Background: Weight-related self-monitoring (WRSM) apps are used by millions, but the effects of their use remain unclear. This study examined longitudinal relationships between WRSM and disordered eating among a population-based sample of emerging adults. Methods: Participants (n = 138) were recruited from EAT 2010–2018 (Eating and Activity over Time study) to participate in a mixed-methods (quantitative and qualitative) longitudinal study to understand the impacts of WRSM. In 2018, participants (Mage=21.7 ± 1.9 years) reported motivations for use and types of WRSM apps used. Dependent variables collected in 2022 (Mage=25.7 ± 1.9 years) included past year total number of disordered weight control behaviors, disordered muscle building behaviors, compulsive exercise, and binge eating. Linear and logistic regressions were used adjusting for sociodemographics, body mass index, and baseline disordered eating. Semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Participants using WRSM apps for weight management demonstrated an increase in disordered weight control behaviors over time (β = 0.894, p =.012). Using WRSM apps for “healthy” eating was marginally associated with an increase in disordered weight control behaviors. (β = 0.673, p =.052). Qualitatively, participants reported varied temporality between WRSM and disordered eating, but believed that app use encouraged restriction/binge cycles and normalized disordered eating. Conclusions: Findings suggest there may be individual variation in the relationships between WRSM and disordered eating, but that using WRSM apps with the motivation of managing eating or weight may increase disordered eating in some. Additionally, WRSM apps may normalize or encourage disordered eating. Therefore, safeguards, including screening and monitoring, are needed to ensure WRSM does not cause or escalate harm among WRSM users.

Sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts (SOGICE) remains a threat to LGBTQ + young people throughout many parts of the USA, increasing risks for many mental health problems, including suicidal behaviors. Little research, though, has examined the strategies activists use to ban licensed professionals (e.g., social workers) from practicing SOGICE. The present study, therefore, involved semi-structured interviews with 15 LGBTQ + individuals affiliated with a grassroots organization focused on banning SOGICE in one Southern state in the USA. Thematic analysis generated six themes: knowledge is power, empathy and communication, utilizing media platforms, professional development, awareness of diversity, and growth areas. Findings suggest LGBTQ + grassroots activism organizations should focus on educating members and volunteers about SOGICE, history, and the legislative process, strengthen empathy-related skills, amplify their voices through media platforms, provide opportunities for job skill development, and foster inclusive environments. Social workers can use these findings to strengthen activism-related skills among LGBTQ + individuals interested in becoming activists to ban SOGICE in Southern states.

Background: There has been a great deal of public speculation regarding a surge in erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men despite data consistently indicating that the ED prevalence rates increase with age. Aim: In this study we sought to assess the prevalence and risk of experiencing ED in a nationally representative sample of men in the United States across various social groups, describe comorbidities, and examine barriers to treatment. Methods: Data from the 2021 National Survey of Sexual Wellbeing were analyzed by utilizing the Ipsos KnowledgePanel ® , a probability-based online panel, for the purpose of obtaining US nationally representative data of adults aged 18 years and older. The analytic sample consisted of 1822 cisgender men ranging in age from 18 to 87 years, with a mean age of 47.5 years. Outcomes: Study outcomes were ED as measured by the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), as well as self-reported diagnosis by a medical professional, comorbidities with other health issues, medications taken for ED, and barriers to treatment. Results: The ED prevalence rate based on IIEF-5 scores was 24.2%. Prevalence increased with age: 52.2% of the 75+ age group, and 48.0% of the 65-74 age group meeting diagnostic criteria for ED. Diagnostic criteria were met for more participants in the 18-24 age group (17.9%) than the 25-34 (13.3%) or 35-44 (12.7%) age groups, but less than the 45-54 (25.3%) or 55-64 (33.9%) age groups. Only 7.7% (n = 141) of the sample reported having been diagnosed by a provider (n = 4 in 25-34, n = 6 in 35-44, n = 13 in 45-54, n = 39 in 55-64, n = 44 in 65-74, and n = 34 in ≥75-year olds), indicating a gap in access to treatment. The most common reason selected for not accessing care for ED concerns was a lack of need to see a provider in the past year. Clinical Implications: The discrepancy between ED self-report and medical diagnosis is critical, given that ED can be an indication of underlying health risks. Strengths and Limitations: This study is the first nationally representative update to information regarding the prevalence of ED in almost 2 decades. Standard administration of the IIEF-5 is limited to participants who have had sex in the last 6 months, so these rates do not include those men with ED who have been avoiding penetrative sex for a significant time. Conclusion: The results indicate that ED prevalence and severity remain highest in older age groups and that most individuals who meet criteria for ED have not sought medical care related to this concern.

