Adult Behavior Research Articles

Benefits of inclusive sport training on fitness and health of athletes with and without intellectual disability

Sedentary behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) negatively impact health-related determinants and increase the risk of physical dysfunction or chronic health issues. Inclusive sport practice can enhance social inclusion and fitness, benefiting overall person development and life quality. This study aimed to assess fitness level variation in athletes with and without ID before and after a 9-month inclusive (INC) and non-inclusive (N_INC) basketball training. 38 athletes with ID and 14 athletes without ID belonged to INC group, 38 athletes with ID belonged to N_INC group and 23 participants with ID belonged to the control group (CG). Before and after the intervention period, all participants performed anthropometric (body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage) and fitness tests (muscle strength and power, cardiovascular endurance, balance, flexibility, agility, movement speed, and coordination). ID and non-ID athletes of both INC and N_INC groups significantly improved in most of the tests (weight, balance, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, agility, movement speed and coordination) while CG group significantly worsened weight, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, movement speed and coordination, after the intervention (p < 0.05). These findings showed that sport training improved fitness in athletes with ID, decreasing health risks. Moreover, involving in the same training group persons with and without disabilities, does not limit the beneficial effects that training induce on persons without ID and could be a valid way to promote both social inclusion and physical health of persons with ID.

Asthma beliefs and overuse of short-acting beta-adrenergic receptor agonists among older adults

Objective Short-acting Beta-adrenergic Receptor Agonists (SABA) carry a risk of worse asthma outcomes when overused. Beliefs about asthma controller medications are associated with medication-taking behaviors in older adults, but the association of medication beliefs with SABA use has not been previously examined. We aimed to investigate the association of asthma and controller medication beliefs with SABA use among older patients with asthma. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data on adults ≥ 60 years old with moderate to severe asthma in New York City, NY (n = 234). SABA overuse was defined as the average of ≥1 inhalation per day and controller medication adherence as ≥80% of expected inhalations, measured electronically. Illness and medication beliefs were measured using the Brief-Illness Perception Questionnaire and Beliefs about Medications Questionnaire, respectively. The associations of medication-taking behaviors with beliefs were examined in multivariable logistic regression models. Results The mean age was 67.6 ± 6.5 years, 84% were female, 26% were Black and 53% were Hispanic. 35% of participants overused SABA and 21% had adequate controller medication adherence. Overuse of SABA was not significantly associated with controller medication beliefs (Necessity: odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.97–1.12], p = 0.28, Concerns: OR 0.95 [95% CI 0.88, 1.03], p = 0.23) or asthma beliefs (OR 1.06 [95% CI 0.99, 1.15], p = 0.11). SABA overuse was also not significantly associated with controller medication adherence (OR 2.20 [95% CI 0.88, 5.51], p = 0.09). Conclusions SABA overuse was common among older adults with asthma and was not significantly associated with asthma controller medication or illness beliefs.

Rest-Activity Rhythm Phenotypes in Adults with Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability.

