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China is recognized as the largest energy consumer and is also the country with the largest and fastest-aging population. Ongoing demographic changes may reshape China’s household-based energy consumption patterns because of the large gap in consumption behavior between the elderly and the young as well as varying attitudes toward the environment among generations. However, when the impact of China’s aging population on energy consumption is projected, the heterogeneous cognitive norms of generations in the process of demographic transition are not well understood. In this study, we assessed the future impact of China’s demographic transition on energy consumption using a proposed theoretical framework to distinguish between age and generational effects. Specifically, we used age–period–cohort (APC) detrended analysis to estimate age and generational effects based on China’s urban household survey data from 1992 to 2015. The results indicated large differences in energy use propensity across ages and generations. The elderly and younger generations tended to be energy-intensive consumers, resulting in higher energy consumption in this aging society. Our results consequently show that future changes in China’s elderly population will result in a substantial increase in energy consumption. By 2050, the changing consumption share of the elderly population will account for ∼17 to 26% of total energy consumption in the residential sector, which is close to 115 million tons of standard coal (Mtce). These findings highlight the need to interlace environmental education policies and demographic transitions to promote energy conservation behavior in children and youth for low-carbon, sustainable development.

Objectives Sarcopenia is a clinically relevant syndrome with health, social, and economic implications. Alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors for sarcopenia, but it has not been fully investigated in Chinese populations. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns (including the volume and frequency of alcohol consumption) and sarcopenia or its elements among Chinese women and men from Henan Province. Method A cross-sectional study was designed to collect information about nutrition and health in Henan Province, China, and a total of 680 individuals were studied. Sarcopenia was defined according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria updated in 2019. Alcohol consumption was calculated in grams per day and divided into three groups. Drinking frequency was divided into four groups. We assessed the likelihood that sarcopenia was associated with drinking patterns using multiple logistic regression analysis by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) after multiple adjustments. Results We found that men who consumed > 25 g of ethanol per day were approximately three times more likely to have low muscle mass (OR, 3.99; 95% CI, 1.10–17.05) or low grip strength (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.33–9.92) than nondrinkers after multiple adjustments. In addition, males who consumed alcohol more than 4 times per week were approximately threefold to fivefold more likely to have low muscle mass (OR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.24–25.55) or low grip strength (OR, 3.37; 95% CI, 1.40–8.74) than nondrinkers. Unfortunately, we did not find a relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and sarcopenia or gait speed among males, and there was no association between alcohol consumption patterns and sarcopenia or any elements. Conclusion Heavy alcohol consumption and frequent drinking are important risk factors for low muscle mass and muscle strength in Chinese men from Henan province.

Background Morocco is currently undergoing rapid changes in diets and lifestyles, influenced by globalization and urbanization, leading to a shift away from the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) toward Western diets. Objective Describe and explore the food consumption patterns of the population of Kenitra province and their adherence to the MedDiet using a validated survey. Method The current cross-sectional study involved 442 respondents from Kenitra province, comprising individuals aged 18 and above. The survey included a combination of closed and open-ended questions regarding food consumption patterns and socio-demographic characteristics. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using the Panagiotakos method to calculate the MedDiet score (MDS). Additionally, each participant’s adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using a method based on Martínez-González’s approach. Results The results indicate that 31% of the participants eat vegetables, 28% eat fruits, and 19% eat wholegrain bread daily. Furthermore, 58% regularly use olive oil in their cooking. Eating out of home (OOH) was high, with popular places being restaurants and cafes (70%), fast food outlets (20%), and workplace canteens (7%). Overall, participants showed moderate adherence to the MedDiet, with a mean MDS of 36.3 ± 19.7. Conclusions Promoting healthy eating habits is crucial in Kenitra. With moderate consumption of nutrient-dense foods and the popularity of the MedDiet, targeted interventions and educational initiatives can promote healthy dietary behaviors, improving overall public health.

