Length of residence and obesity risk among North African immigrant women in Italy

Psychosocial health and quality of life among North African women

Studies on relationships between psychosocial factors and health among North African (NA) women are scarce. This research investigated the self-perceived psychosocial well-being of NA women by a structured questionnaire and anthropometric survey examining the possible explanatory variables of their mental health in comparison to a sample of NA migrants. The association of endogenous stress, psychological well-being, discomfort, and quality of life with migrant/non-migrant status, demographic characteristics, and adiposity indices was examined. Moreover, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was tested using Cronbach's alpha. A sample of 228 women living in Tunis and Casablanca participated in a survey in Tunisia and Morocco. According to multiple regression models, migrant/non-migrant status was the best explanatory variable of well-being and quality of life, marital status, educational level and the number of children were explanatory variables of discomfort and endogenous stress. Among anthropometric variables, central adiposity was a significant explanatory variable of well-being. The comparison with women who migrated mainly from Morocco and Tunisia to Italy (NA migrants) exhibited higher weight status and central adiposity in NA migrants. The perceived stress and discomfort were the same in the two groups; the migrants, despite reporting lower psychological well-being, presented a higher quality of life than residents. Our findings emphasise the potential to promote monitoring of the psychosocial health of NA women, planning effective interventions.

Self-Care of African Immigrant Adults with Chronic Illness

This cross-sectional study aims to describe the self-care of adult African immigrants in the US with chronic illness and explore the relationship between acculturation and self-care. A total of 88 African immigrants with chronic illness were enrolled. Self-care was measured with the Self Care of Chronic Illness Inventory v3 and the Self-Care Self-Efficacy scale. Scores are standardized 0 to 100 with scores >70 considered adequate. Acculturation was measured using a modified standardized acculturation instrument and predefined acculturation proxies. The self-care scores showed adequate self-care, with the mean scores of 78.6, 77.9, and 75.6 for self-care maintenance, monitoring, and management. Self-care self-efficacy mean score was 81.3. Acculturation was not significantly associated with self-care. Self-care self-efficacy was a strong determinant of self-care maintenance (p < .0001), monitoring (p < .0001), and management (p < .0001). The perception of inadequate income was a significant determinant of poor self-care management (p = .03). Self-care self-efficacy and perceived income adequacy were better determinants of self-care than acculturation.

The status of medication literacy and associated factors of hypertensive patients in China: a cross-sectional study

The adverse consequence of low medication literacy is a major problem that threatens patients' health. The number of people with hypertension is increasing in China. We described the current situation of medication literacy of patients with hypertension in China and its related influencing factor. We conducted a cross-sectional study, which contains 590 hypertensive patients. Stratified sampling was adopted according to the hospital level in China. To determine the factors related to medication literacy, multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine associations between medication literacy of hypertensive patients and other factors. Among 590 respondents, results showed that they have poor medication literacy. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that level of education, annual income, occupation status, and type of medical insurance were significantly associated with medication literacy level of hypertensive patients. In addition, our study also demonstrates that we can identify the medication literacy level of hypertensive patients using the Chinese version Medication Literacy Scale for Hypertensive Patients. High medication literacy is an important factor for hypertensive patients to improve medication adherence, so as to better control blood pressure. We should pay attention to the improvement of medication literacy and take corresponding measures.

Body image perception and body composition: assessment of perception inconsistency by a new index

Background

A correct perception of the body image, as defined by comparison with actual anthropometric analyses, is crucial to ensure the best possible nutritional status of each individual. Bioimpedance analysis (BIA) represents a leading technique to assess body composition parameters and, in particular, the fat mass. This study examined the self-perception of body image at various levels of adiposity proposing a new index.

Methods

We investigated 487 young Italian adults (mean age of males: 21.9 ± 2.4 years; mean age of females: 21.0 ± 2.2 years). Each subject could choose, on the Contour Drawing Rating Scale, the silhouette that he/she considered most resembling his/her perceived body image as well as his/her ideal body image. On each subject, we performed anthropometric measurements and determined the values of Fat mass and  %Fat with BIA. A new index, FAI^FAT (Feel fat status minus Actual fat status Inconsistency), was developed to evaluate possible fat status perception inconsistencies by BIA.

Results

Based on ideal and feel body image comparison, women showed higher dissatisfaction than men and preferred slimmer silhouettes. FAI^FAT values indicated that the fat status perception was correct in the majority of the examined individuals and only three subjects showed a serious misperception.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that FAI^FAT is an appropriate index for assessing the perceived fat status from the body image when compared with data obtained by BIA. In a population, the use of this index will allow the correct identification of groups at risk for eating disorders.