How policy implementation shapes the impact of U.S. food assistance policies: the case study of the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Much of the chronic disease burden in the U.S. population can be traced to poor diet. There has been a sustained focus on influencing children's diets and encouraging healthier eating habits by changing policies for what foods and beverages can be served to children through large federally-funded nutrition assistance programs. Yet without attention to how nutrition policies are implemented, and the surrounding context for these policies, these policy changes may not have the intended results. In this perspective, we used Bullock et al.'s (2021) Process Model of Implementation from a Policy Perspective to analyze how the complexities of the implementation process of large-scale nutrition policies can dilute potential health outcomes. We examine the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a federal program focused on supporting the provision of nutritious meals to over 4 million children attending childcare, as a case study. We examine how the larger societal contexts of food insecurity, attitudes towards the social safety net, and a fragmented childcare system interact with CACFP. We review the "policy package" of CACFP itself, in terms of its regulatory requirements, and the various federal, state, and local implementation agencies that shape CACFP's on-the-ground implementation. We then review the evidence for how each component of the CACFP policy implementation process impacts uptake, costs, feasibility, equity, and effectiveness at improving children's nutrition. Our case study demonstrates how public health researchers and practitioners must consider the complexities of policy implementation processes to ensure effective implementation of nutrition policies intended to improve population health.

Moving from Policy to Practice for Early Childhood Obesity Prevention: A Nationwide Evaluation of State Implementation Strategies in Childcare.

Policies requiring childcare settings to promote healthy eating, physical activity, and limited screentime have the potential to improve young children's health. However, policies may have limited impact without effective implementation strategies to promote policy adoption. In this mixed-methods study, we evaluated the type, quality, and dose of implementation strategies for state-level childcare licensing regulations focused on healthy eating, physical activity, or screentime using: (1) a survey of state licensing staff and technical assistance providers (n = 89) in 32 states; (2) a structured review of each state's childcare licensing and training websites for childcare providers; and (3) in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 31 childcare licensing administrators and technical assistance providers across 17 states. Implementation strategies for supporting childcare providers in adopting healthy eating, physical activity, and screentime regulations vary substantially by state, in quantity and structure. Childcare programs' financial challenges, staff turnover, and lack of adequate facilities were identified as key barriers to adoption. Access to federal food programs was seen as critical to implementing nutrition regulations. Implementation resources such as training and informational materials were rarely available in multiple languages or targeted to providers serving low-income or racially/ethnically diverse families. There is a substantial need for implementation supports for ensuring policies are successfully and equitably implemented in childcare.

Patients and Partners in Research: Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Research Engagement and the Role of Their Psychosocial States in Participation.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common, nontraumatic, disabling diseases diagnosed in adults. Self-empowered patients and families are valued members of the MS research team. The objective of this study was to explore patient and family perceptions of the influence of psychosocial state on their willingness to be research partners. Researchers conducted 5 focus groups with MS patients and family from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The researchers asked questions addressing psychosocial factors influencing ability and willingness to work with MS researchers as partners. Relevant themes were identified including comfort level of individuals in formulating research questions, comfort level engaging in research, understanding of the meaning of research and self-perception about skills, research training, and knowledge needs. The findings of this study support the role of MS patients' perspectives about MS, their understanding of the science of MS, and role of their psychosocial states as all these factors were patient identified as being key to their ability to be active, engaged and willing research participants.

Opportunities to Promote Healthy Weight Through Child Care Licensing Regulations: Trends in the United States, 2016-2020.

