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Background and Objective: Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern due to its impacts on childhood physical and psychological health with subsequent adulthood complication. The aim of this study was to determine some related factors of obesity and overweight in girls' secondary school. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Gorgan Northern Iran, during 2005-06. The subjects selected by stratified random sampling. Age, height, weight, BMI, daily time of television watching, frequency of physical activity and snack consumption was recorded by parents in a questionnaire sheet during a week. Data were analyzed by using SPSS-11.5 software, chi-square and ANOVA tests. Results: In this study, 6.3% and 41.7% of subjects were obese and overweight, respectively. The mean of BMI of girls was 19.69±4.6 kg/m2. The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Fars ethnic group was more than others (P<0.05). Average spending time for television watching was 2.35±0.98 hours and the same index was higher among the obese and overweight girls but, this difference was not significant. Food consumption during watching television, frequency and duration of physical activity were significantly related with obesity and overweight (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that low physical activity and imbalanced nutritional behavior are related to obesity and overweight among secondary school girls in Gorgan-Northern Iran.

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Background and Objective: Sleep is an important component of the circadian cycle is associated with the restoration of the physical and mental faculties. Physical activity is one of the confounding factors in improving sleep quality. This study was done to determine the effect of physical activity on quality of sleep in female students.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 370 female students in Zabol University in south-east of Iran. Demographic data through a questionnaire were collected for each subject. Sleep quality and physical activity of subjects were recorded using standardized questionnaire Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and physical activity Beck test. Subjects according to physical activity divided into active and inactive groups.

Results: Poor sleep quality was seen in 25.2% and 67.4% of active and inactive students, respectively. Mean of Sleep quality in both groups active 5.73±3.22 and inactive  7.21±3.75 was inappropriate but sleep quality in active females was higher than inactive females (P<0.05). A favorable condition for the quality of sleep was seen in 65.7% of the active group with BMI<25 and only 9.1% of students BMI was more than 25. In inactive students, 60.8% of subjects with BMI<25 had poor sleep quality. Both levels of BMI, sleep quality was significantly different between the groups, but this difference was higher in the active group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Poor sleep quality was seen in high percentage of female students and physical activity influences the quality of sleep.

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Atherosclerosis which is the result of cholesterol deposit in coronary arteries is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, worldwide. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a process that causes efflux of excess cholesterol in vessels layers and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette transporters G5 and G8 (ABCG5 and ABCG8) are two membrane cholesterol transporters in hepatocytes and enterocytes that transport cholesterol into the bile and feces. Considering importance of ABCG5 and ABCG8 in RCT and prevention and treatment of coronary atherosclerosis, the aim of this review article was to study the ABCG5 and ABCG8 functions, the role of them in heart stroke prevention and the effects of exercise trainings on genes expression of these two substances. Atherosclerosis, exercise, physical activity, RCT, ABCG5 and ABCG8 were used keywords for searching of related articles between years 1990 to 2018 in google scholar, PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, SID, science direct and ProQuest databases. 294 articles were found and after precise reading of them, 84 articles were selected for this review article. Overall, considering role of transcription factors LXR/RXR are responsible for regulation of genes involved in cholesterol efflux (ABCA1, ABCG1), cholesterol transport (lipoprotein lipase, CETP), cholesterol transformation to bile acids (CYP7A) and metabolism and excretion of cholesterol into bile or gut lumen, stimulation of them induces elevation of ABCG5 and ABCG8 genes expression. The effect of exercise on these factors is a novel subject that may increase our knowledge to prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

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Background and Objective: Developmental disorder and environmental factors are considered as the main causes in postural abnormalities in children and adolescents. This study was done to evaluate the role of BMI, physical activity and the use of electronic device in the status of trunk abnormalities in male adolescents.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 480 boys of 13 to 15 years old in Golestan province, northern Iran. Trunk abnormalities were measured using a spinal mouse. Physical activity was assessed using a standard physical activity questionnaire. Use of electronic device was measured using the form of rate of use of electronic device.
Results: Kyphosis abnormality in 13, 14 and 15 years-old male adolescents were reported 70%, 65% and 75%, respectively. In addition, 60% of 13 years-old, 40% of 14-years-old, and 50% of 15-years-old adolescents had lordosis abnormality. There was a direct and significant correlation between kyphosis abnormalities with BMI and using electronic device as well as a reverse significant correlation between lordosis abnormality and BMI was demonstrated.
Conclusion: This study indicated that trunk abnormalities are relatively common in male adolescents in Golestan province, northern Iran. Also, BMI and the use of electronic device can also affect these abnormalities.