Learner-centered nutrition education improves folate intake and food-related behaviors in nonpregnant, low-income women of childbearing age.

Background: Recent studies suggest low-income women of childbearing age may be at risk of suboptimal folate intake.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of learner-centered nutrition education on folate intake and food-related behaviors among nonpregnant, low-income women of childbearing age, compared to education unrelated to nutrition.

Design: Participants were randomly assigned by recruitment site to receive either the nutrition lesson or a control lesson about resource management.

Folate intake and food-related behaviors in nonpregnant, low-income women of childbearing age.

Information about folate intake among low-income women of childbearing age remains limited. This report presents results from a cross-sectional study of folate intake and food-related behaviors in a sample of low-income, nonpregnant women of childbearing age in California. One hundred fifty-seven nonpregnant, low-income ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Soy protein with and without isoflavones fails to substantially increase postprandial antioxidant capacity.

Five methods for the assessment of antioxidant capacity [whole plasma conjugated diene formation, low-density lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility, ferric-reducing ability of plasma, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and perchloric-acid-treated oxygen radical absorbance capacity (PCA-ORAC)] were used in a randomized, double blind, crossover study to determine the acute postprandial antioxidant protection imparted by the isoflavone component of soy. On separate days, 16 subjects consumed one of three isocaloric shakes containing 25 g of protein in the form of soy, with 107 mg of total aglycone units of isoflavones, soy with trace isoflavones (<4 mg) or total milk protein. Blood was collected at baseline, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h after consumption.

A "contract for change" increases produce consumption in low-income women: a pilot study.

This study determined whether a "Contract for Change" goal-setting exercise enhanced the effectiveness of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education/Food Stamp Nutrition Education programs to increase produce consumption in low-income (<130% of poverty) women after 4 weeks. Thirty-eight participants were randomized in this three-group parallel arm study: (a) control group participants received life-skills lessons, (b) the education group received the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education/Food Stamp Nutrition Education "Food Guide Pyramid" lessons, and (c) the contract group also received the "Food Guide Pyramid" series and completed a "Contract for Change." It was hypothesized that the contract group would have the greatest increases in advancement toward dietary change and produce consumption.