Das Obeldicks-Konzept

The outpatient lifestyle interventions Obeldicks (for 8- to 16-year-old obese children; 1-year intervention), Obeldicks Light (for 8- to 16-year-old overweight children; 6-month intervention), and Obeldicks Mini (for 4- to 7-year-old obese children; 1-year intervention) are based on nutrition education, physical activity, behavior therapy, and individual psychological care. Only 17% dropped out of the intervention, and 79% of the more than 1,000 participants reduced their degree of overweight. The mean SDS-BMI reduction was 0.4 (~1.5-2 kg/m(2) BMI reduction) and was associated with a significant improvement of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and disturbed glucose metabolism in the participants compared to an untreated control group. This efficiency was also proven by a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Furthermore, the quality of life of the participants improved significantly. Even 4 years after the end of intervention, the achieved weight loss was sustained. Training manuals and training seminars for professionals assist in the implementation of these lifestyle interventions at further locations.     

Feasibility, design and conduct of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial to reduce overweight and obesity in children: The electronic games to aid motivation to exercise (eGAME) study

Background  

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in developed countries. Sedentary screen-based activities such as video gaming are thought to displace active behaviors and are independently associated with obesity. Active video games, where players physically interact with images onscreen, may have utility as a novel intervention to increase physical activity and improve body composition in children. The aim of the Electronic Games to Aid Motivation to Exercise (eGAME) study is to determine the effects of an active video game intervention over 6 months on: body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, waist circumference, cardio-respiratory fitness, and physical activity levels in overweight children.     

Overweight and Obesity Among School Children in Jordan: Prevalence and Associated Factors

Objectives To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and determine their associated factors among school children aged 6–12 years in the north of Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children in the north of Jordan in the period between March 2006 and May 2006. A total of 2,131 children (1,052 boys and 1,079 girls) were selected at random using multistage cluster sampling method. The first part of the questionnaire was completed by pupils in schools and the second part was completed by their parents at home. The researchers measured height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and mid upper arm circumference of each student in the class. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the international cut-off points of body mass index for boys and girls between 2 and 18 years of age. Results Of the total 2,131 children, 19.4% were overweight (18.8% of boys and 19.9% of girls) and 5.6% were obese (5.6% of boys and 5.5% of girls). Watching television >2 h/day, daily pocket money >20 piasters (1 piaster = 1.42 cents), having overweight or obese mother/father were significantly associated with increased odds of both overweight and obesity. Age ≥ 10 years, female gender, and family size of ≤4 were significantly associated with being overweight and total monthly family income >300 Jordanian Dinars (JDs), (1 JD = $1.42) was associated with obesity. Conclusions While the prevalence of overweight was high among Jordanian children compared with that in the neighboring countries, the prevalence of obesity was lower.     

Outcome of a hospital based multidisciplinary weight loss program in obese Filipino children

Background

Childhood obesity is becoming a problem for Filipino children with an increasing national prevalence of pediatric overweight and obesity. A multidisciplinary approach combining behavioral therapy with diet and exercise is often advocated as having the greatest impact in pediatric weight management.

Objective

To determine the effects of a weight loss program, which is a staged 3-mo, multidisciplinary intervention consisting of combined dietary, exercise, and behavioral methods in obese children.

Research methods and procedures

Prospective study done in a hospital-based weight management center; duration of study: 15 mo (November 2005 to January 2008); participants: 44 obese children (aged 5-17 y; body mass index [BMI] 85th-99th percentile); outcome measures: change in weight, BMI, BMI z-score (SD score); secondary measures included changes in waist circumference, blood pressure, and body fat. Statistical tests: paired t tests, χ² test, Wilcoxon ranked sum test, regression analysis, and ANOVA.

Results

At the end of the program, the patients demonstrated a decrease in weight, BMI, BMI z-score, body fat, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference. Mean weight loss is 4.2 kg (P < 0.01) with an average of 5.3% weight loss; BMI decreased by 1.5 units (P < 0.01), BMI z-score by 0.15 (P < 0.004), body fat by 14% (P < 0.01), systolic blood pressure by 7.25 mm Hg (P < 0.05), and waist circumference by 5.4 cm (P < 0.05). Decrease in weight, BMI, and body fat were significantly correlated with number of sessions attended.

