Associations between phenotypes of childhood and adolescent obesity and incident hypertension in young adulthood.

Objectives: We investigated whether empirically derived childhood obesity phenotypes were differentially associated with risk of hypertension in young adulthood, and whether these associations differed by sex.

Methods: Data came from 11,404 participants in the Growing Up Today Study, a prospective cohort study in the US established in 1996. We used a childhood obesity phenotype variable that was previously empirically derived using latent class analysis.

Trajectories of Breastfeeding-Related Thoughts and Attitudes Among Low-Income Smoke-Exposed Pregnant Women: A Latent Class Growth Analysis.

Background: Psychosocial predictors of breastfeeding and changes in those factors during pregnancy, along with the relationship of those changes with both breastfeeding and smoke use and exposure, are not well explored.

Research Aim: The aim of this study was to identify distinct trajectories of psychosocial determinants of breastfeeding and smoking in pregnant women.

Methods: We used a longitudinal study design and data from a randomized controlled trial conducted among smoke-exposed pregnant women and their infants.

Phenotyping children and adolescents with obesity using behavioral, psychological, and familial data.

Objective: This prospective cohort study aimed to empirically derive phenotypes of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Methods: Latent class analyses using Mplus were carried out in the Growing Up Today Study. Information on participants' weight status, disordered eating behaviors, body image and weight concerns, depressive symptoms, and pubertal timing, as well as and maternal weight status, were included in the latent class analyses, which were stratified by sex.

Functions of Resiliency Traits and Processes in Differential Effects of CBSM on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Moderated Mediation Model.

Background: Although there is evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based group interventions can improve quality of life (QoL) in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer (BC) little is known about factors that mediate and moderate these effects. We examined a) the mediating role of benefit finding on QoL changes after a Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) intervention, and b) whether this mediation effect differed based on baseline optimism in the first year following surgery for BC.

Methods: We used data from a prior CBSM trial in 240 women with stage 0-3 BC who completed measures of benefit finding (Benefit Finding Scale, BFS), QoL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment, FACT-G), and optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) at baseline (2 - 10 weeks post-surgery), 6-months and 12-months after randomization.

Cognitive behavioral stress management affects different dimensions of benefit finding in breast cancer survivors: a multilevel mediation model.

This study aimed to confirm the multidimensionality of benefit finding (BF), or silver linings within the cancer experience, assess the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) on those dimensions, and test the mediating role of perceived stress management skills targeted by CBSM. This secondary analysis used data from 240 women with stage 0-III breast cancer who completed measures of BF (Benefit Finding Scale) and perceived stress management skills (PSMS) at baseline, 6-months, and 12-months post-randomization into CBSM or a psycho-education condition. We tested a six-factor BF model using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and assessed CBSM-related changes in BF and PSMS using Hierarchical Linear Models.

Contextual Fit of a Family Evidence-Based Intervention for Preventing Youth Alcohol Use in Mexico.

Reducing youth alcohol use is a public health priority that can be addressed by implementing evidence-based preventive interventions (EBPIs) with high fidelity. However, when EBPIs are delivered in a new geographical setting, lack of contextual fit might interfere with expected effects. The purpose of our study was to understand the contextual fit of the family preventive program, Guiding Good Choices (GGC), to inform its future adaptation in Zacatecas, Mexico.

A latent profile analysis to assess physical, cognitive and emotional symptom clusters in women with breast cancer.

Objective: Current research on the physical and psychological functioning of breast cancer survivors often takes an approach where symptoms are studied independently even though they often occur in clusters This paper aims to identify physical and psychological symptom clusters among breast cancer survivors while assessing clinical, psychosocial and demographic characteristics that predict subgroup membership.

Design: Using post-surgical data collected from 240 women with stage 0-III breast cancer, symptom clusters were identified using latent profile analysis of patient-reported symptoms.

Main Outcome Measures: Baseline measures included the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Fatigue Symptom Inventory, the Hamilton Rating Scales for depression and anxiety and the Impact of Event Scale.

Use of Fitbit Devices in Physical Activity Intervention Studies Across the Life Course: Narrative Review.

Background: Commercial off-the-shelf activity trackers (eg, Fitbit) allow users to self-monitor their daily physical activity (PA), including the number of steps, type of PA, amount of sleep, and other features. Fitbits have been used as both measurement and intervention tools. However, it is not clear how they are being incorporated into PA intervention studies, and their use in specific age groups across the life course is not well understood.