Objectives: today’s consumers are increasingly interested in the relationship between food and health, recognizing food as a means to meet nutritional needs and prevent diseases. A diet rich in fish is beneficial to health, potentially protecting against cancer, cardiovascular, autoimmune, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases. During pregnancy, adequate nutrition benefits both the mother and the unborn child. This study compares pregnant women from a decade ago with those recently enrolled to evaluate differences in eating styles, specifically the consumption of fresh and frozen fish. Methods: we compared 114 pregnant women from 2013 with 168 women from 2023, using the same questionnaire to evaluate their eating habits during pregnancy, focusing on fresh and frozen fish consumption. Variables for statistical analyses included age, education, profession, family size, pre-pregnancy BMI, differential BMI, and frequency of fish consumption. Results: the comparison showed an increase in fish consumption, both fresh and frozen, among pregnant women in 2023 compared to 2013, indicating greater awareness of the health benefits of fish. Changes in dietary habits were influenced by profession, education level, and family size. Women in the 2023 cohort experienced smaller weight gain during pregnancy, suggesting potential health benefits. These shifts likely result from improved nutrition education and access to healthy foods, highlighting the importance of public health efforts to enhance maternal and fetal health. Conclusions: significant changes in the dietary habits of pregnant women over a decade were observed, with increased fish consumption in 2023 compared to 2013. These findings emphasize the role of nutrition education and improved access to healthy foods in promoting maternal and fetal health.

This study explores consumer segments within the fruit and vegetable market, with a specific focus on sweet peppers, to evaluate how product characteristics influence consumption patterns. A multivariate analysis was conducted to examine consumer preferences and behaviours, considering factors such as environmental concerns, intrinsic product attributes, health aspects, local product consumption, and shopping habits. Using a segmentation approach, consumers were categorized into five clusters: “Local Loyalty Shoppers”, “Health-Conscious Consumers”, “Sustainability-Conscious Seekers”, “Flavour-Driven Convenience Seekers”, and “Low-Interest”. Each cluster was analysed according to socio-demographic characteristics, providing insights into the motivations behind consumer choices. The findings highlight that local market, sustainability, health-conscious decisions, seasonality, and convenience are key drivers of sweet pepper consumption and purchasing behaviour, offering valuable guidance for market players and policymakers.

PurposeIn recent years, the global consumption of craft beer witnesses remarkable growth. This growth is attributed to the evolving demographics of beer consumers, particularly the emergence of a new generation known as Digitarians or Generation Z. This study aims to analyze the key determinants influencing craft beer consumption among Digitarians.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire is administered, and a total of 296 completed responses are included in the statistical analysis. The methodology uses logistic regressions combined with a backward selection process and variance inflation factor analysis to address multicollinearity. The logistic regressions are conducted in three steps to delve into the research objective and gain insights into the behavior of young consumers. The stepwise backward selection aids in obtaining robust coefficients as a variable selection tool.FindingsThe results shed light on how Digitarians' preferences for craft beer are influenced by various factors, including self-perceived knowledge, alcohol content, gender, food pairings, environment and companionship.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this paper contributes novel insights by being the first study to explore the significance of craft beer choices among Digitarians, identifying the role of several predictors in their consumption patterns.

Twin transition is rapidly impacting all economic sectors, including agriculture. However, there is a lack of a common vision on how farms (typically SMEs) could implement its goals. The purpose of this study is to examine the unique capabilities of farms and the challenges they face to enable the operational execution of initiatives and measures related to twin transition. To do this, a double perspective is adopted: the role of public funding and the role of the university. It is hypothesized that both aspects contribute to sharing and disseminating projects in order to increase economic accessibility, create quality jobs in a territory, and by analyzing how the territory can support farms in sustainable growth.

