Fiscal sustainability and policy implications for the euro area

In this paper we examine the sustainability of euro area public finances against the backdrop of population ageing. We critically assess the widely used projections of the Working Group on Ageing Populations (AWG) of the EU's Economic Policy Committee and argue that ageing costs may be higher than projected in the AWG reference scenario. Taking into account adjusted headline estimates for ageing costs, largely based upon the sensitivity analysis carried out by the AWG, we consider alternative indicators to quantify sustainability gaps for euro area countries. With respect to the policy implications, we assess the appropriateness of different budgetary strategies to restore fiscal sustainability taking into account intergenerational equity. Our stylised analysis based upon the lifetime contribution to the government's primary balance of different generations suggests that an important degree of pre-funding of the ageing costs is necessary to avoid shifting the burden of adjustment in a disproportionate way to future generations. For many euro area countries this implies that the medium-term targets defined in the context of the revised stability and growth pact would ideally need to be revised upwards to significant surpluses. --population ageing,fiscal sustainability,generational accounting,medium-term objectives for fiscal policy

Dental caries and oral health behavior assessments among portuguese adolescents.

Introduction: Adolescents have a high risk of developing caries in Portugal. The present study is designed to assess dental caries experience among the adolescents by the application of DMFT index, characterize the oral health risk factors and to determine the association between caries experience and socio-demographic variables. The characterization of the oral health behaviors of adolescents of the central region of Portugal will help in the development of specific oral health education strategies to improve oral health among the local communities. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 694 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years attending public schools in two Portuguese districts using a structured questionnaire designed to investigate oral health and behavior of participants. In addition, a clinical examination was carried out noting the decayed, missing and filled teeth. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed using the Chi-square, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05). A multivariate analysis was applied for analysis of the association between variables. Results: The mean DMFT index score of 2.91±2.9 was obtained. Of the total sample, 73% consumed sugary food daily, 50.1% considered having good oral health and 70.8% did not report pain in the last 12 months. Most adolescents (79.4%) brushed their teeth daily and 60% did not use dental floss. Of the total sample, 96.4% had a dental appointment in the last 12 months, 46.4% of which was for preventive purposes. Applying the Chi-square statistical test, we verified that the adolescents who brush their teeth daily presented a good perception about their oral health (p<0.001), the DMFT index scores were associated with the residence area (p=0.01) and the presence of dental caries was associated with the perception of oral health (p=0.049) and sugary food intake (p=0.029).Conclusion: Portuguese adolescents presented a low DMFT index. The DMFT index was associated with residence area, perception of oral health and sugary food intake. Daily toothbrushing was associated with self-perception of oral health. It is suggested that oral health promotion and prevention programs should aim to reduce the risks of oral disease development.Introducción: Los adolescentes tienen un alto riesgo de desarrollar caries en Portugal. El presente estudio está diseñado para evaluar la experiencia de caries dental entre los adolescentes mediante la aplicación del índice CPOD, caracterizar los factores de riesgo para la salud bucal y determinar la asociación entre la experiencia de caries y las variables sociodemográficas. La caracterización de los comportamientos de salud bucal de los adolescentes de la región central de Portugal ayudará en el desarrollo de estrategias específicas de educación en salud bucal para mejorar la salud bucal entre las comunidades locales.Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en una muestra por conveniencia de 694 adolescentes de 12 a 18 años que asisten a escuelas públicas en dos distritos portugueses utilizando un cuestionario estructurado diseñado para investigar la salud bucal y el comportamiento de los participantes. Además, se llevó a cabo un examen clínico observando los dientes cariados, faltantes y obturados. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las variables mediante las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado, Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis (p <0,05). Se aplicó un análisis multivariado para el análisis de la asociación entre variables. Resultados: Se obtuvo la puntuación media del índice CPOD de 2,91 ± 2,9. Del total de la muestra, el 73% consumía alimentos azucarados diariamente, el 50,1% consideró tener buena salud bucal y el 70,8% no refirió dolor en los últimos 12 meses. La mayoría de los adolescentes (79,4%) se cepillaban los dientes a diario y el 60% no usaba hilo dental. Del total de la muestra, el 96,4% tuvo cita con el dentista en los últimos 12 meses, de la cual el 46,4% fue con fines preventivos. Aplicando la prueba estadística de Chi-cuadrado, verificamos que los adolescentes que se cepillan los dientes diariamente presentaban una buena percepción sobre su salud bucal (p <0.001), las puntuaciones del índice CPOD se asociaron al área de residencia (p = 0.01) y la caries dental se asoció con la percepción de salud bucal (p = 0,049) y con la ingesta de alimentos azucarados (p = 0,029). Conclusión: Los adolescentes portugueses presentaron un índice CPOD bajo. El índice CPOD se asoció con el área de residencia, la percepción de salud bucal y la ingesta de alimentos azucarados. El cepillado diario de los dientes se asoció con la autopercepción de la salud bucal. Se sugiere que los programas de promoción y prevención de la salud bucal deben ser enfocados en reducir los riesgos de desarrollo de enfermedades bucodentales