•First comprehensive global analysis of beverage consumption among women of childbearing age across 185 countries from 1990 to 2018.•Significant regional variations in consumption, with milk showing the strongest correlation to socioeconomic development (r = 0.73).•Distinct age-related patterns and temporal trends, with most beverage types increasing from 1990 to 2018, while consumption patterns varied significantly by age group. Beverage choices significantly impact the health of women of childbearing age (WCBA). Despite growing scientific interest, comprehensive global analyses of beverage consumption patterns in this population remain limited. We aimed to evaluate global beverage consumption patterns among WCBA and investigate their relationships with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) from 1990 to 2018. This study analyzed beverage consumption data across 185 countries using the Global Dietary Database 2018. Five beverage categories (sugar-sweetened beverages [SSBs], coffee, fruit juices, tea, and milk) were assessed among WCBA across seven global regions. Consumption metrics were calculated using weighted methodologies integrating population statistics, with 95% uncertainty intervals established through Monte Carlo simulations. Multi-level analyses examined consumption patterns at the global, regional, and national levels. Spearman correlation analysis evaluated relationships between the SDI and consumption patterns. In 2018, the global mean intake of SSBs was 120.47 g/d of SSBs, 0.68 cup/d of coffee, 17.16 g/d of fruit juices, 0.85 cup/d of tea, and 81.87 g/d of milk. Total beverage consumption showed global variation, with intake ranging from 1 to 2 servings in South and Southeast Asia to 3 to 4 servings in high-income countries. Between 1990 and 2018, consumption increased across most beverage types, except for fruit juices, which decreased by 13.1%. Significant regional disparities are evident in age-related intake patterns. Milk consumption demonstrated the strongest positive correlation with SDI (r = 0.73), while SSB consumption showed varied associations across development levels. Substantial global variations in beverage consumption among WCBA highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies considering regional socioeconomic differences.

PurposeSport events’ contribution to the destinations’ local economy implies in-depth knowledge of the economic benefits generated by non-resident spectators (NRS). Thus, this study aims to answer: What is the profile and shaping factors of the consumption patterns of the several types of NRS in international surf tourism events?Design/methodology/approachA total of 263 questionnaires applied to the NRS of an international surf event were collected and analysed. The identification of the NRS profile and the predictive factors of their total expenditure were performed through the correlation of factors and multiple linear regression, respectively.FindingsMostly, the event attracted generation Y NRS, with a high level of education and regular sport practice. The results showed differences among the NRS: the “casuals” included more women than men; the “extensioners” integrated the NRS whose surfing practice is higher; the “event visitors”/”time switchers” mostly integrated the domestic tourism flows; the “casuals” and “extensioners” spent the most at the destination, and those whose intention to recommend/revisit the destination, respectively, was higher; and the shaping factor that most influenced the increase in NRS expenditure was the overnight stay, added by older age, higher education level and foreign origin.Originality/valueRegardless of the initial motivation that led to the trip to the destination, the results verified that the event’s attributes are capable of contributing to the recommendation/visitation of the destination. Consequently, the study of economic benefits (tangible and intangible) provided by sport events in destinations should be guided by an integrative analysis of NRS.

Understanding daily water consumption patterns is crucial for efficient management and distribution of water resources, as well as for promoting energy conservation and achieving carbon peaking and neutrality targets. It compares performance of three clustering algorithms, K-means Clustering (KC), Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering (AHC), and Spectral Clustering (SC), using Silhouette Coefficient Index (SCI) and Calinski–Harabasz Index (CHI) as evaluation metrics. We conducted a case study using original hourly flow series of a water distribution division. It aims to identify typical daily water consumption patterns and explore factors that influence them. Findings are as follows: (1) among the three algorithms, KC demonstrates the best, with SCI of 0.6315, 0.5922, and 0.6272, and CHI of 305.9207, 274.1120, and 302.4738 for KC, AHC, and SC, respectively. (2) KC successfully identifies three distinct typical daily water consumption patterns. (3) Results indicate a significant impact of seasons on daily water consumption patterns. (4) Conversely, weekdays and holidays have minimal effect on daily water consumption patterns. It highlights the importance of comprehending daily water consumption patterns and underscores the effectiveness of KC in identifying such patterns. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significant influence of seasons while revealing limited impact of weekdays and holidays on daily water consumption patterns.

The residential sector accounts for around 24% of the total electricity consumption in India. Recent studies show that air conditioners (ACs) have become a significant contributor to residential electricity consumption. Further, it is predicted that by 2037, the demand for ACs will increase by four times due to their affordability and availability. Not many studies have been found on residential AC usage patterns and the factors (AC load, setpoint, hours of usage) that influence household electricity consumption. This paper investigates the residential AC usage patterns and AC’s contribution to total residential electricity consumption. Twenty-five urban homes from a wet and dry climatic region of India were monitored for nine months (in 2019) to determine overall household electricity consumption patterns, AC usage, and indoor environment during summer, monsoon, and winter. Analysis of seasonal consumption patterns shows a significant difference in electricity usage between homes with ACs and homes without ACs during the summer season. The average electricity consumption for AC homes was 15.1 kWh/day during summer, 6.6 kWh/day during monsoon, and 6.1 kWh/day during the winter season. Results showed that AC alone contributed to 39% of the total household consumption in summers. The peak AC usage in all homes is observed during sleep hours which was generally between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am and the average AC runtime was 6.2 h. The average indoor temperature was recorded as 26.9 °C during the AC ON period. The AC peak load, i.e., the maximum electricity demand during the AC ON period, is 1.7 kW on average during the study period. The average annual consumption of homes with ACs was 2881 kWh, and for non-AC homes, the consumption was 2230 kWh. Findings from our analysis provide a detailed understanding of AC consumption profiles and the difference in electricity consumption characteristics between AC and non-AC homes across different seasons.

COVID-19 has affected the functioning of food systems all over the world. This paper seeks to identify and analyse the economic, legal and institutional, as well as social effects of the pandemic’s outbreak on food systems, and the implications for the EU Farm to Fork Strategy whose main purpose is to put food systems on a sustainable path. Qualitative economic and social impact analysis was used to identify the above types of effect on the food system on a macroscale, using Poland as an example. Information was sourced from existing data and qualitative studies. Studies show that the consequences of the pandemic for individual elements of the food system in Poland in 2020 were related to numerous disruptions in functioning, leading to uncertainty, financial losses, and interrupted transactions. The crisis under analysis also revealed modifications in these actors’ behaviours in food markets, noticeable in changes in consumption patterns and in the ways demand for food was met. Nevertheless, an analysis of the gathered information and data testifies to the food system’s relative resistance to the effects of the pandemic, and also to the adaptive skills of the system’s entities, especially food producers and consumers. The paper’s discussion contains recommendations for public policies shaping the food system, pointing to actions that might reduce the negative effects of other potential exogenic crises in the future and aid the implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy’s principles.

Background Little is known about sex-based dietary differences in middle-income countries, particularly those undergoing the nutrition transition. This study aims at examining sex disparities in energy and macronutrients’ intakes, food consumption patterns, and micronutrients’ adequacy in Lebanon, while adopting a life course approach. Methods Data were derived from a national cross-sectional survey conducted in Lebanon in 2008/2009. The study sample consisted of 3636 subjects: 956 children and adolescents aged 6–19.9 years; 2239 adults aged 20–59.9 years and 441 older adults aged above 60 years. At the households, trained nutritionists conducted face-to-face interviews with participants to complete a sociodemographic questionnaire and one 24-h diet recall. Food items were categorized into 25 food groups. The Nutritionist Pro software was used for the analysis of dietary intake data and the estimation of energy, macronutrients’, and micronutrients’ intakes. Results In all age groups, males had significantly higher energy intakes, while females had significantly higher fiber intakes. In addition, in adolescents aged 12–19.9 years, females had higher fat intakes as compared to males (37.02 ± 0.6% vs 35.03 ± 0.61%), and in adults aged 20–59.9 years, females had significantly higher total fat (37.73 ± 0.33% vs 36.45 ± 0.38%) and saturated fat intakes (11.24 ± 0.15% vs 10.45 ± 0.18%). These differences in macronutrient intakes were not observed in younger children nor in older adults. Sex-based differences in food groups’ intakes were also observed: men and boys had significantly higher intakes of red and processed meat, bread, fast food, soft drinks, and alcohol, while girls and women had higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, milk, and sweets. In all age groups, females had lower micronutrient intakes compared to males, including calcium, iron, and zinc. Conclusions This study identified sex-specific priorities that ought to be tackled by context-specific interventions to promote healthier diets in Lebanon. The fact that sex-based differences in nutrient intakes and food consumption patterns were the most noticeable in the adolescent and adult years, hence women’s reproductive years call for concerted efforts to improve nutrition for women and girls as this would lay the foundation not only for their future education, productivity, and economic empowerment, but also for the health of future generations.

People possess knowledge related to financial management, evaluating the quality of goods, and identifying needs, making economic literacy a crucial factor in shaping consumption behavior influenced by lifestyle demands. Income also plays an important role in determining consumption decisions. This study examines the influence of economic literacy on lifestyle, consumption patterns, and consumption behavior, with income level acting as a moderating variable. A quantitative approach using the WarpPLS. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 200 young entrepreneurs of productive age in Malang and Surabaya, Indonesia. The sampling technique used was convenience simple random sampling, where participants were selected randomly regardless of population strata. The results show that higher economic literacy tends to simplify lifestyle, encourage more efficient consumption patterns, and reduce excessive consumption behavior. The role of income level as a moderator weakens the relationship between economic literacy and both lifestyle and consumption patterns, while it does not significantly moderate the relationship with consumption behavior. These findings suggest the need to improve individuals' understanding of economic principles, budgeting practices for managing family responsibilities, and aligning lifestyle with actual income. Although income affects consumption, it does not necessarily enhance or diminish the role of economic literacy in daily consumer decision-making.