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Objective. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that a 16-week, individualized, intensive strength training program in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking Remicade™ (Infliximab) would improve strength, body composition, disease activity, physical function, pain and quality of life outcomes , as compared to RA patients on Remicade™ with no strength training program. Methods. Twenty-four patients with RA taking Remicade™, participated in a randomized, controlled trial. The exercise group carried out a three time a week strength training program, with the control group continuing standard of care. Assessments were completed at baseline, 8-week, and 16-week time points . Maximal strength, physical function, disease activity, body composition, quality of life, and pain were measured with active tests and via questionnaires. Patients also completed exit evaluations on their satisfaction with the study. Results. Highly significant strength gains were seen in the exercise group according to 3 repetition maximums (3RMs) (p<.01), as well as in all 8 exercises performed in the gym (p<.01). The mean exercise attendance for the 16 weeks was 82.0±10.6%. Compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in right hand grip strength (p<.1), and lean tissue in the trunk (p<.01). Significant improvements were also seen in physical function according to 50-foot walk time (p<.01), the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2) hand and arm function subscales (p<.05), and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MOS SF-36) (p<.1), as compared to controls. The exercise group showed clinically important differences via the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ DI), with a mean change of -0.41±0.42. Significant reductions in pain, as measured by the Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), also occurred (p<.1). The individualization of the strength training program and personal attention received by the patients was critical to the success of the st

To identify factors associated with obesity and ethnicity, the diets and selected behaviors of 47 Anglo and 51 Mexican-American (MA) 3-7 year-old children were examined in interviews with their mothers. Children also wore a Caltrac physical activity monitor. Obesity was assessed using four criteria: the 85th and 95th percentiles of weight-for-height z-scores, and the 85th and 95th percentiles of the mean z-score of triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Results indicate that MA children ingest more energy than do Anglo children. The MA children have higher intakes of sweets, soda pop, protein, fat exchanges, fruits, and vegetables, though the Anglos eat more vegetables relative to energy intake. Except for calcium, the MA children have greater intakes of the vitamins and minerals examined. The MA children watch approximately 20 minutes more television per day than the Anglos and they had lower mean hourly Caltrac values. The obese received lower subjective physical activity ratings by their mothers, and they viewed 1.5-1.8 more hours of television per day than did the nonobese. The obese were breast-fed less as infants and are more likely to live in a household with someone who smokes. Mothers of the obese, particularly the MA obese, gained more weight and consumed more caffeinated beverages during pregnancy. Obese MA were much less likely to receive vitamin supplements than the nonobese MA. Fathers of obese MA children were less educated than fathers of the nonobese. Among the MA, acculturation to the U.S. society was higher for mothers of the obese children. With maternal acculturation comes the adoption of several behaviors which may increase risk for development of obesity. Acculturation is negatively correlated with the intakes of several vitamins and minerals, milk, vegetable servings, and vitamin A foods. It is positively correlated with soda pop, pizza, and caffeine intakes, as well as child television viewing (r = 0.43) and weight gain during pregnancy (r = 0.3

The effectiveness of training individuals in portion size estimation skills in order to increase their accuracy of food quantity estimation was investigated. The retention of gain in estimation accuracy over six months and the effects of the completion of diet records on the retention of estimation accuracy were also investigated. A multi-technique training program combining the measurement and estimation of real foods and food models by standard household measurements and dimensions was used. Three foodforms were represented: solids, liquids, and amorphous foods. Two subject samples, composed of Caucasian females, 28-42 years old, were recruited. One sample (n = 25) was pretested on portion size estimation accuracy, trained, and posttested. They subsequently completed four randomly assigned, nonconsecutive days of diet records and were posttested again six months after their first posttest. The other sample (n = 66) was randomly assigned to one of four groups using the Solomon four-group design: (1) control, pre- and posttested, (2) control, posttested only, (3) trained, pre- and posttested, and (4) trained, posttested only. One control group (Group 2, n = 14) and one trained group (Group 4, n = 14) were administered a second posttest six months after their first posttest for comparison with the other subject sample. Groups 2 and 4 did not complete diet records during the six month period between posttests. Using 14 separate 2 x 2 ANOVAs, results showed that training significantly increased portion size estimation accuracy calculated by difference ("D" method, p =.007) and by absolute value ("Ab" method, p =.003). This training effect for the total test was attributed specifically to the increase in estimation accuracy for solids estimated in cups ("D" method, p =.000; "Ab" method, p =.008) and for amorphous foods ("D" method, p =.000; "Ab" method, p =.000). Comparisons between first and second posttest scores for Groups 2, 4, and the group that completed diet reco