Adopting more sustainable consumption habits has been identified as a necessary step in the progression towards a sustainable society. In the area of sustainable consumption, personal food behaviour represents a strong leverage point. University students have been identified as a strategic audience; habits established during this transformative period can track forward into later life. This study seeks to identify the barriers inhibiting students from eating more sustainably. Perceived benefits of eating more sustainably, student food preferences, and student definitions of sustainable food are also identified. Focus groups, surveys, and interviews were carried out at universities in Europe, North America and Australia. Results show that perceived cost of sustainable food and a lack of knowledge, time and availability were ubiquitous barriers preventing students from adopting more sustainable eating habits. In addition to gathering the perceptions of others, the authors’ understanding of the challenges and benefits of eating more sustainably was augmented by a month-long self-study. Results from the self-study show that it is feasible to eat more sustainably without incurring additional costs. Recommendations informed by the focus groups, surveys, interviews and self-study are made to help students overcome the barriers to eating more sustainably.

This methods-oriented dissertation focuses on the psychometric evaluation of the Feeding Your Preschooler Questionnaire (FYPQ) designed to assess the eating habits and diet quality of young children. Parental proxy reports (n=135) were obtained through pen and pencil administration of the FYPQ and an in-person interview using a 24- hour food recall (24HR).Test-retest reliability (n=82) was determined using a repeated measures design with Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Spearman correlations for the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) portion of the survey, parental self-efficacy, parental role modeling, parental practices, and parental perception of child food preference regarding fruits and vegetables scales. Test-retest reliabilities ranged from r=.53 for water to r=.84 for vegetables for the FFQ and from r=.64 for role modeling to r=.71 for parental perception of child preference for the psychosocial measures. Concurrent construct validity (n=107) was examined with a cross-sectional study design using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Spearman correlations, and cross-classification analysis into quartiles of food group intakes. Spearman’s correlations between the FFQ and the 24HR were .46 for milk, .22 for fruit, .22 for vegetables, .11 for grains and .07 for protein. Cross-classification analysis revealed that 29% of children were classified in the same quartile and 69% in the same or within one quartile, and gross misclassification ranged from 2% to 10%. Nomological validity was examined using weighted least squares regression. Two regression analyses with fruit and vegetable intake on first the FFQ and second the 24HR as the dependent variable examined the influences of psychosocial environmental predictors and food insecurity. The FFQ regression model explained 28% (p<.05) of the variance in fruit and vegetable intake, with the significant predictors of parental role modeling and food insecurity. The 24HR regression analysis predicting fruit and vegetable intake explained 11% (p<.05), with parental perception of child preference and parental role modeling as significant predictors. In summary, the FYPQ demonstrated good test-retest reliability. The study provides evidence of concurrent validity for the FFQ for assessment of milk consumption and fruit and vegetable variety in preschool children's diets and of nomological validity in the prediction of fruit and vegetable consumption. / text

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of computer consumption among boys in ninth grade, and to see if there were any differences with regards to physical activity, sleeping habits, breakfast habits and BMI. The study has cross sectional design with a comparative and a quantitative structure and is based on a former study called “Food &amp; Health 2007”.  The respondents were represented by 181 boys in ninth grade, recruited from ten different schools in the county of Uppsala, who were answering questions about media consumption, breakfast habits, physical activity and sleeping habits. Daily computer consumption was reported up to one hour for 12 % of the respondents, one to three hours for 65 % and over three hours for 42 %. The boys who had a high physical activity level were less frequent in computer consumption while those who had a low physical activity level spent more time by the computer. The boys who were high computer consumers showed either a high or low level of physical activity, while the boys who were low computer consumers were presented mainly by boys with a high activity level. BMI increased in relation to increasing computer consumption and in relation to less prevalence of physical activity. The boys with high computer consumption had a higher BMI than the low consumers and involve a risk of decreased general health. Further studies are required to confirm the results and to find out the causes for the differences, and to give a foundation for further work against overweight, obesity and decreasing level of physical activity among children and adolescents.

