scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Informal Caregivers’ Health Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 959-959
Author(s):  
Mary Greaney ◽  
Zachary Kunicki ◽  
Megan Drohan ◽  
Steven Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Unpaid Care ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The population of older adults aged 65+ in the US is projected to increase from 15% to 21% in the next 30 years. Aging in place provides cost-savings and familiarity to the older adult, but often requires informal caregivers. Informal caregivers, individuals who provide unpaid care of assistance to family members and friends may have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-at-home orders. Research is needed to examine how the pandemic impacted caregivers’ caregiving responsibilities and health behaviors (e.g., physical activity, sedentary time, fruit and vegetable intake, snacking, etc.) as this information will be invaluable to determine if health promotion interventions are needed for informal caregivers. Self-reported data were gathered from informal caregivers providing care to someone aged 50+ (n=835) through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Respondents reported their current and pre-pandemic health behaviors and demographics. Chi-square tests were used to examine bivariate associations between pandemic time (pre vs. post) and each examined behavior. The analysis identified some positive health behavior changes due to the pandemic: caregivers felt since the pandemic they ate more fruits and vegetables (p < .001), walked more, exercised more (p < .001), increased amounts of sleep (p < .001), and higher sleep quality (p < .001). However, respondents also had more screen time (p < .001) and sedentary time (p < .001). Future planned analyses will focus on examining whether these changes were consistent across all sociodemographic subgroups of caregivers and whether they persist after the pandemic recedes.

scholarly journals Exploration of COVID-19-Based Changes to Caregiver Burden and Caregiving Intensity among Informal Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 945-945
Author(s):  
Steven Cohen ◽  
Zachary Kunicki ◽  
Megan Drohan ◽  
Mary Greaney
Keyword(s):  
Caregiver Burden ◽  
Informal Caregivers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Unpaid Care ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract Individuals providing unpaid care of assistance to family members and friends (e.g. informal caregivers), may have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research is needed to examine the pandemic’s effect on informal caregivers’ caregiving intensity and burden. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to explore self-reported changes in caregiver intensity (CI) and caregiver burden (CB) due to the pandemic to identify factors associated with changes in responsibilities and burdens. In June 2020, informal caregivers providing care to someone aged 50+ (n=835) reported their current and pre-pandemic caregiving intensity and burden. Data were collected via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Chi-square tests were used to examine bivariate associations between pandemic time (pre vs. post) differences in CI and CB. Multinomial regression was used to assess multivariate predictors of changes to CI and CB due to COVID-19. Results showed a significant U-shaped association between initial CB and CB change due to COVID-19. Higher levels of initial CB were associated with both a significant decrease in CB during COVID-19 (OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.06-1.67), and a significant increase in CB during COVID-19 (OR 1.22, 95%CI 1.05-1.43). There were no significant associations between initial CB and changes in CI due to COVID-19, although older caregivers were more likely to experience a decrease in CB due to caregiving (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.05). These mixed results suggest that caregivers with high initial CB experienced the most extreme changes to CB due to COVID-19. Future planned analyses will focus on understanding the potential drivers behind these unexpected results.

scholarly journals Pouch Use Among Infants Does Not Impact Exposure to Other Forms of Fruits and Vegetables: Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 982-982
Author(s):  
Kristen Finn ◽  
Yvonne Lenighan ◽  
Alison Eldridge ◽  
Brian Kineman ◽  
Susan Pac
Keyword(s):  
Motor Development ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Baby Food ◽  
Infants And Toddlers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dietary Recall ◽  
Oral Motor ◽  
24 Hour Recall ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Baby food pouches have grown in popularity along with concerns about their impact on oral motor development. These concerns assume that baby food pouches are a primary food source and that they limit exposure to fruits and vegetables in other forms. The purpose of this study is to determine how often infants from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016 used pouches and if those who used pouches were as likely to also consume other forms of fruits and vegetables as those who did not. Methods FITS is the largest nationally representative cross-sectional dietary survey of caregivers of children aged 0–47.9 months in the U.S. For this analysis, a questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall were used to assess pouch use and fruit and vegetable intake among children aged 6–11.9 months (n = 989). A “pouch user” was a child receiving a pouch at least once per week per the questionnaire. All others were categorized as “non-users.” In the 24-hour recall, fruits and vegetables were categorized as “baby food” if it was a commercial or homemade pureed fruit or vegetable or “non-baby food” if it was any other form of fruit or vegetable. Descriptive statistics were tabulated for frequency of pouch use and % of pouch users and non-users who consumed baby food and non-baby food fruits and vegetables. Results Per the questionnaire, 36% of 6–11.9 month olds were pouch users (n = 314) and 64% were non-users (n = 675). Among pouch users, 6% received food from a pouch daily (n = 51), and 5% received food from a pouch more than once per day (n = 40). Per the 24 hour recall, the percentages of pouch users and non-users who consumed baby food fruits (54.3% vs. 50.4%) and vegetables (45% vs. 43.3%) in any packaging were similar. More pouch users consumed non-baby food fruits and vegetables compared to non-users (54.3% vs. 36.5% and 49.2% vs. 37.4%, respectively). Conclusions Roughly a third of infants are pouch users, but daily use is not common. Pouch users consume non-baby food fruits and vegetables as often as non-users. These findings indicate that infants who are exposed to baby food pouches are also exposed to other forms of fruits and vegetables, so the impact of food pouches on oral motor development in infants may be limited. Funding Sources FITS 2016 and this analysis were funded by Nestlé Research, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Home-based management of cancer patients (CPs) experiencing toxicities while on anticancer treatment: The impact of a nurse-led telephone triage (NTT).

