1.
Enhancing nutritional environments through access to fruit and vegetables in schools and homes among children and youth: a systematic review.
Ganann, R, Fitzpatrick-Lewis, D, Ciliska, D, Peirson, LJ, Warren, RL, Fieldhouse, P, Delgado-Noguera, MF, Tort, S, Hams, SP, Martinez-Zapata, MJ, et al
BMC research notes. 2014;:422
Abstract
BACKGROUND Low fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption is one of the top 10 global risk factors for mortality, and is related to increased risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many environmental, sociodemographic and personal factors affect FV consumption. The purpose of this review is to examine the effects of interventions delivered in the home, school and other nutritional environments designed to increase FV availability for five to 18-year olds. METHODS The search included: 19 electronic bibliographic databases; grey literature databases; reference lists of key articles; targeted Internet searching of key organization websites; hand searching of key journals and conference proceedings; and consultation with experts for additional references. Articles were included if: in English, French and Spanish; from high-, middle-, and low-income countries; delivered to anyone who could bring about change in FV environment for 5 to 18 year olds; with randomized and non-randomized study designs that provided before-after comparisons, with or without a control group. Primary outcomes of interest were measures of FV availability. RESULTS The search strategy retrieved nearly 23,000 citations and resulted in 23 unique studies. Interventions were primarily policy interventions at the regional or state level, a number of curriculum type interventions in schools and community groups and a garden intervention. The majority of studies were done in high-income countries.The diversity of interventions, populations, outcomes and outcome measurements precluded meta-analysis. The most promising strategies for improving the FV environment for children are through local school food service policies. Access to FV was successfully improved in four of the six studies that evaluated school-based policies, with the other two studies finding no effect. Broader state or federally mandated policies or educational programs for food service providers and decision makers had mixed or small impact. Similarly family interventions had no or small impact on home accessibility, with smaller impact on consumption. CONCLUSIONS The studies have high risk of bias but more rigorous studies are difficult to impossible to conduct in naturalistic settings and in policy implementation and evaluation. However, there are promising strategies to improve the FV environment, particularly through school food service policies.
2.
The monthly rhythm of incidence and age at menarche: thirty five years of research. The circa-vacation-study expectancy rhythm of incidence and age at menarche.
Valenzuela, CY
Biological research. 2013;(1):21-6
Abstract
The hypothesis that the vacation-study-expectancy scholar regime produces most of the monthly rhythm of the age at menarche (AaM) was tested. Studies on monthly menarche incidence (MI) refuted climatic factors as a main factor in this rhythm, and indicated that the main factor of this rhythm is the succession of expectancies of study (Stu-months) or vacation (Vac-months) months within a year. Thus the hypothesis of seasonal circa-annual rhythm should be modified to the circa-[vacation (fiesta)]-[study (non-fiesta)]-expectancies rhythm for the MI and age at menarche annual rhythms. In several countries Vac-months had higher MI than Stu-months. The high MI of Vac-months was followed by a large decrease when girls started their studies and a MI increase occurred as vacations approached. The hypothesis proposes that at the end of vacations and at the beginning of the study period the AaM should be lowest, and then the mean of AaM should increase because of the menarche delay of girls whose menarche was arrested by the initiation of school work. This pattern was found in four independent samples, from Chile, Colombia, USA and Brazil. The probability that this result be due to random fluctuation of means is extraordinarily low (P<10⁻⁸). I conclude that the influence of the expectancy of vacation and study periods on the monthly rhythm of the age at menarche is a real process that accounts for most of this rhythm.
3.
Headache in school children: prevalence and risk factors.
Straube, A, Heinen, F, Ebinger, F, von Kries, R
Deutsches Arzteblatt international. 2013;(48):811-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recurrent headache is a common problem in school children. Evaluation generally leads to the diagnosis of a primary headache syndrome (migraine or tension-type headache). This review is addressed to the question whether headaches in school children are becoming more common and, if so, what risk factors are associated with the rise in frequency. METHOD We selectively searched the PubMed database for pertinent publications that contained the terms "primary headache AND children/adolescent AND risk factors/prevalence." Articles published in either English or German up to April 2013 were considered. Articles on secondary types of headache were excluded. RESULTS Headaches are becoming more common among school children. At present, 66% to 71% of 12- to 15- year-olds have at least one headache every three months, and 33% to 40% have at least one per week. Headache is often accompanied by other physical and/or emotional manifestations. Studies from Scandinavia reveal increasing prevalence in age groups from 8 years of age and upward. Various studies have identified the following risk factors for headache or for its chronification (up to 5.8-fold elevation of risk): a dysfunctional family situation, the regular consumption of alcohol, caffeine ingestion, smoking, a low level of physical activity, physical or emotional abuse, bullying by peers, unfair treatment in school, and insufficient leisure time. CONCLUSION Headaches are becoming more common among children and adolescents. They are often associated with other physical and emotional complaints.