OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of, and trends in, overweight and obesity in the US population using standardized international de®nitions. DESIGN: Successive cross-sectional nationally representative surveys, including the National Health Examination Survey (NHES I; 1960±62) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES I: 1971±1974; NHANES II: 1976±1980; NHANES III: 1988±94). Body mass index (BMI: kgam 2 ) was calculated from measured weight and height. Overweight and obesity were de®ned as follows: Overweight (BMI ! 25.0); pre-obese (BMI 25.0±29.9), class I obesity (BMI 30.0±34.9), class II obesity (BMI 35.0±39.9), and class III obesity (BMI^40.0). RESULTS: For men and women aged 20±74 y, the age-adjusted prevalence of BMI 25.0±29.9 showed little or no increase over time (NHES I: 30.5%, NHANES I: 32.0%, NHANES II: 31.5% and NHANES III: 32.0%) but the prevalence of obesity (BMI^30.0) showed a large increase between NHANES II and NHANES III (NHES I: 12.8%; NHANES I, 14.1%; NHANES II, 14.5% and NHANES III, 22.5%). Trends were generally similar for all age, gender and race-ethnic groups. The crude prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI ) 25.0) for age^20 y was 59.4% for men, 50.7% for women and 54.9% overall. The prevalence of class III obesity (BMI^40.0) exceeded 10% for non-Hispanic black women aged 40± 59 y. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1976±80 and 1988±94, the prevalence of obesity (BMI^30.0) increased markedly in the US. These ®ndings are in agreement with trends seen elsewhere in the world. Use of standardized de®nitions facilitates international comparisons.

BACKGROUND: Body composition estimates for the US population are important in order to analyze trends in obesity, sarcopenia and other weight-related health conditions. National body composition estimates have not previously been available. OBJECTIVE: To use transformed bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data in sex-specific, multicomponent model-derived prediction formulae, to estimate total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), total body fat (TBF), and percentage body fat (%BF) using a nationally representative sample of the US population. DESIGN: Anthropometric and BIA data were from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III;. Sex-specific BIA prediction equations developed for this study were applied to the NHANES data, and mean values for TBW, FFM, TBF and %BF were estimated for selected age, sex and racial-ethnic groups. RESULTS: Among the non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Mexican-American participants aged 12 -80 y examined in NHANES III, 15 912 had data available for weight, stature and BIA resistance measures. Males had higher mean TBW and FFM than did females, regardless of age or racial-ethnic status. Mean TBW and FFM increased from the adolescent years to midadulthood and declined in older adult age groups. Females had higher mean TBF and %BF estimates than males at each age group. Mean TBF also increased with older age groups to approximately 60 y of age after which it decreased. CONCLUSIONS: These mean body composition estimates for TBW, FFM, TBF and %BF based upon NHANES III BIA data provide a descriptive reference for non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans in the US population.

We have been using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) in the investigation of adults and children with intractable epilepsy. Spectra were obtained from 2 × 2 times 2 cm cubes in the medial region of the temporal lobe, and were analyzed on the basis of signals from N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine+phosphocreatine (Cr), and choline‐containing compounds (Cho). In comparison with control subjects, the epilepsy patients as a group show significant reductions in the NAA signal and in the NAA/Cho + Cr ratio, with increases in the Cho and Cr signals. The reduction in NAA is interpreted in terms of neuronal loss or damage, while the increase in Cr and Cho signals may be a reflection of reactive astrocytosis.

The Web-based MDI technique tutorial was as effective as the standard lecture format in pharmacy students acquiring knowledge of MDI technique and in evaluating a mock-patient exhibiting incorrect MDI technique. Further testing is required to assess the longitudinal effect of the program.

Inflammation is a major component of the vicious cycle characterizing cystic fibrosis pulmonary disease. If untreated, this inflammatory process irreversibly damages the airways, leading to bronchiectasis and ultimately respiratory failure. Antiinflammatory drugs for cystic fibrosis lung disease appear to have beneficial effects on disease parameters. These agents include oral corticosteroids and ibuprofen, as well as azithromycin, which, in addition to its antimicrobial effects, also possesses antiinflammatory properties. Inhaled corticosteroids, colchicine, methotrexate, montelukast, pentoxifylline, nutritional supplements, and protease replacement have not had a significant impact on the disease. Therapy with oral corticosteroids, ibuprofen, and fish oil is limited by adverse effects. Azithromycin appears to be safe and effective, and is thus the most promising antiinflammatory therapy available for patients with cystic fibrosis. Pharmacologic therapy with antiinflammatory agents should be started early in the disease course, before extensive irreversible lung damage has occurred.

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Omeprazole-sodium bicarbonate suspension 2 mg/mL prepared from 20 mg packets was stable for at least 45 days when stored at 3-5 degrees C. A partial dose of 12.7 mg was stable following exposure to SGF for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. This suspension can be easily administered through 5, 6, and 8 French neonatal/pediatric feeding tubes and, when taking time and ease of preparation into account, it is cost competitive with simple omeprazole suspension.

Isradipine was an effective antihypertensive agent to reduce the systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure 10% or more compared with pretreatment measurements in 43 (81%) of 53 pediatric patients. The mean dosage was 0.38 +/- 0.22 mg/kg/d, most frequently administered in two or three equally divided doses, which is higher than the normal recommended dosage for adults.