Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Public Relations Crisis Management Plan Assignment

Essays on Public Relations Crisis Management Plan Assignment The paper "Public Relations Crisis Management Plan" is a wonderful example of an assignment on marketing. The explosion that occurred at an oilrig in the Great Barrier Reef poses a situation that can lead to the total collapse of the company. Although Hypothetical has been absolved from all the blame, it still has a significant social responsibility to the community and the people living in this area, as well as the whole world. The company needs a form of public ‘friendship’ in order to operate efficiently in the coming years, and obtain goodwill from governments, people, consumers, workers and even environmental experts who are all closely following the developments at the Great Barrier Reef.Although the problem has been technically solved, there still lies a considerable risk for the company, basing on previous experiences. The spill that occurred at the Gulf of Mexico in an oil rig owned by the giant oil company British Petroleum led to a massive backlash from all th e stakeholders. The company has faced numerous lawsuits, loss of consumer trusts and expensive compensation claims (Farrell, 2011, p.102). Although the crisis at the Great Barrier Reef is of a different scale compared to BP’s, there is a need to ensure that it is managed effectively to mitigate negative impaction.SWOT StrengthsHypothetical has managed to seal the exploded well; hence, there is no risk of further damage to the environment. In addition, the assessment of its other rigs throughout the world shows that there is no further risk to such a situation occurring and all the safety standards are keenly followed.WeaknessesThe company has already lost some employees and in the disaster and the massive spill has already taken some months to stop. Extensive damage to the ecosystem has already occurred.OpportunitiesAlthough damage has already occurred, the Australian government has been supportive, and everyone applauds the company’s effort to stop the leak. The company can use this opportunity and the media attention that it is receiving to portray itself positively among the people, hence helping to improve its brand name (Reid, 2006, p.75).ThreatsThe company is the obvious target for blame for all the events that have transpired and almost everyone is expecting that the company will own up to the mistake. There is also a risk that people are viewing the situation from the mindset that was formed after the spill that occurred at the gulf of Mexico pitying a corporation against the government, environmental organizations and the public.Target publics Primary publicsThe main targets for crisis communication are the government leaders, trade unions and the environmental concern groups. This is because they are the influential groups that understand the magnitude of the problem and are in the places of influence to the public (Lawrence Dan, 2005, p. 211). Trade unions need to be ensured of the safety of workers, considering that six people died in the accident, while the government is the one expected by the public to act on their behalf.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

How Animals Should Be Treated free essay sample

Animals should be treated with the same respect as humans†. It is a common belief that a human is superior to any other animal, mainly because of the extended intelligence that the former is gifted with. However, it is my strong conviction that all living things are worthy of the same respect and deserve to be treated with the same consideration. In the first place, I think that people should respect the whole creation of God, including animals. The fact that humans exist with them only means that they are all equals in the eyes of the divine providence, so they should all be respected and protected. Furthermore, it appears that animals have feelings and conscience too and having a pet as a companion can teach one a sense of responsibility. A striking example of their intelligence and nobility is the fact that pets are often specially trained to help their blind or deaf owners. We will write a custom essay sample on How Animals Should Be Treated or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In contrast, there are those who claim that, because animals are less evolved than humans, they do not possess the same awareness of the world and represent potential enemies. Were this true, animals would have already taken over the world as they do in the science fiction movies. While it cannot be denied that humans are the most intelligent and complex creatures on earth, it is my firm belief that animals also deserve respect and appreciation. I believe they are necessary in our lives, as we are in theirs. In 2012 there were 35 000 animal cruelty cases reported in the media all over the world. What is more, there are many atrocious videos posted on the internet in which animals are being ill-treated or killed. Statistically, one fifth of all domestic animals are not well treated. These facts arouse the question: ‘Should animals be treated with the same respect as humans? ’. In spite of the fact that animals are not conscious thinking creatures, they should be treated as humans because they are biologically similar to us and they are our companions. First and foremost, animals are biologically similar to humans. Their genetic code is similar to ours because it is made of the same nucleotides that encode amino acids. DNA is the carrier of genetic information in which our behaviour, appearance and genetic predispositions are encoded. Human and animals’ structure of DNA is almost the same. The best example is the DNA of the great apes which is in 95 percent similar to the human. Even though many people can say that animals do not feel anything, animals are able to feel pain, happiness or anger owing to the developed nervous system. The typical examples of that are a dog which howls when it feels pain and a cat which purrs when it is being stroked. Many experiments were held in which e. g. himpanzees were learnt how to count fruits shown on the screen and with the right answer they were getting a reward, and they were able to learn it which is the clear proof that they are able to learn certain conducts in the course of time. Furthermore, many species of animals are human companions. Choicely trained dogs are used to help blind people function in the world. Jack is one of the many people who without his dog would only have to stay at home and be dependent on his family. However, it is not the life that those people want to live and dogs are the unbeatable mean of helping them in their day-to-day activities.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Tourist Spots in the Philippines free essay sample

