
Influence of Cardio-ventilatory Factors on Exercise Intolerance in Obese Adolescents: Effects of...
ObesityWorldwide, childhood and adolescent obesity has reached epidemic proportions despite major efforts to promote weight reduction. Pediatric obesity commonly presages adult obesity and is associated with the development of weight-related comorbid conditions and increased morbidity. Regular physical activity is an important modality of obesity management. Despite controversies, poor exercise tolerance has frequently been reported in youth obesity and the cause of this limited exercise tolerance remains unknown. Several factors accompanying obesity may interfere with exercise tolerance in obese populations. Respiratory factors, such as decreased thoracic compliance, increased airway resistance and breathing at low pulmonary volumes are associated with obesity and may impact exercise intolerance in this population. Moreover, even in people with otherwise normal lungs, the normal ventilatory responses to exercise can become constrained in obesity. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying this exercise intolerance remains fundamental in order to favour long term adherence to exercise training. This is especially true in youth populations, in which the management of overweight and obesity must be undertaken as soon as possible, due to the early onset of cardiovascular risk factors. The main purpose of this study is to determine early-onset cardio-respiratory mortality factors in obese adolescents as well as their relation with exercise intolerance (i.e. dyspnea) when compared with age and gender-paired normal-weight volunteers.

Evaluation of California's SB 19 Pupil Nutrition Act
ObesityFour California school districts will be randomized to early implementation of California's SB 19 Pupil Nutrition Act or to business as usual. Over 5000 4th, 5th and 7th graders will be evaluated at baseline, 4-month, and 16-month follow-up in order to determine if the SB 19 nutrition and physical activity policies have had an impact on students' risk of excess body weight. The impact of early implementation of SB 19 on academic achievement will also be assessed.

Cardio Training of Older Adults With Central Obesity
Visceral ObesityGiven the increasing prevalence of obesity, there is an urgent need to find better strategies to promote physical activity in the community. The present study will invite 70-year-olds with central (abdominal) obesity to participate in a 10-week aerobic exercise program. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two equally large groups. The first group will complete the exercise program in instructor-led groups. The second group will complete the program at home with the help of an on-line video.

Ultrasonography of the Patellar Tendon and Achilles Tendon in Children Adolescent and Adults
ObesityChildhood2 moreThe aim of the current study is to evaluate the Patellar tendon and Achilles tendon structures among children, adolescents and adults with different weight status. That in order to improve our understanding on the impact of acute and overused loads on tendon structure; and, in developing strategies to reduce tendon's injuries following physical exercises.

Type 2 Diabetes and the Brain in Adolescents
Type 2 Diabetes MellitusObesity4 moreThis study evaluates differences in brain function and cognitive performance in adolescents with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to non diabetic controls (both obese and lean) and correlates these changes with obesity, insulin resistance, and glycemic control in youth with T2D.

Comparative Analysis Between Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en Y Gastric Bypass in Bariatric Operation...
ObesityMorbid4 moreProspective, double-arm, multi-center cohort study on obese patients, for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en Y gastric bypass

Elderberries and Obesity
Fuel ManagementPrevious studies in humans indicate that anthocyanin-rich berries can positively alter fat oxidation and insulin sensitivity. This study will determine if this is also true with elderberries, which are a more concentrated source of anthocyanins compared to other commonly consumed berries.

Managing Adolescent Obesity at Local Level by Combining Primary and Secondary Intervention
ObesityThe objective of the project is to develop, implement and evaluate a prevention program for obesity among adolescents in Brazil combining the primary care health system implemented in the country in recent decades with primary prevention at schools.

Partnership to Improve Nutrition and Adiposity in Prenatal Clinical Care: a Pilot and Feasibility...
PregnancyThis study will pilot and assess feasibility of a prenatal intervention for obese pregnant women based on the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Intervention group participants will meet with a clinic dietitian for 15 minutes at every prenatal appointment to complete a DPP-based curriculum and receive breastfeeding education. Control group participants will receive usual prenatal care. Outcomes include reach and dose of the intervention, gestational weight gain, dietary intake, physical activity, and breastfeeding in the first 6 weeks postpartum.

Randomized Trial of Financial Incentives to Reduce Sugar-sweetened Beverage Purchases by Low-income,...
Obesity PreventionApproximately 15% of the US population is enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and 50% are children. Although the goal is to improve nutritional health, preliminary data suggest that enrollment in SNAP is associated with obesity and metabolic risks and that SNAP reimburses $4 billion annually for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). This pilot project tests an innovative strategy to reduce purchase of non-nutritive, SSBs by low-income families with children by combining targeted point-of-purchase education with a randomized trial of financial incentives to discourage purchase of unhealthy beverages. The study will take place at a mid-size grocery store that is located in a low-income, Latino community and where 30% of purchases are made with SNAP. Targeted beverage education will be provided to all study subjects with a traffic-light system to identify healthy and unhealthy beverages at the point-of-purchase. Individual beverage purchases will be tracked by electronically stored cash register sales. Supplementary validation of beverage consumption will be assessed by 24 hour dietary recall. Aim 1 is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to compare purchase and consumption of SSBs by families assigned to a financial incentive to reduce purchase of SSBs with families assigned to control (no incentives). Aim 2 is to compare the purchase of SSBs by families in both arms during the study period when they are exposed to the traffic-light system to a baseline period prior to traffic-light education. Results of this project will provide pilot data for larger scale interventions to promote healthy choices among low-income families.