Girls Ages Research Articles

Leveraging health infrastructure to optimize HPV vaccination for adolescents in Zambia: Protocol for an implementation study.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Zambia, where HIV prevalence is also high (11.3%). HIV heightens the risk of developing and dying from cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can prevent 90% of cervical cancers, and in Zambia is recommended for adolescent girls ages 14-15 years, including those with HIV. Currently they mainly deliver HPV vaccination via school-based campaigns, which may exclude the most vulnerable adolescents-those out-of-school or who irregularly attend. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are more likely to have these vulnerabilities. Further, school-based campaigns are not tailored to the WHO-recommended HPV vaccination schedule for ALHIV (3 versus 2 doses). Integrating HPV vaccination into routine care in adolescent HIV clinics may ensure that ALHIV have access to vaccine at the WHO-recommended schedule. Such integration requires a multilevel approach, stakeholder engagement, and diversified implementation strategies, given known challenges of providing the HPV vaccine in LMICs, including Zambia. Our study aims to integrate HPV vaccination into routine care in adolescent HIV clinics. To achieve success, we will co-design a package of implementation strategies using a previously successful implementation research approach developed for cervical cancer prevention in LMICs: the Integrative Systems Praxis for Implementation Research (INSPIRE). INSPIRE is a novel, comprehensive approach to develop, implement, and evaluate implementation science efforts. Following key elements of INSPIRE, our specific aims are to: 1) Identify the unique multilevel contextual factors (barriers and facilitators) across HIV settings (rural, urban, peri-urban) that influence HPV vaccine uptake; 2) Use Implementation Mapping to translate stakeholder feedback and findings from Aim 1 into a package of implementation strategies to integrate HPV vaccine into HIV clinics; 3) Conduct a Hybrid Type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial to evaluate the package of multilevel implementation strategies for integrating HPV vaccine into HIV clinics. Our research team has strong support, technical expertise, and resources (e.g., vaccines) from the Zambian Ministry of Health; and political will for scale-up. This stakeholder-based implementation model has the potential to be transported to HIV clinics across Zambia and serve as a model to address cancer prevention priorities for those with HIV in other LMICs. To be registered prior to Aim 3, when implementation strategies finalized.

Longitudinal Stability and Interrelations of Tonic and Phasic Irritability in Adolescent Girls.

Irritability is a transdiagnostic feature and a common mental health problem in adolescence. Prior studies indicate that irritability is composed of two correlated but separable dimensions, tonic irritability (i.e., irritable mood) and phasic irritability (i.e., temper outbursts), which are respectively associated with internalizing and externalizing outcomes. However, little is known about the stability and interrelations of tonic and phasic irritability. The current study examined the longitudinal interplay between tonic and phasic irritability during adolescence. A community sample of 544 girls (age 13.5-15.5 years) was assessed at 5 waves (over 3 years, in 9-month intervals). A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model was used to examine the within-person stability and longitudinal interrelations of tonic and phasic irritability. Pseudo-indicator models were used to help analyze all available data. Results suggest that tonic and phasic irritability had distinct patterns of development and co-development. Between individuals, tonic and phasic irritability showed moderate rank-order stability and high concurrent correlations. Within individuals, phasic irritability was found to positively predict both tonic and phasic irritability at the subsequent wave, whereas tonic irritability did not predict later phasic irritability and showed weaker within-person stability. These results suggest that increased or decreased phasic irritability in adolescent girls may signify continued increase or decrease in both tonic and phasic irritability. The study was among the first to demonstrate the discriminant validity of tonic and phasic irritability from a developmental perspective.

Evaluation of two methods of bone age assessment in peripubertal children in Zimbabwe.

Bone age (BA) measurement in children is used to evaluate skeletal maturity and helps in the diagnosis of growth disorders in children. The two most used methods are Greulich and Pyle (GP), and Tanner and Whitehouse 3 (TW3), both based upon assessment of a hand-wrist radiograph. To our knowledge no study has compared and validated the two methods in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and only a few have determined BA despite it being a region where skeletal maturity is often impaired for example by HIV and malnutrition. This study aimed to compare BA as measured by two methods (GP and TW3) against chronological age (CA) and determine which method is most applicable in peripubertal children in Zimbabwe. We conducted a cross-sectional study of boys and girls who tested negative for HIV. Children and adolescents were recruited by stratified random sampling from six schools in Harare, Zimbabwe. Non-dominant hand-wrist radiographs were taken, and BA assessed manually using both GP and TW3. Paired sample Student t-tests were used to calculate the mean differences between BA and chronological age (CA) in boys and girls. Bland-Altman plots compared CA to BA as determined by both methods, and agreement between GP and TW3 BA. All radiographs were graded by a second radiographer and 20% of participants of each sex were randomly selected and re-graded by the first observer. Intraclass correlation coefficient assessed intra- and inter-rater reliability and coefficient of variation assessed precision. We recruited 252 children (111 [44%] girls) aged 8.0-16.5years. The boys and girls were of similar mean±SD CA (12.2±2.4 and 11.7±1.9years) and BA whether assessed by GP (11.5±2.8 and 11.5±2.1years) or TW3 (11.8±2.5 and 11.8±2.1years). In boys BA was lower than CA by 0.76years (95% CI: -0.95, -0.57) when using GP, and by 0.43years (95% CI: -0.61, -0.24) when using TW3. Among the girls there was no difference between BA and CA by either GP [-0.19years (95% CI: -0.40, 0.03)] or TW3 [0.07years (95% CI: -0.16, 0.29)]. In both boys and girls, there were no systematic differences between CA and TW3 BA across age groups whereas agreement improved between CA and GP BA as children got older. Inter-operator precision was 1.5% for TW3 and 3.7% for GP (n=252) and intra-operator precision was 1.5% for TW3 and 2.4% for GP (n=52). The TW3 BA method had better precision than GP and did not systematically differ from CA, meaning that TW3 is the preferred method of assessment of skeletal maturity in Zimbabwean children and adolescents. TW3 and GP methods do not agree for estimates of BA and therefore cannot be used interchangeably. The systematic differences in GP BA assessments over age means it is not appropriate for use in all age groups or stages of maturity in this population.

Normative data of agility T-test as a measure of change of direction speed in children aged 10-11

The objective of the current study was to assess the relative agility T-test as a measure of change of direction speed and establish normative data specifically for children aged 10-11. A sample of 350 boys and 220 girls within the specified age range, with no medical history of disease, was randomly recruited from various schools. The mean and standard deviation, as well as the range of values, were determined for several variables including age, body mass, height, and BMI for both boys (n=350, age=10.83±0.38 years, body mass=34.42±5.61 kg, height=1.44±0.06 m, BMI=16.59±2.13 kg/m²) and girls (n=220, age=10.79±0.41 years, body mass=34.85±6.36 kg, height=1.44±0.07 m, BMI=16.61±2.15 kg/m²). The T-test, along with the FCMJ and 30mSS tests, were performed at least three times with a three-minute recovery period between trials and a five-minute recovery period between tests. Test-retest reliability of the T-test was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), which yielded values of 0.95 for girls and 0.97 for boys. Significant correlations were observed between the T-test and FCMJ as well as the 30mSS for girls (r=-0.384, p<0.0001 and r=0.416, p<0.0001, respectively) and for boys (r=-0.344, p<0.0001 and r=0.440, p<0.0001, respectively). The study provides percentile values that can be utilized to monitor the physical fitness levels of both girls and boys.

High performance for bone age estimation with an artificial intelligence solution

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the performance of an artificial intelligence (AI) solution to that of a senior general radiologist for bone age assessment. Material and methodsAnteroposterior hand radiographs of eight boys and eight girls from each age interval between five and 17 year-old from four different radiology departments were retrospectively collected. Two board-certified pediatric radiologists with knowledge of the sex and chronological age of the patients independently estimated the Greulich and Pyle bone age to determine the standard of reference. A senior general radiologist not specialized in pediatric radiology (further referred to as “the reader”) then determined the bone age with knowledge of the sex and chronological age. The results of the reader were then compared to those of the AI solution using mean absolute error (MAE) in age estimation. ResultsThe study dataset included a total of 206 patients (102 boys of mean chronological age of 10.9 ± 3.7 [SD] years, 104 girls of mean chronological age of 11 ± 3.7 [SD] years). For both sexes, the AI algorithm showed a significantly lower MAE than the reader (P < 0.007). In boys, the MAE was 0.488 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28–0.44; r2 = 0.978) for the AI algorithm and 0.771 years (95% CI: 0.64–0.90; r2 = 0.94) for the reader. In girls, the MAE was 0.494 years (95% CI: 0.41–0.56; r2 = 0.973) for the AI algorithm and 0.673 years (95% CI: 0.54–0.81; r2 = 0.934) for the reader. ConclusionThe AI solution better estimates the Greulich and Pyle bone age than a general radiologist does.

Blenderized watermelon consumption decreases body mass index, body mass index percentile, body fat and HbA1c in children with overweight or obesity.

Childhood obesity increases risk factors related to metabolic diseases. Watermelon's bioactive components can help reduce these risk factors. However, no study has investigated the effects of whole watermelon including both the flesh and rind or have assessed the impacts of any form of watermelon on children with overweight or obesity. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of whole-blenderized watermelon (BWM) consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors. A randomized, cross-over clinical design was implemented. Boys and girls ages 10-17 years with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) consumed one cup of BWM or an isocaloric sugar-sweetened beverage (control) every day for 8 weeks with a 4-week washout between trials. Anthropometrics, dietary, biochemical and clinical measures were obtained before and at the end of each trial. A total of 17 participants completed the study. Eight weeks of BWM intake significantly decreased BMI (p = 0.032), BMI percentile (BMIP) (p = 0.038), body fat percentage (p = 0.036), and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (p = 0.012) compared to the sugar-sweetened beverage. Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption increased BMIP (p = 0.014) compared to baseline. No significant differences were observed for inflammation, blood glucose, insulin, lipids, liver function enzymes, and satiety hormones. The results support that BWM consumption improved some cardiometabolic risk factors including BMI, BMIP, body fat, and HbA1c. Watermelon is a potential alternative to unhealthful snacks for improving anthropometry and some risk factors related to obesity in children.

Patterns of and Factors Associated With Mental Health Service Utilization Among School-Going Adolescent Girls in Southwestern Uganda: A Latent Class Analysis

PurposeThe study aimed to improve understanding of patterns of multiple family group intervention engagement and associated factors among adolescent girls in a low-resource country, Uganda. MethodsThe data used in this analysis were part of a larger cluster randomized controlled trial consisting of 1260 adolescent girls across 47 public secondary schools. The sample in the current study consisted of 317 adolescent girls (ages 14–17 at enrollment) recruited from senior one and senior two classes across 12 secondary schools in the southwestern region of Uganda. Participants in this study participated in the multiple family group intervention—a 16-week manualized intervention. Attendance data from 16 sessions were used to identify the heterogeneity of intervention engagement using latent class analysis modeling. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between predisposing, enabling, need factors, and mental health utilization patterns. ResultsOn average, participants attended 10 sessions (standard deviation = 5.90), 34.38% (N = 109) completed all 16 sessions, and 13.56% (N = 43) did not attend any of the sessions. Two attendance groups were identified: low and high attendants using latent class analysis. In addition, two family-level factors, the number of adults and the number of children in the family, were associated with an increase in the utilization of mental health services. DiscussionFindings suggest that enhancing family support systems may be useful in promoting mental health utilization among adolescent girls with the potential to improve self-esteem, reduce feelings of inadequacy, and ultimately achieve better mental health outcomes.

The effects of lower extremity muscle strength characteristics on grab and track start performance in young competitive swimmers

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding segmental contributions of lower extremity muscles to the swim start performance during different start techniques in young swimmers. OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the kinematic parameters between the grab start (GS) and track start (TS) techniques and assess the interactions between the lower limb muscle strength and swim start performance. METHODS: A total of 40 swimmers, 20 girls (age: 13.70 ± 1.80 y, height: 161.65 ± 8.28 cm, body weight: 53.70 ± 8.65 kg) and 20 boys (age: 13.90 ± 1.45 y, height: 160.95 ± 12.70 cm, body weight: 52.95 ± 12.64 kg), 13–16 y of age, at the competitive level were recruited. Ankle, hip, and knee muscles were tested isokinetically at 60∘/s and the tests were spread over 24 h to avoid fatigue. Several elements relating to GS and TS were measured using a motion pick-up video camera. RESULTS: The angle of entry (EA) at water and knee joint angle (KA) were significantly greater during GS both for boys (EA: 44.18 ± 1.07∘ vs. 43.03 ± 1.28∘; KA: 112.10 ± 15.25∘ vs. 107.21 ± 21.13)∘ and girls (45.09 ± 1.28∘ vs. 43.36 ± 1.55∘; KA: 103.08 ± 11.21∘ vs. 97.45 ± 19.52∘, p&lt; 0.05). Flight time (FT), flight distance (FD), KA, and flight velocity (FV) were significantly higher for boys both during GS and TS, whereas EA was significantly lower for boys during GS compared to girls (p&lt; 0.05). Lower limb strength performance was positively significantly correlated with FT, FD, and FV both during GS and TS (p&lt; 0.05). Hip muscle strength was inversely correlated with the EA both during GS and TS (p&lt; 0.05). The combination of the knee, ankle, and hip extensor and flexor muscle strengths had a greater effect during GS (35% vs. 29%) in RT, (48% vs. 46%) in FT, (59% vs. 57%) in FD, and (63% vs. 57%) in FV compared to the TS. CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating lower body strength training into the swimming training schedule may improve swim start performance variables during grab start and track start techniques.

Marriage in Islam and its Impact on the Acquisition of Western Education among Muslim Youths in the Briqueterie Neighborhood in the Yaound? II Municipality, Center Region, Cameroon

This study sought to investigate the impact of early marriages on the acquisition of western education among Muslim youths in the Briqueterie neighborhood in the Yaound? II municipality Center Region of Cameroon. This study employed the qualitative research approach with an ethnographic research design. The target population of the study was made up of an estimated number of 2,589 of Muslim youths, 7,450 parents and 100 administrators in the Ministry of Secondary Education and the accessible population consisted 694 potential respondents selected from the Muslim Community, ministry of secondary education and Muslim Youth’s Associations in the Briqueterie neighborhood in the Yaound? II municipality. The sample of this study was made up of 64 participants comprising of 30 parents (mothers and fathers) and 24 Muslim youths (male and female) and 10 administrators. The purposive and snow balling sampling technique in conjunction with simple random sampling was used to select respondents in selected Muslim association in the Briqueterie neighborhood. Data was collected using a semi structured interview guide and a focus group discussion guide and was analyzed thematically with the aid of Atlasti version 2.1, designed for qualitative data. Findings showed that early marriage in Islam has both negative and positive impact on the acquisition of western education among Muslim youths. The study therefore concludes that early marriage has a negative impact on Muslim girl’s health (physiological, psychological), education, and social wellbeing as its negative impacts outweigh the positive impacts. The researchers therefore recommend that this practice should be completely eradicated and girls should be allowed to be educated, get well mature before getting married. In addition, the study requests that the marriage age for girls should be at least 18 years. In addition neonatal death, maternal deaths, illiteracy and poverty are outcomes that promotes urgent regulations along with strong determination of government, civil societies and communities to work in tendon to face this international, national and global crisis in the Briqueterie neighborhood in particular and in the world at large.

Factors that provide protection against intimate partner physical violence among married adolescents in Bangladesh.

