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Edited by Karen Curtis, RD, LDN, Editorial Assistant Books,curricula,audiovisuals,and other resources that nutrition professionals may use for reference, for continuing education, or in a formal or informal education setting are designated “professional.” Books, handouts, diet plans, and other resources specified by authors as being written for general audiences are categorized as “consumer.” Inclusion of any material in this section does not imply endorsement by the Society for Nutrition Education. Evaluative comments contained in the reviews reflect the views of the authors. Review abstracts are either prepared by the reviewer or extracted from the product literature. Prices quoted are those provided by the publishers at the time materials were submitted.They may no longer be current when the review is published. (J Nutr Educ Behav. 2005;37:217-224.)
BOOKS Professional BodyWise Handbook: Eating Disorders Information for Middle School Personnel. 2004. From US Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, 200 Independence Ave, SW, Room 712E, Washington, DC 20201, (202) 6907650, handbook, 26 pp, free. The BodyWise Handbook brings to light the issue of eating disorders among middle school students, addressing patterns of disordered eating, symptoms, complications, and ideas to promote positive body image within the school setting.This
TABLE OF CONTENTS Books BodyWise Handbook: Eating Disorders Information for Middle School Personnel. . . . . . . . . . .217 Food Safety During Pregnancy. . . .218 Raising Healthy Eaters: 100 Tips for Parents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218 Pocket Supermarket Guide, 3rd Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219 Are You Eating Right? . . . . . . . . .220 Small Steps, Big Rewards Book and Pedometer Package. . . . . . . . . .220 Eductational Curricula Fruits and Vegetables Galore: Helping Kids Eat More. . . . . . .221 Audiovisuals Let’s Do Lunch. . . . . . . . . . . . . .221 Web Sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 Recent Arrivals . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
publication is also available on-line at http:// www.4woman.org/BodyImage/bodywise.cfm. For many, eating disorders are an unfamiliar topic of discussion.Yet for those who work where eating disorders run rampant, recognition and understanding of the issue are needed to identify, correct, and prevent this health malady. Through their recent publication BodyWise Handbook: Eating Disorders Information for Middle School Personnel, the US Department of Health and Human Services promotes awareness and discussion of this topic through basic concepts, interesting facts, and personal quotations found in this easy-to-read handbook. Developed by health communication professionals in conjunction with clinicians, researchers, and educators, the BodyWise Handbook was formulated for adults who work with students in grades 5 through 7. Divided into 4 sections, the first section reviews types of eating disorders and disordered eating.The second section is entitled “Key Information for School Personnel” and discusses possible etiologies of eating disorders, complications, signs and symptoms, and common misconceptions. It also contains a useful awareness checklist for teachers,providing tools to assess current classroom attitudes toward eating disorders. The third and fourth sections consist of instructions for using further BodyWise resource sheets on-line to offer a more practical application of the concepts. “Boys and Eating Disorders,” “Resources for School Personnel: Education Materials,” and “How to Help a Student” are just a few examples amid the many fact sheets available on-line at http://www.4woman.org/ BodyImage/bodywise.cfm. 217
Although eating disorders can be complex, this handbook provides simple information that anyone can comprehend and apply in daily life. Personal quotations and text boxes throughout the handbook draw the reader into the mind of the preadolescent struggling with this adversity. Although the handbook is only 26 pages in length, it is by no means just the dry facts.The ease and flow of the content make this an enjoyable read that is both informative and interesting. At first glance, the layout is pleasing to the eye, with a wide variety of pictures, bulleted points, and quotation boxes. However, on closer look, one may spot errors in the graphic arrangement and format. For example, pictures partially cover words in bulleted points, creating incomplete thoughts that leave the reader questioning the message. Also, in more than one example, the pictures are slightly blurry. The BodyWise Web site design is easy to navigate, with a wealth of information available at the click of a mouse. In practicality, this Web site is a wonderful resource for anyone wanting to learn more about eating disorders because it provides credible information and referrals to a number of professional organizations for further help with this issue.The only problem with the site is that, on access, a questionnaire automatically pops up, asking the reader to provide feedback.With frequent visits to the site, this may be bothersome. Despite these minor shortcomings, this is a fine handbook that will be of benefit to all who read it: parents, friends, teachers, coaches, or anyone else working with adolescents. Readers will be more confident in eating disorder recognition and etiology, resulting in a better ability to respond to those dealing with food and exercise issues. In conclusion, the practical advice and expansive list of resources in the BodyWise Handbook make it a goldmine for those who desire to learn more about this sensitive and often foreign subject matter. Kelly Dahl, BS, Dietetic Intern, Office of Nutrition Services, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 1414 W. Broadway, Suite 237,Tempe, AZ 85282 Professional/Consumer Food Safety During Pregnancy. Dean J, Kendall P, 2004. From Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, 115 General Services Bldg, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-4061, (877) 6929358, www.ext.colostate.edu, 4 pp, free.
