Perceptual development in relation to nutritional status

Abstract

The present study was conducted on 180 children in the age group 5-10 years. These children were divided accordingly their ages into 3 sub-groups i.e. 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10 years respectively. In each group 60 children were studied. For the assessment of perceptual skills each child was tested with the help of Picture Ambiguity Test. Responses to the ambiguous cards were scored with respect to time taken to react in each card and ability of the child to perceive figure and ground relationship i.e. centration and decentration. The observations showed that with increase in age, centration effect reduces and majority of the children start decentring their perception by middle childhood. Further, children in higher age group took lesser time to respond on different ambiguous cards. When the responses of well-nourished and undernourished children were compared for perceptual flexibility in terms of part-whole perception i.e. centration and decentration; no difference was observed between the two groups. There was a significant difference in the performance of well-nourished and undernourished children when time to respond on ambiguous card was compared. Well-nourished children took lesser time to respond on different ambiguous cards. These observations in general suggest that poor nutrition may result in impaired perceptual abilities in children.

Effect of Breakfast Eating Patterns and Anthropometric Measurements on Cognitive Function of Early Adolescents in Rural Area of <i>Sidama</i> Zone, Southern Ethiopia

“…Another study conducted in Philippines adolescents showed that mental ability of adolescents with good nutritional status was significantly higher than that of adolescents with poor nutritional status, as a whole, even when family income and mental ability were controlled [11]. Similarly, study conducted on perceptual development of adolescents in relation to nutritional status with the help of picture ambiguity test (PAT) reported that there was a significant difference in the performance of well nourished and undernourished adolescents during this test [44]. Similar study conducted on influence of malnutrition on social maturity, visual motor coordination and memory of rural school children in Varanasi district revealed that verbal performance and mean IQ score decreased with severity of malnutrition [45].…”

Nonthermal Effects of Microwaves in Organic Synthesis

“…Solvent-Free Synthesis of New OxoazetidinesSeveral new 4-aryl-3-chloro-1-[(5-nitroindazol-1-yl)acetamido]-2-oxoazetidines have been synthesized by a four-step sequential procedure[179] (Scheme 4.14). All steps involving neutral reactants under solvent-free conditions (consequently via polar TSs) were realized under the action of MW activation with serious improvements in yields and important reductions in reaction times.…”