Search

Being overweight or obesity prior to pregnancy and gaining excessive weight during pregnancy increase the risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes including maternal mortality, stillbirth, preterm birth, growth, low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction. Having a nutritionally inadequate diet during pregnancy is associated with greater risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Despite public health nutrition recommendations, the evidence is less clear regarding the relationship between overall dietary patterns and perinatal outcomes due to the limited studies that have been conducted and significant heterogeneity between the studies. A systematic review is conducted to appraise the validity of the latest diet quality index tools used on the association between dietary patterns and pregnancy outcomes, further analyzing the elements of food safety and their association with nutrition adequacy among pregnant women as a sub-analysis.

The primary aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effect of online culinary nutrition programs on improving the cooking skills of the direct intervention participants. As a secondary aim, in the case of professionals participating in the intervention, to evaluate the effect of online culinary nutrition programs on improving the cooking skills of the patients.

The environment in which we purchase and eat food influences what we eat and how much we eat. Increasingly, consumers are utilizing digital food environments to order and purchase food. Currently, half of Australia consumers are doing some of their food shopping online, with almost 10% switching to ordering most or all of their groceries online. Digital food environments allow users to make their choices entirely through a user interface (UI) such as mobile ordering application and grocery store websites. Increasingly, system designers are utilizing pristine images of natural landscapes, even when the purpose and context of the system is unrelated to nature. Incorporating nature imagery as a design element in a corporate sales UI has been shown to positively influence users' perceptions of trust and visual aesthetics. However, it is not known whether these findings translate into the digital food environment. In this study, we aim to investigate the impact of nature imagery, integrated into food packaging, on users' perceptions of nature presence, visual aesthetics, trust, purchase intentions, and perceived naturalness of the website and food product.

This review aims to identify, evaluate and summarize findings of dietary metabolites involved in the regulation of blood pressure in humans.

Understanding microplastic uptake in fish is of global importance for environmental pollution monitoring of ecosystems as well as understanding the potential ecological implications, human health risk and global economy impacts of plastics within commercially fished species. Much of the research in fish so far has focussed on areas of high human population or industry, but understanding the occurrence of microplastics pollution in more remote areas is vital for defining the scale of the problem and understanding organism uptake at lower pollution levels. In this study, fish caught in 2017 as part of a monitoring survey from the remote Marine Protected Area around South Georgia were sampled for ingestion of plastics. Differences in plastic types and concentrations were determined between locations around the island and across a generalist feeder and a specialist feeder. Fish guts were digested with a commonly used method, 2M potassium hydroxide to isolate suspected plastics using microscopy. Contamination was controlled and monitored thoughout all steps with strict QC followed. All potential microplastics were chemically characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Microplastics particles were found across all locations and observed in the guts of both generalist and specialist feeders, however the concentrations and types varied across sites and feeders. The findings provide much needed evidence on microplastics ingestion in a remote Marine Protected Area. This information will contribute to baseline figures for monitoring future microplastics pollution in this important ecosystem. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427369/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

This review aims to synthesise the methodological components of feeding studies designed to quantify the diet-related metabolome in biological samples including plasma and urine in response to variable dietary ‘feeding’ interventions

Four systematic reviews have synthesized research studies up to March 2020 regarding the relationship between diet quality, as assessed by specific indexes, and cardiovascular (CVD) outcomes, however, the literature search was only conducted using three databases. To extend on this data, a systematic search was conducted using six databases to evaluate the relationships between diet quality, as measured by any index, and CVD outcomes.

With many adults now seeking and undergoing weight loss surgery, how this new surgical intervention influences a child’s perception of health, body image, health behaviour and literacy, and future health status remains unknown. The consideration of these factors and their impacts on the children of the next generation, may help to inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing obesity.

Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of interventions for primary and secondary prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in adult women.

Additional file 4: Supplementary file 2. Results for Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale model including two-way interaction of age x time.

Additional file 1: Supplementary Table 1. Description of intervention components in the ‘Healthy Youngsters, Healthy Dads’ program. Supplementary Table 2. Changes in primary and secondary outcomes for study participants (per-protocol). Supplementary Table 3. Changes in primary and secondary outcomes for study participants (completers). Supplementary Table 4. Facilitator reflections and fidelity findings.

Additional file 2. Supplementary Methods: Analytics processes for web and social media components of a population-level child health and nutrition intervention. Supplementary Methods providing further details of the analytics processes performed in the study.

