Early cardiac dysfunction in obese adolescents with Down syndrome or autism.

BACKGROUND: Obesity in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities) occurs at twice the frequency as their typically developing peers. Typically developing adolescents with obesity have abnormal cardiac function (as measured by strain echocardiography) and cardiac mass, but the effects of obesity on cardiac health in adolescents with Down syndrome or autism spectrum disorder are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of body mass index on cardiac function in adolescents with Down syndrome or autism. METHODS: Adolescents (age 12-21 years) with Down syndrome (n = 28), autism (n = 33), and age-/sex-matched typically developing controls (n = 15) received an echocardiogram optimised for strain analysis at a single timepoint. Measures of ventricular function, mass, and size were collected. Regression modelling evaluated the impact of body mass index and intellectual and developmental disabilities diagnosis on these cardiac measures. RESULTS: In regression modelling, an elevated body mass index z-score was associated with diminished systolic biventricular function by global strain (left ventricular longitudinal strain ß 0.87, P < 0.001; left ventricular circumferential strain ß 0.57, p 0.003; right ventricular longitudinal strain ß 0.63, P < 0.001). Diminished left ventricular diastolic function by early diastolic strain rate was also associated with elevated body mass index (global longitudinal end-diastolic strain rate ß -0.7, P < 0.001). No association was found between traditional (non-strain) measures of systolic and diastolic ventricular function and body mass index z-score. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in adolescents with Down syndrome or autism negatively impacts cardiac function as measured by echocardiographic strain analysis that was not detected by traditional parameters.

Interviews with parents of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a weight management study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at risk of obesity. Parents influence their diet and physical activity behaviours and therefore, can play important roles in weight management. The aims of this qualitative study were to explore parents' experiences assisting their son or daughter to participate in a weight management study. METHODS: Interviews were completed at 6 months with 27 parents whose adolescent or young adult had completed the weight loss portion of an 18-month weight management study. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis performed. RESULTS: Parents shared insights about how well program components worked with their family, and what strategies worked best to adopt healthier dietary choices and become more physically active. The importance of meeting regularly with someone outside the family to encourage healthier habits was stressed. CONCLUSIONS: Future weight management studies should involve parents and their adolescents to help tailor strategies and adapt intervention approaches.

Technical report: an online international weight control registry to inform precision approaches to healthy weight management.

BACKGROUND: Personalizing approaches to prevention and treatment of obesity will be a crucial aspect of precision health initiatives. However, in considering individual susceptibility to obesity, much remains to be learned about how to support healthy weight management in different population subgroups, environments and geographical locations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The International Weight Control Registry (IWCR) has been launched to facilitate a deeper and broader understanding of the spectrum of factors contributing to success and challenges in weight loss and weight loss maintenance in individuals and across population groups. The IWCR registry aims to recruit, enroll and follow a diverse cohort of adults with varying rates of success in weight management. Data collection methods include questionnaires of demographic variables, weight history, and behavioral, cultural, economic, psychological, and environmental domains. A subset of participants will provide objective measures of physical activity, weight, and body composition along with detailed reports of dietary intake. Lastly, participants will be able to provide qualitative information in an unstructured format on additional topics they feel are relevant, and environmental data will be obtained from public sources based on participant zip code. CONCLUSIONS: The IWCR will be a resource for researchers to inform improvements in interventions for weight loss and weight loss maintenance in different countries, and to examine environmental and policy-level factors that affect weight management in different population groups. This large scale, multi-level approach aims to inform efforts to reduce the prevalence of obesity worldwide and its associated comorbidities and economic impacts. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04907396 (clinicaltrials.gov) sponsor SB Roberts; Tufts University IRB #13075.

The impact of exercise and cumulative physical activity on energy intake and diet quality in adults enrolled in the Midwest Exercise Trial for the Prevention of Weight Regain.

