The role of attitude, control and intention to explain fruit and vegetable intake among racial/ethnic minority women with low socioeconomic status

OBJECTIVE: Fruit and Vegetable (FV) intake-a modi able risk factor for chronic diseases-is lower among racial/ethnic minorities and low Socio- Economic Status (SES) groups when compared to other populations. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one theoretical model studied to explain and in uence individual health behaviors, including FV intake, in middle class populations, but not exclusively in diverse, low SES groups. This cross-sectional study evaluated the utility of select TPB variables to explain intention to consume and intake of FV in this population. DESIGN: Demographics, BMI, select TPB variables, and FV intake were measured via survey. Bivariate analyses were conducted to explore relationships between variables. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to t two models: one to explain intention and one to explain behavior with regard to FV vegetable intake. RESULTS: Participants (n=114) age 25-69 years and were mostly African American/Black and Hispanic (21.9% and 73%, respectively). The TPB variable perceived behavioral control was the only signi cant predictor of intention to consume FV (OR=2.55, 95% CI OR: 1.23, 5.27), and with BMI, FV intake (R2=0.08; F [2,130] =5.72, p=0.0042). CONCLUSION: Perceived behavioral control and BMI are the most signi cant predictors of FV intake but explain only 8% of the variability in intake in our cohort. Our results support prior research which suggests an attenuation of the intention-behavior relationship by SES, and may question the utility of the TPB as it is currently operationalized as a foundational model for future health behavior change research and programs in low SES racial/ethnic minorities

Pilot and feasibility test of an implementation intention intervention to improve fruit and vegetable intake among women with low socioeconomic status

Fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), a modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases, is lower in low socioeconomic status (SES) populations. Implementation intentions (a specific type of planning that extends the Theory of Planned Behavior) has been studied to improve FVI, but not exclusively with low SES groups. Using mixed methods, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an implementation intention intervention (versus a general plan) to increase FVI in women with low SES. For the pilot randomized controlled trial, demographics, body mass index, attitude, perceived behavioral control, goal intention strength, and FVI were measured at baseline and FVI again 1-month following the intervention. Feasibility data were collected for recruitment, randomization, retention, and assessment procedures and compared to predetermined targets. Semi-structured interview data was analyzed for emergent themes regarding acceptability of the trial. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention to improve FVI was analyzed descriptively. Feasibility targets were met for randomization (100% vs. ≥80% target), retention (93.5% vs. ≥70% target) and the assessment metrics missing data points (2% vs. ≤10% target) and days from intervention to follow up (mean=69.2, sd=42.6 vs.days). Targets for recruitment were not met with the exception of participants giving informed consent (100% vs. ≥70% target). Participants described the intervention as enjoyable and reported behavioral constructs outside of those measured as important to improve FVI. Limited efficacy analysis suggested that both groups increased their FVI (experimental: +0.17 servings per day, 95% CI: -0.85, 1.20; control: +0.50 servings per day, 95% CI: -0.56, 1.58). Further research which examines interventions based upon behavior change models to improve dietary health behaviors in marginalized groups is needed

Theory of Planned Behavior and implementation intentions to improve fruit and vegetable intake in women of low socioeconomic status

Fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) is an important modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases. Low socioeconomic status (SES) populations demonstrate lower FVI and higher rates of chronic diseases than higher SES groups. Theory-based models and interventions like the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and implementation intentions (II) have been used effectively to explain and influence health behaviors, including FVI, in middle class populations, but have not been evaluated in exclusively low SES populations. This research investigates the efficacy, feasibility and acceptability of the TPB and an II intervention to explain and influence FVI in women of low SES.Participants: Adult female residents of Boston Public Housing developments. TPB constructs and FVI were measuredvia survey. We conducted pilot and feasibility randomized controlled and one-group II intervention studies (n=31) to promote FVI and a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interview data (n=8) to evaluate intervention efficacy, feasibility and acceptability.Intervention and control groups did not increase FVI (intervention + 0.26 servings per day, t(17)=0.73,p=0.476; control +0.50 servings per day, t(9)=1.07,p=0.3111) and no difference in FVI between groups t(26)=0.40,p=0.6934). Feasibility goals were met for randomization (100%vs ≥80%), retention(93.5%vs ≥70%), missing data (2%vs <10%), days to follow up (mean=69.27±42.67 vs <180 days), and not for recruitment(38.1% vs≥70%). Interviewed participants characterized the intervention as “beneficial”, and reported autonomy, positive regard and having support facilitated dietary behavior change. Overall, our analysis of an II intervention suggests that simply intervening on TPB variables may not be enough to change dietary behavior and, although acceptable, participants reported constructs not included in the TPB as facilitators of dietary behavior change. Future research is needed to determine how/if the TPB and II can be used as a theoretical foundation and intervention to describe and influence dietary behavior change in women of low SES

