Potential of Nanocellulose as a Dietary Fiber Isolated from Brewer's Spent Grain.

Steady growth in beer production is increasing the number of by-products named brewers' spent grain. Such by-products are a source of several components, where cellulose is usually present in high amounts. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol to obtain a mix of cellulose microfibers with an average diameter of 8-12 µm and cellulose nanoplatelets with an average thickness of 100 nm, which has several applications in the food industry. The process comprised one alkaline treatment followed by acid hydrolysis, giving a new mix of micro and nanocellulose. This mix was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning microscopy corroborating the presence and measurements of the cellulose nanostructure, showing an aspect ratio of up to 500. Finally, we demonstrated that the administration of this new type of nanocellulose allowed us to control the weight of mice (feed intake), showing a significant percentage of weight reduction (4.96%) after 15 days compared with their initial weight, indicating the possibility of using this material as a dietary fiber.

Mexican Plants Involved in Glucose Homeostasis and Body Weight Control: Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation, provoking many different diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic-degenerative disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are currently considered public health problems, and their prevalence has increased over the last few years. Because of the high cost involved in the treatment of both diseases, different alternatives have been sought. However, the general population uses medicinal plants, in the form of tea or infusions, to treat different diseases. Therefore, traditional medicine using medicinal plants has been investigated as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this review is to find medicinal plants used in Mexico that could exert their beneficial effect by regulating insulin secretion and body weight control. MATERIAL AND METHOD: For the development of this review, Mexican plants used in traditional medicine to treat type 2 diabetes and body weight control were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The inclusion criteria include plants that presented a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and/or an increase in insulin secretion. RESULTS: We found 306 Mexican plants with hypoglycemic effects. However, plants that did not show evidence of an increase in insulin secretion were eliminated. Finally, only five plants were included in this review: Momordica charantia L. (melón amargo), Cucurbita ficifolia bouché (chilacayote), Coriandrum sativum L. (cilantro), Persea americana Mill. (aguacate) Bidens pilosa (amor seco), including 39 articles in total. Here, we summarized the plant extracts (aqueous and organic) that have previously been reported to present hypoglycemic effects, body weight control, increased secretion and sensitivity of insulin, improvement of pancreatic ß cells, and glucose tolerance. Additionally, these effects may be due to different bioactive compounds present in the plants' extracts. CONCLUSION: Both in vivo and in vitro studies are required to understand the mechanism of action of these plant extracts regarding insulin secretion to be used as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes and body weight control in the future.

Association between weight control behaviors and diet quality among Brazilian adolescents and young adults: Health Survey of São Paulo with Focus on Nutrition, 2015.

PURPOSE: Little is known about how behaviors to control weight are associated with diet quality among youth from low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to examine associations between efforts to control weight (ECW) and diet quality among Brazilian adolescents and young adults. METHODS: Data from 731 participants (17.89 ± 4.92 years, 51.1% female) of the 2015 Health Survey of São Paulo were used for this cross-sectional study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24 h dietary recall and diet quality was calculated using the Brazilian Healthy Eating Index-Revised (BHEI-R). Participants reported their ECW, weight satisfaction, and socio-demographics. Descriptive statistics and linear regressions were calculated to investigate associations between ECW and diet quality. RESULTS: Approximately 47.7% of participants were dissatisfied with their current weight, and 41.0% reported ECW. Reported strategies to control weight included increased physical activity, taking care of what they eat, and dieting (8.2, 3.1, and 2.5%, respectively). After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index, reporting at least one ECW (ß = 0.08; 95% CI 0.02, 0.13), taking care of what to eat (ß = 0.15; 0.08, 0.22) and being satisfied with their weight (0.08; 0.02, 0.13) were all associated with a higher overall BHEI-R score. CONCLUSION: Overall diet quality score showed a small increase in participants reporting ECW. Further studies should be conducted to provide strategies used by adolescents from low- and middle-income countries to control their weight. Thus, developing public health policies, and behavioral-change strategies. LEVEL V: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

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.

Unhealthy weight control strategies: An outcome of body image and eating tensions in women of Mexican origin living in rural farming communities.

