The AP (8/30, Choi) reported that “when it comes to addressing the topic” of weight loss “with children, pediatricians and dietitians say there are best practices to consider.” According to experts, “the key is to approach the subject with kindness and caring, and avoid blaming any of the child’s behaviors.” In addition, youngsters should “understand that any changes would be intended to make them feel better, and not about how they look.” The AP added, “Any adjustments to meals and activities should involve the entire family, so children don’t feel singled out.” Parents should also frame changes “in a positive light.” Stephen Pont, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Dell Medical School, said, “Guilt and blame are not good motivators for change.”

Related Links:

— “As with adults, no easy way to address weight with children, “Candice Choi, AP, August 30, 2019

Psychiatric News (8/30) reported, “The more seasons that NFL players spend playing in the league, the greater their risk of cognitive problems and depression,” researchers concluded after analyzing “responses of 3,506 former NFL players (average age 53 years) to a survey sent by mail or email.” The findings were published online Aug. 30 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.

Related Links:

— “More Seasons of NFL Play May Be Associated With Increased Risk of Cognitive Problems, Depression, Psychiatric News, August 30, 2019

Reuters (8/29, Joseph) reports, “Suicidal thinking, severe depression and rates of self-injury among U.S. college students more than doubled over less than a decade,” research indicated. After examining “data from two large annual surveys of college undergraduates covering the years 2007-2018, researchers found a broad worsening of mental health indicators including depression overall, anxiety, low flourishing and suicidal planning and attempts, particularly in the second half of the study period.” The findings were published online July 3 in the Journal of Adolescent Health

Related Links:

— “Depression, anxiety rising among U.S. college students, “Saumya Joseph, Reuters, August 29, 2019

Psychiatric News (8/29) reports, “Roughly 30% of people who participate in studies of in-person psychosocial treatment programs for substance use disorders (SUDs) drop out,” researchers concluded in a 151-study meta-analysis that encompassed “a total of 26,243 participants.” The findings were published online Aug. 27 in the journal Addiction.

Related Links:

— “1 of 3 Study Participants Found to Drop Out of SUD Treatment Studies, , August 29, 2019

Healio (8/29, Demko) reports, “Individuals whose childhood” attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) “persists into adulthood appear to be at increased risk for motor vehicle crashes,” researchers concluded after examining “the risk for motor vehicle crashes…in 441 adults with” AD/HD and “239 controls without” the disorder. The findings were published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

Related Links:

— “Adult ADHD persistence may increase car crash risk, “Savannah Demko, Healio, August 29, 2019