Examining Student Perceptions of Tobacco Policy Enforcement on College Campuses in Texas.

Background. Colleges across the country are adopting tobacco-free policies to prevent and decrease tobacco use among college-aged young adults. Aims. This study examines differences between nontobacco, single-product, and polytobacco users' perceptions of the importance of enforcing tobacco-free policies, support for various enforcement strategies, and success of policy enforcement on campuses. Method. A Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to examine group differences on the importance of enforcing polices, support for enforcement strategies, and success of policy enforcement among 10,351 students attending 10 Texas colleges. Results. Findings show significant group differences on all dependent variables. Post hoc tests indicated that nontobacco users reported the most favorable responses, followed by single-product users, then polytobacco users. Discussion. Despite group differences, findings show all students feel it is important to enforce tobacco policies and support enforcement strategies but believe current campus enforcement efforts are only moderately successful. Conclusions. Findings may prompt administrators to adopt policy enforcement strategies to curb tobacco use on campuses.

"Don't eat so much:" how parent comments relate to female weight satisfaction.

PURPOSE: How will the words of a parent influence the adult weight of their daughter? This retrospective study evaluates how the recalled comments of parents made about the weight or eating habits of a daughter related to her adult BMI and satisfaction with her weight. METHOD: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted with 501 young women ranging in age from 20 to 35 (age 26.8, SD 3.1; BMI 25.96, SD 6.2), who were asked to indicate their weight satisfaction, eating habits, and BMI along with their recall of the extent to which they recalled their parents making weight-related or eating-related comments about them as a young girl. Linear regression analyses were run to examine the relationship between parental comments and women's weight satisfaction and BMI. RESULTS: A woman's dissatisfaction with her adult weight was only related to the extent she remembered her parents making any comments about her weight (p < 0.01), but not about how much she ate (p < 0.05)-even though both were positively related to her BMI (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). Even among normal-weight young women with similar weights, those who recalled their parents commenting about their weight were more dissatisfied with their body weight (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: In this retrospective study, a parent's comments about her childhood weight were related to her weight and body dissatisfaction as an adult. In contrast, comments about her eating habits were not significantly related to weight dissatisfaction.

Elementary school lunch categorisation and correlations with dietitian recommendations.

AIMS: Numerous interventions have been designed to impact children's diet in the elementary school setting. One popular strategy is to label foods in the elementary cafeteria as more or less healthy. An example is the Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) labels of 'go', 'slow', or 'whoa' foods. In many respects, this has been successful, as food purveyors have responded by offering more healthy versions of popular foods (e.g. hamburgers with a high soy content) in an effort to avoid the less healthy, 'whoa' label. While this provides an obvious benefit to children's dietary choices and overall risk of obesity, it may have the unintended consequence of not setting up youth to make healthy choices in the environment outside of schools where these foods have not been altered. In response, the current study was designed to compare school labels and registered dietitian (RD) recommendations of common elementary lunch options. METHODS: In the spring of 2010, 28 RDs provided their recommendation of 'generally healthy, choose often'; 'generally less healthy, choose less often'; and 'generally unhealthy, choose rarely' for 48 common school lunch options. RDs were not told how schools categorised each selection. Kappa analyses were used to determine agreement between school labels and RD recommendations. RESULTS: Results indicate some disagreement between school labels and RD recommendations, with higher fat/calorie entrées showing greater discrepancies. CONCLUSIONS: Given these inconsistencies, nutrition education in schools should be designed to help children and their parents understand how foods offered in school may differ from those outside the school environment.

