scholarly journals The Impact of a Community Fruit and Vegetable Voucher Program (Vouchers 4 Veggies) on Improvements in Dietary Intake and Food Security (P04-013-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Jennings ◽  
Sanjana Marpadga ◽  
Cissie Bonini ◽  
Melissa Akers ◽  
Ronli Levi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Health Perception ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Voucher Program ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Vouchers 4 Veggies (V4V) is a transformative healthy food voucher program aimed at increasing access to and affordability of healthy food in the most vulnerable communities. Between 2015–2018, over 2600 ethnically diverse low-income individuals were enrolled in the program with the goal to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, improve food security status and change health perception. Methods V4V partners with local community-based organizations and clinics that serve as voucher distribution sites as well as neighborhoods stores, grocery stores, and famer's markets where participants can redeem their vouchers. Participants receive $20-$40 worth of vouchers per month for 6 months. Data for this evaluation were collected using pre- and post- surveys (at 0 and 4–6 months) that included a validated fruit and vegetable intake screener, the USDA 7-item food security screener, demographic questions and health perception questions. Results Data from 862 matched surveys indicate that mean fruit and vegetable intake increased from 2.49 to 3.52 servings daily, corresponding to a 1.03 servings increase after six months in the program (0.89,1.77; P < .001). In addition, V4V participants’ food security scores improved, decreasing 0.88 points (−1.07, −0.71; P < 0.001) on a 6 point scale (0 being the most food secure and 6 being very food insecure), from a mean of 5.53 to 4.65 using the USDA validated 6-item scale. When stratified by race, food security improved significantly for all major racial groups except Black/African Americans. Finally, participants reported a statistically significant improvement in self-reported health status (P < 0.001), with a 14% change in status from poor/fair health to good/very good/excellent health. Conclusions This evaluation suggests that a modest supplement for fruits and vegetables may be able to improve dietary intake, support food security, and improve health perception among vulnerable residents of San Francisco. More research is needed to understand differences in maintaining long-term health and behavior changes among program participants. Funding Sources V4V received funding from the SF Department of Public Health, Hellman Foundation, AARP Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente Community Benefits Program.

scholarly journals A four-year observational study to examine the dietary impact of the North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program, 2017–2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie B. Jilcott Pitts ◽  
Qiang Wu ◽  
Kimberly P. Truesdale ◽  
Ann P. Rafferty ◽  
Lindsey Haynes-Maslow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Dietary Behaviors ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The North Carolina (NC) Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (HFSRP) was passed into law with a $250,000 appropriation (2016–2018) providing up to $25,000 in funding to small food stores for equipment to stock healthier foods and beverages. This paper describes an observational natural experiment documenting the impact of the HFSRP on store food environments, customers’ purchases and diets. Methods Using store observations and intercept surveys from cross-sectional, convenience customer samples (1261 customers in 22 stores, 2017–2020; 499 customers in 7 HFSRP stores, and 762 customers in 15 Comparison stores), we examined differences between HFSRP and comparison stores regarding: (1) change in store-level availability, quality, and price of healthy foods/beverages; (2) change in healthfulness of observed food and beverage purchases (“bag checks”); and, (3) change in self-reported and objectively-measured (Veggie Meter®-assessed skin carotenoids) customer dietary behaviors. Differences (HFSRP vs. comparison stores) in store-level Healthy Food Supply (HFS) and Healthy Eating Index-2010 scores were assessed using repeated measure ANOVA. Intervention effects on diet were assessed using difference-in-difference models including propensity scores. Results There were improvements in store-level supply of healthier foods/beverages within 1 year of program implementation (0 vs. 1–12 month HFS scores; p = 0.055) among HFSRP stores only. Comparing 2019 to 2017 (baseline), HFSRP stores’ HFS increased, but decreased in comparison stores (p = 0.031). Findings indicated a borderline significant effect of the intervention on self-reported fruit and vegetable intake (servings/day), though in the opposite direction expected, such that fruit and vegetable intake increased more among comparison store than HFSRP store customers (p = 0.05). There was no significant change in Veggie Meter®-assessed fruit and vegetable intake by customers shopping at the intervention versus comparison stores. Conclusions Despite improvement in healthy food availability, there was a lack of apparent impact on dietary behaviors related to the HFSRP, which could be due to intervention dose or inadequate statistical power due to the serial cross-sectional study design. It may also be that individuals buy most of their food at larger stores; thus, small store interventions may have limited impact on overall eating patterns. Future healthy retail policies should consider how to increase intervention dose to include more product marketing, consumer messaging, and technical assistance for store owners.

