two-thirds of the United States
population is currently classified as overweight (defined a
s a body mass index [BMI] of
25-29.9 kg/m²) or obese (a BMI greater than 30 kg/m²). Bariatric
surgical interventions
are not only more effective than behavioral treatments
in the short term but are the only
form of obesity intervention with evidence of consisten
t long-term effectiveness.
However, even among bariatric surgery patients, weight
loss often stabilizes and it is
estimated that more than 20% of bariatric surgery patient
s will regain a significant
amount of weight that was initially lost long-term. Li
ttle research to date has been
conducted on physical activity in post bariatric surgery pati
ents. More specifically, there
have been no studies to date examining the effects of Me
ditative Movement (MM)
programs on body composition in bariatric patients. A s
tudy using an 8-week Tai Chi
Easy program was conducted in female gastric bypass patient
s to explore feasibility of
MM in the bariatric population as well as pre- and post-in
tervention changes in weight,
mindfulness, eating behaviors, body awareness, physical a
ctivity patterns, dietary quality
and mood. Data analysis revealed that there were no s
ignificant changes in weight or
physical activity patterns; however, significant changes w
ere observed in anxiety, overall
body awareness and cognitive restraint in eating. Addit
ionally, a significant decrease in
processed meat consumption and a weak trend towards increa
sed consumption of fruits
may suggest an overall improvement in dietary quality.
Sixty-two family caregivers of children with ASD (M =7.61, range: 6-11 years old) participated in this survey study. Participants provided demographic information and completed measures of HRQoL, FQoL, caregiver sleep, SOC, parental stress, child sleep, and child behavior.
Caregivers with longer sleep duration reported better mental health and better FQol. Caregivers who reported insomnia symptoms, non-restorative sleep, and insufficient sleep were more likely to report poorer mental health than caregivers who did not report these sleep disorder symptoms. A stronger caregiver SOC was associated with lower caregiver stress, better mental health, and better FQoL. Significant relationships were found between shorter caregiver sleep duration or sleep disorder symptoms (i.e., difficulty staying asleep, early morning awakening, insufficient sleep) and greater child sleep problems. Moreover, short sleep duration or insufficient sleep among caregivers was significantly associated with greater parenting stress. Notably, biological parents with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) had children with more restless sleep and higher rates of some behavior problems.
There are a number of potential connections between sleep problems of children with ASD and sleep problems of their caregivers that are likely rooted in genetic, environmental, socio-economic, and behavioral factors. Interventions for sleep problems must address the context of the family and consider that sleep problems may be common to the caregiver and the child. The results of this study support findings from many prior studies and point to salient variables for future research and interventions to promote healthy caregiver sleep.
A non-experimental pre-posttest self-report survey design was used to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of an online breastfeeding educational intervention for healthcare providers. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) provided the framework for exploring the participants’ psychological and behavioral outcomes. The research questions were: (1) What is the feasibility of an online breastfeeding course for healthcare providers? (2) What are healthcare providers’ psychological and behavioral changes occurring after completion of an online course? (3) How do the post-intervention psychological and behavioral outcomes of the online format compare with those of the previous format (hybrid) of this breastfeeding course?
Although participants’ favorably assessed the feasibility (i.e., acceptability) of the 45-hour course, several factors contributed to participants’ satisfaction level: Previous online learning experience, connectedness with others, and the degree of structural support. Significant positive changes occurring in participants were increases in their knowledge and beliefs about breastfeeding; attitudes toward formula feeding; perceived behavioral control; perceptions about being able to perform breastfeeding supportive behaviors; and intentions to perform actions that are consistent with evidence-based breastfeeding supportive behaviors. Significant changes in the beliefs about formula feeding were not in the expected direction raising conceptual and pedagogical issues. Participants had negative perceptions about being able to implement what they learned in their workplaces or to affect policy. Findings support the use of online breastfeeding education programs for healthcare providers; changes at both individual and institutional levels are necessary to change provider practices.
Adolescence is a period marked by significant physical, developmental, cognitive, and social changes, all of which contribute to health concerns for teens. A steady rise in life expectancy over the past two centuries is potentially diminishing due to the increase in prevalence, severity, and consequences of obesity in children and adolescents related to unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Health behaviors are often established during childhood and adolescence that continue into adulthood. The development and integration of healthy lifestyle behaviors are vital through adolescence. Self-determination theory (SDT) offers a theoretical framework for attempting to understand individual differences in motivation and behavior. Recent studies have primarily focused on how adolescents make choices related to eating behaviors, physical activity, and self-care habits, and how the resultant behaviors are measured. Participants in this study were 63 healthy adolescents enrolled in 9th grade health class. All participants provided baseline data at Time 1 and again following the five-week pretest posttest intervention study at Time 2. This study examined the utility of SDT in the development of the Adolescent Intrinsic Motivation, a healthy lifestyle behavior intervention, using the tenets of SDT to explain healthy lifestyle motivational beliefs in adolescents, along with healthy lifestyle behaviors and knowledge. The AIM intervention study introduced basic health recommendations to adolescents in an autonomy-supportive environment, which has been shown to encourage the adolescent to make healthy behavior choices based on their own interest and enjoyment. Preliminary effects of the study indicated that participants receiving the AIM intervention demonstrated significant differences in motivational beliefs, healthy lifestyle knowledge, as well as healthy lifestyle behaviors from Time 1 (baseline) to Time 2 (post-intervention). Results of this study provide support for the use of SDT to address the competence, relatedness, and autonomy of adolescents in the development of health education material. Testing this intervention in a larger, random sampling of schools within the state, or even in more than one state, with a three- or six-month follow-up would be useful in determining the longer-term effects of the intervention.
Women with breast cancer often experience weight gain during and after treatment, significantly increasing risk for recurrence as well as all-cause mortality. Based on a growing body of evidence, meditative movement practices may be effective for weight management. First, we describe the effects of stress on factors associated with weight gain for breast cancer survivors. Then, a model is proposed that utilizes existing evidence to suggest how meditative movement supports behavioral, psychological, and neurohormonal changes that may explain weight loss. Application of the model suggests how a novel "mindful-body-wisdom" approach may work to help reduce weight for this at-risk group.
Women with breast cancer often experience weight gain during and after treatment, significantly increasing risk for recurrence as well as all-cause mortality. Based on a growing body of evidence, meditative movement practices may be effective for weight management. First, we describe the effects of stress on factors associated with weight gain for breast cancer survivors. Then, a model is proposed that utilizes existing evidence to suggest how meditative movement supports behavioral, psychological, and neurohormonal changes that may explain weight loss. Application of the model suggests how a novel “mindful-body-wisdom” approach may work to help reduce weight for this at-risk group.