Factors associated with male recruitment in a multi-site randomized behavioral clinical trial targeting the metabolic syndrome: analysis of screening and recruitment data from the ELM trial.

Background: Males are underrepresented in behavioral clinical trials of lifestyle. The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate factors associated with trial interest in males at different stages of recruitment and overall, into a multi-site behavioral trial targeting lifestyle change and remission of the metabolic syndrome. Similar analyses were performed for female participation to investigate the uniqueness or consistency with the findings for males.

Acceptability of a Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention Among Young Men: Mixed Methods Analysis of Pilot Findings.

Background: Young men are vastly underrepresented in lifestyle interventions, suggesting a need to develop appealing yet effective interventions for this population.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the acceptability of a self-guided lifestyle intervention designed specifically for young men (age: 18-35 years old).

Methods: Semistructured interviews and surveys were completed by 14 men following completion of a remotely delivered, 12-week lifestyle intervention.

A randomized comparison of recruitment messages for a weight loss clinical trial targeting men working in trade and labor occupations.

Background: Engaging diverse populations in clinical trials is vital to research. This study evaluated the effects of varying recruitment messages for a clinical trial.

Methods: The messages were evaluated in a randomly assigned, factorial design that tested enhanced trust (vs.

"You Just Have to Keep It Movin':" Perceptions of Physical Function Limitations in an African American Health Ministry.

Physical function (PF) limitations are common in aging. However, there is a dearth of interventions focused on addressing PF limitations in community-based settings, particularly in minoritized communities. To guide intervention development, we conducted focus groups to understand perceptions of PF limitations, gauge intervention interest, and identify potential intervention strategies as part of a large health partnership of African American churches in Chicago, IL.

A Self-Guided Lifestyle Intervention for Young Men: Findings from the ACTIVATE Randomized Pilot Trial.

Background: Young men are at high risk for developing obesity-related health complications, yet are markedly underrepresented in lifestyle interventions. This pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a lifestyle intervention (self-guided + health risk messaging) targeting young men.

Methods: 35 young men (Age = 29.

Gamification and neurotraining to engage men in behavioral weight loss: Protocol for a factorial randomized controlled trial.

Over 70% of men are overweight, and most desire weight loss; however, men are profoundly underrepresented in weight loss programs. Gamification represents a novel approach to engaging men and may enhance efficacy through two means: (1) game-based elements (e.g.

Weight Loss Program Preferences of Men Working in Blue-Collar Occupations: A Qualitative Inquiry.

Men who work in blue-collar occupations (skilled and unskilled trades) experience high rates of obesity and comorbid conditions. This group is underrepresented in behavioral interventions for weight management, which may stem from a mismatch between the features of available programs and these men's preferences. This qualitative study explored the views of these men, their experiences with weight loss, their preferences for weight loss programs, and messaging related to these programs.

BestFIT Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Results: A SMART Approach to Developing Individualized Weight Loss Treatment Sequences.

Background: State-of-the-art behavioral weight loss treatment (SBT) can lead to clinically meaningful weight loss, but only 30-60% achieve this goal. Developing adaptive interventions that change based on individual progress could increase the number of people who benefit.

Purpose: Conduct a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to determine the optimal time to identify SBT suboptimal responders and whether it is better to switch to portion-controlled meals (PCM) or acceptance-based treatment (ABT).

Behavioural interventions for CVD risk reduction for blue-collar workers: a systematic review.

Objectives: Individuals working in blue-collar occupations experience high rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this systematic review is to describe the characteristics and efficacy of behavioural interventions that have targeted CVD risk factors in this high-risk group.

Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched seven databases to find interventions focused on changing the following: blood pressure, cholesterol, diet, physical activity, smoking or weight.

Discrepancies Between Clinician and Participant Intervention Adherence Ratings Predict Percent Weight Change During a Six-Month Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention.

Background: Individuals receiving behavioral weight loss treatment frequently fail to adhere to prescribed dietary and self-monitoring instructions, resulting in weight loss clinicians often needing to assess and intervene in these important weight control behaviors. A significant obstacle to improving adherence is that clinicians and clients sometimes disagree on the degree to which clients are actually adherent. However, prior research has not examined how clinicians and clients differ in their perceptions of client adherence to weight control behaviors, nor the implications for treatment outcomes.

Physical Function in Midlife and Older Adults From an African American Church-Based Health Screening.

