Average Fruit Research Articles

Lifestyle, medication use, and age considerations with acne vulgaris: A prospective study

AbstractBackgroundLifestyle has been associated with acne, but few studies assess how the relationship changes over time. Observational studies often overlook the effects of acne medication use and participant age in relationships with lifestyle‐related factors.ObjectivesTo describe relationships between lifestyle‐related factors, medication use, and age in adolescent and young adult acne patients and acne‐free controls.MethodsThis prospective study recruited 12‐ to 24‐year‐olds with or without acne at baseline. Surveys were electronically administered at enrolment and again 6 weeks later. Analyses were conducted on all participants who had complete baseline data (N = 190) and participants who had complete baseline and follow‐up data (N = 61).ResultsAmong 190 participants who completed the baseline survey, ages ranged from 12 to 24 years, but acne cases were concentrated in the middle of this range while controls had comparably more participants with ages towards the extremes. Among 61 participants who completed both baseline and follow‐up surveys, no participants indicated worse acne over the 6 weeks, and most acne cases believed their acne improved (n = 25 [69.4%]). Acne cases who used medication daily (N = 24) saw improved emotion‐related quality of life between the two assessments (mean ± standard deviation: 43.4 ± 24.4 to 29.1 ± 23.7; p < 0.001). Among acne cases who used medication daily, average fruit or vegetable consumption increased from 2.4 ± 2.0 to 3.0 ± 2.9 times per day over the preceding 7 days (p = 0.02). Among acne cases who believed their acne improved over the 6 weeks post‐dermatology visit (N = 25), average days of skin picking over the previous 7 days declined between assessments (3.9 ± 2.4 to 2.4 ± 1.9 days; p = 0.003).ConclusionsMedication use and age differences should be considered when designing future studies on acne and lifestyle‐related factors.

Combining ability analysis in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for potential quality improvement.

Combining ability analysis provides useful information for the selection of parents, also information regarding the nature and magnitude of involved gene actions. Crops improvement involves strategies for enhancing yield potentiality and quality components. Targeting the improvement of respective characters in bitter gourd, combining ability and genetic parameters for 19 characters were estimated from a 6×6 full diallel analysis technique. The results revealed that the variances due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for most of the important characters. It indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene actions. GCA variances were higher in magnitude than SCA variances for all the characters studied indicating the predominance of the additive gene effects in their inheritance. The parent P2 (BG 009) appeared as the best general combiner for earliness; P1 (BG 006) for number of fruits, average single fruit weight and fruit yield; P4 (BG 027) for node number of first female flower and days to seed fruit maturity; P3 (BG 011) for fruit length and thickness of the fruit flesh; P5 (BG 033) for 100-seed weight; and P6 for number of nodes per main vine. The SCA effect as well as reciprocal effect was also significant for most of the important characters in different crosses.

Generational Differences in Food Consumption among Chinese Adults of Different Ages.

Limited knowledge currently exists regarding the dynamics of generational shifts in food consumption among adult residents in China. This study aimed to investigate the generational differences in dietary status among different generations of Chinese adult residents aged 20 years and older. Survey participants from four waves (1991, 2000, 2009, and 2018) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) cohort were included in the study (N = 40,704), providing three-day 24 h dietary data. Participants were categorized into six age groups (20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and ≥70 years old), each corresponding to specific generations (Gen 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90) based on their age at the time of the survey. This study examined generational differences in the intake of cereals, animal-based foods, vegetables, fruits, dairy, energy, and the contribution of macronutrients to energy using chi-square tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. All analyses were stratified by gender. Our findings revealed that younger generations exhibited lower daily intake of cereals, vegetables, energy, and contribution of carbohydrates to energy, compared to their older counterparts, regardless of gender. Conversely, regardless of male or female, younger generations showed higher daily consumption of animal-based foods, average fruit and dairy intake, fruit and dairy consumption rates, as well as contributions of protein and fat to energy, compared to older generations. The magnitude of generational differences in food consumption varied by age and gender. In addition, cereal and vegetable intake, energy intake, and contribution of carbohydrates to energy declined with age across all generations, while average dairy intake, fruit and dairy consumption rates, and the contribution of fat to energy tended to increase, regardless of gender. In conclusion, generational differences in food consumption were evident among different generations of Chinese adult residents, characterized by an increase in animal-based food intake and the contribution of fat to energy among generations. Attention should be directed towards addressing the eating behavior of younger generations.

