Influence of Parenting Practices on Eating Behaviors of Early Adolescents during Independent Eating Occasions: Implications for Obesity Prevention

Adolescents' mental health is associated with food parenting practices among British Columbian families

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a developmental period marked by significant changes related to the body and food parenting practices. However, few studies have explored child-level psychological correlates of these practices during adolescence. Our study examined whether adolescents' weight status, weight concerns, self-esteem, and anxiety were associated with food parenting practices, and whether these associations significantly differed by adolescents' gender among 297 families in British Columbia, Canada.

METHODS

Parents (47 years, 76% mothers) completed a food parenting practice item bank. Adolescents (14 years, 52% girls) self-reported their height and weight, weight concerns, self-esteem, and anxiety. Covariate-adjusted regression models evaluated the association of adolescents' weight and mental health with nine practices (main effects). Interactions were used to evaluate the moderating role of gender, and further decomposed in all models to examine simple effects within each gender group.

RESULTS

Main-effect models showed positive associations between: (1) weight concerns and child involvement, (2) weight concerns and accommodating practices, (3) self-esteem and healthy eating opportunities, and (4) self-esteem with meal routines, as well as negative associations between: (5) self-esteem and accommodating practices, (6) self-esteem and coercive control, and (7) anxiety and rules and limits. In these 7 models interactions with gender were not significant; however, in all cases (except in model 5) the decomposed effects showed only significant associations among girls. A significant gender interaction emerged in (8) the association between anxiety and coercive control, but the decomposed effects were not significant for either gender. Adolescents' weight status was not associated with food parenting practices in any model.

CONCLUSIONS

Food parenting practices are associated with mental health indicators among British Columbian families; however, future studies should examine multidirectional relationships between these practices, adolescents' mental health, and eating habits.

Effects of increased availability and economic incentives on preadolescents' healthier beverages choices: An experimental study

This field experimental study examined how increased availability and economic incentives for healthier beverages affect preadolescents' actual healthier beverage choices in a real-world setting. In addition, the impact of preadolescents' descriptive norm towards healthier beverages, price awareness and parental restrictive rules regarding beverage consumption were explored. During the experiment, preadolescents could independently buy two beverages from an assortment with a total of eight beverages. A 2x2 between-subjects design was used, manipulating the presence of increased availability of healthier beverages and economic incentives (taxes for unhealthier beverages and subsidies for healthier beverages). A total of 305 preadolescents between 8 and 14 years old (M = 10.18, SD = 1.74) participated, each accompanied by one of their respective parents. Results showed that preadolescents were more likely to choose healthier beverages and perceived a higher descriptive norm towards healthier beverages when the assortment included increased relative availability of healthier beverages. Economic incentives and price awareness did not impact healthier beverage choices. Preadolescents were less likely to choose healthier beverages when parents reported higher levels of restrictive rules regarding beverage consumption. Results of the study suggest that increasing relative availability of healthier options could be a promising intervention strategy to support preadolescents in making healthier choices.

Bringing down barriers to children's healthy eating: a critical review of opportunities, within a complex food system

This narrative review revises the scientific evidence of recent years on healthy eating in children and adolescents, making sense of promising avenues of action, from a food system perspective. A conceptual framework is provided to better understand how eating habits of children and adolescents are shaped to identify key multisectoral approaches that should be implemented to promote healthier diets. The following influencing factors are discussed: individual factors (physiological and psychological factors, food preferences and food literacy competencies), factors within the personal and socio-cultural food environments, external food environments, and the supply chain. In each section, the main barriers to healthy eating are briefly discussed focussing on how to overcome them. Finally, a discussion with recommendations of actions is provided, anchored in scientific knowledge, and transferable to the general public, industry, and policymakers. We highlight that multidisciplinary approaches are not enough, a systems approach, with a truly holistic view, is needed. Apart from introducing systemic changes, a variety of interventions can be implemented at different levels to foster healthier diets in children through fostering healthier and more sustainable food environments, facilitating pleasurable sensory experiences, increasing their food literacy, and enhancing their agency by empowering them to make better food related decisions. Acknowledging children as unique individuals is required, through interpersonal interactions, as well as their role in their environments. Actions should aim to enable children and adolescents as active participants within sustainable food systems, to support healthier dietary behaviours that can be sustained throughout life, impacting health at a societal level.

Associations of pre- and postnatal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance exposure with adolescents' eating behaviors

Background

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent environmental chemicals, may act as obesogens by interacting with neuroendocrine pathways regulating energy homeostasis and satiety signals influencing adolescent eating behaviors.

Methods

In 211 HOME Study adolescents (Cincinnati, OH; recruited 2003-2006), we measured PFAS concentrations in serum collected during pregnancy, at delivery, and at ages 3, 8, and 12 years. Caregivers completed the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) at age 12, and we calculated food approach and food avoidance scores. Using quantile-based g-computation, we estimated covariate-adjusted associations between a mixture of four gestational PFAS and CEBQ scores. We identified high (n = 76, 36%) and low (n = 135, 64%) longitudinal PFAS mixture exposure profiles between delivery and age 12 years using latent profile analysis and related these to CEBQ scores. We examined whether child sex or physical activity modified these associations.

Results

We observed no association of gestational PFAS mixture with food approach or food avoidance scores. Children in the higher longitudinal PFAS mixture profile had slightly higher food approach scores (β: 0.47, 95% CI: -0.27, 1.23) and similar food avoidance scores (β: -0.15, 95% CI: -0.75, 0.46) compared with children in the lower profile. We found some evidence that higher physical activity favorably modified the association between longitudinal PFAS mixture profiles and emotional overeating (interaction P value = 0.13). Child sex did not consistently modify any associations.

Conclusions

Serum PFAS concentrations were not consistently linked to adolescent eating behaviors in this study, suggesting alternative pathways, such as metabolic rate, may underlie previously observed associations between PFAS exposure and childhood obesity.

Screen Time Use and Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in Adolescents: A Focus Group Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Sedentary lifestyles and ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption contribute to a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. Screen time may be associated with higher UPF consumption and affect eating behaviors substantially.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore adolescents' perceptions, attitudes, and motivations concerning the consumption of UPF when using screens; investigate their perceived educational needs regarding nutrition; and explore their knowledge about UPF.

DESIGN

This was a qualitative study using focus groups.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING

Four focus groups with 30 adolescents aged 12 to 16 years at a Spanish high school were recruited in May 2022. Participants were chosen using purposive sampling based on a theoretical saturation criterion.

ANALYSES

Focus group discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis. Participants explained that most of their meals were eaten in front of screens. They confirmed more consumption of UPF at breakfast, as mid-afternoon snacks, on weekends, and during their main meals when alone. Participants reported that the high consumption of UPF during social gatherings was related to its easy availability, convenience, and palatability. Adolescents expressed that eating in front of screens and exposure to UPF advertising led to compulsive and impulsive consumption of these products. They described UPF as addictive and unhealthy. Although participants had little awareness of UPF health effects, they expressed interest in learning about healthy eating habits. Parental attitudes toward food were considered by the participants as relevant in establishing their eating behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Loneliness, social gatherings, and parental attitudes toward UPF consumption emerged as important influences on adolescents' dietary behaviors in front of screens. In addition, availability, palatability, and exposure to advertising were key factors reported to influence adolescents' UPF consumption in front of screens. Addressing these influences through nutritional and educational interventions, as well as regulating the adolescent obesogenic environment and managing screen time could help modulate these effects.

A growth curve model to estimate longitudinal effects of parental BMI on Indonesian children's growth patterns

The global surge in childhood obesity is also evident in Indonesia. Parental body mass index (BMI) values were found to be one of the major determinants of the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity. It is uncertain if parental BMI during their offspring's childhood significantly affects their children's BMI trajectories into adulthood. We aimed to investigate the influence of parental BMI Z-scores on BMI trajectories of Indonesian school-aged children, with a focus on sex-specific effects. This study utilized data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey and tracked the same respondents over four time points, from wave 2 (1997-1998) to wave 5 (2014-2015). The sample of this study consisted of children aged 5-12 years in wave 2 for whom height and weight data were available. We utilized a two-level growth curve model to account for the hierarchical structure of the data, with time nested within individual children. Fathers' BMI Z-scores in wave 2 had a pronounced influence (β = 0.31) on female children's BMI Z-scores compared to the influence of mothers' BMI Z-scores (β = 0.17). Mothers' BMI Z-scores in wave 2 showed a stronger positive association with male children's BMI Z-scores (β = 0.22) than did the father's BMI Z-scores (β = 0.19). A significant interaction of fathers' BMI Z-scores and years of follow-up was found for male children. As male children's BMI Z-scores increased by year, this effect was stronger in those whose fathers' BMI Z-scores were at a higher level. In conclusion, we found that parental BMI values profoundly influenced their children's BMI trajectories.

