The meat of the matter: plant-based meat analogue versus traditional meat product nutritional quality

Plant-based meat analogues(PBMA)are formulated to mimic the sensory characteristics of traditional meat products(TMP)using vegetarian ingredients and are increasingly popular with the trend towards plantbased diets,even among meat-eating consumers.This narrative review compared the nutritional quality of PBMA and TMP to broaden the discussion on the suitability of simulated meat products to substitute TMP,while exploring other attributes for their comparison.The complexity of PBMA and TMP means they are not entirely interchangeable.Importantly,PBMA health effects extend beyond their basic nutrient content and quality.Postprandial metabolism and satiety,for example,can be affected by product formulation,ingredient interactions,and thermomechanical processing involved in producing organoleptically acceptable PBMA.There are specific opportunities for low-sodium PBMA products to contribute to a healthy shift toward plantbased diets.In conclusion,PBMA cannot be assumed to be healthier than TMP.They should be designed with comprehensive consideration of composition and processing to ensure they support consumers who are adopting plant-based diets in realizing the theoretical health benefits.

Effect of a Nutrition Education Intervention on Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Mothers of Children under 5 Years in the Peri-Urban Areas of Bobo-Dioulasso: Before and after Study

Background: This study assessed the effect of a nutrition education intervention. This intervention aimed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of mothers on food safety in the peri-urban areas of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso. Methods: A total of 243 mothers of children under 5 years in the peri-urban of Bobo-Dioulasso were administered the FAO questionnaire for food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices assessment during two cross-sectional surveys, before and after the intervention, in January and October 2017. The intervention included two components consisting of a theoretical phase (counselling and discussion) and cooking demonstrations implemented for ten months. To account for the before-and-after design of the study, the McNemar’s test was used to assess the effect of the intervention on food safety KAP of mothers of children under 5 years. Results: The mean age of mothers was 29 ± 6.2 years and 50.6% of them were between 20 and 29 years old. One for knowledge (cooking thoroughly with, p-value = 0.0001) and another for attitudes (perceived benefits of reheating leftovers before eating them, p-value = 0.0001), significantly increased after the intervention. In terms of food safety practices, all the indicators (cleaning of dirty surfaces, plates and utensils and storage of perishable foods) significantly increased (all p = 0.0001 Conclusion: This study provided some evidence of an effective nutrition education intervention for improving maternal KAP on food safety for their child’s feeding.

Characterization of mycobacterium isolates from pulmomary tuberculosis suspected cases visiting Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory at Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute,Addis Ababa Ethiopia:a cross sectional study

Objective:To characterize mycobaclerium isolates from pulmomary tuberculosis suspected cases visiting National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory at Ethiopian Health and Nutrition Research Institute,for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis from January 4 to February 22.2010 with total samples of 263.Methods:Sputum specimens were collected and processed:the deposits were cultured.Por culturing Lowenstein Jensen medium(LJ) and Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube(BACTEC MGIT 960) were used.Capilia Neo was used for detecting NTM isolates from isolates of BACTEC MGIT960.In Armauer Hansen Research Institute,Addis Ababa Ethiopia,Deletion typing PCR method for species identification(from confirmed Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex(MTBC) isolates by Capilia Neo) uas done.Results:Out of 263 enrolled in the study.124 and 117 ol them were positive for mycobaeterium growth by BACTEC MGIT 960 and 1.1 culture method,respectively.From BACTEC MGIT 960 positive media of 124 isolates.117 were randomly taken to perform Capilia TB Neo lest.From these 7(6%) of them were found to be NTM and 110(94%) were MTBC.From these 110 MTBC isolates,81 of them were randomly taken and run by the deletion typing RD9 PCR method of molecular technique.Out of these 78(96.3%) were found to be species of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 3(3.7%) were found to be not in the MTBC.Regarding the types of methods of culture media.Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube(BACTEC MGIT 960) method was found to have excellent agreement(with kappa value ol 0.78) with the routine method of LJ.Conclusions:Pulmonary tuberculosis suspected cases visiting the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory at EHNR1 that were confirmed to be pulmonary tuberculosis are caused by the species of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.hence treatment regimen including pyrazinamide can be applied to the patients as the first choice in the study area in Addis Ababa.Ethiopia.There is indication of the presence of NTM in patients visiting the tuberculosis reference laboratory and this is important because NTM is known lo cause pulmonary disease similar with sign and symptom ol pulmonary tuberculosis but different in treatment.BACTEC MGIT 960 has excellent agreement with LJ media but it has high tendency of having high contamination rale unless a better decontamination method is designed.

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Number of Comorbidities According to Differences in Household Income Levels in Japan: Analysis from National Health and Nutrition Survey

Though it has been reported that in Western developed countries socioeconomic status is associated with non-communicable diseases (NCD), there are sparse evidence from Japan, midst an income gap that has been pointed out in recent years. Therefore, we examined the presence or absence of NCD and the number of comorbidities according to household income in Japanese, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey of 2010. 1287 men and 1659 women aged 20 - 79 years from households at 3 income levels (<2, 2 - 5.9, ≥6 million yen) were analyzed. Participants completed questionnaires regarding whether they had been diagnosed with NCD, as well as undergoing clinical laboratory tests. Logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis with adjustment for age, gender, household size, and population of municipalities. The prevalences of participants with high, medium, and low income were 22.3%, 57.6%, and 20.2%, respectively. Participants with the lowest income had the highest odds of hypertension (OR [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.71 [1.29 - 2.26], p p = 0.041), and stroke (5.07 [2.04 - 12.60] p < 0.001). Additionally, prevalences of participants with 2 or 3 NCD (hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) were 15.0% and 33.0% in high and low income levels, respectively. A low income could contribute to a high prevalence of NCD and large number of comorbidities among Japanese. Establishing a health policy in Japan is needed to enable an optimal health condition and lifestyle regardless of socioeconomic disparities.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Associated Factors in Infants Aged 6 to 23 Months in Rural Burundi

This study was carried out in the Health districts of Kayanza and Gahombo. Its aim was to assess the nutritional status and associated factors of infants aged between 6 and 23 months. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the health centers of the action zone during medical consultations in community medicine from 13 to 22 February 2023. For this purpose, 53.0% of a sample of 398 mothers of infants aged 6 - 23 months were male, and the most represented age group was 12 - 23 months with 53.8%. Mothers were asked about the diet of their children. All the children involved in this study were vaccinated, whereas 99.2% were given vitamin A supplements. The most frequent illnesses in this age group were acute respiratory infection (ARI) (73.4%), fever (66.6%), diarrhea (53.8%), and vomiting (40.5%). Analysis of nutritional status showed that infants had severe (8.3%) and moderate (70.4%) acute malnutrition. Factors associated with infant nutritional status comprised the occupation of mother (P = 0.009), level of education of mother (P = 0.0625), and prolonged diarrhea (P = 0.004). To remedy this problem, concrete nutritional and educational interventions are needed to promote optimal infant nutrition during the first two years of life.

Mental emotional disorder is a predictor of stroke incidence in adults:Ten year results of the Bogor Cohort Study on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors in Indonesia

Objective:To determine the stroke predictors for the 10-year of follow-up in Bogor City,Indonesia.Methods:The prospective study analyzed the data of 4445 stroke-free subjects aged 25 years and above that was part of"the Bogor Cohort Study on Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors".Data were collected by interview method with structured questionnaires,physical measurements three times a year,and laboratory examination every two years during a 10-year follow-up(2011-2021,without examination in 2020).The incidence of stroke is based on anamnesis results and examination by a neurologist.Other stroke predictor variables include characteristics,biological conditions,and risk behavior.We analysed 4445 stroke-free samples with Cox proportional hazard regression test.Results:During the 10-year observation,stroke incidence was 440 person-years per 100000 population(95%CI 370-530).During the follow-up of ten years,the main predictor of stroke was mental-emotional disorders with HR 4.2(95%CI 2.8-6.3)after adjustment by age,hypertension,obesity,abdominal obesity,and high LDL-cholesterol levels.Conclusions:Mental-emotional disorders are the strongest predictor of stroke incidence.Hence,psychological factors must be controlled in a stroke prevention program.

Risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women,which is a significant cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Indonesia.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research.Pregnant women aged 15-54 years in the second and third trimesters were eligible.The history of hypertension in pregnant women was the dependent variable.The independent variables consisted of the demographic characteristics of pregnant women including pregnancy age,gestational age,education,occupation,place of residence,and region of residence.This study used multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia.Results:.Among 6479 respondents included in this study,11(7.0%)had a history of diabetes mellitus(DM)and hypertension compared to pregnant women who did not have a history of DM(0.1%).The dominant risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia include maternal age above 35 years(OR 3.67,95%CI 2.54-5.32),third-trimester pregnancy(OR 2.40,95%CI 1.72-3.35),primigravida(OR 1.78,95%CI 1.19-2.68),excessive consumption of salty foods(OR 1.44,95%CI 1.03-2.03),and diabetes mellitus(OR 10.20,95%CI 3.04-32.23).Conclusions:Great efforts must be made to increase public awareness about the dangers of hypertension in pregnant women through early diagnosis and treatment,education on sodium intake,and appropriate care for pregnant women with DM.

Determinants of malaria from environmental and poverty aspects in Indonesia:A spatiotemporal perspective,2016-2020

Objective:To investigate the environmental and social aspects of poverty contributing to malaria incidence in Indonesia from 2016 to 2020.Methods:Random forest regression was used to analyse the independent variables contributing to malaria incidence.Environmental conditions were extracted from remotely sensed data,including vegetation,land temperature,soil moisture,precipitation,and elevation.In contrast,the social aspects of poverty were obtained from government statistical reports.Results:From 2016 to 2020,the contribution of each environmental and social aspect of poverty to malaria incidence fluctuated annually.Generally,the top three essential variables were people aged 15 years and above,experiencing poverty(variable importance/VI=32.0%),people experiencing poverty who work in the agricultural sector(VI=14.4%),and precipitation(VI=9.8%).It was followed by people experiencing poverty who are unemployed(VI=9.2%),land temperature(VI=5.2%),people experiencing poverty who have low education(VI=8.0%),soil moisture(VI=7.4%),elevation(VI=6.0%),and vegetation(VI=3.8%).Conclusions:Poverty and variables related to climate have become the crucial determinants of malaria in Indonesia.The government must strengthen malaria surveillance through climate change mitigation and adaptation programs and accelerate poverty alleviation programs to support malaria elimination.

Management of Severely Malnourished Children Aged 6 - 59 Months Hospitalized in the Pediatric Ward of Kayanza Hospital/Burundi

The implementation of WHO guidelines has significantly reduced hospital mortality due to severe malnutrition. Nevertheless, severe acute malnutrition in children under five remains a major public health problem in all low-income countries and is little studied. The study aimed to assess the nutritional status and quality of management of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 06 to 59 months hospitalized in the pediatric ward of Kayanza Hospital. This is a prospective study with descriptive and analytical aims over 6 months from February 10 to July 9, 2023. All children aged 6 to 59 months admitted for severe acute malnutrition are included in this study. The results show that the most affected age group is 12 to 23 months (42.55%). Marasmus is the most common clinical form, at 70.2%. Housewives and mothers from rural areas are the most affected, with rates ranging from 69.14% to 91.49%. The study shows that the reasons for consultation are respectively: edema (29.78%), diarrhea (26.59%), vomiting (19.14%), and fever (14.89%). Dehydration and hypothermia were the main complications observed in 45.74% and 22.34% respectively. Medical treatment was provided by antibiotics (44.68%), artesunate (31.91%), and resomal (21.27%). Nutritional treatment consisted of F75 100% milk and F100 100% milk. Pathologies observed were: anemia 38.29%, malaria 37.23%, urinary tract infection 12.7%, measles 11.7%. The national protocol for integrated management of acute malnutrition (PCIMA) was followed. This study shows that 72.3% of children were successfully treated, with 9.5% dropping out and dying, and 8.5% not responding. We found that malnutrition remains a public health problem, affecting mostly children aged 12 to 24 months. The main complications or pathologies associated with malnutrition are diarrhea, malaria, and fever, and the majority of children suffer from marasmus.

Effect That Lifestyle during the Growth Period Has on Bone Density Acquisition—Using Simple Exercise and a Nutrition Survey

This survey was conducted with the aim of clarifying and providing guidance regarding correct lifestyle and exercise habits from adolescence in order to prevent the development of osteoporosis. The subjects included 195 Japanese adult females. We measured their calcaneal bone density by ultrasonography, the index of which was determined as SOS (Speed of Sound). We examined their physical characteristics, health conditions, amount of physical activity, exercise history, and eating habits, and then analyzed the relationship thereof with bone density. No significant correlation was found between height, weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), or body fat percentage and the SOS value. Moreover, the bone density among those with a history of exercise was high. Breaking it down, we obtained results such as the fact that exercise habits during the junior and senior high school years had a great impact on the acquisition of peak bone mass, although no relationship between exercise habits and bone density was found during the elementary school years. Furthermore, as the bone density of students who continued exercising in junior and senior high school indicated high values, continuity of exercise during the growth period (during puberty) is believed to have a great impact on peak bone mass. Upon investigating the content of meals including foods which have a positive impact on the bones, “bean and bean products” and “green and yellow vegetables” were found to be related to bone density. From the above, the effect that the lifestyle of young adult females had on bone density was partially clarified. In particular, one factor which had a strong relationship with current bone density was exercise history during the junior and senior high school periods. It was clarified that continuously engaging in exercise and placing strain on the bones during these periods lead to high bone density acquisition.

Validity of the patient health questionnaires(phq-2 and phq-9)for screening depression among human immunodeficiency virus patients in Lahore,Pakistan

BACKGROUND Many human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)infected patients suffer from depression,but a little focus is given to detecting and treating depression in primary health care.Detection of depression can be improved by introducing short,reliable,and valid screening instruments.AIM To determine the psychometric properties of the patient health questionnaire-2(PHQ-2)and patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9)for depression screening and diagnosis,and the sensitivity and specificity of the PHQ-2 in HIV infected patients.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 158 HIV-infected patients aged 18 years and above in Lahore,Pakistan.PHQ-2 was implemented to screen depression.PHQ-9 was implemented to diagnose major depressive disorder as a reference standard.Reliability,Validity tests and receiver operating characteristic curve were computed.RESULTS The Cronbach's alpha of PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 were 0.732 and 0.759,respectively.The study results showed that the score of 2 on PHQ-2 indicates the highest Youden's index of 0.924,with both sensitivity and specificity of 0.96,and the area under the curve for PHQ-2 was 0.98(95%CI:0.953-0.998).CONCLUSION Good psychometric properties for the PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 indicated their significant potential as tools for depression screening and diagnosis in the HIV-infected population.

Classification of Masseter Activity Patterns during Chewing in Healthy Young Adults: The Effect of Taste Signals

This study examined the effects of the textural properties and chemical components of foods on masseter activity patterns. Ten healthy young participants (seven men and three women) were asked to chew four gummy candies with different flavors while their masseter activities were recorded by a surface electromyogram. The masseter activity patterns during chewing were analyzed quantitatively using a TP technique, generating three TP values (T25, T50 and T75). The textural analysis included four representative properties, and six sugars and four organic acids were tested in the chemical analysis. The hierarchical cluster analysis classified the T25 and T75 values into four subclusters and classified the T50 values into three subclusters. Two T75 subclusters differed significantly in the combined amounts of the two predominant sugars (sucrose and maltose);however, these T75 subclusters did not differ in their organic acid contents or textural properties. Therefore, sucrose and maltose affect masseter activity patterns during chewing, particularly in the later stage of masseter activity.

A Case Study on the Impact of Mother-to-Mother Support Groups on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition and Care Practices in Habaswein and Wajir South Districts of North Eastern Kenya

Only about 25% of babies are exclusively breast fed until six months of age in developing countries though they are at a greater risk of infection and infant mortality. The Global Strategy for Maternal, Infant and Young Child Feeding (MI- YCF) Strategy developed by WHO/UNICEF in 2002 was to revitalize world attention to the impact of feeding practices on the nutritional status, growth, development, health and survival of infants and children. The data for this case study was collected through key informant interviews, observations and review of Save the Children nutrition programme reports and surveys. This information was then organized to produce a detailed description of the maternal, infant and young child nutrition programme in Habaswein and Wajir South districts or sub-counties. The maternal and infant young child nutrition (MIYCN) programme was launched in Habaswein and Wajir South districts in January 2012. The MIYCN programme followed recommendations of a Knowledge, Practice and Coverage (KPC) survey report in July 2012. To date, the programme has formed 48 Mother-to-mother Support Groups (MTMSGs), which are actively promoting the uptake of the recommended MIYCN practices in the community. MIYCN indicators have been markedly improved between July 2011 and February 2013 when surveys were conducted. The uptake of kitchen gardening has picked up significantly at Meri site and some mothers now have a changed attitude towards unskilled home deliveries and are conducting referrals for skilled births. The marked improvements in the performance of MIYCN indicators between July 2011 and February 2013 inWajir South and Habaswein districts can be partly attributed to the MIYCN programme established in January 2012. However, a randomized community trial is still required to provide conclusive results on the impact of care support groups on maternal, infant and young child feeding in this region.

