scholarly journals Digital Media Use in Association with Sensory Taste Preferences in European Children and Adolescents—Results from the I.Family Study

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 377
Author(s):  
Elida Sina ◽  
Christoph Buck ◽  
Wolfgang Ahrens ◽  
Stefaan De Henauw ◽  
Hannah Jilani ◽  
...  

Digital media (DM) influences children’s food choice. We aim to investigate associations between DM use and taste preferences (TP) for sweet, fatty, bitter, and salty in European children and adolescents. Individuals aged 6–17 years (N = 7094) providing cross-sectional data for DM use: television (TV), computer/game console (PC), smartphone and internet, were included. Children (6 to <12 years) and adolescents (≥12 years) completed a Food and Beverage Preference Questionnaire; scores were calculated for sweet, fatty, salty and bitter preference and categorized (high vs. low). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios as association measures between DM exposure and TP. On average, individuals used media for 2.4 h/day (SD = 1.7). Increasing exposures to DM were associated positively with sweet, fatty and salty TP, while inversely with bitter preference. In female adolescents, DM exposure for >2 h/day was associated with sweet (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.02–1.57) and fatty preference (OR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.10–1.70). Internet exposure was inversely associated with bitter preference, notably in male adolescents (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.50–0.84), but positively associated with salty preference (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.64). DM exposure was associated with sweet, fatty, salty and bitter TP in children and adolescents, serving as the basis for future longitudinal studies to shed light on the underlying mechanism by which DM exposure may determine eating habits.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maibam Samson Singh ◽  
R. K. Neeta Devi

Purpose. To determine the nutritional status (underweight and overweight) among Meitei children and adolescents. Methods. Cross-sectional data on 854 subjects (384 boys and 470 girls) were collected during the months of May 2009 to August 2009 following house-to-house survey. An anthropometric rod and a weighing scale were used to measure height and weight. The presence of underweight and overweight has been evaluated using the international cutoff points for children and adolescents. MS-Excel software was used for all statistical analyses. Results. A high prevalence of underweight (30.21%) and overweight (3.12%) in the present study was found among children and adolescent boys, respectively. Among girls, the prevalence of both underweight (33.86%) and overweight (5.18%) was reported higher among children than adolescents, and the differences in the distribution were significant at 0.05 levels. The overall prevalence of underweight (28.29%) was found more or less the same among boys and girls, but overweight (5.10%) was reported higher among girls than boys (2.34%). Conclusion. The possible reasons for both forms of malnutrition among Meitei children and adolescents could be traced through poverty, low dietary intake, socioeconomic condition, nutrition transition, and changing lifestyles. The other possible reasons could be due to peer pressure, eating habits, or emotional factor.


Author(s):  
Sunaina Thakur ◽  
Pulkit Mathur

Abstract Objectives This review explored the relationship between knowledge among children and adolescents and their dietary behaviour. Content Potentially eligible original research articles were identified through a systematic search in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science and WHO Virtual Health Library from 2000 to 2018. From the initial search, a total of 7,258 research articles were obtained. Duplicate studies were identified and removed. Observational studies on children and adolescents (5–19 years) of any gender, ethnicity and country were included in which the outcome measured was either a scoring of/ association between nutrition knowledge and practices. After screening using the inclusion criteria, 13 studies were selected for this paper. Summary and Outlook Four studies reported non-significant association between overall nutrition knowledge and practices. Only two studies found a significant association, out of which one showed a weak association highlighting that nutrition knowledge is not sufficient to result in healthy eating. Other factors which showed significant but weak associations with knowledge/practices included age, gender, nutritional status and lifestyle, peer influence, parents’/guardians’ knowledge, education and occupation level. The causal relationship couldn’t be examined in the present review due to the cross-sectional nature of the studies. Besides imparting knowledge through nutrition education interventions, there is a need for holistic behaviour change strategies including supporting food skills like menu planning, food shopping and cooking to encourage healthy eating habits among children. These interventions should target children from an early age, involving family/parents, teachers and peers to facilitate improvement in the food environment for sustainable change.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Berro ◽  
Marwan Akel ◽  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Sahar Obeid

