Exercise can help patients maintain lean body mass during weight loss. Although exercise is not extremely useful in shedding excess pounds, it helps keep off weight lost through calorie restriction. This article discusses the specifics of exercise prescription, types of exercise, motivation to exercise, and special problems such as diabetes. (SM)

This study on the incidence of obesity among 20,031 children with mental retardation at special schools in Japan found a higher incidence than among children without mental retardation of the same age and a higher incidence among girls than boys and among older students than younger ones. (Author/DB)

The academic dismissal of a nursing student for obesity raises questions about the basis for determining compliance with performance contracts and faculty responsibility for protecting student privacy. The case demonstrates the importance of clearly defined expectations and the need to respect privacy concerns. (SK)

A survey of permanent residents of Canada over 50 years of age (n=5,102) regarding the effect of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical activity found the following: (1) smoking is associated with negative outcomes; (2) there is little evidence of adverse effects for alcohol consumption; (3) physical activity is positive; and (4) body…

Recounts experience of being an overweight preschool teacher. Discusses children's, colleagues', and parents' reactions to overweight people and to society's concept of obesity. Recommends humor to deal with weight issues in the classroom and tells of meaningful encounters with children about obesity. Describes other adults' embarrassment when…

Trends in the health status of the entire senior population aged 65 years or older in Manitoba were examined over a 14-year period (1985-1999) using administrative data (about 150,000 individuals). Significant health gains were apparent for a number of important indicators, including acute myocardial infarction, stroke, cancer, and hip fractures,…

This article summarizes the efforts of legislators in studying up on what they might do to affect how well kids learn after the summer break. Some of the legislators' work leaned toward improving students' health, while some targeted dropouts or civic education. Most of the capitol-dome work appears to have matched the typical garden: a few…

Introduction: Despite widespread concern about pediatric obesity, health care professionals report low proficiency for identifying and treating this condition. This paper reports on the evaluation of pediatric overweight assessment and management training for clinicians and staff in a managed care system. The training was evaluated for its impact…

This meta-analytic review summarizes obesity prevention programs and their effects and investigates participant, intervention, delivery, and design features associated with larger effects. A literature search identified 64 prevention programs seeking to produce weight gain prevention effects, of which 21% produced significant prevention effects…

In response to growing rates of obesity and health-related problems in children, schools are beginning to shift Physical Education classes from competitive games to lessons on leading healthier lives. This article discusses some creative ways implemented by school administrators to help children get fit and fight what some call an epidemic. The…

Body image dissatisfaction and eating disturbances are prevalent among youths and are beginning at an increasingly younger age. The glorification of the ideal, thin body type surrounds youths, in direct contrast to the increasing rates of overweight and obesity among the same population. The messages that children and adolescents are receiving are…

In this trial, adolescent girls with body dissatisfaction (N = 481, M age = 17 years) were randomized to an eating disorder prevention program involving dissonance-inducing activities that reduce thin-ideal internalization, a prevention program promoting healthy weight management, an expressive writing control condition, or an assessment-only…

In an age of rising obesity rates, more students are getting fit in school with the help of the video game series Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and similar games. Some educators caution that while the trend is positive overall, technology should only supplement--not replace--traditional physical activity, such as running, aerobics, and other…

With the rising rate of overweight among children, it is more important than ever for students to spend an optimal amount of time participating in physical activity. As a means of measuring participation in physical activity, pedometers have become increasingly more common in the physical education classroom. This article shares tips for using…

The dietary intake of children in the United Kingdom and other minority world countries is an area that is causing increasing concern. These concerns are often expressed around the high levels of childhood obesity and the early onset of dental caries. In this review of the literature, I examine a range of approaches to the study of food and…