81 research outputs found
Report on the synthesis of findings for WP5-7 phase 1: D4.2
No full textIn order to support the design of the Research Infrastructure (RI) Phase 1 was tasked with exploring the range of consumer-generated data currently collected, mainly via smart phone applications and tools (APPS) in terms of the type and quality of consumer-generated data collected and consumers’ perspectives on willingness to share their data with researchers. The purpose of this deliverable, is to provide input to the final design of the proposed RICHFIELDS RI by Phase 3 and insight for the development of the wider roadmap proposal for the FNH-RI by synthesising the findings across the three domains within Phase 1 (purchase, preparation and consumption); highlighting opportunities and potential limitations for the scientific use of consumer-generated data; identifying potential opportunities/issues that are relevant for the final design of the RICHFIELDS RI/data platform (Phase 3), but which may not be covered specifically in the Phase 1 deliverables
Public responses to precautionary information from the department of health (UK) about possible health risks from mobile phones
No full textUnderstanding public perceptions of health information is of increasing importance in the light of the growing imperatives upon regulators to communicate information about risk and uncertainty. Communicating the possible health risks from mobile telecommunications is a domain that allows consideration of both public perceptions of uncertain public health information and public responses to precautionary advice. This research reports the results of a nationally representative survey in the UK (n = 1742) that explored public responses to a leaflet issued by the Department of Health (DoH) in 2000 providing information about the possible health risks of mobile phones. The aims of the study were twofold: a) to assess awareness of the leaflet and the extent to which participants could identify the precautionary advice that the leaflet contained as coming from the Government; and b) to examine publics’ responses to the current Government precautionary advice about mobile phone health risks; was this associated with increased concern or reassurance? The results indicate the importance of policy makers developing a clear understanding of the possible effects of communicating precautionary advice.Mobile Telecommunications and Health
Research Programm
User-documented food consumption data from publicly available apps : An analysis of opportunities and challenges for nutrition research
No full textBackground: The need for a better understanding of food consumption behaviour within its behavioural context has sparked the interest of nutrition researchers for user-documented food consumption data collected outside the research context using publicly available nutrition apps. The study aims to characterize the scientific, technical, legal and ethical features of this data in order to identify the opportunities and challenges associated with using this data for nutrition research. Method: A search for apps collecting food consumption data was conducted in October 2016 against UK Google Play and iTunes storefronts. 176 apps were selected based on user ratings and English language support. Publicly available information from the app stores and app-related websites was investigated and relevant data extracted and summarized. Our focus was on characteristics related to scientific relevance, data management and legal and ethical governance of user-documented food consumption data. Results: Food diaries are the most common form of data collection, allowing for multiple inputs including generic food items, packaged products, or images. Standards and procedures for compiling food databases used for estimating energy and nutrient intakes remain largely undisclosed. Food consumption data is interlinked with various types of contextual data related to behavioural motivation, physical activity, health, and fitness. While exchange of data between apps is common practise, the majority of apps lack technical documentation regarding data export. There is a similar lack of documentation regarding the implemented terms of use and privacy policies. While users are usually the owners of their data, vendors are granted irrevocable and royalty free licenses to commercially exploit the data. Conclusion: Due to its magnitude, diversity, and interconnectedness, user-documented food consumption data offers promising opportunities for a better understanding of habitual food consumption behaviour and its determinants. Non-standardized or non-documented food data compilation procedures, data exchange protocols and formats, terms of use and privacy statements, however, limit possibilities to integrate, process and share user-documented food consumption data. An ongoing research effort is required, to keep pace with the technical advancements of food consumption apps, their evolving data networks and the legal and ethical regulations related to protecting app users and their personal data.</p
The process of setting micronutrient recommendations: a cross-European comparison of nutrition-related scientific advisory bodies
