Obesity is a growing concern in North America and current research suggests that for addressing childhood obesity, family-based behavioural interventions targeting children are the treatment of choice. Due to the lack of clinics that offer face to face treatment, the Internet may serve as a viable method for the delivery of such interventions. Three studies are presented in order to explore the viability of the internet as a treatment modality for delivering family-based interventions for children who are overweight. The first study attempted to deliver a family-based behavioural intervention via the internet - the Healthy Eating and Active Living Throughout Youth (HEALTHY) - for children aged 8 to 14 (M = 10.5). The initial goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of the internet as a treatment modality for childhood obesity. A total of 20 families consisting of 25 child-parent dyads consented to the intervention. However, adherence and attrition were significant issues throughout the 3-month intervention and only two child-parent dyads (8%) completed the 3-month intervention. Therefore the goals of this study changed to become primarily exploratory, with the aims of identifying factors related to treatment adherence and attrition. For the second study, the parents of the 20 families who consented to the HEALTHY intervention were invited to participate in a telephone interview around their impressions of the study, barriers to participation, and their needs in seeking services for their children. Sixteen families (80%) provided consent and thematic analyses were conducted. Four categories of themes emerged from the data and included: 'Knowledge and Education', 'Social Supports', 'Tools for Success', and 'Program Goals'. These categories, and the themes embedded within each category are presented and discussed. For the third study a systematic review of exclusively web-based studies for paediatric obesity was conducted. Five health and social sciences databases were search between 1995 and March 2012 (including an initial and updated search). A total of 2432 bibliographic records were identified (following de-duplication) and were subjected to title and abstract screening, and a further 120 records were subject to full-text screening. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility of each bibliographic record at these multiple levels and conflicts were resolved by third party. Three records were included in the review, and a further three records were identified as noteworthy in that they reported on one larger web-based study with a minimal face-to-face component (i.e., 4 sessions over 2 years). Data regarding attrition, adherence, and body composition changes were extracted by two independent reviewers. Attrition rates from the included studies ranged from 43% to 85%. The noteworthy study reported 18% overall attrition at six months (following randomization: 18% from the intervention group) and 34% overall attrition at two years (following randomization: 36% from the intervention group). Adherence measures were varied, but suggested low adherence to study components. Body composition changes were marginal in the short-term, but then lost in the longer-term. Implications for research and practice will be discussed. The contributions of this thesis include examining whether family-based interventions for pediatric obesity delivered over the internet are feasible. This question will be answered by exploring baseline characteristics that are related to treatment adherence and attrition, investigating barriers that interfere with adherence and contribute to attrition, and reviewing other research conducted in the field. Following from this thesis, and other relevant research, implications and recommendations for future research and clinical practice will be discussed

Intake of sweetened beverages in North America has risen in past decades. Concurrently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased. To our knowledge, there has been no examination of the relationship between childrens beverage intake and body mass index (BMI) with nationally representative Canadian data. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between beverage patterns and BMI in Canadian children. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 (2004) included: dietary information, collected via 24-hour recall, and demographics, socio-economic status, physical activity, and food security, collected by interview, and measured anthropometrics.<p> In this study, subjects aged 2 to 18 years (n=10,038) were included if they had complete anthropometric, dietary and socio-demographic information. The following groups were created: 2 to 5 years (both sexes), 6 to 11 years female, 6 to 11 years male, 12 to 18 years female, 12 to 18 years male. Beverage data categorized and grouped into four categories: sugar-sweetened, nutrient-based, alcoholic, and non-caloric. Descriptive analysis was completed for intake of beverages, energy, vitamin C, and calcium. Cluster analysis identified beverage patterns by age-sex groups and allowed comparisons across clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was completed. Results were weighted and bootstrapped to obtain population-level estimates and account for the complex survey design. Children who drank mostly sweetened beverages consumed 16-18% of total daily energy from such drinks. Across age groups, older boys and girls drank more sweetened beverages than preceding groups (p<0.05). In cluster analyses, five beverage clusters emerged for children 2 to 5 years, six clusters for 6 to 11 years, and four clusters for 12 to 18 years. No significant relationship emerged between beverage pattern and BMI among children 2 to 5 years, girls 6 to 11 years, or youth 12 to 18 years (both sexes). Boys 6 to 11 years whose beverage pattern was characterized by soft drink intake (553 g ± 29) had increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR 2.3, 95% C.I. 1.25-4.15) compared to a moderate beverage pattern. Data for boys aged 6 to 11 years suggest that sweetened beverages may be associated with overweight and obesity.

