A Pilot Study Evaluating Preferences for Caffeinated Drinks Consumption Among Mures Medical Students

The scale of caffeinated drinks offered for young adults is large and also is the risk for abuse followed by heart or brain injuries due to high levels of caffeine, taurine, sugars etc. For this purpose, we chose to evaluate the risk behaviors in a group of Mures medical students and assess their practices and knowledge of excess caffeine drinks intake. For this study, we used a food frequency questionnaire containing 26 questions related to personal data, food behaviors, types of food and drink consumed and the frequency of consumption. The questionnaire was applied to 427 Mures medical students in 2016. On average, 2/3 of the Mures medical students associate an excess of coffee, energy drinks and other types of caffeinated beverages, especially during the exams period. From the list of preferred drinks that our students chose, in descending order, are: coffee, carbonated beverages, alcoholic beverages and energy drinks. Students often turn to alcoholic drinks, sometimes in combination with energy drinks, raising the risk for their health. 25% have only coffee in the morning, on empty stomach, skipping breakfast. More than half of them have at least 3 coffees per day, with possible health impact on long term. Our data emphasizes once more the importance of health education in schools and universities, especially for medical students and future doctors, and the need for efficient community interventions in order to prevent lifestyle behaviors at risk

An insight of Romanians’ knowledge about dietary fibers in relationship with cancer

Objectives: To estimate the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics of Romanian population, and their knowledge towards dietary fiber intake, the information sources preferred and perception of cancer related health risks. Methods: We used a convenient cross-sectional survey, and the data were collected using a validated questionnaire, disseminated online. Six different Romanian counties with 57 cities were selected in 2015, with 670 participants, and we used the SPSS program 22.0 for statistical purpose. Results: The knowledge about dietary fibers intake was low in our sample, also was the ingestion of foods rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables and cereals). Compared to men, women agree significantly more frequent that fibers in appropriate amounts can prevent or treat diseases (U=44607, z=-4.66, p<0.001, r=0.18) and separately related to specific diseases, that fibers can prevent and/or treat cardio-vascular diseases, cholesterol, bowel cancer, breast cancer, constipation, and diabetes, but with no differences regarding the deficiency of vitamins and minerals (p=0.774) or obesity (p=0.399). The in-depth analysis of factors that are able to influence Romanian’s knowledge and attitudes towards food fibers, defined the social profile of the respondents with interest on dietary fiber intake, which is: young females, with at least high school education, that considers internet and television like main sources of information regarding fibers. Comparing to other EU countries, Romanian consumers have good information about dietary fibers importance for health but the daily intake is lower. Conclusions: Based on our results, we can elaborate efficient community and school intervention programs, more focused on modern information technology and communication skills, fit to the consumer’s profile in order to promote a healthy nutrition behavior and proper knowledge.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Romanian eating motivations scale – for community intervention strategies

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate different aspects related with food choices made by Romanian consumers, influenced by their attitudes, practices and habits, in order to develop proper intervention preventive strategies. Materials and methods: The present study was a cross sectional survey, based on a validated questionnaire, develop through an international project in 2018 (EATMOT), filled in online after consent by adult population from various counties. The Romanian sample has 821 subjects (from wich 69% women), and represented 7% of total sample of 11.960 participants from 16 countries (Europe, America and Africa). Results: The results showed that women are generally better informed than men about healthy eating. There has been a conflict between traditional food-related cultural values and modern guidelines based on scientific information in the diet. The responses of some categories of patients have revealed the tendency to overdue the diets recommended for the afflictions they suffer, maybe due to a lack of more detailed information on specific and personalized aspects. Significant links have been identified especially between attention for calories intake and gender variables, cardiovascular disease, obesity and hypertension. Conclusion: This population food behavior screening scale may be used to better assessment of food choice determinants, and to plan strategies to improve healthy eating patterns, diminishing the burden of chronic diseases. Also well trained dietitians can compensate the population practice deficiencies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Differences between Mains and Bottled Water, in an Area in the Central Area of Romania

The human body is mostly made up of water. The largest proportion of the human body is water, hence the growing interest of specialists in defining the importance of water in the body and the risks of dehydration. This study determined the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of the drinking water distributed in the public network in the area of operation of Water Distribution Operator in Mureș County and samples of bottled water existing on the market in Mureş County (mineral, spring or table). The water supplied to the network can be safely consumed. This is demonstrated both by the results of the analyses of the physico-chemical and microbiological parameters related to the legislative standards and by the values of the similar parameters analyzed for the bottled water

The role of diet in modulating the intestinal microbiota in healthy adults: Is the evidence enough?

