A Curriculum Guide Based on Developmental Stages of Kindergarten and First Grade Writing

The relationship between the developmental stages of a child and the acquisition of written language was studied. Through research, developmental stages were identified. The stages were used to develop objectives for a kindergarten and first grade writing curriculum guide. Activities that would aid in the achievement of the given objectives are suggested

Fecal Incontinence in US Adults: Epidemiology and Risk Factors

The study aims were to estimate the prevalence of different types and frequencies of fecal incontinence (FI), describe demographic factors, and identify risk factors

Estimating under-reporting of energy intake in dietary surveys using an individualised method

Original article can be found at: http://journals.cambridge.org/ Copyright The Authors. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114507433086Under-reporting (UR) of energy intake (EI) by self-reported dietary methods is well-documented but the methods used to estimate UR in population-based studies commonly assume a sedentary lifestyle. We compared estimated UR using individualised estimates of energy requirements with a population cut-off based on minimum energy needs. UR was estimated for 1551 adults aged 19–64 years enrolled in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Physical activity diaries and 7 d weighed dietary records were completed concurrently. Mean daily EI (kJ/d) was calculated from the dietary records. Reported physical activity was used to assign each subject’s activity level, and then to calculate estimated energy requirements (EER) from published equations. UR was calculated both as EER – EI with an adjustment for daily EER and EI variation, and also by a population method. By the individual method UR was approximately 27% of energy needs in men and 29% in women, with 75% of men and 77% of women classified as under-reporters; by the population method 80 and 88% were classified as under-reporters respectively. When subjects who reported their eating being affected by dieting or illness during dietary recording were excluded, UR was 25% of energy needs in both sexes. UR was higher in overweight and obese men and women compared with their lean counterparts (P,0·001). UR of EI must be considered in dietary surveys. The EER method allows UR to be quantified and takes into account an individual’s activity level. Measures of physical activity and questions to identify under-eating during dietary recording may help to evaluate secular trends in UR.Peer reviewe

A STUDY TO INVESTIGATE DIET DIVERSITY AS A NUTRITION ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT

Nutrient intake and specific food item data from 24-hour dietary recalls were utilized to study the relationship between measures of diet diversity and dietary adequacy in a population of white females of child-bearing age and socioeconomic subgroups of that population. As the basis of the diet diversity measures, twelve food groups were constructed from the 24-hour recall data and the number of unique foods per food group counted and weighted according to specified weighting schemes. Utilizing these food groups, nine diet diversity indices were developed. Sensitivity/specificity analysis was used to determine the ability of varying levels of selected diet diversity indices to identify individuals above and below preselected intakes of different nutrients. The true prevalence proportions, sensitivity and specificity, false positive and false negative rates, and positive predictive values observed at the selected levels of diet diversity indices were investigated in relation to the objectives and resources of a variety of nutrition improvement programs. Diet diversity indices constructed from the total population data were evaluated as screening tools for respondent nutrient intakes in each of the socioeconomic subgroups as well. The results of the sensitivity/specificity analysis demonstrated that the false positive rate, the false negative rate, or both were too high at each diversity cut-off level to validate the widespread use of any of the diversity indices in the dietary assessment of the study population. Although diet diversity has been shown to be highly correlated with the intakes of a number of nutrients, the diet diversity indices constructed in this study did not adequately represent nutrient intakes in the diet as reported, in this study, intakes as reported in the 24-hour dietary recall. Specific cut-off levels of selected diversity indices might have limited application in some nutrition programs. The results were applicable to the sensitivity/specificity analyses in the socioeconomic subgroups as well as in the total population

Digital tools through a K-3 teacher’s perspective

Technology is advancing at a rapid pace and more digital tools find their way into the classrooms as a means for educational purposes. The English language has also taken more space in our everyday life and is almost a necessity in today's global society. However, can the teachers in the Swedish educational society keep up with the rapid growth of both these subjects? The aim with this study is to get a better understanding about teachers’ perspective and knowledge about digital tools as an aid for English language development for young learners, as well as what challenges and benefits they find with using digital tools as a means for English language development. This study will present a summary of theoretical and literature background regarding the topic at hand. The data for this study was collected through interviews with five K-3 teachers in four different schools located in south of Sweden. The result showed that a majority of the five interviewed teachers, saw digital tools to be beneficial in the English classroom environment, and they had a positive view on English as a subject and its importance for young learners. However, the data collected exposed that the absence of guidelines, inadequate knowledge about how to use the tools within an educational approach, malfunctioning equipment and the lack of time to teach and plan the lessons was a substantial dilemm