Sweet Snack Intake Research Articles

Soy-Based High-Protein Spheric Foods with the Appearance of Familiar Sugary Snacks.

Excessive consumption of sugary foods increases the likelihood of obesity, as well as the preventable risk of lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Frequent intake of sweet snacks is considered to increase the risk of overweight/obesity in industrial nations. However, we cannot stop snacking against our better judgment. Therefore, in this study, we sought to develop high-protein, low-carb "mock snacks" to satisfy snack lovers' appetites and nutrition. Soy protein-based, ball-shaped food products with 57.7% (w/w) protein and 3.6% sugar have been developed. The addition of canola oil made them melty in the mouth without sacrificing their crispiness. Moreover, evaluation of the surface topography of the "soy balls" by 3D laser scanning demonstrated their high degree of sphericity. Conclusively, the snacks developed here may be one of the healthy alternatives for the current sugary ones.

Een cohortvergelijking van eetgedrag, leefstijl en sociaal-emotionele gezondheid bij jongeren vóór en tijdens de coronacrisis

SamenvattingDe coronacrisis kan beschouwd worden als een ‘natuurlijk experiment’ waarin de sociale context aanzienlijk is veranderd. Het is nog grotendeels onbekend hoe jongeren daarop reageren en welke gedragingen veranderen. We hebben een cohortvergelijking gemaakt van derdeklassers (N = 177, Mleeftijd = 15,00) van de middelbare school vóór de coronacrisis (voorjaar 2019) met een qua demografische kenmerken vergelijkbare groep derdeklassers (N = 188, Mleeftijd = 14,95) tijdens de eerste lockdown (voorjaar 2020). We vergeleken de domeinen eetgedrag, leefstijl en sociaal-emotionele gezondheid tussen beide cohorten en keken naar de samenhang binnen en tussen domeinen voor beide cohorten. De consumptie van zoete snacks thuis, alcoholgebruik en eenzaamheid waren in het coronacohort hoger dan vóór de coronacrisis (niet significant na correctie). De consumptie van fruit thuis, van suikerhoudende dranken en ongezonde snacks buitenshuis, en matige en zware fysieke activiteit kwamen minder voor tijdens de lockdown. Relatietevredenheid met ouders, geluksgevoel en stress door school waren lager vergeleken met het cohort vóór de lockdown. Roken, stress thuis en relatietevredenheid met beste vriend(in) waren in beide cohorten even hoog. Het patroon van samenhang binnen en tussen de domeinen verschilde. Verder onderzoek moet uitwijzen hoe veerkrachtig jongeren op de langere termijn zijn en welke jongeren ondersteuning nodig hebben om terug te veren.Digitaal aanvullende contentDe online versie van dit artikel (10.1007/s12508-022-00331-4) bevat aanvullend materiaal, toegankelijk voor daartoe geautoriseerde gebruikers.

Is the Prospective Link between Parental Stress and Adolescent Snack Intake or Weight Outcome Mediated by Food Parenting Practices?

Parental stress may influence adolescents’ food intake and weight development over time, however, it is largely unknown why this is the case. This study examines whether the link between parental stress and adolescents’ snack intake and weight outcome is mediated by food parenting practices (FPPs). Participants included 400 parents and their adolescent children (aged 12–16) who completed questionnaires. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to assess parental general stress levels and the Adolescent Food Parenting Questionnaire (AFPQ) to assess FPPs. Multiple mediation analyses with parallel mediators were performed, with parental general stress as an independent variable and adolescent snack intake and zBMI as dependent variables. FPPs (autonomy support, coercive control, modeling, healthy structure, snack structure) were entered as mediators in the model, adjusted for covariates. Autonomy support mediated the link between parental general stress and adolescent savory snack and sweet snack intake at follow-up. Parents who reported higher stress levels provided less autonomy support, which resulted in more adolescent snacking. None of the other FPPs mediated any link between parental stress and intake or weight outcome, and no significant indirect effects were observed with zBMI as an outcome variable. Further research should replicate this finding and may further examine underlying mechanisms.

