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Objective To examine the proportion of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) meeting recommended physical activity guidelines for Americans (PAG) and determine differences in physical activity (PA) by sex and between NHPI and Asians when data are disaggregated. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Setting Articles identified in CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Embase, PsychINFO, PubMed, Scopus, SocINDEX, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Participants NHPI children and adults, and Asian adults. Interventions Proportion of NHPI meeting PAG and differences in PA involvement by sex and by ethnicity. Methods Summary reporting for articles, and meta-analysis using random-effects and inverse-various weighted models. Conclusions and Implications Just over one-third of NHPI children met the PAG (mean = 38.6%, 95% CI [32.43-45.08]), with more males (42.8%) than females (34.7%) meeting the guidelines (t = 6.74, df = 1, P = .02). Less than half met the PAG for combination (mean = 48.7%, 95% CI [34.69-62.97]), moderate (mean = 47.1%, 95% CI [33.62-61.07]), and about one-third met the PAG for vigorous PA (mean = 33.4%, 95% CI [24.55-43.62]). There were no significant differences between Asians and NHPI in PA. Policy, systems, and environmental changes as well as culturally appropriate interventions are needed to increase physical activity among NHPI.

Individuals and families with limited access to healthy foods often experience increased risk for poor diet and chronic disease. Low-income communities are more likely to have a large number of small food stores (e.g., corner stores and dollar stores) compared to higher-income communities. Since many of these small food stores participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), increasing healthy food offerings in these stores may expand healthy food retail in low-income communities. We recommend the provision of funding for incentive programs that encourage SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities to expand their healthy food offerings. This programming should (a) provide seed grants to store owners to develop or reconfigure store infrastructure, (b) offer store owners technical assistance and educational materials on marketing strategies for promoting healthy food items to customers, and (c) give a tax break to SNAP-authorized small food stores in low-income communities that maintain a predetermined minimum stock of U.S. Department of Agriculture-recognized staple foods.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) recommends that Congress increase funding for fruit and vegetable production and intake in The Farm Bill reauthorization. Analysis of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's databases indicates that the availability of fruits and vegetables in the food supply is at half or less than half of what is needed to meet federal dietary recommendations for Americans. Based on the extant literature, SBM supports including funding allocations for fruit and vegetable production, including fruits and vegetables in commodity programs, providing additional insurance subsidies for producing fruits and vegetables, and maintaining or increasing funding for initiatives that promote fruit and vegetable intake. To avoid some of the unintended consequences of increasing support for fruit and vegetable production, new insurance products should be developed in collaboration with groups representing fruit and vegetable producers.

The Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) encourages stakeholders to implement a sugar sweetened beverage excise tax. Sugar sweetened beverages are the largest source of added sugars in the USA and have detrimental effects on population health by increasing risks for chronic diseases. Based on existing research evidence, SBM supports an excise tax equivalent to at least 20% to meaningfully affect consumption patterns. As evidenced by research studies in Mexico and the USA, sugar sweetened beverage taxes can have positive impacts on population health and can raise significant tax revenue. To avoid potential unintended consequences that may arise from taxes to improve diet-related behaviors, it is important to monitor industry and consumer behavior in response to the tax.

Empirical evidence indicates that aspects of the neighborhood environment may affect HIV prevention efforts. Therefore, the neighborhood environment should be considered when implementing prevention interventions. However, much of the empirical evidence is derived from studies conducted among drug users, men, or adolescents. Such evidence may not be as applicable to adult women whose primary risk for HIV infection is via heterosexual sexual behavior. Therefore, a systematic review examining the relationship between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors among adult U.S. women was conducted. Three databases were searched for articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals between 1/1/1980 and 12/31/2016 meeting relevant criteria. Seven articles identified from the three databases or additional hand searches met inclusion criteria and were summarized. Findings were mixed with several studies indicating associations between neighborhood environments and HIV sexual risk behaviors. However, all summarized studies were cross-sectional. Longitudinal studies conducted among women are needed.

Background. Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of obesity in the early and adult years. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI) experience high rates of obesity which is often obfuscated with aggregated data. Using disaggregated data, we examined breastfeeding practices among NHPI.Methods. Seven databases and reference lists were searched. Two independent researchers extracted relevant studies based on predetermined criteria. Nine studies met our inclusion criteria and a meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects, inverse-various weighted models.Results. Few studies disaggregated NHPI populations when examining breastfeeding practices. Most studies were cross-sectional and our search yielded no randomized or quasirandomized control trials. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that 46.5% NHPI women initiated breastfeeding with 40.8% breastfeeding exclusively. These pooled analyses show that NHPI breastfeeding practices are below the recommended national and international goals and guidelines.Conclusion. Breastfeeding practices among NHPI are heterogeneous and critical disparities exist among certain NHPI subgroups and additional research needs to be conducted to determine the reasons for the disparity. Future studies should work to disaggregate data for NHPI and the various subpopulations. Multicomponent, multilevel strategies are needed to support breastfeeding practices among NHPI.

