Factors of an Obesogenic Environment That Influence in Human Food Behavior

This bibliographic research sought to address environmental aspects that can influence human eating behavior. It addressed the influence of the media in the choice of food, the importance of the family as an interferer in the process of forming children’s eating habits, as well as the accessibility to foods rich in fat, sodium and sugar, which has become greater due to the growing emergence of fast food chains, making the habit of eating outside the home more constant, driving, in a way, the greater consumption of these caloric foods, which contributes to the emergence of obesity. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that it is essential that interventions are carried out in this environment that can contribute to the installation and maintenance of obesity, as the environmental scenario is considered modifiable and can influence the process of building the child’s eating habits and, consequently, of the adult individual.

Sleep quality and its relationship with climacteric symptoms and quality of life in women on menopausal transition

Background: Climacteric syndrome, occurring during menopausal transition, plays a key role in the alteration of women's quality of life. Aims: This study investigated the relationship between perimenopausal symptoms, sleep quality, quality of life, and food behavior in women on menopausal transition in western Algeria. Subjects and Methods: The study included 131 perimenopausal women (Mean age = 48 ± 3 years). The climacteric syndrome and quality of life were assessed by the menopause rating scale (MRS) questionnaire. The quality of sleep was evaluated by the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and food consumption by the 24h recall method. Results: The mean score of psychological (9.63 ± 2.93) and somatic (10.74 ± 3.43) symptoms were significantly higher (p= 0.000) and the total score of MRS was 24 ± 6, which means that women have an impaired quality of life. A high significance (p= 0.000) was also noted in subscales scores of sleep components; sleep disturbances (1.69± 0.62), subjective sleep quality (1.55± 0.93), and sleep latency (1.40 ± 1.23), compared to other sleep components. Poor sleep quality was explained by a high score of PSQI (8 ± 4). The MRS subscale scores showed a significant correlation with total PSQI score (r =0.600, p=0.01). A positive energy balance was also recorded with a high protein (13% of TEI) and polyunsaturated fatty acids intake (33%) and low lipids (23% of TEI), monounsaturated fatty acids (41%), and animal protein intake (26%). Conclusions: Perimenopause is a difficult period in a woman's life, disrupting her quality of life and sleep quality leading to disturbances in eating behavior and body weight gain. Keywords: Climacteric symptoms, menopausal transition, quality of life, sleep quality, food behavior.

Risks for obesity development, features of food behavior and bio-impedansemetric parameters in adolescents

Background. The problem of obesity in adolescents has gained its medical and social relevance since the incidence of the disease is steadily increasing. The purpose of the study is to improve the effectiveness of early diagnosis and prevention of obesity in adolescents. Materials and methods. To study the risk factors for obesity, a comparative assessment of lifestyle among adolescents aged 15–17 years with obesity, overweight and physiological body weight was conducted. In adolescents of the same age with comorbid obesity (basic group), overweight and physiological body weight (two comparison groups), the types of food behavior were determined using the Dutch eating behavior questionnaire (DEBQ). Bioelectrical indicators of bio-impedancemetric analysis were studied on a Tanita apparatus (Japan). The probability of differences in mean values was determined using Student’s t-test. Results. It was found that the frequency of imbalance of the food pyramid, movement disorders, sleep and rest, nervous tension, burdened heredity increased significantly among obese adolescents. Obesity was found to dominate by external type of eating behavior (57.2 %); at the excess weight — restrictive type (60 %); at physiological body weight — emotional type (40 %). Bio-impedancemetry showed that the reliable bioelectrical parameters of obesity were total fat (35.5 ± 4.5 % and 29 ± 2 % vs. 17.5 ± 2.5 %); visceral fat (17 ± 2 % and 12 ± 3 % vs. 8.5 ± 1.5 %); and metabolic age (33 ± 8 and 21.5 ± 1.5 years versus 16 ± 1 years). Conclusions. Risk factors for obesity include the imbalance of the food pyramid, movement disorders, sleep and rest, nervous tension, bad habits, burdened here­dity. The predominance of external type of eating behavior in obesity, restrictive — in overweight and emotional type in adolescents with physiological body weight should be taken into account when prescribing personalized lifestyle adjustments. The most informative bioelectrical parameters of bio-impedancemetry were total fat, visceral fat, and metabolic age. Bio-impedancemetry as a non-invasive predictive method of diagnosing obesity can be re­commended for widespread implementation in pediatric practice.

Food Behavior Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Statistical Analysis of Consumer Survey Data from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing quarantine and other social distancing measures. These measures, however, have mental, social, and economic consequences on diet and food behaviors. The Bosnian case is particularly pertinent since the country has one of the highest global mortality rates relative to its population. In addition, its health system is fragmented and under-resourced. Consequently, in this study, we analyze the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bosnians’ behaviors relating to food. It is based on an online survey performed during October–November 2020 with 3133 adult respondents. The statistical analysis encompassed descriptive statistics (means, percentages, and frequencies), as well as cluster analysis. The results reveal that the pandemic transformed consumers’ shopping behaviors and food sourcing, reducing shopping frequency and increasing food bought on each trip. Furthermore, there was an increase in the consumption of local food items due to food safety concerns. Additionally, the pandemic improved the awareness of Bosnians towards food with a decrease in food waste. Regarding diets, Bosnians tried to have healthier diets during the pandemic. Therefore, COVID-19 might have opened a ‘window of opportunity’ to promote the shift towards more sustainable food consumption and lifestyles.