Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors Research Articles

Navigating the local foodscape: qualitative investigation of food retail and dietary preferences in Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties, western Kenya

IntroductionNon-communicable diseases have risen markedly over the last decade. A phenomenon that was mainly endemic in high-income countries has now visibly encroached on low and middle-income settings. A major contributor to this is a shift towards unhealthy dietary behavior. This study aimed to examine the complex interplay between people’s characteristics and the environment to understand how these influenced food choices and practices in Western Kenya.MethodsThis study used semi-structured guides to conduct in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with both male and female members of the community, across various socioeconomic groups, from Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties to further understand their perspectives on the influences of dietary behavior. Voice data was captured using digital voice recorders, transcribed verbatim, and translated to English. Data analysis adopted an exploratory and inductive analysis approach. Coded responses were analyzed using NVIVO 12 PRO software.ResultsIntrapersonal levels of influence included: Age, the nutritional value of food, occupation, perceived satiety of some foods as opposed to others, religion, and medical reasons. The majority of the participants mentioned location as the main source of influence at the community level reflected by the regional staple foodscape. Others include seasonality of produce, social pressure, and availability of food in the market. Pricing of food and distance to food markets was mentioned as the major macro-level influence. This was followed by an increase in population and road infrastructure.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that understanding dietary preferences are complex. Future interventions should not only consider intrapersonal and interpersonal influences when aiming to promote healthy eating among communities but also need to target the community and macro environments. This means that nutrition promotion strategies should focus on multiple levels of influence that broaden options for interventions. However, government interventions in addressing food access, affordability, and marketing remain essential to any significant change.

Nutrition-Related Challenges and Needs of Women With Perinatal Depression: Perspectives of Women With Perinatal Depression and Healthcare Providers

ObjectivesWomen with perinatal depression (WWPD) are at high risk for unhealthy dietary behaviors and suboptimal child feeding practices. Despite mounting evidence supporting the importance of healthful nutrition-related behaviors during and after pregnancy, few behavioral nutrition interventions for WWPDs have been developed. The objectives of this study were to identify nutrition-related challenges and needs among WWPD, and to elucidate the role that feeding plays in mother-infant interaction.MethodsUsing a qualitative research design, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 WWPDs and 10 healthcare professionals (HCPs) who work with WWPD. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was thematically analyzed. Transcripts were coded by two research team members and a third member ensured accuracy and resolved discrepancies. Deductive and inductive coding was performed, and codes were refined and subsequently organized into themes.ResultsWWPD had a mean age of 31 ± 6 years and between 2–4 children. 89% reported college-level education, 56% were non-Hispanic white, and 33% were Black/African American. HCPs were in various specialties related to maternal mental health; 80% had practiced for > 5years. Seven themes with up to three subthemes were identified from interviews with HCPs and WWPDs: 1) Prioritizing mom - institutional and personal; 2) Scarce resources; 3) Body changes - body image and appetite; 4) Importance of support - source of affirmation and greater reliance; 5) Sense of fulfilment associated with infant and young child feeding - bonding and pride; 6) Challenges with breastfeeding - difficult experiences and need for liberalizing recommendations; and 7) Great expectations of motherhood - guilt and shame, overwhelm, and high anxiety.ConclusionsWWPD face several barriers to their own healthful nutrition and that of their children, and findings from this study illustrate key considerations for tailoring dietary guidance to meet the unique needs of WWPD. Further, a person-centered approach for breastfeeding guidance is recommended.Funding SourcesDrexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, Dean's Rapid Response Relevant (R3) Grant.

Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Health-Risk Behaviours in Adolescents

AbstractHealth-Risk Behaviours (HRBs) are significantly associated with avoidable mortality in adolescents, and preventing HRBs requires an adequate understanding of related factors. Among associated factors, emotion regulation difficulties may impact youths’ engagement in HRBs. Researchers explored the relation of emotion regulation with HRBs; however, specific emotion regulation difficulties for less severe and more prevalent HRBs, such as self-harming behaviour, risky-driving, violence, unhealthy dietary behaviour, and poor adherence to prescribed medication, has not been much explored. The current study aimed to explore the predictability of adolescents’ specific difficulties in emotion regulation in relation to their engagement in HRBs. For this purpose, six different HRBs, that is, self-harm, violence, risky-driving, unhealthy dietary behaviour, inadequate physical activity, and lack of medication adherence, were studied. A total of 617 (Males = 356) adolescents (Mage = 15.77) from five districts of Punjab state (India) provided required information on standardised self-report measures. The data were subjected to regression analysis, and the findings show that the participants who scored high on emotion regulation difficulties reported engagement in HRBs more than their counterparts. Some specific difficulties are more important than others for different forms of HRBs. It implies that the intervention programmes targeting specific HRBs should address specific facets of emotional dysregulation.

Perceptions of Good Health and Impact of COVID-19 Among Adolescents in a Low-Income Urban Agglomerate in Delhi, India: A Qualitative Study.

Adolescents constitute 16% of the global population and are susceptible to adverse health and illness from substance abuse, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and high-risk sexual behaviors. We conducted this study to assess the perceptions of good health, health-seeking behavior, and health service utilization among adolescents living in a low-income urban neighborhood after the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 23 adolescents, including 12 males and 11 females, were interviewed. Adolescents' perceived body image and size considerations apart from functioning at an optimum physical capacity as the principal attributes of good health, which was possible through the intake of a healthy diet and exercise. Adolescents were likely to be aware of the addiction potential and risk of cancer from using tobacco and alcohol, but attitudes towards eschewing their use were ambivalent. Adolescents perceived themselves as lacking access to reliable, adequate, and validated sources of sexual and reproductive health information. Knowledge and utilization of adolescent health services in this area were negligible, suggestive of the need to strengthen these services and improve the program outreach.

A review of food and nutrition communication and promotion in Ghana

Dietary perception, behavior, and nutritional status can all be influenced by exposure to information. Behavior change communication that is appropriately designed and implemented is critical for motivating optimal dietary behavior. On the other hand, inadvertent or deliberate misinformation can drive unhealthy dietary behaviors. As part of the process to develop food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) for Ghana, this rapid evidence review examined the nature, extent, sources, and medium of food and nutrition information dissemination and promotion in Ghana. PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, and Open Access Theses Dissertations (OATD) databases were searched systematically using keywords to identify relevant peer-reviewed and grey literature. The review included 31 documents, after excluding 1,302 documents for ineligibility (based on irrelevant title, abstract, and duplicates). Limited reporting of undernutrition was found in print and electronic media. Unhealthy foods, including sugar-sweetened beverages, snacks, yogurt, instant noodles, candy/chocolate, and ice cream were frequently advertised through various communication media. Children are highly exposed to food advertisements, which target them. Promotional characters, animation, billboards, and front-of-store displays; product-branded books, and toys are common strategies for food marketing and advertisement in Ghana. The most frequently reported sources of health and nutrition information were television, radio, social media, health professionals, families, and friends. Children and adults experienced changes in food preferences and choices as a result of exposure to food advertised on television. The commonly used traditional media were radio and television; printed newspaper use has declined tremendously in the past decade. Social media use (particularly WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube) is highest in urban areas, and is growing rapidly; young adults are the most active users of social media platforms. Experts recommend regulation as a mitigation for nutrition miscommunication and inaccurate promotion. The current review highlights the need for regulation of food marketing, and advertisement to safeguard a healthy food environment in Ghana. Key words: advertisement, promotion, diet, regulation, social media, food, Ghana

Validation of the English Version of the General Dietary Behavior Inventory (GDBI-E).

In medical science and practice, dietary behavior is mostly assessed by item-extensive questionnaires (e.g., food-frequency-questionnaires) or by questionnaires focusing on psychological aspects of dietary behavior neglecting dietary quality or quantity. In consequence, these questionnaires do not capture the full bandwidth of dietary behavior or are less effective in the assessment of dietary behavior because of the large item pools. Therefore, the aim of this validation study was to translate the existing General Dietary Behavior Inventory (GDBI), which was constructed as a behavior-related, as well as effective, instrument, and verifying its construct and criterion validity. This inventory is based on the general nutrition recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Our English-speaking convenience sample consisted of 263 participants. The study results confirmed convergent, as well as criterion validity of the English version of the GDBI (GDBI-E). Discriminant validity of the GDBI-E could mainly be verified. Different dietary behavior clusters were identified in a cluster analysis. The found clusters represented a rather healthy and a rather unhealthy dietary behavior in the sample according to the recommendations of the WHO. The results underpinned the validity of the GDBI-E. The GDBI-E is applicable in research and clinical practice to assess dietary behavior in the English-speaking population.

