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This review aimed to identify measurement tools to assess dietary intake and physical activity (PA) among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and describe the evidence of validity and availability of each tool. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO using keywords for ASD, PA, diet, and assessment/measurement (n = 2364 articles). After removing duplicates and title/abstract screening, 212 full-text articles were reviewed, and 113 articles were included for data extraction. The most common dietary and PA assessment tools were identified, and each reviewer independently extracted the data on target population of the assessment tool, type of instrument, evidence on psychometrics validation, constructs measured, and instrument availability. Our findings highlight the need for instruments developed for and/or validated in this population.

This study aimed to examine dietary nutrient intake and parental perspectives on nutrition in a diverse sample (e.g., age, ethnicity) of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the U.S. state of Florida. Forty-one parents of children with ASD (ages 2-17 years) completed a food record, and 25 of these parents participated in semi-structured focus groups. Children with ASD were significantly less likely to meet the recommendation for calcium compared with children in the general population (66.7% vs. 53.1%, odds ratio [OR] = 3.1; p = 0.002). Riboflavin and vitamin B12 intakes were significantly lower among children with ASD (p < 0.001). Focus group results indicated parental concerns on children's diet and mealtime behaviors. Parents discussed the quality of existing nutrition information to be a concern, reported wanting intervention content on effective feeding strategies and healthy eating specific to children with ASD, and wanted to receive a nutrition intervention in multiple delivery formats. These findings will be utilized in developing a nutrition education intervention.

BackgroundObesity is a persistent public health concern and a risk factor for many chronic diseases including at least 13 different cancers. Adult Black females have the highest prevalence of obesity (57%) compared to other racial/gender groups in the U.S. Although behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions have demonstrated effectiveness, Black females tend to lose less weight than White counterparts. The higher prevalence of chronic psychological stress reported by Black females may contribute to their disproportionate prevalence of obesity and observed suboptimal weight loss. This study will examine the effectiveness of a 12-month culturally-targeted, stress management-enhanced BWL intervention on weight loss and stress reduction among Black females in a fully-powered randomized, controlled trial.MethodsAdult Black females with obesity (n = 340) will be randomized to either a culturally targeted stress management-enhanced BWL intervention (BWL-Stress) or the same BWL intervention alone (BWL-alone). The primary outcome is weight change at month 6. Secondary outcomes will include changes in stress measures (e.g., perceived stress, cortisol), energy intake, and physical activity at month 6. We will also assess process measures (e.g., treatment adherence, treatment burden). Each outcome will also be evaluated at month 12 to assess longer-term effects of the intervention.DiscussionThis novel approach for enhancing an evidence-based BWL program with culturally-targeted stress management strategies for Black females addresses an understudied barrier to effective weight management among a population at high risk for obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases. This study will potentially elucidate psychological or behavioral mechanisms linking our novel intervention to study outcomes. If the intervention is proven to be effective, this study will have significant clinical and public health implications for weight management among Black females.Trial registrationThis study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier NCT04335799t , on April 6, 2020.

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are at increased risk of unhealthy eating behaviors and obesity. This study examined feasibility of a virtual implementation of Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education, an 8-week nutrition intervention based on social cognitive theory that addresses autism spectrum disorder--specific eating behaviors and food environment challenges. The implementation process was measured with fidelity checklists, engagement records, and field notes. Feasibility of virtually assessing adolescents' outcomes (food frequency questionnaire, psychosocial survey, height, and weight) was also evaluated. Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder aged 12-21 years were recruited through a local community partner. Six groups (n = 27; group size ranged 2-7) participated. Univariate data analyses were performed. Mean lesson attendance was 88%, participation was 3.5/4 (4 = Frequently), homework completion was 51.9%, fidelity was 98.9%, and technical difficulty prevalence was 0.4/2 (2 = Major technical difficulties). Assessment completion rate was 100% (98.9%-100%) at baseline and 92.6%-96.3% (99.5%-100%) at post-intervention. Data quality was high for 88% of food frequency questionnaires and 100% of psychosocial surveys. Findings suggest that a virtual implementation and evaluation of Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education was feasible. Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education may be implemented virtually to reach diverse populations of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Future research should examine the impact of the intervention on dietary behavior and obesity outcomes.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the associations of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and obesity indicators among individuals with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes cohort study. Design: A secondary analysis. The consumption of UPF was assessed using the dietary data collected with the Harvard FFQ, and each food item was categorised according to the NOVA food processing classification. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean of 14·6-year follow-up. Generalised estimating equations stratified by diabetes status were used to assess the associations between UPF intake and obesity indicators over 14 years of follow-up. Setting: USA. Participants: A total of 600 adults (256 T1DM and 344 non-diabetic controls) aged 39 ± 9·1 years at baseline and followed up for over 14 years were included. Results: Participants with T1DM consumed significantly more UPF than non-diabetic controls at baseline: 7·6 ± 3·8 v. 6·6 ± 3·4 servings per day of UPF, respectively (P < 0·01). Participants with T1DM and with the highest UPF intake had the highest weight (β Q4 v. Q1 = 3·07) and BMI (β Q4 v. Q1 = 1·02, all P < 0·05) compared with those with the lowest UPF intake. Similar positive associations were observed in non-diabetic controls. Conclusions: Individuals with T1DM may consume more UPF than non-diabetic controls. Positive associations between UPF consumption and obesity indicators suggest that limiting UPF can be recommended for obesity prevention and management. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

BackgroundStudent mental wellness is a priority in higher education. Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs’) are gaining momentum in universities across North America (Dell et al., 2015).AimsThis study explored the relationships between AAIs’, demographic variables, and perceived momentary stress among university students.MethodsUsing a descriptive correlational design, students completed a Perceived Momentary Stress questionnaire that included the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11 (Stress NRS-11) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure perceived stress before and after AAIs’. Data were analyzed using R (4.1.2) (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria) to identify relationships between students’ perceptions of momentary stress, AAIs’ and sociodemographic and demographic variables.ResultsFirst-year students, female students, and students identifying as sexual minorities were found to benefit the most from AAIs’.ConclusionResults from this study reflect relationships between exposure to animal-assisted interventions and student demographic variables.