Background. This study identifies Southeast Asian refugee parents’ and grandparents’ perceptions of the risk and protective factors for childhood obesity. Methods. We used a mixed methods approach (concept mapping) for data collection and analyses. Fifty-nine participants engaged in modified nominal group meetings where they generated statements about children’s weight status and structuring meetings where they sorted statements into piles based on similarity and rated statements on relative importance. Concept Systems ® software generated clusters of ideas, cluster ratings, and pattern matches. Results. Eleven clusters emerged. Participants rated “Healthy Food Changes Made within the School” and “Parent-related Physical Activity Factors” as most important, whereas “Neighborhood Built Features” was rated as the least important. Cambodian and Hmong participants agreed the most on cluster ratings of relative importance (r = 0.62). Conclusion. The study findings may be used to inform the development of culturally appropriate obesity prevention interventions for Southeast Asian refugee communities.

Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease is a high priority. Reductions in HIV racial/ethnic disparities can potentially be achieved by intervening on important intermediate factors. The potential population impact of intervening on intermediates can be evaluated using observational data when certain conditions are met. However, using standard stratification-based approaches commonly employed in the observational HIV literature to estimate the potential population impact in this setting may yield results that do not accurately estimate quantities of interest. Here we describe a useful conceptual and methodological framework for using observational data to appropriately evaluate the impact on HIV racial/ethnic disparities of interventions. This framework reframes relevant scientific questions in terms of a controlled direct effect and estimates a corresponding proportion eliminated. We review methods and conditions sufficient for accurate estimation within the proposed framework. We use the framework to analyze data on 2,329 participants in the CFAR [Centers for AIDS Research] Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (2008-2014) to evaluate the potential impact of universal prescription of and ≥95% adherence to antiretroviral therapy on racial disparities in HIV virological suppression. We encourage the use of the described framework to appropriately evaluate the potential impact of targeted interventions in addressing HIV racial/ethnic disparities using observational data.

Objectives This study uses a mixed methods approach to 1) identify surrounding residents' perceived expectations for Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI) policy on physical activity outcomes and to 2) quantitatively examine the odds of neighborhood-based physical activity pre-/post-HOPE VI in a low socioeconomic status, predominantly African American community in Birmingham, Alabama. Methods To address aim one, we used group concept mapping which is a structured approach for data collection and analyses that produces pictures/maps of ideas. Fifty-eight residents developed statements about potential influences of HOPE VI on neighborhood-based physical activity. In the quantitative study, we examined whether these potential influences increased the odds of neighborhood walking/jogging. We computed block entry logistic regression models with a larger cohort of residents at baseline (n = 184) and six-months (n = 142, 77% retention; n = 120 for all informative variables). We examined perceived neighborhood disorder (perceived neighborhood disorder scale), walkability and aesthetics (Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale) and HOPE VI-related community safety and safety for physical activity as predictors. Results During concept mapping, residents generated statements that clustered into three distinct concepts, “Increased Leisure Physical Activity,” “Safe Play Areas,” and “Generating Health Promoting Resources.” The quantitative analyses indicated that changes in neighborhood walkability increased the odds of neighborhood-based physical activity (p = 0.04). When HOPE VI-related safety for physical activity was entered into the model, it was associated with increased odds of physical activity (p = 0.04). Walkability was no longer statistically significant. Conclusions These results suggest that housing policies that create walkable neighborhoods and that improve perceptions of safety for physical activity may increase neighborhood-based physical activity. However, the longer term impacts of neighborhood-level policies on physical activity require more longitudinal evidence to determine whether increased participation in physical activity is sustained.