Pilot and Feasibility Test of an Implementation Intention Intervention to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Women with Low Socioeconomic Status

Fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), a modifiable risk factor for chronic diseases, is lower in low socioeconomic status (SES) populations. Implementation intentions (a specific type of planning that extends the Theory of Planned Behavior) has been studied to improve FVI, but not exclusively with low SES groups. Using mixed methods, we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of an implementation intention intervention (versus a general plan) to increase FVI in women with low SES. For the pilot randomized controlled trial, demographics, body mass index, attitude, perceived behavioral control, goal intention strength, and FVI were measured at baseline and FVI again 1-month following the intervention. Feasibility data were collected for recruitment, randomization, retention, and assessment procedures and compared to predetermined targets. Semi-structured interview data was analyzed for emergent themes regarding acceptability of the trial. Preliminary efficacy of the intervention to improve FVI was analyzed descriptively. Feasibility targets were met for randomization (100% vs. ≥80% target), retention (93.5% vs. ≥70% target) and the assessment metrics missing data points (2% vs. ≤10% target) and days from intervention to follow up (mean=69.2, sd=42.6 vs.days). Targets for recruitment were not met with the exception of participants giving informed consent (100% vs. ≥70% target). Participants described the intervention as enjoyable and reported behavioral constructs outside of those measured as important to improve FVI. Limited efficacy analysis suggested that both groups increased their FVI (experimental: +0.17 servings per day, 95% CI: -0.85, 1.20; control: +0.50 servings per day, 95% CI: -0.56, 1.58). Further research which examines interventions based upon behavior change models to improve dietary health behaviors in marginalized groups is needed

The effect of a weight gain prevention intervention on moderate-vigorous physical activity among black women: the Shape Program

Background: Rates of physical inactivity are high among Black women living in the United States with overweight or obesity, especially those living in the rural South. This study was conducted to determine if an efficacious weight gain prevention intervention increased moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Methods: The Shape Program, a weight gain prevention intervention implemented in community health centers in rural North Carolina, was designed for socioeconomically disadvantaged Black women with overweight or obesity. MVPA was measured using accelerometers, and summarized into 1- and 10-min bouts. We employed analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) to assess the relationship between changes in MVPA over 12 months, calculated as a change score, and intervention assignment (intervention versus usual care). Results: Participants completing both baseline and 12-month accelerometer assessments (n = 121) had a mean age of 36.1 (SD = 5.43) years and a mean body mass index of 30.24 kg/m2 (SD = 2.60). At baseline, 38% met the physical activity recommendation (150 min of MVPA/week) when assessed using 10-min bouts, and 76% met the recommendation when assessed using 1-min bouts. There were no significant differences in change in MVPA participation among participants randomized to the intervention from baseline to 12-months using 1-min bouts (adjusted intervention mean [95% CI]: 20.50 [−109.09 to 150.10] vs. adjusted usual care mean [95% CI]: -80.04 [−209.21 to 49.13], P = .29), or 10-min bouts (adjusted intervention mean [95% CI]: 7.39 [−83.57 to 98.35] vs. adjusted usual care mean [95% CI]: -17.26 [−107.93 to 73.40], P = .70). Conclusions: Although prior research determined that the Shape intervention promoted weight gain prevention, MVPA did not increase significantly among intervention participants from baseline to 12 months. The classification of bouts had a marked effect on the prevalence estimates of those meeting physical activity recommendations. More research is needed to understand how to promote increased MVPA in weight gain prevention interventions

