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Purpose: The Exercise for Health trials were randomised, controlled trials designed to evaluate an 8-month pragmatic exercise intervention, commencing 6 weeks post-surgery for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer residing in urban or rural/regional Australia. For these exploratory analyses, the primary and secondary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively.Methods: Consenting urban- (n = 194) and rural/regional-residing women (n = 143) were randomised to exercise (intervention delivered face-to-face or by telephone) or usual care. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for survival outcomes (exercise group, n = 207, 65% urban women; usual care group, n = 130, 46% urban women).Results: After a median follow-up of 8.3 years, there were 11 (5.3%) deaths in the exercise group compared with 15 (11.5%) deaths in the usual care group (OS HR for the exercise group: 0.45, 95% CI 0.20–0.96; p = 0.04). DFS events for the exercise versus usual care group were 25 (12.1%) and 23 (17.7%), respectively (HR: 0.66, 95% CI 0.38–1.17; p = 0.16). HRs for OS favoured exercise irrespective of age, body mass index, stage of disease, intervention compliance, and physical activity levels at 12 months post-diagnosis, although were stronger (p < 0.05) for younger women, women with stage II + disease, women with 1 + comorbidity at time of diagnosis, higher intervention compliance and for those who met national physical activity guidelines at 12 months post-diagnosis.Conclusion: An exercise intervention delivered during and beyond treatment for breast cancer, and that was designed to cater for all women irrespective of place of residence and access to health services, has clear potential to benefit survival. Trial numbers: ACT RN: 012606000233527; ACT RN: 12609000809235. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiologic evidence of associations between the high intake of fat and low intake of dietary fiber, beta carotene, and other dietary constituents and the risk of colorectal neoplasia has been inconsistent and has not provided a sufficient basis for recommendations concerning the dietary prevention of large-bowel cancer in humans.Purpose: We conducted a clinical trial to assess the effects on the incidence of adenomas of reducing dietary fat to 25% of total calories and supplementing the diet with 25 g of wheat bran daily and a capsule of beta carotene (20 mg daily).Methods: We performed a randomized, partially double-blinded, placebo-controlled factorial trial in which half the patients were assigned to each intervention, resulting in seven intervention groups and one control group. Eligibility criteria included histologic confirmation of at least one colorectal adenoma and confidence expressed by the colonoscopist that all polyps had been removed. Dietary changes were individually initiated and monitored by dietitians and research nurses. At surveillance colonoscopy, the size and location of all polyps were recorded, and their histology was later centrally reviewed. Among 424 patients who were randomly assigned in the trial, 13 were found to be ineligible upon histologic review. Among the remaining 411, complete outcome data were collected from 390 at 24 months and from 306 at 48 months. All P values are from two-sided tests of statistical significance.Results: There was no statistically significant prevention of total new adenomas with any of the interventions. We found a statistically non-significant reduced risk of large adenomas (> or = 10 mm) with the low-fat intervention: At 24 months, the odds ratio (OR) adjusted for potential confounders = 0.4 and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.1-1.1; at 48 months, OR = 0.3 and 95% CI = 0.1-1.0. Less and statistically nonsignificant reductions in the risk of large adenomas were found with wheat bran: At 24 months, OR = 0.8 and 95% CI = 0.3-2.2; at 48 months, OR = 0.8 and 95% CI = 0.3-2.5. Patients on the combined intervention of low fat and added wheat bran had zero large adenomas at both 24 and 48 months, a statistically significant finding (P = .03).Conclusions: Because only small numbers of patients were studied, our finding that the combination of fat reduction and a supplement of wheat bran reduced the incidence of large adenomas in this randomized, controlled trial must be treated with caution. The results do suggest, however, that these interventions may reduce the transition from smaller to larger adenomas, a step that may critically define those adenomas most likely to progress to malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goals Of Work: The aim of this secondary data analysis was to investigate symptom clusters over time for symptom management of a patient group after commencing adjuvant chemotherapy.Materials and Methods: A prospective longitudinal study of 219 cancer outpatients conducted within 1 month of commencing chemotherapy (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) later. Patients' distress levels were assessed for 42 physical symptoms on a clinician-modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Symptom clusters were identified in exploratory factor analyses at each time. Symptom inclusion in clusters was determined from structure coefficients. Symptoms could be associated with multiple clusters. Stability over time was determined from symptom cluster composition and the proportion of symptoms in the initial symptom clusters replicated at later times.Main Results: Fatigue and daytime sleepiness were the most prevalent distressing symptoms over time. The median number of concurrent distressing symptoms approximated 7, over time. Five consistent clusters were identified at T1, T2, and T3. An additional two clusters were identified at 12 months, possibly due to less variation in distress levels. Weakness and fatigue were each associated with two, four, and five symptom clusters at T1, T2, and T3, respectively, potentially suggesting different causal mechanisms.Conclusion: Stability is a necessary attribute of symptom clusters, but definitional clarification is required. We propose that a core set of concurrent symptoms identifies each symptom cluster, signifying a common cause. Additional related symptoms may be included over time. Further longitudinal investigation is required to identify symptom clusters and the underlying causes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multivariate methods are required to assess the interrelationships among multiple, concurrent symptoms. We examined the conceptual and contextual appropriateness of commonly used multivariate methods for cancer symptom cluster identification. From 178 publications identified in an online database search of Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, limited to articles published in English, 10 years prior to March 2007, 13 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Conceptually, common factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) are appropriate for symptom cluster identification, not principal component analysis. As a basis for new directions in symptom management, FA methods are more appropriate than HCA. Principal axis factoring or maximum likelihood factoring, the scree plot, oblique rotation, and clinical interpretation are recommended approaches to symptom cluster identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infection related to a central venous catheter is a substantial clinical and economic problem. To develop policy for managing the risks of these infections, all available evidence for prevention strategies should be synthesized and understood. METHODS: We evaluate evidence (1985-2006) for short-term antimicrobial-coated central venous catheters in lowering rates of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in the adult intensive care unit. Evidence was appraised for inclusion against predefined criteria. Data extraction was by 2 independent reviewers. Thirty-four studies were included in the review. Antiseptic, antibiotic, and heparin-coated catheters were compared with uncoated catheters and one another. Metaanalysis was used to generate summary relative risks for CRBSI and catheter colonization by antimicrobial coating. RESULTS: Externally impregnated chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine catheters reduce risk of CRBSI relative to uncoated catheters (RR, 0.66; 95% CI: 0.47-0.93). Minocycline and rifampicin-coated catheters are significantly more effective relative to CHG/SSD catheters (RR, 0.12; 95% CI: 0.02-0.67). The new generation chlorhexidine/silver sulfadiazine catheters and silver, platinum, and carbon-coated catheters showed nonsignificant reductions in risk of CRBSI compared with uncoated catheters. CONCLUSION: Two decades of evidence describe the effectiveness of antimicrobial catheters in preventing CRBSI and provide useful information about which catheters are most effective. Questions surrounding their routine use will require supplementation of this trial evidence with information from more diverse sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE:: To compare, in patients with cancer and in healthy subjects, measured resting energy expenditure (REE) from traditional indirect calorimetry to a new portable device (MedGem™) and predicted REE. DESIGN:: Cross-sectional clinical validation study. SETTING:: Private radiation oncology centre, Brisbane, Australia. SUBJECTS:: Cancer patients (n=18) and healthy subjects (n=17) aged 37-86?y, with body mass indices ranging from 18 to 42?kg/m2. INTERVENTIONS:: Oxygen consumption (VO2) and REE were measured by VMax229 (VM) and MedGem (MG) indirect calorimeters in random order after a 12-h fast and 30-min rest. REE was also calculated from the MG without adjustment for nitrogen excretion (MGN) and estimated from Harris-Benedict prediction equations. Data were analysed using the Bland and Altman approach, based on a clinically acceptable difference between methods of 5%. RESULTS:: The mean bias (MGN-VM) was 10%and limits of agreement were-42 to 21%for cancer patients; mean bias-5%with limits of-45 to 35%for healthy subjects. Less than half of the cancer patients (n=7, 46.7%) and only a third (n=5, 33.3%) of healthy subjects had measured REE by MGN within clinically acceptable limits of VM. Predicted REE showed a mean bias (HB-VM) of-5%for cancer patients and 4%for healthy subjects, with limits of agreement of-30 to 20%and-27 to 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:: Limits of agreement for the MG and Harris Benedict equations compared to traditional indirect calorimetry were similar but wide, indicating poor clinical accuracy for determining the REE of individual cancer patients and healthy subjects.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2005) 59, 603-610. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602114 Published online 2 March 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim of this study was two-fold: to assess climacteric symptoms and provide normative data for the Greene Climacteric Scale during the menopause transition, and to investigate the prevalence of climacteric symptoms in a representative sample of postmenopausal Australian women. Method A cohort of 500 premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women aged 40–80 years participated in the Longitudinal Study of Ageing in Women (LAW study) at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. In year 1 of the study (2001), all participants completed the Greene Climacteric Scale and information regarding their menopausal status and the use of hormone therapy (HT) was obtained through a clinical interview with a qualified medical practitioner. Results The 50–59-year age group achieved the highest scores on the vasomotor and the depression scales in comparison to other age groups. Significant differences were also evident on the vasomotor and the depression scales on the basis of menopausal status, especially in perimenopausal women. Approximately 10% of women in the 60–79-year age group continued to experience vasomotor symptoms. Conclusion Vasomotor symptoms, as assessed by the Greene Climacteric Scale, are common during the menopause transition and remain elevated for some years in a minority of older postmenopausal women. The norms presented in this study are appropriate for use in an Australian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A longitudinal study of 144 parents (65 fathers, 79 mothers) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a program of intervention in relieving the psychological distress of parents a ected by infant death. Participants were assessed in terms of their psychiatric disturbance, depression, anxiety, physical symptoms, dyadic adjustment, and coping strategies. The experimental group (n=84) was offered an intervention program comprising the use of specially designed resources and contact with a trained grief worker. A control group (n=60) was given routine community care. Parental reactions were assessed at four to six weeks postloss (prior to the implementation of the intervention program), at six months postloss, and at 15 months postloss. A series of multivariate analyses of variance revealed that the intervention was effective in reducing the distress of parents, particularly those assessed prior to the intervention as being at high-risk of developing mourning difficulties. Effects of the intervention were noted in terms of parents overall psychiatric disturbance, marital quality, and paternal coping strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to ascertain the causes of accidents, injuries, and deaths in children who ride bicycles. Fatality and injury rates were also studied in order to compare with other studies. METHODS: Two studies of children were undertaken in children aged less than 15 years. In the first (retrospective fatality study), children who died as a result of a bicycle incident during the period 1981-92 were reviewed. In the second (prospective injury study) data were obtained prospectively between April 1991 and June 1992 about children who were injured while riding a bicycle and treated at a public hospital in Brisbane. RESULTS: Study 1: fatality rates for boys were twice those for girls. The rate was highest for boys of 14 years in the metropolitan area at 6.23/100,000. All deaths involved vehicles, and the majority involved head injury or multiple injuries including head injury. Study 2: similar numbers of children were injured at onroad and off-road locations. Faculty riding was described by the rider or caregiver as the cause in 62.5% of cases. The most common time of injury was between 3 and 6 pm on both school and non-school days. Only 5.5% of all incidents involved a moving vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: Bicycle riding by children is a common cause of injury, particularly for boys. Equal numbers of injuries occurred on the road as at other locations. Faulty riding caused most accidents. Injury prevention for bicycle riders should involve not only compulsory wearing of helmets, but should also include education and training about safe riding habits, separation of motorised vehicles from bicycles, modified helmet design to incorporate facial protection, and improved