Persuasion factors influencing the decision to use sustainable household water treatment

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is a sustainable water treatment method. With the help of the sun and plastic bottles, water is treated and illnesses prevented. This paper aims to identify the factors influencing SODIS uptake, that is, why someone may become a SODIS user. This uptake decision can be influenced by persuasion. From behaviour theory, variables are recognised which have been proven to influence intention and behaviour and simultaneously can be influenced by persuasion. A total of (n = 878) structured interviews were conducted in a field study in Zimbabwe. Linear and binary logistic regressions showed that several of the initially proposed persuasion variables have significant influence. Persuasion factors have a stronger influence on the uptake of SODIS use and on intention to use SODIS in the future than on the amount of SODIS water consumed. Ideas are presented for using the effective variables in future SODIS campaigns and campaigns in other fields.     

What factors are associated with a woman's decision to take hormone replacement therapy? Evaluated in the context of a decision aid

Objectives To understand the factors associated with a post‐menopausal woman deciding to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after reviewing a decision aid (DA) and having a counselling visit with her physician as well as the factors associated with the act of taking HRT 2 months after the counselling interview. Design A secondary analysis of data collected for a randomized controlled trial evaluating two DAs. Main outcome results Although 28% of women were uncertain regarding their decision after the counselling interview, only 2.4% of women, at the assessment at 2 months, had not made a decision. The most significant factor associated with the decision to take HRT, after the physician visit, was the physician preference (OR: 62, 95% CI: 13.3, 289.7). Physician preference (OR: 78, 95% CI: 6.2, 975) remained the most significant factor for taking HRT 2 months after the counselling interview followed by low uncertainty about the decision (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2, 0.7). Conclusion Physician preference was the factor that was most associated with the woman's decision following counselling and 2 months later. Qualitative evaluation of the interview process involving the patient and physician would determine whether the patient and physician are reaching a shared decision or is the physician preference influencing the patient.     

Characterization of proteomic and metabolomic responses to dietary factors and supplements

Over the past decade there has been a renewed interest in research and development of both dietary and nutritional supplements. Significant advancements have been made in the scientific assessment of the quality, safety, and efficacy of these products because of the strong interest in and financial support of these projects. As research in both fields continues to advance, opportunities to use new and innovative research technologies and methodologies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, are critical for the future progress of the science. The purpose of the symposium was to begin the process of communicating new innovative proteomic and metabolomic methodologies that may be applied by researchers in both the nutrition and the natural product communities. This symposium highlighted 2 proteomic approaches, protein fingerprinting in complex mixtures with peptoid microarrays and top-down mass spectrometry for annotation of gene products. Likewise, an overview of the methodologies used in metabolomic profiling of natural products was presented, and an illustration of an integrated metabolomics approach in nutrition research was highlighted.     

Glucose and insulin responses to dietary chromium supplements: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Several authors, mostly on the basis of nonrandomized studies, have suggested dietary trivalent chromium supplementation as an attractive option for the management of type 2 diabetes and for glycemic control in persons at high risk of type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the effect of chromium on glucose and insulin responses in healthy subjects and in individuals with glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: The study design was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). RESULTS: The authors identified 20 reports of RCTs assessing the effect of chromium on glucose, insulin, or glycated hemoglobin (Hb A(1c)). This review summarizes data on 618 participants from the 15 trials that reported adequate data: 193 participants had type 2 diabetes and 425 were in good health or had impaired glucose tolerance. The meta-analysis showed no association between chromium and glucose or insulin concentrations among nondiabetic subjects. A study of 155 diabetic subjects in China showed that chromium reduced glucose and insulin concentrations; the combined data from the 38 diabetic subjects in the other studies did not. Three trials reported data on Hb A(1c): one study each of persons with type 2 diabetes, persons with impaired glucose tolerance, and healthy subjects. The study of diabetic subjects in China was the only one to report that chromium significantly reduced Hb A(1c). CONCLUSIONS: Data from RCTs show no effect of chromium on glucose or insulin concentrations in nondiabetic subjects. The data for persons with diabetes are inconclusive. RCTs in well-characterized, at-risk populations are necessary to determine the effects of chromium on glucose, insulin, and Hb A(1c).     

