Healthy Food Environments in Food Pantries: Lessons Learned from a Sodium Reduction Intervention.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Quinn EL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8701667 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:ObjectiveDecades of marginalization have led Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon to experience multigenerational poverty and food insecurity. The Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Children programme implemented and examined the impact of a two-pronged intervention that employed women through community kitchens to deliver a subsidized healthy daily school snack to elementary-school children in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. We describe the rationale, study design, theorized impact pathways, and discuss lessons learned.DesignThe programme was quasi-experimental. We conducted formative and process evaluation of both components of the intervention to elucidate the pathways to programme impact.SettingPalestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.ParticipantsThirty-three women participated in the kitchens and provided subsidized snacks to 714 children.ResultsSnacks were healthy, traditional Palestinian recipes designed by women and a nutritionist. Participation fluctuated but eventually increased after modifying the meals to ensure acceptability by children. The main challenges to sustainability related to the need for subsidization of the meals and the lack of school policies around the regulation of sales of school food, which together led to fluctuations in programme participation.ConclusionsThe study provides lessons learned on the potential of this model to improve the human capital of two generations of protracted refugees. The availability of schools as a constant market for these social enterprises offers an opportunity for sustainable livelihood generation and food security gains. Challenges to sustainability remain and could be addressed through social (subsidies to support the programme) and structural (policies to restrict unhealthy food sales) measures.
| S-EPMC10200532 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The US Army Public Health Center developed the Creating Active Communities and Healthy Environments (CACHE) Toolkit to help military installations evaluate the quality of their built environments relative to healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living. This study sought to improve its implementation process and assess subsequent Action Plan Guides' utility at 5 military installations. Baseline data included a knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs survey (N = 34); post-Toolkit implementation data included focus groups (N = 2) and interviews (N = 10). Although >80% of participants agreed the built environment affects healthy living, only 44%, 53%, and 35% agreed their installations' built environments promoted healthy eating, physical activity, and tobacco-free living, respectively. Emerging themes comprised "Opportunities to Improve Toolkit and Action Plan Guide Functionality," the "Sociopolitical Landscape Affects Toolkit Implementation," and the "Sociopolitical and Physical Landscapes Affect the Toolkit's Value and Utility." This study provides concrete lessons for the CACHE Toolkit and other public health-based military initiatives.
| S-EPMC6628517 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Childhood asthma develops from a complex interaction among host and environmental factors in early life. Birth cohort studies have provided valuable insight into asthma risk factors and the natural history of wheezing and asthma through childhood and beyond. Early life aeroallergen sensitization and wheezing illnesses associated with virus and bacterial infections have been identified as pivotal risk factors for asthma inception. Recently, focus has turned toward protective factors that promote lung health in children. Studies in a variety of environments, including farms and urban communities, suggest that diverse exposures to microbes in early life lead to a lower risk of allergy and asthma in childhood. The mechanisms underlying how these exposures and the gut and airway microbiomes alter the host response to allergens and viruses are of interest and an area of ongoing study. Longitudinal follow up of birth cohorts in diverse environments worldwide will continue to provide critical knowledge about the factors that impact the natural history of asthma.
| S-EPMC5508737 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe Healthy Communities Study (HCS) was a national study of community programs and policies that aimed to address childhood obesity; it necessitated recruitment of a large sample of children from communities throughout the United States.ObjectiveThe HCS aimed to complete visits with an average of 45 children and 12 key informants from at least 120 communities, diverse with respect to region of the country, urbanicity, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity and intensity of community programs and policies that aim to address childhood obesity.MethodsPurchased address lists were utilized to select households for recruitment during Wave 1 of the study, and recruitment of families through schools was employed for Wave 2.ResultsThe HCS successfully obtained approval from 149 school districts and 478 schools in 130 communities, recruited 5138 families, and interviewed 1421 key informants to allow for characterization of overall intensity of obesity prevention/treatment efforts in each community.ConclusionsLessons learned are presented. Future studies should plan for inclusion of the following in development of recruitment strategies: literature review, formative research, pilot testing, and ongoing monitoring and adjustment.
