Poor Dietary Habits Research Articles

Prevalence of Anemia Among Pregnant Women of Tribal Community in Kashmir: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: A lack of nutrition is one of the most frequent causes of anaemia. Anemia is a significant but preventable public health issue that affects pregnant women all over the world. The present study has been objectively conducted to ascertain the prevalence of anaemia among tribal pregnant women of J & K. Methods: The study was a prospective observational study conducted over a period of one and a half year. Around 200 admitted antenatal Gujjar and Bakarwal women were included in this study. Results: We observed that the overall prevalence of anemic patients among the studied subjects was 35.5%. Of them 53.5% had mild anemia, 26.8% had moderate anemia and 19.7% had severe anemia. The prevalence of anemic rates increased significantly with age and parity. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women of tribal community increases significantly with age and parity of patient. The relative prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anemia was observed as 53.5%, 26.8% and 19.7% respectively. The reason for high anemic rates among such patients is multifaceted which includes low family income, illiteracy, high parity, poor dietary habits and irregular intake of iron and folic acid supplements. Keywords: Anaemia, tribal population, Pregnant Women, Prevalence

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Nutritional Status of Adolescent Girls Using Body Mass Index

Background: Malnutrition continues to be a major public health problem worldwide. World's attention is now toward malnourished girls who are more likely to remain undernourished during adolescence and adulthood, and when pregnant, they are more likely to deliver low birth-weight babies creating a vicious cycle. Objectives: (1) To study sociodemographic profile of adolescent girls and (2) to study the association of undernutrition with sociodemographic status. Materials and Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 268 adolescent girls of 7th and 8th standard, from government high school of Karad. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 for calculating mean with standard deviation and Chi-square test was applied. Results: According to body mass index for age, the prevalence of undernutrition was 32.85%. Similarly undernutrition was found high among rural girls (35.4%), among girls of age group 12 (34.85%) and those who were pure vegetarian (37.3%). It was found very much high among three generation type family (45%). Significantly high proportion of girls with first birth order (38.3%), below poverty line (BPL) families (71.4%), and the girls taking <3 meals per day (76.1%), were found to be undernourished. Skipping breakfast for 1-3 days per week (27.3%) and the girls using fast food (98.9%) as well as soft drinks (56.8%) showed high rate of undernutrition. Conclusion: Undernutrition was found to be prevalent among the rural adolescent girls with first birth order belonging to BPL families and associated with poor dietary habits.

Different traditional Chinese medicine constitution is associated with dietary and lifestyle behaviors among adults in Taiwan.

The World Health Organization states prevention of chronic diseases should be based on good lifestyle behaviors and healthy diets as they can reduce the risk of chronic diseases by 80%. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) emphasizes the congenital differences of TCMC stem from the genes of parents, while acquired differences in TCMC are caused by factors as living environments, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary habits. From the perspective of preventive medicine, this study explores the correlation between dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors as potential risk factors for different types of TCMC—balanced constitution, Yang deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Phlegm stasis. Research data were collected from 2760 subjects aged 30 to 70 years participating in a survey conducted by Taiwan Biobank in 2012 to 2017. The survey included basic demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and dietary habits along with a Body Constitution Questionnaire. Compared to men, women were 3 to 4 times more likely to develop Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, and Phlegm stasis. Variables that affected TCMC were smoking, midnight snack consumption, consumption of gravy-soaked or lard-soaked rice/noodles, deep-fried soybean products, bread spread, pickled vegetables as side dishes for the main course of a meal, and the dietary habit of vegetables or fruits instead of high-fat desserts. Poor dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors are the cause of unbalanced TCMCs. Understanding the specific TCMC of individual can provide useful information and predictions to maintain physical health and achieve early disease prevention to meet the goal of preventive medicine.

