BMI, nutrition knowledge and practice among nutrition and non-nutrition university students at The University of the West Indies

Objective: This study assessed nutrition knowledge and healthy dietary practices among nutrition and non-nutrition University students in relation to body mass index classification. Design and Methodology: A convenience sample of 224 students (112 nutrition students; 112 non-nutrition students) participated in the study. Data was collected face to face using a structured questionnaire. Nutrition knowledge, healthy dietary practices and body mass index were assessed. The study was conducted at the University of the West Indies Campus, St. Augustine during the months of March to April, 2018. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 to perform descriptive statistics and correlations. Results: The mean knowledge score of nutrition students was 24 ± 4.47 and non-nutrition students were 20 ± 3.87. BMI classification of nutrition students, 53.6% were overweight, 43.8% had normal BMIs and 2.6% were underweight. Among the non-nutrition students 41% were overweight, 57.2% had normal BMIs and 1.8% were underweight. In relation to dietary practice, there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusions: Nutrition students at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus were observed to have higher BMIs and unhealthier BMI classifications compared to non-nutrition students. Sound dietary practices did not differ among the groups; nutritional knowledge levels however were higher in nutrition students than non-nutrition students.

Diabetes and nutrition: factors affecting dietary choices

Aims: To determine the patient factors affecting dietary choices in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending two health centres in County St. Patrick, Trinidad. To evaluate adherence to the desired diet through their practices and to identify any differences in practices between a centre receiving usual dietary care and one receiving supplemental care from a primary care physician. Methodology: Both centres serve communities along the southwestern coast of Trinidad and consist of individuals of both African and Indian descent. Usual dietary care, which is provided by a registered dietitian, was supplemented by group sessions given by a primary care physician in one of the health centres. A de novo survey, assessing knowledge, seven preferred dietary practices and barriers was formulated, pre-tested and administered to patients with type 2 diabetes attending both centres. To allow for comparison, a sample size of 288 was calculated for each centre using 75% as the prevalence of non-adherence. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences where associations were assessed using chi-square and frequencies of factors analyzed. Results: A total of 350 persons, two thirds of which were women, with a mean age of 62.5 years participated in the study. All seven of the preferred practices was followed by only 2 participants. 'Eating whatever was available', 'fast foods being convenient' and 'lack of time to prepare appropriate foods' were the ii significant barriers identified. Both centres appeared to have similar rates of preferred practices throughout. Conclusion: A very low number of individuals followed all the preferred practices and barriers to appropriate choices was variable. Intervention led by a primary care physician did not have an apparent impact on the dietary choices of individuals.

Measuring changes in nutritional knowledge: a nutrition education intervention among primary school children in Trinidad and Tobago

OBJECTIVE: To measure changes in nutritional knowledge among primary school children aged 6-12 years in Trinidad and Tobago. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study utilized a randomized experimental design. Eight government primary schools from two geographical regions with students aged 6-12 years from varied socioeconomic status in Trinidad participated in the study. A paired design, matched on geographical region and school population size was used to randomly assign schools to one of the four groups, i.e., (1) menu modification plus and nutrition education (MM plus NE), (2) menu modification (MM) alone, (3) nutrition education (NE) alone, and (4) control group. RESULTS: An analysis of changes in nutrition knowledge score on the 15-item pre/post tests indicated higher scores for three groups: MM plus NE, NE alone, and the control. Specifically, a statistically significant mean increase from baseline of 1.47 points for MM plus NE group, 0.61 points for NE group, and 1.19 points for the control group was found. Statistically significant differences were observed in the treatment groups receiving NE when compared to the control for level of nutrition knowledge. At post-intervention, the highest score was in the MM plus NE (p < 0.01), which was significantly higher than the control or MM. Further, mean knowledge scores for NE and MM plus NE were significantly higher than MM (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The researchers concluded that both interventions together had greater improvements in knowledge scores than the MM alone group but not compared to the control group.

Each one teach one: training students for diabetes and nutrition peer education in schools

OBJECTIVE: To provide a Diabetes (DM) in-school support system; to enable peer education in a general setting without discrimination. DESIGN AND METHODS: 200 student leaders aged 10-14 were chosen from 18 schools. We used the Novo Nordisk “Changing Diabetes in Children” presentations to teach about DM and Nutrition. 162 questionnaires were given to assess the students’ knowledge of type 1 DM. RESULTS: 22 (13.5%) students said in type 1 DM the body makes insulin but more insulin is needed, while 67 (41.4%) said the body does not make insulin and the treatment is pills and plenty water only. 33 (20.4%) said Diabetes affects only old people, 126 (77.8%) said all children can get DM. 157 (96.9%) said eating a variety of vegetables, legumes and some fruits are important in Diabetes management. 11 (6.8%) and 9 (5.6%) respectively, said if their friend had Diabetes they should not play or talk with them anymore and 142 (87.7%) said they should show love and support. 147 (90.7%) said if they learnt about Diabetes, everyone should learn too, 15 (9.3%) said they should keep it to themselves, share with family or “their secret keepers” only. 96 (59.3%) said children with Diabetes can take part in all activities and 23 (14.2%) said if they have DM they cannot go to school. CONCLUSION: Diabetes and nutrition education is necessary for understanding the illness and to facilitate students with DM. Good teaching aids are needed and the “Changing Diabetes in Children” tools were beneficial.

Workplace Nutrition

The importance of good nutrition is understood by most, if not all people, even those without access to scientific studies and proofs. It is widely believed, and rightly so, that poor nutrition is linked to poor academic performance, lack of energy, less favourble behaviour and poor growth in children. Studies have shown that when a child who previously did not have access to a health breakfast is regularly fed a healthy breakfast, overall performance in school improves.

Grocery shopping in a recession

Global recession has caused many consumer goods, particularly food items, to increase while wages and salaries have been stagnant. Although the current financial crisis may look somewhat bleak or depressing, families, especially those in which children are present, need to ensure that in addition to saving money, the health needs of the family members are met. You may be wondering, how it is possible to stick to a budget while maintaining a health conscious diet? All is not lost. Even though prices are higher, healthy living does not have to be expensive. The wise shopper armed with a plan can still make healthful choices and save money.

Nutrition through the life course: part 8 - the elderly

Aging is an inevitable natural process. It results in changes to several organs which function less efficiently leading to the development of disease. Research has shown that the risk of chronic disorders increases significantly with age.

Nutrition through the life course: part 6 - adolescent

Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and adulthood. It is the period where a significant growth spurt occurs. Teenagers grow rapidly and therefore their bodies have special requirement of vitamins, minerals, energy and protein in order to prevent future health problems. These requirements can only be met by eating an adequate amount of a variety of nutritious foods from six foods groups.

Crop improvement for human nutrition: the case of the Mexican yam bean [abstract]

The Mexican yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) is a tuberous legume native to Central America. This species shows great potential for development as a food crop, to increase the existing limited base of staples that make up the diet in tropical regions, producing both protein rich grain and starch producing tubers. Starch quality is good due to its high digestibility. The major limitation to its use as a staple crop, however, is the low starch content of the tubers. The low variability of the existing gene pool for the genus limits the use of conventional plant breeding for improvement of the crop. Genetic engineering for crop improvement is, therefore adopted. The molecular genetics of carbohydrate metabolism in tubers of the Mexican yam bean is being studied. The result of such studies will guide the application of genetic engineering technology to improve starch content of the tubers. The work reported here describes the cloning of putative genes for the large subunit of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (Agp2) from yam bean tubers. A cDNA library was constructed from RNA isolated from two-month-old yam bean tubers. A probe for Agp2 was prepared by RTPCR analysis of the tuber RNA preparations, using degenerate primers. Four clones, which hybridized to the probe, were isolated for further characterization. (AU)

Determination of the nutritional status of high-risk antenatal women in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica

A cross-sectional study was done of forty-eight women attending the High Risk Antenatal Clinic at the Black River Hospital in the Parish of St. Elizabeth during the three month period of September to November, 1999 to determine their nutritional status. The data collection instrument included a twenty-four diet recall as well as food frequency questionnaire. The study group included teenagers (41.7 percent), women twenty years and older (20 percent) and women thirty to forty-four years old (38.3 percent). Twenty-seven women were pregnant for the first time while 18 women were multiparous and 3 women were grand multiparous. There was more than 50 percent unemployment and over 50 percent of the study group included students, housewives and unskilled women. Of note, there were no tertiary graduates or any member of the Technical, Professional or Managerial occupational groups. All forty-eight women completed primary (56 percent) or secondary (44 percent) schooling. Fifteen women had confirmed medical conditions or diseases including anemia, astma, congenital heart disease, gout, hypertension, Rhesus negative blood group and sickle cell disease. Thirty-eight women experienced side effects of pregnancy, with high prevalences of heartburn and vomiting at 54 percent and 45.8 percent respectively. Thirty-eight women consumed pica agents such as dirt, cake soap and ashes, marl with ice showing the highest prevalence of 58.3 percent. For the first and second trimester periods of 0-28 weeks weight gain was in excess of the range while weight gain for the third trimester (29-40) weeks was within the range for the period. The nutrient intakes used to determine nutritional status were the Recommended Daily Allowance for the age group which included calories, protein and fat. Deficiencies expressed as a perecntage of the RDA were vitamin C and D, calcium and iron. Adequate nutrient sources were demonstrated from the responses to the food frequency questionnaire. The prevalence of anaemia was 23.8 percent and close to one half of the group (47.9 percent) took iron supplements. The study group was already at risk due to their low socio-economic status and were deemed equally at a nutritional risk due to the notable excesses and deficiencies in their nutrient intake (AU)

Guidelines for Young Child Feeding in the Caribbean - Part III

This section is the final of three parts on the revised guidelines for young child feeding by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI). In the previous section, we covered the areas of nutrition of the newborn, feeding of low birthweight infants and those with special requirements, and replacement and complementary feedings. This section deals with the guidelines on vitamin and mineral supplementation, and the management of feeding-related problems in early childhood. The section also discusses nutrition policy issues and nutrition in relation to the promotion of adequate nutrition in early childhood.(Au)

Nutrition of Honduran mothers/caretakers

In 1966, the Honduran Ministry of Health conducted a national micronutrient survey of children 12-71 months old, which also included an assessment of the nutrition status of their mothers/caretakers. THe 1 126 mothers/caretakers who participated in the survey tended to be short and plump. About 15 percent of them were at obstetric risk by virtue of their short stature and/or low body weight. About 9 percent had chronic energy deficiency (CED), but 27 percent were at least 20 percent overweight. CED was associated with socioeconomic indicators of poverty. Risk factors for being at higher than grade 4, 5, or 6 of primary school, coming from a wealthier household, and living in San Pedro Sula or medium-sized cities. Among the women surveyed, 26 percent of nonpregnant and 32 percent of pregnant mothers/caretakers were anemic. The likely principal cause of anemia was the low intake of bioavailable iron from food and, in some cases, excessive iron loss associated with intestinal parasities, especially hookworm. Only 50 percent of the mothers/caretakers participating in this study had received iron during their last pregnancy, and just 13 percent had received postpartum vitamin A. The results highlighted the need to develop and implement an effective program to control iron deficiency anemia in women of reproductive age, including by fortifying such widely consumed foods as processed wheat and maize flour and by routinely administering iron supplements to high-risk groups. Postpartum vitamin A supplementation should be encouraged to protect both the mother and newborn infant against vitamin A deficiency (AU)

Nutrition and education: a randomized trial of the effects of breakfast in rural primary school children

Hunger during school may prevent children in developing countries from benefiting from education. Although many countries have implemented school feeding programmes, few of these have been rigorously evaluated. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of giving breakfast to undernourished and adequately nourished children. The undernourished group comprised 407 children in grades 2-5 in 16 rural Jamaican schools (weights-for-age < - 1SD of the National Centre for Health Statistics references) and the adequately nourished group comprised of 407 children matched for school and class (weight-for-age > - 1SD). Both groups were stratified by class and school, than randomly assigned to breakfast or control groups. After the initial measurements, breakfast was provided every school day for one year. Children in control group were given one-quarter of an orange and the same amount of attention as children in breakfast group. All children had their heights and weights measured and were given the Wide Range Achievement Test before and after the intervention. School attendance was taken from the school's registers. Compared with the control group, height, weight, and attendance improved significantly in the breakfast groups. Both groups made poor progress in Wide Range Achievement Test scores. Younger children in the breakfast group improved in arithmetic. There was no effect of nutritional group on the response to breakfast. In conclusion, the provision of a school breakfast produced small benefits in children nutritional status, school attendance, and achievement. Greater improvements may occur in more undernourished populations; however, the massive problem of poor achievement levels requires integrated programmes including health and educational inputs as well as school meals.(AU)