Low craving control predicts increased high energy density food intake during the COVID-19 lockdown: Result replicated in an Australian sample

This research aimed to replicate a previous UK-based finding that low craving control predicts increased intake of high energy density foods (HED) during the COVID-19 lockdown, and extend this finding to adults living in Victoria, Australia. The study also assessed whether acceptance coping moderates the relationship between craving control and increased HED food intake, and examined the associations between trait disinhibition, perceived stress and changes to HED food intake. An online survey completed by 124 adults living in Victoria, Australia (total eligible n = 147; 38.5 ± 12.9 years) during the COVID-19 lockdown showed that 49% of participants reported increased overall food intake, and 21–29% reported increased intake of HED sweet and savoury foods during the COVID-19 lockdown. Of the eating behaviour traits assessed, low craving control was the only significant predictor of increased HED sweet and savoury food intake (cognitive restraint, disinhibition and emotional eating were non-significant predictors). Perceived stress was associated with reported increases in overall savoury and sweet snack intake, but was not significantly associated with changes to specific HED food groups (sweet and savoury). In this sample, acceptance coping did not significantly moderate the relationship between craving control and increased HED food intake. Based on these replicated findings, further trials should now consider interventions targeting craving control to promote controlled food intake in individuals at-risk of weight gain during the current COVID-19 and future potential lockdowns.

Variation in outcomes of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) according to maternal education and age 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention.

This study aimed to assess whether the long-term effectiveness of the Melbourne Infant, Feeding, Activity and Nutrition Trial (INFANT) at 2 and 3·5 years post-intervention varied according to maternal education and age. Two and 3·5 years post-intervention follow-up of the INFANT cluster-randomised controlled trial. Outcomes at both follow-ups included children's BMI z-scores, physical activity (ActiGraph), television viewing (parental report) and dietary intake (3 × 24-h dietary recalls). Dichotomous moderator variables included maternal education (university v. no university) and age (< 32 v. ≥ 32 years). Population based. Families completing the 15-month programme (n 492) were invited to participate in the follow-ups when their child was 3·6 and 5 years old. At the 2-year follow-up, the intervention effects on vegetable (positive) and sweet snack (negative) intake were greater in children with higher educated mothers, whereas water consumption (positive) was greater in children with lower educated mothers. At the 2-year follow-up, the intervention was more effective in increasing water consumption in children with younger mothers and decreasing sweet snack intake in children with older mothers (opposite result observed at the 3·5-year follow-up). At the 3·5-year follow-up, children with younger and older mothers increased and decreased their consumption of savoury snacks, respectively. Moderation by maternal education and age were observed for some outcomes; however, clear patterns were not evident at both follow-ups, with little consistency across outcomes. This indicates that INFANT was more-or-less equally effective in children irrespective of their mother's education level or age, which is important in community-based interventions.

Susceptibility to increased high energy dense sweet and savoury food intake in response to the COVID-19 lockdown: The role of craving control and acceptance coping strategies

Emerging evidence indicates that for some people, the COVID-19 lockdowns are a time of high risk for increased food intake. A clearer understanding of which individuals are most at risk of over-eating during the lockdown period is needed to inform interventions that promote healthy diets and prevent weight gain during lockdowns. An online survey collected during the COVID-19 lockdown (total n = 875; analysed n = 588; 33.4 ± 12.6 years; 82% UK-based; mostly white, educated, and not home schooling) investigated reported changes to the amount consumed and changes to intake of high energy dense (HED) sweet and savoury foods. The study also assessed which eating behaviour traits predicted a reported increase of HED sweet and savoury foods and tested whether coping responses moderated this relationship. Results showed that 48% of participants reported increased food intake in response to the COVID-19 lockdown. There was large individual variability in reported changes and lower craving control was the strongest predictor of increased HED sweet and savoury food intake. Low cognitive restraint also predicted greater increases in HED sweet snacks and HED savoury meal foods. Food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, emotional undereating, emotional overeating and satiety responsiveness were not significant predictors of changes to HED sweet and savoury food intake. High scores on acceptance coping responses attenuated the conditional effects of craving control on HED sweet snack intake. Consistent with previous findings, the current research suggests that low craving control is a risk factor for increased snack food intake during lockdown and may therefore represent a target for intervention.

