Text messaging (SMS) as a tool to facilitate weight loss and prevent metabolic deterioration in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects : a randomised controlled trial

Publisher Copyright: © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Objective: To examine whether SMS text messaging facilitates a reduction of weight and waist circumference (WC) and favourable changes in lipid profile and insulin levels in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects. Design: A randomised controlled trial. Setting and intervention: Primary care health centre in Riga, Latvia. Text messaging once in two weeks. Subjects: A total of 123 overweight and obese men and women aged 30–45 years with no cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) or diabetes. Main outcome measures: changes in anthropometric parameters (weight, WC, body mass index (BMI)) and biochemical parameters (lipids, fasting glucose and insulin). Results: We found a statistically significant decrease in weight (2.4%), BMI and WC (4.8%) in the intervention group, while the control group showed a statistically non-significant increase in weight and BMI and decrease in WC. Between group results obtained over the course of a year showed statistically significant mean differences between weight (–3.4 kg (95% CI –5.5, –1.3)), BMI kg/m2 (–1.14 (95% CI –1.9, –0.41)), WC (–4.6 cm (95% CI –6.8, –2.3)), hip circumference (–4.0 cm (95% CI –5.9, –2.0)) and fasting insulin (2.43 μU/ml (95% CI 0.6, 4.3)). Mean differences of changes in glucose and lipid levels were statistically non significant: fasting glucose (–0.01 mmol/l (95% CI –0.19, 0.17)), TC mmol/l (–0.04 mmol/l (95% CI –0.29, 0.21)), HDL-C (0.14 mmol/l (95% CI –0.65, 0.09)), LDL-C (–0.02 mmol/l (95% CI –0.22, 0.18)) and TG (0.23 mmol/l (95% CI –0.06, 0.52)). Conclusions: SMS messaging in clinically healthy overweight and obese subjects facilitates a slight decrease in weight, BMI and WC. It is anticipated that the implications of this strategy might facilitate the design of preventive and promotive strategies among high risk groups in Latvia.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Women's Intention to Continue IVF in Relation to Need for Closure, Infertility Distress, and Infertility Self-Efficacy

Pētījuma mērķis ir izpētīt saistības starp nodomu turpināt IVF, vajadzību pēc kognitīvās pabeigtības, neauglības distresu un ar neauglību saistīto pašefektivitāti, kā arī grupu atšķirības. Izlasi veido 158 sievietes vecumā no 21 līdz 47 gadiem (M = 34,53), kas īsteno IVF neauglības dēļ. Izmantotās aptaujas: Vajadzības pēc kognitīvās pabeigtības aptaujas (Webster & Kruglanski, 1994) pārskatītā un saīsinātā versija (Roets & Van Hiel, 2011), Neauglības distresa aptauja (Sobral et al., 2017) un Ar neauglību saistītās pašefektivitātes skala (Cousineau et al., 2004). Nav atklātas saistības starp nodomu turpināt IVF, vajadzību pēc kognitīvās pabeigtības un neauglības distresu. Ar neauglību saistītā pašefektivitāte nozīmīgi un pozitīvi saistīta ar nodomu turpināt IVF. Sievietes, kurām IVF rezultātā ir bērni, uzrāda zemāku nodomu turpināt IVF. Atslēgas vārdi: medicīniskā apaugļošana, IVF, nodoms turpināt medicīnisko apaugļošanu, vajadzība pēc kognitīvās pabeigtības, neauglības distress, ar neauglību saistītā pašefektivitāteThe aim of the research is to investigate the relationship between the intention to continue IVF, the need for cognitive closure, infertility distress, infertility-related self-efficacy, and group differences. The study included 158 women undergoing IVF due to infertility, aged 21 to 47 years (M = 34.53). The following surveys were used: the revised and shortened version of the Need for Cognitive Closure Scale (Webster & Kruglanski, 1994; Roets & Van Hiel, 2011), the Infertility Distress Scale (Sobral et al., 2017), and the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale (Cousineau et al., 2004). No significant relationships were found between the intention to continue IVF, the need for cognitive closure, and infertility distress. Infertility-related self-efficacy was significantly and positively associated with the intention to continue IVF. Women who have children as a result of IVF demonstrate a lower intention to continue IVF. Keywords: In vitro fertilisation, IVF, intention to continue IVF, need for cognitive closure, infertility distress, infertility-related self-efficac

Quality of life of families with children with disability in the area of physical wellbeing in Latvia

Family quality of life, just like quality of life in general is multidimensional by nature and reflects interaction of different areas and their influence on family life; for this reason it becomes possible to study it in the context of different approaches. Analyzing the areas of family quality of life highlighted by different authors it can be concluded that the analysis of family quality of life must include the following areas: material, physical, social and emotional wellbeing, and also describe the factors that affect family wellbeing. The research of family quality of life is crucial in order to reflect on family's ability to meet their needs, while the possibility for families to meet the needs largely depends on the support provided by the state, municipalities, NGOs and the society as a whole. Based on the study results, it is possible to identify the type of support needed for meeting children's special needs, and also to highlight the tendencies in how the lack of this support in area of physical wellbeing affects their family quality of life. This study reflects the factors that affect the quality of life in the area of physical wellbeing of the families with disabled children

Quality of life of families with children with disability in the area of physical wellbeing in Latvia

Family quality of life, just like quality of life in general is multidimensional by nature and reflects interaction of different areas and their influence on family life; for this reason it becomes possible to study it in the context of different approaches. Analyzing the areas of family quality of life highlighted by different authors it can be concluded that the analysis of family quality of life must include the following areas: material, physical, social and emotional wellbeing, and also describe the factors that affect family wellbeing. The research of family quality of life is crucial in order to reflect on family's ability to meet their needs, while the possibility for families to meet the needs largely depends on the support provided by the state, municipalities, NGOs and the society as a whole. Based on the study results, it is possible to identify the type of support needed for meeting children's special needs, and also to highlight the tendencies in how the lack of this support in area of physical wellbeing affects their family quality of life. This study reflects the factors that affect the quality of life in the area of physical wellbeing of the families with disabled children

Development of corporate travel management system`s content for company x

The management of business travel is fundamental in supporting business in any business field where a company need to reach their clients and co-workers. With increasing opportunities for travel and technologies, the process of the business travel management can be simpler than before. The thesis plan is to develop the content for solution of business travel management within one company. The company`s business during last fifteen years have spread almost all over the world and business trips are essentials for doing business. With the spreading business, the number of business travelers have increased dramatically. Nevertheless, the process of business trip arrangements and management have stayed behind. Initially the project plan was planned to take a year for development the content of the up-coming process for business travel management within the company. However, development process took more than expected and until the finishing this thesis, the new tool for business travel management within the company is not properly implemented in the company`s daily routine. To reach the aim of thesis constructive approach is used and different solutions to the company`s need have looked for. With the development of project, in the company some internal processes have been changed and internal documents updated to adjust current situation and needs