Eritrograma e estresse oxidativo em bovinos confinados alimentados com feno de Brachiaria sp. e suplementados com antioxidantes

As Brachiaria sp contêm esporidesminas que podem ser oxidadas por lipoperoxidação e ocasionar estresse oxidativo. No presente estudo foram avaliados os efeitos de diferentes antioxidantes na lipoperoxidação dos eritrócitos de bovinos da raça Nelore, alimentados com feno de Brachiaria sp. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em que 40 bovinos machos, inteiros, foram divididos, em cinco tratamentos (G1: controle - sem suplementação; G2: suplementação de selênio e vitamina E; G3: suplementação de zinco; G4: suplementação de selênio e G5: suplementação de vitamina E) e alocados em baias de confinamento, por 105 dias. As amostras de plasma heparinizado ou com ácido etilenodiamino tetra-acético (EDTA) foram obtidas a cada 28 dias para avaliação hematológica e de estresse oxidativo (0, 28 56, 84 e 105 dias). No eritrograma foi mensurado a contagem total de eritrócitos, a hemoglobina e o hematócrito (Ht). Para a avaliação do estresse oxidativo, com o objetivo de analisar as características da membrana do eritrócito foram determinadas as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), glutationa total (GSH-T), glutationa peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) e superóxido dismutase (SOD). Os resultados demonstraram que independente do tratamento não houve estresse oxidativo durante o período do confinamento experimental e que a associação conjunta de selênio e vitamina E na dieta dos bovinos proporcionaram menor incidência de alterações deletérias sobre os eritrócitos. Palavras-chaves: enzimas antioxidantes; eritrócito; espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS); lipoperoxidação; Nelore

Sarcopenia and atherosclerotic occlusive disease: how much we know and what we need to know about this association?

Purpose/Background: Sarcopenia (decrease of muscle mass and function) has been linked with atherosclerosis [1]. The EWGSOP2 updated consensus, uses low muscle strength as the primary indicator of sarcopenia [2]. It is acknowledged that strength is better than mass for predicting adverse outcomes [2]. Handgrip strength (HGS) is a simple assessment to estimate overall muscular strength [3]. and is associated with cardiovascular mortality [4]. Objective: Analyze the relationship between HGS and atherosclerotic disease (carotid artery disease + lower extremity artery disease). Methods: Prospective observation study was conducted from January to December 2019. The clinical and demographic data was recorded. Isometric HGS was measured with an adjustable handheld dynamometer (Jamar The higher value of each arm was used to classify the patient as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic. Definition of sarcopenia: HGS <30 kgf in men and <20 kgf in women [5]. Results: 94 patients (aged 44–86 years) were analyzed: 64 sarcopenic and 30 non sarcopenic. Groups differed in the prevalence of diabetes and smoking status (Table 1). No differences were found in the carotid parameters analyzed (Table 1). There was, a difference in the prevalence of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) in sarcopenic versus non-sarcopenic group (23.44% versus 6.67% p = 0.046). Importantly, binary logistic regression showed that diabetes (p = 0.014), and HGS (p = 0.027) have a significant effect on CLTI (Table 2). Conclusions: No relationship was found between sarcopenia (measured by HGS) and carotid atherosclerosis, differing from other authors [1,6]. In this study, sarcopenic had a higher incident of diabetes and CLTI. Sarcopenia and diabetes are reciprocally related and may share a similar pathogenetic pathway [7

