Disease burden and lifestyle patterns have changed rapidly worldwide, especially in some Asian countries over the past 2 decades. However, cross-country comparative research is limited. This study investigated the nutritional status of preschool children and childbearing women in China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan selected based on their socioeconomic status, population size, and urbanization. Nationally representative data were used from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance Report, India National Family Health Survey, Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, the WHO repository, and the World Bank. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity and some ratios were compared. These rates varied across these 4 countries and were associated with their economic development levels. China's economic status and prevalence of childhood overweight/obesity (11.5%) were highest; India's economic status was higher than that of Nepal and Pakistan, but had higher rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight (38.4%, 21.0%, and 35.7%, respectively) in preschool children. Pakistan had the highest prevalence of overweight/obesity among childbearing women (52.4% in all, 63.0% in urban areas). Nepal had the lowest economic status and overweight/obesity rate in preschool children (1.2%). In general, the prevalence of overweight/obesity was higher in urban than in rural areas, except among childbearing women in China. Nutritional status and health burden are heavily influenced by economic development. The double burden of malnutrition poses prioritization challenges for policymakers and public health efforts. Prevention of obesity is urgently needed, at least in higher-income countries in Asia.

Childhood obesity has become epidemic in the United States. One of the best places to combat this problem is within the school system. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in exercise self-efficacy, science interest, and science knowledge of children who participated in a school-based anatomy and healthy lifestyle intervention called Anatomy Academy. In this pilot study, 212 study participants were recruited from 5th and 6th grade children enrolled in one of three charter schools who participated in our 7-week intervention, Anatomy Academy. Children completed four questionnaires pre and post intervention: (1) a science knowledge questionnaire, (2) a science interest questionnaire, (3) an exercise self-efficacy questionnaire, and (4) a demographic questionnaire. A statistically significant difference was found in participants’ pre and post test scores on the science knowledge questionnaire. Anatomy Academy was well received by children, parents, and faculty and provides helpful curriculum for science and physical education classes.

Obesity is a public health concern and a major risk factor contributing to physical and psychological problems. It affects participation in occupations and increases healthcare-related costs. Certain populations are at risk of being overweight and obese. These include people of low socioeconomic status, racial/ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Adolescents diagnosed with learning disabilities (LD), and/or attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) were also found to face difficulties in maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in healthy behaviors. While occupational therapy practitioners often address the academic and behavioral performance of children and adolescents with LD or ADHD, special attention should be given to weight-management and health promotion. An occupational therapy guided, health-promoting program was designed to address this gap. The 12-week program, named “Keep moving!” is intended for adolescents with LD or ADHD in schools and community centers. It incorporates Zumba dance activity, which is a form of a moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise. The foundations of the program are based on The Trans-Theoretical Model of Behavioral change and The Individual and Family Self-Management Theory, which enable individuals to take a significant part in the process of managing their health. The key features that were identified in the literature as most effective are applied in the program; establishing health-promoting habits and routines at home and school, adding weekly fun and engaging physical activities, providing information regarding healthy lifestyle components, instilling self-management skills, and establishing family support. The program evaluation plan utilizes both formative and summative evaluation approaches. A similar program could be applied to other populations at risk for overweight and obesity by adjusting the type of physical activity to accommodate the abilities and interests of other at-risk population groups.

