Motivators and barriers to healthful eating and physical activity among low-income overweight and obese mothers

Low-income women who are overweight and obese are at high risk for long-term retention of weight gain during pregnancy, in part because they may have poor diets and inadequate physical activity, both of which may be exacerbated by stressful situations. This study identified motivators and barriers to healthful eating and physical activity among low-income overweight and obese non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white mothers. Qualitative data were collected via eight focus group interviews. Eighty low-income overweight and obese non-Hispanic black (n=41) and non-Hispanic white (n=39) mothers, age 18 to 35 years, were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children sites in six counties in Michigan. Personal appearance, fit in clothes, inability to play with their children, and social support were motivating factors for healthful eating and physical activity. Stressful experiences triggered emotional eating and reduced participants' ability to practice these behaviors. Other factors-for example, wanting quick weight-loss results-made it difficult for these mothers to follow recommended healthful lifestyle practices. Nutrition educators can address these concerns by including information about ways to deal with stress and emotional eating and emphasizing the benefits of healthful eating and physical activity in their program plans.     

3D-QSAR, synthesis, and antimicrobial activity of 1-alkylpyridinium compounds as potential agents to improve food safety

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), an alkylpyridinium compound has been recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to reduce bacterial contamination in poultry. Although CPC is very effective and has a very good safety record, its relatively high lipophilicity may limit its use in high fat containing foods such as beef. In this study we present the CoMFA analysis (3D-QSAR) of the antimicrobial activity of 60 N-alkylpyridinium compounds against different bacteria. CoMFA contours showed that the activity is highly influenced by the steric factor. Based in these contours we designed new candidates, which were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic data. MIC activity over Gram positive and Gram negative microorganisms validated the 3D-QSAR study.     

超重及肥胖儿童运动习惯与瘦素及其瘦素受体的关系

目的 了解嘉兴市超重及肥胖儿童运动习惯以及与瘦素、瘦素受体的关系.方法 选取嘉兴市超重或肥胖的67名小学生,其中男生33名,女生34名,年龄8 ～12岁.研究对象的运动数据使用能量检测仪收集,取2周的平均值;瘦素和瘦素受体采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测法测定.结果 被调查儿童中男生体质指数高于女生,而瘦素水平女生高于男生.平日运动总量,有效运动量,有效运动时间与有效运动次数男生均高于女生.男女生瘦素与平日运动数据之间均为负相关,但男生无统计学意义,而女生有统计学意义(P均小于0.01).瘦素受体与运动数据的相关关系均无统计学意义.结论 增加运动量,提高瘦素敏感度为今后研究和探索改善儿童超重或肥胖的方法之一.     

Attitude toward physical activity in normal-weight,overweight and obese adolescents

PurposeTo investigate differences in physical activity and attitude toward physical activity in adolescents with different degrees of overweight and explore whether the prediction of physical activity by attitude is moderated by level of overweight.MethodsSubjects were divided into a normal-weight group (n = 37, 18.8 ± 1.2 kg/m²), an overweight group (n = 28, 25.9 ± 1.3 kg/m²), and an obese group (n = 24, 33.7 ± 4.1 kg/m²). Mean age was 14.6 ± 1.2 years, with 72% girls. Physical activity was estimated using the Baecke Questionnaire. Attitude was measured by assessing perceived benefits and barriers.ResultsParticipation in sports was higher in normal-weight compared with overweight (p < .05) and obese (p < .01) subjects. There was no difference in leisure-time physical activity between groups. Perceived benefits did not differ between groups, but normal-weight subjects perceived less barriers (‘physical complaints’, ‘not being good at it’, ‘insecure about appearance’, ‘not liking it’) than their overweight (p < .05) and obese (p < .001) counterparts. Obese adolescents had a less positive attitude compared with their normal-weight (p < .001) and overweight (p < .05) peers. Sport participation was significantly predicted by the perceived benefit ‘pleasure’ (p < .05) and by the perceived barrier ‘not liking it’ (p < .001), after taking into account level of overweight. The association between sport participation and attitude was not moderated by level of overweight.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that overweight and obese adolescents show lower sport participation and have a less positive attitude toward physical activity. Interventions in youngsters with weight problems should try to increase participation in sports by making activities more fun and attractive for these youngsters.     

