Behavioural theorists have identified attitudes, perceived norms and self-efficacy as the important determinants of people's intentions to engage in a given behaviour. Because intentions predict behaviour, these same variables also account for a considerable amount of the variation in behaviour. Nevertheless, there is often a substantial proportion of the population who do not act on their intentions. While a recently proposed integrative theory of behaviour suggests that these 'failures' are due either to a lack of skills and/or to the presence of environmental constraints, it has also been argued that the determinants of intention may have a direct, as well as in indirect, effect on behaviour. This paper uses data from a longitudinal study (Project RESPECT) to explore the extent to which attitudes, perceived norms and self-efficacy explain why some people do and others do not act on their intentions to engage in a health protective behaviour. Although the data provide further evidence that these three variables account for a significant proportion of the variance in intentions (and behaviour), they perform poorly when predicting behaviour for persons with pre-existing high intentions. It may be reasonable to ask whether a 'new' theory is needed to explain why some people do, and some people do not, act on their intentions.

This nurse-led and specialist-supported assessment and treatment model for inmates with chronic HCV offers potential to substantively increase treatment uptake and reduce the burden of disease.

In a nationally representative cohort of 5362 children born in one week in March 1946 weights and heights were recorded at 6, 7, 11, 14, 20, and 26 years. Overweight was defined as a weight that exceeded the standard weight for height, age, and sex by more than 20% (relative weight > 120%). The prevalence of overweight was 1-7% and 2 9% in boys and girls respectively at 6 years; 2 0% and 3 8% at 7 years; 64% and 9-6% at 11 years; 6-5% and 9 6% at 14 years; 54% and 6 5% at 20 years; and 12-3% and 11-2% at 26 years. The risk of being overweight in adulthood was related to the degree of overweight in childhood and was about four in 10 for overweight 7-year-olds. Analysis of the data in the reverse direction showed that 7% and 13% respectively of 26-year-old overweight men and women had been overweight at the age of 7.These results suggest that there is no optimal age during childhood for the prediction of overweight in adult life and that excessive weight gain may begin at any time. Overweight children are more likely to remain overweight than their contemporaries of normal weight are to become overweight.

Summary Background Ethnic disparities in maternal mortality were first documented in the UK in the early 2000s but are known to be widening. This project aimed to describe the women who died in the UK during or up to a year after the end of pregnancy, to compare the quality of care received by women from different aggregated ethnic groups, and to identify any structural or cultural biases or discrimination affecting their care. Methods National surveillance data was used to identify all 1894 women who died during or up to a year after the end of pregnancy between 2009 and 18 in the UK. Their characteristics and causes of death were described. A Confidential Enquiry was undertaken to describe the quality of care women received. The care of a stratified random sample of 54 women who died during or up to a year after the end of pregnancy between 2009 and 18, (18 from the aggregated group of Black women, 19 from the Asian aggregated group and 17 from the White aggregated group) was re-examined specifically to describe any structural or cultural biases or discrimination identified. Findings There were no major differences causes of death between women from different aggregated ethnic groups, with cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death in all groups. Multiple areas of bias were identified in the care women received, including lack of nuanced care (notable amongst women from Black aggregated ethnic groups who died), microaggressions (most prominent in the care of women from Asian aggregated ethnic groups who died) and clinical, social and cultural complexity (evident across all ethnic groups). Interpretation This confidential enquiry suggests that multiple structural and other biases exist in UK maternity care. Further research on the role of microaggressions is warranted. Funding This research is funded by the (NIHR) Policy Research Programme, conducted through the Policy Research Unit in Maternal and Neonatal Health and Care, PR-PRU-1217–21,202. MK is an NIHR Senior Investigator. SK is part funded and FCS fully funded by the (NIHR) Applied Research Centre (ARC) West Midlands. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

SUMMARY The relation between breast-feeding and plasma cholesterol level in adult life was examined in a longitudinal study of a sample of people born in 1946. One hundred and seventy-two subjects whose breast-feeding history had been recorded during infancy were examined when they were 32 years old. Women who had been breast-fed had significantly lower mean plasma cholesterol than women who had been bottle-fed (5.4 mmol/l compared with 5.9 mmol/1). Material and methodsIn 1946, the National Survey consisted of 5362 newborns. These were all the legitimate singletons born in the first week of March to parents in non-manual or farming occupations and a 25% sample of those born to manual workers. By 1972, 867 had emigrated or died. Of the remainder, 3958 (88%) were still under surveillance.In order to select two distinct groups for this study, the 'breast-fed' group was defined as those survey members who had been exclusively breast-fed for the first five months of life. The 'bottle-fed' group had not been breast-fed at all during the first five months.For reasons of convenience, the study sample was restricted further to survey members living in Greater London and adjacent areas and to Bristol.In all, 238 individuals fulfilled both the feeding and residential requirements and could be contacted in 1977. These 238 individuals were invited to participate in a special medical examination and 172 were examined, a response of 72%. Of these, 155 were resident in and around Greater London and 17 in Bristol.All examinations were conducted in the survey members' homes by one of two examiners. The examination included a questionnaire, height,