An Unusual Cause of Dementia: Essential Diagnostic Elements of Corticobasal Degeneration—A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is an uncommon, sporadic, neurodegenerative disorder of mid- to late-adult life. We describe a further example of the pathologic heterogeneity of this condition. A 71-year-old woman initially presented dysarthria, clumsiness, progressive asymmetric bradykinesia, and rigidity in left arm. Rigidity gradually involved ipsilateral leg; postural instability with falls, blepharospasm, and dysphagia subsequently developed. She has been previously diagnosed as unresponsive Parkinson's Disease. At our clinical examination, she presented left upper-arm-fixed-dystonia, spasticity in left lower limb and pyramidal signs (Babinski and Hoffmann). Brain MRI showed asymmetric cortical atrophy in the right frontotemporal cortex. Neuropsychological examination showed an impairment in visuospatial functioning, frontal-executive dysfunction, and hemineglect. This case demonstrates that association of asymmetrical focal cortical and subcortical features remains the clinical hallmark of this condition. There are no absolute markers for the clinical diagnosis that is complicated by the variability of presentation involving also cognitive symptoms that are reviewed in the paper. Despite the difficulty of diagnosing CBD, somatosensory evoked potentials, motor evoked potentials, long latency reflexes, and correlations between results on electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) provide further support for a CBD diagnosis. These techniques are also used to identify neurophysiological correlates of the neurological signs of the disease

Tuning an Earthworm phase picker: some considerations on the pick_ew parameters

Although the Earthworm project started with the initial mission of replacing the old real time picker by Rex Allen, as developed by Jim Ellis [Allen, 1978; Allen, 1982; USGS et al., 2010], that picker is still in use in many networks. The name of the procedure that implements the Allen’s algorithm is pick_ew. Despite its long-lived use, configuring this picker still seems not so immediate and easy. We discuss here a few simple rules to define some of the numerous (18) parameters of pick_ew, interpreting their physical meaning

MedNet status report

MedNet is a network of very broadband seismic stations installed in countries bordering the Mediterranean area. The project started in 1987, with a final goal of 12-15 stations and a spacing of about 1000 km between stations. It was motivated both by research interest and by seismic hazard monitoring. The network presently comprises 23 operating stations, all of them equipped with state of the art seismographic stations. Presently, fully automatic network functions include: - daily monitoring of state of health; - data recover after link failures; - triggered retrieval of event waveforms; - update of web pages (http://mednet.ingv.it) for events and station information.PublishedS. Fernando (SPAIN)1.1. TTC - Monitoraggio sismico del territorio nazionaleope

Perturbation theory and the two-level approximation:A corollary and critique

This analysis addresses the use of a two-level approximation to simplify expressions derived from perturbation theory. It is shown that the limitations of validity for the emergent results are more stringent than is commonly understood, being equivalent in effect to the adoption of a more extensive approximation - one that significantly undermines the perturbative origin of those expressions. Effectively truncating the completeness relation, a series of interconnected operator relations comes into play, some with physically untenable consequences. A new theorem on the expectation values of operator functions highlights additional constraints upon any molecule modelled as a two-level system. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Drinking water temperature around the globe: Understanding, policies, challenges and opportunities

Water temperature is often monitored at water sources and treatment works; however, there is limited monitoring of the water temperature in the drinking water distribution system (DWDS), despite a known impact on physical, chemical and microbial reactions which impact water quality. A key parameter influencing drinking water temperature is soil temperature, which is influenced by the urban heat island effects. This paper provides critique and comprehensive summary of the current knowledge, policies and challenges regarding drinking water temperature research and presents the findings from a survey of international stakeholders. Knowledge gaps as well as challenges and opportunities for monitoring and research are identified. The conclusion of the study is that temperature in the DWDS is an emerging concern in various countries regardless of the water source and treatment, climate conditions, or network characteristics such as topology, pipe material or diameter. More research is needed, especially to determine (i) the effect of higher temperatures, (ii) a legislative limit on temperature and (iii) measures to comply with this limit