ABSTRACT
The change in policy that allowed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to redeem their benefits online during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted the potential role of nutrition education programs in facilitating the purchase of healthy, economical food online. The objective of this exploratory qualitative study was to understand the education provided by nutrition educators on online grocery shopping and educators' perspectives on education needs and ways that healthy purchases can be encouraged online. Interviews revealed topics that can be included in in-person education on online shopping, insights for online nutrition education, and promotion strategies for encouraging healthy purchases by low-income shoppers online.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Produce sold as plastic-wrapped packs of two to four individual items (i.e., produce micro-packs) that are low cost and placed at checkout may appeal to shoppers with budget constraints and provide a second chance to purchase items available elsewhere in the store. This study examined the impact of an intervention that placed produce micro-packs at checkout and promoted them in grocery stores across New Mexico, USA. DESIGN: This quasi-experimental study placed produce micro-packs at checkout end-caps in thirteen stores (group 1), with eight stores serving as controls (group 2) from 1 July 2019 through 31 January 2020 (first phase). The intervention was extended to group 2 stores from 1 February 2020 through 30 June 2020 (second phase). Cashiers were directed to upsell the micro-packs to Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children recipients who had unspent cash value benefits for produce purchases. SETTING: Twenty-one grocery stores across New Mexico. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-one produce items sold as micro-packs in stores from July 2019 through June 2020. RESULTS: A random effects model showed that the daily sales of micro-packs increased by 47 % during each intervention period. Group 2 stores had lower sales than group 1 stores during the first phase of the intervention. Once extended to group 2 stores, sales of micro-packs in those stores increased and sales in group 1 stores continued at the higher level. CONCLUSIONS: Placing produce micro-packs at checkout may increase produce sales and support health promotion efforts by public and private stakeholders.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Insulin resistance plays a major role in metabolic syndrome and is recognized as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Identifying predictors for insulin resistance could optimize screening and prevention. PURPOSE: To evaluate the contribution of multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms across genes related to NAFLD and choline metabolism, in predicting insulin resistance in children with obesity. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three children with obesity (73 girls), aged 7-18 years, were evaluated within the NutriGen Study (ClinicalTrials.gov-NCT02837367). Insulin resistance was defined by Homeostatic Model Assessment for insulin-resistance cut-offs that accommodated pubertal and gender differences. Anthropometric, metabolic, intake-related variables, and 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms related to NAFLD and choline metabolism were evaluated. Gene-gene interaction effects were assessed using Multiple Data Reduction Software. RESULTS: Sixty percent (93/153) of participants showed insulin resistance (58.7% of boys, 63% of girls). Children with insulin resistance presented significantly higher values for standardized body mass index, triglycerides, transaminases and plasma choline when compared to those without insulin resistance. Out of 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms analysed, the interaction between genotypes CHDH(rs12676) and PNPLA3(rs738409) predicted insulin resistance. The model presented a 6/10 cross-validation consistency and 0.58 testing accuracy. Plasma choline levels and alanine aminotransferase modulated the gene interaction effect, significantly improving the model. CONCLUSION: The interaction between genotypes in CHDH and PNPLA3 genes, modulated by choline and alanine aminotransferase levels, predicted insulin-resistance status in children with obesity. If replicated in larger cohorts, these findings could help identify metabolic risk in children with obesity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nutritional knowledge assessment is an important component in nutrition research, and a prerequisite for the implementation of many policies and programs aimed at improving eating behavior. In order to generate objective results, validated tools for a given population must be employed. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of a nutrition knowledge questionnaire for Romanian adults. METHODS: Kleimann's version of a General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire, was translated and adapted to Romanian language, culture, and cuisine. The final format was developed in several steps and used four components: internal and external reliability were assessed in a general population sample (n1 = 412), respectively in a subgroup (n2 = 46) from Component 1; Component 3 assessed construct validity (n3 = 96) using the "known-groups" method; Component 4 (convergent validity, n4 = 508) tested the association between socio-demographic characteristics and nutrition knowledge. RESULTS: The overall internal reliability was 0.878 and the external reliability was >0.880 in all sections, and overall. Specialists had higher scores than nonspecialists, with a very large effect size. In the general population, females scored higher than males, and middle-aged and older adults scored higher than young adults. Higher scores were associated with higher levels of education. The characteristics of individuals prone to giving wrong answers were: males (beta = 0.170), high school or less (beta = 0.167), and no training in nutrition (beta = 0.154). CONCLUSIONS: The Romanian version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for measuring nutrition knowledge in adults.
