A narrative review of psychological and educational strategies applied to young children's eating behaviours aimed at reducing obesity risk

in Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity (2012), 13(Suppl 1), 85-95

Strategies to reduce risk of obesity by influencing preschool children’s eating behaviour are reviewed. The studies are placed in the context of relevant psychological processes, including inherited and ... [more ▼]

Strategies to reduce risk of obesity by influencing preschool children’s eating behaviour are reviewed. The studies are placed in the context of relevant psychological processes, including inherited and acquired preferences, and behavioural traits, such as food neophobia, ‘enjoyment of food’ and ‘satiety responsiveness’. These are important influences on how children respond to feeding practices, as well as predictors of obesity risk. Nevertheless, in young children, food environment and experience are especially important for establishing eating habits and food preferences. Providing information to parents, or to children, on healthy feeding is insufficient. Acceptance of healthy foods can be encouraged by 5-10 repeated tastes. Recent evidence suggests rewarding healthy eating can be successful, even for verbal praise alone, but that palatable foods should not be used as rewards for eating. Intake of healthier foods can be promoted by increasing portion size, especially in the beginning of the meal. Parental strategies of pressuring to eat and restriction do not appear to be causally linked to obesity, but are instead primarily responses to children’s eating tendencies and weight. Moderate rather than frequent restriction may improve healthy eating in children. Actively positive social modelling by adults and peers can be effective in encouraging healthier eating. [less ▲]

The negative affect repair questionnaire: factor analysis and psychometric evaluation in three samples

in BMC Psychiatry (2013), 13(1), 16

Negative affect and difficulties in its regulation have been connected to several adverse psychological consequences. While several questionnaires exist, it would be important to have a theory-based ... [more ▼]

Negative affect and difficulties in its regulation have been connected to several adverse psychological consequences. While several questionnaires exist, it would be important to have a theory-based measure that includes clinically relevant items and shows good psychometric properties in healthy and patient samples. This study aims at developing such a questionnaire, combining the two Gross [1] scales Reappraisal and Suppression with an additional response-focused scale called Externalizing Behavioral Strategies covering clinically relevant items. The samples consisted of 684 students (mean age = 23.3, SD = 3.5; 53.6% female) and 369 persons with mixed mental disorders (mean age = 36.0 SD = 14.6; 71.2% female). Items for the questionnaire were derived from existing questionnaires and additional items were formulated based on suggestions by clinical experts. All items start with ―When I don’t feel well, in order to feel better...‖. Participants rated how frequently they used each strategy on a 5-point Likert scale. Confirmatory Factor Analyses were conducted to verify the factor structure in two separate student samples and a clinical sample. Group comparisons and correlations with other questionnaires were calculated to ensure validity. After modification, the CFA showed good model fit in all three samples. Reliability scores (Cronbach’s α) for the three NARQ scales ranged between .71 and .80. Comparisons between students and persons with mental disorders showed the postulated relationships, as did comparisons between male and female students and persons with or without Borderline Personality Disorder. Correlations with other questionnaires suggest the NARQ’s construct validity. The results indicate that the NARQ is a psychometrically sound and reliable measure with practical use for therapy planning and tracking of treatment outcome across time. We advocate the integration of the new response-focused strategy in the Gross’s model of emotion regulation. [less ▲]

Network analysis of neurodegenerative disease highlights a role of toll-like receptor signaling

in BioMed Research International (2014), 2014

Despite significant advances in the study of the molecular mechanisms altered in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), the etiology is still enigmatic and the distinctions ... [more ▼]

Despite significant advances in the study of the molecular mechanisms altered in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), the etiology is still enigmatic and the distinctions between diseases are not always entirely clear. We present an efficient computationalmethod based on protein-protein interaction network (PPI) tomodel the functional network of NDs. The aim of this work is fourfold: (i) reconstruction of a PPI network relating to the NDs, (ii) construction of an association network between diseases based on proximity in the disease PPI network, (iii) quantification of disease associations, and (iv) inference of potentialmolecularmechanisminvolved in the diseases.The functional links of diseases not only showed overlap with the traditional classification in clinical settings, but also offered new insight into connections between diseases with limited clinical overlap. To gain an expanded view of the molecular mechanisms involved in NDs, both direct and indirect connector proteins were investigated. The method uncovered molecular relationships that are in common apparently distinct diseases and provided important insight into the molecular networks implicated in disease pathogenesis. In particular, the current analysis highlighted the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway as a potential candidate pathway to be targeted by therapy in neurodegeneration. [less ▲]

Neuromuscular correlates of subthalamic stimulation and upper limb freezing in Parkinson's disease.

in Clinical Neurophysiology (2016)

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of deep brain stimulation mechanisms and resistant freezing phenomena in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD) remains incompletely understood. Further studies on the ... [more ▼]

OBJECTIVE: The pathophysiology of deep brain stimulation mechanisms and resistant freezing phenomena in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD) remains incompletely understood. Further studies on the neuromuscular substrates are needed. METHODS: We analyzed 16 patients with advanced iPD and bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation, and 13 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Patients were tested after overnight withdrawal of medication with 'stimulation off' (StimOff) and 'stimulation on' (StimOn). Subjects performed continuous tapping of the right index finger with simultaneous recordings of biomechanical registration, EMG of finger flexors and extensors, and EEG. First, we analyzed EEG and EMG spectral measures comparing StimOff with healthy controls and StimOff with StimOn (irrespective of freezing). Second, we contrasted 'regular (unimpaired) tapping' and 'freezing' resistant to subthalamic neurostimulation as obtained in StimOn. RESULTS: iPD showed increased intermuscular coherence around 8Hz in StimOff that was reduced in StimOn. This 8Hz muscular activity was not coherent to cortical activity. 'Freezing' episodes showed increased muscle activity of finger flexors and extensors at 6-9Hz, and increased cortical activity at 7-11Hz. During transition from regular tapping to 'freezing' the cortical activity first increased over the left sensorimotor area followed by a spread to the left frontal and right parietal areas. CONCLUSIONS: We identified neuromuscular motor network features of subthalamic neurostimulation therapy and resistant upper limb freezing that point to increased low-frequency muscular and cortical activity. SIGNIFICANCE: Together, our findings demonstrate several motor network abnormalities associated with upper limb freezing that may translate into future research on freezing of gait in iPD. [less ▲]