How Socioeconomic Status and Acculturation Relate to Dietary Behaviors Within Latino Populations.

Despite having lower socioeconomic status, Latinos in the US experience fewer adverse health outcomes than non-Latinos. However, they are disproportionately affected by diet-related diseases. Among other racial/ethnic groups, high acculturation and low socioeconomic status are associated with worse dietary intake, yet, few studies have investigated these relationships among Latinos. 2013-2014 NHANES analyzed to examine pathways through which acculturation, income, nativity, and food security are associated with dietary behaviors. U.S. population-based survey. Survey respondents >18 years old and identified as Latino/Hispanic (N = 1197; 53.88% female; Mage = 44.61). Primary language spoken (acculturation), total household income (income), place of birth (nativity), Food security, and the Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey (dietary behavior). Univariate and multivariate regressions in STATA. Covariates include length of time in the US, ethnicity/Hispanic origin (i.e., "Mexican American" or "Other Hispanic"), and gender. Nativity (β = -1.16; SE = .19; P < .001) and income (β = .39; SE = .07; P < .001) were significant predictors of dietary behavior. Foreign-born Latinos and those with lower income consumed significantly lower numbers of fast-food or pizza. Food security was not a significant predictor of dietary behavior (β = .16; SE = .1; P > .05). Results suggest that income is not a protective factor against unhealthy dietary behavior and a renewed importance of nativity as a predictor of health behavior among Latinos.

The Role of Fructose as a Cardiovascular Risk Factor: An Update.

There is increasing presence of fructose in food and drinks, and some evidence suggests that its higher consumption increases cardiovascular risk, although the mechanisms still remain not fully elucidated. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are still responsible for one-third of deaths worldwide, and therefore, their prevention should be assessed and managed comprehensively and not by the evaluation of individual risk factor components. Lifestyle risk factors for CVD include low degree of physical activity, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking, and nutritional factors. Indeed, nutritional risk factors for CVD include unhealthy dietary behaviors, such as high intake of refined foods, unhealthy fats, added sugars, and sodium and a low intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fiber, fish, and nuts. Even though there is no definitive association between CVD incidence and high consumption of total sugar, such as sucrose and fructose, there is, however, evidence that total sugars, added sugars, and fructose are harmfully associated with CVD mortality. Since high fructose intake is associated with elevated plasma triglyceride levels, as well as insulin resistance, diabetes hyperuricemia, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, further longitudinal studies should be conducted to fully elucidate the potential association between certain sugars and CVD.

Associations of Caregiver Cooking Skills with Child Dietary Behaviors and Weight Status: Results from the A-CHILD Study.

We examined whether caregiver cooking skills were associated with frequency of home cooking, child dietary behaviors, and child body weight status in Japan. We used cross-sectional data from the 2018 Adachi Child Health Impact of Living Difficulty study, targeting primary and junior high school students aged 9–14 years in Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan (n = 5257). Caregiver cooking skills were assessed using a scale with good validity and reliability modified for use in Japan. Child heights and weights derived from school heath checkup data were used to calculate WHO standard body mass index z-scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, caregivers with low-level cooking skills were 4.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.68–6.94) times more likely to have lower frequency of home cooking than those with high level of cooking skills. Children with low-level caregiver cooking skills were 2.81 (95% CI: 2.06–3.84) times more likely to have lower frequency of vegetable intake and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.08–2.82) times more likely to be obese. A low level of caregiver cooking skills was associated with infrequent home cooking, unhealthy child dietary behaviors, and child obesity.

Lifestyle Clusters and Cardiometabolic Risks in Adolescents: A Chinese School-Based Study Using a Latent Class Analysis Approach.

