Insufficient sleep may be associated with obesity via increased energy intake and/or decreased energy expenditure. The present study therefore aimed to investigate effects of sleep restriction on energy balance in healthy young adults. Participants (14 men, 13 women) aged 35.3 ± 1.0 y with 23.6 ± 0.2 kg/m2 BMI completed a randomized, crossover study exposed to short and habitual sleep with 4 wk washout. Controlled diets were provided during the first 4 d, followed by 2 d of ad libitum eating. Ad libitum energy intake, energy expenditure and physical activity level were determined as well as energy balance and body weight. Results showed that ad libitum energy intake (p = 0.031), as well as total fat (p = 0.018) increased after short compared with habitual sleep, but physical activity level, energy expenditure, energy balance, and body weight remained unaffected by sleep duration. In conclusion, sleep deprivation elevates energy intake, which may lead to positive energy balance over time and increase the risk of weight gain and/or obesity.

The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of excess weight gain among children participating in the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project (KSDPP). Study objectives were addressed in a secondary analysis of data collected from 1994 to 2004. Mean BMI percentiles and relative weight values increased over time in repeat cross-sectional analyses. Participants followed longitudinally were split into two groups: (1) children gaining weight at ≤ the median value of weight for their age, sex and height (n=86); (2) children gaining > the median value (n=177). Therefore, two-thirds of the participants were gaining weight greater than the norm. Among boys only, those in the higher weight group were heavier for their age, sex and height at the start of their follow-up period. No significant differences were observed in reported dietary intake, physical activity levels or screen time between children in the two weight gain groups.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 2005. / Typescript (photocopy).

Thesis (MSc Nutrition Science)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: First-year female students (FYFS), studying at the University of Stellenbosch were previously identified as a high-risk group for gaining weight. A four-year follow-up of these female students indicated that a large percentage experience weight fluctuations throughout their university careers. The unique weight management needs of the FYFS were also identified in the longitudinal study. The integration of these results with an extensive search and assessment of the weight management literature led to the development of a multidimensional weight-management paradigm for application in the development of weight-management interventions for female students. Subsequently, a self-help weight-management manual, which follows the multidimensional approach proposed in the mentioned paradigm, was developed to address the unique weight-management needs of female students. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the multidimensional self-help weightmanagement manual (the Manual) on the weight status and associated factors of FYFS at the University of Stellenbosch over an eight-month period. For this purpose a non-randomized quasi-experimental design was used, including purposively selected experimental and control groups. Data were obtained during February (Baseline), May (three months after baseline = Follow-up I) and October 2002 (eight months after baseline = Follow-up 2). All students in the experimental group received the Manual at Baseline for use during the eight-month study period. Because this was a low-intensity intervention programme, no further contact was made with either group during the study period, except when Followup I data were obtained. Measures that were taken and instruments that were completed include the following: weight, height, triceps skinfoid, mid-upper ann circumference, hip circumference, waist circumference, Adolescent Self-Concept Scale (self-concept), Body Shape Questionnaire (body shape concerns), Eating Attitudes Test (eating attitudes and behaviours), General Health Questionnaire (general psychological well-being), 90-item Semi-quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire (dietary intake from nine food groups), and the Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity (physical activity). Additional questions on weight related perceptions and practices, dissatisfaction with body parts, reasons for eating and socio-demographic factors were also included. The Baseline characteristics of the FYFS involved in this study, which did not differ between the experimental and control groups for all key variables, identified them as a typical group of young female adults who are healthy but are not realistic about their weight status and who experience numerous problems related to their weight status. The implementation of the Manual was found to be significantly effective in limiting weight gain among the FYFS in the experimental group. The control group experienced almost a full unit increase in BMI (0.93 kg/m²), while the increase found for experimental group was 0.53 kg/m² (p=0.004). Although the weight of both groups increased initially the experimental group went on to lose weight, while the control group continued to gain weight during the last five months of the intervention. The impact of the Manual is further illustrated by the fact that the FYFS in the experimental group who indicated that they did Lise the Manual extensively experienced a significantly lower rise in their weight (change in BMI over study period = 0.37 kg/m²) than those in the experimental group who indicated that they did not use the Manual (change in BMI over study period = 0.89 kg/m²). Factors that are possibly linked to the success attained with the Manual were identified and include more reasonable weight goals; the use of sound weightreduction methods such as a balanced diet and physical activity; improvements in self-concept; maintenance of physical activity levels, especially during the first three months at university; improvement in general psychological well-being; decreased intake of foods from the "other" (includes mainly high fat, sugar based foods such as doughnuts, cookies, cake, tart), beverage and grains food groups; and possibly less concerns with body shape from the start. Factors for which no link with weight management success could be established include changes in body composition; perceptions of own weight; weight loss attempts; foods from the vegetables, fruit, milk and cheese, meat, fish and chicken, fats and fast foods food groups; physical activity over the total eight-month period; reasons for eating; eating attitudes and behaviour; dissatisfaction with body parts; and body shape concerns. It is recommended that the implementation of the Manual on the campus of the University of Stellenbosch to prevent weight gain of FYFS should be considered, bearing in mind some of the recommendations formulated by the FYFS in the experimental group. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Eerstejaar damestudente wat aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch studeer is voorheen geïdentifiseer as 'n hoë risiko groep vir gewigstoename. 'n Vier-jaar opvolg van hierdie damestudente het aangedui dat 'n groot persentasie vir die duur van hul universiteitsloopbane gewigsfluktuasies ondervind. Die unieke gewigshanteringsbehoeftes van die eerstejaar damestudente is ook tydens die longitudinale studie geïdentifiseer. Die integrasie van hierdie resultate met 'n uitgebreide soektog en ontleding van die literatuur wat betrekking het op gewigshantering het aanleiding gegee tot die ontwikkeling van 'n multidimensionele gewigshanteringsparadigma wat gebruik kan word tydens die ontwikkeling van gewigshanteringsintervensies vir damestudente. As 'n volgende stap is 'n self-help gewigshanterings handleiding, wat die multidimensionele benadering voorgestel in die genoemde paradigma volg, ontwikkelom die unieke gewigshanteringsbehoeftes van damestudente aan te spreek. Die doel van die huidige studie was om die impak van die multidimensionele self-help gewigshanteringshandleiding (die Handleiding) op die gewigstatus en geassosieerde faktore van eerstejaar damestudente aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch oor 'n tydperk van agt