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To address the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote healthier eating habits, Japan requires a culturally tailored Nutrient Profile Model. This study aimed to develop a Nutrient Profile Model for Dishes in Japan version 1.0 (NPM-DJ (1.0)) that corresponds to the nutritional issues and food culture in Japan. The aim of the NPM-DJ (1.0) was to promote the health of the general population, and to prevent the increase in NCDs in Japan. The NPM-DJ (1.0) categorizes dishes into staples, sides, mains, mixed dishes, and mixed dishes with staples. The model evaluates dishes based on energy, saturated fats, sugars, and sodium as restricted nutrients, while considering protein, dietary fiber, and the weight of certain food groups as recommended nutrients. The distribution of the overall score for each dish category was analyzed and a rating algorithm was created. The baseline, modification points, and final scores were significantly lower for side dishes than for staple dishes. In contrast, the baseline points and final scores were significantly higher for mixed dishes with staple. The model effectively differentiated nutritional profiles across five dishes categories, which may promote healthier dish reformulation by food businesses operators and encourage consumers to select healthier dishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial mapping of food demand is essential for understanding and addressing disparities in food accessibility, which significantly impact public health and nutrition. This research presents an innovative geospatial framework designed to map food demand, integrating individual dietary behaviors with advanced spatial analysis techniques. This study analyzes the spatial distribution of eating habits across Lithuania using a geospatial approach. The methodology involves dividing Lithuania into 60,000 points and interpolating survey data with Shepard's operator, which relies on a weighted average of values at data points. This flexible approach allows for adjusting the number of points based on spatial resolution and sample size, enhancing the reliability and applicability of the generated maps. The procedure includes generating a structured grid system, incorporating measurements into the grid, and applying Shepard's operator for interpolation, resulting in precise representations of food demand. This framework provides a comprehensive understanding of dietary behaviors, informing targeted policy interventions to improve food accessibility and nutrition. Traditional food spatial mapping approaches are often limited to specific polygons and lack the flexibility to achieve high granular detail. By applying advanced interpolation techniques and ensuring respondent location data without breaching privacy concerns, this study creates high-resolution maps that accurately represent regional differences in eating habits. The methodology's flexibility allows for adjustments in spatial resolution and sample size, enhancing the maps' validity and applicability. This novel approach facilitates the creation of detailed food demand maps at any granular level, providing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders. These insights enable the development of targeted strategies to improve food accessibility and nutrition. Additionally, the obtained information can be used for computer simulations to further analyze and predict food demand scenarios. By leveraging spatial data integration, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of food demand, identifying critical areas such as food deserts and swamps, and paving the way for more effective public health interventions and policies aimed at achieving equitable food distribution and better nutritional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the impact of a novel multicomponent nutrition education program (United for Healthier Kids; U4HK) on the diet consumed during school lunch among preschool children. The program comprised four tools: hero plates, hero content, hero menus, and hero books and stickers. The program was implemented for 16 weeks. Food consumption and the quality of the menus were examined pre- and post-intervention. The lunch nutrient profiling scores for fat and vitamin C improved from moderate (9.95) to good (10.87) and moderate (9.50) to very good (13.83), respectively. Vegetable and fruit consumption also increased significantly by 127.2% (6.0 (3.2, 12.9) grams to 13.7 (6.7, 18.9) grams, p<0.001) and 44.8% (8.1 (3.9, 12.4) grams to 11.7 (5.4, 21.8) grams, p<0.001), respectively. Compared to those in the Thai school lunch guidelines, the percentages of vegetable and fruit consumed increased by 16.0% (12.1% (6.4, 25.9) to 28.1% (13.4, 43.4)) and 8.8% (14.0% (6.8, 28.3) to 22.8% (8.5, 33.4)), respectively. Energy, carbohydrate, and fat intake increased significantly by 13.2% (179.1 (137.9, 220.8) to 202.7 (163.0, 243.2) kcal), 18.9% (18.1 (14.3, 21.7) to 21.6 (17.2, 25.6) grams), and 23.2% (6.7 (4.9, 9.9) to 8.2 (6.7, 10.2) grams), respectively. The U4HK program adopted all aspects that foster healthy eating, including a healthy environment, an attractive role model and increased repeatability of the exposure to healthy foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supermarket interventions are promising to promote healthier dietary patterns, but not all individuals may be equally susceptible. We explored whether the effectiveness of nudging and pricing strategies on diet quality differs by psychological and grocery shopping characteristics. Methods: We used data of the 12-month Supreme Nudge parallel cluster-randomised controlled supermarket trial, testing nudging and pricing strategies to promote healthier diets. Participants were Dutch speaking adults aged 30–80 years and regular shoppers of participating supermarkets (n = 12) in socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Data on psychological characteristics (food-related behaviours; price sensitivity; food decision styles; social cognitive factors; self-control) and grocery shopping characteristics (time spent in the supermarket; moment of the day; average supermarket visits; shopping at other retailers; supermarket proximity) were self-reported at baseline. These characteristics were tested for their moderating effects of the intervention on diet quality (scored 0–150) in linear mixed models. Results: We included 162 participants from intervention supermarkets and 199 from control supermarkets (73% female, 58 (± 10.8) years old, 42% highly educated). The interventions had no overall effect on diet quality. Only five out of 23 potential moderators were statistically significant. Yet, stratified analyses of these significant moderators showed no significant effects on diet quality for one of the subgroups and statistically non-significant negative effects for the other. Negative effects were suggested for individuals with lower baseline levels of meal planning (β − 2.6, 95% CI − 5.9; 0.8), healthy shopping convenience (β − 3.0, 95% CI − 7.2; 1.3), and healthy food attractiveness (β − 3.5, 95% CI − 8.3; 1.3), and with higher levels of price consciousness (β − 2.6, 95% CI − 6.2; 1.0) and weekly supermarket visits (β − 2.4, 95% CI − 6.8; 1.9). Conclusions: Adults with varying psychological and grocery shopping characteristics largely seem equally (un)susceptible to nudging and pricing strategies. It might be that certain characteristics lead to adverse effects, but this is not plausible, and the observed negative effects were small and statistically non-significant and may be explained by chance findings. Verification of these findings is needed in real-world trials based on larger sample sizes and with the use of more comprehensive interventions. Trial registration: Dutch Trial Register ID NL7064, 30th of May, 2018, https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/en/trial/20990 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been shown to lower the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Improvements in depression, participation in daily activities in older individuals, weight loss and a reduction in adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The number of studies that have evaluated barriers to adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the US and, in particular, in racial and ethnic minority populations within the US are few. Among Native American and Alaskan Native populations, studies evaluating traditional or alternative Mediterranean diet adherence for chronic non-infectious diseases is unavailable. Mediterranean diet scoring instruments used in studies in European and Mediterranean countries and among white participants in the US fail to capture the dietary patterns of racial and ethnic minority populations. In this narrative review, the food components of the traditional Mediterranean diet are discussed, adherence to the Mediterranean diet is examined in Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean countries and barriers preventing adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the US and among racial and ethnic minority populations is reviewed. Recommendations for improving nutrition education and intervention and for increasing adherence and cultural adaptions to the Mediterranean diet are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) is a starting point that lays the foundation for breastfeeding and bonding between mother and baby. Meanwhile, working mothers are one of the vulnerable groups for the success of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). The study analyzed the role of EIBF on EBF among Indonesian working mothers. Methods: The cross-sectional study examined secondary data from the 2021 Indonesian National Nutritional Status Survey. The study analyzed 4,003 respondents. We examined EBF practice as an outcome variable and EIBF as an exposure variable. We