The purpose of this study was to assess impact of different volumes of exercise as well as cumulative moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on energy intake (EI) and diet quality, as assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2010(HEI-2010), across a 12-month weight maintenance intervention. Participants were asked to attend group behavioural sessions, eat a diet designed for weight maintenance and exercise either 150, 225 or 300 min/week. Dietary intake was assessed by 3-d food records, and MVPA was assessed by accelerometry. Two hundred and twenty-four participants (42·5 years of age, 82 % female) provided valid dietary data for at least one time point. There was no evidence of group differences in EI, total HEI-2010 score or any of the HEI-2010 component scores (all P > 0·05). After adjusting for age, sex, time, group and group-by-time interactions, there was an effect of cumulative MVPA on EI (1·08, P = 0·04), total HEI-2010 scores (-0·02, P = 0·003), Na (-0·006, P = 0·002) and empty energy scores (-0·007, P = 0·004. There was evidence of a small relationship between cumulative daily EI and weight (ß: 0·00187, 95 % CI 0·001, P = 0·003). However, there was no evidence for a relationship between HEI total score (ß: -0·006, 95 % CI 0·07, 0·06) or component scores (all P > 0·05) and change in weight across time. The results of this study suggest that increased cumulative MVPA is associated with clinically insignificant increases in EI and decreases in HEI.

The effects of exercise session timing on weight loss and components of energy balance: midwest exercise trial 2.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Circadian physiology has been linked to body weight regulation and obesity. To date, few studies have assessed the association between exercise timing and weight related outcomes. The aim of this secondary analysis was to explore the impact of exercise timing (i.e., 24 h clock time of exercise session) on weight loss and components of energy balance. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Overweight/obese (BMI 25.0-39.9 kg/m2), physically inactive, young adults (~51% female) completed a 10-month supervised exercise program (400 or 600 kcal/session for 5 days/week) or served as non-exercise controls (CON). Participants were categorized based on the time of day in which they completed exercise sessions (Early-Ex: >50% of sessions completed between 7:00 and 11:59 am; (n = 21), Late-Ex: >50% of sessions completed between 3:00 and 7:00 pm; (n = 25), Sporadic-Ex: <50% of sessions completed in any time category; (n = 24), and CON; (n = 18)). Body weight, energy intake (EI; digital photography), and non-exercise physical activity (NEPA; accelerometer) were assessed at baseline, 3.5, 7, and 10 months. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE; doubly labeled water), was assessed at baseline and 10 months. RESULTS: At month 10, weight loss was significantly greater in both Early-EX (-7.2 ± 1.2%; p < 0.001) and Sporadic-EX (- 5.5 ± 1.2%; p = 0.01) vs CON (+0.5 ± 1.0%), and Early-EX vs Late-EX (-2.1 ± 1.0%; p < 0.001). There were no between group differences for change in TDEE, EI, and non-exercise energy expenditure (P > 0.05). A significant group × time interaction (p = 0.02) was observed for NEPA (counts/min), however, after adjusting for multiple comparisons, group effects were no longer significant. CONCLUSIONS: Despite minimal differences in components of energy balance, Early-EX lost significantly more weight compared with Late-Ex. Although the mechanisms are unclear, the timing of exercise may be important for body weight regulation.

The Feasibility of Remotely Delivered Exercise Session in Adults With Alzheimer's Disease and Their Caregivers.

Adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their caregivers represent a segment of the population with low levels of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and limited options for increasing MPA. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a group video conference approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers. Adults with AD and their caregivers attended 30-min group exercise sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. Exercise sessions and support sessions were delivered in their homes on a tablet computer over video conferencing software. Nine adults with AD/caregiver dyads enrolled, and seven completed the 12-week intervention. Adults with AD attended 77.3% of the group exercise sessions, and caregivers attended 79.2% of group exercise sessions. Weekly MPA increased in both adults with AD (49%) and caregivers (30%). Exercise delivered by group video conferencing is a feasible and potentially effective approach for increasing MPA in adults with AD and their caregivers.

Weight management in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A randomized controlled trial of two dietary approaches.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) is equal to or greater than the general population. METHODS: Overweight/obese adults (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ) with mild-to-moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities were randomized to an enhanced stop light diet (eSLD = SLD + portion-controlled meals, n = 78) or a conventional diet (CD, n = 72) for an 18 months trial (6 months weight loss, 12 months maintenance). Participants were asked to increase physical activity (150 min/week), self-monitor diet and physical activity and attend counselling/educational sessions during monthly home visits. RESULTS: Weight loss (6 months) was significantly greater in the eSLD (-7.0% ± 5.0%) compared with the CD group (-3.8% ± 5.1%, p < .001). However, at 18 months, weight loss between groups did not differ significantly (eSLD = -6.7% ± 8.3%; CD = 6.4% ± 8.6%; p = .82). CONCLUSION: The eSLD and CD provided clinically meaningful weight loss over 18 months in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum: Results from a 3-year cluster-randomized trial.

We compared changes in academic achievement across 3years between children in elementary schools receiving the Academic Achievement and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum intervention (A+PAAC), in which classroom teachers were trained to deliver academic lessons using moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to a non-intervention control. Elementary schools in eastern Kansas (n=17) were cluster randomized to A+PAAC (N=9, target ≥100min/week) or control (N=8). Academic achievement (math, reading, spelling) was assessed using the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition (WIAT-III) in a sample of children (A+PAAC=316, Control=268) in grades 2 and 3 at baseline (Fall 2011) and repeated each spring across 3years. On average 55min/week of A+PACC lessons were delivered each week across the intervention. Baseline WIAT-III scores (math, reading, spelling) were significantly higher in students in A+PAAC compared with control schools and improved in both groups across 3years. However, linear mixed modeling, accounting for baseline between group differences in WIAT-III scores, ethnicity, family income, and cardiovascular fitness, found no significant impact of A+PAAC on any of the academic achievement outcomes as determined by non-significant group by time interactions. A+PAAC neither diminished or improved academic achievement across 3-years in elementary school children compared with controls. Our target of 100min/week of active lessons was not achieved; however, students attending A+PAAC schools received an additional 55min/week of MVPA which may be associated with both physical and mental health benefits, without a reduction in time devoted to academic instruction.

Autoregulation in paediatric TBI-current evidence and implications for treatment.

BACKGROUND: Children who survive acute traumatic brain injury are at risk of death from subsequent brain swelling and secondary injury. Strict physiologic management in the ICU after traumatic brain injury is believed to be key to survival, and cerebral perfusion pressure is a prominent aspect of post brain injury care. However, optimal cerebral perfusion pressure targets for children are not known. Autoregulation monitoring has been used to delineate individualized optimal perfusion pressures for patients with traumatic brain injury. The methods to do so are diverse, confusing, and not universally validated. METHODS: In this manuscript, we discuss the history of autoregulation monitoring, outline and categorize the methods used to measure autoregulation, and review the available validation data for methods used to monitor autoregulation. CONCLUSIONS: Impaired autoregulation after traumatic brain injury is associated with a poor prognosis. Observational data suggests that optimal neurologic outcome and survival are associated with optimal perfusion pressure defined by autoregulation monitoring. No randomized, controlled, interventional data is available to assess autoregulation monitoring after pediatric traumatic brain injury.

Breakfast Intake and Composition Is Associated with Superior Academic Achievement in Elementary Schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether breakfast consumption or content affects academic achievement measured by standardized tests. METHODS: Baseline data were collected in fall of 2011 from 698 students (50.5% female, age = 7.5 ± 0.6 years) living in the state of Kansas. Academic achievement was assessed using 3 components from the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-III). Prior to taking the WIAT-III, participants completed a breakfast recall of all foods and drinks consumed that morning, which was analyzed using Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R). WIAT-III scores were compared between breakfast and non-breakfast consumers in a sample (n = 162) matched for age, sex, race, education level of both parents, household income, body mass index (BMI), and cardiovascular fitness, and Pearson correlations were calculated from all breakfast eaters (n = 617) between test performance and components of the breakfast. RESULTS: When compared to non-breakfast consumers, the breakfast consumers had significantly higher scores in all 3 WIAT-III components (all p < 0.05). In breakfast consumers, servings of fruit juice were negatively correlated with reading comprehension and fluency standard score and mathematics standard score (both p < 0.0001), and greater servings of whole grains were significantly related to higher scores in reading comprehension and fluency and mathematics (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both breakfast consumption and the content may be associated with improved standardized test performance in elementary school students.

Longitudinal Weight Loss Patterns and their Behavioral and Demographic Associations.

