Keith A. King

Attitudes and perceptions of fitness professionals regarding obesity.

The purpose of this study was to assess perceptions of exercise professionals regarding obesity. A three page, 25-item survey was mailed to a random sample of 500 certified Health Fitness Instructors, Exercise Test Technologists, and Exercise Specialists from a certification list provided by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The return rate was 66%. Most exercise professionals (74%) supervised or worked directly with obese clients in an exercise/fitness setting. The majority of exercise professionals believed that normal weight is very important to a persons health, that physical activity is very important in the treatment of obesity, that they should be role models by maintaining normal weight, that they are obligated to counsel obese persons concerning the health risks of obesity, that they are very competent to prescribe exercise programs for weight loss, and that counseling obese persons on exercise for weight loss is professionally gratifying. The majority of exercise professionals also believed sedentary lifestyles, poor eating behavior, excessive calorie consumption, and psychological problems play a major role in most obesity. Exercise professionals reported that they received most of their information on weight control from textbooks, college classes, scientific journals, workshops/seminars, and past experience.

FAST stroke prevention educational program for middle school students : Pilot study results

&NA; This pilot study evaluated the effects of FAST Stroke Prevention Educational Program for Middle School Students, a 2‐month stroke prevention educational program targeted to middle school students. The FAST program focused on improving knowledge of stroke signs and symptoms; risk factors; treatment‐seeking behaviors (call 911); overall attitude toward stroke, including perceived self‐efficacy in identifying stroke warning signs and dealing with a stroke victim; stroke risk‐reduction behaviors; and other risk factors for stroke, such as hypertension and diabetes. The FAST program evaluation consisted of a pretest, an educational intervention, immediate posttest, and a long‐term posttest at 2 months. A convenience sample of 72 students with a mean age of 13.25 years was used. After obtaining school, parental, and student consent, the FAST program was implemented by the school nurse, health teachers, and research nurses. Results indicated significant increases in knowledge of stroke risk factors and warning signs and in attitudes of self‐efficacy among middle school students that were sustained from pretest to long‐term posttest; data supported the effectiveness of this novel intervention. Additional research using a variety of educational strategies and a longer time frame of intervention is recommended to further expand use of this program.

Disordered eating and job stress among nurses

AIM The purpose of this study was to examine disordered eating behaviours among nurses in the state of Ohio. BACKGROUND Individuals involved in disordered eating tend to report more frequent and higher levels of perceived stress than their counterparts. As nurses regularly perform stressful roles and responsibilities within a high-stress environment, this group may be at elevated risk of disordered eating. METHOD A 65-item survey was mailed to a random sample of 1000 nurses in the state of Ohio. RESULTS A total of 435 nurses (47%) returned completed surveys. Most (93%) were registered nurses (RNs) and 87% were over 31 years old. Results indicated that disordered eating differed significantly based on perceived job stress and perceived body satisfaction. Nurses with high levels of perceived job stress and low levels of body satisfaction had higher disordered eating involvement. CONCLUSIONS Nurses reporting high levels of job stress are at increased risk of disordered eating behaviours. Recommendations for future research are offered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Employee wellness programmes should be developed that educate and support nurses to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Teaching adolescents safe driving and passenger behaviors: Effectiveness of the You Hold the Key Teen Driving Countermeasure

PROBLEM Unsafe driving and passenger behaviors place teens at increased risk for fatal and nonfatal crashes. This study evaluated the short-and long-term efficacy of the You Hold the Key (YHTK) Teen Driving Countermeasure. METHOD A two-page survey was completed by high school students at pretest, posttest, and long-term (6-month) posttest. RESULTS YHTK was associated with significant immediate and long-term improvements in teen seatbelt use, safe driving, and perceived confidence in preventing drunk driving. Compared to pretests, students at immediate and long-term posttest more frequently wore seatbelts when driving or riding, required passengers to wear seatbelts, and limited the number of passengers to the number of seatbelts in the vehicle. Students were more likely at both posttests to avoid drinking and driving and to say no to riding with a friend who had been drinking. SUMMARY YHTK was associated with increases in safe teen driving and passenger behaviors. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY Success of YHTK is most notably due to its comprehensive nature. Future programs should consider comprehensive strategies when attempting to modify teen behaviors.

University students' perceived self-efficacy in identifying suicidal warning signs and helping suicidal friends find campus intervention resources

Currently, suicide is the third leading cause of death among youth 18 to 24 years of age and the second leading cause of death on college campuses. A sample of students (N = 1,019) from three midwestern universities were surveyed regarding their perceived self-efficacy in identifying suicide warning signs and campus suicide intervention resources. The results indicated that 11% strongly believed they could recognize a friend at suicidal risk, while 17% strongly believed they could ask a friend if he or she was suicidal. Students who had received high school suicide prevention education and who had ever had a family member or friend express suicidal thoughts to them were those most confident in recognizing a friend at risk, asking a friend if he/she is suicidal, and helping a friend to see a counselor. Most (71%) were not aware of on-campus help resources. These findings underscore the importance of suicide prevention education throughout the high school and college years.