included nine control variables (residence, maternal age, marital, education, prenatal classes, wealth, infant age, sex, and birth weight). All variables were assessed by questionnaire. The study employed a binary logistic regression test in the last stage. Results: The result showed that the proportion of EBF among working mothers in Indonesia in 2021 was 51.9%. Based on EIBF, Indonesian working mothers with EIBF were 2.053 times more likely than those without to perform EBF (p < 0.001; AOR 2.053; 95% CI 2.028–2.077). Moreover, the study also found control variables related to EBF in Indonesia: residence, maternal age, marital, education, prenatal classes, wealth, infant age, sex, and birth weight. Conclusion: The study concluded that EIBF was related to EBF. Indonesian working mothers with EIBF were two times more likely than those without to perform EBF. The government needs to release policies that strengthen the occurrence of EIBF in working mothers to increase EBF coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the implementation of national policies and strategies to control unhealthy diets, which are pivotal in the global surge of non-communicable diseases. Leveraging data from the World Health Organization's Non-Communicable Diseases Progress Monitors and Country Capacity Surveys, we calculated aggregate implementation scores for 13 diet-related policies across 194 countries from 2017 to 2021. We used descriptive statistics and linear regression to investigate the implementation trends and associations between key national-level factors and implementation scores. The mean score in 2021 was 52% (SD = 24), with no statistical differences in the 5-year period. Stark disparities in implementation efficacy were noted, ranging from comprehensive adoption in some nations to minimal application in others. Our analysis also highlights a shifting focus in policy adoption: notably, an increased commitment to taxing sugar-sweetened beverages juxtaposed with a decline in dietary awareness initiatives. Significant predictors of policy implementation include the Human Development Index, the cost of a healthy diet, and health service coverage. These findings suggest a complex interdependence of socioeconomic factors influencing policy implementation. Our research underscores the need for multifaceted, globally collaborative strategies to effectively combat diet-related diseases, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive policy frameworks in public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Exposure to marketing for foods high in sugar, salt, and fat is considered a key risk factor for childhood obesity. To support efforts to limit such marketing, the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe has developed a nutrient profile model (WHO NPM). Germany's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture plans to use this model in proposed new food marketing legislation, but it has not yet been tested in Germany. The present study therefore assesses the feasibility and implications of implementing the WHO NPM in Germany. Methods: We applied the WHO NPM to a random sample of 660 food and beverage products across 22 product categories on the German market drawn from Open Food Facts, a publicly available product database. We calculated the share of products permitted for marketing to children based on the WHO NPM, both under current market conditions and for several hypothetical reformulation scenarios. We also assessed effects of adaptations to and practical challenges in applying the WHO NPM. Results: The median share of products permitted for marketing to children across the model's 22 product categories was 20% (interquartile range (IQR) 3–59%) and increased to 38% (IQR 11–73%) with model adaptations for fruit juice and milk proposed by the German government. With targeted reformulation (assuming a 30% reduction in fat, sugar, sodium, and/or energy), the share of products permitted for marketing to children increased substantially (defined as a relative increase by at least 50%) in several product categories (including bread, processed meat, yogurt and cream, ready-made and convenience foods, and savoury plant-based foods) but changed less in the remaining categories. Practical challenges included the ascertainment of the trans-fatty acid content of products, among others. Conclusion: The application of the WHO NPM in Germany was found to be feasible. Its use in the proposed legislation on food marketing in Germany seems likely to serve its intended public health objective of limiting marketing in a targeted manner specifically for less healthy products. It seems plausible that it may incentivise reformulation in some product categories. Practical challenges could be addressed with appropriate adaptations and procedural provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuvalu is a Pacific Island country within the small island developing states that has observed a significant and alarming increase in obesity rates over the past 40 years, affecting ~60 %-70 % of the current population. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between food patterns and the proportion of obesity in a Pacific Island country. Methods: The 2022 COMmunity-based Behavior and Attitude survey in Tuvalu (COMBAT) included 985 adults with complete data on sociodemographic information and the frequency of consumption of 25 common foods. A latent class analysis determined 4 food patterns. Bayesian multilevel logistic and linear regression models estimated the association between food patterns and the proportion of obesity [body mass index (BMI) -30 kg/m2], severe obesity (BMI -40 kg/m2), and weight (kg), adjusting for potential confounders and accounting for clustering by region. Results: The latent class analysis revealed 4 food patterns with an entropy of 0.94 and an average posterior probability of class assignment for each individual of 0.97, described as follows: 1) local: locally produced foods with moderate food diversity (proportion of individuals = 28 %); 2) diverse-local: local with greater food diversity (17 %); 3) restricted-imported: more imported with restricted diversity (29 %); and 4) imported: heavily imported with high diversity (26 %). Compared to those following the diverse-local pattern, the odds of having obesity were greater for those classified with the imported pattern [odds ratio (OR): 2.52; 95 % credible interval (CrI): 1.59, 3.99], restrictedimported pattern (OR: 1.89; 95 % CrI: 1.59, 3.99), and local pattern (OR: 1.54; 95 % CrI: 0.94, 2.50). Similar trends were observed for severe obesity while body weight was positively associated with both restricted-imported and imported food patterns. Conclusions: The high consumption of imported foods, together with the low consumption of plant-based foods and protein-rich foods, could be a relevant modifiable lifestyle factor explaining the high levels of obesity and severe obesity in Tuvalu, a Pacific Island country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, various definitions of "added sugars" have emerged across jurisdictions. Although it is clear how these definitions differ, there is limited understanding of the policy implications associated with these variations. Objective: To test the potential policy implications of different definitions of "added sugars" on the Australian packaged food supply, we developed a method to estimate the content of "added sugars" in packaged foods and applied this to 3 different definitions of "added sugars": (i) United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) added sugar definition, (ii) the World Health Organization (WHO) free sugar definition, and (iii) a comprehensive definition that was developed from a review of the evidence on "added sugars." Methods: Using a representative sample of 25,323 Australian packaged foods, the "added sugar" content and proportion of products that contain "added sugar" under the 3 definitions were estimated. In addition, a comparative analysis exploring the impact of the US FDA definition (least comprehensive) vs. the comprehensive definition was conducted to understand potential implications of adopting different regulatory definitions in Australia. Results: The US FDA definition identified the lowest number and proportion of products with any "added sugars" at 14,380 products (representing 56.8% of all products), followed by the WHO free sugar definition at 15,168 products (59.9%) and the comprehensive definition at 16,260 products (64.2%). The mean estimates for "added sugars" were 8.5 g/100 g, 8.7 g/100 g, and 9.6 g/100 g for the US FDA, WHO, and comprehensive definitions, respectively. Compared with the US FDA definition, the comprehensive definition captured an additional 7.4% of products, largely driven by nonalcoholic beverages, special foods and fruit, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Conclusions: Despite small variations in different "added sugars" definitions, their application has some significant policy implications. Findings highlight the importance of applying a comprehensive regulatory definition that adequately captures all sugars that have been linked to poor health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning is the property of Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: School is an important setting for creating healthy and sustainable food environments. Using participatory methods, this pilot study examined food and packaging waste and nutrition quality within the school food system. Methods: One secondary school in Ireland participated in a waste audit. Eleven male students (15–17 years) participated as citizen scientists. Students collected waste over 1 day and documented data on waste categories. Nutrition labels were photographed for analysis. Students created a video and participated in a focus group. Quantitative data were summarised using descriptive frequencies. A