scholarly journals The impact of diet during adolescence on the neonatal health of offspring: evidence on the importance of preconception diet. The HUNT study

Author(s):  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Frøydis N. Vik ◽  
Andrew K. Wills ◽  
Sofia T. Strömmer ◽  
Mary E. Barker ◽  
...  

Abstract Emerging evidence suggests that parents’ nutritional status before and at the time of conception influences the lifelong physical and mental health of their child. Yet little is known about the relationship between diet in adolescence and the health of the next generation at birth. This study examined data from Norwegian cohorts to assess the relationship between dietary patterns in adolescence and neonatal outcomes. Data from adolescents who participated in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (Young-HUNT) were merged with birth data for their offspring through the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Young-HUNT1 collected data from 8980 adolescents between 1995 and 1997. Linear regression was used to assess associations between adolescents’ diet and later neonatal outcomes of their offspring adjusting for sociodemographic factors. Analyses were replicated with data from the Young-HUNT3 cohort (dietary data collected from 2006 to 2008) and combined with Young-HUNT1 for pooled analyses. In Young-HUNT1, there was evidence of associations between dietary choices, meal patterns, and neonatal outcomes, these were similar in the pooled analyses but were attenuated to the point of nonsignificance in the smaller Young-HUNT3 cohort. Overall, energy-dense food products were associated with a small detrimental impact on some neonatal outcomes, whereas healthier food choices appeared protective. Our study suggests that there are causal links between consumption of healthy and unhealthy food and meal patterns in adolescence with neonatal outcomes for offspring some years later. The effects seen are small and will require even larger studies with more state-of-the-art dietary assessment to estimate these robustly.

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina J. Diaz ◽  
Michael Niño

It is well known that Hispanic immigrants exhibit better physical and mental health than their U.S.-born counterparts. Scholars theorize that stronger orientations toward the family, also known as familism, could contribute to this immigrant advantage. Yet, little work directly tests whether familial attitudes may be responsible for the favorable health of foreign-born Hispanics. We investigate this possibility using biomarkers, anthropometrics, and mental health assessments from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (N = 4,078). Results demonstrate that the relationship between familial attitudes and health vary depending on the outcome assessed. While Hispanics with strong attitudes toward familial support have fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety, those who report high referent familism display worse mental health outcomes. We find little evidence that familism is linked to physical health or that immigrant generation moderates the relationship of interest. Our results challenge assumptions that familism is responsible for the comparably better health of foreign-born Hispanics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S192-S192
Author(s):  
Courtney S Thomas Tobin ◽  
Myles D Moody

Abstract To evaluate the impact of early life racial discrimination (ELRD) on mental health among Black adults. Data were from the Nashville Stress and Health Study (n=618). OLS regression models examined the relationship between ELRD and adult psychological distress; logistic regression estimated the probability of past-year major depressive disorder (MDD). We also assessed whether ELRD moderated the relationship between adult discrimination and mental health. Childhood (b=1.07, SE=0.51, p=0.04) and adolescent ELRD (b=1.32, SE=0.42, p=0.002) were associated with adult distress. Individuals who experienced childhood ERLD had 88% lower odds of adult MDD than individuals with no ELRD. Significant interaction analyses showed that ELRD was generally protective against adult discrimination. While ELRD importantly shapes distress and MDD among Black adults, patterns vary by outcome. Results indicate that adult distress and MDD develop through cumulative adversity processes that are further influenced by sensitive periods in the life course.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Weisburd ◽  
Clair White

In this article, we seek to identify whether the relationship between health disparities and crime occurs at a micro-geographic level. Do hot spot streets evidence much higher levels of mental and physical illness than streets with little crime? Are residents of crime hot spots more likely to have health problems that interfere with their normal daily activities? To answer these questions, we draw upon a large National Institutes of Health study of a sample of hot spots and non-hot spots in Baltimore, Maryland. This is the first study we know of to report on this relationship, and accordingly, we present unique descriptive data. Our findings show that both physical and mental health problems are much more likely to be found on hot spot streets than streets with little crime. This suggests that crime hot spots are not simply places with high levels of crime, but also places that evidence more general disadvantage. We argue that these findings have important policy implications for the targeting of health services and for developing proactive prevention programs.


1987 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 949-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald C. Kessler ◽  
J. Blake Turner ◽  
James S. House

SynopsisA considerable amount of research documents the negative effects of job loss on both physical and mental health. Yet we know comparatively little about the mechanisms through which these effects occur. Unemployment, like other events, is not the same experience for everyone exposed to it. An understanding of this variation might be facilitated by breaking down the analysis of unemployment into a consideration of the various stresses that it creates or exacerbates. This is our purpose in the present paper.We demonstrate that, for one area of the United States, the effect of job loss on several health outcomes involves two mechanisms: (1) unemployment results in increased financial strain which, in turn, results in negative health effects, and (2) unemployment leaves the individual more vulnerable to the impact of unrelated life events. Controlling for financial strain, unemployed people in our sample who have not experienced an additional life event in the previous year are in no worse health than the stably employed. This provides useful insights into the nature of the unemployment experience in this particular setting. It also provides a basis for future detailed explorations of the various ways people cope with this event.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dhirendra Paudel

The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on physical and mental health. Most studies report the impact on mental health and mental distress during the pandemic. As a result of various stressors (such as lockdown, quarantines, and misinformation) there is heightened fear of a pandemic. The sufferer may experience a variety of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. In predisposed vulnerable individuals, fear of COVID-19 is perpetuating pain and dysfunction. This study discussed the ABC framework of fear and influencer to better understand the different levels of symptoms and interventions. There is an urgent need to integrate mental health into primary health-care centers. The attending physician should be aware of the stress disorders associated with the pandemic. This article introduces a handy and practical portrayal of the ABC framework that can be taught to individuals in distress during clinical visits to primary care centers providing awareness of the relationship between thinking, emotional and behavioral responses.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luiza Franco de Oliveira ◽  
Maria Clara Lopes Rezende ◽  
Júlia Campos Fabri ◽  
Maria Julia Filgueiras Granato ◽  
Leandro Vespoli Campos

Introduction: Sleep disorders are one of the main complaints of women in transition from menopause, with a prevalence between 40% and 56%. However, regardless of the etiology, it is essential to assess the symptoms of insomnia in the context of menopause, as well as physical and mental health. Objective: To investigate the relationship between the transition from menopause to the causes of insomnia. Methodology: In April 2021, a literature review was carried out on MedLine using the descriptors “insomnia”, “menopause” and their respective synonyms, published in the last 5 years and available in full. Results: 157 articles were found, 4 of which were used in making this work. The precise mechanism of vasomotor symptoms is little known, but the hypothesis is that it results from a disturbance of the temperature regulating system in the hypothalamus, triggered by a decline in estrogen. Longitudinal data show that women with moderate to severe hot flashes are almost three times more likely to report frequent nighttime awakenings compared to women without hot flashes (HF). Conclusion: Therefore, HF is an important aspect of insomnia in the transition from menopause and is strongly associated with reports of interrupted sleep.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-207
Author(s):  
Graham Music

This paper looks at how people from Black and Minority Ethnic groups have been disproportionately affected by COVID. The paper links this with both psycho-social factors and childhood stress and trauma. It looks at the effects of unconscious racism on the minds and physiology of those affected. The relationship between the impact of stress, trauma, racism and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is discussed, and how ACEs are linked with very poor later physical and mental health outcomes. The article suggests that these issues are highly over determined but that for change to occur we need interventions at a range of levels, from the macro-political, psychosocial, individual and economic, including unconscious implicit biases.


Author(s):  
Valentina Alfonsi ◽  
Serena Scarpelli ◽  
Aurora D’Atri ◽  
Giacomo Stella ◽  
Luigi De Gennaro

The crucial role of sleep in physical and mental health is well known, especially during the developmental period. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in examining the relationship between sleep patterns and school performance in adolescents. At this stage of life, several environmental and biological factors may affect both circadian and homeostatic regulation of sleep. A large part of this population does not experience adequate sleep, leading to chronic sleep restriction and/or disrupted sleep–wake cycles. Studies investigating the effects of different sleep–wake schedules on academic achievement showed that impaired sleep quality and quantity are associated with decreased learning ability and compromised daytime functioning. This review focuses on the most recent studies that evaluated the effects of modified school start time on sleep patterns and related outcomes. Moreover, based on the available empirical evidence, we intend to propose a direction for future studies targeted to implement prevention or treatment programs by modifying sleep timing.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rory Boutilier

Hope helps us maintain an optimistic outlook for the future and hold the belief that our goals will be met. Hope can explain motivation of several behaviors related to physical and mental health. Hope has two elements: agency and pathway, which refer to distinct styles of hope an individual may have in a variety of situations. Hope for a positive outcome in the future may be related to how an individual considers their actions and the impact they may have in the future. Previous research has suggested specific personality traits may become more prominent when environmental factors are present. Findings indicate hope has an impact when considering the future implications of one’s actions. Additionally, select personality traits appear to play a role in the relationship between hope, goal motivation, and consideration of future consequences.


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