Fitness assessments are commonly used as a motivational tool in exercise classes and fitness training. However, there is little research on their actual effect. This study explored how the feedback from a fitness assessment may affect intrinsic motivation for physical activity in college students. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design where 430 college students were assigned to either an intervention or one of two control groups. The fitness assessment was only distributed to the subjects in the intervention group. Students were surveyed at four-time points to examine subjects’ competence, autonomy and intrinsic motivation. A repeated measures general linear model measured differences between those who did and did not receive the fitness assessment. Intrinsic motivation (F(6,848)=2.33 p=.031) and competence (F(6, 848)=3.81, p=.001) diminished significantly in the group receiving fitness assessment feedback as compared to either control group. Additionally, for those in the intervention group that perceived their feedback as negative there was a significant decrease in competence (F(1,155)=15.59, p<.001), intrinsic motivation (F(1, 155)=6.41, p=.012), and physical activity (F(1,155)=7.46, p=.007). Fitness assessment feedback may hinder intrinsic motivation toward physical activity at least among those dissatisfied with the feedback.
Over 3.1 million women living in the U.S. have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether stage of cancer, psychological distress, cognitive fusion (fusion of one’s thoughts and emotions), mindfulness, and resilience were related to quality of life among breast cancer patients. Participants were 24 women, aged 41-71, diagnosed with stage 0-3 breast cancer, recruited to participate in a pilot intervention study. All data for this study were collected at the baseline assessment. A multiple linear regression analysis explained 79.1% of the total variance in quality of life, F(5, 14) = 15.400, p < .001, Adjusted R2 = .791. Higher resilience significantly predicted higher quality of life (b = 2.392, p = .002), whereas higher stage of cancer (b = -8.068, p = .030) and higher levels of psychological distress (b = -1.737, p < .001) significantly predicted lower quality of life. Contrary to the hypotheses, higher levels of mindfulness significantly predicted lower quality of life (b = -0.612, p = .022). Cognitive fusion did not significantly predict quality of life (p > .05). More research is needed to determine how various factors predict quality of life among breast cancer patients.
Many college students have nutrient poor and energy dense diets and are also more likely to experience poor body image, which can result in unsafe dieting behaviors for the purpose of managing weight. Intuitive eating is an alternative approach to dieting that focuses on physiological hunger and fullness cues, while eating for both satisfaction and health without restriction of any foods. This study examined the association between intuitive eating and diet quality in a college population. College students, aged 18-56 years, completed an online survey which assessed intuitive eating using the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) and diet quality using the Starting The Conversation (STC) simplified food frequency instrument. IES-2 total score was positively correlated with higher overall diet quality and was negatively correlated with fast food and chip consumption. Eating for physical rather than emotional reasons and body-food choice congruence IES-2 subscales were positively correlated with diet quality while the unconditional permission to eat subscale was negatively correlated with diet quality. Strategies that focus on eating for health and well-being and minimize emotional eating are associated with higher overall diet quality and may be incorporated in dietary interventions among college students aimed at promoting healthy behaviors.
According to Swedish law, all students are to be offered health dialogues with a school nurse, which helps to promote students’ health literacy. However, research shows that the health dialogues are not being used to their fullest potential. To explore how health dialogues are experienced by school actors – students, teachers and school nurses. The 93 participants from 14 municipalities in northern Sweden wrote open letters sharing their experiences with health dialogues. Phenomenological analysis resulted in two themes with three sub-themes each that describe well-functioning health-promoting schools in which health promotion was seen as a shared practice among staff. In contrast, the participants expressed frustration or resignation with the challenges connected to health dialogues. When given a voice, school actors paint an informative collective picture of health dialogues. Based on our findings, we argue that health dialogues can \promote students' health literacy and enable collaboration between different actors within educational systems. Furthermore, promoting health in school must be viewed as a common assignment for all school staff, and support from school leadership is needed to systematically use the results from health dialogues to inform effective health promotion practice.