Background Life course factors may be associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain; however, collecting information on pre-pregnancy exposures and pregnancy health in the same cohort is challenging. Objectives The Life-course Experiences And Pregnancy (LEAP) study aims to identify adolescent and young adult risk factors for pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain (GWG). We built upon an existing cohort study to overcome challenges inherent to studying life course determinants of pregnancy health. Population Participants in an ongoing prospective cohort study of weight-related health who identified as women. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods In 2019–2020, 1,252 women participating since adolescence in a cohort study of weight-related health were invited to complete an online reproductive history survey. Participants who reported a live birth were invited to release their prenatal, delivery, and postpartum medical records for validation of survey reports. Descriptive analyses were conducted to assess the characteristics of the overall cohort and the medical record validation subsample, and to describe adolescent and young adult characteristics of those with high (>80th percentile), moderate (20th-80th percentile), and low (<20th percentile) GWG z-score for gestational age and pre-pregnancy weight status. Preliminary results Nine hundred seventy-seven women (78%) completed the LEAP survey and 656 reported a live birth. Of these, 379 (58%) agreed to release medical records, and 250 records were abstracted (66% of the 379). Of the 977 survey respondents 769 (79%) reported attempting a pregnancy, and 656 (67%) reported at least one live birth. The validation subsample was similar to the overall cohort. Women with a high GWG had a higher adolescent BMI percentile and prevalence of unhealthy weight control behaviors than those with moderate or low GWG. Conclusions LEAP offers a valuable resource for identifying life course factors that may influence the health of pregnant people and their offspring.

This research identified whether adolescent religiosity was associated with body satisfaction and disordered eating in adolescence and early adulthood and explored gender/sex differences in these associations. Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) is a longitudinal cohort study following participants from adolescence into young adulthood. For this analysis (N = 1620), religiosity (importance of religion and frequency of religious service participation) during adolescence was examined as a correlate of body satisfaction and disordered eating (binge eating, maladaptive behaviors intended to lose or maintain weight, eating to cope, and dieting) at the same life stage (EAT-II, 2003–2004, Mage = 19.4&nbsp;years) and during young adulthood (EAT-IV, 2015–2016, Mage = 31.5&nbsp;years). Analyses used linear and logistic regression models adjusted for demographics and adolescent body mass index. During adolescence, females who placed greater importance on religion had higher body satisfaction, 22% higher odds of binge eating, and 19% greater odds of dieting in the past year, while more frequent attendance of religious services was associated with higher body satisfaction and 37% greater odds of dieting past year. Among males, only frequent attendance of religious services was associated with higher adolescent body satisfaction. Longitudinally, among females, only frequent attendance of religious services in adolescence predicted higher levels of body satisfaction in young adulthood. No significant longitudinal associations were observed among males. Our findings contribute to understanding the complex interplay between religiosity, gender, and body satisfaction. Further research should explore cultural factors influencing these associations and qualitative aspects of religious experiences to inform nuanced interventions. Level of evidence: Level III, cohort study.