Sleep and rest-activity rhythms (RARs) are perturbed in many forms of neuropsychiatric illness. In this study, we applied wrist actigraphy to describe the extent of RAR perturbations in adults with epilepsy and intellectual disability ("E+ID"), using a cross-sectional case-control design. We examined whether RAR phenotypes correlated with epilepsy severity, deficits in adaptive function and/or comorbid psychopathology. Primary caregivers of E+ID adults provided informed consent during routine ambulatory clinic visits and were asked to complete standardized surveys of overall epilepsy severity (GASE, Global Assessment of Severity of Epilepsy), adaptive function (ABAS-3, Adaptive Behavior Assessment System-3) and psychopathology (ABCL, Adult Behavior Checklist). Caregivers were also asked to ensure that subjects wore an Actiwatch-2 device continuously on their nondominant wrist for at least ten days. From recorded actograms, we calculated RAR amplitude, acrophase, robustness, intradaily variability (IV), interdaily stability (IS) and estimates of sleep quantity and timing. We compared these RAR metrics against those from (i) a previously published cohort of adults with epilepsy without ID (E-ID), and (ii) a cohort of age- and sex-matched intellectually able subjects measured within the Study of Latinos (SOL) Ancillary actigraphy study (SOL). Within E+ID subjects, we applied k-means analysis to divide subjects into three actigraphically distinct clusters. 46 E+ID subjects (median age 26 [20-68], 47% female) provided a median recording duration of 11 days [range 6-27]. Surveys reflected low to extremely low levels of adaptive function (ABAS3 General Adaptive Composite score: median 50 [49-75]), and low/subclinical levels of psychopathology (ABCL total score: median 54.5 [25-67]). Compared with E-ID (n=57) and SOL (n=156) cohorts, E+ID subjects displayed significantly lower RAR amplitude, robustness and IS, with significantly higher IV and total daily sleep. K-means clustering of E+ID subjects recognized an intermediate cluster "B", with RAR values indistinguishable to E-ID. Cluster "A" subjects displayed pronounced hypoactivity and hypersomnia with high rates of rhythm fragmentation, while cluster "C" subjects featured hyper-robust and high amplitude RARs. All three clusters were similar in age, body mass index, antiseizure medication (ASM) polytherapy, ABAS3 and ABCL scores. We qualitatively describe RAR examples from all three clusters. We show that adults with epilepsy and intellectual disability display a wide spectrum of RAR phenotypes that do not neatly correlate with measures of adaptive function or epilepsy severity. Prospective studies are necessary to determine whether continuous actigraphic monitoring can sensitively capture changes in chronobiological health that may arise with disease progression, iatrogenesis (e.g., ASM toxicity) or acute health deteriorations (e.g., seizure exacerbation, pneumonia). Similar long-term data is necessary to recognize whether behavioral interventions targeted to 'normalize' RARs may promote improvements in adaptive function and therapy engagement.

Health literacy program among the elderly with hypertension: a systematic review

Health literacy programs (HLP) have been recognized as key factors in promoting health and in changing caregiving behaviors for older adults with hypertension, which have resulted in quality of life and continued good health. This systematic review was conducted with the aim of summarizing the effects of Health literacy programs (HLP) among the elderly with hypertension. From January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2022, the formulation of research questions was based on PICO and utilized a combination of the Boolean operators (AND or OR). The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) approach was used to choose the studies. The inclusion criteria, data extraction, and bias risk assessment screening were carried out independently by two reviewers. A total of eight papers were found to meet the criteria for review. The intervention exhibited notable variations both in terms of the quantity and the durations of the sessions. Nevertheless, the content remained predominantly similar, with a primary emphasis on health literacy. The studies, which had employed group-based interventions or had used a face-to-face individual approach, had been implemented in clinical settings or within communities. All the articles had used a combination of didactics and facilitation. However, the findings were not determined to be consistent across all studies. The patterns of enhancing HL among the elderly with hypertension are becoming increasingly important, and can, thereby, contribute to more efficiently controlling hypertension levels.

Analysis of diarrhea incidence based on demographic characteristics and hygiene behavior of adults in Indonesia and Taiwan

Diarrhea is a common manifestation of gastroenteritis, affecting both children and adults globally. Subsequently, gastroenteritis is particularly prevalent in developing countries such as Indonesia and Taiwan. This research aimed to analyze the incidence of diarrhea based on socio-demographics and personal hygiene in Indonesia and Taiwan.The method used in this research was a quantitative design with a cross-sectional approach, and the data collection involved interviews with adults, using a structured questionnaire. The primary goal of the analysis was to examine the bivariate relationships between each variable and the incidence of diarrhea, and the logistic regression test was applied for the multivariate test.A result from Taiwan respondents, the statistical tests showed significant relationships with age with a p-value of 0.009, education with a p-value =0.010, and personal hygiene with a p-value =0.010. Factors that influenced diarrhea in Indonesia were education with a p-value =0.038 and income with a p-value =0.08.In summary, several socio-demographics and personal hygiene practices played a significant role in the incidence of diarrhea. The differences in results obtained from Taiwan and Indonesia were attributed to differing respondent characteristics, emphasizing the importance of promoting clean and healthy behaviors, including handwashing with soap before eating and maintaining a clean environment, as effective measures to prevent diarrhea.

Short-term effects of a park-based group mobility program on increasing outdoor walking in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWe estimated the short-term effects of an educational workshop and 10-week outdoor walk group (OWG) compared to the workshop and 10 weekly reminders (WR) on increasing outdoor walking (primary outcome) and walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging defined by engagement in meaningful activities and well-being (secondary outcomes) in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors.MethodsIn a 4-site, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, two cohorts of community-living older adults (≥ 65 years) reporting difficulty walking outdoors participated. Following a 1-day workshop, participants were stratified and randomized to a 10-week OWG in parks or 10 telephone WR reinforcing workshop content. Masked evaluations occurred at 0, 3, and 5.5 months. We modeled minutes walked outdoors (derived from accelerometry and global positioning system data) using zero-inflated negative binomial regression with log link function, imputing for missing observations. We modeled non-imputed composite measures of walking capacity, health-promoting behavior, and successful aging using generalized linear models with general estimating equations based on a normal distribution and an unstructured correlation matrix. Analyses were adjusted for site, participation on own or with a partner, and cohort.ResultsWe randomized 190 people to the OWG (n = 98) and WR interventions (n = 92). At 0, 3, and 5.5 months, median outdoor walking minutes was 22.56, 13.04, and 0 in the OWG, and 24.00, 26.07, and 0 in the WR group, respectively. There was no difference between groups in change from baseline in minutes walked outdoors based on incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) at 3 months (IRR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.47, 1.14) and 5.5 months (IRR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.44, 1.34). Greater 0 to 3-month change in walking capacity was observed in the OWG compared to the WR group (βz-scored difference = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02, 0.26) driven by significant improvement in walking self-efficacy; other comparisons were not significant.ConclusionsA group, park-based OWG was not superior to WR in increasing outdoor walking activity, health-promoting behavior or successful aging in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors; however, the OWG was superior to telephone WR in improving walking capacity through an increase in walking self-efficacy. Community implementation of the OWG is discussed.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03292510 Date of registration: September 25, 2017.

Sex differences in physiological correlates of affectively driven decision-making behavior in adult ADHD

BackgroundSex differences in the symptomatology of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have often been overlooked when studying behavioral abnormalities. However, it is known that women exhibit considerably more stronger symptoms related to emotional competence than men. Since affective functions significantly influence the processing of risky decision-making and risk-engagement, we assume that risky behavior in ADHD is affected by sex differences. Therefore, we specifically investigated sex-specific effects on the interaction between emotionally induced changes in physiology and behavioral performance on a decision-making task.MethodsSkin conductance responses of twenty-nine adults with ADHD (n = 16 male; n = 13 female) and thirty-three adults in the control group (n = 14 male; n = 19 female) were recorded during the performance in a modified version of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART). Additional questionnaires were used to reveal insights in the self-assessment of emotional competence, risk perception, and feedback sensitivity. Emotional arousal and decision-making behavior were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.ResultsResults showed different effects of sex on risk behaviors in controls and ADHD. In contrast to healthy controls, female adults with ADHD showed a significantly greater risk engagement in the BART compared to males with ADHD. This contrary sex relation was not observed in skin conductance responses and revealed a significantly different sex-dependent correlation of body response and behavioral task performance in ADHD. Comparisons with results from self-assessments furthermore indicate a reduced behavioral self-perception in women with ADHD, but not in men.ConclusionIn summary, we found an altered interaction between physiological activity and risky behavior in women with ADHD. Thus, the present study indicates a reduced sensitivity towards the own bodily responses in women with ADHD, which could consequently cause increased risky DM behavior in daily life. The current results suggest that more consideration needs to be given to sex-specific effects on physiological processes and behavior in adults with ADHD.

An exploration into self-reported inactivity behaviours of adults with an intellectual disability using physical activity questionnaires.

Inactivity is a correlate of adverse health. Adults with an intellectual disability (ID) are more inactive than the general population and often present with more complex health issues. Self-reported activity questionnaires such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire are the predominant source of activity information because of their low cost, non-invasive nature, ease of administration and interpretation of results. Correlates of inactivity among the general and ID populations were identified through a literature scoping review. Inactivity was measured using the RAPA and the IPAQ-SF. A multiple-imputation chained equation was used to impute missing data. Using Pearson chi-squared analyses, relationships between these correlates as well as covariates of age, sex, level of ID, body mass index (BMI) and aetiology, and RAPA and IPAQ-SF categories were explored. Logistic regression provided more detailed analyses. Results were summarised using the Systems of Sedentary Behaviour framework. Spearman correlations examined the IPAQ-SF and RAPA relationships. Three correlates for inactivity emerged from the IPAQ-SF and RAPA questionnaire. Up after 07:00h was a correlate for both. Difficulty walking 100yards and epilepsy were additional correlates of inactivity. Weak but significant correlations were seen between IPAQ-SF and RAPA scores. High inactivity levels are present in adults with an ID. The IPAQ-SF and RAPA questionnaires are weakly correlated.

