Performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in Oncopediatric Patients in an Oncology Unit in Cali, Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, the prevalence of cancer rose to 844,778 cases among the population aged 0-19 years. Approximately 90% of individuals under 18 years of age reside in low- and middle-income countries, where cancer survivors report adverse outcomes that negatively impact their general health, emotional state, and external factors such as academic performance due to the effect of these outcomes on executive functions. The Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test (WCST) is the gold standard for evaluating executive functioning. Therefore, this article (1) reports the performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in oncopediatric patients from Cali, Colombia; (2) indicates the reliability of the WCST; (3) describes the association between cancer type and executive functioning in patients; (4) describes the differences between patients with various executive deficits and their executive total scores; and (5) describes the association between cancer type and the presence of brain deficits based on the WCST. METHODS: In this cross-sectional observational study, 24 oncopediatric patients were interviewed and evaluated via the WCST. RESULTS: The mean age was 12.08 years (SD 3.98); 20.8% of the patients were women, 70.8% had a primary diagnosis of leukemia, 8% exhibited acquired brain deficits, and more than 75% displayed adequate functional indicators of executive functions. Robust statistics were employed to explore the differences between the types of diagnosis and performance in executive functions, and no statistically significant differences were found (p = 0.156). We found that the WCST has a reliable Cronbach's α of 0.804. Oncopediatric patients without brain deficits presented strong results in terms of executive functions (p = 0.002), with a moderate effect size (0.727). CONCLUSIONS: The WCST is reliable for discriminating executive functioning among pediatric cancer patients. The evidence suggests that there were no differences in the executive functioning of the participants based on the types of cancer being evaluated.

Autoantibody Diversity Is Augmented in Women with Breast Cancer and Is Related to the Stage of the Disease.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and leading cause of cancer mortality for women. A timely diagnosis of BC is crucial to ensure the best chances of survival. Among the various screening tools for BC, antibodies directed towards self-antigens or tumor-associated antigens (autoantibodies) have emerged as an alternative to image-based screening modalities. However, little attention has been paid to the global diversity of autoantibodies. This work aimed to analyze the diversity of autoantibodies reactive to antigens expressed by the BC cell line T47D in the sera of Mexican women with BC, benign breast pathology (BBP), or without breast pathology (WBP). We found that the diversity of antibodies in the sera was higher in the BC and BBP groups than in the WBP group. Likewise, the diversity changed with the progression of BC. Our results show and measure the complexity of the antibody response in breast health and disease.

Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness.

Background: Even though various studies recognize the importance of the oral cavity to have general health, in multidisciplinary professional practice it is almost always excluded and on an individual basis, very commonly neglected. Oral diseases are preventable, still, they are highly prevalent. Although some studies consider oral health within integral health, currently, there is no model in which the mouth is integrated within other levels for the achievement of well-being. The objective of this article was to review the importance of oral health and its connection with well-being and, based on these findings, propose a complex and comprehensive perspective for approach and care. Methods: The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were revised for randomized controlled trials and reviews that included search terms related to oral health and its relationship with the general health in its different levels (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Results: The review shows that oral health is critical, as the teeth and mouth are not only an integral part of the body, but also, they also support and enable essential human functions. That is, oral health has a multidimensional nature, as it includes the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains that are essential for overall health and well-being. Likewise, the mouth is the psychological seat of the first physiological needs and emotional gratifications, with it we take a taste of the world around us. Thus, the mouth plays an important role in the feeling of unity and in the constitution of the self. Based on these results we propose an integrative model in which the mouth is the first step for well-being and from this integrative model we build a multidisciplinary approach which could be used in the clinical practice for the promotion of oral care and general health. Conclusion: The effort on the part of oral health professionals is essential for people's well-being and must be integrated as part of health promotion. Dental treatments alone cannot solve this problem, it requires a comprehensive and approach in which the bio-psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental determinants are included to face this global oral health challenge. That is, without a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to medical science that includes dental and oral health, our public policies cannot provide the best answers to health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Psychological suppressive profile and autoantibodies variability in women living with breast cancer: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of women's morbimortality worldwide. Unfortunately, attempts to predict women's susceptibility to developing BC well before it becomes symptomatic, based on their genetic, family, and reproductive background have proved unsatisfactory. Here we analyze the matching of personality traits and protein serum profiles to predict women's susceptibility to developing cancer. We conducted a prospective study among 150 women (aged 18-70 years), who were distributed into three groups (n = 50): women without breast pathology and women diagnosed with BC or benign breast pathology. Psychological data were obtained through standardized psychological tests and serum protein samples were analyzed through semiquantitative protein immunoblotting. The matching for psychological and immunological profiles was constructed from these data using a mathematical generalized linear model.The model predicted that women who have stronger associations between high-intensity stress responses, emotional containment, and an increased number and reduced variability of serum proteins (detected by IgG autoantibodies) have the greatest susceptibility to develop BC before the disease has manifested clinically. Hence, the present study endorses the possibility of using psychological and biochemical tests in combination to increase the possibility of identifying women at risk of developing BC before the disease shows clinical manifestations. A longitudinal study must be instrumented to test the prediction ability of the instrument in real scenarios. Trial registration: Committee of Ethical Research of the Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga," Ministry of Health (DI/12/111/03/064).

