scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of a brief Health at Every Size-Based activity on body positivity and internal weight-based oppression

Author(s):  
Hanaa Ahmed ◽  
Sana Elashie ◽  
Lily O'Hara

Introduction: Internal weight-based oppression WBO is the internalized negative attitudes, values and beliefs people hold about body weight, and is associated with depression, anxiety, body image disturbance, disordered eating, avoidance of physical activity, and increased calorie consumption. Conversely, body positivity encompasses body acceptance, body appreciation, and body love, and adaptive approaches protective of health and wellbeing. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of the brief activity on body positivity and internal WBO in female students at Qatar University. Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental pre-post evaluation design, with quantitative assessment of body positivity and internal weight-based oppression before a brief activity (pre), immediately afterwards (post), and 10 weeks later (follow up), and qualitative assessment at the 10-week follow up. Love your Body, a Health at Every Size-based activity, was developed and delivered by public health students as part of the Mental Health Festival. The 10- minute activity involved Yay scales, positive affirmation stickers, photography, postcards, and gratitude writing. Evaluation measures used were the Body Appreciation Scale 2 (BAS-2), Modified Weight Bias Internalization Scale (M-WBIS), Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit Size Acceptance (FAAT-SA) and Self Reflection (FAAT-SR) subscales, and an open-ended questionnaire. Results: A total of 35 female undergraduate students completed assessments at all time points. Self-reflection and body appreciation increased significantly after the activity. All measures showed a trend towards improvement from pre to post assessment, but a return to baseline or near baseline status after 10 weeks. Qualitative results suggested that improvements were sustained at follow up. Conclusion: The activity had a positive effect on participants’ body appreciation and self-reflection in the short term, but these improvements were not sustained over the longer term. The high number of missing responses compromised the potential to determine findings that are more robust.

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmeline Lagunes-Cordoba ◽  
Ruth Alcala-Lozano ◽  
Roberto Lagunes-Cordoba ◽  
Ana Fresan-Orellana ◽  
Manuela Jarrett ◽  
...  

Abstract Background There is research evidence regarding the presence of stigmatising attitudes in psychiatrists towards people with mental illness, but a lack of studies and interventions focused on this issue in low and middle-income countries. Aims To assess the feasibility of implementing an anti-stigma intervention for Mexican psychiatric trainees, and its potential effects. Methods This study comprised a pre-post design with outcome measures compared between baseline and 3-month follow-up. Quantitative outcome measures were used to evaluate the potential effects of the intervention, whilst the process evaluation required the collection and analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Results Twenty-nine trainees (25% of those invited) participated in the intervention, of whom 18 also participated in the follow-up assessment. Outcome measures showed the intervention had moderately large effects on reducing stereotypes and the influence of other co-workers on trainees’ own attitudes. The main mechanisms of impact identified were recognition of negative attitudes in oneself and colleagues, self-reflection about the impact of stigma, one’s own negative attitudes and recognition of one’s ability to make change. Participants accepted and were satisfied with the intervention, which many considered should be part of their routine training. However, trainees’ work overload and lack of support from the host organisation were identified as barriers to implement the intervention. Conclusions A brief anti-stigma intervention for Mexican psychiatric trainees is feasible, potentially effective, well accepted and was considered necessary by participants. This study also suggests mechanisms of impact and mediators should be considered for developing further interventions, contributing to reducing the damaging effects that mental health-related stigma has on people’s lives.


Author(s):  
Caitlin R. Semsarian ◽  
Gabrielle Rigney ◽  
Peter A. Cistulli ◽  
Yu Sun Bin

University students consistently report poor sleep. We conducted a before-and-after study to evaluate the impact of an online 10-week course on undergraduate students’ sleep knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours at 6-month follow-up. Data were collected via baseline course surveys (August–September 2020) and follow-up surveys distributed via email (February–March 2021). n = 212 students completed baseline surveys and n = 75 (35%) completed follow-up. Students retained to follow-up possessed higher baseline sleep knowledge and received higher course grades. At the 6-month follow-up, sleep knowledge had increased (mean score out of 5: 3.0 vs. 4.2, p < 0.001). At baseline, 85% of students aimed to increase their sleep knowledge and 83% aimed to improve their sleep. At follow-up, 91% reported being more knowledgeable and 37% reported improved sleep. A novel Stages of Change item revealed that 53% of students’ attitudes towards their sleep behaviours had changed from baseline. There was a reduction in sleep latency at follow-up (mean 33.3 vs. 25.6 min, p = 0.015), but no change in the total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. In summary, completion of an online course led to increased sleep and circadian knowledge and changed sleep attitudes, with no meaningful change in sleep behaviours. Future interventions should consider components of behavioural change that go beyond the knowledge–attitudes–behaviour continuum.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110477
Author(s):  
Oscar H. Del Brutto ◽  
Robertino M. Mera ◽  
Denisse A. Rumbea ◽  
Pedro Pérez ◽  
Bettsy Y. Recalde ◽  
...  

Background: Information on the body composition of inhabitants of remote communities during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is limited. Using a longitudinal population-based study design, we assessed the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and changes in body composition. Methods: Community-dwelling older adults living in a rural Ecuadorian village received body composition determinations before and 1 year after the pandemic as well as serological tests for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The independent association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and abnormalities in body composition at follow-up was assessed by fitting linear mixed models for longitudinal data. Results: Of 327 enrolled individuals, 277 (85%) received baseline and follow-up body composition determinations, and 175 (63%) of them became SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Overall, diet and physical activity deteriorated during the follow-up. Multivariate random-effects generalized least squares regression models that included the impact of time and seropositivity on follow-up body composition, showed that neither variable contributed to a worsening in body composition. Multivariate logistic regression models disclosed that the serological status at follow-up cannot be predicted by differences in body composition and other baseline covariates. Conclusions: Study results suggest no increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection among older adults with abnormal body composition and no significant changes as a result of worse physical activity and dietary habits or seropositivity during the length of the study. Together with a previous study in the same population that showed decrease in hand-grip strength after SARS-CoV-2, results confirm that dynapenia (and not sarcopenia) is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in older adults.


Author(s):  
J. R. Weir-McCall ◽  
◽  
S. Harris ◽  
K. A. Miles ◽  
N. R. Qureshi ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To compare qualitative and semi-quantitative PET/CT criteria, and the impact of nodule size on the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules in a prospective multicentre trial. Methods Patients with an SPN on CT ≥ 8 and ≤ 30 mm were recruited to the SPUTNIK trial at 16 sites accredited by the UK PET Core Lab. Qualitative assessment used a five-point ordinal PET-grade compared to the mediastinal blood pool, and a combined PET/CT grade using the CT features. Semi-quantitative measures included SUVmax of the nodule, and as an uptake ratio to the mediastinal blood pool (SURBLOOD) or liver (SURLIVER). The endpoints were diagnosis of lung cancer via biopsy/histology or completion of 2-year follow-up. Impact of nodule size was analysed by comparison between nodule size tertiles. Results Three hundred fifty-five participants completed PET/CT and 2-year follow-up, with 59% (209/355) malignant nodules. The AUCs of the three techniques were SUVmax 0.87 (95% CI 0.83;0.91); SURBLOOD 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.30 versus SUVmax); and SURLIVER 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.09 vs. SUVmax). The AUCs for all techniques remained stable across size tertiles (p > 0.1 for difference), although the optimal diagnostic threshold varied by size. For nodules < 12 mm, an SUVmax of 1.75 or visual uptake equal to the mediastinum yielded the highest accuracy. For nodules > 16 mm, an SUVmax ≥ 3.6 or visual PET uptake greater than the mediastinum was the most accurate. Conclusion In this multicentre trial, SUVmax was the most accurate technique for the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. Diagnostic thresholds should be altered according to nodule size. Trial registration ISRCTN - ISRCTN30784948. ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02013063


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vedran Premuzic ◽  
Drazen Perkov ◽  
Ranko Smiljanic ◽  
Bruna Brunetta Gavranic ◽  
Bojan Jelakovic

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of different catheter tip positions on the life of the catheter, dysfunction, infection, and quality of hemodialysis and possible differences between the access site laterality in jugular-tunneled hemodialysis catheters. Methods: Catheters were evaluated for the following parameters: place of insertion, time of insertion, duration of use, and reason for removal. In all patients, the catheter tip position was checked using an X-ray. Results: The mean duration of implanted catheters with the tip placed in the cavo-atrial junction and right atrium was significantly longer. There were no differences in catheter functionality at follow-up or complications based on catheter laterality for each catheter tip position. Conclusion: According to our results, the localization of the catheter tip in superior vena cava still remains the least preferable method. Our results showed that the main factor responsible for better catheter functionality was not laterality but the depth to which the catheter tip is inserted into the body.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 4258-4258
Author(s):  
Rahima Jamal ◽  
Danielle Desmarais ◽  
John Chapdelaine ◽  
Yvan Côté ◽  
Lambert Busque

Abstract While imatinib biodisponibility is excellent, trough imatinib plasma levels associated with standard dose imatinib are variable and cannot be predicted by the age, the body surface area or the weight of the patient. Imatinib trough levels have recently been associated with both cytogenetic and molecular responses, making imatinib pharmacokinetics a possible target in optimisation of the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia. We retrospectively analysed trough imatinib plasma levels prescribed as part of the longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in Canada. Indications for testing were inadequate response, important side effects or suspicion of non compliance. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the variability of trough imatinib plasma levels in our cohort and determine the impact a first result had on the subsequent plasma level in patients with more than one imatinib plasma determination. Analyses of trough plasma levels in 278 patients were conducted in a central canadian laboratory from April 2007 to April 2008. Trough imatinib plasma levels were measured using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with deuterated imatinib as the internal standard. Distribution of trough imatinib plasma levels according to the established IRIS quartiles (Q1–Q4; BLOOD. 2008, vol 11, p4022)) showed an important variability, with plasma levels distributed between less than 100 ng/ml and more than 4500 ng/ml. Sixty-two (22.3%) patients in our cohort had plasma levels below 647 ng/ml (Q1), 101(36.3%) patients had levels between 647–1170 ng/ml (Q2–Q3) and 115 (41.3%) patients had trough levels above 1170 ng/ml (Q4). There were 31 patients (11.2%) with levels above 2000 ng/ml, all of whom were included in the Q4. Thirty seven patients in our cohort had more than one analysis of trough imatinib plasma levels done during the one year follow-up for a total of 82 analyses. Sub-group analysis of trough imatinib plasma levels was conducted in the 13 patients in the Q1 and the six patients in the Q4 who had 2 analyses done. Mean trough imatinib plasma levels went from 401ng/ml to 665 ng/ml in the Q1 patients and from 2845 ng/ml to 1065 ng/ml in the Q4 patients. These results confirm the feasibility of imatinib plasma levels testing in the community and the important variability of trough imatinib plasma concentrations in individual patients, as described by other groups. A significant portion of patients in our cohort had trough levels below 647 ng/ml, which has been associated with less favourable cytogenetic and molecular responses in studies. These results also suggest that physicians act on the information procured by the determination of imatinib plasma levels as second level determination was improved for patients initially in Q1 or Q4. Further follow up analyses are needed to document if optimisation of dosing leads to better response or improvement in tolerability of the drug.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 977-977
Author(s):  
Julia Katcher ◽  
Richard Suminski ◽  
Carly Pacanowski

Abstract Objectives Dietary restraint and low body appreciation are common among female undergraduates and are related to disordered eating. Intuitive eating is an approach to eating that promotes listening to internal cues (e.g., hunger and fullness) and may help reduce disordered eating. It was hypothesized that an intuitive eating intervention would decrease levels of dietary restraint and increase levels of body appreciation and intuitive eating. Methods Fourteen female undergraduates were randomized to two groups. The intervention consisted of 5 weekly intuitive eating sessions led by two Registered Dietitians. One group received the intervention after the other. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-18 (TFEQ-18) assessed dietary restraint across three subscales, the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) assessed body appreciation, and the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2) assessed intuitive eating and its four subscales. SPSS v 26 software was used for analyses. Paired sample t-tests were run to examine within-participants changes in outcome variables pre- and post-intervention and at a 5-week follow-up. The significance level was set at .05. Results There was a significant decrease in TFEQ-18 subscales pre- to post-intervention, including cognitive restraint (61.5 ± 20.4 to 39.3 ± 18.0, P &lt; .001), uncontrolled eating (55.8 ± 17.9 to 43.9 ± 10.1, P = .01), and emotional eating (68.3 ± 23.0 to 44.4 ± 18.5, P &lt; .001). There was a significant increase in BAS-2 scores (3.1 ± 0.6 to 3.7 ± 0.5, P = .001) and all IES-2 subscales, including unconditional permission to eat (2.7 ± 0.7 to 3.8 ± 0.6, P &lt; .001), eating for physical rather than emotional reasons (2.5 ± 0.6 to 3.3 ± 0.7, P &lt; .001), relying on hunger and satiety cues (2.8 ± 0.7 to 3.7 ± 0.6, P &lt; .001), body food-choice congruence (3.8 ± 0.6 to 4.1 ± 0.7, P = .02), and total IES-2 scores (2.8 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 0.5, P &lt; .001), pre- to post-intervention. Post-intervention scores compared to the 5-week follow-up (n = 7) revealed no significant changes indicating that the pre- to post-intervention changes were sustained. Conclusions This study provides data suggesting that a 5-week intuitive eating intervention may help decrease dietary restraint and increase body appreciation and intuitive eating in female undergraduates. Intuitive eating may be a promising strategy to prevent disordered eating in undergraduates. Funding Sources No external funding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 963-968
Author(s):  
Zurrahmi Z.R ◽  
Sri Hardianti ◽  
Fitria Meiriza Syahasti

Sleep is a basic need for everyone. In conditions of rest and sleep, the body performs a recovery process to restore the body's stamina to be in optimal condition. The impact of lack of sleep causes a person to have difficulty concentrating, fatigue, headaches, feeling unwell, lazy, decreased memory, confusion, and has an impact on the ability to make decisions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between stress levels and sleep quality in the final undergraduate students of Public Health at Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai University in 2021. This type of research was a descriptive correlation study with a Cross Sectional design. This research was conducted in July 2021.2020 with a sample of 60 final undergraduate students in Public Health, Tuanku Tambusai University, obtained using a total sampling technique. Data collection techniques using a questionnaire. Analysis of the data used is univariate analysis and bivariate analysis with Chi Square test. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between stress levels and sleep quality in final students with p value = 0.003. By conducting this research, researchers expect students to prevent stress that can affect sleep quality.


Author(s):  
Sadaf Ilias ◽  
Jill Barber

This case study describes a recent learning activity involving pharmacy undergraduate students in which a final (fourth) year student trained 21 second year students to administer questionnaires about antibiotic resistance to over 700 student users of a large university building. The aim was to raise awareness of the problem of antibiotic resistance.  The second year students were also trained to correct any misapprehensions held by the questionnaire participants about antibiotic resistance, and to encourage them to become "Antibiotic Guardians". Finally the 22 students analysed the data to give a picture of what the other students understood about antibiotic resistance.  Peer-assisted learning therefore cascaded from a single fourth year student to 21 second year students and then to 700 students from various disciplines and year groups.  The first stage of the cascade was evaluated and the 21 second year students overwhelmingly believed that their knowledge of antibiotic resistance was enhanced.  A follow-up study using the same questionnaire will be used to determine whether the exercise was effective in raising awareness of antibiotic resistance among the body of students surveyed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
REBECCA AWUAH ◽  
KRISTEL M. GALLAGHER ◽  
LISA C. DIERKER

To evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary, project-based course in introductory statistics, this exploratory study examined learning experiences, feelings of confidence, and interest in future experiences with data for undergraduate students in Ghana, West Africa. Students completed a one-semester, introductory statistics course utilizing the Passion-driven Statistics curriculum. Results showed more than half of the students put more effort into the course and found the material more challenging compared to other courses, while nearly three-quarters reported interest in one or more follow-up courses. Importantly, students also reported increased confidence in a variety of applied statistical skills. These findings demonstrate the positive impact of a multidisciplinary, project-based curriculum on undergraduate students in Ghana, West Africa and demonstrate the potential for its global portability. First published December 2020 at Statistics Education Research Journal: Archives


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