Health-related Aspects Research Articles

Impact of consecutive steps through the food chain on the quality of Brussels sprouts, with a special focus on preparation and reheating as applied in large-scale kitchens

This study investigated the impact of preparation processes (as applied in large-scale kitchens) on the resulting sensory and health-related quality aspects starting from industrially blanched and frozen Brussels sprouts. A single (steaming) and a double-heat (steaming and reheating) preparation were considered. Consumers consume vegetables both whole and as disintegrated (puree-like) systems. Hence, in this study, two distinct pretreatment conditions (i.e., intact Brussels sprouts and Brussels sprouts puree) included in the preparation processes. It was observed that steaming intact Brussels sprouts via both preparation methods did affect the quality, but only to a limited extent, possibly explained by the fact that the starting material was blanched. Pretreatment was observed to be a determinative step, as also observed in the fact that the quality of puree-systems was more affected upon processing compared to the quality of the intact Brussels sprouts. GSLs and volatile profiles were indeed not observed to be affected largely upon preparation and reheating processing. However, vitamin C concentration did lead to loss of 38-45% due to heat and exposure to oxygen. In conclusion, pretreatment (e.g., blanching and disintegrating) is considered the most determinative step in affecting the resulting quality of Brussels sprouts, which can be kept in mind for industrial and home practices.

Uncovering mediational pathways behind racial and socioeconomic disparities in brain volumes: insights from the UK Biobank study.

Mediation pathways explaining racial/ethnic and socioeconomic (SES) disparities in structural MRI markers of brain health remain underexplored. We examined racial/ethnic and SES disparities in sMRI markers and tested total, direct, and indirect effects through lifestyle, health-related, and cognition factors using a structural equations modeling approach among 36,184 UK Biobank participants aged 40-70years at baseline assessment (47% men). Race (non-White vs. White) and lower SES-predicted poorer brain sMRI volumetric outcomes at follow-up, with racial/ethnic disparities in sMRI outcomes involving multiple pathways and SES playing a central role in those pathways. Mediational patterns differed across outcomes, with the SES-sMRI total effect being partially mediated for all outcomes. Over 20% of the total effect (TE) of race/ethnicity on WMH was explained by the indirect effect (IE), by a combination of different pathways going through SES, lifestyle, health-related, and cognition factors. This is in contrast to < 10% for total brain, gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), and frontal GM left/right. Another significant finding is that around 57% of the total effect for SES and the normalized white matter hyperintensity (WMH) was attributed to an indirect effect. This effect encompasses many pathways that involve lifestyle, health-related, and cognitive aspects. Aside from WMH, the percent of TE of SES mediated through various pathways ranged from ~ 5% for WM to > 15% up to 36% for most of the remaining sMRI outcomes, which are composed mainly of GM phenotypes. Race and SES were important determinants of brain volumetric outcomes, with partial mediation of racial/ethnic disparities through SES, lifestyle, health-related, and cognition factors.

Biopsychosocial factors affected by muscle dysmorphia: to what extent do clinical assessment questionnaires cover them?

Background: muscle dysmorphia (MD) affects several health-related aspects. Assessing how MD questionnaires cover biopsychosocial domains helps clinicians to better describe health status and set treatment goals. Aim: to identify clinical questionnaires for MD and link their content with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods: a literature review identified MD questionnaires. The instruments’ items were linked to the ICF. Results: four questionnaires were identified: ACQ, MASS, MDDI and MDI. Forty-four significant concepts were identified from the seventy-two questionnaire items and linked to twenty-six ICF categories, with predominance of body functions (42,4%, n = 11 categories), activities and participation (34,6%, n = 9), environmental factors (19,2%, n = 5), and body structures (3,8%, n = 1). Conclusion: All instruments focused on body functions, and they poorly covered body structures and environmental factors. MASS and ACQ presented the most diverse coverage of categories, enabling broader assessment of health aspects.

Dizziness, physical capacity, and health-related aspects among 70-year-olds in an urban population

Dizziness, physical capacity, and health-related aspects among 70-year-olds in an urban population

Enhancing Patient Empowerment and Health Literacy: Integrating Knowledge Graphs with Language Models for Personalized Health Content Delivery.

Health literacy empowers people to access, understand and apply health information to effectively manage their own health and to be an active participant in healthcare decisions. In this paper we propose a conceptual model for cognitive factors affecting health literacy and related socioeconomic aspects. Then we develop the HEALIE Knowledge Graph to represent the model, drawing from various medical ontologies, resources, and insights from domain experts. Finally, we combine the Knowledge Graph with a Large Language Model to generate personalised medical content and showcase the results through an example.

