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Metabolism of substrates: diet, lipoprotein metabolism, and exercise.

The major classes of serum lipoproteins have been shown to be differentially affected not only by dietary factors but also by levels of physical activity. Individuals engaging in relatively higher amounts of physical activity tend to have lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) than their sedentary counterparts. However, higher levels of physical activity are also associated with lower adiposity and elevated caloric intake, two factors that themselves have independent roles in the regulation of lipoprotein levels. Changes in adiposity appear to be responsible for some, but not all, of the lipoprotein change associated with exercise. A study in which 14 sedentary, middle-aged men engaged in a progressive running program over 2 years showed increased HDL-C and decreased LDL-C, both considered antiatherogenic. Adiposity, expressed as percent body fat, decreased during the study whereas caloric intake, notably in the form of carbohydrates, increased. Elevated physical activity levels alter the relationships among adiposity, dietary intake, and lipoproteins that prevail in the sedentary state.

Adipose Tissue↗

Reduction of left ventricular hypertrophy after exercise and weight loss in overweight patients with mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophy and concentric remodeling of the left ventricle are important manifestations of hypertension that are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Although lifestyle interventions are efficacious in lowering blood pressure, evidence that they have a beneficial effect on target organs has been lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of regular aerobic exercise or exercise plus weight management counseling on left ventricular mass and geometry in overweight, sedentary men and women with high-normal or mildly elevated blood pressure. METHODS: Eighty-two participants in a randomized, controlled trial were assigned to supervised aerobic exercise only, a behavioral weight management program that included exercise, or a waiting-list control group for 6 months. Blood pressure and echocardiographic measures of left ventricular structure were measured at baseline and at the conclusion of the treatment phase. RESULTS: The 45 women and 37 men had a mean +/- SD age of 47 +/- 9 years and had a mean +/- SD blood pressure of 140 +/- 10/93 +/- 5 mm Hg. Blood pressure fell by 7/6 mm Hg in the weight management group and by 3/4 mm Hg in the aerobic exercise group. In association with these decreases in blood pressure, participants in the intervention groups exhibited significant decreases in left ventricular relative wall thickness (P =.003), posterior wall thickness (P =.05), and septal thickness (P =.004) and a trend toward a decrease in indexed left ventricular mass (P =.08) relative to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of overweight, sedentary men and women, exercise and weight loss reduced blood pressure and induced favorable changes in left ventricular structure.

Adult↗

Opioid modulation of feeding behavior following repeated exposure to forced swimming exercise in male rats.

Patterns of normal and stimulated food intake (FI) as well as its possible endogenous opioid (EO) modulation were investigated in male rats given regular swimming exercise (trained; TR) and compared with nonexercised sedentary (SED) controls. Rats in the TR group had lower body weights as well as reduced 24 hr FI due to lower nocturnal FI. TR rats also ate less food in response to injections of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) but not insulin (INS) when injections were given during the first 4-5 weeks of training. However, this difference between TR and SED rats in the 2-DG induced feeding was not demonstrable after 10 or more weeks of training. Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive B-endorphin (IR-B-ep) were elevated, as expected, in TR rats (10-12 weeks) during nocturnal sampling whereas the nocturnal increase of IR-B-ep was absent in SED controls. However, these SED rats did increase daytime IR-B-ep in response to 2-DG and acute exercise, albeit somewhat less in magnitude when compared to TR rats. Injection of naltrexone (NTX) decreased feeding in TR rats (10-12 weeks) but not in contemporary SED controls. In summary, exercise training modified feeding behavior, and at 4 weeks of training, TR rats ate less in response to opioid-related feeding stimulus of 2-DG, but responded similarly to insulin (relatively opioid independent) treatment. At later stages of training this difference between TR and SED rats disappeared. Moreover, SED rats had atypical profiles of IR-B-ep and reduced hypophagic responses to NTX suggesting that TR rats might have greater EO modulation of feeding at this stage.