Unhealthy eating and weight control behaviors are important but modifiable factors that contribute to obesity in majority and minority populations. Studies suggest that these behaviors are common in Mexican American women, but most studies completed to date have focused on college enrolled Mexican American women. Little is known about body weight concerns, eating and weight control behaviors in low acculturated immigrant Mexican women. This qualitative descriptive study utilized two focus groups with 15 women to identify and describe body weight and shape perceptions, and thoughts and behaviors related to eating and weight control of low acculturated Mexican American living in disadvantaged economic situations. Conventional content analysis was used to analyze data and three main themes were identified: (1) body weight values and concerns, (2) eating and food, and (3) weight loss strategies and consequences. The first two themes shared five subthemes including emotion, health, age, family, and culture. Results suggest Mexican American women experience weight concerns that are in conflict with food/eating values and experiences. This conflict is influenced by cultural, family, and inter/intrapersonal factors and contributes to unhealthy eating and weight control behavior. The transition and assimilation to the United States is complex and dynamic. Thus understanding how the conflict regarding body weight and food influence Mexican American women's health behaviors is important and provides valuable knowledge essential to guide further research and intervention development.

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.

Social factors, weight perception, and weight control practices among adolescents in Mexico.

We evaluated the association of social factors and weight control practices in adolescents, and the mediation of this association by weight perception, in a national survey of students in Mexico ( n = 28,266). We employed multinomial and Poisson regression models and Sobel's test to assess mediation. Students whose mothers had a higher level of education were more likely to perceive themselves as overweight and also to engage in weight control practices. After adjusting for body weight perception, the effect of maternal education on weight control practices remained significant. Mediation tests were significant for boys and non-significant for girls.

Self-regulation of eating and physical activity is lower in obese female college students as compared to their normal weight counterparts.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is characterized, among other features, by overeating, reduced physical activity and an abnormal accumulation of body fat. These features are thought to result, at least in part, from the individual's inability to self-regulate their eating and physical activity behaviors (E&PaB). Self-regulation of the E&PaB is a three-step sequential process: self-observation, self-evaluation and self-reaction. However, it is yet unclear whether deficient self-regulation of E&PaB could predispose, facilitate and/or consolidate obesity. Unraveling this issue is fundamental in order to more precisely define the role of self-regulation of E&PaB in the management of obesity. METHODS: This research was focused on the question of whether or not self-regulation of E&PaB is related to obesity in female undergraduate students. This population segment seems especially vulnerable to developing obesity since they undergo a significant shift of their E&PaB upon their university enrollment. To address this question, a cross-sectional study with 108 female undergraduate students with normal weight (n = 80) or obesity (n = 28) was performed, in which self-regulation of eating habits and physical activity was measured by two validated scales and a personal data questionnaire. RESULTS: Female undergraduate students displaying lower E&PaB self-reactions were consistently overweight or obese. In addition, a multivariate analysis identified high levels of self-reaction towards eating habits related to a minor presence of overweight issues or obesity. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation should be an essential component in the strategies for obesity prevention as an integral approach that must include orientation about healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. In addition, further studies on the effect of self-regulation in the treatment of the obesity are needed.

Weight Loss Success Among Overweight and Obese Women of Mexican-Origin Living in Mexico and the United States: A Comparison of Two National Surveys.

We assessed variations in and correlates of weight-loss success (WLS) among overweight/obese women in Mexico (WIMX) and Mexican-American women (MA). We used cross-national data from 2006 ENSANUT (Mexico) and NHANES (2001-2008) to compare 5061 WIMX with 550 MA's without known metabolic conditions. WLS was defined as losing ≥5 % of body weight over 1 year. MA's were more likely to attain WLS (OR 1.31; 95 % CI 1.01-1.70). WLS among WIMX was higher in those with at least high school, a provider screen of overweight and a lower BMI. Among MA's, an incomplete high school versus primary education reduced the odds of WLS. Among women who lost ≥10 lbs, weight-loss strategies such as eating less were higher among MA's. MA women were more likely than WIMX to attain WLS. Understanding these disparities can help design customized public health interventions that curb the obesity epidemic in these women in both countries.

Weight change in the management of youth-onset type 2 diabetes: the TODAY clinical trial experience.

