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Background: There is shortage of evidence about the relationship between use of cannabis and obesity. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between cannabis use and overweight/obesity in young adults. Methods: Data were from a 21-year follow-up of mothers and their children recruited into the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a longitudinal pre-birth cohort. The study is based on 2566 young adults (1264 males and 1302 females) who had data available on cannabis use and age of initiation to use of cannabis and BMI at the 21-year follow-up (MUSP children). Those who did not provide data on cannabis use and BMI were excluded from the analysis. Results: Frequency of cannabis use and body mass index (BMI) was assessed at the 21-year follow-up. Potential confounders were prospectively measured between the child's birth and the 21-year follow-up. Some 50.9% of young adults reported use of cannabis in the last month or year and 34.1% had BMI ≤ 25. Multivariate analysis showed that those who had used cannabis were less likely to be categorised in the BMI ≥ 25 group with the least prevalence of overweight/obesity being observed in every day cannabis users (odds ratio = .2; 95% confidence interval [CI]:.1-.4). Conclusions and Scientific Significance: The existing data suggest lower prevalence of overweight and obesity among young adult cannabis users. Further research is needed to examine the mechanism of this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Puberty is a potentially sensitive period during which the adolescent demonstrates rapid changes in aggressive/delinquent behaviour. Early onset of puberty has been implicated, not only in the earlier occurrence of aggressive/delinquent behaviour, but potentially a continuing higher level of aggression/delinquency. This article examines immediate and longer term gender specific changes in aggressive/delinquent behaviour as these are independently associated with the age of onset of puberty and pubertal stage adjusted for age. Data is derived from the Mater–University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy, a prospective prebirth cohort that involves 2,784 respondents who provided information about current pubertal stage (Tanner Score) and the age of onset of puberty, as well as the Achenbach's Youth Self-Report (14-year YSR) and Young Adult Self-Report (21-year YASR). Both males and females had similar increased levels of aggression/delinquency with more advanced pubertal stage at the 14-year follow-up. For females (but not males) early age of onset of puberty was additionally associated with more symptoms of aggression/ delinquency at the 14-year follow-up. For males, by the 21-year follow-up those who had experienced early age of onset of puberty no longer had higher YASR levels of aggression/delinquency. For females, only early and late age of occurrence of puberty were associated with longer term evidence of aggressive/delinquent behaviour. Progression through puberty is associated with increased levels of aggressive/delinquent behaviour for both males and females, and of about a similar magnitude. Female rates of aggressive/delinquent behaviour may have increased over time to match those observed in young males. For females only, there is evidence of a long-term sustained effect of early and late puberty on increased levels of aggressive/delinquent behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To examine whether there is evidence of an independent association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and nicotine disorder in youth and to explore the mechanisms underlying this association in a prospective cohort study. Design Birth cohort study followed-up to 21 years. Setting One of two major obstetric hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Participants The Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy involves a prospective birth cohort from a population-based sample involving 7223 singletons whose mothers were enrolled between 1981 and 1984 at the first antenatal visit. The present cohort consisted of a subgroup of 2571 youth who completed the life-time version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview—computerized version (CIDI-Auto) at the 21-year follow-up. Measurements Nicotine disorder was measured based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria and measures of CSA, including retrospective self-reports of rape, were obtained at 21 years. Results Of 2571 young adults, 16.6% met the criteria for either dependence (12.8%) or withdrawal (8.5%). Non-penetrative sexual abuse was reported by 15.5% of respondents and 8.0% reported penetrative sexual abuse. For any types of sexual abuse including non-penetrative, penetrative and self-reported rape before age 16 years, young adults had significantly higher rates of nicotine disorder than young adults who did not experience CSA. This relationship was independent and appeared direct after adjustment for a range of potential confounding and mediating factors. Conclusions This study shows that CSA is associated with young adult nicotine disorder. The results extend the public health significance of findings in this area and highlight the importance of not only intensifying public health efforts to address substance use problems among those who have experienced CSA, but of early intervention, so that emerging risky behaviours may be targeted in the earliest stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To determine whether parental marital status and marital quality in adolescence are associated with cannabis use disorders in young adults. Design Prospective birth cohort study. Setting A 21-year follow-up of 4815 mothers and their children who participated at 14 years after the child's birth in Queensland, Australia. Participants Cohort of 2303 young adults who completed the life-time version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview–computerized version (CIDI-Auto) at the 21-year follow-up. Measurements Young adults' cannabis use disorders were assessed using the CIDI-Auto. Marital status and quality (marital circumstances) and potential confounding factors such as socio-economic status (SES), maternal mental health and maternal substance use were measured when the child was 14 years of age. Findings Marital circumstances of the mother when child was aged 14 years predicted risk of cannabis use disorders in their offspring. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, adolescents who grew up in step-father families were more likely to have cannabis use disorders in early adulthood and a moderate association was found for those children who experienced maternal marital disagreement [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 2.9]. There was no significant increase in subsequent risk of cannabis use disorders for children whose mothers were unpartnered at 14 years. Conclusions Maternal marital status and marital quality are associated with young adults' subsequent cannabis use disorders. This association is independent of suspected confounding factors measured at 14 years. However, at least part of the association is explained by changes in marital status before 14 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is little known about the association between breastfeeding and long-term child psychopathology. This study aimed to examine the impact of breastfeeding on child mental health and problem behavior at 14 years and whether this association is confounded by other variables., Subjects and Methods: Data were from a pre-birth prospective study that included mothers and their children followed up from pregnancy to 14 years of the child's age in Brisbane, Australia. The child's anxiety/depression, withdrawal problems, somatic complaints, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, aggression, and delinquency were measured using the Achenbach Youth Self Report at 14 years. Breastfeeding was prospectively assessed at the 6-month follow-up of the study. The analysis was based on 4,502 adolescents who responded to the YSR questionnaire and for whom prospective data were available on breastfeeding., Results: Breastfeeding as reported by mothers when the child was 6 months old predicted reduced symptoms of child mental health and problem behavior at 14 years. The impact of breastfeeding on the child's social problems, attention problems, and aggressive behavior remained statistically significant after controlling for the effect of other variables, such as unplanned pregnancy, maternal mental health, and substance use during pregnancy., Conclusions: Our data suggest that breastfeeding for at least 4 months can have a significant protective effect on a child's social, attention, and aggression problems in early adolescence. Given the limitations of the existing evidence, further research is needed to investigate the robustness of the findings of this study and the mechanisms of long-term association between breastfeeding and reduced social, attention, and aggression problems of the offspring in adolescence.

