Physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth. Improvements in fitness reduce the risk of becoming overweight across puberty. Two years of school-based intervention program could improve the physical fitness among Ecuadorian adolescents at health risk: subgroups analysis from a cluster-randomized trial Emotional Health Predicts Changes in Body Mass Index (BMI-z) Among Black and Latino Youth Examining the impact of 45 minutes of daily physical education on cognitive ability, fitness performance, and body composition of African American youth. A school-based intervention to reduce overweight and inactivity in children aged 6–12 years: study design of a randomized controlled trial Relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, muscle strength and nutritional state in 5- to 11-year-old children Energy balance for kids with play: design and implementation of a multi-component school-based obesity prevention program. Determinants of weight loss maintenance: a systematic review. Challenge! Health Promotion/Obesity Prevention Mentorship Model Among Urban, Black Adolescents Effect of individual counseling on physical activity fitness and health: a randomized controlled trial in a workplace setting. Protocol for systematic reviews of determinants/correlates of obesity-related dietary and physical activity behaviors in young children (preschool 0 to 6 years): evidence mapping and syntheses Exercise in obese pregnant women: positive impacts and current perceptions Association of sports club participation with fitness and fatness in children. The effects of a Special Olympics Unified Sports Soccer training program on anthropometry, physical fitness and skilled performance in Special Olympics soccer athletes and non-disabled partners. Health promotion intervention in low socioeconomic kindergarten children. Perceived exercise barriers are reduced and benefits are improved with lifestyle modification in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomised controlled trial Effectiveness of a primary school-based intervention to reduce overweight. Risk factors of acute and overuse musculoskeletal injuries among young conscripts: a population-based cohort study Perceived weight in youths and risk of overweight or obesity six years later. Get fit with the Grizzlies: a community-school-home initiative to fight childhood obesity led by a professional sports organization. Team sports for overweight children: the Stanford Sports to Prevent Obesity Randomized Trial (SPORT). VIP in construction: systematic development and evaluation of a multifaceted health programme aiming to improve physical activity levels and dietary patterns among construction workers
OBJECTIVE To assess different aspects of physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth . RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES A r and om sample of 3214 Flemish schoolchildren was selected and divided into an " obese " and " nonobese " group based on body mass index and sum of skinfolds . Physical fitness was assessed by the European physical fitness test battery . Physical activity  was estimated by a modified version of the Baecke Question naire . RESULTS Obese subjects had inferior performances on all tests requiring propulsion or lifting of the body mass ( st and ing-broad jump , sit-ups , bent-arm hang , speed shuttle run , and endurance shuttle run ) compared with their nonobese counterparts ( p < 0.001 ) . In contrast , the obese subjects showed greater strength on h and grip ( p < 0.001 ) . Both groups had similar levels of leisure-time physical activity ; however , nonobese boys had a higher sport index than their obese counterparts ( p < 0.05 ) . DISCUSSION Results of this study show that obese subjects had poorer performances on weight-bearing tasks , but did not have lower scores on all fitness components . To encourage adherence to physical activity in obese youth , it is important that activities are tailored to their capabilities . Results suggest that weight-bearing activities should be limited at the start of an intervention with obese participants and alternative activities that rely more on static strength used PURPOSE Information about factors related to overweight development in early stages of life is needed for design ing useful strategies to prevent overweight and related diseases . Longitudinal studies can contribute to this goal . The present study aim ed to identify factors in childhood that determine the development of overweight/obesity in adolescence . METHODS A prospect i ve study in 598 normal-weight Estonian and Swedish children age 9.5 ± 0.4 yr from the European Youth Heart Study , who were followed during 6 yr , was conducted . Weight and height were measured at baseline and follow-up , and weight status was ascertained according to the international criteria for body mass index . Cardiorespiratory fitness  ( expressed as  VO(2max ) ( mL·kg(-1)·min(-1 ) ) ) was assessed by a maximal bike test . Parents reported their weight , height , and educational level . RESULTS Being male ( vs female ) and Estonian ( vs Swedish ) was related to higher risk for incident overweight/obesity . Change in fitness was a stronger predictor of incident overweight/obesity than childhood fitness , parental overweight , or parental education . The risk of developing overweight/obesity was reduced 10 % every 1 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1 ) of VO(2max ) increase ( odds ratio = 0.90 and 95 % confidence interval = 0.84 - 0.95 ) after adjustment for a set of confounders including baseline body mass index and without differences by gender . CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that improvements in fitness from childhood to adolescence are associated with a lower risk of becoming overweight/obese in adolescence . The current findings highlight the importance of promoting fitness through physical exercise from early stages in life , as a promising strategy to fight against overweight and obesity . Gender and country differences observed in this study require social and political attention Background Adolescents with overweight and poor