Novel motivational text message intervention for eating disorders: a single case experimental study

New strategies to increase motivation to change and reduce problematic behaviors in eating disorders (EDs) are needed. Text messages may offer a novel way to enhance motivation and change behavior by providing real-time support outside of psychotherapy sessions. The primary aim of this study was to test a text-message treatment adjunct for individuals with EDs. The secondary aim was to investigate the effects of message frame (gain-frame highlighting rewards of changing behavior; loss-frame highlighting consequences of maintaining behavior) and its congruency with individual orientation (i.e., when approach-oriented individuals receive gain-frame messages and avoidant-oriented individuals receive loss-frame messages). Individuals with EDs (N=12; 10 female; mean age=21.5) were recruited to participate in a treatment study. A single-case alternating treatment design was used to test the influence of combining a brief motivational interview with subsequent text messages on feasibility and eating-related outcomes. Visual and graphical inspection and Generalized Estimating Equations [GEE] were used to test hypotheses. I hypothesized that the intervention would be feasible and well-accepted; receiving text messages (vs. no messages) would result in higher kilocalorie intake, lower dietary restraint, and higher motivation to change (measured by the Readiness and Motivation Questionnaire [RMQ]); and loss-frame (vs. gain-frame) messages would produce more change, moderated by motivation orientation. The intervention was well accepted (mean rating=7/10) and feasible (mean daily-monitoring compliance=91%). Text messages did not impact behavioral outcomes, nor did message frame or orientation congruency, and had mixed effects on motivation. RMQ precontemplation (desire to engage in dietary restraint) increased, indicating decreased motivation, and RMQ action scores (effort towards reducing dietary restraint) increased, indicating increased motivation when receiving text messages, across the sample. Normal-weight participants (n=8) reported only positive effects of text messages. Individual case data indicated that the text messages were associated with positive effects on the outcomes for 3 participants, mixed/no effects for 7, and negative effects for 2. This is the first study to investigate text messages as a motivational treatment adjunct in EDs. The data demonstrate text messages are a feasible and acceptable treatment adjunct and may be most effective at increasing motivation to change for normal- vs. underweight individuals. Continued research is needed to enhance the impact of motivational interventions on behavioral outcomes

Internalization as a mediator of the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and body image attitudes and behaviors among young men in Sweden, US, UK, and Australia

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. We examined whether internalization of sociocultural body ideals mediated the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and drive for muscularity, leanness, and thinness in a sample of males from Sweden, US, UK, and Australia. Over six hundred young men [n= 142 (Sweden); n= 192 (US); n= 141 (UK); n= 160 (Australia)] completed an online survey that included assessments of masculine role norms, body image, and internalization of sociocultural body ideals. Path analyses confirmed internalization as a mediator between greater conformity to masculine norms and body image measures (drive for thinness, desire for leanness, and desire for muscularity) across the sample. However, significant cross-country differences in the strength of these mediation effects were found. Mediation effects among US, Australian, and Swedish males were comparable, whereas these effects were weaker in the UK sample. Findings confirmed the importance of internalization of sociocultural body ideals in the tested models

FoxO and Stress Responses in the Cnidarian Hydra vulgaris

Background: In the face of changing environmental conditions, the mechanisms underlying stress responses in diverse organisms are of increasing interest. In vertebrates, Drosophila, and Caenorhabditis elegans, FoxO transcription factors mediate cellular responses to stress, including oxidative stress and dietary restriction. Although FoxO genes have been identified in early-arising animal lineages including sponges and cnidarians, little is known about their roles in these organisms. Methods/Principal Findings: We have examined the regulation of FoxO activity in members of the well-studied cnidarian genus Hydra. We find that Hydra FoxO is expressed at high levels in cells of the interstitial lineage, a cell lineage that includes multipotent stem cells that give rise to neurons, stinging cells, secretory cells and gametes. Using transgenic Hydra that express a FoxO-GFP fusion protein in cells of the interstitial lineage, we have determined that heat shock causes localization of the fusion protein to the nucleus. Our results also provide evidence that, as in bilaterian animals, Hydra FoxO activity is regulated by both Akt and JNK kinases. Conclusions: These findings imply that basic mechanisms of FoxO regulation arose before the evolution of bilaterians an

Ability to detect and identify the presence of particles influences consumer acceptance of yoghurt

The common practice of particle addition into semisolid foods is known to influence sensory textural properties, but the resulting influence on consumer acceptability is not well understood. A systematic trial was therefore designed, involving a set of nine yoghurt samples, to investigate the effect of particle addition on consumer acceptability. Agar microgels were fabricated and added to yoghurt at varying levels of modulus (210 kPa or 550 kPa, fabricated with 5% or 10% agar, respectively), particle size (30 μm or 100 μm) and particle concentration (2% or 5%, w/w). The yoghurt samples were presented to consumers (n = 117), who rated acceptability, and subsequently selected from the attributes particles, drying, sweet, smooth, no particles and none of these by ‘check all that apply’ (CATA), for each sample. On average, all samples were generally well-liked by consumers, although samples containing 5% (w/w) particles were less acceptable than those containing 2% (w/w) particles. Consumer cluster analysis was used to identify groupings of consumers based on difference in acceptability scores. Acceptability scores for the yoghurts were lower for the consumers who selected the attribute particles in the higher modulus samples. Addition of particles (30 μm or 100 μm) at 550 kPa modulus and 5% (w/w) particles was identified as the threshold of particle detection in this yoghurt system and the point at which acceptability scores declined