Relationship Between Perceptions of Obesity Causes and Weight Loss Expectations Among Adults

Objective

To examine relationships between the demographic characteristics of subjects with obesity seeking pharmaceutical-assisted weight loss and their weight loss expectations and perceptions of the causes of their obesity.

The weight-conscious adolescent:: Body image, food intake, and weight-related behavior

Purpose: To explore how adolescents who try to lose weight differ from those who do not in relation to body image, food intake, knowledge about food, and sources of information about food, nutrition, and weight loss.

Methods: Data were collected from 12–15-year-old school students in North Queensland, Australia by questionnaire.

Results: Boys who attempted weight loss reduced sweet foods and snacks, while concurrently increasing healthy foods such as fruit, yogurt, and low-fat milk. Girls who attempted weight loss ate breakfast, lunch, snacks, milk, bread, meat, and many sweet and fatty foods less often than other girls. Some reduction in meals, snacks, core foods, and sweet fatty foods, but not savory fatty foods, remained after the weight loss attempt. Boys attempting weight loss had better knowledge about high-fat and high-sugar foods than other boys, but there was no difference for girls. Girls attempting weight loss were more likely than other girls to think that core foods such as bread, potatoes, and dairy products should be reduced, whereas boys were more likely to think that sweet foods should be reduced. The majority of students who had attempted weight loss during the previous year considered themselves overweight, while few weight-conscious students were satisfied with their bodies.

Conclusions: The weight-conscious adolescents in this study, especially the girls, exhibited restrictive eating practices and a preoccupation with a slim image. Adolescents need a food culture based on foods to eat rather than foods to avoid, and an understanding of suitable weight-control measures.     

Body Size Perception Among African American Women

ObjectiveTo assess body size perception among African American women using cultural definitions of body size terms.MethodsSixty-nine African American women classified Body Image Scale figures as overweight, obese, and too fat, and independently selected the figure they considered closest to their current body size.ResultsBody size classifications of figures did not vary by participant weight status. Overweight figures were not considered too fat. For 86% of overweight (body mass index [BMI], 25–29.9) women and 40% of obese (BMI > 30) women, the self figure was not defined as overweight, obese, or too fat. Among participants with BMI ≥ 35, 65% did not classify their self figure as obese and 29% did not classify their self figure as overweight.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe difference between cultural (folk) and medical definitions of body size terms may serve as a barrier to effective communication between patients and providers about health effects of excess adiposity.     

Body weight perceptions and obesity amongst university employed South African women

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to rigorously assess body weight perceptions according to several body image dimensions in rural, employed African women. One hundred and thirty-two employed black African women were recruited at a rural South African university. Participants were asked to choose their ‘ideal’ and ‘feel’ perceived body size from nine standardized body image silhouettes, varying according to body size. Three body image dimensions of interest were measured, (1) ‘feel’ minus ‘ideal’ index (FID), (2) perceived minus the actual weight status (PAD) index and (3) valorization of stoutness index (participants that chose silhouettes corresponding to overweight/obesity). Using the FID dimension, older obese women had significantly higher desire for leanness, with small effects, compared with lean and younger obese women (p = .001). Those women who correctly perceived body weight (PAD = 0), were mostly obese and older (p < .0001), with moderate effects, than non-obese women. Social valorization of stoutness was observed in 58.3% of the sample, but was higher in older obese women, with small effects, compared with lean women (p = .0001). This study has shown that the majority of the study population demonstrated a social valorization of stoutness, despite a desire to be thinner and the ability to adequately perceive their own body weight in accordance with BMI.     

Body Dissatisfaction,Perceptions of Competence,and Lesson Content in Physical Education

BACKGROUND

Significant proportions of young people experience body dissatisfaction, which has implications for psychological and physical well‐being. Lesson content and perceived competence may be important variables for the experience of body dissatisfaction, yet these have been underexplored in physical education. The aim of this cross‐sectional study is to identify the relationships between body dissatisfaction and perceptions of competence, and to explore whether body dissatisfaction depends on lesson content.

METHODS

A paper‐and‐pencil questionnaire was completed by 446 (210 boys, 236 girls) 13‐ to 14‐year‐old pupils from 37 physical education classes. The questionnaire assessed body dissatisfaction and perceived competence in physical education. Lesson content was also recorded. Twenty‐nine of the classes were engaged in team activities, eg, ball games. Eight classes were engaged in individual activities, eg, fitness.

RESULTS

Multilevel analysis identified a significant negative association between body dissatisfaction and perceptions of competence in physical education. Lesson content did not significantly predict variations in body dissatisfaction scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Teachers should focus on enhancing pupils' perceptions of competence in physical education to support the development of body satisfaction.

