Gender-typed behaviors, achievement, and adjustment among racially and ethnically diverse boys during early adolescence

This research examined the relations between adherence to gender-typed behaviors in boys' friendships, achievement, and self-esteem. Participants were racially and ethnically diverse adolescent boys in grade 8 (Mage  = 13.05; range = 12-14). The study was completed at a public junior high school that offered both single- and mixed-gender classes. Data were collected in 2 waves, the first wave in fall of 2010 and the second in spring of 2011. At each wave, participants completed assessments of gender concepts and self-esteem. Standardized tests scores from the end of the previous academic year and the end of the year of the study were utilized. Results revealed that the boys' adherence to physical toughness behaviors in their friendships was negatively associated with math standardized test scores and self-esteem from Time I to Time II. Indirect effects analyses revealed a relation between boys' adherence to emotional stoicism behaviors in friendships and math achievement and self-esteem via boys' adherence to physical toughness behaviors. Implications of these findings and the links between masculinity, boys' friendships, performance in school, and psychological adjustment are discussed.

A 6-Week School Curriculum Improves Boys' Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Gender-Based Violence in Kenya

This study investigated the effects of a gender-based violence (GBV) educational curriculum on improving male attitudes toward women and increasing the likelihood of intervention if witnessing GBV, among adolescent boys in Nairobi, Kenya. In total, 1,543 adolescents participated in this comparison intervention study: 1,250 boys received six 2-hr sessions of the "Your Moment of Truth" (YMOT) intervention, and 293 boys comprised the standard of care (SOC) group. Data on attitudes toward women were collected anonymously at baseline and 9 months after intervention. At follow-up, boys were also asked whether they encountered situations involving GBV and whether they successfully intervened. Compared with baseline, YMOT participants had significantly higher positive attitudes toward women at follow-up, whereas scores for SOC participants declined. At follow-up, the percentage of boys who witnessed GBV was similar for the two groups, except for physical threats, where the intervention group reported witnessing more episodes. The percentage of boys in the intervention group who successfully intervened when witnessing violence was 78% for verbal harassment, 75% for physical threat, and 74% for physical or sexual assault. The percentage of boys in the SOC group who successfully intervened was 38% for verbal harassment, 33% for physical threat, and 26% for physical or sexual assault. Results from the logistic regression demonstrate that more positive attitudes toward women predicted whether boys in the intervention group would intervene successfully when witnessing violence. This standardized 6-week GBV training program is highly effective in improving attitudes toward women and increasing the likelihood of successful intervention when witnessing GBV.

Psychosocial correlates of frequent indoor tanning among adolescent boys

The aim of the current study was to assess psychosocial correlates (i.e., perceived weight, weight control strategies, substance use, and victimization) of frequent indoor tanning in adolescent boys-a group at high risk for developing skin cancer. Participants (N=7,907) were drawn from a nationally representative sample of adolescent boys attending high school in the United States. Binary logistic regression revealed that extreme weight control strategies, particularly steroid use (odds ratio=3.67) and compensatory vomiting (odds ratio=2.34), along with substance use and victimization, were significantly related to frequent indoor tanning. These results highlight the role of appearance-changing, and health-risk behaviors in the context of frequent indoor tanning. Skin cancer prevention interventions may benefit from adopting approaches that integrate the treatment of body dissatisfaction and subsequent maladaptive behaviors.

Pursuing Perfection: Distress and Interpersonal Functioning Among Adolescent Boys in Single-Sex and Co-Educational Independent Schools

This study extends past findings of heightened problems among affluent youth by examining adjustment patterns among boys in two academically elite, independent high schools: one for boys only and the other coeducational. Both samples manifested disproportionately high rates of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, but only the co-educational boys showed elevations in substance use. Boys in both schools showed elevations in a new outcome domain examined: exhibitionistic narcissism. Multivariate analyses of predictors showed that parent criticism -- a defining feature of youths' maladaptive perfectionism -- and perceived maternal depression emerged as major vulnerability factors for both samples in relation to symptom levels. On other parenting dimensions, boys in the single-sex school seemed to be particularly sensitive to feelings of alienation from their fathers and perceived paternal depression. Envy of peers' attractiveness was associated with adolescent distress in both samples, but appeared to be especially critical for co-educational boys. Results are discussed, focusing on the costs and benefits of boys' attendance at a single-sex versus co-educational school, along with implications for practice and future research.

