Motivational Techniques and Hacks for Treating Childhood Obesity

Treating obesity in children and adolescents is not a cakewalk. Asking them directly to get up and run, or just serving them a four-quadrant plate won’t serve the purpose at all. An obese child is already under the repercussions of oppressive remarks by the society. If at home as well, their mental milieu is not taken care of, there are chances of them being trapped in the shackles of depression. To avoid such drastic consequences, one must be prudent enough, while conversing with their children/patients regarding their weight. Motivation enhancement is very crucial in childhood obesity management, as the required changes in diet, behavior and physical activity are difficult to carry out with an insufficient level of motivation.1 The motivational hacks presented here might be helpful for parents and health care professionals in convincing their children/patients to stride through the road to health.

Association between tracking of extracurricular sports practice and weight status during childhood: a prospective cohort study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic prevalences. Obesity control involves many factors and needs to begin early in childhood. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the association between tracked extracurricular sports practice and weight status; and to analyze tracking of overweight and obesity among school-aged children. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective cohort study conducted in 13 public schools in Cianorte, Paraná, in 2012-2016. METHODS: The sample comprised 2459 schoolchildren in Cianorte, of mean age 6.3 years at baseline and 9.4 years at follow-up. Body mass index was calculated from body mass and height measurements. The children were grouped as normal weight, overweight or obese. Information on extracurricular sports practice was collected through the dichotomous question "Do you participate in any extracurricular sports?" ("yes" or "no"). RESULTS: Tracking of weight status showed that 75.5% maintained this, with kappa of 0.530. Tracking of extracurricular sports practice showed that 80.9% maintained this, with low concordance (kappa of 0.054). Weight status correlation between baseline and follow-up showed that overweight or obese individuals were 4.65 times (CI: 4.05-5.34) more likely to maintain the same classification or move from overweight to obese at follow-up. Correlation of extracurricular sports practice with overweight or obesity at follow-up was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that overweight or obese children were at higher risk of gaining weight than were normal-weight children. In addition, the proportion of these children who maintained extracurricular sports practices over the years was low. Maintenance of this variable was not associated with weight status.

Weight control practices, beliefs, self-efficacy, and eating behaviors in college weight class athletes

Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviours Related to Weight Control and Body-Image Perceptions among Chinese High School Students

@#Background: Body-image perception is one of the determinants in weight management, especially among adolescents. This study aimed to assess weight-control knowledge, attitude and behaviours along with body-image perceptions among Chinese high school students in order to compare the weight-control behaviours with those perceptions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 Chinese students in Form 1 and Form 2 in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia using convenience sampling. The following outcomes were evaluated: weight-control knowledge, attitude and behaviours (weight-related knowledge and attitude questionnaire; weight control strategies scale) and body-image perceptions (figure rating scale). Results: Both genders were found to have high weight-control knowledge, with female adolescents scoring significantly higher than male adolescents (P = 0.010). However, only half of the adolescents (50.9%) perceived that obesity is bad for health. Although only 44.4% of adolescents were dissatisfied with their current weight status, 62.8% intended to change their present weight status. Male adolescents significantly engaged more in physical activity (PA) (P = 0.035) and self-monitoring (SM) (P = 0.014) compared to their female counterparts. Furthermore, male adolescents chose their current body size as their ideal body image, but female adolescents preferred a slimmer ideal figure. The percentage of male and female adolescents who desired a smaller body figure was 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively. Lastly, there was no significant difference between weight-control behaviours and adolescents’ body-image perceptions. Conclusion: Female Chinese adolescents had higher weight-control knowledge and preferred a slimmer body size, yet males were more likely to engage in PA and SM behaviours. Essentially, imprecise attitude towards obesity among half of the Chinese high school students is of particular concern.

