Psychological distress, health-promoting lifestyle and sociodemographic factors in Honduran university students: a structural equation model.

This study sought to analyze an explanatory model on the relationship among sociodemographic factors, health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) in college students. This is an observational, analytical and cross-sectional study conducted on a national sample of 4203 students who entered a macro university in Honduras in 2021, 2022 and 2023. We used a sociodemographic survey, the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP-II) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS-21). Univariate analysis and a multivariate structural equation model were conducted. The average HPLP-II score was 117.45 (±â€…23.41), and the average DASS-21 score was 20.06 (±â€…14.16). The multivariate model showed a good data fit (comparative fit index = 0.951; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.957; root mean square error of approximation = 0.067 [90% CI = 0.067-0.068]). Results indicate that being a woman (ß = 0.11; p < 0.001) and being enrolled in biological and health sciences (ß = 0.09; p < 0.001) significantly predict HPLP-II scores. Furthermore, being a woman (ß = 0.17; p < 0.001), age (ß = 0.10; p < 0.001) and having pre-existing medical conditions (ß = 0.16; p < 0.001) significantly explain part of the variance of DASS-21. A significant reverse relationship between health-promoting behavior and psychological distress was shown (r = -0.36; p < 0.001). This study identifies protective and risky sociodemographic factors linked to health-promoting lifestyle behaviors and psychological distress. Our findings have implications for developing comprehensive intervention policies and strategies to promote health in higher education settings.

Stress and the Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods during COVID-19's Social Distancing: Are Mental Disorders Mediators in This Association? ELSA-Brasil Results.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated various determinants of mental disorders. Several behavioral changes were observed given this increase, including harmful health consequences, such as excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). To assess this relationship, we investigated the meditational role of symptoms of mental disorders (anxiety and depression) in the association between stress resulting from social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consumption of UPFs in 3884 Brazilian public employees in a supplementary study of the ELSA-Brasil study. Structural equation models (SEMs) were estimated to assess the direct and indirect effects mediated by symptoms of mental disorders. The results suggested a significant and positive mediational effect of the symptoms of mental disorders on the association between the stress resulting from social distancing and the consumption of UPFs. These findings contribute to informing the need for policies and early interventions in potentially stressful situations, with a focus on the promotion of mental health, and may thus help prevent or reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods.

Peritraumatic Dissociation Partially Mediates the Influence of Lifetime Trauma Exposure on Prospective PTSD Symptoms.

Higher lifetime trauma exposure and increased peritraumatic dissociation (PD) are well-known predictors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms following new trauma (prospective PTSD symptoms). The interplay between those factors, however, is not well established. In this study, we aimed to assess whether PD mediates the influence of lifetime trauma exposure on prospective PTSD symptoms. A total of 387 adults visiting five emergency departments who had experienced a traumatic event within 72 hours completed baseline assessments on lifetime trauma exposure count and PD. PTSD symptoms were assessed 1 month later. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the mediation effect of PD in the relationship between lifetime trauma exposure count and 1-month PTSD symptoms. We found that PD mediated the association between lifetime trauma exposure count and 1-month PTSD symptoms, even after accounting for some confounders. However, the mediation was partial, accounting for 17.9% of the lifetime trauma exposure count's total effect. While this finding is significant, it also suggests that additional mechanisms beyond PD play a role in explaining the influence of higher lifetime trauma exposure on prospective PTSD symptoms. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of PTSD development and call for further research to explore complementary factors and preventive strategies.

Relationships between internet addiction, quality of life and sleep problems: a structural equation modeling analysis

Abstract Objective: To assess the relationship between internet addiction, quality of life, and sleep problems among adolescents. Method: This research was conducted with a representative sample of 875 adolescents. This cross-sectional study used the Internet Addiction Test, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 4.0, Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and sleep duration. Sociodemographic factors were also analyzed. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate relationships between variables. Results: After adjusting the model for covariances between the latent variables of daytime sleepiness and correlations between the physical and emotional domains of quality of life, the authors obtained satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.031, CFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.909, SRMR = 0.058). Internet addiction was positively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = 0.549, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with quality of life (rho = -0.173, p < 0.001). By contrast, sleep duration was negatively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = -0.089, p = 0.007), positively associated with quality of life (rho = 0.105, p = 0.014), and dependent on school shift (rho = 0.453, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adolescents with higher levels of internet addiction had lower perceptions of quality of life and higher daytime sleepiness. Moreover, sleep duration had a positive correlation with quality of life. Given its detrimental effects on quality of life and daytime sleepiness, parents should better supervise internet use in adolescents.

