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The association between weight loss in caregivers and adolescents in a treatment trial of adolescents with obesity.
Xanthopoulos, MS, Moore, RH, Wadden, TA, Bishop-Gilyard, CT, Gehrman, CA, Berkowitz, RI
Journal of pediatric psychology. 2013;(7):766-74
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The relationship between weight change in caregivers and their adolescents was evaluated following a randomized trial of lifestyle modification for adolescents, which included either a conventional diet or meal replacements. METHODS Adolescents (N = 113) had an M ± SD age of 15.0 ± 1.3 years (62% African American; 26% Caucasian, 12% other; 81% female) and body mass index of 37.1 ± 5.1 kg/m(2). RESULTS Mixed effects models yielded a significant association between percentage change in body mass index of caregivers and adolescents from baseline to months 4 and 12 (p = .01). When caregivers lost above the median (-1.67%) at month 4, their adolescents achieved a significantly greater loss at month 12 (-9.1 ± 1.3%) compared with adolescents whose caregivers lost less than the median (-4.3 ± 1.3%) (p = .003). CONCLUSION Engaging caregivers in their own weight loss efforts during adolescent weight loss treatment may improve adolescent weight loss.
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Influence of caregiving on lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors among family members of patients hospitalized with cardiovascular disease.
Aggarwal, B, Liao, M, Christian, A, Mosca, L
Journal of general internal medicine. 2009;(1):93-8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Few data have evaluated the relationship between caregiving and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of caregiver strain and to evaluate the association between caregiving and CVD lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors among family members of recently hospitalized CVD patients. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS Participants in the NHLBI Family Intervention Trial for Heart Health (FIT Heart) who completed a 6-month follow-up were included in this analysis (n = 263; mean age 50 +/- 14 years, 67% female, 29% non-white). MEASUREMENTS At 6 months, standardized information was collected regarding depression, social support, and caregiver strain (high caregiver strain = > or =7). Information on lifestyle risk factors, including obesity, physical activity, and diet, were also collected using standardized questionnaires. Logistic regression models on the association between caregiving and CVD risk factors were adjusted for significant confounders. RESULTS The prevalence of serving as a CVD patient's primary caregiver or caring for the patient most of the time was 50% at 6 months. Caregivers (primary/most) were more likely to be women (81% vs 19%, p < .01), married/living with someone (p < .01), >50 years old (p < .01), have < or = high school education (p < .01), be unemployed (p < .01), get less physical activity (p < .01), and have a higher waist circumference (p < .01) than non-caregivers (some/occasional/none). Mean caregiver strain scores were significantly higher among those with depressive symptoms (p < .01) and low social support (p < .01) in a multivariable adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers of cardiac patients may be at increased risk themselves for CVD morbidity and mortality compared to non-caregivers due to suboptimal lifestyle and psychosocial risk factors.