Mary K. Dinger

Impact of maternal body mass index on neonate birthweight and body composition

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare bodyweight and composition (percent fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass) in neonates born to mothers with a normal pregravid body mass index (BMI; < 25 kg/m(2)) vs neonates born to mothers with an overweight/obese pregravid BMI (> or = 25 kg/m(2)). STUDY DESIGN Seventy-two neonates (33 from normal mothers and 39 from overweight/obese mothers) of singleton pregnancies with normal glucose tolerance had their bodyweight and body composition assessed by air-displacement plethysmography. RESULTS After controlling for neonate age at time of testing, significant differences were found between groups for percent fat (12.5 +/- 4.2% vs 13.6 +/- 4.3%; P < or = .0001), fat mass (414.1 +/- 264.2 vs 448.3 +/- 262.2 g; P < or = .05), and fat-free mass (3310.5 +/- 344.6 vs 3162.2 +/- 343.4 g; P < or = .05), with no significant differences between birth length (50.7 +/- 2.6 vs 49.6 +/- 2.6 cm; P = .08) or birthweight (3433.0 +/- 396.3 vs 3368.0 +/- 399.6 g; P = .44). CONCLUSION Neonates born to mothers who have a normal BMI have significantly less total and relative fat and more fat-free mass than neonates born to overweight/obese mothers. Although preliminary, these data suggest that the antecedents of future disease risk (eg, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity) occur early in life.

Freshman 15: Fact or fiction?

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate changes in body weight, BMI, body composition, and fat distribution among freshman women during their 1st year of college.

Dietary Intake and Physical Activity Behaviors of Male and Female College Students

Nutritional intake is a key determinant of one’s health. Dietary factors are associated with five of the 10 leading causes of death. ~ Although several government documents have recommended a diet that is low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates to promote health, many people continue to consume a high fat diet, with few fruits, vegetables, and grains. Regular physical activity is also an important component of a healthy lifestyle. Regular physical activity offers protection against coronary heart disease (CHD), adultonset diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and depression. 4 The American Heart Association now includes physical inactivity as a major risk factor for CHD. 5 Despite the recognized benefits of regular physical activity, a mere 22% of our adult population engage in light to moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day, while only 12% regularly participate in vigorous physical activities that promote cardiorespiratory fitness. 1

Experiences of Women in a Minimal Contact Pedometer-Based Intervention: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT Background: Minimal contact pedometer-based interventions are gaining in popularity as a cost-effective method of promoting physical activity. The experiences of women in these interventions, however, have not been adequately studied. Purpose: This study used focus groups to explore womens experiences in a minimal contact pedometer-based intervention. Methods: Participants were women aged 31 to 51 years who completed a 6-week minimal contact pedometer-based intervention. Before the intervention, all participants were inactive or irregularly active. For the intervention, participants wore pedometers, completed weekly logs of daily steps taken, created physical activity goals, and received weekly emails. Email messages contained strategies for increasing physical activity and served as reminders to wear the pedometer and submit the step logs. After the intervention, participants were invited to attend focus groups to discuss their experiences in the intervention. A generic qualitative research approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Wearing the pedometer helped participants set goals and motivated them to increase their physical activity. Submitting step logs made them accountable. They wanted more innovative tips in the emails for increasing physical activity. Discussion: Our results suggest that the effectiveness of minimal-contact interventions may be enhanced by including pedometers, step logs, and email reminders.

The effect of the Thanksgiving Holiday on weight gain

BackgroundMore people than ever are considered obese and the resulting health problems are evident. These facts highlight the need for identification of critical time periods for weight gain. Therefore the purpose was to assess potential changes that occur in body weight during the Thanksgiving holiday break in college students.Methods94 college students (23.0 ± 4.6 yrs, 72.1 ± 14.0 kg, 172.6 ± 9.3 cm, 24.0 ± 3.9 kg/m2) reported to the human body composition laboratory at the University of Oklahoma following a 6-hour fast with testing occurring prior to, and immediately following the Thanksgiving holiday break (13 ± 3 days). Body weight (BW) was assessed using a balance beam scale while participants were dressed in minimal clothing. Paired t-tests were used to assess changes in BW pre and post Thanksgiving holiday with additional analysis by gender, body mass index (BMI), and class standing (i.e. undergraduate vs. graduate).ResultsOverall, a significant (P < 0.05) increase in BW was found between pre (72.1 kg) and post (72.6 kg) Thanksgiving holiday. When stratified by gender and class standing a significant (P < 0.05) increase in body weight was observed between the pre and post Thanksgiving holiday in males (0.6 kg), females (0.4 kg) and graduate students (0.8 kg). When participants were classified by BMI as normal or as overweight/obese, a significant 1.0 kg BW gain was found (P < 0.05) in the overweight/obese (≥25 kg/m2) group compared to a non significant 0.2 kg gain in the normal group (<25 kg/m2).ConclusionThese data indicate that participants in our study gained a significant amount of BW (0.5 kg) during the Thanksgiving holiday. While an increase in BW of half a kilogram may not be cause for alarm, the increase could have potential long-term health consequences if participants retained this weight gain throughout the college year. Additionally, because the overweight/obese participants gained the greatest amount of BW, this group may be at increased risk for weight gain and further obesity development during the holiday season.

