Relative reinforcement from physical activity in real-world environments: a novel application of behavioral economics.

Behavioral economics suggests that individuals are likely to engage in a behavior if it is more reinforcing and readily available than other possible options. In real-world environments, sedentary behaviors are often more reinforcing and easily available than physical activities. In order to promote regular physical activity in an environment with sedentary alternatives, it is important to understand the proportion of overall reinforcement that is derived from physical activity (i.e., relative reinforcement, RR). Conceptually similar laboratory-research supports this notion, but applications to individual, real-world environments remain understudied. The current study used a novel survey-based approach to estimate the RR of common physical activities. Healthy adults (N = 348, M age = 39.0 ± 8.7) from the United States completed an online survey between April-May 2020, including a modified activity survey with ten physically active and ten sedentary activities. Regression analysis showed that total RR of physical activity was related to greater physical activity levels when controlling for enjoyment and other covariates. Four factors were identified (household, conditioning, sports, and outdoor activities) using exploratory structural equation modeling, but internal consistency was limited when items were constrained to each factor in the structural equation model. Previous laboratory findings on overall RR of physical activity were replicated with the survey-based measure, but further improvement for relative reinforcement of different sub-domains of physical activity is needed. Researchers and practitioners can use this survey to determine attractive physical activities on the individual level that can compete with sedentary leisure activities.

The Role of Alcohol-Related Proactive Dietary Restriction to Feel the Psychoactive Effects of Alcohol Faster on Binge Drinking Frequency among Freshmen College Students.

BACKGROUND: There is a positive cross-sectional relationship between alcohol-related proactive dietary restriction to feel the effects of alcohol faster (APDR) and binge drinking, a health and safety issue impacting college students. Objective: To examine: 1) the longitudinal predictive ability of varying levels of APDR on binge drinking frequency; and 1a) the strength of the relationship between varying levels of APDR and binge drinking frequency during freshman year of college (n = 1,149). METHODS: Ordinal logistic regression was used to model the relationship between APDR and binge drinking frequency. RESULTS: Main findings suggest APDR of students who reported eating less than usual (low APDR) prior to drinking to feel the effects of alcohol faster was a significant predictor of binge drinking frequency (1.27 (95% CI, 0.06 to 0.42), Wald χ2 (1) = 8.46, p=.009) at baseline, but not at 7-month follow-up (1.02 (95% CI, -0.18 to 0.23), Wald χ2 (1) = .51, p=.83). APDR for students who reported skipping one or more meals (high APDR) to feel the effects of alcohol faster was not a significant predictor of binge drinking frequency at baseline nor at 7-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Low APDR is a significant predictor of binge drinking frequency that is established early in the first semester of college with no significant change occurring in binge drinking frequency over the course of students' freshman year at 7-month follow-up. Campus health professionals are urged to emphasize the detrimental health effects of low APDR early in the first semester of college.

Latent Profiles of Health Behaviors in Rural Children with Overweight and Obesity.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives were to identify profiles of school-age children with overweight and obesity (OW/OB) from rural counties based on patterns of diet, activity, and sleep, to examine demographic predictors, and to examine whether profiles were differentially associated with psychosocial functioning. METHODS: Participants included 163 children (Mage = 9.8) and parents. Children wore accelerometers to assess physical activity and sleep duration. Consumption of fruits and vegetables (F/V) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Self-report of emotional, social, and academic health-related quality of life (HRQOL), peer victimization, social skills, and social problem behaviors was collected, as well as parent-report of HRQOL. Latent variable mixture modeling (LVMM) was conducted. RESULTS: Sleep did not significantly contribute to profile differentiation and was removed. Four profiles emerged: (a) Low F/V + Low SSB + Low activity, (b) Low F/V + Low SSB + Moderate activity, (c) High F/V + High SSB + Low activity, and (d) Moderate F/V + Moderate SSB + High activity. Older children were more likely to be in profile 1. After controlling for child age, parents of children in profile 1 reported significantly lower child social HRQOL than parents of children in profiles 2 and 4. Children in profile 4 reported experiencing significantly lower victimization than those in profile 3. CONCLUSIONS: There are subgroups of rural children with OW/OB that engage in various combinations of healthy and unhealthy behaviors. LVMM has the potential to inform future interventions and identify needs of groups of children with OW/OB.

