Low Parental Socioeconomic Status Research Articles

Parental digital mediation: Restriction and enablement during the COVID-19 lockdown among low SES parents in Lima, Peru

ABSTRACT Physical distancing and lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on families’ lives, especially those from socioeconomically vulnerable backgrounds. In this context, fast-paced digitalization occurred in significant areas of everyday life, including school education, entertainment, socialization, and work. The literature reports on binary typology of parental mediation: restrictive and enabling; few studies shed light on the joint application of these strategies. This article focuses on how these two strategies are used together within the context of the pandemic among low socioeconomic status (SES) parents of Lima. Thirty parents (29 mothers and 1 father) with children between the ages of 6–11 participated in a 5-day digital mediation report preceded and followed by two semi-structured interviews. The study approaches parental mediation from a contextualized perspective wherein mediation strategies are dynamic, and restrictive and enabling strategies can coexist.

Parental SES and family support as predictors of educational level: Testing the buffering effect of effortful control and peer support.

Exposure to family risk factors increases adolescents' chances of attaining a lower educational level. However, some adolescents attain a high educational level despite being exposed to family risk factors such as a lower parental socioeconomic status (SES) or receiving less family support. Using data from the Dutch TRAILS cohort study (NT1 = 2175; Mage = 11.1, SD = 0.55, 50.8% female), we investigated if higher levels of effortful control and peer support can buffer against the negative effects of a lower parental SES and less family support on educational level. Two multinomial logistic regressions were performed (from early to mid-adolescence and from mid-adolescence to young adulthood) with post hoc tests to contrast four ordinal educational levels: practical vocational, theoretical vocational, higher general, and (pre-)university. Adolescents with a higher parental SES were consistently more likely to end up at a higher educational level, but family support was hardly associated with educational level. Neither effortful control nor peer support buffered the associations of parental SES and family support with educational level. Effortful control did have a positive direct (compensatory) effect on the educational level. We conclude that other individual competencies or more structural changes may be more helpful buffers for reducing socioeconomic inequalities in educational attainment.

Socioeconomic disparities in the postnatal growth of preterm infants: a systematic review.

To determine the effect of parental socioeconomic status (SES) on the postnatal growth of preterm infants. A systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42020225714) of original articles from Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus and Web of Science published 1946-2023 was undertaken. Studies were included if they reported anthropometric growth outcomes for preterm infants according to parental SES. Data extraction and assessments of bias and health equity impact were conducted using custom-designed forms. A narrative synthesis of twelve included studies was performed. Most infants were moderate to late preterm. The settings, growth outcomes, timings of growth measurement, and SES measures were heterogenous. Six studies demonstrated an adverse effect of low parental SES on the extrauterine growth of preterm infants, five studies showed no effect, and one study showed a potentially beneficial effect. All studies had a high risk of bias, especially confounding and selection bias. The health equity impact of included studies was largely negative. Limited and low-quality evidence suggests that socioeconomic minoritisation may adversely impact the growth of preterm infants, thereby widening existing socioeconomic health inequities. Observational studies informed by theorisation of the mechanistic pathways linking socioeconomic minoritisation to adverse postnatal growth are required to identify targets for intervention. Limited evidence suggests low parental socioeconomic status (SES) adversely affects the postnatal growth of preterm infants across different settings. Early growth of preterm infants predicts neurodevelopmental outcomes and the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood. Systematic screening of over 15,000 articles identified only twelve studies which reported postnatal growth outcomes for preterm infants according to parental SES. The health equity impact of the included studies was systematically assessed, and found to be negative overall. This study highlights limitations in existing evidence on the association between parental SES and postnatal growth, and delineates avenues for future research.

Long-Term Advantages of Adolescent Optimism: Nonlinear Associations With Adult Outcomes and its Protective Role in Buffering Socioeconomic Risk

This study examined whether optimism in early adolescence predicts occupational and psychosocial outcomes in early adulthood and explored the functional form of this relation. We also investigated whether these associations continue to hold after accounting for concomitant factors and whether optimism acts as a protective factor that helps early adolescents deal with socioeconomic adversity. We followed a large sample of German seventh graders ( N = 1596; 63.8% females; baseline M age = 12.9) at two measurement points over a period of 18 years and estimated latent regression models. Optimism in early adolescence predicted several adult outcomes, including occupational prestige, social integration, psychosocial symptoms, and depression. Analyses with social integration, depression, and life satisfaction revealed a nonlinear association: Optimism promoted life outcomes, but this positive association reached a plateau in above-average ranges of optimism and a minimum value in below-average optimism ranges. Moreover, optimism in early adolescence buffered the negative effects of low parental socioeconomic status on occupational prestige, job satisfaction, and psychosomatic symptoms in adulthood. The findings offer increased knowledge about the long-term significance of optimism and underscore the necessity of considering these effects from a more comprehensive and interactional point of view.