maande, te evalueer. Vir hierdie doeleinde is 'n nie-gerandomiseerde kwasi-eksperimentele ontwerp gebruik, wat doelbewus geselekteerde eksperimentele en kontrole groepe ingesluit het. Data is gedurende Februarie (Basislyn), Mei (drie maande na basislyn = Opvolg-I) en Oktober (agt maande na basislyn = Opvolg-2) 2002 versamel. Alle studente in die eksperimentele group het die Handleiding tydens Basislyn ontvang vir gebruik tydens die agt maande studieperiode. Omdat dit 'n lae-intensiteit intervensie program was, is geen verdere kontak gedurende die studieperiode met beide die groepe gemaak nie, behalwe tydens die versameling van Opvolg-I data. Metings wat geneem is en instrumente wat voltooi is, sluit die volgende in: gewig, lengte, triseps velvou, mid-bo-armomtrek, heupomtrek, middelomtrek, "Adolescent Self- Concept Scale" (self-konsep), "Body Shape Questionnaire" (besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm), "Eating Attitudes Test" (eetgedrag en -houding), "General Health Questionnaire" (algemene sielkundige welstand), 90-item semi-gekwantifiseerde voedselfrekwensievraelys (dieetinname van nege voedselgroepe), en die "Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity" (fisieke aktiwiteit). Addisionele vrae aangaande gewigsverwante persepsies en praktyke, ontevredenheid met liggaamsdele, redes vir eet en sosio-demografiese faktore is ook ingesluit. Die Basislyn eienskappe van die eerstejaar damesstudente wat aan hierdie studie deelgeneem het, het nie tussen die eksperimentele en kontrole groepe vir alle sleutelveranderlikes verskil nie. Hierdie inligting het ook daarop gedui dat die studente 'n tipiese groep jong vroulike volwassenes is wat gesond is maar, onrealisties is oor hul gewigstatus en baie gewigstatusverwante probleme ondervind. Die resultate toon dat die implementering van die Handleiding beduidend effektief was om die gewigstoename by eerstejaar damestudente in die eksperimentele groep te beperk. Die gewig van die kontrole groep het byna 'n volle LMI eenheid (0.93 kg/m²) toegeneem terwyl die toename vir die eksperimentele groep 0.53 kg/m² was. Alhoewel die gewig van beide groepe aanvanklik toegeneem het, het die eksperimentele groep daarna gewig verloor terwyl die kontrole groep se gewig gedurende die laaste vyf maande van die intervensie verder toegeneem het. Die impak van die Handleiding word verder geïllustreer deur die feit dat die eerstejaar damesstudente in die eksperimentele groep wat aangedui het dat hul wel die Handleiding ekstensief gebruik het, 'n beduidend laer toename in gewig (LMI verandering gedurende studieperiode = 0.37 kg/m²) ondervind het as die studente in die eksperimentele groep wat aangedui het dat hul nie die Handleiding gebruik het nie (LMI verandering gedurende studieperiode = 0.89 kg/m²). Faktore wat moontlik gekoppel kan word aan die sukses verkry met die Handleiding is geïdentifiseer en sluit die volgende in: meer redelike gewigsdoelwitte; die gebruik van veilige gewigsverlies metodes soos 'n gebalanseerde dieet and fisieke aktiwiteit; verbetering van self-konsep; handhawing van fisieke aktiwiteitsvlakke, veral gedurende die eerste drie maande op universiteit; verbetering van algemene sielkundige welstand; verlaagde inname van voedsel van die "ander-" (sluit hoofsaaklik hoë vet, suiker gebasseerde voedsels soos oliebolle, koekies en tert in), drankies- en graanvoedselgroepe; en moontlik minder besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm van die begin af. Faktore waarvoor geen verband met sukses met gewigshantering gevind is nie sluit die volgende in: liggaamsamestelling; persepsies van gewig; gewigsverliespogings; voedselinname uit die groente-, vrugte-, melk en kaas-, vleis, vis en hoender-, vette- en kitskosse-voedselgroepe; fisieke aktiwiteit gedurende die totale agtmaande periode; redes vir eet; eetgedrag en -houding; ontevredenheid met liggaamsdele; en besorgdheid oor liggaamsvorm. Dit word aanbeveel dat die implementasie van die Handleiding op die kampus van die Univérsiteit van Stellenbosch oorweeg word om gewigstoename van eerstejaar damesstudente te voorkom. Dit word ook aanbeveel dat die aanbevelings van die studente in die eksperimentele groep in hierdie verband, in ag geneem moet word.

