Tea-drinking habit among new university students: associated factors

EXPLORING LOCATION DETERMINANTS OF ASIA’S UNIQUE BEVERAGE SHOPS BASED ON A HYBRID MADM MODEL

Identifying relevant location determinants is a good starting point for shop operators, help to increase profitability and, thus, avoiding business failure. Traditional Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) or the Analytic Network Process (ANP) have shortages that require improvement. Herein, Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), ANP based on DEMATEL (DANP), and modified Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (modified VIKOR) are used to construct a hybrid multiple-attribute decision making (MADM) model, encompassing three dimensions and thirteen criteria in exploring the location determinants of Asia’s unique Bubble Tea Shops (BTSs) and to evaluate three preselected alternatives in Nanjing, China. The empirical findings of the DEMATEL method reveal that traffic traits (D1) and site traits (D2) are critical to BTSs, and that once these are enhanced, shop traits (D3) are also improved. Criteria deemed as important, based on the DEMATEL and DANP methodology, are (in descending order): proximity to a street corner (C2), proximity to public transportation systems (C1), road width (C3), proximity to communities (C5), proximity to commercial areas (C6), types of shop (C9), and proximity to schools (C7). Different decision-making rankings among alternatives are indicated based upon the modified VIKOR method and corresponding strategies for improvement are presented.

Knowledge and consumption of caffeinated products by university students in Beirut, Lebanon

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Caffeine consumption is well studied among children and adults on a national level. Literature about university student comprehensive consumption, in particular, is scarce. This study aims to measure university student caffeine consumption during weekdays, weekends and exam days.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using the online Lime Survey tool was sent to a random sample of 2154 students at the American University of Beirut. The survey included a self-report questionnaire that asked participants to quantify servings of various products consumed on a typical day using the visual presentation of available serving sizes of common brand names present in the market.

RESULTS

A total of 146 students replied to the survey, yielding a response rate of 6.8%. The mean total consumption of caffeine was 373.1 ± 286.6 mg during weekdays, 326.7 ± 305.3 mg on weekends and 473.6 ± 444.0 mg during exams. Consumption beyond the approved level of 400 mg/day was found among 34.9%, 28.8% and 46.6% of participants during weekdays, weekends and exams, respectively. Products other than coffee and energy drinks contributed to at least 61% of daily caffeine consumption. Total caffeine consumption was associated with smoking, alcohol drinking, and general stress level.

CONCLUSION

University students consume high levels of caffeine from products other than coffee and energy drinks. During exams, the total daily consumption of caffeine is alarmingly above the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved daily intake. Targeted programs and awareness campaigns are needed on campus.

Poor sleep quality and influencing factors among rural adults in Deqing, China

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep quality is prevalent and is associated with cognitive decline, impaired health, and reduced quality of life. There is a lack of studies about sleep quality and its potential risk factors among rural adults aged 45 years or above under rapid urbanization in China.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional survey conducted in Deqing County, China in 2015, we included 1584 adults 45+ years of age. Sleep quality was measured by using the Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI). Poor sleep quality was defined by a CPSQI global score > 5. Other data collected included sociodemographic and lifestyle factors as well as physical health. Logistic regression model was applied to assess factors influencing sleep quality by calculating crude odds ratio (cOR), adjusted OR (aOR), and their 95% confident intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Of 1584 subjects, more than half were female with an average age of 58.9 ± 8.1 years. Their night sleep duration was 7.7 ± 1.2 h, sleep latency was 31.9 ± 32.0 min, and 17% of them could not fall asleep within half hour, averagely. The mean score of CPSQI was 4.4 ± 2.7. The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 27.7% (95% CI = 25.4-29.7%) overall, and there existed a significant sex difference-30.6% (95% CI = 27.7-33.7%) for women and 24.0% (95% CI = 20.9-27.2%) for men. Five domains of the CPSQI except for sleep efficiency and use of sleeping medication also showed a sex difference (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that unmarried status (aOR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.03-2.22), lower monthly individual income (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.49-2.94), and chronic diseases (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.51-2.51) were significantly related to poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep problems were prevalent among the rural Chinese adults aged 45+ years. People who were unmarried or had low personal income or any chronic diseases were more likely to have poor sleep quality.

Factors related to self-reported social anxiety symptoms among incoming university students

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the lifestyle/social, personality trait and mental factors among incoming university students with higher self-reported social anxiety symptoms (SAS).

