combating obesity in Maori and Pasifika adolescent school-children study: COMPASS methodology and study protocol

Lifestyle modifications including, physical activity can reduce obesity-related morbidity and subsequent cardiovascular disease in youth. This study will investigate the efficacy of a culturally-sensitive, non-contact, boxing-orientated training program on obesity and related cardio-metabolic conditions in Maori and Pasifika adolescents. Details of the methodological aspects of recruitment, inclusion criteria, randomization, cultural sensitivity, intervention program, assessments, process evaluation, and statistical analyses are described. This study will be a community based, New Zealand, randomized control trial [RCT]. Male and female obese [body mass index >95[th] percentile] Maori and Pasifika adolescents aged 14-16 years will be recruited and the sample size will be confirmed through a feasibility study. Combating Obesity in Maori and Pasifika Adolescent School-children Study [COMPASS] is a 6-month, theory-based program, conducted 3-times/week in a culturally appropriate setting. Each session includes 40 min boxing orientated training and 30 min resistance training. Assessments will be made at baseline, 3-months, 6-months, 12-months, and 24-months. Main outcomes include abdominal obesity, endothelial function, and insulin resistance. Other outcomes include arterial stiffness, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, well-being, and aerobic fitness. Control measures include physical activity, sleep behavior, and dietary intake. Analysis will by intention to treat. As a protocol paper there are no specific results to present, our purpose is to share our RCT design with the scientific community. COMPASS will be used to provide direction for exercise prescription policy in at-risk Maori and Pasifika adolescents

Preventing a cardiovascular disease epidemic among indigenous populations through lifestyle changes

Cardiovascular disease [CVD] is the driving force behind the discrepancy in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous groups in many countries. Preceding CVD many indigenous groups exhibit a cluster of cardiometabolic risk factors, including overweight-obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. In turn, modifiable lifestyle risk factors contribute to the development of this cluster of cardiometabolic conditions. Modifiable lifestyle risk factors include, but are not limited to, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Notably, these metabolic and lifestyle risk factors are relatively simple to monitor and track. The current review will look at modifiable cardiometabolic [overweight-obesity, diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure] and lifestyle [physical inactivity, poor nutrition, risky alcohol behavior, and cigarette smoking] risk factors among indigenous populations from Australia [Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders], New Zealand [Maori] and the United States [Native Americans]. Discussion will focus on the causal relationship between modifiable lifestyle risk factors and cardiometabolic outcomes, as well as, simple measurements for tracking these risk factors