Promoting healthy lifestyles in high school adolescents: a randomized controlled trial

Mental Health Interventions in Middle Schools: A 10-Year Review of Research

Schools can play an important role in addressing growing concerns about adolescent mental health. Mental health of high school students has predominantly been the focus in literature with less emphasis on younger adolescents. This review identified articles published in the last decade that described evaluations of middle school-based mental health interventions and randomized participants to an intervention or control condition. Fourteen interventions met the inclusion criteria. About two-thirds of interventions were based on mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy. Many trials utilized racially diverse, low-income samples. All interventions were delivered to groups, and three contained a parent component. Five trials increased rigor by using an active control condition. Almost two-thirds of the interventions were effective (p < .10) in reducing at least one depression, anxiety, affect, or internalizing symptom outcome compared to a control group. This article provides information about intervention characteristics, efficacy, theoretical framework, and acceptability/feasibility.

Programs Promoting Physical Activity and Social-Emotional Learning for Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Social-emotional learning (SEL) and physical activity (PA) are beneficial for adolescent development. This review aims to describe educational programs that promote SEL and PA simultaneously among adolescents.

METHODS

A search was conducted using electronic databases in 2023 (eg, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ERIC) eliciting 5226 articles. Studies were included (n = 5) if they: (1) evaluated a program that promotes both SEL and PA among adolescents; (2) included adolescents aged 10-19 years old; (3) reported outcomes related to SEL and PA; (4) used a quasi-experimental or experimental design; (5) were published in English within the last 25 years.

RESULTS

Results were mixed, with some studies showing impacts on both SEL skills and PA, while others showed benefits for SEL only. Across different programs and measures, integrative SEL and PA interventions demonstrated modest effects, indicating potential but highlighting the need for more research on optimal implementation to improve adolescent well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies highlighted the importance of combining SEL with PA during in-school and out-of-school settings.

Effectiveness of interventions to reduce social inequalities of weight status in adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Many interventions are implemented in the public health context to overcome social inequalities of weight status in adolescents, but their effectiveness is challenged. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of these interventions with a systematic review and meta-analysis. We systematically searched for reports of randomized control trials and quasi-experimental studies aiming to reduce social inequalities of weight status in adolescents in five electronic databases. The primary outcomes were social inequalities in weight-related outcomes (body mass index [BMI], BMI z score, waist circumference, percent body fat, prevalence of overweight/obesity). Interventions were effective when they reduced social inequalities in at least one weight-related outcome. Meta-analyses involved using random-effects models. The review included 38 publications (33 studies) with interventions mostly targeting disadvantaged adolescents (n = 29 studies), showing effectiveness in half of the studies (n = 19/33, 57.6%). The meta-analysis (27 studies) revealed that targeted interventions significantly reduced BMI z score (β = -0.04 [95% CI -0.08, -0.01]), BMI (β = -0.32 [-0.47, -0.18]), and waist circumference (β = -0.84 [-1.48, -0.21]) but not percent body fat (β = -0.27 [-0.71, 0.17]) or prevalence of overweight/obesity (odds ratio = 1.06 [0.85, 1.31]). This review shows moderate effectiveness of interventions targeting disadvantaged adolescents to reduce social inequalities of weight status. High-quality research with better implementation to reach their full potential is required to strengthen their effectiveness.

A study protocol for the modified interactive screening program plus MINDBODYSTRONG© RCT: A mental health resiliency intervention for nurses

BACKGROUND

Nurses, the largest workforce in healthcare, are at high risk of depression, anxiety, burnout, and suicidal ideation. Suicide among nurses is higher than the general population. This randomized controlled trial pairs the MINDBODYSTRONG© cognitive-behavioral skills building program with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Modified Interactive Screening Program (mISP) to reduce depression, suicidal ideation, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and burnout, and improve healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction in nurses with moderate to high risk of suicide.

AIMS

This study aims to determine the effects of the mISP combined with the digitized MINDBODYSTRONG© program versus the mISP alone on depression, suicidal ideation, burnout, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction in 364 U.S. nurses.

METHODS

A digitized version of MINDBODYSTRONG© combined with the mISP screening and referral platform will be compared to the AFSP mISP alone through a two-arm randomized controlled trial. Follow-up post-intervention data will be collected at week eight and months three, six, and 12.

DISCUSSION

If successful, this study's findings could assist nurses who are hesitant to use conventional mental health resources by providing them with confidential aid and learning opportunities to reduce suicidality, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and burnout and improve healthy lifestyle beliefs, healthy lifestyle behaviors, and job satisfaction.

TRIAL/STUDY REGISTRATION

The Ohio State University Protocol Record 2021B0417, Modified Interactive Screening Program Plus MINDBODYSTRONG: A Mental Health Resiliency Intervention for Nurses, is registered and posted at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05582343. First posted date is October 17, 2022.

Interventions to prevent obesity in children aged 12 to 18 years old

BACKGROUND

Prevention of obesity in adolescents is an international public health priority. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is over 25% in North and South America, Australia, most of Europe, and the Gulf region. Interventions that aim to prevent obesity involve strategies that promote healthy diets or 'activity' levels (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and/or sleep) or both, and work by reducing energy intake and/or increasing energy expenditure, respectively. There is uncertainty over which approaches are more effective, and numerous new studies have been published over the last five years since the previous version of this Cochrane Review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of interventions that aim to prevent obesity in adolescents by modifying dietary intake or 'activity' levels, or a combination of both, on changes in BMI, zBMI score and serious adverse events.

SEARCH METHODS

We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was February 2023.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials in adolescents (mean age 12 years and above but less than 19 years), comparing diet or 'activity' interventions (or both) to prevent obesity with no intervention, usual care, or with another eligible intervention, in any setting. Studies had to measure outcomes at a minimum of 12 weeks post baseline. We excluded interventions designed primarily to improve sporting performance.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methods. Our outcomes were BMI, zBMI score and serious adverse events, assessed at short- (12 weeks to < 9 months from baseline), medium- (9 months to < 15 months) and long-term (≥ 15 months) follow-up. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

This review includes 74 studies (83,407 participants); 54 studies (46,358 participants) were included in meta-analyses. Sixty studies were based in high-income countries. The main setting for intervention delivery was schools (57 studies), followed by home (nine studies), the community (five studies) and a primary care setting (three studies). Fifty-one interventions were implemented for less than nine months; the shortest was conducted over one visit and the longest over 28 months. Sixty-two studies declared non-industry funding; five were funded in part by industry. Dietary interventions versus control The evidence is very uncertain about the effects of dietary interventions on body mass index (BMI) at short-term follow-up (mean difference (MD) -0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.41 to 0.06; 3 studies, 605 participants), medium-term follow-up (MD -0.65, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.11; 3 studies, 900 participants), and standardised BMI (zBMI) at long-term follow-up (MD -0.14, 95% CI -0.38 to 0.10; 2 studies, 1089 participants); all very low-certainty evidence. Compared with control, dietary interventions may have little to no effect on BMI at long-term follow-up (MD -0.30, 95% CI -1.67 to 1.07; 1 study, 44 participants); zBMI at short-term (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.01; 5 studies, 3154 participants); and zBMI at medium-term (MD 0.02, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.21; 1 study, 112 participants) follow-up; all low-certainty evidence. Dietary interventions may have little to no effect on serious adverse events (two studies, 377 participants; low-certainty evidence). Activity interventions versus control Compared with control, activity interventions do not reduce BMI at short-term follow-up (MD -0.64, 95% CI -1.86 to 0.58; 6 studies, 1780 participants; low-certainty evidence) and probably do not reduce zBMI at medium- (MD 0, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.05; 6 studies, 5335 participants) or long-term (MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.02; 1 study, 985 participants) follow-up; both moderate-certainty evidence. Activity interventions do not reduce zBMI at short-term follow-up (MD 0.02, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.05; 7 studies, 4718 participants; high-certainty evidence), but may reduce BMI slightly at medium-term (MD -0.32, 95% CI -0.53 to -0.11; 3 studies, 2143 participants) and long-term (MD -0.28, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.05; 1 study, 985 participants) follow-up; both low-certainty evidence. Seven studies (5428 participants; low-certainty evidence) reported data on serious adverse events: two reported injuries relating to the exercise component of the intervention and five reported no effect of intervention on reported serious adverse events. Dietary and activity interventions versus control Dietary and activity interventions, compared with control, do not reduce BMI at short-term follow-up (MD 0.03, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.13; 11 studies, 3429 participants; high-certainty evidence), and probably do not reduce BMI at medium-term (MD 0.01, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.11; 8 studies, 5612 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) or long-term (MD 0.06, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.16; 6 studies, 8736 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) follow-up. They may have little to no effect on zBMI in the short term, but the evidence is very uncertain (MD -0.09, 95% CI -0.2 to 0.02; 3 studies, 515 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and they may not reduce zBMI at medium-term (MD -0.05, 95% CI -0.1 to 0.01; 6 studies, 3511 participants; low-certainty evidence) or long-term (MD -0.02, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.01; 7 studies, 8430 participants; low-certainty evidence) follow-up. Four studies (2394 participants) reported data on serious adverse events (very low-certainty evidence): one reported an increase in weight concern in a few adolescents and three reported no effect.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence demonstrates that dietary interventions may have little to no effect on obesity in adolescents. There is low-certainty evidence that activity interventions may have a small beneficial effect on BMI at medium- and long-term follow-up. Diet plus activity interventions may result in little to no difference. Importantly, this updated review also suggests that interventions to prevent obesity in this age group may result in little to no difference in serious adverse effects. Limitations of the evidence include inconsistent results across studies, lack of methodological rigour in some studies and small sample sizes. Further research is justified to investigate the effects of diet and activity interventions to prevent childhood obesity in community settings, and in young people with disabilities, since very few ongoing studies are likely to address these. Further randomised trials to address the remaining uncertainty about the effects of diet, activity interventions, or both, to prevent childhood obesity in schools (ideally with zBMI as the measured outcome) would need to have larger samples.

Effectiveness of Intervention Strategies to Increase Adolescents' Physical Activity and Reduce Sedentary Time in Secondary School Settings, Including Factors Related to Implementation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Globally, just one in five adolescents meet physical activity guidelines and three-quarters of the school day is spent sitting. It is unclear which types of school-based interventions strategies increase physical activity and reduce sedentary time among adolescents, or how these interventions are implemented influences their effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE

The three aims of our systematic review were to (a) identify intervention strategies used within secondary school settings to improve students' movement behaviours throughout school-based initiatives, delivered at or by the school; (b) determine the overall effect of the interventions (meta-analysis) on physical activity (all intensities), sedentary time, cognitive/academic, physical health and/or psychological outcomes; and (c) describe factors related to intervention implementation.

METHODS

Searches were conducted in MEDLINE complete, EMBASE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, APA PsycINFO, and ERIC in January 2023 for studies that (a) included high school-aged adolescents; (b) involved a school-based intervention to increase physical activity and/or decrease sedentary time; and (c) were published in English. Reported effects were pooled in meta-analyses where sufficient data were obtained.

RESULTS

Eighty-five articles, representing 61 interventions, met the inclusion criteria, with 23 unique intervention strategies used. Interventions that involved whole-school approaches (i.e., physical activity sessions, environmental modifications, teacher training, peer support and/or educational resources) were favourably associated with most of the outcomes. The meta-analyses showed: (a) non-significant effects for sedentary time (Standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.02; 95%CI, -0.14, 0.11), physical activity at all intensities (light: SMD= -0.01; 95%CI, -0.08, 0.05; moderate: SMD = 0.06; 95%CI, -0.09, 0.22; vigorous: SMD = 0.08; 95%CI, -0.02, 0.18; moderate-to-vigorous: SMD = 0.05; 95%CI, -0.01, 0.12) and waist circumference (SMD = 0.09; 95%CI, -0.03, 0.21), and (b) a small statistically significant decrease in body mass index (SMD= -0.09, 95%CI -0.16, -0.0). Factors related to intervention implementation were reported in 51% of the articles.

CONCLUSION

While some intervention approaches demonstrated promise, small or null effects were found in meta-analyses. Future school-based interventions should utilize a whole-school approach designed to increase adolescents' activity across the day. Consistent reporting of implementation will increase understanding of how interventions are adopted, implemented and sustained.

REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42020169988).

The evidence-based COPE program: Reducing the time between diagnosing and treating depression and anxiety in youth

ABSTRACT

The soaring prevalence of depression and anxiety in children, teenagers, and young adults is now a public health epidemic, yet access to timely evidence-based mental health treatment is often lacking due to a severe shortage of mental health providers. This article provides an overview of the current state of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents as well as first-line evidence-based treatment. The Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) program, a cognitive-behavioral skills-building intervention, is highlighted as an evidence-based intervention for timely treatment that can be delivered by NPs, physicians, and physician associates/assistants in primary care settings, school-based health centers, and chronic care clinics with reimbursement as well as in schools and universities as a preventive mental health intervention.

A comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural interventions based on delivery features for elevated symptoms of depression in adolescents: A systematic review

Background

Depression is a public health problem and common amongst adolescents. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is widely used to treat adolescent depression but existing research does not provide clear conclusions regarding the relative effectiveness of different delivery modalities.

Objectives

The primary aim is to estimate the relative efficacy of different modes of CBT delivery compared with each other and control conditions for reducing depressive symptoms in adolescents. The secondary aim is to compare the different modes of delivery with regard to intervention completion/attrition (a proxy for intervention acceptability).

Search Methods

The Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Clinical Trials Register was searched in April 2020. MEDLINE, PsycInfo, EMBASE, four other electronic databases, the CENTRAL trial registry, Google Scholar and Google were searched in November 2020, together with reference checking, citation searching and hand-searching of two databases.

Selection Criteria

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of CBT interventions (irrespective of delivery mode) to reduce symptoms of depression in young people aged 10-19 years with clinically relevant symptoms or diagnosis of depression were included.

Data Collection and Analysis

Screening and data extraction were completed by two authors independently, with discrepancies addressed by a third author. CBT interventions were categorised as follows: group CBT, individual CBT, remote CBT, guided self-help, and unguided self-help. Effect on depressive symptom score was estimated across validated self-report measures using Hedges' g standardised mean difference. Acceptability was estimated based on loss to follow-up as an odds ratio. Treatment rankings were developed using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Pairwise meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models where there were two or more head-to-head trials. Network analyses were conducted using random effects models.

Main Results

Sixty-eight studies were included in the review. The mean age of participants ranged from 10 to 19.5 years, and on average 60% of participants were female. The majority of studies were conducted in schools (28) or universities (6); other settings included primary care, clinical settings and the home. The number of CBT sessions ranged from 1 to 16, the frequency of delivery from once every 2 weeks to twice a week and the duration of each session from 20 min to 2 h. The risk of bias was low across all domains for 23 studies, 24 studies had some concerns and the remaining 21 were assessed to be at high risk of bias. Sixty-two RCTs (representing 6435 participants) were included in the pairwise and network meta-analyses for post-intervention depressive symptom score at post-intervention. All pre-specified treatment and control categories were represented by at least one RCT. Although most CBT approaches, except remote CBT, demonstrated superiority over no intervention, no approaches performed clearly better than or equivalent to another. The highest and lowest ranking interventions were guided self-help (SUCRA 83%) and unguided self-help (SUCRA 51%), respectively (very low certainty in treatment ranking). Nineteen RCTs (3260 participants) were included in the pairwise and network meta-analyses for 6 to 12 month follow-up depressive symptom score. Neither guided self-help nor remote CBT were evaluated in the RCTs for this time point. Effects were generally attenuated for 6- to 12-month outcomes compared to posttest. No interventions demonstrated superiority to no intervention, although unguided self-help and group CBT both demonstrated superiority compared to TAU. No CBT approach demonstrated clear superiority over another. The highest and lowest ranking approaches were unguided self-help and individual CBT, respectively. Sixty-two RCTs (7347 participants) were included in the pairwise and network meta-analyses for intervention acceptability. All pre-specified treatment and control categories were represented by at least one RCT. Although point estimates tended to favour no intervention, no active treatments were clearly inferior. No CBT approach demonstrated clear superiority over another. The highest and lowest ranking active interventions were individual CBT and group CBT respectively. Pairwise meta-analytic findings were similar to those of the network meta-analysis for all analyses. There may be age-based subgroup effects on post-intervention depressive symptoms. Using the no intervention control group as the reference, the magnitudes of effects appear to be larger for the oldest age categories compared to the other subgroups for each given comparison. However, they were generally less precise and formal testing only indicated a significant difference for group CBT. Findings were robust to pre-specified sensitivity analyses separating out the type of placebo and excluding cluster-RCTs, as well as an additional analysis excluding studies where we had imputed standard deviations.

Authors' Conclusions

At posttreatment, all active treatments (group CBT, individual CBT, guided self-help, and unguided self-help) except for remote CBT were more effective than no treatment. Guided self-help was the most highly ranked intervention but only evaluated in trials with the oldest adolescents (16-19 years). Moreover, the studies of guided self-help vary in the type and amount of therapist support provided and longer-term results are needed to determine whether effects persist. The magnitude of effects was generally attenuated for 6- to 12-month outcomes. Although unguided self-help was the lowest-ranked active intervention at post-intervention, it was the highest ranked at follow-up. This suggests the need for further research into whether interventions with self-directed elements enable young people to maintain effects by continuing or revisiting the intervention independently, and whether therapist support would improve long-term outcomes. There was no clear evidence that any active treatments were more acceptable to participants than any others. The relative effectiveness of intervention delivery modes must be taken into account in the context of the needs and preferences of individual young people, particularly as the differences between effect sizes were relatively small. Further research into the type and amount of therapist support that is most acceptable to young people and most cost-effective would be particularly useful.

Effectiveness of an evidenced-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for adolescents in a school setting

PROBLEM

The adolescent years are a formative time when rapid hormonal and physical changes stimulate the developing mind. Exposure to poverty, abuse, violence, and lack of peer and social support causes an increase in vulnerability to the development of mental health problems. The COVID-19 pandemic has also exacerbated symptoms of depression and anxiety. Regardless of the risk factors, anxiety and depression continue to be significant health problems, affecting thousands of adolescents yearly in the United States. The first-line treatment recommendation for managing anxiety and depression symptoms is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, access to a provider for CBT treatment is not always an option for many reasons.

METHODS

This pilot evidenced-based practice project aims to increase access to skills acquired through CBT and improve adolescents' mental health by implementing a brief and evidenced-based CBT program in a school setting. The CBT program for this project is the Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) for Teens program consisting of seven 50-55-min sessions. The COPE program was delivered to 22 students in a 7th-grade health class. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Modified for Adolescents measured anxiety and depression scores at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up.

FINDINGS

Results indicate clinically significant improvements in anxiety and depression scores and showed participant satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

COPE in the school setting offers a low-risk solution to improving behaviors and emotional intelligence. COPE is a cost-effective solution to the mental health provider shortage.

Using Health Education to Address Student Physical Activity and Nutrition: Evidence and Implications to Advance Practice

BACKGROUND

School-based health education can provide students with learning experiences that improve knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) and behaviors regarding physical activity and nutrition.

METHODS

We conducted a 2-phase systematic review. Phase 1 was a review of reviews (ie, systematic reviews or meta-analyses) that were published 2010-2018. Phase 2 was a search for individual articles published 2010-2020 addressing topics relevant to our review; we searched for articles that had not been part of a sufficiently relevant or recent review or that had been part of a review that concluded that too few articles were available to assert sufficient evidence.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies were assessed: 20 randomized controlled trials and 23 quasi-experimental designs. Collectively, interventions had a favorable impact on students' PA and nutrition KAP, but behavioral and secondary outcome results (eg, body mass index) were mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the evidence-based health education strategies identified in this review can help contribute to improvements in students' KAP and behaviors.

Scoping Review of Family and Community Engagement Strategies Used in School-Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Behaviors

BACKGROUND

School efforts to promote health among students are more successful when families and community members are involved.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review to summarize and categorize family and community engagement strategies used in US school and out-of-school time (OST) interventions to address physical activity (PA) and nutrition in kindergarten through 12th grade students.

RESULTS

The National Network of Partnership Schools' Six Keys to Success framework was useful in organizing the types of family and community engagement strategies used in included interventions. Many interventions used multiple family and community engagement strategies, with the most common being communicating with families and community members; providing support or education to families; and collaborations among school/OST program and community to support students and their families.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified six common family and community engagement strategies used in school and OST interventions for PA and nutrition. Including family and community engagement strategies in school and OST interventions could play an important role in maximizing support, resources, and expertise to promote healthy behaviors among all students.

Interventions to prevent obesity in school-aged children 6-18 years: An update of a Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis including studies from 2015-2021

Background

Childhood obesity remains a global public health priority due to the enormous burden it generates. Recent surveillance data suggests there has been a sharp increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cochrane review of childhood obesity prevention interventions (0-18 years) updated to 2015 is the most rigorous and comprehensive review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic. A burgeoning number of high quality studies have been published since that are yet to be synthesised.

Methods

An update of the Cochrane systematic review was conducted to include RCT studies in school-aged children (6-18 years) published to 30 June 2021 that assessed effectiveness on child weight (PROSPERO registration: CRD42020218928). Available cost-effectiveness and adverse effect data were extracted. Intervention effects on body mass index (BMI) were synthesised in random effects meta-analyses by setting (school, after-school program, community, home), and meta-regression examined the association of study characteristics with intervention effect.

Findings

Meta-analysis of 140 of 195 included studies (183,063 participants) found a very small positive effect on body mass index for school-based studies (SMD -0·03, 95%CI -0·06,-0·01; trials = 93; participants = 131,443; moderate certainty evidence) but not after-school programs, community or home-based studies. Subgroup analysis by age (6-12 years; 13-18 years) found no differential effects in any setting. Meta-regression found no associations between study characteristics (including setting, income level) and intervention effect. Ten of 53 studies assessing adverse effects reported presence of an adverse event. Insufficient data was available to draw conclusions on cost-effectiveness.

Interpretation

This updated synthesis of obesity prevention interventions for children aged 6-18 years, found a small beneficial impact on child BMI for school-based obesity prevention interventions. A more comprehensive assessment of interventions is required to identify mechanisms of effective interventions to inform future obesity prevention public health policy, which may be particularly salient in for COVID-19 recovery planning.

Funding

This research was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia (Application No APP1153479).

Health Education Module Based on Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) for Reducing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Adolescents in Boarding Schools: A Clustered Randomised Controlled Trial

Depression, anxiety, and stress (DAS) among adolescents have become a public health concern. The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and measure an IMB-based health education intervention module for reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools in the state of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. A single-blinded cluster randomised control trial (RCT) was conducted among students with abnormal DASS-21 scores. They were divided into an intervention group (three schools, 62 participants) and a control group (three schools, 57 participants). Participants in the intervention group received IMB-based health education, while participants in the control group underwent the standard care session. To determine the effectiveness of the intervention, the Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) analysis was conducted. A total of 119 students participated in this study, and no loss to follow-up was reported. Both intervention and control groups showed significantly reduced DAS scores (p < 0.005). However, the reduction of these scores was greater in the intervention group. The GLMM analysis revealed that the intervention was effective in reducing depression (ß = -2.400, t = -3.102, SE = 0.7735, p = 0.002, 95% CI = -3.921, -0.878), anxiety (ß = -2.129, t = -2.824, SE = 0.7541, p = 0.005, 95% CI = -3.612, -0.646), and stress (ß = -1.335, t = -2.457, SE = 0.536, p = 0.015, 95% CI = -2.045, -0.266) among adolescents. The IMB-based health education module was effective in reducing DAS among adolescents in boarding schools.

An Adaptation of the COPE Intervention for Adolescent Bullying Victimization Improved Mental and Physical Health Symptoms

OBJECTIVE

One in five children report experiencing bullying. Bullying in childhood affects the physical and emotional health and functioning of youth with immediate consequences, including depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and suicidal ideation. Schools overwhelmingly are tasked with addressing bullying; however, school-based programs are often focused on preventing bullying from occurring. There is a paucity of evidence-based interventions for adolescents who have directly experienced bullying and suffer from adverse health outcomes, especially when they present to the mental health setting.

METHODS

This pre-experimental study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the MINDSTRONG to Combat Bullying Program for adolescents who have experienced bullying with concurrent mental health symptoms.

RESULTS

Twenty adolescents and their parent dyads enrolled in the MINDSTRONG to Combat Bullying program. Significant reductions were found over time in adolescent self-reported depressive, anxiety and somatic symptoms as well as bullying victimization frequency, with large positive effect sizes for the intervention. Significant increases in adolescent personal beliefs also were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Although several of the intervention sessions needed to be rescheduled and many of the adolescents did not complete their weekly skills building homework, MINDSTRONG to Combat Bullying was found to be a highly acceptable intervention for adolescents that was effective in reducing physical and mental health symptoms as well as perceptions of bullying victimization.

Back to Basics: Lifestyle Interventions for Adolescent Depression

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this activity, practitioners will be better able to:• Discuss and better understand the recently adopted screening standards for adolescents with depression and the potential advantages of using "lifestyle medicine"• Set up a process for providing effective interventions for the increased number of patients with adolescent depression• Design or update their toolbox of treatment options for adolescents with depression based on the new literature and increased demand.

