Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Joycelyn M Peterson
Oakwood University, USA
Keynote: Pediatric vegetarian diets are healthful, nutritionally adequate and may provide health benefi ts in the prevention of certain lifestyle diseases
Time : 10:00 to 10:45
Biography:
Dr. Joycelyn Peterson completed Nutrition and Dietetics degrees at Loma Linda University (M.P.H., and Dr.PH.), and Johns Hopkins University (post-master’s studies in international nutrition). She is professor and chair of Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Oakwood University, Alabama, USA. She recently published her dissertation in the Annuals of Nutrition Metabolism 8/2011, and is a contributing writer for newspapers and health magazines and has also published two vegetarian cookbooks. Her professional experience includes vegetarian nutrition consultant, public health speaker, and program planner for international and state-wide public health nutrition initiatives, conducting research at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Abstract:
Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Vegetarian Diets in Perspective: A vegetarian is a person who eats all plant foods, does not eat meat, including fowl or seafood, or products containing these foods. The eating patterns of vegetarians may vary considerably. There are basically three types of vegetarian diets. 1. The lacto-ovo- vegetarian eating pattern, the most common type is based on grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and eggs. 2. Lacto-vegetarian Diet includes milk with plant foods but excludes any other foods from animals such as eggs. 3. Total Vegetarian or Plant based Diet is made of grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, excludes the use of all animal products. Vegan means no animal products excluding the wearing of leather products.
Pediatric Vegetarian Diets: There are many reasons for the rising interest in vegetarian diets. Health, economic, ecological, ethical or religious reasons are at the top five. Scientific research continues to document the health advantages of the vegetarian diet with lower risk of heart related diseases, obesity, and cancer. Many are starting their children on a vegetarian lifestyle for the major reason to maintain good health and to prevent diet related diseases. The number of vegetarians in the United States is expected to increase during the next decade. Food and nutrition professionals can assist vegetarian clients by providing current, accurate information to parents about vegetarian nutrition, diet and resources.
- Diagnosis Techniques for Pediatric Malnutrition
Pediatric Nutrition in Chronic Diseases
Session Introduction
Mohammed Srour
Al-Azhar University–Gaza, Palestine
Title: Title: Challenges facing adequate estimation of micronutrient defi ciencies among children in Palestine
Time : 11:10-12:00
Biography:
Mohammed Srour has completed his PhD from Vienna University. He is currently a Lecturer at Clinical Nutrition Master Program in Al Azhar University Gaza. He is also working in many NGOs and national agencies on nutrition and food security.
Abstract:
Assessment of nutritional status among vulnerable groups especially children in communities living under harsh conditions has a unique considerations and significance, an accurate estimations for the micronutrients depend mainly on both appropriate facilities and well trained staffs, meanwhile, influenced by funding availability, validity of the national nutrition strategy, local authorities and NGOs willing and commitment, besides presence of micronutrients database. In the Palestinian national authorities (PNA) territories and due to political situation, social and religion barriers, many constraints are influence the micronutrients surveys, giving unrealistic data resulting in inadequate nutritional interventions. In Gaza strip around 13% of children fewer than 5 are stunted, 57 % of the children 6-36 month suffering from anemia and 27% under 59 month diagnosed with VAD. Although existing some micronutrients data in PNA territories, but it seems that the data are not reflecting the status quo, thus, there is ultimate need to establish a scientifi c executive body responsible for guiding and monitoring the micronutrients surveys in PNA territories, not only that but also data interpretation and providing recommendations. All of that will not be achieved without complete coordination between UN agencies, local authorities, scientific committees and working NGOs. Understanding the underlying causes which lead to insufficient and inadequate micronutrients surveys helps in designing appropriate and effective surveys, which is reflected on the quality of the nutritional intervention.
Nehal El-Koofy
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Title: Copper concentrations in Egyptian infants with cholestasis: A single center study
Time : 12:00-12:30
Biography:
Nehal El Koofy has completed her MD in Pediatrics from Cairo University, Egypt. She is a Professor in Pediatrics at Cairo University. She is a Member in Pediatric Hepatology Unit and assists in the nutrition unit activities. She had a Clinical Nutrition Diploma from the American University, Cairo. She is also a Member in the Council of Clinical Nutrition Egyptian Fellowship and has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract:
Background: Biliary excretion is the major elimination route of Copper (Cu). Intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholestasis can interfere with biliary excretion, producing Cu retention in the liver. Hepatic Cu accumulation is cytotoxic and results in fibrosis in hepatic tissues. Aim: To evaluate utilization of serum Cu and ceruloplasmin as predictors of hepatic Cu levels in infants with cholestasis. Subjects & Methods: The present study included 41 cholestatic infants, their aged ranged between 1 and 7 months; 26 (63.5%) were males. All cases showed elevated liver enzymes with normal synthetic functions. Histopathology showed picture of neonatal hepatitis in 58.5% infants and extra-hepatic biliary atresia (EHBA) in 41.5% infants. Eleven healthy infants served as controls, their ages ranged between 3-18 months. Serum Cu and ceruloplasmin were done for both cases and controls. Hepatic Cu content were assessed in cholestatic infants. Results: Cholestatic infants had significantly higher levels of serum Cu and ceruloplasmin than controls and their hepatic Cu concentration was significantly higher than literature control. Serum Cu showed positive correlation with serum ceruloplasmin and tissue Cu. Also, serum ceruloplasmin showed positive correlation with tissue Cu. Intrahepatic cholestasis and EHBA showed no significant difference regarding all Cu indices. Conclusion: Serum and hepatic Cu concentrations were markedly elevated in patients with cholestasis and positively correlated with each other and with serum ceruloplasmin. Serum Cu and ceruloplasmin can be used in clinical practice as a simple, cheap and non-invasive test to predict hepatic Cu contents which is measured by a sophisticated, costly and invasive technique.
Lauren Schaffer
Mayo Clinic, USA
Title: Title: Nutrition knowledge in pediatric and adolescent athletes
Time : 12:30-13:00
Biography:
Lauren Schaffer is a current undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in Biology. She plans to attend medical school after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree. She has published 3 papers in medical peer-reviewed journals with more under review and is currently in a summer research program at the Mayo Clinic.
Abstract:
Despite the extensive research to determine the proper diet for children and create appropriate programs and policies, there has been little inquiry as to whether children themselves know what they should be eating. Childhood obesity has reached a prevalence of 20% of all children in the United States (US) and is recognized as a risk factor for obesity during adulthood, as well as other diseases during childhood and adulthood. It is, therefore, an epidemic at the forefront of many physicians’ and lawmakers’ minds. While healthier options have been added to school lunches, more physical activity has been incorporated into the school day, and nutritional information has been made more available to parents, the movement to end childhood obesity will likely only succeed if the children understand what proper nutrition is. It is ultimately the child’s responsibility to choose the healthy option, and while children are increasingly doing so, there is still considerable room for improvement. Furthermore, many children, even those in healthy weight ranges, suffer from nutrient deficiencies, which can have serious consequences. This survey-based study (results pending) aim to investigate elementary school-age children’s knowledge of nutrition. The findings will suggest whether our society needs to place a higher priority on teaching young children healthy eating, instead of simply providing them with healthy food and not explaining its nutritional benefits. They will also give an indication of how much children may know about the relation of what they eat to what they can do in sports and other physical activities, the latter being a focus of more recent efforts to stem the tide of chronic illnesses in the US population.