An investigation of the breakfast habits and dietary intakes of year 8 Auckland children : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutritional Science at Massey University

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day. Studies have consistently shown that regular breakfast consumption makes a significant contribution to nutrient intake. Additionally, individuals who have skipped breakfast often do not make up for the missed nutrients during the remainder of the day. Results from the National Children's Nutrition Survey show that breakfast consumption varies with ethnicity and age. In particular, Pacific Island children and older children were less likely than other ethnic and age groups to have breakfast. The overall aim of the current study was to collect detailed information on dietary intake, breakfast habits, choices, and preferences of intermediate school children. Two multi-cultural decile six intermediate schools in North Shore City, Auckland were selected to participate. A dietary assessment of over two hundred students (12-13 years of age) was completed using a dietary recall methodology. Data were also collected on breakfast habits and preferences, and anthropometric measurements made. A subset group of 52 students was randomly selected to provide detailed information on their nutrient intake. Each student within the subgroup completed two 24-hour recalls during the school week, and a food diary on a Saturday. Findings from this research showed that both male and female students had a high level of breakfast consumption, with over half of the students reporting that this represented their daily habit. Overall, only 4% reported that they rarely or never have breakfast. The most reported reason given for skipping breakfast was not being hungry in the morning, followed by preferring to sleep in, and then lack of time. There was some evidence from this study that the daily commitments of family members (e.g., working parents) may influence breakfast eating habits. Additionally, it is likely that the availability of preferred breakfast foods at home contributed to high breakfast consumption observed in this study population. Interestingly, breakfast consumption was not significantly associated with gender, but was however influenced by ethnicity, with Maori/Pacific Island children less likely to eat breakfast than children of other ethnic groups (P = 0.001). Breakfast skippers had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) compared to breakfast eaters, although further research is required to assess the association between habitual breakfast consumption and BMI. The majority of breakfast consumers chose foods and beverages that contributed to a balanced breakfast. Of those subjects who had breakfast, over 60% consumed a cereal, with the most popular being Weet-Bix. Findings from the subgroup analysis showed that the consumpton of breakfast made a significant contribution to the daily intake of nutrients such as iron, calcium, folate, riboflavin, and thiamin, for both male and female breakfast eaters. The information gained from this study may facilitate the implementation of nutrition education and intervention programmes designed to improve eating patterns (in particular breakfast consumption) and the dietary intake of children and adolescents. Promoting and maintaining good breakfast habits in children of this age group may lead to improved breakfast consumption patterns and health as they progress through adolescence

Organic farmers may gain from Green House Gas trade

Farmers may earn money from participating in the ongoing greenhouse gas (GHG) trade system under the Kyoto agreement

How to include farmers in the emission trading system?

The EU has committed itself to an ambitious 20% reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2020 compared to the 1990 emissions level. Moreover, the EU goal beyond 2012 is to strengthen, expand and improve climate change initiatives. Therefore, there is a strong need to consider more carefully how to integrate as many sectors as possible in these efforts. Farmers, however, do not trade GHG under the Kyoto agreement. The idea of including farmers in a national emission trading system has been launched in Australia but it has not yet been applied to the EU

The Climate Heroes of the Future?

How farmers may earn money from greenhouse gas emission trading in the EU

Evaluating and regulating the impacts of lobbying in the EU? The case study of green industries

How should we evaluate and regulate the impacts of lobbying in the European Union (EU)? The current lack of transparency around lobbying activities and the absence of formal regulation mean that a hidden lobbying problem may prevail. The tentative case study of green industries in the EU is illustrative. The wind turbine industry, for example, benefits from ambitious environmental target levels for greenhouse gas reductions that will increase the future market for renewable energy. In contrast, for example, no environmental target levels exist that increase the future market shares of organic farming. Rational choice theory suggests that lobbying and group size advantages can explain the observed difference in achieving environmental target levels. The EU may learn from the US legislation as a starting point for a best‐practice solution and future evaluation of impacts of lobbying in the EU

Sustainability in irrigated agriculture

Irrigated farmingAgricultureIrrigation efficiencySustainability

The Debt Ratio and Risk

The agricultural development has caused still bigger and more expensive farms in Denmark. The debt ratio therefore has increased and has become a severe problem for the farmer. The magnitude of the debt ratio is the highest in Europe. The objective of this study is to analyse the possibility to optimise the debt ratio. In order to analyse the debt ratio 1200 financial statements have been investigated. The study confirms that it is impossible to optimise the debt ratio in line with Modigliani & Miller. On the other hand the study points out an inoptimal range, which is in accordance with the 'Trade-off Theory of Capital Structure'. That is on the high end of the scale. Finally the study demonstrates a significant correlation between the debt ratio and the financial risk.Agricultural Finance, Risk and Uncertainty,

Awakening of the Sleeping Lion. EUMA Papers, Vol.4 No.2 January 2007

[From the introduction]. The constitution of the European Union, a common security policy and further enlargement: Three big challenges - if not the largest - to the modern European Union. Challenges that need to be solved and understood, this paper will argue, if the EU is to grow into its full potential as a global political and economical power

Should farmers participate in the EU ETS? Permit price, measurement and technology

Farmers in the EU do not trade greenhouse gases under the Kyoto agreement. This is an empirical puzzle. Should farmers participate in the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) for greenhouse gases (GHG)? Our overall answer is yes. First, farmers may harvest private net gains because of i) relatively low marginal reduction costs, especially within organic farming; ii) the avoidance of future losses in productivity as a victim of climate change; and iii) the possibility of receiving a favourable allocation system, such as grandfathering or a list of projects that release free allowances. Second, market consequences in terms of the effect on permit price and technology are overall positive, yielding a promising future for the inclusion of agriculture in the EU ETS. Finally, we propose a scheme for including the farming practices in the EU ETS that reduces the uncertainty from measuring emission reduction in this sector