A content analysis of food advertising in Arab Gulf countries during Ramadan.

Research has explored the link between exposure to marketing of foods high in energy and low in nutrients, and obesity in Western countries. The prevalence of obesity in Arab Gulf countries is similar to that of Western countries, yet the influence of advertising and frequency of exposure to advertising of foods on subsequent food choices and health is largely unexplored. This project sought to examine the number and quality of foods advertised on television during Ramadan in Arab Gulf countries. Television programming (36 h total), 12 h each for three stations, Alwatan, Dubai and MBC, was recorded. Food and restaurant advertisements (ads) were classified, totaled and analysed for dietary healthfulness using the Model SSCg3d. Of the total ads aired (n = 1473), food and restaurant ads were the most common (20.4%). The ad type and frequency varied among channels with restaurant ads most common on Alwatan, drinks and soda ads on Dubai, and sweet snacks and desserts ads on MBC (p < 0.001). Channels also differed regarding the frequency of dairy food ads (p < 0.001). Most food ads promoted less healthy foods similar to marketing practices in other countries with high rates of obesity. Many ads promoted foods high in energy, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar. This work signals the need to further understand the relationship between advertising of nutrient-poor foods, food behaviours and obesity in Arab Gulf countries and how advertising regulations may address this public health issue.

Featured Article: Behavior Interventions Addressing Obesity in Rural Settings: The E-FLIP for Kids Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of behavioral parent-only (PO) and family-based (FB) interventions on child weight, dietary intake, glycated hemoglobin, and quality of life in rural settings. METHODS: This study was a three-armed, randomized controlled trial. Participants were children (age 8-12 years) with overweight or obesity and their parents. A FB (n = 88), a PO (n = 78) and a health education condition (HEC) (n = 83) each included 20 group contacts over 1 year. Assessment and treatment contacts occurred at Cooperative Extension Service offices. The main outcome was change in child body mass index z-score (BMIz) from baseline to year 2. RESULTS: Parents in all conditions reported high treatment satisfaction (mean of 3.5 or higher on a 4-point scale). A linear mixed model analysis of change in child BMIz from baseline to year 1 and year 2 found that there were no significant group by time differences in child BMIz (year 2 change in BMIz for FB = -0.03 [-0.1, 0.04], PO = -0.01 [-0.08, 0.06], and HEC = -0.09 [-0.15, -0.02]). While mean attendance across conditions was satisfactory during months 1-4 (69%), it dropped during the maintenance phase (42%). High attendance for the PO intervention was related to greater changes in child BMIz (p < .02). Numerous barriers to participation were reported. CONCLUSION: Many barriers exist that inhibit regular attendance at in-person contacts for many families. Innovative delivery strategies are needed that balance treatment intensity with feasibility and acceptability to families and providers to facilitate broad dissemination in underserved rural settings.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01820338.

Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among U.S. college students: a multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: College students may be vulnerable to food insecurity due to limited financial resources, decreased buying power of federal aid, and rising costs of tuition, housing, and food. This study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and its sociodemographic, health, academic, and food pantry correlates among first-year college students in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year students (n = 855) across eight U.S. universities. Food security status was assessed using the U.S. Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module. Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Eating Attitudes Test-26 were used to assess perceived stress, sleep quality, and disordered eating behaviors, respectively. Participants self-reported their grade point average (GPA) and completed questions related to meal plan enrollment and utilization of on-campus food pantries. RESULTS: Of participating students, 19% were food-insecure, and an additional 25.3% were at risk of food insecurity. Students who identified as a racial minority, lived off-campus, received a Pell grant, reported a parental education of high school or less, and did not participate in a meal plan were more likely to be food-insecure. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and meal plan enrollment indicated that food-insecure students had significantly higher odds of poor sleep quality (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.76), high stress (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 2.66-8.11), disordered eating behaviors (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.20-4.90), and a GPA < 3.0 (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.19-3.07) compared to food-secure students. Finally, while half of the students (56.4%) with an on-campus pantry were aware of its existence, only 22.2% of food-insecure students endorsed utilizing the pantry for food acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity among first-year college students is highly prevalent and has implications for academic performance and health outcomes. Higher education institutions should screen for food insecurity and implement policy and programmatic initiatives to promote a healthier college experience. Campus food pantries may be useful as short-term relief; however, its limited use by students suggest the need for additional solutions with a rights-based approach to food insecurity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02941497.

Validation of a photographic seafood portion guide to assess fish and shrimp intakes.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a novel photographic portion guide as a tool to estimate consumption of fish and shrimp. Application of such a validated tool can facilitate accurate individual and community seafood intake assessments and provide meaningful data relative to health benefits and hazard assessment, particularly in response to environmental contamination and disasters. DESIGN: A photographic fish and shrimp portion guide presenting a stepped range of cooked portion sizes was used by participants to estimate their typical portion sizes. Participants selected their typical portion size from the photographic guide and also from a selection of freshly cooked reference meals. Photographic portions selections were compared with plated reference portions for each participant. SETTING: Academic sensory testing laboratory in the USA. SUBJECTS: Separate groups of adults (25-64 years) contributed to fish (n 54) and shrimp (n 53) portion size comparison studies. RESULTS: In the fish study, there was no difference between photographic portion selections (6·59 (sd 2·65) oz (186·8 (sd 75·1) g)) and reference plate selections (7·04 (sd 2·63) oz (199·6 (sd 74·6) g); P=0·384). Similarly in the shrimp study, there was no difference between photographic portion selections (6·88 (sd 3·40) oz (195·0 (sd 96·4) g)) and reference plate selections (6·06 (sd 2·65) oz (171·8 (sd 75·1) g); P=0·159). Photographic portions predicted plated reference portions for both fish and shrimp based on linear regression (P<0·001). Bland-Altman plot analyses showed good agreement between the two methods, <1 oz (<28·3 g) bias, in both fish and shrimp studies. CONCLUSIONS: This validated photographic seafood portion guide provides a utilitarian tool for accurately assessing fish and shrimp intake in a community setting.

Behavioral Frameworks and Translational Applications of Culinary Medicine and Culinary Nutrition.

Culinary medicine and culinary nutrition programs have emerged as innovative approaches to influencing dietary and lifestyle behavior change. These models vary in reported use of behavioral frameworks for planning purposes and attributing efficacy to current inconsistencies in format and delivery. This report aims to review current practice of behavior change theories in culinary medicine/culinary nutrition, delineate constructs that support positive outcomes, and describe future directions for translational applications in integrating the skills of chefs, nutrition educators, and medical professionals.

