A Single Question of Parent-Reported Physical Activity Levels Estimates Objectively Measured Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Preschool Children: The PREFIT Project

Physical inactivity is recognized as a determinant of low physical fitness and body composition in preschool children, which in turn, are important markers of health through the lifespan. Objective methods to assess physical activity, physical fitness and body composition in preschool children are preferable; however, they have some practical limitations in the school context. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test whether a single question regarding physical activity level of preschool children, reported by their parents, could be used as an alternative screening tool of physical fitness and body composition. The information was obtained from 10 different cities throughout Spain, gathering a total of 3179 healthy preschool children (52.8% boys and 47.2% girls) aged 3-5 years. Physical activity levels of preschool children were reported by parents using a single question with five response options (very low, low, average, high, or very high). Physical fitness and body composition were assessed with the PREFIT fitness battery. The results showed that parents' perception of their children's physical activity was positively associated with all objectively measured physical fitness components (beta(range) = -0.094 to 0.113; all p < 0.020); and negatively with body composition indicators as measured (beta(range) = -0.113 to -0.058; all p < 0.001). The results showed significant differences in all physical fitness and body composition z-scores across the parent-reported physical activity levels (all p < 0.017 and all p < 0.001, respectively), as well as, for the fitness index (p < 0.001). Our study suggests that in school settings with insufficient resources to objectively assess fitness and body composition, parents-reported physical activity level by means of a single question might provide useful information about these important health markers in preschool children

Prescribing antibiotics to preschool children in primary health care in Croatia

The use of antibiotics depends on cultural and socioeconomic factors, physician's characteristics as well as on microbiological considerations. Aim of our study was to asses antibiotic prescription among preschool children in primary health care in Croatia in relation to socioeconomic factors, symptoms and diagnoses, and type of health care provider. Retrospective longitudinal survey was conducted in 7 teaching primary health care offices in the Croatian capital of Zagreb during 2004, among 1700 preschool children. Antibiotics were prescribed to 611 (46%) children. Significantly more antibiotics were prescribed to boys (66.7%, P = 0.024) and to children whose parents had lower educational level. Most frequently antibiotics were prescribed for the symptoms such as fever (32%), cough (32.5%), nasal discharge (12%), and for the diagnoses such as respiratory diseases (J00-J99) (40%), infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-A99) (31%), and diseases of the middle ear and mastoid (H60-H95) (15%). Logistic regression analyses also predicted correlation of antibiotic prescriptions with socioeconomic factors, symptoms and diagnoses and health care of pediatrician. Prescription of antibiotics for preschool children in primary health care in Croatia related to socioeconomic factors, type of health care provider, certain symptoms and diagnosis groups which should be taken into account when assessing and planning primary health care for preschool children

Assessing Vocabulary of Children: Investigating the Evaluation and Instruction of Basic Concepts

Vocabulary knowledge of preschool children is a key factor in predicting literacy success in elementary school (Hammer, Farkas, & Maczuga, 2010). However, few deliberate attempts to teach basic concept vocabulary have been studied (Bowers & Schwarz, 2013; Wilson, 2004). The purpose of this research is to determine if large group explicit instruction with interactive activities of specific basic concept vocabulary will increase preschool children\u27s understanding of basic concept terms when measured by a standardized basic concept assessment. This research will also assess the validity of a basic concept-curriculum based measure (BC-CBM) as an efficient tool to monitor a child\u27s understanding of basic concept vocabulary over time. There were 30 preschool children (M age=53.8 months) who participated in this experiment. Results demonstrated the standardized assessment and BC-BM raw scores improved through intervention. Further research is supported to evaluate the BC-CBM on a larger scale and control for more factors, which influence vocabulary development in children. Keywords: basic concept, vocabulary, preschool, assessmen

PERBANDINGAN TINGGI BADAN DAN RENTANG TANGAN PADA ANAK BALITA USIA 1-5 TAHUN

Background: Height measurement was very important to toddlers and preschool children. Deformity or certain abnormality in toddler and preschool children caused height measurement was not possible. Arm span was known to be an alternative anthropometric parameter to height. Ration between height and arm span varied in different race, age, and sex. Aim: The study was aim to know the ratio between height and arm span in toddlers and preschool children. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with observational analysis. This research was held in March-May 2015. The subject was toddlers and preschool children age 1-5 years. Height and arm span data was acquired by doing measurement to subjects. Statistical test used linear regression test. Results: The number of subjects were 197children aged 1-5 years. Linear regression test showed the ratio for male toddlers and preschool children aged 13-24 months was Height=27,793+0,685 arm span, aged 25-36 months was Height=21,364+0,771 arm span, aged 37-48 months was Height=32,157+0,686 arm span, aged 49-60 months was Height=54,681+0,461 arm span. The ratio for female toddlers and preschool children aged 13-24 months was Height=49,398+0,367 arm span, aged 25-36 months was Height=20,185+0,796 arm span, aged 37-48 months was Height=32+0,674 arm span, and aged 49-60 months was Height=13,861+0,884 arm span. Conclusion: Mean height for male toddlers and preschool children was 91,4±10 cm, while mean height for female toddlers and preschool children was 89,2±10,4 cm. Mean arm span fot male toddlers and preschool children was 89,6±11,6 cm, while mean arm span for female toddlers and preschool children was 87,2±11,2 cm. Equation based on divided age predicted height better than equation based on the whole age 1-5 years. Key Words: Height, arm span, toddler, preschool children, anthropometr

Mapping the risk of anaemia in preschool-age children: the contribution of malnutrition, malaria, and helminth infections in West Africa

BACKGROUND Childhood anaemia is considered a severe public health problem in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the geographical distribution of prevalence of anaemia and mean haemoglobin concentration (Hb) in children aged 1-4 y (preschool children) in West Africa. The aim was to estimate the geographical risk profile of anaemia accounting for malnutrition, malaria, and helminth infections, the risk of anaemia attributable to these factors, and the number of anaemia cases in preschool children for 2011. METHODS AND FINDINGS National cross-sectional household-based demographic health surveys were conducted in 7,147 children aged 1-4 y in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mali in 2003-2006. Bayesian geostatistical models were developed to predict the geographical distribution of mean Hb and anaemia risk, adjusting for the nutritional status of preschool children, the location of their residence, predicted Plasmodium falciparum parasite rate in the 2- to 10-y age group (Pf PR(2-10)), and predicted prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium and hookworm infections. In the four countries, prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe anaemia was 21%, 66%, and 13% in Burkina Faso; 28%, 65%, and 7% in Ghana, and 26%, 62%, and 12% in Mali. The mean Hb was lowest in Burkina Faso (89 g/l), in males (93 g/l), and for children 1-2 y (88 g/l). In West Africa, severe malnutrition, Pf PR(2-10), and biological synergisms between S. haematobium and hookworm infections were significantly associated with anaemia risk; an estimated 36.8%, 14.9%, 3.7%, 4.2%, and 0.9% of anaemia cases could be averted by treating malnutrition, malaria, S. haematobium infections, hookworm infections, and S. haematobium/hookworm coinfections, respectively. A large spatial cluster of low mean Hb (95%) was predicted for an area shared by Burkina Faso and Mali. We estimate that in 2011, approximately 6.7 million children aged 1-4 y are anaemic in the three study countries. CONCLUSIONS By mapping the distribution of anaemia risk in preschool children adjusted for malnutrition and parasitic infections, we provide a means to identify the geographical limits of anaemia burden and the contribution that malnutrition and parasites make to anaemia. Spatial targeting of ancillary micronutrient supplementation and control of other anaemia causes, such as malaria and helminth infection, can contribute to efficiently reducing the burden of anaemia in preschool children in Africa.Funded by the University of Queensland and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia

Flexible intramedullary nailing in the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of the femur in preschool children

Femur fractures in preschool children are mostly treated in a conservative way, by means of spica cast immobilisation or skin traction. In school age children the use of flexible intramedullary nails (FIN) is widely used and promoted. We performed intramedullary nailing in 9 preschool children aged 1.5-6 years. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 4 days (range : 3 to 6). The mean time to solid callus formation was 2.5 months (range : 2 to 3). Follow-up was available in all 9 children for a mean period of 18.9 months (range : 3 to 38). No complications were noted. Flexible intramedullary nailing of femur fractures is a valuable technique in this particular age group. However, further study and long-term follow-up are needed

Reproducibility and validity of a diet quality index for children assessed using a FFQ

The diet quality index (DQI) for preschool children is a new index developed to reflect compliance with four main food-based dietary guidelines for preschool children in Flanders. The present study investigates: (1) the validity of this index by comparing DQI scores for preschool children with nutrient intakes, both of which were derived from 3d estimated diet records; (2) the reproducibility of the DQI for preschoolers based on a parentally reported forty-seven-item FFQ DQI, which was repeated after 5 weeks; (3) the relative validity of the FFQ DQI with 3d record DQI scores as reference. The study sample included 510 and 58 preschoolers (2-5-6.5 years) for validity and reproducibility analyses, respectively. Increasing 3d record DQI scores were associated with decreasing consumption of added sugars, and increasing intakes of fibre, water, Ca and many micronutrients. Mean FFQ DQI test-retest scores were not significantly different: 72 (so 11) v. 71 (Si) 10) (P-=0-218) out of a maximum of 100. Mean 3d record DQI score (66 (so 10)) was significantly lower than mean FFQ DQI (71 (so 10);

A Goal Question Metric (Gqm) Approach for Evaluating Interaction Design Patterns in Drawing Games for Preschool Children

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest to use smart devices\u27 drawing games for educational benefit. In Indonesia, our government classifies children age four to six years old as preschool children. Not all preschool children can use drawing games easily. Further, drawing games may not fulfill all Indonesia\u27s preschool children\u27s drawing competencies. This research proposes to use Goal-Question Metric (GQM) to investigate and evaluate interaction design patterns of preschool children in order to achieve the drawing competencies for preschool children in two drawing Android-based games: Belajar Menggambar (in English: Learn to Draw) and Coret: Belajar Menggambar (in English: Scratch: Learn to Draw). We collected data from nine students of a preschool children education in a user research. The results show that GQM can assist to evaluate interaction design patterns in achieving the drawing competencies. Our approach can also yield interaction design patterns by comparing interaction design patterns in two drawing games used

Perbandingan Tinggi Badan Dan Rentang Tangan Pada Anak Balita Usia 1-5 Tahun

Background Height measurement was very important to toddlers and preschool children. Deformity or certain abnormality in toddler and preschool children caused height measurement was not possible. Arm span was known to be an alternative anthropometric parameter to height. Ration between height and arm span varied in different race, age, and sex.Aim The study was aim to know the ratio between height and arm span in toddlers and preschool children.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with observational analysis. This research was held in March-May 2015. The subject was toddlers and preschool children age 1-5 years. Height and arm span data was acquired by doing measurement to subjects. Statistical test used linear regression test.ResultsThe number of subjects were 197children aged 1-5 years. Linear regression test showed the ratio for male toddlers and preschool children aged 13-24 months was Height=27,793+0,685 arm span, aged 25-36 months was Height=21,364+0,771 arm span, aged 37-48 months was Height=32,157+0,686 arm span, aged 49-60 months was Height=54,681+0,461 arm span. The ratio for female toddlers and preschool children aged 13-24 months was Height=49,398+0,367 arm span, aged 25-36 months was Height=20,185+0,796 arm span, aged 37-48 months was Height=32+0,674 arm span, and aged 49-60 months was Height=13,861+0,884 arm span.Conclusion Mean height for male toddlers and preschool children was 91,4±10 cm, while mean height for female toddlers and preschool children was 89,2±10,4 cm. Mean arm span fot male toddlers and preschool children was 89,6±11,6 cm, while mean arm span for female toddlers and preschool children was 87,2±11,2 cm. Equation based on divided age predicted height better than equation based on the whole age 1-5 years