Background: Garlic has been shown to provide numerous health benefits attributed to its innate compound allicin. However, this compound is highly unstable when exposed to various cooking methods as it is affected by temperature and pH changes. There is limited information about health and preparation knowledge of garlic among consumers with various nutrition education levels including future nutrition professionals such as registered dietitian nutritionists. Purpose: To determine if consumer garlic health knowledge and perceptions were associated with garlic intake and if nutrition education level was associated with garlic health and preparation knowledge. Methods: An online survey was conducted to examine garlic health and preparation knowledge, garlic health perceptions, garlic intake, and garlic cooking methods among undergraduate students with and without a major. Results: There was a significant moderate positive correlation between garlic health knowledge and garlic intake (rs=.421, p<.001). Those with a nutrition major had significantly greater garlic health knowledge than non-majors (p<0.001), while there was no difference between nutrition majors and non-majors on cooking methodology knowledge. Conclusion: Knowledge of the health benefits of garlic appears to be associated with its intake. Nutrition education should focus more on appropriate garlic preparation in relation to its health benefits.
With an increase in longevity, many studies have explored the influences of different lifestyle factors on successful aging. This study hypothesizes that older rats fed with a nutritionally balanced standard diet would perform better on learning tasks than rats fed with either a high-sucrose or a high-saturated fat. It also hypothesizes that older rats fed with a high-sucrose diet would perform better than those fed with a high-saturated fat. The learning abilities of the 15-month-old rats (N = 36) were assessed by conducting forward and reverse learning tasks using a T-maze apparatus. The results showed that rats on a nutritionally balanced diet performed significantly better on both learning tasks than those on either the high-sucrose or the high-saturated fat (p’s < .05). This may be due to the fact that the high-sucrose and high-saturated fat diets exacerbated a cognitive decline in geriatric rats. There was no significant difference between the learning abilities of the rats on a high-sucrose or high-saturated fat diet (p’s > .05). This finding suggests that, at an older age, both high-sucrose and high-saturated fat diets have a similarly detrimental influence on cognitive health.
Background: Professionals educating ethnic minority populations should employ a cultural focus during development, training, refinement and implementation stages of an intervention. Purpose: This manuscript posits that the skill of developing a culturally relevant curriculum supports the increase of cultural competence proficiency of professionals, while promoting health equity. Methods: A community-based participatory research-trained staff, recruited 378 families with 2 to 8-year-old children. Eight intergenerational focus groups were conducted at neighborhood facilities. Graduate fellows conducted reviews of literature and health directives to conceptualize the curriculum. Spanish-speaking students and promotoras (community health workers) having participants’ confidence, presented healthy lifestyle information and taught practical skills to each group of 12-16 low-income Latino families from Long Beach, CA. With attention to participants’ preferred language, educational level, cultural beliefs, practices and food preferences, the intervention demonstrates a culturally relevant curriculum. Hands-on activities and motivational interviewing questions enriched the 4-hour intervention delivered in Spanish. Results: Graduate fellows’ cultural competence increased. More than 97% of participants reported sessions beneficial to their families’ health with 84% attending all sessions/assessments. Participants found the content easy to understand and helpful to eat healthier and be more active. Conclusion: Sanos y Fuertes is a model for developing a culturally relevant, family-based healthy lifestyle educational curriculum and building culturally competent health professionals.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Asian-Americans suffer from significant liver cancer disparity caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Understanding psychosocial predictors of HBV screening is critical to designing effective interventions. METHODS:Chinese-, Korean-, and Vietnamese-Americans in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region (N=877) were recruited from community-based organizations. Applying the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), three main theoretical constructs (knowledge, outcome expectancy, and self-efficacy) were tested. Descriptive analyses using Chi-square and ANOVA and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted. RESULTS:About 47% of participants reported ever having screening for HBV. Vietnamese-Americans had the lowest HBV screening rate (39%), followed by Korean-Americans (46%) and Chinese-Americans (55%). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed significant effects of HBV-related knowledge on screening in all three groups, whereas self-efficacy had significant effects in the Chinese and Korean subgroups, but not Vietnamese. HBV outcome expectancy had no effect on the screening outcome in any of the groups. Additionally, consistent in all three groups, those who had lived in the United States longer were less likely to have screening. CONCLUSION:HBV screening rates in Asian Americans remain low; targeted interventions need to consider the differences across ethnic subgroups and address the psychosocial risk factors.
