Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Weight loss method'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2007.
Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 75 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-54).

Background: Body composition is affected by diseases, and affects responses to medical treatments, dosage of medicines, etc., while an abnormal body composition contributes to the causation of many chronic diseases. While we have reliable biochemical tests for certain nutritional parameters of body composition, such as iron or iodine status, and we have harnessed nuclear physics to estimate the body’s content of trace elements, the very basic quantification of body fat content and muscle mass remains highly problematic. Both body fat and muscle mass are vitally important, as they have opposing influences on chronic disease, but they have seldom been estimated as part of population health surveillance. Instead, most national surveys have merely reported BMI and waist, or sometimes the waist/hip ratio; these indices are convenient but do not have any specific biological meaning. Anthropometry offers a practical and inexpensive method for muscle and fat estimation in clinical and epidemiological settings; however, its use is imperfect due to many limitations, such as a shortage of reference data, misuse of terminology, unclear assumptions, and the absence of properly validated anthropometric equations. To date, anthropometric methods are not sensitive enough to detect muscle and fat loss. Aims: The aim of this thesis is to estimate Adipose/fat and muscle mass in health disease and during weight loss through; 1. evaluating and critiquing the literature, to identify the best-published prediction equations for adipose/fat and muscle mass estimation; 2. to derive and validate adipose tissue and muscle mass prediction equations; and 3.to evaluate the prediction equations along with anthropometric indices and the best equations retrieved from the literature in health, metabolic illness and during weight loss. Methods: a Systematic review using Cochrane Review method was used for reviewing muscle mass estimation papers that used MRI as the reference method. Fat mass estimation papers were critically reviewed. Mixed ethnic, age and body mass data that underwent whole body magnetic resonance imaging to quantify adipose tissue and muscle mass (dependent variable) and anthropometry (independent variable) were used in the derivation/validation analysis. Multiple regression and Bland-Altman plot were applied to evaluate the prediction equations. To determine how well the equations identify metabolic illness, English and Scottish health surveys were studied. Statistical analysis using multiple regression and binary logistic regression were applied to assess model fit and associations. Also, populations were divided into quintiles and relative risk was analysed. Finally, the prediction equations were evaluated by applying them to a pilot study of 10 subjects who underwent whole-body MRI, anthropometric measurements and muscle strength before and after weight loss to determine how well the equations identify adipose/fat mass and muscle mass change. Results: The estimation of fat mass has serious problems. Despite advances in technology and science, prediction equations for the estimation of fat mass depend on limited historical reference data and remain dependent upon assumptions that have not yet been properly validated for different population groups. Muscle mass does not have the same conceptual problems; however, its measurement is still problematic and reference data are scarce. The derivation and validation analysis in this thesis was satisfactory, compared to prediction equations in the literature they were similar or even better. Applying the prediction equations in metabolic illness and during weight loss presented an understanding on how well the equations identify metabolic illness showing significant associations with diabetes, hypertension, HbA1c and blood pressure. And moderate to high correlations with MRI-measured adipose tissue and muscle mass before and after weight loss. Conclusion: Adipose tissue mass and to an extent muscle mass can now be estimated for many purposes as population or groups means. However, these equations must not be used for assessing fatness and categorising individuals. Further exploration in different populations and health surveys would be valuable.

The purpose of this study was to examine individuals’ perceptions of weight loss and weight loss methods. Respondents were employees and customers attending health/wellness events at local supermarkets in June, July, and August 2019. Participants completed a survey to assess their understanding and perceptions of weight loss and methods used to achieve weight loss. The majority of participants were white females, 60 years or older with a college degree and a Body Mass Index (BMI) classified as overweight or obese. Data revealed most participants had a variety of misconceptions relating to weight loss and weight loss methods that were obscure and fad-diet oriented, including low-carbohydrate diets. Participants did understand benefits of weight loss but expressed maintaining weight loss was a challenge. These findings suggest that fad diets are alluring to individuals and individuals did not incorporate evidence-based behavior changes to promote or sustain weight loss.

