Alon Eliakim

Health-related knowledge and preferences in low socio-economic kindergarteners

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine physical activity (PA) and nutrition knowledge and preferences in low socio-economic status kindergarten children.MethodsFollowing height and weight measurement, 795 low socio-economic status kindergarten children (age 3.8-6.8 y.o) completed a photo-pair knowledge and preferences food and exercise questionnaire.ResultsNo difference was found between nutrition and PA knowledge scores (52.3 ± 0.9 versus 52.6 ± 0.8%, respectively). There was no difference between the nutrition knowledge and preference score (52.3 ± 0.9 versus 50.9 ± 0.9%, respectively). PA preference was significantly higher than knowledge (56.9 ± 1.5 versus 52.6 ± 0.8%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Significant correlations were found between nutrition knowledge and preferences (r = 0.55, p < 0.0001), physical activity knowledge and preferences (r = 0.46, p < 0.0001), and nutrition and PA preferences (r = 0.46, p < 0.001). Nutrition preference scores were significantly lower in overweight compared to normal weight kindergartners 48.1 ± 1.7 versus 52.0 ± 1.0%; p < 0.05). PA knowledge and preference scores were significantly higher among male compared to the female kindergartners (p < 0.001 for both).ConclusionOur data demonstrate diversities in physical activity and nutrition knowledge and preferences among low socio-economic status kindergarten children. These findings may be important for the development of health promotion programs in low socioeconomic kindergarten children.

Assisted Exercise and Bone Strength in Preterm Infants

Studies have previously demonstrated that brief (4 weeks) passive range-of-motion exercise is beneficial for bone development in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants. However, the optimal duration of exercise for bone development in preterm infants is yet unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of 8 weeks of assisted exercise on bone strength and metabolism in VLBW premature infants. Sixteen infants (meanxa0±xa0standard error of the mean birth weight 1,009xa0±xa055 g and gestational age 27.3xa0±xa00.3 weeks) were randomly assigned into exercise (nxa0=xa08) and control (nxa0=xa08) groups. The intervention started at the first week of life and involved 8 weeks of daily passive extension and flexion range-of-motion exercise of the upper and lower extremities. Biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured at enrollment and after 8 weeks. Bone strength was measured weekly by quantitative ultrasound measurement of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS). Bone SOS decreased significantly in the control group (−108.1xa0±xa033.7 m/second, Pxa0<xa00.0001) during the study period, while remaining stable in the exercise group (11.3xa0±xa022.8 m/second). The main beneficial effect of exercise occurred in the first 4 weeks of the intervention. There were no significant differences in the bone turnover marker changes between the groups. There is a significant postnatal decrease in bone SOS in VLBW preterm infants. Eight weeks of assisted range-of-motion exercise attenuates the decrease in bone strength and may decrease the risk of osteopenia in premature infants.

Health Promotion Intervention in Low Socioeconomic Kindergarten Children

OBJECTIVEnTo prospectively examine the effects of a randomized school-based intervention on nutrition and physical activity knowledge and preferences, anthropometric measures, and fitness in low socioeconomic kindergarten children.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnA 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).nnnRESULTSnThe 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%).nnnCONCLUSIONSnA 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.

Clinical and genetic heterogeneity of congenital adrenal hypoplasia due to NR0B1 gene mutations.

Introductionu2002 X‐linked adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) is a rare disorder caused by mutations or complete deletion of the NR0B1 gene that encodes the DAX‐1 protein, an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. AHC is characterized by adrenal insufficiency in infancy and early childhood. Later, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) manifests as pubertal failure.

Exercise Training, Physical Fitness and the Growth Hormone-Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Axis and Cytokine Balance

The effect of exercise training on anabolic hormones and inflammatory mediators is particularly important during childhood and puberty, since during this period there is a spontaneous increase in anabolic hormones that leads to the marked puberty-related growth spurt. Therefore, any training-associated hormonal and/or inflammatory effect during this critical period may have profound consequences on growth and development, especially if the effect is maintained for long periods. Several studies suggest the hypothesis that a sudden imposition of a training program which is associated with substantial increase in energy expenditure leads initially to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, and as a consequence, to decreases in IGF-1 levels. Further, if the training adaptation is successful, the proinflammatory cytokines fall, and with that decrease, the suppression of IGF-1 diminishes, an anabolic rebound in the GH-IGF-1 axis may ensue, and IGF-1 level exceed the pretraining level. Exactly how and when this switch takes place, and whether the initial catabolic-type stage is necessary for the ultimate anabolic adaptation remains unknown. Consistent with the two phases hypothesis, longer periods of training were indeed associated with stable or with increases in circulating GH and IGF-1 levels. Despite the early training-associated decrease in circulating IGF-1 levels, there is an increase in muscle mass and fitness may improve, suggesting that the local tissue effect of exercise on growth factors differ from systemic effects. Total caloric intake as well as macronutrient content, consumption and timing influence the anabolic and inflammatory response to training. Finally, changes in the balance of anabolic and catabolic hormones and inflammatory mediators during the training season may help elite athletes and their coaches in their training and preparation for competition.

