The Energy Expenditure of Tinikling: A Culturally Relevant Filipino Dance.

Filipino Americans have higher risks for developing cardiovascular disease than many other U.S. minority groups and Caucasians. As a precursor to developing a culturally-relevant physical activity (PA) intervention targeting high-risk Filipino Americans, this study sought to evaluate the energy cost and intensity of Tinikling, or bamboo dance, a popular type of Philippine folk dance. These energy cost values were directly compared to the moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) cut-points commonly used to define the PA guidelines. Twenty-two pairs of Filipino American adults performed five minutes of continuous Tinikling dance to a three-count rhythm and standardized music. Each dancer wore a portable metabolic system to directly assess the oxygen uptake from the last two minutes of dancing. These metabolic data were then transformed to units of metabolic equivalents (METs). Mean METs for all dancers (Mean ± SD; 6.9 ± 1.4 METs; P<0.001), as well as for women (6.9 ± 1.3 METs; P<0.001) and men analyzed separately (7.0 ± 1.0 METs; P<0.001), were significantly higher than both 3.0 and 6.0 MET MVPA cut-points. These results support the use of Tinikling dance with Filipino American adults as a PA intervention tool in future studies, as well as a means to satisfy the guidelines for prescribed weekly PA.

A Faith-Integrated Physical Activity Intervention and Cardiometabolic Risk in African American Women.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of a 10-month secular (SEC) versus faith-integrated (FI) community-based physical activity (PA) intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors in low active, African-American women. METHODS: Participants (age: 55.4±11.6 years; body mass index (BMI): 36.0±7.9 kg/m2; average baseline steps/day: 3,807±1,250) from a larger study (n=418) participated in a sub-study to measure cardiometabolic disease indicators (primary outcomes) and PA (secondary outcomes) pre- and post-intervention (SEC: n=42; FI: n=43). Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, resting blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, average steps/day, sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were acquired at baseline and 10 months. Multivariate generalized linear mixed models that included churches as a random effect were used to compare mean changes in outcomes at 10 months between the two study groups (α=0.05). RESULTS: The FI group showed significant time effects for weight (93.4±2.4 to 92.2±2.3 kg), BMI (35.7±1.0 to 35.3±1.0 kg/m2), and waist circumference (106.9±2.2 to 103.8±2.5 cm), while the SEC group had a significant time effect for hip circumference (121.6±1.9 to 119.9±1.7 cm). There were no time effects in either group for blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c, steps/day, sedentary time, or MVPA. FI significantly decreased LPA in both 1-minute activity bouts (641±13 to 588±16 minutes/day) and 10-minute bouts (536±11 to 479±15 minutes/day). There were no significant differences between SEC and FI for any variable. CONCLUSIONS: The improvements in body weight, BMI, and waist circumference shown after the FI intervention could have long-term implications on cardiometabolic health, particularly if exercise is continued. Further research is needed to examine the effects of culturally-relevant interventions on chronic disease indicators in African-American women, particularly those established as high risk for cardiometabolic disease.

Characterizing the Aerobic and Anaerobic Energy Costs of Polynesian Dances.

This study characterized both aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure (EE) for several Polynesian dances in a group of experienced professional Polynesian dancers. Thirteen men and 17 women were tested using indirect calorimetry to assess aerobic EE (and converted to METs), and fingertip blood lactate to estimate anaerobic EE, during both resting and dancing activities. Total EE was then computed as the sum of both aerobic and anaerobic activity energy expenditure (AEE, or EE above resting). One sample t-tests compared mean MET values for each type of dance to the 3-MET and 6-MET thresholds for moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), respectively. Mean MET values for all dances, except the Maori poi balls dance (Mean±SD: 3.7±1.1 METs; P=0.340), were significantly >3.0 METs (5.9±3.1 METS; P=0.005 for Maori haka; 6.5±2.4 METs for Hawaiian hula; 6.6±1.2 METs for Samoan sasa; 9.6±1.5 METs for Samoan slap; 8.3±1.8 METs for Tahitian; 6.0±2.3 METs for Tongan; 7.0±2.6 METs for Fijian; P<0.001). Mean METs for Samoan slap and Tahitian were also significantly >6.0 METs (P=0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). Aerobic and anaerobic AEE contributed an average of 83.4% and 16.6%, respectively, across all Polynesian dances, with Hawaiian hula being the most aerobic (88.7%) and Samoan slap being the least aerobic (74.2%). Thus, the Polynesian dances tested not only met the current MVPA intensity guidelines (i.e., ≥3.0 METs), each dance also had a large anaerobic EE. These data suggest that Polynesian dancing is an appropriate mode of aerobic exercise for health promotion and disease prevention.

