Healthy Development Research Articles

Urbanisation and mental health in left-behind children: systematic review and meta-analysis using resilience framework

Abstract Background Prolonged parental separation at young ages has significant adverse effects on development in left-behind-children (LBC). We aimed to compare mental health status, emotional and behavioural problems, and their association with socioemotional development between LBC and their counterparts. Methods Cross-sectional studies comparing LBC and non-LBC published from 2000 onwards were searched. Primary outcomes included depression, anxiety emotional and behavioural problems. Secondary outcomes included loneliness, self-harm, suicide, and risk-related behaviours. Quality of all included articles was assessed by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal. Data was analyzed by random model-based effect method. Results 78 observational studies comprising of 394,308 children aged 2–18 were included. Compared to NLBC, LBC had significantly more depression, anxiety, emotional and behavioural problems, conduct problems, self-harm, loneliness, peer bullying, attempts of smoking and alcohol consumption. Subgroup analyses found that younger LBC between the ages of 6 to 12 were at greater risks of poor mental health, emotional and behavioural problems. Conclusion Absent parental care prevents healthy socio-emotional development and hinder the formation of secure attachment. Poor social-emotional development leads to worse emotional resilience against psychological stressors, while LBC residing in rural areas also experience additional risk factors of low household income and poor access to mental health services. Impact statement Prolonged parental separation negatively influences mental health, especially in younger children between the ages 6 to 12. Poor social-emotional development in left-behind children is associated with worse emotional resilience against psychological stressors. Additional risk factors including residing in rural areas, low household income, and poor access to mental health services predisposes left-behind children to high risks of mental illness. Timely support services targeted towards strengthening resilience factor such as learning better emotional and behavioural coping strategies and improving school and peer support to address increased risk of mental health problems are required for current left-behind children.

Bilateral Asymmetries of Plantar Pressure and Foot Balance During Walking, Running, and Turning Gait in Typically Developing Children

Biomechanical asymmetries between children’s left and right feet can affect stability and coordination, especially during dynamic movements. This study aimed to examine plantar pressure distribution, foot balance, and center of pressure (COP) trajectories in children during walking, running, and turning activities to understand how different movements influence these asymmetries. Fifteen children participated in the study, using a FootScan plantar pressure plate to capture detailed pressure and balance data. The parameters, including time-varying forces, COP, and Foot Balance Index (FBI), were analyzed through a one-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM1d) package. Results showed that asymmetries in COP and FBI became more pronounced, particularly during the tasks of running and directional turns. Regional plantar pressure analysis also revealed a more significant load on specific foot areas during these dynamic movements, indicating an increased reliance on one foot for stability and control. These findings suggest that early identification of asymmetrical loading patterns may be vital in promoting a balanced gait and preventing potential foot health issues in children. This study contributes to understanding pediatric foot biomechanics and provides insights for developing targeted interventions to support healthy physical development in children.

Nature as a Co-Teacher in Early Childhood Language Education

Abstract Playing in nature-based places supports early childhood development. In previous years, studies have shown the benefits of nature play for healthy child development, including language development. For early childhood teachers it is insightful to learn together how to develop language education in nature that is supportive of their student’s language development. The aim of this study is to investigate how early childhood education (ECE) teachers make nature-based places function as language learning environments in EC language education. The study took a collaborative action-based research approach and worked in communities of practice (CoP). In these communities, 55 teachers across five schools gathered six times. Based on the analysis of the shared conversations we defined the supportive aspects of nature-based places and related them to the expected outcomes of early childhood language education. We also described the professional changes they made to be able to teach language in nature. These changes were summarized in a model that informs early childhood teachers how to include the pedagogical and linguistic function of nature-based places to work towards the outcomes of EC language education.

