Longitudinal analysis of growth trajectories in young children of Chinese-born immigrant mothers compared with Australian-born mothers living in Victoria, Australia

BackgroundChinese immigrants are the third largest immigrant group in Australia. Little is known about growth trajectories of their offspring when moving to a Western country. The aim was to describe the growth trajectories between birth to 3.5 years in children of Chinese-born immigrant mothers compared with Australian-born mothers living in Victoria, Australia.MethodsTen nurse measured weights and lengths from birth to 3.5 years were used to examine growth trajectory using linear spline multilevel models. Five knot points were identified at visit 2 (0.5 months), visit 4 (2 months), visit 5 (4.5 months), visit 8 (18 months) and visit 9 (25 months).ResultsEthnic disparities in growth trajectories between these two groups were revealed in models adjusted for birth weight, sex and level of socioeconomic disadvantage. Children of Chinese-born compared with Australian-born mothers revealed different growth rates and significant differences in predicted mean body mass index Z score (zBMI) at all time points from birth to 44 months, except for 12 months. Specifically, when compared with children of Australian-born mothers, children of Chinese-born mothers started with lower predicted zBMI from birth until 0.5 months, had a higher zBMI from 1 to 8 months and a lower zBMI from 12 to 44 months. Early and sharp acceleration of growth was also observed for children of Chinese-born mothers (0.5–2 months) when compared with children of Australian-born mothers (2–18 months).ConclusionDifferences in growth trajectories exist between young children of Chinese-born and Australian-born mothers. Better understanding of these ethnically patterned growth trajectories is important for identifying key opportunities to promote healthy growth in early life.

Download Full-text

Racial/Ethnic Disparities: a Longitudinal Study of Growth Trajectories Among US Kindergarten Children

Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities ◽

10.1007/s40615-017-0434-1 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 875-884 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Inyang A. Isong ◽

Tracy Richmond ◽

Mauricio Avendaño ◽

Ichiro Kawachi

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Kindergarten Children ◽

Growth Trajectories ◽

Racial Ethnic

Download Full-text

Exploring the Minority Threat Hypothesis for Juveniles in Criminal Court

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice ◽

10.1177/1541204017730388 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 418-441 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Steven N. Zane

Keyword(s):

Criminal Justice ◽

Multilevel Models ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Criminal Court ◽

Minority Population ◽

Pretrial Detention ◽

Minority Threat ◽

Criminal Justice Processing ◽

Two Measures ◽

Different Populations

In the context of the criminal justice system, the minority threat hypothesis posits that a growing minority population will exacerbate racial and ethnic disparities as those in power seek to establish social control over the threatening population. Decades of research have produced mixed findings, possibly due to the varied approaches to testing this hypothesis as well as the different populations to whom it is applied. To fully explore the racial and ethnic threat hypotheses for an underexamined population—juveniles transferred to criminal court—and an underexamined outcome—pretrial detention—the present article employs a series of multilevel models to test several versions of the hypothesis. Specifically, the article distinguishes between two measures of minority threat—static and dynamic—and two types of threat effects—diffuse and targeted. Findings indicate limited support for the minority threat hypothesis in all forms. Several interpretations are offered, ranging from consideration of the need for more informed measures of threat to a possible need to modify or abandon the minority threat hypothesis in the context of juvenile and criminal justice processing.

Download Full-text

Adolescent Tri-ponderal Mass Index Growth Trajectories and Incident Diabetes Mellitus in Early Adulthood

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ◽

10.1210/clinem/dgab235 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yi-Fan Wu ◽

Hsien-Yu Fan ◽

Yang-Ching Chen ◽

Kuan-Liang Kuo ◽

Kuo-Liong Chien

Keyword(s):

Early Adulthood ◽

Growth Mixture Modeling ◽

The Body ◽

Growth Trajectory ◽

Incident Diabetes ◽

Growth Trajectories ◽

City Hospital ◽

Z Score ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Adult Diabetes

Abstract Purpose Studies have reported the influence of adolescent obesity on development of adult diabetes, but the effect of the growth pattern during this period has rarely been explored. Also, the tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) was thought to be a better estimation of adolescent body fat levels than the body mass index (BMI), so we sought to investigate whether growth trajectories derived by these two indices could predict incident diabetes. Methods We conducted a study by using the Taipei City Hospital Radiation Building Database, a longitudinal cohort established from 1996 until now. Physical exam results including blood test results were collected annually and the BMI z-score/TMI growth trajectory groups during 13–18 years of age were identified using growth mixture modeling. A Cox proportional hazard model for incident diabetes was used to examine the risk of baseline obese status and different BMI/TMI growth trajectories. Results Five growth trajectory groups were identified for the BMI z-score and the TMI. During approximately 20,400 person-years follow-up, 33 of 1,387 participants developed diabetes. Baseline obesity defined by the BMI z-score and the TMI were both related to adult diabetes. The persistent increase TMI growth trajectory exhibited a significantly increased risk of diabetes after adjusting for baseline obese status and other correlated covariates (hazard ratio: 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–8.09). There was no association between BMI growth trajectory groups and incident diabetes. Conclusions A specific TMI growth trajectory pattern during adolescence might be critical for diabetes prevention efforts.

