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PubMed2007

Effect of total solids content and temperature on the rheological behaviour of reconstituted whole milk concentrates.

This work investigated the combined effect of solids content, heating and storage temperatures on the rheological behaviour of reconstituted whole milk concentrates. The powder was reconstituted at 35 degrees C in a custom built recombination rig to various total solids content (TS) from 10-48% TS. The concentrates were then heated to 45-85 degrees C and stored at the heating temperature. The rheological behaviour shifter from Newtonian behaviour (below 30% TS) to power law (below 40% TS), with the yield stress observed from 40% TS upwards and time-dependent behaviour was noticed above 44% TS. Higher heating temperatures tend to promote non-Newtonian behaviour at lower solids content. The viscosity-solid content curve showed an exponential relationship, while the viscosity-temperature curve exhibited a minimum at 65-75 degrees C above 46% TS. During age thickening, the yield stress and the consistency coefficient increased, while the flow behaviour index decreased with storage time. This indicated that the milk concentrates deviated away from Newtonian behaviour during age thickening.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Behavioural defense against parasites: interaction with parasite invasiveness.

Behavioural patterns involved in avoiding, repelling, or removing parasites allow mammalian hosts to defend themselves from an array of parasites that threaten the host's fitness in the natural world. Some examples of behavioural defenses and the presumed target parasites are: grooming to remove ticks, grouping to reduce attack rate of biting flies, fly repelling movements to reduce parasitic flies, and selective grazing to reduce intake of faecal-borne parasites. These behavioural defenses are discussed with regard to effectiveness in controlling the target parasites. Parasites have sometimes evolved behavioural strategies of evading, penetrating or disabling these behavioural defenses. These parasite behavioural strategies, though less studied, are discussed. Also discussed is the possibility that host behavioural patterns that may defend against one parasite may be exploited by a different type of parasite to facilitate its own transmission. The interplay between host defensive strategies, the cost versus the effectiveness of such strategies, and a parasite's evasion or exploitation of such strategies, may be useful in understanding some aspects of host-parasite dynamics in nature.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Relationship of behavioural and symptomatic syndromes in schizophrenia to spatial working memory and attentional set-shifting ability.

BACKGROUND: Behavioural syndromes (thought disturbance, social withdrawal, depressed behaviour and antisocial behaviour) offer a different perspective from that of symptomatic syndromes on the disability that may be associated with schizophrenia. Few studies have assessed their relationship with neuropsychological deficits. We hypothesized that these syndromes may represent behavioural manifestations of frontal-subcortical impairments, previously described in schizophrenia. METHOD: Long-stay inpatients (n=54) and community patients (n=43) with enduring schizophrenia were assessed, using measures of symptoms and behaviour and tests of executive functioning. The relationship between syndromes and neuropsychological function was assessed using multiple regression and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between performance on the spatial working memory task and the psychomotor poverty symptomatic syndrome, and between attentional set-shifting ability and both disorganization symptoms and the thought disturbance behavioural syndrome. These results were not explained by the effect of premorbid IQ, geographical location, length of illness or antipsychotic medication. Length of illness was an independent predictor of attentional set-shifting ability but not of working memory performance. CONCLUSION: The specific relationship between negative symptoms and spatial working memory is consistent with involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The associations between difficulty with set-shifting ability and both disorganization symptoms and behaviours may reflect inability to generalize a rule that had been learned and impaired ability to respond flexibly. The specific relationship of illness duration to set-shifting ability may suggest progressive impairment on some executive tasks. The nature of these relationships and their neurobiological and rehabilitation implications are considered.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Examining the relationship between pubertal stage, adolescent health behaviours and stress.

