The R package mice imputes incomplete multivariate data by chained equations. The software mice 1.0 appeared in the year 2000 as an S-PLUS library, and in 2001 as an R package. mice 1.0 introduced predictor selection, passive imputation and automatic pooling. This article documents mice, which extends the functionality of mice 1.0 in several ways. In mice, the analysis of imputed data is made completely general, whereas the range of models under which pooling works is substantially extended. mice adds new functionality for imputing multilevel data, automatic predictor selection, data handling, post-processing imputed values, specialized pooling routines, model selection tools, and diagnostic graphs. Imputation of categorical data is improved in order to bypass problems caused by perfect prediction. Special attention is paid to transformations, sum scores, indices and interactions using passive imputation, and to the proper setup of the predictor matrix. mice can be downloaded from the Comprehensive R Archive Network. This article provides a hands-on, stepwise approach to solve applied incomplete data problems.

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mice: Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations in R

Attachment--and loss.

Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review.

To revise 1998 recommendations on childhood obesity, an Expert Committee, comprised of representatives from 15 professional organizations, appointed experienced scientists and clinicians to 3 writing groups to review the literature and recommend approaches to prevention, assessment, and treatment. Because effective strategies remain poorly defined, the writing groups used both available evidence and expert opinion to develop the recommendations. Primary care providers should universally assess children for obesity risk to improve early identification of elevated BMI, medical risks, and unhealthy eating and physical activity habits. Providers can provide obesity prevention messages for most children and suggest weight control interventions for those with excess weight. The writing groups also recommend changing office systems so that they support efforts to address the problem. BMI should be calculated and plotted at least annually, and the classification should be integrated with other information such as growth pattern, familial obesity, and medical risks to assess the child’s obesity risk. For prevention, the recommendations include both specific eating and physical activity behaviors, which are likely to promote maintenance of healthy weight, but also the use of patient-centered counseling techniques such as motivational interviewing, which helps families identify their own motivation for making change. For assessment, the recommendations include methods to screen for current medical conditions and for future risks, and methods to assess diet and physical activity behaviors. For treatment, the recommendations propose 4 stages of obesity care; the first is brief counseling that can be delivered in a health care office, and subsequent stages require more time and resources. The appropriateness of higher stages is influenced by a patient’s age and degree of excess weight. These recommendations recognize the importance of social and environmental change to reduce the obesity epidemic but also identify ways healthcare providers and health care systems can be part of broader efforts.

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Expert Committee Recommendations Regarding the Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity: Summary Report

Ten per cent of the world’s school-aged children are estimated to be carrying excess body fat (Fig. 1), with an increased risk for developing chronic disease. Of these overweight children, a quarter are obese, with a significant likelihood of some having multiple risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and a variety of other co-morbidities before or during early adulthood. The prevalence of overweight is dramatically higher in economically developed regions, but is rising significantly in most parts of the world. In many countries the problem of childhood obesity is worsening at a dramatic rate. Surveys during the 1990s show that in Brazil and the USA, an additional 0.5% of the entire child population became overweight each year. In Canada, Australia and parts of Europe the rates were higher, with an additional 1% of all children becoming overweight each year. The burden upon the health services cannot yet be estimated. Although childhood obesity brings a number of additional problems in its train – hyperinsulinaemia, poor glucose tolerance and a raised risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, social exclusion and depression – the greatest health problems will be seen in the next generation of adults as the present childhood obesity epidemic passes through to adulthood. Greatly increased rates of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, endocrine disorders and other obesityrelated conditions will be found in young adult populations, and their need for medical treatment may last for their remaining life-times. The costs to the health services, the losses to society and the burdens carried by the individuals involved will be great. The present report has been written to focus attention on the issue and to urge policy-makers to consider taking action before it is too late. Specifically, the report:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2004.00133.x

Obesity in children and young people: a crisis in public health.

Heel wat gedragingen (bijvoorbeeld seksuele handelingen, eten, sportbeoefening…) zijn inherent belonend. Individuele verschillen in de mate waarin mensen gevoelig zijn voor beloningen bepalen dan ook een groot deel van het menselijk gedrag. In dit stuk wordt een overzicht gegeven van verschillende beloningsgestuurde gedragingen. Daarnaast wordt beschreven hoe beloning en beloningsgevoeligheid een belangrijke rol spelen bij maladaptieve gedragingen, en hoe interventies daarop kunnen inspelen.

Beloningsgevoelige mensen zijn makkelijker te verleiden

Een collega zei onlangs tegen mij: 'Klinisch psychologen zijn zichzelf overbodig aan het maken. Ze delven hun eigen graf door al hun aandacht voor de nieuwe trends in het neuropsychologisch en neurocognitief onderzoek'. Een terechte zorg?

Trainen van het werkgeheugen: een nieuwe remedie voor alle kwalen?

Mensen die depressief zijn, hebben niet alleen gevoelens van somberheid en negatieve affectiviteit, maar ook weinig gevoelens van positieve affectiviteit. Hoewel cognitief-gedragstherapeutische behandelprogramma’s hierop adequaat inwerken, worden er nog steeds nieuwe methodieken geevalueerd met een meerwaarde voor de behandeling. Een methodiek die aan belang wint en specifiek zou inwerken op het verhogen van positieve affectiviteit, is het tonen van dankbaarheid, expressing gratitude genaamd.

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Tonen van dankbaarheid: een nieuw therapeutisch hulpmiddel?

Nieuwe ontwikkelingen binnen de cognitieve gedragstherapie bij kinderen en adolescenten

Een van de ambities van de DSM-5 was om het ontwikkelingsperspectief van psychische stoornissen, van de baarmoeder tot de dood, beter tot uiting te laten komen in het handboek. In deze bijdrage bespreken we op welke wijze deze ambitie is aangepakt en welke consequenties dit heeft gehad voor de DSM-5. Specifiek gaan we in op de concrete veranderingen van DSM-IV naar DSM-5 wat betreft het classificeren van psychische problemen van kinderen en jeugdigen, en hun gezin.

Caroline Braet

Papers

Beloningsgevoelige mensen zijn makkelijker te verleiden

Trainen van het werkgeheugen: een nieuwe remedie voor alle kwalen?

Tonen van dankbaarheid: een nieuw therapeutisch hulpmiddel?

Nieuwe ontwikkelingen binnen de cognitieve gedragstherapie bij kinderen en adolescenten

DSM-5 en psychische problemen bij kinderen