance in alcohol consumption and related problems, and exhibited superior model fit as compared to the original measure. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the brief AAAQ is an effective tool to assess alcohol craving in clinical populations in treatment settings. We describe the development and validation of a brief 6‐item measure used to evaluate motivations to approach and avoid alcohol. This brief version of the measure performs similarly to the longer original measure, demonstrating similar variance accounted for in alcohol consumption and related problems, internal consistency, and predictive validity. Given the brief nature of the measure, it is appropriate for use in time limited situations, including repeated measures and ecological momentary assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case report describes the application of a dialectical behavioral therapy–informed psychotherapy approach to treating conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) with motor dysfunction in a Veterans Administration Health System Primary Care–Mental Health Integration Clinic. "Jane," a 30-year-old veteran, was diagnosed with conversion disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). She completed 25 sessions of treatment focused on improving emotion regulation and interpersonal skills over an 8-month period. At the end of treatment, Jane demonstrated improved motor ability and clinically significant improvements in her reported symptoms of MDD (per the Patient Health Questionnaire–9) and PTSD (per the PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version). This case report supports the conceptualization of conversion disorder as a function of emotion dysregulation and the application of a dialectical behavior therapy–informed treatment approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Drunkorexia" is a term that has been used to describe behaviors such as restricting food intake in anticipation of alcohol consumption to offset total caloric intake, and/or to enhance the intoxicating effect of alcohol consumption. Scattered studies over the past few years have indicated the potential problematic nature of the intersection of these behaviors, yet there remain significant gaps in the operationalization of the construct, limiting research progress. In this article, we articulate limitations of the current research, including problems with the definition of the construct and a lack of theoretical guidance. We suggest a broader and more accurate phrase to guide future work with this phenomenon: Food and alcohol disturbance (FAD). Additionally, we suggest adapting Fairburn's transdiagnostic theoretical model for FAD. It is hoped these changes might provide a roadmap for future work in this area on risk factors and adaptations of current preventive and treatment approaches to focus on this emerging form of eating disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To prospectively examine dose-response and timing effects of prenatal (PTE) and postnatal tobacco exposure on obesity risk assessed by conditional weight-for-length gain (CWFLG), by 2 years of age. CWFLG over the first 2 years of life was examined for 117 PTE and 57 nonexposed children. Repeated assessments of PTE were conducted beginning in the first trimester of pregnancy, using multiple methods. PTE or postnatal exposure status was not predictive of CWFLG. However, there was a dose-response association and an association with fetal exposure ascertained by infant meconium positive for nicotine and metabolites. PTE is related to restricted growth at birth, yet associated with accelerated CWFLG by 2 years of age, a measure that controls for birthweight differences. Results highlight the importance of examining dose-response and timing of exposure associations, along with the importance of obesity risk-reduction interventions within the first 2 years of life among PTE children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cross-national replication of the high rates of overweight/obesity among U.S. pediatric cancer survivors (PCS) is limited. Predictors of weight trajectories of Israeli PCS were examined from diagnosis and end of active cancer treatment to 3 years posttreatment.Methods: World Health Organization-derived body mass index (z-BMI) values were calculated at each time point from medical records of 135 Israeli PCS ( M diagnosis age = 11.4). A three-section piecewise multilevel model including age, ethnicity, gender, treatment length, and diagnosis as predictors was used to estimate z-BMI trajectories.Results: Most participants remained at a healthy weight at all time points. Differing weight trajectories emerged for PCS diagnosed with lymphoma/leukemia versus other cancer diagnoses from diagnosis to end of treatment, but similar weight change patterns were observed posttreatment.Conclusion: Replication of U.S. PCS weight trajectories was not observed in Israeli PCS, suggesting the importance of exploring environmental risk factors contributing to obesity among PCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Etiological models of disordered eating are limited in their consideration of racial/ethnic differences in risk factors. Appearance comparisons are consistent predictors of disordered eating outcomes, but research predominantly examines these associations among White women and overlooks the potential differential impact of upward (comparing to someone perceived as better off) versus downward comparisons (comparing to someone perceived as worse off). This study investigated race/ethnicity as a moderator of the associations between upward and downward appearance comparisons and disordered eating outcomes and body satisfaction of young adult women. Method Measures of upward and downward appearance comparisons, body satisfaction, and disordered eating were administered to 1,014 young adult women. A multiple group (by race/ethnicity) path analysis was estimated using maximum likelihood estimation for each disordered eating and body satisfaction outcome, controlling for age and BMI. Results Upward comparisons were associated with higher levels of disordered eating behaviors and lower body satisfaction for women of all racial/ethnic groups. Downward appearance comparisons emerged as detrimental for Hispanic/Latina women, but were protective for Asian and White women. Discussion Findings challenge the belief that appearance comparisons impact all women similarly and that downward comparisons are universally protective, a position often promulgated by clinical treatment approaches. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:519-523). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While eating disorders and obesity have traditionally been conceptualized as separate conditions, recent research suggests important overlap in several areas including etiology, comorbidity, risk factors, and prevention approaches. Examining the commonality among these conditions is particularly important as adolescents who present with both eating disorder symptomology and obesity demonstrate poorer outcomes within weight control treatments and are at greater risk for future development of full threshold eating disorders and additional weight gain. The purpose of this paper is to review the research examining the overlap in prevalence rates for eating disorders and obesity in adolescents, as well as shared etiology, risk factors, and psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Current preventive and treatment approaches also will be discussed, while highlighting the need for more integrated assessment, prevention, and treatment efforts that focus on maladaptive eating and activity patterns shared by both eating disorders and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Adolescent weight control interventions demonstrate variable findings, with inconsistent data regarding the appropriate role for parents. The current study examined the efficacy of a standard adolescent behavioral weight control (BWC) intervention that also targeted parent–adolescent communication and parental modeling of healthy behaviors (Standard Behavioral Treatment + Enhanced Parenting; SBT + EP) compared with a standard BWC intervention (SBT). Methods 49 obese adolescents (M age = 15.10; SD = 1.33; 76% female; 67.3% non-Hispanic White) and a caregiver were randomly assigned to SBT or SBT + EP. Adolescent and caregiver weight and height, parental modeling, and weight-related communication were obtained at baseline and end of the 16-week intervention. Results Significant decreases in adolescent weight and increases in parental self-monitoring were observed across both conditions. Analyses of covariance revealed a trend for greater reduction in weight and negative maternal commentary among SBT condition participants. Conclusions Contrary to hypotheses, targeting parent–adolescent communication and parental modeling did not lead to better outcomes in adolescent weight control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The association between directly observed mother-adolescent weight-related communication quality and adolescent percent overweight within the context of an adolescent weight control study was examined.Methods: As part of a larger study examining the impact of a behavioral weight control intervention that included attention to parent-adolescent communication (Standard Behavioral Treatment + Enhanced Parenting, SBT + EP) compared with an efficacious Standard Behavioral Treatment (SBT), 38 mother-adolescent dyads participated in a weight-related videotaped discussion. Discussions were taped and collected pre- and postintervention.Results: No significant differences emerged in the quality of mother-adolescent communication between SBT (n = 19) and SBT + EP (n = 19) participants, nor was baseline mother-adolescent communication quality associated with adolescents' weight loss in either condition. However, a decline in communication quality was associated with better outcomes for adolescents participating in the SBT group.Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that a change in mother-adolescent communication is associated with successful weight loss among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate social comparison processes as a potential mechanism by which social networks impact young women's weight control thoughts and behaviors and to examine whether social comparisons with close social ties (i.e., friends) have a greater influence on weight control outcomes relative to more emotionally distant ties. Methods Using Ecological Momentary Assessment, overweight young adult women ( N = 46; M age = 19; M BMI = 29) reported the nature and effects of weight-focused social comparisons on dieting and exercising intentions and on behaviors during their daily routine. Results Relative to social comparisons to targets of the same weight, weight-focused comparisons to both thinner and heavier individuals led to increased thoughts of dieting and exercising. Moreover, comparisons to thinner targets also increased the likelihood of engaging in actual dieting and exercising behaviors. Weight comparisons to friends amplified these effects. Conclusions Weight-focused social comparisons may be one mechanism by which social networks impact weight control thoughts and behaviors. Obesity interventions with young adults may achieve better outcomes by harnessing social comparison processes in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine longitudinal bidirectional associations between changes in adolescents’ weight status and psychosocial constructs. Method 118 obese adolescents aged 13–16 years participated in a behavioral weight control intervention. Percent overweight (OW), fear of negative evaluation (FNE), and frequency of weight-related teasing (WRT) were collected at baseline, end of intervention, and 12 and 24 months post-randomization. 