Health Behaviors in Times of COVID: Different Sources of Support for Older Adults

Eating a nutritious diet reduces vulnerability to common chronic diseases. Yet, older adults struggle to meet nutritional guidelines; many have found it particularly challenging to access fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables during the pandemic. Thus, it is vital to better understand how older adults may recruit the help of close others to support healthy dietary intake. This COVID-19 study examines the role of support for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in daily life. Ninety-seven older adults participated with a close other of their choice (62 % spouse; 38% non-spouse Mage partner1 = 72, SD = 5.26, Mage partner2 = 62, SD = 16.38). Both partners completed two daily questionnaires for 10 days. In the morning they reported their intentions for eating fruit and vegetables. In the evening, they noted their consumed fruit and vegetable servings, the extent to which this matched their intentions, and their partners support in doing so. Consistent with previous research, the older participants were, the more they consumed fruits and vegetables. On days when participants received more support from their partner, they were more successful at reaching their dietary goals. Interestingly, initial findings suggest that associations were stronger when support was provided from a non-spouse than if the support came from spouse. Follow-up analyses, with a larger sample, will further examine some of the underlying mechanisms so as to better understand the role of different kinds of support providers during the pandemic and shed light on who may be best suited to provide support.

Foraging Interference and Fruit Palatability in Pteropus Scapulatus (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae): Management Implications

<p>The “residents and raiders” theory emphasizes the importance of conspecific feeding interference in seed dispersal by frugivorous megachiropterans. Agonistic interactions at fruiting trees frequently result in the “ejection” of one bat, which has often first obtained some fruit. The ejected bat then flies to an unoccupied tree, thus dispersing non-consumed seeds. For seeds too large to be swallowed this may be the sole method of dispersal. Raiding and subsequent seed spread only occur when bat populations are sufficiently large, relative to resources, to cause competition for food. If competition similarly affects nectarivorous bats and their floral resources, decline in a bat population could lead to reduced seed set and genetic diversity in their food-plant species. Pteropus scapulatus (Little Red Flying Fox) visit the flowers of dozens of Australian and New Guinean species and are believed to play an important role in the pollination of Eucalyptus and Melaleuca. Feeding-interference and raiding “success” by P. scapulatus eating fruit at Wellington Zoo (New Zealand) was studied to infer the importance of population size on cross-pollination. Decrease in population-to-resource ratio was correlated with decrease in raiding frequency, suggesting a decreased likelihood of cross pollination. These results highlight the value of management practices that promote the maintenance of large populations of nectarivorous megachiropterans. The effects of dominance and food preference on these behaviours were also evaluated. Dominance was inversely correlated to both dispersal and maturity. Contrary to many reports, females were not always subordinate to males. Fruit preference data may be useful for selecting “distracter” trees in orchards prone to damage by fruit bats and for ex situ husbandry concerns. Implications for population-, orchard-, and captive-management are discussed.</p>

Foraging Interference and Fruit Palatability in Pteropus Scapulatus (Megachiroptera: Pteropodidae): Management Implications

<p>The “residents and raiders” theory emphasizes the importance of conspecific feeding interference in seed dispersal by frugivorous megachiropterans. Agonistic interactions at fruiting trees frequently result in the “ejection” of one bat, which has often first obtained some fruit. The ejected bat then flies to an unoccupied tree, thus dispersing non-consumed seeds. For seeds too large to be swallowed this may be the sole method of dispersal. Raiding and subsequent seed spread only occur when bat populations are sufficiently large, relative to resources, to cause competition for food. If competition similarly affects nectarivorous bats and their floral resources, decline in a bat population could lead to reduced seed set and genetic diversity in their food-plant species. Pteropus scapulatus (Little Red Flying Fox) visit the flowers of dozens of Australian and New Guinean species and are believed to play an important role in the pollination of Eucalyptus and Melaleuca. Feeding-interference and raiding “success” by P. scapulatus eating fruit at Wellington Zoo (New Zealand) was studied to infer the importance of population size on cross-pollination. Decrease in population-to-resource ratio was correlated with decrease in raiding frequency, suggesting a decreased likelihood of cross pollination. These results highlight the value of management practices that promote the maintenance of large populations of nectarivorous megachiropterans. The effects of dominance and food preference on these behaviours were also evaluated. Dominance was inversely correlated to both dispersal and maturity. Contrary to many reports, females were not always subordinate to males. Fruit preference data may be useful for selecting “distracter” trees in orchards prone to damage by fruit bats and for ex situ husbandry concerns. Implications for population-, orchard-, and captive-management are discussed.</p>

