scholarly journals Effect of a free healthy school meal on fruit, vegetables and unhealthy snacks intake in Norwegian 10- to 12-year-old children

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽  
Kaia Elisabeth Paulsen Heslien ◽  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Nina Cecilie Øverby

Abstract Background: Norwegian children have a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and a higher intake of unhealthy snacks compared to dietary guidelines. Such dietary inadequacies may be detrimental for their current and future health. Schools are favorable settings to establish healthy eating practices. Still, no school meal arrangement is provided in Norway, and most children typically bring packed lunches from home. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serving a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a lower intake of unhealthy snacks in total among 10-12-year-olds in Norway.Methods: The School Meal Project in Southern Norway was a non-randomized trial in two elementary schools in rural areas in the school year 2014/2015. The study sample consisted of 10- to 12-year-old children; an intervention group (N=55) and a control group (N=109) resulting in a total of 164 school children at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was completed by the children at baseline, at five months follow-up and after one year to assess fruit, vegetable and snacks intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on overall intake of fruit and vegetables and unhealthy snacks.Results: Serving of a free healthy school meal for one year was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches in the intervention group compared to the control group, adjusted for baseline intake (B: 1.11 (95% CI: .38, 1.85)) at the end of the intervention. No other significant intervention effects were found for the remaining fruit and vegetables measures. Serving of a free healthy school meal was not associated with a lower weekly intake of unhealthy snacks (i.e. potato chips, candy, sugar sweetened beverages) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions: A free healthy school meal was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches but did not significantly change any other investigated dietary behaviors. However, given the inadequate intake of vegetables among children and that even moderate improvements have public health relevance, a free healthy school meal for all school children could be beneficial. Trial registration: ISRCTN61703361 Date of registration: December 3rd, 2018 Retrospectively registered

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽  
Kaia Elisabeth Paulsen Heslien ◽  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Nina Cecilie Øverby

Abstract Background Norwegian children have a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and a higher intake of unhealthy snacks compared to dietary guidelines. Such dietary inadequacies may be detrimental for their current and future health. Schools are favorable settings to establish healthy eating practices. Still, no school meal arrangement is provided in Norway, and most children typically bring packed lunches from home. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serving a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a lower intake of unhealthy snacks in total among 10-12-year-olds in Norway.Methods The School Meal Project in Southern Norway was a non-randomized trial in two elementary schools in rural areas in the school year 2014/2015. The study sample consisted of 10- to 12-year-old children; an intervention group (N=55) and a control group (N=109) resulting in a total of 164 school children at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was completed by the children at baseline, at five months follow-up and after one year to assess fruit, vegetable and snacks intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on overall intake of fruit and vegetables and unhealthy snacks.Results Serving of a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches in the intervention group compared to the control group, adjusted for baseline intake (B: 1.11 (95% CI: .38, 1.85)) at the end of the intervention. No other significant intervention effects were found for the remaining fruit and vegetables measures. Serving of a free healthy school meal did not result in a lower weekly intake of unhealthy snacks (i.e. potato chips, candy and sugar sweetened beverages) in the intervention group compared to the control group.Conclusions A free healthy school meal resulted in a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches but did not significantly change any other investigated dietary behaviors. However, given the inadequate intake of vegetables among children and that even moderate improvements have public health relevance, a free healthy school meal for all school children could be beneficial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frøydis N. Vik ◽  
Kaia E. P. Heslien ◽  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Nina C. Øverby

Abstract Background Norwegian children have a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and a higher intake of unhealthy snacks compared to dietary guidelines. Such dietary inadequacies may be detrimental for their current and future health. Schools are favorable settings to establish healthy eating practices. Still, no school meal arrangement is provided in Norway, and most children typically bring packed lunches from home. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serving a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a lower intake of unhealthy snacks in total among 10–12-year-olds in Norway. Methods The School Meal Project in Southern Norway was a non-randomized trial in two elementary schools in rural areas in the school year 2014/2015. The study sample consisted of 10- to 12-year-old children; an intervention group (N = 55) and a control group (N = 109) resulting in a total of 164 school children at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was completed by the children at baseline, at five months follow-up and after one year to assess fruit, vegetable, and snacks intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on overall intake of fruit and vegetables and unhealthy snacks. Results Serving of a free healthy school meal for one year was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches in the intervention group compared to the control group, adjusted for baseline intake (B: 1.11 (95% CI: .38, 1.85)) at the end of the intervention. No other significant intervention effects were found for the remaining fruit and vegetables measures. Serving of a free healthy school meal was not associated with a lower weekly intake of unhealthy snacks (i.e. potato chips, candy, sugar sweetened beverages) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions A free healthy school meal was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches but did not significantly change any other investigated dietary behaviors. However, given the inadequate intake of vegetables among children and that even moderate improvements have public health relevance, a free healthy school meal for all school children could be beneficial. Trial registration ISRCTN61703361. Date of registration: December 3rd, 2018. Retrospectively registered.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽  
Kaia Elisabeth Paulsen Heslien ◽  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Nina Cecilie Øverby