ABSTRACT

Recently adopted quality standards recommend that pediatricians screen adolescents for depression and that they document follow-up plans for those who screen positive. As a result of these new recommendations, pediatricians and other pediatric providers, as well as psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, may face an increasing number of referrals and a growing need for effective interventions for adolescent depression. Given the widely acknowledged scarcity of traditional mental health resources, the current study reviewed the rapidly expanding array of evidence-based, but nontraditional, interventions applicable to outpatient pediatric and mental health care settings. Many of these interventions come from a lifestyle medicine framework. Lifestyle medicine interventions are congruent with the cultures of pediatrics and outpatient psychiatry, and offer additional evidence-based tools for providers managing adolescent depression. These interventions can be implemented individually or within group or community settings, and may be used in conjunction with more common interventions such as psychotherapy or psychotropic medications.

Prevention and Interventional Strategies of Adolescent Obesity / Overweight

Purpose: It’s a known factor that obesity and overweight among adolescentsare major emerging global health problems associated with morbidityand mortality throughout their life in developed and developing countries. There is evidence that reducing overweight and obesity by increasing awareness, self-efficacy, and contemplation to adopt a health-promoting lifestyle.The aim of this review how the theory and model used to reduce this burden through vicarious interventional activities among adolescence (10-19 years)in a school setting. Methods: A literature search was performed in four databases to identify published studies between January 2009 and December 2019. Randomized control trial exploring the multiple interventional effects on obesity and overweight by utilization of with or without theoretical constructs and outcome on body mass index. Results: Originally references searched were 2112 abstracts and full-text articles. The total population was 34,846 adolescents. Most of the multiple interventionshad little positive effect onphysical activity, dietary intake, and sedentary behavior changes directly on BMI. Only three studies show changes in behavior through theory. Minimal studies reported the involvement and motivation of parents, friends, and teachers for themselves and adolescents. Conclusion: The contemporary review to visualizemultiple interventions, and how models and theory focused on various pragmatic activities in the delivery and outcome in school settings among adolescents.

Lifestyle medicine for anxiety symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle medicine (LM) is gaining increasing attention as a treatment option for anxiety, but the current state of evidence has not yet been systematically examined.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were systematically searched from inception to February 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of multicomponent LM interventions on anxiety symptoms with either care-as-usual, waitlist, no intervention, or attention control group on anxiety symptoms were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 53 RCTs with 18,894 participants were included for qualitative synthesis, in which 45 RCTs with data available were included for meta-analysis. Multicomponent LM intervention was significantly more effective than the control groups in reducing anxiety symptoms at immediate posttreatment (d = 0.19, p < .001) and at short-term follow-up (d = 0.29, p < .001). However, no significant difference at medium-term was found (p = .14), whereas more studies are needed to study the long-term effects. The subgroup analyses suggested that baseline anxiety symptoms was a significant moderator, suggesting that those with moderate level of baseline anxiety symptoms appeared to have greater improvements (d = 0.66, p < .05).

LIMITATIONS

Minimal anxiety symptoms at baseline contributed to the floor effect and influenced the degree of improvement. The included RCTs had a high risk of bias in general with potential publication bias detected.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this meta-analysis provided support for the positive effects of multicomponent LM interventions for anxiety symptoms. Future research is needed to determine the long-term effects of multicimponent LM and the optimal baseline anxiety severity.

Effects of the MINDSTRONG© CBT-based program on depression, anxiety and healthy lifestyle behaviors in graduate health sciences students

ObjectiveTo evaluate effects of the MINDSTRONG^© cognitive-behavioral skills building program versus an attention control program on mental health outcomes and lifestyle behaviors of graduate health professional students. Participants: 201 entering graduate students from seven health sciences colleges at a public land grant University in the U.S. Midwest. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with three-month follow-up. Valid and reliable instruments measured depression, anxiety, stress, healthy lifestyle beliefs and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Results: Students receiving MINDSTRONG^© reported less depression/anxiety and healthier lifestyle behaviors than those receiving the control program. Students with elevated levels of depression/anxiety at baseline demonstrated greater benefits from the program. Conclusions: MINDSTRONG^© can be used as a preventive and early intervention for improving mental health outcomes and lifestyle behaviors in graduate students. Because the program can be delivered by trained non-mental health professionals, it has the potential to be widely scaled on campuses throughout the U.S.

Effects of 'SPRAT' programme for dietary and lifestyle education to improve psychosomatic symptoms and dietary habits among adolescents: a cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Dietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce subjective psychosomatic symptoms (SPS) have become an important topic worldwide. We developed a school-based dietary and lifestyle education programme that involved parents/guardians in reducing SPS in adolescents (SPRAT). The programme encouraged parents/guardians to participate in adolescents' healthy dietary and lifestyle modifications to reduce SPS, increase enjoyment of school life, and foster appropriate dietary intake. This study evaluated the effectiveness of SPRAT in reducing SPS and in altering dietary behaviour among adolescents.

METHODS

A 6-month cluster randomised controlled trial using SPRAT and the usual school programme (control) was performed. Participants were middle school students in Japan who provided informed consent. Outcomes were SPS scores assessed at baseline and 2, 4, and 6 months after baseline and the proportions of dietary and lifestyle factors achieved such as enjoyment of school life and dietary intakes assessed by FFQW82. Change from baseline (CFB) at 6 months was the primary endpoint. A linear mixed-effects model was applied. As for dietary intake, the treatment effect was estimated as an interaction term between baseline and treatment "baseline*treatment".

RESULTS

The intention-to treat analysis included 951 (94.7%) and 1035 (89.8%) individuals in the SPRAT and control groups, respectively. The CFB in the 6-month SPS score adjusted for baseline was lower in the SPRAT group (-0.29) than in the control group (0.62), but the difference was not statistically significant -0.91 (p = 0.093).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the primary endpoint tended to denote improvement in the SPRAT group compared to the control group, the improvement was not significant. Favourable effects were observed in some secondary outcomes and statistically significant treatment*baseline interactions were observed for several dietary intakes. These results imply that CFBs of dietary intake were increased or decreased in a favourable direction depending on the baseline intake, especially in the SPRAT group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000026715. (27/03/2017).

Considerations in pediatric intervention research: Lessons learned from two pediatric pilot studies

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pediatric populations represent a vulnerable research group. Careful thought must be given to many factors when designing and implementing pediatric intervention research studies. This article discusses methodological and implementation lessons learned from two pediatric intervention pilot studies and highlights facilitators and barriers encountered.

TYPE OF METHOD

Both studies used a pre/post with 6-week follow-up method and were adapted versions of an evidence-based program, Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE).

ESSENTIAL FEATURES

COPE is a 7-session, cognitive behavioral skills building intervention. COPE for Asthma was implemented in schools with small groups for elementary-aged children with asthma and symptoms of anxiety. Mindstrong to Combat Bullying was implemented individually in the outpatient mental health setting for adolescents who had experienced bullying with concurrent symptoms of depression/anxiety.

METHODOLOGICAL APPLICATION

Both intervention studies were successful in achieving their research aims, but more importantly the authors learned important lessons in how to successfully work with pediatric populations in research studies. Legal considerations, such as mandated reporting, suicide risk assessment and the inclusion of parents are reviewed. Other components, such as working with children vs. adolescents, integrating research into school-based settings vs. clinic-based settings, and completing intervention research in a group setting vs. individual setting are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

The two pilot studies highlight important factors to consider when designing and implementing pediatric intervention studies. While challenges arise in working with this vulnerable population, research is ultimately needed to provide the best evidence-based care for our future generations.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

The COPE for Asthma study is registered at www.

CLINICALTRIALS

govNCT03481673.

The Effect of Interventions That Target Multiple Modifiable Health Behaviors on Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Young People: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of interventions targeting multiple modifiable health behaviors (i.e., physical activity/sedentary behaviors, nutrition/diet, sleep, substance use) on depression and anxiety in young people.

METHODS

A search of electronic databases from inception until May 2020 was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explicitly targeted at least two modifiable health behaviors, measured anxiety or depression at baseline and after intervention using a validated instrument, and included participants with an average age between 12 and 25 years were included. The effect of interventions was synthesized using random effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 14 RCTs reporting on depression and six RCTs reporting on anxiety were included in the quantitative synthesis. Results showed that although interventions targeting multiple modifiable health behaviors did not produce significant reductions in symptoms of depression (g¯ = -.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-.34, .02], 95% prediction interval [PI] = [-.80, .48], very low certainty evidence) or anxiety (g¯ = -.55, 95% CI = [-1.36, .26], 95% PI = [-3.48, 2.83], very low certainty evidence) across all young people, there was a significant difference in the effect of interventions on depression based on intervention type (Q = 8.37, df = 2, p = .012). Specifically, interventions targeting multiple modifiable health behaviors delivered to groups of young people with an elevated risk of depression had a favorable effect (g¯ = -.28, 95% CI = [-.52, -.05], 95% PI = [-1.04, .47]) on symptoms of depression compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Although not universally effective, this meta-analysis establishes the potential efficacy of targeted interventions aiming to improve multiple modifiable health behaviors to address depression in young people at elevated risk of depression. More research is needed to understand the effect of such interventions on symptoms of anxiety in young people.

