Food Costs Research Articles

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It is a common belief that the historical meaning of Seowon ended after Daewongun’s decree of demolishing Seowon. Therefore, Seowon in late Joseon and the Japanese colonial era were not subject to objective exploration or research, and interest in data generated after modern times was rather low. However, Seowon began to be built or rebuilt immediately after Daewongun’s resignation, and it is still being actively done today.
 If a number of Seowon were reinstalled, how was it done then? There are the conditions of Seowon that can answer this question. It is Imho Seowon in Andong which enshrines Kim Yong (金涌). It is because ancient documents generated before and after the reinstatement in the Japanese colonial era are well preserved in this Seowon. First, based on the notes of rebuilding (Igeon Ilgi), the process of reinstalling Imho Seowon was reconstructed, and next, existing ancient documents were analyzed to shed light on all related costs and functions.
 Around 1920, Kim Yong’s descendants decided to reinstall Imho Seowon inside the precincts of Imcheon Seodang (臨川書堂). The main factor in the decision of its reinstallment was the economic power previously held by that Seowon. Normally, the properties of abolished Seowon were treated by Sokgong (屬公), Hyanggyo Isok, or the voluntary disposition of the operating clan. Imho Seowon, however, still held Seowon Jeon (書院田) even after the demolition. In the process, some noise was there, too, but through the process of forming a consensus among Uncheon-gye ⇨ Beom (凡) Uiseong Kim’s family ⇨ Horon-gye, it was rebuilt as Seodang in 1922 after 55 years from its demolition.
 The project to rebuild Seowon is a construction work that requires enormous human and material costs. In the situation where they could not expect enough human and material support from the government, the only way to secure financial resources was the aid from descendants and other families. Fortunately, thanks to the great interest and cooperation of descendants, Imcheon Seowon collected a total of 19,765 Nyang that was 765 Nyang more than the estimated amount. The specific expenses spent on the project of rebuilding include not only a total of 13,105 Nyang 9 Jeon 5 Pun for construction but labor costs, food costs, and eating expenses, too.
 Imho Seodang rebuilt in this way seems to have been unable to perform ancestral rites because there was no shrine, and it mainly functioned as a place for meeting. E very year, they held a regular meeting and also gathered whenever there was a crucial issue of the family or village. In the meeting, not only the members of the family but Yurim living distantly, too, attended.
 Why did they intend to reinstate Seowon then? The biggest reason is the social atmosphere of the early 20th century in which they still needed Seowon. In other words, the sense of crisis coming from the loss of a family’s foundation, Seowon, which was the medium for exercising power in the traditional village played a major role.

The economic burden experienced by carers of children who had a critical deterioration at a tertiary children’s hospital in the United Kingdom (the DETECT study): an online survey

BackgroundUnplanned critical care admissions following in-hospital deterioration in children are expected to impose a significant burden for carers across a number of dimensions. One dimension relates to the financial and economic impact associated with the admission, from both direct out-of-pocket expenditures, as well as indirect costs, reflecting productivity losses. A robust assessment of these costs is key to understand the wider impact of interventions aiming to reduce in-patient deterioration. This work aims to determine the economic burden imposed on carers caring for hospitalised children that experience critical deterioration events.MethodsDescriptive study with quantitative approach. Carers responded to an online survey between July 2020 and April 2021. The survey was developed by the research team and piloted before use. The sample comprised 71 carers of children admitted to a critical care unit following in-patient deterioration, at a tertiary children’s hospital in the UK. The survey provides a characterisation of the carer’s household and estimates of direct non-medical costs grouped in five different expenditure categories. Productivity losses can also be estimated based on the reported information.ResultsMost carers reported expenditures associated to the child’s admission in the week preceding the survey completion. Two-thirds of working carers had missed at least one workday in the week prior to the survey completion. Moreover, eight in ten carers reported having had to travel from home to the hospital at least once a week. These expenditures, on average, amount to £164 per week, grouped in five categories (38% each to travelling costs and to food and drink costs, with accommodation, childcare, and parking representing 12%, 7% and 5%, respectively). Additionally, weekly productivity losses for working carers are estimated at £195.ConclusionUnplanned critical care admissions for children impose a substantial financial burden for carers. Moreover, productivity losses imply a subsequent cost to society. Even though subsidised hospital parking and on-site accommodation at the hospital contribute to minimising such expenditure, the overall impact for carers remains high. Interventions aiming at reducing emergency critical care admissions, or their length, can be crucial to further contribute to the reduction of this burden.Trial RegistrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN61279068, date of registration 07/06/2019, retrospectively registered.

