Contributions of Roy J. Shephard to the Study of Circumpolar Human Biology and Health.

More than any other scholar in our field, Professor Roy J. Shephard's research has shaped and transformed our understanding of the biology and health of circumpolar populations. His long-term research among the Inuit of Igloolik, Canada has provided the field of human biology with foundational insights into how human populations adapt to arctic climates, and how the transition to a market-oriented lifestyle erodes fitness and metabolic health.

Energy expenditure and obesity across the economic spectrum.

Global economic development has been associated with an increased prevalence of obesity and related health problems. Increased caloric intake and reduced energy expenditure are both cited as development-related contributors to the obesity crisis, but their relative importance remains unresolved. Here, we examine energy expenditure and two measures of obesity (body fat percentage and body mass index, BMI) for 4,213 adults from 34 populations across six continents and a wide range of lifestyles and economies, including hunter-gatherer, pastoralist, farming, and industrialized populations.

Secular trends in BMI, excess weight and body fat skinfolds in Peruvian children living at high altitude.

Background: There is limited evidence on secular trends in adiposity among high-altitude children.

Aims: To describe secular trends in body mass index (BMI), excess weight and body fat skinfolds (SKF) among Peruvian children living at high altitude and to investigate the risk for excess weight in 2019 relative to 2009.

Subjects And Methods: We sampled 1585 Peruvians aged 6-11 years from the Junín region.

Joint Associations of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Sedentary Time with Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Adolescents.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the joint associations of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 309 participants (10-16 yr old). Measurements included accelerometer-measured MVPA and ST, anthropometrics, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Improving weight loss and cardiometabolic risk in black patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes: Rationale and protocol for a digital medicine hybrid type 1 implementation trial.

Background: The goal of the PROPEL-IT study is to conduct an effectiveness-implementation (hybrid type 1) study to 1) test the effectiveness of a digital technology focused 24-month, patient-centered precision public health approach to weight-loss, facilitated by an electronic medical record (EMR) in Black patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus or prediabetes, and 2) better understand the external validity and context for implementation.

Methods: Patients in the Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) participate in a high-intensity behavioral intervention to facilitate weight loss through reducing dietary intake and increasing physical activity. The ILI is delivered by health coaches in the digital medicine program of a large health care organization facilitated by the patient portal of their EMR.

Children's Individual Differences in the Responses to a New Method for Physical Education.

Children's fundamental movement skills (FMS) require planned and guided interventions to develop appropriately. We investigated the effect of a novel Physical Education (PE) method to develop children's object control, locomotor skills, and motor competence. Further, we examined children's trainability, i.

Increasing diversity in the nutrition, obesity, and diabetes biomedical workforce: the BRIDGES consortium.

Scientists from diverse backgrounds are underrepresented (UR) in academia. This lack of diversity impedes scientific discovery and innovation. UR scientists tend to conduct research on issues relevant to UR populations, including chronic disease prevention and management, and health disparities.

Health Literacy Directed Weight Loss Intervention in Primary Care Clinics.

Background: Low income and low health literacy are associated with poorer health knowledge, health behaviors and poor health outcomes. The effectiveness of health literacy-directed weight loss treatment interventions in primary care clinics is lacking.

Objective: The aim of this study was to conduct a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial (PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana ([PROPEL]) to test the effectiveness of a 24-month, patient-centered, literacy-directed obesity treatment program delivered within primary care in an underserved population.

Four-year follow-up of weight loss maintenance using electronic medical record data: The PROPEL trial.

Rationale: Short-term weight loss is possible in a variety of settings. However, long-term, free-living weight loss maintenance following structured weight loss interventions remains elusive.

Objective: The purpose was to study body weight trajectories over 2 years of intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) and up to 4 years of follow-up versus usual care (UC).

Secular Trends in Physical Growth Among Peruvian Children and Adolescents Living at High Altitudes.

Objective: We aim (1) to examine secular trends in height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) among Peruvian children and adolescents living in the city of Junín and (2) to compare their growth status with the World Health Organization (WHO) and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reference data.

Methods: The sample included 2874 Peruvians (n = 1681 in the 2009 cohort and n = 1193 in the 2019 cohort) aged 6-16 years from the district of Junín (4107 m of altitude). Height, weight, and WC were measured using standardized protocols.

Secular Trends in Gross Motor Coordination: A Study of Peruvian Children Living at High Altitude.

Purpose: To (1) describe secular trends in gross motor coordination (GMC) scores by sex and age; (2) investigate GMC trends adjusted for concomitant secular trends in height, weight, and overall physical fitness; and (3) examine trends in children's frequencies within different GMC categories.

Method: The sample comprises 1562 Peruvian children (690 in 2009 and 872 in 2019), aged 6-11 years, from Junín (a high-altitude region). GMC was assessed with the KörperkoordinationsTest für Kinder.

Healthy Lifestyle and Cardiac Rehabilitation for Weight Loss.

Purpose Of Review: Considerable current interest is directed at pharmacological agents for producing significant weight loss. However, healthy lifestyle choices can also lead to clinically meaningful weight loss and improvements in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Recent Findings: In this review, we summarize the recent research from our PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana (PROPEL) randomized controlled trial and review previous data on the potential benefits of cardiac rehabilitation and exercise training (CRET) programs to produce weight loss and improvements in CVD risk factors.

Associations of obesity, movement behaviors, and socioeconomic status with fundamental movement skills in children: Results from the REACT project.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of biological characteristics (age, sex, and obesity), movement behaviors (physical activity and sedentary time), and family socioeconomic status with fundamental movement skills (FMS) in primary school children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study sampled 1014 children (537 girls) aged 6 to 10 years from 25 primary schools in Matosinhos, north of Portugal. Five object control skills (dribbling, kicking, catching, throwing, and underarm rolling) were assessed with a categorical scale using the Meu Educativo® platform.

Computed Tomography and Dual-Energy X-Ray Asorptiometry body composition parameter harmonisation to universalise adipose tissue measurements in a population-based cross-sectional study.

To harmonise computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition measurements allowing easy conversion in longitudinal assessments and across cohorts to assess cardiometabolic risk and disease. Retrospective cross-sectional observational study from 1996 to 2008 included participants in the Pennington Center Longitudinal Study (PCLS) (N = 1967; 571 African American/1396 White). Anthropometrics, whole-body DXA and abdominal CT images were obtained.

A multivariate multilevel approach to unravel the associations between individual and school factors on children's motor performance in the REACT project.

Objective: The aim was to (1) estimate the relationship between physical fitness (PF) and object control fundamental movement skills (FMS), (2) identify child characteristics that relate with PF and FMS, and (3) examine associations between the school environment, PF, and FMS.

Methods: The sample included 1014 Portuguese children aged 6-10 years from the REACT project. PF was assessed via running speed, shuttle run, standing long jump, handgrip, and the PACER test.

Individual and school correlates of body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness in primary school children from the REACT project: A multivariate multilevel analysis.

Objective: This paper examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) using a multivariate multilevel approach and investigates the links between individual and school-related correlates with children's BMI and CRF.

Methods: This cross-sectional sample included 1014 children (6-10 years) from 25 Portuguese primary schools. BMI was calculated, and CRF was assessed with the PACER test.

Food Insecurity and Premature Mortality and Life Expectancy in the US.

Importance: Food insecurity has been linked to multiple causes of disease and premature mortality; however, its association with mortality by sex and across racial and ethnic groups remains unknown in the US.

Objective: To investigate the associations of the entire range of food security with all-cause premature mortality and life expectancy across racial and ethnic and sex groups in US adults.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study included adults (aged ≥18 years) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2018, with linkage to the National Death Index through December 31, 2019.

Predictors of racial differences in weight loss: the PROPEL trial.

Objective: Studies have consistently shown that African American individuals lose less weight in response to behavioral interventions, but the mechanisms leading to this result have been understudied.

Methods: Data were derived from the PROmoting Successful Weight Loss in Primary CarE in Louisiana (PROPEL) study, which was a cluster-randomized, two-arm trial conducted in primary care clinics. In the PROPEL trial, African American individuals lost less weight compared with patients who belonged to other racial groups after 24 months.

Sleep and fundamental movement skills in primary schoolchildren: The REACT project.

Objective: Whether sleep is related to fundamental movement skills (FMS) in the pediatric population is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the association between sleep characteristics (duration, efficiency, regularity) and FMS proficiency levels in school-aged children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 996 children (mean age: 8.

Statistical analysis of the longitudinal fundamental movement skills data in the REACT project using the multilevel ordinal logistic model.

Objectives: The REACT project was designed around two main aims: (1) to assess children's growth and motor development after the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to follow their fundamental movement skills' developmental trajectories over 18 months using a novel technological device (Meu Educativo®) in their physical education classes. In this article, our goal is to describe statistical analysis of the longitudinal ordinal motor development data that was obtained from these children using the multilevel ordinal logistic model.

Methods: Longitudinal ordinal data are often collected in studies on motor development.

Validity and reliability of Meu Educativo®: A new tool to assess fundamental movement skills in school-aged children.

Objectives: There is evidence showing that children's proficiency in fundamental movement skills (FMS) is positively related to weight status, physical activity, fitness levels, cognitive development, as well as academic performance. Yet, the feasibility of FMS assessment is challenging, especially with relatively large samples of children. This article presents a new tool named Meu Educativo® to assess children's FMS levels, including its validity and reliability.