Preadolescent Boys Research Articles

The relation between preterm birth and self-reported spinal pain in pre-adolescence—a study of 47,063 subjects from the Danish National Birth Cohort

Repeated exposure to pain and stress in early life may cause alterations in pain sensitivity later in life. Children born preterm are often exposed to painful invasive procedures. This study aimed to explore the relationship between being born preterm and self-report of spinal pain in pre-adolescence. This prospective study was based on the Danish National Birth Cohort and consisted of 47,063 11–14-year-olds. Data from the Danish National Birth Cohort were linked with national registers through Statistics Denmark. Analyses were performed as multiple logistic regression models estimating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Spinal pain (neck, mid back, and/or low back pain) was assessed using a subdivision of the Young Spine Questionnaire. Severe spinal pain was defined as having pain often or once in a while with an intensity of four to six on the Revised Faces Pain Scale. Inverse probability weighting was used to account for potential selection bias. Girls born very preterm (< 34 full weeks of gestation) were less likely to report spinal pain (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.40–0.93) compared with those term-born. The associations were weaker when examining moderate to severe spinal pain and when examining the three spinal regions separately. None of these was statistically significant.Conclusion: We found no associations for boys. In conclusion, this study indicates that girls born very preterm are seemingly less likely to have severe spinal pain in pre-adolescence than girls born at term.What is Known:• Spinal pain is one of the largest disease burdens globally, and the evidence regarding the etiology of spinal pain in children and adolescents is limited.• Repeated exposure to pain and stress in early life (i.e., being preterm) may cause alterations in pain sensitivity later in life.What is New:• Girls born very preterm (< 34 full weeks of gestation) seem less likely to report severe spinal pain in pre-adolescence compared with girls born at full term.• There is no association between gestational age and later experience of spinal pain in pre-adolescent boys.

Parents' Awareness and Knowledge of Testicular Torsion in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Testicular torsion (TT) is the most common urological emergency in children that requires immediate intervention. The prognosis of testicular torsion depends on the patient's time of presentation to the emergency department (ED), as well as on the time at which the diagnosis is established and treatment is initiated. Raising public awareness of testicular torsion, particularly among parents, plays a crucial role in preventing delay in presentation and reducing the frequency of orchiectomy. To this end, the study is designed to assess the level of awareness and knowledge of testicular torsion, as well as the response of parents to the scrotal pain of their children. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among parents in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected between the 23rd of November and the 22nd of December 2022. A simple random sampling technique was implemented. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results A total of 394 parents participated in this study. It showed that 13.5% of parents reported having a child with a previous experience of pain in the scrotum. Of them, only 25.4% previously heard about torsion of the testicles. Only 68.8% and 76.6% correctly reported that if the child complains of pain in the scrotum during working hours or over the weekend, they will drive him to the hospital immediately. Good knowledge about TT was significantly higher among children's fathers compared to mothers (66.7% vs. 33.3%) (p≤0.05). Conclusion Testicular torsion (TT) represents significant morbidity among male patients and early identification is crucial to avoid the need for orchiectomy and all its prominent physical and psychological consequences. To improve children's well-being, we need to raise parents' awareness of TT and the potential future implications of this critical condition as it is not widely known in our community. Further studies evaluating the knowledge regarding testicular torsion among preadolescent and adolescent boys are warranted.

Gender differences in character strengths among Chinese pre-adolescents and adolescents: a multidimensional scaling profile analysis

Background: The present study explores gender differences through a characterological lens, inspired by the positive-psychological VIA-Youth measure. Existing research on gender differences in character development has established a certain stereotype of girls outperforming boys in western culture. Methods: Based on a sample of 695 students in elementary, middle, and high school students, we analyzed gender differences in character development in the Chinese cultural context using multidimensional scaling (MDS) profile analysis, providing a cultural account of gender differences via profile patterns. Results: Our study identified specific items where pre-adolescent and adolescent boys outperformed girls (while acknowledging there are also specific items where girls outperformed boys) based on data sourced from a Chinese context. We found gender differences in the same character strengths due to situational factors, such as intensive and sustained educational interventions and established gender traditions/expectations, which can shape the exhibition of particular character strengths differently among girls and boys. Conclusion: Findings can offer an antidote to a Western-dominated research perspective on character or moral education. It enriches the literature on moral education in a different cultural context and provides evidence of gender differences in character strengths.

Acute Onset Groin Pain in a Pre-Adolescent Boy- A Diagnostic Dilemma

Acute Onset Groin Pain in a Pre-Adolescent Boy- A Diagnostic Dilemma

The Effect of a Nutritional Supplement on Growth and Body Composition in Short and Lean Preadolescent Boys following One Year of Intervention

Introduction: Adequate nutrition plays an important role in linear growth throughout childhood, including puberty. However, not all children are willing or able to consume an adequate and balanced diet daily. We aimed to evaluate the 1-year effectiveness and safety of nutritional supplementation on linear growth, weight gain, and changes in body composition in short and lean peripubertal boys. Methods: A 1-year, 2-phase multicenter interventional study comprising 1–6 months of a double-blinded intervention with nutritional formula or placebo, followed by 6–12 months of an open-label extension with the nutritional formula for all participants. Results: The outcomes of the double-blinded intervention were reported previously. A total of 79/98 (81%) boys, aged ≥10 years, Tanner stages 1–3, completed the open-labeled extension phase. For this phase, a significant dose-response correlation (p < 0.05) was found of the consumption of the formula with Δ height-SDS, Δ weight-SDS, and Δ muscle mass (crude correlations and after adjustment for baseline age and end-of-study Tanner stage). In the extension phase and in the 12-month analysis, participants who were good formula consumers (intake ≥50% of the recommended dose) maintained their height-SDS, while poor consumers had a significant decline in their height-SDS (p = 0.028 and p = 0.009, between group difference in the extension phase and 12-month analysis, respectively). Between-group differences were not observed in the Tanner stage at any point of the study. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: An intervention in healthy peripubertal boys suggests that 1-year consumption of a multi-nutrient, protein-rich nutritional supplement is efficacious and safe. The induced changes in growth and body composition, although modest, may be clinically significant. The effect of the formula on growth parameters was not mediated by enhancement of the pubertal tempo.

Caregiver-reported household food insecurity and child-reported food insecurity in relation to eating disorder risk factors and symptoms among preadolescent children.

To examine the relation of caregiver-reported household food insecurity (FI) and child-reported FI with eating disorder (ED) risk factors and symptoms, including effect modification by gender, in preadolescent children. Data were from the Family Food Study, a cross-sectional study of households with incomes ≤200% of the federal poverty line in southeastern Michigan. Children aged 8-10 years (n= 194) and their female primary caregivers reported separately on FI status. Children reported ED risk factors/symptoms via the 24-item Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT-24), with higher scores indicating more ED risk factors/symptoms. Linear mixed models were used to examine associations between FI measures with the ChEAT-24 total score, plus subscale scores for dieting, food preoccupation, weight preoccupation, vomiting, and social pressure to eat/gain weight. Models were adjusted for child age, child gender, caregiver race/ethnicity, caregiver education, and household income. Among all children, child-reported FI, but not caregiver-reported household FI, was associated with more ED risk factors/symptoms. Child-reported FI (vs. no FI) was associated with higher average ChEAT-24 total score (β=2.41, 95% CI: 0.57, 4.25). Child-reported FI was also associated with more food preoccupation, more weight preoccupation, and more social pressure to eat. Caregiver-reported household FI was marginally associated with less dieting in girls, and child-reported FI was associated with more dieting in boys. Child-reported FI may be more salient than caregiver-reported household FI as a risk factor for ED-related outcomes in preadolescent children. Gender may modify the association between FI and dieting behavior. More child-reported food insecurity, but not parent-reported household food insecurity, was associated with more eating disorder risk factors and symptoms among preadolescent boys and girls. These findings emphasize the need for future studies that investigate the role of food insecurity in the development of eating disorders, especially studies that measure child-reported experience of food insecurity.

Pubertal Emergence of Testosterone Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Boys.

