Nutrition Education Campaigns Research Articles

A Public Sector Innovation in Strengthening Local Community Food Security in the Selected Municipalities of Lanao del Sur

This study presents an in-depth analysis of food security challenges in selected municipalities of Lanao del Sur, focusing on household food insecurity prevalence and proposing public sector innovations to address these issues. Conducted through a data survey spanning Lumbatan, Lumbanayague, and Sultan Dumalondong over two months, the research collected 268 responses. Findings reveal nuances in food availability and preferences, highlighting gaps in food variety and accessibility despite overall sufficiency. Contributing factors include low income, poverty, limited nutritious food, high commodity prices, and insufficient agency support, leading to perceptions of inadequate food access, availability, and affordability. Proposed interventions encompass community-based food production, price stabilization, targeted subsidies, and nutrition education campaigns, emphasizing collaborative stakeholder efforts for sustainable improvements in Lanao del Sur's food security and dietary diversity.

Dietary Knowledge and Eating Habits among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Lebanon.

Little is known about the dietary knowledge (DK) and eating habits (EHs) of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Lebanon. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the DK and EH of the population with T2D and determine their associated factors. A cross-sectional survey enrolling 351 patients with T2D was carried out, using the snowball sampling technique. The survey used the UK Diabetes and Diet Questionnaire and the Dietary Knowledge questionnaire to assess participants' EH including the frequency of consumption of certain foods and their knowledge of food groups and food choices. While a higher DK index indicated better knowledge, a higher EH index indicated less healthy EH. Independent sample T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for dichotomous variables, and ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for polytomous variables. Correlation analysis tested the association between two continuous variables. Two multiple linear regression models were used to identify factors associated with DK and EH. Overall, 67% of participants had good or adequate DK, and around 25% and 75% of them had healthy and less healthy EH, respectively. Better knowledge was significantly related to occupation, BMI, presence of comorbidities, and HbA1c testing during the last 3 months. Higher family income, physical activity, family history of diabetes, receiving help in medication administration from family or friends, and higher DK level were factors associated with healthier EH. Nutrition education and awareness campaigns aimed at patients and their families are needed to empower patients with adequate DK and skills to facilitate the adoption of healthy EH.

Combatting Stunting through Strategic Management: Implications for National Defense Forces in Developing Countries

Abstract:
 This qualitative research investigates the ramifications of stunting prevalence on defense force recruits' physical readiness and cognitive capabilities in developing countries. Utilizing secondary data, the study aims to elucidate the impact of stunting on military personnel and explore the challenges stunted individuals encounter within national defense forces, consequently affecting force effectiveness. Furthermore, the research evaluates strategic interventions to combat stunting and proposes their integration into national defense frameworks.
 Findings indicate a significant correlation between stunting prevalence and compromised physical readiness among defense force recruits. Stunted individuals exhibit reduced physical fitness, compromised muscle development, and increased susceptibility to illnesses, hindering their readiness for military service. Moreover, the cognitive capabilities of stunted recruits are notably affected, with diminished memory, attention span, and decision-making abilities identified as challenges within defense forces.
 Strategic interventions encompassing nutrition programs, healthcare initiatives, and education campaigns emerge as effective measures against stunting. The integration of these interventions into national defense frameworks is proposed to enhance force readiness and performance. This research underscores the urgency of addressing stunting within defense forces, emphasizing its pivotal role in optimizing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
 Keywords: cognitive capabilities, defense forces, physical readiness, strategic interventions, stunting

