Recommendations for Integrating Evidence-Based, Sustainable Diet Information into Nutrition Education

The adoption of more sustainable diets (SD) has the capacity to meet the needs of individuals without compromising future generations’ abilities to do the same. Nutrition educators are ideal candidates for delivering SD education to consumers, yet evidence-based recommendations for the profession have not been crafted. The results of a thorough, narrative review of the literature performed in 2021 suggest there are five well-supported recommendations nutrition educators should consider incorporating in their work. They are (1) shift towards a plant-based diet, (2) mitigate food waste, (3) limit consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF), (4) engage in local food systems, and (5) choose sustainable seafood. Each recommendation is discussed below in detail, to provide nutrition educators with a nuanced scope of the issue, after which suggestions for the inclusion of these recommendations, using an example of the authors’ experiences from the US Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), are provided.

The Effect of Saudi Consumers’ Awareness and Attitude Towards Saudi Food and Drugs Authority’ Food Policies on Body Mass Index

This paper aimed to examine the effect of Saudi consumers’ awareness and attitude towards Saudi Food and Drugs Authority’s (SFDA) food policies on their average Body Mass Index (BMI), and whether consumers’ socio-economic variables impacted their BMI. In this cross-sectional study, 584 Saudi adults completed an electronic questionnaire. The results of a two-sample t-test showed that there was a significant difference in the mean of BMI among consumers who followed SFDA news and regulations and those who did not. Also, the findings revealed that the BMI mean of consumers who cooperated with SFDA by reporting food safety violations was significantly different compared to consumers who did not cooperate with SFDA. The results of the binary logit model indicated that several socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, income) impacted consumers’ BMI. The findings of this study may assist nutrition educators and policy makers to plan programs to improve health-related behaviors.

Strategies and Challenges: Qualitative Lessons Learned From Georgia Produce Prescription Programs

Produce prescription programs (PPPs) have grown in numbers in the past decade, empowering health care providers to promote health by issuing subsidies for produce to vulnerable patients. However, little research has been conducted on the facilitators that make it easier for PPPs to succeed or the barriers that programs face, which could provide guidance on how to improve future PPP design and implementation. The study sought to identify the facilitators and barriers affecting positive outcomes in Georgia PPPs called Fruit and Vegetable Prescription (FVRx) Programs. A process evaluation with a qualitative comparative case study approach was conducted. Fifteen FVRx providers, ranging from nutrition educators to farmers market managers, were interviewed in a focus group interview or on the phone between 2016 and 2017. Two nutrition education classes and an FVRx best practices meeting were observed, and program documents were collected. Interview transcripts, field notes from observations, and documents were then thematically analyzed. Four overall themes were determined regarding facilitators and barriers experienced by FVRx programs: (1) creating accessible programming may encourage FVRx participation, (2) provider dedication to the program is important, (3) participants’ challenging life circumstances can make participation difficult, and (4) the sustainability of the program is a concern. The findings of this study suggest helpful strategies and challenges for providers to consider when developing and implementing PPPs in Georgia and beyond. Research on the long-term program impact is needed, and policy options for sustainable, scaling up of PPPs should be explored.

Stakeholders’ Views on Mobile Applications to Deliver Infant and Toddler Feeding Education to Latina Mothers of Low Socioeconomic Status

Infant- and toddler-feeding (ITF) practices are critical to long-term health and chronic disease prevention. Using mobile applications (apps) to promote desirable ITF practices shows promise for overcoming challenges of in-person education. However, the viability of ITF apps for Latina mothers of low-socioeconomic status (SES) remains unclear. The objective of this study was to characterize stakeholders’ views on Latina mothers’ capability, motivation, and barriers to using ITF apps. New York City-based health professionals who frequently engage with Latina mothers of low SES completed in-depth interviews. Directed content analysis was used to identify themes through theoretical and inductive codes. Participants included dietitians, nutrition educators, and physicians (n = 17). The following themes were identified: (1) Most Latina mothers of low-SES are tech-savvy (i.e., high capability and experience using smartphones and apps); (2) Apps are an appealing way to deliver ITF education; (3) There are challenges to using apps that must be carefully considered for ITF education development. Overall, ITF apps are a viable option as skills and use appear high among Latina mothers. Key considerations for app development include targeted app promotion; detailed instructions for obtaining and using app; more visuals, less text for low literacy and multiple dialects; making key features available offline.