scholarly journals Nutrition literacy is associated with income and place of residence but not with diet behavior and food security in the Palestinian society

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihal Natour ◽  
Mariam AL-Tell ◽  
Osama Ikhdour

Abstract Introduction Palestinian society is going through health transition that is associated with increase in chronic diseases due to poor dietary habits so adequate integration of nutrition information is important. Aims The aim of this study is to find the association between nutrition literacy and diet behavior among a group of Palestinian participants. Methods A sample of 101 Palestinian participants were recruited to participate in the study. An online survey was used to collect study data. Newest Vital Sign quiz was used to collect information on nutrition literacy and Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS) was used to collect information on diet behavior and USDA food security questionnaire was used to collect data on food security. Data was analyzed utilizing SPSS 21. Results This study included 101 participants, mean age 22.7 y ± 8.7 y, mainly females (females were 83.2% and males were 16.8%). 5.7% of the study participants were obese, 13.8% overweight and 10.3% were underweight. The prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy was 29%. There was minimal association between diet behavior and nutrition literacy, food security and BMI categories, but significant association with income and living in city relative to village (p < 0.05). Only 11 participants had some form of food insecurity. Conclusion There is low prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy depends on social and economic aspects but further research is need to understand its relationship to diet behavior.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihal Natour ◽  
Mariam AL-Tell ◽  
Osama Ikhdour

Abstract Introduction: Palestinian society is going through health transition associated with increase in chronic diseases due to poor dietary habits so adequate integration of nutrition information is important.Aims: The aim of this study is to find the association between nutrition literacy and diet behavior among a group of Palestinian participants.Methods: A sample of 101 Palestinian participants were recruited to participate in the study. Using an online survey which was distributed through educational and social internet platforms was used to collect data on sociodemographic variable. Newest Vital Sign quiz was used to collect information on nutrition literacy and Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS) was used to collect information on diet behavior and USDA food security questionnaire was used to collect data on food security. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21.Results: This study included 101 participants, mean age 22.7 y± 8.7 y, mainly females. 5.7% of the study participants were obese, 13.8% overweight and 10.3% were underweight. The prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy was 24%. There was minimal association between diet behavior and nutrition literacy, food security and BMI categories, but significant association with income and living in city relative to village (p< 0.05). Only 11 participants had some form of food insecurity.Conclusion: There is low prevalence of adequate nutrition literacy. Nutrition literacy depends on social and economic aspect but further research is need to understand relationship to diet behavior.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Al Tell ◽  
Nihal Natour ◽  
Manal Badrasawi ◽  
Eman Shawish

Abstract Introduction: Nutrition literacy is important because it creates motivation and knowledge among public to have accountability towards their nutrition behaviors. Three types of nutrition literacy including functional literacy (FNL), Interactive literacy (INL) and critical literacy were not studied before in Palestinian society.Aims: The aims of the study were to 1) describe three forms of nutrition literacy: FNL, INL and CrL in the Palestinian society 2) To study the relationship between different forms of nutrition literacy and food behavior and nutrition seeking information habit.Methods: A sample of 149 Palestinian participants were recruited to participate in the study. Using an online survey which was distributed through educational and social internet platforms was used to collect data on sociodemographic variable. A translated questionnaire was used to collect information on nutrition literacy and Short Format of the Diet Health and Knowledge Survey (SFDHKS) was used to collect information on diet behavior and USDA food security questionnaire was used to collect data on food security. Data was analyzed by SPSS 21.Results: This study consisted of young adults (20.4± 4.9 y) who are mainly females (78%). Most of our study sample had Bachelors degree or currently enrolled in university to obtain this degree. The mean of FNL was 2.8±0.5, INL 3.3± 0.5, CrL 3.6± 0.5. There was significant correlation between CrL and INL (p< 0.05). There was also significant correlation between various forms of nutrition literacy and some aspects of diet behavior and food label use.Conclusion: Palestinian society is willing to learn about and understand nutrition information and this related to diet behavior