BACKGROUND: Identification of weight change patterns may allow tailored interventions to improve long-term weight loss. PURPOSE: To identify patterns of weight change over 18 months, and assess participant characteristics and intervention adherence factors associated with weight change patterns in a sample of 359 overweight/obese adults. METHODS: Weight loss (0-6 months) was achieved with reduced energy intake and increased physical activity (PA). Maintenance (7-18 months) provided adequate energy to maintain weight and continued PA. RESULTS: Latent profile analysis identified three weight change profiles. During weight loss/maintenance, participants in profiles 2 and 3 (18-month weight loss ∼14 %) attended more behavioral sessions and performed more PA compared with profile 1 (18-month weight loss <1 %). Self-efficacy for both weight management and exercise barriers were higher in profiles 2 and 3 compared with profile 1 following weight loss and during maintenance. CONCLUSION: Weight change patterns can be identified and are associated with both participant characteristics and intervention adherence.

Length of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity bouts and cardio-metabolic risk factors in elementary school children.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in bouts of 10 min is associated with improved cardio-metabolic risk factors (CMRF) in adults. PURPOSE: To assess the association between the lengths of MVPA bouts and CMRF in elementary school age children. METHODS: The sample included 396, 2nd and 3rd grade students from eastern Kansas (182 boys, 214 girls; age 7.6 ± 0.6 years; Body Mass Index Percentile [BMI%ile]: 61.6 ± 9.3) in the fall of 2011. Analyses were conducted in 2014. MVPA bouts were defined as sporadic (<5 min), short (5-<10 min) or medium-to-long (≥10 min). Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups (classes) based on the composition of MVPA bouts. Bayesian probability-based Wald chi-square test was used to compare CMRF between classes controlling for age, sex, BMI%ile, and total moderate and total vigorous PA. RESULTS: Three classes of accumulated physical activity were identified: A (n=78); 97% sporadic 2%, short, 1% medium-to-long bouts; B (n=174); 93% sporadic, 5% short, 2% medium-to-long; C (n=144); and 86% sporadic, 9% short, 5% medium-to-long bouts. Class C had significantly lower BMI%ile (57.3 ± 2.3 (SE)), waist circumference (WC; 55.8 ± 0.5 cm) compared with Class A (BMI%ile=70.9±0.5, p<0.01.030, WC=61.0 ± 1.0 cm, p=0.<0.01). Class B had significantly lower WC (56.6 ± 0.6 cm), p<0.01 than Class A. No significant differences between classes were shown in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Children who accumulated MVPA with a higher percentage of short (5-<10 min) and medium-to-long bouts (≥10min) had lower BMI%ile, and WC compared with children who accumulated MVPA with a lower percentage short and medium-to-long bouts.

Feasibility of the flipped classroom approach for health education in a clinical weight loss program.

Aim: To assess the feasibility of the flipped classroom pedagogy in a clinical weight loss program and its impact on 6-month weight change. Methods: Adults with overweight/obesity enrolled in a 6-month program with a structured diet (portion-controlled meals and fruits/vegetables) and exercise plan (≥150mins/week), plus weekly, 1-h group education sessions. Sessions used a flipped classroom approach: educational content was delivered beforehand via podcast/video and book readings and session time involved application-based activities (e.g., case studies, games). Satisfaction surveys were completed at 3 months. Weight change was assessed using paired t-tests (SAS 9.4, significance 0.05). Results: Eighteen participants completed 6 months (retention 94%). Participants maintained diet adherence and exercise at 3 months (∼84% diet adherence, ∼153mins exercise/week) and 6 months (∼83% diet adherence, ∼158mins exercise/week), as well as attendance to behavioral sessions (3 months: 77%; 6mo: 71%). Satisfaction surveys showed high program enjoyment (∼8.1/10). Mean weight change at 3 and 6 months was -6.5 ± 4.2% and - 9.3 ± 5.0% (both p < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion: The flipped classroom pedagogy was feasible for delivery in a clinical weight loss program and supported significant 6-month weight loss. Innovation: This is the first evaluation of the flipped classroom in a clinical setting and supports the investigation of this pedagogy in weight management.

