Eating In Adolescents Research Articles

Health-related quality of life and binge eating among adolescent girls with PCOS

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 3–8% of adolescents. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism and oligoovulation/anovulation. PCOS has a negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, the extents to which factors influence total HRQoL of adolescents are not known. Adult PCOS patients have a higher incidence of binge eating than the general reproductive-age female population. Limited data on binge eating in adolescents with PCOS are available. Aim of this study was to investigate how PCOS and its associated factors, including binge eating, affect the HRQoL of adolescent girls. Methods: This case-control study recruited 63 adolescent girls 13–18 years of age with PCOS and 66 age-matched healthy controls. The PCOS health-related quality of life questionnaire (PCOSQ) and Binge Eating Scale (BES) were used. Multiple linear regression was executed to establish exact predictors and their effect on total HRQoL. Results: HRQoL was significantly lower in adolescents with PCOS than controls (4.9 (interquartile range (IQR) 1.5) vs. 5.8 (IQR 0.9) points). The lowest scores were found in the body hair and weight domains. BES results were not significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (p = 0.727). The main predictors for total HRQoL were PCOS diagnosis per se (β = –1.002; p < 0.001), BES score (β = –0.27; p = 0.004) and body mass index (BMI) percentile (β = –0.007; p = 0.013). Conclusions: The lower HRQoL in adolescents with PCOS is attributable to the diagnosis of PCOS, BES score and BMI percentile, confirming the importance of tailoring clinical interventions and counselling to address the domains (i.e., symptoms of hirsutism and weight concerns) causing distress and lowering HRQoL. Further implementation research is required to evaluate the impact of targeted interventions on the HRQoL of adolescent girls with PCOS.

Pathways of parental influence on adolescent diet and obesity: a psychological stress–focused perspective

Youth obesity has become increasingly prevalent, with 34.5% of US adolescents 12-19 years old estimated to have overweight or obesity. Disordered eating and weight concern peak in adolescence, and overeating to cope with negative emotions can affect long-term health and obesity risk. Parents significantly influence adolescent diet quality, and parental stress may influence parenting behaviors that increase the risk for stress-motivated eating and obesity in adolescents. Chronic or repeated exposure to parental stress may lead to stress-related neurophysiological changes that promote consumption of palatable foods and obesogenic eating habits in adolescents. Understanding how parental stress influences adolescents' eating behavior may reveal novel access points for reducing adolescent obesity. Here, we aim to provide a new stress-focused framework for developing intervention strategies targeted at obesity prevention in adolescents.

The Relationship between Covid- related Psychological Distress and Perceived Stress with Emotional Eating in Iranian adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation

The Relationship between Covid- related Psychological Distress and Perceived Stress with Emotional Eating in Iranian adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation

Patterns of restrained eating in Chinese adolescents' interpersonal contexts: A latent profile analysis

Patterns of restrained eating in Chinese adolescents' interpersonal contexts: A latent profile analysis

Intergenerational Determinants of Weight Status Concordance and Discordance in Parent/Adolescent Dyads from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study.

Background: Studies have shown that obesity (OB) has strong intergenerational linkages and tends to cluster in families, but there is a dearth of research examining the socioecological factors predictive of weight status concordance and discordance among parents and adolescents. Methods: We ran a stepwise multinomial logistic regression to assess for sociodemographic, individual-, and family-level predictors of four dyadic weight status groups using data from 1516 parent/adolescent dyads from the National Cancer Institute's Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study. We categorized parent/adolescent dyads into one of four groups based on their BMI: (1) Healthy Weight Concordance (i.e., both parent and adolescent in the normal weight range); (2) overweight (OW)/OB Concordance (i.e., both parent and adolescent with OW or OB); (3) Discordance-Parent OW/OB (i.e., parent with OW/OB and adolescent in the normal weight range); or (4) Discordance-Adolescent OW/OB (i.e., adolescent with OW/OB and parent in the normal weight range). Results: There were 475 parent/adolescent dyads (31.3%) in the Healthy Weight Concordance group, 351 (23.2%) in the OW/OB Concordance group, 604 (39.8%) in the Discordance-Parent OW/OB group, and 86 (5.7%) in the Discordance-Adolescent OW/OB group. Being from a low socioeconomic family, identifying as a minority, and identifying as a male parent were associated with an OW/OB dyadic BMI. Higher levels of adolescent and parent emotional eating were significantly associated with parent/adolescent dyads being in the OW/OB Concordance group. Parent emotional eating was also associated with Discordance-Parent OW/OB. In contrast, parents' and adolescents' physical activity self-efficacy was associated with a Healthy Weight dyadic BMI vs. OW/OB Concordance or Discordance-Parent OW/OB. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the strength of OW/OB concordance in families, especially among lower socioeconomic and ethnic minority families and the significance of emotional eating and physical activity self-efficacy in contributing to BMI patterns among parents and adolescents.

