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Objective: Research on treatments for children with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is needed. This pilot case series describes outcome data for 20 children ages 6–12 years old with a diagnosis of ARFID and who are low‐weight. Method: Participants were recruited nationwide as part of an ongoing randomized clinical trial. All participants in this study received a 14‐session psychoeducational and motivational treatment (PMT) protocol. Parents completed measures of ARFID severity (the Pica, ARFID, Rumination Disorder Interview) and parental self‐efficacy (Parents vs. ARFID scale). Height and weight were self‐reported by parents and percent of estimated body weight (%EBW) was calculated. Assessments occurred at baseline, 1‐month within treatment, 2‐months within treatment, end‐of‐treatment (EOT), and 6‐month follow‐up. Results: Twenty children (10.34 ± 1.76 years; 85% Non‐Hispanic; 75% White; 70% female; 84.16 ± 4.66% EBW) with low‐weight ARFID and their parents received PMT‐ARFID with a clinician specializing in eating disorders. By EOT, PARDI severity scores decreased (large effect size) parental self‐efficacy increased (medium effect size), but %EBW remained unchanged. Discussion: Additional research evaluating PMT in adequately powered clinical trials for youth with ARFID is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydration status monitoring through weight charts can help active individuals maintain optimal fluid balance and prevent health/performance impairments. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of athletes above an acute hypohydration threshold (within practices), a chronic hypohydration threshold (across practices), and the prevalence of athletes below the acute hypohydration threshold and above the chronic hypohydration threshold simultaneously (e.g., undetected chronic hypohydration). Second, involvement of baseline hydration verification (BV; with/without), sex, and competition level (high school, college/university) with acute hypohydration, chronic hypohydration, and undetected chronic hypohydration were also examined. Undetected chronic hypohydration was prevalent across sexes (6.4 ± 16.7% males; 1.4 ± 5.8% females) and competition levels (6.5 ± 16.4% high school; 5.4 ± 15.6% college/university). No significant differences existed across BV status for average acute hypohydration (with BV = 0.8; without BV = 0.8) or chronic hypohydation (with BV = 0.7; without BV = 0.8). All three calculations, absolute body mass loss, acute hypohydration, and chronic hypohydration, should be utilized to determine the prevalence of hypohydration, and they should also be used to assist athletic trainers while making clinical decisions regarding appropriate rehydration interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Challenges for some women meeting the physical employment standards (PES) for ground close combat (GCC) roles stem from physical fitness and anthropometric characteristics. The purpose of this study was to identify the modifiable and nonmodifiable characteristics predictive of passing GCC‐based PES tasks and determine the modifiable characteristics suitable to overcome nonmodifiable limitations. 107 adults (46 women) underwent multiday testing assessing regional and total lean mass (LM), percent body fat (BF%), aerobic capacity (V̇O2peak), strength, power, and PES performance. Predictors with p‐value <0.200 were included in stepwise logistic regression analysis or binary logistic regression when outcomes among sexes were insufficient. Relative and absolute arm LM (OR: 4.617–8.522, p < 0.05), leg LM (OR: 2.463, p < 0.05), and upper body power (OR: 2.061, p < 0.05) predicted medicine ball chest throw success. Relative and absolute arm LM (OR: 3.734–11.694, p < 0.05), absolute trunk LM (OR: 2.576, p < 0.05), and leg LM (OR: 2.088, p < 0.05) predicted casualty drag success. Upper body power (OR: 3.910, p < 0.05), absolute trunk LM (OR: 2.387, p < 0.05), leg LM (OR: 2.290, p < 0.05), and total LM (OR: 1.830, p < 0.05) predicted maximum single lift success. Relative and absolute arm LM (OR: 3.488–7.377, p < 0.05), leg LM (OR: 1.965, p < 0.05), and upper body power (OR: 1.957, p < 0.05) predicted water can carry success. %BF (OR: 0.814, p = 0.007), V̇O2peak (OR: 1.160, p = 0.031), and lower body strength (OR: 1.059, p < 0.001) predicted repeated lift and carry success. V̇O2peak (OR: 1.540, p < 0.001) predicted 2‐km ruck march success. Modifiable characteristics were the strongest predictors for GCC‐based PES task success to warrant their improvement for enhancing PES performance for women. Highlights: Women in GCC roles require sufficient military‐specific physical fitness and anthropometric parameters, independent of sex, for successfully passing GCC‐based PES tasks as part of assessment testing and selection procedures for GCC roles.Passing GCC‐based PES tasks involving heavy lifting, dragging, pushing/throwing, and carrying may benefit from increased upper body (arm and trunk) and lower body lean mass and upper body power and maximal strength, whereas passing material handling tasks may benefit from lower percent body fat, greater lower body muscular strength, and higher aerobic capacity with the latter important for passing load carriage tasks.Military trainers should target modifiable characteristics, including upper body lean mass, power, and maximal strength to improve GCC‐based PES task performance in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects one in ten individuals in the United States, with rates expected to rise significantly. This novel study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured exercise program on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among males and females with T2DM, and to compare the effects of different volumes of combined aerobic and resistance exercise. A total of 67 adult participants with T2DM were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 (exercise classes and walking sessions) and Group 2 (exercise classes only). After 10 weeks, 39 participants completed the intervention and 34 had complete HbA1c records. Results indicated a significant improvement in HbA1c levels overall, with males exhibiting a greater decrease compared to females. Minimal baseline differences were observed between the walking and non-walking groups and improvements in HbA1c were noted in both groups with no significant differences. These findings suggested potential sex-specific differences in response to structured exercise programs. The study highlighted the importance of tailored exercise interventions in healthcare while managing T2DM. Further research is necessary to optimize exercise prescriptions and evaluate long-term benefits, but the current evidence supports structured exercise as a valuable component of comprehensive diabetes care. This research underscores the need for personalized approaches in exercise regimens, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on sex-specific responses to T2DM interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Migrant children in family detention facilities often experience frequent relocations and prolonged stays in precarious living conditions. This frequent relocation results in fragmentation of necessary medical care, leading to delays and inadequate medical care. We aim to highlight the critical need for comprehensive medical documentation in immigration detention facilities, a fragmented health care system and potential harm to these children without appropriate medical documentation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 165 medical records from children detained at the Karnes County Family Residential Center between June 2018 and October 2020 to evaluate the adequacy of pediatric medical documentation in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) family detention facility. Specific areas of interest included acute care, nutrition, immunization, developmental screening, and tuberculosis screening. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Only 25% of 418 acute medical care visits included specific diagnoses. There was no documentation regarding follow-up recommendations upon release. 97% of children had a chest X-ray completed for tuberculosis screening, however no follow-up recommendations were documented for those with granulomas. Vaccination histories were inconsistently documented. No nutritional categorizations were completed despite 16% of children being at risk for malnutrition or already malnourished. Conclusions: Our findings revealed significant gaps in documentation, particularly in medical decision-making and clinical reasoning. In a fragmented medical system, inadequate documentation can result in avoidable errors in diagnosis and management. Improving documentation practices is crucial to ensure that all children, regardless of immigration status, receive quality healthcare aligned with national and international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In order to understand the global variations in the growth trajectories of cerebral palsy patients, this study aimed to compare the growth patterns of cerebral palsy patients in Saudi Arabi with United States and United Kingdom counterparts. Method: Anthropometric data from 107 participants with cerebral palsy in Saudi Arabia were collected, including age, gender, cerebral palsy type, Gross Motor Function Classification System level, birth weight, weight at assessment, height at assessment, body mass index, and head circumference at assessment. Results: This study found discrepancies between the growth patterns of Saudi Arabian children with cerebral palsy and United Kingdom and the United States growth charts, particularly among those with severe cerebral palsy. Significant differences were observed in weight, height, and body mass index z-scores when comparing Saudi Arabian data with the United kingdom and United States reference data. Interpretation: These findings emphasize the importance of validating growth charts across different populations to ensure accurate monitoring and clinical management of children with cerebral palsy. Additionally, this study highlights the need for region-specific growth references to better address the diverse needs of individuals with cerebral palsy worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There are some rules that furniture designers must take into consideration to design ergonomic furniture. The main design principle is the target group for which the furniture will be designed, considering the dimensions of people who use the furniture. OBJECTIVE: The paper presents the correlation between 12 parts of children's body, as well as the proportion between stature and 11 other parts of the body which are used for the purposes of furniture and interior designers. METHODS: Field measurements include: Stature (S), Sitting height (She), Shoulder height (Sh), Popliteal height (Ph), Hip width (Hb), Elbow rest height (Erh), Buttock-popliteal length (Bpl), Buttock-knee length (Bkl), Thigh clearance (Tc), Eye height sitting (Eh), Knee height (Kh) and Shoulder breadth (Sb) to pupils aged 6–11 (grades 1 to 5). The measurements were done in 687 children in 12 primary schools in 4 different regions in Kosovo. RESULTS: The data of the study shows that, in general, there is a correlation (in some parts strong and in some medium) for the measured parts. Also, the study presents the proportion between the stature and other parts of the body which are necessary for the design of children's furniture. CONCLUSION: Using this data will enable furniture designers to easily target the dimensions of the group they will design, even by measuring only one dimension, i.e. stature and then setting the proportions for each piece separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is an important characteristic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and body roundness index (BRI) is one of the anthropometric indicators associated with obesity. However, studies on the relationship between BRI and MetS risk are limited. We aimed to explore the relationship between baseline BRI and MetS in the USA population. Our study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018, ultimately enrolling and analysing 47 303 participants. Data-driven tertiles were used to categorise BRI levels, and multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the association of BRI with MetS in adults. In addition, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the ability of BRI to predict MetS. The distribution of BRI was different across ethnic groups with a gradual decrease in the proportion of non-Hispanic Whites and other races. In addition, BRI was significantly associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Univariate regression analysis indicated BRI to be a moderate risk factor for MetS, and multivariate logistic regression analysis found that BRI remained an independent risk factor for MetS. After adjusting for confounding variables, a non-linear relationship was found between BRI levels and the prevalence of MetS. More importantly, BRI predicted MetS with the largest AUC among anthropometric measures. In summary, elevated baseline BRI levels are independently associated with the development of MetS, and baseline BRI may assist in identifying patients at risk for MetS, leading to early and optimal treatment to improve their outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Ankle sprains result in pain and disability. While factors such as body mass and prior injury contribute to subsequent injury, the association of the number of ankle sprains on body anthropometrics and self-reported function are unclear in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to assess differences in anthropometric measurements and self-reported function between the number of ankle sprains utilizing a large, pooled data set. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Data were pooled from 14 studies (total N = 412) collected by the Chronic Ankle Instability Outcomes Network. Participants were categorized by the number of self-reported sprains. Anthropometric data and self-reported function were compared between those who reported a single versus >1 ankle sprain as well as among groups of those who had 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥5 ankle sprains, respectively. Results: Those who had >1 ankle sprain had higher mass (P = .001, d = 0.33) and body mass index (P = .002, d = 0.32) and lower Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Activities of Daily Living (P < .001, r = .22), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure-Sport (P < .001, r = .33), and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (P < .001, r = .34) scores compared to the single ankle sprain group. Those who had a single ankle sprain weighed less than those who reported ≥5 sprains (P = .008, d = 0.42) and had a lower body mass index than those who reported 2 sprains (P = .031, d = 0.45). Conclusions: Some individuals with a history of multiple ankle sprains had higher body mass and self-reported disability compared to those with a single sprain, factors that are likely interrelated. Due to the potential for long-term health concerns associated with ankle sprains, clinicians should incorporate patient education and interventions that promote physical activity, healthy dietary intake, and optimize function as part of comprehensive patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health disparities among children living in poverty underscore the importance of identifying risk and protective factors for childhood obesity. By applying a family stress framework with an equity lens, this study aimed to test the differential associations between maternal distress and child body mass index (BMI) in preschool‐age children living in low‐income families. Pre‐intervention data from an obesity prevention randomized controlled trial were used to assess mother‐reported parental distress and anthropometry collected from children and mothers in a diverse sample of 450 families enrolled in Head Start. Analyses examined associations between maternal distress and child BMI z‐score (BMIz) and moderation by child sex. The sample of children was 49% female, 42% White, 25% Black, 11% Hispanic and 33% had overweight status or obesity. Results indicated higher BMIz for girls compared to boys (β = 0.10, p = 0.03). Child sex modified the association between maternal distress and child BMIz (β = 0.12, p = 0.01). Greater maternal distress was associated with higher BMIz among girls but not boys. Among preschoolers, the maternal distress–BMIz association differed by child sex. Understanding individual differences in how maternal distress relates to childhood obesity may have important implications for obesity prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key focus of sports science research is the identification of quantitative assessments that can predict players' on-field performance and developmental potential. Despite efforts to establish predictive models, there are few validated measures that show reliable associations and large gaps in understanding. Here, we test a multidimensional battery of assessments developed through the USA Baseball, Prospect Development Pipeline that capture strength and functional movement abilities, and anthropometric characteristics, in a two-year cohort of collegiate baseball players from the Appalachian League. Swing propensity metrics for Zone Contact Percentage (ZCP: proportion pitches in strike zone swung at and hit) and Hard-Hit Percentage (HHP: proportion in-play balls with exit velocity ≥ 95 mph) were calculated on 189 players. Models testing hierarchical combinations of anthropometric and anthropometric plus assessment data were implemented using nested cross-validation with random forest and elastic net regression. Results indicate that anthropometric features account for 29% of variance in ZCP and 50–55% of HHP, while the addition of assessment contributed an additional 1–3% to ZCP and 5–12% to HHP, with top predictors coming from PDP strength and power assessments. These findings delineate contributions of andromorphic and physical abilities to in-game baseball performance using a validated assessment battery and advanced game statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examined the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as well as their short‐ and long‐term changes over time, with incident dementia in older individuals. Methods: Data came from 18,837 community‐dwelling individuals aged 65+ years from Australia and the United States, who were relatively healthy without major cognitive impairment at enrolment. Anthropometric measures were prospectively assessed at baseline, as well as change and variability from baseline to year two (three time‐points). In a subgroup (n = 11,176), self‐reported weight at age 18 and 70+ years was investigated. Dementia cases satisfied DSM‐IV criteria. Cox regression was used to examine the associations between anthropometric measures and incident risk of dementia. Results: Compared to normal weight, an overweight (HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.57–0.79, p < 0.001) or obese BMI (HR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.60–0.89, p = 0.002), or a larger WC (elevated, HR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.58–0.86, p < 0.001; highly elevated, HR: 0.65, 95%CI: 0.55–0.78, p < 0.001; relative to low) at baseline was associated with lower dementia risk. In contrast, substantial increases in BMI (>5%) over 2 years after baseline were associated with higher dementia risk (HR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.17–1.91, p = 0.001). Increased dementia risk was also seen with an underweight BMI at baseline and a 2‐year BMI decrease (>5%), but these associations appeared only in the first 4 years of follow‐up. Compared to normal weight at both age 18 and 70+ years, being obese at both times was associated with increased dementia risk (HR: 2.27, 95%CI: 1.22–4.24, p = 0.01), while obesity only at age 70+ years was associated with decreased risk (HR: 0.70, 95%CI: 0.51–0.95, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that long‐term obesity and weight gain in later life may be risk factors for dementia. Being underweight or having substantial weight loss in old age may be early markers of pre‐clinical dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge gaps exist on association between law enforcement officer (LEO) anthropometric characteristics and perceived body armour fit, armour discomfort, and armour-caused pain. This study assessed the correlation and identified influential torso dimensions for armour sizing and design applications. Nine-hundreds and seventy-four LEOs across the U.S. participated in a national study on LEO armour use and body dimensions. Perceived ratings of armour fit, armour discomfort, and body pain were found moderately correlated with each other. In addition, armour fit ratings were associated with certain torso anthropometric characteristics, such as chest circumference, chest breadth, chest depth, waist circumference, waist breadth (sitting), waist front length (sitting), body weight, and body mass index. LEOs who reported armour poor fit, armour discomfort, and armour-caused pain had a larger mean of body dimensions than the "armor good fit" group. More women than men had poor fit, discomfort, and body pain in the use of body armour. Practitioner summary: The identified influential body measurements can be used as the "drivers" for multivariate analyses to develop an improved armour sizing system to further LEO protection. The study also suggests consideration of gender specific armour sizing systems to accommodate differences in torso configurations between male and female officers and to resolve the concern that more female officers had poor armour fit than male officers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Timed chair rise tests are frequently used as a substitute for assessing leg muscle strength or power. To determine if timed chair rise tests are an indicator of lower extremity muscle power, we examined the relationship between the repetitions completed in a 30-s chair rise test and the power generated during the test. Methods: Seventy-five individuals participated in this study (n = 30 < 65 years and 45 ≥ 65 years). Participants underwent a 30-s chair rise test while instrumented with a power analyzer. Handgrip strength was also evaluated. Results: The relationship between chair rise repetitions and average chair rise power was R² = 0.32 (p < 0.001). Chair rise repetitions when regressed on a total (i.e., summed) chair rise power, it yielded R² = 0.70 with data from all participants combined (p < 0.001). A mediation analysis indicated that anthropometrics partially mediates the relationship between chair rise repetitions and total chair rise power accounting for 2.8%-6.9% of the variance. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that in older adults, the overall performance of chair rises offers limited information about the average power per rise but is more indicative of the cumulative power exerted. Thus, the total number of chair rises in a 30-s test is likely a more comprehensive metric of overall muscular power, reflecting endurance aspects as well. Additionally, we found that personal physical attributes, such as height and weight, partially influence the link between chair rise count and total power, highlighting the importance of factoring in individual body metrics in assessments of muscular performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous data have demonstrated that Tour de France riders maintain total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) between 3.5 and 5.5 times the basal metabolic rate (×BMR). In contrast, TDEE for healthy male septuagenarians has been reported to average 1.3 to 2.0 ×BMR. Purpose: Measure the TDEE and water efflux during ultraendurance work in an older population during the cross-continent cycling Race Across America. Methods: A 4-man septuagenarian team (70 [1.6] y, 72.0 [5.1] kg) received an oral dose of doubly labeled water prior to completing the Race Across America (4817 km, 51,816 m of climbing) for TDEE calculation. Nude body weight measures were coupled with collected urine samples. Results: The race was completed in approximately 6.5 days (official time: 6 d, 13 h, and 13 min) with an average speed of 30.6 (0.7) km·h−1 (age-group course record). Body weight remained unchanged (prerace: 70.4 [5.8] kg, postrace: 70.0 [5.3] kg). TDEE was calculated over 3 race segments. TDEE varied between individual riders and segments throughout the continuous event (24.7 [4.2] MJ·24 h−1, 5900 [1015] kcals·24 h−1, 3.4 [0.5] ×BMR). Water efflux averaged 10.2 (0.8) L·24 h−1 resulting in a total turnover of 45.3 (3.9) L amounting to 1.5 (0.2) times initial total body water during the race. Conclusions: Highly active septuagenarians maintain body weight prerace to postrace, suggesting near energy balance when TDEE approaches 4 ×BMR. These values exceed twice those of previously observed healthy but less active septuagenarian men and are comparable to professional riders during portions of the Tour de France. Advanced age and high metabolic output are not mutually exclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A combination of physical and psychosocial risk factors put adolescents at risk for poor cardiometabolic health and chronic disease burden, often recognized as metabolic syndrome. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk among adolescents, utilizing the metabolic syndrome severity index, and (2) determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome risk and behavioral health, food insecurity, and physical inactivity among adolescents. Methods and Design: A cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational design was deployed in an inner‐city high school in the Deep South. An 8‐month recruitment and enrollment period yielded a sample of 55 adolescents. A battery of measures included assessment of demographic data, anthropometric, cardiovascular, and psychosocial data. Utilizing these data elements, a progressive methodological approach was used to identify metabolic severity risk as a continuous variable for use in the adolescent population. Results: All participants identified as African American/Black. Among them, 71% (N = 39) were female and an average age of 16 (SD = 1.3) years old, with 67.3% (N = 37) of the sample at risk for metabolic syndrome. There was not a statistically significant relationship between metabolic syndrome severity score and behavioral health risk, food insecurity, and physical inactivity in this sample. Practice Implications: Future use of the continuous metabolic syndrome severity score may guide practice by utilizing longitudinal data to assess the trends of metabolic syndrome severity scores in relation to disease outcomes in adolescents. This may promote the identification of psychosocial and physical interrelationships with metabolic syndrome, thus improving overall health through the development of age‐appropriate interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in body dimensions over time in both Western (US) and Eastern (Korea) populations. In order to analyse the change of body dimension between the past and present and between western and eastern population, 13 body dimensions relating to automobile driver seat design were extracted from the ANSUR and Size Korea datasets at two time points, the past (ANSUR I: 1988, Size Korea: 1992) and the present (ANSUR II: 2012, Size Korea: 2012). Most of the dimensions differed significantly between past and present, as well as between the US and Korea. Overall, the data show an increasing trend of body dimensions over time for both genders. Based on the results, all countries should be encouraged to conduct periodic and national anthropometric research because body dimensions are continuously changing over time worldwide. Practitioner summary: This paper describes a study that investigates the changes in body dimensions over time in Western (US) and Eastern (Korean) populations. Findings indicate increasing trends in most dimensions for both populations, crucial for user-friendly product design and preventing hazards caused by faulty products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning is used for objective determination of body composition, but instrumentation is expensive and not generally available in customary clinical practice. Anthropometric surrogates are often substituted as anticipated correlates of absolute and relative body fat content in the clinical management of obesity and its associated medical risks. DXA and anthropometric data from a cohort of 9230 randomly selected American subjects, available through the ongoing National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, was used to evaluate combinations of surrogates (age, height, total weight, waist circumference) as predictors of DXA‐determined absolute and relative body fat content. Multiple regression analysis yielded linear combinations of the 4 surrogates that were closely predictive of DXA‐determined absolute fat content (R2 = 0.93 and 0.96 for male and female subjects). Accuracy of the new algorithm was improved over customary surrogate‐based predictors such as body mass index. However prediction of relative body fat was less robust (R2 less than 0.75), probably due to the nonlinear relation between degree of obesity (based on body mass index) and relative body fat. The paradigm was validated using an independent cohort from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, as well as two independent external subject groups. The described regression‐based algorithm is likely to be a sufficiently accurate predictor of absolute body fat (but not relative body fat) to substitute for DXA scanning in many clinical situations. Further work is needed to assess algorithm validity for subgroups of individuals with "atypical" body construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary acid load (DAL) has been associated with frailty and hip fractures in older adults, who often have a reduced kidney function and thus compromised buffering capacities. Studies to quantify DAL in older adults are scarce and controversies persist as to whether DAL in- or decreases with age. Aim: To enhance the understanding of DAL in older individuals, we examined its relationship with increasing age and selected anthropometric data in a well-characterized sample of US adults. Methods: Secondary data analysis of nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data (NHANES 2011–2016). The sample included n = 3018 adults aged 60+, which may be extrapolated to represent n = 45,113,471 Americans. DAL was estimated using 4 formulas, including Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) and Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP). Results: All employed DAL scores tended to decline with increasing age. Participants aged 80 years or older yielded the lowest DAL scores. The average US citizen aged 60+ consumed an acidifying diet, yet there were sex-specific differences in the adjusted means for some scores. NEAP was positively correlated with both body mass index (r = 0.26, p < 0.001) and the sagittal abdominal diameter (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) in this nationally representative sample. Conclusion: The previously reported phenomenon of increasing DAL values in older people in non-Western countries may not apply to the US. Our findings may constitute an important step towards a better understanding of DAL in older US adults, and highlight the need for additional population-specific research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unknown if fibre intake differs across diabetes status in USA adults and is associated with glycaemic outcomes. This cross-sectional analysis utilised National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles 2013–2018 data to estimate usual total dietary fibre intake in USA adults and across diabetes status (no diabetes, prediabetes and type II diabetes (T2D)). Associations among dietary fibre intake and glycaemic outcomes were also reported across groups. Adults (≥ 19 years) with at least one dietary recall were included. Diabetes status was determined from self-report data and measured HbA1c. Independent samples t tests were used to compare mean (se) intake across sub-populations. 14 640 adults (51·3 % female) with 26·4 % and 17·4 % classified as having prediabetes and T2D, respectively. Adults with T2D reported greater mean (se) dietary fibre intake compared with no T2D for females (9·5 (0·13) v. 8·7 (0·11) g/1000 kcal/d and males (8·5 (0·12) v. 7·7 (0·11) g/1000 kcal/d; P < 0·01)). However, only 4·2 (0·50)% and 8·1 (0·90)% of males and females with T2D, respectively, met the adequate intake for fibre. Fibre intake was associated with lower insulin (β = −0·80, P < 0·01), serum glucose (β = −1·35, P < 0·01) and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (β = −0·22, P < 0·01) in adults without diabetes, and no relationships in adults with prediabetes or T2D were found. Although dietary fibre intake was highest among adults with T2D, intake was suboptimal across all groups. In adults without diabetes, dietary fibre intake was associated with improved glycaemic outcomes and insulin resistance; however, these associations were attenuated by anthropometric and lifestyle covariates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Existing research provides conflicting evidence regarding the relationship between estimated branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) intake and metabolic, glycemic markers, and anthropometric characteristics. This research seeks to examine the association between estimated dietary BCAA consumption and glycemic, and metabolic markers, as well as anthropometric parameters in adults classified as overweight or obese. Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, we gathered data from 465 overweight and obese individuals aged between 18 and 37 years. To evaluate dietary data, we employed the food frequency questionnaire, and the BCAA content in foods was determined via the United States Department of Agriculture website. We utilized ELISA kits to measure fasting blood glucose (FBS) and lipid profile markers, and additionally calculated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and insulin sensitivity markers. We assessed sociodemographic status, physical activity (PA), and anthropometric attributes through a method recognized as both valid and reliable. For statistical analysis, we conducted analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), making adjustments for variables including sex, PA, age, energy, and body mass index (BMI). Results: Upon adjusting for confounders, those in the highest tertiles of BCAA intake exhibited an increase in weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and fat-free mass (FFM). Conversely, they demonstrated reduced fat mass (FM) (%) and FM (kg) compared to their counterparts in the lowest tertiles (P < 0.05). Additionally, there was a noted association between greater estimated BCAA intake and reduced LDL levels. Nonetheless, our findings did not reveal a significant relationship between dietary BCAA and glycemic indices. Conclusions: From our findings, an increased estimated intake of BCAA seems to correlate with diminished serum LDL concentrations. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of this association, it is imperative that further experimental and longitudinal studies be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extent to which the 8-wk U.S. Army Basic Combat Training (BCT) course elicits or exacerbates menstrual dysfunction (MD) and mechanisms behind this dysfunction is not clear. Purpose: To determine whether changes in menstruation develop in female trainees during BCT and whether changes in body mass, body composition and/or physical activity are associated with menstrual interruption during BCT. Methods: Female trainees grouped according to self-reported menstrual status in the 12 months before BCT as having regular cycles (RC; n = 352) or MD (n = 97) completed height, body mass, and body composition assessments and questionnaires before and after BCT. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare between-group differences in categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Among RC trainees, odds ratios were calculated to examine the influence of changes in body mass, lean mass, and fat mass on a trainee's likelihood to miss a period during BCT. Results: There were no differences in race, height, body mass, body mass index, or physical activity history at pre-BCT between RC and MD (P >0.05). Overall, 86% of trainees experienced changes to menstruation during BCT. RC were more likely than MD to have at least one period during BCT (81% vs 69%, respectively, P = 0.01). Among RC, gaining more body mass and lean mass and losing less fat mass were associated with increased odds of missing a period during BCT. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that most female trainees experience menstrual changes during BCT. Menstrual cycle interruptions do not appear to align with loss of body or fat mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with a history of gestational diabetes (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and preterm birth (PTB), but it is unclear whether this association is due to the pregnancy complication(s) or prepregnancy/early pregnancy confounders. The study examines the association of GDM, HDP, and PTB with MetS 2–7 years later, independent of early pregnancy factors. Materials and Methods: Large, diverse cohort of nulliparous pregnant people with singleton gestations enrolled during their first trimester and who attended a follow-up study visit 2–7 years after delivery. The longitudinal cohort was recruited from eight medical centers across the United States. Using standardized protocols, anthropometry, biospecimens, and surveys were collected at study visits and pregnancy outcomes were abstracted from medical records. We estimated the relative risk of prevalent MetS at the follow-up study visit for participants with GDM, HDP, or PTB (vs. no complications), adjusting for early pregnancy age, body mass index, self-reported race/ethnicity, insurance type, and smoking status. Results: Of 4,402 participants, 738 (16.8%) had MetS at follow-up: 13.1% (441/3,365) among those with no complications, and 27.9% (290/1,002) among those with complications. MetS occurred in 39.0% of GDM (73/187, adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.42–2.16); 29.2% of HDP (176/603, aRR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.27–1.75); and 29.7% of PTB (113/380, aRR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.49–2.12). Those who had both HDP and PTB (n = 113) had an aRR = 1.95 (95% CI 1.50–2.54). Conclusions: People whose pregnancies were complicated by GDM, HDP, or PTB are at a higher risk of MetS within 2–7 years after delivery, independent of early pregnancy risk factors. The highest MetS risk follows pregnancies complicated by both HDP and PTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiological data suggest that populations exposed to starvation show increased incidence of type 2 diabetes but these studies are limited by lack of person-level data. Cambodians resettled in the USA survived severe malnutrition during distinct historical eras. We examined the relationship of individual exposure to starvation with current HbA1c, anthropometrics, and trauma symptoms among Cambodian Americans. Methods: Participants were excluded for extant diabetes but all had elevated risk factors for type 2 diabetes and depression. Participants identified images on a 5-point scale that best depicted their body size during four distinct periods: before 1970 (peacetime), 1970–1975 (USA bombing campaign, widespread hunger), 1975–1979 (Pol Pot regime, mass starvation), and "now" (2016–2019, resettled in the USA). They reported trauma symptoms and provided anthropometrics and a blood sample. Results: The n = 189 participants were mean = 55 years old and had glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) mean = 5.5%. Self-reported body size showed excellent validity by strong correlations between body thinness "now" and objectively measured waist circumference (r = −0.35), weight (r = −0.50), and body mass index (r = −0.50). Whereas there was some variability, modal self-reported body size started as normal during peacetime, became thinner during the USA bombing campaign, became emaciated during the Pol Pot regime, and rebounded to normal/slightly heavy "now." Body size during Pol Pot showed the strongest associations with long-term outcomes; thinner body size (greater starvation) was associated with higher trauma symptoms and higher HbA1c even after controlling for age, current waist circumference, and current body mass index. Conclusion: Greater degree of starvation was associated with higher HbA1c and trauma symptoms four decades later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite major public health investments over the past several decades, little progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of obesity among school-aged children in the United States. In 2007, the Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD) and the Beach Cities Health District launched a wellness initiative, LiveWell Kids, that included multi-level interventions to improve nutrition and increase physical activity. The initiative also included annual measurements of height and weight among all kindergartners and first, third, and fifth graders in the eight elementary schools in the RBUSD. To assess trends in obesity prevalence, we analyzed height and weight data collected during the 2008 to 2009 to 2018 to 2019 school years. To more fully assess the impact of the initiative, we conducted a least-squares regression difference-in-differences analysis of data from the California Physical Fitness Testing Program on measured height and weight among fifth graders from the RBUSD, three neighboring school districts, and Los Angeles County overall. Among elementary school students in the RBUSD, obesity prevalence decreased from 13.9% in 2008 to 2009 to 6.4% in 2018 to 2019. Significant declines in prevalence were observed in all eight elementary schools, and across all grade levels and demographic groups. Among fifth graders, a similar decline in obesity prevalence was not observed in the other school districts or the county overall. The findings suggest that interventions that adhere to the socio-ecologic model and engage students, parents, and school personnel at all levels while also addressing school and community environments may reduce obesity prevalence among elementary school-aged children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context.-- In the late 19th century, mutual autopsy societies formed, first in Paris, France (1876) and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Members, who were often a who's who of anthropologists, physicians, intellectuals, and highly accomplished citizens, pledged to submit their bodies for autopsies to be performed by living society members so that their brains could be weighed and surface topography studied, with the results to be correlated with the decedents' intelligence and personal strengths during life. Objective.-- To explore the short history of these societies, the science they produced, and their extensive newspaper coverage in the United States. Design.-- Available primary and secondary historic sources were reviewed. Results.-- The Société Mutuelle d'Autopsie in Paris and the American Anthropometric Society in Philadelphia had different motives, as the former was heavily influenced by French Third Republic politics and secularism. The American press provided titillating coverage of both and was particularly fascinated by scandals. In America, Burt Wilder formed a splinter group and established the Wilder Brain Collection at Cornell University. In a period where many anthropologists were making untrue claims that brain and skull measurements were largely determined by race and sex, Wilder and Franklin P. Mall of the Wistar Institute in Philadelphia independently published carefully conducted studies proving this was not the case. Conclusions.