Changes in Women’s Physical Activity During the Transition to College

Abstract Background: Few studies have examined physical activity during the transition from high school to college. Purpose: To examine changes in physical activity and physical activity patterns among females during the transition from high school to college. Methods: Sixty-nine females (age 18.2±0.4 years; body mass index 21.8±2.6 kg/m2; 84% Caucasian) at a large university in the south central United States participated in this prospective longitudinal study. They completed a questionnaire at the beginning of their freshman and sophomore years of college, recalling their participation in physical activity during the previous 12 months. Results: Weekly time spent in moderate, vigorous, and moderateto-vigorous physical activity declined between high school and college (p<0.01). Physical activity participation also differed by semester (p<0.01), with a signifcant decline during the summer between high school and college (p<0.01), and an additional decrease during the first semester of college (p<0.01). Discussion: Participants’ physical activity signifcantly decreased from high school to college, with the largest decline occurring during the summer between high school and college. Translation to Health Education Practice: The transition from high school to college is a critical time to promote physical activity among women.

Feasibility of a minimal contact intervention to promote walking among insufficiently active women.

Purpose. To examine the impact of a 6-week minimal contact intervention on walking behavior, the 10 processes of change of the transtheoretical model (TTM), and self-efficacy among insufficiently active women. Methods. This study used a pre-experimental design. Of the 43 women who began the study, 36 (84%) completed questionnaires at baseline and postintervention. They were given brochures and pedometers and were sent e-mails that contained messages designed to positively affect TTM constructs. Changes in time spent walking, use of the 10 processes of change, and self-efficacy were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and paired t-tests. Results. Participants significantly increased their total walking minutes (p = .001) and use of counterconditioning, dramatic relief, reinforcement management, self-liberation, stimulus control, and social liberation (p < .05). Discussion. The findings of this feasibility study provide preliminary evidence that this theoretically based, minimal contact lifestyle intervention may be an effective, low-cost approach to increase walking among insufficiently active women.

Characterization of body weight and composition changes during the sophomore year of college

BackgroundYears spent in college represents a critical time for obesity development though little information is known regarding how body weight and composition changes beyond the first year of college. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in body weight and composition and the factors influencing those changes among sophomore females.MethodsBody composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was obtained in participants beginning during their freshman year and continued through their sophomore year.ResultsNo difference was observed between sophomore year fall and spring visits for body weight (60.4 versus 60.6 kg) or fat mass (19.3 versus 18.7 kg). However, a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease was observed for body fat (31.9 versus 30.9 %fat) and a significant increase was observed for fat-free mass (37.7 versus 38.4 kg). Participants living off campus significantly (P ≤ 0.05) declined in body fat (33.0 versus 31.0 %fat) and fat mass (19.4 versus 18.2 kg) and increased in fat-free mass (36.1 versus 37.2 kg) with no differences in those living on campus.ConclusionNo change in body weight was observed in females during their sophomore year. However, an increase in fat-free mass accompanied with a decrease in fat mass resulted in a decrease in body fat. Participants living off campus had favorable changes in their body composition by means of decreasing %fat and fat mass while increasing fat-free mass. Participants living on campus did not demonstrate these favorable changes.

Ambulatory Physical Activity Patterns of College Students

Abstract The purpose of this study was to describe the ambulatory physical activity of a sample of college students. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in which students (N = 441; males: n = 204, age = 20.20 ± 1.99, BMI = 25.19 ± 4 kg/m2; females: n = 237, age = 19.92 ± 1.64, BMI = 22.91 ± 3.2 kg/m2) wore an accelerometer, with cycle mode enabled, during all waking hours for 7 consecutive days. The independent variables were day of the week and gender. The dependent variable was steps per day. Two-factor ANOVA, an independent t-test, and chi-squares were calculated. Results indicated that students averaged 11,473.87 ± 2,978.62 steps per day for the week. They were most active on weekdays, and less active on weekends. Mean steps per week, weekday, and weekend did not differ by gender. Further, the majority of the students (67.4%) were exceeding the 10,000 steps per day recommendation. These results can be useful to health educators and researchers seeking a description of ambulatory physical activity in college students.

Associations Between Physical Activity and Health-Related Factors in a National Sample of College Students

Abstract Objective: To examine associations between meeting the current moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendation and health-related factors in a national sample of college students. Participants: Participants (N = 67,861) completed the National College Health Assessment II during the Fall 2008/Spring 2009 academic year. Methods: Hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to examine the contribution of 19 variables in explaining whether or not participants met the MVPA recommendation. Results: Meeting the MVPA recommendation was associated with several protective factors among college students, including adequate daily fruit and vegetable consumption, positive perception of general health, healthy body mass index, consistent seatbelt use, not smoking cigarettes, less perceived depression, and adequate sleep. In addition, meeting the MVPA recommendation was also significantly associated with a few risky behaviors including binge drinking, physical fighting, and multiple sexual partners. Conclusions: College student PA interventions should consider also addressing fruit/vegetable consumption and binge drinking.