Transdiagnostic treatment (UP-A) on shame, self-criticism, emotional eating and emotional dysregulation in obese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

Transdiagnostic treatment (UP-A) on shame, self-criticism, emotional eating and emotional dysregulation in obese adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

External food cue responsiveness and emotional eating in adolescents: A multimethod study

Eating in response to external food cues (i.e., external eating) and internal emotional experiences (i.e., emotional eating) are associated with obesity. While external and emotional eating co-occur, little is known about how external food cue responsiveness may interact with internal emotional cues to influence eating episodes in adolescents. The current study examined how trait-level external food cue responsiveness modulates momentary associations between affective states and eating in adolescents. Participants were drawn from a prior study of siblings (N = 78; ages 13–17) who completed an ecological momentary assessment protocol to assess eating episodes and affective states. External food cue responsiveness was determined by comparing energy consumption following presentation of an appetizing food (pizza) on one day and a control activity (reading) on another day. Generalized linear mixed models examined positive and negative affective states, cue responsiveness, and their interactions as predictors of the likelihood of eating. The relationship between affective states and likelihood of eating was stronger among adolescents with higher versus lower external food cue responsiveness. Among adolescents with higher cue responsiveness, endorsing negative affect was associated with a lower likelihood of eating, whereas endorsing positive affect was associated with a higher likelihood of eating (within-person effects). Findings suggest that high sensitivity to external food cues and greater proclivity for emotional eating may be likely to coincide such that any cue, internal or external, is likely to disrupt sensitivity to internal hunger and satiety signals. Future studies are needed to elucidate how sensitivities to internal and external cues may interact to influence obesity risk.

How Does the Family Influence Adolescent Eating Habits in Terms of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices? A Global Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

Promoting healthy eating habits can prevent adolescent obesity in which family may play a significant role. This review synthesized findings from qualitative studies to identify family barriers and facilitators of adolescent healthy eating in terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). A literature search of four databases was completed on 31 July 2020; qualitative studies that explored family factors of adolescent (aged 10 to 19 years) eating habits were included. A total of 48 studies were identified, with the majority being from North America and sampled from a single source. Ten themes on how family influences adolescent dietary KAP were found: Knowledge—(1) parental education, (2) parenting style, and (3) family illness experience; Attitudes—(4) family health, (5) cultivation of preference, and (6) family motivation; Practices—(7) home meals and food availability, (8) time and cost, (9) parenting style, and (10) parental practical knowledge and attitudes. This review highlights five parental characteristics underlying food parenting practices which affect adolescents’ KAP on healthy eating. Adolescents with working parents and who are living in low-income families are more vulnerable to unhealthy eating. There is a need to explore cultural-specific family influences on adolescents’ KAP, especially regarding attitudes and food choices in Asian families.

Time-Limited Eating and Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adolescents with Obesity: A Pilot Study.

Due to its simplicity, time-limited eating (TLE) may represent a more feasible approach for treating adolescents with obesity compared to other caloric restriction regimens. This pilot study examines the feasibility and safety of TLE combined with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adolescents. Fifty adolescents with BMI ≥95th percentile were recruited to complete a 12-week study. All received standard nutritional counseling, wore a CGM daily, and were randomized to: (1) Prolonged eating window: 12 h eating/12 h fasting + blinded CGM; (2) TLE (8 h eating/16 h fasting, 5 days per week) + blinded CGM; (3) TLE + real-time CGM feedback. Recruitment, retention, and adherence were recorded as indicators of feasibility. Weight loss, dietary intake, physical activity, eating behaviors, and quality of life over the course of the intervention were explored as secondary outcomes. Forty-five participants completed the study (16.4 ± 1.3 years, 64% female, 49% Hispanic, 75% public insurance). There was high adherence to prescribed eating windows (TLE 5.2 d/wk [SD 1.1]; control 6.1 d/wk [SD 1.4]) and daily CGM wear (5.85 d/wk [SD 4.8]). Most of the adolescents (90%) assigned to TLE reported that limiting their eating window and wearing a CGM was feasible without negative impact on daily functioning or adverse events. There were no between-group difference in terms of weight loss, energy intake, quality of life, physical activity, or eating behaviors. TLE combined with CGM appears feasible and safe among adolescents with obesity. Further investigation in larger samples, with a longer intervention duration and follow-up assessments are needed.