Sleep duration in adolescence buffers the impact of childhood trauma on anxiety and depressive symptoms

BackgroundChildhood trauma is a pervasive issue contributing to adverse mental health outcomes. Obtaining optimal sleep supports healthy development and protects against mood-related disorders. Whether sleep serves as a potential buffer between trauma and adverse mental health outcomes holds promise for informing targeted interventions and prevention for adolescents.MethodsData were drawn from the baseline assessment of a randomised controlled trial of a mental health prevention program. A total sample of 752 adolescents completed an online, self-report survey in 2023. Participants were students (Mage=13.8 years), attending independent schools in Australia and comprised of 37% girls and 60% boys. Australian sleep guidelines were used to dichotomise nightly sleep duration into whether adolescents met, or did not meet, the sleep guidelines for their age. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to examine whether sleep moderated the association between trauma and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mental wellbeing.ResultsThe majority of participants (82%) reported exposure to at least one traumatic event. The mean number of traumatic events was 1.8. Trauma was independently associated with higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower mental wellbeing scores. Those reporting exposure to one or more traumatic events were more likely to report difficulties falling asleep and less likely to report meeting nightly sleep duration guidelines. We found a significant interaction between meeting nightly sleep duration guidelines and any trauma exposure on depressive and anxiety scores, such that depression and anxiety symptoms were lower in trauma-exposed adolescents who met sleep duration guidelines compared to those who did not meet sleep guidelines.ConclusionsObtaining optimal amounts of sleep each night may help mitigate anxiety and depressive symptoms for non-clinical adolescents exposed to trauma, however, longitudinal research is needed to confirm the directionality of the relationships between trauma, sleep, and mental health symptoms. Future research should examine the effectiveness of public health interventions targeting sleep behaviours in adolescents to promote mental wellbeing.

Enhancing Psychological Safety in Parent-Child Relationships: Promoting Healthy Development and Resilience

<p dir="ltr"><span>The article explores today’s approaches to understanding psychological safety within the family, focusing on the dynamics between parents and children. It emphasises key aspects of ensuring safety for children being raised within the family environment. The analysis includes factors that may compromise this safety, as well as strategies for maintaining it. Current research in psychological safety provides foundational approaches for studying personal safety within the family context. This issue is especially relevant when considering the development of a child’s psychological safety in the home. The article also addresses challenges in fostering a child’s psychological well-being within the family setting.</span></p>

Paeonol Inhibits the Replication of Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 In Vitro Through Regulating the PI3K/AKT Pathway.

The bovine herpesvirus type I (BHV-1) is a significant pathogen that poses a threat to the healthy development of the cattle industry and has a global prevalence. Paeonol is a phenolic constituent extracted from the dried root bark of peony in the buttercup family. Although paeonol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, its antiviral capacity remains unclear. Here, we conducted a cytotoxicity assay to screen the safe concentration of the paeonol using bovine turbinate (BT) cells as a model. Antiviral studies showed that paeonol inhibited BHV-1 gB gene and VP8 protein expression, and reduced cytopathic effect and viral titer. Furthermore, paeonolalso demonstrated a potent effect on BHV-1 replication with an EC50of 18.54μg/mL and a Selectivity Index (SI) of 28.64. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the PI3K/AKT pathway might be involved in the antiviral mechanism of paeonol. Molecular docking combined with western blot assay further confirmed that paeonol was able to bind stably to the active sites of PI3K and AKT proteins, and significantly inhibited the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway. Interestingly, 740Y-P (a PI3K/AKT pathway agonist) significantly attenuated the anti-BHV-1 effect of paeonol. The above experiments are the first to confirm the inhibitory effect of paeonol on BHV-1 replication, which not only adds evidence to the biological function of paeonol as an antiviral agent, but also lays the foundation for the prevention and control of this disease and the development of feed additives.

Pathogenicity of avian reovirus variant in the immune organs of broiler chicks.

