Hispanic Girls Research Articles

The onset of pubertal development and actigraphy-assessed sleep during middle childhood: Racial, gender, and genetic effects

ObjectiveThis study (1) examined pubertal development in relation to actigraphy-assessed sleep in twin children, and tested whether associations differed by child race and gender, (2) modeled genetic and environmental influences on pubertal development and sleep indicators, and (3) examined genetic and environmental influences on the covariation of puberty and sleep. DesignThe classic twin design was used to examine genetic and environmental contributions to puberty and sleep and their associations. SettingData were collected from community-dwelling urban and rural families of twins in the southwestern U.S. ParticipantsThe racially and socioeconomically diverse sample included 596 twin children (Mage = 8.41, SD = 0.69; 51.7% female; 66.3% white; 33.7% Hispanic; 170 monozygotic, 236 same-sex dizygotic, 188 opposite-sex dizygotic). MeasurementsPubertal development was assessed via parent report. Children wore actigraph watches for 7 nights (M = 6.81, SD = 0.67) to capture sleep duration, efficiency, midpoint, onset latency, and duration variability. ResultsIn contrast to extant literature with older youth, more advanced pubertal development was associated with longer sleep durations in Hispanic and white girls and higher sleep efficiency in white girls, though Hispanic girls demonstrated later sleep midpoints. Pubertal development was moderately heritable and there was a genetic influence on the covariance between puberty and sleep indicators. ConclusionsThis was the first study to examine the genetic and environmental influences on the covariation between puberty and sleep, and found genetic underpinnings between pubertal development and actigraphy-assessed sleep duration and efficiency, though sleep and puberty were almost entirely independent in twins at this age.

Acid-suppressive therapy among infants and risk of anemia at 12 months of age.

Objectives:Numerous studies have shown that links exist between exposure to acid suppression among adults and nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 and iron. While the use of acid suppression among children and infants is common, nutritional deficiency remains a concern but does not have numerous studies to support it. We conducted a cohort study to examine this concern; the hypothesis we proposed is that acid-suppressive therapy (AST) during infancy is linked to anemia in the first year of life.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included infants born between 2017 and 2018 who visited Legacy Community Health. The inclusion criteria were exposure to acid suppression for a minimum of 1 month and a hemoglobin reading at 12–15 months. Infants who had hemoglobinopathies, failure to thrive, or malabsorption syndromes were excluded. Mean hemoglobin was calculated, and student’s t-test was applied to find statistical differences between the two groups. Change in weight before and after treatment was recorded. Occurrence of respiratory and gastroenterological adverse events was recorded in the exposed group.Results:Overall, 135 exposed infants were identified 135 controls were selected. The majority of the sample included Hispanic girls. Ranitidine was the most commonly prescribed medicine. The duration of treatment was 3 months. Weight improved significantly at termination of the treatment. There was no significant difference between the hemoglobin level of cases and controls, and both were not considered anemic.Conclusion:AST was not linked to anemia, despite the slightly lower hemoglobin in some cases. There were few weaknesses in our study; therefore, further studies can examine this link by focusing further on medication type and close follow-up. We found that although proton pump inhibitors are considered the first line of treatment, histamine-2 receptor antagonists were more frequently prescribed. Strategies to familiarize general pediatricians with the NSAPGHAN guidelines might be needed.

The Association Between Neighborhood Public Transportation Usage and Youth Physical Activity

Routine adolescent physical activity is a well-established predictor of positive health across the lifespan, although wide disparities in youth physical activity engagement persist across sex and race/ethnicity. Transportation barriers may be related to adolescents' ability to access physical activity opportunities. This study examines the association between neighborhood public transportation usage and adolescent physical activity using a national sample. Cross-sectional data were drawn from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating study (2014), a national sample of adolescents aged 12-17 years. Linear regression examined the association between neighborhood public transportation usage on the basis of neighborhood-level public transportation use and individual-level youth moderate-to-vigorous physical activity minutes per week. Models were developed for weekday, weekend, and combined moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for all youth and across sex and race/ethnicity subgroups. Analyses were run in 2020. The final analytic data set included 1,247 adolescents aged 12-17 years (71% non-Hispanic White, 49% male, mean age=14.52 [SD=1.59] years). Adjusted models showed a stronger magnitude of association between high neighborhood public transportation usage and both weekday (β=8.79, 95% CI=1.00, 16.59) and combined (β=13.74, 95% CI=1.14, 26.35) moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than between low/moderate neighborhood public transportation usage and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The magnitude of the neighborhood public transportation usage-moderate-to-vigorous physical activity association was strongest among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adolescent girls. This study found an association between neighborhood public transportation usage and adolescent moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, particularly among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adolescent girls. Findings from this research have the potential to inform targeted interventions for promoting adolescent physical activity to ultimately reduce chronic health disparities across the lifespan.

