Examining the Clinical Correlates of Overeating and Binge-Eating Behaviors Among U. S. Veterans

ABSTRACT Introduction Pressure to meet U.S. military weight requirements during service may predispose some service members to develop psychiatric disorders such as eating disorders or unhealthy eating behaviors, which may persist after military discharge. Specifically, research examining U.S. military veterans has found that in weight management programs, veterans with binge-eating behaviors have shown poor treatment outcomes. Overall, previous research suggests that veterans experience considerable and persistent disordered eating problems, and in addition may experience a higher prevalence of disordered eating in comparison to the general U.S. population. Research on Post-9/11 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) veterans is needed as this group frequently presents with high rates of medical and psychiatric disorders. The current study used clinician-administered structured interviews to examine relationships between psychiatric, health, and demographic variables in a sample of Post-9/11 OEF/OIF/OND veterans with binge-eating or overeating behavior or neither. Materials and Methods This article presents secondary analyses of the baseline phase from data obtained for the Survey of the Experiences of Returning Veterans. Using structured phone interviews, we cross-sectionally examined patterns of medical comorbidities between sociodemographic, health, eating, and psychiatric variables in 846 recently deployed U.S. veterans with binge-eating behaviors (reporting both overeating and loss of control [LOC] eating), overeating behaviors (overeating without LOC), or healthy controls (absence of any disordered eating). Study procedures were approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Institutional Review Boards, and informed consent was obtained from the participants. A series of chi-square and analysis of variance tests revealed significant bivariate between-group differences in sociodemographic, health, eating, and psychiatric variables. Variables with significant group differences (P < .05) were entered into a multinomial logistic regression to examine relationships between psychiatric, health, and eating factors and binge-eating severity. Results Results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that women relative to men were less likely to overeat. When comparing the binge-eating group and controls, higher body mass index was associated with higher odds of binge eating. Furthermore, for the overeating group in comparison to controls, fasting behavior was associated with higher odds of overeating. For the psychiatric variables, the binge-eating and overeating groups were associated with higher rates of compulsive buying when compared to healthy controls. Additionally, the overeating group was associated with higher rates of alcohol dependence. Lastly, binge-eating and overeating behaviors were positively associated with specific psychiatric and health comorbidities. Conclusions Further research is needed to inform the development of effective treatments for disordered eating problems, as evidenced by an anticipated increase of veterans entering the VA healthcare system and the high rate of binge eating observed in our study and prior research in Post-9/11 veterans. Moreover, our study findings suggest the relevance of screening veterans for compulsive buying. This study was limited by its relatively small sample which only examined disordered eating behaviors. Future studies could simultaneously explore binge-eating behaviors and binge-eating disorder diagnoses in larger samples. Study strengths include a diverse sample of Post-9/11 veterans with sizable female representation.

Cross-sectional association of Toxoplasma gondii exposure with BMI and diet in US adults

Toxoplasmosis gondii exposure has been linked to increased impulsivity and risky behaviors, which has implications for eating behavior. Impulsivity and risk tolerance is known to be related with worse diets and a higher chance of obesity. There is little known, however, about the independent link between Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) exposure and diet-related outcomes. Using linear and quantile regression, we estimated the relationship between T. gondii exposure and BMI, total energy intake (kcal), and diet quality as measured by the Health Eating Index-2015 (HEI) among 9,853 adults from the 2009–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Previous studies have shown different behavioral responses to T. gondii infection among males and females, and socioeconomic factors are also likely to be important as both T. gondii and poor diet are more prevalent among U.S. populations in poverty. We therefore measured the associations between T. gondii and diet-related outcomes separately for men and women and for respondents in poverty. Among females <200% of the federal poverty level Toxoplasmosis gondii exposure was associated with a higher BMI by 2.0 units (95% CI [0.22, 3.83]) at median BMI and a lower HEI by 5.05 units (95% CI [-7.87, -2.24]) at the 25th percentile of HEI. Stronger associations were found at higher levels of BMI and worse diet quality among females. No associations were found among males. Through a detailed investigation of mechanisms, we were able to rule out T. gondii exposure from cat ownership, differing amounts of meat, and drinking water source as potential confounding factors; environmental exposure to T. gondii as well as changes in human behavior due to parasitic infection remain primary mechanisms.

Food Itineraries in the Context of Crisis in Catalonia (Spain): Intersections between Precarization, Food Insecurity and Gender

This work analyzes the relationship between the precarization of everyday life and the increase in food insecurity in Catalonia (Spain). Based on an ethnographic analysis of the food itineraries of a group of people in a situation of precarity, this article examines their lived experiences under the pressure of having to meet daily food needs. The results show that gender differences are significant in terms of the strategies adopted, particularly in the forms of acquisition and preparation, places of consumption and support networks. Given that women are largely responsible for feeding the household, they are the ones most often managing the attendant difficulties. In situations where access to food depends on diverse and irregular sources, they engage in practices that both protect the family group’s basic need to eat and sometimes compromise their own health, eating less than is usual and/or sufficient, skipping meals or even, on occasion, going hungry. The study concludes that providing food involves a crucial set of knowledge and skills for social reproduction that is not incorporated into existing emergency programs, with specific actions to avoid gender inequality likewise being omitted. The article proposes that both issues be discussed and taken into account in health and social policy. This study analyzes a subject that has scarcely been addressed in Spain. The challenge in investigating food insecurity from a gender approach is not only to make visible the crucial roles of women in food security and their contribution to it but also to show how the process of precarization manifests itself unequally across households.

Barre Matters: Hybrid Formations of Ballet and Group Fitness

Employing a variety of theoretical approaches, feminist researchers have critiqued the fitness industry of its singular emphasis on the impossible, narrowly defined feminine body ideal that is likely to cause more mental (e.g., body dissatisfaction) and physical ill health (eating disorders, injuries) than improve fitness. With the focus on social construction of gendered identities, there has been less problematisation of the materiality of the fitness practices and their impact on the cultural production of the moving body. In this article, I adopt a Latourian approach to seek for a more complete account of the body in motion and how it matters in the contemporary world. A barre class as a popular group exercise class that combines ballet and exercise modalities offers a location for such an examination due to the centrality of a non-human object, the barre, that distinguishes it from other group exercise classes. I consider how exercise practices may be constituted in relation to a material object, the barre, and how the physical and material intersect, historically, with the cultural politics of fitness and dance from where the barre originates. To do this, I trace the journey of the barre from ballet training to the fitness industry to illustrate how human and non-human associations create a hybrid collective.

Pandemic Effects and Gluten-Free Diet: An Adherence and Mental Health Problem

The COVID-19 pandemic has been present for many months, influencing diets such as the gluten-free diet (GFD), which implies daily challenges even in non-pandemic conditions. Persons following the GFD were invited to answer online ad hoc and validated questionnaires characterizing self-perceptions of the pandemic, current clinical condition, dietary characteristics, adherence to GFD, anxiety, and depression. Of 331 participants, 87% experienced shortage and higher cost of food and 14.8% lost their jobs. Symptoms increased in 29% and 36.6% failed to obtain medical help. Although 52.3% increased food preparation at home and purchased alternative foodstuffs, 53.8% had consumed gluten-containing foods. The Health Eating Index was intermediate/“needs improvement” (mean 65.6 ± 13.3 points); in 49.9% (perception) and 44.4% (questionnaire), adherence was “bad”. Anxiety and depression scores were above the cutoff in 28% and 40.4%, respectively. Adherence and mental health were strongly related. The likelihood of poor adherence was 2.3 times higher (p < 0.004) in participants declaring that pandemic altered GFD. Those suffering depressive symptoms were 1.3 times more likely to have poor adherence (p < 0.000). Depression and faulty GFD (mandatory for treatment) appear, affecting a high proportion of participants, suggesting that support measures aimed at these aspects would help improve the health condition of people that maintain GFD. Comparisons of data currently appearing in the literature available should be cautious because not only cultural aspects but conditions and timing of data collection are most variable.

Changes in eating habits and lifestyles in Peruvian population during social isolation by the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic caused that some governments have implemented house confinement measures with probable consequences on lifestyle, particularly affecting eating habits, physical activity, sleep quality, and mental health.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the frequency of lifestyles, physical activity and sleep characteristics, as well as changes in eating habits in the Peruvian population during COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA Cross-sectional descriptive study was performed. We analyzed adults from Peru between July to August 2020 based on an online self-administered questionnaire divided into sociodemographic, anthropometrics and COVID-19 diagnostic reported, lifestyle habits and frequency of consumption of foods.FindingsDuring confinement by COVID-19, 1176 participants were studied, 39% were student, 37.5% were workers and 46% were assert not to work. The population asserted gain weight (1 to 3 Kg) and 35.7% were overweight. The lifestyles habits showed that 54.8% affirmed to doing physical activity and a large proportion (37.2%) asserted sleep less. The Peruvian population presented a main feeding patter of breakfast (95.7%), lunch (97.5%), dinner (89.1%) and brunch (44.9%). Likewise, feeding habits before and during COVID-19 pandemic showed that vegetables (OR:1.56, CI95% 1.21 - 200), fruit (OR: 1.42, CI95% 1.10 – 1.81), legumes (OR:1.67, CI95% 1.23 – 2.28) and eggs (OR: 2.00, CI95% 1.52 – 2.65) presented significantly consumption increase during social isolation, while bakery products (OR: 0.74, CI95% 0.56 – 0.97), meat, snack, refreshment and fast-food decrease consumption. Other food no significant differences were presented.ConclusionThis study in a Peruvian population showed an important frequency of overweight and sleep disorders. There was a slight increase in physical activity despite the social isolation measures and an increase in health eating habits, nevertheless a majority reported gaining weight.

Penerapan “Health Eating” pada Pelaksanaan Program Makan Bersama di PAUD

ABSTRAK Anak usia dini sangat membutuhkan zat gizi makro dan mikro untuk proses pertumbuhan dan perkembangannya. Tahapan ini, energi untuk aktifitas anak usia dini dan perkembangan otak serta pertumbuhan sel menjadi pertimbangan dalam pemberian makanan pada anak usia dini. Metode kegiatan terdiri dari brainstorming, edukasi gizi dan kesehatan, pratek pengolahan makanan untuk anak usia dini, dan pendampingan. Kegiatan diatas diikuti oleh ibu siswa/i dari 8 PAUD di Kecamatan Kebayoran Baru. Mitra kegiatan Himpaudi Kebayoran Baru Jakarta Selatan. Tahap praktek pengolahan makanan anak usia dini dilakukan di laboratorium gizi FIKes UHAMKA. Tahap pendampingan PMB di salah satu PAUD. Hasil kegiatan, pengenalan kebutuhan dan kecukupan gizi anak usia dini dilakukan di PAUD dengan pelaksanaan Program Makan Bersama (PMB). PMB dilaksanakan setiap minggu pada hari Jum’at. Pelaksanaan PMB ini, siswa/i makan bersama-sama di PAUD. Makanan dimasak dan disediakan oleh ibu-ibu siswa/i PAUD. PMB ini dapat menjadi wadah untuk pengenalan pentingnya makanan yang bergizi, pentingnya sarapan, pentingnya makan sayur dan buah pada siswa/i PAUD. Namun ibu siswa/i yang menjadi pelaksana PMB harus memiliki pengetahuan gizi anak usia dini yang baik, sehingga makanan yang disajikan tidak menggunakan bahan tambahan pangan yang tidak sehat, tidak menggunakan mie instan, atau makanan yang berlemak tinggi. Sosialisasi makanan yang memenuhi prinsip gizi seimbang dan bervariasi.Kata Kunci: anak usia dini; edukasi, gizi; makan; nutrisi Application of "Health Eating" in the Implementation of Joint Eating Programs in PAUDABSTRACT Early childhood children need macro and micro nutrient for their growth and development process. The energy used for activities, brain development, and cells growth was considered in giving children's food. The activity method comprised brainstorming, nutritional and health education, and food processing for early childhood children practice, and accompaniment. Those activities were joined by the students' mother of 8 early childhood children educations (PAUD) in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, partnered by HIMPAUDI (PAUD Educator and Teacher Association) Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. The food processing practice was performed in UHAMKA Health Sciences Faculty nutritional laboratory. Eat Together Program (PMB) accompaniment was done in one of the PAUDs. The activities result was the introduction to nutrition need and adequacy of children in PAUD through PMB. PMB, performed every Friday, brought PAUD children to eat together in their school. The food was cooked and served by students' mother who should have nutritional knowledge for early childhood children so the food didn't use unhealthy additive substances, instant noodle, or high fat food. PMB can be a mean to introduce the importance of nutritional food, breakfast, and fruits and vegetables to the children. Socialization of balanced and variated nutrition principle food. Keyword: early childhood children; education; eat; nutrition; nutrient.

FinnTwin16: A Longitudinal Study from Age 16 of a Population-Based Finnish Twin Cohort

The purpose of this review is to provide a detailed and updated description of the FinnTwin16 (FT16) study and its future directions. The Finnish Twin Cohort comprises three different cohorts: the Older Twin Cohort established in the 1970s and the FinnTwin12 and FT16 initiated in the 1990s. FT16 was initiated in 1991 to identify the genetic and environmental precursors of alcoholism, but later the scope of the project expanded to studying the determinants of various health-related behaviors and diseases in different stages of life. The main areas addressed are alcohol use and its consequences, smoking, physical activity, overall physical health, eating behaviors and eating disorders, weight development, obesity, life satisfaction and personality. To date, five waves of data collection have been completed and the sixth is now planned. Data from the FT16 cohort have contributed to several hundred studies and many substudies, with more detailed phenotyping and collection of omics data completed or underway. FT16 has also contributed to many national and international collaborations.

Factors promoting health empowerment of young people: a qualitative pre-interventional study

Background Angata, an intervention research project led by the regional instance of health education and promotion (Ireps) of Burgundy-Franche-Comté, aims to strengthening the autonomy and decision-making ability of vulnerable youth regarding their health. It is implemented in several facilities. The goal is to improve well-being and quality of life of young people benefiting from socio-educational measures by working with them and the professionals in their living environments. The objective of the study presented was to analyze the factors promoting health empowerment of young people, prior to this intervention, in the Employment Integration Facility (Epide) of Belfort. Methods Interviews were conducted with 8 young people and 13 professionals to explore their representations regarding well-being, nutritional health (eating habits, nutrition, physical activity), self-esteem and physical appearance. The determinants of health, lifestyles and organization in the living environment as well as the biographical pathways of young people were also collected. Results The Epide, structured on a military model, welcomes young people out-of-school, without qualifications and with complex life courses. The Epide can be seen as a functional community whose whole effort is dedicated to the goal of young volunteers leaving for a job or professional training. The support provided by educators (professional social or former military) is focused on building skills and restoration of self-esteem. Critical consciousness develops over time spent within the structure. The factors promoting empowerment within this strict framework are numerous, but young people’s participation in the decisions taken within the structure remains at the solicitation stage. Conclusions The framework provided at the Epide allows an environment conducive to the process of individual empowerment. These leverage can be mobilized to reinforce health empowerment of youth during the Angata project. Key messages An empowering educational environment, even strict, can foster the health empowerment of young people subject to vulnerabilities. The allowed level of participation remains an important factor to consider in order to fully promote health empowerment of young people.