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1 – 10 of 142Zeinab Sadri, Fereshteh Najafi, Reza Beiranvand, Farhad Vahid and Javad Harooni
While several studies have reported a relationship between chronic daily headache (CDH) and different dietary patterns, no study has investigated the association between CDH and…
Abstract
Purpose
While several studies have reported a relationship between chronic daily headache (CDH) and different dietary patterns, no study has investigated the association between CDH and the dietary inflammatory index (DII). This study aims to hypothesize that a higher DII score (proinflammatory diets) is associated with higher odds of CDH.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was performed using the baseline data of the Dena PERSIAN cohort study, including demographic information, body mass index, medical history, laboratory tests, sleep duration and blood pressure. The DII was computed based on the data collected by a valid 113-item food frequency questionnaire and a 127-item indigenous food questionnaire. The association between CDH and DII score was analyzed by simple and multiple logistic regression.
Findings
Out of 3,626 people included in the study, 23.1% had CDH. The median DII was −0.08 (interquartile range = 0.18). People in the third and fourth quartiles of DII (proinflammatory diet) had a 20% (odds ratio: 0.80; 95% confidence interval: 0.65–1) and a 25% (odds ratio: 0.75; 95% confidence interval: 0.61–0.94) lower chance of having CHD than those in the first quartile, respectively. After adjustment for confounding variables, this association did not remain statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Originality/value
Although the analysis conducted without adjustment for medical history showed a significant association between proinflammatory diet and reduced CDH, considering the diverse etiology of different types of headaches and the paucity of studies in this area, further studies are needed to investigate the DII score of patients by the type of headache, its severity and duration.
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Moslem Soofi, Ali Akbari Sari, Satar Rezaei, Mohammad Hajizadeh and Farid Najafi
Behavioral economic analysis of health-related behavior is a potentially useful approach to study and control non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this paper is to explore…
Abstract
Purpose
Behavioral economic analysis of health-related behavior is a potentially useful approach to study and control non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this paper is to explore the time preferences of individuals and its impact on obesity in an adult population of Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured questionnaire was completed by 792 individuals who were randomly selected from the participants of an ongoing national Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN cohort study in West of Iran. The quasi-hyperbolic discounting model was used to estimate the parameters of time preferences and a probit regression model was used to explore the correlation between obesity and time preferences.
Findings
There was a statistically significant correlation between obesity and both the long-run patience and present-biased preferences of participants. Individuals with a low level of long-run patience were 10.2 percentage points more likely to be obese compared to individuals with a high level of long-run patience. The probability of being obese increased by 11 percentage points in present-biased individuals compared to future biased individuals.
Originality/value
The long-run patience and time inconsistent preferences were significant determinants of obesity. Considering the time-inconsistent preferences in the development of policies to change obesity-related behavior among adults might increase the success rate of the interventions.
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Teymour Sheikhi, Yahya Pasdar, Jalal Moludi, Mehdi Moradinazar and Hadi Abdollahzad
Inflammation plays a significant role in incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), whose risk can be reduced through modifying the diet. Considering the importance of incidence of…
Abstract
Purpose
Inflammation plays a significant role in incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), whose risk can be reduced through modifying the diet. Considering the importance of incidence of MetS among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this study aims to determine the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) and MetS in these patients.
Design/methodology/approach
This study was performed on 261 adults 35–65 years of age suffering from RA. The patients were among the participants in Ravansar non-communicable disease prospective study. DII was calculated based on food frequency questionnaire. The components of MetS were measured according to the protocol of prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran cohort. Data analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate logistic regression model by modifying the confounding variables.
Findings
In patients with RA, prevalence of MetS was 37.5%. The mean of DII in RA patients with MetS and without MetS was −2.3 ± 1.5 and −2.2 ± 1.6, respectively, with no significant difference between two groups. After modifying the variables of age and gender, the odds of increasing waist circumference (WC) were near 1.9 times greater in the fourth quartile (pro-inflammatory diet) compared to the first quartile of DII (anti-inflammatory diet) (P = 0.03). The odds of developing hypertension was approximately 1.3 times greater in the fourth compared to the first quartile of DII (P = 0.034). The odds of developing MetS increased by 27% in the fourth quartile in comparison to the first one, though this increase was not statistically significant.
Originality/value
In RA patients, with increase in DII score, the WC and blood pressure had increased. The DII had no significant relationship with MetS. Further studies are essential across larger populations to confirm the findings.
