Feeding Stressors and Resources Used by Caregivers of Children With Down Syndrome: A Qualitative Analysis.

Background: Challenging eating behaviors or feeding difficulties, commonly displayed in children with Down syndrome (DS), may amplify perceived stress in caregivers. If caregivers lack resources on how to accommodate the needs of the child with DS, they may find feeding the child stressful and resort to negative coping strategies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to understand the feeding stressors, resources, and coping strategies used by caregivers of children with DS.

Association between selenium intake and cognitive function among older adults in the US: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2011-2014.

Cognitive decline occurs commonly as people age. Despite the complexity of cellular mechanisms, oxidative stress is a critical contributor to age-associated cognitive impairment. Selenium plays an important role in antioxidant defense systems.

Parental mindful eating practices and mindful eating interventions are associated with child emotional eating.

The family environment, which involves parent eating behaviors and feeding practices, influences child intake and eating behaviors. Specifically, parental emotional eating or emotional feeding practices may lead to emotional eating in the child. Mindful eating practices may decrease emotional eating behaviors.

Direct Yet Opposite Effects of Stress-related and Mindful Eating on Diet Quality.

Objective: Examine the relationships among dietary quality, mindful eating, and constructs of the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, women (n = 67) aged 25-50 years, with a body mass index of 25-40 kg/m completed 3 days of 24-hour recalls and a survey that included the Perceived Stress Scale, Eating and Appraisal Due to Emotions and Stress Questionnaire, and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire. Structural equation modeling assessed relationships among all constructs with the dependent variable, the Healthy Eating Index-2015.

Association between Dietary Lutein/Zeaxanthin Intake and Metabolic Syndrome among US Females: An Analysis of National Health and Examination Surveys 2015-2018.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is greater among US females than males, mainly due to higher risks of dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Lutein and zeaxanthin (L/Z) are carotenoids that can alter the composition of lipoproteins, which may affect components of MetS. However, little is known about the association between L/Z intake and MetS, especially in females.

Struggling with the basics: food and housing insecurity among college students across twenty-two colleges and universities.

Objectives: To quantify the number and type of students failing to secure basic needs.

Participants: Students attending 22 postsecondary schools in the United States in Fall 2019.

Methods: The Adult Food Security Module and part of the #RealCollege Survey were used to measure food and housing insecurity, respectively.

College student sleep quality and mental and physical health are associated with food insecurity in a multi-campus study.

Objective: To assess the relationship between food insecurity, sleep quality, and days with mental and physical health issues among college students.

Design: An online survey was administered. Food insecurity was assessed using the ten-item Adult Food Security Survey Module.

Visceral adiposity index and its association with Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet scores among older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2011-2014.

Background & Aims: The visceral adiposity index (VAI) has been shown to be a reliable estimate of visceral adiposity, but little is known about its association with specific dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, particularly in older adults. Many studies have shown the DASH diet to be beneficial for cardiometabolic health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between DASH diet scores and the VAI in older adults using a nationally representative dataset.

Eat Like a Chef: A Mindful Eating Intervention for Health Care Providers.

Objective: To compare changes in mindful eating habits between students receiving a mindful eating intervention (MEI) vs those who were engaged in usual course work.

Methods: From 2017 to 2019, 109 nutrition and medical students completed a quasi-experimental study, including usual course work either with or without the addition of a 5-week MEI. The Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) was completed before and after the MEI.

Homemade infant formula recipes may contain harmful ingredients: a quantitative content analysis of blogs.

Objective: When breast-feeding is not possible, commercially made human milk substitute is recommended. Some consumers would prefer to make their own homemade infant formula (HIF) and may seek information on this practice from internet sources. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the content of blogs posting HIF recipes.

Nutrition Provider Isolation Is Related to Increased Preference for Enteral Nutrition-Support in Patients With Advanced Dementia.

Background: Current guidelines advise against using enteral nutrition (EN) support for patients with advanced dementia (AD) because of negative outcomes. However, research suggests that some registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) in acute-care settings still recommend EN for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to identify workplace characteristics that influence the EN recommendations of acute-care RDNs who care for patients with AD.

