Jennifer A. Boisvert

Homosexuality as a Risk Factor for Eating Disorder Symptomatology in Men

Sexual orientation, body shame, body mass index (BMI), weight discrepancy and age were investigated as risks for eating disorder symptomatology in gay and heterosexual men (N = 230). Higher body shame (the dominant predictor) was associated with higher eating disorder symptomatology. Body shame appeared to be an expression of muscularity. BMI was the next strongest predictor, with heavier men reporting greater weight discrepancy, and in turn, eating disorder symptomatology. Overall, gay men were at greater risk for eating disorder symptomatology than heterosexual men, and a thin-muscular body ideal applies to younger rather than older gay men. These findings have important implications for intervention, prevention and promotion of mens health.

The impact of spirituality on eating disorder symptomatology in ethnically diverse Canadian women.

Background: There is currently a gap in our knowledge of how eating disorder symptomatology is impacted by spirituality and religiosity. To date, studies examining the role of ethnicity in women’s self-reported levels of eating disorder symptomatology have neglected the roles of spirituality and religiosity. Aims: This study addresses this gap in the literature by investigating ethnicity, spirituality, religiosity, body shame, body mass index (BMI) and age in relation to eating disorder symptomatology in women. Methods: A representative non-clinical sample of ethnically diverse Canadian women (N = 591) was surveyed. Results: Younger women, particularly those with higher body shame, BMI and lower spirituality, reported more eating disorder symptomatology. Hispanic and Asian women had higher body shame and lower BMI compared to white women. Spirituality was more strongly related to eating disorder symptomatology than religiosity. Conclusions: This is the first study identifying interactive relationships between ethnicity, spirituality, body shame, BMI and age on eating disorder symptomatology in women. Particularly significant is that higher spirituality was related to a lower level of eating disorder symptomatology. These findings have important implications for treatment and women’s physical and psychological health and wellness.

Information provision, patient involvement, and emotional support: prospective areas for improving anesthetic care

PurposeTo explore patients’ perceptions of anesthetic care as measured by a patient-centered care survey. Specifically the survey examined patient views of multiple diverse dimensions of care that are not typically fully addressed among patients receiving anesthesia services, namely opinions on Information Provision, Involvement in Care, Respect Shown, Physical Comfort, and Emotional Support.MethodA total of 268 patients responded to a patient-centered care survey, a self-report factor analytically derived instrument designed to measure the aforementioned dimensions of care.ResultsAnalyses revealed that the highest ratings of care were given to Physical Comfort and Respect. Ratings of Information Provision, Involvement, and Emotional Support were significantly lower. Ratings did not differ as a function of site of service, inpatient vs day surgery, surgical service, type of anesthetic, or anesthesiologist.DiscussionThe findings generated from the study are of value in obtaining a broader understanding of anesthesia services from the patient’s perspective, and also in directing quality improvement initiatives. Other departments of anesthesiology interested in quality improvement initiatives may similarly benefit from measurement of patient-centered care.RésuméObjectifExplorer la façon de percevoir les soins anesthésiques au moyen d’une enquête axée sur les patients. L’enquête a spécialement étudié le point de vue des patients sur différentes dimensions des soins qui ne sont pas généralement examinées, à savoir l’accès à l’information, la participation aux soins, le respect, le confort physique et le soutien émotionnel.MéthodeCe sont 268 patients qui ont répondu à cette enquête axée sur les patients. Nous avons utilisé un instrument dérivé analytiquement d’un facteur autodéclaré pour mesurer l’importance des soins susmentionnée.RésultatsLes plus hautes cotes sont allées au confort physique et au respect. Les cotes sur les informations, la participation et le soutien émotionnel ont été significativement plus basses. Les cotes n’ont pas présenté de différence en fonction du lieu, du fait d’être un patient hospitalisé ou ambulatoire, du type de chirurgie ou d’anesthésie ou de l’anesthésiologiste.ConclusionLes résultats de l’étude sont précieux, car ils permettent de mieux comprendre les services anesthésiques du point de vue du patient et aussi d’orienter les initiatives d’amélioration de la qualité. D’autres services d’anesthésiologie intéressés à ce genre d’action pourraient bénéficier d’une enquête semblable.

AN INFORMATION THEORY ANALYSIS OF DURATION OF LIFEGUARDS' SCANNING

Observers recorded the duration of scanning by six lifeguards in three indoor swimming pools. Duration of scanning was significantly predicted by the absolute numbers of child swimmers (< 17 years) in the pools and when numbers of child swimmers were represented in terms of bits of information. Duration of scanning increased as a linear function of both numbers of children and child bits of information. These results are interpreted in terms of the Hick-Hyman law of information theory. Lifeguards appear to simplify the task of information processing and decision-making by concentrating on children as a more at-risk group of swimmers. Duration of scanning was not significantly related to changes in number of adult swimmers.

Dog walking: a leisurely solution to pediatric and adult obesity?

Dog walking and other playful activities with dogs can reduce sedentary lifestyles of both children and adults. Growing evidence suggests that dog walking and play can reduce obesity and promote optimal health and well-being, including spiritual health. Exploring the leisure and health benefits of dog walking and play may be important in addressing the epidemic of obesity and in promoting overall well-being. Although some studies have been undertaken on this topic, more research is needed to examine further the connections between walking and playing with dogs and human health.

Integrating Admission and Discharge Services: Evaluation Results, Challenges and Directions

This article documents an evaluation of a health district organizational change aimed at improving admission and discharge services. To this end, diverse staff from across the continuum of care were integrated and focused on facilitating, evaluating and coordinating timely and appropriate service access. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine the impact of the change on stakeholders. Results revealed improvements in admission and discharge over a short period, but also illustrated challenges faced during implementation and areas for program development.

Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and eating disorder symptomatology in Canada: implications for mental health care

Purpose – There is a gap in the understanding of relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), urban-rural differences, ethnicity and eating disorder symptomatology. This gap has implications for access to treatment and the effectiveness of treatment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Data are presented from a major Canadian survey, analyzing the impact of body mass index (BMI), urban-non-urban residency, income, and ethnicity on eating disorder symptomatology. Findings – One of the strongest findings is that high income non-White women expressed less eating disorder symptomatology than lower income non-White women. Research limitations/implications – Future research needs to consider how factors such as urban residency, exposure to Western “thinness” ideals, and income differentials impact non-White women. Practical implications – Effective treatment of ethnic minority women requires an appreciation of complicated effects of “culture clash,” income and BMI on eatin...