Revital Gross

Bio: Revital Gross is an academic researcher from Bar-Ilan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Health care & Managed care. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 61 publications receiving 1095 citations.

School-based obesity prevention programs: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract: Objective Attempts have been made to reduce childhood obesity through school-based programs Systematic reviews of studies until 2006 reported a lack of consistency about effectiveness of such programs Presented is an updated systematic review and meta-analysis Design and Methods Replication of methodology used in previous comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of school-based obesity prevention programs covering studies until 2006 to review studies thru January 2012 Results Based on 32 studies (n = 52,109), programs were mildly effective in reducing BMI relative to controls not receiving intervention Studies of children had significant intervention effects, those of teenagers did not, though the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant Meta-regression showed a significant linear hierarchy of studies with the largest effects for comprehensive programs more than 1 year long that aimed to provide information on nutrition and physical activity, change attitudes, monitor behavior, modify environment, involve parents, increase physical activity and improve diet, particularly among children Conclusions Unlike earlier studies, more recent studies showed convincing evidence that school-based prevention interventions are at least mildly effective in reducing BMI in children, possibly because these newer studies tended to be longer, more comprehensive and included parental support

Factors associated with hypertensive patients' compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors.

Abstract: Background A crucial element in controlling blood pressure is non-pharmaceutical treatment. However, only a few studies specifically address the question of hypertensive patients' compliance with physicians' recommendations for a healthy lifestyle. Objectives To explore factors associated with hypertensive patients' compliance with lifestyle recommendations regarding physical activity, smoking cessation and proper diet. Methods We performed a secondary data analysis of a representative sample of 1125 hypertensive patients in Israel's two largest health funds. Data were collected in 2002-2003 by telephone interviews using structured questionnaires. The response rate was 77%. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was conducted. Results About half of the hypertensive patients reported doing regular exercise and adhering to a special diet; 13% were smokers. About half reported receiving counseling on smoking cessation and diet and a third on physical exercise. A quarter reported receiving explanations regarding self-measurement of blood pressure and signs of deterioration. Multivariate analysis revealed that patients' beliefs about hypertension management, their knowledge on hypertension and its management, and physician counseling on a healthy lifestyle and self-care, have an independent effect on compliance with recommended lifestyle behaviors. Conclusions The low counseling rates suggest that there may be a need to improve physicians' counseling skills so that they will be more confident and effective in delivering this service to their patients. A model based on educating both physicians and patients may contribute to improving the care of hypertensive patients.

Self-rated health status and health care utilization among immigrant and non-immigrant Israeli Jewish women.

Abstract: Introduction: Since 1989, Israel has absorbed over 700,000 Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union, among them about 375,000 women. Immigrants are known to have greater and/or different health needs than non-immigrant residents, and to face unique barriers to receiving care. However, research addressing the specific health problems of these immigrant women has been scarce. Objectives: To compare self-reported health status and health care utilization patterns among immigrant and non-immigrant Israeli Jewish women; and to explore ways to overcome existing barriers to their care. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted in September and October 1998 among a random national sample of women age 22 and over, using a standard questionnaire. In all, 849 interviews were completed, with a response rate of 84%. In this article we present comparative data from a sub-set that included 760 immigrant respondents from the former Soviet Union and non-s immigrant Jewish respondents. Results: A greater pro...

The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and collective rationality in organizational fields (Chinese Translation)

Abstract: What makes organizations so similar? We contend that the engine of rationalization and bureaucratization has moved from the competitive marketplace to the state and the professions. Once a set of organizations emerges as a field, a paradox arises: rational actors make their organizations increasingly similar as they try to change them. We describe three isomorphic processes-coercive, mimetic, and normative—leading to this outcome. We then specify hypotheses about the impact of resource centralization and dependency, goal ambiguity and technical uncertainty, and professionalization and structuration on isomorphic change. Finally, we suggest implications for theories of organizations and social change.

Worldwide trends in body-mass index, underweight, overweight, and obesity from 1975 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 2416 population-based measurement studies in 128.9 million children, adolescents and adults

Abstract: Methods We pooled 2416 population-based studies with measurements of height and weight on 128·9 million participants aged 5 years and older, including 31·5 million aged 5–19 years. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1975 to 2016 in 200 countries for mean BMI and for prevalence of BMI in the following categories for children and adolescents aged 5–19 years: more than 2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference for children and adolescents (referred to as moderate and severe underweight hereafter), 2 SD to more than 1 SD below the median (mild underweight), 1 SD below the median to 1 SD above the median (healthy weight), more than 1 SD to 2 SD above the median (overweight but not obese), and more than 2 SD above the median (obesity).