Meal Planning Research Articles

Development and Optimization of a Meal Planning Exchange List of Commonly Consumed Breakfast in Peshawar

Development and Optimization of a Meal Planning Exchange List of Commonly Consumed Breakfast in Peshawar

Cost-Effective Meal Planning Strategies for Maintaining Nutritional Quality in Financial Hardship among Families in Plateau State, Nigeria

This study addresses the issue of maintaining nutritional quality amidst financial hardship faced by families in Plateau State, Nigeria. Surveys research designed was used for the study. The study covers 3 local government areas in Plateau State, ensuring diverse representation. The sample size of 400 families residing in Plateau State was used. Questionnaire was used to collect data for the study which capture the demographic information, dietary habits, household budget allocation for food, and perceptions of nutritional value. Mean and standard deviation was used to present result for the findings. The findings of the study revealed that that there should be cost-effective meal planning strategies in promoting healthy eating habits. Also, socioeconomic factors impact cost-effective meal planning in promoting healthy eating habits. Based on the findings, stakeholders, policymakers, and community organizations should implement interventions that support cost-effective meal planning, enhance nutritional literacy, and alleviate financial burdens on families in Plateau State. This study may empower families to make informed dietary choices and achieve better health outcomes despite economic constraints.

Nutritional Knowledge, Attitudes, and Needs Among Community Residents of Beijing: A Cross Sectional Study.

Community health education is essential in combating obesity and cardiovascular diseases by addressing nutritional knowledge gaps and promoting healthier dietary habits in China. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and needs of residents at Beijing Fengtai District. This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022, residents from 31 communities of the Fengtai District were given an online questionnaire, which was designed to assess their nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and needs. From 420 distributed surveys, a total of 416 participants were enrolled for an effective recovery rate of 99.05%. Among them, 317 participants (76.20%) scored 80% or higher on the nutritional knowledge questionnaire, participants with higher nutritional knowledge scores were more likely to be aged over 60 years (OR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.06-0.76, p = 0.02), female (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.22-0.73, p < 0.01) and employed (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.04-5.12, p = 0.04). While many community residents expressed a desire to receive guidance on dietary guidance (n = 303, 72.84%) dietary matching (n = 303, 72.84%), and preventive health care (n = 286, 68.75%). Residents were familiar with nutritional care clinics (55.05%) and believed that the nutritional care clinics should be increased (59.86%). In addition, 345 residents (83.41%) wanted nutritional care clinics to provide consultation on nutritious meal planning. Beijing residents need additional access to clinical nutritional resources as their needs are not fulfilled despite a relatively strong knowledge of nutrition.

Feasibility and Acceptability of Home-Delivered Medically Tailored Meals for Treatment of Diabetes in Pregnancy

BackgroundDiabetes complicates ≤7% of pregnancies in the United States. Although medical nutrition therapy is the mainstay of diabetes treatment, many barriers exist to the successful implementation of dietary modifications. Home-delivered medically tailored meals (MTMs) are promising to overcome such barriers. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of home-delivered MTM in pregnant patients with diabetes. MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study of home-delivered MTM for pregnant patients with diabetes using a mixed-methods approach. Participants <35 wk of gestation at the time of enrollment received weekly home delivery of diabetes-specific meals. Qualitative semistructured interviews were conducted to gain insight into participants’ experience. Diabetes self-efficacy was assessed pre- and postintervention using the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale and 2-Item Diabetes Distress Screening Scale. The difference in mean scores was compared using t-tests with P value of <0.05 considered significant. Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated through participants’ attitude toward MTM in qualitative interviews and indirectly evaluated through diabetes self-efficacy surveys. ResultsTwenty pregnant people with diabetes who received home-delivered MTM during pregnancy were interviewed postpartum. Participants found this program convenient for various reasons, including reduced time for grocery shopping and preparing meals. Participants were satisfied with meals, citing a positive impact on diabetes management, accessibility of healthy foods, reduced stress with meal planning, and greater perceived control of blood glucose. Most participants shared meals with their families or received specific meals for their dependents, which was positively received. Reduced financial and mental stress was also widely reported. Diabetes self-efficacy was significantly improved postintervention with MTM. ConclusionHome-delivered MTM is feasible and acceptable in pregnant patients with diabetes and may improve diabetes self-efficacy. Individual experiences offered insight into various barriers overcome by using this service. Home-delivered MTM may help ensure an accessible, healthy diet for pregnant patients with diabetes.

Healthy Personalized Recipe Recommendations for Weekly Meal Planning

Nowadays, in the pursuit of personalized health and well-being, dietary choices are critical. This paper introduces a novel recommendation system designed to provide users with personalized meal plans, consisting of breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, in alignment with their health history and preferences from other similar users. More specifically, our system exploits collaborative filtering first to identify other users with similar dietary preferences and uses this information to propose suitable recipes to individuals. The whole process is enhanced by analyzing the individual’s health history, including dietary restrictions, nutritional needs, and specific diet plans, such as low-carb or vegetarian. This ensures that the generated meal plans are not only aligned with the user’s taste but also contribute to the overall wellness of the user. A distinctive feature of our system is its dynamic adaptation feature, which enables users to make real-time adjustments to their meal plans based on their personal constraints and preferences, directly impacting future recommendations. We evaluate the usability of the system through a series of experiments on a large real-world data set of recipes, showing that our system is able to provide highly personalized, dynamic, and accurate recommendations.

Eating competence in caregivers of celiac children: A cross-sectional study performed in Brazil

ObjectivesEating competence is an intraindividual approach to eating, behaviors, and attitudes related to eating, with repercussions on the individual and family. In pediatric celiac disease, the family is involved in the gluten-free diet management, the only treatment available. A gluten-free diet might affect eating competence because gluten-free diet compliance requires knowledge about food, meal planning, and attention to food choices. The objective is to access eating competence in caregivers of children with celiac disease and the association between caregivers’ eating competence, children's adherence to a gluten-free diet, and sociodemographic data of participants. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a snowball spread method by applying a questionnaire, including sociodemographic data, data related to health, eating habits, and the Satter Eating Competence Inventory version validated for the Brazilian population. The sample consisted of 220 Brazilian parents or caregivers of celiac disease children. The scores of the Satter Eating Competence Inventory version validated for the Brazilian population were described in terms of means, SDs, medians, and interquartile range. Student's t test and analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc tests were applied, and the association with the variables of interest was analyzed using Pearson χ2 tests. The tests were conducted considering bilateral hypotheses and a 5% significance level. ResultsParticipants’ sex, schooling level, and income did not affect their eating competence. Competent eaters were mostly those with normal weight, following a gluten-free diet, with children complying with a gluten-free diet, and who have meals with family and prepare them at home. Different from vegetable consumption, participants’ eating competence did not differ considering the frequency of children's fruit consumption. ConclusionsThe caregivers of children with celiac disease have greater eating competence scores than general Brazilian adults, and caregivers of children with celiac disease who comply with the gluten-free diet have higher eating competence scores.

AI dietician: Unveiling the accuracy of ChatGPT's nutritional estimations

We investigate the accuracy and reliability of ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence model developed by OpenAI, in providing nutritional information for dietary planning and weight management. The results have a reasonable level of accuracy, with energy values having the highest level of conformity: 97% of the artificial intelligence values fall within a 40% difference from United States Department of Agriculture data. Additionally, ChatGPT displayed consistency in its provision of nutritional data, as indicated by relatively low coefficient of variation values for each nutrient. The artificial intelligence model also proved efficient in generating a daily meal plan within a specified caloric limit, with all the meals falling within a 30% bound of the United States Department of Agriculture's caloric values. These findings suggest that ChatGPT can provide reasonably accurate and consistent nutritional information. Further research is recommended to assess the model's performance across a broader range of foods and meals.<END ABSTRACT>

Effects of a short‐term Mediterranean diet on mental health, cognition and cerebral blood flow in UK adults: MediMood study protocol

