Weight-Bearing Physical Activity among Girls and Mothers: Relationships to Girls’ Weight Status

Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity: A systematic review

Increasing the amount of physical activity is an important strategy for weight loss. This systematic review summarizes recent findings on the effects of physical training on anthropometric characteristics, physical performances and physiological capacities in individuals with overweight and obesity. A systematic literature search strategy was conducted from inception until June 2019 using four electronic databases that identified 2,708 records. After screening for titles, abstracts and full texts, 116 studies were included in our final analysis. Both aerobic (e.g., endurance training) and anaerobic training (e.g., high-intensity training, resistance training) improved body composition and physical fitness indicators in adults, adolescents and children with obesity (effect size: 0.08 < d < 2.67, trivial to very large). This systematic review suggests that both low- and high-intensity training significantly reduced body weight and fat mass while increasing fat-free mass in individuals with obesity (effect size: 0.04 Collapse

Key Words

• aerobic
• anaerobic
• exercise
• overweight
• performance

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MESH Headings

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anthropometry
• Child
• Exercise
• Humans
• Obesity/therapy
• Overweight
• Physical Fitness

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Affiliation(s)

Hassane Zouhal Department of Sport Sciences, University of Rennes, M2S (Laboratoire Mouvement, Sport, Santé), Rennes, France
Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, Ksar-Said, Tunisia
Arash Khodamoradi Young Researchers and Elite Club, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
Ayoub Saeidi Department of Physical Education, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran
Ayyappan Jayavel SRM College of Physiotherapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur Chengalpattu (DT), India
Anthony C Hackney Department of Exercise & Sport Science; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
Ismail Laher Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology& Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Amit M Algotar Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona, USA
Georges Jabbour Department of Sport Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

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Relationship between maternal parenting and eating self-efficacy in overweight children when stressed

BACKGROUND

Emotional eating is associated with negative eating habits and obesity. Parents may be able to decrease the risk of emotional eating in children by promoting greater self-efficacy to engage in healthy eating behaviors. Our goal was to determine the relationship between certain parenting behaviors and eating self-efficacy (ESE) to consume healthy foods during times of emotional stress in a population of overweight/obese children.

METHODS

Eighty children (60% female; mean BMI percentile = 98.4%; 79.2% White) completed a survey that assessed their ESE when stressed, feeling down, or bored. Children also reported on mothers' parenting behaviors coded along three factors: acceptance-based parenting (AC), psychological control (PC), and firm control (FC). Correlations and multiple linear regression models were used for analysis.

RESULTS

AC was positively correlated with ESE when stressed. PC and FC were inversely correlated with ESE when feeling down. In the multivariate regression, only FC was significantly inversely associated with ESE when feeling down.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that overweight children who perceive their mothers to exhibit firm control have lower ESE to make healthy choices when feeling sad. These results suggest that pediatric obesity programs should place a stronger focus on decreasing firm control behaviors among parents in order to help children engage in healthier eating behaviors.

Parenting practices as mediators of child physical activity and weight status

Understanding the environmental factors that influence children's physical activity is an important prerequisite before effective physical activity interventions can be developed and implemented. Parenting is one environmental factor that has been empirically shown to positively influence children's physical activity. However, in order to promote physical activity in children, a better understanding of how parents influence children's physical activity behavior is required. Previously, Birch and Davison developed a model depicting parental factors hypothesized to influence child dietary behaviors. We extended this model by identifying parental factors hypothesized to promote physical activity in children. This review focuses on the mediational role that parenting practices and behaviors play in influencing child mediators of physical activity behavior, and, ultimately, weight status. Priorities for future research are discussed.

The relationship between self-efficacy for behaviors that promote healthy weight and clinical indicators of adiposity in a sample of early adolescents

OBJECTIVE

Examine the relationship between self-efficacy and various measures of adiposity in a sample of teens.

METHODS

A total of 132 teens were selected from schools participating in an existing research study titled Teen Eating and Activity Mentoring in Schools (TEAMS). Teens completed demographic questionnaires and healthy eating-specific and physical activity-specific measures of self-efficacy. Waist circumference (WC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and body mass index (BMI) percentile scores were also obtained.

RESULTS

Regression analyses indicated that healthy eating-specific and physical activity-specific measures of self-efficacy predicted WC and TSF. ANOVA revealed significant differences in healthy eating-specific self-efficacy levels between students of recommended weight and overweight/obese status. Supplemental analyses showed significant negative relationships between a student's ideal BMI ratio and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Because self-efficacy may be amenable to change, these findings could inform future efforts aimed at increasing behaviors that promote healthy weight status among early adolescents.

Physical activity and obesity: biomechanical and physiological key concepts

Overweight (OW) and obesity (OB) are often associated with low levels of physical activity. Physical activity is recommended to reduce excess body weight, prevent body weight regain, and decrease the subsequent risks of developing metabolic and orthopedic conditions. However, the impact of OW and OB on motor function and daily living activities must be taken into account. OW and OB are associated with musculoskeletal structure changes, decreased mobility, modification of the gait pattern, and changes in the absolute and relative energy expenditures for a given activity. While changes in the gait pattern have been reported at the ankle, knee, and hip, modifications at the knee level might be the most challenging for articular integrity. This review of the literature combines concepts and aims to provide insights into the prescription of physical activity for this population. Topics covered include the repercussions of OW and OB on biomechanical and physiological responses associated with the musculoskeletal system and daily physical activity. Special attention is given to the effect of OW and OB in youth during postural (standing) and various locomotor (walking, running, and cycling) activities.

Weighing risk: the expert committee's recommendations in practice

In 2005, an expert committee was convened on behalf of the American Medical Association, the Health Resources and Service Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update the previous recommendations on the evaluation and treatment of childhood obesity. Fifteen national health care organizations, which served children, participated in writing these recommendations. This article reviews recommendations on assessment of BMI, nutrition and activity, and obesity-related comorbidities. Principles of obesity prevention and treatment are discussed and high-risk eating and activity behaviors are addressed. Prevention and treatment of obesity are reviewed as set in the context of the Medical Home using the principles of the chronic disease model. The stepwise approach to obesity treatment and prevention is reviewed along with specific evidence-based/informed strategies. The skills needed to implement the recommendations, such as integration of the care team, roles and training, links to the health care system, connection to the community, and the role of the subspecialist, are discussed.

School physical activity interventions: do not forget about obesity bias

Obesity bias is the tendency to negatively judge an overweight or obese individual based on assumed and/or false character traits, such as being physically unattractive, incompetent, lazy and lacking self-discipline. Obesity biases, such as teasing or weight criticism during physical activity (PA), can be psychologically or emotionally damaging for overweight children and adolescents. Ultimately, the effects students experience over time may create a psychological barrier and students can become resistant to schools' health and PA interventions that promote lifestyle changes. Fortunately, the psychological effects of obesity bias are mediated by social buffers and coping mechanisms. Several PA-related researchers have proposed strategic intervention components, but no studies have been completed in PA settings. The purpose of this review was to discuss the nature and different types of obesity bias in PA settings. Major theoretical frameworks of the aetiology and change mechanisms of obesity biases from the psychological literature were reviewed and direct applications for strategic component interventions were made for PA settings. Because of the pervasiveness and entrenchment of obesity bias, it is obvious that multiple theoretical frameworks need to be considered and even combined to create safe and caring school PA environments for students.

The association of objectively determined physical activity behavior among adolescent female friends

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which physical activity among adolescent female friends is interdependent. The participants were 318 adolescent girls with a mean age of 16.0 years (range: 15-18 years). Pedometry was used to assess physical activity over 4 days. The relationship between an individual girl and her first-nominated reciprocal friend's physical activity level was moderate (r = 0.45, 90% confidence interval = 0.31, 0.56), when the friendship was nonreciprocal it was trivial (r = -.06, 90% confidence interval = -.36 .25). Friends'physical activity levels explained between 27% and 32% of an individual's pedometer-determined physical activity level. Reciprocity of friendship is an important variable to consider when understanding the relationship between adolescent female friends' physical activity. When friendships are reciprocal, there is a stronger relationship between friends' physical activity.