The energy-food dilemma for utilizing biofuels in low-income communities amidst the Russian–Ukrainian conflict

The Russian–Ukraine war has had and will continue to impact global energy and food security; this will increase the pressure on low-income communities due to rising food costs, as some food was used for energy (i.e. cooking oil). In addition to that, rising energy demand, fuel price increases, the need for energy security, climate change, and means of lowering greenhouse gas emissions are significant considerations in all ethical discussions, particularly when considering the human right to food; there is a tension between the usage of land and availability of water and the human need for fuel, such as biofuel. Although biofuels have the potential to alleviate energy difficulties, producing and consuming such fuels raises social, economic, technological, environmental, and ethical concerns due to ethical aspects such as Rights, Duty, Virtue, Utilitarianism, and Sustainability. Furthermore, all participants bear an ethical responsibility to ensure that biofuels are produced and used appropriately, taking into account citizens’ rights to nourishment, well-being, and employment, the environmental sustainability of such fuels, as well as their capacity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the equitable distribution of such fuels’ costs and benefits. Using human food to produce biofuels has raised several issues since it may jeopardize the human right to enough sustenance for healthy living. In contrast, current biofuel production and use do not meet environmental sustainability requirements.

An Economic Analysis of the Smallholder Dairy Farming: A Case Study in Muktagacha Upazila, Mymensingh

The present study was conducted to analyze the smallholder dairy farming sector in the rural areas of Bangladesh from an economic viewpoint. In this study we tried to find out the factors affecting dairy income and milk productivity, comparing the results from crossbred and indigenous cows and also found out the various constraints faced by smallholder farmers in dairy farming in rural areas of Muktagacha Upazila. Primary data was collected from four different villages at Muktagacha Upazila in the Mymensingh division. The sample size was 40 cattle farmers. They were interviewed through a survey questionnaire. To analyze farmer’s income and milk production in relation to economic factors two econometric and economic models were used as Multiple regression models and the cobb-douglas production function. From the survey, it was found that dairy farms owned on average 3.07 milking cows comparing .37 indigenous and 2.70 crossbred cows. In selected areas, most of the dairy farmers own about 3.07 milking cows where maximum cows are crossbred cows and a small number of cows are indigenous. At present time due to price rise in every sector. Dairy farmers in rural areas also need to find ways to produce more at the lowest cost. Milk productivity was 6.90 liter per cow per day, in crossbred whereas indigenous cows provided only 1.9/2.00 liter per day and total productivity was 12/13kg. From the average viewpoint it was found that, in large farms, the productivity was large compared to the small firms or households. We also tried to estimate the average monthly income from the firm. From this study finding it is clear that cross-bred cows are providing higher economic benefits to the dairy farmers compared to the indigenous breeds. With the improvement in every step such as training programs, food cost, proper farm management, proper treatment of the cows, and farming experience are highly related to the monthly income and milk productivity. Now a day, smallholder dairy farming is a progressive economic sector despite various constraints.

RootBot: High-throughput root stress phenotyping robot.

Higher temperatures across the globe are causing an increase in the frequency and severity of droughts. In agricultural crops, this results in reduced yields, financial losses, and increased food costs at the supermarket. Root growth maintenance in drying soils plays a major role in a plant's ability to survive and perform under drought, but phenotyping root growth is extremely difficult due to roots being under the soil. RootBot is an automated high-throughput phenotyping robot that eliminates many of the difficulties and reduces the time required for performing drought-stress studies on primary roots. RootBot simulates root growth conditions using transparent plates to create a gap that is filled with soil and polyethylene glycol (PEG) to simulate low soil moisture. RootBot has a gantry system with vertical slots to hold the transparent plates, which theoretically allows for evaluating more than 50 plates at a time. Software pipelines were also co-opted, developed, tested, and extensively refined for running the RootBot imaging process, storing and organizing the images, and analyzing and extracting data. The RootBot platform and the lessons learned from its design and testing represent a valuable resource for better understanding drought tolerance mechanisms in roots, as well as for identifying breeding and genetic engineering targets for crop plants.

