Consumption of high-energy foods in the absence of hunger has been identified as a key target to address in the area of obesity. For children, such foods are often provided by adults as treats. There ...is limited understating of adults' treat giving. The present study aimed to understand adults' provision of treats to children on the Island of Ireland. A total of 1039 participants, including parents, grandparents, child minders and education practitioners completed a face-to-face survey in their home. Participants defined their treats for children primarily as ‘something nice’, ‘deserved/earned’ and ‘something special’. The top three motivations for treat foods provision were ‘to reward for good behaviour’ (42.3%), ‘because the child(ren) ask’ (42.2%) and ‘to make the child(ren) feel better’ (29.4%). Almost all participants would provide treat foods at celebrations and 52.5% always did so. In addition, 68% participants had structured weekly and/or daily treat for children. Treats provided to children were dominated by energy-dense foods. The top three were sweets, chocolates and ice-creams, being used by 45.2%, 45.1% and 38.8% participants. Variations were observed across different adult groups, in terms of their treat giving behaviour. The main observation was that adults' treat foods provision has become habitual. The findings can help develop targeted strategies to encourage the reduction or replacement of food treats for children.
Anglicizing America Gallup-Diaz, Ignacio; Shankman, Andrew; Silverman, David J
04/2015
eBook
The thirteen mainland colonies of early America were arguably never more British than on the eve of their War of Independence from Britain. Though home to settlers of diverse national and cultural ...backgrounds, colonial America gradually became more like Britain in its political and judicial systems, material culture, economies, religious systems, and engagements with the empire. At the same time and by the same process, these politically distinct and geographically distant colonies forged a shared cultural identityone that would bind them together as a nation during the Revolution.
Anglicizing Americarevisits the theory of Anglicization, considering its application to the history of the Atlantic world, from Britain to the Caribbean to the western wildernesses, at key moments before, during, and after the American Revolution. Ten essays by senior historians trace the complex processes by which global forces, local economies, and individual motives interacted to reinforce a more centralized and unified social movement. They examine the ways English ideas about labor influenced plantation slavery, how Great Britain's imperial aspirations shaped American militarization, the influence of religious tolerance on political unity, and how Americans' relationship to Great Britain after the war impacted the early republic's naval and taxation policies. As a whole,Anglicizing Americaoffers a compelling framework for explaining the complex processes at work in the western hemisphere during the age of revolutions.
Contributors: Denver Brunsman, William Howard Carter, Ignacio Gallup-Diaz, Anthony M. Joseph, Simon P. Newman, Geoffrey Plank, Nancy L. Rhoden, Andrew Shankman, David J. Silverman, Jeremy A. Stern.
How do religion and politics interact in America? How has that relationship changed over time? Why have American religious and political thought sometimes developed along a parallel course while at ...other times they have moved in opposite directions? These are among the many questions addressed in this volume. Originally published in 1990 as Religion and American Politics: From The Colonial Period to the 1980s, this book offers a survey of the relationship between religion and politics in America. It features scholars including Richard Carwardine, Nathan Hatch, Daniel Walker Howe, George Marsden, Martin Marty, Harry Stout, John Wilson, Robert Wuthnow, and Bertram Wyatt-Brown. Since its publication, the influence of religion on American politics—and, therefore, interest in the topic—has grown exponentially. For this new edition, the editors offer a completely new introduction, and have also commissioned several new pieces, eliminating those that are now out of date. The resulting book offers a historically grounded approach to one of the most divisive issues of our time.
