DOCSLIB.ORG

Promotion of Healthy Weight- Control Practices in Young Athletes

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Promotion of Healthy Weight- Control Practices in Young Athletes CLINICAL REPORT Guidance for the Clinician in Rendering Pediatric Care Rebecca L. Carl, MD, MS, FAAP, a Miriam D. Johnson, MD, FAAP, b Thomas J. Martin, MD, FAAP, c, d, e PromotionCOUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESSof Healthy Weight- Control Practices in Young Athletes Children and adolescents may participate in sports that favor a particular abstract body type. Some sports, such as gymnastics, dance, and distance running, emphasize a slim or lean physique for aesthetic or performance reasons. Participants in weight-class sports, such as wrestling and martial arts, may attempt weight loss so they can compete at a lower weight class. Other sports, such as football and bodybuilding, highlight a muscular aInstitute for Sports Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; bDepartment of Pediatrics, physique; young athletes engaged in these sports may desire to gain weight University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; cDepartment of Pediatrics, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, and muscle mass. This clinical report describes unhealthy methods of Pennsylvania; dDepartment of Pediatrics, Milton S. Hershey College of weight loss and gain as well as policies and approaches used to curb these Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and eCentral Pennsylvania Clinic for Special Children and Adults, Belleville, practices. The report also reviews healthy strategies for weight loss and Pennsylvania weight gain and provides recommendations for pediatricians on how to Dr Martin drafted the report update proposal, conceptualized the promote healthy weight control in young athletes. initial manuscript, contributed to editing on the basis of comments from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reviewers; Dr Johnson conceptualized and wrote the initial manuscript, contributed to editing on the basis of comments from AAP reviewers; Dr Carl revised the initial manuscript, contributed to editing on the basis of comments from AAP reviewers; and all authors approved the final manuscript. This document is copyrighted and is property of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its Board of Directors. All authors have Young athletes who participate in sports that favor a particular body type filed conflict of interest statements with the American Academy “ ” of Pediatrics. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process may express a desire to lose or gain weight. Athletes who participate in approved by the Board of Directors. The American Academy of Pediatrics has neither solicited nor accepted any commercial weight-sensitive sports, which emphasize a lean, slim physique, often involvement in the development of the content of this publication. seek to lose weight. In aesthetic sports, such as gymnastics, figure skating, Clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics benefit from and diving, athletes may believe they will be judged more favorably if expertise and resources of liaisons and internal (AAP) and external they have a lean body build. With other sports, distance running and reviewers. However, clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics may not reflect the views of the liaisons or the organizations cycling, for example, participants with a slim physique are perceived to or government agencies that they represent. have a greater ability to move the body against gravity if they weigh less. The guidance in this report does not indicate an exclusive course of Table 1 lists examples of sports that typically favor a slim/lean build. For treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking weight-class sports, including wrestling and martial arts, athletes often into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. desire to compete at the lowest possible weight in the belief that lighter All clinical reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics athletes have an increased strength-to-weight ratio (‍Table 2). automatically expire 5 years after publication unless reaffirmed, revised, or retired at or before that time. Football and powerlifting are examples of sports that highlight a muscular physique (‍Table 3). Children and adolescents who participate in sports that emphasize strength and power often attempt to gain weight and lean To cite: Carl RL, Johnson MD, Martin TJ, AAP COUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS. Promotion of Healthy muscle mass to improve performance. Participants in bodybuilding may Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes. Pediatrics. seek to increase muscle mass and definition for aesthetic reasons. 2017;140(3):e20171871 – In their attempts to change body weight and composition,1 6 some athletes resort to unhealthy weight-control practices. These unhealthy Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on September 26, 2021 PEDIATRICS Volume 140, number 3, September 2017:e20171871 FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS Carl et al https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-1871 September 2017 Promotion of Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes 3 140 Pediatrics 2017 ROUGH GALLEY PROOF TABLE 1 Sports That Emphasize a Thin/Lean Physique “ Dance The American Academy of Pediatrics inappropriate weight loss methods (‍AAP) policy statement Promotion can result in reduced muscle Cheerleading ” Cross country/distance running of Healthy Weight Control in Young strength, reduced performance in Cross-country skiing Athletes was published7, 8 in 1996 aerobic activities, decreased mental Cycling and updated in 2005. This clinical and cognitive