BACKGROUND: Policies that support healthy nutrition and physical activity environments in early care and education (ECE) settings can help promote healthy weight in children. State child care licensing regulations are a critical mechanism for setting such policies. OBJECTIVES: To develop a research instrument to evaluate the promotion of healthy child weight in state child care licensing regulations and assess the strength of the regulations over time. DESIGN: For measure development, systematic reviews of evidence on the impact of healthy weight strategies relevant to the ECE environment were combined with expert stakeholder input to identify 15 healthy weight promotion policy standards and a coding tool to measure the strength and comprehensiveness of regulatory language matching these standards. For assessing the strength of regulations, the coding tool was applied to child care regulations nationwide in 2016 and again in 2020. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Child care licensing regulations in 2016 and 2020 for all 50 US states plus Washington DC. OUTCOME MEASURES: Strength and comprehensiveness scores for state licensing regulations. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to estimate interrater reliability of the coding tool. Paired t tests were used to compare scores within states from 2016 to 2020. RESULTS: Interrater reliability for the coding tool had intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.81 for strength and 0.87 for comprehensiveness scores. Strength and comprehensiveness of states' healthy weight promotion policies increased significantly over time (P < .001). However, most states still lack important healthy weight policies in their licensing regulations, such as prohibiting serving sugary drinks. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents a reliable research instrument for measuring the strength and comprehensiveness of healthy weight promotion standards in child care licensing regulations. States have increased their incorporation of strategies for healthy weight into state policy.

Alignment of State Regulations With Breastfeeding and Beverage Best Practices for Childcare Centers and Family Childcare Homes, United States.

OBJECTIVES: Childcare is an important setting for nutrition; nearly half of young children in the United States participate in licensed childcare, where they consume up to two-thirds of their daily dietary intake. We compared state regulations for childcare with best practices to support breastfeeding and healthy beverage provision. METHODS: We reviewed regulations for childcare centers (centers) and family childcare homes (homes) in effect May-July 2016 and rated all 50 states for inclusion (1 = not included, 2 = partially included, 3 = fully included) of 12 breastfeeding and beverage best practices. We calculated average ratings for 6 practices specific to infants aged 0-11 months, 6 practices specific to children aged 1-6 years, and all 12 practices, by state and across all states. We assessed significant differences between centers and homes for each best practice by using McNemar-Bowker tests for symmetry, and we assessed differences across states by using paired student t tests. RESULTS: States included best practices in regulations for centers more often than for homes. Average ratings (standard deviations) in regulations across all states were significantly higher in centers than in homes for infant best practices (2.1 [0.5] vs 1.8 [0.5], P < .001), child best practices (2.1 [0.6] vs 1.8 [0.6], P = .002), and all 12 best practices combined (2.1 [0.5] vs 1.8 [0.6], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Although best practices were more consistently included in regulations for centers than for homes, many state childcare regulations did not include best practices to support breastfeeding and the provision of healthy beverages. Findings can be used to inform efforts to improve regulations and to reduce differences between centers and homes.

Provider reported implementation of nutrition-related practices in childcare centers and family childcare homes in rural and urban Nebraska.

Approximately 15 million children under age 6 are in childcare settings, offering childcare providers an opportunity to influence children's dietary intake. Childcare settings vary in organizational structure - childcare centers (CCCs) vs. family childcare homes (FCCHs) - and in geographical location - urban vs. rural. Research on the nutrition-related best practices across these childcare settings is scarce. The objective of this study is to compare nutrition-related best practices of CCCs and FCCHs that participate in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in rural and urban Nebraska. Nebraska providers (urban n = 591; rural n = 579) reported implementation level, implementation difficulty and barriers to implementing evidence-informed food served and mealtime practices. Chi-square tests comparing CCCs and FCCHs in urban Nebraska and CCCs and FCCHs in rural Nebraska showed sub-optimal implementation for some practices across all groups, including limiting fried meats and high sugar/ high fat foods, using healthier foods or non-food treats for celebrations and serving meals family style. Significant differences (p < .05) between CCCs and FCCHs also emerged, especially with regard to perceived barriers to implementing best practices. For example, CCCs reported not having enough money to cover the cost of meals for providers, lack of control over foods served and storage problems, whereas FCCHs reported lack of time to prepare healthier foods and sit with children during mealtimes. Findings suggest that policy and public health interventions may need to be targeted to address the unique challenges of implementing evidence-informed practices within different organizational structures and geographic locations.

Accessing Minnesota School District Administrators' Knowledge and Perceptions Related to Sharing School Play Spaces After the Passage of Minnesota Shared Use Legislation.

