Adolescent health in the Caribbean: a regional portrait.

Objectives: This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors.

Methods: We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others.

Results: Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems.

Mothers' influence on the timing of first sex among 14- and 15-year-olds.

Purpose: To better understand maternal influence on the timing of first sex for adolescents.

Methods: Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between maternal characteristics and the timing of first sex. Matched dyads of mothers and their adolescent children were used.

Weight-related sports involvement in girls: who is at risk for disordered eating?

A 225-item questionnaire was completed by 5163 female 7th, 9th and 11th grade public school students in their classrooms to examine factors associated with eating disorders among girls involved in weight-related sports. Eating disorder symptoms were found in almost one third of girls involved in weight-related and non-weight-related sports. However, after controlling for grade, race, SES, and study design effect, girls in weight-related sports were 51% more likely to have eating disorder symptoms.