The Impact of a Nutrition Programme on the Dietary Intake Patterns of Primary School Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the dietary intake patterns and food choices of children aged 9-13 years in a periurban community. Methods: Two schools were randomly selected from within this periurban community. A nutrition education programme was implemented over one school term; with the testing of nutrition knowledge occurring pre- and post-intervention; and in the long term; with the experimental group only. A validated 24-hour recall questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention by both the control (n = 91) and experimental groups (n = 81); and in the long term; by the experimental group. Food models were used to assist in the estimation of portion sizes and identification of food items. The questionnaire was analysed using the computer software programme FoodFinder 3; with means and standard deviations calculated for macro- and micronutrients; and comparisons made with dietary reference intakes for specific age groups. A list was drawn up of the 20 most commonly consumed food items; based on weights consumed. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess significance in dietary intake and food choices after the intervention. Correlations between knowledge and dietary choices were determined among the experimental group in the long-term measurements. Results: Correlations linked protein intake to knowledge of proteins; and vitamin C intake to knowledge of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake remained very low. Refined sugars and fat were still consumed among the experimental group. The diet for both groups was based on carbohydrates. Conclusions: The objective of changing the dietary intake patterns of the children was not achieved. The intake of legumes; fruit and vegetables remained low. The lack of variety in intake results in a diet that does not meet the daily requirements of children

The Impact of a Nutrition Programme on the Dietary Intake Patterns of Primary School Children

Objective: The aim of this study was to improve the dietary intake patterns and food choices of children aged 9-13 years in a periurban community. Methods: Two schools were randomly selected from within this periurban community. A nutrition education programme was implemented over one school term; with the testing of nutrition knowledge occurring pre- and post-intervention; and in the long term; with the experimental group only. A validated 24-hour recall questionnaire was completed pre- and post-intervention by both the control (n = 91) and experimental groups (n = 81); and in the long term; by the experimental group. Food models were used to assist in the estimation of portion sizes and identification of food items. The questionnaire was analysed using the computer software programme FoodFinder 3; with means and standard deviations calculated for macro- and micronutrients; and comparisons made with dietary reference intakes for specific age groups. A list was drawn up of the 20 most commonly consumed food items; based on weights consumed. Paired t-tests were conducted to assess significance in dietary intake and food choices after the intervention. Correlations between knowledge and dietary choices were determined among the experimental group in the long-term measurements. Results: Correlations linked protein intake to knowledge of proteins; and vitamin C intake to knowledge of fruit and vegetables. Fruit and vegetable intake remained very low. Refined sugars and fat were still consumed among the experimental group. The diet for both groups was based on carbohydrates. Conclusions: The objective of changing the dietary intake patterns of the children was not achieved. The intake of legumes; fruit and vegetables remained low. The lack of variety in intake results in a diet that does not meet the daily requirements of children

Dietary Fat Intake and Nutritional Status Indicators of Primary School Children in a Low-Income Informal Settlement in the Vaal Region

Background: The objective of this study was to examine growth indicators; serum cholesterol; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels; as well as dietary fat intakes usually associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in healthy primary school children.Method: The respondents in this study included a convenience sample of 97 primary school children aged 6-13 years from a selected school.Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) and three 24-hour recall questionnaires were completed for each child. Registered nurses drew blood from the vena cephalica of seated children after an eight-hour fast. Results: The results of this study indicated that stunting; underweight and thinness were prevalent in this group of children. The prevalence rate for stunting (12.5) was lower than the national prevalence rate of 20; whereas the prevalence rate for underweight (15.1) was higher than the national prevalence rate of 10. Overweight was prevalent in only 1of the sample; and more so in boys (2.3) than girls (0). None of the children in this study were obese. Serum cholesterol; HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels were within the normal range. However; the mean serum LDL cholesterol levels were very high. The total dietary fat intakes showed significant relationships with total dietary cholesterol (r = 0.324; p-value = 0.001); linolenic acid (r = 0.605; p-value 0.0001) and linoleic acid (r

