Weight-related Variables Research Articles

Associations between juvenile delinquency and weight‐related variables: Analyses from a national sample of high school students

This study examined direct and conditional associations between juvenile delinquency and weight-related variables in a national sample of high school students. Data from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) of 12,713 high school students aged 14 to 17 were examined. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses indicated that juvenile delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to use fasting, vomiting, and drugs to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight. Multivariate analyses also showed that delinquents were more likely than nondelinquents to perceive themselves as overweight, but the two groups did not differ in regard to actual overweight status. Tests of interactions in multivariate analyses indicated that the associations between delinquent status and specific, weight-related variables were stronger among younger than among older adolescents, as well as among female than among male adolescents. Future research should examine risk and protective factors for unhealthy weight control behaviors and perceptions among delinquents.

A randomised control trial comparing lifestyle groups, individual counselling and written information in the management of weight and health outcomes over 12 months

To investigate the effect of an 8-week group-based cognitive behaviour therapy lifestyle intervention with monthly follow-up to 6 months and further follow up at 12 months on change in weight and other weight-related variables, change in physical activity and change in health and well being compared to individualised dietetic treatment or giving an information booklet only (BO). A randomised controlled trial of two intervention groups, a group-based cognitive behaviour therapy lifestyle intervention, Fat Booters Incorporated--(FBI) and individualised dietetic treatment (IDT) and control group receiving an information booklet only (BO). The intervention groups involved weekly contact for 8 weeks with monthly follow-up to 6 months and further follow-up at 12 months, conducted in real practice setting. A total of 176 adults with body mass index (BMI)>27 kg/m2, mean (+/-s.d.) age 48+/-13 years, mean BMI 34+/-5.5 kg/m2. Weight, percent body fat, waist circumference, physical activity, health status, self-efficacy and satisfaction with life were measured at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. A statistically significant difference between groups was observed for weight change over time (P=0.05). The change in weight (mean+/-s.e.) for the FBI group was significantly greater than the BO group at 3 and 12 months (-2.8+/-0.7 compared to -1.0+/-0.6 kg, P<0.05 and -2.9+/-0.9 compared to +0.5+/-0.9 kg, P<0.005, respectively). Change in weight in the IDT group did not differ from the FBI group at any time point. For all groups, waist circumference was significantly less than baseline at all time points (P<0.001). Significant differences in self-efficacy were observed over time (P=0.02), with both intervention groups having greater self-efficacy than the BO group. Significant drop-outs occurred over time for all three groups. A cognitive behaviour-based lifestyle intervention was more effective than providing an information booklet alone and as effective as intensive individualised dietetic intervention in weight loss and improvements in self-efficacy.

Ideal weight goals of African American women participating in a weight management program

This descriptive study examined the ideal weight goals of low-income African American women enrolled in a weight loss intervention. Prior to treatment, 107 overweight African American women were weighed, heights were measured, and participants completed a self-report measure of various weight-related variables (e.g., ideal goal weight, amount lost with previous attempts). The average baseline body mass index (BMI) was 38.8 kg/m 2. The average ideal BMI was 27.2 kg/m 2, which would require a 29.2% reduction in weight. Ideal weight loss was approximately 25 kg greater than that achieved during past attempts. Results suggest this ethnic minority sample demonstrated satisfaction with achieving an ideal weight still classified as overweight. However, the percentage of weight loss required to reach such goals is much greater than that recommended by expert guidelines. Although future research is needed, weight loss interventionists may need to address African American women’s acceptance of heavier weight when treating their obesity.

