Nutrition and Public Health 2.0

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 39499

Special Issue Editors

Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20850, USA
Interests: minority health and health disparities; metabolic epidemiology; metabolomics; cardiovascular epidemiology; cancer prevention
Department of Nutrition and Public Health, University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT 06117, USA
Interests: minority health and health disparities; adolescent health; afro caribbean population
Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
Interests: machine learning; statistics; environment; mental health; physical activity
Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
Interests: population vulnerability; climate change and air pollution; cancer survivorship; metabolism; nutritional epidemiology; biostatistics; spatial epidemiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The scope of this Special Issue is to amplify the current understanding on the relationship between nutrition and human health. We seek original research and reviews that include but are not limited to: nutritional epidemiology; policy analysis, public health disaster and nutritional needs; health promotion; disease prevention and risk; intervention; new methodological approaches; critique of current methods.

This issue aims to disseminate research that will provide greater understanding of achievements and current issues in nutrition, including research, practice, policy, and communication. Overall, this Special Issue will increase our understanding across the full spectrum of nutritional science and health through publishing the latest research. Topics include but are not limited to:

  • Dietary patterns;
  • Community interventions;
  • Food insecurity;
  • Methods;
  • Health policy research;
  • Food desert or food swamp and health;
  • Health disparities or health inequities;
  • Life course perspective and nutrition;
  • National school and feeding programs.

Dr. Wayne Lawrence
Dr. Kaydian Reid
Dr. Ziqiang Lin
Dr. Wangjian Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • public health nutrition
  • clinical nutrition
  • human nutrition
  • nutritional science
  • dietetics
  • culinary nutrition
  • nutrition practice, policy, and communication.

Published Papers (17 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 175 KiB  
Editorial
Population-Level Nutritional Well-Being: Nutrition Security and Equitability
by Kaydian S. Reid
Healthcare 2023, 11(6), 817; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11060817 - 10 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1082
Abstract
Nutrition is essential to sustaining the quality of life and a fundamental right of all people [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

15 pages, 2036 KiB  
Article
Serum Vitamin D Level and Gut Microbiota in Women
by Noorah S. Al-Khaldy, Sara Al-Musharaf, Esra’a A. Aljazairy, Syed Danish Hussain, Abdullah M. Alnaami, Nasser Al-Daghri and Ghadeer Aljuraiban
Healthcare 2023, 11(3), 351; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11030351 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are two major public health concerns. Evidence suggests that alteration in gut microbiota composition is a possible risk factor for obesity. Additionally, altered vitamin D status has a potential role in shaping the gut microbial community. Further, the [...] Read more.
Obesity and vitamin D deficiency are two major public health concerns. Evidence suggests that alteration in gut microbiota composition is a possible risk factor for obesity. Additionally, altered vitamin D status has a potential role in shaping the gut microbial community. Further, the prevalence of obesity has been rising in the Middle East, especially among women of reproductive age, which is of specific concern due to its adverse effects on the health of their offspring. To date, limited evidence is available on the association between gut microbiota composition and vitamin D levels in Arab women. This study aims to identify the associations between serum vitamin D, gut microbiota, and obesity among Saudi females. The current study is a case–control study including 92 women aged 18 to 25 years, (n = 48) with normal weight and (n = 44) with obesity. Anthropometric, biochemical, lifestyle data, and fecal samples were collected and analyzed. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize microbial communities of stool samples. Vitamin D levels were significantly associated with alpha and beta diversities. Serum vitamin D levels were positively associated with bacteria known to regulate immunological responses; Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in the normal weight group (r = 0.34, p = 0.03) and Bifidobacterium adolescentis in the obesity group (r = 0.33, p = 0.04). In conclusion, the findings suggest that vitamin D status may play a role in regulating the gut microbiota composition by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria while nourishing the beneficial strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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14 pages, 295 KiB  
Article
How Well Do Low-PRAL Diets Fare in Comparison to the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans?
by Maximilian Andreas Storz and Alvaro Luis Ronco
Healthcare 2023, 11(2), 180; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare11020180 - 06 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1736
Abstract
The regular consumption of net acid-producing diets can produce “acid stress” detrimental to human health. Alkalizing diets characterized by a negative potential renal acid load (also called low-PRAL diets (LPD)) enjoy uninterrupted popularity. However, the nutritional adequacy of said diets has rarely been [...] Read more.
