Contrasting speed and accuracy approaches to measure executive functions in three low-and middle-income countries.

Executive functions (EF) can be measured by tests assessing accuracy, reaction times and by computing scores which combine these two components. Interpretation issues can arise from the use of different scoring methods across studies. Given that EF measures and their scoring methods are predominantly developed and validated in high income countries, little is known about the generalisability of such methods cross- culturally.

Cognitive and socio-emotional correlates of psychological well-being and mental health in Guatemalan adults.

Background: Little is known about associations of psychological and mental well-being with cognitive and socioemotional factors in low and middle-income countries, particularly among vulnerable populations born in adverse environments that may restrict developmental potential. This study aimed to examine the cognitive and socioemotional correlates of psychological well-being and mental health in a cohort of Guatemalan adults born in contexts of poverty and malnutrition.

Methods: From Dec 2017 to Apr 2019, data were collected from 704 women and 564 men ages 40-57 years living in four rural villages in eastern Guatemala and Guatemala City.

Association between early child development trajectories and adult cognitive function in a 50-year longitudinal study in Guatemala.

Objectives: Few studies have used longitudinal data to study the development of cognition over the life course in low-income and middle-income countries. The objectives of this study were to assess predictors of cognitive development trajectories from 6 months through 7 years, and if these trajectories predicted adult cognitive function in a birth cohort from Guatemala.

Design: We analysed data from the INCAP Nutrition Supplementation Trial Longitudinal Study in Guatemala.

Executive functions form a single construct and are associated with schooling: Evidence from three low- and middle- income countries.

Measuring executive function (EF) among adults is important, as the cognitive processes involved in EF are critical to academic achievement, job success and mental health. Current evidence on measurement and structure of EF largely come from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. However, measuring EF in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) is challenging, because of the dearth of EF measures validated across LMICs, particularly measures that do not require extensive training, expensive equipment, or professional administration.

Early Childhood Nutrition and Cognitive Functioning in Childhood and Adolescence.

Background: The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) Longitudinal Study provides a unique opportunity to examine the role of nutrition in cognitive functioning over time, controlling for other sociocultural factors.

Objective: This article describes results of analyses carried out in the INCAP Longitudinal Study on relationships between early childhood nutritional status and supplementation with concurrent and subsequent cognitive development in childhood and adolescence/young adulthood.

Methods: Articles were chosen for review that addressed this topic from the original and 1988 follow-up studies; 41 articles were reviewed and key results summarized for relationships between early nutrition and cognition in infancy, early childhood, and adolescence/young adulthood.