In recent years, the infection rate of avian reovirus (ARV) in chicks has been continuously increasing, seriously endangering the healthy development of China's chicken farming industry. However, the pathogenicity of this virus in immune organs has been less studied. In this study, an ARV strain (Chicken/XJ/China/2022/01/16) was isolated from arthritic broiler chicks in Xinjiang province and whole genome sequencing of the ARV strain was performed using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, and sequence analysis showed that the strain was a type V variant of the ARV gene. In order to further understand the pathogenicity of this strain in terms of immune organs, we randomized 120 healthy 1-day-old broilers equally into 3 groups (oral, footpad inoculation and control), where 2 experimental groups were inoculated with 0.2 mL of ARV (TCID50 of 105.5 /0.1 mL) and the control group was inoculated with an equal amount of sterile saline. The results showed that the footpad inoculation group showed more severe symptoms, which, in addition to causing chick dwarf syndrome and viral arthritis, would also cause serious effects on the immune organs of the chicks. Among them, the spleen and bursa were most seriously damaged, the symptoms of arthritis appeared relatively late, which indicated that the spleen and bursa might be the main target organs preferentially attacked by avian reovirus. This study provides a rationale for the prevention and control of emerging avian reovirus and adds to the evidence of the effects of ARV on immune organs, with the expectation that it will be useful in understanding the immune response-related aspects of the disease in subsequent studies.

How do Children Play Nowadays? Habits and Strategies for Promoting Healthy Development

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Adolescent girls' empowerment policy, health awareness, and decision-making: Evidence from the SABLA program in India.

In India, adolescent girls are highly vulnerable, facing risks that hinder their healthy development into young women. India's Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (SABLA) aims to address these challenges by promoting health awareness and encouraging decision-making autonomy, fostering women's development. Using data from the nationally representative India Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) and exploiting exogenous variations in the program's rollout across districts and birth cohorts, we provide evidence that exposure to SABLA increases the likelihood of young female participants using family planning and modern family planning methods. Furthermore, it indicates that participants are more likely to adopt a healthier diet, characterized by increased consumption of green leafy vegetables and reduced intake of fried foods. Additionally, the program empowers participants to have control over their financial resources. The findings also reveal a significant reduction in the likelihood of anemia among women who were exposed to the program. Notably, our results suggest that SABLA contributes to delaying women's marriage and their first childbirth. We find that women exposed to the program have fewer children than their counterparts and face fewer pregnancy losses. To account for COVID-19 disruptions, we include a COVID dummy variable. While the pandemic affected family planning, nutrition, and anemia, SABLA's positive impact on health and empowerment remains strong. Notably, it did not affect women's role in household decision-making, highlighting its lasting effect on empowerment.

Youth Sociopolitical Action and Well-Being: Costs, Benefits, and How to Support Sustainable Sociopolitical Practices

This Special Issue examines the links between sociopolitical action and healthy youth development. The 12 featured studies use diverse conceptual and methodological approaches to advance understanding of how the costs and benefits of youth sociopolitical action are dependent on identity, context, and structural factors. Key findings demonstrate that intersectional identities shape youth experiences of activism and that social contexts can exacerbate or buffer against personal risks, underscoring the importance of supportive environments that are attentive to each young person’s experiences of oppression. The contributing authors propose pragmatic strategies to encourage mutually reinforcing associations between personal well-being and sociopolitical action, such as integrating healing-centered approaches into youth programming and contextualizing resistance to systemic oppression as a component of healthy development. This Special Issue calls for future research to refine theoretical models and develop sustainable, health-promotive strategies to support young people in their vital work to advance justice and equity.

