Black Parents' Perceptions and Barriers to Limiting Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Young Children: A Social Cognitive Theory Application.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major contributor to obesity among young children 0 to 5 years of age. In addition, parental beverage intake influences children's beverage intake. This study explores Black parents' perceptions about and barriers to limiting SSBs among young children.

Strengthening US Food Policies and Programs to Promote Equity in Nutrition Security: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association.

Nutritionally inadequate dietary intake is a leading contributor to chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Differences in dietary quality contribute to socioeconomic and racial and ethnic health disparities. Food insecurity, a household-level social or economic condition of limited access to sufficient food, is a common cause of inadequate dietary intake.

Plate Waste Evaluation of Plant-Based Protein Entrees in National School Lunch Program.

Objective: To assess plate waste of plant-based protein entrees compared with regularly served meat-based entrees in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Design: Plate waste data were collected before and after introducing the plant-based entrees, using digital photography and the quarter-waste method.

Participants: National School Lunch Program participants in grades 6-8.

Assessing health disparities in foods and beverages served in early care and education programs across Georgia.

Background: Obesity disproportionately impacts children who are Black and Hispanic, those who live in rural communities and those who have low income. Predisposition to obesity early in life is profoundly impacted by feeding habits during the preschool years. The early care and education (ECE) setting impacts children's health by providing daily meals.

A Safety Net Unraveling: Feeding Young Children During COVID-19.

The emergence of COVID-19 in the United States led most states to close or severely limit the capacity of their early child-care and education (ECE) programs. This loss affected millions of young children, including many of the 4.6 million low-income children who are provided free meals and snacks by their ECE programs through support from the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

Determining eLearning Preferences to Inform Beverage Policy Training for Early Care and Education Teachers.

Objective: To determine the eLearning preferences of early care and education (ECE) teachers for an effective beverage policy training.

Methods: Mixed methods study conducted with ECE directors and teachers in 6 regions throughout Georgia. Researchers used an eLearning survey (n = 646) along with focus groups (n = 6) and interviews (n = 24) to determine eLearning preferences and preferred eLearning format.

Improving Willingness to Try Fruits and Vegetables Among Low-Income Children Through Use of Characters.

Low-income children are disproportionately affected by high rates of food insecurity and obesity, placing them at risk for poor health outcomes. Diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables (FV) are associated with health benefits such as reducing the risk of obesity. Despite these benefits, American children do not consume nationally recommended amounts of fruits (63%) and vegetables (90%) per day.

Beverage Policy Implementation by Child and Adult Care Food Program Participation and Program Type: A Statewide Examination in Georgia.

Background: The child care setting is a promising venue to establish healthy habits and promote obesity prevention. One major contributor to weight gain among young children is high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Increasing access to water and other healthy beverages is a viable strategy to reduce childhood obesity.

Like Peas and Carrots: Combining Wellness Policy Implementation With Classroom Education for Obesity Prevention in the Childcare Setting.

Objectives: We evaluated an intervention combining policy training and technical assistance for childcare teachers with a nutrition education curriculum to improve (1) the knowledge and self-efficacy of childcare teachers in implementing obesity prevention policies and practices, (2) the quantity and quality of nutrition and physical activity education, and (3) the childcare wellness environment.

Methods: Thirteen teachers and 8 administrators (2 of whom were also teachers) from 8 childcare programs in Clarke County, Georgia, participated in the Healthy Child Care Georgia intervention during June-October 2015. The intervention included (1) training and technical assistance on obesity prevention policies, systems, and practices and (2) direct education by teachers using the Eat Healthy, Be Active curriculum.