Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2014
Editorial Biography Historical ArticleStriving for excellence while adapting to change: redefining our mission of serving the preventive medicine community.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2014
ReviewRandomized controlled trial lifestyle interventions for Asian Americans: a systematic review.
Asian Americans are the fastest-growing race in the United States. However, they are largely underrepresented in health research, particularly in lifestyle interventions. A systematic review was conducted to analyze the characteristics and quality of lifestyle intervention literature promoting changes in physical activity (PA), diet, and/or weight management targeting Asian Americans. ⋯ Evidence of the efficacy for lifestyle interventions among Asian Americans was mixed. Recommendations include: more rigorous RCT designs, more objective measures, larger Asian American sample sizes, culturally appropriate interventions, individual tailoring, maintenance phase with support, and providing education and modeling of lifestyle behaviors.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2014
ReviewAddressing cancer control needs of African-born immigrants in the US: a systematic literature review.
Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, African immigrants have worse cancer outcomes. However, there is little research about cancer behaviors and/or interventions in this growing population as they are generally grouped with populations from America or the Caribbean. This systematic review examines cancer-related studies that included African-born participants. ⋯ Barriers to screening included access (e.g. insurance), pragmatic (e.g. transportation), and psychosocial barriers (e.g. shame). Interventions to improve cancer outcomes in African immigrants are needed. Research that includes larger samples with diverse African subgroups including cancer survivors is necessary to inform future directions.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2014
ReviewA primer on the use of cluster analysis or factor analysis to assess co-occurrence of risk behaviors.
The aim of this paper is to provide a guideline to a universal understanding of the analysis of co-occurrence of risk behaviors. The use of cluster analysis and factor analysis was clarified. ⋯ By integrating theory and results from an illustrative example, a guideline has been provided that contributes towards a systematic approach in the assessment of co-occurrence of risk behaviors. Following this guideline, a better comparison between outcomes from various studies is expected, leading to improved effectiveness of multiple behavior change interventions.
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Preventive medicine · Oct 2014
Association between self-reported physical activity and indicators of body composition in Malaysian adolescents.
Obesity and lack of physical activity are fast becoming a concern among Malaysian adolescents. ⋯ This study demonstrates that high physical activity scores were associated with the decreased precursor risk factors of obesity.