Britni R. Belcher

Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the metabolic syndrome in minority youth.

PURPOSEnThis study aimed to determine the associations among physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Latino and African American youth using both subjective and objective measures of activity levels.nnnMETHODSnCross-sectional data from 105 participants from three pediatric obesity studies that share a core set of methods and measures (Latino 74%, female 75%, mean age = 13 ± 3 yr) were used. Measures included moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior by accelerometry and 3-Day Physical Activity Recall (3DPAR), fat and lean tissue mass by BodPod™, fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and waist circumference. Associations between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and MetS were examined using ANCOVA, Pearson correlations, partial correlations, and logistic regressions with adjustments for age, sex, ethnicity, fat and lean mass, and pubertal Tanner stage.nnnRESULTSnAccelerometry data showed that greater time engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was related to lower odds of the MetS (odds ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval = 0.25-0.98), independent of sedentary behavior and covariates, and inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r = -0.21, P = 0.03) and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.25, P = 0.01), adjusting for covariates. Data from the 3DPAR showed that higher levels of sedentary behavior were related to higher odds of the MetS (odds ratio = 4.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.33-14.79), independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and covariates, negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.21, P = 0.04) and positively correlated systolic blood pressure (r = 0.26, P = 0.009), adjusting for covariates.nnnCONCLUSIONSnFuture interventions aiming to improve metabolic health in youth should target both the promotion of physical activity and the reduction of sedentary behavior. Subjective and objective measures should be used in conjunction to better capture activity behaviors.

CRP Is Related to Higher Leptin Levels in Minority Peripubertal Females Regardless of Adiposity Levels

Overweight is related to higher levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and leptin, which have been independently associated with increased risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and the metabolic syndrome. Elevated CRP may trigger leptin resistance by inhibiting the binding of leptin to its receptors. We cross‐sectionally examined the relationship between CRP, leptin, BMI z‐score, percent body fat (%BF) assessed by air plethysmography (BodPod), and insulin sensitivity (SI) and acute insulin response (AIRg) measured by intravenous glucose tolerance test in 51 Latina and African‐American females (77% Latina), mean age 9.2 (±0.9) years, at either Tanner Pubertal Stage (TPS) 1 (n = 25) or TPS 2 (n = 26). Females at TPS 2 had higher BMI z‐scores, %BF (23% ± 10.1 vs. 30% ± 10.0, P = 0.02), AIRg (976.7 ± 735.2 vs. 1555.3 ± 1,223 µIU/ml, P = 0.05), fasting insulin (11.0 ± 10.8 vs. 17.2 ± 13.6 µlU/ml, P = 0.00) and leptin levels (11.0 ± 7.1 vs. 19.6 ± 10.9 ng/ml, P < 0.001) than those at TPS 1. There were no ethnic differences in any of the measured variables. CRP was positively correlated with BMI z‐score (P = 0.001), %BF (P = 0.006), fasting insulin and AIRg (P = 0.02), and fasting leptin (P = 0.00), and negatively correlated with SI (P = 0.05). A linear regression model showed that CRP independently explained 10% (P = 0.00) of the variance in leptin after adjusting %BF, TPS, ethnicity, habitual physical activity and SI. Hence, low‐grade inflammation may contribute to prolonged leptin exposure and leptin resistance, even in healthy children.

Increased Physical Activity and Reduced Adiposity in Overweight Hispanic Adolescents

PURPOSEnThe objectives of this study were to examine 1) whether changes in total physical activity (PA; counts per minute, cpm) and time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) are associated with changes in adiposity and 2) whether energy intake influences the relationship between changes in PA and changes in adiposity in overweight Hispanic adolescents.nnnMETHODSnAnalysis included 38 overweight (body mass index, >85th percentile) Hispanic adolescents with complete pretest and posttest data on relevant variables after participating in a 16-wk intervention. The intervention treatment did not influence PA, so the sample was combined and the randomization group was adjusted for in the analysis. Body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, 7-d PA by accelerometry, and dietary intake by 3-d diet records were assessed before and after intervention.nnnRESULTSnWithin individuals, the mean increase of PA (n = 19) and mean decrease of PA (n = 19) was approximately 105 cpm. A 100-cpm increase in total PA was associated with a decrease of 1.3 kg of fat mass and 0.8% body fat after adjusting for pretest adiposity, PA, age, sex, and treatment (P < 0.05). Controlling for energy intake modestly strengthened the relationships between total PA and fat mass and percent body fat. Changes in MVPA were not related to changes in adiposity after controlling for total PA (P > 0.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIncreasing total PA by 28% (100 cpm) was associated with a decrease of 1.4 kg of fat mass and 1% body fat for 16 wk in overweight Hispanic adolescents independent of intervention group assignment. Increases in total PA, compared with MVPA, may be sufficient to improve body composition in overweight Hispanic adolescents.

