Understanding the relationship between body weight perception (BWP) and weight control is an important influencer on adolescents' health behaviours. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between BWP, body mass index (BMI), physical activity and food choices in adolescent males and females (N = 1,212). Across BMI categories, more females perceived themselves as overweight and tried to control their weight, where more males tried to gain weight or never tried to control their weight (p < 0.001). Major reason for weight control was to look better followed by to improve health. Interestingly, adolescents who perceived themselves as thin consumed unhealthier foods (hamburgers and regular soda), where those who perceived themselves as fit and overweight ate healthier foods (salad and vegetables). Results of this study validate that an accurate perception of weight is critical to the success of education and behaviour intervention programs for both overweight and normal weight adolescents.

Maintaining healthy eating habits in college is challenging. Interventions focused on nutrition education can assist in reversing these trends of poor eating habits among college students. The purpose of the study was to identify factors affecting the dietary habits, food choices and BMI of college females majoring in nutrition (NMs) compared with non-nutrition majors (OMs). A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey study of dietary behaviour and food frequency of 202 college females was conducted at San Diego State University. Data were analysed by using t tests, χ2 tests and regression analysis in SPSS. NMs exhibited a lower BMI than OMs (P < 0·01); however, BMI values for both groups were within a healthy range. Interestingly, 3 % of NMs had a BMI in the range of overweight or obese; however, prevalence was three times higher for OMs, being 9·2 %. A healthier meal option was the most influential factor in NMs’ meal choices whereas convenience and weight control were influential factors in OMs’ meal choices. Most NMs read nutrition labels and reported that this affects their food choices. NMs exercised longer than OMs in the <120 min/week category. Exercise affected healthy meal conception in NMs only (P < 0·001). Taking dietary supplements influenced healthy meal awareness in OMs only (P < 0·05). University-level nutrition education is strongly associated with healthier eating habits and superior food choices among young adult females. More regular meal patterns, healthier snack choice and adherence to dietary guidelines may contribute to the lower BMI values observed among NMs compared with OMs.

Given the increased prevalence of pediatric obesity and risk of developing chronic disease, there has been great interest in preventing these conditions during childhood by focusing on healthy lifestyle habits, including nutritious eating and physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between PA, body mass index (BMI) and food choices in adolescent males and females. This cross-sectional study, using a survey questionnaire, evaluated 1212 Southern Californian adolescents' self-reported PA, BMI and food frequency. Results revealed that even though males are more active than females, they have higher BMI percentile values (p < 0.05). Females consumed salad, vegetables and fruit more frequently than males (p < 0.05), where males consumed hamburgers, pizza, red meat, processed meat, eggs, fish, fruit juice, soda and whole milk more frequently than females (p < 0.05). Overweight/obese teens consumed red meat, processed meat and cheese more frequently than healthy weight teens (p < 0.05), yet there was no difference in PA between healthy and overweight/obese teens. These results demonstrate that higher levels of PA may not counteract an unhealthy diet. Even though PA provides numerous metabolic and health benefits, this study suggests that healthy food choices may have a protective effect against overweight and obesity. Healthy food choices, along with PA, should be advocated to improve adolescent health by encouraging maintenance of a healthy weight into adulthood.

The objective was to determine if a standardized process of care--namely, standardized evidence-based medical orders (SEBMOs)--improves physician compliance with venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis. A total of 61 physicians received information about VTE prophylaxis after introduction of an admission SEBMO. Hospitalists received enhanced presentations about SEBMOs and their value in VTE prevention; specialists did not. Data were analyzed for 2 cohorts of 249 at-risk patients: one cohort was admitted with SEBMOs and the other with handwritten orders. VTE prophylaxis was ordered for 70% (173 of 249) of the SEBMO cohort compared with 22% (55 of 249) of patients whose physicians handwrote orders (relative risk ratio = 2.97; 95% confidence interval = 2.33-3.79; P < .0001). Specialists, who did not receive the enhanced education, were more likely to use handwritten orders and less likely to comply with prophylaxis standards. Standardized orders promote VTE prophylaxis more than handwritten orders. More rigorous education is required to promote compliance with evidence-based standards of medical practice.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility and efficacy of a breathing technique, guided by an iPod Touchâ application, to manage hot flashes among prostate cancer (PC) survivors after experiencing a rising PSA. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is considered first-line treatment for this patient population. Although effective in slowing the rise in PSA, ADT has side effects, such as vasomotor symptoms (VS; also known as hot flashes). Up to 50% of men report VS severe enough to require treatment. Such pharmacological approaches are associated with additional side effects and might interfere with cancer control. Patients are also often wary about taking more medications.METHODS: A total of 21 prostate cancer patients have been enrolled in the study. Participants were instructed in the slow breathing technique and the use of the 2Breathe application. Participants received an iPod during the 9-week long study. Assessments took place at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-week follow up. 2Breathe usage data was extracted from each iPod.RESULTS: Results are based on the n¼19 men who completed participation. Men were, on average, 67 years old, African American (84%), and had at least a high school education. Participants used the program an average of 3.5 times a day over the course of 9 weeks. As instructed, participants used the program to guide their breathing 88% of the time.With regard to preliminary effectiveness, the use of the breathing technique reduced the occurrence of hot flashes by 35%, a significant decline (p < 0.046) from a mean occurrence of 7.7 episodes at baseline to 5 episodes at 9 weeks post baseline. In addition, 75% of participants found the program "extremely" easy to operate and the breathing technique was rated as "quite a bit" or "extremely easy" by 92% of patients. The majority of patients (67%) used the program "most of the time" during a hot flash episode; 8% used it "always."CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that the breathing exercise significantly reduced VS episodes among PC survivors, and that the App was well received, feasible to implement, and easy to operate.