Assessment of the developmental success of Anopheles coluzzii larvae under different nutrient regimes: effects of diet quality, food amount and larval density

Abstract In the selection of oviposition sites female mosquitoes use various cues to assess site quality to optimize survival of progeny. The presence of conspecific larvae influences this process. Interactive effects of oviposition site selection were studied in the malaria mosquito Anopheles coluzzii Coetzee & Wilkerson in dual- and no-choice assays, by exposing single gravid mosquitoes to oviposition cups containing 1) larvae of different developmental stages, 2) larvae-conditioned water (LCW), and 3) cups where visual cues of conspecific larvae were absent. Early-stage conspecific larvae had a positive effect on the oviposition response. By contrast, late stages of conspecific larvae had a negative effect. Oviposition choice was dependent on larval density. Moreover, in oviposition cups where larvae were hidden from view, late-stage larvae had a significant negative effect on oviposition suggesting the involvement of olfactory cues. LCW had no effect on oviposition response, indicating involvement of chemicals produced by larvae in vivo. It is concluded that the presence of larvae in a breeding site affects the oviposition response depending on the development stage of the larvae. These responses appear to be mediated by olfactory cues emitted by the larval habitat containing live larvae, resulting in the enhanced reproductive fitness of the females.

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Larval habitat diversity and Anopheles mosquito species distribution in different ecological zones in Ghana

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04701-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Isaac A. Hinne ◽

Simon K. Attah ◽

Benedicta A. Mensah ◽

Akua O. Forson ◽

Yaw A. Afrane

Keyword(s):

Lymphatic Filariasis ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Mosquito Species ◽

Larval Density ◽

Larval Habitat ◽

Effective Control ◽

Anopheles Coluzzii ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Breeding Habitats ◽

Savannah Zone

Abstract Background Understanding the ecology of larval malaria and lymphatic filariasis mosquitoes in a changing environment is important in developing effective control tools or programmes. This study characterized the breeding habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes in rural communities in different ecological zones in Ghana during the dry and rainy seasons. Methods The spatio-temporal distribution, species composition, and abundance of larval Anopheles mosquitoes in breeding habitats were studied in five locations in three ecological zones of Ghana. These were Anyakpor (coastal savannah area), Duase (forest area), and Libga, Pagaza, and Kpalsogu (Sahel savannah area). Larvae were collected using standard dippers and were raised in the insectary for identification. Results Out of a total of 7984 mosquito larvae collected, 2152 (27.26%) were anophelines and were more abundant in the rainy season (70.82%) than in the dry season (29.18%). The anophelines comprised 2128 (98.88%) An. gambiae s.l., 16 (0.74%) An. rufipes, and 8 (0.37%) An. pharoensis. In the coastal savannah and forest zones, dug-out wells were the most productive habitat during the dry (1.59 larvae/dip and 1.47 larvae/dip) and rainy seasons (11.28 larvae/dip and 2.05 larvae/dip). Swamps and furrows were the most productive habitats in the Sahel savannah zone during the dry (0.25 larvae/dip) and rainy (2.14 larvae/dip) seasons, respectively. Anopheles coluzzii was the most abundant sibling species in all the ecological zones. Anopheles melas and An. arabiensis were encountered only in the coastal savannah and the Sahel savannah areas, respectively. Larval habitat types influenced the presence of larvae as well as larval density (p < 0.001). The land-use type affected the presence of Anopheles larvae (p = 0.001), while vegetation cover influenced larval density (p < 0.05). Conclusion The most productive habitats were dug-out wells in the coastal savannah and forest zones, and furrows from irrigated canals in the Sahel savannah zone. Anopheles coluzzii was the predominant vector species in all the ecological zones. The abundance of Anopheles breeding habitats and larvae were influenced by anthropogenic activities. Encouraging people whose activities create the larval habitats to become involved in larval source management such as habitat manipulation to stop mosquito breeding will be important for malaria and lymphatic filariasis control.