The regular consumption of net acid-producing diets can produce “acid stress” detrimental to human health. Alkalizing diets characterized by a negative potential renal acid load (also called low-PRAL diets (LPD)) enjoy uninterrupted popularity. However, the nutritional adequacy of said diets has rarely been assessed in large populations. Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we estimated nutrient intake in individuals consuming an LPD and contrasted the results in an age- and sex-specific manner to individuals on an acidifying diet (high-PRAL diet, HPD). Both groups were compared with the daily nutritional goals (DNG) specified in the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). Our analysis included 29,683 individuals, including 7234 participants on an LPD and 22,449 participants on an HPD. Individuals on an LPD numerically met more nutritional goals than individuals on an HPD, yet both failed to meet the goals for several nutrients of public health concern (vitamin D and calcium). As opposed to individuals on an HPD, LPD consumers met the DGA recommendations for saturated fat and potassium. Individuals on an LPD consumed significantly more fiber than individuals on an HPD, as well as yielded a more favorable potassium-to-sodium intake ratio. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
10 pages, 862 KiB  
Article
Association between Nutrition Literacy and Bangladeshi Adults’ Healthy Eating Behaviors: Evidence from the Nutrition Literacy Study 2021
by Md. Hasan Al Banna, Mohammad Hamiduzzaman, Satyajit Kundu, Mst. Sadia Sultana, Abdul-Aziz Seidu, Keith Brazendale, Mohammad Tazrian Abid, Tasnu Ara, M. A. Rifat, N. H. M. Rubel Mozumder, John Elvis Hagan, Jr., Md Shafiqul Islam Khan and Thomas Schack
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2508; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10122508 - 11 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2087
Abstract
This study investigated the association between healthy eating behaviors and nutrition literacy in a sample of Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults from two districts of Bangladesh (Dhaka and Chattogram). Data were generated by in-person interviews using a structured [...] Read more.
This study investigated the association between healthy eating behaviors and nutrition literacy in a sample of Bangladeshi adults. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 adults from two districts of Bangladesh (Dhaka and Chattogram). Data were generated by in-person interviews using a structured questionnaire. The Nutrition Literacy Scale and National Dietary Guidelines for Bangladesh were used to assess nutrition literacy and healthy eating behaviors, respectively. Multiple linear regression models were used to observe the association. The mean score for healthy eating behavior was 21.8 (SD = 4.8, Range: 5–33) on a scale of 34. A moderate positive correlation was found between nutrition literacy and healthy eating behavior of participants (r = 0.28, p < 0.001). The adjusted regression model showed that a 1 unit increase in nutrition literacy reflected an increase in the healthy eating behavior score of participants by 0.22 units (β = 0.223, p < 0.001). Findings showed an association between nutrition literacy and eating behaviors in Bangladeshi adults. Future research could be carried out to establish a causal relationship that may help inform the necessity of educational interventions for Bangladeshi adults to assist with meeting national nutrition-related targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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13 pages, 751 KiB  
Article
The Prevalence of Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies and High Levels of Non-Essential Heavy Metals in Saudi Arabian Adults
by Omar Albalawi, Rasha Almubark, Abdulrahman Almarshad and Amani S. Alqahtani
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2415; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10122415 - 30 Nov 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2224
Abstract
Although the micronutrient status of a population is of high national priority, as it critically impacts public health, limited data is available for quantifying the micronutrient status in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to provide comprehensive, epidemiological, descriptive data regarding micronutrient levels in Saudi [...] Read more.
