scholarly journals Associations between access to farmers’ markets and supermarkets, shopping patterns, fruit and vegetable consumption and health indicators among women of reproductive age in eastern North Carolina, USA

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 1944-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Jared T McGuirt ◽  
Thomas W Crawford ◽  
Thomas C Keyserling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

AbstractObjectiveWe examined associations between access to food venues (farmers’ markets and supermarkets), shopping patterns, fruit and vegetable consumption and health indicators among women of reproductive age in eastern North Carolina, USA.DesignAccess to food venues was measured using a Geographic Information System incorporating distance, seasonality and business hours, to quantify access to farmers’ markets. Produce consumption was assessed by self-report of eating five or more fruits and vegetables daily. BMI and blood pressure were assessed by clinical measurements. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for dichotomous outcomes and multiple linear regression was used for continuous outcomes. As the study occurred in a university town and university students are likely to have different shopping patterns from non-students, we stratified analyses by student status.SettingEastern North Carolina.SubjectsLow-income women of reproductive age (18–44 years) with valid address information accessing family planning services at a local health department (n 400).ResultsOver a quarter reported ever shopping at farmers’ markets (114/400). A larger percentage of women who shopped at farmers’ markets consumed five or more fruits and vegetables daily (42·1 %) than those who did not (24·0 %; P < 0·001). The mean objectively measured distance to the farmers’ markets where women reported shopping was 11·4 (sd 9·0) km (7·1 (sd 5·6) miles), while the mean distance to the farmers’ market closest to the residence was 4·0 (sd 3·7) km (2·5 (sd 2·3) miles).ConclusionsAmong non-students, those who shopped at farmers’ markets were more likely to consume five or more servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Future research should further explore potential health benefits of farmers’ markets.

scholarly journals Patterns of fruit and vegetable availability and price competitiveness across four seasons are different in local food outlets and supermarkets

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 2846-2854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Valpiani ◽  
Parke Wilde ◽  
Beatrice Rogers ◽  
Hayden Stewart
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Price Competitiveness ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the effect of seasonality on fruit and vegetable availability and prices across three outlet types (farmers’ markets, roadside stands and conventional supermarkets).DesignCross-sectional survey of geographically clustered supermarkets, farmers’ markets and roadside stands. Enumerators recorded the availability and lowest price for eleven fruits and eighteen vegetables in each season of 2011.SettingPrice data were collected at retail outlets located in central and eastern North Carolina.SubjectsThe sample consisted of thirty-three supermarkets, thirty-four farmers’ markets and twenty-three roadside stands.ResultsOutside the local harvest season, the availability of many fruits and vegetables was substantially lower at farmers’ markets and roadside stands compared with supermarkets. Given sufficient availability, some items were significantly cheaper (P<0·05) at direct retail outlets in the peak season (e.g. cantaloupe cost 36·0 % less at roadside stands than supermarkets), while others were significantly more expensive (e.g. carrots cost 137·9 % more at farmers’ markets than supermarkets). Although small samples limited statistical power in many non-peak comparisons, these results also showed some differences by item: two-thirds of fruits were cheaper at one or both direct outlets in the spring and autumn, whereas five of eighteen vegetables cost more at direct retail year-round.ConclusionsCommonly consumed fruits and vegetables were more widely available at supermarkets in central and eastern North Carolina than at direct retail outlets, in each season. Contingent on item availability, price competitiveness of the direct retail outlets varied by fruit and vegetable. For many items, the outlets compete on price in more than one season.