Purpose African-American youth are at high risk for physical inactivity. This study explored social and cultural environment facilitators of physical activity among 12- to 14-year-old African-American adolescents living in a metropolitan area in the Southeast. Methods Youth (n = 51; 45% male) participated in brainstorming focus groups responding to the prompt, "What about your family, friends, and community, encourages you to be physically active?" In a second meeting, participants (n = 56; 37.5% male) sorted statements (n = 84) based on similarity in meaning and rated statements on relative importance. Statement groups and ratings were entered into Concept Systems software where multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to create graphical representation of ideas. Finally, researchers named clusters according to the gestalt of grouped statements. Results The total sample included 28.9% of youth with household incomes ≤$30,000 (area median income = $30,701), 29% who perceived themselves as overweight, and 14.5% who reported being active for 60+ minutes everyday. Nine clusters, in rank order, emerged as follows: access/availability of physical activity resources; family and friend support; physical activity with friends; physical activity with family members; inspiration to/from others; parental reinforcement; opportunities in daily routine; pressure from social networks; and seeing consequences of activity/inactivity. Themes analyzed by gender were very similar ( r = .90); however, "pressure from social networks" was more important for girls than boys ( r = .10). Conclusions Clear patterns of social and cultural facilitators of physical activity are perceived by African-American adolescents. Interventions targeting this group may benefit by incorporating these themes.

INTRODUCTION: Using Jackson Heart Study (JHS) data, we assessed the association between perceived psychosocial stressors and metabolic syndrome (MetS) severity in African American adults. METHODS: Participants included 3,870 African American JHS participants aged 21 to 95 years (63.1% women; mean age 53.8± 13.0). Psychosocial stressors assessed included: major life events (MLEs); global stress; and weekly stress inventory. Each stress measure was classified into tertiles (low, medium, and high). Associations of psychosocial stressors with a sex- and race/ethnic-specific MetS severity Z-score were examined after adjustment for demographics and MetS risk factors (i.e., nutrition, physical activity, smoking status, and alcohol consumption). RESULTS: Independent of lifestyle factors, participants who reported high (versus low) perceived global stress and MLEs had significantly greater MetS severity (p=0.0207 and p=0.0105, respectively). Weekly stress was not associated with MetS severity. Compared to men, women reported significantly higher global stress and MLEs (p

Objective: To examine and compare the relationships among diet, physical activity, and adiposity between home-schooled children (HSC) and traditionally schooled children (TSC). Design and Methods: Subjects were HSC (n 547) and TSC (n 548) aged 7-12 years old. Dietary intakes were determined via two 24-h recalls and physical activity was assessed with 7 days of accelerometry. Fat mass (FM), trunk fat, and percent body fat (%BF) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Relative to HSC, TSC demonstrated significantly higher BMI percentiles, FM, trunk fat, and %BF; consumed 120 total kilocalories more per day; and reported increased intakes of trans fats, total sugar, added sugars, calcium, and lower intakes of fiber, fruits, and vegetables (P

Objective To examine associations between self-reported discrimination and dietary intakes among South Asian (SA) people. Methods Data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America study were used to analyze the relationship between self-reported discrimination and dietary behaviors (n = 866). Self-reported discrimination was measured with the 9-item continuous Everyday Discrimination Scale. Diet was measured with a culturally tailored, validated, 163-item food frequency questionnaire for SA individuals. Dietary variables examined in these analyses included weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables and sweets. The researchers employed multiple logistic and linear regression models. Results Self-reported discrimination was unrelated to fruit and vegetable intake but was positively associated with consumption of sweets per week (P = .001). Conclusions and Implications Increased consumption of sweets may be a mechanism for SA individuals to cope with stressful experiences of discrimination. Further research examining discrimination and health behavior-related coping strategies among SA people is needed.

Asian Indians (AI) have a high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The study investigated associations between discrimination and (1) cardiovascular risk and (2) self-rated health among AI. Higher discrimination scores were hypothesized to relate to a higher cardiovascular risk score (CRS) and poorer self-rated health. Asian Indians (n = 757) recruited between 2010 and 2013 answered discrimination and self-reported health questions. The CRS (0-8 points) included body-mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels of AI. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between discrimination and the CRS and discrimination and self-rated health, adjusting for psychosocial and clinical factors. There were no significant relationships between discrimination and the CRS (p ≥ .05). Discrimination was related to poorer self-reported health, B = -.41 (SE = .17), p = .02. Findings suggest perhaps there are important levels at which discrimination may harm health.

Using a community-engaged participatory research approach, this study identified surrounding community residents’ expectations for how a HOPE VI housing initiative might affect their community and individual health and physical activity. Fifty-nine women and men engaged in concept mapping, which is a mixed methods approach, where participants generate, sort, and rate ideas. Participants generated 197 unique statements. Thirteen thematic clusters related to expected changes for the community, health and physical activity emerged. Residents’ rated ‘Increased Pride in the Neighborhood’ and ‘Increased Safety’ as the most important factors related to HOPE VI whereas ‘Drawbacks of HOPE VI’ was rated as least important. This research provides insight into the potential impacts of housing initiatives from the perspective of those most affected by such initiatives. The findings also highlight environmental changes as potential mechanisms that may improve residents’ perceptions of the community and encourage healthy lifestyles.

