Prevalence and Determinants of Undiagnosed Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in a Nationally Representative Sample of US Adults.

Background Chronic liver diseases account for approximately 1.9 million deaths globally every year and negatively affect health-related quality of life. Early detection of liver disease may enable timely treatment, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Using Process Evaluation Results to Compare Peer and Adult Leader Delivery of the PAWS (Peer-Education about Weight Steadiness) Club Program.

To date, there is limited published literature on process evaluation of adolescent health promotion programs. In this paper, we describe the methods and results of PAWS Club process evaluation over 2 years of implementation to compare the effectiveness of delivery by peer and adult leaders. PAWS (Peer-education About Weight Steadiness) Club was a 12-week healthy lifestyle program, delivered to 6th and 7th graders by peer and adult educators, using cluster randomized controlled design.

Fresh- and lean-pork intake in relation to functional limitations among US older adults, 2005-2016.

Background: Pork consumption, in particular fresh/lean-pork consumption, provides protein and other essential micronutrients that older adults need daily and may hold the potential to prevent functional limitations resulting from sub-optimal nutrition.

Aim: Assess fresh/lean-pork intake in relation to functional limitations among older adults in the USA.

Methods: Individual-level data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016 waves.

Cognitive Distraction at Mealtime Decreases Amount Consumed in Healthy Young Adults: A Randomized Crossover Exploratory Study.

Background: Environmental distractions have been shown to affect eating patterns.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a cognitive distraction on amount, preference, and memory of food consumed and perceptions of fullness, hunger, and enjoyment of food in a healthy young-adult population.

Methods: A randomized controlled crossover study of 119 healthy adults (20.

Food Insecurity among College Students Differs by Questionnaire Modality: An Exploratory Study.

Literature suggests that college (ie, post-secondary) students experience food insecurity (FI) at alarming rates. However, the commonly used FI questionnaires have undergone limited evaluations for accuracy in this sub-population. The objective of this exploratory study was to evaluate if FI estimates among college students differ by survey distribution modality.

Implementation and Evaluation of the Abriendo Caminos Program: A Randomized Control Trial Intervention for Hispanic Children and Families.

Objective: To describe the methodology of a family-focused, culturally tailored program, Abriendo Caminos, for the prevention of excess weight gain in children.

Design: Randomized control trial with outcome assessment at pretest, posttest, and 6 months after intervention or abbreviated-attention control group.

Setting: Community setting across 5 sites (Illinois, California, Iowa, Texas, and Puerto Rico).

Promoting Cooking, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Afterschool Settings.

In this study, we evaluated the afterschool PAWS (Peer-education About Weight Steadiness) Club program delivered by peer or adult educators to improve food choices, physical activity, and psychosocial variables related to healthy eating. We had 109 adolescents (53 in adult-led group; 56 in peer-led group) participate in a cluster randomized controlled intervention. The 12-session curriculum framed within Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Stages of Change addressed mediators of behavior change related to cooking skills, food intake, and physical activity.

Food Insecurity among College Students in the United States: A Scoping Review.

Reports of college students experiencing food insecurity (FI), defined as inadequate access, availability, adequacy, and stability of food, have sparked national calls for alleviation and prevention policies. However, there are a wide variety of FI rates reported across studies and even among recent literature reviews. The current scoping review aimed to develop a weighted estimated prevalence of FI among US students using a comprehensive search approach.

College students' interpretations of food security questions: results from cognitive interviews.

Background: Food insecurity (FI) - the lack of sufficient access to food to maintain a healthy lifestyle - among college (i.e. post-secondary or higher education institution) students has become a prominent issue in the U.

Impact of Beef and Beef Product Intake on Cognition in Children and Young Adults: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency have been consistently linked to cognitive impairment among children and young adults. As a primary source of dietary animal protein, beef consumption holds the potential to improve diet quality and positively influence cognitive function. This study systematically reviewed evidence linking beef intake to cognition among children and young adults.

Fresh and Fresh Lean Beef Intake in Relation to Functional Limitations among US Older Adults, 2005-2016.

In this study, we assessed fresh and fresh lean beef intake in relation to functional limitations among US adults 65 years and older. We conducted logistic regressions on individual-level 24-hour dietary recall and health indicator data (N = 6135) retrieved from 2005-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Approximately 51%, 14%, and 9% of older adults consumed beef, fresh beef, and fresh lean beef, respectively.

Are estimates of food insecurity among college students accurate? Comparison of assessment protocols.

A growing body of literature suggests that post-secondary students experience food insecurity (FI) at greater rates than the general population. However, these rates vary dramatically across institutions and studies. FI assessment methods commonly used in studies with college students have not been scrutinized for psychometric properties, and varying protocols may influence resulting FI prevalence estimates.

Grit is Associated with Food Security among US Parents and Adolescents.

We investigated whether the Short Grit Scale (Grit-S) predicted odds of food insecurity (FI) among adults and their children. A cross-sectional panel of parent-child dyads completed an online questionnaire. Eligible dyads included parents with household income below the 2015 median ($52,250 USD/year) and their self-selected household child between the ages of 13 to 17 years.

Wasted food: A qualitative study of U.S. young adults' perceptions, beliefs and behaviors.

