Self-efficacy For Healthy Eating Research Articles

Negative mood is associated with sociobehavioral factors contributing to cardiovascular risk in an immigrant population

BackgroundAfter settling in the United States (US), immigrants often accumulate obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. As mood is often associated with health behaviors in the US population, mood may be an important mediating factor in immigrant populations.MethodsThe Healthy Immigrant Community (HIC) study, set in southeast Minnesota, enrolled 475 adult participants in a weight loss intervention designed to reduce cardiovascular risk. Baseline questionnaires assessed mood, nutrition, physical activity, self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity, social support, and cohesion. A single-item mood rating of poor or fair was considered “negative”, while ratings of good, very good, or excellent were considered “positive”.ResultsHispanic/Latino (n = 268) and Somali (n = 181) adults enrolled in HIC completed baseline measures and were included in this analysis. Participants endorsing negative mood compared to positive mood had lower healthy eating scores (p = 0.02), lower physical activity levels (p = 0.03), lower confidence in eating a healthy diet (p = 0.001), and felt less of a sense of belonging to their community (p = 0.01). Those endorsing negative mood reported receiving less social support to eat healthy (p = < 0.001) and be physically active (p = 0.01). They also accessed community resources for healthy eating (p = 0.001) and physical activity (p = < 0.01) less frequently than participants endorsing positive mood.ConclusionsOn self-report, negative mood was associated with less healthy nutrition, lower confidence in eating healthy, sedentary lifestyle, and perceived lack of belonging to the community. Integrating mood management and self-efficacy strategies may enhance the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions to reduce obesity and cardiovascular risk among immigrants who report negative mood.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05136339; April 23, 2022.

Relationship between food insecurity and a gestational diabetes risk reduction intervention: outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native adolescent and young adult females.

American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are disproportionately impacted by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), subsequent type 2 diabetes, and food insecurity. It is prudent to decrease risk of GDM prior to pregnancy to decrease the intergenerational cycle of diabetes in AI/AN communities. The purpose of this project is to describe and examine food insecurity, healthy eating self-efficacy, and healthy eating behaviors among AI/AN females (12-24 years old) as related to GDM risk reduction. Methods included: secondary analysis of healthy eating self-efficacy and behaviors, and household-level food insecurity measures from an randomized controlled trial that tested the effect of engagement in a GDM risk reduction educational intervention on knowledge, behavior, and self-efficacy for GDM risk reduction from baseline to 3-month follow-up. Participants were AI/AN daughters (12-24 years old) and their mothers (N = 149 dyads). Researchers found that more than one-third (38.1%) reported food insecurity. At baseline food insecurity was associated with higher levels of eating vegetables and fruit for the full sample (p = .045) and cohabitating dyads (p = .002). By 3 months healthy eating self-efficacy (p = .048) and limiting snacking between meals (p = .031) improved more in the control group than the intervention group only for cohabitating dyads. For the full sample, the intervention group had increases in times eating vegetables (p = .022) and fruit (p = .015), whereas the control group had declines. In the full sample, food insecurity did not moderate the group by time interaction for self-efficacy for healthy eating (p ≥ .05) but did moderate the group by time interaction for times drinking soda (p = .004) and days eating breakfast (p = .013). For cohabitating dyads, food insecurity did moderate self-efficacy for eating 3 meals a day (p = .024) and days eating breakfast (p = .012). These results suggest food insecurity is an important factor regarding the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce GDM risk and offer unique insight on "upstream causes" of GDM health disparities among AI/AN communities.

550-P: Food Insecurity and the Efficacy of a Gestational Diabetes (GDM) Risk Reduction Intervention—Healthy Eating Outcomes among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Female Adolescents and Young Adults (FAYAs)

