Unfavorable Food Research Articles

Unfavorable food consumption in children up to school entry age: results from the nationwide German KiESEL study.

Evidence points toward the early life being crucial for preventing nutrition-related diseases. As promotion of healthier food preferences in toddlerhood and preschool age might still modulate the trajectories of disease risk, understanding diet in these age groups is necessary. The objective was to analyze food consumption and diet quality of 1-5-year-old children living in Germany in relation to age and sex. Data from 890 children, a subsample of the representative, cross-sectional Children's Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption (KiESEL) conducted by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in 2014-2017, were analyzed. Dietary data were collected using food records (3 consecutive plus 1 independent day). Diet quality was evaluated against the German food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG). Consumption of unfavorable foods (e.g., sweets, soft drinks) exceeded the recommended maximum of 10% of energy intake (E%) by a multiple in all age and sex groups (medians: 24.8-35.8 E%). Preschoolers consumed more unfavorable foods than toddlers and boys more than girls. More than half of the children exceeded the recommendation for meat intake (medians: 2.3-3.2% of the total food consumption (%TFC) vs. 2 %TFC), especially preschoolers. In nearly all children, vegetable consumption was too low (medians: 4.2-4.5 %TFC vs. 12 %TFC). Also, milk/milk product consumption was below recommendations, more so in preschoolers (median: 12.0 %TFC ♂, 11.9 %TFC ♀ vs. 18 %TFC) than in toddlers (median: 16.1 %TFC ♂, 19.6 %TFC ♀). In toddlers and preschoolers with overweight or obesity, adherence to dietary recommendations of these food groups was largely similar to that of the total sample. Overall, 5-year-olds showed an unhealthier dietary pattern than 1-year-olds, which already emerged at age 2 years and became more evident at age 3 years. An adverse dietary pattern arises and even deteriorates at a very young age, showing sex-specific aspects. High attention from public health and research needs to be given to toddlerhood and even earlier life phases, e.g., to develop more age-specific FBDGs, aiming at reducing unhealthy food consumption.

Indices of diet quality among Polish and Spanish physical education students

Introduction: A healthy diet is an important factor in implementing health, and the way of eating depends on individual and environmental factors. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess diet quality indices among Polish and Spanish physical education students depending on country of residence and gender. Materials and methods: Research was carried out among 219 students from Poland and 280 from Spain. A questionnaire was used to evaluate views on eating and nutritional habits (Kom-PAN). Based on the daily frequency of consuming specific groups of products, 2 indices were calculated: the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI-10) and non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14). Two-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at p=0.05. Results: The values of the pro-healthy (pHDI-10) and non-healthy diet (nHDI-14) indices in the group of students were 4.65 and 4.05 (times/day), respectively, which means a low level of both favourable and unfavourable food choices. Students from Poland, regardless of gender, showed a higher level of eating a healthy diet (pHDI-10) than students from Spain. However, the level of the non-healthy diet index (nHDI-14) between students from Poland and Spain differed by gender (p<0.001). In the Polish group, men obtained a higher nHDI-14 index than women (p<0.001), while in Spain, these values were at the same level. Furthermore, it was found that differences between countries occurred only in men, with students from Poland obtaining higher values of the nonhealthy diet index (nHDI-14) than those from Spain (p<0.001), while students from both countries demonstrated similar values. Conclusions: Low levels of healthy and unhealthy diet indices were demonstrated in Polish and Spanish physical education students, with the quality of diet differentiated by country and gender.

Dietary characteristics of community-dwelling older adults with poor appetite: a cross-sectional analysis.