performance, mood Diving Figure skating report replaces the 2005 statement changes, depression, compromised Gymnastics (artistic and rhythmic) and includes more recent evidence immune response, and changes Ski jump about the detrimental effects of in the cardiovascular, endocrine,– – Swimming dehydration and the benefits of gastrointestinal, renal, and 1 3, 6, 9 16 Synchronized swimming gradual weight loss as compared with thermoregulatory systems. Weight Loss Attributable to Dehydration TABLE 2 Sports With Weight Classes/Weight acute weight loss. Data on the effects Limits of collegiate and high school rule Boxing changes are also included. Crew WEIGHT LOSS Up to 67% of athletes involved Horse racing—jockeys in weight-class sports, such as Martial arts wrestling, boxing, and weight-class Weight-class football crew, attempt to lose weight acutely Wrestling Athletes may attempt to lose weight 4 with dehydration techniques. High to enhance performance, to qualify school and college wrestlers report TABLE 3 Sports That Emphasize a Muscular for a particular weight class, or to high rates of fasting, restricting fluid Physique change their appearance for a sport intake, and engaging in practices Baseball that emphasizes a lean physique. that increase sweating for acute Basketball Weight loss becomes a problem when 17,18 “ ” weight loss. This process, Bodybuilding athletes are inadequately hydrated Football (especially linemen) referred to as weight cutting, and/or when nutritional needs are Powerlifting allows competitors to weigh in at the not met. Table 4 lists healthy and Rugby lowest possible weight; most athletes Track (eg, shot-put, discus) unhealthy weight loss methods. Unhealthy Weight Loss subsequently attempt to regain weight by rehydrating between the weigh-in and competition. The Some weight loss methods can lead term hypohydration refers to the weight-control approaches may to serious physical and psychological state of suboptimal hydration, adversely affect health and, in harm. Additionally, certain weight and dehydration describes the some cases, can negatively affect loss practices impair athletic transition from a well-hydrated19 to performance. Pediatricians should performance and increase injury risk. a hypohydrated state. Examples have an awareness of safe and unsafe Weight loss may initially improve of dehydration techniques include weight-control practices so they can athletic performance because of an fluid restriction, spitting, vomiting, counsel young athletes and family increase in the strength-to-weight steam baths, saunas, using laxatives members appropriately. ratio. However, continued use of or diuretics, and wearing nonporous TABLE 4 Unhealthy and Healthy Weight Loss Methods Unhealthy Weight Loss Healthy Weight Loss Rapid weight loss Gradual weight loss Loss of >2 lb/wk Loss of no more than 1 lb/wk in growing athlete with excess body fat, 2 lb/ Muscle mass is lost wk in mature athlete Stimulant use to promote weight loss Weight lost is excess body fat, not muscle mass Exercise in excess of what is recommended for sport Exercise an appropriate amount for the sport Laxative use Diet is well-balanced and consists of ∼6–10 g/kg per d of carbohydrates, Diet pill use 0.85–1.7 g/kg per d of protein, and 1 g/kg per d of fat Vomiting Maintain euhydration Voluntary dehydration Preferable to lose weight in off-season Fluid restriction Caloric intake meets the energy costs of living, growth, and sport activities Diuretic use Spitting Enhanced sweat production Steam baths, saunas Exercise in nonpermeable clothing Downloaded from www.aappublications.org/news by guest on September 26, 2021 2 FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS Carl et al https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2017-1871 September 2017 Promotion of Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes 3 140 Pediatrics 2017 ROUGH GALLEY PROOF TABLE 5 Mental and Cognitive Changes Attribut - able to Hypohydration/Dehydration suits to increase sweat production. Decreased psychomotor function is
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Revealing the Burden of Obesity Using Weight Histories
    Revealing the burden of obesity using weight histories Andrew Stokesa,1 and Samuel H. Prestonb,1 aDepartment of Global Health and Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118; and bDepartment of Sociology and Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 Contributed by Samuel H. Preston, December 4, 2015 (sent for review August 4, 2015; reviewed by David B. Allison and John Bongaarts) Analyses of the relation between obesity and mortality typically effects (41–43) and may be inadequate in light of evidence that evaluate risk with respect to weight recorded at a single point in weight loss often begins many years before death (44). A limitation time. As a consequence, there is generally no distinction made of the second approach is that it fails to capture undiagnosed or between nonobese individuals who were never obese and non- subclinical illnesses (44). Both strategies eliminate large propor- obese individuals who were formerly obese and lost weight. We tions of observations, thereby reducing power and the external introduce additional data on an individual’s maximum attained validity of results (45). Finally, both approaches risk eliminating weight and investigate four models that represent different com- observations in which disease is a product of obesity itself, pro- binations of weight at survey and maximum weight. We use data ducing a classic instance of “overadjustment bias” (46). from the 1988–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination A recently developed approach that avoids these pitfalls is Survey, linked to death records through 2011, to estimate param- to replace BMI at survey with one’s maximum historical BMI.
    [Show full text]
  • 1557.Full-Text.Pdf
    AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS POLICY STATEMENT Organizational Principles to Guide and Define the Child Health Care System and/or Improve the Health of All Children Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness Promotion of Healthy Weight-Control Practices in Young Athletes ABSTRACT. Children and adolescents are often in- voluntary dehydration (Table 1). Voluntary dehydra- volved in sports in which weight loss or weight gain is tion practices include fluid restriction, spitting, and perceived as an advantage. This policy statement de- the use of laxatives and diuretics, rubber suits, steam scribes unhealthy weight-control practices that may be baths, and saunas. Weight loss becomes a problem harmful to the health and/or performance of athletes. when nutritional needs are not met or adequate hy- Healthy methods of weight loss and weight gain are dration is not maintained. discussed, and physicians are given resources and recom- mendations that can be used to counsel athletes, parents, Athletes may practice weight-control methods coaches, and school administrators in discouraging inap- during the sports season only or year-round. These propriate weight-control behaviors and encouraging practices can impair athletic performance and in- healthy methods of weight gain or loss, when needed. crease injury risk. They also may result in medical Pediatrics 2005;116:1557–1564; athlete, weight gain, weight complications including delayed physical matura- loss, wrestling, eating disorders. tion; oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea in female ath- letes; development of eating disorders; potential per- ABBREVIATION. NWCA, National Wrestling Coaches’ Association. manent growth impairment; an increased incidence of infectious diseases; changes in the cardiovascular, INTRODUCTION endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal and thermoregula- 1,4,6–9 ith the growth and advancement of youth tory systems; and depression.
    [Show full text]
  • Evidence Based Review of Weight Loss Medicines
    NZHTA REPORT August 2004 Volume 7 Number 6 Evidence Based Review of Weight Loss Medicines: A report commissioned by the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Pamela Smartt New Zealand Health Technology Assessment Department of Public Health and General Practice Christchurch School of Medicine Christchurch, NZ. Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago NEW ZEALAND HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT (NZHTA) Department of Public Health and General Practice Christchurch School of Medicine, Christchurch, New Zealand Evidence Based Review of Weight Loss Medicines: A report commissioned by the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Pamela Smartt NZHTA REPORT August 2004 Volume 7 Number 6 This report should be referenced as follows: Smartt, P. Evidence based review of weight loss medicines: a report commissioned by the New Zealand Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). NZHTA Report 2004 ; 7(6) . 2004 New Zealand Health Technology Assessment (NZHTA) ISBN 1-877235-70-9 ISSN 1174-5142 i Acknowledgements This report was prepared by Dr Pamela Smartt (Principal Investigator) who conducted the critical appraisals and prepared the project report. Dr Ray Kirk (NZHTA Director until February 2005) also provided comment on various drafts and coordinated the overall project. Dr Robert Weir (NZHTA Acting Director from February 2005) coordinated the project from February 2005. Ms Margaret Paterson (NZHTA Information Specialist) developed and undertook the search strategy and coordinated retrieval of documents. Mrs Ally Reid (NZHTA Administrative Secretary) provided document formatting. The Canterbury Medical Library assisted with the retrieval of articles. NZHTA is a Research Unit of the University of Otago funded under contract to the Ministry of Health. Disclaimer New Zealand Health Technology Assessment (NZHTA) takes great care to ensure the information supplied within the project timeframe is accurate, but neither NZHTA, the University of Otago, nor the contributors involved can accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.
