Physical fitness and overweight in Israeli children with and without developmental coordination disorder: Gender differences

Physical fitness and overweight among children has become paramount in the general population and more so in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of the current study was to examine the association between physical fitness and overweight in a sample of Israeli children in comparison to typical children, and to examine gender differences. DCD was identified through total scores on the movement assessment battery for children 2 (MABC-2) equal to or less than the 16th percentile as well as parents’ report that the child's deficits in motor skills interfered with at least two daily life activities. The sample included a group of children with DCD (n = 22, M age = 8.70 [SD = 1.36], 16 boys [73%]) and a control group of typical children (n = 47, M age = 8.90 [SD = 1.52], 34 boys [72%]). Measures included the strength subtest of the Bruininks–Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (BOT-2), the six minutes’ walk test (6MWT) with heart rate measure, BMI and the percentage of body fat. Significant differences between DCD and typical children were found on all variables of physical fitness and weight. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis (group/gender) also revealed significant interactions for the percentage of body fat (F = 8.51, p < .005) and BMI (F = 4.50, p < .038) meaning that less fit children are more obese. The current study supports previous findings that children with DCD are less physically fit and more overweight compared to typically developing children. Moreover, in comparing between the genders, the girls in the study sample weighed more and had a significantly higher percentage of body fat than boys, it is essential to further our understanding of the relationships between obesity, physical fitness and gender among children with and without DCD.     

Physical activity practice,body image and visual impairment: A comparison between Brazilian and Italian children and adolescents

The aim of this study was to analyze the physical activity and body image of children and adolescents with visual impairment (VI) in Brazil and Italy. For this, 41 children and adolescents with VI (19 Brazilian and 22 Italian) aged 10.22 ± 2.19 years old (18 girls and 23 boys) answered the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), the Offer Self-Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), and an instrument with information about the disability, body weight and height. We analyzed the relationship between data from PAQ-C and OSIQ, as well as the gender, level of disability (blindness or low vision) and country using independent Mann–Whitney test. Body mass index (BMI) values were higher for Brazilian youths, with more than half of them classified as overweight and obese. Italian youths exhibited values of body image that were more positive and only 27% presented overweight or obesity. Blind children and adolescents were less active than those with low vision, but no differences were found between countries or genders. In Brazil, we detected significant correlations (p > 0.05) between physical activity, body image and BMI, which more active youths presenting lower values of BMI and a better perception of body image. Physical activity seems to have a positive influence on body image and BMI for children and adolescents with VI, thus it should be encouraged especially for those with higher disability degrees.     

Attentional cortical responses to enlarged faces are related to body fat in normal weight subjects: An electroencephalographic study

ObjectiveHere we tested the hypothesis that in normal weight subjects, attentional cortical responses to the enlargement of faces are related to features of body weight, as a basis for future studies on the role of neurocognitive mechanisms in eating and weight disorders.MethodsElectroencephalographic data were recorded in 15 normal weight adults during a visual “oddball” paradigm. The subjects were given frequent (70%) and rare (30%) stimuli depicting faces (FACE), food (FOOD), and landscapes (CONTROL). The task was to click the mouse after the rare stimuli. These stimuli depicted the same frequent stimuli graphically dilated by 25% along the horizontal axis. Analysis of bioelectrical impedance indexed subjects’ body fat percentage. Cortical attentional responses were probed by the difference between positive event-related potentials peaking around 200–600 ms post-stimulus for the frequent minus rare stimuli (P300). LORETA estimated P300 cortical sources.ResultsMain results showed that in the FACE condition, there was a negative correlation between the body fat percentage and the reaction time to the rare stimuli, and a positive correlation between the body fat percentage and the amplitude of prefrontal P300 sources (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThese results disclose a relationship between body fat and prefrontal attentional processes to body image in normal weight adults.SignificanceThe present study motivates future research testing the hypothesis that this relationship might be altered in patients with eating and weight disorders.     

Cardiopulmonary fitness and endurance in children with developmental coordination disorder

The purpose of this study was to compare cardiopulmonary fitness and endurance in 9–11-year-old children with DCD against a group of typically developing children in Taiwan. The Movement ABC test was used to evaluate the motor abilities of children. Forty-one participants (20 children with DCD and 21 children without DCD) were recruited for this study. The cardiopulmonary tests included the 800-m run test and the peak oxygen consumption (peak VO₂) test using the Bruce treadmill protocol. No significant differences in age, body height, body weight, body mass index, and percentage of body fat between children with DCD and without DCD were found. However, there were significant differences in the cardiopulmonary endurance tests between children with DCD and without DCD. Children with DCD had significantly lower peak VO₂ results than children without DCD. In addition, children with DCD ran 800 m in a slower time than children without DCD. A significant negative correlation (r = ?0.437) was found between the peak VO₂ results and time to completion for the 800-m run test. Based on the results, cardiopulmonary endurance in children with DCD was worse than that of children without DCD. Due to the small sample size in this study, the results may not be a direct reflection of the entire population.     