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A pré-eclâmpsia (PE) é classificada em de início (EOPE) e tardio (LOPE) quando presente antes ou após 34 semanas de gestação, respectivamente. Este estudo transversal investigou as diferenças e possíveis associações existentes entre os perfis antropométricos, hemodinâmicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos na pré-eclâmpsia entre os grupos EOPE e LOPE. O estudo incluiu 65 voluntárias admitidas em um hospital universitário no Brasil sendo 29 normotensos (grupo C) e 36 com pré-eclâmpsia (13 com EOPE e 23 com LOPE). O grupo LOPE apresentou um aumento significante de peso e aumento limítrofe no índice de massa corporal ao final da gestação em relação aos outros grupos, o que é compatível com a origem metabólica, associada à obesidade, atribuída a esta forma da doença. As mulheres grávidas do EOPE apresentaram uma redução limítrofe no número de eritrócitos e uma diminuição signi-ficante no número de plaquetas e um aumento significante de reticulócitos, ferro sérico e fer-ritina quando comparados ao grupo C e LOPE. O grupo EOPE demonstrou um aumento significante na estabilidade osmótica dos eritrócitos em relação aos demais gru-pos. A análise hemodinâmica por ultrasonografia Doppler da artéria oftálmica mostrou que ambos os grupos de mulheres grávidas com PE apresentaram alterações compatíveis com a ocorrência de hiperfluxo no território orbital. Essas alterações hemodinâmicas foram associa-das a alterações nos índices hematimétricos. / Preeclampsia (PE) is classified in early- (EOPE) and late-onset PE (LOPE) when pre-sent before or after 34 gestation weeks, respectively. This transversal study aimed to investi-gate the differences and possible associations existing in the anthropometric, hemodynamic, hematologic and biochemical profiles of late- and early-onset preeclampsia. The study in-cluded 65 volunteers admitted to a tertiary hospital in Brazil, 29 normotensive and 36 with preeclampsia (13 with EOPE and 23 with LOPE). Pregnant women with LOPE presented greater weight gain and borderline increase in body mass index at the end of gestation in rela-tion to the other groups, which is compatible with the metabolic origin, associated with obesi-ty, attributed to this form of the disease. Pregnant women with EOPE presented a borderline reduction in the number of erythrocytes and a significant decrease in the number of platelets, in addition to a significant increase in reticulocytes, serum iron and ferritin when compared to normotensive pregnant women and pregnant women with LOPE. A significant increase in osmotic stability of erythrocytes was observed in the EOPE group in relation to groups. He-modynamic analysis by Doppler ultrasonography of the ophthalmic artery showed that both groups of pregnant women with PE presented alterations compatible with the occurrence of hyperflow in the orbital territory. These hemodynamic changes were associated with changes in hematimetric indices / Tese (Doutorado)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three levels of supplementation offered in a quantity equivalent to 0.8%, 1.0% or 1.2 % of live weight on the performance, body development, and ingestive behavior and displacement pattern of 24 steers, with initial average age and weight of 16 months and 334.58 kg kept in continuous grazing in sorghum forage pasture (Sorghum bicolor). The completely randomized design was used with parcels subdivided in time, constituting of three treatments and four repetitions of area (spot) per treatment, and four repetitions (animals) per treatment on the analysis of ingestive behavior and displacement. No difference was observed for daily weight gain (1.188 kg day-1) and stocking rate (894.80 kg LW ha-1) among the studied treatments. The average weight gain per total area was 201.10 kg ha-1 between the treatments, however at the first period it was observed a gain of 113 kg ha-1 (P<0.05), not differing at the second and third periods (48.21 kg ha-1). It was observed greater leaf blades mass of sorghum (670.69 kg DM ha-1) and sorghum accumulation rate (77.83 kg DM ha-1 day) at the first 28 days of utilization of the pasture, being constant at the second and third periods (470.55 kg DM ha-1 and 53,52 kg DM ha-1 day, respectively). No difference was observed on the final body measures, frame and weight: height relation of the animals according to the level of supplementation. The advance of the phenotype cycle of the pasture promotes the decrease on the leaf blades mass, accumulation rate and an increase on the forage mass of others. The steers that received the equivalent to 0.8% of live weight in supplementation presented higher (P<0.05) grazing time during the morning shift (241.25 min. morning-1) compared to the animals of the 1.2% treatment that spent 172.5 min. morning-1 in this activity, while the 1% treatment remained intermediate (205. 