bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrate Levels in Edible Wild Herbs and Vegetables Common in Jordan
Authors: Takruri H.R. , Humeid M.A.
Published: January 2012

Forty six selected species of wild edible herbs and vegetables common in Jordan were collected from their natural growing places; twelve of them were collected from more than one location. The nitrate contents of the edible parts, and in some cases non-edible parts, were determined using the cadmium reduction method.

The nitrate level varied widely ranging from 29 mg/kg in the leaves of tetragonolbus ( Tetragonolobus Paluestinus) to 6743 mg/kg in star fenugreek ( Trigonella Stellata). With the exception of the families of Araceae and Cruciferae, there was a wide variation in the nitrate concentrations within the species of each family. In general, the nitrate content of the stems was higher than that of the leaves which in turn was higher than that of the roots and bulbs.

The same species collected from irrigated (presumably fertilized) farms were generally of higher nitrate content than those collected from pasture, forest or non-irrigated farms. However, many of the studied plants remain of relatively high nitrate content regardless of where they were grown.
A New Approach to Interdisciplinary Health Studies: The Koster Health Project
Authors: Follér Maj-Lis , Heyden Guy
Published: January 2012

The Koster Health Project, initiated in 1987, is an interdisciplinary development project with a focus on human ecology. The objectives are to use relatively simple methods of medical and odontological annual examinations to carry out a 10-year longitudinal study of how life situations and life style factors may direct the development of individual's health in a sparse, geographically rather isolated and socially static, rural population in which it is possible to compare older and younger generations. An investigative model is established on the Koster islands and in this model assessments of given health criteria and other preventive medical, odontological and psychosocial measures may be followed up. Furthermore, the effects of environmental changes may be ascertained. Based on the experiences from the Koster Health Project, national and international seminars are arranged on the islands with emphasis on the impact of environment and life style on human health. The nutritional questions are the centre of specific interest.
Agricultural Practices Affect Arthritis
Authors: Newnham Rex E.
Published: January 2012

It has been suggested that boron deficiency in food may be a cause of some arthritis (Newnham 1979). Epidemiological studies were done to try to ascertain why some countries have more or less arthritis than other countries. Jamaica, Mauritius, Fiji and Israel were visited with a view to ascertaining the boron levels of locally consumed food as it was suspected that excessive use of soluble chemical fertilizers had damaged the soils of the sugar producing lands. Food grown on these soils were found to have low boron levels. By contrast the foods consumed in Israel had high boron concentrations associated with a low incidence of arthritis. South African work has shown that people who eat mostly maize have more arthritis when eating processed maize grown with fertilizer. Brief reference is made to the role of boron in human diets. There are bound to be geographical differences in dietary boron, but even in the USA levels have dropped considerably in 50 years. Arthritis is increasing, especially juvenile arthritis. The increased use of fertilizers and genetic selection of plants has led to a wide range of changes in the quality of foodstuffs and their nutrient content. The identification of the parallel loss of boron may reflect vital changes in trace elements and other nutrients.
The State of Nutrition in Fars, Iran: A Review
Authors: Lankarani Saideh , Musaiger Abdulrahman O.
Published: January 2012

Nutritional problems in Fars province, Iran were reviewed. The commonest problems are protein-energy malnutrition, growth retardation, zinc and iron deficiencies. Several factors have contributed to malnutrition in this province such as food habits, low intake of some nutrients, high rate of illiteracy and unsound infant feeding practices. Preventive programmes to control the nutritional disorders should be given a high priority in any health plan. Investigations on causative factors leading to malnutrition are highly recommended.
Incorporating Explanatory Models in Planning Nutrition Education Programmes in Thailand
Authors: Yoddumnern-Attig Bencha , Attig George A. , Kanungsukkasem Uraiwan
Published: January 2012

An intersectoral child development services project is being undertaken in Thailand to develp a model process for providing age appropriate care and education to rural children through an integrated programme of nutrition, health and educational services designed to meet community needs and perceptions. Using behavioral analysis and explanatory models, project results show that the effectiveness of nutrition education can be facilitated by (1) recognizing the family as the unit of service, (2) focusing on solutions rather than problems, (3) using a two-stage promotional message strategy to encourage better child caretaking, and (4) viewing potential new practices as behavioral processes, rather than single entities aimed at a specific outcome. Program planning should also include the successive construction and analysis of community-based explanatory models which justify people's nutrition and health behaviors. The ultimate aim is to identify differences between explanatory models held by community members and health/nutrition educators, negotiate this conflict, and thereafter develop more practical and realistic methods for modifying behavior.
Diet, Nutrition and Cancer in Japan
Authors: Tominaga S. , Kato I.
Published: January 2012