Poor appetite is considered a key factor in the development of malnutrition, a link that can be explained by alterations in dietary intake. Given the limited data on dietary characteristics in community-dwelling older adults with poor appetite, the present study aimed to examine whether poor appetite is associated with lower nutrient intake and more unfavourable food choices. In 569 participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam aged ≥70years appetite was assessed using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire and dichotomised into normal (>14) and poor (≤14). Intake of energy, 19 nutrients, 15 food groups, the Dutch Healthy Diet Index 2015 (DHD15) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) were calculated from a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary differences between appetite groups were examined using Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. Mean age was 78 ± 6years and 52% were female. Appetite was poor in 12.5% of participants. Energy intake was 1951 (median; quartiles 1-3: 1,653-2,384) kcal/day with no difference between appetite groups. Poor appetite was associated with lower intake of protein (OR 0.948, 95%CI 0.922-0.973), folate (0.981, 0.973-0.989), zinc (0.619, 0.454-0.846), vegetables (0.988, 0.982-0.994) and lower scores of DHD15 (0.964, 0.945-0.983) and MDS (0.904, 0.850-0.961), as well as higher intake of carbohydrates (1.015, 1.006-1.023), and vitamins B2 (4.577, 1.650-12.694) and C (1.013, 1.005-1.021). Community-dwelling older adults with poor appetite showed poorer diet quality with a lower intake of protein, folate, zinc and vegetables, compared with those reporting normal appetite and should be advised accordingly.

Ready-to-Eat Food Environments and Risk of Incident Heart Failure: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Food environments have been linked to cardiovascular diseases; however, few studies have assessed the relationship between food environments and the risk of heart failure (HF). We aimed to evaluate the association between ready-to-eat food environments and incident HF at an individual level in a large prospective cohort. Exposure to ready-to-eat food environments, comprising pubs or bars, restaurants or cafeterias, and fast-food outlets, were individually measured as both proximity and density metrics. We also developed a composite ready-to-eat food environment density score by summing the densities of 3 types of food environments. Cox proportional analyses were applied to assess the associations of each single type and the composite food environments with HF risk. Closer proximity to and greater density of ready-to-eat food environments, particularly for pubs and bars and fast-food outlets (P<0.05 for both proximity and density metric) were associated with an elevated risk of incident HF. Compared with those with no exposure to composite ready-to-eat food environments, participants in the highest density score category had a 16% (8%-25%; P<0.0001) higher risk of HF. In addition, we found significant interactions of food environments with education, urbanicity, and density of physical activity facilities on HF risk (all Pinteraction<0.05); the ready-to-eat food environments-associated risk of HF was stronger among participants who were poorly educated, living in urban areas, and without physical activity facilities. Exposure to ready-to-eat food environments is associated with a higher risk of incident HF, suggesting the potential importance of minimizing unfavorable food environments in the prevention of HF.

Advancements in Grain Adulteration Detection and Quality Assessment - A Survey

Abstract: Food security and public health are severely compromised by food adulteration and quality deterioration, which have become pressing concerns. Unfavourable food quality is caused by a multitude of factors, including but not limited to the widespread adulteration of food. Food quality is heavily influenced by environmental variables, such as poor storage conditions, pest infestations, and contaminant exposure. Furthermore, food products may be exposed to adverse circumstances due to the complexities of transportation and distribution, which can result in microbial spoilage and a loss of nutritive value. Consumers are thereby subjected to a decreased level of nutritional quality from their diet in addition to health hazards. In the context of food grains, such as rice and wheat, the challenges are particularly noteworthy. As these grains form the essence of sustenance in regions like India, ensuring their quality is paramount. Grain quality evaluation has traditionally been done by hand using labour-intensive, human error-prone procedures. However, the prospect of automation and computer vision gives a glimmer of optimism in today's technologically advanced society. Systemic research and developments concerning the evaluation of grain quality have demonstrated that image processing techniques may be employed to automate the procedure. Such advancements give rise to the potential for more accurate, efficient, and scalable grain quality assessment.

