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Biomedical subjects

Mary McKenna

Publications and source records attributed to Mary McKenna.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Applying the School Health Index to a nationally representative sample of schools.

The School Health Index (SHI) is a self-assessment and planning tool that helps individual schools identify the strengths and weaknesses of their health policies and programs. To determine the percentage of US schools meeting the recommendations in the SHI, the present study analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000. The SHPPS 2000 data were collected through computer-assisted personal interviews with faculty and staff in a nationally representative sample of schools. The SHPPS 2000 questions were then matched to SHI items to calculate the percentage of schools meeting the recommendations in 4 areas: school health and safety policies and environment, health education, physical education and other physical activity programs, and nutrition services. Although schools nationwide are meeting a few SHI items in each of these areas, few schools are addressing the entire breadth of items. A more coordinated approach to school health would help schools reinforce health messages.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Professionalism.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Metabolic compartmentation in cortical synaptosomes: influence of glucose and preferential incorporation of endogenous glutamate into GABA.

Metabolism of glutamine was determined under a variety of conditions to study compartmentation in cortical synaptosomes. The combined intracellular and extracellular amounts of [U-13C] GABA, [U-13C]glutamate and [U-13C]glutamine were the same in synaptosomes incubated with U-13C]glutamine in the presence and absence of glucose. However, the concentration of these amino acids was decreased in the latter group, demonstrating the requirement for glucose to maintain the size of neurotransmitter pools. In hypoglycemic synaptosomes more [U-13C]glutamine was converted to [U-13C]aspartate, and less glutamate was re-synthesized from the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, suggesting use of the partial TCA cycle from alpha-ketoglutarate to oxaloacetate for energy. Compartmentation was studied in synaptosomes incubated with glucose plus labeled and unlabeled glutamine and glutamate. Incubation with [U-13C]glutamine plus unlabeled glutamate gave rise to [U-13C]GABA but not labeled aspartate; however, incubation with [U-13C]glutamate plus unlabeled glutamine gave rise to [U-13C]aspartate, but not labeled GABA. Thus the endogenous glutamate formed via glutaminase in synaptic terminals is preferentially used for GABA synthesis, and is metabolized differently than glutamate taken up from the extracellular milieu.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determinants of healthy eating in children and youth.

This review outlines the state of knowledge and research gaps in the area of determinants of healthy eating among children and youth. The article is structured around individual and collective determinants that affect healthy eating in children and youth. We defined healthy eating as "eating practices and behaviours that are consistent with improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health." Relevant databases were searched for papers published between January 1992 and March 2003 that focussed on children or youth and reported at least one factor relevant to healthy eating. Among collective factors, familial factors and the nature of foods available in the physical environment, including at home, schools and in fast-food establishments, stand out as significant influences on healthy eating in children and youth. The media, particularly television, also have an enormous potential influence and can overshadow familial influences. Individual factors identified include knowledge, attitudes and food preferences; only the latter have been identified as a strong determinant of healthy eating in both children and adolescents. The results of the review identified a significant body of literature in the area of determinants of healthy eating in children and youth; however, very little of this research has taken place in Canada. Only a few determinants, such as economic factors and food security, the content of media nutritional messages, and the issue of flavours, neophobia and food preferences, have undergone some examination by Canadian researchers. Research priorities for Canada in the area of determinants of healthy eating and surveillance of eating behaviours are identified.

Adolescent↗