Sandwiching it in: spillover of work onto food choices and family roles in low- and moderate-income urban households

Association between parental resource depletion and parent use of specific food parenting practices: An ecological momentary assessment study

The resource depletion model proposes that self-control is a limited resource that may become depleted after repeated use. This study aimed to improve our understanding of the correlates of resource depletion in parents, examine the association between resource depletion and use of coercive food parenting practices, and explore the relationship between resource depletion and stress. Children aged 5-9 and their parents (n = 631 dyads) were recruited from primary care clinics in a large metropolitan area in the United States in 2016-2019. Ecological momentary assessment was carried out over seven days with parents. Frequency tabulations and descriptive statistics were calculated to examine the overall, between-participant, and within-participant frequency of resource depletion, stress, and coercive food parenting practices. Resource depletion was higher among mothers (as compared to fathers) and native born participants (as compared to immigrants). Resource depletion was found to decrease significantly with each increase in household income level and perceived co-parenting support was negatively associated with resource depletion. Greater resource depletion earlier in the day was positively associated with coercive food parenting practices (e.g., food restriction, pressure-to-eat) at dinner the same night. Further, prior day resource depletion was associated with greater pressure-to-eat the next day. Parents with lower chronic stress were found to engage in pressuring when experiencing higher depletion. Clinicians and public health professionals should be aware of the role the resource depletion can play in parent's use of specific food parenting practices and seek to provide parents with the support they need to manage the cognitive load they are experiencing.

Later-Life Functionality in Married Women: The Mediating Role of Self-Perpetuating BMI and Pain Trajectories

The current study investigated how pain and BMI trajectories mediate the influence of family stress (1991-1994) on later-life impaired functionality (2017) in women. The study used prospective data from 244 mid-older rural Midwest Caucasian women who were in long-term marriages over a span of 27 years. Within the structural equation framework, the analytical model used latent constructs of family stress and trajectories of pain and BMI to predict later-life functionality. BMI and pain trajectories mutually influenced each other in forming a self-perpetuating cycle over time in mid-older women. Further, midlife family stress shaped BMI and pain trajectories, and these trajectories had consequences for later-life functionality, as defined by three kinds of impairments: physical, cognitive (subjective memory), and social (loneliness). The findings emphasize the need for policies and interventions that focus on reducing women's stressful family circumstances in middle years to weaken and redirect their association with BMI and pain trajectories.

Considering the role of integration experiences in shaping immigrants' post-migration food choices and eating practices

This article draws on data collected from qualitative interviews with 38 recent immigrants in two Ontario cities to provide an overview of recent immigrants' general dietary acculturation experiences. With insights from both Cockerham's health lifestyle theory and Berry's acculturation model, this article explores how structural inequalities related to integration and settlement may shape recent immigrants' post-migration food choices and eating practices. The results of this study revealed that immigrants from non-Western countries experienced greater challenges in healthy eating. Findings are in line with Cockerham's health lifestyle theory: immigrants' post-migration food choices and dietary acculturation strategies were not only bounded by socioeconomic status and cultural differences but were also shaped by various structural inequalities, especially those related to systematic barriers during the integration and settlement process. Overall, this paper provides a more holistic understanding of the multifaceted nature of immigrants' dietary acculturation experiences.

Relationships of Maternal Employment and Work Impact with Weight-Related Behaviors and Home Environments of Mothers and Their School-Age Children

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise. Preventing obesity, especially childhood obesity, is critically important. Parents, especially mothers, play a vital role in preventing childhood obesity. Numerous factors, such as maternal employment, may influence maternal weight-related practices and home environment characteristics that affect the risk of childhood obesity. Given the prevalence of both childhood obesity and maternal employment, this study was conducted to examine how weight-related maternal, child, and household behaviors as well as home environment characteristics differ by maternal employment hours and extends existing research by examining work impact on behaviors and home characteristics. U.S. mothers (n = 527) with at least one school-age child (6 to 11 years), who were between the ages of 25 and 54 years and the main food gatekeeper in the household completed an online survey. ANOVA comparisons of non-working, part-time employed, and full-time employed mothers revealed few differences in any of the variables studied. Cluster analysis of the 336 employed mothers based on six work impact scale scores found three unique clusters characterized as Enthusiastic Earners, Indifferent Earners, and Strained Earners. Few differences in sociodemographic and job characteristics occurred among clusters and the differences noted had small effect sizes. Clusters did not differ by maternal BMI or perceived child weight status. However, the clusters differed in numerous weight-related behaviors and home environment characteristics. Future research should aim to determine the direction of the associations of work impact with weight-related behaviors and home environments as well as identify potential strategies for overcoming the negative effects of employment on weight-related behaviors and environments and weight status as well as clarify other factors that may affect maternal work impact, such as time management, reasons for employment, and stress.

Maternal precarious employment and child overweight/obesity in the United States

Precarious employment has increased in the United States and is now recognized as an important social determinant of health. Women are disproportionately employed in precarious jobs and are largely responsible for caretaking, which could deleteriously affect child weight. We utilized data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth adult and child cohorts (1996-2016; N = 4453) and identified 13 survey indicators to operationalize 7 dimensions of precarious employment (score range: 0-7, 7 indicating the most precarious): material rewards, working-time arrangements, stability, workers' rights, collective organization, interpersonal relations, and training. We estimated the association between maternal precarious employment and incident child overweight/obesity (BMI ≥85th percentile) using adjusted Poisson models. Between 1996 and 2016, the average age-adjusted precarious employment score among mothers was 3.7 (Standard Error [SE] = 0.02) and the average prevalence of children with overweight/obesity was 26.2% (SE = 0.5%). Higher maternal precarious employment was associated with a 10% higher incidence of children having overweight/obesity (Confidence Interval: 1.05, 1.14). A higher incidence of childhood overweight/obesity may have important implications at the population-level, due to the long-term health consequences of child obesity into adulthood. Policies to reduce employment precariousness should be considered and monitored for impacts on childhood obesity.

Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors Associated with the Influence of the Food Traffic Light Labeling on the Decision of the Adult Population of Ecuador to Purchase Processed Foods, 2018

To determine the socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with the influence of the nutritional traffic light (NTL) on the decision to purchase processed foods using information from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 of Ecuador, a cross-sectional and analytical study based on a secondary analysis of the information from the ENSANUT 2018 was performed. We collected data from 25,932 participants 18 years of age or older who knew or had seen the NTL, and for whom complete information on the variables of interest for the study was available. The "Influence of the NTL on the purchase decision of processed foods" was the outcome variable of the study. Generalized linear models of the Poisson family, with log link, were used to assess the association between socioeconomic factors and outcome, using crude (PR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and a p-value < 0.05. Participants who understood the NTL (aPR: 2.49; 95% CI: 2.19-2.83), with a higher educational level (aPR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.09-1.61), women (aPR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.10), and who had a partner (aPR 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.14) were more likely to be influenced by the NTL when deciding to purchase processed foods, compared to people who did not understand the NTL, who had no educational level or who only attended a literacy center, were men, and those without a partner. The inhabitants of the coastal region (aPR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88-0.97), the Amazon (aPR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88-0.98), and the insular region (aPR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.68-0.84) had few probabilities of being influenced by the NTL in the decision to purchase processed foods, in comparison with the residents of the highlands. Similarly, compared to non-poor people, poor people had a lower probability of being influenced by the NTL (aPR 0.89; 95% CI: 0.82-0.97). Factors associated with the influence of NTL on the decision to purchase processed foods were identified. It is recommended to reformulate and focus awareness strategies for using the NTL to purchase processed foods by taking into account the associated factors.

Momentary predictors of a broad range of food parenting practices within a population-based sample of parents of preschool-aged children

Introduction

The current study sought to understand the influence of momentary factors within the home and family environment, including parent stress, parent and child mood and child behaviors, on parents' use of a broad range of food parenting practices later that same day.

Methods

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) was used to evaluate parents' use of coercive, indulgent, structured and autonomy support food parenting practices, as well as numerous potentially salient momentary predictors, including parental stress, parent and child mood, and child behavior. Data were collected from 109 parents of preschool aged children multiple times per day over the course of a ten-day data collection period, allowing for temporal sequencing of momentary predictors and use of food parenting practices.

Results

With some notable exceptions, study findings align with study hypotheses in that parent stress, parent and child low mood, and child negative behaviors early in the day were found to be associated with the use of less supportive food parenting practices later that same day. For example, greater parent negative mood earlier in the day was associated with a decrease in use of feeding practices from within the structure domain later on that same day (-2.5%, p < 0.01), whereas greater parent positive mood earlier in the day was associated with an increase in use of structure later on that same day (+3.7%, p < 0.01). Greater parent stress earlier in the day was associated with an increase in the use of coercive control (+3.2%, p < 0.01) and indulgent (+3.0%, p < 0.01) practices later that same day; surprisingly, a similar increase in stress earlier in the day was also found to be associated with an increase in the use of autonomy support (5.6%, p < 0.01) feeding practices later on that same day.

Discussion

Developing an understanding of the types of momentary factors that influence a parent's use of particular food parenting practices across multiple contexts is a crucial next step toward developing effective interventions aimed at teaching parents to use food parenting practices that are supportive of healthful child dietary intake and eating behaviors in a way that is responsive to shifting factors.

Pay (for it) as you go: Prepaid energy meters and the heat-or-eat dilemma

The "heat-or-eat" dilemma, a trade-off typically between food consumption and heating, may elevate public health concerns during the 2022 energy-price crisis. Our paper contributes to the literature by exploring the role of domestic energy prepayment meters (PPMs) in the heat-or-eat dilemma, focusing on the association between PPM use and fruit and vegetable consumption. Using a representative sample of 24,811 individuals residing in Great Britain (January 2019-May 2021), we find robust evidence of lower fruit and vegetable consumption amongst individuals using PPMs, compared to those using post-payment energy bill payment methods. On average, our point estimates suggest that individuals using a PPM consume 2.7 fewer portions of fruit and vegetables per week. Our findings hold when bounding analysis is employed to account for omitted variable bias. Using a suite of IV approaches to further alleviate endogeneity concerns we found that our ordinary least squares results are consistent as opposed to IV models. Further robustness analyses highlight the deleterious impact of PPMs on people's healthy eating habits relevant to the consumption of enough fruit and vegetables. Our results suggest that targeted support for PPM users may have beneficial effects on people's fruit and vegetable consumption patterns.

Determinants of nutrition practice and food choice in UK construction workers

The workplace is considered an effective setting for health and wellbeing interventions, including programmes focusing on nutrition, and provides opportunities to tailor programmes to meet the specific needs of industry and employees. This study explored nutrition practices amongst construction workers and managers to inform the design of a nutrition intervention. Five focus groups were conducted on three construction sites: two with managers (n = 11) and three with workers (n = 27). Construction workers and managers identified several unhealthy nutrition-related behaviours, including high consumption of convenient and fast foods, excessive coffee, alcohol, energy drinks and low fruit and vegetable intake. These behaviours were often attributed to high workloads, long working hours and physically demanding jobs. Snacking and skipping meals were repeatedly reported, attributed to short breaks and poor accessibility to food outlets. The nutritional quality of meals differed between individuals (homemade vs fast food), depending on the type of sites (temporary vs permanent) and site location. Nutrition knowledge, establishing routines, meal planning and preparation were recognized as important in sustaining healthy nutrition habits. However, meal preparation depended on the facilities available, which differed between managers and workers, highlighting the complex relationship between the workplace context and eating behaviours. Construction workers were interested in learning about nutrition and improving their eating habits through nutrition intervention. However, they highlighted that better cooking and storage facilities on site, together with fewer job demands and longer break times, would enhance the sustainability of the intervention and their ability to make healthier food choices.

Adolescents' dietary behaviour: The interplay between home and school food environments

In the UK, school food standards have looked to improve the nutritional profile of school food provision and the choices made; however, adolescents' choices tend to bias towards micronutrient poor and energy dense options. This study aimed to explore how adolescents make their school food choices, along with how they engage with their environments whilst selecting food. Seven focus group interviews took place with adolescents (n = 28; 13-14 years) in a secondary school in Northern England. Discussions with participants were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and then analysed using an inductive thematic approach. Six themes emerged from the data: (1) parents' and adolescents' roles in the home food environment, (2) burgeoning food autonomy, (3) school food choice factors, (4) social aspects of school food, (5) home versus school, (6) food knowledge & beliefs. Adolescents identified two distinct environments during the focus group discussions: the home and school environments. Adolescents juxtaposed the two, in terms of food provision, food choices, rules and customs surrounding food choice. This juxtaposition emerged as an indirect but important influence on adolescents' school food choices. The school and home environments both (in)directly influence adolescents' school food choices, which involve an integration of multiple, often conflicting influences. Adolescents may adopt a number of unhelpful dietary rationalisations as they try to manage and reconcile these influences. Consultation, together with consideration of relevant food choice models, is required to identify opportunities to influence adolescents' food choices at school.

Dietary habits, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour of children of employed mothers: A systematic review

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Dietary pattern is poorer among children of employed mothers.

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Children of employed mothers are more physically active.

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Children of employed mothers experience greater prevalence of sedentary activity.

