scholarly journals Multisector prevention of childhood obesity in a Finnish municipality - factors perceived as crucial

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Koivusilta ◽  
S Alanne ◽  
T Mustila ◽  
M Kamila ◽  
T Ståhl
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Administrative Structure ◽  
Individual Household ◽  
Managerial Level

Abstract Background Obesity among children threatens health and life expectancy. Risk factors interact in complex ways on individual, household, and community levels. Interventions on lifestyle factors have been targeted at children. Although some have impacted weight gain positively, environment and policy approaches by multiple actors across the society, especially when integrated in everyday life could have longer lasting effects. In Finland, multisector collaboration is enabled by several institutional structures, such as child welfare clinics and student welfare services. We studied in a municipality how administrative sectors and some key NGOs contributed to the prevention of childhood obesity, and particularly, which were the factors seen as potentially crucial. Methods The informants were purposely selected, being those, who had operated in the process of health promotion in the City of Seinäjoki (Finland) in 2009-2016. They represented several administrative sectors, either as office holders at the managerial level or as working at the operational level or in NGOs. In total, 37 participated (1 refusal) the semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim (355 pages), anonymized, and analyzed with deductive content analysis. Results There emerged six entities of factors crucial for obesity prevention: strong and long-term commitment to health promotion both at the administrative and executive levels; activity aiming at well-being of all inhabitants; a shared view of the importance of preventive work and multiprofessional collaboration; competent and development minded personnel, appropriate administrative structure and the strong leadership role of the health promotion coordinator; the light administrative structure of the Finnish municipality; convenient size of the municipality. Conclusions There was a shared opinion among the interviewees about the crucial elements of multisectoral collaboration for obesity prevention. Key messages Multisectoral collaboration and strong commitment to long-term activity both at the administrative and executive levels form key elements in the prevention of childhood obesity. A supportive administrative structure in a municipality together with strong coordination of health promotion are important prerequisites for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Explosions and Human Health: The Long-Term Effects of Blast Injury

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Finlay ◽  
Michelle Earby ◽  
David J. Baker ◽  
Virginia S.G. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Blast Injury ◽  
Mass Casualties ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
National Guidelines ◽  
Emergency Responders ◽  
Response Strategies

AbstractThe immediate patterns of injury from explosions are well documented, from both military and civil experience. However, few studies have focused on less immediately apparent health consequences and latent effects of explosions in survivors, emergency responders and the surrounding community. This review aimed to analyze the risks to health following an explosion in a civil setting.A comprehensive review of the open literature was conducted, and data on 10 relevant military, civilian and industrial events were collected. Events were selected according to availability of published studies and involvement of large numbers of people injured. In addition, structured interviews with experts in the field were conducted, and existing national guidelines reviewed.The review revealed significant and potentially long-term health implications affecting various body systems and psychological well-being following exposure to an explosion. An awareness of the short- and long-term health effects of explosions is essential in screening for blast injuries, and identifying latent pathologies that could otherwise be overlooked in stressful situations with other visually distracting injuries and, often, mass casualties. Such knowledge would guide responsible medical staff in implementing early appropriate interventions to reduce the burden of long-term sequelae. Effective planning and response strategies would ensure accessibility of appropriate health care resources and evidence-based information in the aftermath of an explosion.Finlay SE, Earby M, Baker DJ, Murray VSG. Explosions and human health: the long-term effects of blast injury. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(4):1-7.

The Importance of Religiosity to the Well-Being of African American Older Adults Living With Dementia

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fayron Epps ◽  
Ishan C. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Family Caregivers ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Religious Practices ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Structured Interviews

This study was a post hoc analysis of a larger qualitative descriptive study exploring family involvement in health promotion activities for African Americans living with dementia where participants identified religious practices as meaningful health promotion activities. The purpose of this study was to explore ways in which religiosity may influence the well-being of older adults living with dementia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among a sample of 22 family caregivers and 15 older adults living with dementia ( N = 37). Three themes emerged: Engagement, Promotion of Faith and Spiritual Connectedness, and Maintenance of Religious Practices. It is imperative for family caregivers to understand the important contributions of religious activities and beliefs to the well-being of their family member. This information might be of use for faith communities, policy makers, and health care providers in the provision of optimal person-centered care and the promotion of quality of life for persons living with dementia.

scholarly journals ‘Choice’: what we mean by it, and what that means for preventing childhood obesity