Financial and Other Life Stressors, Psychological Distress, and Food and Beverage Consumption among Students Attending a Large California State University during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic abruptly disrupted the daily lives and health of college students across the United States. This study investigated several stressors (e.g., financial strain/uncertainty), psychological distress, and dietary behaviors among college students attending a large state university during the pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was administered to students from the California State University, Los Angeles between April and May 2021 (final analytic sample n = 736). Differences in gender and race/ethnicity were examined using chi-square, t-test, and one-way ANOVA tests. Paired t-tests were performed to compare variables before and during the pandemic. Negative binomial regression models examined the associations between various stressors, psychological distress, and three key dietary outcomes. Descriptive results showed that the consumption of fruits and vegetables, fast food, and sugary beverages, along with psychological distress, all increased during the pandemic. Significant differences in fruit and vegetable and fast food consumption by gender and race/ethnicity were also observed. In the regression models, several stressors, including financial strain and psychological distress, were associated with unfavorable food and beverage consumption, thereby suggesting that college students may need more support in mitigating these stressors so they do not manifest as poor dietary behaviors. Poor diet quality is associated with poor physical health outcomes such as premature development of type 2 diabetes or hypertension.

Measures of Food Inadequacy and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Black Individuals in the US From the Jackson Heart Study

Food insecurity disproportionately affects Black individuals in the US. Its association with coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure (HF), and stroke is unclear. To evaluate the associations of economic food insecurity and proximity with unhealthy food options with risk of incident CHD, HF, and stroke and the role of diet quality and stress. This cohort study was a time-to-event analysis of 3024 Black adult participants in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) without prevalent cardiovascular disease (CVD) at visit 1 (2000-2004). Data analysis was conducted from September 1, 2020, to November 30, 2021. Economic food insecurity, defined as receiving food stamps or self-reported not enough money for groceries, and high frequency of unfavorable food stores (>2.5 unfavorable food stores [fast food restaurants, convenience stores] within 1 mile). The main outcomes were incident CVD including incident CHD, stroke, and HF with preserved ejection fraction and with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). During a median follow-up of 13.8 (IQR, 12.8-14.6) years, the associations of measures of food inadequacy with incident CVD (CHD, stroke, and HF) were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Among the 3024 study participants, the mean (SD) age was 54 (12) years, 1987 (66%) were women, 630 (21%) were economically food insecure, and 50% (by definition) had more than 2.5 unfavorable food stores within 1 mile. In analyses adjusted for cardiovascular risk and socioeconomic factors, economic food insecurity was associated with higher risk of incident CHD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% CI, 1.06-2.91) and incident HFrEF (HR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.16-3.70), but not stroke. These associations persisted after further adjustment for diet quality and perceived stress. In addition, economic food insecurity was associated with higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and renin concentrations. High frequency of unfavorable food stores was not associated with CHD, HF, or stroke. The findings of this cohort study suggest that economic food insecurity, but not proximity to unhealthy food options, was associated with risk of incident CHD and HFrEF independent of socioeconomic factors, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, diet quality, perceived stress, and other health behaviors. Economic food insecurity was also associated with markers of inflammation and neurohormonal activation. Economic food insecurity may be a promising potential target for the prevention of CVD.

Who has a high level of food literacy, and who does not?: a qualitative study of college students in South Korea.

Unhealthy food choices among young adults are common globally, and the incidence of chronic diseases, such as obesity, is rising. Food literacy (FL) is important for improving and maintaining individual health in a rapidly changing food environment and can form the basis for following a sustainable diet. Therefore, it is essential to improve FL among young adults, particularly college students, who are in the formative years of their lifelong food habits. This study examined the facilitators and barriers of FL and related dietary behavior among college students in South Korea. This study recruited 25 college students with different residence types using convenience and snowball sampling. In-person, telephone, and video interviews were conducted from March to November 2021. The interview data were analyzed using framework analysis based on the socio-ecological model. At the individual level, prior good experiences with food were the most frequently mentioned facilitator. In contrast, the major barriers were a lack of knowledge, financial hardship, irregular schedules, and academic stress. At the interpersonal level, the influences of family and peers, such as early exposure to healthy eating habits and opportunities to have easy accessibility to farms and farming, are major facilitators, but the lack of a sense of community was the major barrier. At the environmental level, the major barriers were unfavorable food environments at home and in neighborhoods, such as the absence of kitchens in housing and large packaging of produce at markets. Many factors affected the students' FL and related healthy eating practices. These findings suggest that a campus-based FL program should be developed by reflecting on these facilitators and barriers.

Premiums for Residing in Unfavorable Food Environments: Are People Rational?

