Eating Disorders: Deriving Clinically Meaningful Cut-Scores for Fatigue in a Cohort of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study.

Deriving clinically meaningful cut-scores for fatigue in a cohort of breast cancer survivors: a Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Qual Life Res. 2013 Feb 19;
Stover AM, Reeve BB, Piper BF, Alfano CM, Smith AW, Mitchell SA, Bernstein L, Baumgartner KB, McTiernan A, Ballard-Barbash R

PURPOSE: To empirically determine clinically meaningful cut-scores on the 0-10 response scale of the revised Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-R) and its shorter version (PFS-12). Breast cancer survivors were classified (i.e., none, mild, moderate, or severe fatigue) based on the cut-scores, and relationships between these cut-scores and decrements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were examined. METHODS: A total of 857 breast cancer survivors, stages in situ-IIIa, from the Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle (HEAL) Study were eligible. Survivors completed the PFS-R, SF-36, and a sexual health scale approximately 3 years after diagnosis. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to examine five fatigue severity cut-score models, controlling for demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbidity, and antidepressant use. Multivariate regression was used to examine HRQOL decrements by cut-score category. RESULTS: Analyses supported two similar fatigue severity cut-score models for the PFS-R and PFS-12: Model A.) none (0), mild (1-3), moderate (4-6), and severe (7-10); and Model D.) none (0), mild (1-2), moderate (3-5), and severe (6-10). For every threshold increase in fatigue severity, clinically meaningful decrements in physical, mental, and sexual health scores were observed, supporting construct validity of the fatigue cut-scores. CONCLUSION: Standardized fatigue cut-scores may enhance interpretability and comparability across studies and populations and guide treating planning.
HubMed – eating

Effects of Modified Foodservice Practices in Military Dining Facilities on Ad Libitum Nutritional Intake of US Army Soldiers.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

J Acad Nutr Diet. 2013 Feb 15;
Crombie MA, Sanders LT, Smith TJ, McGraw SM, Walker LA, Champagne CM, Allen HR, Margolis LM, McClung HL, Young AJ

BACKGROUND: Modifying foodservice practices in military dining facilities could influence ad libitum nutritional intake patterns of soldiers. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine how changes in foodservice operations consistent with 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans affected soldiers’ ad libitum nutritional intake in military dining facilities (DFACs). DESIGN: Ten DFACs participated, and the intervention was implemented in five DFACs in an independently sampled, partial crossover design. Nutrient intake of diners was assessed during a test meal using digital photography, and customer satisfaction with foodservice was assessed via surveys at baseline (n=602), and again at 6 months (n=519) and 12 months (n=458) after the intervention was implemented. PARTICIPANTS: Volunteers were US Army active duty soldiers recruited from among diners at 10 DFACs on Fort Bragg, NC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were intakes of energy and total fat, and percent energy from fat and saturated fat. Differences between diners’ intakes in control and intervention DFACs were assessed using independent samples t tests. RESULTS: At 6 months after implementing the intervention, diners at intervention DFACs had significantly lower lunchtime intakes of energy (945±338 kcal vs 1,061±380 kcal), total fat (38±19 g vs 47±25 g), percent energy from fat (35%±10% vs 39%±11%) and saturated fat (4.7%±1.7% vs 5.6%±2.3%), discretionary fat (30±18 g vs 39±24 g), and refined grains (2.3±1.7 oz equivalents vs 2.8±2.4 oz equivalents) compared with diners at control DFACs. Further, diners at intervention DFACs rated customer satisfaction higher than diners at control DFACs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that modest changes in military DFAC serving practices to promote healthy eating and food selection can facilitate positive changes in soldiers’ nutritional intake.
HubMed – eating

Effectiveness of peer-led dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups: Results from two randomized pilot trials.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Behav Res Ther. 2013 Jan 18; 51(4-5): 197-206
Stice E, Rohde P, Durant S, Shaw H, Wade E

OBJECTIVE: The present preliminary trials tested whether undergraduate peer leaders can effectively deliver a dissonance-based eating disorder prevention program, which could facilitate broad dissemination of this efficacious intervention. METHOD: In Study 1, female undergraduates (N = 171) were randomized to peer-led groups, clinician-led groups, or an educational brochure control condition. In Study 2, which improved a design limitation of Study 1 by using completely parallel outcome measures across conditions, female undergraduates (N = 148) were randomized to either immediate peer-led groups or a waitlist control condition. RESULTS: In Study 1, participants in peer- and clinician-led groups showed significantly greater pre-post reductions in risk factors and eating disorder symptoms than controls (M d = .64 and .98 respectively), though clinician- versus peer-led groups had higher attendance and competence ratings, and produced stronger effects at posttest (M d = .32) and at 1-year follow-up (M d = .26). In Study 2, participants in peer-led groups showed greater pre-post reductions in all outcomes than waitlist controls (M d = .75). CONCLUSIONS: Results provide novel evidence that dissonance-based eating disorder prevention groups led by undergraduate peers are feasible and produce greater reductions in eating disorder risk factors and symptoms than minimal-intervention control conditions, but indicate that effects are smaller for peer- versus clinician-led groups.
HubMed – eating

Persistence of peanut allergen on a table surface.

Filed under: Eating Disorders

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2013 Feb 18; 9(1): 7
Watson WT, Woodrow A, Stadnyk AW

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A diagnosis of peanut allergy has a major impact on an individual’s quality of life. Exposure to even small amounts of peanut can trigger serious reactions. Common cleaning agents can easily remove peanut allergen from surfaces such as table tops. Parents of children with peanut allergy frequently ask if peanut allergen can persist on surfaces if they have not been cleaned.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the persistence of peanut allergen on a typical table surface over time. METHODS: 5 mL of peanut butter was evenly smeared on a 12 inch by 12 inch (30.5 by 30.5 cm) square on a nonporous (laminated plastic) table surface. Five squares were prepared in the same manner. The table was kept in a regular hospital office at room temperature and ambient lighting. No cleaning occurred for 110 days. Samples were taken at regular intervals from different areas each time. A monoclonal-based ELISA for arachis hypogaea allergen 1 (Ara h 1), range of detection 1.95-2000 ng/mL, was used to assess peanut allergen on the table surface. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no detectable Ara h 1 allergen. Immediately post application and for 110 days of collecting, detectable Ara h 1 was found each time a sample was taken. There was no obvious allergen degradation over time. Active cleaning of the contaminated surface with a commercial cleaning wipe resulted in no detectable Ara h 1 allergen. CONCLUSIONS: Peanut allergen is very robust. Detectable Ara h 1 was present on the table surface for 110 days. Active cleaning of peanut contaminated surfaces easily removed peanut residue and allergen. Regular cleaning of surfaces before and after eating should be reinforced as a safety measure for all individuals with peanut allergy.
HubMed – eating

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