•We tested how container color affected food choices and ratings in VR.•Meat dishes were chosen more often and rated as more likable and desirable overall.•Using red/blue containers to serve ...meat/vegetables increased choices of vegetables.•The results demonstrated the effects of container color on food choices.
Considering the benefits of a large-scale shift towards a more plant-based diet, we conducted an experimental study to investigate how people’s food ratings and choices might be influenced by the color of the container in which foods were served. Fifty healthy Chinese young adults were asked to choose a more desirable dish from a two-dish choice set in a virtual restaurant, followed by an online food rating task. The results revealed that the meat dishes were chosen more often and rated as being more likable and desirable than the vegetable dishes. Despite such preference for the meat dishes over the vegetable dishes, the participants chose more vegetable dishes served in the blue containers when the meat dishes were served in the red containers. These findings provide novel empirical evidence regarding how a combination of red- and blue-colored containers can influence people’s food choices, which has implications in the practice of nudging consumers towards more plant-based diets via skillfully designing contextual cues.
Process Evaluation of a Farm-to-WIC Intervention Di Noia, Jennifer; Monica, Dorothy; Sikorskii, Alla
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,
10/2021, Letnik:
121, Številka:
10
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Despite the promise of farm-to-institution interventions for addressing limited vegetable access as a barrier to intake, programs designed for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, ...Infants, and Children (WIC) are lacking. As such, little is known about the implementation of, and mechanisms of action through which, farm-to-WIC interventions affect vegetable intake and participant satisfaction with such programs.
To examine whether a farm-to-WIC intervention to promote vegetable intake was implemented as intended, differences between participants who received the intervention relative to those in a usual-care control group in intermediate outcomes of vegetable-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, and secondary outcomes of physical activity and weight status; and participant satisfaction with the intervention.
A process evaluation encompassing descriptive and comparative analyses of implementation fidelity logs and survey data collected as part of a pilot study was conducted.
The setting was a large, New Jersey-based, urban WIC agency. Recruited between June 3 and August 1, 2019 through 3 of the agency’s 17 sites (1 intervention and 2 control sites), participants were 297 primarily Hispanic adults (160 enrolled at the intervention site and 137 at control sites).
The intervention combined behaviorally focused instruction and handouts with the introduction of a WIC-based farmers’ market, field trips to an area farmers’ market, telephone coaching and support, and recipe demonstrations and tastings.
Primary outcomes were vegetable intake (measured via self-report and objectively using dermal carotenoids as a biomarker of intake) and the redemption of vouchers provided by WIC for fruit and vegetable purchases at farmers’ markets (measured objectively using data provided by WIC). For the process evaluation, logs were used to document program activities. Vegetable-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, physical activity, and satisfaction with the intervention were assessed with participant questionnaires. Weight status was assessed with direct measures of height and weight. Data were collected at baseline and at mid- and post-intervention (3 and 6 months post-baseline, respectively).
Descriptive statistics were used to characterize implementation fidelity. Associations between intermediate and secondary outcomes and vegetable intake were examined at baseline with Pearson correlations. Post-baseline between-group differences in the outcomes were examined with linear mixed-effects models adjusted for baseline values and covariates. Satisfaction with the intervention was assessed with inferential and thematic analyses.
Post-intervention, measures of vegetable intake were higher in the intervention relative to the control study group. Receipt of the intervention was also associated with a greater likelihood of voucher redemption. Nearly all participants (≥94%) received the intervention as intended at the WIC-based farmers’ market; smaller percentages completed 1 or more planned trips to the area farmers’ market (28%) and telephone coaching and support calls (88%). Although most intermediate and secondary outcomes were associated with measures of vegetable intake at baseline, the variables did not differ between study groups post-intervention. Mean satisfaction ratings were ≥6.8 on a 7-point scale. Recipe demonstrations, learning about vegetables, field trips, and the rapport with staff were liked most about the program. Although adding days and times for field trips was suggested, limited market days and hours of operation limited the ability to do so.
Preliminary data highlight the promise of this well-received intervention. Intermediate outcome findings suggest that other potential intervention mechanisms of action should be considered in future large-scale trials of this program. Broad-scale initiatives are needed to improve access to farmers’ markets in underserved communities.
