Delivery method matters: omega-3 supplementation by restricted feeding period and oral gavage has a distinct impact on corticosterone secretion and anxious behavior in adolescent rats.

Objectives: Oral gavage and time-restricted feeding are common delivery methods for dietary supplementation to rodents. However, the stress associated with selected feeding regimens could represent a confounding variable. In rodents, the adolescence period is particularly vulnerable to stressful events, in part related to ongoing maturation of the brain. In this context, omega-3 dietary supplementation has shown beneficial effects on neuronal growth, cognitive performance and stress regulation, while high-fat diet (HVF) has been associated with enhanced stress and anxiety. Therefore, this study has two aims: (1) evaluate the influence of 21-day supplementation with soybean oil (control group; CSO), fish oil (FO) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) fatty acids (FA) during the adolescence period on corticosterone secretion and anxiety-like behavior and, (2) compare the impact of dietary supplementation using oral gavage or time-limited feeding on these measures.Methods: Oral gavage or restricted feeding were used to daily feed adolescent rats (PND28-47; n = 49). On supplementation days 1, 7, 14 and 21, droplets of blood were collected for corticosterone (CORT) assessments. The Open Field (OFT) and the Elevated-Plus Maze (EPM) tests served to assess anxiety-like behavior on PND50.Results: Our findings indicate increased CORT secretion in restricted-(R) compared to gavage-fed animals on DAY7 and DAY14, suggesting heightened HPA-axis reactivity. Notably, CORT secretion diminished in FO-R-rats (DAY21), suggesting improved coping/adjustment. Consistent with CORT assessments, findings in the OFT and EPM supported attenuated anxiety in gavage versus restricted groups. FO and CSO supplementation reduced anxiety compared to HVF intake.Conclusions: Our findings uncover a significant impact of feeding methods on anxiety-like behavior and physiological stress response in rodents, supporting oral gavage as a less stressful option during the adolescent developmental stage. Supplement-specific effects on CORT secretion further indicated an influence of fish oil in regulating the stress response.

Mothers' perceptions of self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting are related to their use of controlling and positive food parenting practices.

Perceptions of parenting competence are composed of self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting. Parenting competence is linked to differential outcomes across numerous parenting domains. To date, few studies have explored the relationships between maternal self-efficacy and food parenting practices, deploying different measures and age ranges, and yielding conflicting findings. Therefore, the current study sought to explore relationships between the two dimensions of perceived parenting competence and the use of controlling and positive food parenting practices. UK mothers (N = 269) of 18- to 59-month-old children completed measures of both dimensions of perceived parenting competence (i.e., parenting self-efficacy and satisfaction) and of controlling (maladaptive) and positive (health promoting) food parenting practices. Relationships were found between perceptions of competence and use of food parenting practices. Self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting were positively associated with the use of most positive food parenting practices. Greater parenting satisfaction, but not parenting efficacy, was associated with lower use of some of the potentially detrimental controlling food parenting practices. Neither parenting self-efficacy nor satisfaction with parenting were related to mothers' reported use of pressure to eat. In conclusion, supporting and promoting greater maternal self-efficacy and satisfaction with parenting may be a useful target for public health interventions and for professionals working with families with the aim of promoting optimal parenting to support children's development of healthy eating habits. Future research should seek to further elucidate the current findings with a longitudinal design.

Factors Contributing to the Preferred Method of Feeding in End-Stage Dementia: A Scoping Review.

Dementia is reported to be the overall fourth leading non-communicable cause of death, and accounted for almost two million deaths worldwide (3.5% of the total number) in 2016. Dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia secondary to dementia are the two most serious comorbidities. As the dementia progresses and the severity of an individual's dysphagia increases, the question of whether to commence an artificial nutrition or allow a person to continue to eat and drink orally is raised, both having associated risks. The purpose of this study was to establish current perspectives regarding the method(s) of feeding being used or preferred, once an individual with dementia has reached the end stages of the disease and is unable to swallow safely and efficiently, and ascertain the reasons for the choice made. An online search was completed, and articles published in English available up to April 2018 were considered for inclusion. Hand searching inclusive of the grey literature was also completed to obtain the maximum amount of relevant information. The total yield numbered 1888 studies, and following exclusions, full text studies deemed suitable for review amounted to 18. Themes were generated during the review process, relevant information was extracted, and six main themes emerged: feeding method; aspiration pneumonia; mortality; malnutrition; ethical considerations, and religion. The review indicated that the preferred method of feeding in end-stage dementia was artificial nutrition, in most cases via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. However, despite the perceived advantage of providing artificial nutrition, no convincing evidence was found to support the use of tube feeding in end-stage dementia. In fact, initiating tube feeding was considered to have adverse effects such as aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition and expedited death. Longitudinal research regarding current practice is therefore indicated to establish an optimal procedure for individuals with end-stage dementia and dysphagia.

The explanatory role of maternal feeding practices: do they explain ethnic differences in body weight of preadolescents?

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to explore the role of ethnicity and maternal perceived weight status in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood Body Mass Index (BMI) at the age of 11-12 years in a multi-ethnic population. METHODS: We collected data on child feeding practices by the validated Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) among 2398 mothers of adolescents (Mage = 11.2, SDage = 0.6). Multivariate linear analyses were used to determine the cross-sectional association between child feeding practices ('Restriction', 'Pressure to eat', and 'Monitoring'), maternal perception of child's weight status, SDS-BMI, and ethnicity. RESULTS: 'Restriction' (ß = 0.16; 95% CI [0.11; 0.20]) and 'Pressure to eat' (ß = -0.32 [-0.36;-0.28]) were significantly associated with child SDS-BMI. Both associations were strongly influenced by the mother's perception of child's weight status. Besides, non-native Dutch mothers performed significantly higher levels of 'Restriction' (M±SD = 12.17 ±â€¯4.41) and 'Pressure to eat' (10.75 ±â€¯4.03) compared to native Dutch mothers (11.25 ±â€¯4.15 and 9.99 ±â€¯3.83, respectively). Native Dutch mothers performed higher levels of 'Monitoring' (17.15 ±â€¯2.54) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (16.73 ±â€¯3.01). Furthermore, children of non-native Dutch mothers had a 0.15 (0.27; 0.46) higher SDS-BMI. Finally, results showed that the association between 'Pressure to eat' and SDS-BMI was stronger in native Dutch mothers (ß = -0.20; 95% CI [-0.24; -0.15]) compared to non-native Dutch mothers (ß = -0.11; 95% CI [-0.18; -0.04]). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in childhood BMI seemed to be partially attributable to the maternal perception of her child's weight status. Besides, maternal perception of child's weight appeared to play an important role in the association between maternal child feeding practices and childhood SDS-BMI. Hence, our findings contribute to the growing evidence concerning the bi-directional association between child feeding practices and childhood BMI.

Know the Flow: Milk Flow Rates From Bottle Nipples Used in the Hospital and After Discharge.

BACKGROUND: Milk flow rate may play an important role in an infant's ability to safely and efficiently coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing during feeding. PURPOSE: To test milk flow rates from bottle nipples used in the hospital and after discharge. METHODS: Bottle nipples used in hospitals (10 unique types) and available nationwide at major retailers (15 unique types) were identified. For each of the 25 nipple types, 15 nipples of that type were tested by measuring the amount of infant formula extracted in 1 minute by a breast pump. Mean milk flow rate (mL/min) and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for each nipple type. Comparisons between nipple types were made within brand and within category (eg, Slow, Standard). A cluster analysis was conducted to identify nipples of comparable flow. RESULTS: A total of 375 individual nipples were tested. Milk flow rates varied widely, from 0.86 to 37.61 mL/min. There was also a wide range of CVs, from 0.03 to 0.35. Packing information did not accurately reflect the flow rates of bottle nipples. The cluster analysis revealed 5 clusters of nipples, with flow rates from Extra Slow to Very Fast. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These data can be used to guide decisions regarding nipples to use for feeding infants with medical complexity in the hospital and after discharge. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Research on infant feeding should consider the flow rate and variability of nipples used, as these factors may impact findings.