Introduction Tourism is all about the travel for pleasure that creates business because tourists need transportation, accommodation, food, entertainment, etc. that businessmen can provide. The tourism industry contributes in the economy of one country. Tourism industry gives them a large amount of dollar. There must be hotel accommodations that the travelers need and by this, there are lots of tourists attracted to those places because of their good accommodation. The tourism industry plays a big role in economy’s development and it may be affected by the many problems or issues of a country. On the other hand, new tourist attractions emerge constantly. As a tourist lure, prostitution has uplifted the economies of many nations. Ecotourism, the search for nature in the raw, may well become the prime tourist spot. The Republic of the Philippines is located in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Borneo and South of Taiwan. The island group has a total area slightly smaller than that of the British Isles. We will write a custom essay sample on Tourist Spots in the Philippines or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Cansilao 2 The largest island is Luzon. In the northern part of this island are high mountains. Central Luzon is a wide plain, where rice and sugar cane are grown. Southern Luzon has may active volcanoes. One of the famous is Mount Mayon. History Philippine tourism flourished in the 1970’s and early 1980’s but declined in the mid 1980’s, with the average length of tourist stay falling from 12. 6 days in earlier years to 8. 9 days in 1988. In 1987, tourism growth was slower in the Philippines than in other Southeast Asian countries. About 1. 2 million tourists visited the Philippines in 1992, which was recorded high in the number of tourist visits since 1989.

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Internship with and After-School Program