Stereotypical and prejudicial attitudes towards people considered overweight or obese are documented in professionals ranging from physicians, nurses, fitness and general nutrition professionals, and registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) and may introduce barriers to equitable care. To identify the prevalence of anti-fat attitudes (AFA); fat phobia (FPS); and body appreciation scores (BA) in nutrition and dietetics’ students (ND) and non-nutrition and dietetics’ students (NND) through a cross-sectional design. During 2018, students (n=297) from two California State Universities completed a survey including three validated instruments. Additionally, height, weight, and waist circumference were collected using NHANES procedures. A series of ANCOVA’s and correlation coefficients were computed. Significant differences existed in BA between ND (M=3.61, SD=0.66) and NND students (M=3.81, SD=0.70); t(288) = 2.49, p=0.013. Scores indicated existing anti-fat attitudes and fat phobia. Significant positive correlations existed between FPS and anthropometrics. Weight related perceptions were identified. A need exists for a fundamental evidence-based training specifically focused on knowledge and awareness related to health metrics and social justice pedagogy to help RDN work unbiasedly with patients of all shapes.
Studies have shown that postpartum weight retention is a key contributor to obesity among women. Studies have also shown that resources dedicated to postpartum weight loss are scarce. Weight tracking has been found to help with weight management during pregnancy. However, a postpartum weight-loss tracker (PPWLT) was yet to exist. This article describes the creation and initial impressions of a PPWLT that were collected via focus groups (FG) discussions with WIC participants. Methods: Two FG discussions (English and Spanish) were conducted at a WIC clinic in Southern California. All discussions were audio-recorded for transcription. Transcripts were analyzed using the scissor –and-sort technique. The sample consisted of ten Latina women, with a mean age of 28.7 ± 5.06 years and a mean current Body Mass Index (BMI) of 32.8 ± 7.8. Results: Participants in both FGs expressed a strong interest in the PPWLT and reported a willingness to use the tracker if provided by WIC. The Spanish-speaking group had several specific suggestions to make the instructions easier to understand. Conclusion: We believe that this new innovative tool has the potential to impact a mother’s well-being and give her an opportunity to optimize her health before a subsequent pregnancy.
In this paper, we report on the barriers to engaging rural Latino immigrants in community-engaged research on substance use. There is an urgent need to engage this population, who are at risk for substance use and abuse, in research to reduce health disparities. Methods: Our work involved ethnographic unstructured interviews (n=18), a one-time Community Advisory Board, and focus groups (n=3) with 52 participants in southern California’s Coachella Valley. Results: Through an inductive analysis, we found culture, geography, and social status intersect with community-level factors (e.g., poor infrastructure) in creating barriers preventing Latino immigrants from engaging in substance use research. Conclusions: These findings show that one way to effectively address the needs of rural Latino immigrants is for researchers to develop collaborative partnerships with communities. Developing strong relationships between institutions and vulnerable populations can move us one step closer to alleviating health disparities.
The research aims to inform broader policies about healthy food access by focusing on the overlooked potential of street food vending. To reveal the spatiality and contents of street food vending regulations across Californian cities and counties, we reviewed municipal codes for all 58 counties and 213 cities in California. Recent legislation (SB 946, 2018) mandates that ordinances cannot regulate street food vendors for reasons beyond public health concerns. We found that the majority of California cities and counties are out of compliance and will need to update regulations. The majority of California cities (85% of those reviewed) and counties (75%) include street food vending regulations that go beyond public health rationale and include labor laws and restrictions on time and hours of operation. Previous studies have noted that such restrictions negatively impact the health of street food vendors while also potentially jeopardizing the health vending customers. This research highlights the need for policy change, and notes that broader legalization of street food vending offers a unique opportunity to reassess the associated health benefits reviewed in prior literature.
