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Liu Y, Zhou X, Ding N, Song S, Gittelsohn J, Jiang N, Sundermeir SM, Ma Y, Wen D. Obesity contagion among classmates: Children's relation with each other regarding weight status, physical activity, and dietary intake. SSM Popul Health 2024; 26:101636. [PMID: 38516526 PMCID: PMC10955631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of influential articles suggests that obesity may spread between couples, siblings, and close friends via an obesity contagion phenomenon. Classmates, as important structural equivalents in one's social network, may experience obesity contagion. However, this has rarely been examined. Anthropometric measurements, questionnaire surveys, and geographic information were collected from 3670 children from 26 schools in Northeast China. We found that classmates were positively related in terms of body mass index (BMI), body fat, physical activity, and intake of vegetables, fruits, fast food, snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages. One standard deviation (SD) increase in classmates' mean BMI and percentage body fat was associated with 0.19 SD higher individual BMI (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.00, 0.39) and 0.31 SD higher percentage body fat (95% CI: 0.13, 0.48). Coefficients ranged from 0.48 to 0.76 in models for physical activity, and the dietary intake of vegetables, fruit, fast food, snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Children's BMI and body fat were more strongly associated with the maximum and minimum body fat levels of their same-sex classmates than with those of their general classmates. Their dietary intake and physical activity were more strongly associated with the mean/median levels of their general classmates than with those of their same-sex classmates. This study suggests that children's BMI, body fat, physical activity, and dietary intake may be related to those of their classmates. Modeling healthy behaviors in the classroom may help children develop habits that support achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Future interventions should consider the inclusion of classmates as a social network strategy for obesity prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- China Medical University, Health Sciences Institute, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Xiaobei Zhou
- China Medical University, Health Sciences Institute, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Ning Ding
- China Medical University, Institute of International Medical Education, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Shenzhi Song
- China Medical University, Health Sciences Institute, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Joel Gittelsohn
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Human Nutrition Center, Address: 615 North Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2179, USA
| | - Nan Jiang
- China Medical University, Institute of International Medical Education, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Samantha M. Sundermeir
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Human Nutrition Center, Address: 615 North Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205-2179, USA
| | - Yanan Ma
- China Medical University, School of Public Health, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Deliang Wen
- China Medical University, Health Sciences Institute, Address: No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
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Kim DH, Rajaguru V, Kim B, Jang SY, Shin J, Lee SG, Kim TH. Association of behavior pattern with overweight and obesity in South Korean adults-A multi correspondence analysis (KNHANES-2018-2020). PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002384. [PMID: 37721930 PMCID: PMC10506704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
The objective was to determine the association between health-related behaviour with overweight and obesity in South Korean adults by using the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2018-2020. The study participants were 16,784 aged ≥ 20years. The variables were socio-demographic, lifestyle, food habits and metabolic conditions. The logistic regression analysis performed to find the association by the odds ratio (OR, 95% CI). MCA performed to identify risk factors were computed for overweight and obesity. Overweight and obesity were significantly associated with health behaviour, high income (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15-1.39), smoking(OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.08-1.53), low physical activity(OR = 3.23; 95% CI: 1.79-4.69), diabetes(OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.62-4.50), high cholesterol and low HDL(OR = 3.98; 95%CI:2.65-5.97). The high discriminant variables of MCA were aged over 60years, lower education, high income, diabetes, lack of physical activity, and high cholesterol. The findings confirm that the OR of obesity and overweight was likely associated with health behaviour patterns. Besides, it indicates the MCA would be very effective to identify the population-based data context than individual data and it may suggest that more research on association between health behaviours and obesity prevention interventions should be developed for each age group for better health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do Hee Kim
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Vasuki Rajaguru
- Department of Healthcare Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bomgyeol Kim
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Suk-Yong Jang
- Department of Healthcare Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jaeyong Shin
