Psychosocial Consequences of Body Weight and Obesity

2018 ◽  
pp. 274-286
Author(s):  
Deborah Carr ◽  
Vera K. Tsenkova
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Integrative Health ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
Adults And Children

The body weight of U.S. adults and children has risen markedly over the past three decades. The physical health consequences of obesity are widely documented, and emerging research from the Midlife in the United States study and other large-scale surveys reveals the harmful impact of obesity on adults’ psychosocial and interpersonal well-being. This chapter synthesizes recent research on the psychosocial implications of body weight, with attention to explanatory mechanisms and subgroup differences in these patterns. A brief statistical portrait of body weight is provided, documenting rates and correlates of obesity, with a focus on race, gender, and socioeconomic status disparities. The consequences of body weight for three main outcomes are described: institutional and everyday discrimination, interpersonal relationships, and psychological well-being. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the ways that recent integrative health research on the psychosocial consequences of overweight and obesity inform our understanding of population health.

The Obesity Epidemic in Chinese American Youth?: A Literature Review and Pilot Study

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn Matloff ◽  
Angela Lee ◽  
Roland Tang ◽  
Doug Brugge
Keyword(s):  
Asian Americans ◽  
Ethnic Diversity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Community Health Center ◽  
Chinese American ◽  
The United States ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
American Children

Despite nearly 12 million Asian Americans living in the United States and continued immigration, this increasingly substantial subpopulation has consistently been left out of national obesity studies. When included in national studies, Chinese-American children have been grouped together with other Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or simply as “other,” yielding significantly lower rates of overweight and obesity compared to non-Asians. There is a failure to recognize the ethnic diversity of Asian Americans as well as the effect of acculturation. Results from smaller studies of Chinese American youth suggest that they are adopting lifestyles less Chinese and more Americans and that their share of disease burden is growing. We screened 142 children from the waiting room of a community health center that serves primarily recent Chinese immigrants for height, weight and demographic profile. Body Mass Index was calculated and evaluated using CDC growth charts. Overall, 30.1 percent of children were above the 85th we found being male and being born in the U .S. to be statistically significant for BMI > 85th percentile (p=0.039, p=0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that being overweight in this Chinese American immigrant population is associated with being born in the U.S. A change in public policy and framework for research are required to accurately assess the extent of overweight and obesity in Chinese American children. In particular, large scale data should be stratified by age, sex, birthplace and measure of acculturation to identify those at risk and construct tailored interventions.

scholarly journals Low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity of children and adolescents from a Brazilian region of low economic status

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 437-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dartagnan Pinto Guedes ◽  
Francisléia Nascimento Almeida ◽  
Jaime Tolentino M. Neto ◽  
Maria de Fátima de M. Maia ◽  
Thatiana Maia Tolentino
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Weight Excess

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity in a representative sample of children and adolescents from a Brazilian region with low economic development. METHODS: A total of 982 girls and 986 boys, aged seven to 17 years old and assisted by Segundo Tempo Program, from Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil, were included in the study. Low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity were defined based on body mass cut-off indexes recommended by the International Obesity Task Force. The prevalence of the nutritional status according to sex and age was compared by chi-square test. RESULTS: In girls, the frequency of low body weight/thinness, overweight and obesity was 4.1, 18.4 and 3.8%, respectively; in boys, these percentages were 6.3, 13.2 and 2.9%, respectively. The low body weight/thinness for girls raised from 2.7% (7-10 years old) to 5.5% (15-17 years old); the body weight excess (overweight and obesity) decreased from 30.1 to 16.2% for the same age groups. In boys, the corresponding trends were from 3.2 to 9.4% for low body weight/thinness, and from 23.4 to 9.2%, for body weight excess. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that, even in a region with low economic status, the body weight excess was the main problem associated with nutritional health. The high overweight and obesity prevalence rates indicate the need of public policies for promoting healthy feeding behaviors and physical activity.

scholarly journals College Students’ Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. p1
Author(s):  
Michaela Q. Iglesia ◽  
Ming-Tsan Lu
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
College Students ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Psychological Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Socioeconomic Impacts ◽  
Health Lifestyle ◽  
Gender Minorities

Studies have shown increased levels of distress during the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, and college students are becoming more recognized as a vulnerable population. This narrative systematic review aims to synthesize the current understanding of mental health, lifestyle, and socioeconomic impacts that the pandemic had on college students in the United States. A search was conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science. A total of 34 observational studies were included which examined aspects of college students’ health and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. A great deal of students was shown to experience a moderate level of stress and subsyndromal depression and anxiety in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several risk and protective factors have been characterized. Students experienced various academic, financial, and housing disruptions. Studies have highlighted the need for institutional support to reduce the adverse psychological impact of the pandemic. There is a need for further large-scale research to assess the scope of COVID-19-related biopsychosocial impact, especially in vulnerable populations such as racial/ethnic and sexual/gender minorities.

scholarly journals Screens, Teens, and Psychological Well-Being: Evidence From Three Time-Use-Diary Studies

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 682-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Orben ◽  
Andrew K. Przybylski
Keyword(s):  
Time Use ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Diary Studies ◽  
Psychological Evidence

The notion that digital-screen engagement decreases adolescent well-being has become a recurring feature in public, political, and scientific conversation. The current level of psychological evidence, however, is far removed from the certainty voiced by many commentators. There is little clear-cut evidence that screen time decreases adolescent well-being, and most psychological results are based on single-country, exploratory studies that rely on inaccurate but popular self-report measures of digital-screen engagement. In this study, which encompassed three nationally representative large-scale data sets from Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom ( N = 17,247 after data exclusions) and included time-use-diary measures of digital-screen engagement, we used both exploratory and confirmatory study designs to introduce methodological and analytical improvements to a growing psychological research area. We found little evidence for substantial negative associations between digital-screen engagement—measured throughout the day or particularly before bedtime—and adolescent well-being.

Psychosocial Consequences Among Nurses in the Affected Area of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the Fukushima Complex Disaster: A Qualitative Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 519-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideko Sato ◽  
Teeranee Techasrivichien ◽  
Atsuko Omori ◽  
Masako Ono-Kihara ◽  
Masahiro Kihara
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Great East Japan Earthquake ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
Mutual Care ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial consequences among nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in order to identify their coping strategies and explore possible countermeasures against complex disasters.MethodsIn 2012, we conducted a qualitative study and screened participants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).ResultsThirty-eight nurses participated in this study. The result showed a relatively high proportion of probable PTSD (39%). Thirty-two conceptual codes emerged from the data and were grouped into 8 categories: “initial acute stress,” “acute stress turning chronic,” “chronic physical and mental fatigue,” “occupational stress,” “fear of the impact of radiation on children’s health,” “occupational satisfaction,” “positive influences of the disaster experiences,” and “impact of mutual care through interpersonal cognition.”ConclusionsThe study reveals that mutual care may have a positive impact in assisting recovery and enhancing the psychological well-being of nurses. We suggest that disaster management should take into consideration the conflict between professional and family responsibilities. In the light of the chronic impact of the nuclear crisis, enhanced support for interpersonal relationships and human resources, as well as appropriate safety precautions, is urgently needed to help affected nurses. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:519-526)

Rebooting Ponies and Men: Discordant Masculinity and the Brony Fandom

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Miller
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Young Adult ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pop Culture ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Hybrid Forms

In recent years, Brony fandom has grown from a small Internet-based fan community into a pop culture phenomenon complete with large-scale conventions. The appearance of Bronies in mainstream media confounds onlookers because the majority are young adult men celebrating the virtues of candy-colored ponies. This fandom is openly contesting traditional concepts of masculinity, particularly in the United States, by embracing the pony mantra of “love and tolerance.” This theme promotes sharing feelings, acceptance of others, and improving interpersonal relationships. This article seeks to describe some of the characteristics of the fandom and how Bronies are creating a new construction of masculinity called discordant masculinity that steers away from postfeminist trappings in other, “hybrid,” forms of masculinity.

Accelerated Aging: The Role of Socioeconomic, Social, Demographic, and Biological Factors on Bone Mineral Density

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 443-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Gough ◽  
Kanya Godde
Keyword(s):  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Accelerated Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Body ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Biological Variables ◽  
Social Demographic

We investigate socioeconomic, social, demographic, and biological variables that are associated with chronic stress in the body to assess whether they have an effect on bone mineral density (BMD) as an indicator of accelerated aging. Multiple regression models were derived from data in the Midlife in the United States: A National Longitudinal Study of Health and Well-Being, Waves 1 (1995–1996) and 2 (2004–2006). Three BMD variables were used as outcomes: femoral, femoral neck, and spine T scores. The sample included 333 men and women aged 34–80. Poverty and C-reactive protein were related to BMD for spine T scores, partially consistent with hypotheses. But, marital status, perceived support of a partner, and education were not associated. Friend strain was discovered to have a relationship with BMD. More variables, and from a broader context, need to be examined together to understand what affects reduced BMD, given the high costs of accelerated aging.

scholarly journals Assessing Perceived Empathic and Social Self-Efficacy Across Countries

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Di Giunta ◽  
Nancy Eisenberg ◽  
Anne Kupfer ◽  
Patrizia Steca ◽  
Carlo Tramontano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Factorial Structure ◽  
Partial Invariance

The Perceived Empathic Self-Efficacy Scale (PESE) and the Perceived Social Self-Efficacy Scale (PSSE) were developed to assess, respectively, individuals’ self-efficacy beliefs regarding both empathic responding to others’ needs or feelings and managing interpersonal relationships. In this study of young adults, a unidimensional factorial structure of both scales was found in Italy, the United States, and Bolivia. Complete invariance at the metric level and partial invariance at the scalar level were found across gender and countries for both scales. The construct and incremental validity of both PESE and PSSE were further examined in a different sample of Italian young adults. Patterns of association of the PESE or PSSE with self-esteem, psychological well-being, and the use of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies were found, often over and beyond their associations with empathy or extraversion, respectively.

scholarly journals Prolonged intake of desloratadine: mesenteric lymphatic vessel dysfunction and development of obesity/metabolic syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (1) ◽  
pp. G217-G227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Y. Gasheva ◽  
Irina Tsoy Nizamutdinova ◽  
Laura Hargrove ◽  
Cassidy Gobbell ◽  
Maria Troyanova-Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Lymphatic Vessel ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Lymphatic Vessels ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lymph Flow ◽  
The Body

This study aimed to establish mechanistic links between the prolonged intake of desloratadine, a common H1 receptor blocker (i.e., antihistamine), and development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 16 wk with desloratadine. We analyzed the dynamics of body weight gain, tissue fat accumulation/density, contractility of isolated mesenteric lymphatic vessels, and levels of blood lipids, glucose, and insulin, together with parameters of liver function. Prolonged intake of desloratadine induced development of an obesity-like phenotype and signs of metabolic syndrome. These alterations in the body included excessive weight gain, increased density of abdominal subcutaneous fat and intracapsular brown fat, high blood triglycerides with an indication of their rerouting toward portal blood, high HDL, high fasting blood glucose with normal fasting and nonfasting insulin levels (insulin resistance), high liver/body weight ratio, and liver steatosis (fatty liver). These changes were associated with dysfunction of mesenteric lymphatic vessels, specifically high lymphatic tone and resistance to flow together with diminished tonic and abolished phasic responses to increases in flow, (i.e., greatly diminished adaptive reserves to respond to postprandial increases in lymph flow). The role of nitric oxide in this flow-dependent adaptation was abolished, with remnants of these responses controlled by lymphatic vessel-derived histamine. Our current data, considered together with reports in the literature, support the notion that millions of the United States population are highly likely affected by underevaluated, lymphatic-related side effects of antihistamines and may develop obesity and metabolic syndrome due to the prolonged intake of this medication. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Prolonged intake of desloratadine induced development of obesity and metabolic syndrome associated with dysfunction of mesenteric lymphatic vessels, high lymphatic tone, and resistance to flow together with greatly diminished adaptive reserves to respond to postprandial increases in lymph flow. Data support the notion that millions of the USA population are highly likely affected by underevaluated, lymphatic-related side effects of antihistamines and may develop obesity and metabolic syndrome due to the prolonged intake of this medication.

Impact of Depressive Symptoms on the Work-life Quality of Financial Workers in China

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-L. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work Life ◽  
The Impact

Depression cases have been reported among workers in the financial industries. Occupations in this industry are considered among the most stressful ones. This study aimed to examine the impact of depressive symptoms of financial workers in China on their productivity and well-being. A survey was conducted using a convenient sample of 1024 financial workers recruited from three large-scale financial organizations located in the north and south of China. The result of Hierarchical Regression Analyses shows that depressive symptoms of workers significantly impaired their work-life quality. Severity of depressive symptoms had significant positive relationships with three behavioral manifestations at works. These are, in order of decreasing effect size, turnover intention, presenteeism, and absenteeism. Specifically, depressive symptoms had a larger effect on presenteeism compared to absenteeism, which implies the unawareness or insufficient recognition of Chinese workers towards depression as an illness in comparison with other physical illnesses. Moreover, a Univariate Analysis was conducted to study the moderating effect of emotional labor on the relationship between the severity of depressive symptoms and presenteeism. An aggravating effect was found, displaying a greater damage of depressive symptoms to psychosocial functions of workers. Besides, depressive symptoms of workers also impaired their quality of life in aspects such as interpersonal relationships, life situation, and so on. This study provides evidence of impairments of depression in the workplace, urging the management to pay more attention to its employees' mental health no matter whether it is for the sake of the company's benefit or the employees' well-being.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document