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Food Safety During Pregnancy presents a comprehensive overview of food safety for expectant mothers.This group is a high-risk population that is often overlooked and not targeted in traditional food safety publications and broad educational outreach efforts. The publication is a 4-page fact sheet published through Colorado State Extension. It is easily downloaded from their Web site at no charge. Food Safety During Pregnancy begins with a well-written introduction that concisely outlines the importance of food safety during the prenatal period, explains why pregnant women are at higher risk of contracting foodborne illness, and summarizes the impact that foodborne illness can have on mother and fetus. Next, the authors spotlight 4 infections of special concern to pregnant women: listeriosis,toxoplasmosis,salmonellosis,and campylobacteriosis. Each infection is summarized separately.The authors explain how each infection is contracted and outline the symptoms associated with that infection.They list foods typically associated with contracting infection and outline how to avoid contracting each infection. Dean and Kendall nicely summarize how each pathogen impacts the fetus. A graphic of a thermometer that depicts safe end-point cooking temperatures and “Quick Facts” are interspersed throughout the fact sheet. Of particular interest is a guide (presented in table format) that pregnant women can use to help select lowerrisk alternatives to “high-risk” foods, such as cold processed meats, soft cheeses made from raw milk, and unpasteurized juices. The authors conclude Food Safety During Pregnancy with a summary of common safe food-handling practices that expectant mothers should follow, including practicing personal hygiene, cooking food safely,
avoiding cross-contamination, and keeping foods at safe temperatures. Although the publication is a “quick read,” the layout, design, and language used throughout Food Safety During Pregnancy do not lend themselves to lower-literacy audiences. It is, perhaps, a publication that is best used with those of higher reading and income levels. Paragraphs and sentences are long, “white space” is minimal, and the layout is a bit crowded, making it somewhat visually unappealing. However, the information presented in the fact sheet is thoroughly researched, well written, and well organized. Overall, Food Safety During Pregnancy offers a concise overview of an important—and often overlooked—topic. It is informative and educational, without being dry and uninteresting. On a personal note, I was an expectant mother when I first read the publication. I found that the publication held my interest and offered “quick reading” on an important health topic.These are key factors when working with pregnant women. This target audience is typically bombarded with a wealth of new information during the prenatal period. It is critical that food safety messages for pregnant women are specific, informative, and concise. Food Safety During Pregnancy manages to meet all 3 criteria. I applaud the authors for creating this publication. Food Safety During Pregnancy fills a void by presenting the target audience with information that is not typically covered in depth during prenatal health consultation. It is a “must-have” addition to a nutrition educator’s food safety and prenatal nutrition library. Luanne J. Hughes, MS, RD, Associate Professor and FCHS Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, 1200 N Delsea Dr, New Brunswick, NJ 08312 Consumer Raising Healthy Eaters: 100 Tips for Parents. Lagere H, 2004. From Da Capo Press, 11 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA 02142, (800) 255-1514, softcover, 175 pp, $13.95, ISBN 0-7382-0963-5. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions among children. However, as a general rule, children should not diet.This pediatrician and advocate for families has clarified many confusing nutrition messages while providing parents with sound information on raising healthy eaters in a fast-food culture.The 100 tips in this book provide a guide to healthful eating. Each tip contains an explanation that is high yield, easy to understand, practical, and user-friendly. Many of the tips are geared to helping parents overcome common obsta-
cles to healthful eating for specific age groups of children, such as fussy eaters. Other tips are aimed at families who are vegetarian or “whole food” consumers.The book is geared toward helping parents establish a sustainable dietary regimen for children that will give their family a head start in the lifelong process of healthful eating. This paperback strives to take an overwhelming amount of sound nutrition information and skillfully categorize the information into 6 chapters: “Understanding Nutrition,” “The Basic Rules of Raising a Healthy Eater,” “Troubleshooting for Picky Eaters,”“Meals, Snacks, and Beverages,”“Activity,” and “Nutrition and Health Issues.” The book is organized so that some tips provide general nutrition information and others provide specific dietary lessons that clarify what it means to eat healthfully. Each tip contains specific nutrition information that parents need to know to feed their children a healthful diet. For example, the author provides the correct interpretation of the Food Guide Pyramid and elucidates the importance of regular meals and nutrients gained from eating a variety of foods. He discusses fast food, healthful and unhealthful food choices, and meals and snacks and does a good job at emphasizing the parallel between good parenting skills and healthful food intake. Dr. Lagere discusses the overwhelming amount of nutrition information coming from government, the food industry, and health care professionals. He emphasizes the importance of understanding and following nutrition practices that rely on scien-
