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The US Latino/a population disproportionately lives in poverty and experiences household food insecurity, especially households with children. The Household Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) was originally developed among rural White women. Despite wide use in English and Spanish, how well the FSSM captures the food insecurity experiences of Latino/a households is not well known. This study explored how Latino/a caregivers understood, interpreted, and perceived FSSM items and responses, and how well quantitative FSSM responses captured their reported food insecurity experiences. Trained researchers conducted in-depth cognitive interviews in a qualitative study. Interviews were conducted between October 2021 and August 2022 with Latino/a adults (N = 62) experiencing food insecurity while caring for a child (aged 18 years or younger) in the same household, and living in California, New York, or Texas. Qualitative analysis using iterative summaries for data reduction focused on item interpretation, response patterns, and cross-cutting themes. Participants generally understood FSSM items as intended. The most salient findings were themes that applied across multiple FSSM items rather than wording issues with specific items. Underreporting of food insecurity was linked to nonaffirmative ("never") responses to items referencing not having enough money for food while describing reliance on nonmonetary resources (eg, food assistance or food pantries); emotional sensitivity to discussing food insecurity, particularly as it related to children; stigma and emotions related to skipping meals; and limited response options that participants believed did not reflect their experiences. These issues influenced multiple items, impeding ease of responding and leading to inaccurate responses in English- and Spanish-language versions. Assessing coping strategies and providing more acceptable response options could enhance FSSM validity. Considering emic perspectives of Latino/a caregivers and how food access experiences differ from quantitative survey measures of food security could strengthen policy and programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latino children are disproportionately affected by childhood obesity. Prior research has encouraged father engagement to bolster prevention efforts and outlined general strategies for father recruitment, engagement, and retention. However, behavioral nutrition or education programs with a focus on Latino fathers are lacking, which means there is little guidance for working with Latino fathers in motivation and maintenance. This perspective highlights strategies for supporting dietary and activity behaviors with Latino fathers. Researchers can apply strategies to observational studies or program development and implementation, and practitioners can use strategies to tailor education and counseling with Latino fathers as part of obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic, structural, and social factors negatively influence nutrition for Latino/a children, and there are racial/ethnic disparities in dietary intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and body mass index (BMI). The ¡Haz Espacio para Papi! (HEPP, Make Room for Daddy!) program was a father-focused, family-centered program to support nutrition and physical activity in Mexican-heritage families. Examine the effects of a behavioral nutrition program on dietary intake of FV and BMI for Mexican-heritage children. A modified stepped-wedge design was used to evaluate the program, which was conducted from summer 2019 through winter 2020, in five neighborhood clusters along the Texas-Mexico border. Children were 9-11 years at enrollment. Promotoras led in-person group sessions with experiential nutrition education and measurements at pre-test, post-test (6 weeks), and maintenance (3-4 months after post-test). Promotoras measured height and weight and used the Veggie Meter® to collect instant skin carotenoid scores (SCS) as a biomarker for dietary FV intake. A SAS macro calculated age- and sex-adjusted BMI. Within-person changes were calculated for SCS and BMI percentile and BMI z-score. Analyses of variance and linear mixed-effects models were used to determine differences in outcomes. The program enrolled 59 children (10 years old, 100% Mexican-heritage, 56.1% female). Children experienced decreases in SCS overall, though an increase of 16.1 ± 18.1 points was observed in one group. Children who may have had access to school meal programs did not show greater increases in SCS. Overall, children had greater reductions in BMI during the program compared to the control period and sustained reductions in BMI at maintenance. Preliminary results showed no overall effect for instant skin carotenoid score, though some groups showed a greater increase during the program versus control period. There were promising results for BMI at post-test and somewhat sustained effects at maintenance. Our findings provided evidence for strengths-based approaches in behavioral nutrition and suggest strengthening school meal programs to include carotenoid rich FV. USDA This research was supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2015-68001-23234 for the Salud para Usted y Su Familia (Health for You and Your Family, SPUSF), and through another USDA NIFA award (2021-77040-34877) for the Nutrition LEADers Learning Community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults (60 years+) have unique nutrition needs and circumstances. To address their individual requirements, many technological innovations are emerging to provide the necessary resources for this largely underserved population. To enhance participation in the senior nutrition programs, a multifunctional app, NUEVA, was created to optimize recruitment, assessment, nutrition intervention, and the participant experience. The development was informed with a user-centered design (UCD) framework including collaboration with community partners associated with senior nutrition programs. To complete initial or "alpha" testing of the NUEVA app with community partners. A qualitative study with focus groups was conducted in Central Texas. Focus group participants included leaders of senior nutrition programs, food banks, and food delivery volunteers serving older adults in the Central Texas area. Focus groups were conducted over Zoom and followed a semi-structured guide that covered technology usage. Additionally, a Think Aloud methodology was used to assess participants real-time feedback while navigating NUEVA. Recordings were transcribed and checked for accuracy. Analysis: Qualitative analysis included the review of summary sheets, peer debriefing, and coding to identify desired key features of NUEVA and barriers or facilitators related to usability of the app. Community partners engaged in focus groups (n=4 groups). Participants provided insights about successful technology adoption and barriers to technology usage in senior nutrition program operations. Facilitators of programmatic operations included opportunities for NUEVA to improve, such as recruitment, screening, assessment, meal selection, greater informed client outreach and increased ways to address nutrition security. Group discussions identified possibilities to enhance NUEVA for the older adults and operation use, such as technological concerns of the older adult user and staff, including data security. Findings inform the development of NUEVA, including the nutrition education and additional desired modules, before beta testing with user groups. Furthermore, this community-based approach utilizing UCD may be a valuable model for leveraging technology to develop impactful solutions for older adults. USHHS, ACL [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infant temperament and parental feeding practices may be risk factors for childhood obesity, however most studies have relied upon parent-report assessments. We tested whether infant emotional distress and maternal restrictive feeding at 12-months of age, assessed observationally at a home feeding interaction, predicted child BMI through age 6years. We conducted a prospective observational study of 86 children (34 girls and 52 boys, from 55 adoptive and 31 non-adoptive families) enrolled in the Colorado Adoption Project. Mother-infant feeding interactions were video-recorded during a home snack or meal at year 1, and child anthropometrics (length or height, and weight) were assessed at years 1 through 6. The main outcome measures were child weight-for-length at year 1 and body mass index (BMI: kg/m(2)) at years 2-6. Results of generalized linear models indicated that greater infant emotional distress at 12-months predicted greater increases in child weight status through age 6years, B=0.62 and odds ratio (OR)=1.87. In separate analyses, restrictive feeding interacted with child sex in predicting weight status trajectories (p=.012). Male infants whose mothers displayed any compared to no restriction at year 1 showed a downward BMI trajectory from 2 to 6years; for female infants, exposure to any compared to no restriction prompts predicted increasing BMI from 4 to 6years. In sum, early obesity prevention strategies should pay greater attention to infant temperament, especially distress and negative affect, and how parents respond to such cues. Additionally, 'responsive feeding' strategies that provide an alternative to restriction warrant greater research during infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity secondary to chemotherapy. Genetic factors may be important in predisposing patients to this adverse effect. Patients and methods We studied 950 primary lung cancer patients, who received platinum or platinum-combination drug chemotherapy and who had DNA available for study. We analyzed epidemiological risk factors in 279 CIPN patients and 456 non-CIPN patients and genetic risk factors in 141 CIPN patients and 259 non-CIPN patients. The risk factors studied included demographic, diagnostic, and treatment data, as well as 174 tag SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) across 43 candidate genes in the glutathione, cell cycle, DNA repair, cell signaling, and apoptosis pathways. Results Patients who had diabetes mellitus were more likely to have CIPN ( p = 0.0002). Other epidemiologic risk factors associated with CIPN included number of cycles ( p = 0.0004) and type of concurrent chemotherapy ( p < 0.001). SNPs most associated with CIPN were in glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7) gene ( p values 0.0015 and 0.0028, unadjusted and adjusted) and in ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 4 (ABCC4) gene ( p values 0.037 and 0.006, unadjusted and adjusted). We also found other suggestive associations in methyl-o-guanine-methyl-transferase (MGMT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) isoforms. Conclusions Epidemiological and genetic risk factors associated with CIPN in this cohort, included the type of chemotherapy drug, intensity of chemotherapy treatment, and genes known to be associated with chemotherapy resistance. These findings suggest that differentiating between cytotoxic and neurotoxic mechanisms of chemotherapy drugs is challenging but represents an important step toward individualized therapy and improving quality of life for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the efficacy of The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre® (THK/LCA) program to improve nutrition outcomes of low-income Texans. The THK/LCA program draws from established health promotion and nutrition education models, including the Social-Ecological Model, the Health Belief Model, and Social Cognitive Theory. Additionally, this culturally sustaining education program incorporates insights from scholars like Drs. Gloria Ladson-Billings, Django Paris, and H. Samy Alim. Central to the curriculum is the Hispanic tradition of sobremesa, emphasizing connections and information sharing around the table after a meal. THK/LCA primarily aims to serve low-income Texans facing systemic barriers to food access. THK/LCA classes are held in community spaces like libraries, health clinics, and schools, and recruitment is conducted in collaboration with community organizations. The service population is defined as individuals or families with income less than 185% of the poverty line or who live in an area designated as low-income/low-access by USDA's Food Access Research Atlas. THK/LCA is a community-engaged, peer-facilitated, interactive 6-week cooking and nutrition class series that emphasizes the selection and preparation of fresh, nutritious, and economical foods in alignment with