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Biomedical subjects

R H Feldman

Publications and source records attributed to R H Feldman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

The effect of the Maryland WIC 5-A-Day promotion program on participants' stages of change for fruit and vegetable consumption.

The Maryland Women, Infants and Children (WIC) 5-A-Day Promotion Program examined the effect of a multifaceted nutrition intervention on changing the fruit and vegetable consumption of low-income women in the WIC program in Maryland. The sample consisted of 3,122 participants (1,443 intervention and 1,679 control) with a mean age of 27.2. Fifty-six percent were Black/African American. This article focuses on the effect of the intervention on the stages of change of the participants. Intervention participants showed significantly greater positive movement through the stages than control participants. Stages of change were measured for two specific target behaviors: eating five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and eating more servings of fruit and vegetables a day. Results demonstrated significant differences in the stage status of intervention and control women and in movement through the stages. The effectiveness of the intervention across groups depended on which staging measure was used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The three leading causes of death in African Americans: barriers to reducing excess disparity and to improving health behaviors.

African Americans suffer disproportionately from several major health problems associated with high morbidity and mortality. The 1985 DHHS Secretary's Task Force Report on Blacks and Other Minorities identified six major disease categories of excess deaths for African Americans compared with whites by applying the lower death rate for whites to the American population. The report provided a stimulus for public and private action to begin to address the health disparities between minority and nonminority populations. This article examines three of the leading causes of death for African Americans and assesses the extent to which the health disparity between African Americans and whites has been reduced. The three leading causes of death for African American males are diseases of the heart, cancer, and HIV infection/AIDS. The conditions are the same for African American females except stroke replaces HIV infection. Three health outcomes measures are discussed: life expectancy, excess death rates, and years of potential life lost. A widening of the gap between the races was found for diseases of the heart and HIV infection for males and for cancer for females. An extensive list of barriers to reducing the disparity are presented from the scientific literature and strategies for reducing the three health problems are recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Factors affecting nutrition behavior among middle-class adolescents in urban area of Northern region of Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Brazil has been called a nation in nutrition transitional because of recent increases in the prevalence of obesity and related chronic diseases. With overweight conditions already prevalent among middle-income populations, there exists a need to identify factors that influence nutrition behavior within this group. OBJECTIVE: To address this subject, a research study was implemented among middle-class adolescents attending a large private secondary school in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. The study determined the availability and accessibility of snack foods as well as subjects' attitudes and preferences towards, and the influence of family and friends on healthy (high-nutrient density) snack choices. METHODS: The 4-stage process included: (a) a nutrition expert focus group discussion that reported local nutrition problems in general and factors related to adolescent nutrition, (b) an adolescent pilot survey (n = 63) that solicited information about snacking preferences and habits as well as resources for nutrition information and snack money: (c) a survey of various area food market sources to determine the availability and accessibility of high nutrient density snacks; and (d) a follow-up adolescent survey (n = 55) that measured snack food preferences and perceptions about their cost and availability. RESULTS: Results included the finding that, although affordable high nutrient density snacks were available, preferences for low nutrient density snacks prevailed. The adolescents were reportedly more likely to be influenced by and obtain nutrition information from family members than friends. CONCLUSION: From study results it is apparent that a focus on food availability will not automatically result in proper nutritional practices among adolescents. This fact and the parental influence detected are evidence of a need to involve adolescents and their parents in nutrition education campaigns to improve adolescent snack food choices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Are local teachers or nutrition experts perceived as more effective among Brazilian high school students?

A preliminary experimental study was conducted among 322 high school students in the Amazon region of Brazil to determine whether locally-trained teachers (high similarity/low expertise) or outside nutrition experts (high expertise/low similarity) would more effectively influence food choice attitudes and behavior. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group or one of four treatment groups in which participants read a nutrition message and one of four accompanying author descriptions (high communicator similarity/high expertise, high similarity/low expertise, low similarity/high expertise, low similarity/low expertise). Subjects then responded to food choice attitude and behavior scale items. ANOVAs revealed only perceived similarity significantly influenced attitude and behavior. Thus, training local Brazilian nutrition educators perceived to be highly similar to Brazilian adolescents may be more cost-effective than recruiting nutrition experts. This study's consistency with studies conducted among Kenyan and American adolescents suggests perceived communicator similarity is a critical factor in international adolescent nutrition education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Psychosocial predictors of consumption of sweets following smoking cessation.

