Resilience to adverse events is increasingly recognized as important for human health. Socio-economic status (SES) is also frequently identified as a predictor of resilience. However, it is not well-understood how people define resilience in their everyday lives, and whether individuals have different experiences of resilience based on their SES. This study sought to fill these gaps, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic mitigation policies in the Netherlands.We interviewed high (n = 38) and low (n = 37) SES participants about their understanding and experiences of resilience during this period. Participants took part in individual interviews and focus groups in September 2021. Transcripts were analyzed thematically.A key theme was coping with adversity, in line with commonly-used definitions of resilience. However, we found that resilience was often defined more broadly. Resilience also encompassed aspects of self-reflection and improvement, and faith in oneself, the community and the nation. There were also key differences by SES background: elaborate and optimistic definitions and experiences of resilience were more often described by high SES individuals. For instance, high SES participants more frequently defined resilience as growing and improving. In contrast, low SES participants more commonly experienced resilience as enduring until better times arrived.Having a higher SES seemed to support resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. This indicates that adverse events may exacerbate pre-existing financial and material difficulties among low SES individuals. This finding underscores the importance of addressing financial precarity prior to adverse events.
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This research explores the attitudes of children from different socio-economic backgrounds towards cars. This paper explores their projected choices and motivations in the context of (1) post-materialist values; (2) economic constraints; and (3) social status theories; and draws upon survey research among 140 upper elementary school children in the Netherlands between September 2010 and January 2011. Comparative analysis shows that there are significant differences in attitudes of children from different socio-economic backgrounds. Pupils from the affluent predominantly ethnically Dutch schools showed greater awareness of and concern about their parents’ and general use of cars, and less desire to own a car in the future, children from less economically advantaged schools demonstrated lower environmental awareness and concern and more desire to own a car in the future. This study is based on a small sample and indicates a need for large-scale follow-up study of children's attitudes towards cars. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.07.010 https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenkopnina/
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Kinderen met een lage sociaaleconomische status (SES) hebben een verhoogd risico op een suboptimale start in het leven met hogere kosten voor de gezondheidszorg. Deze studie onderzoekt de effecten van SES op individueel (maandelijks huishoudinkomen) en contextuele SES (huishoudinkomen en buurtdeprivatie), en perinatale morbiditeit op de zorgkosten in het vroege leven (0-3 jaar). Conclusie: Meer buurtdeprivatie was direct gerelateerd aan hogere zorgkosten bij jonge kinderen. Bovendien was een lager huishoudinkomen consistent en onafhankelijk gerelateerd aan hogere zorgkosten. Door de omstandigheden voor lage SES-populaties te optimaliseren, kan de impact van lage SES-omstandigheden op hun zorgkosten positief worden beïnvloed.
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Objective We examined whether the role of maternal education in children's unhealthy snacking diet is moderated by other socio-economic indicators. Methods Participants were selected from the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development cohort, a large ongoing community-based birth cohort. Validated Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) (n = 2782) were filled in by mothers of children aged 5.7±0.5yrs. Based on these FFQs, a snacking dietary pattern was derived using Principal Component Analysis. Socio-economic indicators were: maternal and paternal education (low, middle, high; based on the highest education completed) household finance (low, high; based on ability to save money) and neighbourhood SES (composite score including educational level, household income and employment status of residents per postal code). Cross-sectional multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association and possible moderation of maternal education and other socio-economic indicators on the snacking pattern score. Analyses were adjusted for children's age, sex and ethnicity. Results Low maternal education (B 0.95, 95% CI 0.83;1.06), low paternal education (B 0.36, 95% CI 0.20;0.52), lower household finance (B 0.18, 95% CI 0.11;0.26) and neighbourhood SES (B -0.09, 95% CI -0.11;-0.06) were independently associated with higher snacking pattern scores (p<0.001). The association between maternal education and the snacking pattern score was somewhat moderated by household finance (p = 0.089) but remained strong. Children from middle-high educated mothers (B 0.44, 95% CI 0.35;0.52) had higher snacking pattern scores when household finance was low (B 0.49, 95% CI 0.33;0.65). Conclusions All socio-economic indicators were associated with increased risk of unhealthy dietary patterns in young children, with low maternal education conferring the highest risk. Yet, within the group of middle-high educated mothers, lower household finance was an extra risk factor for unhealthy dietary patterns. Intervention strategies should therefore focus on lower educated mothers and middle-high educated mothers with insufficient levels of household finance.
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Presentatie intreerede Lampros Stergioulas
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Citizen science has demonstrated potential to foster local changes in public health, including physical (in)activity. We used community-engaged citizen science to explore how to improve the exercise-friendliness of a Dutch neighborhood, chosen because it scored below average on important health parameters.We followed the steps of design thinking and employed the Our Voice citizen science method to find out how community members perceived exercise-friendliness in their neighborhood. Members participated in technology-enabled “discovery” walks using the multi-lingual Stanford Neighborhood Discovery Tool mobile application. Positive, negative, and dual features in the neighborhood were captured. During a researcher-facilitated process, citizen scientists analyzed their data together, leading to overarching themes reflecting resident needs and desires. These themes served as the basis for developing a walking route throughout the neighborhood. Several initial walking route prototypes were developed and tested by citizen scientists, resulting in a final route design that was realized in collaboration with local government officials. Citizen scientists were interviewed and asked about their engagement with and sense of agency throughout the research process. They reported commitment to the project and their neighborhood, and a desire to contribute to society. They also reported increased agency in contributing to neighborhood impacts.This project showed that citizen science “by the people” is a powerful way to engage people with projects in their own neighborhoods. It provided local perspectives on the neighborhood, which led to actual changes in the environment
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Purpose: In Amsterdam – the Netherlands – we know that children living in low income households have a lower health status and report lower physical activity levels than their peers in middle- or high-income households. Seven primary schools located in neighborhoods with a low social-economic status are currently developing their own active school using the ‘Creating Active Schools Framework’. This study was conducted to assess the current physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns during and after school of the pupils in these seven primary schools.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collect data in seven schools located within an Amsterdam neighborhood with a low social economic status score. Within each school, 4 classes are eligible for participation. Children wear an accelerometer from Monday morning until Friday afternoon to assess physical activity levels. Parents of participating children are asked to complete a questionnaire on baseline characteristics, wellbeing and out of school physical activity behaviors. The mean sedentary time (ST), low physical activity (LPA) time and Moderate to Vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time will be calculated. The association between the outcomes of the accelerometer data and gender and health related outcomes reported by parents will be assessed.Results: The data will be collected between March and May 2023. We will present the average LPA and MVPA during and after school time. The duration of the ST bouts during and after schooltime. And associations between ST, LPA and MVPA and gender and health related outcomes.Conclusions: The results of this study will be used to support local school teams in the development and implementation of local action plans towards a school day that involves less sitting and more physical activity.
