A comparison of weight control and weight control plus body image therapy for obese men and women.

Participants were 65 obese men and women who were randomly assigned to either weight control or weight control plus cognitive–behavioral body image therapy. Both conditions showed clinically significant improvements in body image at posttreatment and 1-year follow-up. Adding body image therapy to weight control did not result in greater psychological improvements and did not result in better maintenance of body image change when participants regained weight after treatment. Weight loss and maintenance were equivalent between groups. Adding body image therapy did not improve or detract from weight loss. Although body image therapy has been shown to be effective in obese persons, it appears that a well-rounded cognitive–behavioral weight control program is effective as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of systematic physical fitness training combined with counseling on the self-concept of college students.

Three groups of 40 college students were each given different treatments in an experiment designed to investigate the effect of systematic physical fitness training combined with counseling on measured self-concept. One experimental group received a fitness program consisting of flexibility training and systematic distance running; a 2nd group received the same physical training plus 1 hr/wk of group counseling designed to reinforce progress made in the fitness program; and a 3rd group (control) received no physical fitness training or counseling. After a 10-wk program, the group receiving fitness training and running made a significant gain in self-concept as measured by the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale. The Ss were divided into low and high self-concept groups for statistical analysis. It was found that the students who received fitness training and counseling and had low self-concepts on the pretest measure made significant positive changes in self-concept. (31 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of group- versus home-based exercise in the treatment of obesity.

This study examined the effects of 2 aerobic exercise regimens on exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, treatment adherence, and weight changes in 49 obese women undergoing a year-long behavioral weight loss program. Participants were assigned randomly to weight loss treatment plus either group- or home-based exercise. All participants were instructed to complete a moderate-intensity walking program (30 min/day, 5 days/week). Group exercise participants were provided with 3 supervised group exercise sessions per week for the 1st 26 weeks and with 2 sessions per week thereafter. Home exercise participants were instructed to complete all exercise in their home environment. After 6 months, both conditions displayed significant improvements in exercise participation, fitness, eating patterns, and weight loss. At 12 months, the home-based program showed superior performance to the group condition in exercise participation and treatment adherence; at 15 months, participants in the home program demonstrated significantly greater weight losses than those in the group program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Self-concept in obese and normal-weight children.

Compared self-concept (as measured by the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale) for 716 White children in Grades 3–8, who were classified as obese or normal-weight after their ideal weight was calculated accounting for age, sex, and height. Ss 20% or more over ideal weight were characterized as obese. No significant differences were found in self-concept in the 2 groups. (5 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Motivational “spill-over” during weight control: Increased self-determination and exercise intrinsic motivation predict eating self-regulation.

Objective: Successful weight management relies on at least two health behaviors, eating and exercise. However, little is known about their interaction on a motivational and behavioral level. Based on the Hierarchical Model of Motivation the authors examined whether exercise-specific motivation can transfer to eating regulation during a lifestyle weight control program. The authors further investigated whether general, treatment-related, and exercise motivation underlie the relation between increased exercise and improved eating regulation. Design: Overweight/obese women participated in a 1-year randomized controlled trial (N = 239). The intervention focused on promoting physical activity and internal motivation for exercise and weight loss, following Self-Determination Theory. The control group received general health education. Main Outcome Measures: General and exercise specific self-determination, eating self-regulation variables, and physical activity behavior. Results: General self-determination and more autonomous exercise motivation predicted eating self-regulation over 12 months. Additionally, general and exercise self-determination fully mediated the relation between physical activity and eating self-regulation. Conclusion: Increased general self-determination and exercise motivation seem to facilitate improvements in eating self-regulation during weight control in women. These motivational mechanisms also underlie the relationship between improvements in exercise behavior and eating regulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Differential physical and psychological effects of exercise.

Evaluated the physical and psychological benefits of an 8-wk individualized exercise program for 83 adults (aged 22–75 yrs). The 49 Ss who completed the program differed from the 34 dropouts on preexercise data only on persistence (i.e., the pretest time spent in exercise), which indicated a possible motivational difference. Those who completed the program showed statistically significant improvements in terms of persistence, fitness, and physical self-concept and also showed reduced psychological tension (as measured by the Profile of Mood States). Persistence correlated significantly with vigor, and fitness correlated significantly with both vigor and physical self-concept. Analysis of Ss categorized by initial levels of fitness and stress showed that changes in stress following exercise occurred only for those who were below the mean of the sample both physically and psychologically prior to beginning the exercise program. Strategies to motivate those clients who may benefit most from therapeutic exercise programs as an adjunct to stress management are discussed. (49 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment.