Animals↗

Electronic games and environmental factors associated with childhood obesity in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: Environmental factors and behaviors associated with obesity have not been well described in children living in Europe. Although television watching has been repeatedly associated with obesity, it is unclear whether other sedentary activities, such as use of electronic games, are independently associated with obesity in children. The hypothesis was that various types of sedentary activities are associated with obesity in children living in Switzerland. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This was a cross-sectional study of children (grades one to three) from four communities in the Greater Zurich Area (Switzerland). Obesity was defined as a combination of overweight (BMI) and overfat (skinfold thicknesses). Environmental factors were assessed by questionnaire. The children's physical activity was estimated by their teacher (scale 0 to 10). RESULTS: Of 922 eligible subjects, 872 (94.6%) took part in the study. Use of electronic games [odds ratio (OR) = 2.03 per hour per day, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.57 to 2.61, p < 0.001], television (OR = 2.83 per hour per day, 95% CI: 2.08 to 3.86, p < 0.001), physical activity (OR = 0.80 per unit, 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.88, p < 0.001), maternal work (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.13 to 3.29, p = 0.02), and paternal smoking (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.96, p = 0.03) were independently associated with obesity. Further adjustment for socioeconomic status, when available, did not change these results. DISCUSSION: In this sample of children living in Switzerland, the use of electronic games was significantly associated with obesity, independently of confounding factors. The association of obesity with television use and lack of physical activity confirms results from other populations and points to potential strategies for obesity prevention.

Body Mass Index↗

Postpartum physical activity and related psychosocial factors among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined patterns of postpartum physical activity among women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and psychosocial factors related to this behavior that could be addressed in diabetes prevention interventions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A random sample of women who had attended diabetes clinics in Sydney, Australia, in the past 6-24 months for treatment of GDM were surveyed by telephone. Variables measured included physical activity behaviors, self-efficacy, social support, and barriers to participation. RESULTS: Of 226 women who completed the survey (mean age 33.4 years), 26.5% were classified as sedentary, and only 33.6% reported sufficient physical activity as recommended by health authorities. Walking was the most popular physical activity, and most women reported no other moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity. Lack of assistance with child care (49.1%) and insufficient time (37.6%) were the most common barriers to physical activity. The type of social support most often reported was verbal encouragement (39.1%), with more than half of the women never receiving assistance with housework or others exercising with them. Self-efficacy for physical activity was lowest when women were under time pressure or tired. Multivariate analyses showed that sufficient physical activity was associated with high social support (odds ratio 2.5 [95% CI 1.21-3.79]) and high self-efficacy (2.09 [1.06-3.20]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sufficient physical activity was found to be low and strongly related to social support and self-efficacy. This is an important group to whom diabetes prevention strategies can be targeted.

Adult↗

Health literacy and health risk behaviors among older adults.

BACKGROUND: Limited health literacy is associated with poorer physical and mental health, although the causal pathways are not entirely clear. In this study, the association between health literacy and the prevalence of health risk behaviors was examined among older adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 2923 new Medicare, managed-care enrollees was conducted in four U.S. metropolitan areas (Cleveland OH; Houston TX; Tampa FL; Fort Lauderdale-Miami FL). Health literacy was measured using the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults. Behaviors investigated included self-reported cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, body mass index, and seat belt use. RESULTS: Individuals with inadequate health literacy were more likely to have never smoked (46.7% vs. 38.6, p =0.01); to completely abstain from alcohol (75.6% vs. 57.9, p <0.001); and to report a sedentary lifestyle (38.2% vs. 21.6%, p <0.001) compared to those with adequate health literacy. No significant differences were noted by mean body mass index or seat belt use. In multinomial logistic regression models that adjusted for relevant covariates, inadequate health literacy was not found to be significantly associated with any of the health risk behaviors investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling elderly, limited health literacy was not independently associated with health risk behaviors after controlling for relevant covariates.

Aged↗

Geographic variation in antisnake tactics: the evolution of scent-mediated behavior in a lizard.

We used modern comparative methods to examine the evolution of scent-mediated antisnake behavior in the rock-dwelling velvet gecko (Oedura lesueurii). The selective agent is a snake species (broad-headed snake, Hoplocephalius bungaroides) that feeds primarily on velvet geckos by remaining sedentary in rock crevices for days or weeks, waiting to ambush lizards. The past and present distribution of this predator is well documented because of its threatened conservation status. We used this information to sample lizards from three populations distributed with snakes (sympatric) and three populations that appear never to have been distributed with snakes (allopatric) in each of two widespread but geographically distinct genetic groups of velvet gecko (as determined using allozyme electrophoresis). Wild-caught immature geckos from sympatric populations showed higher tongue-flick rates and stronger shifts in locomotion (increased duration of crawling and remaining stationary while pressed against the rock) toward snake-scented rocks than did lizards from allopatric populations. However, predation environment did not significantly affect a lizard's tendency to display other typical antisnake tactics such as tail waving or fleeing. These results were highly repeatable across the two sampled genetic groups of velvet gecko, despite demonstrable genetic divergence between groups. Experiments with hatchling lizards that had no experience with predators indicate that qualitative components of antisnake behaviors are probably inherited. The method of phylogenetically independent contrasts strongly suggests that the presence or absence of snakes has driven the evolution of behavior in velvet geckos. Collectively, these results provide support for an often suggested but speculative expectation that prey can adapt to predation pressure on a local scale.