Assessment of executive functions and physical activity in girls and boys with normal weight, overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and performance of executive functions (EFs) in girls and boys with 9- and 10-year-old schoolchildren with moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. METHODS: A total of 120 schoolchildren (61 girls and 59 boys) were evaluated anthropometrically. The MVPA was evaluated with a self-report questionnaire. EFs were measured using a neuropsychological battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes-2 (BANFE-2). RESULTS: A high BMI was associated with longer delay in completing inhibitory control tests (p = 0.00, rp  = 0.32) and working memory (p = 0.00, rp  = 0.26). We observed correlations in time (p = 0.00, rp  = -0.43) and hits (p = 0.04, rp  = -0.27) of self-directed signalling test in boys; and girls in alphabetical words order (p = 0.00, rp  = -0.39). Active normal weight schoolchildren (ANw) performed better by successfully completed the working memory tasks (H = 26.97, p = 0.00) than sedentary schoolchildren with overweight and obesity. In addition, overweight-active schoolchildren (AOw) showed better performance on working memory tests in time (p = 0.00) and hits (p = 0.01) than their sedentary peers. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between BMI and EFs scores (F = 2.41, df = 98, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EFs are affected by a high BMI and sedentary behaviour in school children. Boys and girls reflected differences to solve the same challenges. The MVPA has a positive effect on executive control skills mainly in overweight children.

Positive education in college students: the effects of the "self-knowledge and soul care" workshop on the emotions and character strengths / Educación positiva en estudiantes universitarios: efectos del taller "autoconocimiento y cuidado del alma" sobre las emociones y fortalezas del carácter

Objective: most healthy and unhealthy behaviors are acquired or consolidated during youth, thus a good investment in the future of any nation, should be to promote the development of young people, incorporating them into projects and programs that aspire to increase their subjective wellbeing and personal health. The Psycho-Educational Intervention (PEI) presented here has been shown to have effects on the health and wellbeing of students as well as on their academic performance. However, its effects on strength of character, emotional balance and emotional intelligence are unknown. Materials and methods: in this paper it was shows the effects of this PEI on positive education in a group of 18 students through three questionnaires: VIA-240, PANAS-20 and PIEMO. To estimate the effects of the PEI, a comparison was made between the scores obtained on the three questionnaires before and after the PEI sessions.Results: the results show that not only did character strengths, positive affect and emotional intelligence improve with PEI, but that also the character strengths and the emotional bearings arranged in a network topography changed with intervention. Also, there were some changes in the most connected nodes of the network. Conclusions: these results show that PEI improved the previous reported variables, they also show the way in which the balance of the positive and negative affects, the development of emotional intelligence and the enhancement of character strengths give access to the three pillars of positive psychology..(Au)

