Does physical fitness and parenting transformational style predict happiness and wellbeing and distress in adolescents? (¿La condición física y el estilo parental transformacional predicen la felicidad, el bienestar y angustia psicológica de los adolesce

There is a growing interest on the relationships between family functioning and behaviors that promote physical and psychological well-being in children and adolescents. The aim of the study was to assess the association of parenting transformational style with happiness, wellbeing and distress in adolescents, beyond of physical fitness influence, and independently of age and body mass index. Data were gathered among 868 Spanish schoolchildren aged 12-16 years (M=14.07, SD=1.24) with a self-administered questionnaire and conducting physical fitness tests. The findings showed that age and the perception of a maternal and paternal transformational style predicted happiness, wellbeing and distress in adolescent girls. In boys, only the parental transformational style acted as a significant predictor, independently of fitness level. Muscular strength contributed to explain the wellbeing in adolescent girls independently of transformational style; however, it did not happen in speed-agility and cardiorespiratory capacity. Findings suggest that promotion of parenting transformational style is beneficial to the psychological wellbeing, above all in younger adolescents. In girls, promotion of higher muscular strength could contribute to improve happiness and wellbeing independently of parental transformational styles.Resumen: Hay un creciente interés en el examen de la relación entre funcionamiento familiar y conductas que promueven el bienestar físico y psicológico de niños y adolescentes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el estilo parental transformacional y la felicidad, bienestar y angustia psicológica, más allá de la posible influencia de la condición física, edad e índice de masa corporal de un grupo de adolescentes. Se obtuvieron valores de 868 jóvenes españoles con edades comprendidas entre los 12-16 años de edad (M=14.07, SD = 1.24) en medidas de autoinforme y pruebas de condición física. Los resultados mostraron que la edad y la percepción de un estilo materno y paterno transformacional predijeron la felicidad, bienestar y angustia psicológica en las chicas adolescentes. En los chicos, solo el estilo transformacional parental actuó como un predictor significativo, más allá de la condición física. La fuerza muscular contribuyó a explicar el bienestar de las chicas adolescentes de forma independiente al estilo transformacional, algo que no ocurrió con la velocidad y la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Los resultados sugieren que la promoción de un estilo parental transformacional es beneficiosa para el bienestar psicológico, especialmente, en los jóvenes adolescentes. En las chicas, la promoción de una mayor fuerza muscular podría contribuir a la mejora de la felicidad y el bienestar, de un modo independiente, al estilo parental transformacional.

The Pseudo Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Quantiles of Survey Variables

The pseudo maximum likelihood approach has been employed in multilevel models for analysis of complex survey data. This approach may be inappropriate for many survey variables that are nonsymmetrically distributed with skewness and multimodality characteristics. This article intends to fill this gap in the literature by developing a pseudolikelihood estimator for quantiles of survey variables in the quantile regression framework. This approach is illustrated using a Monte Carlo simulation study and the body mass index data from the 1998–1999 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. Results show that the proposed estimator is consistent and approximately unbiased for both informative and noninformative sampling designs.

A Mathematical Approach with Fractional Calculus for the Modelling of Children’s Physical Development

From birth to now, it is getting more and more important to keep track of the children development, because knowing and determining the factors related to the physical development of the children would provide better and reliable results for children care. In this study, we developed a mathematical approach to have the ability of analysing and examining factors such as weight, height, and body mass index with respect to the age. We used 7 groups for weight, height, and body mass index in Percentage Chart of Turkey. We developed a continuous curve which is valid for any time interval by using discrete weight, height, and body mass index data of 0–18 years old children and the least squares method. By doing so, it became possible to find the percentage and location of the children in Percentage Chart. We advanced a new mathematical model with the help of fractional calculus theory. The results are quite successful and better compared to linear and Polynomial Model analysis. The method provides the opportunity to predict expected values of the children for the future by using previous data obtained in the development of the children.

