Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Women's Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 329-345). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29509

Garment “fitting” from tailor-made to ready-to-wear clothing, has evolved over time. Ready to-wear and standardized sizes appeared in the middle 19th century. Today garment fitting is one of the most important criteria in the consumer buying decision making process. This is particularly so with “body hugging” garments, such as intimate apparel; or the bra that moulds the form of the wearer to produce “smooth” outer garment silhouettes. The South African bra retailer and manufacturers sizing charts are generally based upon body dimension data collected using traditional anthropometric methods. Professional measurers are not able to capture the hidden areas of the breast such as the inframmatory fold line, the volume, shape and contour of the breast using tape measures, calipers and other measuring devices. Traditional anthropometry also does not have the ability to systemically observe the bottom line of the breast base and extract accurate data on breast volume which are key factors in designing underwire bras and in the pattern making of the bra cup panels. Exploratory retail and consumer studies have indicated that consumers, notably plus size women, experience considerable problems and dissatisfaction with poorly fitting bras. There is therefore clearly a need in South Africa to conduct a 3D anthropometric study, focusing especially on the plus-sized women’s bra market segment, as there is very little or limited studies, to date, conduct for this market segment of the population. This pilot study collected 3D torso body measurement data from a convenient sample of 176 plus sized women, recruited from Playtex (Pty) Ltd. situated in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The study evaluates the 3D breast volume measurement data extraction process, using an expert system developed by [TC]2 integrated into the propriety NX12-3D full body scanner software and that taken using the traditional dress-makers tape-measure. The objective is to establish the relationship between the 3D torso and breast volume data measurement output as extracted by the expert system when compared to the South African bra manufacturers sizing chart, for use in pattern making for bra cup panel designs and in the designing of underwire bras for large breasted or plus size women. The results contained in this dissertation cannot be extrapolated to the larger population of South Africa and is limited to the 176 plus size women selected by Body Mass Index; recruited from KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

This thesis investigated the effect of high intensity, intermittent exercise (HIIE) on fat loss in young, sedentary women. It attempted also to identify possible mechanisms underpinning exercise-induced changes in adiposity. Study 1 investigated some of the metabolic and hormonal responses to two variations of HIIE. Sixteen female subjects were tested. The first session involved a cycle ergometer VO2peak test. The next two sessions were completed in random order. After baseline measures the women did 20 min of HIIE. There was a short bout exercise of 8 s work, followed by 12 s relative rest and a long bout exercise of 24 s work followed by 36 s relative rest. Seven subjects had excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and resting metabolic rate determined. Both exercise modalities made significant demands on the participants??? oxygen delivery systems. RER diminished over the 20 min of exercise and plasma glycerol concentrations increased. Lactate concentrations rose. Catecholamine concentrations were elevated postexercise. There was an elevated EPOC associated with above baseline fat utilisation. Study 2, a 15-week training study, was a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of short bout HIIE and steady state (SS) exercise on fat loss. Forty-five women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HIIE, SS, or control. Preliminary and posttraining testing included a DEXA scan and a VO2peak test including blood collection. All participants completed 3-d diet diaries and maintained their current diet for the course of the study. Participants exercised three times a week for the next 15 weeks under supervision. The HIIE group did 20 min of HIIE (8 s work:12 s rest) at a workload determined from the VO2peak test. The SS group cycled at 60%VO2peak , building to a maximum of 40 min exercise. Both exercise groups increased VO2peak . The HIIE group had a significant loss of total body mass (TBM) and fat mass (FM) when compared to the other groups. There was no change in dietary intake. There have been a number of studies examining the acute effects of HIIE but, to our knowledge, this is the first study examining the chronic effects of this particular exercise protocol.

