Search results

Zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies manifest similar syndromes provoking investigations into the mechanisms underlying their metabolic interactions. This article presents a lucid and concise review of literature on the possible connection between these important dietary nutrients as exemplified by the role of zinc in modulating intestinal lipid transport and prostaglandins metabolisms as well as maintenance of membrane structural and functional integrity. Reports of investigations on zinc and essential fatty acid deficiencies, regarding their pleitropic effects on clinically important enzymes, from the laboratory of the authors were also considered.

In this chapter, an exploratory analysis of the problematic sexual behaviours committed by elderly men against female minors is presented. Drawing from life-course theoretical perspectives on later life offending, this study examined the criminal history, sexual attraction towards the underage, perceived vulnerability of the juvenile, relationship with the girl-child prior to the abuse, and violence and sexually abusive tactics of the older offenders. Qualitative data were collected from 19 child sexual offenders in Lagos state prisons that were 60 years and above at the time they committed the offence, and a thematic analysis of the narratives was carried out. Findings indicate elderly offenders were attracted to female juveniles due to their perceived ‘innocence’, ‘commitment to relationship’, ‘sincerity’ and ‘youthfulness’, which suggest considerable level of rationality in their selection of victims. Offenders were found to use physical force and violence to subdue their victims, while threats, gifts and appeal were used to prevent victims from reporting. These findings have important practical and policy implications if the scourge of child sexual abuse is to be addressed in the country.