| S-EPMC6424514 | biostudies-literature
Project description:To identify challenges and solutions to the efficient conduct of a multisite, practice-based randomized controlled trial to improve nurses' adherence to personal protective equipment use in ambulatory oncology settings.The Drug Exposure Feedback and Education for Nurses' Safety (DEFENS) study is a clustered, randomized, controlled trial. Participating sites are randomized to Web-based feedback on hazardous drug exposures in the sites plus tailored messages to address barriers versus a control intervention of a Web-based continuing education video.The study principal investigator, the study coordinator, and two site leaders identified challenges to study implementation and potential solutions, plus potential methods to prevent logistical challenges in future studies.Noteworthy challenges included variation in human subjects' protection policies, grants and contracts budgeting, infrastructure for nursing-led research, and information technology variation. Successful strategies included scheduled Web conferences, site-based study champions, site visits by the principal investigator, and centrally based document preparation. Strategies to improve efficiency in future studies include early and continued engagement with contract personnel in sites, and proposed changes to the common rule concerning human subjects. The DEFENS study successfully recruited 393 nurses across 12 sites. To date, 369 have completed surveys and 174 nurses have viewed educational materials.Multisite studies of nursing personnel are rare and challenging to the existing infrastructure. These barriers can be overcome with strong engagement and planning.Leadership engagement, onsite staff support, and continuous communication can facilitate successful recruitment to a workplace-based randomized, controlled behavioral trial.
| S-EPMC5334367 | biostudies-other
Project description:ObjectiveHunger relief agencies have a limited capacity to monitor the nutritional quality of their food. Validated measures of food environments, such as the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010), are challenging to use due to their time intensity and requirement for precise nutrient information. A previous study used out-of-sample predictions to demonstrate that an alternative measure correlated well with the HEI-2010. The present study revised the Food Assortment Scoring Tool (FAST) to facilitate implementation and tested the tool's performance in a real-world food pantry setting.DesignWe developed a FAST measure with thirteen scored categories and thirty-one sub-categories. FAST scores were generated by sorting and weighing foods in categories, multiplying each category's weight share by a healthfulness parameter and summing the categories (range 0-100). FAST was implemented by recording all food products moved over five days. Researchers collected FAST and HEI-2010 scores for food availability and foods selected by clients, to calculate correlations.SettingFive food pantries in greater Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.SubjectsFood carts of sixty food pantry clients.ResultsThe thirteen-category FAST correlated well with the HEI-2010 in prediction models (r = 0·68). FAST scores averaged 61·5 for food products moved, 63·8 for availability and 62·5 for client carts. As implemented in the real world, FAST demonstrated good correlation with the HEI-2010 (r = 0·66).ConclusionsThe FAST is a flexible, valid tool to monitor the nutritional quality of food in pantries. Future studies are needed to test its use in monitoring improvements in food pantry nutritional quality over time.
| S-EPMC6729128 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundContextually and culturally congruent interventions are urgently needed to reduce racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities in physical activity and cardiovascular disease.ObjectivesTo examine a community-based participatory research (CBPR) process that incorporated storytelling into a physical activity intervention, and consider implications for reducing health inequities.MethodsWe used a CBPR process to incorporate storytelling in an existing walking group intervention. Stories conveyed social support and problem-solving intervention themes designed to maintain increases in physical activity over time, and were adapted to the walking group context, group dynamics, challenges, and traditions.Lessons learnedAfter describing of the CBPR process used to adapt stories to walking group sites, we discuss challenges and lessons learned regarding the adaptation and implementation of stories to convey key intervention themes.ConclusionsA CBPR approach to incorporating storytelling to convey intervention themes offers an innovative and flexible strategy to promote health toward the elimination of health inequities.
| S-EPMC4374989 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Providing financial incentives has gained popularity as a strategy to promote weight loss, but questions remain about how best to utilize them. A promising mobile health strategy provides users with near-real-time financial incentives based on both the process of weight loss (behavioral modification) and actual weight loss. To maximize the impact of this strategy, a methodology is needed to close the gap between the desired behavior and the financial incentive. Leveraging mobile health tools-such as mobile phone apps, cellular body weight scales that transmit data to physicians and researchers, and text messaging for instructions and encouragement-has the potential to close this gap. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to describe the development of an innovative technology-based solution and lessons learned from a feasibility trial-Log2Lose-that encouraged individuals to lose weight by providing near-real-time financial incentives for weight loss and/or dietary self-monitoring. METHODS:We recruited participants (N=96) with a body mass index greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 for a 24-week weight loss trial. Participants received a behavioral intervention of biweekly, in-person group sessions and were instructed to log a minimum number of daily calories in MyFitnessPal and to step on the BodyTrace cellular scale at least twice per week. In a 2×2 design, participants were randomized into 4 groups to receive financial incentives for the following: (group 1) weekly weight loss and dietary self-monitoring, (group 2) dietary self-monitoring only, (group 3) weekly weight loss only, or (group 4) no financial incentives. Diet and weight data from the devices were obtained through application programming interfaces. Each week, we applied algorithms to participants' data to determine whether they qualified for a monetary incentive (groups 1-3). A text message notified these participants of whether they met weight loss and/or self-monitoring requirements to earn an incentive and the amount they earned or would have earned. The money was uploaded to a debit card. RESULTS:Our custom-engineered software platform analyzed data from multiple sources, collated and processed the data to send appropriate text messages automatically, and informed study staff of the appropriate incentives. We present lessons learned from the development of the software system and challenges encountered with technology, data transmission, and participants (eg, lost connections or delayed communication). CONCLUSIONS:With consistent and constant validation checks and a robust beta test run, the process of analyzing data and determining eligibility for weekly incentives can be mostly automated. We were able to accomplish this project within an academic health system, which required significant security and privacy safeguards. Our success demonstrates how this methodology of automated feedback loops can provide health interventions via mobile technology. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02691260; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02691260.
| S-EPMC6391641 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe Betel Nut Intervention Trial (BENIT; ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT02942745) is the first known randomized intervention trial specifically designed for areca nut chewers in the western Pacific region who want to quit. The current study is a separate, exploratory study that examined the experiences of the BENIT facilitators during its implementation in Guam and Saipan of the Northern Mariana Islands and the extent to which the BENIT protocol was adapted to meet the participants' and facilitators' needs.MethodsAll six BENIT program facilitators completed an online survey consisting of quantitative (Likert scale) and qualitative (open-ended) questions. Survey items were grouped as follows: facilitator demographics, prior training and preparation, BENIT experience, beliefs about the program's effectiveness, and beliefs about protocol adaptations.ResultsMost of the facilitators felt prepared to deliver the BENIT program after several weeks of moderately intensive training. Facilitators felt the BENIT program was generally effective and that the "trigger logs" and "self-monitoring logs" worked as intended. However, they also noted that more time and support would have been helpful to overcome some of the obstacles inherent to implementing a novel program.ConclusionThe current findings can be used to inform, modify, and tailor subsequent areca nut cessation programs in Micronesian communities and to improve future versions of BENIT.
| S-EPMC10809568 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and purposePediatric populations represent a vulnerable research group. Careful thought must be given to many factors when designing and implementing pediatric intervention research studies. This article discusses methodological and implementation lessons learned from two pediatric intervention pilot studies and highlights facilitators and barriers encountered.Type of methodBoth studies used a pre/post with 6-week follow-up method and were adapted versions of an evidence-based program, Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE).Essential featuresCOPE is a 7-session, cognitive behavioral skills building intervention. COPE for Asthma was implemented in schools with small groups for elementary-aged children with asthma and symptoms of anxiety. Mindstrong to Combat Bullying was implemented individually in the outpatient mental health setting for adolescents who had experienced bullying with concurrent symptoms of depression/anxiety.Methodological applicationBoth intervention studies were successful in achieving their research aims, but more importantly the authors learned important lessons in how to successfully work with pediatric populations in research studies. Legal considerations, such as mandated reporting, suicide risk assessment and the inclusion of parents are reviewed. Other components, such as working with children vs. adolescents, integrating research into school-based settings vs. clinic-based settings, and completing intervention research in a group setting vs. individual setting are discussed.ConclusionsThe two pilot studies highlight important factors to consider when designing and implementing pediatric intervention studies. While challenges arise in working with this vulnerable population, research is ultimately needed to provide the best evidence-based care for our future generations.Clinical trial registrationThe COPE for Asthma study is registered at www.ClinicaltrialsgovNCT03481673.
| S-EPMC9109774 | biostudies-literature