The influence of sleep health on dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies.

BACKGROUND: Poor dietary intake increases disease risk, and poor sleep influences diet. This systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies aimed to evaluate the effect of sleep health on dietary intake in adults. METHODS: Five online databases were used to identify studies published between 1970 and 2019. Included studies were interventions that modified sleep and reported dietary outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty four full texts were assessed and 24 publications were included. Following risk of bias appraisal, data were narratively summarised and a sub-group of studies (n = 15) was meta-analysed to determine the effect of sleep on dietary intake. One intervention modified sleep timing and 23 modified duration. Sleep duration was partially restricted (≤5.5 h night-1 ) (n = 16), totally restricted (n = 4), partially and totally restricted (n = 1), and extended (n = 2). Dietary outcomes were energy intake (n = 24), carbohydrate, fat, protein intake (n = 20), single nutrient intake (n = 5), diet quality (n = 1) and food types (n = 1). Meta-analysis indicated partial sleep restriction results in higher energy intake in intervention compared with control [standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.21-0.52; P < 0.001], with a mean difference of 204 kcal (95% CI = 112-295; P < 0.001) in daily energy intake, and a higher percentage of energy from fat, protein, carbohydrate (fat: SMD = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16-0.51; P < 0.001; protein: SMD = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.12-0.47, P = 0.001; carbohydrate: SMD = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.04-0.39, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Partial sleep restriction with duration of ≤5.5 h day-1 increases daily energy intake, as well as fat, protein and carbohydrate intake. Further research is needed to determine the relationship between other dimensions of sleep health and dietary intake.

Impact of weight management nutrition interventions on dietary outcomes in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of obesity interventions on dietary intake in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity is unclear. This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of the dietary component of weight management interventions on the change in diet in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. METHODS: Eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1975 and 2020 were identified by a systematic search following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Meta-analyses of eligible study outcomes were performed using statistical software. A multilevel random effects model was used with three significant random effects fitted using restricted maximum likelihood estimation. RESULTS: This review identified 109 RCTs, including 95 that reported at least one statistically significant dietary outcome change and 14 reporting no significant dietary change. Results from the meta-analyses (n = 29 studies) indicated that, compared to control groups, intervention groups achieved significantly greater reductions in mean total energy intake at ≤6 months (-194 kcal day-1 , 95% confidence interval = -275.80 to -112.90 kcal day-1 , P < 0.001) and up to 12 months (-112 kcal day-1 95% confidence interval = -218.92 to -5.83 kcal day-1 ) P = 0.038), increases in fruit and/or vegetable intakes over 2-12 months (n = 34, range +0.6 to +1.5 servings day-1 ) and reductions in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (n = 28, range -0.25 to -1.5 servings day-1 ) at 4-24 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity interventions with a dietary component have a modest but sustained impact on reducing total energy intake and improving intakes of specific food groups in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity. High quality RCTs that are powered to detect change in diet as a primary outcome are warranted.

The role of local radio in promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and critique literature on the links between public service local radio promoting creative engagement for healthy ageing in order to better understand the potential for public health agendas. METHODS: This communication draws on preliminary learning from Up for Arts (UfA), a partnership initiative between BBC local radio and the UK charity Voluntary Arts. As part of the development of a logic model for the national roll-out of UfA, a scoping review of literature was undertaken. Eight search engines were searched systematically using four main search terms, 'older people', 'participatory arts', 'mass media' and 'public health'. Journals and websites were also opportunistically searched for outlying material. The inclusion criteria were qualitative, quantitative and mixed method studies and literature reviews published in English, between 2009 and 2018, wherein public service local radio was involved in promoting arts and crafts activities in local communities. Both formal activities, such as singing in a choir, and informal activities, such as a home-based knitting circle, were included. Art therapy, music therapy and other clinical interventions were excluded. RESULTS: Of 708 papers, articles and reports identified through title, 37 were retained for primary screening. None met the criteria for inclusion. However, results on the individual search topics indicate that improved public health outcomes might result by including the promotion of creative engagement for healthy ageing. CONCLUSION: Public Service Local Radio partnership initiatives, such as UfA, could have a role in supporting the development of creative engagement as a positive healthy ageing activity. This may be of interest and relevance to policymakers seeking novel ways to address health behaviours among people approaching old age.

