Examining Food Security, Fruit and Vegetable Intake, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Outcomes of Produce Prescription (PPR) Programs: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Outcomes from produce prescription (PPR) programs, an exemplar of a Food is Medicine intervention, have not been synthesized. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review to examine the impact of PPR programs on food security, fruit and vegetable (FV) intake, and/or cardiovascular risk factors (HbA1c, blood pressure, and blood lipids).

Design: Searches were conducted across three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science).

Preparation, characterization, electrical conductivity, and life cycle assessment of carbon nanofibers-reinforced Ecuadorian natural zeolite-based geopolymer composites.

Geopolymers are inorganic crosslinked polymers with much less carbon footprint than ordinary Portland cement. Geopolymers and geopolymer-based materials have superior mechanical and durability properties with extreme thermal and chemical resistance. Carbon nano- or microfibers-reinforced geopolymers show potential properties such as electric conductivity, enhanced mechanical and thermal stability, and multi-functionality.

Family Meals and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Young Children.

Purpose Of The Review: Family meals represent a novel strategy for improving cardiovascular health in youth. The purpose of this paper is to describe the association between family meals, dietary patterns, and weight status in youth.

Review Findings: According to the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8, poor diet quality and overweight/obesity status are key contributors to suboptimal cardiovascular health.

Preparation, Characterization and Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Polylactide-Polyethylene Glycol-Chitosan Active Composite Films.

Chitin is a natural biopolymer obtained from the exoskeleton of crustaceans. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, which has antimicrobial properties and potential applications in several industries. Moreover, the composites of chitosan with other biodegradable polymers, such as polylactide (PLA) as packaging film, have shown promising results.

Feasibility of Implementing a Food Skills Intervention.

Background: Food skills are defined as meal planning, preparation, shopping, budgeting, resourcefulness, and label reading/consumer awareness. To date, food skills have not been tested in intervention-based studies.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a food skills intervention.