Unhealthy food options in the school environment are associated with diet quality and body weights of elementary school children in Canada

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Shannon Sim ◽  
Paul J Veugelers ◽  
Rachel Prowse ◽  
Candace IJ Nykiforuk ◽  
Katerina Maximova
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
The Absolute

Abstract Objective: Increasing evidence links unhealthy food environments with diet quality and overweight/obesity. Recent evidence has demonstrated that relative food environment measures outperform absolute measures. Few studies have examined the interplay between these two measures. We examined the separate and combined effects of the absolute and relative densities of unhealthy food outlets within 1600 m buffers around elementary schools on children’s diet- and weight-related outcomes. Design: This is a cross-sectional study of 812 children from thirty-nine schools. The Youth Healthy Eating Index (Y-HEI) and daily vegetables and fruit servings were derived from the Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire for Children and Youth. Measured heights and weights determined BMI Z-scores. Food outlets were ranked as healthy, somewhat healthy and unhealthy according to provincial paediatric nutrition guidelines. Multilevel mixed-effects regression models were used to assess the effect of absolute (number) and relative (proportion) densities of unhealthy food outlets within 1600 m around schools on diet quality and weight status. Setting: Two urban centres in the province of Alberta, Canada. Participants: Grade 5 students (10–11 years). Results: For children attending schools with a higher absolute number (36+) of unhealthy food outlets within 1600 m, every 10 % increase in the proportion of unhealthy food outlets was associated with 4·1 lower Y-HEI score and 0·9 fewer daily vegetables and fruit. Conclusions: Children exposed to a higher relative density of unhealthy food outlets around a school had lower diet quality, specifically in areas where the absolute density of unhealthy food outlets was also high.

Diet Quality Is Lower for Those Who Skip Lunch Among a Sample of Predominantly Black Adolescents

2020 ◽  
pp. 089011712098137
Author(s):  
Lori Andersen Spruance ◽  
Spencer Clason ◽  
Jordyn Hansen Burton ◽  
Leann Myers ◽  
Keelia O’Malley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
School Level ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Cross Sectional

Purpose: To compare the dietary quality among adolescents who skip lunch and those who do not and explore associations between school-level variables, demographic variables and lunch skipping. Design: Cross-sectional Setting: Public schools in New Orleans, Louisiana (n = 21) Participants: 718 adolescents Methods: Adolescents participated in a 24-hour dietary recall using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour (ASA24) Dietary Assessment Tool early in 2013. Data were converted into Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) scores. Mean scores were compared between students who skipped lunch and those who did not. A multilevel analysis was conducted to assess relationships between school environment, demographics, and lunch skipping. Results: Of the 718 respondents, 88.3% were Black and 15.3% skipped lunch. Students who ate lunch had a mean HEI score of 46.6 compared to a mean score of 41.7 for students who skipped lunch (p < .001). Students who skipped lunch also had significantly lower intake of total vegetables (p = .02), whole fruits (p < .001), total dairy (p = .003), total protein (p < .001). Conclusions: Skipping lunch was associated with lower quality diet, though diet quality was low among all students. Considering over 15% of the sample did not eat lunch in a closed-campus school setting, further research should consider how to encourage students to participate in the National School Lunch Program, which has the ability to increase diet quality in adolescents.

scholarly journals Interactions among Reward Sensitivity and Fast-Food Access on Healthy Eating Index Scores in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5744
Author(s):  
Shirlene D. Wang ◽  
Michele Nicolo ◽  
Li Yi ◽  
Genevieve F. Dunton ◽  
Tyler B. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Reward Sensitivity ◽  
Behavioral Inhibition System ◽  
Food Cues ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
Residential Neighborhood

Food cues in the environment may contribute to obesity as the consumption of unhealthy foods may reinforce reward pathways in the brain. To understand how person-level differences in reward sensitivity may be associated with diet quality, this study aimed to examine the moderating role of the availability of fast food in the environment on the relationship between reward sensitivity and diet quality in adolescents. Participants (n = 152; 55% female; Mage: 12.5 ± 0.93 y) completed the drive and reward subscales of the Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS)/Behavioral Activation System (BAS) Scale to assess reward sensitivity and completed two 24 h dietary recalls from which Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores (total score and subscales of adequacy and moderation) were calculated. Fast-food environment (FFE) was operationalized as the total number of fast-food outlets within 1 km around participants’ home address. Linear regressions were used to examine the main effects and interactions between reward sensitivity and FFE in relation to HEI score. Interactions were found between FFE and BAS drive (p = 0.02) and BAS reward (p < 0.01) on HEI adequacy. There were no interaction effects on HEI moderation or HEI total scores. For individuals who had lower access exposure to fast-food outlets (−1 SD), there was a stronger positive association between higher BAS drive (t = 2.85, p = 0.01, 95% CI (0.35, 1.94)) and HEI adequacy scores and between higher BAS reward (t = 3.27, p > 0.01, 95% CI (0.72, 2.93)) and HEI adequacy scores. By examining reward sensitivity to potential food cues in residential neighborhood food environments, it is possible to understand which adolescents are more sensitive to environmental food cues and implement interventions to buffer these influences.