Objetivo: las conductas más saludables y no saludables se consolidan durante la juventud, por lo que una buena inversión de futuro de cualquier nación, debe ser promover su desarrollo, incorporándolos en proyectos que aspiren a incrementar su bienestar subjetivo y su salud. Se ha demostrado que la Intervención Psicoeducativa (IPE) que aquí se presenta tiene efectos en la salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes, así como en su rendimiento académico. Sin embargo, se desconocen sus efectos sobre las fortalezas de carácter, el equilibrio emocional y la inteligencia emocional. Materiales y métodos: en este trabajo se muestran los efectos de esta PEI en la educación positiva en un grupo de 18 estudiantes a través de tres cuestionarios: VIA- 240, PANAS-20 y PIEMO. Para su estimación, se realizó una comparación entre las puntuaciones obtenidas en los tres cuestionarios antes y después de las sesiones de la PEI. Resultados: los resultados muestran que no solo mejoraron las variables analizadas, sino que también las fortalezas del carácter y las emociones que están dispuestos en una topografía de red, cambiaron con la intervención. Además, hubo algunos cambios en los nodos más conectados de la red. Conclusiones: estos resultados muestran que la PEI mejoró las variables reportadas anteriormente, también muestran la forma en que el balance de los afectos positivos y negativos, el desarrollo de la inteligencia emocional y la potenciación de las fortalezas del carácter dan acceso a los tres pilares de la psicología positiva..(Au)

Las ferias como medio para la promoción de la salud en la comunidad universitaria: pasos hacia una educación positiva / Fairs as a means of promoting health in the university community: steps towards a positive education

Objetivo: la promoción de la salud en términos positivos y de bienestar, implica concebirla como el proceso en el que la comunidad aumenta el control sobre su salud, y la mejora. Las universidades tienen grandes capacidades para ello; por ejemplo, en ferias de salud que rompen los esquemas tradicionales unidireccionales y pasivos de los programas de salud. El programa de salud integral de la Universidad Veracruzana (México) implementó en su primera etapa estrategias para la promoción, prevención y tratamiento de enfermedades. Más tarde incorporó una visión más integral acorde a las necesidades enmarcadas en los objetivos sostenibles y la promoción de la salud comenzó a realizarse a través de ferias. No obstante, la comunidad universitaria dudaba que su realización tuviera beneficios. Materiales y métodos: se evaluó el efecto de las ferias en la salud y bienestar percibido por los estudiantes y su entorno y se identificaron las virtudes y fortalezas de carácter, las cuales son esenciales para la vida en bienestar. Resultados: la participación de los estudiantes en las ferias de salud les aporta conocimientos y habilidades para mejorar su salud, así como para adoptar estilos de vida acordes al autocuidado y la sustentabilidad. Además, las 24 fortalezas están presentes en todos los estudiantes, aunque el autocontrol fue la fortaleza menos presente. Conclusiones: las ferias son espacios que promueven la salud, al lograr transmitir y apropiar información, al mismo tiempo que acercan y educan a diferentes públicos de manera efectiva lúdica..Au

Objective: the promotion of health in positive and well-being terms implies conceiving it as the process in which the community increases control over its health and improves it. Universities in this sense have great capacities for their promotion, for example, health fairs break the traditional unidirectional and passive schemes of health programs. The comprehensive health program of the Universidad Veracruzana, implemented in its first stage strategies for the promotion, prevention and treatment of diseases. Later, it incorporated a more comprehensive vision according to the needs framed in the sustainable objectives and the promotion of health began to be carried out through fairs. However, there was a perception in the university community that its implementation had no benefits. Materials and methods: the effect of the fairs on the perceived health and well-being of the students and their environment was evaluated, and the virtues and strengths of character, which are essential for life in well-being, were identified. Results: the participation of the students provides them with knowledge and skills to improve their health, as well as to adopt lifestyles consistent with self-care and sustainability. In addition, the 24 strengths are present in all students, although self-control was the least present strength. Conclusions: fairs are spaces that promote health, by transmitting and appropriating information, at the same time that they approach and educate different audiences in an effective playful way..Au

