A. Elliott

Factors Influencing the Onset of Chronic Respiratory Disease

To investigate the effect of different environmental and personal factors on ventilatory function 10,971 children resident and going to school in four areas of Kent were examined. Details of past respiratory illnesses were obtained by a questionary completed by the parents; the examination included measurement of height, weight, and peak expiratory flow. Area of residence, social class, family size, and a past history of pneumonia, bronchitis, or asthma were found to be associated with differing levels of peak expiratory flow. These four factors acted independently, and the effects were additive. It is suggested that environment in the early years of life can produce adverse changes which may exist throughout life and contribute to the development of chronic respiratory disease.

A survey of the nutritional status of schoolchildren. Relation between nutrient intake and socio-economic factors.

This study was designed to examine the dietary intake of schoolchildren, to investigate its relation ship to health and socio-economic factors, and to explore the extent and nature of poor nutrition. The techniques employed were based on those used by the Ministry of Health (1968) in their study of pre-schoolchildren. The reliability and problems of these have been discussed previously (Topp, Cook, and Elliott, 1972).

Influence of some social and environmental factors on the nutrient intake and nutritional status of schoolchildren.

Only children had significantly higher intakes of many nutrients and nutrients/1000 kcal than other children. A higher proportion of only children was found to be obese. There were no significant differences according to birthrank in intakes by children. There were more obese children among the fatherless than those with fathers, in particular among those whose mothers were widowed. However, this was not accounted for by the present dietary findings, since fatherless children had lower intakes of carbohydrate and added sugar. There were no differences in nutrient intake or intake/1000 kcal by mothers country of origin or her level of education, or by disposable income.

CIGARETTE SMOKING, RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, AND ANTI-SMOKING PROPAGANDA: An Experiment

Abstract In four areas of South-East England all children in secondary and grammar schools completed a questionary themselves about respiratory symptoms and smoking habits in 1965 and 1966. Half the schools received a visit from a team of health educators after the first questionary was completed. Children who smoked had more respiratory symptoms than those who do not smoke. Smoking habits were unaffected by propaganda. Changes in smoking habits resulted in changes of their symptoms.

The Contribution Made by School Milk to the Nutrition of Primary School Children.

1. The contribution of school milk to the nutrition of 396 Kent primary schoolchildren aged 8-11 years was assessed using information collected in a survey which included a weighed-diet record, a socio-economic questionnaire and a medical examination. 2. Over half the children (59% for boys, 54% for girls) drank school milk every school day of the diet-record week. 3. Children who drank school milk every school day, when compared with those not drinking it, had a significantly higher mean daily intake of liquid milk, a higher total daily intake of several important nutrients including animal protein, calcium, thiamin and riboflavin, and a diet richer in Ca and riboflavin (boys) and animal protein and Ca (girls). They were also less likely to have intakes of Ca and riboflavin below the recommended daily intakes for these nutrients, (Department of Health and Social Security, 1969). 4. The increased nutritional intake associated with school milk consumption was not related to any differences in height, weight, arm circumference or skinfold thickness. 5. There was no evidence that school milk consumption was associated with obesity (as assessed clinically).

School meals and the nutrition of schoolchildren.

The contribution of school meals to the nutrition of 778 primary and secondary schoolchildren attending schools in Kent was assessed using information collected during a survey made in 1968-70 which included a weighed diet record, a socioeconomic questionnaire, and a medical examination. Younger children, those from larger families, those without fathers, and those whose mothers worked were more likely to take school meals. Significantly more children from lower social classes and without fathers received them free. School meals made an important contribution to the nutrition of schoolchildren. Children who took them had higher weekday lunchtime nutrient intake during term-time. Children in lower social classes, larger families, and without fathers who took school meals obtained a higher proportion of their weekday intake of nutrients from lunchtime than other children. This applied in particular to nutrients important for growth. School meals consumed by children in the study broadly met the standard set by the Department of Education and Science. The mean energy and protein content of school meals consumed in the study was slightly lower and the mean fat content higher than the standard set for the meal. The mean sugar content was about one-third higher than the suggested amount of sugar to be included in a school meal. There was no evidence that children who took school meals were taller, heavier, had greater skinfold thickness, or were more likely to be assessed as obese than other children.