Search results

The purpose of this paper is to explore Finnish adolescents’ subjective health literacy (HL) in association to school achievement, learning difficulties, educational aspirations, and family affluence.

Nationally representative data were collected in Finland as a part of the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The respondents consisted in total of 3,833 adolescents (7th and 9th graders) from 359 schools. The Health Literacy for School-aged Children instrument was applied to measure adolescents’ subjective HL, while the Family Affluence Scale was used to measure adolescents’ socioeconomic status. Information was gathered on school achievement, learning difficulties, and educational aspirations.

Approximately one-third of the adolescents manifested a high level of HL, around 60 per cent had a moderate level of HL, and about one-tenth had low HL. The HL level was lower for boys than for girls, and lower for 7th graders than for 9th graders. In the total sample, the strongest explanatory variables for HL were school achievement in the first language, and educational aspirations.

This study provides the first nationally representative examination of adolescents’ subjective HL levels, and how these vary across age and gender groups. In drawing conclusions and presenting suggestions for HL interventions, it is important to verify the nature of the HL examined in any given study, and how it was researched.

The impact of cash transfers on improving the living conditions of children and reducing early-life deprivations and vulnerabilities are crucial to safeguarding equality of opportunities and achieving sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth within the Sustainable Development Goals. The study aims to examine the change in deprivation rate among children aged 0–17 years between 2010 and 2012, as well as the impact of cash transfer on multidimensional child poverty in Ghana using the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).

The study used the Ghana Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty Impact Evaluation Survey data, which has the baseline data collected in 2010, and the follow-up was collected in 2012. The authors used the difference-in-difference estimation technique to assess the impact of the cash transfer program on the MPI of pre-school (0–5 years) and school-aged (5–17 years) children, and compared the results with that of Propensity Score Matching.

The deprivation trend reveals that deprivation among pre-school children increased for nutrition, water and sanitation. The estimated result shows that cash transfer significantly reduces MPI of pre-school and school-aged in beneficiary households by 10.5 and 1.3% relative to non-beneficiary children, respectively.

For cash transfer programs to efficiently alleviate child poverty in Ghana, the paper recommends that the conditionality aspect of the program that has been neglected by managers of the program should be enforced. Also, the program should be supplemented with food nutrients for children to reduce the deprivation of nutrition.

Iodine deficiency has several adverse effects on human growth and development and it is categorized collectively as iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs). Recent estimations showed that 29.8 per cent of school-age children have insufficient iodine intake. Salt iodization is widely accepted as the best method for increasing iodine intake. In 1995, Morocco adopted the universal salt iodization strategy to reduce iodine deficiency and consequently prevent and control IDDs. This study aims to determine the benefit of this strategy on schoolchildren and adolescent by assessing iodine intake and evaluating iodine deficiency.

This transversal study was conducted on 131 children and adolescents. Iodine intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Iodine status was evaluated on 24-h urine samples and the creatinine excretion was used to validate completeness of urine collection.

The medians of urinary iodine excretion and concentration were 77 µg/day and 96 µg/L, respectively. Overall, 72.5 per cent are deficient, so mild and moderate iodine deficiencies were reported in 58 per cent and 14.5 per cent, respectively, and no child exhibited severe deficiency. A significant difference was reported between iodine deficiency and, sex and age; iodine deficiency was more pronounced in boys and children under eight years. In this study, iodine status in deficient children does not change with the consumption pattern of dairy products and eggs, and results showed no significant association (p > 0.05). However, fish consumption was significantly associated to urinary iodine concentration = 100 µg/L (p = 0.044). Average UIC in school-aged children is still inadequate and consumption of foods high in iodine remains very insufficient. Therefore, additional efforts must focus on nutritional education of Moroccan school-aged children.

In the author’s knowledge, this is the first study evaluating schoolchildren iodine status by 24-h iodine collection; the study reported association of iodine deficiency with dietary habit concerning sources of food rich on iodine.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and practices of selected group of Polish children in early school age in terms of issues such as: (1) the principles of food preparation, storage and eating meals; (2) personal hygiene; and (3) basic information about microorganisms.