Diet and sleep health: a scoping review of intervention studies in adults.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has demonstrated an association between dietary intake and sleep health that can influence chronic disease risk factors. A scoping review of research studies investigating dietary intake and sleep was undertaken to determine the extent and scope of research in laboratory-based, free-living and mixed settings. Additionally, this review determines how well subpopulations and geographical locations are represented and the methodologies used to assess outcome measures. METHODS: Five online databases were used to identify papers published between 1970 and 2017. Included studies were those conducted in adults and reported both outcomes of interest: (i) sleep health, including sleep restriction and sleep hygiene and (ii) dietary outcomes, including altered nutrients, dietary patterns and supplements. RESULTS: In total, 129 publications were included with the majority being dietary interventions investigating sleep outcomes (n = 109) with fewer being sleep interventions investigating and reporting dietary outcomes (n = 20). Dietary interventions were most often carried out in free-living environments, in contrast to sleep interventions that were most often carried out in laboratory-based environments. The majority of dietary interventions investigated use of a supplement (n = 66 studies), which was predominantly caffeine (n = 49). Sleep interventions investigated sleep duration only, with the majority (n = 17) investigating the effect of partial sleep restriction under 5.5 h per night on dietary intake, while three studies investigating total sleep deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: Investigating broader aspects of dietary such as overall diet quality and dietary patterns and other components of sleep health such as quality,  timing and sleep hygiene are important aspects for future research.

Higher diet quality in university students is associated with higher academic achievement: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Unhealthy diets are typical of university students and the effects may be wider reaching than health. The present study aimed to describe the association between dietary intake and academic achievement in a sample of Australian university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of data from an online survey of 278 students from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia [mean (SD) age 26.9 (10.5) years; 70.9% female] was conducted. Dietary intake, in terms of diet quality score [Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS)], including individual sub-scales, and percentage energy per day from energy-dense nutrient poor (EDNP) foods, including individual sub-groups, was assessed using the validated Australian Eating Survey Food Frequency Questionnaire, and academic achievement was assessed as self-reported grade point average (GPA). The association between GPA and dietary intake was explored using linear regression, with adjustment for socio-demographic and student characteristics. RESULTS: Higher GPA was associated with higher diet quality (ARFS) (ß = 0.02, P = 0.011), higher sub-scale scores for vegetables (ß = 0.03, P = 0.026) and fruit (ß = 0.05, P = 0.029) and with lower percentage energy per day from EDNP foods overall (ß = -0.01, P = 0.047) and also from sweetened drinks (ß = -0.06, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate small associations between a healthier dietary intake and higher academic achievement, as well as vice versa. Given that the associations were small, they may not be particularly meaningful. However, this evidence could be used as a motivator for efforts aiming to improve dietary intake among university students.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutrition interventions for chronic noncancer pain.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions on participant reported pain severity and intensity in populations with chronic pain. METHODS: Eight databases were systematically searched for studies that included adult populations with a chronic pain condition, a nutrition intervention and a measure of pain. Where possible, data were pooled using meta-analysis. Seventy-one studies were included, with 23 being eligible for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Studies were categorised into four groups: (i) altered overall diet with 12 of 16 studies finding a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (ii) altered specific nutrients with two of five studies reporting a significant reduction in participant reported pain; (iii) supplement-based interventions with 11 of 46 studies showing a significant reduction in pain; and (iv) fasting therapy with one of four studies reporting a significant reduction in pain. The meta-analysis found that, overall, nutrition interventions had a significant effect on pain reduction with studies testing an altered overall diet or just one nutrient having the greatest effect. CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the importance and effectiveness of nutrition interventions for people who experience chronic pain.