Comparison of Fermentation Kinetics of Milk Kefir and White Rice Kefir at Low Temperatures: Exploring the Effects on Product Quality

Kefir fermentation has been extensively studied because of its potential to develop novel functional drinks and its various biological activity. This study investigates the comparative fermentation kinetics of milk kefir and white rice kefir at low temperatures, addressing a gap in current research. Utilizing a comprehensive research methodology, including sample preparation, fermentation processes, and various analyses, the study explores the distinct patterns observed in the fermentation kinetics, physicochemical properties, and microbiological characteristics of both kefir types. The results highlight significant differences influenced by low temperatures, emphasizing the need to consider specific attributes for each kefir type in low-temperature fermentation. The findings contribute novel insights into optimizing fermentation conditions and enhancing product quality. The results offer additional perspectives on the influence of fermentation temperature on microbial dynamics, physicochemical properties, and health-related aspects in various fermented products. This study advances our understanding of kefir fermentation, providing valuable implications for the production of high-quality and functional beverages.

Health-related challenges faced by men who had sex with other men amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of sexualized drug use (chemsex): A literature review

The COVID-19 pandemic has had widespread effects, impacting various aspects of human life, including sexual behaviors and substance use activities. This article aims to review and synthesize findings from existing published and unpublished research regarding health-related issues related to sexualized drug use (chemsex) among men who had sex with men (MSM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The information was gathered from various databases, and 21 articles were included in this review. The results focused on the following seven health-related aspects: (i) Trends in chemsex practices among MSM during the pandemic; (ii) sexual behaviors and drug usage issues among MSM during the pandemic; (iii) mental and psychological health issues among MSM participating in chemsex during the pandemic; (iv) challenges and obstacles regarding health-care service access for MSM during the pandemic; (v) health disparity issues among MSM during the pandemic; (vi) digital health technology offering health care to MSM during the pandemic; and (vii) health-care interventions related to MSM engaging in chemsex during the pandemic. During the pandemic, targeted interventions were required that not only focused on mitigating physical health risks but also on addressing the mental health and socioeconomic challenges faced by MSM participating in chemsex. Moreover, digital health technologies and telemedicine offered promising avenues to provide necessary services remotely during the COVID-19.

Influence of spirituality on quality of life in community-dwelling elderly: integrative literature review

Aging brings with it some limitations that become more pronounced with advancing age, and psychological, physical, behavioral, and social changes can reduce the quality of life of the elderly, who seek spirituality. Spirituality is a tool for coping with difficulties and attributing meaning to life, providing hope, faith, and motivation. This study analyzed the health aspects associated with spirituality in community-dwelling elderly people. This is an integrative review that synthesized the scientific production with the guiding question: What scientific knowledge production on health-related aspects are associated with better levels of spirituality in community-dwelling elderly people in Brazil? Articles with the descriptors in Portuguese and English were selected: spirituality, aged , and quality of life with the following inclusion criteria: published in full, available electronically, in Portuguese, English, and/or Spanish, published between 2015 and 2020, in the SciELO, LILACS, PubMed, and Capes Periodical Portal databases. A total of 130 articles were identified, and 15 were selected that presented evidence on the influence of spirituality on the quality of life of the elderly. After reading the articles, two categories of analysis emerged: I – The experience of spirituality in situations of chronic diseases, and II – The relationship of spirituality with the well-being/quality of life of the elderly. Most of the studies showed positive effects of spirituality on health outcomes, with better physical health conditions, quality of life, longer survival, lower rates of depression and lower prevalence of chronic diseases. In addition, it demonstrated the ability to withstand limitations and protect against stress in the face of changes in aging. Finally, the results indicate a positive influence of spirituality on the quality of life of the elderly. The importance of spirituality for health practices and the need to value it and include it in professional health training are highlighted.