Subject(s)
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Language , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Reproducibility of Results , Romania , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To inform policy proposals to allow online grocery shopping with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by examining relevant behaviors, knowledge, and attitudes of SNAP recipients. METHODS: This qualitative study used a purposive recruitment strategy to conduct 4 1-hour focus groups in Las Cruces, NM. Participants were SNAP recipients who do the grocery shopping for their families. Focus groups were video and audio recorded, transcribed, and coded. RESULTS: Few participants had shopped for groceries online, and participants were generally uninterested in grocery shopping online. Identified barriers were cost, quality control for perishable foods in particular, and distrust of the overall process. Participants expressed interest in suggested services aimed at increasing the benefits of shopping online. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: SNAP recipients in this study have not adopted online grocery shopping for various reasons. Additional research could inform policy by investigating which participants would benefit from using SNAP benefits online and strategies for facilitating use.
Subject(s)
Consumer Behavior , Food Assistance , Health Behavior/physiology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Nutrition Policy , Qualitative Research , Young AdultABSTRACT
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) play important roles in health and disease. PUFA levels are influenced by nutrition and genetic factors. The relationship between PUFA composition in red blood cells (RBCs) and genetic variations involved in PUFA metabolism has not been investigated in children with obesity. This study evaluated the association between several genetic variations and PUFA levels in RBCs in children with obesity. One hundred ninety-six children with obesity (101 females, 95 males) were evaluated using anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, plasma and RBC PUFA quantification, blood biochemistry, and 55 single nucleotide polymorphisms within 14 genes. phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) rs1109859 and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) rs4846052 genotypes were associated with PUFA levels in RBCs. PUFA intake did not influence the RBC eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels. Higher RBC DHA and EPA levels were observed for PEMT rs1109859 GG and GA genotypes versus the AA genotype. Higher levels of RBC DHA, EPA, arachidonic acid (ARA), and linoleic acid (LA) and were observed for MTHFR rs4846052 TT genotype versus TC and CC genotypes. Genetic variations in PEMT rs1109859 and MTHFR rs4846052 were associated with different PUFA levels in RBC membranes and are estimators for PUFA species in RBCs. Further research is needed to establish whether these genotype-specific alterations are specific to overweight children.
Subject(s)
Fatty Acids, Omega-3/metabolism , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/metabolism , Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2)/genetics , Pediatric Obesity/genetics , Phosphatidylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Adolescent , Cell Membrane/chemistry , Cell Membrane/metabolism , Child , Erythrocytes/metabolism , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/chemistry , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/chemistry , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
People with obesity in Romania are often under medical supervision, which is aimed to decrease body weight and treat accompanying metabolic disorders and cardiovascular implications. However, there is limited information regarding the implementation of dietary recommendations in adults with obesity. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of reaching the recommended intakes of macro- and micro-nutrients in adults with obesity under medical supervision. Individuals with obesity, recruited in the context of a study with a larger scope (NutriGen ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02837367), who were under medical supervision underwent four 24 h recalls in order to assess daily food intakes. Macro- and micro-nutrient intakes were computed, and the prevalence of reaching recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for each nutrient was calculated. The majority of subjects did not meet the recommended intakes for most nutrients. Energy from fat exceeded the threshold of 35% recommended intake, even in the lowest quartile of energy intake. The micronutrients with less than 5% of individuals reaching the RDAs were vitamin D, vitamin E, fluoride, and omega-3 fatty acids for both males and females, and choline, magnesium, and potassium in females. The burden of inadequate nutrition in individuals with obesity should be acknowledged and properly addressed within efforts to reduce obesity rates and associated disorders.
Subject(s)
Diet/statistics & numerical data , Energy Intake , Micronutrients/analysis , Nutritional Status , Adult , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Micronutrients/classification , Micronutrients/metabolism , Middle Aged , Obesity/metabolism , Recommended Dietary Allowances , Romania , Young AdultABSTRACT
Few high-performance liquid chromatographyâ»tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods have been developed for the full quantitation of fatty acids from human plasma without derivatization. Therefore, we propose a method that requires fewer sample preparation steps, which can be used for the quantitation of several polyunsaturated fatty acids in human plasma. The method offers rapid, accurate, sensitive, and simultaneous quantification of omega 3 (α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) and omega 6 fatty acids (arachidonic and linoleic acids) using high-performance LC-MS/MS. The selected fatty acids were analysed in lipid extracts from both free and total forms. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed phase C18 column with isocratic flow using ammonium acetate for improving negative electrospray ionization (ESI) response. Mass detection was performed in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, and deuterated internal standards were used for each target compound. The limits of quantification were situated in the low nanomolar range, excepting linoleic acid, for which the limit was in the high nanomolar range. The method was validated according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines, and offers a fast, sensitive, and reliable quantification of selected omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in human plasma.
