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Authentic assignments are defined as assessments that allow students to complete activities similar to those in which individuals in the field are engaged. They assess student achievement while helping students understand standards and challenges of the field. In this article, we describe the use of authentic assignments and class activities in a graduate-level nutrition policy course at a public university in North Carolina and evaluate outcomes related to students' knowledge, comfort, and confidence in engaging in nutrition policy-related activities. The course included a variety of authentic assignments and activities, including a group policy brief project, letter to a legislator, case studies, and an elevator pitch on a nutrition policy issue. During the fall of 2020, students enrolled in two sections of the course (N = 72) were invited to complete a pre- and post-survey. Thirty-five students (49%) completed both surveys and were included in the analyses. There were significant increases in students' comfort and confidence for engaging in nutrition policy-related activities. Students also appeared to have gained a better understanding of how they and/or their future profession are impacted by nutrition policy and how they and/or their future profession can play a role in nutrition policy. Authentic assignments may be helpful for preparing students to participate in the nutrition policy process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Given the rapidly changing food environment and proliferation of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in South Africa (SA), this study aimed to critically evaluate dietary quality and adequacy of low-income adults using the Nova classification system and WHO and World Cancer Research Fund dietary guidelines. Design: Secondary household data and 1-d 24-h recalls were analysed from two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2017–2018. Foods consumed were classified according to the Nova classification system. Compliance with WHO dietary guidelines and UPF consumption trends were evaluated. Setting: Three low-income areas (Langa, Khayalitsha and Mount Frere) in SA were included. Participants: In total, 2521 participants (18–50 years) were included in the study. Results: Participants had a mean energy intake of 7762 kJ/d. Most participants were within the acceptable WHO guideline range for saturated fat (80·4 %), total fat (68·1 %), Na (72·7 %) and free sugar (57·3 %). UPF comprised 39·4 % of diets among the average adult participant. Only 7·0 % of all participants met the WHO guideline for fruit and vegetables and 18·8 % met the guideline for fibre. Those within the highest quartile of share of energy from UPF consumed statistically higher amounts of dietary components to limit and were the highest energy consumers overall. Conclusions: Low-income adults living in SA are consuming insufficient protective dietary components, while UPF consumption is prevalent. Higher UPF consumers consume larger amounts of nutrients linked to increased chronic disease risk. Policy measures are urgently needed in SA to protect against the proliferation of harmful UPF and to promote and enable consumption of whole and less UPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Online grocery services are an emerging component of the food system with the potential to address disparities in access to healthy food. Objective We assessed the barriers and facilitators of equitable access to healthy foods in the online grocery environment, and the psychosocial, purchasing, and dietary behaviors related to its use among low-income, diverse populations. Data Sources Four electronic databases were searched to identify relevant literature; 16 studies were identified. Results Barriers to equitable access to healthy food included cost and limited availability of online grocery services in food deserts and rural areas. The expansion of online grocery services and the ability to use nutrition assistance benefits online were equity-promoting factors. Perceived low control over food selection was a psychosocial factor that discouraged online grocery use, whereas convenience and lower perceived stress were facilitators. Findings were mixed regarding healthfulness of foods purchased online. Although few studies assessed diet, healthy food consumption was associated with online grocery use. Conclusion Researchers should assess the impact of online grocery shopping on low-income families' food purchases and diet. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD: 42021240277 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In response to concern over rising sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, in April 2018, South Africa became the first Sub-Saharan African (SSA) country to implement an SSB tax. We assess changes in pricing and acquisition of beverages from local supermarkets and small stores among 18–39-year-old adults living in one township in the Western Cape, before and after tax implementation. This study is among the first evaluations of an SSB tax on the local food environment in a low-income township. Design: Store beverage pricing and participant surveys were cross-sectional, analysed 1 month before and 11 months after implementation of the tax (March 2018 and March 2019). Setting: Langa, Western Cape, South Africa Participants: Surveyed participants were residents of Langa between 18 and 39 years old (n 2693 in 2018 and n 2520 in 2019) Results: Prices of taxed SSB increased significantly among small shops and supermarkets between 2018 and 2019. There were non-significant decreases in prices of untaxed beverages in small shops, but prices of untaxed beverages increased in supermarkets. Across all store types, there was a 9 percentage point decrease in the probability of purchasing regular soda weekly pre/post-implementation. Reductions in purchasing were larger in small shops than supermarkets. Conclusions: We found some differential impacts of the levy on pricing and acquisition of beverages by retailer type in one low-income township. As other SSA countries consider similar fiscal policies to curb soda consumption, obesity and related diseases, this work can be used to understand the implications of these policies in the retail setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Online Purchasing Pilot (OPP) authorised the use of SNAP benefits online in Maryland in May 2020. We assessed shopping behaviour and intentions associated with uptake and intended future use of online grocery shopping during and after COVID-19 among SNAP-eligible households., Design: In this mixed-methods study, participants completed a survey on online grocery shopping, and a purposefully sampled subset participated in focus groups or in-depth interviews between November 2020 and March 2021., Setting: Predominantly urban households in Maryland., Participants: Primary shoppers of SNAP-eligible households with young children ( n 310)., Results: Most participants reported first shopping for groceries online after the OPP was implemented (57 %). Families who purchased groceries in-store less frequently were less likely to report ever buying groceries online (rate ratio (RR): 0·66, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·93) compared with weekly grocery shoppers. Shoppers who intended to purchase more groceries online in the next 6 months were more likely to have online shopping experience, although this differed by timing of online grocery service adoption. Participants reported more negative attitudes towards in-store grocery shopping during the pandemic than prior to its onset and cited COVID-19 as a motivator for ordering groceries online in focus groups. Most participants who had shopped online planned to continue after the pandemic (79 %)., Conclusions: Most participants who shopped online started during the COVID-19 pandemic and considered the pandemic a key motivator. Findings suggest that low-income households will continue to shop online, affirming the need for policies that promote equitable access to healthy food online.