Investigated the effects of hypnosis as a treatment for weight loss among women. The sample consisted of 60 women (aged 20–65 yrs) who were at least 20% overweight and were not in any other treatment program. Six client variables (suggestibility, self-concept, quality of family origin, age of obesity onset, education level, and socioeconomic status [SES]) and 1 process variable (multimodal imagery) were analyzed in relation to the dependent variable (weight loss). Two experimental groups, hypnosis plus audiotapes and hypnosis without audiotapes, and the control group were investigated for weight loss immediately after treatment and again after a 6-mo follow-up. The primary hypothesis that hypnosis is an effective treatment for weight loss was confirmed, but the 7 concomitant variables and the use of audiotapes were not significant contributors to weight loss. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exercise and diet interventions improve perceptions of self in middle-aged adults

The effect of a 1-year exercise and diet intervention program on global self-concept, perceptions of the body, physical competence, exercise mastery, social competence, social comfort, and fitness was examined with 208 healthy individuals (191 males, 17 females) aged 39-49 years (mean age 44.9) with elevated risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The relative utility of the skill development versus the self-enhancement model of the self-concept/behaviour relationship was tested. The participants were randomized into four groups: diet (n = 53), diet and exercise (n = 64), exercise (n = 48) and no active intervention (n = 43). Measurements were made by the Harter adult self perception profile (HASPP) and the self-perception in exercise questionnaire (SPEQ). Two-way ANOVA analyses revealed that exercise participation, with or without diet, enhanced self-perceptions of physical mastery and ability, body perception, fitness and social comfort. The unique contribution of diet indicated enhanced body perception. No effect was found of diet or exercise on global self-concept. Exercise participation had a positive effect on perceptions of the self, and the higher the compliance with the exercise program, the stronger were the effects on the self-perceptions. This supported the skill development model of the self-concept/behaviour relationship. As the pretest self-concept scores did not predict exercise compliance, the self-enhancement model of the self-concept/behaviour relationship was not supported.     

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Five subjects performed a maximal exercise test of repetitive lifting and lowering, with a discontinuous protocol of incremental exercise (3 min) and relative rest (2 min). Exercise periods consisted of repetitive lifting and repetitive lifting and lowering at increasing movement frequencies. Relative rest periods consisted of ergometer cycling at a constant, low power output. An unexpected, dissociated, response of cardiovascular and pulmonary parameters was found: during relative rest, values for oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, pulmonary ventilation and tidal volume were significantly higher than during the preceding exercise periods, though exercise intensity was much lower. To our knowledge, such a response has not been reported in previous studies. Since the response could not be attributed to methodological or technical factors, it is hypothesized that the type of exercise itself impeded the optimal performance of the oxygen transporting system. The function of the pulmonary system could have been influenced by a high intra-abdominal pressure, the involvement of respiratory muscles in stabilizing trunk and head, a flexed trunk posture and the entrainment of respiratory frequency with movement frequency. More likely, the function of the cardiovascular system was hindered by a high blood pressure and high intramuscular pressures. Since this response occurred at low exercise intensities, optimal functioning of the cardiovascular and pulmonary system during daily activities of repetitive lifting and lowering could similarly be impeded. The hypotheses put forward could also explain the lower peak oxygen uptake reported during repetitive lifting, compared to running and cycling.     

Behavior modification for obesity: The evaluation of exercise, contingency management, and program adherence.

Investigated crucial aspects of behavioral programs for obesity including (a) the assumption that Ss actually engage in requested behaviors and that these behaviors mediate weight loss, (b) the effect of exercise on weight loss, and (c) the problem of long-term maintenance and generalization to the clinically obese. Exercise and self-managed contingency components were compared in a 2?×?2 factorial design on 44 obese Ss and were evaluated after 10 wks of treatment and 3-mo and 1-yr follow-ups. Significant weight loss was observed for all groups at program termination and the 3-mo follow-up, with only those exposed to exercise and/or contingency management maintaining weight loss after 1 yr. There were no main effects or interactions at program termination or at the 3-mo follow-up. However, the influence of exercise at the 1-yr follow-up was noticeable. Assessment of program adherence indicated that Ss engaged in program behaviors, yet only 1 of 10 such behaviors was related to weight loss. (22 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Causal ordering of physical self-concept and exercise behavior: Reciprocal effects model and the influence of physical education teachers.

