Deafness in an auditory specialist, the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus).

Bats are long-lived animals that show presumed resistance to noise-induced and age-related hearing loss, which has been attributed to their dependence on sound processing for survival. Echolocation and basic auditory functions have been studied extensively in the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), an insectivorous microchiropteran species. We conducted hearing tests and analysis of cochlear sensory cells in a group of big brown bats that exhibited anomalies in behavioral sonar tracking experiments and/or lacked neural responses to acoustic stimulation in subcortical auditory nuclei.

Eating behaviors, victimization, and desire for supportive intervention among adolescents in weight-loss camps.

This study examined links between eating behaviors, weight-based victimization (WBV) and preferences for bullying intervention among adolescents. Adolescents enrolled in weight loss camps participated in an online survey (N = 361). Regression models examined relationships between key variables.

Headless, hungry, and unhealthy: a video content analysis of obese persons portrayed in online news.

The news media has substantial influence on public perceptions of social and health issues. This study conducted a video content analysis to examine portrayals of obese persons in online news reports about obesity. The authors downloaded online news videos about obesity (N = 371) from 5 major news websites and systematically coded visual portrayals of obese and nonobese adults and youth in these videos.

Weight-based victimization: bullying experiences of weight loss treatment-seeking youth.

Objective: Few studies have comprehensively examined weight-based victimization (WBV) in youth, despite its serious consequences for their psychosocial and physical health. Given that obese and treatment-seeking youth may be highly vulnerable to WBV and its negative consequences, the current study provides a comprehensive assessment of WBV in a weight loss treatment-seeking sample.

Methods: Adolescents (aged 14-18 years; N = 361) enrolled in 2 national weight loss camps were surveyed.

Strategies to address weight-based victimization: youths' preferred support interventions from classmates, teachers, and parents.

Weight-Based Victimization is a frequent experience for adolescents who are overweight or obese, and is associated with numerous psychosocial and physical consequences for those who are targets of victimization. Assessing targets` preferences for different types of support and intervention has been absent in the context of weight-based victimization, but is needed to help inform potential interventions, motivate action, and identify strategies to help adolescents cope with experiences of weight-related teasing or bullying. Adolescents (14-18 years, N = 361, 40 % female, 71 % Caucasian) enrolled in national weight-loss camps completed an on-line survey.

An experimental assessment of physical educators' expectations and attitudes: the importance of student weight and gender.

Background: At school, physical education (PE) teachers and coaches may be key supports for physical activity. Unfortunately, PE teachers may endorse negative stereotypes and attitudes toward overweight youth. These biases may influence the amount of instruction physical educators provide to students and their participation in PE or other physical activity.

Parental perceptions of weight terminology that providers use with youth.

Objectives: Little research has been performed to examine patient perceptions of weight-related language, especially related to childhood obesity. In this study we assessed parental perceptions of weight-based terminology used by health care providers to describe a child's excess weight and assessed perceived connotations associated with these terms including stigma, blame, and motivation to reduce weight.

Methods: A national sample of American parents with children aged 2 to 18 years (N = 445) completed an online survey to assess their perceptions of 10 common terms to describe excess body weight in youth (including "extremely obese," "high BMI," "weight problem," "unhealthy weight," "weight," "heavy," "obese," "overweight," "chubby," and "fat").