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Dr. Annemarie Bennett
Unit of Nutrition and Dietetics, Discipline of Clinical Medicine, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland

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0 Breastfeeding
0 Childhood Obesity
0 Pregnancy
0 Complementary feeding
0 Maternal Mental Health

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Journal article
Published: 31 May 2021 in Health Promotion International
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Summary Undergraduate university students are at a critical stage of development in terms of their academic, social, psychological and behavioural health. Patterns established during these formative years can last a lifetime. eHealth tools have the potential to be engaging, convenient and accessible to a wide range of students by providing health information and enhancing the uptake of positive health behaviours. The ‘Healthy Trinity Online Tool’ (H-TOT) was developed in collaboration with students and a transdisciplinary team with decades of experience between them in terms of research, clinical responsibility and service delivery. Developmental steps undertaken included: a literature review to formulate the topic content choices; a survey of students to check the relevance and suitability of topics identified; and, the tacit experience of the development team. This co-design model led to the development of content encompassing academic life, healthy eating, physical activity, mood, financial matters, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and relaxation. Qualitative focus groups were subsequently conducted for in-depth exploration of the usage and functionality of H-TOT. The theoretical underpinnings include the locus of control and social cognitive theory. Evidence-based behavioural change techniques are embedded throughout. During early pre-piloting of H-TOT, the team identified and solved content functionality problems. The tone of the content was also revised to ensure it was non-judgemental. To make the H-TOT as interactive as possible, video scenarios were included and all content was audio-recorded to allow playback for students with visual or learning difficulties. Evaluation plans for the pilot year of H-TOT are outlined.

ACS Style

Catherine D Darker; Emma Moore; Ellen Flynn; Mary O’Neill; Lena Doherty; Jean McMahon; Orla McLoughlin; Eimear Rouine; Jo-Hanna Ivers; Shane Allwright; David McGrath; Aidan Seery; Martin McAndrew; Emer Barrett; Michelle Tanner; Annemarie E Bennett; Sabina Brennan; Martina Mullin; Joe M Barry. Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland. Health Promotion International 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Catherine D Darker, Emma Moore, Ellen Flynn, Mary O’Neill, Lena Doherty, Jean McMahon, Orla McLoughlin, Eimear Rouine, Jo-Hanna Ivers, Shane Allwright, David McGrath, Aidan Seery, Martin McAndrew, Emer Barrett, Michelle Tanner, Annemarie E Bennett, Sabina Brennan, Martina Mullin, Joe M Barry. Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland. Health Promotion International. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catherine D Darker; Emma Moore; Ellen Flynn; Mary O’Neill; Lena Doherty; Jean McMahon; Orla McLoughlin; Eimear Rouine; Jo-Hanna Ivers; Shane Allwright; David McGrath; Aidan Seery; Martin McAndrew; Emer Barrett; Michelle Tanner; Annemarie E Bennett; Sabina Brennan; Martina Mullin; Joe M Barry. 2021. "Development and proposed evaluation of an eHealth learning tool for undergraduate university students in Ireland." Health Promotion International , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 31 December 2020 in Cancers
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Esophageal cancer poses challenges to all domains of wellbeing. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of esophageal cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, with a view to informing the health education needs of this group. Eighteen persons who had undergone an esophagectomy participated in one of four audio-taped focus groups in a specialist hospital for cancer care. Transcriptions were analyzed thematically. Fear and uncertainty underpinned all stages of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Participants emphasized: (a) a lack of understanding over what to expect throughout treatment and recovery; (b) the demanding and traumatic period of adjustment required as a result of changes to their physical, psychological, and social functioning; and, (c) that support provided by family, friends, and acquaintances was variable and uninformed, often to the point of being counterproductive to physical and psychosocial recovery. Tailored education is needed to enable patients to prepare for each stage of their cancer journey. Equally, families and wider social networks should receive education that enables them to provide esophageal cancer survivors with appropriate support. Education should be provided at intervals that enable patients, survivors, and support networks to prepare for the physical, emotional, and social challenges experienced during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

ACS Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; Linda O’Neill; Deirdre Connolly; Emer Guinan; Lauren Boland; Suzanne Doyle; Jacintha O’Sullivan; John V. Reynolds; Juliette Hussey. Perspectives of Esophageal Cancer Survivors on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery. Cancers 2020, 13, 100 .