Additional file 1. Data dictionary: analytics terms and measures explained. Data dictionary table with relevant Facebook and Google Analytics terms and measures defined and explained, and commented upon in relation to their use in the study and/or general considerations.

Additional file 3. Process evaluation.

Additional file 2. TIDieR checklist.

Additional file 8:. The impact of HCS training on practice as reported by the types of response provided by participants.

Additional file 4:. Healthy Conversation Skill confidence, importance, usefulness and competence questions.

Additional file 3:. Coding matrix for responses to quotes for Healthy Conversation Skills Training.

Additional file 5:. Acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility questions.

Additional file 7:. Moderate, high and very high correlations of the pre and post Theoretical Domains Framework domains in participants from the Healthy Conversation Skills training.

Additional file 2:. Theoretical Domains Framework Survey Questions.

Additional file 6:. Healthy Conversation Skills follow-up telephone intervention protocol.

Additional file 1:. Healthy Conversation Skills training activities mapped to the Taxonomy of Behaviour Change Techniques.

Additional file 4. Student focus group questions.

Additional file 1 : Table S1. Search Terms by database. Table S2. Detailed study characteristics of included studies - Gender-targeted studies (n = 30). Table S3. Detailed study characteristics of included studies - Gender-neutral studies (n = 77). Figure S1. Mean differences by gender-neutral or gender targeted interventions and control arms in fruit and vegetable intake (g/day) over time. Figure S2. Funnel plot vs Standard Error – Fruit and vegetables (g/day). Figure S3. Plots of the means for effect – Fruit and vegetables (g/day). Figure S4. Model diagnostics – Fruit and vegetables (g/day). Figure S5. Forest plot – Fruit and vegetable intake (g/day). Figure S6. Mean differences by gender-neutral or gender targeted interventions and control arms in weight (kg) over time among weight gain prevention interventions. Figure S7. Funnel plot vs Standard Error – Weight (kg) in weight gain prevention interventions. Figure S8. Plots of the means for effect – Weight (kg) in weight gain prevention interventions. Figure S9. Model diagnostics – Weight (kg) in weight gain prevention interventions. Figure S10. Forest plot – Weight (kg) in weight gain prevention interventions. Figure S11. Mean differences by gender-neutral or gender targeted interventions and control arms in weight (kg) over time among weight loss studies. Figure S12. Funnel plot vs Standard Error – Weight (kg) in weight loss studies. Figure S13. Plots of the means for effect – Weight (kg) in weight loss studies. Figure S14. Model diagnostics – Weight (kg) in weight loss studies. Figure S15. Forest plot – Weight (kg) in weight loss studies.

Additional file 2. CUPS lesson overview including lesson topics, learning intentions and syllabus outcomes.

Additional file 1. SPIRIT Checklist.

Supplemental Material for Fidelity and acceptability of a family-focused technology-based telehealth nutrition intervention for child weight management by Li Kheng Chai, Clare E Collins, Chris May, Leanne J Brown, Amy Ashman and Tracy L Burrows in Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare

Full list of HEYMAN components and alignment to participatory responses and behaviour change strategies. (DOCX 24Â kb)

Mean change in subscales of the ARFS within groups and differences between groups (Intention-to-Treat Populations) at 3 months. (DOCX 13 kb)

Mean change in outcomes within groups and differences between groups (Intention-to-Treat Populations) at 3 months - results with follow-up data for the withdrawn participant for outcomes effected by medication. (DOCX 14 kb)

