BMC NutritionPub Date : 2024-09-12DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00925-y
Johanne Haneberg, Marianne Molin, Marte Gjeitung Byfuglien, Lisa Garnweidner-Holme
{"title":"Vegetarians’ and vegans’ experiences with and attitudes towards ultra-processed foods (UPF): a qualitative study","authors":"Johanne Haneberg, Marianne Molin, Marte Gjeitung Byfuglien, Lisa Garnweidner-Holme","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00925-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00925-y","url":null,"abstract":"The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) is increasing in many countries. Simultaneously, there is a growing number of consumers that follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, many due to its possible positive impact on sustainability and food waste. However, little is known about attitudes towards and experiences with UPF among vegetarians and vegans. Thus, this study investigates vegetarians’ and vegans’ experiences with and attitudes towards UPFs. We conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with 14 participants between September and December 2021. The participants were from different areas in Norway. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. In general, participants appeared to have diverse knowledge of and divergent attitudes towards UPFs. However, participants mainly associated substitute products (e.g. meat substitutes, dairy substitutes) as UPFs. They appreciated the increased availability of vegetarian and vegan UPF which made it easier for them to follow a plant-based diet. They enjoyed the taste and consistency of vegetarian and vegan UPF. However, participants expressed concerns about the effects that industrial processing has on the products’ nutritional content. This study indicated that there was a diverse knowledge of and various attitudes towards UPFs among the participating vegetarians and vegans. Public information and guidelines about using UPF (e.g. meat substitutes, dairy substitutes) in vegetarian and vegan diets are needed, as well as information about their possible impact on health and sustainability.","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179894","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Development and validation of food frequency questionnaire screener software for sodium intake among palestinian population","authors":"Razan Awwad, Radwan Qasrawi, Reem Abu Alwafa, Lubnah Kharaz, Manal Badrasawi","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00927-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00927-w","url":null,"abstract":"High sodium intake has been linked to negative health effects, including cardiovascular and renal diseases. Traditional dietary sodium assessment methods are time-consuming and subjected to errors. Using technology may increase the efficiency and accuracy of dietary assessment. The objective of this study is to develop and validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) screener using software to assess sodium intake among the Palestinian population. Methodology: The study was conducted in four phases. In Phase 1, Palestinian foods were categorized and subcategorized according to their mode of consumption, sodium content, and food groups. The sodium content values were calculated from Palestinian food composition database. Content validity was done in Phase 2, while in Phase 3, a pilot study was conducted to determine test-retest reliability. In Phase 4, the criterion validity of the screener was assessed by comparing the results of sodium intake from the FFQ screener with the results from a 24-hour urinary sodium test and a 3-day diet recall. Correlations between the sodium intake values from the three methods were analyzed using Pearson correlation tests, and the difference was assessed using the Bland-Altman test. The developed FFQ screener sodium screener included 41 food items categorized into nine groups, with photo-based portion size estimation and frequency of consumption. The reliability test showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.7, p < 0.01 using test and retest. For criterion validity, the correlation coefficient between dietary sodium intake using the FFQ screener software and the 24-hour urine sodium test was (0.6, p < 0.000). The correlation coefficient between dietary sodium intake using the FFQ screener software and dietary sodium intake using a 3-day recall was (0.3, p < 0.000). Sodium intake was significantly correlated with preferences for low-sodium food and previous salt reduction, p < 0.05. Using the FFQ screener software was a valid and reliable method for assessing dietary sodium intake. Using the photo-based method to estimate portion size improved precision and accuracy in diet assessment.","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"16 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142179877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BMC NutritionPub Date : 2024-09-07DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00924-z
Magda Rosin, Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Sally Mackay
