Weight loss practices and body weight perceptions among US college students

OBJECTIVE: The authors assessed associations between body weight perception and weight loss strategies. PARTICIPANTS: They randomly selected male and female college students (N = 38,204). METHODS: The authors conducted a secondary data analysis of the rates of weight loss strategies and body weight perception among students who completed the National College Health Assessment survey. RESULTS: Half of respondents (50%) were trying to lose weight, although only 28% of students were overweight or obese. Also, 12% of respondents had inaccurate body weight perception. Women and men with inaccurate body weight perception were significantly more likely to engage in inappropriate weight loss strategies than were those with accurate body weight perception. Of all students attempting to lose weight, 38% used both diet and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that college students are interested in weight loss and that body weight perception plays an important role in the desire to lose weight.     

The multiattribute evaluation of program-planning contractors

This note describes how the theory of measurable multiattribute value functions was used to evaluate the proposals of three competing subcontractors for a program-planning project undertaken by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The purpose of the program-planning project was to develop a methodology for the evaluation of alternative long-range strategies for the achievement of controlled thermonuclear fusion. A measurable multiattribute value function was developed based on eleven criteria. Eight judges made evaluations on each of these criteria, and their judgments were synthesized to identify the winning subcontractor. While we emphasize details associated with this specific application, we expect the problem structure and methodology to be amenable to other contractor-and proposal-evaluation efforts after only minor modifications.     

Patient progress modelling and results in Wilm's Tumour

The report describes the development of a mathematical model of the progress of patients with Wilm's Tumour using the methodology developed by Jackson & Aspden [1, 2]. The model incorporates two prognostic factors which are shown to influence patient progress. These are the stage of the tumour and the age of the patient at presentation. The model proved adequate to represent an initial set of patient data, and comparison runs were performed with data from a later time period. These runs highlighted changes in patient progress between the two groups and illustrated the usefulness of the model in this type of analysis. The analysis also underlined the poor prognosis of patients over 5 years old who relapsed.