The effects of soy milk and isoflavone supplements on cognitive performance in healthy, postmenopausal women.

RATIONALE: The decline in estrogen concentrations in women after menopause can contribute to health related changes including impairments in cognition, especially memory. Because of the health concerns related to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alternative approaches to treat menopausal symptoms, such as nutritional supplements and/or diet containing isoflavones, are of interest. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether soy isoflavones (soy milk and supplement) could improve cognitive functioning in healthy, postmenopausal women. PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTION AND DESIGN: A total of 79 postmenopausal women, 48-65 years of age, completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which they were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: cow's milk and a placebo supplement (control); soy milk and placebo supplement (soy milk, 72 mg isoflavones/day); or cow's milk and isoflavone supplement (isoflavone supplement, 70 mg isoflavones/day). MEASUREMENTS: Cognitive functioning was assessed using various cognitive tasks before the intervention (baseline) and after the intervention (test). RESULTS: In contrast to predictions, soy isoflavones did not improve selective attention (Stroop task), visual long-term memory (pattern recognition), short-term visuospatial memory (Benton Visual Retention Test), or visuo-spatial working memory (color match task). Also, the soy milk group showed a decline in verbal working memory (Digit Ordering Task) compared to the soy supplement and control groups. CONCLUSION: Soy isoflavones consumed as a food or supplement over a 16-week period did not improve or appreciably affect cognitive functioning in healthy, postmenopausal women.

Know your numbers: comparing participants and nonparticipants in a university health screening program.

University faculty and staff members were offered the opportunity to participate in a worksite health screening program. Both the participants and the nonparticipants responded to a questionnaire concerning their dietary and health practices. Participants' values for total serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and percentage of body fat were measured. No significant differences between the two groups were observed for the parameters of self-reported total serum cholesterol or blood pressure, and the participants' self-reported and measured serum cholesterol values were not significantly different from those of the nonparticipants. However, the measured and self-reported percentages of body fat of participants were significantly different from reported percentages of body fat of those who did not participate. Further exploration of the motivation of participants in health screening programs is called for.

Attitudes and beliefs about exercise among persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

This study examined attitudes and beliefs about exercise among 83 persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes who had completed outpatient diabetes counseling. An adaptation of the Health Belief Model, labeled the Exercise Behavior Model, guided perceptual measures. Fifty-two percent of the subjects were exercising 3 or more days per week. Those with a greater length of time since diabetes counseling were more likely to be currently exercising. Positive and negative attitudes toward exercise characterized the group; however, only negative attitudes were related to exercise. Both exercisers and nonexercisers perceived barriers to exercise. Other people, chance happenings, physical discomfort, and perceptions of fitness, weight, and appearance played a role in whether the subjects exercised. The results indicate that providing assistance in identifying support for exercise and overcoming perceived barriers to exercise may increase compliance to this important aspect of the diabetes regimen.

The effect of student residence on food choice.

This study assessed the effect of student residence on food choices and dietary practices of students enrolled in an undergraduate nutrition class at Washington State University. We compared food consumption patterns of students living on campus, off campus, and in Greek housing. We also identified differences between men and women in food consumption and dietary practices. The results suggested that students' residence and sex may influence food choice and dietary practices. Significant differences in food choice related to students' residence were found for 8 of the 27 variables included on a food frequency list. Differences in the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, beer, fish, unsweetened cereal, white bread, and cookies were identified. In addition, students who lived in Greek housing were found to skip meals less frequently than other students, and men were found to consume significantly more beer, sugar-sweetened soft drinks, meat, and white bread than women students. Men were also more accurate in their perception of their body weight.

Predictors of recidivism in DUIIs.

The prior driving records of 397 drivers arrested for drinking and driving in the year 1983 were examined with the purpose of comparing biographical factors and variables relating to driving history and arrest circumstance between recidivist and nonrecidivist drinking drivers. Of these drivers, 174 (44%) had more than one arrest within a 12-year study period, while 223 (56%) had only one. Significant differences were found among drivers with different numbers of drinking and driving offenses. Drivers with one or two DUII arrests had more non-moving traffic violations than drivers with three or more DUII arrests. Drinking and driving offenders with higher levels of arrests were more likely to be unemployed, to have a past criminal record, to be arrested for drinking and driving on a weekday during afternoon and early evening hours, to drive with a suspended or revoked license and to refuse a blood alcohol level determination test. In this study DUII offenders with four or more arrests fit the descriptive model of alcoholism.