About this paper symposium

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Panel information
Panel 10. Health, Growth, Injury

Paper #1
Longitudinal Pathways from Self-regulation to Mental and Physical Health: Indirect Effects Through Social Functioning
Author information	Role
Jessica Dollar, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro, United States	Presenting author
Susan Keane, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA	Non-presenting author
Lilly Shanahan, University of Zurich, Switzerland	Non-presenting author
Lenka Shriver, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA	Non-presenting author
Laura Bechtiger, University of Zurich, Switzerland	Non-presenting author
Laurie Wideman, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA	Non-presenting author
Abstract
Self-regulation (SR), the ability to control one’s emotions, behaviors, attention, and cognitions to meet environmental demands and one’s goals (Nigg, 2017), is associated with numerous mental and physical health outcomes (e.g., Robson et al., 2020). However, longitudinal evidence of these associations from childhood through adolescence is sparse. Further, development is the result of a cascade-based acquisition of developmentally-salient skills that influence subsequent adaptation to the challenges of the next developmental period (e.g., Masten & Cicchetti, 2010); yet, the mechanisms by which these pathways occur across developmental periods while considering both mental and physical health are largely unknown. Social experiences and skills can be salient protective or risk mechanisms in middle childhood because it is a time of social transitions, becoming active members of peer groups, increased autonomy, and greater demands that require strong SR skills. This study examines the associations between SR in early childhood and multiple forms of psychological and physical health in late adolescence, as well as whether social skills and perceived victimization serve as potential mechanisms to explain these associations. Data came from N=397 children (58% female, 60% Caucasian). At age 5, children completed SR tasks that assessed emotional (End of line global regulation; 0=dysregulated to 4=well-regulated; Goldsmith et al., 1995; K=.81), behavioral (shape stroop and walk a line scores; Kochanska et al., 1997), and attentional (bead sorting on-task time proportion; Goldsmith et al., 1995) regulation skills. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to create a SR composite (χ2(2)=1.84, p=.40, RMSEA=.00, CFI=1.00). At age 10, mothers reported on children’s social skills (Social Skills Rating System; Gresham & Elliot, 1990; α=.84) and children reported on perceived victimization (Perceived Victimization Scale; Kochenderfer & Ladd, 1996; α=.80). At ages 16/17, parents reported on adolescents’ externalizing behaviors (CBCL; Achenbach & Rescorla, 2001; α = .93) and adolescents reported on their anxious and depressive symptoms (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004; α = .87, .84), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Buyusse et al., 1989; α=.68), diet quality (Adolescent Food Habits Checklist; Johnson et al., 2002; α=.84), physical activity (Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire; Godin & Shepard, 1985), sedentary behavior (Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire; Rosenberg et al, 2010; α=.69), and smoking (Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC, 2005). Binary variables created from cut-offs of health behaviors were summed to create an unhealthy behavior composite. At age 19, % body fat was assessed via BodPod (Cosmed USA Inc). A path analysis was conducted to examine the study aims. FIML was used to handle missing data; standardized estimates and model fit are provided (Figure 1). Sex and age 5 BMI were included as covariates. Multiple direct and indirect effects were significant (see Figure 1, Table 1). These findings suggest that social skills and perceived victimization serve as important mechanisms to explain the associations between early childhood SR and adolescent mental and physical health. Identification of how childhood SR influences later psychological and physical well-being is essential to best inform entry points and behavior targets for preventive intervention efforts aimed at lowering adolescent risk.

