Lifestyle intervention to limit gestational weight gain: the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomised controlled trial

Objective To examine whether a lifestyle intervention in pregnancy limits gestational weight gain (GWG) and provides measurable health benefits for mother and newborn. Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Healthcare clinics of southern Norway. Population Healthy, non-diabetic, nulliparous women, aged ≥18 years, with a body mass index of ≥19 kg/m2 , and with a singleton pregnancy at ≤20 weeks of gestation. Methods Women were randomised to an intervention group (with dietary counselling twice by telephone and access to twice-weekly exercise groups) or to a control group (with standard prenatal care). Participants were measured three times during pregnancy and at delivery, and newborns …

When it’s “All about the bike”—Intrapersonal conflict in light of passion for cycling and exercise dependence.

A strong inclination to engage in a sport activity may provoke intrapersonal conflict. Yet, few studies have explicitly investigated such activity-related conflict in light of self-regulation of activity engagement. In the present research, we explored intrapersonal conflict measured as discrepant self-guides in relation to obsessive passion, harmonious passion, and exercise dependence. Two separate surveys were conducted including leisure time endurance off-road cyclists, with a total of 990 participants. In Study 1, discrepancies with respect to the participants’ actual and ideal involvement in the activity, as well as their perception of acceptance from significant others, were related t…

Impact of a 4-Week Intensified Endurance Training Intervention on Markers of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) and Performance Among Well-Trained Male Cyclists

Cyclists often apply block periodization to high training volumes in meso- and macrocycles to optimize training adaptation and to prepare for competition. Body mass influences performance in many sports, including endurance disciplines, and conditions related to the syndrome Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) such as metabolic adaptations and premature osteoporosis have also been reported in male cyclists. This study aimed to determine how a 4-week mesocycle of intensified endurance training designed to increase performance, would affect markers of RED-S in well-trained male cyclists. Twenty-two participants (age: 33.5 ± 6.6 years, height: 181.4 ± 5.2 cm, weight: 76.5 ± 7.4 kg, pe…

The Female Handball Player

Female hormones fluctuate in concentrations during the menstrual cycle. This has triggered speculations among athletes, coaches, as well as researchers about the hormonal changes that lead to variations in athletic performance and adaptation to training. Many athletes, as in the general population, use oral contraceptives. This has raised questions concerning the suppression of the endogenous circulating female hormones and if the administration of synthetic hormones may have negative impact on athletic performance and training adaptations – or the opposite.

Does the Healthy Body Image program improve lifestyle habits among high school students? A randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up

Objectives Positive embodiment and healthy lifestyle habits seem to be related; therefore, stimulating positive embodiment should promote healthy lifestyle habits. In the current study, we delivered the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention among Norwegian high school students and examined the effects on healthy lifestyle habits. Methods The HBI intervention comprises three interactive workshops, with three overarching themes related to body image, social media literacy, and lifestyle. A total of 2446 boys (43%) and girls in grade 12 (mean age 16.8 years) from 30 high schools participated in this cluster-randomized controlled study. Schools were randomized to the HBI intervention or control…

Effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on physical activity level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum

Background: Despite documented health benefits for mother and baby, physical activity (PA)-level tends to decline in pregnancy. Overweight/obese and physically inactive women are two selected groups at increased risk of pregnancy complications. Thus, efficient strategies to maintain or increase PA-level in pregnancy and the postpartum period, especially among these women, are warranted. This secondary analysis examined the effect of a prenatal lifestyle-intervention on PA-level in late pregnancy and the first year postpartum, with subanalysis on initially physically active versus inactive and normal-weight versus overweight/obese women. Method: The Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) randomiz…

Obesity prevalence in Norwegian adults assessed by body mass index, waist circumference and fat mass percentage

The prevalence of obesity presents serious public health challenges worldwide and is most commonly estimated by the categorization of body mass index (BMI). The purpose of this study was (i) to describe the sensitivity of BMI, waist circumference (WC) and fat mass percentage in the classification of overweight and obesity and (ii) to describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity using different measurement methods in a national sample of Norwegians. A total of 904 Norwegians (20-85 years) were randomly enrolled. Body weight, height, WC and skinfold thickness were measured; BMI and fat mass percentage (FP(skf) ) were calculated. The sensitivity and specificity varied from 77.0% to 86.9% …

How does a lifestyle intervention during pregnancy influence perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity? The Norwegian fit for delivery study, a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background To develop effective health promotional and preventive prenatal programs, it is important to understand perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy, including exercise and sport participation. The aims of the present study was 1) to assess the effect of prenatal lifestyle intervention on the perceived barrier to leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy and the first year after delivery and 2) identify the most important perceived barriers to leisure-time physical activity at multiple time points during and after pregnancy. Methods This secondary analysis was part of the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study, a combined lifestyle intervention e…

Additional file 1 of Body appreciation and body appearance pressure in Norwegian university students comparing exercise science students and other students

Additional file 1.

