How to increase organic food consumption in schools?

Eating habits are established at an early stage of life. So, children and youth should be a special target group for promoting sustainable consumption and healthy nutrition. One example is school meal systems which can be utilized to promote better eating habits for a lifetime. The paper presents results from the iPOPY project (2007-2010)

Factors influencing Healthy Eating Habits among Low-Income African Americans in Tennessee

Introduction: Poor nutrition and diet are significant contributors to the development of chronic illnesses such as cancer and diabetes, particularly among individuals of lower socioeconomic status (SES).This study examined demographic and lifestyle factors that influenced decisions to engage in healthy eating behaviors among low-income African Americans in three urban Tennessee cities. Methods: As part of the Meharry Community Networks Program (CNP) needs assessment, a 123-item community survey was administered to assess demographic characteristics and eating behaviors among low-income African Americans. The total sample size was 1116. The primary outcome of interest was the healthy eating habits score which was calculated from a 13-item questionnaire that was part of the community survey. Results: Several statistically significant differences were observed between the mean healthy eating habits scores by sociodemographic variables such as marital status, age, education, and geographic location (P \u3c 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed by strategies used for maintaining weight including reducing fat and carbohydrate intake and exercising (P \u3c 0.05). There were also significant differences observed by obstacles to eating low fat foods including family habits and food preparation time (P \u3c 0.05). Discussion: Educational interventions aimed at weight-loss and improving healthy eating should incorporate information about obstacles and predictors to healthy eating

Personality Types and Self-Reported Eating Habits

People with different personality types lead very different lifestyles; these personality types also affect the eating habits of an individual. Poor eating habits can lead to a myriad of health problems, including obesity and diabetes, while healthy eating habits can promote longevity. An associated problem is inaccurate reporting of eating habits by research participants and medical patients. While many studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between eating disorders and personality types, very few, if any, have examined the effects of personality types on actual eating habits as well as perceived eating habits. The proposed study will test for associations between personality traits and eating habits and inaccuracy in self-reported eating habits. Using the five factor personality model, participants will be given a questionnaire to assess the personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Participants will then be given two more questionnaires to determine their actual eating habits and their perceived eating habits. The actual eating habits will be determined using the Self Reported Habit Index, a rigorous eating habit assessment that that can accurately determine the habits of an individual. Participants’ perceived eating habits will be assessed using a questionnaire designed specifically for this study that will assess their general view of the healthiness of their own eating habits. Participants will be gathered via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Through analysis of this data, conclusions will be drawn about the susceptibility of various personality traits to detrimental eating habits. Additionally, the discord between perceived and actual eating habits will be determined to provide insight into the attitudes of individuals regarding their own eating habits. This information will equip medical professionals and dieticians with knowledge about how to best accommodate patients with poor eating habits and provide them with top-notch treatment.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/stander_posters/2232/thumbnail.jp

Personality Types and Self-Reported Eating Habits

People with different personality types lead very different lifestyles; these personality types also affect the eating habits of an individual. Poor eating habits can lead to a myriad of health problems, including obesity and diabetes, while healthy eating habits can promote longevity. An associated problem is inaccurate reporting of eating habits by research participants and medical patients. While many studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between eating disorders and personality types, very few, if any, have examined the effects of personality types on actual eating habits as well as perceived eating habits. The proposed study will test for associations between personality traits and eating habits and inaccuracy in self-reported eating habits. Using the five factor personality model, participants will be given a questionnaire to assess the personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Participants will then be given two more questionnaires to determine their actual eating habits and their perceived eating habits. The actual eating habits will be determined using the Self Reported Habit Index, a rigorous eating habit assessment that that can accurately determine the habits of an individual. Participants’ perceived eating habits will be assessed using a questionnaire designed specifically for this study that will assess their general view of the healthiness of their own eating habits. Participants will be gathered via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Through analysis of this data, conclusions will be drawn about the susceptibility of various personality traits to detrimental eating habits. Additionally, the discord between perceived and actual eating habits will be determined to provide insight into the attitudes of individuals regarding their own eating habits. This information will equip medical professionals and dieticians with knowledge about how to best accommodate patients with poor eating habits and provide them with top-notch treatment

Facebook: The Newest Weight Loss Supplement?

This study sought to find a correlation between Facebook usage and exercise and diet habits among college-age females. A review of literature has shown the prevalence of eating disorders on college campuses and the pressures directly associated with these statistics. Eighty surveys were collected in order to measure both qualitative and quantitative data concerning the participants Facebook, eating, and dieting habits. Results revealed a strong drive among these females to stay thin through the use of diet and exercise habits, along with a correlation between viewing Facebook photos and the urge to workout. Further research on this subject should focus on the potential danger caused by extreme Facebook usage

Intergenerational Transmission of Healthy Eating Behaviour and the Role of Household Income

This paper investigates the possibility of intergenerational transmission of unhealthy eating habits from parents to adult children. It uses the 2003 Scottish Health Survey and estimates the association between the present healthy eating behaviour of adult children and the past parental death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). It uses parental CVD death as an adverse health signal which may cause a healthy eating compensatory response in adult children. This response is due to increased chances and perception of genetic predisposition of adult children as well as an indicator for parental past unhealthy eating habits which may have been passed onto the adult children. Regression analysis suggests that paternal history has no impact on either sons or daughters, and maternal history influences negatively the eating behaviour of daughters only. Unhealthy eating intergenerational transmission appears to be more intense amongst lower household income individuals.intergenerational transmission, healthy eating, household income, cardiovascular disease, public health, gender

Correlation between Health Perception, Body Image, and Eating Habits in High School Students

Background: Mental disorders, including eating disorders, mostly begin during youth. Moreover, negative body image is found to cause unhealthy eating habits in the context of several cross-cultural settings. This study aimed to examine the correlation between health perception and body image with eating habitsamong high school students.Methods: A structured, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to students of a private high school in Bandung, Indonesia in June-October 2014. The questionnaire included questions about health perception, body image, eating habits, body weight and height, and also other demographic parameters. The school was selected as the study object through purposive sampling, and 140 high school students (72 male and 68 female) were ramdomly selected.Results: Male and female did not show considerable differences in health perceptions. Out of 13 statements, 12 statements of male respondents showed better body image than female. While in eating habits statements, female respondents seemed to maintain healthier eating habits than male respondents. No significant correlation was observed between body image and eating habits (r=-0.015, p=0.858). There was significant correlation between health perception and eating habits (r=0.374, p<0.001). Correlation between sex andeating habits was found (p=0.020), there was not significant relationship between eating habits and Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.368).Conclusions: The negative relationship between body image and eating habits is not significant. However there was a significant positive relationship between health perception and eating habits. Furthermore, there was correlation between sex and eating habits, while the positive relationship between eating habits and BMI was still not found. [AMJ.2016;3(2):216–21]DOI: 10.15850/amj.v3n2.77

Total Working Period and Other Risk Factors Related to Eating Protein Foods Habits Among Civil Pilots in Indonesia

Background: Excessive protein eating habits may cause kidney and liver disease and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease leading to incapacitation of the pilot. The purpose of this study was to identify sociodemographic and other factors on protein eating habits among civilian pilots in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study using secondary data from the survey of eating, drinking and physical exercise habits among civilian pilots in Indonesia 2016. Data collected were demographic characteristics, physical exercise habits, smoking habits, knowledge, body mass index and flight characteristics. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the dominant factors associated with protein eating habits. Results: Among 528 pilots aged 19-64 years, 194 (36.74%) pilots had excessive protein eating habits . Long working period and body mass index were the dominant risk factors associated with protein eating habit in pilots. Compared to pilots with 1-9 years working period, pilots with 10-40 years working period had 35% lower risk of excessive protein eating habits (RRA = 0.65; 95% CI 0:49 - 0.87). Compared to pilots with normal body mass index, overweight pilots had 34% lower risk of excessive protein eating habits (RRA = 0.66; 95% CI 0:47 - 0.93). Conclusion: Long working period and overweight were protective factors from the risk of excessive protein eating habit

Food and eating practices during the transition from school to new social contexts

This paper examines how the new social contexts experienced by young people after leaving school are related to everyday food practices and eating habits. Findings from indepth interviews with 31 young people aged 16 - 24 years studying at a college of further education in South East England are used to explore the role of new social spaces and places and their impact on young people’s eating habits and routines. Young people’s changing peer groups were related to the re-negotiation of food and eating practices and young people often adopted particular habits when with particular groups of peers. The consumption of alcohol, and feelings about appetite, weight and appearance, were sources of anxiety for some young people, who often felt alone and different to their peers. Young people often voiced a desire to differentiate from the food ethos present in their family home and this was sometimes related to the adoption of a vegetarian diet; some young people, however, reported being nostalgic for the ‘family food’ they ate before making the transition from school. This study shows that food and eating practices are not ordinary, mundane events in young people’s lives, but an important part of dealing with the transition to new social contexts.Peer reviewe

Health behaviour and eating habits among foreign students at the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança

Several studies have addressed to assess the eating habits of university students, but only few studies are about the eating habits of foreign students. Previous studies found that the eating habits are changing in a negative way because of the limited availability and poor quality of familiar foods. The objective of this study was to determine the eating habits of the students before their arrival to Portugal. This is the first part of a longitudinal study, our final aim is to establish the changes on the eating habits and health behavior of students from abroad during their scholarship