Latinos, especially children, are disproportionately affected by obesity. Sanos y Fuertes is a community-based, participatory research project that created a culturally resonant, bilingual, healthy lifestyle intervention for Latinos in California. Results of the program for families are presented. Methods: The sample consisted of 390 Latino families with at least one 2 to 8-year-old child. Confidential, self-report, paper-and-pencil surveys and objective anthropometrics were assessed. Paired sample t-tests evaluated changes between baseline-to-follow-up assessments. Results: A significant decrease was observed in children’s percent body fat, but not in adults. Improvements were found in adult knowledge, frequency of food label use and serving MyPlate portions. Adult frequency of breakfast, fruit, and vegetable intake increased, while frequency of sugary beverage intake decreased. Concomitant increases in parent-reported frequencies of children’s intake of breakfast, fruits, and vegetables were observed along with a less frequent intake of sugary beverage. Conclusion: Sanos y Fuertes is a promising, short-term healthy lifestyle education program which may lower obesity risk among Latino families. Replication in a randomized controlled trial is needed to establish its effectiveness among diverse Latino populations.
Although parents are critical to childhood obesity prevention, little is known about Peruvian parents' perceptions regarding childhood obesity, a country undergoing an emerging obesity epidemic. The study assessed Peruvian parents' perceptions regarding their children's obesity risks and behaviors. The specific objectives were to: (a) assess the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents regarding nutrition and physical activity of their preschool-aged children, and (b) assess parents’ ability to recognize overweight status in their children. Methods: The cross-sectional study surveyed 202 parents of preschool children (Mean age= 49.4 months, SD = 8.5) in the peri-urban slum communities of Lima, Peru utilizing a modified version of the Behavior and Attitudes Questionnaire for Healthy Habits (BAQ-HH) questionnaire. Children's body mass index (BMI) was compared with parental descriptions of the child's weight. Results: Nearly half (41.3%) of children had exceeded healthy weight (defined as BMI- for-age Z- score >-2 and £1). Parents demonstrated high knowledge, positive behaviors, and concerned attitudes. Parental knowledge and attitude scores predicted parental behavior scores (p=0.004). More than half (56.6%) accurately perceived their child's weight. However, 90.4% of parents of overweight/obese children underestimated their weight. Conclusions: Understanding Peruvian parents' perceptions of their children's obesity risk is essential to planning comprehensive interventions.
The role of public health leaders in shaping decision- and policymaking remains a critical task that encompasses many qualities. The current report attempts to capture the perspectives about this task from those working in the community in Hawai‘i. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study design. Participants (n=115; 84.3% female; mean age=42.3 [SD = 12.3] years) generated lists of qualities they identified as critical for leadership and developed definitions of a public health leader. Data were coded thematically. Rating differences were subsequently discussed and converged to 100% interrater reliability in thematic ratings. Results: The most often cited theme in the leadership qualities highlighted a more general skill set, including organizational ability, being reliable, and being consistent (N=29, 25.44%). The most cited theme amongst the definitions was the ability to work with others and bring a team together (N=37, 31.09%). Of note are several differences from the literature, including having a community orientation, impact, integrity, and being a strategic thinker. Conclusion: The awareness of these perspectives and ability to integrate this information into one’s personal leadership style may help shape those individuals hoping to lead the field in the future.