A number of epidemiological and experimental studies have revealed that dietary habits and nutrition are one of the major risk factors for cancer. Dietary habits and nutrition are related to cancer in various ways and many factors are involved in the development of cancer. These include large intakes of salted foods and pickled vegetables, and too low intakes of fresh vegetables and fruits which are known to be major risk factors for stomach cancer. A large intake of green-yellow vegetables is known to be a protective factor against cancer of the stomach, lung and some other sites. In Japan the westernization of dietary habits and nutrition may have contributed to the changes in the mortality of several kinds of cancers which have been observed in Japan in recent years. Further improvements of dietary habits and nutrition intake are important and will be effective for primary prevention of cancer.
A Speculative Discussion of Some Problems Arising from the Use of Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser on Acid Soil
Authors: Stockdale Thomas
Published: January 2012

Some personal farming experiences are described, and attention is drawn to four anomalies associated with the use of ammonium nitrate. These can be explained if the changes that took place in the formulation of fertilisers around 1960 have led to acidic soils becoming depleted in calcium, and if crops growing in high nitrogen conditions take up their nitrogen as ammonium.

It is concluded that the fertiliser recommendations that have been formulated at Rothamsted are unsuitable for use upon acidic soils in wetter parts of the UK because they result in the soil becoming excessively anaerobic so that the balance of nutrients becomes unsuitable for optimal plant and animal growth.
Nutrition and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Crawford M.A. , Doyle W. , Leaf A. , Leighfield M. , Ghebremeskel K. , Phylactos A.
Published: January 2012

Since the 1960s the structural requirements for the growth, development and function of the brain have become better understood due to the recognition of the prodigious energy needs for brain development and its structural requirements for lipids.

The most vulnerable period of neural development is during embryonic and fetal growth. There is now both retrospective and prospective evidence that maternal nutrition prior to conception is most important to pregnancy outcome.

Our studies on maternal nutrition in pregnancy again illustrate the relationship of maternal nutrition to birthweight and head circumference. In a study of 513 pregnancies we found that nutrient intakes in mothers of low birthweight babies were well below those of mothers whose babies were in the 3.5–4.5 Kg range at which morbidity is at its lowest. Nutrient intakes tracked with birthweight, independent of smoking and alcohol up to, but not above 3,270 g. The closest correlations were obtained with the diet of the mother at or about the time of conception rather than later in the pregnancy.

Our studies also reveal that premature and intrauterine growth retarded babies were born with deficits of the types of essential fatty acids (arachidonic AA, docosahexaenoic DHA acids) known to be required for brain development. Deficits of brain DHA have been found experimentally to impair visual and cognitive development and also to cause haemorrhage, not unlike peri-ventricular haemorrhage in low birthweight babies, the above evidence is suggestive of a route to test the prevention and treatement of these types of membrane related disorders.
Childhoood Origins of Lifestyle-Related Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease in Adulthood
Authors: Cunnane Stephen C.
Published: January 2012

Research over the past 40 years clearly points to childhood as a critical period when dietary and lifestyle patterns are initiated which have longterm implications for coronary heart disease risk in adult life. Smoking, high habitual dietary intake of total fat and saturated fat, low exercise level, and excessive alcohol consumption often occur in family aggregates. They are correlated with elevated serum cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension in children, as well as with a predisposition to premature death from coronary heart disease. Intervention studies in children and adolescents show, however, that these lifestyle-risk factors are controllable through education and dietary counselling of the affected individual and their family. Equally important are the emerging data in adults showing that vigorous longterm intervention involving reduction of dietary fat and work-related stress, increased exercise, and elimination of smoking all contribute to a significant improvement in coronary perfusion. Hence, effective dietary and lifestyle management of coronary heart disease can occur at early or later stages of the disease and needs better support from health authorities at the national and international level.
Nutrition and Health in Relation to Food Production and Processing
Authors: Ghebremeskel K. , Erawford M.A.
Published: January 2012

Intensive animal rearing, manipulation of crop production and food processing have altered the qualitative and quantitative balance of nutrients of foods consumed by Western society. This change, to which the physiology and biochemistry of man may not be presently adapted to, is thought to be responsible for the chronic diseases that are rampant in the Industrialised Western Countries.

Agriculture production and food processing practices, dietary habits and lifestyle of the West is being fostered without any appraisal of the health implications by most developing countries. Consequently, a rising trend in the incidences of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, dental decay and appendicitis is apparent.

Mediterranean countries are adopting the agriculture and food practices of northern Europe as the result of the harmonisation of European food and agriculture policy. It is predicted that the low incidence of morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and breast and colon cancer of the Mediterranean countries would rise to the high northern European level in the foreseeable future.