Antecedents of Level of Commitment of Volunteers in NGOs: A Case Study of African Youth for Education and Empowerment Foundation (AYEEF)

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will find Ghana to be one of the most appropriate countries in the world (Arhin, Kumi & Adam, 2018). For addressing poverty, gender equity, rural development, disaster management, environmental conservation, human rights, and other social issues, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have evolved as an important element of the institutional framework. The general objective of the study is to examine the antecedents of the level of commitment among volunteers. The explanatory study technique was utilized to get detailed knowledge of variables and establish links between dependent and independent variables to analyze the antecedents of dedication among volunteers in African Youth for Education and Empowerment Foundations(AYEEF). The study's population or target populations were volunteers of the African Youth for Education and Empowerment Foundation. The simple random sampling method was employed to choose respondents for this study. A self-developed questionnaire was the major tool for data collection for the study. Among all the nine challenges ranked, rising cost of food and fuel in the country, ability to travel around the community, lower household incomes were ranked as the three most severe challenges of volunteers in AYEEF. The study concludes that the volunteers did not really feel the need to stay with their organization despite the fact that they were emotionally attached to the organization and believed that they ought to stay committed to the service they offered as volunteers. The study recommended that wide range of volunteer assistance should be provided, from recruitment and on-boarding to ongoing evaluation and feedback after a volunteer has completed their work.

Associations between food insecurity and other social risk factors among U.S. adults.

Food insecurity (FI) often co-exists with other social risk factors, which makes addressing it particularly challenging. The degree of association between FI and other social risk factors across different levels of income and before and during the COVID-19 pandemic is currently unknown, impeding the ability to design effective interventions for addressing these co-existing social risk factors. To determine the association between FI and other social risk factors overall and across different levels of income-poverty ratios and before (2019) and during (2020-2021) the pandemic. We used nationally representative data from the 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey for our cross-sectional analysis. Social risk factors available in NHIS included difficulties paying for medical bills, difficulties paying for medications, receiving income assistance, receiving rental assistance, and "not working last week". 93,047 adults (≥18years old). Individuals with other social risk factors (except receiving income assistance) were more likely to report FI, even after adjusting for income and education inequalities. While poverty leads to a higher prevalence of FI, associations between FI and other social risk factors were stronger among people with higher incomes, which may be related to their ineligibility for social safety net programs. Associations were similar before and during the pandemic, perhaps due to the extensive provision of social safety net programs during the pandemic. Future research should explore how access to a variety of social safety net programs may impact the association between social risk factors. With the expiration of most pandemic-related social supports, further research and monitoring are also needed to examine FI in the context of increasing food and housing costs. Our findings may also have implications for the expansion of income-based program eligibility criteria and screening for social risk factors across all patients and not only low-income people.

The Global Dimension of the CAP Debate: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

SummaryExuberant expectations about what EU agriculture can and should deliver in policy areas beyond its scope often contrast sharply with both farm realities and contradictions in the behaviour of individuals as citizens and consumers. This has polarised the CAP policy debate, and erroneously pushes for a choice between prioritising either climate action or food security. Recent developments, including the war in Ukraine, added to concerns about uncertain and volatile future price prospects. Food price prospects and population growth impacts are pivotal in the debate about food security as higher food costs, prospects for higher energy costs driven by the green transition and increasing income inequalities put households in both developed and the developing world at risk with respect to food affordability. Adding trends of global population growth, especially in Africa, creates a clear challenge of availability in certain products and regions. The EU's underestimated and misunderstood record of producing more with less could help EU agriculture to positively contribute to addressing both food security and climate change. However, further improving its performance requires re‐opening the debate in three priority areas where the EU must come clear on its stance and future contribution – productivity, science and trade.

