A Pilot Study to Examine the Effect of Additional Structured Outdoor Playtime on Preschoolers' Physical Activity Levels

The impact of additional structured outdoor playtime on preschoolers'; physical activity (PA) level is unclear. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the effects of increasing structured outdoor playtime on preschoolers'; PA levels. Eight full-day classrooms (n=134 children) from two preschool programmes were randomised into a treatment (STRUCT, n=4) or control (CON, n=4) condition. Both groups received an additional 30 minutes of outdoor playtime three days per week for four weeks. The STRUCT intervention consisted of previously tested structured outdoor playtime activities/games. The CON intervention consisted of free outdoor playtime. Children were individually recruited (n=75) for the objective assessment of PA levels. The PA levels of 67 children (age, 4.1±0.8 years; STRUCT, n=38; CON, n=29) were assessed at baseline and during week four for seven consecutive days using Actigraph accelerometers. Data were analysed using mixed-model analysis of variance. Time spent in vigorous PA significantly increased during the 30-minute intervention time for the STRUCT group compared with the CON group (group×time interaction: F(1, 36) = 4.91, p=0.04). Compared with baseline, a significant increase was observed in the STRUCT group's time spent engaged in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during the intervention time, but this increase was not significant compared with the CON group (baseline: STRUCT, 1.7±2.0 min; CON, 1.9±2.4 min; week four: STRUCT, 4.9±3.1 min; CON, 3.3±2.5 min). Compared with the CON group, the STRUCT group spent a significantly greater percentage of time engaged in MVPA and a significantly lower percentage of time engaged in sedentary activity during the preschool day. In conclusion, this study provides preliminary evidence that increasing preschoolers'; exposure to structured activities during outdoor playtime could lead to improvements in their PA levels. The present intervention could be used to help preschoolers meet the recommended levels of PA.     

Social behaviour,socio-cognitive skills and attachment style in school-aged children: what is the relation with academic outcomes?

The present research explored the relation between socio-cognitive skills, as Theory of Mind and affective empathy, social behaviour, attachment style and scholastic success in children, aged from 8 to 11 years (N?=?159; 90 females, 69 males; M_age?=?9,60; DS?=?.78). Several assessment tools were administered to children on mentalizing abilities (Stories), empathy (FASTE), language (PPVT-R), attachment style (SAT) and learning (M.T. and AC-MT 6-11), while the teachers were asked to complete a questionnaire about every child’s social behaviour (SDQ). The correlational analysis and MANOVA prove that ‘secure’ children show more prosocial behaviour, moral mentalizing and empathic capacities in the classroom, receiving better evaluations from teachers and in learning tests. Moreover, socio-cognitive skills and prosocial behaviour are associated with academic performance, while the affective empathy is only related to teachers’ evaluations. Finally, the implications of these findings for theoretical and research development on socio-cognitive skills are discussed.     

Patients' Reasons for Refraining from Discussing Internet Health Information with Their Healthcare Providers

This exploratory study examined factors that constrain patients from discussing Internet health information with their healthcare providers. Participants (N?=?714) were asked to list reasons why they have not talked with their providers about Internet health information they had found. Factors (N?=?767) included patient attributions about the information, systems or circumstances, fear of treading on the provider's turf, face-saving concerns, and patient perceptions of provider attributions about the information. Comparisons between those who had and those who had not talked to their healthcare providers about their Internet research revealed significant differences in types of constraining factors indicated. Issues concerning an increasingly Internet-savvy public and provider–patient relationships are considered in the discussion within the framework of the goals, planning, action theory. Continued efforts in provider and patient education can help to overcome barriers that restrict communication concerning Internet health research.     

Is a friend truly a treasure? Evolution of friendship competence from pre-school up to the last year of primary school

A Friend is truly a treasure, in accordance with age and competence’s qualitative changes. The aim of this study was to con?rm the increase in friendship competence and its multifactorial nature in 3- up to 10-year-old children, and to verify gender differences, and parenting in?uences on the concept of friendship. A semi-structured interview was administered in a natural context to 3- to 10-year-old children (N?=?167; Mean?=?7.6 years; SD?=?2.16). According to Selman’s Model, the coding provides ?ve sub-categories: (1) friendship; (2) social perspective taking; (3) emotions understanding; (4) social interaction strategies; and (5) aggressiveness. Three parental style questionnaires were administered to parents. Results point up an increase in social skills according to age. The Friendship Interview turned out to be a reliable tool able to investigate how the concept of friendship is also structured in preschool children.     

The effect of playground- and nature-based playtime interventions on physical activity and self-esteem in UK school children

School playtime provides opportunities for children to engage in physical activity (PA). Playground playtime interventions designed to increase PA have produced differing results. However, nature can also promote PA, through the provision of large open spaces for activity. The purpose of this study is to determine which playtime interventions are most effective at increasing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and if this varies by school location. Fifty-two children from an urban and rural school participated in a playground sports (PS) and nature-based orienteering intervention during playtime for one week. MVPA was assessed the day before and on the final day of the interventions using accelerometers. Intervention type (p?p?r?=?0.32; p?p?>?0.05). The provision of PS influences PA the most; however, a variety of interventions are required to engage less fit children in PA.     

Patterns of E-Cigarette Use Among Primary Care Patients at an Urban Community Center

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the US. The number of tobacco products has grown over the past decade. E-cigarette use has increased rapidly in recent years, but patterns and correlates of use have not been thoroughly assessed. We examined relationships among demographic factors, e-cigarette and conventional cigarette use in a large sample (N?=?12,409) of adult patients at a community health center in the Northeastern US. Overall, 13% (N?=?1675) of the sample reported ever using e-cigarettes. In logistic regression models, ever having used e-cigarettes was associated with younger age (ages 18–25; OR?=?3.5, p?<?0.001). Being transgender (OR?=?1.8, p?<?0.001), bisexual (OR?=?1.5, p?<?0.001), un-partnered (OR?=?1.5, p?<?0.001), having a lower income (OR?=?1.6, p?<?0.001) or a high BMI (OR?=?1.4, p?=?0.009) were associated with increased odds of use, whereas being a woman (OR?=?0.7, p?<?0.001) or Black/African American (OR?=?0.7, p?=?0.007) were associated with lower odds of use. Of the participants who reported e-cigarette use, a majority also endorsed current or former use of conventional cigarettes. Individuals who formerly used conventional cigarettes were nearly three times more likely to report daily e-cigarette use than current users. Among primary care patients at a community health center, e-cigarette use was reported by a sizeable portion of the sample. Overall, odds of use were higher in certain patient populations, and individuals who formally used cigarettes were more likely to report e-cigarette use than individuals who currently smoke, suggesting that e-cigarettes may be functioning as a cessation aid or a strategy to reduce conventional cigarette use.

     

Improving the Validity of the Impairment Evaluation Process: A Proposed Theoretical Framework

The American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment is the most widely used set of procedures for rating permanent medical impairment. Although the Guides authors intend that the impairment ratings not be used for disability determination, the ratings are routinely used in benefit entitlement systems for work disability. This has created problems with the validity of the Guides because the validity of a measure is affected by the context within which the measure is used. To maintain wide acceptance of the Guides, its authors need to address this problem. One approach that we recommend is to adopt a model of work disability to specify the context of the Guides so that the level of measurement of each chapter can be explicated. This will retain the validity of inferences from the measures and integrate with developing systems that determine work disability.     

Examining the Gendered Impacts of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence: A Mixed Methods Approach

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is defined broadly as unwanted or unwelcome sexual behavior involving the use of technology, including online sexual harassment, online gender or sexuality-based harassment, online image-based abuse (colloquially known as "revenge porn"), and online sexual aggression/coercion (colloquially known as "sextortion"). The purpose of this study was to explore the victim impact of TFSV and to critically examine the positioning of TFSV as a gender-based harm; that is, a harm directed primarily towards women. This study employed a mixed methods approach, integrating quantitative online survey data (N?=?333; M_age?=?33.91 years; 63% women) with qualitative interview data (N?=?10; Age_range?=?24–46; 50% women) to gain a more comprehensive understanding of TFSV. We found that victims of TFSV experienced anxiety, stress, depression, loss of control, mistrust, multiple victimizations, poor academic/occupation functioning, problematic alcohol consumption, embarrassment, and online behavior changes (e.g., limiting personal information online) due to TFSV victimization. Individuals who experienced online image-based abuse reported greater distress on items of depression, anxiety, and occupational/academic functioning than did victims of other types of TFSV. The current study provides partial support for the gender similarities hypothesis that TFSV is not exclusively a gender-based harm; our findings suggest that women and men’s TFSV experiences are similar for most TFSV types. Overall, the present study demonstrates the negative impact TFSV has for both women and men and highlights the need for greater awareness and increased support for all victims of this form of sexual violence.