Although the micronutrient status of a population is of high national priority, as it critically impacts public health, limited data is available for quantifying the micronutrient status in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to provide comprehensive, epidemiological, descriptive data regarding micronutrient levels in Saudi adults. This cross-sectional study included 3432 adults aged ≥18 years (mean age, 37.7 ± 11.7 years; women, 51.2%) across all 13 Saudi administrative regions (March 2019–November 2021). Laboratory data for 14 micronutrients (8 vitamins, 4 minerals, and 2 nonessential heavy metals) were characterized using descriptive analysis. Vitamin D deficiency (64.3%) was the most prevalent, followed by vitamin B2 (44.9%) and A (9.6%) deficiencies. Among minerals, iron deficiency was the most prevalent (23.2%), followed by zinc (15.3%) and copper (8.7%) deficiencies. Most Saudi adults exhibited normal arsenic (99.7%) and mercury (99.9%) levels. Men exhibited significantly higher vitamin B2, B9, and D deficiencies than women, while women exhibited higher vitamin A, B12, iron, and zinc deficiencies than men. Younger adults demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D and iron deficiencies, whereas older adults exhibited a higher prevalence of vitamin B1 and magnesium deficiencies. As micronutrient deficiencies are a public health concern, health policies and programs need to be developed and implemented to address them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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15 pages, 2624 KiB  
Article
An Interactive Live and Online Cooking Program for Children in Vulnerable Families—An Exploratory Study
by Jiyoung Park, Sein Hwang, Seolhyang Baek and Gill A. Ten Hoor
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2389; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10122389 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1356
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology for communication and social interactions. Especially for children in low-income families—a vulnerable population suffering from health and digital disparities—the situation worsened during the pandemic. Earlier studies in times of COVID-19 suggested that the children [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology for communication and social interactions. Especially for children in low-income families—a vulnerable population suffering from health and digital disparities—the situation worsened during the pandemic. Earlier studies in times of COVID-19 suggested that the children in Korea who usually do homework and dine at community childcare centers (CCCCs, free after-school care places) need to learn more about how to eat healthily and how to interact with others using digital technology. Therefore, to reduce these children’s health and digital inequalities, an interactive live and online cooking program was developed and provided to 313 children and 95 staff members at the 29 CCCCs located in the southern provinces in South Korea. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of children and staff with the program. After surveying their experiences, a high degree of satisfaction was found (children: 3.60 ± 0.10; staff: 3.63 ± 0.08 points out of 4.00). Aspects that needed improvement in the program were related to (in)experience in online technology, the frequency and timing of the cooking classes, and the communication between the centers and (online) chefs. In addition, in a word cloud analysis, terms such as ‘fun’, ‘delicious’, and ‘want’ were highlighted for children, and terms such as ‘participating’ and ‘preparation’ dominantly appeared for the staff. In the analysis of negative experiences, terms related to environmental factors such as ‘sound’, ‘hear’, and ‘voice’ were highlighted. This novel but preliminary approach for children from low-income families, by integrating cooking with digital technology, indicates that with enough digital support, the CCCCs are a promising platform to promote healthy eating and digital literacy. Optimizing and disseminating these strategies during this pandemic period, and future pandemics, could be beneficial to keep children in their communities healthy, and ultimately reduce socioeconomic health disparities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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13 pages, 3294 KiB  
Article
Brain Tumors in Saudi Arabia: An Observational and Descriptive Epidemiological Analysis
by Ahmad Almatroudi
Healthcare 2022, 10(9), 1796; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10091796 - 18 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1801
Abstract
Introduction: Brain tumors are one of the major causes of death and morbidity around the world. A prospective existential retrospective observational population-cohort study based on the comprehensive research work on brain tumors in the Saudi population was conducted, with statistics drawn from the [...] Read more.