Analysis of Food Cost and Food Perception with Food Waste of The Supplemental Food for School Children in Elementary School Children at Kulon Progo District

Background: The success of the Supplemental Food for School Children program is determined by the child's acceptance of the food provide. Objective: to analyze appropriate costs and perceptions of food with additional food leftovers for elementary school children in Kulon Progo Regency. Methods: The research design is a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted on 89 elementary school children from grade IV to grade VI in 4 elementary schools that received PMT AS in Kulon Progo District with simple random. The research instrument used a food cost calculation form, a food perception questionnaire with a smiley face, a food weighing device, a comstock scale form with a 6-point visual estimation method. Analysis of bivariate using chi square test and multivariate using logistic regression test.Results: The bivariate analysis results showed a significant relationship between the cost of food and the perception of The Supplemental Food for School Children with p = 0.002. There is a significant relationship between food perception and food waste of The Supplemental Food for School Children with p = 0.000. Finally, there is a significant relationship between food costs and food waste with p = 0.007. The results of multivariate analysis, food costs and perceptions contributed 29% to reducing food waste. Conclusion: Appropriate food costs and perceptions of preferred the food are associated with the least leftover food waste for school children. Key words : Food Cost, Food Perception, Food Waste

Parental perceptions of a novel subsidy program to address the financial burden of milk allergy: a qualitative study

BackgroundApproximately 6–7% of Canadian children have food allergy. These families face substantial burdens due to the additional costs incurred purchasing allergy-friendly products necessary for management compared to families without food allergies. In the year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, these costs were equivalent to an average of $200 monthly compared to families without food allergy. As food prices continue to rise, rates of food insecurity also increase, disproportionately affecting households with food allergy who have limited choices at food banks.MethodsFamilies living or working in Winnipeg, Canada with an annual net income of about $70,000 or less the year prior to recruitment and a child under the age of 6 years old with a physician diagnosed milk allergy were recruited between January and February 2022. Participating families received bi-weekly home deliveries for six months, from March to August 2022, of subsidy kits containing ~$50 worth of milk allergy-friendly products. Semi-structured interviews, completed ± 2 weeks from the final delivery, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.ResultsEight interviews, averaging 32 min (range 22–54 min), were completed with mothers from all different families. On average, mothers were 29.88 ± 4.39 years old and children were 2.06 ± 1.32 years old. All children reported allergies in addition to milk. Based on the data from these interviews, we identified 3 themes: food allergy causes substantial burden for families, “I have to get his allergy-friendly food first before getting to my basic needs”, and perceived emotional and financial benefits of a milk allergy-friendly food subsidy program.ConclusionsThis study, along with previous research, suggests that there is a need for assistance for families managing milk allergies. It also provides important information to inform development of programs which can address these financial challenges. Our in-kind food subsidy was perceived as having a positive impact on food costs and stress associated with food allergy management, however, parents identified a need for more variety in the food packages. Future programs should strive to incorporate a greater variety of products to address this limitation.

Factors Influencing Nutritional Intake and Interests in Educational Content of Athletes and Sport Professionals Toward the Development of a Clinician-Supported Mobile App to Combat Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport: Formative Research and a Description of App Functions.

Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) as a consequence of athlete malnutrition remains a prominent issue. However, it remains underrecognized, in part due to the perceived outward health of athletes. The Eat2Win app was designed to combat RED-S and athlete malnutrition by providing education, behavior modification, and direct communication with expert sports dietitians to athletes and sport professionals (professionals who work with athletes, eg, sport coaches and athletic trainers). The purpose of this formative research was to gain critical insight on motivators and barriers to optimal nutritional intake from both the athletes' and sport professionals' perspectives. Additionally, since these 2 groups represent the primary end users of an app aimed at improving athlete nutrition and reducing the risk of RED-S, a secondary objective was to gain insight on the preferences and perceptions of app-based educational content and functionality. An electronic survey was developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts. Survey questions were established based upon prevailing literature, professional dietetic field experience, and app design considerations to obtain respondent knowledge on key sports nutrition topics along with motivations and barriers to meal choices. Additionally, the survey included questions about the development of an integrative, clinician-support app aimed at addressing RED-S. These questions included preferences for educational content, modes of in-app information, and communication delivery for the target population (app end users: athletes and sport professionals). The survey was distributed through Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) to athletes and sport professionals using targeted email, social media, and community engagement campaigns. The electronic survey was available from May 4 to August 2, 2022. Survey respondents (n=1352) included athletes and professionals who work with athletes from a variety of settings, like high school, collegiate, professional, and club sports. Respondents reported high interest in 8 core sports nutrition topics. The preferred modes of information and communication delivery were visual formats (eg, videos and infographics) and in-app alerts (eg, direct messaging and meal reminders). Only athlete respondents were asked about motivators and barriers that influence meal choices. "Health" and "sports performance" were the highest scoring motivators, while the highest scoring barriers were "cost of food," "easy access to unhealthy food," and "time to cook or prepare food." Notably, survey respondents provided positive feedback and interest using a novel function of the app: real-time meal feedback through food photography. The Eat2Win app is designed to combat RED-S and athlete malnutrition. Results from this study provide critical information on end-user opinions and preferences and will be used to further develop the Eat2Win app. Future research will aim to determine whether the Eat2Win app can prevent RED-S and the risk of athlete malnutrition to improve both health and performance.

Nutritional composition of least-cost staple food sources of nutrients in Eastern Uganda

Food cost and seasonal availability are important determinants of food choice and ultimately nutrient intake. This study aimed at establishing the nutritional composition of least-cost staple food sources of nutrients in Kamuli, Buyende and Pallisa districts in eastern Uganda across the cropping seasons. The World Food Programme (WFP) Vulnerability Analysis and Mapping (VAM) Market Analysis Tool guidelines were used to conduct a mini-survey to determine seasonal prices and availability of foods. Retailers (n= 268) from six markets in Kamuli, three in Buyende and six in Pallisa were interviewed. The least-cost sources of energy, protein, iron and zinc were determined using nutrient-cost values. The nutrient composition of the least-cost foods were determined using standard methods. For the first dry season, the least cost sources of energy, protein, iron and zinc were maize (0.052 $/1000kcal), soybeans (0.016 $/10g), maize (0.070 $/10mg) and maize (0.086 $/10mg), respectively. For the second dry season, the least cost sources of energy, protein, iron and zinc were maize (0.052 $/1000kcal), soybeans (0.015 $/10g), maize (0.070 $/10mg) and maize (0.086 $/10mg). For the first rainy season, the least cost source of energy was sorghum (0.074 $/1000kcal), protein was groundnuts (0.019 $/10g), iron was sesame (0.100 $/10mg) and zinc was sweet potatoes (0.123 $/10mg), respectively. For the second rainy season, the least cost sources of energy, protein, iron and zinc were sorghum (0.049 $/1000kcal), groundnuts (0.016 $/10g), sesame (0.067 $/10mg) and sweet potatoes (0.082 $/10mg), respectively. The richest sources of energy, sugars and starch, protein, fat, fibre and iron were sesame (797.2 ± 116.84 Kcal/100g), sweet potatoes (11.5 ± 1.22 and 86.8 ± 10.75 g/100g), soybeans (40.7 ± 4.58 g/100g), sesame (52.9 ± 3.82 g/100g), soybeans (7.0 ± 0.32 g/100g), groundnuts (7.0 ± 0.82 mg/g). The nutrition composition of least-cost foods in the dry seasons and rainy seasons indicates that they can be used to formulate low-cost nutrient-dense mixtures for the respective seasons. Key words: Uganda, cropping seasons, least-cost, energy, protein, iron, zinc

The immediate treatment outcomes and cost estimate for managing clinical measles in children admitted at Mulago Hospital: A retrospective cohort study.

Over the recent years, the Ministry of Health in Uganda has reported multiple measles outbreaks in various districts despite the availability of a safe cost effective vaccine. Measles, especially among the unvaccinated can lead to serious complications including death while its management heavily burdens the family and health care system. This study aims to determine the immediate treatment outcomes and estimate the cost of treating a measles case. A retrospective cohort study using records review was conducted among children 0-12 years admitted at Mulago hospital throughout 2018. Demographics, complications, vaccination status, discharge status, duration of hospital stay, type of treatment, supplies and investigations done were abstracted from the patient charts. Treatment costs were obtained from the hospital pharmacy price list while the unit cost of utilities, human resource, food and security were obtained from the hospital accounts department. Patients' characteristics were summarized descriptively. Cost information, was reported as mean with standard deviation (SD) and range, and was stratified and presented as direct health care (blood test, radiology and treatment) and direct non health care costs. Among 267 reviewed patient charts, the median age was 1.0 ((IQR 0.75-2) years. 63patients (24%) were immunised, 79 (29%) were not immunized, Median length of hospital stay was 4.0 days (IQR 3.0-7.0) with majority (n = 207, 77%) staying < 7 days. 30 patients (11%) died with mortality highest among the unimmunised (n = 13, 44%) and severe pneumonia (39.5%) was the commonest complication. 114.5 USD was estimated to treat a child with measles. Human resource (79.33USD, SD 4.63) and treatment costs (21.98USD, SD 22.77) were the largest expenses. Complications are common in majority of fatal measles cases and these carry a high cost to the healthcare system.

