ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Extensive research has been conducted to investigate the effects of media violence on attitudes, behaviors, and cardiovascular health; however, only few studies have examined its effect on appetite, eating behavior and food preferences. Little attention has been given to understand how movie genre manipulates the physiology and the eating behavior of individuals. The present study aimed at investigating the acute effect of violence content in movies on appetite perception, heart rate and blood pressure, along with food preferences and intake in young individuals. METHODS: Participants (nâ¯=â¯84) were randomly assigned to either watch a violent movie or a non-violent narrative movie. Measurements including anthropometry, heart rate, blood pressure and grip strength were taken and appetite as well as stress perception were assessed. Subjects were then provided with an individual snack tray containing various items to be consumed ad libitum. RESULTS: Post intervention, the experimental group (EG) had a higher consumption of fatty (t (82)â¯=â¯2.28, pâ¯=â¯0.025, dâ¯=â¯1.52) and salty (t (82)â¯=â¯2.61, pâ¯=â¯0.01, dâ¯=â¯0.71) food items compared to the control group (CG). Out of the 42 participants in the EG 62% consumed >2 fatty items and 71.4% consumed >2 salty food items. No significant difference in the consumption of sugary items was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Movie violence affects eating behavior and may promote weight gain.
Subject(s)
Feeding Behavior/psychology , Food Preferences/psychology , Motion Pictures , Snacks/psychology , Violence/psychology , Anthropometry , Appetite , Blood Pressure , Female , Heart Rate , Humans , Male , Young AdultABSTRACT
The epidemiology of West Nile virus (WNV) in Israel is different from other neighbouring countries in the Middle East where disease burden has been minimal. We analysed a cohort of Ashkenazi Jewish patients with symptomatic WNV infection (n = 39), and WNV-negative controls (n = 61), for nine genetic variants that has been suggested to be associated with susceptibility to WNV. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly more frequent in WNV-infected than non-infected individuals, rs7280422 (MX1) [odds ratio (OR) 4·05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·04-8·03, P < 0·001] and rs3213545 (OASL) (OR 1·85, 95% CI 1·03-3·3, P = 0·03). Genetic polymorphism may play a significant role in susceptibility to WNV infection in Ashkenazi Jews.
Subject(s)
Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Jews/genetics , West Nile Fever/genetics , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Female , Genotype , Humans , Israel , Male , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , West Nile virus , Young AdultABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To discover if continuous computerised collection of morbidity data through a medical practice based sentinel network can be used to monitor influenza-like illness (ILI) epidemics. To obtain rough estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness. DESIGN: Continuous passive surveillance of ILI through a computerised network of voluntary sentinel general practitioners (SGPs) in France (Sentinelle system). SETTING: Five hundred SGPs practices. PARTICIPANTS: Since 1984, SGPs updated a database with information on eight communicable diseases including ILI, via videotext terminals. Each ILI case is defined by the association of a sudden fever of 39 degrees C or above, respiratory symptoms, and myalgias. An ILI epidemic is detected when the national weekly incidence rate exceeds a seasonal threshold for two successive weeks. MAIN RESULTS: An ILI epidemic was reported from November 1995 to January 1996. In total, 13,951 individual cases were reported by SGPs during the epidemic period. The size of the epidemic (number of patients consulting a GP) was estimated to be 2,370,000 subjects. Maps of the epidemic showed that all regions have reported a high level ILI activity. The attack rate was the highest in school age children (13.5/100) and decreased as the age rose. Nearly 6% of the reported ILI cases among adults and elderly were vaccinated. The flu vaccine effectiveness against ILI was estimated to be 66% (95% CI 73%, 92%), ranging between 83% (95% CI 73%, 92%) among the subjects aged 15 to 24 years old to 16% (95% CI -12%, 44%) among the subjects aged 75 years or older. CONCLUSIONS: The Sentinelle system demonstrated adequate sensitivity and timeliness regarding ILI epidemic. Moreover, results of the monitoring were made available on the internet to increase the dissemination of information. Also, estimates of influenza vaccine effectiveness have been easily obtained. Altogether, they represent key points for the control of crisis situation such as ILI epidemics or pandemics.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Family Practice/statistics & numerical data , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Sentinel Surveillance , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Computer Storage Devices/statistics & numerical data , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/statistics & numerical data , Female , France/epidemiology , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The French sentinel network is composed of general practitioners who record on an ongoing basis cases of seven infectious diseases (i.e. influenza-like illness, acute diarrhoea, chickenpox, mumps, measles, male urethritis, and acute hepatitis of probable
