Demographic Behavior Research Articles

Prevalence and severity of anxiety, stress, and depression in long COVID among adults in Barcelona.

The COVID-19 pandemic's long-term mental health implications are increasingly concerning, especially among patients suffering post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Long COVID (LC) patients. This study explores the presence and distribution of anxiety, depression, and stress in LC individuals with cognitive complaints in northern Barcelona (Spain). This cross-sectional study involved 155 diagnosed LC individuals from the "Aliança ProHEpiC-19 Cognitiu (APC)" project. Demographic data and health behavior variables were collected, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was self-administered to assess mental health. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, and Poisson regression models were used for data analysis. 'Severe' stress and 'Extremely Severe' anxiety were prevalent in the sample. There were significant differences in anxiety and depression based on age and job role, with older individuals and non-healthcare workers showing higher relative risks. Our study highlights the significant mental health burden in LC patients, underscoring the need for targeted interventions, especially among adults over 45 years old and non-healthcare workers. Further research is needed to better understand LC's complex mental health impacts and develop effective clinical management strategies.

Feasibility of Implementing Ankle–Brachial Index Screening at a Rural Farm Show

Purpose: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early detection in at-risk populations through ankle-brachial index (ABI) screening is underutilized in community settings. This study assessed the feasibility of ABI screening at a rural community event for early PAD detection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a rural farm show, where participants completed a demographic and health behavior survey and underwent ABI screening using an automatic blood pressure device. Ankle–brachial index values were categorized as normal (1.00–1.40), borderline (0.91–0.99), or abnormal (≤0.9 or >1.4). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and Chi-square analysis with odds ratio assessed associations between ABI values and survey responses. Results: Among 91 participants, 18.7% (n = 17) had abnormal ABI values, and 46.2% (n = 42) had borderline or abnormal readings. A significant association was found between diabetes and abnormal ABI values (P = .034). Participants reporting diabetes were about 3.29 times more likely to have an abnormal ABI reading compared with nondiabetic participants (odds ratio 3.29, 95% CI 1.05, 10.23). Conclusions: This study shows that ABI screening can be successfully implemented at community events using cost-effective equipment, enabling early detection of PAD, especially in rural areas with limited access to health care. Physical therapists are ideally suited to lead these screenings and provide subsequent supervised exercise therapy. Expanding ABI screening in community outreach programs has the potential to enhance early intervention and reduce PAD-related health disparities among at-risk populations.

Food needs and health behaviors in the COVID-19 situation: a case study of quarantined communities in densely populated areas of Bangkok, Thailand

BackgroundThe Thai government’s initial response to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to confusion and food insecurity in quarantined low-income communities. Although free food programs were initiated, no official assessment of their impact exists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of these food programs by surveying the food requirements, food needs, and health behaviors of quarantined, densely populated communities in Bangkok.MethodsA cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 410 urban dwellers from quarantined communities who received free food assistance. Data were collected via a questionnaire on food requirements, food hygiene, food needs, and health behaviors during the COVID-19 epidemic. The data were analyzed in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The associations between demographic characteristics, food needs, and health behaviors were analyzed using logistic regression.ResultsThe participants demanded dried/canned food (54.9%) and three meals per day (64.9%), while the majority of the food provided consisted of rice and side dishes (96.2%) that were clean and qualified. In consideration of food needs, a high level of demand was observed in the first three levels: enough food, acceptable food, and reliability. Overall, dietary health behaviors were good. Logistic regression analysis revealed that being elderly (AOR = 3.67, 95% CI = 1.63–8.27) and having a moderate to high income level (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI = 2.23–6.94) were positively correlated with food needs. Similarly, good health behaviors were positively correlated with being female (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.12–2.69), being elderly (AOR = 3.73, 95% CI = 1.72–8.08), and having a moderate to high income level (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI = 2.38–5.93).ConclusionsPreparing for future crises requires the consideration of demographic factors that influence food needs, personal choices, and dietary health behaviors. Future food assistance programs should focus on the provision of nonperishable and long-lasting food, which will ensure the consistent availability of three meals per day.

