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Petresin T, Battram DS. Acceptability, Helpfulness, and Utility of the Healthy Lunch Box Booklet (HLBB) for Parents and School-Age Children. CAN J DIET PRACT RES 2023; 84:176-179. [PMID: 37227212 DOI: 10.3148/cjdpr-2023-011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: School lunches are of poor nutritional quality in Canada. Parents play an important role in the preparation of school lunches for young children. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and helpfulness of the Healthy Lunch Box Booklet (HLBB) to support parents in packing healthy school lunches for their children.Methods: The HLBB was distributed at four schools in London, Ontario to students in full-day Kindergarten to Grade three. Parents were asked to complete an online survey from April to November 2019.Results: Parents (n = 58) reported the HLBB to be helpful (96.3%) and found the sections on new school lunch and snack ideas and nutritional information (e.g., label reading) particularly useful. Some parents also stated that the HLBB created opportunities to interact with their children regarding school lunch preparation. In terms of perceived impacts, parents reported increased confidence (68.6%) and learning something new (79.6%) about school lunch preparation and felt that their children's diet was impacted accordingly.Conclusions: The HLBB was found to be an acceptable and useful nutrition resource that supports parents in packing healthy school lunches for their children and therefore warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Petresin
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON
| | - Danielle S Battram
- School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON
- Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Western University, London, ON
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Pearson N, Finch M, Sutherland R, Kingsland M, Wolfenden L, Wedesweiler T, Herrmann V, Yoong SL. An mHealth Intervention to Reduce the Packing of Discretionary Foods in Children's Lunch Boxes in Early Childhood Education and Care Services: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e27760. [PMID: 35297768 PMCID: PMC8972115 DOI: 10.2196/27760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interventions in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services have the potential to improve children’s diet at the population level. Objective This study aims to test the efficacy of a mobile health intervention in ECEC services to reduce parent packing of foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium (discretionary foods) in children’s (aged 3-6 years) lunch boxes. Methods A cluster randomized controlled trial was undertaken with 355 parent and child dyads recruited by phone and in person from 17 ECEC services (8 [47%] intervention and 9 [53%] control services). Parents in the intervention group received a 10-week fully automated program targeting barriers to packing healthy lunch boxes delivered via an existing service communication app. The program included weekly push notifications, within-app messages, and links to further resources, including websites and videos. The control group did not receive any intervention. The primary outcomes were kilojoules from discretionary foods and associated nutrients (saturated fat, free sugars, and sodium) packed in children’s lunch boxes. Secondary outcomes included consumption of kilojoules from discretionary foods and related nutrients and the packing and consumption of serves of discretionary foods and core food groups. Photography and weights of foods in children’s lunch boxes were recorded by trained researchers before and after the trial to assess primary and secondary outcomes. Outcome assessors were blinded to service allocation. Feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability were assessed via an ECEC service manager survey and a parent web-based survey. Use of the app was assessed via app analytics. Results Data on packed lunch box contents were collected for 88.8% (355/400) of consenting children at baseline and 84.3% (337/400) of children after the intervention. There was no significant difference between groups in kilojoule from discretionary foods packed (77.84 kJ, 95% CI −163.49 to 319.18; P=.53) or the other primary or secondary outcomes. The per-protocol analysis, including only data from children of parents who downloaded the app, also did not find any statistically significant change in primary (−1.98 kJ, 95% CI −343.87 to 339.90; P=.86) or secondary outcomes. Approximately 61.8% (102/165) of parents in the intervention group downloaded the app, and the mean service viewing rate of weekly within-app messages was 26% (SD 14.9). Parents who responded to the survey and participating services agreed that it was appropriate to receive lunch box information via the app (40/50, 80% and 6/8, 75%, respectively). Conclusions The intervention was unable to demonstrate an impact on kilojoules or associated nutrients from discretionary foods packed in children’s lunch boxes. Low app downloads and program message views indicate a need to explore how to improve factors related to implementation before further testing similar mobile health interventions in this setting. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618000133235; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=374379
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pearson
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Meghan Finch
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Rachel Sutherland
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Melanie Kingsland
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
| | | | | | - Sze Lin Yoong
- Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.,Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia
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Lima do Vale MR, Farmer A, Ball GDC, Gokiert R, Maximova K, Thorlakson J. Implementation of Healthy Eating Interventions in Center-Based Childcare: The Selection, Application, and Reporting of Theories, Models, and Frameworks. Am J Health Promot 2020; 34:402-417. [PMID: 31983219 DOI: 10.1177/0890117119895951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the selection, use, and reporting of theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) in implementation studies that promoted healthy eating in center-based childcare. DATA SOURCE We searched 11 databases for articles published between January 1990 and October 2018. We also conducted a hand search of studies and consulted subject matter experts. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA We included studies in center-based settings for preschoolers that addressed the development, delivery, or evaluation of interventions or implementation strategies related to healthy eating and related subjects and that explicitly used TMF. Exclusion criteria include not peer reviewed or abstracts and not in English, French, German, and Korean. DATA EXTRACTION The first author extracted the data using extraction forms. A second reviewer verified data extraction. DATA SYNTHESIS Direct content analysis and narrative synthesis. RESULTS We identified 8222 references. We retained 38 studies. Study designs included quasi-experimental, randomized controlled trials, surveys, case studies, and others. The criteria used most often for selecting TMFs were description of a change process (n = 12; 23%) or process guidance (n = 8; 15%). Theories, models, and frameworks used targeted different socioecological levels and purposes. The application of TMF constructs (e.g., factors, steps, outcomes) was reported 69% (n = 34) of times. CONCLUSION Reliance on TMFs focused on individual-level, poor TMF selection, and application and reporting for the development of implementation strategies could limit TMF utility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Farmer
- Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Geoff D C Ball
- Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rebecca Gokiert
- Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katerina Maximova
- School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jessica Thorlakson
- Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Pond N, Finch M, Sutherland R, Wolfenden L, Nathan N, Kingsland M, Grady A, Gillham K, Herrmann V, Yoong SL. Cluster randomised controlled trial of an m-health intervention in centre-based childcare services to reduce the packing of discretionary foods in children's lunchboxes: study protocol for the 'SWAP IT Childcare' trial. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026829. [PMID: 31154306 PMCID: PMC6549630 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In many developed nations, including Australia, a substantial number of children aged under 5 years attend centre-based childcare services that require parents to pack food in lunchboxes. These lunchboxes often contain excessive amounts of unhealthy ('discretionary') foods. This study aims to assess the impact of a mobile health (m-health) intervention on reducing the packing of discretionary foods in children's childcare lunchboxes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A cluster randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with parents from 18 centre-based childcare services in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Services will be randomised to receive either a 4-month m-health intervention called 'SWAP IT Childcare' or usual care. The development of the intervention was informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel model and will consist primarily of the provision of targeted information, lunchbox food guidelines and website links addressing parent barriers to packing healthy lunchboxes delivered through push notifications via an existing app used by childcare services to communicate with parents and carers. The primary outcomes of the trial will be energy (kilojoules) from discretionary foods packed in lunchboxes and the total energy (kilojoules), saturated fat (grams), total and added sugars (grams) and sodium (milligrams) from all foods packed in lunchboxes. Outcomes will be assessed by weighing and photographing all lunchbox food items at baseline and at the end of the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study was approved by the Hunter New England Local Health District Human Ethics Committee (06/07/26/4.04) and ratified by the University of Newcastle, Human Research Ethics Committee (H-2008-0343). Evaluation and process data collected as part of the study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and local, national and international presentations and will form part of PhD student theses. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ACTRN12618000133235; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Pond
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meghan Finch
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Sutherland
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Luke Wolfenden
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Nathan
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melanie Kingsland
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alice Grady
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen Gillham
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vanessa Herrmann
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sze Lin Yoong
- Population Health Unit, Hunter New England Local Health District, Wallsend, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
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Romo-Palafox MJ, Ranjit N, Sweitzer SJ, Roberts-Gray C, Byrd-Williams CE, Briley ME, Hoelscher DM. Contribution of Beverage Selection to the Dietary Quality of the Packed Lunches Eaten by Preschool-Aged Children. J Acad Nutr Diet 2018; 118:1417-1424. [PMID: 29478941 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sweet drinks early in life could predispose to lifelong consumption, and the beverage industry does not clearly define fruit drinks as part of the sweet drink category. OBJECTIVES To ascertain the relationship between beverage selection and dietary quality of the lunches packed for preschool-aged children evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index-2010. METHODS Foods packed by parents (n=607) were observed at 30 early care and education centers on two nonconsecutive days. Three-level regression models were used to examine the dietary quality of lunches by beverage selection and the dietary quality of the lunch controlling for the nutrient composition of the beverage by removing it from the analysis. RESULTS Fruit drinks were included in 25% of parent-packed lunches, followed by 100% fruit juice (14%), milk (14%), and flavored milk (3.7%). Lunches with plain milk had the highest Healthy Eating Index-2010 scores (59.3) followed by lunches with 100% fruit juice (56.9) and flavored milk (53.2). Lunches with fruit drinks had the lowest Healthy Eating Index-2010 scores at 48.6. After excluding the nutrient content of the beverage, the significant difference between lunches containing milk and flavored milk persisted (+5.5), whereas the difference between fruit drinks and 100% fruit juice did not. CONCLUSIONS Dietary quality is associated with the type of beverage packed and these differences hold when the lunch is analyzed without the nutrient content of the beverage included.
