Gender differences in the association between food costs and obesity in Korean adults: an analysis of a population-based cohort.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prior studies, mostly conducted in Western countries, have suggested that the low cost of energy-dense foods is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between food costs and obesity risk among Koreans who may have different food cost and dietary patterns than those of Western populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used baseline data from a cohort of 45,193 men and 83,172 women aged 40-79 years (in 2006-2013). Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Prudent and Western dietary patterns extracted via principal component analysis. Food cost was calculated based on Korean government data and market prices. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of daily total, prudent, and Western food cost per calorie with obesity. RESULTS: Men in the highest total food cost quintile had 15% higher odds of obesity, after adjusting for demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.22; P-trend < 0.001); however, this association was not clear in women (P-trend = 0.765). While both men and women showed positive associations between prudent food cost and obesity (P-trends < 0.001), the association between Western food cost and obesity was only significant in men (P-trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In countries in which consumption of Western foods is associated with higher food costs, higher food costs are associated with an increased risk of obesity; however, this association differs between men and women.

Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations.

BACKGROUND: Mobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents. OBJECTIVE: We examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries. PARTICIPANTS & SETTINGS: This secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6-18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries. METHODS: 24 potential determinants were identified, including household demographic factors, parents' psychosocial status, and livelihood changes. The dependent variable was parental use of violent discipline (physical, severe physical, psycho-social aggression, and any violent discipline). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 41 % of households reported violent discipline. Parental demographic characteristics that were positively related to use of violent discipline were living in rural areas, not being a household head, female sex, age younger than 35 years, and large family size. Poor parental mental health status, loss of job or reduced income due to COVID-19, lack of food at household level, parent engagement in petty trade, and owning a business also predicted violent discipline. Mandatory curfew and receiving pandemic-related education materials were also positive predictors. CONCLUSION: Some socio-demographic factors, economic hardship due to COVID-19, and poor mental health status of parents are associated with the use of violent discipline against children in the Asia Pacific region. These results highlight several potential target areas for child protection interventions by governmental and non-profit organizations, including economic, social, and mental health interventions.

Caregiver Social Capital and Supportive Relationships are Associated with Better Child Social-Emotional Development.

This study examined how different domains of social capital and of social support among caregivers are associated with social-emotional development in children ages 4-6 and how caregiver depressive symptoms modify these associations. Using a stratified random sample of preschools, data included a cross-sectional study of 1147 child-caregiver pairs (543 girls) in a low-income municipality in Brazil. Crude and adjusted linear regression models revealed that all domains of social support and two domains of social capital were associated with less social-emotional development delay in children. Given a significant proportion of children in low- and middle-income countries do not meet developmental milestones, strengthening caregiver social capital and support in these settings may have the potential to improve child social-emotional development.