SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Weight Reduction Programs”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Psychological and fitness changes associated with exercise participation among women with breast cancer.

Exercise participation has been shown to improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce psychological distress among women receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the changes in distress and body image, and fitness following exercise participation among 24 women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer within the previous 3 years. The women were randomly assigned to participate in a 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program in a hospital setting or a wait-list control group. Assessments of distress and body image were conducted at pre- and post-treatment. Data showed that the women in the exercise group improved significantly in body image (Physical Condition and Weight Concerns subscales) vs control group participants at post-treatment. Reductions in distress were also noted in the exercise group, but these were nonsignificant. At post-treatment, there were modest improvements in fitness in the exercise group.

Body Image↗

PubMed2005

Prenatal programming of adult blood pressure: role of maternal corticosteroids.

Both maternal glucocorticoid administration and maternal dietary protein or food restriction in pregnancy cause fewer nephrons and hypertension in the adult offspring. The purpose of these studies was to determine the extent to which nutritional factors contribute to programming of offspring hypertension by maternal glucocorticoids. Pregnant rats were treated with dexamethasone (100 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) sc) on days 1-10 (ED) or days 15-20 (LD) of pregnancy. Additional groups of pregnant animals were pair fed to the early (EDPF) and late (LDPF) dexamethasone-treated groups, and another group was untreated or given vehicle (C). The dams treated with dexamethasone reduced their food intake and lost or failed to gain a normal amount of weight during treatment; body weights of ED dams caught up to normal after the treatment period, whereas those of LD dams did not. In adulthood ( approximately 21 wks), chronically instrumented male offspring of ED had normal blood pressures (125 +/- 2 mmHg vs. 126 +/- 1 mmHg in C), whereas LD offspring were hypertensive (136 +/- 3 mmHg). However, LDPF offspring were equally hypertensive (134 +/- 2 mmHg). Glomerular filtration rates normalized to body weight were not significantly different among groups. Qualitatively similar results were found in female offspring. Thus the long-term effects of maternal glucocorticoid administration at this dose on offspring's blood pressure may, in large part, be accounted for by the reduction in maternal food intake. These data suggest that maternal glucocorticoids and maternal food or protein restriction may, at least in part, share a common mechanism in programming offspring for hypertension. The window of sensitivity of future offspring blood pressure to either maternal insult coincides with nephrogenesis in the rat, suggesting that impaired renal development could play an important role in this programming.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2003

Demographic characteristics and trends in the prevalence of low birth weight from singleton pregnancies in Taiwan, 1978-1997.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Low birth weight (LBW) has adverse influences on lifetime health. This study examined trends in LBW in Taiwan between 1978 and 1997, and assessed the risk of LBW associated with gender, birth order of infant, and parental age at delivery. METHODS: Information on live born singletons for the study period was retrieved from the Taiwan birth registry. We calculated biannual trends for overall LBW rates and for specific demographic factors. Log-linear models with a Poisson assumption were used to assess the linear trend of the LBW rates and the interaction between time and selected demographic factors. Log-linear models were also used to estimate the independent effect of individual demographic factors on the risk of LBW. RESULTS: The LBW prevalence declined from 6.78% (55,694/820,364) in 1978-79 to 4.95% (30,907/623,971) in 1996-97, representing a 27.10% reduction. The prevalence of LBW showed a noticeable reduction between the late 1970s and mid-1980s, and appeared homogeneous after the mid-1980s. This declining trend was evident for almost all of the selected demographic factors. The only exception was in infants born to teenage fathers, which showed a 10.59% increase in prevalence of LBW during the 20-year study period. Infants born to mothers or fathers aged 35 and above had the greatest reduction (47.58% and 41.44%, respectively) in the rate of LBW, whereas teenage mothers had the lowest reduction (11.75%) in the rate of LBW. CONCLUSIONS: Parental age at an infant birth has a strong association with reduction of LBW risk. Education programs focusing on the problem of teenage pregnancy may accelerate the reduction of LBW.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Impact of new eligibility criteria on a screening program for retinopathy of prematurity. one-year evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in clinical and economical terms, a screening program for retinopathy of prematurity 1 year after implementing new eligibility criteria. METHOD: New criteria to safely reduce the number of newborn infants screened without missing any stage 3 retinopathies of prematurity were established after reviewing the clinical information from the 1991-1998 screening program. In 1999 the infants were screened according to the new eligibility criteria. The absolute and relative reduction in the number of patients requiring screening was determined by comparing the implementation of the new eligibility criteria with the previous criteria. Criteria 1991-1998: a) Birth weight 1,500 g or gestational age 33 weeks; and b) gestational age 34-36 weeks with exposure to supplemental oxygen for at least 24 h. New criteria 1999: a) Birth weight 1,250 g or gestational age 30 weeks; and b) infants with birth weight > 1,250 g or gestational age > 30 weeks with very serious neonatal medical problems according to the neonatologist. RESULTS: In 1999, 244 patients would have been screened with the 1991-1998 criteria. Applying the new 1999 criteria, only 72 patients were screened. The number of examinations saved was 369 and the cost of the program decreased by 30,000 euros. CONCLUSIONS: The new eligibility criteria for retinopathy of prematurity screening has reduced the number of patients screened by 70 %. To ensure inclusion of all newborn infants at risk of developing the disease and to minimize the number of screened infants and cost of the program, screening strategies can be tailored to health centers' specific characteristics.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