Depth of Poverty in an Informal Settlement in the Vaal Region; South Africa

Despite the large number of people currently living in poverty in sub-Saharan Africa; the debate about the definition and meaning of poverty continues. Two distinct problems exist regarding the measurement of poverty; namely the difficulty of identifying the poor in a population and the difficulty in developing an index for the measurement of poverty. The main objective of the survey was to apply a poverty model for determining the depth of poverty in an informal settlement in the Vaal Region; as well as the impact of possible income-generating activities on the community. A questionnaire; which had been devised for measuring poverty indicators; was administered to 429 randomly selected households in the informal settlement; with the poverty model being applied to measure the degree of poverty. The results of the survey showed that 286 households lived in poverty at the time. The impact of extra income on the poverty levels of these 286 households was then determined. The results of the survey also showed that the unemployment level was 91and that the mean monthly income was R612.50. The average poverty gap was R1017.21; with the poverty gap ratio being 56. The poverty model showed that an increase of R500 in monthly household income resulted in a poverty gap ratio of 35. The results indicated that the community was a poverty-stricken community; suffering from chronic food insecurity. The results of the study will be used to facilitate the planning and implementation of sustainable; income-generating; community-based interventions aimed at promoting urban food security and alleviating poverty in the community in question

Nutrition Knowledge and Nutritional Status of Primary School Respondents in Qwa-Qwa

Objectives: To determine the nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of primary school children attending a purposively selected school in rural QwaQwa.Setting: A purposively selected public school (n = 540) in QwaQwa.Subjects: A convenience sample of all 142 school pupils; aged from nine to thirteen years.Outcome measures: The measuring instruments included a nutrition knowledge questionnaire to determine the current nutrition knowledge;and a 24-hour recall to determine food and nutrient intakes. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height; measured using standard methodologies.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 11.2 years; and all had deficient intakes of all the nutrients; except for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine. However; 53.1; 17.1and 14.3of the respondents did not meet 100of EAR for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine respectively. The anthropometric results indicated that 2.8of the total group of respondents was severely stunted; and that 11.3were stunted. The BMI-for-age indicated that 12.0were overweight; and more so among the girls (15.7) than the boys (8.3). The respondents showed average nutrition knowledge in the majority of the questions. Conclusions: This study observed malnutrition and average nutrition knowledge; with many gaps relating to aspects; such as the role of the various food groups in the diet and safe hygiene practices

Nutrition Knowledge and Nutritional Status of Primary School Respondents in Qwa-Qwa

Objectives: To determine the nutrition knowledge and nutritional status of primary school children attending a purposively selected school in rural QwaQwa.Setting: A purposively selected public school (n = 540) in QwaQwa.Subjects: A convenience sample of all 142 school pupils; aged from nine to thirteen years.Outcome measures: The measuring instruments included a nutrition knowledge questionnaire to determine the current nutrition knowledge;and a 24-hour recall to determine food and nutrient intakes. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height; measured using standard methodologies.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 11.2 years; and all had deficient intakes of all the nutrients; except for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine. However; 53.1; 17.1and 14.3of the respondents did not meet 100of EAR for protein; carbohydrates and thiamine respectively. The anthropometric results indicated that 2.8of the total group of respondents was severely stunted; and that 11.3were stunted. The BMI-for-age indicated that 12.0were overweight; and more so among the girls (15.7) than the boys (8.3). The respondents showed average nutrition knowledge in the majority of the questions. Conclusions: This study observed malnutrition and average nutrition knowledge; with many gaps relating to aspects; such as the role of the various food groups in the diet and safe hygiene practices

Impact of food aid on food variety and dietary diversity of an elderly community in Sharpeville, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper was to discuss the impact of a two-year food aid intervention programme on dietary diversity and adequacy of an elderly community. This project was undertaken amongst the elderly (n=300), voluntarily attending a day care centre in Sharpeville, South Africa. In a baseline study (2004) in this community the dietary diversity scoring (DDS) method revealed low dietary diversity (3.41) and food variety (4.77) scores (FVS), and a trend that higher scores resulted in a better mean nutrient adequacy ratio. An intervention study, implemented in 2005, aimed to improve the dietary diversity of this elderly community by providing breakfast and lunch five days a week at the care centre. The impact of this food aid was investigated by comparing the DDS, FVS and nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) before and after the intervention. METHODS: The methods included socio-demographic, health, food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), 24 hour-recall (24h-recall), anthropometric and biochemical measurements in 107 elderly people who regularly attended the care centre since 2004. RESULTS: At baseline, the majority of respondents (n=82, 55.1%) were classified with low DDS utilizing 0-3 food groups compared to after the intervention, where 98.1% (n=105) was classified with a high dietary diversity utilizing all nine nutritious food groups. The mean individual DDS of 3.41 that improved to 8.5 after the intervention further supported this. The mean adequacy ratio (MAR) showed a statistically significant improvement from baseline (0.77 +/- 0.48) to 1.02 +/- 0.66 after the intervention, indicating improvement of the adequacy of the overall diet to meet the daily requirements for this elderly community. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study represent the first demonstration that food aid proved to be an effective short term nutrition intervention that improved the level of dietary diversity. Other food-based approaches or nutrition education activities should be implemented simultaneously to improve self-sufficiency in such a community for long-term effectiveness in terms of nutrient inadequacy and dietary diversity.