Relationships between Different Growth and Yield Traits in Bottle Guord [Lagenaria siceraria (mol.) Standl] with Path Coefficient Analysis over Seasons under Salt Affected Soil

This study used 23 genotypes of bottle gourd—27 F1 hybrids, 12 Parents (9 lines, and 3 testers)—during two seasons (Y1 and Y2) and pooled analyses to analyze the correlations between fruit production per plant (Kg), growth, and economic features. The observations were evaluated based on qualities that are related to growth and yield. It was discovered that the fruit yield per plant had exhibited a significant and positive phenotypic correlation with the length of the male and female flowers' pedicels, the number of primary branches per plant, the length of the vine, the number of nodes per vine, the internodal length, the duration of picking, the length of the peduncle, the length of the fruit, the average fruit's circumference, the average fruit's weight, the number of fruits per plant. The highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant was exerted by number of fruit per plant followed by average fruit weight at phenotypic level. Whereas, higher negative direct effects exerted by days to first fruit harvest. The soil type of experimental site was sandy loam with average fertility level and pH in the range of 7.5-8.5

Nutritional Intake after Liver Transplant: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cardiovascular disease and its concurrent risk factors are prevalent after liver transplant (LT). Most of these risk factors are modifiable by diet. We aimed to synthesise the literature reporting the nutritional intake of liver transplant recipients (LTR) and the potential determinants of intake. We performed a systematic review and meta-analyses of studies published up until July 2021 reporting the nutritional intake of LTR. The pooled daily mean intakes were recorded as 1998 (95% CI 1889, 2108) kcal, 17 (17, 18)% energy from protein, 49 (48, 51)% energy from carbohydrates, 34 (33, 35)% energy from total fat, 10 (7, 13)% energy from saturated fat, and 20 (18, 21) g of fibre. The average fruit and vegetable intake ranged from 105 to 418 g/day. The length of time post-LT and the age and sex of the cohorts, as well as the continent and year of publication of each study, were sources of heterogeneity. Nine studies investigated the potential determinants of intake, time post-LT, gender and immunosuppression medication, with inconclusive results. Energy and protein requirements were not met in the first month post-transplant. After this point, energy intake was significantly higher and remained stable over time, with a high fat intake and low intake of fibre, fruits and vegetables. This suggests that LTR consume a high-energy, low-quality diet in the long term and do not adhere to the dietary guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention.

Effect of PGPR and Cow Manure on Growth and Yield of Purple Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

The less intensive cultivation of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and the occurrence of soil degradations are the causes of the decline in eggplant production. Therefore, more environmentally friendly effort are needed to increase eggplant production by using PGPR and cow manure. PGPR will work optimally when combined with organic materials sourced from cow manure as nutrients trident for PGPR activity. The research was conducted from April to July 2021, in Plesungan village, Kapas District, Bojonegoro Regency, Jawa Timur. The research used a split plot design (RPT) with 16 treatment combinations and 3 replications. There are 48 trial plots. The sub plot was consentration PGPR (R) with 4 levels and dose of cow manure (K) as a main plot with 4 levesl. The data were analysed using the test of Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with a level of 5%. The result showed that there was an interaction between PGPR and cow manure. Treatment combination K3R3 (15 ton/ha cow manure + 30% NPK 15-15-15 dan 30 ml/l PGPR) increased the average plant height 17 day after planting by 2,80% and K3R2 (15 ton/ha cow manure + 30% NPK 15-15-15 dan 20 ml/l PGPR) increased the average total fruit weight of plant by 1,09%. PGPR was not significantly different in most of the parameters. Meanwhile, cow manure was significantly different in most of parameters. 