AI/ANs are unduly impacted by GDM and food insecurity. Employing a clinical trials design, this secondary analysis used Stopping GDM trial data to describe and explore food insecurity as a moderator of the efficacy of a GDM risk reduction intervention on healthy eating behaviors and self-efficacy at 3 months among AI/AN FAYAs. Participants were AI/AN FAYAs and their mothers. Assessments included mother’s food insecurity using USDA Household Food Security Survey Module and FAYA’s healthy eating self-efficacy using Self-Efficacy for Healthy Eating and healthy eating behaviors from CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. The sample (N=149 dyads) was FAYAs (mean age 16.7±3.0 years) and their mothers, with 64% (n=95) living together. More than one-third (38.1%) reported food insecurity. At baseline food insecurity was associated with higher levels of eating vegetables and fruit for the full sample (p=.045) and cohabitating dyads (p=.002). By 3 months healthy eating self-efficacy (p=.048) and limiting snacking between meals (p=.031) improved more in the control group than the intervention group but only for cohabitating dyads. For the full sample the intervention group had increases in times eating vegetables (p=.022) and fruit (p=.015), while the control group had declines. In the full sample food insecurity did not moderate the group by time interaction for self-efficacy for healthy eating (p≥.05) but did moderate the group by time interaction for times drinking soda (p=.004) and days eating breakfast (p=.013). For cohabitating dyads food insecurity did moderate self-efficacy for eating 3 meals a day (p=.024) and days eating breakfast (p=.012). These results suggest food insecurity is an important factor regarding the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce GDM risk and offer unique insight on ‘upstream causes’ of GDM health disparities among AI/AN communities. Disclosure S.M.Sereika: None. S.A.Stotz: None. L.E.Hebert: None. L.Scarton: None. K.R.Moore: Consultant; Novo Nordisk. D.Charron-prochownik: None. The stopping gdm study group: n/a. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01NR014831)

The Intensity Use of mHealth Apps and its Relation to Nutrition Knowledge, Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy, and Positive Body Image

Abstract—In terms of mobile apps, mHealth technology might enhance public health. However, despite the development of hundreds of health-related mobile applications, few studies have studied their relationship to psychological constructs. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the intensity of mHealth app use and nutrition knowledge, healthy-eating self-efficacy, and positive body image among Jordanian students and to measure their levels. In the first semester of the academic year 2022-2023, a structured, self-administered web-based questionnaire containing valid and reliable measures (i.e., positive body image scale, healthy eating self-efficacy, general nutrition knowledge questionnaire, and the adopted intensity use of mHealth apps scale) was administered to 414 undergraduates. The findings reported that their usage of mHealth-related mobile applications was low, as they had inadequate nutrition knowledge, low healthy-eating self-efficacy, and a moderate positive body image. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant and positive correlation between the degree of usage of health-related mobile applications and nutrition knowledge, healthy eating self-efficacy, and positive body image (p&lt;0.01). These findings underscore the need to promote healthy eating self-efficacy and positive body image among students and to improve their nutrition knowledge. In addition, these results advise decision-makers to encourage students to include mHealth applications in their daily routines to benefit their health.

Individual and Neighborhood Environmental Factors Affecting Healthy Eating Among Korean Rural Adults.

Although it is recognized that social and environmental factors influence healthy eating behaviors, few studies have investigated the association between environmental factors and healthy eating among rural adults in Korea. We aimed to identify individual and neighborhood environmental factors influencing adherence to fruit and vegetable intake among adults living in rural areas using an ecological approach. The study sample comprised 1,582 adults from 38 rural areas from Chungbuk Province, South Korea in 2017 who provided individual- and neighborhood-level data. Neighborhood-level data were obtained by aggregating individual-level responses measured for each residential town resulting in an average value for each neighborhood-level variable for the 38 rural areas. The data were merged and used for a series of multilevel logistic regression analyses. Among the individual-level factors, age, alcohol drinking, physical activity, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and social support for healthy eating were significantly associated with adherence to fruit and vegetable intake. Among the neighborhood-level factors, social cohesion and perceived neighborhood safety were significantly associated with adherence to fruit and vegetable intake. Multifaceted intervention strategies to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables should include behavioral modification, social support, and improvement of neighborhood environments.

NEW Soul in the neighborhood-reach and effectiveness of a dissemination and implementation feasibility study.