Food addiction and associations with mental health symptoms: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study systematically reviewed the literature aiming to determine the relationships between food addiction, as measured by the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), and mental health symptoms. METHODS: Nine databases were searched using keywords. Studies were included if they reported: (i) YFAS diagnosis or symptom score and (ii) a mental health outcome, as well as the association between (i) and (ii). In total, 51 studies were included. RESULTS: Through meta-analysis, the mean prevalence of food addiction diagnosis was 16.2%, with an average of 3.3 (range 2.85-3.92) food addiction symptoms being reported. Subanalyses revealed that the mean number of food addiction symptoms in populations seeking treatment for weight loss was 3.01 (range 2.65-3.37) and this was higher in groups with disordered eating (mean 5.2 3.6-6.7). Significant positive correlations were found between food addiction and binge eating [mean r = 0.602 (0.557-0.643), P < 0.05], depression, anxiety and food addiction [mean r = 0.459 (0.358-0.550), r = 0.483 (0.228-0.676), P < 0.05, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: A significant, positive relationship exists between food addiction and mental health symptoms, although the results of the present study highlight the complexity of this relationship.

Diet quality and 10-year healthcare costs by BMI categories in the mid-age cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

BACKGROUND: Better diets, as evaluated by diet quality indices, are associated with lower rates of morbidity and mortality. Although governments and researchers alike recognise the burden that obesity incurs for increased healthcare spending, there is insufficient evidence for the role of diet quality on healthcare costs. METHODS: Diet quality was assessed by the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) for 6328 women aged 50-55 years from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The ARFS was ranked by quintile, and 10-year cumulative data on healthcare costs from Medicare (Australia's Universal healthcare cover) were reported by body mass index category, using generalised linear modelling. RESULTS: Healthy weight women with the highest diet quality were found to make significantly fewer Medicare claims (P = 0.012) compared to those with the lowest diet quality. In healthy weight and overweight women, the number of healthcare claims and charges was inversely associated with consuming a greater variety of vegetables. For every 1 point increase in the ARFS vegetable component score, healthy weight women made 1.9 fewer healthcare claims and were charged $139 less, whereas overweight women made 2.3 fewer claims and were charged $176 less for healthcare over 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study support the need to prioritise an improved diet quality with the aim of reducing healthcare claims and overall costs in a population-based sample of Australian females. As the burden of overweight and obesity on the healthcare system increases, strategies to improve diet quality may be of particular importance; however, more research is required to further establish this relationship.

Food and functional dyspepsia: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder characterised by early satiety, post-prandial fullness or epigastric pain related to meals, which affects up to 20% of western populations. A high dietary fat intake has been linked to FD and duodenal eosinophilia has been noted in FD. We hypothesised that an allergen such as wheat is a risk factor for FD and that withdrawal will improve symptoms of FD. We aimed to investigate the relationship between food and functional dyspepsia. METHODS: Sixteen out of 6451 studies identified in a database search of six databases met the inclusion criteria of studies examining the effect of nutrients, foods and food components in adults with FD or FD symptoms. RESULTS: Wheat-containing foods were implicated in FD symptom induction in six studies, four of which were not specifically investigating gluten and two that were gluten-specific, with the implementation of a gluten-free diet demonstrating a reduction in symptoms. Dietary fat was associated with FD in all three studies that specifically measured this association. Specific foods reported as inducing symptoms were high in either natural food chemicals, high in fermentable carbohydrates or high in wheat/gluten. Caffeine was associated with FD in four studies, although any association with alcohol was uncertain. CONCLUSIONS: Wheat and dietary fats may play key roles in the generation of FD symptoms and reduction or withdrawal eased symptoms. Randomised trials investigating the roles of gluten, FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyols) and high fat ingestion and naturally occurring food chemicals in the generation of functional dyspepsia symptoms are warranted and further investigation of the mechanisms is now required.

