Associations between the objective and perceived food environment and eating behavior in relation to socioeconomic status among adults in peri-urban settings: results from the CIVISANO study in Flanders, Belgium.

Obesity, a significant public health concern, disproportionately affects people with lower socioeconomic status (SES). Food environments have been identified as part of the causal chain of this disparity. This study investigated variations in the food environment across groups with different SES profiles residing in peri-urban municipal settings. In addition, it examined the association of the perceived and objective food environments with eating behaviour and assessed if these associations were moderated by SES. Utilizing GIS and survey data (n = 497, aged 25-65), results showed differences in the objective and perceived food environments based on SES. Respondents with higher SES perceived their food environments as better but resided farther from all food outlets compared to respondents with lower SES. However, there was no difference in outlet density or mRFEI between SES groups. SES moderated associations between the objective and perceived food environments and most eating behavior outcomes except fast food consumption frequency. For fruits and vegetables, SES moderated the association between neighborhood availability and consumption frequency (ß0.23,CI0.03;0.49). Stratified analysis revealed a positive association for both lower (ß0.15, CI0.03;0.27) and higher (ß0.37, CI 0.12;0.63) SES groups. For snack foods, SES moderated the association between healthy outlet density and consumption frequency (ß-0.60, CI-0.94; -0.23), showing statistical significance only for respondents with higher SES (ß0.36,CI 0.18;0.55). Similarly, for sugar-sweetened beverages, a statistically significant interaction was observed between unhealthy outlet density in the 1000m buffer and consumption frequency (ß 0.06, CI 0.02; 0.11). However, this association was only statistically significant for respondents with higher SES (ß-0.02,CI -0.05;-0.0002). These results emphasize the significance of SES as a crucial element in comprehending the connection between the food environment and eating behaviour. Indicating the need for policymakers to take SES into account when implementing food environment interventions, particularly when focusing on the neighborhood food environment without considering residents' SES and their perceptions.

Association between mukbang and cookbang viewing and body image perception and BMI in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical period for establishing healthy eating habits and weight management, essential for preventing obesity and promoting overall health. This study investigates the impact of mukbang and cookbang-popular online broadcasts in Korea that feature excessive consumption of food-on the dietary habits and body image perception of Korean adolescents. With digital media, especially platforms like YouTube, becoming an integral part of daily life, these broadcasts have the potential to significantly influence adolescent health behaviors. METHODS: Employing data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2022), this descriptive survey research explores the relationship between watching mukbang and cookbang and various health-related factors among adolescents. The survey's comprehensive dataset provided a unique opportunity to examine this association in a population that is increasingly exposed to digital media content. The analysis focused on the frequency of watching mukbang and cookbang, their impact on eating habits, body mass index (BMI), body shape perception, and body image distortion among adolescents. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant engagement with mukbang and cookbang among adolescents, with notable gender differences in viewing habits and effects. Increased frequency of viewing was associated with negative impacts on eating habits and body image perception. Furthermore, psychological factors such as stress levels and sleep quality emerged as significant predictors of the frequency of watching these broadcasts. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the need for further investigation into the causal relationships between mukbang and cookbang viewership and adolescent health outcomes. The findings suggest the importance of developing targeted interventions to mitigate the negative influences of such content on adolescents' eating habits and body perceptions. Given the widespread popularity of these broadcasts, it is crucial to address their potential health implications through public health strategies, educational content, and policy development aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among adolescents.

Exploring the changing association between parental and adolescent fruit and vegetable intakes, from age 10 to 30 years.