The Effects of Parental Food Education on Children's Food Literacy: The Mediating Role of Parent-Child Relationship and Learning Motivation

Parental food education has been recognized among the important factors influencing children's food literacy; however, the intrinsic mechanisms through which this influence occurs are unclear. In this study, a mediation model was constructed to explore this issue, using the parent-child relationship and learning motivation as mediating variables. In total, 204 children, aged 9-14 years old, responded to questionnaires on parental food education, children's food literacy, the parent-child relationship, and learning motivation, which were used to measure the variables of interest. The results showed that parental food education was significantly and positively related to the parent-child relationship, learning motivation, and children's food literacy; the parent-child relationship was significantly and positively related to learning motivation; and learning motivation was significantly and positively related to children's food literacy. Parental food education influenced children's food literacy in the following two main ways: the mediating role of learning motivation and the chain-mediating roles of the parent-child relationship and learning motivation. In addition, we attempt to explore the moderating role of the teaching stage between parental food education and the parent-child relationship, learning motivation, and children's food literacy. In this paper, we discuss possible guidelines for family food education and children's health based on the findings of the current study.

Enhancing dietary adherence among African-American adolescents: the role of parenting styles and food-related practices

Introduction

Parenting styles (PSs) and food-related parenting practices (FPPs) play a crucial role in shaping adolescent eating behavior. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the different PSs and FPPs of African-American families and the frequency of consumption of MyPlate food items by adolescents based on recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA).

Methods

This study used a cross-sectional design. Data collection was conducted using Qualtrics through an online survey of 211 African-American parents and their adolescents aged 10-17-year-old. Adolescents completed the Youth and Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire to assess their dietary behavior, while parents filled out the survey to identify the degree of PSs (i.e., authoritative, authoritarian, setting rules, and neglecting) and FPPs (i.e., monitoring, reasoning, copying, and modeling). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and stepwise logistic regression were performed to determine the answers to the research questions.

Results

For fruit consumption, authoritative parenting significantly reduced the likelihood of adherence to DGA, while authoritarian, monitoring, and reasoning practices increased it. Female adolescents were more likely to meet fruit intake recommendations, with a similar positive impact observed for those whose parents had above high school education. In vegetable intake, authoritarian and monitoring practices positively impact on adherence to DGA, whereas setting rules had a detrimental impact. Being in a married household also increased vegetable intake DGA adherence. For grain consumption, reasoning was a significant positive predictor, while setting rules negatively impacted adherence. Dairy DGA adherence was positively impacted by monitoring and copying practices, but negatively impacted by female gender. Protein intake showed a positive association with reasoning and parental education.

Discussion

Our findings confirm the importance of parenting in developing desired eating behaviors among African-American adolescents. The results of this study can be used to develop culture-based nutritional education programs for parents and youth.

Longitudinal tracking of diet quality from childhood to adolescence: The Interplay of individual and sociodemographic factors

This study aimed to examine diet tracking from childhood to adolescence, using 4 time-points, and the influence of socioeconomic and individual characteristics in this transition. The sample included 6893 children from the Portuguese birth cohort Generation XXI with complete information on Food Frequency Questionnaire in at least one of the considered follow-ups. A Healthy Eating Index (HEI), previously developed to assess adherence to WHO's dietary recommendations, was applied at all ages (4, 7, 10 and 13y). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to analyse the tracking of diet quality. Linear mixed-effect models were performed to estimate the association of the child's socioeconomic and individual characteristics with the HEI score and respective trajectories over time. The overall diet quality decreased from childhood (22.2 ± 3.6 at 4y) to adolescence (18.2 ± 3.9 at 13y), with moderate tracking (ICC = 0.53), showing that children who start a healthy diet earlier might have a better diet quality as time goes by. Children of older mothers (β = 0.079, 95%CI = 0.061-0.097) and with higher education (β = 0.203, 95%CI = 0.178-0.229) and a higher household monthly income (β = 0.024,95%CI = 0.007-0.041) had a higher diet quality over time. Besides family characteristics, the child's sedentary activities (β = -0.009, 95%CI = -0.014--0.003) negatively influence diet quality throughout life. In contrast, being a girl (β = -0.094, 95%CI = -0.132--0.056) and having higher sleep duration (β = 0.039, 95%CI = 0.015-0.064) are associated with a higher diet quality over time. The presence of dietary tracking from childhood to adolescence implies that promoting healthy eating habits during the first years of life is crucial for a healthier diet quality during late childhood and early adolescence, focusing on maternal and individual child characteristics.

Almli V. Basic taste sensitivity, eating behaviour, food propensity and BMI of preadolescent children: How are they related?

Background

Taste sensitivity has been reported to influence children's eating behaviour and contribute to their food preferences and intake. This study aimed to investigate the associations between taste sensitivity, eating behaviour, food frequency and BMI (Body Mass Index) in preadolescents.

Methods

Preadolescents' taste sensitivity was measured by detection threshold of sweetness (sucrose), sourness (citric acid), saltiness (sodium chloride), bitterness (caffeine, quinine), and umami (monosodium glutamate). In addition, the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), the Food Propensity Questionnaire (FPQ) measuring food frequency, and the children's body weight and height were completed by the parents. A total of 69 child-parent dyads participated (preadolescents mean age =10.9 years).

Results

Taste sensitivity to caffeine bitterness was significantly associated with eating behaviour in food responsiveness, emotional overeating, and desire to drink. The preadolescents who were less sensitive to caffeine bitterness had higher food responsiveness scores. Those who were less sensitive to caffeine bitterness and to sweetness had higher emotional overeating scores. In addition, preadolescents who were less sensitive to sourness and bitterness of both caffeine and quinine demonstrated to have higher scores in desire to drink. There was no association between taste sensitivity and FPQ, but significant differences were observed across preadolescents' BMI for FPQ of dairy food items, indicating higher consumption of low-fat milk in the overweight/obese compared to the underweight/normal-weight subjects. There was no significant difference in taste sensitivity according to BMI. Preadolescents' eating behaviour differed across BMI, demonstrating a positive association between BMI and food approach, and a negative association between BMI and food avoidance.

Conclusions

This study contributes to the preliminary understanding of the relationships between taste sensitivity and eating behaviour in preadolescents. The results may be used to develop effective strategies to promote healthy eating practices by considering taste sensitivity in preadolescents.

Do Individual Characteristics and Social Support Increase Children's Use of an MHealth Intervention? Findings from the Evaluation of a Behavior Change MHealth App, Aim2Be

Purpose: Mobile health (mHealth) apps may support improved health behavior practice among youth living in larger bodies. However, long-term use is low, limiting effectiveness. This study evaluated whether youths' motivation, satisfaction, engagement with social features, or parent co-participation supported long-term use of an app named Aim2Be. Methods: A secondary analysis of two versions of Aim2Be (preteen and teen versions) using covariate-adjusted multivariable regression was conducted. We evaluated associations between social support features (a virtual coach, a social poll, or a social wall), parent co-participation (time spent in the parent app), and app satisfaction on use (time spent in Aim2Be). Models were stratified by age and satisfaction was explored as a moderator. Results: Preteens (n = 83) engagement with the social poll (β = 0.26, p < 0.001), virtual health coach (β = 0.24, p = 0.01), app satisfaction (β = 0.31, p = 0.01), and parent co-participation (β = 0.24, p = 0.01) predicted use. In teens (n = 90), engagement with the virtual coach (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and full utilization of social wall features (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) predicted use. Furthermore, satisfaction moderated the effects of partial utilization of the social wall among teens (β = 0.32 p = 0.02). Conclusion: Social support in mHealth apps may impact users differently depending on age. Features that include health professionals or peers may be more advantageous across ages. App developers should consider age when designing interventions. Clinical Trial Registration NCT03651284.

Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors, Adverse Experiences, and Self-reported Hunger: Analysis of 10 States from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys

We examined associations between adolescent self-reported hunger, health risk behaviors, and adverse experiences during the 2018-2019 school year. Youth Risk Behavior Survey data were pooled from 10 states. Prevalence ratios were calculated, and we assessed effect measure modification by sex. The prevalence of self-reported hunger was 13%. Self-reported hunger was associated with a higher prevalence of every health risk behavior/adverse experience analyzed, even after adjusting for sex, grade, and race/ethnicity. Sex did not modify associations. Findings underscore needs for longitudinal research with more robust measures of adolescent food insecurity to clarify the temporality of relationships.

