scholarly journals The utility of linking National Food Ingredient Databases to National Food Consumption surveys: a pilot study on fibre and sugar

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Kelly ◽  
Aoibhinn Moore-Heslin ◽  
Mengna Yang ◽  
Maria Buffini ◽  
Laura Kehoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Food Ingredient ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
High Fibre ◽  
Safety Considerations

AbstractIntroduction:Current dietary recommendations encourage increased fibre and reduced sugar consumption. In the UK, specific targets and benchmarks have been established for the sugar content of some foods but not for fibre. National Food Consumption Surveys provide comprehensive information of all foods consumed by representative population samples. The Irish national food surveys as completed by the Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance (IUNA) capture dietary data at brand level with all details as gathered on pack entered into a discrete but inter-linked database, the Irish National Food Ingredient Database (INFID). The aim of this study was to profile the carbohydrate quality of a convenience sub-sample of packaged foods as eaten by Irish children during the National Children's Food Survey II (2017/2018) as entered into INFID.Materials and Methods:All on-pack details from 385 available foods in the categories ‘white breads and rolls’; ‘brown breads and rolls’; ‘other breads and scones’; ‘ready to eat breakfast cereals (RTEBC)’; ‘biscuits’; and ‘cakes, buns and pastries’ were entered in to INFID and quality control completed. The carbohydrate profile of the products was assessed with respect to fibre labelling criteria and UK sugar guidelines and targets. SPSS Version 25 was used for all analyses.Results:Although 56% (n210) of all products entered were eligible to make a ‘source of’ or ‘high’ fibre claim, only 20% (n78) made such a claim. Of this, 46% stated ‘high fibre’ and 32% ‘source’, predominately in the ‘brown breads and rolls’ and ‘RTEBC’ groups. When compared to UK Department of Health guidance for ‘low’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ sugar, 65% of all products examined (n250) were either ‘low’ or ‘medium’ sugar. Comparison of median sugar contents with Public Health England sugar reformulation targets revealed different responses in each category, with all categories other than foods deemed as “morning goods” yet to meet the 2020 target of 20% reduction in sugar content.Discussion:This small pilot study of a convenience sample of foods suggests that for the limited number of foods examined, for some there remains challenges to reduce sugar and increase fibre contents. Strategies such as reformulation, change in portion size, flexibility in labelling and/or a shift in sales portfolios could be considered but only alongside technological and safety considerations. Further research to broaden this analysis and to link nutrient levels as listed on pack with actual consumption patterns could help ensure all recent initiatives including reformulation are recognised.

scholarly journals Validation of a food quantification picture book targeting children of 0–10 years of age for pan-European and national dietary surveys

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (12) ◽  
pp. 2298-2308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Trolle ◽  
Stefanie Vandevijvere ◽  
Jiří Ruprich ◽  
Majken Ege ◽  
Marcela Dofková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Picture Book ◽  
Portion Size ◽  
Size Estimation ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Dietary Surveys ◽  
Correct Picture ◽  
Portion Size Estimation

The aim of the present study was to validate thirty-eight picture series of six pictures each developed within the PANCAKE (Pilot study for the Assessment of Nutrient intake and food Consumption Among Kids in Europe) project for portion size estimation of foods consumed by infants, toddlers and children for future pan-European and national dietary surveys. Identical validation sessions were conducted in three European countries. In each country, forty-five foods were evaluated; thirty-eight foods were the same as the depicted foods, and seven foods were different, but meant to be quantified by the use of one of the thirty-eight picture series. Each single picture within a picture series was evaluated six times by means of predefined portions. Therefore, thirty-six pre-weighed portions of each food were evaluated by convenience samples of parents having children aged from 3 months to 10 years. The percentages of participants choosing the correct picture, the picture adjacent to the correct picture or a distant picture were calculated, and the performance of individual pictures within the series was assessed. For twenty foods, the picture series performed acceptably (mean difference between the estimated portion number and the served portion number less than 0·4 (sd< 1·1)). In addition, twelve foods were rated acceptable after adjustment for density differences. Some other series became acceptable after analyses at the country level. In conclusion, all picture series were acceptable for inclusion in the PANCAKE picture book. However, the picture series of baby food, salads and cakes either can only be used for foods that are very similar to those depicted or need to be substituted by another quantification tool.

