Consumption Status Research Articles

Analyzing Food Security Scales: Evidence and Methods in the FAO Context

Food security remains a critical global challenge, necessitating robust and precise measurement tools to effectively address and mitigate issues of hunger and malnutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has introduce a range of metrics and methodologies to assess food security across different regions and populations. This comprehensive review aims to analyze the current evidence and methodologies used in the FAO context to measure food security, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. This review synthesizes data from numerous peer-reviewed studies, reports, and FAO publications, focusing on the period from 2000 to 2023. These tools are examined in terms of their conceptual frameworks, measurement techniques, data collection methods, and practical applications in diverse settings. The FIES, introduce by FAO in collaboration with the Voices of the Hungry project, offers a direct estimate of food insecurity based on individuals' experiences. This scale has been widely adopted due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to provide comparable data across different contexts. he study's findings might be limited by the fact that participants reported their own experiences, which could be influenced by cultural norms or a tendency to answer in a way that is socially acceptable. Despite, these challenges, the FIES remains a valuable tool for monitoring food insecurity trends globally. The GFSI, produced by the Economist Intelligence Unit with support from FAO, provides a comprehensive measure of food security by integrating data on affordability, availability, quality, and safety of food. This index is beneficial for its broad scope and ability to highlight underlying factors affecting food security. Nonetheless, the GFSI faces criticism for its heavy reliance on secondary data sources, which may not always be up-to-date or accurately reflect on-the-ground realities. Furthermore, the index’s focus on national-level data may overlook intra-country disparities and localized food insecurity issues. The IPC, another key FAO tool, categories the severity and magnitude of food insecurity in different regions, providing a standardized approach to assess and compare food security situations. The IPC's strength lies in its multi-dimensional nature, incorporating various indicators such as food consumption, livelihood changes, and nutritional status. However, its complexity and resource-intensive nature can pose challenges for consistent implementation, particularly in resource-limited settings. The systematic review highlights that while FAO's food security scales offer valuable insights, there is room for enhancement. Combining qualitative and quantitative data, improving the timeliness and accuracy of data collection, and incorporating more localized assessments can strengthen these tools. Additionally, integrating new technologies such as remote sensing and mobile data collection can further improve the precision and efficiency of food security measurements.

Life-style and metabolic factors do not affect risk for glioma: a prospective population-based study (The Cohort of Norway)

BackgroundThe identification of modifiable risk factors for intracranial glioma remains a significant challenge. While lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome are well-established risk factors for various other cancers, their association with glioma risk remains unclear.ObjectivesThis study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of lifestyle factors and metabolic factors in relation to glioma risk.MethodsThe Cohort of Norway (CONOR) is a prospective, population-based health survey encompassing anthropometric measurements, blood tests and health questionnaires. CONOR data were linked to the National Cancer Registry to identify incident glioma cases. Follow-up time was calculated in person-years from the baseline examination until the date of glioma diagnosis, death, or the end of the follow-up period. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR).ResultsThe study cohort included 160,938 women and men. Over 2.8 million person-years of follow-up, 319 intracranial gliomas were diagnosed. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and marital status were not associated with glioma risk. There was no increased glioma risk among participants with diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Furthermore, metabolic syndrome in both women and men was not associated with an elevated risk of glioma. Blood lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL, were not linked to glioma risk. However, increasing LDL levels were associated with a decreased risk of glioma in men (HR per category 0.84; 95% CI 0.74-0.96), but not in women.ConclusionThis is the first comprehensive prospective cohort study to evaluate potentially modifiable risk factors for glioma. Our findings do not support previously suggested associations between smoking, alcohol consumption, or metabolic syndrome and glioma risk.

