scholarly journals Evaluation of an online “teachable moment” dietary intervention

2017 ◽  
Vol 117 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Marks ◽  
Jane Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Food Intolerance ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Teachable Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Intention To Treat ◽  
Everyday Situation ◽  
The Individual

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an online “teachable moment” intervention to promote healthy eating for overweight and food intolerance symptoms. Design/methodology/approach The study involves a 2×2 factorial design with two conditions: group (weight loss vs food intolerance) and condition (intervention vs control). The intervention aimed to generate a “teachable moment” by providing knowledge regarding the relationship between food and the problem (overweight or food intolerance), focussing on the negative aspects of the problem, creating a behavioural model, and encouraging hope and reinvention. Participants receiving the intervention (n=22) completed measures of dietary behaviour and either weight or food intolerance symptoms before receiving the intervention and again one month later. Control participants (n=20) provided measures but did not receive the intervention. Findings There were no significant reductions in weight or food intolerance symptoms. However, compared to control participants, participants in the intervention conditions reported greater intentions to eat healthily (p=0.01) and improved healthy eating behaviour over time, following both an intention-to-treat (p=0.046) and explanatory analysis (p=0.042). Practical implications Encouraging individuals to perceive their everyday situation as a time for change and adopt healthier behaviour early on, may prevent future diet-related medical events. This has benefits for both the individual and for health care costs. Originality/value A quick and easy-to-administer online “teachable moment” intervention improves dietary behaviour and can be minimally adapted to suit individuals with differing health needs.

scholarly journals Parental eating attitudes and indicators of healthy eating in a longitudinal randomized dietary intervention trial (the STRIP study)

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 2065-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Talvia ◽  
Leena Räsänen ◽  
Hanna Lagström ◽  
Susanna Anglè ◽  
Maarit Hakanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
General Health ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Eating Attitudes ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Fat Intake ◽  
Intervention Trial

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the effects of child-oriented dietary intervention on parental eating attitudes and dietary behaviour.DesignIn the prospective, randomized Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project for Children (the STRIP study), a cohort of Finnish families took part in a nutritional intervention trial focused on the quality of their children's fat intake since the age of 8 months. Health-related and hedonic eating attitudes of the parents were measured after 10 years of dietary intervention using a validated Health and Taste Attitude Scales (HTAS) questionnaire (n 660). Parents’ eating behaviour was studied using a 1 d food record (n 491).SettingFinland.SubjectsMothers and fathers (n 660) of the STRIP children.ResultsThe parents of the intervention families had a higher level of interest in healthy eating compared with control parents. The interest in natural products or hedonic eating attitudes did not differ between the groups. The parents’ general health interest was associated with low saturated fat intake, fruit and vegetable consumption, fibre intake and seeking pleasure in eating, but it was not associated with BMI. The intervention also improved the quality of dietary fat among parents with the lowest level of interest in healthy eating.ConclusionsParents’ general health interest was associated with regular dietary counselling as well as with healthier food choice behaviour. However, the dietary intervention that focused especially on the quality of the child's fat intake also enhanced specific changes in the family's fat consumption without a high level of interest in healthy eating.

scholarly journals Effecting dietary change

2004 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 537-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley J. Adamson ◽  
John C. Mathers
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Dietary Change ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Uk

A world epidemic of diet-related chronic disease is currently being faced. In the UK incidence of obesity alone has tripled in the last 20 years and this trend is predicted to continue. Consensus exists for the urgent need for a change in diet and other lifestyle factors and for the direction and targets for this change. The evidence for how this change can be achieved is less certain. It has been established that disease processes begin in childhood. Recent evidence indicates that dietary habits too are established in childhood but that these habits are amenable to change. While establishing a healthy lifestyle in childhood is paramount, interventions have the potential to promote positive change throughout the life course. Success in reversing current trends in diet-related disease will depend on commitment from legislators, health professionals, industry and individuals, and this collaboration must seek to address not only the food choices of the individual but also the environment that influences such choices. Recent public health policy development in England, if fully supported and implemented, is a positive move towards this goal. Evidence for effective strategies to promote dietary change at the individual level is emerging and three reviews of this evidence are discussed. In addition, three recent dietary intervention studies, in three different settings and with different methods and aims, are presented to illustrate methods of effecting dietary change. Further work is required on what factors influence the eating behaviour and physical activity of individuals. There is a need for further theory-based research on which to develop more effective strategies to enable individuals to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Health and self-control: promoting unconscious healthy food choices inside the store

