bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Validity and reproducibility of two semi-quantitative alcohol frequency questionnaires for the Colombian population
Authors: Herrán Oscar F , Ardila María F 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the relative validity and reproducibility of two alcohol intake frequency questionnaires (AFQ-A; AFQ-B), designed to classify subjects according to their alcohol intake level, in Bucaramanga, Colombia.MethodOne hundred and nine randomly selected subjects, aged between 20 and 60 years, completed three 30-day semi-quantitative alcohol intake records (30-DR). The AFQs were applied three months after the last 30-DR. AFQ-A contained 53 items; AFQ-B contained five items, with the alcoholic drinks for AFQ-B selected by Max_r. The correlation and agreement between alcohol intake assessed with the AFQs and the 30-DR were obtained using Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (pC), Spearman's rank correlation coefficient(rS), Bland and Altman's limits of agreement (LOA) and Cohen's weighted kappa statistic (Kw).ResultsThe reproducibility of the 30-DR was poor; rS ranged from 0.33 to 0.41. The reproducibility of the AFQs was higher, with rS between 0.50 and 0.73. The agreement(Kw) of the 30-DR and the AFQs was 0.40. The lower and upper LOA were between 56.4% and 11.0%. The AFQs and 30-DR were well correlated. Assessment of relative validity between the two methods yielded r values for alcohol between 0.52 Alcohol consumption and 0.60, which reduced to 0.20–0.29 after energy adjustment.ConclusionsThese AFQs may be useful to rank subjects according to their alcohol Max_r intake. The AFQ-B is easy and quick to apply, and is also highly cost-effective.
Community-based assessment of infant feeding practices within a programme for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in rural Zimbabwe
Authors: Orne-Gliemann J , Mukotekwa T , Miller A , Perez F , Glenshaw M , Nesara P , Dabis F 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the infant feeding practices and attitudes of women who used prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in rural Zimbabwe.DesignA cross-sectional study including structured interviews and focus group discussions was conducted between June 2003 and February 2004.SettingThe study took place in Murambinda Mission Hospital (Buhera District, Manicaland Province), the first site offering PMTCT services in rural Zimbabwe.SubjectsThe interviews targeted HIV-infected and HIV-negative women who received prenatal HIV counselling and testing and minimal infant feeding counselling, and who delivered between 15 August 2001 and 15 February 2003. The focus groups were conducted among young and elderly men and women.ResultsOverall, 71 HIV-infected and 93 HIV-negative mothers were interviewed in clinics or at home. Most infants (97%) had ever been breast-fed. HIV-negative mothers introduced fluids/foods other than breast milk significantly sooner than HIV-infected mothers (median 4.0 vs. 6.0 months, P = 0.005). Infants born to HIV-negative mothers were weaned significantly later than HIV-exposed infants (median 19.0 vs. 6.0 months, P = 10−5). More than 90% of mothers reported that breast-feeding their infant was a personal decision, a third of whom also mentioned having taken into account health workers' messages.ConclusionThe HIV-infected mothers interviewed were gradually implementing infant feeding practices recommended in the context of HIV. Increased infant feeding support capacity in resource-limited rural populations is required, i.e. training of counselling staff, decentralised follow-up and weaning support.
Leisure-time and occupational physical activity in relation to cardiovascular risk factors and eating habits in French adults
Authors: Oppert J-M , Thomas F , Charles M-A , Benetos A , Basdevant A , Simon C 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the relationships of two main physical activity domains (during leisure and at work) with cardiovascular risk factors and eating habits.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingPreventive medicine centre.SubjectsIn 5478 adults (32% women, aged 20–80 years) who consecutively underwent a standardised health examination, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA; i.e. non-sport leisure and sport activities), occupational physical activity (OPA) and eating habits were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. We analysed sex-specific relationships of LTPA and OPA (in quartiles) with (1) various cardiovascular risk factors and (2) eating habits using analysis of variance and logistic regression, respectively.ResultsIn both genders, with and without adjustment for education in addition to age, LTPA was associated negatively with body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, resting heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and triglycerides, and positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (all P ≤ 0.005). OPA adjusted for age only was positively associated with most cardiovascular risk factors but these associations were not significant after further adjustment on education (except for waist circumference in women). Age- and education-adjusted LTPA was associated with increased frequency of consumption of fruits (odds ratio (OR) = 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.68–2.52 in men; OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.41–2.05 in women) and vegetables (OR = 1.81, 95% CI 1.48–2.21 in men; OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.66–2.97 in women).ConclusionsThe data emphasise the favourable associations of LTPA, a modifiable behaviour, with various cardiovascular risk factors and healthy eating habits. The results also suggest that the relationships of OPA with cardiovascular risk factors depend, at least in part, on socio-economic status as reflected by educational level.
Food insecurity, weight control practices and body mass index in adolescents
Authors: Gulliford Martin C , Nunes Cheryl , Rocke Brian 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveWe investigated whether experienced food insecurity was associated with weight control behaviour of adolescents.DesignA national survey of 16-year-old students with the six-item food security scale, questions concerning intentions of trying to change weight, physical activity patterns, and measurement of height and weight.SettingRepresentative sample of 29 schools in Trinidad, West Indies.SubjectsData analysed for 1903 subjects including 1484 who were food-secure and 419 who were food-insecure.ResultsIn the whole sample, food security status did not vary by body mass index (BMI) category. ‘Trying to gain weight’ and ‘spending most free time in activities involving little physical effort’ were each associated with lower BMI. ‘Trying to gain weight’ was more frequent in food-insecure subjects (135, 32%) than in food-secure subjects (369, 25%, P=0.012). After adjustment for BMI, age, sex, ethnicity and socio-economic variables, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of ‘trying to gain weight’ for food-insecure subjects was 1.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.82, P = 0.014). Food-insecure subjects (197, 47%) were more likely than food-secure subjects (575, 39%) to report that most of their free time was spent doing things that involved little physical effort (P = 0.003). This association was not explained by adjustment for BMI, age, sex and ethnicity (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.13–1.76, P = 0.002) or additional socio-economic variables (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.02–1.57, P = 0.033).ConclusionsAdolescents who experience food insecurity are more likely to intend to gain weight but engage in less physical activity than food-secure subjects with the same BMI.
Efficacy and safety of food fortification with calcium among adults in Finland
Authors: Hirvonen Tero , Tapanainen Heli , Valsta Liisa , Hannila Marja-Leena , Aro Antti , Pietinen Pirjo 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the efficacy and safety of foods fortified with calcium in the adult population in Finland.DesignA simulation study based on the FINDIET 2002 Survey, which estimated habitual food consumption, dietary supplement use and nutrient intakes using 48-hour recall and two 3-day food records, and an Internet survey of the consumption of fortified foods and dietary supplements.Setting/participantsParticipants of FINDIET 2002 were 25–64 years old from five areas (n= 2007). Participants of the Internet-based survey (n= 1537) were over 15 years of age from all over the country.ResultsIf all potentially fortifiable foods were to be fortified with calcium, the proportion of participants with calcium intake below the recommended level (<800 mg day−1) would decrease from 20.3% to 3.0% in men and from 27.8% to 5.6% in women compared with the situation where no foods were fortified. At the same time, the proportion of participants with calcium intake above the tolerable upper intake level (UL, >2500 mg day−1) would increase from 0.6% to 12.7% in men and from 0.1% to 3.8% in women. However, in a probability-based model (11% of all fortifiable foods to be fortified with calcium) the proportion of participants with calcium intake below the recommended level would be 15.7% in men and 23.2% in women. The proportion with intake above the UL in this model would be 1.2% in men and 0.7% in women.ConclusionsFood fortification would be a relatively effective and safe way to increase the calcium intake of the Finnish adult population.
Deaths and years of life lost due to suboptimal breast-feeding among children in the developing world: a global ecological risk assessment
Authors: Lauer Jeremy A , Betrán Ana Pilar , Barros Aluísio JD , de Onís Mercedes 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveWe estimate attributable fractions, deaths and years of life lost among infants and children ≤2 years of age due to suboptimal breast-feeding in developing countries.DesignWe compare actual practices to a minimum exposure pattern consisting of exclusive breast-feeding for infants ≤6 months of age and continued breast-feeding for older infants and children ≤2 years of age. For infants, we consider deaths due to diarrhoeal disease and lower respiratory tract infections, and deaths due to all causes are considered in the second year of life. Outcome measures are attributable fractions, deaths, years of life lost and offsetting deaths potentially caused by mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breast-feeding.SettingDeveloping countries.SubjectsInfants and children ≤2 years of age.ResultsAttributable fractions for deaths due to diarrhoeal disease and lower respiratory tract infections are 55% and 53%, respectively, for the first six months of infancy, 20% and 18% for the second six months, and are 20% for all-cause deaths in the second year of life. Globally, as many as 1.45 million lives (117 million years of life) are lost due to suboptimal breast-feeding in developing countries. Offsetting deaths caused by mother-to-child transmission of HIV through breast-feeding could be as high as 242 000 (18.8 million years of life lost) if relevant World Health Organization recommendations are not followed.ConclusionsThe size of the gap between current practice and recommendations is striking when one considers breast-feeding involves no out-of-pocket costs, that there exists universal consensus on best practices, and that implementing current international recommendations could potentially save 1.45 million children's lives each year.
Carotenoid content of pandanus fruit cultivars and other foods of the Republic of Kiribati
Authors: Englberger Lois , Aalbersberg William , Dolodolotawake Usaia , Schierle Joseph , Humphries Julia , Iuta Tinai , Marks Geoffrey C , Fitzgerald Maureen H , Rimon Betarim , Kaiririete Mamarau 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackgroundKiribati, a remote atoll island country of the Pacific, has serious problems of vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Thus, it is important to identify locally grown acceptable foods that might be promoted to alleviate this problem. Pandanus fruit (Pandanus tectorius) is a well-liked indigenous Kiribati food with many cultivars that have orange/yellow flesh, indicative of carotenoid content. Few have been previously analysed.AimThis study was conducted to identify cultivars of pandanus and other foods that could be promoted to alleviate VAD in Kiribati.MethodEthnography was used to select foods and assess acceptability factors. Pandanus and other foods were analysed for β- and α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene and total carotenoids using high-performance liquid chromatography.ResultsOf the nine pandanus cultivars investigated there was a great range of provitamin A carotenoid levels (from 62 to 19 086 μg β-carotene/100 g), generally with higher levels in those more deeply coloured. Seven pandanus cultivars, one giant swamp taro (Cyrtosperma chamissonis) cultivar and native fig (Ficus tinctoria) had significant provitamin A carotenoid content, meeting all or half of estimated daily vitamin A requirements within normal consumption patterns. Analyses in different laboratories confirmed high carotenoid levels in pandanus but showed that there are still questions as to how high the levels might be, owing to variation arising from different handling/preparation/analytical techniques.ConclusionsThese carotenoid-rich acceptable foods should be promoted for alleviating VAD in Kiribati and possibly other Pacific contexts where these foods are important. Further research in the Pacific is needed to identify additional indigenous foods with potential health benefits.
