Micronutrient intake in children with cystic fibrosis in Sydney, Australia.

Background: Children with CF have been reported to consume significantly more energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods than controls where there are now concerns of inadequate micronutrient intake. There are no current or comprehensive dietary studies assessing micronutrient intake in CF children.

Objectives: To evaluate micronutrient intake in children with CF compared to recommended dietary intakes (RDIs).

The relationship between maternal adiposity during pregnancy and fetal kidney development and kidney function in infants: the Gomeroi gaaynggal study.

Maternal obesity during pregnancy has a detrimental impact on offspring renal development and function. This is pertinent to Indigenous Australians as they are twice as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to examine whether there was an association between maternal adiposity and fetal kidney growth in late gestation (>28 weeks) and kidney function in infants, <2.

Does Patient Preference for Mode of Intervention Delivery Impact Intervention Efficacy and Attrition?

Purpose: To explore whether there was a difference in objectively measured physical activity and study participation between people who received their preferred study group allocation (matched) and those who did not receive their preferred study group (mismatched).

Design: Secondary data from the NewCOACH randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Insufficiently active patients in the primary care settings in Sydney and Newcastle, Australia.

Smaller dishware to reduce energy intake: fact or fiction?

The potential effects of dishware size on energy intake are unclear, as many previous studies have been of low methodological quality. A newly published paper by Kosīte et al. (IJBNPA 10.

A systematic review of outdoor gym use: Current evidence and future directions.

Objectives: While outdoor gyms are being rapidly installed around the globe, little is known about their implications on physical activity, and fitness and other health-related outcomes. The primary objective of this systematic review was to examine the effects of outdoor gyms on physical activity, fitness and other health-related outcomes. Secondary objectives were to describe outdoor gym characteristics, user characteristics, and outdoor gym usage.

Fidelity and acceptability of a family-focused technology-based telehealth nutrition intervention for child weight management.

Introduction: Previous reviews of family-based interventions for childhood obesity treatment found that studies were of low methodological quality with inadequate details reported, especially related to intervention fidelity. The evaluation of fidelity is crucial to inform interpretation of the intervention outcomes. This study aimed to summarise intervention fidelity, participants' acceptability and satisfaction with a 12-week family-focused technology-based child nutrition and weight management intervention.

A cluster randomised trial of an intervention to increase the implementation of physical activity practices in secondary schools: study protocol for scaling up the Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) program.

Background: The implementation of interventions at-scale is required to maximise population health benefits. 'Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1)' was a multi-component school-based program targeting adolescents attending secondary schools in low socio-economic areas. An efficacy trial of the intervention demonstrated an increase in students' mean minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day and lower weight gain at low incremental cost.

Associations between physical activity intensity and well-being in adolescents.

This study aims to explore associations between physical activity intensity and well-being (i.e., positive and negative affect) in adolescents.

Maintaining the Outcomes of a Successful Weight Gain Prevention Intervention in Mid-Age Women: Two Year Results from the 40-Something Randomized Control Trial.

Despite the life stage of menopause being identified as a high risk for weight gain, there are few obesity prevention interventions for this target group, and no evidence on maintenance of intervention effects after intervention support is withdrawn. In the 40-Something Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) (ACTRN12611000064909), a five-consultation health professional (dietitian and exercise physiologist) obesity prevention intervention, using motivational interviewing principles (MI) over 12 months, achieved significantly greater weight loss than a self-directed intervention (SDI) (tailored written material) in 54 non-obese (body mass index (BMI): 18.5-29.

Twelve-month outcomes of a father-child lifestyle intervention delivered by trained local facilitators in underserved communities: The Healthy Dads Healthy Kids dissemination trial.

Healthy Dads Healthy Kids (HDHK) was the first program internationally to specifically target overweight and obese fathers to improve their children's health. In previous randomized controlled trials, HDHK generated meaningful short-term improvements in the adiposity, physical activity, and eating behaviors of both fathers and children. The aim of this dissemination trial was to evaluate the 12-month impact of HDHK when delivered by trained facilitators across four low socioeconomic and regional communities in the Hunter Region, Australia.

Family in Rehabilitation, Empowering Carers for Improved Malnutrition Outcomes: Protocol for the FREER Pilot Study.

Background: Interventions to improve the nutritional status of older adults and the integration of formal and family care systems are critical research areas to improve the independence and health of aging communities and are particularly relevant in the rehabilitation setting.

Objective: The primary outcome aimed to determine if the FREER (Family in Rehabilitation: EmpowERing Carers for improved malnutrition outcomes) intervention in malnourished older adults during and postrehabilitation improve nutritional status, physical function, quality of life, service satisfaction, and hospital and aged care admission rates up to 3 months postdischarge, compared with usual care. Secondary outcomes evaluated include family carer burden, carer services satisfaction, and patient and carer experiences.

Effectiveness of family-based weight management interventions for children with overweight and obesity: an umbrella review.

Objectives: The objective of the review was to synthesize the effectiveness and strategies used in family-based behavioral childhood obesity interventions in improving child weight-related outcomes.

Introduction: Family-based interventions are common practice in the treatment of childhood obesity. Research suggests that direct parental involvement can improve child weight-related outcomes.

Effectiveness of Interventions and Behaviour Change Techniques for Improving Dietary Intake in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs.

Poor eating habits are common during young adulthood and influence chronic disease morbidity. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve dietary intake among young adults and, identifies which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are most effective. Six electronic databases were searched for RCTs published until October 2018, and evaluating behavioural interventions assessing change in dietary intake in young adults (17-35 years).

