Impaired Physical Function Associated with Childhood Obesity: How Should We Intervene?

Background: This study examined relationships between adiposity, physical functioning, and physical activity.

Methods: Obese (N = 107) and healthy-weight (N = 132) children aged 10-13 years underwent assessments of percent body fat (%BF, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry); knee extensor strength (KE, isokinetic dynamometry); cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, peak oxygen uptake by cycle ergometry); physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL); and worst pain intensity and walking capacity [six-minute walk (6MWT)]. Structural equation modelling was used to assess relationships between variables.

A Positive Prospective Trial of Antibiotic Therapy in Advanced Stage, Non-Bulky Indolent Lymphoma.

Background: We have prospectively studied a three month course of clarithromycin (substituted by Prevpac, lansoprazole/ amoxicillin/ clarithromycin, in the first two wks when stool H pylori+) for non-bulky, advanced stage indolent lymphoma. These patients are often candidates for expectant monitoring and it is during this period that a window of opportunity may exist to identify and treat associated infections.

Methods: All previously untreated patients with a new diagnosis of indolent lymphoma (FL and non-FL) meeting GELF criteria were treated with 12 weeks of clarithromycin.

Relationships between self-reported lifetime physical activity, estimates of current physical fitness, and aBMD in adult premenopausal women.

Unlabelled: Osteoporosis is common, and physical activity is important in its prevention and treatment. Of the categories of historical physical activity (PA) examined, we found that weight-bearing and very hard physical activity had the strongest relationships with areal bone mineral density (aBMD) throughout growth and into adulthood, while for measures of strength, only grip strength proved to be an independent predictor of aBMD.

Purpose/introduction: To examine relationships between aBMD (total body, lumbar spine, proximal femur, tibial shaft, distal radius) and estimates of historical PA, current strength, and cardiovascular fitness in adult premenopausal women.

Impact exercise and bone density in premenopausal women with below average bone density for age.

Purpose: To study the effects of two home-based impact exercise programs on areal bone mineral density (aBMD) in adult premenopausal women with below average aBMD for age (negative Z-scores; 40.8 years; n = 107).

Methods: Two unilateral impact exercise programs were employed, one targeting the total hip and lumbar spine (n = 42 pairs), the other the distal radius (n = 24 pairs) with some individuals performing both.

Adiposity is related to decrements in cardiorespiratory fitness in obese and normal-weight children.

Background: Obese children are typically less physically active than their normal-weight peers and are often assumed to be 'unfit'.

Objective: Investigate the relationships between adiposity, physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in obese and normal-weight children. A secondary aim was to examine obese/normal-weight differences in CRF.

Physiological and behavioural outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of a cognitive behavioural lifestyle intervention for overweight and obese adolescents.

Aim: This study evaluates the efficacy of the Choose Health program, a family-based cognitive behavioural lifestyle program targeting improved eating and activity habits, in improving body composition, cardiovascular fitness, eating and activity behaviours in overweight and obese adolescents.

Method: The sample comprised 29 male and 34 female overweight (n = 15) or obese (n = 48) adolescents aged 11.5-18.

Musculoskeletal pain in obese compared with healthy-weight children.

Objectives: To investigate whether obesity is associated with musculoskeletal pain in children.

Materials And Methods: Obese (n=107) and healthy-weight (n=132) 10- to 13-year-old children (132 males, 107 females) participated in an observational case-control study. Children self-reported pain location (excluding abdominal pain), pain intensity (current and prior week), and pain prevalence (overall and lower limb) using the Pediatric Pain Questionnaire.

Knee extensor strength differences in obese and healthy-weight 10-to 13-year-olds.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if obese children have reduced knee extensor (KE) strength and to explore the relationship between adiposity and KE strength. An observational case-control study was conducted in three Australian states, recruiting obese [N = 107 (51 female, 56 male)] and healthy-weight [N = 132 (56 female, 76 male)] 10- to 13-year-old children. Body mass index, body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), isokinetic/isometric peak KE torques (dynamometry) and physical activity (accelerometry) were assessed.

