Australasian Medical Journal
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Effects of a physical activity programme on body perception and composition in overweight adolescents
No full textBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a six months' physical activity programme for overweight and obese adolescents, in order to improve the perception of their own body image and composition between two groups of adolescents, and to check possible gender differences.AimsThe aim is to improve the body perception and composition in overweight adolescents with a physical activity programme.Methods It was a quasi-experimental design, with a control group and intervention group. Measures of pre-test and post-test were taken. A total of 38 adolescents that belong to the first cycle of Compulsory Secondary aged 12–15, with a body mass index (BMI) higher than the 85th percentile according to the WHO (World Health Organization), participated in the intervention. The anthropometric variables, height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, and the circumference of the waist, hip, arm and medial calf, were measured pre- and post-treatment. The body image perception was measured using the Gardner test. The experimental group participated in the physical activity programme for a six months period. The physical activity intervention consisted of three sessions of 90 minutes each week in a sports centre. The structure of the sessions consisted of a warm-up (5–10 minutes), a main activity (60–70 minutes), combineding strength and cardiovascular training and a cool-down (7–10 minutes).Results After physical activity intervention the results showed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group in the circumference of the waist, the hip, the arm, the medial calf (p < 0.01) and as well as the fat percentage, the percentage of muscle mass (p < 0.05). The results showed how the body image distortion presented a significant and negative correlation with the circumference of the waist (p < 0.001), of the hips (p < 0.01), and of the arm (p < 0.001), differences were observed between gender.ConclusionOur study suggests the importance of an adequate physical activity extracurricular programme as a way to enhance the perception of body image as well as the body composition between adolescents with overweight and obesity
Risk of in-itinere accident in primary health care professionals
No full textBackgroundTraffic accidents represent a priority for public health since they are responsible for high mortality tolls, elevated economic costs and a significant social impact. Ecuador ranks as the seventh country in the World with a higher mortality rate.AimsTo know the risk level of in-itinere accidents for workers of a primary care facility.Methods Descriptive transversal study thru the application of a basic survey to 136 sanitary and non-sanitary professionals.Results The means to commute used by workers corresponds to public transportation (57.4 per cent) and automobile (26.5 per cent), being the time invested in traveling to work is greater than 30 minutes. A statistical significant relationship can be observed between the transportation mean used to commute to the medical center and the time invested with the ending score of the risk to suffer a TA (p < 0.05) for workers.ConclusionA necessity to establish road safety programs rises to control such risk factors that influence the possibility to suffer a commuting accident for the sanitary personnel
Oral health status and behaviour in Jordanian adolescents aged 12–18 years
Get PDFBackgroundThis survey was conducted to promote health issues and provide health care for the neediest communities throughout Jordan. It also provides reliable information for researchers and policy makers by collecting and interpreting the dental health status as an important indicator for general health.AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate the oral health status and oral health behaviours of adolescents in the Tafelah governorate in south Jordan.Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1194 public school children ages 12–18. All students were examined using a mirror and probe with a dental unit for decay-missing–fillings (DMFT) of permanent teeth, gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI). Information about oral hygiene habits was also recorded.Results The prevalence of caries was 71.4 per cent for permanent teeth, with a significant caries index SCI 5.7 and a mean DMFT 2.6. A total of 41.7 per cent had healthy gingiva, 33.3 per cent had mild gingivitis, 24.1 per cent had moderate gingivitis, and 0.8 per cent had severe gingivitis. The average gingival index (GI) and average plaque index (PI) were 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. Some (44.6 per cent) of the examined students never brushed their teeth, and 84 per cent had never received any previous dental treatment.ConclusionThe results indicated that greater than 50 per cent of the examined students in this age group have caries in their teeth and gingivitis of mild to moderate severity. The oral hygiene measures were poor. It is important to enhance dental awareness and allow different preventive measures to be implemented. Furthermore, dental care should be more accessible for underprivileged school students
Patterns of productivity changes in hospitals by using Malmquist - DEA Index: A panel data analysis (2011–2016)
Get PDFBackgroundIn Iran, governmental hospitals operate under a fixed budget and without a price- driven market, they need to produce health care more efficiently to guarantee providing more services.AimsThe main objective of the present study is to investigate the productivity of the Yazd hospitals before and after the implementation of the HSTP.Methods This study is a descriptive-analytical kind conducted by applying a panel data for a six-year time horizon. The study was carried out on 11 teaching and non-teaching hospitals of Yazd Province. DEA technique with an input- oriented approach and Malmquist indices were used to estimate the efficiency and productivity. Data were analysed using Excel.22 and DEAP.2 software.Results Our results showed that, except for 2014–2015, there was a positive change in efficiency for a quite large proportion (66 per cent) of the hospitals within the study period. The technological changes demonstrated generally negative trend for most parts of the time period in the study 2011–2012 aside. Geometric mean of Malmquist index showed a positive alteration in 2011–2012 and 2015–2016 and negative shift for the remaining time periods.ConclusionEstimates on the basis of Malmquist index displayed that five-year average Malmquist index and technology change were 92 per cent and 91 per cent, respectively showing a regress in the concerning measures