Class of 2008 Abstract
Objectives: 1) To determine if data on weight change in the placebo arm of RCT's for weight loss were available, and 2) to conduct a pilot meta-analysis to estimate the average weight change in the placebo arm. Methods: Four randomized placebo controlled trials of rimonabant for weight loss were retrieved. A draft data extraction form was developed to record weight loss and demographic data. Potential for bias was assessed on design issues related to withdrawals, blinding, allocation procedure, adherence, and manufacturer influence. Based on available data, a forest plot was constructed and heterogeneity was assessed. The a priori alpha level was 0.05. Results: The placebo groups from all studies were similar. The pooled data indicated that individuals in the placebo arm lost an average of 3.3 kg, p < 0.001. One study had a significantly greater completion rate than the other studies. Participants were prescribed a hypocaloric diet and were instructed to increase physical activity but no data were reported on calories consumed or amount of physical activity. Weight loss of 5% ranged from 15-20% of participants. There was potential for bias relating to reported adherence, allocation concealment process, and manufacturer funding. Conclusions: Participants in the placebo arm of rimonabant trials lost an average of 3.3 kg, which was statistically significant. Little can be learned about weight loss in the placebo arm because no data on calories consumed, amount of exercise, or hunger were reported. Information from other RCT's is needed to provide additional data and to confirm the findings.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Kentucky, 2006.
Title from document title page (August 3, 2006). Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 146 p. : ill. Includes abstract and vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-143).

College-age adults gain weight more rapidly than the general population, with a mean weight gain of ~1.8 to 4 kilograms during their first year at college. The purpose of this pilot RCT was to test the efficacy of a semester long internet weight-loss program based upon social cognitive theory for overweight college freshmen. Qualitative focus groups were used to provide feedback on content of the active intervention. Participants (n=27; mage=18.5±.6; mweight=90kg±18; 74% female) were randomly assigned to the active intervention (Fit Freshmen; FF) or a health information control group and completed baseline and 3 month follow-up measurements. When compared to controls FF participants experienced higher improvement in self-regulatory skills for portion control, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity (all pâ s<.05). Consumption of dietary fat and added sugar also decreased significantly for FF subjects when compared to controls (all pâ s<.05) while total energy intake differences were significant (p<.09). Trends in increased physical activity were present, but not significantly different between groups. Finally, FF lost significantly more weight than controls (mdifference=2.2kg; p<0.05) and more fat mass (mdifference=1kg; p<0.09). Themes for content improvement included providing a more detailed meal plan, reducing email contact, and increasing social activity opportunities. Program characteristics that were positively evaluated included the flexible exercise program, incentives for weight loss, and use of an onsite weigh station. This study provides promising outcomes for a scalable internet-based weight loss program for college freshmen and highlights features that could be improved to be more attractive to this population.
Master of Science

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the weight loss of collegiate wrestlers and assess their risk for eating disorders (ED). Methods: Wrestlers were recruited by contacting the athletic trainer (AT) at the institution they wrestled. ATs who agreed to participate were sent an electronic link containing a survey, 143 wrestlers provided usable data. The survey was created from two surveys one allows the athlete to describe his eating behaviors and the ATHLETE questionnaire which measures risk for ED. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and frequencies. Results: 76.6% of wrestlers indicated binge eating; eating behaviors are similar to those in previous literature including gradual dieting, restricting food/fluids, fasting, and exercise. Wrestlers in this study do not appear to be at risk for ED. Clinical applicability: Wrestlers display dangerous eating behaviors but are not at risk for ED. Key Words: Disordered eating, anorexia, bulimia, body image.