Background: Unhealthy dietary and lifestyle behaviors are associated with a higher prevalence of non-communicable chronic diseases and higher mortality in adults. However, there remains some uncertainty about the magnitude of the associations between lifestyle behaviors and cardiovascular factors in adolescents.Methods: We conducted a school-based cross-sectional study of 895 Chinese adolescents aged 15–19 years. They participated in a questionnaire survey, physical examination, and blood sample collection. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify heterogeneous subgroups of lifestyle behaviors. A set of 12 latent class indicators, which reflected lifestyle behaviors including dietary habits, physical activity, sleep duration, screen time, and pressure perception, were included in the analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether the derived classes were related to a cardiometabolic risk.Results: In total, 13.7 and 5.6% of the participants were overweight and obese, respectively, and 8.4 and 14.1% reported having pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively. A two-class model provided the best fit with a healthy lifestyle pattern (65.8%) and a sub-healthy lifestyle pattern (34.2%). There were more female participants with a healthy lifestyle (56.2 vs. 43.8%), whereas there were more males with a sub-healthy lifestyle (45.4 vs. 54.6%), (all P = 0.002). Increased risk of cardiometabolic abnormality (BMI categories, blood pressure and lipids) was not significant across lifestyle patterns, except for waist circumference (70.5 vs 69.1 cm, P = 0.044). There was no significant difference in physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetable between the two patterns.Conclusion: Primary prevention based on lifestyle modification should target patterns of behaviors at high risk in adolescents. Due to the complex effect of lifestyle clusters on cardiometabolic risks, well-designed and prospective studies in adolescents are needed in the future.

Neural activity in self-related brain regions in response to tailored nutritional messages predicts dietary change

Overweight and obesity have become international public health problems, so there is an urgent need to implement effective interventions that prevent these concerning health issues. Designing personalized (tailored) dietary communications has become one of the most effective tools in reducing unhealthy eating behavior, when compared with one-size-fits-all messages (untailored). However, more research is required to gain a complete understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which tailored nutritional messages elicit reductions in unhealthy dietary behavior. To the best of our knowledge, our study may be the first to use neuroimaging, namely functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), aiming to evaluate the neural basis of tailored and untailored nutritional messages and assess how these neural responses predict unhealthy food intake reduction after a month receiving tailored nutritional messages. To that goal, 30 participants were scanned while reading tailored and untailored nutritional messages. Subsequently, for a month, they received tailored interventions encouraging healthy food intake. The neural findings reveal that when compared to untailored communications, tailored messages elicit brain networks associated with self-relevance, such as the precuneus, the middle temporal gyrus, the hippocampus, the inferior orbitofrontal cortex (OBC), the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dMPFC), and the angular gyrus. Interestingly, among these self-related brain areas, the dMPFC, OFC, angular gyrus, and hippocampus forecast reductions in unhealthy food intake after a one-month tailored intervention for the cessation of unhealthy eating. These results may offer implications for clinicians, practitioners, and/or policymakers who should implement substantial efforts in creating individualized campaigns focused on their target's perceived needs, goals, and drivers in relation to eating healthy to reduce overweight issues. This research therefore constitutes a step forward in showing a direct association between the neural responses to tailored nutritional messages and changes in real-life healthy eating behavior.

Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Dietary Behaviors among Adolescents in Dubai Schools: A Complex Design Survey 2019