Acceptability of male circumcision among adolescent boys and their parents, Botswana

Little is known of the acceptability of male circumcision (MC) to adolescent boys, a key target group for HIV prevention. We conducted a cluster design survey among adolescent boys and their parents/guardians in two villages in Botswana. Of 1300 households visited, 398 boys were eligible; 269 boys and 210 parents/guardians participated. MC was described correctly by 80% of boys, and 76% identified that MC reduces the risk of male HIV acquisition. After a brief informational session, 75% of boys stated that they would definitely want to be circumcised and 96% of parents/guardians would want their boy circumcised. Boys most frequently reported pain (49%) and possible health problems (19%) as concerns undergoing MC; concerns about peer or partner acceptance, sexual function, or cultural appropriateness were uncommon. Adolescent MC is likely to be highly acceptable in Botswana if done safely, for free and with adequate pain control in a hospital setting.

Association between Dietary Calcium Intake and Adiposity in Male Adolescents

The aim was to investigate the possible association of dietary calcium intake with adiposity, insulin resistance, and adipocytokine values in adolescent boys. In this cross-sectional study, participants were 123 adolescent boys aged 13–15 years, who were divided into tertiles according to their dietary calcium intake. Dietary calcium intake was assessed using three 24 h dietary recalls. In addition, energy intake, body composition, physical activity (PA), and blood biochemical values were also measured. Mean body fat%, fat mass (FM), trunk FM, trunk fat%, and leptin differed between high and low tertiles of calcium intake after adjustment for age, pubertal stage, and PA. For the entire cohort, mean calcium intake was 786 ± 380 mg/day and was related to body mass index (BMI), FM, and trunk fat% but not to insulin resistance or adipocytokine values after adjusting for possible confounders. In addition, only 15.4% of the participants obtained or exceeded their mean dietary calcium intake requirements. These subjects who met their dietary calcium intake had significantly lower body fat% in comparison with subjects not meeting their dietary calcium intake. Odds ratio of being in the highest tertile of FM, trunk FM, and trunk fat% was 3.2–4.4 (95% confidence interval 1.19–12.47; p < 0.05) times higher for boys in low calcium intake tertile, compared to those boys in high calcium intake tertile. In conclusion, dietary calcium intake is inversely associated with total body and abdominal adiposity values in a specific group of healthy male adolescents with different body mass values.

A Dual Pathway Model of Steroid Use among Adolescent Boys: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample

Anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use is associated with medical and psychiatric complications; however, despite the identification of psychosocial correlates of AAS use, comprehensive models have rarely been assessed. Thus, AAS use as a function of self-perceived weight status, victimization, and depressive symptoms was examined via simultaneous multiple mediation with non-parametric bootstrapping. Data from the 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was utilized. The target population consisted of all public, Catholic, and other private school students in grades 9 through 12 in the United States. The sample comprised 8,065 adolescent high school males. The global and individual indirect effects of self-perceived underweight status to AAS use through depressive symptoms and victimization were significant. However, the victimization pathway was revealed to be stronger in magnitude than the depressive pathway. Depressive symptoms and victimization are two pathways in which self-perceived underweight status predicts AAS use among adolescent boys.

