Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Mary Story

Publications and source records attributed to Mary Story.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Bone outcomes and technical measurement issues of bone health among children and adolescents: considerations for nutrition and physical activity intervention trials.

Weight-bearing physical activity and calcium intake are two important behavioral influences for bone health. Physical-activity and calcium-intake intervention trials with youth have been implemented to evaluate their efficacy and effectiveness to decrease the risk for subsequent osteoporosis and fractures. Technical aspects of bone measurement have not been routinely reported in published trials of youth, even though they can have an impact on study findings and interpretation. This paper provides an overview of the outcome variables reported, and technical issues--such as software and bone detection, growth, and movement--that affect bone mass measurements among children and adolescents. It describes the implications of these issues for the interpretation of intervention effects observed in intervention trials, and provides recommendations for future research.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2004

Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children and Adolescents in the US.

In recent years, the food and beverage industry in the US has viewed children and adolescents as a major market force. As a result, children and adolescents are now the target of intense and specialized food marketing and advertising efforts. Food marketers are interested in youth as consumers because of their spending power, their purchasing influence, and as future adult consumers. Multiple techniques and channels are used to reach youth, beginning when they are toddlers, to foster brand-building and influence food product purchase behavior. These food marketing channels include television advertising, in-school marketing, product placements, kids clubs, the Internet, toys and products with brand logos, and youth-targeted promotions, such as cross-selling and tie-ins. Foods marketed to children are predominantly high in sugar and fat, and as such are inconsistent with national dietary recommendations. The purpose of this article is to examine the food advertising and marketing channels used to target children and adolescents in the US, the impact of food advertising on eating behavior, and current regulation and policies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Correlations between family meals and psychosocial well-being among adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between frequency of family meals and multiple indicators of adolescent health and well-being (tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; academic performance; self-esteem; depressive symptoms; and suicide involvement) after controlling for family connectedness. METHODS: Data come from a 1998-1999 school-based survey of 4746 adolescents from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities in the Minneapolis/St Paul, Minn, metropolitan area. Logistic regression, controlling for family connectedness and sociodemographic variables, was used to identify relationships between family meals and adolescent health behaviors. RESULTS: Approximately one quarter (26.8%) of respondents ate 7 or more family meals in the past week, and approximately one quarter (23.1%) ate family meals 2 times or less. Frequency of family meals was inversely associated with tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use; low grade point average; depressive symptoms; and suicide involvement after controlling for family connectedness (odds ratios, 0.76-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that eating family meals may enhance the health and well-being of adolescents. Public education on the benefits of family mealtime is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods: associations with sex and weight-control behaviors.

The objective of the study was to examine adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Ninth- to 12th-grade students (n=1,083) in 20 Minnesota high schools completed mail surveys (response rate=74%) as part of baseline measurements (Fall 2001) in a randomized controlled trial (TACOS: Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools). Linear models examined attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Girls were more likely than boys to report positive attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods (all P<.01). Weight-control practices were associated with more positive attitudes about and higher consumption of low-fat foods. Promoting low-fat snacks to adolescents who are interested in weight control may be an effective component of nutrition intervention programs because these students have more positive attitudes about low-fat foods. Dietitians' efforts to educate adolescents about the benefits and healthfulness of low-fat foods would aid intervention programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Weight-control behaviors among adolescent girls and boys: implications for dietary intake.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between healthful and unhealthful weight-control behaviors and dietary intake among adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey (Project EAT [Eating Among Teens]).Subjects/Setting The study population included 4144 middle and high school students from Minneapolis/St. Paul public schools from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Statistical analyses Dietary intake patterns were compared across adolescent girls and boys reporting unhealthful, only healthful, or no weight-control behaviors in unadjusted analyses and analyses adjusted for sociodemographic factors and energy intake. RESULTS: Among girls, mean intakes differed across weight-control behaviors for all foods and nutrients examined. P values ranged from P=.006 to P<.001. Girls using unhealthful weight-control behaviors had significantly lower intakes of fruit; vegetables; grains; calcium; iron; vitamins A, C, and B-6; folate; and zinc than girls using only healthful weight-control behaviors. Compared with girls reporting no weight-control behaviors, girls using unhealthful weight-control behaviors had lower intakes of grains, calcium, iron, vitamin B-6, folate, and zinc. In contrast to the girls, boys reporting unhealthful weight-control behaviors did not have poorer dietary intakes than boys not using weight-control behaviors or using only healthful behaviors. Among boys, there were no significant differences in mean intakes of vegetables; grains; calcium; iron; vitamins A, C, and B-6; folate; and zinc. Furthermore, boys using unhealthful weight-control behaviors had higher fruit intakes (P=.002) than boys reporting no weight-control behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent girls who engage in unhealthful weight-control behaviors are at increased risk for dietary inadequacy. The findings demonstrate a need for interventions to prevent unhealthful weight-control behaviors in adolescent girls, and to promote healthful weight-control behaviors when indicated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Factors associated with soft drink consumption in school-aged children.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with nonalcoholic carbonated beverage (soft drink) consumption in children. DESIGN: Mail-in surveys collected by Dragonfly, a children's educational magazine distributed nationally to elementary and middle schools, were analyzed. The survey included questions about frequency of soft drink consumption and factors related to soft drink consumption. SUBJECTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 560 children, 8 to 13 years old, who completed and mailed in the survey. There was an equal distribution of boys and girls (51% and 49%, respectively). STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Frequency distributions were calculated and chi(2) tests were conducted to determine whether soft drink consumption and related factors varied by sex and age. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of soft drink consumption with each factor after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Preference for the taste of soft drinks was the strongest predictor in the analysis, with those who reported the strongest taste preference 4.50 times more likely (95% confidence interval=2.89-7.04) to consume soft drinks five or more times per week than those with a lower taste preference. Youth whose parents regularly drank soft drinks were 2.88 times more likely (95% confidence interval=1.76-4.72) to consume soft drinks five or more times per week compared with those whose parents did not regularly drink soft drinks. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that several factors may be associated with soft drink intake in school-aged children, most notably taste preferences, soft drink consumption habits of parents and friends, soft drink availability in the home and school, and television viewing. Additional research is needed to verify these findings in a representative sample of children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Parental attitudes towards soft drink vending machines in high schools.

