The association between relative deprivation and self-rated health,depressive symptoms,and smoking behavior in Taiwan

Relative deprivation has been hypothesized as one explanation for the association between income inequality and health. However, few studies have examined the effect of relative deprivation on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes. Using a cross-sectional data from the National Survey on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Health Promotion in Taiwan, this study examined the relationship between relative deprivation and physical health (self-rated health), psychosocial health (depressive symptoms), and behavioral health (smoking) among working-age Taiwanese men and women. We found that higher relative deprivation (measured by the Yitzhaki Index) is significantly associated with a higher prevalence of poor self-rated health, depressive symptoms, and current smoking in both genders. After controlling for demographic variables and absolute income, the prevalence ratios (PRs) of reporting poor health for each 10,000 NT-dollars higher in the Yitzhaki Index are between 1.25 and 1.57, depending on the reference groups. The PRs were between 1.33 and 1.77 for depressive symptoms, and between 1.04 and 1.46 for smoking. Additionally, the depressive symptoms attenuated the association between relative deprivation and self-rated health. The results were consistent with various definitions of reference groups. In conclusion, this study suggests that the psychosocial process of relative deprivation is a crucial mechanism linking income inequality to health. Narrowing the income gap between rich and poor may protect the physical and mental well-being of the population and reduce the prevalence of smoking.     

“Towards an even healthier mediterranean diet”

Dietary guidelines to promote good health are usually based on foods, nutrients, and dietary patterns predictive of chronic disease risk in epidemiologic studies. However, sound nutritional recommendations for cardiovascular prevention should be based on the results of large randomized clinical trials with “hard” end-points as the main outcome. Such evidence has been obtained for the Mediterranean diet from the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial and the Lyon Heart Study. The traditional Mediterranean diet was that found in olive growing areas of Crete, Greece, and Southern Italy in the late 1950s. Their major characteristics include: a) a high consumption of cereals, legumes, nuts, vegetables, and fruits; b) a relatively high-fat consumption, mostly provided by olive oil; c) moderate to high fish consumption; d) poultry and dairy products consumed in moderate to small amounts; e) low consumption of red meats, and meat products; and f) moderate alcohol intake, usually in the form of red wine. However, these protective effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet may be even greater if we upgrade the health effects of this dietary pattern changing the common olive oil used for extra-virgin olive oil, increasing the consumption of nuts, fatty fish and whole grain cereals, reducing sodium intake, and maintaining a moderate consumption of wine with meals.     

Presence and risks of nanosilica in food products

Abstract

This study uniquely describes all steps of the risk assessment process for the use of one specific nanomaterial (nanosilica) in food products. The aim was to identify gaps in essential knowledge and the difficulties and uncertainties associated with each of these steps. Several food products with added silica (E551) were analyzed for the presence, particle size and concentration of nanosilica particles, using experimental analytical data, and the intake of nanosilica via food was estimated. As no information is available on the absorption of nanosilica from the gastrointestinal tract, two scenarios for risk assessment were considered. The first scenario assumes that the silica is absorbed as dissolved silica, while the second scenario assumes that nanosilica particles themselves are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. For the first scenario no adverse effects are expected to occur. For the second scenario there are too many uncertainties to allow proper risk assessment. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize research on how nanosilica is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.     

Where you live matters: The roles of living arrangement and self-esteem on college students’ hazardous drinking behaviors

This study examined the influence of living arrangements and self-esteem on problematic alcohol use among 139 university students. Our findings replicate the well-established inverse association between self-esteem and problematic alcohol use. However, analyses disaggregated by living arrangement revealed that this association was inconsistent such that the inverse association between self-esteem and both binge drinking and alcohol-related problems was observed among participants living with parents, but not among students living on campus or off campus without parents. The moderating effect of living arrangement highlights the importance of considering living arrangements when examining risk factors for hazardous drinking among college students, as the pathways to problematic alcohol use may differ according to living situations.     

Impact of Type of Intervention on Youth Reoffending: Are Gender and Risk Level Involved?

The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of the type of intervention on youth reoffending. Moreover, the possible influence that the offender's gender and level of risk could have on this relationship was also explored. Juvenile offenders from four different types of educational interventions participated in the study (N = 210): victim–offender mediation (VOM) as a diversion procedure, and case closure, reprimand, and community service as dispositions. Aged between 14-18 years, they were assessed by means of the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI). Recidivism rates were evaluated as the number of new records in a follow-up period of 24 months. Results of this study showed that type of intervention (diversion versus dispositions) had no apparent effect on youth recidivism. Furthermore, an important aspect to consider in youth assessment was the different impact that risk level had on boys’ and girls’ recidivism.     

The effectiveness of a 0.05 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for driving in the United States

The National Transportation Safety Board recently recommended that states establish a per se blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.05 or lower for all drivers who are not already required to adhere to lower BAC limits in a national effort to reduce alcohol‐impaired driving. There is strong evidence for adopting this recommendation. A comprehensive review of the literature on BAC limits was conducted. The research indicates that virtually all drivers are impaired regarding at least some driving performance measures at a 0.05 BAC. The risk of being involved in a crash increases significantly at 0.05 BAC and above. The relative risk of being killed in a single‐vehicle crash with BACs of 0.05–0.079 is 7–21 times higher than for drivers at 0.00 BAC. Lowering the BAC limit from 0.08 to 0.05 has been a proven effective countermeasure in numerous countries around the world. Most Americans do not believe a person should drive after having two or three drinks in 2 hours. It takes at least four drinks for the average 170‐pound male to exceed 0.05 BAC in 2 hours (three drinks for the 137‐pound female). Most industrialized nations have established a 0.05 BAC limit or lower for driving. Progress in reducing the proportion of drivers in fatal crashes with illegal BACs has stalled over the past 15 years. Lowering the BAC limit for driving from the current 0.08 to 0.05 has substantial potential to reduce the number of people who drink and drive in the United States and get involved in fatal crashes.