Dissemination and implementation (D&I) studies of dietary interventions for African Americans are limited. Restaurants may be an innovative setting to deliver dietary interventions. Purpose: Assess weight loss, self-efficacy for healthy eating, diet quality, and quality of life in African Americans in two groups: virtual synchronous and virtual asynchronous. Guided by RE-AIM, the Nutritious Eating with Soul @ Rare Variety Café Feasibility study included nutrition education, accountability partners for support, and cooking demonstrations led by a community health worker and was delivered across two cohorts in a non-randomized design. The intervention was conducted over 12 consecutive weekly classes. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, intervention delivery was online. African Americans between 18-65 years old with overweight/obesity, not currently following a plant-based diet or taking medications to control diabetes, and living in a southeastern city were recruited. Participants completed in-person weight assessments and online surveys at baseline and post-intervention. Linear mixed models analyzed changes in outcomes and differences in 3-month outcomes between groups. All models controlled for age and sex. Regarding Reach, 199 participants expressed interest, and 60 enrolled. Among the full sample, participants decreased body weight -2.6 ± 0.5 kg (p < .0001) and increased self-efficacy 1.6 ± 0.7 points (p = .03). No differences in 3-month outcomes between groups were observed. This D&I feasibility study successfully recruited participants during the COVID-19 pandemic and produced significant results. The successful online intervention delivery compared to in-person suggests the potential for greater D&I in vegan soul food restaurants. As restrictions are loosened, future studies will test in-person delivery.

A Mixed-Method Approach to Develop and Validate an Integrated Food Literacy Tool for Personalized Food Literacy Guidance.

BackgroundFood literacy refers to all practicalities associated with healthy eating. Current food literacy tools are limited in practical use in clinical practice. Therefore, an integrated food literacy tool (IFLT) to assess food literacy and to personalize food literacy guidance was developed and validated.MethodsFollowing an iterative process, a food literacy framework was developed and food literacy goals were defined. A corresponding food literacy screener (FLS) to assess food literacy was developed along with an algorithm to provide personalized food literacy guidance based on the food literacy assessment. Content validation of the FLS was assessed by a panel of experts, measuring item and scale content validity index (I/S-CVI) and by the target population in semi structured interviews with 15 adults of reproductive age. Subsequently, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 114 adults of reproductive age to evaluate the validity of the FLS. Construct validity was examined against both the validated healthy eating and weight self-efficacy scale and against a food frequency questionnaire assessing healthy eating self-efficacy (HESE) and diet quality, respectively. Reliability was assessed with a two-week test-retest. Pearson correlation tests were conducted.ResultsAn IFLT consisting of a FLS and corresponding algorithm to personalize food literacy guidance by prioritizing food literacy goals was developed. The IFLT includes 24 food literacy goals, addressed by 17 FLS items. Every item received a weighting factor based on theory and expert opinion to prioritize food literacy goals according to personal needs. Content validity revealed that the FLS was rated relevant by experts (S-CVI = 0.93) and well-understood by the target population. The FLS has a good construct validity as it was positively correlated with diet quality (r = 0.536, p < 0.001) and with HESE (r = 0.685, p < 0.001). It also showed a good test-retest reliability (r = 0.721, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe newly developed IFLT is a practically applicable, context specific theory-and expert-based dual purpose tool to assess food literacy and to personalize food literacy guidance by prioritizing individuals' food literacy goals to their needs.

Efficacy of a smartphone application-based intervention for encouraging children's healthy eating in Denmark.

The growing rates of childhood obesity constitute a public health challenge worldwide. Therefore it is important to identify effective and widely applicable interventions to prevent it. This study aims to explore children's experience of using a newly developed smartphone application (app) designed to promote healthy eating and evaluate its efficacy on encouraging healthy eating. First, two focus groups were conducted to explore children's experience of using the app. Then, a quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the app's efficacy. The children were asked to use the app for three months. Afterwards, the effect of the intervention was evaluated. 118 children aged 9 to 13 years (M=10.9, Sd=1.1) participated in the study. The children's experience of using the app was relatively positive, and they found the app easy to use. A significant increase in fruit (η2=.10) and vegetable preferences (η2=.37) and fruit intake (η2=.06) was found in the experimental group. No effects were found for vegetable intake, selfefficacy for healthy eating, or peer norms for healthy and unhealthy eating (p>0.05). The smartphone app-based intervention could potentially serve as an attractive and low-cost intervention to reach a wide population of children for the promotion of healthy eating and prevention of childhood obesity.

Factors related to poor diet quality in food insecure populations.