Long-term outcomes (2 and 3.5\u2009years post-intervention) of the INFANT early childhood intervention to improve health behaviors and reduce obesity: cluster randomised controlled trial follow-up

BackgroundThe few health behavior interventions commencing in infancy have shown promising effects. Greater insight into their longer-term benefits is required. This study aimed to assess post-intervention effects of the Melbourne INFANT Program to child age 5y on diet, movement and adiposity.MethodsTwo and 3.5y post-intervention follow-up (2011–13; analyses completed 2019) of participants retained in the Melbourne INFANT Program at its conclusion (child age ~ 19 m; 2008–10) was conducted. The Melbourne INFANT Program is a 15-month, six session program delivered within first-time parent groups in Melbourne, Australia, between child age 4-19 m. It involves strategies to help parents promote healthy diet, physical activity and reduced sedentary behavior in their infants. No intervention was delivered during the follow-up period reported in this paper. At all time points height, weight and waist circumference were measured by researchers, children wore Actigraph and activPAL accelerometers for 8-days, mothers reported children’s television viewing and use of health services. Children’s dietary intake was reported by mothers in three unscheduled telephone-administered 24-h recalls.ResultsOf those retained at program conclusion (child age 18 m, n = 480; 89%), 361 families (75% retention) participated in the first follow-up (2y post-intervention; age 3.6y) and 337 (70% retention) in the second follow-up (3.5y post-intervention; age 5y). At 3.6y children in the intervention group had higher fruit (adjusted mean difference [MD] = 25.34 g; CI95:1.68,48.99), vegetable (MD = 19.41; CI95:3.15,35.67) and water intake (MD = 113.33; CI95:40.42,186.25), than controls. At 5y they consumed less non-core drinks (MD = -27.60; CI95:-54.58,-0.62). Sweet snack intake was lower for intervention children at both 3.6y (MD = -5.70; CI95:-9.75,-1.65) and 5y (MD = -6.84; CI95:-12.47,-1.21). Intervention group children viewed approximately 10 min/day less television than controls at both follow-ups, although the confidence intervals spanned zero (MD = -9.63; CI95:-30.79,11.53; MD = -11.34; CI95:-25.02,2.34, respectively). There was no evidence for effect on zBMI, waist circumference z-score or physical activity.ConclusionsThe impact of this low-dose intervention delivered during infancy was still evident up to school commencement age for several targeted health behaviors but not adiposity. Some of these effects were only observed after the conclusion of the intervention, demonstrating the importance of long-term follow-up of interventions delivered during early childhood.Trial registrationISRCTN Register ISRCTN81847050, registered 7th November 2007.

SUN-077 Do Low Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Levels in Newborns Predict Weight Gain in Infancy and Early Childhood?