The Role of Discrimination Experiences in Postrape Adjustment Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Women.

Although recent studies have linked discrimination frequency among Black and Latinx individuals to PTSD symptom severity, to our knowledge, these associations have yet to be examined among a diverse sample of recent rape survivors. The current secondary analysis of existing data examined the role of discrimination experiences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and alcohol and drug problems among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of recent rape survivors. Participants were 139 Black (48.2%; n = 67), American Indian (18.7%; n = 26), Hispanic (15.1%; n = 21), and mixed race (17.3%; n = 24) girls and women age 15 or older who presented to the emergency department (ED) for a sexual assault forensic medical exam. They were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions, and completed a six-month postrape follow-up, including questions about mental health, substance use problems, and discrimination experiences. Regression analyses revealed that Black women experienced discrimination in significantly more situations and with greater frequency compared to American Indian and Hispanic women. Discrimination frequency was positively associated with PTSD and depression symptoms even after controlling for age, education, race, and intervention condition, but was not associated with alcohol or drug problems. Findings highlight the importance of attending to the heterogeneous experiences of discrimination among racial and ethnic minority women. Future work should adapt evidence-based early interventions to be maximally effective at combating both racial and sexual trauma exposures.

Development of type 2 diabetes in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity.

Adult women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and obesity have an 8-fold increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our goal was to determine the incidence and risk factors for T2D in adolescents with PCOS and obesity. Retrospective chart review of girls aged 11-21 years with confirmed PCOS (oligomenorrhea and hyperandrogenism) diagnosis between July 2013 and Aug 2018 and at least one follow-up visit and BMI >85%ile. T2D incidence, defined with an HbA1c ≥6.5%, was calculated. A nested case-control study with 1:3 matching by race, ethnicity, and BMI was performed to determine predictors of T2D diagnosis. Four hundred ninety-three patients with PCOS (age 15.6 ± 1.9 years, BMI 36.2 ± 6.3kg/m2 ) were identified with a follow-up of 1018 person-years. Twenty-three developed T2D (incidence 22.6/1000 person-years) with diagnosis a median of 1.8 years (2 months-5.5 years) after PCOS diagnosis. T2D risk was higher in girls with a prediabetes HbA1c (5.7%-6.4%) (HR 14.6 [4.8-44.5]) and among Hispanic girls with an elevated HbA1c and alanine aminotransferase (HR 19.0 [3.7-97.2]) at the time of PCOS diagnosis. In the 1:3 matched cohort, T2D risk was 18.7 times higher (OR 18.66 [2.27-153.24]) for every 0.1% increase in HbA1c at the time of PCOS diagnoses. Girls with PCOS and obesity have an 18-fold increase in T2D incidence compared to published rates in non-PCOS youth. Hispanic girls with elevated HbA1c and ALT are at particular risk. Due to the morbidity associated with youth onset T2D, these findings argue for better screening and prevention approaches in this population.

