Energy expenditure and everyday eating behavior in healthy young women
Article Abstract:
In modern society, it is considered desirable for women to be slim. As a result, it is common for young women to restrict their food intake in the hopes of coming closer to this ideal. Previously, many dieting and weight-loss researchers have found that some women rarely restrict their food intake, and some women restrict their food intake routinely. The so-called restrained eaters generally eat less and choose more low-calorie foods than do the unrestrained eaters. Nevertheless, the average body mass index (a measure of obesity) is lower among the unrestrained eaters. To determine the source of the disparity between the restrained and unrestrained eaters, 23 healthy, normal-weight young women were studied in terms of their eating habits and energy expenditure. On the basis of questionnaires filled out by the subjects, 11 had unrestrained eating habits and 12 of the young women were restrained eaters. Confirming previous studies, the unrestrained eaters had a lower body mass index (were thinner) than the restrained eaters. After adjustment for body composition and height, the daily caloric intake of the restrained group was found to be 410 kcal lower than that of the unrestrained group. The difference between groups in energy expenditure was even greater, however, even though none of the subjects exercised regularly and all had occupations that involved similar activity levels. The energy expenditure of the restrained eaters was 620 kcal per day lower than that of the unrestrained eaters. The results suggest that the restrained group may have a biological predisposition towards lower energy expenditure. This reduced energy requirement may explain the increased concern of this group with body weight. It should be mentioned that a difference in energy expenditure of 620 kcal per day is not large; an increase of this magnitude might result from inconspicuous behaviors such as fidgeting. It should also be mentioned that the food consumption of the restrained eaters differed qualitatively as well as quantitatively from the unrestrained group; the former consumed fewer fats. While the reduction of fat consumption helps control weight, it may also contribute to binge eating with its attendant weight gain and loss of self-esteem in this group. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9165
Year: 1990
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Reassessing intensive care for patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Article Abstract:
The attitudes of clinicians towards admitting patients with AIDS to intensive care units at times of acute illness may be reflected in the fact that, while the number of AIDS patients and hospital admissions has vastly increased, the number of intensive care admissions has decreased. The decreased use of intensive care beds may indicate that clinicians consider such hospitalizations to be futile since the overall mortality of AIDS approaches 90 percent. By 1986 an estimated 1.5 million Americans were thought to be infected by the AIDS virus. It is anticipated that between 70 and 80 percent of these individuals will eventually develop AIDS. The survival rate of AIDS patients is confounded, in part, because of their susceptibility to opportunistic infections, such as Kaposi sarcoma (14 month average survival rate), Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (11 month survival), cryptococcal meningitis (7 month survival), and mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (4 month survival rate). However, recent drug therapies, including AZT, have been found to reduce the incidence of these opportunistic infections and prolong the lives of patients with AIDS. Re-educating clinicians about the value of using intensive care units for select AIDS patients (such as those on AZT therapy) may further prolong life. The use of parenteral nutrition (tube feeding) is important in reversing the wasting syndrome which is frequently seen in these patients; parenteral nutrition can best be supported in intensive care units. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Heart and Lung
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0147-9563
Year: 1990
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