The purpose of this study is to compare self-reported time (by questionnaire) and objectively measured time (by accelerometer) spent on physical activity at moderate (MPA) and vigorous intensity (VPA) in subgroups of age, gender, education and weight status. 236 adolescents (aged 12-18) and 301 adults (aged 22-40), completed the questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for two weeks. Large differences in time spent on MPA and VPA measured by questionnaire and accelerometer in adolescents were found. This finding raises serious questions about the use of questionnaires to quantify MPA and VPA in adolescents. There is a clear need in advanced valid assessments of PA in adolescents.
A new study of more than 14,000 women links physical fitness and breast cancer mortality, revealing an inverse association between aerobic fitness and likelihood of death from the disease.
A new Australian survey found that 22% of parents interviewed said their children skip breakfast on three to five school days of each week, and a further 20% skip breakfast on one or two school days. The remaining 58% of parents said their school aged children always ate breakfast before school.
Of 5th and 7th grade students in Georgia half didn’t reach minimum standards for healthy aerobic fitness. Powell and his team determined body mass index (BMI) and tested fitness and physical activity levels of 5,248 students from 93 schools across Georgia. They found, while nearly a quarter didn’t make the grade in terms of muscle fitness, endurance or flexibility.
Partiet Venstre er barslet med et forebyggelsespolitisk-udspil. Interaktive legepladser og idrætslegepladser indgår i planen. I forbindelse med de interaktive legepladser bør opføres tilsvarende legepladser for voksne, så de voksne kan tage del i den fysiske aktivitet. Forsøg med ny teknologi i skolegårdene for at fremme motivationen for og glæden ved fysisk aktivitet. Det politiske udspil kommer bare 10 dagen før Forebyggelseskommissionens rapport. Se flere detaljer her.
Malcolm is the gifted author behind Bink, Outliers and The Tipping Point. This lecture was recorded on video in 2004. Enjoy his analysis of food technology and how to work with consumers.
The Strategic Alliance of the Prevention Institute has produced a working definition of a healthful food. In this report healthful food is defined by three principles: Healthful food should be (1) wholesome, (2) produced in ways that are good for people, animals, and natural resources, and (3) available, accessible, and affordable. This definition will make food labeling like GDA and nutrient profiling unnessesary. ‘Wholesome’ says this document, means foods that are minimally processed, full of naturally occurring nutrients, produced without added hormones or antibiotics, and processed without artificial colors, flavors, or unnecessary preservatives.
Enjoy this 124 page popular publication from the US.
New research has found that an individual’s personal beliefs about the causes of weight problems are a reliable indicator of whether he or she will support public policies designed to combat the problem. The study surveyed 1,009 people on their views about the causes of obesity and their level of support for 16 policy responses, taking demographics, health characteristics and political attitudes into account.
Multivariate regression models was used to estimate associations between adolescent obesity and proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools for over 500,000 youths in California. The researchers found that students with fast-food restaurants within one half mile of their schools (1) consumed fewer servings of fruits and vegetables, (2) consumed more servings of soda, and (3) were more likely to be overweight or obese than were youths whose schools were not near fast-food restaurants. Exposure to poor-quality food environments has important effects on adolescent eating patterns and overweight. Policy interventions limiting the proximity of fast-food restaurants to schools could help reduce adolescent obesity. See also: http://www.foodpolitics.com/2009/03/influences-on-teenage-obesity-fast-food-proximity/