Appropriate Terminology for the Alcohol,Eating, and Physical Activity Relationship

Abstract

“Drunkorexia” merges prior literature identifying positive relationships between (a) alcohol use/abuse and disordered eating/eating disorders, (b) alcohol use/abuse and physical activity, and (c) disordered eating/eating disorders and physical activity. The term, highlighting an individual's proactive and/or reactive weight management behaviors (ie, disordered eating, physical activity) in relation to alcohol consumption, originated in news editorials and has recently gained recognition via use in scholarly publications. The purpose of this commentary is to recommend discontinuing use of the term “drunkorexia” due to (a) inconsistent definitions of drunkorexia across investigations, (b) drunkorexia being a misnomer, and (c) the medical community's lack of recognition/acceptance of drunkorexia. Because the behaviors encompassed by drunkorexia are of concern to researchers and health professionals, future investigations are still warranted. However, until a medically recognized term/phrase is accepted, scholars should utilize more appropriate characterizations such as “weight-conscious drinkers,” “weight management behaviors of drinkers,” or “Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified” (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision).     

Heart Disease Risk Perception in College Men and Women

Abstract

The authors sought to assess the perception of risks for coronary heart disease (CHD) in college men and women. They surveyed 470 undergraduates from 2 major 4-year institutions who completed a questionnaire that measured perceived risks for heart disease. Sixty-eight percent of the respondents rated their risks as lower or much lower than those of their peers, indicating a clear optimistic bias. The research also revealed that the students who exercised regularly rated their risk of coronary disease lower than those who did not do so. In addition, women perceived a number of risk markers to be more potent or causative factors than men did. A significant number of participants did not comprehend commonly understood causal relationships associated with heart disease risk. The findings in this preliminary investigation suggest that college men and women do not accurately perceive their risks for developing heart disease.     

Metabolic Syndrome,Obesity, and Related Risk Factors Among College Men and Women

Abstract

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to characterize the prevalence of overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome (MbS) and its criteria, and nutrient intakes of college-age men and women via a large-scale screening. Participants and Methods: From August 2005 to July 2008, 2,722 subjects were recruited for the ongoing, cross-sectional Young Adult Health Risk Screening Initiative project. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary data were collected. Results: Approximately one-half of men and more than one-quarter of women were overweight or obese. MbS was identified in 9.9% of men and 3.0% of women; 77% of men and 54% of women had at least 1 MbS criterion. Intakes of saturated fat, magnesium, and fiber, as well as body mass index and reported physical activity levels were related to MbS. Conclusions: Because of high rates of overweight/obesity and MbS, college-age adults are at risk for developing chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease     

Innovation in education: Technological economics

Technological change and innovation are vital parts of the economy. This paper concerns one particular attempt to study both the process of innovation itself and possible means of increasing its effectiveness: Technological Economics. Barriers to innovation, intellectual and organizational, are described from the experience at the University of Stirling.     

External costs: Myth or rationale for state intervention?

The paper considers the extent to which problems of environmental pollution can be left to the market system. The concept of external cost is used to establish the presumption that market forces will lead to excessive pollution. The performance criterion, that of Pareto efficiency, leading to this presumption is discussed. It is shown that for significant problems of pollution it is not possible to limit the role of the state to that of re-defining property rights. What is necessary is state intervention by way of the taxing, or regulation, of discharges into the environment: where external effects are undepletable, markets cannot meet the requirements of Pareto efficiency. Government intervention to meet such requirements requires that the government has information which is, in practice, either unavailable or very costly. Intervention towards more restricted goals is discussed. It is shown that arguments to the effect that the role of the state can be restricted to defining private property rights are based on assumptions which are irrelevant to significant problems. In particular, it is argued that a recent publication by the Institute of Economic Affairs does not, as claimed, show either that external costs do not exist, or that they exist but imply a minor role for the state in the protection of the natural environment.     

Matching to prevent adoption disruption

The number of children being freed for adoption placement is increasing due to legislation. These children are frequently the victims of chaotic environments. Their exposure to adversity makes it more difficult for them to maintain long term placements. Suggestions are made toward the utilization of standardized instruments in the matching of adoptive parents and children to prevent adoption disruption.