Thesis (Mnutr)--Stellenbosch University,2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Most of the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), obesity, physical inactivity and heredity are common in South African populations, with Indians ranking among those with the highest prevalence in the country. Little published literature is available on eating patterns in pre-school children in the Indian population. Therefore, this study a ims to assess the nutritional status of a group of Indian pre-school children in Howick West (a small suburb in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 50 Indian pre-school children between the ages of 1-5 years, randomly selected from a total of 632 available Indian households in Howick West. Written, informed consent was obtained from the mother/caregiver of each child that participated in the study. Standardized and validated 24-hour-recall (24-H-R) and quantitative food frequency questionnaires (QFFQ), used in the National Food Consumption Survey (NFCS) of 1999, were adapted and used to assess habitual intake and eating patterns of the 50 Indian pre-school children. Height and weight measurements using standardized methodology were used to assess the anthropometric status of the children. Results: The prevalence of underweight was 14%. Stunting affected only 8% of the children, and 2% were at risk of overweight. The mean energy intakes of the children were above that recommended for age. A high fat intake was observed, with total fat contributing 42% to the daily total energy (TE) intake. The contributions of total carbohydrate and protein to TE intake were 45% and 10%, respectively. Low mean intakes of the following micronutrients were observed (less than 67% of the RDA): Calcium (22% of the children), Vitamin D (90%), Zinc (56%) and Iodine (90%), respectively. Based on the 24-H-R, the intakes of the remaining micronutrients were either above or equivalent to that recommended for age when compared to the 1989 RDAs. Conclusions: Despite a relatively high prevalence of underweight compared to overweight in these preschoolers, dietary analysis has indicated adequate dietary intakes in terms of total energy recommended for the age groups studied. However, total fat intake which represented 42% of TE, was high, with saturated fat (SF) contributing 15% to TE intake. This finding is cause for concern as excessive consumption of dietary fat has been implicated in the aetiology of CVD, obesity and some forms of cancer, and CHD is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in South Africa, especially among the Indian segment of the population. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Meeste van die risikofaktore vir koronêre hartsiektes (KHS) soos hipertensie, dislipidemie, rook, nie-insulien afhanklike diabetes (NIADM), vetsug, fisiese onaktiwiteit en oorerflikheid, kom algemeen onder Suid-Afrikaanse bevolkingsgroepe voor, met Indiërs onder dié met die hoogste voorkoms in die land. Min gepubliseerde inligting is beskikbaar oor die eetgewoontes van voorskoolse kinders onder die Indiër bevolking. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus 0 m die voedingstatus van 'n groep Indiër voorskoolse kinders in Howick Wes ('n klein voorstad in die Kwa-Zulu Natal Middellande) te bepaal. Metodes: Dit was 'n dwarssnit studie van 50 voorskoolse Indiër kinders tussen die ouderdomme van 1-5 jaar, ewekansig geselekteer uit 632 beskikbare Indiër huishoudings in Howick Wes. Geskrewe en ingeligte toestemming is ontvang van die moeder/versorger van elke kind wat aan die studie deelgeneem het. Gestandaardiseerde en gevalideerde 24-uur herroep (24-H-R) en voedsel frekwensie vraelyste (QFFQ) soos gebruik in die Nasionale Voedsel Inname Studie (NFCS) van 1999, is aangepas en gebruik om gewoontelike inname en eetgewoontes van die 50 Indiër voorskoolse kinders te bepaal. Lengte en gewig is m.b.v. standaad tegnieke bepaal om die antropometriese status van die kinders te evalueer. Resultate: Die voorkoms van ondergewig was 14%. Dwerggroei het slegs 8% van die kinders geaffekteer en 2% het 'n risiko vir oorgewig getoon. Die gemiddelde energie inname van die kinders was hoër as wat aanbeveel word vir hierdie ouderdomsgroep. 