Cycling peak power in obese and lean 6- to 8-year-old girls and boys

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible effect of the difference in percentage body fat (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) on cycling peak power (CPP) in 6- to 8-year-old obese and lean untrained girls and boys. Obese (35 girls, 35 boys) and lean (35 girls, 35 boys) children were measured for obesity, %BF, calculated from skinfold measurements. FFM was calculated as body mass (BM) minus body fat. A force–velocity test on a cycle ergometer was used to measure CPP. CPP was related to anthropometric variables using standard and allometric models. CPP in absolute terms was higher in obese children than in lean children irrespective of gender. BM-related CPP was significantly lower in obese children than in lean ones, whereas no effect of obesity appeared on FFM-related CPP. Velocity at CPP (Vopt) was significantly lower and force at CPP (Fopt) was significantly higher in girls than in boys. Muscle power production was unaffected by obesity in children. Low BM-related CPP could explain the difficulty of taking up physical activities that are body-mass related in obese children. Gender difference for Vopt and Fopt shows that girls and boys may have different maturation patterns affecting CPP.

Physical activity correlates in adolescent girls who differ by weight status

OBJECTIVE

This study compared correlates of physical activity (PA) among African-American and white girls of different weight groups to guide future interventions.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Participants were 1015 girls (mean age, 14.6 years; 45% African-American) from 12 high schools in South Carolina who served as control subjects for a school-based intervention. Post-intervention measures obtained at the end of ninth grade were used. PA was measured using the Three-Day PA Recall, and a questionnaire measured social-cognitive and environmental variables thought to mediate PA. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated. Girls were stratified by race and categorized into three groups, based on BMI percentiles for girls from CDC growth charts: normal (BMI < 85th percentile), at risk (BMI, 85th to 94th percentile), and overweight (BMI > or = 95th percentile). Girls were further divided into active and low-active groups, based on a vigorous PA standard (average of one or more 30-minute blocks per day per 3-day period). Mixed-model ANOVA was used to compare factors among groups, treating school as a random effect

RESULTS

None of the social-cognitive or environmental variables differed by weight status for African-American or white girls. Perceived behavioral control and sports team participation were significantly higher in girls who were more active, regardless of weight or race group. In general, social-cognitive variables seem to be more related to activity in white girls, whereas environmental factors seem more related to activity in African-American girls.

DISCUSSION

PA interventions should be tailored to the unique needs of girls based on PA levels and race, rather than on weight status alone.

Social ecological correlates of physical activity in normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals

OBJECTIVE

Research is limited concerning the moderating influence of weight status (ie normal, over, and obese) on the social ecological correlates of physical activity (PA) in adults. Therefore, the present study attempted to shed light on this issue.

DESIGN

In 2001, a national cross-sectional mail out panel survey was conducted over a 3-month period in the United States.

SUBJECTS

There were 1867 normal weight (ie body mass index (BMI)=20-24.99 kg/m2), 2145 overweight (ie BMI=25-29.99 kg/m2), and 1902 obese (ie BMI>30 kg/m2) adults.

MEASURES

Various demographic measurements were taken in addition to social support (SS), self-efficacy (SE), access to facilities, and PA.

RESULTS

Normal weight individuals engaged in significantly more PA than overweight individuals, who in turn engaged in significantly more PA than obese individuals F(2,5991)=55.51, P<0.01. Further regression analyses showed that higher SE, SS, the access to facilities in a neighborhood, and various interactions among these constructs were significantly and positively associated with PA. Interestingly, the strength of these relationships varied depending on weight status.

CONCLUSION

Weight status needs to be taken into consideration when examining social ecological correlates of PA.