3 multivariate latent change score models were estimated to examine longitudinal cross-lagged associations between: (1) OW and FNE; (2) OW and WRT; and (3) FNE and WRT. Results Decreases in OW were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in both FNE and WRT; however, changes in FNE and WRT were not prospectively associated with subsequent change in OW. Decreases in FNE were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in WRT. Conclusion Moderate weight loss in the context of a behavioral weight control intervention has positive long-term implications for obese adolescents’ peer relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Social psychological theories provide bases for understanding how social comparison processes may impact peer influence. This study examined two peer characteristics that may impact peer influence on adolescent girls' weight-related behavior intentions: body size and popularity. Method A school-based sample of 66 9th grade girls (12-15 years old) completed an experimental paradigm in which they believed they were interacting with other students (i.e., 'e-confederates'). The body size and popularity of the e-confederates were experimentally manipulated. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the three experimental conditions in which they were exposed to identical maladaptive weight-related behavior norms communicated by ostensible female peers who were either: (1) Thin and Popular; (2) Thin and Average Popularity; or (3) Heavy and Average Popularity. Participants' intent to engage in weight-related behaviors was measured pre-experiment and during public and private segments of the experiment. Results A significant effect of condition on public conformity was observed. Participants exposed to peers' maladaptive weight-related behavior norms in the Heavy and Average condition reported significantly less intent to engage in weight-related behaviors than participants in either of the thin-peer conditions ( F(2) = 3.93, p = .025). Peer influence on private acceptance of weight-related behavior intentions was similar across conditions ( F(2) = .47, p = .63). Discussion Body size comparison may be the most salient component of peer influence processes on weight-related behaviors. Peer influence on weight-related behavior intention also appears to impact private beliefs. Considering peer norms in preventive interventions combined with dissonance-based approaches may be useful. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:437-447) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To introduce and illustrate recent advances in statistical approaches to simultaneous modeling of multiple change processes. Methods Provide a general overview of how to use structural equations to simultaneously model multiple change processes and illustrate the use of a theoretical model of change to guide selection of an appropriate specification from competing alternatives. The selected latent change score model is then fit to data collected during an adolescent weight-control treatment trial. Results A latent change score model is built starting with the foundation of repeated-measures analysis of variance and illustrated using graphical notation. Conclusions The assumptions behind using structural equations to model change are discussed as well as limitations of the approach. Practical guidance is provided on matching the statistical model to the theory underlying the observed change processes and the research question(s) being answered by the analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including the pediatric obesity in the U.S., the effective intervention strategies for obesity, and the potential for the implementation of transtheoretical model (TM)-based interventions for health care access services.

Objective In contrast to prior work, recent theory suggests that high, not low, levels of adolescent peer popularity may be associated with health risk behavior. This study examined (a) whether popularity may be uniquely associated with cigarette use, marijuana use, and sexual risk behavior, beyond the predictive effects of aggression; (b) whether the longitudinal association between popularity and health risk behavior may be curvilinear; and (c) gender moderation. Methods A total of 336 adolescents, initially in 10–11th grades, reported cigarette use, marijuana use, and number of sexual intercourse partners at two time points 18 months apart. Sociometric peer nominations were used to examine popularity and aggression. Results Longitudinal quadratic effects and gender moderation suggest that both high and low levels of popularity predict some, but not all, health risk behaviors. Conclusions New theoretical models can be useful for understanding the complex manner in which health risk behaviors may be reinforced within the peer context. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Research suggests that adolescents’ engagement in nonsuicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors may be increasing over time, yet little is known regarding distal longitudinal factors that may promote engagement in these behaviors. Data from two longitudinal studies are presented to examine whether NSSI may be associated with peer influence processes. Study 1 included 377 adolescents from a community-based sample; Study 2 included 140 clinically-referred adolescents recruited from a psychiatric inpatient facility. In Study 1, adolescents’ NSSI was examined at baseline and one year later. Adolescents’ nominated best friend reported their own levels of NSSI. In Study 2, adolescents’ NSSI was examined at baseline as well as 9 and 18-months post-baseline. Adolescents’ perceptions of their friends’ engagement in self-injurious behavior (including suicidality) and depressed mood also were examined at all three time points. Baseline depressive symptoms were measured in both studies; gender and age were examined as moderators of peer influence effects. Results from both studies supported longitudinal peer socialization effects of friends’ self-injurious behavior on adolescents’ own NSSI for girls, but not for boys, even after controlling for depressive symptoms as a predictor. Study 1 suggested socialization effects mostly for younger youth. Results from Study 2 also suggested longitudinal socialization effects, as well as peer selection effects; adolescents’ NSSI was associated with increasing perceptions of their friends’ engagement in depressive/self-injurious thoughts and behavior. Findings contribute to the nascent literature on longitudinal predictors of NSSI and to work on peer influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Reciprocal longitudinal associations among weight-related behaviors and cognitions and peer relations constructs were examined among adolescent males and females.Methods: Participants included 576 adolescents aged 10-14 years, in grades 6-8. Measures assessed body dissatisfaction, negative weight-related cognitions, weight management behaviors, muscle-gaining behaviors, body mass index (BMI), likeability, popularity, and victimization at two time points, approximately 11 months apart. Multiple group path analyses were conducted to examine the reciprocal longitudinal associations between the peer relations constructs and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, controlling for participants' Time 1 BMI, pubertal development, and age.Results: Higher levels of body dissatisfaction were associated longitudinally with decreases in popularity. Higher popularity and lower likeability each were associated longitudinally with increases in negative body-related cognitions. Higher popularity was associated longitudinally with muscle-gaining behaviors for boys.Conclusions: Findings suggest highly popular and disliked adolescents may be at greater risk of weight-related behaviors and cognitions than other adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Reciprocal longitudinal associations among weight-related behaviors and cognitions and peer relations constructs were examined among adolescent males and females. Methods Participants included 576 adolescents aged 10–14 years, in grades 6–8. Measures assessed body dissatisfaction, negative weight-related cognitions, weight management behaviors, muscle-gaining behaviors, body mass index (BMI), likeability, popularity, and victimization at two time points, approximately 11 months apart. Multiple group path analyses were conducted to examine the reciprocal longitudinal associations between the peer relations constructs and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, controlling for participants’ Time 1 BMI, pubertal development, and age. Results Higher levels of body dissatisfaction were associated longitudinally with decreases in popularity. Higher popularity and lower likeability each were associated longitudinally with increases in negative body-related cognitions. Higher popularity was associated longitudinally with muscle-gaining behaviors for boys. Conclusions Findings suggest highly popular and disliked adolescents may be at greater risk of weight-related behaviors and cognitions than other adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of an interactive computer program among 34 sixth and seventh grade children and to assess the potential for knowledge acquisition about puberty. Based on a developmental self-esteem approach to teach children about their bodies, the Body Morph program was designed to maximize the educational experience by: (1) tailoring puberty information to boys or girls, and (2) creating a confidential experience. Preliminary results indicated that students significantly improved their knowledge about puberty after using the program. Satisfaction among boys and girls for this type of educational approach suggests that it is a compelling format from which to learn about puberty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A content analysis was conducted on two on-line menopause message boards over 18 months, before and after the announcement of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study results on hormone therapy risks. Messages ( N = 785) were coded based on overall context themes and specific content ( N = 1132 codes). Results showed that “seeking symptom advice” about physical symptoms represented half (49%) of all codes. More specific content codes reflected inquiries about taking prescription hormone therapies, (HTs) how to cope with the menopausal transition, checking in with community members, and questions related to menopause onset and changes in menstrual patterns. Chi–square tests showed an increase in pharmaceutical advice codings over time on the medical board ( p = .057) and a trend on the community board after the WHI ( p = .10). Similarly, after the WHI there was an increase in the frequency of codes on the community board related to “Is this menopause?” suggesting a heightened awareness about menopause as a health issue. In conclusion, analyses of on-line message boards provide a rich, economical method to discern the needs of menopausal women, as well as to observe the potential impact of a widely publicized medical event that can inform innovative strategies in health promotion for this target population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]