Background and Purpose: Activity trackers have grown increasingly popular, yet research grade accelerometers, like Actigraph, are still very expensive and must be worn on the waist. This study correlated the low-cost wrist-worn SQORD band to the Actigraph accelerometer to assess physical activity (PA) in youth from a low-income area. Methods: Forty-one participants (22:19 male:female; mean age= 10.7 years) in an after-school program participated. Participants wore a waist-worn Actigraph accelerometer and a wrist-worn SQORD for seven days. Abdominal, upper and lower body strength and endurance, and aerobic capacity were assessed through FITNESSGRAM tests. Bivariate correlations were used to analyze the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) via the Actigraph and SQORD and to examine relationships between physical fitness and MVPA. Results: At 8- and 10-hour wear-time, compliance with wearing the devices was higher with the SQORD than the Actigraph. A correlation was found between MVPA via SQORD and Actigraph (r=0.651). Neither the SQORD or Actigraph was associated with any fitness measures (r = -0.061; – 0.817). Conclusion: The SQORD appears to be successful in tracking MVPA in youth and was worn more than the Actigraph. Wrist-worn, consumer-grade devices may be a cost-effective alternative to traditional accelerometers for physical education programs and research in low-income populations.
Background and Purpose: Despite growing evidence linking health and the built environment, local health departments are often not involved in the evaluation of a streetscape modification project. This paper describes an assessment conducted by a local health department to address this gap by using a health lens to evaluate the installation of painted curb extensions on a commercial corridor in Los Angeles. Methods: The local health department conducted an observational pre-post study of pedestrian and motorist data at both an intersection receiving the painted curb extension and a comparison intersection along the same corridor that had already received the extension. The study also analyzed streetscape features along the corridor related to walkability, to understand the painted curb extension in the context of the broader built environment. Results: The painted curb extension did not appear to significantly impact pedestrian and motorist behavior, though some slight changes were observed. Pedestrians along the corridor generally exhibited safe behavior at intersections, but encountered dangerous driver behavior and built environment barriers, which can discourage walking. Conclusion: This case study demonstrates how health considerations can be integrated into an evaluation of a streetscape modification project, and can provide guidance for other health practitioners developing such evaluation projects in their own jurisdictions.
Introduction and Background. Physical activity (PA), even at young age, is associated with physical and psychological health. This study determined the feasibility of implementing a parent-led PA intervention and evaluated potential outcomes. Methods. Parent-child pairs from a Head Start center were randomized into intervention (N=20) and control (N=18) groups. All families received a bag of play equipment. Parents completed questionnaires assessing their own and their children’s PA, as well as self-efficacy, social control (SC), and social support (SS) regarding their provision of PA to their children. Parents in the intervention were trained in self-regulatory skills, facilitation of PA, and attended two playdates. Parents rated the playdates, activity sheet and equipment on a 5-point Likert scale. Results. Parents rated the playdates (M=4.9, SD=0.3), the activity sheet (M=4.7, SD=0.7) and the equipment bag (M=5, SD=0.0) highly. Child’s PA, parent’s moderate-to-vigorous PA, total PA, parental efficacy, SC, and SS showed no significant intervention effects. Overall, child and parent PA increased significantly over time (p=.02 for both). Conclusions. The intervention was positively received, with 90% completion rate and high ratings of the intervention materials. Longer interventions with more contact may be needed to influence potential outcomes.
Background and Purpose: Mindful eating approaches encourage paying purposeful attention on purpose to body sensations, thoughts and emotions related to food and eating. The current study examined the impact of Foodie U, a mindful-eating intervention, among elementary school children and their families. Methods: A total of 178 third- through fifth grade children and their parents in rural northern California participated in Foodie U. The quasi-experimental intervention included two parent workshops, six monthly in-class mindful eating lessons and activities, and mindful eating activities to complete at home. Outcomes included food consumption, mindful-eating practices, emotional eating, and cue-elicited food craving among children. Results: T-tests and linear regression results revealed that students who received the intervention reported significantly less intense craving responses, especially among female and Hispanic students. The impact of the intervention on food craving was significant after controlling for gender and ethnicity. Fruit consumption significantly increased among intervention students. The mindful eating awareness score significantly increased among female intervention students. Conclusions: Foodie U had a positive impact on some food-related behaviors among elementary school-aged students. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of each element of the intervention.