Social exclusion as a major outcome domain of psychotic disorders: early predictors, and associations with non-recovery and clinical staging 21years after a first episode of psychosis.

People with psychotic disorders have high levels of social exclusion; however, little is known about its early predictors. We present a long-term observational cohort study aimed at examining early risk factors for later social exclusion. A total of 243 subjects were assessed at their first psychotic episode for early risk factors including sociodemographic variables, familial risk of major mental disorders, perinatal complications, childhood factors, and adolescent factors and re-assessed after a mean follow-up of 21years for 12 social exclusion domains: leisure activities, housing, work, income, neighborhood deprivation, educational attainment, physical and mental health, family and social support, legal competence, and discrimination. The ability of risk factors to predict social exclusion was examined using hierarchical linear regression. Overall social exclusion was independently predicted by low parental socio-economic status, length of follow-up, familial risk of schizophrenia, obstetric complications, neurodevelopmental delay, poor childhood adjustment, childhood adversity, poor adolescent social networks, poor adolescent adjustment, and low premorbid IQ. The model explained 58.2% of the variance in total social exclusion score. Each social exclusion domain was predicted by a different set of variables, which explained between 17.8 and 57.0% of their variance, although low socio-economic status, familial risk of schizophrenia, obstetric complications, childhood adversity, and poor social networks predicted most of the social exclusion domains. Early risk factors strongly predicted later social exclusion. A multifaceted approach to preventing later social exclusion is crucial in people with a first episode of psychosis and early risk factors of social exclusion.

A scoping review of risk factor analysis influencing speech and language delay in toddler’s development

Speech and language development in toddlers is a crucial aspect of their overall growth and communication skills. During the early years, children go through significant language development milestones. However, many children in early childhood experience troubles in speech and language. The condition occurs if the children cannot articulate words properly, marked by errors in speech patterns that do not correspond to their age. Risk factors should be explained briefly to help the mother understand and prevent the delay to maximize the intervention. This research analyzes the risk factors influencing speech and language delay in toddlers. This scoping review begins by searching relevant articles with keywords using PRISMA flow as a guideline. Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed were used for online database searches. The research indicates that risk factors influencing speech and language delay in toddlers include media exposure, male gender, having more than two siblings, lack of interaction in the home environment, housing status, and low parental socioeconomic status. Future research may suggest analyzing the long-term effects of speech and language delay in children. Keywords: Paediatric care; scoping review; PRISMA; children care; speech and language delay

Once in NEET, always in NEET? Childhood and adolescent risk factors for different NEET patterns.

Young adults in Neither in Employment, Education nor Training (NEET) are at risk of adverse labour market outcomes. Earlier studies often measured NEET status at one time point or compared persistent NEETs with non-NEETs, neglecting other patterns of NEET status. Evidence on early life factors associated with NEET patterns is lacking. This study aims to (i) identify patterns of NEET status over time and (ii) examine whether factors in childhood and adolescence are associated with these patterns. Data were used from 1499 participants of the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS), a Dutch prospective cohort study with 15-year follow-up. NEET status was assessed at ages 19, 22 and 26. Socioeconomic status of parents (SES), intelligence and negative life events were measured at age 11, educational attainment at age 26 and mental health problems at ages 11, 13.5 and 16. Data were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Four NEET patterns were identified: (i) non-NEETs (85.2%), (ii) early NEETs (4.5%), (iii) late NEETs (5.7%) and (iv) persistent NEETs (4.5%). Reporting internalizing problems at age 11 was a risk factor for early and late NEETs [odds ratio (OR) 2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-6.62; OR 5.00, 95% CI 2.22-11.3, respectively]. Low parental SES, lower intelligence scores and negative life events (≥3) were risk factors for persistent NEETs (OR 4.45, 95% CI 2.00-9.91; OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98; OR 4.42, 95% CI 1.62-12.08, respectively). The results highlight the importance of timing and duration of NEET status and emphasize the need for tailored interventions to prevent specific NEET patterns.