Background: SHBG levels are low in obesity, and low SHBG levels are a biomarker for the development of T2DM and the metabolic syndrome. We sought to determine whether low SHBG in newborns will predict childhood obesity. Methods: We studied 94 healthy, singleton, full-term newborns, and measured their length, weight (BW), waist circumference, and skinfold thicknesses. We collected cord blood as well as day 2 venous blood samples for the measurement of SHBG and insulin (ALPCO, Salem NH). Maternal age, pre-pregnancy weight, pregnancy weight gain, and glucose screening test results were obtained from obstetrical records. Mothers with chronic diseases were excluded from the study. When babies were 2 years old, we administered a questionnaire to collect information about their eating, sleeping, screen viewing habits, and anthropometric measurements at ages 6, 12, and 24 months (n=47). Overweight was defined as a BMI SDS of ≥1 and <2.0, and obesity as ≥2 SDS. We used the Shapiro-Wilk test to determine if variables were normally distributed. Data were analyzed using the Mann Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and by Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses. We report non-normally distributed variables as medians and interquartile ranges (IQR). Because of skewed distributions, log 10 transformed values for SHBG were used in the regression analyses. Results: SHBG levels on day 2 were significantly higher than in cord blood [22.0(28.7-16.9) vs. 19.0(24.6-14.5) nmol/L, p<0.001], whereas insulin levels were higher in cord blood than in day 2 samples [3.2(5.3-2.0) vs. 1.5(2.2-0.8) µIU/mL, p<0.001]. SHBG and insulin levels were similar in male (n=44) and female (n=50) babies at all time points. Babies with Ponderal index values in the highest quartile had lower day 2 SHBG [18.2(22.1-16.7) vs. 24.3(30.3-18.2) nmol/L, p=0.02] and higher cord blood insulin levels [5.0(7.4-2.6) vs. 2.9(4.8-1.5) µIU/mL, p=0.04] than the remainder of the cohort. At age 2 years, 32% (15/47) of babies were overweight or obese, 60% (28/47) were breastfeeding, 58% (27/47) were watching TV or iPads, and 55% (26/47) were eating sweet snacks. Toddlers watching TV or iPads (p=0.008), or eating sweet snacks (p=0.04) were heavier than their peers. Neither cord blood nor day 2 SHBG or insulin levels correlated significantly with any of the anthropometric measurements in the newborns. On the other hand, day 2 SHBG levels correlated positively with weight at 6 (r=0.311, p=0.04) and 24 months (r=0.353, p=0.02) of age. These associations remained significant after adjusting for gender, BW, gestational age, breastfeeding status and fruit juice intake at 6 months (R2=0.28, p=0.048) and for gender, BW, gestational age, breastfeeding status, sweet snack intake and screen viewing habits at 24 months (R2=0.33, p=0.046). Conclusion: Although the heaviest babies had lower SHBG levels at birth, low SHBG did not predict overweight at age 2 years.

Associations between Food Group Intake, Cognition, and Academic Achievement in Elementary Schoolchildren.

Nutrition plays an important role in proper physical and cognitive functioning. However, there is limited evidence on the relationship between overall diet, cognition, and academic success in children, particularly among low-income and diverse groups. The objective of this study was to examine the relationships between healthful versus less healthful food group intake, cognitive performance, and academic achievement in a diverse sample of schoolchildren. 868 urban schoolchildren (age 8 to 10 years) participated in the study. Intake of healthful (fruits, vegetables, unsweetened beverages) and less healthful (sweet and salty snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages) food groups was determined via a food frequency questionnaire. Digit Span and Stroop test scores were used to assess cognitive performance. Academic achievement was assessed via standardized test scores. Multiple Poisson and multiple linear regression were used to test the associations between diet and cognitive scores. Multiple ordered logistic regression was used to assess the associations between diet and academic achievement. Potential confounders (age, sex, body mass index (BMI) z-score, race/ethnicity, English language learner status, individualized education plan enrollment, physical activity, and parent education level) were tested for inclusion in all models. The sample included 868 children (56.7% girls; 33.2% non-Hispanic white, 26.2% Hispanic, 17.1% multiracial/other, 8.3% non-Hispanic black; 40.5% overweight/obese). The most frequently consumed foods were fruits and sweet snacks (1.9 and 1.6 servings per day, respectively). There were no statistically significant associations between diet and cognitive test scores. Greater intake of less healthful food groups (sweet snacks, salty snacks, and sweetened beverages) was associated with lower math (OR = 0.91, CI [0.84, 0.98], p = 0.014) and English standardized test scores (OR = 0.87, CI [0.80, 0.94, p = 0.001). Greater intake of sweet snacks and fruits was associated with lower English scores (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.59, 0.88] p = 0.001; and OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.72, 0.94] p = 0.003, respectively). Consumption of less healthful food groups was associated with poorer academic achievement. Further research may shed light on unexpected associations between fruit consumption and achievement. Policies targeting multiple dietary components may positively influence child academic achievement and development.