超重肥胖青少年中高强度身体活动评价标准研究

目的 验证现有的青少年运动强度切点标准对超重或肥胖青少年中高强度身体活动的判断能力,为科学指导运动实践提供理论支持.方法 采用活动计数、步数和心率指标,共纳入15个青少年中高强度切点标准;对广州市94名超重或肥胖青少年进行自由状态下3～7 km/h走、跑测试,同步佩戴MetaMax 3B气体代谢分析仪、Polar遥测心...     

Association between change in maternal physical activity during pregnancy and infant size,in a sample overweight or obese women

ABSTRACT

Physical activity (PA) naturally declines during pregnancy and its effects on infant size are unclear, especially in overweight or obese pregnancies, a low-active subpopulation that tends deliver heavier infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in prenatal PA and infant birthweight in a group of overweight or obese pregnant women. We employed a prospective analysis using data from a randomized controlled exercise trial (2001 to 2006) in sedentary, overweight or obese pregnant women in Michigan. Women with complete data on peak oxygen consumption, daily PA (via pedometers) and birthweight were included in the analyses. Change in PA was estimated via repeated measures analyses, and then its influence on infant birthweight was assessed via linear regression. Eighty-nine pregnant women were included and considered low-active (6,579.91 ± 2379.17 steps/day). PA declined from months 4 to 8 (?399.73 ± 371.38 steps?day^?1?month^?1). Analyses showed that the decline in PA (β = ?0.28 g, 95%CI: ?0.70, 0.25 g, p = .35) was not associated with birthweight. The findings of this study demonstrated that the decline in maternal PA during mid- to late-pregnancy, in overweight or obese women, was unrelated to infant birthweight. Future investigations should employ rigorous measurements of PA and infant anthropometry in this subpopulation.     

Rural-urban differences in physical activity, physical fitness, and overweight prevalence of children.

CONTEXT: The increasing prevalence of overweight in youth has been well chronicled, but less is known about the unique patterns and risks that may exist in rural and urban environments. A better understanding of possible rural-urban differences in physical activity profiles may facilitate the development of more targeted physical activity interventions. METHODS: Participants (1,687 boys; 1,729 girls) were recruited from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade classes in schools from urban areas, small cities, and rural areas. Multilevel modeling analysis was used to examine rural-urban differences in physical activity and prevalence of overweight. Physical activity was assessed by self-report and body mass index was calculated from measured height and weight. FINDINGS: Prevalence of overweight was higher among rural children (25%; P<.001) than children from urban areas (19%) and small cities (17%). Urban children were the least active overall (Cohens' d=-0.4), particularly around lunchtime while at school (d=-0.9 to -1.1). Children from small cities reported the highest levels of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest there are rural-urban differences in children's prevalence of overweight and physical activity even within a fairly homogenous Midwestern state.     

Surveillance to improve physical activity of children and adolescents

The global transition to current low levels of habitual physical activity among children and adolescents began in the second half of the last century. Low physical activity harms health in both the short term (during childhood and adolescence) and long term (during adulthood). In turn, low physical activity could limit progress towards several sustainable development goals, undermine noncommunicable disease prevention, delay physical and mental health recovery from the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, increase health-care costs and hinder responses to climate change. However, despite the importance of physical activity, public health surveillance among children and adolescents is very limited globally and low levels of physical activity in children is not on the public health agenda in many countries, irrespective of their level of economic development. This article details proposals for improvements in global public health surveillance of physical activity from birth to adolescence based on recent systematic reviews, international collaborations and World Health Organization guidelines and strategies. Empirical examples from several countries illustrate how improved surveillance of physical activity can lead to public health initiatives. Moreover, better surveillance raises awareness of the extent of physical inactivity, thereby making an invisible problem visible, and can lead to greater capacity in physical activity policy and practice. The time has arrived for a step change towards more systematic physical activity surveillance from infancy onwards that could help inform and inspire changes in public health policy and practice globally.     