Lower levels of physical activity among children in the United States can be attributed in part to the lack of access to safe, low-cost recreational facilities. Shared use, or a partnership allowing the community to use school recreational facilities outside of normal hours, has received increased attention. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of knowledge among school district decision makers about a law passed clarifying liability for school shared use in Minnesota and to understand perceptions held by school decision makers regarding shared use of recreational facilities. A survey of Minnesota school superintendents and other decision makers (N = 182) was conducted to understand the issues relevant to sharing school recreational facilities with the public. The majority (90%) of respondents indicated concern about liability for injury on school property outside of normal hours, and that insurance and contracts provided the most protection from liability. Most respondents indicated they were not familiar with the Minnesota shared use legislation and its provisions (61.4%, n = 108). Findings suggest the importance of education and training to further school superintendents' knowledge of Minnesota shared use legislation, legal and policy issues relevant to shared use, and issues related to the implementation of shared use within their districts.

State Regulations to Support Children's Cultural and Religious Food Preferences in Early Care and Education.

OBJECTIVE: In July 2018 the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics released a benchmark encouraging early care and education (ECE) programs, including child care centers and family child care homes, to incorporate cultural and religious food preferences of children into meals. We examined the extent to which states were already doing so through their ECE licensing and administrative regulations prior to the release of the benchmark. This review may serve as a baseline to assess future updates, if more states incorporate the benchmark into their regulations. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we reviewed ECE regulations for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (hereafter states) through June 2018. We assessed consistency with the benchmark for centers and homes. We conducted Spearman correlations to estimate associations between the year the regulations were updated and consistency with the benchmark. RESULTS: Among centers, eight states fully met the benchmark, 11 partially met the benchmark, and 32 did not meet the benchmark. Similarly for homes, four states fully met the benchmark, 13 partially met the benchmark, and 34 did not meet the benchmark. Meeting the benchmark was not correlated with the year of last update for centers (P = 0.54) or homes (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: Most states lacked regulations consistent with the benchmark. Health professionals can help encourage ECE programs to consider cultural and religious food preferences of children in meal planning. And, if feasible, states may consider additional regulations supporting cultural and religious preferences of children in future updates to regulations.

Patients' preferences and willingness-to-pay for disease-modifying therapies.

BACKGROUND: While disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments are costly, patient valuation of DMTs has not been examined. The objective of this study was to examine patients' preferences and willingness-to-pay (WTP) for DMTs. METHODS: Six attributes (i.e., number of relapses, percentage of disability progression, percentage of severe adverse events, route of administration, frequency of administration, and out-of-pocket cost) and their levels were used to develop a discrete choice experiment questionnaire. Each questionnaire comprised seven choice sets and each choice set contained two hypothetical DMTs and an opt-out alternative. A total of 1,200 U.S. patients with MS were asked to choose a DMT option or opt-out in each choice set. Multinomial logit model was used to determine relative preferences of each attribute. WTPs for all attributes and DMTs were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 508 patients were analyzed. Patients preferred DMTs with lower relapse rate, lower disability progression, lower severe adverse event, lower frequency of administration, and lower cost. In addition, they preferred oral DMTs. They were willing to pay $2,768, $289, $292, and $76 a month in exchange for every 1-time decrease in the number of relapses in two years, every 1% decrease in disability progression in two years, every 1% decrease in severe adverse events, and every 1-time decrease in the frequency of administration per month, respectively. The patients were willing to pay, in relation to market prices, between $7,020 and $134,934 per year for all DMTs, but interferon beta-1a SC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MS considered relapse rate, disability progression, severe adverse events, route of administration, frequency of administration, and out-of-pocket cost, when they chose DMTs. Their WTPs for DMTs varied widely.

Provider Adherence to Nutrition and Physical Activity Best Practices Within Early Care and Education Settings in Minnesota, Helping to Reduce Early Childhood Health Disparities.