Conclusion

The use of a multidisciplinary 3-mo staged program resulted in an effective weight loss in obese Filipino children, which was directly related to the frequency of sessions attended.     

Health-At-Every-Size and Eating Behaviors: 1-Year Follow-Up Results of a Size Acceptance Intervention

Background

Poor long-term success observed with current weight-control strategies stresses the relevance to explore new weight management approaches.

Objective

To assess the effects of a Health-At-Every-Size (HAES) intervention on eating behaviors, appetite sensations, metabolic and anthropometric variables, and physical activity levels in women at 6-month and 1-year postintervention.

Design

Randomized controlled trial; measurements at baseline, at the end of the intervention period (4 months), and at 6-month and 1-year postintervention (10 months and 16 months, respectively). Intervention and testing took place from September 2003 to August 2006.

Participants/setting

Premenopausal overweight/obese women (n=144; mean age of 42.3±5.6 years), recruited from free-living, general community.

Intervention

Women were randomly assigned to: HAES group (n=48), social support group (n=48), or control group (n=48).

Main outcome measures

Eating behaviors (restraint, disinhibition, and susceptibility to hunger), appetite ratings (desire to eat, hunger, fullness, and prospective food consumption), anthropometric and metabolic variables (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, blood lipid levels, and blood pressure), and engagement in moderate to intense physical activity (energy cost ≥1.2 kcal×kg⁻¹×15 minutes⁻¹ [≥4.8 metabolic equivalents]).

Statistical analyses performed

Changes for each dependent variable were assessed by linear mixed models according to a group (HAES vs social support vs control) by time (baseline vs 4 months vs 10 months vs 16 months) split-plot design.

Results

Situational susceptibility to disinhibition and susceptibility to hunger significantly decreased over time in both HAES group (−0.9±0.2 and −1.3±0.5, respectively) and the social support group (−0.4± 0.2 and −1.4±0.5, respectively). Although eating behavior scores observed at 16 months did not differ between HAES and social support groups (situational susceptibility to disinhibition: 2.5±0.2 in HAES group vs 2.7 ± 0.2 in social support group; susceptibility to hunger: 4.2±0.5 in both groups), they were lower in these groups than scores noted in the control group (3.3±0.2 for situational susceptibility to disinhibition and 5.9±0.5 for susceptibility to hunger).

Conclusions

These results suggest that, when compared to a control group, an HAES approach could have long-term beneficial effects on eating behaviors related to disinhibition and hunger. In addition, our study did not show distinctive effects of the HAES approach in comparison to a social support intervention.     

Reducing glucose infusion safely prevents hyperglycemia in post-surgical children

Background & aims

To investigate the effects of two different glucose infusions on glucose homeostasis and amino acid metabolism in post-surgical children.

Methods

This randomized crossover study evaluated glucose and amino acid metabolism in eight children (age 9.8 ± 1.9 months, weight 9.5 ± 1.1 kg) admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit in a tertiary university hospital after surgical correction for non-syndromal craniosynostosis. Patients were randomized to receive low (LG; 2.5 mg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) and standard (SG; 5.0 mg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) glucose infusion in a crossover setting. After a bolus (4 g kg⁻¹) of deuterium oxide, we conducted a primed, constant, 8 h tracer infusion with [6,6-²H₂]Glucose, [1-¹³C]Leucine, [ring-²H₅]Phenylalanine and [3,3-²H₂]Tyrosine.

Results

SG resulted in hyperglycemia (defined as > 6.1 mmol L⁻¹), while during LG plasma glucose levels were normoglycemic (5.9 ± 0.6 vs. 7.5 ± 1.7 mmol L⁻¹; LG vs. SG respectively, p = 0.02). Hypoglycemia did not occur during LG infusion. Endogenous glucose production was not fully suppressed during the hyperglycemic state under SG and increased with reduced glucose infusion (2.6 ± 1.5 vs. 1.1 ± 1.4 mg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹; LG vs. SG; p = 0.05). Whole body protein balance derived from leucine and phenylalanine kinetics was slightly negative but not further affected with a decrease in glucose infusion.

Conclusions

The current recommended glucose infusion induces hyperglycemia in post-surgical children. A reduced glucose infusion safely reduced high glucose levels, while children were capable to sustain normoglycemia with increased endogenous glucose production. The reduced glucose infusion did not exacerbate the mild catabolic state in which the patients were.     