AbstractBackgroundDementias and mental health disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety) are significant public health challenges. Chronic consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with lower incident dementia, improved cognitive performance, and reduced brain atrophy. Yet, short‐term studies and randomised clinical trials (RCT) are lacking. Our systematic review of RCTs showed that in only four available studies, a MD can improve attention, alertness and contentment in up to 10 days (1). In a controlled efficacy study with all foods provided, we aim to explore postprandial, 24‐h and 5 days impacts of a MD and a Western diet (WD) on mood, anxiety and cognition, cerebral blood flow as assessed by MRI.MethodMediMood is an efficacy crossover RCT. Individuals (n = 25) over 18 years with mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression will complete a 5‐day MD and a 5‐day WD intervention with a 4‐week wash‐out period, with foods, meal plans and instructions provided. Biological samples (blood, urine, faeces) will be collected. The primary outcomes are mood and anxiety assessed using Bond‐Lader and POMS questionnaires. Secondary outcomes include cognitive outcomes assessed through computerised neuropsychology tests, brain perfusion assessed by MRI, select cardiometabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, ketones, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, several hormones (e.g. serotonin, dopamine), gut microbiome speciation, sleep quality and behaviour change. The assessment time points during each arm are baseline (day 1 morning), postprandial (post day 1 lunch), 24‐h (day 2 morning) and day 6 morning.ResultNAConclusionThis will be the first well‐controlled RCT examining the acute and short‐term impacts of a MD and a WD on mental health and cognition in a targeted risk group. MediMood considers interfaces between sleep quality and the gut‐brain axis as modifiable determinants of mental health. We expect the findings to provide novel insights in efficacy of a MD on daily and short‐term well‐being in those with existing mild‐moderate mental health difficulties and to provide an initial mechanistic understanding of any observed benefits. Funding:Medical Research Council (MRC, UK), NuBrain Consortium (MR/T001852/1); Turkish Government personal PhD scholarship

The nutrient intake spectrum: Analyzing the impact of gender and living arrangements in student’s diets

Introduction: University students experience critical stages of growth while pursuing higher education, necessitating proper nourishment to support physical, mental, and cognitive health. However, maintaining a healthy diet is challenging due to various factors such as academic pressures, social obligations, financial constraints, and the availability of unhealthy food options. Prior research has often focused on specific aspects of student nutrition, overlooking the complex interplay of factors such as gender and living arrangements that significantly influence dietary choices. Aim: This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors affecting nutrient consumption among university students, considering the roles of gender and living arrangements, to inform targeted interventions for improving students' dietary behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 296 students from a public university in Bangladesh was conducted using stratified random sampling to ensure the representation of different residence types and genders. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire and a validated 24-hour dietary recall. Nutrient intakes were calculated using the standardized food composition table of Bangladesh, and statistical analyses, including independent sample t-tests, were applied to assess the significance of differences in dietary intake. Results: The study found variations in both macro and micronutrient intake based on living arrangements and gender. Male dormitory residents showed a higher intake of energy, while home-based female students consumed more calcium. Iron and copper intake was highest among male students living at home. Significant differences in nutrient intake were identified, highlighting the complex influence of living arrangements and gender on students' dietary choices. Conclusion: Gender and living arrangements are pivotal in shaping the nutritional intake of university students. The study’s findings emphasize the need for university administrators and policymakers to consider these factors when designing educational programs and meal plans to ensure they meet the diverse nutritional needs of the student population. Such targeted interventions could significantly enhance the dietary habits and overall health of students in university settings

Information avoidance and testing for COVID‐19

AbstractTo limit the spread of the COVID‐19 virus, many employers and institutions developed procedures for people who tested positive. We propose that these procedures may have dissuaded people from testing. In a sample of 1142 participants (452 university students, 690 non‐students) we examined the decision to test for COVID‐19. More than 30% of our sample opted to forego testing for COVID‐19 despite having symptoms. Participants most frequently endorsed practical reasons for their decision (e.g., did not believe they had COVID‐19, felt their symptoms were too mild to warrant testing). However, further analysis revealed that the cost of testing strongly predicted their choice. Such costs included losing income, having to move from one's residence, and among students, losing access to a meal plan. The findings suggest efforts to control the spread of COVID‐19 can include costs that discourage people from testing.

Importance of early weight loss and other predictors of lower weight loss in a commercial program: A secondary data analysis.

