Matching Items (56)
Description
Individuals in urban low-income areas often do not have easy access to large grocery stores and supermarkets, and regularly shop at nearby small/corner stores. These stores stock an abundance of processed, energy-dense, nutrient poor foods, combined with few nutrient-dense products. A high concentration of small/corner stores is associated with poor diets by nearby residents. Interventions that target small food stores for increasing the availability and sale of healthy foods have been launched in many communities, and validated survey instruments have been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions. However, in-store surveys can take up to thirty minutes to conduct and require individual visits from investigators. Many projects assess the food environment in a large number of stores spread across broad geographical areas, making in-person evaluations infeasible and resource-prohibitive. The purpose of this study was to develop a valid and feasible short survey that could be used in-store or over the phone to capture the healthfulness of corner stores. An adapted version of the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey for Corner Stores (NEMS-CS) was used to conduct store audits of 230 corner stores in four New Jersey cities. Audit results were used in exploratory factor analysis and item response theory to develop a seven-item survey. The short survey was highly correlated with the full survey (r=0.79), and the short survey's classification of stores as healthy (top 20% of scores) versus unhealthy (bottom 80% of stores) matched NEMS-CS categorizations in 88% of cases. A second round of audits was conducted in 100 corner stores to confirm the validity of the seven-item survey and to test its feasibility as a phone audit tool. Complete phone responses were obtained from 86% of stores. Response matches indicated that store owners did not distinguish between 2% and low-fat milk, and tended to round up the fruit and vegetable count to five if they had fewer varieties. The seven-item short survey discriminates between healthy and unhealthy stores and is feasible for use as a phone audit tool.
ContributorsDeWeese, Robin (Author) / Ohri-Vachaspati, Punam (Thesis advisor) / Todd, Mike (Committee member) / Karpyn, Allison (Committee member) / Bruening, Meg (Committee member) / Wharton, Chris (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2015
Description
Although past literature has examined the prevalence of campus food pantries, most have not examined student satisfaction of campus food pantries the acceptability and feasibility of the campus food pantries in the U.S. This descriptive and quasi-experimental study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of campus food pantry intervention on two campuses (Downtown Phoenix and Tempe) at Arizona State University (ASU). The acceptability measures were composed of 30 survey questions including demographics, satisfaction survey, and food insecurity questionnaires, which were abstracted from the U.S. Adult 10-Item Food Security Survey Module. The food pantry was open once a week at each site. Any ASU students who enrolled in Spring 2017 and visited a food pantry were eligible to participate in the study. A total of 39 ASU students participated in the study during January 2017 and February 2017 (48.1 % female, 42.3 % White). The number of surveys collected at each site was 52. The majority of students were first-year undergraduate students (57.9% Downtown Phoenix, 45.5% Tempe). Based on their answers to the U.S. Adult 10-Item Food Security Survey Module, 21.2% of students (n=11) indicated low food security, while 48.1% of students (n=25) indicated very low food security. Almost 70% of pantry users reported that they have experienced food insecurity. In this study, the majority (90%) of students were satisfied with the service, hours of operation, and location for both the Downtown and Tempe food pantries. Additionally, 85.7% of students reported that they need additional resources such as financial aid (49%), a career center (18.4%), health services (10.2%), and other services (8.2%). The Pitchfork Pantry operated by student, university, and community support. Total donations received between Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 were 4,600 food items. The study found that most students were highly satisfied with the campus food pantries and it was feasible to operate two pantries on the ASU campus. These findings can be used to contribute to future research into campus food pantries, which may be the solution for food insecurity intervention among college populations.