Abstract Background it is important to investigate the relationship between disordered eating in male adolescents and smoking and alcohol consumption as they are risk factors to other diseases as well. For example, high levels of alcohol accompanied by the acidic damage and nutritional deficit exhibited in people with disordered eating habits - due to induced vomiting - has been shown to increase risk of esophageal cancer. Considering the very few studies done on disordered eating prevailing in males and the prevalence of smoking and drinking habits, our study aims to investigate the correlation between inappropriate eating habits and one’s dependence on cigarettes, waterpipes, and alcohol all the while focusing on male adolescents. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study that enrolled 389 male students (13–17 years of age) drawn from five Lebanese schools between October and December 2019. Results The MANCOVA analysis was performed taking the addiction scales as the dependent variables and the EAT-26 score as an independent variable, adjusting for the covariates (age, BMI and household crowding index). Higher EAT-26 scores (more inappropriate eating attitudes) were significantly associated with higher waterpipe dependence (B = 0.11; CI 0.06–0.17) and more problematic alcohol use (B = 0.08; CI 0.04–0.12), but not cigarette dependence. Conclusions This study revealed an association between inappropriate eating and increased drinking and smoking the waterpipe, but not cigarettes. The manifestation of inappropriate eating habits was found to be significant among male adolescents; in the literature, this is also true for female adolescents. In Lebanon, the engagement of adolescents in alcohol drinking and waterpipe smoking is frequent as they are accessible due to the lack of law enforcement and supervision in the country. In addition, while this study found an association between inappropriate eating habits and dependency on smoking and drinking, further investigation should be done on the role of one’s psychology in their exhibition of disordered eating as means to prevent the manifestation of these habits.


Author(s):  
Elida Sina ◽  
Christoph Buck ◽  
Toomas Veidebaum ◽  
Alfonso Siani ◽  
Lucia Reisch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Media use may influence metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. Yet, longitudinal studies are scarce. This study aims to evaluate the longitudinal association of childhood digital media (DM) use trajectories with MetS and its components. Methods Children from Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Sweden participating in the IDEFICS/I.Family cohort were examined at baseline (W1: 2007/2008) and then followed-up at two examination waves (W2: 2009/2010 and W3: 2013/2014). DM use (hours/day) was calculated as sum of television viewing, computer/game console and internet use. MetS z-score was calculated as sum of age- and sex-specific z-scores of four components: waist circumference, blood pressure, dyslipidemia (mean of triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol−1) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Unfavorable monitoring levels of MetS and its components were identified (cut-off: ≥ 90th percentile of each score). Children aged 2–16 years with ≥ 2 observations (W1/W2; W1/W3; W2/W3; W1/W2/W3) were eligible for the analysis. A two-step procedure was conducted: first, individual age-dependent DM trajectories were calculated using linear mixed regressions based on random intercept (hours/day) and linear slopes (hours/day/year) and used as exposure measures in association with MetS at a second step. Trajectories were further dichotomized if children increased their DM duration over time above or below the mean. Results 10,359 children and adolescents (20,075 total observations, 50.3% females, mean age = 7.9, SD = 2.7) were included. DM exposure increased as children grew older (from 2.2 h/day at 2 years to 4.2 h/day at 16 years). Estonian children showed the steepest DM increase; Spanish children the lowest. The prevalence of MetS at last follow-up was 5.5%. Increasing media use trajectories were positively associated with z-scores of MetS (slope: β = 0.54, 95%CI = 0.20–0.88; intercept: β = 0.07, 95%CI = 0.02–0.13), and its components after adjustment for puberty, diet and other confounders. Children with increasing DM trajectories above mean had a 30% higher risk of developing MetS (slope: OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.04–1.62). Boys developed steeper DM use trajectories and higher risk for MetS compared to girls. Conclusions Digital media use appears to be a risk factor for the development of MetS in children and adolescents. These results are of utmost importance for pediatricians and the development of health policies to prevent cardio-metabolic disorders later in life. Trial registration ISRCTN, ISRCTN62310987. Registered 23 February 2018- retrospectively registered.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 562-562
Author(s):  
Claudia Nieto ◽  
Isabel Valero ◽  
Norma Buenrostro ◽  
Karen Álvarez ◽  
Abad García ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Characterize children's and adolescent's exposure of Digital Marketing (DM) and identify DM strategies of advertised food and beverages Methods This was a cross-sectional study. We used a crowdsourcing strategy to recruit children and adolescents around Mexico. Those with home access to Wi-Fi, with mobile capacity to record their habitual internet usage, and with abilities to upload their videos of exposure in a cloud were included. Once the videos were received, we performed a content analysis using the protocol for Monitoring of Marketing of Unhealthy Products to Children and Adolescents of the World Health Organization (Europe Office). The protocol and template were adapted to the Mexican context and then piloted in a sample of 20 children. We included an item to explore if COVID was used as a marketing strategy. Data was captured in an excel spreadsheet and then transferred to Stata 14. Results We received 45 minutes of internet exposure recordings from 348 children and adolescents. Overall, 45% of children and adolescents were exposed to food and beverage DM. Most of the DM was made of unhealthy food categories: fast food 17%, sweet snacks 10%, cakes and pastries 7%, among others. From the food and beverage advertising (f&b ads) 38% had at least one element to attract children, and 43% attracted adolescents. Brand characters were displayed on 10% of the ads; while licensed characters were displayed on 3.6%. We found that COVID19 was mentioned or illustrated in 3% of the f&b ads and that 67% f&b ads included an incentive to purchase or consume; such as: a person eating the product, or a f&b product served on a plate ready to eat. Conclusions A restriction of unhealthy food and beverage digital marketing aimed at children and adolescents should be considered in the current Mexican advertising regulation. Funding Sources This project was funded by UNICEF México and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The presenting author was funded by CONACYT México and was awarded with the Healthy Food Policy Fellowship.


Author(s):  
Timothy Driver ◽  
Peter Tait ◽  
Caroline Saunders ◽  
Paul Dalziel ◽  
Meike Guenther ◽  
...  

Aims: Consumers are increasingly using online shopping for purchasing food and beverage (F&B) products. A challenge to industry stakeholders is understanding which elements of online digital media and smart technologies are associated with higher rates of online expenditure that could be strategically targeted. Therefore, the central aims of this study are to identify predictors of online F&B expenditure, and how they differ across developed and emerging economy consumers. Study Design: This is a quantitative study based on cross-sectional survey data. Place and Duration of Study: The study is based on data collected in India, China, Indonesia, Japan and the United Kingdom in April 2016. Methodology: Primary data is collected using online surveys of consumers primarily responsible for F&B grocery shopping within the household. Questionnaires focused on eliciting online expenditure rates for F&B, and associated use of relevant online digital media and smart technologies. Fractional multinomial logit modelling is used to identify statistically significant determinants of respondents’ percentage of expenditure online in each country. Results: The sample consists of 5,004 respondents: China (1,001), India (998), Indonesia (1,002), Japan (1,002), UK (1,001). In-market technology use is a stronger predictor of online F&B expenditure in emerging than in developed economy markets. The influence of digital information sourcing behaviour and demographics are weak predictors of online F&B expenditure across both developed and emerging economy markets. In general, consumers in emerging economies show greater engagement with digital media and smart technology in relation to online F&B expenditure than their developed economy counterparts. Conclusion: There is significant variation across countries in the specific determinants of online food and beverage expenditure and the uptake of associated digital media and smart technologies. These insights provide useful direction for focusing effort in targeting channel activators specific to each markets characteristics.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1040 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elida Sina ◽  
Christoph Buck ◽  
Hannah Jilani ◽  
Michael Tornaritis ◽  
Toomas Veidebaum ◽  
...  

The aim was to investigate associations between the duration of infant feeding practices (FP) and taste preferences (TP) in European children and adolescents. A total of 5526 children (6–16 years old) of the I.Family study completed a Food and Beverage Preference Questionnaire to measure their preferences for sweet, fatty and bitter tastes. Mothers retrospectively reported the FPs duration in months: exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), exclusive formula milk feeding (EFMF), combined breastfeeding (BF&FMF) and the age at the introduction of complementary foods (CF). Using logistic regression analyses and latent class analysis (latent profiles of FP and CF were identified), we explored associations between profiles and TP, adjusting for various covariates, including the Healthy Diet Adherence Score (HDAS). A total of 48% of children had short durations of EBF (≤4 months) and BF&FMF (≤6 months) and were introduced to CF early (<6 months). No significant relationship was observed between the single FPs and TP, even when considering common profiles of FP. HDAS was inversely associated with sweet and fatty TP, but positively with bitter TP. Contrary to our hypotheses, we did not observe associations between FP and children’s TP later in life. Further studies with higher FP variation and longitudinal design are needed to investigate the causal associations between infant FP and taste preferences later in life.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2279
Author(s):  
Federica Grant ◽  
Maria Luisa Scalvedi ◽  
Umberto Scognamiglio ◽  
Aida Turrini ◽  
Laura Rossi

To limit the spread of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a nationwide lockdown started in Italy in March 2020. In this unpredictable situation, a cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire was carried out by the Observatory on Food Surplus, Recovery and Waste of CREA Food and Nutrition Centre. The aim of this work was to evaluate how Italian habits changed during this period, the determinants of changes, and the effect on food waste prevention. In a sample of 2678 respondents, 62% showed low Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD). During lockdown many of participants improved the quality of their diet, increasing their consumption of fruit (24.4%), vegetables (28.5%), legumes (22.1%), nuts (12%), and fish or shellfish (14%). Unfavorable changes were observed with the excessive consumption of sweets or pastries (36.9%) and comfort foods (22.7%), and a lack of physical activity (37.2%). The main novelty of this study was the examination of dietary changes identified by a cluster analysis. Respondents with generally high AMD improved their eating habits, while the habits of the respondents with generally low AMD remained unchanged. In addition, nearly 80% of respondents were sensitive to food waste. The study provides a useful contribution to the debate on nutritional recommendations in case of further lockdown.


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