No description available.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personal factors and perceived built environmental factors and walking behaviour among middle-aged and older adults. The sample consisted of 647 people aged 45 years and above. Walking behaviour was assessed using pedometers. Decreased walking was significantly associated with increased age (r=-0.366, p<0.001). Education level (F=4.13, p=0.016) and self-rated health status (t=6.07, p<0.001) were positively associated with walking. When considering the effect of age, education level was no longer associated with walking. Better perception of general safety (F=3.105, p=0.005) and fewer safety concerns (F=7.531, p=0.001) were positively associated with walking. Age and self-rated health status jointly contributed to the walking behaviour (p<0.001), explaining 16.2% of the variance. These findings may suggest future neighbourhood interventions for age-friendly communities in Winnipeg, and help to accommodate changes through addressing perceived neighbourhood safety concerns and facilitating increased physical activity among middle-aged and older adults.

Relocation to a personal care home is a stressful experience and may occur at a traumatic moment in life. The effects of relocation to a PCH on nutritional status are unknown, yet under-nutrition is common among PCH residents. Objectives: To explore the effect of relocating to a PCH on the nutritional status, eating habits, and nutrition attitudes of adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: Fourteen Caucasian older adults (F = 57%) with a mean age of 83 years (SD = 9.79) consented to participate. Sixty-four percent of participants experienced inter-institutional relocation. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary information was collected at Time Points A (2-3 months following relocation) and B (6-7 months following relocation) through face-to-face interviews, medical chart reviews and communications with nursing staff. Results: At Time B, cognitive function declined (z = -2.185, p < .05) and the number of medications prescribed increased (z = -2.00, p < .05). Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were insufficient among 83% of participants at both time points. Mean serum albumin was 34.4 ± 7.2 g/L at Time B and the prevalence of nutritional risk increased from 57% to 77%. Dietary intake was inadequate according to Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. Nutrition attitudes did not change. Implications & Conclusions: Six months following relocation, nutritional risk was more prevalent, with early evidence of possible protein-energy malnutrition. Nutritional inadequacies may result if dietary intakes do not improve. A collaborative approach is needed to assess environmental, psychosocial and nutritional factors that contribute to poor dietary intake and will assist in the development of an intervention program.

Hand grip strength (HGS) is a new nutritional assessment parameter proposed by American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) for diagnosis of adult malnutrition related to acute illnesses, chronic diseases or starvation. Identification of ≥2 of the following conditions is considered to be malnourishment – weight loss, loss of muscle mass, loss of subcutaneous fat, fluid accumulation, diminished HGS and inadequate energy intake. HGS is also a marker of sarcopenia, a condition defined by low muscle mass and low muscle strength or performance, as identified by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. It has also been shown that lower HGS is associated with deficits in activities of daily living (ADL) and mobility. HGS is emerging as an important screening tool especially in the malnourished and aging population. This research evaluates the applicability of HGS as a nutrition screening tool in long-term care older adults. Data from a total of 129 participants age ≥60 years involved in an ongoing walking program in long-term care facilities in Saskatoon available for analysis at the time this work was undertaken. Participants were randomly assigned for an intervention period of 16 weeks to one of three study groups: 1) Usual Care Group, 2) Interpersonal Interaction Group, and 3) Walking Program Group. Activity of daily living, cognition and depression scores and hand grip strength were recorded at baseline and every eight weeks. Information on vitamin D intake status prior to study commencement was also collected. This study provides values of low grip strength similar to those defined for the risk of sarcopenia in frail older adults. Stronger baseline HGS was correlated with greater ADL independence in females (B=0.079, P=0.044). Greater ability to eat at baseline was also associated with stronger grip in females when cognition status was taken into consideration. Baseline ADL (B=-0.024) and HGS (B=1.004) were significant predictors of subsequent ADL and HGS, respectively, in males (P<0.01). Baseline HGS was associated with subsequent ADL and HGS in females, but such association was modified by other covariates. In summary, if grip strength is to be used as a nutritional screening tool in long-term care facilities, dietitians shall be cautious of other factors such as the residents’ cognitive status and age and use in conjunction with other nutrition assessment methods.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personal factors and perceived built environmental factors and walking behaviour among middle-aged and older adults. The sample consisted of 647 people aged 45 years and above. Walking behaviour was assessed using pedometers. Decreased walking was significantly associated with increased age (r=-0.366, p<0.001). Education level (F=4.13, p=0.016) and self-rated health status (t=6.07, p<0.001) were positively associated with walking. When considering the effect of age, education level was no longer associated with walking. Better perception of general safety (F=3.105, p=0.005) and fewer safety concerns (F=7.531, p=0.001) were positively associated with walking. Age and self-rated health status jointly contributed to the walking behaviour (p<0.001), explaining 16.2% of the variance. These findings may suggest future neighbourhood interventions for age-friendly communities in Winnipeg, and help to accommodate changes through addressing perceived neighbourhood safety concerns and facilitating increased physical activity among middle-aged and older adults.