The most extensive research areas in the food environment literature include identifying vulnerable dietary environments and studying how these environments affect eating behaviors and health. So far, research on people’s willingness to pay (WTP) for residing in different types of food environments is limited. Therefore, this study aims to estimate WTP for different types of food environments by using spatial hedonic pricing models. The empirical application applies to the Canadian city of Edmonton. The results show that people are willing to pay a premium to live in neighborhoods with poor access to supermarkets and grocery stores (food-desert type) and neighborhoods with excessive access to fast-food restaurants and convenience stores (food-swamp type). Why do rational people prefer to live in disadvantaged food environments? The seemingly counter-intuitive result has its rationality. The premium paid to live in food-desert type environment may reflect people’s dislike of noise, traffic jams, and potential safety issues brought by supermarkets and grocery stores. The WTP for living in food-swamp type environment may reflect people’s preference for convenience and time-saving brought by fast-food consumption in modern urban society. Additionally, the inability of low-income families to afford healthy food may be a deeper reason for choosing to live in neighborhoods with excess access to fast food. To improve the eating environment and encourage healthy lifestyles, the government can encourage healthier fast-food restaurants, provide grocery shopping vouchers, and promote community garden projects.

Investigation of Whether People Are Willing to Pay a Premium for Living in Food Swamps: A Study of Edmonton, Canada

Extensive studies have examined how unfavorable food environments, especially food swamps (neighborhoods with oversaturated unhealthy food sources), influence people’s dietary behaviors and health. Although excess fast-food consumption may have an adverse effect on health, it also benefits consumers due to its convenience, time saving, and affordability. Therefore, people’s preference for an unhealthy food environment is not necessarily negative. Understanding how people value or disvalue unhealthy food environments is a prerequisite for developing effective policies to promote good diet habits and improve public health. Thus, this study adopts spatial hedonic pricing models to estimate people’s willingness to pay to live in food swamps. The results show that people are willing to pay a premium to live in food swamps when taking low income and low healthy-to-unhealthy food ratios into consideration. On average, a household is willing to pay a premium of C$12,309 to reside in a food swamp neighborhood. Potential reasons for the positive willingness to pay among low-income communities and households with relatively limited access to healthy food may include the unaffordability of healthy diets, preference for better tastes, and time saved in fast-food consumption. These findings can help policymakers evaluate the effectiveness of relevant policies and develop targeted strategies to improve the local food environment.

The Nature and Persistence of Posthypnotic Suggestions' Effects on Food Preferences: An Online Study.

Food preferences are crucial for diet-related decisions, which substantially impact individual health and global climate. However, the persistence of unfavorable food preferences is a significant obstacle to changing eating behavior. Here we explored the effects of posthypnotic suggestions (PHS) on food-related decisions by measuring food choices, subjective ratings, and indifference points. In Session 1, demographic data and hypnotic susceptibility of participants were assessed. In Session 2, following hypnosis induction, PHS aiming to increase the desirability of healthy food was delivered. Afterward, a task set was administrated twice, once when PHS was activated and once deactivated. The order of PHS activation was counterbalanced across participants. The task set included a liking-rating task for 170 pictures of different food items, followed by an online supermarket where participants were instructed to select enough food for a fictitious week of quarantining from the same item pool. After 1 week, Session 3 repeated Session 2 without hypnosis induction in order to assess the persistence of PHS. The crucial dependent measures were food choices, subjective ratings, and the indifference points as a function of time and PHS condition.

