Parental Perception of Healty Eating and Physical Activity: Results from a Preliminary Photovoice Study

The aim of this study was to explore parental perception of assets and barriers of healthy eating and physical activity among a group of diverse, economically disadvantaged mothers in southeastern USA

Wellness Characteristics and Health Risk Behaviors of Young Adult University Students

The purpose of this study was to examine wellness and health risk behaviors of young adults at a university in the southwest. Nutrition, physical activity, alcohol use, and safe sexual practices are high priority health concerns on college campuses. Health promotion is integral to nursing. Early identification of risky health behaviors allows for the design of campus health interventions. Health behaviors continue to be formed during college and interventions may have a lasting impact on health promotion and disease prevention. This study added to the research on demographic factors impacting wellness. A correlation between BMI and wellness level was also explored. Hettler\u27s (1979) Six Dimension of Wellness Model guided this inquiry. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to explore the research variables. A sample of 106 young adults participated in the study. Descriptive analyses were used to explore wellness and health risk behaviors. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the impact of demographic factors on wellness level. The correlation between wellness level and BMI was also examined. The study population had a mean age of 20.18 years. Overall, a high level of wellness was found. Women scored higher on wellness than males and gender based differences accounted for 14.6% of the variance in wellness scores. Upper level students scored higher on wellness than lower level students but this difference was not statistically significant. The average BMI of the sample was normal (23.3), but 18.9% of the sample was categorized as overweight or obese. There was no significant correlational relationship between wellness level and BMI. High percentages of young adults did not consume adequate fruits/vegetables or grains. The percentage of tobacco use was low and the reported alcohol use was moderate. A third of the sample reported sexual activity with 25% reporting inconsistent use of protection during sexual intercourse. The findings of this study are useful for planning campus health education. The results may be used to target students for interventions that improve wellness. Specifically, the results of this study will be useful in planning education on appropriate dietary intake, weight management, and safe sexual practices

Further Validation of the Body-Mind-Spirit Wellness Behavior and Characteristic Inventory for College Students

Health promotion is a vital component of college health programs. College health professionals are challenged to find cost-effective, comprehensive measures to assess wellness and risk behaviors. Hettler’s 1979 Six Dimension of Wellness Model guided this inquiry. Physical, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social, and spiritual wellness dimensions were measured by the Body-Mind-Spirit Wellness Behavior and Characteristic Inventory (BMS-WBCI). This study aimed to further validate the BMS-WBCI by reporting reliability as internal consistency of the scale when used to measure wellness in a sample of college students. A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized. A convenience sample of 106 college students from a small, private southwestern university participated. Cronbach’s alphas were calculated for the entire scale and each subscale. An item analysis was performed. Cronbach’s alpha for the entire scale was .91 indicating an acceptable degree of internal consistency. The alpha scores for the subscales were: body (.69), mind (.87), and spirit (.88). The further psychometric evaluation of the BMS-WBCI adds to the data supporting the use of this instrument in the college population

Weight-Loss Treatment-induced Physical Activity Associated with Improved Nutrition through Changes in Social Cognitive Theory Variables in Women with Obesity

Behavioral weight-loss treatments have typically been unsuccessful and a theoretical. Even when treatments were scientifically derived, theory has rarely been used to decompose, and understand the bases of, their effects. This 2-year study evaluated mediation of the prediction of nutritional changes by changes in physical activity, through social cognitive theory variables. Data from women with Class 1–2 obesity, classified as “insufficiently active” (N = 50; Mage = 47.6 years), were extracted from 2 initial trials of a new cognitive-behavioral intervention. That treatment sought to improve self-regulation, mood, and self-efficacy through increased physical activity, to then induce improved eating and long-term weight loss. Data showed significant improvements in self-regulation for controlled eating, mood, self-efficacy for eating, physical activity/exercise outputs, and intake of fruits/vegetables and sweets. In the prediction of changes in fruit/vegetable intake over 6, 12, and 24 months by physical activity changes, changes in the 3 psychosocial variables were significant mediators. For each of those significant overall models (R2-values =.31, .30, and .25, respectively), self-regulation and self-efficacy change were independent mediators. When change in sweets was substituted for fruits/vegetable intake in otherwise identical models, although overall significance was not found, change in mood was a significant mediator. Changes in intake of fruits/vegetables and sweets significantly predicted a 2-year mean weight loss of 5.4 kg (-5.7% reduction). Results generally supported the basis for the architecture of the new cognitive-behavioral treatment. Based on findings, much of the effect of physical activity/exercise on weight loss could be explained through its impact on psychosocial correlates of healthier eating

