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Biomedical subjects

A Worsley

Publications and source records attributed to A Worsley.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Dieting and slimming practices of South Australian women.

A random population survey of 406 Adelaide women who were aged 18 to 86 years, which was conducted in July, 1986, showed that in the previous year 68% of the women had exercised, 38% of the women had dieted, 15% of the women had fasted, 10% of the women had taken slimming tablets, 6% of the women had used diuretic agents and 3% of the women had used laxative agents in order to reduce or to control their weight. At the time of the survey 43% of women (60% of overweight women and 34% of non-overweight women) were attempting to lose weight. The most common reasons for wishing to lose weight were: to feel better (75% of women); to look better (65% of women); and health or medical reasons (33% of women). In addition, a majority of the women were dissatisfied with the shape of their stomach, hips, midriff, waist, thighs and buttocks. The family doctor, books and magazines acted as the major sources of information on dieting and weight control. However, most of the women felt that their doctors did not provide them with enough advice on this topic, and the women were almost unanimous in their criticism of the preoccupation of magazines with slimness. The results suggest that health professionals need to provide women with more advice on safe weight-control strategies and sensible body-weight goals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Prognostic features of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia: a modified Bournemouth score gives the best prediction of survival.

We have studied the clinical and laboratory features of 53 cases of chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) defined according to the FAB criteria. A granulocyte count of greater than 16 X 10(9)/l or a monocyte count of greater than 2.6 X 10(9)/l correlated with a poorer survival, but the best predictor of poor survival was the modified 'Bournemouth' score in which one point each was allocated for Hb less than 10 g/dl, neutrophils less than 2.5 X 10(9)/l or greater than 16 X 10(9)/l, platelets less than 100 X 10(9)/l and bone marrow blasts greater than 5%. A score of 2 or more was predictive of poor survival (Chi2 = 10.25; P less than 0.001). Those patients with low monocyte and neutrophil counts and a low modified Bournemouth score tended to have a clinical course similar to refractory anaemia (RA) with an indolent course not requiring treatment and long survival whereas those with high monocyte and neutrophil counts and a high modified 'Bournemouth' score have a clinical course resembling that of refractory anaemia with excess of blasts (RAEB).

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Characteristics that enhance adherence to high-carbohydrate/high-fiber diets by persons with diabetes.

This study sought to characterize 40 clients with diabetes, 19 of whom adhered to a high-carbohydrate/fiber diet and 21 of whom did not, in accordance with the adherence pattern. There would seem to be distinct differences in the characteristics of adherers and non-adherers. Dietary adherence was found to be independent for sex, age, occupation, marital status, ethnicity, and education. However, comparison of the groups' health and dietary perceptions showed that non-adherers, as opposed to adherers, were not concerned about reaching their ideal body weight; needed to be motivated to exercise by family or friends; did not perceive diabetes as a threat to their health; were not satisfied with their knowledge about diabetes; were not content with their nutrient status but believed they were consuming adequate amounts of carbohydrate; and believed that they did not need to change their intake of fruit, vegetables, and bread--liking/disliking of these foods being the most important barrier to dietary change. Such patients, identified in screening for potential dietary non-adherence, may benefit from the use of educational strategies different from those used with patients who are more oriented toward health.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. Peri-operative management of a patient with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

The peri-operative management of a patient with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria and associated hypoplastic anaemia, who underwent successful elective surgery for the complication of Budd-Chiari syndrome, is described. Anaesthesia in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria should be based on drugs and materials least likely to cause complement activation. The reasons for use of a technique based on benzodiazepines, opioids, isoflurane and the avoidance of nitrous oxide are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Nutrition awareness, health practices and dietary supplementation.

A detailed questionnaire was administered by mail to a random sample of 1000 Melbourne residents in June 1984 in order to assess their understanding of the Australian dietary guidelines. Seven hundred and thirty people returned questionnaires. The respondents were categorized as regular dietary supplementers (RS, n = 245); irregular dietary supplementers (IS, n = 84), or non-supplementers (NS, n = 370). Comparisons of the responses of these groups showed that more RS and IS women reported that they drank alcohol and experienced occupational stress; more RS and IS practised meditation-relaxation, and fewer RS were smokers. More of the RS expressed satisfaction with their nutrient status, whereas more of the IS and NS were dissatisfied about their intakes of fibre, starch, salt, sugar and calories. More of the RS practised a range of specific activities related to both orthodox and non-orthodox dietary recommendations, and they attached greater importance to them for their health. They had also referred to more sources of nutrition information in the year preceding the study. The results suggest that regular dietary supplementers are more oriented toward both orthodox and 'alternative' nutrition information than other people. However, they are likely to be a more receptive audience for nutritional or dietary recommendations, such as the dietary guidelines, than other sections of the general population.

Australia↗
PubMed1984

Australian dietary supplementation practices. Health and dietary supplements.

A random mail survey of 726 adults living in the Adelaide metropolitan area was carried out to determine the prevalence of dietary supplementation and its relationship to health. In the month before the survey, 37% of men and 53% of women had taken some form of supplement. The most popular supplements were bran, multivitamins, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C and wheatgerm. Most supplementation was used regularly (daily or almost daily) and over a prolonged period. Although the subjects who took supplements did not use medical facilities more often than those who took none, they reported having more bouts of minor illness in the preceding year. They also reported the more frequent occurrence of minor symptoms, and took more unprescribed medications than did those who did not use dietary supplements.

Australia↗
PubMed1984

Australian 10-year-olds' perceptions of food. III. The influence of obesity status.

Two studies were conducted which examined the relationships between 10-year-olds' body fat status and their perceptions of foods. The first study of 453 children showed that obese boys linked high-energy foods more to positive consequences, such as growth and satiation, than did slim boys. They also rated bread and potatoes as more fattening than did slim boys. In the second study, one-quarter randomized samples of 40 foods were presented to 500 children, on each of two forms on which the children rated the foods on eight attributes. Results of multivariate analyses showed that obese, average and slim children perceived foods differently along two general themes: (a) properties related to energy, and (b) tastiness-preference. The results are discussed in relation to possible social and physiological causes.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Social desirability response bias and dietary inventory responses.

Royal Australian Air Force recruits completed a dietary frequency inventory (n = 309), a short social desirability inventory phrased in dietary terms (SDF, n = 309), and, in addition, a subsample answered the Marlow-Crowne social desirability scale (n = 96). Correlational and factor analyses showed that the SDF scores were related to the MC scale; and, the scores on the SDF scale were significantly related to the reported consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and snack foods. In a further study, 20 lay persons were asked to sort the 66 foods listed in the dietary inventory into three categories: nutritionist-approved foods; nutritionist-disapproved foods; and, an 'uncertain' category. The results confirmed the finding that fresh fruit and vegetables were socially desirable foods, but sweet foods were not. It is concluded that social approval needs may influence the manner in which individuals report their consumption of these foods.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Slim and obese children's perceptions of physical activities.

Two studies of children's perceptions of physical activities were carried out. The first examined the views of 600 ten-year-olds drawn from seven regions of Australia; the second examined the views of 528 ten-year-olds from South Australia. Both studies revealed consistent differences between the perceptions of obese and slim children. Obese children evaluated endurance activities more negatively and flexibility-coordination activities more positively than slim children. These differences were highly stable between samples and over time.

Attitude↗
PubMed1981

In the eye of the beholder: social and personal characteristics of teenagers and their impressions of themselves and fat and slim people.

Fifty-nine female and 79 male secondary students rated six stimulus figures (self, ideal self, fat young man/woman, slim young man/woman) on 28 personal rating scales. They also complete the Eysenck personality Inventory. Each of the stimulus-figure data sets was factor analysed and the factor scores were related to role, personality, and perceived weight status by means of correlational and discriminant function analyses. The results showed that the perceives' sex, ethnicity and perceived weight status were related to their perception of the stimulus figures. These relationships included interactions between sex and ethnicity in their effects on reported views of ideal self and fat young woman (FYW). Daughters of European migrants reported more independent and stronger self-aspiration than did their peers, and sons of European migrants saw FYW mor positively that did the other subjects. The observed relationship between females' perceived weight status and their self-concepts suggest that body image may be of greater importance for girls that for boys of this age. Extraversion and neuroticism differed according to sex in their relationships with the subjects' perceptions of the FYW figure. These and other findings indicate that the presence or absence of obesity has relevance for social and psychological processes as well as for medical issues.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Students' perceptions of favourite and disliked foods.

Secondary students and tertiary dietetics and health education students rated their Favourite and Most Disliked foods on 35 seven-point rating scales. The resulting data were subjected to a series of factor analyses which indicated little difference between the students' conceptions of their Favourite and Most Disliked foods. The main factors were named: "Fattening-poor aspects', "Healthy aspects', "Appeal', "Simplicity-convenience', "Hardness-crunchiness'. Discriminant analyses of the factor scores indicated significant differences in the ways students of different ages, and from different ethnic and educational backgrounds, construed the foods. The results are discussed in relation to adolescent development, and a social motivation model of food choice is proposed.

Adult↗