Activity participation intensity is associated with skeletal development in pre-pubertal children with developmental coordination disorder

PurposeThis study aimed (1) to compare the skeletal maturity and activity participation pattern between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD); and (2) to determine whether activity participation pattern was associated with the skeletal development among children with DCD.Materials and methodsThirty-three children with DCD (mean age: 7.76 years) and 30 typically developing children (mean age: 7.60 years) were recruited. Skeletal maturity was assessed with the Sunlight BonAge system. Motor ability was evaluated by the Movement assessment battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Participation patterns were evaluated using the Children Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment assessment. Analysis of variance was used to compare the outcome variables between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between skeletal development, motor performance and activity participation intensity in children with DCD.ResultsThe DCD group had significantly delayed skeletal development, lower MABC-2 derived scores, and participated less intensely in various types of physical activities than their typically developing peers. After accounting for the effects of age and sex, activity participation intensity score remained significantly associated with delay in skeletal development, explaining 28.0% of the variance (F_{change1, 29} = 11.341, p = 0.002).ConclusionSkeletal development is delayed in pre-pubertal children with DCD. Limited activity participation intensity appears to be one of the contributing factors.     

Understanding physical activity and motivations for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: An investigation using the Theory of Planned Behavior

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, affecting approximately 5–6% of children. Previous research has consistently found children with DCD being less physically active compared to typically-developing (TD) children; however, the psychosocial factors associated with physical activity for children with DCD are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to examine how theory-based physical activity cognitions impacts physical activity behaviors for children with and without DCD. Participants included a sample of boys (N = 61, M_age = 13.25 ± .46) with DCD (n = 19) and without DCD (n = 42), drawn from a larger prospective cohort study. A questionnaire with psychosocial measures was first administered, and accelerometers were used to assess their physical activity behavior over the subsequent week. Findings indicate that DCD was significantly associated with lower physical activity (F(1,58) = 6.51, p < .05), and poorer physical activity cognitions (F(4,56) Wilks Lambda = 2.78, p < .05). Meditational analyses found attitudes (B = .23, p < .05) and subjective norms (B = .31, p < .05) partially mediating the relationship between DCD and physical activity. Overall, this study further confirms that the activity deficit that exists among boys with DCD, and that the relationship is partially mediated through some physical activity cognitions. Interventions should target the perceived approval of influential people, and the personal evaluations of physical activity for boys with motoric difficulties. These findings further emphasizes the discrepancy in physical activity that exist between boys with DCD and TD boys, and highlight the need to better understand the psychological factors related to physical activity for children with DCD.     

Assessment of physical fitness and exercise tolerance in children with developmental coordination disorder

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have been shown to be less physically fit when compared to their typically developing peers. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships among body composition, physical fitness and exercise tolerance in children with and without DCD. Thirty-seven children between the ages of 7 and 9 years participated in this study. Participants were classified according to results obtained on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) and were divided in 2 groups: 19 children with DCD and 18 children without DCD. All children performed the following physical fitness tests: The five-jump test (5JT), the triple-hop distance (THD) and the modified agility test (MAT). Walking distance was assessed using the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Children with DCD showed higher scores than children without DCD in all MABC subscale scores, as well as in the total score (p < 0.001). Participants with DCD were found to perform significantly worse on the MAT (p < 0.001), the THD (p < 0.001) and 5JT (p < 0.05). Moreover, children with DCD had poorer performance on the 6MWT than children without DCD (p < 0.01). Our results found significant correlations among body mass index (BMI), THD (r = 0.553, p < 0.05), 5JT (r = 0.480, p < 0.05) and 6MWT (r = 0.544, p < 0.05) only in DCD group. A significant correlation between MAT and 5JT (r = −0.493, p < 0.05) was found. Similarly, THD and 5JT (r = 0.611, p < 0.01) was found to be correlated in children with DCD. We also found relationships among 6MWT and MAT (r = −0.522, p < 0.05) and the 6MWT and 5JT (r = 0.472, p < 0.05) in DCD group. In addition, we found gender specific patterns in the relationship between exercise tolerance, explosive strength, power, DCD, and BMI. In conclusion, the present study revealed that BMI was indicative of poorer explosive strength, power and exercise tolerance in children with DCD compared to children without DCD probably due to a limited coordination on motor control.     