    [Show full text]
  • Prevalence, Magnitude, and Methods of Rapid Weight Loss Among Judo Competitors
    Prevalence, Magnitude, and Methods of Rapid Weight Loss among Judo Competitors GUILHERME GIANNINI ARTIOLI1,2, BRUNO GUALANO1, EMERSON FRANCHINI2, FERNANDA BAEZA SCAGLIUSI3, MARIANE TAKESIAN1, MARINA FUCHS1, and ANTONIO HERBERT LANCHA JR1 1Laboratory of Applied Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Physical Education and Sports, University of Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, BRAZIL; 2Martial Arts and Combat Sports Research Group, School of Physical Education and Sports, University of Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, BRAZIL; and 3Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Sa˜o Paulo, Sa˜o Paulo, BRAZIL ABSTRACT ARTIOLI, G. G., B. GUALANO, E. FRANCHINI, F. B. SCAGLIUSI, M. TAKESIAN, M. FUCHS, and A. H. LANCHA. Prevalence, Magnitude, and Methods of Rapid Weight Loss among Judo Competitors. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 436–442, 2010. Purpose: To identify the prevalence, magnitude, and methods of rapid weight loss among judo competitors. Methods: Athletes (607 males and 215 females; age = 19.3 T 5.3 yr, weight = 70 T 7.5 kg, height = 170.6 T 9.8 cm) completed a previously validated questionnaire developed to evaluate rapid weight loss in judo athletes, which provides a score. The higher the score obtained, the more aggressive the weight loss behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency analyses. Mean scores obtained in the questionnaire were used to compare specific groups of athletes using, when appropriate, Mann–Whitney U-test or general linear model one-way ANOVA followed by Tamhane post hoc test. Results: Eighty-six percent of athletes reported that have already lost weight to compete.
    [Show full text]
  • Characteristics of Bariatric Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition Theresa Bergholz a Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of
    Characteristics of Bariatric Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition Theresa Bergholz A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science University of Washington 2017 Committee: Lingtak-Neander Chan Shirley Paski Program Authorized to Offer Degree: Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Public Health ©Copyright 2017 Theresa Bergholz University of Washington Abstract Characteristics of Bariatric Patients on Home Parenteral Nutrition Theresa Bergholz Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Lingtak-Neander Chan, PharmD, BCNSP Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Pharmacy Interdisciplinary Faculty, Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences Background: Corresponding to rising obesity rates, bariatric surgery is becoming a common intervention for obesity. Due to surgical or nutritional complications, some bariatric surgery patients may end up requiring nutritional support in the form of parental nutrition (PN). Historically, PN has been utilized by patients with intestinal failure to increase energy intake for weight gain or weight maintenance, and home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is indicated for patients requiring long-term PN. Few studies have explored the characterization of bariatric patients receiving HPN. There is no established clinical guidelines or consensus on how to provide optimal nutrition support to this patient population. The primary aim of this study is to characterize the population of bariatric surgery patients on HPN. The secondary aim is to analyze nutrient provision in the bariatric patient on HPN and to determine if nutrient provision differs across BMI categories. Methods: Data were accessed from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition’s (ASPEN) prospective HPN patient care data registry, the Sustain™ Registry. The Sustain™ Registry enrolled 1251 subjects from 29 academic medical center, hospital, and home care service sites between 2011 and 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • Ihsaa Wrestling 2019-20
    IHSAA WRESTLING 2019-20 Each member wrestling school receives several copies of the National Federation of State High School Associations Wrestling Rule Book. Unless the Board of Control adopts other rules, member schools will follow the wrestling rules published in the National Federation Wrestling Rule Book. REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO WRESTLING PRACTICE AND CONTESTS Year First Practice: Week/Date First Contest: Week/Date 2019-20 Week 20/November 18 Week 22/December 2 2020-21 Week 20/November 16 Week 22/November 30 2021-22 Week 20/November 15 Week 22/November 29 2022-23 Week 20/November 14 Week 22/November 28 WRESTLING REGULATIONS 1. A coach may have one team meeting with his wrestlers to hand out informational materials before the start of the season. This meeting shall not be used as a practice session. See the section on “Weight Management Philosophy” later in this handbook for information about the two meetings that may be held to discuss body composition assessment and weight management. 2. Schools competing in football play-offs are entitled to 10 days of practice, excluding Sundays and Thanksgiving Day, before their first wrestling contest. Schools may wrestle before they have had 10 days of practice, but they are not required to do so. The IHSAA will work with these schools and their opponent(s) if schedule changes are required. 3. A school’s practice sessions may take place at any facility designated by the school’s administration. For complete information on the practice facility rule, coaches should visit with their school’s administration. 4. IHSAA rules require wrestlers to wear protective ear guards in practice any time wrestling is taking place.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Java Programs
    Building Java Programs Chapter 4 Lecture 4-3: Procedural design; Strings reading: 3.3; 4.3; 4.5 Copyright 2010 by Pearson Education Nested if/else question BMI Weight class Formula for body mass indexbelow (BMI): 18.5 underweight weight 18.5 - 24.9 normal BMI = × 703 height2 25.0 - 29.9 overweight 30.0 and up obese y Write a program that produces output like the following: This program reads data for two people and computes their body mass index (BMI) and weight status. Enter next person's information: height (in inches)? 73.5 weight (in pounds)? 230 BMI = 29.93 2 Copyrightoverweight 2010 by Pearson Education One-person, no methods import java.util.*; public class BMI { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("This program reads ... (etc.)"); Scanner console = new Scanner(System.in); System.out.println("Enter next person's information:"); System.out.print("height (in inches)? "); double height = console.nextDouble(); System.out.print("weight (in pounds)? "); double weight = console.nextDouble(); double bmi = weight * 703 / height / height; System.out.printf("BMI = %.2f\n", bmi); if (bmi < 18.5) { System.out.println("underweight"); } else if (bmi < 25) { System.out.println("normal"); } else if (bmi < 30) { System.out.println("overweight"); } else { System.out.println("obese"); } } 3 } Copyright 2010 by Pearson Education "Chaining" y main should be a concise summary of your program. y It is bad if each method calls the next without ever returning (we call this chaining): main methodA methodB methodC methodD y A better structure has main make most of the calls. y Methods must return values to main to be passed on later.
