Ethnic differences in food availability at home among 3--5 year old preschoolers attending Head Start centers in 2008

Background. The childhood obesity epidemic has disproportionately impacted the lives of low-income, minority preschoolers and their families. Research shows that parents play a major role as "gatekeepers" who control what food is brought into the home and as role models for dietary practices. Currently, there is limited research regarding ethnic differences in families of low-income preschoolers. ^ Objective. The objective of this study was to look at ethnic differences in food availability at home among the low-income families of Hispanic and African American preschoolers attending Head Start centers in Harris County, Texas. ^ Design/Subjects. Descriptive data on food availability at home between Hispanic and African American families were used and analyzed for this study. Parents or primary caregivers (n = 718) of children enrolled at Head Start Centers in Houston, Texas completed the Healthy Home Survey. ^ Methods. In the Healthy Home Survey, participants were asked to answer open-ended questions regarding various types of foods currently available at home, such as fresh, canned or jarred, dried and frozen fruits; fresh, canned or jarred, and frozen vegetables; salty snacks, sweet snacks, candy, and soda. Descriptive analyses were conducted to identify significant differences between Hispanics and African Americans via a paired t-test to compare the means of variables between the study groups and a Pearson's chi-square or Fischer's exact (if cell size was <5) test calculated for food availability (food types) between ethnicities to determine differences in distributions. ^ Results. Although both Hispanics and African Americans reported having all categories of food types at home, there were statistically significant differences between ethnic groups. Hispanics were more likely to have fresh fruits and vegetables at home than African Americans. At the same time, more African American families reported having canned or jarred fruits and canned green/leafy vegetables than Hispanics. More Hispanic families reported having diet, regular, and both diet and regular sodas available compared to African American families. However, high percentages of unhealthy foods (including snacks and candy) were reported by both ethnicities. ^ Conclusions. The findings presented in this study indicate the implicit ethnic differences that exist in the food availability among low-income families of Hispanic and African American preschoolers. Future research should investigate the associations between food availability and children's weight status by ethnicity to identify additional differences that may exist.^

Commentary on "Alternative Strategies for Identifying High-Performing Charter Schools in Texas"

In the last few years policy makers and practitioners nationally have shown much interest in identifying, recognizing, and replicating successful charter schools, many of which are showing that they can educate low-income and otherwise at-risk students remarkably well. However past efforts to identify high performing schools have been problematic. Using these systematic, rigorous value-added methods, the authors identify 44 Open Enrollment charter schools that merit a “high-performer” rating. Nearly all of those campuses identified serve a disadvantaged student population. The article also finds that most of those high performers are highly cost-effective, earning high ratings on the cost-efficiency measures. The authors argue for more widespread use of value-added modeling in the state accountability system. The approach taken to identifying high-performers is sensible and fair, but any formulaic approach to school labels comes with some limitations.

Pediatric asthma incidence in Texas and associations with ambient ozone levels in an urban area an analysis using Medicaid claims data

Few recent estimates of childhood asthma incidence exist in the literature, although the importance of incidence surveillance for understanding asthma risk factors has been recognized. Asthma prevalence, morbidity and mortality reports have repeatedly shown that low-income children are disproportionately impacted by the disease. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the utility of Medicaid claims data for providing statewide estimates of asthma incidence. Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX) data for Texas children ages 0-17 enrolled in Medicaid between 2004 and 2007 were used to estimate incidence overall and by age group, gender, race and county of residence. A 13+ month period of continuous enrollment was required in order to distinguish incident from prevalent cases identified in the claims data. Age-adjusted incidence of asthma was 4.26/100 person-years during 2005-2007, higher than reported in other populations. Incidence rates decreased with age, were higher for males than females, differed by race, and tended to be higher in rural than urban areas. With this study, we were able to demonstrate the utility of MAX data for estimating asthma incidence, and create a dataset of incident cases to use in further analysis. ^ In subsequent analyses, we investigated a possible association between ambient air pollutants and incident asthma among Medicaid-enrolled children in Harris County Texas between 2005 and 2007. This population is at high risk for asthma, and living in an area with historically poor air quality. We used a time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression to calculate odds ratios, adjusted for weather variables and aeroallergens, to assess the effect of increases in ozone, NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations on risk of developing asthma. Our results show that a 10 ppb increase in ozone was significantly associated with asthma during the warm season (May-October), with the strongest effect seen when a 6-day cumulative lag period was used to compute the exposure metric (OR=1.05, 95% CI, 1.02–1.08). Similar results were seen for NO2 and PM 2.5 (OR=1.07, 95% CI, 1.03–1.11 and OR=1.12, 95% CI, 1.03–1.22, respectively). PM2.5 also had significant effects in the cold season (November-April), 5-day cumulative lag: OR=1.11, 95% CI, 1.00–1.22. When compared with children in the lowest quartile of O3 exposure, the risk for children in the highest quartile was 20% higher. This study indicates that these pollutants are associated with newly-diagnosed childhood asthma in this low-income urban population, particularly during the summer months. ^

Effectiveness of a nutrition education program for women in a residential program after incarceration

Background: The number of incarcerated women has increased dramatically over the past two decades. During their stay in prison, the medical and nutritional needs of these women are frequently ignored. Overweight or obesity related to poor dietary habits and low-income status are important risk factors for health inequities. Women in this population are at risk for dietary-related chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This is an indication that there is a need for nutrition education in this population. ^ Purpose: The purpose of this study was to provide an evidence-based nutrition education program at a facility for previously incarcerated women in Downtown Houston, Texas (Brigid's Hope). This nutrition education program focused on promoting better health and prevention of chronic diseases by increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and healthy eating on a limited budget. Constructs such as knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers were evaluated as well as acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability of the program. ^ Methods: The Hope for Health Nutrition Education Program occurred in four weekly sessions at Brigid's Hope. The evaluation design was a one-group quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-test measures. Identical pre- and post-tests were administered before and after the intervention. A total of 11 residents and 2 staff members participated in the study. Results: After four nutrition education sessions, post-tests revealed an overall increase in knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy scores, and decrease in perceived barrier scores towards FV consumption. Changes in skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers scores were found to be statistically significant. Participant satisfaction surveys revealed overall high satisfaction of the program and that continuing the program in the future would be possible with support from staff member and mentors. ^ Conclusions: Results from this study show that a nutrition education program can have positive effects towards knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers towards FV consumption for previously incarcerated women. The high satisfaction for this program shows that a health promotion program with focus on diet and nutrition can play an important role in helping this unique population of women re-enter society.^

The impact of parent acculturation on parental fruit and vegetable intake, child fruit and vegetable intake, and child perceived access and availability to fruits and vegetables in the home environment

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the association between parent acculturation and parental fruit and vegetable intake, child fruit and vegetable intake, and child access and availability to fruits and vegetables. Secondary data analysis was performed on a convenience sample of low-income Hispanic-identifying parents (n = 177) and children from a baseline survey from the Sprouting Healthy Kids intervention. T tests were used to examine the association between parent acculturation status (acculturated or non-acculturated) and fruit intake, vegetable intake and combined fruit and vegetable intake of both the parent and the child. T tests were also used to determine the relationship between parent acculturation and child access and availability to fruits, vegetables, and combined fruits and vegetables. Statistical significance was set at a p level of 0.05. The mean FVI for the parents and children were 3.41 servings and 2.96 servings, respectively. Statistical significance was found for the relationships between parent acculturation and parent fruit intake and parent acculturation and child fruit access. Lower acculturation of the parent was significantly related to higher fruit intake. Counter to the hypothesis, higher acculturation was found to be associated with greater access to fruits for the child. These findings suggest the necessity for not only culturally specific nutrition interventions, but the need for interventions to target behaviors for specific levels of acculturation within a culture. ^