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-243
Author(s):  
Benedetta Grandi ◽  
Maria Grazia Cardinali ◽  
Silvia Bellini
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Need For Cognition ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Specific Category ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level ◽  
Cognitive Behaviours

PurposeThe wide literature about healthy behaviours posits that a high level of self-control is required in order to make healthy choices. This work intends to demonstrate that retailers, through the management of in-store marketing levers, can influence shopping behaviour, no matter which is the individual tendency to engage in cognitive behaviours. For this specific purpose, we have considered participants' “Need for Cognition” as a proxy of self-control.Design/methodology/approachWith reference to a specific category (cookies), we created a new display based on benefits (healthy eating) rather than products' attributes. A pre-test was conducted before the main experiment in order to assess the potential ability of the new nutritional display to help customers selecting healthier products, by testing participants' awareness and comprehension of the stimuli proposed. Then, an online between-subjects experiment was conducted by simulating the shoppers' expedition in the cookies' aisle inside a store with the aim to demonstrate that healthy choices can be also made on impulse.FindingsOur findings showed that when both communication and visual cues are provided, people low in need for cognition (NFC) are more willing to select healthy products from the shelf, compared with people high in NFC.Originality/valueWhile there is a wide literature explaining the mechanisms supporting healthy choices, fewer are the contributions about the role of retailers in promoting healthy eating through in-store marketing levers. More important, there is no contribution about how to promote health among people with low level of self-control.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based dietary intervention in Nottingham

2017 ◽  
Vol 119 (5) ◽  
pp. 1091-1101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jemma Orr ◽  
Alison McCamley
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Method Evaluation ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Eatwell for Life (EWL) programme, with a particular focus on longer term effectiveness in terms of dietary behaviour and the wider impact. EWL is a six-week community-based dietary intervention which aims to increase nutritional knowledge, cooking confidence and provide the necessary skills to support behavioural change in relation to eating a balanced diet. There have been many evaluations of community-based dietary interventions, but most focus on brief measures and changes examined at the end of each course. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method evaluation was conducted using a self-reported questionnaire, focus groups and semi-structured telephone interviews. A follow-up evaluation was conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months with a purposive sample of EWL participants. Findings A total of 66 participants completed both pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. A total of 22 participants took part in the qualitative follow-up evaluation. The mixed method evaluation demonstrates improvements in participants’ fruit and vegetable consumption and a reduction in participants’ sugar consumption. Qualitative data highlight key themes such as “cooking from basic ingredients”, “knowledge of key healthy eating messages”, “changes in eating, cooking and shopping habits” and “wider influences on family and friends’ diets”. Originality/value This paper is useful to public health nutritionists and other practitioners delivering community-based dietary and cooking skills programmes and those commissioning such provision. It contributes to existing evidence of sustained change over time targeting those in areas of high deprivation.

scholarly journals Fighting to eat healthfully: measurements of the military food environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Carins ◽  
Sharyn Rundle-Thiele
Keyword(s):  
Social Marketing ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Military Population ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nutrition Environment ◽  
Food Outlets ◽  
The Military

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on a quantitative study of the food environment designed to measure aspects of support for healthy eating. Design/methodology/approach – An ecological view of eating behaviour was taken by examining the food environment that surrounded a military population of interest. Food outlets (n = 34) were assessed using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey in store (NEMS-S), Nutrition Environment Measures Study in restaurants (NEMS-R) and military Nutrition Environment Assessment Tool (mNEAT) instruments to determine how well food outlets supported healthy eating. Findings – Despite better-than-average provision of healthy options on-base, the total environment surrounding the military base barely supports healthy eating. Average support to healthy eating was 45 per cent (NEMS) or 27 per cent (mNEAT) of support that could be measured. Individuals accessing this food environment would find few healthy alternatives, little information directing them to healthy choices and pricing and promotion that drives unhealthy eating behaviours. Research limitations/implications – This study focused on one food environment; replication is recommended to establish foundation data for benchmarking outlets, and further develop these measures for Australian settings. Future studies may assess the media environment to further extend the ecological model used. Practical implications – A method to measure the food environment is demonstrated which provides formative research insights for use when planning social marketing interventions. Consideration of these influences together with intra- and inter-personal influences offer the potential to better design social marketing healthy eating interventions, by addressing multiple levels within an ecological framework. Originality/value – This paper answers calls for social marketers to consider the influence of the surrounding environment, using methods not previously used in Australian settings.