Effect of local cold-pack application on systemic anabolic and inflammatory response to sprint-interval training: a prospective comparative trial

We evaluated the effect of cold ice-pack application following a brief sprint-interval training on the balance between anabolic mediators [growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), testosterone], catabolic markers (cortisol, IGFBP-1), and circulating pro [Interlukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β]- and anti-inflammatory cytokines [IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra)]. Twelve males, elite junior handball players performed 4xa0×xa0250xa0m treadmill run, at 80% of each individual’s maximal speed, followed by a rest period with and without local cold-pack application. Pre, immediately post, and 60-min post-exercise blood samples were drawn. Exercise was associated with a significant increase in IL-6, GH, IGFBP-3, and testosterone levels. Local cold-pack application was associated with significant decreases in IL-1β, IL-1ra, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 and a greater increase of IGFBP-1 during recovery. Local ice therapy immediately following sprint-interval training was associated with greater decreases in both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and anabolic hormones supporting some clinical evidence for possible negative effects on athletic performance.

Growth Hormone-Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Inflammatory Response to a Single Exercise Bout in Children and Adolescents

Physical activity plays an important role in tissue anabolism, growth and development, but the mechanisms that link patterns of exercise with tissue anabolism are not completely understood. The effectiveness of physical training depends on the training load and on the individual ability to tolerate it, and an imbalance between the two may lead to under or over-training. Therefore, many efforts have been made to find objective parameters to quantify the balance between training load and the athletes tolerance. One of the unique features of exercise is that it leads to a simultaneous increase of antagonistic mediators. On the one hand, exercise stimulates anabolic components of the growth hormone (GH) → IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) axis. On the other hand, exercise elevates catabolic pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). This emphasizes probably the importance of optimal adaptation to exercise in particularly during adolescence. The very fine balance between the anabolic and inflammatory/catabolic response to exercise will determine the effectiveness of exercise training and the health consequences of exercise. If the anabolic response is stronger, exercise will probably lead ultimately to increased muscle mass and improved fitness. A greater catabolic response, in particularly if persists for long duration, may lead to overtraining. Therefore, changes in the anabolic-catabolic hormonal balance and in circulating inflammatory cytokines can be used by adolescent athletes and/or their coaches to gauge the training intensity in individual and team sports.

Long term effects of a health promotion intervention in low socioeconomic Arab- Israeli kindergartens

BackgroundObesity is the most common chronic pediatric disease in westernized, especially low socioeconomic societies. We previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of a randomized prospective school-based health education program for low socioeconomic status Arab-Israeli kindergarten children.MethodsTo examine whether the effects of our program on nutrition and physical activity knowledge and preferences, anthropometric measures, and fitness persisted one year after the end of intervention.We were able to perform the one year follow-up in 203 kindergarten children (59% of our 342 original cohort; 85 control, 118 intervention).ResultsAt one year following the intervention BMI and BMI percentiles approached baseline level in both the intervention (16.4±0.2xa0kg/m2 and 61.5±2.4%, respectively) and control group participants (16.5±0.2xa0kg/m2 and 58.5±3.3%, respectively). Yet, a year after the end of the intervention, the decrease in BMI%ile from baseline was significantly greater in the intervention group (-7.8±1.5 vs. -1.9±1.9, p<0.012). Nutritional and physical activity knowledge and preferences, and physical fitness remained significantly elevated in the intervention compared to the control group participants.ConclusionsThe beneficial effects of a kindergarten dietary-physical activity intervention applied by the kindergarten teachers, on nutrition and physical activity knowledge and preferences, fitness, and BMI percentile were evident one year after the end of intervention. This promising program may play a role in health promotion, prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

Differences in MCT1 A1470T polymorphism prevalence between runners and swimmers

Skeletal muscle is the major producer and user of lactate in the body. Therefore, transport of lactate across cells membrane is of considerable importance. Lactate transport is mediated by proton‐linked monocarboxylate transporter (MCT1). The A1470T polymorphism (rs1049434) in MCT1 gene influences lactate transport, with T allele associated with reduction of lactate transport rate and elevation in blood lactate levels. The aim of the current study was to compare allelic and genotype frequencies of MCT1 A1470T polymorphism among Israeli track‐and‐field athletes, swimmers, and non‐athletes. Genomic DNA was extracted from 173 track‐and‐field athletes (age 17–50), 80 swimmers (age 16–49), and 128 non‐athletes (age 19–29). Track‐and‐field athletes were assigned to three subgroups: long‐distance runners, middle‐distance runners, and power event athletes. Swimmers were assigned to two subgroups: long‐distance swimmers and short‐distance swimmers. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction. T‐allele frequency was significantly higher among long‐distance swimmers (45%) compared with long‐ and middle‐distance runners (27% and 30%, respectively; Pu2009<u20090.01). In addition, T‐allele frequency was significantly higher among short‐distance swimmers (40%) compared with power event athletes (25%, Pu2009<u20090.01). Overall, T‐allele frequency was significantly higher among swimmers (42%) compared with runners (27%, Pu2009<u20090.001). More research is needed to clarify whether this polymorphism displays advantage for swimming performance.

Posturography Characteristics of Obese Children with and without Associated Disorders

A group of 59 obese children ages 6–12 years were interviewed for current medical diagnoses (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- ADHD, and clumsiness) and later were examined posturographically for balance and stability. General stability of all the obese children deviated significantly from norms. 32.2% of the obese children had a pattern of balance that could indicate orthopedic problems. Obese children with ADHD or perceived clumsiness had significantly worse balance and postural performance compared to other obese children. Balance and posture among obese children without suspicion of problems were similar to non-obese controls. In conclusion, obese children with associated disorders (such as ADHD and perceived clumsiness) manifested disturbance in balance control. Thus, physical activity interventions for these children should include safety measures to decrease the chances of falling and subsequent injury.