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2002-2002
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Calvetti ◽  
Marta Tealdo ◽  
Roberta Cimenton ◽  
Angela Gentile ◽  
Rachele Pretto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Anticancer Treatment ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
The Impact

2002 Background: Novel organization models are needed to ensure early management of new treatment-related toxicity of anticancer treatments. Aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the impact of the introduction of NTT in reducing hospitalization of CPs. Methods: CPs on active medical treatment at the Department of Oncology of San Bortolo Hospital (Vicenza, Italy) were given instructions to refer to NTT in case of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The service was opened Mon to Fri from 8am to 8pm. Assessment of TRAEs was performed by trained oncology nurses according to the CTCAE scale and subsequent actions were taken according to the severity of the events. The assessment was made under supervision of a medical oncologist in charge of the service while on duty. Primary endpoint of the study was to compare the rate of hospitalization of CPs on anticancer treatment after the introduction of NTT compared to 2017-2018 period. Results: From September 2018 to September 2019 1,075 patients received systemic anticancer treatment (versus 936 patients in the equivalent 2017 – 2018 period). Total consultations at NTT were 429; 581 TRAEs were reported. 117 patients reported more than one TRAE. CTCAE were graded as G1 237 (40.8%), G2 231 (39.8%) or G3-G4 113 (19.4%). The most common grade ≥ 3 TRAE was fever (38 events (33.6%) that resulted a febrile neutropenia in 7 cases) followed by cancer pain (15 (13.3%)) and fatigue (9 (8%)). In the observation period, 109 CPs on treatment were hospitalized versus 138 in the 2017-2018 period with a normalized hospitalization rate of 10.1% versus 14.7 % (p = 0.002, chi-square) with a reduction of normalized number of hospitalizations of 44 (estimated cost savings of 380.160 euros). Conclusions: Our results provided evidence of successful implementation of the NTT system in reducing rates of hospitalization through emergency room in cancer patients receiving modern medical treatments.

scholarly journals Depression, Anxiety and Stress during COVID-19: Associations with Changes in Physical Activity, Sleep, Tobacco and Alcohol Use in Australian Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 4065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Stanton ◽  
Quyen G. To ◽  
Saman Khalesi ◽  
Susan L. Williams ◽  
Stephanie J. Alley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Alcohol Intake ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
The Impact

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has enforced dramatic changes to daily living including economic and health impacts. Evidence for the impact of these changes on our physical and mental health and health behaviors is limited. We examined the associations between psychological distress and changes in selected health behaviors since the onset of COVID-19 in Australia. An online survey was distributed in April 2020 and included measures of depression, anxiety, stress, physical activity, sleep, alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. The survey was completed by 1491 adults (mean age 50.5 ± 14.9 years, 67% female). Negative change was reported for physical activity (48.9%), sleep (40.7%), alcohol (26.6%) and smoking (6.9%) since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Significantly higher scores in one or more psychological distress states were found for females, and those not in a relationship, in the lowest income category, aged 18–45 years, or with a chronic illness. Negative changes in physical activity, sleep, smoking and alcohol intake were associated with higher depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. Health-promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintaining positive health-related behaviors should be utilized to address increases in psychological distress during the pandemic. Ongoing evaluation of the impact of lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic is needed.