Exploring self-regulatory strategies for eating behaviour in Danish adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-167
Author(s):  
Liliya Nureeva ◽  
Karen Brunsø ◽  
Liisa Lähteenmäki
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Regulatory Strategies ◽  
Unhealthy Eating ◽  
Good Advice ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
The Right

Purpose Healthy eating behaviour in adolescence may be negatively affected by lack of self-regulation. The purpose of this paper is to discuss strategies for regulating eating behaviour as formulated by adolescents themselves. Design/methodology/approach Self-regulatory strategies were elicited with concept mapping, which is a group-based method. Three meetings were conducted with each of four school classes in Denmark. Participants in the 12-15-year age group were recruited for the study. At the first meeting, participants had to complete the phrase “Things I can do to ensure my healthy eating are: […]”. At the second meeting, participants had to group the statements. At the third meeting, the results were discussed with participants. Findings The results suggest that adolescents’ knowledge about healthy and unhealthy eating is in line with the official guidelines provided by health organisations. Adolescents made 142 statements about things they could do to ensure healthy eating; the statements were grouped by adolescents, and 12 strategies were formulated: following nutrition recommendations, developing own rules, making healthy deals with oneself, ensuring the right balance and regularity of food intake, awareness: remember to eat healthy, thinking of consequences, good advice for shopping and cooking, seeking help from parents, influencing family and others, avoiding temptations, replacing unhealthy food with a healthier option and reducing the amounts of unhealthy food in diet. Practical implications Focusing on improving adolescents’ self-regulatory skills in the domain of eating behaviour is a promising approach in developing future interventions. Originality/value The present article explores self-regulatory strategies for eating behaviour in adolescence and discusses their relevance.

scholarly journals Maintaining healthy eating behaviour: experiences and perceptions of young adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Allom ◽  
Barbara Mullan
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Implicit Theories ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, particularly in young adults who recently have been shown to experience more weight gain than other demographics. Research has focused on factors leading to this weight gain, implicating the abundance of unhealthy foods in the direct environment, yet limited research has examined why some individuals are able to successfully regulate their eating behaviour in this “food-rich environment”. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions and experiences of successful healthy eaters in order to determine factors that distinguish this group from unhealthy eaters. Design/methodology/approach – Thirty-five healthy weight young adults, who considered themselves to be healthy eaters, participated in seven semi-structured focus groups. Key questions examined how these individuals regulated their eating behaviour and their perceptions regarding such self-control processes. Findings – Thematic analysis revealed that individuals who are successful at maintaining healthy eating behaviour perceive the same barriers as non-successful individuals, yet are able to employ self-control techniques to overcome these barriers. Additionally, continually exerting self-control appeared to facilitate the formation of healthy eating habits. Research limitations/implications – Future research may benefit from attempting to modify self-control ability and develop healthy habits. Originality/value – While factors leading to obesity and the cognitions of those who are overweight have been extensively examined, limited research has focused on those who are able to regulate their eating behaviour. Additionally, limited qualitative research has examined implicit theories of self-control in an eating context.

