Search results for "ECONOMICS"

Healthy lifestyle and eating perceptions: correlations with weight and low-fat and low-sugar food consumption in adolescence

2017

Background: Low-fat and low-sugar foods, marketed as health promoters, offer an interesting avenue for consumers to pursue a healthier life. Despite the relevance of educating adolescents about the...

2018

The rapidly increasing interest in fitness related sports over the past few years has been accompanied by a booming industry of nutritional supplements. Many of these substances have unproven benefits and are even potentially harmful to the user. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and reasons for nutritional supplement (NS) use among fitness studio visitors in Mainz (Germany), emphasizing new multi-ingredient based supplements such as pre workout boosters (PWBs). Some of the PWBs contain stimulants such as DMAA, N,α-DEPEA, DMAE and DMBA with so far unknown risks, harms and benefits. Four-Hundred and Ninety Two participants in 13 fitness studios completed a questionnaire o…

Comparison of biocides, allelopathic substances and UV-C as treatments for biofilm proliferation on heritage monuments

2018

Abstract UV-C and biocide treatments are frequently used to treat historical monuments contaminated by autotrophic biofilms. In this study, the authors compare for the first time the efficacy of these treatments against microorganisms such as cyanobacteria and algae proliferating in the Vicherey church (Vicherey, Vosges Department, France). To identify the most environmentally friendly and also efficient method, an allelopathic treatment was also tested. Colorimetric and physiological measurements of treated biofilms were thus monitored for 6 months. Fungi growing on necrotic matter from treated biofilms were sampled and sequenced. With biocides, results showed incomplete eradication of bio…

Consumers' willingness to pay for natural food: Evidence from an artefactual field experiment

2018

Abstract Among foods with credence attributes, food with “natural” components have received in the last years particular attention by consumers. This study applies the BDM incentive compatible mechanism to explore young (18–35 years old) consumers’ interest and willingness to pay for chewing gums having the natural attribute. Our analysis shows that over 68% of consumers are interested in the natural attribute and are willing to pay a price premium. We also find that consumers’ higher age and interest in the environment have significant impacts on consumers’ preferences for the natural attribute.

Are children more paternalistic than their mothers when choosing snacks?

2016

International audience; This paper focuses on an experiment in which mothers and their child separately chose between relatively healthy foods (flasks of stewed apples) and relatively unhealthy foods (candy bars). Each participant first filled up a first bag for her/himself, and then, a second one for the other person of the dyad. A simple nutritional message on vitamins and sugar contents of foods was then provided, and subsequently each participant filled up a third bag for her/himself and a fourth one for the other person of the dyad. The results show that before revealing the nutritional message, mothers are, on average, "indulgent", which means that they choose a lower number of relati…

Consumer interest towards tropical fruit: factors affecting avocado fruit consumption in Italy

2017

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to identify the main factors affecting the consumption of avocado fruit among Italian consumers. In order to respond to the aim of the study, an empirical survey was conducted through the submission of an online questionnaire to 327 consumers. An ordered logit econometric model was adopted to examine the relationship among some explanatory variables and the frequency of consumption of avocado fruit. The findings of this study show that the consumption of avocado fruit is affected by different factors, including fruit consumption habit, neophilia attitudes, and various intrinsic and extrinsic quality attributes (credence attributes in particular). The st…

Application of modern computer algebra systems in food formulations and development: A case study

2017

Abstract Background Nutritional security determines the level of public health within a population while inadequate nutrition is one of the major factors in development of various health problems. This can be alleviated with sufficient and affordable access to currently available or newly designed nutritious foods. Scope and approach Formulation of new foods can be very costly, so methods able to lower design expanses are of utmost importance to the industry. Hence, the purpose of this work was to rationalize utilization of modern computerized algebraic systems (CAS) in solving traditional problems for formulating food mixtures by food combinatoric principles (FCP). Key findings and conclus…

Predictive shelf life model based on RF technology for improving the management of food supply chain: A case study

2016

The aim of this paper was the development of a Smart Logistic Unit (SLU) based on RF technology to support the management of the food supply chain, in order to guarantee the shelf life of products in agreement with logistic efficiency and system sustainability. For this purpose, the main parameters that influence the quality of perishable products were determined and a shelf life equation based on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was modelled. The levels of VOCs were gathered by the sensors allocated inside the SLU, which configures as the remote element of a system for identification and data transmission. The proposed model was then validated through an experimental test, simulating the …

Epidemiology of fascioliasis in human endemic areas

2005

AbstractConsidered a secondary zoonotic disease until the mid-1990s, human fascioliasis is at present emerging or re-emerging in many countries, including increases of prevalence and intensity and geographical expansion. Research in recent years has justified the inclusion of fascioliasis in the list of important human parasitic diseases. At present, fascioliasis is a vector-borne disease presenting the widest known latitudinal, longitudinal and altitudinal distribution.Fasciola hepaticahas succeeded in expanding from its European original geographical area to colonize five continents, despite theoretical restrictions related to its biology and in turn dependent upon environmental and human…

Health/Nutrition food claims and low-fat food purchase: Projected personality influence in young consumers

2017

Abstract Health/nutrition food claims are increasingly used in the food industry but firms still require deeper research to develop a better understanding of consumers in the low-fat food market. In pursuit of this goal, this paper analyses the influence of projected consumer personality on healthy claim credibility, Perceived product health, physical appearance and its repercussion on attitudes (overall attitude to the product) and behaviours (purchase intention). With a sample of 300 young consumers (15–25 years old) and through PLS techniques, our results show that project personality influences the credibility of claims about healthiness and physical appearance. Both concepts play a sig…