135,995 research outputs found
Meizi-Consuming Culture That Fostered the Sustainable Use of Plum Resources in Dali of China: An Ethnobotanical Study
No full textSIMPLE SUMMARY: The Bai people living in Eryuan of Dali, Yunnan, China have a long history of consuming the fruits of Prunus mume. As a result, the locals have developed a meaningful Meizi-consuming culture, which is of great significance to the conservation of local plum resources and local economic development. This study attempts to explain the relationship among the Bai’s traditional Meizi-consuming culture, conservation of local plum resources, and development of the plum industry in Eryuan. The ethnobotanical investigation showed that the local plum industry, which relies on the traditional Bai Meizi-consuming culture, improved the livelihood of Bai people and promoted local economic development. Almost every family of the Bai cultivates plum trees in their yards and spontaneously protects the local environment, so as to maintain a good ecological environment for wild plum genetic resources. With the sustainable use of plum resources, Eryuan’s plum development has created a win–win model combining traditional culture with biodiversity conservation. ABSTRACT: Prunus mume has been cultivated for more than three millennia with important edible, ornamental, and medicinal value. Due to its sour taste, the Prunus mume fruit (called Meizi in Chinese and Ume in Japanese) is not very popular compared to other fruits. It is, however, a very favorite food for the Bai people living in Eryuan County, Dali of Yunnan, China. The local people are masters of making various local products with plum in different ways. In this research, we conducted field investigations in Eryuan County using ethnobotanical methods from August 2019 to July 2021, focusing on the Prunus mume (for its edible fruits). A total of 76 key informants participated in our semi-structured interviews. The survey recorded 37 species (and varieties) belonging to 11 families related to the Bai people’s Meizi-consuming culture. Among them, there are 14 taxa of plum resources, including one original species and 13 varieties. These 37 species are either used as substitutes for plum due to their similar taste or as seasonings to improve the sour taste of plum. The higher Cultural Food Significance Index value implies that Prunus mume, Chaenomeles speciosa, Phyllanthus emblica, Prunus salicina, and Chaenomeles cathayensis have high acceptance and use value in the Bai communities. Among the various local products traditionally made by the Bai people, carved plums, preserved plums, perilla-wrapped plums, and stewed plums are the most famous and popular categories in the traditional markets. Currently, the plum business based on the traditional Meizi-consuming culture of the Bai people is already one of Eryuan’s economic pillars. This study showed that plums play an important role in expressing the local cultural diversity, and they also help the local people by improving their livelihood through their edible value. In turn, for the sustainable use of plum resources, the Bai people positively manage local forests through a series of measures to protect the diversity of plum resources and related plant communities
Family Health History and Health Behaviors Among Students at a Hispanic-serving Institution
No full textThe author has granted permission for their work to be available to the general public.Background: Despite the importance of discussing Family Health History (FHH), many minorities and young adults do not engage in these discussions. Objectives: This study aimed to (1) examine the rate of FHH discussions among a primarily young, Latino sample; (2) identify factors associated with FHH discussions; and (3) assess cancer preventive behaviors among participants with a FHH of cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 197 undergraduate students at a large, Hispanic-serving institution was conducted. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the relationship between FHH discussions, preventive behaviors and personal factors. Independent samples t-test was used to identify associations between age and FHH discussions. Results: Overall, 94% of participants reported engaging in FHH discussion with their parents and of these, 67% also reported discussing FHH with their physician. More participants with a regular physician (81.1%) reported discussing FHH with their physician than participants without a regular physician (56.7%; χ2=13.247, p<.01). Only 23.6% of all males and 32.6% of all females reported performing self-exams monthly. About 42.8% of all participants reported using sunscreen regularly. Among participants with moderate to strong familial risk of cancer, 63.6% of males reported not performing testicular self-exams and 50% of females reported not performing breast self-exams in the past month. Discussion: Despite the majority of young adults discussing FHH with their parents, few reported discussing FHH with their physicians and few engaged in cancer preventive behaviors. Future research should investigate factors influencing FHH discussions and cancer preventive behaviors among young Latino adults.Health and Kinesiolog
Do dogs affect physical activity levels of Latina adolescents in impoverished communities in San Antonio, TX?
No full textThe author has granted permission for their work to be available to the general public.Background: Childhood obesity is highly prevalent among the fast-growing Latino communities. Promoting physical activity (PA) is a major measure to obesity prevention. American youth's PA levels have declined over the years and most youth are not meeting the current national PA recommendations. From a Social-Ecological Model (SEM) perspective, PA level is influenced by multi-level factors including the environment. Research has shown that many environmental factors, such as crime, inaccessible parks, and community disintegration are PA barriers in low socio-economic status (SES) minority communities. Stray dogs were found to be a PA barrier while domestic dogs appear a PA facilitator. Latina youth in low SES communities may be particularly vulnerable to such environmental factors as they may be at a higher risk of being chased by unleashed dogs, thus preventing outdoor PA. Currently, there is limited research investigating how dogs affect PA levels among Latina youth. The current study examined how dogs affect Latina youth's PA level in the low-SES neighborhoods of the South and West sides of San Antonio, TX.
Methods: Using a triangulation approach, this study involved focus groups with Latina youth and their parents, in-depth interviews with key community informants and extraction of 2009-2012 stray dog and pet violation records from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (CoSA ACS). Nine focus groups were conducted with 31 parents and 15 Latina youth. In-depth interviews were conducted with 6 community informants. Inductive content analyses were performed on qualitative data from the focus group and in-depth interview transcripts using Atlas.ti. Descriptive statistics was conducted on the stray dog and pet violation records, along with GIS mapping.
Results: Participants were aware of the obesity problem among youth and perceived that low PA level is a key contributing factor. Although responsible pet ownership was viewed as a strategy to promote PA, stray dogs were identified as a key barrier to PA in these low SES neighborhoods. ACS's record showed that among the 21,000 stray dogs picked up from the 10 Council Districts in the city each year, 60% were from the targeted research areas, i.e., the three Districts San Antonio's Southwest side. Local community members and leaders believed that more should be done to address stray dog problem and promote PA among youth, including public education programs for pet responsibility, free or low cost veterinarian services and a needs for resources to enhance the city's animal control services capacity.
Conclusions: While responsible pet ownership facilitates PA, stray dogs were perceived as a PA barrier among Latina adolescents in low-SES communities in San Antonio. Collaborative efforts are needed to address stray dogs in San Antonio. Potential solutions include building community partnerships, increasing community education on pet responsibility, providing affordable spay and neuter services, and advocating for increasing animal control resources. Future research is needed to quantitatively determine the relationship of stray dog density and PA levels in Latino communities. Intervention research is also needed to study the effect of domestic dogs on PA level among Latina youth.Health and Kinesiolog
Protecting Animals 36: Author Witi Ihimaera
No full textIn this very special episode of Knowing Animals I am joined by beloved New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera. Witi has written many books featuring nonhuman animals. He offers us a non-colonial lens through which to think about the human/nonhuman relationship
Author Under Sail The Imagination of Jack London, 1893-1902
No full textIn Author Under Sail, Jay Williams offers the first complete literary biography of Jack London as a professional writer engaged in the labor of writing. It examines the authorial imagination in London's work, the use of imagination in both his fiction and nonfiction, and the ways he defined imagination in the creative process in his business dealings with his publishers, editors, and agents. In this first volume of a two-volume biography, Williams traverses the years 1893 to 1902, from London's "Story of a Typhoon" to The People of the Abyss. The Jack London who emerges in the pages of Author Under Sail is a writer whose partnership with publishers, most notably his productive alliance with George Brett of Macmillan, was one of the most formative in American literary history. London pioneered many author models during the heyday of realism and naturalism, blurring the boundaries of these popular genres by focusing on absorption and theatricality and the representation of the seen and unseen. London created an impassioned, sincere, and extremely personal realism unlike that of other American writers of the time. Author Under Sail is a literary tour de force that reveals the full range of London as writer, creative citizen, and entrepreneur at the same time it sheds light on the maverick side of machine-age literature.Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. Spirit Truth -- 2. From Absorption to Theatricality and Back Again -- 3. "I Will Build a New Present" -- 4. Sons as Authors -- 5. Fathers as Publishers -- 6. The Daughter as Author -- 7. Lovers as Authors -- 8. At Sea with the Family -- 9. Yellow News, Yellow Stories -- 10. The Return Home -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index -- About Jay WilliamsIn Author Under Sail, Jay Williams offers the first complete literary biography of Jack London as a professional writer engaged in the labor of writing. It examines the authorial imagination in London's work, the use of imagination in both his fiction and nonfiction, and the ways he defined imagination in the creative process in his business dealings with his publishers, editors, and agents. In this first volume of a two-volume biography, Williams traverses the years 1893 to 1902, from London's "Story of a Typhoon" to The People of the Abyss. The Jack London who emerges in the pages of Author Under Sail is a writer whose partnership with publishers, most notably his productive alliance with George Brett of Macmillan, was one of the most formative in American literary history. London pioneered many author models during the heyday of realism and naturalism, blurring the boundaries of these popular genres by focusing on absorption and theatricality and the representation of the seen and unseen. London created an impassioned, sincere, and extremely personal realism unlike that of other American writers of the time. Author Under Sail is a literary tour de force that reveals the full range of London as writer, creative citizen, and entrepreneur at the same time it sheds light on the maverick side of machine-age literature.Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, YYYY. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries
Hispanic Faith-Based Community Leaders and Lay-Leaders' Perception on Developing Farm to Church Program to Promote Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: A Qualitative Exploration
No full textThis item is available only to currently enrolled UTSA students, faculty or staff. To download, navigate to Log In in the top right-hand corner of this screen, then select Log in with my UTSA ID.Hispanics have low fruit and vegetable [FV] intake. Limited access to affordable fresh produce, in part, contribute to low FV consumption. Intervention strategies e.g., Farmer Market and Farm to Work, were effective in improving FV accessibility and affordability; however, such approaches may not be practical for underprivileged Hispanics who lack transportation or employment. Church appears to be a promising alternative setting for translating Farm to Work to "Farm to Church". This pilot study explored the feasibility and acceptance of developing "Farm to Church" to deliver FV through the church that ultimately leads to increase FV intake among Hispanics.
This study conducted in-person interviews with a purposeful sample of 15 church leaders/lay leaders from eight predominantly Hispanic churches in San Antonio, Texas. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis method was used to analyze data.
Leaders were concerned with low intake and limited access to FV in their community. They viewed the church as viable for FV distribution, and favored "Farm to Church" to promote FV consumption to congregation members and surrounding communities where food deserts may be an issue. Future FV programing could utilize churches to deliver baskets of fresh produce, along with recipes, on a bi-weekly basis at an affordable price to the low-income communities. Brief cooking demonstrations during FV delivery could help communities learn new ways of preparing unfamiliar FV. Developing "Farm to Church" appears to be feasible and acceptable to increase FV accessibility and affordability that ultimately leads to increase FV consumption among underprivileged Hispanics.Health and Kinesiolog
Factors that influence physical activity and park use in predominantly Hispanic and low income neighborhoods in San Antonio, Texas
No full textThis item is available only to currently enrolled UTSA students, faculty or staff. To download, navigate to Log In in the top right-hand corner of this screen, then select Log in with my UTSA ID.Parks can be used for physical activity especially among vulnerable populations, such as low socio-economic and minority groups. However, motivators for park use are not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with park use and physical activity in parks on the Westside of San Antonio. Data were collected across six parks and included six park environmental assessments to collect data on park features; 36 physical activity observations to collect data on park users' activities; and 51 park user interviews to assess motivators for park use. Quantitative data analysis included descriptive statistics and ANOVA. To compare average energy expenditures between renovated and non-renovated parks, an ANOVA was conducted. To compare average energy expenditure between different play spaces an ANOVA was conducted to assess energy expenditure by park play spaces. Thematic analysis of the park user interviews was conducted collectively and also by parks. Renovated parks had higher levels of kcal expenditure among park users (M=.086±.027) than non-renovated parks (M=.077±.028) (t=-3.804; p<.01). Basketball courts had a significantly higher number of vigorously active park users (M=1.84 ± .08) than tennis courts (M=.15 ± .01) (F= 21.9, &#951;2 =6.1%, p<.01). Thematic analysis found four emerging themes - motivation to be physically active, using the play spaces in the park, parks as the main place for physical activity, and social support for using parks. Renovations, specifically those that target popular activities, can impact physical activity among low SES populationsHealth and Kinesiolog
Perception and media-related intervention strategies to address obesity among Hispanic communities
No full textThis item is available only to currently enrolled UTSA students, faculty or staff. To download, navigate to Log In in the top right-hand corner of this screen, then select Log in with my UTSA ID.Background: Obesity is a major public health problem in the United States (US) and is disproportionally affecting Hispanics, causing significant health and economic burdens. Many challenges and barrier limit Hispanics' access to healthful opportunities and health information. In addition, Hispanics appear to have a misperception about their weight status. Ethnic media may play an important role in informing the community about obesity prevention. This study aimed to explore the perception of obesity and what media related strategies can be used for obesity prevention among the Hispanic communities; especially those living in low-income neighborhoods and predominantly Spanish speakers.
Methods: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample of Hispanic adults in San Antonio. Sixteen interviews were conducted using a semi-structured guide, audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Inductive content analysis was used to identify themes.