Empowerment Approaches in Childhood Weight Management: A Systematic Review

Empowerment interventions facilitate individuals, organizations, and communities to gain better control over their health. They are distinctly different from traditional behavior change models and encourage participants to set their own health priorities and agenda. Current evidence suggests empowerment interventions are efficacious for smoking, sexual, and mental health outcomes. However, empowerment in childhood obesity (which remains a global public health challenge) is underresearched. This review systematically analyzed the evidence for empowerment approaches in childhood weight management. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A search strategy was applied to six databases from inception to May 25, 2021. Evidence was appraised using The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist and National Health and Medical Research Council Levels of Evidence. Of the 9274 articles identified, 29 articles describing 14 programs met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-five studies rated positive and four rated neutral. Overall, the evidence body rated "B." Seventy-two percent of the 3318 participants were from priority populations, highlighting the unique ability of empowerment interventions to engage those most in need. Results demonstrate small to large improvements in participant body mass index with effect sizes ranging from 0.08 to 1.13. Throughout the literature, empowerment was measured inconsistently and usually with a surrogate marker. All studies were set in America or Canada. This review suggests empowerment should be further investigated in childhood weight management. Empowerment interventions represent a unique opportunity to meaningfully integrate self-determination to clinical childhood weight management practice and overcome current barriers related to priority population engagement.

Poor reporting of physical activity and exercise interventions in youth mental health trials: A brief report

AIM

To describe the quality and completeness of the description and reporting of physical activity and exercise interventions delivered to young people to promote mental health or treat mental illness.

METHODS

We conducted a series of scoping reviews identifying 64 controlled trials of physical activity and exercise interventions delivered to young people. We extracted: intervention characteristics, personnel and delivery format, the intensity, duration, frequency and type of physical activity or exercise.

RESULTS

There was limited reporting of intervention details across studies; 52% did not provide information to confidently assess intervention intensity, 29% did not state who delivered the intervention, and 44% did not specify the intervention delivery format.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that authors adhere to the CONSORT reporting requirements and its intervention reporting extensions, (a) the Template for Intervention Description and Replication, (b) Consensus for Exercise Reporting Template and (c) as part of this, detail the frequency, intensity, time and type of physical activity recommendations and prescriptions. Without this, future trials are unable to replicate and extend previous work to support or disconfirm existing knowledge, leading to research waste and diminishing translation and implementation potential.

“Everybody Knows Everybody”: Adolescents’ Perceptions of What Helps Them Succeed in a Rural Title I School

The current study explored adolescents’ perceptions of what contributes to their experiences of success in a rural Title I school through interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants included adolescents who were enrolled at a rural Title I Middle/High School in the southern United States. The single campus school district serves approximately 185 students from Prekindergarten to grade 12. Approximately, 73% of the students are identified as At-Risk, 88% of the students are economically disadvantaged, and 100% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Ten students from this school, with assent and parental consent, participated in the current study. Participants’ ages ranged from 13 to 18, and the students represented different genders (seven males, three females) and various racial and ethnic backgrounds (three Black/African American, four Latinx, two White, and one Biracial). Results from the current study suggest low-income adolescents in a rural Title I school perceived (a) school size, (b) family support, and (c) their own internal drive to succeed as contributing to their success at school. These themes, their corresponding subthemes, and representative participant statements are included. Implications for school administrators, teachers, and counselors along with directions for future research are discussed.

School-based physical activity programs for promoting physical activity and fitness in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18

BACKGROUND

Physical activity among children and adolescents is associated with lower adiposity, improved cardio-metabolic health, and improved fitness. Worldwide, fewer than 30% of children and adolescents meet global physical activity recommendations of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Schools may be ideal sites for interventions given that children and adolescents in most parts of the world spend a substantial amount of time in transit to and from school or attending school.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this review update is to summarise the evidence on effectiveness of school-based interventions in increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity and improving fitness among children and adolescents 6 to 18 years of age. Specific objectives are: • to evaluate the effects of school-based interventions on increasing physical activity and improving fitness among children and adolescents; • to evaluate the effects of school-based interventions on improving body composition; and • to determine whether certain combinations or components (or both) of school-based interventions are more effective than others in promoting physical activity and fitness in this target population.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, BIOSIS, SPORTDiscus, and Sociological Abstracts to 1 June 2020, without language restrictions. We screened reference lists of included articles and relevant systematic reviews. We contacted primary authors of studies to ask for additional information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Eligible interventions were relevant to public health practice (i.e. were not delivered by a clinician), were implemented in the school setting, and aimed to increase physical activity among all school-attending children and adolescents (aged 6 to 18) for at least 12 weeks. The review was limited to randomised controlled trials. For this update, we have added two new criteria: the primary aim of the study was to increase physical activity or fitness, and the study used an objective measure of physical activity or fitness. Primary outcomes included proportion of participants meeting physical activity guidelines and duration of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time (new to this update). Secondary outcomes included measured body mass index (BMI), physical fitness, health-related quality of life (new to this update), and adverse events (new to this update). Television viewing time, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure have been removed from this update.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two independent review authors used standardised forms to assess each study for relevance, to extract data, and to assess risk of bias. When discrepancies existed, discussion occurred until consensus was reached. Certainty of evidence was assessed according to GRADE. A random-effects meta-analysis based on the inverse variance method was conducted with participants stratified by age (children versus adolescents) when sufficient data were reported. Subgroup analyses explored effects by intervention type.

MAIN RESULTS

Based on the three new inclusion criteria, we excluded 16 of the 44 studies included in the previous version of this review. We screened an additional 9968 titles (search October 2011 to June 2020), of which 978 unique studies were potentially relevant and 61 met all criteria for this update. We included a total of 89 studies representing complete data for 66,752 study participants. Most studies included children only (n = 56), followed by adolescents only (n = 22), and both (n = 10); one study did not report student age. Multi-component interventions were most common (n = 40), followed by schooltime physical activity (n = 19), enhanced physical education (n = 15), and before and after school programmes (n = 14); one study explored both enhanced physical education and an after school programme. Lack of blinding of participants, personnel, and outcome assessors and loss to follow-up were the most common sources of bias.  Results show that school-based physical activity interventions probably result in little to no increase in time engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean difference (MD) 0.73 minutes/d, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 1.30; 33 studies; moderate-certainty evidence) and may lead to little to no decrease in sedentary time (MD -3.78 minutes/d, 95% CI -7.80 to 0.24; 16 studies; low-certainty evidence). School-based physical activity interventions may improve physical fitness reported as maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max) (MD 1.19 mL/kg/min, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.82; 13 studies; low-certainty evidence). School-based physical activity interventions may result in a very small decrease in BMI z-scores (MD -0.06, 95% CI -0.09 to -0.02; 21 studies; low-certainty evidence) and may not impact BMI expressed as kg/m² (MD -0.07, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.01; 50 studies; low-certainty evidence). We are very uncertain whether school-based physical activity interventions impact health-related quality of life or adverse events.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Given the variability of results and the overall small effects, school staff and public health professionals must give the matter considerable thought before implementing school-based physical activity interventions. Given the heterogeneity of effects, the risk of bias, and findings that the magnitude of effect is generally small, results should be interpreted cautiously.

The Health Behaviours of Students from Selected Countries-A Comparative Study

Health behaviour defined as any behaviour that may affect an individual's physical and mental health or any behaviour that an individual believes may affect their physical health. It is strongly related to their culture and plays a major role in shaping all health and illness-related behaviour. The purpose of the study was to compare and evaluate the lifestyles of students from multiple countries. The proposed work will determine the deficits in health behaviors undertaken by students. The survey was carried out from December 2016 to March 2017 comprising 532 students from Poland, Hungary, Turkey, and Greece. The sample was selected using the snowball method: a link to the online questionnaire was sent to students from the given countries via the Internet. For some participants, who did not have access to the online questionnaire, printed copies were used instead. As a method was used a diagnostic survey and the survey technique. The opinions of students were measured using the 5-level Likert scale with a neutral option. Students undertook health-promoting activities, but also list behaviours that did not contribute to strengthening their health. Students were shown to have the greatest problems with physical health behaviours and health prevention. There were noticeable differences in the lifestyle of students from different countries.

