Effect of regulated deficit irrigation on commercial quality parameters, carotenoids, phenolics and sugars of the black cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) ʽSunchocolaʼ

In this preliminary study, the effect of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the commercial quality (size, weight, soluble solids, firmness and colour), content of carotenoids, phenolics and sugars of black tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) ʽSunchocolaʼ was studied. Two water irrigation treatments were applied: regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) and control with 82,7 and 398 mm of water supplied, respectively. Tomato of the first cluster harvested at three stages of maturity were studied. The size and weight of the tomato did not present significant differences regarding the RDI and maturity. In both groups the concentration of carotenoids and phenolics increased with the degree of maturity (on average 57 % and 8 % respectively). On the other hand, in most cases, the content of carotenoids, phenolics and sugars showed significant differences between irrigation treatments (p < 0.1). In conclusion, with the application of the RDI, it was possible to maintain the size and weight and increase the carotenoid levels of the fruits.Secretaría Nacional de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovacion (SENESCYT)Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012-37610Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2015-71703- RED

Antioxidants (carotenoids and phenolics) profile of cherry tomatoes as influenced by deficit irrigation, ripening and cluster

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the effect of regulated deficit irrigation, cluster, developmental stages and two seasons (autumn 2015 and spring 2016) on the commercial and functional quality (carotenoids and plenolics levels) in ‘Lazarino’ and 'summerbrix’ tomatoes. Autumn had a positive effect on the commercial quality, with larger fruits (22% in 'summerbrix’; 26% in ‘Lazarino’) and higher soluble solids (16% in 'summerbrix’; 12% in ‘Lazarino’). Total carotenoids did not change significantly with irrigation and variety while total phenolics did with the cluster and season. In most cases, the main amounts of carotenoids and phenolic were found in the higher cluster and carotenoids in ripe fruit. Thus, irrigation of such varieties could be reduced drastically (ca. 80%) without affecting considerably the overall quality of their fruits (changes not greater than 30%).Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012-37610, BIO2015-71703-RED

Encouraging greater empowerment for adolescents in consent procedures in social science research and policy projects

The CO-CREATE project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 774210.The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes the importance of allowing children and adolescents to influence decisions that are important to them following their age and maturity. This paper explores the principles, practices, and implications around using parental versus child/adolescent consent when participating in social science research and policy development. Experiences from two studies are presented: The Confronting Obesity: Co-creating policy with youth (CO-CREATE) and the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Cross-National study. Although parental consent may be an important gatekeeper for protecting children and adolescents from potentially harmful research participation, it may also be considered an obstacle to the empowerment of children and adolescents in case they want to share their views and experiences directly. This paper argues that evaluation of possible harm should be left to ethics committees and that, if no harm related to the research participation processes is identified and the project has a clear perspective on collaborating with the target group, adolescents from the age of 12 years should be granted the legal capacity to give consent to participate in the research project. Collaboration with adolescents in the development of the research project is encouraged.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Varför har den psykiska ohälsan ökat bland barn och unga i Sverige under perioden 1985–2014?

