Early childhood teachers have a variety of health and safety resources to draw upon, including information about and educational programs dealing with such issues as fire safety, obesity, and dental hygiene. However, teachers may face a number of challenges when attempting to incorporate health and safety resources into the curriculum. In some…

The growth hormone is a lipolytic hormone and somatomedin C mediates the metabolic effects of the growth hormone in many tissues. Growth hormone plasma levels are often depressed in obese individuals, and this low plasma level has been postulated as a reason for perpetuation of excess weight. Substantial weight loss in obese subjects improves…

A case study focuses on the characteristics and physical management of a 15-year-old with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a birth defect associated with hypotonia, insatiable appetite, hypogonadism, central nervous system dysfunction, and abnormal growth and development . A literature review addresses studies dealing with behavior modification of obesity…

Presents results of an assessment study of continuities in triceps skinfold thickness (TRSF) and Rohrer index (weight/height) in a biracial (black/white) cohort of 1,490 children and adolescents over an eight-year period. Reports that moderate, juvenile-onset obesity is malleable, but that the persistently obese youth is likely to become an obese…

A successful five-week weight reduction program for individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome is described. The program combines diet and exercise, and participants are taught to make menu choices within the framework of daily food exchange allotments. (Author/JW)

The study sought to identify reliable measurements for estimating energy stores of retarded adults (N=80) and possible correlations between energy intakes and obesity. Among results were a lack of significant correlations between caloric intake and anthropometric measures (e.g., tricepts skinfold). Body mass index is suggested as a more practical…

This survey assessed school principals' perceptions regarding childhood obesity and the schools' role in dealing with the problem. Results of a survey of 277 elementary school principals are presented. (Author/MT)

Research regarding the direct and indirect effect of exercise on cancer risk is reviewed. (MT)

Compared the effectiveness of diet with diet-plus-life-style exercise in overweight families (N=53). Results indicated that the addition of exercise to a diet improves the amount of relative weight change at six months and one year in adults. No treatment differences were found for children after one year. (LLL)

Explored the effectiveness of a very low calorie diet to induce rapid weight loss, combined with behavioral techniques to maintain this loss in 17 obese women. Results showed a substantial and sustained weight loss. Subjects did not experience increased anxiety or depression. (JAC)

Eighty nine overweight children in grades two to five in one experimental and one control school participated in a 12-week weight reduction program conducted by older children trained as peer counselors. Children in the experimental school lost weight and reduced their percentage overweight, whereas those in the control school gained weight and…

Assessed attitudes of 72 rehabilitation counseling students toward normal to massively obese clients. Participants viewed pictures of clients and read additional information. Results showed students held negative attitudes toward massively obese people, particularly massively obese women, who were more likely to be perceived as needing…

Over 15 percent of children are overweightdouble the rate in 1980. Children's diets are high in fat but low in fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. The National School Lunch Program has had a continuing role in providing students with nutritious meals; however students must choose to eat the nutritious food and limit less healthful…

Significant sex differences indicated that boys generally ate more than girls and held more internal locus of control expectancies. However, obese and normal-weighted children were not differentiated by their performance on either food-related measures nor by their locus of control expectancies. (Author/MP)

A behavioral weight reduction treatment and maintenance program for moderately mentally retarded adolescents which involves six phases from background information collection to followup relies on stimulus control procedures to modify eating behaviors. Data from pilot studies show an average weekly weight loss of .5 to 1 pound per S. (CL)