Effects of Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later. Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses. Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and were asked to make the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the control group attended educational classes with patients. It was theorized that “two persons would be better than one” at making changes and sticking with them long-term. Physical activity behavior was measured using the Actiheart accelerometer; the activity biomarker was an exercise tolerance test. Eating behavior was measured using 3-day food records; the biomarker was the lipid profile. Data were collected at baseline (entrance in CR), 3-months (post-CR), and 6-months. Changes over time were examined using Mann-Whitney U statistics and effect sizes. Results—The PaTH intervention was successful primarily in demonstrating improved trends in healthy eating behavior for patients and spouses. No differences were found between the PaTH and UC patients or spouses at 3 or 6 months in the number of minutes/week of physical activity. By 6 months, patients in both groups were, on average, below the national guidelines for PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week at \u3e 3 METs). Conclusions—The couple-focused PaTH intervention demonstrated promise in offsetting the decline in dietary adherence typically seen 6 months after CR

Effects of Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention on Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Pilot Study

Background—Despite proven efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in helping patients initiate physical activity and healthy eating changes, less than 50% of CR participants maintain changes 6 months later. Objective—The objective of this feasibility study was to test the Partners Together in Health (PaTH) Intervention versus usual care (UC) in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients and spouses. Methods—An experimental, two-group (n = 17 couples/group), repeated measures design was used. CABG patients in both groups participated in Phase II outpatient CR. Spouses in the PaTH group attended CR with the patient and were asked to make the same physical activity and healthy eating changes as patients. Spouses in the control group attended educational classes with patients. It was theorized that “two persons would be better than one” at making changes and sticking with them long-term. Physical activity behavior was measured using the Actiheart accelerometer; the activity biomarker was an exercise tolerance test. Eating behavior was measured using 3-day food records; the biomarker was the lipid profile. Data were collected at baseline (entrance in CR), 3-months (post-CR), and 6-months. Changes over time were examined using Mann-Whitney U statistics and effect sizes. Results—The PaTH intervention was successful primarily in demonstrating improved trends in healthy eating behavior for patients and spouses. No differences were found between the PaTH and UC patients or spouses at 3 or 6 months in the number of minutes/week of physical activity. By 6 months, patients in both groups were, on average, below the national guidelines for PA recommendations (≥ 150 min/week at \u3e 3 METs). Conclusions—The couple-focused PaTH intervention demonstrated promise in offsetting the decline in dietary adherence typically seen 6 months after CR

Consumption & Attitudes about Whole Grain Foods of UNL Students Who Dine in a Campus Cafeteria

Strong, research-based evidence indicates the consumption of whole grains lowers the risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, along with aiding weight regulation. Consequently, the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) placed an increased emphasis on whole grains in the American diet. It is recommended that at least one-half of the grains in a daily diet, or approximately 3 one-ounce servings, should be whole grain. The hypothesis of this research was that students eating in campus dining centers do not meet this recommendation, making intervention necessary. Subjects (n=205) were self-selected diners at Selleck Dining Center on the University of Nebraska – Lincoln campus. Participants completed a one-page survey addressing attitude toward, consumption level of, knowledge of, and preferences for whole grain products. Results indicated a total of 86% of students reported eating whole grains, however, only 36% of those students reported average consumption levels at or above the recommended 3 ounces per day. Knowledge questions indicated that those participants reporting 3 or more servings of whole grain per day did not have a clear understanding of how to identify whole grains thus indicating their reported intakes were likely overestimated. Campus dining centers have the opportunity to be pivotal in increasing whole grain consumption among their users. Suggested appropriate intervention by dining center staff includes education on whole grain benefits, placement of identifiable markers for whole grain products, and offering a wider selection of whole grain products

Correlation of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intakes with Acculturation and Socioeconomic Status in Midwestern Latinas

Background: Low socioeconomic status (SES) and acculturation of Latino immigrants in the U.S. are linked to a decrease in diet quality. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 162 first-generation Latinas to examine the association of SES and acculturation with intake of omega-3 (n − 3) fatty acids. Each participant provided dietary intake by use of a validated n − 3 food frequency questionnaire administered twice, 4 weeks apart, three 24-h recalls, sociodemographic information and completed the 5-item Short Acculturation Scale. Results: Mean intakes of Total n − 3, α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (g/d) were 1.2 ± 0.7, 1.1 ± 0.6, and 0.1 ± 0.1, respectively. After adjusting for energy intake, education was significantly correlated with EPA + DHA intakes, and acculturation was significantly correlated with Total n − 3, ALA and EPA + DHA intakes. Foods sources of EPA + DHA eaten by at least 50% of participants were chicken, shrimp, tuna and eggs. Discussion: Given the beneficial cardiovascular effects of n − 3 fatty acids, it is important to understand sociocultural factors affecting adequate intake towards an improvement in diet quality in minorities

Validity and Reliability of an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Food Frequency Questionnaire for First-Generation Midwestern Latinas

This study tested the hypothesis that a culturally developed omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) could be an accurate instrument to capture n-3 fatty acid food intakes of first-generation Midwestern Latinas. The goal of the study was to assess validity and test-retest reliability of an FFQ to estimate total n-3 fatty acid (total n-3), α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intakes. An n-3 FFQ was developed and pilot tested. Two FFQs and 3 nonconsecutive 24-hour recalls were collected from 162 participants. Pearson correlation and paired t test were used to test the hypothesis. Correlation of the 2 FFQs was 0.71 for total n-3, 0.65 for ALA, 0.74 for EPA, and 0.54 for DHA (P \u3c .01). The means of the 2 FFQs and of the 24-hour recalls were not significantly different for total n-3 and ALA (P \u3e .05), but were significantly different for EPA and DHA. The n-3 FFQ had acceptable reliability, validated only total n-3 and ALA, and provided relevant findings about the n-3 eating habits of Midwestern Latina

Independent Study Course for Child Caregivers

Welcome to The Independent Study Course for Child Caregivers. Learning about children and ourselves is a lifelong process. Hopefully, you are planning to learn as much as you can for as long as you live. Some of the material in this book may be very familiar to you. This independent study course will help reinforce what you already know, encourage you to continue good practices and give you new knowledge. This independent study course is designed to be used by Nebraska child caregivers to obtain training hours that will meet the standards of annual inservice requirements of the Nebraska Department of Social Services and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. Eleven clock hours of training are offered through this course. The subject matter is designed for directors and staff members in child care centers but is suitable for family child caregivers. Chapters: Nutrition Food preparation and the USDA meal pattern requirements Mealtime behavior: The feeding relationship Food safety The caregiver Establishing and maintaining a healthy learning environment Establishing and maintaining a safe learning environment How children ages three to five grow and learn How to select activities that are developmentally appropriate Children with special needs Guidance and discipline Evaluation sheets and instructions for mailin