Search

To understand the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on parental perceptions of health behaviors and food insecurity among children with overweight and obesity living in San Francisco and to assess the relationship between food insecurity and dietary intake during the pandemic. Parents of children ages 4 to 12 in San Francisco with body mass index ≥85th percentile measured at a clinic visit at a Federally Qualified Health Center or academic practice from January 1st to March 15th, 2020 were eligible to participate. Parents completed a survey reporting on child health behaviors and household food insecurity prior to and since the start of the pandemic. Survey items were abstracted from validated surveys with adaptations. Regression models evaluated associations between food insecurity and dietary intake variables. Most participants (n = 145) were publicly insured (90%), Latino (77%), and spoke Spanish at home (70%). Parents perceived that child mean daily nonacademic screen time was higher during the pandemic compared to before (3.8 hours vs 1.6 hours). Mean daily physical activity was reported to be lower compared to prior to the pandemic (1 hour vs 1.8 hours). On average, reported bedtime shifted 1.6 hours later. Food insecurity increased significantly but was not associated with intake of fruits, vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages, or foods with added sugar during the pandemic. Parents of children with overweight or obesity in San Francisco perceive increased child screen time, decreased physical activity and later bedtimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest a need for policies that support healthy lifestyle behaviors among low-income children during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess trends in consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) from 2013 to 2016 among all children in California aged 2-5 and 6-11 years and by racial-ethnic group.Design: Serial cross-sectional study using the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).Setting: CHIS is a telephone survey of households in California designed to assess population-level estimates of key health behaviours. Previous research using CHIS documented a decrease in SSB consumption among children in California from 2003 to 2009 coinciding with state-level policy efforts targeting child SSB consumption.Participants: Parents of children in California aged 2-11 years (n 4901 in 2013-2014; n 3606 in 2015-2016) were surveyed about the child's consumption of soda and sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks on the day prior.Results: Among 2-5-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB remained stable. Sweetened fruit drink/sports drink consumption was higher than soda consumption in this age group. Latino 2-5- year-olds were more likely to consume any SSB in both 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 compared with Whites. Among 6-11-year-olds, consumption of soda, sweetened fruit drinks/sports drinks and any SSB also remained stable over time. Latino and African-American 6-11-year-olds were more likely to consume an SSB in 2013-2014 compared with White children.Conclusions: SSB consumption among children in California was unchanged from 2013 to 2016 and racial-ethnic disparities were evident. Increased policy efforts are needed to further reduce SSB consumption, particularly among children of Latino and African-American backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) through a broad-based consensus process on best practices for chiropractic management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Design: CPG based on evidence-based recommendations of a panel of experts in chronic MSK pain management. Methods: Using systematic reviews identified in an initial literature search, a steering committee of experts in research and management of patients with chronic MSK pain drafted a set of recommendations. Additional supportive literature was identified to supplement gaps in the evidence base. A multidisciplinary panel of experienced practitioners and educators rated the recommendations through a formal Delphi consensus process using the RAND Corporation/University of California, Los Angeles, methodology. Results: The Delphi process was conducted January–February 2020. The 62-member Delphi panel reached consensus on chiropractic management of five common chronic MSK pain conditions: low-back pain (LBP), neck pain, tension headache, osteoarthritis (knee and hip), and fibromyalgia. Recommendations were made for nonpharmacological treatments, including acupuncture, spinal manipulation/mobilization, and other manual therapy; modalities such as low-level laser and interferential current; exercise, including yoga; mind–body interventions, including mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavior therapy; and lifestyle modifications such as diet and tobacco cessation. Recommendations covered many aspects of the clinical encounter, from informed consent through diagnosis, assessment, treatment planning and implementation, and concurrent management and referral. Appropriate referral and comanagement were emphasized. Conclusions: These evidence-based recommendations for a variety of conservative treatment approaches to the management of common chronic MSK pain conditions may advance consistency of care, foster collaboration between provider groups, and thereby improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To use cognitive interviewing and pilot testing to develop a survey instrument feasible for administering in the food pantry setting to assess daily intake frequency from several major food groups and dietary correlates (e.g. fruit and vegetable barriers) - the FRESH Foods Survey.Design: New and existing survey items were adapted and refined following cognitive interviews. After piloting the survey with food pantry users in the USA, preliminary psychometric and construct validity analyses were performed.Setting: Three US food banks and accompanying food pantries in Atlanta, GA, San Diego, CA, and Buffalo, NY.Participants: Food pantry clients (n 246), mostly female (68 %), mean age 54·5 (sd 14·7) years.Results: Measures of dietary correlates performed well psychometrically: Cronbach's α range 0·71-0·90, slope (α) parameter range 1·26-6·36, and threshold parameters (β) indicated variability in the 'difficulty' of the items. Additionally, all scales had only one eigenvalue above 1·0 (range 2·07-4·71), indicating unidimensionality. Average (median, Q1-Q3) daily intakes (times/d) across six dietary groups were: fruits and vegetables (2·87, 1·87-4·58); junk foods (1·16, 0·58-2·16); fast foods and similar entrées (1·45, 0·58-2·03); whole-grain foods (0·87, 0·58-1·71); sugar-sweetened beverages (0·58, 0·29-1·29); milk and milk alternatives (0·71, 0·29-1·29). Significant correlations between dietary groups and dietary correlates were largely in the directions expected based on the literature, giving initial