Among 152 low-income Mexican American mothers and 350 children in San Jose (California) and rural Tulare County, about half of mothers and 14% of children were overweight. Nine percent of rural children and 17% of urban children were unusually short. Maternal obesity was related to acculturation factors, whereas child height was related to…

Investigated young girls' eating behavior, body satisfaction, weight management, and the cues taken from family, peers, and magazines. Found that a majority received a message from fashion magazines and peers or family that being slender is important and attainable through dieting, indicating that some young girls live under intense weight and…

Six adults with Prader Willi syndrome who participated in a six-month walking program showed significant differences in resting heart rate, aerobic capacity, body fat percentage, and weight loss, compared to a control group of five nonparticipants. (Author/JDD)

Childhood obesity is a social and health problem that is encouraged by junk food ads and the easy availability of unhealthful fast foods. The article provides guidance for parents to encourage healthy eating by their children; it includes a list of resources and a list of "best" processed foods. (SM)

This study, involving 49 adults with Down syndrome living with their families, explored the relationship of diet, exercise, disability status, and social integration to Body Mass Index (BMI), an indicator of excess weight and health status. BMI was found to be related to friendship, access to recreation, and social opportunities. (Author/CR)

States that because of the widespread concern about weight, social workers need to understand the difference between fact and myth. Counters many of the weight myths and examines the cultural, social, biological, and psychological factors to be considered when assessing clients who are considered obese. Presents a framework for developing an…

Examined body dissatisfaction, physical attractiveness, and body mass index in adolescents at 13, 15, and 18 years of age. Found that sex differences in body dissatisfaction emerged between 13 and 15 years and were maintained. Girls' body dissatisfaction increased, whereas boys' decreased. Body dissatisfaction was weakly related to others' rating…

Examined private and public high school adolescents' weight control and nutrition behaviors, using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data. Private school females were more likely to diet and exercise than public school females. Public school males were more likely to attempt weight gain than private high school males. Private school students…

Examines facts about eating disorders, which typically affect females in their teens, discussing the causes of anorexia and bulimia, describing their effects on the body, and explaining available treatment. Though eating disorders are very serious and potentially fatal, they are treatable. Treatment includes physician evaluation, possible…

Investigated whether being a good model of physical activity and fitness would influence employability within the physical education (PE) profession. Surveys of individuals who hired PE teachers indicated that being 10-20 pounds overweight was detrimental when seeking employment as a public school PE teacher during both initial screening and final…

Investigates the body concerns of adolescent girls (N=67), together with the underlying motivations for wishes to be thinner. Results of focus group studies reveal that sociocultural influences exerted the strongest pressures to be thin. The girls displayed an unexpected sophistication in their conceptualization of the role of both media effects…

Compares actual and preferred weights of dieters and nondieters and examines the relationship of increasing weight to preferred weight and the decision to diet in high school students. Most dieters studied were not overweight. Some were even underweight. Documents the need for effective nutrition and exercise programs to help students accept and…

This study examined whether a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) nutrition program would help employees maintain weight loss and dietary intake improvements over time. Subjects received either no nutrition education, education with microcomputer use, or education without microcomputers. Posttesting found greater weight loss for CAI participants,…

Evaluated a television-delivered behavioral weight reduction program. Overweight adults (n=71) were randomly assigned to a live-contact weight loss group videotaped for viewing by other groups, a live-contact group not videotaped, a television-delivered group that observed the videotaped weight loss sessions, or a waiting-list control group.…

Participants were 130 obese women who reported undertaking a mean lifetime total of 4.7 major diets on which they had lost a mean of 45.9 kilograms. Participants with a severe history of weight cycling had a significantly younger age of onset of obesity than mild cyclers and reported initiating dieting at a significantly younger age and lower…