Immigrant Generation Status and its Association with Pubertal Timing and Tempo Among Hispanic Girls and Boys

Immigrant Generation Status and its Association with Pubertal Timing and Tempo Among Hispanic Girls and Boys

Layla’s Got You: Developing a tailored contraception chatbot for Black and Hispanic young women

Introduction: In Onondaga County, New York, around half of all births to Black and Hispanic teenage girls are unintended. The Layla’s Got You campaign consists of a chatbot and social media campaign designed to increase contraception knowledge among 16- to 25-year-old Black and Hispanic women in Onondaga County. Methods: The campaign was co-created with local women in the target audience and employed digital and grassroots community building strategies. Focus groups were conducted among 31 women, during which participants selected the campaign’s logo and chatbot name and created the tagline. Participants reviewed chatbot responses and designed Layla’s appearance and features, and Black/Hispanic women are featured in website and promotional photos. A community campaign manager pairs digital strategies with grassroots partnerships among a diverse group of stakeholders, including social media influencers, hair salons and health clinics. Results: Since implementation, the chatbot has received 4,390 messages related to contraception or sexual health. Across social media accounts, the campaign has showed 2,483,683 impressions, average daily reach of 1,710 for Facebook and 943 for Instagram, and 32,816 total engagements across all platforms. Conclusion: Layla’s Got You provides young women with a confidential place in which to find locally tailored and trustworthy information about contraception. By merging innovative technology-driven strategies, participatory creation techniques and grassroots community building, the initiative delivers impactful, easily updated health information on a large scale. This strategy has promising implications for increasing knowledge and positive attitudes towards contraception among specific at-risk audiences.

Abstract PO-274: Human papillomavirus vaccination rates and knowledge among Latinx women in East Los Angeles

Abstract Background: The Latinx population in the United States faces tremendous health disparities, particularly with regards to cervical cancer. Data from the American Cancer Society show that cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates among Latinx women in the US are 40% and 26% higher than in US whites, respectively. These data are surprising considering cervical cancer is highly preventable through use of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination. About 70% of cervical cancer cases are the result of infection with HPV 16 or 18. The 9vHPV vaccine targets HPV 16 and 18 as well as 7 other HPV strains, and it was recently approved for use by the CDC in women through the age of 45. In 2015, only 44% of US Hispanic girls between the ages of 13 and 17 were vaccinated with all three HPV doses. Prior studies have shown that lack of information, cost, and fear are some of the main barriers that prevent Latinx women from receiving the HPV vaccination and vaccinating their children, and that these factors differ across subgroups of Latinx women. Methods: Our goal was to address these health disparities by assessing whether the Latinx population in East Los Angeles also showed low rates of HPV vaccination, and if so, why these women had not received the vaccination. We administered a promotora led survey (in Spanish) to a random sample of 89 Latinx women (aged 25-79) in East Los Angeles to assess rates of HPV vaccination in women and their children, attitudes towards the HPV vaccine, knowledge about the vaccine, and barriers to vaccination. We hypothesized that there would be differences in knowledge about the HPV vaccine, as well as differences in vaccination rates, based on age (>50) and country of origin (Mexico or other) in Latinx women. Results: We found a significant lack of knowledge about the HPV vaccine that persisted across all 89 women. None of the women surveyed had received a single dose of the HPV vaccinations themselves, either because they “did not think it was necessary,” or “did not know why it was important.” About 76% of women surveyed said they did not know what causes most cervical cancer (99% CI [65%-88%]), and of the 23% of women who said they did know what causes cervical cancer, none of the women cited HPV as a cause (99% CI [12%-35%]). Only 55% of women surveyed had heard about the HPV vaccine (99% CI [41%-68%]), and 82% of women did not understand the purpose of the HPV vaccine (99% CI [72%-93%]). However, Chi Square analysis revealed no significant age or country of origin differences in knowledge about the HPV vaccine or vaccination rates. Conclusions: These data show the need for culturally appropriate interventions that are both language specific and literacy level appropriate, in order to increase knowledge about the importance of HPV vaccination among Latinx women of East Los Angeles, particularly how it relates to cervical cancer prevention. Improved access to health education in the community could increase vaccination rates and decrease rates of cervical cancer in this population. Citation Format: Sarita Sooklal, Rosa Barahona, Lourdes Baezconde- Garbanati. Human papillomavirus vaccination rates and knowledge among Latinx women in East Los Angeles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-274.

Associations of prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with pubertal timing and body composition in adolescent girls: Implications for breast cancer risk

BackgroundWhile animal data support an association between prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and altered mammary gland development and tumorigenesis, epidemiologic studies have only considered a few classes of EDCs in association with pubertal growth and development in girls. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a class of EDCs that have not been rigorously evaluated in terms of prenatal exposure and pubertal growth and development in girls. ObjectiveIn a New York City birth cohort of Black and Hispanic girls (n = 196; recruited 1998–2006), we examined associations of prenatal PAH exposure with self-reported age at growth spurt onset, breast development onset and menarche, and clinical measures of adolescent body composition including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat measured at ages 11–20 years. MethodsWe measured prenatal exposure to PAH using personal air monitoring data collected from backpacks worn by mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy (data available for all 196 girls) and biomarkers of benzo[α]pyrene-DNA adducts in umbilical cord blood (data available for 106 girls). We examined associations of prenatal PAH with the timing of pubertal milestones and adolescent body composition (11–20 years) using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for race/ethnicity, household public assistance status at birth, and age at outcome assessment. We also fit models further adjusted for potential mediators, including birthweight and childhood body size (BMI-for-age z-score measured at 6–8 years). ResultsGirls in the highest versus lowest tertile of ambient exposure to PAH, based on a summary measure of eight carcinogenic higher-molecular weight non-volatile PAH compounds (Σ8 PAH), had a 0.90 year delay in growth spurt onset (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.25, 1.55; n = 196), a 0.35 year delay in breast development onset (95% CI = −0.26, 0.95; n = 193), and a 0.59 year delay in menarche (95% CI = 0.06, 1.11; n = 191) in models adjusted for race/ethnicity and household public assistance at birth. The statistically significant associations for age at growth spurt onset and menarche were not impacted by adjustment for birthweight or childhood body size. No differences in BMI-for-age z-score, waist-to-hip ratio, or percent body fat were found between girls in the highest versus lowest tertile of ambient Σ8 PAH. Results were similar when we evaluated benzo[α]pyrene-DNA adduct levels. DiscussionOur results suggest that prenatal exposure to PAH might delay pubertal milestones in girls, but findings need to be replicated in other cohorts using prospectively collected data on pubertal outcomes.

Intrapersonal psychological empowerment profiles on ethnic identity, social support, and lifetime drug use among Hispanic adolescent girls

The abbreviated Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) factor structure, used to measure intrapersonal psychological empowerment, was tested among a sample of Hispanic adolescent girls (N = 490). Confirmatory factor analysis and latent class analyses were conducted, and five distinct cluster groups emerged. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine conceptually related variables and support the two-factor structure and validity of the scale. Participants with higher levels of intrapersonal psychological empowerment also had high social support, ethnic identity, and lower levels of alcohol and drug use. Findings support the use of the scale on Hispanic adolescent girls and contribute to alcohol and drug use prevention research.

Are Feminine Body Weight Norms Different for Black Students or in Black Schools? Girls' Weight-Related Peer Acceptance across Racialized School Contexts.

Adolescent girls with overweight or obesity are less socially integrated than their thinner peers. We examine racial-ethnic differences in girls' weight-related friendship patterns, especially noting Black-white distinctions given their different norms about the ideal feminine form. We also test whether schools with more Black students see diminished weight-related differences in peer integration for all girls and/or for Black girls. Using 1994-1995 data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we predict the number of friendship nominations girls receive conditional on their weight status, race-ethnicity, and school's racial composition. Both white and Black girls with overweight or obesity are less integrated than their thinner peers regardless of the school's Black enrollment rate. Hispanic girls with overweight are more integrated than white girls with overweight, particularly in schools with low Black enrollments. The relative consistency of girls' weight-related friendship patterns demonstrates the ubiquity of dominant feminine thinness norms.

Subtypes of Girls Who Engage in Serious Delinquency and Their Young Adult Outcomes

Girls are increasingly becoming involved with the juvenile justice system; however, what brings girls to engage in delinquency or what obstacles these girls face later in life resulting from adolescent criminal behavior is understudied. In the present study, we used latent class analysis to identify subtypes of risks among adolescent girls ( N = 1,174) who have engaged in delinquent behaviors and mixture modeling to determine what distal psychological, social, educational, and economic outcomes in young adulthood are associated with each subtype. Four adolescent subtypes were identified, which were distinguished primarily based on the severity of their self-reported victimization experiences and mental health concerns. Classes with higher levels of victimization experiences tended to report more engagement with delinquent behavior in adolescence and had a larger proportion of Black and Hispanic girls than lower-victimization classes. Identified classes differed from each other on distal (i.e., young adulthood) measures of economic instability, educational attainment, drug use, depression, and adult arrests. Generally, latent classes which were characterized by higher rates of victimization and mental health concerns and lower educational performance in adolescence fared worse in young adulthood. Implications for those who care for girls who engage in delinquency, including suggestions for using trauma and culture informed screening, prevention, and intervention services, and directions for future research are discussed. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/0361684320918243 .

