Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Relationships Between Patient Age And Bmi And Use Of A Self-Administered Computerised Dietary Assessment In A Primary Healthcare Setting, Y. Probst, Linda C. Tapsell, M. Batterham

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The objective of this paper was to determine relationships between patient age and BMI and use of a self-administered dietary assessment website in the primary healthcare setting. Chi- square and ordinal regression models were used to determine the relationships between age and BMI and computer experience, ownership, and usage from 188 patients using a self-administered dietary assessment website over 12 months. One hundred and twenty-five (66.5%) female and 63 (33.5%) male patients used the website. A total of 72.9% were overweight (BMI425 kg/m2). Advanced/intermediate computer users were 17.1 times more likely to own a computer than beginners or patients who …

Life Journey Enhancement Tools (Life Jet)., Lindsay G. Oades, T. P. Crowe

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The domain of life planning and personal development includes the important techniques of values clarification, strengths identification, goal setting and action planning. In the past two decades practices such as life coaching have grown in popularity (Green, Oades & Grant, 2006). Moreover, in mental health contexts, the recovery movement has challenged the illness and deficit focus (Andresen, Caputi, Oades, 2006; Oades et al, 2005) whilst within the discipline of psychology, the positive psychology movement has questioned the negative focus of clinical psychology (Resnick & Rosenheck, 2006). It is however easier to critique an existing area than the provide suggestions and …

Assembling A Nutrient Database For A Large Cohort Study: Blue Mountains Eye Study, Victoria M. Flood, W Smith, E Rochtchina, Jie J. Wang, Paul Mitchell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

To construct a nutrient database for use with a large population-based cohort study, the Blue Mountains Eye Study, dietary intakes were estimated using the Australian electronic food composition nutrient databases to which values for additional nutrients were added, including folate, vitamin B12, carotenoids and fatty acids. The addition of nutrient data from alternative, overseas, database sources may be useful in relation to the assessment of outcome measures, however the data obtained from these sources need to be interpreted with care, especially in relation to absolute quantities of intake.

Dietary Fatty Acids And Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Victoria M. Flood, Paul Mitchell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness among older people. It is important to identify modifiable risk factors which could prevent or slow the progression of this chronic disease. Dietary fatty acid intakes have been investigated in epidemiological studies as it is plausible that individual lipids have properties which modulate cellular damage in the eye. This paper reviews epidemiological studies investigating links between fatty acids and AMD. Mixed evidence has related the sub-types of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids to AMD, but nearly all epidemiological studies have demonstrated some level of AMD protection from …

A Comparison Of Two Nutrition Signposting Systems For Use In Australia, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, Victoria M. Flood, Anna Rangan, Debra J. Hector, Tim Gill

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Consumers are interested in making healthier food choices but the mandatory nutrition information panel currently in use in Australia is not easily understood or interpreted by most consumers. A simple nutrition signpost would be valuable. This paper reviews two nutrition signposting systems currently being considered for adoption in Australia. The authors conclude that a system similar to the colour-coded Traffic Light System is likely to be most useful.

Vision And Maintaining Eye Sight, Victoria M. Flood, Paul Mitchell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The most important diseases causing visual impairment in people as they age include age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. This discussion paper will limit itself to reviewing common eye diseases which have investigated the relationship to the consumption of omega-3s and fish: age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract and retinal vessel changes.

Personality And Cannabis Use, Emma Barkus

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Cannabis is one of the most widely used illegal substances in the world. Its use has been reported to be over-represented in many psychiatric conditions and has frequently been found to predate the onset of psychiatric symptoms. However, cannabis may also have detrimental effects on the general population. Factors that predict the onset of use are receiving increased attention to aid in identifying groups of young people who may be more prone to consume cannabis. Personality traits may be one such factor as they are readily identifiable and offer information that can be used for improved targeting of educational material …

The Commercial Food Landscape: Outdoor Food Advertising Around Primary Schools In Australia, Bridget P. Kelly, Michelle Cretikos, Kris Rogers, Lesley King

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objective: Food marketing is linked to childhood obesity through its influence on children’s food preferences, purchase requests and food consumption. We aimed to describe the volume and nature of outdoor food advertisements and factors associated with outdoor food advertising in the area surrounding Australian primary schools. Methods: Forty primary schools in Sydney and Wollongong were selected using random sampling within population density and socio-economic strata. The area within a 500m radius of each school was scanned and advertisements coded according to pre-defined criteria, including: food or non-food product advertisement, distance from the school, size and location. Food advertisements were further …

