The Role of Optimism Regarding Nutrition and Health Behavior November 9, 2011 Presenter: LuAnn Soliah, PhD, RD Director of Nutrition Sciences Program Baylor University Moderator: James M. Rippe, MD – Leading cardiologist, Founder and Director, Rippe Lifestyle Institute Approved for 1 CPE (Level 2) by the American Dietetic Association Commission on Dietetic Registration Recording of the November 9, 2011 webinar and PDF download of complete PowerPoint available at:

The Role of Optimism on Nutrition and Health Behaviors This webinar covered:  Measurements of optimism including the Life Orientation Test (LOT) and the LOT-Revised  Research on the association between optimism and health behaviors, specifically related to eating behaviors  Strategies health professionals can use in counseling to help clients approach health and nutrition changes optimistically Nutri-Bites sm Summary

 Nutrition and health are well connected.  Evidence:  Nutrition is related to several major diseases  Nutrition is a fundamental component of growth, healing, and overall well-being  Appropriate nutrition is related to reduced rates of mortality, morbidity, disability, and frailty in the elderly  Nutrition is related to improved workplace productivity and reduced health care costs Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People

 Life Orientation Test (LOT)... 12questions Some examples include: * I am a believe in the idea that “every cloud has a silver lining” * It’s easy for me to relax. * Things never work out the way I want them to.  Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R)…. 10 questions * If something can go wrong it will. * I don’t get upset too easily. * In uncertain times, I usually expect the best. Source: Scheier et al. Health Psychol (1985). Scheier et al. Cogn Th Res (1992). Wenglert et al J Mgmt (1995). Ylostalo et al Eur J Oral Sci (2003).

 Health * improved physical and mental health * enhanced physical and social function * lower stress levels  Well-being * goal achievement * confident about the future * determined effort to achieve goals * problem-focused coping strategy * higher quality of life * better self-observation * increased health awareness Source: Smith et al. J Health Psychol. (2004). Wrosh et al. Qual Life Res. (2003).

 Live longer, heal faster  Higher levels of health  Health conscious, physically active  Better nutrition  Spiritual growth  Interpersonal relations  Stress management  Health self-responsibility Source: Scheier et al. Health Psychol (1985). Mulkanna et al. Am J Health Behav. (2001). Ylostalo et al. J Dent Res. (2003).

 Simplistic, pleasure- oriented relationship with food  Warm, chewy, and hearty food  Complicated relationship with food  Restrained eating  Dieting  Disordered eating  Sweets/fatty food for comfort Source: Kiefer et al. J Men’s Health and Gender (2005). Fraser et al. Prev Med (2000). Guthrie et al. J Am Diet Assoc (2000). Weinstein et al. Appetite (1997). WOMENMEN

 Optimism  Higher education  Older age  Greater social support  Fewer stressful events  Higher scores on mental, physical and general health goal setting  Consistent attendance at dietary educational sessions  Self-monitoring behavior  Contact with counselors Source: Tinker et al. J Am Diet Assoc. (2007).

The Life Orientation Test (LOT and LOT-revised) were developed to assess individual differences in generalized optimism versus pessimism. The LOT and LOT-R are research instruments, not intended for clinical applications. Five point scale – no set cut point for optimism/pessimism, adds additional dimension A = I agree a lot B = I agree a little C = I neither agree nor disagree D = I disagree a little E = I disagree a lot Source: Scheier et al. Cogn Th Res (1992). Scheier et al. J Pers Soc Psychol. (1994).

1. In uncertain times, I usually expect the best. 2. It’s easy for me to relax. 3. If something can go wrong for me, it will. 4. I’m always optimistic about my future. 5. I enjoy my friends a lot. 6. It’s important for me to keep busy. 7. I hardly ever expect things to go my way. 8. I don’t get upset too easily. 9. I rarely count on good things happening to me. 10. Overall, I expect more good things to happen to me than bad. Source: Scheier et al. Cogn Th Res (1992). Scheier et al. J Pers Soc Psychol. (1994).

 Listen/observe/watch for clues of behavior state (pessimism/optimism)  Personally, be aware of our own self-talk  Read about optimism and positive psychology  Remind clients about favorable events, progress, positive changes (small steps)  Print/type/use LOT-revised instrument (Scheier et al. Distinguishing optimism from neuroticism: a reevaluation of the LOT. J Pers Soc Psychol. (1994); 67: )

Journal articles  Tinker LF, Rosal MC, Young AF et al. Predictors of dietary change and maintenance in the Women’s Health Initiative Dietary modification trial. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007; 107:  Seligman ME. Csikszentimihalyi M. Positive psychology: An introduction. Am Psychol. 2000; 55:5-14.  Seligman ME, Steen TA, Park N, Peterson C. Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. Am Psychol. 2005; 60 (5): Books  Handbook of Positive Psychology (2001) CR Snyder & SJ Lopez (editors)  Authentic Happiness (2003) ME Seligman  A Psychology of Human Strengths (2002) LG Aspinwall & UM Staudinger  Flourishing (2002) CM Keyes, J Haidt, ME Seligman Key research search words: optimism, resilience, learned optimism, hope, perseverance, persistence