scholarly journals Junk Food on Demand: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nutritional Quality of Popular Online Food Delivery Outlets in Australia and New Zealand

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3107
Author(s):  
Stephanie R. Partridge ◽  
Alice A. Gibson ◽  
Rajshri Roy ◽  
Jessica A. Malloy ◽  
Rebecca Raeside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Outlets

The demand for convenience and the increasing role of digital technology in everyday life has fueled the use of online food delivery services (OFD’s), of which young people are the largest users globally. OFD’s are disrupting traditional food environments, yet research evaluating the public health implications of such services is lacking. We evaluated the characteristics and nutritional quality of popular food outlets on a market-leading platform (UberEATS®) in a cross-sectional observational study conducted in two international cities: Sydney (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand). A systematic search using publicly available population-level data was used to identify geographical areas with above-average concentrations (>30%) of young people (15–34-years). A standardized data extraction protocol was used to identify the ten most popular food outlets within each area. The nutritional quality of food outlets was assessed using the Food Environment Score (FES) (range: −10 ‘unhealthiest’ to 10 ‘healthiest’). Additionally, the most popular menu items from each food outlet were classified as discretionary or core foods/beverages according to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. The majority of popular food outlets were classified as ‘unhealthy’ (FES range −10 to −5; 73.5%, 789/1074) and were predominately takeaway franchise stores (59.6%, 470/789, e.g., McDonald’s®). 85.9% of all popular menu items were discretionary (n = 4958/5769). This study highlights the pervasion and accessibility of discretionary foods on OFD’s. This study demonstrated that the most popular food outlets on the market-leading online food delivery service are unhealthy and popular menu items are mostly discretionary foods; facilitating the purchase of foods of poor nutritional quality. Consideration of OFD’s in public health nutrition strategies and policies in critical.

scholarly journals Association of the nutrient profile system underlying the Nutri-Score front-of-package label with oral health: preliminary evidence from a population-based sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Andreeva ◽  
Manon Egnell ◽  
Pilar Galan ◽  
Gilles Feron ◽  
Serge Hercberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Linear Regression Models

AbstractThe 2017 implementation in France of the front-of-package nutrition label known as Nutri-Score is a major public health strategy to help individuals make healthier food choices at the point of purchase and thus help reduce chronic disease risk on the population level. The algorithm behind the Nutri-Score is intended to reflect the overall nutritional quality of food and is based on the one developed by the British Food Standards Agency Nutrient Profiling System, following a slight modification (FSAm-NPS) in accordance with French dietary guidelines. Prior research has focused on its association with various physical health outcomes (weight gain, metabolic syndrome, cancer incidence, etc.), yet no studies have explored the link with oral health indicators. We analyzed the cross-sectional association of the FSAm-NPS with oral health in a population-based sample of 33,231 men and women enrolled in the NutriNet-Santé cohort. Oral health (main dependent variable) was assessed in 2016 with the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). It consists of 12 items scored on a 5-point Likert scale (maximum score = 60) with lower scores corresponding to poorer oral health with a detrimental impact on quality of life. FSAm-NPS (main independent variable) was calculated on the basis of 3 non-consecutive 24-h dietary records, following established methodology (score range: -15 to + 40, with lower scores corresponding to higher nutritional quality). Age-specific associations (cutoff = 60 y) were explored via multivariable linear regression models. Mean GOHAI score in the sample was 53.8 ± 5.5 (range: 19 to 60) and mean FSAm-NPS was 6.0 ± 2.2 (range: -6.7 to + 15.5). The unadjusted and the age- and sex-adjusted models were significant only in the younger age group (18–59 y). The fully-adjusted model showed modest yet significant associations between overall nutritional quality and oral health in younger and older participants, with the strength of the model being more pronounced in the former compared with the latter age group (F value: 28.5 vs. 6.3, both p < 0.0001). Overall, consuming food with a higher FSAm-NPS score (corresponding to lower nutritional quality) was associated with higher risk of oral health problems. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the observed associations. On the public health policy level, the findings support implementation of the Nutri-Score on pre-packaged food in order to steer consumer choice toward nutritional profiles that are favorable not only for chronic disease prevention but also for oral health.

scholarly journals Hunger for Home Delivery: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nutritional Quality of Complete Menus on an Online Food Delivery Platform in Australia

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 905
Author(s):  
Celina Wang ◽  
Andriana Korai ◽  
Si Si Jia ◽  
Margaret Allman-Farinelli ◽  
Virginia Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Consumer Choice ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Home Delivery ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Discretionary Choices ◽  
Smartphone Technology