Assessment of the Nutritional Status of the Children with Acute Leukemia on Chemotherapy in Karbala City

Acute leukemia is the most cancer has frequency in children, Malnutrition is one of the common complications of children with cancer, and malnutrition has been identified as a significant factor in treatment tolerance, increased morbidity, poor prognosis, reduced quality of life, and higher healthcare expenses. The study objective was to assess the nutritional status of children with acute leukemia during chemotherapy and find any association between malnutrition and the others factor. The study Methods were a case-control study conducted in Karbala city/Iraq, for 3 months, the study sample included 140 children (70 cases and 70 controls) aged (2 to 14) years, by using convenient sampling and use special questionnaire design and measuring anthropometric measures. The results revealed that the highest percentage of patients in the age group 5-10 years (47.1%), the boys were (55.7%), (52.9%) of patients live in urban, highly significant association (p.value < 0.001) of family history of cancer, has less physical activity and psychological effects on loss of appetite. Nutritional assessment during chemotherapy (48.6%) of case groups was normal weight, The results of this study indicate that the participants who had normal weight were at likely lower risk of complication acute leukemia than those with acute malnutrition (P. value=0.022; OR=0.297). According to the mid-upper arm composition assessment, the results show the highest percentage (35.7%, 34.3%) of patients were wasted and below average muscle area, and the highest percentage (51.4%, and 88.6%) of case and control groups were normal fat respectively. Effect of dietary habits can be summarized as the children treated with chemotherapy are consuming diets of medium quality, with little quantity Conclusion: the children with acute leukemia had a high association of malnutrition with low socioeconomic status, poor dietary habits, low physical activity, psychological effects, and duration and type of cancer therapy.

Prevalence of the Non-Communicable disease triad in hilly state of Uttarakhand: Evidences from National Family Health Surveys

India is facing epidemiological transition towards non communicable diseases and morbidities due to NCD triad of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The risk factors contributing to chronic disease and NCD triad are lifestyle changes, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, tobacco/alcohol consumption. These risk factors are however modifiable and preventable. This article reviews secondary data of NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 to analyse trends of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among urban and rural population of Uttarakhand from 2015 to 2021.

Risk Factors Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis among HIV/AIDs Patients Visiting Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) remains a serious global public health concern ranked second to HIV as the leading cause of mortality from infectious diseases especially in developing countries. In 2012, PTB was associated with a global morbidity of 8.6 million and a mortality of 1.3 million annually with 320,000 of these deaths associated with HIV-TB co-infection. Developing countries like Kenya accounts for over 80% of global PTB burden and also has the highest HIV prevalence (WHO, 2013; 2009). The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis among HIV/AIDs patients visiting Mbagathi County Hospital. Methods and Materials: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study design was conducted among 159 patients visiting Mbagathi County Hospital. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study participants from the TB/HIV wards and from the CCC clinic until a sample size of 159 was achieved. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 22.0. Results: A total of 159 (n) participants were selected to participate in the study in Mbagathi County Hospital. All the participants selected for the study were HIV patients above 18 years of age. Most of them were male (62.9%). Most of them were married (58.5%). Most of them did not have a family history of TB (86.2%). Most of the respondents completed their education in high school (52.8%). Most of them were unemployed (76.1%) and most of them had an income of less than 10,000 shillings a month (83.0%). In this study I found out that most respondents had poor dietary habits, most of the respondents were smokers (68.6%) and were not aware of the effects of smoking on their health and most of the respondents had poor adherence to drugs. Factors such as occupation, family income, balanced meal and stopping to take medication whenever they felt their condition was under control had a significant association with the occurrence of PTB. While factors like age, gender, number of meals taken in a day, wanting to quit smoking and forgetting to take medication had no significant association with the occurrence of PTB in this study. Conclusion: The study provides key insights into the risk factors associated with pulmonary tuberculosis among HIV/AIDs patients visiting Mbagathi County Hospital. The findings of this study therefore suggest that there was a significant association between level of education, monthly income, occupation, family history of PTB, lacking food appetite, taking a balanced meal, observing a healthy nutrition, smoking and stopping to take medication when one feels condition is under control with the occurrence of PTB among HIV/AIDs patients visiting Mbagathi County Hospital. Factors such as age, gender, marital status, number of meals eaten in a day, willingness to quit smoking and feeling hassled about sticking to treatment had no significant association with the occurrence of PTB.

How did the dietary habits of patients with chronic medical conditions change during COVID-19?

