Weight Stigma, Body-Inclusive Yoga, and a Model of Physical Activity for All

Individuals in larger bodies face high levels of stigma in modern society, based largely on societal assumption about the relationships between body size and personal health choices and behaviors. Given the cultural stigma of fatness and perceptions that fat individuals can and should lose weight through exercise, physical activity (PA) spaces are particularly hostile towards fat bodies. This hostility creates a strong barrier to participation in PA for those in larger bodies, despite the fact that all individuals can benefit from engaging in regular activity. Therefore, this dissertation research is designed to develop a new, more inclusive model of PA for those in larger bodies. In Study 1, I develop a framework of inclusive organizational behaviors for PA spaces, arguing that individuals engaged in activity in these spaces are more likely to experience increased identification and improved physical and psychological health through adherence. The resulting model, drawn from various literature, provided six factors of inclusion for PA organizations. In the second study, I examined the practices of body-inclusive yoga spaces, through a series of qualitative interviews with their leaders. These leaders supported many of the previously outlined factors of body-inclusive PA and added two new factors. In Study 3, I developed a measure of body inclusivity, based on the six resulting factor model developed in the previous study. Each of the six factors tested (i.e., authentic leadership, cultural commitment to inclusion, health focus, inclusive language, social justice activism, and sense of community) were positively related to overall body inclusivity. Further analysis, using structural equation modeling, indicated that body-inclusivity of PA spaces was positively related to overall physical and psychological health. Further, the relationship between inclusion and psychological health was partially mediated by identification with the activity, which was also positively related to inclusivity. Taken together, these studies provide evidence to a simple notion: inclusion works. In developing a more inclusive PA environment, individuals experienced greater identification with activity and improved health, thereby demonstrating the tangible value of inclusive practices. Implications for sport and PA mangers, as well as directions for further research, are discussed

Does It Work for Everyone? The Influence of Demographic Variables on Statistical Reliability.

Recent developments have highlighted the importance of tailored health education efforts. However, little research has explored differential functioning of survey items for diverse populations. This work explores differences in statistical reliability for multiple scales across demographic groups. Understanding such differences is important in health research, given the rapid shifts occurring in global demographics. Study data were collected from eight years of the National College Health Assessment (n = 885,084), a large-scale annual survey of U.S. university students. Meta-analytic reliability generalization was used to compare reliability of two scale measures for multiple demographic groups. In nearly all cases, there were statistically significant differences in reliability across demographic groups. Researchers should consider relative functioning of any scale employed in their work. For certain demographic groups, various scales may not be sufficiently reliable. However, this may be obfuscated in larger samples, containing large numbers of individuals for whom the scale is sufficiently reliable. We suggest a thorough subsets analysis of data to ensure uniform functioning of items prior to use. Just as health interventions should be tailored to populations of interest, so too must research methods and tools

Potentially Misleading Weight Loss Advertisements Targeting Men: Examining Influence of Celebrity Athlete Endorsement on Ad Believability and Purchase Intentions

Given the prevalence of false or exaggerated claims in advertisements for weight loss products, as well as risks associated with use of unproven dietary supplements and exercise plans, they are subject to heightened scrutiny from regulators. However, celebrity athlete endorsers are increasingly featured in advertisements promoting weight loss products targeting men. This study employed a 2x2 (athlete endorser vs. non-celebrity; plausible vs. unrealistic advertising claim) experimental design, whereby participants (n= 292) were exposed to one of four ad conditions. Results suggest the athlete endorser was perceived as more credible than a non-celebrity, being rated as more expert. Significant differences were observed in ad believability, fit perceptions, brand attitudes, and purchase intentions. Findings suggest, the presence of a celebrity athlete endorser made weight loss advertisements more believable to consumers, even when ads contained obviously false claims. Given the health risks associated with certain weight loss behaviors and supplements, the impact of celebrity endorsers on consumer choices is important. Implications for potential consumers, regulators, and celebrity athlete endorsers are discussed

Loss of a single N-linked glycan from the hemagglutinin of influenza virus is associated with resistance to collectins and increased virulence in mice

BACKGROUND: Glycosylation on the globular head of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza virus acts as an important target for recognition and destruction of virus by innate immune proteins of the collectin family. This, in turn, modulates the virulence of different viruses for mice. The role of particular oligosaccharide attachments on the HA in determining sensitivity to collectins has yet to be fully elucidated. METHODS: When comparing the virulence of H3N2 subtype viruses for mice we found that viruses isolated after 1980 were highly glycosylated and induced mild disease in mice. During these studies, we were surprised to find a small plaque variant of strain A/Beijing/353/89 (Beij/89) emerged following infection of mice and grew to high titres in mouse lung. In the current study we have characterized the properties of this small plaque mutant both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Small plaque mutants were recovered following plaquing of lung homogenates from mice infected with influenza virus seed Beij/89. Compared to wild-type virus, small plaque mutants showed increased virulence in mice yet did not differ in their ability to infect or replicate in airway epithelial cells in vitro. Instead, small plaque variants were markedly resistant to neutralization by murine collectins, a property that correlated with the acquisition of an amino acid substitution at residue 246 on the viral HA. We present evidence that this substitution was associated with the loss of an oligosaccharide glycan from the globular head of HA. CONCLUSION: A point mutation in the gene encoding the HA of Beij/89 was shown to ablate a glycan attachment site. This was associated with resistance to collectins and increased virulence in mice

Examining the Relationship Between Trait Energy and Fatigue and Feelings of Depression in Young Healthy Adults

Depression is usually co-morbid with fatigue. However, we are unaware of studies exploring the relationship between trait energy and fatigue and feelings of depression. Recent evidence suggests that energy and fatigue are two distinct moods. PURPOSE: To examine the association between trait mental and physical energy and fatigue and feelings of depression, within an otherwise healthy young adult cohort. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, healthy respondents (n=495) completed a series of self-reported surveys measuring depression, lifestyle factors (sleep, diet, physical activity), and trait mental and physical energy and fatigue. Using a step-wise regression, we controlled for demographics and lifestyle and added trait mental and physical energy and fatigue to the second model. RESULTS: When trait mental and physical energy and fatigue were added to the models, the adjusted R2 increased by 5% (R2 = .112, F(13, 457) = 4.455, p \u3c .001). In our second model, trait mental fatigue was the only significant predictor of depressive mood states (Β = .159, t (457) = 2.512, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Young adults, who struggle with high mental fatigue, may also be more likely to report feeling depressed suggesting that fatigue and depression are co-morbid, while low energy and depression are not. Future research should aim to identify epigenetic/genetic factors that influence mental fatigue and how those may be associated with feelings of depression

Is late-life dependency increasing or not? A comparison of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS)

Background: Little is known about how dependency levels have changed between generational cohorts of older people. We estimated years lived in different care states at age 65 in 1991 and 2011 and new projections of future demand for care. Methods: Two population-based studies of older people in defined geographical areas conducted two decades apart (the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies) provided prevalence estimates of dependency in four states: high (24-hour care); medium (daily care); low (less than daily); independent. Years in each dependency state were calculated by Sullivan’s method. To project future demand, the proportions in each dependency state (by age group and sex) were applied to the 2014 England population projections. Findings: Between 1991 and 2011 there were significant increases in years lived from age 65 with low (men:1·7 years, 95%CI 1·0-2·4; women:2·4 years, 95%CI 1·8-3·1) and high dependency (men:0·9 years, 95%CI 0·2-1·7; women:1·3 years, 95%CI 0·5-2·1). The majority of men’s extra years of life were independent (36%) or with low dependency (36%) whilst for women the majority were spent with low dependency (58%), only 5% being independent. There were substantial reductions in the proportions with medium and high dependency who lived in care homes, although, if these dependency and care home proportions remain constant in the future, further population ageing will require an extra 71,000 care home places by 2025. Interpretation: On average older men now spend 2.4 years and women 3.0 years with substantial care needs (medium or high dependency), and most will live in the community. These findings have considerable implications for older people’s families who provide the majority of unpaid care, but the findings also supply valuable new information for governments and care providers planning the resources and funding required for the care of their future ageing populations

Macrosystems ecology: Understanding ecological patterns and processes at continental scales

Macrosystems ecology is the study of diverse ecological phenomena at the scale of regions to continents and their interactions with phenomena at other scales. This emerging subdiscipline addresses ecological questions and environmental problems at these broad scales. Here, we describe this new field, show how it relates to modern ecological study, and highlight opportunities that stem from taking a macrosystems perspective. We present a hierarchical framework for investigating macrosystems at any level of ecological organization and in relation to broader and finer scales. Building on well-established theory and concepts from other subdisciplines of ecology, we identify feedbacks, linkages among distant regions, and interactions that cross scales of space and time as the most likely sources of unexpected and novel behaviors in macrosystems. We present three examples that highlight the importance of this multiscaled systems perspective for understanding the ecology of regions to continents

Correction to: The Edinburgh Consensus: preparing for the advent of disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

Since the publication of this article [1], it has come to the attention of the authors that information for one of the authors was not included in the competing interests section. Craig Richie has declared potential competing interests with the following companies; Janssen, Eisai, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, Boeringher Ingleheim, Novartis, AC Immune, Ixico, Aridhia, Amgen, Berry Consultants, Lundbeck, Sanofi, Quintiles (IQVIA) and Takeda. The full competing interests section for this article can be found below

Manufacture of a rotor blade pitch horn using binder yarn fabrics

The use of binder yarn fabrics in rotor blade applications is investigated in this work. A preforming procedure is incorporated in manufacturing, resulting in higher degree of automation and a reduction of process steps. The performance of the process is evaluated with respect to cost savings compared to prepregging technologies