A pediatric primary care practice-based obesity intervention to support families: a cluster-randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatric practices help families make lifestyle changes to improve BMI, but provider time and access to treatment are limited. This study compared the effectiveness of two pediatric practice-based referral interventions in reducing BMI. METHODS: In this cluster-randomized clinical trial, 20 pediatric primary care practices were randomized to telephonic coaching (Fitline Coaching) or mailed workbook (Fitline Workbook). Parents and their 8- to 12-year-old children with BMI ≥ 85th percentile completed assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post baseline. Primary outcomes were 12-month BMI percentile and z score. RESULTS: A total of 501 children and their parents received Fitline Coaching (n = 243) or Fitline Workbook (n = 258); 26.8% had overweight, 55.4% had obesity, and 17.8% had severe obesity. Mean (SD) age was 10.5 (1.4), and 47.5% were female. BMI percentile improved in both groups; 12-month decline in continuous BMI z score was not statistically significant in either group. However, 20.8% of telephonic coaching participants and 12.4% of workbook participants achieved a clinically significant reduction of at least 0.25 in BMI z score, a significant between-group difference (p = 0.0415). CONCLUSIONS: Both low-intensity interventions were acceptable and produced modest improvements in BMI percentile. One in five children in the telephonic coaching condition achieved clinically meaningful BMI z score improvements. However, more research is needed before such a program could be recommended for pediatric primary care practice.

DietaAnti-Inflamatoria or DAIN: A Crohn's disease management strategy tailored for Puerto Ricans.

Diet has been increasingly shown to be of therapeutic benefit for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), especially Crohn's disease (CD). Yet dietary guidelines are nonexistent. Moreover, diets tailored to Puerto Ricans with IBD living on the island, have not been developed and tested. The rising prevalence of IBD in Puerto Rico warrants exploring the use of diet as part of the treatment strategies for these patients [1]. Here, we describe the study design of "Dieta Anti-Inflamatoria" or DAIN, a parallel two-arm randomized pilot trial aiming at testing the efficacy of IBD-Anti-inflammatory diet (IBD-AID) adapted for adults with CD living in Puerto Rico (clinical trial registration number: NCT05627128). We tailored the IBD-AID to the local cuisine preferences and food availability by creating and adapting recipes consistent with the IBD-AID principles [2,3]. In focus groups with a Community Research Advisory Panel and one-on-one consultations with implementation experts, we identified several aspects of the intervention to adapt before the implementation. The objectives of the stakeholder/expert-informed adaptation were to improve feasibility and compliance while developing the culturally tailored dietary intervention. DAIN was designed for adults living in Puerto Rico with CD and geared to be affordable, appropriate, and acceptable for patients with mild-to-moderate CD. The significance of this work is the validation of culturally appropriate nutritional guidelines to help manage CD symptoms. DAIN provides a blueprint for a comprehensive nutritional program that can be adapted to regional preferences and local food availability allowing wider implementation of diet as an adjunct treatment in diverse clinical settings.

Dietary Intake of Pregnant Women with and without Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy is a vulnerable time where the lives of mother and baby are affected by diet, especially high-risk pregnancies in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Limited research has examined diet during pregnancy with IBD. AIMS: Describe and compare the diet quality of pregnant women with and without IBD, and examine associations between dietary intake and guidelines during pregnancy. METHODS: Three 24 h recalls were utilized to assess the diets of pregnant women with IBD (n = 88) and without IBD (n = 82) during 27-29 weeks of gestation. A customized frequency questionnaire was also administered to measure pre- and probiotic foods. RESULTS: Zinc intake (p = 0.02), animal protein (g) (p = 0.03), and ounce equivalents of whole grains (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in the healthy control (HC) group than the IBD group. Nutrients of concern with no significant differences between groups included iron (3% IBD and 2% HC met the goals), saturated fat (only 1% of both groups met the goals), choline (23% IBD and 21% HC met the goals), magnesium (38% IBD and 35% HC met the goals), calcium (48% IBD and 60% HC met the goals), and water intake (49% IBD and 48% HC met the goals). CONCLUSIONS: Most pregnant women in this cohort fell short of the dietary nutrients recommended in pregnancy, especially concerning for women with IBD.

