Effects of Inclusion of Food Purchase Restrictions and Incentives in a Food Benefit Program on Diet Quality and Food Purchasing: Results From a Randomized Trial.

Background: There is interest in reshaping the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to better support family nutrition.

Objective: The Grocery Assistance Program Study (GAPS) for Families evaluated the effects of prohibiting using program funds for the purchase of certain sugary foods on the nutritional quality of foods purchased and consumed by program participants.

Design: A randomized experimental trial was carried out with participants randomized to one of three food benefit conditions.

Effect of Weight Goals on Sitting and Moving During a Worksite Sedentary Time Reduction Intervention.

Introduction/purpose: Although many US adults report trying to lose weight, little research has examined weight loss goals as a motivator for reducing workplace sitting and increasing physical activity. This exploratory analysis examined weight goals and the association with changes in workplace sitting, physical activity, and weight.

Methods: Employees ( = 605) were drawn from worksites participating in Stand and Move at Work.

Qualitative comparative analysis of the implementation fidelity of a workplace sedentary reduction intervention.

Background: Stand and Move at Work was a 12-month, multicomponent, peer-led (intervention delivery personnel) worksite intervention to reduce sedentary time. Although successful, the magnitude of reduced sedentary time varied by intervention worksite. The purpose of this study was to use a qualitative comparative analysis approach to examine potential explanatory factors that could distinguish higher from lower performing worksites based on reduced sedentary time.

Efficacy of the 'Stand and Move at Work' multicomponent workplace intervention to reduce sedentary time and improve cardiometabolic risk: a group randomized clinical trial.

Background: Sedentary time is associated with chronic disease and premature mortality. We tested a multilevel workplace intervention with and without sit-stand workstations to reduce sedentary time and lower cardiometabolic risk.

Methods: Stand and Move at Work was a group (cluster) randomized trial conducted between January 2016 and December 2017 among full-time employees; ≥18 years; and in academic, industry/healthcare, and government worksites in Phoenix, Arizona and Minneapolis/St.

The effect of green walking on heart rate variability: A pilot crossover study.

We investigated the effects of regular walking in green and suburban environments on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged adults. Twenty-three adults participated in a non-randomized crossover experiment comprised of once-weekly 50-min moderate-intensity walking sessions. Separated by a two-week washout period, participants walked for three weeks in each of two treatment conditions (green and suburban) in a local arboretum and suburban sidewalks of Chaska, MN.

Changes in Psychological and Cognitive Outcomes after Green versus Suburban Walking: A Pilot Crossover Study.

This study investigated the acute effects of repeated walking sessions within green and suburban environments on participants' psychological (anxiety and mood) and cognitive (directed-attention) outcomes. Twenty-three middle-aged adults (19 female) participated in a non-randomized crossover study comprised of once-weekly 50-min moderate-intensity walking sessions. Participants walked for three weeks in each of two treatment conditions: green and suburban, separated by a two-week washout period.

Stand and Move at Work sedentary behavior questionnaire: validity and sensitivity to change.

Purpose: We evaluated the validity and sensitivity to change of a workplace questionnaire to assess sedentary behavior (SB) during and outside work.

Methods: Participants wore an activPAL and completed an SB questionnaire at two time points (baseline and 3-month follow-up). Ecological momentary assessments were used to assess workplace location (at desk vs.

Multicomponent Obesity Prevention Intervention in Low-Income Preschoolers: Primary and Subgroup Analyses of the NET-Works Randomized Clinical Trial, 2012-2017.

Objectives: To evaluate a multicomponent obesity prevention intervention among diverse, low-income preschoolers.

Methods: Parent-child dyads (n = 534) were randomized to the Now Everybody Together for Amazing and Healthful Kids (NET-Works) intervention or usual care in Minneapolis, MN (2012-2017). The intervention consisted of home visits, parenting classes, and telephone check-ins.

Financial incentives and purchase restrictions in a food benefit program affect the types of foods and beverages purchased: results from a randomized trial.

Background: This research evaluated the effects of financial incentives and purchase restrictions on food purchasing in a food benefit program for low income people.

Methods: Participants (n=279) were randomized to groups: 1) Incentive- 30% financial incentive for fruits and vegetables purchased with food benefits; 2) Restriction- no purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages, sweet baked goods, or candies with food benefits; 3) Incentive plus Restriction; or 4) Control- no incentive or restrictions. Participants received a study-specific debit card where funds were added monthly for 12-weeks.

Park use is associated with less sedentary time among low-income parents and their preschool child: The NET-Works study.

Introduction: Parks are an important component of the neighborhood environment, and their presence is believed to support higher levels of physical activity among residents. The present study examined park use frequency among a sample of 534 low-income parents of preschool aged children. Associations with child and parent physical activity, neighborhood characteristics and physical characteristics of the block immediately surrounding the home were examined.