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage, where escalating rates of overweight and obesity have raised concerns about diet quality and its association with adverse health outcomes. Parents are known to have considerable influence on childhood diet, but how this influence changes as adolescents mature is unknown. This study investigates the association between parental fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and adolescent FV consumption, exploring how this changes across adolescence and when adolescents leave home. METHODS: Adolescents aged 10-30 years (n = 12,805) from the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), and their parents, reported FV intakes every 2 years. Multilevel linear regression models were fitted to assess associations between parental and adolescent FV intakes, investigating interactions with age and living arrangement, and adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS: Parental FV intake was positively associated with adolescent FV intake (ß = 0.20 [95%CI:0.19,0.22] portions/day), with the strength of this association lowest during early adolescence (10-14 years) and peaking at 17-18 years (ß = 0.30 [95%CI: 0.27,0.33] portions/day). When adolescents no longer lived in the parental home, the association of parental FV intake with adolescent FV consumption decreased, but a positive association was maintained up to age 30 years. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasise the enduring effect of parental FV consumption on adolescent FV consumption, highlighting the potential for interventions to promote increased FV intake, acknowledging the lasting influence of parental diet, even beyond the confines of the parental home.

Insights into Chinese Canadian culture: enablers and barriers for fruit and vegetable intake.

Background: Fruits and vegetables (F&V) play a vital role in promoting health and preventing diseases. Numerous studies have demonstrated the association between F&V consumption and reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality. Despite the high priority of public health in promoting F&V intake, Chinese immigrants in Canada often fall below national guidelines in their consumption. Understanding the factors influencing F&V intake in this community is crucial for developing effective interventions. Methods: This study used an applied ethnographic research approach to gain insight into the enablers and barriers that influence F&V intake among Chinese-Canadian adults in Richmond, BC. Semi-structured interviews and 'photovoice' group sessions were conducted to gather qualitative data from community participants and health care providers (HCPs). Results: The research identified four key themes: (1) Cultural differences around how vegetables are perceived, consumed and prepared; (2) Motivators and strategies for increasing vegetable and fruit intake; (3) Lack of culturally relevant dietary education and resources; and (4) Importance of value in vegetable/fruit-related decisions. Participants showed a strong preference for the traditional Eastern diet, with cost of food and lack of knowledge about Western vegetables acting as barriers to dietary diversity. The study also highlighted the need for culturally tailored educational resources to effectively promote F&V consumption. Conclusion: By adopting a multi-modal approach, incorporating both interviews and 'photovoice' sessions, this research provided comprehensive insights into the participants' perspectives and experiences related to F&V intake. Understanding these factors can guide the development of culturally appropriate interventions to increase F&V consumption among Chinese-Canadian adults in Richmond, BC, and potentially improve their overall health and well-being. Future studies should consider the heterogeneity within the Chinese immigrant population and target a more balanced representation of age groups to further enhance our understanding of F&V intake patterns in this community.

Teaching gene-environment interaction concepts with narrative vignettes: Effects on knowledge, stigma, and behavior motivation.

Gene-environment interaction (GxE) concepts underlie a proper understanding of complex disease risk and risk-reducing behavior. Communicating GxE concepts is a challenge. This study designed an educational intervention that communicated GxE concepts in the context of eating behavior and its impact on weight, and tested its efficacy in changing knowledge, stigma, and behavior motivation. The study also explored whether different framings of GxE education and matching frames with individual eating tendencies would result in stronger intervention impact. The experiment included four GxE education conditions and a control condition unrelated to GxE concepts. In the education conditions, participants watched a video introducing GxE concepts then one of four narrative vignettes depicting how a character's experience with eating hyperpalatable or bitter tasting food (reward-based eating drive vs. bitter taste perception scenario) is influenced by genetic or environmental variations (genetic vs. environmental framings). The education intervention increased GxE knowledge, genetic causal attributions, and empathetic concern. Mediation analyses suggest that causal attributions, particularly to genetics and willpower, are key factors that drive downstream stigma and eating behavior outcomes and could be targeted in future interventions. Tailoring GxE education frames to individual traits may lead to more meaningful outcomes. For example, genetic (vs. environmental) framed GxE education may reduce stigma toward individuals with certain eating tendencies among individuals without such tendencies. GxE education interventions would be most likely to achieve desired outcomes such as reducing stigma if they target certain causal beliefs and are strategically tailored to individual attributes.

Unravelling taboos and cultural beliefs associated with hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende district Eastern Uganda.

