Careers in the Greek public sector: calibrating the kaleidoscope

Purpose: The authors draw upon the kaleidoscope career model (KCM) to explore the career perceptions of public service employees in Greece. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted with 33 civil servants. Findings: The authors’ demonstrate how context frames career perceptions and propose an additional KCM parameter (security). Research limitations/implications: This context-based study proposes an extension of the KCM theory beyond the original three parameters that were dominant at its inception. Practical implications: The authors provide recommendations for human resource practices, such as empowerment through training, fair promotions and providing meaning. Despite the common perception, the need for challenge exists even within the public sector, such that satisfying it can help organizations to gain strategic advantage. Originality/value: This study expands a prominent career theory by exploring it in a unique context. By doing that, the authors are able to better understand how the parameters of the model are readjusted in different settings and to uncover a previously unidentified theme

In the eye of the hurricane: careers under lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has created career disruptions and shocks for many individuals, due to layoffs, reduced work hours and increased work–life conflict. Our study aimed to explore individual-level perceptions of people regarding their careers during the first lockdown in the UK, and to test potential implications of the situation for individuals’ career sustainability. For a deeper understanding of these perceptions, we used a sequential mixed-methods research design. First, we conducted a qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews to explore how people perceive their careers during early stages of the pandemic. We identified two themes that characterize the common experiences during this time period, namely employer support and careful optimism, that play an important role in the way careers unfold. Then, in the quantitative study, we conducted an online survey to empirically test a research model that links the concept of employer support with employability, career satisfaction and mental well-being. We also investigate the mediating role of career empowerment, which is a motivational cognitive construct that captures individual cognitions of agentic control over one’s career. Our research provides a rich snapshot that depicts people’s perceptions of careers during a shock event, which has both theoretical and practical implications

The evolution of learning and technological innovation: preparing students for successful careers

The chapter describes the major guiding learning theories and paradigms, and summarizes classic and recent instruction methodologies while exploring technology's impact on learning. An interesting finding is that while methods for teaching children differed from adult ones in the past, current approaches to adult learning adopt methodologies that were developed for children, such as gamification, to make learning feasible, consistent, engaging, and motivating. The chapter also reports on the findings of a case study within a UK university setting employing the flipped classroom approach. The chapter concludes by connecting learning to career sustainability in ecosystems and providing practice recommendations

Intelligent careers and human resource management practices: qualitative insights from the public sector in a clientelistic culture

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to empirically test the intelligent career framework in a public sector setting in a country with a clientelistic culture to inform human resource management strategies. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a qualitative methodology and an interpretivist paradigm, 33 in-depth interviews were conducted with Greek civil servants before the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview recordings were subsequently transcribed and coded via a blend of inductive and deductive approaches. Findings: Outcomes of the study indicate that in a public sector setting in a country with a clientelistic culture, the three dimensions of knowing-whom, knowing-how and knowing-why are less balanced than those reported by findings from private sector settings in countries with an individualistic culture. Instead, knowing-whom is a critical dimension and a necessary condition for career development that affects knowing-how and knowing-why. Originality/value: The theoretical contribution comes from providing evidence of the dark side of careers and how imbalances between the three dimensions of the intelligent career framework reduce work satisfaction, hinder career success and affect organisational performance. The practical contribution offers recommendations for human resource management practices in the public sector, including training, mentoring, transparency in performance evaluations and fostering trust

Associations between insulin resistance and three B-vitamins in european adolescents: The HELENA study

