Catherine English

Health Correlates of Exercise Behavior and Stage Change in a Community-Based Exercise Intervention for the Elderly: A Pilot Study

The effects of a community-based physical activity intervention grounded in the Transtheoretical Model were investigated in a sample of older adults. The residents (n = 48, mean age = 78.24 ± 6.69, 90% female) of an independent living complex completed pre-and postintervention assessments, including physical, mental, and general health; nutrition; bodily pain; and stages of exercise behavior change. The intervention included posters with stage-based pamphlets (for inactive stages) and in-house exercise sessions (for active participants). The intervention resulted in high exercise maintenance and more progression than regression in exercise stage. More maintainers and progressers improved on the measured variables compared to relapsers. The stage model is a promising framework on which to base and evaluate interventions for this population. The overall impact of the intervention was positive, whether by providing the actual opportunity to exercise or by motivating other physical activity. These results also support the potential quality-of-life impact for this type of intervention in older adults.

Body composition and energy balance assessment of élite female athletes in the USA and Greece

The purpose of this study was to determine body composition, energy balance and tendencies towards eating disorders of female competitive athletes in two countries, USA and Greece. Data were collected using similar methodology in both countries during the non‐competitive (training) and the competitive seasons. Forty‐two athletes and 11 controls in the USA and 35 athletes and ten controls in Greece participated in the study. Comparison of the results between the countries showed that US athletes weighed more than Greek athletes but there was no significant difference in the percentage of body fat between the two groups. No significant differences were found in the energy intakes between athletes in either country. Athletes appeared to be in negative energy balance (‐380 to ‐580 kcals daily) in both seasons, in both countries.

Issues and Strategies Related to Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Older Adults Living in the Northeast Region

Fruits and vegetables are major dietary sources of antioxidants and other phytonutrients that may help lower chronic disease risk by reducing the oxidative damage that occurs during normal metabolism and through the aging process. Five servings of fruits and vegetables a day are recommended as a minimum goal for all age groups, yet actual intakes, including those of older adults, fall short of this target. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Multi-State Research Project on Aging (NE-172) has investigated through qualitative and quantitative methods (ie, focus group and survey techniques) a variety of factors that both positively and negatively influence fruit and vegetable intake. This article provides background on the importance of promoting and increasing fruit and vegetable intake in older individuals, profiles a cross-section of findings related to fruit and vegetable consumption in various segments of this population, and presents some practical considerations for the development and delivery of information and educational programs addressing the low intake of fruits and vegetables among older individuals in the community.

Academic Measures Available in Sophomore Year can Predict Application and Admission to Dietetic Supervised Practice Programs

The purpose of the study was to determine whether college grade point average (GPA) and application and admission to supervised practice programs could be predicted from measures available in the sophomore year. The sample consisted of 193 graduates of a didactic program in a research university in class years 1986 to 1993. Variables tested included GPA in required dietetics program courses, SAT scores, high school class rank, and age. prediction equations were developed using data from class years 1986 to 1992 and tested on subjects in class year 1993. Subjects who applied to and were admitted to supervised practice programs had significantly higher GPAs. In class years 1986 to 1992, GPAs and SAT math scores of sophomores explained 88% of the variance in the college GPA, whereas the sophomore GPA for professional courses correctly classified 63% of applicants and 73% of admitted subjects. Using these prediction equations for the class of 1993, college GPA of subjects was accurately predicted and 84% of applicants and 75% of admitted subjects were correctly classified. The results of this study provide valuable information for didactic program directors to counsel students into or out of a dietetics program, and could decrease the number of graduates who do not complete registration requirements.

A Nutrition Intervention to Increase Whole Grain Intake in College Students

This study aimed to improve whole grain (WG) intake and coronary heart disease risk factors in 98 college students through an intervention in campus dining halls. The exploratory aim was to evaluate the impact of text messaging on diet and coronary heart disease risk. The 6-week intervention consisted of WG and low-fat dairy messages in campus dining halls and text messages to a subsample (n = 26). WG intake, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, body weight, and body mass index significantly increased over time. Total dairy intake decreased over time. Overall, the intervention had a positive impact on WG consumption and on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Food Stamp Program Participation and Perceived Food Insecurity in Older Adults

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Stamp Program (FSP) is designed to provide additional food income as a means to enhance food intake, diet quality, and food security for all eligible persons, including older adults. This article reports a portion of survey results gleaned from a convenience sample of 200 seniors with limited incomes. It highlights how Food Stamp Program participants differ from or are similar to eligible nonparticipants in perception of food security, participation in local or federal food and nutrition programs, and other selected characteristics. Seniors participating in the FSP indicated a higher level of perceived food insecurity, had a more pronounced need for additional sources of free food, had significantly lower incomes, and presented with more indicators of physical disability than those who met eligibility requirements for participation in the FSP but were not in the program. FSP participants did not access, to any greater degree than other groups in the sample, other emergency or community food programs to increase food availability in their households. Nutrition educators and outreach workers should work to improve physical access to additional sources of food and to improve a homedelivery network of food to alleviate food anxiety in these clients. Efforts should continue to focus on enhancing the image of the FSP to expand participation by eligible nonparticipating seniors.