Validation of the questionnaire to measure Chilean teachers' perception of school violence and coexistence management (VI+GEC).

In this article, we present the development and validation of a psychometric scale that measures the teacher's perception in the Chilean school system with respect to elements of school violence and coexistence management. The novelty lies in the incorporation of factors that address violence from teachers to students, from students to teachers and coexistence management. A total of 1072 teachers from the Northern, Central, Southern and Metropolitan macro-zones of Chile participated, with ages between 22 and 76 years (M=44.56; SD=10.52) and from 1 to 54 years of work (M=17.14; SD=10.38). 76.3% identify with the female gender and 23.7% with the male gender. Of the teachers, 78.4% worked mainly in the classroom and the rest performed managerial or administrative functions outside the classroom in the school. The school violence and coexistence management questionnaire for teachers (VI+GEC) was used. The validity of the scale was demonstrated by means of Confirmatory Factor Analysis, convergent validity analysis and discriminant validity. Reliability was demonstrated by means of McDonald's omega coefficient in all the factors of the scale. An analysis with Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) found a mean, and statistically significant influence of the perception of coexistence management on the perception of school violence. The findings are discussed in terms of previous research on school violence and coexistence management.

Best practices for your confirmatory factor analysis: A JASP and lavaan tutorial.

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is a fundamental method for evaluating the internal structural validity of measurement instruments. In most CFA applications, the measurement model serves as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. To select the appropriate model, prior validity evidence is crucial, and items are typically assessed on an ordinal scale, which has been used in the applied social sciences. However, textbooks on structural equation modeling (SEM) often overlook this specific case, focusing on applications estimable using maximum likelihood (ML) instead. Unfortunately, several popular commercial SEM software packages lack suitable solutions for handling this 'typical CFA', leading to confusion and suboptimal decision-making when conducting CFA in this context. This article conceptually contributes to this ongoing discussion by presenting a set of guidelines for conducting a typical CFA, drawing from recent empirical research. We provide a practical contribution by introducing and developing a tutorial example within the JASP and lavaan software platforms. Supplementary materials such as videos, files, and scripts are freely available.

Gender and cross-country differences in the determinants of sustainable diet intentions: a multigroup analysis of the UK, China, Sweden, and Brazil.

Introduction: Gender differences have been identified in both the engagement in and the determinants of sustainable diet behaviours. However, as engagement in pro-environmental behaviours varies across countries, the consistency of gender differences could follow similar patterns. Understanding the factors underlying gender and country differences in diet intentions is important for determining how to promote sustainable diets in different populations. Methods: Using survey data from the UK, China, Sweden and Brazil (N=4,569), this paper examines the influence of subjective norms, diet-related identity, perceived status of meat consumption, environmental identity and environmental concern on sustainable diet intentions. Multigroup analysis was used to explore gender and country differences in the influence of these variables, and whether gender differences were consistent across the four countries. Results: The findings show that there are gender differences in the influence of diet-related identity and perceived status of meat consumption, as well as cross-country differences in all factors except subjective norms. Holding a strong diet-related meat identity negatively affected sustainable diet intentions in all groups. Crucially, however, gender differences are not consistent across countries. Discussion: These results suggest that individuals' intentions to engage in sustainable diet behaviours are influenced by nationally unique gender associations.

Relationships between internet addiction, quality of life and sleep problems: a structural equation modeling analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between internet addiction, quality of life, and sleep problems among adolescents. METHOD: This research was conducted with a representative sample of 875 adolescents. This cross-sectional study used the Internet Addiction Test, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ version 4.0, Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, and sleep duration. Sociodemographic factors were also analyzed. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate relationships between variables. RESULTS: After adjusting the model for covariances between the latent variables of daytime sleepiness and correlations between the physical and emotional domains of quality of life, the authors obtained satisfactory fit indices (RMSEA = 0.031, CFI = 0.926, TLI = 0.909, SRMR = 0.058). Internet addiction was positively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = 0.549, p < 0.001) and negatively associated with quality of life (rho = -0.173, p < 0.001). By contrast, sleep duration was negatively associated with daytime sleepiness (rho = -0.089, p = 0.007), positively associated with quality of life (rho = 0.105, p = 0.014), and dependent on school shift (rho = 0.453, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with higher levels of internet addiction had lower perceptions of quality of life and higher daytime sleepiness. Moreover, sleep duration had a positive correlation with quality of life. Given its detrimental effects on quality of life and daytime sleepiness, parents should better supervise internet use in adolescents.