Manual Feeding Device Experiences of People With a Neurodisability.

OBJECTIVE: Neurological bilateral upper limb weakness can result in self-feeding difficulties and reliance on care providers. Mealtimes become time consuming and frustrating. In this exploratory inquiry, we examined the experiences of users of a feeding device. METHOD: Semistructured interviews were either conducted by telephone or administered via email to explore quality of life, changes to independence, benefits and limitations, and psychological impact of the equipment. RESULTS: Thematic analysis gave rise to five themes: independence and positivity, emotions, impact on family and social life, equipment functionality, and motivation. CONCLUSION: This exploratory inquiry has contributed new qualitative evidence to the knowledge and understanding of users' experiences of a manual feeding device. Users reported that the need for assistance was reduced and that their quality of life, independence, and freedom improved. Time and resources savings for the family, care providers, and staff appeared to result in a more equal relationship between user and care provider.

Predicting children's fussiness with vegetables: The role of feeding practices.

Vegetables are commonly rejected by children, making it is important to consider factors that are associated with children's fussiness with vegetables. The current study aimed to investigate whether fussiness with vegetables is associated with a number of factors including caregiver and child vegetable consumption; caregivers' general feeding practices; and caregivers' vegetable-specific feeding practices. Caregivers (N = 297) of preschool children completed questionnaire measures of their child's fussiness with vegetables, as well as several caregiver and child factors hypothesised to be associated with children's fussiness with vegetables. Findings indicate that children who are fussier with vegetables consume a smaller quantity of vegetables and that almost all have caregivers who eat a smaller quantity of vegetables. Children's fussiness with vegetables was not significantly related to any general feeding practices used by caregivers. However, children's fussiness with vegetables was significantly associated with the use of several vegetable specific feeding practices. Caregivers of fussier children used more encouragement/pressure to eat with vegetables (r = 0.14, p = .01), hid vegetables within other foods more often (r = 0.30, p = <.01), used more food rewards for vegetable consumption (r = 0.19, p <.01), more other rewards for vegetable consumption (r = 0.21, p < .01), and compromised more when feeding vegetables (r = 0.14, p = .01). These findings suggest that rather than caregivers' general feeding practices being related to children's fussiness with vegetables, the specific feeding practices used when vegetables are rejected are more significant. It may therefore be helpful to develop advice for caregivers about which feeding practices to avoid when faced with a child who is fussy about eating vegetables.

Associations between social support, psychological well-being, decision making, empowerment, infant and young child feeding, and nutritional status in Ugandan children ages 0 to 24 months.

Maternal capabilities-qualities of mothers that enable them to leverage skills and resources into child health-hold potential influence over mother's adoption of child caring practices, including infant and young child feeding. We developed a survey (n = 195) that assessed the associations of 4 dimensions of maternal capabilities (social support, psychological health, decision making, and empowerment) with mothers' infant and young child feeding practices and children's nutritional status in Uganda. Maternal responses were converted to categorical subscales and an overall index. Scale reliability coefficients were moderate to strong (α range = 0.49 to 0.80). Mothers with higher social support scores were more likely to feed children according to the minimum meal frequency (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.38 [1.10, 1.73]), dietary diversity (OR [95% CI] = 1.56 [1.15, 2.11]), iron rich foods, (OR [95% CI] = 1.47 [1.14, 1.89]), and minimally acceptable diet (OR [95% CI] = 1.55 [1.10, 2.21]) indicators. Empowerment was associated with a greater likelihood of feeding a minimally diverse and acceptable diet. The maternal capabilities index was significantly associated with feeding the minimum number of times per day (OR [95% CI] = 1.29 [1.03, 1.63]), dietary diversity (OR [95% CI] = 1.44 [1.06, 1.94]), and minimally acceptable diet (OR [95% CI] = 1.43 [1.01, 2.01]). Mothers with higher psychological satisfaction were more likely to have a stunted child (OR [95% CI] = 1.31 [1.06, 1.63]). No other associations between the capabilities scales and child growth were significant. Strengthening social support for mothers and expanding overall maternal capabilities hold potential for addressing important underlying determinants of child feeding in the Ugandan context.

Association between maternal social capital and infant complementary feeding practices in rural Ethiopia.

Few studies have explored the potential of social capital in improving child nutritional status; however, most components of pathways between social capital and nutritional status have remained unexplained. Complementary feeding practice is a strong mediator of child nutritional status. This study examined the association between complementary feeding practice and maternal social capital in rural Ethiopia, using cross-sectional data of infant aged 6-12 months and their mother pairs (n = 870). The Short Social Capital Assessment Tool was used to assess maternal structural (i.e., community group membership, having emotional/economic support from individuals, and citizenship activities) and cognitive social capital (i.e., trust, social harmony, and sense of belonging) in the past 12 months. Infant's dietary diversity score (DDS, range: 0-7), minimum dietary diversity (MDD), and minimum meal frequency (MMF) were assessed using a 24-hr dietary recall. Multivariable ordinal/binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Having support from two or more individuals was associated with higher DDS (OR = 1.84) and meeting a minimum level of dietary diversity (MDD: OR = 5.20) but not with MMF, compared to those having no support. Having two or more group memberships was associated with higher DDS (OR = 2.2) but not with MDD or MMF, compared to those without group membership. Citizenship activities showed mixed associations with MMF and no association with DDS or MDD. Cognitive social capital showed no association with DDS or MDD and lower odds of meeting MMF (OR = 0.56). These mixed results call for further studies to examine other potential pathways (e.g., hygiene and caring behaviours) in which social capital could improve child nutritional status.

How important are the influencing factors to the decision on whether to provide seafood in infant and young child feeding?

Seafood is recommended as part of a healthy, balanced introductory diet however, consumption rates are low in young children. Research has previously investigated the influences to seafood consumption in consumers and non-consumers however the importance of these factors in mothers' decisions on whether to provide seafood for their child during the early years is unknown. This study aimed to measure the importance of factors that influence mothers' decisions on providing seafood for their child during infant and young child feeding (six months to four years). A mixed method Q methodology and cognitive interview approach was used with 32 mothers in Scotland. Despite a large consensus of opinion between mothers (n = 20) on the importance of factors on their decision-making, two viewpoints emerged highlighting an importance placed on food attributes and the infant, and convenience and family-centred. This study is the first to quantify the influences on the decision to provide seafood during early years' feeding and could be used to inform and tailor seafood-based dietary promotions and interventions for parents.

Feeding problems in infancy and early childhood: evolutionary concept analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of pediatric feeding problems. BACKGROUND: Reviews of the literature on pediatric feeding problems and disorders repeatedly reference the lack of a shared conceptualization of feeding problems. It is difficult to track aetiology, prevalence and incidence of a phenomenon when available definitions and diagnoses lack practical utility. DESIGN: An evolutionary concept analysis. DATA SOURCES: A search was conducted in October 2014 of Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed and Web of Science databases, with MeSH terms and key words including: failure to thrive, feeding disorder/difficulty/problems, infantile anorexia, oral aversion, mealtime behaviour and dysphagia. Inclusion criteria were: subject of feeding problems, index children 0-10 years of age, English language and full text. METHODS: The articles (n = 266) were sorted into disciplines of authorship, including Psychology, Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology or Other. The sample was divided into a historical sample (n = 42) for pre-2000 articles and current for those published post-2000. The current sample was later reduced to 100 and coded for surrogate terms, related concepts, attributes, antecedents and consequences. RESULTS: The historical view of pediatric feeding problems shows a tradition of mother blame or parental culpability, both direct and indirect. Currently, there exist many different definitions and typologies, but none have sound validity or generalizability. Areas of attribute consensus across disciplines are problematic feeding behaviours and selective or restrictive intake. CONCLUSION: A spectrum conceptualization of feeding problems is suggested for further development, with attributes that would be critical to have a feeding problem.

Investigating offering of vegetables by caregivers of preschool age children.

BACKGROUND: Research into the methods which caregivers use to encourage children to eat vegetables is limited, with minimal evidence about what the barriers are to offering these foods. Vegetable consumption in children is typically low, and so gaining information on these factors is vital in order to develop further caregiver-centred interventions to increase children's vegetable consumption. This study aimed to investigate the methods caregivers use to offer vegetables to preschool aged children, as well as the factors which influence whether and how caregivers present vegetables to their children. METHOD: Seventeen caregivers with a preschool aged child participated in focus groups to assess these questions. RESULTS: Thematic analysis indicated that caregivers use a range of methods to offer their children vegetables, with these methods falling into three broad categories: behavioural/active methods, passive methods and food manipulations. Influences on caregiver offering which emerged from the focus groups formed four categories: information, cost, parent factors and child factors. CONCLUSIONS: Together with large-scale quantitative data, this information can be used to shape future interventions aiming to increase children's vegetable intake as well as to tailor advice given to caregivers striving to achieve a healthful diet for their children.

Parental control and overconsumption of snack foods in overweight and obese children.

The associations between snack food consumption, parent feeding practices and general parenting in overweight in obese children are largely unknown. Therefore, we examined these relationships in 117 treatment-seeking overweight and obese children (10.40 ± 1.35 years; 53% female; 52% Caucasian; BMI-z: 2.06 ± .39). Children consumed a dinner meal, completed an Eating in the Absence of Hunger (EAH) free access paradigm (total EAH intake = EAH%-total; sweet food intake = EAH%-sweet), and completed the Child Report of Parent Behavior Inventory. Parents completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire. Child EAH%-total and EAH%-sweet were positively associated with dinner consumption (p's < .01). Girls had significantly higher EAH%-total compared to boys (p < .05). In separate models, higher EAH%-total was associated with greater use of maternal psychological control (p < .05) and EAH%-sweet was positively associated with parent monitoring (p < .05). In analyses examining factors associated with the consumption of specific foods, EAH snack food, parent restriction, pressure to eat, monitoring, and maternal psychological control were positively correlated with intake of Hershey's(®) chocolate bars (p's < .05). In summary, parental monitoring is associated with child sweet snack food intake and maternal psychological control is associated with child total snack food consumption. Future research should evaluate the complex relationship between child eating and parenting, especially with regard to subgroups of foods.

Associations of reward sensitivity with food consumption, activity pattern, and BMI in children.

In the current study, the associations of reward sensitivity with weight related behaviors and body mass index were investigated in a general population sample of 443 Flemish children (50.3% boys) aged 5.5-12 years. Cross-sectional data on palatable food consumption frequency, screen time, physical activity, parental education level and measured length and weight were collected. The Drive subscale of the 'Behavioral Inhibition Scale/Behavioral Activation Scale' was used as a short method to measure reward sensitivity. A significant positive association of reward sensitivity with the fast food and sweet drink consumption frequency was found. Furthermore, a significant positive association of reward sensitivity with the z-score of body mass index was demonstrated, which explained additional variance to the variance explained by palatable food consumption frequency, screen time, physical activity and parental education level. Hence, the assessment of reward sensitivity may have an added value to the assessment of weight-related behavior indicators when evaluating the determinants of overweight in a child. In sum, children high in reward sensitivity might be more attracted to fast food and sweet drinks, and hence, might be more vulnerable to develop unfavorable food habits and overweight. These findings suggest that considering inter-individual differences in reward sensitivity is of importance in future childhood obesity prevention campaigns.