BACKGROUND: The Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) clinical trial documented that metformin plus rosiglitazone, but not metformin plus lifestyle intervention, provided superior durability of glycemic control relative to metformin monotherapy. OBJECTIVES: We examined weight changes among TODAY participants that completed at least 6 months of treatment, evaluated predictors of lifestyle outcome, and examined whether weight changes were related to cardiometabolic outcomes across treatment arms. METHODS: The 595 youth with type 2 diabetes, (85.1% of randomized participants aged 11-17 years) completed assessments of weight-related and cardiometabolic measures at months 0, 6, 12 and 24. Repeated measures models were used to investigate associations over time. RESULTS: Lifestyle intervention did not enhance outcome relative to metformin alone and no predictors of response to lifestyle treatment were identified. However, changes in percent overweight across treatment arms were associated with changes in multiple cardiometabolic risk factors, and decreases of ≥ 7% in overweight were associated with significant benefits over 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although adjunctive intensive lifestyle intervention did not improve weight-related outcomes, weight changes in the full TODAY sample were associated with small, but significant improvements in cardiometabolic status, highlighting the importance of optimizing weight management in youth with T2DM.

Risk Factors for Adopting Extreme Weight-Control Behaviors among Public School Adolescents in Salvador, Brazil: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study identifies the risk factors for extreme weight-control behaviors among adolescents in public school in Salvador, northeastern Brazil. METHODS: A case-control study nested to a cross-sectional study, including 252 adolescents of both sexes, age between 11 to 17 years, with 84 cases and 168 age-matched controls was conducted. The variable outcome is represented by extreme weight-control behaviors, integrated by following the variables: self-induced vomiting and the use of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills. Covariables included body image dissatisfaction, dieting, prolonged fasting, and self-perception of body weight. The study also investigated the demographic and anthropometric variables and economic conditions of the students' families. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for the adoption of extreme weight-control behaviors among adolescents. RESULTS: Among the adolescents investigated, the conditional logistic regression explained 22% the occurrence of extreme weight-control behaviors and showed that these behaviors were positively associated to overweight (odds ratio [OR] = 3.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-9.17), body image dissatisfaction (OR = 3.87; 95% CI, 1.75-8.54), and the adoption of a restrictive diet (OR = 2.83; 95% CI, 1.16-6.91). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that among adolescents, overweight, body image dissatisfaction, and restrictive diet are important risk factors to adoption of extreme weight-control behaviors.

Effect of continuous and intermittent bouts of isocaloric cycling and running exercise on excess postexercise oxygen consumption.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) induced by isocaloric bouts of continuous and intermittent running and cycling exercise. DESIGN: This was a counterbalanced randomized cross-over study. METHODS: Ten healthy men, aged 23-34yr, performed six bouts of exercise: (a) two maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests for running and cycling to determine exercise modality-specific peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak); and (b) four isocaloric exercise bouts (two continuous bouts expending 400kcal and two intermittent bouts split into 2×200kcal) performed at 75% of the running and cycling oxygen uptake reserve. Exercise bouts were separated by 72h and performed in a randomized, counter-balanced order. The VO2 was monitored for 60-min postexercise and for 60-min during a control non-exercise day. RESULTS: The VO2 was significantly greater in all exercise conditions compared to the control session (P<0.001). The combined magnitude of the EPOC from the two intermittent bouts was significantly greater than that of the continuous cycling (mean difference=3.5L, P=0.001) and running (mean difference=6.4L, P<0.001). The exercise modality had a significant effect on net EPOC, where running elicited a higher net EPOC than cycling (mean difference=2.2L, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent exercise increased the EPOC compared to a continuous exercise bout of equivalent energy expenditure. Furthermore, the magnitude of EPOC was influenced by exercise modality, with the greatest EPOC occurring with isocaloric exercise involving larger muscle mass (i.e., treadmill running vs. cycling).

Early Childhood Disadvantage for Sons of Mexican Immigrants: Body Mass Index Across Ages 2-5.

PURPOSE: To distinguish the origins of higher weight status and determine when and why intra- and interracial/ethnic disparities emerge. DESIGN: The study used a longitudinal analysis of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B). SETTING: The study was conducted in the United States. SUBJECTS: Participants were children of non-Hispanic white mothers and children of U.S.- and foreign-born mothers of Mexican origin from a nationally representative sample of children born in the year 2001 (N ≈ 3700). MEASURES: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth charts determined sex- and age-specific weight status. Covariates were obtained from birth certificate records and parent interviews. ANALYSIS: Frequencies, growth curve trajectories, and ordinary least squares regression examined body mass index (BMI) and obesity across survey waves. RESULTS: Compared to their peers with non-Hispanic white mothers, children of Mexican-heritage mothers have higher average BMI and greater rates of obesity. The BMI of boys with Mexican-born mothers is higher relative to whites and children of U.S.-born Mexican mothers across early childhood, increasing sharply at about age 4.5 years. This divergence is driven by increases in the BMI of boys, as girls do not show the same growth. A number of measures, including descriptors of children's nutritional intake, lifestyle factors, and acculturation, do not explain the increased obesity rates among sons of Mexican mothers. CONCLUSION: Despite favorable perinatal health and weight, Mexican-American sons of foreign-born mothers show disadvantages in BMI that emerge close to the start of kindergarten.

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.

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. .

Does aerobic exercise intensity affect health-related parameters in overweight women?

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a cycling training programme performed at intensity corresponding to the lowest value of the respiratory quotient (RQ) versus at intensity corresponding to the ventilatory threshold (VT), on body composition and health-related parameters in overweight women. Thirty-two sedentary obese women (27-42 years old) were studied in a randomized trial of either RQ (n = 17) or VT (n = 15). RQ and VT training sessions were equalized by time (60 min) and performed in a cycloergometer. Anthropometry, body composition, lipid profile, glucose, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and fitness (maximal oxygen uptake) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Body weight, body mass index, fatness and fitness were improved in both groups (P<0·001). Triglycerides (TG) levels decreased only in response to RQ (P<0·001) and fat-free mass (FFM) to VT (P = 0·002). No differences were observed between groups. Both exercise intensities seem to be effective for improving health in overweight women. However, low-intensity compared with the high-intensity exercise training appears to have additional benefits on TG levels and to maintenance of FFM.

Imagen corporal y realización de dieta: diferencias entre adolescentes españolas y latinoamericanas / Body Image and Dieting: Differences between Spanish Adolescents and Latinamericans Adolescents

Se realizó un estudio comparativo para analizar las diferencias entre adolescentes españolas e inmigrantes latinoamericanas en diferentes componentes de la imagen corporal y conductas de control del peso que suponen un riesgo para el desarrollo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Asimismo, se determinó cuáles variables tienen un mayor valor predictivo para la realización de dieta en las adolescentes. La muestra estaba compuesta por 403 mujeres de 13 a 17 años, 191 españolas y 212 inmigrantes latinoamericanas. Se recogieron variables sociodemográficas, imagen corporal (estado nutricional, autopercepción, insatisfacción y miedo a ganar peso), hábitos de alimentación y conductas de control del peso (dieta, vómitos autoinducidos y toma de laxantes). Los resultados mostraron que no había diferencias entre las adolescentes españolas y las latinoamericanas en el estado nutricional, en la forma de autopercepción, en sus expectativas de imagen, ni en el nivel de insatisfacción corporal. Sin embargo, había diferencias en la autopercepción del atractivo físico, en el miedo a ganar peso, en los hábitos de alimentación y en la realización de dieta. Un porcentaje significativamente mayor de adolescentes latinoamericanas se percibía atractiva, tenía más miedo a ganar peso, presentaba peores hábitos alimenticios y había realizado dieta.

A comparative study was done to analyze the differences between Spanish adolescent and Latin American immigrants at the same age in various components of body image and weight control behaviors related to development of eating disorders (ED). Likewise the study analysed what variables had a major predictive value of dieting among the adolescents. The sample group was formed by 403 females from 13 to 17 years old, 191 Spanish and 212 Latin American immigrants. Certain variables were collected such as socio-demographic, body image (nutritional state, self-perception, dissatisfaction and fear about gain weight), eating habits and weight control behaviors (diet, self-induce vomiting and taking laxatives). The results showed there were not differences between the Spanish and Latin American adolescent girls in the nutritional state, in how they perceived their body image, in their desired figure, nor in the level of body dissatisfaction. However, there were differences in their self-perception of physical attractiveness, in their fear of gaining weight, in their eating habits and dieting. A significant percentage of the Latin American adolescents perceived themselves as attractive, they were more fearful of gaining weight; they had worse eating habits and dieted more.