Effect of Different Physical Activity Training Methods on Overweight Adolescents

<p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> In view of the growing trend of obesity around the world, including in our country, and the effect of reduced physical activity in increasing the incidence of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents and limitations of families in providing transport for their children to attend exercise classes, as well as time limitations of students in taking part in these classes, accessing appropriate methods for presenting physical activity training seems essential.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>This non-pharmacological clinical trial was performed during six months from May to November 2007 on 105 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years with obesity, randomly assigned to 3 groups of thirty-five. Nutrition and treatment behavior were the same in all groups, but physical activity training in the first group was taking part in physical activity training classes twice a week, in the second group by providing a training CD, and in the third group via face-to-face training. Before and after the intervention, anthropometric indicators were measured and recorded.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS:</strong> Mean body mass index (BMI) of participants in group attended physical activity training classes, and in the group undergone training with CD, after the interventions was significantly lower than that before the intervention.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; </strong><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Our findings demonstrated that training using CDs can also be effective in reducing BMI in overweight and obese children and adolescents as much as face-to-face education and participation in physical training classes. Extending such interventions can be effective at the community level.</p> <p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"><tbody><tr><td width="35" height="12"><br /></td></tr> <tr><td><br /></td> <td>&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="abstract">&nbsp;</p> <strong>Keywords:</strong> Children, adolescents, physical activity, education, obesity, treatment

CAN RELAXATION BE USED TO ACHIEVE WEIGHT CONTROL IN YOUTHS?

&nbsp; Abstract INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is a cultural and medical problem and is usually a refractory to treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of parental therapy behavior and relaxation methods on children in controlling childhood obesity. methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 90 obese children aged 10-17 years were randomly divided into three groups of equal number. All three groups received similar diet and exercise recommendations. The first group of children attended 15 relaxation sessions. Parents of the second group participated in 15 behavior therapy sessions. The third group was considered as control. Data were analyzed by SPSS&nbsp;13. Mean changes of weight, BMI and WC were calculated. results: Mean BMI decreased in all three groups after the intervention. This decrease was more remarkable, but not significant in the first group. Mean weight decreased in the first group but increased in the second group. Mean WC decreased in all three groups. This decrease was more obvious, but not significant in the first group. CONCLUSIONS: Stress leads to sympathetic system arousal which it associated with many pathologic conditions. Elicitation of relaxation response can help individuals embrace healthy lifestyle choices. Relaxation and parent behavior therapy can be considered as useful methods of controlling childhood obesity. &nbsp; &nbsp; Keywords: Obesity, children and adolescents, relaxation, behavior therapy, parents.</div