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Sahar Sarkhosh-Khorasani, Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Azadeh Nadjarzadeh, Masoud Mirzaei and Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh
Established data revealed a relationship between obesity and increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity of chronic diseases. There are conflicting data regarding the…
Abstract
Purpose
Established data revealed a relationship between obesity and increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity of chronic diseases. There are conflicting data regarding the association between adherence of dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) and obesity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate this relationship among a large sample of Iranian adults.
Design/methodology/approach
This cross-sectional study was performed by 10,693 individuals; 6750 individuals related to Yazd Health Study living in the urban area and 3943 individuals related to Shahedieh cohort study living in the suburb area. Dietary intake was evaluated by using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In all participants, anthropometric indices including body mass index were measured. The DASH score was considered using gender-specific quintiles of DASH items. To evaluate the relationship of DASH diet and obesity, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used.
Findings
By adjusting confounders, participants in highest quintiles of DASH diet were compared to the lowest have lower odds of obesity in suburb area (odds ratio [OR]: 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63, 0.96), in urban (OR: 0.71; 95% CI: 0.52, 0.99) and in whole population of both studies (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.90). Besides, more compliance of women to this diet in urban (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.48, 0.85) and population of both studies (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.62, 0.96) were associated with reduced odds of central obesity.
Research limitations/implications
Considering this study limitations, the following can be mentioned: in this cross-sectional study, the causal relationship between DASH diet and obesity could not be assessed. Consequently, further prospective studies are required in this area. Second, although a valid food frequency questionnaire was used, but there was a measurement error and an error in the classification of people participating in the study. Moreover, we cannot reject the possibility of residual confounding bias because unknown or unmeasured confounders may exist that affected our results. Finally, our participants with odds of obesity might have been advised to reduce their fat intake, which led them to alter their dietary habits. However, such possibility cannot be resolved in a cross-sectional study.
Originality/value
DASH dietary pattern could decrease odds of obesity in both urban and suburb area and central obesity in urban area only. Further prospective studies are needed for causal conclusion.
Hatice Ozcaliskan Ilkay and Betul Cicek
The inflammatory potential of diet may play a role in the regulation of low-grade chronic inflammation derived from obesity. This study aims to investigate the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The inflammatory potential of diet may play a role in the regulation of low-grade chronic inflammation derived from obesity. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and anthropometric indicators of adiposity among Turkish adults.
Design/methodology/approach
The study sample consisted of 833 young adults (mean age = 23 ± 5.2 years). The inflammatory potential of the diet was evaluated with a DII. Data on dietary intake were collected by a single 24-h dietary recall, and DII was estimated from 25 dietary components. Also, the Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) adherence screener was applied using the 14-item assessment tool.
Findings
The proinflammatory diet was statistically associated with young (p < 0.001), singles (p < 0.001), high school degree (p = 0.011), students (p < 0.001), not working or unemployed (p < 0.001), eating outside (p = 0.016) and lower adherence to a Med-Diet (p = 0.027). There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the DII score and body weight (BW), waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) (r = 0.107; p = 0.002, r = 0.092; p = 0.008, r = 0.115; p = 0.001, respectively). Besides, there was a statistically significant negative relationship between MED score and BW, WHtR and neck circumference (r = −0.101; p = 0.004, r = −0.084; p = 0.016, r = −0.175; p = 0.000, respectively).
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first Turkish study to assess the association between the anthropometric indicators of obesity and DII or adherence to Med-Diet in young adults. Lower DII scores and higher adherence to Med-Diet are related to the better status of anthropometric indicators of adiposity.
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Rauf Kord, Enayatollah Homaie Rad and Ali Davoudi Kiakalayeh
This study aims to calculate the inequity in out of pocket expenditures and utilization of laboratory tests in Iran. Equal access to health services is an important part of human…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to calculate the inequity in out of pocket expenditures and utilization of laboratory tests in Iran. Equal access to health services is an important part of human rights in health care. Out-of-pocket payment is a part of financial access to health care. In this study, the authors tried to find inequity in out-of-pocket payments and utilization of medical laboratory tests (MLTs) as a part of human rights in Iran in 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
Gini and concentration indices were calculated for this purpose, and regression models were estimated to show the relationship between different factors and utilization and out-of-pocket.
Findings
The average out-of-pocket payment for all of the households was US$1.56 (urban areas: 1.97 and rural areas: 1.31). Moreover, the average utilization of MLTs was 0.079 (urban areas: 0.0908 and rural areas: 0.0753). Gini and concentration indices for out-of-pocket payments were 0.522 and 0.0701, respectively.
Originality/value
Out-of-pocket and utilization were low in lower in less developed regions of ease and southeast regions of the country and were related to access to health insurance, income and wealth deciles.