Home-Based Management of Patients With Cancer Experiencing Treatment-Induced Toxicities With a Nurse-Led Telephone Triage (the NTT Study)

2021 ◽  
pp. OP.21.00192
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Calvetti ◽  
Marta Tealdo ◽  
Francesca Simionato ◽  
Gaetana Pagiusco ◽  
Roberta Cimenton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Events ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Telephone Triage ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Anticancer Treatment ◽  
The Impact

PURPOSE: Novel organization models ensure early management of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of new anticancer drugs. The aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the impact of the introduction of a nurse-led telephone triage (NTT) in reducing hospitalization of patients with cancer (CPs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: CPs on active medical treatment were educated to call the NTT in case of symptoms or TRAEs. Assessment of TRAEs was performed by trained oncology nurses according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grading scales and subsequent actions were taken according to the severity of the events. The primary end point of the study was to compare the rate of hospitalization of CPs on anticancer treatment after the introduction of NTT with that of the 2017-2018 period. RESULTS: From September 2018 to September 2019, a total of 1,075 patients received systemic anticancer treatment ( v 936 patients in the same 2017-2018 period). Total consultations at NTT were 429 and 581 TRAEs were reported. Notably, 117 patients reported more than one TRAE. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were graded as G1 (237, 40.8%), G2 (231, 39.8%), or G3-4 (113, 19.4%). In the observation period, 109 CPs on treatment were hospitalized versus 138 in the 2017-2018 period with a normalized hospitalization rate of 10.1% versus 14.7% ( P = .002 chi-square) with a reduction in normalized number of hospitalization of 44 and an estimated cost savings of 345,246 euros. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the NTT system in the clinical practice may help reducing the rates of hospitalization through the emergency room of CPs receiving modern medical treatments.

Assessing the Relationship Between Religious Involvement and Health Behaviors

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal Krause ◽  
Peter C. Hill ◽  
Robert Emmons ◽  
Kenneth I. Pargament ◽  
Gail Ironson
Keyword(s):  
Health Behavior ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Religious Involvement ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Strenuous Exercise ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Relationship

A growing body of research suggests that people who are more deeply involved in religion may be more likely to adopt beneficial health behaviors. However, religion is a complex phenomenon, and as a result, religion may affect health behaviors in a number of ways. The purpose of the current study was to see whether a sacred view of the body (i.e., belief that the body is the temple of God) is associated with better health behavior. It was proposed that the relationship between a sacred body view and health behavior will emerge only among study participants who have a stronger sense of religiously oriented control (i.e., stronger God-mediated control beliefs). Five positive health behaviors were evaluated: more frequent strenuous exercise, more frequent moderate exercise, more frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, higher quality sleep, and the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Data from a recent nationwide sample reveal that a sacred body view is associated with each health behavior, but only among study participants who have a strong religiously oriented sense of control.

Campus Recreation Use and Health Behaviors among College Students in Different Academic Disciplines

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick C. Gathman ◽  
Nicole R. Grabowski ◽  
Julia Wallace Carr ◽  
Mikel K. Todd
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Campus Recreation ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Health Related

Physical activity, campus recreation (CR) use, body mass index (BMI), and varied health indices were compared between academic discipline groups and sex. Participants ( n = 219) were classified as AD I (kinesiology and physical education majors), AD II (health science majors and nursing majors), and AD III (representative sample of non-health-related majors) to make between-group comparisons based on the amount of emphasis placed on physical activity and health-related content within different disciplines. Significant differences ( p < .05) were found between the academic discipline groups for International Physical Activity Questionnaire scores, CR minutes, CR days, CR time per day, vigorous physical activity (VPA), and perceived-health score; and between sex for BMI, VPA, sitting, fiber intake, and fruit and vegetable intake. The results indicate a positive relationship between the emphasis placed physical activity and health within an academic discipline and the degree to which students participate in physical activity, positive health behaviors, and perceived health.

scholarly journals Adults with Greater Weight Satisfaction Report More Positive Health Behaviors and Have Better Health Status Regardless of BMI

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Blake ◽  
James R. Hébert ◽  
Duck-chul Lee ◽  
Swann A. Adams ◽  
Susan E. Steck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Weight Satisfaction ◽  
Complex Relationships

