Eating behaviors in adolescent Egyptian girls

The present cross-sectional study was designed to assess the prevalence of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in school-based girls in Cairo, in which a modified Eating Attitudes Test was used. Documenting the development of dieting preoccupation in young children may help with early identification and perhaps lead to intervention strategies. The study included 137 student girls [age range 12-17 years]: first group, [54] with age range 12-14 years and a mean age of 13.1 +/- 1.2 years and second group, [83] with age range 15-17 years and a mean age of 16.2 +/- 0.8 years group. Only 1.5% of the students scored >/= 20 on the ChEAT, which is the cut-off score for anorexia nervosa for the EAT-26. These were all in the 15-17 years old group, 2.4% scored >/= 20. The overall mean ChEAT score was more in the second older group 10.2 +/- 4.9 with a range of 3 to 28 compared to the first younger group 5.9 +/- 2.6 with a range of 2 to 12 [p<0.001]. We have no scores in both groups in the item "Eat diet food" and "Have the impulse to vomit after meals". Girls in the second group were more "scared about being overweight", "Preoccupied with a desire to be thinner", "Engaged in dieting behavior" and "Feel that food control there life"; whereas girls in the first group were more claimed that "others would like them to eat more" and "others think that they are too thin"

Assessment of adaptive behavior in children with congenital hypothyroidism detected by neonatal screening and treated early in life. Comparison of effect of low and high doses of L-thyroxine on outcome

This study aimed at the evaluation of adaptive behavior in children with congenital hypothyroidism [CH] detected by neonatal screening and treated early in life with either low or high doses of L-Thyroxine. Thirty one patients ranging in age from 4 to 36 months of age and confirmed to have congenital hypothyroidism by neonatal screening were started on either low dose [8 micro g/kg/day] or high dose [15 micro g/kg/day] L-Thyroxine substitution and were followed up for growth and development. Using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales [VABS], communication, social skills, daily living skills and motor skill acquisition were assessed and both groups were compared with a control group consisting of 30 normal infants and children closely matched for age and sex. The results showed that, in the low dose group, mean results for communication, social, daily living skills and motor acquisition were significantly lower than those for controls. In the high dose group, mean results for communication skills were significantly lower than those for controls, whereas other skills acquisition [social, daily living skills and motor skills] were not significantly lower than those for controls. Patients with thyroid aplasia fared much worse on all VABS parameters. However, those receiving high dose L-Thyroxine were pulled up to normal range. Lengths and weights were comparable to those of controls in both groups. We advocate early and high dose L-Thyroxine [15 micro g/kg/day] for the treatment of congenital hypothyroidism for a better neurodevelopmental outcome. These high doses achieve rapid euthyroidism which is essential in the early critical neonatal period. Levels can be later titrated according to laboratory results, with the aim of keeping levels in upper normal range for T4. Neonatal screening should be carried out as soon as possible afterbirth [3-5 days of life] to achieve the best response