Self-Regulation Abilities of Low-Income Mothers in Community Based, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program

Diet is strongly associated with many risk factors for chronic disease. Educational programs such as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) are designed to improve dietary behaviors among low-income populations. Although EFNEP has seen improvements, they are not yet up to recommendations. Previous studies have been successful in eliciting behavior change when improving self-regulation in conjunction with dietary education. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine self-regulation in EFNEP participants and its relationship to participants change in dietary behavior. All participants were currently enrolled in an EFNEP program and were asked to complete an additional self-regulation survey. This survey included five questions, which were averaged to assess overall self-regulation capacity on the first and last day of the program. On average, the participants started and ended with low self-regulation capacity. There was also minimal change in dietary behaviors, similar to previous studies. From these results, we can conclude that providing training in self-regulation may be necessary to improve the particpiants\u27 dietary behaviors

Affective and Motivational Responses to 3D Body Imaging

Common body weight and composition testing has been shown to impact emotional, motivational, and behavioral responses. Three-dimensional body imaging is a relatively new technology to be utilized in medical and fitness settings to provide detailed body image feedback to the patient or client, while encouraging motivation to control body weight, fat, and shape. However, such responses to 3D body imaging have not been examined. To examine the acute affective and motivational responses to 3D body imaging (Fit3D) in a sample of college-aged women (N = 32), classified as either normal weight (NW; n = 13) or overweight/obese (OWOB; n = 19). Positive and negative affect were assessed with the Positive (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) Schedule (PANAS; range: 1-5), and one item assessed motivation to lose weight (range: 1-10). These variables were assessed immediately before and after a single 3D body imaging session. Participants had 1-minute to examine their 3D body scan, and then continued to examine their scan during all post-measures. Overall, PA did not change pre- to post-scan (3.11 ± .98 to 3.18 ± 1.07, p \u3e .05), nor did NA (1.52 ± .58 to 1.63 ± .89, p \u3e .05). In addition, there was not a time by BMI (NW versus OWOB) interaction for both PA and NA. Overall, motivation to lose weight slightly increased (6.41 ± 2.78 to 7.09 ± 2.75, p = .001). There was not an interaction of time by BMI, with both groups increasing over time. However, there was a between-subjects effect with OWOB holding higher pre-motivation to lose weight than NW participants (7.63 versus 4.62, respectively; p \u3c .01). Within the present sample of college-aged women, a 3D body image scanning session did not appear impact PA or NA responses, but did produce a slight increase in motivation to lose body weight in participants classified as NW or OWOB. This research provides foundational insight to future research and the use of this novel technology for health behavior change in fitness and clinical settings

Effects of a 3D Body Imaging Trigger on Self-Perceived Attractiveness, Self-conscious Emotions and Coping

Novel technologies currently being utilized in fitness and clinical settings, such as 3D body scans, are proposed to act as a trigger or spark for weight control behavior. However, other weight-related triggers in women have been shown to produce variation in emotional and weight control responses, and there is limited research on their impact. The purpose of the study was to examine the acute effect of 3D body imaging system (Fit3D) on self-conscious emotions (guilt, shame, pride) and body weight-related coping in a sample of college-aged women (N = 30) classified as normal weight (NW, n = 12) or overweight/obese (OWOB, n = 18). To this end, the Body and Appearance-related Self-conscious Emotions Scale (BASES; range: 1-5) and the WEIGHTCOPE (range: 1-7) were used to assess self-conscious emotions and intention to utilize 10 different weight-related coping strategies following a single 3D body scanning session. Body fat percentage (BF%) was assessed via Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Following the 3D scan, participants experienced low to moderate feelings of guilt (3.18 ± .99), shame (2.67 ± 1.05), authentic pride (2.68 ± .96), and hubristic pride (2.49 ± .87). Significant differences (p \u3c .05) were found between participants classified as NW or OWOB, respectively, in shame (2.11 ± .76 vs. 3.05 ± 1.07), guilt (2.82 ± .85 vs. 3.43 ± 1.02), and authentic pride (3.10 ± .78 vs. 2.39 ± .98). Increasing physical activity and self-regulation, eating healthier, and positively reframing the situation were the highest rated coping responses (M = 5.23 to 6.25). Differences were found between BMI groups for intention to cope by suppressing appetite (NW = 2.68 ± 1.05, OWOB = 3.56 ± 1.02; t = 2.24, p \u3c .05), supplement use (NW = 1.14 ± .22, OWOB = 1.85 ± 1.28; t = 2.30, p \u3c .05), and a trend for camouflaging body (NW = 2.70 ± .51, OWOB = 3.14 ± .99, t = 1.57, p = .06). Feelings of shame were correlated with intention to camouflage body (r = .46, p = .01), while authentic pride trended toward a negative correlation with suppressing appetite (r = -.31), camouflaging (r = -.35), and supplement use (-.34). In conclusion, an acute 3D body image scan session was shown to produce variation in self-conscious emotions (shame, guilt, and pride) and coping choices between NW and OWOB participants. These individual differences should be taken into consideration to better accommodate healthy behavior change following 3D imaging use

