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February, 2007
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Study Finds Dieting Advice from Magazines Increases Frequency of Unhealthy Weight-Control Behaviors in FemalesProject EAT (Eating Among Teens) performed a five year longitudinal study of eating, activity, and weight in 2,516 middle and high school students. The study found that the females who most frequently read magazines articles about dieting and weight loss were twice as likely to skip meals, fast, and smoke more cigarettes, and three times as likely to engage in extreme weight-control behaviors, such as vomiting or using laxatives, compared to those who did not read magazines with dieting advice. The study did not show a significant correlation between males reading dieting and weight-loss articles and unhealthy weight-control behaviors. To learn more, go to *** Cigarette Use Reaches New Low Among High School SeniorsAccording to the most recent data from the National Monitoring the Future survey, the prevalence of cigarette use among U.S. public high school seniors has reached the lowest point ever recorded. Slightly more than one-fifth (21.6%) of 12th graders reported smoking cigarettes in the past thirty days, down from peaks of 36.5% in 1997 and 38.8% in 1976. The study also found that an all-time high of 77.6 % of students in 2006 perceived a “great risk” in smoking one or more packs of cigarettes per day. Research has shown that increases in perceived risk of using a drug correlate with decreases in the use of that drug. For more details, download the report at *** Study Finds Comprehensive Treatment Helps Homeless Youth Avoid AddictionResearchers from Ohio State University and the University of New Mexico say that homeless youth who attended drop-in centers that provided a comprehensive intervention program significantly reduced their addiction and mental-health problems and enjoyed increased social stability. The study looked at youths ages 18-24 who used a drop-in center in Albuquerque, NM. Half received the standard services at the drop-in including food, a place to rest, and the opportunity to meet with case managers, while the others were treated with a "Community Reinforcement Approach" that included 12 individual therapy sessions and four HIV education/skills practice sessions. The researchers found that those who completed the latter program demonstrated a 58% increase in social stability, compared to only 13% for the control group. Alcohol and other drug use among the community-reinforcement group fell 37%, compared to 17% among the "treatment as usual" group. To read more about the study, go to *** Young Drinkers Turn to Alcohol to Relieve StressA recen t survey of 27,000 people (average age 43) by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) revealed that people who start drinking at a young age are more likely to become problem drinkers when they get older because they are more likely to use alcohol for stress relief. Those who began drinking at age 14 or younger and reported six or more "stressors" in their lives consumed an average of six drinks per day, which is five times more than those who started drinking at age 18 or older. To learn more, go to *** Family Strengthening Programs for Incarcerated Substance AbusersA recent study, the Strengthening Families Program, found that family strengthening programs designed specifically for use with substance abuse offenders and their children had positive outcomes in both adults and children. Forty-one clients and their 58 children completed the 10-week program which included both separate and joint activities for the incarcerated parent and the child. The findings showed that the program led to attitude shifts against drug use and strengthened family functioning and bonding. The study found significant positive effects on all four outcomes selected by program staff:
To find out more, visit |
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