Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a systematic review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes

ObjectiveTo update an earlier review, published in 2016, on the health and other outcomes associated with children and young people's consumption of energy drinks (EDs).Study designReview article.Systematic reviewSystematic searches of nine databases (ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, DARE, Embase, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science) retrieved original articles reporting the effects of EDs experienced by children and young people up to the age of 21 years. Searches were restricted by publication dates (January 2016 to July 2022) and language (English). Studies assessed as being weak were excluded from the review. Included studies underwent narrative synthesis.ResultsA total of 57 studies were included. Boys consumed EDs more than girls. Many studies reported a strong positive association between ED consumption and smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking, other substance use and the intentions to initiate these behaviours. Sensation-seeking and delinquent behaviours were positively associated with ED consumption, as were short sleep duration, poor sleep quality and low academic performance. Additional health effects noted in the updated review included increased risk of suicide, psychological distress, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, depressive and panic behaviours, allergic diseases, insulin resistance, dental caries and erosive tooth wear.ConclusionsThis review adds to the growing evidence that ED consumption by children and young people is associated with numerous adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Where feasible and ethical, additional longitudinal studies are required to ascertain causality. The precautionary principle should be considered in regulatory policy and restriction of ED sales to this population

Consumption of energy drinks by children and young people: a systematic review examining evidence of physical effects and consumer attitudes

ObjectiveTo update an earlier review, published in 2016, on the health and other outcomes associated with children and young people\u27s consumption of energy drinks (EDs).Study designReview article.Systematic reviewSystematic searches of nine databases (ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, DARE, Embase, ERIC, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science) retrieved original articles reporting the effects of EDs experienced by children and young people up to the age of 21 years. Searches were restricted by publication dates (January 2016 to July 2022) and language (English). Studies assessed as being weak were excluded from the review. Included studies underwent narrative synthesis.ResultsA total of 57 studies were included. Boys consumed EDs more than girls. Many studies reported a strong positive association between ED consumption and smoking, alcohol use, binge drinking, other substance use and the intentions to initiate these behaviours. Sensation-seeking and delinquent behaviours were positively associated with ED consumption, as were short sleep duration, poor sleep quality and low academic performance. Additional health effects noted in the updated review included increased risk of suicide, psychological distress, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, depressive and panic behaviours, allergic diseases, insulin resistance, dental caries and erosive tooth wear.ConclusionsThis review adds to the growing evidence that ED consumption by children and young people is associated with numerous adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Where feasible and ethical, additional longitudinal studies are required to ascertain causality. The precautionary principle should be considered in regulatory policy and restriction of ED sales to this population.PROSPERO registrationCRD42021255484

The AU free movement protocol: Challenges in its implementation

One of the major pillars of the African Union is the integration of peoples and the ability for them to move freely from one member country to another, with the right to reside and practise their trade or profession. This aspect of integration found full expression in the Protocol to the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community Relating to the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence andRight of Establishment, adopted in 2018. Upon operationalization, it will remove obstacles to the movement of people, capital and resources in the region and give expression to aspiration 2 of the African Union Agenda 2063. However, significant challenges lie on the path of its implementation. This article doctrinally reviews the protocol, looking at its prospects for promoting African integration and development, anticipates some of the problems that the protocol will face. It concludes with recommendations for achieving its lofty but desirable ends

TPP, TTIP and the shifting dynamics of threat to public health: Options for Sub-Saharan Africa

The emergence of market and data exclusivity standards for new pharmaceuticals and biologics in such mega trade agreements as the TPPA, CETA and perhaps the TTIPA, will destabilize the inherent flexibilities relied upon for the maintenance of public health. The TPPA is particularly notable for provisions on data exclusivity for biologics, with the CETA subtly incorporating the same, effectively delaying the early entry of follow-on biosimilars despite the difficulties involved in recreation. Although exclusivity is required in recognition of the tremendous efforts involved in originating data as well as the value of the data, a trade-off is necessitated, especially for the poorer countries such as the Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Consequently, the SSA countries’ efforts to safeguard future public health imperatives may have to be guided by the following. Firstly, market and data exclusivity provisions in future agreement should be consistent with and not distortive of public health flexibilities. Secondly, there should be monitoring, data collection, and impact assessment of market and data exclusivity provisions on access to medicines before a conclusion of future agreements. Thirdly, an investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provision should not be emasculative of public health imperatives. Fourthly, focus should be centred on capacity building that fosters skill reservoirs necessary for the development of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA AND GOVERNMENT PALLIATIVE MEASURES