This thesis investigated the effect of high intensity, intermittent exercise (HIIE) on fat loss in young, sedentary women. It attempted also to identify possible mechanisms underpinning exercise-induced changes in adiposity. Study 1 investigated some of the metabolic and hormonal responses to two variations of HIIE. Sixteen female subjects were tested. The first session involved a cycle ergometer VO2peak test. The next two sessions were completed in random order. After baseline measures the women did 20 min of HIIE. There was a short bout exercise of 8 s work, followed by 12 s relative rest and a long bout exercise of 24 s work followed by 36 s relative rest. Seven subjects had excess postexercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and resting metabolic rate determined. Both exercise modalities made significant demands on the participants??? oxygen delivery systems. RER diminished over the 20 min of exercise and plasma glycerol concentrations increased. Lactate concentrations rose. Catecholamine concentrations were elevated postexercise. There was an elevated EPOC associated with above baseline fat utilisation. Study 2, a 15-week training study, was a randomised controlled trial comparing the effects of short bout HIIE and steady state (SS) exercise on fat loss. Forty-five women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HIIE, SS, or control. Preliminary and posttraining testing included a DEXA scan and a VO2peak test including blood collection. All participants completed 3-d diet diaries and maintained their current diet for the course of the study. Participants exercised three times a week for the next 15 weeks under supervision. The HIIE group did 20 min of HIIE (8 s work:12 s rest) at a workload determined from the VO2peak test. The SS group cycled at 60%VO2peak , building to a maximum of 40 min exercise. Both exercise groups increased VO2peak . The HIIE group had a significant loss of total body mass (TBM) and fat mass (FM) when compared to the other groups. There was no change in dietary intake. There have been a number of studies examining the acute effects of HIIE but, to our knowledge, this is the first study examining the chronic effects of this particular exercise protocol.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Economics, August 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.Med.Sc.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Paeddiatrics and Reproductive Health Research, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2008. / "January 2008" Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print form.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of behavioural self-control and relapse prevention strategies for increasing adherence in obese women during a 12 week supervised walking programme and in a six month unsupervised maintenance period. Fifty female volunteers aged 18-60 years who were inactive during the previous six months were matched on the variables of age and oxygen pulse and assigned to one of three groups. Each group participated in a 12 week supervised walking programme at the University of Victoria. Group one (n = 16) was exposed to the Behavioural Self-Control intervention (BSC). Group two (n = 17) was exposed to the Relapse Prevention intervention (RP). The control group (C, n = 17) received no intervention. The participants were expected to attend a minimum of three supervised sessions per week at which attendance was recorded and then participate in an unsupervised "4th Day Walk". Adherence to the 4th day walk was self-reported, as was adherence during the maintenance period. Fitness was evaluated three times during the study: (1) pre-intervention, (2) post intervention (3 months), and (3) post maintenance (6 months). Each fitness assessment included anthropometry and a submaximal treadmill aerobic fitness test to evaluate fitness changes and provide confirmation of self-reported adherence. Average adherence to the walking during the supervised programme was 75.38%, with 80% of the subjects completing the programme. Adherence to walking during maintenance declined from 73.17% in the first month to 50.87% in the sixth, with 60% of the individuals remaining involved at 9 months. No significant differences in overall program adherence or number and distribution of drop-outs were found. Significant differences were found when the final six weeks of the supervised programme were analysed separately, F(2,27) = 4.60, p<.02. The BSC group had significantly higher adherence than the RP group during this period. Overall adherence during maintenance was significantly different among groups, F(2,27) = 4.85, p<.02. The BSC group had significantly greater adherence than the C group. Physiological measures demonstrated that fitness increased during the programme and was maintained during the maintenance period for all groups. Rates of adherence, measured as either attendance or drop-out, were comparable to those reported for normal weight populations. The BSC intervention in an educational skill-based setting appeared to be an effective means of maintaining exercise behaviour over nine months. The RP intervention was no more effective than no intervention. The high levels of adherence obtained during this programme support the increasing use of exercise in the treatment of obesity. / Graduate

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--McMaster University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 268-302). Also available via World Wide Web.