AMA Style

Annemarie E. Bennett, Linda O’Neill, Deirdre Connolly, Emer Guinan, Lauren Boland, Suzanne Doyle, Jacintha O’Sullivan, John V. Reynolds, Juliette Hussey. Perspectives of Esophageal Cancer Survivors on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery. Cancers. 2020; 13 (1):100.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; Linda O’Neill; Deirdre Connolly; Emer Guinan; Lauren Boland; Suzanne Doyle; Jacintha O’Sullivan; John V. Reynolds; Juliette Hussey. 2020. "Perspectives of Esophageal Cancer Survivors on Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery." Cancers 13, no. 1: 100.

Journal article
Published: 26 October 2019 in Early Human Development
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Identifying modifiable factors associated with body fat in infancy may improve health outcomes. Few studies have examined factors associated with percentage body fat calculated using air displacement plethysmography, a gold standard technique. To investigate maternal sociodemographic and health behaviour characteristics associated with percentage body fat in offspring at birth. Observational cross-sectional study in which the body composition of term infants was measured by air displacement plethysmography during the hospital stay after birth. One-hundred-and-ninety-six women and their term (37-42 weeks) infants. Associations between infant body composition and maternal sociodemographic and health characteristics. One-hundred-and-ninety-six women (41.8% primiparous) participated. Mean percentage body fat among infants (51.5% female) was 10.3 ± 3.7. Percentage body fat was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in infants born to women with an obese or overweight body mass index (BMI), when compared to infants born to women with a healthy BMI (12.1 ± 4.0, 11.1 ± 3.1, and 9.2 ± 3.7, respectively). A significant positive correlation (r = 0.294) was observed, with the percentage body fat of infants born to women with an overweight or obese BMI being 17.1% and 23.9% higher, respectively, than that of infants born to women with a healthy weight BMI. Percentage body fat was lower in infants born to primiparous women (p = 0.011) and women of low social class (p = 0.003). Infants born to women with an overweight or obese pre-pregnancy BMI had significantly higher mean percentage body fat when compared to infants born to women with a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI. Research into approaches that promote a healthy BMI in advance of pregnancy is warranted.

ACS Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; John M. Kearney. Maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours associated with adiposity in infants as measured by air displacement plethysmography. Early Human Development 2019, 140, 104887 .

AMA Style

Annemarie E. Bennett, John M. Kearney. Maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours associated with adiposity in infants as measured by air displacement plethysmography. Early Human Development. 2019; 140 ():104887.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; John M. Kearney. 2019. "Maternal sociodemographic and health behaviours associated with adiposity in infants as measured by air displacement plethysmography." Early Human Development 140, no. : 104887.

Journal article
Published: 12 July 2019 in BMC Cancer
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Oesophagectomy remains the only curative intervention for oesophageal cancer, with defined nutritional and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) consequences. It follows therefore that there is a significant risk of decline in physical wellbeing with oesophagectomy however this has been inadequately quantified. This study prospectively examines change in physical functioning and habitual physical activity participation, from pre-surgery through 6-months post-oesophagectomy. Patients scheduled for oesophagectomy with curative intent were recruited. Key domains of physical functioning including exercise tolerance (six-minute walk test (6MWT)) and muscle strength (hand-grip strength), and habitual physical activity participation, including sedentary behaviour (accelerometry) were measured pre-surgery (T0) and repeated at 1-month (T1) and 6-months (T2) post-surgery. HR-QOL was measured using the EORTC-QOL C30. Thirty-six participants were studied (mean age 62.4 (8.8) years, n = 26 male, n = 26 transthoracic oesophagectomy). Mean 6MWT distance decreased significantly from T0 to T1 (p = 0.006) and returned to T0 levels between T1 and T2 (p < 0.001). Percentage time spent sedentary increased throughout recovery (p < 0.001) and remained significantly higher at T2 in comparison to T0 (p = 0.003). In contrast, percentage time spent engaged in either light or moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity, all reduced significantly (p < 0.001 for both) and remained significantly lower at T2 in comparison to T0 (p = 0.009 and p = 0.01 respectively). Patients reported deficits in multiple domains of HR-QOL during recovery including global health status (p = 0.04), physical functioning (p < 0.001) and role functioning (p < 0.001). Role functioning remained a clinically important 33-points lower than pre-operative values at T2. Habitual physical activity participation remains significantly impaired at 6-months post-oesophagectomy. Physical activity is a measurable and modifiable target for physical rehabilitation, which is closely aligned with patient-reported deficits in role functioning. Rehabilitation aimed at optimising physical health in oesophageal cancer survivorship is warranted.

