scholarly journals Short-term and long-term distributional consequences of prenatal malnutrition and stress: using Ramadan as a natural experiment

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. e001185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhan Majid ◽  
Jere Behrman ◽  
Subha Mani
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Hours Worked ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Distributional Consequences ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Math Test Scores ◽  
Prenatal Malnutrition

IntroductionFetal environments play significant roles in determining adult well-being, particularly as they relate to non-communicable diseases and skill formation. We studied gender-specific distributional consequences of fetal environment (in the form of in-utero exposure to Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting), in Indonesia, on birth weights, performance on Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM), math scores, hours worked and earnings.MethodsWe used quantile regressions to conduct a quantitative comparison of distributional consequences, by gender, of full month exposures to Ramadan in-utero on outcomes of interest. Our data included Muslim children and adults measured during rounds 1 and 4 of the Indonesian Family Life Survey. Our main outcome measures were: birth weights—559 observations (females) and 624 (males); Raven’s CPM scores—1693 (females) and 1821 (males) for 8–15 year olds; math test scores—1696 (females) and 1825 (males) for 8–15 year olds; hours worked—3181 (females) and 4599 (males) for 18–65 year olds; earnings—2419 (females) and 4019 (males) for 18–65 year olds.ResultsFull month of exposure to Ramadan in-utero led to significant reductions at the 5% significance level that were concentrated in the bottom halves of the outcome distributions: among 8–15 years, lower scores on Raven’s CPM tests for females (mean: −9.2%, 10thQ: −19%, 25th Q: −19.4%) and males (mean: −5.6%, 10thQ: −12.5%); lower math scores for females (mean: −8.6%, 25thQ: −15.9%) and males (mean: −8.5%, 10thQ: −13.6%); among females 18–65 years, significant reduction in hours worked (mean: −7.5%, 10thQ: − 26.3%).ConclusionEvents during the fetal period have far-reaching consequences for females and males in the lowest (10th and 25th) quantiles of outcome distributions, affecting the ‘relatively poor’ the most. These results call for caution in interpreting studies on child development that rely on mean comparisons alone.

scholarly journals Long-Term Outcomes of in Utero Ramadan Exposure: A Systematic Literature Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4511
Author(s):  
Melani R. Mahanani ◽  
Eman Abderbwih ◽  
Amanda S. Wendt ◽  
Andreas Deckert ◽  
Khatia Antia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
In Utero ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Long Term Outcome

Health outcomes of in utero Ramadan exposure have been reported in a systematic literature review; however, the available literature on long-term effects were not fully covered. Our study aims to specifically review the long-term outcomes of in utero Ramadan exposure. We searched for original research articles analyzing any long-term outcome of in utero Ramadan exposure, excluding maternal and perinatal outcomes. Sixteen studies from 8304 non-duplicate search results were included. Most studies suggest negative consequences from in utero Ramadan exposure on health, as well as on economic outcomes later in adulthood. Higher under-five mortality rate, higher mortality under three months, and under one year, shorter stature, lower body mass index, increased incidence of vision, hearing and learning disabilities, lower mathematics, writing and reading scores, as well as a lower probability to own a home were associated with Ramadan exposure during conception or the first trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, age and sex seem to play a pivotal role on the association. Existing studies suggest that in utero Ramadan exposure may adversely impact long-term health and economic well-being. However, evidence is limited. Meanwhile, increasing awareness of the potential risks of Ramadan fasting during pregnancy should be raised among pregnant women and clinicians and other antenatal care workers should promote better maternal healthcare.

scholarly journals Diverging Disparities: Race, Parental Income, and Children’s Math Scores, 1960 to 2009

2021 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-142
Author(s):  
Jordan A. Conwell
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
White Students ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Parental Income ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Math Test Scores

In recent decades, the black–white test score disparity has decreased, and the test score disparity between children of high- versus low-income parents has increased. This study focuses on a comparison that has, to date, fallen between the separate literatures on these diverging trends: black and white students whose parents have similarly low, middle, or high incomes (i.e., same income or race within income). To do so, I draw on three nationally representative data sets on 9th or 10th graders, covering 1960 to 2009, that contain information on students’ math test scores. I find that math test score disparities between black and white students with same-income parents are to black students’ disadvantage. Although these disparities have decreased since 1960, in 2009 they remained substantively large, statistically significant, and largest between children of the highest-income parents. Furthermore, family and school characteristics that scholars commonly use to explain test score disparities by race or income account for markedly decreasing shares of race-within-income disparities over time. The study integrates the literatures on test score disparities by race and income with attention to the historical and continued structural influence of race, net of parental income, on students’ educational experiences and test score outcomes.

scholarly journals Child Care Subsidy Use and Children’s Outcomes in Middle School

AERA Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 233285841988454
Author(s):  
Wladimir Zanoni ◽  
Anna D. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Child Care ◽  
School Outcomes ◽  
Child Care Subsidy ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Reading And Math ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Math Test Scores

This article examines associations between child care subsidy use in early childhood and children’s middle school outcomes. Using a unique database linking administrative records of child care subsidy receipt with parental earnings, social assistance data, and students’ public school outcomes, we generate quasi-experimental estimates of subsidy effects on children’s reading and math test scores and school absences in third through eighth grades. Findings suggest that subsidies are associated with reduced absenteeism in seventh and eighth grades and with increased reading and math scores in third grade, but only for the subset of children whose subsidies were used to attend licensed center- or home-based care. Results provide initial evidence for longer term impacts of the child care subsidy program on children’s school performance.

Can Class-Based Substitute for Race-Based Student Assignment Plans? Evidence From Wake County, North Carolina

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (7) ◽  
pp. 843-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Monique McMillian ◽  
Sarah Fuller ◽  
Zoelene Hill ◽  
Kate Duch ◽  
William A. Darity
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Racial Segregation ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Reading And Math ◽  
White Test ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Wake County ◽  
Math Test Scores ◽  
School Assignment

This study uses a North Carolina administrative data set to analyze racial segregation and student achievement in Wake County during race-based and income-based school assignment plans. We find a modest increase in the level of racial segregation in Wake schools during the income-based plan, but compared with other large districts in the state, Wake County remained relatively desegregated. We also find a small increase in reading and math test scores and a narrowing of the Black-White test score gap. Our analysis indicates that the improvement in math scores may be partially due to school composition changes attributable to the income-based assignment plan.

scholarly journals Diverging Disparities: Race, Parental Income, and Children's Math Scores, 1960-2009

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan A. Conwell
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
White Students ◽  
Test Score ◽  
Parental Income ◽  
Tenth Graders ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Math Test Scores

In recent decades, the Black-White test score disparity has decreased, while the test score disparity between children of high- versus low-income parents has increased. This study focuses on a comparison that has, to date, fallen between the separate literatures on these diverging trends – Black and White students whose parents have similarly low, middle, or high incomes (i.e., same-income or race-within-income). To do so, I draw on three nationally representative datasets on ninth or tenth graders, covering the period from 1960 to 2009, all of which contain information on students’ math test scores. I find that math test score disparities between Black and White students with same-income parents are to Blacks’ disadvantage. Although these disparities have decreased since 1960, in 2009, they remain substantively large, statistically significant, and largest between children of the highest income parents. Further, family and school characteristics that scholars commonly use to explain test score disparities by race or by income have accounted for markedly decreasing shares of race-within-income disparities over time. The study integrates the literatures on test score disparities by race and by income with needed attention to race’s historical and continued structural influence, net of parental income, on students’ educational experiences and test score outcomes.

CALCULATORS DO IMPROVE SAT MATH SCORES

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. A35-A35
Author(s):  
J. F. L.
Keyword(s):  
Test Scores ◽  
Scholastic Aptitude Test ◽  
Entrance Examination ◽  
College Entrance Examination ◽  
College Entrance ◽  
Scholastic Aptitude ◽  
Math Scores ◽  
Math Test ◽  
Math Test Scores ◽  
The Right

Will permitting the use of calculators artificially increase SAT math test scores? A. Not at all, so they should be allowed. B. Yes, so they should be banned. C. Only marginally, so they should be allowed—but scores should be adjusted to offset the effect. The folks who run the Scholastic Aptitude Test, which will allow the use of calculators during the college entrance examination starting next year, initially said the correct answer was A. Critics insisted the right answer was B. Now, after a field test on calculator use involving 200,000 students last spring, the testing service has disclosed that C is their answer.

Improving Feeding Outcomes in the NICU: Moving From Volume-Driven to Infant-Driven Feeding

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 68-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine S. Shaker
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Dynamic Systems ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dynamic Systems Theory ◽  
Feeding Problems ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
Extremely Preterm ◽  
Extremely Preterm Infants

Current research on feeding outcomes after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) suggests a need to critically look at the early underpinnings of persistent feeding problems in extremely preterm infants. Concepts of dynamic systems theory and sensitive care-giving are used to describe the specialized needs of this fragile population related to the emergence of safe and successful feeding and swallowing. Focusing on the infant as a co-regulatory partner and embracing a framework of an infant-driven, versus volume-driven, feeding approach are highlighted as best supporting the preterm infant's developmental strivings and long-term well-being.

Intraindividual Variability and Stability of Affect and Well-Being

GeroPsych ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Röcke ◽  
Annette Brose
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
Underlying Processes

Whereas subjective well-being remains relatively stable across adulthood, emotional experiences show remarkable short-term variability, with younger and older adults differing in both amount and correlates. Repeatedly assessed affect data captures both the dynamics and stability as well as stabilization that may indicate emotion-regulatory processes. The article reviews (1) research approaches to intraindividual affect variability, (2) functional implications of affect variability, and (3) age differences in affect variability. Based on this review, we discuss how the broader literature on emotional aging can be better integrated with theories and concepts of intraindividual affect variability by using appropriate methodological approaches. Finally, we show how a better understanding of affect variability and its underlying processes could contribute to the long-term stabilization of well-being in old age.

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