J. C. Abayomi

Body image dissatisfaction among food‐related degree students

Purpose – Current western society promotes a strong desirability to be thin. The majority of young females are unhappy with their body shape and wish to be thinner. This can lead to many health problems such as addictive exercising, depression and disordered eating. It is also established that certain groups tend to be more prone to body image dissatisfaction (BID) than others. The purpose of this paper is to determine if there was a high prevalence of BID and/or disordered eating among students studying a food‐related degree course.Design/methodology/approach – Students were recruited via e‐mail. Subjects were weighed, measured and BMI calculated. A software package Anamorphic Micro was used to measure BID and a validated questionnaire “BITE” assessed for disordered eating.Findings – Nutrition students had a low mean BMI of 21.8 kg/m2. Despite this, the majority (90 per cent) were dissatisfied with their body; with 83 per cent wishing to be thinner and 60 per cent overestimating their body size. The BITE...

Coping mechanisms used by women in an attempt to avoid symptoms of chronic radiation enteritis.

BACKGROUND Approximately 12,000 individuals undergo pelvic radiotherapy in the UK every year and up to 50% may develop symptoms of chronic radiation enteritis (CRE). Health professionals often give inappropriate dietary advice to patients in an attempt to avoid CRE symptoms, such as avoiding fibre, despite a lack of evidence to support this. METHODS The present study aimed to explore dietary advice and changes made to the diet by women treated with pelvic radiotherapy. A questionnaire was distributed to 117 women attending Liverpool Womens Hospital, exploring symptoms of CRE and asking questions about diet and medication advice received, as well as changes made to the diet. RESULTS Ninety-five (87.2%) women completed the questionnaire and 47% had changed their diet. No significant relationship was observed between receiving dietary advice and making changes to the diet (P > 0.05), although those advised by a dietitian were more likely to be taking regular anti-diarrhoeal medication (P < 0.05) and those taking regular medication found that it helped most/all of the time (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS CRE sufferers should be dissuaded from unnecessarily restricting their diet, which may result in malnutrition. Regular follow-up screening should lead to the identification of sufferers and the offer of individual advice if necessary.

Fit for Birth - the effect of weight changes in obese pregnant women on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a pilot prospective cohort study.

The ‘Fit for Birth’ study aimed to explore patterns of gestational weight gain and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes.

Unconscious Agendas in the Etiology of Refractory Obesity and the Role of Hypnosis in Their Identification and Resolution: A New Paradigm for Weight-Management Programs or a Paradigm Revisited?

Abstract Hypnosis has long been recognized as an effective tool for producing behavioral change in the eating disorders anorexia and bulimia. Despite many studies from the latter half of the last century suggesting that hypnosis might also be of value in managing obesity situations, the efficacy of hypnotherapy for weight reduction has received surprisingly little formal research attention since 2000. This review presents a brief history of early clinical studies using hypnosis for weight reduction and describes a hypnotherapeutic approach within which a combination of instructional/pedagogic and exploratory therapeutic sessions can work together synergistically to maximize the potential for sustained weight loss. Hypnotic modulation of appetite- and satiation-associated peptides and hormone levels may yield additional physiological benefits in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Screening methods for obstructive sleep apnoea in severely obese pregnant women

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an often‐overlooked diagnosis, more prevalent in the obese population. Screening method accuracy, uptake and hence diagnosis is variable. There is limited data available regarding the obese pregnant population; however, many studies highlight potential risks of apnoeic episodes to mother and foetus, including hypertension, diabetes and preeclampsia. A total of 162 women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 were recruited from a tertiary referral hospital in the northwest of England. They were invited to attend three research antenatal clinics, completing an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire at each visit. A monitor measuring the apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) was offered at the second visit. Data taken from consent forms, hospital notes and hospital computer records were collated and anonymized prior to statistical analysis. A total of 12.1% of women had an ESS score of >10, suggesting possible OSA. Rates increased throughout pregnancy, although unfortunately, the attrition rate was high; 29.0% of women used the RUSleeping (RUS) meter, and only one (2.1%) met pre‐specified criteria for OSA (AHI ≥ 15). This individual had OSA categorized as severe and underwent investigations for preeclampsia, eventually delivering by emergency caesarean section due to foetal distress. The accuracy of the ESS questionnaire, particularly the RUS monitor, to screen for OSA in the pregnant population remains unclear. Further research on a larger sample size using more user‐friendly technology to confidently measure AHI would be beneficial. There are currently no guidelines regarding screening for OSA in the obese pregnant population, yet risks to both mother and foetus are well researched.

The quality of dietary intake in obese pregnant women

Data were collected for 140 women with a BMI ≥35 kg/m 2 and a mean booking in weight of 110·2 kg (SD15·7). Nutrients were measured as a proportion of MJ/d and data shows an increase in mean total energy and fat intakes but a decrease in NSP and micronutrient intakes between visits 1 and 3. This suggests that the quality of dietary intake deteriorated during gestation. Negative correlations between total energy intake at visit 3 and birth weight (r= −0.285, p= 0·014), total fat intakes at visit 3 (r= −0.272, p= 0·020) were also demonstrated. Pregnancy is viewed as an ideal window of opportunity to improve eating behaviours and it may be a pertinent time to remind women that during pregnancy they are ‘eating for two’ when it comes to the quality of dietary intakes, as an energy dense ‘empty calorie’ diet with inadequate nutrient intakes may be an important determinant of future offspring obesity and disease risk.

