Influence of the Home Environment on Physical Activity Behaviors in African American Youth.

Background: This study examined the relationships between components of the home environment and physical activity (PA) behaviors among African American adolescents. Methods: A community-based sample of 99 African American parent-child dyads (62% girls; 42% overweight/obese, 15.0 ± 0.2 years) were included in this analysis. The home environment (PA equipment, family support for PA, and internet access) was evaluated using the Health and Environment Survey. Child PA was measured objectively using accelerometry. Data collection occurred between 2014 and 2016. Results: Internet access was associated with 29 fewer minutes of light physical activity [p = 0.011, ß = -29.25 ± 11.28 (95% confidence interval: -51.65 to -6.86)], 9 fewer minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [p = 0.045, ß = -9.10 ± 4.48 (-17.98 to -0.21)], and 38 fewer minutes of total PA (TPA) [p = 0.006, ß = -38.35 ± 13.38 (-65.62 to -11.08)]. Family support was associated with 2 minutes of TPA [p = 0.044, ß = 2.25 ± 1.10 (-1.97 to 3.19)]. PA equipment was not significantly associated with greater PA (all p's > 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that home internet access may hinder participation in PA among African American adolescents. Future research should continue to identify barriers in the home environment that contribute to physical inactivity among African American adolescents.

Association between asthma, obesity, and health behaviors in African American youth.

Background: There is a clear relationship between obesity and asthma, with obesity recognized as a risk factor for asthma. There is mounting evidence, however, that asthma may predict obesity risk via behavioral pathways. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the cross-sectional relationships between asthma, body mass index (BMI) percentile, and behavioral factors including caloric intake, dietary inflammatory index, moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time (SED) among African American adolescents. Methods: A community-based sample of 195 African American youth (ages 11-18 years) were included in this analysis. Asthma status was based on self-report using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children's Phase Three questionnaire. MVPA and SED were measured via accelerometry, and caloric intake and dietary inflammatory index were evaluated with the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Weight status was assessed via BMI percentile using measured weight, height, and CDC growth charts. Results: Adolescents with a history of asthma were significantly more overweight (62% vs. 43%, p = 0.04) and consumed a higher inflammatory diet (1.6 ± 0.3 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2, p = 0.02) than their peers who never had asthma. After adjusting for all covariates, activity and dietary variables, odds ratio analysis revealed adolescents who reported ever having asthma were 3.1 ± 1.5 times as likely to be overweight or obese than adolescents with no asthma history (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Presence of asthma history was associated with increased obesity risk in African American adolescents, independent of behavioral factors. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the relationship between asthma and obesity in African American adolescents.

Influence of Parent Stressors on Adolescent Obesity in African American Youth.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between individual parent stressors (financial, legal, career, relationships, home safety, community safety, medical, housing, authority, and prejudice) and adolescent obesity in African American adolescents. Methods: Data were from a cross section convenience sample of 273 African American parent-child dyads (ages 11-19) from Washtenaw County, Michigan. A subset of 122 dyads who completed parent and child questionnaires were included in this analysis. Parent stressors were assessed using the Crisis in Family Systems Revised (CRISYS-R) questionnaire. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by trained staff; height and weight were converted to BMI. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the relationships between individual parent stressors and adolescent BMI and waist circumference. Results: Parental exposure to stressors related to safety in the community was positively associated with adolescent BMI (ß = 1.20(0.47), p=0.01) and waist circumference (ß = 2.86(1.18), p=0.02). Parental appraisal of stressors related to safety in the community as "difficult to get through" was positively associated with adolescent BMI (ß = 0.39(0.14), p=0.006) and waist circumference (ß = 1.00(0.35), p=0.005). These relationships remained significant when adjusting for behavioral and psychosocial covariates. There were no significant relationships observed between other parent stressors and adolescent BMI or waist circumference. Conclusion: These findings suggest parents' exposure and appraisal of stressors related to community safety are associated with increased adolescent obesity in African American youth. Longitudinal, larger-scale studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which community safety may increase obesity risk in this ethnic minority pediatric population. This trail is registered with NCT02938663.

Psychosocial Stress and Perceived Oral Health in African American Youth.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between perceived stress, daily stress, racial discrimination, and perceived oral health (POH) in African American youth. Methods: Data are from a cross section convenience sample of 273 adolescents (mean age: 14.4±0.15 years old; 51.7 percent female) in Southeast Michigan. A subset of 156 African American adolescents (mean age: 14.0±0.2 years old; 55 percent female) were included in this analysis. Validated surveys were used to measure stress, discrimination, and POH. Results: Greater exposure to racial discrimination predicted lower POH (ß= -0.02±0.01, P=0.03). This relationship remained significant after accounting for the confounding effects of added sugar intake, toothbrushing frequency, dental visit frequency, age, and sex (ß= -0.01±0.007, P=0.048). No significant relationships were observed between perceived stress, daily stress, and POH (P>0.05). Conclusions: Experiences of racial discrimination may play a unique and important role in shaping POH in African American youth. Qualitative studies are needed to better understand how experiences of racial discrimination may impact POH in this ethnic minority group. (Pediatr Dent 2019;41(5):358-63).

Application of the Transtheoretical Model to Physical Activity and Exercise Behaviors in African-American Adolescents.

