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Relationships between the home environment and physical activity and dietary patterns of preschool children: a cross-sectional study.

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008 May 30;5(1):31

Authors: Spurrier NJ, Magarey AA, Golley R, Curnow F, Sawyer MG

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To assess relationships between characteristics of the home environment and preschool children’s physical activity and dietary patterns. METHODS: Homes of 280 preschool children were visited and information obtained by direct observation and parent interview regarding physical and nutritional characteristics of the home environment. Children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary patterns were measured using standardised parent-report questionnaires. Associations were analysed using analysis of variance and correlation. RESULTS: Parental physical activity (p=0.03-0.008), size of backyard (p=0.001) and amount of outdoor play equipment (p=0.003) were associated with more outdoor play. Fewer rules about television viewing (p<0.001) and presence of playstation (p=0.02) were associated with more indoor sedentary time. Higher fruit and vegetable intake was associated with restricting children’s access to fruit juice (p=0.02) and restricting high fat/sugar snacks (p=0.009). Lower intake of non-core foods was associated with restricting children’s access to fruit juice (p=0.007), cordial/carbonated drinks (p<0.001) and high fat/sugar snacks (p=0.003). Lower fruit and vegetable intake was associated with reminding child to ‘eat up’ (p=0.007) and offering food rewards to eat main meal (p=0.04). Higher intake of non-core foods was associated with giving food ‘treats’ (p=0.03) and offering food rewards to eat main meal (p=0.04). The availability of food groups in the home was associated with children’s intake of these foods (fruit and vegetables, p<0.001; fat in dairy, p=<0.001; sweetened beverages, p=0.004-<0.001; non-core foods, p=0.01-<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Physical attributes of the home environment and parental behaviours are associated with preschool children’s physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary patterns. Many of these variables are modifiable and could be targeted in childhood obesity prevention and management.

PMID: 18513416 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Home healthcare practice environment: Predictors of RN satisfaction.

Res Nurs Health. 2008 May 14;31(3):252-260

Authors: Tullai-McGuinness S

Since 2000, Medicare-certified home healthcare agencies have undergone significant regulatory changes that directly affect registered nurses. The satisfaction of 201 nurses from 19 home healthcare agencies was examined. Home healthcare nurses reported slightly lower satisfaction than hospital nurses and were approximately 50% less satisfied than they were in 2000. Satisfaction had a negative relationship with years worked as a home healthcare nurse (r = -.25, p < .01). Controlling for years of home healthcare experience, control over practice decisions and practice setting decisions were significant predictors of satisfaction. With the demand for home healthcare nurses expected to increase 109% by 2020, development of a National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators for home healthcare that includes satisfaction as a nurse-sensitive outcome might be helpful. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:252-260, 2008.

PMID: 18481253 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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[Teenage pregnancy and frequent use of alcohol and drugs in the home environment.]

Rev Saude Publica. 2008 Jun;42(3):402-10

Authors: Caputo VG, Bordin IA

OBJECTIVE: To assess individual and family factors associated to teenage pregnancy, including frequent use of alcohol and illicit drugs by family members. METHODS: Case-control study conducted with a sample of 408 sexually active female adolescents (aged 13-17 years) in school from the city of Marília (Southeastern Brazil) in 2003-2004. Cases consisted of 100 primigravid teenagers assisted in prenatal care programs in health units. Controls were 308 nulligravid students from state public schools. Standardized instruments identified demographic and educational factors, contraceptive behavior, mental health problems, and family characteristics. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Low paternal education (p=0.01), lack of information on sexuality and fertilization (p=0.001) and the use of illicit drugs by a resident family member (p=0.006) were independent risk factors. Family income per capita and asking the partner to use a condom were confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The frequent use of illicit drugs by a resident family member is a factor strongly associated to teenage pregnancy, regardless of other risk factors. The expectation of going to college constitutes a protective factor, mainly in the presence of low maternal education.

PMID: 18470362 [PubMed - in process]

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Listening to survivor moms.

Midwifery Today Int Midwife. 2008;(85):32-5, 63-5

Authors: Sperlich M

PMID: 18429519 [PubMed - in process]

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