The influence of worries on emotional eating, weight concerns, and body mass index in Latina female youth.

PURPOSEnTo investigate the effect of worries on weight concerns, emotional eating, and body mass index (BMI) percentile in an ethnically diverse sample of female youth.nnnMETHODSnThis study used baseline and follow-up data from a brief school-based physical activity intervention trial involving minority female youth. Partial correlations adjusted for intervention status, age, and ethnicity were used to assess the relationships between emotional eating, weight concerns, and BMI percentile at follow-up. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the relationships between baseline worries and follow-up emotional eating, weight concerns, and BMI percentile. Additional analysis assessed whether emotional eating mediated and/or moderated the relationship between baseline worries and follow-up BMI. Data were analyzed using SAS version 9.1.nnnRESULTSnThe sample consisted of 404 minority females (67.1% Latina; mean age = 12.5 ± .6; 60.6% were of normal weight). Weight concerns were positively correlated with emotional eating and BMI percentile (p < .001 for both). At follow-up, baseline worries significantly predicted emotional eating (p = .027) and weight concerns (p < .001) but not BMI percentile (p = .183). Emotional eating did not mediate the relationship between baseline worries and follow-up BMI percentile; however, it did moderate the relationship between baseline worries and follow-up BMI percentile (p = .003).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIn this sample, worries were associated with psychosocial variables but not with BMI percentile. Reducing worries in those with high emotional eating scores may influence future weight gain among Latina females.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Is Negatively Associated with Plasma Adiponectin Levels in Minority Female Youth

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between adiponectin and physical activity (PA) in minority female youth. Methods. Plasma adiponectin was measured in 39 females (mean age years; 30 Latina, 9 African-American; 56% overweight). PA was assessed by accelerometry. Mean minutes per day spent in daily PA (DPA) (≥3 metabolic equivalents (METs)), moderate PA (MPA)(4–7 METs), vigorous PA (VPA)(≥7 METs), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA)(≥4 METs) were calculated. The association between adiponectin and PA, controlling for age, fat weight, lean weight, and insulin sensitivity (SI) was analyzed using linear regression. Results. Adiponectin correlated with fat weight (, ) and SI (, ). Minutes spent in DPA (, ), MPA (, ), or MVPA (, ) were predictors of adiponectin in the adjusted model. Conclusions. Higher PA levels were related to lower adiponectin levels. Potential mechanisms include upregulation of adiponectin receptors or an increase in high-molecular weight adiponectin with increasing PA.

Associations of maternal stress with children's weight-related behaviours: a systematic literature review

Low adherence to guidelines for weight‐related behaviours (e.g. dietary intake and physical activity) among US children underscores the need to better understand how parental factors may influence childrens obesity risk. In addition to most often acting as primary caregiver to their children, women are also known to experience greater levels of stress than men. This study systematically reviewed associations between maternal stress and childrens weight‐related behaviours. Our search returned 14 eligible articles, representing 25 unique associations of maternal stress with a distinct child weight‐related behaviour (i.e. healthy diet [n = 3], unhealthy diet [n = 6], physical activity [n = 7] and sedentary behaviour [n = 9]). Overall, findings for the relationship between maternal stress and childrens weight‐related behaviours were mixed, with no evidence for an association with childrens healthy or unhealthy dietary intake, but fairly consistent evidence for the association of maternal stress with childrens lower physical activity and higher sedentary behaviour. Recommendations for future research include prioritizing prospective designs, identifying moderators, and use of high‐resolution, real‐time data collection techniques to elucidate potential mechanisms.

Daily Associations of Stress and Eating in Mother–Child Dyads

Background and Aims. This study used Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) in mother–child dyads to examine the day-level associations of stress and eating. Method. Mothers and their 8- to 12-year-old children (N = 167 dyads) completed between three (weekday) and eight (weekend) EMA survey prompts per day at random nonschool times across 8 days. EMA measured perceived stress, and past 2-hour healthy (i.e., fruit and vegetables) and unhealthy (e.g., pastries/sweets, soda/energy drinks) eating. Results. Children reported more healthy and unhealthy eating on days when their mothers also engaged in more healthy and unhealthy eating, respectively. On days when mothers’ perceived stress was greater than usual, they reported more healthy eating. Discussion and Conclusions. Eating behaviors were coupled between mothers and children at the day level. Mothers’ stress was related to their own eating but not to children’s eating.