SammanfattningDenna artikel redovisar huvudresultaten från Folkhälsomyndighetens undersökning av faktorer som skulle kunna förklara den ökade förekomsten av psykosomatiska symtom bland barn och unga i Sverige. Rapporten bygger på analyser av svenska data från studien Skolbarns hälsovanor (1985/86−2013/14), trenddata från olika källor och vetenskaplig litteratur.Sammanfattningsvis tycks brister i skolans funktion, indikerat av de sjunkande skolprestationerna och den utbredda skolstressen, tillsammans med förändringar på arbetsmarknaden troligen ha bidragit till utvecklingen av psykosomatiska symtom bland unga. Däremot tycks inte faktorer inom familjen eller ekonomisk utsatthet i absoluta termer hos barnfamiljer, ha påverkat utvecklingen av psykosomatiska symtom bland barn och unga.På grund av ämnenas komplexitet och begränsat vetenskapligt underlag är det osäkert i vilken utsträckning faktorer som ökad individualisering, ökad öppenhet kring psykisk ohälsa, lägre krav på barnen, medikalisering av barndomen och digital medieanvändning har påverkat utvecklingen.AbstractThis article presents the main findings from the Swedish Public Health Agency's study of factors that could explain the increase of psychosomatic symptoms among children and young people in Sweden. The report is based on analyses of Swedish data from the international study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children, HBSC (1985/86−2013/14), trend data from various sources and scientific literature.In summary, deteriorated school functioning indicated by declining school performance and widespread school stress, together with the changes in the labour market, have probably contributed to the development of psychosomatic symptoms among young people. Factors within the family do not appear to have influenced the development of psychosomatic symptoms among children and adolescents, neither financial vulnerability in absolute terms among families.Due to the complexity of the subjects and limited scientific evidence, it is uncertain to what extent factors such as increased individualization, increased openness about mental ill health, lower demands on children, medicalisation of childhood and digital media use have affected the development.Key words:Psychosomatic symptoms, psychosomatic problems, mental ill health, children, adolescents, Sweden, school, labour marke

Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health in the Nordic countries in the 2000s - A study using cross-sectional data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study

Abstract Background Adolescents in Sweden experience more mental health problems and lower mental well-being than adolescents in other Nordic countries. According to the literature, one possible explanation may be differences in income inequality. The at-risk-of-poverty rate varies significantly across the Nordic countries, and the highest rate is found in Sweden. The aims of the study were to examine socioeconomic inequalities in subjective health complaints and life satisfaction among adolescents in the Nordic countries during 2002 − 2018 and to explore whether subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were related to income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate at the country level. Methods Data regarding 15-year-olds from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study from five survey rounds (2002 − 2018) were used (n = 41,148). The HBSC Symptoms Checklist and Cantril’s ladder were used as measures of subjective health complaints and life satisfaction, respectively. The Family Affluence Scale, the Perceived Family Wealth item and the at-risk-of-poverty rate in each country were used as measures of individual-level socioeconomic conditions and country-level income inequality. Statistical methods involved ANOVA, multiple linear regressions and multilevel regression analyses. Results Absolute and relative socioeconomic inequalities in both subjective health complaints and life satisfaction were found in all countries. Sweden showed average socioeconomic inequalities, Iceland the largest and Denmark the smallest. Country-level income inequality in terms of the at-risk-of-poverty rate was associated with a higher prevalence of subjective health complaints and lower levels of life satisfaction in all countries. Conclusion Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent mental health and well-being persisted in Nordic countries in the 2000s. Increasing income inequality may have contributed to higher levels of SHC and lower LS in Sweden compared to the other Nordic countries. Policies improving families’ socioeconomic conditions and reducing income inequality at the country level are needed to improve and reduce inequalities in mental health and well-being among adolescents

The clustering of multiple health and lifestyle behaviors among Swedish adolescents: a person-oriented analysis

BackgroundKnowledge of the distribution, prevalence, and clustering of multiple health and lifestyle related behaviors (HLBs) among adolescents can inform the development of effective health-promoting policies and interventions. We assessed the clustering of multiple HLBs among 11, 13 and 15-year-old Swedish adolescents and examined the socioeconomic and demographic correlates for the identified clusters.MethodsWe used data from the 2017/2018 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged children (HBSC) study to conduct sex and age-stratified latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA was based on five HLBs: eating behavior and habits (EBH), physical activity (PA), tobacco usage (TU), alcohol consumption (AC) and sleeping habits and patterns (SHPs). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the identified clusters and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of adolescents and their parents.ResultsHealth behaviors varied by sex and age. Four distinct clusters were identified based on sex: cluster 1 (Mixed eating behaviors and habits, physical activity and low alcohol consumption), cluster 2 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 3 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), and cluster 4 (Breakfast, low alcohol consumption and tobacco usage). In the age-stratified analyzes, three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 2 (Moderately healthy lifestyle behaviors) and cluster 3 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors). The multinomial analysis showed that sex, age, family situation and perceived family wealth were strong predictors of health behaviors. Unhealthy behaviors were most commonly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, having a migrant background, and living in reconstructed families or single-parent households.ConclusionHealth behaviors vary significantly based on socioeconomic and demographic circumstances. Targeted policies and intervention programs are necessary to improve HLBs among vulnerable and at-risk adolescents