Viktigheten av fysisk aktivitet og trening blant eldre

Published version of an article in the journal: Norsk Epidemiologi. Also available from the publisher at: http://www.ntnu.no/ojs/index.php/norepid/article/view/1562 Open access Regular physical activity in older adults is critically important to ensure healthy aging. The link between physical activity and prevention of disease, maintenance of independence, and improved quality of life is supported by strong evidence (ACSM's Position Stand 1998; Spirduso & Cronin, 2001; Taylor et al., 2004). The purpose of this review is therefore to clarify the importance of regular physical activity and training during the aging process and in addition, present the relationship between a physical active li…

More than Half of High School Students Report Disordered Eating: A Cross Sectional Study among Norwegian Boys and Girls

Disordered eating and eating disorders are of great concern due to their associations with physical and mental health risks. Even if adolescence has been identified as the most vulnerable time for developing disordered eating, few studies have used a broad spectrum of criteria to investigate the prevalence of disordered eating among high school students of both genders, in different programs of study, nor assessed correlates of disordered eating among this important target group. The purposes of this study were therefore to investigate the prevalence and correlates of disordered eating among both male and female high school students in sport-, general and vocational programs. A comprehensiv…

The effect of prenatal lifestyle intervention on weight retention 12 months postpartum: results of the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomised controlled trial.

Objective To examine the effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Design Randomised controlled trial. Setting Healthcare clinics in southern Norway. Population Healthy, nulliparous women with body mass index ≥19 kg/m2 , age ≥18 years, and singleton pregnancy of ≤20 gestational weeks. Methods Women were randomised to intervention (dietary counselling twice by phone and access to twice-weekly exercise groups during pregnancy) or control group (standard prenatal care). Intervention compliance was defined post-factum as attending dietary counselling and ≥14 exercise classes. Main outcome measures PPWR (weight measured postpartum minus self-reported pre-…

The Healthy Body Image intervention and reduction in eating disorder symptomatology and muscle building supplement use in high school students: a study of mediating factors

BackgroundMediation analysis is important to test the theoretical framework underpinning an intervention. We therefore aimed to investigate if the healthy body image (HBI) intervention’s effect on eating disorder (ED) symptomatology and use of muscle building supplements was mediated by the change in risk and protective factors for ED development and muscle building supplement use.MethodsThis study used data from the HBI intervention: a cluster randomized controlled universal intervention aiming to promote positive body image and embodiment and reduce the risk for ED development including 30 schools in Norway. A total of 1,713 (37% boys) participants were included in the analyses. Condition…

Within-Day Energy Deficiency and Metabolic Perturbation in Male Endurance Athletes.

Endurance athletes are at increased risk of relative energy deficiency associated with metabolic perturbation and impaired health. We aimed to estimate and compare within-day energy balance in male athletes with suppressed and normal resting metabolic rate (RMR) and explore whether within-day energy deficiency is associated with endocrine markers of energy deficiency. A total of 31 male cyclists, triathletes, and long-distance runners recruited from regional competitive sports clubs were included. The protocol comprised measurements of RMR by ventilated hood and energy intake and energy expenditure to predict RMRratio (measured RMR/predicted RMR), energy availability, 24-hr energy balance a…

The association between time scarcity, sociodemographic correlates and consumption of ultra-processed foods among parents in Norway: a cross-sectional study

Background Use of ultra-processed foods has expanded rapidly over the last decades and high consumption has been positively associated with risk of e.g. overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Ultra-processed foods offer convenience as they require minimal time for preparation. It is therefore reasonable to assume that such foods are consumed more often among people who experience time scarcity. The main aim of this study was to investigate the association between time scarcity and consumption of ultra-processed foods among parents of 2-year olds in Norway. A secondary aim was to investigate the association between sociodemographic correlates, weight status and consumption of ultra-process…

Traditional versus functional strength training: effects on muscle strength and power in the elderly.