A study regarding the control attempts on body weight and related factors among overweight and obese adults in China, 2013 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective@#To understand the control attempts of body weight and its related factors among overweight and obese adults in China.@*Methods@#Data was from the 2013 Chinese Chronic Diseases and Risk Factors Surveillance Program, which covered 302 surveillance sites. 179 570 adults, selected through multistage stratified cluster sampling method, were interviewed. Demographic characteristics and weight-control attempts were collected via face-to-face interview. BMI, waist circumstance and blood pressure were individually measured under physical examination. Venous blood samples were obtained and tested for FPG, OGTT-2h, TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C. A total of 87 545 overweight and obese patients were included in this study, with the exclusion of 152 patients having the missed critical information. Rates on weight control and attempts were analyzed, using the complex weighting on samples to represent the overall overweight and obese adults in China.@*Results@#The rate of weight-control attempts was 16.3% (95%CI: 14.9%-17.7%). Among all the 12 133 patients who had undergone weight-control measures, the proportions of different attempts were as follows: diet (40.9%, 95%CI: 38.4%-43.3%), combination of diet and physical activity (31.5%, 95%CI: 28.9%-34.0%), physical activity (22.8%, 95%CI: 21.0%-24.6%) and drug control (1.3%, 95%CI: 1.0%-1.7%). Factors as: being female (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.15-1.38), at younger age (18-44 years old, OR=1.51, 95%CI: 1.31-1.74), with high education levels (college degree or above, OR=4.52, 95%CI: 3.76-5.43), having high annual income (≥24 000 Yuan, OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.63-2.30) etc., appeared as favorable factors for taking the measures vs. rural residency (OR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.55- 0.72) as the unfavorable one.@*Conclusion@#The rate of weight-control attempts appeared low among the overweight and obese adults who were affected by factors as age, education and income level. Personalized intervention measures should be carried out for people with different characteristics.

The Relationship between Reduced Meals for Controlling Weight and Suicidal Ideations in Korean Women Aged 20–40 Years: The 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: Attempting unhealthy weight control can be related to psychological problems such as suicidal ideations, depression, and eating disorders. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations in Korean women aged 20–40 years.METHODS: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey is a cohort survey investigating the health behavior, chronic disease prevalence, and food and nutrition intake status of the Korean population. Ours is a cross-sectional study of 1,761 Korean women aged 20–40 years who were especially interested in weight control and who participated in the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination. We measured the percentages of smoking, drinking, educational standards, personal income, stress perception, depression, suicidal ideations, and obesity among the subjects. The participants' age and body mass index were measured as weighted means and standard errors. The relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations in Korean women aged 20–40 years was examined by logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of the 1,761 participants who took the survey, 642 participants experienced suicidal ideations. After making all adjustments, the odds ratio of suicidal ideations with reduced meals was 1.237 (0.588–2.602).CONCLUSION: The finding of this study revealed that there was no relationship between reduced meals for controlling weight and suicidal ideations.

Práticas de Controle de Peso: Proposta de um Modelo Preditivo / Prácticas de Control de Peso: Propuesta de un Modelo Predictivo / Weight Control Practices: Proposal for a Predictive Model

Resumo O presente estudo envolveu a aplicação de questionários com o objetivo de propor um modelo explicativo às práticas de controle de peso. Participaram 160 adultos, pareados por sexo e índice de massa corporal. A análise de dados envolveu estatística descritiva e inferencial. O controle de peso é considerado positivo, houve grande implicação dos participantes em relação ao tema e forte intenção comportamental para o controle de peso, sendo as normas subjetivas, o comportamento passado e a insatisfação corporal seus mais fortes preditores. O controle alimentar e a prática de exercícios operaram sob modelos distintos, sendo a implicação a mais forte preditora do primeiro, enquanto hábitos e controle percebido os determinantes da prática de exercícios.

Resumen En el presente estudio, se aplicaron cuestionarios con el fin de proponer un modelo explicativo de las prácticas de control de peso. Participaron 160 adultos, agrupados por sexo e índice de masa corporal. El análisis de los datos se llevó a cabo por estadística descriptiva e inferencial. El control de peso se considera positivo, con una gran implicación de los participantes en relación con el tema, además de una fuerte intención comportamental para el control de peso, siendo las normas subjetivas, la conducta pasada y la insatisfacción corporal sus más fuertes predictores. El control alimentario y la práctica de ejercicios operaron bajo modelos distintos, siendo la implicación el más fuerte predictor del primero, mientras que los hábitos y el control percibido fueron los determinantes de la práctica de ejercicios.

Abstract The study used questionnaires in order to propose an explanatory model for weight control practices. Participants were 160 adults grouped by sex and body mass index. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participants were actively involved, viewed weight control as positive, and showed strong behavioral intentions regarding weight control. Subjective norms, past conduct, and dissatisfaction with their bodies were the strongest predictors. Diet control and exercise operated according to different models. Involvement was the strongest predictor of the former, while perceived habits and control were the determinants of exercise practice.

Overweight and weight control: lay thinking and its normative dimensions / Sobrepeso e controle de peso: pensamento leigo e suas dimensões normativas / Sobrepeso y control del peso: pensamiento laico y sus dimensiones normativas

This article aims to describe the social representations (SR) related to overweight and body weight control practices. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 20 men and 20 women, aged between 30 and 57 years old, with and without excess weight. The data analysis involved a descending hierarchical classification using IRaMuTeQ software. The results are organized in five lexical classes that illustrate different representational dimensions, reflecting different ways of internalizing body standards. Fat is treated with affective distancing. It seems difficult to talk about the overweight without addressing its behavioral origin and the need for change. The SR of weight control practices are anchored in health standards. Eating stands out and reveals the polarity: control versus lack of control. The health ideal, based primarily on individual accountability, reiterates the blaming of overweight individuals for their condition, which reinforces stereotypes and makes weight control more difficult.

Neste artigo, pretende-se descrever as representações sociais (RS) ligadas ao excesso de peso e às práticas de controle do peso corporal. Realizaram-se 40 entrevistas semidiretivas. Participaram 20 homens e 20 mulheres, entre 30 e 57 anos, com e sem excesso de peso. A análise dos dados envolveu classificação hierárquica descendente com o auxílio do software IRaMuTeQ. Os resultados organizam-se em cinco classes lexicais que ilustram dimensões representacionais, refletindo diferentes formas de internalização dos padrões corporais. A gordura é tratada com distanciamento afetivo e parece difícil falar em excesso de peso sem abordar sua origem comportamental e necessidade de mudança. As RS das práticas de controle de peso ancoram-se em nor- mas de saúde. A alimentação é saliente e revela a polaridade controle versus descontrole. O ideal de saúde, pautado na responsabilização individual, reitera a culpabilização do indivíduo acima do peso pela sua condição, o que fortalece os estereótipos, dificultando o controle do peso.

Se objetiva describir las representaciones sociales (RS) ligadas al exceso de peso y prácticas de control del peso corporal. Se realizaron entrevistas con 20 hombres y 20 mujeres, entre 30 y 57 años, con y sin sobrepeso. El análisis de los datos involucró la clasificación jerárquica descendente con IRaMuTeQ. Los resultados se organizan en cinco clases lexicales, reflejando diferentes formas de internalización de los modelos corporales. La grasa es tratada con distanciamiento afectivo y parece difícil hablar en exceso de peso sin tener en cuenta su origen comportamiental y la necesidad de cambio. Las RS de las prácticas de control de peso se anclan en modelos de salud. La alimentación es saliente y revela la polaridad: control versus descontrol. El ideal de salud, basado en responsabilidad individual, reitera la culpabilidad de la persona con sobrepeso para su condición, que reforza los estereotipos, lo que hace difícil controlar el peso.

Insatisfacción corporal y comportamientos alimentarios anómalos en una muestra comunitaria de adultos chilenos / Body dissatisfaction and abnormal eating behaviors in a community sample of Chilean adults

Resumen En Latinoamérica se han realizado estudios dirigidos a evaluar la insatisfacción corporal y los comportamientos alimentarios anómalos (CAA), sin embargo se han enfocado principalmente en adolescentes o estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el porcentaje de insatisfacción con el peso corporal (INCP) en una muestra de hombres y mujeres adultos chilenos, analizando la relación de este factor con distintas variables sociodemográficas, psicológicas y conductuales, entre las que figuraron los CAA. Participaron 654 adultos de 18-64 años de edad (436 mujeres, 218 hombres ; con rango de edad de 18-64 años, índice de masa corporal promedio de 25.49 kg/m2), quienes fueron evaluados con base a una batería de cuestionarios de autoreporte. La INCP estuvo presente en 45.9% de la muestra, resultando significativamente mayor en las mujeres que en los varones. Fueron identificadas diferencias significativas en las escalas que evaluaron CAA, en función del índice de masa corporal y el sexo de los participantes, registrando puntuaciones significativamente mayores las mujeres y los participantes con obesidad. Al comparar entre participantes con vs. sin INCP, los primeros mostraron más CAA y menor actividad física. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que la INCP puede interactuar e influir sobre los hábitos alimentarios y la práctica de ejercicio físico.