Introduction: Brain tumors are one of the major causes of death and morbidity around the world. A prospective existential retrospective observational population-cohort study based on the comprehensive research work on brain tumors in the Saudi population was conducted, with statistics drawn from the Saudi Cancer Registry data collected and published by the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia, which is a national document prepared and maintained by the National Health Information Center, from 2006 to 2016. For the analysis of the brain tumor distribution and trends in Saudi Arabian inhabitants, the current study outlined the brain tumor incident rates in the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and crude incidence rates (CIRs) in the inhabitants of Saudi Arabia by distinct age cohorts, the year of diagnosis, and the core administrative regions of Saudi Arabia. Method: Statistical tools, such as GraphPad Prism and SPSS 2.0, were used for the analyses of the t-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and descriptive statistics, including the sex ratio and other demographic features. Between 2006 and 2016, Saudi Arabia recorded 1854 and 1293 cases of brain tumors in males and females, respectively. Results: The highest percentage and mean number of brain tumor cases were recorded among males and females in the age group 0–4 years, and the lowest proportion of brain tumor cases were reported among males and females in the higher age group (55–69 years). The highest mean CIR and ASIR were found in the male and female populations of the Riyadh region, and the highest CIR and ASIR sex ratios were found in the Baha and Naj regions of Saudi Arabia, respectively. Males in the Jazan region had the lowest average CIRs and ASIRs. The Baha and Jazan regions of Saudi Arabia recorded the lowest mean CIR and ASIR among females. Conclusion: The Riyadh region had the most significant increases in ASIRs and CIRs for brain tumors in males and females from 2006 to 2016, whereas the Jazan region had the least significant changes in the ASIRs in males and females. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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15 pages, 3856 KiB  
Article
Network Analysis for a Community-Based School- and Family-Based Obesity Prevention Program
by Katharina Brauer, Hagen Wulff, Sabine Pawellek and Alexandra Ziegeldorf
Healthcare 2022, 10(8), 1501; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10081501 - 09 Aug 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1327
Abstract
Rising childhood obesity with its detrimental health consequences poses a challenge to the health care system. Community-based, multi-setting interventions with the participatory involvement of relevant stakeholders are emerging as promising. To gain insights into the structural and processual characteristics of stakeholder networks, conducting [...] Read more.
Rising childhood obesity with its detrimental health consequences poses a challenge to the health care system. Community-based, multi-setting interventions with the participatory involvement of relevant stakeholders are emerging as promising. To gain insights into the structural and processual characteristics of stakeholder networks, conducting a network analysis (NA) is advisable. Within the program “Family+—Healthy Living Together in Families and Schools”, a network analysis was conducted in two rural model regions and one urban model region. Relevant stakeholders were identified in 2020–2021 through expert interviews and interviewed by telephone to elicit key variables such as frequency of contact and intensity of collaboration. Throughout the NA, characteristics such as density, centrality, and connectedness were analyzed and are presented graphically. Due to the differences in the number of inhabitants and the rural or urban structure of the model regions, the three networks (network#1, network#2, and network#3) included 20, 14, and 12 stakeholders, respectively. All networks had similar densities (network#1, 48%; network#2, 52%; network#3, 42%), whereas the degree centrality of network#1 (0.57) and network#3 (0.58) was one-third higher compared with network#2 (0.39). All three networks differed in the distribution of stakeholders in terms of field of expertise and structural orientation. On average, stakeholders exchanged information quarterly and were connected on an informal level. Based on the results of the NA, it appears to be useful to initialize a community health facilitator to involve relevant stakeholders from the education, sports, and health systems in projects and to strive for the goal of sustainable health promotion, regardless of the rural or urban structure of the region. Participatory involvement of relevant stakeholders can have a positive influence on the effective dissemination of information and networking with other stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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10 pages, 593 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Correlates of Vitamin D Deficiency in Children Aged Less than Two Years: A Cross-Sectional Study from Aseer Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia
by Saleh M. Al-Qahtani, Ayed A. Shati, Youssef A. Alqahtani, Samy A. Dawood, Aesha F. Siddiqui, Mohamed Samir A. Zaki and Shamsun N. Khalil
Healthcare 2022, 10(6), 1064; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10061064 - 08 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1899
Abstract
Background: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for bone growth, mineralization, and other metabolic processes in the human body. Hence, insufficiency or deficiency of this vitamin can have long-term effects, particularly for children. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the [...] Read more.
Background: Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for bone growth, mineralization, and other metabolic processes in the human body. Hence, insufficiency or deficiency of this vitamin can have long-term effects, particularly for children. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in children up to 2 years of age and investigate the independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 484 children aged up to two years who were admitted to the hospital for the treatment of any acute condition from January to November 2021. Serum 25(OH)D was used to determine the level of vitamin D. The serum 25(OH)D was categorized into 3 groups: Sufficiency (>30 ng/mL), insufficiency (20–30 ng/mL), and the deficiency (<20 ng/mL). Results: Overall, vitamin D deficiency was observed in 70.5% of the children, of whom 45.9% had insufficient levels, and one-fourth (24.6%) showed deficiency. The children aged 2–12 months (infants) were more likely to be vitamin deficient compared to children aged 12 months and above. The children who lived in urban areas had a threefold increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.78–5.08). The children who were exposed to sunlight for less than 3 days per week experienced a higher risk of developing vitamin D deficiency (aOR = 4.17, 95% CI 2.04–10.88). Children who had received only breast milk were more than two times more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency (aOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.12–5.23) compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: Our study reveals a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among children aged up to two years. Infants, urban dwellers, only breastfed, and exposure to sunlight for less than three days per week were identified to be the independent risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. The results of this work call for enhancing awareness to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D for better health of the children in this region of Saudi Arabia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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10 pages, 1006 KiB  
Article
Differences in Overweight and Obesity Prevalence among Young Men from Twelve Middle Eastern and Asian Countries Living in Saudi Arabia
by Reham I. Alagal, Nora A. AlFaris, Jozaa Z. AlTamimi, Naseem M. Alshwaiyat, Aryati Ahmad, Riyadh A. Alzaheb and Nora M. AlKehayez
Healthcare 2022, 10(4), 690; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10040690 - 06 Apr 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2248
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conducted to assess differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among young men from twelve Middle Eastern and Asian countries who live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in Riyadh, [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study was conducted to assess differences in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among young men from twelve Middle Eastern and Asian countries who live in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The body weight and height of 3600 young men (aged 20 to 35 years) were measured using standardized methods. The sociodemographic characteristics of the participants were collected using face-to-face interviews. Results: Overweight and obesity was reported in 48.3% of the study sample; 42.2% were overweight, and 6.2% were obese. The overweight and obesity rate was associated with the nationality of the participants. The lowest rate of overweight and obesity was observed among participants from Bangladesh (19.4%), while the highest rate was reported among participants from Egypt (67.5%). Older age and longer residency duration were associated with overweight and obesity risk among the subjects. Conclusion: The outcomes revealed a fairly high prevalence of overweight and obesity among participants. The notable disparity in overweight and obesity rates among participants of different nationalities is confirmed. The risk of overweight and obesity among young men in Saudi Arabia is associated with nationality, age, and residency duration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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14 pages, 288 KiB  
Article
Impact of the Intake of Snacks and Lifestyle Behaviors on Obesity among University Students Living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
by Najlaa M. Aljefree, Israa M. Shatwan and Noha M. Almoraie
Healthcare 2022, 10(2), 400; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10020400 - 21 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3839
Abstract
Unhealthy eating habits increase the risk of obesity. This study investigated the association between obesity and the intake of snacks and lifestyle behaviors among university students in Saudi Arabia. The study included 662 students aged 18–29 years, studying at King Abdulaziz University. An [...] Read more.
Unhealthy eating habits increase the risk of obesity. This study investigated the association between obesity and the intake of snacks and lifestyle behaviors among university students in Saudi Arabia. The study included 662 students aged 18–29 years, studying at King Abdulaziz University. An online survey collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, height, and weight, to calculate body mass index (BMI), lifestyle behaviors, dietary habits, and snack intake. The prevalence of overweight and obese students was 18.6% and 12.7%, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors had insignificant effects on obesity. Obese students consumed two meals daily and more cereals during breakfast. Non-obese students consumed more beverages at breakfast and had their daily meals with their families. The frequency of intake of snacks had an insignificant effect on obesity. However, obese students had a significantly higher intake of potato chips, popcorn, and biscuits, while non-obese students had a significantly higher intake of salads compared with obese students. Students consumed significantly less fruit and vegetables, chocolate, biscuits, nuts, and dairy products as snacks when inside the university compared to outside. To reduce obesity among students, universities should ensure access to healthy snacks, and provide health education programs to encourage healthy eating habits and lifestyles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
10 pages, 284 KiB  
Article
How Relevant Is the Place Where First-Year College Students Live in Relation to the Increase in Body Mass Index?
by Antonio Viñuela, Juan José Criado-Álvarez, Javier Aceituno-Gómez, Carlos Durantez-Fernández, José Luis Martín-Conty, Francisco Martín-Rodríguez, Luis Miguel Cano Martín, Clara Maestre Miquel, Begoña Polonio-López and Alicia Mohedano-Moriano
Healthcare 2021, 9(12), 1638; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare9121638 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2976
Abstract
(1) Objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the body mass index (BMI) throughout the academic year associated with changes in the lifestyle associated with the place where students live during the course, lifestyle design, and health strategies for the university community. (2) [...] Read more.