Download Full-text

Learning to be a mother: Comparing two groups of Chinese immigrants in the Netherlands

Asian and Pacific Migration Journal ◽

10.1177/0117196819844380 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 220-241

Author(s):

Lijie Zheng ◽

Mariëtte de Haan ◽

Willem Koops

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Chinese Immigrants ◽

Black Box ◽

Immigrant Parents ◽

Long Distance ◽

Dense Networks ◽

Immigrant Mothers ◽

Parenting Knowledge ◽

Parental Ethnotheories ◽

Shed Light

Immigrant parents may have to rebuild their parenting knowledge after migration to keep up with their new milieu. Comparing two subgroups of Chinese immigrants, economic and knowledge immigrants, this study shows that the construction of different parental ethnotheories can be understood through the characteristics of their parenting knowledge acquisition, social networks and networking strategies. Findings from ego-network interviews with 15 economic immigrant mothers and 20 knowledge immigrant mothers indicate that the former tends to obtain practical tips and specific instructions directly from experts and acquire practical help from local, co-ethnic, small and dense networks, while the latter engages in critical peer-based learning in multicultural, open and long-distance networks. This study argues that a social network perspective can shed light on the “black box” of how parenting theories are reconstructed after migration.

Download Full-text

What Context Matters and at What Level? A Test of Racial/Ethnic Threat, Symbolic Threat, and Structural Inequality Perspectives in Juvenile Court Decision-Making

Crime & Delinquency ◽

10.1177/0011128720938344 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001112872093834

Author(s):

Michael J. Leiber ◽

Ellen A. Donnelly ◽

Yunmei Lu

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Multilevel Models ◽

Juvenile Court ◽

Ethnic Disparities ◽

Court Decision ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Structural Inequality ◽

Court Proceedings ◽

Racial Ethnic ◽

Zip Code

Do traditional theories of conflict influence juvenile court decision-making and explain racial/ethnic disparities? Racial/ethnic threat, symbolic threat, and structural inequality perspectives purport social controls increase when groups differ in race, ethnicity, or class. Scholarship tends to test one perspective at a time and use county as a unit of analysis. Taking a comparative approach, this study evaluates whether contextual indicators of these three theories, measured at the county- and zip code-levels, contribute to Black-White and Latino-White disparities in court decisions. Multilevel models reveal weak and partial support for each perspective. More effects appear at the zip code-level, indicating conflict may occur within rather than across courts. Macro-level theories must then be reconsidered to describe modern-day juvenile court proceedings.

Download Full-text

A Randomized Crossover Study to Evaluate Recipe Acceptability in Breastfeeding Mothers and Young Children in India Targeted for a Multiple Biofortified Food Crop Intervention

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572119855588 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 460-470

Author(s):

Bryan M. Gannon ◽

Varsha Thakker ◽

Vincent S. Bonam ◽

Jere D. Haas ◽

Wesley Bonam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Daily Intake ◽

Z Score ◽

Food Crop ◽

Overall Acceptability ◽

Hedonic Scale ◽

Crop Variety ◽

And Control ◽

Randomized Crossover Study ◽

Height For Age

Background: A multiple biofortified food crop trial targeting iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiencies among young children and their breastfeeding mothers is planned in India. Objective: To determine the acceptability of recipes prepared with control and biofortified pearl millet, wheat, lentils, and sweet potato. Methods: Children (6-24 months) and their mothers were enrolled as pairs (n = 52). Weight and height/length were determined. Mothers and children were separately, individually randomized in a crossover design to control or biofortified recipes. Children’s 3-day intake was measured per recipe and crop variety. For mothers, a 9-point hedonic scale evaluated color, odor, taste, and overall acceptability. Results: Children’s mean (SD) length-/height-for-age Z-score was −1.2 (1.7), with 27% < −2 (stunted). Mean weight-for-length Z-score was −0.6 (1.2) with 9.6% < −2 (wasted). Mother’s body mass index showed 17% <18.5 and 38% >25. There was no difference in the children’s intake of biofortified versus control varieties of any recipe ( P ≥ .22); overall median daily intake was 75 g (Q1: 61, Q3: 100). Mother’s hedonic scores for color, odor, taste, or overall acceptability did not demonstrate any notable differences ( P ≥ .23 for overall acceptability); combined median overall acceptability score was 8.5 (Q1: 8.0, Q3: 9.0). Conclusions: Recipes were consumed readily, were rated as highly acceptable, and did not show any differences between biofortified and control varieties.