Potential for body mass index as a tool to estimate body fat in young people. / Potencial del índice de masa corporal como indicador de grasa corporal en jóvenes.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to determine the anthropometric indicator that is most strongly associated with the percentage of body fat and self-regulation of eating behaviour and physical activity among young university students. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,869 Mexican university students, of which 53.9% were women. Standard procedures for anthropometry were followed, including weight, height and waist circumference. This data was used for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI), A Body Shape Index, waist-to-height ratio, Body Roundness Index and Conicity index. The self-regulation of eating habits scale and the self-regulation of physical activity scale were used. Mean with standard deviation, percentages and Pearson correlation coefficient were estimated. RESULTS: The group of men shown a higher prevalence of excess weight compared to the women. Inverse correlations between most anthropometric indices and self-regulation of eating behaviour and physical activity were found. However, in all cases the correlations were weak. The percentage of fat had a medium frequency of association with Conicity index and high with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and Body Roundness Index, where the BMI showed the highest correlation coefficient CONCLUSIONS: The BMI shows the highest magnitude of association with percentage of body fat in university students among the indicators analysed. Therefore it is suggested that nurses use BMI to determine obesity because it is easy to calculate.

Psychometric Analysis of the Body Shape Questionnaire in Mexican University Students. / Análisis psicométrico del Body Shape Questionnaire en universitarios mexicanos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the psychometric properties, internal structure, and relationship with anthropometric indicators of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among Mexican university students according to the measurement invariance approach. METHODS: An instrumental study was carried out to assess the psychometric properties, validity, and reliability of the BSQ. The analysis of the measurement invariance was performed using the Least Squares Estimation, and weighted by adjusted variance and polychoric correlations after assessing different measurement models for BSQ in each group. The scores of the final version were correlated with anthropometric indicators by the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: As regards the dimensional analysis, all of the previous models for BSQ have favourable adjustment rates, although those with a single factor show more robust evidence. The configural invariance was accepted; suggesting that the one-dimensional structure is common for both men and women. However, 16-item factorial loadings were statistically different between the groups. Hence, they were discarded and an 18-item version (BSQ-18) was obtained, which is considered invariant as regards gender. In addition, there is a direct relationship between the scores of the BSQ-18 version and the body mass index, waist circumference, and fat percentage. Satisfactory indicators were found as regards stability. CONCLUSIONS: The BSQ-18 can be used with men and women, and has high reliability indicators to be conducted in clinical settings to assess eating disorders and obesity among university students.

Análisis psicométrico del Body Shape Questionnaire en universitarios mexicanos / Psychometric Analysis of the Body Shape Questionnaire in Mexican University Students

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las propiedades psicométricas, estructura interna y relación con indicadores antropométricos del Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) en universitarios mexicanos, partiendo de un enfoque de la invarianza de medición. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio instrumental, orientado a la evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas, validez y fiabilidad, del BSQ. Se realizó análisis de invarianza de la medición por el método de estimación mínimos cuadrados ponderados con varianza ajustada y correlaciones policóricas, previa evaluación de diferentes modelos de medición del BSQ en cada grupo. Las puntuaciones de la versión final se correlacionaron con indicadores antropométricos mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Resultados: En el análisis dimensional, todos los modelos previos del BSQ presentan índices de ajuste favorables, aunque aquellos de un solo factor presente son los que tienen evidencia más robusta. Se aceptó la invarianza configural, lo que indica que la estructura unidimensional es común a varones y mujeres. Sin embargo, las cargas factoriales de 16 ítems fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre los grupos, por lo que se descartaron y se obtuvo una versión de 18 ítems (BSQ-18), que se considera invariante respecto al sexo. Además, hay relación directa entre las puntuaciones de la versión del BSQ-18 y el índice de masa corporal, la circunferencia de cintura y el porcentaje de grasa. En cuanto a la fiabilidad, se hallaron indicadores satisfactorios. Conclusiones: El BSQ-18 es aplicable tanto a varones como a mujeres y tiene indicadores de fiabilidad elevados que posibilitan su uso en entornos clínicos para la evaluación en el abordaje de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y obesidad en jóvenes universitarios.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the psychometric properties, internal structure, and relationship with anthropometric indicators of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among Mexican university students according to the measurement invariance approach. Methods: An instrumental study was carried out to assess the psychometric properties, validity, and reliability of the BSQ. The analysis of the measurement invariance was performed using the Least Squares Estimation, and weighted by adjusted variance and polychoric correlations after assessing different measurement models for BSQ in each group. The scores of the final version were correlated with anthropometric indicators by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: As regards the dimensional analysis, all of the previous models for BSQ have favourable adjustment rates, although those with a single factor show more robust evidence. The configural invariance was accepted; suggesting that the one-dimensional structure is common for both men and women. However, 16-item factorial loadings were statistically different between the groups. Hence, they were discarded and an 18-item version (BSQ-18) was obtained, which is considered invariant as regards gender. In addition, there is a direct relationship between the scores of the BSQ-18 version and the body mass index, waist circumference, and fat percentage. Satisfactory indicators were found as regards stability. Conclusions: The BSQ-18 can be used with men and women, and has high reliability indicators to be conducted in clinical settings to assess eating disorders and obesity among university students