Abstract The aims of this research were to estimate the percentage of body weight dissatisfaction in males and females Chilean adults, assessing its relationship with different sociodemographic, behavioral and psychological variables, and analyzing whether the presence of body weight dissatisfaction acts as a risk factor for some disordered eating behaviors. The 654 participants (436 women, 218 men; age range 18-64 years, mean body mass index [BMI] 25.49 kg/m2) were evaluated with a battery of self-administered questionnaires. The percentage of body weight dissatisfaction in the whole sample was 45.9% and significantly higher in women than men. Significant differences were observed in the clinical scales that evaluated disordered eating in function of the BMI of the participants; in those scales females also showed higher scores than males. Comparing participants with and without body weight dissatisfaction, the first one showed more unhealthy eating behaviors. The results of this study show how body weight dissatisfaction can interact and influence healthy habits, such as a daily eating behaviors and physical exercise.

O Modelo Transteórico para Auxiliar Adolescentes Obesos a Modificar Estilo de Vida / El Modelo Transteórico para Ayudar Adolescentes con Sobrepeso y Obesidad a Cambiar su Estilo de Vida / The Transtheoretical Model to Assist Lifestyle Modification in Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity

Resumo O número de adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade quadriplicou nos últimos trinta anos, gerando possível redução na sobrevida. O tratamento não medicamentoso está relacionado à mudança de estilo de vida, visando a redução de peso. O presente relato de experiência visa descrever uma intervenção interdisciplinar grupal baseada no Modelo Transteórico de Mudança (MTT) para motivar adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade a modificar o estilo de vida, avaliar a motivação para a modificação de diferentes comportamentos relacionados à saúde, e explanar estratégias que facilitam a evolução nos estágios de mudança. Participaram deste estudo 13 jovens, com idade média de 16,32 anos (DP = 1,21), sendo cinco do sexo masculino e oito do feminino. Este relato procura apresentar a forma que os processos de mudança podem contribuir no aumento da motivação para mudança do estilo de vida. Ao final da intervenção o grupo apresentou aumento na motivação para praticar exercício físico e regular hábitos alimentares, e perda média de peso.

Resumen El número de adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad cuadruplicó en los últimos treinta años y las consecuencias de esa condición pueden llegar a ser la reducción de la sobrevida. El tratamiento sin medicinas se hace por medio del cambio de estilo de vida enfocado a la reducción de peso. El informe expone una intervención interdisciplinar en grupo basada en el Modelo Transteórico (MTT) para motivar adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad a modificar su estilo de vida, evaluar su motivación para la modificación de comportamientos relacionados a la salud, y explicar estrategias que facilitan la evolución en las etapas de cambio. En este estudio participaron 13 jóvenes, con edad mediana = 16,32 (DE = 1,21), cinco del sexo masculino y ocho del femenino. Este informe busca demonstrar la forma que los procesos de cambio pueden estimular el aumento de motivación para el cambio del estilo de vida. Al final de la intervención el grupo presentó aumento de la motivación para practicar ejercicio físico regularmente y mejorar hábitos alimenticios, y perdida media del peso inicial.

Abstract The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents has quadrupled over the last 30 years, with significant consequences for life expectancy. The main non-pharmacological intervention for these conditions is lifestyle modification. This experience report describes an interdisciplinary intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), delivered to a group of obese adolescents with the aim of increasing motivation for lifestyle modification, evaluating motivation to change health-related behaviors, and discuss techniques to facilitate the evolution through the stages of change. The study involved thirteen participants with a mean age of 16.32 years (SD = 1.21), of whom five were male and a eight, female. The purpose of this report is to describe how the processes for change can increase motivation for lifestyle change in this population. At the end of the intervention, participants showed increased motivation to exercise regularly and improve eating habits, as well as a mean overall weight loss.