Puberty-driven increases in the secretion of testosterone may be a biological factor that protects males against the development of depression. Although all males produce testosterone, there are substantial between-person differences that could contribute to differential vulnerability to depression among pre-adolescent and adolescent boys, particularly after pubertal onset. Indeed, experimental animal and human data have shown that low testosterone increases risk for depressive-like symptoms in males, whereas higher levels of testosterone may be protective; however, prior studies have primarily investigated these effects in adulthood. This study investigated whether lower circulating levels of testosterone predict depressive symptoms in pre-adolescent and adolescent boys, and in particular, whether the testosterone-depression association becomes prominent with advancing pubertal maturation. Male twins (N = 213; ages 10-15 years) from the Michigan State University Twin Registry self-reported their depressive symptoms and pubertal status using the Children's Depression Inventory and the Pubertal Development Scale, respectively. Salivary testosterone was assayed using high-sensitivity enzyme immunoassays. Mixed Linear Models (MLMs), which could account for the non-independence of twin data, were used for analyses. As expected, lower testosterone concentrations were associated with higher depressive symptoms, and the magnitude of this effect increased with advancing pubertal status. In contrast, boys with higher levels of testosterone showed low levels of depressive symptomatology at all stages of pubertal maturation. Overall, these findings enhance understanding of within-sex variability in risk for depression in boys - average-to-high testosterone levels may underlie the general male resilience to depression after pubertal onset, whereas lower levels may increase vulnerability during/after puberty.

Gender differences in character strengths among Chinese pre-adolescents and adolescents: a multidimensional scaling profile analysis

Background: The present study explores gender differences through a characterological lens, inspired by the positive-psychological VIA-Youth measure. Existing research on gender differences in character development has established a certain stereotype of girls outperforming boys in western culture. Methods: Based on a sample of 695 students in elementary, middle, and high school students, we analyzed gender differences in character development in the Chinese cultural context using multidimensional scaling (MDS) profile analysis, providing a cultural account of gender differences via profile patterns. Results: Our study identified specific items where pre-adolescent and adolescent boys outperformed girls (while acknowledging there are also specific items where girls outperformed boys) based on data sourced from a Chinese context. We found gender differences in the same character strengths due to situational factors, such as intensive and sustained educational interventions and established gender traditions/expectations, which can shape the exhibition of particular character strengths differently among girls and boys. Conclusion: Findings can offer an antidote to a Western-dominated research perspective on character or moral education. It enriches the literature on moral education in a different cultural context and provides evidence of gender differences in character strengths.

Oxygen Uptake in Repeated Cycling Sprints Against Different Loads Is Comparable Between Men and Preadolescent Boys.

Children recover faster than adults in repeated sprints, but it is unclear if their aerobic responses differ.PurposeThis study tested the hypothesis that aerobic response (VO2) during repeated sprints is greater in preadolescent boys than in men. Further, this study compared normalization with conventional ratio-scaling and scaling with the use of body mass (BM) as a covariate.MethodsNine boys (age: 11.8 ± 0.6 years, swimmers) and 11 men (age: 21.7 ± 0.6 years, recreational athletes) performed 10 maximal 6-s cycling sprints separated by 24-s of passive recovery, against two loads (optimum and 50% of optimum). Oxygen uptake (VO2) was measured continuously.ResultsMen’s mean power output (MPO) was greater than boys in each sprint, both in absolute (unscaled) values ( p < 0.05) and when adjusted for lean leg volume ( p < 0.05). Children had lower absolute VO2 ( p < 0.05) than men, but when it was adjusted for BM or power-output, VO2 was comparable between men and boys. Thus, most of the difference in VO2 between men and boys was due to body size and power-output differences.ConclusionOur results suggest that men and boys have similar VO2 during repeated sprints when appropriately adjusted to body mass or power output. Results highlight the importance of using appropriate scaling methods to compare adults’ and children’s aerobic responses to high-intensity exercise.