physical fitness have an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases during adulthood . In Ecuador , a health promotion program improved the muscular strength and speed-agility , and reduced the decline of the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of adolescents after 28 months . We performed a sub-group analysis to assess the differential effect of this intervention in overweight and low-fit adolescents . Methods We performed a cluster-r and omized pair matched trial in schools located in Cuenca – Ecuador . In total 20 schools ( clusters ) were pair matched , and 1440 adolescents of grade 8 and 9 ( mean age of 12.3 and 13.3 years respectively ) participated in the trial . For the purpose s of the subgroup analysis , the adolescents were classified into groups according to their weight status ( body mass index ) and aerobic capacity ( scores in the 20 m shuttle run and FITNESSGRAM st and ards ) at baseline . Primary outcomes included physical fitness ( vertical jump , speed shuttle run ) and physical activity ( proportion of students achieving over 60 min of moderate – to-vigorous physical activity/day ) . For these primary outcomes , we stratified analysis by weight ( underweight , normal BMI and overweight/obese ) and fitness ( fit and low fitness ) groups . Mixed linear regression models were used to assess the intervention effect . Results The prevalence of overweight/obesity , underweight and poor  physical  fitness  was 20.3 % , 5.8 % and 84.8 % respectively . A higher intervention effect was observed for speed shuttle run in overweight ( β = −1.85 s , P = 0.04 ) adolescents compared to underweight ( β = −1.66 s , P = 0.5 ) or normal weight ( β = −0.35 s , P = 0.6 ) peers . The intervention effect on vertical jump was higher in adolescents with poor physical fitness ( β = 3.71 cm , P = 0.005 ) compared to their fit peers ( β = 1.28 cm , P = 0.4 ) . The proportion of students achieving over 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity/day was not significantly different according to weight or fitness status . Conclusion Comprehensive school-based interventions that aim to improve diet and physical activity could improve speed and strength aspects of physical fitness in low-fit and overweight/obese adolescents . Trial registration Clinical trials.gov identifier NCT01004367 . Registered October 28 , 2009 Childhood obesity is a complex and multifaceted health problem linked to elevated risk for chronic diseases , such as diabetes , cancer , hypertension , and cardiovascular disease.1,2 Although research has increased dramatically in the past 2 decades , questions regarding factors driving overweight and obesity remain , particularly among youth of color who experience disproportionate rates of obesity and comorbid health conditions.3 Adolescence is a critical period in the developmental trajectory,4 in part because overweight and obese adolescents are more likely to remain overweight and /or obese in adulthood.3 Overweight and obesity have been associated with adverse symptoms and intra- and interpersonal psychological , social , and emotional issues that continue into adulthood , including depression and anxiety , social withdrawal , feeling worthless , lower self-esteem , and behavioral problems.5–7 Poor mental health may lead to increases in weight due to fluctuations in appetite , obesogenic behaviors ( eg , overeating ) to cope with negative mood , sedentary behavior , and increased isolation.8 Chronic stress or experiences of discrimination may also influence physiology and behaviors that affect weight gain.9 On the other h and , increased body mass index ( BMI ) could result in adverse emotional outcomes over time due to weight-based stigma , bullying , or poor self-esteem.5,6 The few longitudinal studies that have examined the association between emotional health and physical health outcomes have primarily taken a narrow focus of mental health symptoms ( e.g. , only examining depression)10 or behavioral concerns ( e.g. , conduct).11 Physical outcomes , including BMI , were often collected by self-report12 and /or retrospectively.13 Furthermore , they have been limited to predominantly White sample s of older adolescents or adults.12,13 Persistent racial and ethnic disparities in overweight and obesity further complicate research as well as clinical prevention and intervention efforts . Black and Latino youth experience disproportionate levels of overweight and obesity beginning as early as preschool and are more likely to remain obese as adults compared with Whites.14 Blacks and Latinos also are at disproportionate risk for multiple negative health conditions associated with overweight and obesity , such as diabetes.14,15 Reasons for such disparities remain poorly understood and understudied . Although emotional health has been associated with weight in both adults and youth,16 prior research has been limited to cross-sectional studies .17 Longitudinal , prospect i ve design s are critical to explicate the association between emotional health and BMI among Black and Latino youth . The primary objective of this study is to examine whether negative emotional symptoms prospect ively predict increases in BMI z-scores ( BMI -z ) across 2 years among a sample of predominantly Black and Latino , urban youth . We hypothesize that more negative emotional symptoms measured at baseline ( grade s 5 and 6 ) would predict increases in BMI -z scores 2 years later . Results can inform programs and interventions aim ed at reducing obesity in youth of color OBJECT Increased importance on academic achievement has result ed in many school districts focusing on improved academic performance leading to reductions in physical education time . The purpose was to examine the effects of 45 minutes of daily physical education on the cognitive ability , fitness performance and body composition of African American elementary and middle school youth . METHODS Participants completing the informed consent in grade s 2nd to 8th were included in the study . A pre/posttest design was used with repeated measures analysis of variance . Experimental and control school