DETERMINANTS OF DEMAND FOR MEAT PRODUCTS IN DAMATURU, YOBE STATE, NIGERIA

This paper investigates the determinants of demand for meat products in Damaturu, Yobe State in Nigeria utilizing primary data. A combination of multi-stage and purposive sampling methods were implemented to select 150 participants using a structured questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model.The study revealed that beef was the most preferred type of meat, garnering a preference rate of 73.3%. Interestingly, mutton registered the highest average monthly expenditure among households, amounting to ₦22,986. All the three meat products were found to be negative (elastic) and statistically significant at 1%. Notably, the elasticity coefficient for beef was the most sensitive to its price with the coefficient of -23.78. Similarly, the cross-price elasticity suggested complementarity among all the meat products. Income on the other hand,had a positive correlation with meat products expenditure across all types and statistically significant at the 1% level respectively. The coefficient of Beef showed the strongest positive relationship with its expenditure although the magnitude of coefficients for all meat types confirmed that they were all luxury products. Lastly, family size was inversely related to expenditure on all meat types, though this relationship was only statistically significant in the case of beef expenditure. The study concludes that there is a positive outlook for small ruminant farming in the state. Consequently, the study recommends support for livestock farmers through subsidies, training, and improved access to markets, consumer income enhancement programs and nutrition education campaigns to raise awareness about the nutritional value of various meats, including more cost-effective options.

Effects of nutritional profile system and front labeling in food selection during purchases: a systematic review

Introduction. Nutritional profiling systems (NPS) are mainly used in front-end labeling policies in order to make the purchase and consumption choice conscious and healthy. Objetive. This study systematically reviewed evidence from interventions on the effect of NPS in the front-of- package on food purchases. Materials and methods. A bibliographic search was carried out in electronic sources from Medline, Elsevier, Scielo and Lilacs, of experimental studies and intervention between 2012 and 2022. A total of 14 articles were included in the review. They were analyzed according to the intervention modality used: 4 studies analyzed the effect of NPS in a real purchase situation and 10 evaluated purchase perception/intention. Results. According to the modality of intervention, the 6 studies that analyzed the NPS-warning system, all recorded healthier purchases compared to the control groups. While for the NPS-NutriScore, Health Star Rating and Multiple Traffic Lights were effective in the decision to purchase healthier foods, in 5 of 7 studies for the first NPS, in 4 of 7 for the second and in 4 of 8 for the third, compared with control groups. Conclusions. Findings of this study suggest that NPSs may be effective for healthy purchase choices, even so it is necessary to strengthen the system and policies with nutritional food education campaigns.

Government-Industry-Academia Alliance: A multisectoral collaboration for improved nutrition of children and well-being of mothers

Introduction: Consistent with the Sustainable Development Goal 17 highlighting partnership to achieve development, this study demonstrated the convergence among government, industry and academe in carrying out a nutrition intervention to improve the nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and behaviour of school community (school children and mothers). Methods: A school-based intervention study comprising of school lunch feeding and nutrition lessons was conducted. Quasi-experimental design was used in the intervention research. Data were analysed using Stata 12.0. Descriptive statistics were generated using the survey module (svy) of Stata. The food and nutrition intervention mix composed of the governmentpartner School Feeding Programme (SFP) and the nutrition education campaign. The government-partner SFP involved lunch feeding of 7 to 9 years old students based on the standardised Pinggang Pinoy® recipes. The government-partner nutrition education component involved teaching of the developed modules to students and their mothers. Results: The intervention resulted in improvements in nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and behaviour of students. Investing an average of Php 15.00 or USD 0.29 (as of 2017) in a school feeding programme following the government-partner food and nutrition intervention mix improved nutritional status and shifted the number of underweight children to normal nutritional status by 25.3% after 120 feeding days. This intervention was implemented through a multisectoral collaboration during the pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation phases of the study. Conclusion: Partnerships among stakeholders provided the context towards healthier children as demonstrated by improved nutritional status, knowledge, attitude and behaviour of participants.

Feeding habits, nutritional status of pregnant women, and low birth weight in the health district of Garoua I, North Cameroon: A cross-sectional study

