Perceived Health Benefits Research Articles

Barriers and facilitators of adherence to antidepressants among outpatients with major depressive disorder: A qualitative study.

BackgroundOne of the major challenges in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) is patients’ non-adherence to medication. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of patients’ adherence to antidepressants among outpatients with MDD.MethodsSemi-structured and individual in-depth interviews were conducted among patients with MDD who were taking antidepressants, in the psychiatric clinic of a government-run hospital in Malaysia. Participants were purposively sampled from different genders and ethnicities. Interviews were conducted using a validated topic guide, and responses were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, checked, and analyzed using the grounded theory approach.ResultsA total of 30 patients were interviewed. Forty different themes and sub-themes were identified which were conceptually divided into two distinct categories related to barriers and facilitators to adherence. The barriers were: patient-specific, medication-specific, healthcare provision and system, social-cultural, and logistics. The facilitators were: having insight, perceived health benefits, regular activities, patient-provider relationship, reminders, and social support networks.ConclusionsPatient-specific barriers and medication side effects were the major challenges for adhering to treatment. Perceived health benefits and having insight on the need for treatment were the most frequently cited facilitators. Targeted interventions should be developed to address the key barriers, and promote measures to facilitate adherence in this group of patients.

Perceived health benefits of smoothie consumption: Investigating consumers' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Perceived health benefits of smoothie consumption: Investigating consumers' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

How do health information and sensory attributes influence consumer choice for dairy products? Evidence from a field experiment in Ethiopia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of health information and sensory attributes on consumer’s propensity to upgrade and their willingness to pay (WTP) for pasteurized milk in Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a framed market experiment with 160 participants in 14 central locations in urban Ethiopia. The authors used a double hurdle model to analyze consumer willingness to shift to pasteurized milk and their WTP for quality attributes in pasteurized milk.FindingsConsumers are willing to pay a 4 percent premium for quality attributes in pasteurized milk. Male and employed participants are willing to shift and pay a premium for pasteurized milk. Conversely, consumers with more children, higher income, and higher raw milk consumption are less likely to shift to pasteurized milk. These results also show that taste is negatively related to consumer propensity to upgrade to pasteurized milk. Further, about half of the consumers who were provided with health information are willing to pay a premium of 11 percent for pasteurized milk, whereas others would pay only 6 percent. After providing the treatment group with health information, those consumers with higher income, old people and consumers with children are less likely to shift to pasteurized milk. Overall, consumer preference for raw milk is the result of taste, perceived nutrition and perceived health benefits. The study points at a segmented milk market and the consequent need for the provision of a targeted milk market promotion.Research limitations/implicationsThe application of experimental auctions in developing countries requires an extensive learning exercise for participants.Originality/valueThe authors used a non-hypothetical valuation mechanism to unravel the effect of subjective and intrinsic milk attributes in fluid milk choice decisions and its variation across socio-economic groups in a developing country context.

Perceived Health Benefits and Willingness to Pay for Parks by Park Users: Quantitative and Qualitative Research.

Whilst a growing body of evidence demonstrates people derive a range of health and wellbeing benefits from visiting parks, only a limited number of attempts have been made to provide a complementary economic assessment of parks. The aim of this exploratory study was to directly estimate the perceived health and wellbeing benefits attained from parks and the economic value assigned to parks by park users in Victoria, Australia. The research employed a mixed methods approach (survey and interviews) to collect primary data from a selection of 140 park users: 100 from two metropolitan parks in Melbourne and 40 from a park on the urban fringe of Melbourne, Victoria. Our findings suggest that park users derive a range of perceived physical, mental/spiritual, and social health benefits, but park use was predominantly associated with physical health benefits. Overall, our exploratory study findings suggest that park users are willing to pay for parks, as they highly value them as places for exercising, socialising, and relaxing. Importantly, most people would miss parks if they did not exist. The findings aim to provide park managers, public health advocates, and urban policy makers with evidence about the perceived health and wellbeing benefits of park usage and the economic value park visitors place on parks.

Formative Research to Design a Promotional Campaign to Increase Drinking Water among Central American Latino Youth in an Urban Area

Latinos consume more sugary drinks and less water than other demographic groups. Our objective was to understand beverage choice motivations and test promotional concepts that can encourage Central American Latino urban youth to drink more water. Two rounds of focus group discussions were conducted (n = 10 focus groups, 61 participants, 6–18 years old). Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive and deductive coding approaches. Youth motivations for drinking water were shaped by level of thirst, weather, energy, and perceptions of health benefits. Youth were discouraged from drinking water due to its taste and perceptions of the safety and cleanliness of tap water. Youth beverage preference depended on what their friends were drinking. Availability of water versus other beverages at home and other settings influenced their choice. Promotional materials that included mixed language, informative messages about the benefits of drinking water, and celebrities or athletes who were active, energized, and drinking water were preferred. A promotional campaign to increase water consumption among these Latino youth should include bicultural messages to underscore the power of water to quench true thirst, highlight the health benefits of drinking water, and address the safety of tap water.

Impacts of Elevated Carbon Dioxide and Temperature on Physicochemical and Nutrient Properties in Strawberries

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) is one of the most popular edible fruit worldwide. Strawberries are generally cultivated in open fields or under protected cropping, and are available all year round. Consumers prefer fruit with a bright red color, sweet taste, and distinct aroma. Over the past two decades, strawberry has shown one of the highest growth rates in terms of fresh fruit consumption. Such increment in consumer demand for strawberry could be attributed to its high nutrient content and perceived health benefits. Phenolic compounds and vitamins are the main antioxidants in the strawberry phytochemical profile. However, the predicted climate changes in the near future are expected to cause major challenges in modern agriculture due to its significant potential negative impacts on both quantity and quality of various crops, including strawberry. Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels and ambient temperature are the key factors in a changing climate scenario. The effects of either high CO2 or high temperature on growth, development, yield, and quality of strawberry plant has been relatively well-investigated. However, information on the effects of combined high CO2 and temperature on strawberry is lacking. This review will examine the literature available about the relationship between climate changes and strawberry production and quality, and address the information needed in the future research in this area.

Preferences for the provision of whole genome sequencing services among young adults.

ObjectivesAs whole genome sequencing (WGS) becomes increasingly available, clinicians will be faced with conveying complex information to individuals at different stages in life. The purpose of this study is to characterize the views of young adults toward obtaining WGS, learning different types of genomic information, and having choice about which results are disclosed.MethodsA mixed-methods descriptive study was conducted with a diverse group of 18 and 19-years-olds (N = 145). Participants watched an informational video about WGS and then completed an online survey.ResultsParticipants held a positive attitude toward obtaining WGS and learning about a range of health conditions and traits. Increased interest in learning WGS information was significantly associated with anticipated capacity to handle the emotional consequences if a serious risk was found (β = 0.13, P = .04). Young adults wanted the ability to choose what types of genomic risk information would be returned and expressed decreased willingness to undergo WGS if clinicians made these decisions (t(138) = -7.14, P <.01). Qualitative analysis showed that young adults emphasized procedural factors in WGS decision-making and that perceived health benefits of WGS had a substantial role in testing preferences and anticipated usage of WGS results.ConclusionsClinicians are likely to encounter enthusiasm for obtaining WGS results among young adults and may need to develop strategies for ensuring that this preference is adequately informed.

Absence of intestinal microbiota increases ß-cyclodextrin stimulated reverse cholesterol transport.

Non-digestible oligosaccharides are used as prebiotics for perceived health benefits, among these modulating lipid metabolism. However, the mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. The present study characterized the impact of dietary ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD, 10%, w/w), a cyclic oligosaccharide, on sterol metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in conventional and also germ-free mice to establish dependency on metabolism by intestinal bacteria. In conventional ßCD-fed C57BL/6J wild-type mice plasma cholesterol decreased significantly (-40%, p < 0.05), largely within HDL, while fecal neutral sterol excretion increased (3-fold, p < 0.01) and fecal bile acid excretion was unchanged. Hepatic cholesterol levels and biliary cholesterol secretion were unaltered. Changes in cholesterol metabolism translated into increased macrophage-to-feces RCT in ßCD-administered mice (1.5-fold, p < 0.05). In germ-free C57BL/6J mice ßCD similarly lowered plasma cholesterol (-40%, p < 0.05). However, ßCD increased fecal neutral sterol excretion (7.5-fold, p < 0.01), bile acid excretion (2-fold, p < 0.05) and RCT (2.5-fold, p < 0.01) even more substantially in germ-free mice compared with the effect in conventional mice. In summary, this study demonstrates that ßCD lowers plasma cholesterol levels and increases fecal cholesterol excretion from a RCT-relevant pool. Intestinal bacteria decrease the impact of ßCD on RCT. These data suggest that dietary ßCD might have cardiovascular health benefits.

The Effects ofT'ai Chiwith Asynchronous Music on the Health of Older Women: A Pilot Study

Abstract Background: This pilot study sought to explore the impact of adding music to t'ai chi practice in older women. Materials and Methods: Eighteen active older women (nine Caucasian, nine African American) were assigned to either the t'ai chi-silence (control) or the t'ai chi-music (experimental) class and were interviewed before and after a 15-week t'ai chi program. All classes, interviews, and tests were conducted at an older adult activity center in a U.S. metropolitan city. All classes were held in a well-lit exercise studio with a solid-wood floor, mirrored wall, and sound system. T'ai chi classes using a modified 24-form Yang Style were held for one hour per week. One group was conducted in silence, while the other used the same Western music only during rehearsal of previously learned class material. Interviews emphasized participants' experience and perceived health benefits from t'ai chi. Interviews were conducted, transcribed, coded, and analyzed for code co-occurrence, relationships, and a...

Teachers' and students' perspectives of participating in the ‘Active Classrooms’ movement integration programme

This paper evaluates perceptions of 5 teachers and 129 students of participating in an 8-week primary school movement integration intervention. Following training and provision of resources, teachers were asked to teach 2 active lessons each day. Teachers completed questionnaires at post-intervention. Students participated in ‘draw and write’ activities and focus group interviews. Teachers reported great satisfaction, noting student enjoyment, enhanced teaching and learning, and provision of resources as contributing to the success of the programme. Students expressed high levels of enjoyment, with emphasis on peer-engagement, perceived health benefits, and improved academic motivation.