Reducing racial/ethnic disparities in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease is a high priority. Reductions in HIV racial/ethnic disparities can potentially be achieved by intervening on important intermediate factors. The potential population impact of intervening on intermediates can be evaluated using observational data when certain conditions are met. However, using standard stratification-based approaches commonly employed in the observational HIV literature to estimate the potential population impact in this setting may yield results that do not accurately estimate quantities of interest. Here we describe a useful conceptual and methodological framework for using observational data to appropriately evaluate the impact on HIV racial/ethnic disparities of interventions. This framework reframes relevant scientific questions in terms of a controlled direct effect and estimates a corresponding proportion eliminated. We review methods and conditions sufficient for accurate estimation within the proposed framework. We use the framework to analyze data on 2,329 participants in the CFAR [Centers for AIDS Research] Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (2008-2014) to evaluate the potential impact of universal prescription of and ≥95% adherence to antiretroviral therapy on racial disparities in HIV virological suppression. We encourage the use of the described framework to appropriately evaluate the potential impact of targeted interventions in addressing HIV racial/ethnic disparities using observational data.

Both subjective and objectively measured social status has been associated with multiple health outcomes, including weight status, but the mechanism for this relationship remains unclear. Experimental studies may help identify the causal mechanisms underlying low social standing as a pathway for obesity. Our objective was to investigate the effects of experimentally manipulated social status on ad libitum acute dietary intakes and stress-related outcomes as potential mechanisms relating social status and weight. This was a pilot feasibility, randomized, crossover study in Hispanic young adults (n=9; age 19-25; 67% female; BMI ≥18.5 and ≤30kg/m(2)). At visit 1, participants consumed a standardized breakfast and were randomized to a high social status position (HIGH) or low social status position (LOW) in a rigged game of Monopoly™. The rules for the game differed substantially in terms of degree of 'privilege' depending on randomization to HIGH or LOW. Following Monopoly™, participants were given an ad libitum buffet meal and energy intakes (kcal) were estimated by pre- and post-weighing foods consumed. Stress-related markers were measured at baseline, after the game of Monopoly™, and after lunch. Visit 2 used the same standardized protocol; however, participants were exposed to the opposite social status condition. When compared to HIGH, participants in LOW consumed 130 more calories (p=0.07) and a significantly higher proportion of their daily calorie needs in the ad libitum buffet meal (39% in LOW versus 31% in HIGH; p=0.04). In LOW, participants reported decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness following Monopoly™ (p=0.05) and after their lunch meal (p=0.08). Relative to HIGH, participants in LOW demonstrated higher heart rates following Monopoly™ (p=0.06), but this relationship was not significant once lunch was consumed (p=0.31). Our pilot data suggest a possible causal relationship between experimentally manipulated low social status and increased acute energy intakes in Hispanic young adults, potentially influenced by decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness. Increased energy intake over time, resulting in positive energy balance, could contribute to increased risk for obesity, which could partially explain the observed relationship between low social standing and higher weight. Larger and longitudinal studies in a diverse sample need to be conducted to confirm findings, increase generalizability, and assess whether this relationship persists over time.

Photos of the mobile market. (DOCX 7853 kb)

The increasing prevalence of pediatric obesity around the world has become an area of scientific interest because of public health concern. Although since early stages of the lifespan body weight might be heavily influenced by an individual's behavior, epidemiological research highlights the involvement of genetic influences contributing to variation in fat accumulation and thus body composition. Results from genome-wide association studies and candidate gene approaches have identified specific regions across the human genome influencing obesity-related phenotypes. Reviewing the scientific literature provides support to the belief that at the conceptual level scientists understand that genes and environments do not act independently, but rather synergistically, and that such interaction might be the responsible factor for differences within and among populations. However, there is still limited understanding of genetic and environmental factors influencing fat accumulation and deposition among different populations, which highlights the need for innovative experimental designs, improved body composition measures and appropriate statistical methodology.

