Facilitating Learning of Spirituality in Midwifery.

Though there has been considerable discussion in the literature around spirituality at the end of life there remains little relating to childbirth. In addition facilitation of learning around the subject is limited. The aim of this article is to raise awareness of these issues and promote future discussion and research

The potential health benefits of seaweed and seaweed extract

Edible seaweeds have historically been consumed by coastal populations across the globe. Today, seaweed is still part of the habitual diet in many Asian countries. Seaweed consumption also appears to be growing in popularity in Western cultures, due both to the influx of Asian cuisine as well as notional health benefits associated with consumption. Isolates of seaweeds (particularly viscous polysaccharides) are used in an increasing number of food applications in order to improve product acceptability and extend shelf-life. Epidemiological evidence suggests regular seaweed consumption may protect against a range of diseases of modernity. The addition of seaweed and seaweed isolates to foods has already shown potential to enhance satiety and reduce the postprandial absorption rates of glucose and lipids in acute human feeding studies, highlighting their potential use in the development of anti-obesity foods. As seaweeds and seaweed isolates have the potential to both benefit health and improve food acceptability, seaweeds and seaweed isolates offer exciting potential as ingredients in the development of new food products. This review will outline the evidence from human and experimental studies that suggests consumption of seaweeds and seaweed isolates may impact on health (both positively and negatively). Finally, this review will highlight current gaps in knowledge in this area and what future strategies should be adopted for maximising seaweed's potential food uses

Ascophyllum nodosum enriched bread reduces subsequent energy intake with no effect on post-prandial glucose and cholesterol in healthy, overweight males. A pilot study.

The consumption of seaweed isolates (such as alginate) has been shown to successfully reduce energy intake and modulate glycaemic and cholesterolaemic responses. To date, the effect of adding whole seaweed to bread has not been widely investigated. This study aims to investigate the acceptability of Ascophyllum nodosum enriched bread, and measure its effect on energy intake and nutrient absorption in overweight, healthy males. Results from the acceptability study, (79 untrained sensory panellists) indicated that it is acceptable to incorporate seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) into a staple food such as bread when up to 20g are added to a 400g wholemeal loaf. A single blind cross over trial (n=12 males, aged 40.1±12.5 years; BMI 30.8±4.4 kg/m2) was used to compare energy intake and nutrient uptake after a breakfast meal using the enriched bread against the control bread. Consumption of the enriched bread led to a significant reduction (16.4%) in energy intake at a test meal 4 hours after breakfast. Differences between treatment arms for area under the curve, peak values, and time of peak for blood glucose and cholesterol were not significant. Further investigation of potential mechanisms of action is warranted

Dietary seaweed and human health

Seaweed as an ingredient is growing in popularity largely due to its perceived health-giving properties supported by findings from epidemiological studies. Increased seaweed consumption has been linked to reduced risk of various diseases however there is a paucity of evidence for health benefits derived from robust randomised controlled trials (RCT). Emerging data from short-term RCT involving seaweed isolates are promising. Further investigation of seaweed as a wholefood ingredient is warranted. This review aims to highlight the food uses and potential health benefits of seaweeds

Weight loss is coupled with improvements to affective state in obese participants engaged in behavior change therapy based on incremental, self-selected “Small Changes”

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a group behavior change intervention involving self-selected, contextualized, and mediated goal setting on anthropometric, affective, and dietary markers of health. It was hypothesized that the intervention would elicit changes consistent with accepted health recommendations for obese individuals. A rolling program of 12-week “Small Changes” interventions during 24 months recruited 71 participants; each program accommodated 10 to 13 adults (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2). Fifty-eight participants completed Small Changes. Repeated measures were made at baseline, 6 and 12 weeks. Anthropometric measures included height and weight (to calculate BMI), body composition, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Affective state was monitored using relevant validated questionnaires. Dietary assessment used 3-day household measures food diaries with Schofield equations to monitor underreporting. Relevant blood measures were recorded throughout. Across the measurement period, Small Changes elicited a significant reduction in body weight (baseline, 102.95 ± 15.47 vs 12 weeks 100.09 ± 16.01 kg, P < .0005), coupled with associated significant improvements in BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference measures. There were additional significant positive changes in measures of affective state including general well-being (baseline, 58.92 ± 21.22 vs 12 weeks 78.04 ± 14.60, P < .0005) and total mood disturbance (baseline, 31.19 ± 34.03 vs 12 weeks 2.67 ± 24.96, P < .0005). Dietary changes that occurred were largely consistent with evidenced-based recommendations for weight management and included significant reductions in total energy intake and in fat and saturated fat as a proportion of energy. The Small Changes approach can elicit a range of health-orientated benefits for obese participants, and although further work is needed to ascertain the longevity of such effects, the outcomes from Small Changes are likely to help inform health professionals when framing the future of weight management. Long-term follow-up of Small Changes is warranted

Postnatal Changes

The shift away from midwifery’s involvement in postnatal care has implications for students – the workforce of the future. Two midwifery educators argue that there needs to be joined-up thinkingon how postnatal care is delivered

Educating Student Midwives around Dignity and Respect

Focus: There is currently limited information available on how midwifery students learn to provide care that promotes dignity and respect. Background In recent years the importance of dignity in healthcare and treating people with respect has received considerable emphasis in both a national and international context. Aim The aim of this discussion paper is to describe an educational workshop that enables learning to promote dignity and respect in maternity care. Discussion: An interactive workshop, using different creative methods as triggers for learning will be described. Provision of learning opportunities for students around dignity and respect is important to ensure appropriate care is provided in practice. The use of creative methods to inspire has contributed to deep learning within participants. An evaluation of the workshop illustrated how learning impacted on participants practice. Data to support this is presented in this paper Conclusion The use of creative teaching approaches in a workshop setting appears to provide an effective learning opportunity around dignified and respectful care. These workshops have evoked a deep emotional response for some participants, and facilitators must be prepared for this outcome to ensure a safe space for learning

Brexit uncertainty: different groups of migrants had similar experiences of and responses to uncertainty

Kelly Hall and Jenny Phillimore draw on 55 qualitative interviews to explore how three groups of EU migrants, entrepreneurs, Somali onward migrants and British retirees in Spain, respond to Brexit-related uncertainty

Pasture recovery, land condition and some other observations after the monsoon flooding, chill event in north-west Queensland in Jan-Mar 2019

Monsoonal flooding rains to 800 mm across north-west Queensland during late January and early February 2019 resulted in the inundation of hundreds of thousands of hectares of grazing land. Pastures of the Mitchell Grass Downs and the Gulf Plains that support cattle production were impacted by the rain event, and particularly so, because the land had just suffered a prolonged drought of 5-7 years. An area of some 13M hectares were affected and an estimated 0.5M head of cattle were lost from cold, wet wind exposure and flooding. The immediate post-flood assessment, of pasture reported in this document, is a record that informs agricultural practices and forms an historical baseline, for future research of ways to better understand and implement best management practices, in the tropical landscape of north-west Queensland in northern Australia