Results of Go Girls: A Weight Control Program for Overweight African‐American Adolescent Females

Objective : Go Girls was a church‐based nutrition and physical activity program designed for overweight African‐American (AA) adolescent females. Research Methods and Procedures : Ten predominantly middle‐socioeconomic churches were randomized to either a high‐intensity (20 to 26 sessions) or moderate‐intensity (six sessions) culturally tailored behavioral group intervention delivered over 6 months. Each session included an experiential behavioral activity, ∼30 minutes of physical activity, and preparation and tasting of healthy foods. In the high‐intensity group, girls also received four to six telephone counseling calls. From the 10 churches, 123 girls completed baseline and 6‐month post‐test assessments. The primary outcome was BMI; secondary outcomes included waist and hip circumferences, percentage body fat estimated by bioimpedance, serum insulin, glucose, and lipids, and cardiovascular fitness at 6‐month follow‐up. Selected measures were also collected at 1‐year follow‐up. Results : At 6‐month follow‐up, the net difference between the high‐ and moderate‐intensity groups was 0.5 BMI units. This difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.20). There were no significant group differences in secondary outcomes. Girls in the high‐intensity condition, however, who attended more than three‐quarters of the sessions had significantly lower BMI and percentage body fat relative to girls in the high‐intensity group who attended fewer sessions. Findings at 1‐year follow‐up mirrored those at 6 months. Discussion : We concluded that the intervention was not effective in reducing adiposity, although there were some positive findings among high attenders. Despite the null result, the intervention was generally well received by participants. Future interventions may require greater dose and a more structured dietary change program.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93768/1/oby.2005.212.pd

Associations between Indigenous Australian oral health literacy and self-reported oral health outcomes

Objectives: To determine oral health literacy (REALD-30) and oral health literacy-related outcome associations, and to calculate if oral health literacy-related outcomes are risk indicators for poor self-reported oral health among rural-dwelling Indigenous Australians. Methods: 468 participants (aged 17-72 years, 63% female) completed a self-report questionnaire. REALD-30 and oral health literacy-related outcome associations were determined through bivariate analysis. Multivariate modelling was used to calculate risk indicators for poor self-reported oral health. Results: REALD-30 scores were lower among those who believed teeth should be infrequently brushed, believed cordial was good for teeth, did not own a toothbrush or owned a toothbrush but brushed irregularly. Tooth removal risk indicators included being older, problem-based dental attendance and believing cordial was good for teeth. Poor self-rated oral health risk indicators included being older, healthcare card ownership, difficulty paying dental bills, problem-based dental attendance, believing teeth should be brushed infrequently and irregular brushing. Perceived need for dental care risk indicators included being female and problem-based dental attendance. Perceived gum disease risk indicators included being older and irregular brushing. Feeling uncomfortable about oro-facial appearance risk indicators included problem-based dental attendance and irregular brushing. Food avoidance risk indicators were being female, difficulty paying dental bills, problem-based dental attendance and irregular brushing. Poor oral health-related quality of life risk indicators included difficulty paying dental bills and problem-based dental attendance. Conclusions: REALD-30 was significantly associated with oral health literacy-related outcomes. Oral health literacy-related outcomes were risk indicators for each of the poor self-reported oral health domains among this marginalised population.Eleanor J. Parker and Lisa M. Jamieso

Macronutrient Substitutes and Weight-reduction Practices of Obese, Dieting, and Eating-disordered Women

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71619/1/j.1749-6632.1997.tb51804.x.pd

Adherence to daily dietary and activity goals set within a Māori and Pacific weight loss competition.

Background: New Zealand Pacific and Māori populations measure disproportionately high on the international body mass index (BMI). Information is needed on what behavioural weight loss goals to recommend and how to attract and retain them in interventions. Our team weight loss competition trial for participants with a BMI ≥30 used cash prizes to incentivise completion of nine daily behaviour goals. This paper evaluates the theoretical merit of and adherence to these goals. Methods: A qualitative component evaluation methodology was used. Trial data on team activity, demographics and anthropometric outcome data were extracted to determine frequency of daily goal completion by teams throughout the competition and to describe participant characteristics. T-tests were used to compare completion rates of the challenges, challenge completion by day of week and between weekdays and weekends. To examine adherence to the daily challenge activity over 24 weeks the total amount of completed challenges adjusted for number of active teams was plotted by week. A Body Shape Index (ABSI) was used to determine individual anthropometric change from baseline to 8, 16 and 24 weeks. Program documents were analysed to identify barriers to adherence and retention of participants. Results: Of 19 teams (N = 130) who began only five teams performed daily goals across the whole 24 weeks. Adherence was highest during the first 8 weeks. No difference in performance between goals was found suggesting they were equally viable, though tasks worth less points were performed more frequently. Goal completion was higher on weekdays. The behaviour goals appeared to have theoretical merit in that more members of high performing teams experienced a positive change in their ABSI. Conclusions: Incentives offer a promising strategy for encouraging retention in weight loss interventions. This study suggests that participants in a competition will perform incentivised tasks. The findings however, are limited by missing data and high drop out of individuals and whole teams. Further research is needed on how to increase retention.New Zealand Ministry of Healt