To examine the racial, ethnic and cultural differences in postpartum participation of women who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during pregnancy by completing a retrospective analysis of observational data on 35,903 women who enrolled in Minnesota WIC during pregnancy, from April 2018 to March 2020. Descriptive analyses were completed using chi-square tests of association to show differences in postpartum WIC participation by maternal demographics and health risk codes of the WIC participants. Binary logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to obtain odds ratios to compare the likelihood of postpartum WIC participation across different races, ethnicities and cultural groups. Asian/Pacific Islander, East African, Hispanic, Hmong, Multigenerational Black, and Other Black pregnant participants were more likely than White participants to return to WIC postpartum (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.87–3.46; AOR 3.35, 95% CI 2.40–4.66; 1.30, 95% CI 1.10–1.54; AOR 6.76, 95% CI 4.39–10.42; AOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.11–1.77, AOR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26–1.83, respectively). American Indian pregnant participants were less likely than White participants to return to WIC postpartum (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.92). These findings can help the Minnesota WIC program, as well as other WIC programs, better understand which cultural groups may need more specific outreach strategies to keep women participating in the program after giving birth. Further research is needed to understand why postpartum women choose to participate, or choose not to participate, in WIC. It is already known that culture, race and ethnicity influence the likelihood of WIC program participation. Research also has shown that WIC participation can have positive impacts on the health of women, infants and children. This research adds depth to previous findings on prenatal WIC participation by describing the differences in postpartum WIC participation by race, ethnicity and cultural group. This research can be used for outreach planning within the WIC program.

Helicopter parenting, a parenting style defined by over-involvement, may lead to poor health outcomes. However, research has primarily focused on children and adolescents from White, high socio-eco...

This paper summarizes the current research on the impact of abstinence-only sex education programs on LGBTQ+ adolescent health in the USA. We also seek to explore the current barriers to implementing comprehensive sex education, as well as discuss the future of LGBTQ+ adolescent health by outlining crucial components of LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education. The US sex education debate is centered on two approaches: abstinence-only and comprehensive. Abstinence-only sex education emphasizes risk reduction through abstaining from sexual behavior and has been found to be ineffective in promoting healthy sexual behavior among adolescents, compared to comprehensive sex education which centers on disseminating inclusive and medically accurate information. Abstinence-only sex education is taught through a heteronormative framework that excludes and devalues the experiences of LGBTQ+ adolescents. LGBTQ+ individuals are at increased risk for negative health outcomes as compared to their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Lack of knowledge regarding safe sexual practices and consent, coupled with the shame and fear-based messaging promoted by abstinence-only sex education, further contributes to the health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ youth. The content and inclusivity of sex education has important implications for the health of LGBTQ+ youth. Abstinence-only sex education further compounds the health disparities experienced by LGBTQ+ adolescents by erasing LGBTQ+ representation and leaving out crucial information on diverse, non-heterosexual sex practices. Numerous barriers exist to implementing comprehensive, inclusive sex education including funding, policies, teacher training, and attitudes toward sex and LGBTQ+ individuals. To address these health disparities, we must listen to and amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ youth to promote safe, comprehensive, and LGBTQ+-inclusive content within our sex education system in the USA.

<p>Understanding social determinants that shape pertinent developmental shifts during emerging adulthood (i.e., those aged 18-25) and their associations with psychological health requires a nuanced approach. In our exploratory study, we investigated how multiple social identities and lived experiences generated by systems of marginalization and power (e.g., racism, classism, sexism) intersect in connection to the mental-emotional well-being of emerging adults (EAs). EAT-2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) data were collected from 1,568 EAs (mean age = 22.2±2.0 years) recruited initially in 2010 from Minneapolis/St Paul schools. Conditional inference tree (CIT) analyses were employed to treat ‘social location’ and systems of marginalization and power as interdependent social factors influencing EAs’ mental-emotional well-being outcomes: depressive symptoms, stress, self-esteem, and self-compassion. CITs identified EAs subgroups with differing mean levels of mental-emotional well-being outcomes, distinguished primarily by marginalized social experiences (e.g., discrimination, financial difficulties) rather than social identities themselves. The relative positioning of EAs’ experiences of social marginalization (e.g., discrimination) to their social identities (e.g., race/ethnicity) suggests the social experiences generated by systems of privilege and oppression (e.g., racism) are more adjacent social determinants of mental-emotional well-being than the social identities used in public health research to proxy the oppressive systems that give them social meaning.</p>