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This study aimed at comparing the stability of three methods for two-dimensional sociometric status determination, including (1) the recently developed SSrat technique (Maassen, Akkermans, & Van der Linden, 1996), as well as (2) the procedure of Howes (1988), which is based on the algorithm and classification criteria of Coie and Dodge (1983), and (3) a procedure applied by Cillessen, van IJzendoorn, Van Lieshout, and Hartup (1992) based on the algorithm and criteria of Newcomb and Bukowski (1983). The latter two techniques can be regarded as nomination methods eliciting unlimited numbers of nominations from the participants. In the present study, 83 pupils (ages ranging from 5.8 to 8.8 years) participated in the 3-point rating procedure of Asher, Singleton, Tinsley, and Hymel (1979). They were asked to rate how much they liked to play with each of their classmates. The ratings data were processed in three ways according to the methods mentioned above. The techniques of Howes and of Cillessen et al. showed higher stability than previously ever reported using the nomination procedures of Coie and Dodge or Newcomb and Bukowski. Nevertheless, the rating scale procedure SSrat proved to have even higher stability.

The study was conducted to look at the effectiveness of a multimicronutrient-fortified complementary food on the micronutrient status, linear growth and psychomotor development of 6- to 12-month-old infants from a black urban disadvantaged community in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study was designed as an intervention study. In both the experimental and control groups, serum retinol concentration showed a decline over the intervention period of 6 months. The decline was less pronounced in the experimental group. This resulted in a significantly (P

The contribution of various factors to malnutrition, particularly stunting, may differ among areas and communities. This cross-sectional study aimed to estimate the level of malnutrition and identify factors associated with the high level of stunting in breast-fed infants aged 5-11 mo living in Dodota-Sire District, Ethiopia. Infants (n = 305) and their mothers were examined physically, and anthropometric and demographic data were collected. The content of zinc, calcium and copper in breast milk was measured, and data collected on the type, frequency of consumption, and time of introduction of supplementary feeding. Overall, 36% were stunted, 41% underweight and 13% wasted. The highest prevalence of malnutrition was seen in infants aged 9-11 mo. Among mothers, 27% had chronic energy deficiency (body mass index, 3 times/d, consuming > 600 mL/d or consuming cow's milk in addition to cereals and/or legumes had markedly higher length-for-age Z-scores than their peers fed less frequently, consuming less food or not consuming cow's milk [differences: 0.39, 95% confidence interval (Cl): 0.04-0.74; 0.17, 95% Cl: 0.02-0.32; 0.40, 95% Cl: 0.07-0.72, respectively]. Infants of mothers with low concentrations of zinc in their breast milk were more stunted. In conclusion, the quality and quantity of foods consumed by infants is insufficient to prevent stunting. Thus it is necessary to increase the,nutrient supply to infants by increasing intake and nutrient concentration of breast milk and of supplementary foods they consume, and by providing supplements to infants Where appropriate.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate whether effects of exposure to environmental levels of PCBs and dioxins on development in the Dutch cohort persist until school age. Study design: In the Dutch PCB/dioxin study, cognitive and motor abilities were assessed with the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities in children at school age. During infancy, half of this population was fully breast-fed for at least ≥6 weeks and the other half formula fed. Prenatal exposure to PCBs was defined as the sum of PCB118, 138, 153, and 180 in maternal and cord plasma. In breast milk, additional measurements of 17 dioxins, 6 dioxin-like PCBs, and 20 nondioxin-like PCBs were done. Results: Negative effects of prenatal PCB and dioxin exposure on cognitive and motor abilities were seen when parental and home characteristics were less optimal. These effects were not measurable in children raised in more optimal environments. Concluslons: Neurotoxic effects of prenatal PCB and dioxin exposure may persist into school age, resulting in subtle cognitive and motor developmental delays. More optimal intellectual stimulation provided by a more advantageous parental and home environment may counteract these effects of prenatal exposure to PCBs and dioxins on cognitive and motor abilities. Chemicals/CAS: Dioxins; Environmental Pollutants; Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Despite the important contribution of traffic sources to urban air quality, relatively few studies have evaluated the effects of traffic-related air pollution on health, such as its influence on the development of asthma and other childhood respiratory diseases. We examined the relationship between traffic-related air pollution and the development of asthmatic/allergic symptoms and respiratory infections in a birth cohort (n similar to 4,000) study in The Netherlands. A validated model was used to assign outdoor concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter less than 2.5 mum in aerodynamic diameter, and "soot") at the home of each subject of the cohort. Question n a! re-derived data on wheezing, dry nighttime cough, ear, nose, and throat infections, skin rash, and physician-diagnosed asthma, bronchitis, influenza, and eczema at 2 years of age were analyzed in relation to air pollutants. Adjusted odds ratios for wheezing, physician-diagnosed asthma, ear/nose/ throat infections, and flu/serious colds indicated positive associations with air pollutants, some of which reached borderline statistical significance. No associations were observed for the other health outcomes analyzed. Sensitivity analyses generally supported these results and suggested somewhat stronger associations with traffic, for asthma that was diagnosed before I year of age. These findings are subject to confirmation at older ages, when asthma can be more readily diagnosed.