Abstract P397: Cardiovascular Health Among US Adults In Metropolitan And Micropolitan Statistical Areas

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fleetwood Loustalot ◽  
Jing Fang ◽  
Latetia Moore ◽  
Nilay S Shah ◽  
Linda Schieb
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Health Score ◽  
Health Standards ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Reported Data

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the US and primary risk factors for CVD are well known. Promoting the ideal state of cardiovascular (CV) health factors and behaviors has been previously defined as CV health. The objective of this study is to assess CV health among US adults in urban areas. Methods: Data from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2011 were used for analysis and included 307,101 participants from 198 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSA) with an adequate sample size for estimates (range: 493 to 9,241 participants). Seven indicators were used to define ideal levels of CV health using self-reported data: no hypertension, no diabetes, no high cholesterol, no current smoking, no obesity, and meeting physical activity guidelines and fruit and vegetable consumption targets. Each metric was given a score (0=no, 1=yes) and summed. The percentage achieving ideal CV health (all 7 metrics at ideal level), good CV health (6-7 metrics at ideal levels), poor CV health (0-2 metrics at ideal levels), and the mean CV health score were calculated for each MMSA. Estimates and 95% confidence intervals were age-standardized. Results: Overall, 16.7% (16.4-17.1) and 11.5% (11.2-11.8) of participants among the 198 MMSAs had good and poor CV health, respectively. Few respondents in MMSAs met all ideal CV health standards (<1%), likely driven by the limited number of participants meeting fruit and vegetable consumption targets (5.7%) in this sample. The overall mean CV health score was 3.91 (3.90-3.92). The percentage of participants with good CV health varied from 3.0% (1.5-5.8) (Mobile, AL) to 23.8% (17.0-32.3) (Kalispell, MT). The percentage of participants with poor CV health varied from 6.1% (4.2-8.6) (Boulder, CO) to 26.5% (18.2-36.8) (Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA). The mean CV health score ranged from 3.44 (3.2-3.7) (Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA) to 4.7 (4.5-4.9) (Boulder, CO). Conclusions: Across select US MMSAs, few adults met ideal CV health standards, and only 16% had good CV health. CV health varied significantly across MMSAs. Reducing the burden and mitigating the deleterious effects of CVD can be achieved through the promotion of CV health. Local clinical and public health agencies have the unique opportunity to tailor evidenced-based interventions to promote CV health in their populations. The methodology and findings used in this study can be utilized by local jurisdictions to target lagging health indicators with focused interventions.

scholarly journals Global assessment of select phytonutrient intakes by level of fruit and vegetable consumption

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1004-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary M. Murphy ◽  
Leila M. Barraj ◽  
Judith H. Spungen ◽  
Dena R. Herman ◽  
R. Keith Randolph
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
World Health Survey ◽  
The Mean

Despite dietary recommendations that have repeatedly underscored the importance of increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, intakes worldwide are lower than recommended levels. Consequently, the diets of many individuals may be lacking in nutrients and phytonutrients typical of a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables. In the present study, we estimated phytonutrient intakes by adults categorised by sex, level of fruit and vegetable consumption ( < 5v.≥ 5 servings/d), and geographic diet cluster. Intakes of nine select phytonutrients were estimated from the 2002–4 World Health Survey fruit and vegetable servings intake data (n198 637), the FAO supply utilisation accounts data, and phytonutrient concentration data obtained from the US Department of Agriculture databases and the published literature. Percentage contributions to each phytonutrient intake from fruit and vegetable sources were also estimated. Estimated intakes of phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables varied across the thirteen geographic diet clusters, reflecting regional differences in both numbers and proportions of fruit and vegetable servings consumed, and the specific types of fruits and vegetables available in the diet. The mean phytonutrient intakes by adults consuming ≥ 5 servings/d of fruits and vegetables were approximately 2- to 6-fold the mean phytonutrient intakes by adults with low fruit and vegetable consumption ( < 5 servings/d). In some cases, phytonutrient intakes by adults consuming ≥ 5 servings/d of fruits and vegetables in one geographic diet cluster were lower than the intakes by adults reporting < 5 servings/d in another cluster. The findings from this assessment provide important information regarding the major dietary patterns of phytonutrient intakes across geographic diet clusters.

scholarly journals Behavioural and Anthropometric Profile of Reproductive Age Women Admitted with Cardiovascular Diseases in the Capital City of Bangladesh

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
Zannatul Ferdusi ◽  
Samira Humaira Habib ◽  
GU Ahsan ◽  
Nazneen Akhter ◽  
Ariful Bari Chowdhuri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Smokeless Tobacco ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Risk Profile ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Reproductive Age Women ◽  
Fatty Food ◽  
The Mean

