Search

IntroductionLacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a well-studied probiotic with a history of safe use.MethodsIn this double-blind, prospective study, growth and tolerance were evaluated in healthy term infants randomized to: marketed, routine intact cow's milk protein-based formula (Control, n = 172) or a similar investigational formula with added LGG (INV-LGG, n = 179; 106 CFU LGG®/g powder) from 14 to 120 days of age. Anthropometrics, stool characteristics, fussiness, and gassiness were evaluated through Day 120. Medically confirmed adverse events were recorded throughout the study period. The primary outcome was rate of weight gain from Day 14–120.ResultsOf 351 infants enrolled, 275 completed (Control, n = 131; INV-LGG, n = 144). No significant group differences in rate of weight gain from Day 14–120 were detected. Study formula acceptance and tolerance was good with no significant differences in study discontinuation due to study formula or parent-reported gassiness, stool frequency, or stool consistency; however mean fussiness relative to normal was significantly lower for INV-LGG vs Control at Days 60 and 90.DiscussionIn healthy term infants, a routine intact cow's milk protein-based formula with added LGG supported adequate growth and was well tolerated. Further studies are needed to evaluate potential benefits for fussiness and efficacy outcomes. Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov, identifier (NCT01897922).

Copyright of Taiwan Law Review is the property of Angle Publishing Co., Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: To investigate the routine guidance provided by pediatricians concerning the timing of complementary feeding (CF) for both healthy infants and those at a heightened risk of allergies. Methods: A total of 233 pediatricians participated in an anonymous online survey that included questions about demographics and recommendations for CF. Specifically, they provided guidance on the types of foods, preparation methods, supplements, time intervals for introducing new foods to infants at low and high allergy risk, and delayed food introductions for high-risk cases. Results: The respondents advised introducing certain foods at specific ages: fruits, starchy non-gluten grains, vegetables, olive oil, and meat were appropriate at 6 months; gluten-rich grains at 7 months; yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, and legumes at 8 months; fish at 8.5 months; and nuts at 9 months. Pediatricians, especially those with less than 15 years of practice, often introduced egg, seafood, gluten-rich grains, legumes, and nuts earlier for high-risk infants. Parenthood and male gender were associated with the earlier introduction of eggs and grains. Conclusions: Greek pediatricians follow a structured food introduction schedule for CF in infants. Interestingly, they tend to delay the introduction of common food allergens and recommend longer intervals between introducing new foods, particularly for high-risk infants. Key Notes: Despite recent evidence-based indications on healthy complementary feeding strategies for infants, discrepancies persist among pediatricians regarding food choices and the order and timing of food introduction, both for healthy infants and those at risk of allergy. Guidance on complementary feeding by pediatricians is influenced by their individual characteristics. Pediatricians tend to delay the introduction of common food allergens and recommend longer intervals between introducing new foods, particularly for high-risk infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Purple Hibiscus shows how Kambili and Jaja, two teenage siblings, ultimately develop a tendency to combat their psychological tensions in a domestically abused environment under the God-like dictatorship of their father. Their father's extremely imposing attitude induces anxiety in both teenagers while subjugating their necessary freedom. The research focuses on the development of both siblings as adolescents, as adolescence is an important phase of life in developing a person's individuality. The work attempts to show the necessary transition in both siblings, Kambili and Jaja, leading to a healthy growth process as they display defiance to overcome the psychologically traumatic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a well-studied probiotic with a history of safe use., Methods: In this double-blind, prospective study, growth and tolerance were evaluated in healthy term infants randomized to: marketed, routine intact cow's milk protein-based formula (Control, n  = 172) or a similar investigational formula with added LGG (INV-LGG, n  = 179; 10 6 CFU LGG®/g powder) from 14 to 120 days of age. Anthropometrics, stool characteristics, fussiness, and gassiness were evaluated through Day 120. Medically confirmed adverse events were recorded throughout the study period. The primary outcome was rate of weight gain from Day 14-120., Results: Of 351 infants enrolled, 275 completed (Control, n  = 131; INV-LGG, n  = 144). No significant group differences in rate of weight gain from Day 14-120 were detected. Study formula acceptance and tolerance was good with no significant differences in study discontinuation due to study formula or parent-reported gassiness, stool frequency, or stool consistency; however mean fussiness relative to normal was significantly lower for INV-LGG vs Control at Days 60 and 90., Discussion: In healthy term infants, a routine intact cow's milk protein-based formula with added LGG supported adequate growth and was well tolerated. Further studies are needed to evaluate potential benefits for fussiness and efficacy outcomes., Clinical Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier (NCT01897922)., Competing Interests: JK, VL, JW, and WZ are employed by the study sponsor. CB, CH, and JV were previously employed by the study sponsor. MY was provided funding to independently enroll study participants., (© 2024 Berseth, Yeiser, Harris, Kinnaman, Lappin, Wampler, Zhuang and Vanderhoof.)