Överviktsepidemin är ett utbrett folkhälsoproblem som är svårt att få bukt på, PREnet är en av många aktörer som arbetar för det. Frågan som inledningsvis ställdes var om själviakttagelseformulär är en effektiv metod för att kunna förändra beteenden som är relaterade till övervikt och med hjälp av detta minska i vikt. Syftet var att utvärdera själviakttagelseformulär som en metod i PREnets viktminskningsprogram. Deltagarna (n=38) var representerade från fyra PREnet-anläggningar. De ombads att registrera lämpliga och olämpliga vanor relaterade till övervikt, upp till sex månader.  Under eller efter avslutad viktkurs fick deltagarna besvara en enkät med 25 frågor. Deltagarna delades därefter in i två grupper. De som använt formuläret dagligen (n=26) och de som använt det mer sporadiskt eller inte alls (n=12). Fem hypoteser testades och signifikanta skillnader kontrollerades med hjälp av statistiska metoder. Resultatet visade att dagliganvändarna blev mer medvetna om sina mat-, dryck-, och motionsvanor (p<= 0.05). De hade även förbättrat och förändrat sina vanor i större utsträckning samt minskat mer i midjemått (p<= 0.05) men inte i vikt. Det fanns en tendens att deltagarna hade ökat lämpliga vanor, men inget tydde på att de minskat sina olämpliga vanor. Det fanns inga skillnader mellan de som deltagit under en längre respektive kortare tid. Slutsatsen var att själviakttagelseformulär är en fungerande metod om det används kontinuerligt.

The purpose of the study was to examine what methods and strategies individuals use to maintain their weight loss. Another aim was to explore which factors can complicate or simplify weight loss maintenance. Fifty-four individuals who had maintained their weight loss more than a year, participated by answering a questionnaire. The questionnaire was constructed and distributed through the internet. The answers were registered in the program google docs.  The participants mentioned successful methods and strategies, such as exercising regularly, the majority exercised 30 minutes at least five times per week. Successful methods and strategies regarding diet for weight loss maintenance were to increase the intake of fruits, protein and vegetables and to reduce the intake of carbohydrates and sweets. To maintain the weight loss, social support was considered important, both during the weight loss period but also afterwards, while maintaining it. Other successful strategies were to weigh oneself every week and to exert control over the eating.  The conclusion of useful strategies for weight loss maintenance was according to the participants, to exercise regularly and to eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and protein and at the same time minimize the intake of sweets and carbohydrates.
Syftet med studien var att undersöka vilka metoder och strategier individer använder sig av för hållbar viktnedgång. Vad det är som kan göra att individer bibehåller sin viktnedgång och varför det kan vara svårt, undersöktes också. Femtiofyra personer deltog, varav 33 kvinnor och 21 män i olika åldrar. Kravet för att inkluderas i studien var att de skulle ha bibehållit sin viktnedgång minst ett år, då detta är definitionen på hållbar viktnedgång. Undersökningspersonerna deltog genom att besvara en webbaserad enkät med i huvudsak kvantitativa frågeställningar. En ökad konsumtion av grönsaker, frukt och protein och en minskad konsumtion av kolhydrater, sötsaker och snabbmat bidrog till hållbar viktnedgång. Regelbunden fysisk aktivitet var associerat med hållbar viktnedgång där vardagsmotion, promenader, styrketräning och löpning utgjorde den fysiska aktiviteten. Majoriteten av undersökningspersonerna utövade minst 30 minuters motion fem dagar eller fler i veckan. Att väga sig och ha kontroll över sitt ätande var ytterligare två strategier för hållbar viktnedgång. Socialt stöd under viktnedgången resulterade i att viktminskningsperioden gick snabbare för deltagarna samt att ju mer stöd som de hade, desto högre var sannolikheten att viktnedgången bibehölls. Konklusionen av denna studie är att för att en hållbar viktnedgång ska uppnås, krävs ett ökat intag av grönsaker, frukt och protein och ett minskat intag av kolhydrater och sötsaker. Regelbunden fysisk aktivitet tycks vara ett nödvändigt krav för hållbar viktnedgång, medan socialt stöd kan underlätta en bibehållen viktnedgång.

The thesis theme is the design of 3 MW high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor. The work is divided into several parts, and contains the information given on the topic. The first part lists trends and new technologies of high-speed electric machines, and the issues and construction of high-speed synchronous machines are also listed here. In the second part, the machine is analytically designed from the specified values, which is then modelled in the RMxprt program. In the penultimate part, the engine is simulated by programs that are included in the ANSYS Electronics Desktop package, they are RMxprt and Maxwell. The modified engine model in RMxprt is simulated using defined formulas and then converted to Maxwell 2D, where the engine is simulated using the finite element method. In the last part, the results from the analytical calculation are compared with other high-speed machines. In addition, the results of simulations from RMxprt and Maxwell were compared in the last part.