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The social movement literature is replete with review essays of the various theoretical formulations (i.e., Buechler 1993; Jenkins 1983; Tarrow 1989). Frequently, these…
Abstract
The social movement literature is replete with review essays of the various theoretical formulations (i.e., Buechler 1993; Jenkins 1983; Tarrow 1989). Frequently, these intellectual histories contain descriptions of how one cohort of sociologists glamorized or debunked the favored theories of earlier generations (i.e., before the “resource mobilizers” were supplanted by the “framing” crowd, there was a supposed “collective behaviorist” heyday). While these theoretical depictions flourished, the number of methodological overviews remains small (see Crist and McCarthy 1996; Diani and Eyerman 1992; Morris and Herring 1987; Olzak 1989; Rucht, Koopmans, and Neidhardt 1998). To augment these methodological essays, this paper explores the problematic choice of using newspapers for protest information. In doing so, this inquiry initially compares some media and researcher impressions of a local protest mobilization (i.e., demonstrations against the Persian Gulf War in San Diego). Later, this paper chronicles a content analysis of 20 national, regional, and alternative news organizations. In the end, this investigation shows that every newspaper missed most of the protests and that coverage rate varied by newspaper. Furthermore, the widely praised New York Times fared badly and none of the papers displayed consistent coverage rates throughout time. With these warnings in hand, the discussion section provides some techniques that might offset these newspaper deficiencies.
Deborah Richards and Ayse Bilgin
The purpose of this paper is to describe a project involving information and communication technology (ICT) students in Australia and Singapore, working together as a virtual…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe a project involving information and communication technology (ICT) students in Australia and Singapore, working together as a virtual global team. The authors investigated the question: Can differences be found in the behaviours and attitudes of our two cohorts to working in teams? This would allow the authors to better manage the project and reflect on its success/failure.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors ran a one semester cross‐cultural software development project. An anonymous online survey measured three temporal dimensions commonly used in time‐at‐work studies and seven cultural dimensions. The results are discussed in the context of cohort behaviours, project outcomes/outputs and related literature.
Findings
Differences were found along the temporal dimensions of punctuality, time boundaries and awareness of time use. While conformance with national cultural stereotypes was evident, only selected statements in the cultural dimensions showed significant differences. Some gender differences were also identified.
Research limitations/implications
Generalizability beyond the domain of ICT students would need further investigation. Though larger numbers would strengthen the paper's claims, some statistically significant results show differences between Australian and Singaporean cohorts requiring further investigation.
Practical implications
Education providers should carefully design, implement and monitor cross‐cultural learning opportunities to prepare graduates to work in global teams.
Originality/value
The project provided rare cross‐cultural and virtual team experience and revealed that providing this experience is likely to be effort intensive for all parties, involve higher project and people risks but potentially deliver greater (life‐long) learning gains.
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M.A. Sanjeev, Shahnaz Khademizadeh, Thangaraja Arumugam and D.K. Tripathi
This study aims to evaluate the role of personality in digital library systems (DLS) adoption intention among Generation Z (Gen-Z) students. The study uses the unified theory of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate the role of personality in digital library systems (DLS) adoption intention among Generation Z (Gen-Z) students. The study uses the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology-2 and the five-factor model to investigate personality’s influence on Gen-Z’s DLS adoption intention.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is a descriptive causal investigation based on primary data collected through a self-administered survey using pre-validated tools. The study uses structural equation modeling to investigate personality dimensions’ direct and moderating effect on the dependent, independent variables and their relation.
Findings
The study results indicate that personality has no significant influence on Gen-Z’s DLS adoption, suggesting the ubiquity and inevitability of technology in current times. Also, only performance expectancy had a considerable impact on DLS adoption among Gen-Z going to college – a deviation from past studies where multiple independent variables have influenced DLS adoption when examined from different technology adoption model angles.
Research limitations/implications
The current research is done on Gen-Z, and thus the results are ideographic to the cohort.
Practical implications
The results of the study can be used to effectively design and communicate technology-enabled information solutions among the Cohort.
Social implications
The results of the study help better understand the factors affecting the technology adoption intentions of Gen-Z. Such understanding can help in better design and implementation of technology-enabled solutions for the cohort, maximizing such system adoption and its effective and efficient utilization.
Originality/value
The study explores the impact of personality on DLS adoption intentions, hitherto unexplored. The research also focuses on Gen-Z – a cohort born in a technology-enabled world whose attitude and preferences towards technology might differ. The study’s findings will help understand the influence of personality on DLS adoption among the Gen-Z and can be used to design, promote and evaluate such systems.
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