Price promotions offered by quick service restaurants in Australia: analysis from an obesity prevention perspective

Abstract Objective To assess the price promotions offered by major quick service restaurant (QSR) chains in Australia from an obesity prevention perspective. Design Cross-sectional audit of ten of the largest QSR chains in Australia. We collected information regarding temporary price promotions and ‘combination deals’ offered by each chain over thirteen consecutive weeks in 2019/2020. We assessed the type of promotions, magnitude of discount, and the energy content and healthiness of items promoted (based on Victorian Government criteria). Setting QSR chains operating in Melbourne, Australia. Results Temporary price promotions (n=196) and combination deals (n=537 on regular menus, n=36 on children’s menus) were observed across the ten selected QSRs. In relation to temporary price promotions, the mean magnitude of discount for main menu items (n=75) was 41.7%. The price reductions and energy content of combination deals varied substantially by chain, meal size and the sides/drinks selected as part of the ‘deal’. When the lowest-energy options (e.g., small chips, small sugar-free drink) were included as part of each combination deal, the mean energy content was 2935kJ, compared to 5764kJ when the highest-energy options (e.g., large fries, large sugar-sweetened drink) were included. Almost all available products were classified as unhealthy. Conclusion Price promotions are ubiquitous in major QSR chains in Australia and provide incentives to consume high levels of energy. Action to restrict price promotions on unhealthy foods and ensure lower-energy default items as part of combination deals should be included as part of efforts to improve population diets and address obesity in Australia.

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Contraceptive User’s Profile

Indonesian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.32771/inajog.v1i4.362 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Eka R Gunardi

Keyword(s):

Obstet Gynecol ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Contraceptive Methods ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Study Population ◽

The Mean ◽

The Difference ◽

Almost All ◽

The Cost

Objective: To obtain informations regarding the profile of contraceptive users in Raden Saleh Clinic, Jakarta. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in June 2012, at Raden Saleh Clinic, Jakarta. The study population was the patient who came to Raden Saleh Clinic from 2008 until 2011. Results: The mean age of the contraception users was 34.06 and the mean of their husband’s age was 38.91 years old. Most of the patients were graduated from senior high school (43.2%) and university (37.9%). More than half of the patients (55.2%) were not working and more than a half of their husband (53.2%) were private employee. Almost all (92.6%) of the patient were married. Most of the patient (38.8%) came with no prior contraception. After consultation, all patients had chosen their preferred contraceptive methods, namely IUD (61.4%), injectable contraception (20.9%), pill (13.7%), sterilization (3.4%), and implant (0.6%). Conclusion: Family planning reduces maternal mortality and the best method is different for each patient because of the difference in their own condition and the consideration of the cost and benefit. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2013; 1-4:179-82] Keywords: contraception, contraceptive users profile

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Vitamin D Levels of Out-Patients in Lithuania: Deficiency and Hypervitaminosis

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina54020025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 25 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrius Bleizgys ◽

Jevgenij Kurovskij

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

High Performance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

The Mean ◽

Almost All

Aim: Data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Lithuania are scarce. The aim was to assess the reserves of vitamin D in different age groups of out-patients, regarding the season of the year. Methods: Data on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels from blood tests made in 2012–2014 were obtained from one laboratory, and a retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed. Results: A total of 9581 subjects were included. The mean age of the participants was 33 ± 23 years. The mean levels of vitamin D were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). The highest mean 25(OH)D levels were in 0–9-year-old group, the lowest were in the 10–19-year-old group and in the group of participants that were 70 years and older (p < 0.001). The lowest vitamin D status was found in January, February, March, and April. The highest status was found in August and September. Overall, vitamin D deficiency, sufficiency, and hypervitaminosis were detected in 67%, 21%, and 12% of cases, respectively. Most cases with hypervitaminosis were in the group of children up to 2 years of age. Conclusion: Vitamin D status demonstrated clear seasonality. Significant sex-related differences of vitamin D statuses were also determined. Vitamin D deficiency was very prevalent in almost all age groups. Young children (aged up to 2 years) are of special interest for further research involving other types of 25(OH)D assays, such as those based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), since the real prevalence of “true” vitamin D hypervitaminosis in Lithuania’s children is still to be determined.

