Food choice motivations and perceptions of healthy eating: a cross-sectional study among consumers in the UAE

Background: Investigating consumer food choice motivations is crucial for planning effective policies and targeted interventions. This study aimed to examine the food choice motivations and perceptions of healthy eating among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and to segment consumers based on their motivations. Methods: A web-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the UAE (n = 1209). An overall perception of healthy eating score was calculated based on the sum of the responses to the perception statements. Food motivation scores were calculated with a higher score indicating more influence of the food motivation group. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and K-means cluster analysis were used to identify and determine the optimal number of clusters. Differences between clusters were evaluated using an Independent sample t-test, One-Way ANOVA test, and Chi-square analysis. Results: Participants mostly agreed that a healthy diet should be balanced, varied, and complete (84.4%), that fruit and vegetables are essential to a practice of healthy eating (82.8%), and that they can eat everything as long as it is in small quantities (60.1%). Females, younger adults, those with higher education levels, and those with normal BMI tended to have a slightly more positive perception of a healthy diet than their counterparts (p < 0.05). Health motivation (mean = 3.43, SD ± 0.78) exhibited the highest influence on the participants’ food choices, followed by emotional motivations (mean = 3.26, SD ± 0.68). Health-related motivations mainly influenced food choices among participants in both identified clusters but were notably more emphasised in Cluster 1. Cluster 1 demonstrated significantly higher mean scores in all other categories than Cluster 2 (p < 0.001). Cluster 1 encompasses more female participants than males, while Cluster 2 comprises a more significant proportion of males and individuals falling within higher income brackets (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of the current study offer valuable insights into various crucial aspects that impact the decisions of individuals' food choices. Based on distinct motivational structures identified through cluster analysis, personalised approaches can encourage healthier dietary practices. A holistic approach acknowledging emotional, economic, environmental, alongside health-related factors is vital

[The effect of low-dose hydrocortisone on requirement of norepinephrine and lactate clearance in patients with refractory septic shock].

BACKGROUND: There is a renewed interest in adrenal function during severe sepsis. Most studies have used total serum cortisol levels; however, only free serum cortisol is biologically active. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of salivary cortisol levels as a surrogate for free serum cortisol levels during septic shock. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with septic shock were studied to determine the correlation between total serum cortisol and salivary cortisol to free serum cortisol levels. Thirty-eight patients were included in the salivary to free serum cortisol correlation. Salivary cortisol level was tested by enzyme immunoassay. Serum total cortisol, free cortisol, and cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) levels were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, equilibrium analysis, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD age was 56.6 +/- 18.5 years. Fifty-seven percent were women. APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) II score median was 26, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II median was 61, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment median was 13. The correlation between salivary and free serum cortisol levels was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.63-0.89; P &lt;.0001). The correlation between free serum cortisol and total serum cortisol levels was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.78-0.92; P &lt;.0001). The mean +/- SD free serum cortisol level was 2.27 +/- 1.64 mug/dL. The mean +/- SD salivary cortisol level was 2.60 +/- 2.69 mug/dL. The mean +/- SD total serum cortisol level was 21.56 +/- 8.71 mug/dL. The mean +/- SD CBG level was 23.54 +/- 8.33 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: Salivary cortisol level can be used as a surrogate of free serum cortisol level in patients with septic shock with very good correlation. Salivary cortisol testing is noninvasive, easy to perform, and can be conducted daily

Evolution over Time of Ventilatory Management and Outcome of Patients with Neurologic Disease∗

OBJECTIVES: To describe the changes in ventilator management over time in patients with neurologic disease at ICU admission and to estimate factors associated with 28-day hospital mortality. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of three prospective, observational, multicenter studies. SETTING: Cohort studies conducted in 2004, 2010, and 2016. PATIENTS: Adult patients who received mechanical ventilation for more than 12 hours. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among the 20,929 patients enrolled, we included 4,152 (20%) mechanically ventilated patients due to different neurologic diseases. Hemorrhagic stroke and brain trauma were the most common pathologies associated with the need for mechanical ventilation. Although volume-cycled ventilation remained the preferred ventilation mode, there was a significant (p &lt; 0.001) increment in the use of pressure support ventilation. The proportion of patients receiving a protective lung ventilation strategy was increased over time: 47% in 2004, 63% in 2010, and 65% in 2016 (p &lt; 0.001), as well as the duration of protective ventilation strategies: 406 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2004, 523 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2010, and 585 days per 1,000 mechanical ventilation days in 2016 (p &lt; 0.001). There were no differences in the length of stay in the ICU, mortality in the ICU, and mortality in hospital from 2004 to 2016. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were age greater than 75 years, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II greater than 50, the occurrence of organ dysfunction within first 48 hours after brain injury, and specific neurologic diseases such as hemorrhagic stroke, ischemic stroke, and brain trauma. CONCLUSIONS: More lung-protective ventilatory strategies have been implemented over years in neurologic patients with no effect on pulmonary complications or on survival. We found several prognostic factors on mortality such as advanced age, the severity of the disease, organ dysfunctions, and the etiology of neurologic disease

ESICM LIVES 2016: part two : Milan, Italy. 1-5 October 2016.

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