Nutrient Intakes of Male College Combat Sport Athletes by Weight Control Status / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Weight control practices are common in combat sport athletes. This study was performed to examine nutrient intakes of male college combat sport athletes (taekwondo, boxing, judo) by weight control (WC) status. METHODS: Subjects were male combat sport athletes (n=90) from colleges in Gyeonggi Province. Survey was conducted during 2016. Questionnaire included general characteristics, weight control, and dietary intakes during the period of training, weight control, weigh-in ~ before competition and between competitions. Subjects were grouped into high- and normal WC groups. T-test, χ²-test, Fisher's exact test and ANCOVA were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: During training, energy intake was 75.4% of EER and C:P:F ratio was 57.5:13.9:28.7. Iron and zinc intakes were different by WC groups (p<0.05). During weight control, energy intake was 44.7% of EER in normal WC and 30.5% in high WC group (p<0.05). C:P:F ratio was 69:11.1:19.5, and ratio from protein and fat was lower in the high WC group (p<0.05). Most nutrient intakes during weight control were less than 50% of 2015 KDRIs (RNI or AI), and intakes including thiamin (p<0.01), vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, folate, calcium, potassium and zinc (p<0.05) were significantly lower in the high WC. Energy intake after weighing before the competition was 1,315 kcal, and energy (kcal/kg BW, p<0.05) and carbohydrate intakes (g/kg BW, p<0.01) were significantly higher in the high WC group. Energy intake between competitions was 691.1 kcal, with no difference by the WC group. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrients intakes of combat sport athletes were inadequate. Dietary intakes during weight control were much below than the KDRIs, especially in the high WC group. It is needed to develop nutrition education programs for combat sport athletes to avoid severe energy restrictions and to apply specific dietary guides to each period of training and weight control.

Effect of Nutrition Counseling Program on Weight Control in Obese University Students

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nutrition counseling program and related factors on weight control for obese university students. Subjects were 24 students with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above. The program was conducted from September 16th to November 18th, 2015. Change of body composition, blood index and nutrient intake were observed in subjects before and after the program. The average age of the subjects was 23.2 years old and the percentage of male and female was 66.7% and 33.0%, respectively. There were tendencies of decrease in weight, amount of body fat, BMI, and body fat percentage. The blood test showed that values of all biochemical parameters were in the normal range before and after the program. When the change of the nutrient intake was examined and compared with the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs), there was a tendency of decreased intake in most of the nutrients including protein. However, the nutrient quality index showed increasing tendency, which implies that the intake of micronutrients was getting balances simultaneously with the decrease of calorie intake.

Índice de Massa Corpórea, Competência Social e Problemas de Comportamento de Crianças e Cuidadores / Body Mass Index, Social Competence and Behavioral Problems of Children and Caregivers

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre competências sociais, problemas de comportamento e Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC) das crianças participantes de um programa de intervenção multidisciplinar para excesso de peso da família. Participaram do estudo 22 cuidadores e 26 crianças. O CBCL e o ASR foram aplicados antes da intervenção. Resultados mostraram relações significativas entre problemas de comportamento internalizantes das crianças e seu IMC, e relações entre problemas de comportamento de cuidadores e de crianças. Sugere-se que o problema de comportamento das crianças seja uma variável mediacional entre o problema de comportamento dos cuidadores e o IMC das crianças, sendo assim necessário o desenvolvimento de intervenções para o excesso de peso que intervenham nos problemas de comportamento de ambos.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the relationship between social competences, behavioral problems, competences, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of children who participated in a multidisciplinary intervention program developed to deal with overweight of families. 22 caregivers and 25 children participated. Before the start of the intervention program the CBCL and ASR were administrated. The results show a significant relationship between the child's internalization of behavioral problems and the BMI as well as a relationship between the child's and the caregivers behavioral problems. The results suggest that the child's behavioral problem is a mediating variable between the caregiver's behavioral problem and the child's BMI. Therefore, the development of intervention programs of the overweight problem dealing with the behavioral problems of both is necessary.

Application of flexible ambrosia for body weight control among youths / 军事医学

Objective To evaluate whether flexible ambrosia,by which people can take special prebiotics instead of dining to alleviate their sense of hunger is a healthy, safe and effective weight loss method by analyzing the effects of flexible ambrosia on body weight, body composition, physiological and chemical indexes of young volunteers.Methods Young volunteers were tested on flexible ambrosia for seven days using special prebiotics instead of normal food.Body weight, waist circumference, body composition and blood biochemical indexes ( blood pressure, blood glucose, liver function, renal function, blood electrolyte, and blood lipid ) were measured and recorded before and after the test respectively.The volunteers′subjective feelings ( hunger, energy, fatigue, etc) were recorded during the test every day by way of e-form records.Results All volunteers of the flexible ambrosia test reduced their body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, visceral fat index (VAI) and body fat rate (Fat,%)significantly (P<0.01)in seven days, while the body water rate, muscle mass, body protein and bone did not significantly change or rise.There was no significant functional abnormity of the liver kidney, or blood electrolytes and blood lipid.All volunteers were in good physical condition, high-spirited and slept well, high quality sleep, without any obvious hunger and fatigue response in seven days.Conclusion Flexible ambrosia seems to be a healthy, safe and effective method, and provides an important scientific basis and reference for weight loss in the military.

