Viewing Fantastical Events in Animated Television Shows: Immediate Effects on Chinese Preschoolers' Executive Function.

Three experiments were conducted to test whether watching an animated show with frequent fantastical events decreased Chinese preschoolers' post-viewing executive function (EF), and to test possible mechanisms of this effect. In all three experiments, children were randomly assigned to watch a video with either frequent or infrequent fantastical events; their EF was immediately assessed after viewing, using behavioral measures of working memory, sustained attention, and cognitive flexibility. Parents completed a questionnaire to assess preschoolers' hyperactivity level as a potential confounding variable. In Experiment 1 (N = 90), which also included a control group, there was an immediate negative effect of watching frequent fantastical events, as seen in lower scores on the behavioral EF tasks. In Experiment 2 (N = 20), eye tracking data showed more but shorter eye fixations in the high frequency group, suggesting a higher demand on cognitive resources; this group also did more poorly on behavioral measures of EF. In Experiment 3 (N = 20), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) data showed that the high frequency group had a higher concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin (Coxy-Hb), an indicator of higher brain activation consistent with a greater use of cognitive resources; this group also had lower scores on the behavioral EF tasks. The findings are discussed in reference to models of limited cognitive resources.

External validity reporting in behavioral treatment of childhood obesity: a systematic review.

CONTEXT: To aid translation of childhood obesity interventions evidence into practice, research studies must report results in a way that better supports pragmatic decision making. The current review evaluated the extent to which information on key external validity dimensions, participants, settings, interventions, outcomes, and maintenance of effects, was included in research studies on behavioral treatments for childhood obesity. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Peer-reviewed studies of behavioral childhood obesity treatments published between 1980 and 2008 were identified from (1) electronic searches of social science and medical databases; (2) research reviews of childhood obesity interventions; and (3) reference lists cited in these reviews. Included studies reported on a controlled obesity intervention trial, targeted overweight or obese children aged 2-18 years, included a primary or secondary anthropometric outcome, and targeted change in dietary intake or physical activity behaviors. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: 1071 publications were identified and 77 met selection criteria. Studies were coded on established review criteria for external validity elements. All studies lacked full reporting of generalizability elements. Across criteria, the average reporting was 23.9% (range=0%-100%). Infrequently reported were setting-level selection criteria and representativeness, characteristics regarding intervention staff, implementation of the intervention content, costs, and program sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Enhanced reporting of relevant and pragmatic information in behavioral investigations of childhood obesity interventions is needed to improve the ability to evaluate the applicability of results to practice implementation. Such evidence would improve translation of research to practice, provide additional explanation for variability in intervention outcomes, and provide insights into successful adaptations of interventions to local conditions.

Caregiver awareness of prone play recommendations.

We examined caregiver awareness of the American Academy of Pediatrics' prone play recommendation, determined the primary sources of the recommendation, and examined why some infants are not provided "tummy time." Of caregivers, 25% were not aware of prone play recommendations, and one-fourth of that group was not aware of potential complications from limited tummy time. The primary sources of prone play information and potential complications were printed materials, then pediatricians. Of infants, 53% received < or = 30 min; 35% were intolerant of the prone position. This study indicates that many caregivers are not aware of tummy time and complications that can occur if it is not provided. Health care professionals, including therapists, must educate parents on the importance of prone play and provide information on how to increase infant tolerance for prone play time.

Family functioning and children's response to primary care treatment for overweight: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. METHODS: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. RESULTS: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings.

Exploratory factor analysis: health perceptions of Chinese early childhood educators in Hong Kong.

The aim of this study was to explore health perceptions of preschool teachers, with a view to inform early childhood practices and teacher education. Pre-service student-teachers and in-service teachers (n = 200) who were voluntarily recruited completed a 24-item health attitude questionnaire. Factor analysis identified four dimensions of health attitudes, reflecting physical, psychosocial, mental and emotional domains. Inter-correlations among the factors suggested that early childhood educators in Hong Kong embrace a holistic view of health, although they consider physical and emotional health as more salient than the psychosocial and mental health dimensions. In comparisons of the perceptions of in-service teachers and student-teachers, students placed less emphasis on psychosocial health, but teachers placed more emphasis on physical health. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for designing health education programmes for preschool teacher education.

Disparities in sleep position awareness and compliance.

OBJECTIVES: To identify demographic predictors of caregivers who are more likely to position their infants prone for sleep; to determine caregivers' primary information sources regarding sleep position recommendations; and to determine the primary influence on choice of infant sleep position among caregivers who still place their infants in an at-risk sleep position when informed of the recommendations. METHODS: Survey of caregivers of 205 infants from birth to 24 months at 2 rural and 2 urban private pediatric practices in Southwest Tennessee. RESULTS: Income was a significant predictor (P < 0.05) of caregivers' awareness of sleep position recommendations. Awareness rates were 74% among respondents with an income of less than $20,000 and 98% among those earning above $80,000. The primary source of sleep position recommendations for lower income and African American respondents was hospital staff; higher income and European Americans reported printed materials as the primary source. Among respondents who were aware of the recommendations but noncompliant, 60% reported infant preference as the primary influence on choice of sleep position. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, particular emphasis needs to be placed on reaching out to lower income groups to disseminate the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) sleep positioning recommendations. The importance of positioning infants supine for sleep must be stressed before mother and baby are discharged from the hospital. Caregivers need to understand that many infants prefer to sleep on their stomachs, but there are ways to help babies adapt to supine sleeping.