Internship with and After-School Program Free Online Research Papers I interned at Sesame Flyers Bildersee Beacon (SFBB) located at Isaac Bildersee Intermediate School in Brooklyn, New York. It accommodates participants ranging from grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The participants come from different schools. The building is equipped with an auditorium, gymnasium, cafeteria, classrooms, nurse’s office, and bathrooms. There are many after school programs throughout New York City. These programs were established to help working parents. Working parents who could not attend to their children when they are released from school. These after school programs ensure nutritionist meals, homework assistance and extra-curricular activities. You cannot expect to run an after school program unless you are equipped to handle the needs of the students. The staff has to be knowledgeable in several areas. The students’ are relying on the teachers and staff to protect them. The students’ safety and health is the number one priority to SFBB. On September 21, 2009, I started my internship at SFBB. I was excited to intern at SFBB because I work at Isaac Bildersee Intermediate School during the day. My responsibilities included ensuring nutritionist meals were eaten before the start of after school activities. Supervise and implement a structured activity with participants’ grades kindergarten through first. Assistance with homework in all academic subjects. I also implement extra-curricular activities upon completion of their homework. Prior to my first day at work, I was surprised to find that I was feeling anxious. My anxiety was based on a fear that there might be little or no structure, searching for assignments and feeling generally uncomfortable with my new situation. I was nervous because it was something I had never done before. Mrs. Dailey assigned me six students, three boys and three girls, Mikal 5, Kevin 6, Jamal 5, Cassandra 5, Mikaya 5, and Shatera 6. A teacher who has known me for the past five years from working in the same building knew it would be something I could handle. It was an experience that taught me to be open to trying new things. As the intern, I made sure all of my students did art projects, read books, played games, and participated in-group activities. It made the classroom a fun place and kept them interested in learning. The classrooms had desks. I allowed the students to pick where they sat because I wanted them to feel comfortable. â€Å"As the student, it is to your advantage to learn as much as possible about the agency and the way it serves its clientele†, (4th Ed., p 47). I feel that being organized it is easier to juggle the additional roles of being a student and a practicum intern. There is three items that I use in developing organizational skills: a day-by-day calendar, a pocket size notebook, and a daily to-do list. I use my calendar to record all appointments, deadlines, and crucial events. In my notebook, I jot down errands and tasks I need to do as they occur. On my to-do list, I jot what must be done in order for me to accomplish my goals. A typical day started at 3:00pm, I would greet my students and escort them to the cafeteria to eat a nutritionist meal before we go to our assigned classroom. At 4:00, we are in our classroom and doing their homework begins. I assisted with their homework when needed. Each classroom has three adults, eighteen students, and is assigned an activity, which changes on a daily basis. Free time in the gymnasium, African dance in the auditorium, arts and crafts projects, board games, and book read-aloud. My supervisor, Mrs. Donald was helpful to me during my internship. She was always eager to answer all my questions I had. I felt comfortable speaking with her. I knew I could approach her at any time, and she would stop what she was doing to show me I had her full attention. She always treated me as an equal staff member. I learned that being a teacher and supervisor to my students is a lot harder than I thought. I had to make the class fun, interesting and comfortable. My students had no problem voicing their opinions on what they didn’t like. We decided as a group what arts and crafts projects would be done, what books would be read, and what board games would be played. I felt involving the students showed them that their opinions mattered to me. The staff members treated me with respect and kindness. They gave me advice and included my students in projects and parties. They offered me help without me asking for it. We worked well as a team and knew we could count on each other. The students were friendly and happy to welcome me. If I saw them outside of SFBB, they would come up to me to say hello. I looked forward to volunteering each week. It was a wonderful environment to work in because of the staff and the students. I really enjoyed working with the children very much, and of course Mrs. Donald as well. I learned a lot about things like teaching arts and crafts projects, assisting with the homework, and doing the other extra-curricular activities. I think that this type of internship work was very beneficial. I do not regret for one second taking part in this internship. I am very thankful to have been able to do something such as this, and I believe it helped me to narrow my mind in the decisions I will make for my future in college. It was definitely a good start to broadening my horizons. Research Papers on Internship with and After-School ProgramStandardized TestingPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyHip-Hop is ArtTrailblazing by Eric AndersonEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesOpen Architechture a white paperThe Spring and AutumnThe Project Managment Office System

Friday, February 21, 2020

MHE509 Emergency Planning and Methodology Module 3 Case Essay

MHE509 Emergency Planning and Methodology Module 3 Case - Essay Example This paper will discuss and answer the following question: 4) What are a few of the most important consideration that should be taken into account when evaluating the decision making abilities of the incident Commander Can his decision making abilities be evaluated by a supervisor or other responsible person without the experience from having to perform in similar situations 1. Based on the statements presented above, do you believe that the new Department clearly recognizes the importance of local government in responding to and controlling small to moderate size disasters Please justify your position The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employs approximately 180,000 people. It has a daunting mission: lead the nation's unified effort to secure America which encompasses the deterrence and prevention of terrorist attacks and protection from and response to threats and hazards. The department ensures safe and secure borders and promotes the free flow of commerce. (Light, 2007) The DHS clearly recognizes the importance of local government in responding to and controlling small to moderate disasters. The department develops a comprehensive overview of American strategic interests and objectives for the security strategy. It identified the alternatives to implement the national security strategy by defining the security goals for American society, and by describing the internal and external policy instruments required. Furthermore, it identified the sequence of measures needed to respond to external threats. (Parachini, 2003)The DHS works in close coordination with the local go vernment. A clear example of this is that the DHS relies on the first responders such as EMS personnel, public works, fire and rescue and police agencies. Whenever an emergency arises, one of these local agencies is the first to get notified and/or arrive to the scene, and hence, these local agencies are heavily involved. The state homeland security directors' top strategy is to link interoperable communications for first responders. The second strategy is to merge the response strategies of state and local agencies. The third strategy is to develop a state intelligence fusion center where emergency responses can be analyzed and solved. The fourth strategy is to confirm and protect critical infrastructure. The Department of Homeland Security also helps state and local emergency management efforts by providing huge budgets in grants, and program support. A major case is the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) which is an all-hazards emergency preparedness grant program in s upport of capacity building at the state and local level. The Homeland Security Grant Program

