Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior最新文献

Objective

To understand the perspectives of key informant experts regarding the relationship between food insecurity and gestational diabetes mellitus risk reduction behaviors among young American Indian and Alaska Native females.

Methods

Participants were adult key informants with expertise in food/nutrition and health within Tribal communities (N = 58) across the US. Data were collected through 1:1 interviews using a semistructured moderator guide and analyzed using thematic content analysis methods.

Results

Three themes included (1) diet and nutrition habits are formed through intergenerational food preferences and are driven by lasting implications of colonization; (2) young people are influenced by what their peers eat and the food environment, including outside of the home; and (3) the methods used to understand household food insecurity and nutrition habits in the parent study were likely limited.

Conclusions and Implications

Findings provide guidance as to where nutrition education and interventions may best support young Native females.

Objective

Investigate the influence of physical readiness tests (PRTs) on eating behaviors among US Navy Sailors.

Design

Focused ethnography using interviews and military policies.

Setting

Three US Naval installations.

Participants

Active-duty enlisted Sailors (n = 32).

Phenomenon of Interest

Eating behaviors.

Analysis

Authors analyzed data iteratively with data collection using domain, taxonomy, and thematic analysis to identify culturally relevant codes, domains, and themes.

Results

Five themes corresponded with PRT timing and Sailors’ perceived ability to meet standards: (1) maintain usual eating habits, (2) get ready and switch it up, (3) make weight—damage control, (4) return to baseline—PRT is over, and (5) eat whatever—PRT is canceled. In contrast to the PRT policy's goal for Sailors to maintain standards and a healthy lifestyle, many Sailors modified their usual eating behaviors to pass the test.

Conclusion and Implications

Changes in eating behaviors during PRT cycles highlight a culture of getting ready vs staying ready, suggesting many Sailors do not eat a nutrient-dense diet to maintain the minimum physical fitness and body composition standards. There is a need for nutrition education for healthy weight maintenance, weight gain prevention, and healthy weight loss among military personnel.

Food and nutrition insecurity exist at an alarming rate in the US educational system, ranging from 17% among K-12 students up to 58.8% among university students. Many Muslim American students face food and nutrition insecurity due, in part, to a lack of acknowledgment of student adherence to halal dietary guidelines and the availability of certified halal options at school. This has implications for health, learning, and social outcomes. In this perspective paper, we provide short-term, mid-term, and long-term recommendations to address food and nutrition insecurity among halal-observant students to advance healthy dietary patterns.

Objective

Develop and test a Food-Related Control Scale (FRCS) measuring resident-perceived control in long-term care food service.

Design

A bank of 15 initial items based on a multidimensional locus of control construct was developed initially. Expert review, cognitive interviews, a pilot study, and factor analysis were used to validate the instrument and assess reliability.

Setting

Individual phone-based cognitive interviews and 16 skilled nursing facilities in the US.

Participants

Cognitive interviews included a convenience sample of independently living adults aged ≥ 65 (n = 13), whereas the pilot study included skilled nursing facility-residing adults (n = 166).

Variables Measured

Perception of food-related control in a long-term care setting.

Analysis

Cognitive interviews were analyzed to develop items. Quantitative data from skilled nursing facility residents were analyzed using SAS software for structural equation modeling and factor analysis.

Results

A 2-dimensional construct (9 items) of the FRCS demonstrated reliability with factor analysis. Concurrent validity within the locus of control construct was demonstrated with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (standardized estimate of 0.430; P < 0.1).

Conclusions and Implications

The FRCS may be used to determine how residents in long-term care perceive control over their food experiences. Further testing is necessary to determine the appropriateness of the FRCS for different population uses.

Objective

To reveal students’ experiences and perspectives related to Universal School Meals (USM) under the federal coronavirus disease 2019 waivers during school years 2021–22.

Design

Qualitative; 17 focus groups in June–July 2022.

Setting

Virtual; students from 9 California regions in public and charter schools.

Participants

67 students (n = 31 in high school, n = 36 in middle school) from a racially and economically diverse sample.

Phenomenon of Interest

Students’ perceived benefits and drawbacks of USM.

Analysis

Thematic analysis using an immersion-crystallization approach.

Results

Students appreciated USM for increasing school meals’ accessibility, promoting food security by financially supporting families, reducing the stigma associated with school meals, simplifying the payment system, and enhancing school meals convenience. An increase in school meal participation was observed. However, concerns emerged regarding a perceived decline in food quality and quantity and increased food waste.

Conclusions and Implications

Universal School Meals showed promise in increasing access to meals, reducing food insecurity, stigma, and increasing participation. Addressing food quality, quantity, and waste concerns is critical for its sustained success. Policymakers need to advocate for the expansion and continuous refinement of USM, prioritizing stakeholder feedback. Ensuring adequate funding to balance meal quality and quantity while minimizing waste is essential for an adequate school meal policy.