No full textCopyright @ The Authors 2010Objective: To examine the workings of the nutrition-related scientific advisory bodies in Europe, paying particular attention to the internal and external contexts within which they operate. Design: Desk research based on two data collection strategies: a questionnaire completed by key informants in the field of micronutrient recommendations and a case study that focused on mandatory folic acid (FA) fortification. Setting: Questionnaire-based data were collected across thirty-five European countries. The FA fortification case study was conducted in the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic and Hungary. Results: Varied bodies are responsible for setting micronutrient recommendations, each with different statutory and legal models of operation. Transparency is highest where there are standing scientific advisory committees (SAC). Where the standing SAC is created, the range of expertise and the terms of reference for the SAC are determined by the government. Where there is no dedicated SAC, the impetus for the development of micronutrient recommendations and the associated policies comes from interested specialists in the area. This is typically linked with an ad hoc selection of a problem area to consider, lack of openness and transparency in the decisions and over-reliance on international recommendations. Conclusions: Even when there is consensus about the science behind micronutrient recommendations, there is a range of other influences that will affect decisions about the policy approaches to nutrition-related public health. This indicates the need to document the evidence that is drawn upon in the decisions about nutrition policy related to micronutrient intake.This work has been carried out within the EURRECA Network of Excellence (www.eurreca.org) which is financially supported by the Commission of the European Communities, specific Research, Technology and Development (RTD) Programme Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources, within the Sixth Framework Programme, contract no. 036196
The relationship between body mass index and psychological distress : exploring the mediating role of physical self-concept.
No full textObesity is considered a significant risk factor for negative physical health and psychological outcomes. However, factors which account for some of the observed relationship have been under investigation for some time, and as a result have challenged the idea that obesity itself is the cause of the physical health and psychological outcomes. The picture is known to be complex, with influence of biological, psychological, social and behavioural factors. This thesis aimed to increase understanding of the factors involved in the relationship between obesity and psychological distress. In particular, to assess the role of physical self-concept and social comparisons in this relationship. Part one of this portfolio presents a systematic literature review of the relationship between physical self-concept and psychological wellbeing. The findings of the review suggest that positive physical self-concept is associated with better psychological wellbeing, and it highlighted the importance of physical self-worth and global self-esteem on mental health outcomes. Part two presents an empirical paper that investigated the mediating role of physical self-concept in the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and psychological distress in the general population. The findings suggested that physical self-concept mediates the relationship between BMI and psychological distress, and once this indirect effect is accounted for, the relationship between BMI and psychological distress changes in strength and valence. In addition, the study suggests the important influence of social comparisons and social norms in this model
Paper on quality criteria and overview of criteria applied to available data/methods - WP6: RICHFIELDS Working Package 6, Deliverable D6.4
No full textA deliverable in RICHFIELDS, Research Infrastructure on Consumer Health and Food Intake for E-science with Linked Data Sharing, project funded as part of the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant no 654280.This deliverable contains two draft manuscripts (PAPERS 1 and 2) for submission to peer-reviewed journals and once accepted be made available as open access. The papers deal with the extent to which there is food-related data that would be of interest to the research community (PAPER 1), and if available whether the public would be willing to share this data with researchers (PAPER 2) and what the key predictors of this would be
European Perspectives on Public Benefit in Relation to Food: Insights from a Serious Game Approach
No full textThere is limited understanding of what constitutes public benefit from the perspective of the public, and none that we are aware of related to food consumer science. The purpose of this study is to contribute towards a better understanding of public benefit as a whole and its connection to food choice, essential to driving progress towards responsible consumption and healthier diets. Public benefit, associated trade-offs and responsible actors were investigated via written questions, and food choice was explored during group discussions using the PlayDecide methodology. Adults (n = 105) were recruited in six European countries (Denmark, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Spain and the UK) and stratified by attained education. Our findings indicate that assumptions should not be made that there is general consensus about what constitutes public benefit, especially with regard to consumer food choice. Group discussions around food-related freedom of choice, education, agency and responsibility suggested that private and public benefit are neither mutually exclusive nor automatically complementary. The serious game approach employed affected a change in participants’ public benefit perceptions, demonstrating its potential to better evaluate the connections between private interests and the common good through meaningful public deliberation
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