Since approximately 40% of the global workforce are women, a comprehensive understanding of association of maternal employment with child dietary patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviour needs more focus. This systematic review aims to identify the association between maternal employment and dietary patterns (DP), physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) of children and adolescents (6 to 18 years). Searches were performed using electronic databases and manual searches. Peer reviewed journal articles, conference papers, theses at masters/doctoral levels in English were included. A total 42 studies met selection criteria, which indicated associations between maternal employment and at least one of the domains of interest: DP, PA and/or SB. Using individual samples of analysis, it was found that, 9 samples of DP, 11 samples of PA and 12 samples of SB were positively correlated with maternal employment, whereas 25 samples of DP, 5 samples of PA and 5 samples of SB showed an opposite association. Results suggest that PA and SB were positively related with maternal employment, whereas DP had an inverse relationship. Findings from this review provide evidence that children of employed mothers had poorer DP and greater prevalence of SB, however, their children are more physically active. Future interventions need to create a positive environment at the workplace and for families to support employed mothers and improve children’s dietary patterns and decrease sedentary behaviours. Future studies should prioritise the domains of DP, PA and SB that have been studied inadequately and have inconsistent results.

Is the Prospective Link between Parental Stress and Adolescent Snack Intake or Weight Outcome Mediated by Food Parenting Practices?

Parental stress may influence adolescents’ food intake and weight development over time, however, it is largely unknown why this is the case. This study examines whether the link between parental stress and adolescents’ snack intake and weight outcome is mediated by food parenting practices (FPPs). Participants included 400 parents and their adolescent children (aged 12–16) who completed questionnaires. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was used to assess parental general stress levels and the Adolescent Food Parenting Questionnaire (AFPQ) to assess FPPs. Multiple mediation analyses with parallel mediators were performed, with parental general stress as an independent variable and adolescent snack intake and zBMI as dependent variables. FPPs (autonomy support, coercive control, modeling, healthy structure, snack structure) were entered as mediators in the model, adjusted for covariates. Autonomy support mediated the link between parental general stress and adolescent savory snack and sweet snack intake at follow-up. Parents who reported higher stress levels provided less autonomy support, which resulted in more adolescent snacking. None of the other FPPs mediated any link between parental stress and intake or weight outcome, and no significant indirect effects were observed with zBMI as an outcome variable. Further research should replicate this finding and may further examine underlying mechanisms.

Comparing Meal Satisfaction Based on Different Types of Tableware: An Experimental Study of Japanese Cuisine Culture

In Japan, as in other countries, the externalization of food preparation is increasing. Japanese people are interested in the combination of food and tableware and they are concerned about transferring ready-made meals from plastic containers to natural tableware. This study aimed to examine the varying evaluations of meals due to differences in tableware. In this study, we investigated the effect of tableware on meal satisfaction, which is emphasized in Japanese culture. We studied the difference in the evaluation of ready-made meals (a rice ball, salad, croquette, and corn soup) before, during, and after a meal under two conditions: plastic tableware and natural wooden tableware. The results showed that there was no difference in the perceptual evaluation of taste and texture during the meal, except for the color of the salad and the temperature of the soup. On the other hand, meals served on natural wooden tableware were rated more positively than those served on plastic tableware before and after meals. These results suggest that, in Japan, the use of tableware, even for ready-made meals, increases the level of meal satisfaction. These findings have implications for both the providers and consumers of ready-made meals as well as the food industry.

Dietary guidelines for Brazilian population: an analysis from the cultural and social dimensions of food

This article analyzes the social and cultural dimensions of food addressed in the dietary guidelines of the second edition of the Dietary Guideline for the Brazilian Population (DGBP) in contrast to its first edition. This is a qualitative study. We employ the Pecheutian discourse analysis. The study universe is the first and second edition of DGBP. Data analysis used three steps: identification of similar and different texts of these materials; elucidation of the social and cultural dimensions of food in these materials; and systematic analysis with contrasting emerging discourses in both DGBPs. We emphasize that in the second edition the theoretical references-epidemiological, clinical, sociological, anthropological studies, and popular knowledge-and the use of the NOVA food classification favored the development of more holistic dietary guidelines that address food and eating patterns, culinary practices, the act of eating and the commensality. It is concluded that the second editions of DGPB allows health professionals and the population an understanding of food as something concrete in the life of individuals and collectivity, extrapolating its physiological and biological dimension.

Food Consumption Determinants and Barriers for Healthy Eating at the Workplace-A University Setting

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of social, cultural and economic factors may influence dietary patterns. This work aims to identify the main determinants of food consumption and barriers for healthy eating at the workplace, in a university setting.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 533 participants. Data were obtained through the application of a self-administered questionnaire that included socio-demographic information, food consumption determinants and the main perceived barriers for healthy eating at the workplace.

RESULTS

The respondents identified "price" (22.5%), "meal quality" (20.7%), and "location/distance" (16.5%). For women, the determinant "availability of healthy food options" was more important than for men (p < 0.001). The food consumption determinants at the workplace most referred to by respondents were related to the nutritional value. Smell, taste, appearance and texture, and good value for money, were also considered important for choosing food at the workplace. Respondents referred to work commitments and lack of time as the main barriers for healthy eating at the workplace.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of determinants involved in food consumption, and the barriers for healthy eating, may contribute to a better definition of health promotion initiatives at the workplace aiming to improve nutritional intake.

Stressed Out! Examining family meal decisions in response to daily stressors via ecological momentary assessment in a racially/ethnically diverse population

The impact various sources of stress have on family meal decisions and child health-related behaviors is an understudied area. For this study, 128 racially/ethnically diverse parent/child dyads were recruited from primary care clinics in the Twin Cities, Minnesota between 2015 and 2016. Parent participants completed eight days of ecological momentary assessment, which included end-of-day surveys where the parent reported on (1) sources of daily stress (e.g., family demands, work/school demands) and related family meal choices (e.g., fixed quick meal, skipped meal), (2) meal planning, and (3) parent and child health-related behaviors (e.g., watched TV, ate unhealthy snack). Adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to estimate marginal probabilities and 95% confidence intervals of outcomes by race/ethnicity. Results indicated that common meal-related choices as a result of being stressed varied from fixing a quick/easy meal, buying fast food, everyone fixing their own meal or skipping a meal, or none of the above. When parents reported family demands as the source of stress, children were three times more likely to eat an unhealthy snack. Additionally, children were more likely to eat an unhealthy snack with higher levels of parental stress or if families have not planned the meal the night before. Interventions to lower parental stress and support family meal planning may increase the healthfulness of the home food environment during moments of elevated stress.

Husbands’ and wives’ stressful work, couple BMI dynamics, and later-life physical health

Previous research has not adequately investigated the persistent influence of stressful work experiences, particularly person-work mismatch (PWM), on later-life physical health outcomes of working husbands and wives. Using prospective data collected from 235 working husbands and wives over a period of 27 years (1991-2017), this study examined PWM in early middle years (40-50 years of age) and body mass index (BMI) trajectories in mid-later years (50-65 years of age) in a dyadic actor-partner interdependence modelling framework. Results showed PWM in early middle years was related to BMI trajectories in mid-later years, which contributed to multiple physical health outcomes in later life. Spouses' PWM influenced not only their BMI trajectories but also their partners' BMI trajectories, providing evidence for partner effects. This couple-level BMI process over the mid-later years was related to spouses' physical health in later years. Husbands' elevated BMI level resulted in adverse physical health outcomes. In contrast, for wives, it was the change in BMI over time that resulted in adverse physical health outcomes in their later years. These findings are particularly important for couple-focused family interventions as they highlight the need to consider couple-level lifestyle and behavioural factors that can safeguard spouses from the negative health consequences of PWM.

The effect of time use and food cost on dietary quality

OBJECTIVE

To develop a questionnaire to measure food nutrition, food expenditures and time spent in food-related activities; and to assess the association between diet quality, time spent in food-related activities and food expenditures using data from a pilot study.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyse participants' survey response behaviours and the relationship between food nutritional quality and time and money expenditures.

SETTING

Online survey using Qualtrics software in a public university located in West Texas, USA.

PARTICIPANTS

Faculty and staff aged 18 years and older from a public university located in West Texas, USA.

RESULTS

Combining questions from three survey instruments that collect data on food nutrition, food expenditures and time spent in food-related activities resulted in a thirty-page survey instrument. The median completion time of the survey instrument was about 30 min. Preliminary results suggest that time and money expenditures are associated with food quality but that their role is small relative to sociodemographic characteristics such as race and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

Time and money expenditures are associated with food quality but their role is small relative to sociodemographic characteristics such as race and gender.

The Relationships Between Parental Stress, Home Food Environment, and Child Diet Patterns in Families of Preschool Children

PURPOSE

Home food environment, including home food availability and parental food preparation practices, plays a significant role in child diet patterns. Recent evidence suggests that parental psychological stress is related to parental food preparation practices; however, there is limited information about the relationship between parental psychological stress and home food availability. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationships between parental stress, home food availability, child diet patterns, and body mass index (BMI) in families with young children.

DESIGN

A secondary data analysis from a mixed-methods design study.

SETTING

The parent study was conducted in both local and online communities using a web-based survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 256 parents of children aged 2 to 5 years (53.4% white; 41.5% of overweight or obese children).

MEASURES

Parents completed well-validated self-report questionnaires.

ANALYSIS

We used latent structural equation modeling using Bayesian analysis.

RESULTS

There was a negative relationship between parents' general stress and healthy food availability at home (β* = -.20, P < .001 for fruits; β* = -.23, P < .001 for vegetables; and β* = -.24, P < .001 for healthy beverage) and a positive relationship between parenting stress and healthy snack and healthy beverage availability (β = .13, P = .03; β = .14, P = .02, respectively). There was no relationship between parental stress and unhealthy food availability at home while unhealthy food availability was significantly associated with child's unhealthy eating pattern (β* = .86, P < .01 for unhealthy snack; β* = .51, P < .01 for unhealthy beverage). There was no moderating effect of children's health insurance on the relationships between parental stress and home food availability. Furthermore, child diet patterns were not associated with child BMI.

CONCLUSION

Parental psychological stress is a potentially important intervention target point for improving home food environment and child diet patterns.

Parent recommendations to support physical activity for families with young children: Results of interviews in deprived and affluent communities in South Wales (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide. Early childhood is a critical period when healthy behaviours can be instilled for a future active lifestyle. We explored community, societal and environmental factors affecting child and family physical activity and sought parent recommendations to support physical activity in families with young children.

METHODS

We interviewed 61 parents expecting a child or with a baby ≤12 months (35 mother and father paired interviews and 26 interviews with mothers only). We purposively sampled families for neighbourhood deprivation status (Townsend Index; 26 affluent; 35 deprived). We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts using Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological framework to guide interpretation.

RESULTS

We identified four themes: work family-life balance; spaces for activity; beliefs and attitudes; and physical activity facilitators. We found that parents from deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to be underactive because of a complex web of community, social and personal factors which reduced motivation and hindered opportunity for physical activity. To increase knowledge and opportunity, respondents suggested 'help not tell' messages covering 'why', 'how' and 'where' information about physical activity, and using physical activity to support community engagement and social interaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Recommendations from parents highlight effective communication about the importance of early child and family physical activity and improved community access to safe facilities and opportunities. Both parents need to be engaged in designing interventions to support greater physical activity and healthy behaviours which are relevant and achievable in individuals' lives.

Informal and Formal Social Integration Shape Eating and Drinking of Older Black and White Americans

Objective: Health behaviors are seen as one possible pathway linking race to health outcomes. Social integration has also been consistently linked to important health outcomes but has not been examined as a mechanism accounting for racial differences in health behaviors among older U.S. adults. Method: We use data from the American's Changing Lives (ACL) Study to explore racial differences in measures of social integration and whether they help account for racial differences in several dietary behaviors and alcohol use. Results: We find differences by race and social integration measures in dietary behaviors and alcohol use. Net of socioeconomic status, health status, and reported discrimination, variation in social integration helps to account for racial differences in some health behaviors. Discussion: Our results highlight the nuanced role of social integration in understanding group differences in health behaviors. Interventions should consider such complexities when including aspects of social integration in their design.

Association between hours worked in paid employment and diet quality, frequency of eating out and consuming takeaways in the UK

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between hours worked and diet quality, frequency of eating out and consuming takeaways.

DESIGN

Data were taken from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2014). Associations between hours worked in paid employment and diet quality, assessed using the Diet Quality Index (DQI) and selected foods and nutrients, were tested using linear regression models. Associations between hours worked and frequency of eating out and consuming takeaways were tested using ordinal logistic regression models. All models were adjusted for sex, age, equivalised household income, household composition and household food role.

SETTING

UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults (n 2154) aged 19-64 years in employment.

RESULTS

Mean (95 % CI) hours worked per week was 36·1 (35·6, 36·6) and mean DQI score was 41·9 (41·2, 42·5) %. Hours worked was not associated with DQI score, frequency of eating out or consuming takeaways. Hours worked was positively associated with consuming red meat, processed meat and alcohol intake. Adults working more hours had lower intake of fibre but higher total fat and saturated fat intakes if they lived in households with children.

CONCLUSIONS

Working hours may not be the main factor driving poor-quality diets among this sample of UK adults in employment. Focusing on consumption of foods prepared outside the household may not be the most efficient way to improve diet quality as effort is needed at all levels. Although it is unclear what is driving the differences in nutrient intakes according to household composition, they are important to consider when developing interventions to improve healthy eating.

A healthful home food environment: Is it possible amidst household chaos and parental stress?

PURPOSE

This study examines how household chaos and unmanaged parental stress are associated with and contribute to variance in markers of the home food environment (family meal frequency, perceived barriers to cooking, healthful home food availability). Obtaining a better understanding of these relationships could guide more effective family-based interventions to promote healthful home food environments.