BACKGROUND: Food taboos and cultural beliefs among pregnant and breast-feeding women influence their food consumption patterns and hence the health of women and unborn children. Cognizant of their neglect in programs aimed to ameliorate hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende and other resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, we opted for a study to unravel them to inform program design. METHODS: We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant and breast-feeding women from six sub-counties of Buyende district in Eastern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 462 women, eight focus group discussions with 6-10 participants in each and a total of 15 key informant interviews. RESULTS: The present study revealed that 129 (27.9%) of the respondents practice food taboos and adhere to cultural beliefs related to their dietary habits during pregnancy and breast-feeding that are fuelling the prevalence of hidden hunger. The most tabooed foods during pregnancy were sugarcane (17.8%), fishes which included lung fish, catfish and the Lake Victoria sardine (Rastrineobola argentea) (15.2%), oranges (6.6%), pineapples (5.9%), eggs (3.3%), chicken (3.3%) and cassava, mangoes and Cleome gynandra (each at 3%). Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy and labour complications and undesirable effects on the baby. Most women learnt of the taboos and beliefs from the elders, their own mother, grandparents or mother-in-law, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups within the community. CONCLUSIONS: The taboos and cultural beliefs in the study area render pregnant and breast-feeding women prone to micronutrient deficiency since they are denied consumption of a diversity of nutritious foods. There is a need to educate such women about consumption of nutrient-rich foods like fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health, that of the unborn and children being breast fed. Additionally, culturally appropriate nutrition education may be a good strategy to eliminate inappropriate food taboos and beliefs with negative impact on the health of pregnant and breast-feeding women.

"We know what we should be eating, but we don't always do that." How and why people eat the way they do: a qualitative study with rural australians.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that most people are aware of the importance of healthy eating and have a broad understanding regarding types of food that enhance or detract from health. However, greater health literacy does not always result in healthier eating. Andreasen's Social Marketing Model and Community-Based Social Marketing both posit that, in order to change health behaviours, it is crucial to understand reasons for current behaviours and perceived barriers and benefits to improved behaviours. Limited research has been conducted, however, that explores these issues with general populations. This study aimed to help address this gap in the evidence using a qualitative methodology. METHODS: Three group discussions were conducted with a total of 23 participants: (1) young women aged 18-24 with no children; (2) women aged 35-45 with primary school aged children; and (3) men aged 35-50 living with a partner and with pre- or primary school aged children. The discussions took place in a regional centre of Victoria, Australia. Transcriptions were thematically analysed using an inductive descriptive approach and with reference to a recent integrated framework of food choice that identified five key interrelated determinants: food- internal factors; food- external factors; personal-state factors; cognitive factors; and sociocultural factors. RESULTS: We found that food choice was complex, with all five determinants evident from the discussions. However, the "Social environment" sub-category of "Food-external factors", which included family, work, and social structures, and expectations (or perceived expectations) of family members, colleagues, friends, and others, was particularly prominent. Knowledge that one should practice healthy eating, which falls under the "Cognitive factor" category, while seen as an aspiration by most participants, was often viewed as unrealistic, trumped by the need and/or desire for convenience, a combination of Food-external factor: Social environment and Personal-state factor: Psychological components. CONCLUSIONS: We found that decisions regarding what, when, and how much to eat are seen as heavily influenced by factors outside the control of the individual. It appears, therefore, that a key to improving people's eating behaviours is to make it easy to eat more healthfully, or at least not much harder than eating poorly.

Validation and assessment of psychometric properties of the Greek Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (GR-EBA-O).

