scholarly journals Characteristics of Active Duty Service Members Referred to the Navy’s Weight-Management Program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin L Miggantz ◽  
Karla Materna ◽  
Matthew S Herbert ◽  
Shahrokh Golshan ◽  
Jeffrey Hernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Emotional Eating ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Treatment Facility ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Military Treatment Facility ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Weight Management Programs

ABSTRACT Introduction Rates of overweight and obesity have increased in the military, particularly in the U.S. Navy. While the Navy has implemented weight-management programs like ShipShape, findings on the effectiveness of these programs are mixed. Further knowledge on the characteristics of service members (SMs) who participate in these programs may help inform course curricula and improve outcomes. This study aimed to (1) examine characteristics of SMs referred to the Navy’s ShipShape program at a large military treatment facility, (2) compare these characteristics among SMs who did and did not enroll in a randomized clinical trial of ShipShape (ShipShape study participants), and (3) compare demographic and health characteristics of ShipShape study participants to that of a random and similarly sized sample of Navy SMs who responded to the 2015 DoD Health-Related Behaviors Survey (HRBS). Materials and Methods Data from active duty Navy SMs referred to the ShipShape program at a large military treatment facility were evaluated (n = 225). A subset of these SMs enrolled in the ShipShape study (n = 187). Among enrolled SMs, data from 147 who completed all measures were compared to that of HRBS respondents. Univariate ANOVA and chi-square analyses were used to examine (1) demographic and motivational differences between SMs who did and did not enroll in the ShipShape study and (2) differences in demographics and medical and mental health conditions between ShipShape study participants and Navy HRBS respondents. Results The majority of SMs referred to ShipShape were female with an average age of 28.3 years. Compared to SMs who did not enroll in the ShipShape study (n = 38), ShipShape study participants were more likely to be female, less likely to be Hispanic, and had higher motivation and emotional eating scores. Compared to Navy HRBS respondents (n = 164), ShipShape study participants (n = 147) were younger, more likely to be female, non-Hispanic, enlisted, and obese. Further, ShipShape study participants reported significantly fewer medical health conditions but higher rates of probable depression, anxiety, and PTSD and were more likely to report receiving current mental health treatment than HRBS respondents. Conclusion Overweight or obese SMs seeking weight loss in the ShipShape study were relatively young, female, non-Hispanic, motivated, but with greater emotional eating. ShipShape study participants endorsed few medical health conditions but had higher rates of probable mental health conditions compared to the HRBS sample. These findings suggest that SMs referred to Navy weight-management programs are likely experiencing comorbid mental health conditions which may interfere with the effectiveness of their weight loss efforts. The descriptive nature of this study and the focus on Navy SMs in only one ShipShape program may decrease the generalizability of our findings to participants at other locations. Nonetheless, these findings demonstrate the potential need for Navy weight-management programs that incorporate mental health treatment and address the specific needs of female and diverse SMs. A more comprehensive curriculum could improve the results of weight-management efforts, increase SM quality of life and fitness and thereby operational readiness.

scholarly journals What has changed in the experiences of people with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic? Findings from follow-up interviews using a coproduced, participatory qualitative approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prisha Shah ◽  
Jackie Hardy ◽  
Mary Birken ◽  
Una Foye ◽  
Rachel Rowan Olive ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Online Advertising ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Purpose: We sought to understand how the experiences of people in the UK with pre-existing mental health conditions had developed during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In September-October 2020 we interviewed adults with mental health conditions pre-dating the pandemic whom we had previously interviewed three months earlier. Participants had been recruited through online advertising and voluntary sector community organisations. Interviews were conducted by telephone or video-conference by researchers with lived experience of mental health difficulties and explored changes over time in experiences of participants of the pandemic. Results: We interviewed 44 people, achieving diversity of demographic characteristics and a range of mental health conditions and service use among our sample. Three overarching themes were derived from interviews. The first theme Spectrum of adaptation: to difficulties in access to, or the quality of, statutory mental health services, through developing new personal coping strategies or identifying alternative sources of support. The second theme is Accumulating pressures: from pandemic-related anxieties and sustained disruption to social contact and support, and to mental health treatment. The third theme Feeling overlooked: A sense of people with pre-existing mental health conditions being overlooked during the pandemic by policy-makers at all levels. The latter was compounded for people from ethnic minority communities or with physical health problems. Conclusion: Our study highlights the need to support marginalised groups who are at risk of increased inequalities, and to maintain crucial mental and physical healthcare and social care for people with existing mental health conditions, notwithstanding challenges of the pandemic.

The Prevalence of Mental Health Conditions Among High School and Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
James E. Kaishian ◽  
Regina M. Kaishian
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
High School ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Athletic Departments ◽  
Addictive Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

The physical impacts of overtraining, sport specification, and burnout are well documented in the literature; however, the state of the student-athlete’s (SA’s) mental health is something that needs to be investigated more comprehensively. Literature on SA mental health has gained prevalence within the last 5 years. The combination of pressure from sport and academics, as well as the stigmatization of clinical mental health treatment, can have a significant effect on the SA’s psyche. This review explores the prevalence of mental health conditions (MHCs) in high school and collegiate SAs. This includes signs and symptoms of mental health diagnoses to include substance- and alcohol-related addictive disorders and risk factors of such. A systematic review of the CINAHL, ERIC, SPORTDiscus, APA PsycINFO, and Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine resource databases was conducted. The initial search yielded 855 results. Following double screening, 22 studies were included, all of which were deemed medium to high quality. The findings indicate an alarming presence of MHCs ranging from risk factors of alcohol use and major depressive disorders among SAs. There was a high prevalence of mental health issues among SAs who are Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ). In most cases, participation in competitive athletics (varsity) did not contribute to additional MHCs for SAs. Sport psychologists should play a role in mental health programming within athletic departments. Athletic departments should develop proactive, targeted strategies to address MHCs for SAs.

scholarly journals Well-Being of Canadian Veterans during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-Sectional Results from the COVID-19 Veteran Well-Being Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Don Richardson ◽  
Kate St. Cyr ◽  
Callista Forchuk ◽  
Jenny JW Liu ◽  
Rachel A. Plouffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Virtual Care

Abstract Background The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have disproportionally affected different population groups. Veterans are more likely to have pre-existing mental health conditions compared to the general Canadian population, experience compounded stressors resulting from disruptions to familial, social, and occupational domains, and were faced with changes in healthcare delivery (e.g., telehealth). The objectives of this study are to assess (a) the mental health impact of COVID-19 and related life changes on the mental health of Veterans and (b) perceptions of and satisfaction with changes in healthcare treatments and delivery during the pandemic. Methods A total of 1139 Canadian Veterans were recruited to participate in an online survey. Participants completed questions pertaining to their mental health and well-being, lifestyle changes, and concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as experiences and satisfaction with healthcare treatments during the pandemic. Results Results showed that 55.9% of respondents reported worse mental health functioning compared to before the pandemic. Frequency of probable posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, and suicidal ideation were 34.2%, 35.3%, 26.8%, 13.0%, and 22.0%, respectively. Between 39.0% and 53.0% of respondents attributed their symptoms as either directly related to or exacerbated by the pandemic. Approximately 18% of respondents reported using telehealth for mental health services during the pandemic, and among those, 73.0% indicated a choice to use telehealth even after the pandemic. Conclusions This study found that most Veterans experienced worsening mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of telehealth services was widely endorsed by mental health treatment-seeking Veterans who transitioned to virtual care during the pandemic. Our findings have important clinical and program administrator implications, emphasizing the need to reach out to support veterans, especially those with pre-existing mental health conditions and to enhance and maintain virtual care even post pandemic.

70-LB: Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated rs9939609 Gene Variant Is Related to Fasting Glucose in Children with Mental Health Conditions

Diabetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 70-LB
Author(s):  
ALEJANDRA M. WIEDEMAN ◽  
YING FAI NGAI ◽  
AMANDA M. HENDERSON ◽  
CONSTADINA PANAGIOTOPOULOS ◽  
ANGELA M. DEVLIN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Gene Variant ◽  
Mental Health Conditions

Mental health recovery and its correlates: Perspectives from 2 countries (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiting Xie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Recovery ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Serious Mental Illnesses ◽  
Promote Mental Health

BACKGROUND Many people are affected by mental health conditions, yet its prevalence in certain populations are not well documented. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe the attributes of people with mental health conditions in U.S and SG in terms of: perception of mental health recovery and its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. With the findings, not only could the knowledge base for mental health recovery in both countries be enhanced but interventions and policies relating to self-efficacy, resourcefulness and de-stigmatization for mental health recovery could be informed. METHODS A A cross-sectional, descriptive study with convenience sample of 200 community dwelling adults were selected, 100 pax from the United States (U.S) and 100 pax from Singapore (SG). Adults with serious mental illnesses without substance abuse impacting on their recovery were recruited. Participants completed self-administered questionaires measuring their mental health recovery, strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience. RESULTS This study offered the unique opportunity to examine mental health recovery as well as its correlates such as strengths self-efficacy, resourcefulness and stigma experience from both the United States and Singapore. While the perception of mental health recovery and positive attributes like strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness remained strong in participants with serious mental illnesses across both countries, people with serious mental illnesses in both countries still experienced negative perception like stigma. The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries. CONCLUSIONS The findings would not only inform strategies to promote mental health recovery but also enhance the focus on correlates such as strengths self-efficacy and resourcefulness across both countries.

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