Background: Currently, if traveling the posted speed limit, the typical commuter driver in the Toronto Metropolitan area will travel round trip upwards of 60 minutes a day to work (Heisz and LaRochelle-Cote, 2005). As urban congestion continues to rise, commuting distances and times will progressively increase, placing commuter drivers at increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders (Porter and Gyi, 2002; Walsh et al., 1989; Chen et al., 2005; Sakakibara et al., 2006). As urban areas continue to expand, it is believed that a greater percentage of our urban populations will be defined as overweight or obese (Puska et al., 2003). To date the influence of body mass on driver posture, pressure distribution and discomfort during a prolonged driving situation has been left relatively untested. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the influence body mass has on driver posture, pressure distribution and discomfort during a prolonged driving situation. Methodology: Twelve male and 12 female participants, between 167 and 172 cm in stature were used in this investigation. Even numbers of males were assigned to either a light (51.3-57.7 kg), moderate (63.7-69.4 kg), or heavy (82.7-92.0 kg) body mass group. Participants were than placed in a 2 hour in lab driving simulation. During the simulation, lumbar flexion, pelvic angle, joint/segment angles, pressure distribution and discomfort were recorded. A three way mixed general linear model was used to determine if significant (α = 0.05) differences in discomfort, posture and/or interface pressure measurements existed over time. Results: Heavy drivers displayed increased total IT pressures and total seat pan/back pressures during driving. When normalizing these total pressures to area, differences in total IT pressure recorded from the seat pan, and total pressure recorded from the seat back were not significantly different (α = 0.05) across body mass groups. Due to the lack of seat pan accommodation with respect to surface area, the heavy body mass group’s total pressures per unit area for the seat pan was elevated relative to the lighter body mass groups. No differences in two-dimensional joint or segment kinematics and ratings of perceived discomfort were observed between body mass groups or between genders. Gender specific lumbo-pelvic postures and pressure distribution profiles were observed. Conclusion: With appropriate design of the seat pan to accommodate heavy body mass populations with respect to seat pan area, the influence of body mass as a potential risk factor in the development of discomfort would be reduced. With stature and body mass controlled between gender groups, biomechanical differences in both pressure distribution and lumbo-sacral postures were observed between males and females, verifying gender as a risk factor in the development of discomfort during prolonged driving. Recommendations to car seat manufacturers to recognize gender and body mass as important variables in the design of a car seat should be made.

In Canada, the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased dramatically since the 1980s. Few studies have examined factors associated with overweight and obesity in Canadian children. The purpose of this study was to: (1) explore the relationship between physical activity and BMI, (2) examine the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, and (3) explore the importance of age, gender, and residency (farm versus town) in relation to childhood overweight and obesity in a sample of rural Saskatchewan children.<p>This cross-sectional study included a self-report questionnaire survey and anthropometric assessment of a sample of children (Grades 4-6) from rural Saskatchewan. Of the 525 questionnaires distributed, 262 were completed with a signed consent form (response rate: 49.9%) and 251 of those students had their height, weight, and sitting height measured. The research questionnaire gathered demographic data about the child and the parents or guardian, data on the childs sedentary leisure activities, and a 7 day physical activity history using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Each childs body mass index was estimated using the measured height and weight and these estimates were compared to international standards for BMI to estimate the prevalence of childhood overweight (25.5%) and obesity (7.1%) within the study population. There were no statistically significant gender differences in the proportion of children who were overweight or obese. The factors found to consistently have a significant association with the prevalence of overweight and obesity were Aboriginal descent and mothers and fathers BMI category. The mean PAQ-C score was similar for boys (3.3, SD = 0.64) and girls (3.2, SD = 0.57) and did not differ significantly by BMI category. <p>This descriptive study provided information on the prevalence of physical activity, overweight, and obesity in a sample of rural Saskatchewan children and the relationship between physical activity and BMI in the sample. Findings of this study can be used by nurses, other health professionals, and education leaders to develop health promotion programs to promote a healthier lifestyle for children and their families.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Marburg, Universität, Thesis (doctoral), 2002.

The aim of this study was firstly, to investigate the percentage increase in the body size of the Springbok rugby players over a period of 108 years and to compare this increase with that of the general population. Secondly, it aimed at comparing the data of this study with existing data of international rugby players in other countries. Data concerning 1349 rugby players that formed part of the Springboks between 1896 and 2004 was collected in order to study the changes in body size of these players. Of the 1349 players, 664 were forwards and 685 backs. To be able to compare the data of the other international rugby players, the entire period was divided into two groups, namely 1896-1970 and 1971-2004. The anthropometric variables only included body length, body mass and body mass index (BMI) because in most cases, these were the only variables that had been measured. The results were as follows: the total group registered a mass increase of 2.03 (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and the increase in length per decade for the total group was 0.84 (0.75-0.92)cm . As expected, the BMI had increased by 0.31 (0.27-0.34)kg/m-2 per decade. The mass increase of the forwards and backs was 2.47 (2.32-2.61)kg per decade and 1.45 (1.32-1.57)kg per decade respectively. The length of the forwards and backs had increased as follows: 0.94 (0.83-1.04)cm per decade and 0.69 (0.59-0.78)cm per decade respectively with the BMI of the forwards and backs that had increased by 0.38 (0.33-1.43)kg/m-2 and 0.21 (0.18 - 0.26) kg/m-2 per decade respectively. The 95% confidence intervals for the increases with the total group for body mass, body length and BMI all indicate that the increases for the period 1976- 2004 are statistically larger than the increases for the period 1896-2004 (r>0.25)The increases with the forwards and back for the period 1976-2004 were also significantly larger (r>0.25)than those of the general population. Compared to the other studies done on international rugby players, it was found that the increase in length with the All Blacks and the Wallabies, namely 1.1- 2.1 cm per decade was larger than in the case of the Springboks, namely 0.84 cm per decade. The mass increase of (2.1-3.1)kg per decade and BMI increase of (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 was comparable to the increases in mass (1.8-2.2)kg per decade and BMI (0.3-0.4)kg/m-2 that was found with the Springbok rugby players. For team selection and game development, knowledge regarding the change in body size and -form is becoming increasingly important to the trainers, managers and selectors of the teams. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption of sixth and seventh graders (ages 11 to 13) and its effect on BMI. The variables that the researcher examined were the types and amounts of sugarsweetened beverages consumed, and gender in children attending a Region 10 middle school in Burlington, Connecticut. There were six hypotheses examined in this study. The sample consisted of 61 subjects attending Har-Bur Middle School in Burlington, CT. The current investigator modified the Block Kids Food Frequency Questionnaire (Appendix D) by adding additional questions to the original Block Kids FFQ regarding sugar-sweetened beverages that were not measured on the original FFQ. Results of the study did not show statistically significant differences for any of the hypotheses regarding sugar-sweetened beverages and BMI (p > .05). However, there were tendencies for sugarsweetened beverage consumption to decrease as preadolescents aged. Also for each additional ounce of fruit drinks consumed there were increases in BMI. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the full extent of the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on BMI in preadolescents. / Department of Family and Consumer Sciences