A cross-sectional analysis of physical activity and obesity in inner city Houston Texas Mexican American youth

Obesity prevalence among children and adolescents is rising. It is one of the most attributable causes of hospitalization and death. Overweight and obese children are more likely to suffer from associated conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation, increased blood clotting tendency, endothelial dysfunction, hyperinsulinemia, and asthma. These children and adolescents are also more likely to be overweight and obese in adulthood. Interestingly, rates of obesity and overweight are not evenly distributed across racial and ethnic groups. Mexican American youth have higher rates of obesity and are at higher risk of becoming obese than non-Hispanic black and non-Hispanic white children. ^ Methods. This cross-sectional study describes the association between rates of obesity and physical activity in a sample of 1313 inner-city Mexican American children and adolescents (5-19 years of age) in Houston, Texas. This study is important because it will contribute to our understanding of childhood and adolescent obesity in this at-risk population. ^ Data from the Mexican American Feasibility Cohort using the Mano a Mano questionnaire are used to describe this population's status of obesity and physical activity. An initial sample taken from 5000 households in inner city Houston Texas was used as the baseline for this prospective cohort. The questionnaire was given in person to the participants to complete (or to parents for younger children) at a home visit by two specially trained bilingual interviewers. Analysis comprised prevalence estimates of obesity represented as percentile rank (<85%= normal weight, >85%= at risk, >95%= obese) by age and gender. The association between light, moderate, strenuous activity, and obesity was also examined using linear regression. ^ Results. Overall, 46% of this Mexican American Feasibility cohort is overweight or obese. The prevalence for children in the 6-11 age range (53.2%) was significantly greater than that reported from NHANES, 1999–2002 data (39.4%). Although the percentage of overweight and obese among the 12-19 year olds was greater than that reported in NHANES (38.5% versus 38.6%) this difference was not statistically significant. ^ A significant association between BMI and sit time and moderate physical activity (both p < 0.05) found in this sample. For males, this association was significant for moderate physical activity (p < 0.01). For the females, this association was significant for BMI and sit time (p < 0.05). These results need to be interpreted in the light of design and measurement limitations. ^ Conclusion. This study supports observations that the inner city Houston Texas Mexican American child and adolescent population is more overweight and obese than nationally reported figures, and that there are positive relationships between BMI, activity levels, and sit time in this population. This study supports the need for public health initiatives within the Houston Hispanic community. ^

Community referral for promoting physical activity among primary care patients

Introduction. There is a need for physical activity interventions based in primary care clinics that take advantage of community resources. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of two physical activity interventions: (1) physical activity prescription by a primary care provider plus referral to community physical activity resources and (2) physical activity prescription only. ^ Methods. Sedentary adult patients recruited from a general medicine clinic were randomized to receive a physical activity prescription, delivered by the primary care provider, plus referral to community physical activity resources (n=38) or physical activity prescription only (n=32). Outcomes were use of community resources (exercise facility and personal trainers), physical activity levels (self-report questionnaire and pedometer), and attitudes regarding physical activity assessed at 8 weeks. ^ Results. Three of 38 (7.9%) subjects referred to the community resources and none of the 32 subjects in the prescription only group used the community resources during the 8 week trial. Sixteen of 32 subjects in the prescription plus referral group and 19 of 38 in the prescription group completed the self-report follow-up forms at 8 weeks. For minutes of moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity per week, there were no between-group differences at baseline, follow-up, or change from baseline to follow-up. However, for moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, there were significant improvements from baseline to follow-up within each group. For attitudes related to physical activity, there were no between-group differences at baseline, follow-up, or change from baseline to follow-up; neither were there any within-group changes. ^ Discussion. Physical activity prescription delivered by a healthcare provider in the context of a routine primary care visit can improve physical activity levels, with no additional improvement gained by referring to community resources. The intervention was feasible for primary care providers to deliver, but only 50% of subjects returned the self-report physical activity questionnaire at the 8 week assessment. ^