PubMed2000

Retardation of coronary atherosclerosis with yoga lifestyle intervention.

BACKGROUND: Yoga has potential for benefit for patients with coronary artery disease though objective, angiographic studies are lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated possible role of lifestyle modification incorporating yoga, on retardation of coronary atherosclerotic disease. In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 42 men with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomized to control (n = 21) and yoga intervention group (n = 21) and were followed for one year. The active group was treated with a user-friendly program consisting of yoga, control of risk factors, diet control and moderate aerobic exercise. The control group was managed by conventional methods i.e. risk factor control and American Heart Association step I diet. RESULTS: At one year, the yoga groups showed significant reduction in number of anginal episodes per week, improved exercise capacity and decrease in body weight. Serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels also showed greater reductions as compared with control group. Revascularisation procedures (coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery) were less frequently required in the yoga group (one versus eight patients; relative risk = 5.45; P = 0.01). Coronary angiography repeated at one year showed that significantly more lesions regressed (20% versus 2%) and less lesions progressed (5% versus 37%) in the yoga group (chi-square = 24.9; P < 0.0001). The compliance to the total program was excellent and no side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Yoga lifestyle intervention retards progression and increases regression of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with severe coronary artery disease. It also improves symptomatic status, functional class and risk factor profile.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs in the management of hip osteoarthritis.

Nonpharmacological treatment programmes are as important as drug treatment in hip osteoarthritis (OA). Drugs (analgesic and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should not be used as sole treatments in hip OA. Patient education and weight reduction are the primary therapeutic approaches. Different types of exercises are beneficial for patients with hip OA. Occupational therapy plays a central role in the management of hip OA patients with functional limitations. More and better-designed trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmacological treatment programmes used in hip OA.

Exercise↗

PubMed2001

The neuroendocrinology of childhood obesity.