Background and Objectives: Studies have shown that the risk profile of cardiovascular diseases for women of reproductive age is not the same as that of postmenopausal women. The risk profile of women of reproductive age group in our country has not been well studied. The present study was intended to investigate the risk profile and risk behaviour of reproductive age women for cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, intended to assess the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among reproductive age women (ranging from 15 - 49 years), was conducted on women with cardiovascular diseases admitted at two selected Cardiac Specialized Hospitals of Dhaka city. A total of 223 women with predefined eligibility criteria were included in the study. The study investigated the details of the socio-demographic, behavioural, anthropometric and biochemical characteristics of the sampled population. Result: More than two-fifth of the respondents belonged to age group 35-45 years. A few (1.3%) respondents were currently smoker. But over 8% were used to consuming smokeless tobacco (betel-nut with zorda, gul etc.) and 12.6% were occasional consumer. The mean duration of smokeless tobacco consumption was 14.1 ± 10.6 years and the mean frequency of consumption of smokeless tobacco was 3.6 ± 2.3 per day. More than one-third of the respondents (35.90/0) were overweight and 15.7% were obese. The mean BMI of the respondents was 23.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2. The mean waist and hip circumferences were 98.9 ± 17 and 99.9 ± 12.2 cm respectively. Majority (89.7%) of the women's waist:hip ratio was at risk. The recommended fruit and vegetables intake (at least 5 servings a day) by the respondents was not found at all. Over half (50.2%) of the respondents were used to regular intake of extra table salt in their meals, 19.3% were occasional user. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents (17.9%) used to have fast food and the mean number of intake was 1.5±1 per day in a usual week. Over one-quarter (27.4%) of the respondents reported maintaining recommended physical exercise (minimum 30 min of physical exercise for at least 5 days a week). About 40% were hypertensive. Nearly two-thirds (62.3%) had the family history of chronic diseases; of them approximately 55% reported hypertension, 51.4% heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: The women in general took inadequate fruits and vegetables. One-third of women were accustomed to fast food, street food, fatty-food etc. Every 1 in 16 women was used to consuming smokeless tobacco. Only one-third took recommended physical exercise. The rapidly increasing trend of obesity might be due to sedentary life-style with increased consumption of fatty-food and less intake of fruits and vegetables. Further investigation with large sample is recommended to validate the findings of the present study. Ibrahim Cardiac Med J 2014; 4(2): 10-15

Volatile organic compound emission in a university printing press facility in eastern North Carolina

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X1989684
Author(s):  
Kellyn Reese ◽  
Ogaga Tebehaevu ◽  
Jo Anne G. Balanay
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Digital Printing ◽  
Offset Printing ◽  
Volatile Organic Compound Emission ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Eastern North Carolina

Printing presses are known to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may pose health risks to workers. The purpose of this study was to assess the area airborne total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and toluene concentrations in an eastern North Carolina university printing facility. Real-time TVOC concentrations for ∼8 h were measured using photoionization detectors during each sampling day in the facility offset and digital printing areas. Air samples were collected in the offset printing area using activated charcoal tubes to determine the 8-h time-weighted-average toluene exposure. The mean daily TVOC concentrations (n = 38) had an overall average of 6.68 ± 3.25 ppm. The mean daily TVOC concentrations in the offset printing area (8.99 ± 2.93 ppm) were significantly higher ( p <0.01) than that in the digital printing area (4.38 ± 1.38 ppm), which may be attributed to the type of printing equipment used. The highest mean daily TVOC concentration (15.77 ± 5.69 ppm) and the maximum 1-s TVOC level (42.59 ppm) were measured in the offset printing area. The overall mean toluene concentration (n = 9) was 0.14 ± 0.10 ppm (range of 0.04–0.31 ppm). Findings of this study will help in further understanding the offset and digital printing TVOC exposures and in planning to improve worker protection in printing and other similar industries.

scholarly journals Contraceptive Practice Among the Married Women of Reproductive Age in the Garments Factory