Soft drink vending machines are available in 98% of US high schools. However, few data are available about parents' opinions regarding the availability of soft drink vending machines in schools. Six focus groups with 33 parents at three suburban high schools were conducted to describe the perspectives of parents regarding soft drink vending machines in their children's high school. Parents viewed the issue of soft drink vending machines as a matter of their children's personal choice more than as an issue of a healthful school environment. However, parents were unaware of many important details about the soft drink vending machines in their children's school, such as the number and location of machines, hours of operation, types of beverages available, or whether the school had contracts with soft drink companies. Parents need more information about the number of soft drink vending machines at their children's school, the beverages available, the revenue generated by soft drink vending machine sales, and the terms of any contracts between the school and soft drink companies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Are family meal patterns associated with disordered eating behaviors among adolescents?

PURPOSE: To examine associations between family meal patterns (frequency, priority, atmosphere, and structure of family meals) and disordered eating (unhealthy weight control behaviors, binge eating, and chronic dieting) in adolescent girls and boys. METHODS: Survey and anthropometric data were collected from 4746 ethnically diverse adolescents from public middle and senior high schools who participated in the Project EAT study (Eating Among Teens). Variables of interest included family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations between family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors adjusting for body mass index, sociodemographic characteristics, family connectedness, and weight pressures within the home. RESULTS: In general, adolescents who reported more frequent family meals, high priority for family meals, a positive atmosphere at family meals, and a more structured family meal environment were less likely to engage in disordered eating. For example, 18.1% of girls who reported 1-2 family meals/week engaged in extreme weight control behaviors compared with 8.8% of girls who reported 3-4 family meals/week. Making family meals a priority, in spite of scheduling difficulties, emerged as the most consistent protective factor for disordered eating. Associations between family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors tended to be stronger among girls than among boys. Family meal patterns were more consistently associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors than with chronic dieting and binge eating. Although associations between family meals and disordered eating were weakened after adjusting for more global familial factors, including family connectedness and weight-specific pressures within the home, a number of the associations remained statistically significant, suggesting an independent relationship between family meals and disordered eating. CONCLUSION: Family meals have the potential to play an important role in the prevention of unhealthy weight control behaviors among youth. Findings suggest that attention needs to be directed toward increasing family meal frequency and creating a positive environment for family meals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Depressive symptoms and adolescent eating and health behaviors: a multifaceted view in a population-based sample.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown significant associations between depression and substance use and eating disordered behaviors. However, no research to date has described associations between depressive symptoms and nutritional intake or physical activity among adolescents in a nonclinical, population-based sample. METHODS: Classroom surveys were completed by 4,734 ethnically diverse, middle- and high school students. Based on their depressive symptom scores, males and females were categorized with low-, moderate-, or high-depressive symptom status. Linear models were used to examine eating and health behavior variables by depressive symptom groups. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were positively associated with health-compromising attitudes such as perceived barriers to healthy eating and weight concerns, and health-compromising behaviors such as unhealthy weight-control behaviors and substance use, including caffeine. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with health-promoting behaviors such as eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, most associations between depressive symptoms and dietary micronutrients were not statistically significant. Health-promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was negatively associated with depressive symptoms among males. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who report depressive symptoms are at risk for other health-compromising attitudes and behaviors and are also less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Depressive symptoms may be an underlying trait in the expression of health behaviors among adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Measurement characteristics of weight concern and dieting measures in 8-10-year-old African-American girls from GEMS pilot studies.

BACKGROUND: Reliability and validity were established for weight concern measures completed by 8-10-year-old African-American girls participating in a pilot obesity prevention program. METHODS: Two hundred ten girls and parents participated in the program. Girls completed subscales of the McKnight Risk Factor Survey (MRFS) and body silhouette ratings, had height, weight, and body fat measured, wore accelerometers for 3 days, and completed two dietary recalls. Principal components analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were computed for weight concerns and body image measures along with convergent validity with body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), physical activity, and dietary intake. RESULTS: A Moderate Weight Control Behaviors (MWCB) subscale was derived from the MRFS. Overconcern with Weight and Shape (OWS) was a stand-alone scale. Internal consistency estimates for the scales were substantial ranging from 0.71 to 0.84. Test-retest reliabilities were moderate (0.45-0.58). OWS, MWCB, body silhouette rating, and body size discrepancy were positively associated with BMI and PBF. The "like to look" silhouette rating was negatively associated with PBF. CONCLUSIONS: Weight concern measures had reasonable levels of internal consistency and promising validity, but only moderate test-retest reliability among preadolescent African-American girls. Refinement and further validation of weight concern measures in this population are warranted.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Mothers' perceptions of their adolescents' weight status: are they accurate?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of mothers' perceptions of adolescents' weight status. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parent interviews and adolescent surveys (755) were conducted in an ethnically diverse sample from Project EAT (Eating among Teens). RESULTS: Adolescent weight status was accurately assessed by 60% of mothers, underestimated by 35% of mothers, and overestimated by 5% of mothers. In multivariate analyses, mothers of female adolescents were about half as likely to underestimate their adolescent's weight status as mothers of male adolescents. Nonoverweight mothers were about half as likely as overweight mothers to underestimate their adolescent's weight status. DISCUSSION: Most mothers are able to accurately assess their adolescent's weight status; however, adolescent gender and mothers' weight status are related to accuracy. Mothers were more likely to underestimate their sons' weights than their daughters' weights, and overweight mothers were more likely to be inaccurate in their assessments than nonoverweight mothers. Findings suggest that the majority of parents do not need to be told that their children are overweight; instead, messages to parents of overweight teens should focus on how to provide support for healthy weight management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity as a predictor of body composition in American Indian children.

OBJECTIVE: To examine physical activity in second grade American Indian children as a predictor of percentage body fat 3 years later. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Physical activity was assessed as average vector magnitude (AVM) counts from an accelerometer in 454 second grade children as part of the Pathways study. BMI was assessed, and skinfolds and bioelectrical impedance were used to estimate fat mass, fat-free body mass, and percentage body fat in validated prediction equations. Associations were examined using mixed models regression controlling for baseline body composition. RESULTS: In normal-weight children, higher AVM counts were significantly associated with decreases in percentage body fat. Among overweight children, higher AVM counts were significantly associated with increases in BMI, fat mass, and fat-free mass but not percentage body fat. DISCUSSION: Higher physical activity levels in second grade were associated with lower levels of percentage body fat in fifth grade in normal-weight but not in overweight children. BMI showed no association with physical activity among normal-weight children, and increases in BMI were associated with increasing amounts of physical activity among overweight children. These findings emphasize the importance of valid body composition measures and may indicate important differences in associations between physical activity and adiposity in normal-weight as compared with overweight children.

Body Composition↗
PubMed2004

Anthropometric, parental, and psychosocial correlates of dietary intake of African-American girls.

OBJECTIVE: This paper identifies the anthropometric, parental, and psychosocial characteristics and meal practices (e.g., breakfast skipping and number of meals and snacks consumed) associated with consumption of total energy, percent energy from fat, fruit, 100% fruit juice, vegetables, sweetened beverages, and water among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: This study included 114 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls and a parent or primary caregiver. Girls and a parent or primary caregiver completed several dietary questionnaires. Two 24-hour dietary recalls were conducted with each girl. Height and weight were measured. Separate hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each dependent dietary variable; potential field center differences were examined. RESULTS: The number of meals and snacks consumed was correlated with energy intake. Lower BMI was related to higher vegetable consumption, and the number of snacks consumed was positively related to sweetened beverage consumption. Greater low-fat food preparation practices reported by parents were related to lower consumption of fat as a percentage of total energy. DISCUSSION: Dietary behavior differed across geographic areas. Low-fat food preparation practices in the home seemed to be an important influence on the percentage of energy consumed from fat. Greater vegetable consumption was associated with lower BMI. Interventions to prevent excessive weight gain in African-American girls should encourage low-fat food preparation in the home and greater consumption of vegetables.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity among African-American girls: the role of parents and the home environment.

OBJECTIVES: African-American girls are at increased risk for becoming overweight. Increased physical activity may prevent this. This study examines measurements of girls' physical activity and associations with: BMI, parent's reported self-efficacy and support for helping daughters be active, girl's perceived support from parents for physical activity, parent's and girl's perceived neighborhood safety and access to facilities, and family environment. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Fifty-two 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls and their primary caregiver in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area participated in the Girls Health Enrichment Multisite Studies pilot intervention to prevent weight gain by promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Data collected included height, weight, physical activity level, and physical activity-related psychosocial measures from girl and parent. Girls wore an activity monitor for 3 days to assess activity level. Correlations were computed among the average minutes per day of moderate to vigorous activity between 12 pm and 6 pm and BMI and psychosocial measures. RESULTS: BMI was inversely correlated with moderate to vigorous activity (r = -0.35, p < 0.01), whereas parent's self-efficacy for supporting daughter to be active was positively correlated with activity (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). There was a trend for parent's reported support of daughter's activity level to be associated with activity (r = 0.26, p < 0.06). Girl's perception of parent's support for physical activity, perceived neighborhood safety and access to facilities, and family environment were not associated with girl's activity levels. DISCUSSION: Interventions to increase physical activity among preadolescent African-American girls may benefit from a parental component to encourage support and self-efficacy for daughters' physical activity.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Covariability in diet and physical activity in African-American girls.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to examine 12-week covariability in diet and physical activity changes among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls and if these changes predicted percent change in BMI. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Covariability among percent changes [(post - pre)/pre x 100] in nutrients, food groups, and physical activity was assessed among 127 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls. Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Percent change in percentage kilocalories from carbohydrate was negatively correlated with percent change in both percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.85; p < or = 0.01) and protein (r = -0.51; p < or = 0.01). No statistically significant relationships were observed in percent changes among food group variables. Negative relationships were observed between percent changes in fruit/100% juice and percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.20; p < or = 0.05) and between percent changes in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous and sedentary activity (r = -0.60; p < or = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between percent change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and diet variables or percent change in BMI or waist circumference and percent change in diet or physical activity. DISCUSSION: No relationships were observed between percent changes in physical activity and dietary variables. Percent change in diet and/or physical activity did not predict percent change in BMI. This may have been due to the small sample size, the small changes in diet or physical activity, the short duration of the intervention, or because data from different interventions were combined. Understanding these relationships could have significant implications for addressing the obesity epidemic.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2004

Weight-bearing physical activity among girls and mothers: relationships to girls' weight status.

OBJECTIVE: To assess weight-bearing physical activity (WBPA) barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, social influence, and behaviors [WBPA and physical activity (PA)] among girls and their mothers according to girls' weight status (nonoverweight vs. overweight). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants were 9- to 11-year-old girls (n = 295) and their mothers who participated in the baseline assessment of a nutrition and PA intervention trial. Girls' and mothers' WBPA attitudes and mothers' WBPA behaviors were self-reported on questionnaires. Girls' WBPA and total PA behaviors were self-reported using a structured interview (Physical Activity Checklist Interview). Stature and weight were measured by standardized anthropometrics. Overweight status was based on BMI. RESULTS: Compared with nonoverweight girls, overweight girls were significantly more likely to report barriers to WBPA participation and perceive social influence from family and friends to do more WBPA. They were also significantly less likely to report self-efficacy regarding WBPA and to believe that they did enough WBPA. Compared with mothers of nonoverweight girls, mothers of overweight girls were significantly more likely to report that it is difficult to persuade their daughters to do more WBPA and significantly less likely to report that WBPA was fun for their daughters. Girls' overweight status was not associated with girls' reports of minutes spent per week in PA or WBPA. DISCUSSION: The present study's findings of lower WBPA self-efficacy, lack of enjoyment of WBPA, and higher perceived social influence to do WBPA among overweight girls suggest that efforts are needed to promote physical competencies and positive perceptions of PA among overweight girls.

Adult↗