American journal of preventive medicine
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Participation in physical activity brings health benefits for adolescents. However, limited data are available on the percentage of U.S. adolescents who engage in levels of aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities recommended in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008 Guidelines). ⋯ Less than 20% of adolescents reported engaging in recommended levels of both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities.
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Fighting childhood obesity has become a key policy focus. The role of community-based interventions to promote physical activity is an important part of an overall strategy to increase physical activity for youth. ⋯ These findings point to the promise of relying on existing community resources in the fight against childhood obesity. Fitness-focused afterschool programs will need to ensure that the highest-risk children--including those who are Latino and low-income--are served.
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Food diaries are commonly used to assess individual dietary intake in both the general and sporting populations. Despite the widespread use of such diaries, evidence suggests that individuals' self-reported energy intake frequently and substantially underestimate true energy intake. ⋯ Results from this first-generation study suggest that a more accurate estimate of total energy intake is provided when combining the use of a conventional food diary and a SenseCam. Additional information on portion size, forgotten foods, leftovers, and brand names can be obtained by using this novel sensing technology in conjunction with the diary, with improved dietary assessment a potential outcome.