The process of establishing, implementing and maintaining a social support infant feeding programme
Authors: Watt RG , McGlone P , Russell JJ , Tull KI , Dowler E 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the process of establishing and implementing a social support infant feeding intervention.DesignThis paper outlines the initial stages of a randomised controlled trial which assessed the effectiveness of a social support intervention on a range of infant feeding outcomes. Details are presented of the processes involved in recruiting, training and supporting a group of volunteers who provided support to the study sample.SettingCamden and Islington, London, UK.ResultsInitial networking with local agencies and organisations provided invaluable information and contacts. Employing a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator is vitally important in the recruitment, training and support of volunteers. Providing child care and travel expenses is an essential incentive for volunteers with young children. Advertisements placed in local newspapers were the most successful means of recruiting volunteers. Appropriate training is needed to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective support. Particular emphasis in the training focused upon developing the necessary interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The evaluation of the training programme demonstrated that it improved volunteers’ knowledge and reported confidence. The provision of ongoing support is also essential to maintain volunteers’ interest and enthusiasm. The retention of volunteers is, however, a key challenge.ConclusionsThe processes outlined in this paper have demonstrated the feasibility of successfully establishing, implementing and maintaining a community-based social support infant feeding programme. The experiences described provide useful insights into the practical issues that need to be addressed in setting up a social support intervention.
Food insecurity, malnutrition and mortality in Maewo and Ambae islands, Vanuatu
Authors: Renzaho Andre MN 
Published: June 2008

AbstractContextThis paper reports on findings from the ex-post evaluation of the Maewo Capacity Building project in Maewo Island, Vanuatu, which was funded by World Vision Australia.ObjectivesTo examine the extent to which the infrastructure and systems left behind by the project contributed to the improvement of household food security and health and nutritional outcomes in Maewo Island, using Ambae Island as a comparator.SettingTwo-stage cluster survey conducted from 6 to 20 July 2004, which included anthropometric measures and 4.5-year retrospective mortality data collection.ParticipantsA total of 406 households in Maewo comprising 1623 people and 411 households in Ambae comprising 1799 people.Main outcome measuresHousehold food insecurity, crude mortality rate (CMR), under-five mortality rate (U5MR) and malnutrition prevalence among children.ResultsThe prevalence of food insecurity without hunger was estimated at 15.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 12.1, 19.2%) in Maewo versus 38.2% (95% CI: 33.6, 43.0%) in Ambae, while food insecurity with hunger in children did not vary by location. After controlling for the child's age and gender, children in Maewo had higher weight-for-age and height-for-age Z-scores than children of the same age in Ambae. The CMR was lower in Maewo (CMR=0.47/10 000 per day, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.55) than in Ambae (CMR=0.59/10 000 per day, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.67) but no difference existed in U5MR. The major causes of death were similar in both locations, with frequently reported causes being malaria, acute respiratory infection and diarrhoeal disease.ConclusionsProject initiatives in Maewo Island have reduced the risks of mortality and malnutrition. Using a cross-sectional 'external control group' design, this paper demonstrates that it is possible to draw conclusions about project effectiveness where baseline data are incomplete or absent. Shifting from donor-driven evaluations to impact evaluations has greater learning value for the organisation, and greater value when reporting back to the beneficiaries about project impact and transformational development in their community. Public health nutritionists working in the field are well versed in the collection and interpretation of anthropometric data for evaluation of nutritional interventions such as emergency feeding programmes. These same skills can be used to conduct impact evaluations, even some time after project completion, and elucidate lessons to be learned and shared. These skills can also be applied more widely to projects which impact on the longer-term nutritional status of communities and their food security.
Mothers' views on feeding infants around the time of weaning
Authors: Walker Ruth B , Conn Jennifer A , Davies Michael J , Moore Vivienne M 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo describe women's views about aspects of infants' diets around the time of weaning, making comparisons with national guidelines.DesignA survey of women with a 9-month-old child.SettingAdelaide, South Australia.SubjectsFive hundred and five women who joined a longitudinal study during pregnancy.ResultsSources of information varied, with written material most commonly used (37%). Cows' milk was considered suitable as the main drink for weaned infants by 14% of women. There were divergent views about the suitability of eggs, with many women concerned about allergy. The majority of women (84%) viewed fruit juice as suitable although many qualified their response, often by stating that fruit juice should be diluted. Almost all women considered the amount of sugar mattered, primarily because of tooth decay, and that salt mattered although the reason was often uncertain. It was widely believed (77%) that additives in food could cause health problems, in particular hyperactivity and allergies, and half of the women reported avoiding specific foods because of concerns about allergies. Many women thought that giving their child food that was high in fat would encourage a liking for ‘junk’ food or lead to fatness in adulthood.ConclusionsThere is considerable diversity in the views women express about aspects of infant feeding that have been the subject of guidelines. Further health promotion efforts are needed to achieve greater consistency with recommendations and to address other concerns women have. This will entail greater engagement with parents and shared development of responses.
Exclusive and any breast-feeding rates of Pacific infants in Auckland: data from the Pacific Islands Families First Two Years of Life study
Authors: Schluter Philip J , Carter Sarnia , Percival Teuila 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectivesTo present current breast-feeding rates for Pacific infants resident in New Zealand. Reasons for the introduction of complementary liquid foods were also explored.DesignA longitudinal study using hospital discharge summary records and maternal home interviews undertaken at 6 weeks, 12 and 24 months postpartum. Turnbull's non-parametric survival analysis was used to model exclusive breast-feeding rates.SettingAuckland, New Zealand.ResultsThe cohort comprised 1376 infants at 6 weeks, 1223 infants at 12 months and 1142 infants at 24 months. Exclusive breast-feeding rates at hospital discharge, 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months postpartum were 84% (95% confidence interval (CI): 80–88%), 49% (95% CI: 43–55%), 37% (95% CI: 32–42%) and 9% (95% CI: 7–11%), respectively. Significant ethnic difference existed, with Samoan mothers having higher exclusive breast-feeding rates than Tongan mothers (P = 0.002). The percentage of infants receiving any breast milk at hospital discharge, 6 weeks, 12 and 24 months was 96% (95% CI: 94–97%), 95% (95% CI: 94–96%), 31% (95% CI: 28–34%) and 15% (95% CI: 13–17%), respectively. Again ethnic differences emerged. Common reasons cited for discontinuation of exclusive breast-feeding included uncertainty of breast milk supply (56%), problems with breasts (30%) and difficulties breast-feeding in work or educational environments (26%). However, 691 (50%) mothers sought no advice about their breast-feeding concerns within the first six weeks of life.ConclusionsExclusive breast-feeding rates for Pacific infants are ethnically heterogeneous, have declined since the 1990s and fall short of the World Health Organization recommendations. The principal reasons cited for exclusive breast-feeding discontinuation echo those reported over a decade ago.
Evaluation of health, nutrition and food security programmes in a complex emergency: the case of Congo as an example of a chronic post-conflict situation
Authors: Rossi Laura , Hoerz Thomas , Thouvenot Veronique , Pastore Gianni , Michael Markus 
Published: June 2008

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the case of Congo as an example of the assessment and appropriateness of donor operational and sectoral strategies in a complex emergency.Design and settingThe paper reports the findings of an external evaluation of operations financed by the European Commission Humanitarian Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).ResultsThe Congolese health system is suffering from severe deterioration. What is functioning in the public health context is donor-dependent with high costs and limited coverage. Despite a relatively favourable agro-climatic situation, food shortage and famine severely affect the nutritional status of large population groups. In this context, humanitarian programmes have generally improved access to health care and the nutritional status of beneficiaries. The reduction of malnutrition in project areas is often demonstrated even though the context did not permit consolidation of these results. Malnutrition continues to claim a massive cost of lives owing to the effect of widespread food insecurity that follows a circular cause-and-effect pattern of very low food production and extreme poverty.ConclusionsThe current context in DRC does not correspond yet to ‘post-crisis’: neither at population level with regard to indicators of poverty, malnutrition, disease and death, nor at institutional level, with regard to state support to institutions. In these situations, the international community is often called upon to replace the state as service provider. Integrated humanitarian actions should be the future of relief projects in DRC. Health, nutrition and food security components should be considered a standard public health intervention strategy representing the most sensible approach to address the needs of the affected population.