Discordance between measured weight,perceived weight,and body satisfaction among adolescents

ObjectiveTo estimate prevalence, trends and persistence of discordance between measured body weight and perceived body weight and body satisfaction, and examine its association with gender, ethnicity, and family income.MethodsUsing two-wave data from a prospective cohort study of adolescents sampled from Houston metropolitan area, aged 11–17 years at baseline (n = 4175) in 2000, and followed up in 2001 (n = 3134). Survey logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (OR).ResultsFemales, European Americans, and adolescents in families with higher income were more likely to overestimate their body weight, and to be dissatisfied with their body weight, compared with males, African Americans, or those with a lower family income, respectively. Healthy weight females had significantly elevated odds of perceiving themselves as overweight compared with healthy weight males: OR = 1.82 (1.27–2.61) in Wave 1, OR = 2.81 (1.82–4.34) in Wave 2, and OR = 3.85 (1.58–9.38) in both waves. Similarly, healthy weight European Americans had about two times higher odds of perceiving themselves as overweight than healthy weight African Americans. Healthy weight females had over 1.5 odds of being dissatisfied with their body compared to healthy weight males. Compared with African Americans, European Americans were more likely to be dissatisfied with their body even they were within healthy weight range.ConclusionsThere was a high prevalence of discordance between actual weight and perceived weight and body satisfaction among adolescents. Discordances differed by gender, ethnicity, and family income, and should be taken into account in interventions for preventing overweight and obesity, and other undesired outcomes in adolescents.     

Associations of self-reported and actigraphy-assessed sleep characteristics with body mass index and waist circumference in adults: moderation by gender

ObjectivesSelf-reported sleep duration has been linked to body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in previous work; however, data regarding if these associations are stronger in men or women have been mixed, and few studies have objectively measured sleep. We investigated self-reported and actigraphy-assessed sleep characteristics in relation to BMI and waist circumference and examined the extent to which these associations differ by gender.DesignArchived cross-sectional data collected from 2004 to 2006 from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) Biomarkers Study were used. Participants included 1248 adults (43% men) who reported their habitual sleep duration, and a subset of participants (N = 441; 40% men) who underwent seven nights of wrist actigraphy.ResultsSelf-reported total sleep time (TST), actigraphy-assessed TST, and actigraphy-assessed sleep efficiency (SE) were inversely associated with BMI in the full sample of both men and women. Gender moderated associations between actigraphy assessments of sleep and anthropometric variables; however, TST and SE were related to BMI and waist circumference in women only. Associations between sleep and waist circumference were independent of BMI.ConclusionsSleep duration and sleep continuity are associated with body weight and distribution of body fat, but these associations were stronger or were only present in women.     

Physical fitness in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Measurement matters

Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience considerable difficulties coordinating and controlling their body movements during functional motor tasks. Thus, it is not surprising that children with DCD do not perform well on tests of physical fitness. The aim of this study was to determine whether deficits in motor coordination influence the ability of children with DCD to perform adequately on physical fitness tests. A case–control study design was used to compare the performance of children with DCD (n = 70, 36 boys, mean age = 8y 1mo) and Typically Developing (TD) children (n = 70, 35 boys, mean age = 7y 9mo) on measures of isometric strength (hand-held dynamometry), functional strength, i.e. explosive power and muscular endurance (Functional Strength Measurement), aerobic capacity (20 m Shuttle Run Test) and anaerobic muscle capacity, i.e. muscle power (Muscle Power Sprint Test). Results show that children with DCD were able to generate similar isometric forces compared to TD children in isometric break tests, but were significantly weaker in three-point grip strength. Performance on functional strength items requiring more isolated explosive movement of the upper extremities, showed no significant difference between groups while items requiring muscle endurance (repetitions in 30 s) and items requiring whole body explosive movement were all significantly different. Aerobic capacity was lower for children with DCD whereas anaerobic performance during the sprint test was not. Our findings suggest that poor physical fitness performance in children with DCD may be partly due to poor timing and coordination of repetitive movements.     