Low birth weight is a public health problem in developing countries, and this can be linked to food practices and nutritional status of women before and during the pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of food practices and nutritional status of pregnant women on birth weight in the health district of Garoua 1 located in the North-Cameroon. For this purpose, 55 women in the third trimester of pregnancy, attending antenatal care in three health centres of the district were recruited. A questionnaire was administered to them to collect information on sociodemographic and economic characteristics, and antenatal care. This information included age, marital status, matrimonial regime, level of education, number of antenatal clinical visits attended, and profession. The twenty-four-hour dietary recall was used to determine Individual Dietary Diversity Score and Food Consumption Frequency. Body Mass Index and Total Weight Gain were calculated. The results obtained showed that most of pregnant women of Garoua 1 were under-educated, with more than a quarter who had never gone to school, without any source of income, and were housewives. These conditions favour poor food practices as shown by the results which indicated that 25.4% of interviewed women consumed less than three meals per day, and 67.3% had a poor Individual Dietary Diversity Score, indicating that they did not consume more than two food groups per day. Individual Dietary Diversity Score and Food Consumption Frequency of the women significantly influenced (p<0.05) the birth weight of the babies. It is the same for Body Mass Index and Total Weight Gain which had a significant influence (p<0.05) on the birth weight. Indeed, a low Body Mass Index at the beginning of the pregnancy, and insufficient Total Weight Gain during pregnancy increased by 3.35 and 7.12 times, respectively the risk of having an infant with a low birth weight. Nutrition education campaigns to women of childbearing age are recommended to alleviate the problem, and to improve overall living conditions in the community. Key words: Pregnant women, Food practices, Nutritional status, Low Birth Weight, Garoua

Awareness of nutrition and health knowledge and its influencing factors among Wuhan residents.

BackgroundNutrition and health knowledge play a crucial role in promoting healthy dietary behaviors, and have been found to be related to sociodemographic characteristics. However, the existing evidence is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to evaluate the awareness level of nutrition and health knowledge and its influencing factors among Wuhan residents, and to provide scientific basis for carrying out targeted nutrition education programmes.MethodsBy stratified random sampling, residents aged 18–64 in Wuhan were selected for self-administered questionnaire survey. We adopted the structured questionnaire to investigate respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition and health knowledge, and the way to acquire knowledge. Among them, nutrition and health knowledge includes the following four parts: dietary guidelines recommendations, food and nutrients, nutrition and disease prevention, and nutrition skills. Chi-square tests were used to analyze the associations between total awareness rate and sociodemographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors of nutrition and health awareness.ResultsA total of 33,436 valid questionnaires were obtained, with a response rate of 97.8%. The total awareness rate was 20.4%, with the highest in nutrition and disease prevention (72.7%) and the lowest in nutrition skills (46.3%). Responders aged 35–44 (23.3%), females (22.8%), educational workers (24.8%), obtaining a master's degree or above (34.1%), living in downtown area (23.1%), and without a history of chronic disease (24.6%) were more likely to have higher awareness rates (all p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression models showed that age, gender, education level, occupation, residential address, and the history of chronic disease were the potential factors affecting individual nutrition awareness.ConclusionThe total awareness rate of nutrition and health knowledge among Wuhan residents was not optimistic. Besides, our findings suggested that sociodemographic characteristics are closely related to nutrition awareness, which may provide important clues for carried out nutrition education campaigns.

Swap Up Your Meal: A Mass Media Nutrition Education Campaign for Oklahoma Teens.

To address a statewide need for obesity prevention, the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust launched Swap Up in 2021, a mass media nutrition education effort for teens, ages 13–18. Swap Up utilizes the SAVI messaging approach, an audience-centric message development framework that recognizes barriers to healthy living and offers realistic solutions. Five months into the campaign, an online survey was conducted (n = 200) to assess short-term program goals related to campaign delivery, engagement, and relevance. A secondary, long-term goal related to documenting and understanding self-reported changes in past month nutrition-related behaviors was also explored. A majority of participants (72%) reported aided awareness of the campaign brand logo/advertisements, and awareness (83%) of at least one main message. Nearly half (44%) of the participants reported at least one engagement with digital media. Main message recognition, perceived relevance, and self-reported nutritional behaviors were consistently highest among those reporting both campaign awareness and digital engagement. Ultimately, Swap Up reached and delivered nutrition education messages to Oklahoma teens within the first year of launch, as intended, and was associated with self-reported changes in recent behavior. This study provides evidence that SAVI offers a promising approach for nutrition education, and underscores why digital and social media engagement strategies are critical for mass media teen behavior change campaigns. Campaign implementation and evaluation are ongoing.