Our Whole Lives for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors-Combining a Teaching Kitchen Group Visit With a Web-Based Platform: Feasibility Trial.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) affects millions of Americans. Our Whole Lives: an eHealth toolkit for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors (OWL-H) is an eHealth platform that teaches evidence-based lifestyle strategies, such mindfulness and cooking skills, to improve self-management of HTN. OBJECTIVE: The primary goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of OWL-H combined with teaching kitchen medical group visits (TKMGVs) in a low-income population of participants with HTN. METHODS: We conducted a pre-post 8-week study to assess the feasibility of a hybrid program (a web-based 9-module self-management program, which includes mindfulness and Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet) accompanied by 3 in-person TKMGVs among patients with HTN. Data including demographics, platform use, and satisfaction after using OWL-H were examined. Outcome data collected at baseline and 8 weeks included the Mediterranean Diet Questionnaire, Hypertension Self-Care Profile Self-Efficacy Instrument, Blood Pressure Knowledge Questionnaire, and the number of self-reported blood pressure readings. For the statistical analysis, we used descriptive statistics, paired sample t tests (1-tailed), and qualitative methods. RESULTS: Of the 25 enrolled participants, 22 (88%) participants completed the study. Participants' average age was 57 (SD 12.1) years, and 46% (11/24) of them reported a household income

Dietary manipulation of the gut microbiome in inflammatory bowel disease patients: Pilot study.

Diet is a modifiable, noninvasive, inexpensive behavior that is crucial in shaping the intestinal microbiome. A microbiome "imbalance" or dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to inflammation. Here, we aim to define the impact of specific foods on bacterial species commonly depleted in patients with IBD to better inform dietary treatment. We performed a single-arm, pre-post intervention trial. After a baseline period, a dietary intervention with the IBD-Anti-Inflammatory Diet (IBD-AID) was initiated. We collected stool and blood samples and assessed dietary intake throughout the study. We applied advanced computational approaches to define and model complex interactions between the foods reported and the microbiome. A dense dataset comprising 553 dietary records and 340 stool samples was obtained from 22 participants. Consumption of prebiotics, probiotics, and beneficial foods correlated with increased abundance of Clostridia and Bacteroides, commonly depleted in IBD cohorts. We further show that specific foods categorized as prebiotics or adverse foods are correlated to levels of cytokines in serum (i.e., GM-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha) that play a central role in IBD pathogenesis. By using robust predictive analytics, this study represents the first steps to detangle diet-microbiome and diet-immune interactions to inform personalized nutrition for patients suffering from dysbiosis-related IBD.

A Teaching Kitchen Medical Groups Visit with an eHealth Platform for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors: A Qualitative Feasibility Study.

Introduction: Our Whole Lives-Hypertension (OWL-H) is an eHealth toolkit for hypertension and cardiac risks factors. It is a hybrid online self-management platform that teaches blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring and evidence-based lifestyle modifications combined with in-person teaching kitchen medical group visit. Qualitative feedback from participants regarding the facilitators and barriers of using OWL-H has been discussed in this article. Methods: The OWL-H platform was pilot tested in a pre-post trial with two cohorts of participants with hypertension (N = 24). The online intervention utilized OWL-H for teaching mindfulness meditation, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension nutrition plan, and evidence-based strategies for lifestyle modifications. Three in-person teaching kitchen medical group visits were held to demonstrate cooking skills to reinforce the online platform. Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) were held after the intervention. Results: Fourteen of the 24 participants in the trial participated in the FGDs, and 1 participant provided feedback in a solo interview. Major themes that emerged included: (1) participants' request to tailor OWL-H's recipes and meal planning to suit their own dietary needs or preferences, to personalize the Home Practices (e.g., meditation) according to individual preferences (e.g., addition of nature sounds or guided visual imagery); (2) the strengths and weaknesses of OWL-H as a BP self-monitoring tool; (3) the need for community support in managing BP; and (4) participants noted lack of time, work and commute, Internet connectivity, stress, and sickness as obstacles in using OWL-H. Participants described feeling outpaced by the growth of technology and raised concerns of poor Internet connectivity hampering their use of OWL-H. Conclusion: OWL-H and the accompanying teaching kitchen medical group visit are potential tools to help reduce hypertension and cardiac risk factors. The intervention was found to have acceptability among people with lower income. Clinical Trials Registration#: NCT03974334.