handlebar design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Photoageing develops in skin due to chronic sun exposure and a method of measuring photoageing would be useful in monitoring solar damage in populations, in studies of sun exposure as an aetiological agent, and in the evaluation of the effects of cosmetics and therapeutics. Methods of measuring photoageing include several invasive techniques as well as non-invasive techniques which are often difficult to use and have not been validated. The non-invasive measure of photoageing described here is a new method for grading silicone-rubber casts of the skin surface. This paper describes the development of the measure (named the sigma system) and compares its reliability and validity with the most widely-used similar measure (the Beagley and Gibson system).Methods: Useable punch biopsies and silicone-rubber casts were obtained from 82 subjects. Two random subgroups of silicone casts were created and the first subgroup was used for the development of the sigma system, while the second subgroup was used to test validity. All casts were graded twice using the sigma system and twice using the Beagley and Gibson system by two observers. The gradings of the second subgroup of casts were compared with the degree of photoageing seen on histological examination of the biopsies.Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for inter-observer reliability of the sigma system was 0.89, with 73 of the 82 casts graded at the same level of photoageing by the two observers. Intra-observer ICC were 0.84 and 0.87 for the two observers. The Goodman-Kruskal tau for agreement between the grade on the sigma system and histological degree of photoageing was 0.22. While these values are very similar to the reliability and validity estimates obtained using the Beagley and Gibson system, the sigma system is easier to learn and to use.Conclusions: The sigma system is a reliable and easy-to-use measure of photoageing which has many possible applications in monitoring and studying the effects of solar exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the original publication of the article, under the heading Discussion, 1st paragraph, the sentence that reads as, “Nonetheless, our observed improvements of over 50% for OS and over 30% for DFS (HRs: 0.45 and 0.66, respectively) are consistent with results from other available studies” should read as “Nonetheless, our observed improvements of over 50% for OS and DFS (HRs: 0.45 and 0.66, respectively) are consistent with results from other available studies.” Under the heading Discussion, 3rd paragraph, the sentence that reads as “We cannot discount the possibility …such as education, income and access to care [1, 7]” should read as “We cannot discount the possibility…such as education, income and access to care, which ultimately have on survival outcomes [1, 7].” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Impairments in upper-body function (UBF) are common following breast cancer. However, the relationship between arm morbidity and quality of life (QoL) remains unclear. This investigation uses longitudinal data to describe UBF in a population-based sample of women with breast cancer and examines its relationship with QoL.Methods: Australian women (n=287) with unilateral breast cancer were assessed at three-monthly intervals, from six- to 18-months post-surgery (PS). Strength, endurance and flexibility were used to assess objective UBF, while the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast questionnaire were used to assess self-reported UBF and QoL, respectively.Results: Although mean UBF improved over time, up to 41% of women revealed declines in UBF between six- and 18-months PS. Older age, lower socioeconomic position, treatment on the dominant side, mastectomy, more extensive lymph node removal and having lymphoedema each increased odds of declines in UBF by at least two-fold (p<0.05). Lower baseline and declines in perceived UBF between six- and 18-months PS were each associated with poorer QoL at 18-months PS (p<0.05).Conclusions: Significant upper-body morbidity is experienced by many following breast cancer treatment, persisting longer term, and adversely influencing the QoL of breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary prevention of childhood overweight is an international priority. In Australia 20-25% of 2-8 year olds are already overweight. These children are at substantially increased the risk of becoming overweight adults, with attendant increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Early feeding practices determine infant exposure to food (type, amount, frequency) and include responses (eg coercion) to infant feeding behaviour (eg. food refusal). There is correlational evidence linking parenting style and early feeding practices to child eating behaviour and weight status. A focus on early feeding is consistent with the national focus on early childhood as the foundation for life-long health and well being. The NOURISH trial aims to implement and evaluate a community-based intervention to promote