Dt Goon

Effects of a mat pilates programme on body composition in elderly women

BACKGROUND With ageing, the ability to mobilize fat is reduced and this, coupled with gradual decrease in lean body mass (LBM) from lessened exercise, allows for an increased body fat percentage (%BF). Exercising is considered a key to maintaining an appropriate body mass (BM), as it improves fat oxidation, while maintaining LBM. Although the effects of endurance and/or resistance training on fat mass (FM) and LBM in the elderly have well been established, limited data are forthcoming regarding the effects of Pilates as a training modality on these variables in the elderly. OBJECTIVE The present study was therefore conducted to determine the effects of a mat Pilates programme on body fat in elderly women. METHODS Fifty sedentary, apparently healthy females aged 60 years and older were randomly assigned a control (CG, n = 25) or an intervention (IG, n = 25) group. The IG took part in an eight-week progressive mat Pilates exercise programme, three times weekly while the CG were instructed to maintain their normal daily activities throughout the eight-week experimental period. All subjects underwent pre- and post-test in which FM and LBM were assessed. RESULTS Eight weeks of mat Pilates demonstrated a significant (p ≤ 0.05) decrease in % BF (p = 0.016) and FM (p = 0.038), with a significant increase in LBM (p = 0.006), while not showing any significant changes (p ≥ 0.05) in BM (p = 0.979) and BMI (p = 0.992). The CG, however, did not produce any significant (p ≥ 0.05) changes in any of the tested anthropometric variables (BM: p = 0.266; BMI: p = 0.123; % BF: p = 0.516; FM: p = 0.937 and LBM: p = 0.522) after completion of the eight-week Pilates programme. CONCLUSION An eight-week mat Pilates exercise programme may contradict or even reverse some of the most serious consequences of ageing associated with an increased fat mass and reduced lean body mass in elderly females.

Overweight, obesity and underweight in rural black South African children

Abstract Background: The objective was to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight conditions among rural black children in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was undertaken. The setting was Mankweng and Toronto, both rural settlements in Capricorn district, Limpopo province, South Africa. Participants were 1172 school children (541 boys and 631 girls) aged 10–16 years. Method: The prevalence of overweight, obesity and underweight was examined, using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) body mass index (BMI) cut-off points. Height and body weight were measured using standard techniques. Results were analysed with student t-test statistics, with probability level set at p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: The percentage of children who were at risk of overweight were higher in girls (11%) than boys (9.1%), whereas obesity occurred more among the boys (5.5%), compared with the girls (4.4%). Applying the CDC cut-off points of 5th < percentile to define underweight, 25 (4.6%) and 35 (5.2%) of boys and girls respectively were underweight. Conclusion: Similar to previous studies, this study indicates that overweight and obesity are high among South African children, even in rural settings. The study also demonstrates that underweight is prevalent among the sampled children. This supports the notion of a double burden of disease in developing countries.

Overweight, obesity and underweight in nurses in Vhembe and Capricorn districts, Limpopo

Abstract Background: In South Africa, anecdotal evidence concerning the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nurses is alarming, but no scientific studies have confirmed this notion. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in black nurses practising in South Africa. Method: A cross-sectional study involving 153 nurses, aged 19-50 years and older, was undertaken in the Vhembe and Capricorn districts, Limpopo province. Height and weight were measured to determine body mass index (BMI) and physical activity was assessed by report. The World Health Organization criteria determined the BMI categories. Results: The mean BMI of the nurses was 31.7 ± 18.1 kg/m2. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity and extreme obesity in the nurses was 2%, 27.5%, 44.4% and 7.2%, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased with age, peaking at ages 30-39 for overweight, and over 50 years of age for obesity. Among the males nurses, the prevalence of underweight, overweight, obesity and extreme obesity were 2%, 30.6%, 36.7% and 6.1%, respectively. Corresponding figures for the female nurses were 1.9%, 26%, 48.1% and 7.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in nurses in the Vhembe and Capricorn districts, a rate that is comparable with that of the general population in South Africa. Future studies are needed to identify risk factors for the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nurses.

Body mass index, overweight, and blood pressure among adolescent schoolchildren in Limpopo province, South Africa