INTRODUCTION: With increasing morbidity and risk of death, obesity has become a serious health problem largely attributable to difficulties in finding proper treatments for related diseases. Many studies show how detecting abnormal eating behaviors could be useful in developing effective clinical treatments. This study aims at validating the Greek version of the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O). METHOD: After a double English/Greek forward/backward translation of the EBA-O, 294 participants completed the Greek version (GR-EBA-O), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Binge Eating Scale, and the Yale Food Addiction Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and construct validity were calculated, and Two-way MANOVA was computed with the factors of GR-EBA-O controlling for sex and BMI categories. RESULTS: CFA confirmed the second-order five factors (i.e., food addiction, night eating, binge eating, sweet eating, and prandial hyperphagia) structure of the original EBA-O with excellent fit indices. GR-EBA-O factors were highly correlated. The GR-EBA-O subscales were also significantly correlated with the remaining measures, demonstrating good concurrent validity. CONCLUSION: The Greek version of the EBA-O has demonstrated sound psychometric properties and appears a reliable and user-friendly tool to identify pathological eating behaviors in obesity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, descriptive research.

Effectiveness of an Artificial Intelligence-Assisted App for Improving Eating Behaviors: Mixed Methods Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: A plethora of weight management apps are available, but many individuals, especially those living with overweight and obesity, still struggle to achieve adequate weight loss. An emerging area in weight management is the support for one's self-regulation over momentary eating impulses. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel artificial intelligence-assisted weight management app in improving eating behaviors in a Southeast Asian cohort. METHODS: A single-group pretest-posttest study was conducted. Participants completed the 1-week run-in period of a 12-week app-based weight management program called the Eating Trigger-Response Inhibition Program (eTRIP). This self-monitoring system was built upon 3 main components, namely, (1) chatbot-based check-ins on eating lapse triggers, (2) food-based computer vision image recognition (system built based on local food items), and (3) automated time-based nudges and meal stopwatch. At every mealtime, participants were prompted to take a picture of their food items, which were identified by a computer vision image recognition technology, thereby triggering a set of chatbot-initiated questions on eating triggers such as who the users were eating with. Paired 2-sided t tests were used to compare the differences in the psychobehavioral constructs before and after the 7-day program, including overeating habits, snacking habits, consideration of future consequences, self-regulation of eating behaviors, anxiety, depression, and physical activity. Qualitative feedback were analyzed by content analysis according to 4 steps, namely, decontextualization, recontextualization, categorization, and compilation. RESULTS: The mean age, self-reported BMI, and waist circumference of the participants were 31.25 (SD 9.98) years, 28.86 (SD 7.02) kg/m2, and 92.60 (SD 18.24) cm, respectively. There were significant improvements in all the 7 psychobehavioral constructs, except for anxiety. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, statistically significant improvements were found for overeating habits (mean -0.32, SD 1.16; P<.001), snacking habits (mean -0.22, SD 1.12; P<.002), self-regulation of eating behavior (mean 0.08, SD 0.49; P=.007), depression (mean -0.12, SD 0.74; P=.007), and physical activity (mean 1288.60, SD 3055.20 metabolic equivalent task-min/day; P<.001). Forty-one participants reported skipping at least 1 meal (ie, breakfast, lunch, or dinner), summing to 578 (67.1%) of the 862 meals skipped. Of the 230 participants, 80 (34.8%) provided textual feedback that indicated satisfactory user experience with eTRIP. Four themes emerged, namely, (1) becoming more mindful of self-monitoring, (2) personalized reminders with prompts and chatbot, (3) food logging with image recognition, and (4) engaging with a simple, easy, and appealing user interface. The attrition rate was 8.4% (21/251). CONCLUSIONS: eTRIP is a feasible and effective weight management program to be tested in a larger population for its effectiveness and sustainability as a personalized weight management program for people with overweight and obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04833803; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04833803.