Diet Quality of Midwest Adolescents and Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities and Overweight/Obesity Differs by Diagnosis but Not by Weight Category.

BACKGROUND: Poor diet may contribute to high rates of overweight/obesity (OW/OB) in adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities (IDs). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine diet quality as assessed by Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) scores in adolescents and young adults with IDs and OW/OB and to compare diet quality by ID diagnosis and weight. DESIGN: Three-day image-assisted food records from baseline assessments in an 18-month weight-loss trial for adolescents and young adults with IDs and OW/OB were used to calculate HEI-2015 scores, which were compared between ID diagnoses and weight categories. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: A total of 102 adolescents and young adults (aged 13 to 21 years) with IDs (48 with Down syndrome [DS], 40 with autism, and 14 with other/unspecified IDs) and OW/OB at a Midwestern academic medical center completed valid food records from November 2015 to November 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcome measures included HEI-2015 scores, energy intake (kcal/d), macronutrient intake as percentage of energy, energy intake per kilogram body weight, and grams protein per kilogram body weight. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Differences in HEI-2015 scores and additional dietary measures by weight category and ID diagnosis were examined with analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS: Participants with DS had a significantly higher mean ± SD HEI-2015 score (53.9 ± 8.4) compared with participants with autism (49.1 ± 9.6; P = .047). Compared with those with autism, participants with DS had a higher percentage of energy from protein, higher energy intake per kilogram body weight, and higher grams of protein intake per kilogram body weight. For HEI-2015 components, participants with DS had higher scores than participants with autism for total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, greens and beans, and total protein foods, but lower scores for sodium. Diet quality was not observed to differ by weight classification. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents and young adults with autism had lower overall diet quality scores compared with those with DS. Diet quality was not found to be related to OW/OB. Understanding dietary differences by ID diagnosis may inform intervention strategies.

Weight management in rural health clinics: Results from the randomized midwest diet and exercise trial.

Introduction: Rural living adults have higher rates of obesity compared with their urban counterparts and less access to weight management programs. Previous research studies have demonstrated clinically relevant weight loss in rural living adults who complete weight management programs delivered by university affiliated interventionists. However, this approach limits the potential reach, adoption, implementation, and maintenance of weight management programs for rural residents. Weight management delivered through rural health clinics by non-physician clinic associated staff, for example, nurses, registered dieticians, allied health professionals, etc. has the potential to improve access to weight management for rural living adults. This trial compared the effectiveness of a 6-month multicomponent weight management intervention for rural living adults delivered using group phone calls (GP), individual phone calls (IP) or an enhanced usual care control (EUC) by rural clinic associated staff trained by our research team. Methods: Rural living adults with overweight/obesity (n = 187, age âˆ¼ 50 years 82% female, body mass index ∼35 kg/m2) were randomized (2:2:1) to 1 of 3 intervention arms: GP, which included weekly âˆ¼ 45 min sessions with 7-14 participants (n = 71), IP, which included weekly âˆ¼ 15 min individual sessions (n = 80), or EUC, which included one-45 min in-person session at baseline. Results: Weight loss at 6 months was clinically relevant, that is, ≥5% in the GP (-11.4 kg, 11.7%) and the IP arms (-9.1 kg, 9.2%) but not in the EUC arm (-2.6%, -2.5% kg). Specifically, 6 month weight loss was significantly greater in the IP versus EUC arms (-6.5 kg. p ≤ 0.025) but did not differ between the GP and IP arms (-2.4 kg, p > 0.025). The per participant cost per kg. weight loss for implementing the intervention was $93 and $60 for the IP and GP arms, respectively. Conclusions: Weight management delivered by interventionists associated with rural health clinics using both group and IP calls results in clinically relevant 6 months weight loss in rural dwelling adults with overweight/obesity with the group format offering the most cost-effective strategy. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02932748).

An Individual vs Parent Supported Physical Activity Intervention in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities.

INTRODUCTION: Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is inadequate in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This report describes the results of an 18-mo. clinical trial in adolescents with IDD which compared changes in accelerometer assessed daily MVPA, gross motor quotient and leg press strength between participants randomized to an exercise intervention delivered to adolescents only (AO) or to the adolescent and a parent (A + P). METHODS: The 18-mo. trial included a 6-mo. active intervention, 6-mo. maintenance interventions, and a 6-mo. no-contact follow-up. Adolescents in both arms were asked to attend 40 min. remotely delivered group video exercise sessions (0-6 mos. =3 sessions·wk-1., 7-12 mos. =1 session·wk-1). In the A + P arm, one parent/guardian was asked to attend all group remote video exercise sessions and a monthly remotely delivered 30-min. educations/support session with their adolescent across the 12-mo. intervention. RESULTS: Adolescents (n = 116) with IDD (age ~ 16 yrs., 52% female) were randomized to the AO (n = 59) or A + P (n = 57) arms. Mixed modeling, controlling for baseline MVPA and season, indicated minimal but statistically significant changes in MVPA across 6 (p = 0.006), 12 (p < 0.001), and 18 mos. (p < 0.001). However, the change in MVPA in the two intervention arms did not differ significantly at any time point (all p > 0.05). Similarly, gross motor quotient and leg press strength improved significantly over time (p < 0.001) and these changes did not differ between intervention arms (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Parental involvement had no impact on changes in daily MVPA, gross motor quotient or leg press strength in response to a remotely delivered exercise intervention in adolescents with IDD.

Favorable modulation of benign breast tissue and serum risk biomarkers is associated with > 10 % weight loss in postmenopausal women.

We conducted a phase II feasibility study of a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention in postmenopausal overweight and obese women at increased risk for breast cancer and the effects of weight loss on anthropomorphic, blood, and benign breast tissue biomarkers. 67 women were screened by random peri-areolar fine-needle aspiration, 27 were registered and 24 participated in the interventional phase. The 24 biomarker evaluable women had a median baseline BMI of 34.2 kg/m(2) and lost a median of 11 % of their initial weight. Significant tissue biomarker modulation after the 6-month intervention was noted for Ki-67 (if restricted to the 15 women with any Ki-67 at baseline, p = 0.041), adiponectin to leptin ratio (p = 0.003); and cyclin B1 (p = 0.001), phosphorylated retinoblastoma (p = 0.005), and ribosomal S6 (p = 0.004) proteins. Favorable modulation for serum markers was observed for sex hormone-binding globulin (p < 0.001), bioavailable estradiol (p < 0.001), bioavailable testosterone (p = 0.033), insulin (p = 0.018), adiponectin (p = 0.001), leptin (p < 0.001), the adiponectin to leptin ratio (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (p = 0.002), and hepatocyte growth factor (p = 0.011). When subdivided by <10 or >10 % weight loss, change in percent total body and android (visceral) fat, physical activity, and the majority of the serum and tissue biomarkers were significantly modulated only for women with >10 % weight loss from baseline. Some factors such as serum PAI-1 and breast tissue pS2 (estrogen-inducible gene) mRNA were not significantly modulated overall but were when considering only those with >10 % weight loss. In conclusion, a median weight loss of 11 % over 6 months resulted in favorable modulation of a number of anthropomorphic, breast tissue and serum risk and mechanistic markers. Weight loss of 10 % or more should likely be the goal for breast cancer risk reduction studies in obese women.