KYAMC Journal ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 282-289
Author(s):  
Md. Atiqur Rahman ◽  
Md. Mahfuzar Rahman ◽  
Jasmin Ara Zaman
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Contraceptive Method ◽  
Oral Contraceptive Pill ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Fertility Rate ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
P Value ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
The Mean

Background: Bangladesh is a country having high density of population in the world. Its fertility rate ranges from 4.1 to 5.49 and life expectancy is 66years while the total fertility rate of Asia is 2.2 and life expectancy 70 years. This study was conducted to investigate the pattern of contraceptive practices among the married women of reproductive age in the garments factory. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out among 240 married women of reproductive age from January to June,2012 in the garments factory of Dhaka city . Data were collected on a pre-tested questionnaire by face to face interview. SPSS version 16 was used to analyzed the data. A p-value of 0.05 was considered significant for inference. Results: The mean age of the study population was 29±6.5 years with the mean age at marriage of 17.18±2.7 years. 73(31%) were practicing some methods of contraception, while 167 (69%) were not using it. OCP (Oral Contraceptive Pill) was the commonest method of contraception followed by Condoms 12(5%), Injectable 12(5%), Implant 12(5%) & Tubectomy 6(3%). None was found using IUCD and Traditional method ( withdrawal, rhythm method ) and emergency contraceptive method. The use of contraceptives were more common in grand multipara (p<0.01), >35 years old ladies (p<0.05). No statistical association was found between the use of contraceptive method and educational status of the respondents and their husband. Non users of contraceptives in this study were 167 (69%) and the major reasons for the non use were intention to have more children 53(31.46%) followed by pressure from the husband 21(12.35%), prohibition by the religion 18 (10.9%) and desire for son 17 (10.11%). Among the 73 contraceptive users 38 (52%) experienced side effects with the use of contraceptives. The commonest side effects were menstrual irregularities 17(23.8%) followed by change in body weight 8(11.19%). Conclusion: Frequency of contraceptive use was found comparatively low among garments workers despite high level of awareness. Desire for larger family, religious concerns and fear of side effects were the main factors responsible for non users. Religious scholars must play their role in clarifying many aspects regarding contraceptives. KYAMC Journal Vol. 3, No.-2, January 2013, Page 282-289 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/kyamcj.v3i2.15168

scholarly journals Dietary diversity among women of reproductive age (15-49 years): implication for folate deficiency in Mbarara district, Uganda

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 2745
Author(s):  
Denison Tamale ◽  
Grace Kagoro-Rugunda
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Folate Deficiency ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Leafy Vegetables ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Green Leafy Vegetables

Background: Understanding dietary diversity of women of reproductive age (WRA) is vital for better nutritional interventions of their health and that of unborn. Most diets consumed are macronutrient dense which leads to micronutrient deficiencies like neural tube defects (NTDs).Thirty three babies were born with NTDs at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital during 2016 and 2017 for reasons among which is folate deficiency. Folate can be derived cheaply from green vegetable consumption before antenatal visits. The study’s objective was to assess dietary diversity of WRA (15-49 years) living within Mbarara district.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted for three months using a translated dietary diversity questionnaire from Food and Agricultural Organisation. Applying a 24 h recall method at various intervals of feeding, 402 WRA living within three constituencies of Mbarara district were randomly selected to participate.Results: 70.1% of WRA attained high Individual dietary diversity score (IDDS) of (≥6). 45.1% consumed folate rich plant and animal sources. 4.8%, 8.4%, and 17.6% consumed dark green leafy vegetables, vitamin rich fruits and animal sources respectively. Education, constituency of residence and occupation had a significant association with IDDS of P≤0.05 (0.000, 0.004, 0.030) respectively. WRA who scored IDDS≥6, 58.2% attained at least secondary education, 51.1% lived in urban constituency and 47.5% were working. 30% consumed starchy staple groups, though at 15.8% legumes, nuts and seeds group was most consumed.Conclusions: Low intake of folate rich sources was noted, though many WRA consumed diverse diets therefore, education and employment are suitable interventions.

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