Physical activity among cancer survivors : a literature review

Aim Physical activity offers a variety of health benefits to cancer survivors, both during and post-treatment. The aim here is to review: the preferences of cancer survivors regarding exercise counselling and participation in a physical activity programme; adherence rates among cancer survivors to physical activity programmes; and predictors of adherence to exercise training.Methods Two electronic databases, Ovid MEDLINE(R) 1950 to Present with Daily Update and SCOPUS, were used to undertake literature searches for studies examining exercise preferences of adult cancer survivors, and physical activity programmes for adults at any point of the cancer trajectory.Results Studies suggest that, while physical activity levels are low among cancer survivors, most are interested in increasing their participation. Preferences and adherence to physical activity programmes differ across a range of demographic, medical, and behavioural variables, suggesting the importance of tailoring exercise programmes to patient-specific and disease-specific needs.Conclusions Current evidence supports the benefits of physical activity for improving risk factors associated with cancer prognosis. Physical activity programmes developed for oncology patients and cancer survivors need to take into account the needs of the target population in order to optimise adherence, outcomes, and long-term behavioural changes in this population

Iron intakes of Australian infants and toddlers: findings from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program

Fe deficiency remains the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide and young children are at particular risk. Preventative food-based strategies require knowledge of current intakes, sources of Fe, and factors associated with low Fe intakes; yet few data are available for Australian children under 2 years. This study&rsquo;s objectives were to determine intakes and food sources of Fe for Australian infants and toddlers and identify non-dietary factors associated with Fe intake. Dietary, anthropometric and socio-demographic data from the Melbourne Infant Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial Program were analysed for 485 infants (mean age: 9&middot;1 (sd 1&middot;2) months) and 423 toddlers (mean age: 19&middot;6 (sd 2&middot;6) months) and their mothers. Dietary intakes were assessed via 24-h recalls over 3 non-consecutive days. Prevalence of inadequate Fe intake was estimated using the full probability approach. Associations between potential non-dietary predictors (sex, breast-feeding status, age when introduced to solid foods, maternal age, maternal education, maternal employment status and mother&rsquo;s country of birth) and Fe intakes were assessed using linear regression. Mean Fe intakes were 9&middot;1 (sd 4&middot;3) mg/d for infants and 6&middot;6 (sd 2&middot;4) mg/d for toddlers. Our results showed that 32&middot;6 % of infants and 18&middot;6 % of toddlers had inadequate Fe intake. Main food sources of Fe were Fe-fortified infant formula and cereals for infants and toddlers, respectively. Female sex and current breast-feeding were negatively associated with infant Fe intakes. Introduction to solid foods at or later than 6 months was negatively associated with Fe intake in toddlers. These data may facilitate food-based interventions to improve Australian children&rsquo;s Fe intake levels.<br /

Food sources of total energy and nutrients among U.S. infants and toddlers: national health and nutrition examination survey 2005-2012

Understanding the dietary intakes of infants and toddlers is important because early life nutrition influences future health outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the dietary sources of total energy and 16 nutrients in a nationally representative sample of U.S. infants and toddlers aged 0-24 months. Data from the 2005-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Dietary intake was assessed in 2740 subjects using one 24-h dietary recall. The population proportion was used to determine the contribution of foods and beverages to nutrient intakes. Overall infant formulas and baby foods were the leading sources of total energy and nutrients in infants aged 0-11.9 months. In toddlers, the diversity of food groups contributing to nutrient intakes was much greater. Important sources of total energy included milk, 100% juice and grain based mixed dishes. A number of foods of low nutritional quality also contributed to energy intakes including sweet bakery products, sugar-sweetened beverages and savory snacks. Overall non-flavored milks and ready-to-eat cereals were the most important contributors to micronutrient intakes. In conclusion this information can be used to guide parents regarding appropriate food selection as well as inform targeted dietary strategies within public health initiatives to improve the diets of infants and toddlers

Rates of common communicable illnesses in non-anaemic 12-24 month old South Island, New Zealand children

