scholarly journals Sleep Disturbances, Obesity and Cognitive Function in Childhood: A Mediation Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1224-1224
Author(s):  
Paola Mattey-Mora ◽  
Erick Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Mediation Analyses

Abstract Objectives Childhood cognitive development is influenced by biological and environmental factors. One such factor, obesity, impairs cognitive development and is associated with sleep disturbances (SDs). We examined the mediating role of SDs on the relationship between obesity and cognitive function in children from a large longitudinal study. Methods A total of 9951 children aged 9–11 years were included in this study. Children were recruited from 21 centers across the US from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. We assessed cognitive development using metrics for fluid (adaptation and new learning abilities), crystallized (experience-dependent abilities), and total cognitive function. Mediation analyses were conducted via linear regression modeling, with adjustment for potential confounders (sex, age, ethnicity, household income, parental education, and self-reported physical activity) for each of the 3 cognitive outcomes. Mediation significance was determined by bootstrapping. We also stratified our analyses by race (Caucasian, African-American, other racial minorities) to examine potential racial differences. Results We found a statistically significant inverse association between BMI and both total (β = −0.41, P < 0.001) and fluid (β = −0.49, P < 0.001) cognitive function. Stratified regression analyses found similar results for the Caucasians and other minorities groups, for both, fluid (Caucasian: β = −0.52, P < 0.001; other minorities β = −0.75, P = 0.01) and total cognitive function (Caucasian: β = −0.45, P < 0.001; other ethnicities: β = −0.76, P = 0.01). No association was observed among African Americans. Overall mediation analysis revealed that SDs were a partial mediator only for fluid cognitive function (P = 0.002). Further mediation analyses showed similar SDs partial mediation effects over fluid cognitive function in Caucasians (P = 0.002) and borderline significant mediation in the other minorities group (P = 0.06). Conclusions Our results suggest that SDs mediates the effect of obesity on cognitive functioning in children and that these effects vary across races, particularly as it pertains to fluid cognition. Fluid cognition is critical in childhood neurodevelopment, and further research is needed to address its long-term effects across the life course. Funding Sources None to declare.

scholarly journals Sleep Disturbances, Obesity, and Cognitive Function in Childhood: A Mediation Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola P Mattey-Mora ◽  
Erik J Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling

Abstract Background Childhood cognitive development is influenced by biological and environmental factors. One such factor, obesity, impairs cognitive development and is associated with sleep disturbances (SDs). Objective To examine the mediating role of SDs on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function in children. Methods A total of 9951 children aged 9–10 years were included in this cross-sectional study. Children were recruited from the longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. Cognitive development was assessed using metrics for fluid, crystallized, and total cognitive function. Mediation analyses were conducted via linear regression modeling, with adjustment for potential confounders (sex, age, ethnicity, household income, parental education, and self-reported physical activity) for each of the three outcomes. Mediation significance was determined by bootstrapping. Results A statistically significant inverse association was found between BMI and total (β = −0.41, P < 0.001) and fluid (β = −0.49, P < 0.001) cognition, but not for crystallized cognition. Total sleep disturbances partially mediated the association between BMI and fluid cognition (indirect effect: -0.02, P = 0.002; proportion on the total effect: 0.05, P = 0.002), but no mediation was found in the association between BMI and total cognition. Conclusions Sleep disturbances partially mediate the effect of childhood obesity on cognitive function, particularly in fluid cognitions. Future work is necessary to understand the effects of sleep disturbances, and obesity on reduced childhood cognition throughout time, predominantly, across the life course.

scholarly journals Dietary intake and cognitive development among children in Kisumu county, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (06) ◽  
pp. 16585-16603
Author(s):  
Caroline Sawe ◽  
◽  
W Kogi-Makau ◽  
GAK Ettyang ◽  
CO Kimamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Development ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Infant Development ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Nutrient Deficiency ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Factors Associated