Objectives: In this study, we examined the inter-relationships between Transtheoretical Model (TTM) constructs (stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional balance, processes of change) and determined the utility of TTM to predict physical activity in African-American youth. Methods: A community-based sample of 109 African-American youth (62% girls, age: 14.8 ± 0.2 years) were included in this analysis. TTM constructs were assessed using the Patient-Centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise questionnaire. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) were measured objectively using accelerometry. Results: Higher self-efficacy was observed at higher stages of change in both boys and girls (p = .02). Despite higher MVPA (p < .001) and TPA (p < .001) in boys, there were no sex differences in TTM constructs (p > .05). Stages of change predicted MVPA in girls, with those in the maintenance stage reporting significantly more MVPA compared to those in precontemplation/contemplation (p = .03) and preparation stages (p = .04). Cons predicted higher TPA in boys only (p = .02). Conclusions: These findings suggest specific TTM constructs relate to physical activity in African-American youth and the importance of these constructs may differ by sex.

Perceived Stress Predicts Lower Physical Activity in African-American Boys, but not Girls.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine cross-sectional relationships of psychological stress, stress coping, and minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in Amer- ican-American (AA) boys and girls. METHODS: A community-based sample of 139 AA adolescents (mean age 14.7 years; SD = 1.8 years; 64.7% girls; 30% obese) from Washtenaw County, Michigan was included in this analysis. Psychological stress was assessed using the Daily Stress Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. Coping strategies were evaluated using the Schoolager's Coping Strategies questionnaire. Physical activity was measured objectively via accelerometry. RESULTS: Compared to boys, girls participated in approximately 13 fewer minutes of MVPA (p < .001) per day and reported significantly higher levels of daily stress (p = .03) and perceived stress (p < .001). In addition, girls reported using a greater number of coping strategies (p = .01) at a greater frequency (p = .04) compared to boys. However, perceived stress significantly predicted lower levels of MVPA (p = .03) in boys only. CONCLUSIONS: There are important gender differences in how AA girls perceive, experience, and cope with stress compared to AA boys. Although AA girls reported higher levels of stress and employed more coping strategies, perceived stress was associated with physical inactivity in AA boys, but not girls. Additional research is warranted to better understand the influence of stress on the choice to be physically active in AA youth.

Racial Discrimination and Low Household Education Predict Higher Body Mass Index in African American Youth.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between environmental factors, including household education, community violence exposure, racial discrimination, and cultural identity, and BMI in African American adolescents. METHODS: A community-based sample of 198 African American youth (120 girls, 78 boys; ages 11-19 years) from Washtenaw County, Michigan, were included in this analysis. Violence exposure was assessed by using the Survey of Children's Exposure to Community Violence; racial discrimination by using the Adolescent Discrimination Distress Index; cultural identity by using the Acculturation, Habits, and Interests Multicultural Scale for Adolescents; and household education by using a seven-category variable. Measured height and body weight were used to calculate BMI. RESULTS: Racial discrimination was positively associated with BMI, whereas household education was inversely associated with BMI in African American adolescents (discrimination: ß = 0.11 ± 0.04, p = 0.01; education: ß = -1.13 ± 0.47, p = 0.02). These relationships were significant when accounting for the confounding effects of stress, activity, diet, and pubertal development. Significant gender interactions were observed with racial discrimination and low household education associated with BMI in girls only (discrimination: ß = 0.16 ± 0.05, p = 0.003; education: ß = -1.12 ± 0.55, p = 0.045). There were no significant relationships between culture, community violence exposure, and BMI (all p's > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Environmental factors, including racial discrimination and low household education, predicted higher BMI in African American adolescents, particularly among girls. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms by which these environmental factors increase obesity risk in African American youth.

Pilot study of 3D image correlation photogrammetry to assess strain and deformation of mouthguard materials.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of this investigation was to conduct a pilot study to evaluate the use of 3D image correlation photogrammetry (3DIC) in comparing strain characteristics of three commercially available mouthguard materials in the actual form of a mouthguard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 3DIC was used to measure strain and deformation on the surface of a mouthguard and a resin model. A computed tomographic scan of a maxilla of a patient was used to fabricate a resin test model. Three mouthguard materials were tested: conventional ethylene vinyl acetate; Proform TM, a thermoplastic material; and Polyshok TM, an EVA product containing polyurethane. Three mouthguards of each of the three materials were fabricated and fitted to the acrylic model for testing. A speckle pattern was applied to the external surfaces of each of the mouthguards. Static mechanical tests using a servohydraulic load frame at 10, 25, and 50 pounds of force were applied to the mouthguards while on the resin model. Strains were measured in both the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes using (3DIC). Measured strains were analysed by 4-way anova. RESULTS: For all three materials tested, the difference in strain between two measured directions (X and Y) was found to be statistically significant for all regions evaluated. The analysis indicated that each direction, region, and load was involved in a statistically significant effect (P < 0.001). Statistical differences in the strain were noted with the highest strain region being closest to the applied load for all three materials. Differences in strains in two directions were found to be significant for the materials studied (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 3DIC is useful in evaluation of mouthguard materials in the actual form of a mouthguard. Materials, along with larger sample sizes, may improve confidence levels of the results. Further testing is indicated before clinical claims can be made.