The Foodservice Industry's Social Responsibility Regarding the Obesity Epidemic, Part I: Parallels to Other Public Health Issues and Potential Legal Implications

The incidence of obesity among both children and adults in the United States (U.S.) has reached epidemic level. If not quickly curtailed, it represents significant long-term costs to all facets of the U.S. economy. The foodservice industry has contributed to this major public health issue. Parallels between the obesity epidemic and the public health issues of smoking and foodborne illnesses could influence the foodservice industry's response to obesity concerns. Of particular note are the parallels between the liability litigation and legislative actions related to smoking and the tobacco industry. This industry has a history of taking socially responsible actions regarding public health issues. There is potential for costs to the foodservice industry from similar anti-obesity litigation and legislation if the industry does not once again assume social responsibility relative to the current obesity crisis and is not proactive in efforts to combat obesity

Bahamian men's sexual risks for HIV infection

Heterosexual adult men have been a neglected population that is at risk for HIV infection. In an era burdened by the devastation caused by HIV, it is alarming that risky sexual behavior continues to be a problem among heterosexuals. Heterosexual sexual behavior has contributed to a growing trend of HIV transmission in the Caribbean where the average prevalence in the adult population is 5%. Despite the availability of condoms and HIV prevention efforts of many Caribbean public health departments to reduce the spread of the disease, there appears to be barriers to safer sex practices. Guided by the theory of planned behavior, a descriptive correlational design was used with 185 Bahamian men ages 18 years and older to (a) examine the relationships among select demographics, masculine ideology, condom attitudes, self-efficacy for condom use, and safer sex behaviors; and (b) identify select predictors of condom use among Bahamian men. Data were collected using four standardized instruments and a demographic questionnaire. The results of this study suggest that masculine ideology, condom attitudes, and condom use self-efficacy are important in explaining 33% variance in safer sex behaviors among Bahamian men. Income (β = −.15, p < .01), masculine ideology (β = −.24, p < .01), condom attitudes, (β = .36, p < .01), and condom use self-efficacy (β = .1, p < .01) were significantly associated with safer sex behaviors. The empirical knowledge obtained from this study will be used to provide a rationale for nurses and policy makers to design and conduct culturally sensitive interventions with an aim of achieving an increase in safer sex behaviors among Bahamian men.^

Miami-Dade Health Department to Move to Florida International University , Model Clinic to Work with Medical, Public Health and Nursing Faculty

Press Release from Florida International University 's Office of Media Relations on the Miami-Dade Health Department's agreement with Florida International University to relocate its department to Florida International University 's University Park campus.

The effects of health education on student health -related behaviors

During their transitional period from childhood to adulthood, adolescents engage in risk-taking behaviors that become public health concerns. It is important for school health education professionals to design instructional programs that focus on adolescents' developmental needs and foster healthier lifestyles. The goal of health education is to help students acquire health skills that are necessary to succeed in school and in life. This is especially important because the increase in teenagers' risky behaviors can affect their health, well being, and eventually the course of their lives. ^ This study examined the effects of health education on health-related behaviors of public high school students. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted to determine whether the comprehensive approach based on The Jessors' Problem Behavior Theory (PBT) had a greater impact on adolescents' risk-taking behaviors than the traditional approach. After 18 weeks of health instruction using one of these approaches, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was administered to measure the level of subjects' self-reported behaviors in six categories of adolescent risky behaviors: the use of tobacco; the use of alcohol and other drugs; engagement in injurious activities; consumption of unhealthy diet; an inadequate level of participation in physical activities; and engagement in risky sexual activities. ^ The results of this study did not support the hypothesis that using the comprehensive health education approach was more influential than the traditional health education approach in improving students' health-risk behaviors. Further research studies based on bio-psychosocial theories are needed to develop and evaluate methods of instruction and delivery of health skills. ^