Physician Assistant Students’ Perceptions of the Fitness Industry and Lifestyle Medicine

With nearly two-thirds of all chronic disease having a lifestyle cause, there is spurred interest in curricular changes for Physician Assistants (PA) and other medical providers to learn Lifestyle Medicine (LM) - the therapeutic use of lifestyle changes to prevent, treat and reverse disease. A key competency in LM practice involves an interdisciplinary approach, including aid from fitness professionals. Yet, perceptions of the fitness industry might hinder such a relationship. PURPOSE: To assess PA students\u27 knowledge of LM and perceptions of the fitness industry, to guide curriculum implementation efforts. METHODS: An online survey was advertised to all PA students at Baylor College of Medicine. Students’ competence in assessing and prescribing physical activity and diet, knowledge of LM, current curriculum time spent on LM, and desire to learn more about LM were assessed. Students were also asked to share their attitude of both health clubs and personal trainers, alongside referral perceptions. RESULTS: 76 (84%) of students (25.57 ± 4.86 years; 22.77 ± 4.20 kg/m2) completed the survey, self-reporting moderate competence (range: 1-6) in conducting a physical exam to approve an exercise program (4.22 ± 1.22), determining caloric and nutritional needs (3.80 ± 1.34), and designing an exercise prescription (3.57 ± 1.35). However, only 18%, 6%, and 6% self-rated full competence in each, respectively. 31% of students had heard of the discipline of LM, with 43% self-reporting inadequate or poor knowledge. 0% felt they spent enough time on LM in their program, and 78% rated their time spent on LM was either poor or inadequate. Yet, 100% wanted to learn more. Perceptions of health clubs and personal trainers were positive (8.16 ± 1.68; range: 1-10), with them being appropriate exercise venues for patients (7.78 ± 1.76). However, only 6% - 16% believed that health clubs and personal trainers were fully qualified, effective, smart, and concerned about patient health. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the role of lifestyle on chronic disease, PA students had limited competence and knowledge in LM, but held a unanimous desire for more in their educational training. Perceptions of the fitness industry were generally positive; yet educational efforts might be needed to encourage a team-approach to chronic disease care

Association between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Glycemic Markers in Ghanaian Women of Reproductive Age: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study

Low magnesium intake has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in several studies conducted in high-income countries. However, very few studies have been performed in Africa, where many countries have a growing rate of T2DM. We conducted a pilot cross-sectional study among 63 women in Ghana to investigate the association between magnesium intake and glycemic markers. We assessed dietary magnesium using a food frequency questionnaire and glycemic markers using fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Our findings showed that the mean magnesium intake was 200 ± 116 mg/day. The prevalence of T2DM was 5% by measuring fasting blood glucose and 8% by measuring HbA1c. Unadjusted linear regression models revealed that higher magnesium intake significantly predicted higher fasting blood glucose levels (β = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.55; p = 0.01) and HbA1c levels (β = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.51; p = 0.04). In adjusted analyses, magnesium intake was no longer significantly associated with either fasting blood glucose levels (β = 0.22; 95% CI: −0.03, 0.46; p = 0.08) or HbA1c levels (β = 0.15; 95% CI: −0.08, 0.39; p = 0.20). In conclusion, our study did not show a significant association between magnesium intake and glycemic markers in women of reproductive age in Ghana. The results of this study need to be further substantiated because this was the first study to examine magnesium intake and glycemic markers in this population in Africa

Complexities of the Body Weight Screening Experience: A Qualitative Analysis

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and NIH emphasize the use of weight-related screenings as a means to increase motivation of overweight/obese individuals to manage body weight. Yet, little is known about individual responses to receiving such screenings, which could inform future research. PURPOSE: To examine the acute, qualitative responses to a common body weight and composition screening in a sample of women classified as ‘overfat’ by a validated body fat percentage (BF%) cutoff. METHODS: Of 14 volunteers responding to a study ad assessing personal experience to a weight screening, 10 women (30.21 ± 16.64 years; 39.39% ± 6.60%; 28.25 ± 6.15 kg/m2) were classified as ‘overfat’. Following DEXA testing, participants were provided with their weight and composition results, and then given 1-minute to evaluate. Participants were asked a series of questions guided by qualitative description regarding their experience. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed with open and axial coding to identify recurring themes. RESULTS: Five themes, represented here as internalized questions, emerged to summarize the individual experience: (1) Is this a threat to me? (2) Why is this a threat? (3) How does this make me feel? (4) Am I motivated? (5) What am I motivated to do? Theoretically, the results support a novel confluence of self-regulation and coping theories, where a weight-related discrepancy produced by the screening triggered perceptions of threat to self, including the appraisal of what is at stake during a stressful encounter (self-esteem, survival/health, sex/attractiveness, social status, family, physical functioning), which guided the appraisal process. Subsequently, emotional and motivational responses varied, as did coping choices (physical activity, healthy/unhealthy dietary changes, heightened self-regulation, seeking social support). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the use of screenings to heighten awareness to one’s body weight, yet highlight the complexity of individuals’ responses and importance of ‘appraisal stakes’. This study challenges the belief that screenings always trigger healthy, weight control efforts, while highlighting difficulties and potential bias in recruiting overweight women to volunteer for such screenings

Five insights from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 provides a rules-based synthesis of the available evidence on levels and trends in health outcomes, a diverse set of risk factors, and health system responses. GBD 2019 covered 204 countries and territories, as well as first administrative level disaggregations for 22 countries, from 1990 to 2019. Because GBD is highly standardised and comprehensive, spanning both fatal and non-fatal outcomes, and uses a mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive list of hierarchical disease and injury causes, the study provides a powerful basis for detailed and broad insights on global health trends and emerging challenges. GBD 2019 incorporates data from 281 586 sources and provides more than 3·5 billion estimates of health outcome and health system measures of interest for global, national, and subnational policy dialogue. All GBD estimates are publicly available and adhere to the Guidelines on Accurate and Transparent Health Estimate Reporting. From this vast amount of information, five key insights that are important for health, social, and economic development strategies have been distilled. These insights are subject to the many limitations outlined in each of the component GBD capstone papers

The wide-field, multiplexed, spectroscopic facility WEAVE: Survey design, overview, and simulated implementation

WEAVE, the new wide-field, massively multiplexed spectroscopic survey facility for the William Herschel Telescope, will see first light in late 2022. WEAVE comprises a new 2-degree field-of-view prime-focus corrector system, a nearly 1000-multiplex fibre positioner, 20 individually deployable 'mini' integral field units (IFUs), and a single large IFU. These fibre systems feed a dual-beam spectrograph covering the wavelength range 366$-$959\,nm at $R\sim5000$, or two shorter ranges at $R\sim20\,000$. After summarising the design and implementation of WEAVE and its data systems, we present the organisation, science drivers and design of a five- to seven-year programme of eight individual surveys to: (i) study our Galaxy's origins by completing Gaia's phase-space information, providing metallicities to its limiting magnitude for $\sim$3 million stars and detailed abundances for $\sim1.5$ million brighter field and open-cluster stars; (ii) survey $\sim0.4$ million Galactic-plane OBA stars, young stellar objects and nearby gas to understand the evolution of young stars and their environments; (iii) perform an extensive spectral survey of white dwarfs; (iv) survey $\sim400$ neutral-hydrogen-selected galaxies with the IFUs; (v) study properties and kinematics of stellar populations and ionised gas in $z<0.5$ cluster galaxies; (vi) survey stellar populations and kinematics in $\sim25\,000$ field galaxies at $0.3\lesssim z \lesssim 0.7$; (vii) study the cosmic evolution of accretion and star formation using $>1$ million spectra of LOFAR-selected radio sources; (viii) trace structures using intergalactic/circumgalactic gas at $z>2$. Finally, we describe the WEAVE Operational Rehearsals using the WEAVE Simulator.Comment: 41 pages, 27 figures, accepted for publication by MNRA