Nutrient Profile Model was applied to summarise nutrition quality. The focus group discussion was analysed using content analysis. Results: Highest weights of waste were organic waste (14.2 kg), paper and cardboard (5.0 kg), and hard plastics (4.1 kg). Materials banned by the European Union Single Use Plastics Directive were found. Recycling bins were contaminated with food waste. Nutrition labels from 132 food packages were analysed, of which 115 items (87%) were low‐nutrient, energy dense foods. Confectionary, energy bars and desserts and savoury snacks were the most common packaged food groups. Students were not surprised by the unhealthy food choices; however, they were shocked and saddened at the waste practices. Their proposed solutions mapped across individual, community and organisational levels. Conclusions: The methodologies allowed successful engagement with students on this topic. The use of unnecessary plastics to serve food, poor waste separation practices, and the production of avoidable waste from low‐nutrient, energy‐dense products were key issues identified. Students proposed solutions that are achievable in the short‐term. Key highlights: Eleven 15–17‐year‐old secondary school students successfully participated as citizen scientists in a waste audit at their school that characterised the quantity, type and nutrition quality of waste associated with the food system.Organic waste, paper and cardboard, and hard plastics represented the most frequent waste. Recycling bins were contaminated with organic waste.Confectionary, energy bars and desserts and savoury snacks were the most common packaged food groups.The researchers conduced a focus group with students when they expressed shock and sadness at the waste practices. Their proposed solutions mapped across individual, community and organisational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into the link between food environments and health is scarce. Research in this field has progressed, and new comprehensive methods (i.e., incorporating all food retail outlets) for classifying food retail environments have been developed and are yet to be examined alongside measures of obesity. In this study, we examine the association and temporal trends between the food environment and BMI of a repeated cross-sectional sample of the adult population between 2008 and 2016. Methods: Food retail data for 264 postal areas of Greater Melbourne was collected for the years 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016, and a container-based approach was used to estimate accessibility to supermarkets, healthy and unhealthy outlets. Data on BMI for postal areas was obtained from the Victorian Population Health Survey (n = 47,245). We estimated the association between the food environment and BMI using linear mixed models. Results indicated that BMI increased as accessibility to healthy outlets decreased by up to −0.69 kg/m2 (95%CI: −0.95, −0.44). BMI was lower with high and moderate access to supermarkets compared to low access by −0.33 kg/m2 (−0.63, −0.04) and −0.32 kg/m2 (−0.56, −0.07), and with high access to unhealthy outlets compared to low access (−0.38 kg/m2: −0.64, −0.12) and moderate access (−0.54 kg/m2: −0.78, −0.30). Conclusion: Our results show that increasing access and availability to a diverse range of food outlets, particularly healthy food outlets, should be an important consideration for efforts to support good health. This research provides evidence that Australia needs to follow suit with other countries that have adopted policies giving local governments the power to encourage healthier food environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fiber, potassium and calcium are nutrients of public health concern and their intakes in the United States are alarmingly low. The usage of nutrition facts labels has been reported to increase the odds for dietary reference intake of fiber in some studies. The overall evidence, however, is mixed, as some studies suggested that nutrition facts panels have little to no effect on average measures of diet quality. Here, we investigated whether the usage of nutrition facts labels was associated with meeting U.S. intake recommendations for three nutrients of public health concern: fiber, potassium and calcium. Methods: We used cross-sectional multistage, stratified, clustered and probability sampling design data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2017–2020 cycle. The sample included 5,416 individuals aged 20 years or older, which may be extrapolated to represent 146,841,866 US Americans. Nutrient intakes were compared among individuals reading nutrition facts panels "frequently", "sometimes" or "rarely" using applied survey data analyses techniques (including multivariate logistic regression and marginsplots). Results: We observed substantial sociodemographic differences between the three groups. Frequent readers were significantly more likely to be female and had higher educational levels. On average, they were also significantly older as compared to rare readers. Fiber intake in g/d was highest in frequent readers (17.09) and lowest in rare readers (14.64). The proportion of participants that met dietary fiber intake recommendations was almost four times higher in the frequent readers group (12.69%) as compared to the rare readers group (3.69%). In a bivariate logistic regression model, frequent label reading significantly increased the odds for meeting the fiber recommendations in Dietary Guidelines for Americans (OR: 2.15, p < 0.001). Rarely reading labels decreased the odds (OR: 0.57, p = 0.003). These odds remained essentially unchanged after adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, diabetes status and body mass index (OR: 1.84, p = 0.004; and OR: 0.62, p = 0.022). Conclusions: Nutrition facts panel reading associates with fiber intake. Our findings have potential implications for public health nutrition strategies that may center around educational work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent Covid-19 pandemic highlighted stark social inequalities, notably around access to food, nutrition and to green or blue space (i.e. outdoor spaces with vegetation and water). Consequently, obesity is socio-economically patterned by this inequality; and while the environmental drivers of obesity are widely acknowledged, there is currently little upstream intervention. We know that living with obesity contributes to increasing health inequalities, and places healthcare systems under huge strain. Our environment could broadly be described obesogenic, in the sense of supporting unhealthful eating patterns and sedentary behaviour. Evidence points to the existence of nearly 700 UK obesity policies, all of which have had little success. Obesity prevention and treatment has focused on educational and behavioural interventions targeted at individual consumers. A more sustainable approach would be to try and change the environments that promote less healthy eating and high energy intake as well as sedentary behaviour. Approaches which modify the environment have the potential to assist in the prevention of this complex condition. This review paper focuses on the role of wider food environments or foodscapes. While there is an imperfect evidence base relating to the role of the foodscape in terms of the obesity crisis, policy, practice, civic society and industry must work together and take action now, in areas where current evidence suggests change is required. Despite the current cost-of-living crisis, shaping the foodscape to better support healthful eating decisions has the potential to be a key aspect of a successful obesity prevention intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2016, Thailand introduced voluntary front-of-pack nutrition labeling, the 'Thailand Healthier Choice' logo (THCL), in order to help consumers make informed, healthier food choices in each food category. This study aimed to assess the uptake of the THCL scheme in Thailand after five years of implementation by analyzing a newly launched product database. Data on the nutritional composition and labeling were obtained from the Mintel Global New Products Database between 2017 and 2021. The product's healthfulness was determined using the Health Star Rating (HSR) algorithm. The numbers and proportions of total, eligible, and labeled products bearing the THCL logo were analyzed and classified by food category, by HSR value, and by manufacturer. After 5 years of implementation, THCL uptake as a proportion of total products and eligible products continues to increase by 3.0% and 10.2% per annum, respectively. The logo has correspondingly appeared on 10.7% and 39.5% of total and eligible products. As a voluntary implementation, 76.1% of products displaying the THCL logo belonged to the 'non-core' group, i.e., non-alcoholic beverages and instant foods. This food category (HSR < 3.0) was more likely to register to bear THCL rather than those 'core' food scoring an HSR ≥ 3.5, which might reflect economic considerations and benefits. The present analysis also found that only 10% of manufacturers in Thailand launched 'healthier' products that display the THCL logo with varied product numbers. To summarize, the initial five-year implementation of the THCL program shows promise, but its adoption remains limited and inconsistent, thereby restricting its influence on public health. Our discoveries highlight the limitations of commercial goodwill in applying THCL voluntarily in Thailand and offer potential suggestions to enhance its adoption in the coming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifelong education for dietitians in Japan is based mainly on competencies according to years of experience. Because learning content differs depending on the desired position and specialty, training programs that reflect the individual learning needs of public health dietitians