Inequalities in diet quality by socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, and weight status in a large UK-based cohort using a new UK diet quality questionnaire-UKDQQ.

The aim of this study was to explore the associations between diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status in a large, cross-sectional cohort of adults living in Yorkshire and Humber, UK. Data from 43, 023 participants aged over 16 years in the Yorkshire Health Survey, 2 wave (2013-2015) were collected on diet quality, socio-demographic measures, smoking, and weight status. Diet quality was assessed using a brief, validated tool.

Using Social Media to Collect Dietary Information for Public Health Policy.

There is no regular, routine measurement of food and nutrient intake regionally in the UK. Our goal was to identify a method to support policy makers tracking the local population food intakes. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of using social media to obtain a large sample in a short time, with a regional focus; collecting dietary information using online tools.

Maternal iodine status, intrauterine growth, birth outcomes and congenital anomalies in a UK birth cohort.

Background: Severe iodine insufficiency in pregnancy has significant consequences, but there is inadequate evidence to indicate what constitutes mild or moderate insufficiency, in terms of observed detrimental effects on pregnancy or birth outcomes. A limited number of studies have examined iodine status and birth outcomes, finding inconsistent evidence for specific outcomes.

Methods: Maternal iodine status was estimated from spot urine samples collected at 26-28 weeks' gestation from 6971 mothers in the Born in Bradford birth cohort.

Fruit intake and cardiovascular disease mortality in the UK Women's Cohort Study.

In observational studies, fruit intake is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), though fruit type has been less frequently explored. The aim of the current study was to explore the association between total fruit and fruit subgroup intake according to polyphenol content and CVD mortality in the UK Women's Cohort Study. Total fruit intake (g/day) derived from a 217-item food frequency questionnaire was obtained from 30,458 women (aged 35-69 years) at baseline from 1995-1998.

Evaluation of the impact of school gardening interventions on children's knowledge of and attitudes towards fruit and vegetables. A cluster randomised controlled trial.

Involvement of children in gardening has the potential to increase liking of fruit and vegetables (FV) and consequently, intake, but research results are mixed. School gardening led by external specialists such as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) could have more impact than teacher-led gardening on children's knowledge of, and attitudes towards, FV. Data from a cluster randomised controlled trial were used to compare a RHS-led school gardening intervention with a teacher-led gardening intervention amongst 7-10 year olds in 21 London schools.

Adherence to a smartphone application for weight loss compared to website and paper diary: pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is growing interest in the use of information communication technologies to treat obesity. An intervention delivered by smartphone could be a convenient, potentially cost-effective, and wide-reaching weight management strategy. Although there have been studies of texting-based interventions and smartphone applications (apps) used as adjuncts to other treatments, there are currently no randomized controlled trials (RCT) of a stand-alone smartphone application for weight loss that focuses primarily on self-monitoring of diet and physical activity.

Does nutrition education in primary schools make a difference to children's fruit and vegetable consumption?

Objective: To explore whether initiatives to promote fruit and vegetables in primary schools are associated with changes in children's diet.

Design: Cross-sectional dietary survey. Main outcome measures were intakes of fruit, vegetables and key nutrients; and a score for initiatives promoting fruit and vegetables in school.

Dietary fibre and risk of breast cancer in the UK Women's Cohort Study.

Background: Reports of relationships between dietary fibre intake and breast cancer have been inconsistent. Previous cohort studies have been limited by a narrow range of intakes.

Methods: Women who developed invasive breast cancer, 350 post-menopausally and 257 pre-menopausally, during 240,959 person-years of follow-up in the UK Women's Cohort Study (UKWCS) were studied.