Films

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS dence in their ability to make independent decisions. This educationally sound objective is achieved thru an interactive approach that will hold the attention of teens as they explore the alternatives to their decisions related to smoking . Although somewhat lengthy-it is estimated that it takes from 20-35 minutes to run the entire program-the program is technically efficient. This creative approach to increasing knowledge and awareness of adolescents would be a valuable educational tool in a teen health education program. Priscilla Naworski, M.S ., Director, Nutrition Resource Center, Vallejo School District, 321 Wallace Avenue, Vallejo, CA 94590, and Linda Frommer, MPH Candidate, Berkeley, School of Public Health, University of California, CA 94720.

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CONSUMER EDUCATION ~ COUNSELING BROCHURE

Can Exercise Lead to Menstrual Problems?, Hiatt, J., 1984. From Network Publications, ETR Associates, 1700 Mission St., Suite 203, Box 8506, Santa Cruz, CA 95061, 3-fold brochure, 15¢ each, bulk prices available , minimum order $1. add 15% postage and handling. Now that women have traded corsets for athletic bras, a new area of research has come to the fore: special concerns of the female athlete. This brochure addresses one of these issues, sports amenorrhea and menstrual irregularity. The author discusses possible causes, potential reversibility of the conditions, and when to seek medical advice. But the brochure also includes a description of some of the benefits of athletic involvement, which helps to balance the pamphlet's tone. This booklet will be informative for any female athlete who has a fairly good science background. (The author assumes that the reader will understand terms such as "endocrine" and "menstrual functioning.") The brochure is well organized and accurate, and it includes highlighted typeface. I was disappointed, however, that it did not include a discussion of some of the nonreproductive effects of sports-induced menstrual irregularity and amenorrhea, such as reduced bone density. It also did not include one very pertinent fact: Sports amenorrhea is not a surefire method of birth control. Thus, I 210

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would suggest this brochure as an introduction to the subject but not as a full explanation of the issue. Leslee R. Carver, R.D., M.S.P.H., Outpatient and Sports Nutritionist, 626 W Surf, 3B, Chicago IL 60657. NEW PUBLICATION

Consumer Health & Nutrition Index, Bernoff, B., ed .. vol. 1. no . 1, July 1985. From Oryx Press, 2214 North Central ap Encanto. PhoeniX. AZ 85004. quarterly, approximately 47 pp., $75 plus postage and handling. This publication indexes thirty-five consumer health periodicals and lists all articles and other materials from these periodicals that may help answer consumers' specific, practical healthcare questions . The first issue includes material published in the first quarter of 1985 from the following magazines and newsletters: ACSH News and Views, Accent on Living, Alcoholism. American Baby, American Health, Commitment/Focus (from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation). Dairy Council Digest, Diabetes Forecast. East West Journal. Environmental Nutrition Newsletter. FDA Consumer, Food and Nutrition News . Harvard Medical School Health Letter, Health, Health Facts, Health Values. Healthline, Journal of Health and Healing, Lawrence Review of Natural Products, Leukemia Society News, MDA News (from Muscular Dystrophy Association), Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Medical Abstracts Newsletter, Medical Self-Care, Medical Update, National Arthritis News, Network News (from National Women's Health Network), Nutrition Action, Nutrition News, Nutrition Today, Prevention, Tufts University Diet and Nutrition Letter, Vegetarian Times, Weight Watchers, and Well ness Letter (University of California at Berkeley). PAMPHLET

Facts About Down Syndrome, Tjossem, T., F. De La Cruz, and J. Muller, 1984. From Office of Research Reporting, NICHD, NIH, Bldg. 31, Rm . 2A32, 900 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20205,16 pp., pamphlet, single copies free . This pamphlet summarizes current information about Down Syndrome, for parents, families, and caretakers of children with this disorder. Topics include genetic and physical aspects; outlook; health and development; elementary school years; adult years; mental retardation research centers supported by the National Institute of Child Health

and Human Development (NICHD); and a table showing incidence of Down Syndrome relative to maternal age. This is a good, concise summary of the condition and the major physical, social. and emotional factors involved. The discussion of the genetic defect in chromosome pair 21 may be too technical for many readers. Otherwise, this pamphlet is a good reference for informed consumers and health and education professionals. FILMS

Health, 1983. From Woody Clark Productions, Inc., 943 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94103, 26 min., VHS, Beta, 3/4" video, $300 plus $16 shipping, 16 mm., $500 plus $16 shipping. Also available, Hearl Attack, 1983, 26 min., VHS, Beta, 3/4" video, $300 plus $16 shipping, 16 mm. , $500 plus $16 shipping; and Cancer, 1984, 26 min., VHS, Beta, 3/4" video, $300 plus $16 shipping, 16 mm., $500 plus $16 shipping; 10% discount when all three films are purchased together, $800 plus $16 shipping for any videocassette format, $1350 plus $16 shipping for 16 mm.; prepaid orders, deduct 5% from either single or series price.