Aims : To describe the incidence of parentally reported illness in otherwise healthy South Island toddlers; characterise the predictors of illness; and determine whether there was a relationship between teething and illness in this population.Methods : A 20-week randomised controlled trial was conducted on 1-year-old children (n=225) from Otago and Southland between February 2004 and December 2005. Information on symptoms of morbidity, occurrence of teething, and childcare attendance were recorded daily throughout the intervention period. Morbidity symptoms were categorised into respiratory illness (RI), gastrointestinal illness (GII), ear infection, and total illness, and the number and duration of events were determined.Results : The mean (SD) number of total illnesses was 3.4 (2.3) per 20 weeks, with an average duration of 4.5 days. Episodes of RI were most common (50% of total illness events), and tended to be the longest in duration (mean of 3.7 days). Having siblings aged less than 5 years (23% increase, 95%CI 6%&ndash;42%, p=0.007) and attending childcare (72% increase, 95%CI 38%&ndash;113%, p&lt;0.001)), were positively associated with the number of total illness events but not duration. In addition, teething was positively associated with total events (OR 1.94, 95%CI 1.45&ndash;2.60, p&lt;0.001), RI events (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.41&ndash;2.93, p&lt;0.001) and GII events (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.36&ndash;2.67, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion : This study has shown that illness (particularly RI) is common in the second year of life. It has also confirmed that attending childcare and having siblings aged under 5 years increases the number of illness events. An association between teething and the occurrence of illness was also seen but the exact nature of this relationship requires verification. <br /

Associations between dietary iron and zinc intakes, and between biochemical iron and zinc status in women

Iron and zinc are found in similar foods and absorption of both may be affected by food compounds, thus biochemical iron and zinc status may be related. This cross-sectional study aimed to: (1) describe dietary intakes and biochemical status of iron and zinc; (2) investigate associations between dietary iron and zinc intakes; and (3) investigate associations between biochemical iron and zinc status in a sample of premenopausal women aged 18&ndash;50 years who were recruited in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia. Usual dietary intakes were assessed using a 154-item food frequency questionnaire (n = 379). Iron status was assessed using serum ferritin and hemoglobin, zinc status using serum zinc (standardized to 08:00 collection), and presence of infection/inflammation using C-reactive protein (n = 326). Associations were explored using multiple regression and logistic regression. Mean (SD) iron and zinc intakes were 10.5 (3.5) mg/day and 9.3 (3.8) mg/day, respectively. Median (interquartile range) serum ferritin was 22 (12&ndash;38) &mu;g/L and mean serum zinc concentrations (SD) were 12.6 (1.7) &mu;mol/L in fasting samples and 11.8 (2.0) &mu;mol/L in nonfasting samples. For each 1 mg/day increase in dietary iron intake, zinc intake increased by 0.4 mg/day. Each 1 &mu;mol/L increase in serum zinc corresponded to a 6% increase in serum ferritin, however women with low serum zinc concentration (AM fasting &lt; 10.7 &mu;mol/L; AM nonfasting &lt; 10.1 &mu;mol/L) were not at increased risk of depleted iron stores (serum ferritin &lt;15 &mu;g/L; p = 0.340). Positive associations were observed between dietary iron and zinc intakes, and between iron and zinc status, however interpreting serum ferritin concentrations was not a useful proxy for estimating the likelihood of low serum zinc concentrations and women with depleted iron stores were not at increased risk of impaired zinc status in this cohort

Excessive early-life dietary exposure: a potential source of elevated brain iron and a risk factor for Parkinson\u27s disease

Iron accumulates gradually in the ageing brain. In Parkinson&rsquo;s disease, iron deposition within the substantia nigra is further increased, contributing to a heightened pro-oxidant environment in dopaminergic neurons. We hypothesise that individuals in high-income countries, where cereals and infant formulae have historically been fortified with iron, experience increased early-life iron exposure that predisposes them to age-related iron accumulation in the brain. Combined with genetic factors that limit iron regulatory capacity and/or dopamine metabolism, this may increase the risk of Parkinson&rsquo;s diseases. We propose to (a) validate a retrospective biomarker of iron exposure in children; (b) translate this biomarker to adults; (c) integrate it with in vivo brain iron in Parkinson&rsquo;s disease; and (d) longitudinally examine the relationships between early-life iron exposure and metabolism, brain iron deposition and Parkinson&rsquo;s disease risk. This approach will provide empirical evidence to support therapeutically addressing brain iron deposition in Parkinson&rsquo;s diseases and produce a potential biomarker of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease risk in preclinical individuals

Iron nutrition and neurodevelopment in young children

Iron deficiency is the most common single-nutrient deficiency in the world, affecting over a billion individuals in both industrialised and economically developing countries (McLean et al. 2009). Three successive stages of iron deficiency are generally recognised: iron depletion; iron-deficient crythropoiesis and iron-deficiency anaemia