Publications by authors named "Christine Penicka"

Individuals from racial minority backgrounds, especially those in low income situations, are at increased risk for obesity. Family meals positively impact child nutritional health; however, there is limited evidence examining the impact on caregivers, particularly racial minority and income-restricted individuals. The objective of this intervention study was to determine the effect of Simple Suppers, a 10 week family meals program, on caregiver diet and nutrition outcomes.

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Background: Racial minority children, particularly from low-income households, are at risk for obesity. Family meals have a protective effect on child nutritional health. However, the current evidence is limited in racial and socioeconomic diversity.

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Objective: To identify practices that parents use to influence early adolescents' food choices during independent eating occasions (iEOs) from parent and child perspectives.

Design: In-depth interviews.

Participants: Low-income parents (n = 49) and early adolescent children (aged 10-13 years; n = 44) from 10 US states and the District of Columbia.

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Introduction: Racial/ethnic minority school-age children are at risk for unhealthy weight gain during the summer, and there is a dearth of information regarding the underlying behavioural and environmental factors. The study objective is to provide an in-depth examination of dietary and physical activity behaviours and food, physical activity, and social environments of African American and Hispanic school-age children during the summer.

Methods And Analysis: An observational study will be conducted using a multistate (Ohio and Indiana, USA) prospective design examining the weight gain trajectory among a racially/ethnically diverse convenience sample of economically disadvantaged school-age children.

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