are needed. This study aimed to assess the individual learning needs of public health dietitians via years of experience in health promotion. In 2021, an online survey of public health dietitians involved in health promotion in prefectures, designated cities, and other municipalities throughout Japan was conducted. Years of experience in health promotion were categorized as early (<10 years), mid-career (10–19 years), and leadership (≥20 years) periods. To ascertain individual learning needs, the survey asked about respondents' desired final position, career path, and skills they felt they needed to improve in the future. Of the 1649 public health dietitians analyzed, all administrative categories preferred to work as public health generalists in mid-career or leadership periods rather than in the early period. In municipalities, more public health dietitians across all experience categories selected "professional competence", such as knowledge in specialized areas and nutritional guidance techniques. It was suggested that public health dietitians in the mid-career and leadership periods have individual learning needs, in both nutrition specialists and public health generalists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy, diverse diets are vital for life. In low/middle-income countries, however, the focus is more on food quantity rather than diet quality. This study assessed household diet diversity (HDD) in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta and its associations with household food insecurity (HFI) and household food availability (HFA) controlling for socioeconomic factors. Primary food-preparers in 552 randomly selected households in two rural provinces were interviewed about socioeconomic factors, HDD, HFI, and HFA. More than 80% of households predominantly consumed energy-dense foods, whereas less than 20% consumed nutrient-dense foods. Lower HDD was associated with HFI, lower HFA, for the Khmer ethnic minority, and low livelihood capitals (landlessness, low expenditure, debt) and low utensil scores. The study highlighted the need to provide improved food and nutrition policies that increase availability and access to diverse and healthy foods as well as reduce poverty and increase incomes for at-risk rural and ethnic minority groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) are a key public health tool, providing evidence-based recommendations for a healthy and more environmentally sustainable diet. Current adherence to national FBDG in the UK is poor with only 0.1% of the population meeting all of the recommendations set out in the Eatwell Guide. Communication of the Eatwell Guide is one of the many essential strategies needed to improve adherence and to support the necessary shift towards sustainable diets in the UK. An effective strategy is needed to communicate this information to policy makers, the food industry, health professionals and the public in order to drive dietary behaviour change. Methods: The authors conducted a rapid review of the scientific literature available in the SCOPUS database published between 2012 and 2022 (inclusive). Keywords searched related to the communication and implementation of FBDG. Additionally, examples of communication strategies for national FBDG globally are presented to demonstrate examples of good practice in this field. Results: The review highlighted several key themes relating to effective communication of FBDG. As a result, five recommendations are made for how communication of the Eatwell Guide could be improved to drive better adherence to these sustainable healthy guidelines. The recommendations are (1) review of language and tone of nutrition and sustainability related messages; (2) targeting of FBDG and communications to specific population segments; (3) addressing barriers to and benefits of adopting the Eatwell Guide recommendations; (4) development of practical tools and resources to support implementation of the guidelines; and (5) leveraging social media and social marketing techniques to increase public engagement. Conclusions: This research summarises the current scientific literature on the effective communication of FBDG. The recommendations may be used to improve future communication strategies for the Eatwell Guide as well as other national and international sustainable healthy FBDG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several prior studies have found that poverty was a major cause of stunting. However, we discovered stunting in wealthier homes as well. The study analyzes the stunting risk of wealthy families' children in urban Indonesia. This cross-sectional study enrolled 14,259 children under two in urban Indonesia. Aside from stature, the study looked at seven independent variables (maternal age, marital status, education, employment, children's age, gender, and early breastfeeding beginning). In the final exam, the study utilized a binary logistic regression examination. The result showed that children with wealthy families in urban Indonesia still have a stunting risk of around 11.9%. The study indicates that age was related to the stunting risk of children with affluent families. Children with all maternal age groups were more likely than >44 to experience stunting. Divorced/widowed mothers were 1.089 times more likely than married mothers to have stunting children (AOR 1.089; 95% CI 1.051-1.127). The lower the mother's education, the higher the possibility of stunting children. Unemployed mothers were 1.018 times more likely than employed mothers to have stunting children (AOR 1.018; 95% CI 1.009-1.026). Based on children's age, 12-23 was 2.993 more likely than <12 to experience stunting (AOR 2.993; 95% CI 2.967-3.020). Regarding children's gender, boys were 1.376 times more likely than girls to experience stunting (AOR 1.376; 95% CI 1.365-1.387). Children without early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) were 1.008 times more likely than those with EIBF (AOR 1.008; 95% CI 1.001-1.016). The study concluded that children with wealthy families in urban Indonesia still have a stunting risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Gerencia y Políticas de Salud is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include several nutrition-focused goals. Nutrition has direct effects on the second and third SDGs, namely achieving zero hunger and good health and wellbeing, as well as indirect effects on the first, fifth, sixth, eighth, and seventeenth. Achievement of SDG goals is a prerequisite for meeting the global nutrition targets by 2025. Despite some improvement, Egypt is falling short of meeting the majority of the nutrition targets. From a public health nutrition perspective, there are several gaps in progress toward the SDGs related to nutrition policies, programs, or intervention levels. Political commitment, multisectoral cooperation, adequate financing, scaling up existing interventions, delivering new policies, and incorporating best practices into national policies are crucial for accelerating nutrition progress. Investing in data needed and the capacity to use it, health system capacity building, service providers training, informing beneficiaries, program monitoring and evaluation, and establishing a nutrition surveillance system to adequately inform policy formation are crucial to achieving the target. In order to provide nutrition interventions in an integrated manner, a multi-systems approach should focus on the food, health, water, and sanitation systems, as well as the education and social protection systems. The food system must support low-cost and nutritionally diverse diets, healthy food environments, and positive practices. In addition, legislation, labeling, taxes, and marketing regulations are significant. In generating evidence, science and academia play a crucial role in accelerating the progress of SDG targets. This article reviews the nutritional problem in Egypt and concludes that long-term sustainable development in Egypt cannot be achieved unless malnutrition is effectively addressed (especially in anemia among preschool and school children, exclusive breastfeeding, and overweight and obesity in adolescents and adults). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home cooking is an important obesity prevention strategy and associated with benefits for diet and health. Although cooking may be a joyful act of mindfulness, it also requires planning, preparation and time. Historically, women have been more likely to fulfill the role of food shopping and cooking. More recent studies suggested a transition in traditional household role assignments towards a larger involvement of males. This study examined the current sex distribution of cooking and food shopping responsibilities in the United States of America based on a nationally representative sample of 9078 citizens from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2017–2020). More than 80% of women aged 25 years or older indicated that they were the person who did most of the planning/preparing of meals in their families, whereas the percentage of males responding affirmatively was substantially lower, ranging from 38.73% to 43.20% depending on age. Analyses on food shopping duties revealed a comparable distribution. In multivariate regression, female sex was associated with significantly higher odds of being the main food shopper/meal preparer in the family (OR: 4.82 (4.14–5.60) and 5.54 (4.60–6.67), respectively). Our data suggest that the majority of food shopping and cooking duties are still performed by women, which has important implications for public health nutrition initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A core function of the public health nutrition workforce is advocacy. Little is known of the nutritionists' role in policymaking from a policy process theory perspective. The current study analyses the nutritionists' role in advocating