Subject(s)
Biological Assay/methods , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/blood , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/blood , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/metabolism , Fatty Acids, Omega-6/metabolism , Humans , Limit of Detection , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization/methods , Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methodsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: (i) To determine the current state of online grocery shopping, including individuals' motivations for shopping for groceries online and types of foods purchased; and (ii) to identify the potential promise and pitfalls that online grocery shopping may offer in relation to food and beverage purchases. DESIGN: PubMed, ABI/INFORM and Google Scholar were searched to identify published research. SETTING: To be included, studies must have been published between 2007 and 2017 in English, based in the USA or Europe (including the UK), and focused on: (i) motivations for online grocery shopping; (ii) the cognitive/psychosocial domain; and (iii) the community or neighbourhood food environment domain. SUBJECTS: Our search yielded twenty-four relevant papers. RESULTS: Findings indicate that online grocery shopping can be a double-edged sword. While it has the potential to increase healthy choices via reduced unhealthy impulse purchases, nutrition labelling strategies, and as a method to overcome food access limitations among individuals with limited access to a brick-and-mortar store, it also has the potential to increase unhealthy choices due to reasons such as consumers' hesitance to purchase fresh produce online. CONCLUSIONS: Additional research is needed to determine the most effective ways to positively engage customers to use online grocery shopping to make healthier choices.
Subject(s)
Choice Behavior , Consumer Behavior , Food Preferences , Internet , Diet, Healthy , Food Labeling , Humans , MotivationABSTRACT
Gene-nutrient interactions are important contributors to health management and disease prevention. Nutrition can alter gene expression, as well as the susceptibility to disease, including cancer, through epigenetic changes. Nutrients can influence the epigenetic status through several mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and miRNA-dependent gene silencing. These alterations were associated with either increased or decreased risk for cancer development. There is convincing evidence indicating that several foods have protective roles in cancer prevention, by inhibiting tumor progression directly or through modifying tumor's microenvironment that leads to hostile conditions favorable to tumor initiation or growth. While nutritional intakes from foods cannot be adequately controlled for dosage, the role of nutrients in the epigenetics of cancer has led to more research aimed at developing nutriceuticals and drugs as cancer therapies. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate the optimum doses of dietary compounds, the safety profile of dosages, to establish the most efficient way of administration, and bioavailability, in order to maximize the beneficial effects already discovered, and to ensure replicability. Thus, nutrition represents a promising tool to be used not only in cancer prevention, but hopefully also in cancer treatment.
Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements , Epigenesis, Genetic , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Neoplasms/genetics , Nutrients , Diet , Epigenomics/methods , Food , Food Contamination , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects , Histones/metabolism , Humans , Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasms/therapy , Nutrients/metabolism , Nutrients/pharmacology , Nutrition Therapy , Nutritional Status , Protective AgentsSubject(s)
Feeding Behavior , Food Supply/economics , Analysis of Variance , Budgets , Choice Behavior , HumansABSTRACT
Maternal transfer of fatty acids is important to fetal brain development. The prenatal environment may differentially affect the substrates supporting declarative memory abilities, as the level of fatty acids transferred across the placenta may be affected by the maternal fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) rs174575 single nucleotide polymorphism. In this study, we hypothesized that toddler and maternal rs174575 genotype and FADS2 promoter methylation would be related to the toddlers' declarative memory performance. Seventy-one 16-month-old toddlers participated in an imitation paradigm designed to test immediate and long-term declarative memory abilities. FADS2 rs174575 genotype was determined and FADS2 promoter methylation was quantified from blood by bisulfite pyrosequencing for the toddlers and their natural mothers. Toddlers of GG mothers at the FADS2 rs174575 single nucleotide polymorphism did not perform as well on memory assessments as toddlers of CC or CG mothers when controlling for plasma α-linolenic acid and child genotype. Toddler methylation status was related to immediate memory performance, whereas maternal methylation status was related to delayed memory performance. Thus, prenatal experience and maternal FADS2 status have a pervasive, long-lasting influence on the brain development of the offspring, but as the postnatal environment becomes more primary, the offsprings' own biology begins to have an effect.