BACKGROUND: This paper examines the associations between puberty and three important health behaviours (smoking, food intake and exercise) and explores whether these associations are mediated by puberty's relationship to stress and psychological difficulties. METHOD: Data were taken from the first year of the ongoing, 5-year, Health and Behaviours in Teenagers Study (HABITS). This is a school-based study set in 36 schools in London. In the first year of the study, 4320 students (2578 boys, 1742 girls) in their first year of secondary education took part. RESULTS: Among girls, being more pubertally advanced was associated with a greater likelihood of having tried smoking. Among boys, being more pubertally advanced was associated with a greater likelihood of having tried smoking, a higher intake of high-fat food and higher levels of exercise. More pubertally advanced girls experienced more stress but not more psychological difficulties. There were no associations between puberty and either stress or psychological difficulties in boys. Stress and psychological difficulties were associated with health behaviours in girls and boys, but neither of these factors mediated the relationship between pubertal stage and health behaviours found in girls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the onset of puberty has a marked effect on the development of health behaviours. Puberty was related to an acceleration of the development of unhealthy behaviours, except for exercise behaviour in boys, where advanced puberty was associated with more exercise. These changes were unrelated to adolescent issues of stress and a causal explanation for these associations must be sought elsewhere.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The Behavioural Responses to Illness Questionnaire (BRIQ): a new predictive measure of medically unexplained symptoms following acute infection.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to design a self-report measure of behavioural responses during the acute phase of an illness, in order to assess the importance of these behaviours in the development of ongoing medically unexplained syndromes. METHOD: An initial pool of items derived from theoretical models and clinical observation, was piloted on a group of 312 university students to assess the factor structure of the scale and the best fit items. The scale was further validated in a second study of 758 patients who were experiencing Campylobacter gastroenteritis. At 3 months post-infection, patients were sent a second questionnaire assessing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). RESULTS: Principal components analysis of the items in the student sample yielded a four-factor solution, labelled all-or-nothing behaviour, limiting behaviour, emotional support seeking and practical support seeking. The factor structure was confirmed in the Campylobacter sample, and internal reliability was good. All-or-nothing behaviour was associated with IBS at 3 months post-infection. In contrast, limiting behaviour and practical support seeking at the time of infection appeared to be protective. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that this is a valid and reliable measure that can predict the development of a medically unexplained syndrome after acute infection. Overdoing things at the time of infection and then needing to rest for prolonged periods (all-or-nothing behaviour), appears to be a particular risk factor for the development of IBS. Targeted interventions at the time of infection may improve coping and prevent symptoms from becoming chronic.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

Patterns of behaviour problems among pre-school children.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested that behavioural problems displayed during the pre-school years are best understood as undifferentiated difficulties in manageability. The present study explored this issue, by examining the structure of British parents' ratings of their pre-school children's behavioural problems. METHOD: The 19-item Behavioural Checklist (BCL; Richman, 1977) was completed by 1047 parents of 3-year-old children taking part in an epidemiological survey of child development. RESULTS: Factor analysis revealed six factors representing poor social adjustment, poor emotional adjustment, sleep problems, over-activity/inattention, eating problems and soiling. When these scores were used as a basis for cluster analysis, problem types clustered around six centres. The first, and largest, grouping was of children with no problems. Three further large groupings displayed specific but moderate problems (over-active, timid, and naughty children). The final two groupings displayed more extreme problems including anti-social behaviour. In one group these were accompanied by severe emotional problems and in the other by signs of hyperactivity. The reliability and validity of these clusters was supported. Parental ratings of behaviour problems taken when the children were 8-years-old suggested that the children in the hyperactive/conduct group were likely to have continued difficulties. CONCLUSION: This paper argues against the homogeneity of pre-school behaviour problems but supports the idea that problems of a clinically significant level are likely to be co-morbid, with either problems of emotional regulation (neurotic) or those of behavioural regulation (hyperactive) accompanied by problems of conduct.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1999

HIV-risk behaviour and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Recent literature has demonstrated that psychiatric patients, particularly those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, may be at high risk for HIV infection. In fact, HIV-risk behaviour, such as intravenous drug with sharing needles, promiscuity associated with unprotected sex and high-risk sexual activity after using drugs has been reported by a substantial proportion of mentally ill patients. METHODS: In order to examine this problem in Italy, HIV-risk taking behaviour and knowledge about HIV/AIDS was investigated among 91 schizophrenic patients by using two self-report questionnaires (HIV-Risk Behaviour Questionnaire; AIDS-Risk Behaviour Knowledge Test). RESULTS: One-third of the patients reported having been tested for HIV infection and one tested seropositive (prevalence 3.4%). A high proportion of patients reported HIV-risk behaviour, such as injected drugs use (22.4%) and engaging in high risk sexual activity (e.g. multiple partners, 58%; prostitutes, 45%; occasional partners, 37%). Condoms were 'never used' by 41% of the patients and 'almost never used' by another 25%. In spite of these behaviours, 65% reported no concern of HIV infection. Knowledge about AIDS was lower among psychiatric patients than a healthy control group. Patients with long-lasting illness and numerous psychiatric admissions were less acknowledgeable about HIV infection. Certain misconceptions on HIV transmission were related to HIV risk behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the urgent need for HIV educational programmes within mental health community-care settings.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

Can robots make good models of biological behaviour?

