Targeting reduced sedentary behavior had a greater effect on physical function among inactive but high functioning older adults over 12 weeks. Future studies of longer duration and combining increased MVPA with reduced sedentary behavior are needed.

SummaryBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine weight loss, physical activity, fitness and diet changes in response to a standard behavioral weight loss intervention in adults with self‐reported juvenile onset (n = 61) or adult onset (n = 116) obesity.MethodsParticipants (n = 177; 43.0 ± 8.6 years; body mass index [BMI] = 33.0 ± 3.4 kg m−2) engaged in an 18‐month standard behavioral weight loss intervention. Participants were randomized into three different intervention groups as part of the larger parent trial. BMI, physical activity, fitness and diet were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Separate adjusted mixed models were constructed using SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC).ResultsThere was significant weight loss, increased physical activity, improved fitness and reduced caloric intake over time (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in these outcome variables by obesity onset group. However, there was a significant group by time interaction for fitness (p = 0.001), with the adult onset making significantly greater gains in fitness from baseline to 6 months (p < 0.001); however, this difference was no longer present at 12 or 18 months.ConclusionsWith the exception of fitness at 6 months, weight loss, physical activity and diet did not differ between juvenile onset and adult onset participants, suggesting that those with juvenile onset obesity are equally responsive to a standard behavioral weight loss intervention in adulthood.

The effectiveness of a computer-assisted balance training was compared with a home based exercise program in healthy elderly subjects. Twenty-four physically active community dwelling elderly (median age 71 years) participated in the study. Balance was assessed by a summary performance score, measuring postural stability while standing, reaching, stepping and walking. Subjects of the computer-assisted balance training group could considerably improve their performance on the training device (p = 0.0078) as well as in the summary balance score (p = 0.0176). No improvement of balance was documented in the home-based exercise group. A superiority of the computer-assisted balance training exercise protocol over the home-based exercise group could not be documented (p = 0.3934). The study indicates that a computer-assisted balance training, focussing on one motor skill, can improve balance. It is suggested that a home-based exercise program is ineffective to improve balance in elderly persons, if there is no direct supervision.

Background: Adolescents with obesity are more likely to experience bullying in comparison to their healthy weight peers. However, it is unclear whether adolescents with obesity are more likely to perpetuate bullying or be both, a bully perpetrator and a bully victim. The purpose of this analysis was to examine differences in bully perpetration, victimization, and both (perpetration and victimization) by BMI classification in a nationally representative sample of adolescents. Methods: Analyses included 31,770 adolescents, ages 10-17, from the combined 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Adolescents were grouped by BMI classification; outcome variables included bullying, difficulty making new friends, excessive arguing, depression, and behavioral conduct problems. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, race, household income, highest level of education in the household, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder assessed the odds of each outcome comparing healthy weight to adolescents with overweight and obesity. Results: Adolescents with overweight and obesity had greater odds of experiencing bullying behaviors: bully victim [odds ratio (OR) = 1.34 and 2.03] and both bully perpetrator and victim (OR = 1.37 and 2.01) (p's < 0.05), respectively, in comparison to healthy weight peers. Adolescents with overweight or obesity involved in bullying behaviors had significantly higher odds of behavioral conduct problems, depression, arguing excessively, and having difficulty making friends compared to adolescents with overweight or obesity who were neither a bully perpetrator nor victim (p's < 0.05). Conclusions: To promote overall health and well-being among adolescents with overweight and obesity, effort should be made to mitigate engagement in and/or victimization from bullying and associated behavioral or depressive symptoms.

Background: Adolescents with obesity are less likely to flourish and be academically engaged in comparison to their healthy weight peers. However, it is unknown how participation in physical activity influences flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity. The current study examined engagement in varying levels of physical activity and the likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity. Methods: Analyses included 26 764 adolescents, ages 10-17 years, from the parentreported, combined 2016-2017 National Survey of Children's Health. Participants were grouped by physical activity levels (none, low, moderate, daily). Outcome variables included flourishing (finishing tasks, staying calm when faced with a challenge and showing interest in new things) and academic engagement (completing all required homework and caring about doing well in school). Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, race, household income, highest level of education in the household, behavioural conduct problems and depression assessed the likelihood of each outcome comparing physical activity levels among adolescents with obesity.Results: Adolescents with obesity who participated in any amount of physical activity (low, moderate and daily) or sports had significantly greater likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement compared those that did not engage in any physical activity (p's < 0.05).Conclusions: Participation in even low amounts of physical activity or participation in sports increases the likelihood of flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents with obesity, which expands on previous findings that adolescents with obesity are less likely to flourish and be academically engaged in comparison to their healthy weight peers.

Background Overweight and obesity in adolescence are associated with several negative health indicators; the association with flourishing, an indicator of overall well-being, is less clear. Objectives To examine associations between weight status and indicators of flourishing and academic engagement in adolescents. Subjects Analyses included 22,078 adolescents (10–17 years) from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health. Methods Adolescents were grouped according to body mass index (BMI) classification; outcomes included indicators of flourishing and academic engagement. Logistic regression models assessed the odds of each outcome comparing adolescents with overweight and adolescents with obesity to healthy weight adolescents. Results For flourishing, adolescents with overweight and adolescents with obesity were less likely to stay calm during a challenge (17% and 30%, respectively; p < 0.01); adolescents with obesity were 30% less likely to finish a task they started (p < 0.001), and 34% less likely to show interest in new things (p < 0.001) in comparison to healthy weight peers. Adolescents with obesity were 26% less likely to care about doing well in school (p < 0.001), and adolescents with overweight and adolescents with obesity were significantly less likely to complete all required homework (19% and 34%, respectively) (p < 0.001), in comparison to healthy weight peers. Conclusions A comprehensive approach to addressing overweight and obesity in adolescence should target improving academic engagement and flourishing to promote overall well-being.

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Purpose: To determine whether perceived changes (i.e. perception of engagement during the pandemic relative to pre-pandemic) in specific health behaviors differ by weight status (i.e. healthy weight, overweight, obese). Design: Cross-sectional. Recruitment took place between June-August 2020, via social media posts and Qualtrics online panels. Setting: Participants completed the survey online through the Qualtrics platform. Sample: Analyses included N = 502 participants (≥18 years); 45.2% healthy weight (n = 227), 28.5% overweight (n = 143), and 26.3% obese (n = 132). Measures: Study-specific survey items included questions about demographics and perceived changes in health behaviors. Analysis: Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, gender, education, and COVID-19 diagnosis, assessed the odds of perceiving changes in health behaviors considered a risk for weight gain. Results: Participants with obesity, but not overweight, were significantly more likely to report deleterious changes to health behaviors compared to healthy weight peers, including: (1) decreased fruit/vegetable consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.13, 3.26)]; (2) increased processed food consumption [AOR = 1.85; 95%CI: (1.15, 3.00)]; (3) increased caloric intake [AOR = 1.66; 95% CI: (1.06, 2.61)]; (4) decreased physical activity [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.31, 3.28)]; and (5) deterioration in sleep quality [AOR = 2.07; 95%CI: (1.32, 3.25)]. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adults with obesity may be at greater risk for unhealthy behaviors during a period of prolonged social distancing, potentially exacerbating the obesity epidemic.