Zinc deficiency among the elderly attending a care centre in Sharpeville, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: The elderly are particularly prone to zinc deficiency because of nutritional and physiological vulnerabilities associated with ageing. A low socio-economic status may further increase the risk of zinc deficiency. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed the zinc status of an elderly sample in the Vaal region, South Africa. METHODS: The participants were 170 randomly selected elderly people attending a day care centre in Sharpeville. Twenty-four-hour recalls were administered for dietary intake. Weight and height were measured and venous blood samples (n = 67) were drawn to determine biochemical indices. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 71.7 years. The mean +/- SD daily dietary intake for zinc was 11.0 +/- 6.12 mg. Approximately half of the subjects (51.5%) did not reach two-thirds of the recommended dietary allowance for zinc. The mean serum zinc concentration was 61.8 +/- 8.5 microg dL(-1) (9.4 +/- 1.3 micromol L(-1)), with 76.3% of the subjects having zinc values less than the recommended values of 70 microg dL(-1) (10.7 micromol L(-1)). Maize meal was the staple in the diet of approximately half the study population. Although South African maize meal is now fortified with zinc oxide, maize also contains high concentrations of phytate, a known inhibitor of mineral bioavailability. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggested that zinc deficiency existed in these elderly people. Further research is, however, needed to elucidate possible underlying factors so that appropriate intervention can be implemented.

Anthropometric indications and nutritional intake of women in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to determine the anthropometric indications and nutritional intake of pregnant and lactating women in the Vaal Triangle (n = 431). DESIGN AND METHODS: A validated quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used in this study. Trained fieldworkers conducted interviews with the help of food models to estimate portion sizes. The anthropometric measurements included weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Blood samples were collected for determining iron status parameters. RESULTS: The 10 items consumed most frequently by pregnant women were, in descending order: fresh milk; tea; coffee; cold drinks; maize meal; fruit juice; bread; magou (non-alcoholic fermented maize drink); rice and sugar. For lactating women, the results were: fresh milk; tea; coffee; maize meal; cold drinks; magou; bread; yoghurt; rice and sugar. Daily intakes (mean +/- SD) for pregnant women were 8425.71 +/- 2279 kJ, 73.18 +/- 23 g protein, 62.29 +/- 23.7 g fat, 292.45 +/- 72.2 g carbohydrate and 9.74 +/- 3.8 mg iron. For lactating women, the intakes were 8511.94 +/- 2047 kJ, 76.24 +/- 25 g protein, 61.95 +/- 22.3 g fat, 294.37 +/- 64.2 g carbohydrate and 10.50 +/- 4.0 mg iron. The results of this study showed that most of the women (98%) resided in towns and 79.3% were unemployed. The majority of the sample population was overweight or obese (BMI> or = 25). CONCLUSIONS: The diets of the subjects consisted primarily of plant-based foods. Animal foods were scarce except for milk. Most of the items consumed were low in iron. IMPLICATIONS: Iron deficiency is partly induced by plant-based diets containing low levels of poorly bio-available iron. An assessment of dietary intake is required to aid in the development of relevant dietary guidelines for the sample population.

A community-based integrated nutrition research programme to alleviate poverty: baseline survey.

BACKGROUND: The United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF) has indicated that urban poverty is primarily found in squatter settlements. At present, 13.5% of all South African households live in informal settlements. The main hypothesis for this empirical study was that micromechanisms would not negatively influence food, nutrition and health of residents in an informal settlement in the Vaal Triangle, South Africa. This hypothesis was tested empirically against the UNICEF framework of the immediate, underlying and basic causes of malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to establish a situation analysis of children and women before designing any intervention. OBJECTIVES: The objectives covered in this paper include Phases I and II of the project, namely planning of the project and determining the demographic and health profile of the sample as part of a situation analysis. STUDY DESIGN: This is a community participatory project. After a strategic participatory planning workshop with stakeholders, a plan of operation document, guiding all field undertakings, was drawn up (Phase 1), followed by a cross-sectional baseline survey (Phase II), situation analysis (Phase III), and implementation of community-based intervention studies (Phase IV). Impact measurement will follow in Phase V. METHODS: After the planning meeting and obtaining consent, a pretested, structured demographic and health questionnaire was used to obtain data from 357 randomly selected households in an informal settlement. Data were statistically analysed for means and standard deviations. RESULTS: The findings of the workshop evaluation indicated that 100% of the participants (n = 34) agreed that a need existed for this project, 74% (n = 24) understood the relevance, and 64% (n = 22) realized the importance for sustainable community development. In the baseline survey, 89% of the respondents lived in zinc shacks with two rooms or less (32.2%), three or four rooms (41.5%) or four rooms or more (26.3%). The household size was six people or more (33%), five people (18.5%), four people (21.3%) and three people or less (27.2%). The unemployment rate was 94.2% for respondents and 80.1% for their partners. The majority of households (42.6%) had a monthly income of