The use of a theoretical model to predict consumption of sweet-tasting high-calorie foods following smoking cessation was investigated. The model included eight predictors: habit, intention, attitudes, subjective norms, self-efficacy, perceived barriers, social support, and smoking cessation. One hundred and fourteen individuals completed pre- and post-questionnaires and made pre- and post-snack choices at smoking cessation programs. Pretest consumption of sweets (habit), pretest intention to avoid eating sweets, and posttest smoking status explained 42% of posttest consumption of sweets. Ex-smokers reported eating more sweets and chose more sweet snacks than did subjects who continued to smoke.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Hospital injuries.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

Health behaviors of psychotherapists.

Examined the health behaviors practiced by psychotherapists (N = 86) themselves and the extent to which they focus on these behaviors with their clients during the course of psychotherapy. The specific health behaviors investigated were dietary habits, physical exercise, relaxation practices, sleeping, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Results indicate that psychotherapists are at this time actively engaged in both evaluating and making recommendations to their clients in the areas of diet, physical exercise, and relaxation practice. In addition, 51% of those who participated in this study evaluate health practices of their clients and make recommendations with regard to their physical health. While only 47% agreed that it is important for the psychotherapist to assess the typical client's physical health status, 72% of this group frequently inquire about chronic illness during an intake session.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The influence of communicator characteristics on the nutrition attitudes and behavior of high school students.

The development of school health programs requires that careful attention be paid to the communication of health information. One factor important to the communication process is the characteristics of the health communicator. Both the expertise of communicators and the similarity of communicators to their audiences have been found to influence acceptance of health messages. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of both similarity and expertise on the nutrition behavior and attitudes of high school students. Results of the study indicate that the greater the perceived similarity of the communicator, the greater the influence of the communicator. The communicator perceived to be both low in similarity and high in expertise was the least influential communicator. School health educators need to consider their students perceptions in developing health programs. Health educators can enhance their influence by forming linkages with their students, ie, emphasizing common interests and experiences. By emphasizing their similarities with their students rather than expertise, school health educators are likely to increase their effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Intramuscular myxoma. Case report and review of the literature.

Intramuscular myxomas are relatively rare, benign, soft tissue neoplasms. They must be differentiated from other, more malignant lesions, such as myxoid liposarcoma, before definitive treatment is undertaken. The treatment of choice is wide local excision.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Information seeking among safety and health managers.

A national survey of information seeking about work-related safety and health matters was conducted among 574 safety and health managers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Science and Education Administration. Specific beliefs about the seriousness, likelihood, and effectiveness of present work hazards as well as the need for additional information were used to predict self-reported information-seeking activities. The results revealed that the beliefs of how well the managers protect themselves from hazards, the seriousness of needing information, the likelihood of needing additional information, and the usefulness of this information were significant predictors of safety and health information seeking. Manager beliefs of how well coworkers protect themselves from hazards and felt need for additional information were not related to information seeking. Manager perceptions of coworkers as less careful and informed concerning safety are discussed.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1983

Communicating nutrition to high school students in Kenya.

The success of school health programs depends upon effective communication. The characteristics of the communicator is an important component in the communication process. Research indicates that the expertise of the communicator and communicator-audience similarity are both characteristics that influence the acceptance of health information. The goal of this study was to determine which combination of expertise and similarity is most effective in improving the nutrition knowledge and attitudes of high school students in Kenya, East Africa. To examine this problem, Gusii students from Kenya received communications advocating improved nutrition from sources varying in expertise and similarity. Results of the investigation indicated that a communicator similar to his or her audience (low expert/high similar communicator) was effective in persuading the students as an expert (high expert/low similar communicator). The implications for school health programs, especially in developing countries, is that in utilizing a culturally similar, locally-trained person (low expert/high similar communicator) as a communicator source, the school is obtaining an effective communicator as well as utilizing limited resources in the most effective manner. If a culturally dissimilar person is the source of the information, then this individual would be effective only if he or she is an expert.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Tumoral calcinosis in an infant. A case report.

An unusual calcified soft tissue mass in the knee of an 18-month-old black male infant proved to be tumoral calcinosis. A relatively rare disorder of unknown etiology, this is one of the few reported cases of its occurrence in the knee. The diagnosis is one of exclusion. Because of their radiographic similarity, the differential diagnosis includes intracapsular and paraarticular chondroma, traumatic myositis ossificans, and calcinosis circumscripta.

Calcinosis↗