Do emergency medicine residents have access to healthy food options during work hours?

Relatively little data describe how diet and food choices impact trainee well-being despite evidence that diet impacts both physical and mental health. The objective was to describe food options available to emergency medicine (EM) residents when on duty. A survey utilizing closed-ended, binary, rank-order responses was developed by experts in graduate medical education and wellness; it was piloted, revised, and then electronically distributed to 211 EM residency programs over 2 weeks in 2021. The program director (PD) or associate PD was invited to participate. A total of 114 EM programs participated (54%). The primary teaching site included 43 community hospitals, 23 county hospitals, and 48 university hospitals. Resident access to an onsite hospital cafeteria was most common (97%); other onsite options were vending machines (87%), fresh food fridges (34%), national chains (32%), local restaurants (25%), food trucks (30%), and farmer's markets (11%). More than one-third (38%) reported that onsite options did not include healthy food, 26% reported being dissatisfied with onsite food, and 35% rarely or never purchased food onsite. Most programs (89%) do not have a dedicated "meal break" for residents while on duty. Few residency programs include diet or nutrition classes or counseling. When programs sponsor meals during residency events, nutritional value and dietary considerations were ranked less important than cost of food and convenience. Access to healthy food options is not always available during scheduled resident work hours, and dedicated meal breaks are infrequent. These data should inform institutional initiatives to improve the health and well-being of resident physicians.

Recalibration of benchmarks is necessary: even the most basic meal was not affordable for Malawi’s poor between 2017 and 2021

Dietary quality has significant implications for health, nutrition and life quality. Yet, most people in developing countries, such as Malawi, consume inadequate diets due to the high cost of healthy and nutritious food. The international community has called for a radical transformation of food systems to ensure access to healthier food options at affordable prices. While the costs and affordability of healthy and nutritious diets have recently been established, little attention has been paid to the economic accessibility of basic nourishment. The most available price data (2017 to 2021) from the National Statistics Office of Malawi (NSO) were used to calculate the cost of the World Food Program’s “basic plate.” Food items were substituted to determine if local substitutes could improve the nutritional value of the plate. The plate cost was compared to the international poverty line and average food expenditure in Malawi. Slight variations in the purchase parity cost and affordability of basic meals were found between 2017 and 2021. However, the basic meal and alternative plates were not affordable to those living at or below the international poverty line over this period. A revision of the poverty line is necessary to ensure that basic nutritional needs can be met. Both revisions of the poverty line and cash-based food assistance should consider that meals using animal-sourced proteins were more expensive than plant-based protein sources, but animal-sourced proteins provide more nutrition than plant-based protein meals.

Estimated direct and indirect health care costs of severe infectious keratitis by cultured organisms in Thailand: An 8-year retrospective study.

To evaluate the economic impact of treating severe infectious keratitis (IK) at one tertiary referral center in Thailand by analyzing the direct costs of treatment and estimating the indirect costs, and to determine whether cultured organisms had any effect on treatment expenditure. A retrospective study was conducted of patients with severe IK who had been hospitalized between January 2014 and December 2021 in Rajavithi Hospital. Data from medical records were collected from the time of the patients' admission until the point at which they were discharged and treated in the outpatient department and their IK was completely healed, or until evisceration/enucleation was performed. The direct costs of treatment included fees for services, medical professionals and investigation, as well as for operative and non-operative treatment. The indirect costs consisted of patients' loss of wages, and costs of travel and food. A total of 335 patients were studied. The median direct, indirect and total costs were US$65.2, range US$ 6.5-1,119.1, US$314.5, range US$50.8-1,067.5, and US$426.1, range 57.5-1,971.5 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between direct, indirect, or total treatment costs for culture-negative and culture-positive patients. Among those who were positive, fungal infections entailed the highest total cost of treatment, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). In terms of direct and indirect costs, patients with fungal infections had the greatest direct costs, and this figure was statistically significant (p = 0.001); however, those with parasitic infections had the highest indirect treatment costs, and this was also statistically significant (p<0.001). Severe IK can cause serious vision impairment or blindness. Indirect costs represented the majority of the expense at 73.8%. There was no difference between direct, indirect, and total treatment costs for patients who were culture-negative or positive. Among the latter, fungal infections resulted in the highest total cost of treatment.

