Giovanni Aulisa, Claudio Binda, Elvira Padua, Antonio Pratesi, Alfonso Bellia, Chiara Bellia and Mauro Lombardo
This study aims to evaluate if soya consumption can compromise or positively influence the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate if soya consumption can compromise or positively influence the effects of the Mediterranean diet (MD).
Design/methodology/approach
A full literature review has been conducted as part of a proposal of a new point of view on the consumption of soya and its derivatives in areas where until a few decades ago this type of food did not exist at all.
Findings
There does not seem to be any contraindications for soy systematic use, therefore, excluding historical-geographical reasons, soya could be included in an MD without altering the benefits associated with it.
Practical implications
Soya is not advised as a typical food in the MD, but promoting its use could probably contribute to increase the variety of the diet and likely consolidates the positive health benefits characteristic of MD.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is one of the first to evaluate soybean consumption within the MD.
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Mauro Lombardo, Gianluca Rizzo, Alessandra Feraco, Marco Alfonso Perrone, Chiara Bellia, Davide Lauro, Massimiliano Caprio, Alfonso Bellia and Elvira Padua
The menopausal transition (MT) is a period when there may be an increase in visceral fat mass and a worsening of cardiometabolic risk factors. Few studies have evaluated the…
Abstract
Purpose
The menopausal transition (MT) is a period when there may be an increase in visceral fat mass and a worsening of cardiometabolic risk factors. Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of plant-based low-calorie diets on groups of women at different stages of MT. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a high plant-to-animal protein ratio diet in women of similar age but with different fertility statuses.
Design/methodology/approach
Subjects were divided into three groups according to their fertility status at the baseline: “premenopausal” (n = 11), “perimenopause” (n = 14) and “postmenopause” (n = 18). Body composition (BC) was measured at the beginning and after eight months of treatment. Individualised lifestyle treatment included a strong component of plant-based foods.
Findings
Forty-three overweight or obese Caucasian women (age 52.3 ± 4.5 years, body mass index 30.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2, fat mass 33.1 ± 9.3 kg data presented as means ± SD) were included in the study. Mean physical activity was 8.4 ± 7.6 metabolic equivalent of tasks/week. Subjects had an improvement in BC (fat mass −5.6 ± 4.0 kg, p < 0.001 protein −0.3 ± 0.5 kg, p < 0.001), HDL-C and systolic blood pressure values. Waist circumference and hip circumference decreased by 4.1 ± 3.1 cm and −6.0 ± 4.3 cm, respectively. Weight loss resulted in a significant improvement in some blood lipid values, such as total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Adherence to a high plant protein diet helps adult women with different fertility statuses to improve BC and reduce cardiovascular risk factors. Long-term studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.
Originality/value
In pre-peri- and post-menopausal adult women, a diet high in plant proteins improves body composition and reduces cardiovascular risk factors.
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Maximilian Andreas Storz, Maria Brommer, Alessandra Feraco, Alexander Müller, Alvaro Luis Ronco and Mauro Lombardo
Changes in eating habits and food preferences caused by circadian rhythm disruptions in shift workers increase the risk for chronic diseases. Several studies demonstrated that…
Abstract
Purpose
Changes in eating habits and food preferences caused by circadian rhythm disruptions in shift workers increase the risk for chronic diseases. Several studies demonstrated that shift work exerts adverse effects on various risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cancer. Moreover, shift work leads to altered eating patterns, including diets low in alkaline foods (such as vegetables, fruit and legumes) and high in acidogenic foods (such as meat, fish and cheese). Previously not examined, this imbalance could result in a high dietary acid load (DAL). DAL has been linked to low-grade metabolic acidosis, tissue inflammation and other metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that shift work is positively associated with an increased DAL.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007–2010). The sample for this analysis was drawn from a representative multistage-probability sample of US civilians. DAL estimations included potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). Acid load scores and nutrient intake were compared between regular day workers (n = 3,814; mean age, 43.7 ± 0.3; mean body mass index (BMI), 28.6 ± 0.1; females 46.9%) and shift workers (n = 881; age, 37.4 ± 0.6; BMI, 28.4 ± 0.3; females 48.1%). Evening/night shift workers combined with rotating shift workers were contrasted to participants on a regular daytime schedule.
Findings
Potassium and magnesium intake were significantly lower in shift workers, whereas no significant differences with regard to total energy intake were found. The authors found significantly higher crude NEAPF scores in shift workers (mean: 61.8 ± 1.2 mEq/day) compared to regular day workers (mean: 58.7 ± 0.5 mEq/day, P = 0.023). After adjustment for confounders, however, this association remained no longer significant. There were no significant intergroup differences regarding NEAPR and PRALR.
Research limitations/implications
This study revealed significant differences in crude NEAPF scores between shift workers and day workers. After adjustment for confounders, this association was no longer significant. Such discrepancy is probably because of the scarce homogeneity in the analyzed sample which represents the main limitation of this study. Thus, the results did not confirm the hypothesis that shift work is associated with elevated DAL scores. Importantly, the data suggest significant intergroup differences in nutrient intakes without confirming our initial hypothesis with regard to DAL.
Originality/value
In light of the detrimental health outcomes associated with an increased DAL, this study reinforces the call for evidence-based dietary guidelines in shift workers. Studies in other shift working populations are thus warranted.
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Mauro Lombardo, Giovanni Aulisa, Elvira Padua, Giuseppe Annino, Ferdinando Iellamo, Antonio Pratesi, Massimiliano Caprio and Alfonso Bellia
The purpose of this paper is to examine gender differences in food habits and food choices, including decisions in healthy eating, to personalize diet therapies to be as effective…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine gender differences in food habits and food choices, including decisions in healthy eating, to personalize diet therapies to be as effective possible for long-term weight loss.
Design/methodology/approach
In this cross-sectional study, eating behaviours were assessed using a questionnaire composed of 12 questions concerning food habits, 17 concerning food taste, and four about healthy eating. There were 2,021 (1,276 women) Caucasian adults enrolled in the study.
Findings
Statistically significant differences in women compared to men occurred for the following questionnaire entries reading eating habits: whole grain food (10.0 per cent higher in women; p < 0.001); cereals such as barley (8.3 per cent higher in women, p < 0.001); cooked vegetables (6.6 per cent higher in women, p < 0.001); eggs (5.0 per cent lower in women, p = 0.03); meat (9.3 per cent lower in women, p < 0.001); and processed meat (7.1 per cent lower in women, p < 0.001). Women consume more water, sugar-sweetened beverages and alcoholic drinks than males, and liked salty foods more than sweet foods. Men ate faster, ate more during the night and slept worse than women. Men ate meals out more often and tended to be hungrier later in the day. Women missed more meals and ate more times during the day and were also more likely to eat uncontrollably.
Research limitations/implications
The authors observed strong evidence of profound gender-specific differences between men and women in terms of dietary habits, the taste of food and in the relationship with meals.
Practical implications
The findings suggest a need for the creation of gender-specific programs for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Social implications
A need for the creation of gender-related programs for promoting healthy lifestyle has been demonstrated.
Originality/value
Reasons for the different eating behaviours among men and women have been found. Western society’s perception of the ideal body weight is much lower for women than for men. In general, social perceptions influence nutritional behaviour to a great extent. Women’s greater nutritional knowledge and sex-specific taste preferences also account for the differences in eating behaviour.
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Monica Giancotti, Giorgia Rotundo and Marianna Mauro
European justice systems are facing a dramatic performance crisis due to the frequent inability to resolve cases without incurring unreasonable delays and backlogs. In this…
Abstract
Purpose
European justice systems are facing a dramatic performance crisis due to the frequent inability to resolve cases without incurring unreasonable delays and backlogs. In this framework, the Italian Judicial system places itself well below the European countries average, in terms of speed of resolution of administrative, civil and criminal trials. The purpose of the paper was to (1) identify factors affecting Italian judicial system efficiency and (2) identify potential actions to manage them, improving judicial system efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to achieve the aims of this paper, a systematic review to map all critical factors discussed in previous studies was performed. Studies were extracted from Google Scholar, Web of Science and SSRN databases. In total, 22 studies were included.
Findings
The identified factors of inefficiency of the Italian judicial system have been divided into three macro-classes depending on whether they concern human resource management, the judicial process or whether they pertain to internal or external outside the judicial organization. For each of these, possible strategies have been developed in a new conceptual framework.
Originality/value
The framework seeks to assist policymakers in forming policy measures that can significantly increase court effectiveness. This is the first attempt to review and map all factors affecting judicial system efficiency systematically, providing a new conceptual framework to manage them.
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Maria Caprile, Mina Bettachy, Daša Duhaček, Milica Mirazić, Rachel Palmén and Angelina Kussy
Universities are large, complex and highly hierarchical organisations with deeply engrained gendered values, norms and practices. This chapter reflects on the experiences of two…
Abstract
Universities are large, complex and highly hierarchical organisations with deeply engrained gendered values, norms and practices. This chapter reflects on the experiences of two universities in initiating structural change towards gender equality as supported by the TARGET project. A common aspect thereby is the lack of a national policy in higher education and research providing specific support for implementing gender equality policies. The process of audit, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the first gender equality plan (GEP) in each of these universities was conceived as a first step in a long journey, providing a framework for engaging different institutional actors and fostering reflexive, evidence-based policy making. The analysis deals with reflexivity and resistance and seeks to draw lessons from bottom-up and top-down experiences of GEP implementation. It is the result of shared reflection between the GEP ‘implementers’ in the two universities and the team who provided support and acted as ‘critical friends’.
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Mauro Paoloni, Paola Paoloni and Rosa Lombardi
The purpose of this paper is to create a strong connection among the gender diversity literature in the stream of gender quotas in the international context and the main…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to create a strong connection among the gender diversity literature in the stream of gender quotas in the international context and the main legislation on gender diversity – the Law 120/2011 “Golfo-Mosca” – in Italy requiring listed companies and companies under the public control to implement policies for increasing board diversity.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper adopts a structured literature review method to propose relevant issues on this topic applying an innovative analytical framework based on the “article focus.” Additionally, an interview to a CEO of an Italian Bank has been done.
Findings
In this step, results seem to underline the prominence of literature analyzing “woman in board of directors” promoting board diversity in the light of good governance. Additionally, this analysis is functional to the proposition of interesting insights from the Golfo-Mosca Law’s analysis in Italy emphasizing primary effects of its application during past seven years.
Originality/value
Findings of this paper are original, as it is the first time that a research connects results from the structured literature review on gender issues and the related Italian law to draft emerging and thrilling issues in the light of transparent and responsible corporate governance system.
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Mauro Cavallone, Francesca Magno and Alberto Zucchi
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how geomarketing statical tools (notably, gravitational models) can support healthcare organisations to improve the quality of their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how geomarketing statical tools (notably, gravitational models) can support healthcare organisations to improve the quality of their services.
Design/methodology/approach
Geomarketing tools were applied to the analysis of data (91,478 observations) concerning the performance of nuclear magnetic resonance.
Findings
Geomarketing models can support and enhance the planning of service provisions of healthcare organisations. Drawing the planning actions on the patient needs and actual behaviours allow the healthcare organisations to obtain better market performance.
Practical implications
The results support the health service planning activities related to covering the so-called “offer gaps”.
Originality/value
This is the first study to apply geomarketing to improve the quality of healthcare services.