The diet is an important factor that can influence the structures and function of the population of germs that compose the intestinal microbiota. This review presents current data on the response of the intestinal microbiota depending on the diet. While many studies have shown that the intestinal microbiota is influenced by macronutrient and micronutrient compounds of the diet, the studies on healthy human subjects were fewer and showed only to a small extent the influence of cooked food on the intestinal microbiota. Additional research is still needed regarding the effect of the way food is cooked can have on the intestinal microbiota, before beneficial dietary recommendations can be made

“Pullum Ovum”. Highlighting the Nutrient Content through Innovative Determination Methods

Introduction. The benefits or risks of egg consumption have been a challenge for researchers in identifying the most effective methods for evaluating micronutrients and, implicitly, the nutritional properties of eggs. The purpose of this work was to highlight the comparative nutritional properties of eggs from hens with similar productive yields through innovative methods, such as FT-IR spectra. Methods. This paper aimed to determine the omega 3 fatty acid (O3FA) content in eggs. In this study were used eggs from four different breeds of laying hens: Lohmann Brown, Isa Brown, Australorp and a hybrid breed. The eggs were collected daily, and their evaluation was carried out at an interval of 24 h after collection. For the calibration of the measurements, the Omacor product whose omega 3 content was evaluated by the National Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices from Romania was used as a reference standard. Results. The study supports that there is a significant difference in the polyunsaturated FA and saturated FA content between eggs of various hen breeds. Conclusions. The composition of egg contents differs in terms of micronutrients both at the level of the egg white, yolk and shell, depending on the breed of the laying hen. This experiment can support the idea that eggs with a lower atherogenic potential can be recommended based on the chicken breed

Practicile românilor privind sursele de informații despre dietele sănătoase

University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology from Targu-Mures, Romania, Victus Dietitian cabinet, Targu-Mures, Romania, CI&DETS/CERNAS Research Centre’s, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, PortugalAims: To monitored the Romanian’s preferred sources of information as regards to a healthy diet, in order to establish Romanian profile and implement in future community intervention educational projects. Materials and Methods. Our study was based on the assessment of lifestyle, food preferences and risky behaviors, to a sample of 821 healthy adults from Romania, starting with a consented questionnaire of 26 questions, applied online, in 2018. Results. We explored the main sources for nutritional information and the level of trust in these sources, in a group of Romanian population, evaluated by age, gender, background, education and current professional activity. The most used sources of information by Romanians in the increasing order of frequency were: radio (14,6%), medical field (16,9%), school discussions (21,8%), family and friends (29,5%), TV (30,8%), magazines, books, newspapers (34,6%), Internet (47,5%); the most interested were educated young women from urban areas, with interest in healthy diets. Conclusion. Nutritionists and physicians should promote healthy diet through adequate sources of information, using more eLearning methods and aimed to target risk behavior populational groups

Romanian knowledge and attitudes regarding dietary fibers

Introduction: Presently, the scientists recognize the health benefits of food fibers in the menu and also plant food sources are at high interest both for general population and food companies. The food companies are responsible for a clear nutrition labelling that will assist consumers to make informed and healthy choices and health providers has to inform the population about the benefits of fibers. The aim of our study was to evaluate the Romanian knowledge and attitudes regarding dietary fibers from food products. Materials and methods: We made a qualitative survey based on a questionnaire applied in 2015, over a period of 6 months, over 670 Romanian consumers. It was focused on testing the attitudes and knowledge towards ingestion of foods rich in fibers. For all data analysis we used the software SPSS, from IBM Inc. Results and Discussions: Our results showed that the knowledge about dietary fibers and also the ingestion of food products rich in fibers were low, and most of the subjects didn’t have any interest to read the nutritional information from food labels related to fibers. The female participants ate more whole grains and fruits than males and pay more attention to food labelling, the Romanian people prefer to stay and eat home than at restaurants especially in rural areas, and the knowledge about fibers benefits was significantly related to education and urban location. Conclusion: We underline the needs for more efficient community interventions and proper information about the importance of dietary fibers for our health and also to improve and disseminate our nutritional standards and diet recommendation among population