Background: Overweight and obesity in adolescence have become a public health challenge. Health effects due to overweight and obesity appear during adolescence and continue into adulthood. Modifiable factors associated with overweight and obesity include unhealthy dietary behaviors and lack of exercise. Assessment of the prevalence of overweight and obesity and unhealthy dietary behaviors is essential to plan for preventive programs at the population level. Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and unhealthy dietary behaviors among adolescents of grades 8–12 in Dubai schools, 2019. Method: The Adolescents Risk Behavioral Survey (ARBS) is a 2-stage stratified cluster study. The 1st stage involved randomly selecting schools with a probability proportional to the size and the 2nd stage was randomly selecting classes, and all students in the selected classes were invited to participate; the total participants were 1,683 adolescents from grades 8–12 from 28 private and government schools. Students answered a self-administrated electronic questionnaire. Anthropometric measures including height and weight were assessed by a trained school nurse. Body mass index was calculated and classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts for sex and age. Data were analyzed with adjustment for weight, primary sampling unit, and stratum. Results: Among the adolescents of Dubai schools studying in grades 8–12, the prevalence of overweight was 25.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.7–28.2) and obesity was 15% (95% CI: 13.0–18.9). Overweight did not vary between male and female students, but obesity was higher among male students 19.9% (95% CI: 15.4–25.1) than female students 11.8% (95% CI: 8.7–15.6) (p = 0.0261). Age and grade were not found to be associated with overweight or obesity. The prevalence of unhealthy dietary behaviors was common. Examining dietary habits from 30 days prior to the survey, 21.3% of adolescents (95% CI: 17.2–26.1) reported not eating fruits and 19.7% (95% CI: 15.7–24.4) not eating vegetables. With regard to consuming dairy, 3.3% of adolescents (95% CI: 10.9–16.1) did not drink milk or consume dairy products in the 7 days prior to the survey, 31% of adolescents (95% CI: 26.8–35.5) consumed a carbonated drink daily, and 18.4% did not eat breakfast on all 7 days during and before the survey. Eating fast food was high among adolescents as 78.9% reported eating fast food one or more days in the week preceding the survey. Conclusion: School programs for overweight and obesity need further strengthening and to extend their scope to outside of the school community.

Assessment of the Relationship Between Thinness Expectations, Body Satisfaction and Eating Attitude and Behavior

Background: Body dissatisfaction is more common in adolescents and its prevalence is increasing in developed and developing countries. These situation is associated with unhealthy dieting behaviors. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between thinness expectations, body satisfaction, and eating attitudes and behaviors in interpersonal interaction.Method: This study was conducted on 372 university students. The survey form was prepared using the Google Surveys Program. In the questionnaire form, there are sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Interpersonal Outcome Expectancies for Thinness (IOET), Nutritional Changes Process Scale (NCPS), and Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ).Result: There was no statistically significant difference in the mean total scores of the IOET, BSQ, and NCPS scales according to gender (p &gt; 0.05). According to the NCPS scale sub-dimensions, it was determined that the means scores of dramatic relief and social liberation were higher in females than males (p &lt; 0.05). However, the mean scores of reinforcement management, stimulus control, interpersonal control systems, and substance abuse were lower in females than males (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, when the distribution of thinness was examined in the relationships with family, other family members, teachers, friends, colleagues, and foreigners according to gender, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference (p &gt; 0.05). The findings show that there were moderate and strong positive correlations between the total score of BSQ and NCPS, and IOET total scores, respectively (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: According to the study results, body shape is important in interpersonal relationships among university students and body dissatisfaction may be related to eating behaviors.

The CENTS program: promoting healthy eating by addressing perceived barriers

Objective Nutrition interventions addressing barriers to healthy eating can mitigate concerns regarding poor diet and obesity among college students. Aimed at reducing healthy eating perceived barriers, this investigation employed two mindset change intervention studies. Design First, a nutrition improvement program called CENTS (Cost of Eating Nutritiously during Time as a Student) that disseminated specific information and utilized experiential activities for mindset change was developed and pilot tested using a pre/post study design. Second, using a similar pre/post method, the CENTS program was evaluated in a quasi-experimental design. Main Outcome Measures We examined perceived barriers to healthy eating (e.g. too costly, too much time), fruit and vegetable consumption, and other variables related to healthy eating (e.g. cost estimates, diet attitudes, self-efficacy, sugary foods consumption). Results Results demonstrated some improvement in many outcomes between the two studies. Most noteworthy, the two major perceived barriers of healthy eating (i.e. too expensive, too much time to prepare) dramatically reduced and cost appraisal accuracy improved. Moreover, some attitudes to eat healthy improved and some unhealthy dietary behaviors reduced. Conclusion Using mindset change techniques to address perceived barriers to healthy eating, interventions can promote healthy eating and discourage unhealthy dietary habits among college students.

Hedonic hunger: eating for desire and not calories

Hedonic hunger can be described as a state where an individualexperiences recurrent feelings, thoughts, and desires about foodin the absence of energy deprivation. Living in an obesogenicenvironment where cheap, tasty foods are available in plentifulamounts is one of the major causes of hedonic hunger development.Hedonic hunger can be analyzed using a power of foodscale (PFS) which estimates appetite and not palatable food consumption.The current epidemic of obesity globally (termed as“globesity” by WHO) is seen to be majorly driven by the hedoniceating system and an imbalance in the energy homeostasis system.Previous studies indicate that hedonic hunger and obesityare associated, and a weak but no significant correlation existsbetween BMI and PFS score. It can lead to the development ofvarious lifestyle disorders in the longer run. High levels of pleasure-driven hunger can even lead to detrimental health outcomeslike poor glycaemic control, unhealthy dietary behavior,and increased lipid profile levels which are aggravated explicitlyin cardiovascular diseases. With the adaptation to western dietarylifestyle, people are keener to opt for food options that canbe damaging and harmful when low levels of self-control, dietarymotivation, and healthy dietary habits are absent. Apart from thereward regulation system, which has a direct effect on hedonichunger, certain external factors like emotional eating, meals andmeal preparation, food cravings, sleep, physical activity, stress,social media, portion size, peer influence, an atmosphere of arestaurant can also promote more than required intake of food.This review article summarizes the above findings taking into accountthe plethora of research studies conducted so far.

Impact of COVID-19 related home confinement measures on the lifestyle, body weight, and perceived glycemic control of diabetics

BackgroundPeople with Diabetes Mellitus are at high risk of encountering COVID-19 infection and are more vulnerable to the negative repercussions of this infection. In this study we aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 related home confinement measures on physical activity, dietary habits, body weight and perceived glycemic control of adults with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in Qatar. MethodsA cross sectional web-based survey was conducted between January and February 2021 targeting adults ≥18 years with T2DM. ResultsOver 40% of the participants reported unhealthy dietary changes. We found a significant increase in the sitting/reclining, and screen times. One third of the participants reported weight gain, while one fifth reported poorer glycemic control since the start of home confinement measures. We found that reporting at least one unhealthy dietary change (p < 0.001) and being a female (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with reporting greater weight gain. Participants who reported five unhealthy dietary behaviours were more than seven times more likely to perceive poorer glycemic control during home confinement measures compared to those who did not report any unhealthy changes (OR: 7.27, 95%CI 1.60–33.5, p = 0.011). ConclusionAdults with T2DM experienced adverse lifestyle changes during COVID-19 related home confinement measures. Further research is needed to investigate the persistence of such changes in the post pandemic era.

Studying the relationship between tobacco use and eating behavior among Egyptian university students

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition to the independent risks related to cigarettes, smoking is highly associated with obesity-related behaviors including unhealthy diet. Despite the public health significance, little is known about mechanisms underlying with the paired relationship of smoking and unhealthy dietary behaviors. Aim of the Work This study aimed to Detect the relationship among smoking status and total and specific types of food cravings (i.e., high-fats, sweets, fast-food fats, and complex carbohydrates/starches), the influence of demographic, clinical, and psychological factors on this relationship and estimate the frequency of nicotine dependence among a sample of 420 egyptian students from 4 theoritical and 4 practical faculties in Ain Shams University Patients and Methods This is an observational Cross sectional study study conducted in 8 different faculties in Ain Shams University. The present study aimed at analyzing the demographic data of 420 egyptian university students, during the academic year 2018-2019.The severity of nicotine dependence among those students was assessed using Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), eating behavior was assessed using Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), Socio-Economic Status (SES) Scale for assessing socio-economic level and Eating Disorder Examination Scale for assessing eating disorders. Results Compared to never smokers, current smokers reported more frequent cravings for high-fat foods and fast-food fats, after controlling for BMI and demographic factors. Current smokers also reported consuming more high-fat foods and fast-food fats. Nicotine dependence was positively correlated with the frequency of general food cravings and cravings for high fats, sweets, and carbohydrates/starches. Conclusion Cigarette smokers, and especially those with higher nicotine dependence, may have greater difficulties in addressing food craving and changing eating habits

Impact of staying at home measures during COVID-19 pandemic on the lifestyle of Qatar’s population: Perceived changes in diet, physical activity, and body weight

Countries worldwide imposed different swift protective measures such as movement restrictions and staying at home measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Despite the benefits gained from such measures in containing the spread of the infection, adverse lifestyle consequences happened. In this study we aimed to assess the impact of staying at home measures imposed during COVID-19 pandemic on dietary behaviors, physical activity, and body weight in Qatar’s population. A population based cross sectional survey was conducted between December 2020 and February 2021 targeting adults ≥18 years. A total of 1408 participants completed the survey in four languages. Concerning the overall diet perception, 27.8%, and 33.2% perceived that their overall diet has become less healthy, or healthier respectively, since the start of staying at home measures. Almost half of all participants reported weight gain. Participants reported increased sitting/reclining time (1.94 h/day mean increase), screen times (2.05 h/day mean increase) with p < 0.001, and decreased exercise time (0.11 h/day mean reduction) with p < 0.001. The ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that the numbers of unhealthy dietary behaviors adopted by participants, and adverse changes in exercise, setting/reclining and screen times were significantly associated with weight gain. The results of this study indicate that peoples in Qatar have experienced adverse lifestyle changes with regard to their diet, physical activity, and body weight. More emphasis should be put on encouraging people to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors during home confinement measures that might be imposed during any public health crises or any potential future outbreaks.

Family History of Stroke is Associated with Greater Prevalence of Certain Risk Factors and Self-Reported Stroke Symptoms

ObjectivesFamily history of stroke increases stroke risk, however mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. We investigated whether family history of stroke is related to increased prevalence of stroke risk factors, unhealthy behaviors and self-reported stroke symptoms in middle-aged adults. Materials and MethodsIn a cross-sectional study conducted from November 2018 to January 2021 in 100 primary care facilities in Poland we evaluated adults aged 40-65 years (n = 2207, women 57.4%, median age 55 years) for stroke risk factors, healthy behaviors, family history of stroke, self-reported stroke symptoms and stroke knowledge using structured questionnaires. Patients were categorized based on family history of stroke defined as ≥1 first-degree relative with documented stroke. ResultsFamily history of stroke was reported by 571 (25.9%) individuals who were older (median age 56 vs. 54 years, p = 0.00001) and after adjustment for age more frequently suffered from hypertension (61.5% vs. 53.7%, p = 0.024) and prior transient ischemic attack (2.1% vs. 0.9%, p = 0.019), but not other risk factors. However, they were less obese (34.5% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.03). Women, but not men, with family history of stroke (n = 339, 26.8%) had greater prevalence of atrial fibrillation (7.4% vs. 3.9%, p = 0.037). Family history of stroke was associated with higher prevalence of any self-reported stroke symptom (32.9% vs. 23.2%, p < 0.00001), but not with unhealthy dietary behaviors or low level of knowledge about stroke. ConclusionsFamily history of stroke is associated with greater prevalence of certain risk factors and self-reported stroke symptoms, which indicates the need for closer surveillance of middle-aged individuals at risk.

Impact of social support on the dietary behaviors of international college students in the United States

Objective International students in the US often adopt unhealthy dietary behaviors, perhaps due to lack of familiarity and social support. This study examined the impact of social support on international college students’ dietary behaviors. Participants This study surveyed international students (N = 318) from five public universities in one Midwest state. Methods Participants completed an electronic survey assessing self-reported eating habits and perceived social support using the Social Support for Eating Habits and the Starting the Conversation (STC) scales. Data analyses included multiple linear regression and multiple logistic regression to test the study’s hypotheses. Comparisons were made to explore the impact of perceived social support on international students’ dietary behaviors. Results Significant predictors of unhealthy dietary behaviors included region of origin (specifically, being from East Asia, Europe and North America) and having families that discouraged healthy eating habits. Additionally, living with immediate family members significantly decreased students’ likelihood of having higher friend encouragement for healthy eating habits. Finally, the amount of time participants spent in the US significantly increased their likelihood of having more discouragement of healthy eating from their friends. Conclusions International students’ unhealthy eating habits increased when their families discouraged them from healthy eating. Interventions promoting healthy diet among international students should consider including family members to increase social support for healthy eating habits.