The Impact of Biological and Social Factors on Mortality in Older Adults Living in Rural Communities.

BACKGROUND: Information on factors that increase mortality in remote settings is limited. This study aims to estimate the independent and joint role of several factors on mortality risk among older adults living in rural Ecuador. METHODS: Participants were selected from community-dwelling older adults who were included in previous studies targeting mortality risk factors in the study population. Generalized structural equation modeling (GSEM) was utilized to evaluate prior causal assumptions, to redraw causal links, and to introduce latent variables that may help to explain how the independently significant variables are associated with mortality. RESULTS: The study included 590 individuals (mean age: 67.9 ± 7.3 years; 57% women), followed for a median of 8.2 years. Mortality rate was 3.4 per 100 person-years. Prior work on separate multivariate Poisson and Cox models was used to build a tentative causal construct. A GSEM containing all variables showed that age, symptoms of depression, high social risk, high fasting glucose, a history of overt stroke, and neck circumference were directly associated with mortality. Two latent variables were introduced, 1 representing the impact of biological factors and another, the impact of social factors on mortality. The social variable significantly influenced the biological variable which carried most of the direct effect on mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Several factors contributed to mortality risk in the study population, the most significant being biological factors which are highly influenced by social factors. High social risk interact with biological variables and play an important role in mortality risk.

The Influence of Education and Occupation Type on Birth Cohort Differences in Cognitive Function of Mexican Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Mexico's population aging is occurring in the context of social changes such as increased educational attainment and occupational shifts from agriculture to service and industry. The current study compares cognitive function between two birth cohorts of Mexican adults aged 60-76 to determine if population-level changes in education and occupation type contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function. METHODS: We used the Mexican Health and Aging Study to examine adults aged 60-76 in 2001 (men: 2,309; women: 2,761) and 2018 (men: 2,842; women: 3,825). Global cognition was calculated from five measures. Five main lifetime occupation types were created: no main job; agriculture; service; professional; and industrial. Ordinary least squares regression and structural equation models (SEM) were used to examine cohort differences in cognitive functioning. RESULTS: Ordinary least squares models that adjusted for age, community size, and marital status indicated that men and women had higher global cognition in 2018 than 2001 (men: b = 0.44, p < .01; women: b = 0.54, p < .01). These differences were reduced after adjusting for education and occupation type (men: b = 0.27, p < .01; women: b = 0.37, p < .01). Results from SEM indicated that the indirect effects of education on cognitive functioning were larger than occupation type for men (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.001, p = .91) and women (education: b = 0.18, p < .05; occupation: b = 0.002, p = .22). DISCUSSION: Cognitive functioning is higher among more recent birth cohorts of older adults in Mexico. These cohort differences are partially mediated by education but not main lifetime occupation. Additional factors may contribute to cohort differences in cognitive function for older adults in Mexico.

To collaborate or not-to-collaborate? Behavioral-antecedents and mediating role of intraprofessional collaborative behavior on performance of community pharmacists: A modeling study.

Extensive research exists on collaborative behavior between healthcare professionals with different skill sets (interprofessional collaboration). However, research is scarce and evolving on collaborative behavior among members of the same profession (intraprofessional collaboration), community pharmacists in particular. Based on the theory of reasoned action, a hypothetical structural model was developed to evaluate the impact of behavioral antecedents: competitive behavior (CB), knowledge-sharing behavior (KSB), and customer-focused behavior (CFB), and the mediating effects of collaborative behavior (CTB) on work performance (WP) of community pharmacists in southwestern Nigeria. We used a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of randomly selected community pharmacists (N = 646). Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses. The model had an acceptable fit and data quality. The model showed that CB, KSB, and CFB exert a significant direct influence on CTB. Only CFB significantly influenced WP compared to other antecedents and CTB. The absence of mediating effects of CTB suggests a gap in intraprofessional practice with implications for interprofessional collaboration and performance among community pharmacists. We conclude from our results that overall work performance is enhanced when community pharmacists encourage and adopt a collaborative culture. This culture strengthens the benefits of shared experiential knowledge, focus on patients' welfare, and healthy competition.