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tifically based research rather than information and practices in the popular press. He clearly defines food practices that have led our youth and adults to obesity and outlines the role parents must play in teaching their children healthful food and fitness habits. Dr. Lagere clearly explains that safe weight loss and the daily deprivation of sufficient calories can affect a child’s metabolism and start the vicious cycle of yo-yoing that can affect growth patterns and the endocrine system. He strongly advocates that healthful food choices and staying fit are the only way to maintain a healthy weight. He states: “Children who are fit will stay fit” and “Children who are not fit can engage in the process of becoming fit by adopting eating and behavior patterns that will increase lean body mass.” He clearly outlines the connection between positive behavior patterns and the influence of healthful eating and fitness on children’s self-esteem, healthy body image, and selfconfidence.“Healthy eating is a lifestyle, not a fad.” The author explains that a healthy lifestyle is a learned process and requires consistent reinforcement from parents. He emphasizes that parents need to set house rules and demonstrate healthful food and exercise habits for their children. He states that parents must have good management skills and be positive role models for their family to ensure that their children grow up healthy. There are no magic pills or cures for poor eating habits. Parents need to promote healthful eating and exercise patterns early in their child’s life.As children grow older, they become responsible for their own choices. Unfortunately, negative food choices affect a child’s future health. Each family must make its own lifestyle choices, and parents must do their best to give children every opportunity to be healthy. This pediatrician’s tips are geared toward establishing a sustainable dietary intake pattern that will give children a good start in making healthful food choices. The book consists of 100 tips, each with a “catchy” title.Tips are 1 to 2 pages and are designed to address important nutrition, activity, and self-esteem concepts.I felt as though I was reading the work of Ellyn Satter, pioneer in child feeding practices, interjected into a Cooperative Extension publication.The tips are short and clearly stated, and the nutrition information is accurate.The book is an excellent resource for nutrition educators to use with parents of preschoolers and school-aged youth. Dr. Lagere does a good job of explaining nutrition, science, and medical terms in simple language. He emphasizes important, basic concepts that will make a difference in ensuring a child is fed properly. Appendix A
includes the Food Guide Pyramid, with information about serving sizes for children. Appendix B includes menu planning ideas, and Appendix C includes quick, healthful recipes for breakfast,lunch,dinner,and snacks. If parents follow the suggestions in this book, they will see the connection between healthful eating, good food management practice, and healthful fitness patterns and how they lead to a healthy body. Karen Ensle, EdD, RD, FADA, CFCS, Department Head/Associate Professor and Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, 300 North Ave E,Westfield, NJ 07090 Consumer Pocket Supermarket Guide, 3rd Edition. Hess MA, 2004. From American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, softcover, 36 pp, $9.00, ISBN 088091-407-6. The Pocket Supermarket Guide is as important a shopping tool as a grocery list.This guide is packed with practical shopping tips, information to help consumers make smart food choices based on their personal dietary needs,and money-saving ideas to illustrate that good nutrition does not have to be expensive.The Pocket Supermarket Guide also features tips for maintaining the nutrient quality of foods purchased,as well as food safety and storage tips to protect families from foodborne illness. In a time when the number of food items available in supermarkets is astronomical,guidance on selecting healthful foods is critical.The Pocket Supermarket Guide is a printed pamphlet that provides detailed food selection information for 24 specific types of food products, such as breads, cereals, and other grains; legumes;nuts and nut butters;frozen products; deli products; nutrition and sport bars; and meal replacement options.Each food category includes a section on “what to look for” when shopping and tips that “smart shoppers know.” Although there is a smattering of clip art features, the Guide is composed mostly of tips in a bulleted text format.These tips might include advice to promote food safety, helpful hints for shopping on a limited budget, and general guidelines for assessing the nutritional value of a food product. For example, in the eggs section, the author includes a statement related to egg temperature, a hint to determine if purchasing medium or large eggs is more cost effective, and a description of the protein, vitamin, and mineral content of eggs. Kosher and other culturally appropriate foods are included within this minitext.
