Dietary adequacy in community-dwelling older Chinese adults living in South Florida

A challenge facing nutrition care providers and the Chinese community is how to improve and maintain dietary adequacy (DA) and quality of life (QoL) in older Chinese Americans. Little is known about the factors contributing to DA and the relationships between DA and QoL among community-dwelling older Chinese adults in South Florida. A DA model and a QoL model were hypothesized. ^ Structured interviews with 100 Chinese Floridians, ages ≥60, provided data to test the hypothesized models, using structured equation modeling. Participants (mean age ± SD = 70.9 + 6.8 years) included 59% females, 98% foreign-born, 23% non-English speakers, and 68% residents of Florida for 20 years or more. The findings supported the study hypotheses: an excellent goodness-of-fit of the DA model (χ2/DF (7) = .286; CFI = 1.000; TLI = 1.704; NFI = .934; RMSEA < .001, 90% CI < .0001 to < .001; SRMR = .033; AIC = 30.000; and BIC = 66.472) and an excellent goodness-of-fit of the QoL model (χ2/DF (6) = .811; CFI = 1.000; TLI = 1.013; NFI = .979; RMSEA < .001, 90% CI < .001 to .116; SRMR = .0429; AIC = 34.869; and BIC = 73.946). ^ The DA model consisted of a structure of four indicators (i.e. Body Mass Index, food practices, diet satisfaction, and appetite) and one intervening variable (i.e. combining nutrient adequacy with nutritional risk). BMI was the strongest, most reliable indicator of DA with the highest predictability coefficient (.63) and the ability to differentiate between participants with different DA levels. The QoL model consisted of a two-dimensional construct with one indicator (i.e. physical function) and one intervening variable (i.e. combining loneliness with social resources, depression, social function, and mental health). Physical function had the strongest predictability coefficient (.89), while other indicators contributed to QoL indirectly. When integrating the DA model to the QoL model, DA appears to influence QoL via indirect pathways. ^ It is necessary to include a precise measure of BMI as the basis for assessing DA in this population. Important goals of dietary interventions should be improving physical function and alleviating social and emotional isolation. ^

Norm-based comparison of SF -12 physical and mental health scale scores for a sample of employees of Broward County

In the new health paradigm, the connotation of health has extended beyond the measures of morbidity and mortality to include wellness and quality of life. Comprehensive assessments of health go beyond traditional biological indicators to include measures of physical and mental health status, social role-functioning, and general health perceptions. To meet these challenges, tools for assessment and outcome evaluation are being designed to collect information about functioning and well-being from the individual's point of view.^ The purpose of this study was to profile the physical and mental health status of a sample of county government employees against U.S. population norms. A second purpose of the study was to determine if significant relationships existed between respondent characteristics and personal health practices, lifestyle and other health how the tools and methods used in this investigation can be used to guide program development and facilitate monitoring of health promotion initiatives.^ The SF-12 Health Survey (Ware, Kosinski, & Keller, 1995), a validated measure of health status, was administered to a convenience sample of 450 employees attending one of nine health fairs at an urban worksite. The instrument has been utilized nationally which enabled a comparative analysis of findings of this study with national results.^ Results from this study demonstrated that several respondent characteristics and personal health practices were associated with a greater percentage of physical and/or mental scale scores that were significantly "worse" or significantly "better" than the general population. Respondent characteristics that were significantly related to the SF-12 physical and/or mental health scale scores were gender, age, education, ethnicity, and income status. Personal health practices that were significantly related to SF-12 physical and/or mental scale scores were frequency of vigorous exercise, presence of chronic illness, being at one's prescribed height and weight, eating breakfast, smoking and drinking status. This study provides an illustration of the methods used to analyze and interpret SF-12 Health Survey data, using norm-based interpretation guidelines which are useful for purposes of program development and collecting information on health at the community level. ^

Sex-Positive Curricula: An Investigation of the Relationship Between Physical Fitness, Self-Concept and Sexual Functioning

Despite the well-recognized benefits of exercise, Americans are gaining weight in astounding proportions and levels of physical activity are on the decline. The purpose of this study was to investigate a relationship between physical fitness, self-concept and sexual health. There is a dearth of knowledge on this relationship specifically in the context of sex-negative curricula, which is the dominate discourse in the United States. One hundred and thirty-three participants between the ages of 18 - 50 volunteered for fitness testing and data collection. Physical fitness was assessed through body fat, resting metabolic rate, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility. Self-reported exercise was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Self-concept was measured by the Six Factor Self-Concept Scale, which presented a total self-concept score and as six individual concepts of self (likability, morality, task accomplishment, giftedness, power and vulnerability). Additionally, sexual function was measured by Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning and presented as both an aggregate score and five separate constructs of sexual functioning (fantasy/cognition, arousal, orgasm, behavior/experience, and drive/desire). Questions pertaining to sexual partners, sex education, and demographic information were also included. The results of the General Linear Model indicated significant relationships between physical fitness, self-concept and total sexual functioning. The sexual behavior/experience of men was predicted by body fat percentage and flexibility. In women, behavior/experience was predicted by body fat percentage and arousal was predicted by cardiovascular endurance. Total self-concept was related to muscular endurance. When men were isolated in the analysis, likability was positively related to sexual behavior/experience, and task accomplishment was inversely related to sexual behavior/experience. In women, giftedness was related to cognition/fantasy, arousal, orgasm and total sexual functioning. No relationships were found between physical fitness and the number of sexual partners in men; however, both muscular strength and the power self-concept were significantly related to number of sexual partners in women. As a result of these findings, women may be inclined to exercise to improve arousal and sexual functioning. Furthermore, educators should note the findings of a positive relationship between physical and psychological health and sexual well-being because they provide support for the development and adoption of sex-positive curricula that incorporate potential benefits of sexual activity.