Abstract Background: Norwegian children have a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and a higher intake of unhealthy snacks compared to dietary guidelines. Such dietary inadequacies may be detrimental for their current and future health. Schools are favorable settings to establish healthy eating practices. Still, no school meal arrangement is provided in Norway, and most children typically bring packed lunches from home. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serving a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a lower intake of unhealthy snacks in total among 10-12-year-olds in Norway.Methods: The School Meal Project in Southern Norway was a non-randomized trial in two elementary schools in rural areas in the school year 2014/2015. The study sample consisted of 10- to 12-year-old children; an intervention group (N=55) and a control group (N=109) resulting in a total of 164 school children at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was completed by the children at baseline, at five months follow-up and after one year to assess fruit, vegetable and snacks intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on overall intake of fruit and vegetables and unhealthy snacks.Results: Serving of a free healthy school meal for one year was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches in the intervention group compared to the control group, adjusted for baseline intake (B: 1.11 (95% CI: .38, 1.85)) at the end of the intervention. No other significant intervention effects were found for the remaining fruit and vegetables measures. Serving of a free healthy school meal was not associated with a lower weekly intake of unhealthy snacks (i.e. potato chips, candy and sugar sweetened beverages) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusions: A free healthy school meal was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches but did not significantly change any other investigated dietary behaviors. However, given the inadequate intake of vegetables among children and that even moderate improvements have public health relevance, a free healthy school meal for all school children could be beneficial.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽  
Kaia Elisabeth Paulsen Heslien ◽  
Wendy Van Lippevelde ◽  
Nina Cecilie Øverby

Abstract Background: Norwegian children have a lower intake of fruit, vegetables, and a higher intake of unhealthy snacks compared to dietary guidelines. Such dietary inadequacies may be detrimental for their current and future health. Schools are favorable settings to establish healthy eating practices. Still, no school meal arrangement is provided in Norway, and most children typically bring packed lunches from home. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serving a free healthy school meal for one year resulted in a higher intake of fruit and vegetables and a lower intake of unhealthy snacks in total among 10-12-year-olds in Norway.Methods: The School Meal Project in Southern Norway was a non-randomized trial in two elementary schools in rural areas in the school year 2014/2015. The study sample consisted of 10- to 12-year-old children; an intervention group (N=55) and a control group (N=109) resulting in a total of 164 school children at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was completed by the children at baseline, at five months follow-up and after one year to assess fruit, vegetable, and snacks intake. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on overall intake of fruit and vegetables and unhealthy snacks.Results: Serving of a free healthy school meal for one year was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches in the intervention group compared to the control group, adjusted for baseline intake (B: 1.11 (95% CI: .38, 1.85)) at the end of the intervention. No other significant intervention effects were found for the remaining fruit and vegetables measures. Serving of a free healthy school meal was not associated with a lower weekly intake of unhealthy snacks (i.e. potato chips, candy, sugar sweetened beverages) in the intervention group compared to the control group.Conclusions: A free healthy school meal was associated with a higher weekly intake of vegetables on sandwiches but did not significantly change any other investigated dietary behaviors. However, given the inadequate intake of vegetables among children and that even moderate improvements have public health relevance, a free healthy school meal for all school children could be beneficial.Trial registration:ISRCTN61703361 Date of registration: December 3rd, 2018Retrospectively registered


2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tonje Holte Stea ◽  
Ingrid Marie Hovdenak ◽  
Jannike Rønnestad ◽  
Kjersti Rennestraum ◽  
Frøydis Nordgård Vik ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background There are not many studies evaluating the long-term effects of fruit and vegetable interventions. Objective We examined the effects of 1 y of free fruit in elementary school on long-term consumption of fruit, vegetables, and unhealthy snacks, according to sex and educational attainment, 14 y after the intervention period. Design In 2001, the baseline survey of the longitudinal cohort, Fruits and Vegetables Make the Marks (FVMM), included 1950 children (mean age: 11.8 y) attending 38 randomly drawn elementary schools from 2 counties in Norway. In the following 10 mo, 9 schools served as intervention schools by participating in the Norwegian School Fruit Program for free, whereas 29 schools served as control schools. A follow-up survey conducted in 2016 included 982 participants (50%) from the original study sample (mean age: 26.5 y). The consumption of fruit and vegetables was measured by a 24-h recall (portions per day), and the consumption of unhealthy snacks was measured by food-frequency questions (portions per week). Linear mixed models were performed to test possible intervention effects on the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and unhealthy snacks 14 y after the intervention period. Results No overall intervention effects after 14 y due to the free-fruit scheme on the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and unhealthy snacks were observed, but significant interactions showed a sustained higher frequency of fruit consumption among females in the intervention group compared with the control group [mean difference (MD): 0.38 portions/d; P = 0.023] and that this effect was only significant among less-educated females (MD: 0.73 portions/d; P = 0.043). No significant long-term intervention effects were observed in the consumption of fruit among highly educated females and males nor in the consumption of vegetables or unhealthy snacks. Conclusion Results from the present study indicate that receiving free fruit at school for 1 y may have positive long-term effects for females without higher education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Núria Mallorquí-Bagué ◽  
María Lozano-Madrid ◽  
Cristina Vintró-Alcaraz ◽  
Laura Forcano ◽  
Andrés Díaz-López ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study examines if overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms, and if these variables could be modified after 1 year of a multimodal intervention (diet, physical activity, psychosocial support). 342 adults (55–75 years) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) from the PREDIMED-Plus Cognition study were randomized to the intervention or to the control group (lifestyle recommendations). Cognitive and psychopathological assessments were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. At baseline, higher impulsivity was linked to higher food addiction and depressive symptoms, but not to body mass index (BMI). Food addiction not only predicted higher BMI and depressive symptoms, but also achieved a mediational role between impulsivity and BMI/depressive symptoms. After 1 year, patients in both groups reported significant decreases in BMI, food addiction and impulsivity. BMI reduction and impulsivity improvements were higher in the intervention group. Higher BMI decrease was achieved in individuals with lower impulsivity. Higher scores in food addiction were also related to greater post-treatment impulsivity. To conclude, overweight/obesity are related to higher impulsivity, food addiction and depressive symptoms in mid/old age individuals with MetS. Our results also highlight the modifiable nature of the studied variables and the interest of promoting multimodal interventions within this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ni Ketut Nuratni ◽  
◽  
I Nyoman Wirata ◽  
Ni Wayan Arini ◽  
I Made Budi Artawa ◽  
...  

Most of Indonesians suffer from dental caries. This is due to bad dental health maintenance. Although in fact, dental caries is a preventable disease. Dental and oral hygiene that is not maintained will cause various dental diseases that will affect general health, although it does not cause death directly, but is also a risk factor for other diseases including: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, low birth weight (LBW) , and even heart disease. We undertook this research by evaluating the influence of dental health care towards elementary school children. The subjects are fifth grade in SD Saraswati 4 Denpasar, Indonesia. There are control and intervention groups in this research. The treatment for control group was given leaflet and intervention group was given dental health care with the provision of dental therapist. We evaluate the influence on knowledge, attitude, practice and Debris Index score. The analysis using bivariate test employed Wilcoxon test and univariate test employed Mann-Whitney test. The results show that in intervention group, there is influence of dental health care on knowledge, attitude, practice and Debris Index score of the students. Meanwhile in control group, there is influence on knowledge and attitude but no influence on practice and Debris Index score. Mann-Whitney test shows that there are significant differences in knowledge and attitude, but no significant practice and Debris Index score in intervention and control group. The Debris Index criteria of the intervention group are 100% good with the treatment of dental health care.


Blood ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 138 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
Maryan M Ali ◽  
Tobias Gedde-Dahl ◽  
Marit B Veierød ◽  
Geir E Tjønnfjord ◽  
Per Ole Iversen

Abstract Introduction In many patients diagnosed with a hematological malignancy, the disease cannot be totally eradicated by conventional therapeutic approaches, and for them allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is the only curative option. A major complication of allo-HSCT is graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), affecting about 50% of transplant recipients. In addition to increased risk of death and long-lasting debilitating conditions, severe GvHD also impairs health-related quality of life. High-dose systemic steroids is the first line treatment for GvHD, but treatment failure is common, and steroid-refractoriness is a major cause of non-relapse mortality after allo-HSCT. While there is no established second line GvHD-treatment, extracorporeal photophoresis (ECP) has emerged as an attractive and increasingly applied alternative, partly due to its favourable safety profile. However, the use of ECP in preventing GvHD is sparse and data are inconclusive due to lack of randomized controlled trials (RCT). We therefore conducted a RCT to study if ECP given post transplantation could prevent the development of GvHD. Methods Between June 2017 and February 2020, we enrolled 157 patients (> 18 years) diagnosed with a hematological malignancy and treated with an allo-HSCT in first remission into an intention-to-treat open RCT. Ethical and IRB approvals were granted, and the RCT was registered with Clinical Trials (ID NCT03204721). The sample size (76 in intervention group and 81 controls) was calculated based on a reduction of 25% in the total number of patients diagnosed with any form of GvHD within the first year of allo-HCST (primary end-point) as clinically relevant. The patients were stratified according to whether they received myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning (Table 1), and they were given GvHD prophylaxis as shown in Table 1. ECP (Therakos Cellex ®, Mallinckrodt Pharm., NJ) was initiated when patients had engrafted (i.e. leukocytes > 1 x 10 9/L and platelets > 20 x 10 9/L), and, according to the study protocol, we planned for ECP on two consecutive days/week for two weeks, then weekly for four weeks to a total eight treatments for each patient in the intervention group. Chi-square test was used to test differences between the two study groups. Results Table 1 shows that patient characteristics were well balanced among the two study groups. Four patients did not receive ECP while 39 received all the eight treatments. One year after allo-HCST, the proportion of GvHD was 45/76 (59%) in the intervention group and 52/81 (64%) in the controls (p=0.52). There were no significant differences between the intervention and control group regarding development of acute (45% vs. 48%) or chronic (39% vs. 40%) GvHD. Neither did we detect any statistical differences between the two study groups regarding organ involvement or severity of the GvHD manifestations (data not shown). During the one-year observation period, 16/76 (21%) and 10/81 (12%) relapsed in the intervention and control group, respectively (p=0.14). The corresponding numbers of deaths were 12/76 (16%) and 16/81 (20%), respectively (p=0.52). Six patients in the intervention group experienced mild to moderate temporary, adverse events that could possibly be related to the ECP-procedure. Conclusion In this first RCT addressing ECP as GvHD prophylaxis in allo-HSCT for hematological malignancy, we found no significant difference in the numbers, types, organ involvement, or severity of GvHD between the intervention and the control group. Thus, our study does not support the use of ECP as an adjunct to GvHD-prophylaxis based on cyclosporine and methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, or sirolimus. However, ECP did not seem to be harmful in this setting. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Lina Ejlertsson ◽  
Bodil Heijbel ◽  
Annika Brorsson ◽  
Margareta Troein ◽  
Ingemar Andersson

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research regarding factors promoting recovery during the workday and effective interventions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how different intervention activities may impact employees’ experiences of recovery at the workplace. METHODS: Customized intervention activities based on qualitative results and a participatory approach were integrated among the employees at six primary health care centres (PHCCs; n = 166) during one year. Recovery and workplace factors were measured with a questionnaire at the start and end of intervention, and also in a control group (15 PHCCs; n = 328). Group differences were tested (Chi-2) and explanatory factors compared by logistic regression models. RESULTS: The proportion of employees reporting workday recovery increased in the intervention group (19.9%to 29.1%; p = 0.01), whereas the control group showed no significant change. Recovery was explained by self-reflection and reflection with co-workers. After intervention, having influence on work situation, energy-building experience, and opportunity for laughter also contributed significantly to recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The results contribute to work recovery research by confirming that a customized intervention may have an impact on employees’ recovery experiences. The study showed that considering the factors of reflection, influence, and companionship can positively impact workplace recovery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1501-1501
Author(s):  
Anna Jo Smith ◽  
Jeremy Applebaum ◽  
Amanda Nickles Fader

1501 Background: Under the Affordable Care Act’s 2014 Medicaid expansion, more than 12 million Americans gained health insurance. Whether such gains in insurance improve survival in gynecologic cancer is unknown. This study aims to determine whether Medicaid expansion is associated with improved survival among women with gynecologic cancers. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a difference-in-differences study design comparing insurance status, stage at diagnosis, delays in treatment, and one-year survival before and after the ACA’s Medicaid expansion in Medicaid expansion states (intervention group) compared to women in non-expansion states (control group). Using hospital-reported data from the 2010-2016 National Cancer Database, we compared outcomes overall for women ages 40-64 years old with endometrial, cervical, ovarian, or vulva/vaginal cancer and then stratified by cancer type, stage, race, and rural/urban status. We adjusted for patient (area-level income, area-level education, distance traveled for care, comorbidities), clinical (co-morbidities, grade) and hospital (academic facility) characteristics. Results: Our sample included 241,713 women with gynecologic cancer, 119,392 in expansion states and 122,321 in non-expansion states. Post-Medicaid expansion, there was a statistically significant 0.8 % increase in 1-year survival among patients in expansion states compared to non-expansion states (95% CI 0.1-1.5). There was also a significant reduction in uninsurance (-1.1%, 95%CI, --1.5, -0.7) and delays of 30+ days from diagnosis to treatment (-2.4%, 95%CI -3.4, -1.2). There was no significant change in early-stage diagnosis (0%; 95%CI -0.7-0.7). Improvements in one-year survival after Medicaid expansion were driven by ovarian cancer (difference-in-differences 2.2%, 95%CI 0.6-3.8) and in white women (difference-in-differences 0.8%, 95%CI 0.1-1.5), while there was no significant difference in one-year survival for non-white or rural women. Conclusions: The Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion was significantly associated with 1-year survival and insurance access among patients with gynecologic cancer. Insurance expansion efforts in non-Medicaid expansion states may improve survival for women with gynecologic cancer.


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