bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A13. The ’Balance of Good Health’– a Chinese version
Authors: Chan S. 
Published: March 2003

Background Although attempts had been made to consider foods consumed by ethnic minority groups to ensure transcultural application when developing the National Food Guide –’The Balance of Good Health’, an Afro‐Caribbean version has now been prepared and it was felt that both the format of the display and the context of the food guide were not applicable to the Chinese community in UK. To ensure everyone benefits from the National Health Care Service, health professionals and health education agencies must be sensitive to linguistic, socio‐economic and lifestyle diversity within the ethnic minorities.Aims The aim of the project was to develop a food guide using Chinese foods and with appropriate written Chinese form to address the members of the Chinese community with consistent messages of healthy eating, and translate the nutrient recommendations into food guidance to them.Methods The research involved 54 Chinese members and they were recruited from various areas in London. Different shapes (in the form of a bowl, a triangle or a tilted plate) of the guide were developed and were used to assess subjects’ performance (how well the information was understood and recalled) in a meal ranking and a food sorting task. Subjects’ preferences for a particular shape of the guide were asked after undertaking the tasks. Comp‐eat was used in designing the meals and statistical tests such as Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis and Chi‐square were used to assess the significance of the results.Results The key findings were that exposure to a guide could have a significant effect on consumer’s understanding and recall of guide concepts (P < 0.01). Secondly. guides that were in the shape of a triangle were better at conveying messages of nutritional equivalence and proportionality than those in the shape of a bowl or tilted place (P < 0.05). However, the preference studies showed that the Chinese consumers preferred a tilted plate to a triangle or a bowl because of some Chinese traditional beliefs.Conclusions It was concluded that a guide in the form of a tilted plate should be used since consumers’ preferences should be respected, and alternative ways to reinforce nutritional messages through a tilted plate model should be sought.
The food consumption patterns and perceptions of dietary advice of older people
Authors: McKie L. , MacInnes A. , Hendry J. , Donald S. , Peace H. 
Published: March 2003

Background Prevention policies do not have an upper age limit, and as the overwhelming majority of older people continue to reside in the community there is a growing role for community dietetics and primary care team members in the promotion of healthy eating.Method The multi‐method project ascertained the dietary beliefs and practices of older people residing in high‐income, low‐income and rural localities of Scotland. One hundred and fifty‐two people aged 75 years and over were interviewed using a semistructured interview schedule and 24‐h food recall questionnaire.Results An analysis of the food recall questionnaire demonstrated that the diets of the elderly appear to differ little from the Scottish population as a whole. In all groups there was an under consumption of fruits and vegetables reported. Findings from the interviews demonstrated that dietary beliefs were found to be firmly rooted in childhood and lifetime experiences. Participants defined healthy eating as ‘proper meals’, ‘proper foods’, and a variety of foods eaten in moderation. These definitions were based upon the consumption of fresh foods which would be considered healthy. Changing and conflicting advice on health and nutrition was contrasted with personal experiences. Few knew of the role of the dietitian or community dietitian.Conclusions This study demonstrates a contrast between stated beliefs and actual consumption patterns. Access to food, and the cost and quality of foods impacted upon food practices. The role of the community dietitian should be promoted. Advice on healthy eating must work with contemporary practices and beliefs building upon positive aspects of diet and eating and involving the food industry, retail sector and health services.
Dietary intakes and nutrient status of vegetarian preschool children from a British national survey
Authors: Thane C.W. , Bates C.J. 
Published: March 2003

Background Dietary intakes and nutrient status were compared in meat‐eaters and non‐meat‐eaters from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of children aged 1.5–4.5 years.Methods Children (n = 1351) were categorized as ‘omnivores’ or ‘vegetarians’, according to whether they consumed meat or meat products during a 4‐day dietary record. Blood samples were also obtained for analysis of haematological and biochemical nutrient status.Results Three per cent of children were ‘vegetarian’. They consumed higher proportions of milk and milk products, although this was significant only in older children (P = 0.007), owing to high consumption by the high proportion of Asian children. In vegetarians, energy intakes tended to be lower in both age groups. Percentage energy from protein and fat were lower, while that from carbohydrate was higher compared with omnivores. Cholesterol intakes were lower, significantly so for younger children (P < 0.001). Intakes of micronutrients were either higher (vitamins C and E, potassium) or lower (niacin and sodium) in younger vegetarians compared with omnivores. Energy‐adjusted intakes of iron and zinc did not differ significantly from those of omnivores, although both intakes were low in many children (6–20% < LRNI), particularly in the younger group. Haematological and biochemical nutrient status indices showed few differences. Serum ferritin was lower in vegetarians, significantly so in younger children (P = 0.002). Antioxidant vitamin (A, C and E) status tended to be higher in vegetarians, while vitamin B12 intakes and status were more than adequate. Apart from poorer vitamin D intake and status in older Asian vegetarians, very few ethnic differences were observed.Conclusions Nutrient intakes and status were generally adequate in preschool children who did not eat meat. Although serum ferritin levels were inferior (particularly in vegetarians under 3 years old), the lower intakes of fat, cholesterol and sodium, and higher antioxidant vitamin intakes and status indices were potentially beneficial. Given a balanced diet, adequate nutrient intakes and status can be maintained without consuming meat.