The regulation of energy balance is enormously complex, with numerous genetic, hormonal, neural and behavioral, and societal influences. Although the current epidemic of obesity clearly has its underpinnings in the changes in culture during the past half-century (see other articles in this issue), the role of the neuroendocrine system in the genesis of obesity, as described in this article, is physiologically and therapeutically unavoidable. An understanding of this system has suggested organic causes (and therapies) for some rare and not-so-rare forms of obesity. With so many inputs, it is not far-fetched to assume that dysfunction of other parts of this feedback system will be found to explain other forms of obesity in the future. What does this mean for obese children entering the pediatrician's office? Fortunately or unfortunately, diet and exercise are the mainstays of obesity therapy for children and adults. Most diet-exercise programs result in an acute 11-kg weight loss in adults; the question is whether it can be sustained without significant long-term behavioral modification. For instance, the European Sibutramine Trial of Obesity Reduction and Maintenance trial showed that 42% of treated subjects drop out; of those remaining, 77% of subjects lost more than 5% of initial body weight, but only 43% of those maintained more than 80% of this over 2 years. Could there be an organic component in those who do not respond? Of course, obesity pharmacotherapies sometimes have beneficial acute effects, but these drugs work for only as long as they are consumed; discontinuation tends to result in a "rebound" weight gain, suggesting that the cause of the obesity is still present. Furthermore, in 2001, there are no obesity drugs approved for children. A useful guiding principle is that children deserve at the minimum an initial medical evaluation, including birth weight, medical history, family history, dietary evaluation, and exercise assessment. Perhaps the most important feature that can distinguish "organic" from "behavioral" weight gain in childhood is the age of the "adiposity rebound." The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now supplies BMI charts for boys and girls at www.cdc.gov/growthcharts. Plotting of the BMI versus age allows pediatricians to determine the age at which the BMI starts to increase (mean, 5.5 years). The earlier the adiposity rebound, the more likely the child will be obese as an adult, and the more likely that an organic cause can be determined. In such patients, thyroid levels and fasting insulin and leptin levels should be measured. An initial attempt at diet and exercise is essential; patients who do not respond with BMI stabilization should be investigated for a more ominous cause of their obesity. As the nosology of obesity improves, pediatricians will be able to increase the diagnostic efficiency and therapeutic success of this unfortunate, debilitating, and expensive epidemic.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMed1997

Regulation of body adiposity and the problem of obesity.

The hypothesis that body adiposity is homeostatically regulated is the focus of an intensive research effort, and support for this concept is rapidly growing. While generating optimism about the future of obesity treatment, these advances also bear on our current approach to the obese patient. The observation that body adiposity appears to be subject to regulation in obese as well as lean individuals suggests that common forms of obesity may result from a primary disorder of the weight-regulatory system. As a result, voluntary efforts to lower body adiposity activate compensatory responses that limit weight loss and facilitate weight regain. The use of weight-reduction strategies based on caloric restriction, therefore, effectively pits the will of the obese individual against his or her own intrinsic weight-regulatory system. Until more effective approaches to weight reduction are available, we suggest that clinical intervention should focus on patient education and strategies to limit weight gain or modestly lower weight. Since the combination of a low-fat diet with an exercise program appears to reduce the level at which body weight is regulated without active caloric restriction, this approach may be appropriate for many obese individuals.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Difficulty: a neglected factor in health promotion.

A series of studies of likelihood of adopting risk-reducing or weight-reduction activities revealed that the perceived difficulty of adoption was a more powerful factor in likelihood of adoption than was a perceived effectiveness of the activities. This finding is significant because most intervention programs emphasize convincing clients of the effectiveness of their methods and treat difficulty as a given or a constant. These studies showed not only that difficulty varied, but also that the relationship between likelihood of adopting an activity and the perceived effectiveness and difficulty of the activity was multiplicative and, therefore, curvilinear. At low levels of difficulty, likelihood of adoption was high, but as difficulty increased, likelihood dropped rapidly. The relationship between effectiveness and likelihood, on the other hand, showed small increases in likelihood as effectiveness increased to moderate levels, with little increase at higher levels. These relationships were more pronounced among those for whom the target risk was highly relevant. One implication for practice is that a greater payoff will be realized by reversing the conventional focus of intervention and instead helping clients reduce the difficulty of adopting necessary activities.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Effect of a culturally sensitive cholesterol lowering diet program on lipid and lipoproteins, body weight, nutrient intakes, and quality of life in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a culturally sensitive cholesterol lowering diet program on lipid and lipoproteins, body weight, nutrient intakes, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHOD: Seventeen patients with SLE were randomized to a Step 2 diet intervention group or a control group for 12 weeks. The diet intervention was made up of weekly group sessions during the first 6 weeks followed by telephone counseling every 2 weeks for the last 6 weeks. Data on fasting lipid and lipoproteins, body weight, food intake (3 day food record), and QOL were collected at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. Program acceptability was assessed in the diet group at 6 weeks. RESULTS: The intervention was found to be highly acceptable and culturally sensitive. The changes in nutrient intakes at 6 and 12 weeks in the diet group were -49% and -33%, respectively, for cholesterol, -44% and -32%, respectively, for percentage calories from fat, and -46% and -32%, respectively, for percentage calories from saturated fat. The corresponding figures in the control group were +22% and -8% for cholesterol, +9% and +6% for percentage calories from fat, and +5% and +7% for percentage calories from saturated fat. The treatment by time interaction was significant for all the dietary variables (p = 0.0003 to 0.02). QOL was reported to improve by 15-17% in the diet group and decrease by 4-6% in the control group, and the treatment by time interaction was significant (p = 0.05). The changes in the physiological variables at 6 and 12 weeks in the diet group were -10% and -6%, respectively, for total cholesterol, -10% and -2%, respectively, for low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, -11% and -4%, respectively, for high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, -25% and -34%, respectively, for very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, -8% and -24%, respectively, for triglycerides, and -2% and -5%, respectively, for body weight. The corresponding figures in the control group were -5% and -3% for total cholesterol, -6% and -5% for LDL cholesterol, 0% and +12% for HDL cholesterol, +4% and -8% for VLDL cholesterol, -6% and -15% for triglycerides, and -5% and -6% for body weight. The treatment by time interaction was significant for HDL cholesterol (p = 0.04). A significant reduction was seen in the diet group for total cholesterol at 6 and 12 weeks, LDL and HDL cholesterol at 6 weeks, and body weight at 12 weeks (p = 0.0002 to 0.01). CONCLUSION: This culturally sensitive cholesterol reducing diet program was highly accepted and effective in changing the diet and QOL of patients with SLE. The effect on serum lipids, lipoproteins, and body weight, however, was modest. A larger randomized study with a longer intervention period is necessary to test the effectiveness of a cholesterol-lowering diet on lipids and lipoproteins in patients with SLE.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Implications of the metabolic syndrome: the new epidemic.

On the basis of traditional risk factors, a large number of individuals in the United States can be classified as at intermediate risk for the development of ischemic heart disease. The diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome can help determine whether patients at intermediate risk should be considered for more aggressive risk-factor reduction. The measurement of novel risk factors, such as inflammatory markers, can identify a group of patients at high intermediate risk. The Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program suggests considering a more aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment goal in this group of individuals. In addition, the presence of the metabolic syndrome is highly predictive of the development of diabetes mellitus. A treatment strategy focusing on aerobic exercise and weight loss can help delay or prevent the development of diabetes and can help reduce cardiovascular risk. For significant risk reduction to be achieved, treatment strategies must focus on therapy for all risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

PubMed1983

A community study of high density lipoproteins in adult noninsulin-dependent diabetics.

It is generally accepted that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is protective against cardiovascular disease, and that diabetics are at a significant excess risk of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies of HDL-C levels in noninsulin-dependent diabetics have reported divergent results, possibly due to case selection or failure to adjust for covariables known to effect HDL-C, such as obesity, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, or exogenous estrogen use. The authors compared 97 adult noninsulin-dependent diabetics identified by history or fasting hyperglycemia from a population survey in southern California with 194 age- and sex-matched euglycemic controls from the same community. HDL-C levels were significantly lower in noninsulin-dependent diabetics of both sexes, and these differences persisted after adjustment for obesity, cigarette smoking, alcohol, exercise, and estrogen use in women. These data support the concept that reduced levels of HDL-C may be one mechanism whereby diabetics experience an excess risk of cardiovascular disease. In contrast to the published literature, HDL-C levels were not significantly different in diabetics treated with tolbutamide vs. diet therapy. This finding does not support the suggestion that the excess risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in diabetics assigned to tolbutamide reported from the University Group Diabetes Program was a consequence of tolbutamide-induced reductions in HDL-C.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Improved birth outcomes among HIV-infected women with enhanced Medicaid prenatal care.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the impact of enhanced prenatal care on the birth outcomes of HIV-infected women. METHODS: Medicaid claims files linked to vital statistics were analyzed for 1723 HIV-infected women delivering a live-born singleton from January 1993 to October 1995. Prenatal care program visits were indicated by rate codes. Logistic models controlling for demographic, substance use, and health care variables were used to assess the program's effect on preterm birth (less than 37 weeks) and low birthweight (less than 2500 g). RESULTS: Of the women included in the study, 75.3% participated in the prenatal care program. Adjusted program care odds were 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.42, 0.81) for preterm birth and 0.37 (95% CI = 0.24, 0.58) for low-birthweight deliveries in women without a usual source of prenatal care. Women with a usual source had lower odds of low-birthweight deliveries if they had more than 9 program visits. The effect of program participation persisted in sensitivity analyses that adjusted for an unmeasured confounder. CONCLUSIONS: A statewide prenatal care Medicaid program demonstrates significant reductions in the risk of adverse birth outcomes for HIV-infected women.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Preterm birth prevention in a rural practice.

A program for the prevention of preterm births was developed for use in small, nonurban communities. In contrast to other programs, increased emphasis was placed on education and reassessment of "low-risk" women. Potentially preventable preterm births were identified and studied. The potentially preventable preterm birth rate decreased from 3.2% in the 3-year control period to 1.3% during the 2-year study period, a 60% reduction. The preterm neonates who were born during the study period were older, had a greater average birth weight, and had fewer admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit. The percentage of women in preterm labor who presented early enough to receive tocolysis increased from 51% to 98%, and those in preterm labor who delivered at term increased from 56% to 96%. Requiring primarily education and increased awareness, this preterm birth prevention program was successful and inexpensive and may be applicable to similar rural primary care practices.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

PubMed1983

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.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2006

A meta-analytic review of obesity prevention programs for children and adolescents: the skinny on interventions that work.

This meta-analytic review summarizes obesity prevention programs and their effects and investigates participant, intervention, delivery, and design features associated with larger effects. A literature search identified 64 prevention programs seeking to produce weight gain prevention effects, of which 21% produced significant prevention effects that were typically pre- to post effects. Larger effects emerged for programs that targeted children and adolescents (vs. preadolescents) and females, programs that were relatively brief, programs that solely targeted weight control versus other health behaviors (e.g., smoking), programs evaluated in pilot trials, and programs wherein participants must have self-selected into the intervention. Other factors, including mandated improvements in diet and exercise, sedentary behavior reduction, delivery by trained interventionists, and parental involvement, were not associated with significantly larger effects.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1980

Use of health education and attempted dietary change to modify atherosclerotic risk factors: a controlled trial.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if nutrition education regarding atherosclerotic risk factors and dietary changes that might reduce these factors, taught in an elementary school setting, would cause children to alter their diets in a way that would produce a significant reduction in risk factor values as compared to a control group. Serum cholesterol, blood pressure, height, weight, and skinfold thickness were the evaluated variables. Sixty-eight children who had been enrolled in the intervention program had complete data at the termination of the 3-year study. The major control group consisted of 23 children from a different school. Additional control groups were formed to provide information regarding general population changes in the risk factors during the time span of the study and to investigate values of children who did not complete the entire program. The results showed no major significant changes for these variables as compared to the control group or the preintervention values of the intervention population. As expected, the population had an initially relatively low risk. Tracking of these variables over 3 years showed results similar to those of other investigations that did not include intervention. It is concluded that, although the education proved effective by cognitive testing, the methodology used in this study was ineffective in reducing significantly the above risk factors of the population investigated.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed2003

Hip fracture prevention. Drug therapies and lifestyle modifications that can reduce risk.

The annual number of hip fractures sustained worldwide is expected to increase dramatically as the population ages. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake and exercise are fundamental to any program for bone loss prevention or osteoporosis treatment. Fall prevention programs, weight-bearing and resistance exercise, hip protector use, and calcium and vitamin D supplementation can reduce hip fracture risk. Among the available antiosteoporosis agents, the bisphosphonates risedronate and alendronate have produced the greatest reductions in hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women. Nasal calcitonin and raloxifene have not demonstrated significant reductions in nonvertebral or hip fracture risk. The role of parathyroid hormone (1-34) in the treatment of hip fractures remains uncertain until more experience is gained about its use and studies with sufficient statistical power are performed. Data indicate that bisphosphonates consistently reduce hip fracture risk in patients with osteoporosis, especially those with an existing vertebral fracture. In addition to pharmacologic intervention, adequate nonpharmacologic preventive strategies should be included to ensure maximal reduction in risk of hip fracture.

Calcitonin↗