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The purpose of this study was to compare the maximal exercise performance of overweight and obese subjects during friction braked cycle ergometry of 10 s duration when resistive forces reflected total-body mass (TBM) or fat-free mass (FFM). Subjects were assigned at random to either protocol. Eleven healthy male university students (age 22.3 +/- 2 yrs, body fat 27.1 +/- 2%) participated in the study. Differences (P < 0.01) in peak power output (PPO) were found between TBM and FFM (1029 +/- 98 W TBM vs. 1397 +/- 146 W FFM). The findings of this study suggest that greater peak power outputs are obtainable when resistive forces reflect FFM as opposed to TBM. The results have implications that relate to the pathology of disease, related clinical examinations, and exercise prescription.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate secular trends in selected cardiovascular disease risk factors (namely adiposity, physical activity, physical fitness and diet) in a sample of Welsh 12-13 year olds between 2002 and 2007. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: A secondary school based in South West Wales. Method: Two studies in 2002 (n = 71) and 2007 (n = 83), were compared to evaluate changes in adiposity, physical activity, physical fitness and diet in school children. On both occasions testing was carried out in the same school and using identical procedures. Results: Between the two time periods, mean adiposity levels remained stable. The percentage of school children who were classified as overweight or obese in 2002 was 39.4 per cent (boys) and 26.3 per cent (girls). In 2007, this was 21.3 per cent and 26.0 per cent respectively. Physical activity and fitness levels improved for boys and girls; however, 80.0 per cent of girls still did not meet the recommended one hour per day of moderate physical activity. For both sexes, there were no significant differences in dietary fat intake between 2002 and 2007 cohorts. Both boys and girls continued to consume a diet that was heavily reliant on foods that were high in saturated fat. Conclusion: We identified a trend towards increased physical activity among 12-13 year olds but there were no changes in dietary habits or adiposity. The findings indicate that increased physical activity, used in isolation without dietary modification, has no effect on adiposity. This study has demonstrated a need for large-scale studies to better evaluate existing and future initiatives targeting obesity in young people. (Contains 3 tables.)

This study determined the prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in young people of differing socio-economic status (SES). A cohort of 100 boys and 108 girls, aged 12.9, SD 0.3 years drawn of differing SES were assessed for CHD risk factors. Measurements included indices of obesity, blood pressure, aerobic fitness, diet, blood lipids and lipoproteins. Significant differences (P [less than or equal to] 0.05) were detected with respect to SES, for systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, but in boys only. Significant sex differences (P [less than or equal to] 0.05) were identified for systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, aerobic fitness, waist to hip ratio, summation of four skinfold thicknesses, average daily kilocalorie intake, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Moreover, increased body fatness, low aerobic fitness, a high fat diet and elevated lipoprotein (a), were the most frequently identified CHD risk factors in this cohort. This study reveals a high incidence of CHD risk factors in young people irrespective of SES and sex, and highlights the need for vigilance in identifying such risk factors from a young age. (Contains 4 tables and 1 note.)

A reprint of the article on published in the September 16, 2015 issue of the periodical "Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy" on Causes and consequences of obesity. It mentions that the article discusses how high saturated fat, a refined carbohydrate diet, and reduced exercise resulted in obesity.

Graham MR, Evans P, Davies B, Thomas NE, and Baker JS. Growth Hormone Therapy in Health and Disease. Could GH and IGF-I Combination Therapy Combat the Somatopause? JEPonline 2009;12 (6):1-24. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has allowed investigations of the role of GH and identified the effects of rhGH replacement in GH-deficiency (GHD). Both obese and elderly subjects with low insulin like-growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels have functional GHD. Administration of rhGH to elderly subjects with low IGF-I levels results in reversal of changes associated with GHD. These changes are similar to those shown in adults with GHD with rhGH replacement. RhGH replacement in the elderly and obese has been compromised by side effects, due to hypersensitivity. Doses are required to be titrated to individual needs. Insulin like growth factor-I (IGF-I) mediates some of the metabolic actions of GH and has both GH-like and insulin-like actions. Both GH and IGF-I have a net anabolic effect enhancing whole body protein synthesis improving anthropometry in GHD. Both hormones have been used in catabolism and have been effective in counteracting the protein wasting effects of medicines such as glucocorticoids. IGF-I may be an appropriate combination agent to use in conditions where carbohydrate metabolism is impaired. The pendulum of research has progressed towards IGF-I and it may be possible that the two can be used together to treat the sarcopenic effects of the somatopause, with an application for use in obesity? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study investigates cardiovascular disease risk factor response in adolescents following introduction of brisk walking into curriculum lessons. Design. Quasi-experimental. Setting. School-based. Subjects. An intervention group consisted of 115 (aged 12.4 ± 0.5 y) year eight participants, and 77 (aged 12.1 ± 1.1 y) year seven and year nine participants formed a control. Intervention. An 18-week cross-curricular physical activity intervention was implemented in one secondary school. Measures. Adiposity variables, blood pressure, lipids, lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, high- sensitivity C-reactive protein, high-molecular-weight adiponectin, aerobic fitness, physical activity behavior, and diet were assessed preintervention and postintervention. Analysis. Dependent and independent t-tests. Results. Prevalence of elevated waist circumference (9.8% vs. 6.9%), systolic blood pressure (3.3% vs. 0%), triglycerides (2.5% vs. 1.2%), and reduced high density lipoprotein cholesterol (3.7% vs. 2.7%) decreased in the intervention group. Significant improvements in high density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol ratio (mean ± SD: 2% ± 4% [confidence interval (Cl)0.05 = 1% to 2%], t80 = -3.5, p = .001) and glucose (-.1 ± .4 mmol/L [Cl0.05 = -.2% to 0%], t79 3.2, p = .002) were evident for the intervention group. Conclusion. The Activity Knowledge Circuit may prove to be a sustainable, effective, and cost-effective strategy to engage schoolchildren in physical activity on a daily basis. A longer- duration intervention is required to fully understand risk factor response in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]