Changes in Trait Mindfulness after a Brief Mindfulness Training Program of Self-Breathing.

Background: Developing and cultivating mindfulness exerts a positive effect on psychological and cognitive performance. Sharpening the skill requires continuous mindfulness-based training (MT), which can be challenging for people leading busy lives. Therefore, the current study examined whether trait mindfulness can be improved by a flexible and brief MT program of self-breathing using a pre-post intervention design.

Post-Migration Changes in Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity among Adult Foreign Residents in Niigata Prefecture, Japan: A Mixed-Methods Study.

The migrant population of Japan is gradually increasing, but it is not well known how and why diet and physical activity (PA) change post-migration. Therefore, this study used a mixed-method approach to investigate the changes in dietary patterns and PA through a web- and paper-based survey ( = 128) and understand the contextual factors for those changes through semi-structured interviews ( = 21). Descriptive and thematic analyses of quantitative and qualitative data were conducted, respectively.

The role of zinc on nutritional status, sarcopenia, and frailty in older adults: a scoping review.

Background: Zinc (Zn) deficiency, malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty are prevalent among older adults and are prominent factors contributing to disability and mortality.

Objective: This scoping review was conducted to aid understanding of the extent and types of research addressing the role of Zn in nutritional status, sarcopenia, and frailty, among older individuals.

Method: A systematic search was performed in August 2022 of 3 electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and ProQuest) using predefined search terms.

Compliance of Static Stretching and the Effect on Blood Pressure and Arteriosclerosis Index in Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Treatment of high blood pressure is a combination of lifestyle changes and medications, and appropriateexercise therapy is recommended as one of the lifestyle-related changes. Recently, stretching, a low-intensity exercise, was reported to be antihypertensive and effective for improving arteriosclerosis, in addition to aerobic exercise. The present study investigated the short-term effects of continuous stretching and rest-induced rebound on vascular endothelial function in hypertensive patients.

Quality of Life and Symptom Burden among Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology (CKDu) Patients in Girandurukotte, Sri Lanka.

Symptom burden and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are important predictors of how a disease affects patients' lives, especially for endemic health problems such as chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu). Our study describes symptom burden, HRQOL, and associated demographic and clinical variables in CKDu patients in the Girandurukotte area, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional study included 120 CKDu patients attending the renal clinic in the endemic area.

Assessment of Nutritional Status and Dietary Pattern of a Rural Adult Population in Dry Zone, Sri Lanka.

The objective of this work was to describe average dietary intake, physical activity (PA) and nutritional status of the adult population of Girandurukotte, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey, including one 24-h dietary recall, international physical activity questionnaire and anthropometric measurements was conducted in a representative sample of 120 adults. Mean (SD) for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were 23.

Efficacy of Physical Activity in Prevention of Muscle Weakness in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

Background: Sarcopenia is a prognostic factor for patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and it affects the onset of hepatic encephalopathy. Therefore, the prevention of sarcopenia contributes to the improvement of the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). We focused on changes of hand grip strength (HGS), one of the indicators of sarcopenia.

Micronutrient Status in Sri Lanka: A Review.

Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and, trace elements that are required in minute quantities but play a vital role in normal human growth, development and physiological functioning. Micronutrient deficiencies, also known as hidden hunger, are a global issue, with particularly high prevalence rates in developing countries. Currently, Sri Lanka is experiencing the double burden of over- and undernutrition.

Effects of Prenatal Tobacco and Wood-Fuel Smoke Exposure on Birth Weight in Sri Lanka.

Low birth weight is a key public health problem in many developing countries, including Sri Lanka. Indoor air pollution from tobacco smoke and kitchen-fuel smoke are among the major contributors to low birth weight, factors of which there are little awareness of in Sri Lanka. We evaluated the effect of passive smoking and kitchen-fuel smoke exposure on birth weight.