Factors predicting self-care behavior of cardiovascular patients during the COVID-19 epidemic

BackgroundThe COVID-19 virus has had wide-ranging effects on all healthcare systems and a direct impact on all areas of human life in all countries around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive actions to reduce the prevalence and severity of the complications associated with this disease. The purpose of this study was to explain the dimensions of adopting general self-care behaviors (mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, and home quarantine) for preventing COVID-19 based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in cardiovascular patients.MethodsThis was a descriptive-analytical study conducted with the participation of 420 patients referring to health and treatment centers of Ahvaz, southwest of Iran, in 2022. Sampling was done using a non-random (convenience) method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing items addressing demographic characteristics, questions related to the TPB, and questions dealing with the adoption of everyday self-care behaviors against contracting COVID-19. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods (prevalence, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and linear regression) in SPSS version 25.ResultsThe results of this study showed that the rate of adoption of self-care behaviors against COVID-19 among cardiovascular patients was moderate. The results also showed that among the constructs of the TPB, Perceived behavioral control, Subjective norms, and Perceived behavioral intention were the most important predictors of adopting self-care behaviors among cardiovascular patients with a change variance of 46%.ConclusionsThe results of the present study have implications for health and treatment policy makers as well as planners of educational and behavioral interventions aimed at promoting the adoption of self-care behaviors against COVID-19. In this respect, managing and institutionalizing desirable behaviors among cardiovascular patients could be beneficial from economic, social, and health-related aspects.

What factors influence couples’ decisions to have children? Evidence from a systematic scoping review

BackgroundOne of the most significant demographic challenges over the past three decades has been the substantial reduction in fertility rates, worldwidely. As a developing country, Iran has also experienced a rapid decline in fertility over the past decades. Understanding factors influencing fertility is essential for development programs. Moreover, it’s crucial to study the parameters that affect the intention for childbearing in any society. Therefore, through a systematic scoping review, the present study investigates the factors influencing couples’ decisions toward childbearing.MethodsThis study was a systematic scoping review conducted in 2023. To design and conduct this scoping review, Joanna Briggs Institute’s Protocol (Institute TJB, The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers ’ manual 2015; methodology for JBI scoping reviews, 2015) was used and the framework presented by Levac et al. (2010) was also used as a guide for conducting this review. Studies were searched in three main databases including ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus, using a predefined search strategy. Google Scholar was also used for complementary search. The search period was from 2002 to 2022.ResultsA total of 18,454 studies were identified across three primary databases. After evaluating articles in three distinct phases based on title, abstract, and full-text, 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. The qualitative analysis of the collected data from the selected studies through the scoping review led to classifying factors influencing households’ desire for childbearing into eight main themes and 101 sub-themes. The main themes associated with factors impacting households’ intention for childbearing encompass individual determinants, demographic and familial influencing factors, cultural elements, social factors, health-related aspects, economic considerations, insurance-related variables, and government support/incentive policies.ConclusionsComprehensive and holistic attention from governments and officials toward the various factors affecting households’ intention and behavior regarding childbearing appears beneficial and effective. Furthermore, given the relative ineffectiveness of some of the current government’s supportive/incentive policies to increase couples’ desire for childbearing, it seems necessary to review and amend these policies. This review should address the most significant challenges and factors contributing to couples’ reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires.

Prevalence of Skin Lightening Product Usage among the Young Generation in Lahore after Puberty: A Comprehensive Study

Background &amp; Objective: The desire for fairer skin has become a global phenomenon, with colonial remnants in South Asia being identified as contributory factors to the perception of white skin as supreme. Skin lightening products (SLPs) are commonly used to reduce melanin concentration in the skin and achieve a lighter complexion. While SLPs can be medicated for treating hyperpigmented disorders and other skin conditions, their predominant use is for brightening the skin tone. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of SLP usage among males and females in the young generation in Lahore, Pakistan, and assess their knowledge and perception of the associated risks. Additionally, the study will examine the ingredients commonly found in SLPs and their potential adverse effects. Methodology: The instrument employed for the study was self-administered Questionnaire designed by the researcher. The data collected were analyzed as descriptive and bivariate using percentages, mean and median. Result: The study found that a significant percentage of young males and females in Lahore, Pakistan, use skin-lightening products, with social media and advertisements influencing their knowledge about these products. While participants were aware of potential harm from skin-lightening creams, many could not identify the active ingredients. Study highlighted the need for more inclusive beauty standards and consumer education campaigns. The study's results contribute valuable insights into the multifaceted landscape of skin tone perceptions, skin whitening product usage, and the associated complexities. Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of considering cultural, psychological, and health-related aspects.

