Association between dietary fiber and serum C-reactive protein.

Background: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of acute inflammation recently recognized as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The identification of modifiable factors, such as diet, that influence serum CRP concentrations may provide the means for reducing the risk of these diseases. Data on longitudinal associations between dietary fiber intake and CRP are currently lacking.

Invitation to a dialogue between researchers and clinicians about evidence-based behavioral medicine.

Background: Evidence-based behavioral medicine (EBBM) aims to improve the process through which best scientific research evidence can be obtained and translated into best clinical decisions regarding behavioral treatments to improve health.

Purpose: The objective was to examine some legitimate concerns raised by both clinicians and researchers about the evidence-based movement.

Methods: This article begins with a discussion of clinicians' fears that EBBM devalues clinical judgment and the therapist-patient relationship, will be used to restrict practice, is unnecessary, and is based on research that is irrelevant to clinical decision making.

Adherence across behavioral domains in treatment promoting smoking cessation plus weight control.

The authors tested whether adherence to simultaneous health behavior changes was unitary or domain specific among 76 women who modified smoking, eating, and physical activity to accomplish smoking cessation plus weight control. Random-effects regression analyses showed that adherence to both smoking and diet plans declined linearly and covaried positively; their association tended to grow stronger over time. In contrast, physical activity plan adherence did not change over time and was unrelated to other domains.

Sun protection motivational stages and behavior: skin cancer risk profiles.

Objective: To create skin cancer risk profiles that could be used to predict sun protection among Midwest beachgoers.

Method: Cluster analysis was used with study participants (N=239), who provided information about sun protection motivation and behavior, perceived risk, burn potential, and tan importance. Participants were clustered according to their risk profiles; 4 distinct risk profiles emerged.

Randomized controlled trial for behavioral smoking and weight control treatment: effect of concurrent versus sequential intervention.

The authors compared simultaneous versus sequential approaches to multiple health behavior change in diet, exercise, and cigarette smoking. Female regular smokers (N = 315) randomized to 3 conditions received 16 weeks of behavioral smoking treatment, quit smoking at Week 5, and were followed for 9 months after quit date. Weight management was omitted for control and was added to the 1st 8 weeks for early diet (ED) and the final 8 weeks for late diet (LD).

Altered reward value of carbohydrate snacks for female smokers withdrawn from nicotine.

Discontinuing nicotine intake usually results in weight gain partially due to heightened energy intake from between-meal snacks. This experiment tested the hypothesis that the reinforcing value of palatable carbohydrate-rich snacks increases for female smokers during nicotine deprivation. Eighteen smokers and 18 nonsmokers completed a concurrent-schedules operant computer task on two separate days.

Effects of a multicomponent intervention on motivation and sun protection behaviors among midwestern beachgoers.

Skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers in the United States. Although avoiding sun exposure and using sun protection reduces skin cancer risk, rates of such behaviors are moderate at best. The present study examined the impact of a multicomponent intervention that aimed to increase the saliency of skin cancer risk while promoting the use of sun protection.