Paper #2
Connections Among Appalachian Family Socioeconomic Status, Aerobic Fitness, Executive Function, and Childhood Physical Activity
Author information	Role
Derek Raymond Becker, Ph.D., Western Carolina University, United States	Presenting author
Sarah Pedonti, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Cathy Grist, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Myra Watson, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Abstract
The family investment model (FIM) proposes that variability in cognitive and non-cognitive skills, including executive function (skills involved in planning and problem solving) and health (e.g., cardiovascular fitness), between children growing up in high and low SES families can be explained through access to economic, educational, and social capital. Higher SES families have more resources to provide home based learning materials and opportunities for the child to develop new skills (Coley et al., 2020). Consistent with the FIM framework, early positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are linked to healthy development (Biglan et al., 2017), and involve access to safe play environments, participating in afterschool activities, and building connections with others (Sege & Browne, 2017). Executive function (EF) is an important component of early and long-term academic success, and a foundational skill involved in planning and problem solving. Aerobic fitness is an index of physical health that is linked to EF during early childhood (Oberer et al., 2018), and participation in organized sports is linked to both EF and better fitness (Becker et al., 2018; Hammami et al., 2017). In this study, we examine connections among SES with PCEs (i.e., participation in structured and un-structured physical activity, SUPAs), aerobic fitness, and EF. We assess if SUPAs are related to aerobic fitness, and if SES, SUPAs, and aerobic fitness predict EF. We also examine if SUPAs and spring fitness mediate the path between SES with spring EF at the end of the pre-kindergarten year. Data collected between the fall and spring of pre-kindergarten included two private and five rural public preschools. Three demographic variables that included standardized indicators of household income, parent education level, and public assistance were combined to create a latent factor of family SES. Executive function was assessed with the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders (Ponitz et al., 2009). Aerobic Fitness was assessed with the multistage 20-meter shuttle run test (Lang et al., 2018). Structured and unstructured physical activity was assessed by asking parents if their child participated in a list of eight structured activities and five unstructured activities over the past year. The structural path indices suggested acceptable fit, χ2 (25, N = 99) = 38.15, p = 0.045, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.073 (see Figure 1). The path model indicated that SES significantly predicted SUPAs (β = .28, p = .002) and spring aerobic fitness (β = .19, p = .03). Spring aerobic fitness and SUPAs also predicted spring EF (β = .13, p = .03) and (β = .15, p = .01). SUPAs did not predict fall aerobic fitness (β = .01, p = .86). The indirect path from SES through spring aerobic fitness to spring EF was not significant (B = .41, p = .2), but the indirect path through SUPAs approached significance (B = .68, p = .09). This study provides important insights into how family SES influences SUPAs, EF, and aerobic fitness and points to the unique connection family SES has with participating in SUPAs and the development of early health and cognitive skills.

Paper #3
The Relationship Between Early Childhood Executive Functioning and Adolescent Adiposity Explained by Health Behaviors
Author information	Role
Meghan Gangel, Ph.D., Western Carolina University, United States	Presenting author
Derek Becker, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Sarah Pedonti, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Alleyne Broomell, Western Carolina University, USA	Non-presenting author
Abstract
Early childhood executive functioning is a critical self-regulatory skill predictive of many positive outcomes across childhood into adolescence (Willoughby et al., 2012). Recent research has explored the link between childhood executive functioning and adolescent health outcomes (Blair et al., 2020), such as improved health behaviors. Children who are unable to inhibit responses and switch between tasks are more likely to have poorer health behaviors, including less nutritious diet (Dohle, Diel, Hoffman, 2018) and less physical activity (Egbert et al., 2019). Moreover, poor health behaviors might explain the link between childhood executive functioning and adolescent adiposity. Research has indicated that children with poor executive functioning are more likely to engage in harmful health behaviors. And poor health behaviors, specifically decreased consumption of nutrient dense food and less physical activity have been linked to increased adolescent adiposity (Gingras et al., 2018; Ramires et al., 2015). However, there are some inconsistent findings and few longitudinal studies. The current study examines the longitudinal association between early childhood executive functioning and adolescent adiposity. And examines the mechanistic effects of health behaviors, including dietary intake and physical activity, that might explain this relationship. The current study uses a subset of data from the NICHD Study of Early Care and Education and Youth Development (NICHD SECCYD; n = 1146). We used data from age 4.5, 12, and 15. At age 4.5 children’s executive functioning skills were measured using 3 tasks: continuous performance (CPT; Mirksy et al., 1991), delay of gratification (Mischel, 1981), and Stroop (Gerstadt et al., 1995) tasks. These tasks loaded onto a latent EF construct with observed indicators of attention, inhibitory control, and task switching (higher scores indicate better EF). At age 12, participants reported about their unhealthy eating behaviors (sum score 4 items; Youth Risk Behavior Survey, CDC), and parent interview of child physical activity (sum score 15 items; Nader et al., 1998). At age 15, participants were evaluated by a number of adiposity measures were including a waist-height ratio, triceps skinfold measurements, and subscapular skinfold measurements (Morris & Udry, 1980). A path analysis was conducted in Mplus (Muthen & Muthen) using FIML to account for missing data to examine the direct and indirect pathways between executive functioning (age 4.5), diet and physical activity (age 12), and adiposity (age 15), controlling for sex. The structural path indices suggested acceptable fit, χ2 (11, N = 1146) = 76.61, p = 0.000, CFI = 0.97, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.062 (see Figure 1 for Standardized estimates). Multiple direct and indirect effects were significant (Table 1). These findings suggest that poor childhood executive functioning predicts increased adolescent adiposity. And this is explained by mechanisms of unhealthy eating behaviors and lower sports participation. Models will be explored for additional eating behaviors and accelerometry. This study provides insight into how to identify children at-risk for poor health outcomes in adolescence as well as indicate health behavior interventions for those at-risk children.

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