Search Results (734)

Consumption trends have shifted towards added-value, natural, less-processed, and more nutritious foods. Key factors shaping these trends include animal welfare, sustainability, globalization, cultural influences, socio-demographics, food safety, health, and nutrition. This structured and narrative review, following a systematic approach, analyzes future trends in food consumption, considers preclinical and clinical studies, and examines related industrial challenges. A comprehensive search across Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted, including original articles and reviews on food consumption trends or industrial processes, using Boolean operators. Potential gaps and biases of the analyzed articles were also included. Of 8742 articles, 58 studies were included. It was found that animal welfare has led consumers to adopt plant-based alternatives, protein, and more sustainable food consumption. Rising health awareness has led to the development of personalized nutrition, functional, and nanoparticle-encapsulated nutrient-based foods. Physiologically, trends indicate improvements in body weight, glycemic control, and lipid profiles, whereas emerging formulations show promise in enhancing cognitive function and nutrient bioavailability. Industrial challenges include refining and scaling up new technologies, encouraging sustainable production practices, ensuring food safety, fulfilling consumer demands, and developing safe, nutritious, and functional foods. Compliance with global health regulations should be prioritized. Continued multidisciplinary research is essential to understand the impact of emerging food trends on consumer health. Full article

Background: Open defecation (OD) has remained a threat to the attainment of SDG 6 (sanitation and hygiene). This study measured the level of exposure to the “Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet” campaign against open defecation, determined the level of public knowledge about open defecation-related harms and diseases, ascertained the public attitude towards open defecation, and established the prevailing defecation practices and the perceived barriers to toilet usage in Ebonyi state, the most prevalent OD state in Nigeria. Methods: The study employed a survey design, using a structured questionnaire for data collection. The multi-stage sampling technique was employed in selecting the respondents from two randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state. Analysis was conducted using 384 valid responses. Results: The results were presented in simple percentage frequency tables and interpreted through the descriptive method, while the Chi-Square test was used to analyse the formulated hypotheses, using the decision rule of p < 0.05. The findings show a high level of awareness of the campaign against open defecation, through the radio and community engagements by environmental activists/NGOs, even though regular access to such information was limited. The results also showed inadequate knowledge of the public health implications of open defecation, whereas good knowledge of environmental consequences was reported. The study found favourable attitudes toward OD practice and persistent open defecation, and major barriers to toilet usage include the high cost of toilet construction, lack of access to toilet facilities, poor sanitation and management of available toilets, and perceived risks of contracting infection from public toilets. However, the Chi-Square values showed that the SBCC campaign was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study concluded that localised, culturally relevant and socio-demographically targeted communication interventions, grassroot advocacy, community watch, and neighbourhood taskforce on open defecation, in addition to the provision of aids for the construction of modern toilets with water facilities, are required to combat open defecation in Ebonyi and related contexts in Nigeria. Full article

This paper proposes a sociological reinterpretation of the concept of sustainability, understood as a cultural dispositive capable of shaping habitus, social representations, and models of action. From a culturalist perspective, sustainability is analysed as a process of social construction grounded in the internalisation of values, knowledge, and practices that contribute to the formation of responsible citizenship. Within this theoretical framework, the school assumes a strategic role in processes of sustainability education by fostering the ethical, collaborative, and inclusive competences required to address contemporary socio-environmental transformations. The paper presents the Edumat+ design protocol, developed within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, aimed at experimenting with innovative methodologies for digital education in primary schools through the integration of STEAM approaches, with reference to coding, educational robotics, and information design. The protocol involved the development of infographic mats and digital learning activities focused on themes of environmental sustainability. The findings highlight how the integration of digital education, visual storytelling, and collaborative learning can contribute to the construction of inclusive and participatory educational environments capable of supporting processes of sustainable citizenship from primary education onwards. Although the activation of such pathways is consistent with recent European policies promoting the integration of digital technologies and STEAM approaches within schools, particularly through initiatives focused on teacher education and the acquisition of technologies and software, the widespread dissemination of the project still requires further governmental support, especially for the development and dissemination of the project outputs. Full article

