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Helicopter parenting, a parenting style defined by over-involvement, may lead to poor health outcomes. However, research has primarily focused on children and adolescents from White, high socio-economic families, with little research examining weight-related health or with emerging adult children. The current study examined associations with emerging adult diet, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) among a diverse population-based sample of parent and emerging adult dyads (n= 919). Helicopter parenting was highest among lower socioeconomic households and those identifying as Black, Indigenous, or people of color. Helicopter parenting was associated with both healthy and less healthy dietary behaviors across ethnic/racial groups, but was not associated with physical activity or BMI. Greater consideration of the cultural context related to helicopter parenting is needed before making conclusions about its benefits or harms.

Native scholars are advocating for decolonized research that integrates western methods with Indigenous worldviews and epistemologies. The study presented here was conducted in the Midwestern USA with six graduate students, four recent alumni, and three community Elders with experience in health research. Our goal was to learn from their experiences in scholarship so as to inform future teachers and trainees. An iterative thematic analysis revealed participants’ unanimous emphasis on processes in trust-building. Said processes include gaining insights about personal biases, seeking preparatory and ongoing guidance from Elders and other experienced personnel, educating oneself about Native histories, and functioning as a humble learner. Learning about and enacting these behaviors and strategies can facilitate authentic collaborations. Lessons, suggestions, and resources shared by participants are informative toward creating guidelines for current and future educators in research methods, alongside the new students and professionals that they engage in instruction for such scholarship.

Research addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial well-being and health behavior is accumulating; however, implications for emerging adult populations are underexplored. This manuscript synthesizes findings from a mixed-methods study of well-being, eating and activity behaviors, and food insecurity among a diverse, longitudinal cohort of emerging adults. The review includes findings from 11 original studies that involved collecting online surveys from 720 emerging adults and in-depth, virtual interviews with 33 respondents who were food insecure. Findings indicated the pandemic had widespread impacts on well-being. Population groups at greatest risk for poor outcomes included women; those who identified as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color; persons in households of low socioeconomic status; parents of young children; and persons who previously experienced mental health challenges or weight stigma. Further research will be needed to evaluate efforts to improve the well-being of emerging adults in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.Many medical schools are instituting gender equity initiatives to address long-standing inequities (e.g., salary, leadership positions, resource distribution) between women and men in academic medicine. However, few theory-driven models exist with built-in metrics to assess the impact of gender equity initiatives. The authors describe the theory- and metric-driven process used to create the Center for Women in Medicine and Science (CWIMS) at the University of Minnesota (UMN) Medical School. An innovative theory-driven approach using community-based participatory research (CBPR) was used to create and organize CWIMS. CBPR acknowledges community members (e.g., faculty members, staff), academic organizational representatives (e.g., department heads, center directors), and administrative leaders (e.g., deans) as equal contributors in carrying out all aspects of gender equity work. CBPR values collaborative approaches that empower faculty, promote co-learning and co-creation of initiatives among all university partners, and build upon already existing community strengths and resources. Four CWIMS action groups were created using CBPR principles. The action groups are retention and recruitment; mentoring; salary, resource, and leadership equity; and strategic communications and collaborations. Faculty members across all medical school departments joined these 4 action groups to co-create and carry out all CWIMS gender equity initiatives. The process of developing the CWIMS center and action groups, the CBPR theoretical model guiding the approach, the initiatives developed by the action groups and metrics created, and the outcomes achieved to date are described. In addition, 4 lessons learned from the development of the CWIMS—use of theoretically driven and evidence-based models is key to building a sustainable organization; bottom-up and top-down engagement of partners is crucial for sustainability; passion and innovation are critical for long-term momentum; and not all faculty members and leaders will be enthusiastic about gender equity issues—are shared for the benefit of other medical schools wanting to develop similar centers.

The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence, predictors, and psychosocial well-being (depressive symptoms, stress) and weight-related behavior (eating behaviors, physical activity, and sedentary behavior) correlates of social distancing during COVID-19 among emerging adults. A rapid-response survey was sent to participants (n=720; mean age=24.7 ± 2.0 years, 62% female) in a population-based cohort study in Minnesota during April–October 2020. Half of emerging adults reported fully social distancing. Emerging adults from White backgrounds were least likely to social distance while those from Asian backgrounds were most likely to social distance, in addition to those living with a parent. Females who partially/did not social distance reported less healthy eating behaviors, while males and “essential workers” reported higher levels of psychosocial distress. Public health messaging and practical supports for social distancing may need to be made more relevant to emerging adults during public health crises. Resources may need to differ depending on sex of emerging adult.

Decision aids for prostate cancer screening can increase knowledge and shared decision making, but remain underused due to cost and time constraints that disrupt clinic flow. We examined the impact of a simple prostate specific antigen screening decision aid distribution strategy on clinic flow as well as shared decision making in a diverse, urban primary care clinic.

AbstractBackground:Several quantitative studies have found a protective association between family meal frequency and child and adolescent weight and weight-related behaviors (e.g., healthy dietary intake, less disordered eating behaviors). However, limited qualitative research has been conducted to understand more in depth about family meal-level characteristics (e.g., rules, responsibilities, and interpersonal dynamics) that may be risk or protective factors for child weight and weight-related behaviors. The current study aimed to identify family meal-level characteristics within racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse households that were similar and/or different between households with and without an overweight/obese child.Methods:The current study is a qualitative study including 118 parents of children ages 6–12 who participated in the Family Meals, LIVE! study. Parents (92% female) were from racially/ethnically (87% minority) and socioeconomically (73% <$35,000 per year) diverse households. Parents were individually interviewed during a home visit. Data were stratified by child weight status (i.e., normal weight vs. overweight/obese) and analyzed using deductive and inductive content analysis.Results:Qualitative results showed some similarities and some differences in family meal-level characteristics by child weight status that may provide insight into past research showing significant associations between family meal frequency and child weight and weight-related behaviors. Similar themes between families with and without an overweight/obese child included: family meals provide more healthful food; rules about manners; meal planning; and involving children in meal preparation. Themes that were different between families with and without an overweight/obese child included: connection and communication; “clean your plate rule”; electronic devices; and child behavior problems.Conclusions:Findings from the current study may be useful for developing interventions for racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse households with and without an overweight/obese child to be delivered through family meals.

AbstractBackground:Skinfolds are often used in equations to predict percent body fat (PBF) in youth. Although there are numerous such equations published, there is limited information to help researchers determine which equation to use for their sample.Methods:Using data from the 1999–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), we compared eight published equations for prediction of PBF. These published equations all included triceps and/or subscapular skinfold measurements. We examined the PBF equations in a nationally representative sample of American youth that was matched by age, sex, and race/ethnicity to the original equation development population and a full sample of 8- to 18-year-olds. We compared the equation-predicted PBF to the dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-measured PBF. The adjusted R2, root mean square error (RMSE), and mean signed difference (MSD) were compared. The MSDs were used to examine accuracy and differential bias by age, sex, and race/ethnicity.Results:When applied to the full range of 8- 18-year-old youth, the R2values ranged from 0.495 to 0.738. The MSD between predicted and DXA-measured PBF indicated high average accuracy (MSD between −1.0 and 1.0) for only three equations (Bray subscapular equation and Dezenberg equations [with and without race/ethnicity]). The majority of the equations showed differential bias by sex, race/ethnicity, weight status, or age.Conclusions:These findings indicate that investigators should use caution in the selection of an equation to predict PBF in youth given that results may vary systematically in important subgroups.