Environmental factors influencing blackfly populations

Much more information is required on the distribution of blackflies in various parts of the world, and in many cases an adequate methodology for obtaining such information still has to be worked out. A detailed methodology for the collection of information about blackflies is given, which was developed for investigations mainly in the Holarctic regions but is basically applicable to other parts of the world. A brief survey of the population dynamics of various species of blackflies in various parts of the Holarctic regions is given, and the main factors influencing the population dynamics are discussed.     

Sensitivity and specificity of self-reported use of dietary supplements

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ)-used in a cohort of 48,000 men to determine dietary supplement use. DESIGN: Questionnaire data regarding use of dietary supplements were compared with 14 24-h recall interviews spread over a year. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: A random sample of 248 middle-aged and elderly Swedish men was included in the analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Use of any supplement in at least one interview was reported by 51% (in three or more interviews by 38%). Sensitivity and specificity of the FFQ regarding any supplement use was 78 and 93%, respectively. Sensitivity for multivitamins, vitamins C and E was 69, 67 and 78%, respectively. The sensitivity increased to 93% and the specificity decreased to 88% when a user was defined as a person reporting use in at least three interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplement use might be measured by a self-administered questionnaire relatively well especially when supplements are used more regularly.     

Computer access to research on dietary supplements: a database of federally funded dietary supplement research

Dietary supplement use is prevalent in the United States, but support for supplement research has been relatively modest and only recently emphasized at the NIH. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 led to the creation of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the NIH to promote research on dietary supplements. In order to track federally funded dietary supplement research, the ODS developed a database known as Computer Access to Research on Dietary Supplements (CARDS). This article provides an overview of the development and potential uses of the CARDS database. In addition, we report that NIH-funded dietary supplement research steadily increased from fiscal year (FY) 1999 through 2002. The majority of NIH institutes or centers (ICs) funded research relevant to dietary supplements during this time, led by the National Cancer Institute and one of the newest NIH ICs, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. CARDS data indicate that NIH-funded dietary supplement research from FY 1999 through 2002 involved primarily vitamins, minerals, botanicals and phytochemicals. Cancer and cardiovascular disease, two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, collectively accounted for almost 45% of the research related to dietary supplements. A variety of types of research studies were funded, with the majority consisting of human intervention studies. This information is useful to evaluate trends in federally funded dietary supplement research, identify research gaps, and help research scientists identify potential sources of NIH funding.     

Prevalent use of dietary supplements among people who exercise at a commercial gym

Supplement use was surveyed in a convenience sample of persons who exercised regularly at a Long Island, NY gym. Participants, age at least 18 y, completed anonymous questionnaires. A majority (84.7 %) took supplements. Many consumed multivitamin/minerals (MVM; 45 %), protein shakes/bars (PRO; 42.3 %), vitamin C (34.7 %), and vitamin E (VE; 23.4 %) at least 5 times per wk. Other dietary supplements were used less frequently or by fewer participants. Ephedra was consumed by 28 % at least once per wk. Choices and reasons for dietary supplement use varied with age of the participant. More of the oldest consumed MVM or VE, while those 45 y or younger chose PRO. Those younger than 30 consumed creatine more frequently. The oldest participants took supplements to prevent future illness, while others took supplements to build muscle. The reason for committing to an exercise program influenced supplement use. Bodybuilders more frequently consumed PRO, creatine, and ephedra compared to those exercising for health reasons.     

An investigation of factors that influence the consumption of dietary supplements

This study finds that consumers take dietary supplements to improve their physical health and gain peace of mind. Several factors influence the consumption of dietary supplements, but the advice of a physician underlies most consumer behavior. Few dietary supplement users over-consume these types of products, but those who do could be partaking in potentially dangerous consumption practices. More importantly, those who consume multivitamins, concentrates, and herbs/flowers/ roots express different consumer behaviors from those who only take multivitamins and concentrates. Conclusions are drawn in light of the media's impact on the behaviors of dietary supplement consumers.     

孕妇营养素补充剂使用及影响因素分析

目的 了解孕妇营养素补充剂使用现状及影响因素,为今后指导孕妇合理选用营养素补充剂提供科学依据.方法 采用问卷调查方式收集473名孕妇基本信息、营养素补充剂使用、对营养素补充剂的认知情况和态度等情况,并进行分析.结果 473名孕妇中,有274人(57.93%)选用营养素补充剂,其中41.67%是接受医生推荐,选用较多的是维生素类,为168人(32.75%),选用维生素矿物质复合型类149人(29.04%),31.75%选择同时服用≥2种补充剂;营养素补充剂认知得分平均为(64.46±23.99)分,不同文化程度、职业孕妇认知得分差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01);86.47%的孕妇不赞成长期服用营养素补充剂.结论 孕妇营养素补充剂的使用具有一定普遍性,医生推荐是孕妇选用营养补充剂的主要原因;孕妇营养素补充剂使用与年龄、职业、文化程度、家庭收入等因素有关.     