Background Eating behaviors during childhood are related both to children’s diet quality and to their weight status. A better understanding of the determinants of eating behavior during childhood is essential for carrying out effective dietary interventions. Methods We assessed the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to variations in selected eating behaviors in early and late childhood. Information on eating behaviors came from questionnaires administered to parents of children participating in the Quebec Newborn Twin Study when the twins were 2.5 and 9 years old (n = 692 children). Dichotomous variables were derived and analyzed using structural equation modeling, as part of a classic twin study design. We performed univariate and bivariate longitudinal analyses to quantify sources of variation and covariation across ages, for several eating behavior traits. Results We found moderate to strong heritability for traits related to appetite such as eating too much, not eating enough and eating too fast. Univariate analysis estimates varied from 0.71 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.87) to 0.89 (0.75, 0.96) in younger children and from 0.44 (0.18, 0.66) to 0.56 (0.28, 0.78) in older children. Bivariate longitudinal analyses indicated modest to moderate genetic correlations across ages (rA varying from 0.34 to 0.58). Common genetic influences explained 17% to 43% of the phenotypic correlation between 2.5 and 9 years for these appetite-related behaviors. In 9-year-old children, food acceptance traits, such as refusing to eat and being fussy about food, had high heritability estimates, 0.84 (0.63, 0.94) and 0.85 (0.59, 0.96) respectively, while in younger children, the shared environment (i.e., common to both twins) contributed most to phenotypic variance. Variances in meal-pattern-related behaviors were mostly explained by shared environmental influences. Conclusions Genetic predispositions explain a large part of the variations in traits related to appetite during childhood, though our results suggest that as children get older, appetite-related behaviors become more sensitive to environmental influences outside the home. Still, for several traits environmental influences shared by twins appear to have the largest relative importance. This finding supports the notion that familial context has considerable potential to influence the development of healthy eating habits throughout childhood.

Background: Asthma has its origins in early childhood, but different patterns of childhood wheezing vary in their associations with subsequent asthma, atopy, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Novel wheezing phenotypes have been identified on the basis of analyses of longitudinal data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents And Children (ALSPAC). It is unclear whether these phenotypes can be replicated in other birth cohorts.Objective: To compare wheezing phenotypes identified in the first 8 years of life in the ALSPAC study and the Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) study.Methods: We used longitudinal latent class analysis to identify phenotypes on the basis of repeated reports of wheezing from 0 to 8 years in 5760 children from the ALSPAC study and 2810 children from the PIAMA study. Phenotypes were compared between cohorts. Associations with asthma, atopy, BHR, and lung function were analyzed by using weighted regression analyses.Results: The model with the best fit to PIAMA data in the first 8 years of life was a 5-class model. Phenotypes identified in the PIAMA study had wheezing patterns that were similar to those previously reported in ALSPAC, adding further evidence to the existence of an intermediate-onset phenotype with onset of wheeze after 2 years of age. Associations with asthma, atopy, BHR, and lung function were remarkably similar in the 2 cohorts.Conclusion: Wheezing phenotypes identified by using longitudinal latent class analysis were comparable in 2 large birth cohorts. Study of genetic and environmental factors associated with different phenotypes may help elucidate the origins of asthma. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011;127:1505-12.)

Investigated the relationships between play and family environmental conditions in a survey of 67 Dutch mothers (aged 23–35 yrs) of preschool children (aged 20–24 mo). Variables included parents' child-rearing orientation and play concept, the degree to which and reasons why they believe play is important, the way they intend to stimulate play, and the way they experience characteristics of their children. The play concept was wide, with 32 of 40 common child activities considered to be play forms by most parents. Play was estimated as being of great importance for child development, and culturally oriented parents tended to show the highest interest in play. There were more relations between perceived educational tasks, the way children are experienced, and opinions about play than between those factors and intentions of play stimulation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