    [Show full text]
  • Treating Obesity During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    cASE STUDY Weighing in onTreating obesity duringObesity the COVID-19 pandemic By Elizabeth Ciemins, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.A. he COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on of adults in the U.S.1 Obesity is associated with serious com- the treatment of patients with chronic diseases, and plications, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic those with obesity are especially at risk. AMGA mem- obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sleep apnea and bers were the vanguard of obesity treatment before is associated with direct and indirect costs nearing $2 tril- Tthe public health crisis, and the strategies and processes lion.2 The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue. they have put in place are enabling them to continue to pro- With ambulatory visits for chronic disease management down, vide valuable care to this vulnerable population. people who are working to manage their obesity are not get- While chronic disease management is clearly taking a hit ting the care they need. Making things worse, obesity is one during the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains a crucial area of of the most common comorbidities of hospitalized COVID-19 focus for population health improvement as healthcare orga- patients, along with hypertension and type 2 diabetes.3,4 nizations take on more risk in the movement to value-based While the current situation may look bleak, before the care. Diseases like obesity are associated with numerous pandemic, AMGA members were making significant strides comorbid conditions that result in high costs to health in the identification, treatment, and management of people systems, payers, patients, and employers—not only direct with obesity.
    [Show full text]
  • Safe Weight Loss and Maintenance Practices in Sport and Exercise Paula Sammarone Turocy, Edd, ATC (Chair)*; Bernard F
    Journal of Athletic Training 2011:46(3):322–336 © by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc position statement www.nata.org/jat National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Safe Weight Loss and Maintenance Practices in Sport and Exercise Paula Sammarone Turocy, EdD, ATC (Chair)*; Bernard F. DePalma, MEd, PT, ATC†; Craig A. Horswill, PhD‡; Kathleen M. Laquale, PhD, ATC, LDN§; Thomas J. Martin, MD||; Arlette C. Perry, PhD¶; Marla J. Somova, PhD#; Alan C. Utter, PhD, MPH, FACSM** *Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA; †Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; ‡University of Illinois at Chicago and Trinity International University, Deerfield, IL; §Bridgewater State University, MA; ||Hershey Medical Center, PA; ¶University of Miami, FL; #Carlow University, Pittsburgh, PA; **Appalachian State University, Boone, NC Objective: To present athletic trainers with recommenda- practices, and methods to change body composition. Body tions for safe weight loss and weight maintenance practices composition assessments should be done in the most scientifi- for athletes and active clients and to provide athletes, clients, cally appropriate manner possible. Reasonable and individual- coaches, and parents with safe guidelines that will allow ath- ized weight and body composition goals should be identified by letes and clients to achieve and maintain weight and body appropriately trained health care personnel (eg, athletic trainers, composition goals. registered dietitians, physicians). In keeping with the American Background: Unsafe weight management practices can Dietetics Association (ADA) preferred nomenclature, this docu- compromise athletic performance and negatively affect health. ment uses the terms registered dietitian or dietician when refer- Athletes and clients often attempt to lose weight by not eat- ring to a food and nutrition expert who has met the academic ing, limiting caloric or specific nutrients from the diet, engaging and professional requirements specified by the ADA’s Commis- in pathogenic weight control behaviors, and restricting fluids.
    [Show full text]
  • Prevalence of Obesity in Adult Population of Former College Rowers
    Prevalence of Obesity in Adult Population of J Am Board Fam Pract: first published as on 1 November 2002. Downloaded from Former College Rowers John W. O’Kane, MD, Carol C. Teitz, MD, Santana M. Fontana, MD, and Bonnie K. Lind, MS Background: The prevalence of adolescent and adult obesity in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. This study examined the prevalence of obesity in adults aged 20 through 60 years, com- paring established national norms with a selected population of former college rowers. Methods: Selected for study were 4,680 male and female former intercollegiate rowing athletes who graduated in 1928 through 1998. The participants were surveyed regarding duration of rowing career and training methods, current and college height and weight, and questions regarding lifetime episodes of back pain. After two mailings, 2,165 (46%) questionnaires were returned. Our study data were com- pared with national cross-sectional survey data obtained through the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey III (NHANES III). Results: Male and female former rowers had a significantly lower prevalence of obesity than the gen- eral population both in college and through their lifetime (P < .001). For rowers of both sexes, there was a trend of slightly higher body mass index (BMI) in each older age-group (P < .001). Conclusions: Former collegiate rowers were less obese than the general population. BMI increases with age, and encouraging athleticism for those who are of college age and younger might be an effec- tive method to decrease adult obesity. (J Am Board Fam Pract 2002;15:451–6.) Obesity has become an American epidemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Is Obesity Associated with Reduced Health-Related Quality of Life in Latino, Black and White Children in the Community?
    International Journal of Obesity (2013) 37, 920–925 OPEN & 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved 0307-0565/13 www.nature.com/ijo PEDIATRIC ORIGINAL ARTICLE Is obesity associated with reduced health-related quality of life in Latino, black and white children in the community? JL Wallander1, S Kerbawy2, S Toomey3, R Lowry4, MN Elliott5, SL Escobar-Chaves6, L Franzini6 and MA Schuster3,5 OBJECTIVE: Few studies have examined the impact of obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in non-clinical community samples of children, and methodological limitations have hindered drawing firm conclusions, especially whether the impact is similar across racial/ethnic groups. The present aims were to examine at what levels of non-normal weight, school-aged children experience lower HRQOL and whether this differs among racial/ethnic groups, when controlling for socioeconomic status (SES) differences. DESIGN: Cross-sectional community cohort survey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data are from the Healthy Passages, reporting on 4824 Latino, black and white 5th graders in a population-based survey conducted in three United States metropolitan areas. Children’s weight status was classified from measured weight and height into underweight (1%), normal weight (52%), overweight (19%), obese (13%) and extremely obese (14%). Children reported their own HRQOL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory and additional scales addressing global self-worth, physical appearance and body satisfaction. Parents reported children’s overall health status. RESULTS: Each increment in higher non-healthy weight class—overweight to obese to extremely obese—was associated with significantly lower scores in more domains of psychosocial HRQOL compared with that in normal weight.
    [Show full text]
  • An Adoption Study of Human Obesity
    The New England Journal of Medicine ©Copyright, 1986, by the Massachusetts Medical Society Volume 314 JANUARY 23, 1986 Number 4 AN ADOPTION STUDY OF HUMAN OBESITY ALBERT J. STUNKARD, M.D., THoRKILD I.A. SorENSEN, Dr.MEp., Craic Hanis, Px.D., Tuomas W. TEASDALE, M.A., RANajIr CHAKRABORTY, PH.D., WiLLiaM J. SCHULL, PH.D., AND FIn1I SCHULSINGER, Dr.MED. Abstract We examined the contributions of genetic fac- of parents showed similar results; there was a strong rela- tors and the family environment to human fatness in a tion between the body-mass index of biologic parents and sample of 540 adult Danish adoptees who were selected adoptee weight class and no relation between the index of from a population of 3580 and divided into four weight adoptive parents and adoptee weight class. Furthermore, classes: thin, median weight, overweight, and obese. the relation between biologic parents and adoptees was There was a strong relation between the weight class of not confined to the obesity weight class, but was present the adoptees and the body-mass index of their biologic across the whole range of body fatness — from very thin parents — for the mothers, P<0.0001; for the fathers, to very fat. We conclude that genetic influences have an P<0.02. There was no relation between the weight class important role in determining human fatness in adults, of the adoptees and the body-mass index of their adoptive whereas the family environment alone has no apparent parents. Cumulative distributions of the body-mass index effect. (N Engl J Med 1986; 314:193-8.) ECENT studies of twins suggest that human official records of every nonfamilial adoption granted in Denmark obesity and fatness are highly heritable.! This between 1924 and 1947.
    [Show full text]