Most of these chronic diseases are lifestyle related and are preventable. This can be realised by tackling the root problem which is food production and processing practices and not by dispensing designer drugs or opening more hospital beds.
Breastfeeding and Weaning Practices in Rural Mexico
Authors: Lipsk Sherry , Stephenson Patricia A. , Koepsell Thomas D. , Gloyd Stephen S. , Lopez Jose-Luis , Bain Carolyn E.
Published: January 2012

This report describes the breastfeeding and weaning practices of rural women in two Mexican towns and the cultural beliefs upon which these practices are based. Interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect information. Women thought breastfeeding preferable to bottle-feeding. Eighty percent initiated breastfeeding and 69% gave colostrum. Breastfeeding was discontinued early (mean age 4 months). The mean age at which children were introduced to other liquids was 2 months (range 0–5 months) and to solids, 4 months (range 1–8 months). Women's decisions regarding infant feeding were influenced most by custom and advice from doctors and family members. In some instances medical advice conflicted with traditional practices. These findings suggest important avenues for intervention in hospital practices, education for health care workers, and in the development of health promotion services.
Food Poverty: Rowntree Revisited
Authors: Stitt Sean , Grant Diane
Published: January 2012

A pilot exercise preceding a major study of the effects of poverty on adequacy of diet is reported on. The inability of many low income households to afford a healthy diet is serious in nature and widespread in extent.
The Association of Maternal Social Class with Maternal Diet and the Dimensions of Babies in a Population of London Women
Authors: Wynn S.W. , Wynn A.H.A. , Doyle W. , Crawford M.A.
Published: January 2012

Records of the diets of 513 London mothers towards the end of the first trimester of pregnancy have been reported previously to show the maternal nutritional intakes associated with birthweight in the optimum range, which may be assumed to approximate to basic maternal needs for reproduction. The diets associated with low birthweight and small head size were also recorded and were found to be inferior.

The present paper shows social class gradients for baby size and 35 essential dietary components, providing an indication of which basic maternal nutritional needs were not always met. There was no social class gradient for intake of total energy, or the energy carriers carbohydrate and fat. There were, however, statistically highly significant social class gradients for intake of protein, seven minerals and six B-vitamins, all of which were also highly significantly correlated with birthweight.

Maternal intake of these 14 components of diet fell progressively as birthweight fell, but only for the mothers of smaller babies below 3270g, the median for the study. Further increase of maternal intakes of any nutrient by mothers whose babies were above median did not apparently further increase birthweight.

The social and medical problem presented by maternal nutrition is that of a minority of women who enter pregnancy with qualitatively inadequate nutritional status. This minority is found in all social classes but increases from social class I to V, and further still among single mothers. The women comprising this minority eat foods not meeting basic maternal needs for a range of nutrients characteristic of whole grains, vegetables and fruit and dairy produce, which may partly be explained by their high cost.
Dietary Habits of Athletes in Bahrain
Authors: Musaiger Abdulrahman O. , Ragheb Mohamed A.
Published: January 2012

This study describes the dietary habits of athletes involved in four common sports in Bahrain (football, handball, volleyball and basketball). A sample of 304 athletes was obtained from 14 first class clubs. It was found that 28% of athletes skipped breakfast, and only 39% consumed breakfast daily. Foods eaten before competition were similar to those consumed by other family members, indicating that athletes did not eat any specific diet before events. There were some differences in meal patterns among athletes of various sports. In general, athletes allowed enough time between a meal and competition (2.8–3.1 hours). About half of them consumed water only at restbreak, while the rest consumed fruit drinks, tea and oranges in addition to water. Some (3%) did not consume any fluid. A small proportion of the athletes (4%) used vitamins and protein supplements. Mass media (53.6%) and coaches (20.1%) were the primary sources of nutrition information for athletes. It is suggested that information on nutrition and physical performance should be introduced in all educational programmes for both athletes and coaches.
Why do Adolescents Eat Low Nutrient Snacks Between Meals? An Analysis of Behavioral Determinants with the Fishbein and Ajzen Model
Authors: Mesters Ilse , Oostveen Ton
Published: January 2012

This article presents determinants of eating sweet and fat snacks between meals by adolescents (12–15 years). A preliminary qualitative study focused on eliciting students' interpretation of the self-rated terminology ‘low nutrient sweet and fat snacks’ and the development of a written questionnaire following the principles of the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1980).

In a quantitative study a questionnaire was administered to 560 students in the first and second grade of Dutch secondary education. In the data-analysis frequent and moderate users were compared. Frequent users had a more positive attitude towards the intake of sweet and fat snacks than moderate users. The intention to consume sweet snacks was more positive for frequent users. As opposed to frequent users, moderate users had a negative intention towards consuming fat snacks between meals. Moreover, moderate users experienced more social influence against the intake of both snacks than the frequent users. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the theory of reasoned action in relation to the self-rated consumption of sweet and fat snacks eaten between meals. In predicting intention to consume such snacks, attitude turned out to be more important than subjective norm. Finally, the correlation between actual eating behavior as reported by the students, and the behavioral intentions was relatively moderate which was probably caused by inconsistency between intention and behavior.
Infant Weaning Practises of Some Idoma Women in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Igbedioh S.O. , Edache A. , Kaka H.I.
Published: January 2012

The weaning practices in infants aged 4–9 months of two hundred Idoma women resident in Makurdi were examined.

