Association between childcare educators’ practices and preschoolers’ physical activity and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis

Abstract: Introduction Childcare educators may be role models for healthy eating and physical activity (PA) behaviours among young children. This study aimed to identify which childcare educators’ practices are associated with preschoolers’ dietary intake and PA levels. Methods This cross-sectional analysis included 723 preschoolers from 50 randomly selected childcare centres in two Canadian provinces. All data were collected in the fall of 2013 and 2014 and analysed in the fall of 2015. PA was assessed using Actical accelerometers during childcare hours for 5 consecutive days. Children’s dietary intake was measured at lunch on 2 consecutive days using weighed plate waste and digital photography. Childcare educators’ nutrition practices (modelling, nutrition education, satiety recognition, verbal encouragement and not using food as rewards) and PA practices (informal and formal PA promotion) were assessed by direct observation over the course of 2 days, using the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care tool. Associations between educators’ practices and preschoolers’ PA and dietary intake were examined using multilevel linear regressions. Results Overall, modelling of healthy eating was positively associated with children’s intake of sugar ([beta]=0.141, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.27), while calorie ([beta]=−0.456, 95% CI −1.46 to –0.02) and fibre intake ([beta]=−0.066, 95% CI −0.12 to –0.01) were negatively associated with providing nutrition education. Not using food as rewards was also negatively associated with fat intake ([beta]=−0.144, 95% CI −0.52 to –0.002). None of the educators’ PA practices were associated with children’s participation in PA. Conclusions Modelling healthy eating, providing nutrition education and not using food as rewards are associated with children’s dietary intake at lunch in childcare centres, highlighting the role that educators play in shaping preschoolers’ eating behaviours. Although PA practices were not associated with children’s PA levels, there is a need to reduce sedentary time in childcare centres

Association between the physical and political school environment and types of physical activities practiced by Grade 5 and 6 students

Résumé: Problématique : Même si seulement 7 % des jeunes accumulent les 60 minutes d'activité physique recommandées par jour, les jeunes prennent part à différents types d'activités physiques. Plusieurs caractéristiques de l'environnement scolaire peuvent influencer la pratique d'activité physique, mais on ne connait pas le lien entre l'environnement scolaire et la participation des jeunes à différents types d'activités physiques. Les objectifs de la présente étude sont de déterminer si les infrastructures et les politiques scolaires sont liées à la participation aux activités physiques individuelles, en groupe, organisées, et non-organisées. Méthodes : Cette étude transversale a été menée auprès de 776 élèves de la 5' et 6` année provenant de 16 écoles du Nouveau-Brunswick qui ont participé au projet « Mesurer les Activités des jeunes pour Comprendre leurs Habitudes » (MATCH). L'information sur l'environnement physique et les politiques scolaires a été recueillie à l'aide d'un questionnaire rempli par des représentants scolaires. L'information sur les types d'activités physiques pratiquées ainsi que sur l'atteinte des recommandations en activité physique par les jeunes a été obtenue à raide de questionnaires auto-administrés complétés par les élèves. Des analyses de régressions multiniveaux ont été effectuées afin d'examiner la relation entre l'environnement scolaire et les types d'activités pratiquées, ainsi que l'atteinte des recommandations en activité physique chez les filles et les garçons. Résultats : Chaque changement d'unité du score représentant un environnement favorable au transport actif était positivement associé à la participation aux activités organisées (RC= 1,34, IC à 95% = 1,04, 1,74) et aux activités de groupe (RC= 1,54, IC à 95% =1,19, 1,99) chez les filles, de même qu'à la participation aux activités individuelles (RC=1,45, 1C à 95% = 1,04, 2,04) et à atteinte des recommandations en matière d'activité physique (RC= 1,18, 1C à 95% = 1,00, 1,40) chez les garçons. Les politiques scolaires qui favorisent l'activité physique étaient aussi liées à la participation aux activités non organisées (RC-1,18, IC à 95% =1,00, 1,40) chez les filles. Conclusion : Les environnements scolaires qui favorisent le transport actif sont liés à une plus grande chance de participer à une variété d'activités physiques. Les politiques scolaires qui font la promotion de l'activité physique pourraient aussi être des méthodes intéressantes pour encourager les filles à participer à des activités organisées et de groupe. // Abstract: Background: Although only 7% of Canadian youth meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day, youth take part in a wide variety of different physical activities. Many characteristics of the school environment can influence youths' participation in physical activity, but the relationship between the school environment and participation in specific types of physical activities remains unexplored. The objectives of this study are to identify if school infrastructures and policies are associated with participation in individual, team-based, organized, and non-organized physical activities. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 776 Grade 5 and 6 students from 16 schools across New Brunswick who participated in the Measuring Activities of Teenagers to Comprehend their Habits (MATCH) project. The physical and political environment was assessed through a questionnaire completed by school representatives. Types of physical activities and physical activity levels were obtained from questionnaires self-administered by students. Multilevel regression analyses were used to examine relationships between the schools' physical and political environment and the types of physical activities, and levels of physical activity of the students. Results: Additional units of the school environmental active commuting score were positively associated with girls' participation in organized (OR= 1.34, 95% CI=1.04, 1.74) and group-based physical activities (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.19, 1.99) and with boys' odds of participating in individual activities (OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.04, 2.04) and meeting physical activity recommendations (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.43, 3.37). School policies supporting physical activity were also positively associated with girl's odds of participating in non-organized physical activities (OR=1.18, 95% CI=1.00, 1.40). Conclusions: Environments which favor active commuting were associated with a higher likelihood of participation in a wide variety of different physical activities. School policies promoting physical activity could also be an interesting way of encouraging girls to participate in group-based and organized physical activities