Online food delivery (OFD) platforms have changed how consumers purchase food prepared outside of home by capitalising on convenience and smartphone technology. Independent food outlets encompass a substantial proportion of partnering outlets, but their offerings’ nutritional quality is understudied. Little is also known as to how OFD platforms influence consumer choice. This study evaluated the nutritional quality and marketing attributes of offerings from independent takeaway outlets available on Sydney’s market-leading OFD platform (UberEats®). Complete menus and marketing attributes from 202 popular outlets were collected using web scraping. All 13841 menu items were classified into 38 food and beverage categories based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines. Of complete menus, 80.5% (11,139/13,841) were discretionary and 42.3% (5849/13,841) were discretionary cereal-based mixed meals, the largest of the 38 categories. Discretionary menu items were more likely to be categorised as most popular (OR: 2.5, 95% CI 1.9–3.2), accompanied by an image (OR: 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–1.5) and offered as a value bundle (OR: 6.5, 95% CI 4.8–8.9). Two of the three discretionary food categories were more expensive than their healthier Five Food Group counterparts (p < 0.02). The ubiquity of discretionary choices offered by independent takeaways and the marketing attributes employed by OFD platforms has implications for public health policy. Further research on the contribution of discretionary choices and marketing attributes to nutritional intakes is warranted.

scholarly journals Tick front-of-pack label has a positive nutritional impact on foods sold in New Zealand

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (16) ◽  
pp. 2949-2958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel K Thomson ◽  
Rachael M McLean ◽  
Sherry X Ning ◽  
Louise A Mainvil
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Food Supply ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Cvd Risk ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over Time

AbstractObjectiveNutritional impact of the Tick front-of-pack labelling programme was evaluated by investigating nutrient changes to the purchased food supply and the nutritional quality of Tick v. non-Tick products. Factors influencing manufacturers’ decisions to develop and license Tick products were also explored.DesignObservational, cross-sectional and change over time data.SettingNew Zealand food supply, 2011–2013.SubjectsForty-five newly licensed Tick products from five food categories were analysed: Edible Oil Spreads, Yoghurt & Dairy Desserts, Frozen Desserts, Ready Meals and Processed Poultry. Four manufacturers of these products were interviewed.ResultsEligible products (31 % of all Tick products in these categories) removed 4·1 million megajoules of energy, 156·0 tonnes of saturated fat, 15·4 tonnes of trans-fat and 4·0 tonnes of sodium from food products sold in New Zealand over three years. In each food category, these Tick products were, on average, 14–76 % lower in energy, saturated fat, trans-fat and sodium than non-Tick products, indicating healthier options. Participating manufacturers reported that international market trends and consumer demand for tasty, healthy foods primarily influenced Tick product development and sales. Tick was used as part of their marketing strategy as it was perceived as a credible, well-recognised logo for New Zealand consumers. Tick was cited as the primary initiative encouraging saturated fat reduction.ConclusionsThe Tick Programme is continuing to encourage manufacturers to make meaningful improvements to the nutritional quality of the New Zealand food supply. Over time, these changes are likely to influence population nutrient intakes and reduce CVD risk factors.

Co-Design and Open Trial of Starship Rescue, a Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Biofeedback, and Game-Based eHealth Intervention to Treat Anxiety in Children and Young People with Long-Term Physical Conditions (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiran Thabrew ◽  
Karolina Stasiak ◽  
Harshali Kumar ◽  
Tarique Naseem ◽  
Christopher Frampton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Young People ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Ehealth Intervention