traditional foodways. Pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up surveys were administered to obtain information on program completion, meals provided, changes in fruit and vegetable intake, nutrition knowledge, cooking skills, and home-cooked meal preparation. Counts and percentages were determined using Tableau data analysis software. Three hundred and sixty-five Texans participated in THK/LCA classes, with 196 participants completing all 6 classes in a series. The equivalent of 4,851 meals were provided to participants. Most participants reported increases in fruit and vegetable consumption (80%), nutrition knowledge (89%), cooking skills (86%), and cooking more meals at home (80%). THK/LCA has demonstrated success in improving access to fresh and nutritious foods among low-income people living in Texas. Next steps will include an evaluation of program expansion efforts. None [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To implement and evaluate an integrated Spanish-language program to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, and strengthen family function among Mexican-heritage (MH) families. We describe research (stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial [SWCRCT] of father-focused, family-centered program), education (experiential learning and innovative teaching), and extension (promotora-led charlas [chats/talks]) components. The SWCRCT consists of clusters of 10-15 families receiving six in-person group sessions (three focused on father-child pairs) and at-home activities. Session include food tastings, interactive lessons, active games, hands-on food preparation, time to eat together, and goal setting. The promotora interventionists were trained using the train-the-trainer approach to gain knowledge and skills related to nutrition and food preparation, physical activity, family functioning, and motivational interviewing. The program actively involved undergraduate and graduate students from Texas A&M University, Baylor University, and Texas State University in experiential training that included material development, participant observation of promotora trainings (cooking and experiential nutrition and physical activity) and family pretesting, and motivational interviewing. Program activities and learnings were included in undergraduate and graduate courses (research methods and evaluation). In the charla program, team promotoras conducted a series of five community-based programs and activities that delivered science-based knowledge and informal educational programs to empower Mexican-heritage children and families to make sustainable healthy decisions. More than 400 participants attended charlas, which took place in community centers, churches, community organizations, and colonia neighborhoods. Data were collected for training, recruitment, process (observations and checklists), and outcome (pre- and post-program surveys, seven-day accelerometer, Veggie Meter®, and interviews/focus groups. Surveys and reflection papers from students were used. Post-charla surveys, debriefs, and a follow-up ripple effect survey (sharing of session materials) was done. This integrated family program enhances the capacity of families, students, promotoras, and community members to incorporate education and skill-building into healthier behaviors. The SWCRCT is a game changer by engaging Mexican-heritage fathers, co-parenting couples, and children and addresses a lacuna in obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "The Relationship Between Dietary Quality and Food Insecurity for a Sample of Low-Income Mothers" by Cassandra Johnson et al. is presented.

To describe initial student acceptance and perception of the LEADers program, as a model for recruiting, engaging, and supporting students at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Using the socio-ecological model, students work on self-assessment (individual), leadership and skills development (interpersonal), and network building (professional). LEADers focuses on research engagement, and peer and near-peer mentorship in nutrition and dietetics programs. Any student enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate nutrition programs at Texas State University. LEADers is a USDA-funded learning community that intentionally recruits Latino/a students and underrepresented students. The student-led food pantry ("Bobcat Bounty") serves as a research laboratory. Research projects focus on USDA priority areas, such as food/nutrition security. LEADers events, activities, and assessments prioritize workforce development for careers within USDA priority areas. Outcome evaluations take place at the end of each semester and academic year. For year 1, students completed surveys at baseline to assess initial individual characteristics and engagement with events/activities. Process evaluation activities are ongoing, including observations and reflections from participating students and faculty to provide the opportunity to consolidate their experiences within the program, consider personal meaning, and identify aspects for future development. Process evaluations to understand acceptance and perceptions included qualitative and quantitative data, such as post-event observations and reflections and participation logs. During the first semester, 14 students participated in LEADers (64% Hispanic or Latino/a). Preliminary findings suggested involvement in the program helped students connect with nutrition research, feel motivated to network with peers and mentors, build a community, and discover professional development opportunities and career possibilities. Consistent participation of students suggested acceptance during its first semester of implementation. Future work will prioritize marketing to boost membership and engagement of students, increasing opportunities for experiential learning with research labs, and mentor/mentee activities. Positive reception and perception of the program suggests this model may be a promising strategy to strengthen the public health nutrition workforce. NIFA U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2021-77040-34877 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Associations of processed meat and unprocessed red meat intake with incident diabetes: the Strong Heart Family Study," by A. M. Fretts and colleagues in the March 2012 issue.

