Reactions to ideal body shapes.

Difficult-to-attain beauty standards that are promulgated by the media could contribute to body dissatisfaction, but their potential impact upon body image remains unclear. The present study examined reactions to thin-ideal and muscular-ideal images, and examined the effects of ideal image exposure on preferred body shape and time spent deliberating about ideal shape. In a 2 × 2 experimental design, 200 Internet users completed the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10) and were randomly assigned to view idealistic body images or houses (and rated them on semantic differential dimensions). Females viewed thin ideal images and males viewed muscular ideal images, while the control groups viewed images of houses. Between group measures analysis of variance revealed women reacted negatively to thinspirational images. Women were more driven for thinness and idealized a thinner shape for the female body than men. Psychologically distressed participants had a stronger drive for thinness and greater body dissatisfaction compared to low-distress participants. In addition, although beauty ideal imagery had no significant impact on males, females spent more time in choosing ideal body figure. Viewing thin bodies for females created a trend toward desiring a slimmer figure, as well as increased preoccupation with size as they spent more time deliberating over a photorealistic figure rating scale. Therefore, exposure to thinspiration promotes dissatisfaction with self and leads women to dwell more upon their body image.

Heart rate variability in middle-aged adults: Use of Sasang typology to distinguish individuals susceptible to stress.

While stress is known to cause many diseases, there is no established method to determine individuals vulnerable to stress. Sasang typology categorizes humans into four Sasang types (So-Eum, Tae-Eum, So-Yang, and Tae-Yang), which have unique pathophysiologies because of their differential susceptibilities to specific stimuli, including stress. The purpose of this study was to determine if Sasang typology can be used identify individuals who are vulnerable to stress by evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV).This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 399 healthy men and women aged 30 to 49 years were recruited. Physical examinations for stress included HRV measurement and blood tests. The subjects also completed questionnaires about psychological stress, self-awareness, and lifestyle. HRV was analyzed using frequency-domain analysis. Subjects were divided into So-Eum (SE) and non-So-Eum (non-SE) groups according to their diagnosis.The weight and body mass index in the SE group were significantly lower than those in the non-SE group (both, P = .000). There were no significant between-group differences in any other demographic variables. In HRV analysis, the normalized high frequency (nHF) was higher (P = .008) while the normalized low frequency (nLF; P = .008) and LF:HF ratio (LF/HF; P = .002) were lower in the SE group than in the non-SE group.Although there was no difference in variables affecting HRV, HRV values were significantly different between groups. The LF/HF value for the SE group was at the lower limit of the normal range, although there were no associated clinical problems. These findings suggest that individuals with the SE type are more susceptible to stress than those with the other types. Thus, middle-aged individuals who are vulnerable to stress can be identified using Sasang typology.

O uso da maturação somática na identificação morfofucional em jovens jogadores de futebol / The use of somatic maturation in the morphofunctional identification in young soccer players

Objetivo. As modificações que ocorrem com os jovens nas idades anteriores ao pico de velocidade de crescimento (PVC) podem influenciar de maneira direta o seu desempenho nas atividades esportivas. Considerando esse pressuposto, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito da maturação somática nas variáveis motoras e corporais de jovens futebolistas. Método. Os 45 sujeitos foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a maturação somática e submetidos à avaliação antropométrica e a uma bateria de testes que analisaram a flexibilidade (banco de Wells), a potência aeróbia (Yoyo endurance teste, nível 1) e a potência anaeróbia (salto horizontal e vertical). Resultados. Os resultados da análise de variância demonstram que o desempenho no salto vertical com contra movimento (F = 5,10 e p = 0,01) e no salto horizontal (F = 7,19 e p = 0,002) é influenciado pelo nível maturacional, o mesmo ocorrendo para a flexibilidade (F = 6,83 e p = 0,02). Por outro lado, o desempenho no teste de potência aeróbia não foi afetado pelo nível maturacional. As variáveis corporais somatotipo e o recíproco do índice ponderal se mantiveram estáveis independentemente do grau de maturação; apenas foram verificadas diferenças nos valores corporais para o IMC. Conclusão: Assim, pode-se concluir que a determinação dos estágios maturacionais dada pelos anos em relação ao PVC (APVC) dentro de uma determinada faixa etária pode ser um valioso instrumento de orientação para técnicos e treinadores na adequação dos treinamentos em função da real condição funcional de seus jovens atletas(AU)