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Abraham Lincoln (Sixteenth president) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Abraham Lincoln (Sixteenth president) - Essay Example Even though the great future speaker almost did not attend school he received a good self-taught education (BiographyShelf.com n.p.). During the Black Hawk War, Lincoln served as a captain in the U.S. army and later he tried himself at several political and business ventures (USA Presidents n.p.). Then he served four times in the Illinois State Legislature and was elected to Congress for two times in 1847 and 1849 (USA Presidents n.p.). During this period, Lincoln being a member of the U.S. House of Representatives he opposed the Mexican War (Marian n.p.) During the Presidential election of 1860, Lincoln took the post of the head of the country. Being born to parents who thought the slave trade despicable, the President issued the Emancipation proclamation in 1863 (USA Presidents n.p.). This proclamation excited rebellion in some states, in result of which there were enacted the 13th and 14th Amendments of the United States Constitution. Thus, Lincoln established the federal enforcement of civil rights and abolished slavery (USA Presidents n.p.). As a president, Abraham Lincoln was focused on the political and military dimensions of the war, showing tremendous leadership to the Union populace during the war (USA Presidents n.p.). Abraham Lincoln actively participated in the war and closely controlled the war effort (USA Presidents n.p.). Thus, he made the faithful decision to appoint an army commander General Ulysses S. Grant, who had applied his military skills and knowledge to bring about the close of the Civil War (USA Presidents n.p.). During the Civil War, the president held more power than any previous president did; he frequently imprisoned Southern spies without trial and suspended the writ of habeas corpus (USA Presidents n.p.). During Lincoln’s terms in office, he set up the Department of Agriculture and facilitated the setting up of agricultural and mechanical colleges in each state (Marian n.p. and BiographyShelf.com n.p). Also, Lincoln

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Government Guidelines for Nutrition

