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Adolescents from urban communities are at risk for unhealthy snacking behaviors. Youth advocacy interventions are shown to improve certain adolescent health behaviors, such as substance use. However, it remains unclear if youth advocacy is a feasible method to promote healthy snacking. As such, the aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of a youth advocacy program promoting healthy snacking among adolescents in New York City by conducting a mixed-methods process evaluation. Adolescents (12-18 years) at a Boys and Girls Club in New York City were recruited to participate in a 12-session adaptation of the Youth Engagement and Action for Health! program to advocate for the promotion of healthy snacks in corner stores. A mixed-methods process evaluation was conducted to assess recruitment, reach (attendance), dose delivered (amount of intervention delivered), fidelity (degree to which intervention was implemented according to curriculum) and dose received (participant engagement/satisfaction). Satisfaction was also evaluated through focus groups. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative data, and focus groups were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participant retention (94.74%), attendance (93.52%), dose delivered (98.94%), fidelity (98.5%), engagement (4.97/5) and program satisfaction (4/5) were high. Focus groups (n = 6; 28 participants) revealed that participants learned about nutrition, enjoyed being advocates and improved snacking behaviors.

Although evidence exists for an association between income level and diet quality, a causal relationship has not been established. A number of studies found that the price of nutritious food and the time cost to prepare foods are economically driven reasons for this relationship. However, in addition to economic constraints, low-income individuals and families face a number of additional challenges linked with food choice, eating behaviors, and diet-related chronic conditions that contribute to diet quality and health. Low-income individuals have a higher burden of employment-, food-, and housing-related insecurity that threaten the livelihood of their household. Poverty and exposure to these insecurities are hypothesized to activate biobehavioral and psychological mechanisms-endocrine, immune, and neurologic systems-that influence food choice and consumption. Examples of biobehavioral and psychological factors that influence diet are stress, poor sleep, and diminished cognitive capacity. High levels of stress, poor sleep, and cognitive overload compound the challenges of economic constraints, creating a mentality of scarcity that leads to poor diet quality.

Snacking contributes significantly to U.S. adolescents' dietary intake and is a particularly significant eating occasion for urban adolescents, who have high amounts of food autonomy and access to corner stores. Consequently, research has focused on understanding and improving snacking among urban adolescents. However, the word "snack" possesses several definitions in the literature, leading to inconsistences in research efforts. As such, the aim of this study was to explore the definition of a snack among urban adolescents by conducting phone interviews with 30 adolescents from a Boys & Girls Club in New York City. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Overall, adolescents defined a snack as a small, unhealthy food item that can be quickly eaten to reduce hunger between meals. Future directions include using the definition of a snack that emerged from this study to improve subsequent adolescent snacking interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that low-income individuals consume fewer whole grains (WG) than their respective counterparts. Given the prevalence of corner stores in impoverished communities, innovative strategies are needed in order to encourage WG purchasing behaviors in these settings. To examine the feasibility of pairing a WG snack (e.g., pretzels) with either a fruit or vegetable (FV) and a condiment and marketing this as a WG snack pack in New York City (NYC) corner stores that participate in a healthy retail program. Corner stores participating in the NYC City Harvest Healthy Retail Program were recruited. One time store-visits were conducted in order to examine: (a) the availability of WG snacks, FV, and condiments that could be paired together and sold as a WG snack pack (store audit) and (b) perceived motivators and concerns about selling WG snack packs (corner store representative survey). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze cross-sectional store audit and survey data. On average, stores stocked four varieties of WG snacks, nine varieties of FV and two varieties of condiments. When asked "Do you currently sell any type of snack pack?" 11 representatives said yes. Among those who said no, nine representatives said that they would be interested and 10 said maybe. Store representatives reported several motivators (e.g., improving customers' health, appealing to a new customer base) and concerns (e.g., lack of customer demand, fresh FV spoiling quickly) about selling WG snack packs. Additionally, representatives cited needing additional equipment and storage to sell WG snack packs. Corners stores participating in the City Harvest Healthy Retail Program stock a variety of WG snacks, FV, and condiments that could be paired together and sold as a WG snack pack. While store representatives were receptive to selling WG snack packs, they may need additional support and resources. USDA, Duke-UNC USDA Center for Behavioral Economics and Healthy Food Choice Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child vegetable intake falls far below the minimum recommended levels. Knowing which vegetables children may like help those responsible for providing vegetables to children to improve intake. The objective of this study was to measure vegetable liking for a wide variety of vegetables by a racially and ethnically diverse population of 9–12-year old children from low-income families. Children rated their liking of 35 vegetables using a 10-point hedonic scale. We tabulated the number of children that found each vegetable acceptable (ratings of ‘okay’ or above) and the number that found each vegetable unacceptable (ratings below ‘okay’). More than 50% of children who had tried a vegetable considered it acceptable. A large majority of the vegetables had mean ratings in the acceptable range. Corn was the most liked vegetable, closely followed by potatoes, lettuce, and carrots. Artichoke had the lowest mean liking, followed by onion and beets. We found children liked a wide variety of vegetables which offers counter evidence to the commonly held perception that children do not like vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prediabetes among adolescents is on the rise, yet it is unclear if modifiable risk factors vary by prediabetes status. Methods: This study examined associations between diet (primary objective) and physical activity (secondary objective) by prediabetes status among U.S. adolescents (12-19 years) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2007-2018. Differences in Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015-2020 scores (total and 13 component scores), nutrients of public health concern, and physical activity were examined by prediabetes status (no prediabetes vs. prediabetes). Results: Adolescents ( n  = 2,487) with prediabetes had significantly lower whole grains component scores and intakes of vitamin D, phosphorus, and potassium (all p  < .05), than adolescents without prediabetes. Physical activity levels were not optimal for either group, there were no differences by prediabetes status ( n  = 2,188). Conclusion: Diabetes prevention interventions for adolescents are needed and should promote a healthy diet target and encourage physical activity.