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teenagers’ diet

Adolescence defines an intense period of growth and de­velop­ment, being a bridge to adult life, and a balanced diet is essential and often difficult for adolescents to achieve. We wanted to see how the lifestyle and body weight of ado­les­cents were influenced during the COVID-19 pan­de­mic, so we applied a questionnaire in the high schools of Bistriţa-Năsăud county, the study batch being formed of 564 ques­tion­naires. Thus, we noticed that the average body weight in­creased slightly during the COVID-19 pan­de­mic, the per­cen­tage of those who respected the three main meals de­creased, the average fruit and vegetable con­sum­p­tion was 2-3 portions per week, moderate to severe phy­si­cal ac­ti­vity daily was relatively low, and most considered that the presence of fast food stores and restaurants near edu­ca­­tio­nal institutions, along with the circle of friends, had an in­flu­ence on food choices. We consider it useful to introduce pro­grams to promote balanced nutrition in schools along with health strategies aimed at students’ access to healthy food during the time they spend at school.

Associations among Eating Habits, Health Conditions, and Education Level in North Dakota Adults

Objective: Many socioeconomic factors can influence the consumption of a nutritious diet. To uncover factors influencing nutrition habits in North Dakota, we implemented a communitybased nutrition education program. Methods: The program consisted of 6 educational sessions at a farmer’s market in North Dakota. We collected data through a questionnaire to assess individuals’ demographic information, health conditions, fruit and vegetable intake, and nutrition knowledge (N = 290). We analyzed the data using descriptive, chi-square, and one-way ANOVA analysis. Results: Overall, 37% of participants had a 4-year college degree, 20% had a master’s degree, 18% had a high school degree, and 17% had a 2-year or vocational degree. The chi-square analysis indicated a statistically significant correlation between education level and health condition (p = .010) and average total fruit and vegetable intake (p = .020). Participants with a higher level of education had fewer chronic disease diagnoses and ate more fruits and vegetables. The one-way ANOVA indicated a statistically significant relationship between education and nutrition knowledge (p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with higher nutrition knowledge may have healthier eating habits and better health outcomes. Future nutrition education programs are needed to improve health equity and the population’s overall eating habits.

Predicting Heritability of Oil Palm Breeding Using Phenotypic Traits and Machine Learning

Oil palm is one of the main crops grown to help achieve sustainability in Malaysia. The selection of the best breeds will produce quality crops and increase crop yields. This study aimed to examine machine learning (ML) in oil palm breeding (OPB) using factors other than genetic data. A new conceptual framework to adopt the ML in OPB will be presented at the end of this paper. At first, data types, phenotype traits, current ML models, and evaluation technique will be identified through a literature survey. This study found that the phenotype and genotype data are widely used in oil palm breeding programs. The average bunch weight, bunch number, and fresh fruit bunch are the most important characteristics that can influence the genetic improvement of progenies. Although machine learning approaches have been applied to increase the productivity of the crop, most studies focus on molecular markers or genotypes for plant breeding, rather than on phenotype. Theoretically, the use of phenotypic data related to offspring should predict high breeding values by using ML. Therefore, a new ML conceptual framework to study the phenotype and progeny data of oil palm breeds will be discussed in relation to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

EFFECT OF NUTRIENT SOLUTION ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF CHERRY TOMATO VARIETIES IN SOILLESS CULTURE

Nutrient solution and its nutritional compositions may have the effect on growth and fruit quality attributes of cherry tomato. To avoid the build-up of toxins, mineral deficiencies, nutrition abnormalities, or the spread of disease, producers should use optimum level of nutrient solution. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to identify a suitable strength of nutrient solution for cherry tomato in hydroponic system. Treatment considered six levels of nutrient solution [viz., S1: ½ strength Rahman and Inden (2012), S2: ¾ strength Rahman and Inden (2012), S3: Full strength Rahman and Inden (2012), S4: ½ strength Hoagland and Arnon No. 2(1940), S5: ¾ strength Hoagland and Arnon No. 2 (1940) and S6: Full strength Hoagland and Arnon No. 2 (1940)] and two varieties [viz., V1: Local market cherry tomato (red), V2: Irelands cherry tomato (yellow)]. Growth and yield contributing characters, quality parameters, physiological traits and biochemical composition were analyzed. The maximum plant height, number of leaves per plant, first flowering, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruit per cluster, number of cluster per plant, average individual fruit weight and average cluster weight per plant were found in S3. Meanwhile, V2 performed better in respect of plant height, number of leaves per plant, first flowering, number of flowers per cluster, number of fruit per cluster, number of cluster per plant, average individual fruit weight and average cluster weight per plant. Therefore, cherry tomato cv. V2 can be cultured in hydroponic system with applying S3 (Full strength Rahman and Inden nutrient solution).

