A Resampling Approach For causal Inference On Novel Two-Point Time-Series With Application To Identify Risk Factors For Type-2 Diabetes And Cardiovascular Disease

Two-point time-series data, characterized by baseline and follow-up observations, are frequently encountered in health research. We study a novel two-point time series structure without a control group, which is driven by an observational routine clinical dataset collected to monitor key risk markers of type-$2$ diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We propose a resampling approach called 'I-Rand' for independently sampling one of the two time points for each individual and making inference on the estimated causal effects based on matching methods. The proposed method is illustrated with data from a service-based dietary intervention to promote a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD), designed to impact risk of T2D and CVD. Baseline data contain a pre-intervention health record of study participants, and health data after LCD intervention are recorded at the follow-up visit, providing a two-point time-series pattern without a parallel control group. Using this approach we find that obesity is a significant risk factor of T2D and CVD, and an LCD approach can significantly mitigate the risks of T2D and CVD. We provide code that implements our method

A scoping review of the evidence available for the use of salons as health promotion environments, for the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases in women from different ethnic backgrounds

IntroductionWomen from different ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Underpinned by the community capital they harness, hairdressers have successfully delivered NCD prevention programmes, particularly for African-American women in disadvantaged areas. Integrating community organisations and networks into existing primary care pathways can provide a sustainable process to address inequalities in access to health care. This scoping review aimed to map the evidence about interventions based in beauty salons, particularly formative research phases, including co-development, community participation, theoretical or conceptual underpinnings, as well as aspects related to training and incentivisation of salon staff, evaluation and equity.MethodsThe methodological framework was based on the seminal guidance of Arksey and O’Malley, using the ‘PCC’ (participants, concept, context) structure with incorporation of other relevant materials. Studies eligible for inclusion were salon-based health interventions (concept) focused on NCDs prevention (context), targeting women (participants) from different ethnic backgrounds and published in English. The searches were conducted across PubMed, Web of Science and OVID in June 2020 and updated in January 2023, with reference lists also screened. The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance RE-AIM framework was used to explore the potential public health impact.Results419 titles and abstracts were screened, with eight (2%) meeting the inclusion criteria, all based in the United States of America. Two used formative phases to inform intervention development, three described evidence of co-development with key stakeholders or experts within the community and five studies referred to theoretical or conceptual frameworks. Incentivisation was provided to salon staff in five of the studies, and to clients in three of the studies. Four of the investigations collated data on socioeconomic characteristics of the target population.DiscussionFormative research in the scoped studies was weakly reported upon. Community participation was implicit in each of the scoped studies, yet its application varied considerably. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks were not consistently used, and there was inadequate process evaluation to ensure equitable reach and retention of targeted groups, suggesting a more concerted effort to address health equity is needed for future interventions

COVID-19’s impact on food environment in the Indian states of Telangana, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Punjab: a descriptive qualitative study to build further research in India’s food environment resilience building

Background and aim Globally, COVID-19 has had a profound impact on food and nutrition security. This paper aims to gather the perspective from Transforming India’s Green Revolution by Research and Empowerment for Sustainable food Supplies (TIGR2ESS) Flagship Project 6 (FP-6) team on the impact of COVID-19 on the food systems in India. The responses collected will be used for further research projects after TIGR2ESS ends in March 2022. Method Members of the TIGR2ESS FP-6 team in India were invited to complete an online open-ended questionnaire with 21 questions exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems and environments in India. The questionnaire and data analysis were guided by the food environment framework developed by Turner et al and the adaptations proposed by the United Nations System Standing Committee on Nutrition. Discussions and organisation of codes under the respective themes and subthemes were held online using the virtual platform Miro. 35 individual codes and 65 subcodes were agreed on. Responses were collated and analysed using the template with support from NVivo software and synthesised the relevant themes under Turner et al’s framework. Results The organisation representatives from TIGR2ESS FP-6 (n=16) captured the perceived impact of the COVID-19 on food systems and the environment from the Indian states of Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal. Negative disruptions were caused by the COVID-19 restrictions across all the themes affecting food actors and consumers. Myths and misconception on dietary intake were reported across the state affecting especially the consumption of poultry. Positive aspects such as home cooking and awareness around healthy food emerged. Conclusion Potential research areas were identified and involve the effects of supply chain resilience building, farmers selling their produce directly to consumer and the revival of local and traditional food’s impact on diets, understanding the harm for consumers by implementing restrictions, how indigenous and local food may impact peoples’ diets, how to build on the encouragement of healthy home cooking during the pandemic, investigate the negative and positive effects of digital environments during the pandemic and dispelling myths and misconception while advocating for healthy diets

Validação de Conteúdo de um Instrumento para Mensuração do Conhecimento sobre Musculação, Alimentação e Suplementação

This study aimed to elaborate and validate the content of an instrument to evaluate the knowledge about bodybuilding, diet and supplementation. This is a study in which a content validation protocol was applied to physical education and nutrition professionals to judge the items. For this, 25 multiple choice items were elaborated with four alternatives, with only one correct one. To evaluate the items by experts, we used an instrument developed by the author himself, the Content Validation Protocol (PVC), which was used as a way of analysis and judgment of the items for judges evaluating this research. The PVC was structured to analyze the clarity and the level of relevance of the items on a four-point likert scale, where the former was considered "not relevant" and the latter as "very relevant", this process was individualized by question. After being submitted to the experts and analyzed by the Content Validity Index (IVC), 22 items were validated and could be applied in future research.Este estudio tuvo como objetivo elaborar y validar el contenido de un instrumento para evaluar el conocimiento sobre culturismo, dieta y suplementos. Este fue un estudio en el que se aplicó un protocolo de validación de contenido a profesionales de educación física y nutrición para juzgar los ítems. Para esto, se elaboraron 25 ítems de opción múltiple con cuatro alternativas, con solo una correcta. Para evaluar los ítems por expertos, utilizamos un instrumento desarrollado por el propio autor, el Protocolo de Validación de Contenido (PVC), que se utilizó como una forma de análisis y juicio de los ítems para los jueces que evalúan esta investigación. El PVC fue estructurado para analizar la claridad y el nivel de relevancia de los ítems en una escala likert de cuatro puntos, donde el primero fue considerado "no relevante" y el segundo como "muy relevante", este proceso fue individualizado por preguntas. Después de ser enviado a los expertos y analizado por el Índice de Validez del Contenido (IVC), 22 elementos fueron validados y podrían aplicarse en futuras investigaciones.Este estudo teve o objetivo de elaborar e validar o conteúdo de um instrumento para avaliar os conhecimentos sobre musculação, alimentação e suplementação. Trata-se de um estudo em que foi aplicado um protocolo de validação de conteúdo a profissionais de educação física e nutrição para o julgamento dos itens. Para tanto, foram elaborados 25 itens de múltipla escolha com quatro alternativas, com apenas uma correta. Para avaliação dos itens por especialistas, utilizou-se um instrumento elaborado pelo próprio autor, o Protocolo de Validação de Conteúdo (PVC), que foi utilizado com objetivo de ser uma via de análise e julgamento dos itens para juízes avaliadores desta pesquisa. O PVC foi estruturado para analisar clareza e o nível de relevância dos itens em uma escala likert de quatro pontos, em que o primeiro se considerou como “não relevante” e o último como “muito relevante”, esse processo foi individualizado por questão. Após serem submetido aos especialistas e analisados pelo Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC), foram validados 22 itens que poderão ser aplicados em pesquisas futuras