Are Self-Efficacy and Weight Perception Associated With Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Hispanic Adolescents?

Little is known about the correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in Hispanic adolescents. This study examined at baseline and 2-year follow-up: (1) the relationship between self-efficacy for physical activity and physical activity, (2) the association of weight perception with physical activity and sedentary behavior, and (3) whether sex moderated these associations. Hispanic adolescents ( N = 483 at baseline; age 15-17 years; 55.1% girls) completed questionnaires that assessed their self-efficacy for physical activity, weight perception, and time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Multiple-group path analyses were conducted to examine the proposed relationships and determine whether they were moderated by sex. Models controlled for body mass index, weight loss intention, participation on a sports team, language spoken at home, parental education, and country of birth. Self-efficacy was related to time spent in physical activity in boys ( b = .35, p < .001) and girls ( b = .41, p < .001) at baseline, but not 2 years later. No association was found for weight perception and time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior. Post hoc analyses for overweight participants at baseline showed that weight perception was associated with time spent watching television. Overall, the findings suggest that self-efficacy is an important correlate, but not a predictor, of physical activity among Hispanic adolescents. Including strategies to address and enhance self-efficacy for physical activity in lifestyle interventions may increase adherence to physical activity recommendations and help reduce the high prevalence of obesity in this population.

Mind-body group treatment for women coping with infertility: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of a 10-week mind-body intervention (MBI) for women coping with fertility challenges, examine the impact of an MBI on psychological distress and cortisol levels, and assess adherence to MBI skills 12-months after completion of the intervention. DESIGN: Prospective open pilot study of 51 women with infertility enrolled in a group MBI. Psychological variables and salivary cortisol levels were obtained pre- and post-intervention; a 12-month follow-up survey assessed MBI skill adherence. Participants completed practice logs throughout the intervention. RESULTS: Participants attended an average of eight sessions (SD = 2.0), and practiced mind-body techniques which elicited the relaxation response (RR) an average of 5.9 (SD = 0.8) days/week and 20.1 (SD = 9.9) min/day; 80% completed the post-treatment assessment. The intervention resulted in a significant increase in perceived social support and a decrease in depressive symptoms and perceived stress; however, there were no significant changes in cortisol levels. Sixty-eight percent of the participants completed the 12-month follow-up, with 51% reporting continuation of RR-eliciting practice. CONCLUSION: This group of women with infertility provided with an MBI showed decreased symptoms of depression and stress and increased perceived social support. The protocol was feasible and participants reported a high degree of adherence and maintenance to the skills taught during the intervention. The findings indicate the value of appropriate evaluation against a control group.

The effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body weight loss intervention for overweight and obese adults: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study evaluated the effectiveness of a comprehensive mind body intervention for weight loss in overweight and obesity and the maintenance of weight loss at 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: Thirty-one overweight and obese employees (Body Mass Index (BMI) 28.6-47.9 kg/m²) from a large corporation participated in a 20-week comprehensive mind body intervention targeting weight loss. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, rate pressure product (RPP), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and psychological variables were collected at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: Using linear mixed model analyses, the intervention resulted in significant mean weight loss (-4.3 kg, 95% CI -5.8 to -2.8), decreases in BMI (-1.51, 95% CI -2.1 to -1.0), hip circumference measurement (-4.3 cm, 95% CI -6.9 to -1.5), and triglyceride levels (95% CI -33.1 to -4.8). In 6-month follow-up after intervention, statistically significant improvements in weight, BMI and waist measurement were sustained. Participants also showed positive changes in self-reported psychological indices: food-related disinhibition, and hunger both decreased significantly (p<0.01); general self-efficacy increased (p<0.05); positive affect increased (p<0.001); physical function and self-esteem increased (p<0.01); and measures of health-promoting behaviors on 4 subscales (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, and stress management) also showed statistically significant improvements (p<0.001) at post-intervention and 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive mind body intervention showed modest effects on physical, laboratory, and psychological outcomes, both immediately following treatment and at 6-month follow-up, in overweight and obese individuals.

Optimism and adolescent perception of skin cancer risk.

OBJECTIVES: The present study examined comparative optimism for skin cancer (the belief that one is at lower risk for skin cancer than one's peers) among adolescents in two age groups: 11- and 12-year-olds versus 13- and 14-year-olds. Specifically, we tested whether optimism was enhanced when adolescents at lower relative risk (i.e., nontanners) were exposed to higher-risk comparison targets (photos of tanned models) and whether this effect was moderated by age. METHODS: Students (N = 211) viewed pictures of either tanned or fair-skinned models, and then responded to a questionnaire that included an assessment of their comparative optimism for skin cancer in later life. RESULTS: Students, as a whole, were comparatively optimistic about their likelihood of developing skin cancer, despite the fact that more than half (55.6%) of them reported intentionally tanning. Analysis of variance revealed a significant 3-way interaction among behavior (tanner vs. nontanner), target (pale vs. tanned model), and age (early vs. mid-adolescents). The interaction was driven by a particularly strong amount of comparative optimism in one group: mid-adolescent, nontanning students in the tan-target condition. CONCLUSIONS: Most adolescents believe they are less likely than their peers to experience a negative health outcome. It also appears that the relation between social comparison and comparative optimism develops with age, as only the midadolescent students showed evidence of making a self-to-target comparison.