This new edition of Ann Bowling's well-known and highly respected text has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect key methodological developments in health research. It is a comprehensive, easy to read, guide to the range of methods used to study and evaluate health and health services. It describes the concepts and methods used by the main disciplines involved in health research, including: demography, epidemiology, health economics, psychology and sociology.The research methods described cover the assessment of health needs, morbidity and mortality trends and rates, costing health services, sampling for survey research, cross-sectional and longitudinal survey design, experimental methods and techniques of group assignment, questionnaire design, interviewing techniques, coding and analysis of quantitative data, methods and analysis of qualitative observational studies, and types of unstructured interviewing. With new material on topics such as cluster randomization, utility analyses, patients' preferences, and perception of risk, the text is aimed at students and researchers of health and health services. It has also been designed for health professionals and policy makers who have responsibility for applying research findings in practice, and who need to know how to judge the value of that research.

Research Methods in Health. Investigating health and health services

Protecting the health of the athlete is a goal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC convened an expert panel to update the 2005 IOC Consensus Statement on the Female Athlete Triad. This Consensus Statement replaces the previous and provides guidelines to guide risk assessment, treatment and return-to-play decisions. The IOC expert working group introduces a broader, more comprehensive term for the condition previously known as ‘Female Athlete Triad’. The term ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport’ (RED-S), points to the complexity involved and the fact that male athletes are also affected. The syndrome of RED-S refers to impaired physiological function including, but not limited to, metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, cardiovascular health caused by relative energy deficiency. The cause of this syndrome is energy deficiency relative to the balance between dietary energy intake and energy expenditure required for health and activities of daily living, growth and sporting activities. Psychological consequences can either precede RED-S or be the result of RED-S. The clinical phenomenon is not a ‘triad’ of the three entities of energy availability, menstrual function and bone health, but rather a syndrome that affects many aspects of physiological function, health and athletic performance. This Consensus Statement also recommends practical clinical models for the management of affected athletes. The ‘Sport Risk Assessment and Return to Play Model’ categorises the syndrome into three groups and translates these classifications into clinical recommendations.

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/48/7/491.full.pdf

The IOC consensus statement: beyond the Female Athlete Triad—Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)

The medical effects of modest weight reduction (approximately 10% or less) in patients with obesity-associated medical complications were reviewed. The National Library of Medicine MEDLINE database and the Derwent RINGDOC database were searched to identify English language studies that examined the effects of weight loss in obese patients with serious medical complications commonly associated with obesity (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or type II), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and cardiovascular disease). Studies in which patients experienced approximately 10% or less weight reduction were selected for review. Studies indicated that, for obese patients with NIDDM, hypertension or hyperlipidemia, modest weight reduction appeared to improve glycemic control, reduce blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels, respectively. Modest weight reduction also appeared to increase longevity in obese individuals. In conclusion, a large proportion of obese individuals with NIDDM, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia experienced positive health benefits with modest weight loss. For patients who are unable to attain and maintain substantial weight reduction, modest weight loss should be recommended; even a small amount of weight loss appears to benefit a substantial subset of obese patients.

Beneficial health effects of modest weight loss.

The role of social media in higher education classes (real and virtual) – A literature review

The prevalence of obesity in combination with sarcopenia (the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength or physical function) is increasing in adults aged 65 years and older. A major subset of adults over the age of 65 is now classified as having sarcopenic obesity, a high-risk geriatric syndrome predominantly observed in an ageing population that is at risk of synergistic complications from both sarcopenia and obesity. This Review discusses pathways and mechanisms leading to muscle impairment in older adults with obesity. We explore sex-specific hormonal changes, inflammatory pathways and myocellular mechanisms leading to the development of sarcopenic obesity. We discuss the evolution, controversies and challenges in defining sarcopenic obesity and present current body composition modalities used to assess this condition. Epidemiological surveys form the basis of defining its prevalence and consequences beyond comorbidity and mortality. Current treatment strategies, and the evidence supporting them, are outlined, with a focus on calorie restriction, protein supplementation and aerobic and resistance exercises. We also describe weight loss-induced complications in patients with sarcopenic obesity that are relevant to clinical management. Finally, we review novel and potential future therapies including testosterone, selective androgen receptor modulators, myostatin inhibitors, ghrelin analogues, vitamin K and mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

Sarcopenic obesity in older adults: aetiology, epidemiology and treatment strategies.

The present investigation compared changes in plasma glucose and insulin concentrations at rest following ingestion of a solution of glucose and NaC1, and a solution of glucose, NaC1 and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). On one occasion, nine healthy male subjects consumed 15 g of glucose and 60 mg of NaC1 dissolved in 700 mL of water. On a second occasion, they consumed 15 g of glucose, 60 mg of NaC1, 5 g of valine, 5 g of leucine and 5 g of isoleucine, also in 700 mL of water. Venous blood was sampled every 15 minutes for two hours; subjects remained seated and inactive. There was neither a significant main effect of the BCAAs on insulin nor were there differences in the areas under the two insulin time-curves over the two-hour period. However, ingestion of the BCAAs significantly lowered plasma glucose concentrations from 45 minutes onwards and reduced the area under the glucose time-curve for the entire two hours (P < 0.01). The data show that 15 g of BCAAs when consumed with glucose at rest will increase clearance of glucose from the blood. (author abstract)

The influence of branched-chain amino acids on the glycaemic and insulin responses to a glucose solution consumed at rest

Does Oral Fluid Intake Following Dehydration Influence Subsequent Athletic Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: 1581 Board #256 June 1 9

Perceived health benefits of smoothie consumption: Investigating consumers' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Establishing ‘health professions literacy’: Evaluation of a video‐based learning package in a three‐phase curriculum

This study examined the impact of varying the holding time following an ad libitum laboratory breakfast on acute dietary behaviour and subsequent intake. Twenty-four participants (20 females (age: ...

Ben Desbrow

Papers

The influence of branched-chain amino acids on the glycaemic and insulin responses to a glucose solution consumed at rest

Does Oral Fluid Intake Following Dehydration Influence Subsequent Athletic Performance? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: 1581 Board #256 June 1 9

Perceived health benefits of smoothie consumption: Investigating consumers' attitudes, beliefs and behaviours

Establishing ‘health professions literacy’: Evaluation of a video‐based learning package in a three‐phase curriculum

The Impact of Post-Prandial Delay Periods on Ad Libitum Consumption of a Laboratory Breakfast Meal