Risk factor distribution among sociodemographically diverse African American adults

Body Mass Index, Self-Esteem, and Suicide Risk in Clinically Depressed African American and White American Females

Self-esteem and depression, as well as depression and body mass index (BMI), have consistently been found to be significantly associated for African American and White American females. The results are dissimilar when BMI and self-esteem are studied. Historically, the relationship between BMI and self-esteem is weak or nonexistent for African American females; however, for White American females, the relationship is usually significant. The goal of this study was to determine whether clinically depressed, healthy-weight, overweight, and obese females would differ significantly on self-esteem and suicide risk measures. In a voluntary hospital-based inpatient psychiatric unit, 165 clinically depressed females completed the self-esteem rating scale and the suicide risk scale. Healthy-weight, overweight, and obese African American females did not differ significantly on measures of self-esteem and suicide risk. However, depressed, obese White American females had significantly lower self-esteem and increased suicide risk than depressed healthy-weight and overweight White American females. Implications of the current results are discussed.

Does race/ethnicity moderate the association between job strain and leisure time physical activity?

BACKGROUND

Racial/ethnic minorities report myriad barriers to regular leisure time physical activity (LTPA), including the stress and fatigue resulting from their occupational activities.

PURPOSE

We sought to investigate whether an association exists between job strain and LTPA, and whether it is modified by race or ethnicity.

METHODS

Data were collected from 1,740 adults employed in 26 small manufacturing businesses in eastern Massachusetts. LTPA and job strain data were self-reported. Adjusted mean hours of LTPA per week are reported.

RESULTS

In age and gender adjusted analyses, reports of job strain were associated with LTPA. There was a significant interaction between job strain and race or ethnicity (p = .04). Whites experiencing job strain reported 1 less hr of LTPA per week compared to Whites not reporting job strain. Collectively, racial/ethnic minorities reporting job strain exhibited comparatively higher levels of LTPA compared to their counterparts with no job strain, although patterns for individual groups did not significantly differ.

CONCLUSIONS

Job strain was associated with LTPA in a lower income, multiethnic population of healthy adult men and women. The association between job strain and LTPA was modified by race or ethnicity, highlighting the importance of investigating the differential effects of psychosocial occupational factors on LTPA levels by race or ethnicity.

Nondipping blood pressure patterns among individuals with essential hypertension: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Researchers have discovered that blood pressure (BP) varies in a diurnal manner throughout a 24-hour period, being higher during the day and lower at night. Most people have a dipping BP pattern characterized by a nighttime BP that is 10-20% lower than their daytime BP. Individuals who experience a less than 10% reduction in nighttime BP are described as having a nondipping BP pattern. Although controversial, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that a nondipping BP pattern is associated with a greater risk of target organ damage among individuals with essential hypertension.

AIM

To review the literature on the most common factors associated with nondipping BP patterns among individuals with essential hypertension.

METHODS

CINAHL (1982-March 2006), PubMed (1950-March 2006) and Cochrane Library (1966-March 2006) databases were searched using the keywords: dipper, dipping, nondipper, nondipping, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, ABPM, hypertension, essential hypertension, high blood pressure, blood pressure, nocturnal blood pressure, nighttime blood pressure, diurnal blood pressure, and blood pressure patterns. Published studies, abstracts, dissertations as well as the reference lists of retrieved articles were reviewed. Studies were included if they involved subjects with only treated or untreated essential hypertension or those with samples of both nomotensive and treated or untreated essential hypertensive individuals. Additionally, studies needed to evaluate 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP patterns.

RESULTS

There is some evidence to suggest advanced age, African-American ethnicity, female sex, postmenopausal status, sodium sensitivity, sleep apnea, sleep quality, anger, hostility, depression, stress, social support, and socioeconomic status have an association with nondipping BP patterns.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of the potential factors associated with an altered nighttime BP pattern is of importance because it can help identify persons at risk for nondipping BP patterns and potential target organ damage. Furthermore, knowledge of these factors associated with a nondipping BP profile will lay the foundation for interventions to prevent/treat alterations in nighttime BP patterns.

Assessment of perceptions of nutrition knowledge and disease using a group interactive system: the Perception Analyzer

Food labels can be used as a tool for nutrition education, but the information available is of little value to consumers who do not understand how to apply it. In an effort to assess nutrition knowledge and identify misconceptions, a group interactive system--the Perception Analyzer--was used as a lecture aid and data collection tool. The Perception Analyzer is composed of a laptop computer, an antenna, and handheld electronic handsets, or dials, that participants use to answer questions. Participants (N = 621) were surveyed on 14 multiple-choice questions concerning nutrition with 4 nutrition questions repeated at the end of a session as a posttest. A knowledge score was calculated by counting correct answers. Linear regression analyses were used to study the main effects of demographic variables on the knowledge score. Our study reports the following: although participants reported reading food labels, nrisconceptions about label content were identified; analyses of mean scores indicated that age, education, and race influenced the nutrition knowledge score; and participants found the Perception Analyzer to be enjoyable. The findings indicate that because the Perception Analyzer provides immediate and anonymous feedback to a discussion leader about audience's current knowledge, it is a promising tool for nutrition education by dietetic practitioners.