Modeling stabilizing the of orchard managers on the shores of Lake Urmia against late spring frost / Modelo de estabilização dos meios de subsistência dos pomares nas margens do Lago Urmia contra as geadas do final da primavera

Despite the adverse effects of late spring frost on the ecological and economic impact on agriculture, the management of these events are poorly investigated. Therefore, the grounded theory was used for extracting the livelihood stabilization model of orchardists on the shores of Lake Urmia against late spring frosts. The statistical population of this study in the qualitative part included 22 experts in the field of horticulture. In the quantitative study, they included all orchardists in the villages along with Lake Urmia, comprising 341 people, of which 236 were randomly selected. By carefully examining and linking the concepts and subcategories, the most important subcategories that were included six subcategories. The results of all calculated goodness-of-fit indexes (chi-square [P > 0.01], RMSEA = 0.000, NFI = 0.95, CFI = 0.91, and GFI = 0.92) showed the model provided an excellent fit for the data. Standardized regression coefficients showed that interfering factors had the greatest impact on the livelihood of orchardists against late spring frosts (ß = 0.47). Also, the background factors (ß = 0.43) and causal factors (ß = 0.39) were found to affect the livelihood of the orchardists in encountering late spring frost. The results of multiple square correlations of dependent variables also indicated that about 41% of the livelihood variance of small-scale orchardists was explained by the predictor variables (i.e. causal conditions, background factors and interfering factors). The findings of this study can assist policymakers, planners and relevant managers while paying more attention to orchardists in the region, so as to support decisions in order to achieve sustainable development.

Apesar dos efeitos adversos das geadas do final da primavera no impacto ecológico e econômico na agricultura, o manejo desses eventos é pouco investigado. Portanto, a teoria fundamentada foi utilizada para extrair o modelo de estabilização dos meios de subsistência dos pomares nas margens do Lago Urmia contra as geadas do final da primavera. A população estatística deste estudo na parte qualitativa incluiu 22 especialistas na área de horticultura. O estudo quantitativo incluiu todos os fruticultores nas aldeias junto ao Lago Urmia, compreendendo 341 pessoas, das quais 236 foram selecionadas aleatoriamente. Ao examinar cuidadosamente e vincular os conceitos e subcategorias, as subcategorias mais importantes que foram incluídas em outras 6 subcategorias. Os resultados de todos os índices de qualidade de ajuste calculados (qui-quadrado [P > 0,01], RMSEA = 0,000, NFI = 0,95, CFI = 0,91 e GFI = 0,92) mostraram que o modelo forneceu um excelente ajuste para os dados. Os coeficientes de regressão padronizados mostraram que os fatores interferentes tiveram o maior impacto sobre a subsistência dos pomares contra as geadas do final da primavera (ß = 0,47). Além disso, descobriu-se que os fatores de fundo (ß = 0,43) e os fatores causais (ß = 0,39) afetam o sustento dos pomares ao enfrentarem geadas no final da primavera. Os resultados de múltiplas correlações quadradas de variáveis dependentes também indicaram que cerca de 41% da variância dos meios de subsistência de pequenos pomares foi explicada pelas variáveis preditoras, ou seja, condições causais, fatores de fundo e fatores interferentes. Os resultados deste estudo podem auxiliar os formuladores de políticas, planejadores e gestores relevantes, dando mais atenção aos pomares da região, de modo a apoiar as decisões a fim de alcançar o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Relação entre fatores socioeconômicos e a pandemia da covid-19 / Correlation between socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Este artigo objetivou verificar a relação entre os fatores socioeconômicos e a pandemia da covid-19 nos municípios de médio porte mineiros. O procedimento de análise de dados foi a modelagem de equações estruturais de mínimos quadrados parciais. As variáveis utilizadas foram vulnerabilidade, saneamento, renda, agravantes, vacinação, casos de covid-19, mortalidade por covid-19, hospitalização e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis. Os dados foram coletados no Índice Mineiro de Responsabilidade Social, no painel de monitoramento dos casos de covid-19 e no painel de monitoramento de vacinação contra covid-19. O recorte temporal foi determinado pelo início da pandemia e a disponibilidade de dados (março de 2020 a setembro de 2021). Os resultados evidenciaram que melhores condições de saneamento estão negativamente relacionadas aos casos de covid-19, a renda está positivamente relacionada com os casos de covid-19 e a taxa de mortalidade por doenças crônicas não transmissíveis está relacionada de forma positiva com a mortalidade por covid-19. Os casos de covid-19 têm impacto negativo na hospitalização e a hospitalização tem impacto positivo na mortalidade. Os casos moderados pela vacinação estão negativamente relacionados à mortalidade por covid-19. Os resultados confirmam que condições socioeconômicas menos favoráveis tornam a sociedade mais vulnerável a covid-19.