Day-to-day physical functioning and disability in obese 10- to 13-year-olds.

Unlabelled: What is already known about this subject? Compared with their healthy-weight peers, children with obesity have; impaired physical health-related quality of life reduced physical activity levels reduced capacity to perform certain weight-bearing tasks in field-based fitness tests What this study adds? First investigation of obesity-related disability in children using the International Classification for Functioning, Disability and Health framework for Children and Youth. Obesity in children appears to be associated with disability impacting basic locomotor skills and physical health-related quality of life. Children's participation in key life areas related to physical functioning appears to be minimally impacted by obesity.

Does long-term swimming participation have a deleterious effect on the adult female skeleton?

Swimming is a popular activity for Australian women with proven cardiovascular benefits yet lacks the features thought necessary to stimulate positive adaptive changes in bone. Given that peak bone mass is attained close to the end of the second decade, we asked whether swimming was negatively associated with bone mineral density in premenopausal women beyond this age. Bone mass and retrospective physical activity data were gathered from 43 female swimmers and 44 controls (mean ages 40.

Parent- and adolescent-reported barriers to participation in an adolescent overweight and obesity intervention.

This study explored reported barriers to treatment completion in a sample of adolescents and their parents who either completed or did not complete family-based cognitive behavioral lifestyle intervention for overweight and obese adolescents. The sample comprises 56 overweight or obese adolescents (52% female) aged 11.5-18.

Genome-wide association studies of female reproduction in tropically adapted beef cattle.

The genetics of reproduction is poorly understood because the heritabilities of traits currently recorded are low. To elucidate the genetics underlying reproduction in beef cattle, we performed a genome-wide association study using the bovine SNP50 chip in 2 tropically adapted beef cattle breeds, Brahman and Tropical Composite. Here we present the results for 3 female reproduction traits: 1) age at puberty, defined as age in days at first observed corpus luteum (CL) after frequent ovarian ultrasound scans (AGECL); 2) the postpartum anestrous interval, measured as the number of days from calving to first ovulation postpartum (first rebreeding interval, PPAI); and 3) the occurrence of the first postpartum ovulation before weaning in the first rebreeding period (PW), defined from PPAI.

An initial evaluation of a long-term, sustainable, integrated community-based physical activity program for adults with intellectual disability.

Background: Physical activity (PA) programs for adults with intellectual disability (ID) have positive impacts, at least in the short term. No research has been reported on the effect of long-term engagement in PA programs for adults with ID. This paper explores the physical and psychosocial benefits gained by two individuals with mild ID who participated in a long-term PA program.

Predicting treatment initiation in a family-based adolescent overweight and obesity intervention.

Little is known about factors associated with treatment initiation in overweight and obese adolescents. This study investigated parent-reported adolescent demographic, adolescent health, and parent motivation factors associated with initiation of a family-based adolescent overweight and obesity intervention. A telephone survey was completed by 349 parents calling to register their interest in participating in a cognitive behavioral lifestyle intervention for adolescent overweight and obesity.

Energy expended by adults with and without intellectual disabilities during activities of daily living.

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the energy expenditure of adults with and without intellectual disabilities during common activities of daily living (ADL), (2) use these values to evaluate the accuracy of equivalent activity values reported in the Compendium of Physical Activities (CPA), and (3) identify ADL that may confer a health benefit for adults with intellectual disabilities when undertaken regularly. Energy expenditure was measured for adults with intellectual disabilities (N=31; 29.0±8.

Body mass index as an indicator of adiposity among adults with intellectual disability.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been identified as a key health indicator and determinant of health for people with intellectual disability. Our aim was to examine whether BMI is a useful indicator of adiposity among a sample of adults with intellectual disability.