Secular trends in adiposity in Norwegian 9-year-olds from 1999-2000 to 2005

Background  

Due to the negative health consequences of childhood obesity monitoring trends in body mass and adiposity is essential. The purpose of this study was to describe secular trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among 9-year-old children, and to study changes in adiposity and fat distribution by investigating changes in waist circumference (WC) and skinfold thicknesses.     

Influence of resting energy expenditure on weight gain in adolescents taking second-generation antipsychotics

Background & aims

: Weight gain is an undesirable side effect of second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). We performed this study to examine the influence of SGAs on resting energy expenditure (REE) and the relationship of REE to weight gain in adolescent patients.

Methods

Antipsychotic-naïve or quasi-naïve (<72 h of exposure to antipsychotics) adolescent patients taking olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone in monotherapy were followed up for one year. We performed a prospective study (baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment) based on anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and indirect calorimetry (Deltatrac™ II MBM-200) to measure REE. We also analyzed metabolic and hormonal data and adiponectin concentrations.

Results

Forty-six out of the 54 patients that started treatment attended at least 2 visits, and 16 completed 1 year of follow-up. Patients gained 10.8 ± 6.2 kg (60% in the form of fat mass) and increased their waist circumference by 11.1 ± 5.0 cm after 1 year of treatment. The REE/kg body mass ratio decreased (p = 0.027), and the REE/percentage fat-free mass (FFM) ratio increased (p = 0.007) following the fall in the percentage of FFM during treatment. Weight increase was significantly correlated with the REE/percentage FFM ratio at all the visits (1–3–6–12 months) (r = 0.69, p = 0.004 at 12 months).

Conclusions

SGAs seem to induce a hypometabolic state (reflected as decreased REE/kg body mass and increased REE/percentage FFM). This could explain, at least in part, the changes in weight and body composition observed in these patients.     

Phone and e-mail counselling are effective for weight management in an overweight working population: a randomized controlled trial

Background  

The work setting provides an opportunity to introduce overweight (i.e., Body Mass Index ≥ 25 kg/m²) adults to a weight management programme, but new approaches are needed in this setting. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of lifestyle counselling by phone or e-mail on body weight, in an overweight working population. Secondary purposes were to establish effects on waist circumference and lifestyle behaviours, and to assess which communication method is the most effective.     

Augmenting BMI and Waist-Height Ratio for Establishing More Efficient Obesity Percentiles among School-going Children

Research Questions:

1. Are all the existing methods for estimating the obesity and overweight in school going children in India equally efficient? 2. How to derive more efficient obesity percentiles to determine obesity and overweight status in school-going children aged 7-12 years old?

Objectives:

1. To investigate and analyze the prevalence rate of obesity and overweight children in India, using the established standards. 2. To compare the efficiency among the tools with the expected levels in the Indian population. 3. To establish and demonstrate the higher efficiency of the proposed percentile chart.

Study Design:

A cross-sectional study using a completely randomized design.

Settings:

Government, private-aided, unaided, and central schools in the Thrissur district of Kerala.

Participants:

A total of 1500 boys and 1500 girls aged 7-12 years old.

Results:

BMI percentiles, waist circumference percentiles, and waist to height ratio are the ruling methodologies in establishing the obese and overweight relations in school-going children. Each one suffers from the disadvantage of not considering either one or more of the obesity contributing factors in human growth dynamics, the major being waist circumference and weight. A new methodology for mitigating this defect through considering BMI and waist circumference simultaneously for establishing still efficient percentiles to arrive at obesity and overweight status is detailed here. Age-wise centiles for obesity and overweight status separately for boys and girls aged 7-12 years old were established. Comparative efficiency of this methodology over BMI had shown that this could mitigate the inability of BMI to consider waist circumference. Also, this had the advantage of considering body weight in obesity analysis, which is the major handicap in waist to height ratio. An analysis using a population of 1500 boys and 1500 girls has yielded 3.6% obese and 6.2% overweight samples, which is well within the accepted range for Indian school-going children.

Conclusion:

The percentiles for school-going children based on age and sex were derived by comparing all other accepted standards used for measurement of obesity and overweight status. Hence, augmenting BMI and waist to height ratio is considered to be the most reliable method for establishing obesity percentiles among school-going children.     

