bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Online Study of Undergraduates’ Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitudes of Preconception Care
Authors: Crusenberry Kelly Jean , Colby Sarah E , Spence Marsha L , Murphy Lee T , Kavanagh Katie F
Published: November 2023

The majority of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. Health status and health‐related behaviors such as poor nutrition, alcohol consumption, and/or tobacco use, occurring prior to conception, have been linked to poor obstetric outcomes for mothers and their offspring, many of which can result in lifelong challenges. Knowledge, awareness, and attitudes can be predictors of health‐related behaviors, and preconception care and education may reduce risk of some of these poor obstetric outcomes. Undergraduate students are at an increased risk for many of these behaviors and for unplanned pregnancies, as compared to older individuals. However, little is known about under graduates’ knowledge, awareness, and attitudes related to optimal preconception behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of undergraduate students, related to preconception care, and to explore potential differences by gender, age, sexual activity status, weight status, and other demographic factors. This was an online, cross‐sectional survey, conducted among students enrolled in a basic undergraduate nutrition course, during the first week of class and prior to exposure to content specifically relevant to preconception behaviors. The survey measured knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of pregnancy‐related issues and preconception care. Students received a small amount of extra credit for completion of the survey and all activities were approved by the university's Institutional Review Board prior to implementation. Sixty‐nine of the eighty‐six students enrolled in the course completed the survey. No significant relationships were found between gender, age, sexual activity, weight status, and other demographic factors (such as class standing and prior exposure course content related to pregnancy) and knowledge, awareness, or attitudes about preconception care. However, students demonstrated limited knowledge of issues related to preconception health, with an average composite knowledge score of 50% (on a scale of 0–100). The data revealed students were least informed about the use of herbal supplements and appropriate rate of pregnancy weight gain (with 30% and 35% responding correctly, respectively). However, students appeared well‐informed regarding dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the recommendation to visit with an obstetrician prior to becoming pregnant (with 88–93% responding correctly to the 2 alcohol‐related questions and 78% responding correctly to the consultative visit question). Because a post‐assessment was not conducted following completion of the online course, it is unknown if knowledge improved in this sample, and this should be a component of future work. However, it is evident that baseline knowledge in this sample of undergraduate students was limited, even among those reporting prior exposure via formal coursework, indicating future research in this area is needed.
Flowers, Hearts, and Stars, Oh My!: Fruit and Vegetable Intake of Preschoolers
Authors: Clay Kristen Leigh , Colby Sarah , Kavanagh Katie , Spence Marsha
Published: November 2023

Background

Previous research has shown the potential of increasing fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake by incorporating the senses into interventions. However, little to no research has specifically looked at the impact that the use of the senses can have on intake of fruits and vegetables among preschool‐aged children.

Purpose

The objective was to evaluate an interactive and visually appealing snack activity on F&V intake of preschool‐aged children.

Methods

Two preschools in East Tennessee were selected to participate in the study. Prior to the start of the study, participants colored placemats that contained heart‐, star‐, and flower‐shapes. Parents were surveyed to establish the target F&V, which were determined to be cantaloupe and green peppers. The F&V were served three times each over a six‐week period. The control group received the fruit and vegetable cut into chunks and strips served on white paper plates. The intervention group received the F&V cut into hearts, stars, and flowers and served on the placemats that children colored at the beginning of the study. The F&V were weighed before and after each snack time.

Results

Preliminary results showed that the children in the intervention group (n=13) consumed more fruit than the control group (n=16) (31 g. (SD 22.26) vs. 21 g. (SD 18.769) (p<.001), respectively).However, there was not a significant difference in intake of the vegetable between groups. The control group is 85.7% African American, 7.1% white, and 7.1% identify as multiple races/ethnicities. The intervention group is 66.7% African American, 20% white, 6.7% Hispanic, and 6.7% identify as multiple races/ethnicities.

Conclusion

The early results for the fruit snack are promising; however, it seems that increasing the visual appeal and interaction with vegetables may not have had as great of an impact.
Developmental and Gender Differences in Risk Taking in Response to Caffeine
Authors: Graczyk Adam , Ziegler Amanda , Atkins Amanda , Carrasco Hannah , Temple Jennifer
Published: November 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sex and pubertal phase contribute to differences in risk taking responses to caffeine. This study used a within‐subjects placebo‐controlled design and the order of caffeine treatment was counterbalanced. Pre and post‐pubertal children (27 male, 27 females) were given 0mg/kg, 1mg/kg, or 2mg/kg of caffeine on different days and then completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART), Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), and Delay Discounting task. There was a main effect of caffeine dose on total explosions and average adjusted pump count on the BART, with the 1mg/kg group having the highest scores and the 2mg/kg group having the lowest scores. There was a significant difference in average pump count in the 2mg/kg group over time, increasing for blocks 10 – 20 and 20 – 30. Overall, 1mg/kg of caffeine was associated with higher risk taking propensity compared to 2mg/kg and 0mg/kg groups. No significant effects of caffeine dose on IGT responses were found. There were significant interactions between caffeine dose, sex, and pubertal stage on delay discounting. For short delays (one day) boys and girls had opposite response patterns, with acute caffeine (1 and 2mg/kg) increasing girls’ ability to delay gratification, but caffeine (1 and 2mg/kg) decreasing boys’ ability to delay gratification. For the one week delay, the effect was more complex. In pre‐pubertal participants, acute caffeine reduced the females’ ability to delay gratification, but caffeine had no effect in males. In post‐pubertal participants, caffeine increased the ability to delay gratification in girls, but decreased this ability in boys. When taken together, this suggests that acute caffeine has different effects on impulsivity in boys and girls, which may more broadly influence other types of decision making.

Support or Funding Information

NIH, National Institute of Drug Addiction. R01DA030386 to JLT.
The Nutrient‐Density of Snacks: A Comparison of Nutrient Profiles of Popular Snack Foods using the Nutrient Rich Foods Index
Authors: Hess Julie , Rao Goutham , Slavin Joanne
Published: November 2023

Background

Although Americans receive almost a quarter of their daily energy from snacking, or eating between meals, snacking remains a poorly understood eating occasion. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans made no population‐wide recommendations regarding snacks due to inadequate evidence about their healthfulness. However, many common snacks are high in saturated fat, sodium, and sugars. An accurate measure of the nutritional quality of snacks would be useful not only for consumers but also for researchers assessing the impact of snacks on overall dietary patterns.

Objective

The Nutrient Rich Foods (NRF) Index 10.3 was used to compare popular snack foods by their overall nutrient profiles. The NRF algorithm generates a single score for the nutrition quality of individual foods based on their amounts of nutrients to encourage (protein, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and fiber) and nutrients to limit (saturated fat, sodium, and total sugar) per 100 kilocalories. High NRF scores indicate more nutritious foods.

Methodology

NRF scores were calculated for the top three selling products (based on 2014 market research data) in different snack categories. These NRF scores were averaged to provide an overall nutrient‐density score for each category of snack food.

Results

While some popular snack food categories, including cookies, chips, ice cream, and soft drinks had average NRF scores as low as −17, other top snack categories such as fruit, milk, and yogurt had overall high NRF scores up to 60. NRF scores for individual snacks ranged from −17 for carbonated soft drinks to 79 for low‐fat milk.

Conclusions

Although the Dietary Guidelines list specific nutrients to limit and nutrients to encourage, evaluating snacks based on whether they contain nutrients from these lists can obfuscate their overall nutrient profile. Foods like milk, for instance, may contain nutrients to limit but also provide many other important nutrients and have high NRF scores. NRF scoring of popular snack foods does not support the overall categorization of snack foods as “unhealthy.” The Dietary Guidelines may not be able to recommend snacking as an eating pattern, but for the 97% of Americans who already snack habitually, the Dietary Guidelines and practitioners could use nutrient profiling to recommend specific snacks based on their quantified nutrient density. Instead of being an eating occasion for nutrient‐poor foods, snacking could become an eating occasion that contributes positively to the nutrient‐density of the American diet.

Support or Funding Information

This study was supported by research funding from The Dannon Company Inc., White Plains, NY.
The Effects of Nutrition Education on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Food Pantry Clients
Authors: St. Cyr Sarah , Bruzina Angela , Linek Madison , Butsch‐Kovacic Melinda , Lee Seung‐Yeon
Published: November 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of a nutrition education program on increasing the fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) in adult food pantry clients using mixed methods approaches.

Methods

A quasi‐experimental study was conducted with 47 adult food pantry clients (intervention group, n=21; control group, n=26). The intervention consisted of 4‐weekly nutrition education sessions focused on increasing participants’ FVC. Outcome measures (FVC) and related mediators (self‐efficacy, outcome expectations, and self‐regulation of FVC) were assessed via pre‐ and post‐self‐administered paper surveys. Controls completed the surveys over the same time period, but did not receive the nutrition education intervention. Following the nutrition education classes, photovoice was used to further evaluate the intervention's effectiveness in the intervention group.

Results

A total of 17 participants completed at least 3 of the 4‐weekly nutrition education sessions. Most of the participants were Black American (83%), middle aged adults (51.5±10.6), with a high school education or less (79%). When compared to baseline, whole fruit intake significantly increased in those who received the education (p<0.05). No significant change was found in the control group. In addition, the change in whole fruit consumption of the intervention group was significantly different from that of the control group (p<0.05). No significant changes were observed in the vegetable consumption or mediators in either group. The themes from photovoice revealed that participants receiving the education had applied skills from the classes to overcome some of the barriers they faced with respect to FVC. The photos and explanations also showed the potential broader impact of the education. For example, many participants indicated consuming a healthier diet beyond increasing FVC and most felt that these behavior changes had a positive impact on their families as well.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the 4‐week nutrition education program is an effective tool in increasing participants’ whole fruit consumption and improving overall dietary behavior as well.

Implications

Further studies are needed to explore the unique barriers faced by food pantry clients in choosing to eat vegetables and ways to overcome them. Also remaining are studies to determine the long‐term effect of nutrition education in similar, larger populations of food pantry clients.

Support or Funding Information

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Comparing the Effectiveness of Two Nutrition Intervention Programs on Adolescents’ Intrinsic Motivation and Perceived Competence to Cook Using the Adolescent Motivation to Cook Questionnaire
Authors: Miketinas Derek , Cater Melissa , Craft Brittany , Roy Heli , Bailey Ariana , Tuuri Georgianna
Published: November 2023

Cooking skills and increased motivation to prepare healthy foods are associated with better diet quality. Self‐prepared meals tend to be lower in salt, added sugars, and saturated fats compared to convenience foods. School‐ and community‐based interventions can improve nutrition‐related behaviors such as intrinsic motivation (IM) and perceived competence (PC) to cook; but the effectiveness of different program delivery methods has not been well studied. The purpose of this investigation was to compare changes in high school students’ IM and PC to cook healthy foods between two intervention delivery methods. Intrinsic motivation and PC to cook were measured using questions from the Adolescent Motivation to Cook Questionnaire. Both interventions were delivered by the same instructors, and taught hands‐on cooking skills, food safety, and nutrition information. Study one was a six‐week program, delivered once per week for 50 minutes during class time in a Baton Rouge, LA high school family and consumer sciences kitchen. Seventeen students participated in study one, 15 of whom completed pre‐ and post‐ program questionnaires. Study two was a one and one‐half day (8‐hour) cooking program taught to high school 4‐H students in a Louisiana State University food preparation classroom. Seventeen students participated in study two, 14 of whom completed pre‐ and post‐program questionnaires. Participants in study one were predominantly African American (93%) and female (53%) while the majority of participants in study two were Caucasian (64%) and female (71%). Mean age of the adolescents was 14.8 ± 0.2 y in study one and 14.9 ± 0.38 y in study two. At baseline, the Mann Whitney U test indicated no differences in IM and PC to cook healthy foods between the two groups. The Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, used for the within group analyses, indicated that adolescents in study one reported an increase in IM (p=0.035) and PC (p=0.018) to cook healthy foods, while those in study two indicated no change in these variables. Although the within group change for adolescents in study one was significant, the change between groups was not. Due to the small sample size, the between group results are inconclusive. Additional research with larger sample sizes is needed to determine if the delivery method influences IM and PC to prepare healthy foods.

Support or Funding Information

Funded in part by Hatch Act Funds Lab #93846, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, and the Louisiana 4‐H program
Culinary Skills Intervention: Immediate Impacts on Knowledge, Attitudes and Self‐Efficacy in Adolescent Youth
Authors: Oakley Amanda R. , Nickols‐Richardson Sharon M.
Published: November 2023

Childhood obesity continues to be a public health concern in the United States. Youth acceptability of foods is higher when adolescents prepare a food item themselves, rather than consuming the same food prepared by someone else. Yet, many adolescents do not have any culinary skills or have had only minimal cooking experiences. The aim of this study was to conduct and evaluate a culinary skills intervention for adolescent youth as part of a childhood obesity prevention program. Adolescents [6th–7th grade, aged 12.1 ± 1.1 years (mean ± SD)] were randomized to adult‐led (n = 20) or peer‐led (n = 22) intervention groups. Participants attended two, 2‐hour culinary skills lessons where cutting techniques, cooking methods and following recipes were addressed. Questionnaires were administered pre‐ and post‐intervention to measure changes in knowledge (score = 0–19), attitudes (score = 0–55), cooking self‐efficacy (score = 0–50) and cooking methods self‐efficacy (score = 0–35) regarding lesson topics. Each correct knowledge response was assigned one point, and points were totaled for the overall score. Attitude and self‐efficacy measures were recorded on a 5‐point Likert scale then totaled for an overall categorical score. Independent and paired t‐tests were used to analyze differences between groups and within groups, respectively (SPSS, version 22.0). Significance was set at P < 0.05. There were no significant differences in the pre‐ to post‐intervention change in knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy between intervention groups. All adolescents (n = 42) increased their scores in knowledge [3.7 ± 2.6 (mean ± SD), P < 0.001] and attitudes (2.1 ± 4.1, P < 0.003) of culinary skills and in cooking self‐efficacy (7.7 ± 4.9, P < 0.001) and cooking method self‐efficacy (6.6 ± 5.1, P < 0.001) directly following the intervention. A culinary skills intervention resulted in immediate positive improvements in knowledge, attitudes and self‐efficacy regarding culinary skills in a group of adolescents. Mode of intervention (i.e., peer‐ vs. adult‐led) did not significantly impact these outcomes.

Support or Funding Information

This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2012‐68001‐22032.
Mining the Twitter‐Sphere for Consumer Attitudes Towards Dairy
Authors: WHISNER CORRIE M , Wang Hong , Felix Sergio , Maciejewski Ross
Published: November 2023

Historically, the study of consumer attitudes and beliefs about food have relied heavily on self‐reported data using survey and interviewing methodologies. Opinion mining of social media data may be an effective method for collecting and evaluating real‐time attitudes regarding food choice and dietary intake patterns. This study was a post‐hoc analysis of geographical tweets across the continental United States to assess attitudes toward dairy products. Between the years August, 2013 – June, 2015, 232628 geo‐located tweets were collected from the social media application, Twitter, using the following keywords: dairy, milk, cheese, yogurt and kefir. Natural language processing techniques including, topic extraction and sentiment analysis were used to analyze the data. Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) models were used to establish contextual probabilities for discussion topics and account for different contexts by state and geographical region (South, North East, West and Mid‐West). Sentiment analysis of each tweet was completed using the Stanford CoreNLP, SentiStrength and SentiWordNet toolkits and sentiment values were combined to assign an overall sentiment score. Negative and positive sentiment scores were assigned to each tweet based on a scale from −1 to 1. Principal components analysis was used to assess the significance of tweet topics for all states. Five major topics were identified from these analyses: milk, dairy queen, cheese, chocolate milk and yogurt. Tweet topics relating to milk and cheese were the most common topics throughout the United States with even distributions across the four country regions. Cheese‐related topics were twice as common as chocolate milk tweets across all states; this trend was also apparent in the analysis by region. Yogurt was mentioned more frequently in the West while Dairy Queen was more commonly mentioned in Mid‐West and Southern regions. Tweet topics from the District of Columbia differed from other states with significantly more mentions of chocolate, cheese and yogurt. Wyoming and Montana had the lowest overall significance values for major identified topics. Sentiment analyses revealed that cheese‐related topics received mixed attitudes while chocolate milk was positively discussed across the United States. Dairy Queen mentions were very positive but discussion of yogurt was slightly more negative in the East when compared to the West. Overall, Twitter discussions of dairy foods were positive but regional differences were noted for yogurt. Social media mining provides a novel method of studying food attitudes and behaviors in real time. Such analyses may be beneficial for public health and policy initiatives and allow health/nutrition educators to more adequately address region‐ and state‐specific feelings about foods and beverages.

Support or Funding Information

N/A
Intense exercise increases NF‐κB activity in liver: Regulatory effects of quercetin
Authors: Gao Chao , Wang Zhu , Tang Yuhan , Liu Liang , Xiang Xuesong , Xu Weisheng , Zhang Xuesong , Zhao Jia , Yang Yuexin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate whether overexpression of inflammatory mediators induced in the liver by repeated intense exercise could be prevented by quercetin and whether the protective effect of quercetin was related with inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activation.

Methods

Adult male BALB/C mice were treated by quercetin (100 mg/kg.bw.) for 4 weeks and subjected to the exercise protocol on a treadmill (28 m/min at 5° slope for 90 min) of 7 consecutive days concurrently at the fourth week.

Results

Intense exercise for mice resulted in the leakage of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases and ultrastructural malformation mainly evidenced by swollen and degenerative changes, which was overtly attenuated by quercetin prophylaxis. Both serous and hepatic mRNA levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 and serous TNF‐α were markedly elevated. Intense exercise was also associated with a significant increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 protein levels. And these effects were totally or partially prevented by quercetin precondition. Furthermore, quercetin regime evidently alleviated activation and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB by inhibiting phosphorylation of IKKα and Iκbα in the liver of intense exercise mice.

Conclusion

Quercetin protects mouse liver against intense exercise damage, and impaired production of noxious mediators involved in the inflammatory process and down‐regulation of the NF‐κB signal transduction pathway appear to contribute to the beneficial anti‐inflammatory effects of quercetin, highlighting a promising strategy for over‐training injury by naturally occurring phytochemicals.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81172658) and Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University of China (NCET 08‐0222).
Food Insecure Women with Lower Education Report More Health Problems in a Global Sample of Individuals
Authors: Dallmann Diana , Miller Meghan , Melgar‐Quiñonez Hugo
Published: November 2023

Because of its intimate relationship with an insufficient dietary intake of nutrients essential for a healthy and active life, food insecurity (FI) is associated with a wide range of physical and mental health issues. Education is linked with better health through multiple pathways, including job prospects and income, risk for disease, intra‐generational effects, and behavioral and social factors. In most societies, especially in developing countries, women are more vulnerable than men to FI and to poor education levels. The present research uses the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) in the Gallup World Poll (GWP) to examine the impact of FI and education on self‐reported health status across nationally representative samples from 140 countries.

This study aimed to ascertain the effects of FI, gender, and education on the likelihood that participants report health problems (HP). It also explored potential interactions in their effect on health.

Data from the 2014 GWP were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21 with the Complex Samples module. One question regarding the presence of HP was selected as the outcome of interest. FI was assessed using the 8‐item FIES, considering food insecure (fi) individuals to be those who answered affirmatively to at least one questionnaire item. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of the interaction term of FI, education and gender on HP. The model was adjusted for age, income, water quality, and household size. Data was weighted by country population size.

The sample included 136,667 individuals, of which 50.1% were female, 24.9% reported having a HP, and 45.3% were fi. Regarding education, 45.4% completed elementary education or less, 46.1% completed up to three years of tertiary education, and 8.5% completed four years beyond ‘high school’ and/or received a college degree. The interaction term (FI, education, and gender) was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

When compared to food secure men with the highest education level, fi women with low education level presented the highest odds of reporting HP (OR=5.2).

Results reveal increased vulnerability to HP among women, fi individuals, and those with lower education levels, providing evidence that health is determined not only by internal factors as genetics or external ones such as healthy lifestyle, but also by social factors. These social determinants are important to take into account in health‐related policy decisions and program design.
The Usual Nutrient Intakes of US Children and Adolescents by Milk Drinking Behavior
Authors: Zhao Yanling , Bailey Regan , Weaver Connie , McCabe George , Eicher‐Miller Heather
Published: November 2023

Background

US children do not consume enough calcium, vitamin D, potassium, and fiber. Milk is a frequently consumed food that provides several nutrients that support growth and development for children and adolescents, thus may be associated with nutrient adequacy. However, previous evidence suggests milk intake has decreased in the past two decades among children and adolescents. An investigation of how milk drinking behavior may be related to dietary quality among US children and adolescents is important to implement future dietary recommendations and interventions.

Objective

To estimate and compare the nutrient intake of US children and adolescents by milk drinking behavior, using data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999–2012.

Methods

Child and adolescent participants (1–19 yrs; n=25,183) with a reliable 24‐hour dietary recall(s) were included in this cross‐sectional study. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24‐hour dietary recall(s) and linked with the USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies (FNDDS) to quantify nutrient intake. Milk drinking behavior was quantified based on responses to the dietary behavior questionnaire. Usual intakes of nutrients were estimated using the National Cancer Institute statistical modeling (NCI method). Meeting requirements of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) or not was compared by milk drinking behavior using logistic regression.

Results

The odds of meeting the DRI requirements for calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B‐6, Vitamin B‐12 and folate were significantly higher for children and adolescents who consumed milk on a daily basis compared with those who had varied or less milk drinking behavior. Children consuming milk on a daily basis met the DRI requirements more prevalently compared with those who did not (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Milk drinking behavior is a useful indicator of nutrient adequacy associated with nutrient gaps among US children and adolescents. Dietary interventions aimed at improving milk consumption may be especially critical for improving nutrient intake among children.

Support or Funding Information

Funding: This project was supported with a grant from Elanco.
Psychological distress mediates the relationships between household food insecurity and sleep quality among Latinos with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bermúdez‐Millán Angela , Pérez‐Escamilla Rafael , Segura‐Pérez Sofia , Damio Grace , Chhabra Jyoti , Osborn Chandra Y , Wagner Julie A
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Sleep disturbance is associated with diabetes risk. Household food insecurity disproportionately affects Latinos and is a novel risk factor for disturbed sleep. Psychological distress may be a potential mechanism through which food insecurity affects sleep, so we tested the relationships between these factors, and whether psychological distress mediates the relationship between HFI and sleep.

Approach

We recruited Latinos with type 2 diabetes (N=121) for the CALMS‐D stress management trial who completed the US Household Food Security Scale (USHFSS), and measures of depressive symptoms (PHQ‐8), anxiety symptoms (PROMIS‐short), diabetes distress (PAID‐5), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) at baseline. Psychological distress was operationalized with the PHQ‐8, PROMIS‐short and PAID‐5. We used unadjusted and adjusted indirect effect tests with bias‐corrected bootstrapped confidence intervals on 10,000 samples to test both the relationships between variables and for mediation.

Results

Mean age was 61 years, 74% were females and 67% were food insecure. Greater household food insecurity was associated with both greater psychological distress and worse sleep quality (all, p<.05). Depressive symptoms (adj. coeff.=2.22, CI:1.27–3.42), anxiety symptoms (adj. coeff.=1.70, CI:.87–2.85), and diabetes distress (adj. coeff.=.60, CI:.11–1.32), each mediated the relationship between greater household food insecurity and worse sleep quality with and without adjustment for age, education, income, marital status, and employment status.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is a common and potent household stressor associated with suboptimal sleep quality through psychological distress. Efforts to improve food security and psychological distress may yield improved sleep in this high‐risk population.

Support or Funding Information

This work is supported by: Stress Management Among Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes (CALMS‐D) (NIMHD R01MD005879‐01).
Implementation of the general guidelines for the sale and distribution of food and drinks prepared and processed in the schools of the national education system in Mexico, the Universidad Iberoamericana case
Authors: Perez‐Lizaur Ana Bertha , Moreno Luz I
Published: November 2023

In response to the general guidelines for the sale and distribution of food and drinks prepared and processed in the schools of the national education system in Mexico, the Universidad Iberoamericana decided to implement a strategy for monitoring the regulation.

Method

a plural Council (academic staff, administrative, workers, students and chef) was formed; the nutritional composition of all food products sold in restaurants, coffee shops, fast food and vending machines were analyzed (aprox 4 000 meals/day). Expert academics trained sellers and suppliers on the prepared and packaged foods and drinks that met and or not the guidelines, considering offering greater (60%) amount of healthy products that met the guidelines and 40% of products without restriction so the student population could select having the accessibility but being free to do it (ex 40% plain water, 20% calorie sweetened drinks and 40% other beverages, plus the installation of drinkers accessible to the population to take or refill their water bottles).

Results

Within three months, both restaurants, coffe shops and vending machines had to be adapted to the guidelines or had to leave the university. An information campaign “More flavor More health … You decide”, guided people of the changes.

Conclusions

product sales did not decline, service employees (less social and cultural level) were the only ones who questioned the strategy; students showed no complaints. The strategy was successful in incorporating the whole university staff to the project and provide healthier food to the population.
Visualizing Microaggression in the Developing Embryo: Competition Between the Neural Crest and Endothelial Cells
Authors: Kulesa Paul
Published: November 2023

Neural crest and endothelial cell migration events shape critical neural, skeletal and vascular structures in the developing vertebrate head. Yet, the dynamic interplay of these two cell populations has remained unclear due to a lack of in vivo imaging tools. Here, we use dynamic in vivo imaging to simultaneously observe the individual behaviors of fluorescently marked cranial neural crest cells within Tie1 transgenic quail embryos that express H2B‐EYFP in all endothelial cells. Time‐lapse recordings show that cranial neural crest and endothelial cells share common migratory pathways, physically interact, and may move in opposing directions to reach distinct targets. We use cell tracking and quantitative analyses of cell trajectories to characterize the sequence of cell interactions and associated dynamic parameters. To understand the molecular underpinnings of this complex ballet, we examine the expression patterns and functional role of anti‐angiogenic factors expressed by lead neural crest cells using multiplexed fluorescence in‐situ hybridization and a gain‐ and loss‐of‐function approach. Together, our results offer a unique view of early neural and vascular patterning and a model mechanism for cell competition within the developing vertebrate embryo.

Support or Funding Information

Mary C. McKinney1 and Paul M. Kulesa1,2

1Stowers Institute for Medical Research and 2University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology
Academic and Industry Joint Efforts to Include Vitamins and Minerals in Newly Implemented Regulation in Japan for the Functional Claims of Health Foods named Food with Functional Claims (FFC)
Authors: Amagase Harunobu , Sueki Kazuo , Abe Koichi , Yamauchi Jun , Wada Akimori , Ichinose Hiroshi , Shigeoka Shigeru
Published: November 2023

Within the scope of the Revitalization Strategy policies and elongating healthy life span, government of Japan has set a new labeling system of health claims for foods named Food with Functional Claims (FFC). Separated from Foods for Specified Health Uses (FOSHU), industries can describe functionality based on scientific evidence under their responsibility, without individual reviews by the government. However, unlike global standard practice, vitamins, minerals and other applicable ingredients are excluded from FFC. These excluded food ingredients have been regulated under Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese. To expand eligible ingredients for FFC, academia helps support industries to prepare materials to let government include these ingredients in FFC to make functional claims. Remaining issues are how to 1) utilize existing scientific monographs, 2) collect scientific literature and research papers, 3) global standard of definition of patient, 4) set dosage issues, 5) adjust to other categories, such as food with nutrition claims, over the counter drugs, and quasi‐drugs, and 6) prepare scientific manuscript for publication including systematic review of each ingredient. Global regulatory information, such as the ones from US, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and other countries would be useful to be referred for convincing the regulators and policy makers in the government.
Impact of Citation Network on the Diffusion of Systems Science Simulation Approaches in Health‐Related Research
Authors: Liu Shiyong , Xue Hong , Wang Youfa
Published: November 2023

Background

Systems science approaches, especially simulation approaches have been widely adopted by the researchers in health fields to gain better understanding of nonlinearities and dynamics generated by complex and dynamic interplay of many factors from biology to human behaviors and policy interventions. The range of applications includes but are limited to investigate issues of non‐communicable chronic disease (e.g. obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes), contagious diseases (e.g. influenza, tuberculosis, HIV), healthcare management, health policy and system reform. National Institutes of Health (NIH) has actively promoted the use of systems science, predominately system dynamics model (SDM), agent‐based model(ABM), social network analysis (SNA), and discrete event simulation(DES) in health‐related research.

Aims

This study is to examine how citation network in the publications regarding application of SDM, ABM, SNA and DES to health research affect their diffusion.

Methods

We have retrieved and analyzed 3912 journal papers (English) regarding application of these four simulation approaches in health‐related research starting from year of 1963 to 2013. In this study, we employed bibliometric analysis and citation network analysis.

Results

Our results indicate that the order (from the best to the worst) of diffusion status of these simulation approaches is SNA(1963–2013), ABM(1995–2013), DES (1981–2013), and SDM(1972–2013). Our findings suggest that citation network in specific approach is one of the major driving forces for their rapid diffusion in wide areas of health fields. Results also unfold that more subgroups in the citation network effectively help expand the research areas which subsequently facilitate the diffusion of the corresponding simulation approach. Further findings show that high network centrality reinforced by some key subgroups (in certain field) and adopters (authors) does not help advance diffusion of that simulation approach in health‐related research.

Conclusions

The accelerated increase in the authors, journals, expansion in research area which rapidly boost the growth in the network of citations are jointly driving the fast diffusion of SNA, ABM, DES, and SDM in health research. Even though some challenges exist thus far, interdisciplinary and/or trans‐disciplinary research bring solution to those challenges. Based on our findings in this study, it is optimistic to claim that the diffusion of above‐mentioned systems simulation approaches in health‐related research remain active for next several decades.

Support or Funding Information

Funding: NIH U54 center grant, HD070725.
School Food Policies and Practices in New York City Public Schools
Authors: Prescott Melissa Pflugh , Dixon Beth
Published: November 2023

Background

The Healthy, Hunger‐Free Kids (HHFK) Act was created to improve child nutrition in the school environment. Studies have shown challenges with implementation of the HHFK Act, but little is known about implementation in urban school districts.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to assess the school food policies and practices in a sample of New York City (NYC) public schools, to identify variation in implementation of the policies, and to determine barriers and consequences of implementing the policies.

Design and Setting

This study consisted of direct observation of school meals, structured interviews, and document collection in eight public schools in NYC.

Results

Foods offered to students were consistent with the school district menus. Free water was made available via water fountains and water jets, but not all grade levels were permitted to use the water jets at some schools. The amount of time students have to eat lunch varied across schools, within schools, and by participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Healthy school meal practices often required increased time and staff inputs. Common challenges to school food policy implementation included lack of food storage space, limited staff, time constraints and utensil restrictions.

Conclusions

The nutrition standards required by the HHFK Act were implemented successfully in the sampled schools in this study, but unregulated aspects of the school meal environment (e.g., lunch line collection method, school staffing during meal periods, time available for lunch) influence the success of this policy. Interventions to counter mealtime constraints, improve lunch line efficiency, and promote unfamiliar healthful foods and beverages may better assist the HHFK Act and other school food and nutrition policies to achieve their goals of improving child nutrition in the school environment. Further research is needed to evaluate how challenges with HHFK Act implementation change over time.
Impact of casinos on key dimensions of health and nutrition: qualitative findings from American Indian gaming communities in California
Authors: Kodish Stephen R , Gittelsohn Joel , Oddo Vanessa M , Jones‐Smith Jessica C
Published: November 2023

Objective

Three decades ago, casino gaming on sovereign American Indian lands was legalized with differential economic and social implications. While casinos have indeed improved the incomes of tribal communities, there have been both positive and negative findings in relation to impacts on health. We sought to understand the perceived mechanisms and pathways by which casinos might impact individual and community health through the voices of the tribal community.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews with tribal leaders (n =12) and trial members (n =24) from gaming and non‐gaming tribal communities of California. We inductively analyzed textual data drawing from Grounded Theory, first using line‐by‐line coding to identify analytic categories from emergent themes in consideration of the study objective and research questions. Then, focused codes were applied to identify salient themes, which we represented through exemplar quotes and an overall figure illustrating pathways of casino impacts on health. Data were managed and coded with Dedoose software.

Results

American Indian‐owned casinos are perceived to influence several dimensions of health through a variety of factors that can be organized into economic, social, and environmental pathways. Economic stimulation, including casino revenue generation and job creation, is perceived by tribal members with ambivalence due to its positive impacts on financial stability, but its many associated social problems that stem from consequences of per capita payouts and unhealthy casino environments. Tribal members described positive changes to the build environment resulting from casinos, indicating more and better physical activity opportunities, especially for children. Perceptions of casino impact on the food environment varied, as tribal members reported increased healthy food access thanks to additional income, but also noted the availability of more unhealthy foods and eating out establishments at casinos.

Conclusions

Through these three primary pathways, casinos are perceived to impact physical, emotional, and social dimensions of tribal health. Casino environments are perceived to improve the economic conditions of tribal communities, but present important social and public health challenges. Public policy makers at federal, state, and tribal levels should consider the local perceptions of tribal members and leaders when designing social and public health policies in light of casino development. Findings can be used for addressing salient community health concerns and developing culturally‐appropriate intervention strategies as a result.

Support or Funding Information

Supported by the National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (4R00HD073327).
Nutritional status of pesticide exposed individuals
Authors: Valdes‐Ramos Roxana , Guadarrama‐López Ana Laura , Martínez‐Carrillo Beatriz Elina , Benítez‐Arciniega Alejandra Donají , Pacheco‐López Gustavo , Domínguez Julio Lenin
Published: November 2023

Persistent organic pesticides, forbidden for human use, are commonly sprayed on flower producing fields in various areas in Mexico. These pesticides have been suggested to pose a risk for cardiovascular diseases. To evaluate the effect of pesticide exposure, we undertook a cross‐sectional study of body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, body fat, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as lipid profile in 44 subjects working and living in flower fields (rural) and 44 non‐exposed subjects from an urban setting. Sociodemographic characteristics were different between study groups, education levels were higher as well as family history of cardiovascular disease in the non‐exposed group. The exposed group had lower values of waist circumference (p<0.01) and waist to hip ratio (p<0.05). Significantly higher total cholesterol (p<0.001) and HDL‐cholesterol (p<0.001) were observed in the non‐exposed group. Anthropometric and biochemical indicators were lower in the exposed subjects, thus no association was found between pesticide exposure and cardiovascular risk factors. These results should be analysed with caution, as the study groups were different in their rurality condition, which may be masking other effects on the nutritional status of this population.

Support or Funding Information

This study was financed by a joint collaboration program from UAEM and UAM‐Lerma.
Examination of Dietary Behaviors of South Asians for the Development of Culturally Appropriate Nutrition Education Program
Authors: Qamar Zubaida , Misra Ranjita
Published: November 2023

Nutrition Education programs are needed for South Asian population which is growing at a fast pace in the USA. South Asians (SA) are more susceptible to conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases because of genetic predisposition and acculturation. In order to develop nutrition education programs for this population, needs assessment about the dietary habits is required before designing the program. The objective of this study was to assess the current dietary habits of SA in order to develop a culturally specific nutrition education program for South Asians living in the USA. A cross‐sectional study of 105 South Asian adults (men=58, women=47, mean age=~24 years) was conducted. Participants completed a self‐report survey assessing demographics, Body Mass Index (BMI), family history of diseases, acculturation, weight management and dietary behavior questions adapted from the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile II.

Descriptive statistics were obtained for each of the variables of this study. Also, a score for dietary behavior was determined based on the 4 responses: “Always”, “Often”, “Sometimes” and “Never”. Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis was conducted to predict the relationship between dietary behaviors and other variables of this study.

In terms of dietary behavior, it was found that only 29.5% participants indicated that they “always” or “often” choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Only 26.7% indicated that they “always” or “often” limit use of sugars, sweets, & desserts. Just 23.8% participants indicated that they “always” or “often” eat 2–4 servings of fruit each day and 39% indicated “always” or “often” to consuming 3–5 servings of vegetables each day. In terms of reading labels to identify nutrients, fats, and sodium content in packaged food, 43.8% participants indicated “always” or “often” in making their decision.

It was also found that only label reading and BMI were associated with better dietary behavior score suggesting that promoting label reading for food products and weight management strategies should be considered as a part of the nutrition education program. Also based on these results about the dietary behavior, it can be seen that that nutrition education efforts should target limitation of high sugar, high fat foods and emphasize increase in consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grain products for SA. Conclusively, there is an increased need to assess the dietary patterns and behavior of South Asians and efforts need to be taken for the development of nutrition education programs targeting these factors specifically for this population in the USA

Support or Funding Information

None