Oxytocin reduces post-stress sweet snack intake in women without attenuating salivary cortisol

Intranasal oxytocin produces anorectic effects on snack intake in men when tested in the absence of deprivation-induced hunger, but its effects on food intake in women without eating disorders have not been reported. Oxytocin may reduce food intake by reducing stress eating, since it inhibits ACTH release. The present study adopted a double-blind, repeated measures and fully concealed crossover protocol in which 38 women self-administered 24 IU of oxytocin or placebo intranasally, ate lunch, and underwent two consecutive stress tests. Snack intake was assessed 15–20 min after lunch, via a sham taste test. Salivary cortisol was measured throughout the test period every 15 min. Oxytocin significantly reduced sweet fatty snack intake independently of any effect on salivary cortisol, which declined over time at a similar rate after either drug or placebo. Ratings of sweet taste were slightly reduced by oxytocin, but only in self-reported stress eaters. These results differ from previous studies with men that found an effect of oxytocin on postprandial cortisol levels. However, previous research assayed the less active form of plasma cortisol and did not control for protein intake, which can drive elevated cortisol. The finding that oxytocin reduces snack intake in females after acute stress has important implications for appetite regulation and its treatment in obese people and in those with eating disorders.

Associations Between Dietary Intake Patterns, Cognition and Academic Achievement in 3rd and 4th Grade Children from the Fueling Learning Through Exercise Study (P04-096-19)

ObjectivesEvidence on associations between dietary patterns and academic outcomes is limited. This study examined relationships between dietary pattern, cognitive performance and academic achievement in a diverse sample of children. MethodsReported intake of food groups [fruits, vegetables, sweet and salty snacks, sugar-sweetened and unsweetened beverages], dietary patterns (healthful and unhealthful), cognitive measures (Digit Span and Stroop test) and academic achievement (standardized test scores) were obtained from 3rd and 4th grade urban schoolchildren. Multiple Poisson and multiple linear regression were used to test associations between cognitive scores and diet. Multiple ordered logistic regression was used to assess associations between academic achievement and diet. Potential confounders (age, sex, BMI z-score, race/ethnicity, English language learner status, individualized education plan enrollment, physical activity and parent education level) were included in all models. ResultsThe sample included 868 children (56.7% girls; 33.2% Non-Hispanic white, 26.2% Hispanic, 17.1% multiracial/other, 8.3% Non-Hispanic black; 40.5% overweight/obese). The most frequently consumed foods were fruits and sweet snacks (1.9 and 1.6 servings per day, respectively). There were no statistically significant associations between diet and cognitive test scores. Greater intake of unhealthful food groups (sweet snacks, salty snacks and sweetened beverages) was associated with lower math (OR = 0.91, CI [0.84, 0.98], P = 0.014) and English standardized test scores (OR = 0.87, CI [0.80, 0.94, P = 0.001). Greater intake of sweet snacks and fruits was associated with lower English scores (OR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.59, 0.88] P = 0.001; and OR = 0.75, 95% CI [0.72, 0.94] P = 0.003, respectively). ConclusionsUnhealthful dietary patterns were associated with poorer academic achievement. Further research can shed light on unexpected associations between fruit consumption and achievement. Policies targeting multiple dietary components may positively influence child academic achievement and development. Funding SourcesEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health and the Boston Foundation. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪▪

Sweet Snacks Are Positively and Fruits and Vegetables Are Negatively Associated with Visceral or Liver Fat Content in Middle-Aged Men and Women

ABSTRACTBackgroundVisceral adipose tissue (VAT) and hepatic triglyceride content (HTGC) are major risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association of dietary intake of the main food groups with VAT and HTGC in middle-aged men and women.MethodsWe used data from the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study, a population-based study including 6671 participants aged 45–65 y at baseline. In this cross-sectional analysis, VAT and HTGC were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, respectively, as the primary outcomes. Habitual intake of main food groups (dairy, meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, sweet snacks, and fats and oils) was estimated through the use of a food-frequency questionnaire. We examined associations of intake of different food groups with VAT and HTGC by linear regression analysis stratified by sex and adjusted for age, smoking, education, ethnicity, physical activity, basal metabolic rate, energy-restricted diet, menopausal state, and total energy intake.ResultsIn women, a 100-g/d higher intake of dairy was associated with 2.0 cm2 less VAT (95% CI: −3.4, −0.7 cm2) and a 0.95-fold lower HTGC (95% CI: 0.90-, 0.99-fold). Moreover, a 100-g/d higher intake of fruit and vegetables was associated with 1.6 cm2 less VAT (95% CI: −2.9, −0.2 cm2) in women. Fruit and vegetables were negatively associated (0.95; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.00) with HTGC, and sweet snacks were positively associated (1.29; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.63). Patterns were weaker but similar in men. Fish intake was not associated with VAT or HTGC and plant-based fat and oil intake were only associated with VAT after adjustment for total body fat.ConclusionsDespite some variation in the strength of the associations between men and women, dietary intake of sweet snacks was positively associated with HTGC, and fruit and vegetable intake were negatively associated with visceral and liver fat content. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results. The Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with identifier NCT03410316.