Abstract This study investigated the correlation between socioeconomic factors and the COVID-19 pandemic in medium-sized Minas Gerais municipalities. Data were analyzed by partial least squares structural equation modeling, using the following variables: vulnerability, sanitation, income, aggravating factors, vaccination, COVID-19 cases, COVID-19 mortality, hospitalization and non-communicable chronic diseases. Data were obtained from the Minas Gerais Social Responsibility Index, the COVID-19 cases monitoring panel and the COVID-19 vaccination monitoring panel. Data collection time frame was determined by the onset of the pandemic and data availability (March 2020 to September 2021). Results showed that better sanitation conditions are negatively related to COVID-19 cases, income is positively related to COVID-19 cases, and higher mortality from chronic noncommunicable diseases are positively related to COVID-19 mortality. COVID-19 cases have a negative impact on hospitalization and hospitalization has a positive impact on mortality. Cases, moderated by vaccination, are negatively related to COVID-19 mortality. These findings confirm that less favorable socioeconomic conditions make society more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Social Appearance Anxiety Scale: a psychometric investigation and evaluation of the influence of individual characteristics on social appearance anxiety in Brazilian adults who practice physical exercise.

Introduction: Evaluating signs of anxiety related to body appearance is becoming increasingly important in contemporary society and, in this sense, the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale (SAAS) seems an interesting alternative of measurement. Objectives: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the SAAS when applied to Brazilian adults who practice physical exercise and verify the influence of individual characteristics on participants' social appearance anxiety. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted online. The participants completed the SAAS and a demographic questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the SAAS one-factor model were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. A structural model was built for men and women to verify the influence of individual characteristics of the participants on social appearance anxiety. Results: 1,495 individuals participated in the study (70.8% women; mean age = 29.5, SD = 8.9 years). The data obtained with the SAAS presented good indicators of validity and reliability for both genders (CFI > 0.97, TLI > 0.97, SRMR = 0.04, α > 0.97, ω > 0.85). For both men and women, greater levels of social appearance anxiety were observed among younger participants, who had a higher body mass index, self-reported an eating disorder, and perceived a change in their body after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. For women specifically, higher income and having started physical exercise more recently were associated with greater levels of social appearance anxiety. Conclusion: The findings supported the validity and reliability of the data obtained with the SAAS and revealed that when investigating social appearance anxiety in future research and clinical protocols, specific individual characteristics should be considered.

Ergonomia en actividades académicas desde casa

Introducción: A consecuencia de la emergencia sanitaria por el virus SARS-CoV2, las actividades académicas migraron de forma repentina a un entorno de trabajo remoto; esto provocó que los hogares de todo el mundo se convirtieran en el asentamiento urgente de las estaciones de trabajo académico. La ergonomia como disciplina científica cobra relevancia al ser un aliado subsanador para mitigar los riesgos asociados con la aparición de lesiones musculoesqueléticas. De acuerdo con la memoria estadística del Instituto Mexicano de Seguridad Social, IMSS1, en el primer año de pandemia de COVID-19 se registraron 30 860 atenciones por lesiones en la región de manos y muñecas, 9696 en la zona de cabeza y cuello, 6251 dorsopatías y 1673 atenciones por astenopia a jóvenes de entre 18 a 29 años que desarrollaban actividades escolares. Objetivo: En este sentido, se aborda la presente investigación para conocer la composición de los espacios de trabajo académico en casa y analizar si existen factores o elementos que incidan en el riesgo de lesiones musculoesqueléticas en los estudiantes del nivel superior. Metodología: A través de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que cuenta con el constructo latente de las posibles lesiones (PL) en manos, espalda, piernas, cabeza, vista, oído, agotamiento físico y la respiración, las variables observables se atribuyen a los espacios utilizados para las actividades académicas en casa, muebles y equipos, Condiciones y Medio Ambiente (CyMAT). Resultados y discusión: Se encontró que un mal diseño de la estación de trabajo académico en casa, aunado a la utilización inadecuada de los muebles y equipos, aumenta la posibilidad de presentar síntomas asociados con las LMEs y, por tanto, daños en la salud del estudiante. Conclusión: La mediación de las estaciones de trabajo a través de la implementación de elementos ergonómicos mejora de forma sustancial la calidad de trabajo académico en casa, y hace evidente la importancia de la ergonomía como disciplina científica.

Introduction: As a result of the health emergency of the SARS-CoV2 virus, academic activities suddenly migrated to a remote work environment, causing homes around the world to become the urgent settlement of academic workstations. Ergonomics as a scientific discipline becomes relevant as it is a healing ally to mitigate the risks associated with the appearance of musculoskeletal injuries. According to the statistical report of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, IMSS1, in the first year of the COVID 19 pandemic, 30,860 care for injuries in the hands and wrists region, 9,696 in the head and neck area, 6,251 dorsopathies and 1,673 care for asthenopia were registered to young people between 18 and 29 years old who develop school activities. Objective: In this sense, this research is addressed to know the composition of academic workspaces at home and analyze if some factors or elements affect the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in students of the higher level. Methodology: Through a structural equations model that has the latent construct of possible injuries (PL) in the hands, back, legs, head, eyesight, hearing, physical exhaustion, and breathing; the observable variables are attributed to the spaces used for academic activities at home, furniture and equipment, conditions and environment (CyMAT) Results and discussion: It is explored that a bad design of the academic workstation at home coupled with the inappropriate use of furniture and equipment increases the possibility of presenting symptoms associated with SCI and therefore, damage to the student's health. Conclusion: The mediation of workstations through the implementation of ergonomic elements substantially improves the quality of academic work at home, making evident the importance of ergonomics as a scientific discipline

Last dental visit and severity of tooth loss: a machine learning approach.

The aims of the present study were to investigate last dental visit as a mediator in the relationship between socioeconomic status and lack of functional dentition/severe tooth loss and use a machine learning approach to predict those adults and elderly at higher risk of tooth loss. We analyzed data from a representative sample of 88,531 Brazilian individuals aged 18 and over. Tooth loss was the outcome by; (1) functional dentition and (2) severe tooth loss. Structural Equation models were used to find the time of last dental visit associated with the outcomes. Moreover, machine learning was used to train and test predictions to target individuals at higher risk for tooth loss. For 65,803 adults, more than two years of last dental visit was associated with lack of functional dentition. Age was the main contributor in the machine learning approach, with an AUC of 90%, accuracy of 90%, specificity of 97% and sensitivity of 38%. For elders, the last dental visit was associated with higher severe loss. Conclusions. More than two years of last dental visit appears to be associated with a severe loss and lack of functional dentition. The machine learning approach had a good performance to predict those individuals.

Relationships Between Three Eating Behaviors and Nine Motives for Food Choices Among Brazilian Adults: A Structural Equation Model.

We examined the relationships between three eating behaviors and nine motives underlying food choices made by Brazilian adults. Using participant responses to the short version of the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire and the Food Choice Questionnaire, we investigated eating behaviors (cognitive restriction, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating) and motives for food choices (health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, price, weight control, familiarity, and ethical concern). We used a structural equation model to test relationship pathways (ß), with eating behaviors as independent variables and motives for food choices as dependent variables. Participants were 1297 individuals (69.5% female) with a mean age of 25.0 years (SD = 5.8). We confirmed the validity and reliability of the questionnaires in this sample. Restrictive eating behavior was significantly related to motives of health (ß = .415), mood (ß = .127), natural content (ß = .364), weight control (ß = .681), and ethical concern (ß = .161). Emotional eating behavior was related to motives of mood (ß = .277), health (ß = -.137), and natural content (ß = -.136). Uncontrolled eating behavior was related to motives of convenience (ß = .226), sensory appeal (ß = .121), price (ß = .153), and familiarity (ß = .090). We believe these findings can now help design future research and clinical interventions for managing people's risky eating behaviors and promoting beneficial food choices.