METHODS

The analytic sample included 819 households with children in the population-based Project EAT-IV cohort with survey data from 2015 to 2016. Multiple linear regression was used to generate means and 95% confidence intervals of home food environment variables, and estimates for the contribution of household chaos (defined by frenetic activity, loud noises and disorder), and quartiles of unmanaged parental stress (ratio of perceived stress and ability to manage stress). Model fit was also examined.

RESULTS/FINDINGS

Both household chaos and quartiles of unmanaged parental stress were independently and inversely associated with family meal frequency (p's < 0.001) and positively associated with perceived mealtime preparation barriers (p's < 0.001). Unmanaged parental stress was also inversely associated with healthful home food availability (p = 0.004). Models including demographic characteristics, household chaos scores, and quartiles of unmanaged parental stress index showed significantly improved model fit for all outcomes compared to less comprehensive models. Among families with high chaos, those having 7 + family meals/week were significantly more likely to have lower mealtime preparation barrier scores, younger children and higher healthful home food availability scores than families eating together less often.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions to assist with parental management of stress and chaos within the home environment (e.g., establishing routines) may increase family meal frequency and the quality of children's home food environments.

Maternal vegetable intake during and after pregnancy

Background

Improved understanding of vegetable intake changes between pregnancy and postpartum may inform future intervention targets to establish healthy home food environments. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore the changes in vegetable intake between pregnancy and the postnatal period and explore maternal and sociodemographic factors that are associated with these changes.

Methods

We examined sociodemographic, dietary, and health characteristics of healthy mothers 18-43y from the prospective Infant Feeding Practices II cohort (n = 847) (2005–2012). Mothers completed a modified version of the diet history questionnaire, a food-frequency measure, developed by the National Cancer Institute. We created four categories of mothers, those that were: meeting vegetable recommendations post- but not prenatally (n = 121; improved intake), not meeting vegetable recommendations during pregnancy and postnatally (n = 370; stable inadequate), meeting recommendations pre- but not postnatally (n = 123; reduced intake), and meeting recommendations at both time points (n = 233; stable adequate). To make our results more relevant to public health recommendations, we were interested in comparing the improved vegetable intake group vs. stable inadequate vegetable intake group, as well as those that reduced their vegetable intake compared to the stable adequate vegetable intake group. Separate multivariable-adjusted logistic regression were used to examine sociodemographic predictors of improved vs. stable inadequate and reduced vs. stable adequate vegetable intake.

Results

Women with improved vegetable intake vs. stable inadequate smoked fewer cigarettes while women with reduced vegetable intake vs. stable adequate were more likely to experience less pregnancy weight gain. In adjusted models, employed women had greater odds of reduced vegetable intake (OR = 1.64 95% CI 1.14–2.36). In exploratory analyses, employment was associated with greater odds of reduced vegetable intake among low-income (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.03–3.1), but not higher income women (OR = 1.31; 95% CI 0.94–1.84). After further adjustment for paid maternity leave, employment was no longer associated with vegetable intake among lower income women (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.76–3.05).

Conclusions

More women with reduced vs. stable adequate vegetable intake were lower income and worked full time. Improved access to paid maternity leave may help reduce disparities in vegetable quality between lower and higher income women.

Reflecting on Behavioral Spillover in Context: How Do Behavioral Motivations and Awareness Catalyze Other Environmentally Responsible Actions in Brazil, China, and Denmark?

Responding to serious environmental problems, requires urgent and fundamental shifts in our day-to-day lifestyles. This paper employs a qualitative, cross-cultural approach to explore people’s subjective self-reflections on their experiences of pro-environmental behavioral spillover in three countries; Brazil, China, and Denmark. Behavioral spillover is an appealing yet elusive phenomenon, but offers a potential way of encouraging wider, voluntary lifestyle shifts beyond the scope of single behavior change interventions. Behavioral spillover theory proposes that engaging in one pro-environmental action can catalyze the performance of others. To date, evidence for the phenomenon has been mixed, and the causal processes governing relationships between behaviors appear complex, inconsistent and only partly understood. This paper addresses a gap in the literature by investigating accounts of behavioral spillover in three diverse cultural settings using qualitative semi-structured interviews. The analysis shows that while around half of participants overall who were questioned recalled spillover effects, the other half had not consciously experienced spillover. There were few significant differences across cultures, though some forms of spillover effects were reported more in some cultures than others. More environmentally engaged participants across all three countries were significantly more likely to experience spillover than those who were less engaged. Accounts of within-domain spillovers were most commonly reported, mainly comprising waste, resource conservation and consumption-related actions. Accounts of between-domain spillover were very rare. Recollection of contextual and interpersonal spillover effects also emerged from the interviews. Our findings suggest that more conscious behavioral spillover pathways may be limited to those with pre-existing environmental values. Behavioral spillover may comprise multiple pathways incorporating conscious and unconscious processes. We conclude that targeting behavioral catalysts that generate more socially diffuse spillover effects could offer more potential than conventional spillover involving a single individual.

Biting the Bullet: Dealing with the Annual Hunger Gap in the Alaotra, Madagascar

The hunger gap (the annual period of hardship when most crops are growing but not yet ready for harvest) remains a reality for many smallholder farmers throughout the globe. With a population largely relying on agriculture, and high poverty and malnutrition rates continuously afflicting the country, farmers in Madagascar are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the hunger gap, further putting pressure on already fragile ecosystems. Using a case study in the Alaotra region, we examine the seasonal trends of climate and agricultural resource dynamics, as well as characterize farmers’ experiences of and strategies used in response to the hunger gap, in order to assess how conservation may better consider the hunger gap to align its objectives with local needs. Results show that farmers are vulnerable to climatic events during a large part of the year, exacerbating the impacts of the hunger gap. The hunger gap appears to have varying degrees of impact on communities around Lake Alaotra, linked to factors such as road quality and agrarian structures—for example, land tenure and size of parcels—contributing to growing environmental degradation. We end by discussing various past and present responses aimed at improving the resilience of farmers of the Alaotra region, including improved accessibility, agricultural intensification, and conservation agriculture.

Child, Caregiver, Family, and Social-Contextual Factors to Consider when Implementing Parent-Focused Child Feeding Interventions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Interventions that aim to alter child eating behaviors often focus on parents as a proximal influence. Yet, parents can be difficult to engage. Therefore, intervention recommendations are often not implemented as designed. The goal of this review is to highlight factors at multiple contextual levels that are important to consider when developing interventions to address child eating, due to their implications for overcoming parent engagement challenges.

