ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0971-3181
Current Organisations
Western Sydney Local Health District
,
University of Sydney
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Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 10-05-2019
DOI: 10.2196/13324
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 28-07-2015
DOI: 10.2196/RESPROT.4665
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 14-01-2020
DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2019.1704771
Abstract: Objective measures of circadian disruption are difficult to capture in a free-living environment hence the importance of validating subjective measures of jetlag. We aimed to assess the internal consistency of the 15-item Liverpool Jetlag Scale and its convergent and ergent validity with indicators of fatigue and anxiety in a large s le of air passengers. Online survey of passengers was conducted after travel on a range of long-haul flights. Jetlag was captured using the Liverpool scale, fatigue was measured using the Vitality subscale of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and the presence of anxiety or worry before, during, and after flight was self-reported. Inter-item correlations and Cronbach's alpha were calculated to assess the internal consistency of the scale. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine whether the scale was consistent with one underlying construct of circadian disruption. Correlations between fatigue and anxiety (flying, situational, symptoms) with jetlag were used to assess convergent and ergent validity. Linear regression was used to determine the most important symptoms contributing to subjective jetlag rating. N = 460 passengers (57% female, mean age 50, SD 16 years) were surveyed. Cronbach's alpha indicated high internal reliability (alpha = 0.85). Jetlag was more strongly correlated with fatigue (rho = 0.47) than any type of anxiety (rho = 0.10-0.22). Exploratory factor analysis indicated responses were consistent with four factors: (i) fatigue/daytime impairment, (ii) sleep disturbance, (iii) changes in appetite and (iv) changes in bowel function. Regression analysis indicated that only changes in concentration, sleep time, fatigue, sleep quality and frequency of bowel motions were independent correlates of subjective jetlag (R
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 11-02-2020
DOI: 10.2196/16499
Abstract: Calcium is an important nutrient for the attainment of peak bone mass during adolescence and young adulthood. However, these life phases are characterized as hard to reach for health promotion. Social media platforms offer a promising channel as they are relatively low cost but used ubiquitously by youth. The aim of the CAlcium Nutrition-Dietary Opportunities (CAN-DO) study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of Facebook alone or with text messaging as channels to deliver a theory-based program to encourage optimal calcium intake. The intervention was a 3-arm parallel trial. Young adults aged 18 to 25 years were recruited through university and social media for a 6-week trial. Participants were randomized to 1 of the 3 arms (ie, Facebook posts, Facebook posts plus text messages, and control group that received an electronic leaflet containing information on calcium intake). The primary outcome was change in intake of milk and other calcium-rich foods, and secondary outcomes were knowledge, self-efficacy, motivation, and habit formation concerning calcium-rich foods. Changes were assessed before and after the intervention, and the differences in change between groups were compared using multivariate regression models with multiple imputations for missing data. A total of 211 participants (64/211, 30.3% males) participated (mean age 21.4 years, SD 2.1) in this study. At the end of the program, no increase in milk intake (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% CI 0.61-3.75 Facebook OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.74-4.24 Facebook plus text messages P=.41) nor calcium-rich food was detected (P=.57). There was a significant improvement in knowledge in the Facebook plus text messages group (P .001), but habit formation improved less than that in the other 2 groups (P=.01). Our results showed a moderate level of engagement with intervention content and positive qualitative feedback from participants. The CAN-DO study delivered via Facebook (with the additional support of text messages) was found to improve knowledge and was acceptable among young adults. However, further research is needed to better understand social media engagement and how to optimize the program for participants to be sufficiently motivated to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000097943 www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620000097943.aspx
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-06-2021
DOI: 10.1111/JHN.12774
Abstract: Young adults gain more weight annually than other adults and may be destined for future obesity. Effective interventions are needed, and social support may be a key element for success. The present study explores how best to leverage social media to support young adults with their health goals in a healthy lifestyle programme. Young adults aged 18-25 years were recruited from the community to a series of four focus groups led by an experienced facilitator who used a discussion guide developed a priori. The discussion explored their opinions regarding which social media platforms were appropriate for providing social support, the types of support that were relevant (family and friends versus strangers) and factors that would encourage peer-to-peer communication in a healthy lifestyle intervention. Sessions were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using the qualitative software, nvivo, version 11 (QSR International Pty Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia). Themes were generated using an inductive approach informed by the Theory of Social Identity and Social Influence Model of Consumer Participation. Thirty-three people (12 male) participated. Facebook was the most popular platform for facilitating social support as a result of its private group capabilities and already being embedded into their daily routines. The preference was to be grouped with strangers who shared similar goals in smaller groups of participants. The discussions highlighted the integral role of a credible and relatable health coach to serve as a mentor, mediator and role model. The learnings from this research will be applied to optimise engagement within social media support groups in lifestyle interventions.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 02-11-2018
DOI: 10.3390/NU10111626
Abstract: The relationship between vegetable consumption and measures of adiposity was assessed in cohort studies. Seven databases were searched from inception until October 2018. The quality of in idual studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal of Cohort Studies tool. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was applied to determine the quality of the body of evidence. Ten studies were included. Six measured change in vegetable intake over time. Two showed that increasing vegetable consumption resulted in weight loss of 0.09–0.1 kg over four years (p 0.001). Increased vegetable intake was also associated with a reduced risk of weight gain and overweight or obesity (Odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.18 to 0.88) in other studies. Four studies measured vegetable intake at the baseline only. One showed that intakes servings/day reduced the risk of weight gain (OR 0.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.99) and another found an inverse association with waist circumference in women (−0.36 cm per vegetable serving/day). This review provides moderate quality evidence for an inverse association between vegetable intake and weight-related outcomes in adults. When these findings are coupled with no apparent harm from vegetable consumption, the evidence-base can be used with acceptable confidence to guide practice and policy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.JAND.2016.12.014
Abstract: The increased popularity of social media and mobile gaming among young adults provides an opportunity for innovative nutrition programs. This review evaluated the efficacy of these strategies in interventions targeted at 18- to 35-year-olds. The protocol was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Ten scientific databases, information technology conference proceedings, and gray literature were searched. Two reviewers conducted screening, data extraction, and quality assessments. Interventions were included if they used social media or electronic games. Comparisons were made pre- to post-intervention, or between intervention and control arms. Outcomes of interest included change in nutrition knowledge, attitudes, behavior, or weight and/or body composition. Eleven social media-based (randomized controlled trials [RCT] n=7) and six game-based [RCT n=1]) interventions were included. Overall quality of studies was low. Social media-based strategies included forum/blogs (n=5), Facebook (n=5), Twitter (n=1), YouTube (n=1), and chat rooms (n=1). Eight (RCT n=6) of 11 social media-based studies demonstrated improvements in outcomes. Findings suggested that social media may be more effective when combined with other strategies. Virtual reality games (n=3), web-based games (n=2), and a mobile application (n=1) were used in the gaming interventions. While a significant increase in knowledge was reported by three gaming studies (RCT=1), two used nonvalidated tools and longer-term measures of weight and behavioral outcomes were limited. The use of social media and gaming for nutrition promotion is in its infancy. Preliminary evidence suggests that these strategies have some utility for intervening with young adults. Further research using high-quality study designs is required, with measurement of outcomes over longer time periods. The systematic review protocol is registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42015025427).
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 04-10-2019
Abstract: alcium is an important nutrient for the attainment of peak bone mass during adolescence and young adulthood. However, these life phases are characterized as hard to reach for health promotion. Social media platforms offer a promising channel as they are relatively low cost but used ubiquitously by youth. he aim of the CAlcium Nutrition-Dietary Opportunities (CAN-DO) study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of Facebook alone or with text messaging as channels to deliver a theory-based program to encourage optimal calcium intake. he intervention was a 3-arm parallel trial. Young adults aged 18 to 25 years were recruited through university and social media for a 6-week trial. Participants were randomized to 1 of the 3 arms (ie, Facebook posts, Facebook posts plus text messages, and control group that received an electronic leaflet containing information on calcium intake). The primary outcome was change in intake of milk and other calcium-rich foods, and secondary outcomes were knowledge, self-efficacy, motivation, and habit formation concerning calcium-rich foods. Changes were assessed before and after the intervention, and the differences in change between groups were compared using multivariate regression models with multiple imputations for missing data. total of 211 participants (64/211, 30.3% males) participated (mean age 21.4 years, SD 2.1) in this study. At the end of the program, no increase in milk intake (odds ratio [OR] 1.51, 95% CI 0.61-3.75 Facebook OR 1.77, 95% CI 0.74-4.24 Facebook plus text messages i P /i =.41) nor calcium-rich food was detected ( i P /i =.57). There was a significant improvement in knowledge in the Facebook plus text messages group ( i P /i & .001), but habit formation improved less than that in the other 2 groups ( i P /i =.01). Our results showed a moderate level of engagement with intervention content and positive qualitative feedback from participants. he CAN-DO study delivered via Facebook (with the additional support of text messages) was found to improve knowledge and was acceptable among young adults. However, further research is needed to better understand social media engagement and how to optimize the program for participants to be sufficiently motivated to increase their intake of calcium-rich foods. ustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000097943 www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620000097943.aspx
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 08-04-2016
DOI: 10.2196/JMIR.5082
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 21-09-2020
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-09-2019
DOI: 10.3390/NU11092217
Abstract: Young adults are the highest consumers of food prepared outside home, which has been linked to weight gain. The aim of this qualitative research was to gather opinions from young adults about what influences their food choice when eating out and if they so desired, what might enable healthy choices. Thirty-one adults aged 18 to 30 years participated in four focus groups (females = 24). Predetermined questions were used to guide discussions which were audiotaped then transcribed. The content was organized into themes and sub-themes using NVivo software. Two broad groupings arose—personal behaviors and changes to physical and social food environments. For many, eating out was viewed as a special occasion so that healthy food was not a priority and despite understanding health consequences of poor diets this was not an immediate concern. Price discounts and menu-labelling were suggested and trust in credible organizations and peers’ endorsement of meals and venues expressed. The role of smartphones in the modern food environment emerged as a tool to enable immediate access to many restaurants to order food and access reviews and social media as a source of persuasive food imagery. Current menu-labelling initiatives should continue, food pricing be explored and influence of smartphones on diet further researched. However, these findings may be limited by the high proportion of women and higher socioeconomic status and urban residence of many participants.
No related grants have been discovered for Monica Nour.