INTRODUÇÃO: Muitos procedimentos cirúrgicos e endoscópicos bariátricos realizados atualmente diminuem o volume da luz gástrica de forma isolada ou associados a intervenção sobre o intestino. Uma forma de invaginação ou plicatura gástrica associada ao envolvimento protético do estômago foi usada para tratamento cirúrgico da obesidade. O procedimento foi abandonado devido à elevada taxa de complicações e re-intervenções causadas pelo contato da prótese com as vísceras abdominais. A fundoplicatura a Nissen usada para tratamento de refluxo gastroesofágico leva a emagrecimento pequeno, mas significativo. Na fundoplicatura a Nissen não são usados (e, portanto, não há complicações relacionadas a) secção, grampeamento, anastomose, bandas, anéis ou corpos estranhos. Neste trabalho formulamos a hipótese que a invaginação da grande curvatura gástrica levaria a perda de peso em ratos (Série A - primeira série de experimentos). Confirmada esta hipótese, testamos se a invaginação da parede gástrica anterior teria efeito semelhante (Série B - segunda série de experimentos). A invaginação da parede gástrica anterior evitaria a mobilização do grande omento. MÉTODO: Na Série A, trinta ratos foram sorteados em três grupos. Os dez ratos do primeiro grupo, chamado ACTR- ANEST, foram anestesiados e pesados. Aos dez ratos do segundo grupo, chamado A-CTR-LAP, foram adicionadas laparotomia e manipulação visceral à anestesia. Ao terceiro grupo, chamado A-INV-CURV, foi adicionada uma invaginação da grande curvatura gástrica à anestesia e laparotomia. Os animais da Série A foram pesados novamente no sétimo dia após os procedimentos; pesados, sacrificados e necropsiados no vigésimo - primeiro dia após os procedimentos. Na segunda série de experimentos (Série B), vinte ratos foram sorteados em dois grupos. A parede gástrica anterior foi invaginada em dez ratos no primeiro grupo (B-INV-ANT). A grande curvatura gástrica foi invaginada em dez ratos no segundo grupo (B-INV-CURV). Nesta Série B, os ratos foram pesados semanalmente por quatro semanas, sacrificados e necropsiados no vigésimo - oitavo dia após os procedimentos. RESULTADOS: Na Série A, a média de pesos corporais do grupo A-INV-CURV (311,41g) tornou-se menor que a dos grupos A-CTR-LAP (346,18g) e A-CTR-ANEST (362,48), p<0,001 (ANOVA medidas repetidas). A média de pesos das gorduras peri-testiculares foi significativamente diferente somente entre os grupos A-INV-CURV (4364mg) e A-CTR-ANEST (5059mg), p<0,02 (teste de Dunn). Na Série B, a média de pesos corporais do grupo B-INV-CURV (341,90g) tornou-se menor que a do grupo B-INV-ANT (370,56g) no vigésimo - primeiro dia após os procedimentos, p<0,03 (ajuste de Tukey). Os pesos das gorduras peri-testiculares e os volumes gástricos luminais não foram diferentes no vigésimo - oitavo dia após os procedimentos (sacrifício). CONCLUSÃO: A invaginação da grande curvatura gástrica leva a redução de peso em ratos quando comparada a anestesia isolada, a anestesia seguida de laparotomia, e a invaginação da parede gástrica anterior.
BACKGROUND: Many bariatric endoscopic or surgical procedures performed today reduce gastric luminal volume, alone or in combination with a distal enteric intervention. A form of prosthetic wrap of the folded (or plicated) stomach was used in the past for treating obesity with a high rate of prosthesis-related reintervention. Nissen gastric fundoplication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease induces a small but significant weight loss without gastric stapling, partitioning, or prosthesis-related morbidity. We hypothesized greater gastric curvature invagination would lead to weight loss in rats (first series of experiments named Set A). Once confirmed this hypothesis, we compared anterior gastric wall and greater gastric curvature invaginations for weight loss (second series of experiments - Set B). The anterior invagination would be technically easier as it would avoid mobilization of the greater omentum. METHODS: In Set A, 30 rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. 10 rats in the first group (A-CTRANEST) were anesthetized and weighed. The rats from the second group (ACTR- LAP) were in addition submitted to a laparotomy plus visceral manipulation. In the third group (A-INV-CURV), invagination of the greater curvature of the stomach was added. All animals were weighed on the 7th and 21st days. They were then autopsied on the 21st day. In Set B, 20 rats were randomized in 2 groups. The anterior gastric wall of 10 rats was invaginated in the first group (B-INV-ANT). The greater gastric curvature of 10 rats was invaginated in the second group (B-INV-CURV). All animals were weighed weekly for 4 weeks. They were then autopsied on the 28th day. RESULTS: In Set A, the mean body weight of the A-INV-CURV (311,41g) group became less than the A-CTR-LAP (346,18g) and A-CTR-ANEST (362,48) groups, p<0,001 (repeated measures ANOVA). The mean weight of the peritesticular fat pad from the A-INV-CURV group (4364mg) was also significantly less than from the A-CTR-ANEST group (5059mg), p<0,02 (Dunn test), the other peritesticular fat comparisons were indifferent. In Set B, the mean body weight of the B-INV-CURV group (341,90g) became less than the B-INV-ANT group (370,56g) at 21 days, p<0,03 (Tukeys adjustment). The mean weight of the peritesticular fat pad and the mean gastric volume were not different at 28 days (sacrifice). CONCLUSION: Greater gastric curvature invagination (plication) significantly reduces weight compared to isolated anesthesia, to anesthesia and laparotomy, and to anterior gastric wall invagination.