Low fruit and vegetable intakes are recognized risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. This systematic review summarizes published meta-analyses of global burden of diseases attributable to low ...fruit and vegetable intakes, and the best relative risk estimates.
A published novel assessment process combining Cochrane Review measures, Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews checklist, and Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was employed.
Sixty-four reports investigating 98 risk–disease pairs were included in the systematic review. Fifty-six pairs from 39 reports were assessed as statistically significant, involving 29 burden of diseases. Dose responses were identified for 31 negative and two positive associations. High against low intake relative risks were identified for 22 negative and one positive association. The highest identified linear dose response for each 100 g/day increase in fruit intakes was 0.56 (95% CI 0.42 to 0.74) for esophageal cancer, followed by 0.72 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.87) for mouth, pharynx, and larynx cancer; nonlinear dose response for the first 100 g/day of fruit intakes were 0.86 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.88) for stroke, followed by 0.89 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.90) for all-cause mortality. The highest identified linear dose response for each 100 g/day increase in vegetable intakes was 0.88 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.95) for renal cell cancer, followed by 0.89 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.95) for non-Hodgkin lymphoma; nonlinear dose responses for the first 100 g/day of vegetable intake were 0.86 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.89) for coronary heart disease, followed by 0.87 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.90) for all-cause mortality. For nonlinear associations, clear increases in protective associations were observed with the first 200 g/day of intakes, whereas little further increase or even decrease in protective associations were reported beyond 300 g/day intakes. Canned fruit intakes were positively associated with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, and pickled vegetable intakes were positively associated with stomach cancer.
This systematic review supports existing recommendations for fruit and vegetable intakes. Current comparative risk assessments might significantly underestimate the protective associations of fruit and vegetable intakes.
•Involving children in meal preparation has effects on subsequent intake.•Children, who cooked their own meal, had higher intakes of salad, chicken and calories.•Meal preparation increased positive ...emotions in the children
The question of how to promote healthy eating habits in children is relevant because most children do not meet the recommended vegetable intake. Involving children in food preparation could be an opportunity to develop healthy eating behaviors and to increase vegetable consumption. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of children's involvement in meal preparation on their food and vegetable intake. A between-subject experiment was conducted with 47 children aged 6 to 10 years. In condition 1 (n = 25), children prepared a lunch meal (pasta, breaded chicken, cauliflower, and salad) with the assistance of a parent. In condition 2 (n = 22), the meal was prepared by the parent alone. Independent samples t-tests were conducted to compare intake in the “child cooks” and “parent cooks” conditions. Children in the child cooks condition ate significantly more salad 41.7 g (76.1%), more chicken 21.8 g (27.0%), and more calories 84.6 kcal (24.4%) than children in the parent cooks condition. Between before cooking and directly after cooking the meal, children in the child cooks condition reported significantly increased feelings of valence (feeling positive) and dominance (feeling in control). This study confirms that involving children in meal preparation can increase vegetable intake. Because of the potential effect on energy intake, parents need to be made aware of appropriate portion sizes for their children. Taking this into account, encouraging parents to involve their children in the preparation of healthy and balanced meals could be a valuable intervention strategy to improve the diets and vegetable intake of children.
Gardening interventions have been shown to increase fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake among school-aged children. It is unknown whether these effects persist into later adolescence or adulthood, and ...little is known about whether gardening in later adolescence is related to F/V intake.
To identify the relationship between both childhood and recent (within the past 12 months) gardening experiences and current F/V intake among college students.
A cross-sectional evaluation of 1,121 college freshmen with suboptimal F/V consumption from eight US universities.
Participants completed the National Cancer Institute Fruit and Vegetable Screener and questions about gardening experiences. Respondents were grouped as having gardened or not gardened during childhood and recently.
A linear mixed model was used to evaluate the relationship between childhood and recent gardening and current F/V intake.
