Obesity has risen dramatically in the past few decades. However, the relative contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to rising obesity is not known. Moreover, the extent to which social and economic factors tip the energy balance is not well understood. This exploratory study estimates the relative contribution of increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity to obesity in developed countries using two methods of energy accounting. Results show that rising obesity is primarily the result of consuming more calories. We estimate multivariate regression models and use simulation analysis to explore technological and sociodemographic determinants of this dietary excess. Results indicate that the increase in caloric intake is associated with technological innovations as well as changing sociodemographic factors. This review offers useful insights to future research concerned with the etiology of obesity and suggests that obesity-related policies should focus on encouraging lower caloric intake. 273*This PDF amended on (4 Dec. 2008): See explanation at

BLEICH, SARA, ROBERT BLENDON, AND ALYCE ADAMS. Trust in scientific experts on obesity: implications for awareness and behavior change. Obesity. 2007;15: 2145-2156. Objective: To explore the relationship between public trust in scientific experts on obesity and public attention to nutrition recommendations, to investigate trust as a predictor of weight-related behaviors, and to identify the sociodemographic characteristics associated with high and low trust in scientific experts on obesity. Research Methods and Procedures:This analysis used survey data from two sources: 1) a 2005 Harvard School of Public Health Obesity Survey (N ϭ 2033), and 2) the 2004 General Social Survey (N ϭ 2812). Five outcome measures were used. Three were used to explore trust as a predictor of attention and weight-related behaviors. Two were used to identify the sociodemographic predictors of trust. Logistic regression analysis was used to model the outcome variables. Results: Trust in scientific experts was the strongest predictor of public attention to nutritional recommendations from scientific experts, but it was not directly related to weight-related behaviors. Public attention was significantly associated with two weight-related behaviors: tracking fruit and vegetable intake and exercise. Women and more educated individuals had significantly higher odds of trusting scientific experts. Characteristics associated with distrust in scientific experts included Hispanic race and older age (over 50). Discussion: Public health experts should work toward building trust as an important step in stemming the obesity epidemic. Further, more research is necessary to better understand the factors driving trust in scientific experts on obesity. A deeper insight in this area will certainly be of great benefit to obesity-related risk communication and potentially lead to positive behavior change.

[Purpose] Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of global disability. Acupressure is a manual approach that can be used for self-management of LBP. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of acupressure in treating chronic LBP. [Subjects and Methods] The research design was a single system study utilizing an AB design. The subject was recruited using convenience sampling. During phase A, the subject received traditional physical therapy interventions. During phase B, the subject received acupressure in addition to traditional physical therapy interventions. Outcomes included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Patient Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). [Results] For the VAS, the pain was 38.8 mm at baseline, decreased to 11.3 mm after phase A, and decreased to 2.5 mm after phase B. For the PSFS, the subject’s function was 5/10 at baseline, remained the same after phase A, and increased to 9/10 after phase B. For the ODI, the subject’s disability was moderate (30%) at the baseline, decreased to minimal (14%) after phase A, and completely resolved (0%) after phase B. [Conclusion] The data indicated that integrating acupressure in physical therapy could reduce pain, increase function, and decrease disability.

No abstract

A composite three-dimensional (3D) echographic left ventricular (LV) reconstruction to measure LV volumes was evaluated in 26 children. Four apical views, to minimize assumptions about LV shape, were used to obtain a "wire-cage" model of the LV in 3D. Numerical integration was used to make estimates of both end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes. Volume estimates obtained with echographic techniques and those obtained with the angiographic biplane method were compared. The echographic volume estimates were systematically smaller (p less than 0.005), and a consistent trend, though not significant, was observed indicating that this systematic error is less for the 3D method. One-way analysis of variance confirmed significant global geometric fluctuations. Hence, 3D reconstruction can be performed in a clinical setting, and the enhanced graphic representation of global LV geometry may contribute to improved patient management.