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Increasing availability of lower energy meals vs. energy labelling in virtual full-service restaurants: two randomized controlled trials in participants of higher and lower socioeconomic position

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11007-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lucile Marty ◽

Sasha M. Reed ◽

Andrew J. Jones ◽

Eric Robinson

Keyword(s):

Total Energy ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Lower Energy ◽

Energy Content ◽

Average Energy ◽

Food Choices ◽

Main Menu ◽

Lower Socioeconomic ◽

Dietary Choices ◽

Energy Labelling

Abstract Background There are a range of interventions designed to promote healthier food choices in full-service restaurants. However, it is unclear how these interventions affect dietary choices in people of lower and higher socioeconomic position (SEP). Methods A total of 2091 US participants recruited online completed Study 1 (n = 1001) and Study 2 (n = 1090). Recruitment was stratified by participant highest education level, resulting in higher SEP and lower SEP groups. In a between-subjects design, participants made hypothetical food choices (main dish, plus optional sides and desserts) from six restaurants menus in the absence vs. presence of menu energy labelling and from menus with baseline (10%) vs. increased availability (50%) of lower energy main dishes. Data were collected and analysed in 2019. Two studies were conducted in order to examine replicability and generalisability of findings across different restaurant menu types. Results Across both studies, increasing the availability of lower energy main menu options decreased the average energy content of the ordered main dish (− 129 kcal, 95% CI [− 139; − 119]) and total energy ordered (− 117 kcal, 95% CI [− 138; − 95]) in both higher and lower SEP participants. Energy labelling significantly reduced the energy content of ordered main dishes in higher SEP participants (− 41 kcal, 95% CI [− 54; − 29]), but not lower SEP participants (− 5 kcal, 95% CI [− 22; 11]). However, energy labelling reduced total energy ordered (− 83 kcal, 95% CI [− 105; − 60]) irrespective of SEP. Conclusions In two virtual experiments, increasing the availability of lower energy restaurant main menu options impacted on main menu dish choice and decreased total energy ordered irrespective of SEP. Energy labelling had a less pronounced effect on total energy ordered and had a larger impact on the energy content of main menu dish choice in higher as opposed to lower SEP participants. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04336540 retrospectively registered (7 April, 2020).

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Clinical and Socio-Demographic Pattern of Beta Thalassaemia in Bangladesh

Haematology Journal of Bangladesh ◽

10.37545/haematoljbd202046 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 3-7

Author(s):

Adnan Hasan Masud ◽

Md. Kamrul Hasan ◽

Saradindu Kanti Sinha ◽

Kazi Mohammad Kamrul Islam ◽

Md. Jalilur Rahman

Keyword(s):

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Beta Thalassaemia ◽

The Mean ◽

Almost All ◽

Hb Concentration ◽

Medical University ◽

Tertiary Care Hospitals ◽

Male To Female

Beta thalassaemia is one of the most prevalent haemolytic disorders worldwide which poses serious economic burden to the society. Study on clinical and demographic pattern of this disorder will help the concern authorities to figure out the problem. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as well as to find out the existence of other co-morbidities among the ?-thalassaemic patients (n-101). The study was carried out at the Department of Haematology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) from June 2010 to January 2011. Data were collected from 3 tertiary care hospitals of Dhaka city. Almost all the patients were young, age ranged from 10 to 32 years with the mean age of 16. Male to female ratio was almost equal (52.5:47.5) and 80% of the respondents were Muslims. Forty-five (45%) percent of patients were illiterate and 37% respondents had primary education only. Almost 90% were unmarried and majority had a family of 6-8 members. Forty-seven percent (47%) of patients had monthly income 5000-7000 BDT and 56% of the respondents were unemployed. The major clinical features were pallor (72.3%), palpitation (60%), and breathlessness (52.5%). The haemoglobin (Hb) concentration ranged from 7gm/dl to 12gm/dl and 57% patients had an Hb concentration of 8 gm/dl. Sixty percent of the respondents had jaundice with majority had enlarged spleen (86%) and some had enlarged liver too (23%). Ninety percent (90%) respondents had co-morbidities among which arrhythmia is more prevalent (54%).

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Epidemiological trends of malaria in the Western regions of Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.13246 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (11) ◽

pp. 1332-1337

Author(s):

Omar SO Amer ◽

Mohamed I Waly ◽

Izhar W Burhan ◽

Esam S Al-Malki ◽

Amor Smida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Plasmodium Malariae ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean ◽

Almost All ◽

Epidemiological Trends

Introduction: Saudi Arabia has successfully reduced malaria cases to be constrained largely in the western regions. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological trends of malaria infection in five western regions of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A retrospective analysis was conducted to investigate the epidemiological trends of malaria infection in the western regions, based on the published registry of the Saudi Ministry of Health, during the period from 2014 to 2017 using the appropriate statistical tools. Results: A total of 8925 confirmed cases of malaria were reported in the western regions during the period from 2014 to 2017 with the mean of 2231 malaria cases per year. The minimum (n = 1097) and maximum (n = 4075) number of cases were reported in 2014 and 2016 respectively. The highest (n = 5919, 66.3%) number of cases were reported from Jazan region, while lowest (n = 86, 1.0%) number of cases were reported from Al-Bahah region. Plasmodium falciparum was the most frequently reported species with 7485 (83.9%) cases, while Plasmodium vivax accounted 1386 (15.5%) cases. Plasmodium malariae and mixed infections were insignificant and accounted 0.5% (n = 48) and 0.1% (n = 6) cases respectively. In relation to malaria infection and age group, malaria was predominant in > 15 age group. The highest number of malaria cases in almost all years was observed from January until March and the lowest number was reported from May until July. Conclusions: Plasmodium falciparum was the most dominant species in this survey and Jazan was the most affected region.

