Vitamin B 12 and Folate status of older New Zealand women

The primary aim of this study was to assess the biochemical vitamin B 12 and folate status of a representative group of elderly women (70-80 y) living in Dunedin, New Zealand. A second aim was to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and to explore the determinants of homocysteine (hcy) concentration in this population. A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and August of 2000. Two hundred and fifty women were randomly selected from the 1998 electoral roll. Fasting blood samples were analysed for folate, vitamin B 12 , total hcy, creatinine, and haematological parameters. Of the women selected, 87 did not respond, 37 were not traceable, 23 were not eligible or had died, and 103 agreed to participate. The overall response rate was 46%. Based on a cut-off of 150 pmol/L for serum B 12 , 13 % of participants would be classified as having sub-optimal vitamin B 12 status. Of the women, 3 and 5 %, respectively, had low serum (<6.6 nmol/L) and erythrocyte folate (<317 nmol/L) concentrations. No participant had megaloblastic anaemia. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia (>15 µmol/L) in this population was 18%. Hyperhomocysteinaemia in this group may be partly explained by renal insufficiency because there was a significant association between serum creatinine and plasma hcy (P<0.001). Blood folate levels but not serum B 12 were significantly inversely associated with hcy. In conclusion, there was a moderately high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and suboptimal plasma vitamin B 12 concentrations but not low blood folate concentrations in this elderly female population

Vitamin B12 and folate status of older New Zealand women.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the biochemical vitamin B12 and folate status of a representative group of elderly women (70-80 y) living in Dunedin, New Zealand. A second aim was to determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and to explore the determinants of homocysteine (hcy) concentration in this population. A cross-sectional study was carried out between June and August of 2000. Two hundred and fifty women were randomly selected from the 1998 electoral roll. Fasting blood samples were analysed for folate, vitamin B12, total hcy, creatinine, and haematological parameters. Of the women selected, 87 did not respond, 37 were not traceable, 23 were not eligible or had died, and 103 agreed to participate. The overall response rate was 46%. Based on a cut-off of 150 pmol/L for serum B12, 13% of participants would be classified as having sub-optimal vitamin B12 status. Of the women, 3 and 5%, respectively, had low serum ( 15 mumol/L) in this population was 18%. Hyperhomocysteinaemia in this group may be partly explained by renal insufficiency because there was a significant association between serum creatinine and plasma hcy (P < 0.001). Blood folate levels but not serum B12 were significantly inversely associated with hcy. In conclusion, there was a moderately high prevalence of hyperhomocysteinaemia and suboptimal plasma vitamin B12 concentrations but not low blood folate concentrations in this elderly female population

Learning to eat intuitively: A qualitative exploration of the experience of mid-age women

Qualitative studies examining women’s experiences of learning to eat more intuitively are scarce. We aimed to explore the experience of learning intuitive eating among mid-age women ( n  = 11) who participated in a web-based intuitive eating programme. Motivation to learn intuitive eating, perceptions of the experience of attempting to eat more intuitively, and facilitators and barriers to intuitive eating were explored using inductive thematic analysis. Findings suggest that women were able to learn to eat more intuitively; however, they encountered social and environmental barriers, and the ‘unconditional permission to eat’ aspect of intuitive eating was experienced as the most challenging

Food Outlet Accessibility and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Purpose: To examine if spatial access to healthy and unhealthy outlets comprising the local food environment was associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Population-based sample residing in Hawaii. Subjects . Three hundred and eighty-four adults (36% Asian-American, 33% non-Hispanic white, 31% other/mixed race). Measures: A spatial model of the local food environment was constructed using radial buffers extending from participants' place of residence. Fruit and vegetable intake was estimated using the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable All-Day Screener. Analysis: Mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were compared for spatial access to total, healthy, and unhealthy food outlets at distances of .5 to 3.5 km. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate differences in fruit and vegetable intake for residing further from a food outlet or for residing in an area with a greater number of food outlets. Results: Residing in an area with a greater density of total or healthy food outlets was associated with a higher mean intake of fruits and vegetables (p < .05) at .5 km. No differences in mean intakes were detected for distances beyond .5 km or for regression models. Conclusion: Findings suggest that greater spatial accessibility to food outlets comprising the local food environment in Hawaii may not be meaningfully associated with fruit and vegetable consumption; however, associations were detected for the smallest spatial scale examined, warranting further investigation

A research agenda to examine the efficacy and relevance of the Transtheoretical Model for physical activity behavior

Regular physical activity (PA) decreases the risk of several chronic diseases including some cancers, type II diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease; however, the majority of US adults are not meeting the recommended levels to experience these benefits. To address this public health concern, the underlying mechanisms for behavior change need to be understood, translated and disseminated into appropriately tailored interventions. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) provides a framework for both the conceptualization and measurement of behavior change, as well as facilitating promotion strategies that are individualized and easily adapted. The purpose of this manuscript is to present the constructs of the TTM as they relate to PA behavior change. We begin with a brief synopsis of recent examinations of the TTM constructs and their application. Subsequent to its introduction, we specifically present the TTM within the PA context and discuss its application and usefulness to researchers and practitioners. Criticisms of the TTM are also noted and presented as opportunities for future research to enhance the valid application of the TTM. We offer general study design recommendations to appropriately test the hypothesized relationships within the model. With further examinations using appropriate study design and statistical analyses, we believe the TTM has the potential to advance the public health impact of future PA promotion interventions