Julie Gast

Prevalence and Correlates of Walking and Biking to School Among Adolescents

Increasing the rates that our adolescents walk and bicycle to school, also called active transport to school (ATS), could increase the physical activity (PA) levels of that age group. This type of activity has been identified as a missed opportunity for PA. It is currently estimated that 15% of American youth walk or bicycle to school. These rates of ATS are lower than those of European and Asian youth. Efforts to enhance levels of non-motorized transport to school could aid in reducing obesity rates among American youth, decrease traffic congestion and attenuate emission of greenhouse gasses. The objective was to identify demographic, environmental and psychosocial predictors of ATS. A 30-questionnaire was completed by 2,692 students. Logistic regression was used to identify psychosocial, demographic and environmental predictors of ATS. Only 4.6% of students used ATS. Predictors of ATS were street connectedness (density of street intersections) and gender, (boys had higher ATS rates). Public health officials should be alert for opportunities to select sites for new schools that are in neighborhoods with well connected street systems. Interventions promoting ATS will need to target male and female students and there appears to be an opportunity to increase rates that students bicycle to school.

Weight Loss Education: The Challenge of a New Paradigm

Health educators and others typically rely on three weight loss strategies to combat obesity. These include (1) medical intervention, (2) caloric restriction, and (3) fat gram restriction. The empirical evidence for these approaches in producing long-term weight loss is weak. However, much media attention has been given to a weight loss paradigm that seemingly does not fall into the aforementioned categories, which has been called the intuitive eating paradigm. Currently there is no empirical evidence to validate this paradigm. The focus of this article is to present an overview of this weight loss paradigm, discuss its potential benefits for health education in relation to current weight loss paradigms, and critically evaluate it in terms of the usefulness and ethical appropriateness for health education.

The stigma of AIDS : persons with AIDS and social distance

Persons with AIDS (PWAs) are faced with the social isolation and discrimination that accompanies a deviant and stigmatized status. In this reasearch, we used the labeling or societal reaction theor...

A Needs Assessment of Latino Men’s Health Concerns:

Historically, Latino men are an understudied group. Researchers know little about the impact of culture or gender on health concerns. In this study, focus groups with Latino men were held that investigated their health concerns, barriers, motivators, and access to health information and health services. Additionally, the researchers wished to determine if a church-based design might help reach men who might not be responsive to more traditional health education or public health routes. Results included that the Latino male participants in this study wanted health information but wanted it to be more specific and in an accessible format. They also desired more Spanish-speaking health care providers and were acutely interested in low-cost health care. Prevention was not of much interest to these participants. Church-attending participants were interested in church-based health education.

VALIDATION OF THE MOTIVATION FOR EATING SCALE

For items used in the Likert-type Motivation for Eating Scale (MFES), content domain was clearly specified and a panel of experts assessed the relevance of each item. Based on responses from 298 participants in the western United States, the MFES was evaluated for internal consistency and reliability using factor analysis and correlation techniques. The factor solution isolated four factors that replicated scale construction, including: environmental eating, emotional eating, physical eating, and social eating with alpha coefficients ranging from .75 to .95. Retesting after two weeks (N=88) yielded correlation coefficients that ranged between .55 and .77. Theorized relationships between subscale scores and certain demographic variables add support for concurrent validity. MFES subscales also correlated predictably with select subscales from the Emotional Eating Scale and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire suggesting convergent validity (N=103). Findings provide tentative support for use of the MFES in community and college settings.

Cybersex Use and Abuse: Implications for Health Education.

Abstract The Internet is increasingly used as an outlet for sexual activity. This literature review explores key definitions, perceived benefits, risks, and consequences of engaging in cybersex, as well as its influence on youth and young adults. The accessibility, affordability, and anonymity of the Internet make it highly appealing to users. Increasing time spent online for sexual activity may lead to cybersex abuse and compulsive cybersex behavior. This poses a threat to relationships, work, and educational pursuits. Chatrooms are especially prominent as a slippery slope to more extreme sexual behaviors. Characteristics of cybersex users do not seem to be divided by subgroups such as gender, sexual orientation, and marital status. There are only limited amounts of research on youth and online sexual activity, but some research suggests that adolescents are engaging in cybersex. Moreover, college students appear to be at particular risk for developing cybersex compulsive behaviors. Increased health education about the dangers of potential cybersex addiction and abuse is needed. In addition, health educators need to add cybersex to their curricula to warn users of potential addiction.

Weight Loss Management: A Path Lit Darkly

This article reviews recent research on the prevalence and virulence of obesity as a causal risk factor for mortality and morbidity. The prevailing assumption that obesity, by itself, is a chronic disease or a primary risk factor for health is challenged. A historical perspective is used to analyze the efficacy of various medical and educational approaches that have attempted to alter body size in the pursuit of enhanced physical health. The motivational discrepancies between societys media-induced desire for thinness and the health fields risk reduction approach to weight loss are outlined. Finally, ethical issues are raised in relation to current weight control measures, implications for future educational efforts are discussed, and potential guidelines for future weight management programs are presented.

It used to be that if it weren't broken and bleeding profusely, I would never go to the doctor: men, masculinity, and health.

Masculine gender scripts have been influential in health decision making in men. In addition, although past research has identified some success in using churches as sites for health education with women, little is known if similar programs would be successful with men. It is also unclear if religious beliefs influence the health attitudes and behaviors of men. Four focus groups with men from four religious denominations were conducted to learn about their health beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, with the following themes emerging: men’s health fears, health promotion behaviors, spousal influence, aging and men’s health, and church-based health influence. Finally, the interaction of masculine gender scripts within these themes was considered.

Emotional Eating and Spiritual Well-Being: A Possible Connection?

Abstract The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the relationship between emotional eating and spiritual well-being. It was found that among college women lower levels of spiritual well-being correlated with higher levels of emotional eating (r=-.22, p=.0015). In other studies emotional eating has been found to contribute to higher caloric intake, binge eating, and bulimic eating attitudes. A better understanding of the correlates of emotional eating may lead to health education strategies for preventing or managing overweight, obesity, and eating disorders—which may be some of the major public health issues of the future. Implications for health education are discussed, and research needs are suggested.

Are Men More Intuitive When It Comes to Eating and Physical Activity

The purpose of this study was to determine where men fall on the motivation continuum based on intuitive eating status and if motivation for physical activity and intuitive eating are correlated. Results indicate that being an intuitive eater was associated with a lower body mass index. In terms of demographic variables, as age increased, intuitive eating status decreased and body mass index increased. Men scored high on the antidieting and self-care subscales of the Intuitive Eating Scale. Men who were classified as intuitive eaters scored higher on the external and introjected regulation of the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire but no significant differences were reported by eating status and the identified and intrinsic motivation subscales. Intuitive eating holds promise as a weight management and weight loss tool for men. Intuitive eating may also influence initial motivation for physical activity for men.