Objective: To assess whether adolescents with high body mass index (BMI), or fat mass index (FMI), in combination with insulin resistance (assessed with the Homeostatic Model Assessment [HOMA] index), had also lower blood vitamin B6, folate and vitamin B12 concentrations. Methods and materials: Six hundred and fifteen adolescents from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study, with data on B-vitamins (both intakes and status), and BMI, FMI, HOMA, were selected. Intakes were assessed by two non-consecutive 24-h recalls. B-vitamins biomarkers were measured by chromatography and immunoassay. Analysis of covariance was applied to elucidate the differences in B-vitamins between combinations of groups defined according to the median of the z-scores of markers of body composition and insulin sensitivity. Results: When considering energy intakes and education of the mother in the model, in females, vitamin B6 intakes were higher in the high BMI/ high HOMA group than in the high BMI-low HOMA group. Similarly, vitamin B6 intakes were higher in the high FMI/high HOMA group than in the low FMI/low HOMA group. Plasma vitamin B12 was significantly lower in males in the high FMI/high HOMA group than in the low FMI/low HOMA group, keeping also significant their trends throughout the groups, a fact that can be observed also for females (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adolescents with combined higher adiposity and higher HOMA insulin sensitivity showed lower vitamin B12 plasma concentrations. These differences do not seem to be explained by dietary vitamin B12 intake

25-hydroxyvitamin D is differently associated with calcium intakes of Northern, Central and Southern European adolescents: results from the HELENA study

ArticleThis is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record.European (EU) adolescents exhibit a higher prevalence of vitamin D (VitD) deficiency than other age groups. The efficiency of sunlight exposure to increase 25(OH)D concentrations depends on a variety of factors, including diet. Nevertheless, the relationship between calcium and vitamin D (VitD) intake and 25 (OH)D concentrations have not been previously studied among adolescents living in different EU countries and consequently in different latitudes. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine whether calcium and VitD intakes are differently associated with 25(OH)D in North, Central and South EU adolescents. 178 adolescents from Northern EU countries, 251 from Central EU countries and 212 from Southern EU countries aged 12.5-17.5 years were included in the current analyses. Mixed model linear regression analyses stratified by geographical location were used to verify associations between calcium and VitD intakes and 25(OH)D concentrations. Age, Tanner stage, seasonality, energy intake and supplement use were entered as covariates. Only calcium intakes of Central EU adolescents were positively associated with 25(OH)D (α= 0.005; CI 0.007, 0.028). Further longitudinal studies should confirm these observations, as this could be important for future public health interventions aiming to increase 25(OH)D concentrations among adolescents.This work was performed as part of the HELENA study. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the European Community sixth RTD Framework Programme (contact FOOD-CT-2005-007034). CJ received a Grant FPU13/00421 from the “Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte”. Authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest that may affect the contents of this work

Beverage consumption among European adolescents in the HELENA study

Our objective was to describe the fluid and energy consumption of beverages in a large sample of European adolescent

Assessment of dietary intake among pregnant women in a rural area of western China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adequate maternal nutrient intake during pregnancy is important to ensure satisfactory birth outcomes. There are no data available on the usual dietary intake among pregnant women in rural China. The present study describes and evaluates the dietary intake in a cohort of pregnant women living in two counties of rural Shaanxi, western China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>1420 pregnant women were recruited from a trial that examined the effects of micronutrient supplementation on birth outcomes. Dietary information was collected at the end of their trimester or after delivery with an interviewed-administrated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Nutrients intake was calculated from the FFQ and compared to the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). The EAR cut-offs based on the Chinese Nutrition Society Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) were used to assess the prevalence of inadequate dietary intakes of energy, protein, calcium, zinc, riboflavin, vitamin C and folate. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to compare nutrient intakes across subgroups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean nutrient intakes assessed by the FFQ was similar to those reported in the 2002 Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey from women living in rural areas except for low intakes of protein, fat, iron and zinc. Of the participants, 54% were at risk of inadequate intake of energy. There were high proportions of pregnant women who did not have adequate intakes of folate (97%) and zinc (91%). Using the "probability approach", 64% of subjects had an inadequate consumption of iron.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results reveal that the majority of pregnant women in these two counties had low intakes of nutrients that are essential for pregnancy such as iron and folate.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN08850194.</p

Differences in energy balance-related behaviours in European preschool children: The ToyBox-study