A good start for all children: integrating early-life course medical and social care through Solid Start, the Netherlands’ nationwide action programme

The foundations of human wellbeing are laid in early life during the preconception stage and the 1,000-days of life from conception to the child's second birthday. This period is therefore receiving scrutiny as a concept for guiding pregnancy-care innovation and public health policy. The Dutch government took responsibility to invest in this. In September 2018, the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport launched the Solid Start action programme. Coordinated nationally, the programme is implemented locally through coalitions in all 342 Dutch municipalities involving collaboration between medical and social-care professionals, policymakers, parents and organisations. The programme has generated a nationwide movement in which medical and social-care professionals now develop forms of structural collaboration that support (future) parents by offering evidence-based interventions that simultaneously enhance early healthy human development and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Although monitoring of the programme does not currently make it possible to address the causal effects of the programme itself, lessons can be distilled which have contributed to the successful implementation of this nationwide programme. These lessons include 1) having and maintaining an unambiguous narrative, 2) creating a lasting sense of urgency among stakeholders, and 3) ensuring that the programme is multi-sectoral.

Towards developing a "baby translator" - An exploration of how infant appetite cues are understood.

Caregivers' feeding practices shape their child's eating patterns and subsequent health. Research shows that sensitive feeding is linked to healthy development and self-regulation but depends on caregiver responsiveness to infant needs and appetite cues. Responsive feeding (RF) is influenced both by characteristics of the caregiver and expressiveness of the infant. To investigate how infant communication is understood and whether recognition of appetite cues is associated with the viewer's eating traits, mental health and wellbeing, an online study was conducted. Participants (N=200) aged 18-55 years were recruited in June 2022 via Prolific. Recognition of infant appetite cues was measured by participant responses to video clips of infants (N=10) being fed during mealtimes (sampled at the start and end of a meal). Caregiver satiety responsiveness, intuitive eating, alexithymia, autism spectrum disorder, and mental health were assessed by validated questionnaires. Results showed a high consensus in identifying infant appetite cues, with no significant correlations with parenting status, eating traits or mental health, except for one subscale of alexithymia - Difficulty Describing Feelings (r=-.15, p=.03). Open-ended descriptions of mealtime cues showed that positive affect was observed early in the meal and more negative affect at the end of the meal. Infant cues signalling interest in eating were generally well recognised and were not significantly correlated with individual differences of the viewer except alexithymia. Further research to assess the association between alexithymia, responsiveness to infant communication cues and RF practices is warranted.

Performance and Equity in the 100-Meter Sprint: Contributions to Healthy and Inclusive Athletic Development

Performance and Equity in the 100-Meter Sprint: Contributions to Healthy and Inclusive Athletic Development

Stress landscape of folding brain serves as a map for axonal pathfinding.

Understanding the mechanics linking cortical folding and brain connectivity is crucial for both healthy and abnormal brain development. Despite the importance of this relationship, existing models fail to explain how growing axon bundles navigate the stress field within a folding brain or how this bidirectional and dynamic interaction shapes the resulting surface morphologies and connectivity patterns. Here, we propose the concept of "axon reorientation" and formulate a mechanical model to uncover the dynamic multiscale mechanics of the linkages between cortical folding and connectivity development. Simulations incorporating axon bundle reorientation and stress-induced growth reveal potential mechanical mechanisms that lead to higher axon bundle density in gyri (ridges) compared to sulci (valleys). In particular, the connectivity patterning resulting from cortical folding exhibits a strong dependence on the growth rate and mechanical properties of the navigating axon bundles. Model predictions are supported by in vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the human brain.

Fleeing the war: A socio-ecological perspective on the mental health of internally displaced and refugee children and adolescents living in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