Author(s):  
Göran Friman

Objective: To describe the distribution of risk, diagnosis and pharmacological treatments for diabetes and hypertension after seven years among patients provided with opportunistic medical screening in a dental setting. Material and Methods: The initial screening’s 170 participants were asked to take part in a seven-year follow-up study. Data were collected through self-reported information in a written health declaration. Outcome measures: • Number of study participants who had passed away • Prescription of antidiabetics or antihypertensives • Changes in weight and height to calculate body mass index (BMI) Results: The follow-up study consisted of 151 participants. Twenty had passed away. The risk needs for medicating with antihypertensive drugs after seven years for those not receiving pharmacological treatment at the initial screening was 3.7 times greater (p=0.025 CI 1.2-11.3) for participants with a diastolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 90 mm Hg (85 for diabetics) than for the others. The risk was 3.9 times greater (p=0.020 CI 1.2-12.6) for those with a systolic BP of 140-159 mm Hg and 54.2 times greater (p<0.0001 CI 9.8-300.3) for those with a systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg than for those with a systolic BP 140 mm Hg. There were no changes in BMI. Conclusion: At least one in ten cases of incorrect medication or undiagnosed hypertension may be identifiable through opportunistic medical screening


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 416
Author(s):  
George Kitsaras ◽  
Michaela Goodwin ◽  
Michael P. Kelly ◽  
Iain A. Pretty

Background: Oral hygiene behaviours as well as dietary habits before bed can affect children’s dental health resulting in higher prevalence of dental disease. Dental disease can affect children’s health, development and even school performance. If left untreated, dental disease can progress and it can lead to extractions under general anaesthetic causing further distress for children and families. Consistent and appropriate oral hygiene behaviours and dietary habits can prevent dental diseases from occurring in the first place. Objective: This cross-sectional study examines the relationship between oral hygiene behaviours, dietary habits around bedtime and children’s dental health. Methods: A total of 185 parents with children between the ages of 3 and 7 years from deprived areas participated in the study. Data on bedtime routine activities were collected using an automated text-survey system. Children’s dental health status was established through examination of dental charts and dmft (decayed, missed, filled teeth) scores. Results: In total, 52.4% of parents reported that their children’s teeth were brushed every night. The majority of children (58.9%) had dmft scores over zero. In total, 51 (46.7% of children with dmft score over 0 and 27.5% of all children) children had active decay. The mean dmft score for those experiencing decay was 2.96 (SD = 2.22) with an overall mean dmft score of 1.75 (SD = 2.24). There were significant correlations between frequency of tooth brushing, frequency of snacks/drinks before bed and dmft scores (r = −0.584, p < 0.001 and r = 0.547, p = 0.001 respectively). Finally, higher brushing frequency was associated with a lower likelihood of a dmft score greater than 0 (Exp(B) = 0.9). Conclusions: Despite families implementing oral hygiene behaviours as part of their bedtime routines those behaviours varied in their consistency. Results of this study highlight the need for additional studies that consider bedtime routine-related activities and especially the combined effects of oral hygiene practices and dietary habits due to their potentially important relationship with children’s dental health.


Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Oikonomidi ◽  
P Ravaud ◽  
A James ◽  
E Cosson ◽  
V Montori ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Remote digital monitoring (RDM, i.e., using digital devices to monitor patients' health and behavior) is a novel care model that can improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions. However, it could be intrusive to patients' lives. We sought to understand which aspects of RDM make it intrusive to patients and why. Methods We performed content analysis of qualitative data collected by using open-ended questions in an international, online survey with a convenience sample of adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes (February-July 2019). Participants were first shown scenarios describing possible RDM features (i.e. different RDM tools [for glucose or food monitoring], feedback loops [receiving feedback in consultation, or remotely by a physician, or by artificial intelligence], and data handling options [by the public or private sector]). Results We analyzed data from 709 participants from 24 countries (38% men, median age 38, 54% type 1). Participants found RDM burdensome (n = 468). Burden arose from RDM features that caused disruption in daily life (e.g., alerts), features that may invite undesirable attention in public (e.g., visible wearable sensors may invite questions about one's health), or from having to adapt one's life to fit in RDM (e.g., adapt one's mealtime routine around food monitoring). Participants wanted control, particularly over sharing food-monitoring data with health care professionals in real-time to receive feedback (n = 440). They felt RDM could expose a delicate topic to 'surveillance' by authority figures (i.e., their data may 'reveal' poor dietary habits, leading to criticism by physicians). Intrusion could take the form of RDM eroding the patient-physician relationship (n = 34), or fear of data misuse (n = 206), which was associated with private-sector financial interests. Conclusions Our findings offer directions for minimally intrusive RDM design and show that digital health may cause concerns about stigma and treatment burden. Key messages Remote digital monitoring is intrusive when it increases treatment burden and limits patients’ control over their own health. “Minimally intrusive” digital health design could increase patient acceptability and, ultimately, foster scalability.


