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All MoMs are not equal: some statistical properties associated with reporting results in the form of multiples of the median.

Am J Hum Genet. 1993 Feb;52(2):425-30

Authors: Bishop JC, Dunstan FD, Nix BJ, Reynolds TM, Swift A

The statistical procedure for discriminating between a Down syndrome or neural tube defect (NTD) fetus and a normal fetus relies, to a great extent, on the reporting of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), hCG, and uE3 results in the form of multiples of the median (MoMs). Further, threshold MoMs values for MSAFP, such as 2.5 MoMs, are often used to define a reference range to identify an NTD fetus. We show that a constant threshold-MoMs cutoff for MSAFP values actually refers to different percentiles of MSAFP levels at different gestational ages and that the combining of MoMs values between centers and gestational ages, such as suggested by Wald et al. for deriving a patient-specific risk index, is highly questionable. The results presented in this paper are quite general and will apply to all situations where MoMs are used.

PMID: 7679245 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Mendacious moms or devious dads? Some perplexing issues in child custody/sexual abuse allegation disputes.

Can J Psychiatry. 1995 Aug;40(6):337-41

Authors: Penfold PS

OBJECTIVE: To explore relevant literature about sexual abuse allegations arising in child custody disputes. METHOD: A literature review of false allegations is given and the contribution of gender bias to this issue is discussed. The role a child psychiatrist may play in such cases is outlined. RESULTS: Contrary to much popular and professional opinion, sexual abuse allegations are found in only 2% of child custody disputes, and, of these, 8% to 16.5% are false. While false allegations arise for a variety of reasons, the word “false” can imply both erroneous and deceitful activities. This ambiguity, along with gender bias, may lead to disbelief of, and blame towards, parents who report sexual abuse in the context of a dispute about custody or access. CONCLUSION: The child psychiatrist who testifies in such custody disputes should have caution, humility, and an open mind both in the courtroom and in dealing with other professionals working in this area.

PMID: 7585404 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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A randomized pilot test of “Moms on the Move”: a physical activity intervention for WIC mothers.

Ann Behav Med. 2004 Apr;27(2):82-90

Authors: Fahrenwald NL, Atwood JR, Walker SN, Johnson DR, Berg K

BACKGROUND: Sedentary mothers are important to reach with physical activity promotion. Purpose: This study pilot tested “Moms on the Move,” a Transtheoretical Model (TTM)-derived physical activity (PA) intervention for low-income mothers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. METHOD: Sedentary mothers (N = 44) were randomized to (a). Moms on the Move (PA intervention) or (b). counseling on self-breast examination (control). Pre- and posttest measurement (baseline and 2 weeks after the 8-week interventions) included (a). stage of PA behavior change, (b). PA behavior, (c). selected TTM constructs, and (d). social support. Pre- and postdifference scores, chi-square, and one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used. RESULTS: The experimental group progressed in stage of change more than control, chi2(1, N = 44) = 20.50, p <.001. The experimental group had greater PA behavior: weekly minutes of PA, F(1, 42) = 46.85, p <.001; daily energy expenditure (EE), F(1, 42) = 23.01, p <.001; and weekly moderate PA EE, F(1, 42) = 32.63, p <.001. Experimental subgroup (n = 11) step counts increased pre-post, t(10) = 6.16, p <.001. An ANOVA showed that the experimental group had greater improvements in all TTM constructs and social support, ps <.001. CONCLUSIONS: WIC mothers are at risk for sedentary living and have not been targeted for PA behavior change using a provider-counseled approach. Although further testing is needed, Moms on the Move appears to be efficacious.

PMID: 15026292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Related Articles

Development and expert evaluation of “Moms on the Move,” a physical activity intervention for WIC mothers. Women, Infants, and Children.

Public Health Nurs. 2002 Nov-Dec;19(6):423-39

Authors: Fahrenwald NL, Sharma M

The purpose of this descriptive study was to develop and evaluate “Moms on the Move,” a provider-counseled physical activity intervention for mothers enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The intervention was based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of behavior change. The evaluation occurred in two stages. In the first stage, physical activity behavioral experts (n=4) evaluated the: (a) rationale for intervention components; (b) linkages between behavior change constructs, intervention activities, and study outcomes; (c) literature support for the TTM behavior change constructs; and (d) the intervention brochure. The expert evaluation tool was adapted from the “Educational Materials Review Form.” Each item in the expert evaluation met the <or= 3.0 mean criterion for acceptability (range, 1.33-2.67). Revisions were made based on expert comments before stage 2. In the second stage, WIC mothers (n=5) evaluated the intervention brochure. The 9-item WIC mothers’ evaluation tool was adapted from a simple tool for community members. In the second stage evaluation, the mean total score for the intervention brochure evaluation was 44.0 (SD=1.22), which met the a priori criterion to retain as is. Mean item responses ranged from 4.8 to 5.0 (5.0=great). This evaluation indicates that “Moms on the Move” is a promising physical activity intervention for WIC mothers, which should be implemented for efficacy testing.

PMID: 12406177 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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