There is substantial inter-individual variability in response to weight loss interventions and emerging evidence suggests that weight loss during the early weeks of an intervention may be predictive of longer-term weight loss. This secondary analysis of data from a commercial program therefore examined 1) the associations between early weight loss (i.e., week 4) with final visit weight loss and duration on the program, and 2) other predictors of lower weight loss at final visit. Client charts of adults with overweight or obesity (N=748) were analyzed. Clients were stratified into categories of weight loss at the week 4 (< and ≥2%, 3% and 4%) and final visits (< and ≥5% and 10%). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess predictors of <5% and <10% final visit weight loss. The odds ratios for losing <5% or <10% of weight at the final visit were higher (49.0 (95% CI: 13.84, 173.63) and 20.1 (95% CI: 6.96, 58.06)) for clients who lost <2% or <3% compared to those who lost ≥2% or ≥3% at week 4. Other predictors of not losing a clinically relevant amount of weight included female sex, use of higher calorie meal plans and shorter time in the program, among others. Those who lost ≥2% at week 4 also had a significantly greater percent program completion (109.2±75.2% vs. 82.3±82.4, p<0.01) compared with those who did not meet the 2% threshold. Lower 4-week weight loss was identified as a strong predictor of not losing a clinically relevant amount of weight. These results may be useful for the early identification of individuals who can be targeted for additional counseling and support to aid in attaining weight loss goals.

The Lack of Tolerable Treatments Options That Can Induce Durable Responses without Fear of Relapse after Discontinuation Represents a Significant Unmet Need for Patients (Pts) with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP): Results from the ITP World Impact Survey (I-WISh) 2.0

Background: ITP is an acquired autoimmune disease characterized by transient or persistent thrombocytopenia. ITP substantially impairs pts' quality of life (QoL), including daily activities, social interactions, work and emotional wellbeing, with fatigue being the most common symptom reported by pts. Corticosteroids are the standard first-line treatment for ITP, while thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-RAs), rituximab and fostamatinib are recommended for later lines; however, these treatments have limited sustained efficacy and may be associated with short- and long-term side effects that impact QoL. Aim: To assess pt and physician (MD) perceptions of current ITP treatment and treatment goals using data from I-WISh 2.0. Methods: I-WISh 2.0 was developed using findings from I-WISh 1.0 and surveyed 1018 pts with ITP aged &amp;gt;18 years and 431 MDs who managed ≥3 pts with ITP. I-WISh 2.0 was conducted from February to July 2022 in 15 countries. The surveys, developed by a steering committee (supported by Novartis) comprising expert ITP MDs and pt advocates, included questionnaires about prescribed ITP treatments, their impact on QoL and treatment satisfaction and goals. Results: Of 1018 pts (median age: 46 years), 67% were female and 48% reported ≥1 comorbidity. 97% (956/987) of pts had received ≥1 treatment for ITP and 12% (126/1018) had a splenectomy; 80% (811/1018) were receiving ITP treatment at survey completion and median time on most recent treatment was 30 weeks (n=608). Corticosteroids and TPO-RAs were the most common first- and second-line treatments prescribed by MDs, respectively (Figure 1); MDs estimated that 15% of their pts have opted against receiving ITP treatment (n=431). 73% of MDs (313/431) considered their pts' perception of medications when making treatment decisions. Pts reported a significant burden due to their current ITP medication: 34% (202/597) experienced daily disruption, 37% (214/576) were bothered by needing to plan meals, and 22% (204/939) had difficulty keeping up with daily medications. 19% (172/897) of pts were dissatisfied with their treatment's platelet level control, and 18% (155/843) disagreed that their medication effectively controlled their symptoms. Pts worried about their treatment's short- (48%; 400/833) and long-term (62%; 527/844) side effects. 38% (162/431) of MDs were neutral toward current ITP treatment options and 9% (37/431) were dissatisfied. Of the 37 dissatisfied MDs, limited options (68%), inability to achieve deep/stable remission (54%), lack of efficacy (43%) and inability to reach treatment goals (43%) were the most common reasons. 32% (327/1016) and 13% (127/1016) of pts believed they were not or did not know if they were in sustained remission, respectively. A treatment offering a sustained remission or cure for ITP was an important goal for 82% (823/1007) of pts. Of treatment goals mentioned in their top 3, the most common were healthy blood counts (56%), improving QoL (44%) and increasing energy levels (43%) for pts (n=1018), and reducing spontaneous bleeds (79%), healthy blood counts (60%) and improving QoL (52%) for MDs (n=431). Limiting time on treatment would substantially affect the treatment preference of 66% (668/1009) of pts. 38% (294/775) of pts did not want to take their ITP treatment for the foreseeable future; however, 67% (680/1013) were concerned about relapse if they stopped. Immunosuppression due to ITP treatment worried 414/787 (53%) pts, with 679/1007 (67%) considering it important when discussing treatment decisions. MDs considered corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants to have the most negative impact on fatigue (Figure 2), yet only 12% (52/431) strongly agreed they aimed to limit immunosuppressive effects. Conclusions: Pts with ITP are dissatisfied with current treatment options because of a perceived lack of efficacy, the burden of short- and long-term side effects, and the need for daily, life-long administration. Additionally, some commonly prescribed treatments for ITP are associated with fatigue. Pts and MDs would like new ITP treatments to offer a sustained period of remission or cure, and pts wish to be able to discontinue them without fear of relapse. There is an unmet need for well-tolerated therapies with disease-modifying potential that can safely achieve these goals.

