No abstract

The prevalence of juvenile excess weight keeps growing in the more developed world (WHO, 1998). The aim of the study was to compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Hungarian schoolboys in 1980 and 2005. Two independent representative data collections were performed in volunteer boys aged between 6.51 and 18.50 years in the same 90 settlements of the country in 1980 (nϭ13,061) and 2005 (nϭ13,060). Height, body mass, and five skinfolds were measured by the same investigators in both instances. Overweight and obesity were estimated by using BMI (Cole et al., 2000), respectively skinfold thicknesses (Parízková, 1961).The pair-wise differences between height means were consistently significant in the 12 age groups studied. Body mass differences were not exactly proportionate with height. The boys of 2005 had significantly more relative body fat than those of 1980. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was remarkably higher in 2005.Taller height and a part of the heavier body mass in 2005 was attributed to a positive secular growth trend. The increases in BMI and fat content are negative consequences of a markedly changed lifestyle associated with inactivity and dietary habits. Because of its public health importance the trends of childhood obesity should be closely monitored.

The effects of 35 weeks of extra-curricular, mainly aerobic, dynamic physical activity were analysed in overweight and obese 7-year-old boys contrasted with control groups. Body composition was estimated by using the body mass index (BMI) and skinfold thicknesses. Overweight or obesity was defined according to the suggestions of Cole and associates (2000). The activity program consisted of swimming and water games, folk dance, and soccer. Data were collected four times between September 2003 and October 2004.Thirty-one overweight or obese boys volunteered to participate in the activity program (weekly, two physical education classes of 45 min. plus three extra-curricular activity sessions of 60 min. duration). The control subjects were 43 overweight or obese boys, and 75 non-overweight and nonobese ones. The controls had only two curricular physical education classes every week. Physical performance capacity was tested by a 30 m dash, 400 m run, standing long jump, and fist-ball throw.Body fat content estimated by taking the sum of five skinfolds decreased significantly during the 35-week training program. However, body weight as well as skinfold thicknesses increased significantly during the four-month non-active period that followed. Physical performance improved during the test period, but deteriorated between the third and fourth data collections. BMI, as well as the sum of five skinfolds increased in both control groups. Physical performance decreased in the overweight control subjects and increased moderately in the non-obese ones. We inferred that more vigorous habitual exercise alone, i.e., without a program of dietary control, though effective, could not efficiently stabilise body fat, still less achieve a lasting reduction of it. Obese, but also overweight subjects need long-term exercise programs of sufficient intensity, duration, and frequency, plus dietary measures, to get rid of excess body fat.

In this study the Ptyngidricerus Van der Weele, 1908 genus has been revised and in the course of this 2 new genera and 4 new species are described. The description of the new genus was made possible apart from the male samples, the females (P. albardanus) which were recorded and supplement of the description based on damaged specimens (P. iranensis) earlier enabling the evaluation of their taxonomic status.The following species belonging to Ptyngidricerus genus: Ptyngidricerus albardanus albardanus (McLachlan, 1891), Ptyngidricerus albardanus pterostigmatus Alexandrov Martynov, 1926, Ptyngidricerus pseudoalbardanus sp. n. Ptyngidricerus persepolisensis sp. n. and Ptyngidricerus sendanensis sp. n. from Iran and Ptyngidricerus pakistanensis sp. n. from Pakistan. Apart from describing the new species the authors present a description of the female Ptyngidricerus albardanus albardanus (McLachlan, 1891) which has so far not been known according to the literature on this species. The earlier described species were combinated on the basis of their genitalia and external morphological characteristics in new genus: Iranoidricerus iranensis (Kimmins, 1938) and Omanoidricerus venustus (Tjeder and Waterston, 1977). The illustration of the female and male genitalia of Iranoidricerus iranensis Kimmins, 1938 is also presented. On account of sexual dimorphism a key is given for identification of the female and male specimens with 25 figures.

In our present study we aimed to recognize the temporal and spatial patterns of Noctuinae communities (Lep. Noctuidae) of four differently managed apple orchards laying in different localities of Hungary. Data were obtained by light trap collection. The quantitative data resulting from our investigations were analyzed by multivariate methods and were also analyzed by their diversity characteristics. As a result connections were found regarding the diversities of species and individuals, the patterns of occurrence and phenological properties. The studies were based on 8497 individuals of 39 species.