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Abstract : Adolescents who Perceive their Diet as Healthy Consume More Fruits, Vegetables and Milk and Fewer Sweet Drinks
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Abstract: This study assessed whether adolescents’ perception of the healthfulness of their diet was related to dietary behaviors over the past week, controlling for demographic characteristics. Participants (n=391) completed an online survey on the frequency of specific dietary behaviors over the past week and the perceived healthfulness of their own diet compared to their peers’ diets. Mean intakes of juice, fruit, vegetables, milk, sugar-sweetened beverages, and diet beverages, were compared by perceived healthfulness of diet categories using analysis of covariance. Participants with higher perceived healthfulness of diet reported significantly higher mean fruit and vegetable intakes and a lower mean intake of sugar sweetened beverages over the past week than participants with the same or lower perceived healthfulness of diet (all p< 0.001). Participants who reported a higher perceived healthfulness of diet reported a significantly higher frequency of milk intake (p< 0.05) than those who reported the same perceived healthfulness of diet. Those with lower perceived healthfulness of diet reported higher mean frequencies of diet beverage intakes than those with higher perceived healthfulness (p<0.05). Further research should include qualitative studies with adolescents to explore how individuals rate their diets and how these perceptions influence dietary choices. Keywords: Youth, diet, health perceptions, dietary intake, fruit, vegetables, sweetened beverages, socioeconomic status. |
Abstract : The Effectiveness of Food Insecurity Screening in Pediatric Primary Care
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Abstract: Background: Food insecure children are at increased risk for medical and developmental problems. Effective screening and intervention are needed. Methods:Our purpose was to (1) evaluate the validity and stability of a single item food insecurity (FI) screen. (2) Assess whether use may lead to decreased FI. Part of a larger cluster randomized controlled trial, pediatric residents were assigned to SEEK or control groups. A single FI question (part of a larger questionnaire) was used on SEEK days. SEEK residents learned to screen, assess, and address FI. A subset of SEEK and control clinic parents was recruited for the evaluation. Parents completed the USDA Food Security Scale (“gold standard”), upon recruitment and 6-months later. Validity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) was calculated. The proportion of screened families with initial and subsequent FI was measured. Screening effectiveness was evaluated by comparing SEEK and control screening rates and receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between initial and 6-month assessments. Results:FI screen stability indicated substantial agreement (Cohen's kappa =0.69). Sensitivity and specificity was 59% and 87%, respectively. The PPV was 70%; NPV was 81%. SEEK families had a larger increase in screening rates than control families (24% vs. 4.1%, p<0.01). SEEK families were more likely to maintain SNAP enrollment (97% vs. 81%, p=0.05). FI rates remained stable at approximately 30% for both groups. Conclusions:A single question screen can identify many families with FI, and may help maintain food program enrollment. Screening may not be adequate to alleviate FI. Keywords: Hunger, children, screening, primary care, intervention, food insecurity. |
Abstract : Assessment of Serum Calcium, Serum Iron and Nutritional Status among Under-Five Children in Six Municipalities of Abidjan District, Côte d’Ivoire
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Abstract: Malnutrition occurs in various forms in the world, especially in African countries. It affects two-thirds of the children in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to the protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), micronutrient deficiencies also affect many children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status, serum iron and serum calcium among under-five children. This study was conducted on a cohort from 480 children in six municipalities of Abidjan: Abobo, Cocody, Koumassi, Marcory, Treichville and Yopougon. A blood sample and anthropometric measurements (weight, height) were performed to determine the hematological profile and nutritional status of children. The results showed that stunting was the most widespread form of malnutrition among children surveyed. Depending on age, children from 0 to 6 months have a low prevalence of PEM than those from 7 to 59 months: wasting (1.2% vs 3.5%), stunting (8.6% vs 25.2%) and underweight (3.4% vs 10.7%). Also, the results reveal a lowest serum iron (µmol/l) among children from low households income (9.77 ± 2.4), illiterate mothers (8.92 ± 1.3) compared to those from mothers with a high level of education (21.75 ± 4.1) and high living standard (21.28 ± 2.1). There was no notable difference (p>0.05) between serum calcium whatever socio-demographic parameters considered. The parameters under study such as nutritional status, serum calcium and serum iron have shown a variation of malnutrition in Abidjan. Keywords: Malnutrition status, prevalence, wasting, stunting, underweight, serum iron and calcium. |
Abstract : Our Future Mind: Epochal Developments of Perinatal Clinical Psychology
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Abstract: This paper clarifies the meaning of Perinatal Clinical Psychology by removing the prejudice and the stereotypes that unfortunately pervade children health care facilities still nowadays. The author goes over the basic principles that neuroscience has recently demonstrated in the development of the brain from the fetus to the infant, the child and the adult. The brain is self-generating through experience and not on the basis of genome. Epygenetics accounts for it. The brain needs to learn so as to be able to develop. Nobody has a brain that is the same as anybody else’s and therefore nobody has a mind that is the same as anybody else’s. The brain generates the mind and, in turn, the mind regenerates the brain in a ceaseless feedback. The experience that generates and renews the brain continuously comes from interpersonal relationships. The greatest incidence of this kind of development comes from the relationships with the parents and the caregivers and depends on the emotional moment of the relationship. This opens up transgenerational perspectives. The quality of the mind (and the brain) of the parents and caregivers produces the quality of the mind of the children. The latter, in turn, become adults, condition the mind of their children in cascade effect from one generation to the following. This transmission can produce an improvement but also a worsening for the future generations. As a consequence, Perinatal Clinical Psychology becomes important for prevention and psychological support to the children and the families at risk. Keywords: Perinatal mind, parents mind, brain’s learning, Children at risk, transgenerationality. |