Estrés percibido y felicidad en adultos mexicanos según estado de salud-enfermedad / Perceived stress and happiness among Mexican adults split by health-illness condition

Resumen El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la relación entre el estrés percibido y la felicidad en adultos mexicanos, así como comparar ambas variables según el estado de salud-enfermedad. La muestra estuvo conformada por 762 adultos mexicanos con una media de edad de 44.96 años, de los cuales el 70.3 % reportó no padecer ninguna enfermedad. Se utilizó la Escala de Estrés Percibido y el Inventario de Felicidad Auténtica. Adicionalmente, los participantes reportaron si padecían alguna enfermedad y seleccionaron, posteriormente, en una lista de opciones. Mediante el SPSS v.24 se realizaron análisis de frecuencias, descriptivos, análisis de correlación y análisis de varianza de un factor. En los resultados se observó una correlación negativa y estadísticamente significativa entre el estrés percibido y la felicidad. Por su parte, solo se observaron diferencias significativas en la subescala de estrés percibido "sobrepasado por la situación"; fue mayor en el grupo de personas con una enfermedad aguda en comparación con el grupo de personas sanas. Se discuten los principales hallazgos, así como las implicaciones para la práctica psicológica.

Abstract The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between perceived stress and happiness in Mexican adults, and test for differences in both variables according to the health disease condition. The sample consisted of 762 Mexican adults with an average age of 44.96 years, of which 70.3% reported not suffering from any disease. The Perceived Stress Scale and the Authentic Happiness Inventory were used. In addition, participants reported if they suffer from any disease, later selecting from a list of options. Using the SPSS v.24, frequency, descriptive, correlation and analysis of variance of one factor were performed. Negative and statistically significant correlation between perceived stress and happiness was found. On the other hand, only significant differences were observed in the subscale of perceived stress "overwhelmed by the situation" being greater in the group of people with an acute illness, compared to the group of healthy people. The main findings as well as implications for psychological practice are discussed.

Análisis estructural de la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff en universitarios mexicanos / Structural analysis of the Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale among Mexican college students

Objetivos: realizar el análisis de la estructura interna de la versión en español de la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff (PWBS-E) en estudiantes universitarios (n = 1700; 54.75% mujeres; Medad = 19.23) de una institución pública en Veracruz, México. Método: La estructura interna de la PWBS-E fue evaluada mediante el análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA), el modelamiento de ecuaciones estructurales exploratorio (ESEM) y el análisis factorial exploratorio (EFA). La confiabilidad del constructo fue estimada con el coeficiente α y de las puntuaciones con el coeficiente α. Resultados: indicaron que una estructura unidimensional y breve (19 ítems) posee mayor respaldo empírico. Además, se evidenció la existencia de un factor de método asociado a ítems invertidos en los modelos multidimensionales. En cuanto a la confiabilidad, se hallaron indicadores aceptables en ambos niveles (constructo y puntuaciones). Conclusiones: se discuten los hallazgos y las implicancias prácticas de la versión breve de la PWBS-E en universitarios

Objectives: This paper aimed to analyze the internal structure of the Spanish version of the Ryff ’s psychological well-being scale (PWBS-E) among college students (n = 1700, 54.75% females, Mage = 19.23) who attend a public institution located in Veracruz, Mexico. Method: The internal structure of the PWBS-E was assessed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), while the reliability of the construct was estimated with the ù coefficient and the reliability of the scores, with the α coefficient. Results: Suggested that a short and unidimensional structure (19 items) provides greater empirical support. In addition, a method factor associated with inverted items in multidimensional models was evidenced. Regarding the reliability, acceptable indicators were found in both levels (construct and scores). Conclusions: This paper addresses both the findings and practical implications of the short version of the PWBS-E among college students.