Improving Nutrition and Activity Behaviors Using Digital Technology and Tailored Feedback: Protocol for the Tailored Diet and Activity (ToDAy) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Excess weight is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. In Australia, over 60% of adults are overweight or obese. The overconsumption of energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and low physical activity (PA) levels are key factors contributing to population obesity.

Image-Based Dietary Assessment and Tailored Feedback Using Mobile Technology: Mediating Behavior Change in Young Adults.

Assessing the implementation of nutrition interventions is important to identify characteristics and dietary patterns of individuals who benefit most. The aim was to report on young adults' experiences of receiving dietary feedback text messaging intervention. Diet was captured using an image-based 4-day mobile food record application (mFR) and assessed to formulate two tailored feedback text messages on fruit and vegetables and energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages.

Efficacy of very low-energy diet programs for weight loss: A systematic review with meta-analysis of intervention studies in children and adolescents with obesity.

The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of very low-energy diet (VLED) programs for weight loss in children and adolescents with obesity. Six electronic databases were searched identifying 24 eligible studies (16 pre-post studies, four nonrandomized trials, two randomized controlled trials [RCTs], and two chart reviews) published up to October 2018. Studies were in English, implemented a VLED (≤3360 kJF/day [≤800 kcal/day] or <50% estimated energy requirements) in 5- to 18-year-olds with obesity, and reported at least one weight-related outcome.

The comparative validity of a brief diet screening tool for adults: The Fruit And Vegetable VAriety index (FAVVA).

Background & Aims: A brief assessment tool on frequency and variety of fruit and vegetable intake could provide a cost-effective and sustainable approach to improving diet. The primary aim was to evaluate the comparative validity of a brief index of Fruit And Vegetable VAriety (FAVVA) relative to food and nutrient intakes derived from a comprehensive food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The secondary aim was to evaluate the FAVVA index in relation to fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations.

The Effect of a Pilot Dietary Intervention on Pain Outcomes in Patients Attending a Tertiary Pain Service.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a six-week 2 × 2 design on pain scores, quality of life, and dietary intake in patients attending an Australian tertiary pain clinic. The two intervention components were (1) personalized dietary consultations or waitlist control, and (2) active or placebo dietary supplement (fruit juice). Sixty participants were randomized into one of four groups at baseline (68% female, mean age 49 ± 15 years) with 42 completing the study (70% retention).

mHealth interventions targeting pregnancy intakes in low and lower-middle income countries: Systematic review.

Dietary intake during pregnancy plays a vital role in determining the health of both mother and baby. Maternal undernutrition affects a large proportion of women in low and lower middle income countries (LLMIC) likely influencing high maternal, infant, and child mortality in these countries. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been proposed as effective solutions to improve maternal and neonatal health.

A review of pregnancy iPhone apps assessing their quality, inclusion of behaviour change techniques, and nutrition information.

Smartphone apps for use in pregnancy are common and could influence lifestyle behaviours, but they have not been evaluated. This review aimed to assess the quality of iPhone pregnancy apps and whether they included behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and/or pregnancy-specific nutrition information. A keyword search of the Australian iTunes app store was conducted.

Predictors of adherence to a physical activity counseling intervention delivered by exercise physiologists: secondary analysis of the NewCOACH trial data.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) cite time as a barrier to physical activity counseling. An alternative for time-poor GPs in Australia is the referral of insufficiently active patients to exercise physiologists (EPs). As data on the predictors of adherence to physical activity counseling interventions are limited, this study aimed to identify the sociodemographic, medical, health, and psychological characteristics of insufficiently active primary care patients who adhered to a physical activity counseling intervention delivered by EPs.

Dietary intake and food sources of one-carbon metabolism nutrients in preschool aged children.

Background: It is hypothesised that epigenetic mechanisms including DNA methylation may underlie the relationship between early-life nutrition and child cognitive outcomes. This study aimed to identify dietary patterns associated with the intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients in children aged 2-3 years.

Methods: A validated 120-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires at 2-3 years of age were used to estimate the intake of one-carbon metabolism nutrients (methionine, folate, choline and vitamins B2, B6, B12) and to quantify mean number of serves consumed of the food groups specified by the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating (AGHE).

Efficacy of a free-play intervention to increase physical activity during childcare: a randomized controlled trial.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a childcare-based intervention in increasing child physical activity by allowing children unrestricted access to outdoor areas for free-play when structured activity is not taking place. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in six childcare services. Intervention services provided children unrestricted access outdoors for active free-play, while control services provided their usual scheduled periods of outdoor play.

A qualitative study of the drivers of socioeconomic inequalities in men's eating behaviours.

Background: Men of low socioeconomic position (SEP) are less likely than those of higher SEP to consume fruits and vegetables, and more likely to eat processed discretionary foods. Education level is a widely used marker of SEP. Few studies have explored determinants of socioeconomic inequalities in men's eating behaviours.

Development of text messages targeting healthy eating for children in the context of parenting partnerships.

Aim: There has been an increase in the use of text messaging to deliver and support health interventions. The aim was to develop a bank of text messages targeting healthy eating for children in the context of parenting partnerships that could be used in a family intervention.

Methods: Text messages were developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Wheel COM-B model by study investigators using a three-phase approach: (i) initial development of a message bank; (ii) messages were reviewed and evaluated by experts and parents on their clarity, usefulness, and relevance using a 5-point Likert scale and open text spaces for additional feedback and (iii) refinement of messages content and finalised the message bank.