Obesity, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, and Weight Loss in a Population of Adult Mexican Americans

The study of obesity has evolved into one of the most important public health issues in the United States (U.S.), particularly in Hispanic populations. Mexican Americans, the largest Hispanic ethnic subgroup in the U.S., have been significantly impacted by obesity and related cardiovascular diseases. Mexican Americans living in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (the Valley) in the Texas-Mexico border are one of the most disadvantaged and hard-to-reach minority groups. Demographic factors, socioeconomic status, acculturation, and physical activity behavior have been found to be important predictors of health, although research findings are mixed when establishing predictors of obesity in this population. Furthermore, while obesity has long been linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia; information on the relationships between obesity and these CVD risk factors have been mostly from non-minority population groups. Overall, research has been mixed in establishing the association between obesity and related CVD risk factors in this population calling attention to the need for further research. Nevertheless, identifying predictors of success for weight loss in this population will be important if health disparities are to be addressed. The overall objective of the findings presented in this dissertation was to attain a more informed profile of obesity and CVD risk factors in this population. In particular, we examined predictors of obesity, measures of obesity and association with cardiovascular disease risk factors in a sample of 975 Mexican Americans participating in a health promotion program in the Valley region. Findings suggest acculturation factors to be one of the most important predictors of obesity in this population. Results also point to the need of identifying other possible risk factors for predicting CVD risk. Finally, initial body mass index is an important predictor of weight loss in this population group. Thus, indicating that this population is not only amenable to change, but that improvements in weight loss are feasible. This finding strengthens the relevance of prevention programs such as Beyond Sabor for Mexican populations at risk, in particular, food bank recipients

Physiological traits, anthropometric characteristics and motor development of rural children in Nkonkobe Municipality, South Africa

Aim: The purpose of this study was to examine the physiological, anthropometric and motor development characteristics of rural children between the ages of 5 – 7 years old. Methods: The study involved 305 school children (159 boys and 146 girls) randomly selected from primary schools in Alice sub-district, Nkonkobe Municipality. Body weight, height, skinfold thickness and girth measurements were measured using standard procedures. Overweight and obesity were defined using body mass index (BMI) for age and gender. Derived variables were: fat mass, fat-free mass, fat mass index, fat-free mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio and subscapular-to-triceps ratio. Motor development levels were measured and assessed using Test of Gross Motor Development –Second Edition (TGMD-2). Blood pressure was measured using aneroid sphygmomanometer. Results: Boys had higher mean values of blood pressure (69.19 ± 7.30 and 38.15 ± 5.91) compared to girls (68.39 ± 7.97 and 37.11 ± 7.53). The proportion of overweight among girls (15.75 percent) was higher compared to boys (10.69 percent). Likewise, the percentage of obesity among boys (16.35 percent) was higher compared to girls (10.27 percent). The motor development results showed that girls (40.9 ± 6.54) performed better than boys (39.7 ± 6.64) in locomotor skills test. Conversely, boys (39.8 ± 7.62) performed better than girls (38.6 ± 7.29) in object control. Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the children is alarmingly high and concerning for the health. At all ages, girls had higher body fat percentage and fat mass than the boys. However, FFMI and WHR were higher in boys compared to the girls. There is no gender difference in the waist-to-height ratio and STR of both boys and girls. The locomotor raw score is higher in girls than in boys; however, the object control raw score is higher in boys compared to girls. The non-correlation of BMI with TGMD-2 tests suggests an equal potential of motor development among the children, regardless of their body fatness. There is need for obesity prevention programme in schools, which should involve all the stakeholders (teachers, parents/guardians, government, NGOs). The programme should focus on creating awareness concerning child body weight, healthy dietary intake and regular BMI screening in schools

First generation Ghanaian migrants in the UK : dietary intake, anthropometric indices and nutrition intervention through the black churches

Background: Black Africans in developed countries have a higher prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases. However, dietary and anthropometry data is limited, particularly on sub-groups such as Ghanaians in the UK. Objectives: To determine the habitual diet and body composition of first generation Ghanaian migrants, to validate a food frequency questionnaire specific for Ghanaians, find the ideal body image of Ghanaians and the body size most attractive to Ghanaian males and to conduct a nutrition intervention programme using the Black Churches as a setting. Methodology: Cross-sectional survey. Participants were volunteers and first generation Ghanaian migrant who were congregants of Black Churches in London (n=288). Information on dietary intake was obtained from multiple repeated 24-hour recalls in a sub-sample (n=68) of the survey participants. The food frequency questionnaire was developed using the most commonly reported foods and portion sizes, field tested, shortened and then validated with multiple 24hr recalls (n=68). Information was also collected on height, weight, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and percentage body fat which was measured using a portable bioelectric impedance analyzer (n=212). Participants from London (n=45) and Ghana (n=79) completed questionnaires to collect information on their ideal size and other body-shape related questions using the Figure Rating Scale (FRS). The nutrition intervention programme (n=76) was developed with input from participants through focus groups and the Obesity Clinic at the London Metropolitan University. Participants were assigned to either the intervention or control group and information on socio-demography, dietary intake and anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline, 6 weeks and at 3 months to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention programme. Results: Energy and the percentage energy from fat intake of Ghanaian migrants (1987 kcal, fat 35.3%) was similar to that of the host population (1972kcal, fat 35.4%) but carbohydrate and fibre intake was different (carbohydrate 50.1%, fibre 16.4g vs 48.1%, 13.9g) for migrant Ghanaians and host population respectively. Energy under-reporting was 31% for this survey and was associated with gender and body mass index. The food frequency questionnaire performed well relative to 7 multiple 24-hour recalls with correlations increasing after adjusting for energy (protein r= 0.71, fat r=0.69, carbohydrate r=0.54, fibre r=0.69). Participants were correctly classified in the same (34%) or adjacent quartile (54%) for most nutrients with only 3% to 9% of participants mis-classified into opposite quartiles. Bland-Altman plots were within limits of agreement for all the macro-nutrients. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in female migrant Ghanaians using body mass index (67%) compared to the host population (58%) but prevalence was lower when percentage body fat was used (female 40%). There was a cultural shift in acceptability of overweight and obese body sizes and shapes among Ghanaians with 60% of Ghanaian males preferring Ghanaian females with a normal body size. The nutrition intervention programme was conducted over 6 weeks and changes were observed in energy (intervention - 250kcal vs -135kcal (NS)) and fat intake (intervention -3.8g (p=0.04) vs control -2.1g (NS). Waist circumference decreased by 2.2cm (p=0.05) for the intervention group after 6 weeks. After 3 months fat intake decreased by 7.3g (p=0.000) for the intervention group and 10.4g (p=0.04) for the control group. Changes in anthropometry still persisted after 3 months for body weight (-2.3kg, p=0.001), body mass index (-1.4kg/m², p=0.001) waist circumference (-3.3cm, p=0.04) and % body fat (-2.0%, p=0.01) for the intervention group. Changes in anthropometry were also observed in the control group for weight (-0.9kg, p=0.05), waist circumference (-1.9cm, p=0.006) and waist-hip ratio (-0.1, p=0.03). Conclusion: The dietary intake of Ghanaian migrants in the UK is similar to the host population. The food frequency questionnaire developed specifically for this population is an adequate dietary assessment tool. Ghanaian males preferred females with normal body sizes. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in female migrant Ghanaians compared to the host population and the Black Churches are an effective setting for the delivery of nutrition intervention programmes

Caracterização do esforço e efeitos induzidos pela prática de actividade de academia na aptidão física e no auto-conceito físico : Estudo realizado em adultos jovens do sexo feminino praticantes de ginástica aeróbica, musculação e cardiofitness

Dissertação de Doutoramento em Ciência do Desporto apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e de Educação Física da Universidade do PortoAs actividades de academia têm vindo a apresentar um crescimento sem par no panorama nacional e internacional. No entanto, é notório um défice de investigação aplicada nesta área. Foi sobre esta realidade que nos propusemos realizar a presente pesquisa que é percorrida por dois objectivos gerais: (1) caracterizar o esforço de três actividades de academia (Ginástica Aeróbica, Musculação e Cardiofitness), e (2) descrever e interpretar a magnitude das alterações ao nível da Aptidão Física (ApF) e do Auto Conceito Físico (ACF) induzidas pela prática de actividades físicas de academia.Com um delineamento quasi-experimental, este estudo baseou-se na recolha de um conjunto de indicadores relativos à ApF e ao AC Físico, em 74 praticantes adultos, do sexo feminino, de ginásticas de academia (Ginástica Aeróbica, Cardiofitness e Musculação). O estudo teve três momentos de avaliação para a ApF com base na bateria de testes EUROFIT para adultos (Oja e Tuxworth, 1995), respectivamente, no início, meio e fim do programa (cerca de 10 meses). Já a componente psicológica teve dois momentos de avaliação, início e fim do programa, tendo sido aplicado o questionário sobre o Auto-Conceito Físico (PSDQ) proposto por Marsh et al. (1983a). A análise da mudança dos valores no tempo relativos à ApF foi realizada a partir da ANOVA de medidas repetidas. Na componente psicológica a análise multivariada da mudança foi efectuada com recurso à Doubly Multivariate Manova . No estudo da mudança diferencial foi analisada ainda a tendência de mudança relativa aos grupos extremos P25 e P75, bem como o fenómeno do Tracking. Para os testes estatísticos foi considerada uma probabilidade de erro de 5%.Relativamente aos objectivos traçados na caracterização das modalidades foi possível concluir o seguinte: (1) a GA é um tipo de actividade física que se realiza, predominantemente, a uma intensidade moderada (entre as 4 e 7 kcal.min-1), com uma lactatemia em torno das 2 mmol/l e na zona alvo da FC sugeri ..