Research Lidia Casas Ruiz

Abstract

From noise-sensitive areas to oases of silence: with the large-scale citizen science project De Oorzaak, De Morgen (DM), the University Hospital Antwerp (UZA) and UAntwerpen are focusing on noise and noise perception in an urban environment. In 2024-2025, we will investigate how residents of different neighborhoods in Antwerp, Ghent and Leuven appreciate the environmental noise present. By means of questionnaires (subjective), smart sound sensors (objective) and medical research (UAntwerpen and UZA) we will classify which sounds are heard, what sound level these sounds have, how these sounds are experienced and what impact they have on health, stress, sleep and quality of life.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Vuye Cedric
• Co-promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia
• Co-promoter: Couscheir Karolien
• Co-promoter: de Bruijn Gert-Jan
• Co-promoter: Dens Nathalie
• Co-promoter: Hellinckx Peter
• Co-promoter: Lembrechts Jonas
• Co-promoter: Poels Karolien
• Co-promoter: Spacova Irina
• Co-promoter: Van Hal Guido
• Co-promoter: Vanoutrive Thomas

Research team(s)

• Sustainable Pavements and Asphalt Research (SuPAR)

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Background: Providing children with healthy meals at schools can benefit the health of children and can positively influence health behavior. However, most studies on this topic are cross-sectional and focus on the short-term effects. Recently, the city authorities of Antwerp invested 40 million euros in the project 'Smakelijke School'. The aim of the project is to provide children with healthy meals at school and consequently to improve the health of children. In Belgium, no studies are conducted yet to evaluate the process and impact of such interventions. The specific aims are: 1. To describe the intervention and implementation process in detail using the 'Template for Intervention Description and Replication' checklist and guideline (TIDieR). 2. Explore the attitudes and experiences of the schools, teachers, parents and children, focusing on feasibility, acceptability and perceived impact on eating behavior. 3. Explore the impact of the intervention on knowledge, attitude and habits (regarding diet and health) and well-being of children. 4. To measure the impact of the intervention on children's cognitive performance, blood pressure, anthropometry and behavior. Methods: • Intervention: In total, 4 schools (participating in the Smakelijke School project) will be included: two high-intensity intervened schools (defined as schools offering a healthy meal/snack every day) and two low-intensity intervened schools (defined as schools that offer a healthy meal/snack no more than twice a week). Low-intensity schools will be compared with high-intensity schools and within the schools children not taking the meals (intervention) will be compared with children taking the meals. • Participants and setting: We will invite schools starting in September 2023. The school management (principals), teachers, children of the 4th grade and their parents will be invited to participate. Work package 1: quantitative assessments • Measurements: o Cognitive function tests: Stroop Test (selective attention), Continuous Performance Test (attention and concentration), Memory Span Test (short-term memory), Digit Symbol Test (information processing), Signal Detection Test (visual information processing). o Anthropometrics (height, weight and fat percentage) and blood pressure measurement o SDQ, KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire and KAH-questionnaire (knowledge, attitude and habits) regarding food. o Questionnaire for the parents to gather information on individual socio-economic status and child general health and physical activity. Work package 2: qualitative assessments In the first phase of the qualitative aspect, we will describe the intervention and the implementation process and conduct interviews with the school management, teachers, children and parents. Based on the results from the quantitative part (WP 1) of this study, we will select the participants needed to continue the qualitative part of this study. We will organize observations in the schools, focus groups and a class conversation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Bastiaens Hilde
• Co-promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia
• Co-promoter: Glazemakers Inge
• Co-promoter: Penalvo José Luis

Research team(s)

• Primary and interdisciplinary care Antwerp (ELIZA)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

COOLSCHOOLS is a transdisciplinary applied urban research project that examines the transformative potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to support the creation of climate shelters in European school environments. We assess how nature-based climate shelters can drive social-ecological transformations towards urban sustainability, climate resilience, social justice, and quality education at multiple urban scales (from schools to metropolitan region) and translate them into practical building capacity for school communities and beyond. Building on pioneering pilot NBS projects of school transformation in Barcelona, Brussels, Paris, and Rotterdam, COOLSCHOOLS unravels the specificities of each context and finds common patterns related to climate shelters transformation capacities, focusing on marginalized groups. Through participatory and co-creation methodologies, we propose an interdisciplinary approach that combines natural, bio-medical, social, and education sciences. To further promote a holistic approach to school climate shelters transformation capacities, we will actively disseminate the pilots' best practice and key learnings among city governments, urban planners, companies, school communities and other relevant stakeholders. The consortium's cross-sectoral composition ensures active multi-stakeholder involvement through an urban living lab and other co-engagement actions, that are planned to boost reflection and learning, and the wider use of COOLSCHOOLS outputs.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia

Research team(s)

• Social Epidemiology & Health Policy (SEHPO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The effects of green spaces on respiratory health are unclear. Potential reasons for inconsistencies across studies are the study design (cross-sectional or short follow-ups), exposure measurement being limited to the residence, and limited consideration of potential mediators and modifiers (e.g. oxidative stress, maternal stress during pregnancy). Therefore, we propose a longitudinal study investigating the association of early life exposure to green spaces with respiratory outcomes up to adulthood. This project is based on a recently granted FWO project (see application). The project will use the PIPO birth cohort, containing information from birth to adolescence on the development of allergies, respiratory symptoms, lung function, anthropometrics, and allergic sensitization. This project will add an early adulthood (20-24y) follow-up to the PIPO-data. Addresses (residences, day care/school/work) will be linked to measures of land use and greenness (Corine Land Cover, NDVI, etc.), and air pollutants. Further, measures of oxidative stress (9y) will be done using existing samples. Using that data, we will consider mediation effects of air pollution, body mass index, and oxidative stress during childhood. Direct and indirect effects of early life exposure to green spaces will be assessed through mediation analyses.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia

Research team(s)

• Social Epidemiology & Health Policy (SEHPO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The effects of green spaces on allergy and respiratory health are unclear. Potential reasons for inconsistencies across studies are the study design (cross-sectional or short follow-ups), exposure measurement being limited to the residence, and limited consideration of potential mediators and modifiers (e.g. oxidative stress, maternal stress during pregnancy). Therefore, we propose a longitudinal study investigating the association of early life exposure to green spaces with respiratory and allergic outcomes up to adulthood. The project will use the PIPO birth cohort, containing information on early life exposure to residential green spaces, and the development of allergies, respiratory symptoms, lung function anthropometrics, and allergic sensitization from birth to adulthood. This project will add an early adulthood (20-24y) follow-up to the PIPO-data. Addresses (residences, day care/school/work) will be linked to measures of land use and greenness (Corine Land Cover, NDVI, etc.), and air pollutants. Further, measures of oxidative stress (9y) and cortisol in newborn hair (maternal stress) will be done using existing samples. Using that data, we will consider mediation effects of air pollution, body mass index, maternal stress during pregnancy, and oxidative stress during childhood. Direct and indirect effects of early life exposure to green spaces will be assessed through mediation analyses, and effect modification by maternal stress during pregnancy will be tested.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Casas Ruiz Lidia

Research team(s)

• Social Epidemiology & Health Policy (SEHPO)

Project type(s)

• Research Project