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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedGowey M, Redden D, Lim C
Executive function phenotypes in pediatric obesity.
This study examined the behavioral phenotypes of children with and without executive function (EF) impairments in a clinical sample of youth aged 8-17 years attending a medical clinic for obesity. A caregiver-proxy report of EF was assessed using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Four latent classes of EF impairment were identified: No/Low Impairment, Behavioral Regulation Impairment, Metacognition Impairment, and Global Impairment. Behavioral/emotional impairments tended to increase with EF impairment. Children with obesity and EF impairment were found to have a dysregulated behavioral phenotype ranging from internalizing to externalizing behavioral and weight-related symptoms.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Gowey M, Redden D, Lim C .
Executive function phenotypes in pediatric obesity.
Pediatr Obes 2020 Sep;15(9):e12655. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12655..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity
Darling KE, Ranzenhofer LM, Hadley W
Negative childhood experiences and disordered eating in adolescents in a weight management program: the role of depressive symptoms.
This cross-sectional study examined the association between stressful life events and weight-related outcomes including weight status, disordered eating behaviors, and insulin sensitivity in treatment-seeking adolescents with overweight and obesity. The authors were also looking at the potential mediating role of depression. The study included 170 adolescents (mean age 14.8, 62% female) enrolled in an interdisciplinary weight management program. Findings were that stressful childhood experiences were significantly related to weight status and disordered eating but not insulin sensitivity. Depressive symptoms were related to stressful experiences and disordered eating patterns but not weight status or insulin sensitivity.
AHRQ-funded; HS027071.
Citation: Darling KE, Ranzenhofer LM, Hadley W .
Negative childhood experiences and disordered eating in adolescents in a weight management program: the role of depressive symptoms.
Eat Behav 2020 Aug;38:101402. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101402..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Stress, Depression, Behavioral Health, Trauma
Atkins M, Castro I, Sharifi M
Unmet social needs and adherence to pediatric weight management interventions: Massachusetts, 2017-2019.
This study examined the effects of housing insecurity and unmet social needs on adherence to pediatric weight management intervention (PWMI) programs. The authors used data from children enrolled in a 2017-2019 comparative effectiveness trial for 2 high-intensive PWMIs in Massachusetts. Families with housing security had higher contact hours with the program than families without. Children with 3 to 4 unmet social needs (parental stress, parental depression, food insecurity, and housing insecurity) also attended less hours of the program than those without.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332.
Citation: Atkins M, Castro I, Sharifi M .
Unmet social needs and adherence to pediatric weight management interventions: Massachusetts, 2017-2019.
Am J Public Health 2020 Jul;110(S2):S251-s57. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2020.305772..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Social Determinants of Health, Family Health and History
Ferguson MC, Morgan MJ, O'Shea KJ
Using simulation modeling to guide the design of the Girl Scouts Fierce & Fit Program.
The goal of this study was to see if computational modeling would help to revise the design of the Girl Scouts Fierce & Fit Program. The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland worked with the researchers to develop a computational simulation model representing the 250 adolescent girls who were participating in the program to determine how their diets and physical activity affected their BMI and subsequent outcomes, including costs. As a result, the program changed from 6 weeks meeting twice a week with 5 minutes of physical activity each session to meeting 12 weeks with 30 minutes of physical activity each session. Cost savings were estimated at an additional $84,828 in lifetime direct medical costs, $81,365 in lifetime productivity losses, and 7.85 quality-adjusted life-years.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Ferguson MC, Morgan MJ, O'Shea KJ .
Using simulation modeling to guide the design of the Girl Scouts Fierce & Fit Program.
Using simulation modeling to guide the design of the Girl Scouts Fierce & Fit Program.
Obesity 2020 Jul;28(7):1317-24. doi: 10.1002/oby.22827..
Obesity 2020 Jul;28(7):1317-24. doi: 10.1002/oby.22827..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Lifestyle Changes
Simione M, Sharifi M, Gerber MW
Family-centeredness of childhood obesity interventions: psychometrics & outcomes of the family-centered care assessment tool.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a modified version of the Family Centered-Care Assessment (mFCCA) tool and to assess the family-centeredness of two clinical-community childhood obesity interventions. Using the mFCCA which demonstrated good psychometric properties for the assessment of family-centered care among parents of children with obesity, the investigators found that individualized health coaching is a family-centered approach to pediatric weight management.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Simione M, Sharifi M, Gerber MW .
