Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment among Macau students: age group differences and weight management strategies

There is evidence that rapid weight gain during the first year of life is associated with being overweight later in life. Therefore, overweight tendencies need to be detected at an appropriate age, and suitable strategies need to be implemented for weight management to achieve optimal long-term health. The objective of this study was to investigate comparisons in BMI status and associated categories in male and female students over ten years in two phases, including 2008-2013 and 2009-2014. Weight and height data were collected to obtain BMI (Body Mass Index) over ten years in two phases. The first phase occurred from 2008 to 2013, and the second phase occurred from 2009 to 2014 in a population of 10846 school children (Males: 6970, 64.3%, and females: 3875, 35.7%) in Macau. Their ages ranged from 6 years old in 2008 to 11 years old in 2013. The same age range was observed in the second phase, i.e., 2009-2014. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, such as the mean, standard deviation, t-tests to determine gender differences (year-wise) and a Chi square test for independence to determine the relationship between BMI (Underweight, Standard, Overweight and Obese) and age groups. In the first phase (2008-2013), the findings indicated a higher BMI level among the male students than the female students across all age groups (2008 t = 5.24, 2009 t = 88.25, 2010 t = 11.32, 2011 t = 17.45, 2012 t = 19.70 and 2013 t = 19.92). In the second phase (2009-2014), a higher BMI level was found among the male students than the female students across all age groups (2009 t = 2.68, 2010 t = 2.886, 2011 t = 3.076, 2013 t = 4.228, and 2014 t = 2.405). The results of the two phases combined (2008 to 2014 and 2009 to 2014) revealed that male students in 2008 had a higher BMI level than their counterparts in 2009 in the two age categories (8 years t = 3.025 and 11 years t = 3.377). Female students in the second phase (2009-2014) showed a higher BMI level than their male counterparts (9 years, t = 3.151). The results indicate the need to have focused strategies and structured interventions for male students at the critical age range of 8 to 9 years old. The results of this study also imply the need for the delivery of suitable school intervention activities at the appropriate time. Specifically, the prevention of weight gain should start early in life to encourage the development of healthier behaviours and habits throughout childhood and later ages

Measuring the perception of quality physical education in Latin American professionals

Um plano instável para o desenvolvimento de currículos e questões de apoio na educac¸ão física (PE) criou confusão entre os profissionais. O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar os fatores percebidos como importantes no desenvolvimento da educac¸ão física de qualidade (QPE) por profissionais de países da América Latina (AL). Um questionário composto por 24 itens com base no QPE foi respondido por 468 profissionais coletados em 6 cidades da América Latina. Uma análise fatorial exploratória dos 24 itens usando extrac¸ão ML e rotac¸ão obliminar direta foram aplicados, e os 17 itens retidos foram agrupados em uma soluc¸ão de três fatores denominada Elementos de Desenvolvimento e Suporte para QPE na Escola (DSFQPE) ( = 0,935), Valor essencial do QPE (CVPE) ( = 0,890) e Arranjo Curricular das Atividades Físicas (CAPA) ( = 0,850). Os itens retidos indicaram propriedades excelentes e o referencial básico percebido pelos profissionais de EF em países da América Latina como importante na investigac¸ão do PEQ. © 2018 Colegio ´ Brasileiro de Ciencias ˆ do Esporte. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. Este e´ um artigo Open Access sob uma licenc¸a CC BY-NC-N

The double bind between individual and social constructions in female survivors of sexual abuse : a qualitative study

M.A.This study is an attempt to investigate the way in which female survivors of childhood sexual abuse made sense of their experiences. Three participants were interviewed and the relevant themes that emerged from those interviews were coded and reported. The study was conducted from a qualitative perspective that was grounded in social construction methodology. The survivors' individual constructions of meaning at the time of their sexual abuse, their introduction to the social constructions of meaning about child sexual abuse and the double bind between these constructions are reported. The survivors' narratives are representations of the positive way they constructed meaning about their experiences as a way of coping. Their stories are also reflections of the confusion they experienced when introduced to the social constructions of child sexual abuse that differed from the meaning they attributed to their experiences. The study is a representation of the double bind that the difference between the individual and social constructions of their child sexual abuse created for them

The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder among South African university students