Interaction between Geographical Areas and Family Environment of Dietary Habits, Physical Activity, Nutritional Knowledge and Obesity of Adolescents

There are marked differences in the regional distribution of childhood obesity in Italy. This study sought to investigate the interaction between geographical areas and family environment of dietary habits, physical activity, nutritional knowledge and obesity of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 426 school-aged children and 298 parents residing in Central Italy (Florence, Tuscany) and Southern Italy (Corigliano, Calabria), in 2021. Survey questionnaire investigated anthropometry, eating behavior, nutritional knowledge and physical activity. BMI was determined and compared with reference percentile charts for adolescents. Multivariate regression analyses showed that: (1) an adolescent's BMI was directly influenced by their parents' BMI independently of parental nutritional knowledge and dietary or physical activity habits; (2) parents transmitted eating or physical activity habits to their children; (3) the geographic region of residence is not in itself an independent determinant of children's BMI. The clear message is that prevention of childhood obesity should consider family-based approaches. Parental obesity can be the point of convergence of the complex interactions between a parent's and child's habits and should be one of the most important factors to look for.

A cross-sectional exploratory study of food literacy among Saudi parents of adolescent children aged 10 to 19 years

Introduction

Parental food literacy is fundamental in laying a solid foundation for healthy eating among their children. This study aimed to (1) evaluate the current state of food literacy among Saudi parents of 10-19 years old adolescent children, and (2) determine the correlates associated with parental food literacy.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2022, with a convenience sample of 1845 Saudi parents (mean age = 45.1 ± 11; mothers: 56%). A Short Food Literacy Questionnaire (SFLQ) was used to meet the study aims.

Results

Findings showed that around 46% of parents had poor food literacy. Fathers were 2.4 times more likely than mothers to be food illiterate (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.9-3.0, p < 0.001). Parents residing in Riyadh, Northern borders, Jawf, or Ha'il had a three times higher risk of being food illiterate than those residing in other provinces (OR = 3.2, CI = 2.6-3.9, p < 0.001). Parental overweight or obesity increased their risk of being food illiterate by 60% (OR = 1.6, CI = 1.3-2.1, p < 0.001). Healthy parents, in contrast to those having a chronic disease (s), had a 60% higher probability of food illiteracy (OR = 0.4, CI = 0.3-0.6, p < 0.001). Educated parents had a three times higher risk of being food illiterate (vs. uneducated parents, OR = 3.0, CI = 1.6-5.8, p = 0.001). Parents making less than 3000 Saudi Riyal (SR) per month (<798 USD/779 EUR) were 40% more likely to be food illiterate than those who reported 3000-25000 SR (798-6652 USD/779-6499 EUR) (OR = 0.6, CI = 0.4-0.9, p = 0.02), and 70% more likely to be food illiterate than those making more than 25000 SR (>6652 USD/6497 EUR) (OR = 0.3, CI = 0.2-0.6, p < 0.001). Parents who lived in crowded households were twice as likely to be food illiterate as those who did not (OR = 1.9, CI = 1.5-2.4, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The current study findings should be employed in future programming and policy-making approaches to reach Saudi parents for necessary food literacy interventions. These interventions could include bolstering their confidence while cooking, buying groceries, reading nutrition labels, and integrating them into nutrition education lessons with their children in school settings.

Parent and Adolescent Attitudes Toward a Virtual Nutrition Intervention for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

OBJECTIVES

This qualitative study examined acceptability, perceived benefits, and unintended consequences of a virtual implementation of an 8-week theory-driven nutrition intervention (BALANCE) for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

METHODS

Twenty-one parent interviews and six adolescent focus groups or interviews (n = 12; group size ranged 1-5) were conducted. Data were collected virtually via Microsoft Teams and analyzed for a priori and emergent themes.

RESULTS

The intervention was generally acceptable. Adolescents and parents reported that they were comfortable with the virtual format and the interactive group setting. Parents of adolescents 15 years and older emphasized the importance of autonomy/independence. Participants reported changes in adolescents' psychosocial determinants of dietary intake, including knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as diet changes (e.g., self-regulation).

CONCLUSIONS

The virtual implementation of BALANCE was acceptable according to adolescents with ASD and their parents based on their reported perceptions and feelings about the intervention. The findings suggest that many adolescents with ASD may benefit from virtual group interventions. Quantitative research is needed to examine behavioral outcomes of the BALANCE intervention.

Perceptions of healthy food, and perceived facilitators and barriers to buying and consuming healthy food, among female caregivers in Soweto, South Africa

Background. Obesity poses a continuous health challenge in South Africa and disproportionately affects black African households. To target obesity in these settings, it is crucial to have an in-depth understanding of food choices made by affected households. Objectives. To explore how healthy food is perceived by women living in Soweto, and the facilitators of and barriers to buying and consuming this food. Methods. This was a qualitative study that utilised semi-structured interviews. Ten participants were recruited using purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. The study took place in Soweto, South Africa, and was conducted from February to May 2019.Results. Six themes were developed from the data: perceptions of healthy food; protecting family members from unhealthy food; learning about healthy food; appreciation by the family; home-cooked food v. food bought on the street; and budgetary restrictions. The first three themes were grouped by the overarching theme ‘consciousness of healthfulness of food’, and the last three themes were grouped by the theme ‘influences of the family and environment on food choices’. Conclusions. A focus on the whole family’s dietary behaviours is recommended and, in future interventions, guidance communicated in intervention materials should be tailored to existing knowledge of healthy eating.

A prospective cohort study of the association between key family and individual factors and obesity status among youth

There remains a significant gap in our knowledge of the synergistic nature of family dynamics, child characteristics, and child-rearing features in the etiology of obesity from childhood through adolescence. We assessed the associations of family dynamics (poverty, family structure), child characteristics (child temperament), and child-rearing features (maternal depression, maternal sensitivity, and type of child care) with the development of childhood obesity. Children (n = 1240) whose weights and heights were measured at least once for ten time points (from 2 years through 15 years) from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were included. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine the associations of family and individual factors with the childhood obesity after adjusting for covariates. Adjusted GEE models showed that living below poverty level was associated with an increased odds of obesity (odds ratio = 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.05, 2.53). Among these key family and individual factors, poverty status was observed to be the strongest predictor of obesity of offspring across time. Findings highlight the importance of systemic-level public health changes in obesity reduction efforts and suggest that poverty-reduction based prevention and intervention are likely more effective targets than more individual/family specific targets.

A 3-Year Longitudinal Study of Effects of Parental Feeding Practices on Child Weight Status: The Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities

This study examined the longitudinal associations between parental feeding practices and child weight status, and their potential modification effects by child sex, age, and maternal and paternal educations among children. Data were collected from 2015 to 2017 of 2139 children aged 6−17 years and their parents in five Chinese mega-cities. Parental feeding practices were assessed using 11-items from Child Feeding Questionnaire. Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), and general and central obesity were measured and analyzed using a mixed-effects model. Three parental feeding patterns were identified by factor analysis including “concern”, “pressure to eat”, and “control”. Concern was associated with higher BMI z-score, WHtR (βs ranged from 0.01 to 0.16), and general obesity (ORs ranged from 1.29 to 6.41) among children aged ≤12 years and >12 years, regardless of child sex and parental educations. Pressure to eat was associated with lower BMI z-score (β = −0.08, p < 0.001), WHtR (β = −0.004, p < 0.01), and general (OR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.42, 0.66) and central obesity (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.58, 0.90) among children aged ≤12 years. Further analyses showed that significant associations were found for children with maternal or paternal education of college and above. Control was associated with increased risk of general and central obesity among children with maternal education of college and above, regardless of age. Our study indicates that higher concern and lower pressure to eat were associated with increased risk of obesity among children. Control was associated with increased risk of obesity among children with maternal education of college and above. Future childhood obesity preventions may optimize parental feeding practices.

