Embodying ageing: middle-aged and older women's bodily fitness and aesthetics in urban China

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Li Sheng
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Face ◽  
Older Chinese

Abstract This article explores the embodied practices of anti-ageing among middle-aged and older Chinese women (damas) who engage in plaza dancing (guangchangwu) as a leisure activity in urban areas. Drawing upon data collected from three months of participant observation in three different plaza dance groups and 29 semi-structured interviews with older Chinese women, I first investigate my participants’ experiences of plaza dancing in terms of health-keeping and bodily maintenance. I then analyse their usage of cosmetic products at a time when the beauty economy is booming during the post-Mao era. These female plaza dancers’ bodily regulation and ‘beautification’ indicate not only older women's strategies and struggles in the face of the double standard of ageing, but also a change in the age hierarchy under the transforming socio-cultural landscape of urban China, which is generating new social norms.

Reviving the consumption of insects in Japan: a promising case of hebo (Vespula spp., wasps) by high school club activities

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Nonaka ◽  
H. Yanagihara
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
New Development ◽  
School Research ◽  
Recent Initiative

For people who hunt and eat hebo (Vespula spp., wasps) it is more about culture than it is about food production or environmental sustainability in mountainous central Japan. Individuals who currently semi-cultivate hebo do not intend to industrialize hebo semi-cultivation. Semi-cultivation of hebo is a seasonal activity and it is a hobby for them. This paper focuses on the declining number of wasp hunters. The number declined because younger generations did not take up the hobby or moved to urban areas in search of jobs. Hebo hunters thus consisted of seniors only. The number further declined as those who reached old age were no longer able to practice hebo hunting. Very recently, initiated a promising new development at Ena Agricultural High School. The support to the Hebo Club initiative was quickly expanded and now covers the members belonging to the Japan Vespula Association, and academics involved in edible insect research. We present an overview of the efforts of hebo hunters to maintain and promote the use of Vespula spp. as food and we describe the Hebo Club, a promising recent initiative spearheaded by the students of Ena Agricultural High School. The information was collected between fiscal 2015 and 2017 (namely from September 2015 to March 2018) by participant observation and semi-structured interviews with hebo hunters collaborating with the Hebo Club activities. The Hebo Club uses a hands-on approach: students gain knowledge on edible wasps and their semi-cultivation by actively engaging in the semi-cultivation of the wasps. The club thus teaches the students about resource use by engaging in resource use. The students are taught by experienced wasp hunters how to find, collect, house, and raise hebo. The Hebo Club’s colonies are housed in a shed in the school research forest. By cooperating with the members belonging to various Hebo Associations of south-eastern Gifu and northern Aichi, the students experience the variation in employed techniques and equipment, and make observations of hebo biology and ecology in different environments. Other than the hebo season, the club practice develops their idea for local development and applying it to tourism according to the evaluation of their activities. The successful beginning of the Hebo Club, a well-organized cultural initiative spearheaded by youngsters who are backed by seniors, is indicative of how people caring about hebo culture in central mountainous Japan maintains and preserves its culture and identity.

Age at natural menopause and hypertension among middle-aged and older Chinese women

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lulu Song ◽  
Lijun Shen ◽  
Hui Li ◽  
Bingqing Liu ◽  
Xiaoxuan Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Women ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Natural Menopause ◽  
Older Chinese

scholarly journals Adolescent Exercise in Association with Mortality from All Causes, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese Women

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 1270-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Nechuta ◽  
Xiao Ou Shu ◽  
Gong Yang ◽  
Hui Cai ◽  
Yu-Tang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Older Chinese

scholarly journals COMMUNITY CAPACITY AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING MIDDLE-AGED AND OLDER CHINESE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S829-S830
Author(s):  
Min Li ◽  
Fang-Yi Huang
Keyword(s):  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Capacity ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
The Social ◽  
Older Chinese

Abstract Objectives. This study investigates how social participation of the aging population is associated with the community capacity, measured by the number of amenities and organizations within the community. Method. Using nationally representative survey data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011), this study examines the availability of community amenities and organizations in rural and urban areas, and investigates the associations between community capacity and social participation among the middle aged and older Chinese using multilevel analysis. Results. The results of this study indicate that both community amenities and community organizations are positively associated with the social participation of the middle-aged and older Chinese. Additionally, the association between community organizations and the frequency of formal social participation is stronger among urban communities than rural ones, even after controlling for the individual-level socioeconomic status and health conditions. Conclusion. This study highlights the importance of building the community capacity by developing community-based grassroots organizations to promote the social engagement and participation of the aging population.