Varied nutrient-dense and high-quality diet are key to ideal growth and cognitive function in the early years of life. Nutrient deficiency can lead to negative functional effects of the brain and poor cognitive function. High rates of poverty in developing countries predispose children to malnutrition. This study aimed at exploring factors associated with dietary intake and cognitive development among children in Kisumu County, Kenya.This was across-sectional study survey that recruited 192 children aged less than 24 months. Food frequency questionnaire and Bayleys Scale for Infant Development kit was used to collect data.It was revealed that a total of 51% were girls with 30% aged below 6 months. Only 12%had cognitive scores above average. Child cognitive scores were linked with age (p= 0.022), carbohydrate (p=0.021), fat (p=0.011) and iron (p=0.022) intake. Only 34% and 32% of children consumed diets adequate in proteins and iron,respectively. Of children aged above 18 months, only 13% consumed diet adequate in iron. Factors associated with carbohydrate intake included:mother's marital status (p=0.036) and her level of income (p=0.028) while protein intake related to the type of housing (p=0.013). Fat intake was linked with the mother's marital status (p=0.009) and her level of income (p=0.001) while the iron intake was linked to the mother's level of income (p=<0.001) and her educational level (p< 0.001). Vitamin A intake was linked to the ability to pay rent by the household (p=0.016). Further analysis revealed that children whose fathers were earning more than Kenya shillings 3000.00 per month had 0.2 times lower risk of being above average on cognitive scores compared to those whose fathers were earning less than Kenya shillings 3000.00 per month,while those with an inadequate intake of carbohydrate had 8 times more risk of having cognitive scores above average compared to those whose diets were adequate.In conclusion, majority of children consumed diets inadequate in protein and iron while 12% of children had cognitive scores above average. Mother’s marital status, education and income influenced child’s dietary intake while their age groups and father’s income were associated with child's cognitive outcomes.Policies to enhance parental education and income level should be formulated to improve child's dietary and cognitive outcomes.

scholarly journals The relationship between parental education and adolescents' soft drink intake from the age of 11–13 years, and possible mediating effects of availability and accessibility

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (5) ◽  
pp. 926-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torunn H. Totland ◽  
Nanna Lien ◽  
Ingunn H. Bergh ◽  
Mona Bjelland ◽  
Mekdes K. Gebremariam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Education ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Social Differences ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Soft Drink Consumption ◽  
Set Up ◽  
At Home

The present study examined the prospective relationship between parental education and adolescents' soft drink intake over 20 months, and possible mediating effects of adolescents' availability and accessibility of soft drinks at home. A total of 866 adolescents, with data on two time points in the Norwegian HEalth In Adolescents (HEIA) cohort study (2007–9), were included in the analyses. Data on intake and determinants of soft drinks were collected from adolescents and both parents by questionnaires. Mediation analyses using linear regression investigated the total and direct effects of parental education on adolescents' soft drink intake from the age of 11–13 years. In order to investigate prospective relationships, two models were set up to measure the (1) prediction and (2) change in consumption over 20 months. Possible mediation effects of availability and perceived accessibility at home were further examined in both models. The results showed that a lower level of parental education predicted a higher intake of soft drinks among adolescents after 20 months, and that higher perceived accessibility of soft drinks reported by adolescents and mothers explained 39 % of the total effect. No relationship was observed between parental education and the change in adolescents' intake of soft drinks over 20 months. Interventions aimed at families with low parental education should target the perceived accessibility of soft drinks at home in order to diminish social differences in adolescents' soft drink consumption.

scholarly journals Perception Versus Reality: Subjective and Objective Neighborhood Characteristics and Cognitive Function in REGARDS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 703-703
Author(s):  
Jessica Finlay ◽  
Philippa Clarke ◽  
Lisa Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Neighborhood Size ◽  
Regards Study