Valores normativos del sistema internacional de imágenes afectivas en población mexicana: diferencias entre Estados Unidos, Colombia y México / Normative Values of the International Affective Picture System in Mexicans: Differences between USA, Colombia and Mexico

Resumen Uno de los instrumentos con mayor evidencia empírica y versatilidad para el estudio de las emociones y la motivación es el Sistema Internacional de Imágenes Afectivas (International Affective Picture System, IAPS). Sin embargo, no ha sido probado en población mexicana. Por esta razón el presente estudio tuvo por objetivo determinar los valores normativos en valencia, arousal y dominancia para los conjuntos 13, 14, 19 y 20 del IAPS en población mexicana, e identificar las diferencias con países de América (Colombia y Estados Unidos). Participaron 408 estudiantes quienes evaluaron 238 imágenes del IAPS a través del Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). Los resultados mostraron que la distribución de las imágenes en el espacio afectivo bidimensional (valencia-arousal) adoptan la forma esperada de boomerang, coincidiendo con lo encontrado en otras poblaciones. Sin embargo, en población mexicana es más fuerte la relación entre valencia apetitiva y arousal que entre valencia aversiva y arousal. En conclusión, los valores normativos de los conjuntos 13, 14, 19 y 20 pueden ser utilizados en población mexicana para el estudio objetivo de las emociones.

Abstract The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) is an instrument to the study of emotions and motivation with a high empirical evidence and versatility. However, it has not been tested in Mexican population, for that reason the aim of this study was to determine the normative values of valence, arousal and dominance for the IAPS sets of pictures 13, 14, 19 and 20 in Mexican population. Participants were 408 students who assessed 238 images of the IAPS through the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM). The results showed that the pictures distribution on the two-dimensional affective space (valence-arousal); take a boomerang form, which is consistent with the findings in other populations. Nevertheless, in the Mexican population there was a stronger relationship between appetitive valence and arousal than the one observe in aversive valence and arousal. In conclusion the normative values in the IAPS sets of pictures 13, 14, 19 and 20 can be used in the study of emotions in Mexican people.

Evaluating Stress during Pregnancy: Do We Have the Right Conceptions and the Correct Tools to Assess It?

Gestational stress is believed to increase the risk of pregnancy failure and perinatal and adult morbidity and mortality in both the mother and her child or children. However, some contradictions might arise from methodological issues or even from differences in the philosophical grounds that guide the studies on gestational stress. Biased perspectives could lead us to use and/or design inadequate/incomplete panels of biochemical determinations and/or psychological instruments to diagnose it accurately during pregnancy, a psychoneuroimmune-endocrine state in which allostatic loads may be significant. Here, we review these notions and propose a model to evaluate and diagnose stress during pregnancy.

Self-regulation of eating and physical activity is lower in obese female college students as compared to their normal weight counterparts.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is characterized, among other features, by overeating, reduced physical activity and an abnormal accumulation of body fat. These features are thought to result, at least in part, from the individual's inability to self-regulate their eating and physical activity behaviors (E&PaB). Self-regulation of the E&PaB is a three-step sequential process: self-observation, self-evaluation and self-reaction. However, it is yet unclear whether deficient self-regulation of E&PaB could predispose, facilitate and/or consolidate obesity. Unraveling this issue is fundamental in order to more precisely define the role of self-regulation of E&PaB in the management of obesity. METHODS: This research was focused on the question of whether or not self-regulation of E&PaB is related to obesity in female undergraduate students. This population segment seems especially vulnerable to developing obesity since they undergo a significant shift of their E&PaB upon their university enrollment. To address this question, a cross-sectional study with 108 female undergraduate students with normal weight (n = 80) or obesity (n = 28) was performed, in which self-regulation of eating habits and physical activity was measured by two validated scales and a personal data questionnaire. RESULTS: Female undergraduate students displaying lower E&PaB self-reactions were consistently overweight or obese. In addition, a multivariate analysis identified high levels of self-reaction towards eating habits related to a minor presence of overweight issues or obesity. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation should be an essential component in the strategies for obesity prevention as an integral approach that must include orientation about healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. In addition, further studies on the effect of self-regulation in the treatment of the obesity are needed.