-- Mutual autopsy societies and brain clubs conclusively established that brain weight was not an accurate predictor of intelligence but accomplished little else; they were phased out shortly after World War I but are the predecessor to modern-day brain banks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose One of the best alternatives for the treatment of meniscal injuries in relation to surgical procedures, is exercise. This case report aimed to describe the effects of isokinetic training and a neuromuscular/proprioceptive exercise program on muscle performance and physical function in an individual after a rupture of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. Study Design Case report. Case Description A 40-year-old man injured his right knee during a soccer match, with a partial lesion of the medial meniscus confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. He completed an isokinetic training program in addition to exercises that targeted proprioception (22 sessions, 11 weeks) to improve physical function and performance, which were assessed before and after treatment and at a six-month follow-up. An individual with similar anthropometric characteristics was chosen to be used as a control for understanding the patient's assessment values. Outcomes Muscular performance of the knee flexors and extensors was evaluated isokinetically using the Biodex System-4 in a concentric mode at angular velocities of 60, 120, and 300 °/s. The main results indicated that after 11 weeks, the peak torque normalized to body mass (PT/BM), at 60 °/s of the knee extensors remained unchanged (2.54 N.m/kg) (below the control value - 3.06 N.m/kg), and at the six-month follow-up, increased by approximately 20% (3.08 N.m/kg). For the hamstrings, at 60 °/s, an increase of 18 % occurred after intervention (1.98 N.m/kg) and by approximately 30 % at the six-month follow-up (2.12 N.m/kg) - values much higher than the control 1.55 N.m/kg). This increase in the PT/BM was also reflected in the Hamstrings:Quadriceps ratio (78 %) after treatment which improved at follow-up (68 %). Discussion The results showed that the isokinetic training and neuromuscular/proprioceptive exercises improved the muscle performance of the knee flexors and extensors, after eleven weeks of intervention, and remained (or continued to improve) at the six-month follow-up. Level of evidence 5, single case report [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher dietary protein, alone or in combination with physical activity (PA), may slow the loss of age-related muscle strength in older adults. We investigated the longitudinal relationship between protein intake and grip strength, and the interaction between protein intake and PA, using four longitudinal ageing cohorts. Individual participant data from 5584 older adults (52 % women; median: 75 years, IQR: 71·6, 79·0) followed for up to 8·5 years (mean: 4·9 years, SD: 2·3) from the Health ABC, NuAge, LASA and Newcastle 85+ cohorts were pooled. Baseline protein intake was assessed with food frequency questionnaires and 24-h recalls and categorized into < 0·8, 0·8–<1·0, 1·0–<1·2 and ≥ 1·2 g/kg adjusted body weight (aBW)/d. The prospective association between protein intake, its interaction with PA, and grip strength (sex- and cohort-specific) was determined using joint models (hierarchical linear mixed effects and a link function for Cox proportional hazards models). Grip strength declined on average by 0·018 SD (95 % CI: –0·026, –0·006) every year. No associations were found between protein intake, measured at baseline, and grip strength, measured prospectively, or rate of decline of grip strength in models adjusted for sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and health variables (e.g., protein intake ≥ 1·2 v· < 0·8 g/kg aBW/d: β = –0·003, 95 % CI: –0·014, 0·005 SD per year). There also was no evidence of an interaction between protein intake and PA. We failed to find evidence in this study to support the hypothesis that higher protein intake, alone or in combination with higher PA, slowed the rate of grip strength decline in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) and anthropometric trajectories may affect foetal programming and are potentially modifiable. Objectives: To assess concomitant patterns of change in weight, circumferences and adiposity across gestation as an integrated prenatal exposure, and determine how they relate to neonatal body composition. Methods: Data are from a prospective cohort of singleton pregnancies (n = 2182) enrolled in United States perinatal centres, 2009–2013. Overall and by prepregnancy BMI group (overweight/obesity and healthy weight), joint latent trajectory models were fit with prenatal weight, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), triceps (TSF) and subscapular (SSF) skinfolds. Differences in neonatal body composition by trajectory class were assessed via weighted least squares. Results: Six trajectory patterns reflecting co‐occurring changes in weight and MUAC, SSF and TSF across pregnancy were identified overall and by body mass index (BMI) group. Among people with a healthy weight BMI, some differences were observed for neonatal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and among individuals with overweight/obesity some differences in neonatal lean mass were found. Neonatal adiposity measures were higher among infants born to individuals with prepregnancy overweight/obesity. Conclusions: Six integrated trajectory patterns of prenatal weight, subcutaneous adipose tissue and circumferences were observed that were minimally associated with neonatal body composition, suggesting a stronger influence of prepregnancy BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study compared the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension and associated factors in China and the United States (US). Methods: Adult data from nationally representative samples were derived from the Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance in 2010 and 2013 in China and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2010 and 2013 in the US. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression analysis were conducted to assess associations of the four outcomes with body weight status and behavioral factors. Results: Age-standardized prevalence rates of hypertension was 35.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 35.4% to 36.1%) in 2010 and 29.8% (95% CI: 29.4% to 30.2%) in 2013 in China, and 35.3% (95% CI: 33.6% to 37.1%) in 2010 and 37.9% (95% CI: 36.0% to 39.7%) in 2013 in the US. Among hypertensive participants, the agestandardized rates of treatment were 18.4% (95% CI: 17.9% to 18.9%) in 2010 and 23.8% (95% CI: 23.1% to 24.6%) in 2013 in China and 54.5% (95% CI: 50.3% to 58.7%) in 2010 and 50.9% (95% CI: 46.5% to 55.3%) in 2013 in the US; the age-standardized hypertension control rates were 3.2% (95% CI: 3.0% to 3.5%) and 5.7% (95% CI: 5.3% to 6.0%) in 2010 and 2013 in China and 50.6% (95% CI: 46.2% to 55.0%) and 55.3% (95% CI: 50.3% to 60.3%) in the US. Obesity was significantly associated with prevalence, awareness and control rates in both countries. Different from the US, obesity was negatively associated with hypertension control in China. Conclusion: Hypertension prevalence in China is similar to that in the US, but the control rate in China was significantly lower. Obesity was a critical risk factor for poor hypertension control in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective. Growth and obesity have been associated with increased risk of islet autoimmunity (IA) and progression to type 1 diabetes. We aimed to estimate the effect of energy-yielding macronutrient intake on the development of IA through BMI. Research Design and Methods. Genetically at-risk children (n = 5,084) in Finland, Germany, Sweden, and the USA, who were autoantibody negative at 2 years of age, were followed to the age of 8 years, with anthropometric measurements and 3-day food records collected biannually. Of these, 495 (9.7%) children developed IA. Mediation analysis for time-varying covariates (BMI z-score) and exposure (energy intake) was conducted. Cox proportional hazard method was used in sensitivity analysis. Results. We found an indirect effect of total energy intake (estimates: indirect effect 0.13 [0.05, 0.21]) and energy from protein (estimates: indirect effect 0.06 [0.02, 0.11]), fat (estimates: indirect effect 0.03 [0.01, 0.05]), and carbohydrates (estimates: indirect effect 0.02 [0.00, 0.04]) (kcal/day) on the development of IA. A direct effect was found for protein, expressed both as kcal/day (estimates: direct effect 1.09 [0.35, 1.56]) and energy percentage (estimates: direct effect 72.8 [3.0, 98.0]) and the development of GAD autoantibodies (GADA). In the sensitivity analysis, energy from protein (kcal/day) was associated with increased risk for GADA, hazard ratio 1.24 (95% CI: 1.09, 1.53), p = 0.042. Conclusions. This study confirms that higher total energy intake is associated with higher BMI, which leads to higher risk of the development of IA. A diet with larger proportion of energy from protein has a direct effect on the development of GADA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To characterize the health behaviors and outcomes of first-year international students (FYIS) studying in the U.S. Participants and methods: Three different cohorts of FYIS from a large midwestern university in the U.S. completed three laboratory visits between August and March. The study began in 2017 and ended in March 2020. Anthropometrics, acculturative stress, eating behaviors, sleep, physical activity, and eating habits were assessed. Results: Fifty-four students completed the study. Females had a significant increase in percent body fat (p =.036) and a decrease in sleep quality (p =.006) at the final visit vs. baseline, and uncontrolled (p =.006) and emotional (p <.001) eating behaviors were higher. FYIS who gained more than the median 1.2 kg over the study period experienced higher acculturative stress (p =.004) and a decline in sleep quality (p =.003). Conclusion: Reducing acculturative stress and improving sleep quality should be explored as interventions to protect against undesirable changes in adiposity among FYIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a general lack of information about how insufficient physical activity impacts blood pressure and physical fitness in Latin-American ethnic minorities. To describe the interactions between insufficient physical activity, blood pressure, and physical fitness outcomes in Latin-American schoolchildren of different ethnicity. This was a prospective, international, multi-center, and cross-sectional study of three Latin-American countries involving schoolchildren from seven ethnic groups of Colombia (Tikuna, Nasa, Embera), Brazil (African, Mulato), and Chile (Mapuche), and also European schoolchildren from Brazil and Chile. Data were categorized based on whether participants were physically active (PA) or insufficient physical activity (iPA) using the WHO physical activity recommendations. The main outcomes were systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressure, and scores for physical and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, by estimated V ˙ O2max), handgrip muscle strength (HGS), and standing long jump (SLJ). Secondary outcomes were anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-height ratio), and body fat percentage (BF%, limited data by country). Primary and secondary outcomes were ranked. For both PA and iPA categories, significant interactions between ethnic groups were found concerning SBP/DBP (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), V ˙ O2max (F(37.7), ES 0.08; F(51.5), ES 0.08), HGS (F(33.8), ES 0.07; F(5.03), ES 0.04), and SLJ (F(64.3), ES 0.14; F(64.3), 0.14). In the iPA category, Mapuche schoolchildren were classified 1st (119.5; 81.5) with highest SBP/DBP and highest MAP (94.6 mmHg); Embera schoolchildren were classified 1st with lowest V ˙ O2max (33.7 mL/kg/min); and European schoolchildren were classified 1st (19.9 kg) with lowest HGS and SLJ (121.4 m) physical fitness. Under conditions of insufficient physical activity conditions, Mapuche schoolchildren had