Impact of probiotic supplementation on exercise endurance among nonelite athletes: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial investigated whether generally healthy adult, nonelite runners would have a greater time-to-exhaustion during submaximal treadmill running with probiotic versus placebo supplementation. It was hypothesized that the probiotic would impact training progression by reducing gastrointestinal (GI) and cold/flu symptoms. Participants who typically ran ≥24 km/week, ran or cross-trained 3-5 days per week, and had a maximal oxygen intake (V̇O2 max) in the 60-85th percentile were enrolled. V̇O2 max was used to establish individualized workload settings (85% of V̇O2 max) for the submaximal endurance tests at baseline and following 6 weeks of supplementation with a probiotic (Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10, 5×109 CFU/capsule/day) or placebo. Participants self-reported GI and cold/flu symptoms and physical activity via daily and weekly questionnaires. Outcomes were tested using a linear model to determine if mean response values adjusted for baseline differed between groups. Twenty-eight participants (n = 14/group), aged 25 ± 5 years (mean ± SD) with a body mass index of 23 ± 3 kg/m2, completed the study. At the final visit the probiotic group had a lower time-to-exhaustion versus the placebo group (P = 0.01) due to an increase in time-to-exhaustion with the placebo (1344 ± 188 to 1565 ± 219 s, P = 0.01) with no change with the probiotic (1655 ± 230 to 1547 ± 215 s, P = 0.23). During the intervention, the probiotic group completed fewer aerobic training sessions per week (P = 0.02) and trained at a lower intensity (P = 0.007) versus the placebo group. Few GI and cold/flu symptoms were reported with no differences between groups. Time-to-exhaustion increased in the placebo group, possibly due to differences in training habits.

Examining gender and the longitudinal effect of weight conscious drinking dimensions on body mass index among a college freshman cohort.

Objective: This study aims to: (1) examine gender differences for weight conscious drinking among college students accounting for the broader phenomenon (e.g. including the Alcohol Effects dimension); and (2) longitudinally examine the effect of weight conscious drinking behaviors on body mass index (BMI). Participants: United States freshmen students from eight participating universities (N= 1,149). Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to model the effect of gender on weight conscious drinking dimensions at 7-month follow-up. Results: Findings suggest a significant effect of gender on Alcohol Effects (ß = -.15, SE = .05, p = .005) at 7-month follow-up among college freshmen. Weight conscious drinking dimensions predicted no significant change in BMI at 7-month follow-up among college freshmen. Conclusion: Findings contribute to weight conscious drinking theory and provide campus weight conscious drinking prevention initiatives with evidence to tailor their programming to address female tendencies to engage in compensatory strategies to enhance the psychoactive effects of alcohol.

Obstacles to university food pantry use and student-suggested solutions: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In the absence of federal programs and policies to alleviate college student food insecurity, the number of food pantries has grown rapidly in the United States. Yet, no studies, to date, have qualitatively examined students' experiences with this resource. OBJECTIVE: To explore college students' perspectives on barriers to using an on-campus food pantry and provide insights into student-suggested solutions. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 41 college students were recruited from a large public university in the southeastern US with a campus food pantry. Students participated in one-on-one, in-person, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, managed using NVivo 12, and analyzed using inductive, semantic thematic analysis. RESULTS: Most students were classified as food insecure (n = 33, 82.5%), and two-thirds identified as pantry users (at least once). The students' reasons for not using the food pantry indicated resistance and access barriers. Students either 'chose not to use' the campus food pantry due to (i) stigma and shame, (ii) perceived insufficient need, (iii) and unsuitable food or they experienced 'barriers' due to (i) lack of knowledge and (ii) limited food access. The main reason reported by food insecure non-pantry users was feelings of stigma and shame while that of food insecure pantry users was limited food access. Students suggested three solutions to minimize barriers experienced when utilizing the campus food pantry. These included (i) spreading awareness about the pantry through positive marketing messages that de-stigmatize use, (ii) improving accessibility of fresh produce and protein options, and (iii) improving access through satellite locations and online ordering systems. CONCLUSION: These barriers need to be systematically addressed to normalize food pantry use. Consideration of student recommendations by university program developers and policymakers may be of added value to expand access to food by college students with food insecurity.

Differences in Measured and Self-Categorized Food Security Status and Related Coping Strategies among College Students.