UNLABELLED: How should biological behaviour be modelled? A relatively new approach is to investigate problems in neuroethology by building physical robot models of biological sensorimotor systems. The explication and justification of this approach are here placed within a framework for describing and comparing models in the behavioural and biological sciences. First, simulation models--the representation of a hypothesis about a target system--are distinguished from several other relationships also termed "modelling" in discussions of scientific explanation. Seven dimensions on which simulation models can differ are defined and distinctions between them discussed: 1. RELEVANCE: whether the model tests and generates hypotheses applicable to biology. 2. Level: the elemental units of the model in the hierarchy from atoms to societies. 3. Generality: the range of biological systems the model can represent. 4. Abstraction: the complexity, relative to the target, or amount of detail included in the model. 5. Structural accuracy: how well the model represents the actual mechanisms underlying the behaviour. 6. Performance match: to what extent the model behaviour matches the target behaviour. 7. Medium: the physical basis by which the model is implemented. No specific position in the space of models thus defined is the only correct one, but a good modelling methodology should be explicit about its position and the justification for that position. It is argued that in building robot models biological relevance is more effective than loose biological inspiration; multiple levels can be integrated; that generality cannot be assumed but might emerge from studying specific instances; abstraction is better done by simplification than idealisation; accuracy can be approached through iterations of complete systems; that the model should be able to match and predict target behaviour; and that a physical medium can have significant advantages. These arguments reflect the view that biological behaviour needs to be studied and modelled in context, that is, in terms of the real problems faced by real animals in real environments.

Behavior↗
PubMed2000

The role of cholinergic agents in the management of behavioural disturbances in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, neuropsychological or behavioural disturbances, and eventual elementary neurological dysfunction. Changes in these domains lead to a reduced functional ability of the AD patient which results, inevitably, in an increasing dependency of the patient on their carer. Thus, a compromised quality of life for both the patient with AD and the carer ensues. The clinical deterioration in AD is produced by neurochemical deficits (involving cholinergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems) and histological changes (neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal death) in the brain. The abnormality in cholinergic neurotransmission, by contributing to both the cognitive impairment and possibly the behavioural disturbances of AD patients, has attracted particularly intense scientific attention. Evidence for the involvement of a cholinergic dimension to the behavioural changes of AD includes the following: the induction of AD-like behaviours in normal individuals by administration of anticholinergic drugs; the exaggeration of behavioural disturbances in AD patients by anticholinergic agents; the correlation of the distribution of cholinergic deficits of AD with regions that are relevant to the observed behaviours, i.e. the frontal and temporal regions; and the amelioration of behavioural disturbances in AD patients treated with cholinergic receptor agonists and cholinesterase inhibitors. This article reviews the increasing evidence that, in addition to their effects on the cognitive and functional domains of AD, cholinergic drugs may be considered psychotropic agents and are useful in the treatment of specific disorders with cholinergic deficits such as AD.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Increased repetitive behaviours and prolactin responsivity to oral m-chlorophenylpiperazine in adults with autism spectrum disorders.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by dysfunction in three primary behavioural domains: repetitive behaviours, social deficits, and language abnormalities. There is evidence that abnormalities exist in the serotonin (5-HT) system in autism spectrum patients. Furthermore, 5-HT is known to play a role in repetitive and social behaviours. This study examined the effect of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) on repetitive behaviours and prolactin response in 11 adults with autism or Aspergers disorder and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy controls via randomized double-blind, m-CPP and placebo challenges. The primary outcome measure was an instrument rating six repetitive behaviours: need to know, repeating, ordering, need to tell/ask, self-injury, and touching. Patients with autism spectrum disorders showed a significant increase in repetitive behaviours at end-point following oral m-CPP in comparison to placebo. Additionally subjects with autism spectrum disorders showed a significantly increased prolactin response to m-CPP compared to normal controls, with neither group responding to placebo. This study provides further evidence for altered 5-HT sensitivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorders, as well as a possible relationship between repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorders and abnormalities in the 5-HT system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Health behaviours and socio-economic status in Ontario, Canada.