Supporting families of children with overweight and obesity to live healthy lifestyles: Design and rationale for the Fitline cluster randomized controlled pediatric practice-based trial.

BACKGROUND: Over a third of preadolescent children with overweight or obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pediatric providers help families make changes in eating and activity to improve body mass index (BMI). However, implementation is challenging given limited time and referral sources, and family burden to access in-person weight management programs. PURPOSE: To describe the design of a National Heart Blood and Lung Institute sponsored cluster randomized controlled pediatric-based trial evaluating the effectiveness of the Fitline pediatric practice-based referral program to reduce BMI and improve diet and physical activity in children with overweight or obesity. Comparison will be made between brief provider intervention plus referral to (1) eight weekly nutritionist-delivered coaching calls with workbook to help families make AAP-recommended lifestyle changes (Fitline-Coaching), vs. (2) the same workbook in eight mailings without coaching (Fitline-Workbook). METHODS: Twenty practices are pair-matched and randomized to one of the two conditions; 494 parents and their children ages 8-12 with a BMI of ≥85th percentile are being recruited. The primary outcome is child BMI; secondary outcomes are child's diet and physical activity at baseline and 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Cost-effectiveness of the two interventions also will be examined. CONCLUSION: This is the first randomized controlled trial to examine use of a centrally located telephonic coaching service to support families of children with overweight and obesity in making AAP-recommended lifestyle changes. If effective, the Fitline program will provide an innovative model for widespread dissemination, setting new standards for weight management care in pediatric practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The ClinicalTrials.gov registration number is NCT03143660.

A dietary intervention to improve the microbiome composition of pregnant women with Crohn's disease and their offspring: The MELODY (Modulating Early Life Microbiome through Dietary Intervention in Pregnancy) trial design.

Crohn's disease (CD), a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic condition of the gastrointestinal tract that is caused by the loss of mucosal tolerance towards the commensal bacteria resulting in inflammatory responses. It has long been postulated that the gut microbiota, a complex and dynamic population of microorganisms, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of IBD. Maternal diagnosis of IBD has been identified as the greatest risk factor for IBD in offspring increasing the odds of developing the disease >4.5-fold. Moreover, babies born to mothers with IBD have demonstrated reduced gut bacterial diversity. There is accumulating evidence that the early life microbiota colonization is informed by maternal diet within the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. While babies born to mothers with IBD would pose an ideal cohort for intervention, no primary prevention measures are currently available. Therefore, we designed the MELODY (Modulating Early Life Microbiome through Dietary Intervention in Pregnancy) trial to test whether the IBD-AID™ dietary intervention during the last trimester of pregnancy can beneficially shift the microbiome of CD patients and their babies, thereby promoting a strong, effective immune system during a critical time of the immune system development. We will also test if favorable changes in the microbiome can lead to a reduced risk of postpartum CD relapse and lower mucosal inflammation in the offspring. This study will help create new opportunities to foster a healthy microbiome in the offspring at high risk of other immune-mediated diseases, potentially reducing their risk later in life.

Substantial Increase in Compliance with Saturated Fatty Acid Intake Recommendations after One Year Following the American Heart Association Diet.

The American Heart Association (AHA) dietary guidelines recommend 30⁻35% of energy intake (%E) be from total fat, <7%E from saturated fatty acids (SFA), and <1%E from trans fatty acid (TFA). This study evaluates the effect of AHA dietary counselling on fat intake. Between 2009 and 2014, 119 obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS), (71% women, average 52.5 years of age, and 34.9 kg/m² of body mass index), received individual and group counselling on the AHA diet, over a one-year study period. Each participant attended 2 individual sessions (months 1 and 12) and 12 group sessions, at one-month intervals. At baseline and one-year, we collected three random 24-h diet recalls (two weekdays and one weekend day). Fat intake patterns over time were analyzed using paired-t test and linear mixed-effect models. There was significant variation on SFA and TFA intake per meal, being highest at dinner, in restaurants, and on weekends. Over the one-year study period, daily intake of total fat, SFA, and TFA decreased by 27%, 37% and 41%, respectively (p-value < 0.01, each). Correspondingly, the percentage of participants complying with AHA's recommendations, increased from 25.2% to 40.2% for total fat (p-value = 0.02); from 2.5% to 20.7% for SFA (p-value < 0.01); and from 45.4% to 62% for TFA (p-value = 0.02). Additionally, SFA intake for all meal types at home decreased significantly (p-value < 0.05, each). AHA dietary counselling significantly increased the compliance with AHA dietary guidelines, with an eightfold increase in compliance in SFA intake. Nonetheless, ~80% of our participants still exceeded the recommended SFA intake. Substantial efforts are needed to encourage low-SFA and low-TFA food preparation at home, with strong public health policies to decrease SFA and TFA in restaurants and prepared foods.

A nonrestrictive, weight loss diet focused on fiber and lean protein increase.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a non-restrictive diet that was focused on increasing dietary fiber and lean protein intake for weight loss. METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed using three randomly selected 24-h dietary recalls. Fifteen obese adults enrolled in a 12-wk study that included six biweekly individual dietary counseling sessions to attain a daily goal of higher fiber (35 g/d) and lean protein (0.8 g/kg/d of individual's ideal body weight) intake. Feasibility was determined by retention and attendance and dietary adherence was measured. RESULTS: One participant dropped out of the study before the 12-wk assessment visit. Fourteen participants completed all six counseling sessions and one participant completed five sessions. At week 12, 93% of participants approved of the diet and 92% of participants did not feel hungry while on the diet. Mean fiber intake increased by 6.8 g/d (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2 to 10.5 g/d) and total protein intake increased by 5.7 g/d (95% CI, -3.7 to 15.0 g/d). The mean change in energy intake was -265.5 kcal/d (95% CI, -454.8 to -76.2 kcal/d). The dietary quality score as measured by the Alternative Healthy Eating Index increased by 6.1 (95% CI, 1.5 to 10.7). The mean change in weight was -2.2% (95% CI, -3.6 to -0.7%). CONCLUSIONS: A diet that promotes increased fiber and lean protein intake demonstrates feasibility and high acceptability ratings, which resulted in calorie and weight reductions and an improvement of the dietary quality.

Effect of AHA dietary counselling on added sugar intake among participants with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: High added sugar consumption has been associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The American Heart Association (AHA) diet is designed to prevent and treat MetS; however, it remains unclear whether the AHA diet is effective on decreasing added sugar consumption. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the AHA dietary counselling on added sugar consumption among participants with MetS. METHODS: The AHA dietary counselling was conducted among 119 participants with MetS from June 2009 to January 2014 (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00911885). Unannounced 24-hour recalls were collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. Added sugar consumption patterns over time were examined using linear mixed models. RESULTS: After 1-year dietary counselling, intake of added sugars decreased by 23.8 g/day (95% CI 15.1, 32.4 g/day); intake of nonalcoholic beverages dropped from the leading contributor of added sugar intake to number 7 (from 11.9 to 4.4%); the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) score increased by 5.4 (95% CI 2.9, 8.0); however, added sugar intake for 48% participants still exceeded the recommendation. Added sugar intake per meal among different meal type was similar (24.2-25.8%) at baseline. After the 1-year dietary counselling, breakfast became the major resource of added sugar intake (33.3%); the proportion of added sugar intake from snacks decreased from 25.8% (CI 23.1, 28.5%) to 20.9% (CI 19.6, 22.3%). CONCLUSION: Although the consumption of added sugars in participants with MetS decreased after the 1-year AHA dietary counselling, added sugar intake from majority of participants still exceeds recommended limits. Actions of successful public health strategies that focus on reducing added sugar intake are needed.

Design and rationale of the medical students learning weight management counseling skills (MSWeight) group randomized controlled trial.

