儿童营养不良的评价方法

儿童营养不良是由营养不适宜造成的疾病,包括三个方面,即1）营养不足（蛋白质-能量营养不良）,由急性或慢性食物摄入不足造成的;2）营养不定期度（超重和肥胖病）,由摄入能量过剩所致;3）营养缺乏病（特定营养素缺乏所致疾病,如磺缺乏引起的克汀病,铁缺乏引起的贫血,以及坏历病、脚气病、癞皮病等。对儿童营养状况的评价有若干不同的方法,本文主要对评价儿童营养不足即蛋白质能量营养不良的一些常用方法进行讨论,包括Z评分法,生曲线法,身长体重指数法,体质指数法,皮褶厚度法,及临床上常用的小儿营养不良分度诊断标准等,本文从1997年“中国人群健康与营养状况调查”5岁以下儿童体格测量的数据为基础,分别用这些方法进行分析比较,并结合文献资料讨论各种方法的优缺点。     

Physical-chemical and maternal determinants of the accumulation of organochlorine compounds in four-year-old children

A cohort study representing a general population (Minorca Island, birth year 1997-1998) showed that in utero transfer of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in children was strongly correlated with the age of the mother and, in the case of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 4,4'-DDE, and 4,4'-DDT, with the maternal body mass index. Some of these correlations remained significant for the serum concentrations collected in these children at four years. No significant correlations with length of gestation were observed. Breastfeeding and age of lactation were strong determinants of most OC concentrations at four years of age. At this age, the body burden of these compounds was higher than at birth irrespective of maternal or formula feeding, but they accumulated at higher extent in the former case involving concentration increments in blood that surpassed the growth dilution effects, with the only exceptions being pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), HCB, and 4,4'-DDT. 4,4'-DDE exhibited the highest increase in association with breastfeeding, pointing to a specific accumulation pathway via this mode. Compounds with low K(ow) values such as beta-hexachlorocyclohexane showed significant accumulation in four-year-old children but with small differences between the groups that had been raised on either breast milk or formula. Compounds having low K(oa) values such as HCB showed decreases in concentration and small body burden variation between birth and four years of age, which points to their preferential elimination in these initial periods of infant growth.     

Fruit consumption determinants among young adults in Italy: A case study

Knowing fruit consumption determinants is essential to improve interventions aiming at stimulating fruit intake in young population. This paper analyses young adults attitude and behaviour towards fruit consumption. We performed a survey on Italian university students (n = 692) to explain fruit consumption behaviour and determinants based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The importance of determinants was evaluated with multi-group structural equation modelling (SEM). The TPB variables (attitudes, subjective norms and perceptions of control) explain 72% of intention to consume at least 200 g/d of fruit, and 15% of fruit consumption. These figures increase, respectively, to 88% and 20% if we include habits as a mediator. In this case, intention becomes relatively less important in explaining fruit consumption. This suggests that stronger habits result in less conscious behaviour, and that interventions to increase fruit consumption should improve fruit availability and develop individuals' ability to overcome barriers. Multi-group analysis has shown that low fruit consumers' intention is influenced by attitude, supporting the effectiveness of education campaigns for this target. Intention is the main fruit consumption predictor for those doing regular physical activity, which points to possible synergies of integrated public interventions to improve health behaviours.     

Iron-deficiency anemia among children in southwest Iran

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency is a major health problem worldwide and especially in developing countries. Iron-deficiency anemia has adverse effects on the development of children. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in children under 5 years of age in southwest Iran. The study also sought to investigate the association between socioeconomic, demographic, cultural, and nutritional factors and iron-deficiency anemia in the selected area. METHODS: A randomized, cross-sectional study was performed of children 6 to 59 months of age living in urban and rural areas of Ahwaz District in Khuzestan Province. At eight randomly selected health centers, the children's height (or length) and weight were measured, and information on length and weight at birth was obtained from growth charts. Blood samples were taken from 337 randomly selected children. RESULTS: The results showed that 43.9% of the children had anemia and 29.1% iron-deficiency anemia. The highest prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia was in the 12- to 24-month age group. In the urban areas, infants 6 to 11 months of age had the highest prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia among children in southwest Iran indicates a major nutrition and health problem.     