The Use of Audience Response Systems in Nursing Education: Best Practice Guidelines

The use of Audience Response Systems (ARS) or \u27clickers\u27 as an active learning strategy in nursing education has been steadily on the rise. ARS technology allows the dynamic engagement of students in the classroom by providing immediate two-way communication between faculty and students. ARS can be used to explore knowledge and common misconceptions, act as a springboard for classroom discussions, and can be used for testing or evaluation. The aim of this paper is to present best practice guidelines for both novice and experienced ARS technology users. A summary of the state of the research in this area will be presented. Practical application techniques and pedagological strategies relating to ARS use are discussed, including question construction. ARS technology can enliven teaching practice and allow students to become invested and engaged in the learning process

Food Access in Petersburg, Virginia: Final Report and Recommendations

The City of Petersburg has long suffered with issues of limited access to food and food insecurity. Food deserts, or areas underserved by retail food options, are prevalent throughout the City. As a result, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has ranked the city last of Virginia\u27s 133 counties in their annual health rankings. For the Fall 2019 semester, students from Virginia Commonwealth University\u27s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, through Dr. John Accordino\u27s Urban Commercial Revitalization course, focused on planning solutions to address food deserts in commercial areas, with the City of Petersburg being one of their clients. The class assessed the potential for commercial revitalization and made five recommendations

Diseño conceptual de un sistema de alimentación mixto gasolina/gas natural para motores automoción ciclo Otto

Actualmente no hay tecnología disponible para usar dos combustibles simultáneamente en un motor de encendido por chispa. Este concepto sólo se ha aplicado en motores diésel usando gas natural vehicular por medio de un inyector dual que dosifica ambos combustibles. En el presente se desarrolló el diseño conceptual de un sistema de alimentación mixto entre gasolina y GNV para motores de automoción ciclo Otto comerciales. Se evaluó el comportamiento de las curvas de quemado con las ecuaciones de Wiebe. Se obtuvo la variación de la relación de aire combustible teniendo en cuenta el lazo de control del sistema de inyección indirecta, sin alterar la relación de compresión. Estas modificaciones se realizan para lograr un desempeño parecido a carga parcial en comparación con el convencional motor a gasolina reduciendo sustancialmente las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.Eje: Combustibles tradicionales y alternativos.Facultad de Ingenierí

Diseño conceptual de un sistema de alimentación mixto gasolina/gas natural para motores automoción ciclo Otto

Actualmente no hay tecnología disponible para usar dos combustibles simultáneamente en un motor de encendido por chispa. Este concepto sólo se ha aplicado en motores diésel usando gas natural vehicular por medio de un inyector dual que dosifica ambos combustibles. En el presente se desarrolló el diseño conceptual de un sistema de alimentación mixto entre gasolina y GNV para motores de automoción ciclo Otto comerciales. Se evaluó el comportamiento de las curvas de quemado con las ecuaciones de Wiebe. Se obtuvo la variación de la relación de aire combustible teniendo en cuenta el lazo de control del sistema de inyección indirecta, sin alterar la relación de compresión. Estas modificaciones se realizan para lograr un desempeño parecido a carga parcial en comparación con el convencional motor a gasolina reduciendo sustancialmente las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero.Eje: Combustibles tradicionales y alternativos.Facultad de Ingenierí