Associations of vitamin D status with markers of metabolic health: A community-based study in Shanghai, China.

AIMS: This study investigated the associations of vitamin D status (i.e., serum 25(OH)D concentration) with markers of metabolic health and metabolic syndrome (MS), as well as possible gender differences in these associations, with metabolic syndrome (MS) for a sample from Shanghai, China. METHODS: Demographic and anthropometric data, as well as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25(OH)D), blood glucose, and lipid concentrations were obtained for 508 urban residents aged 19-70 years. After grouping into tertiles according to their serum 25(OH)D concentrations, linear and logistic regressions were used to evaluate associations between serum 25(OH)D concentration and risk factors for MS across tertiles. RESULTS: A 1 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D was associated with a significant decrease in total cholesterol by 0.25 mmol/L [95% CI: (-0.44, -0.05); P = 0.014] for the third tertile, with reference to the first tertile. Also, 1 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D was associated with a significant decrease in LDL by 0.18 mmol/L [95% CI: (-0.35, -0.02); P = 0.026] for the third tertile. In addition, participants in the third tertile had a 54% reduction in the OR for MS [95% CI: (-1.10,- 0.02), P = 0.041]. Lastly, while there was no gender difference in vitamin D deficiency status, the non-MS women had significantly higher 25(OH)D level than those with MS (30.1 ±â€¯5.8 vs. 28.5 ±â€¯5.9 ng/mL, P = 0.035), while no such difference was observed for men. CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was associated with a better metabolic profile and thus a lower risk for developing MS in urban Shanghai residents of China.

Increasing Physical Activity in Black Women: Results from a Randomized Trial Conducted in Faith-Based Settings.

Objective: The Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a Better Life study compared a faith-integrated (FI) and a secular (SEC) intervention for increasing physical activity with a self-guided (SG) control group among African American women. Design/Setting/Participants: L.A.D.I.E.S. was a cluster randomized, controlled trial. Churches (n=31) were randomized and women within each church (n=12 - 15) received the same intervention. Interventions: FI and SEC participants received 24 group-based sessions, delivered over 10 months. SG participants received printed materials to review independently for 10 months. Participants were followed for 12-months post-intervention to assess long-term intervention impact. Main Outcome Measures: Data on participant characteristics, physical activity, and intervention-related constructs were collected at baseline, 10 months, and 22 months. Results: Intervention session attendance was greater for FI compared with SEC participants (15.7 + 5.7 vs 12.4 + 7.3 sessions, respectively, P<.01). After 10 months, FI and SEC participants significantly increased daily walking (+1,451 and +1,107 steps/day, respectively) compared with SG participants (-128 steps/day). Increases were maintained after 22 months in the FI group compared with the SG group (+1092 vs. +336 daily steps, P<.01). Between-group changes in accelerometer-assessed physical activity were not statistically significant at any time point. Conclusions: The FI intervention is a feasible strategy for short- and long-term increases in physical activity among African American women. Additional dissemination and evaluation of the strategy could be useful for reducing chronic disease in this high-risk population.

Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a Better Life: A Church-Based Physical Activity Intervention - Baseline Participant Characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for health, yet most African American women do not achieve recommended levels. Successful, sustainable strategies could help to address disparities in health outcomes associated with low levels of PA. The Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a Better Life study compared a faith-based and a secular intervention for increasing PA with a self-guided control group. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This cluster randomized, controlled trial was conducted from 2010 - 2011 in African American churches (n=31) in suburban North Carolina. Participants were 469 self-identified low active African American women. MEASURES: Baseline data were collected on participant demographics, objective and self-reported PA, and constructs related to social ecological theory and social cognitive theory. RESULTS: Complete baseline data were available for 417 participants who were aged 51.4 ± 12.9 years, with average BMI (kg/m2) 35.8 ± 9.9; 73% of participants were obese (BMI >30). Participants averaged 3,990 ± 1,828 pedometer-assessed daily steps and 23.9 ± 37.7 accelerometer-assessed minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous PA, and self-reported 25.4 ± 45.4 minutes of weekly walking and moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA. Baseline self-reported religiosity and social support were high. CONCLUSIONS: L.A.D.I.E.S. is one of the largest PA trials focused on individual behavior change in African American women. Baseline characteristics suggest participants are representative of the general population. Findings from the study will contribute toward understanding appropriate strategies for increasing PA in high-risk populations.

