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Furukawa M, Tada H, Raju R, Wang J, Yokoi H, Yamada M, Shikama Y, Matsushita K. Long-Term Soft-Food Rearing in Young Mice Alters Brain Function and Mood-Related Behavior. Nutrients 2023; 15:2397. [PMID: 37242280 PMCID: PMC10222696 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between caloric and nutrient intake and overall health has been extensively studied. However, little research has focused on the impact of the hardness of staple foods on health. In this study, we investigated the effects of a soft diet on brain function and behavior in mice from an early age. Mice fed a soft diet for six months exhibited increased body weight and total cholesterol levels, along with impaired cognitive and motor function, heightened nocturnal activity, and increased aggression. Interestingly, when these mice were switched back to a solid diet for three months, their weight gain ceased, total cholesterol levels stabilized, cognitive function improved, and aggression decreased, while their nocturnal activity remained high. These findings suggest that long-term consumption of a soft diet during early development can influence various behaviors associated with anxiety and mood regulation, including weight gain, cognitive decline, impaired motor coordination, increased nocturnal activity, and heightened aggression. Therefore, the hardness of food can impact brain function, mental well-being, and motor skills during the developmental stage. Early consumption of hard foods may be crucial for promoting and maintaining healthy brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masae Furukawa
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Hirobumi Tada
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Wellness, Shigakkan University, Obu 474-8651, Japan;
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan
| | - Resmi Raju
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Jingshu Wang
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Haruna Yokoi
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Mitsuyoshi Yamada
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
- Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University, Nagoya 464-8651, Japan
| | - Yosuke Shikama
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
| | - Kenji Matsushita
- Department of Oral Disease Research, Geroscience Research Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu 474-8511, Japan; (R.R.); (J.W.); (H.Y.); (M.Y.); (Y.S.)
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Helland SH, Bjørkkjær T, Grasaas E, Øverby NC. Staff feeding practices, food neophobia, and educational level in early education and care settings: A cross-sectional study. Appetite 2023; 180:106379. [PMID: 36410564 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Feeding practices in early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are important for the development of healthy eating habits early in life. However, there is limited research on feeding practices among ECEC staff working with infants and toddlers, and how these practices relate to staff education. This study assessed the feeding practices, level of food neophobia, and participation in shared meals among ECEC staff, and examined whether there were differences in feeding practices related to education and shared meals. Furthermore, we explored the association between food neophobia levels among ECEC staff and their respective feeding practices in ECEC. In total, 130 ECEC teachers and other staff from two Norwegian ECEC trials completed a questionnaire about feeding practices and level of food neophobia. Our results showed that ECEC staff commonly used modelling and encouraging balance and variety feeding practices, but used food as a reward and emotion regulation less often. These practices differed by staff educational level, favoring highly educated staff. We found that more than half of ECEC staff ate lunch together with the children every day, and those who did so used positive feeding practices (encouraging balance and variety and modelling) more than those who did not eat with children; however, they also used restriction for health more often. Higher scores on food neophobia were associated with less use of emotion regulation and restriction for health when adjusted for relevant variables. In conclusion, our results show there is potential to improve feeding practices in ECEC, especially focusing on ECEC staff with low education. Suggested ways forward are updating guidelines to cover feeding practices and working on implementing these guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissel H Helland
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
| | - Tormod Bjørkkjær
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
| | - Erik Grasaas
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
| | - Nina C Øverby
- Department of Nutrition and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, Norway.
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Nieri T, Zimmer A, Vaca JM, Tovar A, Cheney A. A Systematic Review of Research on Non-Maternal Caregivers' Feeding of Children 0-3 Years. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14463. [PMID: 36361342 PMCID: PMC9658782 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although people other than mothers participate in feeding, few interventions include non-maternal caregivers, especially those promoting healthy development among children aged 0-3 years. Understanding the role and influence of non-maternal caregivers is essential for the development and effectiveness of early childhood feeding interventions; yet, no reviews have examined non-maternal caregivers of children aged 0-3 years. This study assessed what is known about non-maternal caregivers' feeding of children aged 0-3. We systematically reviewed 38 empirical quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies, cataloged in PubMed and Web of Science and published between 1/2000-6/2021. The studies showed that non-maternal caregivers engage in child feeding and their attitudes and behaviors affect child outcomes. Like mothers, non-maternal caregivers vary in the extent to which their knowledge and attitudes support recommended feeding practices and the extent to which they exhibit responsive feeding styles and practices. Children of broad ages were included in the studies; future research should include infant/toddler-only samples to allow for better assessment of age-specific feeding constructs. The studies also revealed issues specific to non-maternal caregivers that are unlikely to be addressed in interventions developed for mothers. Thus, the review highlighted features of non-maternal caregiving of children 0-3 years that could be addressed to support feeding and child outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Nieri
- Department of Sociology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Arianna Zimmer
- Center for Health Disparities Research, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Jai Mica Vaca
- Department of Justice Studies, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192, USA
| | - Alison Tovar
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
| | - Ann Cheney
- Department of Social Medicine, Population and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
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Farrer Mackie J, Marshall J, Gray HL, Himmelgreen D, Alkon A, Kirby RS. "Just sit and eat." Adult and Child Mealtime Responsibilities in Early Care and Education Centers During COVID-19 in Florida. Ecol Food Nutr 2022; 61:559-575. [PMID: 35575781 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2022.2073352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Most young children in the United States attend early care and education (ECE) programs, in which they eat 3-4 times daily. 'Division of responsibility' between adult and child means the adults are responsible for what, when and where, and the child is responsible for whether, what and how much to eat. A balanced division of responsibility can support children's development of healthy eating competency. This paper aims to describe division of responsibility during mealtimes during COVID-19 in Florida using a cross-sectional, mixed methods design. Questions were developed based on Trust Model and Social Cognitive Theory. A survey was completed by 759 ECE directors and 431 teachers, and 29 teachers completed in-depth interviews. COVID-19 increased teacher mealtime responsibilities. Most (95%+) ECE teachers provided meals at the same time and place daily (when and where). Children determined what and how much they ate, but did not serve or handle food. Implications include modifying mealtime routines to minimize the risk of COVID-19 and support healthy eating with a balanced division of responsibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Marshall
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Heewon L Gray
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - David Himmelgreen
- Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Abbey Alkon
- School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Russell S Kirby
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
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