A study of physicians' experiences with recommending HPV vaccines to adolescent boys

Assessing physicians' experiences in HPV vaccine recommendation and delivery to adolescent boys is essential to providing an understanding of the issues of vaccine acceptance and an insight for policymakers to enhance HPV vaccinations among adolescent boys. Between January and April 2014 a mail survey was conducted using physicians in Malaysia known to provide either one or both HPV vaccine (Gardasil and Cervarix) immunisation services. A total of 357 completed questionnaires were received (response rate 22.5%). Of these, 335 physicians see adolescent boys aged 11 to 18 years old in their practice. Only 26.3% (n = 88) recommended the HPV vaccine to these boys. A total of 46.6% (n = 41) have successfully given the HPV vaccine to adolescent boys. A lack of proper guidelines from the health authorities regarding the recommendation of HPV vaccine to the boys (37.2%) and a lack of awareness of the availability of the vaccine for boys (32.8%) were the most commonly cited reasons for non-recommendation. Impact statement Recommending the HPV vaccine for adolescent boys remains a challenge for physicians. Our study provides evidence of challenges and barriers faced by Malaysian physicians who recommend the HPV vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) in their practices. In this study, physicians reported HPV vaccine uptake by adolescent boys was very poor. A lack of proper guidelines from the health authorities regarding the recommendation of HPV vaccine to boys and a lack of awareness of the availability of the vaccine for boys were the most commonly cited reasons for non-recommendation. Physicians viewed that support and encouragement from the health authorities are needed to promote the recommendation of the HPV vaccine to adolescent boys. Physicians were also of the opinion that the lay public should be educated about the availability of the HPV vaccine for boys, and its benefits, safety and efficacy, and the high susceptibility of boys to getting HPV infections. The findings provide insights that could be helpful to policymakers or high-level decision-makers of the potential strategies to enhance HPV uptake among adolescent boys.

Mechanical Efficiency at Different Exercise Intensities Among Adolescent Boys With Different Body Fat Levels

This study investigated the mechanical efficiency (ME) and associated factors in obese, overweight, and normal-weight adolescent boys during incremental cycle exercise test to exhaustion. Forty-five sedentary adolescent boys (13–14 years old) were separated in three groups according to the percentage of fat mass as follows: 15 normal-weight (NW) (body fat: 16.0 ± 1.9%), 15 overweight (OW) (body fat: 24.0 ± 1.6%), and 15 obese (OB) (body fat: 31.0 ± 3.0%). All groups completed an incremental cycle exercise to exhaustion in which energy consumption (E, W), ME (%), lipid oxidation rate (LO, %), plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were determined consecutively at rest and at three intensity levels corresponding to 50 and 75% of each participant’s maximal heart rate (50%HRmax and 75%HRmax) and peak oxygen consumption (V˙O_2peak). During the incremental cycle exercise test, plasma epinephrine, and norepinephrine responses as well as ME determined at 50%HRmax, 75%HRmax, and at VO_2peak stages were significantly lower in OB compared to NW and OW individuals (ps < 0.01). Multiple linear regressions showed that body weight (ß = -0.64, p < 0.001), energy consumption (ß = -0.24, p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (ß = 0.69, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of ME at 50%HRmax. However, at 75%HRmax and V˙O_2peak, significant predictors of ME were epinephrine (ß = 0.34, ß = 0.49, respectively, ps = 0.01), norepinephrine (ß = 0.26, ß = 0.60, respectively, ps < 0.05) and power output (ß = 0.62, ß = 0.71, respectively, ps < 0.01). These findings suggest that excess in body weight exerts a negative effect on ME at a low intensity by increasing energy consumption for obese and overweight adolescent boys, while at higher intensities (75%HRmax and VO_2peak) the lower ME could be better explained by the lower power output and catecholamine responses that were attenuated among obese and overweight adolescent boys.