The Motivations for Consumption of Edible Insects: A Systematic Review

The consumption of edible insects (EI) is traditional in many parts of the world, but not in others. In fact, despite globalization and the multiple advantages pointed out about the consumption of EI, there are still many countries where entomophagy is seen with disgust and aversion. This systematic review aimed to examine the motivations that influence the consumption of EI in diverse cultures and understand if there are differences between Western countries (WC) and insect-eating countries (IEC). It further evaluated whether the degree of acceptability was influenced by the form of consumption of the insects (eating whole insects or foods containing insects). This literature review was conducted in November 2021 within three databases, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus, according to the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis and using PRISMA directives. From a total of 245 studies, 31 were selected to be included in this review, based on the inclusion criteria defined: only original research articles, from 2010 or beyond, and written in English. The results indicated that the main motivations that determine the consumption of EI are related to gender, age, sustainability, nutritional value, sensory attributes, tradition/culture, food neophobia, disgust and familiarity/past experiences. Moreover, whereas in IEC, there is a greater focus on factors related to sensory attributes, availability, affordability and preferences, in WC, there is a bigger emphasis on determinants such as nutritional value, sustainability, benefits, familiarity/past experience, tradition/culture, food neophobia and disgust. Finally, it was observed that people in WC are more willing to accept food products containing insects rather than the whole insect, which is one of the most promising points to be addressed in the future. Overall, this review highlights that there are numerous factors influencing the consumption of edible insects, and differences between WC and IEC are clear in what concerns the motivations of consumers. Hence, targeting market segments and consumers’ characteristics has to be present when designing strategies to incentivize the consumption of EI in WC as a part of a global strategy for sustainability of food systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence and determinants of child undernutrition and stunting in semiarid region of Brazil