Objective. The changes in young people at ages preceding the peak height velocity (PHV) can influence their performance in sports. Taken this issue into account, this study aimed to analyze the effect of maturity level on body composition and motor performance in young soccer players. Methods. The 45 subjects were divided into three groups according to somatic maturation and were submitted to anthropometric assessment and to a battery of tests that assessed flexibility (Wells' bench), aerobic power (Yoyo endurance test level 1) and anaerobic power (horizontal and vertical jumps). Results. The results of ANOVA indicate that performance in vertical jump with counter movement (F = 5.10, p = 0.01), standing long jump (F = 7.19, p = 0.002) and flexibility (F = 6.83, p = 0.02) are influenced by the level of maturation status. On the other hand, the performance in the aerobic power test was not affected by maturity status. The somatotype and the reciprocal of ponderal index variables remained steady regardless the degree of maturity; differences were only observed in body mass index values (BMI). Conclusion. Thus, we can conclude that the determination of maturational stages by means of years from PHV can be a valuable tool in order to aid coaches and trainers planning and monitoring training related to the actual functional condition of young athletes(AU)

Muscle-enhancing behaviors among adolescent girls and boys.

OBJECTIVE: Media images of men and women have become increasingly muscular, and muscle-enhancing techniques are available to youth. Identifying populations at risk for unhealthy muscle-enhancingbehaviors is of considerable public health importance. The current study uses a large and diverse population-based sample of adolescents to examine the prevalence of muscle-enhancing behaviors and differences across demographic characteristics, weight status, and sports team involvement. METHODS: Survey data from 2793 diverse adolescents (mean age = 14.4) were collected at 20 urban middle and high schools. Use of 5 muscle-enhancing behaviors was assessed (changing eating, exercising, protein powders, steroids and other muscle-enhancing substances), and a summary score reflecting use of 3 or more behaviors was created. Logistic regression was used to test for differences in each behavior across age group, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, BMI category, and sports team participation. RESULTS: Muscle-enhancing behaviors were common in this sample for both boys and girls. For example, 34.7% used protein powders or shakes and 5.9% reported steroid use. Most behaviors were significantly more common among boys. In models mutually adjusted for all covariates, grade level, Asian race, BMI category, and sports team participation were significantly associated with the use of muscle-enhancing behaviors. For example, overweight (odds ratio = 1.45) and obese (odds ratio = 1.90) girls had significantly greater odds of using protein powders or shakes than girls of average BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The use of muscle-enhancing behaviors is substantially higher than has been previously reported and is cause for concern. Pediatricians and other health care providers should ask their adolescent patients about muscle-enhancing behaviors.

Ayurvedic genomics, constitutional psychology, and endocrinology: the missing connection.

A recent methodological approach for human classification, diagnosis, and therapeutics through the combination of current Western constitutional psychology somatotypes and traditional Indian medicine (prakriti) body types and mind (manas) is herein presented. The striking similarities between psychologic somatotypes and Indian medicine body types permits proposal of a finite genopsycho-somatotyping of humans. Genopsycho-somatotyping of humans consists of a set of common physiologic, physical, and psychologic attributes related to a common basic birth constitution that remains somewhat permanent during human lifetime, since it is proposed that this birth constitution is programmed in the person's DNA (genes). This mainly provides a tool for classifying the human population based on broad and finite phenotype clusters across different ethnicity, languages, geographical location, or self-reported ancestry. In spite of any social or environmental traumatic event, I propose for males that every basic constitution has an associated identification organ, a measured property or marker, a soma, and some psyche general tendencies suggesting specific behavior or recurrent conduct. Three (3) basic extreme genopsycho-somatotypes or birth constitutions are enunciated: mesomorphic or andrus (Pitta), endomorphic or thymus (Khapa), and ectomorphic or thyrus (Vata). The method further predicts that male andrus constitution across races shares similarities in androgen (An) nuclear receptor behavior, whereas thymus constitutions are mainly regulated by T-cells (Tc) nuclear receptor behavior. Moreover, it suggests that thyrus constitutions share similarities in thyroxine (Th) nuclear receptor behavior. These proposed nuclear receptors are expected to regulate the expression of specific genes, thereby controlling the embryonic development, adult homeostasis, and metabolism of the human organism in a very profound way. The method finally predicts small differences in measured property (An, Tc, and Th nuclear receptors behavior) within a birth constitution across different races to be expected by modulation effects in melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor behavior.

Genome-wide association study of the four-constitution medicine.

BACKGROUND: Four-constitution medicine (FCM), also known as Sasang constitutional medicine, and the heritage of the long history of individualized acupuncture medicine tradition, is one of the holistic and traditional systems of constitution to appraise and categorize individual differences into four major types. OBJECTIVE: This study first reports a genome-wide association study on FCM, to explore the genetic basis of FCM and facilitate the integration of FCM with conventional individual differences research. DESIGN: Healthy individuals of the Korean population were classified into the four constitutional types (FCTs). A total of 353,202 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were typed using whole genome amplified samples, and six-way comparison of FCM types provided lists of significantly differential SNPs. RESULTS: In one-to-one FCT comparisons, 15,944 SNPs were significantly differential, and 5 SNPs were commonly significant in all of the three comparisons. In one-to-two FCT comparisons, 22,616 SNPs were significantly differential, and 20 SNPs were commonly significant in all of the three comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents the association between genome-wide SNP profiles and the categorization of the FCM, and it could further provide a starting point of genome-based identification and research of the constitutions of FCM.

Los estilos afectivos en la población española: un cuestionario de evaluación del apego adulto / Affective styles in a Spanish sample: a questionnaire for the assessment of adult attachment

Este artículo detalla el proceso de elaboración y baremación del “Cuestionario de Apego Adulto”. Un total de 445 sujetos, 159 hombres y 286 mujeres con una media de 30,5 años cumplimentaron el cuestionario original. Los análisis factoriales mostraron la solución de 4 factores como la más idónea, con un total de 40 ítems. Estos factores fueron: Baja autoestima, necesidad de aprobación y miedo al rechazo, Resolución hostil de conflictos, rencor y posesividad, Expresión de sentimientos y comodidad con las relaciones y Autosuficiencia emocional e incomodidad con la intimidad. Para establecer tipologías se realizaron análisis de conglomerados. La solución de dos clusters clasificó a los sujetos en seguros e inseguros, y la solución de cuatro en seguros, preocupados, alejados y temerosos hostiles. Nuestros resultados identifican un estilo temeroso algo diferente al de Bartholomew y Horowitz (1991). Se discuten las particularidades de los estilos afectivos y sus propiedades psicométricas (AU)

This article describes the elaboration and measurement of the “Adult Attachment Questionnaire”. A total of 445 subjects, 159 men and 286 women, with a mean age of 30.5 filled in the original questionnaire. The results suggested the four factor solution as the most suitable –it consists of 40 items. These factors were Low Self-Esteem, Need for Approval and Fear of Rejection, Hostile Conflict Resolution, Rancour and Possessiveness, Expression of Feelings and Comfort with Relationships, and Emotional Self-Sufficiency and Discomfort with Intimacy. In order to obtain typologies, clusters analyses were made. A two cluster solution classified subjects in secure and insecure, and a four factor solution into secure, preoccupied, dismissing and hostile fearful. Our results point out a somehow different fearful style from that of Bartholomew and Horowitz’s (1991). Furthermore, particularities of the affective styles found in the factorial solution are also discussed, along with its psychometric properties (AU)