- Department of Preventive medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Gyu Lee
- Department of Preventive medicine, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Hyun Kim
- Department of Healthcare Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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Datar A, Nicosia N, Mahler A, Prados MJ, Ghosh-Dastidar M. Association of Place With Adolescent Obesity. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:847-855. [PMID: 37273213 PMCID: PMC10242508 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.1329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Importance Despite strong evidence linking place and obesity risk, the extent to which this link is causal or reflects sorting into places is unclear. Objective To examine the association of place with adolescents' obesity and explore potential causal pathways, such as shared environments and social contagion. Design, Setting, and Participants This natural experiment study used the periodic reassignment of US military servicemembers to installations as a source of exogenous variation in exposure to difference places to estimate the association between place and obesity risk. The study analyzed data from the Military Teenagers Environments, Exercise, and Nutrition Study, a cohort of adolescents in military families recruited from 2013 through 2014 from 12 large military installations in the US and followed up until 2018. Individual fixed-effects models were estimated that examined whether adolescents' exposure to increasingly obesogenic places over time was associated with increases in body mass index (BMI) and probability of overweight or obesity. These data were analyzed from October 15, 2021, through March 10, 2023. Exposure Adult obesity rate in military parent's assigned installation county was used as a summary measure of all place-specific obesogenic influences. Main Outcomes and Measures Outcomes were BMI, overweight or obesity (BMI in the 85th percentile or higher), and obesity (BMI in the 95th percentile or higher). Time at installation residence and off installation residence were moderators capturing the degree of exposure to the county. County-level measures of food access, physical activity opportunities, and socioeconomic characteristics captured shared environments. Results A cohort of 970 adolescents had a baseline mean age of 13.7 years and 512 were male (52.8%). A 5 percentage point-increase over time in the county obesity rate was associated with a 0.19 increase in adolescents' BMI (95% CI, 0.02-0.37) and a 0.02-unit increase in their probability of obesity (95% CI, 0-0.04). Shared environments did not explain these associations. These associations were stronger for adolescents with time at installation of 2 years or longer vs less than 2 years for BMI (0.359 vs. 0.046; P value for difference in association = .02) and for probability of overweight or obesity (0.058 vs. 0.007; P value for difference association = .02), and for adolescents who lived off installation vs on installation for BMI (0.414 vs. -0.025; P value for association = .01) and for probability of obesity (0.033 vs. -0.007; P value for association = .02). Conclusion and Relevance In this study, the link between place and adolescents' obesity risk is not explained by selection or shared environments. The study findings suggest social contagion as a potential causal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesha Datar
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | | | - Amy Mahler
- Department of Economics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Maria J. Prados
- Center for Economic and Social Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
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Nelson TD, Stice E. Contextualizing the Neural Vulnerabilities Model of Obesity. Nutrients 2023; 15:2988. [PMID: 37447312 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, investigators have focused on neural vulnerability factors that increase the risk of unhealthy weight gain, which has provided a useful organizing structure for obesity neuroscience research. However, this framework, and much of the research it has informed, has given limited attention to contextual factors that may interact with key vulnerabilities to impact eating behaviors and weight gain. To fill this gap, we propose a Contextualized Neural Vulnerabilities Model of Obesity, extending the existing theory to more intentionally incorporate contextual factors that are hypothesized to interact with neural vulnerabilities in shaping eating behaviors and weight trajectories. We begin by providing an overview of the Neural Vulnerabilities Model of Obesity, and briefly review supporting evidence. Next, we suggest opportunities to add contextual considerations to the model, including incorporating environmental and developmental context, emphasizing how contextual factors may interact with neural vulnerabilities to impact eating and weight. We then synthesize earlier models and new extensions to describe a Contextualized Neural Vulnerabilities Model of Obesity with three interacting components-food reward sensitivity, top-down regulation, and environmental factors-all within a developmental framework that highlights adolescence as a key period. Finally, we propose critical research questions arising from the framework, as well as opportunities to inform novel interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Nelson
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
| | - Eric Stice