Subject(s)
Cognition , DNA Methylation/genetics , Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics , Fatty Acid Desaturases/genetics , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/genetics , Mothers , Female , Genotype , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
Polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in toddlers is regulated by a complex network of interacting factors. The contribution of maternal genetic and epigenetic makeup to this milieu is not well understood. In a cohort of mothers and toddlers 16 months of age (n = 65 mother-child pairs), we investigated the association between maternal genetic and epigenetic fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) profiles and toddlers' n-6 and n-3 fatty acid metabolism. FADS2 rs174575 variation and DNA methylation status were interrogated in mothers and toddlers, as well as food intake and plasma fatty acid concentrations in toddlers. A multivariate fit model indicated that maternal rs174575 genotype, combined with DNA methylation, can predict α-linolenic acid plasma concentration in all toddlers and arachidonic acid concentrations in boys. Arachidonic acid intake was predictive for its plasma concentration in girls, whereas intake of 3 major n-3 species (eicosapentaenoic, docosapentaenoic, and docosahexaenoic acids) were predictive for their plasma concentrations in boys. FADS2 genotype and DNA methylation in toddlers were not related to plasma concentrations or food intakes, except for CpG8 methylation. Maternal FADS2 methylation was a predictor for the boys' α-linolenic acid intakes. This exploratory study suggests that maternal FADS2 genetic and epigenetic status could be related to toddlers' polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism.
Subject(s)
DNA Methylation/genetics , Epigenesis, Genetic/genetics , Fatty Acid Desaturases/genetics , Fatty Acids, Omega-3/genetics , Fatty Acids, Unsaturated/genetics , Mothers , Female , Humans , Infant , MaleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We assessed the efficacy of an easy-to-implement shopper marketing nutrition intervention in a pilot and two additional studies to increase produce demand without decreasing store profitability or increasing shopper budgets. METHODS: We created grocery cart placards that detailed the number of produce items purchased (i.e., descriptive norm) at particular stores (i.e., provincial norm). The effect of these placards on produce spending was assessed across 971,706 individual person grocery store transactions aggregated by day. The pilot study designated a baseline period (in both control and intervention store) followed by installation of grocery cart placards (in the intervention store) for two weeks. The pilot study was conducted in Texas in 2012. In two additional stores, we designated baseline periods followed by 28 days of the same grocery cart placard intervention as in the pilot. Additional interventions were conducted in New Mexico in 2013. RESULTS: The pilot study resulted in a significant difference between average produce spending per day per person across treatment periods (i.e., intervention versus same time period in control) (16%) and the difference between average produce spending per day per person across stores in the control periods (4%); Furthermore, the same intervention in two additional stores resulted in significant produce spending increases of 12.4% and 7.5% per day per person respectively. In all stores, total spending did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive and provincial social norm messages (i.e., on grocery cart placards) may be an overlooked tool to increase produce demand without decreasing store profitability and increasing shopper budgets.
ABSTRACT
Many animal and human studies indicated that dietary ω-3 fatty acids could have beneficial roles on brain development, memory, and learning. However, the exact mechanisms involved are far from being clearly understood, especially for α-linolenic acid (ALA), which is the precursor for the ω-3 elongation and desaturation pathways. This study investigated the alterations induced by different intakes of flaxseed oil (containing 50% ALA), during gestation and lactation, upon the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis, memory-related molecular processes, and DNA methylation, in the brains of mouse offspring at the end of lactation (postnatal day 19, P19). In addition, DNA methylation status for the same genes was investigated. Maternal flaxseed oil supplementation during lactation increased the expression of Mecp2, Ppp1cc, and Reelin, while decreasing the expression of Ppp1cb and Dnmt3a. Dnmt1 expression was decreased by postnatal flaxseed oil supplementation but this effect was offset by ALA deficiency during gestation. Mecp2 DNA methylation was decreased by maternal ALA deficiency during gestation, with a more robust effect in the lactation-deficient group. In addition, linear regression analysis revealed positive correlations between Mecp2, Reelin, and Ppp1cc, between Gadd45b, Bdnf, and Creb1, and between Egr1 and Dnmt1, respectively. However, there were no correlations, in any gene, between DNA methylation and gene expression. In summary, the interplay between ALA availability during gestation and lactation differentially altered the expression of genes involved in neurogenesis and memory, in the whole brain of the offspring at the end of lactation. The Mecp2 epigenetic status was correlated with ALA availability during gestation. However, the epigenetic status of the genes investigated was not associated with transcript levels, suggesting that either the regulation of these genes is not necessarily under epigenetic control, or that the whole brain model is not adequate for the exploration of epigenetic regulation in the context of this study.