participants were pretested on the  cognitive measures ( ie , Fluid Intelligence and Perceptual Speed ) and Fitnessgram ® physical fitness test items ( eg , aerobic capacity , muscular strength and muscular endurance , body composition ) in September 2009 and posttested in May 2010 . RESULTS Experimental elementary and middle school participants observed significantly greater improvements compared with control elementary and middle school participants on 7 of 16 fitness and body composition measures and on 8 of 26 cognitive measures . These fitness , body composition , and cognitive improvement differences were more noticeable among elementary and middle school females . CONCLUSIONS Providing 45 minutes of daily physical education can perhaps increase cognitive ability while increasing fitness and decreasing the prevalence of overweight and obese youth Background Effective interventions to prevent overweight and obesity in children are urgently needed especially in inner-city neighbourhoods where prevalence of overweight and inactivity among primary school children is high . A school based intervention was developed aim ing at the reduction of overweight and inactivity in these children by addressing both behavioural and environmental determinants . Methods / design The main components of the intervention ( Lekker Fit ! ) are the re-establishment of a professional physical education teacher ; three ( instead of two ) PE classes per week ; additional sport and play activities outside school hours ; fitness testing ; classroom education on healthy nutrition , active living and healthy lifestyle choices ; and the involvement of parents . The effectiveness of the intervention is evaluated through a cluster r and omized controlled trial in 20 primary schools among grade s 3 through 8 ( 6–12 year olds ) . Primary outcome measures are BMI , waist circumference and fitness . Secondary outcome measures are assessed in a subgroup of grade 6–8 pupils ( 9–12 year olds ) through classroom question naires and constitute of nutrition and physical activity behaviours and behavioural determinants . Multilevel regression analyses are used to study differences in outcomes between children in the intervention schools and in  control schools , taking clustering of children within schools into account . Discussion Hypotheses are that the intervention results in a lower prevalence of children being overweight and an improved mean fitness score , in comparison with a control group where the intervention is not implemented . The results of our study will contribute to the discussion on the role of physical education and physical activity in the school curriculum . Trial registration [ IS RCT N84383524 Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assess different aspects of physical activity and fitness in order to develop a basis for sport programmes for overweight and obese children . Eighty-eight prepubertal children ( 49 boys , 39 girls , 4.8–11.4 years old , 61 % obese , 14 % overweight and 25 % normal weight ) were examined . Body composition was assessed by combined use of anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis . Resting energy expenditure ( REE ) and total energy expenditure ( TEE ) were measured by indirect calorimetry ( IC ) and individually calibrated 24-h heart rate ( HR ) monitoring , respectively . Activity-related energy expenditure ( AEE ) and physical activity level ( PAL )  were calculated from TEE and REE .  Fitness [ assessed by O2-pulse , respiratory exchange ratio ( RER ) at submaximal work intensities ] was determined by ergometry . The maximal isometric muscle strength of the legs ( m. quadriceps , Fa max , m. ischiocruralis , Fb max ) was measured by computer tensiometry .  Children were grouped according to their nutritional state , AEE , O2-pulse and muscle strength . When compared with normal weight children , obese and overweight children had increased fat mass ( FM ) , fat-free mass ( FFM ) , waist-to-hip ratio and REE , but no group differences were observed for TEE , AEE , and PAL . Obese and overweight children spent more hours per day watching TV  . After correction for body weight and FFM , no group differences in REE were observed , but normal weight children had a higher O2-pulse than overweight and obese children . By contrast , RER was increased in the latter group . The fittest group had the lowest body weight , BMI , FM and FFM . Children with a low O2-pulse spent more hours per day watching TV . Grouping children according to their degree of muscle strength , younger children ( 4–7.5 years ) did not show group differences in nutritional state , energy expenditure , physical activity and fitness . However , in the group of 7.6- to 11-year-old children , those with the greatest muscle strength and FFM had reduced BMI , skin folds , FM and FFM . FM correlated inversely with O2-pulse , but was not associated with TEE , AEE , PAL or muscle strength . By contrast TV consumption was positively associated with FM . To summarize , overweight and obese children were less fit and watched more TV than their normal weight counterparts . FM did not correspond to TEE , AEE or PAL . Muscle strength was not associated with FM in young children , but was inversely associated with FM in older children . Our cross-sectional data are consistent with the idea that increased fitness and reduced physical inactivity may prevent children from being overweight BACKGROUND Improving nutrition and physical activity behaviors associated with childhood obesity are significant national public health goals . Energy Balance for Kids with Play ( EB4 K with Play ) , developed through a partnership between the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation and Playworks , is a multi-component school-based intervention design ed to address youth 's nutrition and physical activity behaviors . This article describes the EB4 K with Play intervention and evaluation study and presents the baseline data . METHODS The evaluation is a 2-year cluster-r and omized design targeting third- to fifth- grade students enrolled in a low-income , urban school district in northern