Abstract This paper is a critical review of the article "Low Birthweight and Asthma Among Young Urban Children" by Lenna Nepomnyaschy and Nancy Reichman, published in The American Journal for Public Health. The author of this paper reviews the purpose of the study, its study design, and the sample selection. The paper analyzes the correlations there may be in a fairly complex series of confounding variables. The paper also reviews the practice implications of the study for nurses.
Outline:
Purpose and Objective of this Epidemiological Research
Study Design
Sampling
Confounding Variable
Results
Practice Implications for Nursing
Bibliography
From the Paper "Confounding variables are those which may be correlated with the sample population, but bring little or no new information. An example might be socioeconomic level (i.e. how much income is earned in the household) with marital status, which is a confounding variable because it has been established that single mothers have lower incomes than married mothers. An additional confounding variable is vacancy rates in the neighborhood; if there are high vacancy rates, it is likely that there are more people with confounded low socioeconomic status as compared to the rest of the population."
Abstract This paper reviews the birth weight of children born to Black Nigerian women as compared to the birth weight of children born to African American Black women. This paper is a quantitative study examining the nutritional regimen children have in both countries.
From the Paper "Ever since history has been recorded food has played a pivotal role in human interaction. An investigation into food-related topics, such as global food problems, the sociological factors in food consumption, food policy, the symbolic meaning of food, dieting and food fads, and the role of the mass media in food choices is a never-ending procedure."
Abstract The paper examines studies and reports on the importance of nutrition on the fetus and on the later development of the child and adult. The paper specifically discusses the need for folic acid, linoleic and omega 3 fatty acids, choline and zinc. The paper notes that there has been an increase of community and social awareness of the importance of nutrition and the problems that result from certain prenatal dietary deficiencies.
Outline:
Introduction
Specific Areas of Nutritional Concern
Nutritional Requirements and Responses to the Problem
Conclusion
From the Paper "These findings have been supported and verified by many other studies and reports on the subject. For example, a recent study notes that there have been calls in the profession to make nutrition a distinct pediatric discipline. This is due to the fact that, "There is growing evidence that good nutritional care influences clinical outcomes and that optimal nutrition affects long term health and development. (Van Ripper, C. 2005)
"The importance of nutrition on the development of the baby is also underlined by the knowledge that the essential differentiation of tissues and the formation of organs take place in the first trimester of pregnancy. It follows therefore that,"... providing the growing fetus with the best nutrition possible is essential. Unlike a newborn, who can cry when he or she is hungry, the fetus has to hope that plenty of nutrients will make their way through the placenta" (Dolby V., 1998)"