Background.Prior studies suggest that weight satisfaction may preclude changes in behavior that lead to healthier weight among individuals who are overweight or obese.Objective.To gain a better understanding of complex relationships between weight satisfaction, weight-related health behaviors, and health outcomes.Design.Cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS).Participants.Large mixed-gender cohort of primarily white, middle-to-upper socioeconomic status (SES) adults with baseline examination between 1987 and 2002 (n=19,003).Main Outcome Variables.Weight satisfaction, weight-related health behaviors, chronic health conditions, and clinical health indicators.Statistical Analyses Performed.Chi-square test,t-tests, and linear and multivariate logistic regression.Results.Compared to men, women were more likely to be dieting (32% women; 18% men) and had higher weight dissatisfaction. Men and women with greater weight dissatisfaction reported more dieting, yo-yo dieting, and snacking and consuming fewer meals, being less active, and having to eat either more or less than desired to maintain weight regardless of weight status. Those who were overweight or obese and dissatisfied with their weight had the poorest health.Conclusion.Greater satisfaction with one’s weight was associated with positive health behaviors and health outcomes in both men and women and across weight status groups.

scholarly journals Breakfast Habits and Associations with Fruit and Vegetable Intake, Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Screen Time among Swedish 13–14-Year-Old Girls and Boys

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4467
Author(s):  
Björg Helgadóttir ◽  
Hanna Baurén ◽  
Karin Kjellenberg ◽  
Örjan Ekblom ◽  
Gisela Nyberg
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Screen Time ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional

This study explored whether breakfast habits were associated with intake of fruits and vegetables, minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), minutes spent sedentary, and screen time among adolescents. Cross-sectional data were collected among 13–14-year-old boys and girls (n = 1139). Breakfast habits and screen time were determined via questionnaire, fruit and vegetable intake were determined through dietary recall, and physical activity and sedentary time were determined via accelerometers. Multilevel mixed models and general estimation equation models were applied. Almost 40% of participants skipped breakfast at least one day of the week. Participants with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had lower fruit and vegetable consumption by 26.7 g (95% CI = −49.3, −5.9) while irregular breakfast habits during the whole week were associated with higher levels of screen time (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1, 2.1) compared to regular breakfast habits. Girls with irregular breakfast habits on weekdays had 7.7 min more sedentary time (95% CI = 0.8, 15.7) than girls with regular breakfast habits, while the opposite was found in boys (β = −13.3, 95% CI = −25.3, −2.6)). No significant associations were found for MVPA. Regular breakfast habits should be encouraged, as they might contribute to a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and are associated with lower levels of screen time, although further studies are necessary to establish causation.

scholarly journals The PRO GREENS intervention in Finnish schoolchildren – the degree of implementation affects both mediators and the intake of fruits and vegetables

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (7) ◽  
pp. 1185-1194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reetta Lehto ◽  
Suvi Määttä ◽  
Elviira Lehto ◽  
Carola Ray ◽  
Saskia te Velde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit Intake ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
School Year ◽  
Actual Degree ◽  
Pro Greens ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Little is known about the mediating effects of the determinants of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in school-based interventions that promote FV intake, and few studies have examined the impact of the degree of implementation on the effects of an intervention. The present study examined whether the degree of implementation of an intervention had an effect on children's fruit or vegetable intake and determined possible mediators of this effect. The study is part of the European PRO GREENS intervention study which aimed to develop effective strategies to promote consumption of fruit and vegetables in schoolchildren across Europe. Data from 727 Finnish children aged 11 years were used. The baseline study was conducted in spring 2009 and the follow-up study 12 months later. The intervention was conducted during the school year 2009–2010. The effects were examined using multilevel mediation analyses. A high degree of implementation of the intervention had an effect on children's fruit intake. Knowledge of recommendations for FV intake and liking mediated the association between a high degree of implementation of the intervention and an increase in the frequency of fruit intake. Knowledge of recommendations for FV intake and bringing fruits to school as a snack mediated the association between a low degree of implementation of the intervention and an increase in the frequency of fruit intake. Overall, the model accounted for 34 % of the variance in the change in fruit intake frequency. Knowledge of recommendations acted as a mediator between the degree of implementation of the intervention and the change in vegetable intake frequency. In conclusion, the degree of implementation had an effect on fruit intake, and thus in future intervention studies the actual degree of implementation of interventions should be assessed when considering the effects of interventions.

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