scholarly journals Systems Science and Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review and New Directions

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asheley Cockrell Skinner ◽  
E. Michael Foster
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Community Characteristics ◽  
New Directions ◽  
Systems Models ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Current Systems

As a public health problem, childhood obesity operates at multiple levels, ranging from individual health behaviors to school and community characteristics to public policies. Examining obesity, particularly childhood obesity, from any single perspective is likely to fail, and systems science methods offer a possible solution. We systematically reviewed studies that examined the causes and/or consequences of obesity from a systems science perspective. The 21 included studies addressed four general areas of systems science in obesity: (1) translating interventions to a large scale, (2) the effect of obesity on other health or economic outcomes, (3) the effect of geography on obesity, and (4) the effect of social networks on obesity. In general, little research addresses obesity from a true, integrated systems science perspective, and the available research infrequently focuses on children. This shortcoming limits the ability of that research to inform public policy. However, we believe that the largely incremental approaches used in current systems science lay a foundation for future work and present a model demonstrating the system of childhood obesity. Systems science perspective and related methods are particularly promising in understanding the link between childhood obesity and adult outcomes. Systems models emphasize the evolution of agents and their interactions; such evolution is particularly salient in the context of a developing child.

scholarly journals The COVID-19 pandemic: an unprecedented tragedy in the battle against childhood obesity

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 477-482
Author(s):  
Maximilian Andreas Storz
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Obesogenic Environment ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Obesity Epidemic ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

The childhood obesity pandemic has emerged as an important public health problem in many countries. Obese children are likely to become obese adults, and adult obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity. Therefore, controlling the childhood obesity epidemic has become a top public health priority worldwide. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may significantly impede this important mission and constitute an unprecedented tragedy in the global battle against childhood obesity. This manuscript presents evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic will aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic and lead to significant weight gain in school children by creating an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Within the last few months, many countries took uncompromising measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including school closures and quarantine. While these steps are often necessary to ensure infection control, they may have a significant negative effect on children's mental and physical health. Physical, nutritional, and psychosocial factors that promote obesity in children during this special situation complementarily contribute to an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Large-scale quarantine and home confinement will impose new and unfamiliar stressors on children, thereby worsening the childhood obesity epidemic. Most importantly, adverse childhood events resulting from a predicted increase in domestic violence within the next few months will significantly contribute to this concern. The scenario presented in this review is of paramount public health importance and must be considered during future pandemic planning. Involved stakeholders, including governments, schools, and families, must make all possible efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on childhood obesity.

scholarly journals Diffusion MRI data, sulcal anatomy, and tractography for eight species from the Primate Brain Bank

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine L. Bryant ◽  
Dirk Jan Ardesch ◽  
Lea Roumazeilles ◽  
Lianne H. Scholtens ◽  
Alexandre A. Khrapitchev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Mri ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Structural Mri ◽  
Relative Volume ◽  
Primate Species ◽  
Brain Bank ◽  
Cingulum Bundle ◽  
Primate Brain ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Comparative Neuroscience

AbstractLarge-scale comparative neuroscience requires data from many species and, ideally, at multiple levels of description. Here, we contribute to this endeavor by presenting diffusion and structural MRI data from eight primate species that have not or rarely been described in the literature. The selected samples from the Primate Brain Bank cover a prosimian, New and Old World monkeys, and a great ape. We present preliminary labelling of the cortical sulci and tractography of the optic radiation, dorsal part of the cingulum bundle, and dorsal parietal–frontal and ventral temporal-frontal longitudinal white matter tracts. Both dorsal and ventral association fiber systems could be observed in all samples, with the dorsal tracts occupying much less relative volume in the prosimian than in other species. We discuss the results in the context of known primate specializations and present hypotheses for further research. All data and results presented here are available online as a resource for the scientific community.

scholarly journals Anti-meningococcal B vaccination in Italian adolescents: a cost-effective health opportunity

