The Complicated Relationship between Dieting, Dietary Restraint, Caloric Restriction, and Eating Disorders: Is a Shift in Public Health Messaging Warranted?

The origins of theories specifying dietary restraint as a cause of eating disorders can be traced to the 1970s. This paper will present an overview of the origins of dietary restraint theories and a brief historical review of evidence will be summarized. Recent research will be presented, including the results from the CALERIE Phase 1 study, as well as CALERIE Phase 2, which were NIH-sponsored randomized controlled trials. CALERIE 2 provided a test of the effect of two years of caloric restriction (CR) on the development of eating disorder syndromes and symptoms in comparison to a control group that did not alter eating behavior or body weight. The intervention was effective for inducing a chronic (two-year) reduction in total energy expenditure and increased dietary restraint but did not increase symptoms of eating disorders. The results of this recent investigation and other studies have not provided experimental support for conventional dietary restraint theories of eating disorders. These findings are discussed in terms of potential revisions of dietary restraint theory, as well as the implications for a paradigm shift in public health messaging related to dieting.

Gaming and digital technologies during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The online gaming industry has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, which has only been intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertising by the private sector is common in online games, but games can also present a new avenue for innovative messaging by other actors. Online gaming can be a controversial topic, with debate surrounding the health effects of prolonged gaming. Though the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes instances of gaming disorder, some research suggests that online gaming is not inherently dangerous and can, in some situations, be beneficial to mental health. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has recently explored using gaming as an avenue for promoting public health messaging and has been involved in various projects that aimed to spread COVID mitigation guidelines through games. While the direct impact of in-game or advertising messaging on individuals’ behaviours is difficult to assess, the spread in popularity of these tactics and their estimated reach suggests a promising new approach for delivering public health information to certain groups. The goal of this paper is to objectively assess the potential of public health messaging through video games with a distinct focus on the impact of current initiatives being utilized to provide much-needed public health information on the COVID-19 pandemic, especially looking to initiatives in which WHO was involved or led. Whilst there is less literature and research in this field than other COVID-19 related topics, this paper has uncovered several meaningful insights and potential routes for future endeavors. To capture the sentiment of the academic community, an advanced Boolean search was conducted through Google Scholar. Google Scholar was used for this search as opposed to specific journals or databases given the cross-specialty nature of research on this topic (i.e., psychology to marketing). The search of ("gaming" OR "video games" OR "online games") AND ("covid-19" OR "coronavirus" OR "pandemic") AND ("public health messaging" OR "public health communication" OR "public health campaigns") was set over the time period 2019-2021.

Understanding barriers to consumers to stop washing raw poultry through in-depth interviews

PurposeFoodborne illness from poultry may be associated with improper handling that results in cross contamination. Washing of raw poultry is one practice that can lead to cross contamination. Some consumers continue to wash raw poultry after learning that not washing raw poultry is the safe behavior. There is a need to better understand why some consumers continue this practice and identify barriers to them adopting the correct behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilized qualitative, in-depth interviews to understand some consumer's barriers to adopting the behavior of not washing raw poultry. The interview questioning route was iteratively developed and designed to allow both structure and flexibility. Questions were anchored in the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change. Interviews (N = 23) were conducted over Zoom. Thematic analysis identified themes around consumers' resistance to adopting the correct behavior for handling raw poultry.FindingsResults from the thematic analysis indicate that chicken preparation methods were primarily influenced by family. A desire to control the process of preparing food, lack of trust in chicken processing, and the habitual nature of the behavior all contributed to the continuation of washing raw poultry. Over half of the participants (61%) expressed interest in changing behaviors in the future. Needing supporting scientific evidence, and an alternative behavior to replace washing were two key factors to support the development of future public health messaging.Originality/valueThis study investigates the barriers to safe raw poultry handling utilizing in-depth interviews and contributes to the development of more effective public health messaging.

Factors Associated with Adolescents’ Support for Product Information and Health Messaging on Alcohol Packaging: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Kingdom

Aims Adolescents in the UK are among the heaviest drinkers in Europe. The World Health Organization recommends alcohol product labelling to inform consumers about product information and health risks associated with alcohol use. This study investigates support for product information and health messaging on alcohol packaging among UK adolescents. Methods The 2019 UK Youth Alcohol Policy Survey was an online cross-sectional survey among 3388 adolescents aged 11–19. Participants indicated their support for seven forms of messaging on packaging (e.g. number of alcohol units, links to health conditions). Logistic regression models investigated associations between support for each of the seven forms and alcohol use, perceived risks of alcohol use, and previous exposure to messaging. Results Between 60 and 79% of adolescents were supportive of different aspects of product labelling. Compared to lower-risk drinkers, higher-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C 5+) had higher odds of supporting including the number of alcohol units (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.31–2.54), calories (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04–1.68), and strength of the product (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.19–2.52) but lower odds of supporting including information on alcohol-related health conditions (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.87). Adolescents who perceived risks of alcohol use more strongly were more likely to support all forms of product information and messaging. Conclusions The majority of adolescents supported improved alcohol labelling. Higher-risk drinkers were supportive of improved product information but less supportive of health-related messaging. Adolescents who believe alcohol carries health risks were more likely to support messaging.

Does Personality Shape COVID-19 Responses in Older Adults?

Knowing how personality plays out in a pandemic can provide guidance to improve public health messaging. In a sample of 2066 participants (Mage = 51.42; 48.5% female), we examined whether personality is associated with concerns, precautions, preparations, and duration estimates of the COVID-19 pandemic. Personality traits were measured before the pandemic; responses were assessed in late March 2020. We investigated whether age moderates the trait-response associations because older adults are at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19. Among the 65-96-year-olds, higher conscientiousness was associated with more preparations, higher openness was associated with greater concerns, and both higher openness and agreeableness were related to more preparations and longer duration estimates. This pattern has implications: If all older adults took COVID-19 seriously, individual differences in personality should not matter; however, our findings indicate that they do matter and could be considered in the development of personality-tailored communication to older adults.

Public Health Messaging and Measures During COVID-19: The Experiences of Family Caregivers

To mitigate the effects of COVID-19, Health Ministries across Canada have enacted numerous public health measures. Our mixed methods study examined the effect of COVID-19 related public health messaging and measures for family caregivers (FCGs) of people living with dementia (PLWD). Of the 230 FCGs completing the survey, most frequently used information sources were television, family/friends, and websites. FCGs over 60 more often used television, newspaper and radio versus websites and social media. FCGs rated public health messaging as good-excellent (64%) especially messaging around the disease spread, symptoms, and finding information. 46% believe the restrictions in long-term care facilities went beyond necessary with 97% reporting restrictions have negatively impacted them. 84% were willing to undertake personal protective equipment and infection control training to ensure continued access to PLWD. Focus groups highlighted concerns about continued access to PLWD, quality of care provision, and increased social isolation’s impact on dementia progression.

Perceptions of adult Arkansans regarding trusted sources of information about the COVID-19 pandemic

Background The United States leads the world in confirmed COVID-19 cases; Arkansas ranks fifth in average daily cases per 100,000. Historically, Americans relied on health communications from governmental sources and the news media. However, there has been a documented decline of trust in these sources. The present study seeks to understand trusted sources of information about COVID-19 to improve health messaging because research shows the level of trust is associated with adherence to recommendations. Methods Data were collected using an online survey from participants (N = 1221) who were 18 years of age or older and residing, employed, or accessing health care in Arkansas. A qualitative descriptive design was used to summarize participants’ experiences and perceptions related to trusted sources of COVID-19 information. Results Two primary themes related to participants’ perceptions of sources of information about COVID-19 are reported: 1) trusted sources of information and 2) distrust or lack of trust in sources of information. Several subthemes emerged within each primary theme. Results showed high trust in the academic medical center, federal and state public health agencies, and local health care providers. The study also documents diverging voices of distrust and uncertainty in making sense of contradictory information. Participants reported the main reason for their lack of trust was the rapidly changing information and the lack of consistency in information provided across sources. Conclusions This finding provides insight into the importance of coordination between national, state, and local communications to bolster trust. Personal recommendations and testimonies from trusted health care providers and professionals could inform public health messaging interventions to increase vaccine uptake.

Information seeking behaviours and uncertainty around accessing primary care in the changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to have a disproportionate effect on the most vulnerable. Public health messaging has been vital to regulate the impact of the pandemic. However, messages intended to slow the transmission of the virus may also cause harm. Understanding the areas where public health messaging could be improved may help reduce this harm.AimTo explore and understand health communication issues faced by those most likely to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Design & settingA qualitative study using online surveys. The area of focus was Fife, a local authority in Scotland, UK.MethodTwo consecutive surveys were conducted. Survey 1: N=19 support workers and Facebook group moderators, focussing on key issues faced by service users, as well as examples of good practice. Survey 2: N=34 community members, focussing on issues regarding access to and communication around access to primary care.ResultsSurvey one found broad issues around communication and access to primary care services. Survey two emphasised key issues in accessing primary care, including, (a) the lengthy process of making appointments, (b) feeling like a burden for wanting to be seen, (c) a lack of confidence in remote triaging and consultations, and (d) not knowing what to expect prior to getting an appointment.ConclusionClear issues regarding access to primary care were identified. Our new understanding of these issues will inform a co-creation process designed to develop clear, actionable and effective public health messages centred on improving access to primary care.