Abstract Does the world shrink as we age? The neighborhood captures a spatial area someone inhabits and moves through on a daily basis. It reflects a balance between internal perceptions and abilities, and the external environment which may enable or restrict participation in everyday life. We frequently hear that older adults have shrinking neighborhoods given declining functional mobility. This is associated with declines in physical and cognitive functioning, depression, poorer quality of life, and mortality. Knowledge of the interplay between objective and subjective neighborhood measurement remains limited. This symposium will explore these linked yet distinct constructs based on secondary data analyses of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a racially diverse sample of 30,000+ aging Americans. Finlay investigates how someone’s perceived neighborhood size (in number of blocks) varies by individual and geographic characteristics including age, cognitive function, self-rated health, and urban/rural context. Esposito’s analyses focus on neighborhood size in relation to race and residential segregation. Clarke compares subjective perceptions of neighborhood parks and safety from crime to objective indicators, and examines variations by health and cognitive status. Barnes will critically consider implications for how older adults interpret and engage with their surrounding environments. The symposium questions the validity of neighborhood-based metrics to reflect the perspectives and experiences of older residents, particularly those navigating cognitive decline. It informs policy-making efforts to improve physical neighborhood environments and social community contexts, which are critical to the health and well-being of older adults aging in place.

Which cognitions and behaviours mediate the positive effect of cognitive behavioural therapy on fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis?

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Knoop ◽  
K. van Kessel ◽  
R. Moss-Morris
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Relaxation Training ◽  
Illness Perception ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

BackgroundChronic fatigue is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). A randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was more effective in reducing MS fatigue than relaxation training (RT). The aim of the current study was to analyse additional data from this trial to determine whether (1) CBT compared to RT leads to significantly greater changes in cognitions and behaviours hypothesized to perpetuate MS fatigue; (2) changes in these variables mediate the effect of CBT on MS fatigue; and (3) these mediation effects are independent of changes in mood.MethodSeventy patients (CBT, n=35; RT, n=35) completed the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses to Symptoms Questionnaire (CBSQ), the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) modified to measure negative representations of fatigue, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ), pre- and post-therapy. Multiple mediation analysis was used to determine which variables mediated the change in fatigue.ResultsAvoidance behaviour and three cognitive variables (symptom focusing, believing symptoms are a sign of damage and a negative representation of fatigue) improved significantly more in the CBT than the RT group. Mediation analysis showed that changing negative representations of fatigue mediated the decrease in severity of fatigue. Change in anxiety covaried with reduction in fatigue but the mediation effect for negative representations of fatigue remained when controlling for improvements in mood.ConclusionsChange in beliefs about fatigue play a crucial role in CBT for MS fatigue. These beliefs and the role of anxiety deserve more attention in the further development of this intervention.

scholarly journals Parental education associations with children’s body composition: mediation effects of energy balance-related behaviors within the ENERGY-project

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan M Fernández-Alvira ◽  
Saskia J te Velde ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Elling Bere ◽  
Yannis Manios ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Mediation Effects

Causal mediation in developmental science: A primer

2021 ◽  
pp. 016502542098164
Author(s):  
Jorge Cuartas ◽  
Dana Charles McCoy
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Developmental Theory ◽  
Potential Outcomes ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Causal Mediation ◽  
Developmental Science ◽  
Potential Outcomes Framework

Mediation has played a critical role in developmental theory and research. Yet, developmentalists rarely discuss the methodological challenges of establishing causality in mediation analysis or potential strategies to improve the identification of causal mediation effects. In this article, we discuss the potential outcomes framework from statistics as a means for highlighting several fundamental challenges of establishing causality in mediation analysis, including the difficulty of meeting the key assumption of sequential ignorability, even in experimental studies. We argue that this framework—which, although commonplace in other fields, has not yet been taken up in developmental science—can inform solutions to these challenges. Based on the framework, we offer a series of recommendations for improving causal inference in mediation analysis, including an overview of best practices in both study design and analysis, as well as resources for conducting analysis. In doing so, our overall objective in this article is to support the use of rigorous methods for understanding questions of mechanism in developmental science.

scholarly journals Causal mediation analysis with multiple causally non-ordered mediators