{"title":"Implementing healthy food policies in health sector settings: New Zealand stakeholder perspectives.","authors":"Magda Rosin, Cliona Ni Mhurchu, Sally Mackay","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00924-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00924-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In 2016, a voluntary National Healthy Food and Drink Policy was released to improve the healthiness of food and drinks for sale in New Zealand health sector organisations. The Policy aims to role model healthy eating and demonstrate commitment to health and well-being of hospital staff and visitors and the general public. This study aimed to understand the experiences of hospital food providers and public health dietitians/staff in implementing the Policy, and identify tools and resources needed to assist with the implementation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A maximum variation purposive sampling strategy (based on a health district's population size and food outlet type) was used to recruit participants by email. Video conference or email semi-structured interviews included 15 open-ended questions that focused on awareness, understanding of, and attitudes towards the Policy; level of support received; perceived customer response; tools and resources needed to support implementation; and unintended or unforeseen consequences. Data was analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve participants (eight food providers and four public health dietitians/staff) were interviewed; three from small (< 100,000 people), four from medium (100,000-300,000 people) and five from large (> 300,000 people) health districts. There was agreement that hospitals should role model healthy eating for the wider community. Three themes were identified relating to the implementation of the Policy: (1) Complexities of operating food outlets under a healthy food and drink policy in public health sector settings; (2) Adoption, implementation, and monitoring of the Policy as a series of incoherent ad-hoc actions; and (3) Policy is (currently) not achieving the desired impact. Concerns about increased food waste, loss of profits and an uneven playing field between food providers were related to the voluntary nature of the unsupported Policy. Three tools could enable implementation: a digital monitoring tool, a web-based database of compliant products, and customer communication materials.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Adopting a single, mandatory Policy, provision of funding for implementation actions and supportive tools, and good communication with customers could facilitate implementation. Despite the relatively small sample size and views from only two stakeholder groups, strategies identified are relevant to policy makers, healthcare providers and public health professionals.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11380432/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Focusing attention on the important association between food insecurity and psychological distress: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Mohammadamin Jandaghian-Bidgoli, Elham Kazemian, Negin Shaterian, Fatemeh Abdi","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00922-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00922-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Food insecurity has involved more than 750 million individuals worldwide. The association of food insecurity with socio-economic factors is also undeniable demand more consideration. Food insecurity will become a global priority by 2030. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined current literature concerning the association between food insecurity and psychological distress.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Relevant researches were identified by searching databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library up to June 2024 without language limitation. Then a snowball search was conducted in the eligible studies. The quality assessment was made through Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Data were available from 44 cross-sectional articles for systematic review and 17 eligible articles for meta-analysis with 2,267,012 and 1,953,636 participants, respectively. Findings support the growing segment of literature on the association between food insecurity and psychological distress. The highly represented groups were households with low income. Psychological and diabetic distress was directly associated with food insecurity as it increased the odds of distress to 329% (OR: 3.29; 95% CI: 2.46-4.40). Sleep problems, anxiety, depression, lower life satisfaction, obesity, and a higher rate of smoking were among the secondary outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Food insecurity was a common stressor that can have a negative impact on psychological well-being and even physical health. The findings should be considered in the public health and making policy-making process.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"118"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378639/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142146468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BMC NutritionPub Date : 2024-09-05DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00926-x
Neşe Kıskaç, Deniz Kaya Meral, Mahruk Rashidi, A Mücella Soydan, Meltem Aslan, Aydın Nart, Bahar Nur Akdoğan, Sultan Çakmak, Dilara Cengizli, Hasan Fatih Akgöz