The article examines conservative rhetoric and discourse in Israel toward the LGBTQ+ community from a sociolinguistic perspective that conceptualizes language as an arena of socio-cultural struggle over identity, power, and normativity. Drawing on queer linguistics theory and identity politics, the study explores how language constructs reality through metaphors of illness, sin, and existential threat, as well as through theological framing and appeals to family and national values. These rhetorical strategies produce a social hierarchy in which heteronormativity is positioned as a “natural truth” while queer identities are labelled as deviant or threatening. From sociological perspective, the study reveals how conservative discourse establishes social boundaries and reinforces collective identity through the exclusion of the Other, thereby reproducing power relations and hierarchies. The article calls for the development of an alternative public discourse grounded in pluralism, inclusion, and the recognition of diverse identities as a means of strengthening democracy and social justice. While existing studies have examined conservative discourse toward LGBTQ+ communities primarily in Western contexts, this study contributes to the field by centering the Israeli case as a distinctive site of analysis, where conservative voices emerge from multiple and ideologically heterogeneous traditions: national-religious, ultra-Orthodox, and Muslim-Arab. By examining how rhetorically divergent speakers converge around shared mechanisms of exclusion, the study reveals that heteronormative discourse is not the product of a single ideological source, but a cross-sectoral phenomenon embedded in the specific political and cultural tensions of Israeli society. Full article

In this study, I propose the need for a model of healthcare in Africa grounded in the healing mission of the Catholic Church understood as a “field hospital,” a pastoral image proposed by Pope Francis to describe the Church’s duty to accompany a wounded humanity. In the African context, where many communities face persistent challenges such as poverty and social inequalities, the Church’s healthcare and pastoral ministries play a critical role in promoting integral healing. Drawing on the model of Church-as-field-hospital, African communitarian values, and the lived experiences of grassroots communities, I argue that authentic healthcare needs to address not only physical illness but also the spiritual, psychological, and sociocultural dimensions of human well-being. The “field hospital” metaphor provides a theological and pastoral framework that prioritizes compassion, proximity to the suffering, and practical responses to human vulnerability in the realm of healthcare. By engaging the Church’s longstanding commitment to healthcare in Africa, this research demonstrates how Catholic institutions can contribute to a more integrated approach to healthcare, showing how ecclesiology and healthcare ethics can work together to produce positive outcomes for grassroots communities. Ultimately, the study envisions a model of healthcare that reflects the Church’s mission of mercy, promotes human dignity, and fosters communal solidarity in the pursuit of holistic healing. I propose that such a holistic healthcare mission of the Church must begin from below, that is, from the perspective of marginal grassroots communities. Since discussing the healthcare situation across the entire African continent is complex and practically impossible, I will focus on Kenya as a representative case study. Full article

Environmental sustainability has become an increasingly important concern within education systems worldwide, yet many initiatives remain centred on knowledge transmission rather than the everyday practices through which environmental responsibility is learned. This study examines Indonesian nature schools (Sekolah Alam), defined here as alternative schools that integrate the national curriculum with outdoor, experiential, character-based, and community-oriented environmental learning. Using a qualitative multi-case study of three schools in an urban and peri-urban Indonesian context, we interviewed 24 stakeholders, including principals, vice principals, teachers, and parents, to examine how ecological responsibility is understood, enacted, and perceived across school communities. Thematic analysis identified six interrelated dimensions: green education philosophy, experiential learning, ecological character formation, institutional support, community engagement, and perceived behavioural outcomes. The findings suggest that ecological responsibility is not produced by a single lesson or programme, but is perceived by stakeholders as emerging through mutually reinforcing institutional, pedagogical, and social practices. School leaders establish enabling conditions, teachers translate environmental values into daily experiential learning, and parents report reinforcing these practices in household contexts. The study contributes a socio-institutional framework for understanding environmental education as an embedded school cultures, while also acknowledging that claims about behavioural change are based on stakeholder perceptions rather than direct observation of students. Full article

The core objective of the concentrated and contiguous protection of traditional villages is to achieve the large-scale preservation and sustainable development of cultural heritage. Elucidating their spatial distribution characteristics and the underlying driving mechanisms serves as a fundamental prerequisite for the effective implementation of conservation practices. Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the optimal parameter-based geographical detector (OPGD) model, this study quantitatively analyzes the spatial distribution and formation mechanisms of traditional villages in southern Shanxi. The results indicate that traditional villages in southern Shanxi exhibit a “one belt, three cores” spatial agglomeration pattern. This pattern emerges from the nonlinear coupling of multiple factors, including natural environment, socio-economic conditions, and historical and cultural elements, among which historical and cultural factors serve as the most prominent driver. The factor detection q-value for cultural heritage density (X18) reached 0.45, and it exhibited a significant synergistic enhancement effect with natural environmental and socio-economic factors. Interaction detection reveals that the explanatory powers of bivariate interactions are generally stronger than that of individual factors, with the synergistic effect between slope (X4) and annual mean temperature (X9) being the most pronounced (q = 0.56). Based on these findings and emphasizing the pivotal role of historical and cultural factors, this study proposes a four-dimensional collaborative governance framework—“cultural leadership, spatial support, institutional safeguards, and social synergy”. This framework aims to provide theoretical foundations and practical pathways for the concentrated and contiguous protection of traditional villages in intra-provincial cultural regions. Full article

Croatia’s diverse agroecological zones, from Mediterranean coastal areas to continental lowlands, enable the cultivation of a broad portfolio of traditional fruit species that contribute simultaneously to biodiversity conservation, rural livelihoods, and the development of value-added food and beverage products. This review compiles and harmonizes evidence on six economically and culturally relevant crops and product chains—grapevine and wine, apple, pear, quince, sour cherry, mulberry, and plum with the traditional spirit šljivovica—focusing on genetic resources and cultivar diversity, agronomic and environmental performance, bioactive composition and potential health relevance, processing routes and by-product valorization, and the socio-economic roles of geographical indications, gastronomy, and tourism. Across species, the literature highlights recurring sustainability levers: safeguarding indigenous and old cultivars as reservoirs of adaptive traits under climate change; reducing chemical inputs through cultivar choice, organic and low-input systems, cover crops, and resistant genotypes; strengthening circularity by converting pomace and other residues into spirits, vinegars, functional ingredients, feed, compost, or energy carriers; and increasing rural value capture through branding, protected origin schemes, and experiential tourism. At the same time, production systems face shared constraints, including fragmentation of holdings, labour shortages, phytosanitary pressures, and the need to optimize processing technologies to preserve sensory and bioactive quality while meeting safety and regulatory requirements. By integrating crop-specific evidence with cross-cutting sustainability themes, this review outlines a coherent framework for positioning traditional Croatian fruit resources and their derived products within contemporary sustainable food system transitions. Full article

Despite the global movement toward sustainable mobility, the adoption of electric and autonomous vehicles (EVs/AVs) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is shaped by unique socio-cultural and structural contingencies. This study provides a significant theoretical contribution by exploring market entry strategies through a multidimensional value framework that captures symbolic and contextual dimensions overlooked by traditional models such as TAM and UTAUT. Drawing on in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observations, the research utilizes Kuwait as a case study to delineate the multidimensional construct of perceived value through Osterwalder’s Value Proposition Canvas (VPC). The findings reveal that consumer adoption is influenced not only by utility and efficiency but also by social, emotional, epistemic, conditional, and cost values. Dealers, in turn, demonstrate how these values guide entry strategies for non-conventional vehicles by aligning product offerings with specific “Pain relievers”, “Gain creators”, and “Jobs to be done” (JTBD). The study identifies distinct encroachment pathways: high-end entry for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and low-end entry for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Notably, a dual-encroachment strategy is identified for high-tech Chinese brands, which are aggressively disrupting emerging markets by leveraging manufacturing efficiencies to dominate the mid-market while simultaneously deploying premium models to challenge luxury incumbents. Finally, despite the structural constraints on public AV deployment, the research highlights vital applications for autonomous systems within “industrial sandboxes” such as aviation, seaports, military, and oil sectors. While centered on Kuwait, the findings offer potentially transferable strategic insights for the broader GCC region. Full article

Background: Research on psychological well-being has traditionally focused on individual characteristics such as personality traits, values, and beliefs. However, comparatively less attention has been paid to the sociocultural contexts in which individuals are embedded and that influence how the individual characteristics are expressed, evaluated, and rewarded. One theoretical framework that captures this interaction is person–culture match (PCM), defined as the alignment between individual traits, values, or beliefs and those prevalent within the surrounding culture. Objectives: This narrative review synthesizes conceptual and empirical research on PCM and discusses its implications for psychological well-being and broader societal consequences. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted to identify key theoretical contributions and empirical studies on PCM. The reviewed literature includes cross-cultural research examining the alignment between personal characteristics and corresponding cultural characteristics, as well as its implications for well-being and broader societal processes. Results: Across a wide range of studies, individuals tend to report higher well-being when their personal traits, values, or beliefs align with characteristics prevalent within their sociocultural context. This pattern has been documented across multiple characteristics, including personality traits, religiosity, political ideology, and personal values. Higher PCM has been associated with higher life satisfaction, greater positive affect, stronger self-esteem, and lower levels of stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The literature suggests that well-being is shaped not only by individual characteristics but also by their alignment with one’s sociocultural contexts. Future research is needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying these effects and to explore the broader societal consequences of PCM. Considering cultural alignment may therefore be valuable for both advancing research and informing public health strategies and policy interventions aimed at enhancing well-being and social cohesion. Full article

Nature-based tourism is expanding rapidly, placing new pressures on fragile ecosystems and governance structures that were not designed for the intensity and diversity of today’s visitors. Despite this trend, protected areas face unique management constraints and rapid socio-environmental changes. While motivational segmentation of tourists can provide valuable information to policymakers, this subject remains understudied/under-researched. This study addresses the gap by examining the motivations, behaviours, and attitudes of visitors to Romania’s national and natural parks, using a structured survey (n = 509) and a two-step approach combining dimensionality reduction with visitor segmentation. Principal component analysis (PCA) reveals distinct motivational dimensions related to visitors’ desire for immersion in nature, wildlife observation and learning, active recreation, and social–cultural engagement. Based on these dimensions, three visitor segments emerge through cluster analysis, with significantly different patterns of landscape use, expectations of recreational services, and perceptions of interpretation media. This research provides practical insights for targeted communication, zoning, and adaptive governance and proposes integrating visitor typologies with park management to support sustainable rural development. The findings highlight how a nuanced understanding of tourist segments can inform more effective policy measures that balance recreational demand with the long-term protection of natural and cultural resources, offering practical value for the sustainable development of protected areas, local communities, and other stakeholders. Full article

Agricultural heritage systems are traditional agroecosystems formed through long-term ecological adaptation, farming practices, and local knowledge transmission. Their conservation depends not only on formal recognition but also on ecological support and effective links with contemporary cultural service networks. Yet it remains unclear whether they are spatially aligned with the eco-cultural service conditions required for socio-ecological resilience and agroecological transition. Using 205 important agricultural heritage systems in Zhejiang Province, China, this study integrates nearest neighbor analysis, kernel density estimation, the InVEST model, a cultural service index, and spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results show that agricultural heritage systems are significantly clustered in northern and southwestern Zhejiang. Ecosystem service values are concentrated in the mountainous and hilly areas of southwestern and south-central Zhejiang, whereas cultural service provision is concentrated in the northern Zhejiang Plain and urbanized areas around Hangzhou Bay. Agricultural heritage systems show weak but statistically detectable spatial associations with ecosystem services, cultural service provision, and their eco-cultural synergy pattern, indicating limited spatial correspondence rather than strong spatial coupling. These findings indicate a spatial mismatch between historically evolved agricultural heritage systems, ecological support conditions, and contemporary cultural service provision. This study contributes a spatial diagnostic framework for identifying ecological-support gaps, cultural-service gaps, and eco-cultural mismatch areas, thereby informing differentiated agricultural heritage governance and regional planning. Full article

