Positive Lifestyle Behaviors Research Articles

Family Eating And Activity Habits Associated With Overweight Risk Among Low-Income Preschool Children

Overweight is the most prevalent nutrition related problem for children of all ages in the U.S. Despite this there is a paucity of research linking specific lifestyle behaviors with risk for overweight in young children. The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess family eating and activity lifestyle behaviors associated with overweight in low-income preschool age children. Mothers (n=132) of children (n=141) aged 2-5 participating in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program in Butte County, CA, were selected via a sample of convenience. A Family Activity and Eating Habits questionnaire was administered during regularly scheduled WIC appointments. Higher maternal questionnaire scores indicated more positive weight related behaviors. Analysis of variance was used to test for differences in child’s BMI for maternal questionnaire scores, however, no significant differences were found. Correlation analysis identified a positive relationship between mother’s BMI and child’s BMI-for-age percentile such that as mother’s BMI increased, child’s BMI-for-age percentile increased (r=.191; p=.033). Four weight related behaviors were associated with children’s weight, including a significant association between fast food consumption and child’s BMI-for-age percentile (r=.202; p=.016). Mean BMI-for-age percentiles were significantly higher for Hispanic compared to white children (p=.001). 42% of the Hispanic children were above the 85th BMI-for-age percentile compared to 26% for the white preschool age children. Despite this higher rate, Hispanic children were significantly less likely to eat while watching TV (p=.003). Study results suggest that the mothers of these preschool age children were knowledgeable about positive lifestyle behaviors, but additional measures are needed to promote a healthy BMI-for-age for young, low-income children.

Family Eating And Activity Habits Associated With Overweight Risk Among Low-Income Preschool Children

Overweight is the most prevalent nutrition related problem for children of all ages in the U.S. Despite this there is a paucity of research linking specific lifestyle behaviors with risk for overweight in young children. The purpose of this descriptive study was to assess family eating and activity lifestyle behaviors associated with overweight in low-income preschool age children. Mothers (n=132) of children (n=141) aged 2-5 participating in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program in Butte County, CA, were selected via a sample of convenience. A Family Activity and Eating Habits questionnaire was administered during regularly scheduled WIC appointments. Higher maternal questionnaire scores indicated more positive weight related behaviors. Analysis of variance was used to test for differences in child’s BMI for maternal questionnaire scores, however, no significant differences were found. Correlation analysis identified a positive relationship between mother’s BMI and child’s BMI-for-age percentile such that as mother’s BMI increased, child’s BMI-for-age percentile increased (r=.191; p=.033). Four weight related behaviors were associated with children’s weight, including a significant association between fast food consumption and child’s BMI-for-age percentile (r=.202; p=.016). Mean BMI-for-age percentiles were significantly higher for Hispanic compared to white children (p=.001). 42% of the Hispanic children were above the 85th BMI-for-age percentile compared to 26% for the white preschool age children. Despite this higher rate, Hispanic children were significantly less likely to eat while watching TV (p=.003). Study results suggest that the mothers of these preschool age children were knowledgeable about positive lifestyle behaviors, but additional measures are needed to promote a healthy BMI-for-age for young, low-income children.

Health-Related Interactions and the Self in Marriage

ABSTRACT This study investigated the association between self processes and married partners' (N = 59 couples) perspectives of their health-related social interactions. Findings revealed that wives' self processes were associated with their social behavior from the perspective of each partner. The wives' self processes differentially predicted wives' and husbands' perspectives of their interactions, however. These findings demonstrate that wives' future expectations for the health of their husband, as well as for their role in maintaining his future health, motivate their current social behavior to promote the positive health lifestyle behaviors of their husband.

Developing programmes to achieve a healthy society: creating healthy workplaces in Northern Ireland.

Healthy workplaces help to prevent occupational disease and injury as well as promoting positive healthy lifestyle behaviours. The concept of creating healthy workplaces through workplace health promotion has been identified as a legitimate area of activity for public health policy in Northern Ireland, supporting as it does, the settings approach as a means of improving the health and well-being of the population at large. Benefits accrue to businesses, organizations and individuals from the enhancement of positive healthy lifestyle messages in addition to reinforcing the principles of good occupational health practices. Developing a framework for the creation of healthy workplaces is part of a joint initiative between the Northern Ireland Health Promotion and Health and Safety Agencies. Commitment to delivering the concept is required from all the key players who include: employers, employees, trade union groups and health and safety professionals. A healthy workplace model needs to be created which is flexible and adaptable to suit all types of business and in particular the needs of small businesses which predominate in Northern Ireland. The principles underpinning the Business Excellence Model may be a useful vehicle for delivering workplace health promotion onto an organization's agenda.

The Bienestar After School Health Club: A Component of a School-Based Nutrition Intervention Program

LEARNING OUTCOME:To describe an alternate method for teaching children to increase servings of fruits and vegetables and decrease servings of fatty foods in the diet. The purpose of the Bienestar (wellbeing) Health Club is to increase servings of fruits and vegetables and decrease servings of fatty foods in the diet. The weekly health club is one component of a nutrition intervention program targeting 101(m=46 f=55) fourth-grade Mexican-American children from low socioeconomic status. Three dietary recalls to include a weekend day were collected and evaluated. Servings of fruit, vegetable, and rat were 1.5, 1.1, and 7.8 respectively. The theoretical framework for the health club which is in the pilot phase is based on Social Cognitive Theory which incorporates social diffusion, reinforcement, cognitive, affective, inactive, and observational learning. A coupon incentive system increases attendance. Learning activities include games such as Healthy Choices; “making a better me”, Bienestar Feud, and Loteria, a culturally sensitive bingo which has been modified to include positive lifestyle behaviors and examples of good food choices. A creativity book presents students with scenarios such as managing a restaraunt in which they are to develop low-fat authentic mexican-american meals. Theatrical plays and puppet shows developed and performed by the students to their families address health problems and benefits of healthy choices. The characters of the puppet show are incorporated into a coloring book demonstrating positive eating and exercise habits. Students also have the opportunity to be editors in the “Bienestar Express”, a monthly newsletter sent to each students household. Exercise activities are included to educate students on techniques and benefits of physical activity. In conclusion, the school health curriculum should be enhanced with structured extracurricular programs to improve child nutrition.

Cardiovascular disease prevention: knowledge and attitudes of graduate nursing students.

Graduate nursing students were surveyed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of cardiovascular disease prevention. Questionnaires were self-administered to first-year graduate nursing students (n = 50) in a school of nursing prior to and following a physiology course with cardiovascular disease prevention content. In general, the results demonstrated that the respondents were least knowledgeable regarding the prevalence of smoking, the gender differences in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels, the influence of body weight on lipids and the recommended percentages of calories from dietary fat. A significant improvement in knowledge was noted after the course. Positive attitudes regarding the importance of cardiovascular disease prevention and the partnership between patients and clinicians necessary to manage risk were identified. These attitudes did not change significantly following the course. These results indicate that graduate education which emphasizes cardiovascular disease prevention increases knowledge. Coupled with positive attitudes and healthy personal lifestyle behaviours, knowledge of cardiovascular disease prevention may enhance the ability of nurses to integrate preventive standards into clinical practice and ultimately decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.