Evaluation of the ability of three physical activity monitors to predict weight change and estimate energy expenditure.

Activity monitors such as the Actical accelerometer, the Sensewear armband, and the Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) are commonly validated against gold standards (e.g., doubly labeled water, or DLW) to determine whether they accurately measure total daily energy expenditure (TEE) or activity energy expenditure (AEE). However, little research has assessed whether these parameters or others (e.g., posture allocation) predict body weight change over time. The aims of this study were to (i) test whether estimated energy expenditure or posture allocation from the devices was associated with weight change during and following a low-calorie diet (LCD) and (ii) compare free-living TEE and AEE predictions from the devices against DLW before weight change. Eighty-seven participants from 2 clinical trials wore 2 of the 3 devices simultaneously for 1 week of a 2-week DLW period. Participants then completed an 8-week LCD and were weighed at the start and end of the LCD and 6 and 12 months after the LCD. More time spent walking at baseline, measured by the IDEEA, significantly predicted greater weight loss during the 8-week LCD. Measures of posture allocation demonstrated medium effect sizes in their relationships with weight change. Bland-Altman analyses indicated that the Sensewear and the IDEEA accurately estimated TEE, and the IDEEA accurately measured AEE. The results suggest that the ability of energy expenditure and posture allocation to predict weight change is limited, and the accuracy of TEE and AEE measurements varies across activity monitoring devices, with multi-sensor monitors demonstrating stronger validity.

The Energy Expenditure of Recreational Ballroom Dance.

The popularity of recreational ballroom dancing has increased dramatically in recent years. Yet, relatively little information is known regarding the physiological demands of ballroom dancing. The purpose of this study was to determine the energy requirements for recreational ballroom dancing. 24 participants volunteered including 12 women (mean ± SD: 21 ± 3 yrs, 165.8 ± 7.4 cm, 56.8 ± 11.1 kg) and 12 men (23 ± 1 yr, 175.5 ± 8.4 cm, 78.1 ± 15.6 kg). Gas exchange was recorded using a portable metabolic system during a series of five ballroom dances: Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Cha-Cha, and Swing. Each song was four minutes in duration, separated by a two minute rest period, totaling 30 minutes of testing. The intensity of each dance in metabolic equivalents (METs) is: Waltz = 5.3 ± 1.3, Foxtrot = 5.3 ± 1.5, Cha-Cha = 6.4 ± 1.6 and Swing = 7.1 ± 1.6 and 6.9 ± 1.7. Mean energy cost for the 30 minutes of testing was 5.88 ±1.7 kilocalories (kcal•min-1), 6.12 ± 1.2 METs. Mean energy cost and months of recreational dance experience were not significantly related (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.35). Energy expenditure of the follow partner was significantly related to the energy expenditure of the lead partner (R2 = 0.52, p <0.01). Finally, this study validates the intensity of recreational ballroom dance as matching the criteria established by the American College of Sports Medicine for improving cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills (L.A.D.I.E.S.) for a better life: a physical activity intervention for black women.

Physical activity (PA) is low among African American women despite awareness of its positive impact on health. Learning and Developing Individual Exercise Skills for a Better Life (L.A.D.I.E.S.) compares three strategies for increasing PA among African American women using a cluster randomized, controlled trial. Underactive adult women from 30 churches (n=15 participants/church) were recruited. Churches were randomized to a faith-based intervention, a non-faith based intervention, or an information only control group. Intervention groups will meet 25 times in group sessions with other women from their church over a 10-month period. Control group participants will receive standard educational material promoting PA. All participants will be followed for an additional 12 months to assess PA maintenance. Data will be collected at baseline, 10, and 22 months. The primary outcome is PA (steps/day, daily moderate-to-vigorous PA). We expect treatment effects indicating that assignment to either of the active interventions is associated with greater magnitude of change in PA compared to the control group. In exploratory analyses, we will test whether changes in the faith-based intervention group are greater than changes in the non-faith-based intervention group. L.A.D.I.E.S. focuses on a significant issue-increasing PA levels-in a segment of the population most in need of successful strategies for improving health. If successful, L.A.D.I.E.S. will advance the field by providing an approach that is successful for initiating and sustaining change in physical activity, which has been shown to be a primary risk factor for a variety of health outcomes, using churches as the point of delivery.

