Runner's health choices questionnaire: female collegiate cross-country runners' perspectives on health and eating.

OBJECTIVE: To assess female collegiate cross-country runners' perspectives regarding sport-related health and the factors impacting eating behaviors. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS: The Runner's Health Choices Questionnaire, a previously validated survey, was electronically distributed to female collegiate cross-country runners. Quantitative descriptive analysis was performed on all questions. RESULTS: A total of 353 female collegiate cross-country runners completed the survey. The most common intrinsic factors that impacted overall diet type were makes you feel healthy, enjoyment of food, and athletic performance enhancement. Extrinsic factors such as practice/race that day, creating a balanced diet, and choices in the cafeteria were the top factors influencing daily meal decisions. Seventy-seven percent of athletes reported that they would be likely to apply information from a healthcare professional if they had access. CONCLUSION: Female cross-country runners appeared willing to apply nutritional information; therefore, it is important that generalized nutrition education with an emphasis on intrinsic and extrinsic factors for food choices be considered for female collegiate cross-country runners.

Association between the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Screening Tool and obesity severity in youth referred to weight management.

BACKGROUND: The Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Screening Tool (FNPA) evaluates family behavioural and environmental factors associated with pediatric obesity, but it is unknown if FNPA scores differ among youth across obesity severities. Our aim was to determine the association between the FNPA and obesity severity in youth referred to weight management. METHODS: Upon initiating treatment, height, weight, and the FNPA were collected according to standard procedures. Cut-points for overweight/obesity, severe obesity (SO) class 2, and SO class 3 were calculated. FNPA scores were compared across weight status groups using analysis of covariance, and odds of SO across FNPA quartiles were evaluated with multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Participants included 564 5-18year old who initiated treatment and completed the FNPA. After adjustment, FNPA scores differed by weight status with higher/healthier scores in youth with overweight/obesity (56.6±8.5) when compared to those with SO class 2 (55.0±7.1; p=0.015) or SO class 3 (53.6±9.0; p<0.001). Compared to those in the highest FNPA quartile, youth in the 2nd quartile had 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1, 2.9) times higher odds of SO, and those in the lowest FNPA quartile had 2.1 (95% CI: 1.3, 3.4) times higher odds of SO. Youth with SO had unhealthier subscale scores among 6 of 10 constructs, including nutritional, physical activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a consistent inverse relationship between the FNPA and adiposity among youth presenting for weight management. The FNPA is a useful metric for programs and clinicians targeting family behaviours and the home environment to combat obesity.

FitKids360: design, conduct, and outcomes of a stage 2 pediatric obesity program.

This paper describes FitKids360, a stage 2 pediatric weight management program. FitKids360 is a physician-referred, multicomponent, low-cost healthy lifestyle program for overweight and obese youth 5-16 years of age and their families. FitKids360 provides an evidence-based approach to the treatment of pediatric overweight by targeting patients' physical activity, screen time, and dietary behaviors using a family-centered approach. The intervention begins with a two-hour orientation and assessment period followed by six weekly sessions. Assessments include lifestyle behaviors, anthropometry, and the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity (FNPA) survey, which screens for obesogenic risk factors in the home environment. Outcomes are presented from 258 patients who completed one of 33 FitKids360 classes. After completing FitKids360, patients increased moderate to vigorous physical activity by 14 minutes (P = 0.019), reduced screen time by 44 minutes (P < 0.001), and improved key dietary behaviors. Overall, FNPA scores increased by 9% (P < 0.001) and 69% of patients with "high risk" FNPA scores at baseline dropped below the "high risk" range by followup. Patients also lowered BMIs (P = 0.011) and age- and sex-adjusted BMI z-scores (P < 0.001) after completing the 7-week program. We hope this report will be useful to medical and public health professionals seeking to develop stage 2 pediatric obesity programs.