42 min. morning-1). The grazing time decreased (P<0.05) with the increase of the utilization of the pasture, with averages of 565.83; 494.09 and 437.5 min. day-1 for the first, second and third periods, respectively. The idle time increased (P<0.05) from the first (423.33 min day-1) to the second and third periods (557.06 min. day-1). The levels of supplementation did not influenced the variables of displacement, however the structural variation of the pasture, influenced on the biting rate min-1 and the number of bitings per feed-1 station. / Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de três níveis de suplementação ofertados em quantidade equivalente a 0,8%, 1,0% ou 1,2 % do peso vivo sobre o desempenho, desenvolvimento corporal, comportamento ingestivo e padrões de deslocamento de 24 novilhos com idade e peso médio inicial de 16 meses e 334,58 kg, mantidos sob pastoreio continuo em pastagem de sorgo forrageiro (Sorghum bicolor). O delineamento utilizado foi inteiramente casualizado com parcelas subdividas no tempo, constituindo três tratamentos e quatro repetições de área (piquete) por tratamento, e quatro repetições (animais) por tratamento nas análises de comportamento ingestivo e deslocamento. Não foi verificada diferença no ganho diário (1,188 kg dia-1) e na carga animal (894,80 kg PV ha-1) entre os níveis de suplementação estudados. A média do ganho de peso por área total foi de 201,10 kg ha-1 entre os tratamentos, entretanto no primeiro período observou-se ganho de 113 kg ha-1 (P<0,05), não diferindo no segundo e terceiro períodos (48,21 kg ha-1). Foi observada maior massa de lâminas foliares de sorgo (670,69 kg MS ha-1) e taxa de acúmulo de sorgo (77,83 kg MS ha-1 dia) nos primeiros 28 dias de utilização da pastagem, mantendo-se constantes no segundo terceiro períodos (470,55 kg MS ha-1 e 53,5277,83 kg MS ha-1 dia, respectivamente). Não foi observada diferença nas medidas corporais finais, frame e relação peso: altura dos animais de acordo com o nível de suplementação. O avanço do ciclo fenotípico da pastagem promove a diminuição na massa de lâminas foliares, na taxa de acúmulo e aumento da massa de forragem de outros. Os novilhos que receberam o equivalente a 0,8% do peso vivo em suplementação apresentaram maior (P<0,05) tempo de pastejo durante o turno da manhã (241,25 min. manhã-1) comparado aos animais do tratamento 1,2% que dispenderam 172,5 min. manhã-1 nesta atividade, enquanto o tratamento 1% foi intermediário (205, 42 min. manhã-1). O tempo de pastejo diminuição (P<0,05) com o avanço da utilização da pastagem, com médias de 565,83; 494,09 e 437,5 min. dia-1 para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro períodos, respectivamente. O tempo de ócio aumentou (P<0,05) do primeiro (423,33 min. dia-1) para o segundo e terceiro períodos (557,06 min. dia-1). Os níveis de suplementação não influenciaram as variáveis de deslocamento, entretanto a variação estrutural da pastagem influenciou a taxa de bocados min.-1 e o número de bocados estação-1 alimentar.

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaça de novilhos superprecoces submetidos a alturas de manejo de pastos de aveia preta e azevém anual (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) e uma testemunha sem pastejo, bem como avaliar os efeitos dessas alturas de manejo sobre o estabelecimento e o rendimento da cultura de soja subseqüente. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda do Espinilho, município de Tupanciretã, entre julho de 2004 e maio de 2005. Animais jovens com idade média de dez meses e peso inicial de 190 kg foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. As ofertas diárias de forragem para os tratamentos 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm foram, respectivamente, 8,8, 14,7, 29,0 e 48,9 kg de matéria seca/100 kg de peso vivo (PV). O ganho de peso por hectare foi superior nos tratamentos com menor altura de manejo, em decorrência da maior carga animal empregada, sendo 529,7, 489,5, 320,9 e 201,6 kg de PV/ha, para os respectivos tratamentos. O ganho médio diário e peso ao abate apresentaram resposta quadrática (P<0,05) conforme o incremento na altura do pasto. A deposição de gordura apresentou média de 3,8 mm e o rendimento médio de carcaça fria foi de 53,3% (P<0,05). As alturas reais do pasto ficaram próximas daquelas pretendidas, havendo um aumento linear da massa de forragem com o aumento das alturas de manejo do pasto. A taxa de acúmulo não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. A taxa de lotação apresentou resposta linear decrescente com o aumento da altura do pasto. A massa de forragem remanescente aumentou na medida em que houve incremento na altura de manejo do pasto. Foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos para palhada residual e estande inicial de plantas de soja, porém, essas diferenças não afetaram o rendimento de grãos da cultura. Concluiu-se que novilhos superprecoces atingem peso de abate e grau de acabamento adequados quando terminados em pastagem de inverno e suplementados no terço final do ciclo de pastejo. O melhor ganho médio diário foi obtido em altura entre 25 a 30 cm e a maior