The fit-active profile to better reflect the benefits of a lifelong vigorous physical activity participation: mini-review of literature and population data.

Physical activity is favorably considered for its effect on metabolic fitness and body composition. This observation is generally supported by observational studies and is concordant with endurance-trained individuals' metabolic and morphological profiles. However, in some contexts, the measurement of physical activity habits may not provide an adequate representation of its benefits. In this paper, we review relevant literature on the respective effects of fitness and physical activity on anthropometric and metabolic variables and the informative potential of a classification based on aerobic fitness and activity indicators. The relevance to defining a profile based on both fitness and activity is reinforced by data from the Quebec Family Study showing that, in both men and women, “fit-active” individuals displayed a much more favorable morphological and metabolic profile than “unfit-inactive” individuals. Moreover, these benefits seemed to be more related to variations in fitness than in physical activity. In summary, evidence suggests that a profile combining information on aerobic fitness and physical activity may better reflect the lifelong impact of physical activity on body composition and health. Novelty bullets: ●The fit-active profile better reflects the long-term benefits of vigorous physical activity participation on health. ●The reported benefits seem to be more related to variations in aerobic fitness than to those in physical activity.

Past dieting is related to rigid control and disinhibition in adolescents from the Québec Family Study

Eating behaviour traits of rigid control and disinhibition have been associated with body weight in both adults and adolescents. Moreover, adults reporting a dieting history have increased levels of unhealthy eating behaviours. Against this background, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between dieting history and eating behaviour traits in adolescents. For the purpose of this research, a total of sixty adolescents (aged 15 (sem 2·4) years) from the Québec Family Study completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and a questionnaire regarding eating habits. Self-reported current and past dieting were analysed against eating behaviour traits measured by the TFEQ, including all subscales. As the results revealed, few adolescents reported currently dieting (n 3). Adolescents who reported a dieting history (23·3 %) were older (16·9 v. 14·4 years, P < 0·001), were more likely to be female (78·6 v. 41·3 %, P < 0·05) but did not have a significantly higher BMI z-score (1·5 v. 0·9, P = 0·10), although they were more likely to be either overweight or obese (P < 0·01). After correcting for sex, BMI and age, adolescents who reported a dieting history had higher levels of rigid control and disinhibition (P < 0·05–0·0001) than those reporting no dieting history. A greater proportion of adolescents characterised by high rigid control and high disinhibition were past dieters, compared to those characterised by low levels of both behaviour traits (53 v. 4 %). The study arrived at the following conclusions: as observed in adults, adolescents with a history of dieting present unfavourable eating behaviour traits. These behavioural traits may represent an additional challenge to the long-term regulation of body weight.