Gender differences in the relation between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns in youth with overweight/obesity

The purpose of this study was to examine relations between interpersonal stress and momentary shape and weight concerns among pre-adolescent and early adolescent boys and girls with overweight/obesity, using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). We also aimed to determine whether interpersonal stress was differentially related to shape/weight concerns in boys versus girls. Forty youth, ages 8–14 years (53% female), with overweight or obesity reported their state-level shape/weight concerns and negative affect and their recent interpersonal stress (i.e., stress experienced since the last EMA assessment) multiple times a day, for two weeks. Results indicated that interpersonal stress predicted shape/weight concerns in girls but was not related to shape/weight concerns in boys. At the between-person level, higher overall feelings of loneliness and social rejection and a higher overall desire for more friends predicted higher average levels of shape/weight concerns. At the within-person level, higher momentary ratings of loneliness, social rejection, and desire for more friends predicted lower shape/weight concerns. These data suggest that the tendency to experience interpersonal stress may be more detrimental to body satisfaction for girls with overweight/obesity than for boys with overweight/obesity. Interventions that focus on reducing interpersonal stress may be effective in ameliorating shape/weight concerns in girls with overweight/obesity.

A Study on the Social Determinants Affecting Nutritional Status of the Children of Guwahati City, Assam

The present study aims to understand the nutritional status of the pre-adolescent urban Guwahati boys and girls belonging to the age group of 6–10 years in relation to some social determinants such as parental education, parental occupation, family income, food habit, family type, and consumption of fast food. A total sample of 471 boys and girls going to the elite private schools of the city were collected cross-sectionally and measured for their stature and body weight. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cutoff for body mass index was used to study the nutritional status. Result shows that the boys are more malnourished than the girls. On contrary, the girls are found to be more at risk of overweight but are also healthier than the boys. The relationship of parental education and nutritional status is found to be statistically significant at 5% level among the boys. Further, this was supported by multiple logistic regression analyses performed to understand the association between the nutritional status and the social determinants which shows significance in fathers’ education and underweight (odds ratio [OR] – 3.043) and overweight (OR – 4.612) at 5% level. Father’s occupation and nutritional status are also found to be significant with underweight (OR – 2.961) at 5% level for the same. Maternal occupation and fast-food consumption are also found to be significantly associated with the nutritional status of the children. It may, therefore, be concluded that the nutritional status of the boys and girls is dependent on a number of social factors, thus making them vulnerable to malnutrition.

Precocious Puberty: Causes, Consequences, Daily Environmental Factors, and the need for Community/Societal Support

Precocious puberty, otherwise described as a group of medical conditions that cause early puberty onset, such as a pre-adolescent boy presenting with adult pattern of penile and testicular enlargement or a pre-adolescent girl presenting with mature breast development and onset of menses. Although the sexual and physical characteristics for this condition are well-described in medical literature, the causes are very rarely known. Nevertheless, it has substantial impacts on children’s lives. This is a review on sexual development, premature sexual development, the social complications children suffer from due to early onset puberty, and the associations with daily environmental exposures as possible influences for developing precocious puberty.

A videographic case study analysis of improvement in motor coordination in a pre-adolescent boy through the intervention of therapeutic eurythmy exercise

A videographic case study analysis of improvement in motor coordination in a pre-adolescent boy through the intervention of therapeutic eurythmy exercise

Physical fitness spurts in pre-adolescent boys and girls: Timing, intensity and sequencing

ABSTRACT We aim to (1) estimate age of attainment of the peak mid-growth spurt in stature (age-at-peak MGS) in pre-adolescent boys and girls; (2) identify the timing, intensity, and sequences of physical fitness (PF) spurts aligned by the age-at-peak MGS; and (3) identify any sex differences in PF spurts aligned by age-at-peak MGS. The sample included 180 Portuguese children (90 girls) aged 6 to 10 years at study entry who were followed annually for 4 years. Height, health-, and performance-related PF were assessed. Age-at-peak MGS and PF spurts were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. Boys’ and girls’ age-at-peak MGS occurred at 7.8 ± 0.47 years and 8.0 ± 0.72 years, respectively. PF spurts’ timing aligned by age-at-peak MGS were as follows: (1) before age-at-peak MGS: boys – static strength, aerobic capacity, explosive leg strength, and flexibility; girls – speed, agility, aerobic capacity, and upper body strength; (2) coincident with age-at-peak MGS: girls – explosive leg strength and flexibility; (3) after age-at-peak MGS: boys – abdominal strength, upper body strength, agility, and speed; girls – abdominal strength and static strength. Boys and girls attained their MGS at relatively similar ages. However, the timing and sequences of PF spurts, aligned on age-at-MGS, were different between boys and girls.