Discussion on the Relationship between Dieting and Bone Density among Female College Students and the Health Guidance

We studied the relationship between dieting and bone density among female college students and the current state thereof. Female college students are generally thin, with the time to giving birth and raising the next generation approaching. We expect the results of this study will be useful in improving health guidance. The subjects consisted of 124 female college students. Their average age was 21.4. The ultrasonic propagation velocity of the heel bone was measured as the bone density value. Body height, weight, and BMI (Body mass index) were also measured. Further, a multiple choice and short answer survey was conducted regarding their desire to be thin and dieting. Classifying the subjects by BMI, 16 students were underweight (13%), 102 students were of normal weight (84%), and 4 students were overweight (3%). 95% of those in the normal weight group had a desire to be thin, while 44% of the underweight group had a desire to be thin. Moreover, 31% of those in the normal weight group were currently on a diet, while 21% of the underweight group was also on a diet. The distribution of bone density (%YAM value: Young Adult Mean) was as follows: 61 students (49%) were in the high density group (≥100);58 students (47%) were in the middle density group (≥80 - <100);and 5 students (4%) were in the low density group (<80). The more the bone density decreased, the greater the proportion of students with dieting experience. Among students with no dieting experience, the %YAM value was high when the BMI value was high. All of the students in the low density group had a desire to be thin, even though their bone density was low. Students who do not need to be thin had a desire to be thin and were considering continuing dieting going forward. Moreover, some students fell into the %YAM low density group, which is worrisome for the future. It is believed necessary to reinforce health guidance regarding dieting and bone density in school education. In particular, it is necessary to improve guidance since we observed a lack of knowledge regarding osteoporosis prevention.

Eye Blink Responses to the Four Basic Taste Stimuli in Healthy Young Humans

Taste stimuli can elicit facial responses, and the facial responses may be useful indexes of taste sensations. In this study, we propose that eye blinking is also elicited by taste stimuli and we examined eye blink responses in six healthy young adults. Low and high concentration solutions of the four basic taste qualities (sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and bitterness) and distilled water were delivered via a silicone tube. Facial responses were recorded by a video camera and eye blink responses were identified. The number of eye blinks in the 5 s following stimulation, and the latency and duration of the first eye blink, were quantified. High concentrations of sour and bitter solutions increased the number of eye blinks (195% and 227%, respectively;P P

An Electromyography-Based System for Measuring the Flavor Detection Time in Healthy Adults

This study aimed to develop a system to measure the flavor detection time for chewed solid and semi-solid foods. Twelve healthy young adults (seven males and five females) were asked to chew gummy candies with three different fruit flavors (grape, lemon, and pineapple) in a random order while their masseter activities were recorded by surface electromyograms on their habitual working and non-working sides. The participants were also asked to press a button as soon as possible with their preferred hand once they detected the flavor. The time interval between the start of chewing and the button press was measured;the start of chewing was defined as the start of a burst in the masseter electromyogram on the habitual working side. The average interval ranged from 2.82 s (lemon in males) to 4.63 s (grape in males);no significant differences were found between the three tested gummy candies or between the sexes of the participants. The present system can perform the measurements of the following two conventional measurement systems: 1) simple reaction time task for the taste and olfactory stimuli of fluids and vapors, respectively, and 2) time-intensity analysis of the flavor from solid and semi-solid foods, which does not generally consider the flavor detection time.

The healthcare environment—The importance of aesthetic surroundings: Health professionals’ experiences from a surgical ward in Finland

There is a growing acceptance of the vital role patient centered design plays in shaping the environment. Art can be of use in every area of health care. It is within the power of each person to share and interpret experience by means of the arts, by viewing the work of others, and by using feelings and imagination. Health professionals [n = 24 of a total of n = 35], answered the Wheel Questionnaire test instrument. It measures structure, motivation/engagement, and degree of emotional investment in a situation. Participants were requested to describe, in their own words, their perception of the enrichment of the ward interiordesign and the double-sided photos with a short poetic text, and the photo-book placed at each patient room. The results demonstrate that participants are motivated, structured and emotionally engaged when describing the new enrichment. The domains and themes are: Social interaction domain;rising thoughts and conversations. Comfort domain;atmosphere. Aesthetic do main;enrichment of the working environment. It could be concluded that the surgical ward environmental enrichment stimulated conversations between health professionals and between health professionals and patients and should be regarded as an important aspect in hospital planning.

