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

An Early-Phase Translation Study of the ways to Enhance Children\u27s Activity and Nutrition (We Can!) Programme for Low-Income Families

The article discusses the early-phase translation research which tests the Ways to Enhance Children\u27s Acitivity and Nutrition (We Can!) programme in a diverse group of low-income parents from south-eastern state of the U.S. The study used descriptive pretest or post-test design to evaluate the changes in parental attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge. Results showed that the attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours of parents are positively changed after the implementation of the programme

Parental Perception of Child Weight: A Concept Analysis

Aim: This article is a report of an analysis of the concept of parental perception of child weight. Background: Perception is commonly studied, but lacks a strong conceptual definition. Concept analysis is important in providing a conceptual definition of parental perception of child weight. Design: Rodgers\u27s evolutionary view of concept analysis guided this enquiry. Data sources: A search of multiple nursing and social sciences databases was undertaken, including CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, ProQuest, PsychINFO, Medline and SocINDEX. Review methods: Data from 2000–2012 related to the concept of interest were reviewed. Fifty-eight articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included. Key attributes, antecedent occurrences and consequences of the concept\u27s use were identified. Thematic analysis revealed common themes related to the concept attributes, antecedents and consequences. Results: Five attributes were identified including: parental recognition of body size, physical appearance, functional abilities, psychosocial effects and health effects related to body weight. Antecedents of this concept are parental beliefs and values about body weight, fatalism, societal normalization of overweight, parental weight status and parental mental health status. The consequences of this concept are parental concern, increased knowledge about obesity-related health risks, motivation to make changes and family lifestyle changes. The ultimate goal is a healthy weight for the child. Conclusions: A middle-range explanatory theory of parental perception of child weight was proposed. Parents who recognize child weight issues may be motivated to initiate lifestyle changes, resulting in a healthy weight for the child

Cultural Challenges and Barriers Through the Voices of Nurses

Aims and objectives To discover and describe challenges and barriers perceived by nurses in providing culturally competent care in their day-to-day encounters with diverse patient populations. Background Nurses are challenged in today\u27s healthcare environment to provide culturally competent care to a diverse patient population. To provide patient- and family-centred care, nurses must first acknowledge patient\u27s and family\u27s cultural differences, be willing to incorporate patient\u27s and family\u27s beliefs within the healthcare treatment plan, and respect the values and lifeways of differing cultures. Design Qualitative description with thematic analysis was used to describe nurses\u27 perceptions of barriers and challenges in providing culturally competent care. The qualitative component of the study was part of a larger research study that used a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive survey. Participants responded to two open-ended questions about potential challenges and barriers to providing culturally competent health care. Methods Nurses were recruited in a south-eastern state in the USA. Research surveys were mailed to 2000 nurses throughout the state using a stratified sampling method. Results Three hundred and seventy-four nurses participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the qualitative description: great diversity, lack of resources, and prejudices and biases. Conclusions The provision of culturally competent patient- and family-centred care is an ethical imperative and professional mandate. Describing nurses\u27 perspectives on challenges and barriers to providing culturally competent care is the first step in helping to redesign care delivery practices. Relevance to clinical practice Challenges to providing culturally competent care included diversity in patient populations, lack of resources to provide culturally competent care and biases/prejudices. Strategies to address these challenges in the areas of nursing education, nursing research and nursing policy were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

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

Clinical Deterioration Leadership Ability Scale: A Psychometric Study

Background and Purpose: Assessing nurses\u27 perceived leadership abilities during clinical deterioration provides a starting point for designing educational interventions to support leadership improvement. The study purpose was to provide psychometric testing of the Clinical Deterioration Leadership Ability Scale (CDLAS). Methods: The psychometric properties and factor structure of the CDLAS was examined. Results: Factor analysis determined a 1-factor structure (eigenvalues 5.783). Construct validity was supported by a significant difference between experienced (M = 3.48, SD = .57) and less experienced nurses (M = 3.27, SD = .68; t(146) = –2.00, p = .047). Acceptable levels of internal consistency reliability were found (.93, .95, and .94). Conclusion: The CDLAS has demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. Further testing is needed in diverse populations and establishment of test–retest reliability