Physicians have an important role addressing the obesity epidemic. Lack of adequate teaching to provide weight management counseling (WMC) is cited as a reason for limited treatment. National guidelines have not been translated into an evidence-supported, competency-based curriculum in medical schools. Weight Management Counseling in Medical Schools: A Randomized Controlled Trial (MSWeight) is designed to determine if a multi-modal theoretically-guided WMC educational intervention improves observed counseling skills and secondarily improve perceived skills and self-efficacy among medical students compared to traditional education (TE). Eight U.S. medical schools were pair-matched and randomized in a group randomized controlled trial to evaluate whether a multi-modal education (MME) intervention compared to traditional education (TE) improves observed WMC skills. The MME intervention includes innovative components in years 1-3: a structured web-course; a role play exercise, WebPatientEncounter, and an enhanced outpatient internal medicine or family medicine clerkship. This evidence-supported curriculum uses the 5As framework to guide treatment and incorporates patient-centered counseling to engage the patient. The primary outcome is a comparison of scores on an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) WMC case among third year medical students. The secondary outcome compares changes in scores of medical students from their first to third year on an assessment of perceived WMC skills and self-efficacy. MSWeight is the first RCT in medical schools to evaluate whether interventions integrated into the curriculum improve medical students' WMC skills. If this educational approach for teaching WMC is effective, feasible and acceptable it can affect how medical schools integrate WMC teaching into their curriculum.

Comparison of Dietary Quality Assessment Using Food Frequency Questionnaire and 24-hour-recalls in Older Men and Women.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the agreement in nutrient intake and alternative healthy eating indices (AHEI) between a self-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and 24-hour recall (24HR) measurements of diet by gender, among older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational study of 105 men and 99 women aged 65 and older living in urban and rural neighborhoods in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. Participants were queried on diet using both FFQ and 24HR. The healthy eating classification was compared between the two instruments by gender. RESULTS: For men, the mean ± SD of AHEI total score was 48.2 ± 12.3 based on FFQ versus 34.7 ± 10.2 based on 24HR. For women, the mean ± SD was 47.9 ± 10.1 based on FFQ versus 36.1 ± 10.0 based on 24HR. Using 32 as the cutoff (40% of maximum AHEI score), 9% of men and 7% of women were classified as eating unhealthy based on the FFQ, versus 47% of men and 38% of women based on 24HR. Compared to women, men had larger 24HR to FFQ discrepancies in the nuts and vegetable protein subscore and white/red meat ratio, and smaller discrepancy in alcohol beverages subscore. CONCLUSION: Agreements between FFQ and 24HR-based measures of diet quality were roughly comparable between men and women, though slightly better for women than men. Compared to 24HR, the FFQ tended to underestimate the proportions of older men and women classified as eating unhealthy and misclassified more men than women. Such limitations should be considered when the FFQ is used to study healthy eating in older age.

A School-Based Program for Overweight and Obese Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Given the dramatic increase in adolescent overweight and obesity, models are needed for implementing weight management treatment through readily accessible venues. We evaluated the acceptability and efficacy of a school-based intervention consisting of school nurse-delivered counseling and an afterschool exercise program in improving diet, activity, and body mass index (BMI) among overweight and obese adolescents. METHODS: A pair-matched cluster-randomized controlled school-based trial was conducted in which 8 public high schools were randomized to either a 12-session school nurse-delivered cognitive-behavioral counseling intervention plus school-based after school exercise program, or 12-session nurse contact with weight management information (control). Overweight or obese adolescents (N = 126) completed anthropometric and behavioral assessments at baseline and 8-month follow-up. Main outcome measures included diet, activity, and BMI. Mixed effects regression models were conducted to examine differences at follow-up. RESULTS: At follow-up, students in intervention compared with control schools were not different in BMI, percent body fat, and waist circumference. Students reported eating breakfast (adjusted mean difference 0.81 days; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-1.52) on more days/week; there were no differences in other behaviors targeted by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: While a school-based intervention including counseling and access to an after-school exercise program is theoretically promising with public health potential, it was not effective in reducing BMI or key obesogenic behaviors. Our findings are important in highlighting that interventions targeted at the individual level are not likely to be sufficient in addressing the adolescent obesity epidemic without changes in social norms and the environment.

Use of a FITLINE to Support Families of Overweight and Obese Children in Pediatric Practices.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a staged approach to pediatric weight management, starting with helping families to make targeted dietary and activity changes. This pilot study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of a pediatric practice-based referral program to support parents in helping their overweight/obese children improve their weight-related behaviors and BMI. METHODS: A nonrandomized intervention study with contemporaneous control was used. Parents and their children ages 8-12 with BMI ≥85th percentile (N = 37) were recruited from a pediatric practice serving a low-income, multiethnic population. Providers delivered brief intervention and referred families to six weekly FITLINE telephone counseling sessions with a nutritionist who guided parents in helping their child make AAP-recommended changes. Child BMI and parent survey of child diet and physical activity were completed at baseline and 3 months. Medical record data from 44 children matched for age and BMI were collected. RESULTS: Mean change in BMI from baseline to 3-month follow-up was -0.49 BMI units (standard deviation [SD], 0.95; p = 0.007) for the FITLINE group and 0.35 BMI units (SD, 0.96; p = 0.02) for the control group. Adjusting for baseline BMI, age, and sex, children in the FITLINE condition reduced BMI significantly more than children in the control condition (mean difference = -0.89; p = 0.0003). Significant improvements in many dietary and sedentary behaviors also were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The FITLINE program reduced short-term BMI and improved dietary and sedentary behaviors. A randomized, controlled trial is warranted to assess the program's efficacy and potential to serve as a model for reducing obesity in pediatric practice.

Understanding multifactorial influences on the continuum of maternal weight trajectories in pregnancy and early postpartum: study protocol, and participant baseline characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Maternal and offspring immediate and long-term health are affected by pregnancy weight gain and maternal weight. This study was designed to determine feasibility of: 1) recruiting a socio-economically and racially/ethnically diverse sample of pregnant women into a longitudinal observational study, including consenting the women for serial biologic specimen evaluations; 2) implementing comprehensive assessments (including biologic, anthropometric, behavioral, cognitive/psychosocial and socio-demographic, and cultural measures) at multiple time points over the study period, including collecting biologic specimens at planned and unplanned pregnancy delivery times; and 3) retaining the sample for one year into the postpartum period. Additionally, the study will provide preliminary data of associations among hypothesized predictors, mediators and moderators of pregnancy and post-partum maternal and infant weight trajectories. The study was conceptualized under a Biopsychosocial Model using a lifespan approach. Study protocol and baseline characteristics are described. METHODS/DESIGN: We sought to recruit a sample of 100 healthy women age 18-45 years, between 28-34 weeks gestation, with singleton pregnancies, enrolled in care prior to 17 weeks gestation. Women provide written consent for face-to-face (medical history, anthropometrics, biologic specimens), and paper-and-pencil assessments, at five time points: baseline (third trimester), delivery-associated, and 6-weeks, 3-months and 6-months postpartum. Additional telephone-based assessments (diet, physical activity and breastfeeding) administered baseline and three-months postpartum. Infant weights are collected until 1-year of life. We seek to retain 80% of participants at six-months postpartum and 80% of offspring at 12-months. 110 women were recruited. Sample characteristics include: mean age 28.3 years, BMI 25.7 kg/m(2), and gestational age at baseline visit of 32.5 weeks. One-third of cohort was non-white, over a quarter were Latina, and almost a quarter were non-US born. The cohort majority was multigravida, had graduated high school and/or had higher levels of education, and worked outside the home. DISCUSSION: Documentation of study feasibility and preliminary data for theory-driven hypothesis of maternal and child factors associated with weight trajectories will support future large scale longitudinal studies of risk and protective factors for maternal and child health. This research will also inform intervention targets facilitating healthy maternal and child weight.

Disparities in access to healthy and unhealthy foods in central Massachusetts: implications for public health policy.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze geographic and income disparities in access to healthy foods in central Massachusetts. METHODS: We surveyed 106 (92% of all) food stores longitudinally in the study area between 2007 and 2010. We analyzed the geographic and temporal variations in community- and store-level healthy food availability indices (HFAI) and unhealthy food availability indices (UFAI) overall and by select store and community characteristics. RESULTS: Twenty-seven of 68 communities in the study area (39.7%) had no food store and 5 (8.3%) had one or few stores with very limited availability of healthy foods, affecting 23.7% of the county population. Lack of food stores was associated strongly with lower housing density and upper tertile of median household income. About 45% of the surveyed stores had inadequate availabilities of healthy food. Store-level HFAI and UFAI scores were highly correlated, and higher among larger stores affiliated with a chain (vs independent). Though healthy foods were usually most available in larger stores, unhealthy foods were widely available in all stores. CONCLUSIONS: Over half of central Massachusetts communities, mostly rural and small, had either no food store or few stores with limited availabilities of healthy foods. Immediate policy interventions on the food environment are necessary in these communities. Further, without examining what is actually sold in stores, analysis of disparities in access to healthy food relies on the number of food stores, which can lead to a distorted picture of accessibility and mislead community health policies.

Single-component versus multicomponent dietary goals for the metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared diets to determine whether a program focused on 1 dietary change results in collateral effects on other untargeted healthy diet components. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a diet focused on increased fiber consumption versus the multicomponent American Heart Association (AHA) dietary guidelines. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial from June 2009 to January 2014. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00911885). SETTING: Worcester, Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: 240 adults with the metabolic syndrome. INTERVENTION: Participants engaged in individual and group sessions. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was weight change at 12 months. RESULTS: At 12 months, mean change in weight was -2.1 kg (95% CI, -2.9 to -1.3 kg) in the high-fiber diet group versus -2.7 kg (CI, -3.5 to -2.0 kg) in the AHA diet group. The mean between-group difference was 0.6 kg (CI, -0.5 to 1.7 kg). During the trial, 12 (9.9%) and 15 (12.6%) participants dropped out of the high-fiber and AHA diet groups, respectively (P = 0.55). Eight participants developed diabetes (hemoglobin A1c level ≥6.5%) during the trial: 7 in the high-fiber diet group and 1 in the AHA diet group (P = 0.066). LIMITATIONS: Generalizability is unknown. Maintenance of weight loss after cessation of group sessions at 12 months was not assessed. Definitive conclusions cannot be made about dietary equivalence because the study was powered for superiority. CONCLUSION: The more complex AHA diet may result in up to 1.7 kg more weight loss; however, a simplified approach to weight reduction emphasizing only increased fiber intake may be a reasonable alternative for persons with difficulty adhering to more complicated diet regimens. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Access to healthy food stores modifies effect of a dietary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence suggests that opening a grocery store in a food desert does not translate to better diet quality among community residents. PURPOSE: This study evaluated the influence of proximity to a healthy food store on the effect of a dietary behavioral intervention on diet among obese adults randomized to either a high fiber or American Heart Association diet intervention. METHODS: Participants were recruited from Worcester County, Massachusetts, between June 2009 and January 2012. Dietary data were collected via 24-hour recalls at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. Based on in-store inspection data, a store was considered as having adequate availability of healthy foods if it had at least one item available in each of 20 healthy food categories. Linear models evaluated maximum change in dietary outcomes in relation to road distance from residence to the nearest June healthy food store. The analysis was conducted in January to June 2014. RESULTS: On average, participants (N=204) were aged 52 years, BMI=34.9, and included 72% women and 89% non-Hispanic whites. Shorter distance to a healthy food store was associated with greater improvements in consumption of fiber (b=-1.07 g/day per mile, p<0.01) and fruits and vegetables (b=-0.19 servings/day per mile, p=0.03) with and without covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of dietary interventions is significantly influenced by the presence of a supportive community nutrition environment. Considering the nationwide efforts on promotion of healthy eating, the value of improving community access to healthy foods should not be underestimated. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00911885.

Severity of depressive symptoms and accuracy of dietary reporting among obese women with major depressive disorder seeking weight loss treatment.

An elevation in symptoms of depression has previously been associated with greater accuracy of reported dietary intake, however this association has not been investigated among individuals with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. The purpose of this study was to investigate reporting accuracy of dietary intake among a group of women with major depressive disorder in order to determine if reporting accuracy is similarly associated with depressive symptoms among depressed women. Reporting accuracy of dietary intake was calculated based on three 24-hour phone-delivered dietary recalls from the baseline phase of a randomized trial of weight loss treatment for 161 obese women with major depressive disorder. Regression models indicated that higher severity of depressive symptoms was associated with greater reporting accuracy, even when controlling for other factors traditionally associated with reporting accuracy (coefficient  =  0.01 95% CI = 0.01 - 0.02). Seventeen percent of the sample was classified as low energy reporters. Reporting accuracy of dietary intake increases along with depressive symptoms, even among individuals with major depressive disorder. These results suggest that any study investigating associations between diet quality and depression should also include an index of reporting accuracy of dietary intake as accuracy varies with the severity of depressive symptoms.