Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) among Elderly Turkish and Polish Migrants and German Natives: The Role of Age, Gender, Income, Discrimination and Social Support

Background: Migration can negatively and positively influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Yet, little is known about the HRQoL of Turkish and Polish migrants and German natives

Severe underreporting of energy intake in normal weight subjects: use of an appropriate standard and relation to restrained eating

Abstract Objective: To assess the influence of different standards and restrained eating on underreporting in healthy, non-obese, weight-stable young subjects. Design and subjects: Eighty-three young adults (20-38 years, 55 women, 28 men) were assessed under weight-stable conditions with a 7-day dietary record and the three-factor eating questionnaire by Stunkard and Messick. Resting energy expenditure (REE; indirect calorimetry) plus data derived from physical activity records (PA) (Standard 1) or REE times an activity factor (AF) (Standard 2) was used as standard for total energy expenditure (TEE). For comparison, doubly labelled water (DLW) was used to measure TEE in a subgroup of subjects. Results: There was an association between self-reported energy intake and Standard 2 (r = 0.72) but not with Standard 1. When compared with DLW both calculated standards were inaccurate, but Standard 2 avoided high levels of overreporting. Using Standard 2 to identify ‘severe' underreporting (SU; as defined by a deviation of energy intake (EI) and TEE of >20%), SU was seen in 37% of all subjects. It was more frequently found in women than in men (49% of women, 14.3% of men, P < 0.05). Underreporting subjects had a reduced EI (P < 0.01) but there were no significant differences in nutritional status (body weight and height, body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass), energy expenditure and the proportion of energy from macronutrients between normal and underreporting subjects. However, high restraint was associated with a higher degree of underreporting in the total group, whereas disinhibition had an influence only in men. Conclusions: A high prevalence of SU is seen in non-obese subjects. Characteristics of eating behaviour (restraint and disinhibition) were associated with underreporting but seemed to have a different influence in men and wome

Healthy Neighbourhoods: Health Promotion and Prevention in Urban Neighbourhoods

[EN] Background: Maintaining good quality of life in urban neighbourhoods is one of the biggest challenges. The project "Healthy Neighbourhoods - Health Promotion and Prevention in Urban Neighbourhoods" (07/2017 - 12/2020) aims to describe and improve health and quality of life of citizens living in neighbourhoods with different socio-economic statuses. Method: To examine the possible association between socio-economic status (SES) and health, a cross-sectional survey in six urban neighbourhoods with "very low", "low", "middle" and "high" social statuses was conducted. Results: In July 2019, a preliminary dataset with 700 respondents was available for analysis. Analyses of covariance showed that physical healthrelated quality of life was impaired in neighbourhoods with very lower SES, while body mass index was increased. There were no significant differences in mental health-related quality of life. Discussion The results confirm that neighbourhoods with low and very low SES should be primary targets for interventions of health promotion and prevention. To ensure a participative approach for the development of such interventions, the results will be presented to and discussed with residents and other relevant stakeholders of the target neighbourhoods in order to identify the appropriate interventions policies.Westenhöfer, J.; Buchcik, J.; Borutta, J. (2019). Healthy Neighbourhoods: Health Promotion and Prevention in Urban Neighbourhoods. En Proceedings 5th CARPE Conference: Horizon Europe and beyond. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 236-243. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARPE2019.2019.10216OCS23624

Gender and Age Differences in ADHD Symptoms and Co‑occurring Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Among Children and Adolescents in the BELLA Study

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood. Current studies addressing gender and age differences in ADHD are lacking. The present study aims to fill this research gap by dimensionally evaluating gender and age differences in ADHD symptoms, as measured by a DSM-5-based parent rating scale, in children and adolescents who participated in the two-year follow-up of the community-based BELLA study (n = 1326). Associations between ADHD symptoms and depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms were also examined. Multiple linear regressions revealed significant associations between gender and all ADHD symptoms. Age was significantly associated with hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Additional multiple linear regressions demonstrated significant positive associations between depression and anxiety symptoms and ADHD symptoms. Further, female gender was found to be posi- tively associated with both depression and anxiety symptoms. These findings may suggest a need for more gender-specific approaches to ADHD diagnosis and treatment, as well as more research into the intersections of ADHD and depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents.Peer Reviewe