[Design and validation of a scale to assess self-regulation of eating habits in Mexican university students]. / Diseño y validación de una escala para valorar la autorregulación de hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos.

Healthy eating habits promote wellness and prevent disease, however, despite the intention to change a bad habit, people often fail in theirattempts. This is due, since the performance of a change requires self-regulation skills that allow to observe, to evaluate and to take an action, in a constant motivation during the all the process; not only theknowledge about proper nutrition. The objective of this study was to design and validate an instrument to evaluate the level of self-regulation for eating habits in college students.62 items were written and evaluated by four expert judges. Two applications of the instrument were performed to 487 subjects. An unweighted least squares factor analysis whit direct Oblimin rotation was performed. The items saturated in more than one factor were discarded, as well as those who had a loading factor less than 0.40 or commonality less than 0.30. It was obtained an instrument integrated by 14 items grouped into three factors, which explained the 46.9% of the variance: self-reaction, self-observation and self-evaluation. Cronbach's alpha yielded a high reliability coefficient (α = 0.874).The results show that the scale is a valid and reliable tool to measure of self-regulation of eating habits in college students. Its applications include the diagnostic of a population and the evaluation of interventions aimed to improving nutrition based on the assumption that the processes of change require sustained self-regulation skills in people protective effect against increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Diseño y validación de una escala para valorar la autorregulación de hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos / Design and validation of a scale to assess self-regulation of eating habits in Mexican university students

Los hábitos alimentarios saludables promueven el bienestar y previenen enfermedades, sin embargo, pese a la intencionalidad de cambio de hábitos nocivos, las personas con frecuencia fracasan en sus intentos. Lo anterior debido a que el cambio, además de conocimientos sobre una adecuada alimentación, requiere capacidades de autorregulación que permitan observarse, evaluarse y emprender acciones con una constante motivación durante el proceso. El objetivo de este estudio fue diseñar y validar un instrumento para evaluarel nivel de autorregulación de hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios.Fueron redactados 62 ítems, posteriormente sometidos a evaluación por cuatro jueces expertos. Se efectuaron dos aplicaciones del instrumento con un total de 487 participantes. Se realizó un análisis factorial de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados con rotación a través del método Oblimin directo. Se descartaron los ítems que tuvieron carga factorial inferior a 0.40 o comunalidad inferior a 0.30.Se obtuvo un instrumento de 14 ítems agrupados en tres factores que explicaron 46.9% de la varianza: autorreación, autoobservación y autoevaluación. A través del alfa de Cronbach se obtuvo un coeficiente de confiabilidad muy alto (α = 0.874).Los resultados muestran que la escala constituye una herramienta válida y confiable para medir la autorregulación de hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios. Sus aplicaciones incluyen la obtención de diagnósticos y la evaluación de intervenciones enfocadas a la mejora de la alimentación, partiendo del supuesto de que los procesos de cambio sostenido requieren de capacidades de autorregulación en las personas.

Healthy eating habits promote wellness and prevent disease, however, despite the intention to change a bad habit, people often fail in theirattempts. This is due, since the performance of a change requires self-regulation skills that allow to observe, to evaluate and to take an action, in a constant motivation during the all the process; not only theknowledge about proper nutrition.The objective of this study was to design and validate an instrument to evaluatethe level of self-regulation for eating habits in college students.62 items were written and evaluated by four expert judges. Two applications of the instrument were performed to 487 subjects. An unweighted least squares factor analysis whit direct Oblimin rotation was performed. The items saturated in more than one factor were discarded, as well as those who had a loading factor less than 0.40 or commonality less than 0.30. It was obtained an instrument integrated by 14 itemsgrouped into three factors, which explained the 46.9% of the variance: self-reaction, self-observation and self-evaluation. Cronbach’s alpha yielded a high reliability coefficient (α = 0.874).The results show that the scale is a valid and reliable tool to measure of self-regulation of eating habits in college students. Its applications include the diagnostic of a population and the evaluation of interventions aimed toimproving nutrition based on the assumption that the processes of change require sustained self-regulation skills in people.protective effect against increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Emotional dimensions in people with aggressive behavior: differential responses to affective visual stimuli / Dimensões emocionais em pessoas com comportamento agressivo: diferentes respostas a estímulos visuais