Abstract T P159: Dietary Carbohydrates, Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, and Risk of Stroke in Chinese Women: a Large Population-based, Prospective Cohort Study

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danxia Yu ◽  
Xiao-Ou Shu ◽  
Honglan Li ◽  
Gong Yang ◽  
Ding Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Glycemic Index ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Glycemic Load ◽  
Dietary Carbohydrates ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
High Carbohydrate ◽  
Older Chinese

Introduction: Diets with a high carbohydrate content, especially the refined carbohydrates, and diets with a high glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL) have been shown to have adverse metabolic effects and may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that dietary carbohydrates, GI, and GL may be associated with increased risk of stroke among a cohort of middle-aged and older Chinese women, who typically consume a high-carbohydrate diet. Methods: This study included 64,328 women (40-70 years of age) who are participants of the Shanghai Women’s Health Study and were free of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes at enrollment (1997-2000). Habitual dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Incident cases of stroke were identified through follow-up interviews and confirmed by medical records. Multivariate Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) of stroke with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: During a mean follow-up of 10 years, we ascertained 3,075 incident stroke cases, including 2,815 ischemic stroke and 260 hemorrhagic stroke. Compared with those in the lowest quintile, women in the highest quintile of GI had a HR of 1.16 for stroke (95% CI: 1.01-1.33) and women in the highest quintile of GL had a HR of 1.30 (95% CI: 1.04-1.62), P for trend <0.05 for both. High dietary GI and GL were associated with increased risks of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, with stronger associations observed for GL and for hemorrhagic stroke. However, no significant associations were found for total carbohydrate intake after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions: High dietary GI and GL may be associated with elevated risk of stroke in middle-aged and older Chinese women.

Amiais

2021 ◽  
pp. 298-320
Author(s):  
Ana Melro ◽  
Lídia Oliveira ◽  
Ana Carla Amaro
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Aging Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Demographic Processes ◽  
The Village

The chapter takes a journey through the place, revisiting the central dimensions for its development, particularly, for LOCUS project – playful connected rural territories. These dimensions are playfulness, labor and school, affection, architecture, and religion. For the knowledge and understanding of all these dimensions, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants, agents from and in the territory (stakeholders), informal conversations with inhabitants, and participant observation of two of the oldest traditional festivals in the village. Amiais is facing some social and demographic processes, (1) search of the younger population for more densified urban areas, (2) which leads to aging population and depopulation of the territory, which tends to cause the (3) loss of cultural heritage, but, at the same time, (4) a change in local architecture.

scholarly journals Alternatives to the face-to-face consultation in general practice: focused ethnographic case study

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (669) ◽  
pp. e293-e300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Atherton ◽  
Heather Brant ◽  
Sue Ziebland ◽  
Annemieke Bikker ◽  
John Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Ethnographic Case Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Face ◽  
General Practices ◽  
The One

