Stability of the factorial structure of metabolic syndrome from childhood to adolescence : a 6-year follow-up study

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors that is considered a predictor of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mortality. There is no consistent evidence on whether the MS construct works in the same way in different populations and at different stages in life. Methods: We used confirmatory factor analysis to examine if a single-factor-model including waist circumference, triglycerides/HDL-c, insulin and mean arterial pressure underlies metabolic syndrome from the childhood to adolescence in a 6-years follow-up study in 174 Swedish and 460 Estonian children aged 9 years at baseline. Indeed, we analyze the tracking of a previously validated MS index over this 6-years period. Results: The estimates of goodness-of-fit for the single-factor-model underlying MS were acceptable both in children and adolescents. The construct stability of a new model including the differences from baseline to the end of the follow-up in the components of the proposed model displayed good fit indexes for the change, supporting the hypothesis of a single factor underlying MS component trends. Conclusions: A single-factor-model underlying MS is stable across the puberty in both Estonian and Swedish young people. The MS index tracks acceptably from childhood to adolescence.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Time during Childhood, Adolescence and Young Adulthood: A Cohort Study

Background: To know how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time change across lifespan periods is needed for designing successful lifestyle interventions. We aimed to study changes in objectively measured (accelerometry) MVPA and sedentary time from childhood to adolescence and from adolescence to young adulthood. Methods: Estonian and Swedish participants from the European Youth Heart Study aged 9 and 15 years at baseline (N = 2312) were asked to participate in a second examination 6 (Sweden) to 9/10 (Estonia) years later. 1800 participants with valid accelerometer data were analyzed. Results: MVPA decreased from childhood to adolescence (21 to 22.5 min/d per year of follow-up, P = 0.01 and ,0.001, for girls and boys respectively) and also from adolescence to young adulthood (20.8 to 22.2 min/d per year, P = 0.02 and ,0.001 for girls and boys, respectively). Sedentary time increased from childhood to adolescence (+15 and +20 min/d per year, for girls and boys respectively, P,0.001), with no substantial change from adolescence to young adulthood. Changes in both MVPA and sedentary time were greater in Swedish than in Estonian participants and in boys than in girls. The magnitude of the change observed in sedentary time was 3–6 time larger than the change observed in MVPA. Conclusions: The decline in MVPA (overall change = 30 min/d) and increase sedentary time (overall change = 2:45 h/d)observed from childhood to adolescence are of concern and might increase the risk of developing obesity and other chronic diseases later in life. These findings substantially contribute to understand how key health-related behaviors (physical activity and sedentary) change across important periods of life.

An integrative view of aggressivenss in adolescence : development of a new measure and assessment of parenting and attachment effects

128 p. Retirada a solicitud de la autora 03/03/2016

Evaluation of a programme to improve emotional intelligence during adolescence

348 p.

Autopercepción de la identidad en la transición a la edad adulta

[Es] La complejidad social de los países desarrollados, junto a la peculiaridad de los factores socioculturales de cada país y el protagonismo del sujeto en su propio desarrollo, están condicionando las diferentes trayectorias en el paso de la adolescencia a la edad adulta. La investigación que se presenta tiene por objeto profundizar en la autopercepción de la identidad personal y describir los procesos psicológicos que favorecen la madurez psicológica y la autonomía personal a pesar de mantener relaciones y estados de dependencia familiar y económica. Se han encuestado a un total de 231 varones y mujeres, de edades comprendidas entre los 19 y los 30 años de edad, para saber cómo se definen en relación con su identidad personal y cuáles son las razones que les lleva a tal percepción. Los resultados demuestran que hay hasta cuatro identidades diferenciadas en la década de los 20 a los 30 años, basadas en un proceso subjetivo del desarrollo del yo individual orientado hacia la madurez psicológica, más que en otros acontecimientos sociales más o menos normativos.

Perspectiva social de la infancia en algunas comunidades del País Vasco: Opiniones de las y los adolescentes de Santurtzi sobre sexismo

Resumen: El presente estudio ha intentado conocer la perspectiva que tienen las y los adolescentes de Santurtzi sobre el sexismo, eligiendo la adolescencia por su carácter fundamental en el desarrollo vital. Partimos de una investigación cualitativa llevada a cabo con 17 adolescentes a través de grupos de discusión sobre sexismo, patriarcado y alternativas de construcción personal, como son el movimiento feminista y el movimiento de nuevas masculinidades. Hemos podido corroborar el desconocimiento que todavía existe en materia de igualdad y la necesidad de intervenciones socioeducativas que de ello se desprenden, para así continuar con la lucha contra el patriarcado y contra la discriminación hacia la mujer, desde la perspectiva que nos aporta el sexismo ambivalente.