Colleagues affect healthy eating and exercise behavior

Abstract Exercising and eating healthy are not just an individual choice, but influenced by the social environment. Family members, friends or neighbors influence (un)healthy choices individuals make, yet little is known about other important contacts: colleagues. Many people spend at least 8 hours a day at work, mostly surrounded by the same colleagues. As a third of daily calories are consumed in the workplace and a lot of time is spent sitting there, colleagues could be important in shaping the (un)healthy choices employees make. We study to what extent colleagues influence each other's eating and exercise behavior. We focus on two pathways: colleagues can encourage a healthy lifestyle or act as role models whose behavior can be observed and copied. We use the European Sustainable Workforce Survey, with data on 4345 employees in 402 teams in 113 organizations. We measured healthy eating as how often employees eat fruit and vegetables. We measured exercise by the number of days in the past week employees did sports/physical activity for more than 30 minutes. Colleague encouragement was assessed by the extent to which employees said their colleagues encourage them to eat healthy food or exercise frequently. We computed colleague behavior by taking the average fruit and vegetable consumption, and exercise, of all colleagues in a team. We fitted multilevel models with employees nested in teams and controlled for gender, age, education, working hours, job physical demands, self-rated health, sector and country. Preliminary results show colleague encouragement for healthy eating positively affected fruit consumption (p<.01), colleague fruit consumption did not(p=.62). Both colleague encouragement (p<.01) and colleague vegetable consumption (p=.04) positively relate to vegetable consumption. Colleague encouragement positively (p=.03), and colleague exercise behavior (p<.01) negatively, affected exercise. Worksite health interventions should emphasize the role colleagues may play. Key messages Next to family, friends and neighbors, also colleagues influence each other’s eating and exercise behavior. Worksite health interventions should the role colleagues may play into account when attempting to improve employee health.

THE SELF-FERTILIZATION OF HONESUCKLE BLUE (LONICERA CAERULEAE L.) IN BELARUS CONDITIONS

The article presents the study results of five species of honeysuckle blue self-fertilization of derivatives in 2019–2020:
 from Lonicera caerulea subsp. kamtschatika – Zinri, Sinyavokaya, Pavlovskaya, L. caerulea subsp. altaica – Sirius, Selena.
 In the variations of free, natural and artificial pollination the fruit setting, the number of ripen fruits and the average fruit
 weight were evaluated.
 A high indicator of fruit setting (73.7–100.0 %) was established in the variations of free and artificial self-pollination.
 Despite the high setting, the number of ripen fruits in the self-pollination variations was 1.3–12.8 times less than in the
 free-pollination variation. When self-fertilized, cultivars Pavlovskaya and Zinri got undeveloped, seedless fruits, cultivar
 Selena presented weak development of ovaries, shedding of fruits at the stage of colouration, predominance of puny, small,
 unfulfilled fruits and seeds.
 The species Sirius and Sinyavokaya, which set more than 20 % of full-fledged fruits in the variations of natural and
 artificial self-pollination, were distinguished.

The Impact of Health Behaviors on Health-Related Quality of Life in College Students

Abstract Objectives The objective was to explore the influence of health behaviors on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among college undergraduate students. Methods A convenience sample of college students completed an online survey consisting of the Center for Disease Control's HRQOL modules, perceived stress scale, sleep questionnaire, and the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable (FV) Screener. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported height and weight. Independent t-test were used to compare HRQOL between students who consumed above/below average fruit and vegetable intake. Two multiple regression analyses were used to determine health factors that predicted better HRQOL. Results Participants (N = 655) were 19.8 ± 1.5 years old, female (63%), and white (84%). The average FV intake was 2.2 servings per day. Students who consumed more than the average intake of FV, reported more days/month (d/m) feeling healthy and full of energy (11.9 ± 8.6 vs. 8.9 ± 7.9, P < 0.001), and reported less d/m of poor mental health (8.5 ± 8.1 vs. 11.1 ± 9.8, P < 0.001) compared to those who consumed less than the average. Two predictors explained 38.5% of variance in d/m when mental health was not good (r2 = 0.38, F (2,639) = 200.11, P < 0.001): perceived stress (β = 0.61, P < 0.001) and FV intake (β = −0.08, P < 0.05). Four predictors explained 30.0% of the variance in d/m feeling happy and full of energy (r2 = 0.29, F (4,549) = 58.6, P < 0.001): perceived stress (β = −0.46, P < 0.001), BMI (β = −0.11, P < 0.01), FV intake (β = 0.16, P < 0.001), and hours of sleep (β = 0.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions This data shows that students who consumed above average FV intake reported more days of feeling happy and full of energy and less days of poor mental health, and that modifiable behaviors (FV intake, stress, sleep) impact HRQOL of young adults. This research provides justification for college aimed wellness interventions to include both nutrition education and mental health resources to improve overall HRQOL. Funding Sources This project was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project number #ME0022104 through the Maine Agricultural & Forest Experiment Station. NJ Agriculture Experiment Station.

