Self-efficacy in relation to eating behaviour among obese and non-obese women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of a 3 month behaviour modification weight management programme on self-efficacy and anthropometric variables among obese women seeking treatment at an obesity management clinic and to compare self-efficacy among these obese women to non-obese women. DESIGN: Cross sectional. SUBJECTS: A total of 161 non-obese (BMI 22.6+/-2.9 kg/m(2)) and 138 obese (BMI 37.7+/-5.8 kg/m(2)) women of similar age. MEASUREMENTS: Self-efficacy in relation to eating was assessed by the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle (WEL) questionnaire. Demographic information was obtained by interview and questionnaire in the obese and by questionnaire in the non-obese. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by direct measure in the obese and BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height in the non-obese. RESULTS: At entry to the programme obese women scored significantly less (P<0.0001) than non-obese women on the WEL (99.4+/-34.1 vs 139.0+/-24.9). Women who completed the programme (n=65) demonstrated a decrease in waist circumference of 3.9+/-5.3 cm, a 10.0+/-11.5% loss of excess weight and a significant improvement in total WEL score from 106.0+/-30.3 to 126.5+/-28.4. CONCLUSION: Improvements in some dimensions of self-efficacy among obese women were of sufficient magnitude to attain scores similar to women of a normal weight. The WEL questionnaire may provide an additional measure of success as well as provide positive feedback and encouragement to the client.

[A unique case of destructive polyarthritis associated with multicentric Castleman's disease]. / Un cas particulier de polyarthrite destructrice associée à une maladie de Castleman multicentrique.

This is an original report of a 75-year-old woman suffering from multicentric Castleman's disease associated with a destructive polyarthritis, which do not correspond to any known rhumatologic disease. Cattleman's disease (angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. Two forms are described: a localized and a multicentric. In the literature, associations of Cattleman's disease and connective tissue disease such as rheumatoid arthritis have been described. Association with POEMS syndrome (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M component, skin changes) and amylosis have also been described.

The effect of an individual versus group program on weight loss.

The therapy of obesity is difficult and success rates are low. Because of these observations many different therapeutic modalities have been advocated. In this study the short term weight loss results using individual and group approaches are described. For both approaches changes in lifestyle and behaviours were emphasised. The major finding of the study was that while patient retention rates were better in the group approach, weight loss was greater in those patients who were seen individually. The reasons for these findings are discussed and some suggestions are made as to how the group approach, which has the significant advantage of making more efficient use of health professionals' time, might be made more therapeutically effective.

[Ulcerative and mutilating acropathy (author's transl)]. / Acropathie ulcéro-mutilante.

The authors report the case of a 50-year-old patient with bilateral plantar chronic trophic ulcers. He was a chronic alcoholic and presented serious nutritional deficiencies. The etiological problems raised by sensitive neuropathies are reconsidered. After discussion, the authors relate their observation of ulcerative and mutilating acropathy to a sporadic Thevenard syndrome.