Academic radiology: the reasons to stay or leave.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To find major reasons why junior academic radiologists leave academia for private practice and to suggest future changes to motivate them to stay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2000 surveys were sent to every tenth member of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) who completed training within the past decade. Those in academic institutions and those who left within 5 years were asked to respond. RESULTS: 132 radiologists responded. Thirty-two percent of responders were in academic radiology. Of those in academic radiology, 71% plan to stay at the same institution, 7% are planning to move to another academic institution, 17% are considering private practice, and 5% are leaving for private practice. The main reasons to leave were low pay and lack of academic time. Sixty-eight percent of responders already left academia after an average of 3.28 years. Ninety-five percent feel the decision was good, and 65% would not go back. Forty-nine percent experienced more than 100% pay increase, 60% feel they work harder, and 62% feel quality of life is better. CONCLUSION: Significant changes should be made to motivate junior radiologists to stay in academia. Developing leaders in radiology is a must, and should be a top priority. Academic radiologists should not be expected to read private practice volumes and still have time to produce quality research and teaching. Clinical duties should be limited to 32 hours per week. At least 1 day a week should be protected academic time. Efforts should be made to decrease the discrepancy between incomes. Mentoring is important, allowing a smooth transition for junior faculty members to optimize academic progress and lead to promotion.

Cardiovascular causes of death at Tshepong Hospital in 1 year, 1989-1990. A necropsy study.

Cardiovascular disease is the third most common cause of death in Tshepong Hospital in the western Transvaal, and the most common cause of death in patients older than 35 years. A prospective study was undertaken which included limited necropsies in 90 of the 167 cardiovascular disease deaths over 1 year. A reliable mortality pattern for cardiovascular deaths is described. Additionally, attention is paid to co-existing conditions. Conditions relating to cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, benign hypertensive nephrosclerosis, atherosclerosis and obesity, were also evaluated. Cerebrovascular conditions were found in 32% of cardiovascular deaths. Intracerebral haemorrhage was found in 50% and cerebral infarction in 29% of cases. Fifty-seven per cent of cardiovascular deaths were due to cardiac conditions, the most common being pulmonary hypertension (31%), dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic rheumatic valvular disease (17% each) and hypertensive heart disease (14%). Forty-nine per cent of subjects were hypertensive, while 40% exhibited benign nephrosclerosis and only 3% of the examined vessels had signs of severe atherosclerosis. Tuberculosis was present in 13% of cases. The clinical diagnosis was the same as the final necropsy diagnosis in 38% of cases. These results emphasise the importance of performing necropsies to obtain reliable mortality statistics.

Relationship between body-image and self-consciousness.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a relation between body-image and self-consciousness and if there are any sex differences on measures of these two concepts. A total of 267 undergraduates, 56 men and 211 women whose ages ranged from 19 to 25 years, were tested. Analysis indicated a significant negative correlation between body-image and self-consciousness and between body-image and social anxiety. Private and public self-consciousness correlated positively with each other as well as with social anxiety. Men and women differed significantly on social anxiety only.

The effect of complete dentures on head posture.

This study investigated possible changes in head posture after insertion of complete dentures in patients who had been edentulous for at least 6 months. The craniovertical angle was measured with a plastic ruler and protractor assembly, which was aligned with dots made on the skin over the zygomatic arch. Readings were made before denture insertion, immediately after insertion, and 15 and 30 minutes later. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the results. When the predenture insertion values were included, statistically significant changes (p less than 0.01) in head posture were found. However, when the predenture values were excluded, no statistically significant differences were found. The results support the conclusions that head posture is significantly altered immediately after insertion of dentures in edentulous patients but within the next 30 minutes there is no statistically significant alteration in head posture.