The growing childhood obesity epidemic and its association with adverse health outcomes have prompted increasing research in the recent past. Researchers have examined numerous aspects of the obesity epidemic. For example, the impact of parent behavior on child behavior has been considered. Likewise, researchers have examined the connection between parent perceptions of obesity and concern regarding a child’s weight status. Still other research has focused on the influence of a child’s behavior on weight status. Existing research has reported that within the African American community there is an apparent inaccuracy in perceptions regarding weight. Children who would be classified as overweight or obese according to body mass index (BMI) calculations are viewed by parents as having normal or healthy weight. Thus, among African-American parents, there is often no correlation between a child’s weight status and the parent’s perception of a weight concern. Moreover, it is not clear that there is a relation between parent concern regarding a child’s weight status and the amount of physical activity that the child engages in among African-American individuals. Further, it is not clear what relations may exist among parent physical activity level, child physical activity level, and the child’s BMI status. Finally, after conducting a semi-exhaustive study of the research, the links among child dietary habits, parent dietary habits, and the child’s BMI status in the African American population have not been addressed. The purpose of this study is to more closely examine the impact of risk factors such as parental physical activity, dietary habits, and parent concern and perception regarding weight on children’s weight status within an African American sample.

Depression is a common disease worldwide and the most common cause of mental illness. Studies have shown an association between unhealthy diets and depression. The purpose of the study was to explore district nurses and nurses' experience of supporting patients and motivating those with depression to healthy dietary habits in primary care. In order to answer the purpose of the study, an interview study was conducted in which the data material was analyzed using qualitative content analysis with inductive approach. Eleven district nurses and nurses working at a lifestyle clinic were recruited from ten health centres in the South of Sweden. In the study's results, three categories emerged; The Individual Meeting with the Patient, Motivational Tools and Obstacles. The individual meeting was about putting the patient first, confirming and establishing a good relationship and entrusting safekeeping. Motivational tools were about the nurses' description of the use of various tools such as motivational conversations, diet diaries, knowledge etc. to support and motivate patients to change their dietary habits. The nurses experienced that patients with depression had difficulties with motivation and that some did not have the power to change. The nurses could be in need of collaboration with other professionals and colleagues to get support and advice in their caring conversation with the patient. In order to improve the quality of care for the patient with depression, it may be important for further research in this area from both a patient and nurse perspective at lifestyle clinics in primary care. / Depression är en av vanlig sjukdom världen över och den vanligaste orsaken till psykisk ohälsa. Studier har visat samband mellan ohälsosamma kostvanor och depression. Syftet med studien var att undersöka distriktssköterskor och sjuksköterskors erfarenhet av att stödja och motivera patienter med depression till hälsosamma kostvanor på livsstilsmottagning inom primärvården. För att besvara studiens syfte genomfördes en intervjustudie där datamaterialet analyserades med hjälp av kvalitativ innehållsanalys med induktiv ansats. Elva distriktssköterskor och sjuksköterskor som jobbade på livsstilsmottagning rekryterades från tio hälsocentraler i södra Sverige. I studiens resultat framkom tre kategorier vilka var Det individuella mötet med patienten, Motivationsverktyg och Hinder. Det individuella mötet berörde vikten av att sätta patienten i centrum, att bekräfta, skapa en god relation samt förmedla trygghet. Motivationsverktyg handlade om sjuksköterskornas beskrivning av användning av olika verktyg såsom motiverande samtal, kostdagböcker, kunskap etc. för att kunna stödja och motivera patienterna till att förändra sina kostvanor. Sjuksköterskorna upplevde att patienter med depression hade svårigheter med motivationen och att en del inte hade kraft till förändringen. Det framkom att sjuksköterskorna kunde vara i behov av samarbete med andra professioner och kollegor för att få stöd och råd i det vårdande samtalet med patienten. För att förbättra vårdkvaliteten för patienten med depression kan det vara av vikt av ytterligare forskning både ur ett patient- och sjuksköterskeperspektiv på livsstilsmottagning inom primärvården.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a concern. While CVD events will occur later in a woman’s life, modifiable risk factors for CVD occur earlier during adult years. While, there is strong evidence linking modifiable risk factors to CVD, the influence of the work environment on CVD risk is poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to: 1) determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk indicators; 2) determine the relationships between work patterns and lifestyle behaviours in female hospital workers; 3) determine the relationships between work patterns and cardiovascular risk indicators; and 4) determine the relationships between work patterns, lifestyle behaviours and cardiovascular risk while controlling for covariates. METHODS: Participants were female hospital workers (N= 466) from 2 hospital sites in Southeastern Ontario. Cardiovascular risk data were obtained through anthropometric measurements, blood sampling and self-report. Work pattern data were collected through self-report and linked with hospital administrative work data. Lifestyle behaviour data were obtained through self-report using validated questionnaires. Metabolic syndrome was classified in accordance with the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) (III) guidelines. RESULTS: Approximately 1 in 4 female participants had the metabolic syndrome, with elevated waist circumference being the most common CVD risk factor. After adjustments, the multivariate analysis found a few key significant associations between irregular work patterns, specifically extended shifts and CVD risk, specifically elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, consistent with the literature, the bivariate analyses revealed that after 6 or more years of shift work, female workers were more likely to develop the metabolic syndrome (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.12, 3.17) and abdominally obesity (OR = 2.0, 95% CI, 1.31, 3.11). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that generally work patterns do not influence the development of unhealthy behaviours and cardiovascular risk factors, although a few key exceptions exist. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms linking harmful and protective work pattern characteristics to CVD risk. Given the prevalence of abdominal obesity and overall CVD risk, hospital decision makers need to consider cardiovascular health within healthy workplace initiatives as the healthcare workforce is aging. / Thesis (Master, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-24 18:39:03.718

Studiens syfte var att undersöka skillnader i kostvanor som kan ha betydelse för utveckling av karies mellan ungdomar vid yrkesinriktade respektive högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogram. Datainsamling skedde vid två gymnasieskolor i södra Sverige med användning av en enkät som bestod av 32 frågor. Det skulle både finnas yrkesinriktade- och högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogram på de skolor som deltog. Sextio elever från respektive gymnasieinriktning skulle ingå i studien. Totalt erbjöds 143 elever >16 år att delta från två skolor. Resultatet baserades på 118 besvarade enkäter, 60 från de yrkesinriktade- och 58 från de högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogrammen. Individerna som studerade på högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogrammen åt i större utsträckning frukost (p=0.009) och skollunch dagligen (p=0.003) och handlade mer sällan i skolans kiosk eller närliggande livsmedelsbutik (p=0.000). De drack även kaffe med socker mer sällan under skoltid (p=0.006), drack juice eller saft mer sällan i hemmet (p=0.009) och åt chips eller ostbågar mer sällan i hemmet (p=0.044). Studiens slutsats är att det fanns skillnader mellan gymnasieelever vid de yrkesinriktade- och högskoleförberedande gymnasieprogram när det gäller frukost- och lunchvanor. Få skillnader fanns i övrigt mellan gymnasieeleverna vid de båda gymnasieinriktningarna avseende konsumtion av produkter som kan ha betydelse för karies. / The aim of this study was to examine differences in dietary habits that have significance for the development of caries between youths at professional- respectively higher educational preparatory high school programs. A survey with 32 questions was conducted at two high schools in southern Sweden. The schools should have hade professional- and higher educational preparatory high school programs. Sixty students from each high school orientation would be included in the study. A total of 143 students >16 yearswere invited to participate from two schools. The result is based on 118 answered surveys, 60 from the professional- and 58 from the higher educational preparatory high school programs. Individuals that studied at the higher educational preparatory high school programs ate in greater numbers breakfast (p=0.009) and school lunch (p=0.003) daily and shopped more rarely at the school kiosk or nearby grocery store (p=0.000). They also drank coffee with sugar more rarely under school time, (p=0.006), drank juice more rarely at home (p=0.009) and ate potato chips or cheese doodles more rarely at home (p=0.044).The conclusion of this study is that there were differences between high school students at the professional- and higher educational preparatory high school programs with regards to breakfast- and school lunch habits. Few differences existed otherwise between both high school orientations regarding consumption of products that could have significance for the development caries.

O leite materno constitui uma rica fonte de nutrientes e peptídeos. O desmame precoce (DP) induz o aumento da proliferação e da diferenciação celular, e pode ser uma condição estressante capaz de elevar a corticosterona (CORT). Neste estudo, investigamos a interação entre padrão alimentar, CORT, TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a e TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b na regulação da proliferação celular na mucosa gástrica de ratos em desenvolvimento pós-natal. Utilizamos ratos Wistar em DP a partir do 15ºd, e observamos o aumento de CORT aos 16, 17 e 18d (p<0,05). No 17ºd, encontramos nível alto de TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a e baixo de TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b1 na mucosa gástrica (p<0,05). Para avaliarmos a ação da CORT, usamos o RU486, que ao reduzir a ação hormonal, estimulou a proliferação celular nos animais amamentados e DP (p<0,05), sem alterar os níveis de TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a e TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b. A sinalização para esses fatores foi estudada, e RU486 reduziu a ativação de ERK1/2 (p<0,05) no DP. Concluímos que a corticosterona circulante possui efeito antiproliferativo sobre a mucosa gástrica de ratos, e sua ação parece direta sem depender da regulação dos níveis de TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a e TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b. / Milk is a source of nutrients and active peptides. Early weaning (EW) leads to the increase of cell proliferation and differentiation, and can characterize a stressful condition to induce corticosterone (CORT). In the current study we investigated the interaction among dietary pattern, CORT, TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a and TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b on the regulation of cell proliferation in gastric mucosa of developing rats. We used Wistar rats submitted to EW on the 15thd, and we observed higher CORT levels throughout EW (p<0.05). At 17d, we also found higher TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a and lower TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b1 in the gastric mucosa (p<0.05). To evaluate CORT action, we used RU486 which antagonized the hormone and increased cell proliferation in both suckling and EW pups (p<0.05), without changing TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a and TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b1 levels. The signaling pathways triggered by these factors were studied and RU486 reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation (p<0.05) in EW. We conclude that CORT is repressive for cell proliferation in the rat gastric mucosa, and its action seems to be direct, i.e. independent of TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">a and TGF<font face=\"Symbol\">b regulation.

Background: The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the existing research on the determinants and influential factors of eating decisions made by Aboriginal peoples and provide insight from the perspective of Aboriginal peoples living off-reserve in Ottawa, Ontario. Methods: This study was comprised of a convenience sample of 12 Aboriginal individuals from a local Aboriginal community centre. Participants were asked to conduct a personal food diary of their meals for a period of 3 days, followed by a one-on-one semi-structured interview. The interviews were designed to explore: 1) knowledge and perspectives of healthy eating 2) knowledge and perspectives of Health Canada’s Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis, 3) perception of influential factors 4) self-efficacy and 5) common barriers in making food choices. Results: 1) Except for the senior participants, healthy food knowledge did not translate into healthy food choices for most participants; 2) Most participants had not seen a copy of the Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and all participants felt they were not influenced by it when making eating decisions; 3) The main themes of influential factors were concluded to be: taste preference, availability, convenience, “had no choice”, health reasons, “easy to make”, low in cost, following a diet or “food schedule,” hunger or thirst, “needed something quick”, nearby location (of store or restaurant), being tired or lazy and being in a routine; 4) Most participants perceived themselves as having control over their eating decisions regardless of situational factors and level of motivation varied between participants; 5) Time, financial constraints, having a busy schedule and being unprepared for meals were identified as possible barriers. Conclusions: Either version of the food guide should be developed into a more flexible and convenient tool such as a mobile application. Local community centres should consider providing workshops in food preparation, and to strengthen skills such as understanding food labels of market foods to ease the transition to living off-reserve. Future Implications: Policy makers at the federal, provincial and municipal levels should work together and strengthen their communication strategies in order to coordinate the development and implementation of future interventions.

Peu de données ont été publiées sur le statut nutritionnel des personnes âgées vivant àdomicile. Le premier objectif de cette thèse était d’évaluer le statut nutritionnel de personnesâgées de 65 ans et plus vivant à domicile et les facteurs associés à cet état. Le second objectifde la thèse était d’étudier la survenue de plusieurs événements de santé en fonction du statutnutritionnel. Les données de deux cohortes prospectives incluant des personnes âgées de 65ans et plus (AMI, n=1002 et E3C, n=9294) ont été exploitées. Les résultats de cette thèsemontrent qu’une proportion non négligeable de personnes âgées vivant à domicile présente unstatut nutritionnel altéré. Les individus les plus concernés étaient les plus âgés, de genreféminin, veufs, de niveaux de revenus et scolaire faibles, déments, présentant unesymptomatologie dépressive et des incapacités aux activités de la vie quotidienne. Cesindividus avaient de moins bonnes habitudes alimentaires caractérisées par desconsommations faibles de poisson, légumes, fruits, et élevées de biscuits et viennoiseries. Unstatut nutritionnel altéré à l’inclusion était significativement associé à la survenue de diversévénements au cours des 12 ans de suivi: démence, chute, fracture, incapacités, incontinence,institutionnalisation et décès. L’ensemble de ces travaux montre qu’un état nutritionnel altéré,avant que la dénutrition ne soit installée, n’est pas rare chez les sujets âgés vivant à domicileet que cet état est associé à la survenue plus fréquente d’événements de santé graves. Cesrésultats plaident pour une détection plus active qu’actuellement de ces sujets à risque et pourune prise en charge adaptée. / Few data about the nutritional status of elderly people living at home are available. The firstaim of this work was to evaluate the nutritional status of community-dwellers aged 65 andover and the factors associated with this state. The second aim of the thesis was to study theoccurrence of several health events according to the nutritional status. The data of twoprospective cohorts including people aged 65 and over (AMI, n=1,002 and 3C, n=9294) wereanalyzed. The results of this work show that a relatively high proportion of older people livingat home have a poor nutritional status. Individuals most affected were older, of female gender,widowed, with low levels of income and education, presenting a dementia, a depressivesymptomatology and disability in activities of daily living. These individuals had poorereating habits characterized by low consumption of fish, vegetables, fruits, and highconsumption of biscuits and pastries. A poor nutritional status at baseline were significantlyassociated with the occurrence of several events during the 12 years of follow-up: dementia,falls, fractures, disability, incontinence, institutionalization and death. These results show thatpoor nutritional status is frequent in elderly living at home, before malnutrition is established,and that this state is associated with the occurrence of serious health events. These results alsoadvocate for a more active detection of these subjects and a more appropriate healthmanagement.

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate whether caries-active and caries-free children differ in terms of their taste perception for sweet, sour, salty and bitter. - Methods The study group consisted of 100 children aged 5–10 years: 50 caries-free children and 50 children with at least four untreated carious lesions. Taste perception was analysed using two test systems. First, filter paper strips impregnated with four taste qualities (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) at four defined intensities were used (“taste strips”). Then a tasting spray in suprathreshold concentration of the respective taste was applied. The children were asked to name the perceived taste. The parents answered a questionnaire about the children’s dietary habits. - Results The children with high caries activity scored lower on average on the taste strips than the caries-free participants. For the taste sprays, the perception of the taste quality “bitter” was significantly worse in the children with caries than in caries-free children (Mann–Whitney U test p < 0.05). Conclusion The results of this study suggest that taste preferences in children are associated with increased susceptibility to tooth decay.

Introduktion: Barn i Sverige har generellt sett en god hälsa (Heinemans et al., 2013). Det är dock oroande att barn och ungdomar blir mindre fysiskt aktiva (Berg, 2008). Barn och ungdomar har i genomsnitt ett högre intag av energitäta och näringsfattiga livsmedel samt ett lägre intag av frukt och grönsaker (Warensjö Lemming et al., 2018). Syfte: Att kartlägga aktivitetsnivån och kostvanor hos barn och ungdomar i årskurs 6-9. Metod: Studiens design är tvärsnittsstudie som mäter aspekter av hälsa och kost genom en enkät. En skola i Västra Götalands län med årskurs 6 till 9 (n=492) utgjorde studiepopulationen och två klasser i varje årskurs valdes slumpmässigt ut (n=187). Resultat: Respondenternas aktivitetsmönster visar att 83,3 procent deltog i skolidrotten varje gång och att vara fysiskt aktiv på rasten minskar med åldern. Att äta frukost varje dag gjorde 58,7 procent av respondenterna, 78,7 procent åt lunch och 69,3 procent åt middag/kvällsmat varje dag. Slutsats: Den här studien har identifierat flera områden där hälsoförbättringar kan göras, vilka beskrivs i den här rapporten. / Introduction: Children in Sweden have, in general, good health (Heinemans et al., 2013). There is a concern, however, that children and adolescents are becoming less physically active (Berg, 2008). On average, children and adolescents have higher intakes of energy-rich, less nutritional food and lower intakes of fruits and vegetables than is recommended (Warensjö Lemming et al., 2018). Aim: To chart the activity level and dietary habits of children and adolescents in grades 6-9. Method: The study design is a Cross-sectional study, measuring aspect of health and nutrition through a survey. A school in Västra Götaland County with grades 6 to 9 (n = 492) was the study setting, and two classes in each year were chosen to participate in the survey (n = 187). Results: Respondents' activity patterns show that 83.3 percent participated regularly in physical activity classes and were physically active during recesses. Eating breakfast every day was a habit of 58.7 percent of respondents, while 78.7 percent reported eating lunch and 69.3 percent reported eating for dinner / supper each day. Conclusion: This study has identified multiple areas where health improvements can be made, which are described in this report.

<p>Det allmänna hälsotillståndet är ett resultat av de levnadsvanor som individen har och lever under. En förändring av vanor är starkt relaterat till individens attityd och inställning!</p><p>Syftet med den här studien, är att undersöka ungdomars attityd till hälsosam kost och inställning till att förändra kostvana, samt söka klarhet i vilka eventuella hinder och incitament som föreligger vid en förändring av kostvana.</p> / <p>The overall health status is a result of the lifestyle that the individual has. A change of habits is strongly related to individual attitudes!</p><p>The purpose of this study is explore adolescents attitudes to healthy eating and willingness to change a diet habit, and seek clarification of the possible barriers and incentives exist for a change in dietary habit.</p>