Lower perceived stress among physically active elite private university students with higher levels of gratitude.

Elite private universities have high stress levels, particularly for underrepresented populations. While physical activity and gratitude can both reduce stress, independent effects from gratitude and interaction effects between physical activity and gratitude on stress are insufficiently explored. Our study investigated these effects among undergraduates at elite private universities.

Dietary behaviors and food insecurity among Houston college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' nutrition, including dietary behaviors and food security status. Participants included 140 students between 18 and 25 years of age, who were enrolled in a college or university in the greater Houston area. Analyses included descriptive statistics, tests, and ANOVAs to analyze differences in dietary behaviors by demographic variables, and chi-square tests to assess characteristics associated with food security status.

Living Situation and Physical Activity in the COVID-19 Pandemic Among American Private University Students.

Many university students experienced changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, including potential changes in physical activity (PA) levels and living situation. As PA behaviors in young adulthood help establish life-long habits and future health outcomes, the purpose of this study was to investigate overall change in PA, as well as change in PA due to living situation, among private university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Private university students (n = 109) between 18 and 25 years of age completed an online survey that included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form.

Health-Related Physical Fitness and Activity in Homeschool: A Systematic Review With Implications for Return to Public School.

Background: The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize what is known about health-related physical fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition) and physical activity among homeschool youth. Findings from this study have implications for all American youth as they return to public school from mandated schooling at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Database engines identified over 22,000 articles with 82 abstracts screened for further review.

Feasibility and Acceptability Findings of an Energy Balance Data Repository of Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Cancer.

Cancer patients suffer changes in energy balance (EB), the combination of energy intake (nutrition) and energy expenditure (physical activity (PA)), which may influence cancer-related morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Significant gaps remain in our understanding of the frequency and magnitude of these EB changes. Herein, we report on the feasibility and acceptability of a longitudinal repository of EB outcomes in children, adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer along the cancer continuum to fill these gaps.

Validation of Cardiorespiratory Fitness Measurements in Adolescents.

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is an important indicator of adolescent cardiovascular well-being and future cardiometabolic health but not always feasible to measure. The purpose of this study was to estimate the concurrent validity of the non-exercise test (NET) for adolescents against the Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER) and direct measures of VO as well as to examine the concurrent validity of the PACER with a portable metabolic system (K4b). Forty-six adolescents (12-17 years) completed the NET prior to performing the PACER while wearing the K4b.

Youth physical health and years in American homeschools: are they related?

Homeschooling is a growing trend in the USA and abroad with both reported consequences and benefits to youth physical health. The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in youth physical health could be related to the number of years a student spends in homeschool. Body composition (body mass index and body fat), muscular fitness (lower extremity, abdominal and upper extremity) and cardiorespiratory fitness (Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run) were assessed in 211 youth ages 5-17.

Organized Sports and Physical Activities as Sole Influencers of Fitness: The Homeschool Population.

Homeschool children may rely solely on organized sports and physical activities to achieve recommended levels of physical activity and fitness. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in fitness levels between homeschool children who did, and did not, participate in organized sports or physical activities, and then examine relationships between hours per week in sports or physical activities and cardiorespiratory fitness as measured by portions of the FitnessGram test battery. Organized sports/physical activity participation information was gathered on 100 children ages 10-17 years who completed tests of upper, abdominal, and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Criterion Validity and Sensitivity to Change of a Pediatric Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Scale in Adolescents.

Background: BMI measures are often used to infer body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a more accurate way to estimate percent body fat (%BF), particularly when screening children who may be overweight. The aim of this study was to determine the validity, sensitivity to change, and diagnostic value of a BIA scale designed specifically for adolescents.

How Healthy Is Homeschool? An Analysis of Body Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

Background: Public school children regularly participate in school-based physical activity, physical education, and fitness testing. However, almost 2 million American children are homeschooled. The purpose of this research was to assess the body composition of elementary school-aged homeschool children and their corresponding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Maternal concerns and perceptions of elementary school-age children's weight status.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics associated with maternal concerns for her child becoming overweight, and how these concerns are related to her perceptions of her child's weight.

Design: A school-based sample of 55 children and their mothers from Houston, Texas, participated in a cross-sectional survey. Mothers reported on their concerns and perceptions regarding their child's weight.

Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Homeschool versus Public School Children.

Purpose: The growth and unregulated structure of homeschooling creates an unknown population in regard to muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this research was to compare muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness between elementary school aged homeschool and public school children.

Method: Homeschool children ages 8-11 years old (n = 75) completed the curl-up, 90° push-up, and Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER) portions of the FitnessGram to assess abdominal and upper body strength and endurance as well as cardiorespiratory fitness.

Reliability, Validity, and Diagnostic Value of a Pediatric Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Scale.

Background: Accurate body composition assessment is critical to identify children who are overfat or obese. Unlike BMI measures, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) differentiates between lean and fat mass. However, bioelectrical impedance analysis has historically had questionable reliability and validity in children.