Neuropathie

in Bougnères, P.F.; Jos, J.; Chaussain, J.L. (Eds.) Le diabète de l'enfant (1990)

New cultural competences needed for healthcare teams as a priority in treatment of chronic diseases

in "Health Psychology across the Lifespan: Uniting Research, Practice and Policy” (2018)

Technological changes and higher prevalence of chronic diseases require changing patients’ and healthcare professionals’ position with more participation in healthcare organization, and more implication ... [more ▼]

Technological changes and higher prevalence of chronic diseases require changing patients’ and healthcare professionals’ position with more participation in healthcare organization, and more implication in their relationships. Based on the Canadian ‘patient-as-partner in healthcare’ approach, our aims were to identify and categorize cultural values underlying this term in Luxembourg, and to characterize a set of cultural competencies needed for its practical application. Method: A qualitative study using a semi-directive guide developed within an INTERREG project was conducted among 30 healthcare professionals. A categorical thematic content analysis was realized using N'Vivo software. Results: For some professionals, the word ‘partner’ is not appropriate in Luxembourgish, but they defined it as a companion who engages in a mutual cooperation, structured collaboration and sharing of information with a common goal: Quality of healthcare. For others, a ‘partner’ is an associate who takes part in decision making, discussions, negotiations and evaluations. This partner approach would allow processes of change, bringing autonomy (surveillance, self-education, and monitoring treatment) to the patients, provided that professionals partly cede their traditional power. Trust and respect would be the main start of this process. Difficulties in communication and relationships would arise when helping the patients understand their disease, adhering to instructions, and giving a balanced place to the information found on Internet. Conclusion: This ‘collaborative accompaniment’ appears to allow decisional balance, an interdisciplinary method which requires training for all partners (physicians GP or specialists, patients and psychologist) and not only case-managers to help patients acquire self-efficacy for behavioral changes. [less ▲]

New domains of health capability of family caregivers: An exploratory study using the grounded theory.

in Pascara, Clara (Ed.) Clinical Psychology (2015)

Increased life expectancy, a declining economic growth, and the management of chronic diseases call for inter-generational solidarity but undermine the physical and psychological health of family ... [more ▼]

Increased life expectancy, a declining economic growth, and the management of chronic diseases call for inter-generational solidarity but undermine the physical and psychological health of family caregivers. Their health capability has already been studied through eight domains: physical and psychological functioning, lifestyle value, self-efficacy towards health services, family support, social capital, socioeconomic conditions and access to health services. Our aim was to identify new domains. Methods: A grounded theory method was applied. Family caregivers of stroke victims living at home were recruited in the Lorraine region (France; n=8) and Luxembourg (n=6). Semi-structured interviews were led face-to-face about their health status, how they currently take care of their health, and what internal resources they need to achieve optimal health. Verbatim were open-coded and grouped to form new domains of health capability. Items reflecting the main idea of the categories were formulated. Throughout the analyses, a control process was applied. Items were validated by consensus with an expert group. Results: Seven women and seven men (age 63.6±10.1) participated. Seven new domains emerged: health knowledge, health self-efficacy, health value, life skills, health decision-making, motivation, and attitude towards the future. 76 items were generated: 51 reflected generic abilities while 26 were specific to family caregiving. Discussion: Content analysis of these domains is highly instructive. First, it allows guiding the preparation of innovative supports to promote health capability, and second, this list can serve as a basis to elaborate a guide to which clinicians can refer to orient family caregivers according to their needs. [less ▲]

A new rechargeable device for deep brain stimulation: a prospective patient satisfaction survey.

in European neurology (2013), 69(4), 193-9

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly successful in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Until recently implantable neurostimulators were nonrechargeable ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is highly successful in treating Parkinson's disease (PD), dystonia, and essential tremor (ET). Until recently implantable neurostimulators were nonrechargeable, battery-driven devices, with a lifetime of about 3-5 years. This relatively short duration causes problems for patients (e.g. programming and device-use limitations, unpredictable expiration, surgeries to replace depleted batteries). Additionally, these batteries (relatively large with considerable weight) may cause discomfort. To overcome these issues, the first rechargeable DBS device was introduced: smaller, lighter and intended to function for 9 years. METHODS: Of 35 patients implanted with the rechargeable device, 21 (including 8 PD, 10 dystonia, 2 ET) were followed before and 3 months after surgery and completed a systematic survey of satisfaction with the rechargeable device. RESULTS: Overall patient satisfaction was high (83.3 +/- 18.3). Dystonia patients tended to have lower satisfaction values for fit and comfort of the system than PD patients. Age was significantly negatively correlated with satisfaction regarding process of battery recharging. CONCLUSIONS: Dystonia patients (generally high-energy consumption, severe problems at the DBS device end-of-life) are good, reliable candidates for a rechargeable DBS system. In PD, younger patients, without signs of dementia and good technical understanding, might have highest benefit. [less ▲]

Nicotinamid

in Diabetes, prevention and therapy (1992), 6

[Nifedipine in hypertensive emergencies and severe hypertension].

in Schweizerische Rundschau fur Medizin Praxis = Revue suisse de medecine Praxis (1984), 73(2), 45-9