Physical activity and academic achievement across the curriculum (A + PAAC): rationale and design of a 3-year, cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Improving academic achievement and reducing the rates of obesity in elementary school students are both of considerable interest. Increased physical activity during academic instruction time during school offers a potential intervention to address both issues. A program titled "Physical Activity Across the Curriculum" (PAAC) was developed in which classroom teachers in 22 elementary schools were trained to deliver academic instruction using physical activity with a primary aim of preventing increased BMI. A secondary analysis of data assessed the impact of PAAC on academic achievement using the Weschler Individual Achievement Test-II and significant improvements were shown for reading, math and spelling in students who participated in PAAC. Based on the results from PAAC, an adequately powered trial will be conducted to assess differences in academic achievement between intervention and control schools called, "Academic Achievement and Physical Activity Across the Curriculum (A + PAAC)." METHODS/DESIGN: Seventeen elementary schools were cluster randomized to A + PAAC or control for a 3-year trial. Classroom teachers were trained to deliver academic instruction through moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with a target of 100+ minutes of A + PAAC activities per week. The primary outcome measure is academic achievement measured by the Weschler Individual Achievement Test-III, which was administered at baseline (Fall 2011) and will be repeated in the spring of each year by assessors blinded to condition. Potential mediators of any association between A + PAAC and academic achievement will be examined on the same schedule and include changes in cognitive function, cardiovascular fitness, daily physical activity, BMI, and attention-to-task. An extensive process analysis will be conducted to document the fidelity of the intervention. School and student recruitment/randomization, teacher training, and baseline testing for A + PAAC have been completed. Nine schools were randomized to the intervention and 8 to control. A random sample of students in each school, stratified by gender and grade (A + PAAC = 370, Control = 317), was selected for outcome assessments from those who provided parental consent/child assent. Baseline data by intervention group are presented. DISCUSSION: If successful, the A + PAAC approach could be easily and inexpensively scaled and disseminated across elementary schools to improve both educational quality and health. FUNDING SOURCE: R01- DK85317. TRIAL REGISTRATION: US NIH Clinical Trials, http://NCT01699295.

A 6-month trial of resistance training with milk supplementation in adolescents: effects on body composition.

Fluid milk consumed in conjunction with resistance training (RT) provides additional protein and calcium, which may enhance the effect of RT on body composition. However, the literature on this topic is inconsistent with limited data in adolescents. Therefore, we examined the effects of a supervised RT program (6 mo, 3 d/ wk, 7 exercises, 40-85% 1-repetition maximum) with daily milk supplementation (24 oz/day, one 16-oz dose immediately post-RT) on weight, fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) assessed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (baseline, 3 mo, 6 mo) in a sample of middle-school students who were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 supplement groups: milk, isocaloric carbohydrate (100% fruit juice), or water (control). Thirty-nine boys and 69 girls (mean age = 13.6 yr, mean BMI percentile = 85th) completed the study: milk n = 36, juice n = 34, water n = 38. The results showed no significant differences between groups for change in body weight (milk = 3.4 ± 3.7 kg, juice = 4.2 ± 3.1 kg, water = 2.3 ±2.9 kg), FM (milk = 1.1 ±2.8 kg, juice = 1.6 ± 2.5 kg, water = 0.4 ±3.6 kg), or FFM (milk = 2.2 ± 1.9 kg, juice = 2.7 ± 1.9 kg, water = 1.7 ± 2.9 kg) over 6 mo. FFM accounted for a high proportion of the increased weight (milk = 62%, juice = 64%, water = 74%). These results from a sample of predominantly overweight adolescents do not support the hypothesis that RT with milk supplementation enhances changes in body composition compared with RT alone.

Pre-post intervention exploring cognitive function and relationships with weight loss, intervention adherence and dropout.

Objective: To evaluate the association between baseline cognitive function, intervention dropout, adherence and 3-month weight loss (WL) when controlling for confounding demographic variables. Methods: 107 (Mage = 40.9 yrs.), BMI in the overweight and obese range (BMI = 35.6 kg/m2), men (N = 17) and women (N = 90) completed a 3-month WL intervention. Participants attended weekly behavioral sessions, comply with a reduced calorie diet, and complete 100 min of physical activity (PA)/wk. Cognitive function tasks at baseline included Flanker (attention), Stroop (executive control) and working memory, demographics, body weight and cardiovascular fitness were assessed at baseline. Session attendance, adherence to PA and diet were recorded weekly. Results: Baseline attention was positively correlated with age (p < .05), education (p < .05), attendance (p < .05), diet (p < .05) and PA (p < .05). Baseline executive control (p < .05) and working memory (p < .05) were each associated with % WL. Baseline executive control (p < .01) and working memory (p < .001) were also each associated with education. ANOVA indicated that baseline attention (p < .01) was associated with WL, specifically for comparing those who achieved 5-10% WL (p < .01) and those who achieved greater than 10% WL (p < .01) to those who dropped. Significance: Results suggest that stronger baseline attention is associated with completion of a 3-mo. WL intervention. Executive control and working memory are associated with amount of WL achieved. NCT registration: US NIH Clinical Trials, NCT01664715.