scholarly journals Changes in Dietary Intake During COVID-19 Among Youth in Urban Communities: Insights From the COACHES Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 184-184
Author(s):  
Christine St Pierre ◽  
Win Guan ◽  
Jamison Merrill ◽  
Katherine Rawlings ◽  
Jerita Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Urban Youth ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives Disruption to nutrition education and school meal programs and widespread reports of increased food insecurity due to COVID-19 have raised concerns about the potential effect on the dietary quality of youth. Accordingly, this study sought to examine the impact of the pandemic on the dietary intake of youth participating in the Creating Opportunities for Adolescents through Coaching, Healthy Eating, and Sports (COACHES) program, an intervention using coaches trained in trauma-informed coaching strategies to improve health of youth from at-risk communities. Methods The COACHES program recruited 6th and 7th grade students from five schools in New Orleans, LA. Students (n = 67) completed an adapted version of the CoRonavIrus Health Impact Survey (CRISIS) for Youth (V0.3) to assess dietary intake and perception of health during the pandemic. Descriptive statistics were used to examine self-reported impact of the pandemic on eating behaviors. Results Among the students who completed the CRISIS questionnaire (n = 67, 11.7+/−0.73 yrs, 55.2% female, 41.8% overweight/obese), 49.3% reported an overall physical health decrease during the pandemic, 65.6% were not meeting recommendations for daily fruit and vegetable intake, and 72.7% consumed sugary beverages two or more times daily. However, more than one-third actually reported increasing fruit and vegetable consumption during the pandemic, and more than one-quarter reduced their sugary beverage intake. Boys were more likely than girls to report increased fruit and vegetable intake, and youth who were overweight or obese were more likely to report maintaining or improving their overall diet, though results were only significant at the 90% level (P = 0.065). Conclusions Despite challenges due to COVID-19, urban youth report improved dietary intake during the pandemic. These results highlight the importance of school-based intervention programs in meeting the nutrition needs of at-risk youth. Funding Sources Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health.

scholarly journals The introduction of new food retail opportunities in lower-income communities and the impact on fruit and vegetable intake: a systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 837-846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelseanna Hollis-Hansen ◽  
Leah Vermont ◽  
Michelle L Zafron ◽  
Jennifer Seidman ◽  
Lucia Leone
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Farmers Markets ◽  
Grocery Stores ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact

Introducing mobile produce markets and farmers’ markets increased fruit and vegetable consumption in lower-income communities, while opening larger retailers (e.g. grocery stores) did not improve fruit and vegetable intake.

The impact of diet and lifestyle on wellbeing during COVID-19-lockdown

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Muth ◽  
Annabel B Losecaat Vermeer ◽  
Damiano Terenzi ◽  
Soyoung Q Park
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Lifestyle Factors ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle

A healthy diet and lifestyle may protect against adverse mental health outcomes, which is especially crucial during stressful times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This preregistered longitudinal online study explored whether diet and lifestyle (physical activity, sleep, and social interactions) could predict wellbeing and mood during a light lockdown in Germany. Participants (N = 117, 72 males; 28 9 years old) answered mental health and lifestyle questionnaires (social connections, sleep, activity) followed by submitting one week of food and mood-lifestyle diary (food intake, positive and negative mood, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, physical activity level, quantity and quality of social interactions) via a smartphone app. We used multivariate linear and mixed-effects models to predict mood and wellbeing by using dietary components and lifestyle factors. Inter-individual analyses revealed that sleep and social interaction significantly impacted mood and wellbeing. Interestingly, fruit and vegetable intake predicted wellbeing, even when controlling for all lifestyle factors. Fruit and vegetable intake also significantly predicted daily fluctuations in wellbeing within individuals next to sleep, physical activity, and social interactions. We observed gender differences in fruit and vegetable intake and anxiety levels. Our results emphasize the importance of diet contributing to individual wellbeing, even in the challenging times of a pandemic.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Children by Level of Variety, What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013–2016

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 206-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Katherine Hoy ◽  
John Clemens ◽  
Carrie Martin ◽  
Alanna Moshfegh
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Percentage Contribution ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Very Young Children ◽  
Food Patterns ◽  
Side Dishes