Changes in Dietary Habits and Exercise Pattern of Korean Adolescents from Prior to during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study aimed to investigate changes in the exercise pattern and dietary habits in adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 12–18-year-old population in the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey data of 2019 and 2020 was enrolled. The exercise pattern and dietary habits of 105,600 participants (53,461 in the 2019 group and 52,139 in the 2020 group) were compared. The odds ratios (ORs) for the dietary habits and exercise pattern of the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis with complex sampling. The odds of eating fruit, drinking soda, drinking sweet drinks, and consuming fast food were lower in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (all p < 0.001). The odds of eating breakfast were higher in the 2020 group than in the 2019 group (all p < 0.001). The 2020 group showed lower odds of frequent vigorous and moderate aerobic exercise and higher odds of frequent anaerobic exercise than the 2019 group (all p < 0.001). During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents consumed less fruit, soda, and sweet drinks, while they had more breakfast. The frequency of aerobic exercise was lower, while the frequency of anaerobic exercise were higher during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

Perceived Onset Time of Medical Conditions: The Interplay Between Subjective Fear and Risk in Four Lifestyle Domains

Engaging in unhealthy behaviors (e.g., smoking, drinking) and not engaging in healthy ones (e.g., exercising, consuming fruit and vegetables) are both relatively prevalent among individuals despite the available information about their risks for health. People’s perception of an event’s time course can be used to gauge their risk perception for that event thus casting light on any possible misperception and suggesting directions for health-promoting interventions. This study investigates people’s perception of the time of onset of 5 noncommunicable diseases (e.g., “having high blood pressure”) associated with 4 health-related behaviors: Smoking, drinking, exercising, and eating fruit and vegetable. Participants from Italy ( N = 214) and the UK ( N = 151) gave onset time estimates of how long they thought it would take for 5 noncommunicable diseases to occur in the life of an 18-year-old person who starts or stops adopting those health-related behaviors. Results showed that participants who rated the noncommunicable diseases as more likely to themselves perceived the onset time of these diseases as more temporally proximal. Participants who were more afraid of developing the noncommunicable diseases estimated their onset time as delayed.

JENIS MAKANAN DAN KETINGGIAN TENGGERAN BURUNG MAKAN DI KEBUN RAYA BANUA BANJARBARU, INDONESIA

There was no data available on the type of food and the height of the perch for birds to eat that food at the Banua Botanical Garden, Banjarbaru. The research aimed to identify the type of bird food and determine the perch height where birds eat. Data were collected from three types of habitat, namely open land, mixed vegetation, and acacia vegetation. Through the survey and point count with a maximum radius of 50 m at 07.00-10.00 and 16.00‒18.30 for 3 replications, birds were observed and the occurrences ―when a certain bird species ate a certain type of food at a certain perch height above ground level― was calculated. Types of food were grouped into fruit, grains, nectar, insects, fish, and others. The height of the perch was divided into three classes, namely Class A (0 - <5 m from ground level), Class B (5 - <10 m), and Class C (10 - <15 m). There are 315 occurrences carried out by 24 bird species (19 families). The most common occurrence is birds eating fruit and grains. The most common perch height where birds do so is Class A.Tidak tersedia data tentang jenis makanan dan ketinggian tenggeran burung memakan makanan itu di Kebun Raya Banua, Banjarbaru. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi jenis makanan burung dan menentukan ketinggian tenggeran yang sering digunakan oleh burung ketika memakan jenis makanan itu. Data dikumpulkan dari tiga tipe habitat, yaitu lahan terbuka, vegetasi campuran, dan vegetasi akasia. Melalui metode survei dan lingkaran hitung beradius maksimal 50 m pada jam 07.00‒10.00 dan 16.00‒18.30 selama 3 ulangan, burung diamati dan kejadian bahwa spesies burung tertentu memakan jenis makanan tertentu pada ketinggian tenggeran tertentu dari permukaan tanah― dihitung. Jenis makanan dikelompokkan dalam buah, bulir, nectar, insekta, ikan, dan lainnya. Ketinggian tenggeran dibagi dalam tiga kelas, yaitu Kelas A (0 ‒ <5 m dari permukaan tanah), Kelas B (5 - <10 m), dan Kelas C (10 - <15 m). Tercatat 315 kejadian dilakukan oleh 24 spesies (19 famili) burung. Kejadian yang paling banyak ditemukan adalah burung memakan buah dan bulir. Ketinggian tenggeran yang paling banyak ditemukan saat burung melakukan itu adalah Kelas A.