BACKGROUND Approximately 10% to 12% of New Zealand children and young people have long-term physical conditions (also known as chronic illnesses) and are more likely to develop psychological problems, particularly anxiety and depression. Delayed treatment leads to worse physical and mental healthcare, school absence, and poorer long-term outcomes. Recently, electronic health (eHealth) interventions, especially those based on the principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), have been shown to be as good as face-to-face therapy. Biofeedback techniques have also been shown to enhance relaxation during the treatment of anxiety. However, these modalities have rarely been combined. Young people with long-term physical conditions have expressed a preference for well-designed and technologically-based support to deal with psychological issues, especially anxiety. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to co-design and evaluate the (i) acceptability and (ii) usability of a CBT and biofeedback-based, 5-module eHealth game called ‘Starship Rescue’ and (iii) to provide preliminary evidence regarding its effectiveness in addressing anxiety and quality of life in young people with long-term physical conditions. METHODS Starship Rescue was co-designed with children and young people from a tertiary hospital in Auckland, New Zealand. Following this, 24 young people aged 10 to 17 years were enrolled in an open trial, during which they were asked to use the game for an 8-week period. Acceptability of the game to all participants was assessed using a brief, open-ended questionnaire, and more detailed feedback was obtained from a subset of 10 participants via semi-structured interviews. Usability was evaluated via the System Usability Scale (SUS) and device-recorded frequency and duration of access on completion of the game. Anxiety levels were measured prior to commencement, on completion of the game, and 3 months later using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) and Spence Child Anxiety Scales (SCAS), and at the start of each module and at the end of the game using an embedded Likert/visual analog scale. Quality of life was measured prior to commencement and on completion of the game using the Pediatric Quality of Life Scale (PEDS-QL). RESULTS Users gave Starship Rescue an overall rating of 5.9 out of 10 (range 3-10 and a mean score of 71 out of 100 (SD 11.7; min 47.5; max 90) on the System Usability Scale (SUS). The mean time period for use of the game was just over 11-weeks (78.8 days, 13.5 hours, 40 minutes). Significant reductions in anxiety were noted between the start and end of the game on the GAD-7 (-4.6 (p=0.000)), SCAS (-9.6 (p=0.005)), and the Likert/visual analogue scales (-2.4 (p=0.001)). Quality of life also improved on the PedsQL scale (+4.3 (p=0.042)). All changes were sustained at 3-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence for Starship Rescue being an acceptable, usable and effective eHealth intervention for addressing anxiety in young people with long-term physical conditions. Further evaluation is planned via a more formal randomized controlled trial. CLINICALTRIAL Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Network Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001253493p;https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371443 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6sYB716lf)

scholarly journals HUBUNGAN PERILAKU MASYARAKAT DALAM PEMBERANTASAN SARANG NYAMUK DAN FAKTOR LINGKUNGAN DENGAN KEJADIAN DEMAM BERDARAH DENGUE DI WILAYAH PUSKESMAS I DENPASAR SELATAN DAN PUSKESMAS I DENPASAR TIMUR

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Dwi Jata ◽  
Nyoman Adi Putra ◽  
I.B.G. Pujaastawa
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Center ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public Health Center ◽  
Community Behavior ◽  
Service Need

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is one of diseases that causes health problems in Indonesia and oftenly creates extraordinary events with great death. The purpose of this research is to discover relationship community behavior in mosquito nesting eradication and environmental factors with DHF incidence in 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Selatan and 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Timur. The research design used is observational, cross-sectional. Total sample of 82 households. Sampling was done in proportion sampling method. Results of the analysis of environmental variables associated with DHF incidence in 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Selatan: occupant density (p = 0.02), mobility (p = 0.01), the habit of hanging clothes (p = 0.04). 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Timur: mobility (p = 0.00), clogged water ditches (p = 0.00), containers water existance (p = 0.03), the habit of hanging clothes (p = 0.00). Knowledge, attitude and actions in 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Selatan and 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Timur statistically correlated with DHF incidence. As conclusion of the research results, in 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Selatan and 1st Public Health Center Denpasar Timur, that is mobility, the habit of hanging clothes, knowledge, attitude and actions strongly related with DHF incidence, while that is clogged water ditches, containers water existance and occupant density has no relation with DHF incidence. Public Health Center need to intensify health promotion, improves the quality of MNE (PSN), and the Provincial Health Service need to support Public Health Center on setting policies which necessary.

MS prevalence in New Zealand, an ethnically and latitudinally diverse country

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. 1422-1431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce V Taylor ◽  
John F Pearson ◽  
Glynnis Clarke ◽  
Deborah F Mason ◽  
David A Abernethy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Latitudinal Gradient ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
European Population ◽  
Multiple Sources ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The North ◽  
Mcdonald Criteria

Background: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not uniform, with a latitudinal gradient of prevalence present in most studies. Understanding the drivers of this gradient may allow a better understanding of the environmental factors involved in MS pathogenesis. Method: The New Zealand national MS prevalence study (NZMSPS) is a cross-sectional study of people with definite MS (DMS) (McDonald criteria 2005) resident in New Zealand on census night, 7 March 2006, utilizing multiple sources of notification. Capture—recapture analysis (CRA) was used to estimate missing cases. Results: Of 2917 people with DMS identified, the crude prevalence was 72.4 per 100,000 population, and 73.1 per 100,000 when age-standardized to the European population. CRA estimated that 96.7% of cases were identified. A latitudinal gradient was seen with MS prevalence increasing three-fold from the North (35°S) to the South (48°S). The gradient was non-uniform; females with relapsing—remitting/secondary-progressive (RRMS/SPMS) disease have a gradient 11 times greater than males with primary-progressive MS ( p < 1 × 10-7). DMS was significantly less common among those of Māori ethnicity. Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a robust latitudinal gradient of MS prevalence in New Zealand. This gradient is largely driven by European females with the RRMS/SPMS phenotype. These results indicate that the environmental factors that underlie the latitudinal gradient act differentially by gender, ethnicity and MS phenotype. A better understanding of these factors may allow more targeted MS therapies aimed at modifiable environmental triggers at the population level.