The Association Between Time Spent in Vigorous Physical Activity and Dietary Patterns in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Durksen ◽  
Shauna Downs ◽  
Rebecca Mollard ◽  
Laura Forbes ◽  
Geoff D.C. Ball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Vigorous Intensity

Background:Physical activity interventions targeting weight status have yielded mixed results. This variability may be attributed to compensatory changes in dietary patterns after increasing physical activity (PA) levels. Therefore, we sought to determine whether dietary patterns varied with time spent in vigorous-intensity PA in youth.Methods:Cross-sectional analysis of 330 youth enrolled in a school-based prospective cohort in central Alberta. Physical activity was assessed with waist mounted accelerometers (Actical) worn for 7 days. Main outcomes included consumption of unhealthy foods and the unhealthy food index obtained from a validated web-based 24-hour dietary recall instrument. Secondary outcomes included macronutrient intake, food group (Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating) intake, and diet quality.Results:Compared with youth participating in < 7 min/ day of vigorous physical activity, those achieving ≥ 7 min/day displayed no change in healthy or unhealthy food consumption. However, linear regression suggests a modest association between diet quality and vigorous-intensity PA.Conclusion:These data demonstrate that in this cohort of Canadian youth, time spent being physically active is associated with healthier dietary patterns and not with increased consumption of unhealthy foods.

scholarly journals Diet quality in relation to the risk of hypertension among Iranian adults: cross-sectional analysis of Fasa PERSIAN cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Motamedi ◽  
Maryam Ekramzadeh ◽  
Ehsan Bahramali ◽  
Mojtaba Farjam ◽  
Reza Homayounfar
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Antihypertensive Drugs ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Common Chronic Disease ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prevention Of Hypertension

Abstract Background Hypertension is a common chronic disease with various complications and is a main contributing factor to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to assess the association of diet quality, assessed by dietary diversity score (DDS), Mediterranean dietary score (MDS), diet quality index-international (DQI-I), and healthy eating index-2015 (HEI-2015) with the risk of hypertension. Methods This study recruited a total of 10,111 individuals (45.14% male) with mean age of 48.63 ± 9.57 years from the Fasa Cohort Study, Iran. Indices of diet quality, including MDS, HEI-2015, DQI-I, and DDS were computed by a 125-item Food Frequency Questionnaire. Participants were diagnosed as hypertensive if they had a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mmHg, systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mmHg,, or used antihypertensive drugs. Results Hypertension was prevalent in 28.3% of the population (21.59% in males and 33.74% in females). In the whole population, after adjustment for potential covariates, including daily energy intake, age, gender, physical activity, smoking, family history of hypertension, body mass index, and the level of education, higher adherence to the MDS (OR: 0.86, 95%CI = 0.75–0.99) and HEI-2015 (OR: 0.79, 95%CI = 0.68–0.90) was significantly associated with decreased risk of hypertension. The protective effect of HEI-2015 against hypertension remained significant for both males (OR: 0.80, 95%CI = 0.64–0.99) and females (OR: 0.78, 95%CI = 0.66–0.94), while, for MDS, this relationship disappeared in the subgroup analysis by gender. DQI-I and DDS were not related to the odds of hypertension. Conclusions Adhering to MDS and HEI-2015 diets could contribute to the prevention of hypertension.

scholarly journals Caregiver Status and Diet Quality in Community-Dwelling Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1803
Author(s):  
Sharmin Hossain ◽  
May A. Beydoun ◽  
Michele K. Evans ◽  
Alan B. Zonderman ◽  
Marie F. Kuczmarski
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional

Objective: We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of diet quality with middle-aged caregiver status. Methods: Caregiving in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study (57.7% women, 62% African American (AA)) was measured at waves 3 (2009–2013) and 4 (2013–2017) (mean follow-up time 4.1 years). Diet quality was assessed by the Healthy Eating Index 2010 (HEI-2010) derived from two separate 24 h diet recalls. Multivariable ordinary least square regression was performed for cross-sectional analyses of the association of wave 4 caregiving with wave 4 HEI-2010. Wave 3 caregiving was examined both cross-sectionally and with annual rate of change in HEI using mixed-effects linear regression Models. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, and poverty status. Results: Cross-sectional analyses at wave 4 demonstrate an inverse association of frequent caregiving (“Daily or Weekly” vs. “Never”) for grandchildren with HEI-2010 total score (i.e., lower diet quality) among Whites (β = −2.83 ± 1.19, p = 0.03, Model 2) and AAs (β = −1.84 ± 0.79, p = 0.02,). The “cross-sectional” analysis pertaining to grandchildren caregiving frequency suggested that frequent caregiving (i.e., “Daily or Weekly” vs. “Never” (β = −2.90 ± 1.17, p = 0.04)) only among Whites was inversely related to HEI-2010 total score. Total HEI-2010 score was also related to caring (Model 1), for the elderly over “5 years vs. Never” among Whites (−7.31 ± 3.54, p = 0.04, Model 2). Longitudinally, we found slight potential improvement in diet quality over time (“Daily or Weekly” vs. Never by TIME interaction: +0.88 ± 0.38, p = 0.02) with frequent caregiving among Whites, but not so among AAs. Conclusions: Frequent caring for grandchildren had an inverse relationship with the diet quality of White and AA urban middle-aged caregivers, while caring for elderly was inversely linked to diet quality among Whites only. Longitudinal studies should address the paucity of research on caregivers’ nutritional quality.

scholarly journals Intake of Potatoes Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality, and Improved Nutrient Intake and Adequacy among US Adolescents: NHANES 2001–2018 Analysis

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2614
Author(s):  
Sanjiv Agarwal ◽  
Victor L. Fulgoni
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin C ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Nutrient Intake ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Recall Data ◽  
Fiber Protein ◽  
Potato Consumption

Potatoes are nutrient rich white vegetables, however, research on their impact on public health is limited. The objective of this study was to provide updated evaluation of the cross-sectional association between potato consumption and diet quality, nutrient intake and adequacy. Twenty-four hour diet recall data from adolescents (n = 16,633; age 9–18 years) were used to assess intakes. Usual intakes of nutrients were determined using the National Cancer Institute method and diet quality was calculated using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) after adjusting for demographic factors. Consumers of potatoes (baked or boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes and potato mixtures, fried potatoes, and potato chips) had higher (p < 0.05) HEI-2015 total score and subcomponent scores for total vegetables, total protein foods, and refined grain than non-consumers. Consumers also had higher (p < 0.05) intake of energy, dietary fiber, protein, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K and total choline; and higher (p < 0.05) adequacy for protein, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin K than non-consumers. In conclusion, adolescent potato consumption was associated with higher diet quality, nutrient intake, and adequacy and therefore encouraging their consumption may be an effective strategy for improving nutritional status.

scholarly journals Dietary intake and diet quality by weight category among a racially diverse sample of women in Birmingham, Alabama, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca B. Little ◽  
Renee Desmond ◽  
Tiffany L. Carson
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
The United States ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Dietary Guidelines ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Deep South ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Maximum Score

Abstract Diet is a modifiable contributor to health. The lack of adherence to recommended dietary guidelines may contribute to the disproportionate burden of obesity and other chronic conditions observed in the Deep South region of the United States. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe food group intake and diet quality by race and weight status of women in the Deep South. Study participants were eighty-nine healthy female volunteers (56 % black, 44 % white, mean age 39⋅7 ± 1⋅4 years) recruited from Birmingham, AL, USA. Body Mass Index (BMI) determined weight status (non-obese/obese). Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) calculated from dietary recalls assessed diet quality. Wilcoxon sum-rank test compared HEI-2010 scores by race and weight status. χ2 analysis compared the percentage of women who achieved maximum points for HEI-2010 index food components by subgroup. Caloric and macronutrient intake did not differ by race or weight status (mean kcal 1863⋅0 ± 62⋅0). Median Total HEI-2010 Score for the sample was 51⋅9 (IQR: 39⋅1–63⋅4). Although there was no statistical difference in diet quality by race, more whites achieved the maximum score for vegetable intake compared to blacks, while blacks reported higher total fruit intake. Non-obese women reported better diet quality (56⋅9 v. 46⋅1; P = 0⋅04) and eating more whole fruits, and more achieved the maximum score for protein from plant and seafood sources. In summary, differences in diet quality were observed by weight status, but not race among this sample. These results point to tailored dietary interventions for women in metropolitan areas of Alabama, USA.

scholarly journals Nutritional intake and overall diet quality of female soccer players before the competition period

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 555-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel dos SANTOS ◽  
Jacqueline Queiroz da SILVEIRA ◽  
Thais Borges CESAR
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Protein Quality ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Soccer

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the dietary intake and overall diet quality of female soccer players before the competitive games. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 21 women aged 20.8±4.5 years from a professional soccer team. Their nutritional status and dietary adequacy during the training period, before competition season, were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed by three 24-hour recalls, one food frequency questionnaire, and the Healthy Eating Index, an overall diet quality index based on food group intake. Results: The athletes have shown proper nutritional status, but a diet deficient in energy due largely to low carbohydrate intake. On the other hand, the intakes of protein, fatty acids, and sodium were above the recommended intakes, even for athletes. Diet quality assessment by the Healthy Eating Index - 2010 resulted in a mean score of 54.6 points of a maximum of 100, indicating a need of improving the overall diet quality. Conclusion: The study found that the dietary patterns of female football players were both quantitatively and qualitatively inappropriate. A nutritional intervention is indicated to improve diet quality, with the inclusion of various foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and better protein quality, along with a reduction in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugar.

scholarly journals School-Related Stressors and the Intensity of Perceived Stress Experienced by Adolescents in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (22) ◽  
pp. 11791
Author(s):  
Maria Kaczmarek ◽  
Sylwia Trambacz-Oleszak
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Parental Relationships ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stratified Sample ◽  
High Level

Higher stress reactivity during adolescence is a vulnerability marker of exposure to various environmental stressors. This study aimed to investigate the association between a high level of perceived stress experienced by adolescents and stressful stimuli induced from school environment, peer, and parental relationships. The data used were from a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in a stratified sample of 1846 adolescents (13–18 years) in the Wielkopolska province, Poland. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The association of a high level of perceived stress with school-induced exposures was determined using multivariate logistic regression after adjusting for gender, age, height and weight status and interpersonal relationships (STATISTICA 13.1). It was found that girls were over three times more likely than boys to experience a high level of perceived stress. Moreover, girls appeared to be more vulnerable than boys to school-related stressors and weight status, while boys to stressors that can arise from interpersonal relationships. School environment was the only predictor factor of high perceived stress level with a large effect size in both boys (OR = 4.45; 95% CI: 3.11–6.36) and girls (OR = 6.22; 95% CI: 4.18–7.59). Given the findings of the present study, preventive programs are critical to mitigate the effect of stress from school on adolescents’ health and well-being.

scholarly journals Association Between Diet Quality and Food Waste in South Florida

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 143-143
Author(s):  
Vanessa Mijares ◽  
Jair Alcivar ◽  
Cristina Palacios
Keyword(s):  
Food Waste ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Florida International University

Abstract Objectives In 2015, the USDA/EPA set a goal of reducing food waste in 50% by 2030. This goal will not only lower U.S. methane gas emissions but also redirect food to millions of food insecure Americans. Little is known on food waste and its association with diet quality. Therefore, our objective was to explore the associations between diet quality and food waste. Methods This was a cross sectional study among adults ³18 years in south Florida who are the primary household food provider conducting a primary shopping event for the week. Participants were recruited outside of local grocery stores and asked to fill out a quick food waste survey. Pictures of the participants’ grocery receipts were taken to analyze diet quality using the Grocery Purchase Quality Index 2016 (GPQI-2016). The GPQI-2016 is based on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)– 2010 and has 11 different components (each with a maximum score of 5 or 10) for a total score of 75. Correlations were used to determine the associations between diet quality and amount of food waste (Pearson) or reasons for food waste (Point-biserial). Results A total of 109 participants were recruited but 103 had complete data. Mean age was 44.6 ± 13.6 years, most were females (74%) and Hispanics (79%). Most usually grocery shop in a main event and then go back for smaller items (44%) once (36%) or twice (28%) a week. Mean diet quality score was 40.9 ± 9.64 out of 75 points and mean amount of food waste was 17.7 ± 19.9 handfuls. Most reported throwing away food mainly because it went bad (90%) or it was past it's due date (80%). Handfuls of bread/rice waste were significantly inversely correlated with diet quality (r = −2.60; p = 0.013). Also, we found a significant inverse correlation between diet quality and food thrown away because it had gone past it's use by date (r = −.196; p = 0.049). Conclusions A lower diet quality score was related to higher amount of bread/rice wasted and with throwing away foods that has past it's use date. These results could justify directing reducing food waste efforts in the community by educating individuals on purchasing frozen products or on proper storage to prolong shelf life, as well as on understanding the different dates placed on products by manufacturers. Funding Sources Internal funds from Florida International University.

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