produção por área em 10 cm de altura. A utilização de pastos durante o inverno não prejudica o rendimento de grãos na cultura de soja subseqüente, possibilitando aumento da renda do produtor pela oportunidade de gerar receitas durante a entressafra da soja. / This trial aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass quality of “superprecoce” steers grazing oat and annual ryegrass pastures managed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm with a no grazing reference, as well as sward height management effects on soybean establishment and grain yield. The experiment was carried at Fazenda do Espinilho, Tupanciretã municipality, from July 2004 until May 2005. Young animals with 10 months on average and initial live weight of 190 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with three replicates. The daily herbage allowances were 8.8, 14.7, 29.0 and 48.9 kg of dry matter/100kg of live weight, respectively treatments. The live weight gain per hectare was superior in treatments with lower management heights, due to the greater stocking rate employed, being 529.7, 489.5, 320.9 and 201.6 kg of LW, respectively for the treatments 10, 20, 30 and 40cm height. The average daily gain and slaughter weight increased with pasture height being fitted by a quadratic model (P<0.05). The fat deposition and the medium dressing of cold carcass averaged 3.8mm and 53.3%, respectively (P<0.05). The actual sward heights were very similar to those previously intended. There was a linear increase in herbage mass with the increase of sward height. The pasture accumulation rate was not influenced by treatments. The stocking rate showed a decreased linear response with increasing sward height. Post grazing herbage mass increased with increasing sward height. Treatments had effect on initial soybean stand, but not in soybean yield. It was concluded that “superprecoce” steers can reache slaughter weight and adequately finishing degree when finished in winter cultivated pasture supplemented in final third of the grazing cycle. Better individual animal performance is obtained when pasture height ranges from 25 to 30 cm and animal production per hectare when the pasture was managed at 10 cm height. Results suggest grazing animals do not damage succeeding soybean crop, allowing farmers profitability enhancement during soybean intercropping.

A considerable percentage of the UK population are overweight (BMI≥25kg/m2) or obese (BMI≥30kg/m2). However, despite living in the same culture and exposed to a similar “obesogenic” environment, some individuals gain weight while others do not (French et al., 1995). This variability in weight control has been suggested to be associated with individual differences in eating behaviours (French et al., 2012). Certain factors, such as motivation (hedonic hunger and hunger status) as well as cognition (impulsivity and memory) may have an impact on eating behaviours and their relationship with weight control. Thus, the objective of this thesis was to explore individual differences in eating behaviours and investigate their relationship with motivation, cognition and weight control. The first experiment (Chapter 2) investigated the relationship between eating behaviours, motivation (hedonic hunger) and food consumption during an ad-libitum buffet. This study suggests that restrained eating behaviour was associated with higher overall energy intake, greater energy intake from unhealthy foods and greater energy intake from both high and low energy dense foods. However, no interactions between restraint and disinhibition or hedonic hunger was seen. Following this, the second experiment (Chapter 3) examined whether eating behaviours, such as disinhibition, restraint and hunger, change during a weight loss and weight maintenance period and whether they could predict changes in weight during these periods. Indeed, the results suggest that lower baseline restraint could predict greater weight loss during a low-energy liquid diet and interventions which increase restraint and decrease disinhibition may be beneficial for longer term weight maintenance. The third experiment (Chapter 4) was designed to investigate whether motivation and cognition influences eating behaviours. The results suggest that hedonic hunger, restraint and impulsivity may lead to higher levels of disinhibited eating behaviour. This study was also able to replicate the findings of previous literature suggesting that episodic memory is negatively associated with BMI (Cheke et al., 2016). Finally, following on from the previous study results, the fourth experiment (Chapter 5) included a more diverse sample of participants including dieters. The results provide evidence that individuals on a diet have poorer episodic memory ability than those currently not on a diet. This study also extended previous results suggesting that hedonic hunger (but also episodic memory and hunger) are important factors in disinhibited eating. Hedonic hunger was also shown to be important in levels of hunger.