Association of self-reported physical activity and performance in the physical fitness assessment among Airmen

The U.S. Air Force, as with the other branches of military services, has physical fitness standards imposed on their personnel. These standards ensure a healthy and fit combat force. To meet these standards, Airmen have to maintain a certain level of physical activity in their lifestyle. Objective. This was a cross sectional (prevalence) study to evaluate the association of Airmen's self-reported physical activity and their performance in the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment in 2007. Methods. The self-reported physical activity data were obtained from the Air Force Web Health Assessment (AF WEB HA), a web-based health questionnaire completed by the Airmen during their annual Preventive Health Assessment. The physical activity levels were categorized as having met or not having met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) physical activity recommendations. Physical Fitness scores were collected from the Air Force Fitness Management System (AFFMS), a repository of physical fitness test data. Results. There were 49,029 Airmen who answered the AF WEB HA in 2007 and also took their physical fitness test. 94.4% (n = 46,304) of Airmen met the recommended physical activity guidelines and 79.9% (n = 39,178) passed the fitness test. Total Airmen who both met the physical activity recommendations and passed the fitness test was 75.6% (n = 37,088). Airmen who did not meet the activity recommendations and also failed the fitness test totaled 635 or 1.3% of the study group. The Mantel-Haenszel Chi-Square analysis of the data on the activity levels and the physical fitness test relationship was the following χ2 = 18.52, df 1, and p = <0.0001. The Odds Ratio (OR) was 1.22 (95% CI 1.12, 1.34). Conclusion. The study determined that there was a positive association between Airmen's self-reported physical activity and their performance in the physical fitness assessment.^

The relationship between body image and physical activity in African American women

High rates of overweight and obesity in African American women have been attributed, in part, to poor health habits, such as physical inactivity, and cultural influences on body image perceptions. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship among body mass index (BMI=kg/m2), body image perception (perceived and desired) and physical activity, both self-reported and objectively measured. Anthropometric measures of BMI and Pulvers' culturally relevant body image, physical activity and demographic data were collected from 249 African American women in Houston. Women ( M = 44.8 yrs, SD = 9.5) were educated (53% college graduates) and were overweight (M = 35.0 kg/m2, SD = 9.2). Less than half of women perceived their weight correctly regardless of their actual weight (p < 0.001). Nearly three-fourths (73.9%) of women who were normal weight desired to be obese, and only 39.4% of women desired to be normal weight, regardless of actual or perceived weight. Women in all weight classes (normal, overweight and obese) varied in objective measures of physical activity (F(2,112) = 4.424, p = .014). Regression analyses showed objectively measured physical activity was significantly associated with BMI ( Beta = -2.45, p < .01) and self-reported walking was significantly associated with perceived BMI (Beta = -.156, p = .017). Results suggest African American women who are smaller want to be larger and African American women who are larger want to be smaller, revealing dichotomous distortion in body images. Low rates of physical activity may be a factor. Research is needed to increase physical activity levels in African American women, leading to improved satisfaction with normal weight as desirable for health and beauty. Supported by NCI (NIH) 1R01CA109403. ^

The relationship between physical activity and perceived built environment factors among adult Mexican Americans living in Brownsville, Texas