AbstractBackground:It is unknown if parents with more than one adolescent child use similar or different parenting practices of relevance to weight-related health with different children. In particular, it is unclear whether parenting practices differ based on whether siblings are discordant on weight status (i.e., one is overweight/obese, one is nonoverweight/obese) or are different sexes.Methods:Data from two linked population-based studies, Eating and Activity in Teens (EAT) 2010 and Families and Eating and Activity in Teens (F-EAT), were used in this exploratory cross-sectional analysis. Participants included socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse parents (n= 57; 93% females) and adolescent siblings (n= 57 pairs; 60% girls; mean age = 14.5, range = 11–18). Students filled out surveys and had anthropometric measures taken in school. Parents filled out mailed surveys in their homes.Results:Overall, results from this exploratory study showed limited evidence that parents use different parenting practices with adolescents of different weight status or sex. However, potentially important patterns emerged when exploring parenting practices and siblings' weight status. For example, within sibling dyads with discordant weight status, parents reported significantly more negative weight-related conversations with overweight/obese siblings compared to nonoverweight/obese siblings (p< 0.05). Although observed differences were not statistically significant, parents also reported higher levels of food restriction (p= 0.05) and encouragement to diet (p= 0.07) with overweight/obese siblings compared to nonoverweight/obese siblings. There were no significant differences in parenting practices by adolescent sex.Conclusions:Results generally suggest that parents use similar parenting practices with adolescent siblings. However, notable patterns emerged when examining parenting practices and siblings' weight status that may be important to explore in future research.

AbstractBackground:Staged clinical treatment of pediatric obesity is recommended, but untested. Understanding the lowest intensity stage's effectiveness is necessary for future research.Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial of children ages 4 to <9 years. Participants were recruited after routine evaluations at a primary care pediatric clinic revealed a BMI ≥85th percentile. The intervention was patterned after the “Prevention plus, Stage 1” treatment recommended by an expert committee. Groups were compared for changes, over a 3-month time period, in BMI z-score and parental reports of behavioral issues related to childhood obesity using intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis.Results:Seventy-two (30% of eligible) children were enrolled and 64 were remeasured at 3-month follow-up. ITT analysis revealed that both groups improved mean BMI z-score [adjusted change −0.07, control, and −0.04, intervention; 95% confidence interval (CI) of difference=−0.14–0.20]. Over half of the children in each group improved their BMI z-score (adjusted proportion decreasing=55% in control vs. 72% in intervention; 95% CI of difference=−0.07–0.42). The intervention group improved comparatively to the control group on numerous behavioral indicators.Conclusions:Implementation of the lowest intensity stage of current recommendations is feasible and possibly of benefit toward lifestyle changes. Results of this study can be used by future clinical researchers designing protocols to test the full multi-staged approach for the treatment of pediatric overweight and obesity in primary care clinical settings.

IMPORTANCE The prevalence of weight-related problems in adolescents is high. Parents of adolescents may wonder whether talking about eating habits and weight is useful or detrimental. OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between parent conversations about healthful eating and weight and adolescent disordered eating behaviors. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis using data from 2 linked multilevel population-based studies. SETTING Anthropometric assessments and surveys completed at school by adolescents and surveys completed at home by parents in 2009-2010. PARTICIPANTS Socioeconomically and racially/ethnically diverse sample (81% ethnic minority; 60% low income) of adolescents from Eating and Activity in Teens 2010 (EAT 2010) (n = 2793; mean age, 14.4 years) and parents from Project Families and Eating and Activity in Teens (Project F-EAT) (n = 3709; mean age, 42.3 years). EXPOSURE Parent conversations about healthful eating and weight/size. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Adolescent dieting, unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and binge eating. RESULTS Mothers and fathers who engaged in weight-related conversations had adolescents who were more likely to diet, use unhealthy weight-control behaviors, and engage in binge eating. Overweight or obese adolescents whose mothers engaged in conversations that were focused only on healthful eating behaviors were less likely to diet and use unhealthy weight-control behaviors. Additionally, subanalyses with adolescents with data from 2 parents showed that when both parents engaged in healthful eating conversations, their overweight or obese adolescent children were less likely to diet and use unhealthy weight-control behaviors. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Parent conversations focused on weight/size are associated with increased risk for adolescent disordered eating behaviors, whereas conversations focused on healthful eating are protective against disordered eating behaviors.

