A Cosmetic Content-Based Nutrition Education Program Improves Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Grade 11 Thai Students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the effectiveness of a cosmetic content-based nutrition education (CCBNEd) program and a health content-based nutrition education (HCBNEd) program on the promotion of fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental. SETTING: Three secondary schools in Nonthaburi, Thailand. PARTICIPANTS/INTERVENTIONS: Three classes of students were randomly assigned to 3 study groups: experimental group 1 (n = 41) participated in the CCBNEd program, experimental group 2 (n = 35) experienced the HCBNEd program, and a comparison group (n = 37) did not participate in a program. All groups received F&V information. Data were collected between July and September, 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge about F&V, attitude toward F&V consumption, and the amount and variety of F&V consumed were measured at baseline, posttest, and follow-up. ANALYSIS: Nonparametric statistics were used to compare the programs' effectiveness. RESULTS: After the test, experimental group 1 had significantly increased knowledge scores, attitude scores, and the amount and variety of F&V consumed compared with those at baseline (P < .001). These positive changes were maintained until follow-up. In experimental group 2, knowledge and attitude scores increased (P < .001) at posttest and then decreased at follow-up whereas the comparison group positively changed only in knowledge. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The CCBNEd program was most effective at increasing F&V consumption.

Energy and Macronutrient Intakes and Food Sources in Preschool Children: Thai NHES IV.

OBJECTIVE: Examine intakes of energy and macronutrients, and identify their food sources, in Thai preschool children. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data from the Thai National Health Examination Survey (NHES) IV were used. Mothers/caregivers were interviewed regarding their children's 24-hour-dietary intake. Dietary data were analyzed for energy and macronutrients, and their food sources were investigated. Due to skewed data, Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare energy and macronutrient intake between sexes and age groups. RESULTS: Among 256 preschool children, more than 90% had protein intakes higher than the recommended level. Only 12.7 to 29.0% met the recommended intake for energy. Amounts of carbohydrate and fat consumed varied from below to above the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendation. Intakes of carbohydrate in boys and fat in girls were statistically different between age groups (p < 0.05). Fifty to 60% of energy came from dairy products, grains and starchy products. The major carbohydrate contributors were grains and starchy products. Dairy products were the main source of protein. Important food sources of fat were dairy products for one- to three-year-old children and fat and oils for four- to five-year-old children. CONCLUSION: Thai preschool children have inappropriate intakes of energy and macronutrients. Dairy products and grains and/or starchy products were the main sources of energy, carbohydrate, and protein. Dietary fat sources varied by age group.

Breast milk iodine concentrations in lactating mothers at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health.

BACKGROUND: In Thailand, Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD) has been one of the most serious nutritional problems for over 50 years, especially for infants and young children. Iodine is an essential component of thyroid hormones, which are necessary for brain and body development especially during the first 2 years of life. During the first 6 months of life, infants receive iodine exclusively from breast or formula milk. Several national programs have been implemented to eliminate IDD. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate breast milk iodine concentrations in lactating mothers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 100 lactating mothers from Lactation Clinic, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health were included in this study from September 2011 to April 2012. Mothers completed questionnaires for analyzing demographic data and iodine intake. Samples of breast milk were collected to measure iodine content. RESULTS: The median value of breast milk iodine concentration was 129.7 mcg/L (IQR = 81.0, 205.7). Forty-two percent of the samples contained more than 150 mcg/L of iodine, which was in the range of sufficient iodine levels for infants. Factors relating to the iodine content in breast milk are baby's age, mother's age and mother's consumption of iodine fortified egg (p-value = 0.004, 0.035, 0.030, respectively). CONCLUSION: Iodine is essential for pregnant and lactating women, as well as infants. For mothers, consumption of iodized salt, iodized fish sauce, and iodine fortified food can improve iodine status of mothers. For infants, initiating breastfeeding soon after birth and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding can help infants achieve optimal nutritional status.

Sodium intake and socio-demographic determinants of the non-compliance with daily sodium intake recommendations: Thai NHES IV.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate daily intake of sodium and examine the relation of socio-demographic factors with sodium intake exceeding the recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data from the Thai National Health Examination Survey IV (NHES IV) conducted during 2008-2009 were used. The 24-hour-dietary-recall data were available for a subsample of 10% of the total participants. All food and beverage data were analyzed for amount of total daily sodium intake for each person. In statistical analyses, descriptive statistics were employed to describe participants' characteristics, quantities of dietary sodium and percentages of participants noncompliant with daily sodium intake recommendations. Logistic regression was used to examine socio-demographic determinants of sodium intake exceeding the recommendations. RESULTS: 2,969 participants participated in this study. Sodium intake varied by socio-demographics. Percentages of participants non-compliant with sodium intake recommendations ranged from 75.3 (> or = 1,500 mg) to 52.0 (> or = 2,400 mg) for those aged < 16 years and from 86.3 (> or = 1,500 mg) to 67.6 (2,400 mg) for those aged > or = 16 years. In the younger group, age and region were key determinants of consuming sodium exceeding all recommendations. Having family income between 5,000 and < 10,000 baht/month was significantly associated with sodium intake exceeding recommendation targets. In the older group, being female and increasing age reduced a risk of non-compliance with some recommendations; oppositely, region and residential area participants lived significantly, increased non-compliant risk. CONCLUSION: Most participants consumed dietary sodium exceeding current recommendations. Effective programs to reduce sodium intake in Thais are critical.

