Nutritional Status and Emotional Well-being of the Worker-consumer in the Food Supply Chain.

The difference in bioimpedance vectors between two groups of patients (active workers vs. sedentary workers) will be analyzed using Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (BIVA).

In BIVA, the Resistance (Rz) and Reactance (Xc) of each subject, standardized by height (in meters), are plotted on an Rz-Xc graph, forming a bioimpedance vector that can be visualized and analyzed.

Measurements will be obtained through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), providing raw data on Resistance (Rz) and Reactance (Xc), which reflect an individual's hydration status and body composition. The differences in bioimpedance vectors between the two groups (active vs. sedentary workers) will be assessed.

It is a measure of body mass weight expressed in Kg

It is a measure of body height expressed in meters

It is a measure which combines the height and weight values to report Body Mass Index (BMI) expressed in kg/m²; this parameter is valid for adult men and women. World Health Organization (WHO) defined the following cut-offs for BMI corresponding to nutritional status: i. underweight <18.5; ii. normal 18.50 - 24.99; iii.overweight ≥ 25; iv. obese ≥ 30.

Measures of waist circumferences expressed in cm.

Measures of hips circumferences expressed in cm.

The waist-hip ratio or waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is the dimensionless ratio of the circumference of the waist to that of the hips. This is calculated as waist measurement divided by hip measurement (W⁄H). WHR is used as a measurement of obesity, which in turn is a possible indicator of other more serious health conditions. The WHO states that abdominal obesity is defined as a waist-hip ratio above 0.90 for males and above 0.85 for females.

Measures of arm circumferences expressed in cm.

Measures of calf circumferences expressed in cm.

It provides the actual hydration values, i.e. the percentage content of fluids (Total Body Water, TBW) in the Lean Mass (Fat-Free Mass, FFM) from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). The values expressed in percentages (% TBW/FFM) allow immediate recognition of normo-physiological states (from 72.7 to 74.3%); any alterations towards congestion are represented with values between 74.4% - 81%, while alterations towards dehydration are identified with values between 72.6%-70%.

Protein/energy nutrition assessment scale derived from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).. Creatinine excretion (Ucr/24h) is estimated by analysing the amount of cell mass detected by the sensor. The result is normalised to the subject's height and classified using the vector impedance technique into four ranges. The colour graphic representation offers simple and immediate identification of altered states of energy and/or protein malnutrition.

Resistance (Rz) is a parameter measured through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), reflecting the opposition of body tissues to the flow of an alternating electrical current. It is primarily influenced by the amount of total body water (TBW) and Fat-Free Mass (FFM).

Reactance (Xc) is a parameter measured through Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), representing the capacitive properties of cell membranes and tissues. It reflects cell membrane integrity, body cell mass (BCM), and overall cellular health.

Phase Angle (PhA) is a parameter derived from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), calculated as the arctangent of reactance (Xc) to resistance (Rz). It serves as a key indicator of cell membrane integrity, cellular health, and overall nutritional status. A higher PhA is generally associated with better cellular function and nutritional status, while a lower PA may indicate malnutrition or impaired health. The phase angle expresses the proportion between intra- and extracellular spaces, describes properties about the quality of the cell and is used in the clinic as a prognostic index for chronic diseases. In a healthy adult subject, the normal value of phase angle is between 5 and 7 degrees.

Total Body Water (TBW) represents the total amount of water present in the body, including both intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW). It is measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and expressed in liters or as a percentage of body weight. TBW is a key parameter for evaluating hydration status and body composition.

Fat-Free Mass (FFM) refers to the total mass of all body components excluding fat, including muscle, bone, water, and other lean tissues. It is measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and expressed in kilograms or as a percentage of body weight. FFM is a key indicator of muscle mass and overall body composition. Lean Mass is the compartment containing everything that is not body fat: it includes the skeleton, about 73% of body fluids, muscles, skin and organs. Good fitness assumes a FFM value of between 77-85% of body weight, depending on the subject's age.

Fat Mass (FM) represents the total amount of body fat, measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). It is expressed in kilograms or as a percentage of body weight. FM is a key parameter for assessing body composition, nutritional status, and metabolic health. Fat Mass (FM) is a compound consisting of glycerol, a substance formed from fatty acids, which is used as an energy concentrate for the muscles. A certain amount of fat is therefore necessary both as an energy reserve and for the proper functioning of life processes. Another small amount, called essential fat, has a protective function for internal organs, but it is important that this accumulation does not exceed physiological limits. Good physical fitness presupposes a FM value of 15-23% of body weight, depending on the subject's age.

Body Cell Mass (BCM) represents the metabolically active component of Fat-Free Mass (FFM), including muscle cells, organ tissues, intracellular water, and other metabolically active cells. It is measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and is a key indicator of nutritional status, muscle function, and overall cellular health. It is the metabolically active part of the body that does all the functional work, and the 'engine' of the body in which all major metabolic processes take place: from oxygen consumption, glucose oxidation, to protein synthesis. It is the living and active part of the organism, a compartment that the human body should be endowed with in abundance.

Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) represents the total weight of skeletal muscles in the body, measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). It is expressed in kilograms or as a percentage of body weight and serves as a key indicator of muscle health, physical strength, and nutritional status. Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) accounts for about 70 % of the total muscle mass (MM).

Appendicular Muscle Mass (AMM) refers to the total muscle mass of the arms and legs, measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). It is expressed in kilograms or as a percentage of body weight and is a key parameter for evaluating muscle health, strength, and functional capacity. AMM is particularly relevant for assessing conditions such as sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss. It represents 75% of the Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) and is defined as the sum of the muscles of the upper and lower limbs. A reduction in ASMM leads to negative health consequences such as weakness, disability, a worsened quality of life.

Basal metabolic rate (BMR) will be estimated using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). The estimation will be based on predictive equations integrated into the BIA device, considering factors such as fat-free mass and total body water. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the energy expenditure of an organism at rest. BMR includes the energy required for vital metabolic functions (respiration, blood circulation, digestion, nervous system activity, etc.).

Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) will be estimated using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). TDEE represents the amount of energy expended by the body at rest to sustain vital physiological functions, including circulation, respiration, and cellular metabolism. The estimation will rely on predictive equations integrated into the BIA device, providing an indirect assessment of metabolic activity, considering the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and muscular physical activity (PAL), assuming the expenditure of thermoregulation and thermogenesis as marginal.

Serum Serotonin concentration will be measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and expressed in ng/mL

Blood concentration of haemoglobin will be measured with colorimetric method and expressed in g/dL.

Lymphocyte levels in blood, expressed as absolute count (cells per microliter) or percentage of total white blood cells.

Serum albumin concentration will be analyzed with colorimetric method and expressed in g/dL

Serum concentration of total cholesterol levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of C-reactive protein levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of glucose levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of triglycerides levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of magnesium levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

Serum concentration of calcium levels measured with colorimetric method and expressed in mg/dL.

The concentration of hydroperoxides serum levels is measured with dROMs test, a colorimetric method and expressed in UCARR. In the dROMs test the free radicals, primarily hydroperoxides, contained in the biological sample, close to iron, generate alkoxyl and peroxyl radicals, according to the Fenton's reaction. The radicals, reacting with a chromogenic mixture, oxidize it and transform it into a photo-metrically measurable coloured derivative. The values are expressed in arbitrary units (UCARR), 1 UCARR corresponding to 0.08 mg/100 mL of hydrogen peroxide.

The concentration of total antioxidant serum levels is measured with BAP-Test (Biological Antioxidant Potential). It measures the amount of endogenous and exogenous substances in plasma that have the potential to be antioxidants and can counteract radical species and is reported in µmol/L. In the BAP test, the biological antioxidant potential of plasma barrier is based on the ability of all antioxidants active to re-duce a colored solution of ferric ions (Fe3+) to ferrous ions (Fe2+), resulting a decoloration of the solution that is detectable photometrically

the Oxidative stress Index (OSI index), is a ratio calculated from BAP and dROMs (BAP/dROMs). The antioxidative/oxidative stress ratio was also calculated using the ratio equation: BAP/d-ROMs. According to literature, we named this ratio the OSI index, which is an index of potential antioxidant capacity. The criterion value for the BAP/d-ROMs ratio was set at 7.3. Accordingly, a value lower than 7.3 was defined as an oxidized type and a higher or equal one as a reduced type.

The Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) is a tool designed to assess a patient's nutritional status and predict the risk of complications associated with malnutrition. It is calculated using the following formula:

NRI = (1.519 × serum albumin [g/L]) + (41.7 × current weight [kg] / usual weight [kg]) The lower the score, the higher the risk. (No risk: NRI > 100- Severe risk: NRI < 83.5 )

The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) is a tool used to assess the immunological and nutritional status of patients, particularly in predicting surgical outcomes, cancer prognosis, and postoperative complications.The PNI is calculated using the following formula:

PNI=(10×serum albumin (g/dL))+(0.005×total lymphocyte count per mm^3) The lower the score, the higher the risk.(Normal nutritional status, low risk: PNI > 38; moderate risk: scores between 35 and 38 severe malnutrition, high risk: PNI < 35).

Participants will complete an online survey including questions on general information, prevalence of medication, supplement, and nutraceutical use, body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, eating behavior, symptoms of malnutrition, psychological stress level, physical activity, and musculoskeletal disorders.