Chinese Visceral Adipose Index is Associated with Arterial Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between Chinese Visceral Adipose Index(CVAI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, in order to provide scientific evidence for the prevention and treatment of macrovascular complications in T2D. This research adopts the cross-sectional study design. Anthropometric assessment, baPWV assessment and biochemical assessment were performed in 2906 T2D patients. CVAI was calculated from the combination of triglycerides, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, waist circumference, body mass index. Multivariate regression analysis and generalized additive model were used to analyze the association between bapwv and CVAI. Subgroup analysis and interaction analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors. After adjustment for covariates, baPWV tended to increase inthe quartiles of CVAI. In males, As CVAI increases by a unit, baPWV was increased by 0.28 cm/s (95% CI: -0.05, 0.61 P=0.0934). In females, As CVAI increases by a unit, baPWV was increased by 1.60 cm/s (95% CI: 1.07, 2.14). A non-linear connection in males and a linear connection in females between the CVAI and baPWV was revealed. In males, we found that CVAI interacted with baPWV in different duration of diabetes (P interaction = 0.0052), alcohol consumption status (P interaction = 0.0375). In females, CVAI interacted with baPWV in glycated hemoglobin (P interaction = 0.0003), systolic blood pressure (P interaction = 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (P interaction<0.0001), duration of diabetes (P interaction = 0.0014), the use or non-use of glucose-lowering drugs (P interaction = 0.0006), the use or non-use antihypertensive drugs (P interaction = 0.0004), females' menopausal status (P interaction = 0.0012). The relationship between CVAI and baPWV in T2D patients is positively non-linear in males and linear in females. In all subjects, this relationship was influenced by diabetes duration. In males, drinking status affected this relationship, and in females, It is influenced by blood pressure, glycemic control, menopausal status, and the use of glucose-lowering and hypotensive drug, highlighting the complex interplay between visceral fat and arterial stiffness in the T2D population.

Exploring the impact of tobacco consumption on the respiratory health of two Dutch skeletal populations (1300–1829 CE)

ABSTRACT This study explored the influence of tobacco consumption on the respiratory health of two historical Dutch populations (1300–1829 CE). We conducted a macroscopic examination of 235 skeletons for which tobacco consumption status was known, focusing on the presence of sinusitis, ear infection, and pulmonary inflammation. Our goal was to investigate the correlation between respiratory diseases and tobacco consumption. Despite all conditions being prevalent in the total sample (sinusitis: 50.2%, ear infection: 23.2%, pulmonary inflammation: 14.1%), almost no significant correlation was found between disease and tobacco consumption. Our findings suggest that additional factors, such as exposure to second-hand smoke and unsanitary living/working environments, may have also impacted respiratory health. However, our interpretations are difficult to confirm due to the limitations of macroscopic analysis in determining tobacco consumption status. Future research should consider employing biomolecular techniques and expand beyond respiratory diseases to enhance our understanding of historical health implications of tobacco use.

Household Salt consumption and urinary iodine levels in Schoolchildren aged 8-10 in Darab City, Iran: 2022.

Iodized salt serves as an effective intervention strategy, combating iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) and promoting overall health. This study aimed to assess the household salt consumption status and its relationship with urinary iodine (UI) levels among school-aged children. This is a descriptive-cross-sectional study that was selected by cluster-random sampling from 5 girls' schools (182) and 5 boys' schools (169), with a total of 351 primary school students (8-10 years old) of Darab. To explore the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable, urinary iodine (UI) levels, linear regression model was applied. A significance level of 0.05 was adopted for all analyses. The median UI level was 138µg/L (IQR = 111). Our findings revealed that 66% of used iodized salt. A significant majority of participants properly stored their salt in containers with lids. Nearly half of the students in Darab have insufficient iodine intake. Despite controlling for the effect of iodized foods consumption, no significant association (P-value = 0.693) was observed between the storage method and iodized foods. Our study showed that students do not receive enough iodine or have received more than the required amount of iodine. Therefore, efforts should be focused on increasing awareness of diseases caused by iodine deficiency.

Pulses in India: Comprehensive Analysis of Production, Challenges, and Strategic Vision for 2030

Despite of immense growth of Indian agriculture, food and nutritional security is still a challenge due to biasedness towards wheat and rice. As production of pulses in the recent decade has not increased in pace with the increase in population. Pulses are a major source of protein in Indian diet and also environment friendly. Therefore, the increase in pulse production will act as an accelerator for nutritional security. This study analyses the nutritional value of pulses, status of pulses economy in India comprising of import, export and consumption status as well as a strategic vision for 2030 towards promotion of pulses in the country. Pulses form one of the most important group of crops in India, which is also responsible for yielding large financial gains by amounting to a large part of the exports. Of all categories of people, pulses form an integral part of the Indian diet, providing much-needed protein to the carbohydrate-rich diet. For farmers, pulses are an important crop because they can both sell them and consume them, which helps farmers maintain household food security and creates economic stability. Being leguminous crops, they help in restoring soil fertility by utilising nitrogen from the air (nitrogen fixation). Therefore, pulses are mostly grown in rotation with other crops. They need less moisture and survive even in dry conditions. India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. The top pulse-producing states in India are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, collectively contribute significantly to the country’s pulse output, yet current production fails to meet domestic demand, leading to imports. The common pulses across globe are black gram, green gram, horse gram, peas, cow peas, pigeon peas, lentils and chick peas. A long-term vision is required for pulses in India because of various aspects like lower yield compared to global average, wide gap between demand and supply, rapid population growth and nutritional as well as environmental value. In this article the challenges and constraints in achieving projected demand of pulses and government policy support for achieving this projected demand have been discussed, addressing the complex dynamics of pulses economy in India.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting the risk of developing gastric cancer based on a questionnaire: a cross-sectional study.

Detection of gastric cancer (GC) at early stages is an effective strategy for decreasing mortality. This study aimed to construct a prediction nomogram based on a questionnaire to assess the risk of developing GC. Our study comprised a total of 4379 participants (2326 participants from outpatient at Fengqing People's Hospital were considered for model development and internal validation, and 2053 participants from outpatients at the endoscopy center at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were considered for independent external validation) and gastric mucosa status was determined by endoscopy and biopsies. The eligible participants in development cohort from Fengqing people's Hospital were randomly separated into a training cohort (n=1629, 70.0%) and an internal validation cohort (n=697, 30.0%). The relevant features were selected by a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and the ensuing features were evaluated through multivariable logistic regression analysis. Subsequently, the variables were selected to construct a prediction nomogram. The discriminative ability and predictive accuracy of the nomogram were evaluated by the C-index and calibration plot, respectively. Decision curve analysis (DCA) curves were used for the assessment of clinical benefit of the model. This model was developed to estimate the risk of developing neoplastic lesions according to the "transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model for individual prognosis or diagnosis" (TRIPOD) statement. Six variables, including age, sex, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, education level, and Hp infection status, were independent risk factors for the development of neoplastic lesions. Thus, these variables were incorporated into the final nomogram. The AUC of the nomogram were 0.701, 0.657 and 0.699 in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram was in good agreement with the observed outcomes. Compared to treatment of all patients or none, our nomogram showed a notably higher clinical benefit. This nomogram proved to be a convenient, cost-effective tool to effectively predict an individual's risk of developing neoplastic lesions, and it can act as a prescreening tool before gastroscopy.

Predictors of anxiety among women of reproductive age in Nepal: a comprehensive nationwide analysis.

Anxiety poses a significant challenge for women of reproductive age globally, often leading to other mental health issues. However, research on anxiety prevalence among this demographic, particularly in Nepal, remains scarce. This study aims to fill this gap by identifying demographic, biological, and behavioral predictors of anxiety among reproductive-aged women in Nepal. Using data from the nationally representative Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2022, this study employed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale to assess anxiety prevalence. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including one-way ANOVA and stepwise multiple regression, were utilized for identifying the potential predictors of anxiety. This study found that 22.2% of reproductive-aged women in Nepal experience moderate to severe anxiety. The stepwise multiple regression revealed seven most influential factors, with depression (mild, moderate, severe) being the most influential predictor of anxiety, explaining 51.8% of the variance (R square change = 0.518; Sig. =<0.001). Self-reported health status (R square change = 0.010; Sig.=<0.001), experienced emotional violence (R square change = 0.007; Sig.=<0.001), and pregnancy termination (R square change = 0.002; Sig.=0.001) accounted for 1.0%, 0.7%, and 0.2% of the variance in anxiety, respectively. Other significant predictors of anxiety included husband's alcohol consumption, genital discharge, and household wealth status. Anxiety is substantially prevalent among reproductive-aged women in Nepal, with sociodemographic factors playing a crucial role. Further research is needed to develop targeted socioeconomic, and behavioral interventions aimed at addressing anxiety and its broader impact on daily life, thereby ensuring the mental well-being of women of reproductive age.

Association Between Asian Flush and Satisfaction of Sleep via Alcohol Consumption Status in a Sample of Japanese Participants.

The reddening of the face and neck following alcohol consumption is known as Asian flush. Although genetic factors related to Asian flush have been reported to be inversely associated with duration of sleep, no study has reported an association between Asian flush and sleep satisfaction. A cross-sectional study of 3823 Japanese people, aged 20 to 64 years was conducted. The target population comprised general public resident monitors of Osaka Prefecture who were registered with an internet research company. A significant inverse association was observed between Asian flush and satisfaction of sleep. The potential confounder-adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of satisfied sleep was 0.81 (0.69-0.96). The alcohol consumption status-specific analysis revealed essentially the same associations between consumers and non-consumers of alcohol. The adjusted ORs (95% CIs) were 0.81 (0.65-0.997) for non-consumers and 0.80 (0.61-1.05) for consumers of alcohol. The genetic characteristics of physical reactions to alcohol exposure may influence sleep quality. One's alcohol consumption status may not influence the effects of having a lower tolerance to alcohol on sleep quality.

Weight-adjusted waist index associated with bone mineral density in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study.

The research examined the association between weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, considering the impact of obesity on bone health. The association between WWI and BMD was examined utilizing weighted linear regression and smoothed curve fitting with data from NHANES 2005-2010, 2013-2014, and 2017-2018. Subgroup analysis verified the stability of the results. The study included a cohort of 983 rheumatoid arthritis patients. A significant negative correlation was found between WWI and BMD at the total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine (β = -0.03, 95% CI (-0.04, -0.02), p < 0.001; β = -0.02, 95% CI (-0.04, -0.01), p = 0.001; β = -0.04, 95% CI (-0.06, -0.02), p < 0.001). This negative association was not significantly influenced by factors like age, gender, race, education, PIR, diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, alcohol consumption, or smoking status (p > 0.05 for interaction). The findings indicate a negative correlation between WWI and BMD in the rheumatoid arthritis population. Key Points •A negative correlation was found between WWI and BMD at the total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in the rheumatoid arthritis population.

Assessment of body mass index, lifestyle and health perception among female university students in Morocco.

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), dietary habits, physical activity, and health perception among female university students in Morocco. The study was conducted at a Moroccan university among female students from the Faculty of Sciences Ain-Chock in Casablanca. Participants were given a self-administered questionnaire that evaluated sociodemographic factors, dietary habits, food group consumption, physical activity, and self-assessed health status. Data collection took place from February 2023 through the end of April 2023. A total of 335 students aged 18 to 29 years participated in the survey. The study revealed that 72.5% of the participants were within the normal weight range (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), while 15.9% were classified as overweight and 3.9% as obese. Additionally, 47.9% of the participants engaged in physical activity, with 30.2% dedicating more than 45 minutes to their activities. The health perception was found to be related to weight classification, with poor health perception most commonly associated with the "18.5-25" BMI range (57.8%). The study sheds light on the intricate interaction between weight, health, and lifestyle in Morocco. The frequency of normal-weight persons and active participation indicates university students' health awareness. The prevalence of overweight and obesity, on the other hand, need ongoing health measures. These findings help to build focused methods for promoting healthier lives in Morocco, utilizing educational institutions as health promotion platforms.