Formative research is critical for developing effective nutrition-specific interventions to improve infant and young child (IYC) feeding practices and promote healthy growth. Health workers interact with caregivers during health facility visits, yet there is limited research about how to optimize delivery of such interventions during these visits. The extensive reach of IYC health services globally calls for research to address this gap. In Trujillo, Peru, formative research was conducted to explore complementary feeding practices with caregivers as well as health worker routines and interactions with caregivers related to feeding and healthy growth; results informed the development and delivery of an educational intervention. Multiple qualitative methods were used to collect data on a purposive sample of health workers and caregivers from three health facilities and communities: household trials followed. Complementary feeding messages with doable behaviours were developed, and three were selected as key to promote based on their nutritional impact and cultural acceptability. In the health facilities, medical consultation, well-child visits and nutrition consultation all dealt with aspects of IYC nutrition/growth during their interactions with caregivers but were independent and inconsistent in approach. A nutrition education strategy was developed based on consistency, quality and coverage in the IYC health services. We conclude that formative research undertaken in the community and IYC health services was critical to developing a successful and culturally relevant intervention to promote optimal complementary feeding practices and healthy growth during interactions between health workers and caregivers at routine health facility visits. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood obesity in the United States is a serious problem that puts children at risk for poor health. Effective state-wide interventions are needed to address childhood obesity risk factors. Embedding evidence-based initiatives into state-level Early Care and Education (ECE) systems has the potential to improve health environments and promote healthy habits for the 12.5 million children attending ECE programs. Go NAPSACC, an online program that was adapted from an earlier paper version of Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC or NAP SACC), provides an evidence-based approach that aligns with national guidance from Caring for Our Children and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This study describes approaches undertaken across 22 states from May 2017 to May 2022 to implement and integrate Go NAPSACC into state-level systems. This study describes challenges encountered, strategies employed, and lessoned learned while implementing Go NAPSACC state-wide. To date, 22 states have successfully trained 1,324 Go NAPSACC consultants, enrolled 7,152 ECE programs, and aimed to impact 344,750 children in care. By implementing evidence-based programs, such as Go NAPSACC, ECE programs state-wide can make changes and monitor progress on meeting healthy best practice standards, increasing opportunities for all children to have a healthy start. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to “the health of the common living whole”, economy is a living organism, part of the human society, with which it is integrated in our microcosm environment. As organic component of the living, economy has as a viability criterion of its sense evolution the health of economic life which is in direct compatibility with human health, environment, communications, organizations, families and institutions.Flexibility, interrelating, the dynamic interdependencies and integration form the defining features of the living system of economy, able to self-organize through self- support and self regulation.A healthy economy is an efficient economy, with high productivity and competitiveness. Inverse relationship is not always true.

Childhood stunting is the best overall indicator of children's well ‐ being and an accurate reflection of social inequalities. Stunting is the most prevalent form of child malnutrition with an estimated 161 million children worldwide in 2013 falling below −2 SD from the length ‐ for ‐ age/height ‐ for ‐ age World Health Organization Child Growth Standards median. Many more millions suffer from some degree of growth faltering as the entire length ‐ for ‐ age/height ‐ for ‐ age z ‐ score distribution is shifted to the left indicating that all children, and not only those falling below a specific cutoff, are affected. Despite global consensus on how to define and measure it, stunting often goes unrecognized in communities where short stature is the norm as linear growth is not routinely assessed in primary health care settings and it is difficult to visually recognize it. Growth faltering often begins in utero and continues for at least the first 2 years of post ‐ natal life. Linear growth failure serves as a marker of multiple pathological disorders associated with increased morbidity and mortality, loss of physical growth potential, reduced neurodevelopmental and cognitive function and an elevated risk of chronic disease in adulthood. The severe irreversible physical and neurocognitive damage that accompanies stunted growth poses a major threat to human development. Increased awareness of stunting's magnitude and devastating consequences has resulted in its being identified as a major global health priority and the focus of international attention at the highest levels with global targets set for 2025 and beyond. The challenge is to prevent linear growth failure while keeping child overweight and obesity at bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to “the health of the common living whole”, economy is a living organism, part of the human society, with which it is integrated in our microcosm environment. As organic component of the living, economy has as a viability criterion of its sense evolution the health of economic life which is in direct compatibility with human health, environment, communications, organizations, families and institutions. Flexibility, interrelating, the dynamic interdependencies and integration form the defining features of the living system of economy, able to self-organize through self- support and self regulation. A healthy economy is an efficient economy, with high productivity and competitiveness. Inverse relationship is not always true.