SUN-025 Obesity Severity and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in an Ethnically Diverse Cohort of Adolescent Girls

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting young women and may present as early as adolescence. Early recognition is important, as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The risk of PCOS increases with obesity, but fewer studies have explored the burden of PCOS in children with obesity within healthcare settings. In this study, we examined the proportion of adolescent girls with obesity who also had diagnosed PCOS and the relationship between PCOS and obesity severity.METHODS: From an existing cohort of nearly 8000 children age 3-17 with obesity (Body Mass Index, BMI ≥95th percentile) who were seen at pediatric well-child visits and identified for weight management based on BMI, we classified the subgroup of girls age 12-17 years who had moderate (BMI 100-119% of the 95th percentile) and severe (BMI ≥120% of the 95th percentile) obesity by PCOS status. Diagnosed PCOS was identified based on a visit diagnosis code for PCOS (ICD-9 256.4) within one year of the well child visit.RESULTS: We identified 1478 adolescent girls (age 12-17) with obesity, among whom 76 (5%) had a PCOS diagnosis. The burden of PCOS varied by race, including 4% among white, 7% among black, 5% among Hispanic, and 8% among Asians, respectively. The proportion with diagnosed PCOS was greater in severely obese patients (9%) compared to moderately obese (3%). By race/ethnicity, the proportion with PCOS among moderately obese/severely obese girls were as follows: white 2%/8%, black 4%/10%, and Hispanic 2%/9%, respectively. The Asian population had a higher proportion of PCOS (10%) among girls with moderate obesity, as fewer Asian girls had severe obesity overall.CONCLUSION: Among adolescent girls with obesity, the burden of PCOS varied by race/ethnicity and level of obesity. Increasing severity of obesity was associated with a greater proportion of girls having diagnosed PCOS, a trend that was reflected in white, black and Hispanic adolescent girls but not Asians, the latter due to their lower range BMI. These data highlight the prevalence of PCOS among adolescent girls with obesity and support the need for early identification and management prior to adulthood.

Reproductive Health Disparities in the USA: Self-Reported Race/Ethnicity Predicts Age of Menarche and Live Birth Ratios, but Not Infertility.

Self-identified race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) contribute to disparities in several health domains, although research on their effects on women's reproductive function has largely focused on links between SES and age of menarche. Here, we assessed whether race/ethnicity, SES, and downstream correlates of SES such as food security and health-insurance security are associated with age of menarche, infertility, and live birth ratios (ratios of recognizedpregnancies resulting in live births) in the USA. We used cross-sectional data from 1694 women aged 12-18years for menarche (2007-2016), 974 women aged 23-45 for infertility (2013-2016), and 1714 women aged 23-45 for live birth ratios (2007-2016) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We estimated multiple linear and logistic regressions with survey weights to test these associations. When controlling for lifestyle (activity levels, smoking, alcohol consumption) and physiological factors (diabetes, weight status), non-Hispanic (NH) black and Hispanic girls reported a significantly lower age of menarche by about 4.3 (standard error [SE] = 0.08, p < 0.001), and 3.2months (SE = 0.09, p < 0.001), respectively, relative to NH white girls. NH black women reported live birth ratios 9% (SE = 0.02, p < 0.001) lower than NH white women. Women with unstable health insurance reported live birth ratios 6% (SE = 0.02, p = 0.02) lower than women with stable health insurance. Race/ethnicity, SES, and its downstream correlates were not associated with infertility. One hypothesized explanation for observed disparities in age of menarche and live birth ratios is the embodiment of discrimination faced by NH black women within the USA. Our findings also underscore the importance of health insurance access for favorable reproductive health outcomes. Future work should elucidate the role of embodied discrimination and other downstream correlates of SES in modulating women's reproductive health outcomes to inform strategies to mitigate health disparities.