scholarly journals An empirical and experiential investigation into the contemplation of joy

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen D. Edwards ◽  
David J. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Spiritual Life ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Dalai Lama ◽  
Research Hypothesis ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Desmond Tutu

The research was generally motivated by a dearth of studies on joy, and particularly inspired by a book of joy celebrating the inter-spiritual dialogue between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. Its aim was to investigate whether the direct contemplation of joy would be associated with improvements in psychophysiological coherence, spirituality and various positive emotions and feelings. Integrative quantitative and qualitative findings emerging from a small pilot study, including a convenience sample of six participants with a mean age of 42 years and age range of 25–69 years, supported the research hypothesis. Significant quantitative increases in psychophysiological coherence, spirituality and positive feelings were coherently and consistently supported by participants’ individual and collective experiences. Integrative discussion amplified the paradoxical theme of joy through suffering in human emotional and spiritual life.

scholarly journals Facilitators and barriers to preparing and offering whole grains to children diagnosed with prediabetes: qualitative interviews with low-income caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tashara M. Leak ◽  
Navika Gangrade ◽  
June Tester
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Clinic Visit ◽  
Whole Grains ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers

Abstract Background The prevalence of U.S. youth with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) is increasing, with those from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds at greater risk. Dietary fiber (e.g., whole grains and vegetables) is shown to be inversely associated with T2D risk, yet dietary recommendations are not being met. Caregivers play an important role in home food availability, but low SES neighborhoods are shown to have limited access to fiber-rich foods such as whole grains. The overall aim of this qualitative study was to assess caregiver perceptions about facilitators and barriers to preparing and offering whole grains that they received as part of the 16-week Food Overcoming Our Diabetes Risk (FoodRx) pilot study. Methods A convenience sample of 60 youth (8–17 years) with obesity and prediabetes were recruited from an urban pediatric weight management clinic to participate in the FoodRx pilot study. Caregivers accompanied youth to a baseline clinic visit and completed a survey that asked about individual and household characteristics. Exit interviews were conducted at the follow-up clinic visit with caregivers of all youth who completed the study (n = 48) in order to assess facilitators and barriers experienced when preparing and offering whole grains. Interview transcripts were coded using the constant comparative method and grounded theory approaches. Results Caregivers (n = 48) had a mean age of 43 years and were primarily female (n = 46) and Hispanic (71%). Main facilitators to preparing and offering whole grains in the home were caregivers’ improved knowledge of whole grain health benefits and the development of strategies to encourage their children to consume whole grains (i.e., pairing whole grains with another liked food). A main barrier for caregivers was the lack of resources available to identify and prepare the novel whole grains that they received. Conclusion Findings suggest that caregivers are receptive to incorporating more whole grains into home-prepared meals, but they may need additional nutrition and cooking education to improve their self-efficacy.

Predictors of Success Using a mHealth Intervention in Adults with Prediabetes: Results of a Pilot Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nestoras Mathioudakis ◽  
Estelle Everett ◽  
Noora Al-Hajri ◽  
Mohammed Abusamaan ◽  
Clare Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Area Deprivation ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Metabolic Equivalent Of Task ◽  
Mobile Intervention ◽  
The Difference

BACKGROUND About one-third of American adults have prediabetes and are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies provide a scalable approach to diabetes prevention by encouraging physical activity (PA), weight loss, and adherence to a healthy diet in large numbers of patients. OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with improvements in PA and glycated hemoglobin (A1c) measures among prediabetic adults who received a mobile intervention program (smartphone app in combination with a digital body weight scale) in a previously completed pilot study. METHODS We conducted a post hoc analysis of a 3-month prospective, single-arm, observational study using the Sweetch™ mHealth intervention among adults with prediabetes. Change in A1C was calculated as the difference between the 3-month and baseline A1C measurements and was categorized as decrease vs. no decrease. PA was evaluated using the total minutes and metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hours per week. Change in MET-hours/week was categorized as increase vs. no increase. Age, sex, race, education, employment status, area deprivation, smartphone usage attitudes, and PA stage of change were compared between groups by outcomes of change in A1C and change in MET-hour/week. RESULTS A total of 37 adults received the final Sweetch mobile intervention and were included in the analysis. 62% were female and 81% were white, with average age of 57 years. The median [IQR] baseline A1C was 6.0% [5.8, 6.2]. A1C measure at 3-month was decreased in 24 (65%) participants when compared to baseline A1C. There was an inverse association between average MET-hours per week and change in A1C. Among participants whose A1C decreased vs. did not decrease, the MET-hours per week in last 2 weeks of study was 18.7 (8.4) and 15.0 (7.1), respectively (P=0.19), and the change in MET-hours per week was 2.1 (7.1) and 4.1(6.1), respectively (P=0.41). There were otherwise no statistically significant differences in participant factors by A1C and PA outcomes. CONCLUSIONS In this small pilot study, Sweetch mHealth intervention achieved comparable A1C response prediabetic adults with different individual, sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics. CLINICALTRIAL ClincialTrials.gov NCT02896010; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02896010 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6xJYxrgse)

scholarly journals Validating scoring systems for fracture healing in infants and young children: pilot study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Crompton ◽  
Fabrizio Messina ◽  
Gillian Klafkowski ◽  
Christine Hall ◽  
Amaka C. Offiah
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Fracture Healing ◽  
Callus Formation ◽  
Femoral Fractures ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Power Calculation ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Fractures In Children ◽  
Infants And Young Children

Abstract Background Recent studies have analysed birth-related clavicular fractures to propose time frames for healing that could be applied to dating of all fractures in cases of suspected child abuse. Objective To assess differences in healing rates between femoral fractures and birth-related clavicular fractures in infants and young children. Materials and methods A retrospective 5-year pilot study of femoral fractures in children younger than 3 years of age was performed. Anonymised radiographs were independently scored by two radiologists for stages of fracture healing. In cases of reader disagreement, radiographs were independently scored by a third radiologist. Results In total, 74 radiographs (30 children) met the inclusion criteria. Fracture healing evolved over time with subperiosteal new bone formation (SPNBF) appearing first, followed by callus then remodelling. A power calculation for a single proportion, with a level of confidence of 95% and a margin of error of 5%, showed that in a definitive study, 359 radiographs would be required. Conclusion Although the overall pattern of healing is similar, in this small pilot study, the earliest times for SPNBF and callus formation in femoral fractures appeared to lag behind healing of birth-related clavicular fractures. Remodelling appeared earlier than remodelling of clavicular fractures. A power calculation has determined numbers of femoral radiographs (359) required for a definitive study.

scholarly journals Influence of Employment Conditions and Length of Residence on Adherence to Dietary Recommendations in Immigrant Workers in Spain

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 2488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ikram Benazizi ◽  
Elena Ronda-Pérez ◽  
Rocío Ortíz-Moncada ◽  
José Martínez-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Immigrant Workers ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Employment Conditions ◽  
Sugary Drinks

The objective of this article is to analyze the influence of employment conditions on adherence to dietary recommendations among those born in Spain and immigrants by their time of residence. Data were used from the Platform of Longitudinal Studies of Immigrant Families (PELFI) cohort (n = 215) to compare Spaniards and immigrants with <14 and >14 years of residence. The questionnaire on frequency of food consumption (15 items) was used to measure adherence to dietary recommendations. Logistic regression models were used, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and employment conditions. Adherence to dietary recommendations was greater among Spaniards, followed by immigrants with >14 years of residence and <14 years of residence. The greatest adherence among Spaniards was for eggs (immigrants ≥ 14 years: 1/ORa = 2.89, <14 years: 1/ORa = 3.92), fish (immigrants ≥ 14 immigrants: 1/ORa = 2.33, <14 years: 1/ORa = 4.72), vegetables (immigrants ≥ 14 years: 1/ORa = 3.26, <14 years: 1/ORa = 4.87), dairy products (immigrants ≥ 14 years: 1/ORa = 14.34, <14 years: 1/ORa = 26.78), and sugary drinks (immigrants ≥14 years: 1/ORa = 2.12, <14 years: 1/ORa = 3.48), and the lowest adherence was for the consumption of sausages and cold cuts (immigrants ≥ 14 years: Ora = 7.62, <14 years: ORa = 24.65). Adjusting for sociodemographic and employment conditions variables did not result in variation in the observed differences between Spaniards, immigrants with <14 years of residence, and immigrants with >14 years of residence.

