The impact of abnormal glucose tolerance and obesity on fetal growth.

Objective: Factors linked with insulin resistance were examined for their association with large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infant birth weight and gestational diabetes.

Study Design: Data came from a longitudinal cohort study of 2,305 subjects without overt diabetes, analyzed using multinomial logistic and linear regression.

Results: High maternal BMI (OR = 1.

Infant feeding practices and children's weight status.

Purpose: Feeding practices for young Canadian children from economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods were examined to determine adherence to infant feeding recommendations and factors associated with children's weight status.

Methods: Data for the study were collected from 1996 to 2003 as part of Better Beginnings, Better Futures, a longitudinal primary prevention initiative in Ontario. Study subjects were 546 children at age three months and 483 children at age 48 months.

Determinants of diet quality in pregnancy: sociodemographic, pregnancy-specific, and food environment influences.

Objective: To advance the knowledge of determinants of diet quality in pregnancy by focusing on both personal characteristics and the food environment.

Design: Cross-sectional study in which participants from the Prenatal Health Project were linked to a geographic dataset by home address. Access to fast food, convenience stores, and grocery stores was measured using a geographic information system (ArcGIS9.

Adolescents' diets do not comply with 2007 Canada's food guide recommendations.

This study evaluated the eating behaviours of students in grade six and, three years later when they were in grade nine, relative to the recommendations of Canada's 2007 Food Guide. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire on eating behaviours in 2002 (n=647) and again in 2005 (n=520) as part of Better Beginnings, Better Futures, a primary prevention initiative among economically disadvantaged communities. McNemar analysis and X(2) analysis were used to assess differences in compliance with the recommendations of the Food Guide.

Inadequate dietary intakes among pregnant women.

Purpose: Eating behaviours were assessed among pregnant women in a mid-sized Canadian city.

Methods: As part of the Prenatal Health Project, we interviewed 2313 pregnant women in London, Ontario. Subjects also completed a food frequency questionnaire.

The Better Beginnings, Better Futures project: findings from grade 3 to grade 9.

Although comprehensive and ecological approaches to early childhood prevention are commonly advocated, there are few examples of long-term follow-up of such programs. In this monograph, we investigate the medium- and long-term effects of an ecological, community-based prevention project for primary school children and families living in three economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Ontario, Canada. The Better Beginnings, Better Futures (BBBF) project is one of the most ambitious Canadian research projects on the long-term impacts of early childhood prevention programming to date.

Higher zinc intake buffers the impact of stress on depressive symptoms in pregnancy.

Prenatal depression is a public health concern. This study's objectives are to model associations involving dietary zinc intake, psychosocial stress, and sociodemographic factors as they interrelate in the development of depressive symptoms in a cohort of pregnant women from London, Ontario (Prenatal Health Project). We hypothesized that (1) psychosocial stress is intermediate in the causal pathway between sociodemographic factors and zinc intake and that (2) zinc intake serves as a partial mediator between sociodemographic factors, psychosocial stress, and the development of depressive symptoms.

A definition, description, and framework for advanced practice in dietetics.

Purpose: We explored advanced practice (AP) across the diversity of dietetics to develop a definition, description, and framework for guiding future education, research agendas, and policy development.

Methods: The process began with a literature review and discussion with dietitians exploring AP in other countries. Various concepts were identified, and these informed the phase 1 survey questions.

Depressive symptoms during pregnancy in relation to fish consumption and intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

An inverse association between depression and the n-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), primarily obtained from fish consumption, is observed in both observational and experimental research and is biologically plausible. Study objectives were to examine whether prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with lower intakes of fish or EPA+DHA. Pregnant women (n = 2394) completed a telephone interview between 10 and 22 weeks' gestation in London, Ontario, 2002-05.

Dietary change: what are the responses and roles of significant others?

Objective: This study examined the impact of one person's dietary change on the experiences of a significant other with whom they regularly shared meals.

Design: Qualitative constant comparison approach using semistructured interviews.

Setting: Community-based.

Fish consumption among pregnant women in London, Ontario: associations with socio-demographic and health and lifestyle factors.

Background: Intake of fish and omega-3 fatty acids is inversely related to adverse health outcomes; however, these relationships may be confounded by socio-economic status and health behaviours. This study's purpose was to describe the socio-demographic, health and lifestyle correlates of fish consumption among pregnant women.

Methods: Pregnant women (n=2394) completed a telephone interview between 10-22 weeks' gestation (London, Ontario, 2002-5) containing questions on socio-demographic, health and lifestyle variables; dietary intake was measured using a 106-item validated food-frequency questionnaire.

Persistence of overweight among young children living in low income communities in Ontario.

Objective: The rise in the prevalence of overweight in pediatric populations is a major health concern. Little is known however, about the prevalence of overweight in younger children. Our objectives were to determine the annual prevalence of overweight in children from junior kindergarten (JK) to grade 3; to assess the persistence of overweight over this time period; and, to identify factors associated with overweight in this group.

Eat smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program evaluation of the nutrition component.

Purpose: The nutrition component of the Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program (ESWCP) in a hospital was evaluated. We assessed staff's frequency of visits to and purchases in the hospital cafeteria, attitudes about the program, short-term eating behaviour change, and suggestions to improve the ESWCP.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to hospital staff members who were not on leave (n=504).

Feeding patterns and weight among First Nations children.

Purpose: Little information is available on the growth and feeding patterns of First Nations children. Our goal was to assess the anthropometric status, feeding practices, and dietary intake of children born in 1994 or 1995 (n=102) and living in Walpole Island First Nation.

Methods: Information on demographic characteristics and infant feeding practices was obtained through parent interviews conducted between 1994 and 1999.

Adolescents' low-carbohydrate-density diets are related to poorer dietary intakes.

This study was undertaken to assess how low-carbohydrate-density diets below the acceptable macronutrient distribution range relate to food and micronutrient intake and sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. The multistage stratified cluster design in the 1990 Ontario Health Survey was used. There were 5,194 subjects, 12 to 18 years of age, in sampled households.

Determinants of healthy eating in children and youth.

This review outlines the state of knowledge and research gaps in the area of determinants of healthy eating among children and youth. The article is structured around individual and collective determinants that affect healthy eating in children and youth. We defined healthy eating as "eating practices and behaviours that are consistent with improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health.

Dietary intake among young adolescents in Ontario: associations with vegetarian status and attitude toward health.

Background: This study aimed to describe the dietary intakes of adolescent vegetarians and omnivores and determine if, and how, attitude toward personal health related to food consumption.

Methods: Among grade 9 students in Ontario, Canada (n = 630), vegetarian status and estimated consumption of foods and food groups were determined by food frequency questionnaire. Personal health was self-categorized as very important (the "health conscious") or somewhat/not important (the "non-health conscious").

What do Ontario children eat for breakfast? Food group, Energy and macronutrient intake.

This study included 305 children living in Ontario in 1993. Our objective was to determine the proportion of daily energy and macronutrient intake consumed at breakfast, and the major food groups contributing to this meal. Demographic data were obtained in a parent interview that was part of the prevention project Better Beginnings, Better Futures.

Smoking, physical activity and breakfast consumption among secondary school students in a southwestern Ontario community.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of smoking, low levels of physical activity, and missing breakfast among students (n=318) in grades 9 through 12 in three schools in southwestern Ontario; to see if these behaviours were associated; and, whether there were gender differences.

Methods: A self-administered survey was conducted in grade 10 English classes.

Results: The response rate was 87.