for a six-year governmental plan on obesity prevention in Quebec, Canada. Design: We conducted qualitative research using Quebec's obesity policy as a case study to understand the role of nutritionists in advocating for obesity prevention policies. A conceptual framework combining the Advocacy Coalition Framework with a political analysis model based on the Theory of the Strategic Actor was developed to analyse the beliefs, interests and strategies of policy actors including nutritionists. Data sources comprised semi-structured open-ended interviews with key policy actors (n 25), including eight nutritionists (32 %) and policy-related documents (n 267). Data analysis involved thematic coding and analysis using NVivo 11 Pro. Setting: Quebec, Canada. Participants: Key policy actors including nutritionists. Results: Nutritionists formed the core of the dominant public health coalition. They advocated for an inter-sectoral governmental plan to prevent obesity through enabling environments. Their advocacy, developed through an iterative process, comprised creating a think tank and reinforcing partnerships with key policy actors, conducting research and developing evidence, communicating policy positions and advocacy materials, participating in deliberative forums and negotiating an agreement with other coalitions in the policy subsystem. Conclusions: Nutritionists' advocacy influenced agenda setting and policy formulation. This research may contribute to empowering the public health nutrition workforce and strengthening its advocacy practices. It informs practitioners and researchers concerned with obesity policy and workforce development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Public health nutrition interventions shown to be effective under optimal research conditions need to be scaled up and implemented in real-world settings. Objectives The primary aim for this review was to assess the effectiveness of scaled-up public health nutrition interventions with proven efficacy, as examined in a randomized controlled trial. Secondary objectives were to: 1) determine if the effect size of scaled-up interventions were comparable to the prescale effect, and; 2) identify any adaptations made during the scale-up process. Data sources Six electronic databases were searched and field experts contacted. Study selection An intervention was considered scaled up if it was delivered on a larger scale than a preceding randomized controlled trial ("prescale") in which a significant intervention effect (P ≤ 0.05) was reported on a measure of nutrition. Data extraction Two reviewers independently performed screening and data extraction. Effect size differences between prescale and scaled-up interventions were quantified. Adaptations to scale-up studies were coded according to the Adaptome model. Results Ten scaled-up nutrition interventions were identified. The effect size difference between prescale trials and scaled-up studies ranged from –32.2% to 222% (median, 50%). All studies made adaptations between prescale to scaled-up interventions. Conclusion The effects of nutrition interventions implemented at scale typically were half that achieved in prior efficacy trials. Identifying effective scale-up strategies and methods to support retainment of the original prescale effect size is urgently needed to inform public health policy. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no.CRD42020149267. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is the position of Dietitians Australia that to promote human and planetary health, a food system transformation is needed that enables the population to adopt healthy and sustainable diet‐related practices. A healthy and sustainable diet must (i) be nutritionally adequate, healthy and safe, (ii) have low environmental impact and be protective of natural resources and biodiversity, (iii) be culturally acceptable and (iv) be accessible, economically fair and affordable. Dietitians Australia acknowledges that it is critical to prioritise Indigenous knowledges in consultation, policy‐making and implementation processes to achieve these recommendations. In facilitating the uptake of healthy and sustainable diets, dietitians are contributing to the transformation of our current food system that is urgently required to nourish present and future generations within planetary boundaries. In developing this position statement, opportunities for future research have been identified including those to advance the professions' capacity to improve environmental sustainability outcomes across all areas of practice. To achieve a population‐level shift towards this diet, Dietitians Australia recommends: (i) the development of a National Food and Nutrition Strategy which honours Indigenous knowledges on food systems, (ii) the integration of sustainability principles in Australia's dietary guidelines, (iii) the reorientation of our food environment to prioritise access to healthy and sustainable foods, and (iv) investment in capacity building activities to equip the current and future nutrition and dietetics workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic foods are rich in micronutrients essential to human health, and fisheries and aquaculture are increasingly recognized for their capacity to contribute to reducing global micronutrient deficiencies and diet‐based health risks. Whether fisheries and aquaculture sector and public health nutrition policies align to meet this goal, however, is unclear. Do fisheries and aquaculture policies have explicit nutrition and public health objectives? Do public health nutrition policies recognize the contribution of aquatic foods? Using content analysis, we assessed the alignment of objectives in national fisheries and public health nutrition policies. We further determined conditions associated with varying levels of cohesion among policies in these sectors or domains. We found that 77 of 158 national fisheries policies identified nutrition as a key objective in the sector, and 68 of 165 public health nutrition policies identified the importance of fish and shellfish consumption as key objectives. More recent policies were associated with improved coherence among sectors. International organization presence in policy development was also associated with greater coherence. Countries with higher overweight prevalence had fisheries and public health nutrition policies that were not aligned. There has been a promising recent trend for improved alignment of objectives between fisheries and public health nutrition policies, but more targeted and systematic policy approaches are needed to realize the potential contribution of nutrient‐rich fish and shellfish to healthier food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global food system is not delivering affordable, healthy, diverse diets, which are needed to address malnutrition in all its forms for sustainable development. This will require policy change across the economic sectors that govern food systems, including agriculture, trade, finance, commerce and industry -- a goal that has been beset by political challenges. These sectors have been strongly influenced by entrenched policy agendas and paradigms supported by influential global actors such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). Methods: This study draws on the concept of path dependency to examine how historical economic policy agendas and paradigms have influenced current food and nutrition policy and politics in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected through interviews with 29 relevant policy actors, and documentary data were collected from current policies, academic and grey literature, historical budget statements and World Bank Group Archives (1950-present). Results: Despite increased political priority for nutrition in Ghana, its integration into food policy remains limited. Food policy agendas are strongly focused on production, employment and economic returns, and existing market-based incentives do not support a nutrition-sensitive food supply. This policy focus appears to be rooted in a liberal economic approach to food policy arising from structural adjustment in the 1980s and trade liberalization in the 1990s, combined with historical experience of 'failure' of food policy intervention and an entrenched narrowly economic conception of food security. Conclusion: This study suggests that attention to policy paradigms, in addition to specific points of policy change, will be essential for improving the outcomes of food systems for nutrition. An historical perspective can provide food and health policy-makers with insights to foster the revisioning of food policy to address multiple national policy objectives, including nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our objective was to develop a nutrient-based index for evaluating and improving menus in public catering. The nutriRECIPE-Index comprises 24 nutrients and nutrient groups. In developing the index, the following steps were included: setting the goals of the index, nutrient selection, target metrics and scaling, weighting, proof of concept and validation of the index. Furthermore, a unique database was created to integrate bioactive plant compounds in the assessment. An assessment of standard recipes and supposedly healthy recipes should show a significant difference in the results of the nutriRECIPE-Index. Finally, the nutriRECIPE-Index should generate similar or more specific results than existing indices such as the Nutri-Score and the Healthy Meal Index. Methods: A whole meal cycle (comprising 6 weeks, 106 recipes and including different menu lines, partially with different side dishes) at a university canteen was analysed with the Federal Food Code (BLS) and the nutriRECIPE-Index. The Healthy Meal Index (comprising 3 nutritionally relevant items) and the Nutri-Score algorithm (comprising 7 items) were used to validate the nutrient composition and the results of the nutriRECIPE-Index. Results: The resulting scores of the recipes and menu lines showed substantial differences, wherein the meals of a health-promoting menu line usually received higher scores than the standard recipes. A correlation between the nutriRECIPE-Index and the Healthy Meal Index (0.604) and the Nutri-Score (0.591) was observed. The nutriRECIPE-Index was better at identifying the worst menus and could better separate mediocre menus from good menus. Conclusion: The nutriRECIPE-Index is a useful and comprehensive tool for evaluating the nutritional value of recipes and is the first to consider bioactive plant compounds. Further adjustments to different target populations, settings, and cultural backgrounds are possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2019, Canada's Food Guide underwent its first transformation in over a decade. The change received considerable attention given the increased focus on plant‐based proteins and the decision to eliminate the milk and alternatives food group. Yet little is known about health professionals' views of these updates. In response, the present study examined Canadian dietitians' attitudes and behaviours towards the guide's expanded plant‐based recommendations. Methods: A pan‐Canadian cross‐sectional online survey was administered from January to March 2020 to currently practicing registered dietitians. The study was pre‐registered, piloted and received ethical approval. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed and open‐text responses underwent thematic analysis. Results: In total, 411 dietitians from 10 provinces and various work settings participated. Most dietitians (82.8%) consider the food guide's recommendation to choose protein foods that come from plants more often is evidence‐based. Compared to its predecessor, dietitians encourage their patients/clients to choose protein foods that come from plants (p < 0.001) and non‐dairy sources of calcium (p < 0.001) significantly more frequently under the new guide. A slight majority of dietitians (57.7%) agree with the decision to omit the standalone milk and alternatives group in favour of bringing dairy into the protein category. Conclusions: Canadian dietitians generally look favourably upon the new plant‐based recommendations and have adjusted their nutrition counselling in response. The findings are considered to be the first to characterise how dietitians view changes to the plant‐based content of one of the most recognisable diet‐related educational tools in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attitudes and knowledge regarding the food environment and purchasing behaviour are drivers or hindrances toward a healthier lifestyle. A questionnaire-based study on consumers' knowledge about food and health and main drivers for food purchasing was applied to a group of Romanians and results were compared with those from a similar study carried about 10 years ago. Respondents seem to be more aware of some environmental and ecological problems (deforestation, global warming, etc), about the importance of bioproducts consumption, and regarding the link between food products and health. Still, the nutritional part of the food label is underused. The main reasons for selecting food are the same as in 2011, but with the greater interest paid to food related health aspects and taste. The perceived trust in food safety remains low. The consumers' amount of knowledge regarding food increased, food being perceived more as a useful adjuvant for health maintenance and an energy booster. Ten years after, some positive changes have been noticed in a group of Romanian citizens. Efforts have to continue in order to put a greater accent on the link between health, food, and purchasing behaviour. Education policies at local and European level have to guide consumers' choices so that the impact of food consumption becomes a sanogenic and sustainable one, both on people, and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interventions to reduce population salt intake are feasible and cost-effective. The Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership implemented a complex, multi-faceted salt reduction intervention between 2014 and 2020 in the Australian state of Victoria. This study aimed to understand stakeholder perspectives on the effectiveness of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with Partnership and food industry stakeholders. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was adapted for the Partnership intervention and used to guide the qualitative analysis. Results: Fourteen Partnership and seven food industry stakeholders were interviewed. The Partnership was viewed as essential for intervention planning and decision-making and an enabler for intervention delivery. The goals of capacity building and collaborative action were perceived to have been achieved. The implementation team executed intended intervention activities and outputs, with some adaptations to strategy. Barriers and enablers to implementation were identified by interviewees, such as compatibility of individual, organisational and Partnership values and building positive relationships between the Partnership and food industry, respectively. Legal, political, social, environmental, technological and economic factors affecting intervention design, delivery and outcomes were identified. Conclusions: Establishing a Partnership with diverse skills and experience facilitated collaborative action, capacity building and execution of the intervention. Monitoring and evaluating implementation informed strategy adaptations, which allowed optimisation of Partnership strategy. The importance of developing strong communication networks between strategic and implementation-levels was a key lesson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Protein-rich foods are major parts of the human diet and are highly heterogeneous in nutrient composition and health effects. Designing healthy diets for disease prevention requires careful consideration of substituting unhealthier protein foods with healthier protein foods.Methods: This was a pooled analysis of six prospective cohort studies of 29 682 US participants. Data were collected in 1985-2016. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 30-year absolute risk differences (ARDs) were calculated for the associations between simultaneous substitution of one or more animal protein foods with other animal or plant protein foods at various amounts, and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality.Results: Substituting eggs, processed meat, unprocessed red meat or poultry with nuts, whole grains, legumes or fish was associated with lower risks of incident CVD and all-cause mortality. According to different substitution amounts (varying from one serving per week to one serving per day) and different numbers of protein foods being simultaneously substituted (varying from one to four), estimates ranged between 1%: HR, 0.99 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.98-1.00], and 54%: HR, 0.46 (0.35-0.60), lower risks on the relative scale and between 0.3%: ARD, -0.29% (-0.48% to -0.05%), and 14.0%: ARD, -13.96% (-17.29% to -9.96%) lower risks on the absolute scale.Conclusions: Nuts, whole grains, legumes and fish appeared to be healthier protein sources than eggs, processed meat, unprocessed red meat and poultry for preventing incident CVD and premature death. The magnitude of lower risk for incident CVD and all-cause mortality was driven by amount and number of animal protein foods substituted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There is conflicting advice about the inclusion of dairy foods in a lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission dietary pattern. Our purpose was to assess the prevalence of dairy food intake among higher diet quality and lower GHG emission diets in Australia and within these diets assess the association between level of dairy food intake and adequate intake of a broad range of nutrients. Methods: Dietary intake data collected using a 24-h recall process were sourced from the most recent Australian Health Survey. Diet quality was assessed by level of compliance with the food group-based Australian Dietary Guidelines. A subgroup of 1732 adult (19 years and above) daily diets was identified having higher diet quality score and lower GHG emissions (HQLE). Intake of core dairy foods (milk, cheese, yoghurt) was assessed and nutrient profiling was undertaken for 42 macro- and micronutrients. Results: The HQLE subgroup had 37% higher diet quality score and 43% lower GHG emissions than the average Australian adult diet (P < 0.05). Intake of dairy foods was very common (90% of HQLE diets) and greatly exceeded the intake of non-dairy alternatives (1.53 serves compared to 0.04 serves). HQLE daily diets in the highest tertile of dairy food intake were more likely to achieve the recommended intake of a wide range of nutrients, including calcium, protein, riboflavin, vitamin B12, folate, phosphorous, magnesium, iodine and potassium compared to other HQLE daily diets. Conclusion: Core dairy foods have an important role for achieving adequate nutrient intakes in a healthy and lower GHG emission dietary pattern in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrition policymakers frequently treat their knowledge of nutrition as acultural and universal. We analyze food guidelines in Mexico and Guatemala to draw attention to embedded, but often unrecognized, cultural values of standardization and individual responsibility. We suggest that nutrition policy would be improved by attending to the cultural values within nutrition science, and that nutrition guidelines should attend not only to other people's cultures but to what we are calling "cultures of nutrition." We conclude by offering an example of an adaptive approach to