Influence of an alkalizing supplement on markers of endurance performance using a double-blind placebo-controlled design.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that ingestion of substances that enhance the body's hydrogen ion buffering capacity during high intensity exercise can improve exercise performance. The present study aimed to determine whether the chronic ingestion of an alkalizing supplement, which purports to enhance both intracellular and extracellular buffering capacity, could impact cardiorespiratory and performance markers in trained Nordic skiers. METHODS: Twenty-four skiers (12 men, 12 women), matched for upper body power (UBP), were split into treatment and placebo groups. The treatment group ingested Alka-Myte®-based alkalizing tablets (1 tablet/22.7 kg body mass/day) over seven successive days while the placebo group consumed placebo tablets (i.e., no Alka-Myte®) at the same dosage. Prior to tablet ingestion (i.e., pre-testing), both groups completed a constant power UBP test, three successive 10-sec UBP tests, and then a 60-sec UBP test. Next, skiers completed the 7-day ingestion of their assigned tablets followed immediately by a repeat of the same UBP tests (i.e., post-testing). Neither the skiers nor the researchers were aware of which tablets were being consumed by either group until after all testing was complete. Dependent measures for analysis included heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), blood lactate (LA), as well as 10-sec (W10, W) and 60-sec (W60, W) UBP. All data were evaluated using a two-factor multivariate repeated measures ANOVA with planned contrasts for post-hoc testing (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Post-testing cardiorespiratory (HR, VO2, VE) and LA measures for the treatment group tended to be significantly lower when measured for both constant power and UBP60 tests, while measures of both 10-sec (W10: 229 to 243 W) and 60-sec UBP (W60: 190 to 198 W) were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant changes for the placebo group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following the 7-day loading phase of Alka-Myte®-based alkalizing tablets, trained Nordic skiers experienced significantly lower cardiorespiratory stress, lower blood lactate responses, and higher UBP measures. Thus, the use of this supplement appeared to impart an ergogenic benefit to the skiers that may be similar to the effects expected from consuming well-studied extracellular buffering agents such as sodium bicarbonate.

Differential accuracy of physical activity self-report by body mass index.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether agreement between self-reported and accelerometer-measured physical activity varies by BMI category in a low-income black sample. METHODS: Participants completed a questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for 4-6 days. Using one- and 10-minute bouts, accelerometers measured light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity time. RESULTS: Correlations varied by obesity (nonobese: one-minute r=0.41; 10-minute r=0.47; obese: one-minute r=0.21; 10-minute r=0 .14). Agreement was highest among nonobese persons (one-minute kappa = 0.48, 10-minute kappa = 0.023; obese: one-minute kappa = -0.024, 10- minute kappa = -0.020). CONCLUSIONS: We found compromised questionnaire performance among obese participants.

Modeling physical activity outcomes from wearable monitors.

Although the measurement of physical activity with wearable monitors may be considered objective, consensus guidelines for collecting and processing these objective data are lacking. This article presents an algorithm embodying best practice recommendations for collecting, processing, and reporting physical activity data routinely collected with accelerometry-based activity monitors. This algorithm is proposed as a linear series of seven steps within three successive phases. The Precollection Phase includes two steps. Step 1 defines the population of interest, the type and intensity of physical activity behaviors to be targeted, and the preferred outcome variables, and identifies the epoch duration. In Step 2, the activity monitor is selected, and decisions about how long and where on the body the monitor is to be worn are made. The Data Collection Phase, Step 3, consists of collecting and processing activity monitor data and is dependent on decisions made previously. The Postcollection Phase consists of four steps. Step 4 involves quality and quantity control checks of the activity monitor data. In Step 5, the raw data are transformed into physiologically meaningful units using a calibration algorithm. Step 6 involves summarizing these data according to the target behavior. In Step 7, physical activity outcome variables based on time, energy expenditure, or movement type are generated. Best practice recommendations include the full disclosure of each step within the algorithm when reporting monitor-derived physical activity outcome variables in the research literature. As such, those reading and publishing within the research literature, as well as future users, will have the best chance for understanding the interactions between study methodology and activity monitor selection, as well as the best possibility for relating their own monitor-derived physical activity outcome variables to the research literature.