OBJETIVO: Este estudio evalua la relacion entre indice de masa corporal, sobrepeso y presion arterial en adolescentes rurales sudafricanos. METODOS: La muestra incluyo a 1.172 ninos de 10-16 anos de edad (541 del sexo masculino y 631 del sexo femenino). La estatura, la masa corporal y los pliegues cutaneos se midieron utilizando procedimientos estandares. El sobrepeso se definio segun el indice de masa corporal para sexo y edad. Se monitorizo la presion arterial por tres veces en cada nino utilizando aparatos electronicos validados (Omron HEM-705 CP, Omron, Tokio, Japon). Se determino la hipertension cuando los promedios de la presion sistolica o diastolica, calculados con base en las tres mediciones de presion arterial, fueron ≥percentil 90 para edad y sexo. Se calcularon estadisticas descriptivas para todas las variables. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue del 5,5% en los ninos y 4,4% en las ninas. El porcentaje de adolescentes con presion arterial sistolica >percentil 90 oscilo entre el 2,3 y el 5,9%. La probabilidad de desarrollo de hipertension entre los jovenes fue notable a los 10 anos tanto en los ninos como en las ninas (0,2 y 0,1%, respectivamente) y oscilo entre el 0,2 y el 1,7% en los ninos y entre el 0,1 y el 1,2% en las ninas. Colectivamente, la prevalencia de hipertension fue del 4,1 y el 2,8% en ninos y ninas, respectivamente. La presion arterial estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos (p=0,00). CONCLUSIONES: La presion arterial se elevo con la edad tanto en los ninos como en las ninas, y estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos. La medicion de rutina de la presion arterial como parte del examen fisico de escolares es crucial para la prevencion precoz y la implementacion de programas de intervencion.

Índice de massa corpórea, sobrepeso e pressão arterial em escolares na província de Limpopo, África do Sul

OBJETIVO: Este estudio evalua la relacion entre indice de masa corporal, sobrepeso y presion arterial en adolescentes rurales sudafricanos. METODOS: La muestra incluyo a 1.172 ninos de 10-16 anos de edad (541 del sexo masculino y 631 del sexo femenino). La estatura, la masa corporal y los pliegues cutaneos se midieron utilizando procedimientos estandares. El sobrepeso se definio segun el indice de masa corporal para sexo y edad. Se monitorizo la presion arterial por tres veces en cada nino utilizando aparatos electronicos validados (Omron HEM-705 CP, Omron, Tokio, Japon). Se determino la hipertension cuando los promedios de la presion sistolica o diastolica, calculados con base en las tres mediciones de presion arterial, fueron ≥percentil 90 para edad y sexo. Se calcularon estadisticas descriptivas para todas las variables. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue del 5,5% en los ninos y 4,4% en las ninas. El porcentaje de adolescentes con presion arterial sistolica >percentil 90 oscilo entre el 2,3 y el 5,9%. La probabilidad de desarrollo de hipertension entre los jovenes fue notable a los 10 anos tanto en los ninos como en las ninas (0,2 y 0,1%, respectivamente) y oscilo entre el 0,2 y el 1,7% en los ninos y entre el 0,1 y el 1,2% en las ninas. Colectivamente, la prevalencia de hipertension fue del 4,1 y el 2,8% en ninos y ninas, respectivamente. La presion arterial estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos (p=0,00). CONCLUSIONES: La presion arterial se elevo con la edad tanto en los ninos como en las ninas, y estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos. La medicion de rutina de la presion arterial como parte del examen fisico de escolares es crucial para la prevencion precoz y la implementacion de programas de intervencion.

Body fat percentage of urban South African children: implications for health and fitness.

