Madeleine Nowak

The weight-conscious adolescent : Body image, food intake, and weight-related behavior

PURPOSE To explore how adolescents who try to lose weight differ from those who do not in relation to body image, food intake, knowledge about food, and sources of information about food, nutrition, and weight loss. METHODS Data were collected from 12-15-year-old school students in North Queensland, Australia by questionnaire. RESULTS Boys who attempted weight loss reduced sweet foods and snacks, while concurrently increasing healthy foods such as fruit, yogurt, and low-fat milk. Girls who attempted weight loss ate breakfast, lunch, snacks, milk, bread, meat, and many sweet and fatty foods less often than other girls. Some reduction in meals, snacks, core foods, and sweet fatty foods, but not savory fatty foods, remained after the weight loss attempt. Boys attempting weight loss had better knowledge about high-fat and high-sugar foods than other boys, but there was no difference for girls. Girls attempting weight loss were more likely than other girls to think that core foods such as bread, potatoes, and dairy products should be reduced, whereas boys were more likely to think that sweet foods should be reduced. The majority of students who had attempted weight loss during the previous year considered themselves overweight, while few weight-conscious students were satisfied with their bodies. CONCLUSIONS The weight-conscious adolescents in this study, especially the girls, exhibited restrictive eating practices and a preoccupation with a slim image. Adolescents need a food culture based on foods to eat rather than foods to avoid, and an understanding of suitable weight-control measures.

Specificity of bacterial symbionts in Mediterranean and Great Barrier Reef sponges.

Bacteria were isolated from marine sponges from the Mediterranean and the Great Barrier Reef and characterized using numerical taxonomy techniques. A similar sponge-specific bacterial symbiont was found in 9 of 10 sponges examined from both geographic regions. This symbiont occurred in sponges of two classes and seven orders, and it probably has been associated with sponges over a long geological time scale. Another symbiont apparently specific to the spongeVerongia aerophoba was found. This sponge is yellow-orange, similar in color to the bacterial symbiont. These symbionts are two of a large mixed bacterial population present in many sponges.

International ArticleThe weight-conscious adolescent:: Body image, food intake, and weight-related behavior

PURPOSE To explore how adolescents who try to lose weight differ from those who do not in relation to body image, food intake, knowledge about food, and sources of information about food, nutrition, and weight loss. METHODS Data were collected from 12-15-year-old school students in North Queensland, Australia by questionnaire. RESULTS Boys who attempted weight loss reduced sweet foods and snacks, while concurrently increasing healthy foods such as fruit, yogurt, and low-fat milk. Girls who attempted weight loss ate breakfast, lunch, snacks, milk, bread, meat, and many sweet and fatty foods less often than other girls. Some reduction in meals, snacks, core foods, and sweet fatty foods, but not savory fatty foods, remained after the weight loss attempt. Boys attempting weight loss had better knowledge about high-fat and high-sugar foods than other boys, but there was no difference for girls. Girls attempting weight loss were more likely than other girls to think that core foods such as bread, potatoes, and dairy products should be reduced, whereas boys were more likely to think that sweet foods should be reduced. The majority of students who had attempted weight loss during the previous year considered themselves overweight, while few weight-conscious students were satisfied with their bodies. CONCLUSIONS The weight-conscious adolescents in this study, especially the girls, exhibited restrictive eating practices and a preoccupation with a slim image. Adolescents need a food culture based on foods to eat rather than foods to avoid, and an understanding of suitable weight-control measures.

The Contributions of Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Other Determinants to Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Australian Adults: The AusD Study

The Quantitative Assessment of Solar UV [ultraviolet] Exposure for Vitamin D Synthesis in Australian Adults (AusD) Study aimed to better define the relationship between sun exposure and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Cross-sectional data were collected between May 2009 and December 2010 from 1,002 participants aged 18-75 years in 4 Australian sites spanning 24° of latitude. Participants completed the following: 1) questionnaires on sun exposure, dietary vitamin D intake, and vitamin D supplementation; 2) 10 days of personal ultraviolet radiation dosimetry; 3) a sun exposure and physical activity diary; and 4) clinical measurements and blood collection for 25(OH)D determination. Our multiple regression model described 40% of the variance in 25(OH)D concentration; modifiable behavioral factors contributed 52% of the explained variance, and environmental and demographic or constitutional variables contributed 38% and 10%, respectively. The amount of skin exposed was the single strongest contributor to the explained variance (27%), followed by location (20%), season (17%), personal ultraviolet radiation exposure (8%), vitamin D supplementation (7%), body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) (4%), and physical activity (4%). Modifiable behavioral factors strongly influence serum 25(OH)D concentrations in Australian adults. In addition, latitude was a strong determinant of the relative contribution of different behavioral factors.

The effects of arsenic compounds on human and bovine lymphocyte mitogenesis in vitro

The response of human and bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes to PHA stimulation was measured in the presence of low concentrations of sodium arsenite and sodium arsenate. In bovine lymphocytes, 41% augmentation of the response occurred at 10(-6) M arsenite with a return to the normal response at 2.5 X 10(-6) M. Complete inhibition of mitogenesis occurred at 6 X 10(-6) M. In the presence of sodium arsenate, similar results were obtained but at the higher concentrations of 2 X 10(-5) (for 57% augmentation), 5.2 X 10(-5), and 1.9 X 10(-4) M, respectively. The possible significance of these findings in view of the known relationship between chronic arsenicalism and human skin cancer is discussed. It is suggested that arsenic compounds may, by potentiating mitogenesis, increase the possibility of errors in DNA replication, some of which could be potentially carcinogenic. Additionally, interference with the immune response could enable potentially cancerous cells to escape immune surveillance.