Dietary outcomes of overweight fathers and their children in the Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids community randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined dietary intake changes following a weight loss intervention in fathers and the association between father-child dietary intakes. The present study aimed to: (i) evaluate the change in dietary intake in overweight fathers randomised to a family-based lifestyle intervention [Healthy Dads Healthy Kids (HDHK)] versus controls and (ii) investigate whether an association exists between father-child dietary intakes. METHODS: A secondary analysis was conducted of father-child baseline and 3-month post-intervention data (n = 93) collected in the HDHK community randomised controlled trial. Intention-to-treat linear mixed models were used to assess dietary changes by group, time (baseline and 3-month) and the group-by-time interaction. Cohens d was used to determine effect sizes. RESULTS: Significant group-by-time effects (all P < 0.05) favouring fathers in the intervention group were identified for total daily energy intake (-1956 kJ, d = 0.74), total sugars (-45 g, d = 0.63), sodium (-414 mg, d = 0.58) and % energy from nutrient-dense, core foods (+10.1%, d = 0.86), fruit (+2.4%, d = 0.71), vegetarian protein sources (+1.2%, d = 0.57), pre-packed snacks (+1.7%, d = 0.58) and sugar-sweetened beverages (-4.1%, d = 0.58). At baseline, positive correlations were observed between father-child intakes for a number of dietary variables, and significant correlations were observed between father-child change scores for % energy carbohydrate (r = 0.35, P = 0.023), % energy from fruit (r = 0.47, P = 0.002), vegetarian protein sources (r = 0.46, P = 0.002) and frequency of consuming meals with vegetables (r = 0.38, P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The HDHK intervention successfully improved some aspects of father's dietary intakes compared to controls. The fathers' eating patterns also correlated with those of their children for several dietary variables. These novel data suggest that fathers can be targeted as agents of dietary change within obesity prevention and treatment programmes.

Is there an association between dietary intake and academic achievement: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The majority of literature examining the effect of dietary behaviour on academic achievement has focused on breakfast consumption only. Here, we aim to systematically review the literature investigating the broader effects of dietary intake and behaviours on school-aged children's academic achievement. METHODS: A search was undertaken across seven databases using keywords. For studies to be included, they needed to be conducted in: school-aged children (5-18 years); assess and report: (i) a measure of academic performance; (ii) a measure of dietary intake/behaviour; and (iii) the association between dietary intake/behaviours and academic performance. Forty studies were included in the review. RESULTS: The majority of studies were cross-sectional in design (n = 33) and studied children aged >10 years, with very few reports in younger age groups. More than 30 different dietary assessment tools were used, with only 40% of those using a validated/standardised assessment method. Half the studies collected outcomes of academic achievement objectively from a recognised educational authority, whereas 10 studies used self-reported measures. The dietary outcomes most commonly reported to have positive associations with academic achievement were: breakfast consumption (n = 12) and global diet quality/meal patterns (n = 7), whereas negative associations reported with junk/fast food (n = 9). CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights that moderate associations exist for dietary intakes characterised by regular breakfast consumption, lower intakes of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods and overall diet quality with respect to outcomes of academic achievement. Future studies should consider the use of validated dietary assessment methods and standardised reporting of academic achievement.

Validity of short food questionnaire items to measure intake in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Short food questions are appealing to measure dietary intakes. METHODS: A review of studies published between 2004 and 2016 was undertaken and these were included in the present study if they reported on a question or short item questionnaire (≤50 items, data presented as ≤30 food groups) measuring food intake or food-related habits, in children (aged 6 months to 18 years), and reported question validity or reliability. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Most questions assessed foods or food groups (n = 29), with the most commonly assessed being fruit (n = 22) or vegetable intake (n = 23), dairy foods and discretionary foods (n = 20 studies each). Four studies assessed food habits, with the most common being breakfast and meal frequency (n = 4 studies). Twenty studies assessed reliability, and 25 studies determined accuracy and were most commonly compared against food records. Evaluation of question performance relied on statistical tests such as correlation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study has identified valid and reliable questions for the range of key food groups of interest to public health nutrition. Questions were more likely to be reliable than accurate, and relatively few questions were both reliable and accurate. Gaps in repeatable and valid short food questions have been identified that will provide direction for future tool development.