Aim of the study: to analyze and compare work and leisure regime of urban and rural middle-school-age students. Objectives: 1. To evaluate passive and active leisure of schoolchildren in relation with health. 2. To evaluate learning process of schoolchildren. 3. To evaluate nourishment regime of schoolchildren in relation with health. Methods: The research was conducted in October – November 2004. Anonymous questionnaire was used for the survey. The final version of the questionnaire includes 40 questions. Schoolchildren from grade 6th to grade 8th from Birzai and Kaunas took part in the survey. 310 students were questioned in total. Received survey data were converged for the statistic computer analysis. The statistic data analysis was carried out by using statistic package “SPSS 11.5”. Results: Schoolchildren from both cities usually have a feeling of not getting enough sleep in the morning (33.8% of Birzai and 52.7% of Kaunas schoolchildren). Schoolchildren from Birzai spend more time watching TV during the week than schoolchildren from Kaunas (2 hours – students from Birzai, 1 hour 45 min – those from Kaunas). Pupils are not attending sports activities (70.4% Birzai, 49.3% Kaunas) however Kaunas pupils are more active than those from Birzai (p<0.001). 15.5% of Birzai and 6.6% of Kaunas schoolchildren have never had dinner on working days. 1.9% of Birzai pupils and 4.7% of Kaunas pupils never eat supper. Conclusions: Schoolchildren from Birzai spend more time watching... [to full text]

Objective. To compare energy balance and nutrient intake of elite and non-elite school-aged gymnasts, as well as to evaluate their nutritional knowledge and eating attitude and its effect on dietary intake and practices. Methods. Demographic information, anthropometric measurements, menstrual status, sources of nutritional information, nutritional habits as well as supplement use was documented. Eating attitudes were measured by the EAT26 test and nutritional knowledge by a standardised questionnaire. Dietary intake and practices were determined with a 3-day weighed food record, while energy expenditure was measured with an Actical® accelerometer (Mini Mitter Co., Inc. Bend, OR, USA). Results. The total daily energy intake (non-elite = 6 944.37 ± 1 272.28 kJ vs. elite = 6 543.01 ± 2 570 kJ) in both groups was similar to their daily energy expenditure values (non-elite = 6 393.77 ± 1 244.19 kJ vs. elite = 6 696.09 ± 1 676.58 kJ). Elite gymnasts tended to have higher protein (21.37 vs. 15.4% total energy intake (TE), small effect size, d = 0.1) and lower fat (28.9 vs. 33.6% TE, medium effect size, d = - 0.6) intakes. More non-elite gymnasts (n = 7, 88.88%) used micronutrient supplements than elite gymnasts (n = 4, 45.45%, medium effect size, d = 0.45). Most of the gymnasts (55%) ate snacks during the day, which consisted mostly of refined carbohydrates. In the total group of gymnasts the most frequently used source of nutritional information was the coach (60%). There was no difference in nutritional knowledge between the groups (elite = 61.8% vs. non-elite = 62.8% respectively). Lastly, elite gymnasts had a practically significantly higher risk than non-elite gymnasts to follow a diet (large effect size, d = 1.32), while non-elite gymnasts exercised practically significantly more self-control over their food intake com pared to elite gymnasts (large effect size, d = - 1.03). Conclusions. South African elite gymnasts do not differ from non-elite gymnasts in terms of energy-, carbohydrate-, protein-, or fat intake. There is also no difference in energy expenditure or risk in developing an eating disorder, probably due to less competitiveness compared to other international gymnasts. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Objective. To compare energy balance and nutrient intake of elite and non-elite school-aged gymnasts, as well as to evaluate their nutritional knowledge and eating attitude and its effect on dietary intake and practices. Methods. Demographic information, anthropometric measurements, menstrual status, sources of nutritional information, nutritional habits as well as supplement use was documented. Eating attitudes were measured by the EAT26 test and nutritional knowledge by a standardised questionnaire. Dietary intake and practices were determined with a 3-day weighed food record, while energy expenditure was measured with an Actical® accelerometer (Mini Mitter Co., Inc. Bend, OR, USA). Results. The total daily energy intake (non-elite = 6 944.37 ± 1 272.28 kJ vs. elite = 6 543.01 ± 2 570 kJ) in both groups was similar to their daily energy expenditure values (non-elite = 6 393.77 ± 1 244.19 kJ vs. elite = 6 696.09 ± 1 676.58 kJ). Elite gymnasts tended to have higher protein (21.37 vs. 15.4% total energy intake (TE), small effect size, d = 0.1) and lower fat (28.9 vs. 33.6% TE, medium effect size, d = - 0.6) intakes. More non-elite gymnasts (n = 7, 88.88%) used micronutrient