Dietary adherence among persons with type 2 diabetes: A concurrent mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to dietary recommendations among persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D) can lead to long-term complications with concomitant increases in healthcare costs and mortality rates. This study aimed to identify factors associated with dietary adherence and explore the barriers and facilitators to dietary adherence among persons with T2D. METHODS: A concurrent mixed methods study was conducted in two hospitals in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. One hundred and forty-two (142) persons with T2D were consecutively sampled for the survey. Dietary adherence and diabetes-related nutritional knowledge (DRNK) were assessed using the Perceived Dietary Adherence Questionnaire (PDAQ) and an adapted form of the General Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ-R) respectively. A purposive sample of fourteen participants was selected for interviews to explore the factors that influence dietary adherence. Qualitative data were analysed using NVivo version 20 software and presented as themes. Furthermore, binary logistic regression was performed using IBM SPSS version 29.0 to identify the factors associated with dietary adherence. RESULTS: Nearly fifty-one percent (50.7%) of the participants in this study had good dietary adherence. In multivariable logistics regression, it was found that increase in DRNK (AOR = 1.099, 95% CI: 1.001-1.206, p = 0.041) score and living in an urban area (AOR = 3.041, 95% CI: 1.007-9.179, p = 0.047) were significantly associated with good dietary adherence. Inductive thematic analysis revealed four facilitators of dietary adherence (access to information on diet, individual food preferences and eating habits, perceived benefits of dietary adherence, and presence of social support) and four barriers (inability to afford recommended diets, barriers related to foods available in the environment, conflict between dietary recommendations and individual eating habits, and barriers related to the social environment). CONCLUSION: The findings support the need for interventions including continuous dietary education tailored to individual preferences and dietary habits, expansion of poverty reduction social interventions and formulation of policies that will improve access to healthy foods in communities.

Effect of postpartum depression and role of infant feeding practices on relative weight of child at 1 and 3 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity has increased and is considered one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century globally, and may be exacerbated by postpartum depression (PPD). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between PPD at 1st and 6th month postpartum, infant feeding practices, and body mass index (BMI) z-score of the child at one and three years of age. METHODS: This study used data from an ongoing prospective maternal-child birth cohort performed at the National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD) in suburban Tokyo, Japan with the period of recruitment from May 13, 2010 to November 28, 2013. Out of 2,309 total number of mothers, 1,279 mother-child dyads were assessed in the study. We performed multivariable linear regression analysis to examine the association between PPD and child's BMI z-score stratified by the child's age at 1 year and 3 years of age. RESULTS: The prevalence of PPD at 1 month postpartum (17%) was found to be higher than at 6 months (12%). In multivariable linear regression analysis we observed that children at 3 years who had mothers with PPD at 6 months had, on average, a BMI z-score 0.25 higher than children of mothers who did not have PPD at 6 months (ß coefficient 0.25, 95% CI [0.04 to 0.46], p value 0.02), holding all other covariates constant. Also, initiation of weaning food when child is at six months of age was associated with higher BMI z-score of the child at 3 years after adjusting for all covariates (ß coefficient = 0.18, 95% CI [0.03 to 0.34], p-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The significant association between PPD at 6 months and child's BMI z-score at 3 years of age, in conjunction with birth trends and high prevalence of PPD, can add to the body of evidence that there is need for multiple assessment across the first postpartum year to rule out PPD as early screening and early interventions may benefit both maternal health and child development outcomes. These findings can indicate the need for establishing support systems for care-giving activities for mothers with PPD.

Factors associated with food label use: focus on healthy aspects of orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the potential relationships between the use of different section of food label, and healthy and pathological aspects of orthorexia among adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey (n = 1326). Inclusion criteria were being 19-64 years and graduated from at least primary school. Pregnant and lactating women were excluded. Data were collected using questionnaire including socio-demographic variables, lifestyle factors, body weight and height, frequency of reading different sections of food label ("always", "when buying a food for the first time", "when comparing similar packaged foods", "rarely", "never"), food label literacy, and Teruel Orthorexia Scale. Participants were categorized as nutrition facts panel-users, ingredients list-users or claim-users if they read at least one item from the relevant parts. RESULTS: The proportions of nutrition facts, ingredients list, and claims sections users were 72.3%, 76.3%, and 79.9%, respectively. Both healthy and pathological aspects of orthorexia were associated with reading food labels. The healthy orthorexia had the strongest association with using the ingredients list (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.41-2.20), whereas the orthorexia nervosa showed the highest association with using nutrition facts panel (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.20-1.81). While women, physically active participants and those with higher food label literacy were more likely to use all sections of food labels; older age, having children, and chronic disease increased the likelihood of using claims and ingredients list (p < 0.05). Besides, following a diet was associated with higher use of nutrition facts and ingredients list (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that food label users have higher orthorexia tendencies compared to non-users. Of the food label sections, healthy orthorexia showed the strongest association with use of the list of ingredients, while pathological orthorexia showed the strongest association with use of the nutrition facts panel. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional study.