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Panatto ◽  
P Landa ◽  
D Amicizia ◽  
P L Lai ◽  
E Lecini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Vaccination Strategy ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Dose Schedule ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Invasive Disease ◽  
International Setting ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Invasive disease due to Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is a serious public health problem even in developed countries, owing to its high lethality rate (8-15%) and the invalidating sequelae suffered by many (up to 60%) survivors. As the microorganism is transmitted via the airborne route, the only available weapon in the fight against Nm invasive disease is vaccination. Our aim was to carry out an HTA to evaluate the costs and benefits of anti-meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination with Trumenba® in adolescents in Italy, while also considering the impact of this new vaccination strategy on organizational and ethics aspects. Methods A lifetime Markov model was developed. MenB vaccination with the two-dose schedule of Trumenba® in adolescents was compared with 'non-vaccination'. Two perspectives were considered: the National Health Service (NHS) and society. Three disease phases were defined: acute, post-acute and long-term. Epidemiological, economic and health utilities data were taken from Italian and international literature. The analysis was conducted by means of Microsoft Excel 2010®. Results Our study indicated that vaccinating adolescents (11th year of life) with Trumenba® was cost-effective with an ICER = € 7,912/QALY from the NHS perspective and € 7,758/QALY from the perspective of society. Vaccinating adolescents reduces the number of cases of disease due to meningococcus B in one of the periods of highest incidence of the disease, resulting in significant economic and health savings. Conclusions This is the first study to evaluate the overall impact of free MenB vaccination in adolescents both in Italy and in the international setting. Although cases of invasive disease due to meningococcus B are few, if the overall impact of the disease is adequately considered, it becomes clear that including anti-meningococcal B vaccination into the immunization program for adolescents is strongly recommended from the health and economic standpoints. Key messages Free, large-scale MenB vaccination is key to strengthening the global fight against invasive meningococcal disease. Anti-meningococcal B vaccination in adolescents is a cost-effective health opportunity.

scholarly journals Greenspace and depression in Japanese Older Adults considering physical activities: JAGES study

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Nishigaki ◽  
C Koga ◽  
M Hanazato ◽  
K Kondo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Climate

Abstract Introduction Older adult's depression is a public health problem. In recent years, exposure to local greenspace is beneficial to mental health via increased physical activity in people. However, few studies approach the relationship between greenspace and depression while simultaneously considering the frequency, time, and the number of types of physical activity, and large-scale surveys targeting the older adults. Methods Cross-sectional data conducted in 2016 by the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study was used. The analysis included older adults aged 65 and over who did not require care or assistance, and a total of 126,878 people in 881 School districts. The explanatory variable is the percentage of the greenspace of the area, and the greenspace data used is data created from satellite photographs acquired by observation satellites of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The objective variable was depression (Geriatric Depression Scale 5 points or more). The analysis method was a multi-level logistic regression analysis. Physical activity was the number of sports-related hobbies, the frequency of participation in sports meetings, and walking time in daily life. Other factors such as personal attributes, population density of residential areas, and local climate were also considered. Results Depression in the survey was 20.4%. The abundance of greenspace was still associated with depression, considering all physical activity. The odds ratio of depression in areas with more greenspace was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 - 0.98) compared to areas with less greenspace. Conclusions It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering the frequency, time and number of physical activities. It is conceivable that the healing effect of seeing greenspace, the reduction of air pollution and noise, etc. are related to the lack of depression without going through physical activity. Key messages In Japan, older adults are less depressed when there are many local greenspace. It became clear that areas with many greenspace were still associated with low depression, even considering physical activities.

scholarly journals Effects of a workplace prevention programme for problem gambling: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e015963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Rafi ◽  
Ekaterina Ivanova ◽  
Alexander Rozental ◽  
Per Carlbring
Keyword(s):  
Problem Gambling ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
The Body ◽  
Prevention Programme ◽  
Open Access Journals ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionDespite being considered a public health problem, no prevention programme for problem gambling in workplace settings has been scientifically evaluated. This study aims to fill a critical gap in the field of problem gambling by implementing and evaluating a large-scale prevention programme in organisations.Methods and analysisTen organisations, with a total of n=549 managers and n=8572 employees, will be randomised to either receiving a prevention programme or to a waitlist control condition. Measurements will be collected at the baseline and 3, 12 and 24 months after intervention. The primary outcome of interest is the managers’ inclination to act when worried or suspicious about an employee’s problem gambling or other harmful use. Additional outcomes of interest include the Problem Gambling Severity Index and gambling habits in both managers and employees. Furthermore, qualitative analyses of the responses from semistructured interviews with managers will be performed.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been approved by the regional ethics board of Stockholm, Sweden, and it will contribute to the body of knowledge concerning prevention of problem gambling. The findings will be published in peer-reviewed, open-access journals.Trial registration numberNCT02925286; Pre-results.

Flexibility Effects in a Single Link Robotic Manipulator

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Nataraj
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Robotic Manipulator ◽  
Flexible Beam ◽  
Rotating Speed ◽  
Weighted Residuals ◽  
Individual Interaction ◽  
Single Link ◽  
Rigid Mass ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Future Work

Abstract A single link robotic manipulator is modeled as a rotating flexible beam with a rigid mass at the tip and accurate energy expressions are derived. The resulting partial differential equations are solved using an approximate method of weighted residuals. From the solutions, coupling between axial and flexural deformations and the interactions with rigid body motions are rigorously analyzed. The emphasis in the current paper is not on an exhaustive analysis of existing systems but it is rather intended to compare and highlight the various flexibility effects in a relatively simple system. Hence, a nondimensional parametric analysis is performed to determine the effect of several parameters (including the rotating speed) on the errors and the individual interaction effects are discussed. Comparison with previous work in the field shows important phenomena often ignored or buried in large scale numerical analyses. Future work including application to multi-link robots is outlined.

Research and industrialisation of Hermetia illucens L. in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
J.B. Zhang ◽  
J.K. Tomberlin ◽  
M.M. Cai ◽  
X.P. Xiao ◽  
L.Y. Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Organic Waste ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Method ◽  
Hermetia Illucens ◽  
Cold Temperatures ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Government ◽  
Future Work

The larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens L., are commonly associated with decaying organic wastes. Over the past 15 years, investigators in China have conducted extensive research exploring the use of BSF larvae to recycle organic materials as a means to protect the environment, while producing products of value, such as protein and bioenergy. Initial efforts were based on a BSF strain from the USA. However, since then, H. illucens strains from specimens collected in Hubei and Guangdong Provinces have been established and used as models to explore the use of this species in sustainable agriculture. China has played an instrumental role in developing an in-door breeding method using a quartz-iodine lamp rather than depend on natural sunlight. This discovery has allowed the establishment of in-door BSF colonies in regions throughout the world where abiotic conditions (i.e. cold temperatures) are preventative. Researchers in China paved the way for using microbes as a means to enhance BSF production including, enhancing BSF egg-laying as well as waste reduction. Furthermore, bacteria from BSF gut or waste can be cultured and used to promote BSF growth, shorten conversion time, and enhanced conversion efficacy. Recent efforts have demonstrated BSF larvae can degrade antibiotics as well as suppress noxious odours in livestock manure. Due to the efforts of research on BSF in China, numerous companies that recycle organic waste at a large scale (>20 tonnes waste digested/day), have been established. Resulting products include insect powder, and live BSFL that can be used as animal feed ingredients for livestock (e.g. eels and frogs), while protecting the environment. Future work will decipher the mechanisms regulating BSF larval conversion of organic waste so that the system can be optimised. However, efforts are still needed at the government level to establish quality assurance standards if this process is truly to become established as an industry in China.

scholarly journals EPODE – A Model for Reducing the Incidence of Obesity and Weight-related Comorbidities

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-M Borys ◽  
L Valdeyron ◽  
E Levy ◽  
J Vinck ◽  
D Edell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Lifestyle Related Diseases ◽  
Public And Private Partnerships

Obesity is a global epidemic: it is estimated that the majority of the world’s adults will be overweight or obese by 2030. It is therefore important to reverse trends towards increasing childhood obesity by interventions at the community level. Ensemble Prévenons l’Obésité Des Enfants (EPODE, Together Let’s Prevent Childhood Obesity) is a large-scale, coordinated, capacity-building approach for communities to implement effective and sustainable strategies to address this challenge. EPODE comprises four critical components: political commitment, public and private partnerships, community-based actions, and evaluation. The multi-stakeholder approach promoted through the EPODE methodology has already shown encouraging results in preventing childhood obesity in France and Belgium and has reduced the socioeconomic gap in obesity prevalence in France. The EPODE methodology has now been implemented in a number of countries worldwide, and provides a valuable model that may be applicable to other lifestyle-related diseases.

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