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Abstract : Relationship between Snacking Patterns, Diet Quality and Risk of Overweight and Abdominal Obesity in Children
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Abstract: Snacking is very common among Americans; the impact of variety of snacking patterns on nutrient intake and weight status is unclear. This study examined the associations of snacking patterns on nutrient intake and weight in U.S. children 2-18 years (n=14,220) participating in the 2001-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Cluster analysis generated 12 distinct snacking patterns, explaining 57% of variance in total calories consumed. Only 8% of the children did not consume snacks on the day of the 24-hour recall. Cakes, cookies and pastries was the most common snacking pattern (16%) followed by miscellaneous snacks (e.g. whole milk, orange juice and meat/fish/poultry; 13%), and crackers and salty snacks (10%). Most snacking patterns resulted in higher total energy intake than the no snack pattern. After controlling for energy intake, most snacking patterns resulted in higher intakes of fiber; vitamins A, C, B12, and K; riboflavin; folate; potassium; calcium; zinc; and magnesium than the no snack pattern. However, most of the snacking patterns resulted in higher total intake of saturated fatty acids, solid fats, added sugars, and sodium (nutrients to limit). Several of the snacking patterns (i.e. cakes/cookies/pastries, crackers/salty snacks, sweets, and other grains) were associated with a reduced risk of overweight and abdominal obesity. Overall, several snacking patterns compared with non-snackers had better diet quality and were less likely to be overweight or obese and less likely to have abdominal obesity. Education is needed to improve snacking patterns in terms of nutrients to limit in the diet. Keywords: Children, Snacking Patterns, Overweight, Abdominal Obesity, Diet Quality.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Improving Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Elementary School Students: A Systematic Review of Interventions
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Abstract: Introduction:Less than 15% of the 4 to 8-year old children consume the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables (FV). Early years of life play an important role in establishing healthy eating habits. School is an appropriate setting for healthy eating habits interventions. The purpose of this systematic review is evaluation of school-based interventions to improve FV consumption in elementary school students. Methods:In this systematic review, we performed a search in several databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Science Direct and Google Scholar. Studies published between January 2005 and December 2012 were included. In examining the studies, we focused on design, strategies and outcomes of the interventions. Results:Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions in these three classifications (gardening and education, educational programs and providing FV) have positive effects on children’s FV intake. Multi-component education is more effective than other cases in children willingness for FV consumption. Gardening strategies: participating in hands-on gardening experiences, engaging in gardening challenges and preparing a party by student’s garden products. Educational strategies: nutrition education classes, electronic learning by using the popular cartoon characters and child actors as symbolic role models and strategies to improve family awareness like series of newsletters for parents and homework tasks for parents and children. Providing strategies: providing fee-based or free FV at school. Conclusion:Long-term multi-component (gardening,education and providing FV) interventions with the application of behavioral change theories and models are effective to reach the expected results. Keywords: Intake, Eating, Increasing, Primary students, School children, Children.Download Full Article |
Abstract : An Investigation of Intestinal Parasitic Infections Among the Asymptomatic Children in, Southern Ethiopia
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Abstract:Background: Children under five years, particularly aged 2-4 years (24-48 months), are more vulnerable to intestinal parasitic infections. This is because, children with this ages may contract infective agents during their intense activities, and adventures such as crawling or walking on bare ground, sand or grasses or eating mud/pica. Increased population density, lack of awareness, poor sanitation, and poor public health practices, and environmental sanitations, affect the prevalence of parasitic infection in tropical countries. Moreover, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the asymptomatic children aged under fiveis not well studied. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among the asymptomatic children aged 6-59 months in selected Southern Ethiopia including Gedeo, Amaro, Walyta and Kambata. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out and the sampling design combined multistage sampling methods including, both simple random sampling technique, population density and systematic random sampling techniques. The course of this study took over a period of 5 months, from September 2009 to January 2010. Study participants were estimated by convenient sampling method to include 406 asymptomatic children (217 females and 189 males) from the systematically selected households of the study sites. Parasitological diagnosis of the parasites was done using the standard parasite and ova method. A total of 406 stool specimens were examined by a direct microscopy using a normal saline (0.9%) and lugol’s iodine wet mount techniques to determine the infection of intestinal parasites and the analysis of the data was made manually using thematic framework method. Results: Of the total 406 study participants, 170 (41.9%) children were found to have single and double intestinal parasitic infections whilst 236 (58%) children were free from the suspected parasites. Ascaris, lumbricoides, amoeba spp, Giardia lamblia, Trichuris trichiura, hookworms spp, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Hymenolepis nana were identified in both single and double infections. Double infections were found in 19 (11.2%) asymptomatic children of the total positive cases and the rest were single infections. In both single and double infections, ascaris was found to be the most dominant infective agent accounted 111(59%) out of the total 187 parasitic load of infection, followed by amoeba spp.31 (16.6%) and Trichuris trichiura 17(9%). Higher proportions of infected age groups were 25-48 while the least infected age groups were 6-24 and 49-59 months. Concluding Remarks and Recommendations: This baseline study indicated higher prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in the study area and therefore, much effort is remaining to fight against parasitic infection. Along with regular deworming intervention, health education including infection cycle, environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, use of potable water and proper use of latrine should be given due attention to prevent and control parasitic infections among children in both urban and rural areas. Keywords: Infection, parasitosis, Prevalence, Diagnosis, Specimen, Sanitation.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Feeding Practices and Care-Seeking Behaviours among Mothers of Under-Two Children with Diarrhoeal Diseases in Bangladesh
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Abstract: In Bangladesh, the prevalence of diarrhoea is the highest among children aged 6-23 months and the outbreaks are common among slum-dwellers of Dhaka city, Bangladesh. A qualitative explorative research was undertaken among slum-dwellers to explore the feeding practices and care-seeking behaviours of mothers with children with diarrhoeal diseases aged less than two years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus-group discussions and observation checklist with mothers and elder family members. Breastmilk was blamed for causing diarrhoea among predominantly or exclusively breastfed children. The blameworthiness leads to withholding of breastfeeding during diarrhoeal episodes especially with recurrent and persistent diarrhoea. Teething, eating protein diet by children and eating leafy vegetables by mothers were believed to be responsible for diarrhoea among the older children. Hand-washing before preparing foods and before feeding children was virtually not practised. Usual complementary foods were not offered to the children with diarrhoea. Almost all of the children were offered oral rehydration salt solution and other fluids at home. A common healthcare-seeking behaviour of the mothers was to give medicines from local drug stores. Some mothers performed some rituals for the purification of their breastmilk. As the mother’s diet was believed to be responsible for the child’s diarrhoea, some foods, especially leafy-vegetables, some types of fish, and meat, were restricted to the mothers. The study concludes that perceptions of mothers regarding the causes of children’s diarrhoea direct to inappropriate feeding practices and care-seeking behaviours of under-two children with diarrhoeal diseases. Keywords: Child survival, Diarrhoea, Mother’s perception, Qualitative research.Download Full Article |