Human-modified landscapes driving the global primate extinction crisis.

The world's primates have been severely impacted in diverse and profound ways by anthropogenic pressures. Here, we evaluate the impact of various infrastructures and human-modified landscapes on spatial patterns of primate species richness, at both global and regional scales. We overlaid the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) range maps of 520 primate species and applied a global 100 km2 grid. We used structural equation modeling and simultaneous autoregressive models to evaluate direct and indirect effects of six human-altered landscapes variables (i.e., human footprint [HFP], croplands [CROP], road density [ROAD], pasture lands [PAST], protected areas [PAs], and Indigenous Peoples' lands [IPLs]) on global primate species richness, threatened and non-threatened species, as well as on species with decreasing and non-decreasing populations. Two-thirds of all primate species are classified as threatened (i.e., Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable), with ~86% experiencing population declines, and ~84% impacted by domestic or international trade. We found that the expansion of PAST, HFP, CROP, and road infrastructure had the most direct negative effects on primate richness. In contrast, forested habitat within IPLs and PAs was positively associated in safeguarding primate species diversity globally, with an even stronger effect at the regional level. Our results show that IPLs and PAs play a critical role in primate species conservation, helping to prevent their extinction; in contrast, HFP growth and expansion has a dramatically negative effect on primate species worldwide. Our findings support predictions that the continued negative impact of anthropogenic pressures on natural habitats may lead to a significant decline in global primate species richness, and likely, species extirpations. We advocate for stronger national and international policy frameworks promoting alternative/sustainable livelihoods and reducing persistent anthropogenic pressures to help mitigate the extinction risk of the world's primate species.

The impact of containment policy and mobility on COVID-19 cases through structural equation model in Chile, Singapore, South Korea and Israel.

Objectives: The study aims to understand the impact of containment policy and mobility on COVID-19 cases in Chile, Singapore, South Korea and Israel. To provide experience in epidemic prevention and control. Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) of containment policies, mobility, and COVID-19 cases were used to test and analyze the proposed hypotheses. Results: Chile, Israel and Singapore adopted containment strategies, focusing on closure measures. South Korea adopted a mitigation strategy with fewer closure measures, focusing on vaccination and severe case management. There was a significant negative relationship among containment policies, mobility, and COVID-19 cases. Conclusion: To control the COVID-19 and slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, countries can increase the stringency of containment policies when COVID-19 epidemic is more severe. Thus, countries can take measures from the following three aspects: strengthen the risk monitoring, and keep abreast of the COVID-19 risk; adjust closure measures in time and reduce mobility; and strengthen public education on COVID-19 prevention to motivate citizen to consciously adhere to preventive measures.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Allergy Traits at Second Year of Life: BRISA Cohort Study.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSBs) consumption has risen in early life and it is plausible that it might increase children's risk of allergies. In this paper, we analyzed the association of SSB consumption with allergies in children's second year of life. This study analyzed data from a São Luís BRISA prenatal cohort in the follow-up of children (n = 1144) in their second year of life. Allergy Traits were a latent variable deduced from medical diagnoses of allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies. SSBs were investigated as a percentage of daily calories based on 24 h recalls, including industrialized fruit juices, soft drinks, and ready-made chocolate milk. Other variables analyzed were socioeconomic status, age, body mass index z-score, episodes of diarrhea, and breastfeeding. Our finds were that higher consumption of daily calories from SSBs was associated with higher Allergy Trait values (SC = 0.174; p = 0.025); older age (SC = -0.181; p = 0.030) was associated with lower Allergy Trait values; and episodes of diarrhea were correlated with Allergy Traits (SC = 0.287; p = 0.015). SSB exposure was associated with Allergy Traits in children's second year of life; thus, abstaining from these beverages may also confer additional advantages in curtailing allergic diseases during early childhood.