Teens in Smyth County, Virginia Get Cooking with “Teen Cuisine”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21

Poster Session: Wellness and Public Health Understanding Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health-Beliefs of African-American Seniors in Rural Southeastern North Carolina: A Pilot Study

Results of a Student Assignment in an Undergraduate Lifecycle Nutrition Class: Sweetness and Saltiness of Toddler Foods Sold in Bronx-Bbased Supermarkets

Author(s): O.T. Babatunde1, B.A. Dodor2, D.L. Wood1; 1Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 2Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Author(s): L. Samuel, L. Aviva; Health Sciences, Lehman Coll., Bronx, NY

Learning Outcome: To comprehend the gap in knowledge and health beliefs about osteoporosis in minority seniors and promote support for education, to reduce health disparity and prevent/manage the disease. Background: The chance of developing osteoporosis increases with aging, and in AfricanAmericans the incidence is low, but the resulting outcomes are more devastating compared to other racial groups. Evidence shows that osteoporosis is understudied among African-American seniors, and in Southeastern North Carolina this population is a medically underserved minority with a history of health disparity. Objective(s): This pilot study sought to examine (1) osteoporosis related knowledge, selfefficacy and health beliefs in African-Americans seniors in rural Southeastern North Carolina (2) relationship between these variables. Method: A convenience sample of 54 seniors (male and female) recruited through church senior fellowship groups completed measures of osteoporosis -knowledge (OKT), selfefficacy (OSE) and health-beliefs (OHBS) based on the Expanded Health Belief Model. Data was analyzed with SPSS 20.0. Descriptive and person’s correlation were conducted. Results: Thirty-five participants (approximately 65%) returned completed surveys. Majority were females (80%), mean age 70.35
10.3 (age range 60-80 years). Mean for OKT, OSE and OHBS subscales computed indicated the participants OKT were low (10.89
5.17), with mixed results reported on health belief subscales [moderate for perceived susceptibility (17.83
5.10) and seriousness (17.34
4.79), while higher levels for perceived exercise benefits (23.09
3.94), calcium benefits (23.29
3.95), and health motivation (23.89
2.53). Pearson’s bivariate correlation indicates significant relationships between these same health belief subscales (p<0.01). Conclusion: Results from the reported pilot study points to the limited osteoporosis knowledge in this population and the need for culturally relevant strategies for osteoporosis prevention, a step to reducing health disparities in this medically underserved minority seniors in rural communities.

Learning Outcome: Illustrate how student assignments can help students practically apply didactic knowledge in a community setting. Background and Objective: Prevalence of childhood obesity is highest in the Bronx, one of the poorest boroughs of New York City. The Bronx also has a 40 percent African-American population, an ethnicity genetically predisposed to salt-sensitive hypertension. Against this background, as part of a lifecycle nutrition course, students enrolled in an ACEND accredited undergraduate curriculum analyzed the proportion of sugar-derived calories and sodium content in toddler foods marketed in the Bronx. Methods: Students visited and recorded the names of the toddler foods marketed in supermarkets within a 2-mile radius of the school. Toddler foods were identified as breakfast foods, snacks, meals, entrees, side dishes and yogurt blends packaged in pouches, cartons, tubs, bowls, and jars with the label identifying them as “toddler foods,” “12 months onwards,” “12 months +,” “toddler 2+,” or “stage 4”. Students also recorded the sodium content and percentage of sugar-derived calories from the nutrition facts label. The results were verified, warehoused and categorized by a dietetic intern. Results: More than half of the toddler foods were found to have at least 20% of their calories derived from sugar. Almost 44% of foods had at least 200 mg of sodium per serving, and almost a third had sodium content of 300 mg or more per serving. Conclusions: Since dietary habits inculcated in childhood have a lifelong impact, this study represents an application of the didactic curriculum by both undergraduate students and dietetic interns towards pediatric community nutrition. Funding Disclosure: None

Funding Disclosure: Grant- East Carolina University

Factors Associated with Infant Feeding Practices

Teens in Smyth County, Virginia Get Cooking with “Teen Cuisine”

Author(s): N.E. Brown, N.E. Coduti, M.B. Gregoire, D.C. Sowa, N.B. Ratz, G. Marinis Diakakis, Y. Chen; Department of Food and Nutrition Services, Rush Univ. Med. Ctr., Chicago, IL

Author: M.A. McFarland; Southwest District Office, VA. Cooperative Extension, Abingdon, VA

Learning Outcome: Participants will understand characteristics of breast and formula feeding mothers. Despite expert recommendations that infants be exclusively breastfed until six months of age, many infants are fed formula earlier than six months. Characteristics of 300 women who chose to exclusively breastfeed (n¼184), exclusively formula feed (n¼44), and mixed feed (n¼72) were explored through surveys. Breastfeeding women were more likely (p<0.001) to be better educated, white, and married compared to formula and mixed feeders (p<0.001). Breastfeeding women were more likely to have made their decision to breastfeed prior to becoming pregnant or during the first trimester compared to formula and mixed feeders, who made their decisions throughout pregnancy and after delivery (p<0.001). Some changing of feeding method occurred one month post-discharge in mothers who were mixed feeding in the hospital and intending to breastfeed; 25% shifted to exclusive breastfeeding. Additionally, women who used mixed feeding at discharge were more likely (p<0.001) to have received formula in a gift pack compared to breastfeeding mothers and exclusively formula feeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers scored higher (p<0.001) on the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale, indicating more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding. At one month post-discharge, women who were previously providing mixed feeding were significantly more likely to have shifted feeding methods (38% to formula feeding) while women who were previously exclusively formula feeding were the least likely to have shifted feeding methods (p<0.001). Convincing women of the importance of breastfeeding prior to their becoming pregnant and focusing breastfeeding education on mothers who are mixed feeding while in the hospital might help improve breastfeeding outcomes.

Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to indentify at least two possible behavior changes possible when six learner centered lessons and supporting activities are taught to 6th and 8th graders. Smyth County’s youth are at a higher risk of food insecurity and obesity than other Virginia youth. Childhood obesity rate statewide is 28% versus 34.6% for Smyth County. Northwood Middle School (NWM) students have a 63.4% free and reduced lunch rate. The Virginia Youth Obesity Prevention Project encourages schools to promote healthy lifestyles by increasing offerings of cooking classes and tasting healthy foods. A USDA study shows food insecure families will purchase less fruits, vegetables and dairy products and increase the purchasing of less expensive, energy dense foods. Teen Cuisine’s goal is educating teens on selecting, preparing, and tasting inexpensive nutritious foods. NWM teens in 6th, 7th and 8th grades participated in six lesson that included preparing and tasting six healthy recipes. The content of lessons included using My Plate, reviewing key nutrients, label reading, portion size, reducing “bad fat”, eating out tips, food safety, and meal planning, following recipes, and measuring properly. Results from 140 pre/ post tests indicated that NWM teens made positive behavior change : 63% of youth adopted and one or more food selections behavior(s) consistent with 2010 Dietary Guidelines, 50% improved by eating more vegetables (excluding fries), 43% ate more fruits, 49% improved in eating more whole grains, 50% increased confidence in using measuring cups/spoons, 41% increased confidence in following directions in a recipe, 42% increased in drinking nonfat or 1% milk, 38% increased their daily physical activity to at least one hour, and 35% increased in hand washing before eating. Funding Disclosure: Virginia Cooperative Extension Svoboda Grant

Funding Disclosure: None

September 2014 Suppl 2—Abstracts Volume 114 Number 9

JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS

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