Animals↗

Physical activity intervention: a transtheoretical model-based intervention designed to help sedentary young adults become active.

Physical activity levels in young adults are low. Research supports the use of the Transtheoretical Model of behaviour change (TM) in designing physical activity interventions. This study used a pre-post randomized control design to investigate the effectiveness of a self-instructional intervention for helping sedentary young adults to initiate physical activity. Post-intervention, significantly more of the experimental group (80%), in comparison to the control group (68%), improved their exercise stage of change (SOC) from baseline (P < 0.05). Discriminant analyses revealed that discrimination between stage improvement/non-improvement was possible using the processes of change data. Stage improvers scored significantly higher on all of the behavioral and four out of five of the cognitive processes of change. For stage improvers, the processes of self-re-evaluation and self-liberation were most frequently used, whilst social liberation was used significantly more by the experimental than the control group. This inexpensive, self-instructional intervention, based on the TM and the 'active living message', is an effective method of assisting sedentary young adults to progress through the exercise SOC.

Adult↗

Evidence-based strategies to promote physical activity among children, adolescents and young adults: review and update.

This paper updates evidence reviewed in the first edition of Getting Australia Active on effective physical activity (PA) intervention strategies among children, adolescents and young adults. Intervention studies published between 1999 and September 2003 were identified using electronic databases and hand searching. A total of 28 discrete studies were identified (31 papers). Six of nine studies reported significant effects on child or youth PA in school settings. Those that incorporated whole-of-school approaches including curriculum, policy and environmental strategies appeared to be more effective than those that incorporated curriculum-only approaches. Five of 10 studies with children and two of five studies with adolescents reported increased PA or decreased sedentary behaviour in other settings. Interventions that included contact with families generally appeared to be most effective. One study with adolescents provided some evidence of the potential effectiveness of interventions based in primary care. Two of four papers reported modest short-term results among young adults, including increased PA stage of change or a higher likelihood of being adequately physically active, but none showed any evidence of sustained increases in PA. There is an urgent need for additional studies examining interventions aimed at young adults. Across the three life stages, future studies should include objective PA measures, longer-term follow-up, larger sample sizes, a specific focus on PA (rather than weight) and culturally-specific strategies that build evidence in Australian populations. Future studies should target high risk groups and a broad range of settings and strategies focusing on reducing sedentary behaviours as well as increasing PA.

Adolescent↗

Pubertal development and sedentary behaviour during adolescence.

BACKGROUND: Assessing time spent in sedentary behaviours in relation to pubertal status, anthropometric differences, and body image will improve insight into the prevalence and determinants of such behaviours during adolescence. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the effects of age, puberty, gender, body composition, and sleep on sedentary behaviour. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Participants were 64 boys and 55 girls in Year 6 (10.0-10.9 years of age), Year 8 (12.0-12.9 years) and Year 10 (14.0-14.9 years). Body mass index and percentage body fat were calculated from anthropometric measures. Sedentary behaviour and sleep time were computed using momentary-time sampling. Body image was measured using the Children's Physical Self-Perception Profile. Pubertal status was assessed from self-report of secondary sexual characteristics. RESULTS: After controlling for sleep time, no differences in sedentary time were seen for puberty onset or increased pubertal development. Correlations between pubertal status, body composition, and body image were stronger in girls than in boys. Correlations between body image and sedentary behaviour were not strong enough to infer behavioural choice differences. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced sleep time rather than changing body image and body composition during adolescence is associated with greater sedentary behaviour.

Adolescent↗

Family variables and physical activity in preschool children.

Correlates of the physical activity habits of preschool children were studied in a multiethnic sample. Physical activity levels of 33 low-income children were observed systematically during free-play periods at preschool. Children spent 58% of free-play time in sedentary activities (e.g., sitting), and were vigorously active only 11% of the time. Independent variables studied were child body mass index (BMI), teacher-rated Type A behavior, and parent-reported mother BMI, father BMI, parent vigorous activity, and family cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The multiple regression of moderate-intensity activity was significant, with family CVD risk, parent vigorous activity, and father BMI accounting for significant amounts of variance. The results suggest that the effects of parental role modeling on child physical activity levels may extend to free-play settings far beyond the confines of the home environment.