Background. The prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) among South African students is explored in this article. BDD is regarded as an obsessive-compulsive-related disorder characterised by a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in physical appearance and expressed in repetitive behaviours or mental acts as a response to the appearance concerns, causing clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning.  Objectives. To determine the prevalence of BDD among undergraduate students (N=395) at an inner-city university.  Methods. Proportionate stratified random cluster sampling was used to select the sample. The students completed a demographics survey and the Body Image Disturbance Questionnaire.  Results and conclusion. An overall prevalence rate of 5.1% was found in this study, which is similar to prevalence rates reported in existing literature among student populations. No clinically significant differences in the severity of the BDD were found on the demographic variables of gender, race or sexual orientation. However, students differed significantly in their experience of the severity of the disorder in terms of age, in that students over the age of 21 reported higher severity levels than students under the age of 21. Although the prevalence of the disorder compares with that in other countries, its severity seems to increase with age among South African students

A cluster randomised trial of a rational emotive behavior therapy program and a mindfulness-acceptance-commitment program with South African adolescent rugby players

Until recently, research examining the application of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) in sports settings was virtually absent in South Africa. Despite the growing evidence of REBT's potential as a psychological intervention in Western nations, its use within the multicultural and sports-fervent context of South Africa remains unexplored. Moreover, limited research has addressed the impact of REBT on rugby players, with only a few case studies being reported. The current experiment employs a cluster randomised trial (CRT) to compare the effects of a 7-week preferential REBT program with a 7-week Mindfulness-Acceptance-Commitment (MAC) program on irrational beliefs, competitive anxiety and subjective performance, among adolescent South African rugby players. We also include a wait-list control group who received neither REBT nor MAC. Results indicate that athletes receiving REBT reported greater improvements in irrational beliefs, anxiety, and subjective performance, while that athletes receiving MAC also reported some improvements in anxiety. This study highlights the potential of REBT as a valuable psychological intervention in the context of South African adolescent rugby players

Mental toughness of first division women football players in Gauteng province, South Africa

The mental preparation of woman athletes, including woman football players, have been neglected for quite some time. For woman football players to perform to their full potential, they need to know how to play under pressure, get out of difficulties effectively and maintain their good performance when faced with continuous challenges during the game. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the psychological profiles of woman football players in first division leagues in Gauteng Province of South Africa, with a specific focus on their mental toughness. A quantitative approach was used to gather and analyse both the descriptive and inferential data. A purposive sample of 148 participants (aged 20.2 ± 5.7 years) from both the Sasol and South African Football Association (SAFA) leagues were asked to complete the Mental Skills Inventory (MSI), Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ), Sport Competition Anxiety Test (SCAT) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSQ) to assess their mental toughness levels. The results indicated that woman football players in South African first division leagues have a moderate ability for all variables of mental toughness, and could benefit from a psychological skills training programme aimed at increasing their self-esteem and anxiety management. A number of woman football players (26.4%) had high anxiety levels, while 33.8% showed low self-esteem, which could have a negative impact on the players while in a match setting. Furthermore, the outcomes of the results showed that self-esteem and anxiety were inversely related to the mental toughness of the players (.625 and -.436, respectively). These are two of the most important mental skills required for improving performance in a football match. Improving the mental toughness of the players could lead to an increase in self-esteem thereby reducing their anxiety levels to perform better. The study recommended that mental preparation be included in team preparation to improve performance outcomes as indicated by the positive relationship between physiological skills, mental toughness and sport performance

Will-to-Win, Self-Esteem, and Dispositional Flow State among adolescent athletes in India - A path analysis and comparisons by Gender and Level of Achievement

This study aimed to examine the relationships between athletes’ will-to-win, their self-esteem, and dispositional flow state by presenting a structural model of the relationships. Further, gender and competitive level group differences among adolescent athletes in India were explored. A purposive sample of 318 adolescent athletes (male: n = 188; female: n = 130) with a mean age of 16.10 ± 1.01 years, who participanted in basketball, football and volleyball competitions, completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire, Will-to-Win Questionnaire and the Dispositional Flow Scale-2. Significant differences were found between the two competitive levels and gender groups. Players participating on Inter-state level had significantly higher self-esteem, will-to-win and dispositional flow (such as challenge skill balance, clear goals and concentration on the task at hand) than participants at Inter-district level. Male athletes had significantly higher self-esteem (p=.077) and dispositional flow (such as action awareness merging; p=.004), concentration, loss of self-consciousness (p=.050) and transformation of time (p=.001) than female athletes. A significant positive relationship was found between self-esteem, will-to-win and the dispositional flow subscales. Lastly, the CFA (path analysis) showed excellent model fit between Will-to-Win → Self-Esteem → Dispositional Flow. Athletes participating on higher competitive levels reported superior mean scores in five factors such as self-esteem (31.14 ± 6.77), will-to-win (10.24 ± 2.32), challenge skill balance (17.34 ± 2.17), action awareness merging (15.25 ± 2.99) and clear goals (16.48 ± 2.50). Male athletes had higher mean scores on self-esteem and dispositional flow state than female athletes. However, will-to-win did not show any significant gender difference. Additionally, the linear structural model of the relationship between will-to-win mediating selfesteem with dispositional flow provided excellent model fit