Previous studies have examined the changes in the dietary habits of general populations during the COVID-19 pandemic but have not focused on specific populations such as those with chronic medical conditions (CMCs). Prior to major vaccination efforts, 96.1% of deaths were attributed to patients with preexisting CMCs, thus it is important to examine how this population has endured changes. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and food attitudes between those with CMCs compared to the populations without chronic medical conditions (non-CMCs) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2021 to July 2021. Participants (n=299) responded to a 58-item questionnaire regarding demographics (n=9), health information (n=8), lifestyle habits (n=7), dietary habits (n=28), and food attitudes (n=6). Frequency counts and percentages were tabulated, and t-test sampling and ANOVA testing were conducted to examine the associations utilizing SPSS V28 at a statistical significance level of p<0.05. When compared to non-CMC participants, with CMCs had a less frequent change in their diet and had better food attitudes when it came to consumption habits. Non-CMC and CMC participants had no statistically significant differences in overall dietary habits; however, an examination of specific food items reviews significant findings. Compared to non-CMC participants, those with CMCs reported significantly decreased consumption of energy-dense food such as French fries, white pasta, sweets, and salty snacks, with notable exceptions in increased consumption of energy-dense foods, starchy veggies, and vegetable/tomato juice. These findings indicate that participants with CMCs indicated that fewer changes occurred in participants with a CMC; however, when these participants made changes, they were beneficial to their consumption habits. Future studies should aim to develop interventions for the demographics with poor dietary habits so that those that are most vulnerable may have their needs met.

A National Survey of the Prevalence of Anemia and Obesity in Indian School Children.

BackgroundIn India, the socioeconomic shift in the past few decades has led to a sedentary lifestyle with poor dietary habits, leading to an increased incidence of overweight and obesity in children. Furthermore, obesity and anemia share some common links.ObjectivesIn this study, we have prevalence of anemia and obesity in Indian schoolchildren.MethodsThe study was carried out on 1675 children and adolescent participants aged 6–18 years for the prevalence of obesity and anemia. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference were taken. Hemoglobin levels was measured for each participant.ResultsMales and females differed in height (p = 0.007), waist circumference (p = 0.019), waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.001) and hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001). A total of 294 girls (44.4%) and 283 boys (29.7%) were anemic. There were significant differences between BMI within age groups for both boys (p < 0.001) and girls (p < 0.001). The highest percentage of anemia was observed in the 12–14 years age group in girls (54.2%) and 15–18 years-old boys (54.2%). Among the obese children, 28.2% were anemic, while 29.3% of overweight children were anemic (Pearson’s chi-squared = 7.68, p = 0.020).ConclusionThis study sheds light on the prevalence of obesity and anemia in Indian schoolchildren and adolescents, while also suggesting an association between the two conditions. Nutritional counselling as well as lifestyle modification should be advocated in school curricula to make an early impact.

Sleep, Dietary Habits, Smoking Status and Physical Activity among Jordanian Nurses

Background: Healthy lifestyle is important in promoting health and reducing risk of chronic diseases. Nurses’ lifestyle could be affected negatively by working night shifts or always rotating shifts, long working hours and high exposure to work-related stress. Purpose: This study aims to assess nurses’ lifestyle and factors associated with it. Methods: A cross-sectional design with an online survey was used in this study. The sample included 203 Jordanian nurses from four hospitals. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, while dietary habits were assessed using the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Shortened Version. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: Nurses’ mean age was 32.7±5.66 years and on average, they have 8.27±5.63 years of experience. Approximately, 25% of nurses were tobacco smokers. The majority of nurses reported poor sleep quality (n = 174, 85.5%). Approximately, 58% of nurses were overweight or obese and 41.9% of nurses had poor dietary habits. Only 39.5% of nurses reported moderate or high levels of activity. Conclusion: Jordanian nurses’ lifestyle showed poor quality in most aspects. Implications for Nursing: Nurses should be aware of the importance of adopting a healthier lifestyle to prevent possible complications. Nurse leaders should consider the health status of nurses and prevent illnesses by encouraging a healthier lifestyle of nurses. Keywords: Nurses, Lifestyle, Sleep quality, Dietary habits, Nutritional status, Physical activity.

Cancer Prevention Prioritized at AACR Annual Meeting and a New Working Group.

Scientific advances in the late 19th century set the stage for progress in understanding and treating cancer, a disease that was previously considered almost hopeless. One hundred years later, cancer prevention is becoming an increasingly important focus for oncology research. New tools and ideas bring to the field some extremely promising molecular, organizational, social, and political approaches, which were a focus of the American Association for Cancer Research 2022 Annual Meeting and of the newly launched AACR Cancer Prevention Working Group (CPWG). We are moving toward precision prevention, better tools for early detection and for risk assessment, the use of a Precancer Atlas, unveiling of new biomarkers. Besides improving lifestyle, by avoiding risk factors such as tobacco use, excessive UV exposure, infectious agents, as well as poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, overweight, and obesity, many other factors can impact cancer risk, which is a warning to consider a multifaceted molecular but also social approach. Gender, ethnicity, geographic, and economic lines are associated with disparities in prevention, which we want to overcome. Here we summarize some challenges and priorities in cancer prevention emerging from the work of AACR and CPWG.

Dietary Diversity, Body Mass Index and Haemoglobin Concentration of Health Students in a Public University in Ghana

Background: Tertiary students are known to have poor dietary habits and at risk of iron deficiency anaemia. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary diversity of Allied Health students and determine its relationship with haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and body mass index (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 96 health students in the University of Ghana. A stratified systematic sampling technique was used to select the participants and a structured questionnaire used to obtain demographic and socioeconomic information. Weight and height were measured, and BMI determined. Dietary diversity (DD) was assessed using the WHO/FAO guidelines. Haemoglobin concentration was measured using a portable hemocue 301 + analyser. Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between the DDS and Hb concentration, and BMI of the students. Level of significance was set at p &lt; 0.05. Results: Mean age and BMI of the students were 21.8±1.7 years and 22.7±4.3kg/m 2 respectively. The mean DDS and Hb concentration were 4.68±1.40 and 12.6±1.3g/dl respectively. More than half (58%) of the students had moderate DD. Approximately forty percent (40.6%) of the students were anaemic. There was a strong positive correlation between BMI and DDS (r= +0.810, p= 0.434). Conclusion: These findings suggest a high prevalence of anaemia among the students, with half of them having a moderate DDS. There is a need for regular screening to identify and treat students with low haemoglobin concentrations. Although not significant there was a positive correlation between Hb concentration, BMI and Dietary Diversity score. Keywords : dietary diversity, haemoglobin concentration, body mass index DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-16-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2022

Association Between Screen-Time and Dietary Habits Among Students Of 11-25 Years

The continuous technological advancement has provided innovative and attractive electronic devices that led individuals to spend longer times in front of screens. Longer periods of screen time have been linked to poor dietary habits including higher consumption of sugar, low nutritional quality foods like french fries, refined grain products, snacks and desserts, lower intakes of fiber, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Objective: To compare the association between screen time and eating habits among the students of 11 to 25 years. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate eating habits and screen time of 150 students from different schools, colleges and universities of Lahore. Participants were selected through non-probability convenient sampling. Data were collected using a self- constructed questionnaire. In exclusion criteria, students off the selected age group, having no screen time and non-cooperative individuals were excluded. SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Total participants of study were 150. Few of them were obese (8%) and more were overweight (26%). Some of them were spending 3-5 hours on screen (23%) while more were spending greater than 7 hours (32%). Mostly skipped breakfast (54%), delayed meals (45%), ate above planned limit (57%). Majority consumed fried food (56%) and sweets (44%) while using electronic gadgets. Conclusions: High prevalence of screen time had negatively affected student’s eating patterns. Students with longer screen time usually consumed fast food, junk food, sugary desserts, salty snacks and caffeinated beverages as snacks.

COVID-19 pandemic impact on family life and exacerbated emotional and behavioral health among preschool children: A longitudinal study

Background/ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine associations of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family life with emotional and behavioral health among preschool children. MethodsA longitudinal study including 1595 preschool children aged 3–6 years and their families was conducted in Anhui Province. The linear regression was applied to examine associations between the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family life and emotional and behavioral health. ResultsResults of the multivariable linear regression indicated that the severe impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family life was significantly associated with more sleep problems, poor dietary behavior habits, more anxiety symptoms, and more problematic behaviors; and these effects exhibited gender and age differences. ConclusionsThe severe impact of COVID-19 pandemic on family life significantly increased the risk for exacerbated emotional and behavioral health among preschool children. It is considered vital to identify risk factors for vulnerable families and then to implement precise interventions when necessary for emotional and behavioral health of children in these families.

The Correlation of Dietary Habit with Incidence of Gastritis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between diet and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri 2 Ciamis (MAN 2 Ciamis), Ciamis Regency, West Java. Method: The research desain used in this study is an analytical survey, to find the relationship between diet and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents, it is carried out with a cross sectional approach. The population used in this study were all teenagers consisting of class X students with a total population of 62 people. The total sample used is 56 people. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling, which is the sampling of data sources with the consideration of 56 respondents. To find the relationship between the two variables, the SPSS TEST was used to obtain the results of the chi-square test with a 95% confidence level and presented in the form of tables and narratives. Result: In this study, as many as (67.9%) adolescents with poor dietary habits experienced more gastritis than those who did not experience gastritis (32.1%) and The results of the non-parametric chi square test showed a large number of values = 0.000 &lt; 0.05 which stated that there was a significant relationship between diet and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents. Conclusion: There is relationship between dietary habits and the incidence of gastritis in adolescents at MAN 2 CIAMIS.

Dietary Practices among Adolescents in a Rural Area in Kerala

BACKGROUND&#x0D; The rapid physical growth and development in adolescence are associated with increased nutritional needs and this depends on the dietary pattern and eating habits of the adolescents. Adolescence is also a period of increased vulnerability to obesity which is not only linked to food intake but also due to a lack of physical activity in the growing years. Dietary habits that are established during adolescence are often sustained till adulthood. Hence the purpose of the study was to understand the prevalence of unhealthy dietary practices among adolescents that could enable schools to create a health-promoting culture by teaching healthy food choices and creating awareness of the ill effects of unhealthy dietary practices.&#x0D; METHODS&#x0D; A cross-sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire among adolescents in the age group 15 to 17 years in a panchayat in Kerala. The socio-demographic characteristics, the family details and dietary practices were recorded, height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated and ELIZ health pathway for adolescents (EPHA) was used for categorising the study participants. A diet score was also calculated to estimate the prevalence of unhealthy dietary practices among adolescents.&#x0D; RESULTS&#x0D; The prevalence of inadequate consumption of fruits was 60.9 % and inadequate consumption of vegetables was 36.9 %. Based on the dietary score, 36.7 % had poor dietary habits and 36.6 % had good dietary habits. A significant association was found between the type of school, occupation of mother, educational status of parents, type of family and inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS&#x0D; An unhealthy lifestyle does not just appear in adulthood, it stems from practices children develop during their childhood and adolescence. Awareness regarding the risk factors of non-communicable diseases should be provided to children to enable primordial and primary prevention as powerful tools to prevent these diseases in future.

Food Delivery Applications and Obesity: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Obesity is a global pandemic and has been associated with poor dietary habits and decreased physical activity. It has been linked to various chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension. Food delivery applications have seen a surge in the last ten years, their usage becoming more common throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While these applications have many advantages and disadvantages, they are expected to contribute to the increasing obesity rates in Saudi Arabia in the upcoming years. The purpose of the study is to assess the use of food delivery applications in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study using a convenience sampling technique. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, social media platforms were used to distribute the survey from August 21, 2021, until September 19, 2021. A repeated logistic regression model was used to compare food delivery factors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. All analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 with a two-sided p-value (α =0.05). Results: A total of 954 respondents completed the survey. The respondents predominantly reported using online applications for delivery (86.97%), for accessibility convenience and speed (80.08%), and favorably for dinner meals (61.11%). Almost half of the respondents reported an inability to control food cravings (45.49%). Furthermore, 42.14% of the respondents reported an increase in weight of up to five kg during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant difference pre and during the pandemic among the use of the food delivery applications per number of use weekly, amount spent, and food choices. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that food delivery applications are commonly used in Saudi Arabia, specifically with a high prevalence of use among young Saudi residents. Yet, no interventions are proposed to reduce the purchase of highly processed food on these applications. Public health officials and healthcare providers are highly encouraged to increase awareness on obesity and healthy dietary choices to limit the ongoing obesity pandemic. Keywords: Food delivery applications, obesity, diet, covid-19, Saudi Arabia, Online delivery

Lifestyle choices following head and neck cancer treatment: A qualitative study.

The benefits of a healthy lifestyle in reducing risk of cancer and chronic disease are well-documented. Many individuals who have had head and neck cancer (HNC) report complex social situations with a history of poor dietary habits, smoking and alcohol abuse. Survivorship can be a strong motivator to make positive lifestyle changes, reducing risk of cancer recurrence and ill-health. Research investigating whether HNC survivors adopt healthy lifestyle recommendations is lacking. To explore the health-related practices of post-treatment HNC patients, seeking to identify barriers and motivators to following recommended health guidelines. Tape-recorded interviews were conducted with 20 HNC survivors, and comparisons made to Department of Health recommendations. 80% of participants made lifestyle changes following HNC treatment. The most prevalent changes were to diet and alcohol intake. Key motivators were reducing cancer risk and ill-health; barriers included lack of motivation, support and misinformation. Treatment side-effects presented both motivators and barriers. There was widespread recognition of the "5 a day" message, and harm caused by smoking. Other public health recommendations were less well-known; 98% were unaware of current alcohol guidelines, physical activity was overestimated, and only one participant took vitamin D. In this study HNC survivors were highly motivated to make healthy lifestyle changes. Further work is required to increase awareness of Government guidelines, as health messages are not always reaching the public or are misinterpreted.

YouTube Influencers: A New Defense against Childhood Obesity?

ABSTRACT Childhood obesity is a serious public health issue. While advertising on children’s television has been established as a contributing factor to poor dietary habits, less is known regarding the influence of food promotions in social media. Thus, this 2-part exploratory study examined the content and effects of food promotions in YouTube. Our data revealed that fruits and vegetables are more likely to be promoted on this newer platform than in television advertising. Study 2 then revealed that exposure to a promotion for healthy food was associated with more positive evaluations of the food. However, neither judgments of appropriateness nor persuasion knowledge activation were significantly associated with evaluations of the healthy food. Thus, our findings did not support the use of the persuasion knowledge model in examining covert advertising of healthy foods to children and instead provides support for the mere exposure effect.

Trends in Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors and Wellbeing: A 10 Year Observation from the EDIT Surveillance of Tuscany Region, Italy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of prevalence of health risk behaviors (HRBs) and health conditions over a 10 year period (2008–2018) in a representative sample of adolescents of Tuscany Region, Italy. Methods: This was a repeated cross-sectional (four survey waves) study. The prevalence of 17 HRBs and health conditions were analyzed by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results: A total of 21,943 students were surveyed. During the study period, decreases in smoking participation, cocaine use, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and problem gambling were observed, while alcohol abuse and at-risk sexual behaviors remained unchanged or increased. Males resulted more frequently involved in most of the HRBs, while females more frequently reported physical inactivity, regular smoking, and not using a condom. Female participation in smoking and alcohol abuse behaviors, fruit and vegetable consumption, and bullying worsened over the study period. Smoking, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, high distress level, and obesity were more frequently observed in low-SES students than in high-SES students. Conclusions: The findings showed different tendencies in adolescent participation in HRBs over the last decade; concerning trends in at-risk sexual behaviors and alcohol consumption and females’ risk-taking behavior on the rise require careful monitoring.

Systematic Review of the Impact of Nutrition and Physical Activity on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among Firefighters

ObjectivesThe objective of this systematic review was to summarize the literature on non-occupational cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors experienced by firefighters, specifically those related to nutrition, physical fitness, and physical activity. MethodsTwo electronic databases (PubMed and Scopus) were used for this review. Search terms included those related to CVD, nutrition, physical fitness, and physical activity among firefighters. The PRISMA checklist was followed to ensure a rigorous review. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research was also used for critical appraisal of the included studies. The review process was performed by one researcher and is in the process for a second independent researcher to reduce bias. ResultsTwenty-six (n = 26) articles were included in the final qualitative synthesis (4 nutrition, 4 nutrition and physical fitness/activity, and 18 physical fitness/activity). The outcomes were that firefighters do not engage in regular physical activity, tend to have substandard fitness levels and poor dietary habits, and work in a poor food environment. These factors have been shown to relate with higher prevalence of CVD and its indicators. These studies also suggest that firefighters want information, programs, and resources related to improving nutrition and physical activity to reduce CVD. ConclusionsAmong firefighters, numerous studies exist regarding increased CVD risk related to inadequate physical fitness and activity levels, however, few studies address the role of a healthy diet in the development of CVD risk. This review is beneficial for public health practitioners, researchers, and fire service leaders, as it provides insight into the need to further investigate how diet affects CVD risk among the firefighting population. Funding SourcesNone.