Background. Physical Activity (PA) is a central part in the fight to reduce obesity rates that are higher in Mexican Americans in the United States than any other ethnic groups. More than half of all Americans do not meet the daily PA recommendations and 48% of Mexican Americans do not exercise. The built environment is believed to affect participation in physical activity. The influence of the built environmental on physical activity levels in low-income Mexican Americans living along the Texas-Mexico border has not been investigated. ^ Purpose. The purpose of this secondary data analysis was trifold: (1) to determine the levels of self-reported PA in adults living in Brownsville, Texas; (2) to characterize the perceptions of this population regarding the built environment; and (3) to determine the association between self-reported PA and the built environment in Mexican Americans living in Brownsville, Texas. ^ Methods. 400 participants from the Tu Salud ¡Sí Cuenta! (TSSC) community-wide campaign were included in this secondary data analysis. Percentages for level of physical activity and the built environment were calculated using SPSS. Perceptions of the built environment were assessed by 14 items. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between physical activity and built environment. All models were adjusted for age, gender, and level of education. ^ Results. The majority of men (41.97%) and women (59%), combined (56.7%)did not meet the 2008 PA Guidelines for Americans. We analyzed 14 built environment variables to characterize participants’ perceptions of the built environment. We conducted odds ratio (OR) to find if those who met PA levels associated the built environment such as neighborhood shops ([OR:1.806], CI:1.074,3.038 ]) bus stops ([OR:1.436], CI:.806,2.558) unattended stray dogs ([OR: 1.806], CI:1. 074,3.038), sidewalk access ([OR: .858],CI:.437,1.686), access to free parks ([OR:.549],CI:.335,.900) heavy traffic in neighborhood ([OR:.802], CI:.501,1.285), crime rate ([OR:.779], CI:.494,1.228) ranked the highest by mean score. The association between physical activity and the perceived built environment factors for Mexican Americans participating in the TSSCStudy were weakly associated. ^ Conclusions. This study provides evidence that PA levels are low in this Mexican American population. The built environment factors assessed in this study characterized the need for further studies of the variables that are seen as important to the Mexican American population. Lastly, the association of PA levels to the built environment was weak overall and further studies are recommended of the built environment.^

The association between classroom characteristics and student physical activity in physical education classrooms

Background. With the rapid rise in childhood obesity, physical activity participation among young children has become the subject of much recent attention. Physical education classes have been specifically targeted as a method of providing opportunities for all children to be active. Unfortunately, student participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during these classes still falls far below the current recommendations. While some research to date has reported the levels of activity among elementary-aged children, research is limited on the relationship between these activity levels and the environmental characteristics that exist within the PE classroom. ^ Purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between specific classroom characteristics and contextual characteristics (lesson context, class size, class location, teacher gender, and teacher encouragement for PA) with elementary aged children's moderate-to-vigorous activity during PE class. ^ Methods. A secondary analysis of 211 3rd, 4th and 5th grade physical education classes amongst 39 elementary schools in Harris County, TX and 35 elementary schools in Travis County, TX was conducted using cross-sectional data from the evaluation of a school-based health program. Lesson context and student activity levels were measured using a direct observation measurement tool. Additionally, these variables were further analyzed against a number of classroom characteristics to determine any significant associations. ^ Results. Overall, elementary PE classes are still participating in low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity averaging only 38% of class time. Additionally, close to 25% of class time is spent in classroom management. Male directed classes spent significantly more time in game activities and female directed classes spent more time in fitness, knowledge, and skill activities. Classes that took place outdoors were more active and spent more time in games than those that took place indoors. Significant correlations were demonstrated between class size and time spent in management context. Time spent in management context was also correlated with time spent sitting and standing. Additionally, positive correlations were demonstrated between time very active and teachers that praised students and encouraged physical activity among their classes.^

Get ur 60: A social marketing campaign to promote and facilitate physical activity among Central Texas middle school students

If allowed to continue unabated, the obesity epidemic may lead to the first decline in life expectancy in the developed world (Olshansky et al., 2005). Similar to the relationship between smoking habits in youth and adulthood, obesogenic dietary and physical activity habits in childhood may persist into adulthood (Kelder et al., 2002). Teaching children how to establish healthy eating habits and activity levels, as well as providing them the necessary resources to internalize and maintain these behaviors, may be the key to curbing this epidemic.^ A school-based obesity prevention approach is advantageous for many reasons including exposure to large captive audiences, reduced costs of sustainability and long-term maintenance, and generalizability of models and results across multiple populations. The effectiveness of school-based programs has been researched over the past 20 years, with promising results.^ Social marketing is a program-planning process that “facilitates the acceptance, rejection, modification, abandonment, or maintenance of particular behaviors” (Grier & Bryant, 2005). Social marketing has been shown to be effective in a variety of public health applications including improving diet, increasing physical activity, and preventing substance abuse. It is hypothesized that social marketing could further enhance the effectiveness of the Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) Central Texas Middle School Project, a school-based obesity prevention program.^ The development, implementation, and initial evaluation of the get ur 60 campaign, to promote the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended sixty minutes of daily activity, is described in this paper. Various components of the get ur 60 campaign were assessed to evaluate the effectiveness of the campaign during the first semester of implementation. At the end of the spring semester focus groups were held to collect student reactions to the first semester of the get ur 60 campaign.^ The initial results from the first semester of get ur 60 have demonstrated that the campaign as designed was feasible to implement, accepted at all intervention schools, and resulted in a measure of success. ^

