Ten-year changes in cancer-related health behaviors and screening practices among Latino women and men in California

Objective . This study examines changes in cancer-related health behaviors and risk factors (overweight/obesity, unhealthy diet, high alcohol use, and smoking), and screening practices related to cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer among Latinos of predominantly Mexican origin in Monterey County, California.

Design . Data is from two cross-sectional surveys, conducted in 1990 and 2000, that included 919 women and 774 men from a community sample, and 276 men from an agricultural labor camp sample (ages 18–64).

Results . Over the 10-year period, the prevalence of obesity increased by 48% among community women, 47% among community men, and 91% among labor camp men. Although consumption of fruits and vegetables remained low and consumption of fried foods remained high, other diet-related behaviors showed significant improvements (e.g. milk consumption shifted from whole-fat to lower-fat among women from the community and men from the labor camps, use of lard or meat fat when cooking decreased among women and men from the community). In addition, alcohol intake decreased among men from both samples, as did smoking among labor camp men. There were large improvements for annual pap and mammography screening (increases from 53 to 71% for pap testing, and from 15 to 53% for mammography screening) but annual blood stool testing remained infrequent and unchanged.

Conclusion . These findings highlight the need for interventions and policies that improve knowledge, preventive care, and social environments to sustain improvements and address areas of special need in cancer prevention for Latinos, especially related to obesity and colorectal screening.     

Dieting status and its relationship to weight, dietary intake, and physical activity changes over two years in a working population

The present study prospectively examined changes in dietary intake, physical activity and weight associated with self-reported efforts to lose weight in a cohort of 3671 men and women sampled from the general population. Dieting efforts, dietary intake, physical activity and weight were measured at two points in time, 24 months apart. At baseline, current dieters reported consuming fewer dairy products, sweets, meat, soft drinks and fried potatoes (all p's < .0001), and engaging more frequently in high-intensity physical activity (p < .0001) than those not currently dieting. At follow-up, current dieters reported consuming fewer sweets (p < .0001) and fried potatoes (p < .0008), and engaging more frequently in moderate-intensity physical activity (p < .02) than those not currently dieting. Prospectively, those who initiated weight-loss diets showed the largest decrease in consumption of sweets (p < .0001), soft drinks (p < .0001), and fried potatoes (p < .01), and increase in frequency of high-intensity physical activity (p < .0001) and moderate-intensity physical activity (p < .007). Those initiating weight-loss diets were the only group to lose weight (1 lb.). Those dieting at baseline but not at follow-up gained the most weight (4 lbs.). Self-reports of current dieting correspond to reported changes in dietary intake and physical activity, and to measured changes in weight over the same time period. Individuals who report dieting to lose weight have healthier eating and exercise patterns than those who do not report dieting.     

Food habits, physical activity and body mass index in relation to smoking status in 40-42 year old Norwegian women and men

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to examine the associations between smoking habits, and dietary habits, physical activity and body mass index (BMI) in Norway in 1997-1999. METHODS: The study was cross-sectional. Data on smoking habits, consumption of selected foods and physical activity were collected by questionnaire while body height and weight were measured in 59,361 subjects 40-42 years in 11 Norwegian counties. RESULTS: In both genders, nearly twice as many never smokers than current smokers had fruit or vegetables at least twice a day; 25.5% versus 13.3% for women and 10.5% versus 4.6% for men. The proportion of non-smoking women with a high intake of fish and fruit/vegetables was considerably higher than that of non-smoking men. Mean BMI (95% confidence interval (CI)) was higher for never smokers than for current smokers; 25.2 (25.1-25.3) versus 24.7 (24.6-24.8) kg/m2 for women and 26.6 (26.5-26.7) versus 26.1 (26.0-26.2) kg/m2 for men. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > or =30 kg/m2) (mean and 95% CI) was 12.5% (11.9-13.1%) and 14.4% (13.7-15.1%) among never-smoking women and men, respectively, whereas in smokers, the prevalence of obesity was 10.3% (9.8-10.8%) in women and 12.3% (11.7-12.9%) in men. The prevalence of performing strenuous physical activity at least 1 h a week was approximately 10% lower among current smokers than among non-smokers for both men and women. CONCLUSION: We found that non-smokers had healthier eating habits and higher levels of physical activity than did smokers, whereas the prevalence of obesity was lower in smokers. On the other hand, there were considerable gender differences, and female smokers' eating habits were as healthy as non-smoking males' eating habits.     