A Review of the Nutritional Approach and the Role of Dietary Components in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Light of the Latest Scientific Research

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects several areas of mental development. The onset of ASD occurs in the first few years of life, usually before the age of 3 years. Proper nutrition is important to ensure that an individual’s nutrient and energy requirements are met, and it can also have a moderating effect on the progression of the disorder. A systematic database search was conducted as a narrative review to determine whether nutrition and specific diets can potentially alter gastrointestinal symptoms and neurobehavioral disorders. Databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Google Scholar were searched to find studies published between 2000 and September 2023 on the relationship between ASD, dietary approaches, and the role of dietary components. The review may indicate that despite extensive research into dietary interventions, there is a general lack of conclusive scientific data about the effect of therapeutic diets on ASD; therefore, no definitive recommendation can be made for any specific nutritional therapy as a standard treatment for ASD. An individualized dietary approach and the dietician’s role in the therapeutic team are very important elements of every therapy. Parents and caregivers should work with nutrition specialists, such as registered dietitians or healthcare providers, to design meal plans for autistic individuals, especially those who would like to implement an elimination diet.

The nutrient profile and cost of specialty dietary patterns: a hypothetical case study.

Ketogenic and vegan diets have become increasingly popular. The rising popularity of these dietary trends has been met in kind by the food industry producing a variety of specialty ultra-processed foods (UPF). Despite increasing popularity, the cost and nutrient profile of vegan and ketogenic diets (KD) that rely on UPF specialty products is poorly understood. We aimed to assess the cost and nutrient profile of vegan and KD that relied primarily on UPF and compare this to those that relied primarily on whole foods. We designed and calculated the cost of four 1-d meal plans for a hypothetical weight-stable adult female. Two meal plans were created for the vegan-style and ketogenic-style diets, respectively, with one of each being predominantly whole food based and the other constituting primarily of UPF. Carbohydrates were limited to ≤50 g, protein was set at 15-20 % and fat ≥75 % for the ketogenic meal plans. Carbohydrates were set between 45 and 65 %, protein 15 and 25 % and fat 20 and 35 % for the vegan meal plans. FoodWorks dietary analysis software was used to assess data against the national Australian/New Zealand nutrient reference value for adult females and cost was calculated using Countdown online shopping (a local New Zealand supermarket). New Zealand. None. The whole food-based meal plans met a greater proportion of the macro and micronutrient thresholds and were less costly when compared with the specialty-based meal plans. This study demonstrates that well-planned, predominantly whole food diets (regardless of dietary trend) are nutritionally superior and more cost-effective than those that rely on UPF.

Can ChatGPT provide appropriate meal plans for NCD patients?