'n Hoë vetinname is gevind, met 'n totale vet bydrae van 42% tot die daaglikse totale energie (TE) inname. Die bydrae van koolhidrate en proteïen tot TE was 45% en 10% respektiewelik. Lae gemiddelde innames van die volgende mikrovoedingstowwe is gevind (minder as 67% van die RDA): kalsium (22% van die kinders), vitamien D (90%), sink (56%) en jodium (90%), respektiewelik. Gebasseer op die 24-H-R, was die inname van die oorblywende mikrovoedingstowwe óf hoër óf gelyk aan wat aanbeveel word vir die betrokke ouderdomsgroep wanneer vergelyk word met die 1989 RDA. Gevolgtrekkings: Ten spyte van 'n relatiewe hoë voorkoms van ondergewig in vergelyking met oorgewig in hierdie voorskoolse kinders, was dieetinname voldoende in terme van totale aanbevole energie vir die ouderdomsgroep. Totale vetinname, wat 42% van TE uitgemaak het, was egter hoog en versadigde vette het 15% van TE bedra. Hierdie verskynsel is 'n rede tot kommer aangesien oormatige vetinname reeds geïmpliseer is in die etiologie van KHS, vetsug en sommige vorms van kanker, en KHS is een van die belangrikste oorsake van morbiditeit en mortaliteit in Suid Afrika, veralonder die Indiër bevolking.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research aim The study aimed to explore the associations between agricultural biodiversity, household food security and dietary diversity in households with children aged 24 to 59 months in two rural areas of Kenya, of which one had higher rainfall and agricultural biodiversity than the other. Methods Study sample and location The study adopted a cross-sectional analytical approach to investigate the associations in resource in poor households in two rural areas; Akithii and Uringu of Kenya. Of the 525 households randomly selected, 261 were from Uringu division and 264 from Akithii division. Two independent cross-sectional surveys were conducted; Phase one in September to October 2011 (during the dry season) while Phase 2 took place in March 2012 (during the rainy season). A questionnaire was developed to gather information on the socio-demographics of the household, breastfeeding and infant feeding practices, immunization and childhood illnesses. Dietary intake was measured during each season by conducting a repeated 24-hour recall (24-hr recall) with the mother/care giver of the household. A nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) was calculated for each nutrient as the percent of the nutrient meeting the recommended dietary intake (RDI) value for that nutrient. A mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was calculated for 11 nutrients as the mean of the NARs of these nutrients. Dietary diversity was measured using data from the 24-hour recalls and classifying it into nine food groups. A dietary diversity score (DDS) was calculated based on each different food group which was consumed during the period of recall up to a maximum of nine if the food had been consumed from each of the nine groups. Household food security (HFS) was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The agricultural biodiversity was calculated by counting the number of different crops and animals eaten either from domestic sources or from the wild. Weight and height measurements of children and their mothers/care givers were taken. Weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and weight for height z (WHZ) scores were determined for children, while body mass index (BMI) measurements were calculated for the adult women. The relationships between continuous response variables and nominal input variables were analyzed using appropriate analysis of variance (ANOVA) or pooled, paired and independent mean T-tests when only two groups were involved. Results Dietary intake was low with the majority of households not meeting the RDIs for most nutrients. The MAR was 61.3%; 61.8% for Phase 1 and 2 respectively. The DDS was low at 3.3 ±1.2 for both Phases. The majority of households were food insecure with a HFIAS mean of 12.8 ± 6.19 and 10.9 ± 7.49 for Phase 1 and 2 respectively. Agricultural biodiversity was low with a total of 26 items; 23 domesticated and 3 from the natural habitat. Two food items from the natural habitat originated from plants and one from animals. Exclusive breastfeeding up to the recommended six months was practiced at low rates of 23.4% while 39.3% of mothers in both divisions introduced complementary foods before 6 months of age. Stunted growth among the children was high at a mean of 30.5% (n=291). Boys had higher stunted growth rates in both divisions compared to the girls. A significant positive relationship was established between the number of contributors to household income with height for age z-scores (HAZ) scores of the children (Spearman r=-0.15, p=0.02). The number of household assets also significantly influenced HAZ scores (Spearman r=-0.17, p=0.01), the higher the number of household assets, the lower HAZ scores were. During Phase 1 (dry season) (pooled t-test, p<0.001), levels of food insecurity were higher compared to Phase 2 (wet season) (pooled t-test, p<0.001); showing the influence of season on food security. Phases 1 & 2 showed that