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the association between cannabis use before and during pregnancy and birth outcomes., Results: Overall, 26.3% of women reported previous use of cannabis and 2.6% reported current use. Multivariate analysis, controlling for potential confounders, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, and use of other illicit drugs, showed that cannabis use in pregnancy was associated with low birth weight (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3-2.2), preterm labor (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9), small for gestational age (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.8-2.7), and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.7-2.4)., Discussion: The results of this study show that the use of cannabis in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. Prevention programs that address cannabis use during pregnancy are needed., Methods: Data were from women birthing at the Mater Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, over a 7-y period (2000-2006). Women were interviewed in the initial antenatal visit about their use of cannabis and other substances. Records for 24,874 women who provided information about cannabis use, and for whom birth outcomes data were available, were included in the analysis.

Objectives: We determined whether exposure to family poverty over a child's early life course predicts adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression., Methods: We used a birth cohort study of a sample of women in Brisbane, Australia, who were recruited in early pregnancy and whose children were followed up on at ages 14 and 21 years. Some 2609 mothers and adolescents provided usable data at the 14- and 21-year follow-ups., Results: After adjustment for poverty at other phases, poverty at the 14-year follow-up was the strongest predictor of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. The more frequently the child was exposed to poverty, the greater was the risk of that individual being anxious and depressed at both the 14- and 21-year follow-ups., Conclusions: Family poverty predicts higher rates of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. Increased frequency of child exposure to poverty is a consistent predictor of adolescent and young adult anxiety and depression. Repeated experiences of poverty over a child's early life course are associated with increased levels of poor mental health.