Dietary Supplement Use is High among Individuals with Parkinson Disease.

Objectives: To assess the present use of dietary supplements among the Parkinson disease (PD) population and to determine which dietary supplements are most commonly taken.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire that was administered to individuals with PD via support group Web sites. Dietary supplement users also were asked whether they spoke with a healthcare professional about their supplement use.

Practitioner Knowledge, Personal Values, and Work Setting Influence Registered Dietitians' Feeding Tube Recommendations for Patients With Advanced Dementia.

Background: Current guidelines discourage tube-feeding older adults with advanced dementia (AD), as this practice does not improve nutrition status or survival and decreases quality of life in these patients. Because registered dietitians (RDs) often provide feeding recommendations for patients with AD, this study aimed to identify factors that influenced RDs' feeding tube recommendations for older adults with AD.

Methods: A random sample of RDs who work with older adults in the United States completed a validated, electronic survey.

Very Low Food Security Status is Related to Lower Cooking Self-Efficacy and Less Frequent Food Preparation Behaviors Among College Students.

Objective: Investigate the relationships between food security status and cooking self-efficacy and food preparation behaviors among college students.

Methods: Students living off campus while attending the University of Alabama completed an online survey between February and April 2016. Food security status was assessed using the Adult Food Security Survey Module.

The Attitudes Toward Tube-Feeding in Advanced Dementia (ATT-FAD) Questionnaire: A Valid and Reliable Tool.

Registered Dietitians (RDs) should participate in interdisciplinary feeding discussions for patients with advanced dementia, but research on how RDs make such feeding recommendations is scarce. This study developed and validated a theory-based questionnaire to assess the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of RDs regarding feeding tube use among older adults with advanced dementia. The instrument was drafted based on the Social Ecological Model, and face and content validity were established through an expert panel review.

The Prenatal Rating of Efficacy in Preparation to Breastfeed Scale: A New Measurement Instrument for Prenatal Breastfeeding Self-efficacy.

Background:: Breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding intention are two modifiable factors that influence rates of breastfeeding initiation.

Research Aims:: (1) To develop a scale to measure prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy, and (2) test its psychometric properties by determining the internal consistency and reliability, and (3) assess the relationships between prenatal breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding intention.

Methods:: Cross-sectional prospective one-group survey design was used.

Development and Feasibility of a Childhood Obesity Prevention Program for Rural Families: Application of the Social Cognitive Theory.

Background: Effective childhood obesity prevention programs for preschool children are limited in number and focus on changes in the child care environment rather than the home environment.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop and test the feasibility of a home environment obesity prevention program that incorporates mindful eating strategies and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs. is specifically designed for rural parents and grandparents of preschool-age children.

College Students Must Overcome Barriers to Use Calorie Labels in Fast-Food Restaurants.

Objective: To explore predictors of intention of college students to use calorie labels on fast-food menus and differences in calories ordered after viewing calorie information.

Design: Quasi-experimental design. Participants selected a meal from a menu without calorie labels, selected a meal from the same menu with calorie labels, and completed a survey that assessed demographics, dietary habits, Theory of Planned Behavior constructs, and potential barriers to use of calorie labeling.

Mandating nutrient menu labeling in restaurants: potential public health benefits.

Rationale: Many Americans have replaced home-cooked meals with fast food and restaurants meals. This contributes to increased incidences of overweight and obesity. Implementing policies that require restaurants to disclose nutrition information has the potential to improve nutrition knowledge and food behaviors.

Determinants of food label use differ by sex.

Although the Nutrition Facts label has been a requirement on food packages for more than 20 years, few studies have conducted comprehensive assessments of food label use. The purpose of this study was to assess the demographic and psychosocial correlates of food label use using a comprehensive approach. A sample of 1,382 males and females (n=573 and n=809, respectively) aged 19 to 70 years was drawn from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Institutional policy changes aimed at addressing obesity among mental health clients.

Background: People with mental illness often experience unique barriers to healthy eating and physical activity. For these clients, interventions should focus on changes in the immediate environment to change behaviors. The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate policy changes that would limit calorie intake and increase calorie expenditure of clients receiving mental health services.