The Effects of Pregnancy and Childbirth on Women's Health-Related Quality of Life: A Scoping Review

Context: Although pregnancy and childbearing are the most natural processes for women, it is accompanied by significant life changes for the mother, who needs to adjust to parenting. Hormonal variables cause these changes, resulting in physiological and emotional consequences. Although the changes that pregnant women experience are only transitory, they might affect their quality of life.&#x0D; Aim: This scoping review highlight the effect of pregnancy and childbearing on women’s health-related quality of life.&#x0D; Methods: A scoping review was completed by searching data converging about pregnancy and childbirth's effects on women's health-related quality of life utilizing databases from 2015-2022 papers. The review was done via different database engines. The research selection procedure uses Mesh keywords to find the most relevant papers, and the PRISMA flowchart helped pick research papers. The search engines were picked from the Saudi digital library and Google Scholar. Three main themes and three subthemes were created in this scoping review. A total of 82 articles were initially retrieved. Twenty-four duplications were removed. Thirty-four articles that did not meet the aim were excluded. The remaining 26 were screened; the non-English, outdated articles, text articles, and more reasons were counted, so another ten articles were removed. So, 14 studies met the criteria and were eligible to be included in this review.&#x0D; Results: revealed a correlation between delayed first birth and better health-related quality of life. It is highlighted that physical quality of life-related to maternal age, gestational age, BMI before 12 weeks of pregnancy, mother's education and work, and spouse's education (p&lt;0.05). Psychological quality of life-related to gestational age, mother's education and occupation, and spouse's education. The main characteristics related to greater quality of life were mean maternal age, primiparity, early gestational age, the lack of social and economic issues, having family and friends, exercising, being happy to be pregnant, and being hopeful. Early second-trimester pregnant women had the best health-related quality of life drops in the third trimester. More than half of the participants in the reviewed studies had urinary incontinence as a main pelvic floor disorder. Mothers showed lower gray matter (GM) volumes and higher white matter (WM) volumes in empathy and reward networks. Those who gave birth vaginally reported the highest HRQoL, whereas those who underwent cesareans reported the lowest.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study elucidates the fluctuations in quality of life throughout pregnancy, showing its dependence on various demographic and health-related aspects. The nuanced variations and pathological features emerging during pregnancy encompass the impact of morning sickness, sleep patterns, and pelvic floor disorders. The influence of the mode of delivery on women's health-related quality of life emphasizes differences in pain, physical functioning, and mental health between those who undergo cesarean sections and those who have vaginal births. Collectively, these findings underscore the complexity of the maternal experience, calling for a holistic approach to healthcare that addresses the diverse challenges women face during this pivotal life stage.

Impact of COVID-19 on socio-behavioural, health and oral health-related aspects on spinal cord injury patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a damaging, life-altering injury, which is estimated to have an annual global incidence of 40 to 80 cases per million population and is two to five times more possible to die prematurely. This study aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on socio-behavioural, health, and oral health-related aspects of spinal cord injury patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 spinal cord injury patients in the rehabilitation center in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which was conducted between May and June 2022. Results: The comparison of mean distribution scores based on DMFT showed that complete injury patients had a lower DMFT score of 6.40 when compared to incomplete injury (8.41). The periodontal status assessment revealed that SCI with complete injury had a lower mean number of teeth with gingival bleeding and periodontal pocket (3.81 and 2.31 respectively) when compared to incomplete injury (7.12 and 4.49). Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-behavior and health status was found to be higher in complete injury than that in incomplete injury patients. Conclusions: Therefore, this pandemic highlights the need to advocate the development of a nationwide SCI registry or surveillance system is fundamental to an understanding of the epidemiology and, hence, the prevention of this emerging health burden.

EVERYDAY SOLITUDE, TIME SAVORING, WELL-BEING, AND HEALTH IN OLDER ADULTHOOD

Abstract Despite the significance of social relationships, solitude (being alone and without social interaction) forms an essential part of older adults’ lives. The current study aimed to examine the role of time savouring (i.e., the ability to attend to positive experiences and up-regulate positive feelings) for mitigating associations of solitude with indicators of negative well-being and health in old age. For this purpose, a sample of 108 older adults aged 65–92 years took part in a daily diary study. Over 14 days, participants reported daily amount of time spent in solitude, extent of time savouring, levels of depressive mood, and somatic symptoms in an end-of-day diary. Data were analysed using multi-level models controlling for study day, age, gender, education, and living alone. Participants reported higher depressive mood but not more somatic symptoms on days on which they spent more time in solitude than usual. On days on which participants indicated higher time savouring than usual, they reported lower depressive mood and lower levels of somatic symptoms. Importantly, associations of solitude with depressive mood and somatic symptoms were weaker on days with increased time savouring. There were no person-level associations between solitude or time savouring with depressive mood or somatic symptoms. The study’s findings highlight the importance of everyday time savouring in attenuating negative health-related aspects of solitude in older adults. Preserving and promoting time savouring in older adulthood may thus promote health and well-being in this age group.

