Benefits of Breastfeeding on Child and Postpartum Psychological Health of the Mother

Ab s t r ac t Aim: The aim of this study was to summarize different types of benefits that have been observed in the baby's development and the mother's psychological health during the postpartum period. Background(s): Breastfeeding is a natural process that plays a vital role in the physical as well as mental health of the mother and child. Breast milk is rich in contents such as proteins, fats, and vitamins, which are responsible for building the immune system of the baby. Lactation helps in decreasing the prevalence of infant mortality rate. It enhances the development of the physical health of the children. Breastfeeding protects the mother from many systemic conditions like endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, etc. It has been observed that with an increase in healthy breastfeeding practices, there is a decline in the cases of maternal mental health issues reported mainly in the postpartum period. Review result: The authors have explained various types of advantages of breastfeeding on the child's and mother's health, their mechanism of action, effects on the baby, and mother-child relationship. Conclusion(s): The mother's mental health plays a crucial role in a healthy infant, and breastfeeding is key to it. The role of breastfeeding is therefore considered a boon for the mother because if there is a decrease in health issues in the child, the mother's mental condition improves automatically. Therefore, breastfeeding should be promoted at the national level. Clinical significance: Breastfeeding not only helps in reducing maternal stress and postpartum depression but also improves the physical health of the child and mother during the postpartum period. The clinicians should teach mothers about the importance and also the correct positions of breastfeeding. "Breastfeeding week" is celebrated every year from August 1 to August 7, as implemented by the Indian government.Copyright © The Author(s). 2023 Open Access.

Psychological Characteristics of Children and Adolescents Who Have Undergone COVID-19: Possibilities of Correction.

The article is about topical issues of the psychological features of the long-term consequences of post-COVID syndrome in children and adolescents. We have described the most frequent residual manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection alongside with an analysis of the characteristics of the emotional and behavioral health of children and adolescents. The authors of article have analyzed modern approaches and recommendations for changing the lifestyle, psychological support of patients with the elimination of stress factors and body stress resistance increase. Also in article are presented main symptoms and signs associated with emotional and behavioral responses to stress in children and adolescents. The necessity of early detection and psychological correction of the symptoms of post-COVID syndrome and its inherent stress manifestations is substantiated as well as the stress resistance increase using physiological approaches of micronutrient correction with bioorganic magnesium substances.Copyright © 2022, Professionalnye Izdaniya. All rights reserved.

The Socioeconomic Determinants of Food and Nutritional Security in Rural and Urban Area of Pakistan during Covid-19

Food insecurity and poor health is turning out to be one of the biggest global issues especially during the pandemic period. Food value chains of developing countries has drastically affected and linked with the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition during covid-19. Keeping in view the importance of this key issue, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of covid-19 on food and nutritional (macro and micro nutrition) status by using the calories and nutrition intake method in the rural and urban areas of district Faisalabad. Food security index was used to estimate the absolute food security status and Logistic Regression Model was employed to examine the effect of covid 19 on food security. Primary data set of almost 500 households were collected from the rural and urban areas. The results show that calories and macronutrient's security status was better in the urban areas while the situation of micro nutrients was better in rural areas. It was found that nearly 49 percent households in rural areas and 43 percent households in urban areas were food and nutrition secure during covid-19. The impact of covid-19 was evident in urban areas especially in low-income households and people who earn daily wages. The regression analysis showed that prevalence of disease, education, household income, family size, number daily intake meals, age of household head and land size have shown significant effects on the food and nutrition security status in both rural and urban areas.Copyright © 2022 Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. All rights reserved.

Changes in Body Mass, Physical Activity, and Dietary Intake during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns in Canadian University Students.

This study examined changes in body mass and body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and dietary intake in Canadian university students during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two self-reported recall surveys were conducted: after the first lockdown in September 2020 (T1) and following the second lockdown in March 2021 (T2). Eligible participants were full-time undergraduate students attending a Canadian university and residing in Canada during the first year of the pandemic. At T1, 510 students (99 male, 411 female) completed the survey, and of those, 135 (32 males, 103 females) completed the survey at T2 (73% attrition). At both T1 and T2, most participants were 18-24 years of age (93% and 90%, respectively), Caucasian (73% and 78%, respectively), and resided in the province of Ontario (79% and 80%, respectively). Body mass increased from T1 to T2 (+0.91 ± 3.89 kg t(132) = -2.7, p = 0.008). BMI also increased from T1 to T2 (+0.30 ± 1.33 kg/m2 [t(130) = -2.5, p = 0.012), with a greater number of participants within the overweight range (19.8% versus 24.4%, respectively). At T1, 38% of the participants reported a decrease in physical activity, while the number of students reporting a decrease in activity increased to 56% at T2. Dietary energy intake decreased from 1678 ± 958 kcal/day at T1 to 1565 ± 842 kcal/day at T2 [c2(1) = 7.2, p = 0.007]. Diet quality also decreased, with participants not meeting the recommended daily allowance for essential macro and micronutrients. A decrease was observed in daily servings of fruits (-27%, p < 0.001), vegetables (-72%, p < 0.001), and grains (-68%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, despite a small decrease in dietary energy intake, a modest weight gain occurred during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in this cohort of Canadian university students, which was potentially related to decreased physical activity and diet quality.

The global challenge of hidden hunger: perspectives from the field.

The aim of this review paper is to explore the strategies employed to tackle micronutrient deficiencies with illustrations from field-based experience. Hidden hunger is the presence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies (particularly iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A), which can occur without a deficit in energy intake as a result of consuming an energy-dense, but nutrient-poor diet. It is estimated that it affects more than two billion people worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where there is a reliance on low-cost food staples and where the diversity of the diet is limited. Finding a way to improve the nutritional quality of diets for the poorest people is central to meeting the UN sustainable development goals particularly sustainable development goal 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. As we pass the midpoint of the UN's Decade for Action on Nutrition, it is timely to reflect on progress towards achieving sustainable development goal 2 and the strategies to reduce hidden hunger. Many low- and middle-income countries are falling behind national nutrition targets, and this has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other recent shocks to the global food system which have disproportionately impacted the world's most vulnerable communities. Addressing inequalities within the food system must be central to developing a sustainable, cost-effective strategy for improving food quality that delivers benefit to the seldom heard and marginalised communities.