Body fat distribution in relation to physical activity and smoking habits in 38-year-old European men. The European Fat Distribution Study

The authors studied 512 European men all born in 1950 from six different towns in the period October 1988 to May 1989. Anthropometric measurements were taken, including weight, height, and circumferences (waist, hip, thigh). Educational level, activity scores and information on smoking habits were obtained from a questionnaire. Higher educational level was associated with lower body mass index, waist/hip ratio, and waist/thigh ratio. The sports activity score was negatively related to waist/hip ratio (beta +/- standard error of the mean (SEM): -0.009 +/- 0.003) and waist/thigh ratio (-0.041 +/- 0.007), and this could be attributed to a negative relation with waist circumference and a positive relation to thigh circumference. Smoking habits were not related to body mass index but heavy smokers had larger waist circumferences (difference +/- SEM: 1.4 +/- 0.5 cm) as well as higher waist/hip ratios (difference +/- SEM: 0.014 +/- 0.005) and waist/thigh ratios (0.043 +/- 0.013) compared with men who never smoked. These associations between activity scores and smoking habits and fat distribution remained after adjustment for each other and for body mass index and educational level. The authors conclude that physical activity and smoking are independently related to indicators of fat distribution and may be potential confounders in the relations between fat distribution, risk factors, and disease.     

The contribution of school breaks to the all-day physical activity of 9- and 10-year-old overweight and non-overweight children

Objectives

This study examines whether moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), in at least 30-min school breaks (SB), helps to achieve the health-related amount of daily physical activity (PA) and whether these exercises influence after-school PA.

Methods

The ActiTrainer-based PA was monitored over two school days in 239 children aged from 9 to 10 (57.3% female; 20.1% overweight, and 19.2% obese), in Katowice, in February 2010. PA was assessed based on steps, heart rate, and duration of PA.

Results

MVPA, for 30?min during SB, represented an average of 1,258 steps for overweight girls and 1,620 steps for boys, and 1,336 steps for non-overweight girls and 1,758 steps for boys. Children with 30?min of MVPA during SB attained a higher daily amount of steps (p?p?Conclusion The daily 30?min of MVPA during SB amounts to 12.5% of the overall number of steps for girls and 16.3% for boys, thus contributing to higher school PA and overall PA and leading to the achievement of the health-related minimum of PA.     

The onset and course of binge eating in 8- to 13-year-old healthy weight, overweight and obese children

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) determine the prevalence of binge eating and overeating in 8- to 13-year-old children; (2) identify factors that cross-sectionally predict binge eating and overeating; and (3) identify factors that prospectively predict onset of binge eating and overeating. METHODS: Participants were 259 boys and girls who were assessed at baseline and one-year follow-up, using a range of semi-structured interviews that included the Child Eating Disorder Examination. RESULTS: At baseline, 9% of children reported binge eating and 6% reported overeating. Obese children were most at risk for these behaviours. Dietary restraint and the tendency to use food to regulate emotions were significant in predicting binge eating onset prospectively, and eating concern was significant in predicting binge eating cross-sectionally. CONCLUSION: Results provide support for current cognitive-behavioural models of binge eating, and have implications for guiding binge eating prevention and intervention efforts with children.     