California . Six schools were recruited to participate . Four were r and omized to the intervention group and two into a control group . Baseline student-level data pertaining to nutrition , physical activity , fitness , and BMI were collected in the fall of 2011 . The EB4 K with Play program , which includes direct-to-student nutrition and physical activity interventions , a school wellness component , and parent/community partner outreach components , began immediately after baseline data collection . RESULTS An ethnically diverse sample of students ( n=844 ) was recruited to participate in the study . Baseline data showed a higher percent of eligibility for free and reduced-price school lunch and higher rates of obesity/overweight than the California state averages . Fitness levels and levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were comparable to state averages . CONCLUSIONS End-point data will be collected after 2 years of the intervention . The findings from this study should help guide future efforts to design effective intervention programs to support the prevention of pediatric obesity BACKGROUND Discerning the determinants of weight loss maintenance is important in the planning of future interventions and policies regarding overweight and obesity . We have therefore systematic ally synthesized recent literature on determinants of weight loss maintenance for individuals with overweight and obesity . METHODS With the use of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review s and Meta-Analyses statement , prospect i ve studies were identified from search es in PubMed and PsycINFO from 2006 to 2016 . We included articles investigating adults with overweight and obesity undergoing weight loss without surgery or medication .  Included articles were scored on their method ological quality , and a best- evidence synthesis was applied to summarize the results . RESULTS Our search result ed in 8,222 articles of which 67 articles were selected . In total , 124 determinants were identified of which 5 were demographic , 59 were behavioural , 51 were psychological/cognitive and 9 were social and physical environmental determinants . We found consistent evidence that demographic determinants were not predictive of weight loss maintenance . Behavioural and cognitive determinants that promote a reduction in energy intake , an increase in energy expenditure and monitoring of this balance are predictive determinants . CONCLUSION This review identifies key determinants in weight loss maintenance . However , more research regarding cognitive and environmental determinants of weight loss maintenance is needed to advance our knowledge on determinants of weight loss maintenance OBJECTIVES : The objective of this study was to evaluate a 12-session home/community-based health promotion/obesity prevention program ( Challenge ! ) on changes in BMI status , body composition , physical activity , and diet . METHODS : A total of 235 black adolescents ( aged 11–16 years ; 38 % overweight/obese ) were recruited from low-income urban communities . Baseline measures included weight , height , body composition , physical activity ( PA ) , and diet . PA was measured by 7-day play-equivalent physical activity ( ≥1800 activity counts per minute ) . Participants were r and omly assigned to health promotion/obesity prevention that is anchored in social cognitive theory and motivational interviewing and was delivered by college-aged black mentors or to control . Postintervention ( 11 months ) and delayed follow-up ( 24 months ) evaluations were conducted . Longitudinal analyses used multilevel models with r and om intercepts and generalized estimating equations , controlling for baseline age/gender . Stratified analyses examined baseline BMI category . RESULTS : Retention was 76 % over 2 years ; overweight/obese status declined 5 % among intervention adolescents and increased 11 % among control adolescents . Among overweight/obese youth , the intervention reduced total percentage of body fat and fat mass and increased fat-free mass at delayed follow-up and increased play-equivalent physical activity at postintervention but not at delayed follow-up . Intervention adolescents declined significantly more in snack/dessert consumption than control adolescents at both follow-up evaluations . CONCLUSIONS : At postintervention , there were intervention effects on diet and PA but not BMI category or body composition . At delayed follow-up , dietary changes were sustained and the intervention prevented an increase in BMI category . Body composition was improved for overweight/obese youth . Changes in body composition follow changes in diet and PA and may not be detected immediately after intervention BACKGROUND Physical inactivity and obesity are major public health problems . Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an individual counseling intervention at the workplace on physical activity fitness and health . Counseling content derived from the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise and Nutrition ( PACE ) program . METHODS A total of 299 employees of three municipal services in the Dutch town of Enschede were r and omly allocated into intervention ( n = 131 ) and control group ( n = 168 ) . Over a 9-month period , intervention group subjects were offered seven counseling sessions . Counseling was based on the individual 's stage of behavioral change using PACE physical activity and nutrition protocol s. Subjects in both the intervention and control group received written information about several lifestyle factors . Primary outcome measures were physical activity ( total energy expenditure , during sports activities , during physical activity leisure time other than sports , and meeting the moderate-intensity public health recommendations ) ; cardiorespiratory fitness ; and prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms . Secondary outcome measures were body composition ( body mass index [ BMI ] , and percentage of body fat measured via skinfold thicknesses ) ; blood pressure ; and blood cholesterol . RESULTS There were significant positive effects on