Published versiom of an article in the journal:Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. Also available from Human Kinetics: http://http://journals.humankinetics.com/japa-back-issues/japa-volume-21-issue-1-january/traditional-versus-functional-strength-training-effects-on-muscle-strength-and-power-in-the-elderly The aim was to determine whether strength training with machines vs. functional strength training at 80% of one-repetition maximum improves muscle strength and power among the elderly. Sixty-three subjects (69.9 +/- 4.1 yr) were randomized to a high-power strength group (HPSG), a functional strength group (FSG), or a nonrandomized control group (CG). Data were collected using a force …

Normative values for musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy Norwegian adults and the association with obesity: a cross-sectional study

Background Up-to-date research on musculoskeletal- and neuromotor fitness (MSMF) is lacking. The aims of the present paper were to a) establish normative values of MSMF by gender and age, and b) to assess how much of the variance in MSMF can be explained by obesity in adults. Methods A random selection of 726 Norwegians (20–65 years) participated in a national cross-sectional study. Muscular endurance, muscular strength, explosive power, flexibility and balance were assessed in addition to waist circumference (WC). Results Females displayed significantly higher scores compared to males on muscular endurance of the back extensors and on the flexibility tests (p < 0.001). Males displayed sign…

Preeclampsia and gestational weight gain in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery trial

Abstract Objective Excessive gestational weight gain is linked to risk of preeclampsia, but it is not clear whether the association is causal. The purpose of this paper was to examine gestational weight gain in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study among women who developed preeclampsia compared to those who did not, and to further explore associations between weight gain and preeclampsia by including data on body composition (bioimpedance) assessed in the last trimester of pregnancy. Results A total of 550 women were eligible for the study. Women who developed preeclampsia gained more weight than women who did not (difference 3.7 kg, p = 0.004), with a 3.5 kg difference in total body water …

spub-ri-2017-0209-File004 – Supplemental material for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score

Supplemental material, spub-ri-2017-0209-File004 for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score by Helga Birgit Bjørnarå, Monica Klungland Torstveit and Elling Bere in Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

spub-ri-2017-0209-File003 – Supplemental material for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score

Supplemental material, spub-ri-2017-0209-File003 for Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score by Helga Birgit Bjørnarå, Monica Klungland Torstveit and Elling Bere in Scandinavian Journal of Public Health

Participation in organized sports is associated with decreased likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle habits in adolescents

Adolescence is a pivotal time for investing in both present and future health. Thus, it is important to identify arenas for promoting positive adolescent health behaviors and preventing negative ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between organized sports participation (OSP) and a broad range of lifestyle habits in Norwegian adolescents. A comprehensive survey was completed by 13 269 junior high and high school students in southern Norway. Multivariable binary logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age, and parental education, were used to investigate the associations between OSP and adolescent substance use, dietary habits, physical activity level, pas…

Prevalence of surrogate markers of relative energy deficiency in male Norwegian Olympic-level athletes

Author's accepted manuscript. Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from [International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2021, 31(6): 497-506, https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0368]. © Human Kinetics, Inc. The syndrome of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) includes wide-ranging effects on physiological and psychological functioning, performance, and general health. However, RED-S is understudied among male athletes at the highest performance levels. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate surrogate RED-S markers prevalence in Norwegian male Olympic-level athletes. Athletes (n = 44) aged 24.7 ± 3.8 years, body mass 81.3 ± 15.9 kg,…

Effect of A Healthy Body Image intervention on risk- and protective factors for eating disorders: A cluster randomized controlled trial

Accepted manuscript version, licensed CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Objective - To investigate the immediate and 12-months effects of a school-based intervention aiming to reduce risk and enhance protective factors for eating disorder development in high school boys and girls. Method - In total, 4,149 adolescents from 30 high schools were eligible for inclusion and 2,446 consented to participate and were randomly allocated to the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention or a control group (classes as usual). The HBI intervention is multicomponent consisting of three workshops targeting body image, social media usage and lifestyle. Linear mixed model and intention-to-treat analyses were applied to investiga…

Elite athletes get pregnant, have healthy babies and return to sport early postpartum

ObjectivesTo enhance knowledge on pregnancy and return to sport in the postpartum period in elite female athletes.Methods34 Norwegian elite athletes (33.1 years) and 34 active controls (31.5 years) were asked about training and competitive history, pregnancy-related issues, injuries, body dissatisfaction (BD), drive for thinness (DT), eating disorders (ED) and practical experiences, through a questionnaire and interview. Independent samples T-tests or χ² tests for between-group differences and paired-samples T-tests and repeated measures analysis of variance for within group differences were used.ResultsNo group differences in fertility problems, miscarriage, preterm birth or low birth weig…

The association between adherence to the New Nordic Diet and diet quality.

Background : Previous studies have reported a positive association between scoring on healthy Nordic diet scales and the intake of healthy foods and nutrients, and also with higher intake of meat, sweets, cakes, and energy in general. These studies have used the same food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) responses for constructing the diet score as for calculating intakes of foods and nutrients. Thus, it is not clear whether the coexistence of healthy and less healthy dietary aspects among adherers to Nordic diets would occur even though separate methods were applied for exploring these relations. Objective : To assess the association between adherence to the New Nordic Diet (NND), derived fro…

Experiences of Older Adults Preparing for Their First Triathlon: A Qualitative Study of the Participation in an Endurance Training Intervention

Purpose: The overall aim of the present study was to explore the experiences of older adult exercisers participating in an individualized training program lasting 3 months preparing for completing a triathlon competition. Methods: Fourteen older Norwegian adults (median age (interquartile range, IQR) for males (N=10) and females (N=4) were 70.0 (65.0-75.5) and 57.5 (56.3-62.5) years, respectively) participated in 3-month individualized training program comprising three weekly sessions of running, cycling, and swimming. Both field- and laboratory-based testing were conducted. The participants attended two sports nutrition and competitive psychology seminars focusing on triathlon competition.…

Maximal Strength Training as a Therapeutic Approach in Long-Standing Anorexia Nervosa: A Case Study of a Woman With Osteopenia, Menstrual Dysfunction, and Compulsive Exercise

In persons with anorexia nervosa (AN), compulsive exercise and osteopenia are common symptoms. Although treatment of osteopenia besides weight regain is lacking, maximal strength training (MST) has been found to be effective in other populations. Such training has not been prescribed to those with AN due to uncertainty of tolerance. We therefore examined use of MST in a woman with long-standing AN, osteopenia, menstrual dysfunction, and compulsive exercise. The MST intervention consisted of four exercises: three sets of five repetitions maximum (RM), 3 times per week for 16 weeks. We examined muscle strength, bone mineral density (BMD), AN psychopathology, and compulsive exercise at baseli…

Association between short time in bed, health-risk behaviors and poor academic achievement among Norwegian adolescents

To investigate the prevalence of short time in bed (8h/day) and to examine the association between time in bed, overweight/obesity, health-risk behaviors and academic achievement in adolescents.This study included a sample of adolescents (n=2432) aged 15-17 years in the southern part of Norway (participation rate, 98.7%). A self-report questionnaire was used to assess time in bed, body mass index, dietary habits, physical activity habits, sedentary behavior, smoking and snuffing habits, and academic achievement.A total of 32.3% of the students reported short time in bed (8h/day) on an average school night. Several health-risk behaviors were associated with short sleep duration, including no…

Risk of Low Energy Availability, Disordered Eating, Exercise Addiction, and Food Intolerances in Female Endurance Athletes

Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) is a complex syndrome describing health and performance consequences of low energy availability (LEA) and is common among female endurance athletes. Various underlying causes of LEA have been reported, including disordered eating behavior (DE), but studies investigating the association with exercise addiction and food intolerances are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between DE, exercise addiction and food intolerances in athletes at risk of LEA compared to those with low risk. Female endurance athletes, 18–35 years, training ≥5 times/week were recruited in Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and Ge…

Does organized sports participation in childhood and adolescence positively influence health? A review of reviews

Highlights • Eight systematic reviews on organized sports participation related to health exist. • Organized sports participation has a moderate effect on crude body weight loss. • Dose relates to anxiety, depression, physical activity, and bone health responses. • Associations with psychological and social health were inconclusive. • Experimental and longitudinal population-based observational studies are needed.

Does the Healthy Body Image program improve lifestyle habits among high-schoolstudents? A radndomised controlled trial With 12-month follow-up.