Eating disorder and social anxiety symptoms in Iranian preadolescents: a network analysis.

Network studies of eating disorder (ED) symptoms have identified central and bridge symptoms in Western samples, yet few network models of ED symptoms have been tested in non-Western samples, especially among preadolescents. The current study tested a network model of ED symptoms in Iranian preadolescents (ages 9 to 13), as well as a model of co-occurring social anxiety disorder (SAD) and ED symptoms. Preadolescent boys (n = 405) and girls (n = 325) completed the Children Eating Attitudes Test-20 and Social Anxiety Scale for Children. We estimated two network models (ED and ED/SAD networks) and identified central and bridge symptoms, as well as tested if these models differed by sex. We found that discomfort eating sweets were the most central symptoms in ED networks. Concern over being judged was central in networks including both ED and SAD symptoms. Additionally, concern over being judged was the strongest bridge symptoms. Networks did not differ by sex. Future research is needed to test if interventions focused on bridge symptoms (i.e., concern over being judged) as primary intervention points target comorbid ED-SAD pathology in preadolescents at risk for ED and SAD. Level III; Evidence obtained from well-designed observational study, including case-control design for relevant aspects of the study.

Knee Extensor Morphology and Sprint Performance in Preadolescent Sprinters

ABSTRACT Purpose: We previously reported that the cross-sectional area of the quadriceps femoris is correlated with the sprint performance of preadolescent sprinters. This finding suggests a close relationship between knee extensor torque-enhancing morphology and sprint performance in this young population. To further clarify this issue, in this study, we examined the relationships of the quadriceps femoris muscle volume (MV) and knee extensor moment arm (MA) with sprint performance in preadolescent sprinters. Methods: The quadriceps femoris MV and knee extensor MA in 15 sprint-trained preadolescent boys were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Sprint performance was evaluated using a personal best 100-m sprint time and the higher 50-m sprint velocity of two 50-m sprint tests. Results: The quadriceps femoris MV and knee extensor MA were significantly correlated with personal best 100-m sprint time (r = −0.810 and −0.752, P ≤ 0.001 for both) and 50-m sprint velocity (r = 0.814 and 0.702, P < .01 for both). Furthermore, the relative quadriceps femoris MV normalized to body mass was significantly correlated with both the personal best 100-m sprint time (r = −0.620, P = .014) and 50-m sprint velocity (r = 0.686, P = .005). In contrast, no significant correlations were observed between the relative knee extensor MA normalized to body height and both sprint performance parameters. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the quadriceps femoris size, rather than the knee extensor MA dimension, is a more important morphological factor for achieving superior sprint performance in preadolescent sprinters.

Exposure to PM2.5 and Lung Function Growth in Pre- and Early-Adolescent Schoolchildren: A Longitudinal Study Involving Repeated Lung Function Measurements in Japan.

RationaleEpidemiological evidence indicates that ambient exposure to particulate matter ⩽2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) has adverse effects on lung function growth in children, but it is not actually clear whether exposure to low-level PM2.5 results in long-term decrements in lung function growth in pre- to early-adolescent schoolchildren.ObjectivesTo examine long-term effects of PM2.5 within the 4-year average concentration range of 10–19 μg/m3 on lung function growth with repeated measurements of lung function tests.MethodsLongitudinal analysis of 6,233 lung function measurements in 1,466 participants aged 8–12 years from 16 school communities in 10 cities around Japan, covering a broad area of the country to represent concentration ranges of PM2.5, was done with a multilevel linear regression model. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximal expiratory flow at 50% of FVC were used as lung function indicators to examine the effects of 10-μg/m3 increases in the PM2.5 concentration on relative growth per each 10-cm increase in height.ResultsThe overall annual mean PM2.5 level was 13.5 μg/m3 (range, 10.4–19.0 μg/m3). We found no association between any of the lung function growth indicators and increases in PM2.5 levels in children of either sex, even after controlling for potential confounders. Analysis with two-pollutant models with O3 or NO2 did not change the null results.ConclusionsThis nationwide longitudinal study suggests that concurrent, long-term exposure to PM2.5 at concentrations ranging from 10.4 to 19.0 μg/m3 has little effect on lung function growth in preadolescent boys or pre- to early-adolescent girls.

