Food advertising aimed at children in America has been proven to directly impact food preferences, eating behavior and brand loyalty of youth (Story & French, 2004). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of television commercials that occurred during children's programming on the popular children's network Nickelodeon. This study examined the frequency, nutritional content and overall advertising techniques associated with food, beverage and restaurant commercials. It also assessed the degree to which children are being exposed to the promotion of unhealthy food, beverage restaurant commercials. This study examined commercials that aired on the Nickelodeon Network between Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15, 2008 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the Comcast Cable System in Stockton, California. The programming was recorded on a VHS tape and then later reviewed and analyzed. Each commercial was examined in the following areas: nutritional content; slogan; branded characters; premium; link to a movie and healthy message. This study demonstrated that 40.65% of the commercials airing between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the Nickelodeon television network are for food, beverage and/or restaurants. Twenty-six percent of food, beverage and restaurant commercials met or exceeded the daily recommended levels of fat, added sugars, and sodium, and fell short of providing essential nutrients as outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (United States Department of Agriculture, 2008). The results of this study indicate that a considerable amount of food commercials targeting children as consumers. Government regulation seems unlikely due to the First Amendment, rights to free speech. This study points to several suggestions for advertisers, advocates, Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) teachers and parents to address the issue of advertising to children. Some of the suggestions include stricter self-regulation, education and parental responsibility.

Various studies have been done to determine the prevalence of anemia in our country, but these studies don't reflect the true magnitude of this sickness, considered in Ecuador a problem of public health since these investigations correspond to urban sectors and margins and not to rural places where the care is very deficient and in certain cases useless, mainly because of the difficult access and the lack of economic resources of the government institutions. The current work was realized in coordination with the school of Nutrition and Dietetics and with the help of the Benson Agriculture and Food Institute was applied in rural communities of the Indigenous, "Mixed-Race" and African-American of Imbabura taking into account kids under the age of 5 as being a population group in constant risk of suffering specific deficiencies, such as Iron deficiency and its subsequent evolution towards Anemia. In this investigation we are going to find information about the prevalence of Anemia in the before mentioned groups of kids, their relationship with the deficiency of the consumption of Iron, influence of one of the most common sicknesses in these sectors as are Intestinal Parasitism. I am sure that the content will be of enormous interest to those that desire to know and better the critical situation of health and nutrition which unwinds this people, because of the provision of updated and truthful information will permit a better orientation of the different programs and projects that are implemented in these areas.

No description available.

The diets of 75 two year old children, participating in the Virginia Beach WIC Program, were evaluated twice. They were analyzed using a 24 hour dietary recall (WIC 329), and again using a computer program (Nutritionist I) for RDA. Diets were examined for the nutrients calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron found in the four food groups on the WIC 329. Each food group and corresponding nutrient was identified with varying degrees of success.The protein and calcium assessment were accurate. Under the conditions of this study, several recommendations can be made. The milk group heading could state that one cup of fluid milk provides 310 IU vitamin A. The vitamin A rich foods yield 6000 IU rather than 4000-5000 IU as indicated on the WIC 329. For vitamin C, only 3/4 serving is required to satisfy the RDA rather than the stated full serving. Iron values could be documented on the WIC 329 for the meat, vitamin A, vitamin C, and bread/cereal group. Iron fortified cereals, supplying at least 45% RDA, could be a separate subgroup to reflect the higher iron content. A truncated regression formula was developed to estimate nutritional status. A ceiling of 150% RDA was used to prevent skewing of nutrients. Use of the regression formula instead of the WIC 329 resulted in a 67% improvement of estimating nutritional status. / Master of Science

Introduction: This dissertation investigates the critical components of school-based food and nutrition education (SBFNE) programs aimed at enhancing their impact on students’ dietary behaviors. Over the past century, significant shifts in the food landscape have altered dietary habits, with a rise in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and a decline in fruit and vegetable intake, particularly among children. This trend underscores the importance of SBFNE programs, which, akin to STEAM subjects, are vital for public health. Schools, where children spend much of their time, are ideal settings for implementing comprehensive, research-based SBFNE programs to reconnect students with healthy food sources and promote better eating habits. Research Questions: This three-paper dissertation addresses several key research questions: 1. What educational and programmatic components contribute to effective SBFNE programs? 2. How can these components be synthesized into a comprehensive theoretical framework and practical program evaluation tool? 3. What insights and recommendations can be gathered from a formative evaluation of these tools? Chapter 2 (Article 1): Objective: Identify educational and programmatic components from the research literature that make SBFNE effective in fostering positive dietary behavior among K-12 students. Methodology: An umbrella review of peer-reviewed literature reviews and government reviews on the effectiveness of SBFNE. All included reviews were assessed for methodological quality. Data Analysis: For each included review, a list was made of the components that contribute to the effectiveness of SBFNE to change dietary behavior. These components were compared across reviews. A final list of components contributing to effectiveness of SBFBE was created with their prevalence in the included reviews indicating whether the impact on effectiveness of SBFNE was positive, mixed or not assessed. Key Findings: This umbrella review identified 20 critical components essential for effective SBFNE programs from 44 reviews, encompassing 1,115 unique primary studies conducted between 1900 and 2022. These components, such as cultural inclusivity and connections to school meals, were integrated into a structured theoretical framework based on the Socioecological Model (SEM) with the components mapped to the first four of six SEM levels: individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational. Conclusions: This study is the first to identify and map research-based critical components into an SEM framework, that influence behaviors and outcomes and can be used to further SBFNE research. Chapter 3 (Article 2): Objective: Develop and pilot test a SBFNE program evaluation tool derived from 20 critical components that were integrated into an SEM framework. Methodology: The tool, developed in Google Sheets, employed a 0-3 scoring system to evaluate the integration of each component with an accompanying detailed rating guide. The pilot test involved component ranking exercises, concept mapping, and curriculum lesson reviews with SBFNE program developers (n=3). Data Analysis: Insights from the pilot test led to significant refinements in the tool and data collection protocol. Key Findings: Participants found the ranking exercise uncomfortable due to component interdependencies. They found the concept mapping exercise engaging and intuitive. The program developers found the curriculum review to be tedious and insufficient with only one lesson reviewed, but they thought this type of program review provided valuable guidance for revising and improving SBFNE programs. The interviews were long, usually more than two hours, and transcription was time-consuming. Conclusions: The pilot provided data to refine the program evaluation tool and to refine the data collection protocol for a formative evaluation of the program evaluation tool. Chapter 4 (Article 3): Objective: Conduct a formative, mixed-methods evaluation to refine the integrated SEM and program evaluation tool for SBFNE programs. Methodology: Recruited SBFNE program developers (n=9) who participated in an exercise to categorize 20 critical components for effectiveness of SBFNE, created a concept map on how the 20 components interact, underwent a program review in which programs were scored 0–3 for the 20 components, received recommendations for program improvement for components that scored less than a three, decided on which recommendations they would enact, and provided feedback on the experience. Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis identified patterns and insights from qualitative responses, leading to revisions in the evaluation tool and a new practice-based tool. Key Findings: For the categorization exercise there was a range of agreement between program developers and the literature on the critical nature of the SBFNE components, with each of the nine participants rating between four and 17 out of the 20 components as essential. The concept maps the program developers created represented the interconnectedness of the components and led to the development of a practice-based logic model. The program review process showed that programs can be scored on how they are using the components, recommendations can be made for components that did not score a three, and program developers can implement the recommendations. The feedback process indicated that program developers found the activities they did for this research useful for refining and improving their programs, to make them more effective at dietary behavior change. Conclusions: The program evaluation tool and new practice-based model showed promise to be used in future research on SBFNE. Conclusions: This dissertation establishes a robust foundation for SBFNE, integrating critical educational and programmatic components with innovative evaluation tools. The integrated SEM and practical program evaluation tools can improve the quality of SBFNE programs, which can help to foster positive dietary behavior change among K-12 students, addressing the rise in UPF consumption and decline in fruit and vegetable intake. This research lays the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at nurturing healthier, informed, and empowered generations.

Thesis (PhD (Food Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), especially the n-3 LCPUFA metabolic products eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play an important role as regulators in many biological processes. To date hake (Merluccius capensis) heads, a rich source of EPA and DHA, have been discarded at sea. The South African Fisheries Policy Development Committee concerned with the environmental impact of this practice has rendered it undesirable. The high prevalence of under-nutrition amongst children in South Africa can be addressed by the supplementation of their diet with this unexploited fish source. The aim of the current study was to develop a microbiologically safe and sensory acceptable sandwich spread using fish flour prepared from fish heads, as a prime ingredient. The intervention trial aimed to compare the effects of an increased dietary intake of n-3 LCPUFA, specifically DHA, on the blood fatty acid levels and absenteeism (as indicator of immune function), as well as the cognitive status, of the subjects. The microbiological content of the sandwich spread was determined after storage for 20 d at 5°C and 15 d at 25°C. Sensory evaluation was performed by consumers (n = 95; M:F = 44:51; 6 – 9 yr) to determine acceptance of the five different flavours individually incorporated into the sandwich spread to mask the fishy note and to provide different flavour options. For the intervention trial subjects (n = 351) were stratified within class group (A - E) and gender and randomly assigned to two treatment categories, an experimental group (EG; n = 174) receiving 25 g sandwich spread.d-1 (191.66 mg DHA. d-1) and a control group (CG; n = 177) receiving an analogous placebo. On school days (104 d), each subject received two sandwiches consisting of two slices of bread (ca. 60 g), spread with 25 g of either the placebo or the experimental spread. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and post intervention. Plasma fatty acid and red blood cell (RBC) membrane status, C-reactive protein levels, as well as vitamin and micronutrient status, were determined. Trained test administrators conducted a battery of cognitive tests. According to South African Government health standards, the sandwich spread remained microbiologically safe after storage. Male and female consumer respondents revealed a significant difference between gender preferences of the five different spread flavours (p <0.05). Significant treatment effects (p <0.05) were observed in n-3 LCPUFA status of the EG, as well as for their absenteeism from school. The two subtests of the Hopkins Verbal Learning test, Recognition and Discrimination Index, showed significant differences between the EG and CG (p <0.05) post intervention in the Grade 2 subjects. The Spelling tests also showed a significant difference between the two groups (p <0.05). In the current study a microbiologically safe and sensory acceptable sandwich spread was developed and tested during an intervention trial, and could possibly in future, provide a healthier option in the School Nutritional Programme. This study proved that supplementation of children (6 - 9 yr) with n-3 LCPUFA, with specific reference to EPA and DHA from a marine source, could have a beneficial effect on their fatty acid status and absenteeism from school. Based on the outcomes of the Hopkins Verbal Learning test and Spelling test, the current study proved that an n-3 fatty acid-rich spread improved the learning ability and memory of children.