Of the student participants, 11% reported gardening only during childhood, 19% reported gardening only recently, 20% reported gardening both as a child and recently, and 49% of students reported never having gardened. Students who gardened both during childhood and recently had a significantly higher mean current intake of F/V compared with students who never gardened (2.5±0.6 vs 1.9±0.5 cup equivalents CE, respectively; P<0.001). In addition, F/V intake increased with frequency of recent gardening engagement when comparing students who did not garden with those who gardened monthly or weekly (2.1±0.5 CE, 2.4±0.6 CE, and 2.8±0.7 CE, respectively; P<0.001).
This analysis suggests that the combination of childhood and recent gardening experience is associated with greater current F/V intake among first-year college students not currently meeting national F/V recommendations. In addition, a greater frequency of gardening experience may further enhance this effect.
It is plausible that the coronavirus disease pandemic and related changes in work and life patterns affected dietary patterns, but existing studies have limitations owing to a cross-sectional design. ...Using longitudinal data, we examined dietary changes in people due to the pandemic and work and life patterns. We conducted an online survey on changes in work and life patterns during the pandemic from April 30, 2020, to May 8, 2020, among users of a health app called CALO mama provided in Japan. We retrieved and linked the dietary data for 5929 participants from January 1, 2020, to May 13, 2020. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the frequencies of food intake associated with the pandemic and work and life patterns. During the state of emergency, the frequency of intake of vegetables, beans, seaweeds, fish, meats, dairy products, and snacks increased, whereas alcohol intake decreased. Working from home was associated with increased intake of vegetables, fruits, dairy products, and snacks but decreased intake of seaweeds, meats, and alcohol. Time spent on childcare was associated with decreased intake of vegetables and fruits but increased intake of meats. Probable depressive symptoms were negatively associated with the frequency of food intake other than snacks and alcohol. We conclude that diet quality improved during the pandemic in general, but attention must be paid to overconsumption of snacks and negative factors such as increased burden of childcare and depression for healthy eating.
This study investigated the independent and combined effects on preschool children's vegetable intake of serving a larger portion of vegetables and enhancing their flavor. In a crossover design, ...lunch was served in childcare centers once a week for four weeks to 67 children aged 3–5 y (26 boys, 41 girls). The meal consisted of two familiar vegetables (broccoli and corn) served with fish sticks, rice, ketchup, applesauce, and milk. Across the four meals, we varied the portion of vegetables (60 or 120 g total weight, served as equal weights of broccoli and corn) and served them either plain or enhanced (6.6% light butter and 0.5% salt by weight). All meals were consumed ad libitum and were weighed to determine intake. Doubling the portion of vegetables led to greater consumption of both broccoli and corn (both p < 0.0001) and increased meal vegetable intake by 68% (mean ± SEM 21 ± 3 g). Enhancing vegetables with butter and salt, however, did not influence their intake (p = 0.13), nor did flavor enhancement modify the effect of portion size on intake (p = 0.10). Intake of other meal components did not change when the vegetable portion was doubled (p = 0.57); thus, for the entire meal, the increase in vegetable consumption led to a 5% increase in energy intake (13 ± 5 kcal; p = 0.02). Ratings indicated that children had similar liking for the plain and enhanced versions of each vegetable (both p > 0.31). All versions of vegetables were well-liked, as indicated by ≥ 76% of the children rating them as “yummy” or “just okay”. Serving a larger portion of vegetables at a meal was an effective strategy to promote vegetable intake in children, but when well-liked vegetables were served, adding butter and salt was not necessary to increase consumption.
Latino early adolescents have a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. Interventions to address healthy eating among Latino youth frequently focus on fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Reflection ...spectroscopy assessed skin carotenoid (SC) levels has been proposed as an easy, noninvasive method to evaluate FV intake, but validation studies involving ethnically diverse youth are lacking.
This study aimed to assess the association between reflection spectroscopy-measured SC scores and self-reported FV intake among low-income, urban, Latino early adolescents, controlling for potential confounding factors.
This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data from a community-based intervention program (Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables) involving Latino fathers and adolescents to improve paternal parenting practices and youth energy balance-related behaviors.
Participants were 195 low-income, Latino early adolescents (aged 10 to 14 years). Data were collected in the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area from 2017 to 2020 during fall or winter months.
SC scores were measured using reflection spectroscopy, usual intakes of FV and carotenoid compounds were estimated based on the assessment using 24-hour dietary recalls.
Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to estimate associations of SC scores and each dietary component and potential confounding factors after assessing variables for inclusion in the analyses.
The mean SC score was 225 ± 95. The mean FV and total carotenoid intakes were 3.3 ± 0.5 servings/day and 8,360 ± 786 μg/day, respectively. Higher SC scores were observed among youth who had higher FV (β = .37 and P < 0.01) or total carotenoid intakes (β = .31 and P < 0.01). SC scores measured during fall were higher than scores measured during winter. Study participants with higher home FV availability and accessibility had higher SC scores.
Findings supported using SC score as a potential easy-to-use indicator of FV intake among Latino youth with consideration of seasonal variation and home FV availability and accessibility.
Global human health and sustainable production are threatened by an imbalance and deficiency of plant-based diet vegetable consumption across countries worldwide. Here, we analyzed the data on ...vegetable consumption, production, trade and eating habits. In addition, we conducted the predictions of vegetable supply in 2030, 2050, and when reached a plateau. The vegetable supply is predicted to increase from 386 g capita−1 day−1 in 2018 by 23–26 g capita−1 day−1 in 2030 and by 97–112 g capita−1 day−1 when it reached a plateau, lower than the recommended level of vegetable intake (300 g capita−1 day−1) when frequently concerning 50% vegetable lose and waste. The regions or countries with top vegetable supply are centred at global vegetable belt, e.g. Eastern Asia, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean basin, including Southern Europe and North Africa. The top vegetable supply is due to climate-dependent greater yield than the area harvested per capita. The regions not far from the global vegetable belt, e.g. South-eastern (Viet Nam), Western Africa (Niger and Mali), and Southern Asia (India), had moderate vegetable supply. These regions are predicted to increase the area harvested more than the yield to keep up with the relatively high vegetable supply in 2030. The developed regions, e.g. Northern America and Western Europe, cannot ensure the required vegetable supply by increased import and yield. Whilst the meat-preferred Caribbean, Central and South America, South-eastern Asia, and Southern Africa currently and will maintain low levels of vegetable supply. Sufficient vegetable supply cannot be guaranteed due to increased meat prefer of customers and decreased vegetable requirements potentially due to urban lifestyle and modern vegetable supply systems. Herein, it is required to reshape the dietary pattern to encourage vegetable intake and increase vegetable availability by fully utilizing the local climate primarily, and then increasing harvested area and advanced horticultural technology, thus achieving sustainable food production and a healthy diet.
The available evidence regarding the role of fruit and vegetable consumption in the development of colorectal polyps remains inconclusive, and there is a lack of data on different histopathologic ...features of polyps. We aimed to evaluate the associations of fruit and vegetable consumption with the prevalence of colorectal polyps and its subtypes in a high-risk population in China.
We included 6783 Chinese participants aged 40-80 years who were at high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Lanxi Pre-colorectal Cancer Cohort (LP3C). Dietary information was obtained through a validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and colonoscopy screening was used to detect colorectal polyps. Dose-response associations of fruit and vegetable intake with the prevalence of polyps were calculated using multivariate-adjusted regression models, which was reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
2064 cases of colorectal polyps were ascertained in the LP3C during 2018-2019. Upon multivariable adjustments, including the diet quality, fruit consumption was inversely associated with the prevalence of polyps (P trend = 0.02). Participants in the highest tertile of fruit intake had a 25% lower risk (OR: 0.75; 95% CI 0.62‒0.92) compared to non-consumers, while vegetable consumption had no significant association with polyp prevalence (P trend = 0.86). In terms of colorectal histopathology and multiplicity, higher fruit intake was correlated with 24, 23, and 33% lower prevalence of small polyps (OR: 0.76; 95% CI 0.62‒0.94; P trend = 0.05), single polyp (OR: 0.77; 95% CI 0.62‒0.96; P trend = 0.04), and distal colon polyps (OR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.51‒0.87; P trend = 0.003), respectively.
Fresh fruit is suggested as a protective factor to prevent colorectal polyps in individuals at high risk of CRC, and should be underscored in dietary recommendations, particularly for high-risk populations.
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