Weight gain is a common phenomenon among college students, especially those in their first year of university. Transitioning from high school to the college environment might increase perceived stress levels, thus affecting dietary behaviors and metabolism to promote overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activities and dietary behaviors of college students in the context of their perceived stress levels. In addition, the demographic characteristics of the students were compared to ascertain their impact on dietary behaviors. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed to college students on campus in Korea. Perceived stress was measured by the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the scores for which were evaluated by independent t-tests to compare the dietary behaviors of the high- and low-perceived stress groups. Exploratory factor analysis was performed and Cronbach’s alphas were computed to assess the validity and internal consistency of the PSS-10 measurement items. Differences in the physical activities and dietary behaviors of the college students based on demographics such as sex, academic year, and residence type were found. Several dietary behaviors were significantly different between students with low and high perceived stress levels. Students with high perceived stress levels exhibited increased unhealthy dietary behaviors such as ready-prepared meal consumption (p < 0.001). These results suggest that stress management should be offered to college students. In addition, programs should be provided to help first-year students adjust to the college environment in order to promote healthy dietary behaviors.

There is a rapid increase in the demand for natural hypopigmenting agents from marine sources for cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Currently, marine macroalgae are considered as a safe and effective source of diverse bioactive compounds. Many research groups are exploring marine macroalgae to discover and characterize novel compounds for cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical applications. Many types of bioactive secondary metabolites from marine algae, including phlorotannins, sulfated polysaccharides, carotenoids, and meroterpenoids, have already been documented for their potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Among these metabolites, phlorotannins from brown algae have been widely screened for their pharmaceutical and hypopigmenting effects. Unfortunately, the majority of these articles did not have detailed investigations on molecular targets, which is critical to fulfilling the criteria for their cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical use. Very recently, a few meroterpenoids have been discovered from Sargassum sp., with the examination of their anti-melanogenic properties and mechanisms. Despite the scarcity of in vivo and clinical investigations of molecular mechanistic events of marine algae-derived hypopigmenting agents, identifying the therapeutic targets and their validation in humans has been a major challenge for future studies. In this review, we focused on available data representing molecular mechanisms underlying hypopigmenting properties of potential marine brown alga-derived compounds.

Caffeinated beverages are a part of daily life. Caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, energy drinks, and soft drinks are easy to purchase and are frequently consumed by young college students. Moreover, smoking influences the consumption of caffeinated beverages. The concentration of caffeine in these products is an attractive factor for individuals that desire the effects of caffeine; however, abusing such products may lead to poor sleep quality. The motivations that drive caffeinated beverage consumption were investigated in this study through a survey. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed on campus to students enrolled at a university in Korea. The motivations of the students for consuming each caffeinated beverage and their sleep quality were investigated. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed the motivations for caffeinated beverage consumption were alertness, taste, mood, socialization, health benefits, and habit. The motivations for consuming each caffeinated beverage product were different. For instance, coffee consumption was motivated by a desire for alertness (B = 0.107, SE = 0.049, t = 2.181, p < 0.05) and by habit (B = 0.345, SE = 0.046, t = 7.428, p < 0.001), whereas tea consumption was influenced by socialization (B = 0.142, SE = 0.060, t = 2.357, p < 0.05). Energy drink consumption was motivated by a desire for alertness (B = 0.100, SE = 0.034, t = 2.966, p < 0.01) and health benefits (B = 0.120, SE = 0.051, t = 2.345, p < 0.05), while the consumption of soft drinks was not motivated by any specific factors. Caffeinated beverage consumption did not show a significant relationship with sleep quality, although the general sleep quality of the respondents was poor. Smoking status showed significant differences in coffee and tea consumption as well as sleep quality. Smokers had a higher intake of coffee and a lower intake of tea than non-smokers. No interaction effect between smoking and coffee on sleep quality was found. Labeling detailing the amount of caffeine in products is necessary and a cautionary statement informing consumers that smoking cigarettes enhances the effects of caffeine should be included.

Bae Y, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2021 Feb;15(1):122-135. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2021.15.1.122

This study investigated the impact of inspection reports on consumers’ restaurant selection behavior. This study used scenario approach questionnaires to generate protection motivation in participants. The protection motivation theory (PMT) was employed to measure positive relationships between PMT variables: vulnerability, severity, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and protection motivation. Results suggest respondents’ vulnerability, severity, response efficacy, and self-efficacy positively influence their protection motivation. Results also showed that protection motivation was positively related to behavioral intention to dine at a restaurant that has good food safety practices. Findings of this study contribute to the current literature by indicating PMT is useful in explaining the impact of health code violations on consumers’ choices of where to eat.