The mediating role of exercise behaviour on satisfaction with life, mental well-being and BMI among university employees

Background: Health is one of our greatest assets, yet we often neglect our physical health. According to the WHO, the obesity epidemic is of global concern. This article aimed to understand how a physically active lifestyle could lead to higher levels of mental well-being and life satisfaction. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the life satisfaction, mental well-being and body mass index (BMI) of employees at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). Methods: A group of 320 SQU employees (176 males and 144 females) with a mean age of 46.14 ± 9.32 years participated in this study. The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS) were used to measure life satisfaction and mental well-being. Additionally, BMI and exercise behaviour, which was based on weekly participation in a number of intentional sports activities and exercise, were measured. Results: The study revealed that participants who were more physically active, compared to those who were less active, experienced higher levels of mental well-being and were generally more satisfied with their lives. The findings also indicated that participants with a healthy body mass index (BMI = 20–25) enjoyed higher levels of life satisfaction than those classified as overweight or obese (BMI > 25). Finally, the study showed no significant differences between the gender and age groups. Conclusions: This study concluded that a physically active lifestyle can lead to higher levels of mental well-being and can improve life satisfaction. A healthy BMI may play a considerable role in increasing the levels of life satisfaction in adults

Social support and sports participation motivations of female adolescents in India - study of age transition and achievement level

Motivation is likely a pivotal factor contributing to sports participation. In India, because of the unsupportive sports/physical education environment, girls participate less in sports and other physical activities than boys. Therefore, embedding a planned healthy environment with good social support may maximize and, consequently, increase their participation in various sports and physical activities. Considering this unabated dialogue and assuming that motivation is a pivotal need for female sports participation, this study examined the differences in motivation to participate in sports among female adolescents across three age categories: early (11–14 years old), middle (15–18 years old), and late (19–21 years old) adolescence. A total of 528 female adolescents from Assam, India participated in the study. Participation in physical education courses was the criterion for the participants, and they were invited to complete the Participation Motivation Questionnaire. A factor analysis with direct oblimin rotation using the maximum likelihood extraction method yielded a 23-item, five-factor structure that exhibited moderate internal consistency. An ANOVA revealed significant differences across all three age categories regarding all the extracted factors. Moreover, t-tests of all sub-factors identified significant differences between the two achievement levels of district-level and inter-district-level athletes. This study provides sound psychometric and comparative results that are useful for education and formative reviews in applied settings and research purposes. It also serves as a measurement tool for embedding motivation to participate in physical activities and sports among female adolescents and the development of strategic ideas to assist female adolescents from less privileged areas to experience healthy growth and a healthy lifestyle

The self-esteem, goal orientation, and health-related physical fitness of active and inactive adolescent students

A purposive sample of 200 (100 active and 100 inactive) adolescent students between 11 and 17 years (mean age of active students 13.40 ± 1.64 and inactive students 13.18 ± 1.40) were invited to participate in this study. The self-esteem and goal orientation of the students were determined with Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (1965) and the Task- and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ), respectively. The health-related behavior and physical fitness of the students were determined by five tests measuring upper body strength, muscular endurance, aerobic endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Group comparisons of active and inactive students were done using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests, while Chi square tests were used to determine the adolescents’ time spent on sedentary activities, specifically on “Sunday” and the “Other Weekdays.” The results showed a significant difference between both groups on all of the parameters of health-related physical fitness components, self-esteem, and goal orientation. Active students had higher self-esteem and task orientation, whereas inactive students showed lower self-esteem and higher ego orientation levels