Taxation of unhealthy food consumption and the intensive versus extensive margin of obesity

If an individual’s health costs are U-shaped in weight with a minimum at some healthy level and if the individual has both self-control problems and rational motives for over- or underweight, the optimal paternalistic tax on calorie intake mitigates the individual’s weight problem (intensive margin), but does not induce the individual to choose healthy weight (extensive margin). Implementing healthy weight by a calorie tax is not only inferior to paternalistic taxation, but may even be worse than not taxing the individual at all. With heterogeneous individuals, the optimal uniform paternalistic tax may have the negative side effect of reducing calorie intake of the under- and normal weights. We confirm these theoretical insights by an empirical calibration to US adults.

Association Between Maternal Body Mass and Physical Activity Counseling During Pregnancy

Aims: The antenatal period provides an important opportunity for giving advice on healthy lifestyle choices. However, the prevalence of maternal obesity is increasing, and women report that they do not receive counseling. We investigated the information given to pregnant women on gestational weight gain, physical activity, and nutrition during pregnancy in relation with their initial weight status, current gestational weight gain and diagnoses of either pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity or excessive gestational weight gain.Methods: Cross-sectional survey using a questionnaire. Pregnant participants (n = 141) were recruited from a midwife center. They completed a structured questionnaire on the information they received during their pregnancy and we assessed its relationship with their weight.Results: We found that many pregnant women did not receive advice about physical activity, gestational weight gain and nutrition (37.5, 53.2, and 66.2%, respectively). Women with weight problems (pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and excessive gestational weight gain) were less targeted for counseling, although more than 80% of the women viewed receiving information on these topics as positive. Also, being informed of a weight problem was associated with a greater chance of receiving information about physical activity, gestational weight gain and nutrition (all p < 0.05). However, verbalization of the weight problems was low (14.0% of women with pre-pregnancy overweight were informed of their status).Conclusion: Health professionals should dispense more information, especially on PA and particularly for women with weight problems. Verbalization of the weight problem seems associated with more frequent transmission of information.

Medical Weight Problem Diagnosis and Minority Women’s Desire for Thinness

Background and Objectives: Without appropriate medical weight problem diagnosis, minority women might have inaccurate views of their weight status. It is likely that receiving an obesity diagnosis from a physician will raise women’s awareness of their weight status and increase their desire or intent to control their weight. This study assessed: (1) the unique and combined contribution of medical weight diagnosis to desire to be thinner among minority women with overweight/obesity; (2) to what extent ethnicity/race moderated the relation of medical weight problem diagnosis to desire to be thinner; and 3) ethnic/racial differences in perceived and ideal body size, and body dissatisfaction among minority women. Methods: 366 Hispanic and 111 African American women with a mean age of 43.7 years (SD=15.9 years) completed a self-report health survey and figure rating scale. Results: Only 34.1% women reported having received a medical weight problem diagnosis in the past 12 months. Women with obesity (35.4%) were more likely to have received a medical weight problem diagnosis than women with overweight (11.8%) (p<0.001). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed an association between a medical weight problem diagnosis (β=0.19, p=0.011) and desire to be thinner after controlling for ethnicity/race, researcher-estimated body mass index, and weight concern. Conclusions: The study’s findings provide evidence supporting the significant role that physicians’ weight problem diagnosis may play in minority women’s desire for thinness.

Social media advertisements with deposit contracts and fitness club/gym membership: are consumers persuaded?

Purpose This study aims to examine the association of social media advertising with deposit contracts and consumers joining a fitness club/gym. Design/methodology/approach This paper surveyed 745 college students. Three deposit contract options were presented with goals of losing 5% of your original weight, losing 10 pounds from your weight and exercising for 75 min. Findings This paper found that consumers chose deposit contracts at higher rates than no contract or regular contract options. This paper found that behavioral control was positively associated with choosing a deposit contract. This paper found that presence of a weight problem was positively associated with choosing a deposit contract with very concrete goals of losing 10 pounds or exercising for 75 min while no association occurred for the less specific concrete goal of losing 5% of your original weight. Originality/value In conclusion, marketers can consider a novel advertising approach on social media of advertising deposit contract information to possibly interest consumers to join a fitness club/gym.

Weight loss diet on adult female and body composition exercise application with weight loss

This study aims to evaluate the physical effects of sport activities and diet programmes to lose weight in their free times on female with weight problem and living in Sakarya. Anthropometric measurements were conducted on 16 individuals with weight problem and the effects of diet on individuals are examined. These evaluations were obtained with value and percentage analysis conducted via the SPSS program. The results showed significant differences when the time for free time to participate in the sport activities and effects of these activities on individuals with the weight problem. Individuals selected diet and exercise programmes as they desired. The participants were examined based on average age, anthropometric measurements, food habits and physical activity. Also, changes in their metabolisms were examined. Female patients were randomly selected among volunteered plump and overweight female with over 27 kg/m² Body Mass Index and came with the recommendation of a Physician and willingly. Keywords: Sport, women, diet

Hollow Light Guide Module Involving Mini Light-Emitting Diodes for Asymmetric Luminous Planar Illuminators

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have numerous advantages. However, LEDs only offer a point light source. Therefore, transforming LEDs into planar light sources is a new objective in general lighting applications. Solid light guides have strong uniformity but are marred by their material absorption characteristics and weight. Hollow light guides constitute a solution to the weight problem but exhibit poor uniformity and necessitate sacrificing efficiency to enhance uniformity. To resolve the uniformity, weight, and efficiency problems simultaneously, we propose a hollow light guide architecture involving mini-LEDs with asymmetric luminous intensity. To develop this guide module, we first optimized the aspect ratio of the cavity and then modulated the light path by using varied angles of the reflection surface on the end wall of the module. We then designed a beveled reflection surface near the mini-LEDs to further enhance uniformity. An archetype of the proposed architecture for planar light source modules had a width and depth of 51.5 and 9.95 mm, respectively. Experimental results revealed a total efficiency of 83.9% and uniformity of 92.3%. The module weight was determined to be 215 g, which was 40% lighter than that of similarly sized solid light guide modules.

Experience Numerous benefits of Water-based activity in The Island of God

Starting to do exercise must be challenging, especially for someone who is not used to it. Therefore, combining physical activity and vacation is a perfect option for a beginner. Water sport may be a perfect choice to spend a holiday while train body back into its perfect condition. A getaway trip to Bali Is not only about staying in luxury hotels or villas, Wine and dine on a famous beachfront restaurant, or shopping in the heart of Seminyak shopping centers. The exotic island on the equator offers a wide selection of water recreation with dozen of benefits for those health seekers. This writing is a descriptive study. The findings from previous studies which discussing vacation and water-related exercise were compiled as data. Bali was served as tourism object where this study is undertaken. Then, the compiled data were used to describe the benefit of recreation in Bali as the tourism object and its water activity for health. The Island of Bali, known for its breathtaking landscape and as the best tourist destination, offers additional choices to tourists who wished to travel while getting extra benefits for their health. Some studies revealed there are numerous advantage someone may obtain by doing physical activity in the water, such as improvement in cardio, respiratory, and muscle strength. The activity also promotes full body workout to help overcome weight problem, both under and overweight while holiday in Bali helps the traveler to take a break from the tedious yet stressful environment.