{"title":"Determination of the relationship between obesity prejudice status and eating behaviors of faculty of health sciences students.","authors":"Neşe Kıskaç, Deniz Kaya Meral, Mahruk Rashidi, A Mücella Soydan, Meltem Aslan, Aydın Nart, Bahar Nur Akdoğan, Sultan Çakmak, Dilara Cengizli, Hasan Fatih Akgöz","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00926-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00926-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>People living with obesity receive treatment services from health professionals for their weight or other health needs. In order for the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who will be a member of the health team in the future, to raise awareness of the society, it is necessary to first determine their obesity prejudices and eating habits.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study is a cross-sectional and descriptive research. The study data were collected from 406 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences by online questionnaire method using a personal characteristics identification form, GAMS 27-Obesity Bias Scale and University Students Eating Behavior Scale (USEBS). The data were analyzed with SPSS 26 statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, all students were found to be prone to prejudice according to the mean total score of the Obesity Bias Scale and Obesity Bias Scale was higher in female students studying in perfusion department. In the sub-dimensions of the University Students Eating Behavior Scale, the enjoyment of food score was found to have the highest mean score.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>According to the results of the study, there is a need to develop educational planning that will both increase the awareness of university students about the relationship between eating behaviors and obesity and eliminate obesity prejudice tendencies due to the fact that they are educated to provide services in the field of health.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"117"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11376038/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142141300","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Determinants of underweight among lactating mothers in public health facilities, Siraro District, Southern Ethiopia: unmatched case-control study.","authors":"Tuke Gizachew, Bikila Lencha, Girma Beressa, Biftu Geda","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00919-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00919-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ethiopia is reported to have one of the highest prevalence of underweight among lactating mothers in Africa. In our study setting, the nutritional report from the district health office showed a high number of underweight lactating mothers and recurrent malnutrition problems. However, the determinants of underweight among lactating mothers were not well understood in our study setting. The study aimed to assess the determinants of underweight among lactating mothers in public health facilities of Siraro District, Southern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Unmatched case control study was conducted among 390 (130 cases and 260 controls) lactating mothers in public health facilities of Siraro District from April 30 to May 30/2022. Cases were lactating mothers with BMI < 18.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup> and controls were mothers whose BMI was ≥ 18.5 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. To identify the determinants of underweight, bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis were carried out. The final model was interpreted using adjusted odds ratio (AOR), along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Significance was declared at p-value < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that having; antenatal care visits [AOR = 0.43, 95% CI (0.26,0.72)], latrine availability [AOR = 0.50,95% CI (0.27,0.93)], poor food consumption score [AOR = 5.40, 95% CI (3.15,9.27)], inadequate dietary diversity score [AOR = 1.66, 95% CI (1.20,2.78)], medium [AOR = 3.34, 95% CI (1.52,7.33)] and poor wealth index [AOR = 6.32, 95%CI(3.12,12.81)] were significantly associated with being underweight among lactating mothers.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Antenatal care visits, latrine availability, poor food consumption scores, inadequate dietary diversity score, medium and poor wealth index were the determinants of underweight. A multi-sectoral approach focusing on latrine construction, economic empowerment and food diversification, as well as ongoing awareness creation, is essential to increase the nutritional status of lactating mothers and break the vicious cycle of malnutrition.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"116"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11373463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142126882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BMC NutritionPub Date : 2024-08-29DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00923-0
Ruwanika Seneviratne, Nalika Gunawardena, Carukshi Arambepola