Because children eat better when their parents use appropriate feeding practices, this study examined WIC participation and parental knowledge about child feeding practices. A Child Feeding Questionnaire was developed to evaluate parental knowledge about these feeding practices. The questions evaluated parents' knowledge about their responsibilities and the responsibilities of their children in feeding situations, the role of parental modeling when eating, appropriate snack habits, management of dislikes/picky eating, and the use of coercive feeding practices. The directors of four WIC clinics, with clients of differing sociodemographic status, agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire was tested with and revised following work with clients in two of the four WIC clinics. The questionnaire was then administered to 403 parents during WIC certification visits. Cronbach Alpha reliability measures indicated that the reliability of the instrument was low. Therefore, no real conclusions could be drawn from the results. However, the data analyses did suggest some possible findings that would need additional study to verify their existance. ANOVA measures indicated that increased length of WIC participation was not associated with an increase in the total number of correct responses. Parental responds suggested that the majority of respondents understood the responsibility of parents for deciding what foods to offer (88.3), and when to offer food (71.7 %), the importance of healthy snacks in the diet of children (79.4 %), the need to set a good parental example with eating (92.6 %), and the importance of exposing children to foods that the children dislike (80.1%). However, one-third of the parents did not agree or know that children should be resonsible for deciding how much to eat when foods are being offered. In addition, the majority of parents (68.7 %) indicated that it was acceptable to substitute a food for one that is disliked by children. With respect to the use of coercive feeding strategies to get children to eat, parental responses reflected that many parents (46.7 %) did not feel that the use of rewards to get children to eat was not advisable. Based on the researcher's professional knowledge that WIC staff generally provide only nutrition information related to immediate problems, it was recommended that WIC staff members who provide nutrition education might serve the participants better if the education that they provided was directed at broader nutrition issues that parents face in guiding their children to eat well. Perhaps this education will indirectly alleviate immediate nutritional needs of the individual child and prevent the occurance of other nutrition problems. This would require additional study for verification. / Department of Home Economics

Not available

Early cortical injury has been attributed to the consequential effects of various factors, such as alcohol, drug addiction, smoking, and inadequate nutrient intakes during periods of pregnancy and lactation, or delivery of infants by forceps, and premature deliveries. These are only a few examples of circumstances, or "injury", that may result in disorders ranging from mild learning difficulties to aggressive behaviour. Injury to the cortex during the early years of development has been know to result in poor behavioural outcome into adulthood. Presently, the most common form of treatment includes a pharmacological agent, which may be accompanied with behavioral modification therapies supported by families. As an alternative form of therapy towards the treatment of early cortical injury, choline and a vitamin and mineral supplement (EM Power+) were used to determine the possibilities of nutrition intervention in an animal model. The injuries were incurred by aspiration lesion at days three, (Exp.1) and four, (Exp.2) and lesions were localized to the midline medial frontal cortex in some rats, while a different group of rats received lesions in the posterior parietal cortex. The pre-and postnatal choline treated animals showed favorable results for the medial frontal lesions, and the postnatal vitamin supplement treated animals showed favorable results for treatment in both medial frontal and posterior parietal lesions. All animals were tested in adulthood indicating that nutrition intervention is very beneficial for alleviating some of the functional deficits commonly seen from early cortical injury. / xiv, 191 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.

The Maasai of East Africa traditionally consume a diet of milk, meat, and blood. Previous studies have found the Maasai to suffer from vitamin A deficiency (VAD). This micronutrient deficiency compromises systemic immunity and increases morbidity and mortality. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to investigate the vitamin A intake of small Maasai children in Loita, Kenya. On average, children consumed 596mug/dayRAE from retinoid sources and 956mug/dayRAE when coupled with beta-carotene sources. The measles virus (MV) has yet to be eradicated from East Africa and remains a threat to young children. The Maasai have developed methods to deal with this disease and improve systemic immunity by introducing medicinal plants into the diet. Plant species added to the milk and soups of small children were determined using the FFQ. Antiviral properties of the seven most common dietary plants were then investigated, measuring MV neutralization and MV production, and compared to 7 arbitrarily selected non-medicinal plants. Significant differences (X2 p < 0.05) were found between the antiviral actions of medicinal and non-medicinal species.