Does prior physical self-concept influence subsequent exercise behavior? On the basis of a large sample of physical education classes (2,786 students, 200 classes, 67 teachers) collected early (Time 1) and late (Time 2) in the school year, findings support a reciprocal effects model in which prior physical self-concept and exercise behavior both influence subsequent physical self-concept and exercise behavior. Whereas variables from the theory of planned behavior (TOPB; behavioral intentions, perceived behavioral control, exercise attitudes) also contributed to the prediction of subsequent exercise behavior, the effect of prior physical self-concept was significant for subsequent outcomes after controlling these variables, suggesting that the TOPB should be supplemented with self-concept measures. On the basis of multilevel models, there were systematic differences in these variables for students taught by different teachers that generalized over time and across different classes taught by the same teacher. Support for the reciprocal effects model was robust. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exercise training restores decreased cellular immune functions in obese Zucker rats

This study investigated whether exercise training had a beneficial effect on the decreased mitogen response and improved a decreased expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) in splenocytes from obese Zucker rats. Experimental groups were lean and sedentary and exercise-trained obese Zucker rats. Exercise training, running on a motor-driven treadmill for 5 days/wk for 40 wk, did not induce a significant decrease in body weight in obese Zucker rats. The plasma insulin concentration, showing a significant increase compared with lean Zucker rats, was unaffected by exercise training. However, the plasma triglyceride concentration in obese Zucker rats was significantly depressed by exercise training, whereas it was still higher than that in lean Zucker rats. In addition, natural killer cell activity and concanavalin A-induced mitogenesis of splenic lymphocytes of obese Zucker rats were significantly restored. In these splenic lymphocytes, glucose uptake was significantly lower compared with that in lean Zucker rats, which was also improved by exercise training. Although the expression of GLUT-1, the major glucose transporter in immune cells, was depressed in splenic lymphocytes of obese Zucker rats, exercise training induced a significant improvement. These results suggest that exercise training has a beneficial effect on the decreased cellular immune functions in obese Zucker rats, which is associated, in part, with the improvement in GLUT-1 expression.     

Peer-led program for the treatment and prevention of obesity in the schools.

Studied 89 overweight children in Grades 2–5 from 2 schools to assess the maintenance of weight loss achieved through school-based programs for obese children. 48 Ss in a Catholic elementary school participated in a 12-wk weight-reduction program conducted primarily by older children trained as peer counselors, while 41 additional Ss from another Catholic school served as control Ss. No program was conducted in the control school, and controls' contact was limited to 3 weigh-ins. Results show that experimental Ss lost 0.15 kg and reduced their percentage overweight by 5.3%, whereas controls gained 1.3 kg and increased their percentage overweight by 0.3%. Experimental Ss also showed positive changes in self-concept, as compared with controls, and displayed improvements in food selection. Changes in weight, self-concept, and food selection were only partially maintained at 18-wk follow-up, however, pointing to the need for an ongoing program of weight loss maintenance. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitive reactivity and depressotypic information processing in children of depressed mothers.

Although high-risk research suggests that children of depressed mothers are at increased risk for psychological disorders, the mechanisms of this risk are not well understood. In the current study, the information processing of children of depressed mothers was compared with that of children whose mothers were not depressed. Half of each group received a priming induction designed to activate cognitive schemas prior to assessment. All children then completed a self-referent processing task that examined the recall of negative and positive information. Results indicate that when primed, at-risk children showed a less positive self-concept and more negative information processing than did the children in the other groups. These data may offer potential clues into the mechanisms of cognitive vulnerability in at-risk children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hypertension and exercise

A sedentary lifestyle may be a risk for hypertension, according to the results of both cross sectional and longitudinal studies. However, exercise may reverse the adverse effects of lack of activity. Many controlled studies have shown that exercise lowers systolic/diastolic blood pressure by at least 10/5 mmHg. Exercise not only improves blood pressure, but also attenuates other risk factors for cardiovascular complications. Dynamic isotonic exercise (e.g., weight lifting). Milder (e.g., brisk walking for 30-60 minutes/day) rather than moderate to severe exercise (e.g., running) is also recommended because of similar effectiveness and better compliance. The underlying mechanism of action of exercise on blood pressure seems to be multifactorial involving a decrease in pressor factors such as plasma norepinephrine, the serum Na/K ratio, endogenous ouabain-like substance and erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, as well as an increase in depressor factors such as plasma prostaglandin E, serum taurine and urinary dopamine excretion.     