Subject(s)
Brain , DNA Methylation/drug effects , Epigenesis, Genetic/drug effects , Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/genetics , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/chemically induced , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/physiopathology , alpha-Linolenic Acid/toxicity , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Antigens, Differentiation/genetics , Antigens, Differentiation/metabolism , Brain/drug effects , Brain/growth & development , Brain/metabolism , Early Growth Response Protein 1/genetics , Early Growth Response Protein 1/metabolism , Female , Male , Memory/drug effects , Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Pregnancy , Reelin Protein , Statistics as TopicABSTRACT
Grocery stores represent a context in which a majority of people's food purchases occur. Considering the nutrition quality of the population's food intake has dramatically decreased, understanding how to improve food choice in the grocery store is paramount to healthier living. In this work, we detail the type of financial resources from which shoppers could draw (i.e., personal income and benefits from government food assistance programs to low income populations) and explain how these financial resources are allocated in the grocery store (i.e., planned, unplanned, error). Subsequently, we identify a conceptual framework for shopper marketing nutrition interventions that targets unplanned fruit and vegetable purchases (i.e., slack, or willingness to spend minus list items). Targeting slack for fresh fruit and vegetable purchases allows retailers to benefit economically (i.e., fruit and vegetables are higher margin) and allows shoppers to improve their nutrition without increasing their budgets (i.e., budget neutrality). We also provide preliminary evidence of what in-store marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables could entail by modifying grocery carts and grocery floors to provide information of what is common, normal, or appropriate fruit and vegetable purchases. In each example, fresh fruit and vegetable purchases increased and evidence suggested shopper budget neutrality. To provide context for these results, we detail measurement tools that can be used to measure shopper behaviors, purchases, and consumption patterns. Finally, we address theoretical, practical, and policy implications of shopper marketing nutrition interventions.
Subject(s)
Food Services/economics , Food , Marketing , Motivation , Choice Behavior , HumansABSTRACT
Effect alleles (alleles with a polymorphism that is associated with the effect being measured) in a small number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are known to influence the dietary requirement for choline. In this study, we examined a much larger number of SNPs (n=200) in 10 genes related to choline metabolism for associations with development of organ dysfunction (liver or muscle) when 79 humans were fed a low-choline diet. We confirmed that effect alleles in SNPs such as the C allele of PEMT rs12325817 increase the risk of developing organ dysfunction in women when they consume a diet low in choline, and we identified novel effect alleles, such as the C allele of CHKA SNP rs7928739, that alter dietary choline requirements. When fed a low-choline diet, some people presented with muscle damage rather than liver damage; several effect alleles in SLC44A1 (rs7873937, G allele; rs2771040, G; rs6479313, G; rs16924529, A; and rs3199966, C) and one in CHKB (rs1557502, A) were more common in these individuals. This suggests that pathways related to choline metabolism are more important for normal muscle function than previously thought. In European, Mexican, and Asian Americans, and in individuals of African descent, we examined the prevalence of the effect alleles in SNPs that alter choline requirement and found that they are differentially distributed among people of different ethnic and racial backgrounds. Overall, our study has identified novel genetic variants that modulate choline requirements and suggests that the dietary requirement for choline may be different across racial and ethnic groups.-Da Costa, K.-A., Corbin, K. D., Niculescu, M. D., Galanko, J. A., Zeisel, S. H. Identification of new genetic polymorphisms that alter the dietary requirement for choline and vary in their distribution across ethnic and racial groups.
Subject(s)
Choline/metabolism , Ethnicity/genetics , Nutritional Requirements/genetics , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Alleles , Diet , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Social and behavioral research in public health is often intimately tied to profound, but frequently neglected, biological influences from underlying genetic, environmental, and epigenetic events. The dynamic interplay between the life, social, and behavioral sciences often remains underappreciated and underutilized in addressing complex diseases and disorders and in developing effective remediation strategies. Using a case-study format, we present examples as to how the inclusion of genetic, environmental, and epigenetic data can augment social and behavioral health research by expanding the parameters of such studies, adding specificity to phenotypic assessments, and providing additional internal control in comparative studies. We highlight the important roles of gene-environment interactions and epigenetics as sources of phenotypic change and as a bridge between the life and social and behavioral sciences in the development of robust interdisciplinary analyses.