Biofeedback for Fecal Incontinence: A Randomized Study Comparing Exercise Regimens

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence affects up to 11% of Australian community-dwelling adults and 72% of nursing home residents. Biofeedback is a recommended conservative therapy when medication and pelvic floor exercises have failed to improve patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of a new exercise regimen on the severity of fecal incontinence and the quality of life of participants. DESIGN: This was a randomized clinical study. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at the Anorectal Physiology Clinic, Townsville Hospital, Queensland, Australia. PATIENTS: Seventy-two participants (19 male), with a mean age of 62.1 years, attended 5 clinic sessions: 4 weekly sessions followed by 4 weeks of home practice and a follow-up assessment session. A postal survey was conducted 2 years later. INTERVENTION: Thirty-seven patients (12 male) were randomly assigned to the standard clinical protocol (sustained submaximal anal and pelvic floor exercises) and 35 patients (7 male) were randomly assigned to the alternative group (rapid squeeze plus sustained submaximal exercises). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were measured by use of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale survey tool. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the 2 exercise groups at the beginning or at the end of the study or as a result of treatment in objective, quality-of-life, or fecal incontinence severity measures. Sixty-nine participants completed treatment. The severity of fecal incontinence decreased significantly (11.5/20 to 5.0/20, P < .001). Eighty-six percent (59/69) of participants reported improved continence. Quality of life significantly improved for all participants (P < .001). Results were sustained 2 years later. Patients who practiced at least the prescribed number of exercises had better outcomes than those who practiced fewer exercises. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited because it involved a heterogeneous sample, it was based on subjective reporting of exercise performance, and loss to follow-up occurred because of the highly mobile population. CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending this biofeedback program attained significant improvement in the severity of their fecal incontinence and in their quality of life. Although introduction of rapid muscle squeezes had little impact on fecal incontinence severity or patient quality of life, patient exercise compliance at prescribed or greater levels did.

Short form-36 health survey as an evaluation tool for cardiac rehabilitation programs: is it appropriate?

[Extract] Currently, patients are generally offered entry into cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs following cardiac surgery. Cardiac rehabilitation aims to promote optimal recovery and, where possible, to prevent coronary heart disease from progressing. Quality of life (QOL) is usually recommended as a standard component in evaluating CR. The Short Form-36 Health survey (SF-36) has been one of the most widely used general surveys for this purpose.

Reasons for non-disclosure of faecal incontinence: a comparison between two survey methods

PurposeWe explored reasons for discordance in disclosure of faecal incontinence (FI) between 2 measurement instruments: the Self Administered Faecal Incontinence Questionnaire (SAFIQ) and the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score (CCF-FI)MethodsPatients ≥18 years attending the urogynaecology (n=135) and colorectal (n=148) outpatient clinics at The Townsville Hospital, a referral centre serving regional North Queensland, Australia, were invited to complete the SAFIQ and answer questions from the CCF-FI asked by their treating doctor. Selected patients undertook semistructured interviews.Results262 patients completed both questionnaires. The prevalence of FI in this population was 25.6% (SAFIQ) and 29.9% (CCF-FI). 24% disclosed FI on both instruments, 3.1% on SAFIQ only and 6.1% on CCF-FI only. Major reasons for non-disclosure were: FI historical but not current; problem not considered as FI by patient; SAFIQ too long; condition embarrassing; doctor considered too busy; patient wanted to focus on primary reason for consultation; and doctor explained that a one-off bout of uncontrollable diarrhoea was not FI. Interviewees reported they would respond to FI questions initiated by their general practitioner (GP) during regular consultations, or in a generic questionnaire in the GP’s surgery.ConclusionsGPs could identify patients with FI by initiating discussions during routine consultations. Such patients could then be referred to colorectal surgeons for treatment. A more specific definition of FI, which excludes historical data and isolated instances of diarrhoea, is desirable. A measurement instrument suitable for population surveys should contain simple language and acknowledge issues of embarrassment.

Gender differences in food-related concerns, beliefs and behaviours of North Queensland adolescents

Objective: To describe the beliefs, attitudes, behaviours and knowledge of North Queensland adolescents about food and nutrition.

Does being a "SunSmart School" influence hat-wearing compliance? An ecological study of hat-wearing rates at Australian primary schools in a region of high sun exposure.

BACKGROUND Childhood sun exposure is an important risk factor for skin cancer. Anecdotal evidence suggests that hats are under-utilized by Australian primary school students. METHODS The proportion of students and adult role-models wearing hats was observed at 36 primary schools (63.9% SunSmart schools [SSS]) in Townsville (latitude 19.3°S; high to extreme maximum daily UV-index year round), Queensland, Australia, from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS Overall, 52.2% of 28,775 students and 47.9% of 2954 adults were observed wearing a hat. Hat use (all styles) among SSS and non-SunSmart school (NSSS) students was similar before (24.2% vs 20.5%; p=0.701), after (25.4% vs 21.7%; p=0.775) and during school-hours (93.0% vs 89.2%; p=0.649) except SSS students wore gold-standard (broad-brim/bucket/legionnaire) hats during school play-breaks more often in the warmer months (October-March) than NSSS students (54.7% vs 37.4%; p=0.02). Although the proportion of adults who wore hats (all styles) was similar at SSS and NSSS (48.2% vs 46.8%; p=0.974), fewer adults at SSS wore them before school (3.7% vs 10.2%; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS SunSmart status is not consistently associated with better hat-wearing behavior. The protective nature of hats and the proportion of school students and adult role-models wearing them could be improved, possibly by offering incentives to schools that promote sun-safety.