RECENT FINDINGS

Intervention studies suggest that parents are often the key to successfully changing child eating behaviors, and many interventions focus on feeding. Factors such as child eating phenotypes, parent stress, family system dynamics, and sociodemographic constraints have also been identified as shaping food parenting. Challenges at multiple contextual levels can affect the likelihood of parent engagement. Addressing factors at the child-, parent-, family-, and broader social-contextual levels of influence is essential in order to promote best practices for parent-focused feeding interventions.

The Mediating Role of Family and Food-Related Life Satisfaction in the Relationships between Family Support, Parent Work-Life Balance and Adolescent Life Satisfaction in Dual-Earner Families

This study explored the associations between family support and satisfaction with life, food-related life and family life. It also assessed the associations between both parents' work-life balance and satisfaction with life, food-related life and family life among adolescent children from dual-earner families. Questionnaires were administered to 303 dual-earner families with one child between 10 and 17 years in Temuco, Chile. Adolescents answered the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Satisfaction with Food-related Life scale (SWFoL), Satisfaction with Family Life scale (SWFaL) and the Family subscale of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Both parents answered the Work-life Balance (WLB) scale. Using structural equation modelling and having controlled for adolescents' gender, age and socioeconomic status, we confirmed that adolescent life satisfaction is associated with satisfaction with family life and food-related life. Food-related life satisfaction and family life satisfaction had complete mediating roles between perceived family support and adolescents' life satisfaction. Satisfaction with food-related life also had a complete mediating role between both parents' WLB and adolescents' life satisfaction. Satisfaction with family life had a complete mediating role between mothers' WLB and adolescents' life satisfaction. In addition, mothers' WLB was positively associated with perceived family support among adolescents. These findings suggest the need to improve family support and work-life balance among mothers in order to enhance adolescents' satisfaction with different domains of life in dual-earner families.

Who's cooking? Trends in US home food preparation by gender, education, and race/ethnicity from 2003 to 2016

BACKGROUND

While US home cooking declined in the late twentieth century, it is unclear whether the trend has continued. This study examines home cooking from 2003 to 2016 by gender, educational attainment, and race/ethnicity.

METHODS

Nationally representative data from the American Time Use Study from 2003 to 2016 and linear regression models were used to examine changes in the percent of adults aged 18-65 years who cook and their time spent cooking, with interactions to test for differential changes by demographic variables of gender, education, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Cooking increased overall from 2003 to 2016. The percent of college-educated men cooking increased from 37.9% in 2003 to 51.9% in 2016, but men with less than high school education who cook did not change (33.2% in 2016) (p < 0.05). College-educated women who cook increased from 64.7% in 2003 to 68.7% in 2016, while women with less than high school education had no change (72.3% in 2016) (p < 0.05). Women with less education spent more time cooking per day than high-educated women, but the reverse was true for men. Among men, the percent who cook increased for all race/ethnic groups except non-Hispanic blacks. Among women, only non-Hispanic whites increased in percent who cook. Among both men and women, non-Hispanic blacks had the lowest percentage who cooked, and non-Hispanic others spent the greatest amount of time cooking.

CONCLUSIONS

Home cooking in the United States is increasing, especially among men, though women still cook much more than men. Further research is needed to understand whether the heterogeneity in home cooking by educational attainment and race/ethnicity observed here contributes to diet-related disparities in the United States.

Supporting the Health of Low Socioeconomic Status Employees: Qualitative Perspectives From Employees and Large Companies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify alignments between wellness offerings low socioeconomic status (SES) employees need and those large companies can provide.

METHODS

Focus groups (employees); telephone interviews (large companies). Employees were low-SES, insured through their employers, and employed by large Washington State companies. Focus groups covered perceived barriers to healthy behaviors at work and potential support from companies. Interviews focused on priorities for employee health and challenges reaching low-SES employees.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven employees participated in eight focus groups; 12 companies completed interviews. Employees identified facilitators and barriers to healthier work environments; companies expressed care for employees, concerns about employee obesity, and reluctance to discuss SES.

CONCLUSION

Our findings combine low-SES employee and large company perspectives and indicate three ways workplaces could most effectively support low-SES employee health: create healthier workplace food environments; prioritize onsite physical activity facilities; use clearer health communications.

Momentary Parental Stress and Food-Related Parenting Practices

BACKGROUND

Research suggests that stress and depressed mood are associated with food-related parenting practices (ie, parent feeding practices, types of food served at meals). However, current measures of parental stress, depressed mood, and food-related parenting practices are typically survey-based and assessed as static/unchanging characteristics, failing to account for fluctuations across time and context. Identifying momentary factors that influence parent food-related parenting practices will facilitate the development of effective interventions aimed at promoting healthy food-related parenting practices. In this study, we used ecological momentary assessment to examine the association between momentary factors (eg, stress, depressed mood) occurring early in the day and food-related parenting practices at the evening meal.

METHODS

Children aged 5 to 7 years and their families (N = 150) from 6 racial and/or ethnic groups (n = 25 each African American, Hispanic/Latino, Hmong, American Indian, Somali, and white families) were recruited for this mixed-methods study through primary care clinics.

RESULTS

Higher stress and depressed mood earlier in the day predicted pressure-to-eat feeding practices and fewer homemade foods served at meals the same night. Effect modification was found for certain racial and/or ethnic groups with regard to engaging in pressure-to-eat feeding practices (ie, America Indian, Somali) or serving fewer homemade meals (ie, African American, Hispanic/Latino) in the face of high stress or depressed mood.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians may want to consider discussing with parents the influence stress and depressed mood can have on everyday food-related parenting practices. Additionally, future researchers should consider using real-time interventions to reduce parental stress and depressed mood to promote healthy parent food-related parenting practices.

Fast Food Intake in Relation to Employment Status, Stress, Depression, and Dietary Behaviors in Low-Income Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women

Objective This study explored fast food intake as a potential mediator of the relationships among employment status; stress; depression; and fruit, vegetable, and fat intakes by race (African American vs. Non-Hispanic White) and body mass index (BMI category: overweight vs. obesity). Methods Low-income overweight and obese pregnant women (N = 332) were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children in Michigan. Path analysis was performed to explore mediation effects by race and BMI category. Results Fast food intake mediated the relationship between employment status and fat intake (p = 0.02) in Non-Hispanic White women, but no mediation effect was detected in African American women. For overweight women, fast food intake mediated the relationship between employment status and fat intake (p = 0.04) and the relationship between depression and vegetable intake (p = 0.01). Also, fast food intake partially mediated the relationship between depression and fat intake (p = 0.003). For obese women, fast food intake mediated the relationship between employment status and fat intake (p = 0.04). Conclusion Fast food is an important topic for nutrition education for overweight and obese pregnant women. Future interventions may be more successful if they address issues associated with employment status (e.g., lack of time to plan and cook healthy meals) and depressive mood (e.g., inability to plan meals or shop for groceries when coping with negative emotions).