total energy expenditure , physical activity during sports , cardiorespiratory fitness , percentage of body fat , and blood cholesterol . No effects were found for the proportion of subjects meeting the public health recommendation of moderate-intensity physical activity , physical activity during leisure time other than sports , prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms , body mass index , and blood pressure . CONCLUSIONS Individual face-to-face counseling at the workplace based on PACE protocol s positively influenced physical activity levels and some components of physical fitness . The implementation of workplace counseling programs for individuals should therefore be promoted Background The aim of these review s is to inform the design and content of interventions to reduce obesity in young children . The behaviors that are associated with obesity/overweight have been studied extensively ; however , the factors associated with these behaviors in young children ( 0 to 6 years ) have not been systematic ally review ed . Over the past few years the focus of obesity prevention has shifted to preschool children because of the high prevalence of obesity at school entry and recognition that habits formed in early life could track into adulthood . In order to develop effective interventions and change behavior , it is important to underst and the factors that are associated with those behaviors . For example , we need to underst and whether it would be more important to target the family , childcare setting s or the wider environment and identify the most effective way of changing these energy balance related behaviors . Methods / Design Quantitative ( intervention and observational ) and qualitative literature on determinants/correlates of fruit and vegetable intake , sugar sweetened beverage and other unhealthy diet intake , and physical activity and sedentary behaviors in young children will be systematic ally identified , mapped and review ed . A common search strategy ( no language or period restrictions ) will be used to identify papers from eight electronic data bases and this will be supplemented by h and - search ing . Next , studies in developed countries that examine the factors associated with these behaviors in children aged 0 to 6 years ( at baseline ) will be screened and mapped descriptively followed by in-depth data extraction , quality assessment and synthesis . Data from quantitative studies will be summarized using either forest plots or harvest plots and narrative synthesis , and qualitative studies using thematic analysis . Qualitative evidence will be integrated with the quantitative evidence , using a parallel synthesis approach , to provide a deeper underst and ing of effective strategies to influence these energy balance related behaviors . Discussion In addition to updating and mapping current research , these review s will be the first to comprehensively synthesize and integrate both the quantitative and qualitative evidence pertaining to determinants/correlates/barriers/facilitators of obesity related behaviors in this young age group ( 0 to 6 years ) with the aim of informing future interventions . Systematic review registration International Prospect i ve Register for Systematic Review s ( PROSPERO ) Registration number : Overweight and obesity have significant implication s during pregnancy and childbirth . The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the effect of physical activity on pregnancy outcomes , the change of  physical activity during pregnancy , and women ’s perception of being physically active during pregnancy , with a particular focus on women who are overweight or obese . Many studies have investigated the beneficial effect of exercise during pregnancy , including reduced risk of gestational diabetes , preeclampsia , and operative birth , in addition to improved cardiovascular function , overall fitness , psychological well-being , and mood stability . Benefits for the infant include reduced risks of prematurity and improved fetal growth , although there is more limited information about longer-term health benefits for both women and infants . The existing literature examining physical activity patterns during pregnancy has generally focused on women of all body mass index categories , consistently indicating a reduction in activity over the course of pregnancy . However , the available literature evaluating physical activity during pregnancy among women who are overweight or obese is more limited and contradictory . A number of studies identified barriers preventing women from being active during pregnancy , including pregnancy symptoms , lack of time , access to child care , and concerns about their safety and that of their unborn baby . Conversely , significant enablers included positive psychological feelings , family influence , and receiving advice from health professionals . Very few studies have provided insights about perceptions of being active during pregnancy in the overweight and obese population . There is a need for a detailed description of physical activity patterns during pregnancy in women who are overweight or obese , and more r and omized trials evaluating exercise interventions for women who are overweight or obese , with a focus on clinical outcomes UNLABELLED Decreased fitness and increased fatness are relevant factors for decreased cardiovascular and bone health in children . One way to increase physical activity and hence fitness and to reduce the risk for overweight might be sports club participation ( SCP ) . PURPOSE To investigate the association of SCP with fatness and fitness in children in general and in those with increased risk for overweight and /or low fitness . METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in a r and om sample of 502 first- and fifth- grade primary school children . Fitness components were determined by 10 motor tests and body fatness by the sum of four skinfolds . SCP was defined as participation of at least once a week . RESULTS Two thirds of all children were participating in a sports club . Girls ' and boys ' participation rate as well as