Objective The primary purpose of this study was to determine if perceived neighborhood disorder affected dietary quality within a multiethnic sample of children. Design Children were recruited through the use of fliers, wide-distribution mailers, parent magazines, and school presentations from June 2005 to December 2008. Setting Birmingham-Hoover, Alabama metropolitan area. Participants Sample of 100 children aged 7 to 12 years. Main Outcome Measure Dietary quality was assessed using the average of two 24-hour recalls and analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research. Analysis Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between neighborhood disorder and dietary quality. Results Perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with increased iron intake ( P = .03) and lower potassium levels ( P = .04). Perceived neighborhood disorder was not significantly associated with increased energy intake ( P = .07) and increased sodium intake ( P = .08). Conclusions and Implications Perceived neighborhood disorder was significantly related to differences in dietary quality. This finding indicates that subjective neighborhood characteristics may pose barriers to healthful eating behaviors for children. Future research efforts and policy should address sociostructural factors and ways to manipulate and improve food environments and individuals' perceptions of their neighborhoods.

Although differences in body composition parameters among African American (AA), Hispanic American (HA) and European American (EA) children are well documented, the factors underlying these differences are not completely understood. Environmental and genetic contributors have been evaluated as contributors to observed differences. This study evaluated the extent to which African or European ancestral genetic background influenced body composition and fat distribution in 301 peripubertal AA (n = 107), HA (n = 79) and EA (n = 115) children aged 7-12.Estimates of African admixture (AFADM) and European admixture (EUADM) were obtained for every subject using 142 ancestry informative DNA markers. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography scanning were used to determine body composition and abdominal fat distribution, respectively. Multiple regression models were conducted to evaluate the contribution of admixture estimates to body composition and fat distribution.Greater AFADM was associated with lower fat mass (P = 0.0163), lower total abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0006), lower intra-abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0035), lower subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (P = 0.0115) and higher bone mineral content (BMC) (P = 0.0253), after adjusting for socio-economic status, sex, age, height, race/ethnicity and pubertal status. Greater EUADM was associated with lower lean mass (LM) (P = 0.0056).These results demonstrate that ancestral genetic background contributes to racial/ethnic differences in body composition above and beyond the effects of racial/ethnic classification and suggest a genetic contribution to total body fat accumulation, abdominal adiposity, LM and BMC.

BACKGROUND Adiposity measures are associated with increased pediatric blood pressure (BP). However, this correlation can be confounded by the relationship of both variables to height. We evaluated whether adiposity and anthropometric measures were associated with pediatric BP before and after adjusting each value for height. METHODS Participants included 281 African-American (AA), European-American (EA), and Hispanic-American (HA) children aged 7-12 years. BP percentiles were calculated according to pediatric guidelines using the average of four measurements. Total fat mass was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Socioeconomic status (SES) was calculated with the Hollingshead index. Adiposity measures were indexed for height using log-log regression analysis. Partial correlations identified measures associated with BP. Linear regression was used to test the association of those measures with absolute BP, whereas logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds for hypertension. RESULTS More AAs (16.3%) presented with potential hypertension than EA (5.1 %) or HA (2.7%) children. After adjusting for covariates, fat mass, body mass index, and waist circumference were positively significantly associated with absolute BP and hypertension in AA and EA children (P < 0.05). When these measures were height-indexed, only waist remained significantly positively associated with hypertension risk in these two groups. No measures were significantly associated with BP among HA children. CONCLUSIONS In this multiethnic pediatric population, waist circumference was the strongest significant adiposity predictor of hypertension risk among AA and EA children. Additional research is needed to determine which environmental and genetic factors contribute to pediatric hypertension, particularly among HA groups.

The pathophysiological relevance of the metabolic syndrome is not currently understood, particularly when attempting to apply the diagnosis to children with varying degrees of adiposity or from ethnically diverse populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the metabolic syndrome characterization when the associations are explored by sex, race/ethnicity, and weight status. Participants were 247 multi-ethnic (African American (AA); n=90; European American (EA); n=102; Hispanic American (HA); n=55) children aged 7-12y. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure and fasting blood samples were obtained. Approximately 9% of the children met the criteria for a clinical diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome. There were no differences in prevalence by sex, nor were there differences between girls and boys for mean values of each component. However, there were ethnic differences in characterization of having the metabolic syndrome, with HA more likely to meet the criteria. HA had greater waist circumference, higher triglyceride and glucose concentration and lower HDL-C concentration; whereas AA had higher blood pressure. Weight status was also positively associated with mean values for each component. Due to inherent variations in body composition, physiology and genetics, the usefulness of a characterization of the metabolic syndrome may be limited in the pediatric population.