Patriarchy, Fertility and Excess Female Child Mortality in India

Research investigating association between patriarchy and demographic behavior is limited in India. The only study on this subject utilized 1981 Indian Census data to examine associations between patriarchy and fertility. We examined the association of patriarchy, measured using India Patriarchy Index (IPI), with total fertility rate (TFR) and excess female child mortality in India. Additionally, we examined independent associations of the 5 dimensions included in the IPI with the two outcomes. We used univariate and bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation, multivariable ordinary least squares and spatial error- regressions to examine the associations. Spatial heterogeneity beyond the north–south divide was evident in the spatial association of IPI with TFR and excess female child mortality. Results show positive association of IPI with TFR and excess female child mortality. While son preference and socio-economic domination were positively associated with TFR, domination of men over women and son preference were positively associated with excess female child mortality. This study is the first of its kind to examine the association of a novel measure of patriarchy with TFR and excess female child mortality. As patriarchy is deep-rooted in Indian society, a great deal of effort is needed to shift these traditionally held social norms and practices.

The migration aspect of rural population behavior as an element of demographic behavior modeling

The article discusses the construction of a model for demographic behavior, in particular its structural element, migration behavior. According to the author, rural depopulation has many consequences, including a decrease in the labour resources, deterioration of rural infrastructure and, ultimately, exacerbation of economic problems. Anti-crisis measures aimed at the development of rural areas require close attention to changing the model of demographic behavior of rural residents, including its migration aspect. The article examines the migration behavior of rural residents of the Central Black Earth Economic Region, drawing on Federal State Statistics Service data on rural migration in the region, as well as on 2021–2024 sociological studies on key factors and trends in socio-demographic development. Analysis of statistical information on rural migration in Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, and Tambov regions does not provide a stable trend, since the time factor is not decisive. In the current situation, survey methods provide more accurate information highlighting migration sentiments, readiness, and activity of the rural population. The results of sociological diagnostics were used to substantiate a number of trends in the migration behavior of rural residents.

Racial Disparities in Access to Dental Care: A Secondary Analysis of the California Health Interview Survey 2023

Background: Racial disparities in dental health care access have been a persistent issue in the United States. This study aims to investigate the association between racial disparities and access to dental care. Materials and Methods: This study conducted a secondary data analysis of the CHIS 2023 Adult Survey, which included a sample of 21671 individuals. The survey collected information on demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and dental health outcomes, including access to dental care. Ordinal regression analysis was performed to examine the association between racial disparities and dental service outcomes, controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Results: The study found significant differences in demographic characteristics among racial groups. The 2023 CHIS analyzed 21,671 individuals across various racial groups, revealing significant variations in age distribution, with White individuals being the oldest and "Other single race" the youngest. Whites also had the highest median income and dental insurance coverage. An ordered logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, educational level, income last month, current smoking status, and dental insurance showed that being White was associated with a significantly higher number of dental visits (coefficient = 0.14, p-value = 0.005), while other racial groups did not show significant associations. Conclusion: This study suggests that racial disparities exist in dental service outcomes in California, with certain racial and ethnic groups being less likely to access dental care. The findings show the need to address these disparities and improve access to dental care for marginalized populations.

Development and validation of a three-dimensional nomogram prediction model for knee osteoarthritis in middle-aged population