Excess Body Weight and Physical Education: Opportunities Are at Hand

Childhood overweight and obesity concerns continue to frame much of the discussion about physical activity in schools and school-based physical education. There are multiple factors impacting childhood obesity rates. Genetics, ethnicity, guardian education level, health-care access, food costs, cultural beliefs, policy, and energy-balance inequalities have all played a role in the current state of childhood overweight and obesity. Since schools are an ideal place to interact with children and adolescents of all body compositions, multiple researchers have attempted to design, implement, and evaluate school-based physical activity interventions. Many of the interventions have produced significant results. Overweight and obesity is not physical education’s problem, but it does present an opportunity for physical education to grow as an academic discipline as new interventions and curricula are developed and disseminated. This article focused on the large-scale, school-based, physical activity interventions that needs to be designed, implemented, and evaluated using rigorous standards and policymaker and educational community support.

Overview of the Incorporation of Legumes into New Food Options: An Approach on Versatility, Nutritional, Technological, and Sensory Quality.

Consumers are more aware and demanding of healthy food options, besides being concerned with environment-friendly consumption. This paper aims to evaluate nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics of legumes and their products' quality and versatility, considering potential applications in new food options. Legumes are foods that have a recognized nutritional group since they have high protein and fiber content. However, their consumption is still somehow limited for some reasons: in some countries it is not easy to find all the species or cultivars, they need an organization and planning before preparation since they need soaking, and there is the presence of antinutritional factors. Due to the different functionalities of legume proteins, they can be applied to a variety of foods and for different purposes, as grains themselves, aquafaba, extracts, flours, brans, and textured proteins and sprouts. These products have been inserted as ingredients in infant food formulations, gluten-free foods, vegetarian diets, and in hybrid products to reduce food costs as well. Foods such as bread, cakes, cookies, meat analogues, and other baked or cooked products have been elaborated with nutritional, technological and sensory quality. Further development of formulations focused on improving the quality of legume-based products is necessary because of their potential and protein quality.

Ultraprocessed Foods and Obesity Risk: A Critical Review of Reported Mechanisms.

Epidemiologic evidence supports a positive association between ultraprocessed food (UPF) consumption and body mass index. This has led to recommendations to avoid UPFs despite very limited evidence establishing causality. Many mechanisms have been proposed, and this review critically aimed to evaluate selected possibilities for specificity, clarity, and consistency related to food choice (i.e., low cost, shelf-life, food packaging, hyperpalatability, and stimulation of hunger/suppression of fullness); food composition (i.e., macronutrients, food texture, added sugar, fat and salt, energy density, low-calorie sweeteners, and additives); and digestive processes (i.e., oral processing/eating rate, gastric emptying time, gastrointestinal transit time, and microbiome). For some purported mechanisms (e.g., fiber content, texture, gastric emptying, and intestinal transit time), data directly contrasting the effects of UPF and non-UPF intake on the indices of appetite, food intake, and adiposity are available and do not support a unique contribution of UPFs. In other instances, data are not available (e.g., microbiome and food additives) or are insufficient (e.g., packaging, food cost, shelf-life, macronutrient intake, and appetite stimulation) to judge the benefits versus the risks of UPF avoidance. There are yet other evoked mechanisms in which the preponderance of evidence indicates ingredients in UPFs actually moderate body weight (e.g., low-calorie sweetener use for weight management; beverage consumption as it dilutes energy density; and higher fat content because it reduces glycemic responses). Because avoidance of UPFs holds potential adverse effects (e.g., reduced diet quality, increased risk of food poisoning, and food wastage), it is imprudent to make recommendations regarding their role in diets before causality and plausible mechanisms have been verified.

A Focus on Contraception in the Wake of Dobbs.

A Focus on Contraception in the Wake of Dobbs.