Treatment of the metabolic syndrome in adults is generally approached with diet and physical activity. The influence of diet and physical activity on cardiometabolic outcomes in children has not been clearly established.The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the distribution of energy from fat and carbohydrate in addition to limited time spent engaging in physical activity would contribute to the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its components in a multiethnic pediatric population.Observational, cross-sectional study. Diet was assessed by two 24-hour recalls, physical activity by accelerometry, body composition by dual-energy absorptiometry, and glucose and lipid levels using fasting sera.Presence of metabolic syndrome and its components.202 African-American (n=79), white (n=68), or Hispanic (n=55) healthy children aged 7 to 12 years.The contribution of diet and physical activity to the metabolic syndrome and its components were assessed by logistic regression and multiple linear regression analyses.Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the total sample was 8.4%, with Hispanics more likely than whites and African Americans to meet the criteria. A greater intake of energy from carbohydrate was related to a greater waist circumference and higher concentrations of triglyceride and glucose particularly apparent within the African-American sample (P0.05). Fat intake was associated with a lower waist circumference (P0.05) and with lower concentrations of triglyceride (P0.05) and glucose (P0.001) in the total sample. Greater moderate/hard physical activity was associated with higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in whites (P0.05). Increased sedentary behavior was related to greater glucose concentration in whites and Hispanics (P0.05 for both).Diet composition was more closely related to the components of the metabolic syndrome than was physical activity, with carbohydrate intake being adversely related to waist circumference, triglyceride levels, and glucose levels. Furthermore, relationships among diet and metabolic syndrome outcomes were stronger among African-American children, suggesting that nutrition interventions in this group may be particularly beneficial.

Racial/ethnic differences in the pediatric population in insulin dynamics have been documented. Additionally, girls tend to be more insulin resistant than boys. Although the mechanism driving these differences is unclear, diet may be a contributor.The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of reported macronutrient intake on insulin dynamics and determine if diet composition may account for racial/ethnic and sex differences in insulin response/action.Participants were 250 African- (n=84), European- (n=105), or Hispanic-American (n=61) children 7-12 years, pubertal stageor =3. An intravenous glucose tolerance test was used to derive the insulin sensitivity index and acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg) diet by two 24 h recalls, and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).Reported energy intake from fat was positively related to fasting insulin (P0.05) and AIRg (P=0.05). Reported energy from carbohydrate was inversely associated with fasting insulin (P0.05), and reported energy from protein was inversely associated with AIRg (P0.05). The interaction terms between ethnicity and diet, and sex and diet were not significant for any outcome variables.Dietary intake influences insulin dynamics; however, the racial/ethnic and sex differences in insulin dynamics in this population are not accounted for by macronutrient intake. Pubertal status is likely to play a role in the interaction between diet, race/ethnicity, sex and insulin dynamics. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if the contribution of diet to insulin dynamics strengthens with reproductive maturation.

Background Effective, low-cost approaches are needed to enhance dietary behavior change. While both video and tailoring technology have been effective interventions to improve diet, these approaches have never been combined to study the effectiveness of tailored videos. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of Good For You!, a randomized trial that tested the efficacy of innovative, individually tailored videos in helping worksite employees decrease dietary fat and increase fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake. Methods Worksites were matched on approximate size, type of company and workforce composition and randomized to one of three experimental conditions: Non-Tailored written information (NT) (n = 14), Tailored Written information (TW) (n = 14), or Tailored Written + Tailored Video (TW + TV) (n = 15). Evaluation was conducted at baseline, 4 and 7 months. We used the NCI Fat Screener and an adapted Food Habits Questionnaire (FHQ) to estimate fat intake and fat-related behaviors, the NCI F&V Screener and F&V Habits Questionnaire (FVHQ) to measure F&V intake and behaviors. Generalized linear models were examined for all outcome measurements. Results 2525 worksite employees were recruited. At 4 months, dietary fat intake decreased significantly more for TW (−2.95 %) and TW + TV (−3.14 %) compared with NT (−2.42 %). FHQ scores decreased significantly more for TW + TV than the other two groups. Fruit intake increased the most for TW + TV compared to NT and TW. Both TW (1.30 cups) and TW + TV (1.59 cups) increased F&V intake significantly more than NT (0.78 cups). TW + TV showed the largest increase in F&V behaviors on the FVFQ. At 8 months, dietary fat change continued to be significantly better for TW + TV (−3.48 %) than NT (3.01 %). F&V intake increased significantly more for the TW + TV group (1.38 cups) compared to the NT group (1.04 cups) and FVHQ changes were significantly greater in TW + TV and TW than for NT. Conclusions The tailored intervention participants were more likely to decrease fat and increase F&V intake. The TW + TV group was generally the stronger of the two tailored interventions, especially at the longer term follow-up, demonstrating the promise of tailored video as an intervention to change eating habits. Future studies should explore newer channels and technologies in addition to DVDs for delivering tailored video interventions such as the internet and smart phones. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00301678

