Assessment of Interest in a Virtual Avatar-Based Nutrition Education Program Among Youth-Serving Community Partners.

OBJECTIVE: Examine the appeal of a virtual avatar-led nutrition education program among youth-serving community partners in North Carolina. METHODS: We surveyed community partners using the Diffusion of Innovation Theory constructs of relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity. Logistic regression evaluated the appeal and likelihood of the program's future use. RESULTS: Community partners (n = 100) agreed that the program was an innovative (87%) and convenient (85%) way for youth and parents to learn about nutrition. Partners who perceived the program as a relative advantage to current programs had significantly higher odds of future use intention (P = 0.005). Those who found it compatible with organizational and personal values had significantly higher odds of future use (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: A nutrition education virtual avatar program is of interest to youth-engaged community partners. Future research examining the potential integration of this type of program within community organizations is warranted.

Fathers Nutrition Knowledge and Child Feeding Practices Associated with Childhood Overweight and Obesity: A Scoping Review of Literature From 2000 to 2023.

Objective. Childhood overweight/obesity is a serious global public health issue, demanding parental involvement to reverse trends. Despite fathers' crucial parenting roles, research on fathers and childhood overweight/obesity is limited. This scoping review examines the literature on fathers' nutrition knowledge and feeding practices with childhood overweight/obesity. Methods. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and Arksey and O'Malley (2005) framework, multiple databases were searched. Eligible father-child related studies focused on fathers' nutrition knowledge, feeding practices, and childhood overweight/obesity. Results. Of 26 eligible articles, 52% originated from the United States, and 44% focused on father-child dyads. Most studies were cross-sectional (64%) and survey-based (68%). Further, 11.5% assessed fathers' nutrition knowledge, and child feeding practices (53.4%). Conclusion. Literature on fathers' nutrition knowledge and feeding practices concerning childhood overweight/obesity is limited. Scaling-up fathers' inclusion in childhood nutrition research is encouraged for the design of holistic interventions.

Student and faculty perceptions of nutrition education in medical school.

BACKGROUND & AIM: There is abundant evidence to support the beneficial role of nutrition in the prevention, management and treatment of many health conditions including non-communicable diseases and malnutrition. Despite the increasing prevalence of these conditions around the world, research over the past decades has identified that many medical schools lack adequate nutrition education and training for medical students. With the Czech Republic not represented in these findings, this qualitative study aimed to assess and describe the perceptions of nutrition education at a Czech medical school. METHODS: Thirty-six participants, including students in all grades (n = 30) and faculty members from different disciplines (n = 6), completed individual, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Inductive coding and thematic analysis were used to analyze data and identify key themes. RESULTS: Participants emphasized the important and wide-ranging role of nutrition, describing it as significant and essential for both prevention and treatment of many medical conditions. The first main theme, 'Nutrition in Medical Care and Health' identified support for the important role that nutrition plays in medical care and health. Participants acknowledged that doctors have an important role to promote good nutrition and thus require sufficient education in medical school to offer general nutrition information to patients. In the second theme, 'Nutrition Education in the Current Curriculum' some participants acknowledged that while the medical school offers a good theoretical education about nutrition, and training for specific populations such as pediatrics and oncology, overall, the current education about nutrition was 'inadequate,' not emphasized like other subjects and lacked practical application in clinical practice. The third main theme 'Opportunities for Nutrition Education in Medical School' identified the students' interest in learning more about nutrition to improve their knowledge in preparation for future practice and to promote healthy eating during medical school. In addition to identifying specific topics of interest, the participants shared preferred methods of learning nutrition information. CONCLUSIONS: The participants in this study recognized the importance of nutrition in medical care and perceived that nutrition education is not emphasized consistently in medical school. Students desired additional nutrition education to include current topics, promote self-care, and improve the emphasis in clinical training.

Nondiet Weight-Neutral Curricula Limited in Current Accredited US Dietetic Programs.

OBJECTIVE: Determine awareness and prevalence of, and interest in nondiet weight-neutral (NDWN) focused curriculum and factors associated with the presence in accredited dietetic programs throughout the US. METHODS: Online cross-sectional survey sent to directors of US Coordinated Programs (n = 60) and Didactic Programs in Dietetics (n = 214). RESULTS: 116 programs (42%) responded, 95% reported knowledge of NDWN approaches to weight management like Health at Every Size. Most schools (72%) included NDWN in their curriculum, mostly in a single lecture (53%). Most respondents (74%) reported interest in an NDWN curriculum. Common factors for not including NDWN were: lack of trained and knowledgeable staff (35%) and insufficient space in the curriculum to incorporate additional topics (35%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Most knew of NDWN approaches and included in curricula but only as 1 lecture. Faculty training and curriculum flexibility may help support the increased incorporation of NDWN approaches.

Food Selection Factors and Perceived Influence on Household Foods Post-Arrival to the U.S. of Newcomer Immigrant and Refugee Adolescents.

The objective of this study was to examine food selection factors and influence on household food selection by newcomer immigrant and refugee adolescents. Participants (n = 68) reported healthfulness (70.1%) and taste (44.2%) as their primary influencing factors. Adolescents' Refugee camp experience, BMI, sex, and ethnicity were associated with reported influences on food selection. Most (85.3%) had tried new foods, reported influence on household food selection (81%) and new food consumption was associated with adolescents' influence on the overall household's food selection. In summary, a variety of factors influence adolescent newcomer's food selection and influence on household food selection is high.

Diet, Physical Activity and Weight-Related Behaviors, Changes and Risks with Newly-Arrived (< 1 Year) Immigrant and Refugee Adolescents (Ages 12-17).

Adolescent immigrants and refugees are at elevated risk for obesity, however, gaps remain regarding specific diet and lifestyle changes. This study examined: (1) weight status, behaviors and perceptions, (2) diet patterns and changes, (3) sociodemographic and dietary factors associated with BMI. Cross sectional survey, anthropometric measures were conducted at a school for newcomer youth in North Carolina. Data analysis included descriptive, frequency, bivariate and linear regression. Participants (n = 68, 55% female, < 1 year US) included immigrants and refugees ages 12-17. Thirty-one percent were overweight or obese. Forty-seven percent had attempted to lose weight. Positive weight perceptions were associated with normal BMI (p = 0.010). Fruit, milk, fruit juice, soda, and meat consumption increased post-arrival (p = 0.037, p = 0.010, p = 0.003, p = 0.044, p = 0.014, respectively). Dietary change was positively associated with BMI (p = 0.002). Adverse diet and lifestyle changes occur rapidly, are associated with obesity, and weight control behaviors and concerns warrant early intervention.