U.S. consumers, namely young adults, are one of the largest sources of preventable food waste.

Exploring the association of urban or rural county status and environmental, nutrition- and lifestyle-related resources with the efficacy of SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education) to improve food security.

Objective: To investigate the association of policy, systems and environmental factors with improvement in household food security among low-income Indiana households with children after a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) direct nutrition education intervention.

Design: Household food security scores measured by the eighteen-item US Household Food Security Survey Module in a longitudinal randomized and controlled SNAP-Ed intervention study conducted from August 2013 to April 2015 were the response variable. Metrics to quantify environmental factors including classification of urban or rural county status; the number of SNAP-authorized stores, food pantries and recreational facilities; average fair market housing rental price; and natural amenity rank were collected from government websites and data sets covering the years 2012-2016 and used as covariates in mixed multiple linear regression modelling.

Feasibility of a Grocery Store Tour for Parents and Their Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of a grocery store tour for parents and their adolescents being led by adults or adolescent peers.

Design: Randomized controlled pilot study with surveys at baseline and post-program, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up.

Setting: Midwestern midsized grocery stores.

Peer-Led Culinary Skills Intervention for Adolescents: Pilot Study of the Impact on Knowledge, Attitude, and Self-efficacy.

Objective: To assess the impact and feasibility of a culinary skills intervention for adolescents led by peer educators compared with adult educators.

Methods: Adolescents (aged 11-14 years) were randomized to peer educator (n = 22) or adult educator (n = 20) groups and attended 2 2.5-hour culinary skills lessons addressing knife skills, cooking methods, and recipes.

Influence of seasoning on vegetable selection, liking and intent to purchase.

Low vegetable intake continues to be a health concern, and strategies to increase vegetable intake have resulted in only small increases. One strategy that has received less attention is the use of seasonings. This study's objective was to determine the impact of seasoning on vegetable selection, liking, and intent to purchase.

Family Menu-planning Workshop: A Pilot Study on the Feasibility of Adult- and Peer-led Instruction.

Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of a menu-planning workshop led by adults or by adolescents (ie, peers), delivered to parents and their adolescent children.

Methods: We randomly assigned a convenience sample of 15 parents and their 17 adolescent children to menu-planning workshops taught by either an adult or peer leader. We conducted process evaluation using workshop observations and participant perceptions.

Spice and Herb Use with Vegetables: Liking, Frequency, and Self-efficacy among US Adults.

Objectives: To inform future initiatives to encourage vegetable intake, we explored how spice and herb (S/H) use with vegetables was related to consumer characteristics.

Methods: A questionnaire collected information on S/H liking and use frequency, whether S/Hs were used when cooking vegetables, and belief that consumers could use S/Hs when cooking vegetables. The questionnaire was distributed to members of an online panel of US consumers.

Grocery Store (or Supermarket) Tours as an Effective Nutrition Education Medium: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To evaluate evidence regarding grocery store tours as an effective nutrition education medium for improving nutrition knowledge and food-related behaviors.

Design: A systematic literature review of studies published from 1984 to 2015 concerning grocery store (or supermarket) tours and impact on nutrition knowledge and behaviors. Three investigators independently reviewed articles, extracted details, and assessed the quality of each study.

Effects of nutrition education on weight gain prevention: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Body weight (BW) reduction through energy restriction is ineffective at impacting the obesity epidemic. Shifting from an obesity treatment to weight gain prevention focus may be more effective in decreasing the burden of adult obesity.

Methods: This was a 1-year randomized controlled trial of weight gain prevention in healthy premenopausal women, aged 18-45 y, with a body mass index (BMI) of >18.

An energy-reduced dietary pattern, including moderate protein and increased nonfat dairy intake combined with walking promotes beneficial body composition and metabolic changes in women with excess adiposity: a randomized comparative trial.

Moderate protein and nonfat dairy intake within an energy-reduced diet (ERD) may contribute to health benefits achieved with body weight (BW) loss. The current study examined the effectiveness of a weight-loss/weight-loss maintenance intervention using an ERD with moderate dietary protein (30% of kcals) and increased nonfat dairy intake (4-5 svg/d), including yogurt (INT group) and daily walking compared to an ERD with standard protein (16-17% of kcals) and standard nonfat dairy intake (3 svg/d) (COM group) with daily walking. A randomized comparative trial with 104 healthy premenopausal women with overweight/obesity was conducted in a university setting.

Determinants of weight gain prevention in young adult and midlife women: study design and protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Treatment of overweight and obesity through body weight reduction has been monumentally ineffective as few individuals are able to sustain weight loss. Rather than treating weight gain once it has become problematic, prevention of weight gain over time may be more effective.

Objective: The aim of this research is to preclude the burden of adult obesity in women by identifying the determinants of weight gain prevention.

Increase in cognitive eating restraint predicts weight loss and change in other anthropometric measurements in overweight/obese premenopausal women.

In modern societies characterized by food abundance, dietary restraint may serve as a factor in the successful control of weight or facilitation of weight loss. This secondary analysis of data examined whether changes in cognitive eating restraint (CER) and disinhibition predicted weight loss in a sample of 60 overweight/obese premenopausal women [mean ± SD, age = 35.9 ± 5.