A5085968921- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Birth, Development, and Health
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Child and Adolescent Health
- Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
- Infant Development and Preterm Care
- Iron Metabolism and Disorders
- Physical Activity and Health
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Obesity and Health Practices
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Child Development and Digital Technology
- Global Public Health Policies and Epidemiology
- Early Childhood Education and Development
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Eating Disorders and Behaviors
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Agricultural risk and resilience
University of the Witwatersrand
2015-2024
South African Medical Research Council
2019-2024
Action Network
2023-2024
Euclid Network
2022-2023
Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and subsequent gestational weight gain (GWG) are strong predictors of maternal infant outcomes; however the influence dietary patterns on BMI-specific GWG is unclear. This study identifies habitual intake in urban South African women explores their associations with first trimester BMI GWG. Habitual 538 pregnant was assessed using a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire were depicted via principle component analysis. Associations between...
The persistence of food insecurity, malnutrition, increasing adiposity, and decreasing physical activity, heightens the need to understand relationships between body image satisfaction, eating attitudes, BMI activity levels in South Africa. Females aged 18-23 years were recruited from rural (n = 509) urban 510) settings. Body satisfaction was measured using Stunkard's silhouettes, 26-item Eating Attitudes questionnaire (EAT-26) used evaluate participants' risk disordered eating. Minutes per...
Background: Nurturing care of young children is aimed at promoting lifelong, intergenerational health and well‐being, as well social economic benefits. This study qualitatively exploring maternal perceptions related to nurturing care, their access information support for caregiving, the home community environments practices, how caregivers promote infants’ well‐being in Soweto, South Africa. Methods: The employed a sequential, two‐stage process. First, three focus group discussions were...
Abstract Objective: To determine whether food security, diet diversity and quality are associated with anthropometric measurements body composition among women of reproductive age. The association between security anaemia prevalence was also tested. Design: Secondary analysis cross-sectional data from the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) study. Food dietary were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hb levels measured using a HemoCue, classified as...
A lack of data, intervention studies, policies, and targets for nutrition in school-age children (SAC) adolescents (5-19 years) is hampering progress towards tackling malnutrition. To stimulate guide further research, this study generated a list research priorities.Using the Child Health Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) method, 48 questions was compiled were scored against defined criteria using stakeholder survey. Questions covered all forms malnutrition, including micronutrient...
Abstract Objective The present paper examines dietary intake and body composition in antiretroviral (ARV)-naïve HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative South African women, as well the impact of disease severity on these variables. Design Baseline data from a longitudinal study assessing bone health premenopausal women over 18 years age were used. Anthropometry composition, measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, analysed together assessed using an interviewer-based quantitative FFQ....
Abstract Objective: To (i) describe the infant feeding practices of South African women living in Soweto and (ii) understand from mothers’ perspective what influences practices. Design: Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGD) in-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted, data analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: Soweto, Africa. Participants: Nineteen mothers stratified into three FGD according to their baby’s age as follows: 0–6-month-olds, 7–14-month-olds 15–24-month-olds. Four each...
Abstract Background In order for infants and toddlers to meet recommended movement guidelines, their caregivers need encourage play daily. This study used a qualitative approach understand how mothers perceive promote physical activity during the first 2 years of life. Methods Mothers with children between 0 24 months were recruited from SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways Health Research Unit in Soweto, South Africa. 19 agreed participate grouped into three focus group discussions (FGDs) by...
Children with weight-for-age z-score (WAZ) <-3 have a high risk of death, yet this indicator is not widely used in nutrition treatment programming. This pooled secondary data analysis children aged 6-59 months aimed to examine the prevalence, outcomes, and growth trajectories WAZ versus ≥-3 receiving outpatient for wasting and/or nutritional oedema, inform future protocols. Binary outcomes between admissions were compared using logistic regression. Recovery was defined as attaining...
Abstract This study examined associations between a maternal “mixed, high sugar” dietary pattern during pregnancy and ultrasound‐determined fetal growth in 495 urban African women explored whether these were independent of baseline body mass index (BMI) gestational weight gain (GWG). Linear mixed effects modelling (LMM) was used to test the mixed, sugar score, BMI (kg/m 2 ), GWG (kg/week) following outcomes: (a) biparietal diameter (cm), (b) head circumference (c) abdominal (d) femur length...
Abstract Objective: To provide insight into the context and public health implications of South African sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax (Health Promotion Levy; HPL) by describing SSB added sugar intakes, as well BMI, 1 year prior to, at time after implementation HPL. Design: Longitudinal dietary intake was assessed using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) BMI measured via anthropometry. Setting: Soweto, Johannesburg, Africa. Participants: Adolescents, young adults...
Early life is important for later health outcomes, yet there are few studies which adequately address all of the potential early insults that may affect and growth trajectories. This particularly evident in low- to middle-income countries such as South Africa, where women childbearing age vulnerable high levels physical inactivity, malnutrition, obesity. Pregnancy therefore be an opportune time change behaviours improve maternal offspring decrease inter-generational transfer risk. We show...