Akithii had a significantly higher level of food insecurity (Mann-Whitney U; p<0.01), and a lower DDS (chi-square test, p<0.001) compared to Uringu. Children in Akithii consumed a less diversified diet than those in Uringu. Agricultural biodiversity was positively and significantly related to: HFIAS (Spearman r=-0.10, p=0.02); DDS (ANOVA, p<0.001); all NARs (Spearman, p<0.05) and MAR (Spearman, p<0.001).This implies that households with higher agricultural biodiversity were more likely to be food secure, have higher dietary diversity levels and a diet comprising a higher nutritional value. DDS was significantly correlated to MAR and NARs of all the nutrients studied in this study. Findings showed that DDS was also consistently significantly inversely correlated to Household Food Insecurity Access Prevalence (HFIAP) (R =-0.185, t (N-2)-3.889), p=0.0001). This correlation showed that an increase in dietary diversity inversely affected HFIAS. A significant relationship was found between HFIAP and MAR (ANOVA, p=0.00268); indicating that households with a higher MAR were more likely to be food secure. There was a significant correlation between the BMI of the mother/care giver and the WAZ scores of the children (r=0.1410, p<0.001); indicating that higher HAZ scores were found in mothers with higher mean BMI values. There was a significant difference between households with and without children with stunted growth in DDS (ANOVA; p=0.047) and HFIAS (ANOVA; p=0.009) but not with agricultural biodiversity score (ANOVA; p=0.486). The agricultural biodiversity mean score for households with children presenting with stunted growth were, however, lower at 6.8, compared to 7.0 for those with normal growth however the p value was not significant. This indicates that households with children with stunted growth and those without are significantly different in DDS and HFIAS but not regarding agricultural biodiversity. This further implies that the potential of DDS and HFIAS to be used as proxy measures for stunting be further explored. Conclusion Agricultural biodiversity has a positive impact on household food security, dietary diversity, dietary adequacy and child growth. Food security is closely linked to dietary diversity and dietary adequacy; therefore improving one is likely to improve the other two and impact positively on child growth status. Interventions to improve child health and food security in resource poor rural households should aim at increasing dietary diversity through agricultural biodiversity. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsingsdoel Die studie is daarop gemik om die assosiasies tussen die landbou-biodiversiteit, huishoudelike voedselsekerheid en dieetdiversiteit in huishoudings met kinders tussen die ouderdomme van 24 tot 59 maande in twee landelike gebiede van Kenia, waarvan een 'n hoër reënval en landbou-biodiversiteit as die ander gehad het, te verken. Metodes Studie steekproef en plek Die studie het 'n deursnit-analitiese benadering aangeneem om die assosiasies te ondersoek in hulpbron-arm huishoudings in twee landelike gebiede; Akithii en Uringu van Kenia. Van die 525 huishoudings wat ewekansig gekies is, was 261 van Uringu afdeling en 264 van Akithii afdeling. Twee onafhanklike deursnit-opnames is uitgevoer; fase een in September tot Oktober 2011 (tydens die droë seisoen), terwyl Fase 2 in Maart 2012 (gedurende die reënseisoen) plaasgevind het. 'n Vraelys is ontwikkel om inligting oor die sosio-demografie van die huishouding, borsvoeding en babavoeding praktyke, immunisering en kindersiektes in te samel. Dieetinname is gemeet tydens elke seisoen deur die uitvoer van 'n herhaalde 24-uur herroep met die moeder / versorger van die huishouding. 'n Voedingstof toereikendheidsverhouding (VTR) is bereken vir elke voedingstof, uitgedruk as die persentasie van die voedingstof wat voldoen aan die aanbevole dieetinname (ADI) waarde vir daardie voedingstof. 'n Gemiddelde toereikendheidsverhouding (GTR) is bereken vir 11 voedingstowwe uitgedruk as die gemiddelde van die VTR‘s van hierdie voedingstowwe. Dieetdiversiteit is gemeet deur data vanuit die 24-uur herroepe, geklassifiseer in nege voedselgroepe. 