The Experiences of Tobacco Use among South-Western Taiwanese Adolescent Males

Most smokers start young. Initiation of cigarette smoking at an earlier age leads to more life-years for tobacco use, makes quitting harder, and increases the risk of serious health consequences. Despite these challenges, research focusing on smoking behavior among adolescent boys in Taiwan is rare. Although the Taiwanese government enacted the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act in 2009, aimed at prevention and reducing the rate of smoking, the percentage of high school students who smoke has continued to increase. In 2006, 7.5% of adolescent boys engaged in smoking. By 2012 the rate had increased to 24.6%. This paper explores the experiences that contribute to adolescent Taiwanese boys making the decision to smoke. A phenomenological approach to inquiry was used as the philosophical foundations for this study with twelve adolescent boys who engaged in smoking behaviors. Data was gathered through two face-to-face semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Data analysis was performed using Colaizzi's analysis method. Findings indicated that decisions to begin smoking were motivated by curiosity and as a means of establishing friendships while decisions to continue smoking were linked to the addictive nature of smoking and as a means of coping with stress and passing the time. The findings can be used to inform the prevention of tobacco use and to reduce the high smoking rates among adolescent boys.

Effect of the Parent-Adolescent Relationship on Adolescent Boys' Body Image and Subjective Well-Being

Adolescent boys must cope with physical changes that hamper their ability to form a positive body image. Sociocultural messages influence the concepts of body image, personal appearance, and weight, encouraging men to develop lean and muscular bodies. The current study examined adolescent boys’ body image and its relationship to their subjective well-being (SWB) and the effect of the parent–adolescent relationship on body image and SWB. Participating in the research were 107 adolescent boys in Israel, aged 13 to 18 years. Four questionnaires were utilized: demographic, body mass index, Body Investment Scale, and Personal Well-Being Index. The findings indicate a significant, medium positive correlation between SWB and body image. After controlling for the variable of parent–adolescent relationship, the correlation weakened, indicating that the parent–adolescent relationship has no effect on adolescent boys’ SWB and body image. Body image was reported to be a predictor of SWB.

Corifollitropin Alfa Combined With Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Adolescent Boys With Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

CONTEXT

Adolescent males with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) have traditionally been treated with exogenous testosterone (T) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to produce virilization; however, those modalities do not result in growth of the testes and may promote premature maturation and terminal differentiation of Sertoli cells prior to their proliferation, which may impact future fertility. Another option is to use gonadotropins in those individuals to induce testicular growth, proliferation and maturation of Sertoli cells, and production of endogenous T with consequent virilization.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the efficacy and safety of corifollitropin alfa (CFA) combined with hCG for the induction of testicular growth and pubertal development in adolescent boys with HH.

METHODS

This was a 64-week, multicenter, open-label, single-group study of CFA in adolescent boys, aged 14 to younger than 18 years, with HH. Seventeen participants initiated a 12-week priming period with CFA (100 μg if weight ≤ 60 kg, or 150 μg if weight > 60 kg) given subcutaneously once every 2 weeks, after which they entered a 52-week combined treatment period with CFA, once every 2 weeks, and subcutaneous hCG, twice-weekly (hCG dose adjusted between 500 IU and 5000 IU to keep total T and estradiol levels within protocol-specified ranges). The primary efficacy end point was change from baseline in testicular volume (TV), measured as the sum of volumes of left and right testes by ultrasound.

RESULTS

After 64 weeks of therapy with CFA/CFA combined with hCG, geometric mean fold increase from baseline in TV was 9.43 (95% CI, 7.44-11.97) (arithmetic mean of change from baseline at week 64, 13.0 mL). Hormonal, Tanner stage, and growth velocity changes were consistent with initiation and progression of puberty. Treatment was generally well tolerated. No participant developed anti-CFA antibodies.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of adolescent boys with HH with CFA alone for 12 weeks followed by CFA combined with hCG for 52 weeks induced testicular growth accompanied by pubertal progression, increased T, and a pubertal growth spurt (EudraCT: 2015-001878-18).