Relationship between Family Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds, Parenting Practices and Styles, and Adolescent Eating Behaviors

Obesity is more prevalent among racial minority children in the United States, as compared to White children. Parenting practices can impact the development of children's eating behaviors and habits. In this study, we investigated the relationships among racial/ethnic backgrounds, parenting practices and styles, and eating behaviors in adolescents. Fifty-one parent-adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize parenting practices and styles, as well as the consumption of dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks. Height and weight were measured to calculate parent BMI and adolescent BMI-for-age percentiles. Three parenting practice categories-modeling, authoritative, and authoritarian-were found to be related to race/ethnicity. A higher score in authoritarian parenting practices was related to higher BMI percentiles among African American adolescents, whereas a higher score in monitoring practices was related to lower BMI percentiles among non-Hispanic White adolescents. Modeling, reasoning, and monitoring led to higher consumption of fruits and vegetables among adolescents; however, the consumption of unhealthy snacks was higher with rule-setting and lower with reasoning and authoritative practices. Finally, an analysis of the relationships between environmental factors and snack intake showed that adolescents consumed significantly more unhealthy snacks when performing other activities while eating. In conclusion, the findings from this study suggest that families' racial heritages are related to their parenting practices, BMI percentiles, and their adolescents' food consumption and eating behaviors. The results of this study can be used to develop and improve adolescent nutrition education and interventions with consideration of their racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Validity and Feasibility of the Monitoring and Modeling Family Eating Dynamics System to Automatically Detect In-field Family Eating Behavior: Observational Study

Background

The field of dietary assessment has a long history, marked by both controversies and advances. Emerging technologies may be a potential solution to address the limitations of self-report dietary assessment methods. The Monitoring and Modeling Family Eating Dynamics (M2FED) study uses wrist-worn smartwatches to automatically detect real-time eating activity in the field. The ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology was also used to confirm whether eating occurred (ie, ground truth) and to measure other contextual information, including positive and negative affect, hunger, satiety, mindful eating, and social context.

Objective

This study aims to report on participant compliance (feasibility) to the 2 distinct EMA protocols of the M2FED study (hourly time-triggered and eating event–triggered assessments) and on the performance (validity) of the smartwatch algorithm in automatically detecting eating events in a family-based study.

Methods

In all, 20 families (58 participants) participated in the 2-week, observational, M2FED study. All participants wore a smartwatch on their dominant hand and responded to time-triggered and eating event–triggered mobile questionnaires via EMA while at home. Compliance to EMA was calculated overall, for hourly time-triggered mobile questionnaires, and for eating event–triggered mobile questionnaires. The predictors of compliance were determined using a logistic regression model. The number of true and false positive eating events was calculated, as well as the precision of the smartwatch algorithm. The Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman rank correlation were used to determine whether there were differences in the detection of eating events by participant age, gender, family role, and height.

Results

The overall compliance rate across the 20 deployments was 89.26% (3723/4171) for all EMAs, 89.7% (3328/3710) for time-triggered EMAs, and 85.7% (395/461) for eating event–triggered EMAs. Time of day (afternoon odds ratio [OR] 0.60, 95% CI 0.42-0.85; evening OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.38-0.74) and whether other family members had also answered an EMA (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.66-2.58) were significant predictors of compliance to time-triggered EMAs. Weekend status (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.25-4.91) and deployment day (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.86-0.97) were significant predictors of compliance to eating event–triggered EMAs. Participants confirmed that 76.5% (302/395) of the detected events were true eating events (ie, true positives), and the precision was 0.77. The proportion of correctly detected eating events did not significantly differ by participant age, gender, family role, or height (P>.05).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that EMA is a feasible tool to collect ground-truth eating activity and thus evaluate the performance of wearable sensors in the field. The combination of a wrist-worn smartwatch to automatically detect eating and a mobile device to capture ground-truth eating activity offers key advantages for the user and makes mobile health technologies more accessible to nonengineering behavioral researchers.

Associations of infant appetitive traits during milk feeding stage with age at introduction to solids and sweet food/beverage intake

BACKGROUND

Suboptimal feeding behaviors during infancy, such as introducing solids prior to 4 months and providing foods containing added sugars, are associated with increased risk of later obesity. Although focus group studies suggest that infant appetitive traits during milk feeding stage may influence complementary feeding practices, quantitative evidence on this relationship is lacking.

METHODS

This study included women who were followed from first trimester to 1-year postpartum. At 6-months postpartum, mothers (n = 217) completed the Baby Eating Behavior Questionnaire which assesses infant appetitive traits during exclusive milk-feeding (food responsiveness, satiety responsiveness, slowness in eating, enjoyment of food and general appetite). Mothers reported infant dietary intake via a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered at 6, 9 and 12 months, from which age at introduction to solids and sweet foods/beverages, and 6- and 12-month sweet food/beverage intake frequency, were calculated. Linear regression analyses examined the relationship of appetitive traits with age at introduction to solids and sweet foods/beverages, and frequency of sweet food/beverage intake, whereas logistic regression examined associations of appetitive traits with odds of introduction to solids prior to 4 months.

RESULTS

Greater infant enjoyment of food was associated (B±SE = 0.45 ± 0.18, p = 0.01) with higher age at introduction to solids. Slowness in eating was inversely associated with 12-month sweet food/beverage intake frequency (B±SE = -0.25 ± 0.10, p = 0.01). Other associations of appetitive traits with age at introduction to solids and sweet food/beverage exposure were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings imply that lower infant enjoyment of food and greater speed of eating during the period of exclusive milk-feeding could be associated with suboptimal complementary feeding practices. Understanding how parents respond to infant appetitive traits may be important considerations in efforts to promote appropriate complementary feeding practices during infancy.

A randomized controlled trial of a community-based obesity intervention utilizing motivational interviewing and community resource mobilization for low-income families: Study protocol and baseline characteristics

Low-income, racially diverse families with one parent with obesity are at high risk for child obesity. Effective approaches to promote healthy behaviors and prevent additional weight gain in family members are needed. Motivational interviewing (MI) may assist families to engage, identify motivations for change and establish goals. However, families with limited resources face other barriers to goal achievement that may be addressed through connection with community organizations. This paper describes a unique protocol combining MI and community connection. This randomized controlled trial includes low-income families with one parent with obesity and at least one child aged 6 to 12 years. Families in the intervention group receive an innovative, 12-month intervention combining health coaching using MI to promote lifestyle behavior change goals and community resource mobilization to assist with basic needs and resources to aid goals. The study protocol is modeled on community-based participatory research principles. Data is collected at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months include questionnaires, body measurements, and accelerometer data. For adults, primary outcomes are Body Mass Index (BMI), minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and hours of sedentary time per day. For children, primary outcomes are sedentary time, MVPA, and the Family Nutrition and Physical Activity Score. From this hard-to-reach population, 236 diverse families were recruited. If the study is deemed effective, it has the potential to demonstrate that the combination of MI, resource mobilization, and utilization of existing community organizations is a sustainable model to assist families at risk for obesity.

Parenting Practices and Adolescents' Eating Behaviors in African American Families

Parents play an important role in developing the eating behaviors of their children by adopting specific parenting practices. As the prevalence of obesity is high amongst African American adolescents, investigations into associations of specific parenting practices and adolescents’ eating behaviors are essential. In this exploratory study, 14 African American parent–adolescent dyads were interviewed to characterize the influence of eight different parenting practices on the consumption of three main food categories (dairy, fruits and vegetables, and unhealthy snacks). The results revealed that authoritarian parenting practices were correlated with a higher BMI percentile in adolescents, whereas modeling and monitoring are correlated with a higher parent BMI. In addition, reasoning, monitoring, modeling, and authoritative parenting practices were associated with less unhealthy snack consumption among adolescents. Reasoning and monitoring were the only parenting practices associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption. Finally, a significant correlation was found between eating fruits and vegetables and unhealthy snacks and the location of eating. In conclusion, different parenting practices and environmental factors may impact BMI and food consumption of African American dyads. The results of this study can be used to guide improvement in, and/or development of, nutritional education interventions considering the cultural differences of racial minorities.

The association of food parenting practices with adolescents' dietary behaviors differ by youth gender, but not by parent gender

BACKGROUND

Parents affect their adolescents' dietary behaviors through food parenting practices both directly and indirectly through adolescents' cognitive factors (self-efficacy, intrinsic or extrinsic motivation). However, it is not known if mothers and fathers use of different food parenting practices similarly influences boys' and girls' dietary behaviors. This study investigated the direct and indirect associations between food parenting practices and adolescents' dietary behaviors (fruits/vegetables and sugar sweetened beverage (SSB)) and whether these associations differed by adolescents' or parents' gender.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the 2014 Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study. A sample of 1633 American adolescent-parent dyads (73.7% mothers; 50.4% girls) completed the self-reported tools. Models were stratified by adolescents' gender and differences by parent gender were explored as a moderator.

RESULTS

Differences did not emerge based on gender of parents. However, associations between food parenting practices and adolescents' dietary behaviors differed by adolescents' gender. Direct associations between autonomy supportive food parenting practices and fruit/vegetable intake (β = 0.18, p < .05) and intrinsic motivations and SSB consumption (β = -0.13, p < .05) were detected only among boys. Direct associations, regardless of gender, were also found including structured food parenting practices and adolescent self-efficacy with their dietary behaviors; controlling food parenting practices with SSB intake; as well as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation with fruit/vegetable intake. Findings from the mediation analyses supported these trends with structured parenting practices displaying similar associations on boys' and girls' dietary behaviors were controlling and autonomy supportive parenting practices have significant indirect associations on boys' dietary behaviors through motivation pathways, but not girls.

CONCLUSION

Adolescent boys and girls appear to be affected differently by food parenting practices and accounting for these differences may contribute to more effective dietary interventions.

The Food and Health Environment in Junior Secondary Schools in Urban Burkina Faso: A Cross-Sectional Study of Administrators, Food Vendors and Early Adolescents

School enrolment rates have increased globally, making the school environment a unique setting to promote healthy nutrition and eating outcomes among early adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, we describe the food and health environment of junior secondary schools in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso, West Africa). We evaluated the food and health environment using three components: (1) the implementation of health-related policies or guidelines in the schools, (2) the provision of health, nutrition and water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) services in the schools, and (3) the quality of the school food environment, including foods sold by vendors. We used stratified random sampling to recruit 22 junior secondary schools from the five Ouagadougou districts in 2020. Trained fieldworkers collected standardized questionnaire data from 19 school administrators, 18 food vendors, and 1059 in-school adolescents. We report that only 7 out of 19 school administrators were aware of existing health-related policies and guidelines at their school and only 3 schools had a school health and nutrition curriculum in place. The overall provision of health, nutrition and WASH services was low or inadequate. Likely because of the lack of school canteens, 69% of the students bought snacks and unhealthy foods from food vendors. There is a critical need to improve the food and health environment of junior secondary schools in urban Burkina Faso.

Prevalence of pre-diabetes and risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Osogbo Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria

Background

Pre-diabetes is an emerging public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives

To estimate prevalence of pre-diabetes and assess its associated factors among adolescents. The risk factors were divided into individual, interpersonal and community factors, adapting socio-ecological model.

Methods

This study utilised a cross-sectional descriptive survey. The target population was secondary school adolescents of Osogbo Local Government. Questionnaire was used to interview 405 participants through multi-stage sampling. Prediabetes was measure through fasting blood glucose.

Results

Findings revealed prevalence rate of 9.4%. Individual factors identified to be significant include age, religion and family history. Further analysis showed adolescents with normal BMI and high BP are likely to develop pre-diabetes when compared to those with underweight and normal BP respectively. Among interpersonal factors, parents' dietary habit was significant. Also, adolescents with employed parents were likely to develop pre-diabetes compared to those with unemployed parents. Lastly, availability of healthy food in school was the only statistically significant community factor. Hence, the more availability of food, fruits and vegetables in schools, the less likelihood of developing prediabetes.

Conclusion

These findings affirmed that prediabetes is becoming common problem among Nigerian adolescents. There is therefore need for stakeholders to face this challenge before it becomes endemic.

Dietary Intake and Daily Distribution of Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat in Youth Tennis Players over a 7-Day Training and Competition Period

During a 7-day training and/or competition period, macronutrient intake and distribution was assessed using food diaries, supported by remote food photography and 24-hr multiple pass recalls of youth tennis players categorised by under 12s, under 14s and under 16+ age groups (n = 27). Total energy did not differ between age groups nor type of day (training [TD], competition day [CD]), irrespective of a significant increase in body mass reported in the older players (U16+; p < 0.05). Average intakes were consistently below 2250 kcal·day-1 (range 1965 ± 317-2232 ± 612 kcal·day-1). Carbohydrate consumption was below guidelines for all groups (≤6g·kg-1). Conversely, protein intake met or exceeded guidelines throughout, with intakes ≥2 g·kg-1 for both the U12 and U14 age groups on both days. Protein intake was ~17% higher on TDs than CDs (p < 0.05), with protein intake at lunch significantly higher on TDs than CDs (p < 0.05). No further differences were observed between breakfast, lunch or dinner between group or day. Inconsistent snacking was reported, with players consuming snacks on less than half of the days reported (46 ± 12% of TDs and 43 ± 30% of CDs). In conclusion, youth tennis players present sub-optimal nutrition practices, appearing to under fuel and under consume carbohydrate for performance, adaptation, recovery and health.

Gender plays a role in adolescents' dietary behaviors as they transition to secondary school

Little research explores how changes in adolescents' peer, family and school environments may influence dietary behaviors during the shift from elementary school to secondary school and whether boys and girls experience these changes in similar ways. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model and Ridgeway's gendered framework, thematic analysis of twenty-seven semi-structured interviews with parent-adolescent dyads reveals that changes in adolescents' peer, family and school environments affect dietary behaviors following the transition in gendered ways. Within the peer context, food facilitates friendships among girls. Girls use food to forge intimate relationships with their peers whereas boys do not report relying on their peers to influence their dietary choices. In the family environment, gender-based body ideals (i.e., being strong and fit for boys versus being thin for girls) become more apparent and influential over adolescents' dietary behaviors. In some families, parents oppose gender-based body ideals (i.e., food restriction among girls) whereas in others, parents' expectations around food become supportive of gendered norms (i.e., encouraging food consumption among boys to gain muscle or acquiring food literacy skills among girls). Within the school context, socializing emerges as a key priority above eating at lunchtime, but boys and girls engage in this socialization differently. Girls use their lunch hour to socialize with peers through sedentary activities whereas boys socialize through team sports. In summary, gender plays a role in how changes in the peer, family and school environments influence boys' and girls' dietary behaviors as they transition into secondary school. Future public health interventions should consider using a targeted gender approach to encourage adolescents to make healthier food choices.

Correlates of food intake and mealtime behaviors among Kuwaiti adolescents

OBJECTIVES

Eating meals with the family improves the food choices of adolescents. Studies conducted on Kuwaiti adolescents have reported suboptimal dietary intake; however, it is unclear what meal-related behaviors and family dynamics influence dietary choices in young Kuwaiti adolescents. This study explored the food intake and meal-related behaviors of young adolescents in relation to their mother's educational level, parental employment, and family size and to identify meal-related behaviors associated with poor dietary choices.

CONTENT

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a modified and validated version of the International Health Behavior in School Children questionnaire recruiting 774 adolescents aged 14-16 years from all six governorates of Kuwait.

SUMMARY

A higher level of the mother's education was associated with higher odds of eating fruits and breakfast. A stay-at-home mother was associated with higher odds of consuming milk and home-made desserts. Larger family size was associated with higher odds of eating fruits, and a higher frequency of family meals was associated with higher odds of consuming vegetables and whole grain bread. All unhealthy snacks, including sweets, potato chips, french fries, home-made desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages, were associated with higher odds of watching TV during mealtime.

OUTLOOK

A higher level of mother's education level, large family size, and family meals encouraged consuming fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, milk, and breakfast, but consuming empty calorie snacks is very common. Family involvement in developing healthy meal-related behaviors is imperative for shaping healthy eating habits of adolescents.

Health behaviors of German university freshmen during COVID-19 in association with health behaviors of close social ties, living arrangement, and time spent with peers

Objective

The start of university is a critical period for health risk behavior (i.e. eating, physical activity, alcohol use) which can be influenced by expectations and by environmental factors such as living arrangement, health behaviors of close social ties (i.e. parents, partners, peers), and time spent with peers. We investigated associations between environmental factors and current/expected health behaviors of German freshmen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A cross-sectional survey design was used. A total of N = 208 students (82.7% female; M age = 20.90, SD = 4.10) completed an online questionnaire assessing health behaviors and environmental factors at the beginning of their first semester.

Results

Current and expected physical activity was associated to that of all social ties, current and expected alcohol use to partner's and peers' alcohol use, while current and expected eating was only associated to peers' eating. The relationship between partner's or peers' and participant's alcohol use was moderated by coresidence, with a greater probability of engaging in these behaviors observed in case of coresidence. Perceived peer encouragement for alcohol consumption moderated the relationship between peer alcohol use and the number of drinks consumed by participants per month. Participants who spend more time with peers were more likely to consume higher amounts of alcohol. No differences were found regarding present and expected behaviors of participants who moved out of their parents' home and those who did not.

Conclusion

Partners and peers significantly influence students' health behaviors, particularly alcohol use. Interventions to prevent health risk behaviors among freshmen should therefore address these social ties' influence.

Personal, proxy, and collective food agency among early adolescents

Early adolescence is a critical time for health behavior development because agency increases during the transition from childhood to adolescence. This qualitative study sought to identify how early adolescent participants described food-related agency. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 30 early adolescents (10-13 years). Data analysis was guided by Bandura's three modes of agency: personal, proxy, and collective. Results suggest participants' food behaviors were informed by a growing knowledge about nutrition, household food rules, and school food environments. Participants described different modes of agency in four areas - grocery shopping, cooking, consumption decisions, and nutrition information seeking - with varying degrees of agency in each area. Understanding how each of the three modes operate and the interplay between them can information future research aimed at improving the nutrition behaviors of early adolescents.

Examining the Correlates of Adolescent Food and Nutrition Knowledge

Food literacy is a set of skills and knowledge that are integral to diet. It is common among teenagers to not have basic food literacy skills needed to consume a healthy diet. This study examined: (1) the current state of food and nutrition knowledge among adolescents 13–19 years of age in the census metropolitan area of London, ON, Canada; and (2) correlates of food knowledge and nutrition knowledge among adolescents. Data for this study were drawn from baseline youth and parent survey data collected from a larger population health intervention study. Statistical analysis of the survey data indicates that higher parental education and higher median neighbourhood family income, the use of mobile health applications, liking to cook, as well as confidence in reading and understanding food labels were all consistently associated with increased food and nutrition knowledge. Findings may help guide future research towards optimal methods for delivering food literacy interventions to effectively educate teenagers. Results of this study may help guide policy makers, researchers, and public health professionals in developing appropriate food and nutrition programs and curriculums to combat the decline in food literacy skills.

'Now she prefers jeans, like everyone else…' - Parents' experiences of group- and web-based treatment of children's obesity

AIM

Web-based interventions have shown promising results in paediatric obesity treatment with the potential to increase coverage of care. This study aimed to explore parental experiences about participating in an intervention to improve healthy behaviours and lower BMI-SDS in children with obesity.

METHODS

This was an interview study with an inductive qualitative approach. Data were collected from individual interviews with 14 parents of 5- to 13-year-old children with obesity. The respondents had participated in a family-based treatment intervention consisting of four group sessions followed by 12-week web-based support. The interviews were analysed using qualitative manifest and latent content.

RESULTS

The overarching theme 'A transformative journey of lifestyle changes for the whole family' described how the participation impacted the lifestyle of the whole family. Four categories: parental awareness, introducing new routines, negotiating family battles and a feeling of support, represented various experiences made by respondents. The parents shared predominantly positive experiences of the intervention but also expressed feelings of guilt and struggled to address their child's obesity.

CONCLUSION

Parents who participated in a study for children with obesity with a web-based component found the programme helpful for achieving healthier lifestyles for the whole family.

Dutch Preadolescents' Food Consumption at School: Influence of Autonomy, Competence and Parenting Practices

Eating habits appear to become less healthy once children move into adolescence. Adolescence is characterized by increasing independence and autonomy. Still, parents continue influencing adolescents' eating habits. This cross-sectional study used a Self-Determination Theory perspective to examine how parents can support preadolescents' food-related autonomy and competence and how these factors are associated with healthy eating motivation and food consumption at school. In addition, the effect of relative healthy food availability at home on preadolescents' food consumption at school was explored. In total, 142 Dutch preadolescents (mean age 12.18) and 81 parents completed questionnaires. The results showed that preadolescents perceived themselves as having higher food-related autonomy and lower competence to eat healthily as compared to their parents' perceptions. A path analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized model. Although parental support was positively associated with food-related autonomy, higher food-related autonomy was related to less healthy food intake at school. On the other hand, competence to eat healthily indirectly affected preadolescents' healthy intake ratio through their healthy eating motivation. Finally, the relative availability of healthy options at home was positively associated with preadolescents' healthy intake ratio outside the home. Findings from the study advance the understanding of individual and environmental factors that influence eating habits during the key life period of early adolescence. The results may inform interventions aiming to guide preadolescents to make healthy food choices on their own.

Validity of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire for adolescents treated in a weight management clinic

BACKGROUND

The Child and Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaires (CEBQ, AEBQ) are established measures of eating behaviors. However, no similar measure is available for adolescents. Prior research has validated the AEBQ in adult samples, and one study has explored using the measure with adolescents. However, no studies to date have examined the validity of the AEBQ in adolescent clinical populations. Furthermore, no studies have examined associations between the AEBQ and indicators of health status in adolescents.

METHODS

A total of 280 adolescents (12-17 years old, 60% female) seen in a pediatric weight management clinic completed the AEBQ at intake. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with AEBQ items to evaluate the model fit of one-, two-, seven-, and eight-factor structures. Intercorrelations between scale scores from AEBQ Food Approach and Food Avoidance domains were calculated. Associations of AEBQ scales with body mass index (BMI) and binge-eating behaviors were examined using Spearman Rho correlations and independent t-tests.

RESULTS

CFAs revealed that the best fitting model was a seven-factor structure excluding the Hunger scale, although overall model fit was only marginally acceptable (X² = 980.94, CFI = 0.925, TLI = 0.915, RMSEA = 0.074). Intercorrelation analyses indicated that all Food Approach scales were significantly associated with one another (r = 0.243-0.654); Food Avoidance scales were inconsistently correlated (r = 0.034-0.439). No AEBQ scales were correlated with BMI (r = -0.101-0.082). Stronger links were found with binge eating; higher frequency binge-related behaviors were associated with higher Food Approach scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The seven-factor structure of AEBQ demonstrates a marginally acceptable fit for treatment-seeking adolescents with obesity. The Food Approach scales demonstrated more convergent validity than the Food Avoidance scales. The Food Approach scales also exhibited some clinical utility for identifying patients with increased risk for binge eating, which is a common target for behavioral intervention. Implications for maximizing the AEBQ's potential for assessing eating behaviors in adolescents with obesity are discussed.

Appetitive Traits in a Population-Based Study of Polish Adolescents within the PLACE-19 Study: Validation of the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire

Appetitive traits of food approach or food avoidance are commonly measured using the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ). However, there is no Polish version of the AEBQ validated for adolescents, and to the best of our knowledge, no study completed with the Polish version of the AEBQ has been published thus far. The present study aimed to validate the AEBQ in a population-based sample of Polish secondary school students and to assess differences in appetitive traits between boys and girls within the Polish Adolescents' COVID-19 Experience (PLACE-19) Study. The PLACE-19 Study was conducted in a group of 2448 adolescents recruited in May 2020 through the random quota sampling of secondary schools. The AEBQ was used to assess food approach subscales (Food Responsiveness, Emotional Over-Eating, and Enjoyment of Food) and food avoidance subscales (Satiety Responsiveness, Emotional Under-Eating, Food Fussiness, and Slowness in Eating). To validate the questionnaire, the standardized factor loadings within confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with weighted least squares (WLS) were analyzed, and invariance was verified. The CFA presented good model fit, with χ² = 4826.105 (degrees of freedom (df) = 384), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.069 (90% confidence interval (CI): 0.067, 0.070), comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.90, and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.08. The results revealed that, compared to the configural invariance model, the metric invariance model did not result in significantly decreased model fit, with ΔCFI = -0.002 and ΔRMSEA = -0.001, which were lower than the recommended cutoffs of 0.010 and 0.015, respectively. The scalar invariance model also did not result in significantly decreased fit of the model over the metric invariance model, with ΔCFI = -0.005 and ΔRMSEA = 0.000. Girls reported higher levels of Food Responsiveness (p < 0.0001), Emotional Over-Eating (p < 0.0001), Satiety Responsiveness (p < 0.0001), Emotional Under-Eating (p < 0.0001), and Slowness in Eating than boys (p < 0.0001), and the total AEBQ scores of girls were also higher (p < 0.0001). Positive inter-correlations were observed between all food approach subscales, as well as between Emotional Under-Eating and all food approach subscales for girls, boys, and the total sample; positive inter-correlations were also observed between the majority of food avoidance subscales. The present study confirmed the validity of the AEBQ in the studied population, and supported the associations between appetitive traits assessed using the AEBQ; it also indicated higher scores of both food approach and food avoidance subscales in girls than in boys in a population-based sample of Polish secondary school students.

Influences of psychosocial factors and home food availability on healthy meal preparation

The involvement of children in healthy meal preparation activities has emerged as a potential strategy to promote healthy eating behaviour among children. However, there is a lack of understanding of children's internal (psychosocial factors) and external factors (home food availability) that may support the practice of preparing healthy meals. This study aimed to determine children's psychosocial factors of healthy meal preparation within themselves and their external environment of home food availability as predictors for the practice of healthy meal preparation. Public schools (n = 8) from all three zones (Bangsar-Pudu, Keramat and Sentul) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were selected through stratified random sampling. Two hundred children aged 9-11 and their parents participated. Children's psychosocial factors towards healthy meal preparation and their home food availability were assessed through children and parents, respectively, using validated questionnaires. Majority of the schoolchildren (86.5%) had poor practice of healthy meal preparation. Increased attitude (r = 0.344, P < 0.001) and self-efficacy (r = 0.501, P < 0.001) of healthy meal preparation and the availability of fruits (r = 0.304, P < 0.001), vegetables (r = 0.243, P < 0.001) and healthful ready-to-eat foods (r = 0.227, P = 0.001) at home were positively correlated with the practice of preparing healthy meals. After adjusting for age, sex and monthly household income, increased self-efficacy (P < 0.001), availability of fruits (P = 0.01) and lower availability of less healthful ready-to-eat food (P = 0.01) were associated with better healthy meal preparation practices. Outcomes revealed that positive self-efficacy of healthy meal preparation, home food availability of fruits and less healthful alternatives were associated with the practice of healthy meal preparation and thus should be targeted in future health-promotion strategy.

Childhood emotional and behavioral characteristics are associated with soda intake: A prospective study in Mexico City

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether childhood emotional and behavioral characteristics are associated with soda intake.

METHODS

The study population included 391 Mexico City adolescents enrolled in a birth cohort study. When children were between 6 and 12 years of age, the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC)-2 was administered. Nondiet soda intake was measured concurrently and again when participants were of peripubertal ages via food frequency questionnaire. Linear regression models were run with soda mL/day (cross-sectional and change in soda over time) as the outcome and BASC composite scores as predictors (in separate models), adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

At baseline, children were 8.3 (SD 1.3) years (49% males). Three scales out of 18 examined had statistically significant associations. Parent-reported adaptive skills were inversely associated with concurrent soda intake (β = -2.29 with 95% CI -4.27 to -0.31). Parent-reported internalizing problems (higher = more problems) were related to higher change in soda intake from childhood to adolescence (β = 5.83 with 95% CI 0.98-10.68; N = 191). Self-reported school problems were associated with a higher change in soda intake over time (β = 9.46 with 95% CI 2.10-16.82; N = 122).

CONCLUSIONS

Parent- and self-reported emotional and behavioral difficulties in childhood were associated with soda consumption and changes in soda consumption over time.

Early adolescent food routines: A photo-elicitation study

Early adolescence (ages 10-14) encompasses a critical transition period in which food and nutrition decisions are shifting in important ways. Food routines are food-based activities that repeat across days, weeks, seasons, or lives. Examining routines can provide insight into how individuals are influenced in food choices. The objective of this study was to describe current influences on and experiences with food routines during early adolescence. In-depth interviews, using a photo-elicitation approach, were conducted with 30 participants (16 females; 14 males) in the United States. Participants took photos that were then used during the interview to describe food-related decisions and influences. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was guided by a grounded theory approach to identify emergent themes related to routines and resulted in the development of a conceptual model for early adolescent food routines. Participants identified a wide range of routines and three main themes emerged: family, settings, and meals/foods consumed. Some had highly established routines throughout the week, while others described routines only for certain meals or days. Several participants described increased control or the ability to modify routines around some eating episodes such as snacks, lunches, and weekend breakfasts. Findings revealed how participants viewed eating routines and provided information about food-and nutrition-related behaviors that can inform future research and practice. Early adolescents appear to have complex food routines influenced by structures and different amounts of control.

Raising Well at Home: a pre-post feasibility study of a lifestyle intervention for caregivers and their child with obesity

Background

Few efficacious pediatric obesity interventions have been successfully translated and sustained in real-world practice, often due to inadequate fit with the priorities of under-resourced populations. Lifestyle interventions, which incorporate tailoring of essential weight loss ingredients and adaptation of mode and intensity to the living circumstances of children with obesity, are needed. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of a tailored lifestyle intervention for caregivers and their children with obesity, conducted in partnership with Envolve, Inc., a family of comprehensive health solutions and wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation.

Methods

This 6-month pilot study employed a pretest-posttest design to assess the impact of a tailored lifestyle intervention delivered by peer coaches on (a) caregiver and child weight impacted by changes in dietary intake, walking, and screen time; (b) changes in the home environment; and (c) caregiver engagement and satisfaction. The intervention was delivered via 3 core home visits every 4-6 weeks, with additional support via text.

Results

The majority of caregivers were female (95.2%) and Black (73.7%). Children had median age of 11.1 years and majority were female (57.6%), with a median BMI near the 99th percentile (Mdn 98.8, IQR 3.5) or 118.3% (IQR 35.8) of the 95th percentile for their sex and age. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the program (mean range 96.7-100.0% agreement on satisfaction items). From baseline to post, caregivers' BMI decreased by 1.8% (p = 0.016, r = 0.22), while children's BMI percentile z-score decreased significantly (p = 0.023, r = 0.18) and BMI percent of the 95th percentile remained constant (p = 0.05, r = 0.15). Caregivers and children decreased sugar-sweetened beverage intake (p = 0.026, r = 0.22; p = 0.006, r = 0.23, respectively), reduced presence of soda in the home (p = 0.002, g = 0.43), and decreased screen time (p = 0.046, g = 0.22). Other eating and walking behaviors remained stable for caregivers and child.

Conclusion

The Raising Well at Home pilot demonstrated that tailored lifestyle interventions, delivered by peer coaches in the home and via text, are feasible and can improve weight, eating, and environmental measures of caregivers and children with obesity. Future work should determine the effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability of this intervention in sites located across the country.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04224623). Registered 9 January 2020-retrospectively registered.

Contribution of Home and School Environment in Children's Food Choice and Overweight/Obesity Prevalence in African Context: Evidence for Creating Enabling Healthful Food Environment

This review aimed primarily to investigate the current trends of overweight and obesity in school children in the African context, secondly to explore the contribution of home and school environments on the children’s food choices and lastly suggesting measures for creating a healthier food environment. Despite the increase in overweight and obesity among school children, empirical evidence on their determinants in the African context is scarce, thus calls for consideration of home and school environments. A literature search was conducted between October and December 2018 using Medline (PubMed), Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, manual search and “grey” literature. This review included articles published between the 1st January 2008 and 30th June 2018. Out of 343 articles, 49 were included for the full text reading after meeting the inclusion criteria. Five reports from grey literature were also included. Results show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children in Africa is increasing and ranges from <5% to >40% in the 10-year period in which the review was taken. High socio-economic status, urban residence and female gender predicted higher prevalence of overweight/obesity. Few reviewed articles on the contribution of home and school environments on children’s food choices showed a shred of evidence, thus calls for further research to address this gap. This review found an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in school children in Africa. Therefore, further investigation of home and school environment is imperative to curb the increase in the magnitude of overweight and obesity.

Prevention of adolescent obesity: The global picture and an indian perspective

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Adolescent obesity is an increasing health burden with a growing prevalence in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this review is to assess and compare current best practice obesity prevention interventions for adolescents in developed nations and in India METHODS: Medline (PubMed), CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar electronic databases from 2000 to 2020 were searched using the key terms obesity, overweight, child and adolescent obesity, child and adolescent overweight, interventions for childhood and adolescent obesity and dietary interventions for adolescents, developed countries, and India.

RESULTS

Developed nations worldwide have formed and implemented policies and programs at national and local levels to attempt to minimize and manage adolescent obesity. In 2019, scientific and government consultation groups in India have recommended national cross-sectoral structures to action interventions to restrict high-fat food intake, increase physical activity in children and adolescents and to link current research and school-based interventions in a national framework.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity is a multifactorial problem, and multimodal interventions involving all Indian stakeholders, combined with government policy reform, are urgently needed.