Data from the 1990 Ontario Health Survey were used to investigate the association of socioeconomic status with the likelihood of meeting current recommendations for four health behaviours (smoking, fat intake, alcohol consumption, and physical activity level) in adults living in Ontario (Canada). Health behaviours were categorised as 'unhealthy' if they did not meet current recommendations in Ontario (smoking, fat intake > 30% of dietary energy, alcohol intake > 14 units per week, low level of leisure-time physical activity). Two summary variables based on the number of 'unhealthy' behaviours were also examined: the crude number of 'unhealthy' behaviours reported and the likelihood of reporting 3 or 4 'unhealthy' behaviours. Four measures of socio-economic status were used: educational achievement, household income status, source of household income, and occupational prestige. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to explore the association of each 'unhealthy' behaviour and of the summary variables with socio-economic status indicators (taken independently or simultaneously), controlling for demographic characteristics. Except for the positive relationship between income status and high alcohol intake, measures of 'unhealthy' behaviours were inversely associated with the socio-economic indices, suggesting that individuals in lower socioeconomic groups are at an increased risk for health problems.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Behavioural management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Although psychiatrists are aware of weight gain induced by atypical antipsychotics, only few studies on behavioural interventions in this patient group are published. This review aims to summarize the evidence on effectiveness of behavioural interventions for weight gain in the general population and in-patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. METHOD: Medline and Cochrane databases search for evidence on effectiveness of behavioural interventions. RESULTS: In general, behavioural approaches including, diet, exercise and drug treatments may be effective. There were only 13 studies of behavioural interventions for patients taking antipsychotic medication. No study met the criteria for a RCT. Calorie restriction in a controlled ward environment, structured counselling combined with cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling on life style and provision of rewards may potentially lead to weight loss. CONCLUSION: Currently only limited, methodologically flawed, evidence is available that behavioural interventions in overweight patients treated with antipsychotics, although intuitively appealing, actually work.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Predator-induced behaviour shifts and natural selection in field-experimental lizard populations.

The role of behaviour in evolutionary change has long been debated. On the one hand, behavioural changes may expose individuals to new selective pressures by altering the way that organisms interact with the environment, thus driving evolutionary divergence. Alternatively, behaviour can act to retard evolutionary change: by altering behavioural patterns in the face of new environmental conditions, organisms can minimize exposure to new selective pressures. This constraining influence of behaviour has been put forward as an explanation for evolutionary stasis within lineages and niche conservatism within clades. Nonetheless, the hypothesis that behavioural change prevents natural selection from operating in new environments has never been experimentally tested. We conducted a controlled and replicated experimental study of selection in entirely natural populations; we demonstrate that lizards alter their habitat use in the presence of an introduced predator, but that these behavioural shifts do not prevent patterns of natural selection from changing in experimental populations.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Facilitation and inhibition of male rat ejaculatory behaviour by the respective 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor agonists 8-OH-DPAT and anpirtoline, as evidenced by use of the corresponding new and selective receptor antagonists NAD-299 and NAS-181.

