Validity of anthropometric regression equations for predicting changes in body fat of obese females

The validity of ten popular anthropometric percent fat prediction equations for estimating changes in percentage of body fat for obese females was studied. Thirty-one obese females (mean ± SEM, %fat = 36.7 ± 1.1%, body mass = 75.6 ± 1.7 kg, age = 32.8 ± 1.1 years) participated in a diet-only, diet-plus-exercise, or exercise-only program. Subjects lost 2.7 ± 0.3 fat percentage points and 3.0 ± 0.3 kg body mass during the 8-week study. While many of the equations had acceptable validity before and after body mass loss, when applied to the prediction of changes in body fat none of the equations was acceptable. It was concluded that use of anthropometric prediction equations to estimate individual percent fat change scores results in large errors and is not recommended.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/38537/1/1310010114_ftp.pd

Computer technology to evaluate body composition, nutrition, and exercise

The use of computer technology has made it possible to make accurate determinations of body composition, nutrition, and exercise. With the FITCOMP computer assessment system, detailed measurements of physique status have been made on a variety of world-class athletes, including professional football and baseball players, as well as on diverse groups of young and older men and women throughout the United States. The FITCOMP measurement system allows the user a choice of measurement techniques: fatfolds, girths, bone diameters, and hydrostatic weighing. Combined with body composition assessment is a nutrition and exercise plan. The nutrition plan is based on guidelines formulated by the American Dietetic Association. This application of computer technology is unique, because individuals can select the foods they will eat from a list of preferred choices from the basic food groups. Individual menu plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner are generated to provide an optimal blend of nutrients aimed at achieving ideal body mass and fat percentage. This is coupled with an aerobic exercise program that is selected by the individual from nine different forms, including walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling, and various sport activities. The caloric output is designed to reduce total body fat through reductions in body weight of 1.4 to 2.5 pounds per week, depending on the exercise selected and total weight loss necessary to achieve a weight goal (and ideal fat percentage). The aerobic exercise plan is based on the method of overload, where intensity and duration are periodically increased dependent on individual capabilities. The use of fitness-oriented computer technology makes it possible to prepare detailed reports about current status and progress as well as to systematize record keeping.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/25126/1/0000559.pd

Designing social distancing policies for the COVID-19 pandemic: A probabilistic model predictive control approach

The effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic is one the most challenging issues of recent years. The design of optimal control policies is challenging due to a variety of social, political, economical and epidemiological factors. Here, based on epidemiological data reported in recent studies for the Italian region of Lombardy, which experienced one of the largest and most devastating outbreaks in Europe during the first wave of the pandemic, we present a probabilistic model predictive control (PMPC) approach for the systematic study of what if scenarios of social distancing in a retrospective analysis for the first wave of the pandemic in Lombardy. The performance of the proposed PMPC was assessed based on simulations of a compartmental model that was developed to quantify the uncertainty in the level of the asymptomatic cases in the population, and the synergistic effect of social distancing during various activities, and public awareness campaign prompting people to adopt cautious behaviors to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The PMPC takes into account the social mixing effect, i.e. the effect of the various activities in the potential transmission of the disease. The proposed approach demonstrates the utility of a PMPC approach in addressing COVID-19 transmission and implementing public relaxation policies

The Relationship Between Infant Crying and Father Well-Being

Infant excessive crying and fussing has been linked to adverse maternal outcomes such as increased depression and stress, and decreased feelings of parenting self-efficacy. Infant crying has also been identified as the number one trigger caregivers report prior to an abusive action, placing infants who cry excessively at risk. Fathers and male caregivers have been identified as the primary offenders in the majority of infant abuse cases, suggesting a particular risk between fathers and infants who cry excessively. However, the relationship between excessive crying and fathers has not been explored to the same extent as mothers. In an effort to address the identified risks of infant crying and fathers, the aim of this study was to investigate how fathers\u27 well-being is impacted by infant crying and fussing. Fathers\u27 experience of crying and how they cope when caring for an inconsolable infant was also explored. One hundred and ninety-two fathers of infants under one year of age completed online measures of depression (EPDS), parenting stress (PSI/SF), parenting self-efficacy (MSE), and coping (RWCC). Fathers reported amount of infant crying (categorized adhering to Wessel\u27s Rule of Three for colic criteria) as well as concern about their infant\u27s crying and fussing. Ten fathers participated in a semi-structured phone interview about the experience of and coping with infant crying and parenting in general. Sixteen percent of fathers met criteria for depression based on a cut-off score of 10 or greater on the EPDS. Based on Wessel\u27s criteria, 20% of infants were categorized as having colic. Thirty percent of fathers indicated that they were finding their infant\u27s crying and fussing to be a problem or upsetting. Of these fathers, approximately 50% did not meet criteria for colic, suggesting over half of these fathers have a problem with the crying, but did not report \u27excessive\u27 amounts of crying. Results indicated significant relationships between infant crying and father depression, parenting stress and parenting self-efficacy. Perception of a crying was a significant predictor of parenting stress, depression and parenting self-efficacy, and colic was only a significant predictor for parenting stress. Taken together, these results suggest that fathers\u27 perception of infant crying has a greater impact and is a stronger predictor of father well-being than the amount of crying reported (i.e., colic criteria). In addition, fathers who met criteria for depression, reported a crying problem, and their infant met colic criteria had the highest parenting stress and depressions scores and the lowest parenting self-efficacy scores compared to all fathers in the study. Fathers most often described problematic crying in terms related to how the crying behavior personally impacts them, or using descriptions including feelings of helplessness. Coping explored in semi-structured interviews revealed a theme of \u27cognitive reappraisal\u27. Fathers confronted with inconsolable crying described feelings of \u27losing control\u27 and a process of cognitively reappraising the situation and the infant\u27s behavior as a method of coping. Interview results also revealed a heavy reliance on fathers\u27 co-parent as a source of support. Interview fathers had little to offer in regards to suggested support services for fathers. The findings of this study offer evidence towards the importance of incorporating parent perception into research on infant crying. Study results also indicate that fathers report on their infants\u27 crying similar to mothers, suggesting that fathers can and should be included in research on infant crying as primary reports. Findings also suggest that providers working with families and infants pay particular attention to the well-being of fathers and incorporate more systematic screening and involvement related to father perception of their infant behavior, especially if a crying problem is reported. Finally, the results of this study offers theoretical explanations of the risk associated with infant crying and fathers

Body Composition Relates Poorly to Performance in NCAA Division III Football Players

We assessed body composition (height, body mass, body mass index, body fat by densitometry, fat mass, fat-free mass, and lean/fat ratio) and performance (10- and 40-yd sprints, pro shuttle run, vertical jump, sit and reach, and bench press) in 77 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III football players. Data were analyzed by position and playing status. Significant differences (p less than or equal to 0.05) were found between positions for all body composition measurements and all performance tests except the sit and reach. Starters outperformed nonstarters in all performance tests except the 10-yd sprint and sit and reach (p less than or equal to 0.05). Correlations (r) for percent body fat and performance tests ranged from 0.52 to 0.70, and common variance with the effects of body mass removed ranged from 8 to 23%. Percent body fat is not closely correlated with results of commonly administered performance tests in Division III football players

Ponderal Somatogram Analysis of Girth Measurements by Position in Division III College Football Players

Ponderal somatograms assessed body compositions in four groups of Division III collegiate football players: offensive line (OL), defensive line (DL), offensive backs (OB), and defensive backs (DB). Ponderal somatograms evaluate body size and shape by converting muscular (shoulders, chest, biceps, forearm, thigh, and calf) and nonmuscular (abdomen, hips knee, ankle, and wrist) girths into ponderal equivalent (PE) values. Anthropometric measurements, including stature, body mass, girths, and percent body fat by densitometry were collected in 82 players (22 OL, 12 DL, 20 OB, and 28 DB) during preseason camp. PE values were calculated for each girth as PE, kilograms = (girth, cm / k)sq. x stature, decimeters, where k=k constant from Behnke\u27s reference man. PE values were compared to body mass to indicate overdevelopment (PE greater than body mass) and underdevelopment (PE less than body mass). OL was significantly heavier than DL (+15.6 kg), OB (+25.2 kg), and DB (+22.4 kg). OL percent fat as significantly greater than DL (+5.9%), OB (+9.0%), and DB (+9.3%). Similar differences occurred in girths and PE values by position. Muscular components were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment in the biceps (OL + 16.0 kg, DL + 19 kg, OB + 14.2 kg, and DB + 16.2 kg). Nonmuscular abdomen, hips, and knee were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment in the OL abdomen (+19.3 kg). Nonmuscular ankle and wrist were underdeveloped. Ponderal somatograms provide a relatively quick and simple method to translate girth measurements into ponderal equivalent values that seem to be position-specific among offensive and defensive linemen and backs. Somatograms provide an appraisal of body composition that helps coaches and athletes monitor the effectiveness of strength and conditioning programs

Ponderal Somatograms Assess Changes in Anthropometric Measurements Over an Academic Year in Division III Collegiate Football Players

Ponderal somatograms evaluate body size and shape by converting muscular (shoulders, chest, biceps, forearm, thigh, calf) and nonmuscular (abdomen, hips, knee, ankle, wrist) girths into ponderal equivalent (PE) values. Anthropometric measurements, including stature, body mass, girths, and percent body fat by densitometry were collected in 54 Division III football players in preseason camp (fall) and at the beginning (winter) and end (spring) of the team strength and conditioning program. PE values were calculated for each girth as PE, kg = (girth, cm / k) squared x stature, dm, where k = k constant from Behnke\u27s reference man. PE values were compared to body mass to indicate overdevelopment (PE is greater than body mass) and underdevelopment (PE is less than body mass) at specific girth sites. From fall to winter, body mass (+1.6 kg), percent fat (+1.3%), fat mass (+1.6 kg), nonmuscular abdominal and hip girths (+2.1 cm, +1.5 cm), and PE values (+5.3 kg, +2.6 kg) increased significantly (p is less than 0.05). From winter to spring, percent fat (-1.5%), fat mass (-1.4 kg), nonmuscular abdominal girth (-1.0 co), and PE value (-2.5 kg) decreased significantly (p is less than 0.05) from winter to spring. Fat-free mass (+1.5 kg), muscular biceps girth (+0.4 cm), and PE value (+2.6 kg) increased significantly (p is less than 0.05) from winter to spring. Ponderal somatograms muscular components were generally overdeveloped, with the greatest overdevelopment at the biceps in the fall (+14.7 kg), winter (+14.9 kg), and spring (+17.4 kg). Nonmuscular components generally were underdeveloped, except abdomen and hips that were overdeveloped. The abdomen remained the greatest nonmuscular overdevelopment in fall (+6.8 kg), winter (+10.5 kg), and spring (+7.9 kg). Ponderal somatograms provide a relatively simple, practical method to track specific changes in body size and shape over time