Effects of gamma irradiation dose and short‐term storage on phytochemicals, antioxidants, and textural properties of boiled ‘Tainan 9’ peanuts

SummaryBoiled peanuts are preferable as a ready‐to‐eat healthy snack; however, gamma irradiation as a postharvest treatment of raw peanuts may induce unfavourable food components. Hence, the phytochemical, antioxidant, and the texture of boiled ‘Tainan 9’ peanuts pretreated with gamma irradiation (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 kGy) and stored at 29 ± 2 °C for up to 180 days were investigated. Both gamma irradiation and storage time contributed to testa darkening in raw peanuts. In boiled irradiated products, irradiation doses and storage time affected the moisture content (MC), total proteins, total oil, total soluble sugars, and antioxidant capacity (P ≤ 0.05). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents showed an increase at days 90 and decreased at days 180 across all treatments. A positive correlation was observed among ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolics, and total flavonoids. Gamma irradiation at 10 kGy led to increase of peroxide value (PV) (P ≤ 0.05), but malondialdehyde (MDA) content was unaffected. Textural properties of boiled irradiated peanuts were soft. As a result, gamma irradiation at 5 kGy is recommended for postharvest treatment of raw peanuts with subsequent storage up to 180 days to obtain the eating quality of boiled peanuts with good phytochemicals and antioxidant properties, which is a challenge for food industry.

Differences in stopover duration and body mass change among Emberiza buntings during autumn migration in the Russian Far East

Stopover periods between flights are essential for migrating birds, and the time birds spend at stopover sites as well as the refuelling rate is determined by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as competition and environmental conditions. While most studies on stopover ecology have been conducted along the Nearctic-Neotropical and the Palaearctic-African flyways, little is known about species migrating along the East Asian flyway. To address this, we compared stopover duration and body mass change of 13 closely related Emberiza bunting species during autumn migration in the Russian Far East. We found significant differences in stopover duration between the species but no differences in body mass change. Overall, stopover duration decreased during the season, suggesting that late-arriving individuals leave earlier due to external factors like unfavourable climatic conditions or food availability or as a result of their endogenous spatiotemporal migration program. We also found that stopover duration correlates with the fat score at arrival and the geographic position of breeding grounds. Juveniles stayed longer at the stopover site than adults, suggesting that the latter might be able to migrate more efficiently. No sex-specific differences in stopover duration were found. We found that body mass change was positively correlated with stopover duration and arrival date. We argue that buntings modulate their stopover duration depending on the energy required to continue migration. Our results suggest the applicability of optimal migration theory for the East Asian flyway.

Association between parental feeding practices and children's dietary intake: a cross-sectional study in the Gardermoen Region, Norway.

BackgroundParental feeding practices may be important determinants for children’s diets. In Norway, few studies have assessed this association and to our knowledge, no studies have included fish as an outcome.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the association between multiple parental feeding practices and children’s food intake.DesignParents (n = 111) of preschool children aged 1–5 years in the Gardermoen Region in Norway were recruited. The parents completed a web–based questionnaire regarding the use of 12 feeding practices measured by the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Children’s weekly food intake was measured using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The association between parental feeding practices and food intake was assessed by logistic regression.ResultsThe feeding practices involvement and environment increased the likelihood of children having a higher intake of fruit and berries (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.15, 3.44 and OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.17, 3.78, respectively) when controlling for potential confounders. A positive association was found between the feeding practice environment and the children’s intake of vegetables (OR = 2.94, CI = 1.55, 5.55), and between modeling and intake of vegetables (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.26, 3.63). Also, the feeding practice encourage balance and variety increased the likelihood of a higher consumption of vegetables (OR = 5.18, CI = 1.63, 16.5). Parents who more frequently encouraged the child to eat balanced and varied were more likely to have children with a higher consumption of fish (OR = 5.03, CI = 1.62, 15.7). If parents used more restriction for weight, the child was less likely to have a high SSB consumption (OR = 0.43, CI = 0.22, 0.83).ConclusionFindings suggest that children’s intake of the favorite food item groups, fruit and berries, vegetables and fish, was associated with the use of positive feeding practices, such as involvement, environment, modeling and encouragement. For unfavorable food groups, only restriction for weight was negatively associated with SSB consumption. Findings should be interpreted carefully due to the relatively small sample size.