The interaction between socioeconomic status and personality traits in predicting parental warmth among parents in Lebanon

ABSTRACT Parents’ socioeconomic status and personality traits are important predictors of parental warmth. The aim of the present study was to examine the multiplicative relations between parents’ socioeconomic status and personality traits in predicting parental warmth. Parents’ education was used as the indicator for parent’s socioeconomic status. Building on the resource substitution hypothesis, we expected that the associations between parents’ personality traits and parental warmth will be stronger among parents of lower socioeconomic status. Our sample comprised of 378 Lebanese parents who completed an online survey. We found significant interactions between parents’ socioeconomic status and three personality traits, which are agreeableness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. Generally, we found evidence that personality traits compensate for low socioeconomic status in predicting parental warmth. Our findings call for further investigations of the complex relations between socioeconomic status and the different determinants of parenting, and allay concerns about the negative influence of socioeconomic status on parental warmth.

Challenges Toward Learning Mathematics

Mathematics is the science of all sciences and the art of all arts. Mathematicians had been concerned with everyday problems. However, today’s students are uninterested in learning mathematics. My research is based on narrative inquiry and the interpritivism philosophy paradigm. The main objective of this research is to identify students’ challenges to learning mathematics. I gathered information from eight participants from two schools, one public and one private. To achieve the research objective, in-depth interviews were conducted with research participants. I had narrated views about perception and challenges towards learning mathematics from my participants. After analysis and interpretation of data, challenges towards learning mathematics were mathematic anxiety, lack of interest, negative perceptions, lack of students labor, present practice of teaching and unqualified and nonprofessional teachers, traditional teaching methods with rote learning, lack of parents awareness, low socio-economic status of parents, low self-efficacy, lack of motivation and counseling, low self-efficacy of students, unpractical curriculum and courses, poor school administration and physical facilities, math myth. Public school students and non-optional mathematics students had faced more challenges than private school students and optional mathematic students.

Exploring Challenges Towards Learning Mathematics Among Secondary School Students in Nepal

Mathematicians had been concerned with everyday problems. However, today's students are uninterested in learning mathematics. The main objective of this research is to identify students' challenges to learning mathematics. Employing an interpretative research paradigm, the study utilizes a narrative research design involving eight students from public and private schools in the Kaski district. To achieve the research objective, in-depth interviews were conducted with research participants. I had narrated views about challenges towards learning mathematics from my participants. After analysis and interpretation of data, challenges towards learning mathematics were difficulties in learning mathematics, negative perception and external pressure, disruption in learning environment and foundation, changing teacher and lack of support, enjoyment in mathematics practice and fear of teacher, barriers in conceptual clarity and guidance, obstacles in effective mathematics teaching and disinterest, unclear teaching and insufficient support respectively. Moreover, Students face a multitude of challenges in learning mathematics, including issues related to teacher behavior, lack of motivation, the current curriculum, low parental socio-economic status, ineffective teaching strategies, poor home environments, low academic achievements, math anxiety, impractical curricula, and traditional teaching methods.

Recurrent headache, stomachache, and backpain among adolescents: association with exposure to bullying and parents' socioeconomic status.

Recurrent pain is a prevalent and severe public health problem among adolescents and is associated with several negative health outcomes. In a representative sample of adolescents this study examined 1) whether exposure to bullying and low socioeconomic status (SES) were associated with recurrent headache, stomachache and backpain, 2) the combined effect of exposure to bullying and low SES on recurrent pain and 3) whether SES modified the association between bullying and recurrent pain. Data derived from the Danish contribution to the international collaborative study Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC). The study population was students in three age groups, 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds from nationally representative samples of schools. We pooled participants from the surveys in 2010, 2014 and 2018, n=10,738. The prevalence of recurrent pain defined as pain 'more than once a week' was high: 11.7 % reported recurrent headache, 6.1 % stomachache, and 12.1 % backpain. The proportion who reported at least one of these pains 'almost every day' was 9.8 %. Pain was significantly associated with exposure to bullying at school and low parental SES. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR, 95 % CI) for recurrent headache when exposed to both bullying and low SES was 2.69 (1.75-4.10). Equivalent estimates for recurrent stomachache were 5.80 (3.69-9.12), for backpain 3.79 (2.58-5.55), and for any recurrent pain 4.81 (3.25-7.11). Recurrent pain increased with exposure to bullying in all socioeconomic strata. Students with double exposure, i.e.,to bullying and low SES, had the highest OR for recurrent pain. SES did not modify the association between bullying and recurrent pain.

