Concern that youth do not have enough fruit and vegetable intake lead to two strategies implemented to influence intake in the school environment: the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) and Fighting with Food: Battling Chemical Toxicity with Good Nutrition program (FF), which could influence phytochemical content and knowledge regarding phytochemicals, respectively. Individual food logs (n=468) were assessed upon completion of FF curriculum to determine whether students were able to correctly apply their nutrition knowledge regarding FF. Menus from one district were analyzed pre-HHFKA and post-HHFKA in elementary (n=156), middle (n=171), and high schools (n=171), for change in the frequency of fruit and vegetables, and for changes in select phytochemical and vitamin content. In food logs, students correctly identified fighting foods 71% of the time. School menus showed an increase in dark green, red/orange vegetables, with significant increases in carotenoid and flavonol content. Results suggest students are applying their nutrition knowledge. Also, more variety of fruit and vegetables are being offered, despite lack of a robust increase in all phytochemicals, which can help to lower inflammation and oxidative stress. Both strategies have the potential to work together as a multi-level intervention that can encourage more fruit and vegetable consumption among youth.

La précarité est une dimension plus vaste que la pauvreté atteignant presque 15 % de la population française. Les personnes précaires ont plus de risques de développer certaines pathologies, dont des pathologies liées à l’alimentation, le diabète. Une étude d’intervention randomisée a été réalisée auprès d’une population de personnes précaires sur une durée de 12 mois. Les volontaires recevaient des conseils diététiques et/ou des chèques afin de favoriser la consommation de fruits et légumes. D’une consommation initiale d’environ 2,5 portions par jour, avec 30 % de sujets consommant en moyenne moins d’un fruit et légume par jour, l’augmentation moyenne est de 0,7 portions de fruits et légumes par jour, identique dans les deux groupes. Les chèques ont permis une diminution significative du pourcentage de très petits consommateurs. L’impact de la précarité a également été évalué chez des patients diabétiques au cours de trois études transversales. La précarité s’associe à un risque de déséquilibre glycémique et secondairement de rétinopathie, mais sans lien démontré entre la précarité et le stade d’une rétinopathie diabétique. L’une de ces études suggère un lien entre la précarité et le risque de néphropathie diabétique, et démontre une moins bonne qualité de vie des patients. Ces travaux soulèvent des questions sur les multiples freins à une alimentation saine ou à une prise en charge de la maladie pour des personnes précaires et orientent vers des perspectives : cibler les populations, envisager des éducations répétées et il doit être aussi possible de faire mieux avec les mêmes moyens. / Insecurity is a broader dimension of poverty reaching almost 15% of the French population. Insecure people are most at risk of developing various diseases, including diseases related to diet, and diabetes. A randomized intervention study was conducted among deprived volunteers on a period of 12 months. The volunteers were given dietary advice and/or vouchers exchangeable for fresh fruit and vegetables in order to promote their consumption. The baseline consumption was about 2.5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, with 30% of non daily consumers. The average increase was 0.7 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, in both groups. Vouchers led to a significant decrease in very small consumers. The impact of deprivation has also been evaluated in diabetic patients in three cross-sectional studies. Insecurity was associated with a risk of poor glycemic control and secondarily with retinopathy, but no proven link between deprivation and the stage of diabetic retinopathy. One of these studies suggested a link between insecurity and the risk of diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, deprived patients with diabetes suffer lower quality of life.These studies raise questions about the multiple barriers to a healthy diet or a treatment of chronic disease for deprived people. This is part of the wider reflexion on how to treat these populations, by considering intensified repeated educational programs, and by improving existing approaches.

A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been strongly associated with weight management, improved overall health, and decreased incidence of chronic disease. Availability of locally grown produce is associated with a higher intake of fruits and vegetables; there were 7,864 farmers markets operating in the U.S. in 2012, a 9.6% increase from 2011. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographics, nutrition knowledge, and dietary habits of farmers market patrons at ten diverse markets in Kentucky. A total of 153 surveys were collected; the average age of study participants was 46 ± 21 year. Respondents reported consuming an average of 2.1 ± 1.3 fruit servings and 2.9 ± 1.6 vegetable servings per day. As well, 49% of the market patrons indicated they had an advanced or professional knowledge of nutrition. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being "extremely important", 59% of the patrons ranked having nutrition information listed on recipes as an 8 or above. Market patrons are specifically interested in the salt (87%), fat (74%), and calorie (72%) content of recipes. Results indicate that most farmers market patrons have a good knowledge of nutrition and are interested in evaluating nutrition information.