Purpose. Examine the role of perceived significant other's modeling or encouragement of dieting in young adults' disordered eating behaviors.Design. Online survey data were collected (2008–2009) as part of an ongoing study examining weight and related issues in young people.Setting. Participants were originally recruited as students at middle and high schools in Minnesota (1998–1999).Subjects. One thousand two hundred ninety-four young adults (mean age 25.3, 55% female, 50% white) with significant others.Measures. Participants were asked if their significant other diets or encourages them to diet. Behaviors included unhealthy weight control, extreme weight control, and binge eating.Analysis. General linear models estimated the predicted probability of using each behavior across levels of significant other's dieting or encouraging dieting, stratifying by gender, and adjusting for demographics and body mass index.Results. Perceived dieting and encouragement to diet by significant others were common. Disordered eating behaviors were positively associated with significant other's dieting and encouragement to diet, particularly for females. In models including both perceived dieting and encouragement, encouragement remained significantly associated with disordered eating. For example, women's binge eating was almost doubled if their significant other encouraged dieting “very much” (25.5%) compared to “not at all” (13.6%, p = .015).Conclusion. There is a strong association between disordered eating behaviors and perceived modeling and encouragement to diet by significant others in young adulthood.

AbstractBackground:With the rising prevalence of childhood obesity over the last several decades, and the call for more family-based intervention research to combat childhood obesity, it is important to examine the extant research on family-based interventions in order to make recommendations and improve future research.Objective:To conduct a meta-analysis of family-based interventions targeting childhood obesity in the last decade in order to inform the research in the next decade.Methods:A literature review was conducted between December 2009-April 2010. Studies published between the years 2000–2009 that used family-based interventions to treat childhood obesity were included. A total of 20 studies met inclusionary criteria.Results:Although results varied by study design, the majority of studies had a moderate to large effect size for change in the target child's BMI (BMI percentile, zBMI, percent overweight) after participating in a family-based intervention. Long-term change varied by study, but the majority of studies produced sustainable change in child BMI, although smaller effect sizes. Change in secondary variables (dietary intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, physical activity) were substantially different between studies and are reported as trends.Conclusion:To date, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that family-based interventions targeting childhood obesity are successful in producing weight loss in the short and long-term. Including families in weight loss treatment of obese children warrants further implementation and study. Limitations with the research, recommendations for future research, and implications for practitioners working with overweight/obese children are discussed.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the associations between social isolation, social contextual factors, and behavioral and psychological health during emerging adulthood.Methods: Participants (n = 1,568) were drawn from EAT 2018 (mean age = 22.1 ± 2.0). Logistic regressions tested the associations between social isolation, contextual factors, and behavioral and psychological health.Results: Approximately 16% of the sample reported social isolation. Emerging adults with socially marginalized identities (e.g., racial/ethnic, socioeconomic), who were unemployed, and/or lived alone had higher odds of experiencing social isolation. Social isolation was associated with more risky health behaviors and lower self-esteem.Discussion: Emerging adults who were socially disadvantaged (e.g., unemployed) had greater risk of social isolation. Findings suggest that social isolation is more strongly linked with behavioral health than psychological health. Generally, findings suggest that access to community resources and areas wherein social connections can be formed may to be important for behavioral health in emerging adulthood.

The article focuses on the impact of body weight status in the feeding practices of parents. Topics discussed include the high prevalence of adolescent obesity, the two types of parent feeding practices such as the pressure-to-eat and the food restriction, and the high risk of obesity in children whose parents with heavy weight.

The article focuses on the study which shows the effects of parents talking to their adolescent child about weight. It states that parents who talked with more positive undertone are more likely to empower adolescents to make healthy eating choices. It mentions that focusing on healthful eating conversations may be helpful with children.