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masataka Taguri ◽  
John Featherstone ◽  
Jing Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Intermediate Variable ◽  
Causal Mediation ◽  
Health Studies ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual

In many health studies, researchers are interested in estimating the treatment effects on the outcome around and through an intermediate variable. Such causal mediation analyses aim to understand the mechanisms that explain the treatment effect. Although multiple mediators are often involved in real studies, most of the literature considered mediation analyses with one mediator at a time. In this article, we consider mediation analyses when there are causally non-ordered multiple mediators. Even if the mediators do not affect each other, the sum of two indirect effects through the two mediators considered separately may diverge from the joint natural indirect effect when there are additive interactions between the effects of the two mediators on the outcome. Therefore, we derive an equation for the joint natural indirect effect based on the individual mediation effects and their interactive effect, which helps us understand how the mediation effect works through the two mediators and relative contributions of the mediators and their interaction. We also discuss an extension for three mediators. The proposed method is illustrated using data from a randomized trial on the prevention of dental caries.

scholarly journals Prying Open the Black Box of Causality - A Causal Mediation Analysis Test of Procedural Justice Policing

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krisztián Pósch
Keyword(s):  
Procedural Justice ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
Causal Mediation ◽  
Treatment Implementation ◽  
Causal Mediation Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sense Of Power

Objectives: Review causal mediation analysis as a method for estimating and assessing direct and indirect effects in experimental criminology. Test procedural justice theory by examining the extent to which procedural justice mediates the impact of contact with the police on various outcomes. Apply causal mediation analysis to better interpret data from a field experiment that had suffered from a particular type of implementation failure.Methods: Data from a block-randomised controlled trial of procedural justice policing (the Scottish Community Engagement Trial) were analysed. All constructs were measured using surveys distributed during roadside police checks. The treatment implementation was assessed by analysing the treatment effect consistency and heterogeneity. Causal mediation analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to assess the mediating role of procedural justice.Results: First, the treatment effect was consistent and fairly homogeneous, indicating that the systematic variation in the study is attributable to the design. Second, procedural justice acts as a mediator channelling the treatment’s effect towards normative alignment (NIE=-0.207), duty to obey (NIE=-0.153), sense of power (NIE=-0.078), and social identity (NIE=-0.052), all of which are moderately robust to unmeasured confounding. The NIEs for risk of sanction and personal morality were highly sensitive, while for coerced obligation and sense of power they were non-significant. Conclusions: Causal mediation analysis is a versatile tool that can salvage experiments with systematic yet ambiguous treatment effects by allowing researchers to “pry open” the black box of causality. Most of the theoretical propositions of procedural justice policing were supported. Future studies are needed with more discernible causal mediation effects.

scholarly journals Relevance of the body mass index in the cognitive status of diabetic patients with different alcohol-drinking patterns

2014 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-353
Author(s):  
Serban Lacramioara ◽  
Cristina Toarba ◽  
Simona Hogas ◽  
A. Covic ◽  
A. Ciobica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Alcohol Drinking ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Alcohol Drinking Patterns ◽  
The Relationship

Nowadays the general relevance of alcohol consumption in diabetes is extremely controversial. There are recent reports that alcohol consumption could result in a decreased incidence of diabetes, as well as other studies demonstrating a positive association between alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes; there are also reports arguing for an inverse association between the two or for no correlation at all. The different results obtained in these studies could be explained by the existence of several confounders that could influence the outcome of the aforementioned studies. In this paper, we studied the possible relevance of BMI as a confounder in the relationship between alcohol consumption in diabetes and cognitive function, by analyzing the correlations between BMI values in diabetic patients with different alcohol drinking patterns and the subdomains from some main psychometric tests, such as MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) and MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). Our results provide evidence for BMI as a possible confounder of the relationship between alcohol consumption in diabetes and cognitive function. We found a significant increase (p<0.0001) in BMI values in patients with diabetes compared to our control group. Most importantly, significant correlations between BMI parameters in alcohol-consuming diabetic patients and most of the subdomains for psychometric testing.

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