Psychosocial factors affecting dietary habits of university students: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundUniversity student transition from living at home to more independent living which might influence their eating habits. This study aims to assess the effect of psychosocial factors on eating habits among university students. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 529 students at the University of Sharjah. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on dietary habits, social, and psychological factors. The height and weight were also measured. ResultsMore than one-third of participants were classified as overweight or obese (37.6%) and 39.1% reported not engaging in regular physical activity. Less than half of the participants consumed breakfast daily (45.4%) and 83.2% consumed less than two liters of water per day. Only 28.7% and 34.0% of participants consumed fruits and vegetables daily, respectively. Almost 80% of participants reported eating when they were bored, 83.7% ate when feeling happy, and 56.5% ate when they were sad. Eating habits score was significantly lower among unmarried participants (p = 0.03), those not living with their family (p < 0.001), smokers (p = 0.001), those not engaging in regular physical activity (p < 0.001), and those who reported eating uncontrollably (p = 0.007). ConclusionsPsychosocial factors were important indicators of dietary habits among students. Implementing nutrition education campaigns and health-related courses at the university are recommended.

Analysis of risk and prognostic factors in a population of pediatric patients hospitalized for acute malnutrition at the Chiulo hospital, Angola

BackgroundMalnutrition is a multifactorial pathology in which genetic, epigenetic, cultural, environmental, socio-economic factors interact with each other. The impact that this disease has on the health of children worldwide is dramatic. Severe acute malnutrition in particular is a disease affecting nearly 20 million preschool children worldwide, most of them in Africa and South East Asia.ObjectivesThis work aims to investigate potential prognostic factors in the clinical evolution of acute malnutrition and potential risk factors for the development of the disease.MethodsOur study was carried out at the “Hospital da Missão Catolica do Chiulo”, in Angola, where the NGO Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been operating since 2000. In the first part of the study we analyzed the characteristics and clinical evolution of 163 patients hospitalized for acute malnutrition at the UEN (Unidade Especial de Nutrição) of the Chiulo Hospital over a period of 6 months, in order to identify potential prognostic factors of the disease. The second part of our study was carried out by administering a questionnaire to a group of caregivers of malnourished children and to a group of caregivers of non-malnourished children admitted to Pediatrics for other causes, with the aim of identifying potential risk factors for the development of malnutrition.Results and conclusionsThe analysis of prognostic factors revealed that the most relevant are the WHZ (weight for height z-score) at the time of admission, the presence of Stunting and the presence of other pathologies or clinical conditions associated with severe acute malnutrition.The analysis of risk factors has shown that not only food shortages, but also errors in the timing of the suspension of breastfeeding and the timing of the introduction of complementary foods play an important role. Equally important were some family risk factors, including the size of the family unit and the presence of deceased children.It also emerged that the lack of knowledge of what a child needs to grow up healthy often affects the development of malnutrition. It follows that a useful and low-cost tool for preventing child malnutrition would be large-scale nutrition education campaigns.

Sports nutrition knowledge and perceptions among professional basketball athletes and coaches in Lebanon-a cross-sectional study

BackgroundBasketball is the most popular sport in Lebanon. Adequate nutrition has been established to be a key component of optimal athletic performance, recovery from exercise and exercise-induced injury and documented to be associated with adequate nutrition knowledge (NK). In Lebanon, nutrition education is not incorporated into the basketball player training program and there is no established position for sports nutritionists in basketball clubs. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to evaluate the NK status of Division I Basketball (D1B) players /coaches in Lebanon. The objectives of this study are to assess the prevalence of inadequate NK; identify the gaps in NK, main sources of nutrition information, perceptions on sports nutrition and independent predictors of inadequate NK among D1B players and coaches in Lebanon.MethodsAll D1B players (n = 184) and coaches (n = 16) in Lebanon were invited to participate in the study. Study participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that included questions on NK, resources and perceptions. A percentage of ≥60% of NK questions answered correctly was used as indicative of having adequate NK. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sample characteristics. The T-test and chi square test were used for comparisons of means and proportions, respectively. Logistic regression was used to explore the predictors of inadequate NK in D1B players.ResultsThe sample consisted of 178 D1B players (nM = 126; nF = 52) and 11 male coaches, resulting in survey response rates of 97 and 69%, respectively. Inadequate NK was found among about 80 and 54% of D1B players and coaches, respectively. Inadequate NK was found to be independently associated with lack of nutrition education in D1B players.ConclusionsDespite widespread lack of adequate NK among D1B players and coaches in Lebanon, our sports clubs do not have dietitians. Basketball sports clubs in Lebanon should start to budget for hiring a dietitian or carrying out nutrition education campaigns that are based on analyses of incorrect responses of our study participants. Findings of this study are of tremendous significance to D1B players in Lebanon in terms of improving the athletes’ physical health and performance.