Comparison of the nutritional quality of Indian takeaway and supermarket ready meals

. The aim of this study was to evaluatewhether Indian takeaway meals were signiÞcantly different from similar ready meals when compared per 100g or per portion.Samples of takeaway meals ( n = 34) were collected from small independent takeaway establishments and analysed by an accreditedpublic analyst laboratory. Nutritional quality of ready meals ( n = 26) was assessed based on the nutritional labelling information for oneserving. Median nutrient levels for energy, fat and salt were compared using Kruskal Ð Wallis test, statistical signiÞcance P < 0.05. Theresults are presented as median (interquartile range).When samples were analysed per 100g, the ready meal equivalent of all four meal types were signiÞcantly lower in salt when comparedwith takeaway meals. The salt content of takeaway meals was at least 3 times greater than their ready meal equivalent. Takeaway jalfrezi,korma and tikka massala meals were signiÞcantly higher in energy than ready meals ( p = 0.005) but were not signiÞcantly different in fatcontent [Table 1]. For ready meals, jalfrezi had the lowest energy and fat content ( p = 0.002) and korma had the lowest salt content(p = 0.001). When considering portion sizes, ready meals were signiÞcantly smaller than takeaways ( p = 0.000) and all four types of readymeals were signiÞcantly lower in total energy, fat and salt content ( p < 0.05).

Trans fatty acid content of takeaway food in Merseyside, UK

Consumer food consumption has changed over the last few decades with food prepared outside the home increasing in popularity, including takeaway food from small independent establishments. Food prepared outside of the home tends to be energy dense, higher in fat, saturated fatty acids (SFA), sugar and salt. In addition, high levels of trans fatty acids (TFA) have been reported from fast food chains and TFA are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease. There are no data on the TFA content of takeaway food from independent establishments in the UK. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyse the TFA content of popular takeaway foods from various meal categories of independent establishments in the Wirral and Knowsley regions of Merseyside, UK. Samples of takeaway meals (n = 266) were collected from small independent establishments and sent for analysis by an accredited public analyst laboratory. Total TFA content was analysed in g/100 g and calculated g/meal. Meal categories were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis Test. Results revealed a high variability in the amount of TFA within meals and showed a statistically significant difference between meal categories (p = 0.000, Figure). Kebab meals were the highest in TFA with up to 5.2 g per meal. When compared to UK recommendations ( 5 g/day) Doner kebab and chips equalled this recommendation from just one meal.

Low density lipoprotein quality and discordance with apolipoprotein B in intensively controlled Type 1 diabetes: Any relationship with nutrition?

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is partly characterised by a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) being a commonly treated target, apolipoprotein B (Apo B) has been shown to be a superior predictor of CVD and discordance between these two markers may predispose patients to altered risk(1). The distribution of LDL-C also contributes to these risks, with LDL III & IV fractions possessing greater atherogenic potential(2). Few studies have investigated LDL-C quality and its discordance with Apo B in relation to the nutritional intake of patients with intensively controlled Type 1 diabetes. The aim of this study was to address this dearth of research. Following ethical approval and informed consent 28 patients (32 % male; 68 % female) (mean age 48 ± 15) were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), donate a sample of blood and allow the authors access to their medical records to determine HbA1c. The initial FFQ responses were processed using FETA software. The blood sample was analysed for LDL-C, constituent subfractions and Apo B. All data were interrogated using descriptive statistics. Dichotomous dependent variables pertaining to LDL-C and Apo B were compared using McNemar’s test and correlations between dietary variables were determined with Spearman’s rho test. Significant differences were shown between LDL-C categories when compared to Apo B (p = 0·039) and the majority of patients (46·4 %) presented LDL-C >2·0 mmol/L and Apo B >80 mg/dL (Fig. 1). Although not discordant, these findings still suggest an increased risk according to recommendations(3). Closer inspection of results revealed that individuals with raised LDL-C typically had an abundance of LDL I & II fractions which may somewhat reduce this risk (Fig. 2). Spearman’s correlation applied to the whole population produced no relationship between diet and LDL-C or Apo B; however, when focussing on the predominant ‘at risk’ cluster significant and strong relationships between LDL-C and total carbohydrate (R2 = 0·835; p = <0·001) and sucrose (R2 = 0·758; p = 0·003) were found. No hypoglycaemia data were collected and the authors tentatively speculate that these relationships may be a consequence of its treatment. In the light of the small sample size a further more comprehensive investigation with an appropriately powered sample would be beneficial.

Midwives’ knowledge and experiences of providing weight management advice to pregnant women

M.T. McCann, L.M. Newson, M.S. Charnley, J.S. Rooney, C. Burden and J.C. Abayomi Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Ulster University, Coleraine, BT52 1SA Faculty of Science, Liverpool John Moores University, L3 3AF Faculty of Education, Community and Leisure, Liverpool John Moores University, L17 6BD and Faculty of Education Health and Communication, Community and Leisure, Liverpool John Moores University, L2 2ER