policy-making that may be useful for handling situations where many different cultures of nutrition collide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Demetra: Food, Nutrition & Health / Alimentação, Nutrição & Saúde is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To assess public health nutrition practice within the public health system in Ontario, Canada to identify provincial-wide needs for scientific and technical support.Design: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted to identify activities, strengths, challenges and opportunities in public health nutrition practice using semi-structured key informant interviews (n 21) and focus groups (n 10). Recorded notes were analysed concurrently with data generation using content analysis. System needs were prioritised through a survey.Setting: Public health units.Participants: Eighty-nine practitioners, managers, directors, medical officers of health, researchers and other stakeholders were purposively recruited through snowball and extreme case sampling.Results: Five themes were generated: (i) current public health nutrition practice was broad, complex, in transition and collaborative; (ii) data/evidence/research relevant to public health needs were insufficiently available and accessible; (iii) the amount and specificity of guidance/leadership was perceived to be mismatched with strong evidence that diet is a risk factor for poor health; (iv) resources/capacity were varied but insufficient and (v) understanding of nutrition expertise in public health among colleagues, leadership and other organisations can be improved. Top ranked needs were increased understanding, visibility and prioritisation of healthy eating and food environments; improved access to data and evidence; improved collaboration and coordination; and increased alignment of activities and goals.Conclusions: Collective capacity in the public health nutrition can be improved through strategic system-wide capacity-building interventions. Research is needed to explore how improvements in data, evidence and local contexts can bridge research and practice to effectively and efficiently improve population diets and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behaviour change is an important aspect of the successful implementation of any national health program. Social behaviour change among end-user can be possible by imparting the right information in the right quantity to the right audience, at frequent intervals through the proper medium. Mass media, both electronic and print are considered useful modes to deliver all public health-related messages to the people. However, the key is to provide correct information to the media for dissemination. On the other hand, medical colleges have a depth of knowledge on technical know-how but reaching a larger population is quite challenging. Therefore, a team approach should be planned by establishing a partnership between media and medical colleges and then the social behaviour change can be achieved in the desired direction. In lieu of this novel partnership, the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar had taken the initiative to bring together media personnel and faculty of medical colleges to chalk and roll out the behaviour change communication for nutrition interventions. This program was highly successful as the liaison helped disseminate the right information to the people. Also, the faculty and residents gained insight into dealing with media and thereby serving the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behaviour change is an important aspect of the successful implementation of any national health program. Social behaviour change among end-user can be possible by imparting the right information in the right quantity to the right audience, at frequent intervals through the proper medium. Mass media, both electronic and print are considered useful modes to deliver all public health-related messages to the people. However, the key is to provide correct information to the media for dissemination. On the other hand, medical colleges have a depth of knowledge on technical know-how but reaching a larger population is quite challenging. Therefore, a team approach should be planned by establishing a partnership between media and medical colleges and then the social behaviour change can be achieved in the desired direction. In lieu of this novel partnership, the Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhubaneswar had taken the initiative to bring together media personnel and faculty of medical colleges to chalk and roll out the behaviour change communication for nutrition interventions. This program was highly successful as the liaison helped disseminate the right information to the people. Also, the faculty and residents gained insight into dealing with media and thereby serving the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) related to inadequate nutrition are prevalent in economically transitioning countries such as the Arab region. The westernized diet is recognized as a leading trend and the UN General Assembly is focused on the prevention and control of NCD. Due to the rapid transitions in diet and physical inactivity occurring in the Arab region, revising public health dietary strategies, guidelines, and policies to reduce the burden of NCD is needed. This article presents existing literature on food label use in the Arab region as a response to the problem. The primary objective was to locate, review, and summarize peer-reviewed studies on how and why consumers use food labels in Arab countries. An integrative review of the related literature was conducted with no delimiting time frames. The authors applied search strategies to eight academic databases which produced 32 peer-reviewed articles. Seventeen were removed due to inconsistent scope and focus. Awareness of and nutrition knowledge about food labeling emerged as a primary theme. Education, household income, and age were secondary themes and predictor variables. Nutrition food labels as a population-based strategy can influence individual behavior change and potentially improve population health. These outcomes depend on the consumer's ability to understand nutrition labels and properly apply information. Themed recommendations included standardization of food labeling policies, consumer education on food labeling, and public health efforts to develop a detailed understanding of regional populations prior to health promotion strategy development. Enabling informed food selection and reinforcing healthy dietary intake can help prevent NCD and support individual and population health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Haushalt in Bildung & Forschung is the property of Verlag Barbara Budrich GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To explore parents' responses to sponsorship of children's sport by unhealthy food brands and two alternative pro-health sponsorship options.Design: Between-subjects online experiment with four sponsorship conditions: (i) non-food branding (control); (ii) unhealthy food branding; (iii) healthier food branding; (iv) public health nutrition campaign branding. Participants were shown a short video and a promotional flyer for a fictional junior sports programme, with sponsor content representing their assigned brand. Afterwards, participants were asked a series of questions assessing their brand awareness, brand attitudes and preference for food sponsor branded products.Setting: Australia.Participants: Australian parents (n 1331) of children aged 6-9 years.Results: Compared with the control condition, unhealthy food sponsorship promoted increased awareness, branded product preferences and favourable attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands. Healthier food sponsorship promoted similar effects for healthier food sponsor brands, except there was no significant increase in positive attitudes towards these brands. Sponsorship by public health nutrition campaigns promoted more negative attitudes towards unhealthy food sponsor brands and increased preference for healthier food sponsor branded products. Overall, healthier food sponsors and public health campaign sponsors were perceived to have better programme-sponsor fit and to be more appropriate sponsors of children's sport than unhealthy food sponsors.Conclusions: Restrictions on unhealthy food sponsorship of children's sport are needed to prevent unhealthy food brands from exploiting junior sport sponsorship to enhance their appeal. Sponsorship of children's sport by healthier food brands or public health nutrition campaigns could help promote healthier food choices among parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterprising students who understand the work environment are considered more employable. It is accepted that higher-education has a responsibility to produce career-ready-graduates. Practicum experience provides a critical role in this preparation. This study describes the development and implementation of the WIL instrument and WIL experience to assess the perceived skill development of students (n=19). This research utilized three data capture points; 1) employability skills cluster matrix-self-assessment tool (ESCM-SAT), 2) industry feedback from supervisors to develop a deeper understanding of the value of WIL; 3) students used the Gibbs reflective cycle (Gibbs 1988). There were improvements in all skills clusters, main gains were in career management (p<0.01). Supervisor feedback gave direction for improvement for; communication, preparation and organization skills. Student reflection suggests career management skills were strengthened, confidence increased, as did their value of academics. The ESCM-SAT, industry feedback and student reflection were deemed a suitable combination to measure the WIL experiences from a student perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the