ACS Style

E. M. Guinan; A. E. Bennett; S. L. Doyle; L. O’Neill; J. Gannon; G. Foley; J. A. Elliott; J. O’Sullivan; J. V. Reynolds; J. Hussey. Measuring the impact of oesophagectomy on physical functioning and physical activity participation: a prospective study. BMC Cancer 2019, 19, 1 -11.

AMA Style

E. M. Guinan, A. E. Bennett, S. L. Doyle, L. O’Neill, J. Gannon, G. Foley, J. A. Elliott, J. O’Sullivan, J. V. Reynolds, J. Hussey. Measuring the impact of oesophagectomy on physical functioning and physical activity participation: a prospective study. BMC Cancer. 2019; 19 (1):1-11.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. M. Guinan; A. E. Bennett; S. L. Doyle; L. O’Neill; J. Gannon; G. Foley; J. A. Elliott; J. O’Sullivan; J. V. Reynolds; J. Hussey. 2019. "Measuring the impact of oesophagectomy on physical functioning and physical activity participation: a prospective study." BMC Cancer 19, no. 1: 1-11.

Observational study
Published: 14 May 2018 in Nutrients
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This study aimed to examine factors associated with maternal wellbeing at four months post-partum in the Irish context. Socio-demographic, health behaviour and infant feeding data were collected in pregnancy, at birth and at 17 weeks post-partum. Maternal distress, body image and resilience were measured at 17 weeks post-partum. Binary logistic regression predicted maternal distress and statistical significance was taken at p < 0.05. One hundred and seventy-two women were followed-up in pregnancy, at birth and at 17 weeks post-partum. Three in five (61.6%, n106) initiated breastfeeding. At 17 weeks post-partum, 23.8% (n41) were exclusively or partially breastfeeding and over a third (36.0%, n62) of all mothers were at risk of distress. In multivariate analyses, independent predictors of distress included: low maternal resilience (p < 0.01, odds ratio (OR): 7.22 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49–20.95)); unsatisfactory partner support (p = 0.02, OR: 3.89 (95% CI: 1.20–12.65)); older age (p = 0.02, OR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.02–1.21)); and breastfeeding (p = 0.01, OR: 2.89 (95% CI: 1.29–6.47)). Routine assessment of emotional wellbeing and targeted interventions are needed to promote a more healthful transition to motherhood among women in Ireland.

ACS Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; John M. Kearney. Factors Associated with Maternal Wellbeing at Four Months Post-Partum in Ireland. Nutrients 2018, 10, 609 .

AMA Style

Annemarie E. Bennett, John M. Kearney. Factors Associated with Maternal Wellbeing at Four Months Post-Partum in Ireland. Nutrients. 2018; 10 (5):609.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; John M. Kearney. 2018. "Factors Associated with Maternal Wellbeing at Four Months Post-Partum in Ireland." Nutrients 10, no. 5: 609.

Original article
Published: 18 February 2018 in Supportive Care in Cancer
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To qualitatively explore the perceived impact of a 12-week rehabilitative intervention for oesophago-gastric cancer survivors on their physical, mental and social wellbeing. Of the 21 participants who completed the intervention, 19 took part in a semi-structured focus group interview. Four audio-taped focus groups were held, ranging in size from two to eight participants. Focus groups were transcribed and analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach. At recruitment, participants were 23.5 ± 15.2 months post-surgery and all had suboptimal fitness levels. Participants reported improvements in their physical capacity and ability to carry out activities of daily living during the intervention. These improvements led to increased confidence and social connectivity. Other participants were a valuable source of information and reassurance, while support from family members was variable. Future interventions should educate participants on how to maintain gains achieved during the intervention. Participating in an exercise-based multidisciplinary rehabilitative intervention reduces isolation and helps oesophago-gastric cancer survivors to safely negotiate their physical, emotional and social needs as they move further down the path of recovery.

