Psychological adjustment during Army basic training.

This study evaluated changes in depression, anxiety, and stress during Army basic training. During week 1 of training, 139 soldiers from two companies volunteered for participation. In week 8, 93 soldiers were available for retesting. Self-reports of depressive symptoms and perceptions of stressfulness at both assessments fell within the normative range for nonclinical samples, whereas endorsement of anxiety symptoms remained slightly elevated, in the mild range. Women endorsed higher levels of anxiety (F = 8.87, p < 0.01) than did men. No gender or ethnicity differences were noted for changes in psychological distress over time. Regression analyses showed that subjects with the highest levels of initial distress on the anxiety, depression, and stress measures had the most change at the end of 8 weeks of training (r values between 0.61 and 0.39; all p < 0.01). Results suggest that initial levels of psychological distress are slightly elevated for anxiety but most individuals adapt to the stress of basic training, with normal levels of distress by the last week.

Use of the weight efficacy lifestyle questionnaire with African American women: validation and extension of previous findings.

While the Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire (WEL) shows promise as a measure of self-efficacy for eating control, there is a lack of research examining the psychometric properties of this measure with ethnic minorities. The current study examined the WEL with a sample of 144 overweight and obese African American females. Analyses indicated similar self-efficacy levels compared to predominantly Caucasian samples. Supporting the validity of the WEL, participants undergoing obesity treatment demonstrated modest improvement in WEL scores, while standard care participants showed no changes in self-efficacy over time. Factor analysis indicated a four-factor structure rather than the five factors previously found. The four-factor structure accounted for 61.85% of the variance. Results indicate the WEL may be a valid measure of self-efficacy for overweight and obese African American women, although researchers should be mindful of the variation in scale properties when using the WEL with this population.

Ideal weight goals of African American women participating in a weight management program.

This descriptive study examined the ideal weight goals of low-income African American women enrolled in a weight loss intervention. Prior to treatment, 107 overweight African American women were weighed, heights were measured, and participants completed a self-report measure of various weight-related variables (e.g., ideal goal weight, amount lost with previous attempts). The average baseline body mass index (BMI) was 38.8kg/m(2). The average ideal BMI was 27.2kg/m(2), which would require a 29.2% reduction in weight. Ideal weight loss was approximately 25kg greater than that achieved during past attempts. Results suggest this ethnic minority sample demonstrated satisfaction with achieving an ideal weight still classified as overweight. However, the percentage of weight loss required to reach such goals is much greater than that recommended by expert guidelines. Although future research is needed, weight loss interventionists may need to address African American women's acceptance of heavier weight when treating their obesity.

Comparison of digital photography to weighed and visual estimation of portion sizes.

OBJECTIVE: The primary goal was to test the validity of digital photography for measuring food portion sizes compared with weighed foods and with direct visual estimation. SAMPLES: A total of 60 test meals consisting of 10 different portion sizes from six different university cafeteria menus were prepared and weighed. DESIGN: Food selections and plate waste, as estimated by digital photography and direct visual estimation, were compared with weighed foods. For each method, three observers independently estimated portion sizes of each food. Observers expressed the portion sizes as a percentage of a standard serving. These percentages were multiplied by the weight of the standard portion to yield estimated weights. Statistical analyses To test validity, the estimates of food weights derived from both methods were compared with weighed foods using correlations and were compared with each other using Bland-Altman regression analysis. RESULTS: For the digital photography and direct visual estimation methods, estimates of the portion sizes for food selections, plate waste, and food intake were highly correlated with weighed foods. Both methods tended to yield small overestimates or underestimates. Bland-Altman regression found the two estimation methods to yield comparable results (bias less than 1.5 g). APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the validity of the digital photography method for measuring portion sizes. Digital photography may be most useful for measuring food intake in settings that allow for the direct observation of food selections and plate waste but require minimum disruption of the eating environment, and allow unhurried estimates of portion sizes.

Primary care weight management counseling: physician and patient perspectives.

UNLABELLED: This paper examines the use of the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services for behavioral counseling for overweight patients in the primary care setting. METHODS: Study 1 assessed counseling practices of family physicians with a 13-item physician questionnaire based on the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. Study 2 assessed the perception of weight loss recommendations made to obese primary care patients attending a family practice clinic. RESULTS: 46% of the family physicians responded. The most common referrals were made to dieticians and exercise programs. The patient survey indicated that 80.3% had received weight loss recommendations, and 68.9% had received counseling on diet change or exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study found adequate rates of compliance with the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. However, these results have highlighted the need to expand the guidelines to counsel patients more specifically with regard to weight loss recommendations and to focus on improving patient compliance and motivation.

Changes in food intake and body weight associated with basic combat training.

This research project evaluated changes in food selections, food intake, and body weight during 8 weeks of basic combat training (BCT). During the first week of BCT, 139 soldiers from two companies volunteered for participation in the study. In the eighth week of BCT, 92 soldiers were available for retesting. A digital photography method for measuring food selections and food intake was developed for this study. Fruit intake of soldiers was very low at the beginning and end of BCT. Food intake for grains and milk products was low during the first week of BCT but improved by the end of BCT. Average body weight decreased during the 8 weeks of BCT, but heavier soldiers tended to lose weight and thinner soldiers tended to gain weight. These findings suggest that the overall effect of BCT was a trend toward improvement of healthy eating and healthy body weight.