马拉维、赞比亚白肋烟生产技术

通过对马拉维和赞比亚的实地考察，介绍了两国白肋烟生产技术及烟叶质量优势，以供借鉴，并提出了进一步改造我国白肋烟生产技术的建议。     

Resilience and child malnutrition in Mali

Despite increasing attention to resilience, the link between resilience and child malnutrition in Africa has so far never been empirically explored. Using detailed survey data from Mali, this paper examines whether the resilience capacity of households is a determinant of child malnutrition. After estimating the Resilience Capacity Index (RCI) by using a Structural Equation Model, an instrumental variable approach was followed. The impact of resilience capacity on child malnutrition was estimated by using the institutional presence of the state as an instrument for the RCI. Furthermore, the analysis captures differences in the relationship between resilience and the institutional presence of the state across regions. The empirical evidence presented here demonstrates that higher resilience capacity is associated with both lower probability of having malnourished children and a lower number of malnourished children in the household.     

2015-2016年浙江省学龄儿童含糖饮料摄入状况分析

目的 了解浙江省学龄儿童含糖饮料的摄入现状,为控制学龄儿童饮用含糖饮料提供依据.方法 2015-2016年在浙江省8个县(市、区)采用多阶段分层与人口成比例的抽样方法,选取3岁以上人群开展调查,调查对象中6～17岁学龄儿童作为研究对象.利用食物频率法收集研究对象过去1个月含糖饮料的摄入状况.结果 73.01％学龄儿童近...     

Various indicators of renal function in experimental malnutrition

Study of renal function in rats during long-term choline-protein deficiency has demonstrated the development of renal failure in the late stages of experiments. After the period of recovery all the parameters under study returned to normal, with the exception of blood serum concentration of endogenous creatinine, which in experimental group animals was lower (p less than 0.025) as compared with this indicator in the control.     

Compliance with orthokeratology care among parents of young children in Taiwan

ObjectivesTo evaluate compliance with orthokeratology (Ortho-K) care and its influencing factors among parents of 6–13-year-old myopic children in Taiwan.MethodsParents who are responsible for the care of the Ortho-K lenses of their myopic children were recruited through a closed Facebook peer support group to answer an online compliance questionnaire, including the wear and care behaviours and follow-up visits of Ortho-K.ResultsA total of 253 online questionnaires were analysed after excluding those with wrong information. Most participants (89.7%) were mothers and had university-level or higher education (72.3%); 67.6% of them could achieve a score equal or higher than 60% correct rate on knowledge items. In addition, 39.3% of participants had high myopia (spherical equivalent ≦ 6.0 diopters). The mean age at onset of myopia was 7.75 years for children, and 57.4% wore Ortho-K lenses for less than a year. Full compliance rate was 22.8%, as reported by fathers or mothers. The compliance rate for follow-up visits significantly increased with provision of axial length information in follow-up visits, knowledge of axial length changes as an effect of myopia control, and Ortho-K use for less than 6 months. The compliance rate for wear and care was significantly associated with high myopia in one of parents, high education level, early onset of myopia in children, knowledge of Ortho-K and myopia control, and Ortho-K use for less than 6 months.ConclusionThese results indicate the need for a comprehensive education programme for parents with young myopic children to ensure strict adherence to fitting and wear protocols and good follow-up of Ortho-K lenses.     

Immune reactions in malnutrition and aflatoxin blastomogenesis

Experiments were made on 80 male Wistar rats kept for 210 days on the common (respectively restricted protein) diet and exposed to aflatoxin intoxication. Humoral immunity was elucidated by qualitative and semi-quantitative immunoelectrophoretic analysis of the IgG and IgM levels, as was the presence of circulating autoantibodies in the test animals' serum. At the end of the experiments the development of leiomyosarcomas was noted in the absence of primary neoplastic transformation in the liver. The tumors were less incident in the animals kept on the low-grade diet than in those kept on the full-value diet. Immunoassay revealed the presence of humoral immunity inhibition under malnutrition. During protein deficiency there were no circulating autoantibodies against mesenchymal tissue antigens which were found in the serum of the animals fed ad libitum. It is assumed that immune deficiency in malnutrition is also accompanied by inhibition of the so-called enhancement phenomenon in the course of aflatoxin blastomogenesis. It is likely that the immunological mechanisms cited have an effect on the histogenesis as well as on the development of aflatoxin tumors.     

