It's not just the television: survey analysis of sedentary behaviour in New Zealand young people

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour has been linked with adverse health outcomes in young people; however, the nature and context of being sedentary is poorly understood. Accurate quantification and description of sedentary behaviour using population-level data is required. The aim of this research was to describe sedentary behaviour among New Zealand (NZ) youth and examine whether sedentary behaviour differs by Body Mass Index (BMI) status in this population.

METHODS: A national representative cross-sectional survey of young people aged 5-24 years (n = 2,503) was conducted in 2008-2009. Data from this survey, which included subjectively (recall diary; n = 1,309) and objectively (accelerometry; n = 960) measured sedentary behaviour for participants aged 10-18 years were analysed using survey weighted methods.

RESULTS: Participants self-reported spending on average 521 minutes per day (standard error [SE] 5.29) in total sedentary behaviour, 181 minutes per day (SE 3.91) in screen-based sedentary activities (e.g., television and video games), and 340 minutes per day (SE 5.22) in other non-screen sedentary behaviours (e.g., school, passive transport and self-care). Accelerometer-measured total sedentary behaviour was on average 420 minutes per day (SE 4.26), or 53% (SE 0.42%) of monitored time. There were no statistically significant differences in time spent in sedentary behaviour among overweight, obese and healthy/underweight young people.

CONCLUSIONS: Both subjective and objective methods indicate that NZ youth spend much of their waking time being sedentary. No relationships were found between sedentary behaviour and BMI status. These findings extend previous research by describing engagement in specific sedentary activities, as well as quantifying the behaviour using an objective method. Differences in what aspects of sedentary behaviour the two methods are capturing are discussed. This research highlights the potential for future interventions to target specific sedentary behaviours or demographic groups.

Intensive care nurses' knowledge of enteral nutrition: a descriptive questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Nurses have an important role in the delivery and management of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients, to prevent iatrogenic malnutrition. It is not clear how nurses source enteral nutrition information. 

How can we improve models of care in inflammatory bowel disease? An international survey of IBD health professionals.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few studies have specifically examined models of care in IBD. This survey was designed to help gather information from health professionals working in IBD services on current care models, and their views on how to best reshape existing models for IBD care worldwide. METHODS: An online mixed-methods survey was conducted with health professionals caring for IBD patients. Recruitment was conducted using the snowballing technique, where members of professional networks of the investigators were invited to participate. Results of the survey were summarised using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the 135 included respondents, 76 (56%) were female, with a median age of 44 (range: 23-69) years, 50% were GI physicians, 34% nurses, 8% psychologists, 4% dieticians, 2% surgeons, 1% psychiatrists, and 1% physiotherapists. Overall, 73 (54%) respondents considered their IBD service to apply the integrated model of care, and only 5% reported that they worked exclusively using the biomedical care (no recognition of psychosocial factors). The majority of respondents reported including mental health assessment in their standard IBD care (65%), 51% believed that an ideal IBD service should be managed in specialist led clinics, and 64% wanted the service to be publicly funded. Respondents pictured an ideal IBD service as easy-access fully multi-disciplinary, with a significant role for IBD nurses and routine psychological and nutritional assessment and care. CONCLUSIONS: Health care professionals believe that an ideal IBD service should: be fully integrated, involve significant roles of nurses, psychologists and dieticians, run in specialist clinics, be easily accessible to patients and publicly funded.

What do participants of the Crohn's and Colitis UK (CCUK) Annual York Walk think of their Inflammatory bowel disease care? A short report on a survey

There has been a growing interest in a patient-centered model of care in inflammatory bowel disease; however, no relevant study using a mixed methodology has been conducted to date. Thus, our multidisciplinary group aimed to explore the issue of patient involvement in care among the inflammatory bowel disease community. A mixed-methods anonymous survey was conducted during the Crohn's and Colitis UK annual event. Summary statistics were used to describe the sample, and a simple thematic analysis identified key themes in qualitative responses. There were 64 survey respondents, representing 73% of the total family/friend groups participating (N = 87). Overall, 75% of respondents answered that they had the opportunity to discuss their care with their inflammatory bowel disease practitioner and 81% felt their opinions were taken on board and valued. A clear majority (84%) had at some point been treated by a gastroenterologist. In contrast, less than half (44%) had the opportunity for a dietician consultation and only 28% had the opportunity for a psychologist/counselor consultation. Although satisfaction with inflammatory bowel disease care was high, access to specialty services was concerning. Efforts should be made to provide access to mental health practitioners for those with clinically significant anxiety and/or depression.