American journal of preventive medicine
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The development of effective obesity interventions to reduce adiposity indicators in Latina girls is a public health priority because of their increased risk for becoming overweight. Research indicates that the summer season may be a critical time to intervene because summer exacerbates children's risk for excessive weight gain and increased body fat development. ⋯ Results from this study revealed that a summer intervention appears to be effective in reducing adiposity in Latina girls, but the follow-up sessions did not result in sustaining continued reductions. Maternal measures did not influence their daughters' adiposity measures.
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Studies have shown relationships between important health outcomes and sedentary behavior, independent of physical activity. There are known errors in tools employed to assess sedentary behavior. Studies of accelerometers have been limited to laboratory environments. ⋯ Researchers should be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the 100-cpm accelerometer cutpoint for identifying sedentary behavior. The SenseCam may be a useful tool in free-living conditions to better understand health behaviors such as sitting.
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Participation in physical activity brings health benefits for adolescents. However, limited data are available on the percentage of U.S. adolescents who engage in levels of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities recommended in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008 Guidelines). ⋯ Less than 20% of adolescents reported engaging in recommended levels of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
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Fighting childhood obesity has become a key policy focus. The role of community-based interventions to promote physical activity is an important part of an overall strategy to increase physical activity for youth. ⋯ These findings point to the promise of relying on existing community resources in the fight against childhood obesity. Fitness-focused afterschool programs will need to ensure that the highest-risk children--including those who are Latino and low-income--are served.
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Food diaries are commonly used to assess individual dietary intake in both the general and sporting populations. Despite the widespread use of such diaries, evidence suggests that individuals' self-reported energy intake frequently and substantially underestimate true energy intake. ⋯ Results from this first-generation study suggest that a more accurate estimate of total energy intake is provided when combining the use of a conventional food diary and a SenseCam. Additional information on portion size, forgotten foods, leftovers, and brand names can be obtained by using this novel sensing technology in conjunction with the diary, with improved dietary assessment a potential outcome.