Is health-related quality of life the same for elderly polish migrants, Turkish migrants and German natives? Testing the reliability and construct validity of the Sf-36 health survey in a cross-cultural comparison ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Abstract: Objective: The Sf-36 is the most widely used instrument to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the most convincing evidence of both internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In addition, it is appropriate for use among elderly and minority groups like migrants. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the reliability and the factorial structure of the Sf-36 in a sample of elderly migrants and natives. The hypothesis is that the construct (the HRQoL consisting of eight dimensions correlated with two components) is the same for elderly Turkish migrants, Polish migrants and German natives. This means that the Sf-36 model shows good psychometric properties and model invariance for the three groups investigated in this study. Methods: The Sf-36 v.2 was forward and backward translated to Turkish and Polish. In this cross-sectional study, interviews were conducted with a sample of elderly migrants from Turkey (n = 100), from Poland (n = 103) and a sample of elderly German natives (n = 101). All data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 21 and AMOS Graphics. Cronbach&apos;s α was used to ABOUT THE AUTHORS Johanna Buchcik, PhD, is a research associate and lecturer for Statistics and Public Health Nutrition at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Her research work focuses on health promotion, and in more detail on health and care of elderly migrants. She obtained her PhD at the University of the West of Scotland, where her research activities included description and comparison of cross-cultural quality of life of elderly Turkish and Polish migrants and German natives. These activities were carried out in the context of a study called Sağlık, where she worked as a research assistant. The study was conducted in 2013 by the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences under the leadership of Prof. Dr Joachim Westenhöfer. The major aim of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate intercultural and interdisciplinary measures of social space-oriented health promotions, with a special focus on the promotion of healthy nutrition, movement and social participation with the intention to promote the health of older Turkish women and men. PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT Health-Related Quality of Life (HrQoL) is multidimensional, which means that it includes individually perceived aspects related to physical, mental, emotional and social circumstances. Therefore, it can differ between individuals and groups (e.g. seniors and adults, women and men, migrants and natives). However, there are instruments, like the Sf-36, which are uniformly used for measuring HrQoL between different groups and individuals. This article describes and compares the HrQoL of elderly migrants and non-migrants. The HrQoL was measured using the Sf-36 questionnaire, which assumes the HrQoL consisting of a mental and a physical component. Based on interviews with Turkish and Polish migrants and German natives, it was found that the HrQoL with these two components is not the same across the three ethnically and culturally diverse groups of elderly subjects. Therefore, comparing the HrQoL with the Sf-36 questionnaire between different ethnic groups may be problematic. analyse the reliability of the Sf-36. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were used for the Sf-36 model invariance testing. Results: The reliability of the Sf-36 was good to excellent for all Sf-36 dimensions (α &gt; 0.7) except for General Health (0.55) in the Polish group. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) showed non-invariance between the three groups (CMIN: 180.172, df: 51, CMIN/df: 3.533, p &lt; 0.001, CFI: 0.895, RMSEA: 0.092 for the unconstrained model). Model modifications resulted in a good model fit for the Polish group. However, an applicable common Sf-36 model for the three groups was not attained. Conclusion: This study doesn&apos;t support the idea that the factorial structure of the Sf-36 with two components and eight dimensions is the same across three ethnically and culturally diverse groups of elderly subjects. Therefore, comparing subscale scores of the Sf-36 between different ethnic groups may be problematic

Is health-related quality of life the same for elderly Polish migrants, Turkish migrants and German natives? Testing the reliability and construct validity of the Sf-36 health survey in a cross-cultural comparison

Objective:The Sf-36 is the most widely used instrument to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with the most convincing evidence of both internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In addition, it is appropriate for use among elderly and minority groups like migrants. The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the reliability and the factorial structure of the Sf-36 in a sample of elderly migrants and natives. The hypothesis is that the construct (the HRQoL consisting of eight dimensions correlated with two components) is the same for elderly Turkish migrants, Polish migrants and German natives. This means that the Sf-36 model shows good psychometric properties and model invariance for the three groups investigated in this study. Methods: The Sf-36 v.2 was forward and backward translated to Turkish and Polish. In this cross-sectional study, interviews were conducted with a sample of elderly migrants from Turkey (n = 100), from Poland (n = 103) and a sample of elderly German natives (n = 101). All data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 21 and AMOS Graphics. Cronbach’s alpha was used to analyse the reliability of the Sf-36. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used for the Sf-36 model invariance testing. Results: The reliability of the Sf-36 was good to excellent for all Sf-36 dimensions (alpha > 0.7) except for General Health (0.55) in the Polish group. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) showed non-invariance between the three groups (CMIN: 180.172, df: 51, CMIN/df: 3.533, p < 0.001, CFI: 0.895, RMSEA: 0.092 for the unconstrained model). Model modifications resulted in a good model fit for the Polish group. However, an applicable common Sf-36 model for the three groups was not attained. Conclusion: This study doesn’t support the idea that the factorial structure of the Sf-36 with two components and eight dimensions is the same across three ethnically and culturally diverse groups of elderly subjects. Therefore, comparing subscale scores of the Sf-36 between different ethnic groups may be problematic

Functional food science and behaviour and psychological functions

The impact of ingesting various foods on psychological and behavioural functions is a topic of both interest and concern to the general public. In this article, the scientific literature concerning demonstrated cause-and-effect relationships is reviewed, beginning with methodological considerations specific to the quantification of particular behaviours and psychological events. The essential function of food is to satisfy hunger and the need for essential nutrients. The contributions of macronutrients to appetite and satiety are described, as well as their impact on metabolism and energy balance. Functional properties of macronutrient substitutes (high intensity sweeteners, fat replacers) and flavour enhancers are examined in relation to their contribution to hunger, satiety, and energy balance. The effects of foods and individual nutrients on the performance of diverse psychomotor tasks are studied with consideration given to the various validated quantitative tools used to assess behaviour. The effects of food components on activation, sedation, and affective states such as dysphoria are also reviewed, with special attention given to brain function and neuroactive substances such as serotonin and the endorphins. The case of hyperactivity in children is given special emphasis with reference to the potential influence of sugar and food additives. Safety issues related to food constituents and additives are discussed. Finally, a set of criteria is proposed for the evaluation and elaboration of studies in the behavioural and psychological fields, along with suggestions for future researc