Background  Parents with intellectual disabilities frequently feel socially excluded and often become dependent on statutory agencies for support. This study aimed to tackle these difficulties by means of a group intervention. Methods  Group intervention was provided to 12 parents with borderline or mild intellectual disabilities over 14 weeks. The effects of intervention were evaluated by comparing the intervention group with a borderline or mild intellectual disabilities control parent group (n = 10). Both experimental parent group (EPG) and control parent group (CPG) received home‐based teaching programmes during this period. Parents' self‐concept and perception of the quality of relationship with their children, partners, family members and professionals were assessed (Judson Rating Scale and Behaviour Problem Index) during baseline, post‐intervention and at 27‐week follow‐up. Results  The results indicate that self‐concept improved significantly for the EPG with no observable gains made by the CPG. However, the ‘feel good factor’ which came from improvements in parents' self‐concept did not immediately benefit their children. In addition, the quality of relationship between EPG parents and their children, as well as parents' expectations of their children's capabilities did not improve as a result of group intervention. Nonetheless, follow‐up data revealed that group training did result in (i) all of the EPG parents making new friends and (ii) other positive social and practical changes taking place within their families. Single parent status and the accumulative effect of multiple group attendance were identified as important factors affecting parents' perception of themselves and the quality of their relationships. Conclusions  The immediate and long‐term benefits of group attendance for parents with intellectual disabilities and secondary benefits for their children are discussed.

This study compared methods that measured dietary intake of sodium and potassium by chemical analysis, by calculation from a table, and by measurement of these elements in 24-h urine. Total sodium included analyzed plus discretionary sodium. Analyzed elements were measured values in diets and urine performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Calculated elements were estimated values from a food composition table. Food samples were collected by duplicate analysis. Total, analyzed, calculated, and discretionary sodium intake for 7 days by adolescent females averaged 2.890, 2.518, 1.852, and 0.372 g/day, respectively. Analyzed and calculated potassium intake by subjects averaged 1.447 and 1.667 g/day, respectively. Urinary sodium and potassium averaged 2.389 and 1.118 g/day, respectively. Subjects differed significantly in the amount of sodium ingested, partly due to discretionary sodium use. Total sodium and analyzed potassium were the accurate methods of determining sodium and potassium intake. Element intakes can be estimated from regression equations.

SUMMARY Blood pressure levels, anthropometric parameters, and dietary intakes were assessed in 1981 and 1983 in a population of black (n = 236) and white (n = 296) adolescent girls, aged 14 and 16 years in 1983. The 14-year-old black girls exhibited significantly higher mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures than whites in both years. Body weight and Quetelet index were more strongly associated with blood pressure than were height and triceps skinfold thickness. Correcting blood pressures for weight, Quetelet index, 2-year changes in height, and age at menarche decreased in each case (but did not negate) the observed race differences in blood pressure. Dietary calcium and potassium intakes were inversely related to blood pressure, and a race difference in the intake of these nutrients (whites > blacks) was observed. Covariate adjustment for calcium, but not for potassium, decreased the magnitude of race differences in blood pressure. Family type (single-parent vs nuclear) and place of residence (urban vs nonurban) appeared to be the most important confounding variables for race differences in blood pressure, since differences largely were eliminated by controlling for these factors. Conflicting reports in the literature regarding the age range during which race differences in blood pressure become apparent may be partially attributed to the complex interrelationships among these factors and the potential influence of other genetic-environmental interactions that may also play a role in blood pressure regulation. E LEVATED blood pressure is a risk factor for various chronic disease processes including atherosclerosis and thus constitutes a major public health problem in most industrialized countries.

No abstract

The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale was administered to 550 14- and 16-yr.-old (+/- 6 mo.) girls. Self-esteem scores were categorized by weight and weight by height. Scores on the Quetelet Index for obesity were correlated with self-esteem scores. Mean self-esteem of the low- and middle-weight by height group was significantly higher than the mean of the high-weight by height group. In analyzing weight alone, the self-esteem of the middle-weight group was significantly higher than the self-esteem of the high-weight group. The correlation of the obesity index and self-esteem indicated that as weight increased self-esteem decreased.