'n Dieetdiversiteit telling (DDT) is bereken op grond van elke verskillende voedselgroep wat gedurende die tydperk van herroep ingeneem is tot 'n maksimum van nege, indien die voedsel verbruik is uit elk van die nege groepe. Huishoudelike voedselsekerheid (HVS) is gemeet deur die huishoudelike voedselonsekerheid toegangskaal (HVOTS) te gebruik. Die landbou-biodiversiteit is bereken deur die som te bereken van die aantal verskillende gewasse en diere geëet óf van huishoudelike bronne óf uit die natuur. Gewig en lengte metings is geneem van die kinders en hul moeders / versorgers. Gewig vir ouderdom (GVO), lengte vir ouderdom (LVO) en gewig vir lengte (GVL) Z-tellings is bepaal vir die kinders, terwyl die liggaamsmassa-indeks (LMI) metings bereken is vir die volwasse vroue. Die verhoudings tussen aaneenlopende reaksie veranderlikes en nominale inset veranderlikes is ontleed met behulp van toepaslike analise van variansie (ANOVA) of saamgevoegde, gepaarde en onafhanklike gemiddelde T-toetse, indien slegs twee groepe betrokke was. Resultate Dieetinname was laag en die meerderheid van huishoudings het nie aan die ADIs vir die meeste voedingstowwe voldoen nie. Die GTR is 61,3% en 61,8% vir onderskeidelik fase 1 en 2. Die DDT is laag; 3,3 ±1,2 vir beide fases. Die meerderheid van huishoudings was voedselonseker met 'n gemiddelde HVOST van 12,8 ±6,19 en 10,9 ±7,49 vir onderskeidelik fase 1 en 2. Landbou-biodiversiteit was laag met 'n totaal van 26 items, 23 huishoudelike en 3 vanuit die natuurlike habitat. Twee voedselitems uit die natuurlike habitat was afkomstig van plante en een vanaf diere. Eksklusiewe borsvoeding, tot die aanbevole ses maande, was laag en beoefen deur 23,4%, terwyl 39,3% van die moeders, in beide streke, komplimentêre voedsel voor 6 maande ouderdom bekendgestel het. Vertraagde groei onder die kinders was hoog met 'n gemiddeld van 30,5% (n=291). Seuns het hoër vertraagde groei in beide streke in vergelyking met dogters getoon. ʼn Beduidende positiewe verhouding is gevind tussen die aantal bydraers tot huishoudelike inkomste en lengte vir ouderdom z-tellings (LOZ) van die kinders (Spearman r=-0,15, P=0,02). Die aantal huishoudelike bates het ook LOZ tellings (Spearman r=-0,17, P=0,01) aansienlik beïnvloed; hoe hoër die aantal huishoudelike bates, hoe laer die LOZ tellings. Tydens fase 1 (droë seisoen) (saamgevoegde t-toets, p<0.001), was vlakke van voedselonsekerheid hoër in vergelyking met fase 2 (nat seisoen) (saamgevoegde t-toets, p <0.001), wat die invloed van die seisoenaliteit op voedeselsekerheid uitwys. Fase 1 en 2 het gewys dat Akithii ʼn beduidende hoër vlak van voedselonsekerheid gehad het (Mann-Whitney U; p<0.01) en ʼn laer DDT (chi-square toets, p<0.001) in vergelyking met Uringu. Kinders in Akithii het ʼn dieet laer in diversiteit ingeneem as die in Uringu. Landbou-biodiversiteit is positief en beduidend verwant aan: HVOTS (Spearman r = -0,10, P = 0,02); DDT (ANOVA, p<0.001), alle VTR‘s (Spearman, p <0.05) en GTR (Spearman, p <0.001). Dit impliseer dat huishoudings met 'n hoër landbou-biodiversiteit, meer geneig is om voedselseker te wees, hoër dieetdiversiteit vlakke en ʼn hoër voedingswaarde het. DDT is beduidend gekorreleer aan GTR en VTT‘s van al die voedingstowwe wat bestudeer is in hierdie studie. Bevindinge het getoon dat DDT konsekwent en beduidend omgekeerd gekorreleer is met huishoudelike voedselonsekerheid toegang prevalensie (HVOTP) (R=-0,185, t(N-2)-3,889), p=0,0001). Hierdie korrelasie toon dat 'n toename in dieetdiversiteit HVOTS omgekeerd beïnvloed het. ʼn Betekenisvolle verhouding is gevind tussen HVOTP en GTR (ANOVA, p=0,00268); wat aandui dat huishoudings met 'n hoër GTR meer geneig is om voedselsekerheid te toon. Daar is 'n beduidende korrelasie tussen die LMI van die moeder / versorger en die GOZ tellings van die kinders (r=0,1410, p<0.001), wat aandui dat hoër LOZ tellings gevind is in moeders met hoër gemiddelde LMI waardes. Daar is 'n beduidende verskil tussen huishoudings met en sonder kinders met dwerggroei se DDT (ANOVA; p=0.047) en HVOTS (ANOVA; p=0.009) maar nie die landbou-diversiteit telling nie (ANOVA; p=0.486). Die gemiddelde landbou-diversiteit telling vir huishoudings met en sonder kinders met dwerggroei is egter laer met 6.8 in vergelyking met 7.0 vir die met normale groei. Die p-waarde is egter nie beduidend nie. Dit dui aan dat huishoudings met kinders met dwerggroei en daarsonder beduidend verskillend is ten opsigte van DDT en HVOTS, maar nie met landbou-diversiteit in die studie nie. Dit impliseer verder dat die potensiaal van DDT en HVOTS om gebruik te word as alternatiewe metings vir dwerggroei verder ondersoek moet word. Gevolgtrekking Landbou-biodiversiteit het 'n positiewe impak op huishoudelike voedselsekerheid, dieetdiversiteit, dieettoereikendheid en groei van kinders. Voedselsekerheid is nou gekoppel aan dieetdiversiteit en dieettoereikendheid, daarom sal die verbetering van die een waarskynlik die ander twee positief beïnvloed asook ʼn positiewe impak hê op die groei van kinders. Intervensies vir die verbetering van kindergesondheid en voedselsekerheid in hulpbron-arm landelike huishoudings moet poog om dieetdiversiteit te verhoog deur landbou-biodiversiteit.