This study examines how women entrepreneurs in Ecuador confront structural constraints and how these conditions influence their strategic management decisions. Adopting an explanatory approach, a structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was developed based on a survey administered to 110 female entrepreneurs. The instrument was designed to capture perceptions of institutional, financial, sociocultural, and technological limitations, as well as strategic responses in areas such as innovation, networks, digitalization, and formalization. The questionnaire was validated through expert judgment and a pilot test, and data were analyzed using SmartPLS. The results show that structural constraints are significantly associated with the adoption of strategic decisions (β = 0.496; R² = 0.246), suggesting an adaptive resilience pattern in response to adverse contexts. While internal reliability indicators were acceptable (α > 0.87; ρc > 0.89), convergent validity was limited (AVE = 0.43 and 0.45, below the 0.50 threshold), reflecting the multidimensional complexity of the constructs measured. The study adds value by demonstrating how female entrepreneurial agency emerges in environments marked by institutional fragility, reinforcing the need for comprehensive public policies that reduce structural frictions and expand the entrepreneurial decision space. Future research should explore mediational models and heterogeneity analyses to deepen understanding and inform targeted interventions. Full article

Background: Diabetes is a growing public health crisis across the Arab region, where rapid urbanization, dietary transitions, and physical inactivity have contributed to some of the highest diabetes rates globally. Despite a growing recognition of the problem, most diabetes prevention efforts in the region remain small-scale or insufficiently adapted to the sociocultural realities of adults living in the UAE. Evidence-based diabetes prevention strategies, such as the United States’ Centers for Disease Control Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), reduce the risk of developing diabetes but remain underutilized. Methods: The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the systematic cultural adaptation of the Evidence-based Intervention for Diabetes Prevention (EID) using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications–Expanded (FRAME), and (2) assess the preliminary acceptability of the adapted materials through formative focus groups. Results: Materials were culturally tailored to address both deep and surface structures. Deep structure adaptations incorporated Arab cultural values, social norms, and religious practices, including Ramadan-specific content. The original 26-session curriculum was condensed to 12 weekly sessions based on prior research and stakeholder input. Surface-level adaptations included translation into Arabic and development of culturally relevant educational videos. Three formative focus groups (n = 7 total participants) provided preliminary findings of strong acceptability of simplified, culturally relevant, and digitally supported materials. Conclusions: This work will inform the adaptation of an evidence-based lifestyle change program aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals to better meet the needs of adults living in the UAE. While some countries have created their own national diabetes prevention efforts, like the United Kingdom, there is notably no similar program in the Arab world. Full article

Background/Objectives: The signs and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be similar to those of various other illnesses and conditions. To facilitate the detection and categorization of PMS symptoms, specific questionnaires have been developed. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) for the Serbian-speaking population and assess its validity and reliability. Material and Methods: Our convenience sample included 350 Serbian-speaking female health sciences students from one of the Serbian universities who had PMS symptoms at least once during the past 12 months. They completed a general socio-epidemiologic questionnaire, the PSST, and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The PSST was translated according to the recommended methodology, and its psychometric characteristics (internal consistency, construct, discriminant validity and convergent validity) were tested. Results: There were no major changes in the items during the process of translation or validation. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the whole scale was 0.927, whereas if an item was deleted, it was >0.8 for all the items. The McDonald’s omega coefficient was 0.896, indicating good internal consistency. The CI–TC coefficients were greater than 0.40 for all the items, indicating that all items were significant elements of the PSST. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three factors. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed adequate values for all model fit estimators. The PSST significantly correlated with the DASS-21, which confirmed its adequate convergent validity. Conclusions: The Serbian version of the PSST showed good validity and therefore can be used as a screening tool for PMS in Serbian-speaking young women. Full article