Family function and eating behaviours among Hispanic/Latino youth: results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth)

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate mechanisms across family function, home environment and eating behaviours within sociocultural context among Hispanic youth.

DESIGN

Two models tested via path analysis (youth fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption; empty energy consumption) using data from the Study of Latino Youth (2011-2013).

SETTING

Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Bronx, NY; San Diego, CA.

PARTICIPANTS

Youth (8-16-year-olds), n 1466.

RESULTS

Youth ate 2·4 servings of FV per d and received 27 % of total energy from empty energies. Perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via a pathway of low family function and family support for FV (β = -0·013, P < 0·001) and via lower family closeness and family support (β = -0·004, P = 0·004). Being >12-year-olds was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via lower family closeness and family support (β = -0·006, P < 0·001). Household food security was indirectly associated with greater FV consumption via family closeness and family support (β = 0·005, P = 0·003). In contrast, perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with higher empty energy consumption (via family closeness and family support: β = 0·003, P = 0·028 and via low family function and low family support: β = 0·008, P = 0·05). Being older was associated with higher consumption of empty energies via family closeness (related to family support: β = 0·04, P = 0·016; parenting strategies for eating: β = 0·002, P = 0·049).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest pathways of influence across demographic and sociocultural context, family dynamics and home environment. The directionality of these associations needs confirmation using longitudinal data.

Study protocol of the Health4Life initiative: a cluster randomised controlled trial of an eHealth school-based program targeting multiple lifestyle risk behaviours among young Australians

INTRODUCTION

Lifestyle risk behaviours, including alcohol use, smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, poor sleep (duration and/or quality) and sedentary recreational screen time ('the Big 6'), are strong determinants of chronic disease. These behaviours often emerge during adolescence and co-occur. School-based interventions have the potential to address risk factors prior to the onset of disease, yet few eHealth school-based interventions target multiple behaviours concurrently. This paper describes the protocol of the Health4Life Initiative, an eHealth school-based intervention that concurrently addresses the Big 6 risk behaviours among secondary school students.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A multisite cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted among year 7 students (11-13 years old) from 72 Australian schools. Stratified block randomisation will be used to assign schools to either the Health4Life intervention or an active control (health education as usual). Health4Life consists of (1) six web-based cartoon modules and accompanying activities delivered during health education (once per week for 6 weeks), and a smartphone application (universal prevention), and (2) additional app content, for students engaging in two or more risk behaviours when they are in years 8 and 9 (selective prevention). Students will complete online self-report questionnaires at baseline, post intervention, and 12, 24 and 36 months after baseline. Primary outcomes are consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sleep duration, sedentary recreational screen time and uptake of alcohol and tobacco use.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the University of Sydney (2018/882), NSW Department of Education (SERAP no. 2019006), University of Queensland (2019000037), Curtin University (HRE2019-0083) and relevant Catholic school committees. Results will be presented to schools and findings disseminated via peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. This will be the first evaluation of an eHealth intervention, spanning both universal and selective prevention, to simultaneously target six key lifestyle risk factors among adolescents.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619000431123), 18 March 2019.

On computing critical factors based healthy behavior index for behavior assessment

OBJECTIVE

Ubiquitous computing has supported personalized health through a vast variety of wellness and healthcare self-quantification applications over the last decade. These applications provide insights for daily life activities but unable to portray the comprehensive impact of personal habits on human health. Therefore, in order to facilitate the individuals, we have correlated the lifestyle habits in an appropriate proportion to determine the overall impact of influenced behavior on the well-being of humans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To study the combined impact of personal behaviors, we have proposed a methodology to derive the comprehensive Healthy Behavior Index (HBI) consisting of two major processes: (1) Behaviors' Weight-age Identification (BWI), and (2) Healthy Behavior Quantification and Index (HBQI) modeling. The BWI process identifies the high ranked contributing behaviors through life-expectancy based weight-age, whereas HBQI derives a mathematical model based on quantification and indexing of behavior using wellness guidelines.

RESULTS

The contributing behaviors are identified through text mining technique and verified by seven experts with a Kappa agreement level of 0.379. A real-world user-centric statistical evaluation is applied through User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) method to evaluate the impact of HBI service. This HBI service is developed for the Mining Minds, a wellness management application. This study involves 103 registered participants (curious about the chronic disease) for a Korean wellness management organization. They used the HBI service over 12 weeks, the results for which were evaluated through UEQ and user feedback. The service reliability for the Cronbach's alpha coefficient greater than 0.7 was achieved using HBI service whereas the stimulation coefficient of the value 0.86 revealed significant effect. We observed an overall novelty of the value 0.88 showing the potential interest of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive HBI has demonstrated positive user experience concerning the stimulation for adapting the healthy behaviors. The HBI service is designed independently to work as a service, so any other wellness management service-enabled platform can consume it to evaluate the healthy behavior index of the person for recommendation generation, behavior indication, and behavior adaptation.

Differing views regarding diet and physical activity: adolescents versus parents' perspectives

Background

Today, approximately one in five United States adolescents age 12 to 19 years is obese and just over a third are either overweight or obese. This study examines how parents and peers influence diet and physical activity behaviors of older adolescents (14–18 years) with overweight or obesity to inform weight management interventions.

Methods

Adolescent participants included 14 to 18-year-olds with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than the 85th percentile for their age and sex who were receiving care in a large healthcare system in Northern California. Adolescents and their parents participated in separate focus groups and interviews (if not able to attend focus groups) that were held at the same time in the same location. We used qualitative thematic analysis to identify common themes discussed in the adolescent and parent focus groups as well as paired analysis of adolescent-parent dyads.

Results

Participants included 26 adolescents and 27 parents. Adolescent participants were 14 to 18 years old. Half were female and the participants were almost evenly distributed across year in school. The majority self-identified as White (56%) and Asian (36%).Three themes were identified which included 1) parents overestimated how supportive they were compared to adolescents’ perception 2) parents and adolescents had different views regarding parental influence on adolescent diet and physical activity behaviors 3) parents and adolescents held similar views on peers’ influential role on lifestyle behaviors.

Conclusion

Parents’ and adolescents’ differing views suggest that alignment of parent and adolescent expectations and behaviors for supporting effective weight management could be incorporated into interventions.

Evening Meal Types and Family Meal Characteristics: Associations with Demographic Characteristics and Food Intake among Adolescents

Evening meal types and family meal characteristics among adolescents may vary by demographic characteristics and weight status and can negatively impact dietary intake. We used cross-sectional Family, Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating Study data from parent and adolescent dyads (12–17 years) to examine associations of adolescent evening meal types and family meal characteristics with adolescent and family demographic characteristics, weight status, and dietary intake. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations of evening meal types and family meal characteristics with daily intake frequency of foods of interest, adolescent demographic characteristics, SES indicators, and weight status. All evening meal types that were not cooked from scratch showed associations with higher daily intake frequencies of less healthy food groups (fast food, convenience foods, sugar-sweetened beverages). Fast food eaten at home and heat-and-serve/box evening meals were associated with lower daily intake frequency of fruits and vegetables. Weight status, race/ethnicity, and age accounted for differences in associations with agreement regarding family meal characteristics. Agreement with often watching TV while eating, often eating alone and the importance of eating together were associated with daily intake frequency of some food groups. Evening meal types focused on convenience and negative family meal characteristics may adversely influence dietary intake among adolescents.

Are our rural adolescents eating healthy?: Implications for redesigning school health interventions - A cross sectional study in rural Coimbatore

Background

Adolescence is a period of transition where independence in thinking and behavior is established and food choices that are made are followed for several years, and this can influence their health in adulthood. Hence, understanding the eating habits are necessary to plan effective nutritional interventions in adolescents.

Objectives

The main objective of the study is to find out the extent of malnutrition among rural adolescents as well as evaluate their eating habits against recommended dietary food groups and to compare eating habits across gender and age groups.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was done among 1425 adolescents from 13 rural schools from 2014 to 2015, and the variables considered in this study were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and the eating habits of the adolescents.

Results

Undernutrition was seen among 23% and overweight/obesity among 8% of adolescents. The habit of taking milk and milk products, fruits, and green leafy vegetables were very poor among the adolescents. Significant association was found between eating habits and BMI. Furthermore, late adolescents had better eating habits, and significant gender difference was seen in certain eating habits.

Conclusions

The study shows that it is possible to understand the gaps in eating habits of adolescents, and this can be used to plan tailor-made nutritional interventions to adolescent groups as their eating habits are different and have long-term nutritional and health implications.