Family-centeredness of childhood obesity interventions: psychometrics & outcomes of the family-centered care assessment tool.
Health Qual Life Outcomes 2020 Jun 11;18(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s12955-020-01431-y..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Family Health and History
Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine differences in utilization across health care settings among children by body mass index (BMI) categories to help identify opportunities for interventions. The authors concluded that the children's BMI categories were associated with health care utilization, specifically primary care visits, ED visits, and hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332.
Citation: Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML .
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
Acad Pediatr 2020 May-Jun;20(4):532-39. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.12.011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Primary Care, Emergency Department, Obesity, Healthcare Utilization
Berdahl T, Biener A, McCormick MC
AHRQ Author: Berdahl T
Annual report on children's healthcare: healthcare access and utilization by obesity status in the United States.
This study examined access to care and utilization patterns across a set of healthcare measures by obesity status and sociodemographic characteristics among children. Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) from 2010-2015 was used to determine obesity status, number of well-child visits, access to a usual source of care, number of preventive dental visits and prescription medication fills in the past year. It was found that uninsured adolescents with obesity were less like to have a usual source of care provider than children without obesity. Among younger children, those living in the Northeast were more than twice as likely to have had a well-child visit than those living in the West. Preventive dental care was less likely to have occurred for children with obesity than non-obese children. More prescription refills were completed for obese adolescents than for younger children.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Berdahl T, Biener A, McCormick MC .
Annual report on children's healthcare: healthcare access and utilization by obesity status in the United States.
Acad Pediatr 2020 Mar;20(2):175-87. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.11.020..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Obesity
Turer CB, Barlow SE, Sarwer DB
Association of clinician behaviors and weight change in school-aged children.
This study used clinical practice data to determine whether recommended weight management clinician behaviors were associated with weight status improvement in children aged 6-12 years who are overweight or obese. Electronic health record data (2009-2014) from 52 clinics were used. Weight status was examined from 1 visit to the next as dichotomous improvement (versus worsening or no change) and change in percentage overweight (over sex/age-specific BMI95).
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Turer CB, Barlow SE, Sarwer DB .
Association of clinician behaviors and weight change in school-aged children.
Am J Prev Med 2019 Sep;57(3):384-93. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.04.029..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Drouin O, Sharifi M, Gerber M
Parents' willingness to pay for pediatric weight management programs.
This study examined parents’ interested in continuing and willingness to pay (WTP) for 2 pediatric weight management programs after their childrens’ participation. Participants were parents of 2- to 12-year-old children with a body mass index equal to or greater than the 85th percentile who participated in the Connect for Health trial. One group received enhanced primary care (EPC) and the other group EPC plus individualized coaching (EPC+C). After 1 year, they assessed parents’ self-reported WTP for a similar program and the maximum amount they would pay. Of 638 parents polled, 85% were interested in continuing and 38% of them were willing to pay. The median amount they were willing to pay was $25/month. Parents of Hispanic/Latino children versus white ethnicity and those reporting a higher satisfaction with the program more most likely to endorse WTP. Parents of children getting EPC+C were also more willing to pay.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Drouin O, Sharifi M, Gerber M .
Parents' willingness to pay for pediatric weight management programs.
Acad Pediatr 2019 Sep - Oct;19(7):764-72. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.05.124..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Healthcare Costs, Caregiving, Primary Care, Primary Care: Models of Care
Baskind MJ, Taveras EM, Gerber MW
Parent-perceived stress and its association with children's weight and obesity-related behaviors.
Psychosocial stress is associated with obesity in adult and pediatric populations, but few studies have examined the relationship between parent-perceived stress and risk of child obesity and related behaviors. In this study, the investigators studied 689 pairs of parents and children aged 2 to 12 in Massachusetts with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 85th percentile. The investigators found that among children with overweight or obesity, parent-perceived stress was associated with fast-food consumption and physical activity.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Baskind MJ, Taveras EM, Gerber MW .
Parent-perceived stress and its association with children's weight and obesity-related behaviors.
Prev Chronic Dis 2019 Mar 28;16:E39. doi: 10.5888/pcd16.180368..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Risk, Stress
Whooten R, Kerem L, Stanley T
Physical activity in adolescents and children and relationship to metabolic health.
The purpose of this review was to summarize recent developments relating to the role of physical activity in insulin resistance and increased metabolic health in children and adolescents. Recent findings confirm the role of physical activity in decreasing insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, but the authors note that the current literature is limited by unstandardized research methods and definitions. Future research that addresses these issues in order to offer targeted physical activity interventions is recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Whooten R, Kerem L, Stanley T .
Physical activity in adolescents and children and relationship to metabolic health.
Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2019 Feb;26(1):25-31. doi: 10.1097/med.0000000000000455..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Diabetes, Lifestyle Changes, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management
Knierim SD, Moore SL, Raghunath SG
Home visitations for delivering an early childhood obesity intervention in Denver: parent and patient navigator perspectives.
This qualitative study explored parent and patient navigator perspectives of home visitation as part of a childhood obesity program in a low-income, largely Latino population. The investigators concluded that a home visitation program delivering a pediatric obesity prevention curriculum in Denver was convenient and held families accountable, but posed scheduling difficulties and raised safety concerns.
AHRQ-funded; HS021138; HS022143.
Citation: Knierim SD, Moore SL, Raghunath SG .
Home visitations for delivering an early childhood obesity intervention in Denver: parent and patient navigator perspectives.
Matern Child Health J 2018 Nov;22(11):1589-97. doi: 10.1007/s10995-018-2553-7..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Home Healthcare, Low-Income, Obesity, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Bramante CT, Thornton RLJ, Bennett WL
Systematic review of natural experiments for childhood obesity prevention and control.
This article reviews the effectiveness of population-level policies and programs from natural experiments for childhood obesity prevention. A search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EconLit from 2000 to 2017 sought studies about policies evaluated by natural experiments reporting childhood BMI outcomes. Interventions were classified by environmental focus and stratified by setting; risk of bias was evaluated for each study. Most of the studies evaluated took place in a school setting. The most common environmental focus in any setting was food/beverage. All four of the studies that focused on food/beverage and physical activity in schools showed decreased prevalence of overweight/obesity in the subjects. BMI decreased in all four studies in both school and community settings. The authors note that while school-based policies focusing on both food/beverage and physical activity environments showed consistent improvement in BMI, most of these studies had high risk of bias. Improved methods for the evaluation of natural experiments for childhood obesity prevention are needed.
AHRQ-funded; 290201200007I.
Citation: Bramante CT, Thornton RLJ, Bennett WL .
Systematic review of natural experiments for childhood obesity prevention and control.
Am J Prev Med 2019 Jan;56(1):147-58. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2018.08.023..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Evidence-Based Practice, Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management, Prevention
McDonald ML, Huang A, Proudfoot JA
Association of obesity, BMI, and Hispanic ethnicity on ambulatory status in children with spinal dysraphism followed near the California-Mexico border.
This study evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI), overweight status (OW), or obesity (OB) and ambulatory status in a predominantly Hispanic population of children with spinal dysraphism (SD). It found that,despite no difference in ambulatory status, increasing BMI and OW / OB are associated with Hispanic ethnicity and increasing age.
AHRQ-funded; HS022404.
Citation: McDonald ML, Huang A, Proudfoot JA .
Association of obesity, BMI, and Hispanic ethnicity on ambulatory status in children with spinal dysraphism followed near the California-Mexico border.
J Health Care Poor Underserved 2016;27(4):1956-69. doi: 10.1353/hpu.2016.0173.
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Keywords: Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Children/Adolescents, Health Status
Heerman WJ, Mitchell SJ, Thompson J
Parental perception of built environment characteristics and built environment use among Latino families: a cross-sectional study.
The researchers examined the association of perceived availability, condition, and safety of the built environment with its self-reported use for physical activity among underserved families with children at risk for obesity. In their sample of underserved families, perceived availability and condition of built environment structures were associated with use rather than perceived safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Mitchell SJ, Thompson J .
Parental perception of built environment characteristics and built environment use among Latino families: a cross-sectional study.
BMC Public Health 2016 Nov 22;16(1):1180. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3854-7.
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Keywords: Obesity, Social Determinants of Health, Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Vulnerable Populations
Sharifi M, Sequist TD, Rifas-Shiman SL
The role of neighborhood characteristics and the built environment in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity.
The authors sought to examine the extent to which racial/ethnic disparities in elevated child body mass index (BMI) are explained by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and the built environment. They concluded that SES and the built environment may be important drivers of childhood obesity disparities and that interventions must be tailored to the neighborhood contexts in which families live.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Sharifi M, Sequist TD, Rifas-Shiman SL .
The role of neighborhood characteristics and the built environment in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity.
Prev Med 2016 Oct;91:103-09. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2016.07.009.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disparities, Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Allaire BT, Raghavan R, Brown DS
Morbid obesity and use of second generation antipsychotics among adolescents in foster care: evidence from Medicaid.
The researchers examined the association between receiving a morbid obesity diagnosis and second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) prescriptions among adolescents in foster care. They found that the risk increases with age. Quetiapine and clozapine increased the risk of a morbid obesity diagnosis more than 2.5 times, and two or more psychotropic drugs (polypharmacy) increased the risk fivefold.
AHRQ-funded; HS020269.
Citation: Allaire BT, Raghavan R, Brown DS .
Morbid obesity and use of second generation antipsychotics among adolescents in foster care: evidence from Medicaid.
Child Youth Serv Rev 2016 Aug;67:27-31. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.05.019.
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Keywords: Medicaid, Obesity, Medication, Children/Adolescents, Risk
Bertrand KA, Baer HJ, Orav EJ
Early life body fatness, serum anti-mullerian hormone, and breast density in young adult women.
Researchers examined associations of early life body fatness, serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, and breast density among 172 women in the Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC). They found no evidence that current or early life BMI influences AMH concentrations in later life. Women with higher concentrations of AMH had similar percent and absolute dense breast volume, but lower nondense volume.
AHRQ-funded; HS019789.
Citation: Bertrand KA, Baer HJ, Orav EJ .
Early life body fatness, serum anti-mullerian hormone, and breast density in young adult women.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016 Jul;25(7):1151-7. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-16-0185.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Women, Young Adults
Heerman WJ, Krishnaswami S, Barkin SL
Adverse family experiences during childhood and adolescent obesity.
The researchers evaluated the association between adverse family experiences (AFEs) during childhood and adolescent obesity and determined populations at highest risk for AFEs. They found that adolescents in this national sample who were exposed to greater numbers of AFEs in childhood also had higher rates of overweight and obesity, and also that geographic variation and differential associations based on race/ethnicity identified children at greatest risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS022990.
Citation: Heerman WJ, Krishnaswami S, Barkin SL .
Adverse family experiences during childhood and adolescent obesity.
Obesity 2016 Mar;24(3):696-702. doi: 10.1002/oby.21413..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Obesity, Risk, Social Determinants of Health
Rivera-Soto WT, Rodriguez-Figueroa L
Is waist-to-height ratio a better obesity risk-factor indicator for Puerto Rican children than is BMI or waist circumference?
This study aimed to explore the association of a single blood pressure reading with 3 different obesity indicators (WC, BMI, and WHtR). Its findings suggest the possibility of higher prevalence of high blood pressure in obese Puerto Rican children. The waist-to height ratio could be the best indicator to measure obesity and potential hypertension in Puerto Rican children.
AHRQ-funded; HS014060.
Citation: Rivera-Soto WT, Rodriguez-Figueroa L .
Is waist-to-height ratio a better obesity risk-factor indicator for Puerto Rican children than is BMI or waist circumference?
P R Health Sci J 2016 Mar;35(1):20-5.
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Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Obesity, Children/Adolescents, Risk, Blood Pressure
Zamora-Kapoor A, Nelson L, Buchwald D
Maternal correlates of body mass index in American Indian/Alaska Native and white adolescents: differences between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs.
This study sough to determine the influence of maternal correlates on adolescent body mass index (BMI), and the extent to which the size and significance of these correlates vary by adolescent sex and race. Its findings suggest that maternal factors are critical in the transmission of obesogenic behaviors from one generation to the next, and their effects vary between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs, and are similar for AI/ANs and Whites.
AHRQ-funded; HS021686.
Citation: Zamora-Kapoor A, Nelson L, Buchwald D .
Maternal correlates of body mass index in American Indian/Alaska Native and white adolescents: differences between mother/son and mother/daughter pairs.
Eat Behav 2016 Jan;20:43-7. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2015.11.002..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk, Social Determinants of Health