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While a sedentary lifestyle is a one of the most pressing health concern in western society, there appears to be a minority of individuals who exercise compulsively and in excess. Relatively little research has examined the factors leading exercise to transition from a healthy and sociable habit to one that is potentially pathological, addictive, and physically damaging. The present study examined the possible impact of early maladaptive schema (EMS) and implicit self-esteem on exercise dependence (EXD) in a cohort of Australian cyclists. A total of 136 cyclists completed the Young Schema Questionnaire Short-Form Revised, Self-esteem Implicit Association Test and Exercise Dependence Scale Revised to assess EMS, implicit self-esteem and for EXD symptomology. Early maladaptive schema, specifically the domains 'other directedness' and 'impaired limits', accounted for a significant proportion of the variability in self-reported EXD symptomology. Additionally, a significant proportion of this cohort exhibited EXD symptomology irrespective of socio-demographic characteristics. These findings indicate that individuals who have an excessive external focus on the desires and needs of others, and/or are unable to set appropriate internal limits, may be at higher risk of developing EXD symptomology than individuals with lower levels of specific EMS. Therefore, understanding the relationship between EMS and EXD may aid in understanding the etiology of EXD and the development of intervention strategies., Author(s): Rebekah M. Rankin [sup.1] , Paul A. Read [sup.1] , Benjamin R. Walker [sup.1] , Paul M. Rankin [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.1002.3, 0000 0004 1936 7857, School of [...]

Background: We examined the body mass index (BMI) of students attending Seventh-day Adventist (Adventist) schools in Australia in 2001 and 2012. Methods: A total of 3069 students attending Adventist schools in Australia responded to a health and lifestyle survey in 2001 (N = 1335) and 2012 (N = 1734). The survey captured self-reported height and weight, demographics (age, sex, year level, religion), and select health behaviors. Results: Compared with national norms, lower rates of overweight and obesity were observed in the study cohort, but higher rates of underweight. There was no change in the mean BMI of the students attending Adventist schools in Australia from 2001 to 2012. Regression analyses indicated that a lower BMI was associated with age, sex, more regularly eating breakfast, consuming less soft drink, and having a regular exercise program. The students reported a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains compared with Australian national norms, and 29% claimed to be vegetarian. Conclusions: Students attending Adventist schools appear to have a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity than the secular population, but a higher prevalence of underweight. The mechanisms through which Adventist schools may influence student's BMI warrants further investigation.

Purpose: Lifestyle modification programs have been shown to effectively treat chronic disease. The Coronary Health Improvement Program has been delivered by both paid professional and unpaid volunteer facilitators. This study compared participant outcomes of each mode in the United States. Design: Pre-/post-analysis of CHIP interventions delivered between 1999 and 2012. Setting: Professional-delivered programs in Rockford Illinois 1999-2004 and volunteer-delivered programs across North America 2005-2012. Subjects: Adults ≥21 years (professional programs N = 3158 34.3% men, mean age = 54.0 ± 11.4 years; volunteer programs N = 7115 33.4% men, mean age = 57.4 ± 13.0 years). Measures: Body mass index, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), blood lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein), and fasting plasma glucose. Analysis: Analysis of Covariance, with adjustment for age, gender, BMI change and baseline biometric and effect sizes. Results: The professional-delivered programs achieved significantly greater reductions in BMI (.4%, P <.001) and HDL (1.9%, P <.001) and the volunteer-delivered programs achieved greater reductions in SBP (1.4%, P <.001), DBP (1.1%, P <.001), TC (1.4%, P =.004), LDL (2.3%, P <.001), TG (4.0%, P =.006), and FPG (2.7%, P <.001). However, the effect size differences between the groups were minimal (Cohen's d.1-.2). Conclusions: Lifestyle modification programs have been shown to effectively treat chronic disease. The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) lifestyle intervention has been delivered by both paid professional and unpaid volunteer facilitators. This study compared selected chronic disease biometric outcomes of participants in each mode in the United States. It found volunteer-delivered programs do not appear to be any less effective than programs delivered by paid professionals, which is noteworthy as volunteers may provide important social capital in the combat of chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]