Licensed child care providers, and the early care and education settings in which they operate, are uniquely situated to influence children's healthy eating and physical activity through practices, attitudes, and supportive physical and social environments. However, preliminary research indicates that child-, family-, and provider-level characteristics affect adherence to best practices across early care and education settings. The current article used survey data ( n = 618) to characterize differences in child care providers' adherence to nutrition, physical activity, and mealtime best practices, based on child-, family- and provider-level characteristics, and to describe secular trends in adherence to nutrition and physical activity best practices between 2010 and 2016. Results indicate that differences exist across certain characteristics, including child race/ethnicity, family's use of child care assistance, language spoken at home, and provider educational attainment; however, it is notable that in most cases providers serving children of minority race and children in low-income families have a higher rate of compliance with the nutrition and physical activity best practices studied. Additionally, the comparison of adherence to best practices from 2010 to 2016 suggests that, while there was an increase in mean adherence from 2010 to 2016, overall trends in adherence across child-, family- and provider-level characteristics have been consistent across time. Public health professionals should continue to advocate for opportunities for providers to learn how to best incorporate best practices within their setting (e.g., education and training opportunities) as well as for the development and adoption of systems-level changes (e.g., expansion of food assistance programs) to reduce barriers to adherence to best practices.

State Regulations Promoting Infant Physical Activity in Early Care and Education.

BACKGROUND: State policies have the potential to improve early care and education (ECE) settings, but little is known about the extent to which states are updating their licensing and administrative regulations, especially in response to national calls to action. In 2013, we assessed state regulations promoting infant physical activity in ECE and compared them with national recommendations. To assess change over time, we conducted this review again in 2018. METHODS: We reviewed regulations for all US states for child care centers (centers) and family child care homes (homes) and compared them with three national recommendations: (1) provide daily tummy time; (2) use cribs, car seats, and high chairs for their primary purpose; and (3) limit the use of restrictive equipment (e.g., strollers). We performed exact McNemar's tests to compare the number of states meeting recommendations from 2013 to 2018 to evaluate whether states had made changes over this period. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2018, we observed significant improvement in one recommendation for homes-to use cribs, car seats, and high chairs for their primary purpose (odds ratio 11.0; 95% CI 1.6-47.3; p = 0.006). We did not observe any other significant difference between 2013 and 2018 regulations. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increased awareness of the importance of early-life physical activity, we observed only modest improvement in the number of states meeting infant physical activity recommendations over the past 5 years. In practice, ECE programs may be promoting infant physical activity, but may not be required to do so through state regulations.

Change in the implementation of healthy nutrition and physical activity best practices in Minnesota early care settings: A longitudinal cohort study (2010-2016).

The goal of the 'Healthy Start, Healthy State' study was to describe changes in the implementation of healthy nutrition and physical activity (PA) best practices in early child care and education (ECE) settings from 2010 to 2016. A cohort of 215 Minnesota licensed center- and family/home-based providers completed a survey describing 15 nutrition and 8 PA best practices that they "already do" in 2010 and again in 2016 were analyzed in 2016. There was a significant net implementation rate increase for 15 best practices (10 nutrition, 5 PA) in centers and 12 best practices (8 nutrition, 4 PA) in family/home-based programs. The 2010 nutrition and PA scores were negatively associated with mean change in 2016 indicating the decreased potential for improvement among sites with more best practices already implemented in 2010. Adjusted for 2010 nutrition score and other factors, centers implemented, on average, 1.45 more nutrition best practices from 2010 to 2016 than family/home based programs, and CACFP participating programs implemented, on average, 1.7 more nutrition best practices from 2010 to 2016 than non-CACFP participants. Urbanicity, provider education, and provider years of experience were not significantly associated with 2010-2016 change in nutrition score. The mean PA score change had a small but significant increase for each additional year of provider ECE experience after adjusting for the 2010 score. State-level surveillance of implemented best practices in ECE settings is useful. Findings identify opportunities for stakeholders to respond with targeted technical support and training and to consider potential future policy levers.

Childcare Providers' Possession or Use of Marijuana, Tobacco, or Alcohol While Caring for Children: A Comparison of US State Regulations.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate US state regulations regarding marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol to determine the extent to which states attempt to govern these substances in early care and education (ECE) settings. METHODS: Two independent reviewers assessed regulations enacted by December 2016 for all states and the District of Columbia. Reviewers compared regulations to national standards on the possession or use of marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol in ECE settings. RESULTS: Fewer states regulated marijuana than tobacco or alcohol in ECE settings. More states restricted the use of these 3 substances than they restricted the possession of them. CONCLUSIONS: Most states address alcohol or tobacco possession or use in their regulations but should consider updating these provisions to align with national standards. Public Health Implications. Updating and strengthening state childcare regulations regarding marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol possession and use may help protect children in ECE settings, where many children spend a substantial portion of time. As more states legalize marijuana, they may consider updating their regulations and including precise language to better protect children from unintended pediatric marijuana exposure or impaired childcare providers.