Adolescent development of anxiety-related behavior and shifts in behavioral responsiveness to estradiol in female mice.

Early pubertal onset during adolescence is consistently linked with increased risk of anxiety and depression in girls. Although estradiol tends to have anxiolytic effects in adulthood, whether sensitivity to estradiol's anxiolytic actions increases during adolescence is not clear. Using a rodent model, the current study tested the hypothesis that a shift in sensitivity to the anxiolytic effects of estradiol occurs during adolescence. To test this hypothesis, prepubertal and adult C57BL/6 female mice were ovariectomized, implanted with vehicle- or estradiol-filled silastic capsules, and behavioral tested one week later in the open field and elevated zero maze. Our hypothesis predicted that estradiol would decrease anxiety-related behavior to a greater extent in adults than in adolescent females, however, our results did not support this hypothesis. In the open field, estradiol implants significantly decreased anxiety-like behavior in adolescent females (relative to vehicle) and had little to no effect on the behavior of adults. These data suggest that adolescence is associated with a downward shift in sensitivity to the anxiolytic effects of estradiol on behavior in the open field. In contrast, although estradiol treatment did not influence anxiety-like responses in the elevated zero maze in early adolescent or adult females, adolescent females displayed significantly higher levels of anxiety-like behavior than adults. These findings demonstrate that substantial changes in anxiety-related behavior occur during adolescence, including a context-dependent shift in behavioral responsiveness to estradiol.

Older adults make sense of their suicidal behavior: a Swedish interview study.

The aim of this study was to explore how individuals aged 70 or older living in Sweden understood a recent suicidal act, and what changed in them and around them in the aftermath. Four women and five men (age range 71-91 years) receiving care at a geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic in a large Swedish city took part in two interviews about their most recent suicidal act. Most of the women and none of the men had engaged in prior suicidal acts. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed. The suicidal act was explained as a response to losses (in physical and cognitive functions, social roles and relationships) that rendered previous coping strategies unviable. The participants reported being dependent on a healthcare system that they experienced as indifferent and even dismissive of their suffering. The suicidal act was described as an unplanned act of despair. Positive changes followed for participants who reported having had suicidal ideation prior to the suicidal act and had insights into its triggers. Some gained access to needed medical care; others developed greater awareness of their psychological needs and became more effective at coping. Individuals who said that they had not had suicidal thoughts prior to the suicidal act and could not explain it reported no positive change in the aftermath. The respondents' narratives indicated gendered themes. Participants' age-related losses were in many cases exacerbated by negative interactions with health care providers, indicating that continued attention needs to be given to implicit ageism in medical professionals. The suicidal acts were described as impulsive, which was unexpected because a dominant belief is that older adult suicidal behavior is planned. One reason for the discrepancy may be that this study focused on nonfatal acts, and planned acts may be more likely to be fatal. Another reason could be shame due to suicide stigma. Alternatively, these acts were truly unplanned. The older adult suicide planning question should be addressed in larger studies across geographical and cultural settings. Future studies should also include questions about gender norms of suicidality and separately examine women's and men's data.

Picky eating in adults: Investigating its relationship with MEDFICTS diet assessment questionnaire score and visceral adiposity index

BACKGROUND: Picky eating is defined as “consuming a limited variety of foods, being strict about the preparation and presentation of preferred foods, and being reluctant to try new foods”. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the picky eating behaviours of adults and the “MEDFICTS (Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Frying, Fats in Bakery Products, Prepared Foods, Fats Added at the Table, Snacks) Dietary Assessment Questionnaire” score and “Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI)”. METHODS: In this cross sectional study, data of 580 adults aged between 19–64 years were evaluated. Descriptive Information Form, “Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ)”, “MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire”, “International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF)” were used to collect data. The VAI score was calculated with the formula using the “Body Mass Index (BMI)”, “Waist Circumference (WC)”, “High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)” and “Triglyceride (TG)” levels. RESULTS: There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.228, p &lt; 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.172, p &lt; 0.05) and “Taste Avoidance” (β:–0.117, p &lt; 0.05) subscales and MEDFICTS score. There is a negative relationship between APEQ total score (β:–0.089, p &lt; 0.05), APEQ “Food Presentation” (β:–0.112, p &lt; 0.05) subscales and VAI. CONCLUSIONS: In adults, picky eating behavior is associated with decreased MEDFICTS Diet Assessment Questionnaire score and reductions in VAI.

Facilitators and barriers of technology adoption and social connectedness among rural older adults: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Background Social disconnection is a public health concern among rural Australian older adults. While research suggests technology can enhance social wellbeing and protect against social disconnection, many older adults are not digitally literate, and little is known as to why and how technology adoption could be promoted in rural contexts. This study aimed to (1) explore the barriers and facilitators of technology adoption among rural older adults and (2) determine the potential utility of technology to promote social connectedness in the aged population. The Theoretical Domains Framework and the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) were employed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital and social behaviours of rural Australian older adults. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 33 rural older adults aged between 65 and 87 years. Interviews were conducted over the phone, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed using thematic analysis and the BCW. Results Numerous barriers and facilitators of technology adoption were identified, with the most prominent being knowledge, perceived value, perceived self-efficacy, and social support. Findings suggest that older adults’ technology adoption is not simply a technical matter, but influenced by various individual, social, and environmental contexts. Consideration of these factors during development, marketing, training and implementation may facilitate technology adoption among older adults. With regard to social connectedness, several rural barriers emerged, including low population density, geographic isolation, limited community opportunities and poor public transport infrastructure. Conclusion Technology was consistently identified as a facilitator of the social experience, indicating that technology is a promising tool to enhance social connectedness among older adults, particularly those living in rural areas. Future research should focus on enhancing the capability, opportunity and motivation of older adults in technology adoption, with reference to the rural contexts.

Neurobiology and medico-legal aspects of suicides among older adults: a narrative review.

The task of preventing suicide in older adults is an important social burden as older adults aged above 65 are exposed to singular psychological aspects that increase suicide risks. Moreover, when an older adult corpse is found, the medico-legal inspection represents a fundamental tool to identify the exact cause of death, classifying or excluding it as suicide. In this scenario, this review aims to explore the neurobiological factors that could be related to suicidal behavior in older adults. A further goal of this review is the exploration of the medico-legal aspects surrounding older adult suicides, clarifying the importance of forensic investigation. Particularly, this review examines issues such as neurotransmitter imbalances, cognitive impairment, neuroinflammation, psychosocial factors related to geriatric suicide, and neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, medico-legal aspects such as policy considerations, legal frameworks, mental health assessments, ethical implications and forensic investigation were explored. Considering the importance of this phenomenon, especially in western countries, a need has emerged for focused screening tools on suicidal behavior among older adults, in order to contain it. Therefore, this review makes an exhaustive appraisal of the literature giving insights into the delicate interplay between neurobiology as well as mental health in relation to older adult suicide within a medico-legal context. The comprehension of different aspects about this complex phenomenon is fundamental to propose new and more effective interventions, supporting tailored initiatives such as family support and improving healthcare, specifically towards vulnerable ageing societies to reduce older adult suicide risks.

Effect of patient-centered self-management intervention on glycemic control, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in South Asian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to test the efficacy of patient-centered self-management intervention (PACE-SMI) to improve HbA1c, self-efficacy, and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this multicenter, parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial, 612 adults with T2DM and HbA1c ≥ 7% were enrolled and assigned to the control group (n = 310) and the intervention group (n = 302) using stratified permuted block randomization. The control group received usual care, whereas the intervention group received usual care plus nurse-led, theory-driven, culturally tailored PACE-SMI, comprising eight weekly sessions of individualized education, counseling, behavioral training, and home visit. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months follow-up. Data at 3 months were provided by 583 participants (control: n = 295, intervention: n = 288). Per-protocol analysis showed that the intervention group had a lower mean HbA1c (8.49% [standard deviation (SD), 1.58]) than the control group (8.74% [SD, 1.62]), with small yet statistically significant mean difference of 0.25% (95% confidence interval [CI], -0.01 to 0.51; Cohen's d = 0.16; p = 0.03). Self-efficacy and self-care behaviors significantly improved in the intervention group (116.89 [SD, 25.50] and 70.01 [SD, 17.97]) compared to the control group (75.43 [SD, 18.99] and 51.54 [SD, 12.04]), with mean differences of 41.48 (95% CI, 37.83-45.13; Cohen's d = 1.84; p < 0.0001) and 18.56 (95% CI, 16.08-21.04; Cohen's d = 1.22; p < 0.0001), respectively. Linear regression analysis indicated the effect of PACE-SMI on HbA1c was significantly mediated by improvements in self-efficacy and self-care behaviors (R2 = 0.232, p < 0.001). PACE-SMI led to modest but significant improvement in HbA1c and substantial enhancements in self-efficacy and self-care behaviors in adults with T2DM.

Gender differences in posttraumatic stress symptoms, marital satisfaction, and parenting behaviors in adults following typhoon Lekima.

Belsky's parenting model provides insight into the relationship between parental psychological status and parenting behaviors. However, little is known about the unique associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms with specific parenting behaviors. This study aimed to assess the associations of PTSD symptoms and three types of parenting behaviors (rejection, emotional warmth, and overprotection) with marital satisfaction, and to examine gender differences in these associations. Self-report questionnaires were used to survey 4,570 parents 3 months after Typhoon Lekima in China. The results showed that intrusion and avoidance symptoms had positively indirect associations with emotional warmth and negatively indirect associations with rejection and overprotection via marital satisfaction. However, negative cognitive and emotional alterations (NCEA) and hyperarousal symptoms had opposite relationships with three types of parenting behavior. A gender-moderated mediation relationship was found in the associations of PTSD symptoms and parenting behaviors via marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction played a mediating role in the relationships between four PTSD symptom clusters and three types of parenting behavior in mothers, whereas in fathers, marital satisfaction mediated only the relationships of NCEA and hyperarousal symptoms with three types of parenting behavior. Marital satisfaction mediated the associations between four distinct PTSD symptom clusters and three types of parenting behavior, and a gender difference was found to be in these indirect relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Knowledge and Opinions About Sustainable Nutrition and the Factors Associated With Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors in Adults

Introduction.The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and opinions about sustainable nutrition and the factors associated with sustainable and healthy eating behaviors among individuals aged 18 to 65 years. Methods. An online cross-sectional survey-based study included analysis of demographic and anthropometric characteristics, participants’ knowledge and opinions about sustainable nutrition, and their scores on the Sustainable and Healthy Eating Behaviors (SHEB) Scale. The snowball sampling method was used. Results. The study included 3,037 adults with a mean age of 25.62 ± 9.66 years. Participants scored highest on the factors of healthy and balanced nutrition and low fat, and lowest on the factors of local food and reducing meat consumption. The SHEB Scale scores for women (4.04 ± 1.12) were higher compared to men (3.83 ± 1.21) (p &lt; 0.001). A significant association was identified between age and SHEB Scale scores (OR=1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), with no association observed with body mass index. Women were more likely to display sustainable and healthy eating behaviors compared to men (OR=1.45 95% CI 1.23-1.71), as were married participants compared to single participants (OR=1.87 95% CI 1.54-2.27). Conclusions. The results of this study indicate that sustainable nutrition is not well understood among adults. Advancing age, female gender, and being married were found to be associated with higher scores on the SHEB Scale.

Exploring Effects of Food Shaming on Consumers’ Food-Related Attitudes and Behaviors

Objective To compare attitudes and behaviors of American adults who have experienced food shaming versus those who have not. Design This was an online survey of 2003 US adults, followed by an additional 5 one-on-one in-depth interviews, for a total of 2008. Data were collected between September and November 2022. Participants US adults (n = 2008) recruited via commercial research panels. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of food shaming, and attitudes and behaviors among adults who have experienced food shaming versus those who have not. Analysis χ 2 and analysis of covariance investigating associations between experience with food shaming and food-related attitudes and behaviors, controlling for body mass index where possible. Results Nearly 3 in 10 American adults report that they have experienced food shame. Experiencing food shame correlates with higher guilt and shame, greater likelihood to engage in regimented eating, and more prevalent, as well as negative, emotions around food and imagined interactions with food and nutrition professionals. Conclusions and Implications Food shaming is a phenomenon with wide-reaching impacts on attitudes and behaviors. We expect that this innovative study will inform registered dietitian nutritionists and other health professionals to help people develop healthy, sustainable relationships with food.