INTRODUCTION: The emotional interaction between personal attributes and the environment is a key element to understand aggression. This study identified emotional responses of people with different aggressive traits to pictures with a specific affective content. METHODS: Three hundred fifteen individuals were divided into five groups according to their scores on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, which consists of 24 pictures of the International Affective Picture System that depict aggression, the suffering of others, filial situations, and sexual content. Each picture was evaluated for valence, arousal, and dominance using the Self-Assessment Manikin scale. RESULTS: Sexual pictures were more appetitive and associated with more arousal in the groups of individuals with some aggression-related dimension than in the non-aggressive group. CONCLUSIONS: A strong interaction was found between aggressive traits (e.g., verbal aggression, physical aggression, anger, and hostility) and pictures with a sexual content. This interaction is decisive in understanding the later phases of aggressive behaviors and sexual aggression (AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: A interação emocional entre atributos pessoais e o ambiente é um elemento fundamental para o entendimento da agressão. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar as respostas emocionais de pessoas com diferentes traços de agressividade para a exposição a figuras com conteúdo afetivo diverso. MÉTODOS: Trezentos e quinze indivíduos foram divididos em cinco grupos de acordo com seus resultados no questionário Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, que consiste de 24 figuras do Sistema Internacional de Figuras com Conteúdo Emocional, mostrando agressão, sofrimento alheio, cenas entre pais e filhos e com conteúdo sexual. Cada figura foi avaliada quanto às dimensões de prazer, alerta e dominância usando a escala Self-Assessment Manikin. RESULTADOS: As figuras com conteúdo sexual foram mais apetitivas, e foram relacionadas a maior reposta de alerta nos grupos de indivíduos com alguma dimensão associada à agressão quando comparados ao grupo não agressivo. CONCLUSÕES: Encontrou-se uma forte interação entre traços agressivos (e.g., agressão verbal, agressão física, raiva e hostilidade) e figuras com conteúdo sexual. Essa interação é decisiva para o entendimento das fases tardias dos comportamentos agressivos e a agressão sexual (AU)

Modulation of the startle response in verbal aggressors: differences among stimuli with distinct affective social content

The emotional response to socially affective stimuli is an important variable to understand aggression. Research is lacking on the psychophysiological basis of verbal aggressiveness that would allow the identification of these emotional responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate modulation of the startle response in verbal aggressors during the presentation of visual stimuli with different affective social content. Acoustic startle probes were administered to 29 verbal aggressors and 28 non-verbal aggressors while viewing slides from the International Affective Picture System, which contains sexual, filial, neutral, unpleasant, and suffering of others pictures. Verbal aggressors showed a low startle response to sexual pictures compared with non-verbal aggressors and a potentiated startle response to neutral pictures compared with unpleasant, filial, and suffering of others pictures. These differences were observed among women. Based on previous studies, the present results may be explained by high testosterone levels, low cortisol levels, and moral disengagement exhibited by verbally aggressive women...

Modulation of the startle response in verbal aggressors: differences among stimuli with distinct affective social content

The emotional response to socially affective stimuli is an important variable to understand aggression. Research is lacking on the psychophysiological basis of verbal aggressiveness that would allow the identification of these emotional responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate modulation of the startle response in verbal aggressors during the presentation of visual stimuli with different affective social content. Acoustic startle probes were administered to 29 verbal aggressors and 28 non-verbal aggressors while viewing slides from the International Affective Picture System, which contains sexual, filial, neutral, unpleasant, and suffering of others pictures. Verbal aggressors showed a low startle response to sexual pictures compared with non-verbal aggressors and a potentiated startle response to neutral pictures compared with unpleasant, filial, and suffering of others pictures. These differences were observed among women. Based on previous studies, the present results may be explained by high testosterone levels, low cortisol levels, and moral disengagement exhibited by verbally aggressive women.(AU)