Construct validity and reliability of the Canadian Eating Practices Screener to assess eating practices based on 2019 Canada's Food Guide recommendations.

For the first time since its introduction, the 2019 Canada's Food Guide (2019-CFG) highlighted specific guidance on eating practices, i.e., recommendations on where, when, why, and how to eat. The Canadian Eating Practices Screener / Questionnaire court canadien sur les pratiques alimentaires was developed to assess eating practices based on the 2019-CFG healthy eating recommendations. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Canadian Eating Practices Screener. From July to December 2021, adults (n = 154) aged 18-65 years completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the screener. Construct validity was assessed by examining variability in screener scores, by comparing screener scores among subgroups with hypothesized differences in eating practices, and by examining the correlation between screener scores and fruit and vegetable intake. Reliability, i.e., internal consistency, was assessed by calculating Cronbach's coefficient alpha. Screener item scores were summed to provide a total score ranging from 21 to 105. The mean screener score was 76 (SD = 8.4; maximum, 105), ranging from 53 (1st percentile) to 92 (99th percentile). Differences in total scores in hypothesized directions were observed by age (p = 0.006), perceived income adequacy (p = 0.09), educational attainment (p = 0.002), and smoking status (p = 0.09), but not by gender or health literacy level. The correlation between screener scores and fruit and vegetable intake was 0.29 (p = 0.002). The Cronbach's coefficient alpha was 0.79, suggesting acceptable to high internal consistency. Study findings provide preliminary evidence of the screener's construct validity and reliability, supporting its use to assess eating practices based on the 2019-CFG healthy eating recommendations.

Development of the Canadian Eating Practices Screener to assess eating practices based on 2019 Canada's Food Guide recommendations.

In 2019, Health Canada released a new iteration of Canada's Food Guide (2019-CFG), which, for the first time, highlighted recommendations regarding eating practices, i.e., guidance on where, when, why, and how to eat. The objective of this study was to develop a brief self-administered screener to assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG among adults aged 18-65 years. Development of the screener items was informed by a review of existing tools and mapping of items onto 2019-CFG recommendations. Face and content validity were assessed with experts in public health nutrition and/or dietary assessment (n = 16) and individuals from Government of Canada (n = 14). Cognitive interviews were conducted with English-speaking (n = 16) and French-speaking (n = 16) adults living in Canada to assess face validity and understanding of the screener items. While some modifications were identified to improve relevance or clarity, overall, the screener items were found to be relevant, well-constructed, and clearly worded. This comprehensive process resulted in the Canadian Eating Practices Screener/Questionnaire court canadien sur les pratiques alimentaires, which includes 21 items that assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG. This screener can facilitate monitoring and surveillance efforts of the 2019-CFG eating practices as well as research exploring how these practices are associated with various health outcomes.

Maternal Preconception Body Mass Index and Early Childhood Nutritional Risk.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for problematic child eating behaviors and food preferences are thought to begin during the preconception period. It is unknown if maternal preconception body mass index (BMI) is associated with child nutritional risk factors (eg, poor dietary intake and eating behaviors). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether maternal preconception BMI was associated with child nutritional risk. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, a secondary data analysis of children ages 18 mo to 5 y were recruited from The Applied Research Group for Kids (TARGet Kids!), a primary care practice-based research network in Canada. The primary exposure was maternal preconception BMI. The primary outcome was parent-reported child nutritional risk score, measured using the Nutrition Screening for Every Preschooler/Toddler (NutriSTEP), an age-appropriate validated questionnaire. Fitted linear mixed effects models analyzed associations between maternal preconception BMI and child nutritional risk after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: This study included 4733 children with 8611 repeated NutriSTEP observations obtained between ages 18 mo to 5 y. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) maternal preconception BMI was 23.6 (4.4), where 73.1% of mothers had a BMI ≤24.9 kg/m2, and 26.9% had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. The mean (SD) NutriSTEP total score was 13.5 (6.2), with 86.6% at low risk (score <21) and 13.4% at high risk (score ≥21). Each 1 unit increase in maternal preconception BMI was associated with a 0.09 increase in NutriSTEP total score (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.05, 0.12; P ≤ 0.001). After stratification, each 1 unit increase in maternal BMI was associated with a 0.06 increase in mean NutriSTEP total score (95% CI: 0.007, 0.11; P = 0.025) in toddlers and 0.11 increase in mean NutriSTEP total score (95% CI: 0.07, 0.15; P < 0.001) in preschoolers. CONCLUSION: Higher maternal preconception BMI is associated with slightly higher NutriSTEP total scores. This provides evidence that the preconception period may be an important time to focus on for improving childhood nutrition. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01869530.

The Canadian Food Intake Screener for assessing alignment of adults' dietary intake with the 2019 Canada's Food Guide healthy food choices recommendations: scoring system and construct validity.

NOVELTY: The Canadian Food Intake Screener was developed to rapidly assess alignment of dietary intake with the Canada's Food Guide-2019 healthy food choices recommendations. Scoring is aligned with the Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 to the extent possible. Among a sample of adults, reasonable variation in screener scores was noted, mean screener scores differed between some subgroups with known differences in diet quality, and a moderate correlation between screener scores and total Healthy Eating Food Index-2019 scores based on repeat 24 h dietary recalls was observed. The Canadian Food Intake Screener has moderate construct validity for rapid assessment of overall alignment of adults' dietary intake with the Canada's Food Guide-2019 healthy food choices recommendations.

Development of the Canadian Food Intake Screener to assess alignment of adults' dietary intake with the 2019 Canada's Food Guide healthy food choices recommendations.

NOVELTY: The Canadian Food Intake Screener was developed to rapidly assess alignment of adults' dietary intake over the past month with the Food Guide's healthy food choices recommendations. The screener was developed and evaluated through an iterative process that included three rounds of cognitive interviews in each of English and French, along with ongoing feedback from external advisors and face and content validity testing with a separate panel of content experts. The 16-question screener is intended for use with adults, aged 18-65 years, with marginal and higher health literacy in research and surveillance contexts in which comprehensive dietary assessment is not possible.

Children's screen use and school readiness at 4-6 years: prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to determine if screen use in early childhood is associated with overall vulnerability in school readiness at ages 4 to 6 years, as measured by the Early Development Instrument (EDI). Secondary aims were to: (1) determine if screen use was associated with individual EDI domains scores, and (2) examine the association between screen use and EDI domains scores among a subgroup of high screen users. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was carried out using data from young children participating in a large primary care practice-based research network in Canada. Logistic regression analyses were run to investigate the association between screen use and overall vulnerability in school readiness. Separate linear regression models examined the relationships between children's daily screen use and each separate continuous EDI domain. RESULTS: A total of 876 Canadian participants participated in this study. Adjusted logistic regression revealed an association between increased screen use and increased vulnerability in school readiness (p = 0.05). Results from adjusted linear regression demonstrated an association between higher screen use and reduced language and cognitive development domain scores (p = 0.004). Among high screen users, adjusted linear regression models revealed associations between increased screen use and reduced language and cognitive development (p = 0.004) and communication skills and general knowledge domain scores (p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Screen use in early childhood is associated with increased vulnerability in developmental readiness for school, with increased risk for poorer language and cognitive development in kindergarten, especially among high users.

What Practice Issues Over 25 Years Most Interest Registered Dietitians? Survey and Interview Results.

Dietetics has changed substantially; a mixed-methods project was undertaken to: (i) gauge interest in the profession history since 1993, (ii) identify preferred format(s), (iii) identify possible topics, and (iv) identify possible key informants. An online bilingual survey was conducted in 2018, with follow-up phone interviews among interested respondents. Survey content was organised as 12 major topics. Respondents were invited via a Dietitians of Canada (DC) newsletter, Facebook groups, and at the DC national conference. Survey data, including respondent-generated topics of interest and interview content, were descriptively analyzed. The online survey garnered 360 responses; 332 (92%) completed more than 10% of the survey and were interested in history. Detailed responses were analyzed (296 English; 36 French); 51 were interviewed. An online timeline was the most preferred format (79%). Review of the rise in technology and obesity, aging, supermarket registered dietitians (RDs), the local/organic movement, Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition (PEN), the changes in training models and scope of practice, public awareness of the profession, and advocacy and unique career paths were of most interest (≥ 50% of respondents). These results confirm interest in the recent history of the profession among RDs and provide guidance on preferred format and topics for further work.

Association Between Physical Activity, Screen Time and Sleep, and School Readiness in Canadian Children Aged 4 to 6 Years.