Media and Young Minds: Comparing State Screen Media Use Regulations for Children Under 24 Months of Age in Early Care and Education to a National Standard.

Introduction Excessive screen media use has been associated with a number of negative health outcomes in young children, including increased risk for obesity and comparatively lagging cognitive development. The purpose of this study was to assess state licensing regulations restricting screen media use for children under 24 months old in early care and education (ECE) and to compare regulations to a national standard. Methods We reviewed screen media use regulations for all US states for child care centers ("centers") and family child care homes ("homes") and compared these regulations to a national standard discouraging screen media use in children under 24 months of age. We assessed associations between state geographic region and year of last update with the presence of regulations consistent with the standard. In centers, 24 states had regulations limiting screen media use for children under 24 months of age and 19 states had regulations limiting screen media use in homes. Results More states in the South and fewer states in the Midwest had regulations limiting screen media use. The association between geographic region and regulations was not significant for centers (p = 0.06), but was for homes (p = 0.04). The year of last update (within the past 5 years versus older than 5 years) was not associated with regulations for centers (p = 0.18) or homes (p = 0.90). Discussion Many states lacked screen media use regulations for ECE. States should consider adding screen media use restrictions for children under 24 months based on current research data and current recommendations in future regulations updates.

State Variations in Infant Feeding Regulations for Child Care.

OBJECTIVES: Early care and education (ECE) settings have become primary targets for policy change in recent years. In our 2008 study, we assessed state and regional variation in infant feeding regulations for ECE and compared them to national standards. We conducted the same regulatory review to assess change over time. Because all but 2 states have updated their regulations, we hypothesized that states would have made substantial improvements in the number of regulations supporting infant feeding in ECE. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we reviewed infant feeding regulations for all US states for child care centers (centers) and family child care homes (homes). We compared regulations with 10 national standards and assessed the number of new regulations consistent with these standards since our previous review. RESULTS: Comparing results from 2008 and 2016, we observed significant improvements in 7 of the 10 standards for centers and 4 of the 10 standards for homes. Delaware was the only state with regulations meeting 9 of the 10 standards for centers in 2008. In 2016, Delaware and Michigan had regulations meeting 8 of the 10 standards. Previously, Arkansas, the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, and South Carolina had regulations consistent with 4 of the 10 standards for homes. In 2016, Delaware, Mississippi, and Vermont had regulations meeting 7 of the 10 standards. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests that enacting new regulations may improve child health outcomes. Given that many states recently enacted regulations governing infant feeding, our findings point to the growing interest in this area.

Early feeding in child care in the United States: Are state regulations supporting breastfeeding?

Most women in the US are not meeting the recommendation of exclusively breastfeeding their infants for the first 6months of life. The child care environment can be especially influential in a mother's ability to continue breastfeeding after returning to employment. For this study, we reviewed child care regulations related to breastfeeding for centers and homes in all 50 states and the District of Colombia in late 2016, and compared them to 5 national standards. We coded regulations as either not meeting, partially meeting, or fully meeting each standard. We assessed correlations between number of regulations consistent with standards and 1) geographic census region and 2) last year of update. This study provides an update to a previous review conducted in 2012. No state met all 5 of the included standards, and only 2 states for centers and 1 state for homes at least partially met 4 of the 5 standards. More states had regulations consistent with standards encouraging general support for breastfeeding and requiring a designated place for mothers to breastfeed onsite. Number of regulations consistent with standards was associated with geographic census region, but not last year of update. States in the South had a greater number of regulations consistent with standards and states in the West had the fewest number of regulations consistent with standards. Overall support for breastfeeding at the state child care regulation level continues to be insufficient. States should improve child care regulations to include greater support for breastfeeding in child care facilities.

What Can Be Learned from Existing Investigations of Weight-Related Practices and Policies with the Potential to Impact Disparities in US Child-Care Settings? A Narrative Review and Call for Surveillance and Evaluation Efforts.