Dear Editor In the February edition of the Journal of Medical Internet Research, Tang et al conducted a systematic review of reviews examining the effectiveness of self-directed interventions to promote weight loss [1]. They reviewed 20 systematic reviews which incorporated 99 primary studies relevant to their review question. They concluded that self-directed interventions promote weight loss both independently and when provided as an adjunct to personal contact interventions. We agree that the evidence presented in this systematic review of reviews provides some support for the use of self-directed interventions for weight loss; however we believe the data provided does not specifically support the use of self-directed interventions alone and when used in combination with other delivery modes. We wish to point out that this is because the majority of reviews included do not have an inclusion criteria or present results in a way that considers whether the intervention was delivered solely in a self-directed format or in combination with other delivery modes (eg, face-to-face). In most of the reviews, these two types of self-directed interventions are grouped together when results are presented in a narrative summary or meta-analysis. We believe that as part of their recommendation for a comprehensive review of primary evaluations, the authors should have recommended that future systematic reviews of self-directed interventions should consider results separately for interventions that are delivered solely using self-directed modes, and those that use self-directed modes in combination with other delivery modes. Furthermore, we believe that authors should be encouraged to describe the components of self-directed modes in sufficient detail to enable such a classification. We are also concerned about the accuracy of the methodological quality review of Tang et al. For example, the review incorrectly states that Neve et al “did not use quality assessment”. The methods of this review report that “Included studies were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity using a standardized critical appraisal instrument from the JBI Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument” (p 307) and the tool is provided as an Appendix to the paper [2]. Furthermore, the results include a description of the critical appraisal findings (subheading “Quality of Included Studies” p 310)[2]. As the results of the review of methodological quality are only presented as an overall score, and not by the individual criteria, it is difficult to determine how this influences the results of the quality evaluation within the review by Tang et al [1]. We agree with the authors that meta-analyses of self-directed weight loss interventions should be undertaken to help identify what intervention techniques and delivery formats are most effective. However, as an author of one of the included systematic reviews, we are aware that the absence of such meta-analyses from the included reviews is likely due to inadequate descriptions of intervention techniques and delivery formats currently being published. Therefore, we believe a more important recommendation is that researchers who are currently evaluating self-directed interventions should provide more robust descriptions of their interventions, as recommended by the CONSORT-EHEALTH statement [3]. This may be achieved by specifically publishing study protocols (eg, [4,5]), or descriptions of the intervention development methods (eg, [6]). [J Med Internet Res 2014;16(7):e178]

Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Checklist. (PDF 172 kb)

Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Checklist. (PDF 172 kb)

Model participant information statement. Example information statement provided to potential participants about the trial. (PDF 177 kb)

Model participant information statement. Example information statement provided to potential participants about the trial. (PDF 177 kb)

Model participant consent form. Example consent form provided to potential participants to enrol in the trial. (PDF 222 kb)

Model participant consent form. Example consent form provided to potential participants to enrol in the trial. (PDF 222 kb)

Background COVID-19 data have been generated across the United Kingdom as a by-product of clinical care and public health provision, as well as numerous bespoke and repurposed research endeavors. Analysis of these data has underpinned the United Kingdom’s response to the pandemic, and informed public health policies and clinical guidelines. However, these data are held by different organizations, and this fragmented landscape has presented challenges for public health agencies and researchers as they struggle to find relevant data to access and interrogate the data they need to inform the pandemic response at pace. Objective We aimed to transform UK COVID-19 diagnostic data sets to be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Methods A federated infrastructure model (COVID - Curated and Open Analysis and Research Platform [CO-CONNECT]) was rapidly built to enable the automated and reproducible mapping of health data partners’ pseudonymized data to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model without the need for any data to leave the data controllers’ secure environments, and to support federated cohort discovery queries and meta-analysis. Results A total of 56 data sets from 19 organizations are being connected to the federated network. The data include research cohorts and COVID-19 data collected through routine health care provision linked to longitudinal health care records and demographics. The infrastructure is live, supporting aggregate-level querying of data across the United Kingdom. Conclusions CO-CONNECT was developed by a multidisciplinary team. It enables rapid COVID-19 data discovery and instantaneous meta-analysis across data sources, and it is researching streamlined data extraction for use in a Trusted Research Environment for research and public health analysis. CO-CONNECT has the potential to make UK health data more interconnected and better able to answer national-level research questions while maintaining patient confidentiality and local governance procedures.

Here we report on the improved field emission performance of graphene foam (GF) following transient exposure to hydrogen plasma., We report on the improved field emission performance of graphene foam (GF) following transient exposure to hydrogen plasma. The enhanced field emission mechanism associated with hydrogenation has been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, plasma spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The observed enhanced electron emissionhas been attributed to an increase in the areal density of lattice defects and the formation of a partially hydrogenated, graphane-like material. The treated GF emitter demonstrated a much reduced macroscopic turn-on field (2.5 V μm–1), with an increased maximum current density from 0.21 mA cm–2 (pristine) to 8.27 mA cm–2 (treated). The treated GFs vertically orientated protrusions, after plasma etching, effectively increased the local electric field resulting in a 2.2-fold reduction in the turn-on electric field. The observed enhancement is further attributed to hydrogenation and the subsequent formation of a partially hydrogenated structured 2D material, which advantageously shifts the emitter work function. Alongside augmentation of the nominal crystallite size of the graphitic superstructure, surface bound species are believed to play a key role in the enhanced emission. The hydrogen plasma treatment was also noted to increase the emission spatial uniformity, with an approximate four times reduction in the per unit area variation in emission current density. Our findings suggest that plasma treatments, and particularly hydrogen and hydrogen-containing precursors, may provide an efficient, simple, and low cost means of realizing enhanced nanocarbon-based field emission devices via the engineered degradation of the nascent lattice, and adjustment of the surface work function.