ContributorsKim, Ellie (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Ransdell, Lynda (Committee member) / Vega-Lopez, Sonia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
Description
Fruit and vegetable consumption among school children falls short of current recommendations. The development of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), which combine the resources of government entities with the resources of private entities, such as businesses or not-for-profit agencies, has been suggested as an effective approach to address a number of public health concerns, including inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides fruits and vegetables as snacks at least twice per week in low-income elementary schools. In addition to increasing fruit and vegetable consumption behaviors at school, children participating in the FFVP have been found to make more requests for fruits and vegetables in grocery stores and at home, suggesting the impact of the program extends beyond school settings. The purpose of this multicase study was to describe key stakeholders' perceptions about creating PPPs between schools and nearby retailers to cross-promote fruits and vegetables in low-income communities, using the FFVP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from three cases groups: grocery store/produce managers (n=10), district FFVP personnel (n=5) and school FFVP personnel (n=12). Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach using constructs from the Health Belief Model, including benefits, barriers, strategies, and motivation. While findings varied by case group, key benefits of creating a PPP included the potential to increase store sales, to enhance public relations with the community, and to extend the impact of the FFVP to settings outside of schools. Barriers included offering expensive produce through the FFVP, time/labor-associated costs, and needing approval from authorities and supervisors. Strategies for developing a PPP included using seasonal produce and having clear instructions for teachers and staff. Stakeholders reported being motivated to create a PPP by the potential to improve health outcomes in children and by wanting to help the community. Both objective and subjective measures were suggested to measure the success of such a partnership. Finally, the educational component of the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-Ed) has the potential to serve as a catalyst for organizing a PPP between FFVP-participating schools and nearby grocery stores.
ContributorsGruner, Jessie (Author) / Ohri-Vachaspati, Punam (Thesis advisor) / Evans, Browynne (Committee member) / Bruening, Meg (Committee member) / Tasevska, Natasha (Committee member) / Hekler, Eric (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2017
Description
Background: Children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in the United States is lower than recommended. School lunch is an opportunity for students to be exposed to fruits and vegetables and potentially increase their daily intake. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between tray color and fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste at lunch.
Methods: Study participants (n=1469) were elementary and middle school students who ate school lunch on the day of data collection. Photographs and weights (to nearest 2 g) were taken of fruits and vegetables on students’ trays before and after lunch. Trained research assistants viewed photographs and sorted trays into variable categories: color of main tray, presence/absence of secondary fruit/vegetable container, and color of secondary fruit/vegetable container. Fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste were calculated using tray weights. Negative binomial regression models adjusted for gender, grade level, race/ethnicity, free/reduced price lunch status, and within-school similarities were used to examine relationships between tray color and fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste.
Results: Findings indicated that students with a light tray selected (IRR= 0.44), consumed (IRR=0.73) and wasted (IRR=0.81) less fruit and vegetables. Students without a secondary fruit/vegetable container selected (IRR=0.66) and consumed (IRR=0.49) less fruit and vegetables compared to those with a secondary container. Light or clear secondary fruit and vegetable containers were related to increased selection (IRR=2.06 light, 2.30 clear) and consumption (IRR=1.95 light, 2.78 clear) compared to dark secondary containers, while light secondary containers were related to decreased waste (IRR= 0.57).
Conclusion: Tray color may influence fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste among students eating school lunch. Further research is needed to determine if there is a cause and effect relationship. If so, adjusting container colors may be a practical intervention for schools hoping to increase fruit and vegetable intake among students.
Methods: Study participants (n=1469) were elementary and middle school students who ate school lunch on the day of data collection. Photographs and weights (to nearest 2 g) were taken of fruits and vegetables on students’ trays before and after lunch. Trained research assistants viewed photographs and sorted trays into variable categories: color of main tray, presence/absence of secondary fruit/vegetable container, and color of secondary fruit/vegetable container. Fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste were calculated using tray weights. Negative binomial regression models adjusted for gender, grade level, race/ethnicity, free/reduced price lunch status, and within-school similarities were used to examine relationships between tray color and fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste.