Prevalence of overweight and risk of overweight among 3- to 5-year-old Chicago children, 2002-2003

This article reports the first estimates of overweight prevalence in Chicago children entering school (aged 3-5 years). Chicago data are compared with those from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS). Data were from 2 separate convenience samples of children aged 3-5 years attending either 18 Chicago Public Schools or 10 Chicago Catholic School pre-K programs (n = 1517). Data were taken from students' Certificate of Child Health Examination (CCHE), completed by a health professional. Overall, the prevalence of overweight subjects (body mass index >or=95th percentile) was 24%, more than twice that of the national prevalence of 10% for 2- to 5-year olds documented by NHANES (1999-2002) and 3 times that of the 1998-1999 ECLS prevalence estimate of 8% for 5- to 7-year olds in the Midwest region. The data reported here document that nearly one quarter of children entering school in Chicago are already overweight. This clearly establishes a need for local schools to develop protocols and procedures to support the physical and mental health needs of affected and at-risk children. The findings also make it plain that ongoing weight status monitoring is needed and that current plans to implement this should go forward.     

Using pedometers to increase physical activity in overweight and obese women: a pilot study

Background  

Most public health guidelines recommend that adults participate in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week. Establishing new ways to achieve these targets in sedentary populations need to be explored. This research evaluated whether the daily use of pedometers could increase physical activity and improve health outcomes in sedentary overweight and obese women.     

Cardiovascular risk factors in young,overweight, and obese European adults and associations with physical activity and omega-3 index

Excess body fat is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The hypothesis of the study was that physical activity and omega-3 index, a marker of past long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids consumption, counteract the negative associations between fatness and CVD risk factors in young overweight and obese adults. A total of 324 subjects (20-40 years, body mass index [BMI], 27.5-32.5 kg/m², from Iceland, Spain, and Ireland) were investigated cross-sectionally. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, CVD risk factors, and fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane were analyzed. Information on physical activity was collected. Linear models were constructed to find out the associations of BMI, physical activity (quartiles), and omega-3 index with CVD risk factors. The most frequently increased risk factors were blood lipids (41.4%) and blood pressure (32.1%); fewer participants experienced disturbed glucose metabolism (11.8%). Body mass index was significantly associated with increased CVD risk factors (P = .001-.029), with the exception of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein. The highest physical activity quartile had a lower fat mass (P = .005, at a given BMI), leptin (P = .008, in male participants only), and interleukin 6 (P = .021) but higher high-density lipoprotein (P = .020) than other quartiles; however, an approximate dose-response relationship could only be observed for leptin. The omega-3 index was not associated with lower low-density lipoprotein (P = .056), but docosahexaenoic acid in erythrocyte membrane was associated to it (P = .016). It is concluded that physical activity and docosahexaenoic acid diminish some of the negative health effects associated with overweight and obesity; however, body fatness remains the most important variable associated with increased CVD risk factors in young overweight and obese adults.     

Objectively measured physical activity in a representative sample of 3- to 4-year-old children

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe levels of physical activity in a representative sample of preschool children and to quantify tracking of activity over 1 year. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Physical activity (mean accelerometry counts/minute) was assessed over 3 days using the Computer Science and Applications accelerometer in 3- to 4-year-old children (n = 104; 52 boys; mean age, 3.7 +/- 0.4 years). In 60 children (30 boys), measurements were repeated 1 year later. RESULTS: Mean total activity at baseline was 777 +/- 207 counts/minute in boys and 657 +/- 172 counts/minute for girls; this gender difference was significant (p < 0.001). In the cross-sectional analysis, total activity was significantly positively related to age (r = 0.37, p = 0.007). In the sample followed up for 1 year, mean total activity was 849 +/- 252. The longitudinal analysis confirmed that total physical activity increased over the 1-year period (paired Student's t test, p < 0.001). The tracking rank order correlation coefficient of total activity count over 1 year was r = 0.40 (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: This study suggests that total activity increases during the preschool period in Scottish children and that gender differences in total activity are present early in life. Tracking of total activity was only modest, but adequate assessment of tracking requires methodological research aimed at elucidating the biological meaning of accelerometer output.