Cardiometabolic Health in Relation to Lifestyle and Body Weight Changes 3⁻8 Years Earlier.

The degree to which individuals change their lifestyle in response to interventions differs and this variation could affect cardiometabolic health. We examined if changes in dietary intake, physical activity and weight of obese infertile women during the first six months of the LIFEstyle trial were associated with cardiometabolic health 3–8 years later (N = 50–78). Lifestyle was assessed using questionnaires and weight was measured at baseline, 3 and 6 months after randomization. BMI, blood pressure, body composition, pulse wave velocity, glycemic parameters and lipid profile were assessed 3–8 years after randomization. Decreases in savory and sweet snack intake were associated with lower HOMA-IR 3–8 years later, but these associations disappeared after adjustment for current lifestyle. No other associations between changes in lifestyle or body weight during the first six months after randomization with cardiovascular health 3–8 years later were observed. In conclusion, reductions in snack intake were associated with reduced insulin resistance 3–8 years later, but adjustment for current lifestyle reduced these associations. This indicates that changing lifestyle is an important first step, but maintaining this change is needed for improving cardiometabolic health in the long-term.

Changes in Taste Threshold, Perceived Intensity, Liking, and Preference in Pregnant Women: a Literature Review

Studies of changes in taste threshold, perceived intensity, liking, and preference during pregnancy were reviewed, because such changes have the potential to negatively impact nutrient intake in pregnant women. Medline and Web of Science were searched; eligibility was based on inclusion, exclusion, and quality criteria. Fourteen articles were included: 5 reported taste thresholds, 8 taste intensity, and 13 liking/preferences. Articles addressed sweet, salty, sour, and bitter, not umami. Results of self-reported changes suggested that many women experienced some sort of alteration in taste during pregnancy. Studies with real stimuli demonstrated that the only consistent finding for taste thresholds was that pregnant women showed higher thresholds for bitterness in their first trimester. For taste intensity, no consistent differences between pregnant women and controls were observed. However, over the course of pregnancy, salty intensity seemed to decrease, the intensity of other tastes did not change. During pregnancy, higher saltiness was liked more and salty snacks were consumed more, particularly in the second and/or third trimester. Drinks with lower sweetness were preferred and intake of sweet snacks was highest in the second trimester. Preference for sour and bitter did not seem to be affected. Self-reports suggested that many women experienced some taste changes during pregnancy, while changes based on studies with real stimuli were limited. Many women experienced a higher threshold for bitter perception in the first trimester, a preference for sweet snacks in the second trimester, and higher saltiness appetite in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, which may have nutritional consequences.

P69 - Impact of a Technology-Integrated Nutrition Education Program on Low-Income Third Graders' Unhealthy Snack and Drink Intake