Whole-Grain Ready-to-Eat Oat Cereal, as Part of a Dietary Program for Weight Loss, Reduces Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Adults with Overweight and Obesity More than a Dietary Program Including Low-Fiber Control Foods

Objective

Weight loss and consumption of viscous fibers both lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. We evaluated whether or not a whole-grain, ready-to-eat (RTE) oat cereal containing viscous fiber, as part of a dietary program for weight loss, lowers LDL cholesterol levels and improves other cardiovascular disease risk markers more than a dietary program alone.

Design

Randomized, parallel-arm, controlled trial.

Subjects/setting

Free-living, overweight and obese adults (N=204, body mass index 25 to 45) with baseline LDL cholesterol levels 130 to 200 mg/dL (3.4 to 5.2 mmol/L) were randomized; 144 were included in the main analysis of participants who completed the trial without significant protocol violations.

Intervention

Two portions per day of whole-grain RTE oat cereal (3 g/day oat b-glucan) or energy-matched low-fiber foods (control), as part of a reduced energy (∼500 kcal/day deficit) dietary program that encouraged limiting consumption of foods high in energy and fat, portion control, and regular physical activity.

Main outcome measures

Fasting lipoprotein levels, waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and body weight were measured at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 10, and 12.

Results

LDL cholesterol level was reduced significantly more with whole-grain RTE oat cereal vs control (−8.7±1.0 vs −4.3±1.1%, P=0.005). Total cholesterol (−5.4±0.8 vs −2.9±0.9%, P=0.038) and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (−6.3±1.0 vs −3.3±1.1%, P=0.046) were also lowered significantly more with whole-grain RTE oat cereal, whereas high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride responses did not differ between groups. Weight loss was not different between groups (−2.2±0.3 vs −1.7±0.3 kg, P=0.325), but waist circumference decreased more (−3.3±0.4 vs −1.9±0.4 cm, P=0.012) with whole-grain RTE oat cereal. Larger reductions in LDL, total, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and waist circumference were evident as early as week 4 in the whole-grain RTE oat cereal group.

Conclusions

Consumption of a whole-grain RTE oat cereal as part of a dietary program for weight loss had favorable effects on fasting lipid levels and waist circumference.     

Generalised and abdominal adiposity are important risk factors for chronic disease in older people: Results from a nationally representative survey

Objectives  

To look at the trends in prevalence of generalised (body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference (WC) >102cm, men; >88cm, women) among older people from 1993 to 2008, prevalence of chronic disease by overweight/obesity and WC categories in England 2005 and evaluate the association of these measures with chronic diseases.     

Total and abdominal obesity among rural Chinese women and the association with hypertension

Objective

Obesity increases the risk of hypertension and other chronic diseases, which are little known in rural China. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiologic features and the association with hypertension of obesity in rural Chinese women.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted during 2004 through 2006, which used a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample in Liaoning Province, China. In total 23 178 rural participants at least 35 y of age were examined (the percentage of subjects >64 y old was 14.5%). Data on demographic variables (age, sex, and race), smoking status, use of alcohol, physical activity, and education level were obtained by interview. Overweight and obesity were defined according to the World Health Organization classification. Hypertension was defined according to the criteria established by the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee, and untreated hypertensive subjects were further classified into three subtypes: isolated systolic hypertension, isolated diastolic hypertension, and systolic and diastolic hypertension. Multivariable models and performed Poisson logistic regression analysis were used to determine associations among body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and variables.

Results

Overall, the prevalences of overweight and obesity were 24.4% and 2.7%, respectively, as defined by BMI, whereas the prevalences were 48.6% and 4.9% as defined by waist circumference. Poisson regression revealed that high levels of physical activity (defined by BMI, moderate: prevalence ratio [PR] 0.976, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.965-0.988, high: PR 0.985, 95% CI 0.971-0.999; defined by waist circumference, moderate: PR 0.955, 95% CI 0.944-0.965, high: PR 0.973, 95% CI 0.960-0.985) and current smoking status (defined by BMI, PR 0.950, 95% CI 0.938-0.962; defined by waist circumference, PR 0.966, 95% CI 0.954-0.978) were protective factors and ethnicity was a risk factor (defined by BMI, Mongolian nationality: PR 1.042, 95% CI 1.030-1.054; defined by waist circumference, PR 1.043, 95% CI 1.033-1.054) for overweight or obese participants. There were other risk factors for overweight or obese participants such as high levels of education defined by BMI (PR 1.033, 95% CI 1.010-1.058) and diet score defined by waist circumference (PR 1.004, 95% CI 1.000-1.008). After adjustment, BMI and waist circumference were associated with the greatest likelihood of systolic and diastolic hypertension (for BMI ≥30 kg/m², PR 2.455, 95% CI 1.786-3.374; for waist circumference ≥88 cm, PR 1.517, 95% CI 1.133-2.031). BMI was more related to isolated diastolic hypertension than to isolated systolic hypertension, whereas waist circumference was more related to isolated systolic hypertension than to isolated diastolic hypertension.