Introdução: o timo é importante órgão linfoide do sistema imunológico. Estudos mostraram que, durante o período fetal, a atrofia desse órgão faz parte da resposta adaptativa do feto ao ambiente intrauterino adverso, como a desnutrição crônica causada pela insuficiência placentária. Essa situação pode explicar a associação entre restrição de crescimento intrauterino e as alterações no sistema imunológico após o nascimento, na infância e na adolescência. Objetivos: analisar as dimensões do timo fetal pela ultrassonografia em gestações com insuficiência placentária, comparando com gestações de alto risco sem insuficiência placentária e gestações de baixo risco. Métodos: estudo prospectivo com 30 gestações com insuficiência placentária (Doppler de artéria umbilical com índice de pulsatilidade > p95) comparadas com 30 de alto risco e 30 de baixo risco (grupo controle). Os critérios de inclusão foram: idade gestacional entre 26 e 37 semanas, feto único e vivo, ausência de malformações fetais, membranas íntegras, ausência de sinais de trabalho de parto, ausência de infecção materna ou fetal e não realização de corticoterapia antes da avaliação ultrassonográfica fetal. O timo fetal foi identificado na interface com os pulmões, na altura dos três vasos da base do coração, no corte do tórax fetal. Foram realizadas três medidas do diâmetro transverso (DT) e do perímetro (P) do timo, e as médias foram utilizadas para análise, transformadas em escores zeta, de acordo com a idade gestacional em que se efetuou a medida. Foram realizadas as medidas ultrassonográficas da circunferência cefálica (CC) e do comprimento do fêmur (CF) fetal, com as quais se calculou as relações DT/CF, DT/CC, P/CF e P/CC. Resultados: o grupo com insuficiência placentária apresentou mediana significativamente maior do escore zeta do IP da artéria umbilical quando comparado ao grupo de alto risco e controle (4,6 vs. -0,5 vs. -0,2, p < 0,001). As medidas do timo fetal no grupo com insuficiência placentária [escore zeta do DT (média=-0,69; DP=0,83) e escore zeta do P (média=-0,73; DP=0,68)] foram significativamente (p < 0,001) menores quando comparadas aos grupos de alto risco [escore zeta do DT (média=0,49; DP=1,13) e escore zeta do P (média=0,45; DP=0,96)] e controle [escore zeta do DT (média=0,83; DP=0,85) e escore zeta do P (média=0,26; DP=0,89)]. Nas relações estudadas, houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) na média dos grupos: insuficiência placentária (DT/CC=0,10, P/CF=1,32 e P/CC=0,26); alto risco (DT/CC=0,11, P/CF=1,40 e P/CC=0,30) e controle (DT/CC=0,11, P/CF=1,45 e P/CC=0,31). Conclusão: em gestações complicadas pela insuficiência placentária, ocorre redução das dimensões do timo fetal sugerindo que pode ser decorrente da adaptação fetal ao ambiente intrauterino adverso / Introduction: thymus gland is an important lymphoid organ involved in immune response. Studies have shown that during fetal life, thymus atrophy is part of an adaptive response to a compromised intrauterine environment, like chronic malnutrition due to placental insufficiency. This may explain the association between intrauterine growth restriction and later altered immune function. Objective: to evaluate fetal thymus by ultrasonography in pregnancies with placental insufficiency and compare to high risk pregnancies without placental insufficiency and low risk pregnancies. Methods: a prospective study with 30 pregnancies with placental insufficiency (umbilical artery Doppler with pulsatility index > p95), compared to 30 high risk pregnancies and 30 low risk pregnancies (control group). The inclusion criteria were: gestational age ranging from 26 to 37 weeks, singleton pregnancies, absence of fetal malformations, intact membranes, not in labor, no signs of maternal or fetal infection, and no corticotherapy before the ultrasound evaluation. Fetal thymus was identified in its interface with the lungs, at the level of the tree-vessel view of the fetal thorax. Three measures of thymus transverse diameter (TD) and perimeter (P) were made, and the media were converted into zeta score according to the gestational age. Head circumference (HC) and femur length (F) were also measured and used in the calculation of the relations TD/F, TD/HC, P/F, P/HC. Results: the group with placental insufficiency presented median of umbilical artery PI elevated, when compared to high risk pregnancies and low risk pregnancies (4.6 vs. -0.5 vs. -0.2, p < 0.001). Fetal thymus measurements were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in pregnancies with placental insufficiency [TD zeta score (media=-0.69; SD=0.83) and P zeta score (media=-0.73; SD=0.68)] when compared to high risk pregnancies [TD zeta score (media=0.49; SD=1.13) and P zeta score (media=0.45; DP=0.96)] and control group [TD zeta score (media=0.83; SD=0.85) and P zeta score (media=0.26; SD=0.89)]. There was significant difference (p < 0,05) in the relations studied among the groups: pregnancies with placental insufficiency (TD/HC=0.10, P/F=1.32 e P/HC=0.26), high risk pregnancies (TD/HC=0.11, P/F=1.40, P/HC=0.30) and control group (DT/HC=0.11, P/F=1.45, P/HC=0.31). Conclusion: fetal thymus measurements are reduced in pregnancies with placental insufficiency, suggesting that it is a fetal adaptive response for adverse environment

Food insecurity or low-access to good quality, affordable foods affects minority women and children disproportionately (Herndon, 2014; Ivers & Cullen, 2011; Lee, 2012; Wigg Dammann & Smith, 2009). Linked to the rise in nutritionrelated and other health problems afflicting these populations (e.g., malnutrition, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure among others) (Azarbad & Gonder- Frederick, 2010; Bove & Olson, 2006; Larson, Story, & Nelson, 2009), this issue has been gaining some attention. Still, programs combating weight and “weightrelated disorders” generally focus on individualistic solutions (Orbach, Bodies 2009)—such as increasing daily exercise and vilifying certain diets. Dismissing important spatial and systematic aspects, these approaches rather perpetuate problematic socio-political, economic, medical, and ideological biases informing our understanding of poverty, health and food. This project offers and alternative perspective. Most importantly, it 1) scrutinizes sexist, classist and racist constructs across the literature on overweight, obesity, poverty, and health; 2) examines the relationship between our food system, the growth in nutrition-related diseases, and the intersections of gender, race, and class within food insecure communities; and 3) analyzes interview data looking for important and resonating themes that could guide the development of more efficient local food access strategies. As this study shows, these women’s experiences, knowledge, and strategies have the potential of, not only helping eradicate food insecurity across South Florida, but also combating a great number of the nutrition-related health problems afflicting these populations. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Introdução: o timo é importante órgão linfoide do sistema imunológico. Estudos mostraram que, durante o período fetal, a atrofia desse órgão faz parte da resposta adaptativa do feto ao ambiente intrauterino adverso, como a desnutrição crônica causada pela insuficiência placentária. Essa situação pode explicar a associação entre restrição de crescimento intrauterino e as alterações no sistema imunológico após o nascimento, na infância e na adolescência. Objetivos: analisar as dimensões do timo fetal pela ultrassonografia em gestações com insuficiência placentária, comparando com gestações de alto risco sem insuficiência placentária e gestações de baixo risco. Métodos: estudo prospectivo com 30 gestações com insuficiência placentária (Doppler de artéria umbilical com índice de pulsatilidade > p95) comparadas com 30 de alto risco e 30 de baixo risco (grupo controle). Os critérios de inclusão foram: idade gestacional entre 26 e 37 semanas, feto único e vivo, ausência de malformações fetais, membranas íntegras, ausência de sinais de trabalho de parto, ausência de infecção materna ou fetal e não realização de corticoterapia antes da avaliação ultrassonográfica fetal. O timo fetal foi identificado na interface com os pulmões, na altura dos três vasos da base do coração, no corte do tórax fetal. Foram realizadas três medidas do diâmetro transverso (DT) e do perímetro (P) do timo, e as médias foram utilizadas para análise, transformadas em escores zeta, de acordo com a idade gestacional em que se efetuou a medida. Foram realizadas as medidas ultrassonográficas da circunferência cefálica (CC) e do comprimento do fêmur (CF) fetal, com as quais se calculou as relações DT/CF, DT/CC, P/CF e P/CC. Resultados: o grupo com insuficiência placentária apresentou mediana significativamente maior do escore zeta do IP da artéria umbilical quando comparado ao grupo de alto risco e controle (4,6 vs. -0,5 vs. -0,2, p < 0,001). As medidas do timo fetal no grupo com insuficiência placentária [escore zeta do DT (média=-0,69; DP=0,83) e escore zeta do P (média=-0,73; DP=0,68)] foram significativamente (p < 0,001) menores quando comparadas aos grupos de alto risco [escore zeta do DT (média=0,49; DP=1,13) e escore zeta do P (média=0,45; DP=0,96)] e controle [escore zeta do DT (média=0,83; DP=0,85) e escore zeta do P (média=0,26; DP=0,89)]. Nas relações estudadas, houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) na média dos grupos: insuficiência placentária (DT/CC=0,10, P/CF=1,32 e P/CC=0,26); alto risco (DT/CC=0,11, P/CF=1,40 e P/CC=0,30) e controle (DT/CC=0,11, P/CF=1,45 e P/CC=0,31). Conclusão: em gestações complicadas pela insuficiência placentária, ocorre redução das dimensões do timo fetal sugerindo que pode ser decorrente da adaptação fetal ao ambiente intrauterino adverso / Introduction: thymus gland is an important lymphoid organ involved in immune response. Studies have shown that during fetal life, thymus atrophy is part of an adaptive response to a compromised intrauterine environment, like chronic malnutrition due to placental insufficiency. This may explain the association between intrauterine growth restriction and later altered immune function. Objective: to evaluate fetal thymus by ultrasonography in pregnancies with placental insufficiency and compare to high risk pregnancies without placental insufficiency and low risk pregnancies. Methods: a prospective study with 30 pregnancies with placental insufficiency (umbilical artery Doppler with pulsatility index > p95), compared to 30 high risk pregnancies and 30 low risk pregnancies (control group). The inclusion criteria were: gestational age ranging from 26 to 37 weeks, singleton pregnancies, absence of fetal malformations, intact membranes, not in labor, no signs of maternal or fetal infection, and no corticotherapy before the ultrasound evaluation. Fetal thymus was identified in its interface with the lungs, at the level of the tree-vessel view of the fetal thorax. Three measures of thymus transverse diameter (TD) and perimeter (P) were made, and the media were converted into zeta score according to the gestational age. Head circumference (HC) and femur length (F) were also measured and used in the calculation of the relations TD/F, TD/HC, P/F, P/HC. Results: the group with placental insufficiency presented median of umbilical artery PI elevated, when compared to high risk pregnancies and low risk pregnancies (4.6 vs. -0.5 vs. -0.2, p < 0.001). Fetal thymus measurements were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in pregnancies with placental insufficiency [TD zeta score (media=-0.69; SD=0.83) and P zeta score (media=-0.73; SD=0.68)] when compared to high risk pregnancies [TD zeta score (media=0.49; SD=1.13) and P zeta score (media=0.45; DP=0.96)] and control group [TD zeta score (media=0.83; SD=0.85) and P zeta score (media=0.26; SD=0.89)]. There was significant difference (p < 0,05) in the relations studied among the groups: pregnancies with placental insufficiency (TD/HC=0.10, P/F=1.32 e P/HC=0.26), high risk pregnancies (TD/HC=0.11, P/F=1.40, P/HC=0.30) and control group (DT/HC=0.11, P/F=1.45, P/HC=0.31). Conclusion: fetal thymus measurements are reduced in pregnancies with placental insufficiency, suggesting that it is a fetal adaptive response for adverse environment

<p><strong>Aim:</strong> The aim of this study was to describe the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity levels (PAL) within a group of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to compare the results with a control group with healthy children. The aim also was to compare the rated activity levels between the groups as well comparing the difference between boys and girls within the groups. <strong>Method:</strong> The study included 30 participating children, divided into two groups with 15 participants in each group. One of the groups was a CF-group and the other a group of controls, matched for gender and age. Activity diaries were studied and data were presented decrepitly and analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum test. <strong>Result:</strong> The result showed no difference between the groups while comparing TEE and PAL. Half of the participants in both groups (53,34 % and 46,67 %) reached a moderate or high physical activity level during the registration. No significance was proved between the groups as they rated their activity level, numbered 6-9, in their activity diaries. Neither could any differences be proved significant in rated activity between the boys and girls within the groups. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> The conclusion was that no significant differences appeared regarding TEE or PAL between the CF-group and the control group participating in this study. Neither were there any differences in activity level between boys and girls within the groups.</p> / <p><strong>Syfte:</strong> Syftet med studien var att beskriva energiomsättning och fysisk aktivitetsnivå hos en grupp barn med cystisk fibros (CF) och jämföra resultatet med friska barn i en kontrollgrupp. Syftet var också att jämföra skattade aktivitetsnivåer mellan grupperna samt mellan flickor och pojkar inom de båda grupperna. <strong>Metod:</strong> I studien deltog 30 barn, indelade i två grupper om 15 deltagare. Grupperna var en CF-grupp och en kontrollgrupp matchad efter kön och ålder. Aktivitetsdagböcker granskades och data sammanställdes och data presenterades deskriptivt och analyserades med Wilcoxsons rangsummetest. <strong>Resultat:</strong> Resultatet visade att det inte fanns skillnad mellan de båda grupperna vid jämförelse av TEE och PAL. Ungefär hälften av alla deltagare (53,34 % resp. 46,67 %) nådde moderat eller hög aktivitetsnivå under de registrerade dagarna. Det förekom ingen signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna med avseende antal skattade 6-9:or i aktivitetsdagboken. Inte heller någon skillnad mellan könen inom de båda grupperna kunde påvisas. <strong>Slutsats:</strong> Slutsatsen var att det inte fanns någon signifikant skillnad beträffande energiomsättning eller fysisk aktivitet mellan barn med CF och friska barn som deltog i denna studie. Inte heller kunde någon skillnad i aktivitetsnivå mellan könen inom grupperna påvisas.</p>

