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Stigmatization of overweight and obese individuals is common in interpersonal relationships. This study investigated longitudinal weight change patterns among Taiwanese adolescents and the relationship of weight change patterns with delayed romantic experience from late adolescence to young adulthood by using a representative panel survey. Individuals were divided into six weight change pattern categories according to changes in their body mass index. Two-stage stratified and clustered sampling was used to obtain a representative student sample, and 1,834 junior high school students were followed up over 7 years. Persistent obesity and a change from an underweight to a normal weight status over 7 years were independently associated with delayed romantic experience in both sexes. Moreover, females but not males who changed from an underweight or normal weight status to an overweight or obese status had increased odds of delayed romantic experience. Persistent obesity should be addressed early in life because it plays a crucial role in delayed romantic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the association between adolescents' obesity and sociometric status among their peers across 1 year. The participants were 2,528 junior high school students from Taiwan (mean age = 13.31 years). The negative associations discovered between obesity and sociometric status were both concurrent and cumulative. Moreover, the adolescents who changed from nonobese to obese were more likely to have lower social acceptance and be isolated in their classrooms. These findings inform concerns regarding the sociometric status of adolescents who are (or are becoming) obese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized controlled trial explored the effects of a Ving Tsun (VT) Chinese martial art training program on reactive standing balance performance, postural muscle reflex contraction latency, leg muscle performance, balance confidence and falls in community-dwelling older adults. We randomly assigned 33 healthy older adults to either a VT group (mean age = 67.5 years) or a control group (mean age = 72.1 years). The VT group received two 1-hour VT training sessions per week for three months (24 sessions). Primary outcome measures collected before and after the intervention period were electromyographic muscle activation onset latencies of the hamstring and gastrocnemius and the center of pressure path, length and movement velocity in standing (reactive balance performance). Secondary outcome measures included isometric peak force and time to isometric peak force of the knee extensors and flexors, the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale score, and fall history. Results revealed that the mean gastrocnemius muscle activation onset latency was significantly longer (22.53 ms) in the VT group after the intervention. The peak force of the knee flexors significantly increased (by 1.58 kg) in the control group over time but not in the VT group. The time to reach peak force in the knee flexors was significantly longer (by 0.51 s) in the control group (but not the VT group) at posttest compared with the pretest value. No other significant group, time, or group-by-time interaction effects were noted. We discussed possible reasons for the failure of three months of martial art training to benefit fall risks among these older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]