Does COVID-19 change dietary habits and lifestyle behaviours in Kuwait: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe coronavirus pandemic has transformed and continues to transform and affect the daily lives of communities worldwide, particularly due to the lockdown restrictions. Therefore, this study was designed to understand the changes in dietary and lifestyle behaviours that are major determinants of health during the COVID-19 outbreak.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire using a convenience sample of 415 adults living in Kuwait (age range 18–73 years).ResultsThe rate of skipping breakfast remained consistent, with a slight increase during the pandemic. Lunch remained the main reported meal before and during COVID-19. Compared to before COVID-19, people were much more likely have a late-night snack or meal during COVID-19 (OR = 3.57 (95% CI 1.79–7.26), p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a drastic decrease in the frequency of fast-food consumption during COVID-19, up to 82% reported not consuming fast food (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the percentage of participants who had their main meal freshly made (OR = 59.18 (95% CI 6.55–1400.76), p = 0.001). Regarding food group patterns, no significant differences were found before and during the pandemic in terms of the weekly frequency of consumption, except in the case of fish and seafood. There were no remarkable changes in beverage consumption habits among participants before and during the pandemic, except for Americano coffee and fresh juice. Furthermore, there was a great reduction in physical activity and an increase in the amount of screen time and sedentary behaviours. A notable increase was detected in day-time sleep and a decrease in night-time sleep among participants.ConclusionIn general, this study indicates some changes in daily life, including changes in some eating practices, physical activity and sleeping habits during the pandemic. It is important that the government considers the need for nutrition education programmes and campaigns, particularly during this critical period of the pandemic in Kuwait.

Attitudes toward sweetened soft drinks and consumption patterns among Saudi women: A cross-sectional study

Although sweetened soft drink consumption (SDC) has negative consequences on health, this dietary habit is common among the Saudi population (Saudi Arabia). Food selection and consumption are complex behaviors and associated with several constructs described by social cognitive theory. This study assessed the pattern of sweetened SDC and its associated behavioral and theoretical factors, with focus on attitude and expectations related to SDC among Saudi women. Participants (n = 773) answered an online questionnaire on SDC patterns (frequency of consumption and quantity) and attitudes influencing those patterns. Association of attitudes with frequency of sweetened SDC was assessed using Spearman's test that revealed a positive and significant association between frequency and quantity of SDC (Spearman's rho = 0.34, df = 771, p < .0001). Highest correlations were observed between frequency of consumption and positive attitudes toward the perception of sweetened soft drinks as indispensable while eating, enjoyable, and value indispensable during social gathering (Spearman's rho = 0.58, 0.55 and 0.40, respectively, df = 771, p < .0001). Multiple regression analysis of attitudes showed considering soft drinks enjoyable and essential at eating were positively associated with consumption. Saudi Women are consuming soft drinks at high rates despite self-reporting this behavior as unhealthy. Social cognitive factors could potentially be predictors of unhealthy dietary behaviors among Saudi women. Designing nutrition education campaigns and culture-tailored information is warranted.