BackgroundNHS policy encourages general practices to introduce alternatives to the face-to-face consultation, such as telephone, email, e-consultation systems, or internet video. Most have been slow to adopt these, citing concerns about workload. This project builds on previous research by focusing on the experiences of patients and practitioners who have used one or more of these alternatives.AimTo understand how, under what conditions, for which patients, and in what ways, alternatives to face-to-face consultations present benefits and challenges to patients and practitioners in general practice.Design and settingFocused ethnographic case studies took place in eight UK general practices between June 2015 and March 2016.MethodNon-participant observation, informal conversations with staff, and semi-structured interviews with staff and patients were conducted. Practice documents and protocols were reviewed. Data were analysed through charting and the ‘one sheet of paper’ mind-map method to identify the line of argument in each thematic report.ResultsCase study practices had different rationales for offering alternatives to the face-to-face consultation. Beliefs varied about which patients and health issues were suitable. Co-workers were often unaware of each other’s practice; for example, practice policies for use of e-consultations systems with patients were not known about or followed. Patients reported benefits including convenience and access. Staff and some patients regarded the face-to-face consultation as the ideal.ConclusionExperience of implementing alternatives to the face-to-face consultation suggests that changes in patient access and staff workload may be both modest and gradual. Practices planning to implement them should consider carefully their reasons for doing so and involve the whole practice team.

scholarly journals Family relations of middle-aged citizens in contemporary urban China: a grounded theory approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (13/14) ◽  
pp. 67-80
Author(s):  
Qi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Family Relations ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Younger Generation

PurposeAlthough the Chinese nation is undergoing rapid modernisation and urbanisation, there remains widespread interest in some traditional familial arrangements and practices, particularly in the intergenerational context. This paper discusses the family relations of urban middle-aged citizens in present-day China.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed the grounded theory method to investigate family relations among middle-aged citizens in urban China based on data obtained via semi-structured interviews with 34 participants. A grounded theory coding strategy was used for data analysis.FindingsThe analysis revealed evidence of a transformation towards downward solidarity, with decreasing intergenerational co-residency; that is, the traditional norm of adult children providing support to their older parents is rapidly losing popularity. However, middle-aged and older citizens continue to support their adult children by helping them purchase real estate and assisting with childcare activities.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest the existence of intergenerational inequality. Policymakers should acknowledge this phenomenon and provide the younger generation with enough support to improve the wellbeing of the country's middle-aged and older population.Originality/valueThe transformation towards downward solidarity implies a new intergenerational relationship in contemporary China, in which many young people rely on financial and functional support from their older parents. Meanwhile, traditional norms continue to exist despite greater downward solidarity among the younger generation. In other words, old and new norms simultaneously exist.

scholarly journals Tensions at the boundary: Rearticulating ‘organic’ plant breeding in the age of gene editing

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Nawaz ◽  
Susanna Klassen ◽  
Alexandra Lyon
Keyword(s):  
Gene Editing ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Organic Breeding ◽  
External Pressures ◽  
The Face ◽  
Organic Community

A host of technologies is rapidly entering agriculture. These new technologies—particularly gene editing—represent multifaceted shifts beyond “genetic modification” (GM), and are outpacing both public understanding and the capacity of regulatory regimes. This paper employs the case of the organic sectors in Canada and the United States, strongholds of GM resistance, to examine conversations about gene-editing technologies unfolding within the organic community, and elucidate their implications for the sector. We employ the concept of “boundary work” to illuminate how key actors and institutions delineate the concept of organic breeding in the face of emerging technologies. We draw upon semi-structured interviews with organic sector representatives, a review of documents published by organic organizations, and data from participant observation. We find that the organic community is reaffirming and deepening boundaries in response to arguments made by proponents of gene editing. Both internal and external pressures on the sector are facilitating a dampening effect on conversations about the boundaries between gene editing and organic agriculture, as the sector is compelled to present a united voice against the affront of new genetic technologies. The sector is also redrawing existing boundaries, as the advent of gene editing has forced conversations about the compatibility of both new and established breeding methods with organic. The resulting questions about what distinguishes acceptable levels of human intervention in plant genomes are highlighting some differences within the diverse organic community. We also argue that debates about gene editing and organic breeding may be “bounding out” important actors from deliberation processes, and note initial attempts to reckon with this exclusion.

scholarly journals Parity and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Middle-aged and Older Chinese Women

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijun Shen ◽  
Jing Wu ◽  
Guiqiang Xu ◽  
Lulu Song ◽  
Siyi Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Older Chinese
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document