OBJECTIVE: School readiness is strongly associated with a child's future school success and well-being. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether meeting 24-hour movement guidelines (national physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and sleep recommendations) was associated with school readiness measured with mean scores in each of the 5 developmental domains of the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in Canadian children aged 4 to 6 years. Secondary objectives include examining the following: (1) the association between meeting 24-hour movement guidelines and overall vulnerability in school readiness and (2) the association between meeting individual physical activity, screen use and sleep recommendations, and overall school readiness. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed using data from children (aged 4-6 years) who participated in a large-scale primary care practice-based research network. RESULTS: Of the 739 participants (aged 5.9 + 0.12 years) in this prospective cohort study, 18.2% met the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. Linear regression models (adjusted for child/family demographic characteristics, number of siblings, immigration status, and annual household income) revealed no evidence of an association between meeting all 24-hour movement guidelines and any of the 5 domains of the EDI (p > 0.05). Adjusted linear regression models revealed evidence of an association between meeting screen use guidelines and the "language and cognitive development" (ß = 0.16, p = 0.004) domain, and for the sleep guideline, there was a statistically significant association with the "physical health and well-being" (ß = 0.23, p = 0.001), the "language and cognitive development" (ß = 0.10, p = 0.003), and the "communication skills and general knowledge" (ß = 0.18, p < 0.001) domain. CONCLUSION: Early lifestyle interventions targeting screen use and sleep may be beneficial for improving a child's readiness for school.

Development and validation of a sodium AnaLysis tool (SALT).

BACKGROUND: Sodium is an essential nutrient; however, excess dietary sodium is associated with increased blood pressure levels. The 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey - Nutrition (CCHS 2.2) concluded that most Canadians exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of 2300 mg/day. The 2015 CCHS indicated that Canadians were still consuming above the UL. To assess population sodium intakes, a Sodium AnaLysis Tool (SALT) was developed. METHODS: We used data from CCHS 2.2 (2004) to group foods into types (e.g., popcorn, crackers) and general categories (e.g., snack foods) which formed the SALT questions. Portion sizes and sodium values were calculated for SALT questions. Over a one-month period, one hundred participants completed three, 24-h recalls (at beginning, middle, and end) and two SALT (SALT1 & SALT2) tools (at beginning and end). To assess both validity and reliability, statistical tests including Bland-Altman (B-A) plots, paired t-tests, differences between means, and correlations were conducted. The mean of the 3,24-h recalls (m24HR) was used for validation. RESULTS: Validity testing between SALT2 and the m24HR yielded variable results. A B-A plot between SALT2 and m24HR depicted a small bias of 7 mg/day of sodium. The sodium intake for m24HR (2742 ± 980 mg/day) (mean ± standard deviation) versus SALT2 (2735 ± 1174 mg/day) was not significantly different (p = 0.960). Pearson's correlation between methods, although significant (p = 0.02) was poor (r = 0.202; de-attenuated r = 0.400). There was a fair, significant agreement (κ = 0.236, p = 0.02) for the classification of sodium intake into two categories (above or below the UL). Test-retest reliability results were also variable. There was moderate, significant agreement (κ = 0.488, p = 0.001) for classification of sodium intake into two categories between SALT1 and SALT2, a significant correlation (Pearson's r = 0.785, p < 0.001), and the B-A plot depicted good agreement. However, the values for sodium intake for SALT1 (3185 ± 1424) vs SALT2 (2735 ± 1174) were significantly different (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that the SALT has the potential to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing dietary sodium intake of Canadian adult populations. Despite some classification issues, there may be some value in using the SALT to categorize sodium intakes. Further refinement of the SALT may be required.

Interventions for prevention of childhood obesity in primary care: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Preventing childhood obesity is a public health priority, and primary care is an important setting for early intervention. Authors of a recent national guideline have identified a need for effective primary care interventions for obesity prevention and that parent perspectives on interventions are notably absent from the literature. Our objective was to determine the perspectives of primary care clinicians and parents of children 2-5 years of age on the implementation of an obesity prevention intervention within team-based primary care to inform intervention implementation. METHODS: We conducted focus groups with interprofessional primary care clinicians (n = 40) and interviews with parents (n = 26). Participants were asked about facilitators and barriers to, and recommendations for implementing a prevention program in primary care. Data were recorded and transcribed, and we used directed content analysis to identify major themes. RESULTS: Barriers existed to addressing obesity-related behaviours in this age group and included a gap in well-child primary care between ages 18 months and 4-5 years, lack of time and sensitivity of the topic. Trust and existing relationships with primary care clinicians were facilitators to program implementation. Offering separate programs for parents and children, and addressing both general parenting topics and obesity-related behaviours were identified as desirable. INTERPRETATION: Despite barriers to addressing obesity-related behaviours within well-child primary care, both clinicians and parents expressed interest in interventions in primary care settings. Next steps should include pilot studies to identify feasible strategies for intervention implementation.