     

Long-term Effects of Early Malnutrition on Body Weight Regulation

Malnutrition is still highly prevalent in developing countries. Studies have shown an increase in the number of obese individuals in very poor urban communities. This review shows a co-existence between malnutrition and obesity in households of slums in Brazil and a higher prevalence of stunted/overweight or obese individuals (30%) in comparison with stunted/underweight (16%). These conditions are associated with important metabolic changes. Results from stunted children showed higher susceptibility to the effects of higher fats diets, lower fat oxidation, higher central fat, and higher body fat gain. A model to explain how early malnutrition alters energy balance in adults is outlined. In the presence of a relative food intake insufficiency, a higher cortisol:insulin ratio, associated with lower levels of IGF-1 will lead to lower muscle gain and linear growth, impaired lypolysis and fat oxidation. When these hormonal changes are combined with a higher fat/carbohydrate and/or marked decreased in physical activity, obesity with short stature will occur     

Association of Body Weight Variability with Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease

To investigate the association of body weight variability (BWV) with adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in patient with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD), a total of 1867 participants with pre-dialysis CKD from Korean Cohort Study for Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease (KNOW-CKD) were analyzed. BWV was defined as the average absolute difference between successive values. The primary outcome was a composite of non-fatal CV events and all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were fatal and non-fatal CV events and all-cause mortality. High BWV was associated with increased risk of the composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.745, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.065 to 2.847) as well as fatal and non-fatal CV events (adjusted HR 1.845, 95% CI 1.136 to 2.996) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.861, 95% CI 1.101 to 3.145). High BWV was associated with increased risk of fatal and non-fatal CV events, even in subjects without significant body weight gain or loss during follow-up periods (adjusted HR 2.755, 95% CI 1.114 to 6.813). In conclusion, high BWV is associated with adverse CV outcomes in patients with pre-dialysis CKD.     

Elevated Fat Intake Increases Body Weight and the Risk of Overweight and Obesity among Chinese Adults: 1991–2015 Trends

Studies on fat intake and obesity have been inconclusive. This study examined the associations between dietary fat intake and body weight and the risk of overweight and obesity in China. We used data from 23,859 adults aged 20–60 years who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, an ongoing open-cohort study, from 1991 to 2015. We collected detailed dietary data by conducting three 24-h dietary recalls and weighing foods and condiments in household inventories. We examined the associations between fat intake and body weight, body mass index (BMI), and the risk of overweight and obesity with random-effects linear or logistic regression models for panel data. The Chinese population’s fat intake, percentage of energy intake from fat, and prevalence of high-fat diets (energy intake from fat > 30%) increased from 68.5 g per day (g/d), 23.1%, and 22.4%, respectively, in 1991 to 79.3 g/d, 35.6%, and 67.2%, respectively, in 2015. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 12.3% to 37.3% during the same period. Fat intake, percentage of energy intake from fat, and a high-fat diet were positively associated with body weight, BMI, and the risk of overweight and obesity in both sexes (p < 0.001) after adjustment for nonfat energy intake, physical activity, and socioeconomic status. Increased fat intake and high-fat diets were associated with increased body weight, BMI, and risk of overweight and obesity. These findings could have a significant impact on Chinese policies and interventions to control overweight and obesity.     

甜菜碱对高脂性肥胖大鼠体重和生化指标的影响

<正>自然界大部分动植物都含有少量甜菜碱,甜菜是含量最多的植物之一[1]。甜菜碱能调节渗透压,降低脂肪组织的比率,防止脂肪肝,减轻乙醇所致的肝损伤,确保动物正常生长[2]。毒性实验证明,甜菜碱几无毒性。甜菜碱在肥胖方面的     

共轭亚油酸对肥鼠的减肥作用

共轭亚油酸(conjugated linoleic acid，CLA)是亚油酸的异构体，主要有两种：c9，t11-18：2和t10，c12-18：2，均有重要生理活性功能。自1987年Ha等提出以来，其生理活性引起药物药理学家、营养学家、油脂化学家们的广泛兴趣。大量资料表明CLA具有降低脂肪、增加肌肉、抗癌、抗动脉粥样硬化、增强机体免疫力、改善骨组织代谢、提高饲料效价及防霉变作用。本研究探讨CLA对肥鼠的减肥作用。     

Body size perceptions among Pakistani women in Norway participating in a controlled trial to prevent deterioration of glucose tolerance

