| What do anti-dieting programs achieve? A review of research
Les Higgins and Wendy Gray
Abstract Concern about the unreliability and damaging effects of dieting is finding expression in programs directed at replacing dieting with conventional eating. A review of literature was undertaken to explore the nature of such programs and to ascertain their effects. A search of major bibliographic data bases yielded reports of nine studies in which an anti-dieting program was evaluated with an acceptable degree of methodological rigour. Seven of the nine studies involved women exclusively, the other two, largely so. The review found that the programs differed in their detail but had similar general goals and features, and that program participation was associated with improvements in eating behaviour and psychological well-being, and with weight stability rather than weight change. Limitations of the findings are discussed and directions for further research indicated. It is proposed that anti-dieting principles could be usefully integrated into weight management practice. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1999;56:128-136)
Nutritional risk among a sample of community-living elderly attending senior citizens’ centres
Kate Burge and Boris Gazibarich
Abstract The proportion of Australians over the age of 65 years is increasing. The elderly are at increased risk of poor nutrition. The Australian Nutrition Screening Initiative (ANSI) checklist was used to examine the most common risk factors for poor nutrition, the percentage deemed to be at nutritional risk, and the relationship between the checklist score and perceived health status among a sample of 92 community-living elderly people attending senior citizens’ centres or groups in Wollongong. The most commonly reported risk factors were polypharmacy (47%), eating alone most of the time (45%) and having an illness or condition leading to changed eating habits (35%). Results identified 27% of respondents as being at high risk, 30% at moderate and 43% at low risk of having a compromised health and nutritional status. A significant positive relationship between perceived health status and nutritional risk was found (P = 0.008). This study indicates that high to moderate nutritional risk may be prevalent among the community-living elderly. Considering the serious implications of malnutrition in the elderly, greater surveillance among the community-living elderly is vital. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1999;56:137-143)
Cross-cultural, body weight and gender differences in the body size perceptions and body ideals of university students
Jennifer O’Dea
Abstract A study of 1131 young adults (22.4 ± 5.3 years of age, mean ± SD) investigated the hypothesis that there would be cross-cultural, body weight and gender differences in their body size perceptions and ideals. Males were more likely to be overweight or obese (BMI > 25) compared to females (25% versus 9%) and females were more likely to be underweight (BMI < 20, 37% versus 13%) with no cultural differences. Forty-three per cent of overweight or obese males were satisfied with their current body size and 9% wanted to be bigger. Among underweight women, 42% wanted a slimmer body and 43% were satisfied with their current body size. Asian males were more likely than southern European males to desire a bigger body (42% versus 16%). Northern European males of normal body weight perceived themselves as smaller than other males and preferred a slimmer ideal female. Overweight or obese northern European males were more likely to desire a bigger body. Asian women were more likely than northern European women to desire a bigger body (17% versus 6%). Body image should be considered prior to dietary counselling and nutrition education in order to make treatment and education relevant and effective. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1999;56:144-150)
The art and the science of public health nutrition: from theory to practice in South Australia
John Coveney, Patricia Carter and Alison Smith
Abstract Public health nutrition programs have changed considerably over the past two decades. These changes have been most noticeable in approaches to program management, as well as the content, or the science, of public health nutrition. This paper documents these changes especially in the area of nutrition education, the new public health, and environmental issues related to the food supply. It stresses that in order to be effective, nutrition promotion for the public’s health must broaden its definition of healthy food choices. No longer can these be understood solely in terms of the nutrient values of food. Recent outbreaks of foodborne disease have demonstrated that food safety concerns play a legitimate role in the promotion of healthy food. Moreover, a focus on environmental issues concerning the sustainability of the food supply should also play a major role in nutrition promotion. This paper concludes with an overview of the South Australian Food and Nutrition Project in which these issues are being addressed. The project has adopted a contemporary definition of healthy food choices which puts the theory of the art and science of public health nutrition into practice. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1999;56:151-155)
Improving children’s eating patterns: intervention programs and underlying principles
Gail F. Huon, Jane Wardle and Marianna Szabo
Abstract Eating patterns affect long-term health. Although dietary guidelines now recommend an increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables and a reduction in daily energy intake derived from sugars and fats, evidence shows that in Australia, the UK and the USA children’s diets are widely discrepant from that which is thought to be desirable for good health. This article briefly describes the theoretical models underlying dietary interventions, especially those with children. The paper then outlines the major interventions from the published literature that have aimed to improve children’s eating patterns, and reflects on their efficacy primarily within the context of existing knowledge about the factors thought to influence children’s food choices and their health behaviour generally. The paper concludes by considering some of the methodological issues that are important in designing and establishing the efficacy of dietary interventions for children. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1996;53:156-165)
Insight
Informing practice: experiences in assessing the dietary intake by older Australians in two rural towns
Karen Gard and Gabrielle O’Kane
Abstract Baseline data on the nutritional status and dietary intake of adults aged 65 years and older in two rural New South Wales towns were collected and compared between two different settings: Meals on Wheels recipients; and long-term institutionalised. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake and the dietary score method was used for analysis. There were no significant differences in the nutritional status or dietary intake between the elderly in the two settings. Thirty per cent of all subjects had a low dietary score indicating severe nutritional inadequacy, while only nine percent of the subjects met the criteria for a nutritionally adequate diet. Thirteen of the 33 subjects (39%) had a body mass index of less than 24, indicating that they were underweight. Despite not finding significant differences in the nutritional status or dietary intake between the elderly in the two settings, valuable lessons were learned about undertaking practice-based research whilst completing this study. Two issues that were prominent in the study were the need to ensure that the product expected of a research project is clearly stated prior to commencing research, and the need to ensure that adequate resources (time, money and facilities) will be available for achieving the desired outcomes. (Aust J Nutr Diet 1999;56:166-168) |
Australian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 56, Number 3, September 1999