NutriSTEP® is Reliable for Internet and Onscreen Use.

PURPOSE: NutriSTEP(®) screens for nutritional risk in preschoolers (3-5 years of age). Availability has been limited to paper versions. The objective is to test reliability for Internet and Onscreen use. METHODS: Two studies were conducted with parents in several Ontario Early Years Centres (Internet (n = 63)) and in the community and schools in Timmons, Guelph, and Ottawa, Ontario (Onscreen (n = 64)). Parents completed NutriSTEP(®) either on paper or using Internet or Onscreen versions. Two weeks later, the alternate mode was completed. Reliability was assessed using Intraclass Correlations (ICC) and Pearson Correlations (PC) on total and attribute scores, Kappa coefficients (κ) for risk, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for responses on individual questions. RESULTS: For total scores, Internet and Onscreen ICCs were 0.94 and 0.91, respectively, with PCs of 0.89 and 0.84, respectively. Attribute scores were 0.69-0.91 (ICC) and 0.70-0.84 (PC) for Internet, and 0.81-0.92 (ICC) and 0.68-0.85 (PC) for Onscreen. κ amongst risk categories was 0.58 (P = 0.000) for Internet and 0.50 (P = 0.000) for Onscreen. For individual dichotomized questions, 5 of 17 (Onscreen and Internet) were excellent (κ > 0.75); 11 of 17 (Internet) and 9 of 17 (Onscreen) were adequate (0.40 < κ > 0.75); 0 of 17 (Internet) and 2 of 17 (Onscreen) questions were poor (κ < 0.4) in agreement between modes. CONCLUSIONS: Internet and Onscreen versions of NutriSTEP(®) are reliable.

Parenting stress: a cross-sectional analysis of associations with childhood obesity, physical activity, and TV viewing.

BACKGROUND: Parents influence their children's obesity risk through feeding behaviours and modeling of weight-related behaviours. Little is known about how the general home environment, including parental stress, may influence children's weight. The objective of this study was to explore the association between parenting stress and child body mass index (BMI) as well as obesity risk factors, physical activity and television (TV) viewing. METHODS: We used cross-sectional data from 110 parent-child dyads participating in a community-based parenting intervention. Child heights and weights were measured by trained research assistants. Parents (93% mothers) reported level of parenting stress via the Parenting Stress Index- Short Form (PSI-3-SF) as well as children's activity behaviours and TV viewing. This was an ethnically diverse (55% Hispanic/Latino, 22% Black), low-income (64% earning < $45,000/year) sample. RESULTS: Level of parenting stress was not associated with children's risk of being overweight/obese. Children with highly stressed parents were less likely to meet physical activity guidelines on weekdays than children with normally stressed parents (OR = 0.33, 95% CI, 0.12-0.95). Parents experiencing high stress were less likely to set limits on the amount of TV their children watched (OR = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.11, 0.93). CONCLUSION: Results suggest stress specific to parenting may not be associated with increased obesity risk among children. However, future interventions may need to address stress as a possible underlying factor associated with unhealthful behaviours among preschoolers.

Zinc supplementation does not alter sensitive biomarkers of copper status in healthy boys.

The tolerable upper intake levels (UL) for zinc for children were based on limited data and there is concern that the UL may be set too low. The first effect of excessive zinc intake is a reduction in copper status. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on copper status in children. Healthy, 6- to 8-y-old boys from Ontario, Canada were assigned to take a placebo (n = 10) or 5 mg (n = 10), 10 mg (n = 9), or 15 mg (n = 8) of zinc supplement daily for 4 mo in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Biochemical measures were evaluated at baseline and after 2 and 4 mo of supplementation. Food records were completed near the baseline and 4-mo visits. Age and anthropometric measurements did not differ (P > 0.05) between treatment groups at baseline. Mean zinc intakes from food alone (10.9-14.8 mg zinc/d) approached or exceeded the UL of 12 mg/d. Compared with the placebo group, the zinc groups had a greater change in the urine zinc:creatinine ratio at 4 mo (P = 0.02). Traditional (plasma copper and ceruloplasmin activity) and more sensitive biomarkers of copper status, including erythrocyte SOD1 activity and the erythrocyte CCS:SOD1 protein ratio, were unchanged in zinc-supplemented boys, demonstrating that copper status was not depressed. Serum lipid measures and hemoglobin concentrations were also unaffected and gastrointestinal symptoms were not reported. These data provide evidence in support of the need for reexamining the current UL for zinc for children.

Development of a food frequency questionnaire for toddlers of Low-German-Speaking Mennonites from Mexico.

PURPOSE: Little is known about dietary intakes in toddlers of Low-German-Speaking Mennonites from Mexico, although some of these toddlers might be at risk for nutritional deficiencies. A 97-item, culturally sensitive, interviewer-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed and validated for health professionals to assess dietary intake in these children aged 12 to 36 months. METHODS: Cultural foods on the FFQ were determined via focus groups; a pilot study tested content and formatting. The FFQ was administered to parents/caregivers of 22 toddlers in a southern Ontario community of Low-German-Speaking Mennonites from Mexico. Validity was determined by comparing nutrient intakes from the FFQ and from the 24-hour recalls, using Bland-Altman plots, Pearson correlations, and Student's t-tests. Test-retest reliability was compared between two FFQ administrations (n=14) one month apart, via intraclass correlations (ICCs). RESULTS: Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between the FFQ and the 24-hour recall; Pearson correlations between methods were significant for protein, folate, calcium, and caffeine. Student's t-tests were not significantly different between methods for 11 of 12 nutrients. Test-retest reliability was good on the basis of acceptable ICC for eight of 12 nutrients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of nutrient inadequacies was low, except for folate. These results are promising for implementation of a simple, quick, culturally sensitive FFQ with the potential to provide reliable estimates of mean intakes in toddlers of Low-German-Speaking Mennonites from Mexico.

The effect of parental feeding behaviours and participation of children in organized sports/activities on child body mass index.

PURPOSE: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we explored the relationship of parental feeding practices and child physical activity levels with measured body mass index (BMI) in a sample of 97 Ontario preschoolers. METHODS: Child weight and height were measured; physical activity and sedentary behaviours were assessed by questionnaire. Preschoolers' parents used the Child Feeding Questionnaire to report their attitudes, concerns, and practices in relation to child feeding. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to determine relationships among variables. RESULTS: Up to 25% of the preschoolers were overweight and/or obese. The regression model accounted for 53% of the variance in child BMI. Child BMI was predicted to be higher when parents had concerns about and perceived their children to be overweight, and when they felt responsible for what their children ate. Children's BMIs were predicted to be lower for those whose parents pressured them to eat and also for those who engaged in organized sports or activities. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests an association between BMI and parental perceptions, concerns, and practices related to child feeding and organized sports or activities. Public health initiatives related to healthy eating and/or obesity prevention should include a focus on parents of preschool-aged children with the home environment as a potential setting.

The impact of an integrated community-based micronutrient and health programme on stunting in Malawian preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the 1996-2005 integrated community-based micronutrient and health (MICAH) programme on linear growth retardation (stunting) in Malawian preschool children living in rural areas. DESIGN: Prospective study of three large-scale cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1996, 2000 and 2004 in MICAH and Comparison populations. SETTING: Rural areas in Malawi. SUBJECTS: Preschool children (6.0-59.9 months) from randomly selected households (474 from the 1996 baseline survey; 1264 from 2000 MICAH areas; 1500 from 2000 Comparison areas; 1959 from 2004 MICAH areas; and 1008 from 2004 Comparison areas), who responded to a household questionnaire, were weighed and measured using standard protocols. RESULTS: At the baseline in 1996, the prevalence of stunting (60.2 %) was very high. By 2000, the prevalence of stunting had declined to 50.6 % and 56.0 % (chi2 = 7.8, P = 0.005) in MICAH and Comparison areas, respectively. In 2004, the prevalence of stunting did not differ significantly between MICAH and Comparison areas (43.0 % v. 45.1 %; chi2 = 1.11, P = 0.3). Severe stunting affected 34.7 % of children at baseline, which declined to 15.8 % and 17.1 % (chi2 = 0.86, P = 0.4) in MICAH and Comparison areas, respectively, by 2004. Regional variations existed, with proportionately fewer children from the Northern region being stunted compared to their Central and Southern region counterparts. CONCLUSION: Given the length of implementation, wide-scale coverage and positive impact on child growth in Phase I (1996-2000), the MICAH programme is a potential model for combating linear growth retardation in rural areas in Malawi, although the catch-up improvement in Comparison areas during Phase II (2000-2004) cannot be adequately explained.

The impact of an integrated community-based micronutrient and health programme on anaemia in non-pregnant Malawian women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of an integrated community-based micronutrient and health (MICAH) programme on anaemia (Hb < 120 g/l) among non-pregnant rural Malawian women aged 15-49 years from communities that participated in the 1996-2005 MICAH programme. DESIGN: Prospective study of two large-scale cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2000 and 2004 as part of programme evaluation in MICAH and Comparison areas. SETTING: Rural areas across Malawi. The MICAH programme implemented a comprehensive package of interventions to reduce anaemia, based on a broad range on direct and indirect causes in Malawi. The project approaches included: Fe supplementation; dietary diversification and modification; food fortification; and strengthening primary health care. PARTICIPANTS: Non-pregnant women of childbearing age (15-49 years old, n 5422), from randomly selected households that responded to a household questionnaire, had their Hb measured from finger-prick blood samples using the HemoCue. RESULTS: In 2000, there was no significant difference in Hb concentration between MICAH and Comparison areas (mean (SE): 117.4 (0.4) v. 116.8 (0.5) g/l, P > 0.05) and the corresponding prevalence of anaemia (53.5 % v. 52.9 %, P > 0.05). By 2004, Hb concentration had increased significantly in MICAH but not in Comparison areas (mean (SE): 121.0 (0.4) v. 115.7 (0.6) g/l, P < 0.001), and the prevalence of anaemia had declined significantly in MICAH areas (53.5 % to 44.1 %, chi2 = 28.2, P < 0.0001) but not in Comparison areas (52.8 % to 54.0 %, chi2 = 0.3, P = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The MICAH programme was an effective public health nutrition programme that was associated with significant reductions in the prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant rural Malawian women.

Zinc-fortified foods do not improve intake of total dietary zinc for Ontario preschoolers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine if zinc food fortification makes a significant contribution to dietary zinc intake and to describe zinc-fortified food usage, amongst Canadian preschoolers. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were used from the NutriSTEP validation project for which preschoolers (3-5 years) from across Ontario were recruited using convenience sampling. Three-day food records were used to estimate mean daily zinc intake and children were stratified by age group for analysis. Comparisons were then made to the Dietary Reference Intakes, whilst accounting for zinc from zinc-fortified foods and supplements and also whilst excluding zinc from zinc-fortified foods, to determine the prevalence of inadequate (< Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)) and excessive (> Tolerable Upper Intake Level (TUL)) zinc intakes. The contributions (%) made to total zinc intake by zinc-fortified foods, unfortified foods and zinc-containing supplements were determined as were contributions made to zinc intake by zinc-fortified foods, categorized by fortified-food type. RESULTS: Fewer than a third (30%, n = 76) of participants ate zinc-fortified foods and only 3% (n = 7) used a zinc-containing supplement. Including the contribution from zinc-fortified foods, 25% (n = 32) of 3-year-olds (n = 128) had mean zinc intake (range 7.0-7.6 mg/day) marginally above the TUL (7 mg/day). Zinc-fortified foods contributed only 2.3 +/- 5.8% (mean% +/- SD) to total zinc intake. The mean intake of the 25% of 3-year-olds above the TUL is attributed to their higher mean energy and protein intakes (p < 0.001) as compared to 3-year-olds not consuming zinc at levels above the TUL. Even excluding zinc-fortified foods, the prevalence of inadequate zinc intakes (

Parents report intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental barriers to supporting healthy eating and physical activity among their preschoolers.

There is an increasing trend in childhood obesity in Canada and many preschool children are overweight or obese. The objective of this study was to explore parents' experiences and challenges in supporting healthy eating and physical activity among their preschool children. A qualitative descriptive study involving 5 focus groups was conducted. A convenience sample of 39 parents from 3 childcare centres in Hamilton, Ontario, participated. Parents were English speaking and had a child aged 2-5 years attending the childcare centre for at least 3 months. The research team read transcripts of the audio-taped sessions and used a constant comparison approach to develop themes, which involved coding comments by continually referring to previously coded comments for comparison. The social ecological model was used to organize the themes into 3 higher-level categories: (i) intrapersonal (individual): preschoolers' preferences and health; (ii) interpersonal (interactions): parents' and others' different views and practices, influence of the childcare centre, parents' lack of time, and family structure; and (iii) physical environment: accessibility of healthy foods, preschoolers with special needs, media influence, weather, lack of safety, and inaccessible resources. Parents perceived that there are various intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental barriers to supporting healthy eating and physical activity among their children. Program planners and health professionals can consider these barriers when developing interventions to promote healthy bodyweights among preschoolers.