supplements than elite gymnasts (n = 4, 45.45%, medium effect size, d = 0.45). Most of the gymnasts (55%) ate snacks during the day, which consisted mostly of refined carbohydrates. In the total group of gymnasts the most frequently used source of nutritional information was the coach (60%). There was no difference in nutritional knowledge between the groups (elite = 61.8% vs. non-elite = 62.8% respectively). Lastly, elite gymnasts had a practically significantly higher risk than non-elite gymnasts to follow a diet (large effect size, d = 1.32), while non-elite gymnasts exercised practically significantly more self-control over their food intake com pared to elite gymnasts (large effect size, d = - 1.03). Conclusions. South African elite gymnasts do not differ from non-elite gymnasts in terms of energy-, carbohydrate-, protein-, or fat intake. There is also no difference in energy expenditure or risk in developing an eating disorder, probably due to less competitiveness compared to other international gymnasts. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Bakgrund: En ökad medveten närvaro kring måltiden och ätandet genom mindful eating har i ny forskning visat sig vara en effektiv metod för att minska en rad olika sjukdomar och hälsorelaterade problem samt bidra till gynnsamma hälsoeffekter. Trots detta finns få studier genomförda i en svensk kontext. Syfte: Undersöka och beskriva graden av mindful eating hos en grupp individer på sociala medier i förhållande till Body Mass Index och demografiska variabler. Metod: Deskriptiv tvärsnittsstudie med en kvantitativ ansats. Ett tidigare utvecklat instrument, Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), översattes och distribuerades som en webbaserad enkätundersökning. Respondenterna rekryterades under en veckas tid genom ett snöbollsurval på det sociala nätverket Facebook. Inklusionskriterierna var att deltagarna skulle behärska det svenska språket, vara mellan 20-65 år och användare av Facebook. Urvalet bestod sammanlagt av 264 respondenter. Reslutat: Huvudresultatet visade att deltagarna generellt sett hade en god grad av mindful eating med en total MEQ-poäng på 2,82. Högst poäng hade de på underkategorin känslomässig reaktion (3,01) och lägst poäng på medvetenhet (2,55). Skillnader och samband mellan den totala graden av mindful eating och bakgrunds variablerna förekom endast för Body Mass Index (BMI). Personer med normalvikt (BMI 18,5-24,9) var markant mer medvetna än de övriga. För de olika underkategorierna och de oberoende variablerna kunde ett flertal skillnader och samband identifieras. Främst i relation till BMI, kön och ålder. Slutsats: Studien visade att graden av mindful eating främst skiljde sig i förhållande till BMI, vilket överensstämmer med tidigare studier i andra länder. Detta kan vara ett betydelsefullt resultat dels för att väcka intresset kring mindful eating och dess hälsoeffekter, dels för att mindful eating kan vara en effektiv metod för att främja goda matvanor i en svensk befolkning. / Background: An increased awareness around the meal and eating through mindful eating has in recent research proved to be an effective method for reducing a wide range of diseases and health problems and contribute to beneficial health effects. Despite this, few studies have been conducted in a Swedish context. Objective: To examine and describe the degree of mindful eating in a group individuals on social media in relation to Body Mass Index and demographic variables. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. An previously developed instrument, Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ), was translated and distributed as a web-based survey. Respondents were recruited during one week by a snowball sample on the social network Facebook. The criteria for inclusion was that the participants should master the Swedish language, be between 20-65 years and users of Facebook. The sample comprised a total of 264 respondents. Reslutat: Main results indicated that participants generally had a good degree of mindful eating, with a mean MEQ-score of 2.82. The highest score was on the subscale of emotional response (3.01) and the lowest point at the awareness (2.55). Differences and correlation between the mean mindful eating score and background variables occurred only with BMI. People with normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9) were markedly more aware than the other. For the different subscales and the demographic variables several differences and correlations were identified. Mainly in relation to BMI, gender and age. Conclusion: The study showed that the degree of mindful eating mainly differed in relation to BMI, which is consistent with previous studies in other countries. This can be a important result partly to raise awareness about mindful eating and its health effects, partly because mindful eating can be an effective method of promoting good eating habits in a Swedish population.