An Electronic Ecological Momentary Assessment Study to Examine the Consumption of High-Fat/High-Sugar Foods, Fruits/Vegetables, and Affective States Among Women

Objective: To examine the associations between high‐fat/high‐sugar foods (HFHS) and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and affective states in women. Methods: The researchers used electronic ecological momentary assessment to capture HFHS and FV consumption in the past 2 hours (predictor) and current affective states (outcome) across 1 week among 202 women. Multilevel linear regression was conducted. Weight status was tested as a moderator. Results: Consumption of FV in the past 2 hours was positively associated with feeling happy (P < .05). Women who consumed more HFHS or fewer FV than others in the study reported higher average sadness (both P < .05). Overweight or obese women who reported more frequent HFHS consumption than others had higher average stress than normal weight women (P < .05). Conclusions and Implications: The association between HFHS consumption and stress might be stronger in overweight or obese than normal weight women. Future studies could further enhance the electronic ecological momentary assessment method to explore other time‐varying moderators and mediators of food consumption and affect.

Associations Between Maternal Mental Health and Well-being and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Children

Objective: This study assessed whether aspects of maternal mental health and well-being were associated with objective monitor-based measures of childs physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) and the extent to which household structure (i.e., single- vs multigenerational/dual-parent) and maternal employment (i.e., full-time vs not full-time) moderated those associations. Methods: Dyads (N = 191) of mothers and their 8- to 12-year-old children participated in the baseline wave of the Mothers and Their Childrens Health study. Mothers (Mage = 40.9 yr [SD = 6.1]; 49% Hispanic) completed a battery of questionnaires to assess maternal mental health and well-being (i.e., self-esteem, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived stress, parenting stress, financial stress, and life events stress). Children (Mage = 9.6 yr [SD = 0.9]; 54% Hispanic; 51% girls) wore an accelerometer across 1 week during waking hours to objectively measure moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB. Results: In single-parent families (n = 47), but not multigenerational/dual-parent families, mothers parenting stress was negatively associated with childs MVPA (&bgr; = −.34, p = .02). In corrected analyses, all other aspects of maternal mental health and well-being were not related to childrens activity patterns. Conclusion: Parenting stress was the only maternal mental health variable associated with objective monitor-based measures of childs PA after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Results indicated weaker associations between maternal mental health and well-being and childs MVPA and SB than previously identified using subjective measures of behavior. Study findings support the need to use objective measurements of childs activity patterns to minimize potential confounding because of maternal report in evaluating childs PA and SB.OBJECTIVEnThis study assessed whether aspects of maternal mental health and well-being were associated with objective monitor-based measures of childs physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) and the extent to which household structure (i.e., single- vs multigenerational/dual-parent) and maternal employment (i.e., full-time vs not full-time) moderated those associations.nnnMETHODSnDyads (N = 191) of mothers and their 8- to 12-year-old children participated in the baseline wave of the Mothers and Their Childrens Health study. Mothers (Mage = 40.9 yr [SD = 6.1]; 49% Hispanic) completed a battery of questionnaires to assess maternal mental health and well-being (i.e., self-esteem, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, anxiety, perceived stress, parenting stress, financial stress, and life events stress). Children (Mage = 9.6 yr [SD = 0.9]; 54% Hispanic; 51% girls) wore an accelerometer across 1 week during waking hours to objectively measure moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB.nnnRESULTSnIn single-parent families (n = 47), but not multigenerational/dual-parent families, mothers parenting stress was negatively associated with childs MVPA (β = -.34, p = .02). In corrected analyses, all other aspects of maternal mental health and well-being were not related to childrens activity patterns.nnnCONCLUSIONnParenting stress was the only maternal mental health variable associated with objective monitor-based measures of childs PA after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Results indicated weaker associations between maternal mental health and well-being and childs MVPA and SB than previously identified using subjective measures of behavior. Study findings support the need to use objective measurements of childs activity patterns to minimize potential confounding because of maternal report in evaluating childs PA and SB.

Effects of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Brain Response to High-Calorie Food Cues in Young Adults: Physical Activity and Brain Response to Food Cues

Physical activity (PA) promotes weight maintenance, potentially because of its beneficial effects on feeding behavior regulation via diminished food cue reactivity within brain reward regions. This study examined how levels of PA and sedentary behavior (SB) relate to brain responses to food cues.