Impact of Degree of Obesity on Sleep, Quality of Life, and Depression in Youth.

OBJECTIVE: Obese youth are more likely to report difficulties with sleep, depression, and quality of life (QOL). This study aims to characterize sleep problems, QOL, and symptoms of depression by degree of obesity. METHOD: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a specialized obesity clinic. Obese youth and their caregivers (N = 150) were evaluated with the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life. Youth completed the Children's Depression Inventory. Regression models and correlations were calculated. RESULTS: Degree of obesity was predictive of increased sleep difficulties and decreased QOL scores. Children's Depression Inventory scores showed that children with more symptoms of depression had more sleep problems, and these were not associated with the degree of obesity. Adolescents with more difficulties sleeping also reported more symptoms of depression and lower QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Degree of obesity negatively affected QOL and sleep variables. Patients with greater sleeping difficulties reported more symptoms of depression.

Posttraumatic Stress, Anxiety, and Depression Symptoms Among Children After Hurricane Katrina: A Latent Profile Analysis.

This study utilized Latent Profile Analysis to identify typologies of distress (i.e., patterns of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms) among children exposed to Hurricane Katrina. Outcomes and risk factors for these pattern groups were examined. Participants were children (n = 353; ages 8-15 years) affected by Hurricane Katrina. Children were assessed at 3 - 7 months (Time 1) and 14 - 17 months (Time 2) post-Katrina. Results identified three pattern groups (No Disturbance, PTS Only, and Mixed Internalizing) at Time 1. Children in the No Disturbance group reported the lowest levels of internal distress, while the Mixed Internalizing group reported the highest levels of internal distress at Time 2. The Mixed Internalizing and the PTS Only groups reported greater school problems than the No Disturbance group at Time 2. Perceived life threat and community violence exposure were risk factors associated with higher likelihood of falling in the PTS Only and Mixed Internalizing groups, compared to the No Disturbance group. Immediate loss and disruption was also a risk factor associated with a higher likelihood of falling in the PTS Only group, compared to the No Disturbance group. Finally, social support from parents or a classmate/friend was a significant protective factor associated with a lower likelihood of falling into a symptomatic pattern group.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories in Hurricane Katrina affected youth.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in Hurricane Katrina affected youth. METHOD: A total of 426 youth (51% female; 8-16 years old; mean age=11 years; 75% minorities) completed assessments at 4 time points post-disaster. Measures included Hurricane impact variables (initial loss/disruption and perceived life threat); history of family and community violence exposure, parent and peer social support, and post-disaster posttraumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS: Latent class growth analysis demonstrated that there were three distinct trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms identified for this sample of youth (resilient, recovering, and chronic, respectively). Youth trajectories were associated with Hurricane-related initial loss/disruption, community violence, and peer social support. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that youth exposed to Hurricane Katrina have variable posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories. Significant risk and protective factors were identified. Specifically, youth Hurricane and community violence exposure increased risk for a more problematic posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectory, while peer social support served as a protective factor for these youth. Identification of these factors suggests directions for future research as well as potential target areas for screening and intervention with disaster exposed youth. LIMITATIONS: The convenience sample limits the external validity of the findings to other disaster exposed youth, and the self-report data is susceptible to response bias.