The role of food parcel use on dietary intake: perception of Dutch food bank recipients - a focus group study.

Objective: To gain insight in Dutch food bank recipients' perception on the content of the food parcels, their dietary intake and how the parcels contribute to their overall dietary intake.

Design: Eleven semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted. Focus group topics were based on Andersons food insecurity definition: the lack of availability of nutritionally adequate foods and the assured ability to acquire foods in socially acceptable ways.

Improving the dietary quality of food parcels leads to improved dietary intake in Dutch food bank recipients-effects of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Since food banks have a strong influence on recipients' diets, and seem to have difficulties in supporting healthy diets, improving the dietary quality of food parcels is important. The aim of our study was to assess whether improving the dietary quality of food parcels, using different strategies, can positively impact the actual dietary intake of Dutch food bank recipients.

Methods: This randomized cross-over controlled trial (Trial ID: ISRCTN40554133) with four intervention conditions [(1) Control (standard food parcel), (2) snacks (standard food parcel with replacement of unhealthy snacks by staple foods), (3) FV (standard food parcel plus the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables), (4) snacks + FV (standard food parcel with replacement of unhealthy snacks by staple foods plus the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables)] included 163 food bank recipients, from three food banks.

Socio-economic differences in the change of fruit and vegetable intakes among Dutch adults between 2004 and 2011: the GLOBE study.

Objective: To investigate socio-economic differences in changes in fruit and vegetable intake between 2004 and 2011 and explore the mediating role of financial barriers in this change.

Design: Respondents completed a self-reported questionnaire in 2004 and 2011, including questions on fruit and vegetable intake (frequency per week), indicators of socio-economic position (education, income) and perceived financial barriers (fruits/vegetables are expensive, financial distress). Associations were analysed using ordinal logistic regression.

Dutch food bank parcels do not meet nutritional guidelines for a healthy diet.

Nutritional intakes of food bank recipients and consequently their health status largely rely on the availability and quality of donated food in provided food parcels. In this cross-sectional study, the nutritional quality of ninety-six individual food parcels was assessed and compared with the Dutch nutritional guidelines for a healthy diet. Furthermore, we assessed how food bank recipients use the contents of the food parcel.

Physical activity and dietary intake in BMI discordant identical twins.

Objective: Despite the latest discovery of obesity-associated genes, the rapid rise in global obesity suggests a major role for environmental factors. This study investigated the influence of environmental factors on physical activity and dietary intake independent of genetic effects.

Methods: Sixteen female monozygotic twins aged 48.

Motivations to eat healthily in older Dutch adults--a cross sectional study.

Background: To influence dietary behaviors, more insight in food choice motivations is necessary. This study identified what motivations older adults have to eat healthily and investigated to what extent these motivations are particular to specific subgroups according to socio-economic position and other demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics.

Methods: We used data from 1,050 older Dutch adults who participated in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (65-80 years, independently living, normal cognitive status).

The role of perceived barriers in explaining socio-economic status differences in adherence to the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older adults: a mediation study.

Objective: We aimed to identify barriers for meeting the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults and to investigate socio-economic status (SES) differences in these barriers. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of these barriers in the association between SES and adherence to these guidelines.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Food insecurity among Dutch food bank recipients: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of (very) low food security among Dutch food bank recipients, and to identify potential demographic, lifestyle and nutrition-related factors associated with (very) low food security.

Setting: 11 of 135 Dutch food banks were selected throughout the Netherlands.

Participants: 251 Dutch food bank recipients participated in the study (93 men and 158 women).

The prevalence of overweight and obesity and its determinants in children with and without disabilities.

Objectives: To compare the prevalence of overweight and obesity and nutrition and physical activity behavior between primary school children with and without disabilities.

Study Design: Body weight and height were measured in 4072 children from regular primary schools in the city of Zwolle, the Netherlands, and in 85 children from a school for children with disabilities. Furthermore, parents completed a questionnaire on the child's nutrition and physical activity behavior.

Influence of weight reduction on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Increased body weight is a strong risk factor for hypertension. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed to estimate the effect of weight reduction on blood pressure overall and in population subgroups. Twenty-five randomized, controlled trials (comprising 34 strata) published between 1966 and 2002 with a total of 4874 participants were included.