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Hamoda RE, Gander JC, McPherson LJ, Arriola KJ, Cobb L, Pastan SO, Plantinga L, Browne T, Hartmann E, Mulloy L, Zayas C, Krisher J, Patzer RE. Process evaluation of the RaDIANT community study: a dialysis facility-level intervention to increase referral for kidney transplantation. BMC Nephrol 2018; 19:13. [PMID: 29334900 PMCID: PMC5769303 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-017-0807-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Reducing Disparities in Access to kidNey Transplantation Community Study (RaDIANT) was an End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Network 6-developed, dialysis facility-level randomized trial testing the effectiveness of a 1-year multicomponent education and quality improvement intervention in increasing referral for kidney transplant evaluation among selected Georgia dialysis facilities. METHODS To assess implementation of the RaDIANT intervention, we conducted a process evaluation at the conclusion of the intervention period (January-December 2014). We administered a 20-item survey to the staff involved with transplant education in 67 dialysis facilities randomized to participate in intervention activities. Survey items assessed facility participation in the intervention (fidelity and reach), helpfulness and willingness to continue intervention activities (sustainability), suggestions for improving intervention components (sustainability), and factors that may have influenced participation and study outcomes (context). We defined high fidelity to the intervention as completing 11 or more activities, and high participation in an activity as having at least 75% participation across intervention facilities. RESULTS Staff from 65 of the 67 dialysis facilities completed the questionnaire, and more than half (50.8%) reported high adherence (fidelity) to RaDIANT intervention requirements. Nearly two-thirds (63.1%) of facilities reported that RaDIANT intervention activities were helpful or very helpful, with 90.8% of facilities willing to continue at least one intervention component beyond the study period. Intervention components with high participation emphasized staff and patient-level education, including in-service staff orientations, patient and family education programs, and patient educational materials. Suggested improvements for intervention activities emphasized addressing financial barriers to transplantation, with financial education materials perceived as most helpful among RaDIANT educational materials. Variation in facility-level fidelity of the RADIANT intervention did not significantly influence the mean difference in proportion of patients referred pre- (2013) and post-intervention (2014). CONCLUSIONS We found high fidelity to the RaDIANT multicomponent intervention at the majority of intervention facilities, with sustainability of select intervention components at intervention facilities and feasibility for dissemination across ESRD Networks. Future modification of the intervention should emphasize financial education regarding kidney transplantation and amend intervention components that facilities perceive as time-intensive or non-sustainable. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02092727 . Registered 13 Mar 2014 (retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem E Hamoda
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, 1629 Pierce Dr. NE, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jennifer C Gander
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, 1629 Pierce Dr. NE, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laura J McPherson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, 1629 Pierce Dr. NE, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Kimberly J Arriola
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Loren Cobb
- Department of Biology, Spelman College, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Stephen O Pastan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Laura Plantinga
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Teri Browne
- College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | | | - Laura Mulloy
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplant, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Carlos Zayas
- Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplant, Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Jenna Krisher
- Southeastern Kidney Transplant Coalition, End Stage Renal Disease Network 6, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Rachel E Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, 1629 Pierce Dr. NE, 30322, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
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Parent packs, child eats: Surprising results of Lunch is in the Bag's efficacy trial. Appetite 2017; 121:249-262. [PMID: 29079478 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Early care and education (ECE) centers that require lunch brought from home provide an uncluttered view of parent-child dietary interactions in early childhood. Children's eating from parent-provided bag lunches was observed at 30 ECE centers in Texas, with 15 randomly assigned to the Lunch is in the Bag intervention to improve the lunch meal and 15 to a wait-list control condition. Study participants were parent and child aged 3-5 years (N = 633 dyads). Data were collected at baseline (pre-intervention) and follow-ups at weeks 6 (post-intervention), 22 (pre-booster), and 28 (post-booster). Changes effected in the children's lunch eating-e.g., increase of 14 percent in prevalence of children eating vegetables (SE = 5, P = 0.0063)-reciprocated changes in parent lunch-packing. Irrespective of intervention, however, the children consumed one-half to two-thirds of the amounts of whatever foods the parents packed, and the eat-to-pack ratio did not change across time. Thus, children's lunch eating at the ECE centers appeared to be regulated by perceptual cues of food availability rather than food preferences or internal cues of hunger and satiety.
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