the most detrimental blood pressure, whereas Embera, Tikuna, and European schoolchildren had the lowest levels of physical fitness. These results serve to highlight the need for the early and appropriate promotion of physical activity based on ethnic differences in Latin-American schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To a) demonstrate that adopting 'at risk' waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) cut-off points, recently approved by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the United States Department of Defense (USDoD), will unfairly penalize shorter individuals and will be too lenient for taller individuals, b) to confirm that waist circumference (WC) of a sample of US service personnel, scales to approximately height0.5, supporting the notion that WC, to be independent of height (HT), should be normalized using WC.HT−0.5 (WHT•5R), and c) to identify the WHT•5R cut-off points that will reduce or eliminate this unwanted bias. We employed a three independent cross-sectional sample design. All n = 58,742 participants underwent anthropometric assessment of body mass, stature and waist circumference. The allometric power-law model WC=a.HT^b for US service personnel identified the height exponent to be b= 0.418 (95 % CI 0.251–0.585), confirming that the simple body-shape index for WC to be independent of HT, should be WC.HT−0.5. Chi-square tests of independence and for linear trend confirmed that by adopting WHTR cut-off point, shorter individuals (both service personnel and non-service participants) will be over penalized (classified as being 'at risk'). New WC independent-of-height ratio cut-off points were found to resolve this problem. Adopting WHTR cut-off thresholds (either 0.5 or 0.55) will lead to shorter adults being unfairly classified as being 'at risk' in terms of their central adiposity and general health status. Adopting new WHT•5R cut-off point thresholds were found to greatly reduce or eliminate this bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the relationship between waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D)/impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and to explore to what extent these associations are mediated by blood pressure, lipids and other indicators related to liver and kidney metabolism. This study was based on a functional community cohort included 6109 participants which were divided into two sub-cohorts. One sub-cohort included participants with normal fasting glucose (n = 5563), another included IFG individuals at baseline (n = 546). Cox regression models were used to evaluate the relationships of WHtR with T2D/IFG. Four-year time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under curve (AUC) were calculated to estimate the discriminatory power of WhtR and other anthropometric indices on T2D. Mediation analysis was performed to estimate which risk factors mediate the association between WHtR and T2D. Significant positive associations were found between WHtR and the incidence of T2D/IFG in both sub-cohort. WhtR was a useful predictor of T2D (P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that HOMA-IR (0.45 %), SBP (5.10 %), triglycerides (11.02 %), creatinine (9.36 %) and combined kidney indicators (17.48 %) partly mediated the effect of WHtR on T2D in men. For women, this association was partly mediated by SBP (13.86 %), HDL (24.54 %), ALT (6.29 %), UA (22.58 %) and combined kidney indicators (39.51 %). WHtR was an independent risk factor for the development of T2D and IFG. This association was partly mediated by HOMA-IR, SBP, lipids and other liver and kidney metabolism indicators. • Strong correlations were found between WhtR and T2D/IFG. • WhtR was a useful indices in predicting T2D. • Association between WHtR and T2D were mediated by HOMA-IR, SBP, lipids and other liver and kidney indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, the prevalence of obesity among adults has increased 3-fold since the 1980s, but patterns of incidence of new cases of obesity are not known. Objectives: To examine the incidence of new cases of obesity: overall, by demographic and educational subgroups, by weight status, and changes during this century. Methods: We analyzed adult (≥20 y) anthropometric records from the US nationally representative Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 2001 to 2017. Among those not having obesity (body mass index, BMI, ≥30 kg/²) at first observation, we used Poisson models to estimate the incidence of obesity [cases/1000 person-years (PYs)] and incidence rate ratio (IRR). Results: Among 13,888 adults followed for 115,797 PYs, the incidence of obesity in 2001-2017 was 28.1/1000 PYs (95% CI: 26.7, 29.7). Over the periods 2001-2005, 2005-2009, and 2009-2013, the incidence of obesity was stable, but in 2013-2017 the incidence increased by 18% compared to 2009-2013 [IRR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.30)]. Blacks had higher obesity incidence [47.9/1000 PYs (95% CI: 42.7, 53.1)] than Whites [26.2/1000 PYs (95% CI: 24.6, 27.9)]. Risk was particularly high among Black females [57.9/1000 PYs (95% CI: 49.1, 66.8)] and Black young adults (20-29 y) [65.5/1000 PYs (95% CI: 54.2, 76.7)]. Across race, obesity incidence was highest in young adults (20-29 y) [34.1/1000 PYs (95% CI: 31.5, 36.7)] and declined with age [age 70+ y: 18.9/1000 PYs (95% CI: 16.6, 21.8)]. Those with overweight had an obesity risk 7 times higher than those with normal weight [62.1/1000 PYs (95% CI: 58.8, 65.3) vs. 8.8/1000 PYs (95% CI: 8.1, 9.6)]. Those with less than high-school education had higher obesity incidence than those with education beyond high-school [39.4/1000 PYs (95% CI: 34.4, 44.4) vs. 24.7/1000 PYs (95% CI: 23.1, 26.3)]. Conclusions: Incidence of obesity was stable over the first 13 y of the last 2 decades but increased by 18% in 2013-2017. Blacks and younger adults were at highest risk, and those with overweight were also at high risk for developing obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Comparing body fat and the effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities in Chinese and USA teenagers may provide clues for the early prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to compare the prevalence of glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities, body fat amount and distribution, and the effect of body fat on glucose and lipid metabolism in Chinese and US teenagers. Methods We included 5424 Chinese teenagers (48.5% male) from the China Child and Adolescent Cardiovascular Health (CCACH) study and 8704 USA teenagers (55.6% male) from the USA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Blood lipid, blood glucose, and body fat indicators were obtained using the same standardised measurements. Results The prevalence of dyslipidaemia in Chinese teenagers was of those in the USA (hypercholesterolaemia = 3.5% vs 7.4%; high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) = 3.6% vs 5.0%; low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)=9.9% vs 14.3%; hypertriglyceridaemia=3.7% vs 10.1%) (P<0.05). However, with the increase in body mass index (BMI), the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers, even exceeding them in the obese group (2.7% in non-overweight to 9.7% in overweight group in China, P<0.05; 3.5% in non-overweight to 6.5% in the obese group in the USA, P<0.05). The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was higher in China than in the USA (28.0% vs 17.5%, P<0.05). Besides, Chinese adolescents are more likely to accumulate fat in the abdomen, and the per-unit fat increase would bring a higher risk of dyslipidaemia in Chinese boys than in USA boys. Conclusions Dyslipidaemia was more prevalent in US teenagers than in Chinese teenagers, but with the increase in BMI, the prevalence of high LDL-C increased more in Chinese than in US teenagers. Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was significantly more prevalent in China than in the USA. The unfavoured body fat and higher risk of body fat on metabolic disorders in Chinese teenagers suggest that Chinese teenagers should pay more attention to the adverse effect of body fat on metabolic abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

US military physique and body composition standards have been formally used for more than 100 years. These metrics promote appropriate physical fitness, trim appearance, and long-term health habits in soldiers, although many specific aspects of these standards have evolved as evidence-based changes have emerged. Body composition variables have been shown to be related to many physical performance outcomes including aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, strength and power production, and specialized occupational tasks involving heavy lifting and load carriage. Although all these attributes are relevant, individuals seeking to improve military performance should consider emphasizing strength, hypertrophy, and power production as primary training goals, as these traits appear vital to success in the new Army Combat Fitness Test introduced in 2020. This fundamental change in physical training may require an adjustment in body composition standards and methods of measurement as physique changes in modern male and female soldiers. Current research in the field of digital anthropometry (i.e., 3-D body scanning) has the potential to dramatically improve performance prediction algorithms and potentially could be used to inform training interventions. Similarly, height-adjusted body composition metrics such as fat-free mass index might serve to identify normal weight personnel with inadequate muscle mass, allowing for effective targeted nutritional and training interventions. This review provides an overview of the origin and evolution of current US military body composition standards in relation to military physical readiness, summarizes current evidence relating body composition parameters to aspects of physical performance, and discusses issues relevant to the emerging modern male and female warrior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anthropometrics and body composition characteristics differentiate many types of athletes and are related to performance on fitness tests and tasks in military personnel. Soldiers competing to enter elite units must demonstrate physical fitness and operational competence across multiple events. Therefore, this study determined whether anthropometrics and body composition predicted physical performance and selection for special forces training among soldiers attending the rigorous Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course.Materials and Methods: Soldiers attending the SFAS course between May 2015 and March 2017 were enrolled in a longitudinal, observational study. Anthropometrics (height, body mass, and body mass index [BMI]; n = 795) and body composition measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (percentage body fat, fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content [BMC], and bone mineral density [BMD]; n = 117) were assessed before the course start. Associations with physical performance were determined with correlation coefficients. Associations with selection were determined with analyses of variance and t-tests; effect sizes were calculated as Cohen's d. The U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine Institutional Review Board (IRB) initially approved this study, and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command IRB approved the continuing review.Results: Lower percentage body fat and fat mass predicted better performance on all assessments: Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), pull-ups, SFAS run, loaded road march, obstacle course, and land navigation (P ≤ .05). Higher lean mass predicted better performance on the loaded road march (P ≤ .05). Lower body mass and BMI predicted better performance on APFT, pull-ups, run, and obstacle course; higher body mass and BMI predicted better performance on the loaded road march (P ≤ .05). Shorter stature predicted better performance on push-ups (APFT) and pull-ups; taller stature predicted better performance on SFAS run and loaded road march (P ≤ .05). On average, the selected soldiers were taller (179.0 ± 6.6 vs. 176.7 ± 6.7 cm), had higher body mass (85.8 ± 8.8 vs. 82.1 ± 9.6 kg), BMI (26.8 ± 2.2 vs. 26.3 ± 2.6 kg/m2), lean mass (67.2 ± 7.3 vs. 61.9 ± 7.6 kg), BMC (3.47 ± 0.40 vs. 3.29 ± 0.56 kg), and BMD (1.34 ± 0.10 vs. 1.28 ± 0.10 g/cm2), and lower percentage body fat (17.3 ± 3.4 vs. 20.1 ± 4.5%) and fat mass (14.2 ± 3.7 vs. 15.8 ± 4.4 kg) (P ≤ .05). Effect sizes were largest for lean mass (Cohen's d = 0.71) and percentage body fat (d = 0.70), followed by BMD (d = 0.60), body mass (d = 0.40), fat mass (d = 0.39), BMC (d = 0.37), height (d = 0.35), and BMI (d = 0.21). Body mass adjustment attenuated associations between height and selection.Conclusions: Anthropometrics and body composition are predictors of physical performance and SFAS success. Since these measures are modifiable (excluding height), they may be the focus of intervention studies aiming to improve performance in arduous military training courses, sports that require competition in multiple events, and occupations that have varied physical demands, such as firefighting, law enforcement, and construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little is known about the ability of the recently released Brazilian gestational weight gain (GWG) charts to predict the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes. Objectives We compared the new Brazilian weight gain charts with 3 international charts and determined their ability to predict the occurrence of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) births in Brazilian women. Methods A subsample of 6888 adult women (43,931 weight measurements) with singleton pregnancies from a nationwide, hospital-based cohort study conducted in 2011–2012 was analyzed. Selected percentiles from Brazilian GWG charts were compared with those from American, International Fetal and Newborn Growth Consortium for the 21st Century study, and Lifecycle consortium charts. Sensitivity, specificity, and AUROC values for SGA and LGA births were estimated with 95% CIs using the classification of GWG below or above selected percentiles of each chart. Results The weight gain corresponding to a given percentile varied among the charts, especially for women with pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity. The proportions of women with GWG classified below or above selected percentiles were closest to the expected values for all pre-pregnancy BMI categories in the Brazilian and Lifecycle charts. At the 10th percentile, the highest sensitivity for SGA births was observed for the American charts at midpregnancy (36.8%) and the highest specificity was observed using the Brazilian charts in the first trimester (93.4%). At the 90th percentile, the highest sensitivity for LGA births occurred in midpregnancy for the Lifecycle charts (26.8%) and the highest specificity occurred in the American charts using total GWG (97.1%). All the AUROCs were under 0.5 for SGA births and ranged from 0.55 (first trimester) to 0.62 (total GWG) for LGA births. Conclusions The charts differ in GWG trajectories, especially for women with overweight and obesity. The 4 charts had low predictive ability of SGA and LGA births and should not be considered as isolated screening tools for those outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study characterized a sample of the first women to complete elite United States (US) military training. Methods: Twelve female graduates of the US Army Ranger Course and one of the first Marine Corps Infantry Officers Course graduates participated in 3 d of laboratory testing including serum endocrine profiles, aerobic capacity, standing broad jump, common soldiering tasks, Army Combat Fitness Test, and body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, three-dimensional body surface scans, and anthropometry). Results: The women were 6 months to 4 yr postcourse graduation, 30 ± 6 yr (mean ± SD); height, 1.67 ± 0.07 m; body mass, 69.4 ± 8.2 kg; body mass index, 25.0 ± 2.3 kg·m−2. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry relative fat was 20.0% ± 2.0%; fat-free mass, 53.0 ± 5.9 kg; fat-free mass index, 20.0 ± 1.7 kg·m−2; bone mineral content, 2.75 ± 0.28 kg; bone mineral density, 1.24 ± 0.07 g·cm−2; aerobic capacity, 48.2 ± 4.8 mL·kg−1·min−1; total Army Combat Fitness Test score 505 ± 27; standing broad jump 2.0 ± 0.2 m; 123 kg casualty drag 0.70 ± 0.20 m·s−1, and 4 mile 47 kg ruck march 64 ± 6 min. All women were within normal healthy female range for circulating androgens. Physique from three-dimensional scan demonstrated greater circumferences at eight of the 11 sites compared with the standard military female. Conclusions: These pioneering women possessed high strength and aerobic capacity, low %BF; high fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, and bone mass and density; and they were not virilized based on endocrine measures as compared with other reference groups. This group is larger in body size and leaner than the average Army woman. These elite physical performers seem most comparable to female competitive strength athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the extent to which children's concepts of God correspond with their parents' concepts of God. It also examined how parent‐context factors and children's executive functioning relate to parent–child conceptual similarity. Parent–child dyads from varied religious and racial backgrounds participated. Dyads had the greatest conceptual similarity concerning God's mind‐dependent functions. Though correspondence between parents and children was lowest concerning God's body‐dependent functions, dyads were more similar about those functions when parents engaged in more frequent religious practices with their child and thought God was important. Children's concepts of God were unrelated to religious practices, and parent–child conceptual similarity was unrelated to children's age and executive functioning. Simply put, variation among parents' anthropomorphic concepts of God drove variation in parent–child conceptual similarity. Overall, these findings suggest that embodied concepts of God may be most sensitive to cultural input and that socialization practices provide greater insight into parents' anthropomorphic concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early intervention and diagnosis of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) are crucial for preventing adult cardiovascular disease. However, the optimal indicator for identifying MetS in adolescent remains controversial., Methods: In total,1408 Chinese adolescents and 3550 American adolescents aged 12-17 years were included. MetS was defined according to the modified version for adolescents based on Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria. Areas under the curve (AUC) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 8 anthropometric/metabolic indexes, such as waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), a body shape index (ABSI), waist triglyceride index (WTI), were calculated to illustrate their ability to differentiate MetS. Sensitivity analysis using the other MetS criteria was performed., Results: Under the modified NCEP-ATP III criteria, WTI had the best discriminating ability in overall adolescents, with AUC of 0.922 (95% CI: 0.900-0.945) in Chinese and 0.959 (95% CI: 0.949-0.969) in American. In contrast, ABSI had the lowest AUCs. Results of sensitivity analysis were generally consistent for the whole Chinese and American population, with the AUC for WC being the highest under some criteria, but it was not statistically different from that of WTI., Conclusions: WTI had relatively high discriminatory power for MetS detection in Chinese and American adolescents, but the performance of ABSI was poor., Impact: While many studies have compared the discriminatory power of some anthropometric indicators for MetS, there are few focused on pediatrics. The current study is the first to compare the discriminating ability of anthropometric/metabolic indicators (WC, BMI, TMI, ABSI, WHtR, VAI, WTI, and TyG) for MetS in adolescents. WTI remains the optimal indicator in screening for MetS in adolescents. WC was also a simple and reliable indicator when screening for MetS in adolescents, but the performance of ABSI was poor. This study provides a theoretical basis for the early identification of MetS in adolescents by adopting effective indicators., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to the International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.)

Background: Since cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as the primary cause of death in those with diabetes, and given the substantial influence of obesity as a common risk factor for both diabetes and atherosclerotic conditions, this investigation sought to find the relationship between anthropometric indicators and CVD risk within these populations., Methods: Our study examined 36,329 adults, including those with diagnosed diabetes, pre-diabetes, and without diabetes from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data spanning 1999 to 2018. Various anthropometric indicators such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weight-adjusted waist index (WWI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), weight, and height were assessed. Baseline characteristics were compared among the three groups after weighting. Participants were then grouped based on anthropometric indicators, and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between these indicators and CVD risk in the total diabetes group (including diabetic and pre-diabetic individuals). Threshold effect analysis was conducted to explore nonlinear relationships, and mediation analyses assessed whether serum parameters influenced these relationships., Results: This cross-sectional study involved 36,329 participants, weighted to a count of approximately 160.9 million, including over 45.9 million pre-diabetic individuals and around 16.6 million diabetic individuals. Baseline analysis showed significant associations between all six anthropometric indicators and CVD risk across patients with different diabetes statuses. Weighted restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve analysis highlighted increased CVD risk among the total diabetes group for each anthropometric indicator compared to the non-diabetic group. Anthropometric indicators were then divided into quartiles, and after adjusting for confounders, Model 3 revealed that the highest BMI group had a heightened risk of CVD compared to the lowest BMI group. Similar trends were observed in the WWI and WHtR subgroups. Threshold effect analysis of anthropometric indicators unveiled nonlinear associations between waist circumference, height, WWI and CVD risk. Mediation analysis suggested that lipid parameters, especially HDL, significantly mediated these relationships., Conclusion: In individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, BMI, weight, and WHtR displayed a consistent, linear increase correlation with CVD risk. Conversely, the link between waist circumference, height, and WWI and CVD risk showcased a more complex, nonlinear pattern. Moreover, HDL level emerged as notable mediator in the association between anthropometric indicators and the risk of CVD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest All authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