Dietary Consumption Patterns and Their Predictors Among Young Children in Northern Ghana

Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence and frequency of consumption of vegetables, fruits, sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), salty and sweet snacks and the relationship between consumption and household characteristics (residence location, food insecurity, and socioeconomic status [SES]) among children 2–5 years of age in two districts in the Northern region of Ghana. Methods Households were recruited from 14 urban, 8 semi-urban and 6 rural clusters in the Tolon and Kumbungu districts in Northern Ghana. Primary caregivers of children 2–5 years (n = 242) reported the number of days in a typical week selected food items were consumed, and the number of servings per day. Household characteristics, food insecurity (USAID Household Food Insecurity Access Scale) and SES, were assessed via questionnaires administered to the head of household. We examined the relationships between consumption of each food and 1) residence (urban vs. semi-urban/rural), 2) household food insecurity (moderate/severe vs. none/mild) and 3) household SES (lowest quartile vs. other quartiles). Results The proportion of children who consumed each food in a typical week was: 98% vegetables, 81% sweet snacks, and 75% fruits; approximately half of children consumed salty snacks (51%) or SSBs (46%). Mean (SD) servings consumed in a typical week were: 7.85 (7.32) vegetables, 2.82 (2.51) sweet snacks, 2.54 (3.69) SSBs, 1.77 (1.70) fruits, and 1.17 (1.67) salty snacks. Consumption of fruits (82% vs 68%, p = 0.01) and sweet snacks (91% vs 71%, p < 0.0001) was more common in urban areas than in rural areas, but consumption of vegetables, salty snacks, and SSBs was not associated with residence location. Household food insecurity and SES were not associated with consumption of any of the foods examined. Conclusions Although quantitative intake data were not available, these data suggest that, on average fruit and vegetable intake may be low relative to Ghana Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines for daily servings, while SSBs and sweetened snacks are common. Eating patterns among young children may differ between urban and rural environments within these two districts. Funding Sources Funding was provided to UC Davis from Helen Keller International.

Latitudinal gradients and scaling regions in trait space: Taylor’s power law in Japanese woody plants

AbstractAimTaylor's power law (TPL) is a variation of the variance:mean ratio and is often used to describe over‐ or underdispersed ecological distributions. We hypothesize that TPL is also applicable to the distribution of species traits and that the respective power law parameters might determine ecological functioning. Here, we aim to study this hypothesis in detail.LocationEast Asian islands, including the Japanese and Ryukyu archipelagos.Time period1968–2015.Major taxa studiedGymnosperm and angiosperm woody plant species.MethodsWe used the geographical distribution of 946 Japanese woody plant species at the 10 km × 10 km grid cell level. Based on leaf and wood samples and literature data, we studied 10 important plant traits (maximum plant height, average fruit and seed size, specific leaf area, leaf thickness, wood density, leaf tannin and phenol content, and C/P and C/N ratios) and related trait variability to minimum absolute temperature, land and forest area and to the variability in forest cover and elevation using bi‐ and multivariate and piecewise regression analysis.ResultsThe variability in the trait expression was well described by TPL. Average trait expression and the respective variability changed predictably along the latitudinal gradient, resulting in a general tendency towards trait clustering (TPL slopes > 1.0). Piecewise regression detected significant breakpoints in the TPL pattern for most traits. Minimum ambient temperature and latitude were the most important predictors of the variability in the observed TPL slopes.Main conclusionsTaylor's power law appears to be trait specific and cannot be used as a diagnostic ecological character. We propose a new linear model to quantify ecological variability that includes average variable expressions and ecological covariates. We argue that common measures to quantify ecological variability based on the variance:mean ratio might give false impressions about the true degree of variability because they do not account for the variance–mean allometry.