The Association of Body Image Perceptions with Behavioral and Health Outcomes among Young Adults.

This study was conducted on 5 March 2024, by the Universidad Europea de Madrid. This study aims to explore how body image perceptions influence health behaviors and mental and physical health outcomes among a specific group of 605 young adults aged 20 to 35 engaged in strength training regimes. To measure these perceptions, the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) was employed, an advanced tool that assesses multiple dimensions of body image through its subscales, including feelings of physical attractiveness, investment in one's appearance, and satisfaction with different body areas. Participants were segmented into two groups based on a median split of their self-reported body image. The survey assessed a diverse array of variables, including demographic details, physiological data, resistance training routines, and psychological attributes. In this revision, we consistently use the term 'dietary habits' to ensure clear and uniform language when discussing eating patterns. Notable differences were observed in dietary habits and exercise engagement, influenced significantly by body image perceptions. Negative body image was linked to less healthy dietary habits, diminished physical activity, and worse psychological outcomes, such as increased anxiety and depression. Conversely, a positive body image was associated with healthier dietary habits, more frequent physical activity, and better psychological health. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving body image could be crucial for enhancing overall health within this specific demographic. Due to the non-representative nature of the study group, conclusions are cautiously presented as applicable only to similar populations engaged in strength training. This study underscores the need for holistic strategies that encourage positive body image to improve both physical and psychological health outcomes in young adults.

Comparison between Physical Activity and Stress-Related Lifestyle between Orthorexic and Non-Orthorexic University Students: A Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: The literature regarding orthorexia nervosa (ON) has well documented the association with other mental disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive and eating disorders. However, the research has not taken into account stress-related behavior and the conduction of physical activity (PA), both structured and unstructured. (2) Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 165 students of the University of Parma (92 females and 74 males) aged between 18 and 49 years old (mean = 24.62 ± 4.81) were consecutively recruited. The ORTO-15 questionnaire was used to divide the total sample into a group without orthorexia (score > 40) and a group with orthorexia (score < 40). All subjects completed the P Stress Questionnaire, and specific items were extrapolated from the Eating Habits Structured Interview (EHSI) to investigate lifestyle, including structured and unstructured PA. (3) Results: Subjects with orthorexia represented 83% of the total sample and reported higher levels of stress-related risk behaviors (i.e., sense of responsibility (t = -1.99, p = 0.02), precision (t = -1.99, p = 0.03), stress disorders (t = -1.38, p = 0.05), reduced spare time (t = -1.97, p = 0.03), and hyperactivity (t = -1.68, p = 0.04)) and a higher frequency of PA (i.e., hours spent training in structured PA, daily (t = -1.68, p = 0.05), weekly (t = -1.91, p = 0.03), and monthly (t = -1.91, p = 0.03), the tendency to carry out physical exercise even if tired (t = -1.97, p = 0.02), and to adhere to unstructured PA (i.e., moving on foot or by bike rather than using transport (t = 1.27, p = 0.04)). (4) Conclusions: The results confirmed the presence of hyperactivity at a motor and behavioral level in people with orthorexia. Further studies are necessary to highlight the causality between ON, stress, and physical activity but it may be possible to hypothesize that "obsessive" physical exercise may not generate the benefits generally known by the literature.

What Is Considered Healthy Eating? An Exploratory Study among College Students of Nutrition and Food Science.

In modern industrialized societies, the focus on healthy eating has increased significantly across multiple sectors, including the media, public policy, expert opinion, and public awareness. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions of healthy eating and the barriers to adopting a healthy diet among undergraduate students in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND) and Food Science and Technology (FST) degrees in Spain. An exploratory and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a qualitative and quantitative methodology and convenience sampling. Two focus groups and a questionnaire were utilized (300 participants from all academic years completed the survey). Differences in definitions of healthy eating and perceived barriers were found between genders and students at different stages of training (p < 0.05). In their understanding of healthy eating, the students placed importance on balance, variety, moderation, and individual factors. Although students considered it easy to follow a healthy diet, family's eating habits, time availability, and emotional states were found to be the main barriers to the implementation of healthy practices. The obtained data supports the need to critically address perceptions of healthy eating throughout the training of nutrition and food science professionals. The insights obtained on the perceived barriers highlight the importance of considering both individual and environmental factors.

Evaluation of the Effect of Parenting Style and Parental Mealtime Actions on the Eating Behavior of Children with Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Research on the interaction of parenting style, parents' mealtime behaviors, and children's eating behavior in the presence of chronic disease is limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of parenting style and parental mealtime actions on the eating behavior of children with epilepsy. METHODS: Thirty-one children with epilepsy, thirty-one healthy children (aged 4-9 years), and their parents were included. The Multidimensional Assessment of Parenting Scale (MAPS), Parent Mealtime Action Scale, Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 were applied. The MAPS, HEI-2015 scores, and body mass index for age Z scores were similar in both groups (p > 0.05). In the epilepsy group, the food approach behavior score was higher, and positive correlations were noted between broadband negative parenting and food approach behavior, and the HEI-2015 score and broadband positive parenting (p < 0.05). Regression analysis showed that broadband negative parenting and snack modeling increased the food approach behavior in the epilepsy group. Owing to the chronic disease, the effects of parent-child interaction on the child's eating behavior in the epilepsy group differed from those of healthy children reported in the literature.

Hedonic hunger, ultra-processed food consumption, and the moderating effects of impulsivity in pregnant individuals with body mass index ≥ 25.

Evidence suggests higher hedonic hunger (preoccupation with/desire to consume food for pleasure) is associated with greater ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption in non-pregnant individuals with higher, but not lower, self-report impulsivity or delay discounting. The current study tested the association between hedonic hunger and UPF consumption, and the moderating effects of self-report impulsivity and delay discounting, during pregnancy. Individuals (N = 220) with body mass index (BMI)≥25 completed the Power of Food Scale, 24-h dietary recalls, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Version 11 in early-mid pregnancy. A subset enrolled in an ancillary study (n = 143) completed a Delay Discounting Task. Linear regression and moderation models covaried for age, gestational age, pre-pregnancy BMI, and socioeconomic status. The association between hedonic hunger and UPF consumption was nonsignificant (p = 0.47). Self-report impulsivity was not a significant moderator (p = 0.11), but delay discounting was (p = 0.01). Simple slopes analysis revealed a one-unit increase in hedonic hunger was associated with 7% lower UPF intake among participants with lower (M+1SD) delay discounting (p = 0.01) and 1% higher UPF intake among those with higher (M-1SD) delay discounting (p = 0.57). Findings contrast those from research with non-pregnant samples and indicate lower delay discounting may serve as a protective factor, associated with reduced UPF consumption at higher levels of hedonic hunger, during pregnancy.

Daring to taste: The organisation of children's tasting practices during preschool lunches.

Tasting food is the first step toward diversifying eating habits, and studies with children have typically focused on their sensory education and willingness to try new foods. While very little is known about how children taste foods during everyday mealtimes, EMCA (ethnomethodological and conversation analytic) research on adult tasting in naturalistic settings has demonstrated regular organisational patterns. This paper brings these two research areas together, using the insights of EMCA research on adult tasting to inform our understanding of how young children taste food during preschool lunches. Data are taken from a large corpus of video-recorded lunches in Sweden, in which children (3- to 6-year-olds) were eating with staff members. Discursive Psychology and multimodal Conversation Analysis were used to analyse the data. The analysis demonstrates how the sequential organisation of child tasting is similar to adult tasting, and how tasting practices are a collaborative, multisensory activity involving various embodied practices: from the orientation to food as 'to be tasted', the withdrawal of mutual gaze and exaggerated mouth movements, to the re-establishment of gaze accompanying the food assessment. In contrast to adult tasting, however, tasting during preschool lunches is often framed in terms of personal development of the child and of the individualising of taste within the framework of the institution. The findings thus provide further support for EMCA research on sensory practices and contribute to psychological research on children's eating by evidencing the importance of the interactional and institutional context on tasting as a sensory practice.

Food parenting at-home vs. in restaurants among African American parents of 3-to-8-year-old children.

Feeding style refers to the approach that parents use to feed their child and the emotional climate during eating. Indulgent styles, characterized by low structure and high responsiveness, have been linked to childhood weight gain. Few studies have examined feeding styles within out-of-home contexts (e.g., restaurants), which are common eating environments for many families. This study sought to examine feeding styles at-home and in restaurants among African American parents. 52 African American parents with a 3-to-8-year-old child (M = 35.6 years, 86% mothers, 57% annual household income <$50,000, 57% Associate's degree or higher) who regularly dined at restaurants completed an online survey in winter 2022-2023. Parents reported on demographics, anthropometrics, and their feeding styles at home and in restaurants via The Caregiver's Feeding Style Questionnaire. Findings indicated that the indulgent style was the most common overall. Indulgent styles were more prevalent in restaurants (χ2 = 7.4, p = 0.007) than home, and authoritarian styles more prevalent at home (χ2 = 4.5, p = 0.03). Child weight status differed by feeding style in both contexts (p ≤ 0.04); indulgent styles in restaurants were linked to higher BMI z-scores, while authoritarian styles at home were linked to lower BMI z-scores. Higher parent BMI was linked to increased likelihood of having an indulgent style at home (OR = 1.13, p = 0.03), while lower parent BMI was linked to increased likelihood of the uninvolved style at home (OR = 0.76, p = 0.049). Overall, indulgent styles were common and more prevalent in restaurants, where they were linked to higher child weight status. Findings may inform future health promotion efforts in out-of-home eating contexts.

Relation of preconception eating behaviours to dietary pattern trajectories and gestational weight gain from preconception to late pregnancy.

Studies examining preconception eating behaviours with longitudinal dietary patterns from preconception to late pregnancy as well as gestational weight gain (GWG) are limited. We derived dietary pattern trajectories from preconception to late-pregnancy, and related preconception eating behaviours to these trajectories and GWG. Preconception eating behaviours were assessed using the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire measuring cognitive restraint (CR) - conscious restriction of food intake, emotional eating (EE) - overeating in response to negative emotions, and uncontrolled eating (UE) - overeating with a feeling of lack of control. Dietary intakes were measured at preconception, 20-21 and 34-36 weeks' gestation with food frequency questionnaires. Dietary patterns were determined using factor analysis, and trajectories derived using group-based trajectory modelling. Inadequate and excessive GWG were defined according to Institute of Medicine guidelines based on weights at preconception and the last antenatal visit (median: 38 weeks' gestation). Two dietary patterns were derived: 'Fast Food, Fried Snacks and Desserts (FFD)' and 'Soup, Fish and Vegetables (SFV)'. Adherence trajectories from preconception to late-pregnancy were characterised as consistently high ("stable-high") and low ("stable-low"). Women with higher UE scores had higher odds of being in the "stable-high" trajectory (n = 34) of the FFD pattern [Odds Ratio (OR): 1.25, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.03, 1.51], compared to "stable-low" (n = 260). Percentages of women with inadequate, adequate or excessive GWG were 21.7% (n = 70), 25.8% (n = 83), and 52.5% (n = 169), respectively; women with higher EE scores had a higher likelihood of excessive GWG [Relative Risk Ratio (RRR): 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.80], but this association was attenuated after adjusting for preconception body mass index. Eating behaviour interventions to improve dietary patterns among pregnant women may need to start as early as preconception, incorporating strategies to manage UE.