ObjectivesDietary habits significantly affect health conditions and are closely related to the onset and progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Consequently, a well-balanced diet plays an important role in lessening the effects of various disorders, including NCDs. Several artificial intelligence recommendation systems have been developed to propose healthy and nutritious diets. Most of these systems use expert knowledge and guidelines to provide tailored diets and encourage healthier eating habits. However, new advances in large language models such as ChatGPT, with their ability to produce human-like responses, have led individuals to search for advice in several tasks, including diet recommendations. This study aimed to determine the ability of ChatGPT models to generate appropriate personalized meal plans for patients with obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. MethodsUsing a state-of-the-art knowledge-based recommendation system as a reference, we assessed the meal plans generated by two large language models in terms of energy intake, nutrient accuracy, and meal variability. ResultsExperimental results with different user profiles revealed the potential of ChatGPT models to provide personalized nutritional advice. ConclusionAdditional supervision and guidance by nutrition experts or knowledge-based systems are required to ensure meal appropriateness for users with NCDs.

A community focused approach toward making healthy and affordable daily diet recommendations.

Maintaining an affordable and nutritious diet can be challenging, especially for those living under the conditions of poverty. To fulfill a healthy diet, consumers must make difficult decisions within a complicated food landscape. Decisions must factor information on health and budget constraints, the food supply and pricing options at local grocery stores, and nutrition and portion guidelines provided by government services. Information to support food choice decisions is often inconsistent and challenging to find, making it difficult for consumers to make informed, optimal decisions. This is especially true for low-income and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households which have additional time and cost constraints that impact their food purchases and ultimately leave them more susceptible to malnutrition and obesity. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate how the integration of data from local grocery stores and federal government databases can be used to assist specific communities in meeting their unique health and budget challenges. We discuss many of the challenges of integrating multiple data sources, such as inconsistent data availability and misleading nutrition labels. We conduct a case study using linear programming to identify a healthy meal plan that stays within a limited SNAP budget and also adheres to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Finally, we explore the main drivers of cost of local food products with emphasis on the nutrients determined by the USDA as areas of focus: added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. Our case study results suggest that such an optimization model can be used to facilitate food purchasing decisions within a given community. By focusing on the community level, our results will inform future work navigating the complex networks of food information to build global recommendation systems.

Inadequate intake of energy and nutrients: A comparative cross-sectional study between sport and nonsport science university students of southern Ethiopia.

This study aimed to investigate and compare the energy and selected nutrient intakes of sport science and nonsport science university students of Southern Ethiopia. Multiple-day dietary data were collected from 166 university students (76 sport science and 90 nonsport sciences). Average daily energy and nutrient intake, and inadequate intakes were calculated using NutriSurvey (NS). There were significant differences (p < .05) in the median intakes of energy, total carbohydrate, and vitamin B1 between female students from the sport science and nonsport science groups, but only the median intake of iron was significantly different (p < .05) between the male sport and nonsport science student groups. The prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin B1 was significantly (p < .05) higher in the male and female from the nonsport science groups compared to the male and female student groups in the sport science, respectively, whereas the prevalence of inadequate iron intake by the male sport science students' group was significantly (p < .05) higher compared to their counterparts. Similarly, the prevalence of inadequate energy among the females from the sport science group was significantly (p < .05) higher compared to the female students from the nonsport science department group. The prevalence of inadequate intake of dietary energy and the majority of the nutrients (protein, fat, vitamin A, B1, B2, and magnesium) were high (>50%) in selected university students. The energy and majority of nutrient intakes by the students in the selected universities of southern Ethiopia were suboptimal. Therefore, activities that will improve the dietary intake of university students should include weekly meal plan revision considering their average recommended nutrient intake (RNI).

Automated Menu Planning Algorithm for Children: Food Recommendation by Dietary Management System using SVM, RF, DT for Indian Food Database