Association between sleep duration,weight gain,and obesity for long period

BackgroundAlthough previous studies showed the long-term effects of sleep duration on risk of weight gain, Western tends to gain weight irrespective of sleep duration over a long period. Conversely, it is showed that body mass index (BMI) decreases during a long period in Japanese and thus, the long-term effect of sleep duration on weight gain and obesity is still unclear in Asia.MethodsWe followed up 13,629 participants aged 40–79 years and prospectively collected data from 1995 to 2006. We divided the participants into five groups according to their self-reported sleep duration: ⩽5 h (short sleep), 6 h, 7 h (reference), 8 h, and ⩾9 h (long sleep). The main outcome was ⩾5 kg weight gain or BMI ⩾ 25 kg/m² (obesity). We used logistic regression analyses to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for several confounding factors.ResultsWe observed no association between sleep duration and risk of ⩾5 kg weight gain and obesity. After stratification by BMI, long sleepers had a significantly increased risk of ⩾5 kg weight gain (OR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.09–1.70) in obese participants.ConclusionsAmong community-dwelling Japanese, only obese long sleepers have a significantly increased long-term risk of ⩾5 kg weight gain.     

Performance on Functional Strength Measurement and Muscle Power Sprint Test confirm poor anaerobic capacity in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

BackgroundThere is little and conflicting information about anaerobic performance and functional strength in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).AimsTo investigate anaerobic capacity and functional strength in children with a clinical diagnosis of DCD (clin-DCD) and if differences were larger in older (age 7–10 years) compared to younger children (age 4–6 years). Furthermore to determine the percentage of children with clin-DCD that scored <15th percentile on the norm-referenced Functional Strength Measurement.MethodA clin-DCD group (36 boys, 11 girls, mean age: 7y 1mo, SD = 2y 1mo) and a typically developing group (TD) (57 boys, 53 girls, mean age: 7y 5mo, SD = 1y 10mo) were compared on Muscle Power Sprint Test (MPST) and Functional Strength Measurement (FSM).ResultsChildren with clin-DCD performed poorer on the MPST and FSM, especially on the muscle endurance items of the FSM. The differences were larger in the older children compared to the younger on the cluster muscle endurance and the FSM total score. Over 50% of clin-DCD group scored <15th percentile on the FSM.InterpretationDifferences between children with clin-DCD and TD children are even more pronounced in the older children, especially when tested on items requiring fast repetitive movements.     

Waist circumference and not body mass index as the outcome of a group weight intervention for patients with severe mental illness

ObjectiveMost weight interventions among patients with severe mental illness (SMI) used body mass index (BMI) as outcome measure but excluded waist circumference (WC) although the latter is a stronger predictor of obesity complications. This study aimed to assess a weight-management program consisting of education, exercise and behavioural techniques for patients with SMI using weight parameters including WC as the outcome measures.MethodsA group intervention was carried out as part of psychiatric outpatient community service. It used structured modules on diet, exercise and related topics comprising of education and exercises sessions with a total of 12-week duration. The participants were outpatients with SMI recruited through referrals to the program by the treating doctor. The participants’ body weight, BMI and WC were measured at the baseline, fortnightly and at the end of the program.ResultsA total of 27 patients participated in the program which was carried out in 6 cycles. The pre- and post-intervention comparisons analysis of the weight parameters found a significant reduction in the WC (mean = 3.878 cm + 5.165, p = 0.001) while no significant changes were recorded in body weight and BMI.ConclusionSmall but significant loss in WC and possibly weight maintenance were achieved using this non-pharmacological intervention. Modest loss in WC may have an impact on reducing the risk of obesity-related health risks.     

The association between short sleep and obesity after controlling for demographic,lifestyle, work and health related factors

ObjectiveThe relationship between short sleep and obesity remains unclear, and a possible explanation is that many studies have not included sufficient control variables in the analyses. We examined the association between sleep and being overweight or obese after adjusting for the confounding contributions of 17 variables.MethodsA random sample of 1162 Australian adults from three regional cities in central Queensland, Australia, participated in a telephone survey. A series of increasingly complex multinomial logistic regression models were employed to assess the association between short sleep (⩽6 h) being overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25–29.99 kg/m²) and obesity (BMI, ⩾30 kg/m²), while controlling for several demographic, lifestyle, work, and health-related variables.ResultsThe results suggested obesity was significantly associated with short sleep, age, male gender, lower education level, less physical activity, more sitting time, working longer hours, drinking more alcohol, having diabetes mellitus (DM), and having hypertension. Being overweight was significantly associated with age, male gender, smoking, and working more than 43 hours per week.ConclusionsAfter adjustment of several confounding variables, a significant association between short sleep and obesity was obtained, but there was no association between short sleep and being overweight. Additional studies applying comprehensive analytic models and stronger research designs are needed to confirm our findings.     

Sleep architecture in school-aged children with primary snoring

ObjectiveWe aimed to examine if sleep architecture was altered in school-aged children with primary snoring (PS).MethodsChildren ages 6 to 13 years from 13 primary schools were randomly recruited. A validated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening questionnaire was completed by their parents. Children at high risk for OSA and a randomly chosen low-risk group were invited to undergo overnight polysomnography (PSG) and clinical examination. Participants were classified into healthy controls, PS, mild OSA, and moderate to severe OSA (MS OSA) groups for comparison.ResultsA total of 619 participants underwent PSG (mean age, 10.0 ± 1.8 years; 396 (64.0%) boys; 524 (84.7%) prepubertal). For the cohort as a whole, there were no significant differences in measures of sleep architecture between PS and nonsnoring healthy controls. In the multiple regression model, percentage of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) stage 1 (N1) sleep had a significantly positive association, whereas percentage of slow-wave sleep (SWS) had a significantly negative association with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) severity after controlling for age, gender, body mass index (BMI) z score, and pubertal status. In prepubertal children with PS, no significant disruption of sleep architecture was found. However, pubertal adolescent PS participants had significantly higher adjusted percentage of N1 sleep and wake after sleep onset (WASO) compared to healthy controls.ConclusionsPS did not exert significant adverse influences on normal sleep architecture in prepubertal school-aged children. Nevertheless, pubertal adolescents with PS had increased N1 sleep and WASO.     

Habitual physical activity is associated with the maintenance of neutrophil migratory dynamics in healthy older adults

BackgroundDysfunctional neutrophils with advanced age are a hallmark of immunosenescence. Reduced migration and bactericidal activity increase the risk of infection. It remains unclear why neutrophil dysfunction occurs with age. Physical activity and structured exercise have been suggested to improve immune function in the elderly. The aim of this study was to assess a comprehensive range of neutrophil functions and determine their association with habitual physical activity.MethodPhysical activity levels were determined in 211 elderly (67 ± 5 years) individuals by 7-days of accelerometry wear. Twenty of the most physically active men and women were matched for age and gender to twenty of the least physically active individuals. Groups were compared for neutrophil migration, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, cell surface receptor expression, metabolic health parameters and systemic inflammation. Groups were also compared against ten young participants (23 ± 4 years).ResultsThe most active group completed over twice as many steps/day as the least active group (p < 0.001), had lower BMI’s (p = 0.007) and body fat percentages (p = 0.029). Neutrophils migrated towards IL-8 better in the most active group compared to the least active (p < 0.05) and was comparable to that of the young (p > 0.05). These differences remained after adjusting for BMI, body fat and plasma metabolic markers which were different between groups. Correlations revealed that steps/day, higher adiponectin and lower insulin were positively associated with migratory ability (p < 0.05). There was no difference in expression of the chemokine receptors CXCR1 or CXCR2 (p > 0.05 for both). CD11b was higher in the most active group compared to the least active (p = 0.048). No differences between activity groups or young controls were observed for neutrophil phagocytosis or oxidative burst in response to Escherichia coli (p > 0.05). The young group had lower concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, CRP, IL-10 and IL-13 (p < 0.05 for all) with no differences between the two older groups.ConclusionThese data suggest that impaired neutrophil migration, but not bactericidal function, in older adults may be, in part, the result of reduced physical activity. A 2-fold difference in physical activity is associated with better preserved neutrophil migratory dynamics in healthy older people. As a consequence increasing habitual physical activity may be beneficial for neutrophil mediated immunity.     

Bone health in boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy on long-term daily deflazacort therapy

Quality of life in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) has improved significantly with corticosteroid treatment. However, corticosteroids decrease bone mass and increase vertebral fragility fracture risk. We report on bone health in 39 boys with DMD on long-term deflazacort (0.9 mg/kg/day) therapy. Bone health was defined by lumbar (L₁–L₄) bone mineral density (BMD), long-bone and/or symptomatic vertebral fractures. Lumbar BMD was reported as height-adjusted Z-scores at initiation of deflazacort (T₀) and 1–2 year intervals thereafter. Subcapital body fat percentage and ambulatory status were recorded. At T₀, 39 boys, aged 6.6 ± 1.6 years had height-adjusted BMD Z-score −0.5 ± 0.8, and 23.5 ± 5.0% body fat. Height-adjusted Z-scores remained stable with years of deflazacort until loss of ambulation and accrual of body fat. Nine long-bone fractures occurred in eight ambulating boys, two before T₀. Seven vertebral fractures occurred in six non-ambulatory boys after ⩾5 years of deflazacort with height-adjusted Z-score −1.8 ± 0.7, and 47.8 ± 12% body fat. Bone health in DMD is influenced by disease progression, corticosteroids, BMD Z-scores and fat mass accumulation. Adjustments for short stature must be considered during BMD interpretation. Percent body fat and ambulatory status are useful bone health indicators. Routine use of height adjusted Z-scores is advocated for use in routine clinical practice.     

A comparison of the oxygen cost and physiological responses to running in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

The aim of this study was to compare the oxygen cost of running in boys with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Fourteen boys with DCD (9.1 ± 1.4 yr) and 16 typically developing (TD) controls (9.4 ± 1.3 yr) were tested on two separate occasions at least a week apart. On the first visit, motor proficiency, body composition and maximal aerobic capacity were established. On the second visit, oxygen consumption was determined via indirect calorimetry while participants ran at three submaximal speeds (7.2 km/h, 8.0 km/h and 8.8 km/h) on a motorised treadmill for 4 min each. Additional physiological responses such as blood lactate, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate, salivary alpha amylase and pain threshold were monitored at baseline and after each submaximal effort. Although there were no differences in the oxygen cost of running at all three speeds, the boys with DCD had higher blood lactate concentration (7.2 km/h, p = 0.05; 8.0 km/h p = 0.019), heart rate (p ≤ 0.001), RER (8.0 km/h, p = 0.019; 8.8 km/h, p = 0.001), salivary alpha amylase (8.0 km/h, p = 0.023; 8.8 km/h, p = 0.020) and a lower pain threshold (p < 0.01). The higher overall metabolic cost of running in boys with DCD as indicated by the higher RER, heart rate and blood lactate concentrations, together with the higher levels of sympathoadrenal medullary activity and sensitivity to pain, may be deterring factors for participation in physical activity in this population.     

Influence of a two-year steroid treatment on body composition as measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Steroids are nowadays routinely used as a long-term treatment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Their effects on body composition were assessed using dual X-ray absorptiometry. The study followed over 2 years 29 genetically confirmed DMD patients: 21 in the steroid-treated group and 8 in the steroid-naïve group. After 2 years of steroid treatment, the lean tissue mass values increased significantly (p < 0.0001), the percentage of body fat mass remained practically constant (p = 0.94) in comparison with the initial visit. In the steroid-naïve patients, there were no significant increases in the lean tissue mass but deterioration in body composition confirmed by a significant increase in the percentage of body fat mass. Besides, significant negative correlations were found between the percentage of body fat mass and the MFM total score (R = −0.79, n = 76, p < 0.0001). A 2-year steroid treatment improves significantly body composition of boys with DMD through a significant increase in lean tissue mass. We suggest that a thorough check of body composition should be carried out before steroid treatment discontinuation in case of overweight gain.     

Body mass index and its impact on migraine prevalence and severity in female patients: Preliminary results

Background and purposeA strikingly increasing number of obese patients causes a great interest in potential medical problems resulting from abnormal body weight. Many conditions are associated with obesity. The severity and risk of migraine may be connected with a body weight. We would like to assess a correlation between body mass index (BMI) and frequency and duration of migraine.Materials and methodsWe collected data of 53 female patients with migraine and 36 healthy persons (25 women) as a control group. Mean duration of migraine attacks and their mean frequency were based on patients’ diaries. The patients reported their height. Weight was measured by the authors. We consequently calculated BMI and performed statistics on SAS 9.2.ResultsThe mean BMI of the migraine group was 24.27 ± 4.47. Forty-nine percent of patients had normal BMI (18.5–25), 30% patients were overweight (>25) and 13% were obese (>30). The mean BMI among controls was 22.69 ± 2.96. Eighty-four percent of the control group had normal BMI, 12% was overweight and 5% was obese. An association of BMI in women with frequency of migraine episodes per month occurred remarkable when adjusted for age. Difference of a mean BMI value between the migraine and the control group was nearly statistically significant. Body mass index and duration of the episodes revealed similarly strong correlation.ConclusionsIncreased BMI correlates with frequency of migraine. Its influence on a risk of the headaches and their duration remains to be specified.