Factors Determining the Detection Time to Flavor in Healthy Adults

This study analyzed the factors responsible for determining the flavor detection time for chewed semi-solid foods. Thirteen healthy young adults (eight males and five females) were asked to chew gummy candies with five different fruit flavors (i.e., apple, grape, orange, pear, and strawberry) in a random order. The detection time to flavor was measured using an electromyography-based system, which was recently developed by the authors. Briefly, each participant was recorded with surface masseter electromyograms on both sides to determine the start of chewing. Each participant was asked to press a button as soon as possible with his/her preferred hand after detecting the flavor. The time elapsed between the start of chewing and the button press was measured. Two taste components, sugars and organic acids, of the gummy candies were chemically analyzed, and two major sugars and organic acid were individually detected. The odor intensity was also analyzed for the gummy candies. The average detection time significantly differed among the five gummy candies and among the participants. Simple regression analyses revealed that the intensity of the odors was significantly associated with the average time intervals, but the amounts of the two major sugars and the organic acids were not. The analysis yielded the following equation for the regression estimation:?? (y = the time interval, x = the intensity of odors). The results suggest that the intensity of odors of the gummy candies, not the taste components, is responsible for determining the flavor detection time.

Epidemiological Studies on the Relationship between PTSD Symptoms and Circadian Typology and Mental/Sleep Health of Young People Who Suffered a Natural Disaster, Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

This study aims, first, to determine the relationship between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and current circadian typology and sleep habits of adults who experienced the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in their childhood in January 1995. An integrated questionnaire was administered to 275 university students (females: 173, males: 93, unknown: 9) aged 19 - 37 (mean age: 21.9 years) in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The questionnaire consisted of basic questions about attributes, questions on sleep habits and sleep quality (Monroe’s sleep quality index), the Torsvall-?kerstedt Diurnal Type Scale and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to obtain PTSD scores. Participants who scored 25 or more in the IES-R were placed in a high-traumatic group (HTG) and those who scored less than 25 were placed in a low-traumatic group (LTG). HTG participants exhibited significantly worse sleep quality than LTG participants (p < 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in sleep latency (p > 0.05), HTG participants woke more frequently during sleep (p < 0.001) and had more difficulty falling asleep (p = 0.001) than LHG participants. Significantly more LTG participants fell asleep easily and slept deeply than HTG participants (p = 0.005, p = 0.011). Only among females, HTG participants were more evening-typed than LTG participants (p = 0.035). These results suggest that people who suffered a disaster in childhood and currently have PTSD have difficulty achieving high sleep quality. Evening-type lifestyles may reinforce the symptoms of PTSD. The study aims, second, to examine the effects of intervention for one month using a leaflet to promote the morning-typed life for persons who suffered natural disaster entitled “Go to bed early, Get up early and Do not forget to have a breakfast for getting three benefits!”. Only one person was over the cutoff point (between 24 and 25) before intervention. This high-traumatic person’s comprehensive sleep health tended to be improved through the intervention (p = 0.052). Such intervention to improve their quality of sleep and promote a morning-typed lifestyle may be an effective way to reduce PTSD symptoms.

Dietary fat intake of Japanese male children and its associated factors: Results of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey in Japan

Aim: To clarify the factors associated with reported dietary fat intake by Japanese male children. Methods: This study is based on the data of a nationally representative cross-sectional study in Japan. Three hundred and seventy-seven male children (age, 6 - 11 years) whose households were sampled in the 1995 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions of the People on Health and Welfare, and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey and whose parents were identified through record linkage between the 2 survey data sets were enrolled. Results: The final dataset in this study consisted of 377 boys with 329 of their parents. Fifty-two boys were found to be overweight (13.8%). The reported dietary fat intake was higher among the overweight boys than among the non-overweight boys. Maternal obesity was significantly associated with obesity in male children. Boys who frequently consumed foods from the “fats and lipids” group and the “meat” groups, and children from nuclear families rather than 3- generation families reported high dietary fat intake. In addition, parental fat intake was also significantly associated with fat intake of male children. Conclusions: Child and parental dietary habits along with the household status should be considered when implementing nutritional education programmes to control dietary fat intake and reduce the obesity risks of male children.