Over the past decade, the number of children forced to flee their homes worldwide has increased twofold. The accumulative experiences of war, displacement, and flight can have a devastating impact on the mental health of affected minors. Although more than half of all displaced minors are internally displaced within their countries of origin, little is known about the psychopathology of these displaced children living in regions of ongoing or recent conflict. Employing a socio-ecological perspective, this study aims to identify risk factors contributing to psychopathology among internally displaced and refugee minors living in camps for displaced families in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. A total of 332 displaced children and adolescents, aged between 8 and 16 years, were interviewed by trained paraprofessionals in a cross-sectional study in 2019. Trauma and mental health symptoms, including posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and internalizing and externalizing problems, were assessed. The findings highlighted elevated rates of trauma exposure and psychopathology among the participating minors. Using multiple linear regression analyses we identified risk factors across all mental health outcomes at the individual level (e.g., higher age, greater trauma exposure) and the family level (e.g., greater family violence). Moreover, an analysis at the community level, dividing the study sample by legal status (internally displaced vs. refugee) revealed significantly higher rates of trauma exposure and psychopathology among internally displaced minors. These findings have implications for developing appropriate support for the healthy development of forcibly displaced children and adolescents living in areas of ongoing conflict. Prevention and intervention strategies should take into account various socio-ecological levels, including trauma-focused psychotherapy at the individual level, measures to prevent violence at the family level, and community-level actions that consider context-specific responses, such as adapting camp conditions to meet the needs of vulnerable displaced children.

Experiential virtual reality or informational video advertising? Assessing promotional effect on sport interest

PurposePromoting people’s interest in sports is not only important to sports enterprises to improve financial performance but also to the healthy development of the whole society. As virtual reality (VR) devices become more accessible and consumers’ demand for immersive experiences increases, VR advertising is gradually attracting the attention of advertisers. However, there is limited research on what situations are more suitable for VR advertising compared to traditional advertising forms in promoting people’s sport interest. This study aims to compare the influence of experiential VR advertising and informational video advertising on sport interest.Design/methodology/approachAs sports programs are advertised not only to novices but also to experienced people, this study investigates the interaction effect of advertising type (experiential VR vs informational video) and previous experience (high vs low) on promoting sport interest. We recruited 216 participants. They were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: an experiential VR advertisement of table tennis played by using a VR headset and an informational video advertisement of table tennis watched on a PC.FindingsThe results show that experiential VR advertising generates higher sport interest than informational video advertising for those with low previous experience and vividness and presence play a sequential mediating role. For those with high previous experience, there was no significant difference between the two advertising forms.Originality/valueThe findings extend sport advertising research with different advertising types and complement the new moderator of previous experience, providing a new perspective for insight into the differences between VR advertising and video advertising.

The impact of smartphones on mental health of children and adolescents in west India

The rising prevalence of smartphone usage among children and adolescents in West India presents significant challenges for mental health and developmental outcomes. This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of smartphones on individuals aged 10-19, focusing on mental health, physical well-being, and social development. A mixed-methods systematic review of literature published between 2019 and 2023 reveals nuanced insights into the interplay of socio-cultural factors, smartphone addiction, and mental health outcomes. Positive effects such as improved access to educational tools and communication are contrasted against negative consequences, including increased anxiety, depression, and diminished physical activity. This article identifies key themes, provides recommendations for mitigating adverse effects, and underscores the importance of balanced smartphone usage in promoting healthy development.

Analysis of risk factors for the development of obesity in preschool children: a logistic model analysis

IntroductionObesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation, has become a significant global health concern. The prevalence of obesity in preschool children is rising across regions, highlighting the need for a thorough analysis of risk factors and effective interventions to address this growing epidemic. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the main risk factors for the development of obesity in preschool children and explore effective interventions.MethodsWe collected clinical data from 910 preschool children who underwent a physical examination at our hospital from January 2023 to December 2023. Based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, we categorized the children into two groups: the obesity group (149 cases) and the non-obesity group (761 cases). Using univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling, we identified risk factors associated with obesity development.ResultsOut of the 910 children, 149 were diagnosed as obese, representing 16.37% of the total. High birth weight, high parental body mass index (BMI), picky eating habits, preference for meat, frequent consumption of junk food, and binge eating were found to be significant risk factors for obesity in preschool children. Meanwhile, higher parental education levels and longer daily outdoor activity times were considered protective factors against obesity.DiscussionEffective interventions targeting the above risk factors are necessary to minimize the incidence of obesity and promote the healthy development of children.