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): Childhood obesity continues to be high, especially among racial and ethnically diverse low socio-economic (SES) children. Contributing to this epidemic is the over-consumption of energy-dense snacks (EDS) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among children. Most school-based nutrition education programs, including those that employ technology as a tool for learning, have been successful at increasing fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. However, there are a lack of technology-integrated nutrition education programs that target decreasing EDS and SSB intake among low-SES school-aged children. Objective: To describe the impact of a technology-integrated 13-week nutrition education program on EDS and SSB intake among racially and ethnically diverse low-SES 3rd grade students. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: A 2x2 quasi-experimental, cluster-controlled trial with 459, 3rd graders from four low-SES schools (88.9% free/reduced meals, 59.0% Hispanic and 13.7% African-American/Black). For 13 weeks, treatment students (n = 217) received a 60-minute per week program that utilized a modified version of Body Quest: Food of the Warrior (BQ) curriculum. Control students (n = 242) received no programming. Curriculum content included interactive, hands-on activities about food groups, MyPlate, FV, EDS and SSB; it also included iPad applications with BQ characters. Outcome Measures and Analysis: On weeks 1 and 13, students self-reported their previous day intake of sweet snacks, salty snacks, and SSB. Based on these responses, one variable was created: “EDS” (average intake of sweet and salty snacks). Analysis of variance and paired t-tests assessed between and within group changes. Results: There were between group differences in sweet snacks, salty snacks, and “EDS” intake whereby treatment students reduced their intake of these foods to a greater extent than the control students (P < .05). All variables improved in the treatment group (P < .05) with no significant changes in the control group. Conclusions and Implications: The program was successful at reducing unhealthy dietary behaviors that may contribute to excess weight. Future school-based programs may consider a technology-integrated curriculum focused on EDS and SSB. Funding: USDA Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR).

Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years.

To examine associations between dietary intakes of fathers and their children at child age 20 months, 3·5 years and 5 years, and to determine if fathers' intake predicts change in children's intake between 20 months and 3·5 and 5 years of age. The diets of fathers and their first-born children participating in the longitudinal Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using FFQ and three 24 h recalls, respectively. Sixty-two pre-existing first-time parent groups were selected from fourteen local government areas within a 60 km radius of Deakin University Burwood, Victoria, Australia. Fathers and their first-born children at 20 months (n 317), 3·5 years (n 214) and 5 years of age (n 208). Positive associations were found between fathers' and children's intakes of fruit and sweet snacks at 20 months (P=0·001) and 5 years of age (P=0·012). Fathers' intake at child age 20 months was associated with change in children's intake for fruit, sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 3·5 years, and for sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 5 years (all P<0·05). After adjustment for maternal intake, fathers' intake of sweet snacks remained a predictor of change in children's sweet snack intake between 20 months and 3·5 years of age (P=0·03). Associations between the dietary intakes of fathers and their children commence at a young age and continue through early childhood. Fathers should be included in future interventions aimed at improving children's diets.

Behavioral characterization of a model of differential susceptibility to obesity induced by standard and personalized cafeteria diet feeding

Despite the increase in obesity prevalence over the last decades, humans show large inter-individual variability for susceptibility to diet-induced obesity. Understanding the biological basis of this susceptibility could identify new therapeutic alternatives against obesity. We characterized behavioral changes associated with propensity to obesity induced by cafeteria (CAF) diet consumption in mice. We show that Balb/c mice fed a CAF diet display a large inter-individual variability in susceptibility to diet-induced obesity, such that based on changes in adiposity we can classify mice as obesity prone (OP) or obesity resistant (OR). Both OP and OR were hyperphagic relative to control-fed mice but caloric intake was similar between OP and OR mice. In contrast, OR had a larger increase in locomotor activity following CAF diet compared to OP mice. Obesity resistant and prone mice showed similar intake of sweet snacks, but OR ate more savory snacks than OP mice. Two bottle sucrose preference tests showed that OP decreased their sucrose preference compared to OR mice after CAF diet feeding. Finally, to test the robustness of the OR phenotype in response to further increases in caloric intake, we fed OR mice with a personalized CAF (CAF-P) diet based on individual snack preferences. When fed a CAF-P diet, OR increased their calorie intake compared to OP mice fed the standard CAF diet, but did not reach adiposity levels observed in OP mice. Together, our data show the contribution of hedonic intake, individual snack preference and physical activity to individual susceptibility to obesity in Balb/c mice fed a standard and personalized cafeteria-style diet.

