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Article
The Development of an Interdisciplinary Model to Examine Environmental Factors on Child Health and Development
The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2010)
  • Lynn S. Brann, Syracuse University
  • Ambika Krishnakumar, Syracuse University
Abstract

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.

Disciplines
Publication Date
2010
Publisher Statement
Copyright 2010 The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. The article may be found at
Citation Information
Lynn S. Brann and Ambika Krishnakumar. "The Development of an Interdisciplinary Model to Examine Environmental Factors on Child Health and Development" The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Vol. 10 Iss. 4 (2010)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lynn_brann/3/