early feeding practices that will foster healthy food preferences and intake and preserve the innate capacity to self-regulate food intake in young children.Methods/design: This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to recruit 820 first-time mothers and their healthy term infants. A consecutive sample of eligible mothers will be approached postnatally at major maternity hospitals in Brisbane and Adelaide. Initial consent will be for re-contact for full enrolment when the infants are 4-7 months old. Individual mother- infant dyads will be randomised to usual care or the intervention. The intervention will provide anticipatory guidance via two modules of six fortnightly parent education and peer support group sessions, each followed by six months of regular maintenance contact. The modules will commence when the infants are aged 4-7 and 13-16 months to coincide with establishment of solid feeding, and autonomy and independence, respectively. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, with follow up at nine and 18 months. These will include infant intake (type and amount of foods), food preferences, feeding behaviour and growth and self-reported maternal feeding practices and parenting practices and efficacy. Covariates will include sociodemographics, infant feeding mode and temperament, maternal weight status and weight concern and child care exposure.Discussion: Despite the strong rationale to focus on parents' early feeding practices as a key determinant of child food preferences, intake and self-regulatory capacity, prospective longitudinal and intervention studies are rare. This trial will be amongst to provide Level II evidence regarding the impact of an intervention (commencing prior to age 12 months) on children's eating patterns and behaviours.Trial Registration: ACTRN12608000056392. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONTEXT: Symptom clusters, important for symptom management strategies, have been determined empirically by various analytical methods. Guidance to select methods from the options available in standard statistical packages is limited. OBJECTIVES: To compare alternative common factor analysis (FA) extraction methods appropriate to the data, to assess whether or not they determine similar symptom clusters, and to propose analytical approaches that are useful in this clinical context. METHODS: Within one month of commencing chemotherapy, outpatients from oncology and hematology clinics (n = 202) reported their symptom experience on a modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. Symptom distress levels in the past week were rated on a scale of one (not at all) to four (very much). In a secondary data analysis of 42 symptoms, the associations between symptoms and factors were determined using alternative common FA methods: principal axis factoring, unweighted least squares, image factor analysis, and alpha factor analysis (AFA). Symptom inclusion in a cluster was based on the interpretation of pattern and structure coefficients, and importantly, clinical relevance of the grouping. RESULTS: Five symptom clusters were commonly identified across methods: musculoskeletal discomforts/lethargy, oral discomforts, upper gastrointestinal discomforts, vasomotor symptoms, and gastrointestinal toxicities. In AFA, three additional clusters were lethargy, somatic symptoms, and treatment-related symptom clusters. CONCLUSION: The most parsimonious solution resulted from principal axis factoring, but for large numbers of symptoms, AFA may be superior by identifying symptom clusters more useful for symptom management. Interpreting complex symptom relationships may lead to the investigation of pathophysiological mechanisms and intervention opportunities. Future studies should include psychological and cognitive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report on the cost-effectiveness of the Exercise for Health trial, comparing an exercise intervention with usual care during and following treatment for women with breast cancer., Methods: Women with breast cancer were randomized to an 8-month exercise intervention (involving regular contact with an exercise physiologist over the phone, n = 67, or home delivered face to face, n = 67) or usual care (n = 60) group and were assessed pre-intervention (5 weeks post-surgery), mid-intervention (6 months post-surgery), and 10 weeks post-intervention (12 months post-surgery). The benefit measures were "number of improvers" in quality of life (FACT-B+4) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Data on provider, patient, and government costs were used to consider 2 cost scenarios: (1) a service provider model and (2) a private model., Results: There were 69 improvers in the intervention group compared with 21 in the usual care group (odds ratio 2.09, 95% confidence interval 1.08, 4.01; P = .033). The incremental cost per improver was A$2282 to A$2644. Quality-adjusted life years gain for the intervention group versus the usual care group was 0.009, with incremental cost per QALY gain for models 1 and 2 being A$105 231 and A$90 