EFFECTS OF SALT AND NITRITE CONCENTRATION ON THE SHELF LIFE OF DELI-STYLE HAM

ObjectivesTo meet changing consumer demands, the segment of processed meats with perceived health benefits has grown. Reduced sodium and curing methods are among the areas of focus, however product quality and shelf life can be impacted. Deli-style hams were manufactured to measure the effects of salt and nitrite concentration on shelf life and physicochemical characteristics. Materials and MethodsThree replications of deli-style ham treatments were manufactured in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of salt concentration (0.7, 1.4, or 2.1%, meat block basis) and nitrite concentration and source (0, 100 or 200 ppm sodium nitrite, SN, or 100 ppm sodium nitrite equivalent from pre-converted celery juice powder, CP; Veg Stable 506, Florida Food Products). In addition to salt and nitrite, all treatments contained 1% sugar, 0.35% sodium phosphate (Brifisol 85 Instant, BK Giulini Corporation), and either 495 ppm sodium erythorbate or 440 ppm of ascorbic acid from cherry powder (Veg Stable 515, Florida Food Products) with the balance as water to achieve a 25% extension. After thermal processing and chilling, samples were sliced and vacuum packaged, and stored at 3°C. Salt concentration, water activity, cook yield, and texture profile analysis (TPA) were measured on d 0. Color (L*, a*, b*, ∆E, a/b ratio, hue angle), pH, residual nitrite, and aerobic plate counts (APC) were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. Data were analyzed using the Proc GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) for interactions and main effects. Means separation was conducted using Tukey’s adjustment (P ≤ 0.05). ResultsA nitrite by salt interaction (P ≤ 0.05) was found for a*, a/b ratio, ∆E, and hue angle. For a* values and a/b ratio, all 0 ppm nitrite treatments were the lowest. Little separation among other treatments was observed for a*. The a/b ratios were greater with increased salt. The 2.1% salt and 100 ppm CP treatment had a greater ∆E value than all treatments except 0 ppm and 0.7% salt, and 0ppm and 2.1% salt. Hue angle was greater in treatments with 0 ppm, and decreased as salt increased among all other treatments. An interaction of nitrite and week (P < 0.001) was identified for residual nitrite. Residual nitrite values of 0 ppm treatments did not change throughout storage, whereas all other treatments declined with increased storage. Main effects for salt concentration were identified for all traits not involved in the above interactions (P ≤ 0.05). As salt concentration increased, TPA hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, chewiness, and aerobic plate counts decreased whereas salt concentration, yield, pH, residual nitrite, and TPA springiness values increased. Treatments with 2.1% salt had lower APC than 0.7% salt (P = 0.033) and 1.4% salt was similar to both. As nitrite concentration increased, APC was significantly less than the previous nitrite concentration (P < 0.001) regardless of source. Overall, 100 ppm CP and SN were only different for a*, b*, a/b ratio, and hue angle. The 100 ppm CP had lower a* values and a/b ratio, but had higher b*, and hue angle values, than 100 ppm SN. ConclusionThis study suggests 200 ppm SN provides greatest shelf life to deli-style ham. Additionally, 0.7% salt resulted in inferior product quality in many traits compared to 1.4 or 2.1% salt (p ≤ 0.05) and it is therefore suggested to use amounts greater than 0.7% salt when formulating deli-style ham.

Effects of Salt and Nitrite Concentration on the Shelf Life of Deli-Style Ham

ObjectivesTo meet changing consumer demands, the segment of processed meats with perceived health benefits has grown. Reduced sodium and curing methods are among the areas of focus, however product quality and shelf life can be impacted. Deli-style hams were manufactured to measure the effects of salt and nitrite concentration on shelf life and physicochemical characteristics. Materials and MethodsThree replications of deli-style ham treatments were manufactured in a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement of salt concentration (0.7, 1.4, or 2.1%, meat block basis) and nitrite concentration and source (0, 100 or 200 ppm sodium nitrite, SN, or 100 ppm sodium nitrite equivalent from pre-converted celery juice powder, CP; Veg Stable 506, Florida Food Products). In addition to salt and nitrite, all treatments contained 1% sugar, 0.35% sodium phosphate (Brifisol 85 Instant, BK Giulini Corporation), and either 495 ppm sodium erythorbate or 440 ppm of ascorbic acid from cherry powder (Veg Stable 515, Florida Food Products) with the balance as water to achieve a 25% extension. After thermal processing and chilling, samples were sliced and vacuum packaged, and stored at 3°C. Salt concentration, water activity, cook yield, and texture profile analysis (TPA) were measured on d 0. Color (L*, a*, b*, ∆E, a/b ratio, hue angle), pH, residual nitrite, and aerobic plate counts (APC) were measured on weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. Data were analyzed using the Proc GLIMMIX procedure in SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) for interactions and main effects. Means separation was conducted using Tukey’s adjustment (P ≤ 0.05). ResultsA nitrite by salt interaction (P ≤ 0.05) was found for a*, a/b ratio, ∆E, and hue angle. For a* values and a/b ratio, all 0 ppm nitrite treatments were the lowest. Little separation among other treatments was observed for a*. The a/b ratios were greater with increased salt. The 2.1% salt and 100 ppm CP treatment had a greater ∆E value than all treatments except 0 ppm and 0.7% salt, and 0ppm and 2.1% salt. Hue angle was greater in treatments with 0 ppm, and decreased as salt increased among all other treatments. An interaction of nitrite and week (P < 0.001) was identified for residual nitrite. Residual nitrite values of 0 ppm treatments did not change throughout storage, whereas all other treatments declined with increased storage. Main effects for salt concentration were identified for all traits not involved in the above interactions (P ≤ 0.05). As salt concentration increased, TPA hardness, gumminess, cohesiveness, chewiness, and aerobic plate counts decreased whereas salt concentration, yield, pH, residual nitrite, and TPA springiness values increased. Treatments with 2.1% salt had lower APC than 0.7% salt (P = 0.033) and 1.4% salt was similar to both. As nitrite concentration increased, APC was significantly less than the previous nitrite concentration (P < 0.001) regardless of source. Overall, 100 ppm CP and SN were only different for a*, b*, a/b ratio, and hue angle. The 100 ppm CP had lower a* values and a/b ratio, but had higher b*, and hue angle values, than 100 ppm SN. ConclusionThis study suggests 200 ppm SN provides greatest shelf life to deli-style ham. Additionally, 0.7% salt resulted in inferior product quality in many traits compared to 1.4 or 2.1% salt (p ≤ 0.05) and it is therefore suggested to use amounts greater than 0.7% salt when formulating deli-style ham.

Effect of Tea Polyphenol Compounds on Anticancer Drugs in Terms of Anti-Tumor Activity, Toxicology, and Pharmacokinetics.

Multidrug resistance and various adverse side effects have long been major problems in cancer chemotherapy. Recently, chemotherapy has gradually transitioned from mono-substance therapy to multidrug therapy. As a result, the drug cocktail strategy has gained more recognition and wider use. It is believed that properly-formulated drug combinations have greater therapeutic efficacy than single drugs. Tea is a popular beverage consumed by cancer patients and the general public for its perceived health benefits. The major bioactive molecules in green tea are catechins, a class of flavanols. The combination of green tea extract or green tea catechins and anticancer compounds has been paid more attention in cancer treatment. Previous studies demonstrated that the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and green tea extract or tea polyphenols could synergistically enhance treatment efficacy and reduce the adverse side effects of anticancer drugs in cancer patients. In this review, we summarize the experimental evidence regarding the effects of green tea-derived polyphenols in conjunction with chemotherapeutic drugs on anti-tumor activity, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics. We believe that the combination of multidrug cancer treatment with green tea catechins may improve treatment efficacy and diminish negative side effects.

Australian consumer awareness of health benefits associated with vegetable consumption.

The present study investigated the perceived health benefits of specific vegetable consumption to guide the use of nutrition and health claims on vegetable marketing collateral. Free elicitation and consumer ranking data were collected through an online survey of 1000 adults from across Australia and analysed for the perceived importance of vegetables in the daily diet, number of serves consumed per day, knowledge about health-related benefits of specific vegetables and perceived health benefits of vegetable consumption. The importance of vegetables in the diet and daily vegetable consumption was higher in people from an English-speaking background, females, people aged 45 years and over and people living in non-metropolitan areas. Digestion was selected as the major health benefit from consumption of specific vegetables. However, understanding of the health benefits of specific vegetable consumption was relatively low among consumers. Half of the respondents were not sure of the health benefits associated with specific vegetables, except for carrots and spinach. Some respondents volunteered nutrient content or other information. There was no clear indication that consumers understand the specific health benefits conferred by consumption of vegetables. Nutrient and health benefit labelling therefore has the capacity to enhance knowledge of vegetable consumers. It is recommended that health benefit labelling be tailored to promote greater consumption of vegetables in those demographic groups where vegetable consumption was lower. The present study assists the Australian vegetable industry in helping consumers make more informed consumption choices.

Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Health Benefits of Local Food

This EDIS document is the first in a series discussing how Extension can more efficiently encourage citizens to join the local food movement by effectively utilizing and leveraging opinion leaders. These articles look at the role opinion leaders, or individuals who have a large amount of influence within their respective social circles, can have on motivating their peers to join in purchasing local food. Written by Layne S. Marshall, Melissa R. Taylor, and Alexa J. Lamm, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, August 2016. AEC604/WC266: Opinion Leadership and the Perceived Health Benefits of Local Food (ufl.edu)

Maternal participant experience in a South African birth cohort study enrolling healthy pregnant women and their infants.

BackgroundCritical to conducting high quality research is the ability to attract and retain participants, especially for longitudinal studies. Understanding participant experiences and motivators or barriers to participating in clinical research is crucial. There are limited data on healthy participant experiences in longitudinal research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to investigate quantitatively participant experiences in a South African birth cohort study.MethodsMaternal participant experience was evaluated by a self-administered survey in the Drakenstein Child Health Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study investigating the early life determinants of child health. Pregnant mothers, enrolled during the second trimester, were followed through childbirth and the early childhood years. Satisfaction scores were derived from the participant experience survey and quantitatively analyzed; associations between satisfaction scores and sociodemographic variables were then investigated using a linear regression model.ResultsData were included from 585 pregnant mothers (median age 26.6 years), who had participated in the study for a median time of 16 months. Overall participant satisfaction was high (median score 51/60) and associated with increased attendance of study visits. Reasons for participating were a belief that involvement would improve their health, their child’s health or the health of family and friends. Potential reasons for leaving the study were inconvenience, not receiving clinical or study results, and unexpected changes in study visits or procedures. Variables associated with higher overall satisfaction scores were no prior participation in research, higher socioeconomic status, less intensive follow-up schedules and having experienced stressful life events in the past year.ConclusionsSatisfaction scores were high and associated with increased visit attendance. Participants’ perceived benefits of study participation, most notably the potential for an improvement in the health of their child, were a significant motivator to enroll and remain in the study. The consistent theme of perceived health benefits as a motivator to join and remain in the study raises the question of whether participation in research results in actual improvements in health.

How and Why Do Smokers Start Using E-Cigarettes? Qualitative Study of Vapers in London, UK.

The aims of the study were to (1) describe how and why smokers start to vape and what products they use; (2) relate findings to the COM-B theory of behaviour change (three conditions are necessary for behaviour change (B): capability (C), opportunity (O), and motivation (M)); and (3) to consider implications for e-cigarette policy research. Semi-structured interviews (n = 30) were conducted in London, UK, with smokers or ex-smokers who were currently using or had used e-cigarettes. E-cigarette initiation (behaviour) was facilitated by: capability (physical capability to use an e-cigarette and psychological capability to understand that using e-cigarettes was less harmful than smoking); opportunity (physical opportunity to access e-cigarettes in shops, at a lower cost than cigarettes, and to vape in “smoke-free” environments, as well as social opportunity to vape with friends and family); and motivation (automatic motivation including curiosity, and reflective motivation, including self-conscious decision-making processes related to perceived health benefits). The application of the COM-B model identified multiple factors that may lead to e-cigarette initiation, including those that could be influenced by policy, such as price relative to cigarettes and use in smoke-free environments. The effects of these policies on initiation should be further investigated along with the possible moderating/mediating effects of social support.

In Chemico Evaluation of Tea Tree Essential Oils as Skin Sensitizers: Impact of the Chemical Composition on Aging and Generation of Reactive Species.

Tea tree oil (TTO) is an essential oil obtained from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, M. linariifolia, or M. dissitiflora. Because of the commercial importance of TTO, substitution or adulteration with other tea tree species (such as cajeput, niaouli, manuka, or kanuka oils) is common and may pose significant risks along with perceived health benefits. The distinctive nature, qualitative and quantitative compositional variation of these oils, is responsible for the various pharmacological as well as adverse effects. Authentic TTOs (especially aged ones) have been identified as potential skin sensitizers, while reports of adverse allergic reactions to the other tea trees essential oils are less frequent. Chemical sensitizers are usually electrophilic compounds, and in chemico methods have been developed to identify skin allergens in terms of their ability to bind to biological nucleophiles. However, little information is available on the assessment of sensitization potential of mixtures, such as essential oils, due to their complexity. In the present study, 10 "tea tree" oils and six major TTO constituents have been investigated for their sensitization potential using a fluorescence in chemico method. The reactivity of authentic TTOs was found to correlate with the age of the oils, while the majority of nonauthentic TTOs were less reactive, even after aging. Further thio-trapping experiments with DCYA and characterization by UHPLC-DAD-MS led to the identification of several possible DCYA-adducts which can be used to deduce the structure of the candidate reactive species. The major TTO components, terpinolene, α-terpinene, and terpinene-4-ol, were unstable under accelerated aging conditions, which led to the formation of several DCYA-adducts.

Outcome Expectancy for Various Physical Activity Modalities during Pregnancy

Pregnancy physical activity (PA) is likely influenced by a pregnant woman’s perception of health benefits (outcome expectancy). Qualitative research suggests some women may perceive maternal PA health benefits to be greater than fetal benefits, but this has not been quantitatively examined. Furthermore, their individual and joint influence on pregnancy PA is unclear. PURPOSE: We investigated whether pregnant women’s PA outcome expectancy for maternal health is greater than for fetal health. Additionally, we examined main and interactive effects of PA outcome expectancies for maternal and fetal health on PA participation in various modalities. METHODS: Pregnant women (N=498) completed an online survey about outcome expectancies for and participation in various PA modalities, including: brisk walking, light and intense jogging, cycling, and swimming, prenatal yoga, aerobic dance, and resistance training exercises. For each, PA outcome expectancy was assessed on 11-pont Likert scales for maternal and fetal health. Participation in each modality was defined as PA > 0 min/wk. Paired-Sample Wilcoxon Signed Ranked Tests were performed to examine differences between outcome expectancy for mother and for baby. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to examine main and interactive effects of outcome expectancies (for mother and baby) on modality participation. RESULTS: Outcome expectancy for maternal health was significantly greater than for fetal health for all PA modalities (p<0.05). After controlling for prepregnancy PA and self-efficacy beliefs, PA outcome expectancy for maternal health did not affect modality participation. In contrast, PA outcome expectancy for fetal health did positively affect participation in light jogging (β=1.15, CI=1.03-1.28), intense jogging (β=1.26, CI=1.07-1.49), aerobic dance (β=1.18, CI=1.04-1.33), resistance band exercises (β=1.14, CI=1.00-1.31), and CrossFit-type exercises (β=1.57, CI=1.19-2.06). No interactive effects were found for maternal and fetal PA outcome expectancies on modality participation. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women perceive many types of PA to be more beneficial for their own health than for the health of the baby. However, it appears that perceived health benefits for the baby meaningfully influence some types of pregnancy PA.

On and Off the Mat: Yoga Experiences of Middle-Aged and Older Adults.

This article explores potential differences in yoga practice between middle-and older-aged adults. A health belief - life course model frames this research, and a mixed-methods analytic strategy is employed to examine life course pathways into yoga and motivations to practice, as well as perceived barriers and health benefits. For the quantitative analyses, a convenience sample of 452 participants was collected using an online questionnaire. For the qualitative analyses, face-to-face interviews were conducted with a sub-set of 20 participants. Unique differences between the age groups (both current age and age when started yoga) as well as by gender were found for selected pathways, reasons/motivations, and barriers to engage in yoga as well as for perceived health benefits. In addition, results underscore the importance of informational cues and social linkages that affect how individuals adopt and experience yoga. Implications for health promotion programs that target older adults are discussed.