Search Results (14)

Nutrition education, framed within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) guidance, was provided to SNAP-eligible shoppers at community supported agriculture (CSA) sites in Michigan where SNAP nutrition incentives were accepted. An evaluation was conducted on data sources from sites where the CSA Food Navigator program was implemented to assess the delivery of nutrition education, understand the needs and experiences of SNAP-eligible shoppers, and measure behavioral outcomes. A multi-phase, mixed-methods design incorporated (1) outcome surveys with SNAP-eligible shoppers at participating CSA sites; (2) open-ended feedback surveys from CSA site staff; (3) nutrition educator activity logs; (4) a semi-structured nutrition educator focus group; and (5) semi-structured focus groups with SNAP-eligible shoppers. In phase one, descriptive analysis was completed on the quantitative data and constant comparative analysis was completed on the qualitative data. In phase two, these data were collated into case reports for respective CSA sites; then, a cross-case analysis was performed. In phase three, statistical tests were performed on SNAP-eligible shoppers’ survey data to assess outcomes against a nationally representative sample of nutrition incentive program participants. Results indicate significantly higher fruit and vegetable consumption among shoppers relative to SNAP incentive participants nationally. Key qualitative themes were (1) relating over transacting: investing in multi-level relationships, (2) personalizing engagement and experiential nutrition education, (3) activating social–ecological spheres to promote changes in access, and (4) enhancing education support and resources for accessibility. The findings have practical implications to enhance the delivery and impact of CSA-based nutrition education. Full article

Background: Childhood obesity is a pressing global public health challenge, marked by significant disparities in prevalence and management across countries. Japan and the United States offer contrasting approaches to addressing this issue, presenting a valuable opportunity for comparative analysis. Objective: This review examines the effectiveness of public health policies, cultural dietary habits, and lifestyle factors in combating childhood obesity in Japan and the United States. It aims to identify actionable insights to inform global strategies for obesity prevention. Results: Japan exhibits one of the lowest childhood obesity rates globally, attributed to prevention-focused policies such as the food education program, stringent school lunch standards, and culturally ingrained healthy eating practices. These efforts are complemented by active lifestyle promotion through urban planning and school-based physical education programs. In contrast, the United States faces higher obesity rates due to systemic challenges, including socioeconomic disparities, reliance on processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, and inconsistent implementation of federal programs like the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). Conclusions: This review highlights Japan’s success in aligning public health initiatives with cultural norms to achieve sustainable outcomes. In the United States, systemic barriers and cultural disconnects hinder obesity prevention efforts. Recommendations include adopting integrated, prevention-focused policies, addressing socioeconomic inequities, redesigning urban environments to promote active living, and fostering global collaboration. This comparative analysis underscores the importance of culturally tailored, multidimensional strategies for addressing childhood obesity and improving public health outcomes worldwide. Full article

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) present opportunities and challenges for African American tourism entrepreneurs. This paper conceptually explores how tools like language models, image generators, and creative assistants can be used for content creation, personalized marketing, and deeper customer connections. Drawing on relevant innovation- and resource-related theories, this paper examines factors influencing the adoption of generative AI among African American tourism entrepreneurs. The analysis highlights the potential to address tourism-specific needs like virtual tours, multilingual content, and conversational AI assistants. The paper recognizes challenges faced by African American entrepreneurs, including the digital divide, and suggests solutions such as partnerships and training programs aimed at responsible AI adoption. This work aims to provide a foundation for understanding how generative AI can drive innovation and cultural preservation within the African American tourism sector. Full article

Research indicates that health interventions are most effective when they address multiple social determinants of health to support positive behavior. Schools as Hubs of Health, a comprehensive model of nutrition and physical activity education, was developed to support wellness within school communities defined as low-income by the national Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). Components of the model include the following: classroom education; garden education; youth engagement; staff training; parent and community engagement; and policies, systems, and environments. Findings over the last decade indicate positive outcomes in nutrition and physical activity behaviors, youth leadership and engagement, and systems and environmental changes that support health and wellness. Full article

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise. Preventing obesity, especially childhood obesity, is critically important. Parents, especially mothers, play a vital role in preventing childhood obesity. Numerous factors, such as maternal employment, may influence maternal weight-related practices and home environment characteristics that affect the risk of childhood obesity. Given the prevalence of both childhood obesity and maternal employment, this study was conducted to examine how weight-related maternal, child, and household behaviors as well as home environment characteristics differ by maternal employment hours and extends existing research by examining work impact on behaviors and home characteristics. U.S. mothers (n = 527) with at least one school-age child (6 to 11 years), who were between the ages of 25 and 54 years and the main food gatekeeper in the household completed an online survey. ANOVA comparisons of non-working, part-time employed, and full-time employed mothers revealed few differences in any of the variables studied. Cluster analysis of the 336 employed mothers based on six work impact scale scores found three unique clusters characterized as Enthusiastic Earners, Indifferent Earners, and Strained Earners. Few differences in sociodemographic and job characteristics occurred among clusters and the differences noted had small effect sizes. Clusters did not differ by maternal BMI or perceived child weight status. However, the clusters differed in numerous weight-related behaviors and home environment characteristics. Future research should aim to determine the direction of the associations of work impact with weight-related behaviors and home environments as well as identify potential strategies for overcoming the negative effects of employment on weight-related behaviors and environments and weight status as well as clarify other factors that may affect maternal work impact, such as time management, reasons for employment, and stress. Full article

Non-traditional settings, such as schools, early childhood education programs, and healthcare clinics, can play a critical role in preventing obesity by providing free and nutritious food outside of food pantries to households that are experiencing low or very low food security, particularly during emergency situations. This evaluation study describes a low-income population that attended free food and produce distribution events during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a cross-sectional survey was administered to this group (n = 1498) to assess their food security status, fruit and vegetable (F+V) consumption, and prevalence of chronic disease condition(s). Program and event assessments were carried out using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. More than a quarter (26%) of the participants attended the free food events for the first time. Approximately 70% reported some level of low food security, 57% to 64% did not meet F+V intake recommendations, and 37% had a diet-related chronic disease condition. In the adjusted models, households with very low food security had lower odds of meeting F+V recommendations (aOR, 0.41, 95% CI, 0.28, 0.58 and aOR, 0.27, 95% CI, 0.19, 0.39, respectively) and higher odds of having a chronic condition (aOR, 3.49, 95% CI, 2.34, 5.20) than those with high or marginal food security. Given these experiences, future research should examine how safety net food assistance programs can incorporate alternative service/distribution models to improve the nutritional value of the foods they offer. Full article

This study examined the use of Facebook to provide education on food resource management and healthy eating on a budget to parents of preschool aged children participating in Head Start. A convenience sample of 25 parents participated in a Facebook group based on Sesame Street’s Food for Thought: Eating Well on a Budget curriculum over a 3-week period. Parent engagement was assessed by examining views, likes, and comments on posts. Qualitative data were used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and barriers experienced related to healthy eating on a budget. The results suggest that parents were engaged throughout the intervention, as evidenced by views, likes, and comments on Facebook posts, as well as by study retention (90%). Interactions with the intervention materials varied by post content, with discussion questions having the highest level of interaction. Facebook was found to be a feasible platform for delivering the intervention, and the Facebook-adapted version of the Sesame Street curriculum was shown to engage Head Start parents living in rural areas. Further research should explore the use of social media platforms for delivering nutrition education interventions to rural populations that are otherwise difficult to reach. Full article