Whole body vibration (WBV) training is a relatively new training technique and is considered low intensity as it elicits non-voluntary muscle contractions generated by mechanical vibrations. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week WBV training paradigm on the physical capacities and fatigability of overweight young female adults. We hypothesized that WBV would increase fat free mass as well as leg power and strength, decrease the fatigue index of the lower limbs during the Wingate test, increase fatigue resistance, improve neuromuscular efficiency and decrease fatigue perception in overweight young female adults. Participants (n=24) were overweight young female adults (body fat percentage 30-35) between the ages of 20 and 40 and were randomized into 2 groups; control group (CON; n=10) or whole body vibration group (VIB; n=14). This study consisted of six weeks of training and four testing sessions: 2 before (sessions 1 & 2) and 2 following (sessions 3 & 4) the training regimen. During testing sessions 1 and 3, the basal metabolic rate, body composition, leg power (Wingate), elasticity index (EI), squat and countermovement jumps and fatigue perception (questionnaires) were assessed for all subjects. Isokinetic tests to measure strength and muscle fatigue tests were performed during testing sessions 2 and 4. The training protocol lasted 6 weeks and exercises were performed 3 times a week. Sessions lasted 30 minutes and entailed 15 sets of 1-minute exercises followed by 1-minute rest intervals. One set consisted of 15 controlled and timed squats (15 flexion and extension per minute). The VIB group performed their exercises on the power Plate® pro 6. Vertical vibration amplitude settings were kept on low (2mm) throughout the entire 6 weeks and set at a frequency of 30Hz for weeks 1-3 and increased to 35Hz for weeks 4-6. The CON group performed the same exercises without vibration. iv The results revealed that a 6-week WBV training regimen had no effect on body composition or basal metabolic rate. WBV training did not affect EI as evidenced by similar squat jump and countermovement jump measures for both the CON and VIB groups. WBV training had no effect on leg power as measured using the Wingate ergocycle. The Wingate test did show a decrease in the fatigue index for both groups (p˂0.05). Unexpectedly, a decrease in strength was found in extension phase during the eccentric contractions (120°/s) and flexion phase during concentric contractions (120°/s and 180°/s). As there were no changes in fat free mass, it seems that the reduction in strength was due to central changes. The fatigue rate represented by regression slopes showed that the VIB group was more fatigue resistant post training compared to the CON group. Fatigue perception as measured using a multidimensional approach with questionnaires (FSS, MFI and SHARP) revealed no changes in fatigability for either group. To conclude, this study demonstrated that WBV training in overweight young female adults had minimal effects on the physical capacities and fatigability of our subjects. Higher intensity vibration parameters, a longer training regimen or individualized vibration parameters may have greater benefits for overweight subjects and should be considered in future studies.

Relocation to a personal care home is a stressful experience and may occur at a traumatic moment in life. The effects of relocation to a PCH on nutritional status are unknown, yet under-nutrition is common among PCH residents. Objectives: To explore the effect of relocating to a PCH on the nutritional status, eating habits, and nutrition attitudes of adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: Fourteen Caucasian older adults (F = 57%) with a mean age of 83 years (SD = 9.79) consented to participate. Sixty-four percent of participants experienced inter-institutional relocation. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary information was collected at Time Points A (2-3 months following relocation) and B (6-7 months following relocation) through face-to-face interviews, medical chart reviews and communications with nursing staff. Results: At Time B, cognitive function declined (z = -2.185, p < .05) and the number of medications prescribed increased (z = -2.00, p < .05). Levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were insufficient among 83% of participants at both time points. Mean serum albumin was 34.4 ± 7.2 g/L at Time B and the prevalence of nutritional risk increased from 57% to 77%. Dietary intake was inadequate according to Canada’s Food Guide recommendations. Nutrition attitudes did not change. Implications & Conclusions: Six months following relocation, nutritional risk was more prevalent, with early evidence of possible protein-energy malnutrition. Nutritional inadequacies may result if dietary intakes do not improve. A collaborative approach is needed to assess environmental, psychosocial and nutritional factors that contribute to poor dietary intake and will assist in the development of an intervention program.

This thesis contains an account of research into the experiences of a group of women who returned to education as mature undergraduate students at a university in the Midlands. The aim of the research was to discover why such women failed to fulfil their academic potential in the conventional system and their motives for returning to education at a later stage. The study traces their educational histories from initial schooling, through re-entry to education as adults, to their admission to university as mature undergraduate students. A further group of women at various stages of re-entry are identified and described. Their histories are compared with those of the undergraduate sample. The empirical study is set in the context of a detailed discussion of gender acquisition and the experiences, expectations and attainments of girls at school. Two further issues of social class and family circum tances are explored. The current developments within adult education, both policies and practices, are discussed. Finally, the various educational options available to adults who wish*to continue their education are detailed. The study concludes with an analysis of the re-entry points and educational opportunities available to women and stresses the need for relevant information and advice to be made more readily available. An appendix contains a full report of a research project carried out by the author, while compiling a directory of the educational and training opportunities available to women in England and Wales.

It has been hypothesized that depression can be both a risk factor and a consequence of oral diseases. Tooth loss leads to discomfort, pain, and functional limitations which could lead to disability and, subsequently, to handicap. However, the association between depression and edentulism has not been established yet. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 2.1 were used to examine the association between edentulism and depression in community-dwelling Canadians 45 years of age and older. Separate logistic regression models were developed for dentate and edentulous groups as well. Different regression selection methods were implemented and the area under the ROC curve was used to select models with the highest predictability. Analysis showed that edentulism was not associated with depression. For the edentulous group, oral/facial pain was the only oral health factor predicting depression, whereas avoiding smiling or laughing, dry mouth, oral/facial pain predicted depression in the dentate individuals.