The aim of this study was to examine gender differences in the impact of a school garden and nutrition curriculum on fruit and vegetable intake, willingness to taste, and taste ratings in 127 children (11 to 12 years, 54% boys) in regional New South Wales, Australia. Classes were assigned to wait-list control, nutrition education only (NE), or nutrition education plus garden (NE + G) groups. Carrot taste rating was the only vegetable for which there was a significant gender difference, with girls rating it more highly ( p = .04). There were no significant gender differences in fruit and vegetable consumption or willingness to taste scores for any other vegetables. There was a group effect ( p < .001) for overall willingness to taste, overall taste rating, and the taste rating of pea and broccoli ( p < .001), tomato ( p = .03), and lettuce ( p = .02). In the post hoc analysis by gender, both boys and girls in NE + G and NE groups were more willing to taste vegetables compared with control boys and girls postintervention ( p < .001, p = .02). Boys in the NE + G group were more willing to taste all vegetables overall compared with NE boys at posttest ( p = .05) and this approached significance for girls ( p = .07). For overall tasting scores, a group effect was seen in girls only ( p = .05). No significant treatment-time effect was found for vegetable intake in either gender. Further research is needed to examine whether a school garden, with or without school curriculum components, can be used to optimize fruit and vegetable intakes, particularly in boys.

Since the discovery of X-rays over a century ago the techniques applied to the engineering of X-ray sources have remained relatively unchanged. From the inception of thermionic electron sources, which, due to simplicity of fabrication, remain central to almost all X-ray applications, there have been few fundamental technological advances. However, with the emergence of ever more demanding medical and inspection techniques, including computed tomography and tomosynthesis, security inspection, high throughput manufacturing and radiotherapy, has resulted in a considerable level of interest in the development of new fabrication methods. The use of conventional thermionic sources is limited by their slow temporal response and large physical size. In response, field electron emission has emerged as a promising alternative means of deriving a highly controllable electron beam of a well-defined distribution. When coupled to the burgeoning field of nanomaterials, and in particular, carbon nanotubes, such systems present a unique technological opportunity. This review provides a summary of the current state-of-the-art in carbon nanotube-based field emission X-ray sources. We detail the various fabrication techniques and functional advantages associated with their use, including the ability to produce ever smaller electron beam assembles, shaped cathodes, enhanced temporal stability and emergent fast-switching pulsed sources. We conclude with an overview of some of the commercial progress made towards the realisation of an innovative and disruptive technology.

Dietary intake and food habits are important contributors to the obesity epidemic. They are highly modifiable components of energy balance and are usually targeted in both obesity prevention and treatment programs. However, measurement of total diet creates challenges and can convey a large burden in terms of cost, technical expertise, impact on respondents and time. It is not surprising therefore that comprehensive reports of dietary intake in children are uncommon and, when reported, have limitations. The aim of this paper is to guide researchers and practitioners in selecting the most appropriate dietary assessment method for situations involving children and adolescents. This paper presents a summary of the issues to consider when choosing a method, a description of some of the more commonly used dietary assessment methods for young people and a series of case-studies to illustrate the range of circumstances faced when measuring dietary intake. We recommend that researchers consider the specific components of dietary intake addressed in their research and practice, and whether diet should be reported comprehensively or as targeted components. Other considerations include age, cognitive ability, weight status, physical activity level, respondent burden, and reliability and validity in the context of program goals and research questions. A checklist for selecting the appropriate dietary methodology is provided. This guide aims to facilitate the reporting of dietary intake and food habits in the context of obesity using valid and reliable measures, thus contributing to the evidence-base for nutrition policies and programs relating to obesity. © 2011 Informa Healthcare.