Determinants and Predictors of Smoking-related Weight Concern in Smokers Participating in a Community-based Cessation Program

Background: Concern about weight gain is a barrier to smoking cessation, but determinants of post-cessation weight concern have not been adequately evaluated in the context of community-based cessation programs. Methods: Baseline data were analyzed from a cessation trial of 392 adults randomized to physical activity (PA) or general wellness counseling as adjunctive treatment for cigarette smoking. Outcomes were 1) Use of smoking to control weight (“control”) and 2) Willingness to tolerate weight gain without returning to smoking (“intolerance”) using validated instruments. Independent variables were self-reported PA and perceptions, socio-demographics, psycho-social measures, smoking behavior and perceptions, diet, and body mass index (BMI). From bivariable models examining main and sex interaction effects, significant variables were entered into a linear or logistic regression model to identify determinants associated with control and intolerance outcomes, respectively. Results: For both measures, weight concern was significantly (p\u3c0.05) greater for smokers who are female (standardized b=0.52, SE=0.10; OR=.29, 95% CI=0.17-0.49), White (b=0.12, SE=0.05; OR=.39, 95% CI=0.23-0.66), and less motivated to quit (b=-0.14, SE= 0.05; OR=0.77, 95% CI=0.59-1.0). Higher control scores were associated with less PA (b=-0.10, SE=0.05) and higher BMI (b=0.21, SE=0.05). For men, higher BMI was associated with greater anticipation of relapse if weight gain occurred (OR=2.54, 95% CI=1.42-4.56) but for women, intolerance for post-cessation weight gain was not contingent upon BMI. Conclusions: Among adults participating in a community-based cessation program, women, whites, and those less motivated to quit are more likely to smoke for weight control and be less likely to tolerate post-cessation weight gain. In addition, higher BMI was associated with greater anticipation of relapse if weight gain occurred for men, but not for women. Weight concerns, measured by either use of smoking to control weight or intolerance of post-cessation weight gain were not related to smoking history, psychosocial functioning, PA engagement or attitudes, or dietary variables. These results suggest potential targets for efforts to address weight gain concerns among smokers undergoing a quit attempt

Participatory Decision-Making in Contested Societies: Examples From the Field of Community Philanthropy

This article examines participatory, placebased philanthropy in two locations, Northern Ireland and Palestine, drawing on the work of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland’s Fair Share Programme and the Dalia Association’s Village Decides initiative. The article considers the rationale for a participatory grantmaking approach as well as the manner in which local communities and residents experienced the methodology, and describes and evaluates the role com-munity philanthropy org-anizations played in providing an important added-value dimension to traditional grantmaking. The fact that both Northern Ireland and Palestine are politically contested societies is factored into the analysis presented by the author, who conducted interviews with key informants to supplement literature from both community foundations

Grantmaking for Social Justice and Peace: Some Practical Lessons

This study aims to share the experiences and practices of many different funders and, in doing so, to encourage self reflection. Whether it is framing priority issues, designing grant programmes or listing selection criteria, each of these steps either includes or excludes options for change. What are often seen as technical considerations can, in fact, be incredibly important in identifying potential grantee and collaborative partners. Power does not only lie in foundation boards and chief executives, it is also found in the niches of programme decision making, outreach and administration. Practical Lesson

Material Contribution to Justice - Toxic Causation after Resurfice Corp. v. Hanke

The vast universe of chemicals in the Canadian environment is presently understood only poorly by science. For many thousands of chemicals, important data regarding chronic toxicity are lacking. As a result, the requirement that the plaintiff in a negligence action prove causation of illness on a but-for standard has frequently been unattainable. In Resurfice Corp. v. Hanke, the Supreme Court of Canada articulated an important exception to the but-for test. In circumstances where but-for causation is unprovable due to limits in scientific knowledge, proof that a defendant materially contributed to the plaintiff\u27s risk of incurring the type of injury that was ultimately suffered will satisfy the causation element. This reform is an important first step in the evolution of a tort regime that is capable of doing justice in the chemical era

Funding in Conflict-Affected Environments

The Social Change Initiative, Belfast and the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace have released a new resource Funding In Conflict-Affected Environment. Authored by Avila Kilmurray, the resource serves as a guide that addresses the question - how can independent philanthropy fund activities and initiatives in conflict-affected areas in order to promote and support peacebuilding? A core objective of this study is to highlight the positive contribution that independent grantmaking trusts and foundations can make to peacebuilding. Evidence shows that they do make a positive contribution, although many are still wary of working in situations of violent conflict-fearing that interventions can have negative as well as positive consequences. It is with this in mind that the study looks at the importance of conflict sensitivity for independent donors, in addition to detailing how donors can support peacebuilding through different stages of conflict and peace processes.This study is made up of five sections: 1) Understanding the context – do no harm, 2) supporting peacebuilding and positive change 3) crafting the grant portfolio 4) how do we know that we are contributing to 4) positive change? 5) summary notes.It is accompanied by a 16-page summary guide Conflict-Affected Environments: Notes For Grantmakers drawn from the bigger study. The guide presents the nuts and bolts of grantmaking for peacebuilding work: http://www.psjp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Funding-in-Conflict-Summary-Report.pd