Factors predicting on health behaviors among older adults with hypertension in community

In Thailand the prevalence of hypertension continues to rise and health behavior of older adults is generally suboptimal. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics that can identify health behavior in older persons with hypertension. A cross-sectional design study was carried out on 123 hypertensive older persons in Koh Kaew Sub-District, Sela Phum District, Roi Et Province, who were chosen using a simple random selection procedure. In-person interviews with structured questionnaires were used for gathering data. This study utilized surveys to collect demographic information, health beliefs, and health habits. Percentage, mean, standard deviation, and stepwise multiple regression were used to evaluate the data. The results showed that there were four factors together predict and explain the variance of health behaviors among older adults with hypertension accounting R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; and adjusted R&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; value were 44.10% and 42.20% with statistical significance including female (β=0.242, p=0.001), perceived susceptibility (β=0.419, p&amp;lt;0.001), perceived barriers (β=0.239, p=0.001), and perceived benefits (β=0.181, p=0.013). To improve quality of life among older persons with hypertension, this research proposed involving healthcare providers, families, and health volunteers in promoting their health habits.

The association between appetite and eating behaviors among Chinese female university students

BackgroundYoung females are at a higher risk of developing unhealthy eating behaviors. This study investigated the relationship between appetitive traits and eating behaviors among female university students. MethodsThe study participants were 520 female university students from a public university in Eastern China. Appetitive traits were assessed using the Chinese version of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (C-AEBQ). Data on eating behaviors, including food intake frequency, meal regularity, and dieting behavior, were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated using self-reported data. Pearson's and Spearman's correlations were used to correlate appetitive traits with BMI and eating behaviors. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify different appetitive patterns, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between different appetitive patterns and eating behaviors. ResultsTwo food-approach traits (food enjoyment and emotional over-eating) were positively correlated with BMI, while two food-avoidance traits (slowness in eating and satiety responsiveness) showed negative correlations. Food responsiveness was linked to a higher intake of delivered food, spicy food, and sugar-sweetened beverages, whereas satiety responsiveness was correlated with more frequent meal skipping. The LPA identified four appetitive patterns: food approachers, food approachers with emotional under-eating, food avoiders, and food avoiders with emotional over-eating. Food avoiders had significantly lower BMI than the other groups. Compared to food approachers, food avoiders skipped breakfast more frequently, and food avoiders with emotional over-eating skipped both breakfast and lunch more often. After adjusting for BMI, appetitive patterns showed no significant relationship with dieting behavior. ConclusionAmong female university students, appetitive patterns correlated with eating behaviors, and students with food-avoidance patterns had a higher risk of meal irregularity. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing trait- and pattern-specific approaches to promote healthy eating behaviors among female university students.

Factors Related to the Dementia Prevention Behavior among Community-dwelling Older Adults based on the Health Belief Model: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the relationships between perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and dementia prevention behavior among community-dwelling older adults.Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional, correlational design using a structured questionnaire. This study participants were 218 older adults aged at least 65 years who visited a senior citizen center and lived in S City C Province. The survey was conducted in August 2022. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy were measured using a tool developed by Song &amp; Park (2018). Dementia prevention behavior was measured using a tool developed by Lim, Kim, and Kim (2018).Results: The scores for perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy were 5.52±0.69, 3.04±0.85, and 4.98±0.97 points, respectively (possible range: 1~7). The score for dementia prevention behavior was 3.91±0.51 (possible range: 1~5). Dementia health behavior was significantly correlated with perceived benefits (r=.32, p&lt;.001), perceived barriers (r=-.40, p&lt;.001), and self-efficacy (r=.64, p&lt;.001). Self-efficacy (β=.43, p&lt;.001), perceived barriers (β=-.23, p&lt;.001), and experience of using a dementia center (β=.20, p&lt;.001) explained 48.6% of the variance in dementia prevention behavior (F=19.63, p&lt;.001).Conclusion: Prior to developing a nursing intervention program to improve dementia health behavior in community-dwelling older adults, it is necessary to clarify perceived barriers and consider self-efficacy.