OBJETIVO : Analisar tendências na prevalência e determinantes da desnutrição em crianças na região semiárida do Brasil. MÉTODOS : Foram analisados dados de duas pesquisas transversais domiciliares de base populacional que utilizaram a mesma metodologia. A amostragem por conglomerados foi utilizada para coletar os dados de 8.000 famílias, do estado do Ceará, Nordeste do Brasil, para os anos de 1987 e 2007. A desnutrição aguda foi calculada como peso/idade < -2 desvios padrão; nanismo como altura/idade < -2 desvios padrão; e emaciação como peso/altura < -2 desvios padrão. Os dados sobre os determinantes biológicos e sociodemográficos foram analisados por meio de análises multivariadas com base em um modelo teórico hierarquizado. RESULTADOS : Amostras de 4.513 e 1.533 crianças menores de três anos de idade, em 1987 e 2007, respectivamente, foram incluídas nas análises. A prevalência de desnutrição aguda foi reduzida em 60,0%, passando de 12,6% em 1987, para 4,7% em 2007, enquanto a prevalência de nanismo foi reduzida em 50,0%, passando de 27,0% em 1987 para 13,0% em 2007. A prevalência de emaciação teve pouca alteração no período. Em 1987, as características socioeconômicas e biológicas (renda familiar, escolaridade da mãe, disponibilidade de latrina e água potável, consulta médica e hospitalização da criança, idade, sexo e peso ao nascer) foram fatores significativamente associados à desnutrição, ao nanismo e à emaciação. Em 2007, os determinantes da desnutrição ficaram restritos às características biológicas (idade, sexo e peso ao nascer). Apenas uma característica socioeconômica, a disponibilidade de latrina, permaneceu significantemente associada ao nanismo. CONCLUSÕES : O desenvolvimento socioeconômico, além de intervenções de saúde, parecem ter efetivamente contribuído para a melhoria do estado nutricional das crianças. Peso ao nascer, especialmente o peso extremamente baixo (< 1.500 g), aparece como o fator de risco mais importante para a desnutrição na primeira infância.OBJECTIVE : To analyze the evolution in the prevalence and determinants of malnutrition in children in the semiarid region of Brazil. METHODS : Data were collected from two cross-sectional population-based household surveys that used the same methodology. Clustering sampling was used to collect data from 8,000 families in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil, for the years 1987 and 2007. Acute undernutrition was calculated as weight/age < -2 standard deviation (SD); stunting as height/age < -2 SD; wasting as weight/height < -2 SD. Data on biological and sociodemographic determinants were analyzed using hierarchical multivariate analyses based on a theoretical model. RESULTS : A sample of 4,513 and 1,533 children under three years of age, in 1987 and 2007, respectively, were included in the analyses. The prevalence of acute malnutrition was reduced by 60.0%, from 12.6% in 1987 to 4.7% in 2007, while prevalence of stunting was reduced by 50.0%, from 27.0% in 1987 to 13.0% in 2007. Prevalence of wasting changed little in the period. In 1987, socioeconomic and biological characteristics (family income, mother’s education, toilet and tap water availability, children’s medical consultation and hospitalization, age, sex and birth weight) were significantly associated with undernutrition, stunting and wasting. In 2007, the determinants of malnutrition were restricted to biological characteristics (age, sex and birth weight). Only one socioeconomic characteristic, toilet availability, remained associated with stunting. CONCLUSIONS : Socioeconomic development, along with health interventions, may have contributed to improvements in children’s nutritional status. Birth weight, especially extremely low weight (< 1,500 g), appears as the most important risk factor for early childhood malnutrition.OBJETIVO : Objetivo: Analizar tendencias en la prevalencia y determinantes de la desnutrición en niños en la región semiárida de Brasil. MÉTODOS : Se analizaron datos de dos investigaciones transversales domiciliares de base poblacional que utilizaron la misma metodología. El muestreo por conglomerados se utilizó para colectar los datos de 8.000 familias, del estado de Ceará, Noreste de Brasil, para los años de 1987 y 2007. La desnutrición aguda fue calculada como peso/edad < -2 desviaciones estándar; enanismo como altura/edad < -2 desviaciones estándar; y demacración como peso/altura < -2 desviaciones estándar. Los datos sobre los determinantes biológicos y sociodemográficos se analizaron por medio de análisis multivariados con base en un modelo teórico jerarquizado. RESULTADOS : Muestras de 4.513 y 1.533 niños menores de tres años de edad, en 1987 y 2007, respectivamente, se incluyeron en los análisis. La prevalencia de desnutrición aguda fue reducida en 60,0%, pasando de 12,6% en 1987, a 4,7% en 2007, mientras que la prevalencia del enanismo fue reducida en 50,0% pasando de 27,0% en 1987 a 13,0% en 2007. La prevalencia de demacración tuvo poca alteración en el período. En 1987, las características socioeconómicas y biológicas (renta familiar, escolaridad de la madre, disponibilidad de letrina y agua potable, consulta médica y hospitalización del niño, edad, sexo y peso al nacer) fueron factores significativamente asociados con la desnutrición, el nanismo y la demacración. En 2007, los determinantes de la desnutrición quedaron restringidos a las características biológicas (edad, sexo y peso al nacer). Sólo una característica socioeconómica, la disponibilidad de letrina, permaneció significativamente asociada con el enanismo. CONCLUSIONES : El desarrollo socioeconómico, así como las intervenciones de salud, parecen haber contribuido efectivamente en la mejoría del estado nutricional de los niños. Peso al nacer, especialmente el peso extremadamente bajo