Development and Validation of a Weight Literacy Scale in English and Spanish
Over one third (36.5%) of U.S. adults are obese, a prevalence that continues to increase nationally and globally. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases, increased health care costs, and shorter life expectancies. Research has found that people who are able to understand health information are less likely to be obese, but there is limited research about what people know and understand about weight loss (weight literacy). The purpose of this study was to create a weight literacy assessment scale that is based upon research evidence, and that can help to understand what English-speaking and Spanish speaking individuals know and understand about weight loss.

Measuring physical activity in lifestyle interventions among adults: A systematic overview 
Physical inactivity is responsible for 1 out of 10 premature deaths worldwide and is a risk factor for numerous chronic diseases. Although the World Health Organization recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week in order to receive the benefits of regular physical activity, only about 1 in 4 adults are this active. Researchers are developing and testing new ways to help adults be more active. It is critical to be able to reliably measure the impact of these strategies and programs with valid, reliable, and direct measures of physical activity. Two types of measures are most common – subjective and objective measures. Subjective measures, such as self reported questionnaires, are often not accurate. It can be challenging for people to remember what they have done. Objective measures, such as wearable devices (e.g. pedometers, accelerometers) or direct observation, have been shown to be more precise. This review found that research is increasingly using objective measures, but technology needs to improve to be able to capture all forms or physical activity consistently.

 An Evaluation of a Train-The-Trainer Program to Build Capacity for Training Tobacco Treatment Specialists 
In the United States, 16.8% of adults smoke, contributing to 480,000 deaths per year. Despite strong evidence that tobacco treatment methods are effective in helping users quit using tobacco, few users actually use these methods. Treatment is slowly being incorporated into clinical care, and screening and quitting assistance has improved. Since 1999, The UMass Chan Medical School’s Center for Tobacco Treatment Research and Training (CTTRT) has offered the UMass Tobacco Treatment Specialist training (UMass TTS). Recognizing the need for more trained tobacco treatment specialists, it created an additional program to train others to deliver the training, called the Train-the-Trainer in Tobacco Treatment (T4) program. This study found that the T4 model could extend the reach of the On-site UMass TTS Training Program, and that its trainees could offer the same quality of training to participants.

Pediatrician Counseling to Eliminate Youth Tobacco Smoking
More than 3.6 million US youth currently smoke and 90% of adult smokers start smoking before they are 18 years old. Youth tobacco use can cause early disease development, disability and death. Pediatricians have an important role in providing consultation on tobacco use and  dependence to the youth they care for and their parents who use tobacco in order to address this major pediatric health concern. Youth identify physicians as their primary source for information on smoking and how to quit. Most pediatricians (81%) advise their young patients who smoke to quit, but onlya third (32%) discuss strategies on how to quit. Pediatricians said limited time and lack of training in how to assist their patients contributed to their not providing counseling on tobacco use. Pediatricians are in a prime position to deliver the recommended 5As model of care (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist,Arrange follow-up) suggested by the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline and modified for youth.

Teaching Medical Students to Help Patients Quit Smoking
Physicians have an essential and effective role in helping patients stop smoking. Unfortunately, the use of brief and effective tobacco dependence treatment interventions such as 5A counseling by physicians is limited and likely due to inadequate training. Medical students, for example, are rarely prepared to help patients modify their smoking behaviors. Currently, however, it is recommended that competency in tobacco dependence treatment be a core medical school graduation requirement. Yet, no comprehensive tobacco treatment training curriculum has been developed or evaluated for medical students. Physicians see 70% of adults’ smokers every year, therefore, medical students must be prepared to offer counseling and treatment to help patients quit smoking. Medical education should include more intensive and interactive tobacco treatment training throughout all of medical school training. This training will increase both their confidence in their ability to provide effective treatment, as well as increase the likelihood that physicians will routinely provide tobacco dependence treatment to patients.

Tanning Salon Accessibility and Cancer at Top US Colleges and Universities
Many young adults tan in indoor tanning salons, even though this increases the risk of cancer. In fact, almost ¼ of white women between the ages of 18-35 years old have used an indoor tanning salon in the past year. Reducing the availability of indoor tanning in and around college campuses is an important public health target.This study looked into the availability of indoor tanning facilities located in the top 125 US colleges and university campuses and in off-campus housing located in surrounding areas. The study used the US News and World Report rankings to determine the top US 125 colleges and universities. Researchers then searched for information of tanning salons by reading websites, and making phone calls to housing offices, scouring Google maps of surrounding areas to inquire about availability, costs, and options of paying for them with campus cash cards.