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the total energy expenditure (TEE) and physical activity levels (PAL) within a group of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to compare the results with a control group with healthy children. The aim also was to compare the rated activity levels between the groups as well comparing the difference between boys and girls within the groups. Method: The study included 30 participating children, divided into two groups with 15 participants in each group. One of the groups was a CF-group and the other a group of controls, matched for gender and age. Activity diaries were studied and data were presented decrepitly and analyzed with Wilcoxon rank sum test. Result: The result showed no difference between the groups while comparing TEE and PAL. Half of the participants in both groups (53,34 % and 46,67 %) reached a moderate or high physical activity level during the registration. No significance was proved between the groups as they rated their activity level, numbered 6-9, in their activity diaries. Neither could any differences be proved significant in rated activity between the boys and girls within the groups. Conclusion: The conclusion was that no significant differences appeared regarding TEE or PAL between the CF-group and the control group participating in this study. Neither were there any differences in activity level between boys and girls within the groups. / Syfte: Syftet med studien var att beskriva energiomsättning och fysisk aktivitetsnivå hos en grupp barn med cystisk fibros (CF) och jämföra resultatet med friska barn i en kontrollgrupp. Syftet var också att jämföra skattade aktivitetsnivåer mellan grupperna samt mellan flickor och pojkar inom de båda grupperna. Metod: I studien deltog 30 barn, indelade i två grupper om 15 deltagare. Grupperna var en CF-grupp och en kontrollgrupp matchad efter kön och ålder. Aktivitetsdagböcker granskades och data sammanställdes och data presenterades deskriptivt och analyserades med Wilcoxsons rangsummetest. Resultat: Resultatet visade att det inte fanns skillnad mellan de båda grupperna vid jämförelse av TEE och PAL. Ungefär hälften av alla deltagare (53,34 % resp. 46,67 %) nådde moderat eller hög aktivitetsnivå under de registrerade dagarna. Det förekom ingen signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna med avseende antal skattade 6-9:or i aktivitetsdagboken. Inte heller någon skillnad mellan könen inom de båda grupperna kunde påvisas. Slutsats: Slutsatsen var att det inte fanns någon signifikant skillnad beträffande energiomsättning eller fysisk aktivitet mellan barn med CF och friska barn som deltog i denna studie. Inte heller kunde någon skillnad i aktivitetsnivå mellan könen inom grupperna påvisas.

Zinc and manganese have long been considered as essential micronutrients to plant growth, yet the interactions of the two nutrients on growth and development of plants have not been elucidated in their entirety. Silicon is not classed as an essential element, but has been found to improve growth of a number of crops, particularly of the Poaceae family. A simple water culture hydroponic system was developed to monitor the growth and development of a fruit crop (Cucumber – Cucumis sativus) under deficient, adequate and excessive applications of zinc and manganese. Plant growth parameters were monitored including leaf growth, plant height, plant fresh and dry mass, yield, fruit size and fruit mass. Nutrient uptake was also measured using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, whilst chlorophyll was determined spectrophotometrically. Plant nutrient analyses were also conducted using inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. Silicon was found to have a beneficial effect on the growth of cucumbers and was incorporated as a treatment for this crop along with zinc and manganese since foliar silicon sprays were able to correct the occurrence of mineral deficiency symptoms. Along with plant growth measurements, nutrient uptake, plant nutrient analysis and chlorophyll determination, plant tissue was also analysed using transmission electron microscopy to establish the impact of silicon applications on the cell ultra-structure of cucumbers. Electron micrographs showed an increased presence of plasmodesmata in treatments excluding silicon. Such increased plasmodesmata connections under silicon deficient conditions could increase translocation of cell solutes due to reduced cell longevity. Results also confirmed the essentiality of zinc and manganese on plant growth and development as typical deficiency symptoms were observed. Typical toxicity symptoms were also recorded. Rates of uptake of nutrients corresponded with leaf growth and enlargement as well as yield. The chlorophyll concentration was not a clear indicator of nutrient application level. Typically, manganese and zinc interacted with iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium, affecting their uptake into the plant dependent on the level of manganese and zinc applied. Although non-essential, silicon improved plant growth, but had neither a relationship with the other nutrients evaluated nor affected the physical growth and development of the plants. Manganese and zinc, as essential to plant growth and development, affect the visual appearance of the plant as well as affect the plant biochemically due to their involvement in many growth and development processes. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Thesis, PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Edited by Alan Berg, Nevin S. Scrimshaw [and] David L. Call. / Includes bibliographical references.