Purpose: To examine the impact of the timing and duration of family experiences of poverty over the child/adolescent early life course on child aggressive/delinquent behavior and tobacco and alcohol consumption., Methods: Data were taken from a large scale population based birth cohort study with repeated follow-ups until 21 years after the birth. Poverty was measured during the pregnancy, 6 months, 5 years, and 14 years after the birth. Aggressive/delinquent behavior was measured at 14- and 21-year follow-ups. Tobacco and alcohol consumption were measured at the 21-year follow-up., Results: In multivariate analysis, family poverty experienced at the 14-year follow-up predicted persistent aggressive/delinquent behavior as well as smoking and higher levels of alcohol consumption at the 21-year follow-up. However, the strongest associations were for recurrent experiences of family poverty, with the group that experienced repeated poverty (3-4 times) being more than twice more likely to be aggressive/delinquent at both 14 and 21 years, and to drink more than one glass of alcohol per day at 21 years., Conclusions: Repeated experiences of poverty in early childhood and adolescence are strongly associated with a number of negative health-related behavior outcomes. Experience of poverty in the early adolescence seems to be the most sensitive period for such exposure., (Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction and Aims: Understanding the risk factors that predict amphetamine use and development of amphetamine abuse or dependence (disorder) may help guide preventive interventions. This study aimed to investigate the correlates and predictors of young adults' amphetamine use and use disorders., Design and Methods: Prospective cohort, population-based study which started in Brisbane, South East Queensland (Australia) in 1981. The study participants were a cohort of 2042 young adults, followed up from birth to young adulthood. At the 21-year follow-up, amphetamine use was assessed via a self-report questionnaire, and amphetamine use disorder (AUD) was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto). Potential predictors (15 risk factors) were assessed between baseline (antenatal visit) and the 21-year follow-up. These included participant's gender, mother's age and education, maternal marital status and quality of marital relationship, maternal tobacco and alcohol consumption, mother-child communication, child mental health and problem behaviours, child smoking and alcohol consumption and child school performance., Results: Young adult amphetamine users were more likely to have concurrent symptoms of mental illness and problem behaviours and to use or abuse cigarettes, cannabis, or other illicit drugs. In multivariate analyses, young adults' amphetamine use and disorder were disproportionately more common among males and those who have prospectively reported aggression/delinquency or smoking at 14 years, or who have experienced childhood sexual abuse., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that problem behaviours, smoking and childhood sexual abuse are predictors of initiation to use of amphetamines and development of amphetamine abuse and dependence.

This study examined the association between age of onset and persistence of externalizing behavior and young adults' cannabis use disorders (CUDs). Data were from a 21 year follow-up of a birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia. The present cohort consisted of 2225 young adults who had data available about CUDs at 21 years and externalizing behavior at 5 and 14 years. Young adults' CUDs were assessed using the CIDI-Auto. Child and adolescent externalizing behavior were assessed at the 5- and 14-year phases of the study. After controlling for confounding variables, children who had externalizing behavior at both 5 and 14 years (child-onset-persistent) (COP) had a substantial increase in risk of CUD at age 21 years (Odds ratio (OR)=2.5; 95% CI: 1.5, 4.2). This association was similar for those who had 'adolescent onset' (AO) externalizing behavior. However, there was no association between 'childhood limited' (CL) externalizing behavior and CUD. Externalizing behavior in adolescence is a strong predictor of subsequent CUD. Smoking and drinking at 14 years partially mediated the link between externalizing behavior and CUD.

Aims: To investigate pathways to ecstasy use disorders from pre-birth to early adulthood with particular attention to the relationship between early depressive and anxiety symptoms and later ecstasy use disorders., Design: Prospective, longitudinal, population-based study started in Brisbane, South East Queensland (Australia) in 1981. Participants were 2143 young adults, followed up from pre-birth to young adulthood., Measurements: Ecstasy use disorders were assessed with the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI-Auto). Maternal socio-economic position and mental health status were assessed at baseline (antenatal visit); maternal substance use was measured at the 5-year follow-up, adolescents' behaviour at the 5- and 14-year follow-up and tobacco and alcohol use were assessed at the 14-year follow-up., Findings: Eight syndrome scales of childhood behaviour were examined. After adjustment for important confounders, delinquent and aggressive behaviour in early adolescence remained significantly associated with ecstasy use disorders in early adulthood. The associations became statistically non-significant when adolescent tobacco and alcohol use were included in the model [OR=1.50 (95%CI=0.75, 3.01) for delinquency and OR=1.69 (95%CI=0.92, 3.12) for aggression]. Formal mediation tests were statistically significant (p=0.001 for delinquent behaviour and p=0.05 for aggressive behaviour)., Conclusions: Our findings suggest a pathway from early deviant behaviour to ecstasy use disorders, possibly mediated through licit drug experimentation in early adolescence.

Background: Relatively little is known about why almost half of young adults in Australia have used cannabis. Because the upwards trend in use of cannabis has been coincident with an increase in marital breakdown, this study examines the relationship between marital status, marital changes, and the onset of cannabis use., Methods: Data are from the Mater-University Study of Pregnancy (MUSP), a 21-year prospective study in Brisbane, Australia. The present study is based on the 3008 mothers and their children for whom there were complete follow-up data at 21 years. Outcomes were self-reported cannabis use at age 21 and early onset (before age 15) cannabis use as judged from a retrospective report obtained at 21 years. Analyses were conducted using multivariate binomial and multinomial logistic regression., Results: Change in maternal marital status when the child was aged between 5 and 14 years was significantly associated with increased risk of cannabis use [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4-2.0 for one or two marital changes and OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.5-3.4 for three or more marital changes], after adjustment for a range of potential confounders., Conclusion: Experience of changes in maternal marital status in mid- to late-childhood is a significant predictor of subsequent and early use of cannabis by the child. This holds true even after allowing for certain possible causes and consequences of marital breakdown.