Research News: Fitness and Activity in Girls Predisposed to Obesity

The increasing prevalence of obesity in children in the United States has been well documented. In 6- to 11-yr-old girls, 27.8% are overweight or at risk of overweight. At risk of developing obesity are children of obese parents, where parental obesity more than doubles the risk of adult obesity among children
<10 yr of age.

The Report of the Surgeon General on Physical Activity and Health emphasized that regular physical activity has important health benefits including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and helping to treat and prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Physical activity has been promoted as a lifelong positive health behavior in children and adolescents. However, approximately 20% of U.S. children do not exercise vigorously more than twice per week, with the percentages higher in girls (26%) than in boys (17%). Participation in physical activity declines with increasing age in children, particularly in girls. Recently, a report from The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study, found substantial declines in physical activity in girls from 9 or 10 to 18 and 19 yr of age. A higher body mass index was one correlate of this decline. Whether physical activity begins to decline in girls from 8 to 10 yr of age has not been thoroughly investigated.

Multiethnic, normal-weight 8-yr-old girls with or without a predisposition to obesity were enrolled into a longitudinal study. This study was designed to determine whether physical activity, fitness, and sedentary behaviors change in girls from 8 to 10 yr of age and if these changes are different based on whether or not the girls were predisposed to obesity. All measurements were performed at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center from October 1995 through June 2000 during the school year and the summer, and during the same season yearly for each girl. Anthropometric, body composition, Tanner staging, physical fitness, and physical activity and sedentary measures by questionnaire were taken at 8, 9, and 10 yr of age.

The study found that fitness remained fairly constant across time in the girls. In addition, there were no significant changes from 8 to 10 yr of age in physical activity as measured by heart rate monitoring or by questionnaire. However, girls with lean parents were more fit and able to exercise longer than girls with either one or two obese parents.

The most interesting finding is the differences across the groups of girls classified by parental obesity status. The girls with obese parents have the lowest oxygen consumption/kilogram weight and the lowest duration of exercise on the treadmill. Thus, the girls that increased their weight or fat to a greater extent over this time frame decreased their fitness as well. In conclusion, it was found that fitness and physical activity remain fairly constant in girls from 8 to 10 yr of age. However, girls with either 1 or 2 obese parents tend to have lower fitness levels.

Med Sci Sports Exerc 36(2):198-204, 2004. © 2004 American College of Sports Medicine

Low vitamin B-12 levels are associated with an increased rate of bone loss, according to the results of a retrospective trial published in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism .

"Although vitamin B-12 is known to influence the hemopoietic and nervous systems, little is known about the skeletal effects of vitamin B-12," write Katie L. Stone, from the University of California in San Francisco, and colleagues. "A few cross-sectional studies have shown low serum vitamin B-12 levels to be associated with decreased levels of markers of bone formation."

The investigators archived sera and measured calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling white women, aged 65 years and older, who were enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Follow-up measurements included BMD of the hip and subregions two years later, calcaneal BMD after 5.9 years, and hip BMD after 3.5 years.

At the same time as initial and repeat measurements of BMD, 83 randomly selected women who were not receiving estrogen replacement therapy at baseline had serum vitamin B-12 assays.

Study limitations include lack of generalizability to other populations, fewer subjects with vitamin B-12 deficiency than would be expected in a more representative population, and biochemical measurements based on a single assay. The authors therefore recommend additional research.

"We conclude that low serum vitamin B-12 levels are associated with increased rates of hip, but not calcaneal, bone loss in older women," they write. "The results of this study raise the possibility that supplementation with vitamin B-12 or, for some elderly women, dietary assessment and modification may slow rates of bone loss."

The U.S. Public Health Service supported this study.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:1217-1221

Research News: Poor Oral Health Linked to Coronary Heart Disease

Asymptotic dental scores (ADS) reflecting poor oral health are linked to coronary heart disease (CHD), according to the results of a study published in the March 9 issue of Circulation .

"Oral infections are thought to produce inflammation that might be associated with CHD, so we examined all oral pathologies that might generate inflammation," lead author Sok-Ja Janket, DMD, MPH, from Boston University School of Dental Medicine in Massachusetts, says in a news release. "The ADS is a noninvasive risk indicator that can be measured easily at the time of dental check-up."

The investigators determined the weight of five oral diseases should be assigned to create the ADS as a predictor of cardiac risk. The strongest predictor of CHD was pericoronitis, followed by root remnants and gingivitis; then dental caries and missing teeth.

"If you see that a patient has five poor oral health pathologies, then chances are that 70% of the time he or she would have CHD," Dr. Janket says. "People who do not have teeth cannot chew their food well and therefore do not get as much heart-healthy nutrients or fiber. Future studies should look at nutrition, oral health, and [CHD]."

