Publications by authors named "Mary C Read"

Objective: The efficacy of individualized, community-based physical activity as an adjunctive smoking cessation treatment to enhance long-term smoking cessation rates was evaluated for the Lifestyle Enhancement Program (LEAP).

Methods: The study was a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. All participants ( = 392) received cessation counseling and a nicotine patch and were randomized to physical activity ( = 199; YMCA membership and personalized exercise programming from a health coach) or an equal contact frequency wellness curriculum ( = 193).

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Natural disasters increase nicotine dependence and cigarette consumption, but the exact mechanisms and conditions responsible for this increase are relatively unclear. This study explored whether posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were pathways to increased nicotine dependence and cigarette consumption after disaster exposure using a representative sample of current smokers who were living in New Orleans at the time Hurricane Katrina struck (n = 175), and a comparison sample of smokers from Memphis (n = 222) who were not directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina. We assessed whether nicotine dependence and daily cigarette consumption differed by city and evaluated potential mediators and moderators of this association using conditional process analysis.

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Despite advances in behavioral and pharmacological treatment for tobacco use and dependence, quit rates remain suboptimal. Increasing physical activity has shown some promise as a strategy for improving cessation outcomes. However, initial efficacy studies focused on intensive, highly structured exercise programs that may not be applicable to the general population of smokers.

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Objectives: To examine race-specific differences in correlates of cessation in low income pregnant women.

Methods: Two hundred forty-eight low-income black and white pregnant women who smoked regularly prior to pregnancy were interviewed to assess several potential correlates of quitting.

Results: Race differences emerged in characteristics commonly thought to influence quitting including income, education level, marital status, nicotine dependence, and smoking history.

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Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common neoplasm affecting males between 15 and 35, and testicular self-examination (TSE) has been recommended for early detection. Studies have found that young adult men have poor awareness of TC and low rates of performing TSE, but little research has examined adolescents.

Methods: In a comprehensive survey of health behaviors among adolescent boys (n = 213, mean age 15.

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Objectives: To investigate smoking-related correlates of depressive symptomatology in low-income pregnant women.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 245 pregnant women who smoked prior to pregnancy.

Results: Women who had lower self-efficacy for maintaining abstinence both in positive affect/social situations and when experiencing negative affect demonstrated greater depressive symptomatology.

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