Differences in eating behaviour, well-being and personality between mothers following baby-led vs. traditional weaning styles.

Baby-led weaning, where infants self-feed family foods in place of traditional spoon-feeding of purees, is continuing to grow in popularity. Evidence is emerging which suggests that the method may promote healthier eating behaviour and weight gain in children, but the research is in its infancy. One issue is the self-selecting nature of participants to the approach. Although those who follow a baby-led approach are known to have a higher education and more professional occupation, little is known about wider maternal characteristics, which might affect either adoption of or outcomes of the method. The aim of this study was to explore differences in maternal characteristics between those adopting a baby-led or traditional approach. Six hundred four mothers with an infant aged 6-12 months completed a questionnaire including a copy of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and depression scales) and Ten Item Personality Questionnaire (TIPQ) alongside details of weaning approach (baby-led vs. traditional). Mothers who adopted a baby-led weaning style scored significantly lower on restrained eating (DEBQ), anxiety and introversion (TIPQ) and anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (BSI). Mothers who currently adopt a baby-led approach are therefore significantly different in personality, eating behaviour and well-being characteristics compared with those adopting a traditional approach. These characteristics may affect likelihood of choosing a baby-led approach or indirectly affect outcomes for infants weaned using the approach. Further research exploring baby-led weaning in a wider population sample is needed.

The influence of visitor interaction on the behavior of captive crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) and implications for welfare.

Research suggests that zoo visitors can have positive, negative, and neutral impacts on captive primate welfare; however, research investigating the implications of visitor-animal feeding experiences is extremely limited. In the UK, a large proportion of BIAZA zoos that house lemur species offer visitor interaction experiences (16 out of 33). This study investigated the impact on the behavior of a family group of crowned lemurs (Eulemur coronatus) housed at Newquay Zoo, UK of visitors, accompanied by a keeper, entering the enclosure to feed the lemurs. Behavior was observed under four conditions: (i) during visitor feed; (ii) 30 min post-visitor feed; (iii) during a keeper feed; and (iv) 30 min post-keeper feed. Keeper feeds were conducted by keepers only, on the day after visitor feeds. The lemur group spent significantly less time performing aggressive behavior and was also significantly more interactive with keepers during visitor feeds compared with keeper-only feeds. There was no significant difference in behaviors performed immediately after interacting with visitors. Over the study period, there was a tendency for interactions with visitors to increase, and for interactions with keepers during visitor feeds to decrease. After a 28-day interval without visitor interaction, the lemurs' interaction with visitors had returned to the level recorded at the start of the study. In conclusion, visitor interaction did not compromise the welfare of the study subjects in either the short- or long-term, while an increase in visitor interactions over time has interesting implications for the enrichment properties of, or habituation to, unfamiliar humans. Zoo Biol. 35:222-227, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Style over substance: What can parenting styles tell us about ownership styles and obesity in companion animals?

Obesity is a major medical concern in human subjects, and most concerning is the rapid recent increase in childhood obesity. Children are more likely to be obese if their parents are obese, an effect that is mediated both by genetics and environment, most notably parental influence. Four major parenting styles have been recognised: authoritative; authoritarian; indulgent; uninvolved. Too much parental control, as with the authoritarian style, is associated with a higher weight status in children. Conversely, indulgent feeding styles can also have negative consequences and, where control is too lax, a poor relationship with food develops, which may also lead to weight gain. Obesity is also a growing concern in companion animals, and it has parallels with obesity in children. For instance, overweight people are more likely to own overweight dogs. Furthermore, the care that people provide for their pets mirrors that which parents provide for children, and pets are commonly viewed as child substitutes. These similarities raise obvious questions about whether different styles of pet ownership exist, and what part they may play in attitudes to feeding as well as predisposition to obesity in pets. Future work could focus on determining to what extent styles of pet ownership mirror parenting styles, whether there are links to obesity in dogs and cats. Knowledge regarding the owner-pet bond might provide comparative insights into the links between parenting styles and childhood obesity.