ObjectivesThis study aims to identify predictors of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) risk in middle-aged population, construct and validate a nomogram for KOA in this demographic.MethodsFrom June to December 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey on 5,527 middle-aged individuals from Changsha and Zhangjiajie cities in Hunan Province, selected using a stratified multi-stage random sampling method. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire encompassing general demographic, physical condition, and lifestyle behaviors dimensions. The dataset was randomly split into a training set (n = 3868) and a validation set (n = 1659) at a 7:3 ratio via computerized randomization. We analyzed the prevalence of self-reported KOA and identified its influencing factors using logistic regression. A nomogram was constructed based on these "three-dimensional" factors. Subsequent validation was conducted, and the nomogram's performance was further evaluated through ROC curves, C-index, Hosmer–Lemeshow test, and calibration curves.ResultsThe self-reported prevalence of KOA in the middle-aged population was 11.4% (632/5527). The risk factor with the greatest impact is: diagnosed with osteoporosis(95% CI 2.269–3.568, OR = 2.845), followed by age between 51 to 60 years (95% CI 2.176–3.151, OR = 2.619), diagnosed with hypertension(95% CI 1.633–2.499, OR = 2.02), diagnosed with diabetes (OR = 1.689), ethnic Han Chinese (OR = 1.673), exercise according to physical condition (OR = 1.643), pay attention to keeping the knee joint warm (OR = 1.535), eating habits are mainly light vegetables (OR = 1.374), male gender (OR = 1.343), drink occasionally in small amounts (OR = 1.286); a higher level of education (OR = 0.477) and frequently or always apply an external or plaster to relieve symptoms after knee discomfort (OR = 0.377; OR = 0.385) are protective factors.The C-index of the training set model was 0.8107 (95% CI: 0.8102–0.8111), with a statistically significant area under the ROC curve (AUC = 0.818), and the calibration curve showed a good fit. The C-index for the validation set was 0.8124 (95% CI: 0.8109–0.8140), with an AUC of 0.812. The Hosmer–Lemeshow test resulted in a P-value of 0.46 (P ≥ 0.05)indicating good calibration of the model.ConclusionThe three dimensions nomogram generated in this study was a valid and easy-to-use tool for assessing the risk of KOA in middle-aged population, and helped healthcare professionals to screen the high-risk population.

Blood pressure in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: analysis of baseline data from a prospective cohort study.

To assess the distribution of blood pressure levels and the prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension in young Indigenous people (10-24 years of age). Prospective cohort survey study (Next Generation: Youth Wellbeing Study); baseline data analysis. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 10-24 years living in regional, remote, and urban communities in Central Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales; recruitment: March 2018 - March 2020. Blood pressure categorised as normal, pre-hypertension, or hypertension using the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines (10-17 years) or 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines (18-24 years); associations of demographic characteristics and health behaviours with hypertension and pre-hypertension, reported as relative risk ratios (RRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Complete data were available for 771 of 1244 study participants (62%); their mean age was 15.4 years (standard deviation [SD], 3.9 years), 438 were girls or young women (56.8%). Mean systolic blood pressure was 111.2 mmHg (SD, 13.7 mmHg), mean diastolic blood pressure 66.3 mmHg (SD, 11.0 mmHg). Mean systolic blood pressure was higher for male than female participants (mean difference, 6.38 mmHg; 95% CI, 4.60-8.16 mmHg), and it increased by 1.06 mmHg (95% CI, 0.76-1.36 mmHg) per year of age. Mean systolic blood pressure increased by 0.42 mmHg (95% CI, 0.28-0.54 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure by 0.46 mmHg (95% CI, 0.35-0.57 mmHg) per 1.0 kg/m2 increase in body mass index. Ninety-one participants (11.8%) had blood pressure readings indicating pre-hypertension, and 148 (19.2%) had hypertension. The risks of pre-hypertension (RRR, 4.22; 95% CI, 2.52-7.09) and hypertension (RRR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.27-2.91) were higher for male than female participants; they were greater for people with obesity than for those with BMI values in the normal range (pre-hypertension: RRR, 2.39 [95% CI, 1.26-4.55]; hypertension: RRR, 3.20 [95% CI, 1.91-5.35]) and for participants aged 16-19 years (pre-hypertension: 3.44 [95% CI, 1.88-6.32]; hypertension: RRR, 2.15 [95% CI, 1.29-3.59]) or 20-24 years (pre-hypertension: 4.12 [95% CI, 1.92-8.85]; hypertension: RRR, 4.09 [95% CI, 2.24-7.47]) than for those aged 10-15 years. Blood pressure was within the normal range for most young Indigenous people in our study, but one in three had elevated blood pressure or hypertension. Community-level, culturally safe approaches are needed to avoid the early onset of cardiovascular risks, including elevated blood pressure.

Modeling Disease Dynamics From Spatially Explicit Capture‐Recapture Data

ABSTRACTOne of the main aims of wildlife disease ecology is to identify how disease dynamics vary in space and time and as a function of population density. However, monitoring spatiotemporal and density‐dependent disease dynamics in the wild is challenging because the observation process is error‐prone, which means that individuals, their disease status, and their spatial locations are unobservable, or only imperfectly observed. In this paper, we develop a novel spatially‐explicit capture‐recapture (SCR) model motivated by an SCR data set on European badgers (Meles meles), naturally infected with bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis, TB). Our model accounts for the observation process of individuals as a function of their latent activity centers, and for their imperfectly observed disease status and its effect on demographic rates and behavior. This framework has the advantage of simultaneously modeling population demographics and disease dynamics within a spatial context. It can therefore generate estimates of critical parameters such as population size; local and global density by disease status and hence spatially‐explicit disease prevalence; disease transmission probabilities as functions of local or global population density; and demographic rates as functions of disease status. Our findings suggest that infected badgers have lower survival probability but larger home range areas than uninfected badgers, and that the data do not provide strong evidence that density has a non‐zero effect on disease transmission. We also present a simulation study, considering different scenarios of disease transmission within the population, and our findings highlight the importance of accounting for spatial variation in disease transmission and individual disease status when these affect demographic rates. Collectively these results show our new model enables a better understanding of how wildlife disease dynamics are linked to population demographics within a spatiotemporal context.

Relationship Between Dietary Diversity, Eating Behavior, and Cognitive Performance in Economically Disadvantaged School Children

The effect of dietary diversity and eating behavior on attention, and concentration among lack-resources children is unclear. We aim to investigate the association between dietary diversity, eating behavior, and cognitive abilities among economically disadvantaged children at high risk of cognitive impairment. This study enrolled 676 children aged 10–12 years from 16 free academic tutoring centers across Taiwan. Demographic and dietary behavior data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Cognitive abilities, specifically attention and concentration, were assessed using the following validated tools: the Attention Test for Elementary School Children and the Concentration Questionnaire. Those who reported poor concentration and attention tend to have a higher prevalence of obesity. After adjustment for confounding variables by general linear model, a significant positive correlation was identified between dietary diversity score (DDS) and classroom concentration score (regression coefficient (β) = 0.24; p < 0.0001). Conversely, the frequency of unhealthy food intake exhibited a negative correlation with concentration (β: −0.09; p = 0.025). Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the frequency of instant food intake and the attention (β: −0.08; p = 0.04) and concentration scores (β: −0.09; p = 0.026). Thus, enhancing dietary diversity and reducing unfavorable food intake may improve cognitive performance in socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

Stratified Fertility: Age Norms, Ideals, Behaviors, and the Role of National Contexts

A growing body of research shows that demographic attitudes and behaviors across the life course are socially stratified. Building on this and focusing on the transition to parenthood, we hypothesize that (i) parental socioeconomic status is associated with multiple dimensions of the transition to parenthood, including fertility norms (perceived lower age limit at first birth), ideals (ideal age at first birth), and behaviors (age at first birth), and that (ii) this association varies across national contexts, as national contexts determine the opportunities and constraints that guide young adults’ life course attitudes and behaviors. Drawing on the European Social Survey 2006 and 2018 data, we analyze early fertility norms and ideals and later fertility behaviors of a pseudo-panel of individuals born between 1976 and 1988. We show that (i) parental socioeconomic status is positively associated with later fertility norms, later fertility ideals, and later childbearing, even when controlling for respondents’ own socioeconomic status, and that (ii) national contexts partially moderate these associations. We conclude by discussing implications for theories of fertility and highlighting avenues for future research.