Abstract Objectives To describe and compare fruit and vegetable intake by level of variety among children in What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES. Methods One-day dietary intake data of children 2–19 years (N = 5920) in WWEIA, NHANES 2013–2016 were used. Fruit and vegetable (FV) variety was the count of foods consumed that contributed to total FV intake. To be counted, at least 0.1 cup equivalent (CE) FV of each single FV item and 0.2 CE FV from a mixed dish had to have been consumed. Each FV was counted only once; a mixed dish counted as one. The Food Patterns Equivalents Database was used to determine the CE of FV intake. Individuals were classified for variety of intake as High (H) (5 + items); Moderate (M) (3–4 items); Low (L) (1–2 items). Percentage contribution of WWEIA Food Categories to FV intake was estimated. Differences in FV intakes between variety levels were compared by t-test. Those with a count of ‘0’ (N = 466) were excluded. Results Percentage of children in each variety level was: H: 15, M: 33; L: 44; none: 8%. Mean FV intakes (CE/1000 kcal) by variety level were H: 1.9; M: 1.4; L: 0.8 (P &lt; 0.001). Distributions of 2–5y, 6–11y and 12–19y, respectively among variety levels were: H: 18, 16, 13%; M: 40, 32, 30%; L: 37, 44, 48%; none: 6, 8, 9%. For H, M, and L levels, respectively, fruit variety counts were 2.5, 1.5, and 0.5, and vegetable variety counts were 3.5, 2, and 1 (P &lt; 0.001). Among all 2–19y, single FV items (excl 100% juice) contributed 64% to FV intake of the H vs M (55%) and L (50%), whereas Mixed Dishes contributed 12% to intake of H vs M (15%) and L (21%). The percentages of H, M and L groups reporting intake from WWEIA Food Categories were 89, 65 and 40 for Vegetables; 86, 65, and 35 for Fruit; and 79, 79, and 77 for Mixed Dishes. Conclusions FV variety was highest for very young children and lowest among adolescents. Children with more variety of FV intake were more likely to include single FV and in higher amounts than those with less FV variety. These results support suggestions for boosting FV intake of children by encouraging their consumption at snacks and including vegetable side dishes at meals. Funding Sources ARS-USDA.

Dietary Intake Among Church-Affiliated African Americans: The Role of Intentions and Beliefs

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria G. Bauer ◽  
Jannette Berkley-Patton ◽  
Kym Bennett ◽  
Delwyn Catley ◽  
Carole Bowe-Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African Americans ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Path Analyses

Diabetes and heart disease disproportionately burden African Americans, who tend to have worse nutritional intake than Whites. Many Black churches are influential institutions in the Black community, with potential to assist with promotion of healthy eating behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to use the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine intention to eat a healthy diet and dietary behaviors among church-affiliated African Americans. It was hypothesized that TPB constructs would positively predict intention to eat a healthy diet and that intention to eat a healthy diet would be a predictor of fat and fruit and vegetable intake. It was also hypothesized that control beliefs would predict reduced fat intake and increased fruit and vegetable intake. Path analyses indicated behavioral, normative, and control beliefs were predictive of intention to eat a healthy diet. Intention to eat healthy was a significant predictor of dietary intake behaviors. These findings provide support for the use of the TPB in examining diet among church-affiliated African Americans. This study represents an opportunity to inform dietary interventions for the African American faith community.

scholarly journals Fruit and Vegetable Lesson Plan Pilot Intervention for Grade 5 Students from Southwestern Ontario

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (22) ◽  
pp. 8422
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Woodruff ◽  
Clinton Beckford ◽  
Stephanie Segave
Keyword(s):  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Lesson Plan ◽  
Food Delivery ◽  
Lesson Plans ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Intake ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact

The purpose was to create and assess the impact of food literacy curriculum alongside a centrally procured school snack program among grade five students in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Grade five students (N = 287) from five intervention and three controls schools participated in an 8-week food delivery program. In addition to the food delivery program, intervention schools received a resource kit and access to 42 multidisciplinary food literacy lesson plans using the produce delivered as part of the food delivery program. Participants completed matched pre- and post-test online surveys to assess fruit and vegetable intake, knowledge, preferences, and attitudes. Descriptive analyses and changes in scores between the intervention and control schools were assessed using one-way ANOVAs, paired samples t-tests, and McNemar’s tests. In total, there were 220 participants that completed both the pre- and post-test surveys. There was a significant improvement in fruit and vegetable intake (p = 0.038), yet no differences in knowledge of the recommended number of food group servings, knowledge of food groups, or fruit and vegetable preferences or attitudes were observed. Integrating nutrition lesson plans within core curricula classes (e.g., math, science, and literacy) can lead to modest increases in fruit and vegetable intake.

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