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Although intended for use by the general population, the Pocket Supermarket Guide can be easily adapted for use by nutrition education professionals as a learning tool during a supermarket tour or in a more formal educational environment. Application activities using this reference could be quickly incorporated into an education session because the abundance of practical information is presented in a similar format for each food category. The Pocket Supermarket Guide provides the “shopper-on-the-go” a compact reference that can easily fit in a purse or jacket pocket. Although there is limited referencing, the content is accurate, current, appropriate for the intended audience, and concisely written.The overall focus of the helpful tips is healthful eating and consuming a wide variety of foods in moderation—a concept that is critical in today’s society. Melanie Tracy Burns, PhD, RD, Associate Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, 600 Lincoln Ave, Charleston, IL 61920
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Consumer Are You Eating Right? Morrill J, Stone D, Murphy S, 2003. From Orange Grove Publishing, 1239 Bellair Way, Menlo Park, CA 94025-6612, (650) 854-5390, tool/reference, 328 pp, $29.95, ISBN 0-96579517-9. Food labels and a food composition table with brand-name and unlabeled foods are used to calculate Percent Daily Values of nutrients in food, beverages, and supplements consumed in a 24-hour period. ‘‘Am I eating right?’’ may be a question on some people’s minds. In a workbook format, readers are guided through calculations to compare their diets with ‘‘official recommendations.’’ The dietary assessment begins with listing all food and drink consumed for 24 hours on a worksheet (also available in Excel format). Instructions are given for a quick diet analysis comparing portions eaten with Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. However, there is no explanation that Pyramid recommendations are based on 3 levels of caloric needs. To do a detailed dietary analysis, labels and fast-food Web sites are used as primary sources of nutrient information.This is supplemented with a food composition table that includes nutrient values for other brandname and unlabeled foods. The table (adapted from the US Department of Agriculture [USDA]) gives values for 23 nutrients in over 5000 foods, including ethnic and fast foods. Common portion sizes are used, and nutrients are expressed as ‘‘Percent Daily Value,’’ as on food labels. The food composition table is organized in 7 sections with subcategories that mix brand-name and unlabeled foods. The
index is important for locating foods but may not always be logical. For example, ‘‘Girl Scout’’ might have been more logically placed as a subheading under ‘‘cookies’’ rather than as a separate category following ginkgo nuts. After the table is filled in, nutrient intakes from foods and supplements are calculated by summing Percent Daily Values, though the concept that these calculations are only an estimate of your actual needs is not well explained. In general, the US Food and Drug Administration set Daily Values in the high range of needs for age and gender categories. A table shows the actual vitamin and mineral needs of people 4 years or older (including pregnant and nursing women) as Percent Daily Values. A worksheet gives instructions for adjusting the Percent Daily Values of prenatal supplements. Instructions are provided for calculating your own protein recommendation (based on body weight), calorie needs (baseline plus physical activity), and body mass index, though abbreviations such as g/lb and cal/g are not spelled out. Alcohol-adjusted calories and percentage of calories from protein, carbohydrate, added sugar, fat, and saturated fat can be calculated using the formulas provided and can be compared with macronutrient recommendations. Fiber, sodium, and potassium intakes are compared with National Academy of Sciences recommendations. Boxes are provided for writing in dietary changes that would increase or decrease nutrient intakes that differ from recommendations. Readers are asked to reflect on their day’s diet compared with their usual diet. They are also asked to consider the contribution of dietary supplements and/or fortified foods to their nutrient intakes. Combining food and supplement intakes in a dietary assessment is valuable. A table of Tolerable Upper Intake Levels as Percent Daily Values is included for comparison with calculated nutrient intakes. The photo gallery of ‘‘head shots’’ on the front cover suggests that the book is intended for use by young adults. As a college class assignment, students might have the perseverance to do the time-consuming data entry and hand calculations, and gain an appreciation for the steps involved in dietary analysis. For people who have less interest in their intake of individual nutrients, USDA’s on-line Interactive Healthy Eating Index might be a more convenient option for dietary analysis. The book would be a useful resource for consumer education on food labeling. The
food composition table could be used for comparing labeled and unlabeled foods. Carolyn Raab, PhD, RD, Extension Foods and Nutrition Specialist, Oregon State University, 161 Milam Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-5106 Consumer Small Steps, Big Rewards Book and Pedometer Package. American Diabetes Association, 2003. From the American Diabetes Association, 1701 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, VA 22311, (800) 232-6733, booklet + pedometer, 64 pp, $19.95, ISBN 1-58040-211-9. The Small Steps, Big Rewards kit contains a pedometer and a booklet. The booklet offers advice and tips on starting a walking regimen to prevent heart attacks and strokes, lower the risk for cancer, control blood sugar, lose weight, improve circulation, build strong bones, re-energize the mind, combat stress, boost memory, and revitalize the body. As a nation, we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic that is largely due to a sedentary lifestyle.Although there is much emphasis on trendy (and costly) exercise routines and fitness gyms, the simple idea of walking for fitness has fallen to the wayside. However, as we discredit this gentle exercise, research demonstrates how effective it can be. Recent studies have shown that suburban sprawl, which affects most of our population, is linked to higher rates of obesity because people are forced to drive or take public transportation as opposed to walking or biking. One of the values of walking is the fact that it is a very nonintimidating form of
