Sallis, J. F.; Buono, M. J.; Roby, J. A.; Carlson, D.; McClelland, C.; Morris, J. A. Author Information
Multiple physical activity recommendations exist for behaviors that vary in type and intensity (e.g., vigorous physical activity, strengthening exercises, moderate physical activity). The present study examined underlying dimensions of physical activity behaviors and determined the extent to which factors correspond to national health recommendations. Fifteen variables were drawn from six self-report measures and subjected to factor analysis with quartimax rotation. Participants were 547 university seniors (56% female; 60% Caucasian; mean age = 25 years). TV watching, the only index of sedentary behavior, did not load highly with other items, and was analyzed separately. Three interpretable factors were found: variables related to vigorous physical activity loaded highly on Factor 1; flexibility and strengthening items loaded highly on Factor 2; and moderate and housework activity loaded highly on Factor 3. Factors corresponded closely to national recommendations. Unweighted factor scores and TV watching correlated significantly with physiological indicators of fitness, supporting construct validity.
Background Identifying neighborhood environment attributes related to childhood obesity can inform environmental changes for obesity prevention. Purpose To evaluate child and parent weight status across neighborhoods in King County (Seattle metropolitan area) and San Diego County differing in GIS-defined physical activity environment (PAE) and nutrition environment (NE) characteristics. Methods Neighborhoods were selected to represent high (favorable) versus low (unfavorable) on the two measures, forming four neighborhood types (low on both measures, low PAE/high NE, high PAE/low NE, and high on both measures). Weight and height of children aged 6–11 years and one parent (n=730) from selected neighborhoods were assessed in 2007–2009. Differences in child and parent overweight and obesity by neighborhood type were examined, adjusting for neighborhood-, family-, and individual-level demographics. Results Children from neighborhoods high on both environment measures were less likely to be obese (7.7% vs 15.9%, OR=0.44, p=0.02) and marginally less likely to be overweight (23.7% vs 31.7%, OR=0.67, p=0.08) than children from neighborhoods low on both measures. In models adjusted for parent weight status and demographic factors, neighborhood environment type remained related to child obesity (high vs low on both measures, OR=0.41, p<0.03). Parents in neighborhoods high on both measures (versus low on both) were marginally less likely to be obese (20.1% vs 27.7%, OR=0.66, p=0.08), although parent overweight did not differ by neighborhood environment. The lower odds of parent obesity in neighborhoods with environments supportive of physical activity and healthy eating remained in models adjusted for demographics (high vs low on the environment measures, OR=0.57, p=0.053). Conclusions Findings support the proposed GIS-based definitions of obesogenic neighborhoods for children and parents that consider both physical activity and nutrition environment features.
To explore among older adults whether multivariate neighborhood profiles were associated with physical activity (PA) and BMI.Adults (66-97 years) were recruited from Baltimore-Washington, DC (n=360), and Seattle-King County, Washington (n=368), regions. Latent profile analyses were conducted using the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale. ANCOVA models tested for criterion validity of profiles by examining relationships to PA and BMI.Neighborhood profiles differed significantly by as much as 10 minutes/day for moderate-to-vigorous PA, 1.1 hours/week for walking for errands, and almost 50 minutes/week for leisure PA.Environmental variables resulted in meaningful neighborhood patterns that explained large differences in seniors' health outcomes.
Synthesis of metallothionein, a cysteine-rich heavy metal binding protein, is induced in cultured HeLa cells both by the heavy metals Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+, and by the glucocorticoid hormone dexamethasone. The accumulation of [35S]cysteine-labeled metallothionein and the amount of translatable metallothionein mRNA show identical concentration dependences in response to dexamethasone treatment and in response to zinc exposure. Induction of translatable metallothionein mRNA is rapid in response to both the metal and glucocorticoid inducers. Increased synthesis and accumulation of metallothionein in response to either metal or glucocorticoid exposure is regulated by the level of translatable metallothionein mRNA in HeLa cells.
Objective: This study evaluates the post‐treatment and short‐term follow‐up efficacy of, as well as participant satisfaction for, a 4‐month behavioral weight control program for overweight adolescents initiated in a primary care setting and extended through telephone and mail contact. Research Methods and Procedures: 44 overweight adolescents were randomly assigned to either a multiple component behavioral weight control intervention (Healthy Habits [HH]; n = 23) or a single session of physician weight counseling (typical care [TC]; n = 21). Weight, height, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and problematic weight‐related and eating behaviors and beliefs were assessed before treatment, after the 4‐month treatment, and at 3‐month follow‐up. Participant satisfaction and behavioral skills use were measured. Results: HH adolescents evidenced better change in body mass index z scores to post‐treatment than TC adolescents. Body mass index z scores changed similarly in the conditions from post‐treatment through follow‐up. Behavioral skills use was higher among HH than TC adolescents, and higher behavioral skills use was related to better weight outcome. Energy intake, percentage of calories from fat, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and problematic weight‐related or eating behaviors/beliefs did not differ by condition or significantly change over time independent of condition. The behavioral intervention evidenced good feasibility and participant satisfaction. Discussion: A telephone‐ and mail‐based behavioral intervention initiated in primary care resulted in better weight control efficacy relative to care typically provided to overweight adolescents. Innovative and efficacious weight control intervention delivery approaches could decrease provider and participant burden and improve dissemination to the increasing population of overweight youth.
No abstract is provided for this article.
Health disparities may be defined as a difference in health condition or rank; lack of equality in opportunity, treatment or status; and an inequity that is unfair, unjust, unnecessary, and avoidable [1]. Disparities can occur by race/ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, geography, age, disability status, and sexual orientation. Health disparities are associated with a lesser quality of life and higher rates of morbidity and mortality among one group compared with another. During the past quarter century, a host of public and private initiatives have been implemented to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity (e.g., Healthy People 2010 and 2020 (www.healthypeople.gov), Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH; www.cdc.gov/reach), Excellence in Partnerships for Community Outreach, Research on Health Disparities, and Training (Project EXPORT; http:// www.nimhd.nih.gov/our_programs/centerofexcellence.asp).
A large protein complex mediates the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB), which results in the activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Two subunits of this complex, IkappaB kinase alpha (IKKalpha) and IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta), are required for NF-kappaB activation. Purified recombinant IKKalpha and IKKbeta expressed in insect cells were used to demonstrate that each protein can directly phosphorylate IkappaB proteins. IKKalpha and IKKbeta were found to form both homodimers and heterodimers. Both IKKalpha and IKKbeta phosphorylated IkappaB bound to NF-kappaB more efficiently than they phosphorylated free IkappaB. This result explains how free IkappaB can accumulate in cells in which IKK is still active and thus can contribute to the termination of NF-kappaB activation.