In recent years, childhood obesity and related health issues have become a major concern worldwide. Proper nutrition is crucial for children's growth and development, making it essential to ensure they have a balanced and nutritious diet. This study presents an innovative approach to address this issue through an Automated Menu Planning Algorithm for Children (AMPAC). AMPAC utilizes a Dietary Management System powered by the SVM, RF, DT (Iterative Dichotomiser 3) decision tree algorithm, specifically designed for the Indian food context. The proposed system leverages a comprehensive Indian Food Database, encompassing diverse and culturally relevant food items. By integrating the SVM, RF, DT algorithm, AMPAC can analyze the nutritional content of various foods and recommend suitable meal plans based on specific dietary requirements. The system considers essential factors such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and any existing health conditions to create personalized and balanced menus. To validate the effectiveness of AMPAC, extensive testing and evaluation have been conducted using a diverse group of participants, including children, parents, and nutrition experts. The results demonstrate the system's accuracy, efficiency, and user satisfaction, highlighting its potential to revolutionize menu planning for children and promote healthier eating habits. This research contributes to the fields of nutrition, computer science, and public health by offering an innovative solution to address the critical issue of childhood nutrition. AMPAC's user-friendly interface and intelligent algorithm empower users to make informed food choices, ultimately fostering a healthier and happier future generation. Key Words : Automated Menu Planning, Food Recommendation, SVM, RF, DT Algorithm, Indian Food Database, Childhood Nutrition, Nutritional Requirements, Personalized Diet.

Exploring the feasibility of using evidence-based feeding practices to promote children's healthy eating in holiday clubs.

Encouraging healthy eating is a public health priority in the United Kingdom (UK), given the high prevalence of poor diet and overweight/obesity among school-aged children. Holiday clubs are organisations providing childcare and activities during the school holidays and frequently provide food to children at risk of food insecurity, primarily through government-funded programmes like the Holiday Activities and Food programme. However, the research suggests that holiday clubs could do more to maximise opportunities to promote children's healthy eating by using evidence-based feeding practices. During August-September 2020, video-based interviews were conducted exploring staff perceptions of the feasibility of using four evidence-based feeding practices to promote children's healthy eating: modelling; involvement in food choice; involvement in food preparation and cooking and involvement in meal planning. Feasibility was assessed using four dimensions of a feasibility framework (acceptability, demand, practicality and implementation). UK holiday clubs. Twenty-five staff actively involved in delivering UK holiday clubs (project leaders, coordinators, cooks and coaches/youth workers). Staff generally reported good acceptability (dimension 1) and demand (dimension 2) for the feeding practices. However, the practicality (dimension 3) of using the practices was dependent on various factors (logistics, resources, staff readiness, children, peers and parents). Promisingly, in the fourth feasibility dimension (implementation), staff provided numerous practical solutions to overcome these barriers. Evidence-based feeding practices can be implemented in numerous ways and are therefore generally feasible in holiday clubs. Holiday clubs should be empowered to use evidence-based feeding practices through training resources, sharing networks and provision of sustainable funding.

A content and quality analysis of free, popular mHealth apps supporting 'plant-based' diets.

There has been an increased emphasis on plant-based foods and diets. Although mobile technology has the potential to be a convenient and innovative tool to help consumers adhere to dietary guidelines, little is known about the content and quality of free, popular mobile health (mHealth) plant-based diet apps. The objective of the study was to assess the content and quality of free, popular mHealth apps supporting plant-based diets for Canadians. Free mHealth apps with high user ratings, a high number of user ratings, available on both Apple App and GooglePlay stores, and primarily marketed to help users follow plant-based diet were included. Using pre-defined search terms, Apple App and GooglePlay App stores were searched on December 22, 2020; the top 100 returns for each search term were screened for eligibility. Included apps were downloaded and assessed for quality by three dietitians/nutrition research assistants using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the App Quality Evaluation (AQEL) scale. Of the 998 apps screened, 16 apps (mean user ratings±SEM: 4.6±0.1) met the eligibility criteria, comprising 10 recipe managers and meal planners, 2 food scanners, 2 community builders, 1 restaurant identifier, and 1 sustainability assessor. All included apps targeted the general population and focused on changing behaviors using education (15 apps), skills training (9 apps), and/or goal setting (4 apps). Although MARS (scale: 1-5) revealed overall adequate app quality scores (3.8±0.1), domain-specific assessments revealed high functionality (4.0±0.1) and aesthetic (4.0±0.2), but low credibility scores (2.4±0.1). The AQEL (scale: 0-10) revealed overall low score in support of knowledge acquisition (4.5±0.4) and adequate scores in other nutrition-focused domains (6.1-7.6). Despite a variety of free plant-based apps available with different focuses to help Canadians follow plant-based diets, our findings suggest a need for increased credibility and additional resources to complement the low support of knowledge acquisition among currently available plant-based apps. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency.