Physical Growth of Children.

Abstract Background The study aims to use the cross-lagged model and utilize data from the Born in Shenyang Cohort Study to characterize the bidirectional associations of the term-born infants’ neurodevelopment in five domains and physical growth in early life. Method This study consists of 688 mother-child dyads from the Born in Shenyang Cohort Study. Infants’ anthropometric (weight and length) and development in neurological outcomes (Gesell Development Scale) were measured at the age of 6 and 12 months. Cross-lagged analyses and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the longitudinal relationships in both directions. Results In terms of longitudinal studies, the inverse associations between infants’ two skills (gross motor and social behavior) at the age of 6 months with BMI Z -scores at the age of 12 months (gross motor: aβ = − 0.20, 95% CI: − 0.31 to- 0.09; social behavior: aβ = − 0.23, 95% CI: − 0.33 to- 0.13) were found. Conversely, a higher infant Z -scored BMI at the age of 6 months predicted a lower gross motor at the age of 12 months (aβ = − 0.08, 95% CI: − 0.12 to- 0.04). In cross-lagged analyses, an adverse association in both directions between gross motor and Z -scored BMI was observed. Conclusion We found bidirectional relationships between infants’ neurodevelopment of gross motor with physical growth and suggested the term-born infants, who are on the edge of the developmental danger, should not be overlooked.

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Weight Status and Visceral Adiposity Mediate the Relationship between Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration and Skin Carotenoids in Later Childhood

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab010 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ruyu Liu ◽

Caitlyn G Edwards ◽

Corinne N Cannavale ◽

Isabel R Flemming ◽

Morgan R Chojnacki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adipose Tissue ◽

Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽

Weight Status ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Breastfeeding Duration ◽

Whole Body ◽

Controlled Clinical Trial ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is associated with healthier weight and nutrient status in early life. However, the impact of breastfeeding on carotenoid status beyond infancy, and the influence of adiposity, is unknown. Objective The aim of the study was to retrospectively investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and carotenoid status, and the mediating effect of weight status and adiposity on this relationship among school-aged children. Methods This was a secondary analysis of baseline data collected from a randomized-controlled clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03521349). 7–12-year-old (n = 81) children were recruited from East-Central Illinois. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and whole-body adiposity (%Fat). Weight was obtained to calculated body mass index percentile (BMI %ile). Skin carotenoids were assessed via reflection spectroscopy. Macular carotenoids were assessed as macular pigment optical density (MPOD). Dietary, birth, and breastfeeding information was self-reported by parents. Results Skin carotenoids were inversely related to %Fat (P < 0.01), VAT (P < 0.01) and BMI %ile (P < 0.01). VAT and BMI %ile significantly mediated this relationship between exclusive breastfeeding duration and skin carotenoids, following adjustment for dietary carotenoids, energy intake, and mother education. Conclusions Weight status and adipose tissue distribution mediate the positive correlation between exclusive breastfeeding duration and skin carotenoids among children aged 7–12 years. The results indicate the need to support breastfeeding and healthy physical growth in childhood for optimal carotenoid status.

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Physical Growth and Its Determinants in Indian Children with Down Syndrome, from 3 Months to 5 Years of Age

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics ◽

10.1007/s12098-021-03864-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mandula Phani Priya ◽

Neerja Gupta ◽

Aditya Nagori ◽

Rakesh Lodha ◽

Vandana Jain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Down Syndrome ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Indian Children ◽

Children With Down Syndrome

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A New Integrated Approach for Municipal Landfill Siting Based on Urban Physical Growth Prediction: A Case Study Mashhad Metropolis in Iran

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13050949 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 949

Author(s):

Salman Qureshi ◽

Saman Nadizadeh Shorabeh ◽

Najmeh Neysani Samany ◽

Foad Minaei ◽

Mehdi Homaee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Growth ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Support Vector ◽

Markov Chain Method ◽

Physical Expansion ◽

Hierarchy Process ◽

The City

Due to irregular and uncontrolled expansion of cities in developing countries, currently operational landfill sites cannot be used in the long-term, as people will be living in proximity to these sites and be exposed to unhygienic circumstances. Hence, this study aims at proposing an integrated approach for determining suitable locations for landfills while considering their physical expansion. The proposed approach utilizes the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) to weigh the sets of identified landfill location criteria. Furthermore, the weighted linear combination (WLC) approach was applied for the elicitation of the proper primary locations. Finally, the support vector machine (SVM) and cellular automation-based Markov chain method were used to predict urban growth. To demonstrate the applicability of the developed approach, it was applied to a case study, namely the city of Mashhad in Iran, where suitable sites for landfills were identified considering the urban growth in different geographical directions for this city by 2048. The proposed approach could be of use for policymakers, urban planners, and other decision-makers to minimize uncertainty arising from long-term resource allocation.

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Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

Children ◽

10.3390/children8030233 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 233

Author(s):

María Pineros-Leano ◽

Jaclyn A. Saltzman ◽

Janet M. Liechty ◽

Salma Musaad ◽

Liliana Aguayo

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Body Mass ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Maternal Depressive Symptoms ◽

Developmental Problems ◽

Child Weight ◽

Child Body Mass Index ◽

Weight Outcomes

Children of mothers with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk for psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental problems. However, the effects of maternal depression on children’s physical growth are not well understood. To address the gaps in the literature, this study examined the association between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Data from 204 mother–child dyads who participated in the STRONG Kids 1 Study were used. Mothers and children were assessed twice when the children were 3 and 4 years old. Height and weight measurements of children and mothers were collected by trained researchers during both assessments. Multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance tests were used to examine the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, and age and sex-adjusted child body mass index percentile. Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms when the child was 3 and 4 years old were not associated with child body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) at age 4. Mothers who breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower depressive symptoms when their children were 3 years of age, but the differences did not persist at age 4. In this community sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P, regardless of breastfeeding duration.

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Coarse-grained modeling of the nucleation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons into soot precursors

Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics ◽

10.1039/c8cp07724j ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 5123-5132 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. Hernández-Rojas ◽

F. Calvo

Keyword(s):

Monte Carlo ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Coarse Grained ◽

Soot Precursors ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic ◽

Hydrocarbon Molecules ◽

A Minor ◽

Monte Carlo Framework

The aggregation and physical growth of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules was simulated using a coarse-grained potential and a stochastic Monte Carlo framework. In agreement with earlier studies, homomolecular nucleation of pyrene, coronene and circumcoronene is found to be limited at temperatures in the 500–1000 K range. Heteromolecular nucleation is found to occur with a minor spontaneous segregation toward pure and equi concentrations.

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Household structure, maternal characteristics and children’s stunting in sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from 35 countries

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihz105 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sanni Yaya ◽

Olanrewaju Oladimeji ◽

Emmanuel Kolawole Odusina ◽

Ghose Bishwajit

Keyword(s):

Birth Interval ◽

Household Wealth ◽

Household Structure ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Physical Growth ◽

Multiple Birth ◽

Rural Children ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Ssa Countries ◽

Childhood Stunting

Abstract Background Adequate nutrition in early childhood is a necessity to achieve healthy growth and development, as well as a strong immune system and good cognitive development. The period from conception to infancy is especially vital for optimal physical growth, health and development. In this study we examined the influence of household structure on stunting in children <5 yrs of age in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Methods Demographic and Health Survey data from birth histories in 35 SSA countries were used in this study. The total sample of children born within the 5 yrs before the surveys (2008 and 2018) was 384 928. Children whose height-for-age z-score throughout was <−2 SDs from the median of the WHO reference population were considered stunted. Percentages and χ2 tests were used to explore prevalence and bivariate associations of stunting. In addition, a multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to stunted children. All statistical tests were conducted at a p<0.05 level of significance. Results More than one-third of children in SSA countries were reportedly stunted. The leading countries include Burundi (55.9%), Madagascar (50.1%), Niger (43.9%) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (42.7%). The percentage of stunted children was higher among males than females and among rural children than their urban counterparts in SSA countries. Children from polygamous families and from mothers who had been in multiple unions had a 5% increase in stunting compared with children from monogamous families and mothers who had only one union (AOR 1.05 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.09]). Furthermore, rural children were 1.23 times as likely to be stunted compared with urban children (AOR 1.23 [95% CI 1.16 to 1.29]). Children having a <24-mo preceding birth interval were 1.32 times as likely to be stunted compared with first births (AOR 1.32 [95% CI 1.26 to 1.38]). In addition, there was a 2% increase in stunted children for every unit increase in the age (mo) of children (AOR 1.02 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.02]). Multiple-birth children were 2.09 times as likely to be stunted compared with a singleton (AOR 2.09 [95% CI 1.91 to 2.28]). Conclusions The study revealed that more than one-third of children were stunted in SSA countries. Risk factors for childhood stunting were also identified. Effective interventions targeting factors associated with childhood stunting, such as maternal education, advanced maternal age, male sex, child’s age, longer birth interval, multiple-birth polygamy, improved household wealth and history of mothers’ involvement in multiple unions, are required to reduce childhood stunting in the region.

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