Stressful Work Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged Couples: Moderating Effect of Marital Warmth

OBJECTIVES

The present study investigated the decade-long actor and partner infleunces between husbands' and wives' trajectories of stressful work conditions (SWCs) and their depressive symptoms while also considering the moderation of these influences by spousal warmth.

METHODS

Participants were 330 middle-aged dual-earner couples from the Iowa Midlife Transitions Project. Husbands and wives reported on own SWCs and reported on parenter's warmth in the years of 1991, 1992, and 1994. Depressive symptoms for husbands and wives were measured by the SCL-90-R in 1994 and 2001. Structural equation models, growth curves, and longitudinal data were used to perform our analyses.

RESULTS

For husbands and wives, trajectories of SWCs over early middle years (1991-1994) contributed to depressive symptoms in 1994. Notably, for husbands and wives, the severity (level) of SWCs in 1991 had a persistent influence on depressive symptoms a decade later (2001). For husbands, under conditions of wives' low warmth, SWCs exerted a relatively strong influence on their depressive symptoms. However, under conditions of high warmth from wives, most of these influences were greatly diminished.

DISCUSSION

Results from the current study indicate that contextual life experiences can have a persistent health influences over the life course.

Home food preparation practices, experiences and perceptions: A qualitative interview study with photo-elicitation

Food-related choices have an important impact on health. Food preparation methods may be linked to diet and health benefits. However, the factors influencing people's food choices, and how they are shaped by food preparation experiences, are still not fully understood. We aimed to study home food preparation practices, experiences and perceptions amongst adults in North East England. A matrix was used to purposively sample participants with diverse socio-demographic characteristics. Participants developed photographic food diaries that were used as prompts during semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using the Framework Method. Interviews were conducted with 18 adults (five men and 13 women), aged approximately 20 to 80 years, to reach data saturation. Participants' practices varied widely, from reliance on pre-prepared foods, to preparing complex meals entirely from basic ingredients. Key themes emerged regarding the cook (identity), the task (process of cooking), and the context (situational drivers). Resources, in terms of time, money and facilities, were also underpinning influences on food preparation. Participants' practices were determined by both personal motivations to cook, and the influence of others, and generally reflected compromises between varied competing demands and challenges in life. Most people appeared to be overall content with their food preparation behaviour, though ideally aspired to cook more frequently, using basic ingredients. This often seemed to be driven by social desirability. Home food preparation is complex, with heterogeneous practices, experiences and perceptions both between individuals and within the same individual over time, according to shifting priorities and circumstances. Generalisability of these findings may be limited by the regional participant sample; however the results support and build upon previous research. Focussing interventions on life transition points at which priorities and circumstances change, with careful targeting to stimulate personal motivation and social norms, may prove effective in encouraging home food preparation.

Family food talk, child eating behavior, and maternal feeding practices

Families discuss food and eating in many ways that may shape child eating habits. Researchers studying how families talk about food have examined this process during meals. Little work has examined parent-child food-related interactions outside of mealtime. We assessed family food talk at home outside of mealtime and tested whether food talk was associated with obesogenic child eating behaviors, maternal feeding practices, or child weight. Preschool and school-aged mother-child dyads (n = 61) participated in naturalistic voice recording using a LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) recorder. A coding scheme was developed to reliably characterize different types of food talk from LENA transcripts. Mothers completed the Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) to assess child eating behaviors and maternal feeding practices. Child weight and height were measured and body mass index z-score (BMIz) calculated. Bivariate associations among food talk types, as a proportion of total speech, were examined and multivariate regression models used to test associations between food talk and child eating behaviors, maternal feeding practices, and child BMIz. Proportion of child Overall Food Talk and Food Explanations were positively associated with CEBQ Food Responsiveness and Enjoyment of Food (p's < 0.05). Child food Desire/Need and child Prep/Planning talk were positively associated with CEBQ Enjoyment of Food (p < 0.05). Child Food Enjoyment talk and mother Overt Restriction talk were positively associated with CEBQ Emotional Over-Eating (p < 0.05). Mother Monitoring talk was positively associated with CFQ Restriction (p < 0.05). Mother Prep/Planning talk was negatively associated with child BMIz. Food talk outside of mealtimes related to child obesogenic eating behaviors and feeding practices in expected ways; examining food talk outside of meals is a novel way to consider feeding practices and child eating behavior.

Meal planning is associated with food variety, diet quality and body weight status in a large sample of French adults

BACKGROUND

Meal planning could be a potential tool to offset time scarcity and therefore encourage home meal preparation, which has been linked with an improved diet quality. However, to date, meal planning has received little attention in the scientific literature. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between meal planning and diet quality, including adherence to nutritional guidelines and food variety, as well as weight status.

METHODS

Meal planning, i.e. planning ahead the foods that will be eaten for the next few days, was assessed in 40,554 participants of the web-based observational NutriNet-Santé study. Dietary measurements included intakes of energy, nutrients, food groups, and adherence to the French nutritional guidelines (mPNNS-GS) estimated through repeated 24-h dietary records. A food variety score was also calculated using Food Frequency Questionnaire. Weight and height were self-reported. Association between meal planning and dietary intakes were assessed using ANCOVAs, while associations with quartiles of mPNNS-GS scores, quartiles of food variety score and weight status categories (overweight, obesity) were evaluated using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 57% of the participants declared to plan meals at least occasionally. Meal planners were more likely to have a higher mPNNS-GS (OR quartile 4 vs. 1 = 1.13, 95% CI: [1.07-1.20]), higher overall food variety (OR quartile 4 vs. 1 = 1.25, 95% CI: [1.18-1.32]). In women, meal planning was associated with lower odds of being overweight (OR = 0.92 [0.87-0.98]) and obese (OR = 0.79 [0.73-0.86]). In men, the association was significant for obesity only (OR = 0.81 [0.69-0.94]).

CONCLUSIONS

Meal planning was associated with a healthier diet and less obesity. Although no causality can be inferred from the reported associations, these data suggest that meal planning could potentially be relevant for obesity prevention.

Associations of Cooking With Dietary Intake and Obesity Among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participants

INTRODUCTION

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may help ease economic and time constraints of cooking, helping low-income households prepare healthier meals. Therefore, frequent cooking may be more strongly associated with improved dietary outcomes among SNAP recipients than among income-eligible non-recipients. Alternately, increased frequency of home-cooked meals among SNAP participants may be beneficial simply by replacing fast food intake. This study quantified the association between home cooking and fast food with diet intake and weight status among SNAP recipients.

METHODS

In 2016, data from low-income adults aged 19-65 years from the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2007-2010 (N=2,578) were used to examine associations of daily home-cooked dinner and weekly fast food intake with diet intake, including calories from solid fat and added sugar and key food groups (sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit, and vegetables), and prevalence of overweight/obesity. Differences in these associations for SNAP recipients versus income-eligible non-recipients were analyzed, as well as whether associations were attenuated when controlling for fast food intake.