Fostering A Wholistic Education: A Practical Approach For Advisors

This article defines wholistic education and provides a model currently used in a college-level, academic setting. The various dimensions of the model are described along with the manner by which each is measured. An important contribution of this paper is the introduction of nonlinear methods which provide appropriate means for analyzing and responding to individual student behaviors. While the model is specific to our institution it is general enough to be adapted to any other academic setting.  &nbsp

Farmers\u27 market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities

Background While farmers’ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmers’ markets among rural residents. Thus, this study’s purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Methods Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmers’ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmers’ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmers’ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmers’ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender. Results Among farmers’ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmers’ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmers’ market shopping were market days and hours, “only come when I need something”, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmers’ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmers’ markets. There were no associations between use of farmers’ markets and BMI. Conclusions Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmers’ market shopping. Thus, farmers’ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption

Farmers’ market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities

Background While farmers’ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmers’ markets among rural residents. Thus, this study’s purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Methods Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmers’ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmers’ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmers’ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmers’ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender. Results Among farmers’ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmers’ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmers’ market shopping were market days and hours, “only come when I need something�, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmers’ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmers’ markets. There were no associations between use of farmers’ markets and BMI. Conclusions Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmers’ market shopping. Thus, farmers’ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption

"The Book of Negroes’ illustrated edition: circulating African-Canadian history through the Middlebrow"

This article examines the 2009 deluxe illustrated edition of Lawrence Hill’s Commonwealth Writers’ Prize– and Canada Reads–winning novel The Book of Negroes, originally published in 2007. It relates the story of Aminata, a West African girl kidnapped and sold into slavery, and her experiences on an indigo plantation in the American south, followed by further displacements to Charleston, Nova Scotia, Sierra Leone, and London. In New York, as the Revolutionary War comes to a close, Aminata becomes the scribe for the Book of Negroes, documenting the Black Loyalists, as well as the slaves and indentured servants of white Loyalists, granted passage by the British to Canada. Hill has commented that the Book of Negroes is an important document about which Canadians are largely ignorant. This desire to circulate knowledge about African-Canadian history through the novel is particularly manifest in the illustrated edition of 2009, where a photograph of the Book of Negroes features prominently, along with countless other images and captions which supplement and interrupt Hill’s narrative. This article considers the significance and implications of this “keepsake” or “souvenir” edition, particularly its circulation of knowledge about African-Canadian history through visual pleasure