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Dietary Knowledge and Myths Vary by Age and Years of Schooling in Pregnant Mexico City Residents

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12020362 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 362

Author(s):

Reyna Sámano ◽

Citlali Lara-Cervantes ◽

Hugo Martínez-Rojano ◽

Gabriela Chico-Barba ◽

Bernarda Sánchez-Jiménez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mexico City ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Breast Milk Production ◽

Nutrition And Diet ◽

The Mean ◽

Almost All ◽

Years Of Schooling

Pregnancy is a stage in a woman’s life when she is more open to receiving health advice, especially related to diet. However, women are often caught between receiving scientifically unfounded myths and concrete empirical knowledge. Culturally perpetuated myths may be acted upon more than knowledge, but research on these concepts, especially in the Americas, is scarce. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the frequency of diet and nutrition myths and knowledge and describe the associated factors in pregnant mothers receiving care in Mexico City. A total of 695 pregnant adults and 322 pregnant adolescents participated in this study, in which they responded to a questionnaire on nutrition and diet myths, knowledge, and practice during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The myths were examined individually, but for the purposes of statistical analysis, a score was obtained. We compared means of variables that could be associated to myth and knowledge scores, then calculated linear and logistical regressions. Forty-six percent of participants had below the mean myth scores. Ninety-two percent of participants had a knowledge score below the mean. Age (β = 0.025, SE 0.007, 95% CI 0.011–0.040, p = 0.001) and years of education (β = 0.166, SE 0.024, 95% CI 0.119–0.213, p = 0.001) explained the myth’s score, while age explained the knowledge score (β = 0.011, SE 0.020, 95% CI −0.032–−0.008, p = 0.002). We found that although most women reported not believing in the myths, they acted on them. The probability of practicing such myths as “You must eat for two during pregnancy” was associated with being an adolescent (OR 1.76, p = 0.001) and being married (OR 1.47, p = 0.007), “Not satisfying cravings leave a mark on the infant’s body” with being adolescent (OR 1.59, p = 0.003) and low socioeconomic level (OR 1.41, p = 0.038), “A frightened or angry mother should not nurse her baby” with being adult (OR 2.61, p = 0.004), and “Drinking atole or beer enhances breast milk production” with being single (OR 2.07, p = 0.001). The probability of not acting on some knowledge was associated with being an adolescent (p ≤ 0.003) and having a high school education or below (p ≤ 0.046). Almost all of our participants held at least one myth about nutrition and diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding; younger participants showed a higher frequency of holding myths. Years of schooling and age were associated with acting on myths and not acting on correct knowledge.

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Knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and its prevention in selected ten towns of SNNP Region, Ethiopia: Cross-sectional survey

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0255884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (8) ◽

pp. e0255884

Author(s):

Misganu Endriyas ◽

Aknaw Kawza ◽

Abraham Alano ◽

Mamush Hussen ◽

Emebet Mekonnen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Housing Condition ◽

Confirmatory Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Community Awareness ◽

The Mean ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Almost All ◽

Prevention Methods

Background COVID-19 is highly infectious viral disease that can lead to main clinical symptoms like fever, dry cough, fatigue, myalgia, and dyspnea. Since there is no drug to cure the disease, focusing on improving community awareness related to prevention methods is crucial. But there was no regional level study addressing the reach of information, community knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention, and this study was done to inform and assist communication related to the disease responses during early introduction of the disease to the setting. Methods Community based cross sectional study was conducted in selected ten towns of SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 1239 participants. Semi-structured questionnaire was designed, pre-tested and uploaded to SurveyCTO data collection system with security patterns. Knowledge was assessed considering awareness about signs and symptoms, confirmatory test (laboratory test), what to do if there is a suspect, availability of drug to cure the disease, mechanisms of transmission, prevention methods and most at risk groups. Attitude was assessed using 11 statements including seriousness of disease, being at risk, possibility of prevention, and benefits of staying at health facilities. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were performed to manage data using SPSS version 25. Results Almost all respondents (99.8%) heard about the disease. The mean score of knowledge was 52.3% (SD = 18.9) while the mean score attitude was 80.8% (SD = 6.48). Educational status, housing condition and marital status were associated with having good knowledge while occupation, housing condition, age and overall knowledge were associated with having positive attitude. Conclusion Even though almost all respondents had heard about the COVID-19, knowledge and attitude related to COVID-19 and its prevention were low. Awareness creation should be intensified using different local languages to improve community awareness, overcome misconceptions and minimize consequences of the disease.