Getting inked: Tattoo and risky behavioral involvement among university students

Abstract The purpose of the study is to assess university students’ involvement in tattooing and examine associations between tattooing and risky behaviors. University students enrolled in physical education and health classes at one Midwestern University are study participants, and a survey is used to examine 998 university students’ involvement in tattooing. The results indicate that 29.6% of respondents have a tattoo. The most common locations for tattoos are the chest (37.6%), foot (26.8%), arm (15.8%), and back (14.4%). Females are more likely than males to have a tattoo. Tattooed students are significantly more likely than non-tattooed students to engage in alcohol and marijuana use and risky sexual behaviors. Suicidal behaviors and suicidal ideation are not related to tattoo status among university students. Therefore, college health professionals should be aware of associations between tattooing and risky behavioral involvement. Educational programs are needed to increase student awareness of body modification and associated risk behaviors.

Clinical Psychologists’ Firearm Risk Management Perceptions and Practices

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current perceptions and practices of discussing firearm risk management with patients diagnosed with selected mental health problems. A three-wave survey was mailed to a national random sample of clinical psychologists and 339 responded (62%). The majority (78.5%) believed firearm safety issues were greater among those with mental health problems. However, the majority of clinical psychologists did not have a routine system for identifying patients with access to firearms (78.2%). Additionally, the majority (78.8%) reported they did not routinely chart or keep a record of whether patients owned or had access to firearms. About one-half (51.6%) of the clinical psychologists reported they would initiate firearm safety counseling if the patients were assessed as at risk for self-harm or harm to others. Almost half (46%) of clinical psychologists reported not receiving any information on firearm safety issues. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that a more formal role regarding anticipatory guidance on firearms is needed in the professional training of clinical psychologists.

Health-Seeking Behaviors among Latinas: Practices and Reported Difficulties in Obtaining Health Services.

Abstract Background: Latinos experience disproportionate negative health status and health care access. Expanding understanding of factors impacting Latino immigrant health is imperative. Purpose: This study identified health-seeking behaviors among Latinas in a large Midwestern city with rapid immigrant population growth. Health-seeking behaviors like frequency of care, type of health care provider (HCP) sought, and reasons for seeking care were explored. Barriers to health care access and their frequency were identified. Additionally, interactions between demographics, health-seeking behaviors and health care access barriers were explored. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 204 Latinas by trained culturally competent and bilingual interviewers. Results: Most reported moderate to good health. Foreign born Latinas reported lower overall health. Nearly half had experienced difficulty obtaining health care services. Leading access barriers were: cost, communication issues, and lack of insurance. Those reporting difficulty had: significantly lower education and income levels, lower ability for self-sufficiency, less likelihood of having legal status, and more likelihood of being unemployed. Lack of Latino HCPs and cultural insensitivity by HCPs were reported as barriers. Discussion: Incongruities in access to care underscore the importance for novel interventions aimed at reducing health care disparities. Findings emphasize the need for tailored outreach programs that address barriers and that are effective in increasing Latina participation in preventive health care. Continued assessment of acculturation on health-seeking behaviors among Latinas is clearly warranted, as it can have a profound impact on their health seeking behaviors. Translation to Health Education Practice: The continuation of efforts to decrease all health disparities is discussed with emphasis on giving attention to the specific needs of emerging populations for culturally appropriate and effective health care options.

Risk and protective factors for recent alcohol use among African-American youth.

A total of 7488 7th-12th grade African-American students completed a survey assessing factors associated with recent alcohol use. Results indicated that 13.6% used alcohol in the past month. A series of odds ratios revealed that making good grades, participating in school activities, attending church, and having parents/teachers talk about the dangers of alcohol and set/enforce rules regarding alcohol were associated with decreased recent use. Participating in risky behaviors such as getting into trouble, skipping school, and having friends who use alcohol and other drugs was directly related to recent use. Prevention specialists should encourage parents/teachers to engage youth in family, school, and community activities to deter alcohol use. Results may assist youth health professionals in developing prevention programs aimed at African-American youth.

Coaches’ Attitudes and Involvement in Alcohol Prevention Among High School Athletes

A total of 288 high school coaches completed a survey on their attitudes toward and involvement in alcohol prevention among male high school athletes. Results indicated that coaches felt alcohol use was less of a problem among high school student-athletes than high school students in general. Only one-third of coaches (39%) worked at a school requiring them to talk to their athletes about alcohol use. Coaches most likely to be involved in alcohol prevention were those who had attended an alcohol prevention class/workshop and those who worked for schools with strong alcohol prevention policies and schools that required them to talk with athletes about alcohol use.