Food Experiences and Eating Patterns of Visually Impaired and Blind People

Purpose: The number of visually impaired and blind Canadians will rise dramatically as our population ages, and yet little is known about the impact of blindness on the experience of food and eating. In this qualitative study, the food experiences and eating patterns of visually impaired and blind people were examined. Influencing factors were also explored. Methods: In 2000, nine blind or severely visually impaired subjects were recruited through blindness-related organizations in British Columbia. Participants completed individual semistructured, in-depth interviews. These were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed to explicate participants’ experiences. Results: Participants experienced blindness-related obstacles when shopping for food, preparing food, and eating in restaurants. Inaccessiblematerials and environments left participants with a diet lacking in variety and limited access to physical activity. Seven participants were overweight or obese, a finding thatmay be related to limited physical activity and higher-than-average restaurant use. Conclusions: This is the first study in which the experience of food and eating is described from the perspective of visually impaired Canadians. Nutrition and blindness professionals must work together to reduce the food-related obstacles faced by visually impaired and blind people. Professionals must address both individual skill development and social and structural inequities.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of eating practices and physical activity among Malaysian adolescents in secondary schools: a qualitative study with multi-stakeholders

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020002293 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shooka Mohammadi ◽

Tin Tin Su ◽

Angeliki Papadaki ◽

Muhammad Yazid Jalaludin ◽

Maznah Dahlui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Rural Schools ◽

School Based ◽

Adolescent Participation ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Malaysian Adolescents

Abstract Objective: To conduct formative research using qualitative methods among stakeholders of secondary schools to explore their perceptions, barriers and facilitators related to healthy eating and physical activity (PA) among Malaysian adolescents. Design: A qualitative study involving eight focus groups and twelve in-depth interviews. Focus groups and interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Setting: Four secondary schools in Perak and Selangor states (two urban and two rural schools) in Malaysia. Participants: Focus groups were conducted with seventy-six adolescents aged 13–14 years, and in-depth interviews were conducted with four headmasters, four PA education teachers and four food canteen operators. Results: Stakeholders thought that adolescents’ misperceptions, limited availability of healthy options, unhealthy food preferences and affordability were important challenges preventing healthy eating at school. Low-quality physical education (PE) classes, limited adolescent participation and teachers’ commitment during lessons were perceived as barriers to adolescents being active at school. Affordability was the main challenge for adolescents from rural schools. Stakeholders perceived that a future school-based intervention should improve the availability and subsidies for healthy foods, provide health education/training for both adolescents and PE teachers, enhance active adolescent participation in PE and develop social support mechanisms to facilitate engagement with PA. Conclusions: These findings provide important insights into developing school-based lifestyle interventions to improve healthy eating and strengthening PA of Malaysian adolescents.

Download Full-text

A Qualitative Study of the Interaction between Human Rights Defenders and Society in Russia: Assessing the Impact of the 'Foreign Agents' Law

Cosmopolitan Civil Societies An Interdisciplinary Journal ◽

10.5130/ccs.v11.i2.6615 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 1-20

Author(s):

Polina Malkova

Keyword(s):

Human Rights ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Global Context ◽

Adverse Conditions ◽

World Regions ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Systematic Knowledge ◽

The Way

In various world regions, human rights defenders (HRDs) often become targets for smear campaigns that seek to discredit and marginalise them. Russia’s “foreign agents” law which brands NGOs as “foreign agents” – a phrase that carries Soviet-era connotations of a spy or traitor – is just one example of states’ attempts to cultivate an unfavorable image of rights defenders in society. Yet, despite the global context of such stigmatising campaigns and their potential to put defenders at further risk, there is very little systematic knowledge about the way citizens react to such rhetoric and whether they express more hostility towards HRDs. This paper seeks to address this gap and explores the interaction of rights defenders with the domestic society in Russia. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with representatives of the domestic human rights community, it demonstrates that while the wider public lacks familiarity with actors in the human rights field, certain social segments do interact with them, both in antagonistic and supportive ways. The paper argues that in the adverse conditions created by the “foreign agents” law, there is a need for rights groups to expand and strengthen the links with their constituencies.

Download Full-text

Characterizing Longitudinal Change in Physical Activity and Fear of Falling in Glaucoma

10.21203/rs.3.rs-48989/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jian-Yu E ◽

Aleksandra Mihailovic ◽

Jennifer A. Schrack ◽

Tianjing Li ◽

David S. Friedman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Linear Models ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Longitudinal Change ◽

Longitudinal Changes ◽

Injurious Falls ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: Older adults with visual impairments experience a higher risk of falling, and are more vulnerable to adverse health consequences associated with falls than those with normal vision. This study aims to characterize the longitudinal changes of objectively measured physical activity and self-reported fear of falling (FoF) related to types of falls in visually impaired older adults. Methods: We obtained data from the Falls in Glaucoma Study (FIGS), a prospective cohort study that recruited 234 participants at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute from 2013 to 2015. Falls were defined as unintentionally coming to rest on the ground or a lower level, and injurious falls were determined though follow-up calls. Study participants were categorized into three groups – fallers with injurious consequences, fallers without injurious consequences, and non-fallers based on fall status in the first year. Physical activity was assessed using a waist-bound accelerometer (Actical). FoF was evaluated by questionnaire, with Rasch modeling generating FoF scores where higher scores reflected worse FoF. The three-year longitudinal changes of physical activity and FoF were modeled using mixed-effects models. Results: In linear models fully adjusted for visual field damage and other covariates, physical activity among injurious fallers declined 425 steps/year (95% confidence interval [CI]: -793, -57), 13 active minutes/year (95% CI: -21, -6), and 3 minutes/year of moderate/vigorous activity (95% CI: -5, 0) more over the three-year study period compared to non-fallers; however, physical activity did not decline among non-injurious fallers. No longitudinal increases in FoF scores were observed in injurious or non-injurious fallers.Conclusions: Among visually impaired older adults, injurious falls identified prospectively over 12 months contributed to a significant decline in physical activity over a three-year period, while no significant increases were observed for FoF. Further longitudinal research is warranted to better understand how different groups respond to falls, either via behavioral changes and/or changes in FoF, and to characterize the impact of reduced physical activity in fallers.

Download Full-text

Why are UK junior doctors taking time out of training and what are their experiences? A qualitative study

Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine ◽

10.1177/0141076819831872 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 112 (5) ◽

pp. 192-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Chantelle Rizan ◽

Julia Montgomery ◽

Charlotte Ramage ◽

Jan Welch ◽

Graeme Dewhurst

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Unmet Needs ◽

Junior Doctors ◽

Loss Of Control ◽

Data Set ◽

Time Out ◽

The Uk ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

Objectives The number of doctors directly entering UK specialty training after their foundation year 2 (F2) has steadily declined from 83% in 2010 to 42.6% in 2017. The year following F2, outside the UK training pathway, is informally termed an ‘F3’ year. There is a paucity of qualitative research exploring why increasingly doctors are taking F3s. The aim of this study is to explore the reasons why F2 doctors are choosing to take a year out of training and the impact upon future career choices. Design This is an exploratory qualitative study, using in-depth interviews and content analysis. Setting UK. Participants Fourteen participants were interviewed from one foundation school. Participants included five doctors who commenced their F3 in 2015, five who started in 2016 and finally four recently starting this in 2017. Main outcome measures Content analysis was conducted to distill the themes which exemplified the totality of the experience of the three groups. Results There were four predominant themes arising within the data set which can be framed as ‘unmet needs’ arising within foundation years, sought to be fulfilled by the F3 year. First, doctors describe exhaustion and stress resulting in a need for a ‘break’. Second, doctors required more time to make decisions surrounding specialty applications and prepare competitive portfolios. Third, participants felt a loss of control which was (partially) regained during their F3s. The final theme was the impact of taking time out upon return to training (for those participants who had completed their F3 year). When doctors returned to NHS posts they brought valuable experience. Conclusions This study provides evidence to support the important ongoing initiatives from Health Education England and other postgraduate bodies, exploring approaches to further engage, retain and support the junior doctor workforce.

Download Full-text

Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Korean Female Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis and Comorbidity: A Qualitative Study

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare8030226 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 226 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Eunyoung Park ◽

Hyung-Ran Park ◽

Eui-Sung Choi

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Knee Osteoarthritis ◽

Qualitative Content Analysis ◽

Self Control ◽

Support Provision ◽

Content Analysis Method ◽

Outpatient Center ◽

Limited Physical Activity ◽

Depth Interviews

When knee osteoarthritis is combined with comorbidity, it is associated with limited physical activity. This study aimed to identify barriers to and facilitators of physical activity among Korean female adults with knee osteoarthritis and comorbidity, such as hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. A qualitative content analysis study was conducted. Ten female knee osteoarthritis participants with comorbidity were recruited at an orthopedic outpatient center in South Korea. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and were analyzed using a conventional content analysis method. Ten participants with a mean age of 70.7 years participated in this study. Four categories of barriers and three of facilitators were identified. Barriers to physical activity were physical hardships, lack of motivation, environmental restrictions, and lack of knowledge. Categories of facilitators were pain management, self-control in physical activity, and understanding the importance of physical activity. Participants did not express any social or environmental facilitators of physical exercise. Healthcare professionals should include social support and environmental facilities to achieve medical and institutional compliance. Understanding female adults with knee osteoarthritis and comorbidity would support provision of appropriately tailored interventions that account for the characteristics of the comorbidity.

Download Full-text

Exploring maintenance of physical activity behaviour change among people living with and beyond gastrointestinal cancer: a cross-sectional qualitative study and typology

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037136 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e037136

Author(s):

Chloe Grimmett ◽

Claire Foster ◽

Katherine Bradbury ◽

Phillippa Lally ◽

Carl R May ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Rapid Expansion ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gi Cancer ◽

The Impact

ObjectivesIn the last decade, there has been a rapid expansion of physical activity (PA) promotion programmes and interventions targeting people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). The impact that these initiatives have on long-term maintenance of PA remains under-researched. This study sought to explore the experiences of participants in order to characterise those who have and have not successfully sustained increases in PA following participation in a PA intervention after a diagnosis of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, and identify barriers and facilitators of this behaviour.DesignCross-sectional qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with participants who had previously taken part in a PA programme in the UK, explored current and past PA behaviour and factors that promoted or inhibited regular PA participation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Themes and subthemes were identified. Differences between individuals were recognised and a typology of PA engagement was developed.ParticipantsTwenty-seven individuals (n=15 male, mean age=66.3 years) with a diagnosis of GI cancer who had participated in one of four interventions designed to encourage PA participation.SettingUK.ResultsSeven themes were identified: disease processes, the role of ageing, emotion and psychological well-being, incorporating PA into everyday life, social interaction, support and self-monitoring and competing demands. A typology with three types describing long-term PA engagement was generated: (1) maintained PA, (2) intermittent PA, (3) low activity. Findings indicate that identifying an enjoyable activity that is appropriate to an individual’s level of physical functioning and is highly valued is key to supporting long-term PA engagement.ConclusionThe typology described here can be used to guide stratified and personalised intervention development and support sustained PA engagement by people LWBC.

Download Full-text

The Experience and Meaning of Media to Non-Mainstream Athletes: Qualitative Study

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13031154 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 1154

Author(s):

Eunhye Yoo ◽

Jeong-Hui Park ◽

Jung-Min Lee

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Text Analysis ◽

Media Exposure ◽

Auxiliary Data ◽

The Past ◽

The Media ◽

Sustained Effort ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

This study aims to understand the process by which ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling), which was labeled a declining industry, has regained its popularity owing to the impact of the media. The study was conducted as a case study with ten ssireum athletes who participated in the television program “The Rhapsody of Ssireum.” Additionally, text analysis was performed based on in-depth interviews and auxiliary data collection. As a result, four media-driven transformative trends in ssireum were observed: a shift of the public’s interest from online to offline under the influence of media, shift in the public’s perception of ssireum athletes’ body, birth of ssireum stars with nicknames matching the characteristics of popular ssireum athletes, and ssireum athletes’ increased sense of responsibility toward ssireum matches felt under the spotlight of the media. Admittedly, media exposure of ssireum athletes has increased significantly compared to the past. However, for the popularization of ssireum, a sport unique to Korea, the athletes, and the ssireum association need to make a sustained effort.

Download Full-text

The Players‘ Experience of Immersion in Persuasive Games

International Journal of Serious Games ◽

10.17083/ijsg.v5i4.263 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 63-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Manuela Hafner ◽

Jeroen Jansz

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Serious Games ◽

Game Studies ◽

Political Issues ◽

Perceived Realism ◽

Persuasive Games ◽

Gaming Environment ◽

The Impact ◽

Player Experiences ◽

Depth Interviews

Game studies has seen an increasing interest in serious games with a persuasive goal. Yet, empirical research about the impact of these persuasive games is still limited. This paper aims to advance the field by reporting on an explorative, qualitative study, investigating player experiences in My Life as a Refugee and PeaceMaker, games that address pressing socio-political issues. Theoretically, our research was based on immersion theory and Calleja’s account of player involvement. We conducted in-depth interviews with twelve participants. Our results showed that players experienced the two games in a similar way. With respect to immersion, our results highlight its different aspects by showing that the games’ narratives had the largest impact on feeling immersed. Our participants also experienced ludic, affective, and spatial immersion, which partly deepened their narrative immersion. Finally, we found that perceived realism, narrative depth, and identification contributed to the immersive experience. The major contribution of this paper is showing that immersion heightened participants’ susceptibility to persuasion within the gaming environment, while adding that the roles of emotion and identification in immersion warrant further research.

Download Full-text

The Burden of ADHD in Older Adults: A Qualitative Study

Journal of Attention Disorders ◽

10.1177/1087054715610001 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (6) ◽

pp. 591-600 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M. Michielsen ◽

J. Th. C. M. de Kruif ◽

H. C. Comijs ◽

S. van Mierlo ◽

E. J. Semeijn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Early Detection ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Attention Problems ◽

Adhd Symptoms ◽

Thematic Approach ◽

The Impact ◽

Depth Interviews

Objective: To explore how ADHD may have affected the lives of older adults who meet the diagnostic criteria of ADHD, but are unaware of their diagnosis. Our second aim was to examine whether the reported symptoms change over the life span. Method: A qualitative study was conducted. Seventeen Dutch older people (>65 years) diagnosed in this study with ADHD participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed according to techniques of thematic approach. Results: Seven themes emerged from the analyses. Four themes correspond to ADHD symptoms: “being active,” “being impulsive,” “attention problems,” and “mental restlessness.” In addition, the themes “low self-esteem,” “overstepping boundaries,” and “feeling misunderstood” emerged. The impact of ADHD symptoms seems to have declined with age. Conclusion: ADHD has a negative impact on late life, and older adults with the disorder may benefit from treatment. Moreover, this study’s findings call for early detection and treatment of ADHD in children and adults.

Download Full-text

Improvement of Large Animal Model for Studying Osteoporosis

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy ◽

10.1515/bvip-2015-0018 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 59 (1) ◽

pp. 123-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Zdzisław Kiełbowicz ◽

Anita Piątek ◽

Janusz Bieżyński ◽

Piotr Skrzypczak ◽

Ewa Chmielewska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽

Positive Control ◽

Negative Control ◽

Large Animal Model ◽

Large Animal ◽

Limited Physical Activity ◽

Restrictive Diet ◽

Parameter Values ◽

The Impact

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the impact of steroidal medications on the structure and mechanical properties of supporting tissues of sheep under experimentally-induced osteoporosis. A total of 21 sheep were used, divided into three groups: a negative control (KN) (n = 3), a positive control (KP) (n = 3) with ovariectomy, and a steroidal group (KS) (n = 15) with ovariectomy and glucocorticosteroids. All animals were kept on a low protein and mineral diet and had limited physical activity and access to sunlight. Quantitative computed tomography was the examination method. The declines in the examined parameter values in the KS group were more than three times higher than in the KN group. The study suggests that a glucocorticosteroidal therapy accelerates and intensifies processes taking place in the course of osteoporosis. The combination of glucocorticosteroids with ovariectomy, a restrictive diet, limited physical activity, and no access to sunlight leads to a decrease in radiological bone density.

Download Full-text