Physical activity and attitudes in lean and obese children and their mothers

Forty pairs of biologically related mothers and children were recruited to determine (1) if differences existed in physical activity levels of obese and nonobese children and (2) if their activity or attitude toward it was influenced by maternal activity and attitudes. Ultimately, the goal was to identify whether certain maternal factors (her adiposity, activity level, and/or attitude toward activity) related to the child's adipose level. Children were classified as obese or nonobese by skinfold thickness. Mothers and children completed either the ATPA or CATPA, attitude measurement instruments. Each wore a Caltrac activity monitor for two consecutive days. No significant difference was found between obese and nonobese boys' and girls' physical activity level nor their total attitude toward physical activity. However, significant gender differences were found for the vertigo and aesthetic dimensions. When children's adiposity and gender were considered as interacting factors, differences were also found for the attitude dimensions of health and fitness, and catharsis. There were no significant relationships between child and maternal activity level, attitude toward physical activity, and adipose level. Obese and nonobese children had similar levels of physical activity and attitudes toward activity, unrelated to the maternal factors measured. Although attitudes were positive, physical activity levels for both groups were rather low -- and not likely to help in weight control efforts.

Reproductive system function in women cross-country runners

Reproductive system function in women cross-country runners. Med. Sci. Sports Exercise, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 263-269, 1982. The incidence and etiology of altered menstrual cycle function in women engaged in endurance athletic activities were investigated by studying endocrine, anthropometric, and training parameters in 41 cross-country runners. The prevalence of altered menstrual cycle patterns was significantly higher in the subjects than in college-aged; 49% reported normal cycles and 51% were either oligomenorrheic (46%) or amenorrheic (5%). No significant differences between those reporting normal menstrual cycling (N) and those reporting oligo/amenorrhea (O/A) were found in the following areas: number of miles run/week, number of years of training, age when training began, sum of skinfold thicknesses, somatotype, or post-exercise levels of growth hormone, prolactin, or hematocrit. However, a difference (P less than 0.05) was found in the mean age of menarche (N = 12.9 +/- 0.3 yr; O/A = 14.3 +/- 0.5 yr). In addition, more O/A (68%) than N (42%) began training in the year of or prior to menarche. Evaluation of seven runners from one school who qualified for the national meet (1 amenorrheic, 5 oligomenorrheic, and 1 normal) revealed that the basal estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and thyroid hormone levels were normal and that there were normal luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone responses to synthetic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). These data are consistent with an alteration of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function above the level of the pituitary.