An exploratory examination of mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating in relation to motivations to eat palatable foods and BMI

BackgroundPreliminary findings suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion training are associated with enhanced weight regulation. However, the associations between these traits and body mass index (BMI) are mixed.Participants and procedureIn a cross-sectional investigation, university students (n = 183) were asked to fill in questionnaires on mindfulness, self-compassion, mindful eating, and motivations to eat palatable foods.ResultsThe results suggest that mindfulness, self-compassion and mindful eating related negatively to motivations to eat palatable foods. Mindful eating displayed the most significant relationship. Further investigations showed that some subscales of self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating related to motivations to eat palatable foods and BMI more significantly. The ability to draw more and better conclusions by investigating the relationship of subscales to health behaviors and outcomes, especially with self-compassion, has been noted in previous rationales and theories. The notable relationships were (a) the enhancement subscale of the motivations to eat palatable foods, which appeared to relate positively to self-judgment, isolation, and over-identification, while (b) the coping subscale related to all subscales within the self-compassion scale.ConclusionsThe current findings support different lines of research that suggest that mindful eating, mindfulness and/or self-compassion support weight regulation. Mindfulness practices could potentially add the right motives to eat palatable foods (such as being motivated to eat when people are hungry), and potentially eat less of the foods that lead to weight dysregulation. The findings are discussed and suggested paths for further research are recommended.</jats:sec

The Small regulatory RNA RyhB regulates icsA expression in Shigella flexneri

Shigella flexneri is a gram negative non-motile, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacterium responsible for bacillary dysentery in humans. The master regulator, VirF, initiates a cascade of virulence gene activation by acting as a transcription factor for the gene encoding the global regulator, VirB (1). Production of VirB is also negatively regulated by the regulatory small RNA (sRNA), RyhB 2). Regulatory sRNAs are untranslated RNA molecules involved in the regulation of both transcription and translation. RyhB, a 90 nt sRNA, was first identified in E. coli and subsequently found in all Shigella species. In Shigella this sRNA is maximally expressed in response to iron depletion and is responsible for the reduced expression of many virulence genes in Shigella flexneri by downregulating virB (2)

How does mindful eating without non-judgement, mindfulness and self-compassion relate to motivations to eat palatable foods in a student population?

Background: Previous research acknowledges the impact mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion has upon weight regulation and motives to eat palatable foods; with mindful eating showing an increased impact of eating behaviours. Some research has identified that present moment awareness should be the primary focus of mindful eating. Aim: This research aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness, self-compassion, and mindful eating with motivations to eat palatable food. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate this relationship amongst university students (n=211), utilizing a newly developed mindful eating scale primarily focusing on present moment awareness. Results: Results indicated significant negative correlations between both self-compassion and mindful eating and motives to eat palatable foods. Mindful eating positively correlated with self-compassion and other mindfulness elements that are suggesting indirect acceptance measurements of the mindful eating scale. Conclusion: Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work. In addition, suggestions are provided regarding the reinterpretation of elements that are investigated and explored in eating literature

An exploration into knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky health behaviours in a paediatric Cystic Fibrosis population

Risky behaviours are prevalent within the cystic fibrosis (CF) population; however, there is a lack of research which has investigated risky behaviour engagement among adolescents with CF, with reasons for initiation currently being unknown, as no qualitative studies have been conducted. This research therefore examines knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs towards risky behaviours at an age commonly associated with initiation. Ten paediatric participants were recruited. Thematic analysis illustrated several psychological factors associated with risky behaviours. A desire for normalcy was evident, with this been associated with a desire to engage in normalised risky behaviours. Evidence of a life-orientated illness perspective was also prevalent, with participants believing that many individuals engage in risky behaviours for fun. Overall, there was a reported lack of knowledge on consequences of risky behaviours, with many participants not being informed of these by health care professionals (HCPs). This research provides insight into an area of CF paediatric care which could be improved on, with the provision of awareness regarding risky behaviours not being embedded within paediatric CF care. Consequently, this research demonstrates the need for interventions to be integrated into paediatric CF care for the prevention and reduction of risky behaviours