The accumulation of excessive fat is a serious concern in both the livestock production and human health fields. Obesity is a condition of excessive energy storage in the form of body fat ( triacylglycerols ). The cellular basis for obesity is not yet understood but numerous factors have been suggested. Genetic factors and altered metabolism may be two cellular parameters that contribute to the excessive accumulation of fat. Adipocytes are responsive to extracellular signals, which have a dramatic effect on their metabolism implying that these metabolic responses may be the result of differences in the composition or responsiveness of adipocyte receptors. The purpose of this research was to identify adipocyte specific marker proteins and to determine if there are any differences in the expression of these proteins that may be associated with the conditions of genetic obesity or leanness. Identification of adipocyte-specific markers should allow for a better understanding of adipocyte growth and development and determination of the adipocytes role in energy metabolism. A hybridoma line was produced which secreted a monoclonal antibody (LA-1) directed against a novel 64-kD protein unique to porcine adipocyte plasma membranes, having an undetermined function in the unique physiology of the adipocyte. This protein was found to be expressed in genetically lean adipocytes but not adipocytes derived from genetically obese sources. In order to elucidate the role of this unique adipocyte-specific plasma membrane protein, a porcine adipocyte eDNA library was produced. This library was screened with LA-1 and a eDNA clone isolated. This eDNA clone was used to study the expression of the gene responsible for this unique protein at the nucleic acid level. Northern blot analysis revealed a 5000- and a 7000-base pair species of poly (A+) RNA present in total RNA isolated from contemporary porcine adipose tissue. Determination of the nucleic acid sequence of the eDNA clone should allow for the determination of the actual identity and possible function of this adipocyte-specific protein and the possible role it may serve in regulating adipocyte growth and development. / Graduation date: 1991

Intake of sweetened beverages in North America has risen in past decades. Concurrently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased. To our knowledge, there has been no examination of the relationship between childrens beverage intake and body mass index (BMI) with nationally representative Canadian data. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between beverage patterns and BMI in Canadian children. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2.2 (2004) included: dietary information, collected via 24-hour recall, and demographics, socio-economic status, physical activity, and food security, collected by interview, and measured anthropometrics.<p> In this study, subjects aged 2 to 18 years (n=10,038) were included if they had complete anthropometric, dietary and socio-demographic information. The following groups were created: 2 to 5 years (both sexes), 6 to 11 years female, 6 to 11 years male, 12 to 18 years female, 12 to 18 years male. Beverage data categorized and grouped into four categories: sugar-sweetened, nutrient-based, alcoholic, and non-caloric. Descriptive analysis was completed for intake of beverages, energy, vitamin C, and calcium. Cluster analysis identified beverage patterns by age-sex groups and allowed comparisons across clusters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was completed. Results were weighted and bootstrapped to obtain population-level estimates and account for the complex survey design. Children who drank mostly sweetened beverages consumed 16-18% of total daily energy from such drinks. Across age groups, older boys and girls drank more sweetened beverages than preceding groups (p<0.05). In cluster analyses, five beverage clusters emerged for children 2 to 5 years, six clusters for 6 to 11 years, and four clusters for 12 to 18 years. No significant relationship emerged between beverage pattern and BMI among children 2 to 5 years, girls 6 to 11 years, or youth 12 to 18 years (both sexes). Boys 6 to 11 years whose beverage pattern was characterized by soft drink intake (553 g ± 29) had increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR 2.3, 95% C.I. 1.25-4.15) compared to a moderate beverage pattern. Data for boys aged 6 to 11 years suggest that sweetened beverages may be associated with overweight and obesity.

Obesity is the most common nutritional disorder in small animal medicine and is closely related to the mortality and morbidity of various diseases. Decreasing the incidence of obesity is considered to be the most important way to maintain health, prevent disease, and contribute to longevity. Diet therapy using low glycemic index starch (LGIS) and diacylglycerol (DAG) may thus be a reasonable obesity management tool without unnecessary food restriction, forced physical activity, and impairment of health. Beagles were prepared for a weight loss study by inducing obesity using a high caloric/human snack food combination. These obese dogs were then fed diets containing either LGIS/HGIS and DAG/TAG for a 10 wk weight loss period. The LGIS groups lost more weight than the high glycemic index starch (HGIS) groups (2% vs 1% per wk) due to lower total diet digestibilities. Even though the dogs had consumed similar amounts of the diets on a weight basis, the amounts of metabolizable energy (ME) ingested overall differed between the two starch types. Diet effects were found for plasma triglyceride (TG) at both wk 1 and 8. Post-prandial TG lowering was observed only with a LGIS/DAG diet combination. LGIS groups showed less decreased post-prandial non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations compared with HGIS groups at both wk 1 and 8. At both wk 1 and 8, plasma insulin was significantly lower in the LGIS groups although glucose concentrations were similar among all groups. Plasma gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) increased in all groups but tended to be lower in the LGIS groups. Significant time effects were seen in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) at both wk 1 and 8; however, diet effects were not observed. Plasma adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in the LGIS/DAG group vs. all other diet groups. Significantly lower plasma leptin concentrations were found, especially in the LGIS/DAG group. Combinations of LGI starch and oils decreased uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) mRNA gene expression in the small intestine compared with the combinations of HGI starch and oils. These findings indicate that the LGIS/DAG combination beneficially supports more efficient and healthy weight loss in dogs along with improvement in biochemical and hormonal biomarkers. This combination may be preferred for healthy canine weight loss and to help prevent obesity related diseases.

Obesity is a significant issue for health care systems over the world, including Taiwan. In particular, obesity is a chronic disease with monumental public health implications, which associated with metabolic syndrome, and weight reduction was suggested to first line treatment. The objective of the study is to explore the efficacy (including of body composition and blood biochemical lab data) after ear acupuncture combined therapy with diet and physical activity . Participants and Setting: 369 people which belong to overweight ( BMI¡Ù24 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI¡Ù 27kg/m2 ) and a 12-week body weight control trial (purposive sampling trial) from July to December 2006. Intervention: Ear acupuncture was treated weekly for 12 weeks and participants need to keep their regular daily diet and physical activity. Our objective is to explore the efficacy (including of body composition and blood biochemical laboratory data) after 12-week body weight control trial. Results: Participants and Setting: 369 people and a 12-week body weight control trial from July to December 2006, the average of body weight for participants reduction 13.9 ¡Ó 5.0 Kg (p<0.001). BMI for participants reduction 5.3 ¡Ó 1.8 (p<0.001). Body fat for participants reduction 8.8 ¡Ó 2.5 % (p<0.001). Waist circimference for participants reduction 12.8 ¡Ó 5.8 cm (p<0.001). Waist to hip ratio for participants reduction 0.03 ¡Ó0.04 (p<0.001).Fasting sugar for participants reduction 5.0 ¡Ó 12.0 mg/dl (p<0.001). Total cholesterol for participants reduction 30.1 ¡Ó 26.2 mg/dl (p<0.001). LDL-cholesterol for participants reduction 31.2 ¡Ó 24.8 mg/dl (p<0.001). HDL-cholesterol for participants increasing 7.4 ¡Ó 7.8 mg/dl (p<0.001). Triglyceride for participants reduction 24.5 ¡Ó 52.1 mg/dl (p<0.001) GPT for participants reduction 16.1 ¡Ó 24.3 mg/dl (p<0.001). Uric acid for participants reduction 1.0 ¡Ó 5.5 mg/dl (p<0.001). But hemoglobin for participants reduction 0.5 ¡Ó 0.6 g/dl (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that 12-week body weight control trial can be effective in treating obesity.

Thesis (MSc(Immunology))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Molecular Physiology and Biophysics)--Vanderbilt University, Dec. 2009. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2008. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Mar. 8, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2001. Graduate Programme in Kinesiology and Health Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-88). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pMQ71625.