The purpose of this project was to determine whether consistent food assistance program participation or changes in participation over time mediated or moderated the effect of federal nutrition education through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) on food security and determine the associations of SNAP-Ed program delivery characteristics with change in food security. This secondary analysis used data from a randomized controlled trial from September 2013 through April 2015. SNAP-Ed-eligible participants (n = 328; ≥18 years) in households with children were recruited from 39 counties in Indiana, USA. The dependent variable was one year change in household food security score measured using the United States Household Food Security Survey Module. Assessment of mediation used Barron-Kenny analysis and moderation used interactions of food assistance program use and changes over time with treatment group in general linear regression modeling. Program delivery characteristics were investigated using mixed linear regression modeling. Results showed that neither consistent participation nor changes in food assistance program participation over time mediated nor moderated the effect of SNAP-Ed on food security and neither were SNAP-Ed program delivery characteristics associated with change in food security over the one year study period. SNAP-Ed directly improved food security among SNAP-Ed-eligible Indiana households with children regardless of food assistance program participation and changes over time or varying program delivery characteristics. Full article

Food resource management (FRM) behaviors are key components within nutrition education programs designed to help food insecure households maximize their food dollars. However, little is known about the association between FRM self-confidence and financial practices with household food insecurity (HFI) among families with young children. Using a sample of SNAP-Ed-eligible Head Start families, this study examined associations between FRM self-confidence, FRM behaviors and financial practices by HFI. A needs assessment survey was conducted with caregivers of Head Start children (n = 365). HFI was measured using the US Household Food Security Survey Module. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine if FRM self-confidence, FRM behaviors, and financial practices differed by HFI. Participants with high FRM self-confidence had lower odds of HFI (OR = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.33, 0.87), yet FRM behaviors, financial practices, and HFI were not related after adjusting for covariates. All FRM self-confidence questions significantly differed by HFI, whereas only one of six FRM behaviors and two of three financial practices differed by HFI (all p-values < 0.05). Promoting caregivers’ self-confidence in FRM skills within nutrition education programs may be explored as a potential strategy to assist low-income households to stretch their food dollars in an attempt to address HFI. Full article

Many quick-service restaurants (QSRs) instituted voluntary kids’ meal default beverage standards (standards) between 2013 to 2017. Little is known about impacts of standards on QSR drive-through practices and on customer choices. This study assessed differences in restaurant practices including kids’ meal beverages shown on menu boards, offered by cashiers, and selected by customers in QSRs with and without voluntary standards. Observations (n = 111) and customer surveys (n = 84) were conducted in 2018 at QSRs with standards (n = 70) and without (n = 41) in low-income California, U.S. neighborhoods. Kids’ meal beverages on menu boards (n = 149) and offered by cashiers (n = 185) at QSRs with and without standards were analyzed using multilevel logistic regression. Significantly more menu boards at QSRs with standards (n = 103) vs. without (n = 46) featured only milk, water or unsweetened juice (65.1% vs. 4.4%; p < 0.001). Most cashiers at QSRs with standards and QSRs without (53.1%, 62.5%) asked what drink the data collector wanted rather than first offering default beverages. A small sample of customer interviews found that customers at QSRs with standards most commonly ordered juice (37.0%); at QSRs without standards, soda (45.5%). Although menu boards showed healthier kids’ meal beverages at QSRs with standards than without, cashier behavior was inconsistent. Results suggest additional measures (legislation, implementation support, enforcement) may be needed to ensure optimal implementation. Full article

There is a need to disseminate evidence-based childhood obesity prevention interventions on a broader scale to reduce obesity-related disparities among underserved children. The purpose of this study was to test the comparative effectiveness of an evidence-based obesity prevention intervention, Hip-Hop to Health (HH), delivered through Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) versus the standard curriculum delivered by the programs (Standard Nutrition Education (NE)). A nonequivalent control group design was delivered to compare the effectiveness of HH to NE on weight gain prevention and health behavior outcomes at EFNEP and SNAP-Ed sites. One hundred and fifty-three caregiver–child dyads (n = 103 in the HH group; n = 50 in the NE group) participated in the study. HH is an evidence-based dietary and physical activity intervention for low-income preschool children. The NE curriculum provided lessons for children that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010. Data were collected on demographics, anthropometrics, and behavioral variables for parent–child dyads at baseline and postintervention. Mixed model methods with random effects for site and participant were utilized. No differences in child or caregiver diet, physical activity, or screen time by group were found. No between-group differences in child BMI z-score were found; however, caregivers in the HH group lost significantly more weight than those in the NE group. Results from this trial can inform future dissemination efforts of evidenced-based programs for underserved families. Full article

To better understand the barriers to implementing policy; systems; and environmental (PSE) change initiatives within Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) programming in U.S. rural communities; as well as strategies to overcome these barriers, this study identifies: (1) the types of nutrition-related PSE SNAP-Ed programming currently being implemented in rural communities; (2) barriers to implementing PSE in rural communities; and (3) common best practices and innovative solutions to overcoming SNAP-Ed PSE implementation barriers. This mixed-methods study included online surveys and interviews across fifteen states. Participants were eligible if they: (1) were SNAP-Ed staff that were intimately aware of facilitators and barriers to implementing programs, (2) implemented at least 50% of their programming in rural communities, and (3) worked in their role for at least 12 months. Sixty-five staff completed the online survey and 27 participated in interviews. Barriers to PSE included obtaining community buy-in, the need for relationship building, and PSE education. Facilitators included finding community champions; identifying early “wins” so that community members could easily see PSE benefits. Partnerships between SNAP-Ed programs and non-SNAP-Ed organizations are essential to implementing PSE. SNAP-Ed staff should get buy-in from local leaders before implementing PSE. Technical assistance for rural SNAP-Ed programs would be helpful in promoting PSE. Full article

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program aims to improve nutritional intakes of low-income individuals (<185% poverty threshold). The objective of this study was to describe the compliance with Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains among SNAP-Ed eligible (n = 3142) and ineligible (n = 3168) adult women (19–70 years) nationwide and SNAP-Ed participating women in Indiana (n = 2623), using the NHANES 2007–2012 and Indiana SNAP-Ed survey data, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further stratified women by race/ethnicity and by current SNAP participation (<130% poverty threshold). Nationally, lower-income women were less likely to meet the fruit (21% vs. 25%) and vegetable (11% vs. 19%) guidelines than higher-income women, but did not differ on whole grains, which were ~5% regardless of income. The income differences in fruit and vegetable intakes were driven by non-Hispanic whites. Fewer SNAP-Ed-eligible U.S. women met fruit (21% vs. 55%) and whole grain (4% vs. 18%) but did not differ for vegetable recommendations (11% vs. 9%) when compared to Indiana SNAP-Ed women. This same trend was observed among current SNAP participants. Different racial/ethnic group relationships with DGA compliance were found in Indiana compared to the nation. Nevertheless, most low-income women in the U.S. are at risk of not meeting DGA recommendations for fruits (79%), vegetables (89%), and whole grains (96%); SNAP-Ed participants in Indiana had higher compliance with DGA recommendations. Increased consumption of these three critical food groups would improve nutrient density, likely reduce calorie consumption by replacing high calorie choices, and improve fiber intakes. Full article

The book and film franchise of Harry Potter has inspired a monumental fandom community with a veracious output of fanfiction and general musings on the text and the vivid universe contained therein. A significant portion of these texts deal with Professor Severus Snape, the stern Potions Master with ambiguous ethics and loyalties. This paper explores a small community of Snape fans who have gone beyond a narrative retelling of the character as constrained by the work of Joanne Katherine Rowling. The ‘Snapewives’ or ‘Snapists’ are women who channel Snape, are engaged in romantic relationships with him, and see him as a vital guide for their daily lives. In this context, Snape is viewed as more than a mere fictional creation. He is seen as a being that extends beyond the Harry Potter texts with Rowling perceived as a flawed interpreter of his supra-textual essence. While a Snape religion may be seen as the extreme end of the Harry Potter fandom, I argue that religions of this nature are not uncommon, unreasonable, or unprecedented. Popular films are a mechanism for communal bonding, individual identity building, and often contain their own metaphysical discourses. Here, I plan to outline the manner in which these elements resolve within extreme Snape fandom so as to propose a nuanced model for the analysis of fandom-inspired religion without the use of unwarranted veracity claims. Full article