Gender roles and representations of sexual abuse: how are asymmetrical gender attitudes related to the legitimation of sexual abuse of children and youth?

ABSTRACT Sexual abuse of children and youth is considered a public health problem. However, it is still a taboo, surrounded by a variety of myths. The main objective of this work was to investigate the relationship between attitudes toward gender roles and the social representations of sexual abuse of children and youth in a sample of students and professionals in the fields of health, education, social work, law, law enforcement and others with contact with children and youth. The present study consisted of a sample of 168 participants, and data collection was performed through an online questionnaire consisting of three self-report instruments – Questionnaire on Representations of Sexual Abuse of Children – Stories (QRASC-HIS), the Sexual Abuse Beliefs Scale (SABS) and the Pacific Attitudes Towards Gender Scale (PATG). Main findings indicate that attitudes toward gender roles were related to the social representations of sexual abuse of children and youth, in that individuals with more gender asymmetric attitudes reported greater legitimation beliefs of sexual abuse. Data also showed that cases where the aggressor was a female adult and the victim was male (pre-adolescent boy) were more legitimated. Implications for theory, practice and training are discussed.

Self-regulation in the pre-adolescent brain

Self-regulation refers to the ability to monitor and modulate emotions, behavior, and cognition, which in turn allows us to achieve goals and adapt to ever changing circumstances. This trait develops from early infancy well into adulthood, and features both low-level executive functions such as reactive inhibition, as well as higher level executive functions such as proactive inhibition. Development of self-regulation is linked to brain maturation in adolescence and adulthood. However, how self-regulation in daily life relates to brain functioning in pre-adolescent children is not known. To this aim, we have analyzed data from 640 children aged 8–11, who performed a stop-signal anticipation task combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging, in addition to questionnaire data on self-regulation. We find that pre-adolescent boys and girls who display higher levels of self-regulation, are better able to employ proactive inhibitory control strategies, exhibit stronger frontal activation and more functional coupling between cortical and subcortical areas of the brain. Furthermore, we demonstrate that pre-adolescent children show significant activation in areas of the brain that were previously only associated with reactive and proactive inhibition in adults and adolescents. Thus, already in pre-adolescent children, frontal-striatal brain areas are active during self-regulatory behavior.

Effect of a nutritional supplementation on growth and body composition in short and lean preadolescent boys: A randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study

To evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation on height, weight and body composition in short and lean male preadolescents. A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of nutritional supplementation of short and lean prepubertal 10-14.5-year-old boys. Primary outcomes included Δheight-SDS and Δweight-SDS. Secondary outcomes included changes in body composition and BMI-SDS. Of 160 boys enrolled, 126 (80%) completed 6months' intervention. Baseline age, height-SDS, weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, body composition and dietary intake were similar in the formula and placebo groups. 'Good' formula consumers (intake of ≥50% of the recommended dose, n=30) gained significantly more in weight-SDS, BMI-SDS, fat-free-mass and muscle mass (p<0.05) than did 'poor' consumers (n=35) and the placebo group (n=61). Only in the formula group, positive dose-response correlations were found between consumption of the formula and changes in the outcome parameters examined, including Δheight-SDS (r=0.301, p=0.015). Boys aged >11.4years who were 'good' formula consumers maintained their Δheight-SDS, while Δheight-SDS declined in 'poor' consumers and the placebo group of the same age (p=0.033). Intervention with a multi-nutrient, protein-rich formula was effective in increasing weight-SDS, fat-free-mass, muscle mass and BMI-SDS in short and lean prepubertal male adolescents. Good consumption of the formula prevented Δheight-SDS decline in the older participants.