Maternal depression, stress and feeding styles: towards a framework for theory and research in child obesity.

Against the background of rising rates of obesity in children and adults in the USA, and modest effect sizes for obesity interventions, the aim of the present narrative review paper is to extend the UNICEF care model to focus on childhood obesity and its associated risks with an emphasis on the emotional climate of the parent-child relationship within the family. Specifically, we extended the UNICEF model by applying the systems approach to childhood obesity and by combining previously unintegrated sets of literature across multiple disciplines including developmental psychology, clinical psychology and nutrition. Specifically, we modified the extended care model by explicitly integrating new linkages (i.e. parental feeding styles, stress, depression and mother's own eating behaviour) that have been found to be associated with the development of children's eating behaviours and risk of childhood obesity. These new linkages are based on studies that were not incorporated into the original UNICEF model, but suggest important implications for childhood obesity. In all, this narrative review offers important advancements to the scientific understanding of familial influences on children's eating behaviours and childhood obesity.

Investigating the impact of large carcass feeding on the behavior of captive Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) and its perception by zoo visitors.

Naturalistic feeding methods, such as the provision of whole carcasses to zoo animals, are potentially controversial because zoo visitors might not approve of them. However, since several species of zoo animals feed from large carcasses in the wild, this food type could benefit their welfare in captivity compared to other less-natural food types. Scavengers in particular almost exclusively live on carcasses in nature; therefore, their welfare in captivity could significantly depend on the opportunity to express behaviors related to carcass feeding. In this study, we assessed the frequency of carcass feeding for vultures in North American zoos and investigated the effect of different food types on the behavior of zoo-housed Andean condors (Vultur gryphus). We also evaluated the opinion of North American zoo visitors about carcass feeding. Our results show that small whole carcasses (rats, rabbits) are part of the diet of vultures in most North American zoos, but large whole carcasses (ungulates) are rarely fed. Our behavioral study indicated that Andean condors appear to be more motivated to feed on more natural food types, which also seem to physically engage the birds more and occupy them longer. Most zoo visitors approved of carcass feeding for captive vultures over a range of prey animals, and the majority would also like to observe the vultures eat. Collectively, our results demonstrate that carcass feeding, particularly with larger prey, potentially enriches both zoo-housed vultures as well as the visitor experience.

Preventing caries in young children of immigrant Bangladeshi families in New York: perspectives of mothers and paediatricians.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood caries is common in South Asian immigrant families. Few children visit a dentist by 12 months, as recommended by current guidelines. The paediatric visit has important potential for linking children to preventive care. The aim of this study was to understand the barriers and facilitators to caries prevention for young children of immigrant Bangladeshi families in New York. Qualitative data were collected as a preliminary step in the development of an oral health counselling intervention for South Asian children. BASIC DESIGN: Qualitative interviews on child feeding and oral health prevention were conducted with Bangladeshi mothers. Qualitative interviews were conducted with paediatricians regarding their experiences with providing care. The data were analysed using standard qualitative approaches. SETTING: Paediatric practices serving low income Bangladeshi immigrants in New York City. PARTICIPANTS: 26 mothers of children aged 6-24 months receiving services in five paediatric settings and 15 paediatricians providing care in these settings. RESULTS: Both mothers and their paediatricians described risky feeding practices, communication problems and a lack of compliance. Oral health for young children was a low priority for some mothers. Most, however, were concerned about childhood caries but lacked skills or resources to decrease caries risk. CONCLUSIONS: Results support our plan to develop an empowerment-based counselling intervention to address caries risk in children. Paediatric dentists should be aware of the barriers to caries prevention in this group.