Qualitative studies suggest that college students with food insecurity (FI) experience stigma and misinterpret some of the USDA Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) questions, leading to misclassification of food security (FS) status. We aimed to evaluate differences in AFSSM-measured FS status and self-categorized FS status (based on USDA descriptions of the four FS levels) among college students, and to identify differences in the coping strategies and BMI of these students. Data were collected cross-sectionally from a convenience sample via web-based, self-reported surveys. Measured FS, self-categorized FS, coping strategies, and self-reported BMI were key variables of interest. Participants were 1003 undergraduate and graduate students (22.2 ± 4.6 years; 65.7% female). Of the participants measured as food insecure (40.0%), 57.8% self-categorized as food secure (MFI-SFS) and 42.2% self-categorized as food insecure (MFI-SFI). Significantly more MFI-SFI participants were AFSSM-categorized as having very low FS when compared to MFI-SFS participants (71.6% vs. 46.6%, p < 0.05). MFI-SFI participants reported significantly higher BMI (M = 24.7, SD ± 6.0 kg/m2) and coping strategies scores (M = 49.8, SD ± 7.5) when compared to MFI-SFS participants (M = 23.1, SD ± 3.6 kg/m2; M = 46.9, SD ± 7.5, respectively, p ≤ 0.01). Assessment of and interventions to address FI among college students should consider the potential influence of self-perception and students' interpretation of survey questions.

Life of a vegetarian college student: Health, lifestyle, and environmental perceptions.

Objective To examine health behavior and environmental perception differences among vegetarian and nonvegetarian students. Participants: First-year university students (n = 1078) from eight United States universities. Methods: Data were obtained from base 2015 and followup 2016 assessments. Vegetarians and nonvegetarians were compared for anthropometrics, lifestyle behaviors, and campus environmental perceptions (CEPS). Results: Vegetarians had smaller waist circumference, lower systolic blood pressure, higher fruit and vegetable consumption, lower percentage of energy obtained from fat, and higher perceived stress. Vegetarians expressed a lower rating of perceptions of health policies on campus. Conclusion: A clear difference in indicators of physical health does not appear, however, vegetarian students show positive dietary patterns which can promote positive health outcomes. Further, vegetarians had lower perceptions of health policies on campus. Results can be used by administrators to ensure policies are in place to support health of students as currently vegetarian students see limitations in the environmental health policies.

Impact of probiotic supplementation on exercise endurance among non-elite athletes: study protocol for a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Some probiotics appear to improve athletic performance, endurance, and recovery after intense exercise. Other formulations may provide performance-related benefits via immune and gastrointestinal functions in athletic individuals. However, few formulations have been studied for both types of effects among non-elite athletes. The primary objective of this study is to assess the ergogenic effects of a probiotic on high-intensity endurance running performance in non-elite runners. Secondary objectives include assessment of perceived exertion, blood chemistry, immune and stress biomarkers, cold and flu symptoms, and gastrointestinal health after the probiotic intervention. METHODS: This 9-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel trial will assess the ergogenic effects of a probiotic (5 billion colony-forming units/day, for 6 weeks) in healthy, non-elite runners (N=32; 18-45 years). Participants will be monitored via daily and weekly questionnaires during the 2-week pre-baseline, 6-week intervention, and 1-week washout. Questionnaires will inquire about activity, muscle soreness, gastrointestinal symptoms, cold and flu symptoms, stool form and frequency, and adverse events. During the pre-baseline visit, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2 max) is assessed to set appropriate individualized workload settings for the treadmill time-to-exhaustion endurance tests. These time-to-exhaustion endurance running tests will be completed at an intensity of 85% VO2max at baseline and final visits. During these tests, self-perceived exercise effort will be rated via the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale and finger sticks assessing capillary blood glucose and lactate concentrations will be collected every 3 min. Additional questionnaires will assess diet and motivation to exercise. Body composition will be assessed using air displacement plethysmography at the baseline and final visits. Hypotheses will be tested using two-sided tests, and a linear model and with a type I error rate of α=0.05. Primary and secondary outcomes will be tested by comparing results between the intervention groups, adjusting for baseline values. DISCUSSION: These results will build evidence documenting the role of probiotics on running endurance performance and physiological responses to exercise in non-elite athletes. Understanding the potential mechanisms of probiotic effects and how they mitigate the intestinal or immune discomforts caused by running could provide additional strategy means to help runners improve their performance. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04588142 . Posted on October 19, 2020. PROTOCOL VERSION: July 2, 2021, version 1.2.

