scholarly journals Living through the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impact and Lessons on Dietary Behavior and Physical Well-Being

Author(s):  
Shameena Gill ◽  
Alia Maisara Adenan ◽  
Adli Ali ◽  
Noor Akmal Shareela Ismail

The aim of this review is to highlight the spectrum on which human behavior has been affected by blanket restriction measures and on a wider scale, the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the human behaviors that have been impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown are dietary behavior and nutrition, food options and food delivery usage, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. This is important in planning effective public health strategies with minimal detriment to all subsets of society as well as improving the distribution of government aid to populations that are more severely affected. Our main purpose is to present the literature from a rapidly growing pool of scientific research to hopefully enable a better and more comprehensive understanding of the effects of this pandemic and the lessons learnt from the accompanying restrictions, as well as policy recommendations that can be made in national pandemic responses in the future.

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2306-2310
Author(s):  
Aureliana Caraiane ◽  
Razvan Leata ◽  
Veronica Toba ◽  
Doina Vesa ◽  
Luana Andreea Macovei ◽  
...  

The progress made in dentistry during the latest decades is due, conceptually, to the new, systemic vision of man, which has also taken place in this field of medicine. In this context, the link between organic and psychic is indestructible. Thus illness is understood as a drama in which the somatic process has a psychic value, and the mental one has a body value. It is known that the morphological and functional integrity of the dental system, health and vigorousness, gives the individual a state of well-being that affects his somatic and psychic health, as any disturbance at this level entails repercussions in psychological and social behavior. Such a disruption is the total edification that seriously alters not only the dental system but the whole organism, putting various biological and psychosocial problems to the practitioner. The total expression represents not only a physical disability but also a psychological one. A special importance in studying psychological changes at total edentulous presents the psychological aspects of senile involution. This is not only a theoretical but also a practical importance due to the increase in the number of elderly people. Through the researches of the present paper we intend to present the reality of the psychological manifestations in the total edentation, which is objectified on different methods of psychodiagnosis in the first part, in order for the second part to be addressed to problems of prosthetic psychotherapy.The study comprises a group of 43 patients, of whom 24 were men and 19 women with total uni or bimaxilar edentation. Total edentation can be and is responsible for somatopsychic alterations, along with other pathogens, general, local, social, which sometimes can take a dramatic form, converting, where the area is also favorable, a pure somatic disease, for those who are not in psychopathy or even psychosis, although these latter cases are extremely rare and especially in youngsters, which would disrupt not only the person�s behavior as an individual, but also their status, function and social integrity. The treatment of dental and psychological complex is mandatory for any patient, but especially for the elderly, where recovery is more difficult, with disease-specific disorders adding to those of senescence.


Author(s):  
Kelly R. Arora

Interspiritual conversations are becoming more common in health care settings as providers recognize that patients’ diverse spiritual/religious values, beliefs, and practices may influence their health care decision-making and general well-being. This essay explores the practical dimensions of teaching health care professionals how to use an interspiritual dialogue approach grounded in values and particularism through a course entitled “Faith, Spirituality and Culture in Health Care,” which was designed for and taught to doctoral students at a Denver, Colorado, School of Pharmacy. After considering the contemporary context for teaching interspiritual dialogue to healthcare professionals, the essay reflects upon and relates the pedagogical choices made in designing and teaching the course, as well as the course structure, outline, objectives, and schedule.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boy Lüthje

The article examines the development of advanced digital manufacturing (as outlined in the ‘Made-in-China 2025’ government plan) from the perspective of the changing socio-technical paradigms of production. The analysis focuses on the transformations of value chains and work, based on theories of social shaping of technology, regulation theory and regimes of production. Analytically, the author proposes to distinguish between ‘production-driven’ and ‘distribution-driven’ pathways of manufacturing digitalisation. The transformation of semi-rural industrial areas (‘Taobao villages’, named after China’s largest e-commerce platform Taobao) into mass production clusters for e-commerce is depicted as a paradigmatic model of distribution-driven transformation and as a characteristic Chinese strategy in this field. The article examines the impact on industry supply chains and work, leading to ever-more precarious conditions of employment. Policy recommendations focus on local strategies to stabilise supply chain structures and working conditions, as an alternative to the present top-down approaches to manufacturing modernisation in China.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 270-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaori Ishii ◽  
Ai Shibata ◽  
Minoru Adachi ◽  
Yoshiyuki Mano ◽  
Koichiro Oka

Background:Sedentary behaviors (SB) are associated with health indicators; however, there are currently very few studies that have examined these associations, especially in conjunction with psychological factors, in children. The current study examined the independent relationship between objectively assessed SB, and indicators of obesity and psychological well-being, among Japanese children.Methods:A total of 967 elementary-school children completed a cross-sectional survey. SB was measured with accelerometers for 7 consecutive days. Psychological well-being data (eg, anxiety and behavior problems) were collected via a self-report questionnaire. To determine the relationship of SB with degree of obesity and psychological well-being, linear regression analyses were conducted to relate the indicators of obesity and psychological well-being on SB, adjusted by gender, grade, percentage of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day, duration spent wearing the accelerometer, and degree of obesity.Results:SB was significantly related to behavioral/emotional problems (β = .280, P = .010, R2 = .015). There was a statistically significant relationship between SB and anxiety (β = .206, P = .059, R2 = .007). No significant association with degree of obesity was found.Conclusions:Excess SB relates higher levels of behavioral/emotional problems and anxiety. These results can inspire the development of interventions that promote well-being and enhance psychological health, by focusing on SB in Japanese children.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon D'Alfonso ◽  
Jessica Phillips ◽  
Lee Valentine ◽  
John Gleeson ◽  
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez

UNSTRUCTURED The modern omnipresence of social media and social networking sites (SNSs) brings with it a range of important research questions. One of these concerns the impact of SNS use on mental health and well-being, a question that has been pursued in depth by scholars in the psychological sciences and the field of human-computer interaction. Despite this attention, the design choices made in the development of SNSs and the notion of well-being employed to evaluate such systems require further scrutiny. In this viewpoint paper, we examine the strategic design choices made in our development of an enclosed SNS for young people experiencing mental ill-health in terms of ethical and persuasive design and in terms of how it fosters well-being. In doing so, we critique the understanding of well-being that is used in much of the existing literature to make claims about the impact of a given technology on well-being. We also demonstrate how the holistic concept of eudaimonic well-being and ethical design of SNSs can complement one another.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S338-S338
Author(s):  
Aida Nourbakhsh ◽  
Kandarp Joshi ◽  
Breige Yorston

AimsRecently, there has been a greater focus on how mental health in young people (YP) can be improved. Up to 10% of YP in Scotland have a diagnosable mental health condition1 and half of all adults with mental ill-health have had symptoms from their mid-teens2. Poverty is an important factor associated with poorer mental well-being from an early age which worsens if left untreated3. The aim of this audit was to answer the question: Are more YP referred from the least deprived areas, and are they more likely to require medication intervention or high intensity (tier 4) care? The results of which could help identify possible avenues for intervention to help improve retention of those most at risk of negative outcomes.MethodNHS Grampian CAMHS provides service to Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray. Pre-collected data over 15 months from these areas were analysed using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) deciles to distinguish any differences between referrals made. In addition, this audit evaluated the data to define any trends of deprivation linking YP to medication intervention or tier 4 care.ResultResults showed that more referrals were made for YP in low-ranking areas (3.19% of decile one compared to 1.74% of decile ten). The referrals were also more likely to be rejected based on the referral criteria, 33% in decile one versus 21% in decile ten. The increased rejection of referrals is most likely a reflection of the health inequalities faced by communities in more deprived areas. In terms of service provision, the patients from the most deprived areas are 3 times more like to require tier 4 care while the least deprived are 1.5 times more likely as compared to percentage of population. With regards to medication intervention patients from deciles one, five, six and seven have significantly higher numbers.ConclusionThis project set out to look at the current service provided by CAMHS and found that despite best efforts deprivation has had an impact on the acceptance of referrals. Going forward this data will be shared with multiagency stakeholders to develop service provisions, in particular the issues identified with the rejection of referrals in more deprived areas. Higher level of medication use in more deprived population is not unexpected but highlights the need to share the findings with a multiagency network.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Florence Mangan

