High School Student and Caregiver Preferred Communication Method Regarding School Meals: A Qualitative Approach.

BACKGROUND: This study examined student and caregiver preference for school communication and explored the feasibility and acceptability of a digital tool to assist with communication about school meal program between schools and families. METHODS: The study used qualitative methodology through youth focus groups and caregiver semi-structured phone interviews. The study was conducted in 4 high schools in a large, urban city. The phenomenon of interest included the exploration of preferences regarding communication around school meal programs and feasibility and acceptability of a digital tool for communication and promoting the ordering of healthful foods in the school environment. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed through NVivo qualitative software using thematic analysis approach to examine themes. RESULTS: Forty-seven students (ages 14-21, grades 9-12) participated in 7 focus groups and 24 caregivers participated in semi-structured phone interviews. Three themes emerged around (1) communication preferences, (2) accessibility, and (3) extrinsic motivational factors for engagement in healthy eating behaviors. CONCLUSION: Results indicated that communication methods could potentially influence motivation and engagement in youth school meal participation.

The role of anhedonia in the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), alcohol use disorder symptoms, and food addiction symptoms in a sample of emerging adults with histories of heavy drinking.

Previous research has shown that (ACEs) are associated with negative health outcomes, including depression, problematic alcohol use, and disordered patterns of overeating, including food addiction (FA). Moreover, anhedonia, or an inability to feel pleasure, has been also shown to increase risk for problematic alcohol use, as well as FA. It is possible that anhedonia may be implicated in health risk behaviors as individuals with anhedonia may seek out highly hedonic activities. The purpose of the present study was to explore the direct and indirect relationship between ACEs and alcohol use disorder (AUD) and FA symptoms via anhedonia in a diverse sample of emerging adults with histories of heavy drinking. A cross-sectional, quantitative design was used. The sample was 42.6% male, 45.5% White, and 39.9% Black, and the average age of participants was 22.64 (SD = 1.01). A confirmatory factor analysis was used to specify the model, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. The initial measurement model was overidentified and demonstrated acceptable to favorable fit. Standardized results from a bootstrap analysis of the structural regression model showed significant direct effects of ACEs on FA and AUD symptoms. Results also found a significant indirect effect of ACEs on AUD symptoms through anhedonia, though this indirect effect was not significant for FA. Anhedonia could be a key target for the prevention and treatment of problematic alcohol use. Future research should examine the role of anhedonia in the maintenance of FA in nonheavy drinking samples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

A Spatial Analysis of Food Insecurity and Body Mass Index with Income and Grocery Store Density in a Diverse Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults.

Food insecurity occurs when a household lacks consistent access to food and is more prevalent in ethnic and racial minority populations. While there has been a proliferation of research linking food insecurity to obesity, these findings are mixed. It may be helpful to consider some additional geographic factors that may be associated with both factors including socioeconomic status and grocery store density. The purpose of the current study aimed to examine spatial relationships between food insecurity and SES/store density and BMI and SES/store density in a diverse sample of adolescents and young adults across two studies in a large, urban city. GIS analysis revealed that participants with the highest food insecurity tend to live in the zip codes with the lowest median income. There did not appear to be clear a relationship between food insecurity and store density. Participants with the highest BMI tend to live in zip codes with lower median income and participants with higher BMI tended to live in the south and west sides of Chicago, which have a relatively lower concentration of grocery stores in the city. Our findings may help to inform future interventions and policy approaches to addressing both obesity and food insecurity in areas of higher prevalence.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination uptake in community health center patients.

OBJECTIVES: Previous research on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy has found that sociodemographic factors including sex, age, education, and occupation were associated with vaccination acceptance, along with other variables like trust in authorities, risk perception of COVID-19 and perception of vaccine efficacy and safety. However, this research has been limited by the use of nonvalidated measures for vaccination hesitancy and utilizing general samples that did not focus on minoritized groups. The purpose of the current study was to use validated methodology to determine factors associated with vaccination uptake in a community sample of predominantly Black and Latinx adults. METHOD: One-hundred and 9 participants (70% female, 40% Black, 40% Latinx) completed a survey assessing sociodemographic variables, vaccination uptake, medical mistrust, and vaccination attitudes. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression revealed that higher scores on the mistrust of the vaccine benefit subscale were associated with lower vaccination uptake (OR = .45, p < .001) and higher levels of education were associated with higher levels of vaccination uptake (OR = 1.56; p = .048). No other demographic variables, nor other aspects of vaccination hesitancy, were associated with vaccination uptake. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings speak to the importance of dispelling misinformation and building community trust in public health efforts. Specifically, vaccine mistrust may be an especially important focus of community-based education efforts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The impact of COVID-19 on Black women who binge-eat: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Although studies have traced the impact of COVID-19 on those with eating disorders, little is known about the specific impact of the pandemic on Black American women who report disordered eating behaviors and are at risk for eating disorders. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on Black women who binge-eat. METHODS: We recruited a purposive sample during the first wave of COVID-19 from the southeastern United States. Participants identified as Black women, reported binge-eating episodes in the last 28 days, and agreed to participate in a semi-structured interview. Prior to the interview, participants were administered a socio-demographic survey and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed independently using qualitative content analysis and open coding to identify relevant codes and themes. RESULTS: On average, participants (N = 20) were 43.05 ± 16.2 years of age and reported 5.6 ± 5.7 binge-eating episodes in the last 28 days. We identified six themes to describe participants' experiences managing their eating behavior during COVID-19: (1) food as a coping strategy; (2) lack of control around food; (3) increased time in a triggering environment (e.g., being at home with an easy availability of food); (4) lack of structure and routine; (5) challenges with limited food availability; and (6) positive impact of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: In this study, Black women reported challenges managing their eating behavior during COVID-19. Results could inform the development and tailoring of treatments for Black women reporting disordered eating behaviors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, qualitative interviews.

Recommendations to encourage participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds in psychiatric genetic studies.

We present innovative research practices in psychiatric genetic studies to ensure representation of individuals from diverse ancestry, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, age, body shape and size, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Due to histories of inappropriate and harmful practices against marginalized groups in both psychiatry and genetics, people of certain identities may be hesitant to participate in research studies. Yet their participation is essential to ensure diverse representation, as it is incorrect to assume that the same genetic and environmental factors influence the risk for various psychiatric disorders across all demographic groups. We present approaches developed as part of the Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI), a study that required tailored approaches to recruit diverse populations across many countries. Considerations include research priorities and design, recruitment and study branding, transparency, and community investment and ownership. Ensuring representation in participants is costly and funders need to provide adequate support to achieve diversity in recruitment in prime awards, not just as supplemental afterthoughts. The need for diverse samples in genetic studies is critical to minimize the risk of perpetuating health disparities in psychiatry and other health research. Although the EDGI strategies were designed specifically to attract and enroll individuals with eating disorders, our approach is broadly applicable across psychiatry and other fields.

Applying the developmental model of use disorders to hedonic hunger: a narrative review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hedonic hunger (HH) occurs when individuals are driven to consume highly palatable food for pleasure, rather than to satisfy a caloric need. Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) does not recognize HH as a use disorder. Previous research has noted physiological, neurobiological, and treatment similarities between HH, binge eating behavior and substance use, leading to the speculation of the existence of food addiction (FA). The purpose of the current review was to explore the literature on the developmental similarities between substance use, HH, binge eating behavior, and other use disorders to provide more evidence for the recognition of FA as an official use disorder, to add to the evidence in favor of a developmental model of use disorders, and to inform the development of interventions that target modifiable symptoms associated with use disorders. METHODS: We provide a narrative review of the literature on developmental factors associated with both HH and substance use. RESULTS & DISCUSSION: Adverse childhood experiences and attachment have been previously linked to both substance use and maladaptive eating behaviors. Adverse childhood experiences are linked with insecure attachment and emotion dysregulation, which is linked with compulsive behaviors and substance use. Clinical and research implications are discussed in terms of a developmental model of use disorders and the formal recognition of FA in the next edition of the DSM.