Molecular understanding of serological immunity to influenza has been confounded by the complexity of the polyclonal antibody response in humans. Here we used high-resolution proteomics analysis of ...immunoglobulin (referred to as Ig-seq) coupled with high-throughput sequencing of transcripts encoding B cell receptors (BCR-seq) to quantitatively determine the antibody repertoire at the individual clonotype level in the sera of young adults before and after vaccination with trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine. The serum repertoire comprised between 40 and 147 clonotypes that were specific to each of the three monovalent components of the trivalent influenza vaccine, with boosted pre-existing clonotypes accounting for ∼60% of the response. An unexpectedly high fraction of serum antibodies recognized both the H1 and H3 monovalent vaccines. Recombinant versions of these H1 + H3 cross-reactive antibodies showed broad binding to hemagglutinins (HAs) from previously circulating virus strains; several of these antibodies, which were prevalent in the serum of multiple donors, recognized the same conserved epitope in the HA head domain. Although the HA-head-specific H1 + H3 antibodies did not show neutralization activity in vitro, they protected mice against infection with the H1N1 and H3N2 virus strains when administered before or after challenge. Collectively, our data reveal unanticipated insights regarding the serological response to influenza vaccination and raise questions about the added benefits of using a quadrivalent vaccine instead of a trivalent vaccine.
Maternal dietary quality during pregnancy is associated with offspring outcomes. These associations have not been examined in three-generation families. We investigated associations between parental ...and grandparental dietary quality, determined by healthy eating index (HEI)-2015, and offspring birth outcomes and weight status at age 5. The Lifeways cohort study in the Republic of Ireland comprises 1082 index-child's mothers, 333 index-child's fathers, and 707 grandparents. HEI-2015 scores were generated for all adults from prenatal dietary information collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. In an adjusted model, greater adherence to the maternal HEI was associated with lower likelihood of low birth weight (LBW) (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.50-0.99,
= 0.04). Similarly, maternal grandmothers (MGM) with higher HEI scores were less likely to have grandchildren with LBW (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.61-0.96,
= 0.04) and more likely to have macrosomia (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.22,
= 0.03). Higher paternal and paternal grandmothers (PGM) HEI scores were associated with lower likelihood of childhood obesity (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94,
= 0.03) and overweight (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.22-0.99,
= 0.04), respectively. Mediation analysis showed significant direct relationship of MGM and PGM HEI scores on grandchildren's birthweight and obesity, respectively. In conclusion, maternal line dietary quality appears to influence fetal growth whereas paternal line dietary quality appears to influence postnatal growth.
Asthma is the most common childhood chronic health condition. Maternal antenatal diet has been associated with offspring asthma risk, but studies investigating maternal whole diet quality and ...inflammatory potential with long-term offspring follow-up (>5 y) are rare.
We aimed to elucidate these associations in a prospective cohort study in Ireland.
Early pregnancy diets were assessed using a validated FFQ from which energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores were computed. Doctor-diagnosed offspring asthma status (general practitioner or parent reports) for the first 10 y of life was collected at 3-y, 5-y, and 9-y follow-up. A total of 862 mother–child pairs with information on maternal diet and ≥1 offspring asthma data points were included. The longitudinal associations between maternal E-DII and HEI scores and offspring asthma status were assessed using generalized estimating equations.
Cumulative offspring asthma incidence was 21% over the 10-y period. In the main models, adjusted for maternal lifestyle and sociodemographic factors, a higher E-DII score, indicating a more proinflammatory diet, was associated with higher risk of offspring asthma (OR: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.65; per 1-SD score increment), whereas a higher HEI-2015 score, indicating better dietary quality, was associated with lower risk (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64, 0.93) (both P < 0.01). Results persisted with further adjustment for childhood factors (e.g., breastfeeding, diet, and childcare attendance) and parental asthma history. Similar associations were observed when E-DII and HEI-2015 scores were modeled in quartiles (both P-trend < 0.05). Associations for HEI-2015 were attenuated after adjustment for E-DII, suggesting the importance of anti-inflammatory pathways.
Our results suggest that a proinflammatory and low-quality diet during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of offspring asthma. Pending confirmation from other studies, optimizing these aspects of maternal diet can be a promising strategy for reducing childhood asthma risk. This prospective observational study was registered at the ISRCTN Registry as ISRCTN16537904.