207: Clinician perspectives on assessing for disordered eating in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis

207: Clinician perspectives on assessing for disordered eating in adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis

The Relationship Between Covid-related Psychological Distress and Perceived Stress With Emotional Eating in Iranian Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotion Dysregulation

Objective: The unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and cessation of full face-to-face affiliation along with homebound restrictions have caused a variety of psychological distress among adolescents. Adolescents vary in the way they perceive such stressors and some respond with eating disturbances, which could reflect their dysfunctional emotion regulation strategies. The present research aimed at elucidating potential mediating pathways from perceived stress and psychological distress to emotional eating. Methods: This cross-sectional study was composed of 292 adolescents who were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, COVID-19-Related Psychological Stress Scale, Emotional Eating subscale of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Correlation analyses were performed to assess the relationship between variables. ANOVA was conducted to detect differences between males and females for emotional eating. Then, a mediation analysis was conducted to assess whether emotional dysregulation was a mediator between psychological distress and emotional eating. Results: Results of path analyses indicated that a model with perceived stress and psychological distress predicting emotion eating through the mediation of emotion dysregulation was the best fit for the data (CFI=0.970, GFI=0.949, df=26, χ2=53.69, χ2/df=2.06, P>0.05, and RMSEA=0.069). Mediation analyses showed the mediating role of emotion dysregulation in the link between perceived stress and emotional eating (Sobel’s z=2.83, P<0.05) while, it could not function as a mediator between psychological distress and emotional eating (Sobel’s z=0.90, P>0.05). Conclusion: This study contributes to our understanding of the role of emotion regulation in the relationship between perceived stress and psychological distress and emotional eating in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implication of this study is for therapeutic intervention to target emotional dysregulation of adolescents confronted with COVID-19 stressors.

Food for teens: how social media is associated with adolescent eating outcomes.

To assess the relationship between exposure to social media food messages and self-reported adolescent eating outcomes (including food intake, perceived norms and food literacy). A cross-sectional survey was used to assess reported exposure to core and non-core food messages (including marketing messages) on social media, as well as reported food intake, perceived norms, food literacy, attitudes, self-regulation, among others. 18 secondary schools across Flanders, Belgium. 1002 adolescents 11-19 years of age. Self-reported exposure to food marketing and overall food messages on social media was positively associated with eating attitudes, behaviours, perceived norms and food literacy among adolescents. Interestingly, the relationship between food exposure and intake was shaped differently depending on food type; descriptive norms mediated the positive relationship between non-core food social media exposure and non-core food intake (e.g. indirect effect estimate on self-reported sweets consumption is 0·005, se 0·002, P < 0·01), while food literacy mediated the positive relationship between core food social media exposure and core food intake (e.g. indirect effect estimate on self-reported vegetable consumption is 0·01, se 0·003, P < 0·000). This study highlights the significance of social media in relation to adolescent eating. There is an opportunity for health professionals to use social media in the promotion of core food among adolescents. We call for relevant policy actions to regulate the marketing of non-core food to adolescents on social media.

Self-Esteem and Binge Eating among Adolescent Boys and Girls: The Role of Body Disinvestment.

Although low self-esteem and body disinvestment have been recognized as potential risk factors for disordered eating, no studies have explored how these factors may work together to predict binge eating in adolescents. Therefore, we hypothesized a path model for girls and boys separately to investigate whether the body’s investment dimensions (feelings towards the body, physical touch, body care, body protection) mediate the relationship between self-esteem and binge eating, and age moderate such relationships. Participants were 1046 Italian students aged between 11 and 19 years (472 girls, Mage = 14.17; 574 boys, Mage = 14.60) screened through self-report measures. Both models showed an acceptable fit (males: χ2(22) = 30.441; RMSEA = 0.026; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.97; SRMR = 0.023; females: χ2(22) = 34.723; RMSEA = 0.35; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.95; SRMR = 0.029). Negative body feelings and reduced body protection fully mediated the relationship between self-esteem and binge eating, regardless of gender. Our findings highlight the importance of interventions promoting body emotional investment to reduce adolescents’ vulnerability to binge eating.

Young adult mental health sequelae of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence.

There has been interest in the antecedents and mental health impacts of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence. Less is known about longer-term mental health impacts into young adulthood, as longitudinal studies with data spanning this developmental period are rare. We capitalize on mental health data collected across adolescence and young adulthood from a population-based cohort study that has been following >2000 Australian children and their families from infancy to young adulthood. This sample comprised 1,568 participants who completed the Eating Disorder Inventory drive for thinness and bulimic behavior (the severity of binge-purge patterns) subscales, and a modified version of the body dissatisfaction subscale in mid-adolescence (15-16 years), or the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales in young adulthood (19-20, 23-24, and 27-28 years). After adjusting for baseline demographic and prior mental health factors (<13 years of age), all three indices of eating and body image disturbances in adolescence predicted each mental health outcome in young adulthood. Mental health risks associated with adolescent body dissatisfaction and bulimic behavior scores remained stable across young adulthood, with men having more pronounced problems associated with bulimic behavior scores than women. In contrast, mental health risks associated with adolescent drive for thinness scores diminished across this period similarly for men and women. Findings suggest that adolescent eating and body image disturbances may have long-term mental health impacts that extend into young adulthood. This underscores the need for early preventative intervention, and longer-term monitoring and support for body image and eating disturbances.

Associations of weight- or shape-related bullying with diverse disordered eating behaviors in adolescents.

Little research has investigated variables affecting the relationship between weight- or shape-related bullying (WSB) and specific forms of disordered eating in adolescence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between WSB and eating disorder behaviors in Australian adolescents, and whether this relationship was moderated by body image attitudes. Data were used from the first wave of the EveryBODY study, a survey of body image concerns and eating disorders in a large representative sample of Australian adolescents (N=573), aged 11-19 years. Participants completed an online survey with measures of WSB frequency, body image attitudes (drives for thinness, leanness, and muscularity), and disordered eating behaviors. Results indicated that frequency of WSB was positively associated with purging and muscularity-oriented behavior (MOB), but not dietary restriction, binge eating, or compulsive exercise. The relationship between WSB and MOB was moderated by drive for muscularity, such that victimization frequency was positively associated with MOB for those with high, but not low, desire to attain a muscular physique. Findings indicate that WSB is positively associated with purging and MOB but not other eating disorder behaviors, and that drive for muscularity moderates its effect on some behaviors. Understanding these relationships will be important in implementing tailored interventions for adolescents based on screening for victimization experiences and specific body image attitudes.

Moderating Effects of Parental Feeding Practices and Emotional Eating on Dietary Intake among Overweight African American Adolescents.

This study examined the effects of parental feeding practices and adolescent emotional eating (EE) on dietary outcomes among overweight African American adolescents. Based on Family Systems Theory, it was hypothesized that parental feeding practices, such as parental monitoring and responsibility, would buffer the effects of EE on poor dietary quality, whereas practices such as concern about a child’s weight, restriction, and pressure-to-eat would exacerbate this relationship. Adolescents (N = 127; Mage = 12.83 ± 1.74; MBMI% = 96.61 ± 4.14) provided baseline data from the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial and an ancillary study. Dietary outcomes (fruit and vegetables (F&Vs), energy intake, sweetened beverage, total fat, and saturated fat) were assessed using random 24-h dietary recalls. Validated surveys were used to assess adolescent-reported EE and parental feeding practices. Results demonstrated a significant interaction between EE and parental monitoring (adjusted analyses; B = 0.524, SE = 0.176, p = 0.004), restriction (B = −0.331, SE = 0.162, p = 0.043), and concern (B = −0.602, SE = 0.171, p = 0.001) on F&V intake; under high monitoring, low restriction, and low concern, EE was positively associated with F&V intake. There were no significant effects for the other dietary outcomes. These findings indicate that parental feeding practices and EE may be important factors to consider for dietary interventions, specifically for F&V intake, among overweight African American adolescents.

75-LB: Can Continuous Glucose Monitoring Be Utilized to Monitor Adherence to Time-Limited Eating in Adolescents with Obesity?

Background: One limitation to studying time limited eating (TLE) in adolescents is difficulty in reliably assessing adherence to fasting periods. Dietary recalls, which are currently used to monitor diet adherence, have been criticized due to potential error in reporting, omission bias and suboptimal compliance. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) may be a useful tool to overcome these barriers; however, it requires daily wear and understanding of expected glycemic excursions. The present study examines the feasibility of daily CGM use and its utility as a tool to monitor adherence to fasting periods in a diverse cohort of adolescents with obesity participating in a pilot study of 8-hour TLE. Methods: Twenty adolescents (mean age 16.0+1.3 years, 70% female, 55% Latinx, 75% public insurance) with BMI ≥ 95th percentile, were enrolled in a 12-week study and randomized to: (1) Group 1 (control schedule): 12-hour eating period + blinded CGM, (2) Group 2 (TLE schedule): 8-hour eating period + blinded CGM, or (3) Group 3: 8-hour eating period + CGM with real-time feedback. CGM wear time was calculated as the actual weekly wear time divided by the prescribed wear time. At weeks 0, 4 and 12, CGM data from 7 days of self-reported fasting periods were reviewed to evaluate any glycemic excursions &amp;gt;50 ng/dL. Results: Overall, the mean CGM wear time was 90% (35-100%) with no difference between intervention arms. During self-reported fasting periods, only 4 adolescents had excursions &amp;gt;50 ng/dL, one of whom was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The remaining 16 participants had no excursions &amp;gt;50 ng/dL during their fasting periods. Conclusions: These data suggest that CGM may be a feasible tool to monitor adherence to TLE and provide a more accurate assessment of true fasting periods with less opportunity for error and bias when compared to self-report. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings and further explore the use of CGM as a tool in obesity research in adolescents. Disclosure M. Naguib: None. M. I. Goran: None. J. Raymond: None. E. Hegedus: None. C. Wee: None. A. Vidmar: None.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GENDER, TRYPTOPHAN AND VITAMIN B3 CONSUMPTION PATTERNS WITH EMOTIONAL EATING IN OVERWEIGHT ADOLESCENTS

Emotional eating is the propensity to eat in response of negative emotions such as stress, anxiety and depression. Adolescents with overweight may experience an increase in leptin levels as well as disruption of serotonin resulting in disruption of sensitivity in regulating appetite and emotions, thereby causing emotional eating. Emotional eating can be aff ected by several factors including gender and fulfi llment of nutrients such as tryptophan and vitamin B3 as substances that help the production of serotonin in the body. This study aimed to examine the relationship between gender, tryptophan and vitamin B3 consumption patterns with emotional eating in overweight adolescents. This was cross sectional study in adolescents ranges 15–18 years with overweight or obesity status in Surakarta. In total 122 adolescents taken by purposive sampling method. Emotional eating data were obtained from the Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress (EADES) questionnaire while the consumption patterns data were obtained using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). This study that there was a relationship between tryptophan consumption pattern with emotional eating in overweight adolescents, but there was no relationship between gender and vitamin B3 consumption pattern with emotional eating in overweight adolescents. It can be concluded that there was a relationship between Tryptophan consumption pattern with emotional eating in overweight adolescents and there was no relationship between gender and vitamin B3 consumption pattern with emotional eating in overweight adolescents.

The Moderating Effects of the Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss Intervention and Parenting Factors on Family Mealtime in Overweight and Obese African American Adolescents.

Few studies have integrated positive parenting and motivational strategies to address dietary outcomes such as frequency of family mealtime. The Families Improving Together (FIT) for Weight Loss trial was a randomized group cohort trial (n = 241 dyads) testing the efficacy of integrating a motivational plus family weight loss (M + FWL) intervention for healthy eating and weight loss in overweight and obese African American adolescents. The current study tested the interaction of parenting styles (responsiveness, demandingness) and parental feeding practices (restriction, concern about child’s weight, pressure to eat) and the FIT intervention on frequency of family mealtime over 16 weeks. Multilevel modeling demonstrated significant interactions between the group-based treatment and responsiveness (p = 0.018) and demandingness (p = 0.010) on family mealtime. For the group-based M + FWL intervention, increased responsiveness and reduced demandingness were associated with increased frequency of family mealtime from baseline to 16 weeks. There was also a negative association between parental restriction and frequency of family mealtime, but a positive association between parental concerns about their adolescent’s weight and frequency of mealtime. These findings are the first to demonstrate that an authoritative or nurturing parenting style moderated intervention effects for improving the frequency of family mealtime in overweight and obese African American adolescents.

Parent-Infant Attachment Insecurity and Emotional Eating in Adolescence: Mediation through Emotion Suppression and Alexithymia.

Emotional eating (EE), the propensity to eat in response to emotions, is thought to have its origins in the early parent–infant relationship. This study tested the hypothesis that infant attachment insecurity results in EE in adolescence through the increased use of the emotion regulation strategy suppression of emotions and subsequent alexithymia. At the age of 15 months, parent–infant attachment security (n = 129) was observed with two abbreviated attachment measures: the shortened strange situation procedure (SSSP), and the shortened attachment Q-set (S-AQS). At the age of 12 years, children completed self-report questionnaires to assess the suppression of emotions, alexithymia, and EE. At the age of 16 years, EE was measured again. The mediation models indicated that lower parent–infant attachment security predicted increased use of suppression of emotions, which was related to increased alexithymia, and in turn more EE at the age of 12 years. These results were similar and significant for both attachment measures, and also (marginal) significant with EE at the age of 16 years as an outcome. Lastly, when parental caregiving quality was included, the models with the SSSP as predictor remained significant, but the models with the S-AQS became insignificant. These results indicated that to a certain extent, infant attachment security could predict adolescent EE above and beyond parental caregiving quality.