Unhealthy Aid: Food Security Programming and Disaster Responses to Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu

ABSTRACT In this paper, I examine the disconnect between government and NGO responses to Cyclone Pam, and previous healthy food initiatives in Port Vila, Vanuatu. Decades of nutrition education programs across Vanuatu have urged families to limit their consumption of tinned meat and imported food in favour of locally grown fruits and vegetables. These dietary guidelines call on families to watch their food consumption in order to raise healthy children and avoid serious non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. In spite of these guidelines, the food aid offered after Cyclone Pam, on which many ni-Vanuatu depended, consisted primarily of imported white rice, tinned meat, and instant noodles – foods previously labelled unhealthy in nutrition education campaigns. Humanitarian agencies often envision disaster relief as a short-term intervention. However, the cyclone exacerbated inequality across Port Vila, magnifying socioeconomic disparities and associated food insecurity that existed before the cyclone, forcing many families to rely reluctantly on unhealthy food aid. Drawing on research conducted over several fieldwork trips from 2010 to 2016, I discuss food security and nutrition programs in Vanuatu and how ni-Vanuatu families interpreted disaster relief efforts in the context of existing nutrition programming. I argue that disaster preparedness has not accounted for the values promoted in nutrition education programs, the health needs of the community, or food preferences. I conclude with a call for the creation of culturally appropriate responses to natural disaster relief efforts so as to promote sustainable food security measures.

Nutritional knowledge, attitude, and use of food labels among Indian adults with multiple chronic conditions

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the indirect effects of nutritional knowledge and attitude toward food label use on food label use through self-efficacy and trust, as well as whether gender moderates this relationship. Design/methodology/approach A sample of Indian adults with multiple chronic conditions was surveyed about their nutritional knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy and use of food labels. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’s (2013) PROCESS macro for SPSS. Findings The results show that nutritional knowledge and attitude toward food label use positively predict food label use through self-efficacy and trust. However, these mediation effects are moderated by gender such that the indirect relationship is stronger among men than women. Practical implications Food marketers and government agencies engaged in nutrition education campaigns should aim to increase patients’ confidence in comprehending food label information. Social implications Since food labels can be a valuable tool to help patients with chronic diseases to make informed decisions about their diet and lifestyle, regulators may consider mandating nutritional labels on foods to help them improve their food or dietary choices. Originality/value This study uniquely applies Fisher and Fisher’s (1992) information–motivation–behavioral skills model as a theoretical framework to examine the influence of nutrition knowledge and attitude toward food label use on food label usage of Indian patients with multiple chronic diseases.

Comparing Food Policies and Programs in an Urban Neighborhood – an Agent-Based Modeling Approach (P04-181-19)

Abstract Objectives Public health practitioners and policymakers often need to determine which strategies are most effective prior to investing in implementation. This is particularly important in urban neighborhoods where public health initiatives may have a significant impact on the health of a large population. This study aims to use an innovative agent-based model to evaluate and compare the potential impact of three food policies and programs on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in an urban neighborhood. Methods We developed an agent-based model that takes into account individual and neighborhood-level factors (e.g., age, gender, education, food environment) to predict fruit and vegetable consumption at the neighborhood level. Model parameters were estimated from the Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, United States Census data, and previous studies. We simulated three hypothetical interventions, including implementing a mass media and nutrition education campaign to alter healthy social norms, increasing the number of fruit and vegetable vendors, and reducing the price of fruits and vegetables. We predicted the impact of these interventions on the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the East Harlem neighborhood in New York City. Results The simulation results suggested that a mass media and nutrition education campaign could increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables by 5.5%. In comparison, a program that increases the number of fruit and vegetable vendors by 10% and the one that reduces the price of fruits and vegetables by 10% could increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables by 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively. Conclusions A mass media and nutrition education campaign may be more effective than increasing the access to or reducing the price of fruits and vegetables in East Harlem. A well-designed, validated agent-based model has the potential to provide insights on the impact of food policies and programs in a complex urban environment and aid policymakers and public health officials in making informed decisions for priority setting and program implementation. Funding Sources This study was supported by an R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

What Influences Urban Mothers' Decisions on What to Feed Their Children Aged Under Five-The Case of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mothers carry the prime responsibility for childcare and feeding in low-income countries. Understanding their experiences in providing food for their children is paramount to informing efforts to improve the nutritional status of children. Such information is lacking in Sub-Saharan Africa. To understand what influences urban mothers’ food acquisition and their motivations for selecting food for their children, 36 in-depth interviews were carried out with mothers having children under five years of age. Interviews were conducted in the local language, audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis which led to the identification of four major themes: mothers give-in to a child-driven diet; quick-fix versus the privilege of planning; keen awareness on food safety, nutrition, and diet diversity; and social, familial, and cultural influences. The findings indicate that child feeding practices are influenced by interlinked social and environmental factors. Hence, nutrition education campaigns should focus on targeting not only families but also their children. Attention should also be given to food safety regulations, as well as to the much-needed support of mothers who are struggling to ensure their children’s survival in low-income countries.