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Cross-sectional survey of the amount of sugar and energy in cakes and biscuits on sale in the UK for the evaluation of the sugar-reduction programme

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019075 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (7) ◽

pp. e019075 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kawther M Hashem ◽

Feng J He ◽

Sarah A Alderton ◽

Graham A MacGregor

Keyword(s):

Energy Content ◽

Sugar Content ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Product Packaging ◽

Nutrition Labelling ◽

The Mean ◽

Sugar Reduction ◽

The Uk ◽

Future Evaluation

ObjectivesTo investigate the variation in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits available in the UK.DesignWe carried out a cross-sectional survey in 2016 of 381 cakes and 481 biscuits available in nine main UK supermarkets.MethodsThe sugar and energy content was collected from product packaging and nutrition labelling of cake and biscuit products.ResultsThe average sugar content in cakes and biscuits was 36.6±7.6 and 30.0±9.2 g/100 g, respectively. The mean energy content was 406±37 for cakes and 484±38 kcal/100 g for biscuits. There was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. 97% of cakes and 74% of biscuits would receive a ‘red’ (high) label for sugar.ConclusionsThis research makes available baseline data of the cakes and biscuits market in the UK for future evaluation of the recently launched sugar-reduction programme. The study showed that reductions in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits are possible, since there was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. A reduction in sugar and energy content, and overall cake and biscuit consumption, can help reduce overall sugar and energy intake in the UK and thus reduce the risk of obesity and dental caries.

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Relationship of Sense of Coherence to Other Psychosocial Indices

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.20.4.227 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 227-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Sara Holmberg ◽

Anders Thelin ◽

Eva-Lena Stiernström

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Psychosocial Factors ◽

Sense Of Coherence ◽

Living Conditions ◽

Strong Negative Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

Work Related ◽

Job Demand ◽

The Mean

Summary: The concept of “sense of coherence” (SOC) has been widely recognized since it was first introduced by Antonovsky. The originality and usefulness of the SOC scale and its relation to other psychosocial measures has been the subject of lively debate. The aim of this paper was to test for associations between SOC and work-related psychosocial factors (mainly the Job Demand-Control model), general living conditions, education, and social network factors. Cross-sectional data from a population-based sample of 1782 rural males from nine counties in Sweden were analyzed with a multiple regression technique. The subjects were occupationally active at inclusion and the mean age was 50 years (range 40-60). SOC was assessed with the original 29-item questionnaire. Psychosocial variables and lifestyle factors were assessed using questionnaires and structured interviews. The mean SOC among the subjects was 152.3 (standard deviation, 19.4). A strong negative correlation was found between SOC and job demand, whereas a positive correlation with job control was demonstrated. A positive correlation with general living conditions and with social support was also found. However, there was no correlation to education and occupation. Thus, SOC was shown to be strongly correlated to work-related psychosocial factors and social support, but independent of sociodemographic factors.

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Age related volume of cadaver-prostates in Bangladesh

Ibrahim Medical College Journal ◽

10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 74-77

Author(s):

Rukshana Ahmed ◽

Shamim Ara

Keyword(s):

Prostate Gland ◽

Age Groups ◽

Clinical Settings ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Age Related ◽

Group A ◽

Key Words Prostate ◽

The Mean ◽

Group B

Pathological changes in the prostate gland occur commonly with advancing age including inflammation, atrophy, hyperplasia and carcinoma and a change in volume is also evident. Estimation of volume of prostate may be useful in a variety of clinical settings. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed to see the changes in volume of the prostate with advancing age and done in the Department of Anatomy, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from August 2006 to June 2007. The study was performed on 70 post-mortem human prostates collected from the unclaimed dead bodies that were under examination in the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka. The samples were divided into three age groups; group A (10-20 years), group B (21-40 years) and group C (41-70 years). Volume of the sample was measured by using the ellipsoid formula. The mean ± SD volume of prostate was 7.68 ± 3.64 cm3 in group A, 10.61 ± 3.99 cm3 in group B and 15.40 ± 6.31 cm3 in group C. Mean difference in volume between group A and group C, group B and group C were statistically significant (p<0.001). Statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and volume of prostate (r = + 0.579, p < 0.001). Key Words: Prostate; volume; Bangladeshi. DOI: 10.3329/imcj.v4i2.6501Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2010; 4(2): 74-77

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