Contribution of Organized Sport Participation to Health-Related Fitness in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between organized sport (OS) participation and health-related fitness (HRF) in adolescents. A total of 320 adolescents (176 boys) aged between 10 and 16 years reported their engagement in OS and were assessed on 5 components of HRF (cardiovascular endurance, push-ups, curl-ups, flexibility, and body mass index). Data on OS participation frequency and duration were collected through a self-reported questionnaire. Adolescents were stratified by OS participation (engaged, n = 113; nonengaged, n = 220; 55% boys). Nonparametric quantile regression models were used to estimate the differences in HRF by participation group. Less than 30% of the participants reported they were regularly engaged in OS. Frequency of participation ranged from 2 to 5 days per week (median = 2; SD = 3), and duration of participation ranged from 45 to 180 minutes per week (median = 81.7; SD = 32.4). Adolescents who participated in OS displayed better cardiovascular endurance (+4.1 laps completed), with no statistically significant difference detected on any other HRF component. Our results highlight engagement in OS as a promising strategy for achieving cardiovascular endurance. Engagement in OS alone does not seem to be sufficient to enhance fitness components other than cardiovascular endurance.

Obesity and functional constipation in children

Background Functional constipation is a common pediatric problem in both developed and developing countries. In the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide. Obesity itself leads to many health problems, including functional constipation. Studies correlating obesity to functional constipation have thus far mostly originated from developed countries.Objective To assess for a possible correlation between obesity and functional constipation in children in a developing country.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Mukhlisin Islamic Boarding School, Batu Bara District, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia, between July and August 2015. The subjects were 150 students aged 12 to 17 years. Questionnaires were used to determine functional constipation and filled by direct interview. Obesity was determined by body mass index. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results Of 150 children, 49 had functional constipation; and 18 of the 49 were obese. The mean age of children with constipation was 14.7 (SD 1.07) years (95%CI 14.1 to 14.7) and their mean body weight was 53.8 (SD 15.10) kg (95%CI 49.4 to 58.1). The prevalence for functional constipation in obese children was 58% There was a statistically significant correlation between obesity and functional constipation (prevalence ratio=4; 95%CI 1.72 to 8.94; P=0.001), indicating that obese children had 4 times higher risk of having functional constipation.Conclusion There is a significant correlation between obesity and functional constipation in children.

Obesity and functional constipation in children

Background Functional constipation is a common pediatric problem in both developed and developing countries. In the past two decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased worldwide. Obesity itself leads to many health problems, including functional constipation. Studies correlating obesity to functional constipation have thus far mostly originated from developed countries.Objective To assess for a possible correlation between obesity and functional constipation in children in a developing country.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Mukhlisin Islamic Boarding School, Batu Bara District, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia, between July and August 2015. The subjects were 150 students aged 12 to 17 years. Questionnaires were used to determine functional constipation and filled by direct interview. Obesity was determined by body mass index. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test.Results Of 150 children, 49 had functional constipation; and 18 of the 49 were obese. The mean age of children with constipation was 14.7 (SD 1.07) years (95%CI 14.1 to 14.7) and their mean body weight was 53.8 (SD 15.10) kg (95%CI 49.4 to 58.1). The prevalence for functional constipation in obese children was 58% There was a statistically significant correlation between obesity and functional constipation (prevalence ratio=4; 95%CI 1.72 to 8.94; P=0.001), indicating that obese children had 4 times higher risk of having functional constipation.Conclusion There is a significant correlation between obesity and functional constipation in children.

Anthropometric profile, physical activity level, degree of anxiety, and posture in college students

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric profile, level of physical activity, anxiety level, and posture of graduate students in the health field. This is a cross-sectional study involving 100 college students from health courses at a university in the western state of São Paulo. Weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index data were collected. We also applied the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for physical activity; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for anxiety; and the Postural Assessment Instrument for postural defects. The results of this study show that 67% of students have an average BMI of 22.12±4.84 kg/m², and 38% are regularly active. Regarding anxiety levels, the sample obtained (mean STAI E 40.6 points and STAI T 40.05) can be classified as moderate. In addition, 50% of the sample have lumbar concavity. Therefore, most health care university students displayed normal anthropometric values, were regularly active, had a moderate level of anxiety and had no postural defects.