Factors influencing engagement and dietary behaviour change of mothers and their children in a blog-delivered healthy eating intervention: a process evaluation of a randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Audrée-Anne Dumas ◽  
Simone Lemieux ◽  
Annie Lapointe ◽  
Véronique Provencher ◽  
Julie Robitaille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Quebec City ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Objective: A randomised controlled trial found no evidence of an impact of a blog written by a registered dietitian (RD) on vegetables and fruit and milk and alternatives (e.g. soya-based beverages, yogurt and cheese) consumption – two food groups included in the 2007 version of the Canadian Food Guide – in mothers and their children compared with a control condition. To investigate these null findings, the current study explored participants’ perceptions of engagement with the blog and its influence on their dietary behaviours. Design: Mixed methods process evaluation using a post-intervention satisfaction questionnaire and a content analysis of mothers’ comments on the blog (n 213 comments). Setting: French-speaking adult mothers living in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (n 26; response rate = 61·9 % of the total sample randomised to exposure to the blog). Results: Most mothers (n 20/26; 76·9 %) perceived the blog useful to improve their dietary habits – with the most appreciated blog features being nutritional information and healthy recipes and interactions with fellow participants and the RD. Mothers reported several facilitators (e.g. meal planning and involving children in household food activities) and few barriers (e.g. lack of time and children’s food preferences) to maternal and child consumption of vegetables and fruit and milk and alternatives. Lack of time was the principal reported barrier affecting blog engagement. Conclusions: The findings from the current study suggest that blogs written by an RD may be an acceptable format of intervention delivery among mothers, but may not alleviate all the barriers to healthy eating and engagement in a dietary intervention.

scholarly journals In VitroAnalyses of the Effects of Heparin and Parabens on Candida albicans Biofilms and Planktonic Cells

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa H. Miceli ◽  
Stella M. Bernardo ◽  
T. S. Neil Ku ◽  
Carla Walraven ◽  
Samuel A. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Candida Albicans ◽  
Metabolic Activity ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Planktonic Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heparin Sodium ◽  
The Individual

ABSTRACTInfections and thromboses are the most common complications associated with central venous catheters. Suggested strategies for prevention and management of these complications include the use of heparin-coated catheters, heparin locks, and antimicrobial lock therapy. However, the effects of heparin onCandida albicansbiofilms and planktonic cells have not been previously studied. Therefore, we sought to determine thein vitroeffect of a heparin sodium preparation (HP) on biofilms and planktonic cells ofC. albicans. Because HP contains two preservatives, methyl paraben (MP) and propyl paraben (PP), these compounds and heparin sodium without preservatives (Pure-H) were also tested individually. The metabolic activity of the mature biofilm after treatment was assessed using XTT [2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide] reduction and microscopy. Pure-H, MP, and PP caused up to 75, 85, and 60% reductions of metabolic activity of the mature preformedC. albicansbiofilms, respectively. Maximal efficacy against the mature biofilm was observed with HP (up to 90%) compared to the individual compounds (P< 0.0001). Pure-H, MP, and PP each inhibitedC. albicansbiofilm formation up to 90%. A complete inhibition of biofilm formation was observed with HP at 5,000 U/ml and higher. When tested against planktonic cells, each compound inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that HP, MP, PP, and Pure-H havein vitroantifungal activity againstC. albicansmature biofilms, formation of biofilms, and planktonic cells. Investigation of high-dose heparin-based strategies (e.g., heparin locks) in combination with traditional antifungal agents for the treatment and/or prevention ofC. albicansbiofilms is warranted.

Gender bias in hospital leadership: a qualitative study on the experiences of women CEOs

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 253-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Soklaridis ◽  
Ayelet Kuper ◽  
Cynthia R. Whitehead ◽  
Genevieve Ferguson ◽  
Valerie H. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hospital Leadership ◽  
Purposeful Sampling ◽  
Women Ceos ◽  
Hospital Ceos ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Systemic Discrimination

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of gender bias among women hospital CEOs and explore to what these female leaders attribute their success within a male-dominated hospital executive leadership milieu. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study involved 12 women hospital CEOs from across Ontario, Canada. Purposeful sampling techniques and in-depth qualitative interview methods were used to facilitate discussion around experiences of gender and leadership. Findings Responses fell into two groups: the first group represented the statement “Gender inequality is alive and well”. The second group reflected the statement “Gender inequity is not significant, did not happen to me, and things are better now”. This group contained a sub-group with no consciousness of systemic discrimination and that claimed having no gendered experiences in their leadership journey. The first group described gender issues in various contexts, from the individual to the systemic. The second group was ambivalent about gender as a factor impacting leadership trajectories. Originality/value Representations of women’s leadership have become detached from feminism, with major consequences for women. This study reveals how difficult it is for some women CEOs to identify gender bias. The subtle everyday norms and practices within the workplace make it difficult to name and explain gender bias explicitly and may explain the challenges in understanding how it might affect a woman’s career path.

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