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The development of an interdisciplinary model to examine environmental factors on child health and development
Author(s) -
Brann Lynn S.,
Krishnakumar Ambika
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.558.10
Subject(s) - anthropometry , environmental health , child development , cognition , cognitive development , psychology , developmental psychology , child health , medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry
Few interdisciplinary studies have incorporated nutrition, family processes, health related behaviors, and child development within one conceptual framework. The purpose of this study was to gather pilot data to examine potential environmental factors related to child health and development. Variables included maternal and child nutrition (using 24‐hour recalls), anthropometric measurements, maternal and child physical health and access to health care, cognitive development, maternal psychological health, and parenting. In‐depth interviews were conducted with 20 mother‐child pairs. Children's diets fell below the recommended range for vegetables, milk, and meats and beans; whereas, mothers' diets fell below the recommended range for vegetables, fruits, and milk. Sixty‐eight percent of the mothers rated their children's health to be above average or excellent and the children studied scored within normal limits on their cognitive development. Preliminary data provide some support for the development of the proposed interdisciplinary conceptual model. A more diverse sample of mother‐child pairs is needed to examine environmental factors on child health and development.