South Asians are prone to diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases, which can be prevented by a diet leading to weight reduction. Body size perceptions may influence compliance to dietary advice. The objective was to study body size perceptions among Pakistani immigrant women in Norway, enrolled in a controlled trial to prevent deterioration of glucose tolerance by focussing on diet and physical activity. Participants (n=198) were 25–62 years of age, 79.8% had BMI > 25 and mean BMI was 29.6. Data were collected by questionnaire interviews with Punjabi/Urdu speaking interviewers, and body weight and height were measured. This article is based on baseline data. Stunkard's Figure Rating Scale was used. The scale consists of nine figures, representing women with different body shapes, from very thin (1–2) to very obese (6–9). The women were asked which body size they thought would connote health and wealth. A significantly smaller body size was related to health (mean 2.9) than to wealth (mean 3.3), p<0.01, and both were smaller than their self-rated own body size (mean 5.7), p<0.01. The women perceived that Pakistanis in Norway prefer women to have a smaller body size (mean 3.4) than people in Pakistan (mean 4.5), but larger than Norwegians (mean 2.5). A discrepancy score was calculated between self-rated own body size and perceived body size preference among Pakistanis in Norway. BMI was positively associated, and level of education negatively associated, with the discrepancy score. The women related body size numbers to BMI similarly to what has been described for US women. In conclusion, body size preferences among Pakistani women in this study were within the range of normal weight. However, there was a large discrepancy between own self-rated body size and the perceived ideal for Pakistanis in Norway.     

The Medicalization of Body Size and Women's Healthcare

Cervical cancer screening services in South Africa have failed to reach the majority of the population and to significantly reduce mortality. A household survey in a predominantly Black African population living in a low-income township on the outskirts of Cape Town was undertaken to ascertain the characteristics of women reporting never having been screened. In our group of 664 representatively sampled women, 45% of women reported having had a cervical screening test. However, in what at first glance appears to be a fairly homogeneous population, there were significant differences in the types of women who access and who do not access cervical smear services. The underserved tend to be the older, poorer, less educated, and unemployed (or working in the informal sector) women. They tend to live in nonpermanent dwellings without a partner, they do not know anyone else who has had a cervical smear, and they have not recently sought care for other ailments, or used contraception. Cervical cancer is a slow-to-develop, eminently preventable disease, and yet opportunistic screening through antenatal and family planning services has failed to reach the women most at risk. Efforts in the future must include targeting older women in health centres where they present for other curative services (diabetes, hypertension). Most importantly, areas of the community with the greatest concentration of marginalized women need to be targeted through peer education and other innovative programs. As the underserved tend to be the poorer and less educated women in the community, we must ensure that messages are culturally relevant and appropriate and have a holistic focus on women's physical, mental, and emotional health.     

Analysis of Body Composition Methods in a Community Sample of African American Women

The purposes of the authors in this study were: (1) to determine whether published body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis equations agreed with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage measures and (2) to estimate new body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis equations in a sample of African American women. Linear regression was used to determine how well 10 body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis equations reflected dual energy x-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage measures in this sample of 74 African American women; new body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis equations were created using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage measures as the dependent variable. Participants (M = 47.6 years, SD = 7.7) were classified as overweight or obese (BMI Mean BF% = 35.4, SD = 8.2; BIA Mean BF% = 43.3, SD = 6.9; DXA Mean BF% = 41.5, SD = 6.1). R² and SEE values indicated that all body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis equations were a poorer fit with less precision, and the new bioelectrical impedance analysis equation discussed in this article was a better fit and was more precise. All 10 body mass index and bioelectrical analysis equations inaccurately estimated dual energy x-ray absorptiometry body fat percentage measures in our sample. The new body mass index equation discussed in this article had less estimation bias and more precision than the published body mass index equations and may be a more accurate equation in African American women.     

济南市4～6岁儿童体成分分析

目的 分析济南市4～6岁儿童体成分发育特点,研究学龄前儿童体脂百分比(PBF)与体重指数(BMI)的关系,比较两者在肥胖诊断中的差异。方法 2017年5月—2018年6月选取儿保科健康查体的1 788例济南市4～6岁健康儿童,运用生物电阻抗法进行体成分测试。结果 4～6岁男、女童部分体成分指标随年龄增长而增加,肌肉量、躯干肌肉量、去脂体重、蛋白质、体脂肪、无机盐、基础代谢率和水分、PBF指标差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。Pearson检验中,若不区分性别,BMI和PBF的相关系数r=0.841;若区分性别,男性r=0.872,女性r=0.830,以PBF与BMI标准判断儿童肥胖率具有较强的一致性(Kappa值=0.64)。结论 1)生物电阻抗法测定学龄前儿童体成分,可客观反映体脂肪含量,准确判断肥胖。2)BMI与PBF在判断肥胖时,男童的一致性高于女童。PBF在评估肥胖男童时灵敏性高于BMI。