Online weight-loss services and a calculative practice of slimming

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 409-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mari Niva
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Calorie Restriction ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Lifestyle Change ◽  
Control Device ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theories Of Practice

This study examines the slimming practice produced by Internet-based weight-loss services and their use. Drawing on theories of practice, the study analyses the script of use that is constructed by the services, and the meanings, materialities and competences that are enacted in their use. Based on 20 semi-structured interviews with women who were users of two Finnish online weight-loss services, the study concludes that the services transform food into quantitative depictions of calories and nutrition. They configure slimmers as calculative agents and slimming as a practice based on incessant recording and monitoring. For online slimmers, the services acted in the double role of a control device with a focus on calorie restriction, and a learning device used to develop a skill of healthy eating. In the latter role, online slimming was hoped to result in an internalisation of a lifestyle change that would make calculation and constant monitoring unnecessary and the services redundant for their users. The results suggest that for its practitioners, online slimming is temporary rather than long-standing, but it may and is expected to act as a mediary in establishing other practices related to healthy lifestyles.

scholarly journals The Intestinal Microbiome Predicts Weight Loss on a Calorie-Restricted Diet and Is Associated With Improved Hepatic Steatosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tien S. Dong ◽  
Kayti Luu ◽  
Venu Lagishetty ◽  
Farzaneh Sedighian ◽  
Shih-Lung Woo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Clinical Response ◽  
Hepatic Steatosis ◽  
Calorie Restriction ◽  
Intestinal Microbiome ◽  
Composition Analysis ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Restricted Diet

Background: The microbiome has been shown in pre-clinical and epidemiological studies to be important in both the development and treatment of obesity and metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). However, few studies have examined the role of the microbiome in the clinical response to calorie restriction. To explore this area, we performed a prospective study examining the association of the intestinal microbiome with weight loss and change in hepatic steatosis on a calorie-restricted diet.Methods: A prospective dietary intervention study of 80 overweight and obese participants was performed at the Greater West Los Angeles Veterans Affair Hospital. Patients were placed on a macronutrient standardized diet for 16 weeks, including 14 weeks of calorie restriction (500 calorie deficit). Body composition analysis by impedance, plasma lipid measurements, and ultrasound elastography to measure hepatic steatosis were performed at baseline and week 16. Intestinal microbiome composition was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A per protocol analysis was performed on all subjects completing the trial (n = 46).Results: Study completers showed significant reduction in weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride. Subjects who lost at least 5% of their body weight had significantly greater reduction in serum triglyceride and hepatic steatosis than those with <5% body weight loss. Enterococcus and Klebsiella were reduced at the end of the trial while Coprococcus and Collinsella were increased. There were also significant baseline microbiome differences between patients who had at least 5% weight loss as compared to those that did not. Lachnoclostridium was positively associated with hepatic steatosis and Actinomyces was positively associated with hepatic steatosis and weight. Baseline microbiome profiles were able to predict which patients lost at least 5% of their body weight with an AUROC of 0.80.Conclusion: Calorie restriction alters the intestinal microbiome and improves hepatic steatosis in those who experience significant weight loss. Baseline microbiome differences predict weight loss on a calorie–restricted diet and are associated with improvement in hepatic steatosis, suggesting a role of the gut microbiome in mediating the clinical response to calorie restriction.

scholarly journals The role of midwives and obstetrical nurses in the promotion of healthy lifestyle during pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 263349412110318
Author(s):  
Mahnaz Bahri Khomami ◽  
Ruth Walker ◽  
Michelle Kilpatrick ◽  
Susan de Jersey ◽  
Helen Skouteris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle Promotion

Women with maternal obesity, an unhealthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy and excess gestational weight gain have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes that can also increase the risk of long-term poor health for them and their children. Pregnant women have frequent medical appointments and are highly receptive to health advice. Healthcare professionals who interact with women during pregnancy are in a privileged position to support women to make lasting healthy lifestyle changes that can improve gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes and halt the intergenerational nature of obesity. Midwives and obstetrical nurses are key healthcare professionals responsible for providing antenatal care in most countries. Therefore, it is crucial for them to build and enhance their ability to promote healthy lifestyles in pregnant women. Undergraduate midwifery curricula usually lack sufficient lifestyle content to provide emerging midwives and obstetrical nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively assess and support healthy lifestyle behaviours in pregnant women. Consequently, registered midwives and obstetrical nurses may not recognise their role in healthy lifestyle promotion specific to healthy eating and physical activity in practice. In addition, practising midwives and obstetrical nurses do not consistently have access to healthy lifestyle promotion training in the workplace. Therefore, many midwives and obstetrical nurses may not have the confidence and/or skills to support pregnant women to improve their lifestyles. This narrative review summarises the role of midwives and obstetrical nurses in the promotion of healthy lifestyles relating to healthy eating and physical activity and optimising weight in pregnancy, the barriers that they face to deliver optimal care and an overview of what we know works when supporting midwives and obstetrical nurses in their role to support women in achieving a healthy lifestyle.

Satiety Innovations: Food Products to Assist Consumers with Weight Loss, Evidence on the Role of Satiety in Healthy Eating: Overview and In Vitro Approximation

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rubén López-Nicolás ◽  
Massimo Marzorati ◽  
Lia Scarabottolo ◽  
Jason C. G. Halford ◽  
Alexandra M. Johnstone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Products

scholarly journals Obesity Prevention In Infants, Children And Adults: An Interdisciplinary Approach

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Shari McMahan ◽  
Graciela Amaya
Keyword(s):  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
California State University ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
State University ◽  
Multi Level

The Center for the Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles and Obesity Prevention, housed in the College of Health and Human Development, at California State University Fullerton promotes interdisciplinary research and community outreach in areas related to children’s health and weight management. Three research projects presented below offer a comprehensive multi-level approach that guides us in developing current and future programs that are effective for addressing obesity in infants, children, and adults. These projects range from creating and testing a telenovela, designing a healthy eating program emphasizing breakfast nutrition and physical activity, and finally looking at the role of the environment in terms of commute times and obesity patterns. 

scholarly journals Central Role of Cognitive Control Networks in Weight Loss During Voluntary Calorie Restriction

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selin Neseliler ◽  
Wen Hu ◽  
Kevin Larcher ◽  
Maria Zacchia ◽  
Mahsa Dadar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Calorie Restriction ◽  
Cue Reactivity ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Food Cues ◽  
Control Networks ◽  
Restriction Diet ◽  
Brain Fmri

SummaryInsufficient responses to hypocaloric diets have been attributed to hormonal adaptations that override self-control of food intake. We tested this hypothesis by measuring brain fMRI reactivity to food cues and circulating energy-balance hormones in 24 overweight/obese participants before, and 1 and 3 months after starting a calorie restriction diet. Increased activity in prefrontal regions at month 1 correlated with weight loss at months 1 and 3. Weight loss was also correlated with increased plasma ghrelin and decreased leptin at month 1, and these changes were associated with greater food cue reactivity in reward-related brain regions. However, the reduction in leptin did not counteract weight loss; indeed, it was correlated with further weight loss at month 3. Activation in a network of prefrontal regions associated with self-control could contribute to individual differences in weight loss and maintenance, whereas we failed to find that the hormonal adaptations play a major role.

scholarly journals Inspiration from the “Biggest Loser”: Social Interactions in a Weight Loss Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Uetake ◽  
Nathan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Unobserved Heterogeneity ◽  
Weight Loss Program ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Biggest Loser

We investigate the role of heterogeneous peer effects in encouraging healthy lifestyles. Our analysis revolves around one of the largest and most extensive databases about weight loss that track individual participants’ meeting attendance and progress in a large national weight loss program. The main finding is that, although weight loss among average-performing peers has a negative effect on an individual’s weight loss, the corresponding effect for the top performer among peers is positive. Furthermore, we show that our results are robust to potential issues related to selection into meetings, endogenous peer outcomes, individual unobserved heterogeneity, lagged dependent variables, and contextual effects. Ultimately, these results provide guidance about how the weight loss program should identify role models.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Knowledge creation in small building and construction firms

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Ingi Runar Edvardsson ◽  
Guido Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Knowledge Sources ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
External Knowledge ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Small Building

Studies on knowledge creation are limited in general, and there is a particular shortage of research on the topic in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the importance of SMEs for the economy and the vital role of knowledge creation in innovation, this situation is unsatisfactory. Accordingly, the purpose of our study is to increase our understanding of how SMEs create new knowledge. Data are obtained through semi-structured interviews with ten managing directors of German SMEs operating in the building and construction industry. The findings demonstrate the influence of external knowledge sources on knowledge creation activities. Even though the managing directors take advantage of different external knowledge sources, they seem to put an emphasis on informed knowledge sources. The study´s findings advance the limited body of knowledge regarding knowledge creation in SMEs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document