Darbo tikslas: nustatyti vyresnių klasių mokinių mitybos būklės ir mitybos įpročių sąsajas. Darbo uždaviniai: įvertinti Kėdainių rajono vyresnių klasių mokinių mitybos būklę; išanalizuoti mokinių mitybos įpročius; nustatyti vyresnių klasių mokinių mitybos būklės ir mitybos žinių bei įpročių sąsajas. Tyrimo metodika: Šis tyrimas yra visos Lietuvos tyrimo, koordinuojamo Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos Sveikatos tyrimų instituto Vaikų ir jaunimo sveikatos laboratorijos (vadovas prof. habl. dr. A. Zaborskis) dalis. Kėdainių rajone buvo sudaryta atsitiktinė penkių mokyklų imtis ir tyrimui pasiriktos dvi miesto bei trys kaimo mokyklos. Tėvams sutikus, buvo atlikta vienmomentinė anoniminė vyrensnių klasių mokinių apklausa (n=184). Vaikų mitybos būklė vertinta pagal tarptautinius T. Cole ir bendraautoriais kriterijus. Matematinė – statistinė analizė atlikta naudojant SSPS 15.0 for Windows programą. Proporcijų lyginimui taikytas Chi kvadrato (χ2) kriterijus, statistinė išvada laikytina patikima, kai reikšmingumo lygmuo p<0,05. Rezultatai: Tarp VII klasės mokinių vidutinis KMI buvo 19,12 (SN=3,55) kg/m2, tarp IX – 21,39 (SN=2,6) kg/m2, tarp XI – 21,42 (SN=2,52) kg/m2. Antsvoris ir nutukimas nustatytas 14,7 proc. mokinių; normalus svoris – 58,2 proc. ir 27,2 proc. respondentų buvo labai liesi ir liesi mokiniai. Statistiškai daugiau nutukusių vaikų buvo septintosiose klasėse – 6,3 proc., o devintose ir vienuoliktose klasėse nutukusių vaikų visai nebuvo (p=0,03... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: to identify older school children nutritional status and dietary habits links. Objectives: to evaluate nutritional status of older schoolchildren in Kėdainiai region; to analyze schoolchildren eating habits; to identify older schoolchildren nutritional status, knowledge and habits links. Methods: This is a research part of the Lithuania, coordinated by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy of Health Research Institute of Child and Youth Health Laboratory (headed by prof. Habl. Dr. A. Zaborskis). In Kėdainiai region was drawn randomly five schools, two from city and three from village. Parental consent, than was carried out a anonymous survey of older schoolchildren (n = 184). Childrens nutritional status as measured by international T. Cole criteria. Mathematical - statistical analysis was performed using SSPS 15.0 for Windows program. Comparison of proportions applied Chi-square (χ2) test, statistical conclusions are reliable when the significance level of p <0,05. Results: Among the VII Class of schoolchildren the mean BMI was 19,12 kg/m2 (SD = 3.55), IX – 21,39 kg/m2 (SD = 2.6), XI – 21,42 kg/m2 (SD = 2 52). Overweight and obesity were 14,7 percent of children, normal weight – 58,2 percent and 27,2 percent respondents were very lean and lean. Statistically more obese children were in the sevenths classes - 6.3 percent. In the ninth and eleventh grades were not obese children (p = 0.038). By gender statistically significant... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas: išanalizuoti Lietuvos paauglių žinių ir požiūrio į mitybą sąsajas su mitybos įpročiais. Darbo uždaviniai: Išanalizuoti paauglių mitybos įpročius. Išnagrinėti paauglių žinias ir požiūrį į mitybą. Įvertinti paauglių mitybos įpročių ryšį su žiniomis ir požiūriu į mitybą. Tyrimo metodika: Iš viso buvo apklausti 3465 moksleiviai. Tyrime dalyvavo 1802 ‒ 52 proc. mergaitės ir 1663 ‒ 48,0 proc. berniukai. Imtis buvo atrenkama panaudojant atsitiktinumo principą ir taikant hierarchinės atrankos schemą. Anoniminei apklausai naudotas originalus klausimynas apie moksleivių mitybos įpročius, bei žinias ir požiūrį į mitybą. Tiriamųjų skirstinys pagal klases buvo tolygus: septintosios klasės moksleivių apklausta 1160; 33,5 procentai, devintosios – 1212; 35,0 procentai, vienuoliktosios – 1093; 31,5 procentai. Kokybinių ryšių vertinimui buvo naudojamas Chi kvadrato (χ2) kriterijus. Naudoti trys reikšmingumo lygiai, kurie buvo pažymėti taip: 0,01<p≤0,05; 0,001<p≤0,01; p≤0,001. Logistinė regresinė analizė buvo taikyta siekiant įvertinti moksleivių žinių ir požiūrio į mitybą ryšį su mitybos įpročiais atsižvelgiant į mokymosi klasę, lytį, socialinį ekonominį statusą ir gyvenamąją vietą. Rezultatai: Paauglių vaisių ir daržovių vartojimas yra nedidelis 32,5 proc., 33,5 proc. Vaisius ir daržoves vartoja dažniau mergaitės nei berniukai. Taip pat mieste gyvenantys paaugliai vaisius ir daržoves vartoja dažniau nei kaime gyvenantys paaugliai. Nesveikus maisto produktus... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: is to analyze the relation between the knowledge and attitude to nutrition of Lithuanian teenagers and their eating habits. The objectives of the study: to analyze the dietary habits of adolescents. To examine the knowledge and attitude of adolescents to diet. To evaluate the link between the eating habits of teenagers and their knowledge and attitude to nutrition. Research methods: total of 3465 students surveyed. The study included 1802 (52%) girls and 1663 (48.0%) boys. The sample was selected using the principle of random selection and a hierarchical scheme. The original questionnaire on students' eating habits, knowledge and attitudes to diet was used for the anonymous survey. Distribution of subjects by grade was the following: 1160 (33.5%) of the students of the seventh grade; 1212 (35.0%) of the ninth grade, 1093 (31.5%) of the eleventh grade. Chi-square (χ2) test was used for the qualitative assessment of the relation. The levels of significance used were the following: -0.01 <p ≤ 0.05; 0.001 <p ≤ 0.01; p ≤ 0.001. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess students' knowledge and attitudes to nutrition in relation with the eating habits with regard to their class, gender, socio-economic status and place of residence. Results: Adolescents‘ fruit and vegetable consumption is low (32.5% and 33.5% accordingly), girls consumed fruits and vegetables more frequently than boys. Adolescents living in the city eat fruit and vegetables more... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklų moksleivių mitybos socialinius netolygumus. Darbo uždaviniai: Nustatyti moksleivių socialinę padėtį. Įvertinti moksleivių mitybos įpročius. Nustatyti ryšį tarp moksleivių maitinimosi ir jų šeimos turtingumo. Tyrimo metodika: Iš viso apklausti 3465 Lietuvos moksleiviai. Imtis atrinkta naudojant atsitiktinumo principą ir taikant hierarchinės atrankos schemą. Kintamųjų ryšiai vertinti taikant Pirsono chi kvadrato (χ2) kriterijų. Siekiant nustatyti įvairių maisto produktų vartojimo santykinį netolygumo indeksą tarp ištirtų paauglių, taikyta vienaveiksnė ir daugiaveiksnė logistinė regresinė analizė. Naudoti šie statistinio reikšmingumo lygiai: p≤0,05, p≤0,01 ir p≤0,001. Rezultatai: Lietuvos moksleivių šeimų socialinė ekonominė situacija yra nevienoda. 19,7 proc. moksleivių gyveno žemos, 38,8 proc. vidutinės ir 41,5 proc. aukštos socialinės ekonominės situacijos šeimose. Didelės dalies Lietuvos moksleivių mityba nėra sveika, nes nepakankamai dažnai vartojami vaisiai ir daržovės. Mergaitės dažniau vartojo vaisius, daržoves, saldainius ir šokoladą, o rečiau - traškučius, greito maisto produktus ir putojančius saldžius gėrimus. Vyresniųjų klasių mokiniai rečiau vartojo vaisius, tortą, pyragaičius ir sausainius, traškučius, putojančius saldžius gėrimus. Vienuoliktokai rečiausiai valgė greito maisto produktus. Gyvenantieji mieste dažniau valgė vaisius ir daržoves, bet rečiau traškučius. Socialiniai netolygumai didžiausią įtaką... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: Evaluate the social discrepancies between the eating habits of secondary comprehensive school students in Lithuania The objectives of the study: Identify the social status of the students examined. Assess the eating habits of students. Evaluate the relation between the eating habits of students and their socio-economic status. Methodology: 3465 Lithuanian students were interviewed during the examination. The number of recipients was chosen according to the principle of coincidence and hierarchical scheme of classification. Relations of the variables were evaluated applying the criteria of Pearson chi-square. In order to examine relative index of inequality between various products, one-act as well as multiple act logic-based depression analysis were applied. The statistical levels of significance applied were the following: p≤0,05, p≤0,01 ir p≤0,001. Results: 19,7% of students lived in the families with low, 38,8% with average and 41,5% with high social situation. The eating habits were not healthy because of low intake of fruits and vegetables. Girls ate more fruits, vegetables, sweets and chocolate but less crisps, fast food and sparkling drinks. The olders consumed less fruits, cakes, biscuits, sparkling drinks. Eleven-grade-students were the ones who ate the least fast food. More of the students who lived in cities ate fruits and vegetables, while they ate less crisps. Discrepancies within social status influenced the most on how much students ate... [to full text]