<p>Joyless rows of monotonous houses are be- ginning to define the suburban typology of tomorrow. Quality and innovation is being compromised for speed and quantity and there is a distinct lack of consideration for the home’s potential to enrich and influence the life-styles and well-being of its occupants.  This thesis is a reaction to the researcher’s dis- satisfaction with New Zealand’s suburban typology and seeks to identify and demonstrate an alternative design approach. The research- er considers that a house should enable its occupants to flourish by instigating moments of joy and surprise whilst maximising economy of space.  The thesis uses an investigative research method of five different design tests. Each test reveals strategies to aid the approach of designing the suburban typology, focusing on maximising joy, surprise and economy of space.  Both digital and manual methods are used, revealing their respective strengths and flaws. The Digital method used in the Data House and Rigid x Fluid house tests lacked the ability to apply tangible aesthetic qualities to a de- sign. The manual hands on method of used in the Patchwork House and House Reformed tests was hugely beneficial for the aesthetic qualities of design, however it lacked the rigor and capacity to apply individuality on a mass scale.  Discoveries made in the thesis investigations are collated in a final design outcome, the House Reformed. This house design demonstrates a compilation of the successful strategies identified in the research and reveals the benefits of approaching home design with qualities of joy, surprise and economy of space. The most successful strategies used to achieve these aims were establishing a great- er connection with the outdoors, providing flexible spaces through the use of innovative partitions and furniture and injecting unexpected aesthetic moments through the use of interesting texture and colour.  Overall the research reveals a successful de- sign outcome and provides interesting in- sights into design method. It explores worth- while questions and issues related to the lived domestic experience such as the lack of joy, surprise and economy of space in suburban housing and demonstrates the importance of designing with such qualities.</p>


The exposure of farmers to agricultural hazards and risks has been increased in their work-places with the recent developments in agricultural sectors in most of the developing countries. This higher expose may be due to the enhanced need in meeting the food as well as monetary demand of farming house-holds. The agricultural-productivity has also been reduced in developing countries because of the exposure of farmers to work-related stresses affecting their well-being. Thus, an attempt was made in this study for exploring the mental-health disorders among the farmers and the farming-community in the state of Odisha in India for undertaking possible intervention strategies by the government and competent authorities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tânia Cristina de Mattos Barros Petraglia ◽  
Julia Regazzini Spinardi ◽  
Rodrigo Sini de Almeida

Abstract Background: Vaccination is one of the most effective public health strategies to control and prevent diseases. The Brazilian National Immunization Program is an international reference of public healthcare policy. Since 1993 Reference Centers for Special Immunobiologicals (CRIE) were implemented in order to facilitate the access to immunobiologicals, especially for those with congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies and other special morbidity conditions, or subjects exposed to risk situations. To assess knowledge and perceptions concerning the relevance of special patients’ vaccination and the immunization centers (CRIE) structure from patients, physicians and CRIE professional perspectives.Methods: An opinion survey was carried out in 2018 from June to July, including patients, physicians and CRIE professionals. A structured questionnaire was applied in a single interview to each interest group through phone calls. All instruments contained questions on general information, individuals’ profile, and knowledge and perceptions concerning CRIE. Results were obtained from the compilation of each groups’ answers. Data analysis was carried out in a descriptive approach, through measures of central tendency and dispersion for continuous variables, and measures of frequency for categorical variables.Results: The sample was composed by 280 individuals: 135 physicians; 135 patients; and 10 CRIE professionals. Regarding physician’s perspective, most of them reported to know CRIE (79%) and to refer patients (64%), and agreeing that a good quality service with well-trained professionals is offered (91%). Patients reported to receive the recommendation for vaccination by attending physician (91%), and to have never experienced the unavailability of a vaccine (91%) at CRIE. Analysis from CRIE professional’s perspective showed that patients are most frequently referred to CRIE by infectologists (33%) and that vaccination campaigns have a huge influence on demand. However, they also reported that there is no disclosure about CRIE service for population and physicians.Conclusions: Physicians classify vaccination as extremely important and all patients reported to follow recommendation. About immunization centers, a great perception about the service provided by CRIE was reported, but there is still place for uptake the patient journey.


2020 ◽  
pp. 193-215
Author(s):  
John J. Coleman

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) and related drugs are widely used for treating a variety of conditions (with varying degrees of evidence-base), but their long-term use (more than 2–4 weeks) can be problematic. They were originally thought (or claimed) to be nonproblematic substitutes for barbiturates, but it is now clear that they have their own set of problems. In addition, they are commonly, albeit ill-advisedly, co-prescribed or used nonmedically in combination with other drug substances. The result of such combinations, particularly with the opioids, can be lethal. Administrative and statutory actions notwithstanding, it appears that reducing problems with BZDs will depend on a comprehensive approach that includes improved education for patients, prescribers, regulators, insurers, and the public. First and foremost, however, there is a pressing need for the government to improve its drug-abuse data collection, specifically how it monitors drug-related morbidity and mortality. This chapter reviews the information that demonstrates how an understanding of all of the dynamics is essential for designing effective public-health strategies to reduce BZD-associated problems.


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