AimsTo examine the association between UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 gene polymorphisms with adiposity markers in European adolescents and to test if there were gene interactions with objectively measured... Show moreAimsTo examine the association between UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 gene polymorphisms with adiposity markers in European adolescents and to test if there were gene interactions with objectively measured physical activity and adiposity.MethodsA cross-sectional study that involves 1.057 European adolescents (12-18years old) from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study. A total of 18 polymorphisms in UCP1, UCP2, and UCP3 genes were genotyped. We measured weight, height, waist, and hip circumferences and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Physical activity was objectively measured by accelerometry during 7days.ResultsThe C allele of the UCP1 rs6536991 polymorphism was associated with a lower risk of overweight (odds ratio [OR]: T/C+C/C vs T/T)=0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.53-0.98; P=0.034; false discovery rate [FDR]=0.048). There was a significant interaction between UCP1 rs2071415 polymorphism and physical activity with waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.006; FDR=0.026). Adolescents who did not meet the physical activity recommendations (less than 60min/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity) and carrying the C/C genotype had higher waist-to-hip ratio (+ 0.067; 95% CI, 0.028-0.106; P=0.003), while no differences across genotypes were observed in adolescents meeting the recommendations.ConclusionsTwo UCP1 polymorphisms were associated with adiposity in European adolescents. Meeting the daily physical activity recommendations may overcome the effect of the UCP1 rs2071415 polymorphism on obesity-related traits. Show less
The most difficult target group in mental health care for youth, is recognizable from social debates: An alarming example of a suicide or severe non-suicidal self-injury illustrates the... Show moreThe most difficult target group in mental health care for youth, is recognizable from social debates: An alarming example of a suicide or severe non-suicidal self-injury illustrates the vulnerability of these adolescents and underlines a powerless society. Notably, this target group is often excluded from scientific research. Hauber attributes this exclusion on the many psychiatric problems young people face and a rigid classification system. Theoretical models do not accommodate overlapping problems, despite the most serious conditions being characterized by such an overlap. Hauber described the need for a dimensional classification system to enable care providers to assess serious problems, such as an overlap of personality disorder, insecure attachment and non-suicidal self-injury. The influences of puberty, attachment insecurity and the adolescent’s social dynamics should be included in such a model. By having young people reflect in writing on their treatment, relevant information can be obtained to tailor personalized care, and drop-out can be minimized. New developments suggest improving resilience and connection with others, rather than just reducing symptoms. Hauber's research similarly showed the importance of connecting with others to grow emotionally in adolescence. This is a challenge in modern society, with loneliness being the highest mortality risk for humans. Show less
Although the outcomes of our daily-life risky decisions are often unknown (e.g., receiving or not receiving a fine after running a red light), the probabilities of these outcomes may also vary in... Show moreAlthough the outcomes of our daily-life risky decisions are often unknown (e.g., receiving or not receiving a fine after running a red light), the probabilities of these outcomes may also vary in uncertainty. That is, the probabilities may be known (risk) or unknown (ambiguity), which influences risk taking behavior to a great extent. A developmental phase associated with heightened risk taking is adolescence, yet how adolescents process risk and ambiguity, and the relation with real-life risk taking, remain elusive. Moreover, individual differences in observed risk taking behavior remain largely overlooked. In this PhD thesis risk and ambiguity processing in adolescents were decomposed using behavioral economics and fMRI, and related to real-life risk taking. The results indicated that risk and ambiguity differentially impact risk-taking behavior, and are processed by different neural mechanisms. In addition, individual variation in task-related and real-life risk taking highlighted that adolescence is not a phase of heightened risk taking for everyone. Moreover, it was found that real-life risk-taking and prosocial tendencies were both predicted by fun seeking, suggesting this trait may make individuals differentially susceptible to positive or negative outcomes. Together, this thesis points towards a more nuanced perspective on adolescent risk taking and its underlying components. Show less
