Carolyn L. Blue

Change in Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Weight in Female College Freshman.

OBJECTIVE To examine diet, physical activity, and body-weight changes associated with relocation from home to university. METHODS Diet, fitness/physical activity, body-weight parameters and self-efficacy were assessed among 54 freshman women upon college entry and 5 months later. RESULTS Although caloric intake significantly decreased, a significant increase occurred in body-weight parameters that may be attributed to significant decreases in total physical activity. CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed aimed at increasing physical activity; improving diet quality related to consumption of vegetables, fruits, breads and pasta, and meats; and decreasing alcohol consumption.

Synthesis of Intervention Research to Modify Physical Activity and Dietary Behaviors

A descriptive literature review was conducted to examine conceptual and methodological issues of interventions aimed at improving both physical activity and diet behaviors according to critical elements established by Sidani and Braden (1998). The method of the review of 30 articles describing 17 intervention studies focused on the following nine elements: (a) relevance of the intervention to the targeted outcome; (b) theoretical components of the intervention; (c) intervention components; (d) complexity, strength, and integrity of the intervention; (e) extraneous factors; (f) adherence to the intervention and retention; (g) reliability and validity of the outcome measures; (h) expected outcomes; and (i) effectiveness of the intervention. The results were that the interventions were relevant and included multiple components, but most interventions lacked an explicit theoretical framework. Adherence to the intervention and retention were problems. Overall, to varying degrees and for those completing the programs, the interventions were effective for increasing physical activity, lowering dietary fat, weight loss, and reducing risk for illness. Twelve “lessons learned” evolved that have practical and research implications. One salient lesson and future priority is to incorporate theory to reveal the intervention content and mechanisms to modify physical activity and dietary behaviors concurrently so that future interventions are more efficacious and efficient. Another lesson revealed the need for more sensitive measures, and examination of ways to improve intervention adherence and retention and prevent relapse.

Physical Activity Belief Scales for Diabetes Risk: Development and Psychometric Testing

This article describes the development and psychometric evaluation of behavioral belief, normative belief, and control belief scales, derived from the theory of planned behavior to predict physical activity intentions of persons at risk for diabetes. In Study 1, belief statements from interviews were categorized, ranked, and evaluated for item construction. Content validity was established by 96.1% agreement among a five-member expert panel. In Study 2, items developed from the belief statements were administered to 106 adults at risk for diabetes. Psychometric analyses provided evidence of construct validity and reliability of the three scales. Internal consistency was sufficient (α = .76-.95), and test-retest evaluations indicated scale stability (r = .79-.91). Factor analyses and confirmatory factor analysis using structural equation modeling provided evidence that the items were appropriately grouped under each construct. Researchers and practitioners can use these measures to assess behavioral, normative, and control beliefs about physical activity among persons at risk for diabetes.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and mortality in diabetic men with and without cardiovascular disease

We assessed joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or both with all-cause mortality. High-fitness eliminated mortality risk in diabetes (P<0.001) and halved risk of death in diabetes/CVD (P<0.001). Fitness was a potent effect modifier in the association of diabetes and CVD to mortality.

Adherence to Worksite Exercise Programs: An Integrative Review of Recent Research

1. Improving worker physical fitness through worksite exercise programs offers many benefits to the employee and the employer. Unfortunately, a small percentage of workers who begin an exercise program adhere to it. 2. It is essential to design program strategies to promote exercise adherence among persons who do not currently exercise at levels that achieve health benefits. 3. The results of this review of worksite research suggest a number of strategies that were successful in increasing at least short term exercise adherence. 4. Carefully controlled studies are needed to identify specific worksite exercise interventions or combination of interventions that maximize the initiation of exercise as well as short and long term adherence. A combination of strategies improves exercise adherence for at least 6 months, but more research is needed to determine long term maintenance of an exercise program.

Beliefs of blue-collar workers: stage of readiness for exercise.

OBJECTIVE To address a theoretical debate regarding contributions of self-efficacy and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in explaining the amount of variance in stage of readiness to exercise among blue-collar workers. METHOD A validated questionnaire was used for assessment. RESULTS LISREL indicated that self-efficacy had the most influence on stage and TPB constructs were subjugated to self-efficacy. Univariate analyses indicated that self-efficacy and TPB variables are important for intervention. CONCLUSIONS Self-efficacy plays a major role in explaining exercise stage among high-risk blue-collar workers, and self-efficacy and TPB constructs are important to consider in designing interventions.

Strategy for reinforcing drug knowledge and accountability in drug administration.

The strategy of including drug-related nursing diagnoses on the nursing care plan can be a helpful tool in fostering drug knowledge and responsibility for nursing care related to drugs. Using the nursing care plan adds meaning to drug cards and other pharmacologic resources. Individualizing drug considerations on the nursing care plan adds another important dimension to nursing practice. Students demonstrated improved proficiency and relevance in applying drug information to client care.

A cost-effective method of skills practice.

Practice equipment costs for students have soared in the last ten to fifteen years. The dilemma is how to achieve the required level of skill proficiency in a cost-efficient manner. Due to the high cost of disposable equipment and supplies, our university could not afford to provide each student with a sterile unopened kit. We searched for a way for students to have the experience of opening a kit and using it for the first time in a simulated learning environment. Our teaching team in the Adult Nursing course decided to let the students purchase a large packet of materials to be used throughout the course.

Commentary on “The Brief Serenity Scale: A Psychometric Analysis of a Measure of Spirituality and Well-Being”

The purpose of the study by Mary Jo Kreitzer and her colleagues (2009) was to conduct a psychometric analysis of the Serenity Scale, which is purported to measure important dimensions of spirituality and well-being that are sensitive to nursing interventions. Understanding spirituality and having the ability to assess spirituality in patients is relevant to the ability to provide spiritual care. Spirituality as a concept is very broad and has many dimensions (Tanyi, 2002). Berry (2005) discussed operational difficulties in measuring spirituality because of its broad definitions and a lack of clarity in its conceptualization.

Critical Thinking and Computer-Assisted Instruction

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) is a popular learning tool in schools of nursing. Studies show CAI is effective in learning complex information; there are mixed results about student attitude toward the use of this learning method. CAI patient care simulations provide an opportunity for students to make clinical decisions without the anxiety experienced in a clinical setting or the risk of harm to clients. The investigators used CAI for one semester with 26 third year students as an adjunct to a clinical course in a baccalaureate nursing program. Student attitude and critical thinking skills were measured using the Allens Attitude Toward Computer-Assisted Instructional Scale and the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Form A, respectively.