scholarly journals A multipurpose tool to evaluate the nutritional quality of individual foods: Nutrimap®

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 690-700 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Labouze ◽  
C Goffi ◽  
L Moulay ◽  
V Azaïs-Braesco
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Nutritional Quality ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Consumer Information ◽  
Food Category ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
Nutritional Needs ◽  
Health Objectives

AbstractBackground/objectivesWith obesity and nutrition-related diseases rising, public health authorities have recently insisted nutritional quality be included when advertising and labelling food. The concept of nutritional quality is, however, difficult to define. In this paper we present an innovative, science-based nutrient profiling system, Nutrimap®, which quantifies nutritional assets and weaknesses of foods.MethodsThe position of a food is defined according to its nutritional composition, food category, the consumer's nutritional needs, consumption data and major public health objectives for nutrition. Amounts of each of 15 relevant nutrients (in 100 kcal) are scored according to their ability to ‘rebalance’ or ‘unbalance’ the supply in the whole diet, compared with current recommendations and intakes. These scores are weighted differently in different food categories according to the measured relevance of the category to a nutrient's supply. Positive (assets) and negative (weaknesses) scores are totalled separately.ResultsNutrimap®provides an overall estimate of the nutritional quality of same-category foods, enabling easy comparisons as exemplified for cereals and fruit/vegetables. Results are consistent with major nutritional recommendations and match classifications provided by other systems. Simulations for breakfasts show that Nutrimap®can help design meals of controlled nutritional value.ConclusionsCombining objective scientific bases with pragmatic concerns, Nutrimap®appears to be effective in comparing food items. Decision-makers can set their own limits within the Nutrimap®-defined assets and weaknesses of foods and reach categorisations consistent with their objectives – from regulatory purposes to consumer information or support for designing meals (catering) or new products (food industry).

scholarly journals An investigation of the quality of meat sold in Lesotho

2009 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Seeiso ◽  
C.M.E. McCrindle
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Geographical Information Systems ◽  
Public Health Intervention ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Veterinary Public Health ◽  
Slaughter Slabs

Since the closure of the Lesotho abattoir in 2003, only imported meat can be legally sold. However, it was estimated in 2007 that 80 % of the meat sold at butcheries comes from informal slaughter. The aim of this study was to investigate the situation. The number and location of informal butcheries in Lesotho (n = 143) were recorded and mapped using Geographical Information Systems. Observations (photographs) of informal slaughter indicated a lack of hygiene, unskilled slaughtermen and illegal disposal of offal with possible environmental pollution. In addition, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the microbiological quality of meat from randomly selected carcasses (n = 237) of cattle, sheep and pigs from a sample of 44 butcheries, 4 of which were associated with registered supermarkets. As a control, samples for microbiological assay were taken from imported meat originating from carcasses (n = 20) slaughtered at a registered abattoir in South Africa. Of the 44 butcheries investigated only the 4 commercial butcheries associated with supermarkets sold imported meat only; 3 butcheries sold meat inspected at government slaughter slabs (n = 3), while the rest (n = 37) sold both imported and informally slaughtered meat. In terms of Lesotho legislation, informally slaughtered meat is only for home consumption. The bacteriological counts from all samples showed a total bacterial plate count exceeding 30 organisms per mℓ in contrast with the controls which all showed a count less than 5 colonies per mℓ. This was found for both imported and informally slaughtered meat sold in Lesotho. In addition, meat samples from butcheries showed the presence of the potential pathogens Salmonella (n = 2), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 12) and Escherichia coli (n=15). During the study, anthrax was confirmed in 9 human patients, 5 of whom died, after consumption of informally slaughtered livestock. Although no cases of animal abuse were detected, it was considered that informal slaughter can prejudice livestock welfare. It was concluded that the current situation is not acceptable in terms of meat safety. Thus, the Veterinary Public Health Directorate of the National Veterinary Services has prioritised the monitoring of butchers, registration of slaughter slabs and a general extension campaign to improve hygiene and animal welfare standards for slaughter in Lesotho. This paper highlights the major risks associated with meat consumption without Veterinary Public Health intervention in accordance with international standards.

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