scholarly journals School feeding contributes to micronutrient adequacy of Ghanaian schoolchildren

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 1019-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul-Razak Abizari ◽  
Christiana Buxton ◽  
Lugutuah Kwara ◽  
Joseph Mensah-Homiah ◽  
Margaret Armar-Klemesu ◽  
...  

Without gains in nutritional outcomes, it is unlikely that school feeding programmes (SFP) could improve cognition and academic performance of schoolchildren despite the improvements in school enrolment. We compared the nutrient intake adequacy and Fe and nutritional status of SFP and non-SFP participants in a cross-sectional survey involving 383 schoolchildren (aged 5–13 years). Quantitative 24 h recalls and weighed food records, repeated in 20 % subsample, were used to estimate energy and nutrient intakes adjusted for day-to-day variations. The probability of adequacy (PA) was calculated for selected micronutrients and the mean of all PA (MPA) was calculated. The concentrations of Hb, serum ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and anthropometric measurements were used to determine Fe and nutritional status. Energy and nutrient intakes and their adequacies were significantly higher among SFP participants (P< 0·001). The MPA of micronutrients was significantly higher among SFP participants (0·61 v. 0·18; P< 0·001), and the multiple-micronutrient-fortified corn soya blend was a key contributor to micronutrient adequacy. In SFP participants, 6 g/l higher Hb concentrations (P< 0·001) and about 10 % points lower anaemia prevalence (P= 0·06) were observed. The concentration of sTfR was significantly lower among SFP participants (11·2 v. 124 mg/l; P= 0·04); however, there was no difference in the prevalence of Fe deficiency and Fe-deficiency anaemia between SFP and non-SFP participants. There was also no significant difference in the prevalence of thinness, underweight and stunting. In conclusion, the present results indicate that school feeding is associated with higher intakes and adequacies of energy and nutrients, but not with the prevalence of Fe and nutritional status indicators. The results also indicate an important role for micronutrient-dense foods in the achievement of micronutrient adequacy within SFP.

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel G Hilerio Lopez

Malnutrition in the older adult is an ongoing situation in Mexico and is most apparent in individuals that reside in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement homes. For that reason, it is necessary to evaluate the nutritional status of these adults by means of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and levels of three serum indicators that are commonly ordered when making malnutrition diagnosis. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 older adults residing in eldercare facilities. Nutritional status was evaluated by means of the MNA and three serum indicators (albumin, ferritin, and hemoglobin). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, and a Student’s t test, based on gender and reference values, was used to compare mean values of the three serum indicators.  A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions in individuals, based on gender, who had normal nutritional status or were malnourished, and who were at-risk of malnutrition.  A One-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc test was used to identify the association between serum indicators and nutritional status of older adults. Of the 100 older adults studied, 53% were men and 47% were women. The mean age was 85±0.7 years. According to the MNA, 20% had normal nutritional status, 55% were at-risk of malnutrition, and 25% were malnourished. The mean indicator values were: albumin 4.7±0.04 g/dL, ferritin 74.2±8.7 ng/mL, and hemoglobin 13.0±0.1 g/dL. No significant association was found between serum indicators and each MNA classification; however, when the same indicators were compared between the sexes, hemoglobin showed a significant difference (P=0.037). Women had lower values but those values did not extend beyond the established physiological range for this population. There was a 55% prevalence of risk of malnutrition in the nutritional status of older adults living in Mexican eldercare facilities in a Mexican province and it was even more frequent in women. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Dung ◽  
Nguyen Thi Thinh ◽  
Pham Van Phu

A cross-sectional survey on 523 pairs of mother and suffered from acute respiratory infections child6-23 months old treated at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital of Ha Nam provine in 2016-2018to assess the nutritional status of children and describe some mother’s child-feeding practices. Theresults showed that: The rates of stunting and wasting of children were high: 21.2% and 11.1%(respectively); the rate of underweight was 14.0%. The rates of mothers who breastfeed their babieslate after the first hour after birth and of mothers who give complementary foods too early or too late(before 6 months or after 8 months of age) were quite high: 62.5% and 53.0% (respectively); the rateof mothers squeezed colostrum before first breastfeeding was 24.3%. Children who were started oncomplementary feeding at the wrong time compared with those who were fed at the right time hadhigher rates of stunting: 24.2% and 18.8% (respectively) (OR=1, 4; 95%CI 0.9-2.3) but no statisticallysignificant difference (p=0.1075); the rate of underweight malnutrition was also higher: 19.5% and7.8% (respectively) statistically significant difference (OR=2.9; 95%CI 1.6-5.3; p=0.0001).


Author(s):  
Senthil Kumar Elumalai ◽  
Arun G. Maiya ◽  
Kalyan B. Chakravarthy

Background: Smoking has been labeled the most important preventable cause of a respiratory disease and its effects in a smoker are well established. A better understanding on the pulmonary function impairments in an asymptomatic smoker is the need of the hour. Objective: To study the pulmonary function changes in asymptomatic smokers and non- smokers and to establish the dose -effect relationship amongst asymptomatic smokers.Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in Udupi district of Karnataka, India. 140 men aged between 20 to 45 years with a BMI ranging from 18.5 to 29.9 Kg2 /m was enrolled in to the study. 70 subjects were asymptomatic smokers and the other 70 were non-smokers. Outcomes measured were standard spirometric measures for pulmonary function and symptoms like breathlessness, cough and sputum using a Breathlessness Cough Sputum scale.Results: The mean age (mean ± SD) of non-smokers and asymptomatic smokers enrolled was 34.7±5 and 33.8±5 years respectively. The mean smoking dose amongst the asymptomatic smokers was 15.74±5.5 pack years. FEV1 amongst the asymptomatic smokers showed a negative correlation with smoking dose (p<0.05) and there was a significant difference in FEV1, FVC, PEFR, MVV and FEF 25- 75 % (p<0.001) amongst the asymptomatic smokers and non-smokers.Conclusions: Asymptomatic smokers showed low values of pulmonary function parameters compared to those in non-smokers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163
Author(s):  
Maheen Khan ◽  
Sana Bashir ◽  
Humaira Hussain ◽  
Tayyaba Saman ◽  
Rida Fatima ◽  
...  

Background: Agility is considered as one of the important components of physical fitness. In older adults, it is of utmost importance in response to any stimulus. The objective of this study was to determine normative values of agility in elderly population of Islamabad. Methods: A Cross-Sectional Survey was conducted in community settings of Islamabad from February–July 2019 after approval by the Ethical Review Committee of Foundation University Islamabad.  The calculated sample size was found to be 267, but due to missing data, analysis was done on 250(100 females and 150 males).   Participants were selected by convenient sampling. Physically independent participants were included and diseased population (severe musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary disorders), decreased functional status affecting hearing, vision, memory recall was excluded from the study. PAR-Q was utilized in uncovering any possible health risks linked to exercise. For evaluation of agility, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) Agility Test was performed. Agility scoring is based on time in seconds, with higher score representing less agility, and agility score of less than 62 represents good agility. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age, BMI and agility score of participants were 60.7±5.81 years, 26±4.30 kg/m² and 22.42±5.2 respectively. There was significant difference (P<0.001) in agility between males and females, with the mean agility score higher in females as compared to males. Similarly, Agility score was significantly high in females as compared to males in BMI range of 18.5 to >30 and all age categories. Conclusion: Elderly population of Pakistan has good agility score


2005 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 01-14
Author(s):  
Catherine Macharia ◽  
◽  
W Kogi-Makau ◽  
NM Muroki ◽  
◽  
...  

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kathonzweni division, Makueni district to assess and compare the nutritional status of children (6-59 months) drawn from households participating in a World Vision project vis-à-vis non-project area. The purpose of the study was to provide region specific data on the nutrition situation in the World Vision Project area and establish whether there is any significant difference from the non-operational area. A total of 320 households, of which 160 were from the World Vision project area each with at least a child aged between 6-59 months were randomly selected. In households with more than one child at this age category, only one child was selected. Structured questionnaires were administered to mothers or to alternative caretakers while anthropometric measurements were taken for all the children in the study households. Statistical package for Social Scientists (SPSS/PC+) computer package was used for data entry and analysis. Indices of nutritional status that is weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height were computed using the Epi-Info programme. The prevalence of stunting in the project area (46.5%) was slightly higher than among the non-project area (42.1%). A significant relationship was found between the children's age and their nutritional status based on the prevalence of wasting and of underweight (p<0.01) while nutritional status, based on stunting, was significantly associated with birth order. Overall, there was no significant difference in prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight between the world vision project area and non- project area. However, the prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher than the national levels. It is, therefore, concluded that chronic malnutrition is a problem in the study area and age is an important determining factor. Even though World Vision Kenya has been involved in development projects in the area, there is still need for more targeted nutrition interventions by the organization.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahim Abdulkarimi

BACKGROUND Evaluation of cytokine production in COVIID-19 disease, in which the cytokine storm is one of the most important pathological features in complicated cases, especially interleukin 6 as a pre-inflammatory cytokine that exacerbates the immune response, could help determine the pathophysiology of the disease. OBJECTIVE Examining the level of this cytokine along with other related factors can help to better understand the pathogenesis of this disease METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 48 patients with COVID-19 whose disease was confirmed by swap testing were evaluated. The demographic information of the individuals, the symptoms of the disease, and the ward in which they were admitted were recorded. Blood samples were taken from patients to test for interleukin-6 levels by ELC testing. Due to the lack of specific treatment protocols for patients and the use of supportive treatments based on meeting the nutritional needs for all patients, blood albumin levels and nutritional status of patients were also evaluated using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) Form. Their calorie intake was assessed by calculating the number of calories received based on the type of nutrition and compared to the required amount calculated through the Harris-Benedict equation. 48 laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV infected patients were included in the study with the mean age of 46.4 ± 8.3 years. 21 patients were admitted to the ICU. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the ICU admitted and patients admitted inward in terms of demographic characteristics, and history of previous diseases (P> 0.05). The average IL-6 in patients was 72.3±34.4 pg/ml. ICU admitted patients had higher IL6 levels (p=0.001). The mean interleukin 6 level was 89.04±34.1 pg/ml in patients admitted for less than 7 days and it was significantly higher (119.2±28.3) in patients hospitalized for more than 7 days (p=0.001). there was no significant difference in terms of nutritional status and albumin level between ICU admitted and ward admitted patients (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS our study shows that there may be possible associations of IL6 and disease severity and ICU stay length.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Aziz ◽  
Wenjing Ji ◽  
Imran Masood ◽  
Muhammad Farooq ◽  
Muhammad Malik ◽  
...  

Purpose: Patient satisfaction can identify specific areas of improvement in community pharmacy services. Currently in Pakistan, no evidence exists in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the needs of patients and the current standards of pharmacies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and June 2017. A pilot tested questionnaire was used to collected the data from 1088 patients of 544 community pharmacies. Likert scale and one way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results: The response rate of community pharmacies was 80% and that of purchasers was 68.1%. The mean age of participants was 35.2 years. The mean overall satisfaction score of participants was 2.78/5.00. Many patients were dissatisfied (1.65/5.00) with parking facilities provided by pharmacies. Pharmacy service time fulfilled the requirements of most patients (4.16/5.00). The counseling person’s good attitude (3.99/5.00) was credited by purchasers. Level of patient satisfaction with the availability of medicines (3.19/5.00), safe storage of medicines in pharmacy stores (3.66/5.00), and quality of medicines (3.41/5.00) were almost moderate. Many patients were very satisfied (4.35/5.00) with readable instructions for their medications. Approximately half of the patients were dissatisfied with the waiting time. Many patients were also dissatisfied (2.28/5.00) with the knowledge of the counseling person. Patients perceived that staff interest in patient recovery (2.24/5.00) was low. No significant difference in level of satisfaction with regard to participant’s characteristics was found. Conclusions: The current study demonstrated a low level of patient satisfaction with regard to community pharmacy services in Pakistan. These services need improvement.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (11) ◽  
pp. 1640-1644
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilyas ◽  
Asmi Shaheen ◽  
Muhammad Usman Khalid ◽  
Maria Tanveer ◽  
Ansar Bilal ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the mean attractiveness and score of lip position that is rated by orthodontists and lay persons in different levels of profile divergence as seen in silhouette images. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Punjab Dental Hospital/de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore. Period: January 2020 to July 2020. Material & Methods: Lay people were selected from the hospital and orthodontic postgraduate trainees were selected from the college. An ideal profile image was constructed and converted to silhouette. By changing position of subnasale and soft tissue pogonion horizontally in relation to true vertical line, divergence of profile was changed and 3 forms of straight/normal profile were created. Three sets of profiles were created (1 anterior divergent, 2 straight divergent, 3 posterior divergent) and each set consisted of 5 images with different degrees of lip protrusion. Results: There were 50% of both genders in orthodontists and 48% males and 52% females in lay person with mean ages 28.74±2.55 and 34.66±7.30 years respectively were part of the study. There was significant difference found between orthodontists and lay person for anterior divergent profile with normal position (4.54±0.61 and 4.68±0.47 with P<0.05). Conclusion:  The normal lip position is viewed as the most ideal position; however the same does not have any significant bearing to the straight divergent profile, in which the assessments of various groups were uncertain.


Author(s):  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Kingston Rajiah ◽  
Sajesh Kalkandi Veettil ◽  
Ng Sze Wei

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge and attitude of adult Malaysians about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to understand the variation in the knowledge and attitude toward TCM among different demographic groups of adult Malaysian population and to determine the pattern of TCM use among adult Malaysians.: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey using the convenience sampling method. A total of 400 adult Malaysians were recruited for this study. An interview-administered questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics Mann-Whitney U Test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used to analyze the data. The reliability of survey data in this study may affect since closed-ended questions are used.: The more commonly utilized therapy was herbal medicine (n=192, 82.1%), acupuncture (n=79, 33.8%) and oriental massage (n=58, 24.8%). The mean knowledge score and mean attitude score for the respondents were 5.00±1.71 and 7.17±2.10 respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean knowledge score between genders, among TCM users and non-TCM users, people of different education levels and ethnicity.: There were more TCM users than non-TCM users and the use of TCM was higher in females than males. The most popularly used TCM modalities were herbal medicines and acupuncture. Gender, education, ethnicity and use of TCM had a significant effect on adults’ knowledge toward TCM.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 105-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chistina Antwiwaa Nti

Objective: The study was conducted with the objective of assessing the possible associations between dietary diversity, nutrient intakes and young child nutritional status in Ghana. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving one hundred mothers with young children between the ages of 6 and 18 months was conducted using a combination of methods. Structured interview using questionnaire, dietary assessment and anthropometry were used to collect the data. Dietary diversity was assessed by using food group count. The WHO (1998) recommended daily nutrient needs from complementary foods for infants receiving average breast milk intakes were used to assess the energy and nutrient content of the diets consumed by the children. The WHO (1983) reference was used to assess child nutritional status. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 in Windows. Results: About 16% of the study children were underweight whiles 8% were both stunted and wasted. The mean dietary diversity score was 4.6. Significant differences were observed between dietary diversity groupings and energy/nutrient intakes of the children. Generally, as dietary diversity improved, energy and nutrients intakes also in-creased. Again, dietary diversity was significantly associated with weight-for-age, length-for-age and weight-for-length. As dietary diversity increased, child nutritional status also improved. Children who had low dietary diversity exhibited low scores in terms of weight for age, length for age and weight for length. Conclusion: High dietary diversity improves energy and nutrients intakes, and hence dietary adequacy, as well as child growth and nutrition. Key Words: Dietary Diversity; Nutrient Intakes; Child Nutritional Status DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v2i2.4179 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 2 (2011) 105-109


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