It is well-known that consumption of nutrient-rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables, are low among food insecure populations. While cost is an important reason for these inadequate diets, underlying factors such as poor food purchase and management behaviors, and low levels of psychosocial factors that motivate dietary improvements, may exacerbate food insufficiency among the food-insecure. In this analysis, we examine these underlying factors across food-secure and food-insecure populations in Texas. Data on self-reported food insecurity, dietary practices, behaviors related to food purchase and management, and psychosocial factors related to food were obtained from a survey administered to a convenience sample of SNAP-eligible adults (n = 1,171) ages 18 and older, drawn from multiple low-income areas across the state of Texas in 2018 over two survey rounds. Mixed linear regression models adjusting for zip code as a random effect were used to compare mediators of diet across food-insecure and food-secure participants. Using the binary categories defined by the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module scale 753 participants (64.3% of the sample collected) were classified as food insecure. Food insecure participants had notably unhealthier diet profiles, with significantly lower (p < .001) frequency and average serving size of fruit and vegetable consumption. They were also less likely to use food labels to make food choices (p < .001), and to cook a meal at home (p = .008). In contrast, differences across food secure and food insecure households in planning meals before going shopping, and making lists were much smaller. Finally, levels of various psychosocial precursors of healthy eating were also lower among food insecure participants, including self-efficacy for healthy eating (p = .014), self-efficacy to plan meals with vegetables (p = .048), and stage of change of fruit and vegetable consumption (p < .001). Overall, eating habits, specific food procurement and preparation practices, and levels of psychosocial precursors of healthy eating are significantly poorer among food insecure populations compared with food-secure low-income participants. Our results point to specific behaviors that can be targeted in educational and skill building interventions seeking to address poor dietary practices among the food insecure.

Development and Feasibility of an App to Decrease Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in Hispanic Women With Recent Gestational Diabetes (Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes): Pilot Pre-Post Study.

BackgroundHispanic women have increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which carries an increased risk for future type 2 diabetes, compared to non-Hispanic women. In addition, Hispanic women are less likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity, which are both risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Supporting patients to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors through mobile health (mHealth) interventions is increasingly recognized as a viable, underused tool for disease prevention, as they reduce barriers to access frequently experienced in face-to-face interventions. Despite the high percentage of smartphone ownership among Hispanics, mHealth programs to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with prior GDM are lacking.ObjectiveThis study aimed to (1) develop a mobile app (¡Hola Bebé, Adiós Diabetes!) to pilot test a culturally tailored, bilingual (Spanish/English) lifestyle program to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic women with GDM in the prior 5 years; (2) examine the acceptability and usability of the app; and (3) assess the short-term effectiveness of the app in increasing self-efficacy for both healthy eating and physical activity, and in decreasing weight.MethodsSocial cognitive theory provided the framework for the study. A prototype app was developed based on prior research and cultural tailoring of content. Features included educational audiovisual modules on healthy eating and physical activity; personal action plans; motivational text messages; weight tracking; user-friendly, easy-to-follow recipes; directions on building a balanced plate; and tiered badges to reward achievements. Perceptions of the app’s acceptability and usability were explored through four focus groups. Short-term effectiveness of the app was tested in an 8-week single group pilot study.ResultsIn total, 11 Hispanic women, receiving care at a federally qualified community health center, aged 18-45 years, and with GDM in the last 5 years, participated in four focus groups to evaluate the app’s acceptability and usability. Participants found the following sections most useful: audiovisual modules, badges for completion of activities, weight-tracking graphics, and recipes. Suggested modifications included adjustments in phrasing, graphics, and a tiering system of badges. After app modifications, we conducted usability testing with 4 Hispanic women, with the key result being the suggestion for a “how-to tutorial.” To assess short-term effectiveness, 21 Hispanic women with prior GDM participated in the pilot. There was a statistically significant improvement in both self-efficacy for physical activity (P=.003) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (P=.007). Weight decreased but not significantly. Backend process data revealed a high level of user engagement.ConclusionsThese data support the app’s acceptability, usability, and short-term effectiveness, suggesting that this mHealth program has the potential to fill the gap in care experienced by Hispanic women with prior GDM following pregnancy. Future studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of an enhanced app in a randomized controlled trial.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04149054; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04149054

Self-Efficacy and Nutrition-Related Goal Achievement of MyFitnessPal Users.

Mobile health applications (apps) are increasing in popularity to assist in health behavior change and maintenance. Drawing from constructs outlined within the social cognitive theory by Bandura, we explored how frequently users of a popular health app achieved their health-related goals. Participants reportedly used the MyFitnessPal (MFP) app within the past year completed an online survey on how often they used MFP, their self-efficacy for healthy eating (SE-HE), and achievement of nutrition-related goals. Findings suggest that higher levels of SE-HE and greater use of MFP predicted greater goal achievement. One important finding was that greater use of MFP related to increased reports for goal achievement when SE-HE was lower but not when participants showed high level of SE-HE. The results from this study suggest that MFP may be the most helpful for those who find it more difficult to meet their nutrition-related goals.

Diabetes Prevention for Pacific People in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study to Adapt the Diabetes Prevention Program With Samoan/Tongan Church Communities.

To determine baseline characteristics of a group of Samoans/Tongans in Southern California at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify barriers, cultural factors, and readiness and capacity to implement a culturally tailored Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in a faith-based setting. A mixed-methods pilot that included piloting modified DPP sessions, conducting a survey, and focus groups (N = 4). Samoan/Tongan faith-based organizations. Samoan/Tongan church members in Southern California who were interested in lifestyle behavior change. Surveys assessing sociodemographic, acculturation, health status, food insecurity, and psychosocial factors. Focus groups focusing on attitudes toward the curriculum, opportunities for tailoring, and specific barriers/facilitators for healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity. Participants (N = 47) were on average 42 years old, female (57%), and identified as Pacific Islander (35% Samoan, 30% American Samoan, and 35% Tongan). Ninety-eight percent of respondents were overweight/obese, and 45% of households were food insecure. Less than half of respondents were born in the United States, and 28% reported "poor" or "fair" English proficiency. Those with higher body mass indexes were more likely to score lower on internal locus of control and self-efficacy for healthy eating and were motivated to lose weight to feel in control of their health. Focus group results revealed that members of the Samoan/Tongan communities are "underserved" and experience a lack of culturally relevant programs to address obesity and chronic disease. Several barriers to healthier lifestyles were identified including adaptation of traditional recipes made in the United States (ie, to be less healthy), role of stress, cultural values (eg, preference for larger body size), and lack of awareness about healthy lifestyles. The church was identified as a resource that could be leveraged further to positively impact health outcomes. Results demonstrate possible ways to tailor the DPP for US-based Samoan/Tongan populations by harnessing cultural traditions and addressing existing barriers and psychosocial constructs.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, and Healthy Eating Behavior Among Children: Results From the Building Healthy Communities Trial.

Background/Aim. Increased knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about a topic and behavioral capability and self-efficacy for healthy eating are often a precursor to behavior change. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the multicomponent school-based program on children's healthy eating knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy for healthy eating, and on their eating habits over time. Method. Quasi-experimental (4 treatment, 2 comparison) in a metropolitan area using a pretest-posttest method. Participants were 628 fifth-grade youth (377 treatment, 251 comparison) with a mean age of 9.9 years. The Building Healthy Communities (BHC) program is an 8-month school-wide healthy school transformation program and includes six main components. Outcome measures include children's healthy eating knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavior. Missing data were imputed, confirmatory factor analysis tested scale factor structure, and path analysis determined a parsimonious path explaining behavior change. Results. The Student Attitudes and Self-Efficacy (SASE) scale had good measurement model fit. BHC group's healthy eating knowledge and behaviors increased significantly, while SASE remained moderate. For both groups, the students' knowledge and SASE significantly predicted their healthy eating behaviors; however, the intervention group accounted for a greater amount of variance (35% vs. 26%). Discussion. The BHC program was effective in improving healthy eating knowledge and behavior among youth, and the relationship between variables did not vary by group. Healthy eating knowledge is a significant predictor of both future knowledge and behavior.

Dietary Intake, Attitudes toward Healthy Food, and Dental Pain in Low-Income Youth.

