The "Motor of the Day": Parent and School-Age Children's Cognitions, Barriers, and Supports for Breakfast.

Despite the many benefits of regular breakfast consumption few parents and children consume this meal every day and research examining the determinants of breakfast consumption is limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine breakfast-related cognitions (i.e., beliefs, attitudes, facilitators, barriers) of parents and school-age children (ages 6-11 years) using the constructs of Social Cognitive Theory as a guide. Parents (n = 37) and children (n = 41) participated in focus group discussions held in community settings in 3 states (FL, NJ, WV). Data were qualitatively content analyzed to detect trends. Parents felt breakfast was important for numerous reasons. Parents expressed concern about the healthfulness of some traditional breakfast options, preferring breakfasts containing mostly fruits, vegetables, and protein and fewer carbohydrates. Parents identified lack of time as the greatest barrier to breakfast consumption. To overcome this barrier, they utilized grab-and-go foods, prepared breakfast ahead of time, and got up earlier. Utilizing the school breakfast program was another strategy mentioned, however some were concerned about the nutritional quality of this option. Children recognized the importance of breakfast and cited several benefits. The greatest barrier to breakfast identified by children was feeling rushed in the morning. To overcome barriers, children suggested having a morning routine, selecting or preparing breakfast foods ahead, and relying on parents to encourage breakfast consumption. The effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve breakfast intake may be improved by addressing parent and child breakfast-related cognitions and tailoring interventions to address their needs.

Monetary Cost of the MyPlate Diet in Young Adults: Higher Expenses Associated with Increased Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

BACKGROUND: Cost is a commonly reported barrier to healthy eating. This is a secondary research analysis designed to examine the food expenditures of young adults on a university campus following the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) MyPlate guidelines for fruits and vegetables. METHODS: Meal receipts and dietary intake were recorded weekly. Anthropometrics and clinical assessments were recorded before intervention. Researchers rated compliance based on the participant's dietary food log, receipt matching, food pictures, and reports during weekly 1-hour consultations. RESULTS: Fifty-three young adults (18-30 years old) at-risk of, or diagnosed with, metabolic syndrome (MetS) were enrolled in the study, with 10 excluded (n = 43) from analyses due to enrollment in a fixed cost university campus dining meal plan. A two sample t-test assessed differences in food costs and regression analysis determined associations between food cost and diet compliance while controlling for confounding factors of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). Diet compliant subjects (n = 38) had higher weekly food cost at $95.73 compared to noncompliant subjects (n = 5) who spent $66.24 (p=0.01). A regression analysis controlling for age, sex, BMI, and geographical region also indicated cost differences based on diet compliance (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Results indicate an ∼$29.00 per week increase in food cost when eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. These findings can contribute to research incentive design, program planning cost, and determining effective interventions to improve diet in this population.

"My stuffed animals help me": the importance, barriers, and strategies for adequate sleep behaviors of school-age children and parents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe parents' and school-age children's sleep-related cognitions and behaviors. METHODS: Parents (n = 36) and school-age children (n = 40; 6-11 years old) from New Jersey, Florida, and West Virginia participated in focus groups lasting ~60 minutes for parents and ~30 minutes for children. Trained researchers led the focus groups designed using Social Cognitive Theory constructs. Standard content analysis procedures were used independently by 3 trained researchers to analyze focus group data. RESULTS: A consistent finding across focus groups was that a set bedtime was a typical behavior. Both parents and children recognized the importance of sleep for health and academic success. Technology was highlighted by both groups as a barrier to adequate sleep. The children discussed postbedtime activities of their parents as barriers to sleep. Physical activity along with several healthy sleep practices was identified as strategies to improve sleep. Parents and children stressed the role of parents in promoting healthy sleep behaviors and sleep-conducive environment. Participants did not mention some well-established links between sleep duration and health as well as sleep-promoting behaviors. Several unique factors, not yet reported in the literature, were discussed by the parents and children including the use of stuffed animals for comfort and disruptive behaviors of others in the household. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the cognitions of parents and children coincide with evidence from scientific literature surrounding sleep and sleep hygiene but also demonstrated sleep hygiene knowledge gaps. Study findings can be applied to future sleep education materials targeting parents and school-age children.

Educational intervention improves fruit and vegetable intake in young adults with metabolic syndrome components.

The FRUVEDomics study investigates the effect of a diet intervention focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake on the gut microbiome and cardiovascular health of young adults with/at risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS). It was hypothesized that the recommended diet would result in metabolic and gut microbiome changes. The 9-week dietary intervention adhered to the US Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans and focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake to equal half of the diet. Seventeen eligible young adults with/or at high risk of MetS consented and completed preintervention and postintervention measurements, including anthropometric, body composition, cardiovascular, complete blood lipid panel, and collection of stool sample for microbial analysis. Participants attended weekly consultations to assess food logs, food receipts, and adherence to the diet. Following intention-to-treat guidelines, all 17 individuals were included in the dietary, clinical, and anthropometric analysis. Fruit and vegetable intake increased from 1.6 to 3.4 cups of fruits and vegetables (P < .001) daily. Total fiber (P = .02) and insoluble fiber (P < .0001) also increased. Clinical laboratory changes included an increase in sodium (P = .0006) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .04). In the fecal microbiome, Erysipelotrichaceae (phylum Firmicutes) decreased (log2 fold change: -1.78, P = .01) and Caulobacteraceae (phylum Proteobacteria) increased (log2 fold change = 1.07, P = .01). Implementing a free-living 9-week diet, with intensive education and accountability, gave young adults at high risk for/or diagnosed with MetS the knowledge, skills, and feedback to improve diet. To yield greater impact, a longer diet intervention may be needed in this population.