Marcia Magnus

A cross-sectional study of Jamaican adolescents' risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives To compare obese versus non-obese Jamaican adolescents’ risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs); and to explore a suitable and economical method of screening for these risk factors in the school settings. Design A descriptive cross-sectional study of adolescents’ risk for T2D and CVD. All the participants were examined at their respective schools. Setting Jamaica, West Indies. Population 276 Jamaican adolescents aged 14–19 years, randomly selected from grades 9 to 12 from 10 high schools on the island and included both boys and girls. All ethnicities on the island were represented. Main outcome measures High fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, family history of obesity, T2D and CVDs, low physical activity, and presence of Acanthosis Nigricans. All blood measures were analysed using the finger prick procedure. Results Waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, Acanthosis Nigricans, total cholesterol, family history of T2D and blood pressure were the strongest predictors of BMI (p=0.001). Over one-third of the participants were overweight. Jamaican adolescent females had a significantly higher number of risk factors and were less physically active than males (p<0.05). Over 80% of participants reported ≥3 risk factors for T2D and CVD. Participants with BMI ≥25 reported five or more risk factors. One-third of the overweight participants were classified with metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Jamaican adolescents are at risk of T2D and CVD. Family history of disease and anthropometric measures identified more participants at risk than did the blood measures. Jamaican adolescent females reported more risk factors for T2D and CVD as compared to males. Collection of this type of data was feasible within the school settings. All data were collected in 1 day per school. Intervention measures are needed to educate Jamaican adolescents to reduce overweight and subsequently the risk factors.

Computer-assisted instruction on drug-nutrient interactions for long-term caregivers

Abstract A microcomputer inservice program on drug-nutrient interactions was developed and evaluated at a 242-bed geriatric facility. Interviews with dietary, medical, and nursing staff were conducted to identify their nutrition information needs. The program included an introductory session, a discussion session, and interactive self-instruction on IBM-PCs. Reference manuals were developed and placed in each unit of the facility. Modest program participation and knowledge gains were associated with clinically and statistically significant decreases in the rate of definite drug-nutrient interactions in the short term. Pre-post decreases in the rates of interactions among 81 patients were more likely to take place among older patients, among males, and among patients in skilled nursing units. Drug-nutrient interactions due to appetite-altering drugs, along with interactions due to drugs that alter therapeutic effects, showed the most significant decreases in the frequency of interactions. This evaluation research suggests that a variety of educational approaches—an introductory session, computer-assisted instruction, a discussion session, and reference manuals—may be effective for lowering the rates of drug-nutrient interactions by making relatively innocuous procedural changes in long-term care. The limitations of the study design indicate an urgent need to independently test for the effect of each educational approach on improved patient outcomes.

Sports Nutrition Knowledge and Practices of Personal Trainers

Florida and 45 other states prohibit the practice of dietetics and nutrition by individuals who fail to satisfy certain minimum standards of education and training. Nonetheless, personal trainers (PTrs) in national chain gyms regularly engage in the unlicensed practice of nutrition counseling. The purpose of this study was to assess the sports nutrition knowledge and practices of personal trainers. Sixty PTrs at 14 fitness centers in South Florida, and 69 PTrs at the annual National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) conference completed the study. The questionnaire was developed by two professionals, reviewed by a panel of eight experts, and then pilot tested with 10 PTrs. Analyses were performed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 18. Test-retest reliability was estimated using the C Coefficient. Descriptive statistics as well as Spearman rank correlations, logistic regression models, and multiple regression models were also performed. Test-retest reliability estimates demonstrated that the questionnaire was in fair to almost perfect agreement. Approximately 91.5% of PTrs spend time on nutrition counseling with clients, and 42.6% include nutrition counseling services as part of their fees for services. The average nutrition knowledge score was 59.7% ± 21.2%. This convenience sample of South Florida PTrs and those attending the NSCA conference not only practice nutrition counseling services, but they also charge for these services. Violations of the state laws are likely to continue unless gyms are legally sanctioned.

Which college students are at higher health risk

An electronic health risk appraisal was used to determine which demographic factors were associated with higher health risk among college students at an urban state university. Students’ real age was assessed as the primary indicator of health risk and it was associated to demographic characteristics. Real age represents the physiological age of the body based on lifestyle choices, and this is often different to chronological age. Approximately 26.0% of 576 students were more than 5 years older than their chronological age, 29.8% were 0 to 5 years older, 29.8% were 0 to 5 years younger, and 14.1% were more than 5 years younger than their chronological age. Students who were male, Black, and nonnutrition majors had significantly higher positive real age differentials: their bodies were more likely to be more than 5 years older than their chronological age. Students with significantly lower negative real age differential—those whose real age was lower than their chronological age—were female and nutrition majors. Students were significantly more likely to report that they were “very motivated” if they were female (88.6%), compared with male (66.7%). These data suggest that when health disparities are assessed at the level of real age differential and motivation to make lifestyle changes, male Black college students are at highest health risk and they are less likely to be “very motivated” to make lifestyle changes than their peers.

Food-related coping strategies after Hurricane Andrew

This telephone survey examined food-related coping strategies in Floridian households after Hurricane Andrew. Approximately 137 households of university faculty and staff who lived in hurricane-damaged areas were interviewed. The average respondent was a college-educated woman between 41 and 60 years old. Prevailing food-purchasing problems included food stores that were either closed, without perishable food, distant, or crowded. In the absence of electricity and water, changes in food preparation included preparation of meals without a stove, more frequent use of grills and canned food, simpler meals, and less cooking. Changes in kitchen cleanup included using more disposables, cleaning more often, washing dishes by hand, and cleaning up less often because of damage in the kitchen. Respondents indicated that the hurricane experience taught them that they should have acquired more general supplies (eg, coolers, thermoses, propane stoves, and gas burners), more water and ice, and more nonperishable foods before the hurricane.

Ethnic Variation in Plate Waste at Congregate Meal Sites

Citation: Magnus M, Smith M (2016) Ethnic Variation in Plate Waste at Congregate Meal Sites. J Nutr Health Sci 3(2): 206. doi: 10.15744/2393-9060.3.206 Volume 3 | Issue 2 Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences

Acanthosis Nigricans: relation to risk of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases among Jamaican adolescents

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been reported among Jamaican adolescents. Detection of Acanthosis Nigricans (AN), a dark line around the neck signifying insul...

Physical Activity and Metabolic Risk Factors among Jamaican Adolescents

The study examined relationships between physical activity (PA) and Metabolic Syndrome (METS) in Jamaican adolescents. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey examined 276 students from 10 Jamaican high schools. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria determined the metabolic risks. The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children measured PA levels. Mean age was 15.6 (± 1.2). Percentage of subjects classified with METS varied by criterion used; IDF (6.9%) and NCEP (12.4%). While 56% of the subjects classified with METS were physically inactive, logistic regression showed no relationships between PA and individual METS risk factors overall (p>0.05). Females were 15 times less physically active and had significantly (p<0.05) higher waist circumference (WC) than males, whereas, males had significantly (p<0.05) higher fasting blood glucose levels. Although urban adolescents had higher PA than rural adolescents, they had significantly (p<0.05) higher WC; one of the determinants of METS by IDF’s standard. Similarly, under the IDF’s classification, Blacks had significantly higher numbers of METS risk factors (p<0.05) compared to non-Blacks. Jamaican adolescents are at risk for METS irrespective of levels of PA. Living in urban areas, being female, and being Black increased the risk for METS. NCEP guidelines classified more subjects with METS compared with IDF’s. Intervention measures are needed to reduce METS risk factors among this population.