Few studies have examined the relation between food consumption and related attitudes and dental pain among children. The objective of this study is to examine the associations of healthy and unhealthy food items, attitudes toward healthy food, and self-efficacy of eating healthy with dental pain among children. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using child survey data from the Texas Childhood Obesity Research Demonstration (TX CORD) project. Fifth-grade students ( n = 1,020) attending 33 elementary schools in Austin and Houston, Texas, completed the TX CORD Child Survey, a reliable and valid survey instrument focused on nutrition and physical activity behaviors. All nutrition questions ask about the number of times food and beverage items were consumed on the previous day. Dental pain was reported as mouth or tooth pain in the past 2 wk that made their mouth hurt so much that they could not sleep at night. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to test the association between 10 unhealthy food items, 9 healthy food items, 2 health attitudes, and self-efficacy with dental pain. All models controlled for sociodemographic variables. In total, 99 (9.7%) students reported dental pain. Dental pain was associated with intake of the following unhealthy items: soda, fruit juice, diet soda, frozen desserts, sweet rolls, candy, white rice/pasta, starchy vegetables, French fries/chips, and cereal (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.27-1.81, P < 0.01). The intake of other vegetables (AOR, 1.56; P < 0.01), a healthy item, and the attitude that healthy food tastes good (AOR, 1.59; P = 0.04) were also positively associated with dental pain. The attitude of eating healthier leads to fewer health problems (AOR, 0.50) and self-efficacy for healthy eating (AOR, 0.44) were negatively associated with dental pain ( P < 0.01). Interventions should focus on improving oral health by reducing intake of unhealthy foods and educating children and families on the importance of diet as a means of reducing dental caries. Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this study can be used to inform researchers on potential food items and psychosocial measures to examine in low-income, minority populations for longitudinal research. These results would also be useful to educators who could incorporate oral health care and nutrition education into school curriculums.

Gender Role Orientation with Health Literacy and Self-Efficacy for Healthy Eating among Japanese Workers in Early Adulthood.

Gender role, independent of biological sex, affects health. However, research on healthy eating that considers the importance of gender norms is scarce. People who are androgynous and have high masculinity and femininity are reported to have better health practices than other people. The present study aimed to examine the differences in health literacy (HL) and self-efficacy for healthy eating by gender role in Japanese men and women. Participants were 629 men and women aged 25–34 years, recruited via a Japanese Internet research company database. Participants were categorized into four gender role groups using the Japanese Gender Role Index. HL and self-efficacy for healthy eating were assessed using the healthy eating literacy (HEL) scale and the healthy eating and weight self-efficacy (HEWSE) scale. Analysis of variance with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests and hierarchical multiple regression were used to test the research hypotheses. We found that the Androgynous group had significantly higher HEL and HEWSE scores than the Feminine and Undifferentiated groups. The Masculine group scored significantly higher on both measures than the Undifferentiated group. Being Androgynous (HEL: β = 0.34, p < 0.001; HEWSE: β = 0.30, p < 0.001) was a strong predictor for higher scores even after considering other predictors. The results showed significant associations between gender role orientation and individual HL and self-efficacy for healthy eating. These findings may be relevant for promoting healthy eating from the perspective of gender norms.

Smartphone Technology and Text Messaging for Weight Loss in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Using smartphone technology and text messaging for health is a growing field. This type of technology is well integrated into the lives of young adults. However, few studies have tested the effect of this type of technology to promote weight loss in young adults OBJECTIVE:: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of a behaviorally based smartphone application for weight loss combined with text messaging from a health coach on weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in young adults as compared with a control condition. Sixty-two young adults, aged 18 to 25 years, were randomized to receive (1) a smartphone application + health coach intervention and counseling sessions or (2) control condition with a counseling session. All outcome measures were tested at baseline and 3 months. These included weight, BMI, waist circumference, dietary habits, physical activity habits, and self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity. The sample was 71% female and 39% white, with an average age of 20 years and average BMI of 28.5 kg/m. Participants in the smartphone + health coach group lost significantly more weight (P = .026) and had a significant reduction in both BMI (P = .024) and waist circumference (P < .01) compared with controls. The results of this weight loss trial support the use of smartphone technology and feedback from a health coach on improving weight in a group of diverse young adults.

Self-Efficacy and Self-Reported Dietary Behaviors in Adolescents at an Urban School With No Competitive Foods.