OBJECTIVES: Examine childhood obesity incidence across recent cohorts. METHODS: We examined obesity incidence and prevalence across 2 cohorts of children in the United States 12 years apart using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Studies, parallel data sets following the kindergarten cohorts of 1998 and 2010 with direct anthropometric measurements at multiple time points through fifth grade in 2004 and 2016, respectively. We investigated annualized incidence rate and cumulative incidence proportion of obesity (BMI z-score ≥95th percentile based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weight-for-age z-scores). RESULTS: Among children who did not have obesity at kindergarten entry, there was a 4.5% relative increase in cumulative incidence of new obesity cases by end of fifth grade across cohorts (15.5% [14.1%-16.9%] vs 16.2% [15.0%-17.3%]), though annual incidence did not change substantially. The risk of incident obesity for children who had normal BMI at kindergarten entry stayed the same, but the risk of incident obesity among overweight kindergartners increased slightly. Social disparities in obesity incidence expanded: incidence of new cases during primary school among non-Hispanic Black children increased by 29% (95% confidence interval, 25%-34%), whereas risk for other race--ethnic groups plateaued or decreased. Children from the most socioeconomically disadvantaged households experienced 15% higher cumulative incidence across primary school in 2010 than 1998. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of childhood obesity was higher, occurred at younger ages, and was more severe than 12 years previous; thus, more youths may now be at risk for health consequences associated with early onset of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The primary objective of the present investigation was to identify 10-year weight gain patterns in 13,802 US adults and also to determine the extent that differences in 10-year weight gains were associated with the key demographic variables: age, sex, and race. Methods. The study design was cross-sectional and included the years 2011–2018. Data for 2019–2020 were not available because of COVID. A multistage random sampling strategy was employed. Specifically, individual sample weights and randomly selected clusters and strata were used with each statistical model, allowing the results to be generalized to the US adult population. Results. Mean (±SE) 10-year weight gain was 4.2 ± 0.2 kg or 6.6 ± 0.2% of initial body weight. A total of 51% of the participants gained 5% or more body weight, 36% gained 10% or more, and 16% gained 20% or more across the 10-years. Age was linearly and inversely associated with 10-year weight gain, expressed in kg (F = 166.4, P < 0.0001) or percent weight gain (F = 246.9, P < 0.0001), after adjusting for sex and race. For each 1-year increase in age, 10-year weight gain decreased by 0.20 ± 0.02 kg and 0.28 ± 0.02 percent. After adjusting for age and race, 10-year weight gain (kg) was significantly greater (F = 73.6, P < 0.0001) in women (5.4 ± 0.3) than in men (2.6 ± 0.2). Weight gain also differed across races, kg (F = 27.7, P < 0.0001) and % (F = 28.5, P < 0.0001). Non-Hispanic Blacks gained more weight and NH Asians gained less weight than the other races. Conclusion. Without question, 10-year weight gain is a serious problem within the US adult population. Younger adults, women, and Non-Hispanic Blacks, particularly Black women, seem to experience the highest levels of 10-year weight gain. Consequently, obesity and weight gain prevention programs focusing on these at-risk individuals should be a public health priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive intake of ultra-processed foods, formulated from substances extracted from foods or derived from food constituents, may be a modifiable behavioral risk factor for adverse maternal and infant health outcomes. Prior work has predominately examined health correlates of maternal ultra-processed food intake in populations with substantially lower ultra-processed food intake compared to the US population. This longitudinal study investigated relations of ultra-processed food intake with maternal weight change and cardiometabolic health and infant growth in a US cohort. Methods: Mothers in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study were enrolled at ≤12 weeks gestation and completed multiple 24-Hour Dietary Recalls within six visit windows through one-year postpartum (458 mothers enrolled, 321 retained at one-year postpartum). The NOVA (not an acronym) system categorized food and underlying ingredient codes based on processing level. Maternal anthropometrics were measured throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and infant anthropometrics were measured at birth and ages 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year. Maternal cardiometabolic markers were analyzed from blood samples obtained during the second and third trimesters. Results: Holding covariates and total energy intake constant, a 1-SD greater percent energy intake from ultra-processed foods during pregnancy was associated with 31% higher odds of excessive gestational weight gain (p =.045, 95% CI [1.01, 1.70]), 0.68±0.29 mg/L higher c-reactive protein during pregnancy (p =.021, 95% CI [0.10, 1.26]), 6.7±3.4% greater gestational weight gain retained (p =.049, 95% CI [0.03, 13.30]), and 1.09±0.36 kg greater postpartum weight retention (p =.003, 95% CI [0.38, 1.80]). No other significant associations emerged. Conclusions: Ultra-processed food intake during pregnancy may be a modifiable behavioral risk factor for adverse maternal weight outcomes and inflammation. Randomized controlled trials are needed to test whether targeting ultra-processed food intake during pregnancy may support optimal maternal health. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov. Registration ID – NCT02217462. Date of registration – August 13, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether fathers' residency status is associated with increased BMI z-scores among young and pre-adolescent children. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to examine the effects of fathers' residency status on child BMI z-scores for children between the ages of 2–5 and 9–11 years old. Fathers self-reported their residency status as either being residential or nonresidential, based on the amount of time they lived in the same household as the child enrolled in the study. We conducted a series of cross-sectional matched analyses using three waves of data from 1448 families who participated in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Results: We did not find a difference in BMI z-scores among children based on their father's residency status for children between the ages of 2–5 years old but did find a marginally significant difference in BMI z-scores for children between 9 and 11 years old. Conclusions for Practice: Our findings suggest that fathers' residency status is not associated with increased BMI z-scores among young children but may be slightly predictive of differences in BMI z-scores among pre-adolescent children. The results from our study begin to explore the scientific gains of analyzing the influence of diverse family structures on childhood obesity outcomes. Our focus on fathers' residency status adds to the literature by highlighting some of the risks and resources that fathers from diverse family structures bring to family functioning and children's health and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grip strength (GS) plays a vital role for law enforcement officers (LEOs). This study aimed to establish a baseline for LEO GS, compare it with the general population, determine the correlation between LEO GS and body dimensions, and evaluate the implications for occupational performance. A total of 756 male and 218 female LEOs from across the U.S. participated in the study. On average, male LEOs exhibit stronger GS (49.53 kg) than female officers (32.14 kg). Significant differences between LEOs and the general population were observed. GS correlated with hand breadth, hand length, stature, and bideltoid breadth. Approximately 26%-46% of males and 5%-39% of females were identified as being at risk of health, fit, or occupational performance based on their measured GS. Enhancing GS training or avoiding implementing heavy equipment (such as pistols with heavy trigger weight), could improve officer occupational performance, safety, or health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The author declares no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Information on the use of validated malnutrition risk screening tools in pediatric facilities to guide malnutrition identification, diagnosis, and treatment is scarce. Therefore, a survey of pediatric healthcare facilities and practitioners to ascertain malnutrition risk screening practices in North America was conducted. A pediatric nutrition screening practices survey was developed and sent to members of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, the Council for Pediatric Nutrition Professionals and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. Respondents represented 113 pediatric hospitals in the United States and six in Canada, of which 94 were inpatient and 59 were outpatient. Nutrition risk screening was completed in 90% inpatient settings, and 63% used a validated screening tool. Nurses performed most malnutrition risk screens in the inpatient setting. Nutrition risk screening was reported in 51% of outpatient settings, with a validated screening tool being used in 53%. Measured anthropometrics were used in 78% of inpatient settings, whereas 45% used verbally reported anthropometrics. Measured anthropometrics were used in 97% outpatient settings. Nutrition risk screening was completed in the electronic health record in 80% inpatient settings and 81% outpatient settings. Electronic health record positive screen generated an automatic referral in 80% of inpatient and 45% of outpatient settings. In this sample of pediatric healthcare organizations, the results demonstrate variation in pediatric malnutrition risk screening in North America. These inconsistencies justify the need to standardize pediatric malnutrition risk screening using validated pediatric tools and allocate resources to perform screening., (© 2024 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.)