Validation of the actical activity monitor in middle-aged and older adults.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to validate the Actical activity monitor in middle-aged and older adults of varying body composition to develop accelerometer thresholds to distinguish between light and moderate intensity physical activity (PA). METHODS: Nonobese 45 to 64 yr (N = 29), obese 45 to 64 yr (N = 21), and ≥65 yr (N = 23; varying body composition) participants completed laboratory-based sitting, household, and locomotive activities while wearing an Actical monitor and a portable metabolic measurement system. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to identify activity count (AC) cut-points to differentiate between light intensity (<3 METs) and moderate intensity (≥3METs) PA. RESULTS: Using group-specific algorithms, AC cut points for 3 METs were 1634, 1107, and 431 for the obese 45 to 64 yr group, nonobese 45 to 64 yr group, and ≥65 yr group, respectively. However, sensitivity and specificity analysis revealed that an AC cut-point of 1065 yielded similar accuracy for detecting an activity as less than or greater than 3 METs, regardless of age and body composition. CONCLUSION: For the Actical activity monitor, an AC cut-point of 1065 can be used to determine light and moderate intensity PA in people ≥45 years of age.

Acid-base balance and hydration status following consumption of mineral-based alkaline bottled water.

BACKGROUND: The present study sought to determine whether the consumption of a mineral-rich alkalizing (AK) bottled water could improve both acid-base balance and hydration status in young healthy adults under free-living conditions. The AK water contains a naturally high mineral content along with Alka-PlexLiquid™, a dissolved supplement that increases the mineral content and gives the water an alkalizing pH of 10.0. METHODS: Thirty-eight subjects were matched by gender and self-reported physical activity (SRPA, hrs/week) and then split into Control (12 women, 7 men; Mean +/- SD: 23 +/- 2 yrs; 7.2 +/- 3.6 hrs/week SRPA) and Experimental (13 women, 6 men; 22 +/- 2 yrs; 6.4 +/- 4.0 hrs/week SRPA) groups. The Control group consumed non-mineralized placebo bottled water over a 4-week period while the Experimental group consumed the placebo water during the 1st and 4th weeks and the AK water during the middle 2-week treatment period. Fingertip blood and 24-hour urine samples were collected three times each week for subsequent measures of blood and urine osmolality and pH, as well as total urine volume. Dependent variables were analyzed using multivariate repeated measures ANOVA with post-hoc focused on evaluating changes over time within Control and Experimental groups (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: There were no significant changes in any of the dependent variables for the Control group. The Experimental group, however, showed significant increases in both the blood and urine pH (6.23 to 7.07 and 7.52 to 7.69, respectively), a decreased blood and increased urine osmolality, and a decreased urine output (2.51 to 2.05 L/day), all during the second week of the treatment period (P < 0.05). Further, these changes reversed for the Experimental group once subjects switched to the placebo water during the 4th week. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of AK water was associated with improved acid-base balance (i.e., an alkalization of the blood and urine) and hydration status when consumed under free-living conditions. In contrast, subjects who consumed the placebo bottled water showed no changes over the same period of time. These results indicate that the habitual consumption of AK water may be a valuable nutritional vector for influencing both acid-base balance and hydration status in healthy adults.

Influence of activity monitor location and bout duration on free-living physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of the location (ankle, hip, wrist) where an activity monitor (AM) is worn and of the minimum bout duration (BD) on physical activity (PA) variables during free-living monitoring. Study 1 participants wore AMs at three locations for 1 day while wearing the Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA) system. Study 2 participants wore AMs at the same locations for 3 days. Variables included time (T(MV), min/day) and AEE (AEE(MV) kcal/day) for each monitor location and BD above a moderate-vigorous (MV) intensity. T(MV) and AEE(MV) in Study 1 were similar across AMs to IDEEA values at BD = 10 min, as was T(MV) in Study 2. This suggests that ankle-, wrist- and hip-worn AMs can provide similar PA outcome values during free-living monitoring at 10-min BDs.

Upper body power as a determinant of classical cross-country ski performance.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between short (< or =60 s) and long duration (4-12 min) measures of upper body power (UBP) and mass start classical cross-country ski performance. Several experienced skiers (eight men, five women) completed three separate tests of UBP on a double poling ergometer: two tests of highest average power output for 10 s (UBP(10)) and 60 s (UBP(60)), and an incremental test to exhaustion to measure peak oxygen uptake (VO(2PEAK)) and peak power output (UBP(PEAK)). Lastly, subjects competed in a 10-km classical cross-country ski race from which race speed (RS) was computed. RS correlated highly with UBP(10) (r = 0.93; P < 0.05), UBP(60) (r = 0.92; P < 0.05), and UBP(PEAK) (r = 0.94; P < 0.05); the correlation was lower but still significant for VO(2PEAK) (r = 0.88; P < 0.05). These findings suggest that both short and long duration measures of UBP are important determinants of mass start classical ski race performance.

Validation of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short among Blacks.

BACKGROUND: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-S) has been evaluated against accelerometer-determined physical activity measures in small homogenous samples of adults in the United States. There is limited information about the validity of the IPAQ-S in diverse US samples. METHODS: 142 Blacks residing in low-income housing completed the IPAQ-S and wore an accelerometer for up to 6 days. Both 1- and 10-minute accelerometer bouts were used to define time spent in light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity. RESULTS: We found fair agreement between the IPAQ-S and accelerometer-determined physical activity (r=.26 for 10-minute bout, r=.36 for 1-minute bout). Correlations were higher among men than women. When we classified participants as meeting physical activity recommendations, agreement was low (kappa=.04, 10-minute; kappa=.21, 1-minute); only 25% of individuals were classified the same by both instruments (10-minute bout). CONCLUSIONS: In one of the few studies to assess the validity of a self-reported physical activity measure among Blacks, we found moderate correlations with accelerometer data, though correlations were weaker for women. Correlations were smaller when IPAQ-S data were compared using a 10- versus a 1-minute bout definition. There was limited evidence for agreement between the instruments when classifying participants as meeting physical activity recommendations.

Pilot study of a faith-based physical activity program among sedentary blacks.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity participation is low among blacks, and strategies are needed to successfully create immediate and sustained behavior change related to physical activity. Churches can play an important role in health promotion efforts among blacks because of their central role in spiritual guidance, communication, social support, and networking. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a physical activity program for sedentary black adults in churches. METHODS: We used a preintervention/postintervention single-group design to evaluate the effect of a 3-month faith-based physical activity intervention on daily walking and moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity among sedentary blacks. Eighty-seven black adults participated in eight group sessions that included discussion of physical activity-related topics, an instructor-led physical activity session, and weekly incentives to promote physical activity. We used a questionnaire to assess moderate and vigorous physical activity in minutes per week at baseline and after 3 months. Walking was assessed weekly in steps per day by using a pedometer. RESULTS: Participants (mean age, 52 yrs; mean body mass index, 35 kg/m(2)) reported 27 +/- 54 and 10 +/- 25 minutes per week in moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity physical activity, respectively, and walked 4822 +/- 2351 steps per day at baseline. After 12 weeks, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity increased by 67 +/- 78 and 44 +/- 66 minutes per week, respectively (P

Body dissatisfaction mediates the association between body mass index and risky weight control behaviors among White and Native American adolescent girls.

The developmental path leading to eating disorders among adolescent girls often proceeds from increasing body size, to increasing body dissatisfaction, to increasing eating disorder (ED) risk. To determine whether body dissatisfaction (BD) mediates the association between body size and risky weight control behaviors, we examined data from White (n=709) and Native American (n=253) girls, who differ substantially in terms of average body mass and reported weight control behaviors. Measures of BD included weight, shape, and appearance concerns. Measures of ED risk included dieting, exercising to control weight, binge eating, and vomiting. Results showed body dissatisfaction was a highly significant mediator of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and ED risk for both ethnic groups; although, BD did not mediate the association between BMI and binge eating for either group. BD is apparently an important mediator of the association between body size and some, but not all, risky weight control behaviors.

Ethnic differences in BMI, weight concerns, and eating behaviors: comparison of Native American, White, and Hispanic adolescents.

Evidence suggests that substantial proportions of adolescents, regardless of ethnicity or gender, are engaged in excessive weight control behaviors. Crago and Shisslak (2003), however, have noted that small samples and poorly validated instruments have limited the value of previous ethnic difference studies. Using the McKnight Risk Factor Survey, we compared Native American, White, and Hispanic adolescents. Native students were divided into groups with one (NA-mixed) or two (NA) Native American biological parents. Surveys were completed by 5th through 10th grade students. BMI z-scores were significantly higher for boys and girls in the NA group, and boys in this group were significantly more engaged in weight control behaviors, including purging. A higher percentage of Native and Hispanic girls preferred a larger body size. BMI was positively correlated with weight and shape concerns and with weight control behaviors, regardless of ethnicity or gender. Overweight among Native adolescents may put them at greater risk for eating problems than their White peers.