Therapeutic Potential and Nutritional Benefits of Horse Gram: A Review

Horse gram is an underutilized legume crop that can grow under a variety of challenging climatic circumstances. It contains a plethora of nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins as well as bioactive compounds like fiber, enzymatic/proteinase inhibitors, phytic acids and phenolic acids that have significant physiological and metabolic effects on human health. The therapeutic effect of horse gram is widely known for preventing kidney stones, piles, urinary illnesses, colds, throat infections, fever, etc. Horse gram is acclaimed for its therapeutic effect that minimizes the possibility of intestinal disorders, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, tooth cavities and other conditions. In light of the growing demand for food having nutraceutical properties horse gram-incorporated food products are a significant contribution to the development of ready-to-eat value-added foods for healthy living. The present review paper elaborates overview of nutritional quality, therapeutic activities and medicinal properties with value-added products of horse gram to expand the opportunities for researching horse gram as a source of nourishment and many other health-related aspects of it.

34 Association Between Subjective Cognitive Decline and Mental Wellbeing in Normal Cognition and MCI Older Adults

Objective:Subjective cognitive decline (SCD, i.e., perceived cognitive decline without neuropsychological deficits) is associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathology and increased risk for cognitive impairment but is heterogenous in etiology and has been linked to other factors including personality and depression. Mental wellbeing (i.e., the perception and functioning of social, emotional, and health-related aspects of one’s life) has been associated with subjective memory complaints, but its relationship with other subjective cognitive domains is poorly understood. Further characterizing the relationship between mental wellbeing and SCD could refine understanding of SCD and inform development of interventions that prevent progression to objective cognitive decline. This study aimed to describe the relationship between mental wellbeing and subjective decline in multiple cognitive domains and examine whether this relationship differs between older adults with normal cognition and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Participants and Methods:Community-dwelling older adults (normal: n = 58, Mage = 73.7±5.6; MCI: n = 43, Mage = 75.9±6.1) completed the Everyday Cognition scale, a validated self-report measure of SCD, and the RAND-36 Health Survey, a validated self-report measure of health-related quality of life which includes a mental wellbeing subscale. Spearman’s rank correlations were conducted between self-reported mental wellbeing and each self-reported cognitive domain (i.e., memory, language, visuospatial, and executive function) for the Normal Cognition and MCI groups.Results:Worse mental wellbeing was associated with worse subjective language and executive function in the normal group, rs(56) = -.42, p =.001; rs(56) = -.37, p =.005, but not for the MCI group, rs(41) = -.23, p =.15; rs(41) = -.12, p =.46. Worse mental wellbeing was associated with worse subjective visuospatial function in the MCI group, rs(41) = -.39, p =.009, but not in the normal group, rs(56) = -.11, p =.39. For both groups, worse mental wellbeing was associated with worse subjective memory, rs(56) = -.45, p &lt; .001; rs(41) = -.37, p =.02. While this correlation was greater in the normal group, the difference was not significant (z = 0.38, p =.71).Conclusions:These results suggest that perceptions of mental wellbeing are related to perceptions of cognitive decline in multiple domains, and that the specific domains involved differ between normal and MCI groups. The differential associations may mean perception of specific cognitive domains more strongly affect mental wellbeing, or mental wellbeing more acutely influences perception of those domains. The overall observed relationship between SCD and mental wellbeing may have several explanations: the impact of broader health perceptions may extend to cognitive perception, behavioral changes associated with poor wellbeing may reduce subjective cognitive function, or worse subjective cognitive function may lead to negative experiences of wellbeing. Future longitudinal investigation could inform causal inferences. The more limited associations between mental wellbeing and SCD among MCI individuals may point to the role of decreased self-awareness (due to cognitive impairment) precluding detection of subtle changes in cognition or wellbeing. This study highlights the importance of better understanding mental wellbeing in experiences of SCD in both normal and MCI older adults to improve cognitive and mental health outcomes.

Histopathological Evaluation of the Application of Zinc Nanoparticles in Conjunction With Chitosan Dressing on the Wound Healing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infected Skin Wounds in Rats

Objectives: Wound healing and tissue regeneration have raised serious challenges for healthcare systems worldwide, affecting both aesthetic and health-related aspects of the community well-being. Wound healing is a complex sequence of physical, cellular, and molecular events involving cell recruitment, proliferation, as well as the synthesis and accumulation of the new extracellular matrix components. The present study aimed to histopathologically evaluate the application of zinc nanoparticles in conjunction with chitosan dressing for the wound healing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infected skin wounds in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental investigation, 28 healthy male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, each of which including 7 rats. The wound healing process was evaluated based on histopathological studies and biochemical findings on days 7, 14, and 21. Results: According to the results from the two-way ANOVA analysis, the means of wound area in the study groups were statistically and significantly different on all evaluated days (P&lt;0.001). The highest wound area was associated with group III (i.e., wound with zinc oxide) on days 6, 18, 15, 12, and 9, while the lowest wound area was observed in group IV (i.e., wound with chitosan-nanoparticles-zinc oxide). A statistically significant difference was also found among the study groups in terms of the mean values of hydroxyproline (P&lt;0.001). According to the post hoc Tukey test for pairwise comparisons, a significant difference was observed among all groups regarding the hydroxyproline values (P&lt;0.001). Additionally, the highest collagen density was detected in the chitosan-nanoparticles-zinc oxide group. Conclusions: The application of biodegradable chitosan-nanoparticles-zinc oxide dressing significantly improved the histopathological and biochemical indices of the full-thickness skin wound healing. This study highlighted the effectiveness of chitosan-nanoparticles-zinc oxide dressing in wound healing enhancement, indicating its potential application in wound healing.

Trust Conditions and Privacy Perceptions in the Acceptance of Ambient Technologies for Health-Related Purposes

The consequences of an aging society pose one of the major challenges of our time. Technology solutions that alleviate the strain on the overburdened healthcare system can effectively support individuals needing assistance. Still, technology acceptance is a crucial variable in understanding what drives users to utilize such applications. This study examined the role of trust and privacy in the accepted use of ambient technologies for health-related purposes. Using an online survey we collected data from N = 102 respondents. Findings revealed that participants are willing to use ambient technology for health. Benefits and barriers are traded off, whereby the advantages outweigh the perceived barriers. Trust conditions to be fulfilled include data security, technical soundness, and health-related aspects. Having control over personal information results as the most important privacy aspect, followed by the supervision of social contacts. Regression analyses revealed perceived motives and barriers, technical soundness, and health-related trust to be significant predictors of acceptance.

Consumer acceptance for sheep milk–based yogurt—Evidence from a large sample of Italian consumers

Testing consumer acceptance for a new product, such as the sheep milk-based yogurt, provides a measure of its market success, thus it informs producers on the effectiveness of their decision to transform sheep milk into yogurt to increase their revenues. This work explores to what extent consumers accept sheep milk-based yogurt and test the role of person related factors and product related features on shaping its acceptance. The study collects data from a representative sample of Italian yogurt consumers, and data are then analyzed via a logistic regression. Results show that male, highly educated and high-income consumers are more likely than others to accept sheep milk-based yogurt. Findings suggest that consumers' food neophobia and variety-seeking traits play a pivotal role in affecting consumer acceptance. Lastly, interest in nutritional and health-related yogurt features increases the probability of accepting sheep milk-based yogurt. Thus, sheep milk-based yogurt should be targeted at high-end male consumers and those interested in nutritional and health-related aspects of yogurt. Informing consumers about the sheep milk yogurt properties may further increase its acceptance and curb food neophobia which we found to be one of the main barrier for the product acceptance. Future studies will explore consumer acceptance by using a real product and taste experiments.

Studyholism and Health Outcomes: Could Internet Addiction Make the Difference?

Recently, Loscalzo and Giannini have proposed Studyholism as a possible new clinical condition, highlighting its potential antecedents and outcomes. The present study investigates the moderating role of Internet addiction in the relationship between Studyholism, academic exhaustion and insomnia. Three hundred and eighteen Italian university students (85.50% female; mean age = 22.98 ± 4.34) participated in the survey during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The two moderation models were tested using the structural equation model with Mplus 7. Results showed a significant direct effect of Studyholism on both academic exhaustion and insomnia and also confirmed the moderating role of Internet addiction in the aforementioned relationships. Although there is a linear relationship between Studyholism and the outcomes, at lower levels of Internet addiction, there is a greater effect of Studyholism on both academic exhaustion and insomnia than at medium and high levels of Internet addiction. Based on these findings, we suggest screening students who report insomnia and academic exhaustion for both Internet addiction and Studyholism, as they might both contribute to these negative health-related aspects.