Randomized clinical trial of the impact of a nutritional supplement “multimixture” on the nutritional status of children enrolled at preschools

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess and compare the impact of the Bolsa Família Program (Family Allowance) on the nutritional status of children and adolescents from the Brazilian Northeastern and Southeastern regions. Methods: The study used data from a database derived from a subsample of the Family Budget Survey conducted from 2008 to 2009. The ratios of underweight, stunted, and overweight children were calculated. Impact measurement analysis was preceded by propensity score matching, which matches beneficiary and non-beneficiary families in relation to a set of socioeconomic features. The nearest-neighbor matching algorithm estimated the program impact. Results: The ratio of underweight children and adolescents was, on average, 1.1% smaller in the beneficiary families than in the non-beneficiary families in the Northeastern region. As for the Southeastern region, the ratio of overweight children and adolescents was, on average, 4.2% smaller in the beneficiary families. The program did not affect stunting in either region. Conclusion: The results showed the positive impact and good focus of the program. Thus, once linked to structural actions, the program may help to improve the nutritional status and quality of life of its beneficiaries.

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Asthma prevalence and the impact of nutritional status on prescribed asthma medications in children

Medicinski pregled ◽

10.2298/mpns2010265p ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (9-10) ◽

pp. 265-270

Author(s):

Vesna Petrovic ◽

Vesna Vujic-Aleksic ◽

Tanja Rozek-Mitrovic ◽

Aleksandra Hristov

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Asthma Prevalence ◽

Obese Children ◽

Primary Health Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Asthma Symptoms ◽

Children With Asthma ◽

Nutritional Status Of Children ◽

The Impact

Introduction. Asthma and obesity are the most common chronic health disorders in children. Although heredity plays a significant role in their development, environmental factors and early exposure have contributed to the increasing incidence of both disorders in recent decades. The aim of the study was to estimate asthma prevalence in schoolchildren in Indjija, Srem District, Serbia, and to investigate differences in nutritional status of children with asthma as well as differences between their nutritional status and prescribed asthma medications. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Primary Health Center in Indjija. Of all the medical records of children aged 6 - 14 years, a cohort of children with asthma was formed. The retrospective study evaluated their nutritional status and the prescribed asthma medications. Results. The prevalence of asthma in children aged 6 - 14 was 6.9%. Children with asthma were significantly more overweight and obese (40.5%) than children without asthma. Boys accounted for 63.7% of children with asthma, with a statistically significant gender difference. Abnormal nutritional status was found in 44.3% of children with asthma and boys with asthma were significantly more obese (23%) compared to girls (7.8%). Overweight and obese children with asthma were not prescribed significantly more medications to relieve asthma symptoms than normal-weight children. Conclusion. The prevalence of asthma among schoolchildren in Indjija was 6.9%. Children with asthma were more likely to be overweight and obese than children without asthma, whereas boys with asthma were significantly more obese than girls. No significant differences were found between their nutritional status and prescribed asthma medications.

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Effect of Silymarin in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599811423504 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 145 (6) ◽

pp. 904-909 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mehdi Bakhshaee ◽

Farahzad Jabbari ◽

Saeed Hoseini ◽

Reza Farid ◽

Mohammad Hadi Sadeghian ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Randomized Clinical Trial ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Study Group ◽

Positive Skin Prick Test ◽

Serum Ige ◽

Oxidative Stresses ◽

The Impact

Objective. Although the role of oxidative stresses has been confirmed in the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and the protective effect of silymarin against oxidative stresses has been proven in different organs, no study has yet been conducted on the impact of silymarin on allergic rhinitis treatment. Study Design. A randomized clinical trial study. Setting. Two tertiary referral centers with otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery and allergy and immunology departments. Patients and Methods. In a randomized clinical trial, 94 patients with the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis and a positive skin prick test were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. Their signs and symptoms, eosinophil percentage on nasal smear, serum IgE, and interleukin (IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ) levels were recorded. The study group was treated with silymarin, whereas the control group received placebo, both for 1 month, along with routine antihistamine treatment. At the end of the treatment course, clinical and laboratory findings were statistically analyzed. Results. Sixty patients completed the trial. Based on the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20), a significant improvement in clinical symptom severity was observed in both groups (9.23 ± 5.14 vs 2.20 ± 2.69; P < .001), which was statistically significantly higher in the study group ( P < .001). Posttreatment percentage of nasal eosinophils and cytokine levels showed no significant difference ( P > .05). Rise in serum IgE level was seen after treatment with silymarin ( P = .003). Conclusion. Considering the statistically effective role of silymarin in alleviating the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, applying this herbal antioxidant along with other medications may result in better management.

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