Evaluation of Risk Factors in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Objective: The purpose of our study was to compare the age, gender, intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), spherical equivalent values, smoking, family history of glaucoma, and additional systemic diseases in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and patients with ocular hypertension (OHT); and to evaluate the relationships of these factors with each other. Materials and Methods: 40 patients with POAG, 40 patients with OHT, and 40 individuals as a control group were included in the study. Age, gender, IOP, CCT, spherical equivalent values, family history of glaucoma, history of consanguineous marriage, smoking, and systemic diseases of each subject were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in gender and average age between the groups. IOP values were higher in the POAG and OHT groups than in the control group. There was no significant difference in IOP values between POAG and OHT groups. CCT was higher in the OHT group than in the other groups. There was no significant correlation between IOP and CCT values. There was no significant difference in mean spherical equivalent values. The incidence of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes mellitus was similar in all groups. Family history of glaucoma is increased in the POAG and OHT group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in the history of consanguineous marriage, alcohol usage, and smoking status among all groups. Conclusion: High IOP was the most important risk factor in POAG and OHT groups. A significant familial history of glaucoma in POAG and OHT groups suggests that genetic factors may be an important risk factor.

Comparison of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome between individuals with spinal cord injury and the general population based on the cutoff values of abdominal obesity

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Accurate diagnosis, in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, is vital for effective CVD prevention. ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify factors related to MetS prevalence by comparing MetS prevalence trends in SCI and the general population (GP) and to examine differences in MetS prevalence in patients with SCI according to the cutoff reference value for abdominal obesity. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Corporation from 2015 to 2019. MetS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria with an adjusted waist circumference of 81.3 cm for patients with SCI. Data were collected on age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, waist circumference, lipid profiles, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and socioeconomic status. Each year, SCI patients (n=3,140, n=3,201, n=3,503, n=1,590, n=1,544) were matched with GP individuals (m=31,400, m=32,040, m=35,030, m=15,900, m=15,440). ResultsOver 5 years, MetS prevalence increased in both groups, consistently higher in the SCI group. Older age and lower income were risk factors in both groups (p<0.05). Smoking and alcohol intake were significant only in the GP (p<0.0001). Using the adjusted obesity criterion, MetS prevalence was 1.4 times higher in SCI patients than in the GP (p<0.0001). ConclusionsExclusively relying on GP criteria for diagnosing MetS in patients with SCI may lead to an underestimation of MetS prevalence and overlooked opportunities for CVD prevention. Therefore, the development of diagnostic and preventive strategies for MetS considering SCI characteristics is needed.

Nutritional Risk, Nutritional Status and Some Biochemical Parameters In Adult Burn Patients in Burn Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Study

Nutritional therapy is very important in burn patients and plays a role in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to assess nutritional status, prevent or minimize nutritional problems, and monitor nutritional therapy. This study was conducted to determine the nutritional risk, nutritional status and biochemical parameters of adult burn patients in the burn intensive care unit. The 59 patients (women: 16, men: 43) between the ages of 19-64 were included in the study. Parameters such as NRS-2002 (admission and discharge), dietary intake, nutritional support status, serum albumin, and total protein (admission and discharge) were evaluated to determine the nutritional risk and nutritional status of the patients. In addition, body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured and body mass index was calculated (admission and discharge). The duration of hospitalization and burn percentage of men patients were higher than women (P &lt; 0.05). A significant decreases were determined in the mean body weight, body mass index, and triceps skinfold thickness of men patients at discharge compared to admission (P &lt; 0.05). In men patients, a statistically significant difference was found in serum albumin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values between admission and discharge (P &lt; 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in NRS-2002 scores at admission and discharge in both genders, and the scores increased (P &lt; 0.05). While a significant relationship was found between immunonutrition support and gender (P &lt; 0.05), no relationship was found between genders in terms of the diet given and the consumption status of the diet intake (P &gt; 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between genders in terms of feeding duration with nutritional support products, energy intake with nutritional support products and diet, macronutrients, and total energy expenditure values (P &gt; 0.05). Since burn injuries can cause serious metabolic disorders, impaired nutritional status was encountered during hospitalization. While the treatment process was positively affected by the increase in the NRS-2002 score during hospitalization, a decrease in parameters such as albumin, total protein, and anthropometric measurement values brought about by the catabolic process was encountered. Therefore, to prevent or treat malnutrition, the nutritional status of patients should be evaluated at the time of hospitalization and they should be able to receive the necessary nutritional support.

