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: www.ConAgraFoodsScienceInstitute.com
Nutri-Bitessm Summary
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
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Nutrition and health are well connected.
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Evidence:
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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 2010. http://www.healthypeople.gov
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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.
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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).
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Health
* improved physical and mental health
* enhanced physical and social function
* lower stress levels
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Well-being
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*
*
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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).
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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).
MEN
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Simplistic, pleasureoriented relationship
with food
Warm, chewy, and
hearty food
WOMEN
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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).
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Optimism
Higher education
Older age
Greater social support
Fewer stressful events
Higher scores on
mental, physical and
general health
goal setting
Source: Tinker et al. J Am Diet Assoc. (2007).
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Consistent attendance
at dietary educational
sessions
Self-monitoring
behavior
Contact with
counselors
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).
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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); 67:1063-1078.)
Journal articles
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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; 107:1155-1165.
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):410-421.
Books
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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