Bakgrund: Diabetes är en allvarlig folkhälsosjukdom som påverkar kroppens egen möjlighet till att reglera blodets glukosvärde. Den största riskgruppen för att utveckla diabetes typ 2 är individer med övervikt. Regelbunden fysisk aktivitet har visat positiv inverkan på såväl glukosvärden. Vilken effekt korta pauser med fysisk aktivitet har på glukosvärde i blodet vid långvarigt stillasittande är inte lika utforskat. Det kan vara värdefullt som fysioterapeut att kunna ge relevanta rekommendationer angående fysisk aktivitet till individer med diabetes typ 2 eller övervikt för att kunna minska komplikationer. Syfte: Systematiskt granska enskilda studier och sammanväga tillförlitligheten för effekten på glukosvärde i blodet av korta pauser med fysisk aktivitet i samband med stillasittande hos individer med diabetes typ 2 och övervikt.  Metod: Litteratursökningen genomfördes i databasen Pubmed och resulterade i åtta studier inkluderades. Studierna kvalitétgranskades enligt PEDro scale och evidens graderingen genomfördes genom GRADEstud. Resultat: Korta pauser av fysisk aktivitet i samband med stillasittande resulterar i en signifikant minskning av glukosvärde hos individer med diabetes typ 2 eller övervikt. Kvalitétsgranskningen enligt PEDro visar att sex studier anses vara av måttlig kvalitét och två studier av hög kvalitét. Den sammanlagda tillförlitligheten enligt GRADEstud av underlaget bedömdes vara låg (++).  Konklusion: Effekten av fysisk aktivitet hos stillasittande individer med diabetes typ 2 eller övervikt visade ett minskat glukosvärde jämfört med dem som var långvarigt stillasittande. Evidensen bedömdes vara låg vilket visade på ett behov av fler högkvalitativa studier inom området för att kunna bekräfta resultatet. / Background: Diabetes is a public health disease that affects the body's own ability to regulate the blood's glucose. Overweight individuals have the highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The effect that physical activity has on glucose levels in conjunction with sedentary sitting is not as explored as regular interventions of physical activity. It can be valuable as a physiotherapist to be able to give recommendations to individuals with type 2 diabetes or overweight to reduce complications.  Purpose: Systematically review studies and their reliability on the effect of physical activity on blood glucose in conjunction with sedentary sitting on individuals with type 2 diabetes or overweight. Method: The literature search was conducted on the database Pubmed and resulted in eight studies. The studies quality was reviewed with PEDro scale and the evidence reviewed with GRADEstud. Results: Short breaks of physical activity in conjunction with sedentary sitting resulted in a significant decrease of glucose levels on individuals with diabetes type 2 and overweight. The quality review with PEDro showed that six studies were of moderate quality and two studies of high quality. The overall reliability according to GRADEstud was rated low(++). Conclusion: The effect of short breaks of physical activity in conjunction with sedentary sitting on individuals with diabetes type 2 or overweight shows decreased glucose levels compared with sedentary sitting. The evidence was rated low which shows a need for more high quality studies in the subject to confirm the results .

Obesity, assessed by body mass index (BMI), is considered a major public health problem worldwide. Studies in people without CVD, have shown that BMI between 22.5 to 24.9 kg/m2 is associated with the lowest risk of death in healthy non-smoker populations. However, studies in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have shown that overweight and obese patients have better survival than those in the normal BMI range. This phenomenon has been called the “obesity paradox”. This thesis has two main components: a systematic review with meta-analysis of the current literature of BMI and ACS, and an individual patient data meta-analysis from 8 randomized trials whose data base was accessible at the PHRI involving ACS patients. The study-level systematic review (35 studies) and meta-analysis (19 studies) demonstrates that there is a statistically significant adjusted 20% risk lower mortality among overweight and obese participants considered normal weight. Nevertheless, there was moderate to high heterogeneity of pooled estimates that could not be explained in subgroup analyses. Also, the systematic review detected major limitations in the current literature, including missing BMI and covariates data, lost to follow-up, enough number of events in high BMI categories, warranting more research in the area. The second component, the individual patient data meta-analysis (n = 81,553), confirmed a 20% lower mortality risk in the overweight and type I obesity categories, compared to the normal the BMI range. This lower risk was robust and remained consistent within several sensitivity analyses. Analysis of secondary outcomes suggests that a reduced risk of bleeding, and probably a reduced risk of ischemia and heart failure related deaths, are the responsible mechanisms. Given the limitations of observational research, prospective randomized interventional trials are required to clarify the optimal range of BMI in those with ACS. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

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The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between percent body fat (%BF) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in children ages 7 to 9 years. The sample (n=171) was divided into four groups. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate %BF. Significant positive correlations were observed between WHR and %BF for black females (r = 0.48), white females (r = 0.66), black males (r = 0.34), and white males (r = 0.55). Although the correlations differed between groups, the amount of variation between the two variables was not significantly different between groups other than black females. Least squares means was used to estimate %BF using an average WHR (.85). Black females had higher %BF than other groups. Percent body fat cannot be fully explained by WHR (r2 = 0.32). Results show a relationship between %BF and WHR, yet predicting %BF from a given WHR may be difficult.

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2002 were used to examine demographic factors and BMI as it related to household food security status of women 16-85 years of age. Four designations were used to classify households: fully food secure, marginally food secure, food insecure without hunger, and food insecure with hunger. Significant relationships exist between food security and age, education, ethnicity, poverty income ratio and BMI. Women from food insecure households with hunger were at greater risk of becoming overweight. Households of compromised food security status most likely had an income between 0-130% of the poverty level. Women in households at 100-130% of the poverty level had a higher risk of obesity/morbid obesity. The more years of education women completed, the less risk they had for overweight and food insecurity. Women under 40 had a higher risk of marginal food security and food insecurity without hunger.

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No description available.