Government Guidelines for Nutrition Sarah Slack Unit Four Health Promotion and Development References 1 Department of Health. 1991. Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41. London: HMSO. 2 Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. 2003. Salt and Health. London: TSO. It is important that the under-5s get enough energy (calories) for growth and development. Childcare workers should therefore be sensitive to the needs of children who are fussy eaters or small eaters and ensure that these children are offered a good variety of food that they will accept. Age Average energy requirements in kcals (calories) per day: 1 year 935kcals 2 years 1,160kcals 3 years 1,430kcals 4 years 1,530kcals (Gregory JR, Collins DL, Davies PSW, Hughes JM, Clarke PC. 1995. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Children Aged 11/2 to 41/2 Years. Volume 1. Report of the Diet) Children in a childcare setting should always be encouraged to eat a varied diet. They should eat foods from each of the four main food groups every day. The four main food groups are: Bread, cereals and potatoes Fruit and vegetables Milk and dairy foods, Meat, fish and alternatives such as eggs, pulses (peas, beans and lentils) and soya. Vitamin C is important in maintaining good health and may have a role in helping the body to absorb iron if both nutrients are present in the same meal. Children should be encouraged to eat foods containing vitamin C at meals like fruit and fruit juices. Children who do not eat meat should have a varied diet containing foods such as cereals, pulses (peas, beans and lentils), vegetables and fruits. Children need nutritious snacks between meals. The best snacks are those which are low in sugar. A variety of snacks should be offered including fruit, vegetables, milk, yoghurt, any type of bread, and sandwiches with savoury fillings. When planning menus in a childcare setting you must consider children who have special needs. Some children may have particular dietary requirements or may need specific help with eating. Sarah Slack Food unsuitable for young children and babies There are many different foods which are unsuitable for young children and babies, such as: Salt Salt can be dangerous for babies as it can damage their kidneys. Salt should never be added to babies food. Stock cubes or gravy are high in salt so they should be avoided when making homemade food for babies. Pre-packaged food can contain high amounts of salt so the packaging should always be checked to ensure the salt intake isn’t too high. The table below shows the guidelines provided by the Food Standards Agency for salt consumption: Sugar Sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay in young children. Milk teeth which start to ‘come through’ when a child reaches the age of around 6 months are very susceptible to acid erosion from sugars. Research suggests that children are more sugar sensitive than adults, and the effects are more pronounced in younger children, according to Dr. Keith Conners, author of Feeding the Brain. This could be related to the fact that the brain grows rapidly in the preschool years, exaggerating the effects of sugar on behavior and learning. Honey Honey can contain a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum which can produce toxins in a baby’s intestines, leading to infant botulism, which is a very serious illness. The symptoms include: Constipation The child not wanting to feed or eat Suffering from lethargy These symptoms can take several months to appear after the spores have been consumed as the spores grow in the infant’s gastro-intestinal tract and as they grow the toxins are released into the blood stream. Once an infant reaches the age of one the intestines begin to develop ‘good’ bacteria which are able to fight off the bacteria. Nuts Whole nuts, including peanuts, should never be given to children under five as they can choke on them. As long as theres no history of food allergies or other allergies in a family a baby can be given peanuts once theyre six months old as long as they are crushed or ground into peanut butter. 1% of the population are affected by a peanut allergy and children that have a sibling which is affected have a greater risk of being affected themselves. Low fat foods Fat is an important source of calories and some vitamins for babies and young children. Until the age of two years children should be given whole fat milk, cheese, oily fish, yogurt and fromage frais. After the age of two the amount of fat in a child’s diet can gradually be decreased. Eggs Eggs should never be given to babies under 6 months old. Babies have a delicate intestinal system and they can react to the protein found in eggs. They can be given to babies over six months old, but they must be cooked until both the white and yolk are solid to prevent salmonella which can be very dangerous for young children. Saturated fat A child should never be given too many foods that are high in saturated fat such as crisps, chips, cheap burgers and cakes. Raw shellfish Raw shellfish can increase the risk of food poisoning so it’s should never be given to young babies and young children. They can contain salmonella bacteria which causes food poisoning. Swordfish, shark and marlin The amount of mercury in these fish can affect a baby’s growing nervous system so they should never be given to babies and children. Regular consumption above the recommended limits of fish containing high amounts of mercury can lead to a toxic build up and it can have a devastating effect on the central nervous system of babies and children, causing impairments with movements and cognitive brain function by displacement of essential neurons. Sarah Slack Record form for Dietary Requirements Child’s full name: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. Start date :†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Address :†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Home telephone number:†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Mobile:.. D.O.B†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Male/Female Age†¦ Please give any details of your child’s dietary requirements including any food allergies: Please give a detailed list of any food or drink which your child CAN NOT have: In the unlikely case that your child consumes any of these items please give details of any treatment that should be given: I confirm that I will keep the nursery staff