(1) Objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the body mass index (BMI) throughout the academic year associated with changes in the lifestyle associated with the place where students live during the course, lifestyle design, and health strategies for the university community. (2) Methods: A total of 93 first-year nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected throughout the course by administering self-reported questionnaires about eating habits and lifestyles, weight, and height to calculate their BMI and place of residence throughout the course. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney, chi-square, Student’s t-test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and least significant difference tests). (3) Results: We found that the mean BMI increases significantly throughout the course among all students regardless of sex, age, eating habits, or where they live during the course. At the beginning of the course, the mean BMI was 22.10 ± 3.64. The mean difference between the beginning of the course and the middle has a value of p-value < 0.015 and between the middle of the course and the end a p-value < 0.009. The group that increased the most is found among students who continue to live in the family nucleus rather than those who live alone or in residence. Students significantly changed their eating and health habits, especially those who live alone or in residence. (4) Conclusions: There is an increase in BMI among students. It is necessary to carry out seminars or talks that can help students understand the importance of good eating practices and healthy habits to maintain their weight and, therefore, their health, in the short, medium, and long term and acquire a good quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
8 pages, 1184 KiB  
Article
Foodborne Botulism in Western Romania: Ten Years’ Experience at a Tertiary Infectious Disease Hospital
by Iosif Marincu, Felix Bratosin, Iulia Vidican, Bianca Cerbu, Oana Suciu, Mirela Turaiche, Livius Tirnea and Madalina Timircan
Healthcare 2021, 9(9), 1149; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare9091149 - 02 Sep 2021
Viewed by 2979
Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze epidemiological data concerning foodborne botulism in Western Romania over the last decade. Botulism, the toxin formed by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, results in a neuroparalytic disorder capable of severe clinical progression that begins [...] Read more.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze epidemiological data concerning foodborne botulism in Western Romania over the last decade. Botulism, the toxin formed by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, results in a neuroparalytic disorder capable of severe clinical progression that begins in the cranial nerves and progressively descends. Preventing progression to a severe case entails timely diagnosis since curative assets are restricted. Ingesting food containing a preformed toxin (foodborne botulism) is the most typical form. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed from 2010 to 2020 for all food botulism cases. A seroneutralization test was performed with type A, B and E anti-botulinum sera to establish the kind of toxin involved. Results: Overall, 18 cases of foodborne botulism were admitted to the hospital during this period and confirmed by laboratory analysis. Most of the participants in our study were men (61.1%), and 77.8% of the total lived in rural areas. All the participants showed classic symptoms of botulism, and dysphagia was present in all cases. The trivalent ABE antitoxin was administered by the hospital, and toxin type B was isolated in all patients. The main sources of the toxin were pork, ham and canned pork meat. Conclusions: Stronger efforts are needed to foster community awareness of foodborne botulism, particularly in home-preserved food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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11 pages, 393 KiB  
Article
Comparing Reproductive Health Awareness, Nutrition, and Hygiene among Early and Late Adolescents from Marginalized Populations of India: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Survey
by Shantanu Sharma, Faiyaz Akhtar, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sunil Mehra
Healthcare 2021, 9(8), 980; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare9080980 - 02 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2567
Abstract
Adolescence (10–19 years) is marked by many physiological changes and is vulnerable to health and nutritional problems. Adolescence, particularly, early adolescence is inadequately addressed in our national surveys. The present study aimed to assess the reproductive health awareness, nutrition, and hygiene of marginalized [...] Read more.