Creative Commons Non Commercial CC BY-NC: This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages Objectives Positive embodiment and healthy lifestyle habits seem to be related; therefore, stimulating positive embodiment should promote healthy lifestyle habits. In the current study, we delivered the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention among Norwegian high school students and examined the effects on healthy lifestyle habits. Methods The HBI intervention…

Exercise dependence, eating disorder symptoms and biomarkers of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) among male endurance athletes

ObjectivesTo explore associations betweenexercise dependence, eating disorder (ED) symptoms and biomarkers of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sports (RED-S) among male endurance athletes.MethodsFifty-three healthy well-trained male cyclists, triathletes and long-distance runners recruited from regional competitive sports clubs were included in this cross-sectional study. The protocol comprised the Exercise Dependence Scale (EXDS), the ED Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), measurements of body composition, resting metabolic rate, energy intake and expenditure and blood analysis of hormones and glucose.ResultsParticipants with higher EXDS score displayed a more negative energy balance compared …

Are under- and overweight female elite athletes thin and fat? A controlled study.

Purpose: The study�s purpose was to relate body mass index (BMI) to body fat percentage as measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in female elite athletes from different sports and nonathletic controls and to investigate what characterizes the athletes with unhealthy low and high body fat values. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases: 1) screening with a detailed questionnaire, 2) body composition measurement (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), and 3) clinical interview. All female elite athletes representing national teams at the junior or senior level age 13�39 yr (n = 938) and an age group�matched randomly selected population-based control group (n = 900) were invited t…

The healthy body image (HBI) intervention: Effects of a school-based cluster-randomized controlled trial with 12-months follow-up

Published by Elsevier Ltd. Under a Creative Commons license We examined the effects of the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention on positive embodiment and health-related quality of life among Norwegian high school students. The intervention comprised three interactive workshops, with body image, media literacy, and lifestyle as main themes. In total, 2,446 12th grade boys (43%) and girls (mean age 16.8 years) from 30 high schools participated in a cluster-randomized controlled study with the HBI intervention and a control condition as the study arms. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention, 3- and 12-months follow-up, and analysed using linear mixed regression models. The HBI in…

Postmenopausal women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture have reduced physical function and quality of life compared to a matched, healthy control group with no fracture

Background: Fractures lead to reduced physical function and quality of life (QOL), but little is known about postmenopausal women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture. The purpose was to evaluate physical function in terms of quadriceps strength, dynamic balance, physical capacity and QOL in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture compared to a matched, healthy control group with no previous fracture. Methods: Eighteen postmenopausal women with osteopenia (patients) (mean age 59.1 years, range 54 – 65) and a healed wrist fracture were matched to 18 healthy control subjects on age (mean age 58.5 years, range 51 – 65), height, weight and body mass index (BMI). …

Is there such a thing as sustainable physical activity?

- This study aims to assess the prevalence of different modes of commuting to school and work for 10-12year-olds and their parents; to assess the associations with demographic variables (country, sex, parental education and ethnicity) and with weight status in eight European countries. As part of the ENERGY project a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2010 in which modes of commuting and socio-demographic variables for children (N=7903) and one of their parents (n=6455) were measured by questionnaires. Children's weight and height were objectively measured; parents self-reported their weight and height. Logistic multilevel regression analyses assessed the associations between mode of c…

IOC consensus statement on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S): 2018 update

In 2014, the IOC published a consensus statement entitled ‘Beyond the Female Athlete Triad: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)’. The syndrome of RED-S refers to ‘impaired physiological functioning caused by relative energy deficiency and includes, but is not limited to, impairments of metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis and cardiovascular health’. The aetiological factor of this syndrome is low energy availability (LEA).1 The publication of the RED-S consensus statement stimulated activity in the field of Female Athlete Triad science, including some initial controversy2 3 followed by numerous scientific publications addressing: 1. The health…

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Consensus Statement on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S): 2018 Update

In 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published a consensus statement entitled “Beyond the Female Athlete Triad: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)”. The syndrome of RED-S refers to: “impaired physiological functioning caused by relative energy deficiency, and includes but is not limited to impairments of metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, and cardiovascular health.”

Changes in mode of transportation to work or school from pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study

Objective To describe changes in mode of transportation to work or school from pre-pregnancy to early pregnancy, to describe levels of physical activity related to mode of transportation to work or school, and to examine associations between changes in mode of transportation to work or school and educational level, body mass index (BMI) and age. Methods Between September 2009 and February 2013, 575 healthy pregnant nulliparous women were included into the Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) trial. At inclusion they reported their current and their pre-pregnancy mode of transportation to work or school. Data were analysed by multilevel mixed models with dichotomized modes of transportation as …

