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OBJECTIVE: Because the percentage of missing portion sizes was large in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (ACLS), careful consideration of the accuracy of standard portion sizes was necessary. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the consequences of using standard portion sizes instead of reported portion sizes on subjects' nutrient intake. METHODS: In 2307 men and 411 women, nutrient intake calculated from a 3-day dietary record using reported portion sizes was compared with nutrient intake calculated from the same record in which standard portion sizes were substituted for reported portion sizes. RESULTS: The standard portion sizes provided significantly lower estimates (>/= 20%) of energy and nutrient intakes than the reported portion sizes. Spearman correlation coefficients obtained by the two methods were high, ranging from 0.67 to 0.93. Furthermore, the agreement between both methods was fairly good. Thus, in the ACLS the use of standard portion sizes rather than reported portion sizes did not appear to be suitable to assess the absolute intake at the group level, but appeared to lead to a good ranking of individuals according to nutrient intake. These results were confirmed by the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII), in which the assessment of the portion size was optimal. When the standard portion sizes were adjusted using the correction factor, the ability of the standard portion sizes to assess the absolute nutrient intake at the group level was considerably improved. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the adjusted standard portion sizes may be able to replace missing portion sizes in the ACLS database.

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Two metabolites of the herbicide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, (DCPA), monomethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (MM) and tetrachloroterephthalic acid (TCPA), are assayed via high-performance liquid chromatography with ion paring. Samples are analyzed via direct injection, without preparation, and analyte detection is accomplished with an ultraviolet photodiode array detector. The metabolites are extracted from positive samples with a petroleum ether/diethyl ether mixture, derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoracetamide, and confirmed by way of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The HPLC analysis of 200 spiked drinking water samples yielded a recovery range of 92-106% with a mean recovery of 101% for TCPA and a recovery range of 92-101% with a mean recovery of 96% for MM. The minimum detection limits for TCPA and MM were 2.4 and 2.7 micrograms/L, respectively. In addition, the GC/MS analysis of spiked reagent water yielded mean recoveries of 91% for MM and 86% for TCPA. Twenty drinking water samples were split and analyzed by the HPLC and GC/MS methods and by USEPA Method 515.1. Comparable results were obtained. The HPLC method, which is amenable to automation, typically allows for the analysis of up to 40 samples overnight.

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Worksite health promotion programs developed and promoted by community groups are one of the many program options that corporate decision makers may choose to enhance the health and well-being of their employers. This article describes the development of the American Heart Association's health promotion program, "Heart At Work." The findings from extended field studies and other program evaluation activities are summarized. Implications of evaluation studies to the "Heart At Work" program and health promotion programs in general are discussed.

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A case of gastric outler obstruction following acid ingestion in a 2 1/2 years-old chilod is reported. The characteristic features of this injury are minor injury to the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus, and major injury to the stomach. a small amount of acid can produce considerable damage to the stomach. Therefore all patients require admission to hospital. Early barium meal examination and, if available, flexible endoscopy, will identify the extent of damage so as to avoid early discharge of patients when gastric perforation is likely. Emphasis is placed on the need for public education in the prevention of ingestion of corrosive substance bu children

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A prospective analysis of 150 temporay tube gastrostomies performed over two 12-mounth periods is presented. All were carried out at the time of another abdominal surgical procedure and were intende for post surgical procedure and to any tube-related complications. Gastrostomu was found to be a safe, comfortable and effective method of achieving prolonged gastric decompression, an its use is recommended in selected patients

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A peer-managed self-control program to teach responsible drinking was tested with 30 American Indian teenagers at high risk for problem drinking. Students were randomly assigned to three groups incorporating combinations of self-monitoring, peer-assisted self-control training, and alcohol education. Significant decreases were observed in quantity and frequency of drinking and in peak blood alcohol levels. These improvements were maintained at follow-ups of 4, 9, and 12 months posttreatment. Self-report data were corroborated by breath tests and official records. No group differences were found, indicating that minimal and full program interventions had comparable effects.

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Mental health organizations are continually in search of approaches to improve their visibility, to improve attitudes surrounding mental health services, and to secure stable sources of funding. Findings from a study of a prepaid mental health plan for employee groups indicate a significant positive relationship between such a program and several key variables related to client awareness and attitude, demographics, service utilization, and revenue generation. Results have implications related to the direct contracting for mental health services by large employee groups.

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Little systematic information is available concerning the association between adolescent drug usage and other forms of behavior. The present study addressed this issue. Two hundred and thirty-one adolescents completed questionnaires concerning their use of drugs (alcohol, tobacco, pain-killers, marijuana, etc.). Factor analysis of endorsements of a broad range of behaviors, followed by regression analysis, indicated that sexual behavior, general delinquency, school misbehavior, social behavior and studying/reading (--) were all related to drug use. School achievement (--) and domestic behavior (--) gave lower correlations. Religious behavior did not emerge as a clear correlate.

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The tensions between availability of materials and quality of the environment will increase with economic growth and the appreciation of environmental values. These tensions can be relieved to an extent by internalizing the costs of environmental protection so that they are reflected in the price of materials. Economic incentives and disincentives, such as effluent fees, are receiving renewed attention (5, pp. 49-51). In addition, government regulation to protect the environment will, perhaps arbitrarily, affect the availability and use of materials. The report, Man, Materials, and Environment (5, p. 25), concluded that: A national materials policy should be based upon the principle that calculations of benefits and costs associated with the extraction, transport, processing, use, and disposal of materials should take full account of the value of common property resources and of any change in the value of common properties resulting from the impact of materials on the environment; and should support the principle that those responsible for impairment of the environment should bear the costs of damage or repair. These principles should become a commonplace element of property rights, legislation, and administrative practice at all levels of government. The difficulty of measuring benefits and costs should not delay adoption of these principles but suggests the need for continuous observation and experimentation. Environmental protection regulations will result in: (i) increased costs for many materials; (ii) disruptive changes in use of materials, due to environmental characteristics and revised cost effectiveness calculations; (iii) restrictions on the siting of processing and manufacturing installations; (iv) preemption of access and surface rights to some mineral bearing lands, particularly those that are federally controlled; (v) diversion of capital from new production facilities; and (vi) frustrating delays in decisions, such as those affecting leasing and plant siting. In return for these generally undesirable disruptions in the continued development and supply of materials, society will obtain: (i) improved quality of air and water; (ii) long-term protection of the natural ecosystems of which man is a part; (iii) more efficient allocation of natural resources on the basis of more accurate and complete accounting of costs; (iv) improved human health through decreased contamination of the environment with toxic substances; and (v) conservation of materials through a closing of the production, use, and disposal cycle. Ingenuity and a more complete understanding of the parts and interactions of the energy, materials, and environment system can do much to reduce the tensions in these conflicts and bring about equitable trade-offs among societal goals.

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