Daniele Nucci, Letizia Licitra, Serena Sciara, Massimo Moretti and Vincenza Gianfredi
The PRison NUtrition Surveillance (PRuNUS) questionnaire aimed to assess the eating behaviour, diet knowledge and lifestyle of Italian prisoners. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
The PRison NUtrition Surveillance (PRuNUS) questionnaire aimed to assess the eating behaviour, diet knowledge and lifestyle of Italian prisoners. The purpose of this paper is to present both data from the validation process and from the cross-sectional study.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to perform the validation process, the authors evaluated the reproducibility and the consistency of the questionnaire, using Cohen’s k and Cronbach’s α, the agreement between the two administrations was evaluated by the Landis and Koch score. The authors performed the study in the “Capanne” Prison, Perugia. A multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for age and gender was used.
Findings
Out of 300 men, 11 participated in the validation process and 68 in the survey. Among 47 women, 11 participated in the validation and 17 in the survey, with a 26.2 per cent (85/325) cumulative response rate. The questionnaire obtained a good concordance with a k-value=0.61 and 74.48 per cent of agreement and a high level of inter-correlations among items with α=0.8452. Half of the prisoners were overweight/obese and 68.6 per cent were smokers. Moreover, smoking habits were statistically associated with a low educational level, duration of conviction, body mass index and coffee consumption.
Originality/value
The results highlighted the need for an educational programme in prison. Detention period could be a good opportunity to promote healthy habits.
Vincenza Gianfredi, Francesco Ceccarelli, Milena Villarini, Massimo Moretti and Daniele Nucci
The purpose of this study is to investigate food supplement intake among gym-goers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate food supplement intake among gym-goers.
Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study, using a validated questionnaire, was conducted. All participants were gym-goers who voluntarily enrolled from eight selected gyms in Perugia. A multivariate regression analysis was performed.
Findings
In our sample, 44.9per cent (n = 57) of participants consumed dietary supplements, at least once a week, with no association with sex (p = 0.5) and educational level (p = 0.4). Supplements intake was statistically significant and associated with very low intake of mineral water (p = 0.01), diet specific for fitness programmes (p < 0.01), information about nutrition from personal trainers (p < 0.01), frequency of physical activity (p = 0.01), society’s attention to nutrition (p = 0.04) and marginally with frequency of weigh control (p = 0.05).
Originality/value
Food supplements intake seems to be extensively used among gym-goers, and it seems related to information about nutrition from personal trainers. However, specialized personnel, such as dietitian or nutritionist, should supervise supplements intake.