Video_1_The clustering of multiple health and lifestyle behaviors among Swedish adolescents: a person-oriented analysis.MP4

BackgroundKnowledge of the distribution, prevalence, and clustering of multiple health and lifestyle related behaviors (HLBs) among adolescents can inform the development of effective health-promoting policies and interventions. We assessed the clustering of multiple HLBs among 11, 13 and 15-year-old Swedish adolescents and examined the socioeconomic and demographic correlates for the identified clusters.MethodsWe used data from the 2017/2018 Swedish Health Behaviour in School-aged children (HBSC) study to conduct sex and age-stratified latent class analysis (LCA). The LCA was based on five HLBs: eating behavior and habits (EBH), physical activity (PA), tobacco usage (TU), alcohol consumption (AC) and sleeping habits and patterns (SHPs). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between the identified clusters and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of adolescents and their parents.ResultsHealth behaviors varied by sex and age. Four distinct clusters were identified based on sex: cluster 1 (Mixed eating behaviors and habits, physical activity and low alcohol consumption), cluster 2 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 3 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), and cluster 4 (Breakfast, low alcohol consumption and tobacco usage). In the age-stratified analyzes, three clusters were identified: cluster 1 (Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors), cluster 2 (Moderately healthy lifestyle behaviors) and cluster 3 (Healthy lifestyle behaviors). The multinomial analysis showed that sex, age, family situation and perceived family wealth were strong predictors of health behaviors. Unhealthy behaviors were most commonly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, having a migrant background, and living in reconstructed families or single-parent households.ConclusionHealth behaviors vary significantly based on socioeconomic and demographic circumstances. Targeted policies and intervention programs are necessary to improve HLBs among vulnerable and at-risk adolescents.</p

Associations between dietary behaviours and the mental and physical well-being of Swedish adolescents.

AimsThis study aims to investigate the association between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being among Swedish adolescents.MethodsData from the 2017/2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey of 3692 adolescents aged ≈11, ≈13, and ≈15 years was analysed. We evaluated the prevalence and association of dietary behaviours, characterised by daily intake of fruits and vegetables, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and sweets once per week, and daily consumption of family meals and breakfast, with socioeconomic and demographic factors. Multivariate logistic regression models (adjusted and unadjusted) were then used to examine the relationship between dietary behaviours, overweight/obesity, and mental health and well-being including psychosomatic complaints, life satisfaction, and school-related pressure.ResultsBoys were more likely to eat breakfast and have meals together with their family than girls, but their fruit and vegetable intake was lower compared to girls. Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status (low family affluence, families perceived 'not well-off' and two unemployed parents), single-parent households and twoforeign born parents were more likely to engage in poorer dietary behaviours. Daily breakfast, family meals, fruit and vegetable intake were positively associated with mental health and well-being. Specifically, daily family meals were linked to higher life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic complaints, and reduced school-related pressure. Breakfast emerged as a beneficial dietary habit, associated with higher life satisfaction, and a lower likelihood of psychosomatic complaints, school-related pressure, and overweight/obesity. Fruit and vegetable consumption was consistently associated with better mental health and well-being while associations between SSBs and sweets were mixed.ConclusionsImproving mental health and well-being, along with tackling the rising rates of mental illness and challenges related to overweight/obesity in adolescents constitute key public health priorities. Implementing policies that promote the intake of fruits and vegetables, reducing the consumption of SSBs and sweets, and emphasizing the value of having breakfast and sharing family meals could offer a cost-effective public health intervention