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Miller NA, Ehmann MM, Hagerman CJ, Forman EM, Arigo D, Spring B, LaFata EM, Zhang F, Milliron BJ, Butryn ML. Sharing digital self-monitoring data with others to enhance long-term weight loss: A randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials 2023; 129:107201. [PMID: 37080355 PMCID: PMC10231946 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Participants in behavioral weight loss (BWL) programs increasingly use digital tools to self-monitor weight, physical activity, and dietary intake. Data collected with these tools can be systematically shared with other parties in ways that might support behavior change. METHODS Adults age 18 to 70 with overweight/obesity (BMI 27-50 kg/m2) will enroll in a remotely delivered, 24-month BWL program designed to produce and maintain a 10% weight loss. Participants will be asked to use a wireless body weight scale, wearable activity sensor, and dietary intake app daily. All participants will receive individual and group counseling, engage in text messaging with members of their group, and appoint a friend or family member to serve in a support role. A 2x2x2 factorial design will test the effects of three types of data sharing partnerships: 1) Coach Share: The behavioral coach will regularly view digital self-monitoring data and address data observations. 2) Group Share: Participants will view each other's self-monitoring data in small-group text messages. 3) Friend/Family Share: A friend or family member will view the participant's data via automated message. The primary outcome is weight loss at 24 months. Mediators and moderators of intervention effects will be tested. CONCLUSION This study will provide a clear indication of whether data sharing can improve long-term weight loss. This study will be the first to discern the mechanisms of action through which each type of data sharing may be beneficial, and elucidate conditions under which the benefits of data sharing may be maximized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Miller
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
| | - Marny M Ehmann
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Charlotte J Hagerman
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Evan M Forman
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Danielle Arigo
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Robinson Hall, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Bonnie Spring
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Erica M LaFata
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Fengqing Zhang
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Brandy-Joe Milliron
- Department of Nutrition Sciences, Drexel University, 60 N 36th St, 11(th) floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Meghan L Butryn
- Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Drexel University, 3201 Chestnut Street Stratton Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
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Luca AC, Curpan AS, Braha EE, Ţarcă E, Iordache AC, Luca FA, Adumitrachioaiei H. Increasing Trends in Obesity-Related Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Romanian Children and Adolescents-Retrospective Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10122452. [PMID: 36553976 PMCID: PMC9777914 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Childhood obesity has become a global public health issue and its assessment is essential, as an obese child is a future overweight or obese adult. Obesity is no longer a matter of exercising more and eating less, with several factors coming into play and dictating the pattern of fat accumulation and the ease/difficulty of reducing it. In the current paper, we aimed to analyze the cardiovascular impact of obesity in a large number of patients alongside the paraclinical changes that occur due to weight gain, and to perform an analysis on the increase in prevalence throughout our research. The main cardiovascular conditions identified were hypertension (15.36%), septal or concentric hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (11.15%), atherosclerosis risk (13.04%), and hypercholesterolemia (20.94%). We have used echocardiography to measure the thickness of epicardial adipose tissue (useful for assessing the patient's cardiovascular risk), and we observed that it was greater in children with moderate and severe obesity alongside diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle in the whole group, without any connection with hypertension or coronary impairment. Obese children will be affected by increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in adulthood and they may experience early cardiovascular dysfunction. We want to strongly underline the importance and necessity of programs for the early detection and prevention of obesity and its complications, especially since interesting phenomena such as the "obesity paradox" exist and prove that obesity is far less understood than it is at a first glance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina-Costina Luca
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine–Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Sfânta Maria’ Emergency Children’s Hospital, 700309 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandrina-Stefania Curpan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iasi, Bd. Carol I, 20A, 700505 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.-S.C.); (E.Ţ.)
| | - Elena Emanuela Braha
- National Institute of Endocrinology CI Parhon, Department of Genetics Endocrinology, B–dul Aviatorilor, nr. 34–38, Sector 1, 011863 Bucureşti, Romania
| | - Elena Ţarcă
- Department of Surgery II–Pediatric Surgery, Grigore T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence: (A.-S.C.); (E.Ţ.)
| | - Alin-Constantin Iordache
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine–Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Florin-Alexandru Luca
- Department BMTM, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University, Bulevardul Profesor Dimitrie Mangeron 67, 700050 Iaşi, Romania
| | - Heidrun Adumitrachioaiei
- Department of Mother and Child Medicine–Pediatric Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gr. T. Popa’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Marchese SH, Pandit AU. Psychosocial Aspects of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeries and Endoscopic Therapies. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2022; 51:785-798. [PMID: 36375996 DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a prevalent progressive and relapsing disease for which there are several levels of intervention, including metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) and now endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs). Preoperative psychological assessment focused on cognitive status, psychiatric symptoms, eating disorders, social support, and substance use is useful in optimizing patient outcomes and minimizing risks in MBS. Very little is known about the psychosocial needs of patients seeking EBMTs, though these investigations will be forthcoming if these therapies become more widespread. As MBS and EBMT inherently alter the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, considerations for the longer-term GI functioning of the patient are relevant and should be considered and monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara H Marchese
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Section of Bariatric & Outpatient Psychotherapy, Rush University Medical Center, 1645 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
| | - Anjali U Pandit
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology & Psychiatry, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 N. St. Clair Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Smith NR, Grummon AH, Ng SW, Wright ST, Frerichs L. Simulation models of sugary drink policies: A scoping review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275270. [PMID: 36191026 PMCID: PMC9529101 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Simulation modeling methods are an increasingly common tool for projecting the potential health effects of policies to decrease sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. However, it remains unknown which SSB policies are understudied and how simulation modeling methods could be improved. To inform next steps, we conducted a scoping review to characterize the (1) policies considered and (2) major characteristics of SSB simulation models. METHODS We systematically searched 7 electronic databases in 2020, updated in 2021. Two investigators independently screened articles to identify peer-reviewed research using simulation modeling to project the impact of SSB policies on health outcomes. One investigator extracted information about policies considered and key characteristics of models from the full text of included articles. Data were analyzed in 2021-22. RESULTS Sixty-one articles were included. Of these, 50 simulated at least one tax policy, most often an ad valorem tax (e.g., 20% tax, n = 25) or volumetric tax (e.g., 1 cent-per-fluid-ounce tax, n = 23). Non-tax policies examined included bans on SSB purchases (n = 5), mandatory reformulation (n = 3), warning labels (n = 2), and portion size policies (n = 2). Policies were typically modeled in populations accounting for age and gender or sex attributes. Most studies focused on weight-related outcomes (n = 54), used cohort, lifetable, or microsimulation modeling methods (n = 34), conducted sensitivity or uncertainty analyses (n = 56), and included supplementary materials (n = 54). Few studies included stakeholders at any point in their process (n = 9) or provided replication code/data (n = 8). DISCUSSION Most simulation modeling of SSB policies has focused on tax policies and has been limited in its exploration of heterogenous impacts across population groups. Future research would benefit from refined policy and implementation scenario specifications, thorough assessments of the equity impacts of policies using established methods, and standardized reporting to improve transparency and consistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Riva Smith
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Anna H. Grummon
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School / Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Shu Wen Ng
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Carolina Population Center, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Sarah Towner Wright
- Health Sciences Library, UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Leah Frerichs
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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Examining Factors Influencing COVID-19 Vaccine Tourism for International Tourists. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132212867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on global tourism. Vaccine tourism is a novel health tourism concept, which provides an opportunity for countries with a vaccine surplus to offer medical tourism packages to entice international tourists from countries with vaccine shortages to visit for sightseeing and receive vaccine inoculations. Understanding the factors that influence people to adopt vaccine tourism is one of the strategies that could boost a country’s tourism sector and help to revive the local economy. This study aims to examine the factors influencing the intention to adopt and recommend COVID-19 vaccine tourism among young travelers. A total of 179 questionnaire surveys were collected from traveling-related social media outlets. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was performed to analyze the data. The results indicate that young tourists in Thailand are inclined to promote vaccine tourism to others. Price value appears to be the most significant influencing factor on intentions to both adopt and recommend vaccine tourism. Additionally, trust in the foreign healthcare system was positively associated with young travelers’ intention to recommend vaccine tourism to others. Theoretically, this research adds to the medical tourism literature, suggesting that, while trust is an important factor influencing the medical tourism decision, it appears to be insignificant in the context of vaccine tourism.
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