Learning disorder and blood concentration of heavy metals in the United Arab Emirates.

Children are frequently exposed to toxic metals in the environment, and their developing central nervous system is particularly vulnerable to their effects. This study examined the blood level of heavy metals in children with learning disorder (LD) as compared to children without LD in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Significantly high blood concentrations of seven heavy metals were found in children with LD. Further analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression showed that molybdenum levels and family history of developmental problems were the best predictors of LD. Our findings suggest the need for monitoring for toxic metals in the environment.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and environmental toxic metal exposure in the United Arab Emirates.

No systematic studies have been carried out on the effects of toxic metals on childhood behavior in the Gulf Region including the UAE. The relationship between blood levels of heavy metals and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were explored in school-aged children of UAE and it was found that increased blood concentrations of lead (Pb), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) were significantly associated with ADHD. The findings suggest that monitoring for exposure to heavy metal levels and education on potential child health hazards related to them are indicated.

A controlled study of psychosocial factors in young people with diabetes in the United arab emirates.

Psychosocial factors were studied in 30 young people with diabetes and 30 control subjects in the UAE. Patients perceived themselves more negatively than their parents on several domains. Also, they had lower scores in the areas of physical appearance and athletic competence when compared to control subjects. There were significant gender differences, with girls perceiving themselves more negatively. Better maternal education and availability of social support were associated with a positive self-image in the child. Parents of children exhibiting behavioral/emotional problems had a higher score on the parental General Health Questionnaire. Awareness and understanding of these psychosocial variables can help healthcare providers to target these issues as part of comprehensive diabetes management.

Disordered eating attitudes and symptomatology among adolescent girls in the United Arab Emirates.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the prevalence and correlates of disordered eating attitudes and symptomatology in a school-based Arab population. METHODS: A representative stratified random sample of 495 adolescent girls completed the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-40) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A randomly selected subgroup from the those who scored above the recommended cut-off of 30 on the EAT-40 and an equal number of those who scored below 30 were interviewed in stage 2 by a psychiatrist, blind to the EAT scores, using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS) and DSM-IV criteria for the presence of eating disorders. RESULTS: 116 girls (23.4%) scored above the recommended cut-off on EAT. High EAT score was associated with age, BMI, internalization of thin ideal and drive for thinness, knowing someone on a weight loss strategy, having a family member with weight-related or mental health problem and watching western TV programs. Using clinical interview of 100 girls in stage 2, half of those who scored above the cut-off on EAT were found to have a propensity for anorexic behavior, while 2% met the criteria for the full clinical syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Thin body preoccupation as well as family and social factors are important in the development of abnormal eating attitudes among adolescents in this Arabian Gulf country.