A pre-tested standard questionnaire was used to collect data from mothers who regularly visited the post-natal health clinics in Makurdi.

The results showed that better educated mothers breast fed for a shorter time or planned to cease breast feeding after a shorter period than mothers who had little education or no formal training. Most mothers (97%) fed milk formula which they claimed was used to supplement breast milk and was good for their babies. The most influential factors were the hospital and the husband. The majority of the mothers fed pap; 73% using com in its preparation, with 91% of them storing such paps in flask. More than half of the mothers used a bottle in feeding the paper or gruel to their infants while a similar proportion (65.5%) fed legumes to their infants in addition to fruits. The implications of these practices in comparison with other ethnic groups are discussed.
Effect of Wilting and Processing on the Nitrate and Nitrite Contents of Some Nigerian Leaf Vegetables
Authors: Ezeagu Ike E. , Fafunso Mich A.
Published: January 2012

Nitrate and nitrite contents of seven varieties of commonly consumed leaf vegetables were determined, Effect of cooking and wilting on the contents of these factors were investigated. Nitrate ranged from 48.10 in ewuro to 270.0 ppm ogunmo (mean 116.43 ± 78.31) while nitrite ranged from 0.024 ppm in tete to 0.064 in ogunmo (mean 0.044 ± 0.018).

Cooking reduced the nitrate levels in all the samples but nitrite levels inexplicably increased in all sample. On wilting nitrate levels decrease while nitrite levels increased up to 83% in tete. The nitrate and nitrite levels were not considered hazardous but toxicological implications of high consumption of these factors is briefly highlighted.
The Coming of Vegetables, Fruits and Key Nutrients to the European Diet
Authors: Knapp Vincent J.
Published: January 2012

On the basis of evidence now accumulating, vegetables and fruits were not always an integral part of the European diet. Prior to 1800, vegetables and fruits were not esteemed but rather looked down upon. It has only been over the past two centuries that these two critical foods have come into vogue. First, they had to be accepted by a growing number of medical men and observers. Then, once licensed as eatable foods, vegetables and fruits, starting with the potato, actually did make their way into everyman's diet. And by the end of the nineteenth century, these rich sources of carotene and Vitamins A, C and E became so universal that Europeans now forgot that a hundred years earlier these foods had barely been consumed.
Infant Weaning Practices of some TIV Women Resident in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Igbedioh S.O. , Ogbeni A.O. , Adole G.M.
Published: January 2012

The weaning practices in infants aged 4 to 9 months of two hundred Tiv mothers in Makurdi, Nigeria were examined. The data was collected using a questionnaire from these randomly selected women from a known population and who regularly visited the public post-natal clinic in Makurdi.

The study showed that all the mothers breast-fed their infants and most introduced supplementary feed at 3 to 4 months. Most also fed the traditional pap or ‘akamu’ usually prepared by adding boiling water to fermented maize-sorghum paste. However, only a few of these (34%) enriched such paps. Price was a major determinant influencing the choice of feed fed to the infants. Only a few of the mothers (19%) used commercial milk formula, about a quarter fed legumes (24.5%) and fruits and vegetables (30%).

The study showed that the mother's educational level and occupation influenced both time and duration of breast feeding and introduction of milk formula. Three-quarter of the mothers used bottle feeding while a quarter used spoon and cup and the feeds were improperly stored. The significance of these findings is discussed
Healthy Eating in Schools and “Eating Disorders”—Are “Healthy Eating” Messages Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?
Authors: Dixey Rachael
Published: January 2012

This is a discussion paper which raises questions about the possible links between health education which exhorts young people to watch their weight and eat a healthy diet and the increase in disturbed eating patterns and the desire to be thin, particularly amongst girls. It doesn't especially offer “answers”, but suggests that research would be needed to investigate whether such a link exists. The paper derives from my own concerns as a health educator about how health messages are received. The background to concern about weight among young people is described, and some initiatives in schools which may help are discussed.
Prevalence of Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases Among Men and Women in an Arab Gulf Community
Authors: Musaiger Abdulrahman O. , Al-Roomi Khaldoon A.
Published: January 2012

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among the adult population in Bahrain, an Arab Gulf country. A total sample of 516 subjects aged 30–79 years was selected proportionally from all geographical areas of Bahrain. Findings revealed that current smokers represented 32% of men and 20% of women (P<0.001). However, a relatively high percentage of women were exposed to inhalation of other family member tobacco smoking compared to men (29% and 44% among men and women, respectively). Obesity, hypertension and diabetes were highly prevalent and significantly more reported among women than men. Of women, 79.6% were overweight or obese compared to 56% of men. Sedentary lifestyle patterns (Lack of physical exercise and daily watching of television) were also highly reported. About 12.1% of men and 15.7% of women did not consume fresh fruits. The corresponding percentages for fresh vegetables were 8.4% and 5.5%, respectively. The prevalence of well established risk factors for CVD such as smoking, obesity, inactivity, diabetes and hypertension were high and indicates the need for a national health policy to prevent and control the CVD.
The Problem of Low Birthweight, the Cost and Possibilities of Prevention
Authors: Wynn Margaret , Wynn Arthur
Published: January 2012

Low birthweight is costly to sufferers and to society. Primary prevention gives benefits exceeding costs, but many plans to prevent low birthweight, for example improvement in antenatal care, have failed because the intervention is too late. Preconception care is generally necessary. Poor maternal nutrition and infection are the major causes of low birthweight.
Effect of Early Complementary Feeding on Nutritional Status in Term Infants in Rural Nigeria
Authors: Davies-Adetugbo Anita A. , Adetugbo K.
Published: January 2012

Breastfeeding is common in developing countries, but exclusive breastfeeding is rare, and complementary foods are introduced at an early age. The objective of the present study is to determine the effect of early complementary feeding on the nutritional status of infants. Weight-for-age (WA) indices have been determined for 82 infants 3 to 4 months old participating in a breastfeeding study. They included 42 that started complementary feeding early (before 2 months) and 40 that started later. Weight-for-age indices were significantly lower for the early group than the later group (t =3.00, p =0.004). The prevalence of underweight (WA SO scores below -2.0) was 7.5% in the later complementary feeding group and 28.6% in the early group (χ2 =4.76, p =0.0292). Severe underweight (WA SD scores below -3.0) prevalences were 0% and 14.3% respectively (p = 0.0259). Thus, poorer nutritional status was significantly associated with earlier complementary feeding. The results suggest that exclusive breastfeeding, (together with promotion of weaning education and growth monitoring) should be vigorously promoted in these rural communities.
The Influence of Time on Dietary Data: Differences in Reported Summer and Winter Food Consumption
Authors: Joachim Gloria
Published: January 2012

A pilot study was conducted to test whether or not the time of data collection affected subjects' responses to a dietary questionnaire and could therefore bias the results of a study. A 117 item food frequency questionnaire was administered to 43 subjects—16 in the summer and 27 in the winter. The summer and winter consumption per person per month was calculated and compared.

Of the 117 foods, 105 (89%) showed differences between summer and winter consumption. While differences in summer fruit and hot cereal might be expected, this study showed that many other foods not usually thought of as seasonal were seasonally consumed by the population tested. Since food consumption is affected by supply and demand factors, and the reported memory of food intake is biased toward the present, the time of data collection could greatly influence reported intake for a great number of foods.

Recommendations for enhancing dietary studies are given. These recommendations include the development of a gold standard of consumption for each food in a given population, incorporating the elements of person, place and time into study design, building the rate and length of data collection into the study plan and using the gold standard and improved design to produce a new generation of dietary studies.
Life Expectancy, Infant Mortality and Malnutrition in Preindustrial Europe: A Contemporary Explanation
Authors: Knapp Vincent J.
Published: January 2012

In Europe's preindustrial and overwhelmingly agricultural society, people did not in general live long lives. While there were exceptions, by our standards, life expectancy was appallingly low for most and almost inconceivable to a modem audience living in an advanced industrial society where longevity is constantly being revised upwards. Europe's impoverished past came-to an end in the nineteenth century with the advent of the agricultural and industrial revolutions. But before then, a great deal of suffering had taken place as Europe, as a whole, was plagued by a very high rate of infant mortality that significantly reduced, statistically, overall life expectancy. Clearly many of the sad deaths from the European past were tied to poor nutrition and the apparent lack of key vitamins, substances that modem researchers would consider as absolutely critical for proper cell development and amino-acid synthesis. In fact, it. could probably be argued that Europe's preindustrial era was beset by a constant avitaminosis of some kind or another.
Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Kuwaiti College Women
Authors: Al-Isa Abdulwahab Naser
Published: January 2012

A random sample of 585 Kuwaiti college women was studied in 1997 for factors associated with overweight and obesity. Weight and height were measured. The index of adiposity used was the body mass index (BMI), which is the weight in kilograms divided by the height squared (W/H2). The women were classified as overweight or obese (BMI > 25 or > 30 Kg/m2). The associated factors obtained through questionnaires included age, marital status, area of residence, number of siblings, (brothers, sisters, total), suffering from a chronic disease, obesity among parents, parents' education and occupation, number of major meals eaten, eating between meals, family income, number of servants, number of people living at home, exercising, last dental and physical checkup, dieting, year of study, highest desired degree, countries prefer visiting, and socioeconomic status (SES). The results of the study revealed that 27.2 and 7.2% of the students were overweight (BMI > 25 Kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 30 Kg/m2), respectively. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with overweight and obesity among the women included number of brothers, having a chronic disease, obesity among parents, dieting and countries prefer visiting. Logistic regression analysis of significant associated factors revealed that the same factors contributed to the development of overweight and obesity except number of brothers and having a chronic disease.
Obesity among Kuwaiti Pre-school Children aged 0–5 Years: Prevalence and Comparison with the NCHS/CDC Reference Population
Authors: Al-Isa Abdulwahab Naser , Moussa Mohamed A.A.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of the study was to assess the level of obesity among Kuwaiti pre-school children aged 0–5 years, and compare their nutritional status with the NCHS/CDC reference population. A Cross-sectional multi-stage stratified random sample of 7419 Kuwaiti children (3749 boys and 3670 girls), representing over 5% of the population at studied age was used for the study. Children below 42 months were randomly selected from five maternal and child health clinics, one from each of the five local authority areas of Kuwait. Children 42 months and above were selected from 24 kindergartens, proportionally from the 5 local authority areas. Weights and heights of children were measured. Obesity was defined as weight-for-height (W/H) 2.00 to 5.00 standard deviation (SD) scores of the NCHS/CDC reference population. Underweight and short stature were defined as W/H and height-for-age (H/A) − 4.00 to − 2.00 SD scores, respectively. Obesity among Kuwaiti pre-school children was found to be 8.2% (7.5% in males and 9.0% in females). Underweight was found to be almost similarly distributed among both genders (4.2% in males and 4.1% in females). Short stature was found to be 5.8% (6.1% in males and 5.6% in females). Kuwaiti pre-school children aged 0–5 years were, for the most part, found to be slightly heavier and shorter than American children of the reference population. The children were also found to be heavier and taller than a decade ago. The nutritional status of the children improved during the last ten years.
Pattern of Dietary Intake and Consumption of Street Foods among Nigerian Students
Authors: Oguntona Clara R.B. , Razaq M.A. , Akintola Tolulope T.
Published: January 2012

An assessment of the food and nutrient intake of 81 male and 35 female University students was conducted using structured questionnaires and 24-hr. diet recall procedures. The contribution of Street Foods (SF) to their nutrients intakes was also assessed. The major dietary sources of nutrients for both groups were Cereals, Roots and Tubers and Legumes. Energy intake by males (9.81 MJ or 83.9% RDA) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than intake (8.59 MJ or 81.8% RDA) by female subjects. Street Foods contributed 50.3% and 48.3% of energy to male and female subjects respectively. Total Protein intake approximated RDA for both groups although on average only 25% of this was from animal sources. Intakes of minerals and vitamins were generally below RDA except for Calcium and vitamin A. Female subjects had significantly higher intakes of Iron, Thiamin and vitamin A than males. Overall Street food's contribution to RDA ranged from 23.0% (Iron in males) to 80.0% (vitamin A, also in males).
The Relationship Between Habits of Food Consumption and Reported Reactions to Food in People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease—Testing the Limits
Authors: Joachim Gloria
Published: January 2012

Anecdotally, people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) report that some foods make them feel better and some foods make them feel worse. This paper reports about the relationship between food habits and reactions to foods in people with IBD. A database was designed to incorporate the date of data collection, the IBD disease, food habits, the quantity consumed and a response rating of the subjects' reactions to each food. For each of 122 foods, subjects were asked simultaneously about these five categories. Thirty three subjects with Crohn's disease and 27 with ulcerative colitis completed the questionnaire in two seasons.

The focus of the examination was directed to the upper and lower limits of reactions to foods. Foods that affect people negatively and foods that affect people positively were identified in relation to habits of consumption. Foods that affect people negatively were among those never consumed while foods that affect people positively were among the regularly consumed foods. Findings included an increased number of foods that caused problems for people with Crohn's disease when compared with people with ulcerative colitis. Problems with chocolate, dairy products, fats and artificial sweeteners were documented in both groups of IBD. A standard food list generated without the input of individuals with a chronic illness may be inadequate to collect data about their consumption since many of the foods on the list were reportedly never consumed and there may be other foods not on the list that are consumed by this chronically ill population.
Effect of Various Domestic Processing and Cooking Methods on Phytic Acid and HCl-Extractability of Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron of Pigeonpea
Authors: Duhan Aarti , Khetarpaul Neelam , Bishnoi Saroj
Published: January 2012

Manak, the high yielding cultivator of pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan) released by (International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics) ICRISAT, India was subjected to various domestic processing and cooking methods viz., soaking (6, 12 and 18 h, 30°C), soaking and dehulling, ordinary cooking, pressure cooking and germination (24, 36 and 48 h, 30°C). The unprocessed seeds of this variety contained considerable amounts of phytic acid Le. 917 mg per 100g. This antinutrient was reduced significantly (P <0.05) to varying extents (4–37%) in the processed samples. Except soaking and dehulling, the remaining processing and cooking methods did not lower the contents of total calcium, phosphorus and iron. That HCl-extractability of these dietary essential minerals, an index of their bioavailability, enhanced significantly when the pigeonpea seeds were processed and cooked, may be due to reduction in phytate content, which is known to chelate the minerals. A significant and negative correlation between the phytic acid and HCl-extractability of minerals further strengthens our findings.
Psychological and Behavioral Effects of Food and Chemical Exposure in Sensitive Individuals
Authors: King David S.
Published: January 2012

Dietary influences on behavior are of increasing scientific interest. In some cases, the effects appear limited to sensitive individuals. Thus, research on the role of wheat gluten in schizophrenia has produced conflicting results, but not all schizophrenics respond to wheat. Therefore, differences in statistical power may be a factor in these discrepant findings. Similarly, only a subset of hyperactive children seem to be affected by food colors. Another dietary influence on behavior may be sucrose consumption which was found to be directly correlated with behavior in children. In addition, the possible relationship of allergy to behavior is reviewed. Double-blind findings of the production of cognitive-emotional symptoms by sublingual provocative food and chemical challenges are described, with treatment follow-up data. Finally, a methodological note on provocative testing is included.
Nutritional Control of Heart Disease and Cancer: Are Different Diets Necessary
Authors: Crawford Michael A.
Published: January 2012

Man evolved as a wild animal and his nutritional biology was adapted to wild plants and animals. That diets have been modified by trade is illustrated from the author's experience in Uganda where dramatic differences occur in the diets in the North and South of the country. Internationally, the incidence and pattern both of cardiovascular disease and cancer caries with the ecology of the regions. What is seen in miniature in Uganda is to be seen enlarged upon a world scale. In the course of agriculture we have changed the balance of nutrients offered by wild plants and animals. In particular we have substituted storage fat for structural fat whilst also changing our diet in the direction of a high refined carbohydrate food structure.
Raw Energy—Nutrition of the Future?
Authors: Kenton Leslie
Published: January 2012

‘Normal’ life can be maintained on a diet incapable of producing high level health. Such high levels can, however, be achieved by the consumption of what McCarrison called ‘the unsophisticated foods of Nature’, when given in their natural state. The implications for contemporary society are reviewed. This nutritional value of foods is traced back to energy and to the two physical laws which govern energy. Schrodinger's examination of this problem highlighted the contrast between the entropy of energy in physical systems and biological order. Schrodinger spoke of neg-entropy, referring to the reversal of entropy in the affairs of living systems. This philosophical paradox is discussed.
Gifted Potential and Emerg-Ing Abilities in Young Children: As Influenced by Diverse Backgrounds
Authors: Haensly Patricia A. , Lee Kyung Sook
Published: January 2012

Identification of exceptional potential in young children, especially those from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, must become a better informed process if we are to provide necessary and appropriate schooling to develop that potential. A case for idiographic assessment to complement nomothetic information is proposed. The purpose of this study has been to extend knowledge about the many ways emerging giftedness in young children from diverse backgrounds may be observed in home and school settings, and in the particular setting of a specialized summer program for bright 3 and 4-year-olds. Emergence of intelligence and extraordinary competence are documented in children's content and symbol system preferences, modality consistencies in information gathering, exploration pace, play preferences, and peer and adult interactions. Observed behaviors are described, illustrated by examples in context, categorized as to epistemological orientation, and related to Gibson's human behavior hallmarks.
Identifying and Developing, the Counseling Center for the Gifted in Budapest
Authors: Herskovits Maria
Published: January 2012

First of all I would tike to express my gladness that while the difficult position of existing institutions is a general problem in Hungary, I can report on the experiences of the first two years of a new institute. As a result of long effort supported by the Budapest Municipal Local Government, the Budapest Institute of Education has really met a demand encountered ever since we have been dealing with the study of the gifted: a demand of patents for counseling and developing programs. Knowledge accumulating in the Center of Gifted serves as a ground for new investigations, and we pursue systematic data collecting for this purpose. Now — after a brief survey of the theoretical basis and the activity of the Center — I am going to summarize some experiences gained from interviews and talks with the parents in the Parents' Club.
Fostering Parent-Teacher Relationships when Children are Gifted
Authors: Penney Sharon , Wilgosh Lorraine
Published: January 2012