Psychometric Properties of the Healthy Lifestyle Beliefs Scale for Adolescents

INTRODUCTION

Healthy lifestyle behaviors are at the core of maintaining health. This study analyzed the psychometric properties of the 16-item healthy lifestyle beliefs (HLB) scale that measures a person's beliefs about their ability to live a healthy lifestyle.

METHOD

Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory analysis, and measurement invariance were conducted for this study.

RESULTS

Cronbach alpha was 0.894. The Exploratory factor analysis scree plot identified two factors with eigenvalues greater than one. All factor loadings were greater than 0.40 and no items cross-loaded. A two-factor solution was retained for Confirmatory factor analysis. The measurement invariance results suggested that there was no gender difference in HLB regarding factor structure, factor loading, threshold, and residual variances.

DISCUSSION

The HLB scale was found to have adequate internal consistency and fit with the data. Findings show it is valid and acceptable for both boys and girls.

The effect of physical activity on anxiety in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

There is emerging evidence that physical activity can have beneficial effects on anxiety. A comprehensive synthesis of the evidence of the anxiolytic effects of physical activity from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in children and young people (CYP) is warranted.

METHODS

A search of 13 databases was conducted to identify RCTs testing the effects of physical activity on anxiety symptoms in children and young people (up to 25 years). Screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias) were independently undertaken by two study authors. The primary analysis used a random effects model to compare the effect of physical activity interventions to no intervention or minimal intervention control conditions on state anxiety, assessed using validated, self-report measures.

RESULTS

Of the 3590 articles retrieved, 22 RCTs were included, with nine included in the primary meta-analysis. The overall standardised mean difference was 0.54 (95% CI -0.796, -0.28), representing a moderate improvement in state anxiety, compared to no intervention or minimal intervention control conditions. Physical activity was also found to produce significantly superior effects on state anxiety when compared to a time and attention-controlled group.

LIMITATIONS

The studies are of low quality overall, and there are a limited number of studies included in the meta-analyses therefore limiting the precision of results.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity may be a useful approach to addressing anxiety symptoms in children and young people, however, further trials of clinical populations are required to determine the effectiveness of physical activity as a treatment of anxiety disorders.

Lifestyle medicine for depression: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The treatment effect of multi-component LM interventions on depressive symptoms has not yet been examined.

METHODS

We systematically searched six databases from inception to February 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving any multi-component LM interventions (physical activity, nutritional advice, sleep management, and/or stress management) on depressive symptoms relative to care as usual (CAU), waitlist (WL), no intervention (NI), or attention control (AC) comparisons.

RESULTS

Fifty studies with 8,479 participants were included. Multi-component LM interventions reduced depressive symptoms significantly relative to the CAU (p >.001; d = 0.20) and WL/NI (p > .01; d = 0.22) comparisons at immediate posttreatment. However, no significant difference was found when compared with AC. The intervention effects were maintained in the short-term (1- to 3-month follow-up) relative to the CAU comparison (p > .05; d = 0.25), but not in the medium- and long-term. The moderator analyses examining the effect of multi-component LM interventions compared with CAU suggested that the number of lifestyle factors adopted was a significant moderator. Although disease type was not a significant moderator, there was a tendency that the clinical effect of multi-component LM interventions was stronger (d = 0.45) in those diagnosed with major depression. No publication bias was detected.

LIMITATIONS

Low number of RCTs available in some subgroup analyses prevented from finding meaningful effects. Results may not be extended to major depression, because data on secondary depression were captured.

CONCLUSION

Multi-component LM interventions appeared to be effective in mitigating depressive symptoms; however, the magnitude of the clinical effect was small. Future research is needed to assess more comprehensive and individualized LM interventions which have a greater emphasis on motivational and compliance aspects and focus solely on individuals with depression.

Mindful BALANCE (breathe act learn about 'now' care everyday): A pilot project for depressed female adolescents

PROBLEM

Major depressive episodes in adolescent females have increased during the past decade, placing them at risk to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, unsafe thoughts, suicidal ideation, and lethal actions. Mindfulness, a tool for stress management, is underutilized.

METHODS

Mindful BALANCE (Breathe Act Learn About 'Now' Care Everyday), a group therapy pilot program introduced a variety of mindfulness activities. The extended mindfulness followed the Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE), a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Skills Building (CBSB) Healthy Lifestyle program. The pilot program was offered in an outpatient mental health department for 7 weeks.

FINDINGS

Mindful BALANCE is a feasible program as an adjunct to individualized psychotherapy. Six subjects engaged without absence with a completion rate of 83%. Six subjects had pre- and post-scores for depression and anxiety decrease. Mindfulness practice was reported to decrease the perception of stress.

CONCLUSION

Mindful BALANCE decreased perceived depression and anxiety symptoms while positively impacting healthy activities in adolescent females. Further research is necessary to readdress feasibility and extended mindfulness components in improving global well-being and diminishing suicide risk.

Relationships between Physical and Mental Health in Adolescents from Low-Income, Rural Communities: Univariate and Multivariate Analyses

Environment (i.e., rural vs. urban) and socioeconomic status (SES) are moderating factors of physical (i.e., obesity and/or physical activity) and internalizing mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms) in adolescents. Relationships between physical and mental health have been shown in adolescents; however, research has not addressed these relationships in those from low-income, rural backgrounds. Thus, the present study characterized physical and mental health in rural, low-SES adolescents and investigated relationships between physical and mental health in this population. Data were collected from 253 10th and 11th-grade students from Title I schools in rural Alabama. Self-report measures of mental health, self-esteem, body image, and physical activity were obtained, in addition to functional fitness and physical health assessments completed at each school. Relationships between mental and physical health were assessed using Pearson correlations and multivariate data-driven cluster analysis. Positive correlations were observed between body composition and mental health symptoms, while negative correlations were observed between body image and mental health and body composition. However, sex differences were present in these relationships. The multivariate cluster analysis identified groups of individuals based on profiles of mental and physical health. This individual-level analysis identified students with greater mental and/or physical health burdens (n = 53 and n = 40) who may benefit from targeted interventions. Overall, these results provide evidence of elevated mental and physical health burdens among rural, low-income adolescents. Moreover, targeted programs are needed to provide education about the relationship between physical and mental health to reduce health burdens in both domains in this population.

Chronic Pain and Mental Health Co-Morbidity in Adolescents: An Urgent Call for Assessment and Evidence-Based Intervention

BACKGROUND

Nearly 30% of children are affected by chronic pain which puts a significant burden on the child's family and society with estimated cost of over $19.5 billion each year. Children and adolescent's quality of life is often impacted leading to physical disability, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, school stress or decreased performance, insomnia, and fatigue. The purposes of this paper are to: 1) provide an overview of chronic pain in children and adolescents; 2) describe findings from a quality improvement project that assessed the prevalence of negative mood, quality of life, functional disability, and coping with pain in teens with chronic pain, and 3) discuss screening, assessment and evidence-based management of co-morbid chronic pain and mental health problems in children and teens.

FINDINGS

Findings for a quality improvement project indicated that 16.8% of the adolescents scored high risk for depression, which was higher than the national average. Approximately 57% of adolescents were screened as high risk on the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory (PedsQL™). One in four adolescents showed poor functioning on the Functional Disability Inventory and nearly one-third of the adolescents reported poor coping with pain on the Pain Coping Questionnaire. This project indicates that adolescents with chronic pain are at high risk for mental health problems. The outcomes suggest the mental health needs of adolescents with chronic pain need to be identified and addressed to help improve outcomes.

DISCUSSION

Children and youth with chronic pain need to be routinely screened and assessed for mental health problems, especially anxiety and depression. The use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or CBT-skills building for children and youth with anxiety and depressive disorders has been widely studied and are helpful for children with chronic pain include psychoeducation, which helps the child to learn age and developmental specific information on chronic pain. Evidence-based manualized and internet-based CBT programs should be scaled rapidly to decrease depression and anxiety in children and youth with chronic pain.

School as a Protective Setting for Excess Weight Gain and Child Obesity: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The structure provided by school settings even with no specific obesity-intervention may prevent weight gain. This meta-analytic study considered this premise by examining weight outcomes from control groups in published randomized controlled trials of school-year obesity-related interventions conducted in-school and out-of-school.

METHODS

A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Databases were systematically searched and resulted in 1976 unique citations, with 14 retained for analysis. Analyses examined the change in weight outcomes among control group participants.

RESULTS

For studies (N = 6) reporting body mass index (BMI) (kg/m² ) the overall standardized mean difference (SMD) from pre- to post-intervention was 0.085 (raw units 0.278 kg/m² ); for studies (N = 9) reporting zBMI, the SMD was 0.022 (0.020 z-scores), for studies (N = 2) reporting waist circumference (cm), the SMD was 0.149 (1.609 cm); for studies (N = 2) reporting BMI percentile, the SMD was 0.064 (0.985 percentiles); and for studies (N = 1) reporting percent body fat, the SMD was 0.031 (0.30 percentage).

CONCLUSIONS

Children assigned to control conditions (as part of school-based obesity-related interventions) experience, on average, minimal changes in weight outcomes during the school year. Therefore, routine practices of schools may protect against unhealthy weight gains.

Randomized controlled trial of the COPE-P intervention to improve mental health, healthy lifestyle behaviors, birth and post-natal outcomes of minority pregnant women: Study protocol with implications

BACKGROUND

Emotionally distressed pregnant minority women experience multiple adverse outcomes, including pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, operative deliveries and low birth weight. Although the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening in pregnant women, many practices do not screen because efficacious interventions and systems are not in place to treat them.

AIM

Purpose of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to test a group delivered manualized cognitive-behavioral skills building intervention entitled COPE-P versus an attention control program on the mental health, birth and postpartum outcomes of minority pregnant women experiencing depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms.

METHODS

Design is a longitudinal randomized block RCT with repeated measures (beginning with screening prior to 18 weeks, group prenatal care in both groups from 16 + 1 to 31 + 1 weeks and ending at 6 months postpartum) at two study sites (New York city and Columbus, Ohio). Race/ethnicity is being blocked to ensure equal numbers of Hispanic and Black women. 384 women are being recruited from antenatal clinics if they are: between 18 and 40 years; in an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy <18 weeks; and self-identify as Black or Hispanic. Valid and reliable measures are being used to assess healthy lifestyle behaviors and mental health outcomes immediately following the interventions, six - eight weeks postpartum and at the children's six-month well baby visit. Birth and delivery outcomes also are being assessed.

CONCLUSION

If found to be efficacious, the COPE-P intervention could be a key solution to managing those with emotional distress and improving their outcomes.

Adolescents as Agents of Parental Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Change: COPE Healthy Lifestyles TEEN Program

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a leading health crisis around the world. An intervention strategy scarcely utilized for behavior change is that of a child as change agent. The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of teens reviewing newsletters from a healthy lifestyle intervention with their parents.

METHOD

Evaluation data from a randomized controlled trial, COPE Healthy Lifestyle TEEN Program, was analyzed. A descriptive study was conducted of parents' and teens' lifestyle behaviors as reported by parents.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-nine parents completed evaluations. Two thirds of parents reported changing a behavior as a result of the program. Nearly three quarters of parents reported behavior changes in their teens. Over 90% reported they would recommend this or a similar program.

DISCUSSION

The obesity epidemic shows no signs of reversal, and hence multiple approaches to impact healthy lifestyles are urgent. Including children as a change agent is a potential target for interventions addressing obesity.

The effect of school intervention programs on the body mass index of adolescents: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Effective obesity interventions in adolescent populations have been identified as an immediate priority action to stem the increasing prevalence of adult obesity. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to make a quantitative analysis of the impact of school-based interventions on body mass index during adolescence. Studies were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science databases. Results were pooled using a random-effects model with 95% confidence interval considered statistically significant. Of the 18 798 possible relevant articles identified, 12 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The global result showed a low magnitude effect, though it was statistically significant (N = 14 428), global e.s. = -0.055, P = 0.004 (95% CI = -0.092, -0.017). Heterogeneity was low among the studies (I2 = 9.017%). The funnel plot showed no evidence of publication bias. The rank-correlation test of Begg (P = 0.45641) and Egger's regression (P = 0.19459) confirmed the absence of bias. This meta-analysis reported a significant effect favoring the interventions; however, future research are needed since the reported the evidence was of low magnitude, with the studies following a substantial range of approaches and mostly had a modest methodological quality.

Effectiveness of Lifestyle Interventions for Prevention of Harmful Weight Gain among Adolescents from Ethnic Minorities: A Systematic Review

The escalating obesity among adolescents is of major concern, especially among those from an ethnic minority background. The adolescent period offers a key opportunity for the implementation of positive lifestyle behaviours as children transition to adulthood. The objective of this review was to examine the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for adolescents and their impact in ethnic and racial minorities for the prevention of overweight and obesity. Seven electronic databases were searched from 2005 until March 2019 for randomized controlled trials of lifestyle programs conducted in this population. The main outcome was change in Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score (kg/m2) or change in BMI and secondary outcomes were changes in physical activity and diet. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. Seven studies reported and/or conducted subgroup analysis to determine if ethnic/racial group affected weight change. None demonstrated an overall decrease in BMI z-score. However, six of the seven demonstrated changes in secondary measures such as fruit and vegetable intake and screen time. Results did not differ by ethnic/racial group for primary and secondary outcomes. Overweight and obesity prevention among adolescents from ethnic minorities is an area that needs further research. There is a lack of interventions that include analyses of effectiveness in ethnic minorities.

Physical Activity of Secondary School Adolescents at Risk of Depressive Symptoms

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study is to analyze the associations between depressive symptoms (DS), well-being and different types of physical activity (PA) in adolescents.

METHODS

Overall, 368 girls and 228 boys aged 15-19 years were involved in the research. To explore the composition of weekly PA, we used the IPAQ-Long questionnaire, and a pedometer was used to monitor weekly PA. The prevalence of DS was diagnosed by the Bern Subjective Well-Being Questionnaire and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index.

RESULTS

The girls and boys who reported the most DS and the lowest level of well-being had significantly less weekly recreational PA. The girls who reported the fewest DS had a 2.12 times greater odds of meeting the 11,000 steps/day recommendation than did the girls with the most DS, whereas we did not detect statistically significant differences in rates of meeting the recommendation in the boys with distinct levels of DS.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirms the stronger negative associations between DS and PA, especially among girls. The greatest opportunities for behavioral change in adolescents at the highest risk of DS are in the promotion of recreational PA.

Determining the Cut Off Score of the Healthy Lifestyle Screening Tool among High School Students

Background

Several lifestyle factors such as not smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating healthily, regular exercise, and maintaining a normal weight have been known to play an important role in optimal health. A screening tool that has a standardized score that indicates healthy or risky lifestyle behaviors is needed for health promotion. However, such a tool that focuses on lifestyle behaviors have not incorporated scores to summarize the results. The purpose of this study is to develop the cut-off points of the Healthy Lifestyle Screening tool.

Methods

Data collection in this study was done from 198 Filipino high school students utilizing the Healthy Lifestyle Screening Tool.

Results

Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) results indicated cut-off score of 98 to separate into low and high score groups. The mean scores for all subcomponents were significantly different in between two groups. The general population fell in the high score category with a mean total score of 105.61 in which 81.31% were categorized in the high score group and 18.61% in the low score group. Subjects in general obtained low mean scores in specific subscale components such as rest (2.46) water (2.66) and exercise (2.78).

Conclusion

Increasing the total score by working on low scoring components will be beneficial in achieving a healthy lifestyle. This study reinforced the importance of holistic approach regarding health and well-being among high school students.

Physical Activity Component Should be Included when Designing National Child-Obesity Program: The Rapid Review of Multi-Component Child Obesity Intervention Programs

OBJECTIVES The prevalence of child obesity is steadily increasing in Korea, thus government needs to seek for effective intervention programs to counteract current epidemics. This study sought to find proven effective child obesity programs implemented in other countries in order to provide policy recommendation. We report the results of rapid review of child obesity programs which were implemented outside of Korea.METHODS A search of multiple databases (NICE Evidence Search, Open Grey, Grey Literature Report, National Cancer institute: research-tested intervention programs) was conducted to identify relevant research articles published after January 2010.RESULTS 11 studies met the inclusion criteria after systematic screening. Most of the included studies used physical activity & diet/nutrition at the same time, while school was the most common location for the intervention. 5 studies showed improvement in obesity related outcomes. Interventions contained physical activity & diet/nutrition or physical activity & psychological coaching, and intervention implemented in school, healthcare facility, summer camp, and after-school class were shown effective.CONCLUSIONS Considering the results of current review, multi-component intervention which includes physical activity is recommended when designing child obesity program. The location of the intervention should be school to maximize its effectiveness.

School-related physical activity interventions and mental health among children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Low levels of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and mental health problems are issues that have received considerable attention in the last decade. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate effects of interventions targeting school-related physical activity or sedentary behaviour on mental health in children and adolescents and to identify the features of effective interventions.

METHODS

Scientific articles published between January 2009 and October 2019 fulfilling the following criteria were included: general populations of children and adolescents between age 4 and 19, all types of school-related efforts to promote physical activity or reduce sedentary behaviour. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were done by at least two authors independently of each other. Data were analysed with a random effects meta-analysis and by narrative moderator analyses.

RESULTS

The literature search resulted in 10265 unique articles. Thirty-one articles, describing 30 interventions, were finally included. Eleven relevant outcomes were identified: health-related quality of life, well-being, self-esteem and self-worth, resilience, positive effect, positive mental health, anxiety, depression, emotional problems, negative effect and internalising mental health problems. There was a significant beneficial effect of school-related physical activity interventions on resilience (Hedges' g = 0.748, 95% CI = 0.326; 1.170, p = 0.001), positive mental health (Hedges' g = 0.405, 95% CI = 0.208; 0.603, p = < 0.001), well-being (Hedges' g = 0.877, 95% CI = 0.356; 1.398, p = < 0.001) and anxiety (Hedges' g = 0.347, 95% CI = 0.072; 0.623, p = 0.013). Heterogeneity was moderate to high (I² = 59-98%) between studies for all outcomes except positive effect, where heterogeneity was low (I² = 2%). The narrative moderator analyses of outcomes based on 10 or more studies showed that age of the children moderated the effect of the intervention on internalising mental health problems. Interventions in younger children showed a significantly negative or no effect on internalising mental health problems while those in older children showed a significant positive or no effect. Moreover, studies with a high implementation reach showed a significant negative or no effect while those with a low level of implementation showed no or a positive effect. No signs of effect moderation were found for self-esteem, well-being or positive mental health. Risk of publication bias was evident for several outcomes, but adjustment did not change the results.

CONCLUSIONS

School-related physical activity interventions may reduce anxiety, increase resilience, improve well-being and increase positive mental health in children and adolescents. Considering the positive effects of physical activity on health in general, these findings may reinforce school-based initiatives to increase physical activity. However, the studies show considerable heterogeneity. The results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Future studies should report on implementation factors and more clearly describe the activities of the control group and whether the activity is added to or replacing ordinary physical education lessons in order to aid interpretation of results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO, CRD42018086757.

Exercise interventions for mental disorders in young people: a scoping review

AIMS

This scoping review determines the breadth and outcomes of controlled trials testing the effect of physical activity/exercise interventions across mental health outcomes in young people with a mental disorder.

METHODS

The literature search was conducted using the open-access 'Evidence Finder', a comprehensive youth mental health-specific database that is systematically populated from MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO and Cochrane CENTRAL databases.

RESULTS

Sixteen publications were identified after meeting the following eligibility criteria: (1) participants were young people (mean age 12-25.9 years) with a mental disorder diagnosed by a trained clinician or by reaching a predefined cut score on a symptom measure, (2) interventions were exercise, (3) designs were randomised or non-randomised controlled trials, (4) outcomes were mental health related. Eight studies included young people with depression, three included people with psychosis/schizophrenia, three included people with eating disorders and two included people with anxiety. The available evidence suggests that moderate-to-vigorous-intensity exercise may be beneficial, particularly for reducing depression. The available evidence for other intervention intensities, and for other mental disorders, is mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the evidence regarding the impact of exercise interventions on a range of mental health outcomes in clinical populations of young people with various mental disorders looks promising but requires further development. Findings from this scoping review can inform the development of future exercise interventions in the youth mental health field.

COPE for asthma: Outcomes of a cognitive behavioral intervention for children with asthma and anxiety

Asthma is the most common childhood chronic condition and a major contributor to school absences and lost instructional time. Children with asthma have a higher risk of internalizing disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which can further complicate asthma management. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a manualized, cognitive-behavioral skills-building intervention for children with asthma and anxiety. The design for this study was a one-group, pre/posttest preexperimental with a 6-week follow-up. This article presents the immediate posttest follow-up results. Children between 8 and 12 years of age and their caregivers were recruited from three elementary schools in a large public school district in Ohio. Thirty-two children with asthma and symptoms of anxiety completed the Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) for Asthma program. Caregivers completed surveys, but they did not participate in the intervention. Results indicated that the program was feasible to implement in small groups during the school day. Self-reported findings indicated a significant reduction in separation anxiety and increased personal beliefs, child-management self-efficacy, and asthma illness representations. Parents and caregivers reported symptom reduction in their children on the Pediatric Symptom Checklist. The subgroup of children scoring high on anxiety at baseline showed reductions with the intervention, having large positive effect sizes for separation and social anxiety as well as medium and large positive effect sizes on the personal beliefs and asthma illness representations, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Effects of combining physical activity with psychotherapy on mental health and well-being: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Despite a vast evidence-base advocating the psychological benefits of physical activity, relatively little is understood about how combining physical activity with psychological therapies may influence these positive effects. The aim of this paper is to systematically analyse evidence from studies adopting a combined approach, and identify potential mechanisms of action on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The Embase, PsycINFO and Medline (PubMed and OVID) databases were searched for applicable trials published up to December 2018. Relevant data was extracted from eligible studies, and the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool was utilised to objectively assess the quality of each study.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria, seven of which were rated as methodologically `strong'. Combining physical activity with psychological therapy consistently engendered positive effects on outcomes compared with treatment as usual. Similar improvements in psychological outcomes were observed in most (7/8) groups receiving physical activity alone. Increased levels of physical activity were observed in psychologically-informed interventions, however this effect was unrelated to changes in psychological outcomes.

LIMITATIONS

Clinical and methodological heterogeneity precluded meta-analyses of results, while risk of bias detected in the studies may compromise overall validity of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical activity interventions may be a viable alternative to psychological therapies, provided psychological approaches are incorporated into the implementation design (i.e. behavioural activation). Improved psychological outcomes may be observed regardless of `dose' received, however further research is required to ascertain whether psychosocial mechanisms of change mediate positive effects.

Adolescents' healthy lifestyle

OBJECTIVE

Using a wide and representative sample of adolescents from 37 countries, this study aimed to analyze how age changes adolescents' healthy lifestyle.

METHODS

The study included 148,839 adolescents who participated in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children 2010 survey. A composite score of a healthy lifestyle was created using the combination of daily physical activity, daily fruit and vegetable consumption, <2h daily on screen-based behaviors, abstinence from alcohol, and abstinence from tobacco products. Healthy lifestyle measures were based on self-report.

RESULTS

4.7% of boys and 4.4% of girls aged 11 years, 3% of boys and 2% of girls aged 13 years, and 1.5% of boys and 0.8% of girls aged 15 scored perfectly on the healthy lifestyle score. As age increased, the prevalence of adolescents with a healthy lifestyle decreased. In 37 countries and regions, the prevalence of healthy behaviors decreased linearly between early adolescence and the age of 15 years.

CONCLUSIONS

In general, adolescents do not have a healthy lifestyle. Results from this study highlight that there is still much work to be done in promoting healthy lifestyles and to raise awareness among adolescents of the potential risk to their health status.

L’alimentation en milieu scolaire : appuyer l’offre d’aliments et de boissons sains

L’adoption de politiques et de directives alimentaires dans les écoles canadiennes permet d’accroître l’offre et la consommation d’aliments riches en nutriments tout en réduisant l’accès à des aliments et des boissons riches en sucres, en sodium et en gras saturés. Ces politiques favorisent des changements positifs pour la santé des enfants et des adolescents, tels qu’un meilleur indice de masse corporelle. Cependant, elles ont des effets mitigés sur la performance scolaire. Le présent document de principes présente les principaux éléments des politiques alimentaires en milieu scolaire, notamment les normes nutritionnelles. Ces politiques doivent respecter les recommandations du Guide alimentaire canadien et promouvoir la consommation d’aliments et de boissons riches en nutriments, dont la teneur en gras saturé, en sucre et en sodium est plus faible.

School nutrition: Support for providing healthy food and beverage choices in schools

The implementation of nutrition policies and guidelines in Canadian schools has increased the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods while reducing access to and consumption of foods and beverages that are high in sugars, sodium, and saturated fats. Positive changes in health outcomes for children and youth, such as improved body mass indices, have been observed. However, observed impacts of school nutrition policies on academic performance have been mixed. This statement reviews key elements of school nutrition policies, with specific focus on nutrition standards. School nutrition policies should align with recommendations in Canada's Food Guide and promote nutrient-rich foods and beverages that are lower in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium.