Associations between dietary habits, socio-demographics and gut microbial composition in adolescents.

The relationship between dietary habits and microbiota composition during adolescence has not been well examined. This is a crucial knowledge gap to fill considering that diet-microbiota interactions influence neurodevelopment, immune system maturation and metabolic regulation. This study examined the associations between diet and the gut microbiota in a school-based sample of 136 adolescents (Mage = 12·1 years; age range 11-13 years; 48 % female; 47 % Black, 38 % non-Hispanic White, 15 % Hispanic or other minorities) from urban, suburban and rural areas in the Southeast USA. Adolescents completed the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants and provided stool samples for 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Parents reported their child and family socio-demographic characteristics. The associations between diet and socio-demographics with gut microbiota diversity and abundance were analysed using multivariable regression models. Child race and ethnicity, sex, socio-economic status and geographic locale contributed to variation within microbiota composition (ß-diversity). Greater consumption of processed meat was associated with a lower microbial α-diversity after adjusting for socio-demographic variables. Multi-adjusted models showed that frequent consumption of nutrient-poor, energy-dense foods (e.g. sugar-sweetened beverages, fried foods, sweets) was negatively associated with abundances of genera in the family Lachnospiraceae (Anaerostipes, Fusicatenibacter and Roseburia), which are thought to play a beneficial role in host health through their production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These results provide new insights into the complex relationships among socio-demographic factors, diet and gut microbiota during adolescence. Adolescence may represent a critical window of opportunity to promote healthy eating practices that shape a homoeostatic gut microbiota with life-long benefits.

Exploring the Relationship Between Modifiable Protective Factors and Mental Health Issues Among Children Experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences Using a Resilience Framework.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (NSCDC) resilience framework statistically predicted whether a child with 4 or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) ever had a mental health issue. The study also explored which NSCDC modifiable resilience factors had the strongest relationship with mental health issues among children with 4 or more ACEs. Utilizing the 2019 National Survey of Children's Health, secondary data analysis was conducted using a sample of 1,225 children between 6 and 17 years old that had experienced 4 or more ACEs. Logistic regression examined whether the NSCDC framework was associated with a lower likelihood of mental health issues in school-aged children. Analysis found that the NSCDC framework predicted whether children with 4 or more ACEs ever had a mental health issue. Self-regulation had the strongest relationship with whether a child with 4 or more ACEs ever had a mental health issue. A supportive parent/caregiver relationship was also associated with a lower likelihood of ever having a mental health issue. The results demonstrate the promise of the NSCDC framework and modifiable protective factors to mitigate the impact of ACEs on mental health outcomes. Interventions that teach children skill-based self-regulation and parent/caregiver co-regulation while providing safe and supportive environments can build self-regulation to overcome ACEs. Promoting resilience-building parent-child relationships also have the potential to build resilience to mitigate ACEs.

The Potential for Teacher-Student Relationships and the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model to Mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer health and educational outcomes. With over 20% of children experiencing multiple ACEs, interventions must target protective factors to improve outcomes among these students. Teacher-student relationships (TSRs) integrated with the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) are one promising approach to building resilience to overcome ACEs. METHODS: A narrative literature review was conducted on ACEs, resilience, TSRs, and the WSCC model to explore the evidence and potential of TSR interventions integrated within the WSCC model to build resilience in students experiencing ACEs. RESULTS: Supportive adult relationships are one of the strongest protective factors against ACEs. TSR interventions have improved student and relationship outcomes. Few studies have explored the relationship between TSRs and ACEs or TSR ACEs interventions. The WSCC model provides opportunities to integrate TSRs and other protective factors into a schoolwide health model to build resilience. CONCLUSIONS: TSRs and the WSCC model are promising approaches to target protective factors to mitigate ACEs. Research is needed to further establish TSRs as a protective factor, explore TSR ACEs interventions, and determine best practices for integrating TSRs and resilience in the WSCC model.

Benefits and barriers to medically supervised pediatric weight-management programs.

Obesity in children and adolescents is now the most common chronic condition in the USA. Data indicate that approximately one in five children in the USA is now overweight. Public health professionals have increased efforts in recent years to develop medically supervised programs for this population. However, research shows that only a small amount of obese children participate in weight-reduction programs. Also, the long-term effects of these weight-reduction interventions for obese children have not been well researched. Several recent studies report that most of the successful obesity programs utilize an interdisciplinary approach that combines a diet, physical activity, parental involvement and behavioral modification. This article provides a review of the professional literature related to the benefits and barriers of medically supervised pediatric weight-management programs. It summarizes the programs that work and the perceived barriers that parents and families struggle with in adhering to treatment plans.

Preferred body type of fitness instructors among university students in exercise classes.

This study examined the relationship between participants' physique anxiety, eating behaviors, somatotype, and the preferred qualifications and body type of a fitness instructor. Subjects were 171 students attending fitness classes at a university. Analysis indicated that the women preferred a thinner fitness instructor than men and that enthusiasm, motivation, and being physically fit were considered the most important characteristics overall. No significant racial differences in key variables were found.

Preparing students to practice evidence-based dentistry: a mixed methods conceptual framework for curriculum enhancement.

This article describes a mixed methods conceptual framework for evidence-based dentistry to enhance the curriculum at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry. A focus of recent curriculum reform has been to prepare students to integrate evidence-based dentistry into clinical practice. The authors developed a framework consisting of four conceptual phases to introduce curriculum innovation: 1) exploration of the phenomenon; 2) development of two new instruments; 3) data collection, analysis, outcomes, and evaluation; and 4) application to curricular reform. Eight sequential procedural steps (literature review; focus group discussions; development of themes; survey design; internal review; data collection, analysis, and evaluation; development of recommendations with external review; and implementation of recommendations for curricular enhancement) guided the curricular enhancement. Faculty members supported the concept of teaching evidence-based dentistry to facilitate major curriculum reform, and course directors incorporated evidence-based teaching to prepare scientist-practitioners who meet dental performance standards. The new curriculum implemented following completion of the study is in its third year. Much of its structure is based on evidence-based teaching methodologies, and approximately one-third of the content consists of small groups researching clinical problems with applied science and discussing the findings. The framework described in this article proved useful to guide revision of predoctoral clinical education at one dental school and may be useful in other settings.

Responding to Health Information and Training Needs of Individuals with Disabilities.

The role of a medical librarian includes guiding consumers to search for information related to specific health needs and interpret information for personal use. Little is known about barriers to accessing health information and clinical services for those with cognitive and physical disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to describe a statewide needs assessment of the health information and services needs of individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.Data from the needs assessment conducted by the Health Services Training Project of more than 1,000 respondents indicate unmet needs for outreach to increase effective use of library and information resources. Fewer consumers and their caregivers utilized the Internet to search for health information as compared to clinical service providers and students in health professions. A majority of consumers reported difficulty obtaining and understanding online health information. Service providers and students shared concerns about information quality. Consumers and caregivers expressed highest levels of trust in information provided by service providers, nonprofit health agencies, reference books, and libraries.

Ecological strategies to promote healthy body image among children.

BACKGROUND: Personal habits of children and adolescents related to healthy body image (BI) are influenced by various determinants in the micro- and macroenvironment. These include attitudes and behaviors about eating; exercise and physical appearance modeled by parents, teachers, and peers; as well as opportunities to learn new habits and social praise for healthy choices. The coordinated school health program (CSHP) is compatible with the 5 levels of an ecological approach to developing new health behaviors. METHODS: Authors systematically applied the ecological model to all 8 components of coordinated school health. Next, strategies for each of the components were developed using the professional literature as well as author expertise in the areas of health education, exercise science, and dietetics. RESULTS: For each strategy, applicable health and physical education standards, as well as goals for each strategy and additional Web resources, were provided to assist educators and administrators in supporting healthy BI among students. CONCLUSIONS: Educators may effectively use a coordinated approach to guide multiple intervention activities aimed at increasing healthy habits among adolescents and their families. The strength of the CSHP is its collaborative nature with active participation by students, faculty members, family caregivers, agency professionals, community residents, and health care providers.

Body-shape perceptions and body mass index of older African American and European American women.

The prevalence of obesity is higher in African American compared to European American women. Ethnic differences in body-shape perceptions such as greater acceptance of overweight figures, higher levels of body shape satisfaction, or an underestimation of one's body-shape have been suggested as possible contributors. The purpose of this investigation was to compare body-shape perceptions and body mass index of older African American and European American women. Eighty-nine European American and 115 African American women (mean age, 72 years) completed a questionnaire, composed of three parts: general demographic and anthropometric information, and questions regarding body-shape perceptions. The results suggested an underestimation of body-shape in African American women as a possible contributor to obesity. The findings of the present study suggested that in order to enhance the effectiveness of dietary interventions in older African American women, measures to assess the accuracy of self-perceived body-shape should be included.