Introductory part of this thesis concludes the development of air traffic, division of airports in the Czech Republic according to the Ministry of Transport, according to the Law on Civil Aviation and according to the Coding of the airports (Requirement L 14). The aim was to realize theoretical definition and division of output and economic indicators. After that comes choice of appropriate airports from the European Union. The choice has been made on the basis of the number of check-in passengers at the airport in Prague-Ruzyně. Eight most suitable airports have been chosen from all twenty-seven member countries of the EU. The following step is comparative analysis of these chosen airports on the basis of specified output and economic indicators for the years 2005-2009. The year 2010 has not been included, because the chosen airports did not complete their annual reports, balances and statements of profit and loss. From these sources the values for calculation of individual indicators have been chosen. These indicators have been shown in charts, evaluated by means of graphs in Excel Programme and further they have been characterized in words. The aim of the thesis was also the evaluation and comparison of output and economic indicators of effectiveness and after evaluation, proposal of methods of evaluations has followed.

碩士
國立成功大學
創意產業設計研究所
105
How to lose weight in a healthy way is still an important health issue in the whole world. There was already a large amount of literatures discussing about obesity therapy from nutrition and exercise perspectives. Although general public’s health consciousness has increased because of the advance of information and communication technology and some of them had tried some ways to lose weight, there is still a high proportion of weight rebound. This research used “design thinking” process as an innovative method which values user experience to examine both existing supporter for service related to weight loss in Taiwan and people who ever have weight loss experience. Beginning with empathizing users’ experience, we framed the critical problems into two stages: how to overcome plateau effect and if the behavior users want to change can further develop to form a habit to avoid weight rebound. Trough literature review and user experience analyses, we found “recording” is a tool usually used in Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Performance management. It has the function to help users to use objective point of view to avoid themselves from negative emotions caused by cognitive distortion and to realize their behavior modes. The research then combined current existing tools and human-based consideration. To apply the concept of “lifelog” which is to record down what had happened in our life to make service design prototype. Through recording behavior which had already happened on supplementary tools, users could objectively view the behavior which occurs repeatedly according to their habit. And then find out the fixing point to help alter the habit. Six participants were invited to investigate its adaptation to current existing weight loss services, and the result showed that participants who used paper notebook to record Lifelog show better result in stimulate intrinsic motivation, creativity and introspection. But it’s inconvenient to use was the obstruction for participants to keep using it; For participants who used digital media such as Line or Facebook, they feel it’s more convenient to use and had the advantage of rapidly receive reply and encouragement from virtual community. But it shows less effect in changing original behavior. The reason may be digital media is easy to let users simplify things and hard to in-depth deal with them. Internet also might let users easy overloaded with too much information and disturbed by opinions of others. People suffer from too many distractions in this Information Age. How to increase people’s consciousness of their own behavior, and more focus on feeling the happiness brought by their health improvement and self-development. As the habit have been successfully changed, could avoid weight rebound.

