Biomedical subjects

B M Pinto

Publications and source records attributed to B M Pinto.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Weight control smoking among sedentary women.

This study examined characteristics associated with weight control smoking among 281 sedentary women enrolled in a smoking cessation trial. A series of regression models were developed to identify predictors of weight control smoking as measured by the Smoking Situations Questionnaire. Predictor variables included demographic variables, dietary intake, weight gain following previous quit attempts, dietary restraint, self-efficacy for weight management, smoking behavior, exercise behavior, negative affect and psychological constructs relevant to smoking cessation, and exercise adoption. In the final predictor model, anticipation of weight gain in the current quit attempt, higher dietary restraint, younger age, greater Fagerstrom scores, greater number of pounds gained in previous quit attempts, and lower levels of self-efficacy to manage weight in negative affect situations were associated with smoking for weight control. Treatment implications for women who smoke for weight control reasons are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Longitudinal shifts in employees' stages and processes of exercise behavior change.

PURPOSE: This study examines the usefulness of using the stages and processes of change model to explore exercise adoption and maintenance over time. DESIGN: Data for this study were collected as part of the baseline and follow-up survey of participants in a worksite health promotion project. SUBJECTS: Three hundred fourteen employees completed exercise questionnaires. The average age was 41 years, mean body mass index was 26, average years of education were 13, and 66% were women. SETTING: The study was conducted in two worksites, a retail outlet and a manufacturing company. MEASURES: Previously validated questionnaires to determine stages and processes of exercise adoption were administered at baseline and 6-month follow-up, along with questions about demographic variables. RESULTS: Four patterns of stage change emerged: subjects who became more active (adopters, 26%), those who became less active (relapsers, 15%), and those who did not change over time (stable sedentary, 32%; stable active, 27%). Adopters displayed increases in use of the processes of change, whereas relapsers displayed decreases in process use. Stable profiles were associated with no change in process use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have important implications for research on exercise adoption and maintenance. Interventions tailored specifically to subjects' stage of readiness to be active and using specific processes to help in the change process are warranted at this time.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized trial of a "talking computer" to improve adults' eating habits.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy of an intervention delivered by an interactive, computer-controlled telephone system to improve individuals' diets. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Large multispecialty group practice. SUBJECTS: Two hundred ninety-eight adults who were both sedentary and had suboptimal diet quality. INTERVENTION: Weekly communication for 6 months via a totally automated, computer-based voice system. Among intervention group subjects, the system monitored dietary habits and provided educational feedback, advice, and behavioral counseling. Control group subjects received physical activity promotion counseling. MEASURES: Daily intake of fruits, vegetables, red and processed meats, whole fat dairy foods, and whole grain foods estimated from a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age 45.9 years, 72% women, 45% white, and 45% African-American. Among participants who completed diet assessments, compared with the control group, the intervention raised fruit intake a mean of 1.1 servings per day (95% confidence interval [CI] .4, 1.7). On a 0 to 100 global diet quality score combining all five food groups, intervention participants improved their mean score 9 (95% CI 4, 13) points more than in the control group. The intervention also raised dietary fiber intake 4.0 g/d (95% CI .1, 7.8) and decreased saturated fat, as a proportion of energy intake, by 1.7% (95% CI -2.7, -.7). CONCLUSIONS: This computer-based telecommunications dietary behavior intervention helped improve participants' overall diet.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Application of theoretical models to exercise behavior among employed women.

PURPOSE: This study examines the utility of three theoretical models--the stages of change model, self-efficacy theory, and the decisional balance model--in understanding exercise behavior among employed women. DESIGN: Data for this cross-sectional study were collected as part of a routine follow-up of a worksite-based smoking and health risk appraisal study. SETTING: The study was conducted in three Rhode Island worksites, including one manufacturing company, one medical center, and one retail outlet. SUBJECTS: Of a sample of 431 women who completed exercise questionnaires, 293 reported participation in a physical activity over the previous week. The average age of the sample was 41.1 years, and mean years of education was 12.8. MEASURES: Previously validated measures to determine stage of exercise behavior, exercise self-efficacy, exercise decisional balance, and physical activity participation were administered. Additional demographic information was also obtained. RESULTS: Frequency counts revealed that 39% of the population was sedentary, 34% were participating in irregular activity, and 27% were active. MANOVAs followed by one way ANOVAs revealed that women in Precontemplation scored the lowest and those in Maintenance scored the highest on the self-efficacy, pro, and decisional-balance indices, with the trend reversed on the con scale. A chi-square test revealed that women with one or more young children in the home were more likely to be in a lower stage of exercise adoption. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women in this cross-sectional study did not engage in regular activity. Presence of young children in the home was significantly related to decreased activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Demography↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Training and maintenance of breast self-examination skills.

Maintenance of breast self-examination (BSE) skills is crucial to the effectiveness of self-exams in early detection of breast tumors. Although researchers have developed an effective technology for training in these skills, the actual maintenance of such skills remains questionable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of reassessment (and retraining) on maintenance of BSE skills. Twenty-nine women (ages 25-64 years) were trained to complete BSE using the MammaCare training program. Experimental subjects were required to demonstrate their skills at a two-month reassessment and received retraining if their skills had declined below set standards. Measures of proficiency were obtained by requiring all subjects to examine breast models at pretraining, posttraining, and two follow-ups (four months and one year). Lump detection rates were significantly higher in the experimental group at both follow-ups. The control group showed a significant decrease in lump detection rates between posttraining and each follow-up. Results suggest that, after training, periodic reassessment (and retraining) could prevent significant deterioration of BSE skills.

Breast Neoplasms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Promoting physical activity in women: the new challenges.

INTRODUCTION: Participation in physical activity has important implications for the physical and psychological well-being of women. Although researchers and educators have previously focused chiefly on the promotion of vigorous activity, exercise experts have focused recently on recommendations promoting moderate activity in American adults that may have important ramifications for women. OBJECTIVES: We discuss the prevalence of activity levels among women, the barriers women encounter in becoming active, and implications for the adoption and maintenance of moderate activity. INTERVENTIONS: We present the lessons learned from theory-based intervention studies, for these findings could serve as a basis to accomplish the new objectives. CONCLUSIONS: Finally, we outline the research and policy issues that should be addressed for researchers and health educators interested in preventive health care in women.

Adult↗