842, respectively. However, sensitivity analyses indicate that incremental cost per QALY gained was volatile to EuroQol-5D-3L weights., Conclusions: Findings suggest that a pragmatic exercise intervention yields more women with markedly improved quality of life after breast cancer than usual care and may be cost-effective. The results are less certain in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life years; however, this may be an inappropriate measure for reflecting exercise benefit for women with breast cancer., (Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: While weight gain following breast cancer is considered common, results supporting these findings are dated. This work describes changes in body weight following breast cancer over 72 months, compares weight with normative data and explores whether weight changes over time are associated with personal, diagnostic, treatment or behavioral characteristics., Methods: A population-based sample of 287 Australian women diagnosed with early-stage invasive breast cancer was assessed prospectively at six, 12, 18 and 72 months post-surgery. Weight was clinically measured and linear mixed models were used to explore associations between weight and participant characteristics (collected via self-administered questionnaire). Those with BMI changes of one or more units were considered to have experienced clinically significant changes in weight., Results: More than half (57%) of participants were overweight or obese at 6 months post-surgery, and by 72 months post-surgery 68% of women were overweight or obese. Among those who gained more weight than age-matched norms, clinically significant weight gain between 6 and 18 months and 6 and 72 months post-surgery was observed in 24% and 39% of participants, respectively (median [range] weight gain: 3.9 kg [2.0-11.3 kg] and 5.2 kg [0.6-28.7], respectively). Clinically-significant weight losses were observed in up to 24% of the sample (median [range] weight loss between 6 and 72 months post-surgery: -6.4 kg [-1.9--24.6 kg]). More extensive lymph node removal, being treated on the non-dominant side, receiving radiation therapy and lower physical activity levels at 6 months was associated with higher body weights post-breast cancer (group differences >3 kg; all p < 0.05)., Conclusions: While average weight gain among breast cancer survivors in the long-term is small, subgroups of women experience greater gains linked with adverse health and above that experienced by age-matched counterparts. Weight change post-breast cancer is a contemporary public health issue and the integration of healthy weight education and support into standard breast cancer care has potential to significantly improve the length and quality of cancer survivorship.

Background: Nurses are at high risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Although the prevalence of MSDs of the lower back, upper limbs, neck and shoulders have been reported previously in nursing, few studies have evaluated MSDs of the foot and ankle. This study evaluated the prevalence of foot and ankle MSDs in nurses and their relation to individual and workplace risk factors., Methods: A self-administered survey incorporating the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was distributed, over a nine-week period, to all eligible nurses (n = 416) working in a paediatric hospital in Brisbane, Australia. The prevalence of MSDs for each of the NMQ body regions was determined. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationships between activity-limiting foot/ankle MSDs and risk factors related to the individual (age, body mass index, number of existing foot conditions, smoking history, general physical health [SF36 Physical Component Scale], footwear features) or the workplace (level of nursing position, work location, average hours worked, hours worked in previous week, time since last break from work)., Results: A 73% response rate was achieved with 304 nurses completing surveys, of whom 276 were females (91%). Mean age of the nurses was 37 years (±10), younger than the state average of 43 years. Foot/ankle MSDs were the most prevalent conditions experienced by nurses during the preceding seven days (43.8%, 95% CI 38.2-49.4%), the second most prevalent MSDs to impair physical activity (16.7%, 95% CI 13.0-21.3%), and the third most prevalent MSD, after lower-back and neck problems, during the preceding 12 months (55.3%, 95% CI 49.6-60.7%). Of the nurse and work characteristics investigated, obesity, poor general physical health, existing foot conditions and working in the intensive care unit emerged as statistically significant (p < 0.05) independent risk factors for activity-limiting foot/ankle MSDs., Conclusions: Foot/ankle MSDs are common in paediatric hospital nurses and resulted in physical activity limitations in one out of every six nurses. We recommend targeted education programs regarding the prevention, self-management and treatment strategies for foot/ankle MSDs. Further research is needed into the impact of work location and extended shift durations on foot/ankle MSDs.