Physical fitness disparities among New York City public school youth using standardized methods, 2006-2017.

Standardized physical fitness monitoring provides a more accurate proxy for youth health when compared with physical activity. Little is known about the utilization of broad-scale individual-level youth physical fitness testing to explore health disparities. We examined longitudinal trends in population-level fitness for 4th-12th grade New York City youth during 2006/7-2016/17 (average n = 510,293 per year). Analyses were performed in 2019. The primary outcome was whether or not youth achieved sex-/age-specific performance levels (called the Healthy Fitness Zone) on the aerobic capacity, muscular strength and muscular endurance tests using the NYC FITNESSGRAM. The Cooper Institute’s most recent Healthy Fitness Zone criteria were applied to all tests and years. Prevalence estimates were weighted, accounted for school clustering, adjusted for student-level sociodemographics, and run by sociodemographic subgroups and year. The overall prevalence for meeting 3 Healthy Fitness Zones increased from 15.5% (95%CI: 13.9%-17.0%) in 2006/7 to 23.3% (95%CI: 22.2%-24.4%) in 2016/17 for students in grades 4–12. Fitness for all student groups increased over time, although Hispanic and non-Hispanic black girls consistently had the lowest prevalence of meeting 3 Healthy Fitness Zones as compared to all other race/sex subgroups. Also, 9th-12th graders had a lower prevalence of meeting 3 Healthy Fitness Zones as compared to 4th-8th graders. Given forecasted sharp increases in cardiovascular disease prevalence, routine youth fitness surveillance using standardized, criterion referenced methods can identify important fitness disparities and inform interventions.

139. Racial and Ethnic Disparities In Stis/HIV and Inter-Partner Violence: A Consideration of Girl’s Obesity, Self-Weight Perception, Parent-Child Relationship And Peer Climate in Transition From Adolescence to Young Adulthood

There are significant racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of STI/HIV and sexual risk behaviors starting from adolescence. This study examined contributing factors to dating and sex in non-Hispanic white (NHW), NH-black (NHB), Hispanic and other race girls and how these factors affect the risk of having multiple sex partners, STIs/HIV, and inter-partner violence (IPV) up to early adulthood in the US.

Teachers’ Bias Against the Mathematical Ability of Female, Black, and Hispanic Students

Researchers have long endeavored to understand whether teachers’ evaluations of their students’ mathematical ability or performance are accurate or whether their evaluations reveal implicit biases. To disentangle these factors, in a randomized controlled study (N = 390), we examined teachers’ evaluations of 18 mathematical solutions to which gender- and race-specific names had been randomly assigned. Teachers displayed no detectable bias when assessing the correctness of students’ solutions; however, when assessing students’ mathematical ability, biases against Black, Hispanic, and female students were revealed, with biases largest against Black and Hispanic girls. Specifically, non-White teachers’ estimations of students’ mathematical ability favored White students (both boys and girls) over students of color, whereas (primarily female) White teachers’ estimations of students’ mathematical ability favored boys over girls. Results indicate that teachers are not free of bias, and that teachers from marginalized groups may be susceptible to bias that favors stereotype-advantaged groups.

The Effects of Experimentally Manipulated Social Status and Food Insecurity on Acute Eating Behavior and Risk for Obesity Among Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Study (P21-058-19)