Dengue transmission risk maps of the continental United States

Dengue fever is a strictly human and non-human primate disease characterized by a high fever, thrombocytopenia, retro-orbital pain, and severe joint and muscle pain. Over 40% of the world population is at risk. Recent re-emergence of dengue outbreaks in Texas and Florida following the re-introduction of competent Aedes mosquito vectors in the United States have raised growing concerns about the potential for increased occurrences of dengue fever outbreaks throughout the southern United States. Current deficiencies in vector control, active surveillance and awareness among medical practitioners may contribute to a delay in recognizing and controlling a dengue virus outbreak. Previous studies have shown links between low-income census tracts, high population density, and dengue fever within the United States. Areas of low-income and high population density that correlate with the distribution of Aedes mosquitoes result in higher potential for outbreaks. In this retrospective ecologic study, nine maps were generated to model U.S. census tracts’ potential to sustain dengue virus transmission if the virus was introduced into the area. Variables in the model included presence of a competent vector in the county and census tract percent poverty and population density. Thirty states, 1,188 counties, and 34,705 census tracts were included in the analysis. Among counties with Aedes mosquito infestation, the census tracts were ranked high, medium, and low risk potential for sustained transmission of the virus. High risk census tracts were identified as areas having the vector, ≥20% poverty, and ≥500 persons per square mile. Census tracts with either ≥20% poverty or ≥500 persons per square mile and have the vector present are considered moderate risk. Census tracts that have the vector present but have <20% poverty and <500 persons per square mile are considered low risk. Furthermore, counties were characterized as moderate risk if 50% or more of the census tracts in that county were rated high or moderate risk, and high risk if 25% or greater were rated high risk. Extreme risk counties, which were primarily concentrated in Texas and Mississippi, were considered having 50% or greater of the census tracts ranked as high risk. Mapping of geographic areas with potential to sustain dengue virus transmission will support surveillance efforts and assist medical personnel in recognizing potential cases. ^

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: A policy analysis of restricting foods with minimal nutritional value

In 2011, expenditures for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reached an all-time high of $72 billion. The goal of SNAP is " to alleviate hunger and malnutrition…by increasing food purchasing power for all eligible households who apply for participation." It has been well established that proper nutrition is essential to good health, making SNAP an important program to public health consumers. Thus, this analysis examined whether SNAP is meeting its stated goal and whether the goal would be reduced if the purchase of foods of minimal nutritional value (FMNV) were restricted. ^ A review of existing literature found that SNAP has been shown to alleviate hunger, but the studies on the nutritional impact of the program were not sufficient to assert whether change is needed. When considering whether limiting FMNV would reduce or improve the effectiveness of SNAP at alleviating hunger and malnutrition, there is very little information on which to base a policy change, particular one that singles out a low income group to restrict purchases. ^ Several states have attempted to restrict the purchase of FMNV but, to date, no such change has been implemented or tested. Conducting pilot studies on the restriction of FMNV, along with better data collection on SNAP purchases, would guide policy changes to the program. Although there are many potential public health benefits to restricting FMNV purchase using SNAP dollars, research is needed to quantify the cost impact of these benefits.^

Teaching safety at a summer camp: Evaluation of a children's fire safety curriculum in an urban community setting

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Danger Rangers Fire Safety Curriculum in increasing the fire safety knowledge of low-income, minority children in pre-kindergarten to third grade in Austin, TX during a summer day camp in 2007.^ Methods: Data was collected from child participants via teacher and researcher administered tests at pretest, posttest (immediately after the completion of the fire safety module), and at a 3 week follow-up to asses retention. In addition, a self-administered questionnaire was collected from parents pre- and post-intervention to assess home-related fire/burn risk factors. Paired t-tests were conducted using STATA 12.0 to evaluate pretest, posttest, and retention test mean scores as well as mean fire safety rules listed by grade group. McNemar's test was used to determine if there was a difference in fire-related risk factors as reported by the parents of the participants before and after the intervention. Only those who had paired data for the tests/surveys being compared were included in the analysis.^ Results: The first/second grade group and the third grade group scored significantly higher on fire safety knowledge on the posttest compared to the pretest (p<0.0001 for both groups). However, there was no significant change in knowledge scores for the pre-kindergarten to kindergarten group (p=0.14). Among the first/second grade group, knowledge levels did not significantly decline between the posttest and retention test (p=0.25). However, the third grade group had significantly lower fire safety knowledge scores on the retention test compared to the posttest (p<0.001). A similar increase was seen in the amount of fire safety rules listed after the intervention (p<0.0001 between pre and posttest for both the first/second grade and third grade groups), with no decline from the posttest to the retention test (p=0.50) for the first/second grade group, but a significant decline in the third grade group (p=0.001). McNemar's chi-square test showed a significant increase in the percentage of participants' parents reporting smoke detector testing on a regular basis and having a fire escape plan for their family after the intervention (p=0.01 and p<0.0001, respectively). However, there was no significant change in the frequency of reports of the child playing in the kitchen while the parent cooks or the house/apartment having a working smoke detector.^ Conclusion: We found that general fire safety knowledge improved and the number of specific fire safety rules increased among the first to third grade children who participated in the Danger Rangers fire safety program. However, it did not significantly increase general fire safety knowledge among the pre-k/k group. This study also showed that a program targeted towards children has the potential to influence familial risk factors by proxy. The Danger Rangers Fire Safety Curriculum should be further evaluated by conducting a randomized controlled trial, using valid measures that assess fire safety attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, as well as fire/burn related outcomes.^

