Unhealthy Dietary Practices Research Articles

Body Weight Perception Versus Body Weight Status: How Good is The Agreement?

Introduction: Body weight perception is an important underlying psychological factor associated with body weight. Overemphasis on thinness among adolescents can lead to unhealthy dieting practices and eating disorders, whereas underestimation of body weight may increase risk of the development of overweight and obesity. This study measured the agreement between body weight perception and body weight status (BMI) among late adolescents in Kuantan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April to August 2018 among 418 adolescents of six higher learning institutions in Kuantan; aged 17-19 years old. Weight and height were measured and BMI was calculated. Self-administered, validated questionnaires; Figure Rating Scale (FRS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used. The strength of agreement between BMI and body weight perception was examined using Kappa statistics. Results: Overall, 37.6% of total participants misjudged their own body weight. Of particular note, 51.9% of real underweight participants misperceived body weight as normal weight and overweight while 47.2% of obese participants incorrectly perceived their body weight as overweight. The agreement between body weight perception and body mass index was poor (k=-0.09, p< 0.01). The discrepancy more marked in male (k = -0.11, p<0.01). Conclusions: Body weight perception was not in agreement with actual weight in late adolescents. Accurate body weight perception is an important factor in late adolescent’s weight management behaviour. More effort should be done in order to correct misperception among this age group for their health benefits.

Ultrasonography Measurement of Abdominal Subcutaneous Fat Thickness and Its Correlation with Hyperlipidemia and Steatohepatitis in Obese People

Introduction
 Unhealthy dietary practices, sedentary lifestyle and obesity have emerged as major risk factors of Non communicable diseases (NCD).[1] In India there is shift in dietary patterns to more ‘Western’ diets rich in saturated fat, refined foods and sugar and low in fibre[2] due to which there is a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use and high intake of saturated fat.[3] In 2000, the International Obesity Task Force of the WHO (IOTF-WHO) proposed a modification of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines on overweight/obesity which is as follows : Overweight, 23 to <25; class I obesity, 25 to <30; and class II obesity, ≥30. Redefining the obesity cut-off (BMI >25) creates an “obesity burden” in urban India.[4]

The relationship between indoor tanning and body mass index, physical activity, or dietary practices: a systematic review.

A systemic review was conducted to better understand the relationship between indoor tanning and body mass index (BMI), physical activity, or dietary practices. Articles included in this review were obtained via a systematic search of PubMed following PRISMA guidelines. Available articles were published between September, 2003 and May, 2017 and contained data regarding indoor tanning and BMI, physical activity, or dietary practices. Sixteen publications met final inclusion criteria. Results of this review indicate significant positive associations between indoor tanning and high physical activity levels, playing sports, and both unhealthy and healthy diet and weight control practices. Frequent or dependent indoor tanning was associated with unhealthy dietary practices in most studies or risk for exercise addiction in one study. Results were mixed for BMI. This review demonstrates associations between indoor tanning and physical activity or dietary practices. Despite the use of some unhealthy strategies (e.g., indoor tanning, fasting, vomiting, laxative, or steroid use), common motives for these behaviors include a desire to appear attractive and/or healthy. Findings from this study can help inform future research and possible interventions for individuals engaging in relevant risky health behaviors.

Screening for metabolic syndrome in children aged 10-18 years with parental history of premature coronary artery disease

Background: The metabolic syndrome is appearing with increasing frequency in children and adolescents and is characterized by the clustering of abdominal obesity, impaired fasting blood glucose (FBS), hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol and hypertension. Objective of this study was to screen for components of metabolic syndrome in children aged 10-18 years with parental history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) and to compare them with children without parental history of premature coronary artery disease.Methods: A total of 90 children each between the ages of 10-18 years were selected as the study group and comparison group. These children were screened for components of metabolic syndrome like fasting blood sugar, hypertension, obesity and dyslipidemia. Diet and hours of physical activity were assessed. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS for windows (version 17.0).Results: The most common component of metabolic syndrome in the study group was abnormal FBS followed by elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, obesity and hypertension. The mean values of FBS, Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol, triglycerides were found to be significantly higher in the study group. Children in the study group had a higher mean body mass index (BMI) and a history of excessive oily food intake with a sedentary lifestyle.Conclusions: Children with parental history of premature coronary artery disease have higher incidence of dyslipidemia and abnormal FBS. Children in the study group had a sedentary lifestyle with unhealthy diet practices.

NP31 - Starting Early/Empezando Temprano: Randomized Control Trial to Test the Effectiveness of a Child Obesity Prevention Program

Objective: To improve maternal infant feeding and activity practices and reduce child obesity with the Starting Early Program (StEP): a primary care-based obesity prevention intervention beginning in pregnancy for low-income Hispanic mother-infant dyads. Description: Conduct a randomized control trial of the StEP intervention. Women enrolled in the third trimester of pregnancy at an urban public hospital clinic, randomized to StEP intervention vs. standard primary care. Intervention included: individual nutrition counseling in prenatal/peri-partum periods, nutrition and parenting support groups at every well child visit with 2 individual and 13 group intervention sessions scheduled prior to child age 3 years. Feeding styles, diet and lifestyle patterns, psychosocial stressors, and demographic information collected at baseline in pregnancy and infant age 3, 10, 19, months, 2 and 3 years, with measured length/height and weight. Multilevel modeling used to assess intervention impact on infant weight for length z-scores (WFLz). T tests and chi square used to assess impact on nutrition knowledge and practices. Logistic regression used to assess intervention dose on risk of obesity (BMI ≥ 95th% for age and sex) at age 3. Evaluation: Baseline prenatal assessments (n = 566) found high rates of maternal stress, obesity and unhealthy dietary practices. Five hundred and thirty three pregnant women randomized to StEP vs. standard care. No group differences in baseline mother/infant characteristics. Mean sessions attended by 3 years: 8.5 (range 1–15). At infant age 3 months: higher nutrition knowledge, higher rates of exclusive breastfeeding, tummy time and less early introduction of complimentary foods for intervention group. At 10 months, more exclusive breastfeeding, more responsive feeding styles and less introduction of juice. At age 2, more family meals and less restaurant food. Complete weight data available for infants through age 18 months (n = 433). Intervention group infants had lower mean WFLz between ages 12–18 months (-.21 (.10), p = .046). At 36 months, infants attending >10 sessions were less likely to have obesity, p = .039. Conclusions and Implications: Interventions like StEP have the potential to improve maternal infant feeding and activity practices and reduce childhood obesity. Funding: 2011-68001-30207.

Association of overweight and obesity with dietary and physical activity behaviour among school-aged children in North India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in developed countries and developing countries are not far behind. This has profound public health consequence as it increases risk of persistent obesity and its complications. Changes in social and physical environment over past years have adversely influenced eating and physical activity behaviour including attitudes and behaviour of parents. The objectives of the study were to assess and compare magnitude of overweight/obesity and its association with dietary and physical activity behaviour.Methods: This cross sectional community based study was conducted in school going children of both sex aged 6-14 years in rural and urban areas of Jammu. Children were assessed for their dietary intake and dietary habits using new USDA multiple pass recall method. Physical activity was assessed using modified global physical activity questionnaire (version 2) and expressed in MET-min/day in different domains. Following anthropometric assessment BMI percentiles were obtained from WHO age and gender specific BMI charts.Results: Of 230 children studied overall overweight/obesity observed was 8.2%. More females than males were overweight and obese. Overweight and obesity was more in urban than rural areas (males: 7.4% vs. 3%, females: 16.9% vs 6.6%). Excess calorie intake, consumption of fast foods, carbonated drinks, food from school canteen and low physical activity were significantly associated with overweight and obesity.Conclusions: Unhealthy dietary practices and low physical activity significantly contribute to obesity in children and adolescents. Health and nutritional education to them and their parents along with facilities for participation in sports and physical education would help tackle the problem.

Family food involvement is related to healthier dietary intake in preschool-aged children

Children in the United States fall far short of meeting federal dietary recommendations. The unhealthy diets common amongst young children are of crucial public health concern, given that they can inhibit healthy development and are predictive of chronic diseases in adulthood. Research investigating behaviors that are related to dietary habits is crucial to allow a better understanding of the causes of unhealthy dietary practices. Involvement in food preparation is known to be associated with healthy dietary behaviors in school-aged children, but little is known about these behaviors and their correlates in younger children. The present study sought to examine the influences and correlates of involvement in family food preparation in children at ages three and four. Parents of preschool aged children (n = 497) completed surveys including information about demographic background, their children's family food involvement, dietary intake, mealtime routines, and problematic eating behaviors. Data were collected when children were three (wave one of the survey) and four years of age (wave two). Findings from this study indicate that family food involvement at age three is predictive of healthier dietary intake at age four (increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreased consumption of fast food). These findings indicate that family food involvement is predictive of healthier dietary behaviors in young children, and that outreach efforts focused on family food involvement in early childhood may improve children's dietary habits.

Adolescent emotions toward sweet food cues as a function of obesity and risky dieting practices

This study examined whether poor health habits – those associated with a higher risk of developing eating disorders or obesity – modified adolescents’ emotions toward sweet food cues. We aimed to answer the following questions: Is adolescent obesity accompanied by excessive enjoyment of sweets? Or is any risk habit, regardless its stronger association with obesity or disordered eating, associated with less food enjoyment? 552 Spanish adolescents (279 females) viewed pictures of sweets interspersed with emotional images as controls. Participants recorded their feelings of pleasure, activation, control, and food craving while looking at each picture; then answered questions on their general health, food intake, and physical activity; finally, their body mass index was estimated. We performed MANCOVAs on feelings during sweets, including individual risk habits as factors, and sex, age, and hunger as covariates. We performed the same analysis on emotional and neutral images. Results revealed that among risk habits, obesity and unhealthy dieting practices were accompanied by less enjoyment of sweets (mostly less pleasure and less food craving). On the contrary, risk habits had no effect on adolescents’ feelings during emotional stimuli, unrelated to food. Thus, the presence of habits linked to obesity and disordered eating was associated with reduced reward value of sweet food cues, supporting the need to approach both disorders from an integrative perspective. Consistent with recent prevention strategies, the results suggest the potential role of food enjoyment as a protective factor.

Does a low-income urban population practise healthy dietary habits?

The purpose of this study was to identify the unhealthy dietary habits and practices in a low-income community in an urban area and determine the associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a low-income housing area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Data were collected using a questionnaire via face-to-face interviews by trained enumerators in order to obtain details on sociodemographic characteristics and dietary practices. Descriptive statistics showed that 86.7% of the respondents in the low-income community consumed fruit and vegetables less than five times per day, 11.7% consumed carbonated and sweetened drinks more than twice per day and about 25% consumed fast food more than four times per month. In total, 65.2% (n=945) did not have healthy dietary practices. Binary logistic regression showed that age, education and ethnicity were significant predictors of unhealthy dietary practices among the low-income community. Those in the 30-59 years age group had higher odds (odds ratio 1.65, p=0.04) of practising an unhealthy diet as compared with those older than 60 years of age. Unhealthy dietary practices were found to be common among the low-income group living in an urban area. Healthy lifestyle intervention should be highlighted so that it can be adopted in the low-income group.

Nutritional status and food intake of women residing in rural and urban areas of Lesotho

Objective: The socio-demography, anthropometry and food intake of women residing in rural and urban areas of Lesotho were determined.Design: Cross-sectional survey.Setting: Basotho women from four randomly selected villages in Maseru and Berea, which includes both urban and rural areas.Subjects: A total of 452 women were included in the study.Outcome measures: Socio-demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire completed in an interview with each participant. Standard methods were used to determine anthropometric measurements, while usual food intake was determined using a short unquantified food frequency questionnaire.Results: A large percentage of participants were unemployed with a significantly higher percentage in urban compared with rural areas (65.5 vs. 49.2%; CI 6.8%; 25.4%). A higher percentage of urban than rural participants had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (53.5 vs. 44.4%, respectively) and waist circumference ≥ 88 cm (62.7 vs. 54.1%, respectively). For both rural and urban participants, stiff maize-meal porridge was commonly consumed with all meals, often with moroho (cooked green leafy vegetables). Although a variety of vegetables (onions, cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes, turnips and potatoes) were frequently eaten by most participants, quantities of intake were not determined. Protein sources consumed almost every day by more than 50% of all participants were dried beans. Chicken, eggs and full cream milk were consumed significantly more frequently by urban participants. Significantly more urban participants had access to a variety of fruits and vegetables, and they were also more likely to consume foods such as polony, russians (sausage containing pork and beef), sausage, sweetened drinks, mayonnaise and margarine more frequently than rural participants.Conclusions: A nutrition transition associated with the frequent intake of processed, sugary and high-fat foods was identified in urban participants. These unhealthy dietary practices may lead to an increased risk of obesity and poor health outcomes. The development of culturally acceptable and relevant interventions is thus recommended.

Expanding collaborative care: integrating the role of dietitians and nutrition interventions in services for people with mental illness.

This article aims to draw mental health clinicians' attention to the connections between nutrition and mental health, and the roles that Accredited Practising Dietitians play in improving mental and physical health through dietary change. Selective narrative review. Unhealthy dietary practices are common in high prevalence and severe mental illness. Epidemiological evidence demonstrates that nutrients and dietary patterns impact on mental health. In addition, poor physical health is well documented in people with mental illness and the greatest contributor to the mortality gap. Dietary intervention studies demonstrate improved mental and physical health outcomes. Accredited Practising Dietitians translate nutrition science into practical advice to improve the nutritional status of patients with mental illness, and prevent and manage comorbidities in a variety of care settings. Medical Nutrition Therapy offers opportunities to improve the physical and mental health of people living with mental illness.

Association between socio-demographic characteristics and preventable lifestyle related risk factors of non-communicable diseases among adolescents: a school based study in Berhampur, Odisha

Background: Currently, the health scenario is riddled with the burden of non-communicable diseases. Life style related risk factors established during adolescents may extend into adulthood and may increase risk for non-communicable diseases. So this study was undertaken to ascertain the association of life style related risk factors for Non communicable diseases and socio demographic characteristics among adolescents.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Berhampur, Odisha. A total of 400 school children were included in the study. Data was collected by pre-tested, structured, close-ended, self-administered questionnaires. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS V.17.Descriptive statistics, chi square test and logistic regression analysis test were applied.Results: Out of 400 students included in the study, 69.5% were males. The mean age of the study subject was 15.77 with S.D 2.81. On multiple regression analysis, it was found that male respondents parents job had strong association with unhealthy dietary practices and educational status of respondents had strongest association with passive smoking and addictions habits.Conclusions: The present study showed a poor practice of healthy lifestyle with a high burden of lifestyle‑related risk factors of NCDs among students. Therefore, the schools should emphasize on including topics related to leading of a healthy life style in the curriculum. Frequent campaigns and educational seminars can be conducted for the adoption of healthy lifestyle.

Promoting condom usage to male sex workers in Thailand: a development of a conceptual framework: social marketing perspective

Thailand’s booming tourism sector significantly contributes to the country’s economy. Sex tourism is also popular in Thailand, where male sex workers are more at risk to HIV threats than their female counterparts. Social marketing campaigns have been useful in addressing several problematic behaviours, such as smoking, binge drinking, unprotected sex and unhealthy dietary practices. Hence, the main purpose of this research study is to propose a conceptual framework for promoting safe sex practices to male sex workers in Thailand. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) has been generally applied to help understand and examine behavioural change intentions, and develop behavioural change initiatives. TPB attempts to identify the psychological determinants of behavioural change intention in a single point of time. However, it does not show how behavioural change occurs as a process, or at various stages. As this theory is not adequate for understanding the entire process of behavioural change, a more comprehensive theoretical framework is required. Combining the Theory of Planned Behaviour with the Stages of Change Theory (SCT) provides a highly comprehensive theoretical framework. The Stages of Change Theory is used in the social marketing field to facilitate behavioural change. SCT shows the behaviour change as a process. The implications of this new framework for both theory and practice are discussed, as well as the directions for future research, which would be of use to researchers and practitioners in the social marketing field.

Evaluation of "College CHEF," a Campus-based, Culinary Nutrition Education Program

Aim: Evaluate the impact of a campus-based culinary nutrition education program, the College CHEF: Cooking Healthfully Education for Life-long Change, to determine if there were significant differences preto post- intervention with participants' attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge with healthy eating/cooking.Background: College students have high rates of overweight and obesity and tend to have unhealthy dietary practices. Culinary nutrition programs may provide students a means to improve related attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge.Methods: College students residing on campus were recruited. Participants completing both pre- and post-measures were included in analysis: Control (n= 17) and intervention groups (n = 15). Quasi-experimental pre-, post- design: Surveys were administered to both groups at baseline and post-intervention in October-November 2015.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in fruit and vegetable consumption (p = .03) and with knowledge of cooking terms and techniques (p < .001).Conclusions: Campus-based culinary nutrition education programming has potential to positively impact college students’ fruit and vegetable consumption and cooking knowledge. Future programs should incorporate strategies such as additional opportunities to engage in hands-on practice and building cross-campus collaborations to promote sustainability.

Ethnic Differences in the Food Intake Patterns and Its Associated Factors of Adolescents in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify the ethnic differences in dietary patterns and its association with socio-economic, dietary and lifestyle practices among adolescents in Kelantan, Malaysia. Methods: A population-based study of 454 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years was included. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary patterns and three dietary patterns were identified based on the principal component analysis method. Results: Malay adolescents had significantly higher scores for the Western-based food pattern and local-based food pattern, whereas Chinese adolescents showed higher scores for the healthy-based food pattern. Multivariate analyses show that age and physical activity (PA) levels were positively associated with healthy-based food pattern in Malay (All, p < 0.001), whereas higher consumption of eating-out from home (EatOut) (p = 0.014) and fast food (p = 0.041) were negatively associated. High weekly breakfast skipping (p < 0.001) and EatOut (p = 0.003) were positively associated with a Western-based pattern, whereas age (p < 0.001) and household income (p = 0.005) were negatively associated. Higher frequency of daily snacking (p = 0.013) was positively associated with local-based food pattern. For Chinese adolescents, age (p < 0.001), PA levels (p < 0.001) and maternal education level (p = 0.035) showed positive associations with the healthy-based pattern, whereas high EatOut (p = 0.001) and fast food intakes (p = 0.001) were negatively associated. Higher weekly consumption of EatOut (p = 0.007), fast food (p = 0.023) and carbonated beverages (p = 0.023), and daily snacking practice (p = 0.004) were positively associated with higher Western-based food pattern, whereas age (p = 0.004) was inversely associated. Conclusion: This study showed that there were significant differences in dietary patterns and its association factors between Malay and Chinese adolescents. More importantly, these findings suggest that unhealthy dietary and lifestyle practices could increase the risk of adherence to unhealthy Western-based food pattern that is high in fat, sugar and salt contents, and, consequently, increase the risk of developing obesity and metabolic-related disorders during these critical years of growth.

Food insecurity is associated with unhealthy dietary practices among US veterans in California.

US veterans (hereafter, 'veterans') are at risk for being overweight or obese and associated unhealthy behaviours, including poor diet; although limited studies have examined the underlying factors associated with such outcomes. As such, the present study evaluated the association between food insecurity and dietary practices among veterans. A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the California Health Interview Survey (2009, 2011/2012) was conducted. Survey weights were applied to identify univariate means, population estimates and weighted percentages. Bivariate analyses followed by survey-weighted negative binomial regression were used to model the association between food insecurity and dietary practices of fruit, vegetable, fast food and soda intakes. California Health Interview Survey 2009-2011/2012. The present study included a total of 11 011 veterans from California. Nearly 5 % of the studied veteran population reported living in poverty with food insecurity. Compared with those at or above the poverty level and those in poverty but food secure, the mean intakes of fruits and vegetables were lower, while the mean intakes of soda and fast foods (P for trend <0·05) were higher among veterans living in poverty with food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with 24 and 142 % higher average consumption of fast foods and soda, respectively, and 24 % lower fruit intake. Food insecurity remains a burden among veterans and is associated with unhealthy dietary practices. Targeted interventions to improve diet quality are imperative.

Urban rural differences in diet, physical activity and obesity in India: are we witnessing the great Indian equalisation? Results from a cross-sectional STEPS survey.

BackgroundThe rising morbidity and mortality due to non-communicable diseases can be partly attributed to the urbanized lifestyle leading to unhealthy dietary practices and increasing physical levels of inactivity. The demographic and nutrition transition in India has also contributed to the emerging epidemic of non-communicable diseases in this country. In this context, there is limited information in India on dietary patterns, levels of physical activity and obesity. The aim of the present study was thus to assess the urban rural differences in dietary habits, physical activity and obesity in India.MethodsA household survey was done in the state of Punjab, India in a multistage stratified sample of 5127 individuals using the WHO STEPS questionnaire.ResultsNo rural urban difference was found in dietary practices and prevalence of overweight and obesity except the fact that a significantly higher proportion of respondents belonging to rural area (15.6 %) always/often add salt before/when eating as compared to urban area (9.1 %). Overall 95.8 % (94.6–97.0) of participants took less than 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables on average per day. No significant urban rural difference was noted in both sexes in all three domains of physical activity such as work, transport and recreation. However, rural females (19.1 %) were found to be engaged in vigorous activity more than the urban females (6.3 %). Males reported high levels of physical activity in both the settings. Absence of recreational activity was reported by more than 95 % of the subjects. Higher prevalence of obesity (asian cut offs used) was seen among urban females (34.3 %) as compared to their rural counterparts (23.2 %). Abdominal obesity was found to be significantly higher among females in both the settings compared to males (p < 0.001).ConclusionsPoor dietary practices and physical inactivity seems to fuel the non-communicable disease epidemic in India. Non communicable disease control strategy need to address these issues with a gender equity lens. Rapid urbanization of rural India might be responsible for the absence of a significant urban rural difference.

Promotion of healthy nutrition in clinical practice: A cross-sectional survey of practices and barriers among physiotherapists in southeast Nigeria.

Background:Healthy diet counselling is an important concept in health promotion. Physiotherapists are well positioned to initiate or support healthy nutrition in addition to physical activity counselling, in routine patient consultation.Objective:To determine the practices about and barriers to diet counselling practices among physiotherapists in Southeast Nigeria.Methods:In this cross-sectional survey, a total of 140 questionnaires were distributed among physiotherapists.Results:Overall, 103 physiotherapists responded. Physiotherapists are confident and consider the incorporation of dietary counselling very important and of high priority in their daily clinical work. They, however, assessed and counselled on dietary status opportunistically in patients. Notwithstanding, physiotherapists believed that the diet counselling they give could be effective in helping patients change their unhealthy dieting practices. Patients were also amenable to physiotherapists advocating on diet issues as part of their consultation. Several barriers to incorporating diet counselling into physiotherapy practice were identified, including lack of access to a dietician/health promotion staff/counsellors, lack of proper patient education materials, lack of expertise in relation to dietary risk factors’ assessment and management, and uncertainty about what dietary services to provide.Conclusion:Although physiotherapists consider it important to incorporate diet counselling in their daily clinical practice, development and implementation of strategies to improve physiotherapists’ diet counselling knowledge, competence, skills, and practice are warranted.

Sport and children's nutrition: what can we learn from the junior Australian football setting?

ABSTRACTThere is a widely held belief that sport participation inherently enhances health among youth. Such a perception often motivates parents to encourage children's initial and ongoing involvement in organised sport and physical activity. While sport certainly comprises an important vehicle for accruing physical activity, the sport environment may not necessarily enhance other health-related behaviours, including dietary practices. The literature identifies the influence of the physical environment in this regard, including the availability of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods in sport settings. In considering additional influences on children's nutrition in sporting contexts, the role of parents is less understood. This is the first paper to emerge from a larger qualitative study, in which the basis of the investigation was to explore parental influence in the junior Australian football context. The naturalistic manner of qualitative inquiry led to a number of unintended yet highly pertinent emergent themes, including the role of parents in maintaining and reinforcing some contentious dietary behaviours among children post weekend sport. Drawing on individual interviews and focus groups with parents, children and coaches (n = 102), this paper discusses the role of parents in reinforcing a ‘food-as-reward’ culture in the junior Australian football setting. The findings indicate that while parents play a vital role in promoting good nutrition in the lead up to weekend sport, they also reinforce a culture that fosters unhealthy dietary practices in the post-game setting. This gives rise to the notion that we, in this paper, have coined the ‘binge-purge’ paradox. This paper discusses the implications of this health issue in relation to the ‘sport for health’ rhetoric, and in broader society and culture.

Interplay of &amp;#147;rest,&amp;#148; &amp;#147;internet,&amp;#148; and &amp;#147;diet&amp;#148; and on academic performancemedical students' perspective

Background: Adequate rest, proper diet, and active lifestyle with good academics are essential components that a medical student must incorporate in their lives to become a successful and qualified health-care professional. Advancement of internet and information technology, changed dietary patterns, unhealthy lifestyles, and inadequate sleep has severe impact on academic performance of medical students. Aims and Objectives: The present study was carried out (i) to study the impact of sleep pattern, internet use, diet, and lifestyle on medical students’ academic performance and (ii) to compare the effect of the ethnic and cultural background of medical students on the above parameters. Materials and Methods: We included 50 Malaysian medical students and 128 Indian students of a private University Medical College in Karnataka state, India. A pretested and validated questionnaire on internet usage, dietary habits, lifestyle activity, and sleep pattern was administered to them, and their responses were analyzed statistically. Results: Majority of them are deprived of healthy sleep with an average duration of 6-8 h/day. Half of them consume junk food daily with less preference to fruits and vegetables. Indian and Malaysian students use the internet daily though for different purposes but hardly for any educational need. Occasionally, Indian students engage in sports and yoga compared with Malaysian students. 20% of Indian students failed to clear their previous academic examination, whereas Malaysian students cleared the exam successfully. Conclusions: This study shows that decreased sleep pattern, heavy internet usage, unhealthy dietary practices, and sedentary lifestyle have a negative impact on academic performance.