碩士
國立臺灣師範大學
健康促進與衛生教育學系
104
School dietitian plays an important role in health-promoting program at school particularly in the issues of healthy body weight. To reach the goal of maintaining optimistic healthy body weight, the school dietitian can assist students to do weight and diet management, confer correct nutrition knowledge and ability to overcome the problem of overweight or obesity. This study was aimed on evaluating the feasibility and efficacy using Q method to investigate the beliefs and strategies that school dietitian have provided for the overweight or obese students in order to lose weight. A total of 48 Tao Chu Mao region school (or the Bureau of Education) dietitians participated in this research and conducted the Q sorting survey. We used the PQ Method 2.35 to analyze 38 Q statements. Based on the belief of weight loss, the school dietitians were categorized into 4 types: Type I is “Family Support”. Type II is “Deficient Self-confidence”. Type III is “Promote Body Image” and Type IV is “Family Influence”. Our results indicate the achievement of adequate efficacy on weight loss in overweight and obese students required diversified strategies, that including 1) conferring adequate eating behaviors and regular exercise habit, 2) self-awareness of body image, 3) developing self-confidence and a positive attitude and 4) family support and encouragement.

Obesity is a chronic and growing disease defined by weighing 20% or more than the ideal, or having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or more. While natural weight loss is available, many patients are choosing weight loss surgery (i.e., bariatric surgery) as an alternative to lose weight and reduce their risks for comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea. Tools and resources for post-surgical support in the bariatric surgery community have been limited and, in the past, most tools and resources for weight loss have focused on non-surgical weight loss communities; as such, analysis methods for measuring success in this population have not been clearly developed and tested. This research proposes and evaluates analysis methods that may be used in such studies. These analysis methods are evaluated using data from the Weight and Exercise Lifestyle Support study at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. In this study, a group of participants (n = 6) approved for bariatric surgery were followed by the research team starting roughly one month before surgery through three months after surgery. Participants received pedometers and weight scales, and access to an online patient portal where they could review their physical activity levels, and receive support from others in the study and an exercise consultant. Data collected included pre- and post-study dietary and exercise self-efficacy levels, self-reported and objective physical activity measures, self-reported dietary adherence, device usage, and usability and satisfaction with the program. This research evaluates whether the proposed measures can help determine the presence and nature of the relationships between the aforementioned variables. If these measures prove to be useful, they can be used in future interventions that use technology to support post-surgical weight loss communities.

碩士
崑山科技大學
企業管理研究所
98
Since ancient times, obesity has been regarded as a physical appearance issue. However, in recent years, with changes in social life and the people eating (westernization, fast food, high fat), obesity prevalence increased year by year. The questionnaire survey and data analysis found that three meals a day and some negative abnormal eating behavior may result in obesity, lives have been affected patients. The causes of obesity with weight loss will become obese. The investigation of the causes of the obesity effect of willingness for weight loss found that those who have abnormal eating behavior which result in obesity tend to have a higher willingness to loss weight. Weight control will be necessary to take some actions to maintain weight stability. In addition, for the relationship between obesity and weight reduction, the more the obesity caused by congenital type of respondents, the more inclined to exercise for weight loss methods. Most people still take advantage of the way diet weight loss. For the relationships between the quality of life before weight loss and willingness of weight reduction, different levels of quality of life before weight loss tend to adopt different approaches for weight loss. Farthermore , different levels of willingness of weight loss may result in different methods to weight loss.The study results found that the higher the degree of self required by tend to use a variety of approaches to weight loss, indicating the higher demands persons tend to choose a variety of different ways to lose weight in order to maintain body weight, either healthy or unhealthy way. For the relationship between weight reduction and quality of life after weight loss, psychological satisfaction level compared to other higher order behavioral change for weight reduction, people at all levels of satisfaction were affected. Particularly for those who use drug and behavior change approaches to weight loss, their levels of psychological satisfaction tend to be lower. On the other hand,those who use exercise to weight loss tend to have a higher levels of physical and psychological satisfaction. The quality of life before weight loss and after weight is obviously different. Psychological and social dimensions of quality is increasing, Iwith the progress of weight loss. Finally, the elevel of social perception of those who reduce their body weight tend to perceive, a higher level of quality life. Keywords: obesity prevalence of congenital genetic health

