Home stimulation, development, and nutritional status of children under 2 years of age in the highlands of Madagascar.

Background: The Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar has a high burden of child undernutrition which, in addition to poor psychosocial stimulation, is a strong risk factor of poor child development. However, there are limited studies evaluating the relations between developmental deficits, child nutrition outcomes, and home stimulation in the region. The purpose of this study was to assess the development of children aged 11-13 months in relation to their nutritional status and to examine parental home stimulation attitudes and practices in the Vakinankaratra region.

Fathers' involvement in child care activities: Qualitative findings from the highlands of Madagascar.

Few studies have investigated fathers' roles in child care in Madagascar. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding fathers' involvement in child care using qualitative methods. Ten focus group discussions were conducted among parents of children aged 6-23 months; seven were among mothers, and three among fathers.

Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Complementary Feeding and Child Undernutrition in the Vakinankaratra Region of Madagascar: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: Data are limited on how feeding knowledge and practices relate to child undernutrition in the highlands of Madagascar.

Objectives: This study assessed maternal knowledge and practices of complementary feeding and their associations with anthropometrics of children aged 6-23 mo in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar.

Methods: Knowledge was assessed using WHO recommendations on child feeding, and WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators were used to evaluate feeding practices.

Parents' Perceptions of Childhood Obesity and Support of the School Wellness Policy.

Objective: Investigate differences in familiarity of parents of school-aged children with school wellness polices (SWP) and perceptions of the problem of childhood obesity related to support for the SWP and school's role in providing a healthy environment.

Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study using telephone surveys conducted in spring, 2016. T test statistics compared differences between parents with high vs low SWP familiarity and agreement vs disagreement of childhood obesity as problematic.

Situation and determinants of the infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators in Madagascar: analysis of the 2009 Demographic and Health Survey.

Background: Studies evaluating child feeding in Madagascar are scarce despite its importance in child growth during the first two years of life. This study assessed the associations between the WHO infant and young child feeding (IYCF) indicators and stunting and identified determinants of inappropriate child feeding practices.

Methods: The most recent Demographic and Health Survey was used including a total of 1956 infants aged 0-23 months.

Determinants of stunting in children under 5 years in Madagascar.

Madagascar is among countries where the prevalence of stunting is dramatically high in under 5 years old children. This study investigated the determinants of child stunting based on the UNICEF framework on the causes of malnutrition. A cutoff at 24 months was used to separate the child population into two groups.

Differences in body dissatisfaction, weight-management practices and food choices of high-school students in the Bangkok metropolitan region by gender and school type.

Objective: The present study aimed to compare body dissatisfaction, food choices, physical activity and weight-management practices by gender and school type.

Design: A questionnaire was used to obtain height, weight, body image perception using Stunkard's figure rating scale, food choices, physical activity and weight-management practices.

Setting: Nine single- and mixed-gender schools located in Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand.

Comparison of disordered eating symptoms and emotion regulation difficulties between female college athletes and non-athletes.

The purpose of the study was to compare the prevalence of disordered eating between female college athletes and non-athletes and explore emotion regulation as a potential mediator of the link between participation in athletics and disordered eating symptoms. Data for this cross-sectional study came from 527 college students in a mid-western state of the USA in fall of 2013 (376 non-athletes and 151 athletes). Disordered eating symptoms and emotion regulation were assessed utilizing the Eating Attitudes Test and the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale in a survey-based format.

Body image perceptions in Western and post-communist countries: a cross-cultural pilot study of children and parents.

The development of an unrealistic ideal body image and body size dissatisfaction among children is common in Western countries, including the USA and many European nations. However, little is known about children's body image perceptions in post-communist countries. This pilot study evaluated body image perceptions in a sample of Czech school-aged children and their parents and compared them with the perceptions of American children and parents.

Social and physical environmental factors and child overweight in a sample of American and Czech school-aged children: a pilot study.

Objective: To compare environmental factors that influence body mass index for age (BMI-for-age) between a sample of American and Czech school-aged children.

Design: Pilot study. A parent questionnaire and school visits were used to collect data from parents and children.

Dietary intakes, physical activity, and predictors of child obesity among 4-6th graders in the Czech Republic.

The prevalence of child obesity in the Czech Republic has increased in the last several years, especially among school-aged children. While obesity trends are closely monitored in the Czech Republic, very little is known about the dietary habits and exercise behaviors of Czech children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutrient intakes and physical activity, as well as identify predictors of BMI-for-age in a sample of Czech school-aged children.