     

Consumer knowledge and attitudes about genetically modified food products and labelling policy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the prevalence of GMO labelling in northern New Jersey supermarkets. This cross-sectional study surveyed 331 adults, New Jersey supermarket customers (mean age 26 years old, 79.8% women). The results show a strong, positive correlation between consumer attitudes towards foods not containing GMOs and purchasing behaviour (Pearson’s r?=?0.701, p?<?0.001) with lesser correlations between knowledge and behaviour (Pearson’s r?=?0.593, p?<?0.001) and knowledge and attitudes (Pearson’s r?=?0.413, p?<?0.001). GMO labelling would assist consumers in making informed purchase decisions.     

Why Hungarians Have Sex (YSEX?-HSF)

Using the same methodology as Meston and Buss (2007), three studies were conducted on a Hungarian sample (total N?=?4913) which corroborate previous findings on the universal diversity of sexual motivation. Study 1 (N?=?2728; 1069 women and 1659 men) identified 197 reasons for having sex based on participants’ free responses. In Study 2 (N?=?1161; 820 women and 341 men), participants indicated the extent to which each of the 197 reasons had led them to have sexual intercourse. Factor analyses yielded three factors and 24 subfactors. This differed from the original YSEX? four-factor questionnaire. In Study 3 (N?=?1024; 578 women and 446 men), a reliable and valid 73-item short form version of the YSEX? questionnaire was developed in a Hungarian sample (YSEX?-HSF). In addition to similarities and differences in the factor structure, we found important links between reasons for having sex and age, gender, personality, and mating strategy. For example, number of reasons for having sex tended be higher in younger compared to older participants. Men exceeded women on having sex for novelty-seeking and infidelity opportunities, whereas women exceeded men on having sex for relationship commitment and mate retention. Extraversion and neuroticism were linked with reasons for having sex, and those who pursued a short-term mating strategy reported having sex for a larger variety of reasons.

     

One size does not fit all: Examining ethnicity in gestational weight gain guidelines

Pregnancy-related metrics vary by race/ethnicity, yet most gestational weight gain (GWG) guidelines are ethnicity-blind. We estimated small-for-gestational age (SGA) risk in a Japanese population, examining GWG adequacy categorized by Institute of Medicine (IOM) and Japanese guidelines in male (N =?192) and female (N?=?191) full-term singleton infants. For predicting SGA, IOM guidelines had high sensitivity (?≥ 0.75), but low specificity (?≤ 0.25); Japanese guidelines had high specificity (?≥ 0.80) but low sensitivity (?≤ 0.50). GWG guidelines’ implicit notions of Caucasian–Americans as optimal may lead to ‘One Size Fits All’ recommendations that can obscure important biocultural factors contributing to maternal child health outcomes.     

Strengthening a Whole Child Approach within Residential Care Settings Through Psychosocial Support and Nutritional Guidance

ABSTRACT

Malnutrition and a lack of sufficient psychosocial support from caregivers both have a tremendous effect on children’s development. Initiatives to support healthy child development in a context of poverty include caregiver interventions. There is growing evidence to support interventions that integrate psychosocial and nutritional support. The current study explores a psychosocial support intervention based on the International Child Development Programme integrated with a health and nutritional supplement to child center staff in the Maputo area in Mozambique. A wait list comparison group of staff from other child centers received the same training after the current study. The study draws on both quantitative and qualitative approaches in order to investigate children’s physical health measured through weight and height scores, children’s self-report to the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire before and after the intervention, and caregivers’ perceived changes following the intervention provided through open-ended questions. Measures of weight and height scores (N?=?334) from children belonging to the intervention centers showed that 52.4 percent (N?=?175) were at risk or at high risk from malnutrition at pre-test of whom 139 were measured again after the intervention. Results suggest improvement among 93.5 percent of the children categorized as malnourished before the intervention. Children’s self-reported data on strengths and difficulties (N?=?79) suggest significant increases in prosocial behavior in the intervention group. Caregivers (N?=?40) reported strengthened relationships, improved communication, and improved nutritional menus within the intervention centers. Despite limitations due to lack of randomization, adequate comparison data, and longer-term follow-up, this study shows the suitability of implementing integrated psychosocial and nutritional training among professional caregivers responsible for the care of orphaned and vulnerable children.     

Does Competitive Work Improve Quality of Life for Adults with Severe Mental Illness? Evidence from a Randomized Trial of Supported Employment

A randomized trial comparing a facility-based Clubhouse (N?=?83) to a mobile Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT; N?=?84) tested the widely held belief that competitive employment improves global quality of life for adults with severe mental illness. Random regression analyses showed that, over 24 months of study participation, competitively employed Clubhouse participants reported greater global quality of life improvement, particularly with the social and financial aspects of their lives, as well as greater self-esteem and service satisfaction, compared to competitively employed PACT participants. However, there was no overall association between global quality of life and competitive work, or work duration. Future research will determine whether these findings generalize to other certified Clubhouses or to other types of supported employment. Multi-site studies are needed to identify key mechanisms for quality of life improvement in certified Clubhouses, including the possibly essential role of Clubhouse employer consortiums for providing high-wage, socially integrated jobs.     

