Use of the Serenity Prayer among adults with type 2 diabetes: a pilot study.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Treatment efforts are focused on control of serum blood glucose levels. It was anticipated that the use of the Serenity Prayer would assist those who need to gain control over their physiological symptoms. A pilot study of the effect of daily recitation of the Serenity Prayer for 6 weeks on serum blood glucoses in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes was implemented. Thirty-six participants were enrolled in the study; there was a very high attrition rate over the course of the study. Serum blood glucose levels over the duration of the study were analyzed. At 4 to 6 weeks, time 2, there were 2 participants who had lower serum blood glucose levels, 2 had increased serum blood glucose levels, and 4 had no change. Challenges in completing this research and specific recommendations for future research are addressed.

Assessment of infant feeding styles among low-income African-American mothers: comparing reported and observed behaviors.

This study's goal was to provide a detailed description of feeding styles adopted by a sample of African-American women in feeding their infants in North Carolina, and to examine the correspondence between reported and observed feeding styles. Cross-sectional semi-structured interview and videotaped data were gathered in the homes of 20 participating low-income mothers of infants aged 3-20 months. Feeding styles were characterized through a tailored coding scheme (the Infant Feeding Styles Video Coding Scheme, IFSVCS) applied to both interview and video-taped data. We found that the most frequent feeding styles identified for both interviews and videotaped observations was restrictive, but that mothers were roughly equally divided among predominantly controlling (pressuring or restrictive) and less controlling (laissez-faire or indulgent) styles across methods. However, for over 2/3 of the sample, there was a lack of correspondence between interview and video-taped feeding styles. This unique characterization and comparison of observed and reported infant feeding styles provides additional insights into parental feeding approaches among mothers of infants at high risk of obesity, and highlights the need for further study of feeding style assessment and potential impact on infant weight outcomes.

The conceptualization of perceived insufficient milk among Mexican mothers.

This study sought to provide a comprehensive picture of maternal conceptualization of Perceived Insufficient Milk (PIM) using qualitative methods (semistructured interviews, free lists, and rankings) in Mexico. Two hundred and seven first-time mothers of infants younger than 6 months and mothers-to-be who were (or intended to be) breastfeeding were interviewed in waiting areas at a hospital and a health clinic in Mexico City, Mexico, from September 2000 to January 2001. Pattern searching and triangulation of the 3 qualitative methods indicated that women viewed crying as the chief symptom of PIM. Maternal diet and liquid intake were cited as both the most salient causes and treatments for PIM. The main coping strategy in the event of PIM was formula feeding. These findings highlight the need for addressing maternal concerns in relation to PIM, especially regarding the role of crying as the initiator of the PIM cycle.

Psychosocial influences in dietary patterns during pregnancy.

There is increasing evidence that psychosocial factors may affect dietary intakes and health. The current analysis examined the association of six indices of psychosocial well-being with dietary intake during pregnancy. One hundred thirty-four women with low-risk, normal pregnancies participated in a cross-sectional, observational study that assessed dietary intake at 28 weeks' gestation. Psychosocial characteristics, including anxiety, depressed mood, anger, fatigue, social support, and stress were assessed between 24 and 32 weeks' gestation. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated to determine the relationships between psychosocial factors and diet. Findings suggest that pregnant women who were more fatigued, stressed, and anxious consumed more foods, as evidenced by their increased macronutrient intakes, while appearing to have decreased intakes of some micronutrients. Psychosocial factors should be considered when counseling women regarding diet during pregnancy.