those of overweight children and of children with overweight parents were comparable to their respective normal weight peers . In contrast , children from migrant families ( odds ratio = 0.31 ; 95 % confidence interval = 0.20 - 0.48 ) and from inactive parents ( odds ratio = 0.16 ; 95 % confidence interval = 0.05 - 0.45 ) participated significantly less ( all P < 0.001 ) . SCP was associated with endurance ( 0.53 > beta > 0.37 , all P < 0.05 ) and partly with speed , strength , and coordination ( 0.41 > beta > 0.18 , all P < 0.05 ) . In overweight children and in children from overweight parents and migrant families , this association was not found . There was no association between SCP and fatness in any of the groups . CONCLUSIONS SCP rates were high and were associated with higher levels of most fitness components in children . Participation rates were lower for children of migrant families and children from inactive parents . In addition , the association between SCP and fitness components was not found in overweight children and in children from overweight parents and migrant families The study investigated the effects of a Special Olympics ( SO ) Unified Sport ( UNS ) soccer program on anthropometry , physical fitness and soccer skills of male youth athletes with and without intellectual disabilities ( ID ) who participated in a training group ( TRG ) and in a comparison group ( CG ) without specific training . Youth with ID ( WID ) were r and omly selected out of all the students between the ages 12 and 15 , with a diagnosis of educable mental retardation and no secondary disabilities , who were attending a special education school . Participants without ID ( WoID ) were r and omly selected from a regular secondary school out of the same age groups of male students . All participants were given permission by their parents or guardians to participate in the study . Participants in the TRG included 23 youth WID and 23 youth WoID . Mean ages were = 14.1 ( SD = 1.1 ) and 13.2 ( SD = 0.79 ) respectively . Fifteen WID , and 15 WoID comprised the CG . Mean ages were 14.51 ( SD = 0.81 ) and 13.78 ( SD = 0.49 ) respectively . Prior to and following the program measurements were conducted , and data were collected on students ' anthropometric and fitness components of the Brockport physical fitness test as well as a soccer skill performance based on the SO soccer skill test . Participants in the TRG trained 8 weeks , 1.5h per session , three times per week , in an after-school soccer program . CG did not participate in any sports program outside of the school physical education class . Dependent t tests and effect size calculations revealed that SO athletes and non-disabled partners scored significantly higher with regard to physical fitness and football skills in most variables compared with their CG . This Unified Program was successful in increasing fitness and soccer skill performance of youth WID as well as of those WoID OBJECTIVE To prospect ively examine the effects of a r and omized school-based intervention on nutrition and physical activity knowledge and preferences , anthropometric measures , and fitness in low socioeconomic kindergarten children . STUDY DESIGN A total of 376 children completed a school-year combined dietary-behavioral-physical activity intervention  and were compared with 349 control subjects ( age 3.8 to 6.8 years ) . RESULTS The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the kindergarten children was 27.7 % . Even though the intervention was not associated with between group differences in body mass index changes , it was associated with significantly ( P < .05 ) greater increase in nutrition knowledge and preferences , physical activity knowledge and preferences , and improvement in fitness . There was a greater ( P < .05 ) decrease in the number of overweight children in the intervention group ( -31.9 % ) compared with the controls ( -17.5 % ) . CONCLUSIONS A kindergarten dietary-physical activity intervention applied by the kindergarten teachers , had no effect on body mass index changes between the groups , but improved nutrition and physical activity knowledge and preferences , improved fitness , and decreased the percent of overweight children . This intervention may play an important role in health promotion , prevention and treatment of childhood obesity Background This study assessed the perceived benefits and barriers to exercise participation in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS ) and monitored changes in response to a lifestyle intervention . Methods Forty-three overweight/obese PCOS women ( Age , 30.3(6.2 ) yrs ; BMI , 36.4(5.6 ) kg/m2 ) were r and omised to one of three 20-week lifestyle programs : diet only ( DO , n = 13 ) , diet and aerobic exercise ( DA , n = 11 ) and diet and combined aerobic-resistance exercise ( DC , n = 19 ) . Exercise Benefits /Barriers Scale ( EBBS ) , weight , aerobic fitness , depression and PCOS specific health-related quality of life were measured . Results Barriers score was related to depression ( r = 0.45 , P = 0.002 ) and aerobic fitness ( r = −0.32 , P = 0.04 ) , while benefits score was related to aerobic fitness ( r = 0.41 , P = 0.007 ) . EBBS , benefits and barriers scores improved overtime ( P ≤ 0.001 ) . Benefits subscales psychological outlook and social interaction increased ( P ≤ 0.001 ) and life enhancement and preventative health did not change ( P ≥ 0.3 ) . Physical performance increased only in DA ( P = 0.009 ) . There were no differences between treatments for any of the other subscales ( P ≥ 0.2 ) . Barriers subscales exercise milieu , time expenditure and physical exertion reduced ( P ≤ 0.003 ) and family discouragement did not change ( P = 0.6 ) . Conclusions This study demonstrated that lifestyle modification consisting of an energy-restricted diet with or without exercise training improved the perceived benefits from and barriers to exercise . Trial registration Australian New Zeal and Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12606000198527 , registered 26 May OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a school-based intervention