indication of convergent and discriminant validity.Conclusions: The FRESH Foods Survey is efficient, tailored to food pantry populations, can be used to monitor dietary behaviours and may be useful to measure intervention impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia remains a complex disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Hypercarbia is a common derangement in this population, which often requires escalating ventilator support. By decreasing airway turbulence and enhancing CO2 removal, inhaled helium-oxygen mixture (heliox) has the potential to improve ventilation and thereby decrease ventilator support and its associated lung injury. METHODS: Retrospective cohort review of all neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated at Rady Children's Hospital San Diego during 2011-2015. Clinical characteristics were compared between the infants who were treated with heliox and those who did not receive this intervention. To analyze the effect of heliox in the subgroup that received this treatment, ventilator settings and arterial blood gas values were compared before and after starting heliox by using paired t tests. RESULTS: During the study period, 45 neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were admitted to our neonatal ICU, 28 received heliox, and 27 were analyzed. During heliox treatment, ... levels decreased from 68 to 49 mm Hg (P < .001), amplitude decreased from 33 to 23 cm H2O (P < .001), ventilator frequency decreased from 28 to 23 breaths/min (P = .02), ... decreased from 0.52 to 0.40 (P < .01), and pH increased from 7.3 to 7.4 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of heliox to the standard practice of permissive hypercapnia facilitated improvement in gas exchange, which allowed a decrease in ventilator settings and oxygen exposure, both of which are known to contribute to lung injury in this population. A prospective trial is needed to more clearly define the acute and longterm impacts of this treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neurobehavioral consequences of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure are well documented; however, the role of age or sex in these effects has not been studied. The current study examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, sex, and age on neurobehavioral functioning in children. Methods Subjects were 407 youth with prenatal alcohol exposure ( n = 192) and controls ( n = 215). Two age groups (child [5 to 7 years] or adolescent [10 to 16 years]) and both sexes were included. All subjects completed standardized neuropsychological testing, and caregivers completed parent-report measures of psychopathology and adaptive behavior. Neuropsychological functioning, psychopathology, and adaptive behavior were analyzed with separate 2 (exposure history) × 2 (sex) × 2 (age) multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs). Significant effects were followed by univariate analyses. Results No 3-way or 2-way interactions were significant. The main effect of group was significant in all 3 MANOVAs, with the control group performing better than the alcohol-exposed group on all measures. The main effect of age was significant for neuropsychological performance and adaptive functioning across exposure groups with younger children performing better than older children on 3 measures (language, communication, socialization). Older children performed better than younger children on a different language measure. The main effect of sex was significant for neuropsychological performance and psychopathology; across exposure groups, males had stronger language and visual spatial scores and fewer somatic complaints than females. Conclusions Prenatal alcohol exposure resulted in impaired neuropsychological and behavioral functioning. Although adolescents with prenatal alcohol exposure may perform more poorly than younger exposed children, the same was true for nonexposed children. Thus, these cross-sectional data indicate that the developmental trajectory for neuropsychological and behavioral performance is not altered by prenatal alcohol exposure, but rather, deficits are consistent across the 2 age groups tested. Similarly, observed sex differences on specific measures were consistent across the groups and do not support sexually dimorphic effects in these domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore food preparation behaviours, attitudes, meal planning and shopping among Mexican-American mothers.Design: Data were collected through four focus groups with mothers of Mexican origin/ancestry who considered themselves to be the primary food preparer. Topics included food preparation behaviours and influencers (culture, family, attitudes, barriers, meal planning and shopping). Data were analysed using a qualitative grounded theory approach. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded for themes.Setting: Data were collected in southern California, USA in 2013.Subjects: Of the sample of twenty-one Mexican-American mothers, thirteen were born outside the USA and the mean household size was five members.Results: Participants reported that food was often prepared using traditional staples and food preparation behaviours were learned from maternal family members. Participants also suggested that health was influenced by foods eaten and how they were prepared. Salient factors influencing food preparation behaviours included culture and tradition, maternal family members' food preparation behaviours, food preparation self-efficacy and attitudes towards healthy eating. Time and busy schedules were cited as barriers.Conclusions: Future interventions should consider utilizing family-based approaches and teaching culturally relevant food preparation skills, especially to youth, while reinforcing more healthful dietary practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To determine Latino parents' beliefs regarding the effects of television viewing on infants and toddlers. Methods. We conducted interviews with 26 Latino parents of infants and toddlers. We evaluated parents' beliefs about the health effects of television viewing, sources of information on this topic and facilitators and barriers to following the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) screen-time guidelines. Results. Parents believed that television viewing was educational for children but were concerned that watching television could worsen childrens vision. Parents would be motivated to limit television viewing by children if it were recommended by a health care provider. Most parents were confident that they could limit their childrens television viewing, although some perceived logistical challenges to following guidelines. Conclusions. Parents in our study had limited knowledge of the effects of television. Counseling on television by health care providers for Latino parents may decrease Latino infants and toddlers' television exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]