Download Full-text

Early childhood: The essential foundation

Tracing the Consequences of Child Poverty ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447348313.003.0004 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 49-72

Author(s):

Jo Boyden ◽

Andrew Dawes ◽

Paul Dornan ◽

Colin Tredoux

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Young Children ◽

Human Development ◽

Nutritional Supplementation ◽

Under Nutrition ◽

Development Interventions ◽

National Importance ◽

Health And Development ◽

Healthy Growth ◽

Clear Channel

This chapter discusses the absolute importance of a good start in early childhood as the foundation for later human development. It focuses on two core development concerns: under-nutrition, and preschool circumstances and interventions. The Young Lives countries show progress in stunting reduction, notably in Peru where reducing under-nutrition has been given national importance. The ongoing prevalence of stunting nevertheless is a clear channel through which poverty in childhood results in disadvantaged development. Interventions to improve early childhood circumstances have been shown to work for the poorest children. Indeed, nutritional supplementation has been found to support healthy growth, especially for young children and poorer children. Interventions to support infants also have the potential to support mothers and primary caregivers. As these findings suggest, to ensure their survival, health, and development, young children need a multi-sectoral response.

Download Full-text

The Role of Irrigation on Improvement of Young Children in Central Kenya

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development ◽

10.18697/ajfand.13.1840 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 7 (13) ◽

pp. 01-16

Author(s):

Veronicah Kirogo ◽

◽

Wambui K.M ◽

Nelson M.M ◽

Keyword(s):

Young Children ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

High Income ◽

Calorie Intake ◽

Leeward Side ◽

Z Score ◽

Commercial Farming ◽

Height For Age ◽

Weight For Age

A comparative, retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the role of irrigation on improvement of nutritional status of children aged 6 – 59 months in a semi-arid setting. Two equal samples of fifty-nine children (aged 6 – 59 months) hereafter, referred to as the Project and the Non-project groups, respectively were randomly selected from households with a nd without access to irrigation water in Kieni East Division of Nyeri District, Kenya. The study area is situated in the drier western leeward side of Mt. Kenya and is characteristic by unreliable rainfall of between 500 to 1200 mm per annum. Weight, height and age of index children were determined and the corresponding standard deviations of weight-for-age, we ight-for-height and height-for-age calculated and compared to the reference standards developed by the US National Centre for Health Statistics. Energy and nutrient intake was determined using 24-hour dietary recall method. The findings on socio-demographic characteristics showed that the Project and Non-project households were similar in terms of household size, land size, marital status of the respondent, maternal and paternal education and occupation. The calorie intake of over two-fifth (42%) of the children from the Non-project households compared to 39% from the Project households was below the Recommended Daily Allowance. The children from commercial farming Project households had significantly higher weight-for-age Z-score than those from commercial farming Non-project households. Similarly, children from high-income Project households had significantly higher height-for-age Z-score than those from high-income Non-project households. The prevalence of stunting was also significantly lower in the high-income Project households compared to high-income N on-project households. Among the male children, the prevalence of underweight was significantly higher in Non-project households than in Project households. Overall, the prevalence of stunting and underweight which are indicators of long-term nutritional deprivation were higher in Non-project households than Project households. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that irrigation contributes to increased per capita food availability resulting in higher energy intakes and subsequently enables households to safeguard young children against chronic malnutrition. Also, poverty as characterised by low household income remains a main determinant of nutritional status.

Download Full-text

Parental Self-Efficacy in New Mothers Predicts Infant Growth Trajectories

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945919854464 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 42 (4) ◽

pp. 254-261

Author(s):

Jessica S. Bahorski ◽

Gwendolyn D. Childs ◽

Lori A. Loan ◽

Andres Azuero ◽

Marti H. Rice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African American ◽

Low Income ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Slow Growth ◽

Growth Trajectories ◽

Z Score ◽

Obesity Risk ◽

New Mothers ◽

Time Points ◽

Post Hoc

The purpose of this study was to examine whether parental self-efficacy (PSE) is associated with change in infant weight-for-length z score (WLZ) from age 3 to 12 months. Data were drawn from the Infant Care, Feeding, and Risk of Obesity study, conducted with low-income, African American mother–infant dyads ( n = 127). PSE was measured at infant age of 3 months. Infant anthropometrics were measured at infant age of 3 and 12 months, WLZ change between these time points was calculated, and infants stratified into WLZ change categories (expected, excessive, or slow). To analyze the data, ANCOVA, multiple regression, and post hoc techniques were used. Controlling for infant birthweight, PSE at 3 months was associated with infant WLZ change (η2 = 0.05, p = .04). Mothers of infants who exhibited excessive growth had higher PSE than mothers of infants who exhibited slow growth (Tukey-adjusted p = .03). This finding suggests that infants of mothers with high PSE may have increased obesity risk, but more research is needed.

Download Full-text