Children’s School Readiness

School-entry characteristics predict adult educational attainment, which forecasts dispositions toward disease prevention. Health and education risks can also be transmitted from one generation to the next. As such, school readiness forecasts a set of intertwined biopsychosocial trajectories that can influence the developmental antecedents to health and disease prevalence in society. To predict children's health behaviors and academic adjustment at the end of fourth grade from their kindergarten entry math, vocabulary, and attention skills. We use a subsample of 614 girls and 541 boys from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development (Canada). Children were individually assessed for cognitive skills and teachers rated their classroom attention skills at 65 months. Outcome measures include health behaviors, psychosocial, and academic outcomes at 122 months. Multiple regression analyses were used. Receptive vocabulary in kindergarten exclusively predicted fourth-grade dietary habits. Unstandardized coefficients predicted decreases in sweet snack intake (β = -.009, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -.011 to -.006) and dairy product intake (β = .009, 95% CI = .005 to .013). Conversely, higher kindergarten math skills predicted increases in activities requiring physical effort (β = .030, 95% CI = .011 to .056). Although vocabulary and attention skills were found important, kindergarten math skills were stronger and more consistent predictors of later academic outcomes. From a population-health perspective, the skills children bring to the kindergarten classroom might reduce a host of lifestyle risks from childhood through adulthood. Early promotion of such skills also offers possibilities for ultimately reducing later disparities in health and education.

Short term effects of chewing gum on satiety and snack intake in healthy weight and obese women

Previous research indicates that chewing gum (CG) after lunch can increase satiety ratings and reduce subsequent intake of sweet snacks in restrained women. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of CG in healthy weight (HW) and obese (OB) unrestrained women and to assess possible mechanisms of action. In a randomized, 2‐arm cross‐over study, 28 women (n=15 HW, n=13 OB) completed to test the effects of CG vs. no CG after a fixed lunch meal on post‐meal subjective satiety, snack intake, glucose, insulin and cholecystokinin (CCK). CG once per hour for 15 min for 3 hr after lunch, significantly suppressed hunger, desire to eat and prospective consumption and increased fullness in HW (p&lt;0.001). CG suppressed desire to eat (p=0.0002) and prospective consumption (p=0.0008) in OB. Snack intake was marginally reduced by CG in HW (p=0.07) and this was specific to the sweet, high carbohydrate, low fat snack (p=0.01). Total daily energy intake was less after the CG condition compared to the non‐CG condition in HW (p=0.046). CCK was marginally enhanced by CG, but not significantly different (p=0.12). No remarkable differences for glucose or insulin responses after CG vs no‐CG were apparent. The results provide new insights about how non‐nutritive mastication impacts satiety in HW and OB women and offers new direction for future research to better understand the role of oral food processing.Supported by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company

Dietary sources of energy and macronutrient intakes among Flemish preschoolers

This study aims to identify major food sources of energy and macronutrients among Flemish preschoolers as a basis for evaluating dietary guidelines. Three-day estimated diet records were collected from a representative sample of 696 Flemish preschoolers (2.5-6.5 years old; participation response rate: 50%). For 11 dietary constituents, the contribution of 57 food groups was computed by summing the amount provided by the food group for all individuals divided by the total intake of the respective nutrient for all individuals. Bread (12%), sweet snacks (12%), milk (6%), flavoured milk drinks (9%), and meat products (6%) were the top five energy contributors. Sweet snacks were among the top contributors to energy, total fat, all fatty acids, cholesterol, and complex and simple carbohydrates. Fruit juices and flavoured milk drinks are the main contributors to simple carbohydrates (respectively 14% and 18%). All principal food groups like water, bread and cereals, vegetables, fruit, milk and spreadable fats were under-consumed by more than 30% of the population, while the food groups that were over-consumed consisted only of low nutritious and high energy dense foods (sweet snacks, sugared drinks, fried potatoes, sauces and sweet spreads). From the major food sources and gaps in nutrient and food intakes, some recommendations to pursue the nutritional goals could be drawn: the intake of sweet snacks and sugar-rich drinks (incl. fruit juices) should be discouraged, while consumption of fruits, vegetables, water, bread and margarine on bread should be encouraged.