Use of new synbiotics in treatment of the intestinal infections among children

The article deals with the findings of the complex estimate of the new synbiotic product "Life Harmony" to treat acute intestinal infection among children. The authors show that application of this product, containing B. bifidum, B. longum and L. casei strains, in the diet therapy of the acute intestinal infections of "the watery" type among children contributes to the reduction of the duration of anorexia, flabbiness and diarrhea syndrome, as well as provides a complete recovery of the intestinal microflora balance.     

Clinical manifestations of cross-allergic reactions to food among children

Scientists have recently studied the frequency and possible forms of clinical manifestations of cross-reactivity to food among 239 of Abakan at the age from 6 month to 15 years with skin, respiratory and combined manifestation of atopy It was proved that risk factors of development of cross-reactivity to food occur among 80% of children who have various forms of allergic diseases moreover the cross allergic reactions between the foodstuffs most frequently occur with the gastrointestinal and with skin forms of food allergy and the cross allergic reactions between the pollen and food allergens more frequently occut with the respiratory forms of atopy and dermorespiratory syndrome. Considerably more rarely this type of reactions is discovered between the epidermal and food allergens, which most frequently were revealed with the dermatorespiratory syndrome.     

Global leaf companies control the tobacco market in Malawi

Objective

To examine the influence of US‐based tobacco leaf‐buying companies, Universal Corporation and Alliance One International, on Malawi''s economy and trade policy in 2000–6.

Design

Analyses of ethnographic data and tobacco industry documents.

Results

Universal Corporation and Alliance One International, through their subsidiary companies Limbe Leaf and Alliance One, respectively, in Malawi, control policy‐making advisory groups and operate a tobacco cartel to influence Malawi''s economic and trade sectors. Limbe Leaf''s corporate secretary and lawyer is a member of several policy‐making committees that advise the Malawi government on tobacco‐related trade policy. The corporate representative''s presence prevents other committee members from taking positions against the tobacco industry and ensures government policy that advances industry interests to obtain low‐cost tobacco. The World Bank and Malawi''s Anti‐corruption Bureau report allegations of collusion between Limbe Leaf and Alliance One over prices at tobacco markets. Allegations of collusion between Limbe Leaf and Alliance One prompted Malawi President Bingu Mutharika in 2006 to warn the companies to end non‐competitive practices or leave the country, but there was no meaningful follow‐up action. Findings from interviews with small‐scale tobacco traders in Malawi suggest that Universal and Alliance One International purchase smuggled raw tobacco from the neighbouring countries, Zambia and Mozambique, undermining growers'' efforts to benefit from tobacco farming in Malawi.

Conclusion

These actions restrict competition, depress tobacco prices for Malawi''s farmers and contribute to poverty in Malawi, while keeping the country dependent on tobacco growing.Malawi (fig 1​1)) is the 13th poorest country in the world.¹ In all, 76% of Malawians, survive on less than US$2 (£1.02, €150) per day.¹ Malawi derives 65% of its foreign earnings from tobacco, making Malawi the most tobacco‐reliant country in the world.² Tobacco accounts for 43% of the agricultural gross domestic product,³ 13% of the overall gross domestic product⁴ and 23% of Malawi''s total tax base.⁴ Out of a total workforce of 5 million people, between 600 000 and 2 million people are employed in Malawi''s tobacco sector.⁵ Land devoted to tobacco growing in Malawi occupies 122 000 hectares out of 4.6 million hectares under cultivation.^6,7 Over 98% of Malawi''s leaf (mostly burley tobacco^8,9) is exported to 68 countries,^3,5,10 with the European Union (EU; 44% of exports) and US (13% of exports) being the top destinations.¹¹ US‐based leaf‐buying companies Universal Corporation and Alliance One International purchase Malawi''s tobacco and sell it to Philip Morris and British American Tobacco (BAT).Open in a separate windowFigure 1 Malawi is a landlocked country that transports its tobacco overland to ports in Mozambique and South Africa. Smuggling raw tobacco occurs in both directions along Malawi''s borders with Zambia and Mozambique (shaded area).Tobacco Journal International, a tobacco industry trade publication, reported in September 2006 that low and uncertain tobacco prices in Malawi created friction between tobacco farmers and leaf‐ buying companies.^12,13 This trade publication, however, did not analyse the role of leaf companies, through their buying practices, in influencing tobacco prices or identify the cigarette manufacturers as the beneficiaries of Malawi''s low and uncertain tobacco prices. Our study goes beyond the Tobacco Journal International report to reveal how leaf companies and manufacturers hide behind explanations of supply and demand to deflect discussion on tobacco sectors and public dialogue on tobacco prices in Malawi from the economic practices of leaf companies and manufacturers to market forces. The purpose of this paper is to show the ways Universal and Alliance One, the main buyers of Malawi''s tobacco, control the local tobacco sector, influence Malawi''s trade policy to ensure access to low‐cost raw tobacco and depress raw tobacco prices, preventing Malawi from benefiting from tobacco growing.     

Preferences for legume attributes in maize-legume cropping systems in Malawi

Adoption rates of leguminous crops remain low in sub-Saharan Africa despite their potential role in improving nutrition, soil health, and food security. In this study we explored Malawian farmers’ perceptions of various legume attributes and assessed how these perceptions affected allocation of land to legume crops using a logit link model. We found high regional variation in both consumption- and production-related preferences, but relatively consistent preferences across samples. While scientific understanding and farmer perceptions were aligned on some topics and for some legumes, there were discrepancies elsewhere, particularly in terms of soil fertility and nutrition. Understanding why these discrepancies exist and where there were potential biases are critical in explaining the extent of adoption. In many cases perceptions of legume attributes may be influenced by the cultural role of the crop in the household, particularly in terms of food security or market-orientation. The findings also suggest that researchers need to look beyond both the agronomic properties and farmers’ preferences to fully understand the extent of adoption. Socioeconomic factors, biases, and marketing concerns may also influence integration of legumes into maize-based cropping systems.     

Trends and determinants of second-pregnancy smoking among young-adult mothers who smoked during their first pregnancy.

We examined the trends and determinants of second-pregnancy smoking behavior among Michigan young-adult mothers who smoked during their first pregnancy (N = 14,731). Maternally linked Michigan birth certificate data (1989-2004) were used to identify first and second pregnancies for young-adult mothers. ZIP code data were merged with census data to proxy for median household income and population size at the ZIP code level. For first-pregnancy smokers, linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze (a) the determinants of second-pregnancy smoking and (b) the association of birth outcomes with second-pregnancy smoking. Among young adults who smoked during their first pregnancy, second-pregnancy smoking was (a) inversely related to income and population, (b) less prevalent after 1997, (c) more likely after a low-birthweight first birth, and (d) less likely after a premature first birth. Despite recent declines in second-pregnancy smoking rates among young adults who smoked during their first pregnancy, these rates remain disturbingly high (more than 70%). Future smoking cessation efforts should target mothers who have lower incomes, live in less-populated areas, and have previously had low-birthweight babies. The results suggest that higher cigarettes taxes would also further reduce recurrent smoking.     

Effect of zinc on the body in protein-calorie malnutrition

It is shown that addition of zinc into the ration of pigs suffering from protein calorie deficiency leads to increased food consumption and its utilization in the body attended by a rise of the protein and fat absorption coefficient and by diminution of food expenditure for body mass increment. Immune processes are intensified which is expressed in the growth of the leucocyte count, phagocytic coefficient and blood neutrophil index. The nutrition improvement is manifested by the increase of body mass increment, red blood cell number and hemoglobin level in the blood, and by the shift of the leucocytic formula to the left; skin lesions disappear. In most animals these effects of zinc are manifest no less than the effect of protein addition to the ration. The most pronounced effect is obtained when zinc and protein are used simultaneously.