Adolescence (10–19 years) is marked by many physiological changes and is vulnerable to health and nutritional problems. Adolescence, particularly, early adolescence is inadequately addressed in our national surveys. The present study aimed to assess the reproductive health awareness, nutrition, and hygiene of marginalized adolescent girls and boys and compare them among early and late adolescents. Our cross-sectional study was a part of a community-based project across India’s five zones, namely North, East, West, Central, and South. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression was performed to compare awareness about HIV/AIDS, or Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), consumption of Iron Folic Acid (IFA) tablets and three meals in a day, safe menstrual hygiene practices, history of anemia, and open defecation practice among early and late adolescents. Data were reported as unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Among early adolescents, around 58% of girls and boys did not consume IFA tablets, and 28% of girls and 24% of boys defecated in the open. Compared to late adolescents, early adolescent girls had lower odds of awareness about HIV/AIDS (aOR (95% CI): 0.50 (0.47–0.54)) and open defecation (aOR (95% CI): 0.90 (0.83–0.98)) and higher odds of hand hygiene after defecation (aOR (95% CI): 1.52 (1.37–1.68)) and safe menstrual practices (aOR (95% CI): 1.42 (1.23–1.64)). There is a dire need to start public health interventions from early adolescence for long-term benefits throughout adolescence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)

Review

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21 pages, 811 KiB  
Review
Dietary Antioxidants and Lung Cancer Risk in Smokers and Non-Smokers
by Naser A. Alsharairi
Healthcare 2022, 10(12), 2501; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10122501 - 10 Dec 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3058
Abstract
Smoking is considered a major risk factor in the development of lung diseases worldwide. Active smoking and secondhand (passive) smoke (SHS) are related to lung cancer (LC) risk. Oxidative stress (OS) and/or lipid peroxidation (LP) induced by cigarette smoke (CS) are found to [...] Read more.
Smoking is considered a major risk factor in the development of lung diseases worldwide. Active smoking and secondhand (passive) smoke (SHS) are related to lung cancer (LC) risk. Oxidative stress (OS) and/or lipid peroxidation (LP) induced by cigarette smoke (CS) are found to be involved in the pathogenesis of LC. Meta-analyses and other case-control/prospective cohort studies are inconclusive and have yielded inconsistent results concerning the protective role of dietary vitamins C and E, retinol, and iron intake against LC risk in smokers and/or non-smokers. Furthermore, the role of vitamins and minerals as antioxidants with the potential in protecting LC cells against CS-induced OS in smokers and non-smokers has not been fully elucidated. Thus, this review aims to summarize the available evidence reporting the relationships between dietary antioxidant intake and LC risk in smokers and non-smokers that may be used to provide suggestions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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11 pages, 503 KiB  
Review
Hypovitaminosis D and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women
by Haya Abuhijleh, Dana Alkhatib and Vijay Ganji
Healthcare 2022, 10(10), 2026; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10102026 - 14 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1230
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a precursor for several cardiometabolic diseases. The prevalence of MetSyn is higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. The role of vitamin D in postmenopausal women is not clearly understood. Hypovitaminosis D is more prevalent in postmenopausal women [...] Read more.
Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) is a precursor for several cardiometabolic diseases. The prevalence of MetSyn is higher in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. The role of vitamin D in postmenopausal women is not clearly understood. Hypovitaminosis D is more prevalent in postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal women. For this review, Pubmed, Cochrane, SCOPUS, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to August 2022. Findings from one randomized controlled trial (RCT) and ten cross-sectional studies were included in this review. Several cross-sectional studies (8 out of 10 reviewed) unequivocally demonstrated an inverse association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and MetSyn. However, RCTs are severely lacking in the effect of vitamin D intake on the biomarkers of MetSyn and the prevalence of MetSyn. Therefore, caution should be used in recommending mega doses of vitamin D supplements for postmenopausal women because of the potential adverse effects associated with this vitamer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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10 pages, 715 KiB  
Review
Organic Food Consumption and Risk of Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula, Kota Vidyasagar and Jagdish Khubchandani
Healthcare 2022, 10(2), 231; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/healthcare10020231 - 26 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3565
Abstract
Recent epidemiological studies have explored the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity, but the results remain controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity. Rigorous methods [...] Read more.
Recent epidemiological studies have explored the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity, but the results remain controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the association between organic food consumption and the risk of obesity. Rigorous methods for a comprehensive search were employed to search for literature in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Embase for relevant articles published until 30 November 2021. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (Cis) were calculated using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model to understand the risk of obesity based on exposure to organic food. Four studies, comprising 104,488 healthy subjects and 39,425 adults who consumed organic food, reported 1625 incident cases of obesity. Compared with the unexposed group, organic food consumption was associated with a lower probability of obesity (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.80–0.97, p < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that this association was higher in the cohort (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.92) than cross-sectional studies (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91–1.00), respectively. Overall, organic food consumption had a modest reduction (11%) in the risk of obesity and can be an appropriate strategy to prevent obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrition and Public Health 2.0)
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