Oral health and characteristics of saliva in diabetic and healthy children
Get PDFBackgroundDiabetes is the most common metabolic disorder. Idiopathic destruction of pancreatic beta cells will result in progressive loss of insulin, increase in ketone bodies, PH reduction and changes in bicarbonate neutralizing system in all body fluids including saliva and the oral cavity.AimsThe aim of this study was to compare the quality and quantity of saliva and oral health in children and adolescents with diabetes compared to healthy children.Methods In this study, 27 diabetic patients (9 males, 18 females, with age range 7–18) were studied. A control group (27 people) were selected from healthy persons with similar age and sexual conditions. The amount of saliva was evaluated in 5 minutes, by non-stimulant collecting, in plastic vials. The PH and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) were measured using paper strip and TAC kit. Oral and dental health was measured using DMFT and MGI indexes.Results Saliva in patients showed less secretion than control group (1.09±0.13, 5.28±0.23, p < 0.01), PH (5.28±0.09, 7.11±0.10, p < 0.001), and total antioxidant capacity was lower (0.36±0.04, 0.5±0.04, p < 0.001) compared to controls group. DMF and MGI indicators were more in patients than in control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionPatients with type 1 diabetes had less secretion, PH and antioxidant defence and as a result had more dental and oral problems compared to healthy children that with higher DMFT and MGI these patients require further training in this field and regularly examinations
Implementation of an adolescent risk behaviour assessment in an academic paediatric dental setting
Get PDFBackgroundAdolescents commonly engage in negative risk behaviours which could have serious implications on their oral and systemic health. Health care providers must be able to identify signs and comfortably question adolescents regarding these risk behavioursAimsAllow dental providers to administer a risk behavior questionnaire addressed towards adolescents to begin the transition from the pediatric to adult model and assist them in taking personal responsibility for their health. When negative behaviors are recognized, the goal is to help the adolescent by providing them with educational information, such as brochures or other resources related to the identified risks, and offering referrals to relevant providers.Methods A medical questionnaire to assess adolescent’s risk behaviors has been implemented at the University of Florida Pediatric Dental Clinic and is administered to patients 13+ as part of each examination appointment. A policy of confidentiality is discussed with the parent and informed consent obtained prior to conducting this questionnaire individually with the patient. Results During a period of over a year, the questionnaire has been administered by the pediatric dental faculty for a trial period; administration by the pediatric dental residents began this term and is currently ongoing. ConclusionCompletion of the risk behavior questionnaire has provided an opportunity for teenagers to become more comfortable speaking individually with a dental provider. Identification of these risks allowed the pediatric dentist to help the patient seek appropriate care as they enter adulthood, and provide a more thorough approach towards the adolescent’s oral and general health
Formalized exercise program for paediatric and young adult cancer survivors
Get PDFSurvival rates of childhood cancer patients has steadily increased through the years, making it necessary to develop strategies aimed at long term improvements to quality of life. This paper presents a formalized exercise program for paediatric cancer survivors, based on current risk-based exercise recommendations, with the primary goal of helping families return to a normal life that emphasizes overall wellness and physical activity.BackgroundChildren tend to respond better to anti-cancer treatments, including chemotherapy. Research indicates that proper nutrition and regular physical activity will help a paediatric cancer survivor continue to grow and develop properly, however, at present, there is no standard of care with regards to this subject.AimsTo create a fun and supportive atmosphere that encourages movement and healthy eating for the participants while increasing participant knowledge regarding proper nutrition and exercise
Clinical decision-making review on magnetic attachments versus mechanical attachments in dental prosthetics
Get PDFBackgroundConventional dentures in edentulous patients show some limitations due to the lack of retention, support and stability thus resulting in difficulty to chew. The modern implantology allows to use different implant overdentures and different attachment systems. The selection of the attachment by practitioners is mainly influenced by the clinical experience or technical preferences. AimsThe aim of the present review is to provide an adequate background to the clinicians, in order to select the prosthetic attachments according to the current literature. The mechanical attachments have been compared to the magnetic devices, with the aim to guide the decision of the practitioners. Methods Articles topics selection was based on the use of magnetic attachments in dentistry and the comparison between them and mechanical connectors. The databases used were PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar and ISI Web of Science. A critical evaluation of the selected paper has been made to choose the ones that matched the inclusion criteria.Results Nowadays, few studies have compared different attachments in a manner useful for clinical decision-making. The main problem limiting long-term durability of magnetic attachments in the oral fluid is the poor corrosion resistance of permanent magnets and the consequent leaching of cytotoxic ions. ConclusionMagnetic attachments in comparison with other attaching systems can be useful in patients with special needs, in patients with limited interocclusal space, or in patients with neuromuscular limitations, thanks to the automatic reseating properties. However, it’s important to highlight that the mechanical attachments still represent the best choice in common conditions requiring dental prostheses