Maternal caffeine intake is associated with adverse birth outcomes, but in most studies the primary caffeine source is coffee; the influence of tea caffeine remains unclear.
The aim of the study was ...to examine the association between maternal caffeine intake and birth outcomes in a population with tea as the predominant caffeine source.
Data from 941 Irish mother-child pairs of the Lifeways Cross Generation Cohort Study were examined. Maternal dietary intakes in early pregnancy were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Caffeine intake was derived from coffee, tea, soft drinks, and cocoa-containing foods and beverages. Associations of maternal caffeine intake with continuous (birth weight, birth length, and gestational age) and binary low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g) and preterm birth (PB) (<37 wk gestational age) birth outcomes were investigated using multiple linear and logistic regressions, respectively, with adjustment for potential confounders.
Tea was the predominant caffeine source (48%), followed by coffee (39%). In the fully adjusted model, maternal caffeine intake was associated with lower birth weight β (95% CI): −71.9 (−105.4, −38.4) g · 100 mg–1 · d–1 caffeine increment, shorter birth length −0.30 (−0.49, −0.11) cm, smaller head circumference −0.12 (−0.24, −0.01) cm, and shorter gestational age −0.13 (−0.25, −0.02) wk; higher risks for LBW OR (95% CI): 1.47 (1.14, 1.90) and PB 1.36 (1.07, 1.74) were also observed (all P < 0.05). The associations were robust to the exclusion of participants with pregnancy complications and in never smokers. Similar higher risks of adverse birth outcomes were observed for the highest caffeine intake categories from coffee ORLBW: 3.10 (1.08, 8.89); ORPB: 2.74 (1.05, 7.16) and tea ORLBW: 2.47 (1.02, 6.01); ORPB: 2.56 (1.14, 5.75), compared with the lowest intake categories (all P < 0.05).
Maternal caffeine intake from both coffee and tea is associated with adverse birth outcomes. This prospective observational study was registered at ISRCTN Registry as ISRCTN16537904.
Maternal social disadvantage adversely affects maternal and offspring health, with limited research on placental outcomes. Therefore, we examined maternal sociodemographic factor associations with ...placental and birth outcomes in general (Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort) and at-risk (PEARS Study of mothers with overweight or obesity) populations of pregnant women.
TwoStep cluster analysis profiled Lifeways mothers (n = 250) based on their age, parity, marital status, household income, private healthcare insurance, homeowner status, and education. Differences in placental and birth outcomes (untrimmed placental weight (PW), birthweight (BW) and BW:PW ratio) between clusters were assessed using one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests. Partial least squares regression analysed individual effects of sociodemographic factors on placental and birth outcomes in Lifeways and PEARS mothers (n = 461).
Clusters were classified as “Married Homeowners” (n = 140, 56 %), “Highest Income” (n = 58, 23.2 %) and “Renters” (n = 52, 20.8 %) in the Lifeways Cohort. Renters were younger, more likely to smoke, have a means-tested medical card and more pro-inflammatory diets compared to other clusters (p < 0.01). Compared to Married Homeowners, renters’ offspring had lower BW (−259.26 g, p < 0.01), shorter birth length (−1.31 cm, p < 0.01) and smaller head circumference (−0.59 cm, p = 0.02). PLS regression analyses identified nulliparity as having the greatest negative effect on PW (Lifeways and PEARS) while being a homeowner had the greatest positive effect on PW (Lifeways).
Certain combinations of sociodemographic factors (particularly homeownership) were associated with less favourable lifestyle factors, and with birth, but not placental outcomes. When explored individually, parity contributed to the prediction of placental and birth outcomes in both cohorts of pregnant women.
•Cluster analysis can group pregnant women based on sets of sociodemographic variables.•Renters were associated with birth outcomes and less favourable lifestyle factors.•PLS Regression explores how individual sociodemographic factors predict placental outcomes.•Nulliparity contributes strongly to predicting PW and BW.•Area-level SES indicators contribute less to predicting PW and BW in mothers living with OWOB.
