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Although research has shown that the prevalence of ill-being among collegiate student-athletes is greater compared to regular college students and general population, very little is known about the role of coaches in this process. Grounded in the achievement goal and self-determination theories, the aim of this study was to examine the role of coach-created motivational climate on student-athletes' anxiety and depression. A sample for this prospective cohort study was 117 (77 females and 34 males; Mage = 20.24±1.35) student-athletes recruited from one university in the Southeastern US. The research team collected self-reported data via email. The results showed high levels of anxiety (71.4%) and depression (17.3%) among the respondents. Females had almost seven times more likely to have anxiety than males (OR = 6.903, CI95% [1.650, 28.830]), but there were no gender differences in the prevalence of depression (OR = 1.166, CI95% [.442, 3.076]). In addition, parameter estimates suggest that coach-created task-involving climate (X[superscript 2][1] = -1.21 [0.61], p = 0.047, CI95% [-2.41, -0.01]) and autonomy-support (X[superscript 2][1] = -1.21 [0.61], p = 0.047, CI95% [-2.39, -0.04]) were significant negative predictors of anxiety, whereas controlling motivational climate increased student-athletes' anxiety symptoms. Our findings highlight the need for the task- and autonomy-supportive coaching strategies as preventive measures to support student-athletes' mental health.

The role of regular physical activity and healthy eating in preventing obesity is well documented. Research has suggested that lifestyle interventions, i.e., programs comprising exercise, nutrition education, and behavior modification, are the preferred, non-invasive strategies to prevent childhood obesity. However, minority groups, e.g., underserved Latinx adolescents, experience high attrition rates and other barriers that limit their participation in obesity prevention programs. The purpose of this study was to examine indicators of the feasibility of the remotely delivered BRAVO! lifestyle intervention in preventing obesity among Latinx youth. This pilot study was a quasi-experimental trial with a sample of 11 pediatrician-referred participants (M[subscript age]=13.73±1.10) assigned to two parallel arms: 1) BRAVO! and 2) as-usual control arms. Researchers designed the BRAVO! lifestyle intervention program comprising 16 hours of remotely instructed (via zoom) exercise training and six hours of family nutrition education. Behavior modification strategies were based on the self-determination theory. The results showed high demand with program adherence being 93.3% and 86.7%, for exercise and nutrition, respectively. There was a statistically significant intervention effect on PA (F[1,8]=7.88, p=0.006, [eta]p2=0.42), integrated (F[1,8]=20.00, p=0.002, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.71), introjected regulation (F[1,8]=7.94, p=0.008, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.60), and amotivation (F[1,8]=18.24, p=0.002, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.69), and psychological well-being (F[1,8]=12.31, p=0.008, [eta]p[superscript 2]=0.61). Finally, interview analyses showed that participants were highly satisfied with the BRAVO! program and they perceived BRAVO! suitable for them. In conclusion, our pilot study findings supported feasibility of the remotely delivered BRAVO! lifestyle intervention.

Objective: The first aim of this study was to examine changes in freshman college students' health-enhancing physical activity (PA) and body composition across the first semester. Secondly, this study aimed to explore the role of socio-ecological variables on these processes. Methods: A sample of 166 participants (108 females, 58 males, M[subscript age] = 18.14[0.96]) completed self-report pre-and posttest data on vigorous PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and body mass index (BMI). Results: The results showed a statistically significant increase in BMI, but no statistically significant changes in VPA or MVPA. The findings revealed that our socio-ecological model predicted 0.71, 0.39, and 0.92 percent of the end of the year VPA, MVPA, and BMI, respectively. The findings highlighted the positive role of peer support, positive motivation, and university's Recreational Services on measured healthy behaviors. Conclusions: These findings suggest a need to increase college students' VPA.