Clinical audit of the effects of low‐fibre diet on irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Woolner J. T. , Kirby G. A. 
Published: March 2003

Introduction High‐fibre diets are frequently advocated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) although there is little scientific evidence to support this. Experience of patients on low‐fibre diets suggests that this may be an effective treatment for IBS, warranting investigation.Methods Symptoms were recorded for 204 IBS patients presenting in the gastroenterology clinic. They were then advised on a low‐fibre diet with bulking agents as appropriate. Symptoms were reassessed by postal questionnaire 4 weeks later. Patients who had improved on the diet were advised on the gradual reintroduction of different types of fibre to determine the quantity and type of fibre tolerated by the individual.Results Seventy‐four per cent of questionnaires were returned. A significant improvement (60–100% improvement in overall well‐being) was recorded by 49% of patients.Conclusion This preliminary study suggests that low‐fibre diets may be an effective treatment for some IBS patients and justifies further investigation as a full clinical trial.
Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients
Authors: Andersen T. , Fogh J. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundObesity and overweight may soon affect more than half of the population in some regions of the world and are associated with diabetes, hypertension and other diseases that cause morbidity, mortality and high health‐care expenditure. No one approach, whether dietetic management, medication, or commercial weight loss programme, can alone solve the problem – all potential treatments need to be investigated and exploited. Among the herbal preparations known to non‐western cultures are materials which may have applications in modulating physiological processes which influence gut motility, food intake and energy balance. One such mixed herbal preparation is ‘YGD’ containing Yerbe Maté (leaves ofIlex paraguayensis), Guarana (seeds ofPaullinia cupana) and Damiana (leaves ofTurnera diffusavar.aphrodisiaca).AimsThis study had two distinct aims: to determine the effect of a herbal preparation ‘YGD’ containing Yerbe Maté, Guarana and Damiana on gastric emptying; to determine the effect of the same preparation on weight loss over 10 days and 45 days and weight maintenance over 12 months.MethodsGastric emptying was observed using ultrasound scanning in seven healthy volunteers following YGD and placebo capsules taken with 420 mL apple juice. Body weight was observed before and after 10 days of treatment with three YGD capsules or three placebo capsules before each meal for 10 days in 44 healthy overweight patients attending a primary health care centre. Forty‐seven healthy overweight patients entered a double‐blind placebo‐controlled parallel trial of three capsules of YGD capsules before each main meal for 45 days compared with three placebo capsules on body weight. Body weight was monitored in 22 patients who continued active (YGD capsules) treatment for 12 months.ResultsThe herb preparation YGD was followed by a prolonged gastric emptying time of 58 ± 15 min compared to 38 ± 7.6 min after placebo (P=0.025). Body weight reductions were 0.8 ± 0.05 kg after YGD capsules compared to 0.3 ± 0.03 kg after placebo capsules over 10 days, and 5.1 ± 0.5 kg after PGD capsules compared to 0.3 ± 0.08 kg after placebo over 45 days. Active treatment with YGD capsules resulted in weight maintenance of the group (73 kg at the beginning and 72.5 kg at the end of 12 months).ConclusionsThe herbal preparation, YGD capsules, significantly delayed gastric emptying, reduced the time to perceived gastric fullness and induced significant weight loss over 45 days in overweight patients treated in a primary health care context. Maintenance treatment given in an uncontrolled context resulted in no further weight loss, nor weight regain in the group as a whole. The herbal preparation is thus shown to be one that significantly modulates gastric emptying. Further clinical studies with dietetic monitoring of energy intake, dietary quality, satiety ratings, body weight and body composition are now indicated, and examination of the active principles contained in the three herbal components may prove rewarding.
Dietitians and the internet: are dietitians embracing the new technology?
Authors: Kirk S. F. L. , Cade J. E. , Greenhalgh A. 
Published: March 2003

BackgroundInternet use is increasing and in the future it will become a valuable tool for health professionals seeking and communicating health, diet and nutritional information. This study aimed to explore the use of the Internet by dietitians in the UK.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was carried out on a random sample of 200 dietitians selected from the British Dietetic Association database. A self‐completion questionnaire was distributed to determine access to the Internet and the views of dietitians on the use of the Internet for the provision of health and nutrition information.ResultsOf the 156 respondents to the questionnaire, 96% were female and 4% were male. The results revealed that 66% of respondents had access to the Internet at work, with 39% using the Internet once a week or more. The main reported uses of the Internet were searching for health information, research and communication. Thirteen per cent of respondents reported seeing information obtained from the Internet by patients. Concerns about the use of the Internet for the provision of health information centred on creating unrealistic patient expectations.ConclusionThe research revealed that the Internet does have a role in augmenting current services. A substantial proportion of the dietitians studied were already using the Internet routinely in their work, with the real potential for its use beginning to be realized.
Breast cancer screening for older women with intellectual disability living in community group homes
Authors: Davies N. , Duff M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBreast cancer is one of the commonest cancers to affect women. Present health service guidelines call for screening and mammography for all women aged between 50 and 65 years in an effort to increase early detection and improve survival rates. Nulliparity is one of the associated risk factors for breast cancer. Women with intellectual disability (ID) are increasing in longevity and are frequently nulliparous, and therefore, they are at increased risk of developing breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to review the uptake and knowledge of women with ID living in the community of breast screening programmes. A postal survey of women aged ≥ 50 years with ID living in community group homes was used to gather data. Only one‐third of the women carried out regular breast examination and a similar proportion had received invitations to mammography. General practitioners and practice nurses were currently playing very minor roles in breast screening these women. Primary health care professionals may be missing opportunistic health promotion opportunities and the support services for women with ID living in the community could be provided with better training and resources to improve breast cancer screening in this vulnerable group.
Factors associated with intended staff turnover and job search behaviour in services for people with intellectual disability
Authors: Hatton C. , Emerson E. , Rivers M. , Mason H. , Swarbrick R. , Mason L. , Kiernan C. , Reeves D. , Alborz A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractStaff turnover is a major problem in services for people with intellectual disability (ID). Therefore, understanding the reasons for staff turnover is vital for organizations seeking to improve their performance. The present study investigates the factors directly and indirectly associated with an intention to leave an organization and actual job search behaviour amongst staff in services for people with ID. As part of a large‐scale survey of staff in services for people with ID, information was collected from 450 staff concerning intended turnover, job search behaviour and a wide range of factors potentially associated with these outcomes. Path analyses revealed that work satisfaction, job strain, younger staff age and easier subjective labour conditions were directly associated with intended turnover. The same factors, with the exception of younger staff age, were also directly associated with job search behaviour. Factors indirectly associated with these outcomes included wishful thinking, alienative commitment to the organization, lack of staff support, role ambiguity, working longer contracted hours, having a low‐status job, a lack of influence over decisions at work and less orientation to working in community settings with people with ID. The models of staff turnover empirically derived in the present study confirm and extend previous research in this area. The implications for organizations are discussed.
Adjunctive gabapentin in patients with intellectual disability and bipolar spectrum disorders
Authors: Carta M. G. , Hardoy M. C. , Dessì I. , Hardoy M. J. , Carpiniello B. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy of adjunctive gabapentin (GBP) in the treatment of patients with intellectual disability (ID) and bipolar spectrum disorders. Ten affected subjects with demonstrable increases in symptomatology during ‘significant’ life events which had interfered with or induced the interruption of their rehabilitation programmes were chosen for this study. The meaning of ‘significant’ was defined for each patient as a frequently repeated life event which had elicited a marked increase in symptoms on at least two occasions. Gabapentin (300–900 mg day−1) was added to the standard therapy. The subjects’ psychopathological conditions during the significant life event were assessed by means of standardized tools both before and after adjunctive therapy with GBP. A positive response to therapy was observed, with subsequent improvement of psychopathological conditions, particularly for anxiety and depressive symptoms. The promising results obtained with GBP suggest the need for further trials. Adjunctive GBP may become an alternative treatment approach for patients with ID in whom traditional mood‐stabilizing agents have frequent contraindications.
Psychopathology and young people with Down's syndrome: childhood predictors and adult outcome of disorder
Authors: McCarthy J. , Boyd J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThere is a scarcity of follow‐up studies into adult life of psychiatric disorder in young people with intellectual disability. The key aims of the present study were: (1) to determine the outcome of psychopathology present in childhood in individuals with Down's syndrome (DS); and (2) to look at childhood predictors of adult psychiatric disorder. Fifty‐two young people with DS were identified from a sample of 193 subjects examined in childhood and adolescence for psychiatric and behaviour disorder. These young adults were interviewed for the presence of psychiatric disorder. No significant relationship was found between childhood mental disorder and psychiatric disorder in adult life for those individuals with DS. Early childhood factors of psychiatric disorder, challenging behaviour and family environment, except social background, did not predict adult psychopathology in young people with DS. Childhood disorder in individuals with DS has a good early prognosis with little evidence of continuity of the disorder into adult life.
Hyponatremia during carbamazepine therapy in patients with intellectual disability
Authors: Kelly B. D. , Hillery J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCarbamazepine is an anticonvulsant and psychotropic medication commonly used in the treatment of people with intellectual disability (ID). The incidence of hyponatremia during treatment in this population is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyponatremia during carbamazepine treatment in patients with ID, and to investigate the risk factors and clinical features of this condition. The prevalence of hyponatremia was retrospectively assessed in 53 people receiving carbamazepine (subject group) and 64 people not receiving carbamazepine (control group) who lived in a residential centre for people with ID. The relationship between serum sodium level, sex, age, daily carbamazepine dose and serum carbamazepine levels was examined. The prevalence of the clinical features of hyponatremia was assessed in this population using a checklist. The prevalence of hyponatremia was 41.5% and 9.4% in the subject and control groups, respectively. The mean serum sodium level in the subject group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Hyponatremia correlates significantly with a high daily carbamazepine dose and a high serum carbamazepine level. The checklist of clinical features was not useful in detecting hyponatremia clinically. Hyponatremia is a common occurrence in this population. In the light of the uncertain significance of mild, chronic hyponatremia, the value of routine monitoring of serum electrolytes has yet to be established.
Patterns of offending among people with intellectual disability: a systematic review. Part I: methodology and prevalence data
Authors: Simpson M. K. , Hogg J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA systematic review of research on offenders with intellectual disability (ID) was conducted. In the present study, the first of a two‐part presentation of the findings, the authors outline the methodology of the review and present data on the prevalence of offending by adults with ID. The review highlights the methodological problems of the research and the low level of rigour in many of the studies. The organization of the penal and ‘care’ systems are seen to have a huge impact on research findings. In addition, studies which adopt an IQ‐based concept of ID show low rates of offending, whilst those which use wider definitions (e.g. attendance at special school) show higher ones. There is also preliminary evidence for believing that the prevalence of arson and sexual offences may be higher relative to other kinds of crimes for people with ID than for other offenders.
Dermatoglyphics and abnormal palmar flexion creases as markers of early prenatal stress in children with idiopathic intellectual disability
Authors: Rosa A. , Gutiérrez B. , Guerra A. , Arias B. , Fañanás L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA number of studies have shown the importance of dermatoglyphics as markers of prenatal disturbance in developmental disorders of unknown origin. Genetic and non‐genetic factors are involved in the aetiology of intellectual disability (ID), although the cause remains unknown in up to 50% of cases. The aim of the present study was to analyse dermatoglyphic traits and abnormal palmar flexion creases as markers of environmental prenatal stress in children with idiopathic ID (IID) using a case‐control study design. Three dermatoglyphic variables, which have been reported as altered in other congenital disorders, were considered were studied in a sample of 62 children with IID (IQ < 70) and 75 healthy controls (IQ > 70): (1) fingerprint patterns; (2) total a–b ridge count (TABRC); and (3) abnormal palmar flexion creases (APFCs). More arches, the simplest fingerprint pattern, and more radial loops, an unusual pattern, were found in IID cases in comparison to controls (χ23= 9.26;P= 0.02), with especially marked differences in boys (χ23= 6.5;P= 0.0008). A significant increase of APFCs was also found in the affected children (χ24= 28.52;P< 0.00; odds ration = 3.86, 95% confidence interval = 1.77–8.47). For TABRC, the differences between IID cases and controls failed to reach the conventional level of significance. These findings suggest that environmental factors acting early in development, or mechanisms involving an interaction of genotype and environment could be involved in the aetiology of some cases of ID.