The influence of maternal lifestyle behaviours on placental growth have been investigated individually, but with conflicting results, and their combined effect is under-researched. Therefore, we ...examined associations between a composite maternal healthy lifestyle score (HLS), and its individual components, during early pregnancy with placental outcomes.
Participants included Lifeways Cross-Generational Cohort mother-child pairs (n = 202). A composite HLS based on a less inflammatory diet (bottom 40% of the energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII™)), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), healthy pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), never smoking, and non-/moderate alcohol intake was calculated. Quantile regression analysed HLS (and individual components) associations with measures of placental development (untrimmed placental weight (PW)) and function (birth weight:placental weight (BW:PW) ratio) at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th centiles.
A more pro-inflammatory diet was positively, and smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were negatively, associated with PW at median centiles (B: 41.97 g, CI: 3.71, 80.22, p < 0.05; B: −58.51 g, CI: −116.24, −0.77, p < 0.05; B: −120.20 g, CI: −177.97, −62.43, p < 0.05 respectively). Low MVPA was inversely associated with BW:PW ratio at the 10th and 90th centiles (B: −0.36, CI: −0.132, −0.29, p < 0.01 and B: −0.45, CI: −0.728, −0.182, p < 0.01, respectively). Heavy alcohol intake was positively associated with BW:PW ratio at the 10th centile (B: 0.54, CI: 0.24, 0.85, p < 0.01). Results of sex-stratified analysis provide evidence of sexual dimorphism.
Associations of certain lifestyle factors, but not the composite HLS, during early pregnancy with measures of placental development (PW) and function (BW:PW ratio) varied by quantiles and by sex.
•Quantile regression can explore maternal lifestyle effects at distribution extremes.•A pro-inflammatory diet, smoking and alcohol may influence placental weight.•Alcohol and physical activity may influence BW:PW ratio at extreme centiles.•Maternal alcohol intake seems to affect BW:PW ratio in male offspring.•Maternal physical activity may affect BW:PW ratio in female offspring.
The role of smoking from the paternal line during the pre-conception period on grand-child's overweight/obesity and associated underlying pathways are uncertain. We examined whether the smoking ...status from the paternal line was associated with the grand-child's higher weight at birth, and overweight or obesity at 5 and 9 years of age. The grandparental smoking effect from the maternal line was also explored.
Participants were fathers and grandparents and grand-children from the Lifeways Cross Generational Cohort (N = 1021 for the analysis at birth; N = 562 and N = 284 for the analysis at 5 and 9 years, respectively). Paternal and grandparental smoking was defined as smoking versus non-smoking. Children's weight categories compared were high versus normal weight at birth, and overweight/obesity versus normal weight (based on BMI and waist circumference) at age of five and nine years. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the crude and adjusted associations.
After adjustment for several child and parental factors, at age five there was an association between paternal smoking and offspring's overweight/obesity based on BMI (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR), and 95%CI: 1.76, 1.14-2.71, p-value: 0.010), most marked for boys (AOR: 2.05, 1.06-3.96, p-value: 0.032). These associations remained when confined to the children sample with biological fathers only (overall sample, AOR: 1.92, 1.22-3.02, p-value: 0.005; son, AOR: 2.09, 1.06-4.11, p-value: 0.033). At age 9, the paternal grandmothers' smoking was positively associated with their grandchild's overweight/obesity status based on waist circumference (AOR: 3.29, 1.29-8.37), and especially with that of her granddaughter (AOR: 3.44, 1.11-10.69). These associations remained when analysing only the children sample with biological fathers (overall sample, AOR: 3.22,1.25-8.29, p-value: 0.016; granddaughter, AOR: 3.55, 1.13-11.15, p-value: 0.030).
The smoking habit from the paternal line is associated with grand-children's adiposity measures during their early childhood, which might be epigenetically transmitted through male-germline cells.
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