Does the Mexican sugar-sweetened beverage tax have a signaling effect? ENSANUT 2016.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential signaling effect of the Mexican tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) by analyzing the association between awareness of and opinions about its effectiveness with current consumption of taxed SSBs and with a self-reported change in consumption of SSBs since the implementation of the tax. We also examined the association between psychosocial and environmental determinants of SSB consumption with current consumption of taxed SSBs and with a reported change in consumption of SSBs.MethodsCross-sectional analyses of survey and food-frequency questionnaire data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2016. Participants were Mexican adults (20–59 years, N = 6,650). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the probability of a person reporting a decrease in SSB consumption, given their awareness of the tax, opinion about its effectiveness, psychosocial (SSB health-related beliefs, self-efficacy, and liking of SSBs) and environmental (availability of potable water) determinants. Multiple linear regression analysis was utilized to examine the association between the aforementioned factors and current consumption of taxed SSBs.ResultsCompared with adults not aware, adults who were aware of the SSB tax were more likely (OR = 1.30) to report a decrease in SSB consumption (p = .012). In urban areas, adults aware of the tax drank a significantly lower amount of taxed SSBs (-15.7%; p = .023) than those not aware. Self-efficacy and liking of SSBs were significantly associated with a reported decrease in consumption and with current consumption (p < .001), while health beliefs and availability of potable water were not significantly associated with either reported change in SSB consumption or current consumption of taxed SSBs.ConclusionsImplementation of an SSB tax accompanied by highly visible campaigns may further influence the impact of taxes on SSBs consumption. Future public health and nutrition education campaigns designed to increase knowledge and enhance motivation should be complemented by programs to assist individuals develop self-efficacy and self-regulation skills.

Eating at food outlets and leisure places and “on the go” is associated with less-healthy food choices than eating at home and in school in children: cross-sectional data from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Program (2008–2014)

ABSTRACTBackgroundWhere children eat has been linked to variations in diet quality, including the consumption of low-nutrient, energy-dense food, a recognized risk factor for obesity.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive analysis of consumption patterns and nutritional intake by eating location in British children with the use of a nationally representative survey.DesignCross-sectional data from 4636 children (80,075 eating occasions) aged 1.5–18 y from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Program (2008–2014) were analyzed. Eating locations were categorized as home, school, work, leisure places, food outlets, and “on the go.” Foods were classified into core (considered important or acceptable within a healthy diet) and noncore (all other foods). Other variables included the percentage of meals eaten at home, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, income, frequency of eating out, takeaway meal consumption, alcohol consumption, and smoking.ResultsThe main eating location across all age groups was at home (69–79% of eating occasions), with the highest energy intakes. One-third of children from the least-affluent families consumed ≤25% of meals at home. Eating more at home was associated with less sugar and takeaway food consumption. Eating occasions in leisure places, food outlets, and “on the go” combined increased with age, from 5% (1.5–3 y) to 7% (11–18 y), with higher energy intakes from noncore foods in these locations. The school environment was associated with higher intakes of core foods and reduced intakes of noncore foods in children aged 4–10 y who ate school-sourced foods.ConclusionsHome and school eating are associated with better food choices, whereas other locations are associated with poor food choices. Effective, sustained initiatives targeted at behaviors and improving access to healthy foods in leisure centers and food outlets, including food sold to eat “on the go,” may improve food choices. Home remains an important target for intervention through family and nutrition education, outreach, and social marketing campaigns. This trial was registered with the ISRTCN registry (https://www.isrctn.com) as ISRCTN17261407.