Results: Findings indicated that students with a light tray selected (IRR= 0.44), consumed (IRR=0.73) and wasted (IRR=0.81) less fruit and vegetables. Students without a secondary fruit/vegetable container selected (IRR=0.66) and consumed (IRR=0.49) less fruit and vegetables compared to those with a secondary container. Light or clear secondary fruit and vegetable containers were related to increased selection (IRR=2.06 light, 2.30 clear) and consumption (IRR=1.95 light, 2.78 clear) compared to dark secondary containers, while light secondary containers were related to decreased waste (IRR= 0.57).
Conclusion: Tray color may influence fruit and vegetable selection, consumption, and waste among students eating school lunch. Further research is needed to determine if there is a cause and effect relationship. If so, adjusting container colors may be a practical intervention for schools hoping to increase fruit and vegetable intake among students.
ContributorsWeight, Raquelle (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc (Committee member) / Martinelli, Sarah (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Background. Street food stands (SFS) are common ways in which people in Mexico access food, having been a part of the environment and culture of Mexican food for generations. However, no studies have used a validated assessment tool to reliably measure food and beverage availability at a variety of SFS. Nor have the availability, density, variety, and distribution of SFS and street foods and beverages been assessed across neighborhood income levels.Objective: This dissertation’s goal was to decrease gaps in knowledge about the role SFS may play in food availability in the Mexican food environment.
Methods: Survey design and ethnographic field methods were used to develop, test, and validate the Street Food Stand Assessment Tool (SFSAT). Geographic information system and ground-truthing methods were used to identify a sample of street segments across 20 neighborhoods representing low-, middle- and high-income neighborhoods in Mexico City on which to assess the availability, density, variety, and distribution of SFS and the foods and beverages sold at these food venues using the SFSAT.
Results: A sample of 391 SFS were assessed across 791 street segments. Results showed that SFS were found in all neighborhoods. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, most SFS were found in middle-income neighborhoods. While the availability of street foods and beverages was higher in middle-income neighborhoods, the variety was less consistent: fruit/vegetable variety was high in high-income neighborhoods whereas processed snack variety was higher in low-income neighborhoods. SFS were most often distributed near homes, transportation centers, and worksites across the three neighborhood income levels.
Conclusion: This study bridged the gap in knowledge about the availability, density, variety, and distribution of SFS and products sold at these sources of food by using an assessment tool that was developed, tested, and validated specifically for SFS. The findings showed that SFS were found across all neighborhoods. Furthermore, results also suggested that SFS can be a source of healthy food items. Additional studies are needed to understand the relationship between SFS availability, food consumption, and health outcomes in the Mexican population.
Methods: Survey design and ethnographic field methods were used to develop, test, and validate the Street Food Stand Assessment Tool (SFSAT). Geographic information system and ground-truthing methods were used to identify a sample of street segments across 20 neighborhoods representing low-, middle- and high-income neighborhoods in Mexico City on which to assess the availability, density, variety, and distribution of SFS and the foods and beverages sold at these food venues using the SFSAT.
Results: A sample of 391 SFS were assessed across 791 street segments. Results showed that SFS were found in all neighborhoods. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, most SFS were found in middle-income neighborhoods. While the availability of street foods and beverages was higher in middle-income neighborhoods, the variety was less consistent: fruit/vegetable variety was high in high-income neighborhoods whereas processed snack variety was higher in low-income neighborhoods. SFS were most often distributed near homes, transportation centers, and worksites across the three neighborhood income levels.
Conclusion: This study bridged the gap in knowledge about the availability, density, variety, and distribution of SFS and products sold at these sources of food by using an assessment tool that was developed, tested, and validated specifically for SFS. The findings showed that SFS were found across all neighborhoods. Furthermore, results also suggested that SFS can be a source of healthy food items. Additional studies are needed to understand the relationship between SFS availability, food consumption, and health outcomes in the Mexican population.
ContributorsRosales Chavez, Jose Benito (Author) / Jehn, Megan (Thesis advisor) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Lee, Rebecca E (Committee member) / Ohri-Vachaspati, Punam (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Food insecurity and childhood obesity are both major public health concerns in the United States of America. Research has not found a definite relationship between childhood obesity and food insecurity to date, with conflicting results being found due to differences in sample sizes and protocol for measuring key variables. Preschoolers (children aged 2-5 years) are a population of particular interest as there tends to be improved health behaviors and greater adaptability to change at this period of growth and development. This study aims to evaluate if there is a relationship between food insecurity and childhood obesity with diet quality as a mediator among preschoolers in the Phoenix area. A secondary data analysis from participants (n=154) from the SAGE (Sustainability via Active Garden Education) research project was used to evaluate food insecurity status, diet quality components (kcal, saturated fat, added sugars, and servings of juice, fruits, and vegetables), and anthropometrics (waist circumference and BMI percentile). No significant associations between food insecurity status, diet quality components, and anthropometric data were found. There was an increased rate of food insecurity and childhood overweight/obesity in this sample compared to state and national averages. Further research of high quality is necessary to determine whether a relationship exists between childhood obesity and food insecurity exists and in what context. Additionally, practice and policy will need to be implemented to decrease rates of food insecurity and childhood obesity among Phoenix preschoolers.
ContributorsGutierrez, Marisa (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Whisner, Corrie (Committee member) / Lee, Rebecca E (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2020
Description
Historically, researchers in the gut microbiome have deemed the composition of the microbiome as being adult by the age of two. However, recent studies have contradicted this, demonstrating statistically significant differences in the microbiome even through childhood and adolescence. This difference is important in the field of microbiome research, particularly in studies examining this relationship with weight, because even though there have been significant associations between the gut microbiome and weight, they have been largely studied in adults. The freshman year of college is an interesting time to study this relationship in younger populations, due to the lifestyle changes that make them vulnerable to weight gain. This study included N=139 participants, a majority female (N=97, 69.8%), white (N=59, 42.4%), and non-Hispanic (N=89, 64%). Participants were only included in this analysis if they gave 2 or more fecal samples over the 4 timepoint study. Samples were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq instrument after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed on the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Statistical analysis was performed using the longitudinal plugin of QIIME2. Results demonstrate that low abundance features seemed to drive a majority of the differences in variability between those who maintained their weight over the course of the study and those who gained weight. This was demonstrated through many significant Unweighted UniFrac results with corresponding nonsignificant Weighted UniFrac data. This study demonstrated that changes in lower abundance features may have driven the significant differences in weight status in this study. This study emphasized the importance of low abundance features and how this relates to changes in weight status during a period of major lifestyle changes. Further work is needed to confirm these findings and explore how gut microbes change in free-living individuals gaining weight over time.
ContributorsAhern, Mary (Author) / Whisner, Corrie (Thesis advisor) / Bruening, Meg (Committee member) / Sears, Dorothy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Background: Studies show that rural schools may be less supportive of student fruit/vegetable (FV) consumption, but few studies have investigated the relationship between school locale and FVs. The aim of this research is to analyze the relationship between school locale (rural vs. urban) and students’ FV selection, consumption, and waste in elementary, middle, and high schools. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 37 Arizona schools evaluated differences in the selection, consumption, and waste of fresh FVs from students (n=2525; 45.7% female; 41% non-white; mean age=11.6±3.3; 23.5% rural) using objective plate waste measures. Zero-inflated negative binomial regressions examined differences in FV grams selected, consumed, and wasted by urban vs. rural locale, adjusted for sociodemographics and school.
Results: The percent of students who selected, consumed, and wasted zero grams of FVs were 14%, 21%, 20%, respectively. Among students with some (non-zero amounts), the average selected, consumed, and wasted FVs were 115.0±81.4g, 51.7.5±65.1g, 65.2±66.7g, respectively. Rural students (versus urban) had lower odds of selecting (OR=0.75), consuming (OR=0.78), and wasting (OR=0.71) any FVs, after adjusting for covariates. However, among students with some FVs on their plates, rural students selected (IRR=1.40), consumed (IRR=1.18) and wasted (IRR=1.62) more grams of FVs.
Conclusions: Rural students had reduced odds of selecting and consuming any FVs, but with lower odds of waste, perhaps due to reduced selection. Once some FVs were on the tray, likelihood of consumption and waste by rural students were greater. Results support interventions targeting rural students’ FV intake to reduce waste.
ContributorsJepson, Molly Eilish (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Associations Between Rapid Infant Weight Gain, Infant Feeding Practice and the Infant Gut Microbiome
Description
Background: Rapid infant weight gain (RWG) by six months of age has been identified as one of the earliest indicators of childhood obesity. Previous research suggests that exclusive breastfeeding over formula feeding may serve a protective effect from RWG. In addition, the makeup of the infant gut microbiome may influence RWG as differences in feeding practices have been shown to alter the bacterial makeup of the gut, potentially impacting energy metabolism. However, little research has been conducted investigating the potential relationships between RWG, infant feeding practices, and the infant gut microbiome.Methods: This study was a pilot study, which included 31 mother-infant dyads who were primarily recruited from Women, Infant, and Children’s Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) clinics and by word of mouth in the Southwestern United States. Participants were followed over six months, with study staff conducting home study visits four times (pregnancy, two days postpartum, three weeks and six months). Mothers who participated in this study were majority White (n=40.6%), non-Hispanic or Latino (67.7%), and obtained a graduate degree (n=22.6%). Participants were included in this analysis (n=22) if they provided at least two infant fecal samples, and the study staff were able to collect infant anthropometric data at the three-week and six-month study visits. Microbial DNA from fecal samples was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq instrument after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification was performed on the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene sequence. Statistical analysis was performed using the QIIME2 longitudinal plug-in.
Results: Results of this study suggested a significant difference in weighted UniFrac between infants who were exclusively breastfed and formula-fed from birth to three weeks of age. Additionally, an exploratory statistical method identified family Prevotellaceae as a potentially volatile microbe; however, this model failed to reach significance for either RWG or mode of feeding. Overall, no additional alpha or beta diversity metrics or differential abundance of microbes by either RWG or feeding practice group was found in this study.
Conclusion: Future research is warranted to further explore potential connections between RWG, infant feeding practices, and the infant gut microbiome in a longitudinal study with a larger sample size.
ContributorsToffoli, Samantha (Author) / Whisner, Corrie (Thesis advisor) / Bruening, Meg (Committee member) / Sears, Dorothy (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2021
Description
Background: Children in the United States have low diet quality scores and consume less than the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. The National School Lunch Program serves nearly 30 million children daily, and has the potential to improve the diet quality of children. However, there are high levels of food waste, particularly of fruits and vegetables. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine which menu items students are throwing away untouched most frequently. A secondary purpose of this study is to determine which menu items students are fully consuming most frequently.
Methods: Student participants (n=2,881) in Arizona elementary, middle, and high schools who participated in school lunch were randomly selected to participate in the study. Student lunch trays were photographed before and after the student ate. Visual estimation was used to determine if menu items were untouched or fully consumed. Menu item names were standardized and categorized into menu categories. The frequency menu items were untouched or fully consumed were summarized in percentages by menu category, and stratified by school level.
Results: Findings show that menu items within each menu category are untouched and fully consumed with different frequencies. Cold vegetable items were untouched with the greatest frequency, with 39% of all servings untouched. Some menu items were both untouched and fully consumed with high frequency.
Conclusion: Food service managers can use these results to plan menus with food items that are more popular among their students to help increase consumption and decrease waste. Future research should explore the relationship between packaging and preparation with student consumption and waste. Researchers should also examine aspects of the high school food environment that may lead to increased student consumption.
ContributorsLiddicoat, Carina Marie (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Adams, Marc A (Committee member) / Grgich, Traci (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022