Power consumption state evaluation of important power customers based on AHP‐TOPSIS algorithm

AbstractIn the construction of a new power system, the identification and evaluation of power consumption status of power customers will become an important basis for them to participate in the emerging businesses such as demand response and virtual power plants. In order to ensure the power safety of important power customers, a new evaluation of power consumption status of important power customers based on the AHP (analytic hierarchy process)‐TOPSIS (technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution) algorithm is proposed by fully mining and applying the power big data. Firstly, a power consumption big data analysis platform based on the Hadoop architecture is built to provide a high‐performance platform support for big data analysis. Secondly, nine evaluation indexes are constructed from the three dimensions of voltage, load and synthesis, which objectively and scientifically describes the power consumption status of important power customers. Finally, the AHP‐TOPSIS algorithm is used to evaluate and analyse the voltage, load and comprehensive indicators respectively, thus, obtaining the evaluation values of three kinds of indicators. The power consumption status scores of important power customers are determined by the variable weight weighted summation. The rationality and feasibility of the method and algorithm are proved by example analysis and field verification. This method helps to promote the transformation from post fault emergency repair to warning beforehand. It has the multiple effects of ensuring safe power consumption, supporting accurate patrolling and active emergency repair serving.

Association between adherence to LS7 and frailty among older US adults

Abstract Objective The Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metrics were developed by the American Heart Association to define ideal cardiovascular health. The impact of LS7 on frailty among older adults remains unclear. Our objective was to examine the association between the cardiovascular health score and risk of frailty among older adults. Designs, Settings, and Participants Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1999-2018 was used. We included 9242 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 65 years. The LS7 score was calculated for all participants. Frailty was measured with the 40-item frailty index, and a frailty index score of &amp;gt; 0.21 was defined as ‘frailty’. Log-binominal regression and negative binomial regression were conducted to estimate the association between LS7 and frailty. Mediation analysis was used to estimate the mediating effects of inflammatory indicators on the association. Results The weighted average of frailty index score was 0.18, and 3206 participants (34.8%) were identified as ‘frailty’. Participants with high LS7 scores had significantly lower frailty index score and prevalence of frailty than those with low LS7 scores. In fully adjusted log-binominal regression models, with total score &amp;lt; 6 as a reference, the ORs (95% CIs) for frailty were 0.79 (0.65, 0.96), 0.66 (0.54, 0.80), 0.50 (0.39, 0.65), and 0.39 (0.29, 0.52) for total score = 6, total score = 7, total score = 8, and total score &amp;gt; 8, respectively. When LS7 score analyzed as a continuous variable, per 1-point increase in the LS7 score was associated with a 16% decrease in the risk of frailty (P &amp;lt; 0.001). In negative binominal regression models, the adjusted PRs (95% CIs) for frailty were 0.96 (0.93, 1.00), 0.94 (0.91, 0.97), 0.91 (0.87, 0.95), and 0.85 (0.82, 0.88) for total score = 6, total score = 7, total score = 8, and total score &amp;gt; 8, respectively. For each 1-point increase in the LS7 score, the risk of frailty decreased by 3% (P &amp;lt; 0.001). No significant interactions were observed in subgroups stratified by age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and self-reported health status. Causal mediation analysis indicated that inflammatory factors including blood cell count, neutrophil count, and C-reactive protein positively mediated the association of LS7 with frailty, with a mediating proportion of 0.0357 (P = 0.01), 0.0741 (P &amp;lt; 0.001), and 0.0524 (P = 0.012), respectively. Conclusions In a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, increased exposure to EO was independently related to an increased prevalence of frailty.Association between LS7 and frailtySubgroup analysis

Lifestyle factors before and after colorectal cancer treatment and their association with fatigue