Gender differences in body mass index and weight loss strategies among African Americans

The goals of this study were to examine gender differences in body satisfaction, obesity status, and weight loss strategies among African Americans. A self-administered survey was completed by a convenient sample of 789 African Americans, but 763 provided weight and height information. Significantly more men than women were satisfied or very satisfied with their weight. Based on self-reported weights, the mean body mass index for both men (26.61+/-4.23) and women (26.44+/-5.80) was greater than 25, thus classifying them as being overweight. Sixty-two percent of respondents had tried to lose weight in the last 12 months, with significantly more women trying to lose weight than men (P<.0001). Of those who tried to lose weight, most tried to lose weight by decreasing fried foods, decreasing sweets, and increasing exercise levels. Women were significantly more likely than men to use liquid meals, to use diet pills, to join a weight loss program, and to increase exercise levels to lose weight (P<.05).     

Is parenting style related to children's healthy eating and physical activity in Latino families?

Parenting styles influence a child's risk for obesity. The goals of this study are to evaluate the influence of (i) parenting style on children's health behaviors (physical activity and dietary intake), (ii) children's sociodemographic characteristics on parenting style and on children's health behaviors and (iii) parents' sociodemographic characteristics on their use of controlling styles to promote a healthy home environment. Survey and anthropometric data were collected from a community sample of Latino parents (n = 812) and their children in kindergarten through second grade. Parental use of positive reinforcement and monitoring was associated with children's healthy eating and exercise. Also, parents' use of appropriate disciplining styles was associated with healthier eating, while parental use of control styles was associated with unhealthy eating. The daughters of parents who used controlling styles ate more unhealthy foods than did the sons. Older, employed and more acculturated parents used less controlling styles than their counterparts. Parenting interventions targeting children's dietary intake and physical activity should encourage parents to use more positive reinforcement and monitor their children's health behaviors as these parenting styles are associated with healthier behaviors. Moreover, intervention researchers may want to encourage Latino parents to use less controlling styles with girls as this parenting style increased girls' risk for unhealthy eating.     

2018年某高校新生体质指数及生活习惯的调查分析

目的 了解江苏某高校2018级新生体质指数及生活习惯,分析生活习惯对体质指数的影响,为指导大学生养成健康生活习惯、塑造良好身体素质提供依据。方法 入学体检测量新生身高、体重,随机抽取部分专业学生完成生活习惯调查。结果 完成调查问卷的350名新生,体质指数正常、过轻、过重、肥胖者占比分别为57.71%、28%、10.29%和4%。男生体质指数高于女生(P<0.01),男生过重及肥胖检出率高于女生(P<0.05),女生过轻检出率高于男生(P<0.01)。完成调查问卷的新生中,65.43%每日规律三餐饮食,69.14%有每周运动的习惯。规律饮食组体质指数正常检出率高于非规律饮食组(P<0.05),每周运动3次及以上学生体质指数正常检出率高于其他学生(P<0.05)。超重学生睡眠满意度低于其他学生(P<0.05)。结论 新入学大学生体质指数过轻与超重问题并存,饮食及运动习惯有待改善,高校需重视体质指数监测,有针对性开展饮食及运动健康教育。     

Effects of weight stigma in news media on physical activity,dietary and weight loss intentions and behaviour

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of weight stigma in news media on (a) intentions to increase physical activity (PA), improve diet quality and lose weight, and (b) changes in PA, diet quality and body mass index (BMI) over one month, in (i) women of all weight categories and (ii) a subsample of women living with obesity.MethodsUK-based women (N = 172; subgroup with obesity N = 81) were assigned to read an experimental (weight stigma; N = 75) or control (smoking stigma; N = 97) news article. Questionnaires were administered immediately after, and one month subsequently to collect information on BMI, PA, diet quality, intentions, past stigma, and diet and PA self-efficacy. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess the effect of weight stigma on all outcome variables.ResultsIn the whole sample, there was no significant effect of weight stigma on any primary or secondary outcome. In women with obesity, there was no significant effect of weight stigma on diet quality (0.26 units, 95% CI: ?0.36 to 0.87) or PA (?1.83 units, 95% CI: ?11.11 to 7.44) at follow up, but exposure to weight stigma was associated with a significant increase in BMI at 1-month follow-up (1.15 kg/m², 95% CI: 0.38 to 1.92) compared with the control group.ConclusionsIn people with obesity, exposure to weight-stigmatising media may contribute to increased BMI over time. Larger trials with longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.     