informed if any of the needs or allergies detailed on this form change or are no longer applicable. Signed†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.ParentPrint Name†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Signed†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Child care providerPrint Name†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Sarah Slack Coeliac Disease Coeliac disease is intolerance to gluten and it is thought to affect around 1 in 100 people in the United Kingdom. It can affect people of all ages. Eating foods containing gluten can cause symptoms such as: Diarrhoea Bloating Feelingtired all the time, this is due to notgetting enough nutrients from food. Gluten can damage the lining of the intestines which prevents the absorption of nutrients from food. If this happens, a child can become malnourished and grow at a poor rate Flatulence Abdominal pain Weight loss Gluten is found in any food that contains wheat, rye and barley cereals, including: Pasta Cakes Breakfast cereals Most types of bread Certain types of sauces Some types of ready meals Any children with this condition should never be given these foods and the food they do eat should be well documented and checked for any gluten products. Potential long-term complications include: Osteoporosis(weakening of the bones) Iron deficiency (anaemia) Vitamin B12 and folate deficiency anaemia Sarah Slack Chronic Childhood Diseases There are various chronic diseases suffered by children which can have an effect on their mental and physical development. Some chronic childhood diseases that can effect development are: Diabetes Asthma Cerebral palsy Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Diabetes is a condition that prevents the body from properly using energy from food. It affects around 3.2 Million people in the UK. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin, or when the pancreas produces insulin, but it is resisted by the body. It is a lifelong condition that causes a persons blood sugar level to become too high. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, the bodys immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. As no insulin is produced, glucose levels increase, which canseriously damage the bodys organs. Type 1 diabetes is often knownas insulin-dependent diabetes. Its also sometimesknown asjuvenile diabetes because it usually develops before during theteenage years. If you are diagnosed withtype 1 diabetes, you will needinsulin injections for the rest of your life. Type 2 diabetes is where the body doesnt produce enough insulin, or the bodys cells dont react to insulin. This is known asinsulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes. If youre diagnosed withtype 2 diabetes, you may be able to control your symptoms by simply eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly,and monitoring your blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity. Obesity related diabetes is more common in older people. Diabetes can have various complications that can hamper development in children. These include diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. Its caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It can impair a child’s vision which can have a knock-on effect with their development, both physically and intellectually. Diabetic neuropathy can affect nerves in many different parts of the body. The most common early symptoms of the condition are numbness, tingling, or sharp pains in the feet or lower legs. Because nerve damage can happen anywhere in the body, problems can occur in almost any organ system, including the digestive tract, urinary system, eyes, and heart. Asthma Asthma is a common long-term condition that can cause coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and breathlessness. Asthma typically appears in childhood and around 1 in 10 children are affected. Asthma symptoms can get gradually or suddenly worse. This is known as an asthma attack. During an attack the airways become inflammed and narrow which constricts the child’s breathing. Some allergies such as pet hair and pollen cause trigger an attack. Asthma can hamper emotional and intellectual development depending on the severity of the disease. If a child has to miss time off school due to frequent asthma attacks this could cause the child to fall behind on school work and also important socialising. The attacks may also be frightening for the child which can affect them emotionally. This could lead to anxiety and stress which in turn could impact on a child’s life when growing up. Cerebral Palsy Cerebral palsy is caused by a problem in the parts of the brain responsible for controlling muscles. The conditioncan occur if the brain develops abnormally or is damaged before, during or shortly after birth. Causes of cerebral palsy include: An infection caught by the mother during pregnancy Bleeding in the baby’s brain Changes in the genes that affect the brains development A difficult or premature birth Many can children suffer visually and may have hearing impairment. It may also affect learning and delay growth. A child with cerebral palsy may be slower in achieving important developmental goals, such as learning to crawl, walk or speak. Cystic fibrosis Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder affecting the exocrine glands. It causes the production of abnormally thick mucus, leading to the blockage of the pancreatic ducts, intestines, and bronchi and often resulting in respiratory infection. It can lead to inadequate growth due to poor digestion which is a result of malnutrition. Symptoms usually begin in early childhood and include persistent cough, wheeze, repeated chest infections, malabsorption of food and general ill health. Treatments include antibiotics, physiotherapy, and mucus thinning medicines, pancreatic enzyme replacements and other therapies. It is a life threatening condition. Bibliography References Department of Health. 1991. Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 41. London: HMSO. Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. 2003. Salt and Health. London: TSO. Gregory JR, Collins DL, Davies PSW, Hughes JM, Clarke PC. 1995. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Children Aged 11/2 to 41/2 Years. Volume 1. Report of the Diet www.gdalabel.co.uk www.diabetes.co.uk Practical and Nutritional guidelines, Dr Helen Crawley www.kon.org.uk www.asthma.org.uk www.patient.co.uk