Purpose Apples have always been considered a healthy product able to provide curative properties to consumers. In Italy, there is a long tradition of apple consumption and production both as a fresh product and as processed food. However, as with many other products, the consumption of fruits and vegetables and, more specifically apples, has been drastically affected by the first lockdown in 2020. In this project, the authors investigate whether the change in consumption habits had long-lasting consequences beyond 2020 and what are the main eating motivations, food-related behavior and socio-demographic affecting the consumption of fruits and vegetables after the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The authors ran two online surveys with 1,000 Italian consumers across a year (from October 2021 to December 2022). In the study, participants answered questions about their consumption habits and their eating motives. Out of 1,000 consumers, the authors included in the final analysis only the participants who answered both surveys, leaving a final sample of 651 consumers. Findings The results show that participants have allocated more budget to fruit and vegetables after the lockdown than before it. Moreover, consumers reported an average increase in the consumption of apples. However, the increase was more pronounced for people aged between 30 and 50 years old and identified as female. After showing the difference across time, a cluster analysis identified three main segments that differ in their eating motives, place of purchase and area of residence. Practical implications Overall, the results contribute to a better understanding of how the global pandemic is still affecting people's daily life. Moreover, the findings can be used to guide the marketing and communication strategies of companies in the food sector. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that investigates changes in the consumption of fruits and vegetables, and, more specifically, apples, in Italy more than one year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the study proposes a classification of consumers based on their habits in a time frame during which the COVID-19 wave was at its bottom which is not currently present in the literature.

The Coma Recovery Scale-revised (CRS-r) is the gold standard for the behavioral assessment of patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoCs). However, the misdiagnosis rate is around 40%. For this reason, recent guidelines suggested enhancing the assessment with neurophysiological measures: among these, surface electromyography (sEMG) represents a convenient bedside solution. This work presents the use of the STRIVEfc system, a wearable device that allows CRS-r administration while recording four sEMG signals. STRIVEfc was employed in 40 sessions on 33 DoCs patients and the sEMG was analyzed to look for voluntary and consistent over threshold (OT) muscular activities. Their duration, amplitude, and number were retained and compared between patients in Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS) and Minimally Conscious State (MCS), revealing more numerous and significantly longer OTs in the latter group. Lastly, the EMG information was exploited to enrich the behavioral assessment by building the instrumented CRS-r score (ICRS-r). In 9/16 UWS sessions, the ICRS-r score suggested a higher-level functioning, not translated into a behavioral response, compatible with MCS diagnosis. Overall, the use of STRIVEfc allows to reveal hidden muscular patterns not detectable by the clinician, thus improving the characterization of DoCs patient’s functional capabilities and supporting the diagnostic process.

The present study examines the elements that influence Italians' willingness to pay a higher price for organic olive oil. As a result, a survey was conducted involving a heterogeneous sample of 332 consumers and their propensity to spend a surplus price was examined using a logit model. According to the study findings, consumers are willing to pay more for organic olive oil and this willingness to pay increases with age, education level, living in a smaller household, consumption of organic food and traditional sources such as producers, retailers and supermarkets. The empirical investigation demonstrates the convenience for farms of converting olive oil production from conventional to organic in order to fulfill customer needs. Companies are able to plan their medium-and long-term commercial activities when they can predict customer preferences. Indeed, consumer information may have a beneficial effect on the community as a whole due to the considerable quantity of positive environmental externalities associated with organic olive production.

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid global health crisis, which shocked the tourism industry by closing borders and reducing tourism demand. This study aims to analyze the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on senior Italian tourism. If, on the one hand, seniors represent, from a tourism perspective, one of the most promising markets for the near future; on the other hand, they are the population that has most suffered the consequences of the pandemic event. Drawing on national statistical data, this study examines the impact of COVID-19 on the holiday intentions and length of stay of senior Italian tourists in Italy. The proposed methodological approach evaluates both travel intentions and length of stay by comparing the pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods. It breaks down the decision-making process into two phases (to go on holiday or not, and length of stay) and is based on the estimation of a probit model with sample selection, which provides a more accurate approach to addressing the complex decision-making dynamics surrounding travel during pandemic periods, offering greater precision in modeling the factors influencing travel intention and length of stay. The results show a strong correlation between the decision to travel and the length of stay in the period before the pandemic. However, during the post-pandemic period there is a change in dynamics, where other factors gain importance in determining the length of stay regardless of the decision to travel.

In recent years, there has been a growing focus on healthy eating. Concerns about general healthiness, food safety, evolving culinary preferences and the shift towards healthier lifestyles are shaping consumers' intentions when it comes to food purchases, impacting the demand for food items that are perceived as healthier than other options. This study aims to enhance our understanding of the significance that consumers place on perceptions of food digestibility, with a specific focus on sweet peppers as a case study. To explore signals linked to consumers' perceptions of digestibility, a questionnaire was administered to 582 Italian consumers. Employing an econometric estimation as the methodological approach, we aim to elucidate the relationship between various factors and the perception of digestibility. The results suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of sweet peppers, culinary preparations and sociodemographic traits of consumers may influence perceived digestibility. In conclusion, the study finds that Italian consumers pay significant attention to the digestibility of sweet peppers, and these insights can serve as a valuable tool for the gastronomy sector. This paper introduces novel aspects to the literature, as–to the best of the authors' knowledge–no previous study has explored consumers' perceptions of food digestibility.

Background: This research aimed to evaluate the association between the monthly consumption of fish (differentiated by type) and both gestational and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Women who were admitted for delivery in the last 6 months of 2023 were prospectively included and divided according to type of fish consumed (based on DHA and mercury content) and frequency of consumption. Neonatal outcomes included weight, length, head circumference, and 1st and 5th minute Apgar scores. Maternal outcomes were threats of abortion, preterm birth, gestational diabetes and hypertension, cesarean section, and differential body mass index (BMI). Results: Small-size oily fish with high DHA and low mercury content (type B fish) consumption was positively associated with neonatal weight and head circumference, and less weight gain in pregnancy. It was also significantly associated with lower incidences of gestational diabetes and hypertension, and cesarean section. Correlation between differential BMI and monthly consumption of fish resulted in statistical significance, especially in type B fish consumers. Conclusions: The consumption of type B fish was significantly associated with increased neonatal weight and head circumference and better maternal outcomes.

The concept of enterprise 4.0 represents an extension of the initial industry 4.0, linked to the evolution of the industrial context towards a highly innovative and digital scenario. The use of technology contributes, through various levers, to the agro-ecological and digital transition: by improving farming efficiency (higher yield for the same environmental impact), by precision farming (adapting the different operations to the needs of vegetation or animals) and through the introduction of specialized machinery capable of helping the farmer to "close the cycle" (e.g., recycling of organic effluents) or to take advantage of biodiversity (i.e., with agro-equipment adapted to mixed crops). This research addresses these issues and aimed to understand the ability of farms to implement projects linked to the "twin transition" for improving competitiveness and capture high-value jobs in a local area. To this end 23 farmers were involved in a semi-structured interview to assess their ability to implement projects linked to green and digital transformation. The results highlight the difficulty both for farmers to welcome this innovative drive and for the local area (the north-eastern area of Sicily) to develop new skills and invest in the training of future generations to strengthen competitiveness.

This study investigates consumer behavior and interest in "welfare-friendly" forms of pork production, considering the growing presence of animal welfare-focused breeding practices. The aim is to outline the typical profile of pork consumers and identify the key attributes influencing their purchasing decisions. A survey was conducted on a sample of 286 individuals after excluding those who only consumed beef and/or poultry or identified as vegetarians/vegans. Regression coefficients (b), 95% Confidence Intervals (95% C.I.), and p-values were reported for univariate and multivariate models. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05 (indicated in bold). The findings indicate that younger participants show greater sensitivity towards consuming meat raised using welfare-friendly methods, raising considerations about the age composition of the sample. The research's originality lies in evaluating consumer interest in pork raised with animal welfare-respecting techniques. The use of appropriate statistical tools, such as multivariate and multilayer models, allows effective solutions for multidimensional hypothesis testing problems in non-parametric permutation inference.

In Italy, the consumption of pork meat is increasing, despite consumers’ attitudes being addressed toward a greater sensitivity about animal welfare and its link with safe food. Considering the relatively high animal welfare standards and the divergence in public interest in farm animal welfare and ethical issues, the objective of this study—in continuation of our previous paper relating to consumer behavior and preferences in welfare-friendly pork breeding—was to investigate habits of pork consumers regarding pig welfare, principally evaluating their willingness to pay (WTP) a higher price for pork obtained using raising techniques with an approach based on animal welfare. An ad hoc questionnaire-based survey was submitted to consumers (n = 404) in Messina province, Italy. Results suggest that 47% of consumers were willing to pay an additional price for pork from farms that apply specific animal welfare standards. Positive correlations were between WTP and farming techniques (p = 0.001), organic farming methods (p = 0.001), and farms in which animal welfare is taken care of and guaranteed (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that consumers intend to pay a higher price for pork, like other animal products obtained using animal-friendly raising techniques. The sensitivity to the animal welfare of a single human being may influence consumers’ attitudes toward pork consumption.

The presence of involuntary, non-functional jaw muscle activity (NFJMA) has not yet been assessed in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC), although the presence of bruxism and other forms of movement disorders involving facial muscles is probably more frequent than believed. In this work, we evaluated twenty-two prolonged or chronic DOC patients with a long-lasting polygraphic recording to verify NFJMA occurrence and assess its neurophysiological patterns in this group of patients. A total of 5 out of 22 patients showed the presence of significant NFJMA with electromyographic patterns similar to what can be observed in non-DOC patients with bruxism, thus suggesting a disinhibition of masticatory motor nuclei from the cortical control. On the other hand, in two DOC patients, electromyographic patterns advised for the presence of myorhythmia, thus suggesting a brainstem/diencephalic involvement. Functional, non-invasive tools such as long-lasting polygraphic recordings should be extended to a larger sample of patients, since they are increasingly important in revealing disorders potentially severe and impacting the quality of life of DOC patients.

Farmers are the most affected by the negative impacts of climate change and, at the same time, are called upon to adapt to climate change. Despite this, the degree of perception and adaptive attitude of farmers to climate change is still quite limited, especially in smallholder family farms in the Mediterranean areas. This study explores the level of perception of climate change by PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) winegrowers in a region of southern Italy (Sicily) and the adaptation actions able to cope with climate change, using a nonparametric approach. The analysis is based on data collected through self-administered questionnaires submitted to 380 PDO winegrowers. For variables comparison the Mann Whitney and the Kruskall Wallis test were applied according to the number of compared samples (two or more independent samples, respectively). Results show how winegrowers' perceptions of climate change tends to vary according to age and education of the respondents and to altitude and size of vineyards. This study highlights how information and dissemination of knowledge among winegrowers play a strategic role in the perception of climate change, especially in rural and remote Mediterranean areas.

Shifting from a traditional linear to an alternative circular paradigm can foster economic growth and support sustainable capital renewal in the European Union. This topic has attracted growing academic interest in recent years. However, the evaluation of case studies regarding Circular Economy implementation, strategies, and practices (at all levels) is still in its infancy. With the aim of bridging this gap, this paper analyses, through a systematic review of case studies, the implementation of circular practices in all economic sectors and industries of the European Union (from 2015 until April 2023). To this end, this research uses a framework of circular strategies built considering the European Union political framework. Based on this analysis, it can be deduced that recycling was the most used circular strategy (24.2%) to reintegrate materials into the economic system and reduce the use of raw materials (18.9%), demonstrating the existence of virtuous circles in the European Union's economic sectors. The results show that the best performing industry, in terms of circular strategies, is Food and Beverage (17.92%), within the Agri-food economic sector. While the economic sector with the least number of circular strategies (7.86%) is Capital Equipment. This paper proposes several tools for Circular Economy implementation that could lead to future research and support business, policymakers, and the scientific community.

Purpose: the objective of this work is to measure customer satisfaction in the Sicilian agritourism. Design/methodology/approach: in order to collect the necessary data, an ad hoc questionnaire was realized. The questionnaire, that was anonymous, was directly distributed with the face-to-face method. Questionnaires were given to 200 men and women aged under 30. The data collected were processed through Probit estimation. Findings: although the objective of our research is to analyse the measurable customer satisfaction only for the real users of farm structures, we believe it is important not to neglect, at least preliminarily, those individuals who have never experienced the stay in a farm. This allows us, therefore, on one hand, to verify through a Chi-Squared test, whether or not there is a connection between having stayed or not on a farm and the social-demographic and the behavioural characteristics of the respondents belonging to the two groups; on the other hand, through the estimation of a Probit model which takes into consideration only people who actually stayed on a farm, we will be able to identify the factors that could have influenced, positively or negatively, "customer satisfaction". Originality/value: the originality of the research consists mainly in a deeper knowledge of customer satisfaction in Sicilian agritourism. This information is useful to better define the rural tourism market and to allow, especially to small businesses, to establish effective marketing strategies in relation to the real preferences of tourist and the decision-making process of choice put in place by them.