Environmental factors influencing older adults' walking for transportation: a study using walk-along interviews

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Current knowledge on the relationship between the physical environment and walking for transportation among older adults ([greater than or equal to] 65 years) is limited. Qualitative research can provide valuable information and inform further research. However, qualitative studies are scarce and fail to include neighborhood outings necessary to study participants' experiences and perceptions while interacting with and interpreting the local social and physical environment. The current study sought to uncover the perceived environmental influences on Flemish older adults' walking for transportation. To get detailed and context-sensitive environmental information, it used walk-along interviews. METHODS: Purposeful convenience sampling was used to recruit 57 older adults residing in urban or semi-urban areas. Walk-along interviews to and from a destination (e.g. a shop) located within a 15 minutes' walk from the participants' home were conducted. Content analysis was performed using NVivo 9 software (QSR International). An inductive approach was used to derive categories and subcategories from the data. RESULTS: Data were categorized in the following categories and subcategories: access to facilities (shops & services, public transit, connectivity), walking facilities (sidewalk quality, crossings, legibility, benches), traffic safety (busy traffic, behavior of other road users), familiarity, safety from crime (physical factors, other persons), social contacts, aesthetics (buildings, natural elements, noise & smell, openness, decay) and weather. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that to promote walking for transportation a neighborhood should provide good access to shops and services, well-maintained walking facilities, aesthetically appealing places, streets with little traffic and places for social interaction. In addition, the neighborhood environment should evoke feelings of familiarity and safety from crime. Future quantitative studies should investigate if (changes in) these environmental factors relate to (changes in) older adults' walking for transportation.     

中国青少年不良饮食行为及影响因素分析

目的 了解我国青少年不良饮食行为情况和影响因素,为采取针对性的营养干预措施提供科学依据。方法 采用中国教育追踪调查2014—2015学年的追踪数据共10 750名八年级学生进行分析。数据分析组间比较选择χ2 检验,不良饮食行为的影响因素分析采用多元logistic回归模型。结果 青少年经常或总是饮用含糖/碳酸饮料的报告率为21.36%,而经常或总是食用油炸/烧烤食品的报告率为14.60%。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,青少年含糖/碳酸饮料消费行为的危险因素包括家庭经济情况（富裕:OR = 1.538,95%CI: 1.258～1.882,P＜0.001）、父亲经常醉酒（OR = 1.530,95%CI: 1.308～1.789,P＜0.001）、母亲的受教育水平（初中或高中:OR = 1.237,95%CI: 1.076～1.422,P＜0.01）、父亲的受教育水平（初中或高中:OR = 1.189,95%CI: 1.011～1.397,P＜0.05）、与朋友外出运动、看电影（一年或半年一次:OR = 1.146,95%CI: 1.016～1.294,P＜0.05; 每月或每周一次:OR = 1.786,95%CI: 1.562～2.043,P＜0.001;每周一次以上:OR = 2.327,95%CI: 1.791～3.024,P＜0.001）;保护因素包括女性（OR = 0.746,95%CI: 0.672～0.829,P＜0.001）、与父母吃晚饭（一年或半年一次:OR = 0.601,95%CI: 0.412～0.878,P＜0.01;每周一次以上:OR = 0.696,95%CI: 0.495～0.979,P＜0.05）、自评整体健康情况（一般:OR = 0.783,95%CI: 0.641～0.956,P＜0.05;比较好/很好:OR = 0.652,95%CI: 0.539～0.790,P＜0.001）。青少年油炸/烧烤食品消费行为的危险因素包括女性（OR = 1.187,95%CI: 1.054～1.335,P＜0.01）、家庭经济情况（富裕:OR = 1.377,95%CI: 1.093～1.735,P＜0.01）、父亲经常醉酒（OR = 1.684,95%CI: 1.417～2.001,P＜0.001）、与朋友外出运动、看电影（每月或每周一次:OR = 1.706, 95%CI: 1.454～2.001, P＜0.001;每周一次以上:OR = 2.783,95%CI: 2.126～3.644,P＜0.001）;保护因素包括与父母吃晚饭（每周一次以上:OR = 0.673,95%CI: 0.461～0.981,P＜0.05）、自评整体健康情况（一般:OR = 0.788,95%CI: 0.634～0.980,P＜0.05,比较好/很好:OR = 0.579,95%CI: 0.469～0.714,P＜0.001）。结论 青少年不良饮食行为不仅受到个体因素影响,还与一系列家庭或社会因素密切相关。家庭、学校以及青少年本人应该多方合作,实施综合干预,提高青少年健康素养并促进其养成健康饮食习惯。     