Abstract: There is a paucity of studies acknowledging the existence of alternative food sources, and factors associated with food purchasing from three common alternative sources: vendedores (mobile food vendors), pulgas (flea markets), and vecinos/amigos (neighbors/friends). This analysis aims to examine the use of alternative food sources by Mexican-origin women from Texas-border colonias and determine factors associated with their use. The design was cross-sectional. Promotora-researchers (promotoras de salud trained in research methods) recruited 610 Mexican-origin women from 44 colonias and conducted in-person surveys. Surveys included participant characteristics and measures of food environment use and household food security. Statistical analyses included separate logistic regressions, modeled for food purchase from mobile food vendors, pulgas, or neighbors/friends. Child food insecurity was associated with purchasing food from mobile food vendors, while household food security was associated with using pulgas or neighbors/friends. School nutrition program participants were more likely to live in households that depend on alternative food sources. Efforts to increase healthful food consumption such as fruits and vegetables should acknowledge all potential food sources (traditional, convenience, nontraditional, and alternative), especially those preferred by colonia residents. Current findings support the conceptual broadening of the retail food environment, and the importance of linking use with spatial access (proximity) to more accurately depict access to food sources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract This article addresses the concern that death by legal intervention is a health outcome disproportionately experienced by boys and men of color, and predicated on the quality of the locations in which encounters with law enforcement occur. Using a more comprehensive cross-verified sample of police homicides from online databases and a nationally representative sample of law enforcement agencies, this study examines whether neighborhood social disorganization, minority threat, and defense of inequality theories help explain the odds that males of color will have a fatal interaction with police (FIP). There are several noteworthy results. First, in support of the defense of inequality thesis, we found that income inequality within the area in which a FIP occurred is related to increased relative odds of fatal injury for males of color and Hispanic males. Second, consistent with the minority threat thesis, we found low levels of racial segregation dramatically reduced the odds of a FIP for Black males while higher levels of segregation increased the odds for Hispanic males. Third, Hispanic males were over 2.6 times as likely as others to be killed by officers from agencies with relatively higher percentages of Hispanic officers. We conclude the study with a discussion of its implications for research and policy. Highlights • Minority threat and defense of inequality theories inform FIPs for males of color. • Income inequality heightens the chances of a police homicide for Hispanic males. • Lowered racial segregation reduces the odds of fatal injury for Black males. • Racial segregation increased the odds of a police homicide for Hispanic males. • Percentage of Hispanic officers raises risks of fatal injury for Hispanic males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the efficacy of the Bobcat Bounty (BCB) food pantry to address food security among international college students. BCB provides free groceries, recipes, and information about campus and community resources. Following a socio-ecological design, a team of students completed weekly reflections and discusses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to food security and the current BCB operations. BCB shoppers identifying as international students, approximately one-third of BCB participants. BCB is a student-led food pantry supporting students and staff at Texas State University (TXST). This program was launched in 2018 by the Food Security Learning Community within the Nutrition and Foods Program. To describe the needs experienced by international college students, BCB recruited current international students accessing BCB to participate in a series of virtual focus groups. Zoom focus groups were designed to collect information about BCB services. Trained moderators led three focus groups using a semi-structured guide. Focus groups were recorded and transcribed. Analysis included peer debriefing and coding, with a two-coder structure. The initial theme structure included content and construct themes of social ecology and food security. Eighteen international graduate students (22-32 years old) participated in focus groups. Preliminary findings suggest a strong reliance on BCB services, including weekly grocery-style pantries, recipes, distribution of cooking utensils, and information about campus services. Findings highlighted opportunities to integrate BCB with University student services to further address campus food security. Additionally, participants discussed many barriers to campus food security, including access to culturally appropriate foods, and identified an advocacy opportunity for BCB to facilitate communication with university administration. BCB is an essential resource and is protective against food insecurity on the university campus. Next steps will include identifying ways to increase access to culturally appropriate foods and creating forums to discuss food security issues among international students at TXST. NIFA; University Advancement fundraising campaign donations, Texas State University [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. Latino/a population is a large and fast-growing population in the country, which has experienced a disproportionate burden of food insecurity compared with the national average. There is a need to understand how Latino/a parents use different strategies to maintain food security. To understand the food security management and coping strategies of Latino/a households through in-depth interviews. A qualitative study with remote in-depth interviews, conducted in Texas (Oct. 2021-Aug. 2022), with Latino/a parents and caregivers living in Central Texas. Trained interviewers used an interview guide (≈75 minutes/interview). Data came from a multi-site study with cognitive and exploratory interviews related to food insecurity. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was completed through transcript review, summary sheets, coding, and peer-debriefing. A codebook was developed based on prior experience, the literature, and rounds of initial coding and discussion. The goal of analysis was to identify common patterns and develop themes and subthemes. Twenty Latino/a parents and caregivers completed interviews (16 female and 4 male participants). Most participants were Mexican heritage and spoke primarily English (3 Spanish speakers). Overall, participants described similar food security management and coping strategies, despite differences in lifecourse experiences or household characteristics. Inflation and rising food prices, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global events affected food choices and access to food assistance. Strategies included limiting or rationing food, skipping meals, value food shopping strategies, food assistance from food pantries/banks, churches, and federal food assistance programs, such as SNAP or WIC. Some participants described challenges accessing federal food assistance programs, such as eligibility restrictions. External factors exacerbated food insecurity, but community resources, like food banks/food pantries, and federal programs, like SNAP or WIC, were important to maintain food security. Given reauthorization of important nutrition policies, this study contributes additional evidence for strengthening nutrition and food assistance programs. Future work is needed to understand how management or coping strategies for Latino/a households. USDA This research is supported by the Food Security 25 Small Grant Program, funded through U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service in collaboration with Tufts University and University of Missouri (59-4000-0-0067, subaward #AG9033). This research is also supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2021-77040-34877 (Nutrition LEADers Learning Community). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous analyses of Stand Your Ground (SYG) cases have been primarily descriptive. We examine the relationship between race of the victim and conviction of the defendant in SYG cases in Florida from 2005 to 2013. Using a regression analytic approach, we allow for simultaneous examination of multiple factors to better understand existing interrelationships. Data was obtained from the Tampa Bay Times SYG database (237 cases) which was supplemented with available online court documents and/or news reports. After excluding cases which were, still pending as of January 2015; had multiple outcomes (because of multiple suspects); and missing information on race of victim and weapon of victim, our final analytic sample has 204 cases. We chose whether the case resulted in a conviction as the outcome. We develop logistic regression models using significant bivariate predictors as candidates. These include race of the victim (White, non-White), whether the defendant could have retreated from the situation, whether the defendant pursued the victim, if the victim was unarmed, and who was the initiator of the confrontation. We find race of the victim to be a significant predictor of case outcome in this data set. After controlling for other variables, the defendant is two times (OR = 2.1, 95% CI [1.07, 4.10]) more likely to be convicted in a case that involves White victims compared to those involving non-White victims. Our results depict a disturbing message: SYG legislation in Florida has a quantifiable racial bias that reveals a leniency in convictions if the victim is non-White, which provides evidence towards unequal treatment under the law. Rather than attempting to hide the outcomes of these laws, as was done in Florida, other states with SYG laws should carry out similar analyses to see if their manifestations are the same as those in Florida, and all should remediate any injustices found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The categorization of Nafion side-chain IR group modes by exchange site local symmetry enables correlation of exchange site structure to state-of-hydration and ion exchange. During dehydration the Nafion-[H] exchange site transitions from the sulfonate to sulfonic acid form, corresponding to C 3V and C 1 symmetry, respectively: C 3V,HF (1061 cm −1 ) and C 3V, LF (969 cm −1 ) bands transition to C 1,HF (1414 cm −1 ) and C 1,LF (910 cm −1 ) bands. Metal ions (M) with ΔH hyd below 550 kJ/mol alter the exchange site at all states-of-hydration. They bind with C 3V symmetry and exhibit high orbital overlap with the sulfonate sulfur and oxygen atoms. The Nafion-[H] C 3V,LF (primarily sulfonate) vanishes at full dehydration with retention of the C 3V,HF (primarily ether link). Theoretical Nafion-[M] C 3V,LF bands (e.g., 940 cm −1 for Li + ) are not experimentally observed. Hydration waters of ions with ΔH hyd > 1800 kJ/mol cannot be displaced by sulfonate oxygens. Thus, the Nafion-[H] C 3V,LF persists at all states of hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]