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exercise that almost anyone can do. The content of the booklet emphasizes that philosophy.The language is very comprehensible; for some, it will be very motivating. A drawback is that to others, it may be condescending and elementary in places. Hopefully, this does not cause anyone to toss the booklet aside because the information is quite good. It guides you through everything from the mechanics of walking to visualization exercises.The booklet is full of suggestions for getting in exercise at work and in daily activities. The healthful benefits that can be gained from walking are inspirational to the reader. The booklet goes briefly into other aspects of exercise, such as stretching and lifting weights. A healthful diet and adequate water consumption are also encouraged. The pedometer is a nice addition because it gives the user concrete evidence of performed activity. It takes the mystery out of how much exercise he or she is really getting; for many people, it will be a major motivating factor. The booklet also offers many Web sites and toll-free numbers to call for additional information. The fact that the kit is aimed at the middle-aged to elderly population is implicit in its packaging, which boldly proclaims the rewards of preventing heart attacks, stroke, and cancer and controlling diabetes. It would also be useful for anyone who is overweight and wants to start a very approachable, gentle exercise regimen. The nice thing about this kit is that it has the capacity to be easily assimilated into one’s lifestyle if taken seriously.The pedometer is a portable reminder, and, hopefully, its presence will encourage users to find ways in which to incorporate more walking into their everyday life. The booklet optimistically offers many solutions while encouraging creativity. It also addresses some of the difficulties and popular excuses walkers may be up against. The timing of this kit is excellent, and it has the potential to be a very useful tool for the middle-aged to the elderly, as well as people who are overweight.As the title Small Steps, Big Rewards suggests, walking can be a simple but very effective path to better health for many people. Miranda Roesler, University of Nebraska, 5010 Emerald Dr, Lincoln, NE 68516; Jaime Ruud, MS, RD, Research Technologist, Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska, 202 Ruth Leverton Hall, Lincoln, NE 68583
EDUCATIONAL CURRICULA Educational Toolkit Fruits and Vegetables Galore: Helping Kids Eat More. 2004. From US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, 3101 Park Center Dr, Room 632, Alexandria, VA 22302, (703) 305-1624, toolkit, free. Fruits and Vegetables Galore is a colorful “how-to guide” for school foodservice professionals packed with tips on planning, purchasing, protecting, preparing, presenting, and promoting fruits and vegetables in school meals. Fruits and Vegetables Galore is an excellent resource for school foodservice professionals who recognize the need to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children.The tool consists of 3 booklets, which contain easy-to-follow recipes with beautiful, fullcolor photographs that make fruits and vegetables look attractive and appealing. It also provides simple ideas for improving the presentation of fruits and vegetables and specific ideas for promoting interest in fruits and vegetables in school nutrition programs, such as salad bars and prepackaged salads. The US Department of Agriculture has partnered with organizations such as the National 5 a Day Partnership, the American Cancer Society, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide Fruits and Vegetables Galore to help school foodservice programs address one of the most compelling public health issues of our time: childhood obesity.The guide presents a creative, practical approach for improving children’s diets and promoting an early interest in fruits and vegetables. Planning worksheets, marketing calendars, and reproducible parent newsletters included in the “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Healthy Children” booklet provide immediate suggestions for implementing a marketing program to increase fruits and vegetables in school meals. Recipes and detailed instructions in “Tricks of the Trade: Preparing Fruits and Vegetables” provide outstanding guidance to school foodservice programs, whether “you are just getting a fruit and vegetable effort underway (or) already have sophisticated operations.”The purchasing information contained in the “Quality Food for Quality Meals: Buying Fruits and Vegetables” booklet removes much of the guesswork associated with providing fruits and vegetables in school meals. Sections on buying fresh produce, food safety, and detailed purchasing information help address the lack