Peer-to-Peer Responses to Body Shape in Young Children

There is global concern about the high prevalence of childhood obesity. It has been demonstrated that obese children face weight stigma in many aspects of their life. Experiencing childhood weight stigma has negative consequences for physical and psychological health, social relationships and academic development. Relatively little is known about the development of weight stigma in children, although parents, teachers, the media, and peers are thought to be the primary contributors. This study aimed to investigate peer-to-peer responses to overweight in young children. A paired reading interaction was used to examine peer responses to obesity and transmission of stigma. Each reading pair included a younger child (aged 5-7) and an older child (aged 9-11). Eighty nine reading pairs (172 children) read a story which was identical except for the body shape of the main character. Prompts were built into this story asking children to predict the ending and to discuss their favourite part of the story. Conversations were recorded and analysed using thematic analysis. The conversations were compared for any differences between the healthy and overweight conditions in references to body shape, content of conversations, valence of responses, and non-verbal communication. Overall, this study did not find clear evidence of negative attitudes to overweight. Within the results there were some occasions where there were significantly more negative comments or significantly less positive comments in the overweight condition, but this was not a clear pattern. There was also significantly more laughter in the overweight condition compared to the healthy weight condition. The results also demonstrated considerable variance in children’s views, with one pair being extremely negative about overweight Alfie. The current study suggests that the majority of young children (aged 5-7) have not yet developed weight stigma to a degree that previous literature might predict. This information is particularly valuable to those delivering health education or interventions related to preventing or tackling obesity

Southeast Asia : proposals and prospects for its neutralization, 1968-1974

This Malaysian proverb has particular reference to its region of origin - Southeast Asia. The latter - the mousedeer - has for many decades been caught in an elephantine struggle between the Great Powers of the globe. Over the years these powers have changed, even the mousedeer has become nominally independent of them, but the results of the continuing conflict have remained basically the same - with all the heritage of bitterness and suffering that is the latter's inevitable reward. This proverb simplifies the issue, treating it on the level of the Great Powers' impact on the region. There is another level - the interactions of the mousedeer themselves - the ten states which are numbered in this region. As, however, it is proposed to examine the most recent neutralization proposal for Southeast Asia, and the prospects for its implementation, emphasis will be placed throughout this thesis on the level of the Great Power impact. This is due to the fact that the latter is considered to be more vital to the realization of the scheme, even if internal developments will play a central role in dictating its success thereafter. Hence, while three chapters deal with the elephant-mousedeer relations, and one with inter-elephantine situations, the internal workings of the mousedeer are related to two - one dealing with their 'dream1 and the other their 'quandary'. A further chapter glances at 'Interested Neighbours' who encircle the arena

Sedimentologia de la laguna de Chascomus (Provincia De Buenos Aires)

En este trabajo se estudia la sedimentología de la laguna de Chascomús (provincia de Buenos Aires), uno de los tantos cuerpos de agua poco profundos típicos de la planicie aluvial del río Salado. Además de consideraciones hidrológicas, morfológicas y estratigráficas, se describen los aspectos morfológicos, topografía del fondo y propiedades físico-químicas del agua de la laguna. El estudio sedimentológico de muestra de fondo incluye determinaciones químicas (CaCOs, materia orgánica, fosfatos, sulfuros y cloruros, etc.), análisis mecánico, determinación de la composición mineralógica (incluye minerales de las arcillas). De esta manera, los sedimentos de fondo (limos arenosos y limos) son caracterizados y comparados con los sedimentos cuaternarios vecinos. En el último capítulo se analiza la génesis de la laguna.The present paper deals with the sedimentology of the “laguna” of Chascomús tBuenos Aires Province), one of the many shallow bodies of water which are typical of the Salado river flood-plain. After hydrological, morphological and stratigraphical considerations, the “laguna” is described (morphology, botton topography and physics-chemical properties of the water). The sedimentólogical study of the bottom samples includes chemical determinations (CaCO.i, organicic matter, phosphates, sulphides and chlorides, etc.), mechanical analysis and determination of the mineralogical composition, clay minerals included. In the way, the bottom sediments (sandy silts and silts) are characterized and compared with neighbouring Cuaternary sediments. A final chapter in devoted to the genesis of the “laguna”