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Background: Farm-to-school (FTS) programs are gaining attention for many reasons, one of which is the recognition that they could help stem the increase in childhood overweight and obesity. Most FTS programs that have been evaluated have increased students' selection or intake of fruits and vegetables following the incorporation of FTS components. However, the wide range of activities that are typically part of FTS programs make it difficult to pinpoint which components have the greatest potential to improve students' health behaviors. Within the field of nutrition education, theory-based interventions that target the key underlying factors influencing health behavior offer the most promise. Methods: We review existing research on dietary health impacts and implications of 3 key FTS-related activities and explore the component activities of FTS in terms of their potential to address the key constructs of social cognitive theory (SCT)--which is a current best practice in the field of nutrition--suggesting that FTS programs incorporating a diverse set of activities appear to be most promising. Results: We find that components of FTS programs incorporate many of the key theoretical constructs in SCT, and show that FTS programs have great potential to facilitate movement toward desired dietary changes. However, it is unlikely that a set of activities in any one current FTS program addresses multiple constructs of the theory in a systematic manner. Conclusion: More intentional inclusion of diverse activities would likely be beneficial. Future research can test these assertions. (Contains 1 table.)

The offering of flavored milk in schools is a controversial topic. U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations now require that flavored milk in schools is fat-free. The perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes of 21 school nutrition directors (SNDs) about the offering and student acceptance of lower-calorie, flavored milk were explored using a focus group, interviews, and written survey. Survey responses and transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method. Four broad categories emerged: how SNDs respond to milk and policy changes, the importance of milk in school, the school cafeteria as a learning environment, and SNDs' role as advocates for good nutrition. School children's consumption of milk to ensure adequacy of key nutrients was perceived as important. Lowering calories in flavored milk was perceived as a better solution than eliminating milk. This study provides further evidence supporting the importance of engaging SNDs in policy making, evaluation, and nutrition education.

Analysis of national survey data on nursing faculty identified the following trends: since 1993, the mean age of doctorally prepared faculty has increased; average retirement age is 62.5; 200-300 faculty are eligible for retirement annually from 2003-2012; mean number of years in nursing doctoral programs is 8.3. Earlier entry into doctoral programs and full-time study are recommended. (Contains 40 references.) (SK)

College students enrolled in university dining plans are exposed daily to a food environment characterized by foods high in energy, fats, and added sugars, and low in nutrient density. Their decisions about what to eat are currently made in an environment where no nutrition labeling is required. To fill the gap in current literature regarding whether or not increased nutrition knowledge of dietary guidance actually translates into positive behavior, this cross-sectional study investigated self-reported eating patterns of 200 college students. An Internet-based survey was used to identify how closely respondents followed the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, and whether their eating patterns were related to their knowledge of dietary guidance. It was observed that, for fruit, dairy, protein, and whole grains, increased knowledge is related to increased likelihood of meeting dietary guidelines. Moreover, when asked about individual food choices, nutrition knowledge was related to making more healthful choices in every case. Ultimately, increased knowledge of dietary guidance appears to be positively related to more healthful eating patterns. This suggests that guidelines such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, in conjunction with effective public-awareness campaigns, may be a useful mechanism for promoting change in what foods consumers choose to eat.

Children who recover from aseptic meningitis may experience normal intellectual development even if they have develop a neurologic complication during the illness. A total of 277 children younger than 2 years of age with aseptic meningitis were followed between Jul 1986 and Dec 1990. The children were initially seen in the ambulatory care departments of the hospitals, and data regarding them was gathered from an interview with parents, a review of medical records, recording of initial CSF laboratory values and findings from specimens. Although about 9% of the children experienced brief neurological complications, there was no indication that their long-term intellectual development was adversely affected compared with children with aseptic meningitis who did not experience such complications.

Infection with enterovirus may infrequently result in encephalitis, the inflammation of the brain, with or without meningitis, which involves the membranes surrounding the brain, as well. Meningitis and encephalitis associated with enterovirus infection produce widespread effects on the brain. Cases are described of four children with enterovirus infection complicated by encephalitis. Seizure occurred in all cases and was one of the signs of encephalitis. Pleocytosis, or an increased number of lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, was detected by lumbar puncture. The children were initially thought to have encephalitis associated with herpesvirus infection. However, infection with Coxsackie virus A5 was confirmed in three children and Coxsackievirus B2 in another. All children recovered without treatment and nerve disorders persisted in only one case at discharge. These cases add to the evidence that infection with enteroviruses such as group A Coxsackieviruses may infrequently cause encephalitis in children and adolescents. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Food Hubs (FHs) have been touted for their role in local and regional food systems. This study aims to understand the perspectives of Food Hub (FH) buyers and identify effective practices for FHs to serve these clients. Drawing on an analysis of survey and interview data with buyers, we describe how buyer perceptions of local food and experiences with FHs shape their purchasing decisions. Specifically, we describe how purchasing decisions are shaped by buyers' perceptions of the shared value of local food and buyers' perceptions of the efficacy of food hub operations. Our implications focus on FH practices that could grow or strengthen their buyer base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]