Over one third of U.S. adolescents are overweight. A descriptive, cross-sectional study examined the relationship between student dietary self-efficacy (SE), sugar-sweetened beverages, and low-nutrient energy-dense food consumption, and exposure to a healthy school food environment without competitive foods. The sample consisted of 292 urban, primarily African American students aged 11 to 16 years. Mantel-Haenszel χ(2) analyses revealed a significant but weak linear trend for girls between number of school meals and SE to drink less soda, χ(2)(1) = 6.882, p = .008, and between semesters attended with SE to eat more fruits and vegetables, χ(2)(1) = 5.908, p = .015. Obese students had significantly higher scores for two SE items than nonobese students, that is, plan better nutrition, χ(2)(1) = 3.998, p = .045, and eat healthy at a fast-food restaurant, χ(2)(1) = 4.078, p = .043. Further study of adolescent SE for healthy eating and school-based, food-focused obesity prevention interventions is needed.

Profiling healthy eaters. Determining factors that predict healthy eating practices among Dutch adults

Research has identified multiple factors that predict unhealthy eating practices. However what remains poorly understood are factors that promote healthy eating practices. This study aimed to determine a set of factors that represent a profile of healthy eaters. This research applied Antonovsky's salutogenic framework for health development to examine a set of factors that predict healthy eating in a cross-sectional study of Dutch adults. Data were analyzed from participants (n = 703) who completed the study's survey in January 2013. Logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association of survey factors on the outcome variable high dietary score. In the multivariate logistic regression model, five factors contributed significantly (p < .05) to the predictive ability of the overall model: being female; living with a partner; a strong sense of coherence (construct from the salutogenic framework), flexible restraint of eating, and self-efficacy for healthy eating. Findings complement what is already known of the factors that relate to poor eating practices. This can provide nutrition promotion with a more comprehensive picture of the factors that both support and hinder healthy eating practices. Future research should explore these factors to better understand their origins and mechanisms in relation to healthy eating practices.

Evaluation of diet quality and its associated factors among adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThis study aims to determine contribution of meal frequency, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods towards diet quality of adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.SUBJECTS/METHODSThis study was conducted among 373 adolescents aged from 13 to 16 years old. Diet quality of the respondents was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index for Malaysians. Meal frequency, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods were assessed through the Eating Behaviours Questionnaire (EBQ), self-efficacy for healthy eating scale, and availability of healthy foods scale, respectively.RESULTSThe majority of the respondents (80.7%) were at risk of poor diet quality. Males (mean = 34.2 ± 8.2%) had poorer diet quality than females (mean = 39.9 ± 9.0%) (t = -5.941, P < 0.05). Malay respondents (mean = 36.9 ± 8.7%) had poorer diet quality than Indian respondents (mean = 41.3 ± 10.0%) (F = 2.762, P < 0.05). Age (r = 0.123, P < 0.05), self-efficacy for healthy eating (r = 0.129, P < 0.05), and availability of healthy foods (r = 0.159, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with the diet quality of the respondents. However, meal frequency was not correlated with the diet quality of the respondents. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that being a male, being a Malay, low self-efficacy for healthy eating, and low availability of healthy foods contributed significantly towards poor diet quality among respondents.CONCLUSIONSIn short, sex, ethnicity, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods were associated with diet quality among adolescents. Health practitioners should take into consideration of differences in sex and ethnicity during implementation of nutrition-related intervention programs. Self-efficacy for healthy eating and availability of healthy foods should be included as important components in improving diet quality of adolescents.

Psychosocial factors associated with binge eating among overweight and obese male veterans

The study's primary objective is to compare psychosocial characteristics of overweight/obese male Veterans who report binge eating with those who do not report binge eating. Participants include 111 overweight/obese male Veterans who completed questionnaires assessing binge eating, depression, stress, body image, self-efficacy for healthy eating and physical activity, and barriers to physical activity. Of the study sample, 25.2% are classified as binge eaters. Binge eating status is not significantly associated with age, race/ethnicity, weight, or BMI. Binge eating is associated with higher scores on measures of depression, barriers to exercise, self-classified weight, and lower self-efficacy for both healthy eating and exercise, but is not associated with body satisfaction or recent stress. Findings suggest that a sizable minority of overweight/obese male Veterans engage in binge eating. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and perceived barriers all significantly predicted binge eating. These findings have implications both for identification of overweight/obese men at risk for binge eating disorder as well as for weight loss treatment in the Veteran population.