Exploring the association of children's engagement in nature and outdoor activity with physical activity: A systematic review

The natural environment and green spaces are settings that may facilitate physical activity and, as a result, combat childhood obesity and benefit children's physical health. A systematic review was conducted to assess the effect of children's engagement in outdoor activity on children's physical activity levels. A total of 169 articles were initially identified, of which 11 were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. Studies were heterogeneous: cross-sectional, RCT, cohort, and direct observation. Study participants were between the ages of 3-15 years, and physical activity was measured by accelerometers, pedometers, direct observation or surveys. A majority of the studies (9/11) found a positive association between time spent outdoors and physical activity in children and adolescents. Of these 9 studies, 5 found this association specifically between time spent outdoors in greenspace and physical activity. Despite limitations, the findings of this review support the positive association between time spent outdoors and physical activity in children and adolescents, and the notion that children and adolescents who spend more time outdoors are more physically active. This demonstrates the need to use outdoor environments as settings for children's and adolescents' physical activity.^

Enzyme activity and liver tissue PCB concentrations of chicks of northern fulmars (F. glacialis) and black-legged kittiwakes (R. tridactyla) from Kongsfjorden

Arctic seabirds are exposed to a wide range of halogenated organic contaminants (HOCs). Exposure occurs mainly through food intake, and many pollutants accumulate in lipid-rich tissues. Little is known about how HOCs are biotransformed in arctic seabirds. In this study, we characterized biotransformation enzymes in chicks of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) from Kongsfjorden (Svalbard, Norway). Phase I and II enzymes were analyzed at the transcriptional, translational and activity levels. For gene expression patterns, quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR), using gene-sequence primers, were performed. Protein levels were analyzed using immunochemical assays of western blot with commercially available antibodies. Liver samples were analyzed for phase I and II enzyme activities using a variety of substrates including ethoxyresorufin (cytochrome (CYP)1A1/1A2), pentoxyresorufin (CYP2B), methoxyresorufin (CYP1A), benzyloxyresorufin (CYP3A), testosterone (CYP3A/CYP2B), 1-chloro-2,4-nitrobenzene (CDNB) (glutathione S-transferase (GST)) and 4-nitrophenol (uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase (UDPGT)). In addition, the hydroxylated (OH-) polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in the blood, liver and brain tissue, whereas the methylsulfone (MeSO2-) PCBs were analyzed in liver tissue. Results indicated the presence of phase I (CYP1A4/CYP1A5, CYP2B, and CYP3A) and phase II (GST and UDPGT) enzymes at the activity, protein and/or mRNA level in both species. Northern fulmar chicks had higher enzyme activity than black-legged kittiwake chicks. This in combination with the higher XOH-PCB to parent PCB ratios suggests that northern fulmar chicks have a different biotransformation capacity than black-legged kittiwake chicks.