Demographic profile of the “revolutionary turning point” generation of the Russian village in the first half of the 1920s

Importance. The demographic portrait of peasantry in the first half of the 1920s is examined. The relevance of the study is due to the need for a comprehensive study of the Russian peasantry of the “revolutionary turning point” generation (born at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries). The pur pose of the research is to provide a detailed demographic description of the specified age cohort of rural society during a period of large-scale socio-political upheavals.Materials and Methods. The authors focus on the main demographic indicators: birth rate, mor tality, marriage rate, and natural population growth. In order to determine the factors that influ enced the model of demographic behaviour of peasants, statistical collections for the Voronezh, Oryol, Kursk, and Tambov provinces are analysed. These sources are characterised by the pres ence of objective data on the population with minimal ideological distortions. The paper uses a wide range of materials based on censuses, surveys, special studies, and observations. The works of prominent ethnographers of the 1920s are also considered.Results and Discussion. The authors have analysed the demographic behaviour of the “revolu tionary turning point” generation during the new economic policy period. The influence of wars and revolutions on the family behaviour of peasants is studied. The features of marriage and di vorce are considered. The specifics of compensatory birth rate after a series of wars are examined. The main causes of mortality among peasants of the “revolutionary turning point” generation are established. The factors increasing life expectancy and decreasing the mortality rate of the rural population have also been determined.Conclusion. Based on a wide range of sources, the conclusion is made about the contradictory model of demographic behaviour of peasants of this generation, which combined elements of tra ditionalism and modernist features.

Coping Power at the REACH School Network: A pilot feasibility study

Abstract Objectives School-based health centres (SBHCs) provide developmental and mental health care to children with socioeconomic disparities. We piloted a validated behavioural intervention called Coping Power (CP) for children with disruptive behaviour through our SBHC program. The objective of this pilot study was to examine the feasibility of CP in the SBHC setting. Methods All parent/caregiver and child dyads enrolled in CP from 2018 to 2019 and 2021 to 2022 were invited to participate in the study. Demographic information and behaviour rating scales were collected at baseline. Feasibility metrics included attendance and satisfaction survey responses. Results A total of 31 parent/caregiver-child dyads were included. Approximately 40% of families had an annual income of &amp;lt;$49,999. Regarding attendance, 22/31 children/parent/caregiver dyads (70.9%) missed ≤2 sessions. Thirteen parents/caregivers completed the CP satisfaction survey and indicated that they were either ‘somewhat’ (n = 4) or ‘very satisfied’ (n = 9) with the program. Of the 18 children who completed the satisfaction survey, 13 (72.2%) shared that either the ‘sort of’ or ‘for sure’ group helped them cope with their anger better. Conclusions This pilot study found that CP delivered within the SBHCs was feasible. Improving access to CP for disadvantaged children may improve mental health outcomes.

Clinical characteristics, progression patterns and treatment outcomes in microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis: a prospective study in Thailand.

To assess the clinical characteristics, progression patterns, and treatment outcomes of microbiologically confirmed microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis (MKC). This prospective cross-sectional study included patients with superficial punctate epithelial keratitis clinically suspected of MKC. Comprehensive slit-lamp examinations were conducted, and corneal scraping was performed for Gram-chromotrope staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. A standardized questionnaire gathered demographic data, clinical features, and risk behaviors. Treatment regimens and corneal findings, including medication and frequency, were documented at each visit. PCR confirmed the diagnosis of MKC in 96 out of 117 eyes (82.1%), identifying Vittaforma corneae in 93.7% of cases, Microsporidium sp. in 4.2%, and Encephalitozoon hellem in 2.1%. All cases exhibited similar characteristics and pattern of progression, including elevated epithelial lesions in diffused distribution (34.1%), typical target lesions (31.3%), and subepithelial infiltrations (41.7%). Treatment with topical moxifloxacin, with or without oral albendazole, followed by topical steroids for subepithelial infiltrates, led to clinical improvement within approximately two weeks, with 52% of patients achieving complete recovery. This study identifies key clinical features and progression patterns in MKC. Topical fluoroquinolone monotherapy, or its combination with topical steroids or oral albendazole, results in favorable visual outcomes without corneal scarring. These insights may inform and enhance clinical management of MKC.

Sociological research in the field of family and demography: responding to the challenges of our time

The article analyzes the data of sociological research conducted by the Department of Sociology of Family and Demography of the Faculty of Sociology of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov, whose employees adhere to the familistic paradigm. The data from these studies are used for social design and forecasting of family and demographic behavior of the bulk of the population, as well as to develop recommendations for improving family and demographic policy aimed at increasing the birth rate and overcoming the crisis of the family as a social institution. Analysis of these data showed that effective policies in the field of family and demography should be aimed not only at changing the attitude towards family life and the birth of children on the part of those people who are now in active reproductive age, but also at creating a positive attitude of adolescents and young people towards based on a strong legal marriage and a close connection between three generations of a family with three or more children. A social atmosphere that encourages the formation and maintenance of families of this type should be considered as a necessary condition for the prosperity of the country.

Future Envisaged by Young Population as Predictor of Demographic Behavior: Interdisciplinary Approach

Future Envisaged by Young Population as Predictor of Demographic Behavior: Interdisciplinary Approach

Digital Marketing and Its Extending Scope

In India, digital marketing is expanding quickly. Digital marketing is being used by many Indian businesses to gain a competitive edge. However, digital marketing alone cannot guarantee a marketing campaign's success. Instead, for any marketing campaign to be successful, it must fully utilize the range of marketing strategies that are accessible in both traditional and modern marketing. This study demonstrates components and scope of digital marketing that helps to maximize the enormous potential for sales growth. The introduction of digital marketing is followed by a discussion of its components, types, and the increasing scope of Digital marketing over the year. The number of internet users is growing quickly, and as digital marketing relies heavily on the internet, it has benefited the most. Customers are shifting their purchasing habits and favoring digital marketing over traditional marketing. Furthermore, the majority of retailers still had to register their own domain address, according to a 2000 UK poll. These issues pushed marketers to come up with fresh approaches to incorporating digital technology into market expansion. With the rise of social media platforms like Face book, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube in the 2000s, customers have become increasingly reliant on social media and this is the most convenient source for them to shop. Businesses can send the appropriate message to the right people thanks to digital marketing. Online marketing is providing help to the businessmen’s to learn about the demographic likings, preferences, and behavior of their audience. The primary focus of this study has been on the scope of the internet marketing.

Oral health inequities over time among older adults of different racial/ethnic backgrounds: a comparative decomposition analysis across Australia and the United States

BackgroundAlthough the prevalence of poor oral health among older populations in Australia and the United States is higher, the contribution of ethnicity status is unknown. We aimed to estimate the contribution of social inequalities in oral health among older populations in Australia and the United States.MethodsCross-sectional study design using data from Australia’s National Survey of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH 2004–06 and 2017–18) and the United States’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003–04 and 2011–16). Participants included in the analysis were aged 65 + years. Oaxaca-Blinder type decomposition analysis was used to assess the contribution of demographic (age, sex), socioeconomic position (educational attainment, household income) and dental behaviors (last dental visit) to changes in prevalence of edentulism and non-functional dentition, and mean number of missing teeth by ethnicity status over time in Australia and the United States.ResultsThe number of participants aged 65 + years who provided clinical and sociodemographic/dental behaviour data was 1043 and 1269 in NSAOH 2004–06 and 2017–18, and 1372 and 1328 in NHANES 2003–04 and 2011–16 respectively. The prevalence of edentulism was from 13 percent (NHANES 2011–16) to 28 percent (NSAOH 2004–06), while the prevalence of non-functional dentition was from 41 percent (NSAOH 2017–18 and NHANES 2011–16) to 61 percent (NHANES 2003–04). The mean number of missing teeth was from 11 (NSAOH 2017–18) to 18 (NHANES 2003–04). The prevalence of edentulism and non-functional dentition, and the mean number of missing teeth were higher among older Australians identifying as White and the opposite results were observed among older Americans identifying as Non-White. For older adults in Australia, risk factors with the greatest impact on oral health outcomes by ethnicity status were educational attainment and household income. For older adults in the United States, the most dominant risk factor for non-optimal oral health outcomes by ethnicity status was last dental visit.ConclusionsThere are important policy translation implications from our findings, as they indicate that social and structural systems in Australia and the United States operate differently in the context of oral health over time among culturally diverse older citizens. This information will help inform initiatives that both target effective oral health promotion for older, culturally-diverse populations and provide evidence for the distribution of resources in the public dental health setting for this age group and cultural demographic.

Food preferences in schoolchildren

Introduction. Understanding children’s eating behaviour is crucial for promoting healthy nutrition. Objective. To assess the food preferences in schoolchildren. Materials and methods. A mixed-mode survey was conducted in one hundred twelve 6 to 17 years schoolchildren, including 72 (70.5%) boys and 81 (72.3%) girl from Moscow. The average age was 12.23 ± 3.69 years (median = 13.0 years), with no significant age differences between genders (p = 0.855) or between Moscow and other regions (p = 0.690). The survey (α Cronbach = 0.891) included demographic and eating behaviour questions. Data were analyzed with SPSS using Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and χ2 test, given the non-normal distribution of variables (p ≤ 0.001). Results. Daily, 11 (9.8%) of the respondents eat vegetables, 14 (12.5%) eat fruits or berries, 18 (16.1%) have breakfast, and 87 (77.7%) consume sweets. Additionally, 62 (55.4%) often skip main meals due to sweets; 81 (72.3%) always have sweets at home; and 51 (45.5%) favour of fast food. Children in families where sweets are always available are more likely to skip main meals and breakfast, consume sweets, and prefer fast food, but eat vegetables, fruits, and healthy breakfasts less frequently (p ≤ 0.001). Daily sweet consumption is linked to lower fruit intake (p ≤ 0.001). Demographic characteristics did not impact food preferences (0.068 ≤ p ≤ 0.946). The highest index of correct eating habits, equal to 0.86, was in 2 (1.8%) children. There is no relationship between the number of correct eating habits and age (p = 0.379) and gender (p = 0.172). The criterion of “correct eating habits” is (p = 0.046) higher in Moscow schoolchildren than in children from the regions. Conclusion. Unhealthy food preferences in children reflect parents’ non-compliance with healthy eating recommendations, which underscores the need for family initiatives in the field of healthy nutrition.

Development of a Frailty Prediction Model Among Older Adults in China: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

To identify the risk factors associated with frailty among older adults in China and develop a predictive model for assessing their frailty risk. Secondary cross-sectional analysis. The 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) provided data for this study. A total of 9006 participants were included in the analysis. Their general demographic, socioeconomic status and health behaviour risk factors were collected in the CLHLS. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Index. A visual nomogram model was constructed based on independent predictors identified using multivariate analysis. The nomogram's discrimination and calibration capabilities were evaluated using the C-statistics and calibration curves. A 1000-times resampling enhanced bootstrap method was performed for internal validation of the nomogram. The results showed that living in rural settings, having a primary education level, having a spouse, having basic living security, smoking, drinking, exercising and social activities were protective factors against frailty. Increasing age, being underweight or obese, adverse self-assessed economic status and poor sleep quality were risk factors of frailty. The AUC values of the internal validation set were 0.830. The calibration curve was close to ideal. The Brier score was 0.122. The above results showed that the nomogram model had a good predictive performance. A simple and fast frailty risk prediction model was developed in this study to help healthcare professionals screen older adults at high risk of frailty in China. The frailty risk prediction model will assist healthcare professionals in risk management and decision-making and provide targeted frailty prevention interventions. Screening high-risk older adults and early intervention can reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and save medical expenses for older adults and society, thereby realising cost-effective planning of health resources and healthy ageing. No patient or public contribution. This study was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of the CLHLS data.