Preventive medicine
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Preventive medicine · Dec 2003
The development of SisterTalk: a cable TV-delivered weight control program for black women.
Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in the United States, with black women disproportionately affected. SisterTalk is a weight control program designed specifically for delivery to black women via cable TV. The theoretical and conceptual frameworks and formative research that guided the development and cultural tailoring of SisterTalk are described. ⋯ Community networking and both qualitative and quantitative interview techniques from the fields of social marketing and cultural anthropology were used to involve black women from Boston in the design and implementation of a program that would be practical, appealing, and culturally sensitive. Also discussed are strategies for evaluating the program, and lessons learned that might have broader applicability are highlighted. The development of the SisterTalk program could provide a useful starting point for development of successful weight control programs for black women in other parts of the United States as well as for other ethnic and racial groups.
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Preventive medicine · Nov 2003
Social class, family, and life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among adults in Peruvian cities.
Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in Latin America. ⋯ The study showed elevated rates of overweight across the income level spectrum. Factors such as urban development stage, income, education, and gender posed differential relationships with the risk of overweight and must be considered in designing future public health interventions. Underestimation of body weight status and sedentary behavior may also constitute specific areas of intervention.
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Preventive medicine · Nov 2003
Associations between recommended levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life. Findings from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey.
Although the benefits of regular physical activity on morbidity and mortality are established, relationships between recommended levels of physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have not been described. The authors examined whether recommended levels of physical activity were associated with better HRQOL and perceived health status. ⋯ These results highlight the need for health programs to increase participation in regular physical activity.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2003
The impact of adverse childhood experiences on health problems: evidence from four birth cohorts dating back to 1900.
We examined the relationship of the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACE score) to six health problems among four successive birth cohorts dating back to 1900 to assess the strength and consistency of these relationships in face of secular influences the 20th century brought in changing health behaviors and conditions. We hypothesized that the ACE score/health problem relationship would be relatively "immune" to secular influences, in support of recent studies documenting the negative neurobiologic effects of childhood stressors on the developing brain. ⋯ Growing up with ACEs increased the risk of numerous health behaviors and outcomes for 20th century birth cohorts, suggesting that the effects of ACEs on the risk of various health problems are unaffected by social or secular changes. Research showing detrimental and lasting neurobiologic effects of child abuse on the developing brain provides a plausible explanation for the consistency and dose-response relationships found for each health problem across birth cohorts, despite changing secular influences.
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Preventive medicine · Sep 2003
The problem is getting us to stop. What teens say about smoking cessation.
Low participation and high dropout in many teen cessation programs may be due to lack of fit between teens' needs and the way programs are delivered. Qualitative studies, designed to identify and understand preferences of intervention participants and barriers to participation, offer opportunities to customize programs and improve their reach and effectiveness. ⋯ Teen smokers can supply valuable information to improve youth cessation programs to fit teen lifestyles, respect the challenges teens face, and acknowledge their choice in making the decision to quit.