Preliminary study on assessment of lead exposure in Thai children aged between 3-7 years old who live in Umphang district, Tak Province.

BACKGROUND: Centers of Disease Control of the United States of America (CDC) informs Ministry of Public Health, Thailand that up to 13% of Burmese refugee children who are transferred to the United States of America during 2007-2009 have elevated blood lead levels (EBLL, Blood Lead Level > or = 10 microg/dl). These are children from a number of refugee camps in Tak Province; two camps are near Umphang but other camps are not. In June 2008, CDC, the result of investigation of Centers for Disease Control/Thailand Ministry of Public Health Collaboration (CDC/TUC) and International Organization for Migration, Thailand indicates that 33 of 64 children aged 6 months to 15 years (5.1%) who live in Mae La, Umpiem and Nupo camps have elevated blood lead level. However, no study on how Thai children who live nearby those camps are exposed to lead. Subsequently, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health, Bangkok, Thailand contacts relevant organizations in Tak Province in order to investigate lead exposure and evaluate health status of Thai children who live close to Burmese refugee camps. OBJECTIVE: 1) Evaluation of lead exposure of Thai children who live nearby Burmese refugee camps; 2) Assessment of risk factors on lead exposure of the children as mentioned above. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The present study adopts a retrospective study based on information gathered from health assessment on 213 Thai children aged between 3-7 years old who live nearby Burmese refugee camps. The health assessment was conducted from April 30th, 2010 to May 5th, 2010. The information is from 3 sources. The first source is from blood sampling in order to assess lead level and ferritin level. The next source is from interview of persons who provide primary care in order to identify risk factors on lead exposure of target children. The last source is from physical examination and developmental assessment conducted by pediatricians and special nurses for child development in order to identify health and developmental problems. RESULTS: The population of the present study was 213 of Thai children are 3-7 years old, average age is 54.54 +/- 12.41 months-old. The average blood lead level is 7.71 +/- 4.62 microg/dl (range = 3-25 microg/dl). Elevated blood lead levels of all populations show that 57 children (26%) have blood lead level at 10 microg/dl or more. Analysis of odds by controlling all risk factors (adjusted OR) that effect on blood lead level (> or =10 microg/dl) indicates that only gender and source of drinking water are risk factors. To clarify, male children would have 2.8 times higher risk than female children. Children who drink water from tap and canal have 15 times and 72 times, respectively, higher risk than children drinking from bottle water. CONCLUSION: The result of the present study shows that 1 of 4 of Thai children at Umphang district, Tak Province who lived near Burmese refugee camps aged between 3-7 years old have blood lead level higher than concerning level. Thus, it is necessary to identify risk factors on lead exposure and policy of blood lead screening in some areas in Thailand.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to plastic containers for food and drinks.

BACKGROUND: Plastic is widely used in daily life especially as food and drink containers. If these containers are used inappropriately, some chemicals such as bisphenol A, phthalate, and styrene from plastic may accumulate and impair organ function. OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to plastic containers for food and drinks among parents and health personnel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 100 parents and 100 health personnel from Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health are included in the present study. The questionnaires which contained 6 parts measuring knowledge, attitudes and practices about plastic containers for food and drinks are used to collect the data. RESULTS: There are no differences in knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to plastic containers between parents and health personnel. Even though, 80 percent of participants usually use plastic containers for food and drinks, their knowledge about plastic is inadequate. CONCLUSION: Parents and health personnel are aware of health effects of plastic containers, but they do not know how to use and purchase plastics properly.

The relationship between maternal child-feeding practices and overweight in Hmong preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal child-feeding practices have been linked to overweight in several studies. Overweight is a prevalent condition in Hmong preschool children in the United States, therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal child-feeding attitudes and practices were associated with overweight in Hmong preschool children. DESIGN: The Child-Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) was revised and administered to Hmong mothers with normal-weight and overweight children. SETTING: Women, Infant, and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC) clinics and community centers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: Hmong mothers of normal-weight (n=45) and overweight (n=35) children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relationships between maternal perceptions of child's weight, practices in child feeding, including monitoring, restriction, and pressure to eat, and overweight status in children. RESULTS: No association was found between maternal attitudes and practices in child feeding and body mass index (BMI) of the child except for mother's perception of her child's weight. Mother's perception of her child's weight was also associated with maternal restriction of certain foods. Mother's education and children's weight status were weakly positively associated. Mothers with more education tended to be younger and to work outside the home. CONCLUSION: The lack of a relationship between maternal child-feeding practices and children's weight status may be due to factors such as mother's education, role of other caregivers, and cultural factors.