scholarly journals Reducing childhood obesity: evaluation of an Early Years Nutrition programme in a deprived London borough

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 682
Author(s):  
Priyanka Patil ◽  
Emma C. Alexander ◽  
Meghan Cupp ◽  
Monica Lakhanpaul ◽  
Meradin Peachey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
London Borough ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Children’S Centres ◽  
Nutrition Programme

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern, with far-reaching implications on health in childhood and in later life. Early intervention strategies are key to reducing childhood obesity. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of an Early Years Nutrition programme in the London Borough of Newham’s children’s centres. Methods: A service evaluation of the Early Years Nutrition programme was conducted at children’s centres within the borough. Information was collected on the sessions provided to parents by staff, breastfeeding promotion and nutritional topics the centres were displaying. Nutritional activities in each centre were assessed for compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Results: Eight out of eleven (72.7%) centres participated. Parent sessions focused mostly on oral health (n=4/8, 50.0%). Display board topics most commonly related to generic health and wellbeing (n=4/8, 50.0%). All centres displayed the UNICEF breastfeeding logo and complied with the NICE guidelines for nutritional activities. Conclusions: The programme is consistent with NICE guidelines in the centres evaluated; however, further acquisition of data on obesity-associated factors specific to communities and preventive measures for reducing childhood obesity, such as increased parental and community engagement, promotion of breastfeeding and improved staff training, will help tailor similar programmes elsewhere with higher social and cultural acceptance.

scholarly journals Identifying Environmental Determinants Relevant to Health and Wellbeing in Remote Australian Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review of Grey Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4167
Author(s):  
Amal Chakraborty ◽  
Mark Daniel ◽  
Natasha J. Howard ◽  
Alwin Chong ◽  
Nicola Slavin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Environmental Determinants ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

The high prevalence of preventable infectious and chronic diseases in Australian Indigenous populations is a major public health concern. Existing research has rarely examined the role of built and socio-political environmental factors relating to remote Indigenous health and wellbeing. This research identified built and socio-political environmental indicators from publicly available grey literature documents locally-relevant to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Existing planning documents with evidence of community input were used to reduce the response burden on Indigenous communities. A scoping review of community-focused planning documents resulted in the identification of 1120 built and 2215 socio-political environmental indicators. Indicators were systematically classified using an Indigenous indicator classification system (IICS). Applying the IICS yielded indicators prominently featuring the “community infrastructure” domain within the built environment, and the “community capacity” domain within the socio-political environment. This research demonstrates the utility of utilizing existing planning documents and a culturally appropriate systematic classification system to consolidate environmental determinants that influence health and disease occurrence. The findings also support understanding of which features of community-level built and socio-political environments amenable to public health and social policy actions might be targeted to help reduce the prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases in Indigenous communities.

scholarly journals Asking Young Adults about Their Attitudes toward and Knowledge of Sex in Later Life

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 870-871
Author(s):  
Iulia Fratila ◽  
Liza Berdychevsky
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Knowledge And Attitudes ◽  
Intercept Survey ◽  
Knowledge Practice ◽  
Research Questions

Abstract Sexual expression is a lifelong need related to health and wellbeing. However, older adults’ sexuality is often neglected and stigmatized due to societal ageist stereotypes portraying them as asexual. Although baby boomers’ generation resists such portrayals, societal acceptance of sexuality in later life is slow to materialize. The purpose of this study was to explore this acceptance among young adults while focusing on three research questions: (1) How much do young adults know about older adults’ sexuality and how do they feel about it? (2) Do young adults’ knowledge and views of later-life sexuality vary by gender? (3) Do young adults’ views of later-life sexuality vary based on their general attitudes toward sexuality? Data collection included online and intercept survey methods. The sample (N=270) was young (M=21.58 years, SD=4.32) and included 149 women and 113 men. Results revealed that young adults had medium levels of knowledge, yet rather permissive/open-minded attitudes regarding later-life sexuality. Higher levels of knowledge were unrelated to more permissive attitudes. Independent samples t-test revealed no differences by gender in young adults’ knowledge and attitudes. However, multiple regression results indicated that general liberal attitudes toward sexuality (β=.772, t=17.867, p=.000) and viewing sex as leisure activity (β=.147, t=3.338, p=.001) are significant predictors of having more permissive/open-minded attitudes toward older adults’ sexuality (R2=.557, F(3,266)=111.390, p=.000). These findings suggest that socio-psychological (rather than cognitive and demographic) factors drive the acceptance of later-life sexuality among young adults. This study offers valuable insights for knowledge, practice, and advocacy concerning older adults’ sexuality.