Nerabezaroko haurdunaldia prebenitzeko programen eraginkortasuna. Errebisio bibliografikoa.

Nerabezaroko haurdunaldi (<19 urte) gehienak herrialde azpigaratuetan gertatzen diren arren, herrialde garatuetako osasun arazo publiko garrantzitsua izaten jarraitzen du. Alabaina, munduko erditze guztietatik 680.000 industrializatu deritzen herrialdeetan suertatzen dira, 15-19 urteko nesketan soilik kontuan hartzen badugu, eta haurdunaldien %60-90a ez desiratua dela estimatzen da. Arazoaren garrantzia ikusita, honi aurre egiteko interbentzioaren beharra ikusten da; baita burututako interbentzio horien inpaktua ezagutzeko beharra ere. Osasun-profesionalok funtzio garrantzitsua betetzen dugu prebentzioaren arloan. Hala, erizainaren figura, hezitzaile bezala, eskoletan eta gainontzeko esparruetan egoteaz gain, Lehen Arreta Mailan nerabeen sexu-heziketan parte hartzeko elementu pribilegiatua osatzen du. Beraz, erizainek kontsultatik ere lehen mailako prebentzioa egin dezala animatu behar da. Helburuak.- Nerabezaroko haurdunaldia prebenitzeko programen eraginkortasuna aztertzea. Bigarren mailako helburu bezala: nerabezaroko haurdunaldirako arrisku-faktoreak eta ondorioak aztertzea, prebentzio eraginkorraren gakoak eta ezaugarri orokorrak aztertzea, eta herrialde garatuetan dauden nerabezaroko haurdunaldiaren programa prebentiboak aztertzea. Metodologia.- Errebisio bibliografikoa egiteko, efectividad, evaluación, prevención, embarazo eta adolescencia hitz gakoak erabili dira hurrengo datu-base elektronikoetan: BVS, Pubmed, Scopus, Proquest Central, Cuiden Plus eta Dialnet. Halaber, OMEko web orrian “adolescent pregnancy prevention” esaldia bilatu da. Emaitzak.- 28 artikulu bildu dira: bederatzi errebisio sistematiko, bost kasu eta kontrol, lau ausazko entsegu kliniko, hiru ikerketa kualitatibo, hiru ikerketa kuasi-experimental, bi errebisio narratibo, ikerketa ekologiko bat eta ikerketa pilotu bat. Ondorioak.- Faktore biologiko, psikologiko eta soziokultural anitz ezagutzen dira ez planifikatutako haurdunaldietara eramaten dutenak. Nolanahi ere, eraginkortasun handien frogatu duten programak faktore anitzetan eragiten dituztenak eta osagai anitzeko interbentzioak barneratzen dituztenak izan dira. Nerabezaroko haurdunaldia prebenitzeko programa desberdinek nerabeen zenbait sexu-portaerarengan eragin positiboa dutela frogatu da. Dena dela, zaila da guztiz eraginkorrak diren baieztatzea; hala nola, ikerketen muga estatistiko askorengatik eta gutxitan haurdunaldi tasak ebaluatzeagatik.

Cosificación de las adolescentes en las redes sociales digitales

La cosificación se refiere a la representación de una mujer a través de su cuerpo o partes de éste. La utilización masiva por parte de adolescentes de las Redes Sociales Digitales, hacen de éste fenómeno una forma tangible de discriminación sexista. Este estudio, tiene como objetivo analizar la cosificación de las adolescentes en las redes sociales y su influencia en la autoestima de cada joven. Para ello, se han aplicado diferentes escalas a 1087 adolescentes de 11 centros educativos de Guipúzcoa. Los resultados muestran diferencias de género en la utilidad de redes sociales digitales y en los niveles de cosificación. En concreto, los adolescentes utilizan más las redes sociales digitales para el ocio, mientras ellas las utilizan para relacionarse con su entorno, por lo que están más expuestas a opiniones externas. Además, se ha observado un patrón de conducta cosificadora entre las adolescentes, mientras que ellos muestran mayores niveles de sexismo.

Effects of an emotional intelligence program in variables related to the prevention of violence

In recent decades, numerous studies have shown a significant increase in violence during childhood and adolescence. These data suggest the importance of implementing programs to prevent and reduce violent behavior. The study aimed to design a program of emotional intelligence (El) for adolescents and to assess its effects on variables related to violence prevention. The possible differential effect of the program on both genders was also examined. The sample comprised 148 adolescents aged from 13 to 16 years. The study used an experimental design with repeated pretest-posttest measures and control groups. To measure the variables, four assessment instruments were administered before and after the program, as well as in the follow-up phase (1 year after the conclusion of the intervention). The program consisted of 20 one-hour sessions. The pretest-posttest ANCOVAs showed that the program significantly increased: (1) El (attention, clarity, emotional repair); (2) assertive cognitive social interaction strategies; (3) internal control of anger; and (4) the cognitive ability to analyze negative feelings. In the follow-up phase, the positive effects of the intervention were generally maintained and, moreover, the use of aggressive strategies as an interpersonal conflict-resolution technique was significantly reduced. Regarding the effect of the program on both genders, the change was very similar, but the boys increased assertive social interaction strategies, attention, and emotional clarity significantly more than the girls. The importance of implementing programs to promote socio-emotional development and prevent violence is discussed.

Dietary animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with obesity and cardio-metabolic indicators in European adolescents: the HELENA cross-sectional study

Background: Previous studies suggest that dietary protein might play a beneficial role in combating obesity and its related chronic diseases. Total, animal and plant protein intakes and their associations with anthropometry and serum biomarkers in European adolescents using one standardised methodology across European countries are not well documented. Objectives: To evaluate total, animal and plant protein intakes in European adolescents stratified by gender and age, and to investigate their associations with cardio-metabolic indicators (anthropometry and biomarkers). Methods: The current analysis included 1804 randomly selected adolescents participating in the HELENA study (conducted in 2006-2007) aged 12.5-17.5 y (47% males) who completed two non-consecutive computerised 24-h dietary recalls. Associations between animal and plant protein intakes, and anthropometry and serum biomarkers were examined with General linear Model multivariate analysis. Results: Average total protein intake exceeded the recommendations of World Health Organization and European Food Safety Authority. Mean total protein intake was 96 g/d (59% derived from animal protein). Total, animal and plant protein intakes (g/d) were significantly lower in females than in males and total and plant protein intakes were lower in younger participants (12.5-14.9 y). Protein intake was significantly lower in underweight subjects and higher in obese ones; the direction of the relationship was reversed after adjustments for body weight (g/(kg.d)). The inverse association of plant protein intakes was stronger with BMI z-score and body fat percentage (BF%) compared to animal protein intakes. Additionally, BMI and BF% were positively associated with energy percentage of animal protein. Conclusions: This sample of European adolescents appeared to have adequate total protein intake. Our findings suggest that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity among European adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the potential beneficial effects observed in this study in the prevention of obesity and related chronic diseases.

Impact of Cyberprogram 2.0 on Different Types of School Violence and Aggressiveness

Some antibullying interventions have shown positive outcomes with regard to reducing violence. The aim of the study was to experimentally assess the effects on school violence and aggressiveness of a program to prevent and reduce cyberbullying. The sample was comprised of a randomly selected sample of 176 adolescents (93 experimental, 83 control), aged 13-15 years. The study used a repeated measures pre-posttest design with a control group. Before and after the program, two assessment instruments were administered: the "Cuestionario de Violencia Escolar-Revisado" (CUVE-R [School Violence Questionnaire- Revised]; Alvarez Garcia et al., 2011) and the "Cuestionario de agresividad premeditada e impulsiva" (CAPI-A [Premeditated and Impulsive Aggressiveness Questionnaire]; Andreu, 2010). The intervention consisted of 19 one-hour sessions carried out during the school term. The program contains 25 activities with the following objectives: (1) to identify and conceptualize bullying/cyberbullying; (2) to analyze the consequences of bullying/cyberbullying, promoting participants' capacity to report such actions when they are discovered; (3) to develop coping strategies to prevent and reduce bullying/cyberbullying; and (4) to achieve other transversal goals, such as developing positive variables (empathy, active listening, social skills, constructive conflict resolution, etc.). The pre-posttest ANCOVAs confirmed that the program stimulated a decrease in: (1) diverse types of school violence teachers' violence toward students (ridiculing or publicly humiliating students in front of the class, etc.); students' physical violence (fights, blows, shoves... aimed at the victim, or at his or her property, etc.); students' verbal violence (using offensive language, cruel, embarrassing, or insulting words... toward classmates and teachers); social exclusion (rejection or exclusion of a person or group, etc.), and violence through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT; violent behaviors by means of electronic instruments such as mobile phones and the Internet); and (2) premeditated and impulsive aggressiveness. Pre-posttest MANCOVA revealed differences between conditions with a medium effect size. This work contributes an efficacious intervention tool for the prevention and reduction of peer violence. The conclusions drawn from this study have interesting implications for educational and clinical intervention.