Background: The aim of the current study was to compare levels of energy balance-related behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and dietary behaviours (more specifically water consumption, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and unhealthy snacking)) in four- to six-year-old preschoolers from six European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain) within the ToyBox cross-sectional study. Methods: A sample of 4,045 preschoolers (4.77 ± 0.43 years; 52.2% boys) had valid physical activity data (steps per day), parents of 8,117 preschoolers (4.78 ± 0.46 years; 53.0% boys) completed a parental questionnaire with questions on sedentary behaviours (television viewing, computer use, and quiet play), and parents of 7,244 preschoolers (4.77 ± 0.44 years; 52.0% boys) completed a food frequency questionnaire with questions on water consumption, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and unhealthy snacking. Results: The highest levels of physical activity were found in Spain (12,669 steps/day on weekdays), while the lowest levels were found in Bulgaria and Greece (9,777 and 9,656 steps/day on weekdays, respectively). German preschoolers spent the least amount of time in television viewing (43.3 min/day on weekdays), while Greek preschoolers spent the most time in television viewing (88.5 min/day on weekdays). A considerable amount of time was spent in quiet play in all countries, with the highest levels in Poland (104.9 min/day on weekdays), and the lowest levels in Spain (60.4 min/day on weekdays). Belgian, German, and Polish preschoolers had the lowest intakes of water and the highest intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages. The intake of snacks was the highest in Belgian preschoolers (73.1 g/day) and the lowest in Greek preschoolers (53.3 g/day). Conclusions: Across six European countries, differences in preschoolers'' energy balance-related behaviours were found. Future interventions should target European preschoolers '' energy balance- related behaviours simultaneously, but should apply country-specific adaptations

Effect and process evaluation of a kindergarten-based, family-involved cluster randomised controlled trial in six European countries on four- to six-year-old children's steps per day: The ToyBox-study

Background: The ToyBox-intervention is a theory- and evidence-based intervention delivered in kindergartens to improve four- to six-year-old children''s energy balance-related behaviours and prevent obesity. The current study aimed to (1) examine the effect of the ToyBox-intervention on increasing European four- to six-year-old children'' steps per day, and (2) examine if a higher process evaluation score from teachers and parents was related to a more favourable effect on steps per day. Methods: A sample of 2438 four- to six-year-old children (51.9% boys, mean age 4.75±0.43years) from 6 European countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain) wore a motion sensor (pedometer or accelerometer) for a minimum of two weekdays and one weekend day both at baseline and follow-up to objectively measure their steps per day. Kindergarten teachers implemented the physical activity component of the ToyBox-intervention for 6 weeks in total, with a focus on (1) environmental changes in the classroom, (2) the child performing the actual behaviour and (3) classroom activities. Children''s parents received newsletters, tip cards and posters. To assess intervention effects, multilevel repeated measures analyses were conducted for the total sample and the six intervention countries separately. In addition, process evaluation questionnaires were used to calculate a total process evaluation score (with implementation and satisfaction as a part of the overall score) for teachers and parents which was then linked with the physical activity outcomes. Results: No significant intervention effects on four- to six-year-old children'' steps per weekday, steps per weekend day and steps per average day were found, both in the total sample and in the country-specific samples (all p>0.05). In general, the intervention effects on steps per day were least favourable in four- to six-year-old children with a low teachers process evaluation score and most favourable in four- to six-year-old children with a high teachers process evaluation score. No differences in intervention effects were found for a low, medium or high parents'' process evaluation score. Conclusion: The physical activity component of the ToyBox-intervention had no overall effect on four- to six-year-old children'' steps per day. However, the process evaluation scores showed that kindergarten teachers that implemented the physical activity component of the ToyBox-intervention as planned and were satisfied with the physical activity component led to favourable effects on children''s steps per day. Strategies to motivate, actively involve and engage the kindergarten teachers and parents/caregivers are needed to induce larger effects