{"title":"Prevalence of low vitamin D status in an urban district in Sri Lanka: a population-based study.","authors":"Ruwanika Seneviratne, Nalika Gunawardena, Carukshi Arambepola","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00923-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s40795-024-00923-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is conventionally associated with inadequate sunlight exposure. Ironically, recent evidence suggests a rising prevalence in urban areas of tropical regions like Sri Lanka, where comprehensive data are unavailable. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low vitamin D status in urban adults and its impact on serum calcium.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1260 adults aged 35-74 years, living in Colombo, the most urban district in Sri Lanka. They were recruited from 63 administrative divisions, using multi-stage, probability-proportionate-to-size, cluster sampling. Non-fasting venous blood was collected without tourniquet. Low vitamin D (< 30.0 ng/mL), VDD (< 20 ng/mL) and vitamin D insufficiency (20.0-29.9 ng/mL) were determined using chemiluminescence assay method, and serum calcium using Calcium Gen2 reagent.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the population (53.3% females; mean age = 51.8 years), the prevalence of low vitamin D was 93.9% (95% CI: 92.5-95.2). This was primarily due to VDD (67.5%; 95% CI: 64.9.0-70.1%), with some insufficiency (26.4%; 95% CI: 24.0-28.9%). Most VDD cases (53.9.0%) were 'mild' (10.0- < 20.0 ng/mL) in severity, with fewer 'moderate' (12.8%) and 'severe' (0.8%) cases. Prevalence of VDD was highest in females, aged 35-44-years, living in 'highly urban' areas and of Tamil ethnicity. Further, VDD showed a decreasing trend with older age groups, while it was significantly more prevalent in females than males (72.6% vs. 61.7%; p < 0.01), across all age groups. Low serum calcium levels were observed in 9.8% of adults with low vitamin D, compared to 22.4% with normal vitamin D, implying that there could be factors other than vitamin D in maintaining serum calcium levels.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Colombo District, representing urban settings in Sri Lanka faces a high prevalence of low vitamin D, primarily VDD, with higher rates in females, younger individuals and highly urban areas. These findings challenge assumptions about tropical regions being guaranteed of optimal vitamin D levels; and underscore the need for national vitamin D supplementation and food fortification programs, especially in high-risk urban settings in South Asian countries like Sri Lanka.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11363535/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142113003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The association between the dietary behavior, diet quality, and lifestyle scores with anthropometric indices and happiness levels among university students.","authors":"Amir Hosein Shahroukh Ghahfarokhi, Batoul Ghosn, Pamela J Surkan, Shahin Akhondzadeh, Leila Azadbakht","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00917-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00917-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Limited information exists linking food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores with anthropometric indices and happiness levels. Our aim was to examine the association between food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores with anthropometric indices and happiness levels in the Iranian population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study included 200 students randomly selected from a university in Iran. Dietary intakes, physical activity (PA), and happiness levels of study participants were assessed using validated questionnaires. The anthropometric indices examined in this study included the body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), and abdominal volume index (AVI). Multiple logistic regression models were used to examine the association between food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores with anthropometric indices and happiness levels.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of study participants were 23.5 years ± 4.52 and 23.8 kg/m2 ± 3.17, respectively. In the study population, no significant association was seen between ABSI, BRI, AVI and happiness with food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores respectively. After adjusting for potential confounders (age, energy intake, marital status, education, smoking, physical activity, gender, and BMI), the association remained not significant for ABSI and food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores respectively (OR: 0.56, 95% CI (0.25-1.34), P = 0.193; OR: 0.59, 95% CI (0.22-1.57), P = 0.413; OR:1.19, 95%CI (0.54-2.63), P = 0.652), BRI and food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores respectively (OR:1.98, 95% CI (0.41-9.49), P = 0.381; OR: 0.57, 95%CI (0.12-2.74), P = 0.512; OR: 1.19, 95% CI (0.3-4.71), P = 0.811), AVI and food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores (OR:1.15, 95% CI (0.53-2.48), P = 0.743, OR:1.01, 95% CI (0.47-2.18), P = 0.965; OR: 1.3, 95% CI (0.64-2.65), P = 0.465) and happiness and food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores respectively (OR:0.3, 95%CI (0.07-1.25), P = 0.972; OR: 0.77, 95%CI (0.18-3.19), P = 0.724, OR: 0.3, 95% CI (0.07-1.25), P = 0.083).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No significant association was detected between food habits, diet quality, and lifestyle scores with anthropometric indices and happiness levels. However, longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"114"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11348515/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142074073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of a nudge-based food environment intervention in a hospital convenience store on staff's food intake and Na/K.","authors":"Teruko Kawabata, Masakazu Nakamura, Yukari Takemi, Fumi Hayashi, Takashi Yamada","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00920-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00920-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>A food environment intervention using nudge tactics was implemented at a hospital convenience store (CVS) in Tokyo to improve employees' eating habits. The objective of this study was to evaluate its effects on the urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio (Na/K), food intake, eating attitude, and behavior.