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The well now course: a service evaluation of a health gain approach to weight management

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-06836-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fiona Clarke ◽

Daryll Archibald ◽

Valerie MacDonald ◽

Sara Huc ◽

Christina Ellwood

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Health Gain ◽

Service Evaluation ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

Medium Effect ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Quality Food ◽

Food Preoccupation

Abstract Background The Well Now health and weight course teaches body respect and health gain for all. The course validates peoples’ lived experiences and knowledge through group activities and discussion with the aim of helping people to better understand their food and body stories. Well Now explores different ways of knowing, including the use and limits of body signals, like energy levels, hunger, taste and emotions and helps people keep food and behaviours in perspective by drawing attention to other factors that impact on health and wellbeing. This study undertook a service evaluation of the Well Now course to understand its acceptability for participants and its impact on diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing. Methods This service evaluation combined quantitative pre- and post-course measures with telephone interviews with previous attendees. Paired t-tests were used to determine if there were statistically significant differences in the intended outcomes. Semi-structured qualitative telephone interviews were undertaken with previous attendees 6–12 months after attendance to understand how participants experienced the Well Now course. Results Significant improvements were demonstrated in diet quality, food preoccupation, physical activity and mental wellbeing outcomes. Medium effect sizes are demonstrated for mental wellbeing and diet quality, with smaller effect sizes shown for physical activity and food preoccupation. The weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of attendees remained stable in this timeframe. The qualitative data corroborates and extends elements of the quantitative outcomes and highlights areas of the course that may benefit from further development and improvement. The findings further indicate that the Well Now approach is largely acceptable for attendees. Conclusions Well Now’s non-judgemental holistic approach facilitates change for those who complete the course, and for those who do not. This health gain approach upholds non-maleficence and beneficence, and this is demonstrated with this service evaluation for both completers and partial completers.

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A Study on Diet Quality, Food Behavior and Energy Balance of College Student in Chungnam Area

The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition ◽

10.9799/ksfan.2012.25.3.599 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 599-611 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Myung-Hee Kim ◽

Moo-Kyung Kim ◽

Mi-Kyeong Choi ◽

Dong-Hee Kim ◽

Mi-Won Kim

Keyword(s):

College Student ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Food Behavior ◽

Quality Food

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Optimism is associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking behavior in a general population

Nutrition Journal ◽

10.1186/s12937-020-0522-7 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Wassila Ait-hadad ◽

Marc Bénard ◽

Rebecca Shankland ◽

Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot ◽

Margaux Robert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Food Group ◽

Quality Food

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The impact of COVID-19 on diet quality, food security and nutrition in low and middle income countries: A systematic review of the evidence

Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1016/j.clnu.2021.08.015 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Fiorella Picchioni ◽

Luis F. Goulao ◽

Dominique Roberfroid

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Food Security ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries ◽

Quality Food ◽

Food Security And Nutrition ◽

The Impact ◽

Low And Middle Income

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P128 Diet Quality, Food Access, Obesity and Hypertension Risk in Rural Nicaragua

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior ◽

10.1016/j.jneb.2019.05.504 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (7) ◽

pp. S90

Author(s):

Kaila Bonavire ◽

Ginger Williams ◽

Lauren Sastre

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Food Access ◽

Hypertension Risk ◽

Quality Food

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Optimism is associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking behavior in a general population

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120004188 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Wassila Ait-hadad ◽

Marc Bénard ◽

Rebecca Shankland ◽

Margaux Robert ◽

Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Depressive Symptomatology ◽

Dairy Product ◽

Dispositional Optimism ◽

Food Group ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Food Groups ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Quality Food

AbstractDispositional optimism is a psychological trait that has been associated with health issues such as cardiovascular disease. However, there is little knowledge on the relationship between optimism and dietary intake in the general population. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess whether optimism was associated with diet quality, food group consumption and snacking. In 2016, 32,806 adult participants from the NutriNet-Santé study completed the Life-Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R) which assesses dispositional optimism. Diet quality (N = 17,849) and food group consumption (N = 19,335) were evaluated using at least three self-reported 24-h dietary records, while snacking behavior was evaluated by an ad-hoc question (N = 28,948). Logistic and linear regressions were used to analyze the associations between optimism and diet quality, food group consumption, and snacking behavior taking into account socio-demographic, lifestyle and depressive symptomatology characteristics. Optimism was positively associated with diet quality (b (95% CI) = 0.07 (0.004–0.11), P < 0.0001), while no association with energy was observed. Optimism was positively associated with consumption of fruit and vegetables, seafood, whole-grain food, fats, dairy product and meat substitutes, legumes, appetizers, non-salted oleaginous fruits and alcoholic beverages, and negatively associated with consumption of meat and poultry, dairy products, milk-based desserts and sugars and confectionery. In addition, optimism was negatively associated with snacking (OR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.84, 0.95). Optimism was associated with a better diet quality overall and less snacking. It was also associated with consumption of healthy food groups as well as unhealthy food groups typically consumed at social eating occasions. These findings suggest that optimism could be taken into account in the promotion of a healthy eating behavior.

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