O objetivo do experimento foi avaliar o desempenho e a qualidade da carcaça de novilhos superprecoces submetidos a alturas de manejo de pastos de aveia preta e azevém anual (10, 20, 30 e 40 cm) e uma testemunha sem pastejo, bem como avaliar os efeitos dessas alturas de manejo sobre o estabelecimento e o rendimento da cultura de soja subseqüente. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda do Espinilho, município de Tupanciretã, entre julho de 2004 e maio de 2005. Animais jovens com idade média de dez meses e peso inicial de 190 kg foram distribuídos num delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições. As ofertas diárias de forragem para os tratamentos 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm foram, respectivamente, 8,8, 14,7, 29,0 e 48,9 kg de matéria seca/100 kg de peso vivo (PV). O ganho de peso por hectare foi superior nos tratamentos com menor altura de manejo, em decorrência da maior carga animal empregada, sendo 529,7, 489,5, 320,9 e 201,6 kg de PV/ha, para os respectivos tratamentos. O ganho médio diário e peso ao abate apresentaram resposta quadrática (P<0,05) conforme o incremento na altura do pasto. A deposição de gordura apresentou média de 3,8 mm e o rendimento médio de carcaça fria foi de 53,3% (P<0,05). As alturas reais do pasto ficaram próximas daquelas pretendidas, havendo um aumento linear da massa de forragem com o aumento das alturas de manejo do pasto. A taxa de acúmulo não foi afetada pelos tratamentos. A taxa de lotação apresentou resposta linear decrescente com o aumento da altura do pasto. A massa de forragem remanescente aumentou na medida em que houve incremento na altura de manejo do pasto. Foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos para palhada residual e estande inicial de plantas de soja, porém, essas diferenças não afetaram o rendimento de grãos da cultura. Concluiu-se que novilhos superprecoces atingem peso de abate e grau de acabamento adequados quando terminados em pastagem de inverno e suplementados no terço final do ciclo de pastejo. O melhor ganho médio diário foi obtido em altura entre 25 a 30 cm e a maior produção por área em 10 cm de altura. A utilização de pastos durante o inverno não prejudica o rendimento de grãos na cultura de soja subseqüente, possibilitando aumento da renda do produtor pela oportunidade de gerar receitas durante a entressafra da soja. / This trial aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass quality of “superprecoce” steers grazing oat and annual ryegrass pastures managed at 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm with a no grazing reference, as well as sward height management effects on soybean establishment and grain yield. The experiment was carried at Fazenda do Espinilho, Tupanciretã municipality, from July 2004 until May 2005. Young animals with 10 months on average and initial live weight of 190 kg were distributed in a randomized block design with three replicates. The daily herbage allowances were 8.8, 14.7, 29.0 and 48.9 kg of dry matter/100kg of live weight, respectively treatments. The live weight gain per hectare was superior in treatments with lower management heights, due to the greater stocking rate employed, being 529.7, 489.5, 320.9 and 201.6 kg of LW, respectively for the treatments 10, 20, 30 and 40cm height. The average daily gain and slaughter weight increased with pasture height being fitted by a quadratic model (P<0.05). The fat deposition and the medium dressing of cold carcass averaged 3.8mm and 53.3%, respectively (P<0.05). The actual sward heights were very similar to those previously intended. There was a linear increase in herbage mass with the increase of sward height. The pasture accumulation rate was not influenced by treatments. The stocking rate showed a decreased linear response with increasing sward height. Post grazing herbage mass increased with increasing sward height. Treatments had effect on initial soybean stand, but not in soybean yield. It was concluded that “superprecoce” steers can reache slaughter weight and adequately finishing degree when finished in winter cultivated pasture supplemented in final third of the grazing cycle. Better individual animal performance is obtained when pasture height ranges from 25 to 30 cm and animal production per hectare when the pasture was managed at 10 cm height. Results suggest grazing animals do not damage succeeding soybean crop, allowing farmers profitability enhancement during soybean intercropping.