Relationship between psychosocial functioning and body fat in preschool children: a longitudinal investigation

This study examined whether preschool children differed on measures of psychosocial functioning both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. One hundred and thirty-two children who varied in levels of body fat participated in the study along with their natural parents. Results indicated that the children did not differ in levels of self-esteem and family functioning as a function of their body fat. Prospectively, physical self-esteem weakly (but significantly) correlated with body fat at 1 and 2 years, and father's perception of family functioning predicted body fat at 1 year only. Results suggested that childhood obesity may not develop as a result of psychosocial factors.

Relationship between dietary restraint, energy intake, physical activity, and body weight: a prospective analysis

Dietary, activity, and body weight differences in high- and low-restrained eaters and the independent impact of dietary restraint on body weight change were evaluated in 287 adults (141 men, 146 women) followed over a 1-year period. Analyses of measures of energy intake, physical activity, and dietary restraint indicated that high-restrained eaters did not differ in physical activity compared to low-restrained eaters at baseline but were ingesting significantly fewer kcal/lb and a higher percentage of the diet from fat. Body mass was significantly greater in both high-restrained men and high-restrained women than in their low-restrained counterparts. Regression modeling procedures revealed that weight and body mass at baseline were related to weight gain in men. In contrast, weight gain in women was predicted by baseline weight and higher restraint scores. These results indicate that dietary restraint is associated with weight gain in women but not in men.

Relationship between psychosocial functioning and body fat in preschool children: a longitudinal investigation

This study examined whether preschool children differed on measures of psychosocial functioning both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. One hundred and thirty-two children who varied in levels of body fat participated in the study along with their natural parents. Results indicated that the children did not differ in levels of self-esteem and family functioning as a function of their body fat. Prospectively, physical self-esteem weakly (but significantly) correlated with body fat at 1 and 2 years, and father's perception of family functioning predicted body fat at 1 year only. Results suggested that childhood obesity may not develop as a result of psychosocial factors.

The relationship between changes in body weight and changes in psychosocial functioning

Previous studies have indicated that obesity is related to a variety of psychosocial problems. Unfortunately, the literature on the relationship between weight status and psychosocial functioning has primarily utilized clinical samples and cross-sectional designs. The current study prospectively explored the relationship between weight gain and changes in psychosocial functioning. Subjects were 195 women and 204 men recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk factors, who attended assessment sessions once per year for 2 consecutive years. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Family Environment Scale (FES) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale 3rd Edition (FACES-III). Subjects were categorized based on their weight status at each year so the effect of a change in weight status on changes in psychosocial functioning could be evaluated. Multivariate measures indicated no changes in psychosocial functioning as a result of change in weight status over a 1-year period for either men or women. It appears that shifts in body weight, at least in a sample of subjects with generally good levels of psychological functioning, are not associated with changes in the measured levels of psychosocial functioning.

A prospective study of familial aggregation of blood pressure in young children

In a prospective study, we evaluated familial aggregation of blood pressure in a sample of 175 normotensive families with children 3 to 6 yr old. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements of parents and children were correlated at 1, 2, and 3 yr intervals. Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients between parents and children were significant for mother-son pairs. In particular, mother-son blood pressure correlation coefficients were significant for systolic blood pressure across all 3 yr and for diastolic blood pressure during yr 2. Further analyses were performed adjusting for body mass index (BMI), age, physical activity, sodium intake, potassium intake, and parental smoking status, and alcohol use. The Spearman correlation coefficients for mother-son pairs remained significant for yr 1 and 3 after adjusting for these blood pressure correlates. These results are consistent with cross-sectional studies and suggest that both genetic and environmental contributions to blood pressure status are important in young children.

Impact of diabetic status, dietary intake, physical activity, and smoking status on body mass index in NHANES II

Individuals with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) have a higher body mass index (BMI) than nondiabetic individuals and it has been reported that individuals with NIDDM have more difficulty losing excess weight. To assess an independent effect of NIDDM on weight status, analyses were conducted to predict BMI with variables previously associated with weight status. Subjects from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were categorized into three groups: individuals with NIDDM and on oral medication, individuals with diet-controlled NIDDM, and nondiabetic adults. Additionally, planned orthogonal comparisons between these groups were conducted after other predictors were controlled for; 9.18% of the variability was explained for men (P less than 0.001) whereas 12.11% was explained for women (P less than 0.0001), with several variables significantly related in each model. An independent effect for diabetes status was found in both sexes and there were no differences in BMI between NIDDM groups in either sex.

Discrepancies between self-reported smoking and carboxyhemoglobin: an analysis of the second national health and nutrition survey

Environmental, self-report, and demographic factors mediated the relationship between self-reported cigarette smoking and carboxyhemoglobin among 2114 smokers and 3918 nonsmokers. Self-reported nonsmokers with carboxyhemoglobin levels between 2% and 3% were more likely to be self-reported ex-smokers, to live in a larger community, and to be younger, less educated, and male than were self-reported nonsmokers with carboxyhemoglobin levels of less than 2%. Self-reported nonsmokers with strong evidence of cigarette consumption (carboxyhemoglobin level greater than 3%) were more likely to be self-reported ex-smokers, younger, less educated, and non-White than were nonsmokers with carboxyhemoglobin levels of less than 2%.

Maximizing opacification during excretory urography: effect of low-osmolarity contrast media

Because of improved patient tolerance and decreased risks of idiosyncratic reaction, low-osmolarity contrast media are increasingly used for excretory urography. However, physiologic differences among patients may affect the optimal time for acquiring diagnostic radiographs during the pyelographic phase of the examination. A prospective, randomized, physician-blinded comparative study of 60 adult patients was undertaken to determine if the time to peak opacification of the pyelocaliceal systems differs with different doses of nonionic and ionic contrast media. Three doses of contrast media were used: a high dose (based on body weight) of a high-osmolarity ionic contrast medium, a high dose (based on body weight) of a low-osmolarity non-ionic contrast medium and a lower, fixed dose of a low-osmolarity nonionic contrast medium. The diagnostic quality of the radiographs did not differ statistically with the dose or the contrast medium. However, acquiring an additional radiograph during abdominal compression greatly increased the chance of obtaining at least one radiograph with maximal diagnostic information during the pyelographic phase. Despite potential differences among contrast media in the degree of pyelocaliceal opacification or distension and diuresis, it is not necessary to modify the timing of film acquisitions during excretory urography when lower doses of low-osmolarity agents are administered.

A longitudinal analysis of the impact of dietary intake and physical activity on weight change in adults

The current investigation is a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between dietary intake, physical activity, and body weight change in adult men (n = 142) and women (n = 152). Measures of dietary intake, physical activity, and cigarette and alcohol consumption were obtained for 3 y. Results indicated a different pattern of predictors of weight change for men vs women. For women a high dietary energy and fat intake as well as increases in total energy intake were related to higher weight gain and increases in work activity levels were related to decreased weight gain. For men weight gain was predicted by increases in dietary fat intake. Sex differences are discussed as a possible moderator variable in the energy balance equation.

Diagnostic efficacy of excretory urography with low-dose, nonionic contrast media

A prospective, randomized, physician-blinded study was conducted to determine whether a smaller dose of low-osmolar, nonionic contrast medium can provide diagnostic information on excretory urograms equivalent to that obtained with higher doses of ionic and nonionic contrast agents. One hundred fifty adult patients who underwent excretory urography received a high-dose ionic contrast medium (diatrizoate sodium), high-dose nonionic contrast medium (iohexol), or low-dose nonionic contrast medium (iohexol). All urograms were scored for diagnostic quality. No difference in urographic quality was detected among the different doses of contrast media. The lower dose of low-osmolar nonionic contrast medium provided equivalent diagnostic information. The quality of the nephrotomograms, ureteral image, and overall image was slightly greater with diatrizoate than with a small dose of iohexol, but the difference was not significant. This study suggests that excretory urograms obtained in relatively healthy, well-prepared patients with smaller, less expensive doses of a nonionic contrast agent are at least diagnostically equivalent to those obtained with typical higher doses of ionic and nonionic agents.