Although these findings suggest an association between oral pathology and CHD, they do not indicate a cause-effect relationship. However, Dr. Janket recommends that dentists encourage their patients with poor oral health to have cardiac examinations even if they are asymptomatic.

"Individuals who are un- or underinsured, those of low socioeconomic status, or even those who simply have poor general health habits, have poor dental health," says American Heart Association president Augustus O. Grant. "They are also likely to have less access to preventive care that would protect them from coronary artery disease, so this association may simply reflect the fact that our society needs to do much better in promoting health in all individuals."

In an accompanying editorial, Gordon D.O. Lowe, from the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, U.K., suggests that these findings may not be generalizable to the general population.

"We should continue to emphasize proven risk factors, such as age, sex, smoking habit, diabetes, blood pressure and total cholesterol/HDL ratio," he writes. "Further studies are needed to evaluate the additive predictive value of 'emerging' risk predictors, including dental health scores."

Circulation. Published online Feb. 16, 2004.

Professional Advisor:

Catherine Avard
Yoga Instructor

I lived abroad in Germany and England to come back to work as a flight attendant for Air Canada.As a Toronto base flight attendant, I quickly learn the meaning of stress and decided that it might be better to choose a more soothing climate and so I moved to Vancouver where I lived for 3 years.

Needless to say the nature of my work made me more injury prone then normal. After a bad back injury that was cured by my beloved chiropractor, I decided that it might be time to look out for my health. I had done yoga on and off for a couple of years and decide to take a class at a yoga studio in Los Angeles, CA while visiting a friend. I was blown away by how much better I felt after class and started to take classes at any chance I got regardless of the city that I was in. I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be missing anything so I tried all the types of yoga.

I move to Los Angeles to further my studies and found a home in the Anusara style of yoga founded by John Friend. Anusara is an all-inclusive yoga in which each student's various and unique abilities and limitations are deeply honored. The teacher training includes anatomy on top of the classic studies of philosophy, asanas, and breathing techniques. I finished my instructor training in November and I am still assisting my teachers on an on-going basis (perks of flying!!!)

I am now back in Vancouver to share with my fellow Canucks, the joy of Yoga! I am offering all Bayside Chiropractic patients a free first class so you may find out about the benefits of Yoga. Please call Bayside Chiropractic to make an appointment. I hope to see you in class!!!

Namaste!
Catherine

Aerobic Conditioning 101
5 Simple Steps for Maximum Results

Step #1: Take the PAR-Q Test.
The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is for everyone. It will give you practical advice on increasing your physical activity. Take it NOW! At http://www.katchlife.com/portfolio.html

Step #2: Drink up & stay hydrated.
If you find yourself feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated and need to drink more water. If you find yourself forcing it down, you've probably had enough for the time being. In warmer temperatures or times of increased physical activity, drink more water than usual to compensate.

Step #3: Wear the right gear.
Clothing made of wicking material is the best choice. It dries much faster than cotton and it stays insulated when wet. Wind-proof clothing will keep the cold wind off your body and is more important than waterproofing when sweating. Proper footwear is essential because each shoe is designed for each specific sport. To minimize your risk of injury consult with the professionals at Rackets and Runners. Mention KATCH LIFE and receive a 10% DISCOUNT on anything in the store including clothing, equipment and foot­wear. See http://www.racketsandrunners.ca/

Step #4: Get FIT.
Frequency for a beginner is two to three sessions per week. Gradually work up to four to six sessions per week. Intensity for a beginner is 65% of maximum heart rate (max HR). Gradually increase intensity to 85% of max HR. To determine max HR it's (226 – age). A 45-year old woman has a max HR of 181 beats per minute (bpm). Her target heart rate as a beginner is 118 bpm. Time for a beginner is fifteen to twenty minutes. Gradually increase your session length to sixty minutes per session. Remember to be patient with yourself while challenging yourself to reach new heights.

QUICK FIT CHART:

Step #5: Ask a Health Coach.
A Health Coach will support you, by telephone, to set goals, create action steps and to overcome barriers. Each session is approximately 15 minutes and comes with unlimited email support. Health Coaching is ideal for anyone wanting to lose weight, become more active or improve his or her diet. You will learn how to plan healthy meals and snacks, to fit physical activity into your busy schedule and how to have fun doing it.

50% Discount for a Health & Wellness Consultation for Bayside Chiropractic Patients This includes a muscular fitness assessment, height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring and personal goals assessment. Valued at $75.00. Book your appointment today by calling: Bayside Chiropractic (604) 689-9308