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This study aimed to form late and evaluate a natural massage oil preparation using a combination of lavender, citronella, and chamomile essential oils with olive oil as the carrier oil. The background of this research was based on the increasing public demand for natural body care products that are safe, non-irritating to the skin, and provide relaxation effects. The three essential oils used possess therapeutic activities, including relaxation, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the ability to relieve stress and muscle tension. The study employed three formulation variations (F1, F2, and F3) with different compositions of essential oils. The evaluation of the preparations included organoleptic tests, pH measurement, viscosity, specific gravity, physical stability testing, hedonic testing, and irritation testing. The organoleptic test results showed that all formulations had a liquid form, a deep light-yellow color, and a characteristic aroma corresponding to the dominant essential oil in each formulation. The pH values of all formulations were stable at 5, indicating safety for skin application. Viscosity values were within the ideal range for massage oil, between 4.124–4.735 cPs, and specific gravity values were within the standard range. Stability testing over 28 days revealed no significant changes in color, aroma, pH, or viscosity. The irritation test indicated that none of the formulations caused skin irritation in panelists. Hedonic testing showed that formulation 2 was the most preferred in terms of aroma, while formulation 3 was preferred for texture. Overall, all three formulations were considered stable, safe, and well accepted by consumers, indicating their potential use as natural massage oil products.

The cosmetic industry continues to grow rapidly along with the increasing demand for natural-based body care products, one of which is massage oil. Essential oils such as lavender, citronella, and chamomile are known to have synergistic effects as relaxation agents, anxiety reducers, and anti-inflammatory agents. To support the safety and effectiveness of their use, the selection of appropriate carrier oils, such as olive oil, almond oil, and virgin coconut oil (VCO), is required due to their good penetration ability and moisturizing properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of variations in carrier oils on the physical and sensory characteristics of aromatherapy massage oil preparations and to identify the most optimal formulation. The research was conducted experimentally by formulating three massage oil formulations using a combination of lavender, citronella, and chamomile essential oils with different carrier oil compositions. The evaluations included organoleptic tests, pH, viscosity, specific gravity, stability, irritation tests, and hedonic tests. The results showed that all formulations were liquid, homogeneous, stable for 28 days, had pH values within the normal skin pH range, met the required viscosity and specific gravity standards, and did not cause skin irritation. Based on the hedonic test, formulation F2 was the most preferred by respondents and was determined to be the best formulation due to its most favorable aroma, texture, and comfort during use. Therefore, variations in carrier oils influence the characteristics of massage oil preparations and enable the determination of the optimal formulation

Introduction: Maximal oxygen volume (VO2max) is the capability of the cardiorespiratory system to deliver oxygen to muscle mitochondria, which is directly proportional to the level of stamina and is obtained from physical activity. Central obesity, which is characterized by excessive accumulation of visceral fat, can cause decreased stamina, so individuals with central obesity tend to have lower VO2max values. VO2max values can be determined by body composition, such as waist circumference, which is an indicator of central obesity. Methods: This study used an observational analytical design with a cross-sectional approach and involved 54 male respondents with high physical activity jobs who worked as building construction workers in Medan City, North Sumatra Province. Waist circumference measurements were carried out using a measuring tape, while VO2max was assessed using a 6-minute walk test. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman correlation test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 47 respondents (87%) had a normal waist circumference, 31 respondents (57.4%) had a fair VO2max, and 16 respondents (29.6%) had an average VO2max. The analysis showed a significant relationship between waist circumference and VO2max, with a P value of 0.000 (P<0.05) and R = -0.658. Conclusion: There is a strong and significant negative correlation between waist circumference and VO2max. This indicates that a larger waist circumference results in a lower VO2max, and a smaller waist circumference results in a higher VO2max.

Background: Hand grip strength is an essential indicator of physical capacity and nutritional status that can identify obesity risk. Adipose tissue accumulation in central obesity contributes to decreased hand grip strength quality through impaired muscle force transmission. Previous studies showed inconsistent results regarding the relationship between waist circumference and hand grip strength, especially in populations with high physical activity. Objective: To analyze the relationship between waist circumference and hand grip strength in male construction workers with high physical activity in Medan City. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study with cross-sectional design involved 100 male construction workers aged 30-39 years selected using purposive sampling technique. Waist circumference was measured using measuring tape, while hand grip strength was measured using handgrip dynamometer. Data analysis used Chi-Square test with significance level α=0.05. Results: The majority of respondents had normal waist circumference (64%) with mode 70 cm and normal grip strength category (53%) with mode 41.7 kg. Chi-Square test showed significant relationship between waist circumference and hand grip strength (p=0.039). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between waist circumference and hand grip strength in construction workers. High physical activity does not completely prevent central obesity, therefore nutritional management and health education programs are needed for optimization of body composition and muscle functional capacity.

Antibiotics are one of the main pillars in the treatment of bacterial infections and have contributed significantly to increasing human life expectancy. However, long-term use of antibiotics has serious consequences for the balance of the body's microbiome, especially the gut microbiome which plays an important role in maintaining homeostasis through the regulation of the immune system, metabolism, and protection against pathogens. This literature review aims to comprehensively analyze the impact of long-term antibiotic use on the structure, diversity, and function of the human microbiome. The scientific articles reviewed were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases, including empirical research, systematic review, and meta-analysis published in the last ten years. The results showed that prolonged exposure to antibiotics consistently decreased microbiota diversity, altered the composition of bacterial communities, and triggered dysbiosis, which is often persistent even when therapy is stopped. Dysbiosis is associated with impaired immune system function, increased systemic inflammation, risk of allergic and metabolic diseases, and potential disorders on the intestinal-brain axis. This impact is more pronounced in vulnerable groups such as neonates and children, especially when exposure occurs during a critical period of development. In conclusion, long-term antibiotic use has broad systemic implications, so a more rational, prudent, and sustainable use strategy is needed to maintain the health of the human microbiome.

This study aimed to analyze differences in body composition among adult women across three regions with distinct sociocultural and environmental characteristics: Baduy Luar (rural–traditional), Salatiga (semi-urban), and Kota Bambu (urban). Using a cross-sectional design, the study involved 268 participants and assessed total body fat, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and skeletal muscle mass using the OMRON HBF-370 analyzer. Significant differences were observed across most body composition parameters (p < 0.001). Women living in the urban area exhibited the highest levels of total fat, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat, reflecting the influence of urbanization and sedentary lifestyle on adiposity. Conversely, women in the rural–traditional community demonstrated the highest skeletal muscle mass across all body regions, consistent with their physically demanding daily activities and traditional dietary patterns. These findings highlight the substantial role of environmental context in shaping metabolic health and cardiometabolic risk. Targeted public-health interventions—such as structured physical-activity promotion and nutrition education in urban populations, and preservation of active lifestyles in rural communities—are recommended. Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify causal pathways and further characterize metabolic determinants.

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between skinfold calliper measurements and handgrip strength with segmental fat and muscle composition among adults in Kota Bambu, providing evidence for simple and applicable community-based screening tools. A cross-sectional design was applied to 135 participants aged 18–96 years. Skinfold thickness was assessed at four anatomical sites (biceps, triceps, suprailiac, scapular), handgrip strength was measured using a digital dynamometer, and segmental body composition was obtained via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Findings demonstrated a moderate positive correlation between handgrip strength and arm skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.371–0.407; p < 0.01), indicating that handgrip performance reflects segmental muscle contractility and functional reserve. Skinfold measurements showed moderate-to-strong positive correlations with both local and central subcutaneous fat distribution (r = 0.562–0.635; p < 0.01), confirming their sensitivity in estimating segmental adipose accumulation. These results highlight that calliper and handgrip strength can serve as practical, low-cost preliminary screening indicators for mapping muscle and fat distribution in urban communities, although they are not substitutes for comprehensive body composition assessment. Further longitudinal studies integrating advanced physiological and functional parameters are recommended to enhance predictive validity and clinical applicability.