Objective To examine the tracking (ie, the stability over time) of dietary intake in Mexican-American and white children aged 4 to 12 years. Subjects Children 4 years of age (n=351) were assessed at baseline and 65% (n=228) completed the 8-year study. Design Cardiovascular disease-related dietary intake was defined as energy, percent of energy from fat, and sodium (mg/1,000 kcal). From age 4 to 7 years, a modified 24-hour recall with observation of lunch and dinner and interview of the primary food preparer for unobserved foods was used to describe dietary intake. For children aged 11 to 12 years, a standardized 24-hour recall was used. Statistical Analyses A mixed effects model that adjusted for sex, ethnicity, and measurement wave allowed for separation of shorter-term variations in diet from more stable (“between subject”) variations. Extent of between-subject variance is an indication of tracking. Results From age 4 to age 7, there were statistically significant between-subject variance components for energy (P<.00001), percent of energy from fat (P<.00001), and sodium per 1,000 kcals (P<.001); for ages 11 and 12, energy intake was significant (P<.00001). There were no significant associations for dietary intake from age 4 to 12 years. Conclusions/Applications It seems that dietary intakes are stable over short periods and at earlier ages compared with longer intervals and later ages. Nutrition interventions are needed in childhood and throughout adolescence. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:683–689.
We developed and evaluated a brief measure of fruit and vegetable consumption for adolescents. The measure was reliable and significantly correlated with 3-day food record data. Correct classification rate (63%) and specificity (63%) were good. Sensitivity (33%) was lower. The measure is recommended, although improvements in classification are still needed.
Although accurate needs assessments are essential if mental health programs are to meet community needs, the needs assessment literature has focused upon d
Inflammation is a part of the host defense system, which provides protection against invading pathogens. However, it has become increasingly clear that inflammation can be evoked by endogenous mediators through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) to enhance tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we discuss the roles of TLR-mediated inflammation in tumor progression and the mechanisms through which it accomplishes this pathogenic function.
Promoting physical activity is a high priority in the United States, especially for Native American populations, due to very high rates of inactivity-related chronic diseases. High-quality physical activity measures can contribute to achieving health goals. Measuring a sample of the population can identify high-risk subgroups and geographic locations that can be targeted for interventions. Outcomes of physical activity interventions should be evaluated because this is the only way to determine whether they are effective. Three types of measures are practical for use in nonresearch settings, although they still present challenges. First, self-reports are commonly used; they are low-cost but the least accurate. Second, objective monitors such as pedometers, accelerometers, and heart rate monitors can provide accurate information, but resources and expertise are needed to collect and manage data. Third, direct observation can be used to evaluate school physical education programs and assess how people are using parks and other physical activity facilities. Studies of Native American populations have used a variety of measures. Good evaluations can lead to program improvements, documenting positive results can attract funding to continue and expand programs, and communicating results can persuade other communities to adopt effective approaches. Program evaluations using quality physical activity measures can contribute to achieving the goal of improved health in Native American communities.
Although personal determinants of exercise behavior have been studied extensively, few investigators have examined the influence of the physical environment on exercise habits. A random sample of 2,053 residents of San Diego, CA, were surveyed regarding exercise habits and other variables. A total of 385 exercise facilities in San Diego were classified into categories of either free or pay. After the addresses of respondents and facilities were located on a grid-map and coded, the density of exercise facilities around each respondent's home address was computed. Subjects who reported engaging in three or more exercise sessions per week reported a statistically greater density of pay facilities near their homes than did those who reported no exercise sessions, after controlling for age, education, and income. The finding suggests an association between proximity of exercise facilities and frequency of exercise.
This study investigated the variance in sitting, walking, and moderate and vigorous physical activity explained by neighborhood design and recreational environmental variables above and beyond the variance accounted for by individual demographic variables.Cross-sectional analyses of self-reported survey data.A random sample of inhabitants of Ghent, Belgium, aged 18-65 years, was drawn.Five hundred twenty-one adults completed questionnaires (52.1% response rate). The average age of the sample was 41 years, and 48.2% were female.A questionnaire developed to assess neighborhood design and recreational environmental variables with a total of 81 items was administered. The environmental questionnaire showed acceptable to good reliability and acceptable validity. The previously validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to quantify physical activity in the past 7 days. Additional demographic information was also obtained.Regression analyses showed that environmental variables were related to all types of physical activity in both sexes. However, the range of variance explained by the models including demographic and environmental variables was low, only 5% to 13%. Minutes of walking and of moderate-intensity activity were related to quality of sidewalks and accessibility of shopping and public transportation. Vigorous physical activity was related to presence of activity supplies in the home and number of convenient activity facilities outside the home.Both neighborhood design and recreational environment variables had small but significant associations with multiple types of physical activity in a sample of Belgian adults.
Although personal determinants of exercise behavior have been studied extensively, few investigators have examined the influence of the physical environment on exercise habits. A random sample of 2,053 residents of San Diego, CA, were surveyed regarding exercise habits and other variables. A total of 385 exercise facilities in San Diego were classified into categories of either free or pay. After the addresses of respondents and facilities were located on a grid-map and coded, the density of exercise facilities around each respondent's home address was computed. Subjects who reported engaging in three or more exercise sessions per week reported a statistically greater density of pay facilities near their homes than did those who reported no exercise sessions, after controlling for age, education, and income. The finding suggests an association between proximity of exercise facilities and frequency of exercise.