Effects of the difference between actual body condition and body image perception on nutrient intake, weight control and mental health in Korean adults: Based on the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the body shape discordance, the difference between true body type based on body mass index (BMI) and self-recognized body image, on nutrient intake, weight control attempt, and mental health in Korean adults. METHODS: Subjects were persons aged 19~64 years (4,382 men and 6,226 women) who participated in the 2010~2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were categorized as RL (Group recognized as lighter than BMI criteria), RA (Group with agreement between BMI criteria and self-recognized body image), and RH (Group recognized as heavier than BMI criteria) according to the difference between actual body type based on BMI and self-recognized body image. RESULTS: Means of BMI in RH groups were lower than or equal to that of RA groups in all groups. No significant differences in total energy intake were observed among the three groups in men, but total energy intake was higher in the RL group than in the RH group in 30~49 year old women. Proportion of carbohydrate was the highest in the RL group among 30~49 year old women. RH groups paid more attention to weight control and had less weight gain than other groups. Higher proportions of depressive symptoms were reported in the RH group in 19~29 year old men, while a higher proportion of depressive symptoms were reported in the RL group in 50~64 year old men. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest an association of perceiving body shape with energy intake, weight control attempt, or depressed mood in some age groups. Body image perception can influence eating, weight control attempt, and depressed mood, therefore proper body image perception should be established in Korean adults.

Association Between Body Image Dissatisfaction and Body Mass Index, Eating Habits and Weight Control Practices among Mauritian Adolescents

Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable period owing to rapid physical and psychological changes. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of body image dissatisfaction and its association with body mass index (BMI), eating habits and weight control practices among Mauritian adolescents. Methods: A total of 200 adolescents aged 14-17 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were conveniently recruited from public places. Height and weight measurements were taken to determine BMI. The respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographics, eating behaviour, Figure Rating (Stunkard Scale with silhouettes 1 to 9 indicating from the most lean to the most heavy figure), and attempts to manage weight. Results: Overall, 73.5% of respondents had normal BMI, with more males being overweight (12.5%) and obese (3.1%) than females. Body image dissatisfaction (BID) was higher among the males (76.0%) while BMI showed a significant influence on the body image of both genders. Males perceived silhouette 4 as an ideal body figure while females desired silhouette 3. Previous dieting was reported by all categories of body weight. Adolescents with satisfied body image tended to eat more fruits and vegetable. Adolescents with BID showed a higher likelihood of skipping breakfast (41.6%) and dinner (20.8%) and had a higher snacking frequency (72.0%). Almost all (96.1%) consumed fast food. Conclusion: BID appears to be a matter of concern among Mauritian adolescents. The findings emphasise the need for nutrition education programs promoting healthy weight management among adolescents.

Analysis of Weight Control Behaviors by Body Image Perception among Korean Women in Different Age Groups: Using the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Self perceived body image among women is drawing a lot of attention in Korea due to their unhealthy weight control behaviors. To determine the relationship between self-perceived body image and dietary behaviors among Korean women, the discrepancy between actual body size and body image perception, weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups using the 2010 KNHANES data. METHODS: A total of 1,747 subjects were selected after eliminating those of likely changing their diet recently using the 2010 KNHANES data. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, self-underweight, self-normal, and self-obese according to their perception of body image. The BMI and weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups according to the body image perception. RESULTS: The younger, the higher ratio of underweight, women perceived their body size as normal or overweight. Exercise and reduced food intakes were dominant among various weight control methods but unhealthy methods were dominant among self perceived overweight group. CONCLUSIONS: Incorrect body image perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors can cause nutritional problems. Nutritional education should emphasize the importance of healthy weight and proper body image perception for Korean women.

Sucesso na manutencao do peso perdido em Portugal: o Registo Nacional de Controlo do Peso / Success in maintaining weight loss in Portugal: The Portuguese Weight Control Registry

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a metodologia do Registo Nacional de Controlo do Peso e descrever os participantes quanto à sua história individual e familiar relacionada com o peso, tentativas anteriores de redução deste e caraterização psicossocial. A amostra inclui 198 adultos (idade: 39,7 ± 11,1anos; IMC: 26,0 ± 3,9kg/m2), 59% mulheres, que completaram um questionário abordando questões demográficas, motivações e atitudes, e estratégias de perda e de manutenção do peso. Os participantes reportaram uma perda do peso média de 17,4kg e uma duração média de manutenção do peso perdido de 29 meses. Relativamente ao número de tentativas de redução do peso reportadas, 73% indicou ter iniciado uma dieta no máximo por três vezes e 34% reportou ter tentado perder peso apenas uma vez no passado. Este estudo irá permitir conhecer com mais detalhe e representatividade as caraterísticas e as estratégias adoptadas por estas pessoas bem sucedidas na manutenção do peso perdido no longo prazo e contribuir para identificar variáveis preditoras da gestão bem sucedida do peso a longo prazo. .

The scope of this article is to describe the Portuguese Weight Control Registry (PWCR) methodology and the participants currently enrolled specifically with respect to their individual and family weight history, previous weight loss attempts, and psychosocial characteristics. One hundred and ninety-eight adults (age: 39.7±11.1 years; BMI: 26.0±3.9 kg/m2), 59% women, filled out a questionnaire about demographics, health-related behaviors and motivation, and methods and strategies used to lose and/or maintain weight loss. Participants reported an average weight loss of 17.4 kg for an average of 29 months. Concerning the number of weight loss attempts, 73% of participants reported a maximum of three attempts of going on a diet, and 34% indicated only one attempt to lose weight in the past. The PWCR now features a considerable number of successful long-term weight loss maintainers in Portugal. Participants will be followed over the next years to learn about their characteristics and weight loss strategies in further detail, as well as to identify predictors of continued weight loss maintenance. .

A study on the relationship between body mass index and KAP of weight control / 预防医学

Objective To understand the self-assessment of health status,health effects,active awareness of weight control and behavior of urban occupational populations with different body mass index (BMI ).Methods With random cluster sampling survey in two monitoring areas,1 175 cases aged 18 to 45 were selected,consisted of public servants, enterprise administrators and institution personnel groups.Results In the urban occupational populations in Hangzhou City,the overweight rate was 21.70%,and the obesity rate was 6.04%.The awareness rate of underweight,normal weight,overweight and obesity crowd for health effects to the body was 98.95%,98.81%,96.08% and 95.77%respectively;and for mental health effects was 90.53%,92.44%,83.92% and 81.69% respectively;and for weight control confidence was 82.11%,79.18%,72.94%and 50.70%respectively.The awareness rate decreased with increased body weigh with significant difference (P<0.05 ).There was no significance differences in weight control behaviors and accumulation of weight control behaviors (P >0.05 ).Conclusion There was significantly difference in people with different BMI about the awareness of overweight obesity impact on personal health and weight control activity,but there was no difference in that of weight control behaviors.

Body Image, Risk of Disturbed Eating Attitudes and Weight Control of Female Junior High School Students by the Body Mass Index in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: In this study, perception of body image, eating attitudes and weight control were examined by the degree of obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI). METHODS: Out of 420 questionnaires distributed to the female middle school students (aged 12-16 years), 407 were returned (97% response rate) and 395 were analyzed (94% analysis rate). Female students were divided into two groups based on the BMI percentile using the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. (1) normal weight (5 th percentile < or = BMI < 85th percentile) (2) obese (85th percentile < or = BMI) by 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Satisfaction of self-body shape, risk of disturbed eating attitudes (Eating Attitude Test : EAT-26), and weight control behaviors were examined. RESULTS: Distribution of the subjects by BMI was 74.5% of normal and 25.5% of obese. There were significant differences between self-perceived current body image and self-perceived ideal body image. The dissatisfaction of body image was higher in obese than in normal groups (p < 0.001). 51.4% of female students were unsatisfied with their body image, while 2.6% were very satisfied. Among the students unsatisfied with their body image, 150 (52.1%) were of normal weight and 48 (49.4%) were obese. EAT-26 total scores were significantly higher in the obese group (16.42 +/- 8.23) compared with normal group (13.72 +/- 8.10) (p < 0.01). Attempted to weight control were significantly different by the BMI (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that there was desire to become thinner than current status in female students, even those with normal BMI. Many female students were dissatisfied with their body image and attempted to lose weight. It is harmful to their health and nutritional status if they choose undesirable methods. These findings suggested that there are needs to encourage female students for maintaining healthy weight. A higher score of EAT-26 was associated with dissatisfaction of selfbody image and this may lead to unhealthy behaviors in obese female students.