Helmet use of adolescent cyclists at Crescent School in Toronto, Canada

Numerous studies have highlighted that bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injury; the purpose of this study was to determine the helmet-wearing rate of adolescent boys and the reasons for those who do not wear helmets. A questionnaire was developed and completed by 257 students. A higher percentage of older students reported a long bike commute to school (over 20 min). The frequency of helmet use and awareness of helmet legislation was lower amongst the older students. Common reasons for not using a helmet across all ages included its uncomfortable nature, the confidence of the rider's cycling ability to not crash, and negligence. Further reminders and educational sessions regarding the importance of helmets could help to increase the helmet use of students across the grades.

Deliberate self-harm among adolescents: A structural equation modelling analysis

Deliberate self-harm is an intentional behaviour involving direct destruction of body tissues that causes non-fatal physical trauma to the extent that bleeding or bruising occurs without conscious suicidal intent. Adolescents' self-harm is an important issue in mental health work due to its high prevalence in Thailand. This study aims to test a causal model of deliberate self-harm and identify how sex, family relationship, school connectedness, stress, resilience, and self-control influenced deliberate self-harm behaviour in Thai adolescents. A model-testing, cross-sectional study was conducted to test a causal model of deliberate self-harm in Thai adolescents. Multi-stage random sampling was used to recruit 360 adolescents. Adolescents completed six self-report instruments: the family relationship questionnaire, student-school connectedness scale, resilience factors scale for Thai adolescents, self-control questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale-10 (Thai version), and Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory. Internal consistencies ranged from 0.81 to 0.89. Data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. The findings found sex, resilience, stress, and school connectedness had direct effects on deliberate self-harm (β = -0.139, β = -0.266, β = 0.163, and β = -0.671, respectively). Resilience and stress also mediated the links between sex (female), family relationship, school connectedness, and deliberate self-harm. The variables accounted for 65.2% of the variance in the prediction of deliberate self-harm behaviour in Thai adolescents. These findings suggest the causal model of deliberate self-harm fit the empirical data. Interventions to reduce stress and strengthen school connectedness, family relationship, and resilience among Thai adolescents should be implemented, particularly for boys, to prevent deliberate self-harm.

Adaptation of a gender-transformative sexual and reproductive health intervention for adolescent boys in South Africa and Lesotho using intervention mapping

Background: Rates of adolescent HIV and unintended pregnancy in southern Africa are amongst the highest in the world. Gender-transformative interventions that address underlying gender inequalities and engage both males and females have been emphasised by the World Health Organisation, amongst others, to target prevention. However, few such gender-transformative interventions have been rigorously developed or evaluated.Objective: To expedite potential impact and reduce development costs, we conducted a needs assessment to inform the co-design, in consultation with local stakeholders, of adapted versions of an existing gender-transformative Relationships and Sexuality Education intervention for use in South Africa and Lesotho.Methods: Adaptation of the intervention was guided by a modified version of Intervention Mapping (IM). This process involved consultation with separate adolescent, community and expert advisory groups and a collaboratively conducted needs assessment, which drew on focus groups with adolescents (8 groups, n = 55) and adults (4 groups, n = 22) in South Africa and Lesotho, and was informed by our systematic review of the literature on the determinants of condom use among adolescents in the region.Results: The findings clarified how the intervention should be adapted, which individual- and environmental-level determinants of condom use to target, and actions for facilitating successful adoption, evaluation and implementation in the new settings.Conclusions: The IM approach allows for a systematic appraisal of whether components and processes of an existing intervention are appropriate for a new target population before costly evaluation studies are conducted. The findings will be of interest to those wishing to rigourously develop and evaluate gender-transformative interventions engaging men to improve health for all.

Insights into the implication of obesity in hypogonadism among adolescent boys

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed at uncovering the mechanisms behind obesity-related hypogonadism in adolescent boys and to investigate the association between anthropometric characteristics and testicular functions of these boys.

METHODS

This study included 60 adolescent boys (12-18 years) with exogenous obesity (BMI≥95th percentile) and 30 age matched lean controls (BMI=15th-85th percentile). Full clinical examination, anthropometric measurements and pubertal assessment were performed. Laboratory investigations included hemoglobin, hematocrit, lipid panel, LH, FSH, free and total testosterone, inhibin B and estradiol.

RESULTS

The results indicated the presence of positive family history of obesity in 85% of obese boys vs. 40% of the lean counterparts. Concerning SBP of obese boys, 7% were hypertensive (95th percentile), 25% were prehypertensive (between 90th and 95th percentiles) while, DBP findings showed that 33% are hypertensive and 33% are prehypertensive. Meanwhile, 13.3% of lean controls were prehypertensive. Anthropometric measurements and lipid profile values revealed a significant difference between obese and lean boys. Compared to obese boys the normal weight boys had higher levels of free testosterone (21.15 ± 2.90 pg/mL vs. 11.38 ± 3.96 pg/mL, p<0.001), total testosterone (10.59 ± 6.63 ng/dL vs. 3.23 ± 1.70 ng/dL, p<0.001), FSH (7.33 ± 3.75 mIU/mL vs. 5.63 ± 3.96 mIU/mL, p=0.026) and inhibin B (83.28 ± 27.66 pg/mL vs. 62.90 ± 17.85 pg/mL, p=0.001) and they registered lower level of estradiol (18.48 ± 7.33 pg/mL vs. 40.20 ± 7.91 pg/mL, p<0.001). In obese boys, BMI SDS significantly correlated with lipid profile and estradiol whereas, it showed significant negative correlation with LH, free and total testosterone and inhibin B. Penile length significantly correlated with LH while it revealed significant negative correlation with cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

This study evidenced a close association between obesity and hypogonadism in adolescent boys which could be due to the increased estradiol level and decreased T/E2 ratio.

Factors Associated with Low Uptake of Medical Male Circumcision Among Adolescent Boys in Tanzania: A Multinomial Logistic Regression Modeling

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains the leading cause of years of life lost among adolescent boys in eastern and southern Africa. Medical male circumcision (MMC) is a cost-effective one-time intervention that can reduce the risk of heterosexual HIV acquisition in men by approximately 60%. Despite its importance in HIV prevention, the uptake of MMC remains suboptimal among adolescent boys. This study aimed to identify factors associated with low MMC uptake among adolescent boys in Tanzania.

Methods

This study was a secondary analysis of the 2016-17 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the participants' characteristics. Unadjusted and adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to identify factors associated with low MMC uptake among adolescent boys.

Results

A total of 2605 older adolescents (15-19 years) and 1296 young adolescents (10-14 years) were analyzed. The MMC uptake rates among older and young adolescents were 56.5% and 45.1%, respectively. Lower MMC uptake was found among respondents in rural areas (adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.28-0.57), in the traditionally non-circumcising zone (aRRR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.23-0.41), participants with no formal education (aRRR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.23-0.41), and those living in lower wealth quintile households (aRRR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.11-0.36). Respondents who were not covered by health insurance (aRRR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.48-0.94) and those who had no comprehensive HIV knowledge (aRRR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.44-0.70) were also found to have lower uptake of MMC.

Conclusion

To achieve and maintain high MMC coverage, MMC interventions for HIV prevention should focus on uncircumcised adolescent boys who are rural residents, of lower socioeconomic status, and residing in traditionally non-circumcising communities. Furthermore, dissemination of HIV knowledge and increasing health insurance coverage may encourage more adolescent boys to undergo MMC.

Internalisation of stereotyped body appearance standards and body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys: Moderating role of sports participation

