Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center15 Children’s Way, Little Rock Arkansas 72202

Our Children, Our NutritionVolume 21 • A publication of Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center • Winter 2015

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), nearly half of American women who become pregnant are overweight or obese1. Studies from Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) and other research institutions have shown that the children of these women have a higher risk of becoming overweight or obese compared to chil-dren of lean mothers2,3. Researchers are actively trying to understand what factors lead to this increased risk and how to intervene to reduce this phe-nomenon that could yield to a vicious cycle of obesity. Among other findings, researchers have found that the ability to control blood glucose (sugar) and inflammation is critical to a ‘healthy’ metabolic state that can be transferred to the fetus and future child. Thus, an intervention that improves a mother’s ability to control these metabolic fac-tors during pregnancy could be ben-eficial to both mom and future child. These types of interventions may be more feasible than attaining significant weight loss prior to pregnancy.

“Physical activity during pregnancy can have many positive effects on the mother. For example, moms that are physically active tend to have improved blood pressure, blood glucose control, placental blood flow, self-esteem and overall fitness. It also regulates ges-tational weight gain, and can prevent edema, swelling, and fatigue,” said Elisabet Børsheim, Director of the new Physical Activity Lab at ACNC. Physi-cal activity during pregnancy could therefore improve the future mother’s

metabolic health and have beneficial effects for development of the fetus and future child. In fact, preliminary results from the Glowing study being conducted at ACNC have demonstrat-ed that obese women who exercise frequently have better control of their blood sugar and have lower inflamma-tion, suggesting that physical activity could be beneficial4.

In order to test whether regular physical activity during pregnancy can improve the mother’s metabolism and impact children’s development, Børsheim, along with Dr. Aline Andres and colleagues at ACNC, have begun a new research study. “We are study-ing if obese women engaged in a structured physical activity program of both aerobic and resistance training during pregnancy will improve their metabolic status compared to seden-tary women, and also if this results in a decreased risk of obesity in infants and children throughout the first two years of life,” said Børsheim. In the study, women will be randomized to either a control group (no exercise) or to an intervention group which will consist of physical activity three times per week at the ACNC fitness facility under the supervision of a personal trainer. During pregnancy, participants will at-tend three study visits to evaluate their body composition, energy expenditure, fitness levels and blood glucose and inflammation markers. Researchers will then follow the children of study par-ticipants for their first two years of life to see if their mothers’ physical activity

RESEARCHERS AT ACNC NOW STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING PREGNANCY NEW LEADERSHIP:

SEAN ADAMS, Ph.D.

After 20 years of tremen-dous leadership as the ACNC Founding Director, this fall Dr. Thomas Badger announced his retirement. The Center is forever indebted to Dr. Badger for his passion and scientific insight, which shaped the ACNC into what it is today. Dr. Sean Adams came on board in October as the new Director. Previously, Dr. Adams led the Obesity and Metabolism Research Unit of the USDA-Agri-cultural Research Service Western Human Nutrition Center in Davis, CA, and served as Adjunct Associate Professor of Nutrition at UC Davis. He is an expert in “metabolic physiology,” or the study of how the body regulates metabolism and fuel combustion.

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Volume 21

MEET THE SCIENTIST: ELISABET BøRSHEIM, Ph.D.

Dr. Børsheim is an Associate Professor in both the Department of Pediatrics and Department of Ge-riatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is also a Senior Investigator at Arkan-sas Children’s Nutrition Center where she serves as the Director of both the Physical Activity Core Laboratory and the Energy Expenditure and Metabolism Program. Her research interests are in the regulation of metabolism, specifically muscle protein, fat, and energy expenditure, and how exercise and nutrition affect metabolic processes. Dr. Børsheim spends her time outside of research with her son, who is her pride and joy. They enjoy nature, music and sports like running and cross-country skiing, and traveling home to Norway. Her motto is “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano”: A healthy mind in a healthy body. “I think it is important to balance mind, spirit and body for a happy life”.

Fun Ideas for Family FitnessThe holidays are coming to a close; the New Year has begun, and now is the per-fect time to be thinking about fitness for your family. Exercise is known to increase life expectancy, lower risks for heart dis-ease, help control weight, and improve school performance. Plus, perhaps most importantly, because active children are likely to become active adults, making family activities and fitness part of your child’s life at an early age can go a long way toward helping them form healthy habits later in life. As a parent, you are a powerful role model. If you find ways to be more active every day, your kids will follow your lead.

Here are some ideas for fun family fitness that can get you all moving.