Early Predictors of Daily Smoking in Young Women: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study

Background. Smoking is highly prevalent in young women and little is known about early multilevel independent risk or protective factors that are predictive of daily smoking in young women.Methods. Multiple logistic regression was conducted on data from NGHS, a 10-year cohort study of Black (1,213) and White (1,166) girls recruited from three clinical centers in the United States, ages 9–10 years on entry to ages 18–19.Results. Compared with never smokers, White girls were at higher risk than Black girls of being daily smokers at ages 18–19. Early predictors of daily smoking at ages 18–19 years included lower parental education, one parent in the household, drinking alcohol at ages 11–12, higher drive for thinness at ages 11–12, lower behavioral conduct at ages 11–12, and lower stress at ages 10–11 and higher stress at ages 12–13. For both Black and White girls weight-related variables were significant. Stress, behavioral conduct, and one-parent household were also important predictors for White girls.Conclusions. There is evidence that childhood and adolescent factors are related to young adult smoking behavior. Body weight concerns as well as family, social environment, and behavioral factors are important issues in determining which girls will become daily smokers.

Hypertension and hysterectomy in danish women

Objective: To assess whether hypertension is a risk factor for hysterectomy performed for benign diseases. Methods: Self-report questionnaires were collected from 77% of 2301 Danish women aged 30, 40, 50, or 60 years selected at random in 1982 for a prevalence study. Information about cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, use of medicine, weight and dieting history, life-styles, psychologic factors, gynecologic history (including history of hysterectomy), and social background were recorded. Weight, height, and blood pressure were measured. In an incidence study, the cohort was followed during 1982–1990 via central registers to assess the incidence of hysterectomy. Logistic and Cox regressions were used to analyze data. Results: In the prevalence study, history of hypertension partly explained the relation between hysterectomy and cardiovascular diseases. In the incidence study, history of hypertension and use of diuretics were significant risk factors for hysterectomy. After confounder control, use of diuretics was explained by weight-related variables, and hypertension was a risk factor for hysterectomy in educated women (adjusted relative risk [RR] 2.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07, 7.76) and in women with weight fluctuations (adjusted RR 3.31, 95% CI 1.35, 8.14). Weight cycling and lack of education remained significant risk factors for hysterectomy in women with and without hypertension, respectively. Conclusion: History of hypertension, weight cycling, and lack of education are closely related risk factors for premenopausal hysterectomy. These three risk factors contribute to women undergoing hysterectomy having an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. We proposed that hypertension might be a plausible biological cause of menorrhagia and an indication for hysterectomy.

The influence of weight-related variables on smoking cessation

Recently, researchers have suggested the possible importance of weight-related variables, particularly among women, in relapse to smoking. The present study prospectively examined the prediction of success versus failure (both relapse and dropout) in a smoking-cessation program using several weight-related variables and gender. Weight-related variables accounted for a significant amount of variance in the prediction of dropout from a cessation program. The interaction of gender with Body Mass Index (BMI) and gender with concern about postcessation weight gain also accounted for a significant amount of variance in dropout. Particularly, women who were lower in weight and women who were concerned about postcessation weight gain were more likely to drop out of a cessation program before completion than the other participants in the study. Results also indicated that people who have chronic weight concern and gain weight during a cessation attempt were more likely to drop out of a cessation program before completion than individuals with chronic weight concern and little to no weight gain during the quit attempt. Prediction of relapse to smoking during the cessation program was not very revealing. One finding that did emerge was that, among those who completed the study and did not drop out, men were twice as likely to relapse as were women. These results indicate the importance of weight-related variables, particularly among women, in the prediction of success in a cessation program. Findings also suggest that dropout may be more revealing in predicting failure in a cessation program than relapse to smoking in terms of the influence of weight-related issues.

Predictors of risk for different stages of adolescent smoking in a biracial sample.

This investigation was designed to identify the risk factors associated with different stages of cigarette use in a large biracial adolescent sample. A questionnaire assessing smoking habits and variables thought to be related to smoking was administered to 6,967 7th graders. Analysis revealed that the best predictor of experimentation with cigarettes was the perception that they were easily available. Regular smoking appeared to be heavily influenced by cost. Social influences contributed to both experimental and regular smoking, but the impact of social models varied with ethnicity and gender. Analysis further revealed that weight-related variables were closely tied to regular smoking. Implications of the findings for smoking prevention programs are discussed.