Double Standards For Community Sports: Promoting Active Lifestyles But Unhealthy Diets, Bridget P. Kelly, Kathy Chapman, Lesley King, Louise L. Hardy, Louise Farrell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Issue addressed: Overweight and obesity in Australia is an emerging health concern. Obesity prevention initiatives must consider both physical activity and nutrition to be effective. Community sports venues have the capacity to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity as well as healthy food choices. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted on parents of children aged 5-17 years in NSW to determine the nature of food and beverages purchased by children at community sporting venues and to determine parent’s perception of the role that government should play in regulating the types of food and beverages sold at these outlets. Results: The …

Trends In Improved Security Measures - Reducing Armed Robberies In Pharmacies, Fiona M. Weigall, Alison F. Bell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The overall aim of this study was to examine factors that have contributed to a decrease in hold-ups with particular reference primarily to pharmacies and secondly to other target groups such as convenience stores and bottle shops. The study identified a number of differences between the characteristics of pharmacies that were robbed and those not robbed including: location, staff working alone, visibility into the store and longer trading hours. The Pharmacy Guild will use the findings to assist their members to develop effective risk mitigation strategies.

Reflex Changes Associated With Anticipatory Postural Adjustments Preceding Voluntary Arm Movements In Standing Humans, Siddharth Vedula, Paul J. Stapley, Robert E. Kearney

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dynamic changes in human stability, such as those induced by upper body movements, are preceded by anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in the rest of the body. We measured the excitability of the stretch reflex of the triceps-surae muscle group during APAs associated with unilateral right arm raises in standing humans. Our results demonstrate that reflex excitability and underlying muscle activity are linked during the APA period, but that they differ in their relative timing. This supports the idea that reflexes are controlled independently of muscle activation.

Cannabis-Induced Psychotic-Like Experiences Are Predicted By High Schizotypy. Confirmation Of Preliminary Results In A Large Cohort., John Stirling, Emma Barkus, L Nabosi, S Irshad, G Roemer, B Schreudergoidheijt, Shon Lewis

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Cannabis use has been identified as a possible risk factor for developing schizophrenia. In a previous paper we reported preliminary evidence that cannabis use increases the likelihood of psychosis-like experiences in non-clinical respondents who scored highly on a measure of schizotypy. We now present findings from pooled data from 3 new follow-up studies comprising a sample of 477 respondents, of whom 332 reported using cannabis at least once. Sampling and Methods: As in our previous study, the psychological effects of cannabis were assessed with the Cannabis Experiences Questionnaire, from which 3 subscales can be derived; encompassing pleasurable experiences, psychosis-like …

Variation Of The Omega-3 Content Of Australian Food Products, Yasmine Probst, Rebecca L. Thorne, Jane E. O'Shea, Holley-Anne Jones, Riikka Karkkainen, Sophie Guenon, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Abstract from the 2008 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 30 November - 3 December 2008, Glenelg, Australia.

Working With Substance Misuse Problems In Private Practice, Peter Kelly

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Individuals experiencing alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems have typically been under represented within private practice. For example, in the general population the prevalence of substance use disorders (7.7%) is comparable to that of anxiety (9.7%) and affective disorders (5.8%; Andrews, Hall, Teesson & Henderson, 1999). However, a recent APS survey showed that while 48 per cent of people treated by psychologists under the Better Access initiative presented with anxiety or depression, only 6 per cent presented for assistance with substance misuse problems (Giese, Littlefield & Mathews, 2008). Recent changes to the Medicare system have largely reduced financial barriers, presenting …

The Challenges Of Nutrition And Aging, Linda C. Tapsell

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

From the time of birth and throughout the lifecycle, the human organism depends on food and nutrients to sustain its growth, development and functionality. With increasing knowledge of biological processes within the human body, the term ‘you are what you eat’, takes on more and more meaning. One of the new levels of understanding relates to the interaction of food components with genes to set off cascades of events that affect health and disease (1). This new understanding provides a detailed view of the dynamic relationship between genes and the environment, represented through food. Our health, our lifespan, can be …

Food, Health And Nutrition: Where Does Chicken Fit?, Karen E. Charlton, Yasmine Probst, Linda C. Tapsell, Patrick J. Blackall

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The link between diet and health is important, given the prevalence of diet related disease, including obesity, in the Australian population. Consumers need to be able to discriminate between foods based on the nutritional contribution of each to a healthy diet. They also need to be able to discriminate between foods in a broader context, considering issues such as food safety, how the food is produced and the environmental consequences of its production. This review outlines the position of chicken in the Australian diet from a health, consumer and environmental perspective. Chicken can contribute to a healthy eating pattern. It …

Unrealistic Pessimism About Risk Of Coronary Heart Disease And Stroke In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Koula G. Asimakopoulou, Timothy Chas Skinner, Jennifer Spimpolo, Sally Marsh, Charles Fox

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

OBJECTIVE: We examined the accuracy of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients risk estimates of developing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)/ having a stroke as a consequence of diabetes and their mood about these risks. METHODS: Patients reported their perceived risks of developing CHD/ having a stroke and rated their mood about these risks using a self-report measure. Using an objective risk calculator, they were then told their actual risk of CHD and stroke and their mood was re-assessed. RESULTS: Patients estimates of their risk of CHD / stroke were grossly inflated. A negative relationship between disease risk and mood was also …

Time-To-Contact Perception During Simulated Night Landing, Gavin Prowse, Stephen A. Palmisano, Simone K. Favelle

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

In 2 experiments, nonpilots made time-to-contact (TTC) judgments during simulated oblique descents toward a groundplane. Experiment 1 revealed a significant effect of simulated glideslope on TTC judgments: 3-degree simulations were underestimated, 6-degree simulations were generally accurate, and 9-degree simulations were overestimated. However, there was a significant reduction in this glideslope effect when the simulated aimpoint was explicitly (as opposed to implicitly) identified throughout the display. This glideslope effect was also found to disappear in Experiment 2, when aimpoint distance was held constant for all glideslopes, suggesting that TTC was being indirectly calculated based on perceived distance.

Vection Change Exacerbates Simulator Sickness In Virtual Environments, Frederick Bonato, Andrea Bubka, Stephen A. Palmisano, Danielle Phillip, Giselle Moreno

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

The optic flow patterns generated by virtual reality (VR) systems typically produce visually induced experiences of self-motion (vection). While this vection can enhance presence in VR, it is often accompanied by a variant of motion sickness called simulator sickness (SS). However, not all vection experiences are the same. In terms of perceived heading and/or speed, visually simulated self-motion can be either steady or changing. It was hypothesized that changing vection would lead to more SS. Participants viewed an optic flow pattern that either steadily expanded or alternately expanded and contracted. In one experiment, SS was measured pretreatment and after 5 …

Effects Of Scenery, Lighting, Glideslope And Experience On Timing The Landing Flare, Stephen A. Palmisano, Simone K. Favelle, W L. Sachtler

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This study examined 3 visual strategies for timing the initiation of the landing flare based on perceptions of either: (i) a critical height above ground level; (ii) a critical runway width angle (Y); or (iii) a critical time-to-contact (TTC) with the runway. Visual displays simulated landing approaches with trial-to-trial variations in glideslope, lighting, and scene detail. Twenty-four participants (8 private pilots, 8 student pilots and 8 non-pilots) were instructed to initiate the flare when they perceived that their TTC with the runway (30 m wide by 840 m long) had reached a critical value of 2 seconds. Our results demonstrated …

Corporate Social Responsibility, Condition Branding And Ethics In Marketing, Danika Hall, Sandra C. Jones

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Over the past two decades there has been increased interest in corporate responsibility (CSR) and its relation to marketing practice and theory )Maignan and Ferrell, 2004: Polonsky and Jevons, 2006). This paper explores another marketing phenomena emerging from the pharmaceutical industry: condition branding (Angelmar, Angelmar and Kane, 2007: Parry, 2003). Condition branding has been positioned as a form of CSR for the industry, in that it provides education to the general public regarding diseases or conditions. However, the ethical nature of condition branding has been questioned as it is also seen as a deliberate method of increasing markets for pharmaceutical …

Communication About Organ Donation Intentions: Formative Research For A Social Marketing Program Targeting Families, Sandra C. Jones, Samantha L. Reis, Kelly L. Andrews

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

With the introduction of the Australian Organ Donation Register (AODR), responsibility regarding organ donation decisions primarily rests with the individual. However, family members can be instrumental in facilitating or hindering the rate of organ donation by objecting to or confirming the individuals wishes. Attitudes and beliefs of family members have been shown to be a strong influence on peoples intentions to donate. Numerous studies have also demonstrated that family communication about organ donation can improve the rate of organ donation. We surveyed 23 matched pairs of undergraduate university students and their parents and found that attitudes to organ donation were …

Social Ideological Influences On Reported Food Consumption And Bmi, Wei C. Wang, Anthony Worsley, Everada G. Cunningham

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between ideological beliefs, perceptions of the importance of health behaviours, health attitudes, food consumption, and Body Mass Index (BMI). A behavioural model was hypothesized based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975).

Methods

A survey was conducted among shoppers aged between 40 and 70 years at Eastland Shopping Centre, Melbourne, Australia. The hypothesized model was tested with this empirical data (n = 410) for younger (n = 151) and older (n = 259) age groups using structural equation modelling.