Dietary intake and use of dietary supplements in relation to demographic variables among pregnant Finnish women

Proper nutrition during pregnancy may be important for maternal health and fetal growth and development. In Finland, targeted recommendations are given to guide pregnant women in their food choice and dietary supplement use so that they may obtain adequate nutritional status and meet the increased need for nutrients. The aims of the present study were to examine food choices, nutrient intake and dietary supplement use of pregnant Finnish women in association with demographic variables. One thousand and seventy-five families were invited to a birth cohort study during 1998-9. Mothers of 797 newborns completed a validated 181-item food-frequency questionnaire from which the food and nutrient intakes were calculated. The information about supplement use was collected concerning the whole pregnancy. The results of the present study suggest that healthy food choices are rather common among pregnant Finnish women and the choices are positively correlated with age and education. Nutrient supplements were used by 85 % of the women. Supplements were favoured by the older and well-educated women and by those who had normal weight before pregnancy. Of the women in the present study, 31 % received vitamin A-containing supplements, although it is not recommended during pregnancy. Taking food and supplementation into account, the intake of vitamin D did not meet the dietary recommendation and folic acid intake was below recommendation in 44 % of the women. Therefore there seemed to be unnecessary nutrient supplementation and at the same time lack of relevant supplementation among these pregnant women.     

Between exposure,access and use: Reconsidering foodscape influences on dietary behaviours

Good accessibility to both healthy and unhealthy food outlets is a greater reality than food deserts. Yet, there is a lack of conceptual insights on the contextual factors that push individuals to opt for healthy or unhealthy food outlets when both options are accessible. Our comprehension of foodscape influences on dietary behaviours would benefit from a better understanding of the decision-making process for food outlet choices. In this paper, we build on the fundamental position that outlet choices are conditioned by how much outlets’ attributes accommodate individuals’ constraints and preferences. We further argue that food outlets continuously experienced within individuals’ daily-path help people re-evaluate food acquisition possibilities, push them to form intentions, and shape their preferences for the choices they will subsequently make. Doing so, we suggest differentiating access, defined as the potential for the foodscape to be used at the time when individuals decide to do so, from exposure, which acts as a constant catalyst for knowledge, intention, preferences and routine tendency. We conclude with implications for future research, and discuss consequences for public policy.     

Socioeconomic,health, and dietary determinants of multivitamin supplements use in Belgium

Objective  

This study aimed at investigating the use of multivitamin supplements in relationship to dietary pattern, socio-economic conditions and some health indicators.     

妊娠期糖尿病与孕期服用营养补充品的关系及影响因素初探

目的了解孕期服用营养补充品对妊娠期糖尿病的影响,为开展妇幼保健工作提供科学依据。方法抽取广州市某妇幼保健院进行常规产后42 d检查的产后妇女作为调查对象,进行面对面现场问卷调查。内容包括：年龄、婚姻状况、疾病史及家族史、孕期服用营养补充品情况等。数据采用X2检验、logistic 回归等方法进行统计分析。结果回收有效问卷2 787份,调查问卷的有效率为83.84％。调查对象平均年龄为（29.41±3.39）岁,文化程度主要为大专及以上（占87.08%）,职业以普通职员（占42.59%）及单位企业管理人员（占29.21%）为主。患有妊娠期糖尿病孕妇有383例（13.74%）。二分类logistic回归分析结果提示孕期补充服用维生素D(OR=0.67)、孕妇奶粉(OR=0.67)对减少发生妊娠期糖尿病具有保护作用。高龄妊娠是妊娠糖尿病的危险因素,25～34、35～44岁的调查对象发生妊娠期糖尿病的可能性分别是19～24岁人群的3.98、9.25倍。结论孕期服用维生素D、孕妇奶粉是妊娠期糖尿病的保护因素,年龄是其危险因素。