Lifestyle interventions for youth who are overweight: a meta-analytic review.

OBJECTIVE: Clear evidence suggests that lifestyle interventions can be helpful in the treatment of youth who are overweight, but translational research is needed to address the gap between treatment research and clinical care. DESIGN: This meta-analysis integrated the results of 66 treatment-control comparisons and 59 alternate treatment comparisons evaluating lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents who were overweight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Between-groups differences in weight-related outcomes and other health-related behaviors at the end of treatment. RESULTS: Lifestyle interventions were effective in a range of settings and with a range of participants. Even relatively brief programs had benefits apparent months after the end of treatment. A key component appeared to be the expectation that parents would be actively involved in treatment. Program benefits included not only better weight management but also better eating habits. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that lifestyle interventions can be effective under a wide range of conditions not limited to the highly controlled conditions of efficacy studies. Parent involvement is associated with significantly better results.

Broadening parental involvement in family-based interventions for pediatric overweight: implications from family systems and child health.

Parent involvement has been recognized as a promising component in the treatment of pediatric overweight. However, to what extent and how to involve parents remains unclear. Family systems models have been used to treat a range of childhood illnesses and may also provide a useful framework for understanding and treating pediatric overweight. The current review presents relevant literature on family systems and child health, discusses the current state of intervention efforts in pediatric overweight, and utilizes family systems ideas to offer suggestions for practice and directions for research regarding the role of parents in treatment.

Comparisons between African American girls' and parents' perceptions of girls' weight concerns and weight control behaviors.

Weight concerns and weight control behaviors were evaluated among sixty 8-10 year-old African American girls and their parents/caregivers. Girls completed the McKnight Risk Factor Survey and parents completed a modified version regarding perceptions of their daughters' concerns and behaviors. Significant correlations between girls' and parents' were seen for Overconcern with Weight and Shape (r = .56) and Weight Control Behaviors (r = .33). Parents' correctly identified 72% of girls' responses for Overconcern with Weight and Shape, 60% for Binge, 85% for Purging and 58% for Weight Control Behaviors scales using clinical cutoffs. However, more stringent agreement coefficients indicated generally poor concordance between girls and parents. The modified McKnight may be useful for assessing awareness of these issues.

Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity: methodological and conceptual challenges from family psychology.

Family-based interventions for pediatric obesity are defined by active parent involvement in treatment. In the current review the authors examine 31 family-based interventions with published outcome data and distinguish 4 categories of family-based interventions: (a) Target a narrow range of parent behaviors related to eating/exercise and assess change only in terms of child eating, exercise, or weight; (b) target a similarly narrow range of parent behaviors but nevertheless assess program-related changes in general parenting skills or family functioning; (c) target a broad range of parent behaviors related to general parenting and family functioning but do not assess program-related changes in these areas; and (d) target general parenting or family functioning and also assess program-related changes in these areas. The authors highlight methodological and conceptual challenges facing researchers in this area and argue for an even broader family focus in family-based interventions for pediatric obesity.

Young adults' retrospective reports of parenting by mothers and fathers: associations with current relationship quality.

The authors examined retrospective reports of both mothers' and fathers' parenting and young adults' (N = 75) relationship quality. Multiple regression analyses showed that, as predicted, young adults' retrospective reports of the positive parenting they experienced as children were significantly related to the extent by which they currently viewed (a) others as accessible and responsive, (b) their relationships with others as meaningful and important, and (c) themselves as able to form healthy relationships. Although both mothers' and fathers' parenting related to the quality of current relationships with parents, only reports of fathers' parenting were related to the quality of current relationships with a romantic partner. Fathers' parenting was also related to views of the self as being able to form secure and close relationships. The authors address both methodological and substantive explanations for these results.

Child witnesses to domestic violence: a meta-analytic review.

This meta-analysis examined 118 studies of the psychosocial outcomes of children exposed to interparental violence. Correlational studies showed a significant association between exposure and child problems (d = -0.29). Group comparison studies showed that witnesses had significantly worse outcomes relative to nonwitnesses (d = -0.40) and children from verbally aggressive homes (d = -0.28). but witnesses' outcomes were not significantly different from those of physically abused children (d = 0.15) or physically abused witnesses (d = 0.13). Several methodological variables moderated these results. Similar effects were found across a range of outcomes, with slight evidence for greater risk among preschoolers. Recommendations for future research are made, taking into account practical and theoretical issues in this area.