Behavioral Intervention in Adolescents Improves Bone Mass, Yet Lactose Maldigestion Is a Barrier.

Calcium intake during adolescence is important for attainment of peak bone mass. Lactose maldigestion is an autosomal recessive trait, leading to lower calcium intake. The Adequate Calcium Today study aimed to determine if a school-based targeted behavioral intervention over one year could improve calcium intake and bone mass in early adolescent girls.

Impact of activity behaviors on physical activity identity and self-efficacy.

Objective: To examine the relationship of level of physical activity and length of time of adherence to physical activity, with physical activity identity (PAI) and physical activity self-efficacy (PASE).

Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 409 adults completed a survey assessing activity level and adherence, PAI and PASE.

Results: Vigorous activity was associated with higher scores on PAI and PASE scales with activity level contributing significantly larger proportions of the variance in scores compared to adherence.

Estimates of the effects of folic-acid fortification and folic-acid bioavailability for women.

Objective: With the recent implementation of the folic-acid-fortification program, our objective was to estimate its benefits in adult women and account for the higher bioavailability of synthetic folic acid in fortification programs and supplements.

Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design. Dietary assessment data were collected with a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire, the Nutrition DISCovery program.

The relationship of parental alcoholism and family dysfunction to stress among college students.

The relationship between collegiate adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and adult children from dysfunctional families (ACDFs) was examined to determine whether ACOAs and ACDFs were at greater risk of stress than non-ACOAs and non-ACDFs. The participants were 549 students from a midwestern university. The data collection instruments were the Children of Alcoholics Screening Test, 6-Item Version (CAST-6); the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales, Version II (FACES-II); and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS).