International Conference on Weight Loss and Fitness Expo July 13-15, 2015 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Sjaak Pouwels has recently fi nished Medical School and is currently working on his PhD thesis called ‘Exercise and Physiology in Abdominal and Bariatric surgery’. He is currently working in the Catharina Hospital Eindhoven in the Netherlands at both the General Surgery Department and the Bariatric Centre. His main research interests are perioperative physiology and exercise in the broadest way possible

Introduction: Th e prevalence of obesity increases worldwide. Th e use of technology-based interventions can be benefi cial in weight loss interventions. Objectives: Th is review aims to provide insight in the eff ectiveness of technology-based interventions on weight loss and quality of life for patients suff ering overweight or obesity compared to standard care. Methods: Data was searched from the earliest date of each database up to February 2015. Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias was used for rating the methodological quality. Results: Twenty six trials met inclusion criteria. Twelve studies showed signifi cant eff ects on weight loss compared to controls. Most interventions used a web-based approach (42%). Interventions were screened for fi ve technical key components: Self-monitoring, counsellor feedback and communication, group support, use of a structured program and use of an individually tailored program. No signifi cant results for quality of life were found. Outcomes on program adherence were reported in six studies. No signifi cant results were found between weight loss and program adherence. However, interventions with a technological component did show higher adherence rates compared to control groups. Conclusion: Evidence is lacking about the optimal use of technology in weight loss interventions. However, when the optimal combination of technological components is found, technology-based interventions can be a valid tool for weight loss. Furthermore, more outcomes on quality of life and information about the eff ect of technology-based intervention aft er bariatric surgery are needed

Euna Park has completed her PhD at the age of 33 years from Keimyung University college of Nursing. She is the assistant professor of Pukyong National University department of nursing. She has an interest in youth problem and gender role identity

Traditionally, fathers have been a bread earner and responsible for external matters as the head of household. However, the interest of today’s fathers in their children has changed from that of the traditional fathers due to the increased employment of female, decreased birth rate and the trend of shared role in parenting. Th e purpose of this study was to identify the perception type of fathers of preschool children regarding obesity and the characteristics of the type by applying Q-methodology, and to create the basic data for the development of education programs for fathers or policy-making to prevent child obesity. Data were collected by applying 38 Q statements to 24 fathers of preschool children. Collected data were analyzed with the PC QUANL program. Results indicate that fathers’ perception of obesity was divided into three types: ‘management of physical activity and diet,’ ‘generous acknowledgment of reality’ and ‘compromised emphasis on homemade meal.’ Th e ‘compromised emphasis on homemade meal’ type is those who consider homemade food important, although they sometimes suggest conditions to make their children cooperative for food. It was found that the subject of the study uniformly recognized that processed foods, fast foods or chocolates are harmful to health. Th e type of fathers’ perception of obesity in preschool children was discussed, focusing on the perception type identifi ed in this study.

Abdeslam Hamrani has completed his PhD at the age of 27 from Ibn Tofaïl University, Morocco and started his Postdoctoral studies in the Framework of the Erasmus Mundus Project at the Lodz University, Poland. He worked as a Trainer for PhD students in Applied Statistics and as an Assistant Professor. He has published 10 papers in reputed journals, he serves as a reviewer at three journals (Journal of the American Society for Nutrition, USA; Journal of Metabolic Syndrome, OMICS Group, USA; Net Journal of Social Sciences, UK) and he is an Author of two books

The prevalence of obesity and associated diseases among young people in developing and developed countries is increasing. Controlling Body Mass Index (BMI) and installing interventions that promote vigorous physical activity in a new style may fi ght against obesity, and reduce non-communicable diseases. Th us, this study aims to prevent against overweight and obesity development among populations at risk by the use of BMI-control, and higher levels of Physical Activity (PA). Th e present longitudinal study will be performed during two periods: 1) Th e fi rst period (6 months), young people will be included as control and intervention groups according to voluntary basis. Th e control (n 30) and intervention (n 30) groups will be followed one time a week. Decimal age and anthropometric parameters will be recorded each week in a private site. While, vigorous PA questionnaire will be fi lled via an electronic form by participants. Th e collected data will be analyzed using SPSS, and published at the end of the fi rst study period. 2) Th e second period (6 months), published results of the pre-evaluation will be proposed to Ministries of Health and to policy makers for specifying special round path for practicing vigorous physical activity into a selected cities over the world. Th is path is called the Round vigorous PA path (RVPA-path), and will be public and with no vehicles. An evaluation of this intervention will be realizedin the last month of the study. As a conclusion, the BMI control and the special round path will help people to practice vigorous PA and consequently to reduce defi nitively excess weight and the prevalence of all non-communicable diseases.

