Qualitative evaluation of factors influencing adherence to virtual exercise programs for people with physical disabilities.

Virtual community-based programming for people with disabilities has become a popular method for advocating for health promotion, specifically exercise, for people with disabilities (PWD). Using theoretical frameworks to better understand the perspective of PWD who participate in virtual exercise programs allows strategies of implementation following completion of virtual exercise programs. The objective of this study was to examine the effect adherence had on perceptions, experiences, and post-program exercise maintenance in participants with disabilities.

Pilot evaluation of a behavioral weight loss program for adults with physical disabilities: State of Slim Everybody usability and feasibility.

Background: People with physical disabilities (PWD) have a higher prevalence of obesity than populations without disability, but most evidence-based weight loss programs have not included this population. The () program is an evidence-based weight loss program that has demonstrated success in producing weight loss in populations without disability, but it has not been adapted for or evaluated in PWD.

Methods: The SOS program was systematically adapted using the evidence-informed Guidelines, Recommendations, and Adaptations Including Disability (GRAIDs) framework.

Improvements in nutrition knowledge among adults with physical disabilities: A program evaluation of the mindfulness, exercise, and nutrition to optimize resilience (MENTOR) program 2020-2021.

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds a quality improvement (QI) health promotion telewellness program for adults with physical disabilities.

Objective: The nutrition component of the parent program, Mindfulness, Exercise, and Nutrition to Optimize Resilience (MENTOR) program, from 2020 to 2021, was evaluated to assess changes in nutrition knowledge of people with physical disabilities.

Methods: This was a quasi-experimental program evaluation by pre-post survey of participating adults with physical disabilities.

Adapting an evidence-based physical activity questionnaire for people with physical disabilities: A methodological process.

Background: Practitioners and researchers often adapt tools, practices, and programs to meet the needs of culturally diverse population groups, but do not consider populations with disability. While there is some research on guidelines for adapting evidence-based programs, there is no systematic process for adapting survey instruments. Rather than creating separate instruments for people with physical disabilities (PWD), it is critical that instruments are designed to capture data on people with and without disabilities for comparison purposes.

Associations between self-reported symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 and dietary supplement use over the previous year during the first pandemic wave.

During the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, symptoms of infection varied widely among adults younger than 60 years. This cross-sectional investigation of adults ages 18-59 years explored associations between SARS-CoV-2 symptomatology and supplementation of micronutrients involved in immune function, such as multivitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc. Between August and December 2020, an online survey was completed by 287 respondents, averaging 33⋅3 ± 10⋅5 years, who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection within the previous 4 months.

A Mixed Methods Exploration of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food-Related Activities and Diet Quality in People with Parkinson Disease.

Objective: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the ability of people with Parkinson disease (PwPs) and their care-partners to perform food-related activities (FRA) and PwPs' overall diet quality.

Methods: Using a convergent parallel mixed methods design, PwPs and their care-partners completed virtual dyadic semi-structured interviews about their FRA during the COVID-19 pandemic. PwPs completed Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) to quantify their dietary intake in the previous 12 months.

A Qualitative Analysis of Experiences With Food-Related Activities Among People Living With Parkinson Disease and Their Care-Partners.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors associated with the ability of people with PD to perform food-related activities (FRAs). Eleven dyads, older adults with Parkinson disease (PD) and their care-partners ( = 22), completed virtual semi-structured interviews guided by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) that were independently analyzed by two coders via directed content analysis. The following themes were identified-(1) Personal: perception of a healthy diet, perception of how nutrition influences PD, confidence in following a healthy diet, and barriers to performing FRA; (2) Environmental: previous sources of nutrition information and willingness to changing their diet with a registered dietitian; and (3) Behavioral: modifications to FRA due to food-medication interactions, and skills necessary to maintain a healthy diet.

The feasibility and acceptability of a dementia care training program for registered dietitian nutritionists.

There is a need for more Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) trained to provide nutritional care to older adults with dementia who experience mealtime difficulties. The purpose of this single-arm, pre/post pilot study was to adapt a generalized dementia care curriculum to the learning needs of RDNs who work with individuals with dementia and to determine the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted program. Using an existing evidence-based dementia care curriculum, the research team identified learning objectives and content pertinent to the scope of RDNs.

Implementation, spread and impact of the Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS) across Ontario hospitals: a mixed methods evaluation.

Background: Traditional discharge processes lack a patient-centred focus. This project studied the implementation and effectiveness of an individualized discharge tool across Ontario hospitals. The Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS) is an individualized discharge tool with guidelines that was co-designed with patients and families to enable a patient-centred process.

Visceral adiposity index and its association with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet scores among older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2011-2014.