Body Weight↗

Exercise effects on withdrawal and mood among women attempting smoking cessation.

This study investigated both acute and longer term ("chronic") effects of vigorous exercise training on affect, nicotine withdrawal, and cigarette craving among women enrolled in a smoking cessation research study. All subjects participated in a 12-week cognitive behavioral smoking cessation program and were randomly assigned to attend three sessions per week of either a vigorous exercise program or contact control. Measures of positive and negative affect, cigarette craving, and nicotine withdrawal were administered immediately before, and again immediately after the final exercise or contact session each week of the program. Study I enrolled 24 women who had been assigned to the exercise condition. Significant reductions in negative affect, nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving were observed following exercise most weeks of the program. No significant changes in positive affect were observed. In Study II this protocol was repeated among 62 women (44 exercise, 18 contact control) in two consecutive cohorts of the larger study. Significant reduction were observed in negative affect, nicotine withdrawal and cigarette craving during most weeks of the program among exercise subjects but not contact condition subjects. No chronic (baseline to posttreatment) changes in positive or negative affect, cigarette craving or withdrawal symptoms were observed in either study. Vigorous exercise appears to produce acute improvements in withdrawal symptoms, cigarette craving, and negative affect among sedentary women attempting to quit smoking.

Adult↗

The behavioral risk factor surveys: I. State-specific prevalence estimates of behavioral risk factors.

The prevalence of most behavioral risk factors varies substantially among states. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking ranges from 22 percent to 38 percent. Estimates of alcohol use show geographic clustering, with lower rates in the southeastern states. The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, uncontrolled hypertension, overweight, and seatbelt use differs markedly among states. These findings represent an initial step toward the analysis of state-specific baseline risk-factor data for use in developing state programs aimed at reducing the leading causes of death in the United States.

Adult↗

Dietary intake, body mass index, exercise, and alcohol: are college women following the dietary guidelines for Americans?

Study findings suggest that college women practice diet and health behaviors that contradict the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To confirm this hypothesis, the authors surveyed the diet, exercise, and health habits of 60 female students enrolled in three university aerobics courses. They measured height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and assessed physical activity, using the Self-Reported Physical Activity scale. To estimate food and nutrient intake, they used 3-day food records. Participants reported diets that were nutritionally adequate but exceeded national recommendations for fat, sugar, and sodium, and their reports of exercise habits suggested that the lifestyles of 66% of the respondents were sedentary. Although the students' mean BMIs suggested healthy weights, 25% of the women were classified as overweight. A majority of the participants were following at least 1 of the 7 dietary guidelines; however, no participant was adhering to all proposed behaviors.

Adolescent↗

The psychological and physiological responses of sedentary individuals to prescribed and preferred intensity exercise.

OBJECTIVES: Affective valence responses to exercise may influence adherence. According to a newly proposed dual-mode model, affective responses have been proposed to vary depending on whether exercise is undertaken above or below the anaerobic threshold. With the model in mind, the study objectives were to explore the impact of an above-lactate, below-lactate, and self-selected exercise condition on acute affective responses in sedentary individuals. DESIGN: Using a repeated measures design, 12 volunteers participated in two prescribed intensity exercise conditions (above and below-lactate threshold) and one self-selected intensity exercise condition. The three conditions were randomized. METHOD: An incremental walking protocol was used to identify exercise intensities that would elicit above- and below-lactate threshold work rates for each participant. The exercise conditions were completed on different days and each lasted for 20 minutes. Physiological and affective responses were recorded pre-exercise, during exercise, and post-exercise. RESULTS: Affective responses were more negative in the above-lactate condition during exercise compared with the below-lactate and self-selected conditions. There were no differences between the conditions post-exercise. Participants exercised around the lactate threshold and at a significantly higher intensity in the self-selected compared with the below-lactate condition. Inter-individual variability in responses was greatest below the lactate threshold, with similar levels of variability in the self-selected and above-lactate conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Data are consistent with the proposals of the dual-mode model and support the use of self-selected intensity with sedentary individuals to promote positive affective responses.

