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Purpose: Despite the widely accepted benefits of exercise on chronic disease risk, controversy remains on the role of exercise in weight loss. This study examined the effect of different exercise types on measures of adiposity across different fat categories. Methods: A total of 348 young adults (49% male; 28 ± 4 yr), participating in an ongoing observational study provided valid data over a period of 12 months. Fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) were measured via dual x-ray absorptiometry every 3 months. Percent body fat was calculated and used to differentiate between normal-fat, "overfat," and obese participants. At each measurement time point, participants reported engagement (min⋅wk -1) in aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and other forms of exercise. Results: Most participants (93%) reported some exercise participation during the observation period. Total exercise or specific exercise types did not significantly affect subsequent body mass index after adjusting for sex, ethnicity, age, and baseline values of adiposity and exercise. Resistance exercise affected LM (P < 0.01) and FM (P < 0.01), whereas aerobic exercise only affected FM (P < 0.01). Any exercise type positively affected LM in normal-fat participants (P < 0.04). In overfat and obese participants, FM was reduced with increasing resistance exercise (P ≤ 0.02) but not with aerobic exercise (P ≥0.09). Additionally adjusting for objectively assessed total physical activity level did not change these results. Conclusions: Despite the limited effects on body mass index, exercise was associated with beneficial changes in body composition. Exercise increased LM in normal-fat participants and reduced FM in overfat and obese adults. Adults with excess body fat may benefit particularly from resistance exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation sought to determine the association of symptom distress with selected psychological factors in HIV-infected persons. Data from a randomized controlled trial were used; all subjects who completed baseline data collection were included (N = 99). Data packets included these questionnaires: the Perceived Stress Scale, HIV-related Symptom Distress Scale, and Profile of Mood State. Significant correlations were included in a final regression model. The Perceived Stress Scale, total mood disturbance (including the Profile of Mood State subscales), self-rated current health, and HIV status were independently associated with both frequency of symptoms and symptom distress. Symptom frequency, depression, anger, and fatigue retained significance in the final regression model. Findings from this study indicated significant associations of multiple psychological correlates, suggesting that symptom distress is a complex outcome with a multifactorial etiology. Psychological factors such as depression, anger, and fatigue contribute to the level of distress experienced with HIV-related symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Deals with the clinical implications of therapeutic exercises in HIV/AIDS. Effects of exercise on immunological measures; Changes in exercise parameters with varying stages of HIV infection; Clinical implications.

Introduction: Both baseline cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity predict the risk of cancer mortality. However, the effects of changes in these two factors over time have not been evaluated thoroughly. The aim of this study was to examine the independent and joint associations of changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition on cancer mortality., Methods: The cohort consisted of 13,930 men (initially cancer-free) with two or more medical examinations from 1974 to 2002. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by a maximal treadmill exercise test, and body composition was expressed by body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat. Changes in cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition between the baseline and the last examination were classified into loss, stable, and gain groups., Results: There were 386 deaths from cancer during an average of 12.5 yr of follow-up. After adjusting for possible confounders and BMI, change hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of cancer mortality were 0.74 (0.57-0.96) for stable fitness and 0.74 (0.56-0.98) for fitness gain. Inverse dose-response relationships were observed between changes in maximal METs and cancer mortality (P for linear trend = 0.05). Neither BMI change nor percent body fat change was associated with cancer mortality after adjusting for possible confounders and maximal METs change. In the joint analyses, men who became less fit had a higher risk of cancer mortality (P for linear trend = 0.03) compared with those who became more fit, regardless of BMI change levels., Conclusions: Being unfit or losing cardiorespiratory fitness over time was found to predict cancer mortality in men. Improving or maintaining adequate levels of cardiorespiratory fitness appears to be important for decreasing cancer mortality in men.

Given the limited resources available to public health, it is critical that university programs complement the development needs of agencies. Unfortunately, academic and practice public health entities have long been challenged in building sustainable collaborations that support practice-based research, teaching, and service. The academic health department concept offers a promising solution. In South Carolina, the partners started their academic health department program with a small grant that expanded into a dynamic infrastructure that supports innovative professional exchange and development programs. This article provides a background and describes the key elements of the South Carolina model: joint leadership, a multicomponent memorandum of agreement, and a shared professional development mission. The combination of these elements allows the partners to leverage resources and deftly respond to challenges and opportunities, ultimately fostering the sustainability of the collaboration.