Second-Hand Smoke in a University Campus: Attitudes and Perceptions of Faculty, Staff and Students

Purpose: To examine the attitudes and perceptions of faculty, staff and students concerning tobacco policies at a university campus in a tobacco producing state. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to faculty, staff and students to assess knowledge, attitudes and beliefs related to smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke on campus. A 3-wave e-mailing was used to send the questionnaire. Results: A total of 2,914 individuals responded to the questionnaire. Majority (60%) of the participants believed a smoke free policy would be a positive move and could possibly improve the quality of life for the campus community, while not negatively affecting student enrollment status. Conclusion: Implementing a smoke free policy in university campuses in North America could be acceptable to faculty, staff and students and is unlikely to reduce students enrolment. Our findings have the potential to support efforts to implement smoke free policies on university campuses in North America

The Effects of Yoga on Adults with Type II Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine the effects of yoga for glycemic control among adults with type II diabetes (T2DM). Methods: Comprehensive electronic databases searches located 2,559 unique studies with relevant key terms. Studies were included if they a) evaluated a yoga intervention to promote T2DM management, b) used an objective measure to assess glycemic control at post-intervention, and c) had follow-up length or post-test of at least 8 weeks from baseline. Studies were excluded if yoga was not the primary intervention focus (e.g., if yoga was part of a mindfulness-based intervention). Independent raters coded participant, design and methodological characteristics and intervention content. Weighted mean effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: Total 23 studies with 2,473 participants (M age = 53 years; 43% women) met eligibility criteria. Most studies (18) were conducted in India; 2 were conducted in England, 1 in Cuba, 1 in Indonesia, and 1 in Iran. Compared with controls, yoga participants were successful in improving their HbA1c (d+ = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.18, 0.55; k = 14), fasting blood glucose (d+ = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.38, 0.76; k = 19), postprandial blood glucose (d+ = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.17, 0.41; k = 11). Yoga was also associated with significant improvements in lipid profile, blood pressure, body mass index and waist/hip ratio. Overall, studies satisfied an average of 41% of the methodological quality (MQ) criteria; however, MQ score was not associated with any outcome (ps \u3e.05). Conclusion: Yoga improved glycemic outcomes and other risk factors for complications in adults with T2DM relative to a control condition. Additional studies with longer follow-ups are needed to determine the long-term efficacy of yoga for adults with T2DM

Community Research Innovative Scholars Program (CRISP) Panel Discussion

Moderators and Presenters: Lorraine S. Cordeiro, U Massachusetts Amherst, Christopher Denning, U Massachusetts Boston, Herpreet Thind, U Massachusetts Lowell, Rachel Kulick, U Massachusetts Dartmouth Session Description: The inaugural Community Research Innovative Scholars will present their perspectives regarding key issues, opportunities and/or challenges regarding community-engaged research. The scholarship of engagement provides opportunities to promote the development of human capital, in the classroom, within communities, in academia, and within the profession. Scholars will discuss the knowledge generation, economic, social and educational impact of their work on their universities and communities. Innovative engagement practices, strategies to address health and educational disparities, and scholarship impacts will be discussed in this panel

Tweeting it off: characteristics of adults who tweet about a weight loss attempt

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe adults who use Twitter during a weight loss attempt and to compare the positive and negative social influences they experience from their offline friends, online friends, and family members. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants (N=100, 80% female, mean age=37.65, SD=8.42) were recruited from Twitter. They completed a brief survey about their experiences discussing their weight loss attempt with their online and offline friends and provided responses to open-ended questions on the benefits and drawbacks of discussing weight on Twitter, Facebook, and weight-specific social networks. RESULTS: Participants rated their connections on Twitter and weight loss-specific social networks to be significantly greater sources of positive social influence for their weight loss (F(3)=3.47; p \u3c 0.001) and significantly lesser sources of negative social influence (F(3)=40.39 and F(3)=33.68 (both p \u3c 0.001)) than their offline friends, family, and Facebook friends. Greater positive social influence from Twitter and Facebook friends was associated with greater weight loss in participants\u27 most recent weight loss attempt (r=0.30, r=0.32; p \u3c 0.01). The most commonly reported benefits of tweeting about weight loss include social support, information, and accountability. The most common drawbacks reported are that interactions were too brief and lacked personal connection. DISCUSSION: People who discuss their weight loss on Twitter report more social support and less negativity from their Twitter friends than their Facebook friends and in-person relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Online social networks should be explored as a tool for connecting patients who lack weight loss social support from their in-person relationships. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions