Body image perceptions in Western and post-communist countries: a cross-cultural pilot study of children and parents.

The development of an unrealistic ideal body image and body size dissatisfaction among children is common in Western countries, including the USA and many European nations. However, little is known about children's body image perceptions in post-communist countries. This pilot study evaluated body image perceptions in a sample of Czech school-aged children and their parents and compared them with the perceptions of American children and parents.

Social and physical environmental factors and child overweight in a sample of American and Czech school-aged children: a pilot study.

Objective: To compare environmental factors that influence body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) between a sample of American and Czech school-aged children.

Design: Pilot study. A parent questionnaire and school visits were used to collect data from parents and children.

Dietary intakes, physical activity, and predictors of child obesity among 4-6th graders in the Czech Republic.

The prevalence of child obesity in the Czech Republic has increased in the last several years, especially among school-aged children. While obesity trends are closely monitored in the Czech Republic, very little is known about the dietary habits and exercise behaviors of Czech children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutrient intakes and physical activity, as well as identify predictors of BMI-for-age in a sample of Czech school-aged children.

Relation between C-reactive protein and serum and dietary antioxidants in older adults at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between serum and dietary antioxidants, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in middle-aged and older individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease. We used data from adults aged > or = 40 at increased risk for cardiovascular disease selected from the NHANES III database. The relation between serum and dietary antioxidants, and CRP concentrations was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.