Food neophiles: Profiling the adventurous eater.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to identify how food neophilia-having an adventurous eating style for new/different foods-may relate to body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A nationwide online survey was conducted in 2012 with a group of 501 diverse young women (mean age = 26.8, mean BMI = 25.96). Items measured eating adventurousness, perceptions of novel foods, lifestyle and psychological characteristics, and BMI (dependent variable). RESULTS: Linear regressions were run to examine associations between eating adventurousness and weight-related outcomes. To examine mean differences between adventurous and non-adventurous eaters, a one-way ANOVA was run for variables on perceptions of novel foods, lifestyle, and psychology (significance level = P < 0.05). Food neophiles had lower BMIs (P < 0.01) and were more likely to cook to connect with their heritage, host friends for dinner, be physically active, and be concerned about the healthfulness of food, when compared to non-adventurous eaters (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Promoting adventurous eating in adults could help individuals lose/maintain weight without feeling as restricted. Given the lack of research on food neophiles, future studies should examine their characteristics and behaviors, as well as how food neophiles may intersect with others interested in food (e.g., foodies).

Viewers vs. doers. The relationship between watching food television and BMI.

The objective of this study was to examine where nutritional gatekeepers obtain information about new foods, and whether information source is associated with Body Mass Index (BMI), as well as whether any association varied according to how often the participant cooked from scratch. A national panel survey of 501 females aged 20-35 assessed how participants obtained information on new recipes, and asked a series of questions about their cooking habits, their weight and height. Linear regressions were run to determine associations between information source, cooking from scratch, and BMI. Obtaining information from cooking shows was positively correlated with BMI (p <0.05), as was obtaining information from social media (p <0.05), whereas obtaining information from other print, online, or in-person sources was not significantly associated with BMI. A significant interaction between watching cooking shows and cooking from scratch indicated that cooking from scratch, as well as watching cooking shows was associated with higher BMI (p <0.05). Obtaining information about new foods from television cooking shows or social media - versus other sources - appears to have a unique relationship with BMI. Furthermore, watching cooking shows may have a differential effect on BMI for those who are merely TV "viewers," versus those who are "doers." Promoting healthy foods on cooking shows may be one way to positively influence the weight status of "doers" as well as "viewers."

Fruit and vegetable exposure in children is linked to the selection of a wider variety of healthy foods at school.

Schools often offer healthy fruits and vegetables (FV) and healthy entrées. However, children may resist these efforts due to a lack of familiarity with the offerings. While numerous exposures with a food increase its liking, it may be that an exposure to a variety of FV at home leads to greater willingness to select other foods - even those that are unrelated to those eaten at home. As an initial test of this possibility, this study was designed to examine how self-reports of exposure and consumption of various FV were associated with the selection of FV and lunch entrées at school. Participants (n = 59) were a convenience sample of elementary children. A median split was used to place students into high- and low-exposure groups for self-reports of both exposure and consumption at home. The primary dependent variables were self-reports of selecting FV at school; the children's absolute and relative ratings of eight 'healthier' lunch entrées; and self-reports of selecting these entrées. These entrées were recently added to the school menu and, therefore, tended to be less familiar to children. Food ratings were collected through taste exposures conducted at school. Results indicate that children who reported more frequent exposure to FV at home consumed a wider variety of FV at school and were more likely to report selecting 'healthier' entrées at school lunch. These data suggest that exposure to, and the consumption of, a variety of FV may make children more willing to select a wider range of FV and other healthy entrées.

Prevalence and harm perceptions of various tobacco products among college students.

INTRODUCTION: Although use of non-cigarette alternative tobacco products (ATPs) is increasingly prevalent in the United States, little is known about the varying patterns of tobacco use among college students. This study examined prevalence of ATP use and differences across 4 groups of students (nontobacco, cigarette-only, polytobacco, and ATP-only users) on perceptions of danger and beliefs about government safety evaluation of tobacco products. METHODS: An online survey was administered to 5,028 students attending 7 public universities within a larger university system (M age = 20.5 years, 59.6% female, 54.6% Hispanic/Latino). Multivariate analyses were conducted to investigate differences between the 4 groups on perceived danger of tobacco products and beliefs regarding government safety evaluation of these products. RESULTS: Prevalence of ATP use among the sample ranged from 0.4% for dissolvable tobacco to 10.8% for hookah. Group membership was significantly associated with perceived danger of each tobacco product, whereby cigarette-only and ATP-only users reported significantly higher levels of perceived danger for most ATPs than did polytobacco users. Furthermore, cigarette-only, polytobacco, and ATP-only users were significantly more likely than nonusers to believe that the government evaluates some tobacco products for safety. CONCLUSIONS: ATP use among young adult college students is prevalent. Furthermore, students who use ATPs in conjunction with cigarettes (i.e., polytobacco users) appear to be at highest risk for the continuation and subsequent dependence on nicotine, given their danger perceptions and beliefs of government evaluation. Future research examining trajectories of use, particularly among polytobacco users, is needed.

Characteristics and behaviors of non-overweight college students who are trying to lose weight.

The purpose of the current study was to examine characteristics and behaviors of college students who perceive themselves as underweight or about the right weight, yet report trying to lose weight, as compared to their counterparts. Participants included 944 students (M = 20.4 years, 61.1 % White; 64.7 % female) at a southwestern university. A composite of perceived weight and weight-related behavior was created. Participants who reported they were under- or about the right weight and trying to lose weight were included in this composite group. Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses were run to assess characteristics and behaviors of the composite group. Individuals in this group were significantly more likely to be women, in a fraternity/sorority, have a lower body mass index, engage in regular vigorous physical activity, exercise and/or diet to lose weight, and engage in unhealthy weight-control behaviors. These individuals were not more likely than their counterparts to consume 5 or more servings of fruits/vegetables daily, to engage in moderate physical activity, or to report smoking cigarettes in the past month. Further research is needed to understand why individuals who perceive themselves as under- or about the right weight engage in certain weight-loss behaviors. Interventions to target weight-related perceptions and behaviors among college-age individuals may need to address unhealthy weight-control measures.

Longitudinal bi-directional relationships between sleep and youth substance use.

Despite the known deficits in sleep that occur during adolescence and the high prevalence of substance use behaviors among this group, relatively little research has explored how sleep and substance use may be causally related. The purpose of this study was to explore the longitudinal bi-directional relationships between sleep duration, sleep patterns and youth substance use behaviors. Participants included 704 mostly white (86.4 %) youth, 51 % female, with a baseline mean age of 14.7 years. Self-reported substance use behaviors included past month alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use. Sleep measures included sleep duration on weekends and weekdays, total sleep, weekend oversleep, and weekend sleep delay. Cross-lagged structural equation models, accounting for clustering at the school level, were run to determine the longitudinal association between sleep and substance use adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, pubertal status, body mass index z-score, and depressive symptoms. Cigarette use and weekend sleep were bi-directionally related as were marijuana use and total sleep. No other bi-directional associations were identified. However, alcohol use predicted shorter weekend oversleep and marijuana use predicted increased weekend sleep and weekend oversleep. Sleep patterns and duration also predicted adolescents' cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use. Sleep, both patterns and duration, and substance use among youth are intertwined. Future research is needed to explore these bi-directional relationships, as well as other important contextual factors that may moderate these associations.

Associations between energy drink consumption and alcohol use behaviors among college students.

BACKGROUND: To explore associations between energy drink consumption and alcohol use among college students. METHODS: Participants included 585 students (m age=18.7; 47.0% White, 21% Hispanic, 25% Asian, 7% other race/ethnicity; 56.0% female). Energy drink behaviors included past month and past week consumption. Alcohol use behaviors included past month and past two week consumption, as well as heavy drinking and quantity of alcohol consumed. Consumption of energy drinks mixed with alcohol was also measured. Linear and logistic regression analyses between energy drink consumption and alcohol use were run controlling for gender, age, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS: For each one unit increase in past month (i.e., additional day used) energy drink use, the likelihood of past month alcohol use increased by 80%, heavy drinking by 80% and past month energy drinks mixed with alcohol use by 90%. Similar results were found for past week energy drink use. A positive relationship between energy drink use and quantity of alcohol consumed during a single episode of drinking was also found (p<0.001). Significant gender interactions between energy drink consumption and alcohol use as well as quantity of alcohol consumed were found, with relationships stronger among males than females. There were no significant interactions by race/ethnicity. CONCLUSIONS: Energy drinks are readily available to students and pose potential health risks. Students who report greater energy drink consumption also consume more alcohol, are more likely to mix energy drinks and alcohol, and experience heavy episodes of drinking, which is problematic given the potential negative consequences of these drinks.

Ethnic-specific weight-loss interventions for low-income postpartum women: findings and lessons.

Promoting weight loss among overweight low-income postpartum women has proven difficult. The study's aims were to pilot-test ethnic-specific weight-loss interventions using randomized control-group designs for White/Anglo (n = 23), African American (n = 25), and Hispanic low-income postpartum women (n = 23) and draw lessons from psychosocial data and follow-up interviews. Interventions lasting 13 weeks were offered in group settings in the community. Similar to other randomized trials with low-income mothers, weight changes between intervention and control groups were nonsignificant in each ethnic group; however, changes correlated significantly with self-efficacy (Spearman r = .50) for White/Anglo women and self-efficacy (Spearman r = -.48) and perceived stress (Spearman r = .48) for African American women. In follow-up interviews, women felt interventions gave a good foundation for weight loss, but program and situational factors affected participation and weight loss. Control groups (mailed interventions later) were generally more pleased with their assignment than intervention groups.

Self-efficacy scale for weight loss among multi-ethnic women of lower income: a psychometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct and predictive validity of the Physical Activity and Nutrition Self-Efficacy (PANSE) scale, an 11-item instrument to assess weight-loss self-efficacy among postpartum women of lower income. METHODS: Seventy-one women completed the PANSE scale and psychosocial measures at baseline and at 7 and 13 weeks of a pilot study of weight loss. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability of PANSE scores was r = 0.55 (P < .01). Cronbach α was r = 0.89. Construct validity was supported by correlations with less-healthful behaviors (r = -0.33, P = .005), perceived stress (r = -0.24, P = .04), and decisional balance (r = 0.25, P = .03). PANSE change scores correlated with intervention group weight changes (r = -0.54, P < .01), although baseline scores did not. One factor emerged (loadings .80 to .57). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The PANSE scale demonstrated adequate reliability, internal consistency, construct validity, and moderate predictive validity. Replication is needed to confirm study findings.

Ethnic-specific perceptions of altered control among American women: implications for health promotion programs after pregnancy.

This study describes some ethnically diverse psychosocial and behavioral contexts that influence low-income postpartum women's ability to focus on their health. Content analysis was conducted on data from ethnically concordant focus groups of low-income American Anglo, African American, and Hispanic women 12 to 24 months postpartum. All women described altered sense of "perceived control" as the context contributing to their postpartum health status, but sources and management of this perception varied by ethnicity. Effective health promotion interventions may include self-image building activities, stress management strategies and interventions that include family members but should address unique ethnic-specific contexts of low-income mothers.

Developing health promotion interventions: a Multisource Method applied to weight loss among low-income postpartum women.

Developing focused and relevant health promotion interventions is critical for behavioral change in a low-resource or special population. Evidence-based interventions, however, may not match the specific population or health concern of interest. This article describes the Multisource Method (MSM), which, in combination with a workshop format, may be used by health professionals and researchers in health promotion program development. The MSM draws on positive deviance practices and processes, focus groups, community advisors, behavioral change theory, and evidence-based strategies. Use of the MSM is illustrated in the development of ethnic-specific weight loss interventions for low-income postpartum women. The MSM may be useful in designing future health programs designed for other special populations for whom existing interventions are unavailable or lack relevance.

Altered perceptions of personal control about retained weight and depressive symptoms in low-income postpartum women.

Postpartum weight retention and depressive symptoms have a high prevalence among low income women. This qualitative study describes low-income women's experiences of weight changes and depressive symptoms during the late postpartum period. Women (n = 25) who were either overweight or had depressive symptoms, or both, at 12 months postpartum participated in an ethnically-congruent focus group. Women's experiences indicated altered personal control related to retained postpartum weight and depressive feelings. Retained weight negatively affected self-esteem and family functioning. Depression left women feeling isolated yet reluctant to seek help. These findings could provide the basis for health promotion interventions relevant to this population.