The 5-10-25 challenge: an observational study of a web-based wellness intervention for a global workforce.

We conducted and evaluated a 4-year, web-based wellness program involving 2498 global employees. The program was designed to encourage improvement in diet, exercise level, and weight control. Each month, after enrollment, participants were prompted to log on and enter personal data. Four years' worth of nonparametric data were analyzed. Seventy-seven percent of participants were men, 53% were overweight or obese, and mean beginning body mass index (BMI) was 25.9. Only 35% of starting participants ate five or more servings of fruit and vegetables daily, and fewer than 38% engaged in 30 min of activity or 10,000 steps. At the end of the intervention, there was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the diet, exercise habits, and weight of participants. Results suggests that our web-based wellness intervention was successful in improving key health indicators for a mobile, global workforce.     

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between body mass index and marriage-related factors

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between marriage and obesity. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were examined between participant body mass index (BMI), spouse BMI, and participant diet and exercise habits. RESULTS: Spouse and participant BMI and BMI changes over 2 years were significantly associated. Participant BMI was associated with higher consumption of calorie-dense foods and lower frequency of physical activity. Participants' eating and exercise habits were only weakly related to spouse BMI. BMI did not predict the likelihood of marriage or divorce. However, marriage was associated with a significant 2-year weight gain and divorce with a significant 2-year weight loss. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that spouse similarity in BMI is at least partly due to shared environment. The observed effects of marriage and divorce on weight may be due to the influence of marriage on inducements to eat (e.g., shared meals) or on motivation for weight control.     

Predictors of abdominal obesity among 31-y-old men and women born in Northern Finland in 1966

OBJECTIVE: To find predictors of abdominal obesity (defined by >90th percentile of waist/hip ratio (WHR)) and related factors among 31-y-old men and women. DESIGN: Longitudinal study of the northern Finland birth cohort of 1966 with measurements obtained at birth, 14 and 31 y. SUBJECTS: A total of 2841 men and 2930 women with data on WHR at 31 y. RESULTS: The most important predictor of abdominal obesity among the 31-y-old men was a high body mass index (BMI), those with normal weight at 14 y who were obese at 31 y having an especially high risk of abdominal obesity at 31 y. Abdominal obesity was independently associated with current weight status, small size for gestational age, a high intake of alcohol at 31 y, physical inactivity at 31 y, unhealthy diet in the sense of infrequent consumption of fiber-rich foods and frequent consumption of sausages, and a low level of occupational training. Physical inactivity and minimal vocational training also tended to be associated with abdominal obesity among women. The analyses were controlled for maternal age and BMI, and also for hormonal contraception and parity among women. CONCLUSIONS: Some aspects of risk of adult abdominal obesity were evident during adolescence, and good advice is needed then, and in early adulthood, in order to reduce the risk of abdominal obesity in their thirties. Those who are small for gestational age are vulnerable to the development of abdominal obesity. Successful weight control from adolescence to adulthood, and healthy eating, alcohol drinking and exercise habits are important for avoiding abdominal accumulation of body fat.     

The 'freshman 15': trends and predictors in a sample of multiethnic men and women

This study focused on predictors of the ‘freshman 15’ phenomenon among university students. Participants (N = 390) included men and women who identified as African American (32%), Latino American (27%), and European American (41%). Students gained on average 3.2 lbs and 0.5 in BMI from their first through third semesters. Changes in weight and BMI did not differ by gender or racial/ethnic group. Students with lower Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores were more likely to experience the ‘freshman 15’. Results suggest that universities should work with students who may be underprepared for college in order to minimize weight gain.     

Changes in diet and physical activity in the 1990s in a large British sample (1958 birth cohort)

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether adults studied in 1991 and 1999 (at ages 33 and 42 y) improved their diet and their physical activity level, in the direction of recommendations issued during the same period. DESIGN: Longitudinal 1958 British birth cohort study. SETTING: England, Scotland and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: All births, 3rd-9th March, 1958. A minimum of 11 341 participants provided data at 33 y, 11 361 at 42 y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of leisure time activity and consumption of (i) fried food, (ii) chips, (iii) wholemeal bread and (iv) fruit and salad/raw vegetables, at 33 and 42 y. RESULTS: Most people changed their physical activity and dietary habits over the 8-y period. About a third of men and women increased, and a third decreased their activity frequency. Findings for fried food consumption were similar. A significantly greater proportion of cohort members decreased their chips consumption (32%), rather than increased it (17%) and increased their fruit and salad consumption (30%), rather than decreased it (25%). In all, 26% of men and 33% of women consistently ate, or switched to eating mostly wholemeal bread, while 56% of men and 48% of women consistently ate less or switched to eating less. Social gradients were seen for activity and diet in 1991, but associations between social factors or body mass index and change in activity or diet were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Lifestyle habits such as dietary intake and physical activity are slow to change. Current health promotion strategies may need to be supplemented with additional methods to affect the desired change in these habits.     

Prevalence and covariates of obesity in Lebanon: findings from the first epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and examine associated covariates in the Lebanese population. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional survey of a representative sample of 2104 individuals, 3 years of age and older. Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessments were conducted following standard methods and techniques. Overweight and obesity (classes I to III) were defined according to internationally standardized criteria for classification of BMI. RESULTS: For children 3 to 19 years of age, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were higher overall for boys than girls (22.5% vs. 16.1% and 7.5% vs. 3.2%, respectively). For adult men and women (age > or = 20 years), the prevalence of overweight was 57.7% and 49.4%, respectively. In contrast, obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2)) was higher overall among women (18.8%) than men (14.3%), a trend that became more evident with increasing obesity class. BMI, percentage of body fat, and waist circumference increased to middle age and declined thereafter. Whereas lack of exercise associated significantly with obesity among children, obesity in older adults was more prevalent among the least educated, nonsmokers, and those reporting a family history of obesity. DISCUSSION: The results from this national population-based study in Lebanon show high prevalence rates of overweight and obesity comparable with those observed in developed countries such as the United States. While further studies are needed to examine the underlying social and cultural factors associated with lifestyle and nutritional habits, now is the time to institute multicomponent interventions promoting physical activity and weight control nationwide.     

内蒙古地区学生肥胖现状及影响因素分析

  目的  了解内蒙古地区学生肥胖现状及其与饮食、运动、心理等方面的关系,为制定该地区学生肥胖干预措施提供科学依据。  方法  采用分层整群随机抽样方法,抽取内蒙古自治区全部12个盟市、103个旗县区的186 649名学生。按中国学龄儿童青少年超重与肥胖筛查标准对调查对象进行分组,采用χ2检验进行单因素分析,采用多因素非条件Logistic回归模型筛选肥胖有关因素。  结果  学生总体肥胖率为18.54%,男生肥胖率为22.04%,女生为14.99%。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,监测点(OR=0.79)、性别(OR=0.61)、每日吃油炸食品次数(OR=1.08)、每周每日运动超过60 min＞2 d(OR=0.89)、是否每天吃早餐(OR=0.86)、每日喝饮料次数(OR=1.12)、吸烟(OR=0.87)、饮酒(OR=1.07)、每日吃水果次数(OR=1.07)、每日看电视≥2 h(OR=1.06)、睡眠时间(OR=0.93)以及学段可能与学生肥胖有关(P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  内蒙古地区学生总体肥胖率较高,学生肥胖的发生与饮食运动行为、生活习惯及心理因素有关。应采取针对性干预措施控制学生肥胖的发生。     

乌鲁木齐学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状及相关因素分析

  目的  了解学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状及其影响因素,为预防和控制乌鲁木齐市学龄前儿童超重肥胖的发生提供参考依据。  方法  采用分层整群抽样方法,于2021年10—12月抽取乌鲁木齐市10所幼儿园1 897名学龄前儿童,通过对身高、体重的测量了解学龄前儿童超重肥胖现状,应用一般资料调查问卷、学龄前儿童饮食行为量表、学龄前儿童照护人喂养行为量表、3~6岁儿童家庭养育环境量表、学龄前儿童体力活动问卷等分析其相关因素。  结果  学龄前儿童超重肥胖检出率为31.21%(592名),其中超重率为19.50%(370名),肥胖率为11.70%(222名)。儿童超重肥胖检出率在不同年龄、性别、儿童饮食习惯(喜食肉类)、父亲体质量指数、母亲体质量指数、母亲孕前体质量指数间差异均有统计学意义(χ2值分别为19.63,28.75,9.45,18.21,18.45,19.36,P值均 < 0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,性别、儿童饮食习惯、父亲体质量指数、母亲孕前体质量指数、过饱响应、外因性进食、主动进食能力、体重担忧、饮食行为限制、体力活动、家庭体力活动环境是学龄前儿童超重肥胖的相关因素(OR值分别为0.52,1.43,1.51,1.44,0.69,0.74,1.35,1.71,0.81,0.96,1.10,P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  乌鲁木齐市学龄前儿童超重肥胖问题严峻,应加强教育、控制饮食、科学锻炼,以防止儿童超重肥胖的发生。     

Obesity treatment—more than food and exercise: a qualitative study exploring obese adolescents' and their parents' views on the former's obesity

The aim of this study was to explore obese adolescents’ and their parents’ views on the former''s obesity; especially to gain knowledge about barriers and motivational factors that influence obese adolescents’ ability to lose weight. This is a qualitative study involving field observation and semi-structured interviews with obese adolescents and their parents. The analysis takes a phenomenological–hermeneutic approach. Fifteen obese adolescents aged 13–16 years and their parents/grandparents participated in this study (one father, seven mothers, five sets of parents and two sets of grandparents). The results showed that obese adolescents’ are aware that they have unhealthy eating habits and they wish they were able to attain to a healthier diet. Although in poor physical shape, obese adolescents perceive their daily level of exercise as moderate. Obese adolescents blame themselves for being obese and blame their parents for an unhealthy diet, and for being unsupportive regarding exercise. Parents blame their obese child of lacking will power to change eating and exercise habits. As a consequence, the homely atmosphere is often characterised by quarrels and negative feelings. The conclusion is that despite obese adolescents’ intention of reducing weight, underlying issues interfere with this goal. This is particularly related to quarrels with parents, self-blame and misguided understanding of eating and exercising habits. These matters need to be addressed when treating obesity among adolescents.     

Epidemiology of obesity and hypertension and related risk factors in Uzbekistan

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and associated behavioral risk factors in adult men and women in Uzbekistan. The study also examined the association between obesity and hypertension. METHOD: The analysis used data from the 2002 Uzbekistan Health Examination Survey, which included a nationally representative sample of 2333 men aged 15-59 years and 5463 women aged 15-49 years. The survey measured height, weight and blood pressure and included questions on physical activity, dietary habits, tobacco smoking, alcohol use and other characteristics. The analysis was conducted using binary and multinomial logistic regression methods, separately for men and women. RESULTS: Eating animal source protein and tobacco smoking in the past were positively associated with obesity, but there were no consistent associations with other dietary indicators, physical activity level or alcohol use. Obese men and women were about three times as likely to suffer from hypertension as those with a normal BMI (odds ratio (OR)=3.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.67-5.44; P<0.001 for men and OR=2.82; 95% CI: 2.05-3.86; P<0.001 for women), independent of physical activity level, dietary habits, tobacco smoking and other factors. For men, the risk of hypertension was strongly positively associated with BMI only at BMI levels above 25 kg/m(2), but for women a positive relationship was observed at all BMI levels. CONCLUSION: The study found a strong positive association between obesity and hypertension in adult men and women in Uzbekistan. The shape of the relationship between BMI and hypertension is different for women than for men, requiring further research to explore this relationship.     

Translational research — Implementation of NHLBI obesity guidelines in a primary care community setting: the physician obesity awareness project

Background: Greater than 65 percent of the United States (US) population is overweight, with 32 percent obese. It is a problem in both developed and developing nations. While guidelines exist, counseling by physicians about obesity and weight loss is inconsistent, and physician approaches to obesity management have limited success. This study attempted to increase involvement in translating proven research into practice to improve physician awareness and improve outcomes of overweight/obesity. Twenty-one physicians in a suburban, middle class population in the Midwestern United States participated.Methods: Physician obesity awareness, weight, height, BMI, blood pressure, lipids, and glycohemoglobin were measured from 641 patients at baseline and were compared to 631 at 12-month follow-up. All 21 physicians received academic detailing and were presented with their clinical outcomes. Ten physicians received an Enhanced Intervention. They were additionally asked to place a sticker in the chart of their overweight or obese patients.Results: Fifty-three percent of physicians were not comfortable discussing obesity with their patients at baseline, decreasing to 0% at followup (p=0.041). Reference to obesity management by Intervention physicians increased from 2.4% to 9.2% (p=0.001) while for Enhanced Intervention physicians documentation increased from 3.9% to 15.6% (p=0.002). Those patients in the Enhanced Intervention group lost an average of 6.19 lbs (3.3%) (p=0.083) during the one year period versus 4.6 lbs (2.5%) (p=0.20) in the Intervention group. The BMI dropped 1.2 in the Intervention group and 0.72 in the Enhanced Intervention group. The data from both groups was pooled at both baseline and follow-up. The average weight of patients decreased from 185.7 lbs to 180.3 lbs (excluding outliers weighing >311 lbs). This 5.4 pound loss was significant (p=0.027). The BMI decreased from 30.1 to 29.1 (p=0.095). Cardiovascular co-morbidities improved.Conclusion: Obesity and overweight have a very high prevalence in a primary care community based settings. Clinicians are not comfortable diagnosing and managing obese and overweight patients. A combination of academic detailing and presentation of outcomes to physicians will improve their awareness and result in improved clinical outcomes including weight loss.     

Diet and exercise habits of patients with diabetes,dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease or hypertension

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether free-living individuals diagnosed with diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease or hypertension follow standard dietary recommendations for treatment of these diet-modifiable disorders. METHODS: Data are from 1,782 adult men and women who completed an annual clinic visit as part of a large study of diet and health. Usual dietary intake over the previous month was assessed with a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Trained staff obtained a detailed medical history and information on health and exercise habits, measured height and weight, and collected a fasting blood specimen to measure total serum cholesterol, triglycerides and carotenoids. Multivariate linear regression was used to test associations of diet-modifiable chronic diseases with diet and exercise habits. RESULTS: 42% of the study sample reported at least one diet-modifiable disease or risk factor for disease. These individuals had higher total serum cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglycerides (p < 0.001) compared to those without these conditions. Diabetics consumed a greater percent of energy from fat (p < 0.01), and men with hypertension consumed a greater percent energy from saturated fat (p < 0.05) compared to those without these conditions. There were few other differences in dietary intake between diseased and healthy individuals, and on average, all participants had diets that were not consistent with recommended guidelines for prevention or treatment of these diet-modifiable disorders. Forty-six percent of all participants were overweight or obese, and BMI was significantly higher among participants with at least one diet-modifiable disorder (p < 0.001). Healthy and diseased participants exercised about 17 minutes per day, and compared to non-diabetics, persons with diabetes exercised with 25% less intensity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Participants in this sample with diet-modifiable disorders reported that they are motivated to eat less fat, but most are still overweight or obese, consume a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables and engage in very little physical exercise. New strategies are needed to help patients adopt and maintain healthful dietary practices that will reduce their risk.     

Eating habits of young offenders on community orders and associations with overweight and obesity

Aim:  The diets of young people are often described as poor, but young offenders may be at particular risk and in need of targeted nutrition education. There are very little data on the nutritional status of young offenders as they are rarely captured in national adolescent samples. This paper describes the food habits of young offenders supervised in the community and the association of food habits with overweight and obesity, and compares these with school-attending adolescents to determine whether they should be specifically targeted for nutrition education.
Methods:  During 2003–2005, 802 (85% male) young offenders took part in a comprehensive health survey that included interviewer-assisted recall of 11 food items. Height and weight were measured and body mass index calculated.
Results:  The diets of young offenders were poor. Only 32% of men and 20% of women reported eating breakfast every day, and 25% of participants ate fruit every day, while 30% of men and 16% of women ate extra foods (i.e. meat pies, sausage rolls or hot dogs) daily. One-third of the participants were either overweight or obese; however, there was no significant association between food habits and overweight and obesity.
Conclusion:  Programs which encourage healthy food habits among young people serving community orders are required to improve their diets and long-term health outcomes. The period of supervised orders offers an opportunity for health authorities to intervene, but further research is required to identify effective interventions in this traditionally difficult-to-reach group.