Probiotic Beverage Containing Lactobacillus casei

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a probiotic beverage on gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation

Contribution of Individual and Environmental Factors to Physical Activity Level among Spanish Adults

BACKGROUND: Lack of physical activity (PA) is a major risk for chronic disease and obesity. The main aims of the present study were to identify individual and environmental factors independently associated with PA and examine the relative contribution of these factors to PA level in Spanish adults. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A population-based cross-sectional sample of 3,000 adults (18-75 years old) from Gran Canaria (Spain) was selected using a multistage stratified random sampling method. The participants were interviewed at home using a validated questionnaire to assess PA as well as individual and environmental factors. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. One demographic variable (education), two cognitive (self-efficacy and perceived barriers), and one social environmental (organized format) were independently associated with PA in both genders. Odds ratios ranged between 1.76-2.07 in men and 1.35-2.50 in women (both p<0.05). Individual and environmental factors explained about one-third of the variance in PA level. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Self-efficacy and perceived barriers were the most significant factors to meet an adequate level of PA. The risk of insufficient PA was twofold greater in men with primary or lesser studies and who are employed. In women, living in rural environments increased the risk of insufficient PA. The promotion of organized PA may be an efficient way to increase the level of PA in the general population. Improvement in the access to sport facilities and places for PA is a prerequisite that may be insufficient and should be combined with strategies to improve self-efficacy and overcome perceived barriers in adulthood

'Get healthy, stay healthy': Protocol for evaluation of a lifestyle intervention delivered by text-message following the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service®

Background: Behavioural lifestyle interventions can be effective at promoting initial weight loss and supporting physical activity and dietary behaviour change, however maintaining improvements in these outcomes is often more difficult to achieve. Extending intervention contact to reinforce learnt behavioural skills has been shown to improve maintenance of behaviour change and weight loss. This trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and efficacy of a text message-delivered extended contact intervention to enhance or maintain change in physical activity, dietary behaviour and weight loss among participants who have completed a six month Government-funded, population-based telephone coaching lifestyle program: the Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service (GHS). Methods/Design. GHS completers will be randomised to the 6-month extended contact intervention (Get Healthy, Stay Healthy, GHSH) or a no contact control group (standard practice following GHS completion). GHSH participants determine the timing and frequency of the text messages (3-13 per fortnight) and content is tailored to their behavioural and weight goals and support preferences. Two telephone tailoring calls are made (baseline, 12-weeks) to facilitate message tailoring. Primary outcomes, anthropometric (body weight and waist circumference via self-report) and behavioural (moderate-vigorous physical activity via self-report and accelerometer, fruit and vegetable intake via self-report), will be assessed at baseline (at GHS completion), 6-months (end of extended contact intervention) and 12-months (6-months post intervention contact). Secondary aims include evaluation of: the feasibility of program delivery; the acceptability for participants; theoretically-guided, potential mediators and moderators of behaviour change; dose-responsiveness; and, costs of program delivery. Discussion. Findings from this trial will inform the delivery of the GHS in relation to the maintenance of behaviour change and weight loss, and will contribute to the broader science of text message lifestyle interventions delivered in population health settings. Trial registration. ACTRN12613000949785

Relationship between attitudes to health, body weight and physical activity and level of physical activity in a nationally representative sample in the European Union

Objective: To explore the factors that influence attitudes and beliefs about the effects of body weight and physical activity on health. Design: Cross-sectional survey using a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. Setting: The survey was conducted between March and April 1997 in the 15 member states of the EU. Subjects: Approximately 1000 adults aged 15 years plus from each country were selected by quota-controlled sampling; the total sample was of 15 239 persons (7162 males and 8077 females). Data were weighted by population size for each country and by age, gender and regional distribution within countries. Results: Overall 27% of men and 35% of women reported not engaging in any form of recreational activity; rates were highest in those with a primary-level education (37% men, 43% women) compared with tertiary-level education (20% men, 25% women). Recreational activity levels declined with age and tended to be lowest in those who were more physically active at work. Eighteen per cent of respondents believed that physical activity was one of the two greatest influences on health; 13% mentioned body weight, 38% mentioned food, 41% mentioned smoking and 33% mentioned stress. Logistic regression was used to assess for the effects of gender, age, educational level, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, activity level and country on beliefs that body weight and physical activity influenced health. Primary-educated, overweight, ex- and non-smoking women were most likely to mention body weight as an influence; young tertiary-educated, thinner, non-smoking and active males were most likely to mention physical activity. There was wide variation across Europe in reported behaviour and beliefs, which persisted after taking account of all of the other factors in the regression model. Conclusions: Relatively few people in some countries believed body weight and physical activity were important influences on health. Many people mentioned stress and it might be possible to use this interest to motivate changes in physical activity to relieve stress. It may be important to take a more integrated approach to activity patterns that consider the role of work and recreation. Although social and demographic factors were important, after adjusting for these factors there was still wide between-country variation in reported attitudes, beliefs and behaviour. This will need to be taken into account in any activity promotion campaigns

Ca-Alginate-Carob Galactomannans Beads to Preserve Viability During Digestive Hostility Transit and Cholesterol Uptake Ability of Probiotic Bacteria

International audienceThe assurance of the bacteria survival is the key of the protective technique aiming to alleviate the bacteria resistance under digestive hostilities. Among the methods of protection, microencapsulation of cells in various biomaterials has given convincing results. We tried to exploit for the first time the emulsifying properties of carob galactomannans reinforced herein by the sodium alginate gel in the microencapsulation of beneficial bacteria. On the other hand, we explored the benefits of this protective technique upon the expression of the bacterial ability to uptake cholesterol, in complement to our previously published results. The present study aimed to develop a new mixed gel containing calcium alginate and galactomannans extracted from the Algerian carob seeds endospermes, for the microencapsulation of the human strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LbRE-LSAS; compared with the probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb12. Influence of microencapsulation was tested under simulated digestive environment to verify if both bacteria preserve their viability and their cholesterol assimilation ability. High viable loads of encapsulated LbRE-LSAS and Bb12 were registered (6.97 and 8.66 of 10 Log CFU g −1 , respectively). Conversely, the free cell levels strongly (P < 0.05) decreased during exposure to the digestive simulated conditions. According to our results, the new formed gel permits to improve 1.8-fold on average the cholesterol assimilation ability of probiotic bacteria. We underlined the possible use of carob galactomannans-Ca-alginate beads as alternative healthy solution in protecting beneficial bacteria under gastro-intestinal conditions, and by the way, lowering the serum cholesterol level in the host