Efficient and secure electronic evidence exchange scheme for internet of things

With the rapid development of information technology, Internet of Things (IoT) is profoundly impacting various fields of the socio-economic landscape, driving the transformation of traditional industries towards intelligence. However, the widespread application of IoT has also led to a surge in electronic evidence, whose importance in the judicial field is increasingly prominent, but its characteristics such as ease of replication and leakage have posed new challenges for privacy protection. This paper focuses on the security and privacy issues of electronic evidence in IoT and proposes an efficient and secure interaction scheme based on chebyshev chaotic map, hash functions and XOR operations. Through a secure two-factor authentication mechanism, this scheme achieves identity verification between the user and the storage center, as well as confidentiality during the data transmission process. This has significant implications for the healthy development of IoT, judicial fairness and personal privacy protection. Experimental and theoretical analysis shows that the proposed scheme not only effectively resists various known attacks, but also performs excellently in terms of communication and computation costs, making it well-suited for IoT.

Parents' perception of the promotion of physical activity as part of the Purzelbaum project in Swiss daycare centers

Introduction Already in early childhood, physical activity (PA) is important for healthy development. Parents are a significant influencing factor on PA behavior (Su et al., 2022), and are therefore, involved in the “Purzelbaum”-daycare project to promote PA (radix, 2011). Purzelbaum is a one-and-a-half-year training program that certifies “movement-friendly” daycare centers upon completion. This study examines whether the participation and perception of PA by parents differs in daycare centers with or without Purzelbaum certification. Methods Between February and April 2024, parents from daycare centers in various Swiss cantons were invited to complete an online questionnaire about PA in daycare centers. In addition to demographic data, five questions assessed the perception of PA. On a Likert scale, parents rated the extent to which they felt that PA is part of the daycare center's daily routine, the importance of PA, and the extent to which children have the opportunity to be physically active. In addition, they were asked to what extent parents are informed by the daycare centers about the topic of PA and whether the daycare centers offer parent-child activities involving PA. The Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test (in SPSS) was used for analyses. Results Parents (n=353; mean age=37.93, SD=5.24; 86% completed Bachelor; 73% female; mean # of days children spent in daycare=2.39, SD=1.00; 84 Purzelbaum and 278 non-Purzelbaum daycare centers) completed the questionnaire. Age and education differed significantly between the two groups (p=.033 and p=.006, respectively). No group differences were for sex and number of days children spent in daycare (ps>.05). Parents from Purzelbaum daycare centers are more likely to feel that PA is part of everyday life (mpb=3.83, SD=.41; mnpb=3.60, SD=.63; p=.023), that it is highly valued (mpb=3.70, SD=.54; mnpb=3.21, SD=.74; p<.001) and that the children can be physically active at any time in the daycare center (mpb=3.61, SD=.54; mnpb=3.36, SD=.77; p=.034). They also stated more frequently that the daycare center informs them about the child's PA behavior (mpb=3.44, SD=.65; mnpb=2.82, SD=.95; p<.001) and that there are parent-child activities involving PA at daycare center festivals (mpb=3.10, SD=.88; mnpb=2.34, SD=.93; p<.001). Discussion/Conclusion Parents of children in Purzelbaum daycare centers consider PA to be more present in the daycare center than parents of children in non-Purzelbaum daycare centers. They also seem to be better informed about the children's PA behavior and benefit more frequently from joint PA in the daycare centers. Purzelbaum therefore appears to have a positive influence on parents. Whether the perceived PA affinity of the Purzelbaum daycare centers influences PA in the families and whether the PA behavior of the children is actually influenced by the Purzelbaum certification needs to be investigated in further studies. References Caspar, C., & Knecht, C. (2011). Konzept Purzelbaum: Bewegung und gesunde Ernährung in der Kindertagesstätte. RADIX. Su, D. L. Y., Tang, T. C. W., Chung, J. S. K., Lee, A. S. Y., Capio, C. M., & Chan, D. K. C. (2022). Parental influence on child and adolescent physical activity level: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 16861. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416861