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Background: Increased consumption of nuts has been advocated because of their health benefits, but the role of nuts in the treatment of obesity is unclear given their high energy density. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a hypocaloric, almond-enriched diet (AED) compared with a hypocaloric nut-free diet (NFD) on body weight and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the context of an 18-mo behavioral weight-management program. Design: Overweight and obese individuals [n = 123; age = 46.8 y, BMI (in kg/m2) = 34.0] were randomly assigned to consume an AED or NFD and instructed in traditional behavioral methods of weight control. Anthropometric and metabolic measurements were made at baseline, 6 mo, and 18 mo. Results: Those in the AED group lost slightly but significantly less weight than did those in the NFD group at 6 mo (-5.5 compared with -7.4 kg; P = 0.04), but there were no differences at 18 mo. No significant differences in body composition were found between the groups at 6 or 18 mo. The AED, compared with the NFD, was associated with greater reductions in total cholesterol (P = 0.03), total:HDL cholesterol (p = 0.02), and triglycerides (P = 0.048) at 6 mo, and no differences were observed between the groups at 18 mo. Conclusions: The AED and NFD groups experienced clinically significant and comparable weight loss at 18 mo. Despite smaller weight loss in the AED group at 6 mo, the AED group experienced greater improvements in lipid profiles. This trial was registered at clinical- trials.gov as NCT00I94428. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess whether exposure to pro-eating disorder (pro-ED) websites influences college women's eating behaviours. Method Female college students with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 18 and no history of an ED were exposed to either pro-ED websites, healthy/exercise websites or tourist websites for 1.5 hours and were given quantitative and qualitative measures designed to assess changes in eating behaviour. Results The pro-ED website group experienced a significant one-week decrease in caloric intake from pre- to post-exposure (12 167 calories vs. 9697 calories). Following exposure, participants reported using techniques on the websites to aid with food reduction and had strong emotional reactions to the websites. These changes persisted for 3 weeks following the study's end. Discussion Even modest exposure to pro-ED websites may encourage significant changes in caloric intake and increased disordered eating behaviours. By extension, even greater exposures to these websites by at-risk females may contribute to the development of EDs. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In 2006, United States public schools participating in federal school meal programs were required to adopt school wellness policies. The effect of these policies on school nutrition environments is well documented; however, evaluation of physical activity policies has received less investigation. We aimed to evaluate how district wellness policies aligned to practice for physical activity implementation in 40 schools with high obesity rates (>24%). Methods Wellness policies were evaluated using the validated Wellness School Assessment Tool (WellSAT). Concurrently, schools completed the validated Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program (HSP) self-assessment to evaluate physical activity practices. Overall, 13 of 20 physical activity measures from WellSAT and 12 of 13 physical activity measures from HSP were aligned to match policy with practice. Results Most policy items scored 0 or 1, indicating either 'no mention in the policy' or 'containing weak or vague language'. Corresponding HSP results indicated that school physical activity practices are 'not in place' or 'under development'. A strong, positive, correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001) indicated that a significant relationship exists between policy and implementation. Conclusions Results indicate that most districts currently have weak policies regarding physical activity, limiting the potential to positively influence school-based physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Genetic variation in chemosensory genes can explain variability in individual's perception of and preference for many foods and beverages. To gain insight into variable preference and intake of alcoholic beverages, we explored individual variability in the responses to sampled ethanol (EtOH). In humans, EtOH elicits sweet, bitter, and burning sensations. Here, we explore the relationship between variation in EtOH sensations and polymorphisms in genes encoding bitter taste receptors ( TAS2Rs) and a polymodal nociceptor ( TRPV1). Methods Caucasian participants ( n = 93) were genotyped for 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in TRPV1, 3 SNPs in TAS2R38, and 1 SNP in TAS2R13. Participants rated sampled EtOH on a generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale. Two stimuli were presented: a 16% EtOH whole-mouth sip-and-spit solution with a single time-point rating of overall intensity and a cotton swab saturated with 50% EtOH on the circumvallate papillae ( CV) with ratings of multiple qualities over 3 minutes. Area-under-the-curve ( AUC) was calculated for the time-intensity data. Results The EtOH whole-mouth solution had overall intensity ratings near 'very strong.' Burning/stinging had the highest mean AUC values, followed by bitterness and sweetness. Whole-mouth intensity ratings were significantly associated with burning/stinging and bitterness AUC values on the CV. Three TRPV1 SNPs (rs224547, rs4780521, rs161364) were associated with EtOH sensations on the CV, with 2 (rs224547 and rs4780521) exhibiting strong linkage disequilibrium. Additionally, the TAS2R38 SNPs rs713598, rs1726866, and rs10246939 formed a haplotype, and were associated with bitterness on the CV. Last, overall intensity for whole-mouth EtOH associated with the TAS2R13 SNP rs1015443. Conclusions These data suggest genetic variation in TRPV1 and TAS2Rs influence sensations from sampled EtOH and may potentially influence how individuals initially respond to alcoholic beverages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study that evaluates the impact of single or combined risk factors as defined by the female athlete triad with the incidence of bone stress injuries (BSI) in a multicenter prospective sample of four cohorts of physically active girls and women. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used. It is reported that 28 participants incurred a BSI. A table is shown that outlines baseline descriptive attributes among participants in overall sample and according to injury status.