program to reduce overweight and improve fitness in primary school children . METHODS A cluster r and omized controlled design was used over one school year with schools as unit of r and omization . In total 20 schools and 2,622 children aged 6 - 12 years ( grade s 3 - 8 ) from multi-ethnic , low income inner-city neighbourhoods in Rotterdam , Netherl and s , participated . The intervention , named Lekker Fit ! ( Enjoy being fit ! ) was a multi-component intervention based on behavioural and ecological models . Main components of the intervention are the implementation of three physical education ( PE ) sessions a week by a professional PE teacher , additional sport and play activities outside school hours and an educational program . Main primary outcome measures were weight status , body mass index ( BMI ) , waist circumference and fitness ( 20 m shuttle run ) . RESULTS Significant positive intervention effects were found for percentage overweight children ( OR 0.53 ; 95 % CI 0.36 - 0.78 ) , waist circumference ( -1.29 cm ; 95 % CI -2.16 to -0.42 cm ) and 20 m shuttle run ( 0.57 laps ; 95 % CI 0.13 - 1.01 laps ) among pupils of grade s 3 - 5 ( 6 - 9-year olds ) . The prevalence of overweight in grade s 3 - 5 increased by 4.3 % in the control group and by 1.3 % in the intervention group . No significant effects were found for BMI or for grade s 6 - 8 ( 9 - 12-year olds ) . CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence for the effectiveness of the multi-component intervention Lekker Fit ! among pupils of grade s 3 - 5 and adds to the growing body of evidence that school-based programs with a focus on PA are most effective in reducing childhood obesity . [ IS RCT N84383524 ] Background Military service in Finl and is compulsory for all male citizens and annually about 80 % of 19-year-old men enter into the service . The elevated risk for many chronic diseases and loss of function among those who are inactive and unfit can be often detected already in youth . On the other h and , activity-induced injuries among young are true public health issue . The purpose of the present prospect i ve cohort follow-up study was to evaluate predictive associations between acute or overuse injuries and their various intrinsic risk factors . Methods Four successive cohorts of conscripts who formed a representative sample of Finnish young men were followed for 6 months . At the beginning of the service , the risk factors of injuries were measured and recorded and then the acute and overuse injuries treated at the garrison clinic were identified . Predictive associations between injuries and their risk factors were examined by multivariate Cox ’s proportional hazard models . Results Of the 1411 participants , 27 % sustained an acute injury and 51 % suffered from overuse injury . Concerning acute injuries , highest risk for severe injuries were detected among conscripts with low fitness level in both the st and ing long-jump and push-up tests ( hazard rate , HR=5.9 ; 95 % CI : 1.6‒21.3 ) . A history of good degree in school sports was not a protective factor against acute injuries . High waist circumference and , on the other h and , being underweight according to BMI increased the HR for overuse injuries . Brisk leisure time physical activity before military entry was a protective factor against overuse injuries . Poor result in Cooper ’s test was a warning signal of elevated risk of overuse injuries . Conclusion We confirmed previous findings that low level of physical fitness is predictor for musculoskeletal injuries during intensive physical training . The U-shaped relationship between body composition and overuse injuries was noticed indicating that both obesity and underweight are risk factors for overuse injuries . Persons with excellent sports skills according to their earlier degrees in school sports had similar HR for acute injuries than those with poorer degrees . This indicates that school-age sports skills and fitness do not carry far and therefore preventive programmes are needed to prevent activity-induced injuries OBJECTIVE To examine the association between perceived overweight in adolescents and the development of overweight or obesity later in life . METHODS This paper uses data from a prospect i ve , two-wave cohort study . Participants are 2445 adolescents 11 - 17years of age who reported perceived weight at baseline and also had height and weight measured at baseline and at follow-up six years later sample d from managed care groups in a large metropolitan area . RESULTS Youths who perceived themselves as overweight at baseline were approximately 2.5 times as likely to be overweight or obese six years later compared to youths who perceived themselves as average weight ( OR=2.45 , 95 % CI=1.77 - 3.39 ) , after adjusting for weight status at baseline , demographic characteristics , major depression , physical activity and dieting behaviors . Those who perceived themselves as skinny were less likely to be overweight or obese later ( OR=0.36 , 95 % CI=0.27 - 0.49 ) . CONCLUSIONS Perceived overweight was associated with overweight or obesity later in life . This relationship was not fully explained by extreme weight control behaviors or major depression . Further research is needed to explore the mechanism involved BACKGROUND Professional sports organizations in the United States have notable celebrity status , and several teams have used this " star power " to collaborate with local schools toward the goal of affecting childhood obesity ( e.g. , NFL Play 60 ) . Program effectiveness is unknown owing to the absence of comprehensive evaluations for any of these initiatives . In 2006 , the Memphis Grizzlies , the city 's National Basketball Association ( NBA ) franchise , launched  " Get Fit with the Grizzlies  , " a 6-week , curricular addition focusing on nutrition and physical activity for the 4th and 5th grade s in Memphis City Schools . The health-infused mini-unit was delivered by the physical education teachers during their classes . National and local sponsors whose business objectives matched the " Get Fit " objectives were solicited to fund the program . Here we highlight the program evaluation results from the first year of " Get Fit " and the Journal of School Health article . However , the " Get Fit " program has now taken place in Memphis area schools for 5 years . During the 2010 - 11 school-year , " Get Fit " evolved into a new program called " Healthy Home Court " with Kellogg 's as the primary sponsor . " Healthy Home Court " included the original fitness part of the program and added a breakfast component at high schools where data indicated great need . Kellogg 's sponsored special " carts " with healthy breakfast options ( i.e. , fruit , protein bars ) for students to grab and eat . This program matched their existing program " Food Away from Home . " Research supports the objectives of these programs and has shown that breakfast consumption can have a positive impact on academic achievement , behavior in school , and overall health status . METHOD Survey research employed over the first 4 years measured health knowledge acquisition and health behavior change using a matched pre/post test design ( n=2210 ) in r and omly chosen schools ( n=18 ) from all elementary schools in the Memphis area .  McNemar 's test for significance ( < 05 ) was applied to measure correct answers pre and post . Also , breakfast attendance numbers were observed for intervention high schools and compared with breakfast attendance numbers from control high schools . RESULTS Analyses confirmed that , from the first year through this past one ( 2010 - 11 ) , there was significant health knowledge acquisition and health behavior improvement at post-intervention . Breakfast numbers matched these findings . Also , exit polling that took place at one intervention high school indicated the students attending the breakfast assembly gained knowledge and positively changed attitudes regarding the academic and health benefits of eating a healthy breakfast . CONCLUSIONS This community-school-home initiative using a professional team 's celebrity platform is largely overlooked by school districts and should be considered as an effective way to confront childhood obesity OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility , acceptability , and efficacy of an after-school team sports program for reducing weight gain in low-income overweight children . DESIGN Six-month , 2-arm , parallel-group , pilot r and omized controlled trial . SETTING Low-income , racial/ethnic minority community . PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one children in grade s 4 and 5 with a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile . INTERVENTIONS The treatment intervention consisted of an after-school soccer program . The " active placebo " control intervention consisted of an after-school health education program . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Implementation , acceptability , body mass index , physical activity measured using accelerometers , reported television and other screen time , self-esteem , depressive symptoms , and weight concerns . RESULTS All 21 children completed the study . Compared with children receiving health education , children in the soccer group had significant decreases in body mass index z scores at 3 and 6 months and significant increases in total daily , moderate , and vigorous physical activity at 3 months . CONCLUSION An after-school team soccer program for overweight children can be a feasible , acceptable , and efficacious intervention for weight control Background The prevalence of both overweight and musculoskeletal disorders ( MSD ) in the construction industry is high . Many interventions in the occupational setting aim at the prevention and reduction of these health problems , but it is still unclear how these programmes should be design ed . To determine the effectiveness of interventions on these health outcomes r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) are needed . The aim of this study is to systematic ally develop a tailored intervention for prevention and reduction of overweight and MSD among construction workers and to describe the evaluation study regarding its (cost-)effectiveness . Methods / Design The Intervention Mapping ( IM ) protocol was applied to develop and implement a tailored programme aim ed at the prevention and reduction of overweight and MSD . The ( cost- ) effectiveness of the intervention programme will be evaluated using an RCT . Furthermore , a process evaluation will be conducted . The research population will consist of blue collar workers of a large construction company in the Netherl and s . InterventionThe intervention programme will be aim ed at improving ( vigorous ) physical activity levels and healthy dietary behaviour and will consist of tailored information , face-to-face and telephone counselling , training instruction ( a fitness " card " to be used for exercises ) , and material s design ed for the intervention ( overview of the company health promoting facilities , waist circumference measuring tape , pedometer , BMI card , calorie guide , recipes , and knowledge test).Main study parameters/endpointsThe intervention effect on body weight and waist circumference ( primary outcome measures ) , as well as on lifestyle behaviour , MSD , fitness , CVD risk indicators , and work-related outcomes ( i.e. productivity , sick leave ) ( secondary outcome measures ) will be assessed . Discussion The development of the VIP in construction intervention led to a health programme tailored to the needs of construction workers . This programme , if proven effective , can be directly implemented . Trial registration Netherl and s Trial Register ( NTR ) :
Group sports improve body composition , cardiorespiratory endurance , and h and grip strength of overweight/obese youth .
Flexibility and neuromotor fitness do not seem to change following group sports
Group sports interventions have been developed to improve health-related physical fitness of overweight/obese youth .
However , its benefits are not systematic ally documented .
This study synthesizes the evidence about the effects of group sports on health-related physical fitness of overweight/obese youth .