Stress fractures in elite male football players

The objective was to investigate the incidence, type and distribution of stress fractures in professional male football players. Fifty-four football teams, comprising 2379 players, were followed prospectively for 189 team seasons during the years 2001-2009. Team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. The first team squads of 24 clubs selected by UEFA as belonging to the 50 best European teams, 15 teams of the Swedish Super League and 15 teams playing their home matches on artificial turf pitches were included. In total, 51 stress fractures occurred during 1,180,000 h of exposure, giving an injury incidence of 0.04 injuries/1000 h. A team of 25 players can …

An assessment of the test-retest reliability of the New Nordic Diet score

Background : There is a growing interest in the New Nordic Diet (NND) as a potentially health promoting, environmentally friendly, and palatable regional diet. Also, dietary scores are gaining ground as a complementary approach for examining relations between dietary patterns and various health outcomes. A score assessing adherence to the NND has earlier been published, yet not tested for reliability. Objective : To assess the test–retest reliability of the NND score in a sample of parents of toddlers, residing in Southern Norway. Design : A questionnaire survey was completed on two occasions, approximately 14 days apart, by 67 parents of toddlers [85% females, mean age 34 years (SD=5.3 yea…

Sexual Harassment and Abuse among Young Elite Athletes, Recreational Athletes, and Reference Students: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: To examine the 12-months prevalence and 12-months prospective change in reported sexual harassment and abuse (SHA)-victimization among young elite athletes, recreational athletes, and reference students in three different social settings and identify the perpetrators. Methods: In total, 919 adolescents responded to an online questionnaire in 12th grade (T1) and 13th grade (T2). The sample consisted of elite athletes (n = 482) and recreational athletes (n = 233) attending Norwegian elite sport high schools (n = 26), and reference students (n = 200) attending ordinary high schools with no sport specialization (n = 6). Data were analyzed using Independent sample t-test, Pearson Chi-Sq…

Additional file 2 of Explanations for use of dietary- and muscle enhancing dietary supplements among university students: a national cross-sectional study

Additional file 2: Additional Table 2. Associations with use of muscle enhancing dietary supplements.

Self-reported versus diagnosed stress fractures in Norwegian female elite athletes

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of self- reported versus diagnosed stress fractures in female elite athletes and non-athletic controls. A random sample of Norwegian elite athletes from the national teams, aged 13-39 years (n = 186) and a random sample of non-athletic controls (n = 145) in the same age group participated in the study. The athletes represented a junior- or senior team, or a recruiting squad for one of these teams, in one of 46 different sports/events. A higher percentage of athletes self-reported stress fractures (14.0%) compared to those diagnosed with stress fractures (8.1%) (p0.001). Six controls self- reported stress fractures, but none of them were …

Body appreciation and body appearance pressure in Norwegian university students comparing exercise science students and other students

Abstract Background Body image is considered a core issue for public health and associates with university students’ overall health. Due to positive associations between exercise and body image, it has been suggested that students within an exercise science program might be more body appreciative compared to other students. On the other hand, the strong societal idealization of the athletic body may expose them to a pressure of having a specific body appearance, which may result in unfavorable health consequences. Nevertheless, studies investigating these hypotheses are lacking. We therefore aimed to explore the level and associations of body appreciation, body appearance pressure, body ima…

Additional file 1 of Explanations for use of dietary- and muscle enhancing dietary supplements among university students: a national cross-sectional study

Additional file 1: Additional Table 1. Characteristics of, and differences between, male and female users and non-users of muscle enhancing dietary supplements.

Effect of exercises with weight vests and a patient education programme for women with osteopenia and a healed wrist fracture: a randomized, controlled trial of the OsteoACTIVE programme

Background Exercise programmes have shown to be important for the prevention of fractures in patients with established osteoporosis. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of such programmes for women with low bone mineral density (BMD) (osteoporosis or osteopenia) who have already suffered a fracture. Studies have indicated that exercise programmes concentrating on muscular strength and dynamic balance have a positive effect on significant risk factors for falls such as quadriceps strength and balance. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a 6-month exercise programme and a patient education component (OsteoACTIVE) on quadriceps strength, BMD, dynamic balance, wa…

Healthy and sustainable diet and physical activity: the rationale for and experiences from developing a combined summary score

Aims: First, to describe the rationale for developing a combined summary score, the Healthy and Sustainable Dietary and Physical Activity habits (HSDPA) score, incorporating four selected dietary and physical activity aspects: (a) the New Nordic Diet, (b) local and sustainable foods, (c) active transportation and (d) non-exercise outdoor activities. Secondly, to describe the experiences from constructing the HSDPA score. Methods: Relevant literature covering the four aspects of interest was reviewed to secure a well-grounded rationale and a theory-based approach. To measure compliance with such a broad approach targeting diet, physical activity, health and environmental sustainability, the…

Protein, creatine and dieting supplements among adolescents: Use and associations with eating disorder risk factors, exercise- and sports participation, and immigrant status

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the number of weekly users of protein, creatine, and dieting supplements and to explore whether weekly use was related to eating disorder (ED) risk factors, exercise, sports participation, and immigrant status.Methods: In total, 629 and 1,060 high school boys and girls, respectively, self-reported weekly frequency of protein, creatine, and dieting supplement use, and weight and shape concerns, appearance internalization and pressure, self-esteem, mental distress, physical activity level, exercise context, and the type and weekly frequency of sport played. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses were performed to investigate explanatory factors for s…

Eating Disorders in Male and Female Athletes

Pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy dietary behavior in relation to maternal and newborn health in the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study – a post hoc observational analysis

Background Randomized controlled trials targeting maternal dietary and physical activity behaviors during pregnancy have generally failed to accomplish reductions in the prevalence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Interventions carried out during pregnancy could thus be missing the mark in maximizing intervention health benefit. Objective To investigate whether pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy dietary behavior as reported at inclusion into the Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) trial was associated with maternal and neonatal outcomes irrespective of subsequent randomization assignment. Design The study is a post-hoc observational analysis of data from a randomized controlled lifes…

Study protocol: fit for delivery - can a lifestyle intervention in pregnancy result in measurable health benefits for mothers and newborns? A randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background The global obesity epidemic has led to increased attention on pregnancy, a period when women are at risk of gaining excessive weight. Excessive gestational weight gain is associated with numerous complications, for both mother and child. Though the problem is widespread, few studies have examined the effect of a lifestyle intervention in pregnancy designed to limit maternal weight gain. The Fit for Delivery study will explore the effectiveness of nutritional counseling coupled with exercise classes compared with standard prenatal care. The aims of the study are to examine the effect of the intervention on maternal weight gain, newborn birth weight, glucose regulation, co…

The effect of a prenatal lifestyle intervention on glucose metabolism: Results of the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomized controlled trial

Background: The effectiveness of prenatal lifestyle intervention to prevent gestational diabetes and improve maternal glucose metabolism remains to be established. The Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) randomized, controlled trial studied the effect of a combined lifestyle intervention provided to a general population, and found significantly lower gestational weight gain among intervention participants but no improvement in obstetrical outcomes or the proportion of large infants. The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of the NFFD intervention on glucose metabolism, including an assessment of the subgroups of normal-weight and overweight/obese participants. Methods: Healthy, …

Relativ energimangel i idrett og redusert beinhelse – fysioterapeutens rolle i identifisering og håndtering

Reliability and concurrent validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form among pregnant women

Abstract Sanda B, Vistad I, Haakstad LAH, Berntsen S, Sagedal LR, Lohne-Seiler H, Torstveit MK. Reliability and concurrent validity of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form among pregnant women. Background The International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ-SF) is frequently used to assess physical activity (PA) level in the general adult population including pregnant women. However, the reliability and validity of the questionnaire in pregnancy is unknown. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to investigate test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of IPAQ-SF among pregnant women, and whether PA is reported differently among those who fu…

Aspects of disordered eating continuum in elite high-intensity sports

Dieting is an important risk factor for disordered eating and eating disorders. Disordered eating occurs on a continuum from dieting and restrictive eating, abnormal eating behavior, and finally clinical eating disorders. The prevalence of eating disorders is increased in elite athletes and for this group the cause of starting to diet is related to (a) perception of the paradigm of appearance in the specific sport, (b) perceived performance improvements, and (c) sociocultural pressures for thinness or an "ideal" body. Athletes most at risk for disordered eating are those involved in sports emphasizing a thin body size/shape, a high power-to-weight ratio, and/or sports utilizing weight categ…

The Norwegian healthy body image programme: study protocol for a randomized controlled school-based intervention to promote positive body image and prevent disordered eating among Norwegian high school students

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating raise the risk for eating disorders. In the prevention of eating disorders, many programmes have proved partly successful in using cognitive techniques to combat such risk factors. However, specific strategies to actively promote a positive body image are rarely used. The present paper outlines a protocol for a programme integrating the promotion of a positive body image and the prevention of disordered eating. Using a cluster randomized controlled mixed methods design, 30 high schools and 2481 12th grade students were allocated to the Healthy Body Image programme or to a control condition. The intervention comprised three workshops, each of 90 min…

A tailored telephone and email based exercise intervention induced reductions in various measures of body composition in physically inactive adults: A randomized controlled trial

Obesity prevalence has increased the past decades and has become a serious public health problem. The aim of this six-month assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of a tailored telephone and email-based exercise intervention on various measures of body composition in a sample of apparently healthy and physically inactive adults. A total of 111 volunteering adults (40–55 yr) in Southern Norway were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 39) or a no-information control group (CG; n = 50), by random allocation numbering. The IG received feedback on their health-related physical fitness, information on guidelines and recommendations fo…

Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

The Development of the Brief Eating Disorder in Athletes Questionnaire

MARTINSEN, M., I. HOLME, A. M. PENSGAARD, M. K. TORSTVEIT, and J. SUNDGOT-BORGEN. The Development of the Brief Eating Disorder in Athletes Questionnaire. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 46, No. 8, pp. 1666–1675, 2014. Purpose: The objective of this study is to design and validate a brief questionnaire able to discriminate between female elite athletes with and without an eating disorder (ED). Methods: In phase I, 221 (89.5%) adolescent athletes participated in a screening including the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI2) and questions related to ED. All athletes reporting symptoms associated with ED (n = 96, 94.1%) and a random sample without symptoms (n = 88, 86.3%) attended the ED Examinatio…

Explanations for use of dietary- and muscle enhancing dietary supplements among university students: a national cross-sectional study.

Abstract Background Use of dietary supplements (DS) and muscle enhancing dietary supplements (MEDS) is frequent among students despite the lack of evidence of effects and health risks related to consumption. We need to increase our understanding of students’ motivation, examine potential gender differences, and explore explanatory factors, to address preventive measures related to use. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the frequency of, and the reasons for, DS use among university students, as well as explanatory factors for use of MEDS. Method Male and female students from nine Norwegian universities participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants responded to questions about…

Evaluation of implementing a community-based exercise intervention during pregnancy

Abstract Objective to evaluate the implementation of a community-based exercise intervention (the Norwegian Fit for Delivery study) during pregnancy. Design descriptive, explorative. Setting healthcare clinics in southern Norway, including urban and rural settings. Participants healthy, nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy of ≤20 gestational weeks, age ≥18 years and body mass index ≥19kg/m 2 . Methods women were randomised to either twice-weekly supervised exercise sessions combined with nutritional counselling ( n =303) or standard prenatal care ( n =303). The exercise program was based on ACOG guidelines, with the same low-impact workout for all participants, including 60minutes of …

The Norwegian healthy body image intervention promotes positive embodiment through improved self-esteem

We examined both direct and indirect effects of the Healthy Body Image (HBI) intervention on positive embodiment among Norwegian high school students. In total, 2446 12th grade boys (43 %) and girls (mean age 16.8 years) from 30 schools participated in a cluster-randomized controlled study with the HBI intervention and a control condition as the study arms. We tested mediation models using path analysis and found that among several hypothesized mediators, only self-esteem mediated a positive intervention effect on positive embodiment for both boys and girls. A direct effect of the intervention on positive embodiment was only found in girls. The study provides novel findings indicating that …

Change in active transportation and weight gain in pregnancy

Background: Pregnancy is characterised by large weight gain over a short period, and often a notable change in mode of transportation. This makes pregnancy suitable for examining the plausible, but in the scientific literature still unclear, association between active transportation and weight gain. We hypothesize that women continuing an active mode of transportation to work or school from pre- to early pregnancy will have a lower gestational weight gain (GWG) than those who change to a less active mode of transportation. Methods: We analysed prospective data from the Norwegian Fit for Delivery (NFFD) trial. Between September 2009 and February 2013 606 women were consecutively enrolled in …

What is the effect of physical activity on duration and mode of delivery? Secondary analysis from the Norwegian Fit for Delivery trial

Introduction: The beneficial effects of physical activity during pregnancy for the mother and offspring have been reported by several studies but there are conflicting results concerning the possible effect of physical activity on the course of labor and risk of cesarean delivery. This study presents secondary analyses from the Norwegian Fit for Delivery randomized controlled trial, aiming at studying the effect of a lifestyle intervention including group exercise classes, as well as the possible influence of physical activity level in late pregnancy, on labor outcomes. Material and methods: Healthy nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy were randomized to an intervention group, n = 303…