An analysis of factors linked to the decline in maternal mortality in Nepal

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Relationship Between Evidence Requirements, User Expectations, and Actual Experiences : Usability Evaluation of the Twazon Arabic Weight Loss App

Acknowledgments: This research project was supported by a grant from the Research Center of the Female Scientific and Medical Colleges, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

What do Dietetic students think Professionalism entails?

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Effects of probiotics on child growth : a systematic review

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Seafood inclusion ion early years' feeding : a comparison of commercial products to home-cooking

Background and Aims Under-exposure to seafood during early years feeding, when taste and food acceptance is developed, may impact on the future development of a healthy diet. The aim of this study was to investigate the inclusion of seafood in commercial baby food products and baby and toddler cookbooks, and the occurrence of beneficiary and cautionary information on seafood in the cookbooks. Methods A survey was conducted of all commercial pre-prepared baby food main-meal products in Scotland from September-December 2012. The primary food type within each product, (vegetables, poultry, meat, and seafood), nutritional composition, and ingredient contribution were collected. A survey of Amazon’s top 20 best-selling baby and toddler cookbooks was conducted in June 2013. The types and varieties of the different food types cited in addition to recipes, beneficiary claims and cautionary information was recorded. Results Seafood (n=13 (3.8%)) was significantly underrepresented as a main-meal product compared to poultry (103 (30.2%)), meat (121 (35.5%)) and vegetables (104 (30.5%)). Similarly, seafood-based main-meal recipes were significantly lower than vegetable recipes however were not significantly different to poultry and meat recipes. Cautionary claims in the cookbooks were significantly higher for seafood than other food types. Conclusions Parents who predominantly wean their infant using commercial products are may face challenges in sourcing a suitable range of products to enable the inclusion of seafood. Parents who predominantly home-cook have greater exposure to seafood in recipes however, this may be counteracted by the prominence of negative seafood messages, deterring them from including this healthful food into the diet of their infant.Publisher PDFNon peer reviewe

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on emntal health among the population in Jordan

Background: Mental health is a key indicator for public health measures. Jordan is one of the countries that has a high prevalence of mental illness and disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all health services in the country with a high refugee population. The aim of this review is to assess the impact of the pandemic on mental health in Jordan and identify key factors affecting it, in addition to addressing lessons learned from the pandemic. Methods: A systematic search was conducted on Medline Plus, Embase, Web of Science, EBSCOHost Psycinfo and Cinhal, following the PRISMA guidelines. Articles were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesized using narrative descriptive analysis. Results: The pandemic had a significant impact on PTSD, psychological distress, anxiety, depression and stress. Predictors of a higher impact on mental health were related to gender, socio-economic status and comorbidities. The healthcare workers group was the most affected by mental disorders. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mental health was associated with high levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression and stress. In a country with a high prevalence of mental disorders, prompt and quick measures are needed to support the health system to absorb the effect of the pandemic and be responsive to dealing with the existing high prevalence

The Twazon Arabic Weight Loss App : App-Based Intervention for Saudi Women With Obesity

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Maternal obesity in Africa : a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Maternal obesity is emerging as a public health problem, recently highlighted together with maternal under-nutrition as a ‘double burden’, especially in African countries undergoing social and economic transition. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the current evidence on maternal obesity in Africa. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched (up to August 2014) and identified 29 studies. Prevalence, associations with socio-demographic factors, labour, child and maternal consequences of maternal obesity were assessed. Pooled risk ratios comparing obese and non-obese groups were calculated. Results: Prevalence of maternal obesity across Africa ranged from 6.5 to 50.7%, with older and multiparous mothers more likely to be obese. Obese mothers had increased risks of adverse labour, child and maternal outcomes. However, non-obese mothers were more likely to have low-birthweight babies. The differences in measurement and timing of assessment of maternal obesity were found across studies. No studies were identified either on the knowledge or attitudes of pregnant women towards maternal obesity; or on interventions for obese pregnant women. Conclusions: These results show that Africa's levels of maternal obesity are already having significant adverse effects. Culturally adaptable/sensitive interventions should be developed while monitoring to avoid undesired side effects

Perception of proposed preliminary food-based dietary guidelines for Lake Victoria region of Kenya : findings from a qualitative study among adult community members

Background: Diets in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya have been described as monotonous, consisting chiefly of starchy staple foods, accompanied by green vegetables and oil. To promote healthy eating in the region, 11 food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) were proposed. Objective: This study was designed to assess perception of the proposed FBDGs amongst consumers in Lake Victoria region. Design and setting: A qualitative, descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 36 focus-group discussions (FGD) among adult males (18) and females (18) in Kisumu and Homa Bay Counties. Subjects: A total of 207 adult males (26–74 years) and 211 females (18–71 years) participated in this study. Data collection and analysis: Proposed FBDGs were printed on posters and presented to FGD participants. Proceedings were audio-taped, transcribed, translated and analysed based on themes. Results: The proposed FBDGs were perceived as promoting the consumption of a balanced diet. As a concept, a balanced diet was misrepresented as composed of only three nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and vitamins. There was no mention of fats/oils and minerals as other significant nutrient constituents of a balanced diet. Other concepts, which included ‘three regular meals’, ‘snacks’, ‘food variety’, ‘healthy and physically active lifestyle’, were polysemous. Conclusion: The findings provide insight to guide the adaptation of the national FBDGs. The findings also provide a basis for nutrition advocacy programmes and a rationale for the revision of nutrition education materials, including the school curriculum, to align content with current evidence-based information

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

Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the mothers who volunteered to take part in the Q sort interviews. Sources of funding This study was funded by the Seafish Authority and Interface Food and Drink Scotland as part of a PhD scholarship for SC.Peer reviewedPostprin