Student consumption of a la carte foods during school lunch meals

The purpose of this study was to evaluate students' lunch consumption compared to NSLP guidelines, the contribution of competitive foods to calorie intake at lunch, and the differences in nutrient and food group intake between the a la carte food consumers and non- a la carte food consumers.^ In Fall 2011, 1170 elementary and 440 intermediate students were observed anonymously during school lunch. The foods eaten, their source, grade level, and gender were recorded. All a la carte offerings met the Texas School Nutrition Policy.^ Differences in nutrient and food group intake by grade level and between students who consumed a la carte and those who did not were assessed using ANCOVA. A chi-squared analysis was conducted to evaluate differences in a la carte food consumption by grade level, gender, and the school's low income status.^ Average lunch intakes for elementary students were 457 (SD 164) calories for elementary students and 541 calories (SD 188) for intermediate students (p<0.001). 760 students (47%) consumed 937 a la carte foods, with the most often consumed items being chips (32%), ice cream (22%) and snack items (18%). Mean a la carte food intakes were 60 and 98 calories for elementary and intermediate schools respectively (p<0.001). Significantly more (p<0.000) intermediate students (34.3%) consumed a la carte items compared to elementary students (27.5%).^ Students who consumed a la carte foods had significantly higher intakes of calories (p<0.000), fat (p<0.000), sodium (p<0.002), fiber (p<0.000), added sugar (p<0.000), total grains (p<0.000), dessert foods (p<0.000), and snack chips (p<0.000) and lower intakes of vitamin A (p<0.001), iron (p<0.000), fruit (p<0.022), vegetables (p<0.031), milk (p<0.000), and juice (p<0.000) compared to students who did not eat a la carte foods.^ Although previous studies have found that reducing availability of unhealthy items at school decreased student consumption of these items, the results of this study indicate that even the strict guidelines set forth by the state of Texas are not sufficient to prevent increased caloric intake and poor nutrient intake. Strategies to improve student selection and consumption at school lunch when a la carte foods are available are warranted.^

Significado de la pérdida de peso en pacientes hospitalizados

La pérdida involuntaria de peso es un predictor independiente de morbimortalidad, especialmente en ancianos, pacientes con cáncer, SIDA y postoperatorios. Con el objeto de determinar la significación clínica de la pérdida de peso en pacientes internados, se estudiaron 100 pacientes. La edad media fue de 57.6 años (DS±11.04); 38% mayores de 65 años y 62% hombres. La permanencia hospitalaria media fue de 13 días, superior a la media del servicio (7,3 días). El 61% pertenecían a clase social baja y 25% eran desocupados. En el 100% fue involuntaria y en ninguno fue causa de hospitalización. Tenían hiporexia 61 pacientes y 57 malnutrición. El IMC fue inferior a 20 en el 50% de los casos. La causa fue determinada en el 70% y en 72% se relacionó con la enfermedad de base, en 27% con trastornos alimentarios y con fármacos en 1%. Las etiologías más frecuentes fueron: neoplasias (34 pacientes), enfermedades crónicas (24), TBC (3) y SIDA (3). El 46% desarrollaron infecciones nosocomiales y el 100% tenían comórbidas (alcoholismo 26%, depresión 22%, diabetes 20%, EPOC 11%, insuficiencia cardiaca, cirrosis y demencia 8% c/u e insuficiencia renal 6%). La mortalidad fue del 18% y las causas más frecuentes fueron sepsis severa, fallo multiorgánico y neoplasias. Conclusiones: La pérdida significativa de peso en el paciente hospitalizado se caracterizó por ser involuntaria, asociada a clase social baja, a malnutrición, a alta taza de comorbilidad, a predisposición a infecciones nosocomiales, secundaria a enfermedades crónicas, neoplasias, tuberculosis y SIDA y a una tasa de mortalidad elevada.

Lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas. El Partido de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre 1990 y 2010

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de las lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas y su impronta en la organización futura de las ciudades medias, tendiente al logro de una relación armónica entre la actividad residencial y las otras actividades socioeconómicas que se presentan en dichas áreas, en la presente Tesis doctoral se aborda el estudio del proceso de expansión residencial que se han venido desarrollando en el espacio periurbano del Partido de La Plata desde principios de los años '90 hasta nuestros días. Para tal fin, se profundiza en el estudio de espacios periurbanos, caracterizados por su dinamismo, heterogeneidad y complejidad. En relación a los espacios residenciales que se desarrollan en estas áreas periféricas del Partido, fueron reconocidas tres tendencias diferenciadas: a) el proceso de urbanización cerrada, con tendencias al aislamiento de viviendas y complejos habitacionales, b) la "producción de periferia" relacionada con los sectores de población que no consiguen acceder al mercado formal de la tierra y la vivienda, asociada por lo general a modalidades de asentamiento espontáneo; y c) la ocupación gradual de baldíos urbanos con escasa o nula provisión de servicios y redes de infraestructura. En la presente Tesis se profundizará en las dos primeras de estas modalidades expansivas, indagándose en las lógicas de los distintos actores -sociales, políticos y económicos- que intervienen en el proceso urbano expansivo que hemos denominado "formal cerrado" e "informal abierto", respectivamente. La hipótesis que guía nuestro trabajo plantea que la expansión urbana en el Partido de La Plata trae aparejada una competencia por el territorio entre diferentes usos del suelo y actividades, con el consecuente incremento en los precios de la tierra, abandono de los sectores de bajos ingresos como habitantes originales y disminución del uso de tierra rural. Para dar respuesta a los objetivos e hipótesis planteados en nuestra Tesis, los criterios metodológicos adoptados parten de considerar al territorio como un sistema complejo. En este marco, el abordaje desde una visión sistémica y de la complejidad de nuestro objeto de estudio necesita de un abordaje dialéctico y de la convergencia metodológica para obtener distintos puntos de vista sobre el mismo. En el desarrollo de esta Tesis se han utilizado como herramientas de investigación: el método del estudio de caso, la construcción tipológica, la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, la utilización de modelos y la construcción de escenarios urbanos. Finalmente, producto de estos años de investigación en la temática, se arribó a las siguientes conclusiones, que han sido estructuradas en cinco apartados principales en función de su carácter predominantemente teórico, empírico, metodológico y/o propositivo, a saber: 1. el periurbano: ¿espacio de competencia o complementariedad?; 2. la construcción de tipologías como camino explicativo en materia de espacios periurbanos; 3. las lógicas residenciales periféricas: la "privatópolis" y la "precariópolis"; 4. las tendencias residenciales periféricas y los desafíos de la planificación urbana, y 5. nuevos interrogantes y perspectivas surgidos de esta Tesis.

Ir a la escuela en búsqueda de una certeza : Una aproximación a los vínculos entre familias y escuelas en sectores populares

El trabajo indaga las representaciones y valoraciones de la escuela por parte de familias de sectores populares, en un escenario de transformaciones sociales profundas, que impactaron en la vida cotidiana de los sujetos. Para esto, se realizaron entrevistas a miembros adultos de familias que habitan un barrio de la ciudad de La Plata. Los relatos de los padres entrevistados expresan las fragilidades de las experiencias escolares de sus hijos -vinculadas principalmente a las situaciones de agresión o discriminación-; pero al mismo tiempo muestran una fuerte valoración de la educación. Esta valoración se ancla en razones más históricas, como la integración social o la vinculación entre la educación y el trabajo; y en motivos más coyunturales, como la búsqueda de provisión y contención frente a la incertidumbre del presente. A diferencias de un lugar común que muestra a los padres en una posición pasiva o indiferente frente a un campo escolar fragmentado, este estudio muestra que los padres en sectores populares desarrollan distintas respuestas para evitar la segregación, buscando una educación de calidad para sus hijos

El empleo de bajos ingresos en la Argentina : Caracterización regional entre 2003 y 2010

Este artículo se ocupa del empleo de bajos ingresos (EBI), entendiéndose por tal al trabajo asalariado cuya remuneración se sitúa por debajo de determinados umbrales. Los umbrales considerados aquí fueron el Salario Mínimo Vital y Móvil y la mitad del ingreso promedio de los trabajadores asalariados de jornada completa. Con datos de la Encuesta Permanente de Hogares de la Argentina para el período 2003-2010, se ha determinado la magnitud del EBI, las diferencias entre las ciudades cubiertas por la encuesta, la asociación del EBI con otras variables y, por último, sus microdeterminantes. Entre las conclusiones más relevantes se pueden mencionar las siguientes: el EBI afecta, en todo el país, a un rango que va del 16 al 26 de los trabajadores asalariados; es muy dispar por ciudad de residencia; está fuertemente asociado a la incidencia del trabajo no registrado; y, a pesar del fuerte aumento de la registración entre 2003 y 2010, no ha cedido en la misma proporción que la informalidad.

Lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas. El Partido de La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, entre 1990 y 2010

Con el propósito de contribuir al conocimiento de las lógicas y tendencias de la expansión residencial en áreas periurbanas y su impronta en la organización futura de las ciudades medias, tendiente al logro de una relación armónica entre la actividad residencial y las otras actividades socioeconómicas que se presentan en dichas áreas, en la presente Tesis doctoral se aborda el estudio del proceso de expansión residencial que se han venido desarrollando en el espacio periurbano del Partido de La Plata desde principios de los años '90 hasta nuestros días. Para tal fin, se profundiza en el estudio de espacios periurbanos, caracterizados por su dinamismo, heterogeneidad y complejidad. En relación a los espacios residenciales que se desarrollan en estas áreas periféricas del Partido, fueron reconocidas tres tendencias diferenciadas: a) el proceso de urbanización cerrada, con tendencias al aislamiento de viviendas y complejos habitacionales, b) la "producción de periferia" relacionada con los sectores de población que no consiguen acceder al mercado formal de la tierra y la vivienda, asociada por lo general a modalidades de asentamiento espontáneo; y c) la ocupación gradual de baldíos urbanos con escasa o nula provisión de servicios y redes de infraestructura. En la presente Tesis se profundizará en las dos primeras de estas modalidades expansivas, indagándose en las lógicas de los distintos actores -sociales, políticos y económicos- que intervienen en el proceso urbano expansivo que hemos denominado "formal cerrado" e "informal abierto", respectivamente. La hipótesis que guía nuestro trabajo plantea que la expansión urbana en el Partido de La Plata trae aparejada una competencia por el territorio entre diferentes usos del suelo y actividades, con el consecuente incremento en los precios de la tierra, abandono de los sectores de bajos ingresos como habitantes originales y disminución del uso de tierra rural. Para dar respuesta a los objetivos e hipótesis planteados en nuestra Tesis, los criterios metodológicos adoptados parten de considerar al territorio como un sistema complejo. En este marco, el abordaje desde una visión sistémica y de la complejidad de nuestro objeto de estudio necesita de un abordaje dialéctico y de la convergencia metodológica para obtener distintos puntos de vista sobre el mismo. En el desarrollo de esta Tesis se han utilizado como herramientas de investigación: el método del estudio de caso, la construcción tipológica, la realización de entrevistas semiestructuradas y en profundidad, la utilización de modelos y la construcción de escenarios urbanos. Finalmente, producto de estos años de investigación en la temática, se arribó a las siguientes conclusiones, que han sido estructuradas en cinco apartados principales en función de su carácter predominantemente teórico, empírico, metodológico y/o propositivo, a saber: 1. el periurbano: ¿espacio de competencia o complementariedad?; 2. la construcción de tipologías como camino explicativo en materia de espacios periurbanos; 3. las lógicas residenciales periféricas: la "privatópolis" y la "precariópolis"; 4. las tendencias residenciales periféricas y los desafíos de la planificación urbana, y 5. nuevos interrogantes y perspectivas surgidos de esta Tesis.

Ir a la escuela en búsqueda de una certeza : Una aproximación a los vínculos entre familias y escuelas en sectores populares

El trabajo indaga las representaciones y valoraciones de la escuela por parte de familias de sectores populares, en un escenario de transformaciones sociales profundas, que impactaron en la vida cotidiana de los sujetos. Para esto, se realizaron entrevistas a miembros adultos de familias que habitan un barrio de la ciudad de La Plata. Los relatos de los padres entrevistados expresan las fragilidades de las experiencias escolares de sus hijos -vinculadas principalmente a las situaciones de agresión o discriminación-; pero al mismo tiempo muestran una fuerte valoración de la educación. Esta valoración se ancla en razones más históricas, como la integración social o la vinculación entre la educación y el trabajo; y en motivos más coyunturales, como la búsqueda de provisión y contención frente a la incertidumbre del presente. A diferencias de un lugar común que muestra a los padres en una posición pasiva o indiferente frente a un campo escolar fragmentado, este estudio muestra que los padres en sectores populares desarrollan distintas respuestas para evitar la segregación, buscando una educación de calidad para sus hijos