shifting patterns in meal consumption practices among Canadians and the sources of disruption of meal habits. It analyses the notion of breakfast, lunch, dinner, out-of-household consumption of food, cooking, and snacking which could be considered as disrupting eating habits. Meal skipping, primarily breakfast and lunch was common, particularly among women, as was consumption of food outside the home, particularly among lower income earners and respondents with lower education attainment. The findings of this survey suggest that contemporary Canadians are experiencing a disruption of meal times, a rise in the frequency of snacking and an erosion of the will or ability to prepare or cook meals at home. For many Canadians, the traditional notion of three-meals a day is becoming an ideal, rather than a daily reality. Fragmented food habits and the disintegration of traditional meal patterns represent a challenge to public health nutrition in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to explore trends of early consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), within the context of growing child and adolescent obesity and escalating type-2 diabetes prevalence. We explore efforts to mitigate these, drawing on examples from Africa and elsewhere. SSB, including carbonated drinks and fruit juices, play a contributory role in the development of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases (NCD). SSA is an attractive market for beverage companies owing to its rapid economic growth, growing middle class and youthful populations. SSB already contribute significantly to total sugar and energy consumption in SSA where a plethora of marketing techniques targeted at younger people are utilised to ensure brand recognition and influence purchasing and brand loyalty. Coupled with a general lack of nutrition knowledge or engagement with preventative health, this can lead to frequent consumption of sugary drinks at a young age. Public health efforts in many high income and some middle-income countries address increasing prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes by focusing on strategies to encourage reduction in sugar consumption via health policy and public education campaigns. However, similar efforts are not as developed or forthcoming in low-income countries. Health care systems across SSA are ill-prepared to cope with epidemic proportions of NCD, particularly when contextualised with the ongoing battle with infectious diseases. We conclude that greater efforts by governments and the nutrition community to educate the public on the health effects of increased and excessive consumption of SSB are necessary to help address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: In 2012, a large Australian metropolitan health service introduced a healthy food policy, where there was a requirement for food and drinks for sale within retail stores to conform to standards based on macronutrients and energy content. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the experience of those implementing a healthy food retail policy in order to inform the translation of such policies into other organisations. Methods: A qualitative approach was used, with semistructured interviews exploring informants' involvement in, experiences of, factors affecting and perceived outcomes of policy implementation. Interviews were conducted with seven individuals participating in the introduction of the healthy food retail policy. Results were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Four themes and 21 sub‐themes were identified, with analysis interpreted using the socio‐ecological model. Participants identified that successful policy implementation hinged on the provision of resources and support by the health service to the retail staff. Trusting relationships between retail and health service staff were built through effective and frequent communication. The fear of tensions between the policy and business income had significantly lessened after implementation. A key factor contributing to this change was the use of low‐risk trials to remove less healthy products or introduce new healthier foods. Conclusions: Implementing a healthy food retail policy within a health service benefits from dedicated resourcing, investment in relationship building with key stakeholders and introducing changes gradually with a long‐term approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Food marketing to children is pervasive and linked to increased preference and intake of unhealthy foods. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the only multi-country nutrient criteria, and Chile recently released the world's most comprehensive regulation to identify foods that should not be marketed to children. Our objective was to examine the proportion of US packaged food and beverage products eligible for marketing to children under the WHO Europe Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) and the 2019 Chilean regulation. Methods Data for this study are from Label Insight's 2017 Open Access branded food database. Each product was assigned to one of 13 food categories, and nutritional content compared to both the NPM and Chilean criteria. The proportion of US products meeting criteria for marketing to children using both schemes was examined overall and by category. Agreement between the two criteria was examined using Cohen's Kappa. Results Of 17,740 US products, 21% were eligible to be marketed to children using the WHO criteria and 26% using the Chilean criteria. 'Egg and egg products' and 'Seafood' had the highest proportion of products eligible for marketing to children under both schemes. 'Confectionery' and 'Snack foods' had the lowest proportion eligible. Conclusions for practice The WHO NPM and Chilean criteria both restrict less healthy items from being marketed to children. Regulatory agencies in the US developing policies should consider the implementation of nutrient criteria to restrict the marketing of less healthy foods and beverages to children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National health authorities uniformly express an urgent need for large-scale policies that incorporate population-based strategies to improve diet-related population health outcomes. On October 30, 2013, Washington State passed the first statewide comprehensive policy on food service guidelines (i.e., Executive Order 13-06: “Improving the Health and Productivity of State Employees and Access to Healthy Foods in State Facilities") aimed at improving diet-related health outcomes and estimated to impact 73,000 individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the facilitators and constraints to the development and passage of Executive Order 13-06 to inform future food service guideline development and passage in other agencies, states, and municipalities. We conducted 17 semi-structured telephone interviews with key stakeholders involved in the development and/or passage of Executive Order 13-06. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using the Advocacy Coalition Framework. Interviewees were from local and state public health departments, Washington State government, public agencies, academia, advocacy coalitions, and national organizations. Two main coalitions (proponents and opponents) diverged in their support of the passage of Executive Order 13-06. Proponents supported it given its potential to increase access to healthy food and beverage options. Opponents felt that it was not feasible to meet food service guidelines without affecting sales and profit. Study findings highlight the importance of early engagement with stakeholders most impacted by proposed food service guidelines, using existing guidelines rather than developing new guidelines, and creating a workgroup to discuss the feasibility of food service guideline implementation and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research objective was to explore the environmental, personal and behavioural factors as determinants of university students' food behaviour in Québec, Canada. A web‐based questionnaire including factors likely to influence eating behaviours was developed. The questionnaire described 16 profiles, each associated with a food choice determinant. The students' living arrangements and sociodemographic profile were also obtained. Descriptive statistics, chi‐square tests and factor analysis were conducted. A total of 857 students participated in the study. Significant gender differences were noted as well as differences according to living arrangements (e.g., residence hall, apartment with a roommate, with parents or alone in an apartment). Significant relationships were also found between food insecurity and citizenship. Based on the factor analysis and the underlying constructs, four profiles describing different eaters were identified: the planet‐nutrition‐kitchen lover, the utilitarian lonely eater, the body‐driven eater and the mindless eater. The results suggest topics to take into account when developing nutrition interventions or nutrition‐based health prevention programmes. These topics include cooking skills, time constraints, commensality, food variety, pleasure, body concern, mindless eating and stress. Moreover, a marginal but worrisome food determinant is also discussed, namely food insecurity. The results suggest some components to strengthen or incorporate into future nutrition interventions, such as body satisfaction, body image and satiety. Strategies to decrease emotional eating and promote mindful eating are worthwhile considerations when developing a health promotion university programme. The heterogeneity of the living arrangements and how they relate to food behaviours are also of great importance. Lastly, it is crucial to provide food assistance programmes and services to students with financial limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]