Reproductive traits of Angus, Criollo and reciprocal crossbred females in the temperate area of Argentina

AbstractReproductive performance of purebred Angus (A) and Criollo (C) cows and crossbred CA and AC cows in the temperate area of Buenos Aires, Argentina, was assessed through the study of reproductive rates, calving date, first insemination date, number of inseminations and weight related variables. The herd was grazed on pastures all year round. Matings were by artificial insemination with visual oestrus detection, from October to December. Heifers first calving was at 3 years of age. All traits were analysed with general linear models including, as corresponded, fixed effects of dam and calf genetic groups, calving year and month, dam physiological status, calving age and first order interactions. Female genetic group adjusted means were used to estimate direct (gl) and maternal (gM) breed differences and heterosis (hl) effects on reproductive traits. Weaning rate was mostly determined by oestrons detection rate. Due to the inhibitory effects of nursing on reproduction, female genetic group effects were significant for suckling cows only: mean oestrous detection rate was higher (P &lt; 0·05) for crossbred cows (AC: 91·2 (s.e. 5-1) %; CA: 88·4 (s.e. 2·9) %) than for A (76·3 (s.e. 2·0) %) and C (49·9 (s.e. 3·3) %); direct breed effects favoured A (glA - g1c = 26·4 (s.e. 3·7) %; P &lt; 0·001) and h1 was 26·7 (s.e. 3·4) % (P &lt; 0·001). When only oestrous-detected cows were considered, direct breed effects were significant only for pregnancy rate fg1A —g1c = 8·5 (s.e. 4·4) %) whereas h1 was significant for pregnancy (8·3 (s.e. 3·8) %), calving (9·3 (s.e. 4·1) %) and weaning (10·1 (s.e. 4·1) %) rates (P &lt; 0·05). Criollo cows calved later than crossbred (≍19 days) and A (≍15 days) cows mainly due to longer post-partum anoestrous. For calving date, direct breed effects favoured A (g1A — g1c = 20·8 (s.e. 5·9) days; P &lt;0·0·001) and h1 was 11·4 (s.e. 2·8) days (P &lt; 0·001). Low reproductive performance in C was not associated with live iveight at the beginning of mating. This genetic group was the latest in showing oestrous behaviour, even when not suckling. Number of inseminations was similar for the four genetic groups. These results sustain the principle of utilizing Fl Criollo-Angus cows to improve beef herd productivity, whereas they do not support the recommendation of using purebred Criollo females under this type of production system.

A new measure of weight locus of control: the Dieting Beliefs Scale.

This article describes the construction and preliminary validation of a new scale of weight locus of control, the Dieting Beliefs Scale. The 156-item scale demonstrated moderate internal consistency and high test-retest reliability in a sample of undergraduate women. Principal-components analysis suggested three factors. The three factors were interpretable and had distinct relations with a variety of weight-related and psychological variables. The results suggest that weight locus of control is a multidimensional construct, and they provide a possible explanation for the inconsistent findings concerning the relation between weight locus of control and dieting success. Implications for the study of dieting relapse and for the construction of treatment programs are discussed.

Contribution of Body Weight and Growth to Risk of Anterior Pituitary Gland Tumors of the Rat&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN2"&gt;2&lt;/xref&gt;&lt;xref ref-type="fn" rid="FN3"&gt;3&lt;/xref&gt;

The dietary and growth histories of noninbred male Charles River COBS rats permitted freedom of dietary choice throughout life were analyzed to determine the conditions associated with the spontaneous occurrence of anterior pituitary gland tumors (PT). The animals were allowed to regulate their protein intake apart from energy intake. Multivariable models were derived distinguishing rats that develop PT from those remaining free of tumors throughout life. Conventional fixed diet studies suggested that the quantity and quality of the diet consumed would be the best explanatory variables. However, body weight-related variables were found to be more important. The interacting, time-related conditions conductive to a high probability of PT occurrence included an unusually high growth rate associated with a high level of conversion of the food consumed into body mass during early life and a high intake of protein relative to body weight during early adult life. The accuracy in identifying rats with PT was even greater if mature body weight was included as an explanatory variable.