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Vaker sporten. Minder alcohol drinken. Stoppen met roken. Nu echt op tijd naar bed. Dat leefstijlverandering lastig kan zijn, weten we allemaal. Maar voor sommigen lijkt het welhaast onmogelijk. Leefstijlverandering kost energie en aandacht. Wat als je daar helemaal geen ruimte voor hebt, omdat je wordt afgeleid door belangrijkere zaken, zoals de zorg voor een ziek familielid of doordat je de huur weer niet kunt betalen? Waar moet je het in zo’n situatie vandaan halen om gezonder te gaan leven? Vooral onder mensen met een lage sociaaleconomische status (SES) komt zo’n situatie regelmatig voor. Welke bijdrage zou de eerstelijnsgeneeskunde hieraan kunnen leveren? De oplossing is gecompliceerd en de weg ernaartoe is vaak frustrerend, vooral omdat gezondheidscommunicatie alleen kan werken als het in nevenschikking met andere instrumenten wordt gecombineerd. Het antirookbeleid is een mooi voorbeeld waar veel is bereikt door een combinatie van instrumenten.
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Background: Although maternity care is linked to improved health outcomes, it is often insufficiently tailored to the needs of low socioeconomic position (SEP) majority population women in high-income countries, leading to obstacles in achieving good health. Cultural competence can contribute to access to adequate care, but no systematic assessment has been conducted. This study aims to examine current evidence about the aspects of cultural competence of maternity care professionals caring for low socioeconomic position (SEP) majority population women. Methods: A scoping review was conducted. Search terms were based on the PCC elements (Participants, Concepts, and Context). Data-extraction and analysis were performed by two researchers according to a predetermined procedure. Data were grouped in the main themes of the Seeleman-framework (2009) and subsequently inductively analyzed. Results: Out of 6954 articles, 35 were eligible for data analysis. To create an overview of available evidence quality assessment of the included studies was not performed. Health professionals express a lack of knowledge and skills to assess socio-economic vulnerabilities in women and to refer to other care options regarding socio-economic vulnerabilities. Although positive experiences with professionals were mentioned, many women experience negative attitudes in terms of a lack of respect and stigmatization issues. Professionals lack the skills to build good relationships with women. Both women and health professionals reported poor communication and collaboration with health care colleagues and with social services. Conclusions: The cultural competence of health professionals in maternity care needs improvement. Professionals should be equipped with sufficient knowledge to identify deprived women and their needs and be trained in skills to effectively communicate and build care relationships. Future research should focus on the reflections of health professionals on their professional role regarding low SEP majority population women. The conditions and maternity care systems health professionals work in to serve low SEP majority women should be studied more closely. Results call for a debate about the scope of professional practice and logistical care structures regarding maternity care for low SEP majority population women. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.
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Background: Although research on children's motor competence is a growing field of interest, especially among young children (4-6 years), several questions remain to be answered. Differences in children’s motor competence and their determinants, must be made transparent since early childhood is a critical period for the development of fundamental movement skills, and thereby a lifelong active lifestyle and health. Objective: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine differences in actual motor competence (AMC), perceived motor competence (PMC) and enjoyment of physical activity among young children with different weight status. Methods: AMC, PMC and enjoyment were measured among 1708 children (50.4% male, mean age: 5.34 ± 0.73 years) from 36 primary schools in The Netherlands. AMC was measured by using the Athletic Skills Track (AST-1). The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children was used for determining PMC and enjoyment of physical activity was measured using a Visual Analogue Scale. The data were analyzed using a three-way ANOVA to examine the differences between AMC, PMC and enjoyment by sex (boys/girls), age (4, 5, 6 years) and weight status (normal, overweight, obesity). Results: Overall, AMC was ranked as ‘average motor gifted’. Average PMC and enjoyment scores were 3.31 (SE 0.01) (1-4 scale) and 4.41 (SE 0.02) (1-5 scale) respectively. No interaction effects were found between sex, age and weight status on AMC or PMC. However, there was a statistically significant two-way interaction effect for enjoyment between age and weight status (F (4,1454) =2.464, p =.043). Relative enjoyment scores for normal weight and overweight groups between high and low enjoyment were distributed 99% to 1%. However, in the obese group there was a distribution of 92% to 8% between high and low enjoyment. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that there are no significant differences in AMC and PMC between children of different sex, ages (4, 5 and 6 years), and weight status in this age group. However, children with obesity more often experience less enjoyment during physical activity than children with another weight status. Targeted intervention for increasing enjoyment during physical activity in combination with reducing obesity seems advisable even at young age.
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