Song-Hee Kwon is a Graduate student at Myongji University majoring in Food and Nutrition with interests in clinical nutrition and community nutrition. As a Research Assistant, she is taking part in the “Development of integrated program targeted at improving the dietary intake of the elderly with masticating and swallowing problems in the aged society” project with the Korea Health Promotion Foundation. She is also participating in the “Development of sodium adaptation index based on dietary habits of Korean” study sponsored by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

Self perceived body image among women is drawing a lot of attention in Korea due to their unhealthy weight control behaviors. To determine the discrepancy ratio between body image perception and actual body shape, the 2010 KNHANES data of 1,747 Korean women were analyzed. Th e ratio of discrepancy between self-perceived body image and actual body shape was 38.5% in total showing 34.2% of oversized and 4.3% of undersized self-perception. Th e percentages of underweight women with self-perception of normal weight or obesity were 20.6%and 0.2%, respectively. Th e younger the underweight women are, the more did they regarded themselves normal or obese(p<0.05). Th e ratio of normal weight women having self-perception of obesity was 29.1% showing higher ratios in 30s and 40s compared to teens and 20s(p<0.01). On the contrary, the proportions of normal weight women having self-perception of underweight were 1.9%, 3.8%, 4.5% and 5.0% in teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s respectively. Inadequate body perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors need to be corrected to prevent nutritional disorders. Tailored nutrition education intervention has to be targeted to these women with incorrect body image perceptions

Ms Tshifhiwa Cynthia Mandiwana is a trained Nutritionist working as an academic at the University of Venda from 2009. She spent most of her time training students to become Nutritionist and Nutritionist managers. She holds a masters degree which she completed in 2009. Her research area focuses on child nutrition including growth monitoring and promotion, maternal nutrition and the role of indigenous knowledge in health and nutrition. Tshifhiwa enjoys working with students and in this regard she has been the supervisor of more than 15 undergraduate nutrition students, she has published two peer reviewed articles in both national and international journals. She has presented her research both undergraduate and postgraduate at national and international conferences. She has served in collaborative research and committees such as conference organizing committee. She has obtained several certifi cates and Post Graduate diploma in teaching and learning with Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town. In 2013, she was a visiting scholar at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA. Currently she is planning to register with the University of South Africa for her PHD study.

Knowledge, diet and physical activity could be important determinants of overweight/obesity among women aged 25 to 40 years. Th e study was designed to determine knowledge, dietary and physical activity practices as well as anthropometrics status of women aged 25-40 years of age at Ha-Mandiwana village. A descriptive study was conducted among 60 women aged 25-40 and snowball sampling was used to select participants. Participants were assessed through knowledge test questions, dietary and physical activity practices and anthropometric measurements. Up to 46.7% of the participants in this study had very good knowledge with 21.7% having excellent knowledge on obesity. Participants (48.3%) reported to eat three meals a day. In this study breakfast was reported to be consumed daily by 80% of the participants and it can be described as bread based meal for most because 68% of the participants reported that they use bread on their breakfast daily. In this study there is low consumption of both fruits and vegetables because only 18.3% reported that they eat fruits daily and only 25% reported that they eat vegetables daily. Participants were more physically active at home level because all the participants reported to be spending more hours in household activity such as preparing food and washing up, cleaning the house, doing laundry and ironing and taking care of kids this leaves the participants meeting the recommended time for being physical active (150 minutes per week). Th e prevalence of obesity was discovered to be very high in this study because 33.3% of the participants were overweight while 48.4% of the participants were obese. Th is concludes that participants in this study presented with good knowledge relating to obesity however they lacked knowledge on other aspects that are linked to obesity such as the relationship between genetics and obesity. Even though participants have good knowledge regarding obesity, participants reported very low consumption of fruits and vegetables and limited variety of foods as very few food items were reported to be the most consumed. Other than dietary practices participants showed to be physical active at home level but the prevalence of obesity is very high is in this village. Keywords: Knowledge, dietary intake, physical activity, overweight/obesity, women

The World Health Organization estimates than more than 1 billion people are overweight, with 300 million meeting the criteria for obesity. More women than men are obese and obesity negatively impacts the mental health of women in several ways. Women they are at a higher risk of having psychological problems. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 (age range: 30-40 years; marital status: married) purposively selected women who are obese. Data were analyzed using Th ematic content analysis. Th e result of this study indicated that most women were suff ering from depression, low self-esteem, worthlessness, emotional strain and they felt unattractive. Participants were found to be physically inactive and did not feel like socializing at all. Th ey also felt betrayed by their husbands who were engaged in extra-marital aff airs with women who were physically healthy. It is therefore recommended that support groups for these women be established to off er them an opportunity to share their experiences, feelings and dietary practices and physical exercises or activities. Keywords: Psychological eff ects, obesity, physical activities, women

Mrs Mercy Mushwana is a Lecturer at the University of Venda in the department of Psychology. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral studies on the psychological adjustment and suicide ideation of offenders in long-term incarcerated sentences in Matatshe Correctional Services in South Africa. She holds a Master Degree in Research Psychology from the University of Venda. Before joining the University, Mrs Mushwana worked at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) as a SAHARA Journal Manager from 2005-2011. Her main area of research interest is on mental health. In particular, her research has focused on psychological effects of Obesity, intimate partner violence, single parenthood, male circumcision. She has participated as a co-author on various publications and abstracts presented at National and International conferences, and four book reviews