The study evaluated the effects of an aerobic fitness program and dietary intervention with external control components on three obese adults with severe mental retardation. Results indicated severely retarded adults respond to a program of progressive aerobic exercise and caloric restriction much the same way as nonretarded persons. (Author/DB)

In the wake of growing concerns about a "globesity" epidemic, this article explores the panic surrounding sedentary lifestyles and fast food culture, which have underscored calls for the cultural regulation of children's marketing. Avoiding the tired debate between those who see children as either manipulated or savvy consumers, this article…

Co-hosted by the National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (NCSSSMST) and The Keystone Center, the third annual Keystone Center Youth Policy Summit focused on Adolescent and Childhood Nutrition in America's K-12 Schools. In June 2006, 40 students from 10 math and science schools came together in…

Background: Gradual elevation of body weight leads numerous individuals to dieting and weight loss behaviours. Nevertheless, the prevalence of obesity continues to rise in industrialised countries. The examination of the motivational determinants of dietary modification ("dieting") in order to identify clusters of individuals in the…

Among college women, the desire for slim, noncurvaceous bodies associated with dieting and binging is correlated with an emphasis on physical attractiveness. This desire, associated with purging and underweight, is based on the belief that thin women are perceived as more intelligent. (Author/BJV)

Among obese females following a behavioral weight loss program, a measure of perceived personal control significantly predicted outcome. Internals achieved greater mean weight loss. The internal control orientation was associated with higher extraversion and self-acceptance, but neither of these other variables correlated with weight loss. (Author)

A system of scoring food intake that can be used to encourage students to make more intelligent decisions regarding their diets is presented. A sampling of points assigned to a variety of foods, a copy of a typical student diet record, and an example on how to calculate scores are included. (KR)

This annotated bibliography of materials available from the National Agricultural Library through interlibrary loan to local libraries focuses on nutrition and dietetics as they relate to physical health and special health problems. The bibliography was derived from online searches of the AGRICOLA database, and materials include audiovisuals,…

Although motivation has long been regarded as essential for behavior, very little research has been done on its role in behavior change. This paper focuses on this issue by examining motivations for eating and dieting in obese and anorexic patients. Measuring the commitment to eating and the commitment to dieting, the study finds that motivations…

A nutrition and diet group was established to lend support to and instill dieting techniques and correct eating habits in a group of 10 girls. Weight loss goals were established but no specific demands were made. (JN)

Both individual and group behavior therapies were compared to a stringent social pressure comparison program in the treatment of an obese female community population. Whereas the two group treatments resulted in successful maintenance of treatment-produced weight reduction, subjects treated with individual behavior therapy showed substantial…

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…

Schools and homes both play a role in contributing to the rising numbers of obese children. School teachers and administrators must do all they can to create a school environment that is conducive to children maintaining a healthy weight. Legislation designed to add quality physical education time to the school curriculum is imperative. Changes to…

This report describes a collaborative study undertaken by 72 psychoanalysts in an effort to (1) collect systematic data about obese patients in psychoanalysis and (2) assess the effect of psychoanalysis in the treatment of obesity. A total of 84 obese and 63 normal weight patients was studied. Each analyst completed a detailed questionnaire on his…

The attitudes of college students in Australia and the United States about body weight were investigated. The results indicate excessive and maladaptive concerns with weight, in general, and among women and American students in particular. (Author/BJV)