Comparing the effectiveness of using generic and specific search terms in electronic databases to identify health outcomes for a systematic review: a prospective comparative study of literature search methods

&lt;p&gt;Objective: To compare the effectiveness of systematic review literature searches that use either generic or specific terms for health outcomes.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Design Prospective comparative study of two electronic literature search strategies. The 'generic' search included general terms for health such as 'adolescent health', 'health status', 'morbidity', etc. The 'specific' search focused on terms for a range of specific illnesses, such as 'headache', 'epilepsy’, 'diabetes mellitus', etc.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Data: sources The authors searched Medline, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO and the Education Resources Information Center for studies published in English between 1992 and April 2010.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Main: outcome measures Number and proportion of studies included in the systematic review that were identified from each search.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Results: The two searches tended to identify different studies. Of 41 studies included in the final review, only three (7%) were identified by both search strategies, 21 (51%) were identified by the generic search only and 17 (41%) were identified by the specific search only. 5 of the 41 studies were also identified through manual searching methods. Studies identified by the two ELS differed in terms of reported health outcomes, while each ELS uniquely identified some of the review's higher quality studies.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Conclusions: Electronic literature searches (ELS) are a vital stage in conducting systematic reviews and therefore have an important role in attempts to inform and improve policy and practice with the best available evidence. While the use of both generic and specific health terms is conventional for many reviewers and information scientists, there are also reviews that rely solely on either generic or specific terms. Based on the findings, reliance on only the generic or specific approach could increase the risk of systematic reviews missing important evidence and, consequently, misinforming decision makers. However, future research should test the generalisability of these findings.&lt;/p&gt

An experiential reflection of a mindful lecturer: exploring enhancement of active learning in higher education

The practice of mindfulness is described as an awareness that emerges through purposefully paying attention in the present moment, non-judgmentally (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). Practice usually entails attentional training, which is executed through meditation. Mindfulness meditation involves actively observing the present moment by attending to the breath, moment-to-moment, and without adding any meaning to the feelings and thoughts that emerge. This process assists people who observe the constant flow of information unfolding in the present moment and to systematically develop an ability to accept (instead of judge) the experiences that are encountered

Cost effectiveness of a general practice chronic disease management plan for coronary heart disease in Australia

Background. The cost effectiveness of a general practice-based program for managing coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Australia remains uncertain. We have explored this through an economic model.Methods. A secondary prevention program based on initial clinical assessment and 3 monthly review, optimising of pharmacotherapies and lifestyle modification, supported by a disease registry and financial incentives for quality of care and outcomes achieved was assessed in terms of incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER), in Australian dollars per disability adjusted life year (DALY) prevented.Results. Based on 2006 estimates, 263 487 DALYs were attributable to CHD in Australia. The proposed program would add $115 650 000 to the annual national heath expenditure. Using an estimated 15$8081 per DALY prevented. With more conservative estimates of effectiveness and uptake, estimates of up to $38 316 per DALY are observed in sensitivity analysis.Conclusions. Although innovation in CHD management promises improved future patient outcomes, many therapies and strategies proven to reduce morbidity and mortality are available today. A general practice-based program for the optimal application of current therapies is likely to be cost-effective and provide substantial and sustainable benefits to the Australian community.What is known about this topic? Chronic disease management programs are known to provide gains with respect to reductions in death and disability among patients with coronary heart disease. The cost effectiveness of such programs in the Australian context is not known.What does this paper add? This paper suggests that implementing a coronary heart disease program in Australia is highly cost-effective across a broad range of assumptions of uptake and effectiveness.What are the implications for practitioners? These data provide the economic rationale for the implementation of a chronic disease management program with a disease registry and regular review in Australia