Adult↗

A controlled evaluation of a school-based intervention to promote physical activity among sedentary adolescent females: project FAB.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of a school-based intervention designed to increase physical activity among sedentary adolescent females. METHODS: Sedentary adolescent females were assigned to a control (n = 22) or intervention (n = 25) group based on school attended. Students at the intervention school enrolled in a special physical education class. All participants completed clinical and behavioral assessments at baseline and after 4 months. Physiological tests included cardiovascular fitness (VO(2) peak via bicycle ergometer), body composition (via dual x-ray absorptiometer; DEXA), and body mass index (BMI). Psychosocial assessments included a physical activity recall, report of lifestyle activity, and self-efficacy, perceived barriers, social support, and enjoyment related to physical activity. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) for continuous variables, and logistic regression for hard activity (scored as a dichotomous variable). RESULTS: The intervention had a significant effect on cardiovascular fitness (p =.017), lifestyle activity (p =.005), and light (p =.023), moderate (p =.007), and hard (p =.006) activity. All changes were in a direction that favored the intervention. There was no effect of the intervention on psychosocial factors related to exercise. CONCLUSIONS: A school-based intervention targeting sedentary adolescent females can increase physical activity and prevent a decline in cardiovascular fitness. Moreover, the effect of the intervention generalized to lifestyle activity.

Adolescent↗

Effects of intermittent exercise and use of home exercise equipment on adherence, weight loss, and fitness in overweight women: a randomized trial.

CONTEXT: Enhancing participation in long-term exercise may translate into improved long-term weight loss in overweight adults. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of intermittent with traditional continuous exercise on weight loss, adherence, and fitness, and to examine the effect of combining intermittent exercise with that using home exercise equipment. DESIGN: Randomized trial from September 1996 through September 1998. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 148 sedentary, overweight (mean [SD] body mass index, 32.8 [4.0] kg/m2) women (mean [SD] age, 36.7 [5.6] years) in a university-based weight control program. INTERVENTIONS: Eighteen-month behavioral weight control program with 3 groups: long-bout exercise (LB), multiple short-bout exercise (SB), or multiple short-bout exercise with home exercise equipment (SBEQ) using a treadmill. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body weight, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise adherence. RESULTS: Of 148 subjects, 115 (78%) completed the 18-month program. At 18 months, mean (SD) weight loss was significantly greater in subjects in the SBEQ group compared with subjects in the SB group (-7.4 [7.8] kg vs -3.7 [6.6] kg; P<.05). Mean (SD) weight loss for subjects in the LB group (-5.8 [7.1] kg) was not significantly different than for subjects in the SB or SBEQ groups. Subjects in the SBEQ group maintained a higher level of exercise than subjects in both the SB and LB groups (P<.05) at 13 to 18 months of treatment. All groups showed an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness from baseline to 18 months, with no difference between groups. Mean (SD) weight loss at 18 months was significantly greater in individuals exercising more than 200 min/wk throughout the intervention (-13.1 [8.0] kg) compared with individuals exercising 150 to 200 min/wk (-8.5 [5.8] kg) or less than 150 min/wk (-3.5 [6.5] kg) (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the LB group, subjects in the SB group did not experience improved long-term weight loss, exercise participation, or cardiorespiratory fitness. Access to home exercise equipment facilitated the maintenance of SB, which may improve long-term weight loss. A dose-response relationship exists between amount of exercise and long-term weight loss in overweight adult women.

Adult↗

Physical activity in urban white, African-American, and Mexican-American women.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: The purpose of this study was to analyze physical activity in a large, diverse sample of urban women (N = 521; X = 40.5 +/- 10.5 yr) relative to race/ethnicity, income, age, and education, using a sex-specific physical activity questionnaire. We also examined demographic and behavioral predictors of high levels (> or = 2000 kcal.wk-1) of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA; exercise, sports, recreational activities) in this population. RESULTS: The majority of women were sedentary (0-666 kcal.wk-1 in LTPA), and only 8% of African-American women (N = 6), 11% of Mexican-American women (N = 4), and 13% of white women (N = 55) participated in the level of physical activity recommended by the surgeon general (i.e., moderate to vigorous physical activity most days of the week for at least 30 min). Women of color, women over 40, and women without a college education had the lowest levels of participation in LTPA. Logistic regression analysis indicated that education was the only significant predictor of high LTPA in white women (P < 0.01) and marital status was the only significant predictor of high LTPA in minority women (P < 0.001). Age, body mass index (BMI; kg.m-2), income, self-rated health, alcohol intake, and smoking were not significant predictors of high LTPA for any of the women. Because the majority of adult women from this sample do not participate in adequate amounts of physical activity as recommended by the surgeon general, they may be at increased risk for hypokinetic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that public health efforts to increase physical activity in women should be focused on women of color, women over 40, and women without a college degree. More attention to predictors of physical activity that are specific to race or ethnicity may improve intervention program design and implementation.

Adolescent↗