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Many people are familiar with the picture of Norman Cousins "curing" himself from major disease using such nontraditional techniques as laughter and positive mental attitudes. His experiences and personal philosophy of health and rehabilitation, which have been chronicled in his books, Anatomy of an Illness and The Healing Heart, are highlighted in this three-part series adapted from the film, The Healing Force. While Cousins has a very positive message about the individual's role in the fight against disease, an interesting aspect of these films is his insistence on cooperation between doctor, patient, and family. The emphasis on personal responsibility for both rehabilitation and prevention becomes increasingly important as modern science tells us that much of the premature VOLUME 17 NUMBER 5

1985

EDUCA TIONAL MATERIALS death and disability in this country can be prevented with lifestyle changes. Health presents a summary of Cousins' approach, emphasing his belief in using the mind as a tool for healing. He describes the techniques that he used, including laughter, creativity, relaxation and biofeedback, and a positive mental attitude. He encourages patients to work in partnership with doctors; patients bring their own resources and strengths to bear on the illness. In Heart Attack, Cousins reports on his program for biochemical and physical rehabilitation following his heart attack in 1980. His program included changes in diet, exercise, lifestyle, and attitudes, including recognizing that the heart attack was a signal from his body to slow down and re-evaluate his priorities. Cancer demonstrates the positive role of support groups such as We Can Do in helping individuals fight-and beat-cancer. Again, patient/physician cooperation and personal attitudes are portrayed as crucial to survival. As these films clearly demonstrate, Normal Cousins is not offering the public yet another quick-fix for the ills that beset us. His approach to personal rehabilitation requires a tremendous effort and a corresponding commitment of physical, emotional, and philosophical resources to the struggle. These are excellent films for professionals who wish to examine their personal and professional beliefs about individual responsibility for health and wellness. They would also be good trigger films for use with groups of patients and clients who may be less receptive to initiating healthful lifestyle and dietary changes. NEW PUBUCATION

Men's Health, Bechtel, S., ed., vol 1, no. 1, February 1985. From Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA 18049, monthly, 8 pp., $24. This newsletter joins Rodale's Women's Health, and a number of other health-oriented publications for lay readers. The articles are geared toward the health interests of adult males, including topics such as heart attack risk factors and prevention, impotence, and prostate cancer. Interestingly, no mention was made of AIDS in the several issues I reviewed. Each issue includes "Malegrams," a section with brief summaries on topics of current interest. Three common themes run throughout the newsletter: not smoking, eating a healthy diet (which is not really speciVOLUME 17 NUMBER 5

1985

fied), and engaging in regular exercise. Reference is made to reputable researchers and studies conducted at major institutions as well as to individuals whose credentials are less established. Some of the articles and brief notes cite professional journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine, Pediatrics. and The Physician and Sportsmedicine among others.

PAMPHLET

Nutrition Concerns . . . For Those with Diabetes, Beseler. 1.. and H. Quinn-Rada. 1984. From Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Dept. of Food Services. 1275 York Avenue. New York, N.Y. 10021 att: T. Sanchez. 28 pp., pamphlet, $3. Everything you wanted to know about. . . ,nutrition and diabetes appears to be the intent of this pamphlet, written by registered dietitians for people with diabetes. Designed to supplement other patient education materials, this pamphlet pulls together and presents in a simple. brief way information about most of the generic nutrition concerns of people with diabetes. In addition to a brief discussion of diabetes and aspects of its treatment. topics include: hypo- and hyperglycemia recognition and management. sickday guidelines, dining-out tips, a method for translating favorite recipes into exchanges, sweetness equivalents for a variety of sugar substitutes. nutrition tips for the traveler, and a modified version of The American Diabetes Association. Inc., and The American Dietetic Association Exchange Lists for Meal Planning. A meal plan form, to be completed with the assistance of a diet counselor. is included. There are. however. several shortcomings: There is no mention of fiber, the section on sugars is unclear. the discussions of exercise and alcohol use are superficial and confusing. and the explanation of carbohydrate absorption is presented in traditional terms of "simple" as fast, and "complex" as slow. In spite of the few weaknesses mentioned. people with diabetes will find the pamphlet helpful and handy, and practitioners will find the pamphlet a useful tool for providing comprehensive nutrition counseling to their diabetic patients. Barbara Burgess, R.D .. M.S .. M.P.H., M.S. W.. Nutritionist/Behavioral Therapist, Weight Control Unit. St. Luke'sRoosevelt Hospital Center. 411 W. 114th St.. New York, NY 10025.

SOFTWARE

The Original Boston Computer Diet, Read. J.. C. Carlin, I. Greenberg, and G. Blackburn. 1985. From Nutritional Management Inc .. 110 Francis St., Boston, MA 12215, program and data disks, $79.95. Now there is a new place for dieters to turn for help with their weight-loss plan-their home computer. The authors of this program have entered a new frontier in weight-loss management-computerized counselors. Along with two floppy disks, the package includes two booklets: 1} a food reporting and meal planning guide. which covers general instructions, tutorials. food preparation suggestions. a database of 700 + foods, dietary maintenance, and food swaps; and 2} a manual that discusses diet as it relates to pregnancy, breastfeeding, diabetes. hypoglycemia, purging, and fasting. The authors encourage potential dieters to consult a physician before starting this diet. The initial session consists of answering a series of medicallnutritionallbehavior questions. During week one of the program, the user completes a nutritional assessment and medical questionnaire. which are the bases for individualized programs. During this time the user also sets weight-loss and calorie goals, and learns to use the food-reporting/meal-planning section. During week two and subsequent weeks the user reports daily food intake. plans meals. and starts an exercise program. During the final week of the program the user makes a transition to a maintenance diet. Throughout the program. there is much emphasis on reporting daily to the computerized counselor. A typical daily counseling session consists of reporting daily food intake. planning future meals. reading an assignment which is followed by a quiz or related activity. and receiving text and graphic feedback on food-reported data. The number of weeks that a user participates depends on the user's desired weight loss and progress during the program. The program is designed for those wanting to lose ten to forty pounds in a nutritionally sound manner. And you don't have to be a computer expert to run the program; in fact. it is extremely user friendly. I recommend this program to the lay public. Graphics are the most unique aspect of the program. There are eight graphs designed to provide visual feedback on the user's progress. Most focus on caloJOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION

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