Search

Background: Mood change, lack of self-regulation, and eating in the absence of hunger cues are exacerbating determinants in college weight gain; however, the association between these factors is not known. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the correlation between mood change, intuitive eating, and self-regulation of food intake among college students. Methods: This cross-over study included 60 undergraduate college students 19.8 ± 1.43 years old (62.1% females, 74.2% Latinx). Students had two visits, one week apart. Participants completed intuitive eating and mood questionnaires. Participants watched an emotional movie, then participated in a buffet style lunch calorie compensation trial. Food intake was measured using plate waste. Self-regulation was measured objectively using compensation indices (COMPX). Results: Self-regulation was significantly affected by both mood change and intuitive eating. Gender was found to significantly impact this model; however, Body Mass Index did not seem to have a significant effect. Discussion: College students who rely on physiological cues of hunger and satiety and are less affected by environmental elements, seem to be able to regulate their intake better, and maintain healthier weight. Translation to Health Education Practice: Teaching students to rely on bodily signals of hunger and satiety may be an effective approach to maintaining healthy weight.

Although studies regarding health issues and the obesity epidemic have increased in recent years, few of these studies target college-aged students. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in race/ethnicity with respect to prevalence of overweight/obesity (defined by body mass index or BMI) among college students attending an urban university. In addition, the demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risks between the overweight and obese group (n = 138) were compared to the underweight and normal weight group (n = 349). The study included 487 college students under 40 years of age who identified their origin as white (non-Hispanic), black (non-Hispanic), or Hispanic. There were 32.65% white, 33.26% Hispanic, and 34.09% black. The mean and median ages were 21 and 19 years, respectively. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 28.11%, with 23.91% (white), 34.06% (Hispanic), and 42.03% (black). Age-, gender-, and race-/ethnicity-adjusted cardiovascular risk levels (blood pressure, pulse pressure, blood glucose and lipid profiles) significantly varied between two groups. The findings suggest that screening cardiovascular risks among a college-aged population is warranted. Our study further indicates the need for weight management and risk reduction of overweight-related chronic diseases on campus. (Contains 5 tables.)

In this paper, factors associated with poverty among refugees were explored using a nationally representative sample in the United States. Relying on the social exclusion theory,) a refugee integration framework was selected as a conceptual framework of the study. Poverty was calculated based on households' income (income poverty) and deprivation in three domains of education, health, and housing (multidimensional poverty). Multivariate models of the study identified limited English language proficiency as the strongest predictor of both income and multidimensional poverty among refugees. The findings call for more attention to English language training among refugees in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present scoping review, we explore whether existing evidence supports the premise that social determinants of health (SDoH) affect immigrant health outcomes through their effects on the microbiome. We adapt the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities' research framework to propose a conceptual model that considers the intersection of SDoH, the microbiome, and health outcomes in immigrants. We use this conceptual model as a lens through which to explore recent research about SDoH, biological factors associated with changes to immigrants' microbiomes, and long‐term health outcomes. In the 17 articles reviewed, dietary acculturation, physical activity, ethnicity, birthplace, age at migration and length of time in the host country, socioeconomic status, and social/linguistic acculturation were important determinants of postmigration microbiome‐related transformations. These factors are associated with progressive shifts in microbiome profile with time in host country, increasing the risks for cardiometabolic, mental, immune, and inflammatory disorders and antibiotic resistance. The evidence thus supports the premise that SDoH influence immigrants' health postmigration, at least in part, through their effects on the microbiome. Omission of important postmigration social‐ecological variables (e.g., stress, racism, social/family relationships, and environment), limited research among minoritized subgroups of immigrants, complexity and inter‐ and intra‐individual differences in the microbiome, and limited interdisciplinary and biosocial collaboration restrict our understanding of this area of study. To identify potential microbiome‐based interventions and promote immigrants' well‐being, more research is necessary to understand the intersections of immigrant health with factors from the biological, behavioral/psychosocial, physical/built environment, and sociocultural environment domains at all social‐ecological levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess acceptability of food safety education delivered by interactive multimedia (IMM) in a Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) clinic. Methods: Female clients or caregivers (n = 176) completed the food-handling survey; then an IMM food safety education program on a computer kiosk. Satisfaction with program, participant demographics, and change in food-handling behavior were assessed by univariate analyses. Results: Over 90% of the participants enjoyed the kiosk, and most (87.5%) reported using computers a lot. Compared with participants with education beyond high school, participants with less education were more likely to report enjoying the kiosk (98.2% vs 88.1%, P = 0.007), preferred learning with the kiosk (91.7% vs 79.1%, P = 0.02), and would like to learn about other topics using IMM (95.4% vs 86.6%, P = 0.04). Conclusions and Implications: Food safety education delivered by IMM was well accepted by inner-city WIC clinic clients, including those with less education. (Contains 1 table.)

