Eating Disorders: Nutritional and Cultural Aspects of the Mediterranean Diet.

Nutritional and cultural aspects of the mediterranean diet.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2012 Jun; 82(3): 157-62
Serra-Majem L, Bach-Faig A, Raidó-Quintana B

The recent recognition by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) of the Mediterranean diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity reinforces, together with the scientific evidence, the Mediterranean diet as a cultural and health model. The Mediterranean diet has numerous beneficial effects on among others the immune system, against allergies, on the psyche, or even on quality of life, topics that are currently fields of research. The Mediterranean diet has an international projection; it is regarded as the healthiest and the most sustainable eating pattern on the planet and is a key player in the public health nutrition field globally, but especially in the Mediterranean area. Moreover, this ancient cultural heritage should be preserved and promoted from different areas: public health, agriculture, culture, politics, and economic development.
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Perceived discrimination is associated with binge eating in a community sample of non-overweight, overweight, and obese adults.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Obes Facts. 2012; 5(6): 869-80
Durso LE, Latner JD, Hayashi K

Objective : The present study examined the relationship between experiences of discrimination and occurrence of binge eating among overweight and obese persons, a population which has previously shown elevated rates of binge eating. Methods : Internet-based questionnaires were used to measure frequency and impact of discrimination, binge eating frequency, and emotional eating. Results : Pearson correlation analyses demonstrated significant positive relationships between the measures of discrimination and measures of eating behaviors (r = 0.12-0.37). Regression models significantly predicted between 17 and 33% of the variance of emotional eating scores and frequency of binge eating; discrimination measures contributed significantly and independently to the variance in emotional eating and binge eating. Weight bias internalization was found to be a partial mediator of the relationship between discrimination and eating disturbance. Conclusion : Results demonstrate the relationship of discrimination to binge eating. Weight bias internalization may be an important mechanism for this relationship and a potential treatment target. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.
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Health and Wellness Photovoice Project: Engaging Consumers With Serious Mental Illness in Health Care Interventions.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Qual Health Res. 2012 Dec 20;
Cabassa LJ, Parcesepe A, Nicasio A, Baxter E, Tsemberis S, Lewis-Fernández R

People with serious mental illnesses (SMI) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. We used photovoice in two supportive housing agencies to engage consumers with SMI to inform the implementation of health care interventions. Sixteen consumers participated in six weekly sessions in which they took photographs about their health and discussed the meanings of these photographs in individual interviews and group sessions. We identified several implementation themes related to consumers’ preferences. Peer-based approaches were preferred more than clinician-driven models. Participants expressed a desire to learn practical skills through hands-on activities to modify health behaviors. Consumers expressed a desire to increase their physical activity. Participants revealed in their photographs and narratives the important role that communities’ food environments play in shaping eating habits. In this article, we show how photovoice can generate valuable community knowledge to inform the translation of health care interventions in supportive housing agencies.
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