Abstract Background As colorectal cancer (CRC) survivorship increases, so does the challenge of managing cancer-related fatigue, a prevalent condition that severely impacts survivors’ ability to work and overall quality of life. This study delves into the relationship between lifestyle behaviors, assessed using the HEALTHY lifestyle score, and its influence on fatigue among CRC patients. Methods Data was derived from MIRANDA, a multicenter cohort study that enrolls adult CRC patients during a 3-week in-patient rehab within a year after primary CRC treatment. Up to date, n = 438 participants provided information on lifestyle factors at the rehabilitation start (baseline) and then every three months for the first year. The predictors were the HEALTHY lifestyle score and its components (diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, BMI, and smoking status) calculated at three time points: before surgery, after surgery, and 12 months following rehabilitation. The outcome was fatigue, assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue (FACIT-F-FS) scale. Results Participants with a higher HEALTHY lifestyle score after CRC surgery had statistically significantly lower fatigue levels. The components that contributed most to this finding were smoking and physical activity. Participants who engaged in exercise post-surgery or did not smoke before their cancer diagnosis experienced lower fatigue levels during rehabilitation. Conclusions Lifestyle modifications, such as increasing physical activity and smoking cessation, are crucial in preventing or reducing fatigue among CRC patients. Tailored public health initiatives that advocate for these lifestyle adjustments and their incorporation into CRC rehabilitation protocols could significantly advance survivor care, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. Key messages • The HEALTHY score is associated with fatigue of CRC patients during rehabilitation, highlighting the crucial role of lifestyle changes after CRC treatment. • Smoking cessation and physical activity programs may be the most effective measures for decreasing the fatigue burden of these patients.

Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages in China: By volume or sugar content? A consumer welfare approach

Using scanner data on the consumption of packaged liquid beverages by Chinese urban households, we estimated the price elasticity of various beverages and compared the effects of volume-based versus sugar-content-based taxation strategies on consumer welfare. Compared to the volume-based tax, the sugar-content-based beverage tax was predicted to cost less in compensating variation under the same amount of sugar reduced, indicating that taxation based on sugar content may be more efficient in preserving consumer welfare. Further comparison across different socioeconomic groups reveals that, given current beverage consumption status in China, the efficiency advantage of the sugar-content-based taxation strategy is more pronounced than that of the volume-based taxation. Our conclusions can provide insights for the food industry and the government to reduce the sugar content in beverages.

Medical students' tobacco consumption status and experiences with smoke-free law violations in enclosed spaces in Türkiye and Northern Cyprus

Medical students' tobacco consumption status and experiences with smoke-free law violations in enclosed spaces in Türkiye and Northern Cyprus

The impact of Scotland's minimum unit pricing for alcohol policy on people accessing services for alcohol dependence: A difference-in-difference structured interview study.

A minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol of £0.50 per unit (1 UK unit = 10 mL/8 g alcohol) was introduced in Scotland in May 2018. Few previous studies have examined the impact of alcohol pricing policies on people who are alcohol dependent. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MUP on people who are alcohol dependent including changes in alcohol consumption and health status, as well as potential unintended consequences. Three waves of cross-sectional data were collected in Scotland (intervention) and Northern England (control) at 0-6 months pre-implementation then 3-9 months and 18-22 months post-implementation. The sample was N = 706 people receiving treatment related to their alcohol use. We collected structured interview data including recent drinking information via a 7-day timeline-follow-back drinking diary. Difference-in-difference analyses estimated change in indicators in Scotland compared to England at both post-implementation timepoints. The proportion of participants consuming alcohol costing on average <£0.50 per unit in Scotland decreased from 60.6% at 0-6 months prior to MUP implementation to 6.3% at 3-9 months post-implementation (p < 0.0004). There was no significant change in the indicators for alcohol consumption, severity of dependence, health status, other substance use, deprivation level or parenting. The introduction of MUP in Scotland was associated with increases in the prices paid for alcohol by people with dependence and presenting to treatment services. There was no evidence of changes in their alcohol consumption or health status. There was also no evidence of harmful unintended consequences for this population.