Conclusion

Although the prevalence of overweight and obesity as defined by BMI was low, it was relatively high as defined by waist circumference in rural Chinese women. High levels of physical activity and current smoking status had negative relations to overweight or obesity, whereas ethnicity, high levels of education, and diet score showed positive relations. Obese women defined by BMI or waist circumference had an increased risk of hypertension.     

High circulating levels of CD62E+ and CD31+/Annexin V+ endothelium-derived microparticles in children with overweight/obesity: Evidence of early vascular damage

BackgroundObesity perturbs endothelium integrity, leading to endothelial activation, which predisposes the release of endothelium-derived microparticles (EMP). We measured the CD31⁺/annexin V⁺ and CD62E⁺ EMP levels to improve our understanding of their contribution to endothelial damage in children with overweight/obesity.Subject and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 107 children with normal weight and 35 children with overweight/obesity were evaluated. Anthropometric measurement, blood pressure, biochemical profile was performed. Standardized flow cytometry methods were used to identify and quantify circulating CD31⁺/annexin V⁺ and CD62E⁺ EMP.ResultsChildren with overweight/obesity had significantly higher circulating levels of CD31⁺/annexin V⁺ (750 [600]) and CD62E⁺ (1400 [700]) EMP than those with normal weight (P < 0.001 for both). We found that EMP levels were positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), and triglycerides. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed that the risks of having high EMP levels (> 75th percentile) were high in children with both large waist circumference and elevated LDLc level. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated that the LDLc levels showed significantly greater discrimination than waist circumference for both CD31⁺/annexin V⁺ (P = 0.031) as CD62E⁺ EMPs (P = 0.041).ConclusionsChildren with overweight/obesity have high circulating CD31⁺/annexin V⁺ and CD62E⁺ EMP levels, which may be an early sign of endothelial apoptosis and inflammatory activation in response to injury. These EMP levels were positively associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors. Our data underscore the negative influence of high-risk metabolic profiles on endothelial integrity in the early stages of childhood obesity.     

Waist circumference cut-off values for the prediction of cardiovascular risk factors clustering in Chinese school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

Background  

Waist circumference has been identified as a valuable predictor of cardiovascular risk in children. The development of waist circumference percentiles and cut-offs for various ethnic groups are necessary because of differences in body composition. The purpose of this study was to develop waist circumference percentiles for Chinese children and to explore optimal waist circumference cut-off values for predicting cardiovascular risk factors clustering in this population.     

Prognostic value of changes in lean and fat mass in alcoholics

Background & aims

The prognostic value of nutritional status and/or lean and fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) has been widely analyzed, in both alcoholics and non-alcoholics. However, the prognostic value of changes in fat and lean mass over time in alcoholics has scarcely been studied, nor has the effect of alcohol abstinence on these changes.

Methods

From an initial cohort of 113 alcoholic patients, 70 prospectively underwent two DEXA assessments six months apart. One hundred and five patients (including 66 of those who underwent two DEXA assessments) were followed up for 34.9 ± 36.4 months (median = 18 months, interquartile range = 7.25–53.75 months). During this follow-up period, 33 died (including 20 of those who had undergone a second DEXA assessment).

Results

Forty-two of the 70 patients undergoing a second DEXA assessment had abstained from alcohol. Of these, 69.04% (29) gained left arm lean mass, compared with only 35.71% (10 of 28) of those who had continued drinking (χ² = 7.46; p = 0.006). Similar results were observed regarding right arm lean mass (χ² = 4.68; p = 0.03) and right leg lean mass (χ² = 7.88; p = 0.005). However, no associations were found between alcohol abstinence and changes in fat parameters. Analysis by means of Kaplan–Meier curves showed that loss of total lean mass, right leg lean mass, left leg lean mass and total fat mass were all significantly associated with reduced survival. However, within 30 months of the second evaluation, significant associations were observed between changes of all parameters related to lean mass, and mortality, but no association between changes in fat parameters and mortality.