1. Ejaculatory problems and anorgasmia are well-known side-effects of the SSRI antidepressants, and a pharmacologically induced increase in serotonergic neurotransmission inhibits ejaculatory behaviour in the rat. In the present study the role of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors in the mediation of male rat ejaculatory behaviour was examined by use of selective agonists and antagonists acting at these 5-HT receptor subtypes. 2. The 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.25-4.00 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) produced an expected facilitation of the male rat ejaculatory behaviour, and this effect was fully antagonized by pretreatment with the new selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (R)-3-N,N-dicyclobutylamino-8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-5 -carboxamide hydrogen (2R,3R) tartrate monohydrate (NAD-299) (1.0 micromol kg(-1) s.c.). NAD-299 by itself (0.75-3.00 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) did not affect the male rat ejaculatory behaviour. 3. The 5-HT1B receptor agonist anpirtoline (0.25-4.00 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the male rat ejaculatory behaviour, and this effect was fully antagonized by pretreatment with the 5-HT1B receptor antagonist isamoltane (16 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) as well as by the new and selective antagonist (R)-(+)-2-(3-morpholinomethyl-2H-chromene-8-yl)oxymethylmorphol ino methansulphonate (NAS-181) (16 micromol kg(-1) s.c.). Isamoltane (1.0-16.0 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) and NAD-181 (1.0-16.0 micromol kg(-1) s.c.) had no, or weakly facilitatory effects on the male rat ejaculatory behaviour. The non-selective 5-HT1 receptor antagonist (-)-pindolol (8 micromol kg(-1) s.c.), did not antagonize the inhibition produced by anpirtoline. 4. The present results demonstrate opposite effects, facilitation and inhibition, of male rat ejaculatory behaviour by stimulation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors, respectively, suggesting that the SSRI-induced inhibition of male ejaculatory dysfunction is due to 5-HT1B receptor stimulation.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed2000

Involvement of 5-HT(3) receptors in the nucleus accumbens in the potentiation of cocaine-induced behaviours in the rat.

1. The present study investigated the central effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine and the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine(3) (5-HT(3)) receptors in the core of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) on cocaine-induced behavioural changes in rats. 2. The 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist ondansetron (1 or 10 ng) was microinjected bilaterally into the core of the NAc 60 min prior to peripheral cocaine (15 mg kg(-1), i.p.) administration followed by the assessment of locomotor activity, rearing activity and head bobs. Both doses of ondansetron attenuated cocaine's stimulatory effect on behaviours. 3. Fluoxetine (0.05 or 5 microg) microinjected bilaterally into the core of the NAc 30 min before peripheral administration of cocaine produced dose-dependent biphasic effects on cocaine-induced behaviours. Intra-NAc administration of 0.05 microg fluoxetine resulted in a potentiation of cocaine-induced behaviours, while the higher dose of the SSRI (5 microg) attenuated the stimulant effect of cocaine on behaviours. 4. To investigate a possible involvement of 5-HT(3) receptors in fluoxetine's facilitatory action, ondansetron (10 ng) was microinjected 30 min prior to fluoxetine (0.05 microg), which resulted in a significant attenuation of the facilitatory effect of fluoxetine on cocaine-induced behaviours. 5. Thus, 5-HT(3) receptors in the core of the NAc appear to mediate stimulatory effects on cocaine-induced locomotor activity, rears and head bobs, whereas the attenuation of cocaine-induced behaviours by fluoxetine at the higher dose, suggests the involvement of a different 5-HT receptor subtype.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Participation of 5-HT(1B) receptors in the inhibitory actions of serotonin on masculine sexual behaviour of mice: pharmacological analysis in 5-HT(1B) receptor knockout mice.

1 The role of the 5-Hydroxytryptamine(1B) (5-HT(1B)) receptor subtype in masculine sexual behaviour in mice was analysed in both 5-HT(1B) receptor knockout (KO(1B)) and wild-type (WT) animals. 2 Comparison of male copulatory behaviour of WT and KO(1B) strains revealed that KO(1B) mice become interested earlier in sexual behaviour, but require more stimulation to achieve ejaculation than its corresponding WT strain. 3 The pharmacological manipulation of male sexual activity in the WT strain showed that the serotonin precursor 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), the 5-HT(1B) agonist (1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine (TFMPP) and the 5-Hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-di-n-propylamino-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) all inhibited male copulatory behaviour in mice. 4 In KO(1B) mice, TFMPP lacked an effect, 5-HTP exerted a mild inhibitory effect while 8-OH-DPAT provoked only a tendency towards a reduction in the percentage of animals that achieved ejaculation. In general, KO(1B) mice were less sensitive to the inhibitory actions of 5-HTP and 8-OH-DPAT than the WT strain. 5 Based on these results, we can suggest that serotonin plays a general inhibitory role in the sexual behaviour of male mice and that both 5-HT(1B) and 5-HT(1A) receptor subtypes participate in the inhibitory actions of this neurotransmitter. 6 The absence of the 5-HT(1B) receptor subtype affected both components of mouse masculine sexual behaviour, motivation and execution, further confirming the involvement of this receptor subtype in the control of this behaviour. In addition, the diminished sensitivity to serotonergic stimulation exhibited by KO(1B) mice suggests the occurrence of compensatory changes as a consequence of the absence of the 5-HT(1B) receptor subtype.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed2004

CB1 receptor agonist and heroin, but not cocaine, reinstate cannabinoid-seeking behaviour in the rat.

We recently provided evidence for a functional link between cannabinoid and opioid endogenous systems in relapse to heroin-seeking behaviour in rats. In the present study, we aimed at investigating whether the previously observed cross-talk between cannabinoids and opioids could be extended to mechanisms underlying relapse to cannabinoid-seeking behaviour after a prolonged period of abstinence. In rats previously trained to intravenously self-administer the synthetic cannabinoid receptor (CB1) agonist WIN 55,212-2 (12.5 microg kg(-1) inf(-1)) under a fixed ratio (FR1) schedule of reinforcement, noncontingent nonreinforced intraperitoneal (i.p.) priming injections of the previously self-administered CB1 agonist (0.25 and 0.5 mg kg(-1)) as well as heroin (0.5 mg kg(-1)), but not cocaine (10 mg kg(-1)), effectively reinstate cannabinoid-seeking behaviour following 3 weeks of extinction. The selective CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A (0.3 mg kg(-1) i.p.) does not reinstate responding when given alone, but completely prevents the cannabinoid-seeking behaviour triggered by WIN 55,212-2 or heroin primings. The nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone (1 mg kg(-1) i.p.) has no effect on operant behaviour per se, but significantly blocks cannabinoid- and heroin-induced reinstatement of cannabinoid-seeking behaviour. These results provide the first evidence of drug-induced reinstatement of cannabinoid-seeking behaviour, and further strengthen previous findings on a cross-talk between the endogenous cannabinoid and opioid systems in relapse mechanisms to drug-seeking.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Conceptualisation and evaluation of a cognitive-behavioural training programme for children and adolescents with obesity.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is common in children and adolescents with incidence rates increasing both nationally and internationally. Its causes are complex and multifaceted, and obesity is associated with high morbidity and mortality as well as psychological distress. Multidimensional programmes are necessary in the treatment of this chronic disease in order to change eating and physical activity habits. A cognitive-behavioural training programme was developed and evaluated. In combination with diet and exercise, this special group programme that includes well established behavioural methods, was expected to result in long-term weight reduction and decrease of psychological distress in connection with obesity. DESIGN: As part of the six week in-patient rehabilitation for children and adolescents at Viktoriastift in Bad Kreuznach, the three-part programme (experimental group, EG) was compared with a programme that differed only in the psychological intervention component (instead of the specific training programme they undertook muscle relaxation training, comparison group, CG). SUBJECTS: In total, 197 children and adolescents between 9 and 19 y-of-age were recruited into the study. MEASUREMENTS: Somatic (eg weight status), behavioural (eg eating behaviour) and psychological (eg quality of life) outcomes were assessed at five points in time: two weeks before the intervention, at the beginning and end of the programme, as well as six months and one year post-intervention. The study started in spring 1997. Main outcomes will be presented. RESULTS: Pre- vs post-intervention-tests showed significant improvements in self-reported eating behaviours for the EG compared with the CG (F=6.38, P<0.05); these changes were independent of age and sex. The weight status measured as the percentage of overweight dependent on height was reduced in both groups immediately after the intervention and at follow-up (F=16.51, P<0.01). Reduction in the prevalence of obesity tended to be higher in the EG than in the CG (15% vs 10%). Self-reported quality of life increased from before the intervention to follow-up more in the EG than in the CG (F=3.27, P=0.08). In all, the acceptance of the behavioural patient education programme was good. CONCLUSION: In summary, evaluation results indicate that the cognitive-behavioural training programme is a promising approach to alter obesity-related habits and to reduce somatic and psychosocial consequences. Long-term effects after two years are expected to underscore these results.

Adolescent↗