Objective: To assess risk factors for diarrheal illness among clients of a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinic in Miami, FL. Design: A cross-sectional survey with questions about demographics, food safety practices, and diarrheal illness. Setting: WIC clinic operated by the Miami-Dade County Health Department in Florida. WIC is a national program for nutritionally at-risk, low-income young children and pregnant or postpartum women. Participants: WIC female clients at least 18 years of age who are able to read and speak English (n = 299). Main Outcome Measure: Diarrheal illness, defined as having at least 3 loose stools for 2 or more consecutive days during the previous 30 days. Analysis: Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: Food safety behaviors significantly associated with diarrheal illness included not washing hands before preparing meals (P = 0.048) and baby bottles (P = 0.045) or after changing diapers (P = 0.009) and not washing all items that touched raw meat before preparing the next food item (P = 0.023). In general, pregnant women reported less frequent hand washing and had a lower food safety score than nonpregnant women (P = 0.002). Conclusions and Implications: These findings suggest that interventions to improve food handling practices such as proper hand washing are needed for WIC clients, particularly pregnant women. (Contains 1 table.)

Objectives: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and Europe. This study identified and compared nutritional knowledge associated with CHD risk factors among tri-ethnic college students. Design: A quantitative, cross-sectional, observational study using questionnaires. Setting: University laboratory. Method: Three hundred college students, 50 per cent male and 50 per cent female, completed self-administered surveys of demographics, CHD knowledge, and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment. Data were analysed by gender and ethnicity using one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and Chi-square test. Results: The mean percentage of correctly answered CHD knowledge questions for all subjects was 70.7 plus or minus 7.9 per cent. The CHD knowledge was significantly higher (p = 0.039) for White non-Hispanic males than Black non-Hispanic males. A large percentage of the subjects selected "do not know" in response to the family history of heart disease (27.2 per cent) and diabetes (15.6 per cent) questions. A significant inverse correlation (p = 0.032) was found between the CHD knowledge and CHD risk point standards in White non-Hispanic females. Overall, significant inverse correlations were found between CHD knowledge and intakes of calories (p = 0.010), carbohydrates (p = 0.016), total fat (p = 0.024), and cholesterol (p = 0.023). Conclusion: Nutrition knowledge of CHD risk factors are key in changing nutrition behaviour, and future studies should investigate the effectiveness of nutrition education that specifically addresses ethnic differences needs and strengths of college students. (Contains 5 tables.)

Objective: To determine beliefs about and barriers to good food safety practices among clients of a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC Program). Design: Five audiotaped focus groups. Setting: A large WIC Program clinic in Miami, Florida. Participants: Thirty-two women attending the clinic who were demographically similar to clinic clients. Phenomenon of Interest: Beliefs about, barriers to, and motivators for good food safety practices. Analysis: Focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed. Transcripts were independently analyzed by three researchers to identify recurring ideas within and between groups. Results: Participants did not perceive foodborne illnesses as a major problem or believe that foodborne illnesses usually resulted from poor food handling practices at home. The hardest practice to follow was using a cooking thermometer. Leaving perishable foods and baby bottles outside the refrigerator for longer than 2 hours were additional problems reported. Participants reported that their babies' health was the most important motivator to good food safety practices and that women may be most receptive to food safety education during their first pregnancy. Conclusions and Implications: WIC clients in this clinic have several deficiencies in their food safety knowledge and practices. The WIC Program may be well positioned to help its clients, particularly pregnant women, improve food safety practices. Key Words: food safety education, foodborne illness prevention, maternal and child health, focus groups

Objective To assess the validity of a 131-item semiquantative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) by comparison with multiple food records in Cuban Americans. Design The Willet FFQ was administered and food consumptions of three random days (two weekdays and one weekend day) were collected. Setting Cuban Americans residing in Miami. Participants Twenty adult Cuban American volunteers who participated in a larger epidemiological study to evaluate the dietary risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Results There were no significant differences in the mean intakes of energy, macronutrients, cholesterol and alcohol estimated by the Willett FFQ and the 3-day food records. For most of the macronutrients the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.14 to 0.71. The correlation coefficient was highest for polyunsaturated fatty acid (r = 0.71, P < 0.001) and lowest for protein (r = 0.14, P = 0.56). Correlation coefficients for carbohydrate (r = 0.42) and monounsaturated fatty acid (r = 0.43) were only marginally significant (P = 0.06). Conclusions Compared with 3-day food records, the Willett FFQ is a reasonable instrument to assess the intakes of most macronutrients and alcohol among Cuban Americans. Further studies should be conducted to validate the usefulness of the Willett FFQ in Cuban Americans for other nutrients. Keywords: Dietary assessment, food frequency questionnaire, validation of instruments, Cuban American