Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- intervention /in-ter-VEN-shuhn/
- preventive /pri-VEN-tiv /
- profound /pruh-FOUND/
- immune system /uh-MYOON SI-stm/
- infant /IN-fuhnt/
[noun] – the action of becoming intentionally involved in a difficult situation, in order to improve it or prevent it from getting worse
The counselor provided an intervention for the student struggling with academic challenges, offering guidance and support.
[adjective] – intended to stop something before it happens
Regular exercise and a healthy diet are important preventive measures against various chronic health conditions.
[adjective] – felt or experienced very strongly or in an extreme way
The loss of a loved one can lead to a profound sense of grief and sadness.
[noun] – the cells and tissues in the body that make it able to protect itself against infection
A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support and strengthen the immune system.
[noun] – a baby or a very young child
The infant was peacefully asleep in the crib, wrapped in a soft blanket.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Mothers who adhered to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy saw significant enhancements in their children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development by age 2, compared to those whose mothers did not follow the diet, as revealed by a recent randomized clinical trial. Dr. Francesca Crovetto, a postdoctoral researcher at the BCNatal Fetal Medicine Research Center in Spain, emphasized the impact of lifestyle interventions on child neurodevelopment, a field that lacked prior comprehensive studies. Dr. Miguel Martínez-González, a professor of preventive medicine and public health in Spain, lauded the Mediterranean diet, calling it the dietary model with the most robust scientific backing and citing its various health benefits, including reducing the risk of diabetes, dementia, and depression.
Additionally, children born to mothers who participated in stress-reduction classes during pregnancy displayed higher levels of social and emotional well-being during toddlerhood compared to children of mothers who did not undergo such training. Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, highlighted the profound physiological effects of stress on the hormonal, endocrine, nervous, and immune systems, emphasizing its implications for fetal and neonatal development. The study tracked children born to 1,221 high-risk mothers who participated in a clinical trial spanning from February 2017 to March 2020. This initiative aimed to address the risk of infants being born underweight, a significant contributor to infant mortality. The results showcased the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet and stress-reduction practices on both infant development and birth weights, offering critical insights into optimizing prenatal care.
Additionally, children born to mothers who participated in stress-reduction classes during pregnancy displayed higher levels of social and emotional well-being during toddlerhood compared to children of mothers who did not undergo such training. Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, highlighted the profound physiological effects of stress on the hormonal, endocrine, nervous, and immune systems, emphasizing its implications for fetal and neonatal development. The study tracked children born to 1,221 high-risk mothers who participated in a clinical trial spanning from February 2017 to March 2020. This initiative aimed to address the risk of infants being born underweight, a significant contributor to infant mortality. The results showcased the positive impact of the Mediterranean diet and stress-reduction practices on both infant development and birth weights, offering critical insights into optimizing prenatal care.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or anyone you know ever followed a specific diet during pregnancy? If yes, what was the experience like, and did you notice any effects on the child’s development? If not, do you think following a specific diet during pregnancy would be beneficial for the mother and child’s health? Why or why not?
- Have you ever participated in stress-reduction classes or activities during pregnancy or know someone who has? If yes, do you think such classes would be beneficial for expecting mothers? Why or why not? If not, how do you think such practices could contribute to the well-being of both the mother and the child?
- Would you consider adopting or recommending the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy based on the findings of this study?
- The study highlights the positive impact of both the Mediterranean diet and stress-reduction practices on infant development and birth weights. How might these interventions address the underlying risks associated with infants being born underweight, and why is this significant for infant mortality rates?
- Dr. Miguel Martínez-González asserts that the Mediterranean diet has robust scientific backing and offers various health benefits. In your opinion, what are some other well-researched dietary models that have demonstrated positive effects on health outcomes?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- clinical
- pregnancy
- initiative
- well-being
- cognitive, social, and emotional development