The auditorium survey method was used. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions related to the children's knowledge of personal hygiene, the principles of food preparation and storage and the physiology of microorganisms and 13 questions related to the children's personal and food hygiene practice. In total, 169 questionnaires were collected. The study group of children had incomplete knowledge and often reported inappropriate food hygiene practices.

The subjects of food preparation and storage and knowledge of microbes were particular problem areas. By contrast, aspects related to handwashing, the appropriate practices while coughing or sneezing and washing fruit before consumption were positively evaluated. The children demonstrated the most knowledge in the field of personal hygiene. However, a very low percentage of correct answers was noted for the question about handwashing at school. None of the 13 questions related to this practice received more than 90% correct answers. The boys and girls demonstrated a comparable level of knowledge and practice in the area of food safety. It was showed that the place of school influenced answers to a greater extent compared to gender.

The results of the study play an important role in the prevention of food poisoning and are useful for the teachers, staff of training institutions and parents. They can also inspire institutions in countries with a high incidence of food poisoning to search for the causes in the inappropriate hygienic practices of young children.

School-aged children living in Montgomery and Troy located in Central Alabama are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. This study used a one-group pre-test–post-test research design to investigate if gardening and nutritional activities could be used as effective intervention to reduce levels of food insecurity among school-aged children. Statistical results found that several of the participants live in urban food deserts. Food insecurity scores were higher for participants in Montgomery compared to those in Troy, AL. The relationship between parental income, household size, and location were important indicators for measuring food insecurity among participants. Recommendations for future research include expanding the scope of study to different sites and climates with larger samples to enhance our understanding of gardening and nutritional educational activities on food insecurity among school-aged children.

This study aims to investigate the differences in participation patterns between children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and children with typical development (TD) in Jordan.

The study used a cross-sectional comparative design and convenient and snowball sampling. The sample consisted of 60 children (30 ASD and 30 TD), mean age (nine years), who completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment and the Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC) via interview. Analyses consisted of descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Children with ASD had significantly lower participation Diversity (U = 24.00, p < 0.000) and Intensity (U = 110.00, p < 0.000) than children with TD. In addition, children with ASD had significantly lower participation preference in Physical (U = 145.50, p < 0.000), Self-Improvement (U = 163.50, p < 0.000), Skill-Based (U = 281.00, p = 0.01), Social activities (U = 307.50, p = 0.03) and total PAC scale score (U = 246.50, p = 0.003). However, children with ASD had significantly higher Enjoyment (U = 274, p < 0.000) than children with TD.

Children with ASD have restricted participation patterns due to certain ASD features like extreme sensory processing patterns. However, limited research compared participation patterns between school-aged children with ASD and children with TD. This study concluded that participation patterns in children with ASD are different from children with TD.

The purpose of this paper is to examine parental and students’ decisions regarding participating in K-12 level study abroad programs in Manitoba, Canada.

The study reports on data collected through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 18 international students and 14 parents.

The findings suggest that the key factors influencing decisions are perceptions of enhanced career prospects, changing global environments and broadened post-secondary education choices. Country-specific factors include quality and safety of the learning environment, multiculturalism and reputation associated with the country and people.

The participants were primarily students and parents from the EU countries associated primarily with horizontal mobility. Experiences of students from the main sending countries (China, South Korea and Japan) might differ.

The results are relevant to educational managers in designing high-quality international programs and recruitment agents.

The study adds important empirical evidence to the limited research that has been conducted on study abroad experiences at the K-12 level. It is one of the first in the Canadian context. It provides unique perspectives in USA and Canada comparisons for study abroad of school-aged children.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a Finnish pilot project aiming to support high-needs clients in their everyday lives by developing an integrated care approach based on the multi-sectoral collaboration of care professionals. The Help Team for school-aged children will be described as an example of the integrative practices developed on the project.