The risk of stunted growth and development is affected by the context in which a child is born and grows. This includes such interdependent influences as the political economy, health and health care, education, society and culture, agriculture and food systems, water and sanitation, and the environment. Here, we briefly review how factors linked with the key sectors can contribute to healthy growth and reduced childhood stunting. Emphasis is placed on the role of agriculture/food security, especially family farming; education, particularly of girls and women; water, sanitation, and hygiene and their integration in stunting reduction strategies; social protection including cash transfers, bearing in mind that success in this regard is linked to reducing the gap between rich and poor; economic investment in stunting reduction including the work with the for-profit commercial sector balancing risks linked to marketing foods that can displace affordable and more sustainable alternatives; health with emphasis on implementing comprehensive and effective health care interventions and building the capacity of health care providers. We complete the review with examples of national and subnational multi-sectoral interventions that illustrate how critical it is for sectors to work together to reduce stunting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the differences in body composition and physical fitness between children who played table tennis regularly during a two-year period compared to physically active children who were not engaged in a regular activity. Three hundred seventy-four children aged 10 to 11 years were divided into two groups: table tennis players ( n = 109 boys and 73 girls) and physically active group ( n = 88 boys and 104 girls). Anthropometric analysis included body mass index, skinfolds, perimeters and bone diameters. Somatotype and body composition were determined according to age-specific equations. Physical fitness assessment included hand grip dynamometry (strength), sit-and-reach test (range of movement) and maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test (cardiovascular fitness). The result show that children who regularly played table tennis had greater bone development and superior physical fitness compared to those who were physically active but not engaged in a regular physical activity. This is the largest study to date presenting data about the potential of table tennis to benefit health in children. These results constitute an important first step in clarifying the effectiveness of table tennis as a health-promotion strategy to encourage children to undertake regular physical activity and limit sedentary behavior.

This study aimed to examine the fitness characteristics and to identify the influence of gender and practice experience between young amateur padel players. A total of thirty-four padel players ( n = 19 boys and 15 girls) aged 13 to 17 years old (age 14.6 ± 1.5 years; body mass 63.4 ± 14.5 kg; height 166.6 ± 9.8 cm; 6.2 ± 2.5 padel experience) volunteered to participate. Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance. Change of direction and agility were evaluated by two padel-adapted tests. Upper-limb strength measurement included overhead and side medicine ball throws with dominant and non-dominant hands. One-way ANCOVA was used to determine whether there were significant differences between gender and experience on fitness variables adjusting for age as a covariate. Male and female young padel players presented an apparently healthy body composition and exhibited similar performance in all fitness tests except for jumping ability. Practice experience seemed to influence upper-limb throwing strength, however, sub-analyses revealed no conclusive results. These results contribute to the existing knowledge in padel by providing new data about the fitness status of amateur young players aged 13 to 17 years old and open a window for future interventions using padel as a health promotion tool among youths.

The term complementary feeding is defined as the period in which a progressive reduction of breastfeeding or infant-formula feeding takes place, while the infant is gradually introduced to solid foods. It is a crucial time in the infant's life, not only because of the rapid changes in nutritional requirements and the consequent impact on infant growth and development, but also for a generation of lifelong flavor preferences and dietary habits that will influence mid and long-term health. There is an increasing body of evidence addressing the pivotal role of nutrition, especially during the early stages of life, and its link to the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and allergic diseases. It is clear that the way in which a child is introduced to complementary foods may have effects on the individual's entire life. The aim of this review is to discuss the effects of complementary feeding timing, composition, and mode on mid and long-term health outcomes, in the light of the current evidence. Furthermore, we suggest practical tips for a healthy approach to complementary feeding, aiming at a healthy future, and highlight gaps to be filled.

The risk of stunted growth and development is affected by the context in which a child is born and grows. This includes such interdependent influences as the political economy, health and health care, education, society and culture, agriculture and food systems, water and sanitation, and the environment. Here, we briefly review how factors linked with the key sectors can contribute to healthy growth and reduced childhood stunting. Emphasis is placed on the role of agriculture/food security, especially family farming; education, particularly of girls and women; water, sanitation, and hygiene and their integration in stunting reduction strategies; social protection including cash transfers, bearing in mind that success in this regard is linked to reducing the gap between rich and poor; economic investment in stunting reduction including the work with the for-profit commercial sector balancing risks linked to marketing foods that can displace affordable and more sustainable alternatives; health with emphasis on implementing comprehensive and effective health care interventions and building the capacity of health care providers. We complete the review with examples of national and subnational multi-sectoral interventions that illustrate how critical it is for sectors to work together to reduce stunting., (© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)