Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Technology))--Peninsula Technikon, 2004. / The prevalence of obesity amongst both the adult and paediatric population has assumed almost epidemic proportions in many developed and developing countries. A recent study by the Medical Research Council found that a disturbing 20% of all South African children could be categorized as being obese. Limited data is currently available on the prevalence of obesity in South African children, particularly from the previously disadvantaged population. Given the global epidemic of paediatric obesity, hypertension and type-2-diabetes and the limited available data relating to obese South African children, further studies to enhance the understanding of the risk factors associated with the epidemic are imperative.

Orientador: Roberto Vilarta / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Fisica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T05:38:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Boccaletto_EstelaMarinaAlves_M.pdf: 1973103 bytes, checksum: a8af3a81a7a33ef4082d277fbe7fbb9b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar o estado nutricional e a composição corporal de escolares do ensino fundamental do Município de Vinhedo - SP. Foram estudados 375 meninos e 369 meninas, nas faixas etárias dos 7 aos 10 anos de idade, matriculados nas escolas públicas municipais de ensino fundamental. Para tal, foram mensuradas as variáveis antropométricas de peso, estatura e as de composição corporal ¿ massa livre de gordura, massa gorda e porcentagem de gordura corporal ¿ através da bioimpedância. As medidas foram padronizadas pela estatura2 para a obtenção do índice de massa corporal (massa corporal/estatura2), índice de massa gorda (massa gorda/estatura2) e índice de massa livre de gordura (massa livre de gordura/estatura2). Os critérios de classificação utilizados foram os estabelecidos pelo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) e pela International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Foram aplicados os testes t-Student e o não-paramétrico Mann Whitney para a verificação das diferenças estatísticas entre as faixas etárias e sexos, o método de correlação de Pearson e o de análise de variância General Linear Models (GLM). Como resultados foram observados prevalências de baixo peso de 8,4% e sobrepeso de 13,55% entre as meninas, e entre os meninos se observou uma prevalência de obesidade de 12,8%, valores estes acima dos esperados. Foram encontrados altos níveis de adiposidade, estes superiores a 30% de gordura corporal, para ambos os sexos, entre os escolares classificados como obesos. Ambos os critérios apresentaram boa capacidade de discriminação entre suas faixas de classificação utilizando como indicador o índice de massa corporal/idade, conforme os resultados obtidos pela análise de variância segundo o modelo General Linear Models (GLM). O índice de massa corporal apresentou bons níveis de correlação com o índice de massa gorda, índice de massa livre de gordura e a porcentagem de gordura corporal, por faixa etária e sexo segundo o método de correlação de Pearson. Estes resultados identificam uma situação de transição nutricional, uma vez que foram encontradas prevalências consideráveis de baixo peso e obesidade, indicando a necessidade de adoção de ações em promoção da saúde no ambiente escolar para a prevenção e correção deste quadro / Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status and the body composition of schoolchildren from Vinhedo ¿ S.P. elementary school. It was studied 375 boys and 369 girls between 7 to 10 years registered on elementary public school district. Stature and weight were measured in the standard fashion and fat-free mass, fat mass and percentage of body fat mass (%BFM) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). It was calculated from these values the body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI). It was used reference criteria from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). T-Student and Mann Whitney tests were done to verify statistics differences between ages and both sexes, and also Pearson correlation and General Linear Models (GLM) variance analysis. As results were observed underweight prevalence 8,4% and overweight 13,55% to the girls and obesity¿s prevalence 12,8% to the boys. These values were over expected. The body fatness among children with obesity was higher than 30% body fat mass. Both BMI criteria, CDC and IOTF, presented a good capacity to identify overweight among schoolchildren. BMI for age was well correlated with FMI, FFMI and % BMF among boys and girls in all age groups. These results identify a nutritional transition since that were found considerable underweight prevalence and obesity indicating that must be adopted actions to improve school health promotion to prevent and correct this situation / Mestrado / Mestre em Educação Física