Intimate partner violence (IPV), and especially intimate partner physical violence (IPPV), perpetrated by husbands, and within adolescence marriage are pervasive in Bangladesh. Younger women are more vulnerable to IPPV. We examined factors associated with IPPV experienced by married adolescents ages 15-19 and tested four hypotheses: (1) adolescent girls married to relatively older husbands, (2) adolescents living in extended families with parents or parents-in-law, (3) adolescents who are minimally controlled by husbands, and (4) adolescents who have a child after marriage are protective of IPPV. We analyzed IPPV data from 1,846 married girls ages 15-19 obtained from a national adolescent survey conducted in 2019-20. IPPV is defined as the respondent having physical violence perpetrated by her husband at least once in the last 12 months. We implemented logistic regression models to test our hypotheses. Sixteen percent of married adolescent girls experienced IPPV. Girls living with parents-in-law or parents had adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 0.56 (p < 0.001) of IPPV compared to those girls who lived with husband alone. Girls with husbands ages 21-25 years and 26 years or older had AORs of 0.45 (p < 0.001) and 0.33 (p < 0.001) of IPPV compared to those girls with their husband ages 20 and younger. Married adolescent girls who did not own a mobile phone (an indicator of spousal power dynamics) had an AOR of 1.39 (p < 0.05) compared to those girls who had a phone. IPPV risk increases with an increased duration of marriage for those with no living children (p < 0.001) but not for those with at least one living child; the risk was higher among those who had a child within the 1st year of marriage than those who had not yet had a child. At a duration of 4 years and longer, IPPV risk was higher among those with no living children than those with children. Findings related to those living with parents-in-law or parents, girls married to relatively older boys/men, having the ability to communicate with outside world, and having a child are protective of IPPV in Bangladesh are new, to our knowledge. Strictly adhering to the law that requires men waiting until the age of 21 to marry can reduce married girls' risk of IPPV. Raising girls' legal marriage age can minimize adolescents' IPPV and other health risks associated with adolescent childbearing.

Health assessment of rural primary school children in Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Findings from a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Optimal health status during childhood and adolescence is the foundation for future health and well-being. Habits formed in this period could prevent the early development of chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the health status of primary school children in terms of morbidity, growth, dietary behavior, and hygiene. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from an opportunistic screening of rural primary school in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. All primary class children were included resulting in a sample of 215. Data were collected using Google forms and analyzed with Stata v16. Results: Of 215 children, only 45.6% were appropriately vaccinated till date, 70.2% had not taken vitamin A regularly; prophylactic iron and folic acid (IFA) and albendazole were taken regularly by 23.7% and 69.8% of children. Children with active complaints were 25% and 43.7% had dental caries. The percentage of children with grade 3, grade 2, grade 1 thinness, normal, and overweight were 15.4%, 22.3%, 36.7%, 24.7%, and 0.9%, respectively; and did not differ significantly between boys and girls. The mean weight and height were significantly lower at all ages for both boys and girls in comparison with Indian council of medical research standards with a maximum difference at 11 years (MD, −10.31 kg; 95% confidence interval, −12.55 to −8.08). The dietary behavior and hygiene practice was suboptimal in the study population. Conclusion: Thinness/underweight and stunting remain a significant problem among school-going children and adolescents. Change in dietary pattern with increased consumption of junk food and carbonated drinks could be a concern among school-age children.

Порівняльний аналіз показників фізичної підготовленості та рухової активностіу дівчаток 12–13 років з різною масою тіла

the prevalence of underweight is significant as up to 18 % of school-aged children suffer from insufficient body weight, and this problem is especially relevant for adolescent girls. Determining the relationship between insufficient body weight, physical fitness and the level of physical activity is important for characterizing the health status of school children. the aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of indicators of physical fitness and physical activity in 12-13-year-old girls with different body weights. Methods: theoretical analysis of scientific and methodological literature on the studied problem and documentary materials, anthropometric methods (measurement of body weight and height), pedagogical methods (pedagogical testing), physical activity assessment (Framingham method), and mathematical statistics (descriptive statistics, discriminant, and variance analysis). the study involved 12-13-year-old girls (a total of 138 people, of which 108 were aged 12 and 30 were aged 13). Results. the comparative analysis demonstrated that the individual physical fitness indicators (standing long jump, sit-up, and 4 × 9 m shuttle run tests) were statis-tically significantly (p &lt;0.05) different between 12-year-old girls with insufficient body weight and their peers with normal body weight. the revealed trends were observed also in 13-year-old girls. Physical activity indicators were statistically significantly (p &lt;0.05) lower in 12-13-year-old girls with insufficient body weight compared to girls of the same age with normal body weight. Using discriminant analysis, the models were developed that allow to identify the negative effects of insufficient body weight on the development of 12-13-year-old girls based on the indicators of physical fitness and physical activity. Conclusions. Significant differences in the indicators of physical fitness and physical activity were demonstrated between 12-13-year-old adolescent girls with normal and insufficient body weight. the above makes it necessary to take these data into account when developing health-enhancing physical activity programs for girls with insufficient body weight.

Sociodemographic Characteristics, Dietary Intake, and Body Image Dissatisfaction Among Saudi Adolescent Girls

This study assesses sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake and body image dissatisfaction (BID) among Saudi adolescent girls. A total of 399 girls ages 13-14 were randomly selected from intermediate schools in Arar, Saudi Arabia. Data on anthropometric measurements, sociodemographic characteristics, dietary intake and body image (BI) were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to predict the association between variables. Most adolescents had a normal weight based on their body mass index (BMI), normal waist circumference (WC), and normal waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Fried chicken and Kabsa rice were the most frequently consumed foods; most girls consumed excessive fat. Most girls had BID (81.5%), and 51.4% desired to lose weight. BMI was positively correlated with age and current BI (p&lt;0.001) and negatively associated with dairy product intake (p=0.004) and desired BI (p&lt;0.001). WC had a positive association with age (p=0.001) and current BI (p&lt;0.001) and a negative association with dairy product intake, cereal and grain intake (p=0.001) and ideal BI (p&lt;0.001). WHtR was positively associated with current BI (p&lt;0.001) and negatively associated with cereal and grain intake (p=0.005), dairy product intake and desired BI (p&lt;0.001). Although most participants had a normal weight, they consumed excessive fat and were dissatisfied with their BI, which are significant predictors of obesity. Saudi adolescent girls require nutritional interventions to help them transition to a healthy diet, positive BI and healthy lifestyle.

‘Now, She’s a Child and She Has a Child’—Experiences of Syrian Child Brides in Lebanon after Early Marriage

This study examined the lived experiences of Syrian refugee child brides to understand their needs as they navigate new social roles after marriage. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon using SenseMaker® to collect narratives from married Syrian girls age 13 and older and from their parents. Thematic analysis using inductive coding was performed. Identified themes were organized according to an adaptation of Bronfenbrenner’s socioecological theory of human development to present experiences across all levels of the girls’ interactions and potential influences. Themes at the microsystem level included overwhelming domestic expectations and worry about their own children in the girls’ roles as young mothers. Experiences of intimate partner violence and family conflict were common. At the exosystem level, participants described safety concerns and financial and legal system challenges. The macrosystem level highlighted social expectations around married girls discontinuing education and around separation or divorce. As efforts continue to prevent child marriage within the Syrian crisis and globally, understanding experiences of already married girls is critical to providing support for mitigating harm to child brides. Programs might consider safety planning, parenting supports, access to skills training and education, peer-to-peer social networking, and engaging husbands or families of child brides.