Make Time to Play Set aside 30 minutes three times per

week for fun activities with your kids. Make it a part of your after-school or after-dinner routine. If your kids are young, they might enjoy hopscotch or hide-and-seek. Older children may enjoy a game of kickball, soccer, or basketball. Also, try to plan at least one family activ-ity every weekend. It can be as simple as taking the little one to the playground, or as challenging as a long hike with your teenager. Local tip: You can do both at Pinnacle Mountain State Park!

Plan Active CelebrationsServe up family fitness along with the cake at your child’s next birthday party by planning active games such as tag or relay races. Older kids or teenagers might enjoy throwing a dance party. A large gathering of kids is also a great opportunity to play a team sport. Soccer, kickball, baseball, and basketball are

some great ideas. A pool party is anoth-er great way that will incorporate fitness with fun.

Make Yard Work Less Work for More Family ExerciseYard work needs to be done year round so go ahead and use it as a family activity to get everyone moving. Enjoy seasonal yard maintenance together. Younger children can help plant and tend a garden. Older kids can rake leaves into a pile (and then jump in it, of course!). Make snow shoveling fun by building a snow fort or creating a family of snow people.

The earlier kids start moving, the more likely they will incorporate activity as part of their lifestyle. With a little creativ-ity, you’ll have your family moving in no time!

Expecting?Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center is currently enrolling women in a research study comparing health and lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy.

Are you:• Less than 12-weeks pregnant• 18 years of age or older• BMI ≥30• Sedentary• Non-smoker• Healthy

Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Centerwww.uams.edu/acnc | acncstudies@uams.edu

Contact us to see if you are eligible.501.364.3309 acncstudies@uams.edu

To thank you for your participation, diapers and monetary compensation will be provided.

during gestation alters the ability of their children to use different fuel sources (like glucose and fat). Such research will aid in devel-oping new physical activ-ity guidelines related to pregnancy, and will provide critical information in future public health messaging for expectant mothers.

1Flegal KM, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Ogden CL. Prevalence of obesity and trends in the distribution of body mass index among US adults, 1999-2010. JAMA. 2012;307(5):491-497.

2Andres A, Shankar K and Badger TM. Body fat mass of exclusively breast-fed infants born to overweight mothers. J. Acad-emy Nutr. Dietetics. 2012 112(7):991-995.

3Catalano PM. Obesity and pregnan-cy--the propagation of a viscous cycle? J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2003;88(8):3505-3506

4Andres A, Faske J, Shankar K, Badger TM. Greater physical activity during preg-nancy are associated with lower inflamma-tion and insulin resistance in obese women. Obesity Week. 2013. T-81-OR

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Winter 2015

MEET THE STAFF: ALVIN DUPENS III

Alvin is the newest addition to the ACNC team as the Physical Trainer in the Physical Activity Lab. He oversees, designs and develops individualized workout plans according to the specific protocols of the studies conducted at ACNC. He earned a BS degree from UCA in Kinesiology, is an American Counsel on Exercise certified Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer and is currently preparing for the American College of Sports Medicine Certification for Exercise and Testing. Alvin has extensive expe-rience as a Group Exercise instructor, Personal Trainer, Exercise Physiologist/Rehabilitation Specialist, Fitness Director and Health Educator. In his spare time Alvin enjoys exercising, fishing and traveling. He states his passion is being the best health professional, husband and father he can be.

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Changing Science, Changing Lives

To learn more: 501-364-3309

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fMRI StudyThis is a short-term study designed to look at how the food kids ate as babies affects how they think today. Participants attend up to three study visits on the campus of Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

QualificationsChildren participating in this study must be healthy, between the ages of 7½ and 8½ and have been fed mostly breast milk, milk-based formula or soy-based formula from birth until their first birthday.

CompensationThose completing each visit will receive mon-etary compensation.

Expecting StudyThis study is designed to determine how the health and physical activity of a mother during pregnancy could affect the growth and development of her child.

QualificationsMoms must be healthy, less than 12-weeks pregnant, over the age of 18, have a BMI ≥ 30, sedentary, and meet other specific entry criteria.

CompensationTo thank you for your partici-pation, diapers and mon-etary compensation will be provided.

Our Children, Our Nutritionis published quarterly by

Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center

www.arkansaschildrensnutritioncenter.com

Send comments or change of address information to acncstudies@uams.edu

Editor: Amanda Xaysuda, B.S.

Contributors: Alvin Dupens, B.S.Elisabet Borsheim, Ph.D.

Arkansas Children’s Nutrition Center (ACNC) is part of the National Human Nutrition Research Centers Program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. It is housed on the campus of one of the ten largest children’s hospitals in the United States. ACNC is a partnership between the USDA, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.