Frequency of migrants and migratory activity are genetically correlated in a bird population: Evolutionary implications

Most migratory bird populations are composed of individuals that migrate and individuals that remain resident. While the role of ecological factors in maintaining this behavioral dimorphism has received much attention, the importance of genetic constraints on the evolution of avian migration has not yet been considered. Drawing on the recorded migratory activities of 775 blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla) from a partially migratory population in southern France, we tested two alternative genetic models about the relationship between incidence and amount of migratory activity. The amount of migratory activity could be the continuous variable “underlying” the phenotypic expression of migratory urge, or, alternatively, the expression of both traits could be controlled by two separate genetic systems. The distributions of migratory activities in five different cohorts and the inheritance pattern derived from selective breeding experiments both indicate that incidence and amount of migratory activity are two aspects of one trait. Thus, all birds without measurable activity have activity levels at the low end of a continuous distribution, below the limit of expression or detection. The phenotypic dichotomy “migrant–nonmigrant” is caused by a threshold which may not be fixed but influenced both genetically and environmentally. This finding has profound implications for the evolution of migration: the transition from migratoriness to residency should not only be driven by selection favoring resident birds but also by selection for lower migratory activity. This potential for selection on two aspects, residency and migration distance, of the same trait may enable extremely rapid evolutionary changes to occur in migratory behavior.

Mixed spermatogenic germ cell nuclear extracts exhibit high base excision repair activity

Spermatogenic cells exhibit a lower spontaneous mutation frequency than somatic tissues in a lacI transgene and many base excision repair (BER) genes display the highest observed level of expression in the testis. In this study, uracil-DNA glycosylase-initiated BER activity was measured in nuclear extracts prepared from tissues obtained from each of three mouse strains. Extracts from mixed spermatogenic germ cells displayed the greatest activity followed by liver then brain for all three strains, and the activity for a given tissue was consistent among the three strains. Levels of various BER proteins were examined by western blot analyses and found to be consistent with activity levels. Nuclear extracts prepared from purified Sertoli cells, a somatic component of the seminiferous epithelium, exhibited significantly lower activity than mixed spermatogenic cell-type nuclear extracts, thereby suggesting that the high BER activity observed in mixed germ cell nuclear extracts was not a characteristic of all testicular cell types. Nuclear extracts from thymocytes and small intestines were assayed to assess activity in a mitotically active cell type and tissue. Overall, the order of tissues/cells exhibiting the greatest to lowest activity was mixed germ cells > Sertoli cells > thymocytes > small intestine > liver > brain.

Calcineurin expression and activity is regulated by the intracellular redox status and under hypertension in human neutrophils

Calcineurin (protein phosphatase 2B) (CN) comprises a family of serine/threonine phosphatases that play a pivotal role in signal transduction cascades in a variety of cells, including neutrophils. Angiotensin II (Ang II) increases both activity and de novo synthesis of CN in human neutrophils. This study focuses on the role that intracellular redox status plays in the induction of CN activity by Ang II. Both de novo synthesis of CN and activity increase promoted by Ang II were downregulated when cells were treated with l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione. We have also investigated the effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and phenazine methosulfate, which are antioxidant and oxidant compounds, respectively, and concluded that the intracellular redox status of neutrophils is highly critical for Ang II-induced increase of CN expression and activity. Results obtained in neutrophils from hypertensive patients were very similar to those obtained in these cells on treatment with Ang II. We have also addressed the possible functional implication of CN activation in the development of hypertension. Present findings indicate that downregulation of hemoxygenase-1 expression in neutrophils from hypertensive subjects is likely mediated by CN, which acts by hindering translocation to the nucleus of the transcription factor NRF2. These data support and extend our previous results and those from other authors on modulation of CN expression and activity levels by the intracellular redox status.

Application and Reliability of the Retrospective Interview Procedure to Trace Physical Activity

This paper reports the results of two studies. The purpose of the first study was to determine if lifestyle variables and past involvement in physical activity was related to current activity levels in master athletes and sedentary older adults. Retrospective interviews were conducted with 12 master athletes and 12 sedentary older adults. Results demonstrated that education level, spouse participation, smoking, and recent physical activity levels were indicators of current involvement. The second study investigated the reliability of the data collected in the retrospective interviews. Similar to results with younger samples, we confirm that lifestyle variables and physical activity involvement could be accurately recalled for a period of 25 years, making this tool a useful addition for the study of physical activity in older adults.