Objective: The objective was to describe parent-reported child eating behavior and maternal parenting impact outcomes of an infant feeding intervention to reduce child obesity risk., Methods: An assessor masked Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) with concealed allocation of individual mother-infant dyads. The NOURISH RCT enrolled 698 first-time mothers (mean age 30.1 years, SD = 5.3) with healthy term infants (51% female) aged 4.3 months (SD = 1.0) at baseline. Outcomes were assessed 6 months post-intervention when the children were 2 years old. Mothers reported on child eating behaviors using the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ), food preferences, and dietary intake using a 24-hour telephone recall. Parenting was assessed using five scales validated for use in Australia., Results: Intervention effects were evident on the CEBQ overall (MANOVA P = 0.002) and 4/8 subscales: child satiety responsiveness (P = 0.03), fussiness (P = 0.01), emotional overeating (P < 0.01), and food responsiveness (P = 0.06). Intervention children "liked" more fruits (P < 0.01) and fewer non-core foods and beverages (P = 0.06, 0.03). The intervention mothers reported greater "autonomy encouragement" (P = 0.002)., Conclusions: Anticipatory guidance on protective feeding practices appears to have modest positive impacts on child eating behaviors that are postulated to reduce future obesity risk., (Copyright © 2014 The Obesity Society.)

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate outcomes of a universal intervention to promote protective feeding practices that commenced in infancy and aimed to prevent childhood obesity., Methods: The NOURISH randomized controlled trial enrolled 698 first-time mothers (mean ± SD age: 30.1 ± 5.3 years) with healthy term infants (51% female) aged 4.3 ± 1.0 months at baseline. Mothers were randomly allocated to self-directed access to usual care or to attend two 6-session interactive group education modules that provided anticipatory guidance on early feeding practices. Outcomes were assessed 6 months after completion of the second information module, 20 months from baseline and when the children were 2 years old. Maternal feeding practices were self-reported by using validated questionnaires and study-developed items. Study-measured child height and weight were used to calculate BMI z scores., Results: Retention at follow-up was 78%. Mothers in the intervention group reported using responsive feeding more frequently on 6 of 9 subscales and 8 of 8 items (all, P ≤ .03) and overall less controlling feeding practices (P < .001). They also more frequently used feeding practices (3 of 4 items; all, P < .01) likely to enhance food acceptance. No statistically significant differences were noted in anthropometric outcomes (BMI z score: P = .10) nor in prevalence of overweight/obesity (control 17.9% vs intervention 13.8%; P = .23)., Conclusions: Evaluation of NOURISH data at child age 2 years found that anticipatory guidance on complementary feeding, tailored to developmental stage, increased use by first-time mothers of "protective" feeding practices that potentially support the development of healthy eating and growth patterns in young children.

The aim of this study was to validate the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) in three ethnically and culturally diverse samples of mothers in Australia. Confirmatory factor analysis utilising structural equation modelling examined whether the established 8-factor model of the CEBQ was supported in our three populations: (i) a community sample of first-time mothers allocated to the control group of the NOURISH trial (mean child age=24months [SD=1]; N=244); (ii) a sample of immigrant Indian mothers of children aged 1-5years (mean age=34months [SD=14]; N=203), and (iii) a sample of immigrant Chinese mothers of children aged 1-4years (mean age=36months [SD=14]; N=216). The original 8-factor model provided an acceptable fit to the data in the NOURISH sample with minor post hoc re-specifications (two error covariances on Satiety Responsiveness and an item-factor covariance to account for a cross-loading of an item (Fussiness) on Satiety Responsiveness). The re-specified model showed reasonable fit in both the Indian and Chinese samples. Cronbach's α estimates ranged from .73 to .91 in the Australian sample and .61-.88 in the immigrant samples. This study supports the appropriateness of the CEBQ in the multicultural Australian context., (Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)