The Family Diet Study: a cross-sectional study into the associations between diet, food habits and body weight status in Malay families.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is becoming more common as Malaysia experiences rapid nutrition transition. Current evidence related to parental influences on child dietary intake and body weight status is limited. The present study aimed to report, among Malay families, the prevalence of energy mis-reporting and dietary relationships within family dyads. METHODS: The cross-sectional Family Diet Study (n = 236) was conducted at five primary schools in central of Peninsular Malaysia. Each family consisted of a Malay child, aged 8-12 years, and their main caregiver(s). Information on socio-demographics, dietary intake and anthropometry were collected. Correlations and regression analyses were used to assess dietary relationships within family dyads. RESULTS: Approximately 29.6% of the children and 75.0% parents were categorised as being overweight or obese. Intakes of nutrients and food groups were below the national recommended targets for majority of children and adults. A large proportion of energy intake mis-reporters were identified: mothers (55.5%), fathers (40.2%) and children (40.2%). Children's body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with parental BMI (fathers, r = 0.37; mothers, r = 0.34; P < 0.01). For dietary intakes, moderate-to-strong (0.35-0.72) and weak-to-moderate (0.16-0.35) correlations were found between mother-father and child-parent dyads, respectively. Multiple regression revealed that maternal percentage energy from fat (ß = 0.09, P < 0.01) explained 81% of the variation in children's fat intake. CONCLUSIONS: Clear parental dietary relationships, especially child-mother dyads, were found. Despite a significant proportion of families with members who were overweight or obese, the majority reported dietary intakes below recommended levels, distorted by energy mis-reporting. The findings of the present study can inform interventions targeting parent-child relationships to improve family dietary patterns in Malaysia.

Core food intakes of Australian children aged 9-10 years: nutrients, daily servings and diet quality in a community cross-sectional sample.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to evaluate core food intakes in 9-10-year-old Australian children by considering adequacy of nutrient intakes, comparing servings of core food groups with Australian recommendations and scoring overall diet quality. METHODS: Children from an established community-based cohort study completed a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Daily intakes of energy, macronutrients, micronutrients, servings of core (i.e. nutrient-rich) foods and a diet quality index were calculated and compared with appropriate standards. Sex and socio-economic differences were examined. RESULTS: The 436 children participating were from low to high socio-economic status families. As a group, over half of the children met estimated average requirements for key macro- and micronutrients, with the exception of fibre (inadequate in 41% of boys and 24% of girls). Children obtained 55% of their daily energy from core foods. Most children had fewer than the recommended servings of vegetables (91%) and meat/alternatives (99.8%), whereas boys generally ate fewer servings of grains and cereals than recommended (87%), and girls ate fewer servings of dairy (83%). Diet quality scores indicated room for improvement (median score of 26 for boys and 25 for girls, out of a maximum of 73 points). CONCLUSIONS: As a group, a large proportion of children were able to meet their daily nutrient requirements. However, achieving this through noncore foods meant that diets were high in salt, saturated fat and sugar; more servings of core foods and greater dietary diversity would be preferable. These results suggest that families need more support to optimise dietary patterns of children in this age group.

Impact of a nutrition and physical activity intervention (ENRICH: Exercise and Nutrition Routine Improving Cancer Health) on health behaviors of cancer survivors and carers: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and consuming a healthy diet have clear benefits to the physical and psychosocial health of cancer survivors, with guidelines recognising the importance of these behaviors for cancer survivors. Interventions to promote physical activity and improve dietary behaviors among cancer survivors and carers are needed. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a group-based, face-to-face multiple health behavior change intervention on behavioral outcomes among cancer survivors of mixed diagnoses and carers. METHODS: The Exercise and Nutrition Routine Improving Cancer Health (ENRICH) intervention was evaluated using a two-group pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Cancer survivors and carers (n = 174) were randomly allocated to the face-to-face, group-based intervention (six, theory-based two-hour sessions delivered over 8 weeks targeting healthy eating and physical activity [PA]) or wait-list control (after completion of 20-week data collection). Assessment of the primary outcome (pedometer-assessed mean daily step counts) and secondary outcomes (diet and alcohol intake [Food Frequency Questionnaire], self-reported PA, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference) were assessed at baseline, 8-and 20-weeks. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the change over time in the intervention group and the control group. At 20 weeks, the intervention group had increased by 478 steps, and the control group had decreased by 1282 steps; this represented an adjusted mean difference of 1761 steps (184 to 3337; P = 0.0028). Significant intervention effects for secondary outcomes, included a half serving increase in vegetable intake (difference 39 g/day; 95 % CI: 12 to 67; P = 0.02), weight loss (kg) (difference -1.5 kg; 95 % CI, -2.6 to -0.3; P = 0.014) and change in body mass index (kg/m(2)) (difference -0.55 kg/m(2); 95 % CI, -0.97 to -0.13; P = 0.012). No significant intervention effects were found for self-reported PA, total sitting time, waist circumference, fruit, energy, fibre, alcohol, meat, or fat consumption. CONCLUSIONS: The ENRICH intervention was effective for improving PA, weight, body mass index, and vegetable consumption even with the inclusion of multiple cancer types and carers. As an example of successful research translation, the Cancer Council NSW has subsequently adopted ENRICH as a state-wide program. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Register identifier: ANZCTRN1260901086257.

Relationships between dietary intakes of children and their parents: a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of families participating in the Family Diet Quality Study.

BACKGROUND: Being overweight and obese in Australian children is common. Current evidence related to parental influence on child dietary intake is conflicting, and is particularly limited in terms of which parent exerts the stronger relationship. The present study aimed to assess mother-father and parent-child dietary relationships and to identify which parent-child relationship is stronger. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed of dietary intake data from 66 families with one parent and one child aged 8-12 years who were participating in the Family Diet Quality Study, in the Hunter and Forster regions of New South Wales, Australia. Dietary intakes were assessed using adult and child specific, validated semi-quantitative 120-item food frequency questionnaires. Diet quality and variety subscores were assessed using the Australian Recommended Food Scores for adults and children/adolescents. Pearson's correlations were used to assess dietary relationships between mother-father, father-child and mother-child dyads. RESULTS: Weak-to-moderate correlations were found between mother-child dyads for components of dietary intake (r = 0.27-0.47). Similarly, for father-child dyads, predominantly weak-to-moderate correlations were found (r = 0.01-0.52). Variety of fruit intake was the most strongly correlated in both parent-child dyads, with the weakest relationships found for fibre (g 1000 kJ(-1) ) in father-child and percentage energy from total fats for mother-child dyads. Mother-father dyads demonstrated mostly moderate-to-strong correlations (r = 0.13-0.73), with scores for condiments showing the weakest relationship and vegetables the strongest. For all dyads, strong correlations were observed for overall diet quality (r = 0.50-0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Parent-child dietary intake is significantly related but differs for mother versus fathers. Further research is required to examine whether differing dietary components should be targeted for mothers versus fathers in interventions aiming to improve family dietary patterns.

A systematic review investigating associations between parenting style and child feeding behaviours.

BACKGROUND: A direct association between parenting style and child feeding behaviours has not been established. This review explores whether an authoritative, authoritarian or permissive parenting style is associated with parental pressure to eat, responsibility, monitoring or restriction of child dietary intake. METHODS: A search of eight electronic health databases was conducted. Inclusion criteria were children aged <12 years, published between 1975 and 2012, measured and reported associations between parenting style and child feeding behaviours. RESULTS: Seven studies (n = 1845) were identified in the review. An authoritarian parenting style was associated with pressuring a child to eat and having restrictive parental food behaviours. Authoritative parenting was associated with parental monitoring of child food intake. A permissive parenting style was inversely related to monitoring of child dietary intake. CONCLUSIONS: Parenting styles showed only weak to moderate associations with individual domains of child feeding. The most consistent relationship found was a negative association between permissive parenting and monitoring for both mothers and fathers in two studies. Progress in this field could be achieved by conducting studies targeting fathers and culturally diverse populations, and development of a tool which could reflect overall child feeding behaviour rather than individual domains.

Systematic review of diet quality indices and their associations with health-related outcomes in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Diet quality indices add an important dimension to dietary assessment. The aim of this systematic review was to: (i) identify and describe the attributes and applications of diet quality indices developed for use or used in paediatric populations; (ii) describe associations between these diet quality indices and health-related variables in paediatric populations; and (iii) identify factors that are associated with diet quality in paediatric populations worldwide. METHODS: Studies were identified by searching electronic databases for relevant papers from 1980 to October 2013 using keywords. Inclusion criteria were original studies that utilised a quantitative measure of diet quality in children and adolescents aged 0-18 years. RESULTS: One hundred and nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria, from which 80 different diet quality indices were identified. The majority of studies had >1000 participants and were of acceptable quality. Of the 56 studies that investigated health-related outcomes, weight status was the most researched. Europe produced the most number of diet quality indices (n = 27 indices). Of the 119 studies, seven intervention studies were identified. Paediatric diet quality indices were found to be associated with environmental, behavioural and maternal factors. CONCLUSIONS: The use of diet quality indices in paediatric populations is a rapidly expanding area of research in diverse populations internationally. In economically disadvantaged countries, diet quality indices may be predictive of child growth. However, prospective cohort, intervention and validation studies are required to draw stronger conclusions concerning risk of future disease in paediatric populations in general.

Culinary Nutrition Education Programs in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Culinary nutrition education programs are increasingly used as a public health intervention for older adults. These programs often integrate nutrition education in addition to interactive cooking workshops or displays to create programs suitable for older adults' needs, ability and behaviour change. Synthesising the existing literature on nutrition education and interactive cooking programs for older adults is important to guide future program development to support healthy ageing. OBJECTIVES: To determine the extent of published literature and report the characteristics and outcomes of interactive culinary nutrition education programs for older adults (> 51 years). DESIGN: This scoping review followed the PRISMA-ScR guidelines recommended for reporting and conducting a scoping review. METHODS: Five databases were searched of relevant papers published to May 2022 using a structured search strategy. Inclusion criteria included: older adults (≥ 51 years), intervention had both an interactive culinary element and nutrition education and reported dietary outcome. Titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers, followed by full-text retrieval. Data were charted regarding the characteristics of the program and outcomes assessed. RESULTS: A total of 39 articles met the full inclusion criteria. The majority of these studies (n= 23) were inclusive of a range of age groups where older adults were the majority but did not target older adults exclusively. There were large variations in the design of the programs such as the number of classes (1 to 20), duration of programs (2 weeks to 2 years), session topics, and whether a theoretical model was used or not and which model. All programs were face-to-face (n= 39) with only two programs including alternatives or additional delivery approaches beside face-to-face settings. The most common outcomes assessed were dietary behaviour, dietary intake and anthropometrics. CONCLUSION: Culinary nutrition education programs provide an environment to improve dietary habits and health literacy of older adults. However, our review found that only a small number of programs were intentionally designed for older adults. This review provides a summary to inform researchers and policy makers on current culinary nutrition education programs for older adults. It also recommends providing face-to-face alternatives that will be accessible to a wider group of older adults with fewer restrictions.

Preventing and treating childhood obesity: time to target fathers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the long-term effects of having one overweight or obese parent on child weight status and determine whether these effects vary according to parent sex. DESIGN: Prospective study: Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). SUBJECTS: Two-parent families (N=3285) from the LSAC were included if height and weight data were available for both parents and their child at the 2004 and 2008 time points. MEASUREMENTS: Child weight status category (healthy, overweight, obese) in 2008 when the child was aged 8-9 years. Regression modelling was used to investigate how self-reported parent weight status in 2004 influenced measured child weight status 4 years later. RESULTS: Parent body mass index (BMI) was significantly correlated with child BMI, but there was no evidence of sex-specific associations between parent and child BMI correlations. The results from the regression analysis showed that having an overweight or obese father, but a healthy weight mother, significantly increased the odds of child obesity (odds ratio: 4.18, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-17.33 and odds ratio: 14.88, 95% CI: 2.61-84.77, respectively), but the reverse scenario (overweight or obese mother with a healthy weight father) was not a significant predictor of child overweight or obesity (odds ratio: 2.52, 95% CI: 0.38-16.71 and odds ratio: 2.56, 95% CI: 0.31-21.26, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Children with overweight or obese fathers are at a higher risk of becoming obese. This suggests that interventions are urgently required to test the efficacy of treating overweight fathers as a key strategy for childhood obesity prevention and/or treatment.