Adolescent Physical Education and Physical Activity in California

Based on 2007 California Health Interview Survey data, examines participation in physical education and other physical activity among adolescents ages 12 to 17 by gender and county, and implications for health outcomes. Makes policy recommendations

Food Environments Near Home and School Related to Consumption of Soda and Fast Food

Outlines how retail food environments affect adolescents' consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast food, including county-by-county variations. Discusses implications for health outcomes and policy recommendations improve food environments

Many Californians With Asthma Have Problems Understanding Their Doctor

Examines the prevalence and consequences of communication problems with doctors among adult asthma patients by education, income, insurance status, English proficiency, race/ethnicity, and nativity. Recommends customized education materials and programs

Bubbling Over: Soda Consumption and Its Link to Obesity in California

Based on 2005 Health Interview Survey data, examines the link between soda consumption and the prevalence of overweight and obese adults and children, geographical differences in soda consumption, and the social and environmental factors that affect it

Proposal and Comparative Study of Evolutionary Algorithms for Optimum Design of a Gear System

This paper proposes a novel metaheuristic framework using a Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm with the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). Both algorithms are combined employing a collaborative strategy with sequential execution, which is called DE-NSGA-II. The DE-NSGA-II takes advantage of the exploration abilities of the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms strengthened with the ability to search global mono-objective optimum of DE, that enhances the capability of finding those extreme solutions of Pareto Optimal Front (POF) difficult to achieve. Numerous experiments and performance comparisons between different evolutionary algorithms were performed on a referent problem for the mono-objective and multi-objective literature, which consists of the design of a double reduction gear train. A preliminary study of the problem, solved in an exhaustive way, discovers the low density of solutions in the vicinity of the optimal solution (mono-objective case) as well as in some areas of the POF of potential interest to a decision maker (multi-objective case). This characteristic of the problem would explain the considerable difficulties for its resolution when exact methods and/or metaheuristics are used, especially in the multi-objective case. However, the DE-NSGA-II framework exceeds these difficulties and obtains the whole POF which significantly improves the few previous multi-objective studies.Fil: Méndez Babey, Máximo. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; EspañaFil: Rossit, Daniel Alejandro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: González, Begoña. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; EspañaFil: Frutos, Mariano. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Ingeniería; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Economía. Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur; Argentin

Obesity and Diabetes: Two Growing Epidemics in California

Analyzes the 2001-07 increase in obesity and diabetes prevalence by race/ethnicity, age, income, education, and years lived in the United States. Outlines policy implications of the disproportionate effect on people of color, the poor, and less educated

Diabetes in California: Findings From the 2001 California Health Interview Survey

Examines the prevalence of diabetes in California, with particular attention paid to disparities between different population groups. Includes access to medical care, diabetes care and management, and identifying at-risk populations

Low-Income Adolescents Face More Barriers to Healthy Weight

Examines the causes behind the higher prevalence of obesity among low-income adolescents, including unhealthy food environments, few opportunities for physical activity, and irregular family meals. Makes policy recommendations to address such disparities

A Patchwork of Progress

Outlines changes in childhood obesity and overweight rates in California between 2005 and 2010 by county. Considers implications of regional variations, including public policy options for promoting healthy diets and physical activity