Doutoramento em Motricidade Humana, na especialidade de Saúde e Condição Física
This thesis derives from three scientific problems which resulted in the same number of scientific articles. The background and questions of this investigation are centre in the methodological area and body composition rules. The first problem analysed the accuracy of some laboratory and field methods available (DXA, BIA and Anthropometry) in assessing body composition changes in overweight and obese women after a 16 months weight loss program management using a four-component molecular model as reference. The second studied the reasons why the changes in weight and body composition may result in functional changes in the thoracic gas volume (VTG) and, consequently, in the inadequate assessment of fat mass through a two-compartment model as Bod Pod. The last problem tested the accuracy of Bod Pod in tracking body composition changes using DXA as reference. It was verified that the single frequency BIA-Tanita device, a field method, showed a good level of performance in tracking body composition changes, similarly to the laboratory methods used, DXA and Bod Pot, despite being a two-compartment model. Draw attention to those different methods should not be applied in different moments interchangeably to detect body composition changes after a weight loss program.
Esta tese é constituída por 3 problemas científicos que deram origem ao mesmo número de artigos científicos. As questões e fundamentos desta tese centraram-se na área metodológica e nas regras da composição corporal. O primeiro problema analisou a validade de alguns dos métodos laboratoriais e de terreno disponíveis (DXA, BIA e Antropometria) na medição das alterações da composição corporal durante um programa de 16 meses de perda de peso apenas em mulheres usando, como referência, um modelo 4-C. O segundo problema estudou as razões pelas quais as alterações no peso e na composição corporal podem resultar em alterações funcionais no volume do gás toráxico (VGT) e, consequentemente, na inadequada avaliação da massa gorda através do método de 2-C com Bod Pod. O último problema testou a validade do Bod Pod para detectar alterações da composição corporal usando como referência o DXA. Verificou-se que o método de terreno de bio-impedância de frequência única, BIA-Tanita, teve um elevado desempenho na detecção das alterações da composição corporal, similar às técnicas laboratoriais utilizadas, DXA e Bod Pod, apesar de ser um modelo de dois compartimentos. De salientar que as técnicas utilizadas nos diferentes momentos devem ser sempre as mesmas.
FCT

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
It is well documented that a variety of sports coaches lack nutrition knowledge. However, few studies explore their knowledge of appropriate weight loss methods, macronutrient intake, or disordered eating. Unfortunately, both college and high school coaches disseminate inaccurate nutrition and weight loss counsel to their respective athletes who are just as unknowledgeable. Further, there is little research, which only focuses on coaches of a specific sport (e.g. tennis). Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to assess high school tennis coaches' knowledge of macronutrients and disordered eating (e.g. symptoms and prevention). Other purposes included identifying confidence in knowledge and any differences between the participating coaches' knowledge and demographic variables. To address these purposes, the 27-question Nutrition and Eating Disorders in Tennis ("NET") Survey was created (and validated). The study design involved a one-time, voluntary assessment of the Indiana coaches' demographic variables, knowledge, sources of knowledge, and level of confidence (e.g. Not At All or Very Confident). Overall, the results revealed that the coaches lacked knowledge. The average score was 70.6%, which was below the criterion for adequate knowledge. Furthermore, the coaches lacked adequate knowledge in three of the five knowledge domains: Treatment and Prevention of Disordered Eating (63.6% ± 22.9%), Disordered Eating Signs and Symptoms (60.0% ± 21.7%), and Macronutrients (57.0% ± 22.4%). The latter was further substantiated through the responses to scenario questions (Part 3). Specifically, the tennis coaches demonstrated a significant knowledge deficiency of carbohydrates, energy needs, and appropriate scope of practice. There was no significant difference between coaches' education level, gender, or type and knowledge. However, there was in experience; the more years coached, the lower the scores. Moreover, there was a trend of overconfidence in the most missed questions. This dissertation's data can provide basis for coaches' educational programs.