Eating Disorders: Examining Supervised Meals in Patients With Restrictive Eating Disorders.

Examining supervised meals in patients with restrictive eating disorders.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Appl Nurs Res. 2012 Oct 19;
Kells M, Davidson K, Hitchko L, O’Neil K, Schubert-Bob P, McCabe M

OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa is a chronic, life-threatening illness affecting adolescents with increasing incidence. Previous research has demonstrated that, although weight gain is a key to medical stabilization, there is wide and significant variability in treatment practices. Meal supervision in hospitalized patients involves the use of clinical staff as active and supportive observers during meal time. No studies to date have examined the effects of meal supervision in medically hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of meal supervision on outcomes during inpatient medical hospitalization. METHODS: A retrospective record review of 52 patients with restrictive eating disorders admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital from July 2008 to July 2009 was conducted. RESULTS: The data revealed higher average weights and improved overnight heart rate trends for patients who received at least 1 supervised meal during hospitalization compared with those who received no supervised meals. CONCLUSIONS: The findings warrant further investigation of meal supervision as a possible treatment modality.
HubMed – eating

 

Public opinion on food-related obesity prevention policy initiatives.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Health Promot J Austr. 2012 Aug; 23(2): 86-91
Morley B, Martin J, Niven VP, Wakefield M

Issue addressed: The study was designed to determine public acceptability of various forms of regulation to support a healthy eating environment. Methods: Telephone interviews were undertaken in June-July 2010 with a random sample of adults in Australia who were the main grocery buyer for their household. Results: Data were analysed for 1,511 adults. A clear majority of participants (80% or more) were in favour of traffic light and kilojoule menu labelling, reformulation to reduce the fat, salt and sugar content of processed foods, and regulation of broadcast and non-broadcast avenues used to market unhealthy food and drinks to children. Relatively less support (two-thirds or more), particularly among lower socioeconomic status participants, was shown for taxation policies and controls on food company sponsorship of sports and education programs. Despite the survey’s focus on food marketing avenues and methods directed at children, for the most part non-parents were just as likely as parents to support restrictions. Conclusions: Overall, these findings indicate that there is strong public support for the introduction of policy initiatives aimed at creating a healthier food environment.
HubMed – eating

 

Do food and physical activity environments vary between disadvantaged urban and rural areas? Findings from the READI Study.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Health Promot J Austr. 2012 Aug; 23(2): 153-6
Thornton LE, Crawford DA, Cleland VJ, Timperio AF, Abbott G, Ball K

Issues addressed: The presence or absence of amenities in local neighbourhood environments can either promote or restrict access to opportunities to engage in healthy and/or less healthy behaviours. Rurality is thought to constrain access to facilities and services. This study investigated whether the presence and density of environmental amenities related to physical activity and eating behaviours differs between socioeconomically disadvantaged urban and rural areas in Victoria, Australia. Methods: We undertook cross-sectional analysis of environmental data collected in 2007-08 as part of the Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality (READI) study. These data were sourced and analysed for 40 urban and 40 rural socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. The variables examined were the presence, raw count, count/km2, and count/’000 population of a range of environmental amenities (fast-food restaurants, all supermarkets (also separated by major chain and other supermarkets), greengrocers, playgrounds, gyms/leisure centres, public swimming pools and public open spaces). Results: A greater proportion of urban areas had a fast-food restaurant and gym/leisure centre present while more rural areas contained a supermarket and public swimming pool. All amenities examined (with the exception of swimming pools) were more numerous per km2 in urban areas, however rural areas had a greater number of all supermarkets, other supermarkets, playgrounds, swimming pools and public open space per ‘000 population. Conclusion: Although opportunities to engage in healthy eating and physical activity exist in many rural areas, a lower density per km2 suggests a greater travel distance may be required to reach these.
HubMed – eating

 

Measuring the food environment in three rural towns in New South Wales, Australia.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Health Promot J Austr. 2012 Aug; 23(2): 129-33
Innes-Hughes C, Boylan S, King LA, Lobb E

Issue addressed: Food availability affects eating habits, and in the Australian context, refers to the numbers and locations of food retail and food service outlets and the types and range of foods in those outlets. The aim of this study was to assess the community and consumer food environment in three small rural towns in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Geographical analyses were used to measure the diversity, variety and locations of food outlets (community food environment); and checklists were used to assess the availability of selected indicator foods within food outlets (consumer food environment). Results: Supermarkets provided access to the full range of healthy indicator foods, with convenience stores selling a more limited set of healthy food items. There were high numbers of take-away food outlets in each town that had no, or a limited number of, healthy food items. Energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods such as soft drinks and potato crisps were readily available across all food retail outlets in all towns. Conclusion: This study illustrates a valid, reliable and practical way of systematically describing food availability at a local level. The findings emphasise the ubiquity of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, and suggest that interventions to promote the availability of healthier food items in take-away food outlets are required. Further research is required to assess other factors which may affect residents’ food access, such as cost and transport.
HubMed – eating

 


 

What’s New about Eating Disorders: a 2009 lecture by Howard Steiger -Part 1 – Howard Steiger, PhD, Director, Eating Disorders Program at the Douglas Institute gives a lecture during the 2009 Mini-Psych School. He talks about : New perspectives on what causes EDs Latest concepts of treatment Part 1 of 2. Watch part 2 at www.douglas.qc.ca

 

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