Publications by authors named "Allison B Davis"
Background: Step-counting interventions with discrepant intensity emphases may elicit different effects.
Methods: A total of 120 sedentary/low-active, postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 groups: (1) 10,000 steps per day (with no emphasis on walking intensity/speed/cadence; basic intervention, 49 completers), (2) 10,000 steps per day and at least 30 minutes in moderate intensity (ie, at a cadence of at least 100 steps per minute; enhanced intervention, 47 completers), or (3) a control group (19 completers). NL-1000-determined steps and active minutes (a device-specific indicator of time at moderate+ intensity) were collected as process variables during the 12-week intervention.
Maternal Impression Management in the Assessment of Childhood Depressive Symptomatology.
Behav Cogn Psychother
September 2018
Background: Self-report instruments are commonly used to assess for childhood depressive symptoms. Historically, clinicians have relied heavily on parent-reports due to concerns about childrens' cognitive abilities to understand diagnostic questions. However, parents may also be unreliable reporters due to a lack of understanding of their child's symptomatology, overshadowing by their own problems, and tendencies to promote themselves more favourably in order to achieve desired assessment goals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDementia is a chronic condition in the elderly and depression is often a concurrent symptom. As populations continue to age, accessible and useful tools to screen for cognitive function and its associated symptoms in elderly populations are needed. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and validity of a new internet-based assessment battery for screening mood and cognitive function in an elderly population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pedometer-based programs have elicited increased walking behaviors associated with improvements in blood pressure in sedentary/low active postmenopausal women, a population at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Such programs typically encourage increasing the volume of physical activity with little regard for its intensity. Recent advances in commercially available pedometer technology now permit tracking of both steps/day and time in moderate (or greater) intensity physical activity on a daily basis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To investigate the hypotheses that in elementary school students: (1) adiposity and academic achievement are negatively correlated and (2) physical activity and academic achievement are positively correlated.
Methods: Participants were 1963 children in fourth to sixth grades. Adiposity was assessed by calculating body mass index (BMI) percentile and percent body fat and academic achievement with statewide standardized tests in 4 content areas.
Article Synopsis
- There is a growing need for neuropsychometric tools to identify subtle cognitive declines in aging and differentiate between normal aging and early dementia.
- This study introduces the Memory for Names test, which was evaluated with 234 elderly participants across a range of cognitive abilities.
- The test proved to be reliable and valid, effectively distinguishing between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, while measuring the same cognitive construct as the Boston Naming Test.
Development of an internet-based obesity prevention program for children.
J Diabetes Sci Technol
May 2010
Article Synopsis
- Childhood obesity is a rising issue in rural Louisiana schools, prompting the development of the LA Health Internet intervention to provide secondary prevention without stigmatizing overweight students.
- The intervention features separate web interfaces for students and Internet counselors, offering weight loss lessons and counseling tailored to individual weight statuses, while being integrated into class time.
- Implemented in 14 schools with access for 773 students, the program required significant counselor support over two years, demonstrating its potential effectiveness in a school environment.