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Biomedical subjects

J K O'Connell

Publications and source records attributed to J K O'Connell.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

Development of a short obesity knowledge scale using four different response formats.

This study examined the validity and reliability of a short obesity knowledge scale. A 12-item test was developed around the four aspects of obesity: etiology of obesity; diseases related to obesity; weight loss techniques; and general information on obesity. Four forms were developed: true/false, true/false/uncertain, multiple choice, and Likert response. Comparisons of the four test formats with 187 subjects revealed a variety of internal reliabilities, stability reliabilities, item discriminations, and readability scores.

Female↗
PubMed1985

Utilizing the health belief model to predict dieting and exercising behavior of obese and nonobese adolescents.

This study was undertaken to explain dieting and exercising behavior of obese and nonobese adolescents as measured by the elements of the Health Belief Model (HBM). An elicitation questionnaire was used to determine salient beliefs about dieting, exercising, and obesity for each of the major components of the HBM. The Health Belief Model questionnaire, developed from the elicited salient beliefs, contained items employed to measure attitudes towards obesity and exercise, knowledge of obesity and exercise, weight locus of control, and beliefs and evaluations about obesity and exercise. Discriminant analysis and stepwise discriminant analysis were employed in the data analysis of the 69 obese and 100 nonobese HBM respondents to determine the relative importance of the investigated factors in predicting obesity. It was found that benefits of dieting was the most powerful predictor of dieting behavior for the obese adolescents, whereas susceptibility to the causes of obesity best explained present dieting behavior of nonobese adolescents. Exercising behavior of obese teenagers was best explained by cues to exercising. No HBM variables were significant in predicting exercising behavior of nonobese adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Health locus of control and voluntary use of seat belts among high school students.

An 18-item Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale published by Wallston, Wallston, and DeVellis in 1978 was given to 124 high school students, 59 of whom wore seat belts and 65 of whom did not. It was hypothesized that nonseat-belt wearers were more likely to be externally oriented than seat-belt wearers but this was not confirmed. Strong scoring internal subjects were not found in this sample of students.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Health locus of control of joggers and nonexercisers.

To gain a better understanding of why some people engage in regular leisure-time physical exercise while others remain sedentary, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale was distributed to 123 younger joggers and 93 nonexercisers. Analysis of the responses indicated that the joggers scored significantly higher on the internal subscale than did the nonexercisers. No significant differences were found on the Chance and Powerful Others subscales. The disparity of these results from those of other studies of the relationship between locus of control and exercise suggest that an exercise specific locus of control scale needs to be developed. The confound of age with exercise and locus of control requires clarification.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Perceptions of educational needs for patients after myocardial infarction.

Twelve physicians, 33 nurses, and 30 patients completed questionnaires to elicit similarities and differences in perceptions of educational needs of post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Results, using chi-square analysis, indicated that the three groups generally agreed upon which areas should be included in education programs for such patients. The topics rated most important by all three groups were: "knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack"; "knowing how to modify or change personal risk factors"; "knowing the names, dosages, and side effects of medications"; and "knowing personal risk factors." Congruence of perceived educational needs of post-MI patients should not be misconstrued to mean that an educational needs assessment for these patients is not necessary.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1983

Ethical theories for promoting health through behavioral change.

The various philosophical orientations for changing people's unhealthy behaviors are examined. The ethical theories of natural law, utilitarianism, paternalism and distributive justice are reviewed in relation to changing people's behaviors. Finally, the health educators' role in behavior change is examined and it is recommended that health educators may need to limit the conditions in which they intervene into the lives of others.

Behavior Control↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Family practice physicians' beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding obesity.

This study examined 318 family practice physicians' beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding obese patients. Most physicians surveyed were aware of the health effects of obesity and that normal weight is important to the health of their patients. Beliefs, attitudes, and practices differed significantly based on the physicians' sex, weight, years in practice, and belief that counseling patients on weight loss is professionally gratifying and that most obese patients can lose significant amounts of weight. A notable number of respondents held negative or stereotypical attitudes toward obese patients (i.e., obese patients lack self-control, are lazy and sad). The most commonly recommended weight loss techniques were decreasing caloric consumption (92 percent), participating in Weight Watchers (84 percent), consulting a dietitian/nutritionist (76 percent), and aerobic exercise (75 percent). The two sources of weight control information most frequently cited were past experience (73 percent) and medical journals (71 percent). The results of this survey indicate that there is considerable room for improvement in the beliefs, attitudes, and practices of family physicians regarding obese patients.

Adult↗