Background: Binge eating predisposes children to excessive weight gain. However, it is unknown if pediatric binge eating predicts other obesity-associated adverse health outcomes. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between binge eating and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. Method: Children aged 5–12 years at high risk for adult obesity, either because they were overweight/obese when first examined or because their parents were overweight/obese, were recruited from Washington, DC and its suburbs. Children completed a questionnaire assessment of binge eating at baseline and underwent measurements of MetS components at baseline and at a follow-up visit approximately 5 years later. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a subset. Results: In all, 180 children were studied between July 1996 and August 2010. Baseline self-reported binge eating presence was associated with a 5.33 greater odds of having MetS at follow-up (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47, 19.27, P=0.01). The association between binge eating and body mass index (BMI) only partially explained changes in MetS components: baseline binge eating predicted higher follow-up triglycerides, even after accounting for baseline triglycerides, baseline BMI, BMI change, sex, race, baseline age and time in study (P=0.05). Also, adjusting for baseline VAT and demographics, baseline binge eating predicted greater follow-up L₂₋₃ VAT (P=0.01). Discussion: Children's reports of binge eating predicted development of MetS, worsening triglycerides and increased VAT. The excessive weight gain associated with children's binge eating partly explained its adverse metabolic health outcomes. Reported binge eating may represent an early behavioral marker upon which to focus interventions for obesity and MetS.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the 2006 and 2010 Crouter algorithms for the ActiGraph accelerometer and the NHANES and Matthews cut-points, to indirect calorimetry during a 6-hr free-living measurement period.Methods: Twenty-nine participants (mean ± SD; age, 38 ± 11.7 yrs; BMI, 25.0 ± 4.6 kg·m^-2) were monitored for 6 hours while at work or during their leisure time. Physical activity (PA) data were collected using an ActiGraph GT1M and energy expenditure (METs) was measured using a Cosmed K4b2. ActiGraph prediction equations were compared with the Cosmed for METs and time spent in sedentary behaviors, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), and vigorous PA (VPA).Results: The 2010 Crouter algorithm overestimated time spent in LPA, MPA, and VPA by 9.0%−44.5% and underestimated sedentary time by 20.8%. The NHANES cut-points overestimated sedentary time and LPA by 8.3%−9.9% and underestimated MPA and VPA by 50.4%−56.7%. The Matthews cut-points overestimated sedentary time (9.9%) and MPA (33.4%) and underestimated LPA (25.7%) and VPA (50.1%). The 2006 Crouter algorithm was within 1.8% of measured sedentary time; however, mean errors ranged from 34.4%−163.1% for LPA, MPA, and VPA.Conclusion: Of the ActiGraph prediction methods examined, none of them was clearly superior for estimating free-living PA compared with indirect calorimetry.

Studies in both animals and humans show a relationship between iron depletion without anemia (IDNA) and physical performance. Compared with their sedentary counterparts, female endurance athletes are at greater risk of IDNA, and consequences relevant to endurance athletes include reduced work capacity and energetic efficiency (EF). We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial to investigate the effects of iron (Fe) supplementation on Fe status and performance in nonanemic female rowers during training. At the beginning of a training season, 40 rowers were randomized to receive either 100 mg·d FeSO4 (n = 21) or placebo (n = 19) using a double-blind design. Thirty-one (n = 15 Fe, 16 placebo) completed the 6-wk trial. Fe status (hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor), body composition, and laboratory tests of physical performance (4-km time trial, V˙O2peak, energetic EF, and blood lactate) were assessed at baseline and after training. Rowers in both groups increased their fat-free mass (P < 0.001) and V˙O2peak (P < 0.001) after training. Multiple regression analyses revealed improvements in Fe stores (serum ferritin) in the Fe treatment group after controlling for baseline Fe stores (P = 0.07). Rowers in the Fe group had slower lactate response during the first half of the time trial and after 5 min of recovery (P = 0.05) and showed greater improvements in energy expenditure (P = 0.01 for group-by time) and energetic EF compared with placebo (P = 0.03 for group-by time). Female rowers with depleted Fe stores who consumed supplemental Fe during training improved their Fe status and energetic EF during endurance exercise. These results are important for endurance athletes whose dietary patterns and physical training increase their risk of IDNA and suggest that Fe supplementation may maximize the benefits of endurance training.