ACS Style

A. E. Bennett; L. O’Neill; Deirdre Connolly; Emer Guinan; L. Boland; S. L. Doyle; Jacintha O'Sullivan; J. V. Reynolds; J. Hussey. Patient experiences of a physiotherapy-led multidisciplinary rehabilitative intervention after successful treatment for oesophago-gastric cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer 2018, 26, 2615 -2623.

AMA Style

A. E. Bennett, L. O’Neill, Deirdre Connolly, Emer Guinan, L. Boland, S. L. Doyle, Jacintha O'Sullivan, J. V. Reynolds, J. Hussey. Patient experiences of a physiotherapy-led multidisciplinary rehabilitative intervention after successful treatment for oesophago-gastric cancer. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2018; 26 (8):2615-2623.

Chicago/Turabian Style

A. E. Bennett; L. O’Neill; Deirdre Connolly; Emer Guinan; L. Boland; S. L. Doyle; Jacintha O'Sullivan; J. V. Reynolds; J. Hussey. 2018. "Patient experiences of a physiotherapy-led multidisciplinary rehabilitative intervention after successful treatment for oesophago-gastric cancer." Supportive Care in Cancer 26, no. 8: 2615-2623.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2016 in Midwifery
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This study investigated the relationship between fathers and breast feeding in Ireland. a cross-sectional semi-quantitative questionnaire with closed-ended and open-ended questions was posted to 1398 men with an Irish partner who had given birth 4-7 months previously. Fathers who specified that their partner breast fed their last or only child were questioned about their: influence on the breast feeding decision; ability to assist with breast feeding challenges; preferred type of information on breast feeding; perceived advantages and disadvantages to breast feeding; and views on breastfeeding in public. Data from closed-ended questions on breast feeding were presented using frequencies and associated percentages. Answers to open-ended questions on breast feeding were categorised into themes using content analysis. Each theme was assigned a numerical code and the themes developed were quantitatively counted and presented as frequencies and percentages. of the 583 respondents (42% response rate), 417 (71.5%) had a partner who had breast-fed their last or only child. Most of the 417 fathers were employed (95.7%, n399), college-educated (76.7%, n320) and married (87.8%, n366). Most (75.5%, n315) fathers were involved in the breast feeding decision. The majority (77.5%, n323) of fathers were unprepared for at least one aspect of breast feeding, most commonly that their partner encountered difficulties in establishing breast feeding. Of those fathers with a partner who experienced difficulties with breastfeeding (56.8%, n237), half (49.4%, n117) were unable to help their partner to overcome her breast feeding difficulties. Two-fifths (41.0%, n133) of fathers felt deprived of bonding time. Almost one in ten (9.4%, n39) fathers felt uncomfortable with an unrelated woman breast feeding in public, and this increased to three in ten or one third (34.3%, n143) if the woman in question was their partner. while fathers in a well-educated and socially advantaged sample are largely supportive of breast feeding, significant challenges remain in terms of their ability to support breast feeding in an informed and practical manner. women who are practically and emotionally supported by their partners are more likely to successfully breast feed, but the male perspective of breast feeding in Ireland has been given little attention. This study supports earlier and more effective engagement of fathers throughout the breast feeding process, and highlights areas of concern with respect to the role of fathers in breast feeding.

ACS Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; Daniel McCartney; John M. Kearney. Views of fathers in Ireland on the experience and challenges of having a breast-feeding partner. Midwifery 2016, 40, 169 -176.

AMA Style

Annemarie E. Bennett, Daniel McCartney, John M. Kearney. Views of fathers in Ireland on the experience and challenges of having a breast-feeding partner. Midwifery. 2016; 40 ():169-176.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Annemarie E. Bennett; Daniel McCartney; John M. Kearney. 2016. "Views of fathers in Ireland on the experience and challenges of having a breast-feeding partner." Midwifery 40, no. : 169-176.