The Current Youth Sport Culture and its Impact on Sport Participation Experiences of Low Socioeconomic Status Families

Purpose: The rise of sport specialization can jeopardize the opportunities for families of low socioeconomic status (SES) to participate in organized sport. However, obtaining an athletic scholarship may be a motivating factor for low SES youth to sport specialize. Yet, the experiences of low SES athletes in sport participation are not well known. Method: We used an Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore experiences of low SES families with children participating in sport and how this may be impacted by the current youth sport culture that promotes sport specialization. We engaged in semi-structured interviews with 12 low SES parents. Results: The following 4 interrelated themes emerged: (a) Benefits of youth sport participation, (b) Negatives and/or barriers to youth sport participation, (c) Strategies to get involved in youth sport, and (d) Facilitators for youth sport participation. Conclusions: Findings indicate that while low SES youth sport parents are motivated to involve their children in sports, there are many barriers that hinder their opportunities for their child to participate in organized sports. These issues are exacerbated by the current youth sport culture which emphasizes sport specialization with very few existing facilitators to involve their child in organize sport.

MID-LIFE PARENTS' MATERIAL SUPPORT OF CHILDREN IN COLLEGE: A TYPOLOGY AND VARIATION BY SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

Abstract Many imagine the “typical” college student to be 18-22 years old, attending a four-year institution, living on campus, and receiving financial support from parents. This perception does not align with actual patterns. While some parents facilitate this “traditional college experience” for their children, others substitute co-residence for or combine co-residence with financial support; still others provide no material support at all. Using a diverse sample of U.S. college students from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Transition into Adulthood Supplement (n = 1,579), this paper demonstrates variation in material support provided by parents. I employ a latent class approach to categorize students into assistance “types,” and then use multilevel multinomial logistic regression models to predict assistance types from parents’ socioeconomic status (SES). Lower SES parents have a higher probability of providing co-residence, while higher SES parents have a higher probability of providing financial support to students living away from home.

Counseling parents about child feeding: a qualitative evaluation of French doctors and health/childcare professionals' experiences and perception of a brochure containing new recommendations.

Parents are crucial in establishing their children's eating habits, and doctors and health/childcare professionals (HCCPs) can provide meaningful and trusted guidance on feeding, especially in the 0-3-year-old period. With the upcoming release of the official brochure containing the new child feeding recommendations in France, this study aims to: (1) assess professionals' practices and perceptions regarding their communication with parents on child feeding and (2) evaluate their perception of the draft of the new brochure. A 15-page draft brochure (without pictures) containing updated child feeding recommendations for children 0-3 years old was developed by Santé publique France (the French public health agency). Online semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals (n = 21), including 13 pediatricians and general practitioners (doctors) and eight healthcare or childcare professionals (HCCPs) two weeks after they were provided with this draft brochure to read. The interview guide was developed and piloted with other professionals (n = 3) prior to these interviews. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using an inductive approach. While doctors and HCCPs mostly communicate orally with parents, both acknowledged that the brochure might be a helpful supplement, especially for HCCPs to legitimize their advice to parents. For doctors, giving the brochure to parents may help provide systematic advice and save time during consultations. Professionals serving parents of lower socioeconomic status would prefer a supplement with less text and more illustrations. In general, the messages were perceived to be easily understandable but providing detachable cards to distribute according to the child's age would facilitate information dissemination and might be more useful to parents. Professionals reported that lack of training, the circulation of contradictory information, and language barriers were common challenges. French professionals welcomed the new official brochure as a means to spread updated child feeding recommendations. However, this brochure could be modified and specific tools developed to better adapt to professionals' needs of communication with parents and to facilitate the relay of information. Providing updated and consistent information to parents should be considered a priority for public health stakeholders toward increased adherence to new recommendations.

Parental SES buffers the effect of plasma pTau181 on memory among non‐Latinx White, Latinx, and non‐Latinx Black middle‐aged adults

AbstractBackgroundInclusive ADRD research should consider social and structural forces as potential sources of cognitive reserve and resilience. Characterization of neuropathology is critical for cognitive reserve research, but few cohorts have AD biomarker data in concert with sufficient sample size, population representativeness, and multi‐level, lifecourse measurement of determinants that is necessary to contribute substantial or novel evidence for when and where to intervene. We partnered with participants in a population‐representative intergenerational study in NYC to determine whether parental socioeconomic status (PSES) buffers the association of plasma pTau181 concentrations with memory among middle aged adults, and whether moderation of neuropathology is similar across racialized and ethnic groups.MethodOffspring participants were 1038 adult children (56±11‐years‐old range: 28‐88, 68% women, 12.6±4 years education, 48% Latinx tested in Spanish, 24% Latinx tested in English, 21% non‐Latinx Black, 7% non‐Latinx White) of 694 parents in a longitudinal community‐based study of Northern Manhattan residents age 65+. Blood collected from Offspring determined pTau181 concentration (Quanterix Simoa) and APOE genotype, and memory was tested with the Selective Reminding Test. PSES was measured with years of school collected directly from parents. Regression models examined associations of pTau181 concentration with memory, tested PSES as an effect modifier, and determined whether relationships differed by racial and ethnic group.ResultIn an unadjusted model, higher pTau181 concentrations predicted lower delayed recall (β = ‐0.438, 95% CI:‐0.662,‐0.214,p<0.001), and this was robust to addition of offspring age, sex/gender, years of education, racial and ethnic classification, APOE status, parental age, and PSES into the model (β = ‐0.332, 95% CI:‐0.542,‐0.122,p<0.001). pTau181 concentrations had a weaker relationship to delayed recall among offspring with higher PSES (β = ‐0.291, 95% CI: ‐0.540,‐0.043,p<0.022) than among those with lower PSES (β = ‐0.477, 95% CI:‐0.875,‐0.078,p = 0.019), and this effect modification was similar in all race and ethnicity groups.ConclusionEvidence from a multiethnic intergenerational study suggests that early life socioeconomic conditions promote cognitive reserve against AD neuropathology. The buffering effect of parental SES was present in all groups, but because racial and ethnic minoritized groups have disproportionate exposure to low SES in childhood, interventions that reduce childhood poverty could narrow ADRD disparities.

Intergenerational social mobility and suicide risk by firearm and other means in US males

Firearms are the leading method of suicide in US men, and socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with suicide risk. In this 40-year mortality follow-up of a national cohort of US men, we examined if improved SES relative to one's family of origin, upward intergenerational social mobility (ISM), is associated with lowered risk for firearm suicide and suicide by other means in US men. Family of origin SES was assessed as part of Project Talent, a broad survey of US high school students in 1960. 42,766 men in the cohort completed follow-up surveys at age 29, assessing attained SES via education, occupation, and income. ISM was measured by change between harmonized SES composites. Mortality follow-up was conducted through age 70. Adjusting for baseline SES and race/ethnicity, a 1 standard deviation increase in SES was associated with a 31% reduction in firearm suicide risk later in the life course (HR [95% CI] = 0·69 [0·54, 0·88], P = 0·003), and a smaller, non-significant reduction in suicide by other means (HR [95% CI] = 0·80 [0·60, 1·07], P = 0·136). Traits associated with both suicide and SES attainment (cognitive ability, calm, impulsivity) only modestly attenuated this association. Upward ISM was more strongly associated with reduced firearm suicide risk in males with parents of low SES. The association between upward ISM and reduced firearm suicide mortality risk prevailed over ensuing decades. Policies improving social mobility in US males, particularly those of lower SES, may function as de-facto firearm suicide prevention strategies.

STUDENT INTEREST IN CONTINUING THEIR STUDIES TO HIGHER EDUCATION

This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the interest in continuing their studies to higher education.. The population of this research is high school students of class XII in the academic year 2021/2022. The number of samples used amounted to 268 students with simple random sampling technique. This study uses a quantitative technique with a Path Analysis approach. In this study there were 5 hypothesis tests with the results showing 4 accepted and 1 rejected. The results showed that the peer environment had a positive and significant effect on the interest in continuing their studies to higher education, the socioeconomic status of parents had a negative and significant effect on the interest in continuing their studies in higher education, learning motivation had a positive and significant effect on the interest in continuing their studies in higher education, the peer environment have an indirect effect on the interest in continuing their studies to higher education through significant learning motivation, the socioeconomic status of parents has an indirect effect on the interest in continuing their studies to higher education through significant learning motivation. Based on these results, it can be concluded that choosing friends is very important, because peers have a big impact on changes in student behavior and psychology. And the low socioeconomic status of parents does not discourage students from continuing their studies to higher education. Researchers suggest that every school from the start of students being accepted has directed students' interest to continue their studies.

Cognitive and motor development in preterm children from 6 to 36 months of age: Trajectories, risk factors and predictability

BackgroundAlthough numerous studies have examined the development of preterm children born very low birth weight (VLBW, birth body weight < 1500 g), variations of developmental progress within individuals have rarely been explored. The aim of this research was to examine the cognitive and motor trajectories in preterm children born VLBW at early ages and to assess the risk factors and predictability of these trajectories. MethodFive hundred and eighty preterm infants born VLBW from three cohort studies (2003 to 2014) were prospectively assessed their mental and motor development using the Bayley Scales at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, and cognitive, motor and behavioral outcomes using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5–5 at 4 years of age. ResultsPreterm children born VLBW manifested three cognitive patterns (stably normal [64.0 %], deteriorating [31.4 %], and persistently delayed [4.6 %]) and four motor patterns (above average [6.3 %], stably normal [60.0 %], deteriorating [28.5 %], and persistently delayed [5.2 %]) during 6–36 months. Low birth body weight, stage III-IV retinopathy of prematurity and low parental socio-economic status were associated with the deteriorating patterns; prolonged hospitalization and major brain damage were additionally associated with the persistently delayed patterns. Furthermore, the cognitive and motor deteriorating pattern was each predictive of cognitive and motor impairment at 4 years of age; whereas, the persistently delayed patterns were predictive of multiple impairments. Conclusion and implicationsPreterm children born VLBW display heterogeneous trajectories in early cognitive and motor development that predict subsequent developmental and behavioral outcomes.

Determinants of healthy and sustainable food choices in parents with a higher and lower socioeconomic status: A qualitative study

Establishing healthy and sustainable dietary habits in childhood is necessary for the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases, as well as for the growing pressure on our ecosystems. Considering that parents are the most important actors in affecting dietary behaviors of their children, and that there is a social gradient for obesity, this study aims to investigate differences in determinants of both healthy and sustainable food choices among parents with a higher and lower socioeconomic status (SES). Fifteen focus groups and four individual interviews (n = 78) with parents of children aged 6 to 12 were conducted in Belgium. A semi-structured interview guide based on a socioecological model was used. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematic content analysis was performed using NVivo 1.0. Findings indicate some differences in determinants of healthy and sustainable food choices among higher and lower SES parents. Generally, higher SES parents reported more barriers for sustainable than for healthy food choices. They showed more positive attitudes towards healthy than sustainable food choices, and reported low knowledge and self-efficacy to make sustainable food choices, while a lack of time was a barrier to cook both healthy and sustainable meals. Lower SES parents, like higher SES parents, showed more positive attitudes towards healthy food choices. They reported high prices and a lack of inspiration and skills as barriers for both food choices, while also being influenced by their cultural backgrounds. For both SES types of parents, children had a strong influence on their healthy and sustainable food choices. The findings suggest socioeconomic differences in determinants of healthy and sustainable food choices. Hence, these differences should be taken into account when developing intervention strategies to improve food choices in parents.

Constipation in children in the practice of a pediatrician

Constipation in children is currently one of the major complaints that parents present at a pediatrician's appointment. The article discusses the issues of diagnosis and treatment of functional constipation in children based on the international and Russian clinical guidelines. The following are some major causes of constipation in young children. Constipation is most often caused by colon dyskinesia (hypo- and hypermotor disorders), impaired and painful bowel movement (spasm of the rectal sphincters, weakened smooth muscle tone, etc.) or a combination of these factors. In rare cases, the cause of constipation is organic disorders. Also, low parental socio-economic status, low educational level, depression, neuroticism, attitude of parents towards their children's upbringing such as being overprotective, and attitudes that promote high or low levels of autonomy, increase the risk of functional constipation. In addition, the article sets detailed factors leading to constipation in older children and adolescents. The pathogenesis of functional constipation is given, and the problem of psychological constipation is described. The outlined therapeutic approach includes dietary intervention, compliance with drinking water treatment, behavioural and drug therapy. The author presents its own experience of using sodium picosulfate to treat constipation in children. Constipation in children is a common problem, functional constipation accounts for 95% of cases, therefore in most cases they do not require clarifying diagnostic methods. Besides, you shouldn't forget about the possibility of organic pathology, malformations in young children. Constipation in children requires the timely administration of complex treatment.