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using a pre-post design; the intervention incorporated nudge tactics, healthier options, easy-to-pick food placement, and eye-catching information. We also used price incentives. The primary outcomes included changes in Na/K and sodium and potassium excretion assessed using spot urine samples at health checkups. Secondary outcomes were changes in staff food intake, eating attitude, and behavior which were assessed using questionnaire surveys. All outcomes were evaluated statistically. Furthermore, we investigated how the intervention led to outcomes using path analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 140 participant (52men and 88women) were analyzed. Significant changes were observed in Na/K (3.16 to 2.98 in median, p = 0.02) and potassium excretion (43.4 to 45.2 mmol/day in mean, p = 0.03). However, sodium excretion did not change significantly. The intake of fruits and dairy products increased with improved self-efficacy. The most influential factor for lowering Na/K and increasing potassium excretion was information from the CVS; purchasing \"balanced meals\" to lower Na/K and salads to increase potassium excretion were second.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Food environment intervention using nudge tactics can improve staff's food intake and lower Na/K.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>Registration number: UMIN000049444 (UMIN-CTR). Date of registration: November. 7. 2022.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"113"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11328372/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141996615","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Functional integration of services during the antenatal period can potentially improve childhood growth parameters beyond infancy: findings from a post-interventional follow-up study in West Bengal, India.","authors":"Kayur Mehta, Sreeparna Ghosh Mukherjee, Ipsita Bhattacharjee, Kassandra Fate, Shivani Kachwaha, Tushara Rajeev, Aastha Kant, Meghendra Banerjee, Anita Shet","doi":"10.1186/s40795-024-00918-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s40795-024-00918-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite progress, the prevalence of childhood undernutrition in India remains amongst the highest globally.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We aimed to evaluate the impact of a functional integration interventional package during the antenatal period on childhood growth parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a post-interventional follow-up study of a maternal nutrition interventional study conducted between 2018 and 2019 among women in their first trimester of pregnancy from three districts in West Bengal, India. Pregnant women received a package of augmented interventions from study staff which supplemented those provided to them under the state-run programmes, that included body-mass-index measurement at pregnancy registration, monthly weight monitoring, targeted dietary counselling, supervised supplementary nutrition intake and iron-folic acid supplementation during daily anganwadi center visits. In the current follow-up study conducted in 2021, age-matched pregnant women from the same areas who were pregnant during the same period as in the original study and had received standard-of-care under the state-run programmes were recruited into a comparison group. Study staff collected data regarding maternal height and serial weights that were recorded at antenatal visits in 2018-19, and birth and infant characteristics. Child height and weight were measured during the follow-up visit in 2021, which were used to calculate the relative risks of stunting, wasting and underweight using generalized linear models, to understand the sustained impact of the intervention beyond infancy. Eight-hundred-nine mother-child dyads (406 intervention; 403 comparison) were followed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Median age of women in the intervention and comparison group was 23 (IQR 20-25) and 25 (IQR 24-27) years respectively. Median gestational-weight-gain was higher amongst intervention group women (9 vs. 8 kg, p = 0.04). Low-birth-weight prevalence was 29.3% (119/406) and 32.0% (129/403) in the intervention and comparison group. At 12-35 months of age, children born to women in the intervention group had significantly reduced risk of stunting (RR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.44-0.94), wasting (RR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.33-0.97) and underweight (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.88).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results indicate that functional integration and strengthening of routine antenatal care services including targeted nutritional counselling to expectant mothers can have distal beneficial effects on childhood undernutrition beyond the immediate post-natal period.</p>","PeriodicalId":36422,"journal":{"name":"BMC Nutrition","volume":"10 1","pages":"112"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11325605/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141989109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}