The aim of this study was to test the moderating role of sport participation in the mediation model of media pressures, internalisation of appearance ideals and body dissatisfaction in adolescent boys. Five hundred and seventy adolescent boys (mean age 17.2 ± 0.45; range 15-19 years) participated in the cross-sectional study. Adolescents completed a questionnaire consisting of measures of attitudes towards sociocultural pressures on appearance, body dissatisfaction and sport participation (participation in achievement sport, leisure exercising and non-participation in any sports). Sports participation moderated the associations between the internalisation of stereotyped appearance ideals and body dissatisfaction. In athletes, the effect of internalisation of thin body ideals on body dissatisfaction was not significant, while the effect of internalisation of muscular/athletic body ideals was negative. In leisure exercisers, the effect of internalisation of muscular body ideals on body dissatisfaction was not significant, yet internalisation of thin body ideals had a significant effect on body dissatisfaction. The strongest associations between appearance ideals internalisation and body dissatisfaction were found in adolescent boys who reported no participation in sports. Sports participation might be an effective tool in decreasing the negative effect of internalisation of stereotyped appearance ideals on adolescent boys' body image.

Exploring male adolescents' perceptions of gender relations in South India: A project ethnography of the Parivartan program

In Northern Karnataka, South India, boys' behaviours and attitudes towards girls are regarded as one of the many important proximate structural barriers impeding girls' access to education and academic performance in rural communities. In response to these barriers, public health practitioners developed an intervention, known as the Parivartan program, to confront the wider social and structural influences that shape adolescent boys' perspectives on gender relationships and practices that subjugate adolescent girls. Drawing upon a project ethnography approach, this study presents the findings from two phases of research conducted between 2014 and 2016 among adolescent boys who participated in the Parivartan program. First, 20 baseline qualitative interviews were conducted among male participants (between the ages 14 and 18) enrolled in the program. Next, follow-up ethnographic research, which included participant observation and ethnographic field note composition, took place one year after commencement of the intervention to illuminate the effects of the program on participants' perspectives. Transcripts and field notes were coded for key themes and emergent categories focused on representing adolescent boys' views and experiences through their narrative accounts. Within the context of an intervention, our findings portray masculinity among participants as simultaneously socially contingent, shifting and still undergoing negotiation, thereby providing an entry point through which program implementers can further encourage boys to transcend patriarchal expectations. Our findings hold important lessons for the design of future HIV and gender-based interventions with adolescent boys in India.

The Impact of Physical Activity on Serum Inflammatory Markers in Overweight Pubertal Boys: 24-Month Follow-Up Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the differences in the pattern of changes in serum inflammatory cytokines measured annually over a 24-month period, between less active and more active overweight boys.

PARTICIPANTS/METHODS

In total, 25 pubertal overweight boys were divided by their moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels into 2 groups: less active group (LAG; n = 10; MVPA < 60 min/d) and more active group (MAG; n = 15; MVPA > 60 min/d). Physical activity was measured by 7-day accelerometry. Serum concentration of 13 inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1α, IL-1β, vascular endothelial growth factor, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, epidermal growth factor, and C-reactive protein] was measured at baseline (T0), after 12 months (T1), and after 24 months (T2) from fasting blood samples.

RESULTS

Serum IL-6 level was significantly higher [LAG: 1.27 (0.86, 1.98) pg/mL; MAG: 0.80 (0.52, 0.84) pg/mL] at T0 and IL-8 level [LAG: 10.26 (8.80, 11.64) pg/mL; MAG: 7.42 (6.10, 9.54) pg/mL] at T2 in LAG compared with MAG. The changes over the study period varied between different inflammatory markers. None of the slopes of any measured markers were statistically different between the LAG and MAG, although the slopes of interferon-γ and IL-10 tended to be different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The pattern of changes over the study period varied between different inflammatory markers, but these changes were not different between the MVPA groups. More longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and interferon-γ would be the choice of inflammatory markers to study the associations between obesity and physical activity in future.

Appearance and performance factors associated with muscle building supplement use and favourable attitudes towards anabolic steroids in adolescent boys

Introduction

The demand for appearance and performance enhancing substances, including muscle building supplements and anabolic androgenic steroids, is increasing in Australia. However, little is known about the associations between appearance and performance-based factors and appearance and performance enhancing substances (APES), particularly among adolescent boys. This study sought to examine (a) the prevalence of muscle building supplement use in a sample of adolescent boys and (b) how both performance and appearance factors relate to muscle building supplement use and favourable attitudes towards anabolic androgenic steroids in this sample.

