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Biomedical subjects

Jennifer A O'Dea

Publications and source records attributed to Jennifer A O'Dea.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Socio-cognitive and nutritional factors associated with body mass index in children and adolescents: possibilities for childhood obesity prevention.

A large national study of schoolchildren aged 6-18 years was conducted to assess nutritional and socio-cognitive factors associated with body mass index (BMI). A questionnaire was used to assess nutritional quality of breakfast, importance of physical activity and food variety score, among 4441 students from randomly selected schools in all states and territories of Australia between September and December 2000. Height and weight were measured. Nutritional knowledge, dietary self-efficacy and dietary locus of control were also assessed among adolescents. School socio-economic status (SES) was derived from parental income. The factors were modelled using multiple linear regression to determine significant predictors of BMI. Dietary self-efficacy, nutritional quality of breakfast and SES were found to be the principal predictors of BMI in addition to the expected biological factors of age, gender and height. Furthermore, low SES was found to contribute to high BMI, mediated by the low nutritional quality of breakfast. Food variety was positively associated with high BMI and this was mediated by dietary self-efficacy. Nutrition knowledge and dietary locus of control were not associated with BMI. These results suggest that breakfast programmes for low-income children may be an effective measure in the prevention of childhood obesity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Self-concept, self-esteem and body weight in adolescent females: a three-year longitudinal study.

Eighty girls aged 12.8 (0.6) years, completed self-concept, depression and anxiety scales over three years and had their height and weight measured. All nine self-concept domains were lower in the Highest BMI group, compared to the Lower BMI group and this trend was stable over three years. Highest BMI girls were substantially lower than population norms on all nine scales. Over three years, the Physical Appearance and Close Friendship scores of Highest BMI girls decreased compared to Lower BMI girls. This pattern was similar for all of the other self-concept domains. Several aspects of early adolescent girls' self-image may be adversely influenced by a heavy weight status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Evidence for a self-esteem approach in the prevention of body image and eating problems among children and adolescents.

Early suggestions from the 1980s for a self-esteem approach in the prevention of eating problems have been adopted by researchers, and the results of several interventions show support for the efficacy, safety, and suitability of a predominantly self-esteem and self-acceptance approach. Several recent studies utilizing strong self-esteem components as part of their controlled prevention interventions have produced improvements in body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, internalization of the thin ideal, and attitudes associated with the eating disorders. This article discusses self-esteem as one of the important risk and protective factors in the development of body image concerns and eating disorders and describes the subsequent use of a self-esteem approach for prevention of eating disorders. Interventions containing strong self-esteem components from around the world are discussed in relation to their impact on the body image and eating behaviors of adolescents. Applications of the self-esteem approach for the prevention of child obesity also are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

A preliminary controlled evaluation of a school-based media literacy program and self-esteem program for reducing eating disorder risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the efficacy of a media literacy program and a self-esteem program designed to reduce general and specific risk factors for eating disorders. METHOD: Four classes of 86 grade 8 students (53 boys and 33 girls), mean age of 13 years, were randomly assigned to either a control condition or one of the two intervention conditions. Assessment of general and specific risk factors was carried out at baseline, postintervention and 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: At postintervention the media literacy group had lower mean scores on weight concern than the control group (p =0.007) but the self-esteem group did not. There were some differences on self-esteem measures at the 3-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: Media literacy programs combined with an interactive, student-centered framework may potentially be a safe and effective way of reducing risk factors for eating disorders. The impact of teaching style needs to be further evaluated in prevention research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Consumption of nutritional supplements among adolescents: usage and perceived benefits.

The aim of the study was to obtain rich qualitative data about the type of nutritional supplements and drinks consumed by adolescents, and the reasons for their consumption, with particular emphasis on the perceived benefits of nutritional supplementation. Semi-structured focus group interviews (n = 16) were conducted among 78 adolescents aged 11-18 years from a co-educational government high school. Participants reported consuming sports drinks, vitamin and mineral supplements, energy drinks, herbal supplements, guarana, creatine, high protein milk supplements, and coenzyme Q10. Reasons for supplement use included perceived short-term health benefits, prevention of illness, improved immunity, parental supply of supplements, taste, energy boost, better sports performance and to rectify a poor diet. Results suggest that some adolescents consume nutritional supplements, sports drinks and energy drinks for their perceived physiological benefits, and that they may not be aware of any potential risks. Health educators should be aware that adolescents seek specific health benefits from nutritional supplements and drinks, which may be better achieved through appropriate consumption of a nutritious diet. Health education programmes should incorporate the perceptions, aspirations and motivations of young people into the planning of interventions and activities in order to make them most relevant and effective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Eating and exercise disorders in young college men.

The authors used the computerized Eating and Exercise Examination to investigate eating, weight, shape, and exercise behaviors in a convenience sample of 93 male college students. One fifth of the men worried about their weight and shape, followed rules about eating, and limited their food intake. Between 9% and 12% were unhappy with their body shape, felt fat, and seriously wanted to lose weight. Exercise was important for the self-esteem of 48% of the students. Thirty-four percent were distressed when they could not exercise as much as they wanted, 27% followed rules about exercising, and 14% worried about the amount of exercise they were doing. The respondents met clinical diagnoses for objective binge eating (3%), self-induced vomiting (3%), bulimia nervosa (2%), and exercise disorders (8%). Although 9% reported disordered eating, none had sought treatment. Health professionals should be aware that eating and exercise disorders may be present in college men and that screening may help in the early identification of these problems.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The role of teachers and other educators in the prevention of eating disorders and child obesity: what are the issues?

This paper examines the important contribution that teachers and other educators (including health educators, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, and sports coaches) have to offer in the prevention of eating disorders and child obesity. Our paper notes the important contribution of school educators whilst warning of the current need to specifically examine how teachers and school personnel may be best trained and prepared for such a preventive role, whether they currently feel willing and able to undertake such a role, and whether some groups of teachers may be personally susceptible to body image and eating problems. It is vital to understand the knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and expectations of educators implementing prevention programs in order to ensure that they are personally and professionally capable of carrying out prevention initiatives in schools. Individuals involved in food and exercise-related careers have been identified as being at environmental and situational risk for body image and eating problems, and it may be possible that they chose their career path due to their own personal experience with eating disorders or weight issues. In such cases, specific training or assistance may be required in order to enable the educators to conduct effective preventive activities. Discussion focuses on what needs to be done in order to enable teachers and other school-based educators to perform most effectively in the implementation of school based eating disorder and child obesity prevention programs.

Journal Article↗