Objective To examine the association of cultural beliefs with physical activity (PA) among African-American adolescents. Methods For a list of 42 leisure-time physical activities, adolescents (N = 116) indicated whether they believed the activity was 'Mostly a Black Thing', 'Equally a Black and White Thing', or 'Mostly a White Thing'. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was assessed using accelerometers. Results Participants scoring in the highest quartile of Mostly Black score engaged in more PA and were less likely to be overweight or obese compared to those in lower quartiles. However, these findings were not statistically significant. Conclusion Further research to validate the association of cultural beliefs with PA is needed to inform health-enhancing PA interventions for this population.

Disentangling the etiology of pediatric obesity continues to challenge researchers. Due to rapid growth and development, changes in the hormonal milieu, increased autonomy in feeding practices and greater interactions with environmental factors, adolescence is a particularly important period for the determination of body composition trajectories and the relationship to current and future obesity outcomes. A plethora of studies have focused on excess energy consumption and physical inactivity as they relate to weight and fat gain in adolescence. Although these "Big Two" have an impact, the increasing trends in pediatric obesity are not accounted for solely by increased energy intake and decreased physical activity. Indeed, under similar conditions of energy balance, inter-individual variation in fat accumulation has been consistently noted. It is becoming more evident that additional factors may contribute independently and/or synergistically to the increase in obesity. Such factors include (but are not limited to) metabolic programming in utero and in early childhood, the hormonal environment, endocrine disruptors, parental feeding practices, and the built environment. Our objective, therefore, is to investigate possible factors, particularly in adolescence that contributes to the increase in pediatric obesity beyond "The Big Two".

While obesity prevalence has increased worldwide, research shows that more women than men are obese. This gender difference suggests the need to examine obesity from a social science perspective. The specific objectives of this entry are: (1) to introduce social scientists to the definition of obesity and its measurement; (2) to determine gender patterns of obesity; and (3) to identify social science perspectives To accomplish the stated objectives, I conducted in-depth literature reviews (search terms: gender, obesity, measurement, World Health Organization, International Obesity Task Force, children and obesity, adults and obesity) in PubMed and social science databases. Based on the international body mass index (BMI) criteria established by the World Health Organization, gendered patterns of obesity are evident among adults such that women are more likely to be obese. Among children and adolescents, there are few discernable or statistically significant differences in obesity prevalence. Public health perspectives often rely on individual health behaviors to explain gender differences which leave the macrolevel structures that contribute to gender differences in obesity understudied. In contrast, social science approaches examine gender socialization and social psychological theories to examine gender differences in obesity. Keywords: body image; cross-cultural; feminist theory; gender; gender studies; obesity

Objective To examine and compare the relationships among diet, physical activity, and adiposity between home-schooled children (HSC) and traditionally-schooled children (TSC). Design and Methods Subjects were HSC (n=47) and TSC (n=48) aged 7 to 12 years old. Dietary intakes were determined via two 24-hour recalls and physical activity was assessed with 7 days of accelerometry. Fat mass (FM), trunk fat, and percent body fat (%BF) were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results Relative to HSC, TSC demonstrated significantly higher BMI percentiles, FM, trunk fat, and %BF; consumed 120 total kilocalories more per day; and reported increased intakes of trans fats, total sugar, added sugars, calcium, and lower intakes of fiber, fruits, and vegetables (p

Background We lack a comprehensive assessment of the risks and benefits of calorie restriction in older adults at high risk for cardiometabolic disease. Calorie restriction may reduce visceral adipose tissue (VAT) but also have negative effects on lean mass and quality of life. Methods We conducted a 52-week, randomized controlled trial involving 164 older adults with obesity taking at least one medication for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes. Interventions included an exercise intervention alone (Exercise), or with diet modification and body weight maintenance (Maintenance), or with diet modification and energy restriction (Weight Loss). The primary outcome was change in VAT at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included cardiometabolic risk factors, functional status, and quality of life. Results A total of 148 participants had measured weight at 12 months. Despite loss of -1.6% ± 0.3% body fat and 4.1% ± 0.7% initial body weight, Weight Loss did not have statistically greater loss of VAT (-192.6 ± 185.2 cm3) or lean mass (-0.4 ± 0.3 kg) compared with Exercise (VAT = -21.9 ± 173.7 cm3; lean mass = 0.3 ± 0.3 kg). Quality of life improved in all groups with no differences between groups. No significant changes in physical function were observed. Weight Loss had significantly greater improvements in blood glucose (-8.3 ± 3.6 mg/dL, p < .05) and HDL-cholesterol (5.3 ± 1.9, p < .01) compared with Exercise. There were no group differences in the frequency of adverse events. Conclusions While moderate calorie restriction did not significantly decrease VAT in older adults at high risk for cardiometabolic disease, it did reduce total body fat and cardiometabolic risk factors without significantly more adverse events and lean mass loss.