Abstract 11081: Measures of Food Inadequacy and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Black Americans: The Jackson Heart Study

Introduction: Food insecurity is common in the U.S. and disproportionately impacts Black Americans, but its association with risk of heart failure (HF) and coronary heart disease (CHD) is unclear. We evaluated the associations of economic food insecurity and proximity to unhealthy food options with risk of incident HF and CHD, and assessed the potential impact of diet quality and stress on these associations. Methods: Among 3,024 Black adult participants in the community-based Jackson Heart Study (JHS) without prevalent HF or CHD who attended visit 1 (2000-2004), the associations of economic food insecurity (receiving food stamps, self-reported ‘not enough money for groceries’) and proximity to unhealthy food stores (&gt;2.5 unfavorable food stores [fast food restaurants, convenience stores] within 1 mile) with incident HF hospitalization and CHD were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. Adjustment covariates included age, sex, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes in the initial model and diet quality (Healthy Eating Index) and perceived stress (total Global Perceived Stress score) in the extended model. Results: Mean age was 54±12 years, 34% were men, 630 (21%) were economically food insecure, and 1,512 (50%) had &gt;2.5 unfavorable food stores within 1 mile. In multivariable models, economic food insecurity was associated with a heightened risk of incident HF and of incident CHD, which persisted with minimal attenuation after further adjustment for diet quality and perceived stress (Table). Limited physical food access was not associated with heightened risk of incident HF or CHD after accounting for demographics. Conclusions: Economic food insecurity, but not proximity to unhealthy food options, is associated with HF and CHD risk independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Increased perceived stress and worse diet quality do not appear to account for these associations.

Perceived Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, and Unfavorable Food Intake among Children and Adolescents from Economically Disadvantaged Households.

Few studies have investigated food security, dietary quality, or unfavorable food intake through self-reports among children and adolescents in Asia. This study assessed the association of perceived food insecurity with dietary quality and unfavorable food intake among 1111 children and 538 adolescents from economically disadvantaged families in Taiwan. Food security status was collected by a validated questionnaire. Dietary quality was examined using a dietary diversity score (DDS). Unfavorable food intake was defined as fried food, bread/cake/pastries, sugar-sweetened beverages, and biscuits/chips. Food-insecure participants had lower DDS, whole grains and protein-rich food intake than food-secure participants. Furthermore, food-insecure children had a higher frequency of unfavorable food consumption. The level of children’s food insecurity was inversely associated with DDS (β: −0.047, 95% CI: −0.085 to −0.009) but positively with bread/pastry (β: 0.103, 95% CI: 0.022–0.184) and sugar-sweetened beverages (β: 0.117, 95% CI: 0.018–0.215) intake. Adolescents who reported food insecurity and not enough money for household expenses had an odds ratio of 2.85 (95% CI: 1.15–7.10) for poor DDS relative to their food-secure and financially able counterparts. We recommended that health policy needs to include diversifying food and nutrition education for vulnerable children and adolescents to improve dietary quality.

Phenological mismatch caused by water regime change may explain the population variation of the vulnerable lesser white-fronted goose in east Dongting Lake, China

Phenological mismatches between migratory birds and food availability driven by global warming have been found to influence the fitness and population dynamics of several herbivorous goose species in Arctic breeding sites. However, the effect of phenological mismatches at wintering sites have been inadequately studied. We used long-term data to explore the consequences of water regime changes on phenological mismatch (i.e., days between arrival of geese and timing of the optimal Normalized Difference Vegetation Index [NDVIopt]) and detect the relative role of the mismatch as a driver of annual variations in abundance and distribution of the Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus (a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List) in East Dongting Lake, which is the one of this species’ largest wintering sites worldwide. The NDVI of the Carex meadow (i.e., the dominant vegetation in East Dongting Lake wetland and also the major food resource for the geese) was used as the phenology metric. Results showed that the water recession pattern greatly influenced food conditions when geese arrived at the site. Early water recession led to significantly higher NDVI, whereas late water recession led to significantly lower NDVI than did the optimal water recession. However, the suitable habitat area was significantly larger under the optimal water recession pattern. Both early and late water level recessions caused greater mismatches and resulted in lower geese abundance and a more concentrated distribution. NDVI was positively correlated with aboveground biomass and negatively correlated with N% of Carex spp. High biomass and low N% related to high NDVI caused by early water recession may indicate unfavorable food conditions at the time that geese arrive and reduced sustainable food availability in mid-winter, while a low NDVI and limited habitat area caused by late water recession may indicate an insufficient food supply. In conclusion, non-optimal water recession led to a greater phenological mismatch and resulted in limited habitat quality (e.g., lower leaf N%) under early water recession but limited habitat quantity (e.g., smaller habitat area and lower aboveground biomass) under late water recession, and ultimately threatened the Lesser White-fronted Goose. Our results contributed to explaining the decline of the Lesser White-fronted Goose population in this wintering site.