My thesis examines food allocation and nutritional outcomes in a sample of 152 individuals in thirty-two households of sugarcane workers in the municipality of Gameleira, Northeast Brazil. Anthropometric data show that undernutrition and overnutrition coexist in the study population, and often within households – a consequence of the changes in diet and physical activity linked to the nutrition transition. Food allocation was examined using an indicator of the frequency of consumption of high status foods - non-staple foods which are considered more desirable than staples because they add variety and taste to an otherwise monotonous diet. I created an intra-household index of food allocation in order to observe each individual's consumption in relation to the average in his or her household at two seasonal points of the year. The sample was split into two groups, a group of more affluent households in which high status foods were eaten on the harvest and non-harvest dietary recalls, and a group of less affluent households in which no-one ate high status foods on the non-harvest recall. I found gender biases in the allocation of food in favour of men relative to women, and girls relative to boys, in the higher income group, but no gender biases in the group of less affluent households. In relation to age, I found biases in favour of children relative to adults in less affluent households, but not during seasonal shortage in the higher income households. The biases were greater in households with higher incomes, but lower in households in which women controlled some household income relative to households in which men controlled all income. I considered whether discriminatory behaviour underpins these biases, based largely on periods of observation in a sub-sample of six households, and concluded that food distribution operates as a powerful medium for the expression of differential status among men and women, but not among boys and girls, who have equal status in this population.

This research study addressed the nutritional beliefs and habits of African-American parents of children aged 3 to 6 years old. Both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were employed. Quantitative data was collected via the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire as well as a demographic questionnaire. Qualitative data was collected from oral interviews conducted by the researcher. Seventy-five parents or guardians participated in the study. Findings for the research questions revealed the participants' beliefs about nutrition directly correlated with food they provided for their children and most believed nutrition rather than genetics played a role in their child(ren)'s weight. Furthermore, parents from lower income families consumed more home cooked meals per week and those with higher incomes did not consume more fast food per week. Food intake restriction and control in feeding was similar among all participants, regardless of restriction and control in feeding was similar among all participants, regardless of education or income level. Suggestions for future research were included.

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Down syndrome (DS) is the most common aneuploidy to affect humans and occurs in approximately 1 of 750 live births. Individuals with DS present with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Common craniofacial phenotypic expressions include a small mandible, protruding tongue, and a flattened nasal bridge. These traits may affect the feeding, breathing, and swallowing of individuals with DS. Because some complications may go unnoticed for longer periods of time, we hypothesize that significant cardiac and GI defects may be indicative of feeding and airway difficulties. In order to better understand the secondary phenotypes resulting from DS, we have implemented a retrospective chart review of 137 infants between zero and six months of age who were evaluated through the Down Syndrome Program at Riley Hospital for Children from August 2005 to August 2008. Data regarding cardiac, gastrointestinal, endocrine, airway, auditory, and feeding abnormalities have been collected and incedences and comorbidites of these traits has been examined. Comprehensive results indicate cardiac abnormalities occur in 80% of infants, 60% experience gastrointestinal complications, feeding difficulties occur in 46%, and airway complications occur in 38% of infants. Infants with DS were found to be breastfed less over time, with an increase in tube feeds. Notably, we have found all infants with videofluoroscopic evaluations had some type of dysphagia. The presence of gastrointestinal abnormalities closely correlate with the need for tube feeds, and the comorbidity between GI anomalies and muscle tone appear to indicate the likelihood of feeding difficulties and need for altered feeding strategies. Comorbidities between feeding difficulties were nearly significant with cardiac defects and significant with GI abnormalities. Identification of such associations will help healthcare providers determine the best course of treatment and recommended feeding methodology for infants with DS. In order to utilize an in vitro model to study the craniofacial dysmorphologies seen in individuals with DS, cranial neural crest cells (NC) have been cultured. With these, we have begun to investigate the mechanisms behind a smaller trisomic mandibular precursor as compared to the euploid. With this in vitro model, we will be able to test proliferation, migration, and senescence of NC in a culture system.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition, Durban University of Technology, 2015. / Objective: To determine the contribution of packed school lunches to the daily food intake of girls and boys in two Primary Schools in East London. Methods: The study was conducted among 199 girls and boys aged 9-13 years. Three 24-Hour recalls and a Food Frequency Questionnaire were completed during an interview with the participants to gather data on dietary patterns over a period of three consecutive days. Additionally, the contents of one lunch box per participant were recorded and weighed. Anthropometrics and socio-demographics were also completed during the interview. Results: The three 24-Hour Recall nutrient measurements revealed a low energy intake in 91 percent for the girls and 77 percent for the boys who were consuming below the recommended Estimated Energy Requirement for energy. The lunchboxes contributed one-third of the daily nutrient intake of the children. The 24-Hour recall revealed an energy-dense, carbohydrate-based diet. The contribution of total fat (30-32%) to the total energy is higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of 15-30 percent. The daily fruit and vegetable intake (215.1g and 216.9g), according to the 24-Hour recall and lunchbox analysis respectively, was insufficient compared to the WHO-recommendation of >400g /day. Although the mean intake of most of the nutrients was sufficient, a large number of the participants did not meet requirements for the age group. The risk of overweight was high (24% for girls and 29.2% for boys) with 1.5 percent falling into the obese category. Conclusion: The results of the study indicated a high-fat and carbohydrate intake and a very low fruit and vegetable intake. The girl participants had better food choices for the lunchboxes but the majority of the participant’s daily intake did not meet the basic requirements of a balanced diet. The risk of overweight in the age category is an increasing problem among low- and high-income countries. Nutritional education should concentrate on healthy food choices in school lunchboxes as a large part of the day is spent at school.

Lok, Yuet Wan. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 156-176). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendix also in Chinese.

The primary research question to be answered from this study was: to what degree have school districts in the County of San Bernardino been able to respond to federal legislation mandating the design and implementation of local school wellness policies. A major finding was that the majority of districts have not yet implemented nutrition and wellness policies.

Thesis (M. Tech. (Environmental Health)) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2013 / Malnutrition and concomitant infections are major contributing factors to child morbidity and mortality in developing countries such as South Africa. Globally, children benefiting from school feeding programmes are generally from communities with low socio-economic statuses. The meals provided through feeding schemes, such as the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in South Africa, are aimed at significantly supplementing the beneficiaries’ daily energy and nutrient requirements. The possible nutrient deficiency of meals provided through such programmes compromises the nutritional well-being of children, promotes malnutrition and renders children more susceptible to infectious diseases. Furthermore, illness, particularly caused by diarrhoeal and infectious diseases, is a major factor contributing to child malnutrition as the human body is unable to efficiently digest foods and absorb nutrients during illness. Therefore, the microbiological safety of the foods served to children via feeding schemes is essential. In an effort to contribute towards the safety and wholesomeness of foodstuffs served through the NSNP, the present study was conducted with a view to assess the nutritional quality and safety of the foodstuffs. The knowledge, attitudes and practises (KAP) of food handlers and NSNP representatives/committee members at the schools were also investigated in order to assess origins of potential food contamination. Data collected via nutritional analyses of meals served to school children were compared to the nutrient-based standards set by the United Kingdom as guidelines for an average school lunch. The carbohydrate, energy, calcium and zinc contents of the school meals were below the standards, the majority of the meals met the protein and iron standards and all meals complied with the standards for lipid and vitamin C contents. During the microbiological analysis study, preparation surfaces yielded higher counts of all detected organisms (total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and yeasts and moulds) compared to the hands of food handlers. Therefore possible sources of contamination may be foodstuffs, animal pests and environmental elements such as dust. However, significant differences of surface microbial counts could not be established (P > 0.05) and thus cross-contamination may have resulted among surfaces, possibly augmented by shortfalls in cleaning regimes. The majority of the participants of the questionnaire survey reportedly washed their hands and cleaned all surfaces several times during the day with water and detergent. In addition, a disinfectant was used by some of the food preparers during cleaning. Furthermore, participants stated that their aprons were washed daily. These claims were in agreement with the findings of the surface microbial study with regards to the hands, however, they did not match the findings of the preparation surfaces which contained the highest counts of total coliforms, E. coli and S. aureus of the three surfaces analysed, and aprons responsible for the highest yeast and mould counts. Improper storage and food preparation methods, such as the application of high temperatures, excessive exposure to UV light and oxygen, and high moisture conditions, may result in the deterioration of nutrients. Storage conditions which may permit pest infestation may also increase the risk of food-related illnesses and risk could be further elevated by application of improper cleaning and sanitation practices. In order for the NSNP to operate effectively, it is essential that the national and provincial Departments of Basic Education, which are responsible for the overall administration of the NSNP, and schools’ personnel function in an integrated manner through support structures and effective communication. Infrastructural limitations (lack of proper kitchen facilities and ventilation) and shortage of resources while administering the NSNP were the main challenges observed during the present study. Due to these hurdles, adhering to food safety practices and maintaining nutritional quality of foods may be a challenge. Continuous training in personal and general hygiene is also a necessity in preserving food safety. Furthermore, nutritional quality of foodstuffs may be preserved through proper storage practices and application of preparation methods which minimize loss of nutrients.