ObjectivesSubjective and objective social status is associated with weight status, but this relationship differs by sex and the mechanisms remain unclear. MethodsThis randomized study in Hispanic adolescents investigated the effects of experimentally manipulated social status on ad libitum acute and 24-hour dietary intakes and stress-related outcomes as potential mechanisms through which social status affects weight. Participants (n = 133; ages 15–21; 60.2% girls; BMI ≥18.5 and ≤40 kg/m2; 23.4% food insecure) consumed a standardized breakfast and then were randomized to a low (LOW) or high social status position (HIGH) in a rigged game of Monopoly™, in which the rules differed substantially by social status position. Following the game, the participants consumed an ad libitum lunchtime meal. Energy intake was assessed by pre- and post- food weighing. Stress-related markers were measured at baseline, before Monopoly™, after Monopoly™, and after lunch, with the exception of cortisol (measured before and after Monopoly™). ResultsThere was a significant interaction between sex and experimentally manipulated social status (P = 0.0087), such that girls randomized to LOW consumed significantly more of their daily energy needs at the ad libitum lunchtime meal relative to those randomized to HIGH (37.5% vs. 34.3%, respectively). Individuals with food insecurity consumed a greater % of their daily energy needs at the lunchtime meal than those with food security, although the result was not quite statistically significant (40.7% vs. 36.3%, respectively; P = 0.08). In LOW, participants report decreased feelings of powerfulness following Monopoly™ (P = 0.0006). There were no significant differences between HIGH and LOW following Monopoly™ regarding perceived stress, cortisol, heart rate, or blood pressure. Social status condition was not related to 24-hour % of daily energy needs consumed. ConclusionsOur data suggest a causal link between experimentally manipulated low social status and increased acute energy intakes among Hispanic girls, potentially influenced by decreased feelings of powerfulness, which is independent of stress. Low social status may play a causal role in the development of obesity by promoting excess calorie consumption. Further research is needed to identify the biobehavioral mechanisms contributing to this phenomenon. Funding SourcesNIH. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪▪

A mixed methods study of Black Girls' vulnerability to out-of-school suspensions: The intersection of race and gender

Although the disproportionate suspension of Black boys has been a longstanding issue, the apparent vulnerability of Black girls to harsh disciplinary practices is of recent concern to educators and researchers (see Crenshaw, Ocen, & Nanda, 2015). We used a sequential (qual → QUANT) mixed methods design to examine the out-of-school suspension (OSS) of Black girls. In-depth, qualitative interviews explored the experiences of 10 Black middle-school girls with OSSs, their caregivers and educators to generate hypotheses for, and then expand, statewide quantitative analyses. Participants described that Black girls were sanctioned more frequently and more harshly than were whites for the same behaviors. Quantitative analysis of cross-system, administrative data of 7th grade students in the state of Minnesota found that Black girls were overrepresented in OSS relative to white, Asian, and Hispanic boys and girls, and Native girls. Furthermore, Black girls were sanctioned more harshly than were white students for disruptive, disorderly and violent behaviors. Finally, qualitative data suggested strategies to reduce disproportionality in the frequency and severity of OSSs for Black girls. Educators, especially those in leadership roles, can work to eliminate sexual harassment and bullying experienced by Black girls; and create programs to build upon their self-advocacy such as developing supportive communities of other Black girls and trusted adults at school.

Recent increases in depressive symptoms among US adolescents: trends from 1991 to 2018.

Mental health problems and mental health related mortality have increased among adolescents, particularly girls. These trends have implications for etiology and prevention and suggest new and emerging risk factors in need of attention. The present study estimated age, period, and cohort effects in depressive symptoms among US nationally representative samples of school attending adolescents from 1991 to 2018. Data are drawn from 1991 to 2018 Monitoring the Future yearly cross-sectional surveys of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students (N = 1,260,159). Depressive symptoms measured with four questions that had consistent wording and data collection procedures across all 28years. Age-period-cohort effects estimated using the hierarchical age-period-cohort models. Among girls, depressive symptoms decreased from 1991 to 2011, then reversed course, peaking in 2018; these increases reflected primarily period effects, which compared to the mean of all periods showed a gradual increase starting in 2012 and peaked in 2018 (estimate = 1.15, p < 0.01). Cohort effects were minimal, indicating that increases are observed across all age groups. Among boys, trends were similar although the extent of the increase is less marked compared to girls; there was a declining cohort effect among recently born cohorts, suggesting that increases in depressive symptoms among boys are slower for younger boys compared to older boys in recent years. Trends were generally similar by race/ethnicity and parental education, with a positive cohort effect for Hispanic girls born 1999-2004. Depressive symptoms are increasing among teens, especially among girls, consistent with increases in depression and suicide. Population variation in psychiatric disorder symptoms highlight the importance of current environmental determinants of psychiatric disorder risk, and provide evidence of emerging risk factors that may be shaping a new and concerning trend in adolescent mental health.