Covid-19 pandemic has negative impact in Nigeria thereby disrupting both individual and government day to day activities. Coronavirus has created tension and devastation of social and economic lives of people in Nigeria and the globe at large.   This study is designed to find out the impact of Covid-19 on the lives of people in Rivers State and assessment of the government palliative response. The study employed phenomenological and exploratory research design in its inquiry. Fifteen respondents made up the sample size for the study. In-dept Interview Guide was the instrument for data collection. The findings from the study show that most residents of Rivers State did not receive palliatives in the midst of Covid 19 pandemic lockdown. The palliatives that was said to have being distributed by the government did not trickle down to the poor masses. The major causes of this were misappropriation, diversion of relief materials and corruption in general. Thirdly, Social workers helped in needs assessment and re-direction of palliative materials to the most vulnerable. However, their efforts were highly limited by lack of recognition and professionalization of the profession in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that the Nigerian government should set up mechanism or avenue to monitor palliative distribution to ensure it trickles down to the poor masses and not sabotaged by maleficence. Also, the government should institutionalize social work profession and the utilization of social workers as major front-line social care workers in Nigeria and Rivers State in particular

Regional Economic Communities as the Building Blocs of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement

The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) recognises the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as the building blocs for continent-wide integration in line with the historical efforts reflected in the Lagos Action Plan of 1980 and the transitional plan of the African Union (AU) articulated in the 1991 Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty). The AfCFTA enjoins State Parties that are members of other RECs, which have attained among themselves higher levels of elimination of customs duties and trade barriers than those provided for under the Protocol, to continue maintaining this, and where possible improve upon, existing higher levels of trade liberalisation among themselves. While RECs are fundamental to the African integration experience and are considered the building blocs of AfCFTA, several challenges may emerge. This paper examines the prospects and challenges of RECs under the recently established AfCFTA regime.N/

Influence of Ocimum gratissimum (Scent Leaf) on the Organoleptic Acceptability and Shelf Stability of Yoghurt

Aim: To investigate the preservative efficiency of Ocimum gratissimum or its extracts on yoghurt. Study Design: Ten yoghurt samples were prepared, furthermore, nine (9) samples were treated with scent leaf in different forms at different concentrations. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Food Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria, between September 2015 and June 2016. Methodology: Yoghurt was prepared from instant filled milk while Direct Vat Inoculum (DVI) was used as the starter culture. Proximate and phytochemical analyses were carried out following standard procedures. Sensory evaluation was carried out using a 15-man panelist with a seven point hedonic scales and results were statistically analyzed using IBM® SPSS 21.0, at 0.05 probability level. pH and microbial analysis were conducted while bacterial characterization involved biochemical tests and isolation of probable microorganisms employed morphological and structural characteristics. Results: Result for proximate analysis indicated differences in the nutritional composition of the raw milk and yoghurt (control). Moisture content increased considerably from 10.00% to 69.75%, while a reduction in protein content was reported (8.7% - 4.95%). The lipid content classified the produced yoghurt as a low-fat yoghurt, and expectedly, the carbohydrate content reduced from 58.20% - 22.30%. Phytochemical screening of the different forms of scent leaf indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, and steroids, in different concentrations. Sensory scores showed that the panelists preferred yoghurt formulated with 3 mL of squeezed scent leaf extract. pH values decreased with storage period, while microbial load ranged between 0.5× 104 – 2.0 × 104, where Klebsiella spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Bacillus, S. aureus, Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter, and Proteus spp. were isolated. Conclusion: The yoghurt samples formulated with squeezed scent leaf extracts had the best organoleptic acceptance, while the sample treated with 3 mL had the lowest microbial load, hence, it can be inferred that the squeezed scent leaf extracts had the best preservative effect