The Contribution of BMI,Body Image Inflexibility,and Generalized Anxiety to Symptoms of Eating Disorders and Exercise Dependence in Exercisers

1)Background:The common factors which potentially contribute to the development of eating disorders and exercise dependence during early adulthood are still relatively unclear.The present study aimed to examine the role of BMI,body image inflexibility,and generalized anxiety in these two behavioral problems in a sample of college students.2)Methods:In total,878 habitual exercisers(58.1%male with BMI=22.12±2.39;41.9%female with BMI=20.55±2.21)with age of 20.09±1.76 years participated in this study.The main outcomes of interest are exercise dependence symptoms,eating disorders symptoms,body image inflexibility,and symptoms of generalized anxiety(as measured by Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised,Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire-Short Form,Body Image Acceptance and Action Questionnaire,and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7,respectively).Pearson correlation,path analysis,and model fit information were tested.3)Results:After controlling for age,gender,and field of study,lower BMI was linked to more exercise dependence symptoms but this association was not statistically significant,while a greater BMI was significantly associated with a higher risk of developing eating disorders(β=−0.08,p<0.001).Moreover,higher body image inflexibility significantly and positively contributed to severe exercise dependence(β=0.26,p<0.001)as well as abnormal eating attitudes and behaviors(β=0.74,p<0.001).Furthermore,generalized anxiety is a significant contributor to exercise dependence symptoms(β=0.14,p<0.001)but not eating disorders symptoms.4)Conclusion:Based on our finding that body image inflexibility is a common risk factor for the development of exercise dependence and eating disorders,the prevention and treatment of these two disorders should involve the improvement of psychological flexibility.In addition,the individual with a higher BMI is more vulnerable to developing eating disorders,while those who have severer generalized anxiety symptoms should be given more attention when screening for exercise dependence.

Physical exercise may exert its therapeutic influence on Alzheimer’s disease through the reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction via SIRT1-FOXO1/3-PINK1-Parkin-mediated mitophagy

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is the most common form of agerelated neurodegenerative disease.Importantly,the prevalence of AD is expected to increase as the population ages,and it will place a huge burden on health care in the future.AD is clinically characterized by confusion,disorientation,and progressive memory and language decline.Diagnosis is confirmed histologically by the accumulation of extracellular b-amyloid(Ab)plaques,intracellular tangles of abnormally phosphorylated tau protein,and progressive neuronal loss in the brain.1 Current treatment focuses on symptom alleviation since there is not yet a cure for AD,despite the wealth of research on the mechanisms underlying the disease and its pathophysiology.

The Effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program on Motor Skills inChildren with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Therapeutic horseback riding(THR)as an animal-assisted intervention is one of the innovative approaches emer-ging in the treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD).The current study was designed to inves-tigate the effects of a 12-week,twice a week THR program on motor skills in sixty-eight children with ASD aged 5–10 years old.All participants selected met the DSM-V criteria for ASD,and a total offifty-three participants completed the study.A randomized controlled trial design was utilized for the study.Data was collected via a pre-THR test,interim-THR test,and post-THR test to investigate the possible changes in motor skills throughout the 12-week THR program.Results showed that the THR program significantly improved overall motor skills across time points(p<0.05)and sub-skills of run,gallop and two-hand catch(as compared to the control group,p<0.05).In conclusion,the THR program may be an effective option for improving motor skills in children with ASD and further investigation with a longer period of intervention is warranted.

Neuromodulation-Based Stem Cell Therapy in Brain Repair:Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

Stem cell transplantation holds a promising future for central nervous system repair. Current challenges, however, include spatially and temporally defined cell differentiation and maturation, plus the integration of transplanted neural cells into host circuits. Here we discuss the potential advantages of neuromodulation-based stem cell therapy, which can improve the viability and proliferation of stem cells, guide migration to the repair site,orchestrate the differentiation process, and promote the integration of neural circuitry for functional rehabilitation.All these advantages of neuromodulation make it one potentially valuable tool for further improving the efficiency of stem cell transplantation.