Comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle education improves weight loss and physical activity in Hispanic Americans following gastric bypass surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: As morbid obesity increasingly affects Hispanic Americans, the incidence of bariatric procedures among this population is rising. Despite this, prospective research on the effects of comprehensive postoperative education-centered interventions on weight loss and physical activity focused on Hispanic Americans is lacking.

Objective: To examine whether a comprehensive nutrition education and behavior modification intervention improves weight loss and physical activity in Hispanic Americans with obesity following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB).

Theory-driven intervention improves calcium intake, osteoporosis knowledge, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older Black adults.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an osteoporosis education program to improve calcium intake, knowledge, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older Black adults.

Design: Randomized repeated measures experimental design.

Setting: Churches and community-based organizations.

Spirituality of African-American women: correlations to health-promoting behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how spirituality relates to health-promoting behaviors in African-American women. Using Burkhart's theoretical framework for spirituality, a descriptive cross-sectional correlational design was used. A group of 260 (N=260) women completed Rosenbergh's Self-Esteem Scale, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, the Spiritual Perspective Scale, the Brief Block 2000 Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ).

Aging in introductory and life cycle nutrition textbooks.

The aging content in 11 undergraduate nutrition textbooks (8 introductory, 3 life cycle) was evaluated using content analysis. Repeated measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni post hoc procedures and t- tests were used. The 259 relevant pages largely focused on geriatrics (physiological decline, chronic diseases).

Aging in community nutrition, diet therapy, and nutrition and aging textbooks.

Using content analysis, this study evaluated the aging content and context in 11 nutrition sub-specialty textbooks: community nutrition (n = 3), diet therapy (n = 4), and nutrition and aging (n = 4). Pages with paragraphs on aging were identified in community nutrition and diet therapy textbooks, and 10% random samples of pages were evaluated in nutrition and aging textbooks. Paragraphs were assigned to one of four categories: gerontology, nutrition as primary, nutrition as secondary, or tertiary prevention.

Continued need for increased emphasis on aging in dietetics education.

This study examined the content on aging in dietetics curricula via the Internet and a follow-up questionnaire. Only 14% to 15% of programs were not online. The 203 undergraduate and 88 graduate program Web sites listed 44 (22%) undergraduate and 39 (44%) graduate courses in aging.

The professional development portfolio process: setting goals for credentialing.

Professional Development Portfolio (PDP), the new credentialing system for dietetics professionals, places the responsibility for learning, professional development, and career direction on the individual practitioner. This study used questionnaires and focus group interviews to determine whether dietitians engage in reflection, self-assessment, and goal setting, the critical components of PDP recertification. Volunteers (n = 132) participated in 16 focus groups held during 8 state dietetic association meetings.

Dietetics students' low knowledge, attitudes, and work preferences toward older adults indicate need for improved education about aging.

Objective: This study examined students' knowledge and attitudes about aging and their interest in working with the older adult population in the United States.

Design: A 97-item questionnaire included demographic items, a ranking section on work preferences by age groups, and two validated scales: the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz, and the Oberleder Attitude Scale.

Subjects: Those surveyed were enrolled in the 10 largest universities in the 5 states with the largest population of older adults: California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania.