scholarly journals Exploring the Experiences of People with Obesity Using Portion Control Tools—A Qualitative Study

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1095
Author(s):  
Eva Almiron-Roig ◽  
Anne Majumdar ◽  
David Vaughan ◽  
Susan A. Jebb
Keyword(s):  
Weight Control ◽  
Weight Loss Intervention ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Educational Benefits ◽  
Portion Control ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Sector Plate ◽  
Previous Weight Loss ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Large portion sizes increase consumption and eating smaller portions is recommended as a weight control strategy. However, many people report difficulties enacting this advice. This study examined the experience of individuals using two commercially available portion-control tools to try to manage their weight. In a crossover design, 29 adults with obesity (18 women) who had attended a previous weight loss intervention in the community were invited to use two portion-control tool sets over a period of four weeks (two weeks each) and to complete a semi-structured questionnaire about their experience. The tools were a guided crockery set (sector plate, calibrated bowl, and calibrated glass) and a set of calibrated serving spoons (one for starch, one for protein, and one for vegetables). Data were analyzed using thematic framework analysis. A key theme was related to the educational benefits of the tools, such as generating awareness, guidance, and gaining an independent ability to judge appropriate portions. Other key themes were tool usability, acceptability, and feasibility of usage. Barriers identified by participants included unclear markings/instructions and the inconvenience of using the tool when eating away from home. Overall, the tools were perceived to be educationally useful, easy to use, and potentially effective for learning to control portions, which suggested that these instruments could help in weight management interventions alongside other strategies. Elements of the tool design could influence the ability of participants to adhere to using the tool, and hence allow the educational effect to be mediated.

scholarly journals Acceptability and potential effectiveness of commercial portion control tools amongst people with obesity

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (11) ◽  
pp. 1974-1983 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Almiron-Roig ◽  
Angélica Domínguez ◽  
David Vaughan ◽  
Ivonne Solis-Trapala ◽  
Susan A. Jebb
Keyword(s):  
Weight Control ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Perceived Effectiveness ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Portion Control ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Professional Contact ◽  
Weight Loss Programme ◽  
The Impact

AbstractExposure to large portion sizes is a risk factor for obesity. Specifically designed tableware may modulate how much is eaten and help with portion control. We examined the experience of using a guided crockery set (CS) and a calibrated serving spoon set (SS) by individuals trying to manage their weight. Twenty-nine obese adults who had completed 7–12 weeks of a community weight-loss programme were invited to use both tools for 2 weeks each, in a crossover design, with minimal health professional contact. A paper-based questionnaire was used to collect data on acceptance, perceived changes in portion size, frequency, and type of meal when the tool was used. Scores describing acceptance, ease of use and perceived effectiveness were derived from five-point Likert scales from which binary indicators (high/low) were analysed using logistic regression. Mean acceptance, ease of use and perceived effectiveness were moderate to high (3·7–4·4 points). Tool type did not have an impact on indicators of acceptance, ease of use and perceived effectiveness (P>0·32 for all comparisons); 55 % of participants used the CS on most days v. 21 % for the SS. The CS was used for all meals, whereas the SS was mostly used for evening meals. Self-selected portion sizes increased for vegetables and decreased for chips and potatoes with both tools. Participants rated both tools as equally acceptable, easy to use and with similar perceived effectiveness. Formal trials to evaluate the impact of such tools on weight control are warranted.

scholarly journals The Contribution of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians to Person-Centred Care within a Medicine’s Optimisation in Care Homes Service: A Qualitative Evaluation

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Sally Fowler Davis ◽  
Rachel Cholerton ◽  
Louise Freeman-Parry ◽  
Jo Tsoneva
Keyword(s):  
Care Home ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Medicines Management ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Care Home Staff ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seek to improve person-centred care. Improvements to systems for care homes seeks to reduce medicines waste and inefficiency, particularly through supporting care home staff, to enhance safer administration of medicines. A complex evaluation used qualitative design and utilised narrative enquiry, and team members and key stakeholders were interviewed. Framework analysis was used, aligning findings to a person-centred care framework for older people. The Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) team brokered improvement practices across care homes to enhance person-centred care. The framework analysis confirms that the team used ‘authentic attention’ in relation to the residents’ experiences and flexibility in relation to negotiating medication. The importance of transparency of processes and systems in medicines management is highlighted, alongside requirements for person-centred care to make explicit the reason for taking a medication, and the continuous discussion with a range of stakeholders about the continuing need for particular medications. The outcome of the evaluation includes insights into a new area of pharmacy practice in community, based on the skills, knowledge, and experience of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working in the care home sector. Further study is needed into the efficacy and outcomes of medicines management interventions.

scholarly journals Feasibility of using a peer coach to deliver a behavioral intervention for promoting postpartum weight loss in Black and Latina mothers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon J Herring ◽  
Veronica M Bersani ◽  
Christine Santoro ◽  
Saleemah J McNeil ◽  
Linda M Kilby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Ethnic Minority ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Peer Coaching ◽  
Minority Women ◽  
Weight Loss Intervention ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Latina Mothers ◽  
Ethnic Minority Women ◽  
Postpartum Weight

Abstract Peer coaching may provide a culturally relevant and potentially scalable approach for delivering postpartum obesity treatment. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of peer coaching to promote postpartum weight loss among ethnic minority women with obesity. This pilot study was a prospective, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Twenty-two obese, Black or Latina mothers ≤6 months postpartum were recruited from the Philadelphia Special Supplemental Nutrition Education Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and randomly assigned to either: (a) a peer-led weight loss intervention (n = 11) or (b) usual WIC care (n = 11). The intervention provided skills training and problem solving via six calls and two in-person visits with a Black mother trained in behavioral weight control strategies. Text messaging and Facebook served as platforms for self-monitoring, additional content, and interpersonal support. Both arms completed baseline and 14 week follow-up assessments. All participants were retained in the trial. Intervention engagement was high; the majority (55%) responded to at least 50% of the self-monitoring text prompts, and an average of 3.4 peer calls and 1.7 visits were completed. Mean weight loss among intervention participants was −1.4 ± 4.2 kg compared to a mean weight gain of 3.5 ± 6.0 kg in usual WIC care. Most intervention participants strongly agreed that the skills they learned were extremely useful (90%) and that the coach calls were extremely helpful for weight control (80%). Results suggest the feasibility of incorporating peer coaching into a postpartum weight loss intervention for ethnic minority women with obesity. Future research should examine the sustained impact in a larger trial.

scholarly journals Evaluation of photographs supporting an FFQ developed for adolescents

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Page Brito ◽  
Celso Pereira Guimarães ◽  
Rosangela Alves Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Rio De Janeiro ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
The Other ◽  
Visual Aids ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Janeiro State ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the validity of food photographs used to support the reporting of food intake with an FFQ designed for adolescents from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.DesignA set of ninety-five food photographs was elaborated. The photographs’ evaluation process included the acknowledgement of foods and portions in the pictures. In the identification of foods (ninety-five photographs) and typical portions (twelve photographs), the adolescents were requested to answer a structured questionnaire related to the food photographs. The identification of the portion size of amorphous foods (forty-three photographs) was performed using three different portion sizes of actual preparations. The proportions (and 95 % confidence intervals) of adolescents who correctly identified foods and portion size in each photograph were estimated.SettingA public school in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.SubjectsSixty-two adolescents between 11·0 and 18·9 years old, randomly selected.ResultsAt least 90 % of adolescents correctly identified the food in ninety-two photographs and the food in the three remaining photographs was recognized by 80–89 % of the adolescents. At least 98 % of the adolescents correctly identified eleven typical or natural portions in the food photographs. For amorphous foods, at least 70 % of teenagers correctly identified the portion size in the photograph of thirty-one foods; for the other photographs, the portion size was correctly recognized by 50–69 % of the adolescents for eight foods and by less than 50 % of adolescents for four foods.ConclusionsThe analysed photographs are appropriate visual aids to the reporting of food consumption by adolescents.

scholarly journals Family Intervention for Obese/Overweight Children Using Portion Control Strategy (FOCUS) for Weight Control

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 2333794X1666901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Ho ◽  
Sue D. Pedersen ◽  
Heidi Virtanen ◽  
Alberto Nettel-Aguirre ◽  
Carol Huang
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategy ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Family Intervention ◽  
Overweight Children ◽  
Portion Control

scholarly journals The Interplay of Support, Comparison, and Surveillance in Social Media Weight Management Interventions: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leanne Chang ◽  
Kaushik Chattopadhyay ◽  
Jialin Li ◽  
Miao Xu ◽  
Li Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Doctor Patient Communication ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

BACKGROUND There has been a significant increase in trend in using social media as a platform to deliver weight management interventions. This illustrates a need to develop a holistic understanding of doctor-patient communication and peer-to-peer communication in social media interventions and their influences on weight management of people with overweight or obesity. Studies like this will highlight how social media can be more effectively integrated into weight management programs to enhance individuals’ short-term and long-term weight management behaviors. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine patients’ experiences with doctor-patient communication and peer interactions in a social media-based (WeChat) weight management program, and describe the interplay of three social influence factors—social support, social comparison, and surveillance—in their weight control practices. The program, designed and implemented by the research team located in a tertiary referral hospital in a southeastern province in China, included both diet and physical activity components that targeted people with overweight or obesity. METHODS We conducted in-depth interviews with 32 program participants of different ages (M = 35.6, SD = 7.7), gender (18 females), duration of program membership (M = 1.4 years), and weight loss outcomes (54% weight loss to 9% weight gain). All interview data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated using the translation-back-translation technique. Nvivo software was used to facilitate the coding process. RESULTS Results of a thematic analysis indicated the distinct functions of professionally led support and peer support. Professional support was presented in the form of knowledge infusion, efficacy enhancement, and provision of timely feedback. Peer support fostered empathy and sense of belonging and had a mutually reinforcing relationship with peer comparison and peer-based surveillance. Peer comparison enhanced motivation and positive competition. However, it also reinforced negative group norms and resulted in downturns in reference standards and collective inactivity. Social media surveillance prompted participants’ reactions to the gaze from medical professionals and peers that could be encouraging or inhibiting. Surveillance enhanced vigilance with weight control norms. However, its influence weakened when participants chose to fake weight data and turn off notifications. Findings from this study illustrated the interrelated and fluctuant influences of support, comparison, and surveillance. CONCLUSIONS The interactive traits of social media eased the practices of social support and social comparison and created new forms of surveillance. This study contributed to an in-depth understanding of social media influences on individuals’ weight control behaviors. Practical implications of the study concerned improved strategies for maintaining the positive dynamics of social media interactions and preventing negative resistance to surveillance technology. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trial ChiCTR1900025861.

scholarly journals Cooking as a Health Behavior: Examining the Role of Cooking Classes in a Weight Loss Intervention

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3669
Author(s):  
Mattie Alpaugh ◽  
Lizzy Pope ◽  
Amy Trubek ◽  
Joan Skelly ◽  
Jean Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Weight Loss Intervention ◽  
Behavioral Weight Loss ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Active Condition ◽  
Cooking Classes ◽  
At Home

Americans are cooking fewer meals at home and eating more convenience foods prepared elsewhere. Cooking at home is associated with higher quality diets, while a reduction in cooking may be associated with increases in obesity and risk factors for chronic disease. The aims of this study were to examine cooking as an intervention for weight control in overweight and obese adults, and whether such an intervention increases participants’ food agency and diet quality. Overweight and obese adults were randomized into one of two intervention conditions: active or demonstration. Both conditions received the same 24-week behavioral weight loss intervention, and bi-weekly cooking classes. The active condition prepared a weekly meal during a hands-on lesson, while the demonstration condition observed a chef prepare the same meal. The active condition lost significantly more weight at six months compared with the demonstration condition (7.3% vs. 4.5%). Both conditions saw significant improvements in food agency scores and Healthy Eating Index scores, though no significant differences were noted between groups. The addition of active cooking to a weight management intervention may improve weight loss outcomes, though benefits in diet quality and cooking behaviors may also be seen with the addition of a demonstration-only cooking intervention.

scholarly journals A review of evidence supporting current strategies, challenges, and opportunities to reduce portion sizes

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Almiron-Roig ◽  
Ciaran G Forde ◽  
Gareth J Hollands ◽  
M Ángeles Vargas ◽  
Jeffrey M Brunstrom
Keyword(s):  
Size Effect ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Food Level ◽  
Food Labels ◽  
Eating Rate ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Portion Control ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Portion Sizes ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract Although there is considerable evidence for the portion-size effect and its potential impact on health, much of this has not been successfully applied to help consumers reduce portion sizes. The objective of this review is to provide an update on the strength of evidence supporting strategies with potential to reduce portion sizes across individuals and eating contexts. Three levels of action are considered: food-level strategies (targeting commercial snack and meal portion sizes, packaging, food labels, tableware, and food sensory properties), individual-level strategies (targeting eating rate and bite size, portion norms, plate-cleaning tendencies, and cognitive processes), and population approaches (targeting the physical, social, and economic environment and health policy). Food- and individual-level strategies are associated with small to moderate effects; however, in isolation, none seem to have sufficient impact on food intake to reverse the portion-size effect and its consequences. Wider changes to the portion-size environment will be necessary to support individual- and food-level strategies leading to portion control.

Digital Dashboard for Improving Pharmacy Management: A mixed-method study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezoo Dehghani Mahmoodabadi ◽  
Mostafa langarizadeh ◽  
Mohammad Hossein Mosaddegh Mehrjardi ◽  
Sima Emadi
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Delphi Technique ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Financial Indicators ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Hospital Pharmacies ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Aim: This study aimed to determine the performance indicators required for hospital pharmacies and design a hospital pharmacy dashboard through defining requirements. Methods: This study was conducted in three phases in 2017. A qualitative approach was employed to collect and formulate key performance indicators (KPIs) for hospital pharmacies. A semi-structured questionnaire was constructed to determine KPIs. The data were analyzed using framework analysis. The classic Delphi technique was used to determine the dashboard requirements. Finally, the Dashboard was designed using QlikView12 and implemented in the selected hospital. The data displayed on the pharmacy dashboard was driven by the hospital information system (HIS). Results: The KPIs consisted of three domains including managerial, clinical, and financial indicators. Conclusion: Pharmacy services have been affected by the complexity and diversity of drugs, clinical concerns, and costs. The dashboard can help pharmacies' managers by monitoring. The dashboard design process begins by identifying KPIs that are important to decision-makers.

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