Fronto-amygdala resting state functional connectivity is associated with anxiety symptoms among adolescent girls more advanced in pubertal maturation

Early adolescence, with the onset of puberty, is an important period when sex differences in anxiety emerge, with girls reporting significantly higher anxiety symptoms than boys. This study examined the role of puberty on fronto-amygdala functional connectivity and risk of anxiety symptoms in 70 girls (age 11–13) who completed a resting state fMRI scan, self-report measures of anxiety symptoms and pubertal status, and provided basal testosterone levels (64 girls). Resting state fMRI data were preprocessed using fMRIPrep and connectivity indices were extracted from ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and amygdala regions-of-interest. We tested moderated mediation models and hypothesized that vmPFC-amygdala would mediate the relation between three indices of puberty (testosterone and adrenarcheal/gonadarcheal development) and anxiety, with puberty moderating the relation between connectivity and anxiety. Results showed a significant moderation effect of testosterone and adrenarcheal development in the right amygdala and a rostral/dorsal area of the vmPFC and of gonadarcheal development in the left amygdala and a medial area of the vmPFC on anxiety symptoms. Simple slope analyses showed that vmPFC-amygdala connectivity was negatively associated with anxiety only in girls more advanced in puberty suggesting that sensitivity to the effects of puberty on fronto-amygdala function could contribute to risk for anxiety disorders among adolescent girls.

Serum kisspeptin, neurokinin Band inhibin B levels can be used as alternative parameters to distinguish idiopathic CPP from premature thelarche in the early stages of puberty.

There is controversial results about serum kisspeptin, neurokinin-B (NKB), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)and inhibin B (INHB) levels in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP). Aim of this study is to evaluate serum levels of these four peptides in patients presented with early pubertal signs, and to evaluate their diagnostic validity in the diagnosis of CPP. Cross-sectional study. Study included 99 girls (51 CPP, 48 premature thelarche [PT]) whose breast development started before 8 years and 42 age-matched healthy prepubertal girls. Clinical findings, antropometric measurements, laboratory and radiological findings were recorded. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test was performed in all cases with early breast development. Kisspeptin, NKB, INHBand AMH levels were measured in fasting serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. There was no statistically significant difference between mean ages of girls with CPP (7.1 ± 1.2 years), PT (7.2 ± 1.3 years)and prepubertal controls (7.0 ± 1.0 years). Serum kisspeptin, NKBand INHB levels were higher in CPP group compared to PT and control groups, while serum AMH level was lower in CPP group. Serum kisspeptin, NKB, and INHB were all positively correlated with bone age (BA) advancement, and peak luteinizing hormonein GnRH test. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that the most important factors used to differentiate CPP from PT were advanced BA, serum kisspeptin, NKB and INHB levels (AUC: 0.819, p < .001). We, firstshowed in the same patients' group that serum kisspeptin, NKB and INHB were higher in patients with CPP and can be used as alternative parameters to distinguish CPP from PT.

Correlates of Physical Activity in Children from Families Speaking Non-official Languages at Home: a Multi-site Canadian Study.

Children from families speaking a non-official language at home may be particularly at risk for low physical activity (PA), underscoring a need to investigate correlates of PA in this subpopulation. We recruited 478 children in 37 schools stratified by area-level socioeconomic status (SES) and type of urbanization within three regions of Canada. Steps/day were measured using SC-StepRx pedometers. We assessed potential social-ecological correlates with child and parent surveys. We used gender-stratified linear mixed models to examine the correlates of steps/day. Outdoor time was the strongest correlate of boys' and girls' PA. Lower area-level SES was associated with less PA among boys, but outdoor time attenuated this difference. The strength of association between outdoor time and PA decreased with age in boys and increased with age in girls. Outdoor time was the most consistent correlate of PA. Future interventions should promote outdoor time and address socioeconomic disparities.

Influence of muscle volume on jumping performance in healthy male and female youth and young adults

BackgroundSex differences that appear throughout puberty have a substantial impact on the training process. It remains unclear what effect these sex differences should have on how training programs are planned and performed and what objectives should be established for boys and girls of different ages. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vertical jump performance and muscle volume based on age and sex.MethodsOne hundred eighty healthy males (n = 90) and females (n = 90) performed three different types of vertical jumps (VJ): squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ), and counter movement jump with arms (CMJ with arms). We used the anthropometric method to measure muscle volume.ResultsMuscle volume differed across age groups. There were significant effects of age, sex, and their interaction on the SJ, CMJ, and CMJ with arms heights. From the age of 14–15, males exhibited better performances than females, and large effect sizes became apparent in the SJ (d = 1.09, P = 0.04), CMJ (d = 2.18; P = 0.001) and CMJ with arms (d = 1.94; P = 0.004). For the 20–22-year-old age group, there was a significant difference in VJ performance between males and females. Extremely large effect sizes became apparent in the SJ (d = 4.44; P = 0.001), CMJ (d = 4.12; P = 0.001) and CMJ with arms (d = 5.16; P = 0.001). When performances were normalized to the lower limb length, these differences persisted. After normalization to muscle volume, males exhibited better performance when compared to females. This difference persisted only for the 20–22-year-old group on the SJ (p = 0.005), CMJ (p = 0.022) and CMJ with arms (p = 0.016). Among male participants, muscle volume was significantly correlated with SJ (r = 0.70; p < 0.01), CMJ (r = 0.70; p < 0.01) and CMJ with arms (r = 0.55; p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe results indicate that muscle volume may be one of the major determining factors in sex differences in vertical jumping performance.

Peer Connectedness and Social Technology Use During COVID-19 Lockdown.

During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, adolescents relied on social technology for social connection. Although some research suggests small, negative effects for quantity of social technology use on adolescent mental health, the quality of the interaction may be more important. We conducted a daily diary study in a risk-enriched sample of girls under COVID-19 lockdown to investigate associations between daily social technology use, peer closeness, and emotional health. For 10 days, 93 girls (ages 12-17) completed an online daily diary (88% compliance) assessing positive affect, symptoms of anxiety and depression, peer closeness, and daily time texting, video-chatting and using social media. Multilevel fixed effects models with Bayesian estimation were conducted. At the within-person level, more daily time texting or video-chatting with peers was associated with feeling closer to peers that day, which was associated with more positive affect and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms that day. At the between-person level, more time video-chatting with peers across the 10 days was indirectly associated with higher average positive affect during lockdown and less depression seven-months later, via higher mean closeness with peers. Social media use was not associated with emotional health at the within- or between-person levels. Messaging and video-chatting technologies are important tools for maintaining peer connectedness during social isolation, with beneficial effects on emotional health.

Association of perfluoroalkyl substances with pulmonary function in adolescents (NHANES 2007-2012).

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) constitute an environmentally persistent and widespread class of anthropogenic chemicals that have been used in industrial and commercial applications in the USA and around the world. Animal studies suggested its toxic impact on lung development, but the adverse effect of PFAS exposure on childhood pulmonary function has not been clearly determined. We investigated the potential cross-sectional association of environmental PFAS exposures with pulmonary function in 765 adolescents aged 12-19years from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012. Exposure to PFASs was estimated by measuring serum concentrations, and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. Linear regression and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were performed to estimate the associations of individual chemicals and chemical mixtures with pulmonary function. Median concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS (detection frequencies > 90%) were 2.70, 6.40, 0.98, and 1.51ng/mL, respectively. No associations were found between the four individual congeners and Σ4PFASs and the pulmonary function measures in total adolescents. Sensitive analyses were further conducted stratified by age (12-15 and 16-19years) and sex (boys and girls). In adolescents aged 12-15years, PFNA was negatively associated with FEV1:FVC (p-trend = 0.007) and FEF25-75% (p-trend = 0.03) among girls, while PFNA was positively associated with FEV1: FVC (p-trend = 0.018) among boys. No associations were found among adolescents aged 16-19years, either boys or girls. The aforementioned associations were confirmed when further applying WQS models, and PFNA was identified to be the most heavily weighing chemical. Our results suggested that environmental exposure to PFNA may affect pulmonary function among adolescents aged 12-15years. Given the cross-sectional analysis and less consistent results, further replications of the association in large prospectivecohort studies are warranted.