Factors associated with adoption of indigenous biscuit processing technology by mothers of school-going children in Ogun State, Nigeria

Wheat is the conventional flour in biscuit manufacture. However, the use of wheat is not economical due to the fact that huge foreign reserve is used in its importation in Nigeria. In addition, wheat-based foods are associated with celiac disease, hence the use of non-wheat crops like tubers and legumes in biscuit processing is desirable. A previous study had developed a nutritionally improved biscuit from underutilized crops, such as sweet potato, cooking banana and pigeon pea. The present study examined factors associated with adoption of the indigenous biscuit processing technology using non-wheat flours by mothers of school going children in Ogun State, Nigeria. Amultistage sampling procedure was utilized to select 120 respondents from the list of 1,123 registered farmers in 10 extension blocks in Ogun State. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the socioeconomic characteristics of respondents. Respondents were taught the various stages of biscuit processing through demonstration. Knowledge about the various stages of biscuit processing was measured on a 5-point Likert Scale. The five points used were: extremely understood, moderately understood, somewhat understood, slightly understood and not understood. Level of adoption indicates the psychological stages that an individual passes through before making a final decision to use a particular innovation. Adoption Level was thus measured on Knowledge, Persuasions, Decision, Confirmation and Continuation decision. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance, Chi square, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Results revealed the mean age of respondents to be 40.35 } 10.33 years. Most respondents were traders, and the highest educational qualification was National Diploma (2.5%). The main sources of agricultural information were radio (64.2%) and extension agents (60%). There were high adoption rates in baking/production (87.7%) and flour blending (85.5%). Reasons for technology adoption were affordability (80.8%), availability of ingredients (81.7%) and relative advantage (80.8%). Adoption of technology was associated with age (r = 0.284, p < 0.05), quality of technology delivery (r = 0.267, p < 0.05), marital status (χ2 = 1.081, p < 0.05) and membership of association (χ2 = 12.055, p < 0.05). In conclusion, effective adoption of technology could be achieved among young married mothers

A new track for technology: Can ICT take care for healthier lifestyles?

The paper takes a look on potential contribution of Information and Communication Technologies to abate public health challenges caused by demographics and lifestyle. From the current convergence of mhealth, and sport market products emerge targeting normal athletes to control their training in a quantified manner. The resulting feedback and transparency foster a healthier lifestyle. These products and services help overcome limitations to innovation typical to the health care market. The paper is based on research by the European Commission's Institute for Prospective Technological Studies on Integrated Personal Health/Care services. --eHealth,Integrated Personal Health/Care services,sport,training,lifestyle related disease,innovation

Encouraging healthy eating behaviours through healthy eating environments. Case of Durham University

The aim of the study was to perform a formative research by exploring, describing and evaluating at the same time on various factors that influence eating behaviours on campus. The study looks at the situation of Durham University’s college catering system and students’ eating practices, needs, barriers to eat healthy, and explores how the upstream social marketing approach could be advantageous in creating healthy eating environments. The report notes inconsistencies in strategy implementation within Durham University’s catering initiative to provide students with nutritionally balanced meals and nutritional information, ultimately trying to promote healthy intakes. Great number of students suggested that meal offering was a barrier to making healthy choice. Most students were not generally aware of their personal nutritional requirements, indicating a knowledge gap, even for those who considered healthy eating important. Findings, confirmed through the research, indicate that a considerable element in the creation of healthy eating environments at Durham University’s colleges lies within the provision of nutritionally balanced meals and the adoption of more effective means of communicating nutritional information to students and encouraging them to make healthy choices

An Evaluation of Tax Structure and Practices of on Board Sales in Brazil

This study compared the tax costs between on-board sales and airport cafeterias of a mix of twenty-five products composed of beverages, fresh food and snacks in the amount that would be boarded on domestic flights between São Paulo, SP, Rio de Janeiro, RJ and Brasília, DF. The study showed that airlines are paying three times more in taxes than the airport cafeterias. The study suggested that states stop charging taxes for the transfer of unsold products on board, reducing 67% of the fees paid by airlines that practice buy on board (BoB) and guarantee a revenue gain between USD $800,000 and USD$ 1,000,000 per year. This revenue gain could reach USD $ 2,000,000 with the use of improved sales techniques. This improvement not only extinguishes loss of revenue for airlines, but it also may increase onboard sales related revenues. BoB operations in Brazil are associated with complex and bureaucratic tax regulations, at the federal and state levels, causing airlines and the government a loss of revenue. Additionally, the airlines’ customers are also hampered by a limited and expensive offer of services and products. This study, in partnership with the Brazilian Airlines Association (ABEAR), recommends modifications and/or changes to the Brazilian taxation laws that could make BoB a greater revenue generator, such as the recovery of ICMS and the application of sale techniques to increase sales

The effectiveness of digital health interventions for weight loss in postpartum women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed (1) to determine the effectiveness of digital health intervention (DHI) components on weight loss in postpartum women, (2) to determine the effect of DHIs on body mass index and (3) to determine the attrition rates within DHIs. Methods: Electronic searches were conducted on PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from inception to 22nd April 2020. Studies included were; (1) randomized controlled trials (RCT), quasi-experimental trials, and controlled before-after studies (2) of weight loss interventions delivered by either website, Internet, email, computer, Apps, SMS, phone call, or video player (3) for postpartum women. Interventions involving medicines or surgeries for weight loss were excluded. Primary outcome was weight mean difference (MD), while secondary outcomes were BMI MD and attrition rates. Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing the risk of bias and the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies were used to judge the quality of the primary outcome. Narrative summary tables were generated for descriptive analysis. Random-effects model analysis was conducted to generate weight and BMI mean differences and 95% CIs. Results: Twenty studies (19 RCTs and 1 Non-RCT) were included. A total of 3228 women were included for analysis of body weight change, while 458 women were included for BMI change. DHIs significantly reduced body weight (mean difference, -1.41 Kg; 95% CI: -2.04 to -0.77 Kg) and BMI (-0.94 Kg/m2; 95% CI: -1.37 to -0.52 Kg/m2 ). All classifications of DHIs were effective, but the biggest weight loss was with on-demand information services (-2.4 Kg, 95% CI: -3.4 to -1.41 Kg). Mixed-site interventions had more weight loss (-1.62 Kg; 95% CI: -2.99 to -0.25 Kg) compared to home-based interventions (-1.35 Kg; 95% CI: -2.13 to -0.57 Kg). Mixed-target interventions had more weight loss (-1.67 Kg; 95% CI: -2.89 to -0.46 Kg) compared to individual-only targeted interventions (-1.30 Kg; 95% CI: -2.11 to -0.49 Kg). Attrition within intervention groups ranged from 0% to 85%. Ten studies (out of 20) were judged to be at high risk of bias with 1 having “some concerns” mostly due to missing outcome data and attrition. Conclusion: Digital health interventions lead to weight loss in postpartum women irrespective of type or mode of delivery and are a good recommendation as a scalable weight loss v promotion option. The most effective interventions had components catering to continuous support, group interaction and convenience