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of information or knowledge that may prevent school foodservice operators from highlighting fruits and vegetables on school menus. Facts about sizes, grades, seasonality, and tips about receiving and storing produce may also help address concerns about the expense of providing fruits and vegetables in school meals. The outstanding use of color through pictures, well-formatted text, and accompanying posters contributes to the usefulness of the tool and serves as a reminder of the variety of colors, textures, and tastes of fruits and vegetables.This is definitely not a guide that will collect dust on a bookshelf. It should be used by every menu planner and operator in school food service. Beverly L. Girard, MBA, MS, RD, SFNS, Director of Food and Nutrition Services,The School Board of Sarasota County, 1960 Landings Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34231
AUDIOVISUALS Videotape Let’s Do Lunch. 2004. From Meridian Education Corporation, PO Box 9111, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852-0911, (800) 7275505, video, $69.95, ISBN 0-7365-8380-7. The video Let’s Do Lunch aims to teach teenagers the importance of their food choices at lunchtime.The video reinforces the need to eat a
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healthful lunch and gives examples of healthful foods to eat during that very important mealtime. Looking cool and fitting in are common concerns for most teenagers, especially during those transitional years as they begin junior high or middle school. At this age, teenagers are given more food options in school, such as vending machines and fast food.The video Let’s Do Lunch shows that the typical lunch of the average teenager, consisting of hamburgers, French fries, candy bars, and soda, can cause health problems such as obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and heart disease.The video explains what foods should be incorporated in a healthful diet and includes the following: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, and water. The video concludes by giving examples of healthful choices for lunchtime. It encourages choosing more healthful fast-food options, the salad bar, and school hot lunches and offers suggestions on how to make quick and delicious sack lunches. Overall, the video appeals and relates well to young teenagers because it features teenagers wearing the latest fashions at a mall, both of which are very important to the target age group. Eleven- to 15-year-olds are an important target audience because young teens begin to make more of their own decisions, especially regarding what they eat for lunch.The video also addresses issues that are of great concern during teen years, such as skipping meals and losing weight. The video uses a variety of ways to illustrate the need to eat nutritious food during lunchtime in a way that is easily understood and interesting to the 11- to 15-year-old age group. For example, it compares the need to eat at lunchtime to a car’s continual need for refueling. Let’s Do Lunch uses age-appropriate vocabulary and explains more complex terms, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), by explaining that it is more commonly known as LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease.The explanation continues with an excellent graphic that visually illustrates the dangers of high cholesterol that builds up on the walls of arteries and results in a heart attack or stroke. The film is accurate in content by including current information, such as the need to reduce trans-fat intake. In the video, registered dietitians and a college athletic trainer are used to support the information given in the video. In contrast, the teenage actors do a bit of overacting in the video, which is distracting at times. However, that may be due to the age, in which overreacting is common. Also, a portion of the video blames the current
obesity epidemic on the hunters and gatherers living thousands of years ago who maintained life by storing fat in times of plenty.The video distastefully shows the hunters and gatherers gorging themselves by the fire. Let’s Do Lunch is unique in that it emphasizes the need for a healthful lunch, a mealtime not usually in the spotlight. However, this meal is unique to teens during the school year because many are given lunch money and are free to buy what they desire. The timeliness of this video could not be better because obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension have become enormous health problems that affect more and more teenagers every year. It is important that teenagers are given correct information early in their lives on the importance of making good eating choices and establishing healthful eating patterns that will continue with them the rest of their lives. Janette Weidman, BS, Dietetic Intern, Office of Nutrition Services, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, 1414 W Broadway,Tempe, AZ 85282
WEB SITES Web Site Nutrition and Physical Activity Inventory of Qualitative Research. 2004. From Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http:// www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/qualitative_ research/.Accessed December 1, 2004. This Inventory of Qualitative Research sites “provides a catalog of qualitative research that has been conducted in nutrition and physical activity dating back to 1997.” Although it is not a comprehensive list of all qualitative research in physical activity, nutrition, or related fields, it does contain nearly 40 studies voluntarily submitted for inclusion in the Web site.The Web authors “hope that this database will facilitate the sharing of more studies.” Would you like to have access to a Web site that provides basic information about research on qualitative studies for nutrition and physical activity? Have you published qualitative research about nutrition and physical activity that you would like to have linked to this site? Would you like to exchange ideas with other researchers? If so, this is a resource to consider.The topics include 5 A Day, breast-feeding, inactivity or sedentary behaviors, nutrition, obesity, and physical activity.
In total, there were 2 studies on 5 A Day, no studies on breast-feeding,3 on inactivity or sedentary behaviors, 34 on nutrition, 9 on obesity, and 32 on physical activity. A single study may have appeared in all of the categories, except breast-feeding. Although they are few in number, the studies may be helpful because they are fairly recent, the data are collected in a systematic way, and data collection includes qualitative methods, such as focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and ethnography. Furthermore, each study posted on the site provides information so that the reader can contact the study authors for more conversation. It is a way to share resources, including access to the study instruments. In other words, the next researcher may conveniently build on what has been done. For example, the California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program submitted 4 studies for the nutrition section of this inventory of qualitative research.Something similar to an abstract of each study is provided, along with a listing of available research documents and a contact person, the name of the organization, a telephone number, and an email link.In this way,people can communicate, exchange ideas, and share qualitative research instruments and tools. The downside is that there are not many studies in the inventory. Even more useful are the links in the Nutrition and Physical Activity section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site. A first place to look is the “What’s New” section. A recent posting at the time of this writing included the results of the Pediatric and Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System. These program-based surveillance systems monitor the nutritional status of low-income infants, children, and women in federally funded maternal and child health programs. Data on birth weight, breast-feeding, height, weight, and anemia are relevant for teaching students, training professionals, and community work in the field of maternal and child health. Also useful are the links to data and statistics for surveys and surveillance systems, including the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System, National Health Interview Survey, Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 5 A Day data, obesity trends, physical activity statistics,WISEWOMAN (WellIntegrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation), and much more. The URL http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ dnpa/ is surely worth keeping as a favorite bookmark.The Web site has both professional and general public sections. People interested in a healthy lifestyle will find excellent
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tips for staying well and preventing disease, calculating and interpreting body mass index, using anthropometry tools, implementing worksite programs, youth programs such as “Powerful Bones, Powerful Girls,” and more. The Nutrition and Physical Activity branch of the CDC Web site has many useful sections for the nutrition professional, the nutrition student, and the general public.The Inventory of Qualitative Research is a starting place for nutrition professionals who would like to network with other professionals regarding nutrition and physical activity research. Although the number of studies is limited in this section, the opportunity to network is enhanced. Evette M. Hackman, PhD, RD, Emeritus Professor, Seattle Pacific University, 3307 Third Ave West, Seattle,WA 98105 Web Site The Virtual Grocery Store. 2002. From American Diabetes Association, 1701 North Beauregard St, Alexandria,VA 22331, (800) 342-2383, http://vgs.diabetes.org/homepage. jsp. Accessed November 5, 2004. The Virtual Grocery StoreWeb site was created to teach people with diabetes how to evaluate and choose healthful foods.The Web site provides nutrition label information, recipes, quick meal ideas, and ideas for menu planning using the Food Guide Pyramid or the Exchange List. Consumers are bombarded with information about nutrition and health, but they want simplicity. Clients often request simple menus. However, standard menus exclude personal food preferences, and few educational tools exist to help clients plan menus that incorporate their food preferences.The Virtual Grocery Store Web site, created by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), comes closer to meeting this need. The main objective of the Virtual Grocery Store, a semi-interactive Web site, is to provide nutrition information for commonly purchased foods.The “Grocery Store Tour” takes the visitor through each aisle of the supermarket. When a particular food in an aisle is selected, nutrition information, resembling the food label, pops up on another page. An explanation of how to read the food labels and use the information is provided on the “Planning Meals” page. Another feature of the Web site is the “Recipes” page. Visitors can select from hundreds of categorized recipes, and, once selected, recipe ingredients are added to a personal shopping list.The “Shopping List” page allows visitors to add desired items or delete items they already have on hand.The
shopping list can be printed and taken to the grocery store.These 2 pages are the most interactive parts of the Web site and can assist with menu planning. The Virtual Grocery Store Web site also provides sound nutrition information in an easily navigable format. However, it could provide more interaction for the user. The “Planning Meals” page could offer more than just meal planning information. It could involve the user in meal planning and connect this function to the “Grocery Store Tour,”“Recipes,” and “Shopping List” pages. For example, the Web site could take the user through the steps of creating a weekly meal plan, developing and/or selecting recipes, and, finally, creating a shopping list with the amounts to purchase. The site could then provide nutrition information for each meal and a weekly summary. The Virtual Grocery Store has a design similar to that of grocery store Web sites. For example, foods are categorized by aisle.To order food on-line from a grocery store, the user selects a product and the product is dropped into a grocery cart.The Virtual Grocery Store Web site could integrate this concept and allow users to drop selected foods into their shopping list.The site could then display nutrition labels for selected foods and enable nutritional comparisons between products.The ability to view food labels side by side would greatly enhance the Web site. The Virtual Grocery Store Web site provides quick, easy, and healthful meal ideas, which is a strength of the site. In fact, the “Express Lane” page has a wealth of information about quick meals, staple foods to have on hand, and proper food storage tips. The Web site is also a vehicle for marketing credible ADA books and consumer information.A need for Web sites that provide reliable health information always exists, and the Virtual Grocery Store meets this need by providing credible information. However, the site repeats information already available on the Internet. It does provide an easily navigable format for consumers with access to simple ideas for self-management. Perhaps the ADA intends to make this Web site more interactive and involve the user in the creation of menus and subsequent shopping lists. Adults learn best by immediately applying learned information, and this Web site provides a good start to this process. Abby Gold, MPH, LRD, Doctoral Candidate, North Dakota State University, Department of Communication, PO Box 5075, Fargo, ND 58105-5075
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RECENT ARRIVALS The materials listed below were recently received in the JNEB editorial office. Materials that appear to be of particular interest to our readers will be reviewed in upcoming JNEB issues as space allows. Professional Books Clinical Nutrition: Enteral and Tube Feeding, 4th Edition. Rolandelli RH, Bankhead R, Boullata JI, Compher CW, eds, 2004. From Elsevier Saunders, The Curtis Center, 170 S Independence Mall W, Suite 300E, Philadelphia, PA 19106, (800) 523-1649, hardback, 672 pp, $139.00, ISBN 0-7216-0379-3. Medical Management of Eating Disorders: A Practical Handbook for Health Care Professionals. Birmingham CL, Beumont P, 2004. From Cambridge University Press, 40 West 20th St, New York, NY 10011-4211, (212) 924-3900, softcover, 289 pp, $55.00, ISBN 0-521-54662-1. Professional/Consumer Books The Automatic Diet. Platkin CS, 2005. From Hudson Street Press, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, (212) 366-2222, hardcover, 288 pp, $24.95, ISBN 1-59463-000-3. Civic Agriculture: Reconnecting Farm, Food, and Community. Lyson TA, 2004. From University Press of New England, One Court St, Lebanon, NH 03766, (800) 4211561, softcover, 136 pp, $16.95, ISBN 1-58465-414-7. The Culprit and the Cure. Aldana S, 2005. From Maple Mountain Press, 935 East 900 North, Mapleton, UT 84664, (866) 7323843, hardcover, 261 pp, $24.99, ISBN 0-9758828-0-5. The Greenbelt Movement: Sharing the Approach and the Experience - New Expanded Edition. Maathai W, 2005. From Lantern Books, One Union Square West, Suite 201, New York, NY 10003, (212) 4142275, softcover, 160 pp, $15.00, ISBN 1-59056-040-X. Nutrition for Life. Hark L, Deen D, 2004. From DK Publishing, Inc, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, (212) 213-4800, hardcover, 336 pp, $30.00, ISBN 0-7566-0522-9.
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Consumer Books Fit Kids: A Practical Guide to Raising Active and Healthy Children - From Birth to Teens. Gavin ML, Dowshen SA, Izenberg N, 2004. From DK Publishing, Inc, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014, (212) 213-4800, hardcover, 208 pp, $20.00, ISBN 0-7566-0349-8. The Organwise Guys: Undercover Diabetes Health Agents! Lombardo M, 2004. From Wellness Incorporated,3838 Song River Cir,Duluth,GA 30097,(800) 786-1730,hardcover with activity book, 28 pp, $17.95, ISBN 1-931212-53-8, 1-931212-54-6. Consumer Booklets The Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: What It Means to You. 2004. From Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 200 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20201, (877) 696-6775, brochure, 26 pp, free.
Finding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 2005. From US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Agriculture, 200 Independence Ave, SW, Washington, DC 20201, (866) 5121800, brochure, 12 pp, free.
Putting the WOW! In Dietetics: An Introduction to Customer Satisfaction. Finley D, Diekman C, Dorner B, Lofley D, 2004. From American Dietetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, softcover, 58 pp, free.
Teen Weight SET: “Girls - Take Charge and Look Good!”, “Guys - Fuel Your Body!”, “Get Wise to Portion Size!”, “Snacks are OK!”, “Don’t Just Sit There!”, “Smoking’s No Diet!” 2004. From ETR Publishing, 4 Carbonero Way, Scotts Valley, CA 95066, (800) 321-4407, brochure, 1 p, $66.00 per 50.
Web Sites Tools for Effective Communications. 2004. From International Food Information Council, 1100 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 430,Washington, DC 20036, (202) 296-6540, http://www.ific.org/tools/, free.
Resource Packets Bone Health and Osteoporosis Outreach Toolkit. 2004. From Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 200 Independence Ave SW,Washington, DC 20201, (877) 696-6775, toolkit, 44 pp, free.
www.nutrition.gov. 2004. From National Agricultural Library Food and Nutrition Information Center, 10301 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705-2351, free.