Reservations of the Spirit: The Development of a Culturally Sensitive Spiritual Beliefs Scale About Organ Donation

This study investigated whether spiritual beliefs offered any explanation for why participants from Korea (N?=?146), Japan (N?=?134), and the United States (N?=?146) were willing or reluctant to register as organ donors. A culturally appropriate measure of spiritual beliefs about organ donation, the Spiritual Beliefs Scale, was developed consisting of 2 factors: (a) Spiritual Connection and (b) Spiritual Concern. Spiritual Connection was a significant predictor of behavioral intention to become an organ donor for Korean respondents, whereas Spiritual Concern was a significant predictor of reluctance to become an organ donor for American respondents. Spiritual beliefs correlated as predicted with attitude toward organ donation and fear of bodily mutilation, showing that the Spiritual Beliefs Scale exhibited internal, external, and predictive validity. Across the 3-country sample, Spiritual Connection was associated with greater willingness to become an organ donor for women, whereas Spiritual Concern inhibited participation for men. Implications of these findings are discussed for developing culturally effective education and procurement campaigns.     

A randomised control trial of parent and child training programmes (versus wait list control) for children with ADHD-type behaviours: A pilot study

ABSTRACT

Objective: A randomised control trial was conducted to assess whether the combined Incredible Years parent training and child training programmes (PT?+?CT) led to improvements in ADHD-type behaviours in children, when compared to a PT-only group and a Wait List Control (WLC) group. Method: Forty-five families with a child aged 3–7 years who displayed ADHD-type behaviours were referred for treatment and randomised to a combined treatment group (PT?+?CT; n?=?12), a PT group (n?=?19) or a WLC group (n?=?14). Programmes were delivered by community-based organisations. Short-term follow-up (six months) assessments were undertaken with parents and children based on parent reports of child behaviour and parent well-being and behaviour. A qualitative sub-study was also conducted with parent participants (n?=?8) and programme facilitators (n?=?5) to explore experiences and views of the combined programme. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the PT group and the WLC group with regard to child hyperactivity (p?<?0.001) and pro-social skills (p?<?0.05). No significant differences were found between the combined group (PT?+?CT) and the PT group except for child hyperactivity (p?<?0.05), which was significantly lower in the PT-only group. Significant effects were found for PT?+?CT versus WLC on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Impact subscale only. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the combined treatment (PT?+?CT) produced little added benefit for child hyperactive/inattentive behaviour post-intervention despite the very positive views expressed by parents in the qualitative interviews. The PT training alone was more effective in tackling some core ADHD behaviours when compared to the WLC group, but a need for further more large-scale research is indicated. Trial Registration: ISRCTN82596506.     

Does one size fit all? The role of body mass index and waist circumference in systemic inflammation in midlife by race and gender

Objective: This study investigates the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with markers of systemic inflammation in midlife by race and gender.

Design: Data were obtained from the Survey of Midlife in the United States, a cross-sectional, observational study of Americans 35 years old or older (White men: N?=?410; White women: N?=?490; Black men: N?=?58; Black women: N?=?117). Inflammation was measured by concentrations of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) in fasting plasma and concentrations of E-selectin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in fasting serum. Anthropometric data were used to obtain BMI and WC. Socio-demographic and health-related factors were assessed with a survey. Multivariate models by race and gender were estimated to test the roles of BMI and WC for each inflammation marker.

Results: Compared to White men, Black women have higher BMI and higher levels of all four inflammation markers; White women have lower BMI, lower WC, and lower E-selectin and fibrinogen but higher CRP; and Black men have higher fibrinogen. After adjusting for socio-demographic and health-related covariates as well as perceived discrimination, WC is associated with all four markers of inflammation among White men and women; with three markers (fibrinogen, CRP, and IL-6) of inflammation among Black women; and with CRP (and marginally with fibrinogen and E-selectin) among Black men. BMI is associated with higher CRP and fibrinogen among Black men (marginally so for White men) but not for women of either race.

Conclusions: WC shows more consistent associations with inflammation markers than BMI, although the relationships vary by inflammation marker and population group. Our findings suggest that WC is a risk factor for systemic inflammation among White and Black men and women, and BMI is an additional risk factor for Black men.     

Multi-level experiences and determinants of alcohol misuse and illicit drug use among occupational groups at high-risk of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A thematic synthesis of qualitative findings

ABSTRACT

Occupational groups at high-risk of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may be at increased risk of substance use because of occupation-related factors. We synthesised qualitative data on determinants and context of alcohol misuse and illicit drug use in these groups. We systematically searched five databases for qualitative studies reporting on alcohol misuse or illicit drug use in fisherfolk, uniformed personnel, miners, truckers, motorcycle taxi riders, and sex workers in SSA. Qualitative data and interpretations were extracted and synthesised using a systematic iterative process to capture themes and overarching concepts. We searched for papers published prior to January 2018. We identified 5692 papers, and included 21 papers in our review, published from 1993 to 2017. Most studies were conducted among fisherfolk (n?=?4) or sex workers (n?=?12). Ten papers reported on alcohol use alone, three on illicit drug use alone and eight on both. Substance use was commonly examined in the context of work and risky behaviour, key drivers identified included transactional sex, availability of disposable income, poverty, gender inequalities and work/living environments. Substance use was linked to risky behaviour and reduced perceived susceptibility to HIV. Our review underscores the importance of multilevel, integrated HIV prevention and harm reduction interventions in these settings.     

Gastric emptying rate,glycemic and appetite response to a liquid meal in lean and overweight males

The effect of body weight status on appetite, glycemic response and gastric emptying rate was investigated using a liquid meal. Lean and overweight males rated their subjective appetite with blood samples collected for measurement of glucose, biomarkers of appetite and gastric emptying rate for 3?h following consumption of the isocaloric test meal. Overweight participants had a higher rating on postprandial hunger (p?p?p?p?=?0.001). Postprandial plasma concentration of cholecystokinin-33 was lower (p?=?0.007) and total ghrelin was higher (p?=?0.012) in overweight participants. A delayed gastric emptying rate was observed in lean participants. There was no difference in postprandial glycemic response (p?=?0.189). These results suggest the postprandial appetite pattern was different between lean and overweight males when consuming an isocaloric meal. This may have implications for overweight individuals who attempt to lose weight through restricting food intake.     

An impact and feasibility evaluation of a six-week (nine hour) active play intervention on fathers’ engagement with their preschool children: a feasibility study

Research has demonstrated the benefits of father involvement with their children and a link between uninvolved fatherhood and societal problems. Children's Centres (n?=?15) received 6?×?90-minute active play sessions designed to foster 6 aspects of parental engagement. Fathers’ engagement and attitudes to child physical activity were measured pre- and post-intervention via questionnaire. Acceptability of the intervention was explored through participant and staff focus groups. Results showed no effect on overall time fathers spent with their child during the week (t (36)?=?0.178, p?=?0.860) and the weekend (t (36)?=?1.166, p?=?0.252). Qualitative results demonstrated the sessions provided opportunities for fathers to spend quality time with their children. Parenting self-efficacy increased across the subscale control, t (36)?=??2.97, p?=?0.04. Fathers increased awareness of their role in motivating their child to play (z?=??2.46, p?=?0.01). Further longitudinal research is recommended.     

The Association of Measures of the Micro- and Macro-Vasculature with Selenium and GPx Activity in a Young Bi-Ethnic Population: The African-PREDICT Study

Abstract

Objective: Selenium plays an important physiological role as component for antioxidant selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Since oxidative stress contributes to hypertension development, it is likely that selenium deficiency may contribute to the burden of cardiovascular disease. To better understand the involvement of selenium and GPx in the early development of cardiovascular disease, we investigated in young, healthy black and white African men and women whether measures of the micro- and macrovasculature are related to selenium and GPx activity.

Methods: In young adults (N?=?394; aged 20–30?years) we determined serum selenium, GPx activity, microvascular measures (central retinal artery equivalent, central retinal vein equivalent, arteriolar-to-venular ratio [AVR], and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]), and macrovascular measures (pulse wave velocity, 24-hour pulse pressure [PP] and augmentation index [Aix]).

Results: In multivariable-adjusted regression analyses, there were vasculoprotective associations between serum selenium and a microvascular measure (AVR [β?=?0.23; p?=?0.036]) in black African women and with a macrovascular measure (24-hour PP [β = ?0.15; p?=?0.048]) in white African women. In turn, GPx activity also showed a protective association with a microvascular measure (eGFR) in white African men (β?=?0.23; p?=?0.035), as well as with macrovascular measures (AIx, PP) in the black (β = ?0.25; p?=?0.027) and white African men (β = ?0.22; p?=?0.035), and black African women (β = ?0.32; p?=?0.001).

Conclusions: Collectively the findings suggest a protective role for the micronutrient selenium and GPx on both the micro- and macrovasculature in a young, healthy bi-ethnic population.