RESULTS

Daily home-cooked dinners were associated with small improvements in dietary intake for SNAP recipients but not for non-recipients, including lower sugar-sweetened beverage intake (-54 kcal/day), and reduced prevalence of overweight/obesity (-6%) (p<0.05). However, these associations were attenuated after controlling for fast food intake. Consuming at least one fast food meal/week was associated with 9.3% and 11.6% higher overweight/obesity prevalence among SNAP recipients and non-recipients, respectively (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Strategies to improve dietary intake among SNAP recipients should consider both increasing home cooking and reducing fast food intake.

Exploring the dynamics of a free fruit at work intervention

Background

The workplace has been identified as an ideal setting for health interventions. However, few UK-based workplace intervention studies have been published. Fewer still focus on the practicalities and implications when running an intervention within the workplace setting.

The objective of this paper was to qualitatively determine the perceived behaviour changes of participants in a free fruit at work intervention. Understanding the dynamics of a workplace intervention and establishing any limitations of conducting an intervention in a workplace setting were also explored.

Methods

Twenty-three face-to-face interviews were conducted with individuals receiving free fruit at work for 18 weeks (74 % female). The worksite was the offices of a regional local government in the North East of England. Analysis was guided theoretically by Grounded Theory research and the data were subjected to content analysis. The transcripts were read repeatedly and cross-compared to develop a coding framework and derive dominant themes.

Results

Topics explored included: the workplace food environment; the effect of the intervention on participants and on other related health behaviours; the effect of the intervention on others; participant’s fruit consumption; reasons for not taking part in the intervention; expectations and sustainability post-intervention; and how to make the workplace healthier. Five emergent themes included: the office relationship with food; desk based eating; males and peer support; guilt around consumption of unhealthy foods; and the type of workplace influencing the acceptability of future interventions.

Conclusion

Exploring the perceptions of participants offered valued insights into the dynamics of a free fruit workplace intervention. Findings suggest that access and availability are both barriers and facilitators to encouraging healthy eating in the workplace.

How Effective Have Thirty Years of Internationally Driven Conservation and Development Efforts Been in Madagascar?

Conservation and development are intricately linked. The international donor community has long provided aid to tropical countries in an effort to alleviate poverty and conserve biodiversity. While hundreds of millions of $ have been invested in over 500 environmental-based projects in Madagascar during the period covered by a series of National Environmental Action Plans (1993–2008) and the protected areas network has expanded threefold, deforestation remains unchecked and none of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established for 2000–2015 were likely be met. Efforts to achieve sustainable development had failed to reduce poverty or deliver progress toward any of the MDGs. Cross-sectorial policy adjustments are needed that (i) enable and catalyze Madagascar’s capacities rather than deepening dependency on external actors such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and donor countries, and that (ii) deliver improvements to the livelihoods and wellbeing of the country’s rural poor.

Association between Motives for Dish Choices during Home Meal Preparation and Weight Status in the NutriNet-Santé Study

Although home cooking has been associated with a lower body mass index in a few studies, no data exists on the motives behind food dish choices during home meal preparation and on their association with overweight. This study aimed to evaluate this association in 50,003 participants from the NutriNet-Santé cohort. Dimensions underlying the importance of 27 criteria possibly influencing dish choices were determined using an exploratory factor analysis. The association between dish choice motives and overweight (including obesity) was estimated using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Five dimensions of dishes choice motives emerged: healthy diet (e.g., "nutritional balance of the dish"), constraints (e.g., "my cooking skills"), pleasure (e.g., "originality of the dish"), specific diets (e.g., "my health status"), and organization (e.g., "what I planned to eat"). A negative association was observed between the healthy diet factor and being overweight (OR = 0.65 (95% CI (confidence interval): 0.62-0.67)), whereas a positive association appeared for factors regarding pleasure (OR = 1.14 (95% CI: 1.10-1.19)) and specific diets (OR = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.17-1.22)). No significant associations were observed for constraints and organization. The significant associations between dish choice motives and overweight suggested the interest of focusing on these motives in order to promote healthier food choices during home cooking.

A moveable feast: Contemporary relational food cultures emerging from local food networks

Although the globalised food system delivers unparalleled food variety and quantity to most in the developed world it also disconnects consumers from where, how and by whom food is grown. This change in the food system has resulted in an acceptance of an anonymous and homogeneous food supply, which has contributed to over-consumption and the rise in diet-related diseases. 'Nutritionism' responds to this issue by maintaining that a 'healthy diet' can be achieved by consuming the correct balance of energy and nutrients, but with limited success. Yet, some food cultures can moderate the effects of the environmental drivers of increasing global obesity rates. This paper draws on this premise and presents an alternative eco-dietetic response, exploring people's meaning-making of food and food culture through local food networks. This research used narrative inquiry methodology and purposive sampling to gather stories through focus group conversations. Twenty people attended focus groups comprised of food procurers from one of three local food networks in the Canberra region: community gardens, a modified Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and farmers' markets. The findings showed that those using local food networks enjoyed a 'contemporary relational food culture' that highlighted the importance of people, place and time, in their visceral experiences of food. The community gardeners made meaning of food through their connections to the earth and to others. The farmers' market and CSA food procurers valued the seasonal, local and ethical food produced by their beloved farmer(s). This paper provides qualitative evidence that local food networks enable people to enjoy multi-dimensional relationships to food. Further research is required to examine whether experiencing a contemporary relational food culture can lead to improved health outcomes for people and the planet.

Family meals and eating practices among mothers in Santos, Brazil: A population-based study

This study investigates family meals among mothers and explores associations between eating with family and sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, and eating practices. A population-based cross-sectional study, using complex cluster-sampling, was conducted in the city of Santos, Brazil with 439 mothers. Frequency of family meals was assessed by asking if mothers did or did not usually have a) breakfast, b) lunch, and c) dinner with family. Linear regression analyses were conducted for the number of meals eaten with family per day and each of the potential explanatory variables, adjusting for the mother's age. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to analyze each factor associated with eating with family as classified categorically: a) sharing meals with family, b) not eating any meals with family. Only 16.4% (n = 72) of participants did not eat any meals with family. From the 83.6% (n = 367) of mothers that had at least one family meal per day, 69.70% (n = 306) ate dinner with their families. Mothers aged ≥40 years reported significantly fewer meals eaten with family compared to mothers aged 30-39 years (β: -0.26, p = 0.04). Having family meals was 54% more prevalent among mothers with ≥12 years of education (PR for no meals eaten with family: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30; 0.96, p = 0.03), when compared to mothers with less than nine years of education. Eating no meals with family was 85% more prevalent among mothers who reported that eating was one of the biggest pleasures in their lives (PR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.21; 2.82, p = 0.004). We suggest the need for further research investigating the effects of family meals on mothers' health through nutritional and phenomenological approaches.