Attempting to reconcile large differences in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies recovery rates

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1153-1158
Author(s):  
Scott H Waltman
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Percent Recovery ◽  
Small N ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Limited Scope

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative has a reported 50 percent recovery rate. Recently, Scott published a scathing report asserting that 9.2 percent is the correct rate. This alarming assertion requires a closer look and further scrutiny of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. Scott’s study is fundamentally flawed in many ways; chiefly, the small ( n = 87), forensically involved, convenience sample is not representative of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies population. Scott’s study is more a limited-scope non-representative-sampled audit (or pilot study audit) of the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies. Given the large amount of public funds involved in the project, further research and a high degree of transparency is warranted.

Food Consumption Patterns: In Preschool Children

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Pabayo ◽  
John C. Spence ◽  
Linda Casey ◽  
Kate Storey
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Preschool Children ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Public Health Professionals ◽  
Grain Products

Purpose: Healthy eating during early childhood is important for growth and development. Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide (CFG) provides dietary recommendations. We investigated patterns of food consumption among preschool children and attempted to determine whether these children's intakes met nutrition recommendations. Methods: Between 2005 and 2007, four- and five-year-old children (n=2015) attending 12 Edmonton-region public health units for immunization were recruited for a longitudinal study on determinants of childhood obesity. The children's dietary intake at baseline was assessed using parental reports. Results: Overall, 29.6%, 23.5%, 90.9%, and 94.2% of the children met recommendations for vegetables and fruit, grain products, milk and alternatives, and meat and alternatives, respectively. In addition, 79.5% consumed at least one weekly serving of foods in the “choose least often” group. Significant differences existed in consumption of food groups across socioeconomic and demographic groups. For example, 82.9%, 84.7%, and 75.9% of preschool children from neighbourhoods of low, medium, and high socioeconomic status, respectively, consumed at least one food in the “choose least often” group (χ2 =16.2, p<0.001). Conclusions: Consumption of vegetables and fruit and grain products was low among participants, and intake of “choose least often” foods was high. Consumption of foods also differed among socioeconomic and demographic groups. To encourage healthy eating among children, public health professionals should target groups who do not meet the CFG recommendations.

scholarly journals The Effect of Coaching on Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis: A Quality Improvement Pilot Study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Swisher ◽  
Kathryn Moffett
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Phone Calls

Purpose: Physical activity is well known to improve or maintain exercise capacity and overall health in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). However, many patients do not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity. The purpose of this study was to determine if individualized, targeted coaching could improve the levels of physical activity and quality of life in children and adolescents with CF. Subjects: Twelve children with CF, ages 7 to 17, participated in this study.Method: Each participant completed a physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) and a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire (CFQ) at baseline and three months later. The participants were given pedometers and a 10,000 step per day target. Participants also participated in discussions regarding ways to increase physical activity appropriate for their interest, abilities and age. Weekly follow-up phone calls were made to obtain pedometer counts and discuss physical activities performed. Results: Physical activity scores (PAQ) improved in 6 of 12 participants. Quality of life improved in many dimensions of the CFQ, particularly in vitality (3 of 5 improved); emotional (8 of 12 improved) and respiratory (7 of 12 improved). Conclusions: The results of this small pilot study suggest that an individualized coaching approach to physical activity in children and adolescents with CF may improve physical activity levels and improve important aspects of quality of life in some children with CF.

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