Results: Participants were aware of the severity, consequences and contributing factors of obesity in the Hispanic community. Media, especially TV and Internet were the primary information sources with both positive and negative impacts on the communities regarding obesity-related health issues. Participants suggested media-related strategies including regulations on junk food commercials; frequent public health announcements and healthy messaging; role modeling; and body imagery that help community recognize the seriousness of obesity.
Conclusion: Hispanic residents are concerned with obesity and were able to provide potential solutions to address the escalating obesity problem. Spanish media represents a potential resource to inform, educate and motivate the Hispanic community to live a healthier lifestyle and thus reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes. Future media-related obesity prevention strategies using TV and Internet should focus on frequent public health announcements of local government initiatives, programs and events; role modeling for healthy lifestyle; educating community in recognizing obesity issues; as well as advocating for regulations on junk food commercials. Future research is needed to analyze the current health communication content regarding obesity in major Spanish-language media sources. Also, future research using a quantitative approach is needed to confirm the finding from the current qualitative study. Content analysis of the current obesity-related health information in major Spanish-language media sources will help better develop effective health communication through the media. In addition, research is also needed to explore the potential effect of "fat body imagery" on changing the Hispanic community's weight perception. Such studies should be conducted with caution to avoid harming the community (e.g. psychological issues on the obese public).Health and Kinesiolog
The Effect of Soy Supplementation on Body Composition and Metabolic Risk Amongst Peri-early Menopausal Women: A Pilot Study
No full textThis item is available only to currently enrolled UTSA students, faculty or staff. To download, navigate to Log In in the top right-hand corner of this screen, then select Log in with my UTSA ID.Objective
We sought to determine the effect of daily soy supplementation on abdominal fat, lipid profile and circulating inflammatory markers CR-p and IL-6 in peri and early-menopausal women.
Study Design
This was a 6-month double-blinded placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were peri- and early menopausal women. Twelve subjects were evenly and randomly assigned to either the intervention (25 g soy protein + 2 capsules containing 160 mg isoflavones) or Placebo Group (25 g whey protein + 2 cellulose filled capsules). Study outcomes included anthropometrics; total and abdominal fat by DEXA; lipids profile by Cholestech LDX; serum levels of C-Reactive Protein (CR-p) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) by immunoassay. Data were collected as baseline and at 6 months.
Results
Subjects in Intervention Group had significantly increased HDL as compared to those of the Placebo Group post intervention. When within-subject comparisons were made, it was found that subjects with soy supplementation had significantly decreased waist circumference, LDL, and CR-p (p&#8804;.05), as well as increased HDL at study endpoint. In comparison, subjects in the Placebo Group only had a significant decrease in CR-p (p<.05).
Conclusion
A six-month soy supplementation intervention reduced waist circumference and favorably change lipid profile and inflammatory biomarkers among peri- and early menopausal women.Health and Kinesiolog
College students' fruit and vegetable consumption and their perspective on establishing a farmers market at an urban university in South Texas
No full textThe author has granted permission for their work to be available to the general public.Overweight and obesity is a leading risk factor for many chronic diseases, which may be reduced with increases in fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption. FV intake may increase with the establishment of farmers' markets. This study aimed to investigate college students' FV consumption patterns and factors contributing to intended campus farmers' market utilization. This cross-sectional study used a proportionate stratified cluster-randomized sampling strategy to survey a representative sample of college students from an urban Hispanic-serving institution of higher learning in South Texas. All classes were stratified by course level, college, and time offered prior to random selection. Among the 1,166 students invited to participate, 1,099 students completed an anonymous, multiple choice, paper questionnaire regarding FV intake, interest in establishing a campus farmers' market, and market use. Survey data were entered into SPSS and descriptive statistics were performed. SPSS Complex Samples Procedure was used for all descriptive and comparative analysis. The level of significance for all statistical tests was set at 0.05. Means and standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables, while percentage and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for categorical variables. Regression analysis was utilized to determine predictors of FV intake as well intended farmers' market use. The study found that only 7% of college students' are meeting the FV consumption recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Compared to males, females consume less FV than males. Additionally participants who consume food primarily away from home eat less FV compared to individuals who consume food at home. Almost all of the participants (93 %) wanted to see a farmers' market established on campus; and 88 % of participants said they intended to use the market once implemented. The study found that Hispanics and females were more likely to utilize the farmers' market after establishment. The present study demonstrated the needs for effective FV promotion strategies among college students during this critical developmental stage. A campus farmer's market appears to be an acceptable and feasible environmental strategy for FV promotion among this target population.Health and Kinesiolog
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