Integrating nitrogen fixing structures into above- and belowground functional trait spectra in soy (Glycine max)

Plant and Soil - Phenotypic trait variation across environmental gradients and through plant ontogeny is critical in driving ecological processes, especially in agroecosystems where single...     

Two-year internet-based randomized controlled trial for weight loss in African-American girls

Objective: A randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of an internet‐based lifestyle behavior modification program for African‐American girls over a 2‐year period of intervention. Research Methods and Procedures: Fifty‐seven overweight (mean BMI percentile, 98.3) African‐American girls (mean age, 13.2 years) were randomly assigned to an interactive behavioral internet program or an internet health education program, the control condition. Overweight parents were also participants in the study. Forty adolescent‐parent dyads (70%) completed the 2‐year trial. Outcome data including BMI, body weight, body composition, and weight loss behaviors were collected at baseline and at 6‐month intervals. A computer server tracked use of the web sites. Results: An intention‐to‐treat statistical approach was used, with the last observation carried forward. In comparison with the control condition, adolescents in the behavioral program lost more mean body fat (BF) (?1.12 ± 0.47% vs. 0.43 ± 0.47% BF, p < 0.05), and parents in the behavioral program lost significantly more mean body weight (?2.43 ± 0.66 vs. ?0.35 ± 0.64 kg, p < 0.05) during the first 6 months. This weight loss was regained over the next 18 months. After 2 years, differences in fat for adolescents (?0.08 ± 0.71% vs. 0.84 ± 0.72% BF) and weight for parents (?1.1 ± 0.91 vs. ?0.60 ± 0.89 kg) did not differ between the behavioral and control programs. Discussion: An internet‐based weight management program for African‐American adolescent girls and their parents resulted in weight loss during the first 6 months but did not yield long‐term loss due to reduced use of the web site over time.     

Gender,Race, and Obesity‐Related Quality of Life at Extreme Levels of Obesity

Objective: Research investigating obesity‐related quality of life (QOL) has shown that at increasing levels of overweight, individuals report more impaired QOL. Further, some research has indicated that white women suffer more impairment than men and African Americans. The current study sought to expand the existing literature by investigating an extreme subsample of the obese population. It was expected that participants in the current study would report more impaired obesity‐related QOL than in previous research conducted with less obese individuals. It was also hypothesized that race and gender groups would differ in obesity‐related QOL and that the relationship between degree of overweight and QOL would not be consistent across race and gender groups. Research Methods and Procedures: Impact of Weight on Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Lite Version data were collected from 512 individuals seeking gastric bypass surgery (mean BMI = 53.3) Results: Results confirmed the study hypotheses. In general, white women reported the most QOL impairment, despite having significantly lower BMI than other race/gender groups. Compared with previous studies, the observed relationships between BMI and QOL were somewhat attenuated. Discussion: Various domains of QOL may be differentially affected by degree of obesity; these relationships are not homogeneous throughout the obese population.     

Development and Validation of the Food-Craving Inventory

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate the Food-Craving Inventory (FCI), a self-report measure of specific food cravings. Research Methods and Procedures: In a preliminary study, participants (n = 474) completed the initial version of the FCI. The results from this study were used in developing the revised FCI. Participants (n = 379) completed the revised FCI in the primary study designed to develop a self-report measure of specific food cravings. Results: Common factor analysis yielded four conceptual factors (subscales) that were interpreted as high fats, sweets, carbohydrates/starches, and fast-food fats. Confirmatory factor analysis found that the four factors could be modeled as dimensions (or first-order factors) of a higher order construct—food craving. Test–retest and internal consistency analyses indicated good reliability for the total score and each of the subscales. Subscale scores were compared with scores on the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and a conceptual measure of food craving. We found support for the content, concurrent, construct, and discriminant validity of the FCI. Discussion: The FCI was found to be a reliable and valid measure of general and specific food cravings. The FCI can be used in research related to overeating and binge eating. Also, it may be useful in treatment studies that target obesity and/or food cravings.