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study of pregnant mothers who delivered in four randomly selected health facilities in urban Abeokuta, Nigeria. The study examined the influence of maternal nutritional status on newborn birth weight and particularly low birth weight (LBW). Five hundred and twelve pregnant mothers booked for antenatal care and were attending antenatal clinics were recruited for the study as they became available. Complete physical examination, clinical profile along with weight, biochemical and haematological measurements were carried out. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. The mean weight gain of the pregnant mothers in this study was 7.78 ± 1.01 kg. Weight gain in pregnancy, maternal haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, serum cholesterol and serum albumin were all found to be significant for LBW (p<0.001). Maternal nutritional status impacted significantly on newborn birth weight as poorly nourished mothers were observed to produce a higher percentage of LBW babies when compared to those who were better nourished.Background Whilst there seem to be available data on blood pressure profiles of South African children, especially in urban areas, few data exist on rural children. The aims of this study were to determine the blood pressure profiles of rural South African children residing in Thohoyandou; and to examine the relationship between body mass index and blood pressure among the children. Methods: The study involved 296 (134 boys and 135 girls) children aged 7–13 years. Body weight and height were measured using standard procedures. Overweight was defined by body mass index (BMI) for gender and age. Blood pressure was monitored in each child thrice using validated electronic devices (Omron 7051T). Hypertension was determined as the average of three separate blood pressure readings where the systolic or diastolic blood pressure was ≥ 90th percentile for age and sex. Results: Overweight among the girls (4.7%) was higher compared with the boys (3.9%). Both systolic and diastolic pressures (SBP and DBP) increase with age in both sexes. The proportion of children with > 90th percentile occur at only ages 12 and 13 years. The incidence of hypertension (SBP > 90th percentile) was 0.4% and 0.2% in boys and girls, respectively. The SBP and DBP pressures significantly (P<0.05) correlate with age; body mass, height and BMI. Conclusion: Elevated blood pressure is prevalent among rural South African children residing in this region. Also, blood pressure increased with age in both boys and girls, and this positively correlated with age, body weight, height and BMI.O is a growing problem in the child and adolescent population, and physicians are increasingly looking for new, safe, and effective interventions. Particularly concerning is the trend of overweight children being increasingly prescribed psychotropic medications, particularly atypical antipsychotics, that can lead to further weight gain. In recent years, pharmacologic treatment for weight has been considered for severe and refractory cases. We present two cases of obese adolescents who achieved weight loss with the addition of zonisamide, an anticonvulsant. The first case is a morbidly obese adolescent male who had remarkable weight loss during 3 months of inpatient hospitalization. The patient initially had a dramatic weight loss from 301 kg to 213.4 kg. This could be attributed to many factors, including the addition of appetite suppressing medications (topiramate and methylphenidate) as well as a structured environment and monitored nutritional intake. However, his weight loss plateaued. The addition of zonisamide correlated with an additional weight loss for a final weight of 202.76 kg, which is an additional 10.64 kg. We present a second case of an obese adolescent who initially presented to an inpatient psychiatric unit with a high-BMI of 37.8 (126.8 kg). He was started on zonisamide and a steady decrease in weight and BMI was noted through four months of outpatient follow-up, with his most recent BMI being 31.7 (106.2 kg). We discuss the potential use of zonisamide for weight loss in obese adolescents, particularly in patients who are prescribed psychotropic medications. We also consider the potential risks and benefits in this patient population. Michael Shapiro, J Obes Weight Loss Ther 2013, 3:7 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-7904.S1.011Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to identify high risk groups in tomorrow’s health professional. Methodology: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted [March to December 2012] in six different institutes in Karachi, Pakistan. Data were collected from undergraduate students of medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy and nursing through self-administered questionnaires, followed by anthropometric measurements. Actual weight categories were defined by using South Asian cut-off points for body mass index (BMI). Overweight and obesity was defined as BMI ≥23.0 (South Asian BMI cutoff points). Ethical approval was obtained from the University of Sheffield, UK and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with overweight and obesity. Results: Of 2114 participating students, 12.6% were overweight and 17% obese. Participants who underestimated body weight were more likely to be overweight or obese [OR=13.18 (95% C.I: 8.22 to 21.11)] than participants with correct estimation of weight. Similarly, overweight and obesity was more likely among participants with incorrect information of personal BMI [OR=1.91 (95% C.I: 1.21 to 3.01)]. In particular, overweight and obesity was more likely among participants who experienced weight stigmatization [OR=2.36 (95% C.I: 1.44 to 3.84)]. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity was highly prevalent among undergraduate students of medicine and allied health sciences in Karachi with nearly one third of respondents had weight above normal limit. The factors which contribute toward overweight and obesity include underestimation of weight, lack of personal BMI knowledge and weight stigmatization. Sajid Mahmood et al., J Obes Weight Loss Ther 2013, 3:7 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2165-7904.S1.011

Índice de masa corporal, sobrepeso y presión arterial en adolescentes de la província de limpopo, Sudáfrica

OBJETIVO: Este estudio evalua la relacion entre indice de masa corporal, sobrepeso y presion arterial en adolescentes rurales sudafricanos. METODOS: La muestra incluyo a 1.172 ninos de 10-16 anos de edad (541 del sexo masculino y 631 del sexo femenino). La estatura, la masa corporal y los pliegues cutaneos se midieron utilizando procedimientos estandares. El sobrepeso se definio segun el indice de masa corporal para sexo y edad. Se monitorizo la presion arterial por tres veces en cada nino utilizando aparatos electronicos validados (Omron HEM-705 CP, Omron, Tokio, Japon). Se determino la hipertension cuando los promedios de la presion sistolica o diastolica, calculados con base en las tres mediciones de presion arterial, fueron ≥percentil 90 para edad y sexo. Se calcularon estadisticas descriptivas para todas las variables. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue del 5,5% en los ninos y 4,4% en las ninas. El porcentaje de adolescentes con presion arterial sistolica >percentil 90 oscilo entre el 2,3 y el 5,9%. La probabilidad de desarrollo de hipertension entre los jovenes fue notable a los 10 anos tanto en los ninos como en las ninas (0,2 y 0,1%, respectivamente) y oscilo entre el 0,2 y el 1,7% en los ninos y entre el 0,1 y el 1,2% en las ninas. Colectivamente, la prevalencia de hipertension fue del 4,1 y el 2,8% en ninos y ninas, respectivamente. La presion arterial estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos (p=0,00). CONCLUSIONES: La presion arterial se elevo con la edad tanto en los ninos como en las ninas, y estuvo positivamente correlacionada con estatura, masa corporal, indice de masa corporal, grasa corporal y suma de pliegues cutaneos. La medicion de rutina de la presion arterial como parte del examen fisico de escolares es crucial para la prevencion precoz y la implementacion de programas de intervencion.