Obesity prevalence among African American (AA) girls is higher than that in other groups. Because typical energy-restriction obesity treatment strategies have had limited success, alterations in macronutrient composition may effectively improve metabolic outcomes in this population and affect future body composition trajectories. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a moderately restricted carbohydrate (CHO) versus a standard CHO diet on weight/fat loss and metabolic parameters in overweight/obese AA girls ages 9 to 14 years.A total of 26 AA girls (ranging from 92nd body mass index percentile and above) were assigned to either a reduced- (SPEC: 42% energy from CHO, n = 12) or a standard- (STAN: 55% of energy from CHO, n = 14) CHO diet (protein held constant) for 16 weeks. All of the meals were provided and clinically tailored to meet the estimated energy requirements (resting energy expenditure × 1.2 in eucaloric phase and resting energy expenditure × 1.2 - 1000 kcal in energy deficit phase). The first 5 weeks encompassed a eucaloric phase evaluating metabolic changes in the absence of weight change. The subsequent 11 weeks were hypocaloric (1000 kcal/day deficit) to promote weight/fat loss. Meal tests were performed during the eucaloric phase for metabolic analyses. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to evaluate body composition.Both groups experienced reductions in weight/adiposity, but the difference did not reach significance. The solid meal test indicated improved glucose/insulin homeostasis on the SPEC diet up to 3 hours postingestion. In addition, significantly lower triglycerides (P 0.001) were observed on the SPEC diet.Dietary CHO reduction favorably influences metabolic parameters but did not result in greater weight/fat loss relative to a standard diet in obese AA girls. Future research is needed to determine long-term effectiveness of a reduced CHO diet on glucose and insulin homeostasis and how it may apply to weight maintenance/fat loss during development alone and/or in combination with additional weight loss/metabolic improvement strategies.

Cardiovascular disease has a progressively earlier age of onset, and disproportionately affects African Americans (AAs) in the United States. It has been difficult to establish the extent to which group differences are due to physiological, genetic, social or behavioural factors. In this study, we examined the association between blood pressure and these factors among a sample of 294 children, identified as AA, European American or Hispanic American. We use body composition, behavioural (diet and physical activity) and survey-based measures (socio-economic status and perceived racial discrimination), as well as genetic admixture based on 142 ancestry informative markers (AIMs) to examine associations with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We find that associations differ by ethnic/racial group. Notably, among AAs, physical activity and perceived racial discrimination, but not African genetic admixture, are associated with blood pressure, while the association between blood pressure and body fat is nearly absent. We find an association between blood pressure and an AIM near a marker identified by a recent genome-wide association study. Our findings shed light on the differences in risk factors for elevated blood pressure among ethnic/racial groups, and the importance of including social and behavioural measures to grasp the full genetic/environmental aetiology of disparities in blood pressure.

Characteristics associated with low socioeconomic status neighbourhoods may put children at risk for unique chronic stressors that affect cortisol levels. This research sought to explore whether neighbourhood stressor exposure affected serum cortisol levels among children.A total of 148 African and European-American children with an average age of 8.28 years participated in a longitudinal study evaluating ethnic differences in body composition and disease risk. Five waves of data were included in analyses. Mixed modelling was used to explore neighbourhood stressors, which was a composite index of five items for zip code level poverty and physical disorder, and serum cortisol outcomes for the full sample, by race/ethnicity and gender. Adjustments were made for individual level correlates age, pubertal status, gender and total fat mass.Neighborhood disorder was predictive of lower serum cortisol levels among African-American children (p0.05), such that higher neighbourhood stressor exposure resulted in lower serum cortisol over time compared with individuals in socially ordered neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood disorder was marginally significant and predictive of higher serum cortisol among European-American children (p0.10). Transition to a higher pubertal status, nested in age was also predictive of lower serum cortisol levels (p0.01) among European-American children.Children who are exposed to negative socioenvironmental climates over time are more likely to have altered serum cortisol levels. This may be an adaptive mechanism to cope with stress; however, disrupted cortisol levels may have negative effects on general physical and mental health.