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Relation of maternal prepregnancy body mass index with offspring bone mass in childhood: is there evidence for an intrauterine effect? [Growth, development, and pediatrics]
'); document.write(' Background: Evidence indicates that intrauterine skeletal development has implications for bone mass in later life and that maternal fat stores in pregnancy are important for fetal bone mineral accrual. Objective: We investigated whether childhood bone mass is influenced by maternal body mass index (BMI) via an intrauterine mechanism by comparing parental associations. Design: We conducted a multivariable regression analysis of 7121 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Total body less head (TBLH) and spine bone measures were derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans at a mean age of 9.9 y. Maternal and paternal BMI values were derived from self-reported weight and height during pregnancy. Results: Maternal prepregnancy BMI (SD score) was positively associated with offspring TBLH bone mineral content and bone mineral density (SD scores) [mean difference (95% CI): boys, 0.19 (0.16, 0.23) and 0.15 (0.12, 0.19), respectively; girls, 0.23 (0.19, 0.26) and 0.19 (0.16, 0.23), respectively] and spine bone mineral content and bone mineral density [boys, 0.20 (0.16, 0.24) and 0.18 (0.14, 0.22), respectively; girls, 0.22 (0.18, 0.26) and 0.21 (0.17, 0.25), respectively] and with TBLH and spine bone area–and spine area–adjusted bone mineral content. Associations of paternal BMI with these outcomes were similar, with no statistical evidence of a difference between maternal and paternal effects. Maternal associations were partly explained by offspring birth weight and gestational age and attenuated to the null after adjustment for offspring height and weight. Conclusion: The positive relation between maternal prepregnancy BMI and offspring bone mass is likely due to shared familial, genetic, and environmental characteristics rather than to an intrauterine mechanism. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Effect of maternal calcium supplementation on offspring blood pressure in 5- to 10-y-old rural Gambian children [Cardiovascular disease risk]
'); document.write(' Background: Evidence suggests that increased maternal calcium intake during pregnancy may result in lower offspring blood pressure, prompting calls for more robust data in this field, particularly in settings of habitually low calcium intake. Objective: The objective was to investigate the effect of maternal calcium supplementation on blood pressure in offspring by recruiting children born after a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Design: Children (n = 389) from a rural area of The Gambia (mean age: 7.4 ± 1.2 y; range: 5–10 y), whose mothers received a calcium supplement (1500 mg Ca/d from 20 wk of gestation until delivery) or placebo, were followed up in West Africa. Blood pressure was assessed under standardized conditions with use of the Omron 705IT automated oscillometric device (Morton Medical Ltd, London, United Kingdom), and anthropometric and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) measurements were also made. Results: The analysis was restricted to 350 children born at term, which represented 64% of original trial births. There was no difference in systolic (adjusted mean difference: –0.04 mm Hg; 95% CI: –1.78, 1.69 mm Hg) or diastolic (adjusted mean difference: 0.25 mm Hg; 95% CI: –1.27, 1.77 mm Hg) blood pressure between children whose mothers had received calcium and those who received placebo. No interaction between childhood body mass index (in kg/m2; mean: 14.0) and maternal calcium supplementation was observed in this study. Conclusion: Calcium supplementation in the second half of pregnancy in Gambian women with very low habitual calcium intakes may not result in lower offspring blood pressure at 5–10 y of age. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Can gestational weight gain be modified by increasing physical activity and diet counseling? A meta-analysis of interventional trials [Review]
'); document.write(' Background: Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) increases the risk of a number of adverse pregnancy outcomes and was recently identified as a potential risk factor for childhood obesity. It is therefore of interest whether GWG can be modified by an intervention combining dietary counseling and physical activity. Objective: The objective was to review published data on interventions to reduce GWG by modulating diet and physical activity during pregnancy. Design: We systematically reviewed 4 databases and bibliographies of various publications supplemented by a hand-search for relevant articles published in English or German and performed a meta-analysis to quantify the effect estimate by a random-effects model. Results: Four randomized controlled trials and 5 nonrandomized trials with a total of 1549 women enrolled were identified as being relevant. Meta-analyses of all 9 trials indicated a lower GWG in the intervention groups, with a standardized mean difference of –0.22 units (95% CI: –0.38, –0.05 units). We observed no indication for publication bias. Conclusions: Interventions based on physical activity and dietary counseling, usually combined with supplementary weight monitoring, appear to be successful in reducing GWG. The results are of particular interest with respect to the objective of preventing excessive GWG. '); document.write(''); document.write('

Use of dietary supplements among active-duty US Army soldiers [Dietary supplements]
'); document.write(' Background: US Army soldiers engage in strenuous activities and must maintain fitness and body weight to retain their jobs. Anecdotal reports suggest that the use of dietary supplements (DSs) by soldiers may reflect their unique occupational requirements and the complexity of their job and family responsibilities. Objective: We assessed the use of DSs by soldiers. Design: We conducted a survey of 990 randomly selected soldiers at 11 army bases globally. Data were weighted by age, sex, rank, and Special Forces status to represent the active-duty army. Results: Overall, 53% of soldiers reported the use of DSs ≥1 time/wk; 23% of soldiers used sports beverages, 6% of soldiers used sports bars or gels, and 3% of soldiers reported the use of meal-replacement beverages. Most commonly used DSs were multivitamins or multiminerals (37.5%), protein and amino acids (18.7%), individual vitamins and minerals (17.9%), combination products (9.1%), and herbal supplements (8.3%). Many soldiers reported the use of performance-enhancement and weight-reduction products, and 22% of soldiers consumed ≥3 different DSs/wk. Logistic regression modeling indicated that older age, educational attainment, higher body mass index, and strength training were associated with DS use (P < 0.05). Reported reasons for DS use were to improve health (64%), provide more energy (31%), increase muscle strength (25%), and enhance performance (17%). Among DS users, mean monthly expenditures on DSs were $38, whereas 23% of soldiers spent >$50/mo. Conclusions: Soldiers, like civilians, use large amounts of DSs, often in combination. Soldiers use more DSs purported to enhance performance than civilians use when matched for key demographic factors. These differences may reflect the unique occupational demands and stressors of military service. '); document.write(''); document.write(''); document.write('

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