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Objective: This study explored how COVID-related mental health and well-being varied between undergraduate and graduate students. Relationships with physical health behaviors were also examined. Participants: Undergraduate (n=897) and graduate (n=314) students were recruited from three US universities between mid-April and late-May 2020. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional survey self-reported perceived stress, financial stress, resilience, repetitive negative thinking, mood, anxiety, diet, sleep, and physical activity using validated instruments. Results: Undergraduate students reported more perceived stress, more repetitive negative thinking, less positive mood, and less support from professors than graduate students. Perceived stress, repetitive negative thinking, negative mood, and anxiety increased among all students (p<.05 for all). Correlations between mental health outcomes and physical health behaviors were weak to moderate (r=.08 to .49). Conclusions: College students, particularly undergraduates, perceived negative mental health impacts during COVID. Creative approaches for meeting student needs are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in substantial disruptions to daily functioning and lifestyle behaviours, with negative health consequences for youth. Parents play a large role in their children's health behaviour; yet changes to parenting behaviours during the pandemic related to food and physical activity remain relatively unexplored. The present study is the first to our knowledge to examine specific changes in American parents' parenting behaviours related to food and physical activity during COVID‐19, and potential correlates of such changes, including perceived stress and decision fatigue. Methods: A total of 140 parents (88.57% female; 88.41% White; 87.59% married; with one to five children) from middle to upper income households completed an online survey assessing demographics, perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), decision fatigue (Decision Fatigue Scale) and food and activity parenting behaviour changes during COVID‐19. Results: Overall, a greater proportion of parents engaged primarily in positive (57.14%) than negative (22.86%) parenting practices related to food and physical activity during the pandemic. Moderation analyses showed that the negative relation between perceived stress and positive parental behaviour changes was stronger at higher perceived increases in decision fatigue during the pandemic. Conclusions: In the face of a major public health crisis, adaptive parental responses may emerge, but perceived stress may inhibit such behaviour change. Perceived stress and decision fatigue may represent important explanatory factors in parental health promoting behaviours during times of uncertainty and change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the relation between young adult picky eating (PE) and psychosocial outcomes (eg, social phobia, quality of life) and dietary intake. Cross-sectional study including demographic, quantitative, and qualitative measures. Midwestern undergraduate convenience sample (n = 488) recruited early 2020. Picky eating identity and bias internalization, social phobia, quality of life, and dietary intake. Pearson correlations were conducted among study variables. Independent t tests compared picky eaters and nonpicky eaters on key variables. Qualitative data were coded using content analysis. Picky eaters reported eating less fiber (t [445] = −3.51; P < 0.001; d = 0.34) and vegetables (t [464] = −3.57; P < 0.001; d = 0.33), and reported more social phobia (t [336.84] = 4.04; P < 0.001; d = 0.39) than nonpicky eaters. Picky eating behaviors were positively correlated with PE identity (r [190] = 0.48; P < 0.001; R2 = 0.23) and bias internalization (r [190] = 0.44; P < 0.001; R2 = 0.19). Future research might explore additional factors that theoretically overlap with PE behavior (eg, other eating styles, disordered eating patterns) or play a role in PE (eg, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive difficulties). A greater understanding of these factors may lead to intervention to reduce PE in adults. In addition, validation of the PE identity and PE distress measures is essential for future use and to replicate this study's findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that schools play an important role in student health; however, little is known about variability in teachers' use of food‐related classroom practices. In this study, we examined associations between teacher demographic and individual factors and their food‐related practices and modeling in the classroom. METHODS: We had 239 teachers in the United States complete an online survey about their demographics (years of teaching experience, socioeconomic status of the school), personal health status, height and weight, and nutrition knowledge. Teachers also reported on the unhealthy food‐related practices they use in their classroom (eg, candy as a reward) and modeling (ie, engaging in unhealthy and healthy eating practices in front of students). RESULTS: Hierarchical linear regressions were computed for each outcome separately. After controlling for socioeconomic status, fewer years of teaching experience and lower perception of personal health were associated with the use of unhealthy practices in the classroom. Teachers who were dieting were more likely to endorse healthy modeling. CONCLUSIONS: Teacher demographic and individual factors are associated with food‐related classroom behavior. These findings have implications for interventions to promote the health of teachers and their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The school nutrition environment has a large impact on child diet. However, there is a paucity of nationally representative research on factors that predict effective nutrition policies, practices, and education in schools. Purpose: The current study utilized Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from the 2016 School Health Policies and Practices Survey (SHPPS) to explore the impact of poverty and community type (i.e., urban/rural spectrum) on these variables. Methods: Data from the 2016 SHPPS included 740 U.S. public schools. Composite scores were created from survey items related to dietary policies and practices. Results: Schools of greater rurality and urbanicity had more nutrition policies and education but fewer practices than suburban districts. Rural districts generally had fewer nutrition policies, practices, and education than urban districts. Poverty did not consistently predict these variables. Discussion: Community type is a crucial variable in the school nutrition environment and may better explain discrepancies among schools than poverty. Future efforts might focus on improving school nutrition policy and practice adherence, especially in rural areas. Translation to Health Eduation Practice: Further research using nationally representative data can help health educators better understand what interventions may produce the best results within their unique community type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In an op-ed posted on the New York Times (NYT) website, Angelina Jolie disclosed that she carries the BRCA1 genetic mutation and received a preventive mastectomy. Studies have since demonstrated a positive impact of Ms. Jolie's disclosure on breast cancer-related health behaviors. This qualitative study used conventional content analysis of comments to the op-ed to explore intermediate outcomes of the disclosure; specifically, how the disclosure influenced public discourse regarding appearance changes related to breast cancer surgery. Method: After downloading all comments from the NYT website and using an iterative process to develop a standardized codebook, two researchers applied the codes using NVivo 10. Result: Five subthemes were identified in sixty-one comments discussing physical appearance or body image in the context of breast cancer treatment or preventive care: appearance versus health, perception of breast appearance following surgery, partner acceptance of appearance following surgery, beliefs about others' reactions regarding appearance, and beliefs about reconstructive surgery. While some commenters shared body image concerns following surgery, many were relieved to have undergone the procedure, valuing health over appearance. Most women stated that their romantic partners praised their appearance following surgery, although some worried about how they were perceived in public. Conclusion: This study clarifies how celebrity disclosures about cancer may influence intermediate outcomes (e.g. interpersonal communication and beliefs about appearance-related surgical outcomes) hypothesized to contribute to changes in cancer prevention and treatment behaviors. More research is needed to further elucidate the relationships between celebrity disclosure, intermediate outcomes, and behavioral outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]