The purpose of this study was to profile characteristics of people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who self-reported arthritis 7 to 24 yr. post-injury. Pre- and post-injury socio-demographic factors, injury-related factors, and post-injury standardized assessments measuring health, activity, and participation outcomes were assessed in a retrospective cohort study of 274 participants. The group self-reporting arthritis had significantly more sleep disturbances, poorer overall health, lower mental health and physical function, and decreased productivity. Also, they were older and reported a shorter length of loss of consciousness from TBI. These results suggest that musculoskeletal complaints from long-term survivors of TBI should be addressed in post-acute care and could guide future research on arthritis in the TBI population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To identify factors associated with health-related quality of life among overweight or obese adults. Background The obesity epidemic presents a global challenge. Obesity is associated with lower health-related quality of life; however, no study has comprehensively examined correlates of health-related quality of life in this population. Design A cross-sectional design. Methods The physical component score, mental component score and eight domain scores of the Short Form-36 v2 were used to assess health-related quality of life. We identified 23 possible correlates of health-related quality of life, including age, body mass index, health and weight histories, perceived stress, cholesterol-lowering diet self-efficacy, problem-solving, binge eating, dietary intake and physical activity. Correlational analyses were used to examine the bivariate associations between correlates and health-related quality of life variables. All possible subsets regression was used to develop predictive models of health-related quality of life. Results The sample ( n = 210) was predominantly White (84·8%), female (78·1%) and middle-aged (average age = 46·80 years). Age, body mass index, education, having children at home, and being hypertensive were identified as the best predictors of physical component score, explaining about 9% of the variance. Age, marital status, having hyperlipidaemia, perceived stress, problem-solving, self-efficacy, binge eating and barriers to healthy eating predicted mental component score, explaining approximately 48% of the variance. Physical functioning and role physical domains of health-related quality of life had similar sets of predictors, with 15% and 13% of the variance explained, respectively, while similar predictors were identified for bodily pain (6%), general health (26%), vitality (40%), social functioning (32%), role emotional (42%) and mental health (46%) domains. Conclusions Psychosocial factors were associated with the mental-related quality of life. Further exploration of factors related to physical-related quality of life is warranted in this population. Relevance to clinical practice When working with overweight/obese adults who are trying to lose weight, nurses need to consider socio-demographic and psychosocial factors in the development of a treatment plan that will improve health-related quality of life in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Social norms are a key source of influence on health behaviors. This study examined changes in social norms and relationships between HIV injection risk behaviors and social norms among injection drug users ( IDUs) involved in an experimental intervention. Design Randomized clinical trial. Setting An HIV Prevention Trials Network study, Philadelphia, USA. Participants IDUs, called indexes, and their social network members, who were drug or sex partners, were recruited for an HIV prevention intervention and followed for up to 30 months ( n = 652). Indexes were randomized into a peer education intervention or control condition. Measurements Outcomes of injection-related HIV risk behaviors (sharing needles, sharing cookers, sharing cotton, front-/back-loading) were measured every 6 months and the social norms of these four risk behaviors were assessed every 12 months. Findings There was a statistically significant intervention effect on all four social norms of injection behaviors, with participants in the intervention reporting less risky social norms compared with controls (changes in mean score: needles, −0.24, P = 0.007; cookers, −0.33, P = .004; cottons, −0.28, P = .0165; front-/back-loading, −0.23, P = .002). There was also a statistically significant bidirectional association with social norms predicting injection risk behaviors at the next assessment and risk behaviors predicting social norms at the subsequent visit. Conclusions Through social network interventions it is feasible to change both injection risk behaviors and associated social norms. However, it is critical that social network interventions focus on publically highlighting behavior changes, as changing social norms without awareness of behaviors change may lead to relapse of risk behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifestyle-related chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease are the greatest public health concerns. Evidence shows Japanese immigrants to a westernized environment have higher incidence of lifestyle-related diseases. However, little is known about lifestyle characteristics related to chronic diseases for Japanese in a westernized environment. This study is examining the gap in lifestyle by comparing the lifestyle prevalence for Japanese in the US with the Japanese National Data (the National Health and Nutrition Survey in Japan, J-NHANS) as well as the Japan National Health Promotion in the twenty-first Century (HJ21) goals. Japanese adults were surveyed in Pittsburgh, USA, regarding their lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking, stress, alcohol, and oral hygiene). The prevalence was compared with J-NHANS and HJ21 goals. Ninety-three responded (response rate; 97.9%). Japanese men ( n = 38) and women ( n = 55) in Pittsburgh smoke less than Japanese in Japan ( P < 0.001 for both genders). Japanese in Pittsburgh perform less physical activity in daily life and have lower prevalence of walking more than 1 h per day ( P < 0.001 for both genders). Japanese women in Pittsburgh have significantly higher prevalence of stress than in Japan ( P = 0.004). Japanese men in Pittsburgh do not reach HJ21 goal in weight management, BMI, use of medicine or alcohol to sleep, and sleep quality. Japanese women in Pittsburgh do not reach HJ21 goal in weight management and sleep quality. In conclusion, healthy lifestyle promotion including exercise and physical activity intervention for Japanese living in a westernized environment is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various affective and personality variables may impact the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating symptomatology. The current study was a post-hoc analysis examining potential moderators (depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) of this relationship in college women. Four-hundred and seventy-two (472) enrolled college women between the ages of 18 and 55 participated in this study. Moderation analyses indicated that anxiety, depression, and dieting significantly moderated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, whereas impulsivity did not. Findings can be used to generate hypotheses for education and prevention programs on college campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to describe the trends, themes, and outcomes of interventions over time within and between two academic nurse-managed Wellness center (NMWC) sites. Documentation of Wellness interventions and outcomes of these interventions presented ongoing challenges. The Omaha System was used as a documentation system to capture both interventions and client outcomes. A retrospective chart analysis revealed that the most commonly reported problems were circulation and nutrition. Interventions focused on teaching, guidance, and counseling; subsequently, the outcomes of knowledge, behavior, and status increased modestly with time for the older adult clients who attended these NMWC sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]