Results

The findings generally support …

University Psychology Clinics In Australia: Their Place In Professional Training, Craig J. Gonsalvez, Judy Hyde, Julie Barrington, Sandra Lancaster

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

There is universal recognition of the need for developmentally appropriate supervised clinical experience in professional psychology training. University clinics were established to provide a bridging function for postgraduate clinical psychology students, assisting the integration of psychological theory and research into real-world clinical applications and professional identity development.

The Relationship Between Driving Anxiety And Driving Skill: A Review Of Human Factors And Anxiety-Performance Theories To Clarify Future Research Needs, Joanne Taylor, Frank P. Deane, John Podd

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

This article examines theory and identifies gaps in research related to the role of driving skills in driving anxiety. Increasingly, investigators have examined the clinical features of driving anxiety and the more severe situation of driving fear and phobia, but the possible involvement of driving skills has been neglected. This is surprising given the potential implications for skills training and remediation in the assessment and treatment of some of those who experience driving anxiety, fear, and phobia. The largest body of relevant research comes from the driving and human factors literature on the relationship between anxiety and driving performance. The …

Fish Oil Reduces Heart Rate And Oxygen Consumption During Exercise, Gregory E. Peoples, Peter L. Mclennan, Peter R. C Howe, Herbert Groeller

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are readily incorporated into heart and skeletal muscle membranes where, in the heart, animal studies show they reduce O2 consumption. To test the hypothesis that omega-3 PUFAs alter O2 efficiency in humans, the effects of fish oil (FO) supplementation on O2 consumption during exercise were evaluated. Sixteen well-trained men (cyclists), randomly assigned to receive 8 x 1 g capsules per day of olive oil (control) or FO for 8 weeks in a double-blind, parallel design, completed the study (control: n = 7, age 27.1 +/- 2.7 years; FO: n = 9, age 23.2 +/- …

Self-Reported Neurological Symptoms In Relation To Co Emissions Due To Problem Gas Appliance Installations In London: A Cross-Sectional Survey, Irene Kreis, Giovanni Leonardi, Ben Croxford

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Background: Previous research by the authors found evidence that up to 10% of particular household categories may be exposed to elevated carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations from poor quality gas appliance installations. The literature suggests certain neurological symptoms are linked to exposure to low levels of CO. This paper addresses the hypothesis that certain selfreported neurological symptoms experienced by a householder are linked to an estimate of their CO exposure.Methods: Between 27 April and 27 June 2006, 597 homes with a mains supply of natural gas were surveyed, mainly in old, urban areas of London. Qualified gas engineers tested all gas …

Gross For Kids But Good For Parents: Differing Messages In Advertisements For The Same Products, Sandra C. Jones, Belinda S. Fabrianesi

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Objectives: There has been surprisingly little research into the effects of food advertising on parents' perception of commonly consumed children's food items, although the available research suggests that parents may find nutritional claims in these advertisements confusing. The purpose of the present study was to investigate parents' perceptions of branded snack foods targeted at children, and the extent to which these perceptions are influenced by advertising messages.Design: Using an intercept survey, participants were shown either adult-targeted or child-targeted advertisements for the same food products.Setting: Central business district of a major Australian city.Subjects: One hundred adults, mean age 40 years.Results: The …

Newspaper Coverage Of Drug Policy: An Analysis Of Pre-Election Reporting Of The Greens' Drug Policy In Australia, Danika Hall, Sandra C. Jones, Fiona Cowlin

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Introduction and Aims. With the headline 'Ecstasy Over The Counter' in a popular daily newspaper, the debate on drug policy officially entered the arena of the 2003 New South Wales (Australia) State Election. The debate resurfaced in the lead-up to the 2004 Australian Federal Election. This paper analyses the pre-election coverage of drug policy issues in four Australian newspapers. Design and Methods. Four high-circulation daily newspapers were monitored for a one-month period prior to both elections and analysed for their coverage of drug policy, particularly with respect to the policy of the Greens. Results. The newspapers took different perspectives on …

Toward The Science-Informed Practice Of Clinical Supervision: The Australian Context, Craig J. Gonsalvez, Hamish Mcleod

Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Papers (Archive)

Although supervision of clinical practice is mandatory for trainee psychologists, surprisingly little is known about the key ingredients of effective supervision and the relationship between supervision and patient outcomes. The purpose of this paper was to review current regulations that shape supervision in Australia and explore the links between these regulations and the components of effective supervision. Although recent developments including supervisor training and other quality control programs are an indication of progress, there are several empirical and conceptual issues in the supervision literature that require resolution. The second part of this paper identifies the gaps in the supervision literature …