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M Porter
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Small Subset ◽  
Word Choice ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
The Usa

AbstractObjective(i) To map how US adults value ‘choice’ in the context of obesity policy and (ii) to discuss implications for obesity prevention in children.DesignSemi-structured interviews (n 105) were conducted between 2006 and 2009 about causes of and solutions to childhood obesity. Quotes captured in field notes from community meetings (n 6) on childhood obesity prevention were also analysed. Each use of the word ‘choice’ and its variants was identified in these texts. Content and discourse were analysed to identify the implied values and meaning in each use.SettingNorth-eastern USA.SubjectsOne hundred and five adults, some involved in childhood obesity prevention initiatives.ResultsThree distinct frames of ‘choice’ emerged: (i) having choices (choice as freedom), (ii) making choices (choice as responsibility) and (iii) influencing choices (contextual constraints and impacts on choice). Many speakers used more than one frame over the course of an interview. Most people using the third frame seemed to share the values behind the first two frames, but focused on conditions required to enable people to be accountable for their choices and to make truly free choices. A small subset thought outside the frame of individual choice, valuing, as one person put it, a ‘social contract’.ConclusionsPublic debate in the USA about responsibility for and solutions to rising obesity rates often hinges on notions of ‘choice’. These frames, and the values underlying them, are not mutually exclusive. Respecting the values behind each ‘choice’ frame when crafting obesity prevention policy and employing all three in public communications about such policy may facilitate greater consensus on prevention measures.

Online Opinion Leaders in the Health Promotion Digital Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-309
Author(s):  
Joyce Cheah Lynn-Sze ◽  
◽  
Azlina Kamaruddin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Communication ◽  
Opinion Leader ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Public

Health opinion leaders have widely embraced social media for health promotion and public health communication which can make a strong influence on the public decision making. However, despite the growing relevance of public health threats such as infectious diseases, pandemic influenza and natural disasters, research has paid little attention to the qualities of opinion leaders. Moreover, there is limited evidence that public health organisations use social media appropriately to engage in meaningful conversations with audiences. Thus, the aims of the study are to describe principles of communication practised by online opinion leaders to promote health issues, to discuss the strategies of social media used, to explain the opinion leaders’ influence attributes in health decision making and finally to develop a model of online opinion leader in the contemporary health promotion era. Content analysis was conducted on Facebook postings of five selected health opinion leaders. In addition, semi-structured interviews with 10 followers were conducted. The findings of the study revealed that there are three principles of communication practised by online opinion leaders, which are language, interaction and themes. There are three strategies opinion leaders use to influence the public: social connectivity, social support and social consultation. Furthermore, there are five opinion leaders’ attributes that influence the public’s decision making, namely personality, authenticity, trust/credibility, professional knowledge and social position. The model would be beneficial in educating and guiding the current public health opinion leaders in order to establish health and social well-being. Keywords: Online opinion leader, online health communication, public health, two-step flow theory, decision making.

Trends in Childhood Obesity Research: A Brief Analysis of NIH-Supported Efforts

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry T-K Huang ◽  
Mary N. Horlick
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Obesity Research ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Economic Well Being

Childhood obesity continues to rise in the United States, with now over 17% of children and adolescents considered overweight. Childhood obesity predisposes an entire generation to increased risk of chronic diseases and disabilities and is a severe threat to the economic well-being of the nation. At first thought, the solution to the obesity epidemic may seem simple: encourage people to eat less and exercise more. However, the reality is that behavioral change is difficult to achieve without also considering the interplay of genetics, biological processes, and social and environmental mechanisms. As such, investment in obesity research has been considered an important tool to combat obesity and obesity-related diseases. Childhood obesity research, in particular, has drawn considerable attention, given the lower cost of prevention relative to treatment and the high potential for long-term benefits at a population level.

Meeting my child for the first time: adoptive parents’ experiences of the period of adoption transition

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Transition Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adoptive Parents ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Transition Experience ◽  
Future Success ◽  
First Time

This article presents findings from a small-scale qualitative research study exploring the experiences of adoptive parents during adoption transitions – the time between when a match with a child is made until a number of months after placement. What happens during this period can have a bearing on the future success of the placement and long-term well-being of the child. The article seeks to explore the experiences of adoptive parents during this stage of the process in order for practitioners to become better informed about what can make transitions successful. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine parents to capture the narrative of their adoption transition experience. Thematic analysis of the conversations revealed five main themes: rigidity, scrutiny, support, overall reflections and the relationship with the foster carer. The findings suggest that the transition period was a significant but problematic stage in the adopters’ overall adoption journey. Considerable inconsistency in the approach taken to practice in this area affected their experiences. The research highlighted areas of practice which are out of sync with that recommended in the literature; the article concludes with recommendations for promoting consistency.

scholarly journals Measuring Success in Obesity Prevention: A Synthesis of Health Promotion Switzerland's Long-Term Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy

Obesity Facts ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Günter Ackermann ◽  
Michael Kirschner ◽  
Lisa Guggenbühl ◽  
Bettina Abel ◽  
Axel Klohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Strategy ◽  
Long Term Monitoring ◽  
Term Monitoring

scholarly journals Promoting outdoor recreation among older adults in Sweden – a theoretical and empirical foundation for the development of an intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Zingmark ◽  
Rosemarie Ankre ◽  
Sandra Wall-Reinius
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Outdoor Recreation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Daily Routines ◽  
Health Decline ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Disengagement from outdoor recreation may diminish the positive benefits on health and well-being in old age. The purpose of this study is to present a contextual, theoretical, and empirical rationale for an intervention, aiming to promote continued engagement in outdoor recreation for older adults in a Swedish context. Methods The paper includes a contextualization of outdoor recreation in Sweden, a presentation of evidence on health benefits related to engagement in outdoor recreation, together with theoretical frameworks that may guide future intervention designs. To add empirical knowledge, a mixed methods approach was applied, including an empirical data collection based on a quantitative survey (n = 266) and individual semi-structured interviews with older adults (n = 12). Survey data were presented with descriptive statistics. Associations between disengagement from previously performed activities and age and gender was analyzed with Chi2 tests. Transcripts and handwritten notes from the interviews were analyzed qualitatively to identify key themes, as well as patterns and disparities among respondents. Results Outdoor recreation was rated as important/very important by 90% of respondents of the survey. The interviews highlighted that engagement in outdoor recreation aided respondents to keep fit but had also relevance in terms of identity, experiences, and daily routines. Outdoor recreation close to the place of residence was most common and walking was the most frequently reported activity. While 80% considered their health to be good/very good, disability and long-term diseases were common and during the previous year, more than half of all respondents had disengaged from activities previously performed. Reasons for disengagement were mainly related to health decline or that activities were too demanding but also due to social loss. The interviews indicated that continued engagement was important but challenging, and that disengagement could be considered as a loss or accepted due to changing circumstances. Conclusions In the design of an intervention aiming to promote engagement in outdoor recreation for older adults, the following features are proposed to be considered: person-centeredness, promoting functioning, addressing self-ageism, providing environmental support, promoting subjective mobility needs and adaptation to find new ways to engage in outdoor recreation.

scholarly journals Perspective: Human Milk Oligosaccharides: Fuel for Childhood Obesity Prevention?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E Maessen ◽  
José G B Derraik ◽  
Aristea Binia ◽  
Wayne S Cutfield
Keyword(s):  
Human Milk ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Milk Oligosaccharides ◽  
Milk Oligosaccharides ◽  
Microbiome Profile ◽  
Infant Gut Microbiome ◽  
Potential Link

ABSTRACT Obesity begins early but has lifelong consequences for health and well-being. Breastfeeding is thought to be preventive against obesity, but the extent and cause of this association are not well understood. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are abundant in human milk and not present in commercially available infant formula. These complex sugars are thought to contribute to the development of the infant gut microbiome and immune system. Recently, they have been investigated as a potential link between breastfeeding and lower obesity risk. So far, only a few human studies have examined HMO composition of human milk in association with the infant′s concurrent anthropometry or subsequent growth in infancy, with conflicting results. However, HMOs have been shown to modulate the gut microbiome profile by selectively promoting the growth of specific bacteria, such as bifidobacteria. Moreover, there are differences in the gut microbiome of lean and obese humans, and there is some evidence that the early composition of the gut microbiome can predict later obesity. Although it seems that HMOs might have a role in infant growth and adiposity, there is not enough consistent evidence to understand their potential role in obesity prevention. More data, particularly from large or longitudinal studies, are needed to clarify the functions of HMOs and other breast-milk components in determining long-term health.

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