Sociodemographic characteristics are associated with prevalence of high-risk waist circumference and high-risk waist-to-height ratio in U.S. adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adiposity status in adolescence is associated with various health outcomes in adulthood. Waist circumference [WC] and waist-to-height ratio [WHtR] are measures of abdominal obesity and have shown to be valid predictors of future chronic diseases. However, the relationship between sociodemographic characteristics and WC, as well as WHtR in U.S. adolescents remain unclear. Thus, the study aims to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and abdominal obesity among a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents. METHODS: The sample included 4712 adolescents (12-19 years) in the 2007-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and abdominal obesity (WC and WHtR) were examined using multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for age, physical activity level, and sedentary activity. RESULTS: Around 18% of adolescents had high-risk WC (≥90th percentile) and 34% had high-risk WHtR (≥0.5). Females had higher odds of high-risk WHtR compared to males (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.23-1.72). Mexican American adolescents had higher odds of high-risk WHtR compared to non-Hispanic White (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.24-2.20), non-Hispanic Black (OR = 1.73, 95%CI = 1.26-2.36), and other race/multi-racial adolescents (OR = 1.84, 95%CI = 1.21-2.80). When their parent were college graduates, adolescents had lower odds for high-risk WC compared to when the parent had some college education (OR = 0.68, 95%CI = 0.49-0.93) or a high school degree or less (OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.51-0.97). Similar associations were seen between parental education level and high-risk WHtR, as well as between household income and high-risk WHtR. CONCLUSIONS: Measures of abdominal obesity should be considered to assess burden of adiposity, especially among female adolescents, adolescents from racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Additionally, future health interventions should consider including changes in WC and WHtR to measure the impact of these interventions.

Dietary Intake of Upper Midwest and Southwest Native American Adults.

Limited information on current dietary patterns of Native American (NA) adults exists. This paper describes the dietary intake of 582 NA adults, aged 19-75 years, living in six communities in New Mexico and Wisconsin in 2016-2017 and compares macronutrient and micronutrient intakes, estimated via a semi-quantitative 30-day Block Food Frequency Questionnaire, among different age and sex groups. NA adults consumed a diet high in % energy from total fat, saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium. A general trend of lower micronutrient intakes with increasing age was observed. Health professionals can apply this information to develop effective and culturally relevant nutrition interventions. Abbreviations: NA = Native American; CVD = Cardiovascular diseases; IOM = Institute of Medicine; IRB = Institutional Review Board; AIQ = Adult Impact Questionnaire; FFQ = Food Frequency Questionnaire; NHANES = National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; NHNS: Navajo Health and Nutrition Survey.

The Distribution and Detection of Grapevine red blotch virus in its Host Depend on Time of Sampling and Tissue Type.

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) is the causal agent of grapevine red blotch, an emerging disease that affects cultivated grapevine such as Vitis vinifera. The ability to detect viruses in grapevine is often hindered by low virus titers compounded by a variable distribution in the plant and seasonal variations. In order to examine these two variables in relation to GRBV, we developed a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method that incorporates both internal and external references to enhance assay robustness. In greenhouse-grown vines infected with GRBV, qPCR identified highest virus titers in the petioles of fully expanded leaves and significantly reduced levels of virus in the shoot extremities. In vineyard-grown vines infected with GRBV, the virus titer in July and October 2016 followed a pattern similar to that found for the greenhouse-grown plants but, most strikingly, close to half (44%) of the samples analyzed in June 2015 tested negative for infection. The technique presented and results obtained highlight the variability of virus distribution in its host and provide a useful guide for selecting the best tissues for optimal GRBV diagnosis.

U.S. Adolescents' Diet Consumption Patterns Differ between Grocery and Convenience Stores: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018.

Among U.S. adolescents, foods/beverages that are store-bought (i.e., from grocery and convenience stores) are significant contributors of energy intake. However, it remains unclear (1) what foods/beverages are consumed by U.S. adolescents from grocery and convenience stores and (2) if there are differences in foods/beverages consumed by store type. Therefore, we analyzed 29,216 eating occasions from adolescents (12-19 years; n = 4065) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 to report food/beverage groups and nutrients consumed from grocery and convenience stores. Differences in food/beverage groups and nutrient densities by store type were calculated using multiple logistic and linear regressions. Adolescents were more likely to consume "Beverages" and "Snacks and Sweets" and less likely to consume "Grains", "Protein", "Milk and Dairy", "Condiments and Sauces", and "Fruits" from convenience compared to grocery stores (all p < 0.0025). Foods/beverages from convenience stores were higher in carbohydrates, total sugar, and added sugar and lower in protein, fat, saturated fat, sodium, and fiber than those from grocery stores (all p < 0.0025). In conclusion, while foods/beverages from convenience stores are more energy-dense and nutrient-poor, there is a critical need to increase the availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthier foods/beverages in both store types to encourage healthier dietary behaviors among U.S. adolescents.

Youth Willingness to Purchase Whole Grain Snack Packs from New York City Corner Stores Participating in a Healthy Retail Program.

Corners stores in low-income communities are a promising setting to intervene in youth whole grain intake. One strategy that may encourage whole grain intake is if corner stores were to pair and sell whole grain snacks in combination with either a liked fruit or vegetable and an optional condiment (i.e., a whole grain snack pack). This study examined youth in terms of their (1) liking of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain snacks; (2) perceptions about which fruits and vegetables pair best with whole grain snacks; and (3) willingness to pay for a whole grain snack pack. One-time intercept surveys were conducted with 10-18-year-olds (n = 402) who visited a New York City (NYC) corner store (n = 34) participating in the City Harvest Healthy Retail Program. On average, youth were willing to spend $2.38 (SD $4.32) on a whole grain snack pack. Higher overall liking scores for vegetables and whole grain snacks were associated with willingness to spend 24.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 11.5-38.7%) and 21.6% (95%CI: 5.2-40.6%) more on whole grain snack packs, respectively. In conclusion, youth are receptive to purchasing whole grain snack packs from NYC corner stores participating in a healthy retail program.