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.
Objective: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) cash value vouchers (CVV) have been inconsistently redeemed in Arizona. The objective of this study was to explore perceived barriers to use of CVV as well as strategies participants use to overcome them.
Design: Eight focus groups were conducted to explore attitudes and behaviors related to CVV use.
Setting: Focus groups were conducted at 2 WIC clinics in metro-Phoenix, AZ.
Participants: Participants in WIC who were at least 18 years of age and primarily responsible for buying and preparing food for their households.
Phenomenon of interest: Perceived barriers to CVV use and strategies used to maximize their purchasing value.
Analysis: Transcripts were analyzed using a general inductive approach to identify emergent themes.
Results: Among 41 participants, multiple perceived barriers emerged, such as negative interactions in stores or confusion over WIC rules. Among experienced shoppers, WIC strategies also emerged to deal with barriers and maximize CVV value, including strategic choice of times and locations at which to shop and use of price-matching, rewards points, and other ways to increase purchasing power.
Conclusions and implications: Arizona WIC participants perceived barriers that limit easy redemption of CVV. Useful strategies were also identified that could be important to explore further to improve WIC CVV purchasing experiences.
Women participating in the aesthetic sports of cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and swimming are more prone to develop eating disorders and higher levels of body dissatisfaction than non-athletes. In addition to successful performance levels, female athletes participating in shape-based sports are expected to maintain a contradicting thin-build body type that not only satisfies society’s standards to look thin but also demonstrates the strength required to perform in specific sports. Female athletes are faced with sociocultural pressures that can lead to adopting thin-idealism, and further result in serious effects on an athlete’s perception of themselves, as well as their physical health. Social comparison and diet culture are other factors that contribute to an athlete’s unhealthy behaviors, and society’s involvement in media to equate beauty with women who have thin bodies and persuade individuals to never feel satisfied with their appearance is so long-established that many athletes strive for perfectionism. This study evaluated the relationship between female athletes in aesthetic sports and their feelings towards their body composition, eating habits, and self-esteem through an online questionnaire. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine trends, if any, between subgroups of respondents (n=58) who identify between 18 to 25 years old and have previously or currently participated in cheerleading, gymnastics, dance, and/or swimming. Data revealed that a majority of respondents often feel insecure about how their body looks during sports participation, and often experience social comparison to their teammates/peers. The most frequent activity to change body composition resulted in skipping meals/hunger cues among cheerleaders, dancers, and gymnasts, while swimmers engaged most in exercising more than once a day. Athletes with 10 or more years of athletic involvement also stated that they moderately to strongly related to the statement: “I think a lot about looking thin.” Ultimately, analysis supports that the sports industry requires more awareness of the health risks associated with certain sports, and how athletes and their coaches lack health-related education regarding proper nutrition, exercise, and body acceptance.
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a sudden and severe economic downturn. Between February and May 2020, the number of unemployed individuals rose by more than 14 million, resulting in an unprecedented increase in the unemployment rate, which went from 3.8% in February to 14.4% in April. Even though unemployment has declined in recent months, with some individuals returning to work, the rate is still much higher than it was one year ago (7.9% in September 2020 vs. 3.5% in September 2019). Further, as of September 2020, there are 19.4 million persons unable to work due to the pandemic, as well as 6.3 million persons working only part time even though they would prefer to work more.
In the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, food assistance programs adapted quickly and in unprecedented ways to meet the challenges of high unemployment, disruptions in the food supply, and school closures. Supported by US Department of Agriculture’s COVID-19 program-specific waivers, some programs relaxed their eligibility criteria, while others improvised on delivery modalities or temporarily increased benefits.1 To examine food assistance program participation and participant experiences during the first few months of the pandemic, we collected online survey data in July 2020 from a sample of over 1,500 U.S. households, representative of the US population. This brief summarizes participation in key food assistance programs, namely, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC), School Food Programs, as well as emergency food assistance provided through Food Pantries.