Conclusions

Loss of lean mass over a period of six months after a first assessment is associated with worse prognosis in alcoholics, irrespective of whether they stop drinking during this period or not. Continued drinking is associated with greater loss of lean mass, but not with changes in fat mass.     

Safety of the etonogestrel-releasing implant during the immediate postpartum period: a pilot study

Background

The effects of etonogestrel (ETG)-releasing contraceptive implant during the immediate postpartum period on maternal safety are unknown.

Study design

Forty healthy women exclusively breastfeeding were randomized to receive either ETG-releasing implant 24–48 h after delivery (n=20) or depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA group; n=20) at the sixth week postpartum. We measured blood pressure, maternal and neonatal weight, body mass index (BMI; kg/m²), waist circumference (WC), complete blood count, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), lipid profile, fasting serum glucose and maintenance of exclusive lactation up to the 12th week postpartum.

Results

Decreases in mean maternal weight, BMI (kg/m²) and WC were significantly greater in the ETG-releasing implant group than in the DMPA group during the first 6 weeks postpartum (-4.64±2.71 kg vs. -2.6±2.45 kg mean±SD, p=.017; -1.77±1.06 kg/m² vs. -0.97±0.95 kg/m², p=.026; -15.3±6.72 cm vs. -9.05±5.84 cm, p=.003, respectively). In addition, total cholesterol and HDL, were lower in DMPA users, and TNF-alpha and leukocytes were higher in DMPA users compared to in the implant group, between 6 and 12 weeks after delivery. The newborns of implant users showed a trend towards gaining more weight, as compared with the infants of the DMPA mothers during the first 6 weeks of life (implant group: +1460.50±621.34 g vs. DMPA group: +1035.0±562.43 g, p=.05). The remaining variables, including the duration of exclusive breastfeeding, were similar between the groups.

Conclusion

The insertion of ETG-releasing contraceptive implant during the immediate postpartum period was not associated with deleterious maternal clinical effects or with significant maternal metabolic alterations or decreased infant weight gain.     

Body composition changes during the first two years of university

Objective

Changes in body weight, composition, and shape were investigated in male and female college students between the freshman and sophomore years.

Methods

Changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), percent and absolute body fat and fat-free mass (via bioelectrical impedance), and waist circumference (via body scans) were assessed over the freshman and sophomore years (2007-2009) among 120 students attending a Southern public university.

Results

Weight (2.5 and 1.7 lbs) and BMI gains (0.3 and 0.3 kg/m²) did not significantly differ between the freshman and sophomore years, respectively. Significantly more percent body fat and fat mass were gained during the freshman (1.9% and 3.3 lbs, respectively) than the sophomore year (0.0% and 0.6 lbs, respectively). Females lost significantly more fat-free mass during the freshman (−0.8 lb) than during the sophomore year (1.0 lb). Changes in waist circumference and weight were significantly correlated. Increases in the percentages of females classified as overweight and with unhealthy body fat amounts and waist circumferences were observed.

Conclusion

While the sophomore year was characterized by slightly healthier body composition changes than the freshman year, the gains in weight, fat mass, and waist circumference measurements suggest increased health risks for many college females.     

Trends in Measures of Childhood Obesity in Korea From 1998 to 2012

Background

During the last several decades, the number of children who are overweight or obese has reached alarming levels worldwide. The purpose of the present study was to examine trends in measures of childhood obesity among Korean children aged 2–19 from 1998 to 2012.

Methods

Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Age-adjusted means of WC and BMI were compared between years. We used three international criteria (International Obesity Task Force [IOTF], World Health Organization [WHO], United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) and a Korean national reference standard (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [KCDC]) to calculate age-standardized prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity.

Results

Despite differences in absolute prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity according to the four different criteria, the time trends of prevalence were generally similar across criteria. The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity generally stabilized from 2001–2012 in both boys and girls. WC decreased from 2001–2012 in both boys and girls aged 2–19.

Conclusions

Further studies exploring the factors causing plateaued trends of childhood obesity measures are needed to implement effective policies for reducing the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity.Key words: body mass index, waist circumference, obesity, child, trends, Korea