Improving dietary habits of children: effects of nutrition education and correspondence training

Evidence that a significant number of children are exposed to risk factors associated with coronary heart disease has prompted health care professionals to develop programs designed to encourage the early development of a healthy life style. The present study used a multiple baseline approach to examine the effects of two procedures on the snack selection behavior of 25 third grade children. In children who selected non-nutritious rather than nutritious snacks for more than 40% of the baseline observations, nutrition education alone had little or no impact on their selection of snacks. However, with the implementation of correspondence training, in which a reward was made contingent upon carrying out a stated intent to choose a nutritious snack, the children consistently chose nutritious snacks. These results indicate that correspondence training may be an efficient and cost-effective way to improve dietary habits of young people.

Acrivastine in two doses compared with placebo in a multicentre, parallel group study for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

In a placebo controlled, randomised, multicentre study the efficacy and safety of multiple doses of acrivastine, a derivative of the antihistamine tripolidine (Actidil) were evaluated in patients exhibiting symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Over the 10 day treatment period, 103 patients received, twice daily, either 4 mg and 8 mg of acrivastine or a placebo. Three patients withdrew from the study due to poor symptom control and two due to adverse experiences. The reporting of adverse experiences was evenly distributed between the treatment and placebo periods. Acrivastine did not affect the haematological, biochemical or urinalysis screens. Both 4 mg and 8 mg acrivastine alleviated the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis with significant improvements in the symptom scores for sneezing, running nose and the calculated overall score. In addition, 8 mg acrivastine reduced the symptom scores for watery eyes and itchy throat. Acrivastine was both well tolerated and effective in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Alternative phosphate binders in dialysis patients: calcium carbonate

Traditionally, phosphate binders containing aluminum have been used effectively to control serum phosphorus levels in patients with chronic renal failure. In these patients, however, absorption and accumulation of aluminum in plasma and tissues can lead to debilitating pathologic conditions, including aluminum-related osteodystrophy. An alternative therapeutic approach using calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder has been proven to be effective. In a recent study of 20 patients on chronic hemodialysis, the efficacy of calcium carbonate therapy was demonstrated. Serum phosphorus levels in these patients were 4.8 +/- 0.13 mg/dL with the use of aluminum-containing phosphate binders, 7.3 +/- 0.26 mg/dL when phosphate binders were discontinued, and 4.8 +/- 0.17 mg/dL with the use of calcium carbonate (Os-CaL 500) therapy. The total amount of aluminum ingested for all 20 patients combined went from 112 g/d at the beginning of the study to 22 g/d at the end of the study. The amounts of calcium carbonate administered varied because of large variations in dietary phosphorus intake between patients. In addition, the individual distribution of phosphorus intake during the day dictated the dosing schedule. There were no adverse side effects associated with calcium carbonate therapy. A few patients ingesting large amounts of calcium carbonate to control their extremely high phosphorus levels developed hypercalcemia. However, this effect was reversible after discontinuation of calcium carbonate therapy.