The specific focus of this study was on parent and teacher relationships, when a child is gifted. The study addressed two interrelated questions. (1) What is the parent's perspective of the relationship between parent and teacher when a child is gifted? (2) What is the teacher's perspective of the relationship between parent and teacher when a child is gifted? Five parents and four teachers were interviewed individually on several occasions, and the interview content was analyzed thematically. For parents, five themes were identified, related to instructional programming, teacher competencies, curriculum needs, parental involvement in their children 's education, and problematic behavior. For teachers, there were also five themes, including identification of giftedness, funding issues, communication issues, partnerships in education, and impact on the children. The parent and teacher themes are reported in greater detail elsewhere (Penney & Wilgosh, 1998). This paper addresses the four overlapping themes derived from a comparison of the parent and teacher themes: funding issues, meeting the children's needs, communication, and impact on the children. Implications for fostering parent and teacher partnerships are discussed.
Family Influences on the Development of High Ability
Authors: Herskovits Maria
Published: January 2012

All literature data agree that the effect of the family home is decisive in the development of high ability, almost irrespectively of whether or not the role of heredity is considered important (Albert, Howe, Freeman, Landau, Davis-Rimm, etc.). The hot house effect, the conscious parental efforts, all kinds of supportive-developing environments, the giving of identification models, the implicit-explicit mediation of values and attitudes can all play a role in the development of potentials. Here I put into brackets a very important problem, namely that serious consequences may arise when the emotional side becomes underdeveloped in cases of unilaterally intellectual, achievement-oriented environments.
Meeting the Special Needs of the Gifted Through the Summer Gifted Programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Authors: Chan David W , Cheung Ping Chung , Yeung Patricia P.W.
Published: January 2012

The 1997 Summer Gifted Program at the Chinese University of Hong Kong was designed to meet some of the special needs of gifted and talented students through enrichment courses and activities. It is the first of its kind in Hong Kong, being organized by a university for 102 junior secondary school students. This paper describes its operation in terms of identification-selection procedures, organization of classes, curriculum, teacher selection and training, supervision, observation of student behavioral characteristics by teachers, and program evaluation by students, parents, teachers, teaching assistants and residential counselors. Future directions in the organization of programs for the gifted and talented in Hong Kong are discussed.
Identification of the Gifted — Some Methodological Issues
Authors: Maitra Krishna
Published: January 2012

This article summarises basic elementary concerns with regard to gifted education. Identification and special educational provision for the gifted ate two sides of the same coin. One needs to identify a special child so that the child's special needs are taken care of. Without nurturance identification becomes meaningless. Identification also depends on the special purposes for which individuals are being identified.

The problems which are associated with the identification of the gifted have their roots in the following areas: Definition of gifted or whom should we call gifted, In which areas we are identifying the gifted, Identification tools and their reliability and validity Target group, and The system followed for analysis of data for identification.

I shall discuss each of these issues which, I feel, should be concern for all of us who are directly involved with gifted children and their education.
Thinking with a Futures Perpective
Authors: Sisk Dorothy A.
Published: January 2012

Society's need to anticipate and plan for the future has never been more keenly felt than it is today. Thinking with a futures perspective is not a new activity, although crystal balls, ouija boards and astrological charts have been supplemented by more sophisticated methods of predicting and forecasting the future.

Parker (1988) notes that the term futurology was first used in 1943 by a German political scientist, Ossip K. Flechtheim. He defined futurology as an interdisciplinary and scientific study of the future. Since the term was introduced, world events continue to demand the development of futuristic thinking in scientists, social scientists, political leaders, and educators.

Educators know that they cannot prepare young people to live in a society similar to their own, and many say that we need to prepare students for a world that we do not know. Yet, most educational systems remain geared to the needs of today rather than the future, and this represents a major dilemma in education. This article examines the theory and practice of developing futures study for high ability students.
Approaches to Study Creative and Multitalent Perception
Authors: Khatena Joe
Published: January 2012

The article examines creativity and talent of individuals that can be identified from perceptions of themselves. The author describes two instruments that may be used to measure such predispositions. Several problems studied with these instruments at home and abroad are presented. In conclusion a number of uses are suggested for the instruments.
To be Intelligent
Authors: Abbott John
Published: January 2012

What does it mean to be broadly intelligent? Our schools and communities need to develop this capacity in our young people as they face the complex challenges of life today. Research on the brain and its infinite complexity can help.
The Gifted Game: Overcoming Stereotyping in Gifted Education
Authors: Eriksson-Sluti Gillian
Published: January 2012

This article describes stereotypes of gifted children that generate negative attitudes. Underpinning these stereotypes are misconceptions of the nature of giftedness. It clarifies how these have been used to exclude children from programming and how equity issues are often ignored in identification. These misconceptions do the identified students a disservice in creating alienation. The resulting prejudice and discrimination against certain students is explored. The exploration of these issues resulted in the development of a “gifted game”, created as a project by education students at the University of Central Florida.