METHODS

A total of 5126 incoming university students were recruited. The test battery included a self-administered questionnaire that examined personal lifestyle, the Measurement of Support Functions, the Chinese Internet Addiction Scale-Revision, the Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Scale, the Social Phobia Inventory, the suicide ideation from the Brief Symptoms Rating Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire.

RESULTS

SAS (23.7%) were prevalent. Using logistic regression analysis, we found that the significant predictors of higher levels of SAS were being an undergraduate student and a non-smoker, having lower Measurement of Support Functions score (poorer social support), having higher Chinese Internet Addiction Scale-Revision score (Internet addiction), having lower Organizational Citizenship Behaviour Scale score (less altruistic behaviour), having suicide ideation and having higher Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire score (poorer sleeper).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the high prevalence of SAS among university students, it is necessary to build a better strategy to detect students with potential social anxiety-related problems/disorders or other mental problems early on.

Impact of beverage consumption, age, and site dependency on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) measurements in perimenopausal women: a prospective study

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to determine the best site for bone mineral density (BMD) measurements based on T-scores, age, and beverage consumption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 271 women stratified by age (average age: 61.9 years) underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning of their lumbar spine, hips, and forearms. Osteoporosis was defined as a BMD of 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass based on a reference population of adult women (translated as a T-score ≤ -2.5), as measured by DEXA. Participants were also evaluated regarding alcohol and caffeine consumption by a semiquantitative questionnaire.

RESULTS

A significant discrepancy was observed in the classification of osteoporosis at different locations, with hip and forearm showing the best correlation (Pearson's r = 0.627, p < 0.001). In addition, for participants over 50 years of age, hip and forearm showed the best correlation. Significant correlations were also noted between forearm T-scores and caffeine consumed and, to a lesser extent, the level of alcohol consumption. In the group ≤ 50 years of age, lumbar spine and forearm T-scores were only associated with alcohol consumption. In the group over 50 years of age, hip and forearm T-scores were only associated with caffeine consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone mineral density measurements at the hip and forearm correlated with caffeine consumption in elderly Taiwanese women. This is an important finding since age and caffeine consumption are known risk factors for osteoporosis.

Gallic Acid Content in Taiwanese Teas at Different Degrees of Fermentation and Its Antioxidant Activity by Inhibiting PKCδ Activation: In Vitro and in Silico Studies

Teas can be classified according to their degree of fermentation, which has been reported to affect both the bioactive components in the teas and their antioxidative activity. In this study, four kinds of commercial Taiwanese tea at different degrees of fermentation, which include green (non-fermented), oolong (semi-fermented), black (fully fermented), and Pu-erh (post-fermented) tea, were profiled for catechin levels by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The result indicated that the gallic acid content in tea was directly proportional to the degree of fermentation in which the lowest and highest gallic acid content were 1.67 and 21.98 mg/g from green and Pu-erh tea, respectively. The antioxidative mechanism of the gallic acid was further determined by in vitro and in silico analyses. In vitro assays included the use of phorbol ester-induced macrophage RAW264.7 cell model for determining the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and PKCδ and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunit (p47) activations. The results showed that only at a concentration of 5.00 μM could gallic acid significantly (p < 0.05) reduce ROS levels in phorbol ester-activated macrophages. Moreover, protein immunoblotting expressed similar results in which activations of PKCδ and p47 were only significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated by 5.00 μM treatment. Lastly, in silico experiments further revealed that gallic acid could block PKCδ activation by occupying the phorbol ester binding sites of the protein.

Beverage Consumption Patterns among Norwegian Adults

Beverages may be important contributors for energy intake and dietary quality. The purpose of the study was to investigate how beverage consumption varies between different meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper/evening meal, snacks) and between weekdays and weekend-days in Norwegian adults. A cross-sectional dietary survey was conducted among Norwegian adults (n = 1787) in 2010-2011. Two telephone-administered 24 h recalls were used for dietary data collection. Breakfast was the most important meal for milk and juice consumption, dinner for sugar-sweetened beverages and wine, and snacks for water, coffee, artificially sweetened beverages, and beer. Consumption of sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages did not differ between weekdays and weekend-days among consumers. The average intake of wine and beer (men only) was higher on weekend-days. Higher age was positively associated with wine consumption and negatively associated with consumption of water, sugar-sweetened, and artificially sweetened beverages. Higher education was associated with consumption of water, beer, and wine, whereas lower education was associated with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Beverage consumption patterns among Norwegian adults vary between different meal types and in subgroups of the population. Alcohol consumption was higher on weekend-days. Knowledge regarding beverage consumption patterns in the population should be considered when revising dietary guidelines in the future.