Fast-food consumption, diet quality and body weight: cross-sectional and prospective associations in a community sample of working adults.

Objective: To examine the association between fast-food consumption, diet quality and body weight in a community sample of working adults.

Design: Cross-sectional and prospective analysis of anthropometric, survey and dietary data from adults recruited to participate in a worksite nutrition intervention. Participants self-reported frequency of fast-food consumption per week.

Snacking behaviors, diet quality, and body mass index in a community sample of working adults.

Background: Snacking behaviors have been linked with higher energy intake and excess weight. However, results have been inconsistent. In addition, few data are available on the extent to which snacking affects diet quality.

Portion size effects on weight gain in a free living setting.

Objective: Examine the effect of weekday exposure over 6 months to different lunch sizes on energy intake and body weight in a free-living sample of working adults.

Methods: Adults (n = 233) were randomly assigned to one of three lunch size groups (400 kcal, 800 kcal, and 1,600 kcal) or to a no-free lunch control group for 6 months. Weight and energy intake were measured at baseline, and months 1, 3, and 6.

Questionnaire and laboratory measures of eating behavior. Associations with energy intake and BMI in a community sample of working adults.

Purpose: The present research compared a self-report measure of usual eating behaviors with two laboratory-based behavioral measures of food reward and food preference.

Methods: Eating behaviors were measured among 233 working adults. A self-report measure was the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) Restraint, Disinhibition and Hunger subscales.

Decrease in television viewing predicts lower body mass index at 1-year follow-up in adolescents, but not adults.

Objective: To examine associations between television viewing, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption, eating out, physical activity, and body weight change over 1 year.

Design: Secondary data analysis from randomized intervention trial.

Setting: Households in the community.

HealthWorks: results of a multi-component group-randomized worksite environmental intervention trial for weight gain prevention.

Background: U.S. adults are at unprecedented risk of becoming overweight or obese, and most scientists believe the primary cause is an obesogenic environment.

Household obesity prevention: Take Action--a group-randomized trial.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate an intervention to prevent weight gain among households (HHs) in the community. Ninety HHs were randomized to intervention or control group for 1 year. Intervention consisted of six face-to-face group sessions, placement of a television (TV) locking device on all home TVs, and home-based intervention activities.

Work hours, weight status, and weight-related behaviors: a study of metro transit workers.

Background: Associations between hours worked per week and Body Mass Index (BMI), food intake, physical activity, and perceptions of eating healthy at work were examined in a sample of transit workers.

Methods: Survey data were collected from 1086 transit workers. Participants reported hours worked per week, food choices, leisure-time physical activity and perceptions of the work environment with regard to healthy eating.

Household income differences in food sources and food items purchased.

Background: The present study examined income-related household food purchases among a sample of 90 households from the community.

Methods: Annotated food purchase receipts were collected for a four-week period by the primary household shopper. Receipt food source and foods items were classified into specific categories, and food quantities in ounces were recorded by research staff.

Sex-specific HDL cholesterol changes with weight loss and their association with anthropometric variables: the LIFE study.

Decrease in the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) has been observed in women who start dieting, but not in men. Patterns of HDLC change during intentional weight loss through 30-months of follow-up, and their association with changes in anthropometric measurements were examined in obese women (N = 112) and men (N = 100). Missing HDLC values at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 30-month follow-up (N = 16, 34, 55, and 50, respectively) due to dropout were imputed by multiple imputation.

Pricing and availability intervention in vending machines at four bus garages.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of lowering prices and increasing availability on sales of healthy foods and beverages from 33 vending machines in 4 bus garages as part of a multicomponent worksite obesity prevention intervention.

Methods: Availability of healthy items was increased to 50% and prices were lowered at least 10% in the vending machines in two metropolitan bus garages for an 18-month period. Two control garages offered vending choices at usual availability and prices.

Worksite environment intervention to prevent obesity among metropolitan transit workers.

Objective: The results of an 18-month worksite intervention to prevent obesity among metropolitan transit workers are reported.

Methods: Four garages in a major metropolitan area were randomized to intervention or control groups. Data were collected during the fall of 2005 prior to the start of the intervention and during the fall of 2007, after the intervention ended.

Annotated receipts capture household food purchases from a broad range of sources.

Background: Accurate measurement of household food purchase behavior (HFPB) is important for understanding its association with household characteristics, individual dietary intake and neighborhood food retail outlets. However, little research has been done to develop measures of HFPB. The main objective of this paper is to describe the development of a measure of HFPB using annotated food purchase receipts.

Mood, Weight, and Physical Activity Among Obese Individuals Enrolled In a Long-term Weight-loss Program: Trajectories and Associations with Gender.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the trajectories of mood, weight and physical activity, and associations between mood, weight, and gender, among 213 obese individuals. METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal design. Assessments at baseline and 6, 12, and 18 months of Profile of Mood States, Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire, and weight.