Parental feeding practices influence children's eating behaviors, yet it is not well-understood whether parents' own eating behaviors are associated with their feeding practices. The purpose of this study was to examine associations among parents' eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 76 parents of children from an elementary school in Tampa, FL. Parents completed three questionnaires with topics related to parent eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. Multiple regression analysis was performed, controlling for demographic covariates. Parents who reported to eat more fruits per day ([beta] = 0.15), eat more than one kind of fruit each day ([beta] = 0.33), eat more than one kind of vegetable each day ([beta] = 0.29), eat 2 or more vegetables at the main meal ([beta] = 0.36), plan meals ([beta] = 0.19), and keep vegetables ready for the child to eat ([beta] = 0.25) indicated that they use more positive reinforcement feeding practices (all p [less than or equal to] 0.001). There were significantly positive associations between positive reinforcement and children's eating fruits or vegetables like apples, bananas or carrots as snacks ([beta] = 1.03) and eating more than one kind of vegetable a day ([beta] = 1.03; all p < 0.001). No other variables had any significant associations. Findings of this study indicate that there are potential associations among parent's own eating behaviors, feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism of these relationships. Targeting these parental factors may be an effective way to maximize the impact of nutrition interventions on children's dietary behavior changes., Author(s): Heewon L. Gray [sup.1] , Acadia W. Buro [sup.2] , Sweta Sinha [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.170693.a, 0000 0001 2353 285X, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, [...]

Abstract Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with notable sex differences. Women are not only more likely to develop MS but are also more likely than men to experience neuropathic pain in the disease. It has been postulated that neuropathic pain in MS can originate in the peripheral nervous system at the level of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which houses primary pain sensing neurons (nociceptors). These nociceptors become hyperexcitable in response to inflammation, leading to peripheral sensitization and eventually central sensitization, which maintains pain long-term. The mouse model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a good model for human MS as it replicates classic MS symptoms including pain. Using EAE mice as well as naïve primary mouse DRG neurons cultured in vitro, we sought to characterize sex differences, specifically in peripheral sensory neurons. We found sex differences in the inflammatory profile of the EAE DRG, and in the TNFα downstream signaling pathways activated intracellularly in cultured nociceptors. We also found increased cell death with TNFα treatment. Given that TNFα signaling has been shown to initiate intrinsic apoptosis through mitochondrial disruption, this led us to investigate sex differences in the mitochondria’s response to TNFα. Our results demonstrate that male sensory neurons are more sensitive to mitochondrial stress, making them prone to neuronal injury. In contrast, female sensory neurons appear to be more resistant to mitochondrial stress and exhibit an inflammatory and regenerative phenotype that may underlie greater nociceptor hyperexcitability and pain. Understanding these sex differences at the level of the primary sensory neuron is an important first step in our eventual goal of developing sex-specific treatments to halt pain development in the periphery before central sensitization is established.

Background: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between virtual reality simulation (VRS) and student satisfaction and self-confidence in a health assessment laboratory course. Methods: Second-year students (n = 37) completed a postoperative respiratory distress scenario using Elsevier's Simulation Learning System with Virtual Reality. All participants completed the Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale; a subset participated in 1:1 semistructured interviews. Results: Satisfaction and self-confidence scores were strongly correlated. VRS experiences of fidelity, communication confidence and competence, learning with peers, integrated learning and critical thinking, and a safe space to learn were related to students' satisfaction and self-confidence. Conclusions: VRS experiences are correlated with high student satisfaction and self-confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Methods:Results:Conclusion:Identifying factors impacting vaccination and testing for COVID-19 is crucial to reduce health disparities, especially for rural/agricultural, low access and high poverty Latino communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This study examined differences in perceived barriers and facilitators (such as values, beliefs, and concerns) to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and testing intention by vaccination status and testing hesitancy among rural Latino community members in Southwest Florida.Rural Latino community members (N = 493) completed a cross-sectional survey in Spanish (86.0%) or English (14.0%) on perceived COVID-19 vaccine/testing barriers and facilitators, as well as demographics, mental health, medical history, health perceptions, and health literacy.At the time of the survey, approximately 43% of participants were unvaccinated and 46.4% were testing hesitant. Significantly more vaccinated participants acknowledged keeping their family (d = .25), community (d = .27), and themselves (d = .22) safe as facilitators to vaccination (ps < .001). Among the unvaccinated participants, the most common concerns for getting vaccinated were side effects (d = −.53) and lack of knowledge about how the vaccine works (d = −.35, ps < .001). Testing hesitant participants reported concerns including not knowing where to get tested (d = −.25, p = 0.01) and less confidence in a positive test result (d = −.40, p < 0.001). Doctors and faith leaders were ranked as the most trusted information sources across groups. In logistic regression models, vaccination was linked to age, gender, education, and protecting others, while concerns about needles and side effects reduced odds; testing was driven by education, anxiety, hope, and safety concerns.Promoting family and community safety may be effective facilitators influencing vaccine and testing intention in rural Latino communities. Enhanced education by trusted information sources, such as doctors and faith leaders may alleviate associated concerns. Our findings may inform actions for future pandemics. Further studies should determine the generalizability of our findings across other rural migrant communities and other vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]