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International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

A Photovoice Project: Urban Elementary Girls’ Perspectives on Physical Activity - Pages 115-127

Myia L. Graves, Laura A. Nabors, Amy L. Bernard and Rebecca A. Vidourek

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2019.08.04.2

Published: 12 November 2019

 


Abstract: Photovoice is a community-based participatory research method where participants can showcase their life experiences through photography. The objective of this study was to have adolescent girls attending an after-school program use photovoice to represent their perceptions of physical activity practices. Photovoice was used to allow adolescent girls to express their perspectives, through photographs and narratives, of their personal and community strengths and concerns related to their involvement in physical activity. The phenomenological methodology was used as a framework for the study. Qualitative analyses were conducted throughout the research process. Constant comparison was used to analyze the focus group, scrapbook data, and notes recorded by the author to determine key themes and ideas. Participants for the study included 14 girls attending a school in an urban area. Benefits of physical activity as provided by the girls in their personal lives and the community included: understanding activity contributed to wellness, increased social opportunities, and the school as a hub of activities. Personal and community barriers to physical activity included: lack of neighbourhood safety, being involved in other sedentary activities, parental rules restricting outside play, outside conditions, personal choices to not exercise, and a lack of opportunity to exercise. Potential ways to increase physical activity among these participants are to create more group games and activities at the after-school program daily. Involving parents in activities with the girls at home may increase physical activity levels while at home.

Keywords:  Photovoice, physical activity, urban, elementary, girls.

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International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

Assessing MyPlate Familiarity and Typical Meal Composition using Food Models in Children Aged 7-13 - Pages 128-135

Jada L. Willis, Carol J. Howe and Gina K. Alexander

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2019.08.04.3

Published: 12 November 2019

 


Abstract: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans serve as a basis for developing federal nutrition education materials for the public, such as MyPlate. MyPlate is a visual cue that uses food groups as a guide to building healthy plates at mealtime. The objective of this study was to determine factors associated with child familiarity with MyPlate guidelines and to determine if typical meals met MyPlate guidelines using food models. A convenience sample of 250 children (aged 7-13 years) and their parent/guardian were recruited at a local science and history museum. Children viewed a picture of the MyPlate icon and were asked to identify the picture. Next, participants used a nine-inch plate to build a typical meal (meals that they would regularly consume) from a buffet of food and beverages models (>65 items to choose from). Research team members took photographs of the plates. A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist determined the percentage of plates that met MyPlate guidelines. Eighty-six percent of children recognized the MyPlate icon upon viewing the image; 7.6% could accurately identify the icon by name. When participants were asked to build a typical meal, however, only 3.43% met MyPlate guidelines. The results of this study suggest that despite being familiar with MyPlate, children built typical meals that did not meet MyPlate guidelines.

Keywords:  MyPlate, familiarity, child nutrition, fruit, vegetable.

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International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

A Longitudinal Study on Breastfeeding Practice among Women Living in Western Saudi Arabia - Pages 136-144

Anwaar Shahbar, Suhad Bahijri, Janet Weber and Noura M.S. Eid

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2019.08.04.4

Published: 12 November 2019

 


Abstract: This paper presents a longitudinal study of breastfeeding at two private hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Soliman Fakeeh (SF) follows the WHO's baby-friendly hospital initiative (BFHI), Saudi Germany Hospital (SGH) does not. Participants were 102 women in both hospitals (52 BFHI, 50 non-BFHI). Two semi-quantitative questionnaires, translated into Arabic, were used at baseline and one month postpartum. Results showed that most women in the study have initiated breastfeeding but turned to mixed feedings after one month. We also found that self-efficacy has the biggest influence on breastfeeding practice at one month, measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES) and regardless of other variables. The BFHI made breast milk the first nutritive substance infants received and had a higher percentage of early initiation of breastfeeding than the non-BFHI. The BFHI hospital supported women to breastfeed practically and educationally. Support was provided by books, internet, and educational sessions. Yet, any effects no longer existed at one month postpartum, at which point most women had shifted to mixed feeding. There was no relationship between the BSES and BFHI status. Thus, we recommend developing breastfeeding promotion programs before delivery and at least a six-months follow-up after delivery, in addition to peer counselling approaches.

Keywords:  Breastfeeding practice, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), self-efficacy, attitude towards infant feeding.

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International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition

Factors Associated with Breastfeeding Patterns in Western Saudi Arabia: A Literature Review - Pages 145-153

Anwaar Shahbar and Noura M.S. Eid

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2019.08.04.5

Published: 12 November 2019

 


Abstract: According to literature initiation of breastfeeding is common but exclusive breastfeeding is last one month post delivery in most Saudi women, where continuation to exclusively breastfeed is still challenging. This review discussed breastfeeding patterns, factors associated, and possible approaches to prolong breastfeeding duration in Saudi Arabia. Our review has shown that the early introduction of formula makes the mixed-feeding the most popular feeding method used among the Saudi population. The most frequent reason reported was insufficient milk followed by medical and lifestyle factors. Younger, employed, and higher-educated women were found to be less likely to breastfeed therefore a greater effort probably is required with those women. According to literature, the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) was found to be an effective tool in increasing breastfeeding duration worldwide, in Saudi Arabia only one study has published and found that BFHI is effective in initiating breastfeeding but formula was introduced after hospital discharge. We recommend increasing Saudi women’s confidence about breastfeeding, educating them and introducing other strategies such as peer counselling.

Keywords:  Breastfeeding, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, Nutrition education, peer support, breastfeeding initiation, breastfeeding confidence.

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