Background & Aims: The visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been shown to be a reliable estimate of visceral adiposity, but little is known about its association with specific dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, particularly in older adults. Many studies have shown the DASH diet to be beneficial for cardiometabolic health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between DASH diet scores and the VAI in older adults using a nationally representative dataset.

Connected Research: The Potential of the PID Graph.

Persistent identifiers (PIDs) provide unique and long-lasting references to entities. They enable unique identification persistently over time and hence play a crucial role in supporting the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles. In this paper, we describe how the benefits of PIDs can be amplified by connecting them via their metadata.

Europe PMC in 2020.

Europe PMC (https://europepmc.org) is a database of research articles, including peer reviewed full text articles and abstracts, and preprints - all freely available for use via website, APIs and bulk download. This article outlines new developments since 2017 where work has focussed on three key areas: (i) Europe PMC has added to its core content to include life science preprint abstracts and a special collection of full text of COVID-19-related preprints.

"If They Don't Like You, They Are Not Going to Eat for You": Individual and Interpersonal Factors Affecting Certified Nursing Assistants' Ability to Provide Mealtime Assistance to Residents With Dementia.

Background And Objectives: In long-term care facilities in the United States, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide mealtime assistance to residents with dementia, a task that substantially increases caregiver burden due to the time and attention required. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the individual and interpersonal barriers and facilitators CNAs experience when providing mealtime assistance to residents with dementia.

Research Design And Methods: Focus group questions were developed based on the corresponding levels of the Social Ecological Model.

Dietary Supplement Use is High among Individuals with Parkinson Disease.

Objectives: To assess the present use of dietary supplements among the Parkinson disease (PD) population and to determine which dietary supplements are most commonly taken.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that was administered to individuals with PD via support group Web sites. Dietary supplement users also were asked whether they spoke with a healthcare professional about their supplement use.

The effect of exercise training with an additional inspiratory load on inspiratory muscle fatigue and time-trial performance.

The purpose was to determine the effect of moderate-intensity exercise training (ET) on inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) and if an additional inspiratory load during ET (ET+IL) would further improve inspiratory muscle strength, IMF, and time-trial performance. 15 subjects were randomly divided to ET (n=8) and ET+IL groups (n=7). All subjects completed six weeks of exercise training three days/week at ∼70%V̇O2peak for 30min.

Meta-Research: Broadening the Scope of PLOS Biology.

In growing recognition of the importance of how scientific research is designed, performed, communicated, and evaluated, PLOS Biology announces a broadening of its scope to cover meta-research articles.

Improved lung function following dietary antioxidant supplementation in exercise-induced asthmatics.

Introduction: Oxidative stress is a characteristic of exercise-induced asthma (EIA), however antioxidant supplementation may attenuate EIA. The purpose of this study was to determine if ascorbic (AsA) and α-tocopherol supplementation would improve airway function in subjects with EIA.

Methods: A single-blind randomized crossover design with eight clinically diagnosed EIA subjects (22.

The effects of antioxidant vitamin supplementation on expiratory flow rates at rest and during exercise.

Purpose: Previous studies suggest that pulmonary function is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption and plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins. Also, expiratory flow limitation (EFL) has been reported to limit ventilation during exercise in healthy individuals. We hypothesized antioxidant vitamin supplementation (AVS) would increase resting expiratory flow rates in healthy subjects and reduce EFL during exercise.

Disparities in physician-patient communication by obesity status.

This study aimed to examine variations in patient-physician communication by obesity status. We pooled data from the 2005-2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS),_included only individuals who completed the self-administered questionnaire themselves, and restricted the sample to patients who received care from primary care physicians. We included a total of 6,628 unique individuals between the ages of 18 and 65 who had at least one office or hospital outpatient visit during the past 12 months.

Obesity and the workplace: current programs and attitudes among employers and employees.

This paper presents findings about weight management programs at the workplace, and employers' and employees' views about these programs. Data are from a survey of 505 randomly selected public and private employers with fifty or more employees, and a survey of 1,352 households with employer-based insurance. The majority of employers with 5,000 or more workers offer programs such as on-site exercise facilities, nutritional counseling, and health risk appraisals, whereas sizable minorities of smaller employers offer them.

PLoS Biology at 5: the future is open access.

Five years after launched, the publishing landscape has changed radically. How much have PLoS and contributed to this change, and what does the future hold for open access?

The long road to health reform requires bipartisan leadership.

The United States appears headed toward another national debate about health system reform. Worry about access and health system deficiencies has reached critical mass, and polls indicate that health care leads the domestic agenda for the 2008 elections. This debate, like previous debates, will succeed or fail in Congress.

Please welcome our first academic editor-in-chief.

The PLoS Biology Editors explain the background to Jonathan Eisen's appointment as the journal's first Academic Editor-in-Chief.