Mediterranean Diet, Psychological Adjustment and Health Perception in University Students: The Mediating Effect of Healthy and Unhealthy Food Groups.

This study aims to identify the relationships between eating habits and psychological adjustment and health perception, and to analyze potential mediating role of healthy and unhealthy foods in the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and the psychological constructs and health perception. The sample was selected through stratified random cluster sampling and was composed of 788 university students. The participants responded to a MedDiet adherence screener and food consumption inventory to assess the eating habits, instruments measuring self-esteem, life satisfaction, curiosity and sense of coherence to assess the psychological adjustment, and single item measuring perceived health. The results revealed 41.9% of the participants had a high consumption of vegetables and 85.1% a low consumption of energy drinks, while 29.9% showed a high adherence to the MedDiet which was positively associated to each psychological variable and healthy foods and negatively with unhealthy foods. In conclusion, a higher adherence to the MedDiet, and the consumption of fruits and vegetables is related to higher psychological adjustment and health perception. However, the relationships between MedDiet and the psychological variables and health perception were fully or partially explained because of the consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods.

Nominal Groups to Develop a Mobile Application on Healthy Habits.

The new pandemic-lockdown situation has caused empowerment of new technologies; mobile phones and computers have gained further importance. Homes have become the new educators of health since health education has decreased or stopped during the pandemic. The lack of knowledge in the child and adolescent population about how to incorporate healthy habits in their daily lives, along with the rise of health devices and the introduction of healthcare in the syllabus, has led to the realization of the present study. The aim of this study was to identify the relevant health topics in a sample of adolescents for the later development of a mobile application (Healthy Jeart) that promotes the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits in adolescence. The information was gathered through the technique of nominal groups. The sample was recruited by nonprobability purposive sampling, with a total of 92 students from 4 educational centers of the province of Huelva (Spain). According to the obtained results, the most relevant categories were physical wellbeing (40.81%), psychological wellbeing (22.13%), interpersonal relationships and social skills (21.58%), toxic substances and addictions (10.35%) and sex habits (1.83%). This technique allowed identifying and selecting the most relevant content areas of the "Healthy Jeart" application.

Dimensions of Leisure and Perceived Health in Young University Students.

The aim of this study was to analyze the main leisure habits of students at the University of Huelva and the relationship with perceived health by grouping the various activities into components whilst also evaluating possible gender differences. The sample was selected through random cluster sampling and was composed of 903 students from various courses and degrees. Of the sample, 73.8% were female and 26.2% were male, with a mean age of 20.82 years. The participants responded to items measuring perceived health and the inventory of leisure activities extracted from the INJUVE (Spanish Youth Observatory) survey. The results obtained offered a solution of four components, grouping the activities into passive leisure, festive leisure, sports-competitive leisure and cultural leisure. Passive leisure was the most practiced and cultural leisure the least practiced. Statistically significant differences were observed between men and women in terms of the sports-competitive component and in the perception of health. In addition, a direct relationship was found between the sports-competitive dimension and health perception. These results support the existence of a "techno-active" profile in males and should be considered in the creation of university policies linked to health promotion or the prevention of risk behaviors.

"It's Important but, on What Level?": Healthy Cooking Meanings and Barriers to Healthy Eating among University Students.

The negative impact of a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet on health is evident across the lifespan, but particularly during the university period. Usually, the diet of university students is rich in sweetened drinks and processed foods and low in fruits, vegetables and legumes. Although there is an association between maintaining a healthy diet and the frequency of cooking at home, the time currently spent on cooking or learning how to cook is decreasing globally. The main aim of this study was to explore university students' perceptions about healthy cooking and barriers to eating healthily. A group of 26 students participated in four focus groups. Content analysis was conducted using Atlas.ti v.8. Students perceived cooking healthily as a more complicated and time-consuming process than cooking in general. Individual and environmental factors were the most reported barriers. Costs and time, among others, were the main barriers pointed out by students with regard to healthy eating. This study highlights the need to develop interventions that modify these false perceptions about cooking healthily, and to train students so that they are able to cook healthy meals in a quick, easy, and cost-effective way. Further, specific actions are required in the university setting to minimize access to unhealthy options and to promote those linked to healthy eating.

Incorporación del mindfulness en el aula: un estudio piloto con estudiantes universitarios / Mindfulness Classroom Implementation: A Pilot Study with University Students

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los efectos de un programa breve de mindfulness adaptado al contexto del aula, en relación con el nivel de mindfulness (MAAS), evitación experiencial (AAQ-II), ansiedad (STAI) y satisfacción vital (SWLS). La muestra estuvo conformada por 115 estudiantes universitarios. Tras la participación en el programa, los estudiantes aumentaron significativamente los niveles de satisfacción vital y ansiedad estado, no se encontraron diferencias en el resto de variables. Sin embargo, el aumento de la satisfacción vital se relacionó con el aumento del nivel de mindfulness al final del programa (coincidiendo con el inicio de los exámenes). En conclusión, un programa breve de mindfulness mejora la satisfacción vital, aun en un período de alto nivel de ansiedad como es el periodo de exámenes.