Using geographic information systems to characterize food environments around historically black colleges and universities: Implications for nutrition interventions

Objective To understand the distribution of healthy and unhealthy food stores near historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Participants and methods: Using ArcGIS Pro’s network analysis tools and ReferenceUSA database, this study characterized the healthy (favorable) and unhealthy (unfavorable) retail food stores within a 5-mile radius, 15-min driving, and 15-min walking distance from each HBCU in North Carolina. Results: Most retail food stores within a 5-mile buffer radius of the 10 HBCUs in North Carolina were unfavorable. Within 15-min driving from each HBCU, 1082 stores (76.0%) were unfavorable food stores, while 332 (24.0%) were favorable. Additionally, there were four favorable and 35 unfavorable retail food stores within the 15-min walking distance of each HBCU. Conclusions: Favorable food retail stores around HBCUs in North Carolina are limited. Researchers, policy makers, and community stakeholders should work together to improve food environments surrounding HBCUs.

Cress seed (Lepidium sativum) gum dried by vacuum, freeze, and microwave drying methods: Structural, rheological, emulsifying, and foaming properties

AbstractDifferent drying methods were used to find the best one which maintain the CSG functionality. Cress seed mucilage was dried with freeze‐dried (FD), vacuum (40, 60, and 80°C) and microwave drying (MD). The flow behavior value of dried samples is less than one (nH &lt; 1). The strain sweep test showed the samples have solid‐like behavior in the linear viscoelastic region. In frequency sweep test, the storage modulus is higher than the loss modulus, and both increased with increasing frequency. The values of Gf, G′LVE, τy, τf increased as the temperature raised and the gel network has become stronger. Among the samples, the FD method had highest amount of τy and τf, in comparison with vacuum drying and MD. CSG had good emulsifying capacity and stability (&gt;80%). The FD method was the best drying method which maintain the CSG functionality.Practical ApplicationsHydrocolloids have a wide range of functional properties, such as viscoelasticity and gelling. On the other hand, drying with less time, lower temperature, and faster mass and heat transfer was recommended due to unfavorable food changes in traditional drying methods. Therefore, identification and quantification of hydrocolloids, dried with different drying methods, are interested in food industries.

Determinants of dietary behaviour in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation: Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals and wheelchair users.

ObjectiveThis study aims to identify determinants of dietary behaviour in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation, from the perspectives of both wheelchair users and rehabilitation professionals. The findings should contribute to the field of health promotion programs for wheelchair users.MethodsFive focus groups were held with wheelchair users (n = 25), and two with rehabilitation professionals (n = 11). A thematic approach was used for data analysis in which the determinants were categorized using an integrated International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and Attitude, Social influence and self-Efficacy model.ResultsReported personal factors influencing dietary behaviour in wheelchair users were knowledge, boredom, fatigue, stage of life, habits, appetite, self-control, multiple lifestyle problems, intrinsic motivation, goal setting, monitoring, risk perception, positive experiences, suffering, action planning, health condition, function impairments, attitude and self-efficacy. Reported environmental factors influencing dietary behaviour in wheelchair users were unadjusted kitchens, monitoring difficulties, eating out, costs, unfavourable food supply, nutrition education/counselling, access to simple healthy recipes, eating together, cooking for others, and awareness and support of family and friends.ConclusionsImportant modifiable determinants of dietary behaviour in wheelchair users that might be influenced in lifestyle interventions are knowledge, fatigue, habits, self-control, intrinsic motivation, risk perception, attitude and self-efficacy. It is recommended to involve relatives, since they appear to significantly influence dietary behaviour.