Relationship between dietary restraint, energy intake, physical activity, and body weight: A prospective analysis

Dietary, activity, and body weight differences in high- and low-restrained eaters and the independent impact of dietary restraint on body weight change were evaluated in 287 adults (141 men, 146 women) followed over a 1-year period. Analyses of measures of energy intake, physical activity, and dietary restraint indicated that high-restrained eaters did not differ in physical activity compared to low-restrained eaters at baseline but were ingesting significantly fewer kcal/lb and a higher percentage of the diet from fat. Body mass was significantly greater in both high-restrained men and high-restrained women than in their low-restrained counterparts. Regression modeling procedures revealed that weight and body mass at baseline were related to weight gain in men. In contrast, weight gain in women was predicted by baseline weight and higher restraint scores. These results indicate that dietary restraint is associated with weight gain in women but not in men.

The individual and combined effects of cigarette smoking and food on resting energy expenditure

The influence of cigarette smoking and food intake on resting energy expenditure (REE) was investigated. Fifteen smokers were presented, over four days, with cigarette consumption, food consumption, the consumption of both cigarettes and food, and neither cigarettes nor food consumption. Results indicated that both food and cigarette smoking increased REE and food increased REE considerably more than smoking cigarettes (17.1 vs 7.5 percent). The combination of the two was less than additive (24.1 percent). The results may aid in elucidating the mechanisms that contribute to a lowered body weight in smokers.

Relationship of smoking status, energy balance, and body weight: analysis of the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The relationship between smoking status and body mass index (weight/height) was evaluated, controlling for demographics, dietary intake, and physical activity. Subjects were 10,778 adult respondents from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Results indicate that never smokers and long-term quitters had similar relative body weights and that low-rate current smokers were not significantly different from never smokers. However, both medium- and high-rate current smokers weighed less than nonsmokers and low-rate smokers. When medium- versus high-rate smokers were contrasted, sex interacted with results. Specifically, weight-control properties of smoking were more pronounced in women than men. It is proposed that future research should more closely evaluate metabolic changes as a function of smoking status.

Simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty, extracapsular cataract extraction, and intraocular lens implantation

The postoperative results of 210 consecutive eyes in 177 patients who had simultaneous penetrating keratoplasty, extracapsular cataract extraction, and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation (triple procedure) were reviewed. All procedures were performed by one surgeon between January 1980 and December 1989. The most common diagnosis requiring a triple procedure was Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. The remainder of the patients required the procedure for either corneal scarring, keratoconus, or Chandler's syndrome. Of the 210 grafts, 191 (91%) remained clear with a mean follow-up of 53 months (range 6 to 116 months). The mean preoperative keratometry (K) reading (n = 161) was 44.51/44.85 (SD 4.86/4.94), and the mean postoperative K reading (n = 111) was 44.29/43.50 (SD 3.83/3.63). The mean IOL power (n = 196) was + 20.87 diopters (D) (SD 2.86). The mean postoperative best visual acuity (n = 166) was 20/65 with a range from 20/20 to less than 20/400, although 61% had 20/50 acuity or better and 92% had 20/100 acuity or better. The mean spherical correction in 155 eyes was - 1.38 (SD 2.89), and the mean positive refractive cylinder was + 3.21 (SD 2.20). One hundred forty six of the 155 eyes with reported refractions (96%) had 6 D or less of refractive cylinder. Correlation of the recipient-donor disparity % and refractive cylinder was significant such that as disparity increased refractive cylinder increased (r = 0.197, P = .021). Correlation of the recipient-donor disparity % and keratometric cylinder indicated a similar trend but was not significant (r = 0.105, P = .310).

Metabolic effects of nicotine gum and cigarette smoking: potential implications for postcessation weight gain?

The effects of nicotine chewing gum and cigarettes on resting energy expenditure (REE) were evaluated. Twenty smoking women participated in nicotine gum and smoking administration, after which their REEs were measured. Results indicate an acute increase in REE for both nicotine gum and cigarettes. Metabolic rates for nicotine gum slowly returned to baseline, whereas rates for cigarettes quickly dropped and fell significantly below baseline. Thus, the metabolic effect of nicotine gum was greater than the effect of smoking.

Parental influence on food selection in young children and its relationships to childhood obesity

This investigation evaluated the impact of parental influences on children's food selections and the impact of childhood obesity on these food choices. Subjects were 53 young children of various weight status. Foods ranging widely in nutritional values were offered to each child for lunch. The children were again offered foods but were told that their mothers would be monitoring their selections. Finally, mothers were allowed to modify their children's last food choices. Results indicated that parental influences have a marked effect on food selection; both the threat of parental monitoring and actual parental monitoring lowered the number of nonnutritious foods chosen and total caloric content of the meal. The obesity status of the mothers and children had no impact on these results. The implication of these results for future intervention efforts are discussed.

Measurement reliability and reactivity using repeated measurements of resting energy expenditure with a face mask, mouthpiece, and ventilated canopy

This investigation evaluated the measurement reliability and reactivity of repeated measurements of resting energy expenditure using different methods of data collection. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to either face mask, mouthpiece/nose clip, or ventilated canopy collection systems for 45 min a day over 3 days. Results indicated that there were no significant differences among data collection systems nor were there any differences either within or between systems over time. Across all three days of measurement, the first 5 min of data collection on all systems were reactive compared to the subsequent 40 min of assessment. Analyses indicated that acceptable reliability coefficients were obtained after 20 min of continuous data collection in the ventilated canopy and after 40 min with the face mask after a 5-min acclimation period. The results suggest that, following an acclimation period, a single 20-min assessment of resting energy expenditure in both a face mask and ventilated canopy are stable and reliable.

Metabolic effects of nicotine gum and cigarette smoking: Potential implications for postcessation weight gain?

The effects of nicotine chewing gum and cigarettes on resting energy expenditure (REE) were evaluated. Twenty smoking women participated in nicotine gum and smoking administration, after which their REEs were measured. Results indicate an acute increase in REE for both nicotine gum and cigarettes. Metabolic rates for nicotine gum slowly returned to baseline, whereas rates for cigarettes quickly dropped and fell significantly below baseline. Thus, the metabolic effect of nicotine gum was greater than the effect of smoking.

Relationship of smoking status, energy balance, and body weight: Analysis of the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The relationship between smoking status and body mass index (weight/height) was evaluated, controlling for demographics, dietary intake, and physical activity. Subjects were 10,778 adult respondents from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). Results indicate that never smokers and long-term quitters had similar relative body weights and that low-rate current smokers were not significantly different from never smokers. However, both medium- and high-rate current smokers weighed less than nonsmokers and low-rate smokers. When medium- versus high-rate smokers were contrasted, sex interacted with results. Specifically, weight-control properties of smoking were more pronounced in women than men. It is proposed that future research should more closely evaluate metabolic changes as a function of smoking status.

A longitudinal evaluation of dietary restraint and its relationship to changes in body weight

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of changes in dietary restraint (chronic dieting) on changes in body weight over time. Subjects were 305 (98 male, 207 female) adults. At pretest, subjects completed a restrained eating questionnaire (Herman & Polivy, 1980), as well as reporting height, weight, gender, race, and age. Subjects were recontacted 2 1/2 years later and were reassessed on these same variables. Results indicated that restrained eating scores showed a high degree of consistency over a 2-1/2-year period (intraclass correlation = .74). Over time, males gained more weight than females and normal-weight subjects gained more weight over time than overweight subjects. No relationship was found between dietary restraint and weight gain over time. The potential interactions between energy balance and body weight are discussed.

The effects of phenylpropanolamine on dietary intake, physical activity, and body weight after smoking cessation

This investigation evaluated the effect of phenylpropanolamine on the weight gain associated with 2 weeks of abstinence from smoking. Subjects were 57 adult female cigarette smokers who were randomly assigned, in a double-blind procedure, to chew gum with phenylpropanolamine or placebo gum, or to chew no gum. After a baseline assessment, subjects were paid to quit smoking for a period of 2 weeks. Forty-one (72%) of the 57 subjects were successful in quitting smoking for the 2-week period. Results indicated that, relative to the other two conditions, abstinent subjects receiving phenylpropanolamine gained 1.5 to 1.9 pounds less weight (p less than 0.05). In addition, abstinence rates were higher (p less than 0.03) and dietary intake lower for subjects receiving phenylpropanolamine (p less than 0.05) relative to the other two conditions. No changes in physical activity were observed. It is concluded that phenylpropanolamine may help reduce weight gain associated with smoking abstinence and in this way may enhance smoking cessation efforts in certain individuals.

Effects of obesity, social interactions, and physical environment on physical activity in preschoolers

Examined demographic, environmental, and parent-child interactional correlates of physical activity in a group of 222 preschoolers. Activity levels were assessed with a system that quantified directly observed physical activity in the natural environment. Using regression-modeling procedures, results revealed a significant relationship between (a) child's relative weight, parental weight status, and percentage of time spent outdoors (environment) and (b) children's activity levels. Parental obesity was associated with lower levels of physical activity in children, childhood relative weight was associated with slightly higher levels of physical activity, and more outdoor activity was associated with higher activity levels. Parental participation in children's activities also significantly interacted with levels of parental obesity in predicting activity levels. Those children with a 50% risk for obesity (as defined by both, one, or neither parent being overweight) had small changes in activity across levels of parent-child interaction, whereas those at higher risk for obesity responded with increased activity as parent-child interactions increased. Results are discussed, and the implications of these findings for future intervention efforts are examined.

Smoking, body weight, and their effects on smoking behavior: a comprehensive review of the literature

This article provides a comprehensive review of the research on smoking and body weight. The relationships between smoking and body weight are evaluated in 70 cross-sectional and longitudinal investigations. The mechanisms responsible for differences in body weight are discussed, the weight-related issues that promote smoking behavior are reviewed, methods for reducing postcessation weight gain are summarized, and future research directions are proposed. A proposed working research model for studying the relationship between smoking, energy balance, and weight gain is offered. It is concluded that smoking and body weight relationships are closely related and pose significant challenges for smoking researchers.

Dietary restraint and obesity: their effects on dietary intake

The current investigation evaluated the effects of levels of restraint, dietary intake, and obesity on both immediate (i.e., in the laboratory) and subsequent (i.e., outside the laboratory) self-reported dietary intake. Subjects were 102 college females, half of whom were given a high-caloric snack of a chocolate milkshake. Subjects were classified according to their level of chronic dieting status and relative weight. Chronic dieting status was measured by utilizing both the Concern for Dieting (CD) and the Weight Fluctuation (WF) factors of the revised restraint scale (Polivy, 1980). When using the WF factor, results indicated that obesity interacted with dieting status on total food consumption (i.e., calories for the entire day). That is, nondieting obese subjects reportedly ate significantly more calories than nondieting normal-weight subjects. Further, nondieting overweight subjects reported eating significantly more than low-restrained normal-weight subjects. On the CD factor, restrained eaters who received a preload reported eating significantly more calories than nondieters at lunch. For those subjects not receiving a milkshake, restrained eaters ate fewer calories at lunch than nondieters. The significance of these results for understanding possible energy imbalances in obese individuals as well as understanding pathological overeating and its consequences is discussed.