Measured parental weight status and familial socio-economic status correlates with childhood overweight and obesity at age 9

Background: Parental obesity is a predominant risk factor for childhood obesity. Family factors including socio-economic status (SES) play a role in determining parent weight. It is essential to unpick how shared family factors impact on child weight. This study aims to investigate the association between measured parent weight status, familial socio-economic factors and the risk of childhood obesity at age 9. Methodology/Principal Findings: Cross sectional analysis of the first wave (2008) of the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study. GUI is a nationally representative study of 9-year-old children (N = 8,568). Schools were selected from the national total (response rate 82%) and age eligible children (response rate 57%) were invited to participate. Children and their parents had height and weight measurements taken using standard methods. Data were reweighted to account for the sampling design. Childhood overweight and obesity prevalence were calculated using International Obesity Taskforce definitions. Multinomial logistic regression examined the association between parent weight status, indicators of SES and child weight. Overall, 25% of children were either overweight (19.3%) or obese (6.6%). Parental obesity was a significant predictor of child obesity. Of children with normal weight parents, 14.4% were overweight or obese whereas 46.2% of children with obese parents were overweight or obese. Maternal education and household class were more consistently associated with a child being in a higher body mass index category than household income. Adjusted regression indicated that female gender, one parent family type, lower maternal education, lower household class and a heavier parent weight status significantly increased the odds of childhood obesity. Conclusions/Significance: Parental weight appears to be the most influential factor driving the childhood obesity epidemic in Ireland and is an independent predictor of child obesity across SES groups. Due to the high prevalence of obesity in parents and children, population based interventions are required.

Comparing motives, goals and weight training behaviours of competitive and recreational weight trainers: An application of organismic integration theory and goal contents theory

The study purpose was to examine differences between competitive and recreational weight trainers on indices of motivation, goals and behaviour. Data was collected from a purposive sample of competitive (n = 177; Mage = 30.86; SDage = 11.35) and recreational (n = 196; Mage = 21.97; SDage = 6.05) weight trainers using a cross-sectional, non-experimental design. Participants completed the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2R, Exercise Motivations Inventory-2, assessment of weight training behaviour and demographic questions. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated higher endorsement of autonomous motives and mostly intrinsically-oriented goals, while independent samples t-tests indicated higher frequency of weight training behaviour among the competitive weight trainers. Group differences were independent of demographic factors. Findings suggest that autonomous motives and intrinsic goals may not be undermined by competition among competitive weight trainers. This study also provides support for the utility of organismic integration theory and goal contents theory in examining strength-based exercise.

Socio economic factors influencing the persistence and control of filariasis in Kerala-A case study of malayan filariasis in Cherthala

In general the behavioural sciences have contributed very little to filariasis research.Man's actions in creating vector breeding sites have been noted and discussed frequently inthe frlariasis literature. but virtually no systematic studies of these fonns of behavior have been undertaken (Dunn. 1979). Human behavioural observations and inquires into values and attitudes atfecting behavior that inhibits or promotes vector breeding are essential if any progress is to be made in developing self help programmes of vector control. Therefore, a systematic study on the socio-economic aspect of the community is warranted before undertaking any control programme against filariasis. In view of this the present study has been carried out which reveals the knowledge, attitude and practice concerning the causation, transmission, treatment and control of the disease. Socio economic factors that influence the creation and maintenance of vector breeding habitats were identified. characterization and ranking of these sociological factors will be helpful in identifying the determinants of human behavioural changes towards the containment of the disease- Information on the existing indigenous perception of the disease and the factors that hinder the control will be useful in developing a sound strategy from the human angle, which can be put to practical use.

Abordajes teóricos en la comprensión de la influencia de los recursos económicos en la actividad física

Estudio cualitativo que analiza los abordajes teóricos utilizados por diferentes autores en la comprensión de la influencia de los recursos económicos en la actividad física desde los modelos de determinantes y determinación social.

Conceptos y prácticas de la actividad física que se reproducen en las clases sociales: aproximación desde el enfoque determinantes/ determinación social de la salud

El concepto de actividad física es concebido de diferentes formas. Mostrando que existen varios factores que afectan de manera directa e indirecta la percepción que los sujetos construyen entorno a él, generando así una aproximación a diferentes definiciones de la actividad física desde varias perspectivas y dimensiones, donde predomina una noción netamente biológica. Este estudio pretende analizar, como desde las clases sociales se concibe la actividad física en sus conceptos y prácticas considerando los modelos de determinantes y determinación social para la salud. Con fin de comprender como los autores de la literatura científica conciben la actividad física y la relación con las clases sociales, desde una perspectiva teórica de los determinantes sociales de la salud y la teoría de la determinación social, se realizó una revisión documental y análisis de contenido de los conceptos y prácticas de la actividad física que se han considerado en los últimos 10 años. Para ello se seleccionaron las bases de datos PubMed y BVS (Biblioteca Virtual de Salud) por sus énfasis en publicaciones de salud mundialmente. Mostrando que la actividad física es concebida dominantemente desde una perspectiva biológica que ejerce una mirada reduccionista. Las relaciones entre actividad física y las clases sociales están claramente establecidas, sin embargo, estas relaciones pueden discrepar teniendo en cuenta el concepto de clase social, el contexto y la orientación de los autores y las poblaciones objetos de estudio. Obteniendo como resultado que los estudios documentados, revisados y analizados muestran una clara tendencia al modelo de determinantes; no obstante, algunos estudios en sus análisis se orientan hacia el modelo de determinación social. En cuanto al concepto de clases sociales los autores consideran una combinación de factores culturales y económicos sin atreverse a adoptar un concepto específico.

Novel strategies in feedforward adaptation to a position-dependent perturbation

To investigate the control mechanisms used in adapting to position-dependent forces, subjects performed 150 horizontal reaching movements over 25 cm in the presence of a position-dependent parabolic force field (PF). The PF acted only over the first 10 cm of the movement. On every fifth trial, a virtual mechanical guide (double wall) constrained subjects to move along a straight-line path between the start and target positions. Its purpose was to register lateral force to track formation of an internal model of the force field, and to look for evidence of possible alternative adaptive strategies. The force field produced a force to the right, which initially caused subjects to deviate in that direction. They reacted by producing deviations to the left, into the force field, as early as the second trial. Further adaptation resulted in rapid exponential reduction of kinematic error in the latter portion of the movement, where the greatest perturbation to the handpath was initially observed, whereas there was little modification of the handpath in the region where the PF was active. Significant force directed to counteract the PF was measured on the first guided trial, and was modified during the first half of the learning set. The total force impulse in the region of the PF increased throughout the learning trials, but it always remained less than that produced by the PF. The force profile did not resemble a mirror image of the PF in that it tended to be more trapezoidal than parabolic in shape. As in previous studies of force-field adaptation, we found that changes in muscle activation involved a general increase in the activity of all muscles, which increased arm stiffness, and selectively-greater increases in the activation of muscles which counteracted the PF. With training, activation was exponentially reduced, albeit more slowly than kinematic error. Progressive changes in kinematics and EMG occurred predominantly in the region of the workspace beyond the force field. We suggest that constraints on muscle mechanics limit the ability of the central nervous system to employ an inverse dynamics model to nullify impulse-like forces by generating mirror-image forces. Consequently, subjects adopted a strategy of slightly overcompensating for the first half of the force field, then allowing the force field to push them in the opposite direction. Muscle activity patterns in the region beyond the boundary of the force field were subsequently adjusted because of the relatively-slow response of the second-order mechanics of muscle impedance to the force impulse.

”Jos tietää, mitä haluaa.” Seurantatutkimus lukio-opiskelijoiden itsesäätelystä, opiskelun kulusta ja odotusten toteutumisesta

Tutkimuksen päätarkoituksena on selvittää lukio-opiskelijoiden käsityksiä oppimisensa itsesäätelystrategioista. Lukiokoulutuksessa toteutetut muutokset kuten valinnanmahdollisuuksien lisääntyminen ovat antaneet lukio-opiskelijoille kasvaneen mahdollisuuden omanlaisensa lukio-opiskelupolun suunnitteluun ja yksilölliseen tavoitteenasetteluun. Työssä tarkastellaan myös lukio-opiskelijoiden opintojen kulkua, erilaisia opiskeluodotuksia ja niiden toteutumista sekä näiden yhteyttä itsesäätelyyn. Tutkimus toteutettiin seurantatutkimuksena, jossa kyselylomakkeilla kerättiin tietoa syksyllä 2004 Turun kaupungin suomenkielisissä päivälukioissa (10 koulua) opintonsa aloittavilta opiskelijoilta kahdesti; ensimmäisenä ja kolmantena opiskeluvuotena. Tutkimuksessa oli mukana 245 opiskelijaa, 142 tyttöä ja 103 poikaa. Tutkimuksen vastausprosentti oli 84 %. Kyselylomakkeiden itsesäätelyä ja oppimisorientaatioita koskevat kysymykset pohjautuivat Jan Vermuntin ILS-oppimistyylimittariin (Inventory of Learning Styles) (Vermunt 1994; 1996). Lisäksi haastateltiin 15 tutkimuksessa mukana ollutta opiskelijaa. Kyselylomakeaineisto analysoitiin ristiintaulukoinneilla, korrelaatiokertoimilla, t-testeillä ja erilaisilla varianssianalyyseillä. Itsesäätelystrategiamittarin neljän summamuuttujan oletus testattiin erikseen mittauksissa 1 ja 2 konfirmatorisen faktorianalyysin avulla. Tutkimuksessa identifioitiin klusterianalyysillä tehdyssä ryhmittelyssä neljä erilaista lukio-opiskelijaryhmää: menestyvät navigoijat, tavalliset tasapainoilijat, säätelemättömät kulkeutujat ja ylikuormittuneet avuntarvitsijat. Navigoijille on tyypillistä niin prosessin/ tulosten kuin sisällön suhteen korkea itsesäätely. Tyypillinen piirre navigoijien kohdalla on myös ulkoisen säätelyn korkea taso. Avuntarvitsijat eroavat muista ryhmistä selkeästi korkeampien puutteellisten säätelystrategioidensa perusteella, vaikka heidän itsesäätelynsä on suhteellisesti niihin ja muihin ryhmiin nähden melko korkealla tasolla. Tasapainoilijat sijoittuvat itsesäätelyn ja ulkoisen säätelyn osalta ryhmien keskitasolle. Kulkeutujien itsesäätely samoin kuin ulkoinen säätely ovat ryhmien matalinta tasoa. Tuloksista nähdään, että kehittyneemmällä itsesäätelyllä on selvä yhteys lukio-opintojen sujuvuuteen ja opintomenestykseen, mutta noin kolmasosalle opiskelijoista itsesäätelevä, suunnitelmallinen tavoitteenasettelu on vaikeaa. Navigoijilla ja tasapainoilijoilla opiskelu on sekä heille itselleen mielekästä että ulkoisesti arvioituna tehokasta. Joidenkin opiskelijoiden erityisesti avuntarvitsijoiden ja kulkeutujien keskuudessa opintojen kulku sen sijaan hapuilee. Lukiolaisten opiskeluun kohdistuvien odotusten voidaan tämän tutkimuksen tuloksen perusteella katsoa ennustavan todellista opintojen kulkua ja opintomenestystä melko hyvin. Eroja on sekä tavoitetasossa, opiskeluprosessiin liittyvissä kokemuksissa että jatko-opintosuunnitelmissa ja ne ovat yhteydessä sukupuoleen, isän sosioekonomiseen asemaan, erikoislinjalla opiskeluun sekä lukion alun itsesäätelyryhmiin.

How does socio economic position link to health behaviour? Sociological pathways and perspectives for health promotion

Socio economic inequalities in adult health behaviour are consistently observed. Despite a well-documented pattern, social determinants of variations in health behaviour have not been sufficiently clarified. This article therefore presents sociological pathways to explain the existing inequalities in health behaviour. At a micro level, control beliefs have been part of several behavioural theories. We suggest that these beliefs might bridge the gap between sociology and psychology by emphasising their roots in fundamental socio-economic environments. At a meso level, social networks and support have not been explicitly considered as behavioural determinants. This contribution states that these social factors influence health behaviour while being unequally distributed across society. At a macro level, characteristics of the neighbourhood environment influence health behaviour of its residents above and beyond their individual background. Providing further opportunity for policy makers, it is shown that peer and school context equalise inequalities in risky behaviour in adolescence. As a conclusion, factors such as control expectations, social networks, neighbourhood characteristics, and school context should be included as strategies to improve health behaviour in socially disadvantaged people.

Communicative repair strategies and problem behaviours of children with autism

The use of strategies by children with developmental disabilities to repair communicative breakdowns has received little attention in the research literature to date. The research that is available suggests that children with severe communication impairments may be more likely to experience communicative breakdowns than their typically developing peers. These children may also have fewer strategies available to them to repair these breakdowns. The present article reviews some of the research in this area and discusses the possible links between communicative breakdowns and the emergence of problem behaviour in children with autism. Theoretical and practical implications are considered and areas for future research are highlighted.

Do managerial strategies influence service behaviours? Insights from a qualitative study

Based on a review of the extant literature, a conceptual framework for analyzing the associations between managerial strategies (internal communications, empowerment, supportive leadership and professional development), employee job attitudes (organizational commitment and job satisfaction) and prosocial service behaviours (PSBs) is developed. The authors explore the relevance of the proposed conceptual model and testable propositions regarding the associations between managerial strategies, employee attitudes and PSBs by conducting in-depth interviews of FLEs in a travel service organization. Based on the findings of the in-depth interviews, the relationships between managerial strategies, job attitudes and PSBs in the conceptual framework are largely supported.

Do managerial strategies influence service behaviours? Insights from a qualitative study

Based on a review of the extant literature, a conceptual framework for analyzing the associations between managerial strategies (internal communications, empowerment, supportive leadership and professional development), employee job attitudes (organizational commitment and job satisfaction) and prosocial service behaviours (PSBs) is developed. The authors explore the relevance of the proposed conceptual model and testable propositions regarding the associations between managerial strategies, employee attitudes and PSBs by conducting in-depth interviews of FLEs in a travel service organization. Based on the findings of the in-depth interviews, the relationships between managerial strategies, job attitudes and PSBs in the conceptual framework are largely supported.

Étude des déterminants démographiques de l’hypotrophie fœtale au Québec

Cette recherche vise à décrire l’association entre certaines variables démographiques telles que l’âge de la mère, le sexe, le rang de naissance et le statut socio-économique – représenté par l’indice de Pampalon – et l’hypotrophie fœtale au Québec. L’échantillon est constitué de 127 216 naissances simples et non prématurées ayant eu lieu au Québec entre le 1er juillet 2000 et le 30 juin 2002. Des régressions logistiques portant sur le risque d’avoir souffert d’un retard de croissance intra-utérine ont été effectuées pour l’ensemble du Québec ainsi que pour la région socio-sanitaire (RSS) de Montréal. Les résultats révèlent que les enfants de premier rang et les enfants dont la mère était âgée de moins de 25 ans ou de 35 ans et plus lors de l’accouchement ont un risque plus élevé de souffrir d’hypotrophie fœtale et ce dans l’ensemble du Québec et dans la RSS de Montréal. De plus, les résultats démontrent que le risque augmente plus la mère est défavorisée. Puisque l’indice de Pampalon est un proxy écologique calculé pour chaque aire de diffusion, les intervenants en santé publique peuvent désormais cibler géographiquement les femmes les plus à risque et adapter leurs programmes de prévention en conséquence. Ainsi, le nombre de cas d’hypotrophie fœtale, voire même la mortalité infantile, pourraient être réduits.

Relationships among epilepsy self-management, health outcomes, and socioeconomic status

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between epilepsy self-management and disease control and socio-economic status. Study participants were adult patients at two epilepsy specialty clinics in Houston, Texas that serve demographically and socioeconomically diverse populations. Self-management behaviors- medication, information, safety, seizure, and lifestyle management were tested against emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and seizure occurrence. Overall self-management score was associated with a greater likelihood of hospitalizations over a prior twelve month time frame, but not for three months, and was not associated with seizure occurrence or emergency room visits, at all. Scores on specific self-management behaviors varied in their relationships to the different disease control indicators, over time. Contrary to expectations based on the findings of previous research, higher information management scores were associated with greater likelihood of emergency room visits and hospitalizations, over the study's twelve months. Higher lifestyle management scores were associated with lower likelihood of any emergency room visits, over the preceding twelve months and emergency room visits for the last three months. The positive associations between overall self-management scores and information management behaviors and disease control are contrary to published research. These findings may indicate that those with worse disease control in a prior period employ stronger self-management efforts to better control their epilepsy. Further research is needed to investigate this hypothesis.^