Older age, smoking, tooth loss and denture-wearing but neither xerostomia nor salivary gland hypofunction are associated with low intakes of fruit and vegetables in older Danish adults.

Xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction are prevalent conditions in older people and may adversely influence the intake of certain foods, notably fruit and vegetables. Here, we aimed to investigate whether xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction were associated with a lower intake of fruit and vegetables. The study included 621 community-dwelling adults, mean age 75⋅2 ± 6⋅4 years, 58⋅9 % female, who had participated in the Copenhagen City Heart Study follow-up, and undergone interviews regarding food intake (preceding month), oral and general health (xerostomia, taste alterations, diseases, medication, alcohol consumption and smoking), clinical oral examination and measurements of unstimulated and chewing-stimulated whole saliva flow rates. The average total energy intake (8⋅4 ± 2⋅7 MJ) and protein energy percentage (14⋅8 ± 3⋅1 %) were slightly below recommendations. The average fruit (234⋅7 ± 201⋅2 g/d) and vegetables (317⋅3 ± 157⋅4 g/d) intakes were within recommendations. Xerostomia and hyposalivation were more prevalent in women than in men (16⋅4 v. 7⋅1 %, P < 0⋅001 and 40⋅7 v. 27⋅5 %, P < 0⋅001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that older age (β -0⋅009, se 0⋅003, P = 0⋅005), smoking (β -0⋅212, se 0⋅060, P = 0⋅0005) and wearing complete dentures/being partially or fully edentulous (β -0⋅141, se 0⋅048, P = 0⋅003), but neither xerostomia nor salivary flow rates were associated with an inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, after adjustment for covariates. Older age, smoking, tooth loss and denture-wearing were stronger determinants of low fruit and vegetable intakes than xerostomia and salivary hypofunction supporting the importance of dietary counselling and maintenance of oral health and an adequate masticatory performance.

Varijabilnost morfoloških karakteristika plodova i semena brekinje (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz) sa područja Košutnjaka

Wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis (L.) Crantz) is an autochthonous deciduous species that have highly valuated timber. It often occurs individually in oak and beech forests, but it is necessary to monitor the intensity of regeneration and presence in these forests. The fruits of this species are edible and medicinal, usually contain 2-4 seeds, which are characterized by dormancy. The fruits and seeds collected from trees from the area of Košutnjak (Belgrade, Serbia) were used in this study. This study aimed to determine the variability of fruits and seeds in the population. Length and width of fruit and also determined length, width, and thickness of the seed were measured. The dimensions of fruits and seeds from this population were by results reported in previous studies. The obtained results showed clear differences between trees in morphological attributes of fruits and seeds (OneWay ANOVA, p&lt;0,05). The average fruit contained more than two seeds and a maximal number of seeds per one fruit was 5. At one tree were recorded a high number of empty fruits. The obtained results indicate a high degree of genetic variability in this population, but also indicate the need for testing with other morphological and molecular markers.

Measuring commissioners\u2019 willingness-to-pay for community based childhood obesity prevention programmes using a discrete choice experiment

BackgroundIn the UK, rates of childhood obesity remain high. Community based programmes for child obesity prevention are available to be commissioned by local authorities. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding how programmes are commissioned and which attributes of programmes are valued most by commissioners. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that decision-makers prioritise when commissioning programmes that target childhood obesity prevention.MethodsAn online discrete choice experiment (DCE) was used to survey commissioners and decision makers in the UK to assess their willingness-to-pay for childhood obesity programmes.ResultsA total of 64 commissioners and other decision makers completed the DCE. The impact of programmes on behavioural outcomes was prioritised, with participants willing to pay an extra £16,600/year if average daily fruit and vegetable intake increased for each child by one additional portion. Participants also prioritised programmes that had greater number of parents fully completing them, and were willing to pay an extra £4810/year for every additional parent completing a programme. The number of parents enrolling in a programme (holding the number completing fixed) and hours of staff time required did not significantly influence choices.ConclusionsEmphasis on high programme completion rates and success increasing children’s fruit and vegetable intake has potential to increase commissioning of community based obesity prevention programmes.

Rams Have Heart, a Mobile App Tracking Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Consumption to Support the Cardiovascular Health of College Students: Development and Usability Study.

BackgroundWith the increasing use of mobile devices to access the internet and as the main computing system of apps, there is a growing market for mobile health apps to provide self-care advice. Their effectiveness with regard to diet and fitness tracking, for example, needs to be examined. The majority of American adults fail to meet daily recommendations for healthy behavior. Testing user engagement with an app in a controlled environment can provide insight into what is effective and not effective in an app focused on improving diet and exercise.ObjectiveWe developed Rams Have Heart, a mobile app, to support a cardiovascular disease (CVD) intervention course. The app tracks healthy behaviors, including fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, throughout the day. This paper aimed to present its functionality and evaluated adherence among the African American college student population.MethodsWe developed the app using the Personal Health Informatics and Intervention Toolkit, a software framework. Rams Have Heart integrates self-reported health screening with health education, diary tracking, and user feedback modules to acquire data and assess progress. The parent study, conducted at a historically black college and university-designated institution in southeastern United States, consisted of a semester-long intervention administered as an academic course in the fall, for 3 consecutive years. Changes were made after the cohort 1 pilot study, so results only include cohorts 2 and 3, comprising a total of 115 students (n=55 intervention participants and n=54 control participants) aged from 17 to 24 years. Data collected over the study period were transferred using the secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure protocol and stored in a secure Structured Query Language server database accessible only to authorized persons. SAS software was used to analyze the overall app usage and the specific results collected.ResultsOf the 55 students in the intervention group, 27 (49%) students in cohort 2 and 25 (45%) in cohort 3 used the Rams Have Heart app at least once. Over the course of the fall semester, app participation dropped off gradually until exam week when most students no longer participated. The average fruit and vegetable intake increased slightly, and activity levels decreased over the study period.ConclusionsRams Have Heart was developed to allow daily tracking of fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity to support a CVD risk intervention for a student demographic susceptible to obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. We conducted an analysis of app usage, function, and user results. Although a mobile app provides privacy and flexibility for user participation in a research study, Rams Have Heart did not improve compliance or user outcomes. Health-oriented research studies relying on apps in support of user goals need further evaluation.

Genetic Variability and Characters Association of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes Tested under Irrigation in Northern Ethiopia

Hot pepper production in most areas of Ethiopia especially in Tigray region is constrained by shortage of varieties, the prevalence of fungal and bacterial as well as viral diseases. Sixty-four hot pepper genotypes were evaluated to obtain the extent of genetic variability, association among characters. The experiment was laid out using 8x8 simple lattice design at Axum Agricultural Research center in 2017/18. Data were collected for 19 agronomic characters and analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p&lt;0.01) among the genotypes for all characters. Fruit yield ranged from 0.8 to 4.5 t ha-1 with a mean of 2.7 t ha-1. The genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 3.57and 3.84 for days to maturity to 42.4 and 42.9% for average single fruit weight. All the traits had moderate to very high broad sense heritability while genetic advance as percent of mean (GAM) ranged from 8.34 for days to maturity to 85% for average single fruit weigh. High heritability coupled with high GAM was obtained for average single fruit weight, fruit length, dry fruit yield per plant, fruit diameter and thousand seed weight reflecting the presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits and improvement of these characters could be done through selection. Fruit yield per hectare had positive and highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlations with dry fruit yield per plant, average single fruit weight, fruit pericarp thickness, thousand seed weight, fruit diameter and fruit length, but it had negative and highly significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with days to maturity. Estimates of genotypic and phenotypic direct and indirect effects of various characters on fruit yield showed that dry fruit yield per plant, fruit pericarp thickness had the highest positive direct contribution to fruit yield indicating that selection based on these characters will improve fruit yield. In conclusion, the research results showed the presence of significant variations among genotypes for agro-morphology traits. Therefore, it is recommended further evaluation of genotypes or hybrids that exhibited highest yield, quality and disease resistance in subsequent breeding programs to improve the productivity of the crop.