Culture And Community Partnership Approach to Making a Healthy Indonesian Society (GERMAS) With The Helix Method

GERMAS is a movement with the aim of improving people's healthy life and leaving unhealthy habits and behavior of society. One of the areas that become national priorities based on the Decree of the Minister of Villages for Disadvantaged Areas and Trans-Migration of the Republic of Indonesia Number 126 of 2017 concerning the determination of priority villages for village development targets, development of underdeveloped areas and transmigration, including the Village Assistance of Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan Problems in the health sector in Banjar Regency can be seen from the Health Profile Data for Banjar Regency in 2017 which shows the incidence of infectious and non-communicable diseases that are still experienced by many people in Banjar Regency such as ISPA, Hypertension, Rheumatism, Gastritis, Duodenitis, Diarrhea, Dermatitis and Pulmonary TB. One of the concepts that can be used in the implementation of the GERMAS action program is the concept of a partnership with an approach to religious figures, educational institutions, society, and the media. This study uses a quantitative descriptive-analytical design with a quantitative descriptive survey method with a random sampling technique. By using the instrument used in this study is a questionnaire sheet. Based on the research results obtained as follows: knowledge level as much as 53%, physical activity 70%, eating fruit and vegetable foods 75%, alcohol consumption 56%, health checks 15%, environmental hygiene 45%, using a latrine 23%, use of media as much as 80% and social activities as much as 80%. The results of this study hope that the people of Desa Pembantanan will implement a community movement for healthy living which includes 4 indicators, namely increasing knowledge, not drinking alcohol, environmental hygiene, and not using latrines, so that they can avoid health problems from non-communicable diseases.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Loneliness Among National Samples of In-School Adolescents in Four Caribbean Countries

Background The goal of the study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of loneliness among adolescent school children in four Caribbean countries. Methods Nationally representative cross-sectional data were analysed from 9,143 adolescents (15 years=median age) that took part in the “2016 Dominican Republic, 2016 Suriname, 2017 Jamaica and 2017 Trinidad and Tobago “Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS).” Results The prevalence of loneliness was 15.3% in four Caribbean countries, ranging from 12.1% in Dominican Republic to 18.6% in Jamaica. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, female sex, having no close friends, older age, anxiety induced sleep disturbance, frequent bullying victimization (≥3 days/month), having been physically attacked, parental emotional neglect, having sustained multiple serious injuries (past year) and not eating fruit and vegetables were associated with loneliness. In addition, in sex stratified adjusted logistic regression analysis, among boys, daily exposure to passive smoking, and being from Suriname, and among girls, frequent experience of hunger, low peer support, trouble from drinking alcohol and high leisure-time sedentary behaviour (≥8 hrs/day) were associated with loneliness. Moreover, in addition to above results, in unadjusted analysis, involvement in physical fight, parents never check on homework, parental disrespect of privacy, frequent school truancy (≥3 days/month), current tobacco use, having no physical education and drinking frequently soft drinks (≥3/day) were associated with loneliness. Conclusion Almost one in six students reported loneliness and several associated factors were identified which can aid intervention strategies.

Perempuan: Sumber Dosa atau Sumber Hikmat? Tafsir Ulang Kejadian 3:1-24 dari Perspektif Feminis

There is an understanding that women and their bodies are the source of sin that must be shunned in our society. It is also evident in Christianity, where themes about women's bodies and their sexuality are also often associated with sin, transgression and punishment. This understanding is rooted in the story of Eve eating fruit in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-24) which is seen as a story of the "fall" of humans because of women's sin. In other words, women are seen as the cause of humans falling into sin. Of course, this understanding has a negative impact on women dignity. Women then experience discrimination almost in all fields. Their body and sexuality are also controlled by men. In this regard, a re-reading of the text of Genesis 3:1-24 is needed to free women from such kind of understanding. The author interprets the text of Genesis 3:1-24 from a feminist perspective using literature research methods. The result of this interpretation is that women are not the source of sin but rather the source of wisdom. Through the results of this interpretation is expected to change the way of thinking of society to respect women and their bodies better. Dalam kehidupan masyarakat terdapat pemahaman bahwa perempuan dan tubuhnya adalah sumber dosa yang harus dijauhi. Hal ini tampak dalam kekristenan di mana tema tentang tubuh perempuan dan seksualitasnya juga sering dihubungkan dengan dosa, pelanggaran dan hukuman. Pemahaman ini berakar dari kisah Hawa makan buah di taman Eden (Kej. 3:1-24) yang dipandang sebagai cerita “kejatuhan” manusia karena dosa perempuan. Dengan kata lain, perempuan dipandang sebagai penyebab manusia jatuh ke dalam dosa. Pemahaman ini menimbulkan dampak negatif terhadap perempuan secara keseluruhan. Perempuan mengalami diskriminasi hampir dalam segala bidang. Tubuh dan seksualitas mereka juga dikontrol oleh laki-laki. Sehubungan dengan hal itu, perlu dilakukan pembacaan ulang terhadap Kejadian 3:1-24 untuk membebaskan kaum perempuan. Penulis menafsirkan Kejadian 3:1-24 dari perspektif feminis dengan menggunakan metode penelitian literatur. Hasil dari penafsiran ini adalah bahwa perempuan bukan sumber dosa melainkan adalah sumber hikmat. Melalui hasil tafsiran ini diharapkan dapat mengubah cara berpikir masyarakat untuk lebih menghargai perempuan dan tubuhnya.