Adolescent Weight Status and Related Behavioural Factors: Web Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition

Purpose. To identify whether non-overweight students were different from their overweight or obese peers with respect to diet, suboptimal meal behaviours, and physical activity using a self-administered web-based survey. Methods. 4097 adolescents living in Alberta, Canada completed Web-SPAN (Web Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition). Students were classified as overweight or obese, and differences were described in terms of nutrient intakes, physical activity, and meal behaviours. Results. Non-overweight students consumed significantly more carbohydrate and fibre, and significantly less fat and high calorie beverages, and had a higher frequency of consuming breakfast and snacks compared to overweight or obese students. Both non-overweight and overweight students were significantly more active than obese students. Conclusions. This research supports the need to target suboptimal behaviours such as high calorie beverage consumption, fat intake, breakfast skipping, and physical inactivity. School nutrition policies and mandatory physical education for all students may help to improve weight status in adolescents

Adolescent Weight Status and Related Behavioural Factors: Web Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition

Purpose. To identify whether non-overweight students were different from their overweight or obese peers with respect to diet, suboptimal meal behaviours, and physical activity using a self-administered web-based survey. Methods. 4097 adolescents living in Alberta, Canada completed Web-SPAN (Web Survey of Physical Activity and Nutrition). Students were classified as overweight or obese, and differences were described in terms of nutrient intakes, physical activity, and meal behaviours. Results. Non-overweight students consumed significantly more carbohydrate and fibre, and significantly less fat and high calorie beverages, and had a higher frequency of consuming breakfast and snacks compared to overweight or obese students. Both non-overweight and overweight students were significantly more active than obese students. Conclusions. This research supports the need to target suboptimal behaviours such as high calorie beverage consumption, fat intake, breakfast skipping, and physical inactivity. School nutrition policies and mandatory physical education for all students may help to improve weight status in adolescents

Childhood obesity in Canada : a review of prevalence estimates and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes

Les enquêtes tant régionales que nationales signalent le grand nombre d'enfants et d'adolescents obèses. Les efforts de tous les milieux (famille, école, pouvoirs publics) doivent être coordonnés dans un programme à long terme afin de promouvoir de saines habitudes de vie (nutrition, activité physique) chez les jeunes

Childhood obesity in Canada : a review of prevalence estimates and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes

Les enquêtes tant régionales que nationales signalent le grand nombre d'enfants et d'adolescents obèses. Les efforts de tous les milieux (famille, école, pouvoirs publics) doivent être coordonnés dans un programme à long terme afin de promouvoir de saines habitudes de vie (nutrition, activité physique) chez les jeunes

Six-month follow-up and participant use and satisfaction of an electronic mail intervention promoting physical activity and nutrition

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a 12-week e-mail intervention promoting physical activity and nutrition, and to describe participant use and satisfaction feedback. Design: A longitudinal, randomized trial. Setting: Five large workplaces in Alberta, Canada. Participants: One thousand forty-three participants completed all three assessments, and 1263 participants in the experimental group provided use and satisfaction feedback after receiving the 12-week intervention. Intervention: Paired physical activity and nutrition messages were e-mailed weekly to the experimental group. The control group received all messages in bulk (i.e., within a single e-mail message) at the conclusion of the intervention. Measures: Self-report measures of knowledge, cognitions, and behaviors related to physical activity and nutrition were used. Satisfaction with e-mail messages was assessed at Time 2. Analysis: Planned contrasts compared the experimental group measures at Time 3 with those reported at Time 2 and with control group measures reported at Time 3. Control group measures at Time 3 were also compared with control group measures at Time 2. Results: The small intervention effects previously reported between Time 1 and Time 2 were maintained at Time 3. Providing the e-mail messages in bulk also had a significant positive effect on many of the physical activity and nutrition variables. Conclusions: E-mail offers a promising medium for promoting health-enhancing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Additional research is needed to determine optimal message dose and content

Exploring the Variability in Acute Glycemic Responses to Exercise in Type 2 Diabetes

Aim. To explore the factors associated with exercise-induced acute capillary glucose (CapBG) changes in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods. Fifteen individuals with T2D were randomly assigned to energy-matched high intensity interval exercise (HI-IE) and moderate intensity continuous exercise (MI-CE) interventions and performed a designated exercise protocol 5 days per week for 12 weeks. The duration of exercise progressed from 30 to 60 minutes. CapBG was measured immediately before and after each exercise session. Timing of food and antihyperglycemic medication intake prior to exercise was recorded. Results. Overall, the mean CapBG was lowered by 1.9 mmol/L (P<0.001) with the change ranging from −8.9 to +2.7 mmol/L. Preexercise CapBG (44%; P<0.001), medication (5%; P<0.001), food intake (4%; P=0.043), exercise duration (5%; P<0.001), and exercise intensity (1%; P=0.007) were all associated with CapBG changes, explaining 59% of the variability. Conclusion. The greater reduction in CapBG seen in individuals with higher preexercise CapBG may suggest the importance of exercise in the population with elevated glycemia. Lower blood glucose can be achieved with moderate intensity exercise, but prolonging exercise duration and/or including brief bouts of intense exercise accentuate the reduction, which can further be magnified by performing exercise after meals and antihyperglycemic medication. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01144078