Farmers¿ market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities

Abstract Background: While farmers’ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmers’ markets among rural residents. Thus, this study’s purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmers’ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmers’ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmers’ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmers’ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmers’ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmers’ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender. Results: Among farmers’ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmers’ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmers’ market shopping were market days and hours, “only come when I need something”, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmers’ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmers’ markets. There were no associations between use of farmers’ markets and BMI. Conclusions: Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmers’ market shopping. Thus, farmers’ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption

Incident vertebral fractures and risk factors in the first three years following glucocorticoid initiation among pediatric patients with rheumatic disorders

Vertebral fractures are an important yet underrecognized manifestation of osteoporosis in children with chronic, glucocorticoid-treated illnesses. Our goal was to determine the incidence and clinical predictors of vertebral fractures in the 3 years following glucocorticoid initiation among pediatric patients with rheumatic disorders. Incident vertebral fractures were evaluated according to the Genant semiquantitative method on lateral radiographs at baseline and then annually in the 3 years following glucocorticoid initiation. Extended Cox models were used to assess the association between vertebral fractures and clinical risk predictors. A total of 134 children with rheumatic disorders were enrolled in the study (mean ± standard deviation (SD) age 9.9 ± 4.4 years; 65% girls). The unadjusted vertebral fracture incidence rate was 4.4 per 100 person-years, with a 3-year incidence proportion of 12.4%. The highest annual incidence occurred in the first year (6.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9% to 11.7%). Almost one-half of the patients with fractures were asymptomatic. Every 0.5 mg/kg increase in average daily glucocorticoid (prednisone equivalents) dose was associated with a twofold increased fracture risk (hazard ratio (HR) 2.0; 95% CI 1.1 to 3.5). Other predictors of increased vertebral fracture risk included: (1) increases in disease severity scores between baseline and 12 months; (2) increases in body mass index Z-scores in the first 6 months of each 12-month period preceding the annual fracture assessment; and (3) decreases in lumbar spine bone mineral density Z-scores in the first 6 months of glucocorticoid therapy. As such, we observed that a clinically significant number of children with rheumatic disorders developed incident vertebral fractures in the 3 years following glucocorticoid initiation. Almost one-half of the children were asymptomatic and thereby would have been undiagnosed in the absence of radiographic monitoring. In addition, discrete clinical predictors of incident vertebral fractures were evident early in the course of glucocorticoid therapy

Assessing the carcinogenic potential of low-dose exposures to chemical mixtures in the environment: the challenge ahead.

Lifestyle factors are responsible for a considerable portion of cancer incidence worldwide, but credible estimates from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) suggest that the fraction of cancers attributable to toxic environmental exposures is between 7% and 19%. To explore the hypothesis that low-dose exposures to mixtures of chemicals in the environment may be combining to contribute to environmental carcinogenesis, we reviewed 11 hallmark phenotypes of cancer, multiple priority target sites for disruption in each area and prototypical chemical disruptors for all targets, this included dose-response characterizations, evidence of low-dose effects and cross-hallmark effects for all targets and chemicals. In total, 85 examples of chemicals were reviewed for actions on key pathways/mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. Only 15% (13/85) were found to have evidence of a dose-response threshold, whereas 59% (50/85) exerted low-dose effects. No dose-response information was found for the remaining 26% (22/85). Our analysis suggests that the cumulative effects of individual (non-carcinogenic) chemicals acting on different pathways, and a variety of related systems, organs, tissues and cells could plausibly conspire to produce carcinogenic synergies. Additional basic research on carcinogenesis and research focused on low-dose effects of chemical mixtures needs to be rigorously pursued before the merits of this hypothesis can be further advanced. However, the structure of the World Health Organization International Programme on Chemical Safety 'Mode of Action' framework should be revisited as it has inherent weaknesses that are not fully aligned with our current understanding of cancer biology