Disruptive behaviour problems (DBPs) during childhood exert a high burden on individuals, families and the community as a whole. Reducing this impact is a major public health priority. Early parenting interventions are recommended as valuable ways to target DBPs; however, low take-up of, and high drop-out rates from, these programmes seriously reduce their effectiveness. We present a review of published qualitative evidence relating to factors that block or facilitate access and engagement of parents with such programmes using a thematic synthesis approach. 12 papers presenting views of both parents and professionals met our inclusion and quality criteria. A large number of barriers were identified highlighting the array of challenges parents can face when considering accessing and engaging with treatment for their child with behavioural problems. Facilitating factors in this area were also identified. A series of recommendations were made with regard to raising awareness of programmes and recruiting parents, providing flexible and individually tailored support, delivering programmes through highly skilled, trained and knowledgeable therapists, and highlighting factors to consider when delivering group-based programmes. Clinical guidelines should address barriers and facilitators of engagement as well as basic efficacy of treatment approaches. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00787-013-0401-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Although research shows that “food parenting practices” can impact children’s diet and eating habits, current understanding of the impact of specific practices has been limited by inconsistencies in terminology and definitions. This article represents a critical appraisal of food parenting practices, including clear terminology and definitions, by a working group of content experts. The result of this effort was the development of a content map for future research that presents 3 overarching, higher-order food parenting constructs – coercive control, structure, and autonomy support – as well as specific practice subconstructs. Coercive control includes restriction, pressure to eat, threats and bribes, and using food to control negative emotions. Structure includes rules and limits, limited/guided choices, monitoring, meal- and snacktime routines, modeling, food availability and accessibility, food preparation, and unstructured practices. Autonomy support includes nutrition education, child involvement, encouragement, praise, reasoning, and negotiation. Literature on each construct is reviewed, and directions for future research are offered. Clear terminology and definitions should facilitate cross-study comparisons and minimize conflicting findings resulting from previous discrepancies in construct operationalization.

Introduction: Asthma is no longer thought of as a single disease, but rather a collection of varying symptoms expressing different disease patterns. One of the ongoing challenges is understanding the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that may be responsible for the varying responses to treatment.Areas Covered: This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the asthma phenotype concept in childhood and describes key findings from both conventional and data-driven methods.Expert Commentary: With the vast amounts of data generated from cohorts, there is hope that we can elucidate distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, or endotypes. In return, this would lead to better patient stratification and disease management, thereby providing true personalised medicine.

Motor competence in childhood is an important determinant of physical activity and physical fitness in later life. However, childhood competence levels in many countries are lower than desired. Due to the many motor skill instruments in use children’s motor competence across countries is rarely compared. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the motor competence of children from Australia and Belgium using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). The sample consisted of 244 (43.4% boys) Belgian children and 252 (50.0% boys) Australian children, aged 6 to 8 years (Australian 7.6 ± 0.7 and Belgian 7.3 ± 0.9). MANCOVA for the motor scores showed a significant country effect (F = 14.61, p < 0.001). Belgian children scored higher on jumping sideways (F = 6.61, p = 0.01), moving sideways (F = 40.52, p < 0.001) and hopping for height (F = 8.28, p = 0.004) but not for balancing backwards (F = 2.64, p = 0.105). Moreover, a Chi squared test revealed significant differences between the Belgian and Australian score distribution with 21.3% Belgian and 39.3% Australian children scoring ‘below average’ (χ2 = 23.06, p < 0.001). The very low levels reported by Australian children may be the result of cultural differences in physical activity contexts such as physical education and active transport. When compared to normed scores, both samples scored significantly worse than children 40 years ago. The decline in children’s motor competence is a global issue, largely influenced by increasing sedentary behaviour and a decline in physical activity.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the relations between time use, dissatisfaction, and marital conflict about the division of house-hold labor and paid work. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 54 Dutch couples who were either expecting their first child or had a first child under 12 months old. Couples experienced more conflict about household labor than about paid work. Conflict about household labor was related solely to wives' dissatisfaction with the division of household labor which was predicted by both their own and their spouse's contribution to housework. Conflict about paid work revolved around both spouses' dissatisfaction with the husband's working hours. The majority of spouses preferred husbands to spend less time on paid work.

Background Although physical activity is recognised to be an important determinant of health and nutritional status, few instruments have been developed to assess physical activity in developing countries. The aim of this study was to compare the validity of the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a locally adapted version of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQA) for use in school going adolescents in rural and urban areas in Vietnam. Methods Sixteen year old adolescents from rural areas (n = 137) and urban areas (n = 90) completed the questionnaires in 2006. Test-retest reliability was assessed by comparing registrations after 2 weeks. Criterion validity was assessed by comparison with 7 days continuous accelerometer logging. Validity of the two methods was assessed using Spearman correlation coefficient, intra class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Kappa statistics. Results Reliability of both questionnaires was poor for both the IPAQ (ICC = 0.37) and the PAQA (ICC = 0.40). Criterion validity of both questionnaires was acceptable and similar for the IPAQ (ρ = 0.21) and the PAQA (ρ = 0.27) but a significantly lower validity was observed in rural areas. Both forms poorly estimated time spent on light, moderate and vigorous physical activity. Agreement of both questionnaires to classify individuals was also low but the IPAQ performed better than the PAQA. Conclusion Both questionnaires have a similar and overall poor validity to be used as a population instrument in Vietnam. Low reliability and classification properties in rural areas call for further research for specific use in such settings.