Sex role self-concept and career decision making.

The influence of sex-role-related aspects of students' self-concept on their progress in making a decision about choice of college, choice of a major, and choice of an occupation, as well as their use of both the rational and intuitive decision-making styles, was investigated. For 289 male and 283 female college students, their sex-role self-concept as measured by the Bem Sex-Role Inventory was related to their progress on all 3 decisions. Test scores were compared with those of 300 other Ss from 3 colleges, and no significant variance was found. The patterns of results were different for men and women. Sex-role self-concept was related to the use of both decision-making styles for women, whereas it was a factor only on the rational style scale for men. The implications of these findings for differential counseling based on sex-role self-concept rather than on gender are discussed. Counselors are cautioned against overlooking the potential influences of factors not related to sex roles on students' career decisions. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Exercise and the maintenance of weight loss: 1-year follow-up of a controlled clinical trial.

This study reports results 1 year after treatment for 77 obese women who had been treated for 48 weeks by diet combined with supervised (a) aerobic exercise, (b) strength training, (c) aerobic plus strength training combined, or (d) no exercise. Mean (± SD) end-of-treatment weight losses for the 4 conditions ranged from 13.5?±?9.1 kg to 17.3?±?10.3 kg, but there were no statistically significant differences among groups. Participants in all 4 conditions regained approximately 35% to 55% of their weight loss in the year after treatment; again, there were no significant differences among groups. Participants, however, who reported exercising regularly in the 4 months preceding the follow-up assessment regained significantly less weight than did nonexercisers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Kinetics of VO2 and VCO2 in the horse and comparison of five methods for determination of maximum oxygen uptake

To determine whether maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) in the horse in influenced by type of exercise test, five different protocols were evaluated in eight untrained Thoroughbreds exercised on a treadmill. With all protocols, horses were given a 5 min warm-up on a 10 per cent treadmill slope. Three protocols were at a 10 per cent slope and included: 1) increasing the running speed by 1 to 2 m/sec every 60 secs from 4 m/sec to a maximum of 12 m/sec; 2) running at 12 m/sec until fatigue; and 3) running for 3 to 4 mins at speeds ranging from 6 to 12 m/sec with rest pauses between exercise bouts. The fourth protocol employed a 24 per cent slope where animals exercised for 5 mins at 2 m/sec followed by 3 mins at 5 m/sec, and 2 mins at 6 m/sec. The fifth test involved running at 11 m/sec while the slope of the surface was increased every 2 mins until the horses could not maintain the pace. A plateau in VO2 occurred in all protocols except when exercise was performed on a 24 per cent slope. Slow speed exercise at a steep grade (24 per cent) produced the highest VO2 (P < 0.05) even though there was no plateau in the VO2. A steady state for VO2 and VCO2 existed 90 secs after the onset of exercise with all protocols which involved 2 mins or more at each speed. The VO2 and VCO2 values at all speeds of the rapid incremental exercise test were not different to those found at steady state in the third exercise protocol.     

Affective benefits of exercise while quitting smoking: Influence of smoking-specific weight concern.

The present study aimed to shed light on contradictory findings about the effects of exercise on negative affect during smoking cessation. The authors hypothesized that smoking-specific weight concern would moderate the relationship between exercise and negative affect. Baseline measures of smoking-specific weight concern, exercise, and negative affect were completed by 146 women participating in a randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation plus weight control. Exercise and negative affect were reassessed 1 week after the quit date. Among women with heightened smoking-specific weight concern, greater engagement in exercise was associated with less of an increase in negative affect. Results suggest that exercise may help temper negative affect states for women with heightened smoking-specific weight concern. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Processes linking weight status and self-concept among girls from ages 5 to 7 years.

This study assessed the relationship between girls' weight status and self-concept and examined peer teasing and parent criticism as potential mediators of this relationship. Data were collected for 182 girls and their parents when the girls were 5 and 7 years old. At each age, girls' body mass index, self-concept, peer weight-related teasing (child report), and parents' criticism of girls' weight status (spouse report) were assessed. At ages 5 and 7, girls who were more overweight reported lower self-concept. Peer teasing and parent criticism mediated the relationship between weight status and self-concept at age 7, but not at age 5. In addition, the duration and timing of parent criticism across ages 5 and 7 mediated the association between girls' weight status at age 5 and perceived peer acceptance at age 7. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)