Abstract The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effects of a brief mindfulness program adapted to the academic context, to acknowledge the influence on the level of mindfulness (MAAS), experiential avoidance (AAQ-II), anxiety (STAI) and life satisfaction (SWLS). The sample consisted of 115 college students. After participating in the programme, students showed significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and state anxiety and no differences were found in mindfulness, experiential avoidance and trait anxiety. However, the increase in life satisfaction was related to the increased level of mindfulness at the end of the program (which concurred with the beginning of the exams). In conclusion, a brief mindfulness program improved life satisfaction even in a period of high anxiety, such as the exams period.

Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life, Cardio-Metabolic Health, and Fitness in Postmenopausal Women After an Exercise Plus Health Promotion Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study explored multidimensional outcomes that were derived from the adherence to regular exercise among previously sedentary postmenopausal 45 to 64 years old women who engaged in a ~20-week exercise program. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with between-group (intervention and control women) and within-subject measures (baseline, postintervention, and 3-month and 12-month follow-ups) was conducted. HRQoL and several indicators of cardio-metabolic status and fitness were assessed. RESULTS: After the intervention, the participants experienced a positive change in their short and long-term physical and mental health, with significant enhancements in several HRQoL dimensions, particularly mental well-being (23.3% of change) and menopause-related health and subdomains (17.0% of change) (P < .01). Improvements were maintained or continued (eg, mental well-being) overtime. These outcomes were accompanied by significant improvements in cardio-metabolic status and fitness, including weight, BMI, cardio-respiratory fitness and flexibility (up to 16.2% of change, P < .05). After the intervention, the intervention group exhibited better HRQoL than the control group at each of the measurement phases. Between-group differences were also observed for some indicators of cardiovascular health and flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add evidence on the association of positive outcomes on HRQoL with improvements in cardio-metabolic health and fitness status after the adoption of an active lifestyle.

Flow y rendimiento en corredores de maratón / Flow and performance in Marathon runners / Flow e desempenho na maratona

Flow is an intensely positive and pleasant subjective state that has been linked to superior performance compared to ordinal performance, due to its dimensions and features (e.g., a balance between perceived task challenges and one’s own skills for the required action, clear goals, full concentration, elevated perceived control on performance, etc.). Research has shown that it occurs in different contexts and activities, including sports. In a two-fold aim, we sought to explore whether marathon runners with different levels of expertise experienced flow states, and the characteristics of this phenomenon in this athletic population; as well as to find out whether flow experiences were different in three sport conditions: practice sessions and competitions in general, the best race remembered by the athlete, and their last race. We further explored the possible relationship between flow states and the expected and achieved times in the last and the best races. A total of 170 males who were marathon runners participating in the Seville Marathon 2010 voluntarily collaborated in this study. Participants completed the Brief Flow Scale (EBF, Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) before and after the marathon race. Participants reported experiencing flow states in the three athletic activities explored, but interindividual differences were found regarding the frequency and depth of such experiences. There were also differences between the runners regarding the dimensions of the phenomenon. Participants reported experiencing deeper, more intense and frequent episodes of flow in their best and last marathons in comparison to practice sessions and races in general. In addition, runners reporting deeper or more frequent flow episodes also expected and achieved better times. Concluding, flow is frequently experienced by marathon runners, particularly in their best performances, even when marathon running is a highly demanding sport modality. Establishing personal and contextual conditions leading to flow states will help us in designing psychological interventions aimed at increasing athletes’ skills to achieve intense states of flow, which in turn might improve their performance and success

El flow es un estado subjetivo intensamente positivo y placentero que, por sus dimensiones y características (e.g., equilibrio entre las demandas percibidas de la tarea y las habilidades personales para la acción requerida, objetivos claros, máxima concentración, elevado control percibido sobre la ejecución, etc.), se asocia a un rendimiento superior en comparación con las actuaciones normales. La literatura señala que se puede experimentar en diferentes contextos y actividades, incluido el deporte. El objetivo de este estudio fue doble: Por un lado, quisimos comprobar si maratonianos de distinto nivel de rendimiento experimentan flow y las características de este fenómeno en este colectivo de deportistas, así como conocer si las experiencias de flow eran diferentes en tres situaciones deportivas: Entrenamientos y carreras en general, la mejor carrera recordada y la última carrera; por otro lado, quisimos explorar la posible relación entre las experiencias de flow y las marcas esperadas y conseguidas por los corredores en las carreras mejor y última. Colaboraron voluntariamente en este estudio 170 maratonianos que corrieron el Maratón de Sevilla 2010, los cuales completaron la Escala Breve de Flow (Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) antes y después de participar en dicha carrera. Los participantes refirieron experimentar estados de flow en las tres situaciones deportivas exploradas, aunque se encontraron diferencias interindividuales respecto a la frecuencia y profundidad de este estado, así como en la experimentación de las distintas dimensiones del fenómeno. Los participantes informaron experimentar episodios de flow más profundos, intensos y frecuentes en la mejor competición recordada y en el último maratón en comparación con los entrenamientos y las carreras en general. Además, los corredores con más experiencias de flow esperaron y obtuvieron mejores marcas. Como conclusión, el flow es un estado experimentado con frecuencia, particularmente en las mejores carreras, por atletas de una especialidad tan exigente como el maratón. Saber qué condiciones personales y contextuales llevan al flow ayudaría a diseñar intervenciones psicológicas destinadas al incremento de las habilidades que permiten a los atletas alcanzar estados intensos de flow, lo que a su vez podría mejorar su ejecución y resultados

O flow é um estado subjetivo intensamente positivo e agradável, que, devido às suas dimensões e características (por exemplo, equilíbrioentre as demandas percebidas de as tarefas e as competências pessoais necessárias para a ação, objetivos claros, máxima concentração, elevada percepçãode controle sobre a execução, etc.), tem sido associado com um desempenho superior em comparação com o desempenho normal. A literatura mostraque pode ser experimentado em diferentes contextos e atividades, incluindo esportes. O objetivo deste estudo foi duplo: Por um lado, queríamos ver semaratonistas com diferentes níveis de desempenho experimentam diferentes níveis de flow e as características desse fenômeno neste grupo de atletas,bem como saber se as experiências de flow foram diferentes em três situações desportivas: Os treinos e competições em geral, a melhor corrida lembradapelo atleta, e sua última corrida; por outro lado, quisemos explorar a possível relação entre as experiências de flow e as marcas esperadas e obtidas porcorredores em as corridas melhor e última. Voluntariamente colaboraram neste estudo 170 maratonistas que correram a Maratona de Sevilha 2010, quemresponderam a Escala Breve de Flow (Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez e Ramírez, 2009) antes e depois de participar na corrida. Os participantes re-lataram experimentar estados de flow nas três situações atléticas exploradas, embora diferenças interindividuais foram encontradas em relação à frequênciae profundidade de tais experiências, e também em várias dimensões do fenômeno. Os participantes relataram ter episódios de flow mais profundo,intenso e freqüente na melhor competição lembrada e na última maratona em comparação com o treinamento e corridas em geral. Além disso, os corre-dores com experiências de flow mais profundas ou mais frequentes esperaram e tem melhores marcas. Em conclusão, o flow é freqüentemente experi-mentado por atletas de uma especialidade tão exigente como maratona, principalmente em suas melhores corridas. Estabelecer as condições pessoais econtextuais que pode levar ao flow nos permite projetar intervenções psicológicas para aumentar as habilidades que ajudam os atletas a alcançar estadosintensos de flow, que por sua vez poderiam melhorar o seu desempenho e resultados

Psychosocial interventions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised trials and non-controlled studies.

Women's care during perimenopause and postmenopause is taking new paths to help women cope with both somatic manifestations and changes related to psychological and social factors. An updated, systematic review was conducted on non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions with regard to peri- and postmenopause. Several databases complemented with reference lists and reviews were used to perform a literature search of any relevant article. Studies were selected if they included psychoeducational programmes, health education and promotion and cognitive-behavioural techniques applied to peri- or postmenopausal women, independently of study design, main outcomes and intervention comparators. A total of 33 reports and 3 relevant reviews published between 1987 and 2013 were included. Psychosocial options are promising intervention options for self-management and self-care, as they provide multiple benefits with no side effects. Moreover, these options are recommended for women in clinical, subclinical and asymptomatic groups, as they offer women the agency and skills necessary to manage and relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as provide information and alternatives to prevent menopausal symptoms and to have a more positive experience during these life stages. These options do more than reduce distress and complaints, as they allow women in any condition to enjoy enhanced health, well-being and quality of life. Moreover, these options are accompanied by important cost reductions in pharmaceutical investment and healthcare. Nevertheless, several issues remain controversial or have scarcely been investigated, and additional high-quality research should address these issues properly in the future. Despite these limitations and the weaknesses of the review, the findings of this review are interesting and positive. Thus, we encourage women-focused institutions and policies (e.g., healthcare centres, public organisations and women's associations) to offer psychosocial interventions to peri- and postmenopausal women within a comprehensive healthcare paradigm.