Covid-19 and College Students: Food Security Status before and after the Onset of a Pandemic.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the number of food insecure households in the United States (US), it is unclear how it has affected college student food security status. College students are ineligible for many Covid-19-related economic relief programs and may find it even more difficult to cope during the pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and describe the prevalence of food insecurity at a public university before and after the onset of Covid-19 as well as factors associated with any change in food security. Researchers administered a cross-sectional, non-probability survey to college students (n = 3206) that assessed food security status prior to and after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as questions related to various sociodemographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thirty-eight percent of students experienced a change in food security as a result of the pandemic, with 59.6% becoming less food secure, and 40.4% becoming more food secure. Characteristics that were associated with changes in food security included changes in housing and employment status as a result of the pandemic. These findings suggest that the pandemic led to changes in food security among college students, and that economic relief efforts should include college students, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

Acceptability and Willingness to Pay for a Meal Kit Program for African American Families with Low Income: A Pilot Study.

Food insecurity is a persistent issue among individuals with low income and is associated with various nutrition- and health-related consequences. Creative approaches to increasing food access should be investigated as possible solutions. Meal kits, which are boxes or bags of fresh and shelf-stable ingredients for one or more meals, along with a step-by-step recipe showing how to cook each meal at home, may serve as a creative solution. Meal kits have historically been marketed to higher-income demographics. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the utilization, acceptability, and willingness to pay for a healthy meal kit program among African American main food preparers with children and low income (n = 36). Participants received a healthy meal kit with three recipes and ingredients, a cooking incentive, and a nutrition handout weekly for six weeks. Data were collected on participants' use, acceptability, and willingness to pay for the meal kits and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The intervention was highly utilized, and participants reported high acceptability ratings for most recipes. After the intervention, participants were willing to pay $88.61 ± 47.47 for a meal kit with three meals, each with four portions, which was higher than indicated at baseline and similar to the cost to produce the kits. Meal kits may offer a creative solution to improving food access if affordable for families with low income.

Test-Retest Reliability of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Seafood Intake Dynamics for High-End Consumers in Coastal Gulf of Mexico Communities.

Background: Estimates for fish and shellfish intake are used to inform communities and healthcare systems about potential health risks and benefits for individuals, communities, and vulnerable populations. A dietary assessment instrument was designed for use in populations of high-end consumers of seafood to examine intake of finfish, shrimp, oysters, and blue crab in coastal communities across the Gulf of Mexico. Objective: To validate the reliability of a novel food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for seafood intake. Design: Test-retest reliability of the FFQ, which included a species-specific photographic portion guide, was evaluated by the inperson administration and readministration of the instrument with each participant by the same interviewer. Responses from coastal and noncoastal participants were compared to discern FFQ reliability in heterogeneous samples. Participants/setting. A convenience sample of 27 coastal participants from Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, and Apalachicola, Florida, reported data for 101 household members; and 15 noncoastal participants from Gainesville, Florida, reported for 42 household members. Analysis. Repeated measures from the FFQ were evaluated using correlation concordance for continuous variables (age, weight, and height) and kappa coefficient for categorical variables (type, amount, and frequency of seafood consumed). Results: Concordance correlation coefficient (1.00) and kappa coefficient (r = 0.73 to 1.00) for yearly and seasonal seafood consumption indicated substantial to almost perfect reproducibility, i.e., participants provided responses that were reproducible. Test-retest agreement was highest for coastal participants who consumed more seafood, as compared to occasional, noncoastal consumers, based on the intergroup comparison of kappa coefficients for yearly and seasonal seafood consumption (r = 0.69 to 0.99). Conclusions: The seafood FFQ instrument evaluated in this study, included as a supplement to this report, used in tandem with a photographic portion guide, provides a utilitarian tool for assessing fish, shrimp, oyster, and blue crab intake dynamics in adult and youth populations drawn from coastal communities.

Examining the effect of weight conscious drinking on binge drinking frequency among college freshmen.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of weight-conscious drinking and compensatory behavior temporality on binge drinking frequency of college freshmen. Participants: Freshmen (n = 1149) from eight US universities, Fall 2015. Methods: Participants completed the Compensatory Eating Behaviors in Response to Alcohol Consumption Scale and Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption. Structural equation modeling was used to model the effect of weight-conscious drinking constructs on binge drinking frequency. Results: Bulimia, Dietary Restraint and Exercise, Restriction, proactive Alcohol Effects, during Alcohol Effects, and proactive Dietary Restraint and Exercise factors significantly predicted binge drinking frequency. Conclusion: Weight-conscious drinking among this cohort of college students comprises temporal factors significantly associated with binge drinking frequency. Relationships between Bulimia, Dietary Restraint and Exercise, and Restriction compensatory behaviors and binge drinking should be considered in interventions to address binge drinking among college students.

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Increased Risk of Obesity in US College Students.

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity affects millions of Americans and college students are especially vulnerable. Little is known about the relation of food insecurity with weight status and dietary intake during this critical phase of emerging adulthood. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the sex-specific associations of food insecurity with obesity and dietary intake among college students. The study also explored these associations by meal plan (MP) enrollment. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 683 second-year students at 8 universities in the United States. Food security status and dietary intake were assessed using the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and the Dietary Screener Questionnaire, respectively. On-site anthropometrics were measured by researchers. RESULTS: The prevalence of food insecurity at the universities ranged from 19.0% to 34.1% with a mean of 25.4% for the entire sample. Compared with high food security, marginal food security and food insecurity were associated with 3.16 (95% CI: 1.55, 6.46) and 5.13 (95% CI: 2.63, 10.00) times increased odds of obesity, respectively, exhibiting a dose-response relation. Food insecurity remained a significant predictor of obesity among both sexes after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Food-insecure (FI) students had a significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables and higher intake of added sugars than food-secure (FS) students. Obesity rate and added sugars consumption were higher among FI students with MPs than among FI students lacking MPs and FS students regardless of MP status. Among students with MPs, FS students had a higher intake of fruits and vegetables than FI students. CONCLUSIONS: Food insecurity was associated with obesity and poor dietary intake among both sexes. Although MP subsidies may be a reasoned approach to combat food insecurity, it should be coupled with efforts to assist students in making healthy food choices.Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02941497.

Development and Validation of the Short Healthy Eating Index Survey with a College Population to Assess Dietary Quality and Intake.

Because diet quality (DQ) is associated with risk of chronic disease and is a common construct assessed in health-related research, validated tools to assess DQ are needed that have low respondent and researcher burden. Thus, content experts develop the Short Healthy Eating Index (sHEI) tool and an associated scoring system. The sHEI scoring system was then refined using a classification and regression tree (CRT) algorithm methodology with an iterative feedback process with expert review and input. The sHEI scoring system was then validated using a concurrent criterion validation process that included the sHEI DQ scores (calculated from responses from 50 participants) being compared to the participants' Healthy Eating Index scores derived from 24 h recalls. The total HEI score from the CRT algorithm highly correlated with the 24 h recall HEI score (0.79). For individual food group items, the correlation between the CRT algorithm scoring and the 24 h recall data scoring ranged from 0.44 for refined grains to 0.64 for whole fruits. The sHEI appears to be a valid tool for estimating overall dietary quality and individual items (with correlations > 0.49) for fruits, vegetables, dairy, added sugar, sugar from sugar-sweetened beverages, and calcium.