Method: Participants were 46 ambulatory community-dwelling volunteers with mild to moderate intellectual disability.

Health-related quality of life in obese children and adolescents.

Objective: This review addresses the effect of overweight and obese weight status on pediatric health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Method: Web of Science, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, AMED and PubMed were searched for peer-reviewed studies in English reporting HRQOL and weight status in youth (<21 years), published before March 2008.

Results: Twenty-eight articles were identified.

Cognitive behavioral therapy improves diet and body composition in overweight and obese adolescents.

Background: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches behavioral and cognitive strategies that focus on achieving and maintaining lifestyle changes.

Objective: We examined the effectiveness of a CBT program (CHOOSE HEALTH) for improving body composition, diet, and physical activity in overweight and obese adolescents.

Design: Adolescents [16 male, 31 female; aged 14.

Motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy in the treatment of adolescent overweight and obesity: study design and methodology.

Background: Despite the high prevalence and negative physical and psychosocial consequences of overweight and obesity in adolescents, very little research has evaluated treatment in this population. Consequently, clinicians working with overweight and obese adolescents have little empirical research on which to base their practise. Cognitive behavioural therapy has demonstrated efficacy in promoting behaviour change in many treatment resistant disorders.

Perspectives of constraining and enabling factors for health-promoting physical activity by adults with intellectual disability.

Background: Physical activity influences health in individuals and within populations. This study explored factors perceived as enabling or inhibiting participation in physical activity by adults with intellectual disability from a health promotion perspective.

Method: Six focus group interviews were conducted: adults with intellectual disability (1 group, n = 9), direct care workers (1 group, n = 5), group home supervisors (2 groups, n = 9 and n = 6), managers (1 group, n = 4), and parents (1 group, n = 7).

Development of a scale to measure discomfort during pregnancy.

During pregnancy fundamental changes occur in a woman's body that make physical discomforts almost unavoidable. Extensive literature searches revealed that there was no psychometrically acceptable tool available to assess accurately maternal physical discomfort. This paper presents the procedures undertaken to develop the Maternal Physical Discomfort Scale (MPDS), an assessment instrument designed to quantify the type and number of maternal physical discomforts.

Effect of nutrition during pregnancy on fetal growth and survival in Fec(B) Booroola x South Australian Merino ewes.

The effect of nutritional manipulation during mid and late pregnancy on fetal growth and survival in high fecundity (Fec(B) Fec(+)) Merino ewes was examined. A total of 4 treatment groups was utilized in each of 3 years (1987, 1988 and 1989); and 2 groups were given low nutrition during mid pregnancy while 2 groups received high nutrition during this period. One group from each of these treatments subsequently received a high protein diet 1 to 2 weeks prior to term.

Factors influencing lamb survival in a high fecundity Booroola Merino x South Australian Merino flock.

The effects of year of lambing, age of ewe and litter size on lamb survival and birthweight, and the effects of ewe mating weight and pregnancy wastage (ovulation rate minus litter size) on birthweight were examined in Booroola Merino x South Australian Merino ewes. Year of lambing, litter size and their interaction were significant (P<0.001) sources of variation for lamb survival.

Fertilization and embryo loss in Booroola Merino x South Australian Merino ewes: Effect of the F gene.

The effects of Booroola genotype (F+, ++); the number of ovulations per ewe (one, two or three); and the age of a ewe (2.5 yr vs 3.5 to 6.

The effectiveness of an interactive videodisc qualitative assessment training program.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of an interactive videodisc motor skill assessment training program on the development of preservice and inservice teachers' qualitative assessment proficiency on two motor skills: the overhand throw and catch. Twenty-seven preservice and 27 inservice physical education teachers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment conditions: interactive videodisc (IVD), teacher-directed (TD), or self-directed (SD). Motor skill qualitative assessment accuracy was evaluated on a pre- and post-test basis using a 50-item motor skill assessment accuracy test (10 performances rated on 5 components) for each skill.