2021 ◽  
pp. 263183182110274
Author(s):  
Deblina Roy ◽  
Sujita Kumar Kar ◽  
SM Yasir Arafat ◽  
Pawan Sharma ◽  
Russell Kabir

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have affected the sexuality and emotional bonding among the couple across the world. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on the married people’s emotional bonding and sexual relationships in 3 south Asian counties (Bangladesh, India, and Nepal). Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Bangladesh, India, and Nepal residents from April 3 to April 15, 2020. The survey was designed in English. The participants were selected through convenience sampling technique, the link of the online questionnaire was shared with the participants. Only participants older than 18 years and above, married, and living with their spouses were included in the study. Results: A total number of 120 respondents were included finally for analysis from the participating countries (India, Nepal, and Bangladesh). The mean age of the participants was 35.42 (±5.73) years; the majority were males under the age of 40 years and had completed postgraduation as their qualification. Among the study participants, more than half (53.8%) of the women reported being sexually active during the lockdown, whereas 41% of the men reported being sexually active. Among the sexually active participants, most women (57.7%) reported that they perceived positive emotional bonding with their partners. Nevertheless, there was no significant difference observed when compared with men. There are variations in responses. However, no significant association was identified. Conclusion: There are a few insights from the study, that is, there was no significant difference found in almost 3 countries in emotional intimacy. There had been a trend that there is improved emotional bonding with their partners, although no significant difference was observed.


Author(s):  
Melissa Baughman

The purpose of this study was to explore the status and experiences of women in collegiate choral conducting positions. Out of all collegiate choral conductors ( N = 992) at institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music in the United States, 68.65% ( n = 681) were men and 31.35% ( n = 311) were women at the time of this study; I invited the women collegiate choral conductors to serve as study participants. Ninety-six respondents completed an online survey, resulting in a response rate of 30.86%. I collected data through a researcher-designed survey. First, I asked respondents to provide demographic information and respond to Likert-type and open-ended prompts related to three domains: gaining entry into the profession, navigating the profession, and issues surrounding gender. I analyzed data through descriptive statistics and qualitative methods of assigning codes, combining codes into themes, and displaying the data. I addressed general discrepancies in the self-reported attitudes of respondents. Although women reported an overall attitude of satisfaction as choral conductors in their Likert-type responses, many respondents detailed several instances of gender discrimination and other challenges in their open-ended responses. Implications for the music profession, including specific strategies to help empower women in collegiate choral conducting settings, are discussed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Mruthyunjaya N ◽  
Vaibhavi PS ◽  
Vinod Kulkarni G

Background: The current SARS CoV-2 pandemic has affected the mental health of various sectors of the country while it has also jeopardised the education system. In this background the present study was done to explore the mental health of the nal year medical undergraduate students and their concerns regarding the curriculum. Materials and Methods:An online survey was conducted among the nal year MBBS students in India and psychiatric morbidity was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. A total of 83 complete responses out of 130 were received and the data was assessed using SPSS software. Results: Out of the 83 study participants, about 34.9% were depressed, about 39.5% and 32.9% were having anxiety and stress, respectively. Sleep disturbances were signicantly associated with depressive symptoms (p value - 0.0001) and those with stress (p value - 0.01) while change in appetite was also signicantly associated with stress (p value - 0.01). Conclusion: The current pandemic has led to growing concerns in the educational sector especially medical education where MBBS students are facing psychological distress along with newer challenges in their academics like distant education as against traditional bedside teaching for acquiring clinical skills.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 4635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Kim ◽  
Ah Hong ◽  
Hae-Deok Song

College students are often assumed to be digitally fluent as they are “digital natives”, owing to their exposure to digital technologies from an early age. Furthermore, it is assumed that this digital competence is likely to prepare them for learning in college. However, it has been observed that current college students who are “digital natives” may or may not effectively apply digital technologies during their college education. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of college students’ prior digital experiences, particularly their families’ influence, on their in-college digital competence and attitude, and by extension, on student engagement. A total of 381 university students were surveyed in this study. Data was obtained from a self-administered, online survey and analyzed using partial least squares, which also evaluated the research model. According to the findings of this study, students’ positive prior digital experience significantly influences their perceived digital competence and their attitude toward digital technologies. In addition, our research also indicates that college students’ perceived digital competence and attitudes are mediated by their learning agility, which is the ability to continuously learn and the willingness to apply acquired knowledge. This article may thus act as a springboard for further empirical research, as well as for examining the nature of students’ prior and positive experiences and learning agility in digital competencies.


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