Altogether 250 professionals from primary and secondary health care and social care and from the education sector were designated to collaborate in 37 local, multi-sectoral teams, aiming to develop integrated care practices for high-needs clients. Teamwork was supported by coaches and project seminars, the Breakthrough method and other LEAN methods. The project was evaluated internally by means of a survey and interviews with the participants.

As a result of the project, all 37 teams developed a specific collaboration model for their selected target group comprising different kinds of high-needs clients.

The sustainability of the outcomes of the project depends on how managers and decision-makers are committed to applying the collaboration models in future.

Many of the collaboration models developed in the project will be implemented in practice in a wider area.

The project highlighted the need to pay attention to the problems of people with multiple care needs and the challenges they pose for integrated care.

The project was based on the client-centered development work done by frontline professionals. Due to the high level of involvement of the professionals themselves, the project proved highly instructive for them. It is extremely important to engage frontline level professionals in development work and support them in collaborating beyond the traditional “silos”.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between calorie and macronutrients intake and the growth status of Aboriginal children based on gender and age group.

This was a cross-sectional study participated by 85 school-aged Aboriginal children at Labu, Negeri Sembilan. The dietary intake and socioeconomic status data were collected from the parents using an interviewer administrated structured-questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall. WHO AnthroPlus software was used to determine the z-score of weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI) for age (BAZ).

The mean fat intake was significantly higher among younger children (i.e. 7–9 years old) as compared to elder children (i.e. 10–12 years old) (40.7 ± 17.3 g vs 32.0 ± 13.8 g; t = 2.496, p = 0.015) but not for the mean intake of calorie (1816.1 ± 979.9 kcal vs 1566.3 ± 808.7 kcal; t = 1.248, p = 0.216), protein (50.13 ± 20.08 g vs 44.94 ± 16.45 g; t = 1.269, p = 0.208) and carbohydrates (198.0 ± 63.0 g vs 190.8 ± 66.1 g; t = 0.513, p = 0.609). The majority of the respondents did not meet recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for the calorie (65.9%) and fat (75.3%). A significantly higher proportion of elder children did not meet RNI for fat as compared to younger children (88.8% vs 65.3%; X² = 6.21, p = 0.021). The HAZ showed that 28.2% (n = 24) of the Aboriginal children were stunted, while WAZ showed that 14.8% (n = 9) of the Aboriginal students were underweight, and 8.2% of them were overweight. Based on BAZ classification, 15.4% (n = 6) of boys and 2.2% (n = 1) of girls were overweight. There is no significant correlation between calories and macronutrients and growth status of the children.

Although the under-nutrition status among Aboriginal children is still a highlighted issue, the few over-nutrition statuses among Aborigines should be taken into count, especially in term of energy and macronutrient intake.

This study aims to formulate multiple nutritionally improved snacks intended for school-aged children according to international nutritional goals: Vanilla cookies (VC), Bay biscuits (BB), Cheese crackers (CC) and Tomato muffins (TM).

The reformulation targets implied incorporating alternative flours and milk powder and reducing the sugar and sodium contents, with respect to the usually consumed control products. These products were subjected to proximate composition, colour and sensory profile analyses. Their overall acceptability was assessed by school-aged children whose nutritional status was also evaluated.

Significant increments in relevant nutrients were observed in the composition of snacks: fibre (p = 0.01 for VC, p < 0.01 for BB and CC), proteins (p < 0.01 for all snacks) and calcium (p < 0.01 for all snacks). Average sodium reductions of 1.5% and 3.7% were achieved for CC and TM. During formulation, added sugar was reduced by 15.5% and 23.5% for VC and BB. All snacks were found to be acceptable in terms of appearance, texture, flavour and overall acceptability by the participants, and VC, BB and CC were ready for their effective implementation as part of school meals.

Comprehensive policies have become necessary to combat malnutrition, mainly overweight and obesity. The incorporation of nutritionally improved snacks in school environments is one of several strategies for promoting healthier lifestyles among children, including educational programs, workshops and food assistance.