Browsing by Author "De Smidt, Juley"

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    The association of BMI and blood pressure measurements with depressive and quality of life scores in university students
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Gamieldien, Ammaarah; De Smidt, Juley
    Depression is a very common and serious mental illness. Studies have shown that depression has a significant impact on both social and economic aspects of sufferers worldwide as well as in South Africa. Research has shown that university students in South Africa have a higher prevalence than the general South African population. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common and incapacitating form of depression. MDD is characterized as at least two weeks of a low mood that is apparentafter most situations. There are several contributing factors to depression as well as comorbidities which may lead to depression. When a patient suffers from depression along with another illness, it is described as the comorbidity of depression.
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    The effects of in utero exposure to teratogens on organ size: A prospective paediatric study
    (Cambridge University Press, 2021) De Smidt, Juley; Odendaal, H. J.; Nel, D. G.
    In low-income countries, prospective data on combined effects of in utero teratogen exposure are lacking and necessitates new research. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of in utero teratogen exposure on the size of the kidneys and pancreas 5 years after birth in a low-income paediatric population. Data was collected from 500 mother–child pairs from a lowincome setting. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, (BW) body height, midupper arm and waist circumference (WC). Clinical measurements included blood pressure (BP), mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Ultrasound measurements included pancreas, and kidney measurements at age 5 years. The main outcome of interest was the effect of maternal smoking and alcohol consumption on ultrasound measurements of organ size at age 5 years.
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    Investigating the relationship between iron deficiency and depressive symptoms in relation to the body compositions of students residing in the Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Govender, Kiyara; De Smidt, Juley
    Iron deficiency is the consequence of a prolonged diminished iron balance, whereby iron stores are no longer sufficient to meet the requirements of regular iron turnover. It is the most ubiquitous single nutrient deficiency, accounting for most cases of anaemia globally. Iron deficiency has been associated with cognitive impairments, including attention span, intelligence, emotions, and behaviour. Subsequently, the association between iron deficiency and depression was investigated.