Healthcare Science for Lifelong Health-Visualizing Biological Rhythms and Regulating Them on One's Own

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought dramatic changes to our daily lives and social activities. Anxiety over one and one's family becoming infected, stress caused by limitations imposed on personal behavior, changes in lifestyle, etc. have greatly affected everyone's mental and physical condition. This article introduces health science that aims for a society of lifelong health by visualizing one's daily data covering basic lifestyle habits (eating, exercising, and sleeping) and self-regulating one's biological rhythms. © 2022 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Satisfaction with the Built Environment of University Buildings under the Epidemic and Its Impact on Student Anxiety.

Anxiety on college campuses has increased due to the COVID-19 epidemic's profound effects on society. Much research has been conducted on how the built environment influences mental health; however, little has been undertaken on how it affects student mental health in the context of the epidemic from the architectural scale perspective of academic buildings. Based on online survey data, this study develops multiple linear regression and binary logistic regression models to investigate students' satisfaction ratings of the academic buildings' physical environments during the epidemic and how these satisfaction ratings affect students' anxiety tendencies. According to the study's findings regarding the natural exposure perspective, students who perceived the academic building's poor semi-open space view (p = 0.004, OR = 3.22) as unsatisfactory factors were more likely to show anxiety tendencies. In terms of the physical conditions, students who were dissatisfied with the noise level in the classroom (p = 0.038, OR = 0.616) and the summer heat in semi-open spaces (p = 0.031, OR = 2.38) were more likely to exhibit anxiety tendencies. Additionally, even after controlling for confusing distractions, the general satisfaction rating of the academic building's physical environments (p = 0.047, OR = 0.572) was still able to significantly and negatively affect students' anxiety tendencies. The study's findings can be used in the architectural and environmental planning of academic buildings focusing on mental health.

Analysis of Physical Fitness Indicators and Metabolic Risk in University Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic with the Support of a Technological Platform

With the arrival of the pandemic, we proposed to analyze indicators of physical condition and metabolic risk in university students in Ecuador to establish prevention strategies. A cross-sectional study was applied in a sample of 400 university students in Ecuador (77.3% male and 22.7% female). Physical fitness and metabolic risk indicators were assessed using the R-Fit physical fitness and metabolic risk assessment platform. The body composition parameters calculated were waist circumference, fat percentage, muscle mass, residual mass and visceral fat, allowing categorization of metabolic risk levels. The results between the groups by sex determined statistically significant differences at a level of P ≤ 0.05, in all body composition parameters, with higher percentages in risk levels in the male sex. In relation to the level of metabolic risk, no significant differences were observed at a level of P ≥ 0.05, showing that in the risk levels the female group was found and in the elite levels mostly the male group. It is concluded that the R-Fit platform determines several parameters for the study of body composition and metabolic risk, analyzes very large samples and in a simple manner, allows categorization and application of statistics in relation to metabolic risk. © 2022, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Jordanians towards the relationship between food and immunity during the COVID-19 era

A diet with specific variety of food and drinks enhances physical condition, prevents disease, and assists in keeping an individual mentally and physically healthy. The global pandemic of coronavirus disease -2019 (Sars-Cov-2/Covid-19) has highlighted public awareness of the importance of eating a nutritious diet to boost immune defenses. This study aimed at exploring the awareness of Jordanian population on the relationship between food intake and immunity. A cross-sectional design was used to achieve the aim of this investigation. The study targeted Jordanian population (including 1024 participants residing in all Jordanian governorates). Awareness of Jordanians was tested via a questionnaire that was validated and tested for reliability (internal consistency). The awareness is usually indicated by knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The questionnaire was developed and introduced in the Arabic language to accommodate Jordanian culture. Results of this investigation showed that the survey tool was valid and reliable (Cronbach's-alpha value = 0.842). The mean, median, and mode values for awareness score are ĝ1/451, 52, and 56 out of 70 indicating very good awareness of Jordanian population towards the relationship between food intake and immunity. It is recommended to translate the survey tool used in this investigation into other languages and validate it. In addition, it is recommended to consume healthy foods of Jordanian culture to boost immunity. Furthermore, it is recommended to increase awareness regarding the correct and fad information as well as the importance of vaccination role on immunity via educators and family, health care team members, magazines and newspapers, and social media. © 2021 ACM.

The impact of physical conditions on the incidence of major depressive disorder in Chinese university students: Results from a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is prevalent, and highly comorbid with physical illnesses. Few longitudinal studies have investigated the relationship between physical health conditions and MDD. The objectives of this study were to investigate the comorbid relationship between physical conditions and MDD, and the association between physical conditions and the 2-year risk of MDD. METHODS: A study was conducted in first-year Chinese university students (n = 8,079) over two and half years, using a longitudinal design. An adapted version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI - 3.0) was used to assess for MDD. The presence of physician diagnosed physical conditions was assessed using ten self-report questions. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between self-reported physical conditions and MDD were estimated, adjusting for possible confounders. RESULTS: The most frequently reported physical conditions were migraines, chronic rhinitis, and gastritis. We found that migraines, gastritis, and stomach ulcers were associated with a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of MDD than those without any physical health conditions. In those without a lifetime MDD, migraines, gastritis and stomach ulcers were also found to be significant predictors for 2-year risk of new onset MDD. LIMITATIONS: Recall and selection biases are possible when using self-reporting measures. Additionally, the COVID-19 outbreak impacted the response rate at the second follow-up assessment. Lastly, the severity of the physical conditions was not measured. CONCLUSIONS: Physical conditions and MDD are highly prevalent and comorbid in university students. Migraines, gastritis and stomach ulcers are associated with the risk of developing MDD. Future studies should further investigate how this information can be used to prevent MDD.