BackgroundFood insecurity (FI) has been associated with poor access to health care. It is unclear whether this association is beyond that predicted by income, education, and health insurance. FI may serve as a target for intervention given the many programs designed to ameliorate FI. We examined the association of FI with being up-to-date to colorectal cancer and breast cancer screening guidelines.MethodsNine NCI-designated cancer centers surveyed adults in their catchment areas using demographic items and a two-item FI questionnaire. For the colorectal cancer screening sample (n = 4,816), adults ages 50-75 years who reported having a stool test in the past year or a colonoscopy in the past 10 years were considered up-to-date. For the breast cancer screening sample (n = 2,449), female participants ages 50-74 years who reported having a mammogram in the past 2 years were up-to-date. We used logistic regression to examine the association between colorectal cancer or breast cancer screening status and FI, adjusting for race/ethnicity, income, education, health insurance, and other sociodemographic covariates.ResultsThe prevalence of FI was 18.2% and 21.6% among colorectal cancer and breast cancer screening participants, respectively. For screenings, 25.6% of colorectal cancer and 34.1% of breast cancer participants were not up-to-date. In two separate adjusted models, FI was significantly associated with lower odds of being up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening [OR, 0.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.5-0.99)] and breast cancer screening (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.96).ConclusionsFI was inversely associated with being up-to-date for colorectal cancer and breast cancer screening.ImpactFuture studies should combine FI and cancer screening interventions to improve screening rates.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine changes in freshman students' objectively measured body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA), and dietary behaviors (consumption of trans fats, sugars, and added sugars) during their first college semester. Methods: Twenty-eight participants (18.32 ± 2.2) completed the dietary (ASA24-US) and PA (wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer) assessments. Non-parametric Paired-Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to identify the changes in BMI, moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), and nutrition. Results: The analyses showed a statistically significant increase in BMI (Mbaseline = 22.85[2.87] kg/m2; Mpost = 23.53[3.21] kg/m2; p =.002, r =.53) and MVPA (Mbaseline = 200.94[81.08]; Mpost = 216.92[78.33]; p =.031, r =.41), but there were no statistically significant changes in VPA or dietary behaviors. Conclusions: Although freshman students' PA and dietary behaviors were relatively healthy, efforts to increase VPA and reduce consumption of added sugars are well warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to provide a quantitative synthesis of the effects of randomized controlled pediatric lifestyle interventions in treating obesity among 11–17‐year‐old children. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis on the randomized controlled trials, consisting of actual exercise training and nutrition education, published between January 2000 and August 2022. The initial search yielded 2598 articles, with eight articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The articles were analyzed using a multivariate random effects model. The primary outcome variables were body mass index (BMI), standardized BMI (BMIz), and waist circumference (WC). Our analyses showed that lifestyle interventions were efficacious in improving BMI (−1.77 kg/m2, 95% CI [−2.70, −0.83], p < 0.001), BMIz (−0.30, 95% CI [−0.45, −0.16], p < 0.001), and WC (−3.32 cm, 95% CI [−5.35, −1.29], p < 0.001) in children with overweight and obesity. In addition, moderation analyses suggested that the efficacy of the lifestyle interventions correlated positively with participants' weight status and was enhanced when an intervention was boosted with a longer intervention duration and higher frequency. In conclusion, the current evidence suggests that lifestyle interventions are efficacious in treating children with obesity. The available evidence further indicates that duration, frequency, along weight status, were moderating the effectiveness of these lifestyle interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to estimate the trends in the body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of obesity among United States (U.S.) adolescents (10–19 years) and to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors and both BMI and obesity prevalence. The 2007–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative repeated cross-sectional survey data (n = 9,826) were used. Outcomes included: 1) Mean BMI and 2) obesity (yes/no; defined as BMI ≥95% percentile). Sociodemographic variables included age, sex, race/ethnicity, and poverty income ratio (PIR; low-income <1.3, middle-income ≥1.3 and <3.5, high-income ≥3.5). By accounting for the complex survey design, weighted generalized linear/Poisson models were used to conduct the analyses. Girls constituted 49% of the sample. From 2007–2008 to 2017–2020, there was an increase in BMI and obesity prevalence, particularly among Black and Hispanic adolescents, and those from low- and middle-income families. Additionally, there was an increase in obesity prevalence among both boys and girls. However, there were no significant changes in BMI and obesity prevalence in the other race and ethnic adolescents. Girls had a 12% (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio [APR] = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81–0.96) lower likelihood of being obese than boys. Compared to White adolescents, Black and Hispanic adolescents had 22% (APR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.06–1.40) and 19% (APR = 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05–1.36) greater risk of being obese. Compared to high-income families, adolescents from low- and middle-income families had 62% (APR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.39–1.90) and 47% (APR = 1.47; 95% CI, 1.24–1.76) greater risk of being obese, respectively. The results indicated persistent disparities in obesity prevalence among different race/ethnic and sociodemographic groups. Future obesity intervention should address key disparities by targeting specific race/ethnic adolescents from low-income families and promoting health equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We conducted a national US study of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence by Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) that included pediatric data and compared the Delta and Omicron periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the current study was to assess the association between SVI and seroprevalence of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by period (Delta vs Omicron) and age group. Methods: We used results of infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays of clinical sera specimens (N = 406 469) from 50 US states from September 2021 through February 2022 to estimate seroprevalence overall and by county SVI tercile. Bivariate analyses and multilevel logistic regression models assessed the association of seropositivity with SVI and its themes by age group (0-17, ≥18 y) and period (Delta: September–November 2021; Omicron: December 2021–February 2022). Results: Aggregate infection-induced SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence increased at all 3 SVI levels; it ranged from 25.8% to 33.5% in September 2021 and from 53.1% to 63.5% in February 2022. Of the 4 SVI themes, socioeconomic status had the strongest association with seroprevalence. During the Delta period, we found significantly more infections per reported case among people living in a county with high SVI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76; 95% CI, 2.31-3.21) than in a county with low SVI (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.33-1.97); we found no significant difference during the Omicron period. Otherwise, findings were consistent across subanalyses by age group and period. Conclusions: Among both children and adults, and during both the Delta and Omicron periods, counties with high SVI had significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence than counties with low SVI did. These disparities reinforce SVI's value in identifying communities that need tailored prevention efforts during public health emergencies and resources to recover from their effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]