Child-care settings and the combination of policies and regulations under which they operate may reduce or perpetuate disparities in weight-related health, depending on the environmental supports they provide for healthy eating and activity. The objectives of this review are to summarize research on state and local policies germane to weight-related health equity among young children in the United States and on how federal policies and regulations may provide supports for child-care providers serving families with the most limited resources. In addition, a third objective is to comprehensively review studies of whether there are differences in practices and policies within US child-care facilities according to the location or demographics of providers and children. The review found there is growing evidence addressing disparities in the social and physical child-care environments provided for young children, but scientific gaps are present in the current understanding of how resources should best be allocated and policies designed to promote health equity. Additional research is needed to address limitations of prior studies relating to the measurement of supports for weight-related health; complexities of categorizing socioeconomic position, ethnicity/race, and urban and rural areas; exclusion of legally nonlicensed care settings from most research; and the cross-sectional nature of most study designs. There is a particularly great need for the development of strong surveillance systems to allow for better monitoring and evaluation of state policies that may impact weight-related aspects of child-care environments, implementation at the program level, and needed implementation supports.

Applying an Equity Lens to the Child Care Setting.

In the current landscape, child care is increasingly being seen as a place for early education, and systems are largely bundling child care in the Early Care and Education sphere through funding and quality measures. As states define school readiness and quality, they often miss critical elements, such as equitable access to quality and cultural traditions. This article provides a summary of the various definitions and structures of child care. It also discusses how the current child care policy conversation can and ought to be infused with a framework grounded in the context of institutional racism and trauma. Models and examples will explore the differences between state government regulations, and how those differ than the regulation and structure of child care in Indian Country.

Obesity Prevention in Early Child Care Settings.

BACKGROUND: Long-term evaluation studies reveal that high-quality early care and education (ECE) programs that include a lifestyle component predict later adult health outcomes. The purpose of this article is to characterize the nutrition and physical activity (PA) practices, including implementation difficulty and barriers, of licensed center- and family home-based ECE programs serving 2- to 5-year-old children in Minnesota (MN) and Wisconsin (WI). METHOD: A stratified random sampling procedure was used to select representative cross sections of licensed ECE providers in MN and WI. A total of 2,000 providers (1,000 center-based, 1,000 family home-based) were randomly selected and invited to respond to a 97-item survey with questions representing (1) nutrition and PA practices, (2) barriers to meeting nutrition and PA best practices, and (3) written and implemented nutrition and PA policies. Summated scales were constructed for nutrition-related (range 0-15; Cronbach's α = .86) and for PA-related best practices (range 0-10; Cronbach's α = .82). RESULTS: A total of 823 providers returned surveys between August 2010 and March 2011, resulting in a 44% bistate participation rate. Across all programs an average ( SD) of 7.0 (4.1) nutrition best practices were already implemented. Center-based providers reported on average 0.8 additional nutrition best practice (7.4 vs. 6.6, p = .01). Across all programs an average ( SD) of 5.2 (3.1) PA best practices were already implemented. Center-based providers reported on average one more PA best practice (5.3 vs. 4.3, p < .01). The cost of healthy food and the weather were identified as barriers by 80% of providers, regardless of program type.

Reactions of 1,3-Diketones with a Dipeptide Isothiazolidin-3-one: Toward Agents That Covalently Capture Oxidized Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a validated therapeutic target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes; however, the enzyme has been classified by some as an "undruggable target". Here we describe studies directed toward the development of agents that covalently capture the sulfenyl amide "oxoform" of PTP1B generated during insulin signaling events. The sulfenyl amide residue found in oxidized PTP1B presents a unique electrophilic sulfur center that may be exploited in drug and probe design. Covalent capture of oxidized PTP1B could permanently disable the intracellular pool of enzyme involved in regulation of insulin signaling. Here, we employed a dipeptide model of oxidized PTP1B to investigate the nucleophilic capture of the sulfenyl amide residue by structurally diverse 1,3-diketones. All of the 1,3-diketones examined here reacted readily with the electrophilic sulfur center in the sulfenyl amide residue to generate stable covalent attachments. Several different types of products were observed, depending upon the substituents present on the 1,3-diketone. The results provide a chemical foundation for the development of agents that covalently capture the oxidized form of PTP1B generated in cells during insulin signaling events.