La précarité est une dimension plus vaste que la pauvreté atteignant presque 15 % de la population française. Les personnes précaires ont plus de risques de développer certaines pathologies, dont des pathologies liées à l'alimentation, le diabète. Une étude d'intervention randomisée a été réalisée auprès d'une population de personnes précaires sur une durée de 12 mois. Les volontaires recevaient des conseils diététiques et/ou des chèques afin de favoriser la consommation de fruits et légumes. D'une consommation initiale d'environ 2,5 portions par jour, avec 30 % de sujets consommant en moyenne moins d'un fruit et légume par jour, l'augmentation moyenne est de 0,7 portions de fruits et légumes par jour, identique dans les deux groupes. Les chèques ont permis une diminution significative du pourcentage de très petits consommateurs. L'impact de la précarité a également été évalué chez des patients diabétiques au cours de trois études transversales. La précarité s'associe à un risque de déséquilibre glycémique et secondairement de rétinopathie, mais sans lien démontré entre la précarité et le stade d'une rétinopathie diabétique. L'une de ces études suggère un lien entre la précarité et le risque de néphropathie diabétique, et démontre une moins bonne qualité de vie des patients. Ces travaux soulèvent des questions sur les multiples freins à une alimentation saine ou à une prise en charge de la maladie pour des personnes précaires et orientent vers des perspectives : cibler les populations, envisager des éducations répétées et il doit être aussi possible de faire mieux avec les mêmes moyens.

Darbo tikslas: Įvertinti Lietuvos gyventojų daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo įpročius ir jų ryšius su socialiniais ir gyvensenos veiksniais. Uždaviniai: Įvertinti Lietuvos gyventojų daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo įpročius ir jų pokyčius nuo 1996 m. Nustatyti daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo ryšius su socialiniais veiksniais. Nustatyti daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo sąsajas su gyvensenos veiksniais Tyrimo metodika. Analizuoti suaugusių Lietuvos žmonių gyvensenos tyrimų duomenys. Tyrimas vykdomas nuo 1994 m. kas antri metai. Tiriama atsitiktinė 3000 Lietuvos 20-64 m. gyventojų imtis, sudaryta iš gyventojų registro sąrašų. Vykdoma apklausa paštu. Per šešiolikos metų laikotarpį klausimyną užpildė 17161 žmogus (7361vyras ir 9800 moterų). Atsako dažnis - 53,8-74,4 proc. Klausimyną sudarė klausimai apie daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo dažnį, gyvensenos ir socialinius veiksnius. Rezultatai. Per keturiolika metų suaugusių Lietuvos gyventojų šviežių daržovių vartojimas padidėjo. Beveik kasdien valgančių šviežias daržoves vyrų dalis išaugo nuo 3,5 proc. 1996 m. iki 17 proc. 2010 m., o moterų – atitinkamai nuo 5,1 proc. iki 23,8 proc. Šviežių vaisių vartojimo dažnis padidėjo tik tarp moterų. Gyventojai, turintys aukštąjį išsilavinimą ir gyvenantys mieste, labiausiai padidino daržovių vartojimą. Didėjant amžiui didėjo daržovių ir vaisių vartojimo dažnis tarp moterų bei šviežių vaisių vartojimas tarp vyrų. Aukštojo išsilavinimo vyrai dažniau vartojo šviežias daržoves nei nebaigto vidurinio ar vidurinio... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Objectives: to evaluate vegetables and fruits consumption in Lithuanian adult population and trends since 1996; to assess the relationships between vegetables and fruits consumption and social factors; to evaluate associations of vegetables and fruits consumption with behavioural factors. Methods: The data from Health Behaviour Survey among Lithuanian adult population are presented. Since 1994 nine surveys have been carried out every second year. For every survey random sample of 3000 Lithuanians aged 20-64 was taken from the National Population Register. The study material was collected by mailed questionnaires. Altogether 17161 persons (7361men and 9800 women) participated in the surveys. Response rate varied from 53,8% to 74,4%. The survey instrument included the questions about fruits and vegetables consumption, social and behavioural factors. Results: Over 14-year period, the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits has increased among Lithuanian adult population. In 1996, daily consumption of fresh vegetables was reported by 3.5% of men and 5.1% of women, while in the year 2010 this proportion was 17% in men and 23.8% in women. The positive changes in fresh fruits consumption were observed only in women. The largest increase in frequency of daily consumption of fresh vegetables was found among persons with university education and those living in cities. The proportion of women consuming fresh vegetables and fruits daily and the proportion of men consuming fresh... [to full text]

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Published also as a Thesis (Ph. D.) Princeton University. / Xerox microfiche facsimile.

Thesis (MscAgric (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Rind colour is one of the main cosmetic preferences consumers use when purchasing citrus (Citrus spp.) fruit. To enhance the cosmetic quality of citrus fruit, attempts were made to stimulate preharvest chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis to obtain a deeper, more uniform, orange rind colour in early-maturing citrus cultivars. As part of a larger study to stimulate rind colour enhancement, an initial study was conducted on ‘Eureka’ lemon [C. limon (L.) Burm. f.] nursery trees to determine the concentration of various gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors required to obtain a biological response in citrus trees, as measured by vegetative growth. Thereafter, different concentrations of prohexadione-calcium (ProCa; Regalis®) were applied at various stages of fruit development on early-maturing citrus cultivars to establish the concentration and timing of ProCa required to improve rind colour by enhancing chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis. In addition, a search to enhance rind colour development of early-maturing citrus cultivars was conducted by screening various nutritional, hormonal and possible physiological stress-inducer products and some combination treatments thereof. Multiple applications of gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors on ‘Eureka’ lemon nursery trees significantly reduced internode length and hence vegetative growth. Regalis® applied at 4 to 8 g·L-1 and Sunny® (uniconazole) applied at 10 to 20 mL·L-1 had the greatest effect in reducing internode length, and were therefore identified as potential candidates for further field studies to test their effect on rind colour enhancement of citrus fruit. The late, double applications (6 plus 3 weeks before anticipated harvest) of ProCa applied at 400 mg·L-1 consistently improved rind colour of all Citrus spp. tested. However, these effects were more pronounced after harvest, as ethylene degreening and cold-storage stimulated additional chlorophyll degradation, unmasking the carotenoids, resulting in overall better coloured fruit. In most instances in this study, ProCa stimulated chlorophyll degradation allowing the underlying carotenoids to be expressed. Therefore, the improvement of rind colour of citrus fruit following the application of a gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitor (400 mg·L-1 ProCa applied 6 plus 3 weeks before harvest) supports the hypothesis that there may be a relationship between vegetative vigour and rind colour development of citrus fruit. Preharvest applications of boric acid, Thiovit® (elemental sulphur), ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) and half the recommended rate of Ethrel® (48% ethephon) in combination with Thiovit® and ATS stimulated chlorophyll degradation in both orange- and yellow-rinded fruit, and ColourUp® (neutralised calcium carbonate) and Figaron® (ethyclozate) stimulated chlorophyll degradation only in orange-rinded fruit. Boric acid and the Thiovit®-ATSEthrel ® combination treatment stimulated carotenoid biosynthesis in orange-rinded fruit, thereby improving the carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio. The screening of chemical products which stimulate chlorophyll degradation in combination with chemical products which stimulate carotenoid biosynthesis warrants further evaluation. Worldwide, research on rind colour improvement has received attention for several decades, particularly during the 1980s. Yet, rind colour still remains a problem at the beginning of certain seasons. In the present study, the approach to improving rind colour was to manipulate rind pigments through the reduction of vegetative vigour, which was hypothesised to be an antagonist of chloro-chromoplast transformation. To this end, the preharvest application of prohexadione-calcium stimulated chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis in citrus fruit rinds. Furthermore, preharvest applications of various chemical products provides a novel approach to stimulate chlorophyll degradation and carotenoid biosynthesis. Together, the results of this study provide potential commercial treatments that will result in deeper, more uniform orange rind colour, thereby meeting consumer needs.

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was initiated in October 2004 when Vizier Systems (Pty) Ltd approached the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Stellenbosch with a concept. They proposed that a fruit packing line be represented as a series of unit operations and suggested that the concept could be used to create a generic model that can be used to represent any packing line. After further discussions with Vizier about the concept and their reasons for requiring a generic model, a formal client requirement was formulated. It was decided that the generic modelling concept had to be tested in the citrus industry. Modelling theory was investigated and a generic modelling methodology was formulated by adapting an existing modelling methodology. The first few steps of the developed methodology led to industry data being gathered and several role-players in the citrus export industry being visited. An analysis of the data enabled the development of the necessary techniques to do distribution estimation and forecasting of the system input, which is fruit. The various processes were grouped into generic groups and detailed capacity calculations were developed for each process. The fruit parameter estimation techniques and capacity calculations were integrated into a five step modelling procedure. Once the generic model was set up to represent a specific packing line, the modelling procedure provided optimum flow rates, equipment setups and personnel allocations for defined production runs. The modelling procedure was then translated into a computer model. This allowed a complete capacity analysis of a packing line by incrementally varying the characteristics of the fruit input. The developed generic model was validated by comparing its predictions to the results of two production runs at an existing packing line. It was found that the generic model is able to adequately represent the packing line and that the fruit inputs and outputs can be accurately estimated. The concept proposed by Vizier, that a packing line can be generically modelled as a series of unit operations, was shown to be valid. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is in Oktober 2004 geïnisieer toe Vizier Systems (Pty) Ltd die Departement van Bedryfsingenieurswese aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch met ’n konsep genader het. Hulle het aan die hand gedoen dat ’n vrugtepaklyn voorgestel kan word as ’n reeks eenheidsprosesse en dat die konsep gebruik kan word om ’n generiese model te skep om enige vrugtepaklyn te verteenwoordig. Na verdere samesprekings met Vizier oor die konsep en hul redes vir die noodsaaklikheid van ’n generiese model, is ’n formele kliëntebehoefte geformuleer. Daar is besluit dat die generiese modelleringskonsep in die sitrusbedryf getoets gaan word. Modelleringsteorie is ondersoek en ’n generiese modelleringsmetodologie is geformuleer deur ’n bestaande modelleringsmetodologie aan te pas. Die stappe van die ontwikkelde metodologie het gelei tot die insameling van data vanuit die industrie en verskeie rolspelers in die sitrus-uitvoerindustrie is besoek. ’n Analise van die data het die ontwikkeling van die tegnieke moontlik gemaak wat nodig was om verspreidingsberamings en voorspelling van die stelselinset – die vrugte – te doen. Die onderskeie prosesse is gegroepeer in generiese groepe en gedetailleerde kapasiteitsberekeninge is vir elke proses ontwikkel. Die vrugparameter beramingstegnieke en kapasiteitsberekeninge is geïntegreer in ’n vyf-stapmodelleringsprosedure. Nadat die generiese model opgestel is om ’n spesifieke paklyn voor te stel, het die modelleringsprosedure optimum vloeitempo’s, toerustingopstellings en personeeltoedelings vir die spesifieke produksielopie gegee. Die modelleringsprosedure is toe herlei tot ’n rekenaarmodel. Dit het ’n volledige kapasiteitsanalise van die paklyn moontlik gemaak, deur die eienskappe van die vruginset inkrementeel te varieer. Die ontwikkelde generiese model is gestaaf deur sy voorspellings te vergelyk met die resultate van twee produksielopies van ’n bestaande paklyn. Daar is bevind dat die generiese model in staat is om die paklyn voldoende voor te stel en dat dit die vruginsette en -uitsette akkuraat kon beraam. Die geldigheid van die konsep wat voorgestel is deur Vizier, naamlik dat ’n paklyn generies gemodelleer kan word as ’n reeks eenheidsprosesse, is bevestig.

Concern that youth do not have enough fruit and vegetable intake lead to two strategies implemented to influence intake in the school environment: the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) and Fighting with Food: Battling Chemical Toxicity with Good Nutrition program (FF), which could influence phytochemical content and knowledge regarding phytochemicals, respectively. Individual food logs (n=468) were assessed upon completion of FF curriculum to determine whether students were able to correctly apply their nutrition knowledge regarding FF. Menus from one district were analyzed pre-HHFKA and post-HHFKA in elementary (n=156), middle (n=171), and high schools (n=171), for change in the frequency of fruit and vegetables, and for changes in select phytochemical and vitamin content. In food logs, students correctly identified fighting foods 71% of the time. School menus showed an increase in dark green, red/orange vegetables, with significant increases in carotenoid and flavonol content. Results suggest students are applying their nutrition knowledge. Also, more variety of fruit and vegetables are being offered, despite lack of a robust increase in all phytochemicals, which can help to lower inflammation and oxidative stress. Both strategies have the potential to work together as a multi-level intervention that can encourage more fruit and vegetable consumption among youth.