Introduction: Limitations in physical function are predictive of adverse health outcomes, and screening has been recommended in clinical settings for older adults. Rarely assessed in community-based settings, physical function could provide insight for tailoring health-related community-based programs and raise awareness about this important aspect of health. This cross-sectional study seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating physical function assessments into health screenings in African American churches in Chicago, Illinois, through a large health partnership and to determine the prevalence and correlates of physical function limitations among midlife (aged 40-59 years) and late-life (aged ≥60 years) participants.

A Small-Changes Weight Loss Programfor African-American Church Members.

Objective: To test whether a previously tested, small-changes weight loss program could be translated for use in African American churches.

Methods: The program consisted of 12 group sessions held weekly at a partner church. Key intervention messages were disseminated via Facebook.

Trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and tobacco use: Does church attendance buffer negative effects?

Traumatic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are overrepresented in urban African American communities, and associated with health risk behaviors such as tobacco use. Support and resources provided by churches may reduce trauma-related health risks. In the current study, we assessed weekly church attendance as a moderator of relations between (a) traumatic event exposure and probable PTSD, and (b) probable PTSD and tobacco use.

Constrained choices: Combined influences of work, social circumstances, and social location on time-dependent health behaviors.

Background: Physical activity and sleep are two time-dependent behaviors with important health implications. The amount of time people have to engage in these behaviors may vary based on their everyday work, social circumstances (e.g.

The Impact of Incentives on Weight Control in Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Overweight and obese men were recruited to a 6-month, randomized controlled weight loss trial, which compared the Gutbusters weight loss program alone to the Gutbusters program with incentives for successful weight loss. The intervention was delivered primarily online, with weekly in-person weight collections. Gutbusters was designed using a template from the REFIT intervention and encouraged participants ( = 102, 47.

Engaging Patients and Caregivers in Research for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Top 10 Research Priorities.

Introduction: Including individuals with lived experience in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is essential to establishing a research agenda that is mutually impactful to both those treating and those experiencing the disease.

Methods: Using the James Lind Alliance approach to research priority setting, a 10-member steering committee composed of current and former pediatric patients with IBD, caregivers, and clinicians was formed. A national survey, disseminated across Canada, elicited uncertainties which were divided into unanswered and answered research questions.

Partnering with Churches to Conduct a Wide-Scale Health Screening of an Urban, Segregated Community.

West Side Alive (WSA) is a partnership among pastors, church members and health researchers with the goal of improving health in the churches and surrounding community in the West Side of Chicago, a highly segregated African American area of Chicago with high rates of premature mortality and social disadvantage. To inform health intervention development, WSA conducted a series of health screenings that took place in seven partner churches. Key measures included social determinants of health and healthcare access, depression and PTSD screeners, and measurement of cardiometabolic risk factors, including blood pressure, weight, cholesterol and hemoglobin A1C (A1C).

Feasibility of a Lifestyle Physical Activity Intervention to Prevent Memory Loss in Older Women With Cardiovascular Disease: A Mixed-Methods Approach.

Background: Memory loss in older age affects women more than men and cardiovascular disease is a leading risk factor. Physical activity can improve memory in healthy older adults; however, few physical activity interventions have targeted women with cardiovascular disease, and none utilized lifestyle approaches.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a 24-week lifestyle physical activity intervention (physical activity prescription, five group meetings, and nine motivational interviewing calls).

Delay discounting and household food purchasing decisions: The SHoPPER study.

Objective: Delay discounting is a neurocognitive trait that has been linked to poor nutritional health and obesity, but its role in specific dietary choices is unclear. This study tested whether individual differences in delay discounting are related to the healthfulness of household food purchases and reliance on nonstore food sources such as restaurants.

Method: The food purchases of 202 primary household food shoppers were objectively documented for 14 days through a food receipt collection and analysis protocol.

Nutrition quality of food purchases varies by household income: the SHoPPER study.

Background: Lower household income has been consistently associated with poorer diet quality. Household food purchases may be an important intervention target to improve diet quality among low income populations. Associations between household income and the diet quality of household food purchases were examined.

Gender Comparison of the Diet Quality and Sources of Food Purchases Made by Urban Primary Household Food Purchasers.

Objective: To compare food purchasing behaviors and diet quality of foods purchased between men and women who were the primary food purchaser for their households.

Methods: Food purchasing was measured via itemized receipts. The dietary composition of purchased foods was derived using the Nutrition Data System for Research and quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2010.

How Accurate are Recalls of Self-Weighing Frequency? Data from a 24-Month Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Self-weighing is an important component of self-monitoring during weight loss. However, methods of measuring self-weighing frequency need to be validated. This analysis compared self-reported and objective weighing frequency.