scholarly journals Maternal Obesity, Inflammation, and Developmental Programming

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Segovia ◽  
Mark H. Vickers ◽  
Clint Gray ◽  
Clare M. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Developmental Programming ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Child Bearing ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation

The prevalence of obesity, especially in women of child-bearing age, is a global health concern. In addition to increasing the immediate risk of gestational complications, there is accumulating evidence that maternal obesity also has long-term consequences for the offspring. The concept of developmental programming describes the process in which an environmental stimulus, including altered nutrition, during critical periods of development can program alterations in organogenesis, tissue development, and metabolism, predisposing offspring to obesity and metabolic and cardiovascular disorders in later life. Although the mechanisms underpinning programming of metabolic disorders remain poorly defined, it has become increasingly clear that low-grade inflammation is associated with obesity and its comorbidities. This review will discuss maternal metainflammation as a mediator of programming in insulin sensitive tissues in offspring. Use of nutritional anti-inflammatories in pregnancy including omega 3 fatty acids, resveratrol, curcumin, and taurine may provide beneficial intervention strategies to ameliorate maternal obesity-induced programming.

scholarly journals Tobacco smoking among school adolescents in Northern Sabah

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swe ◽  
Than Myint ◽  
Mon Mon Yee
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
School Based ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Upper Secondary ◽  
National Prevalence

Tobacco smoking in adolescent age group has become a major public health concern as it is one of the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases leading to burden of adverse health effects in their later life. Those who start smoking tobacco at an early age are more likely to develop nicotine addiction and continue smoking throughout their adulthood. The general objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking, their initiation and perception towards tobacco smoking among school adolescents in Kudat District, Sabah State, Malaysia. It was a school based cross sectional descriptive study which employed a two-staged stratified random sampling method and used self-administered structured questionnaire for data collection. A total of 257 students aged between 15 to 19 years old from two upper secondary schools participated in the study. This study revealed that (26.6%) were ever smokers and (8.6%) were current smokers. The earliest age of started smoking was 7 years old and 9 years old among male and female ever smokers respectively. Majority of the respondents perceived that smoking was a bad habit which would cause environmental pollution and harmful effects on health. The most common reasons to start smoking among ever smokers were peer pressures, curiosity and experimenting and to relieve the feeling of pressured and stress. Among the current smokers, 86.4%had ever attempted to quit smoking but they failed to stop smoking because they thought smoking could give feeling pleasure (50%), relieve their anxiety or craving (27.3%) and because of peer pressures (22.7%). The findings suggested that although tobacco smoking prevalence among school adolescents in Kudat was comparatively lower than that of national prevalence reported by GYTS, there is still need for early interventions with holistic approach to prevent them from initiation and to help them for cessation of tobacco smoking.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2016, 2(3): 389-395

scholarly journals PREVALENCE OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY AND ITS SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE CAPE COAST METROPOLIS, GHANA

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-228
Author(s):  
Augustina Araba Amissah ◽  
Justice Mensah ◽  
John Victor Mensah
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Private Schools ◽  
School Children ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern around the globe as it is associated with adverse consequences such as psychological problems, lower educational attainment, and a high risk of health challenges later in life. The study investigated the prevalence of obesity and its socio-psychological effects on primary school children in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Interview schedule and interview guide were used to collect primary data from 317 pupils and 24 teachers respectively from public and private schools in 2018. Microsoft Excel software (version 2013) was used to analyse quantitative data while content analysis was used for qualitative data based on themes. The result indicated that the overall prevalence rate was five percent. Prevalence of obesity was higher in private schools than public schools while that among male pupils was higher than their female counterparts. Pupils of age 11 years were at higher risk than those at age nine years.  The socio-psychological effects on the affected children included stigmatization, exclusion from taking part in some competitive activities, inactive and often slept during lessons. The school authorities should collaborate with the Metropolitan Directorates of Education and Health to manage obesity in the schools. They could invite health experts to educate school management, teachers, pupils, and parents on support systems for managing childhood obesity.

scholarly journals Do maternal intrauterine environmental influences that lower offspring birthweight causally increase offspring cardiometabolic risk factors in later life? A Mendelian randomization study of 45,849 genotyped parent offspring pairs in the HUNT study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunn-Helen Moen ◽  
Ben Brumpton ◽  
Cristen Willer ◽  
Bjørn Olav Åsvold ◽  
Kåre Birkeland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Genetic Risk ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽  
Causal Effects ◽  
Cardiometabolic Disease ◽  
Intrauterine Environment ◽  
Hunt Study

AbstractIntroductionThere is a robust and well-documented observational relationship between lower birthweight and higher risk of cardiometabolic disease in later life. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) hypothesis posits that adverse environmental factors in utero or in the early years of life result in increased future risk of cardiometabolic disease. Our aim was to investigate whether there was evidence for causal effects of the intrauterine environment, as proxied by maternal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence offspring birthweight independent of offspring genotype, on offspring cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, non-fasting glucose, body mass index (BMI), and lipid levels.MethodsWe investigated whether a genetic risk score of maternal SNPs associated with offspring birthweight was also associated with offspring cardiometabolic risk factors, after controlling for offspring genotypes at the same loci, in up to 26,057 mother-offspring pairs from the Nord-Trøndelag Health (HUNT) Study. We also conducted similar analyses in 19,792 father-offspring pairs from the same study to investigate whether there was evidence that any such causal effects operated through the postnatal, rather than the intrauterine environment. To take account of the considerable cryptic relatedness in HUNT, we implemented a computationally efficient genetic linear mixed model using the OpenMx software package to perform our analyses.ResultsWe found little evidence for a maternal genetic effect of birthweight associated variants on offspring cardiometabolic risk factors after adjusting for offspring genotypes at the same loci. Likewise, we found little evidence for paternal genetic effects on offspring cardiometabolic risk factors performing similar analyses in father-offspring pairs. In contrast, offspring genetic risk scores of birthweight associated variants were strongly related to many cardiometabolic risk factors, even after conditioning on maternal genotypes at the same loci.ConclusionOur results suggest that the maternal intrauterine environment, as proxied by maternal SNPs that influence offspring birthweight, is unlikely to be a major determinant of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in population based samples of individuals. In contrast, genetic pleiotropy appears to explain some of the observational relationship between offspring birthweight and future cardiometabolic risk.

scholarly journals A cluster RCT and process evaluation evaluating the effectiveness of an optimisation intervention to promote parental engagement in a childhood obesity prevention programme: Results of the Optimising Family Engagement in HENRY (OFTEN) trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bryant ◽  
Wendy Burton ◽  
Michelle Collinson ◽  
Amanda Farrin ◽  
Jane Nixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Parental Engagement ◽  
Childhood Obesity Prevention ◽  
Prevention Intervention ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Children’S Centres

Abstract Background Low parental participation reduces the impact and sustainability of public health childhood obesity prevention programmes. Using data from a focused ethnography, we developed a multi-level, theory-based implementation optimisation intervention. The optimisation intervention aimed to support local authorities and children’s centres to adopt behaviours to promote engagement in ‘HENRY (Health Exercise Nutrition for the Really Young)’, a UK community obesity prevention intervention. Methods We evaluated the effectiveness of the optimisation intervention on programme enrolment and completion over a 12 implementation period in a cluster randomised controlled trial. We randomised 20 local government authorities (with 126 children’s centres) to HENRY plus the optimisation intervention or to HENRY alone. Primary outcomes were (1) the proportion of centres enrolling at least eight parents per programme and (2) the proportion of centres with a minimum of 75% of parents attending at least five of eight sessions per programme. Trial analyses adjusted for stratification factors (pre-randomisation implementation of HENRY, local authority size, deprivation) and allowed for cluster design. A parallel mixed-methods process evaluation used qualitative interview data and routine monitoring to explain trial results. Results Neither primary outcome differed significantly between groups; 17.8% of intervention centres and 18.0% of control centres achieved the parent enrolment target (adjusted difference -1.2%; 95%CI: -19.5%, 17.1%); 17.1% of intervention centres and 13.9% of control centres achieved the attendance target (adjusted difference 1.2%; 95%CI: -15.7%, 18.1%). Unexpectedly, the trial coincided with substantial national service restructuring, including centre closures and reduced funds. Some commissioning and management teams stopped or reduced implementation of both HENRY and the optimisation intervention due to competing demands. Thus, at follow up, HENRY programmes were delivered to approximately half the number of parents compared to baseline (n=433 vs. 881). Conclusions During a period in which services were reduced by policies outside the realm of this research, this first definitive trial found no evidence of effectiveness for an implementation optimisation intervention promoting parent engagement in an obesity prevention intervention. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02675699 registered 4th February 2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02675699

A Population Service Evaluation of the ADHD Pathway of Children and Young People's Services, Malta

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S222-S223
Author(s):  
A. Saliba ◽  
D. Agius ◽  
E. Sciberras ◽  
N. Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Nice Guidelines ◽  
Case File ◽  
Mean Waiting Time ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionADHD is the commonest neurodevelopmental disorder in young people (YP) aged 5–18 years. YP with untreated ADHD are 5 times more likely to develop co-morbid psychiatric disorders.ObjectivesTo carry out a population service evaluation of the assessment process and management of YP with ADHD at Child and Young People's Service (CYPS), Malta age 0–16 years for 2014.AimsTo describe the service input, assessment and treatment of YP attending CYPS and compare to ADHD NICE guidelines 2008.MethodsAll patients diagnosed with ADHD at CYPS throughout 2014 were included. The incidence of YP with ADHD on treatment age 3–16 years in Malta was calculated. Information was collected from; (i) retrospective case file review and (ii) methylphenidate and atomoxetine registry and compared with NICE guidelines.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-six YP were diagnosed with ADHD. The minimum 12-month incidence of ADHD on treatment (3–16 years) in Malta was 553 per 100,000. Pre-diagnosis assessments were more frequently performed by other YP services (n = 97, 71.3%, P ≤ 0.01). A psychiatrist or paediatrician confirmed the diagnosis in 113 (83.1%). Sixty-two (45.3%) of YP were prescribed medication, 50 (36.8%) were referred for parental skills course and 55 (40.4%) psychotherapy. Mean waiting time for first appointment was 187.6 days (CI ± 26.9, 0–720), and first specialist review was 301.0 days (CI ± 34.4, 0–800) (1–3).ConclusionsThe incidence for YP (3–16 years) with ADHD on treatment was lower than the US. Since most pre-diagnostic assessments were carried out by other services, this raised the question about the reliability and validity. We recommend a diagnostic MDT meeting following the multimodal assessment to diagnose ADHD. Medication prescribing followed NICE overall, standardising non-pharmacological management is required.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Selection, adaptation and advantage. Later-life health and wellbeing of English migrants to Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (13) ◽  
pp. 2489-2507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bram Vanhoutte ◽  
Vanessa Loh ◽  
James Nazroo ◽  
Hal Kendig ◽  
Kate O’Loughlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Later Life ◽  
Health And Wellbeing

Future generations: the role of community-based organisations in supporting young people

2020 ◽  
pp. 283-300
Author(s):  
Adam Bonner
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Inclusive Development ◽  
Community Based ◽  
London Borough ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Community Dance ◽  
The Social ◽  
High Street

This chapter presents two non-statutory approaches aimed at engaging young people in the community. The Youth United Foundation (YUF) supports the development of well-established community-based organisations including the Scouts, Guides, and Boys' Brigade, joined recently by the creation of new uniformed youth organisations, including Fire and Police Cadets, to help significantly increase opportunities for young people from the most disadvantaged communities. Building on the place-based policies of the London Borough of Sutton, Sutton Community Dance (SCD) is an example of reimagining the local high street and prioritising shared places as an important context for building intergenerational bridges. Such a model of reimagination and creative agility will be critical in helping already challenged town centres to develop new possibilities for reform post the COVID-19 pandemic. This all-age inclusive development makes a significant contribution to the social determinants of health in this South London borough, through improvements in health and wellbeing and the promotion of self-actualisation.

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