Chronotype preference matters for depression in youth

Morningness/eveningness (M/E) preference is an important circadian rhythm indicator with strong individual variation. M/E chronotype has been found to be correlated with depression in adults, yet the relationship is less clear in children and adolescents. Additionally, poor sleep quality is another commonly studied risk factor for depression. The aims of the present study are to investigate the independent effects of M/E chronotype on youth depression using both self-report and parental-report questionnaires. We also evaluated how poor sleep quality may affect the relationship through a mediating or moderating effect. In total, 2,139 students attending grades 1 to 7 participated in this study. They completed questionnaires regarding M/E chronotype, depression, and sleep quality. A total of 1,708 parents also participated and filled out parental-reports of emotional and behavioral problems of their children. The prevalence of self- and parental-report depression was 16.8% and 12.8% among young students, respectively. Overall, 15.4% of the students were the eveningness type. Being an eveningness type was independently associated with self-report depression after adjustment for poor sleep quality (OR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.07–3.24). We also observed that poor sleep quality mediated the influence of M/E chronotype on self-report depression among students aged 7–13 years (p < 0.001). On the other hand, being an eveningness type was associated with a number of parental-report emotional and behavioral problems in the students, in addition to depression, although these associations become non-significant after adjusted for poor sleep quality. Our results demonstrate the importance of M/E chronotype on youth depression and poor sleep quality partly mediates this effect.     

Searching for the fountain of autophagy-dependent youth

One of the most exciting aspects of autophagy is its connection with aging, and the possibility of manipulating autophagy to extend life span. Many studies now demonstrate a general decrease in autophagy with age and offer some very interesting indications that reversing this trend, either genetically or pharmacologically, can have a beneficial effect with regard to aging. One of the first researchers to consider the connection between diet, aging and autophagy is Ettore Bergamini, the subject of this interview.     

Thyroid cancer in youth

Study was made of 11 patients under 20 years of age with thyroid cancer. Nine were girls and two boys. Eight of the patients had first sought medical advice because of cervical adenopathy. Nine of the patients had had x-ray therapy to the head and neck previous to the diagnosis of the thyroid cancer.     

Childhood influences on youth obesity

We develop a model to estimate the influence of child and parental characteristics on the likelihood that a child will become an obese or overweight youth. We use this model to test whether it is possible to forecast obesity and overweight among youth. Comparing Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) scores from these forecasts, we find that a model using childhood covariates does as well in forecasting youth obesity and overweight as a model using the covariate values contemporaneous with the youth obesity and overweight outcomes. The datasets used in this paper, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) and the NLSY79 Children and Young Adults, provide data from 1986 to 2002, allowing for the study of a child's transition to and from obesity or overweight over a long period. Explanatory variables that significantly influence the likelihood of youth obesity or overweight outcomes include the mother's obesity status and education, the youth's mental health, and certain demographic features including race, sex, and family size. These factors provide potential targets for policies that could be implemented early in life among children most likely to become obese or overweight.     

SIP-ing the elixir of youth

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved cellular fuel gauge previously implicated in aging. In this issue, Lu et al. (2011) describe how age-related deacetylation of Sip2, a subunit of the AMPK homolog in yeast, acts as a life span clock that can be wound backward or forward to modulate longevity.     

Animal assisted therapy for incarcerated youth: A randomized controlled trial

Teacher’s Pet, an animal assisted therapy (AAT) was assessed in a randomized controlled trial with incarcerated youth from two Midwestern United States detention facilities. The AAT was expected to increase empathy and reduce behavior problems. Participants trained dogs for one hour, twice weekly for ten weeks. A control group walked but did not train dogs for the same duration. Both groups attended one hour, twice weekly animal didactics. Of 138 participants, 117 provided complete data, and 21 had some missing data imputed. Contrary to expectation, both groups increased slightly in self-reported empathy, and staff and youth rated internalizing problems. The time youth spent with dogs plus animal didactics may have increased empathy. Increased internalizing problems could be attributed to youth gaining greater emotional awareness. Alternately, this brief intervention may not have any immediate effects, given the small changes observed. Additional follow-up of these youth and other comparison groups are needed.