Method

N = 488 adolescent boys aged 13-16 (Mage = 14.59) from nine Australian schools completed measures of supplement use, favourable attitudes towards using steroids, muscle dissatisfaction, body fat dissatisfaction, mesomorphic ideal internalisation, weight training, and sports participation. Hierarchical logistic regressions were used to examine cross-sectional correlates of muscle building supplement use and favourable attitudes towards using anabolic androgenic steroids.

Results

In the past three months, 12.7% of the sample had used muscle building supplements. Both appearance and performance-related factors - mesomorphic ideal internalisation and weight training - were related to muscle building supplement use. Only one appearance-related factor - body dissatisfaction - was related to favourable attitudes towards anabolic androgenic steroids.

Discussion

The findings from this study are important as they may help to guide intervention strategies regarding appearance and performance enhancing substance use by Australian adolescent boys, with the ultimate goal of ensuring this population's safety.

Muscle-Building Exercise and Weapon Carrying and Physical Fighting Among U.S. Adolescent Boys

This study aimed to determine the association between engagement in muscle-building exercise and weapon carrying and physical fighting among adolescent boys. Cross-sectional data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (U.S.) were analyzed (N = 4120). Muscle-building exercise was assessed based on the number of days reported in the past 7 days, recategorized into four levels of engagement (no engagement [0 days], low engagement [1-2 days], moderate engagement [3-5 days], and high engagement [6-7 days]). Three forms of weapon carrying (general, on school grounds, gun carrying) and two forms of physical fighting (general, on school grounds) were assessed. Five logistic regression analyses with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to determine the association between engagement in muscle-building exercise and weapon carrying and physical fighting, while adjusting for relevant demographic and control variables. Over 75% of participants reported engaging in muscle-building exercise. One in five (19.8%) participants reported any general weapon carrying in the past 30 days, 3.3% reported any weapon carrying at school in the past 30 days, 6.5% reported any gun carrying in the past 12 months, 28.0% reported any general physical fighting in the past 12 months, and 10.7% reported any physical fighting at school in the past 12 months. Logistic regressions showed that, compared to no engagement, participants who reported high engagement of muscle-building exercise had higher odds of general weapon carrying (AOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.54-3.07), gun carrying (AOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.23-3.64), and general physical fighting (AOR 2.07, 95% CI 1.53-2.79). These are novel findings that add to a growing literature related to engagement in muscularity-oriented behaviors among males. Prevention and intervention efforts are needed to ensure that adolescent boys engage in muscle-building exercise in ways that are not harmful and to reduce weapon carrying and physical fighting.

Developing Adolescent Boys Toward Adaptation of Male Sexual and Reproductive Health in Communities With Embedded Cultural Manhood Values

Manhood values are highly prioritized among most culturally orientated South African Black communities with an ideology that revolves around the concept of masculinity. The notion of manhood values is deeply rooted in male dominance, sexual drive, and traditional male circumcision. The goals of this study were to (a) explore the experiences of school health nurses in the provision of sexual and reproductive health among adolescent boys; and (b) recommend suggested action to develop adolescent boys to adapt a healthy behavioral lifestyle through a health-promoting school program. This study employed a qualitative approach utilizing a descriptive and exploratory research design. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion was used to guide the study. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for individual interviews to collect data. A total of 21 school health nurses were selected to participate in face-to-face interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS ti (version 8) software. Five overarching themes were yielded and categorized as facilitators, barriers, and suggested action to improve sexual and reproductive health services as follows: (a) legislative frameworks and policies; (b) male medical circumcision, and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs; (c) lack of support from teachers and school-governing bodies; (d) risky sexual behaviors among the learners; and (e) empowerment and personal skills development. The study concludes with a discussion and recommendations that a comprehensive health-promoting school program should be developed for adolescent boys with guaranteed ownership and sustainability of male sexual and reproductive health.