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Purpose: Chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy (CAR-T) is a breakthrough treatment for hematological malignancies, but sexual health, crucial for quality of life among young adults (YAs) ages 18-39, remains unexplored among YA CAR-T recipients. This study explored sexual health and patient-provider sexual health communication among YAs post-CAR-T. Methods: This cross-sectional mixed-methods study recruited YAs ≤5 years post-CAR-T. Participants completed Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System measures assessing sexual health and study-specific items assessing patient-provider sexual health communication. A subset completed a semistructured interview exploring the impact of CAR-T on sexual health and patient-provider sexual health communication. Descriptive statistics compared quantitative data to evidence-based thresholds. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results: Fourteen YAs participated; 11 completed interviews. Median age was 33 years (range: 22-39), 64.3% were male, 92.9% were heterosexual, and median time post-CAR-T was 22 months. Interest in sexual activity was low among females (mean [M] = 35.1, standard deviation [SD] = 10.0), and orgasm ability was low among males (M = 39.3, SD = 19.5). Females reported less interest in sexual activity than males. Most YAs had not (50.0%) or did not recall (35.7%) discussing sexual health with a provider pre-CAR-T. Most (78.6%) had not discussed sexual health with a provider post-CAR-T. Three higher level qualitative themes emerged as follows: (1) treatment negatively affected libido, sexual activity, and romantic relationships, (2) YAs face challenges communicating with health care providers about sexual health, and (3) there is limited sexual health education and support for YAs. Conclusion: Findings highlight a need for improved patient-provider communication about sexual health and educational resources for YA CAR-T recipients.

Background: Identifying factors impacting vaccination and testing for COVID-19 is crucial to reduce health disparities, especially for rural/agricultural, low access and high poverty Latino communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This study examined differences in perceived barriers and facilitators (such as values, beliefs, and concerns) to COVID-19 vaccine uptake and testing intention by vaccination status and testing hesitancy among rural Latino community members in Southwest Florida., Methods: Rural Latino community members ( N  = 493) completed a cross-sectional survey in Spanish (86.0%) or English (14.0%) on perceived COVID-19 vaccine/testing barriers and facilitators, as well as demographics, mental health, medical history, health perceptions, and health literacy., Results: At the time of the survey, approximately 43% of participants were unvaccinated and 46.4% were testing hesitant. Significantly more vaccinated participants acknowledged keeping their family ( d  = .25), community ( d  = .27), and themselves ( d  = .22) safe as facilitators to vaccination (ps < .001). Among the unvaccinated participants, the most common concerns for getting vaccinated were side effects ( d  = -.53) and lack of knowledge about how the vaccine works ( d  = -.35, p s < .001). Testing hesitant participants reported concerns including not knowing where to get tested ( d  = -.25, p  = 0.01) and less confidence in a positive test result ( d  = -.40, p  < 0.001). Doctors and faith leaders were ranked as the most trusted information sources across groups. In logistic regression models, vaccination was linked to age, gender, education, and protecting others, while concerns about needles and side effects reduced odds; testing was driven by education, anxiety, hope, and safety concerns., Conclusion: Promoting family and community safety may be effective facilitators influencing vaccine and testing intention in rural Latino communities. Enhanced education by trusted information sources, such as doctors and faith leaders may alleviate associated concerns. Our findings may inform actions for future pandemics. Further studies should determine the generalizability of our findings across other rural migrant communities and other vaccines.

Purpose: There is a need to gain a deeper understanding of facilitators and barriers involving lifestyle behaviors among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Design: Research team explored influences (e.g., social, cultural, environmental) for healthy lifestyle behaviors (nutrition, physical activity (PA), and self-care)., Method: One researcher conducted semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. Demographic data were collected via survey, and descriptive statistics were generated., Setting: Patients were recruited, and interviews conducted via Zoom or phone., Participants: Twenty-eight newly diagnosed, treatment naïve breast cancer patients were interviewed, a majority were non-Hispanic White women (n=23; 82%) with invasive (n=14; 50%) breast cancer., Results: Themes related to nutrition, PA, and self-care emerged, including influences (e.g., environmental, cultural, social), barriers, facilitators, and lived experiences. Most patients stressed the importance of maintaining healthy eating habits (n=23), and some were interested in understanding the relationship between nutrition and cancer (n=7). Sixteen reported sustaining their PA levels, while others (n=11) explained barriers, such as time, distance, and pain. All patients reported utilizing self-care strategies, and most reported increased engagement in self-care since being diagnosed (n=14)., Conclusion: This study sheds light on factors influencing and hindering the adoption of healthy eating, PA, and self-care strategies among newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The findings reflect the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors as critical areas for upstream intervention., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: Obesity can increase mortality and morbidity in breast cancer survivors. Healthy lifestyle factors such as diet can help manage weight in this population. This systematic review examined lifestyle interventions with dietary strategies for breast cancer survivors and their effect on diet and/or weight-related outcomes., Methods: Searches were conducted in Ovid MEDLINE ® ALL (1946-February 14, 2022), Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), and APA PsycArticles (EBSCO), using keywords for diet, breast cancer, and intervention. The search was limited to human studies, English language, and publication processing date 2016-2023., Results: The search yielded 3427 articles. After title and abstract review, 225 full-text articles were screened, and 67 articles with 61 distinct samples and interventions met inclusion criteria. Of these 61 lifestyle interventions with dietary strategies, 43 interventions also addressed physical activity. Most studies were randomized controlled trials (n = 41) and conducted post-treatment (n = 45). Mean participant age was 54 years. Of 29 studies that reported race/ethnicity, 20 (69%) reported ≥50% White participants. Of 36 that reported dietary outcomes, 29 (81%) reported significant findings. Of 57 that reported weight-related outcomes, 51 (89%) reported significant findings., Conclusion: This review demonstrated promising evidence for the efficacy of lifestyle interventions with dietary strategies in breast cancer survivors. However, culturally tailored interventions and interventions conducted before and during treatment are lacking., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To gather and assess current literature on the prevalence and efficacy of lifestyle behavioral interventions (sleep, nutrition, physical activity) for health outcomes, including QOL, psychological well-being, behavioral changes, and seizure frequency, among PWE., Data Source: A review was conducted of English-language articles identified from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase between January 2013 to January 2023., Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCT) with human subjects diagnosed with epilepsy who participated in a lifestyle behavioral intervention., Data Extraction: Two researchers independently completed the title, abstract, and full-text reviews. Information extracted includes study population, duration, type of intervention, findings, and outcomes., Data Synthesis: Data was narratively synthesized to show level of evidence and degree of consistency in findings. Results: 4001 studies identified, 66 full texts reviewed, and 24 included. A majority (n = 16) of studies utilized diet specific RCTs, and some focused on physical activity (n = 7) and sleep (n = 1). Diet-specific RCTs (eg, ketogenic, Modified Atkins) reported reduced seizure frequency with adverse effects, such as gastrointestinal complications. Physical activity-based interventions found that maintained levels of exercise improved QOL and psychological well-being. However, physical activity and diet-based interventions did not have lasting effects after study conclusion. Only the behavioral sleep intervention reported that sleep quality improved significantly and was maintained post-intervention., Conclusion: Future research is needed to establish the relationship between lifestyle behavioral interventions on QOL and other health outcomes (eg, seizure frequency)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Partnering with promotoras to implement a healthy lifestyle intervention has proven efficacious in reaching community members whom they serve. However, there are no clearly defined guidelines for implementing promotora training, especially when it involves developing mindfulness skills in promotoras unfamiliar with this concept. This is a report about the facilitators and barriers to training promotoras to implement a mindfulness-enhanced healthy eating and physical activity intervention, ADAPT+, using the Train-the-Trainer model. Following this model, we laid the foundations for sustained implementation of ADAPT+ even after the training process. Future studies may examine how these guidelines help map promotora training in other mindfulness-related interventions., (Copyright © 2024 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at an increased risk of overweight/obesity and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)., Objective: This study examined whether ACEs increased the odds of overweight/obesity in adolescents with ASD., Methods: This cross-sectional study used National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) 2018-2019 data (N = 31,533 children ages 10-17 years, including n = 480 children with mild ASD and n = 423 children with moderate/severe ASD with normal or overweight/obese BMI). Parent-reported body mass index (BMI) was coded as overweight/obesity vs. normal weight. The independent variable was the count of nine ACEs. Binary logistic regression was conducted, controlling for social ecological factors., Results: The odds of overweight/obesity in adolescents with ASD with 1-2 ACEs (OR 1.3, CI 1.1-1.4) and 3+ ACEs (OR 1.6, CI 1.3-2.0) were higher than those with 0 ACEs; odds increased with higher counts of ACEs. Household income level was the most significant sociodemographic influence on odds of obesity in adolescents with ASD (0-99 % Federal Poverty Level: OR 1.9, CI 1.6-2.3). Adolescents with moderate/severe ASD (OR 1.7, CI 1.2-2.5) and mild ASD (OR 1.6, CI 1.0-2.4) had higher odds of overweight/obesity after accounting for ACEs, race/ethnicity, sex, household income, and physical activity., Conclusion: Findings indicated ACEs are associated with ASD, which calls for integration of ACEs information within trauma-informed care practices for obesity prevention and intervention for adolescents with ASD. Persistent disparities of overweight/obesity exist by race/ethnicity, sex, and household income within this population, which indicates the need for tailoring trauma-informed approaches to the unique needs of this population., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate unhealthy eating behaviors and dietary patterns compared to their neurotypical counterparts. Given the increased risk of unhealthy weight gain and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, modified nutrition programs in this population are warranted. The authors independently conducted two virtual pilot interventions during COVID-19 that offered feasible and acceptable alternatives to in-person delivery, providing unique opportunities for participant engagement and family involvement. Future virtual nutrition education programs for adolescents with ASD may include visual and verbal aids through Zoom, more parent/family integration, and accommodations for those with varying ASD severity levels., Competing Interests: Author noteRiley H Shurack is currently affiliated with Department of Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA. Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients experience several post-HSCT complications affecting nutritional status, body mass index (BMI), and mortality that can potentially be mitigated by nutritional management. This rapid review examines the relationship between pre-HSCT nutritional status and BMI and post-HSCT survival., Methods: Articles were identified from PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Two researchers independently completed the title, abstract, and full-text review. Inclusion criteria included the following: (1) randomized clinical trials or observational studies; (2) human subjects diagnosed with cancer and undergoing HSCT; (3) reported pre-HSCT nutritional status (e.g., diet recall, nutritional survey, dietitian session) or BMI; and (4) reported treatment related mortality and/or survival., Results: The initial search found 3036 articles, 28 were included in full-text review, and 18 met inclusion criteria. Articles had quasi-experimental (n = 2) and observational (n = 16) study designs. Of the studies, n = 5 reported nutritional intake decreased post-HSCT, and n = 2 reported nutrition intervention (i.e., controlled feeding) post-HSCT improved survival. Four studies reported having a BMI classified as underweight improved survival, while n = 5 reported having a BMI classified as overweight or obese improved survival., Conclusion: Current research exploring the relationship between nutritional status and BMI with HSCT survival is mixed. Further research is needed to determine how nutritional status and BMI are associated withsurvival post-HSCT to inform future intervention work., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Purpose: Examine associations of social developmental factors (e.g., peer/parent social attachment, romantic relationships) and perceptions of social acceptance among emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional, within-group design was used. Questionnaires included the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire, Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment, Adolescent Social Self-Efficacy Scale, Personal Evaluation Inventory, Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents, and demographics. Correlations were utilized to determine associations between general demographic, cancer-specific, and the psychosocial outcome variables. Peer and romantic relationship self-efficacy were assessed as potential mediators of social acceptance in three mediation models. Relationships between perceived physical attractiveness, peer attachment, parental attachment, and social acceptance were assessed. Results: Data were collected from N  = 52 adult participants ( M age  = 21.38 years, standard deviation = 3.11 years) diagnosed with cancer as a child. The first mediation model demonstrated a significant direct effect of perceived physical attraction on perceived social acceptance and retained significance after adjusting for indirect effects of the mediators. The second model demonstrated a significant direct effect of peer attachment on perceived social acceptance; however, significance was not retained after adjusting for peer self-efficacy, suggesting the relationship is partially mediated by peer relationship self-efficacy. The third model demonstrated a significant direct effect of parent attachment on perceived social acceptance; however, significance was not retained after adjusting for peer self-efficacy, suggesting the relationship is partially mediated by peer self-efficacy. Conclusion: Relationships between social developmental factors (e.g., parental and peer attachment) and perceived social acceptance are likely mediated by peer relationship self-efficacy in emerging adult survivors of childhood cancer.

Background: Obesity among youth with epilepsy has multifactorial etiology, yet socioecologic obesity risk factors (eg, neighborhood factors) have not been examined in this population. This study examined (1) the prevalence of obesity adjusting for relevant covariates and (2) socioecologic correlates of obesity in adolescents with epilepsy aged 10-17 years., Methods: This cross-sectional study used 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health data (total n = 27,094; epilepsy n = 184). Chi-square tests compared weighted prevalence of obesity with relevant covariates among all adolescents and adolescents with epilepsy. Weighted multiple logistic regression models were conducted to adjust for covariates., Results: The prevalence of obesity in adolescents with epilepsy was 27.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.4%-40.3%) vs 15.1% (95% CI 14.1%-16.2%) for the non-epilepsy group. Adolescents with epilepsy also had higher odds of obesity after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, household income, physical activity, and medical home (odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.8). Adjusting for sociodemographics, anxiety (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.3-15.6), 2 or more adverse childhood experiences (OR 7.3, 95% CI 1.6-33.4), neighborhood detracting elements (eg, OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.5-18.5 for 1 detracting element), and forgone care (ie, unmet health care needs) (OR 22.4, 95% CI 3.8-132.8) were associated with obesity in adolescents with epilepsy. Adjusting for multiple comparisons, neighborhood detracting elements ( P  < .0001) and forgone care ( P  < .0007) remained significant., Conclusion: Variables related to mental health, family functioning, built environment, and forgone care were associated with obesity in adolescents with epilepsy, but the association was not fully explained by these factors. Obesity interventions for this population should consider multiple levels of influence including the community and special health care needs of this population., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Compared with the general population, the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) is higher among college students. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated FI disparities and highlighted the need for further research to better understand and address FI in this population. Although race and ethnicity are two of the strongest predictors of FI among college students, little research is available on the determinants of FI among racial/ethnic minority college students. A cross-sectional study ( n = 588) based on the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities research framework was examined to identify population-specific determinants of FI among racially/ethnically diverse college students through the assessment of multiple domains (behavioral, environmental, socio-cultural) and levels of influence (individual, interpersonal, and community levels). Discrimination was the sole predictor of FI for non-Hispanic Black students. Coping mechanisms for FI (savings, reduced intake) and body mass index (BMI) were predictors of FI for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White students. Additionally, decreased holistic support from faculty and staff was also observed as a predictor of FI in Hispanic students. Implications include the need for further research and the development of multi-level, tailored interventions to address FI among college students with the goal of decreasing disparities.

Background: Obesity is a major public health crisis in Latino youth. Mounting evidence implicates stress in the development and maintenance of obesity. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of having community health workers, i.e., promotoras, deliver Adaptando Dieta y Acción Para Todos (ADAPT)+, a family-based health promotion program integrating mindfulness strategies for stress reduction to underserved Latino families in rural communities., Methods: In an ORBIT model Phase IIb longitudinal quasi-cluster feasibility study, promotoras delivered the 6-session ADAPT+ intervention and 1-session Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) in rural Florida. Feasibility was assessed via sample size and recruitment, randomization by community, data collection completion, and intervention fidelity. Acceptability was assessed via participant retention and program satisfaction. Effect sizes of differences in parent stress and mindful eating between conditions at baseline, end of treatment, and 3-month follow-up were calculated., Results: Feasibility and acceptability were demonstrated. The recruitment target was 99% met (n = 95 recruited). Randomization was limited to site level due to coronavirus disease 2019-related challenges. Data collection procedures were feasible (100% completion). Retention was 86% at post-assessment and 82.6% at 3-month follow-up. All sessions were completed (100% fidelity). Mean program satisfaction was 3.91/4.00. ADAPT+ parents reported lower stress (difference = -3.04, medium-to-large effect, d = .70) and more mindful eating (difference = 2.00, medium effect, d = .44) than EUC parents at 3-month follow-up., Conclusion: Study implementation and intervention delivery to rural Latino families using promotoras were feasible and acceptable. Promising findings regarding parent stress and mindful eating support a larger (ORBIT Phase III) efficacy trial., Clinical Trial Registration: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04800432., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Objective: To evaluate the associations of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and obesity indicators among individuals with and without type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes cohort study., Design: A secondary analysis. The consumption of UPF was assessed using the dietary data collected with the Harvard FFQ, and each food item was categorised according to the NOVA food processing classification. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline and after a mean of 14·6-year follow-up. Generalised estimating equations stratified by diabetes status were used to assess the associations between UPF intake and obesity indicators over 14 years of follow-up., Setting: USA., Participants: A total of 600 adults (256 T1DM and 344 non-diabetic controls) aged 39 ± 9·1 years at baseline and followed up for over 14 years were included., Results: Participants with T1DM consumed significantly more UPF than non-diabetic controls at baseline: 7·6 ± 3·8 v . 6·6 ± 3·4 servings per day of UPF, respectively ( P < 0·01). Participants with T1DM and with the highest UPF intake had the highest weight ( β Q4 v . Q1 = 3·07) and BMI ( β Q4 v . Q1 = 1·02, all P < 0·05) compared with those with the lowest UPF intake. Similar positive associations were observed in non-diabetic controls., Conclusions: Individuals with T1DM may consume more UPF than non-diabetic controls. Positive associations between UPF consumption and obesity indicators suggest that limiting UPF can be recommended for obesity prevention and management. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Purpose: Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men. Physical activity protects long-term health and quality of life outcomes in prostate cancer survivors. This study aimed to identify sociocultural factors related to physical activity among Black prostate cancer survivors to inform culturally tailored intervention development., Methods: This secondary analysis included data from 257 men who identified as Black or African American and were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2013 and 2018. Participants completed validated self-report measures of perceived history of racial discrimination, religiosity, fatalism, sociodemographic (e.g., age, ethnicity, income) and clinical characteristics (e.g., years since diagnosis, comorbidity burden), and leisure-time physical activity. Regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between sociocultural factors and mild, moderate, and vigorous physical activity., Results: Participants were on average 68.7 years old (SD = 7.7), and most were non-Hispanic (97.3%), married (68.9%), reported an annual household income above $50,000 (57.1%), received at least some college education (74.1%), and were overweight or had obesity (78.5%). Participants reported on average 88.1 (SD = 208.6) min of weekly mild physical activity, and most did not meet guidelines for weekly moderate (80.5%) or vigorous (73.0%) physical activity. After adjusting for covariates, older age and greater religiosity were associated with mild physical activity (ps ≤ 0.05). Higher levels of fatalism were associated with lower odds of meeting guidelines for moderate physical activity (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77-0.99)., Conclusions: Sociocultural factors such as religiosity and fatalism may be associated with some forms of physical activity in Black prostate cancer survivors. These findings suggest that incorporating faith-based practices into health behavior interventions may be appropriate for this population., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: Examine retention and evaluation of incorporating melanocortin-1 receptor genetic risk information materials in a skin cancer prevention intervention conducted in Hispanics living near Tampa, Florida and Ponce, Puerto Rico., Methods: Two researchers applied thematic content analysis to identify major themes of open-ended responses (n = 1689) from 489 participants., Results: Five major thematic categories emerged: 1) intervention comments; 2) tips and tricks; 3) cancer prevention; 4) general information; and 5) risk factors and genetics. Responses captured under intervention comments (e.g., information was clear, easy to understand) and tips and tricks for sun protection (e.g., using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing) were most frequent. Participants noted the importance of conducting skin exams professionally or at home. English-preferring Tampa residents stated their individual risk factors, especially race and/or ethnicity, more frequently than Ponce residents and Spanish-preferring Tampa residents. Ponce residents were more likely to comment on wanting to share intervention materials with family and friends., Conclusion: Findings suggest Hispanic participants implemented sun safety activities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To inform behavioral intervention development, this study examined experiences and unmet needs related to stress, diet, and physical activity in young adult (YA) cancer survivors., Methods: Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of YA cancer survivors (n = 12 aged 18-29 years; n = 11 aged 30-39 years; 57% racial or ethnic minority) between May and July 2022 via Zoom. Data were analyzed using a coding reliability approach to thematic analysis., Results: Stressor-related themes included health and health care, economic stability, social and community context, and balancing responsibilities. Transition to independent adulthood was discussed among younger participants (18-29 years). Coping-related themes included letting go, keeping anchored in faith, and distraction. Older participants (30-39 years) reported more diverse coping strategies. Routine and consistency and the impact of stress were themes aligning with health behaviors. Control was a cross-cutting theme regarding stressors, coping, and health behaviors. Themes related to intervention preferences included individualized approach, expert-based content, peer support, integrative self-care, and manageability. Younger participants preferred multiple intervention formats (e.g., website, tracking logs)., Conclusions: Findings highlighted unmet needs regarding social and environmental stressors in YA cancer survivors and a preference for individualized, expert-based content and peer support in stress management-enhanced behavioral interventions. Such interventions may be tailored for specific age groups to account for differences in stress experiences and intervention preferences., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the importance of digital technology in clinical trial implementation, there is a dearth of literature reporting on challenges and strategies related to multi-site randomized controlled trials (RCTs) among pediatric cancer survivors during the pandemic. This paper discusses challenges faced in the implementation of the NOURISH-T+ trial so far (December 2019-March 2022) and describes adaptations made as a result of these disruptions in the areas of recruitment, data collection, and overall engagement. This reflection is based on a multisite cluster-RCT that aims to examine whether an intervention targeting parents as agents of change to promote healthy eating and physical activity in pediatric cancer survivors, NOURISH-T+ (Nourishing Our Understanding of Role modeling to Improve Support and Health for Healthy Transitions), reduces body mass and improves health behaviors compared to Brief NOURISH-T (Enhanced Usual Care/EUC). The COVID-19 pandemic has created and exacerbated challenges for our trial related to participant recruitment and engagement, technology access and literacy, and data collection and management, as well as COVID-related challenges (e.g., Zoom fatigue). Strategies used to address these challenges might prove helpful in future virtual or hybrid RCTs, including developing trust and rapport with participants, providing support through multiple routes of dissemination, and using data management applications (e.g., REDCap™) for automation and project management. Extra efforts to build families' trust and rapport, offering multiple routes of support, and automating as many tasks as possible are critical to ensuring the continuation of high-quality clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic., (© Society of Behavioral Medicine 2022. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Young adult (YA) cancer survivors are at increased risk for chronic diseases and face age-dependent stressors that may hinder their ability to maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors. This study examined associations between reported mental health, eating beliefs, and health behaviors in YA cancer survivors. YA cancer survivors aged 18-39 years (n = 225) completed a self-administered REDCap ® survey, including the Perceived Stress Scale 10, PROMIS ® Anxiety and Depression, Eating Beliefs Questionnaire, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Dietary Screener Questionnaire, Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, and demographic and diagnosis-related questions. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were performed. Participants were mean 31.3 years old and 3.7 years post-treatment; 77.3% were women. Most participants reported White (78%) or Black or African American (11.2%) race and non-Hispanic ethnicity (84%). Adjusting for covariates, perceived stress, anxiety, and depression were associated with increased added sugar intake ( p < 0.001) and eating beliefs ( p < 0.001). Perceived stress and depression were associated with reduced vegetable intake ( p < 0.05). There were no associations with fruit intake or physical activity in the adjusted models. Health behavior interventions for this population may address psychosocial needs by including a stress management or mind-body component. Further research including direct measures of health behaviors is warranted.

This rapid review examined current evidence on lifestyle interventions with stress-management or mind-body practices that assessed dietary and/or physical activity outcomes among cancer survivors. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO based on Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group rapid review recommendations using the keywords "diet," "physical activity," "mind-body," "stress," and "intervention." Of the 3624 articles identified from the initial search, 100 full-text articles were screened, and 33 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on post-treatment cancer survivors and were conducted in-person. Theoretical frameworks were reported for five studies. Only one study was tailored for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, and none included pediatric survivors. Nine studies reported race and/or ethnicity; six reported that ≥90% participants were White. Many reported significant findings for diet and/or physical activity-related outcomes, but few used complete, validated dietary intake methods (e.g., 24-h recall; n = 5) or direct measures of physical activity (e.g., accelerometry; n = 4). This review indicated recent progress on evaluating lifestyle interventions with stress-management or mind-body practices for cancer survivors. Larger controlled trials investigating innovative, theory-based, personalized interventions that address stress and health behaviors in cancer survivors-particularly racial/ethnic minority and pediatric and AYA populations-are needed.

Parental feeding practices influence children's eating behaviors, yet it is not well-understood whether parents' own eating behaviors are associated with their feeding practices. The purpose of this study was to examine associations among parents' eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 76 parents of children from an elementary school in Tampa, FL. Parents completed three questionnaires with topics related to parent eating behaviors, parental feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. Multiple regression analysis was performed, controlling for demographic covariates. Parents who reported to eat more fruits per day (β = 0.15), eat more than one kind of fruit each day (β = 0.33), eat more than one kind of vegetable each day (β = 0.29), eat 2 or more vegetables at the main meal (β = 0.36), plan meals (β = 0.19), and keep vegetables ready for the child to eat (β = 0.25) indicated that they use more positive reinforcement feeding practices (all p ≤ 0.001). There were significantly positive associations between positive reinforcement and children's eating fruits or vegetables like apples, bananas or carrots as snacks (β = 1.03) and eating more than one kind of vegetable a day (β = 1.03; all p < 0.001). No other variables had any significant associations. Findings of this study indicate that there are potential associations among parent's own eating behaviors, feeding practices, and children's eating behaviors. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism of these relationships. Targeting these parental factors may be an effective way to maximize the impact of nutrition interventions on children's dietary behavior changes., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: This qualitative study examined acceptability, perceived benefits, and unintended consequences of a virtual implementation of an 8-week theory-driven nutrition intervention (BALANCE) for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)., Methods: Twenty-one parent interviews and six adolescent focus groups or interviews ( n  = 12; group size ranged 1-5) were conducted. Data were collected virtually via Microsoft Teams and analyzed for a priori and emergent themes., Results: The intervention was generally acceptable. Adolescents and parents reported that they were comfortable with the virtual format and the interactive group setting. Parents of adolescents 15 years and older emphasized the importance of autonomy/independence. Participants reported changes in adolescents' psychosocial determinants of dietary intake, including knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as diet changes (e.g., self-regulation)., Conclusions: The virtual implementation of BALANCE was acceptable according to adolescents with ASD and their parents based on their reported perceptions and feelings about the intervention. The findings suggest that many adolescents with ASD may benefit from virtual group interventions. Quantitative research is needed to examine behavioral outcomes of the BALANCE intervention., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Background: This study explored whether there are mediated effects of child and family risk in the association between community and organizational risk and obesity among children and adolescents aged 10-17 years using 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data, addressing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and co-occurring conditions. Methods: This cross-sectional study ( N  = 27,157) used 2017-2018 NSCH data. Frequency distributions and chi-square tests were used to describe participants with and without ASD. Cumulative risk indices were created for child, family, community, and organizational level risk, and mediation analyses were conducted in a two-mediator model (X 1 : community risk, X 2 : organizational risk, M 1 : child risk, M 2 : family risk) for the dichotomous outcome (Y: obesity). Path analyses were performed using generalized structural equation modeling in Stata 16.0. Results: Direct effects for all four risk indices were associated with obesity in single index models (all p  < 0.001); only child and family risk indices were associated with obesity in a full model with all four risk indices (both p  < 0.001). When child and family risk indices were assessed as mediators, the indirect effects of community and organizational risk were significant (all p  < 0.0001). The total effect of community risk on obesity was significant with family risk as a mediator ( p  = 0.002). The total effect of organizational risk was not significant with either mediator. Conclusion: Findings suggest that child and family factors play a strong role in obesity risk and that ASD contributes to this risk. Community risk may be another strong predictor of obesity, mediated by family risk. Additional research on social-ecological risk factors for obesity is needed to identify leverage points to improve obesity risk in children and adolescents with and without ASD.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US, has been associated with an overrepresentation or paucity of several microbial taxa in the gut microbiota, but causality has not been established. Black men and women have among the highest CRC incidence and mortality rates of any racial/ethnic group. This study will examine the impact of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on gut microbiota and fecal metabolites associated with CRC risk., Methods: A generally healthy sample of non-Hispanic Black and white adults (n = 112) is being recruited to participate in a parallel-arm randomized controlled feeding study. Participants are randomized to receive the DASH diet or a standard American diet for a 28-day period. Fecal samples are collected weekly throughout the study to analyze changes in the gut microbiota using 16 s rRNA and selected metagenomics. Differences in bacterial alpha and beta diversity and taxa that have been associated with CRC (Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, Clostridium, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus, Porphyromonas, Succinivibrio) are being evaluated. Covariate measures include body mass index, comorbidities, medication history, physical activity, stress, and demographic characteristics., Conclusion: Our findings will provide preliminary evidence for the DASH diet as an approach for cultivating a healthier gut microbiota across non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adults. These results can impact clinical, translational, and population-level approaches for modification of the gut microbiota to reduce risk of chronic diseases including CRC., Trial Registration: This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04538482, on September 4, 2020 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04538482)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: Adolescents have a high prevalence of obesity and neurodevelopmental and mental health co-occurring conditions. This study examined the association between obesity and several co-occurring conditions - autism spectrum disorder (ASD); intellectual disability; learning disability; stuttering, stammering or other speech problems; developmental delay; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; epilepsy or seizure disorder; cerebral palsy; depression; anxiety; and Tourette Syndrome - in adolescents aged 10-17 years (n = 26 266) using 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health data., Methods: This cross-sectional study used 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health data (n = 27 328); χ 2 tests were conducted to compare the prevalence of obesity and several co-occurring conditions. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to adjust for age, gender, race/ethnicity and household income., Results: Obesity prevalence was 15.3%. Adolescents with ASD (25.1%) and epilepsy/seizure disorder (27.8%) had the greatest obesity prevalence. Adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics, odds of obesity were higher in those with ASD (odds ratio (OR) 1.7, confidence interval (CI) 1.2-2.6), learning disability (OR 1.5, CI 1.2-2.0), epilepsy or seizure disorder (OR 2.2, CI 1.2-3.8) and depression (OR 2.0, CI 1.6-2.5). For all regression analyses, odds of obesity were higher among adolescents who were non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic and low-income., Conclusions: The increased prevalence of obesity in adolescents with ASD, learning disability, epilepsy or seizure disorder, and depression demonstrates the need to attend to their nutrition and physical activity needs. Future research should examine obesity risk factors among adolescents with specific neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, as well as racial or ethnic minority and low-income populations, to properly tailor obesity prevention services., (© 2022 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (The Royal Australasian College of Physicians).)

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted multiple racial and ethnic minority groups, including Latinos residing in rural communities. Low rates of vaccination and testing combined with social determinants of health have contributed significantly to this disparate impact. Given the needs and constraints unique to rural Latino migrant and immigrant communities, this qualitative study examined multilevel barriers and strategies that affect COVID-19 vaccination and testing uptake among these communities in southwest Florida. Four focus groups (n = 25) were conducted between March and April 2021 with various key stakeholders, including rural Latino community members, local leaders, and community health workers ('Promotoras de Salud'). Themes that aligned with barriers to COVID-19 vaccination and testing included fear, lack of control, misinformation, lack of accessibility, and institutional/policy issues; themes that aligned with strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination and testing uptake included faith, taking care of self, and community and family resilience. Recommendations for improving future pandemic responses for rural Latino communities include incorporating multiple levels of intervention, such as consideration of the role of the family, involving trusted community members, and ensuring the development and implementation of fair and consistent policies.

Objective: Examine the impact of a virtual nutrition education program, Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education (BALANCE), on dietary intake and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)., Methods: A sample of AYA with ASD aged 12-21 years (n = 27; 6 groups of 2-7 adolescents) participated in BALANCE, a Social Cognitive Theory-based intervention, for eight 30-45-minute lessons. Outcomes were compared using a pre-post design and included dietary intake (assessed using a food frequency questionnaire) and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating (assessed by a validated survey). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests compared preintervention and postintervention medians with an alpha level of 0.05., Results: Mean added sugar intake (P = 0.026) decreased, and behavioral strategies (P = 0.010), self-efficacy (P &lt; 0.001), and outcome expectations (P = 0.009) improved. There was no difference in fruit or vegetable intake or other psychosocial determinants., Conclusions and Implications: The BALANCE intervention may improve psychosocial determinants and dietary behaviors in AYA with ASD. Future virtual programs may incorporate more assistance and support to be accessible for AYA with ASD of varying severity levels., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Lay Abstract: Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder are at an increased risk of unhealthy eating behaviors and obesity compared to their typically developing peers. Many nutrition interventions for this population focus on improving autism spectrum disorder symptoms or managing weight rather than addressing participants' healthy eating self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to examine a virtual implementation of a new intervention for adolescents with autism spectrum disorder, Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education. We used fidelity checklists, engagement records, and field notes to measure implementation. We also examined the feasibility of assessing outcome measures, including a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), psychosocial survey, height, and weight. We recruited adolescents with autism spectrum disorder aged 12-21 years. Six groups of 2-7 adolescents (27 total) participated in the intervention and pre-/post-intervention measurements. Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education consisted of eight weekly lessons: exploring taste, flavor, and texture; mealtimes and rules; food groups and nutrients; moderation; beverages; cooking; well-being; sustaining healthy eating habits. The virtual implementation was feasible based on lesson attendance, participation, homework completion, fidelity, and prevalence of technical difficulties. Evaluation was also feasible based on response rate, completion, and data quality for the food frequency questionnaire, psychosocial survey, and height and weight measurements. Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education may be used in virtual settings to reach diverse populations of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of Bringing Adolescent Learners with Autism Nutrition and Culinary Education on dietary behavior and obesity outcomes.

A randomized trial was conducted to examine whether providing precision prevention materials incorporating melanocortin-1 receptor genetic risk information would increase intention to practice melanoma preventive behaviors. Here, we determine retention/evaluation of prevention materials for adolescent and young adults (AYA) 18 to 39 years old versus adults aged 40+ at 6 and 12 months as an a priori adjunct analysis to the primary research question. Using qualitative methodology, open-ended questions probing most important information from prevention materials and additional comments were collected at 6 and 12 months after baseline. Descriptive statistics were performed on demographic/self-reported characteristics. Two independent researchers applied qualitative thematic content analysis to identify major themes in open-ended questions. Of the 1,134 participants randomized, 906 completed at least one of the follow-up surveys and contributed to analyses of intervention efficacy. Five major thematic categories emerged from the open-ended response data: (i) tips and tricks for sun protection; (ii) cancer prevention; (iii) risk factors and genetics; (iv) general information; and (v) intervention comments. Across all ages, the most important information retained were sun protection techniques in the generic prevention materials group and identifying the importance of genetic risk factors/implementing lifestyle behavior changes in the precision prevention materials group. For additional comments, AYA participants in the generic prevention materials group preferred more scientific information including statistics and citations for references while adults were more likely to state they already knew cancer prevention techniques. Results provide unique qualitative evaluation of AYA versus adult retention of prevention materials for melanoma that enhance quantitative findings., Prevention Relevance: It is important to evaluate information within groups defined by periods of the life trajectory, e.g., AYA and adults, to best inform preferences, knowledge, and motivation for behavior change. By assessing retention, evidence-based interventions can be designed to better support public health messaging and encourage positive health behaviors., (©2022 American Association for Cancer Research.)

Purpose: The aim was to summarize the current literature for the effectiveness of physical activity interventions on physical functioning, body composition, and quality of life (QOL) in pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors., Methods: We conducted systematic structured searches of PubMed and Web of Science databases. Two independent researchers selected against inclusion criteria: (1) lifestyle intervention including physical activity and/or physical activity interventions for pediatric, adolescent, and young adults with any cancer diagnosis; (2) measured QOL, physical functioning (e.g., strength, activities of daily living), or body composition (e.g., changes in weight, percent body fat); and (3) randomized controlled trials., Results: Searches identified 4770 studies. Following the removal of duplicates and title and abstract screening, 83 full-text articles were assessed, and 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. Childhood and adolescent cancer survivors encompassed n = 7 studies while young adult cancer survivors were included in n = 2 studies. Three studies reported using a theoretical framework and six did not. Interventions ranged from 1 week to 6 months. Across all studies reviewed, n = 2 reported improvements in physical activity, n = 5 studies reported partial improvements, and n = 2 reported no improvements., Conclusions: Interventions to improve physical activity behaviors reported mixed results. Only two physical activity interventions incorporated young adults with cancer; thus, physical activity interventions for young adult cancer survivors should be further explored. Future research should focus on personalized physical activity components encouraging behavior change techniques to maximize physical health and QOL improvements., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and childhood obesity are increasing, and youth with ASD are at an increased risk of obesity compared to typically developing youth. Specific obesity risk factors in adolescents with ASD remain poorly understood., Objective: This study examined correlates of obesity among adolescents with and without ASD using extant 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) data., Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the co-occurrence of obesity among US adolescents with ASD aged 10-17 years compared to those without ASD, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, co-occurring conditions, and relevant covariates, using 2017-2018 NSCH data. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare the odds of obesity among children with mild ASD, moderate/severe ASD, and without ASD., Results: Odds of obesity were higher in adolescents with ASD compared to adolescents without ASD (cOR 1.9, CI 1.3-2.7). In the adjusted model, the odds of obesity were not significantly higher in those with mild or moderate/severe ASD compared to those without ASD. Odds of obesity were higher for all adolescents who were Hispanic or Black, as well as those with lower household income or with one or more co-occurring conditions., Conclusions: The association between obesity and ASD in this study highlights the need for greater attention to nutrition, physical activity, and co-occurring conditions among adolescents with ASD. Effective interventions to curtail the risks among racial/ethnic minority adolescents and adolescents with lower household income are needed. Further research is needed to examine additional factors associated with obesity in adolescents with ASD, including family, community, organizational, and policy factors., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest All authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obesity is a persistent public health concern and a risk factor for many chronic diseases including at least 13 different cancers. Adult Black females have the highest prevalence of obesity (57%) compared to other racial/gender groups in the U.S. Although behavioral weight loss (BWL) interventions have demonstrated effectiveness, Black females tend to lose less weight than White counterparts. The higher prevalence of chronic psychological stress reported by Black females may contribute to their disproportionate prevalence of obesity and observed suboptimal weight loss. This study will examine the effectiveness of a 12-month culturally-targeted, stress management-enhanced BWL intervention on weight loss and stress reduction among Black females in a fully-powered randomized, controlled trial., Methods: Adult Black females with obesity (n = 340) will be randomized to either a culturally targeted stress management-enhanced BWL intervention (BWL-Stress) or the same BWL intervention alone (BWL-alone). The primary outcome is weight change at month 6. Secondary outcomes will include changes in stress measures (e.g., perceived stress, cortisol), energy intake, and physical activity at month 6. We will also assess process measures (e.g., treatment adherence, treatment burden). Each outcome will also be evaluated at month 12 to assess longer-term effects of the intervention., Discussion: This novel approach for enhancing an evidence-based BWL program with culturally-targeted stress management strategies for Black females addresses an understudied barrier to effective weight management among a population at high risk for obesity and obesity-related chronic diseases. This study will potentially elucidate psychological or behavioral mechanisms linking our novel intervention to study outcomes. If the intervention is proven to be effective, this study will have significant clinical and public health implications for weight management among Black females., Trial Registration: This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier NCT04335799t , on April 6, 2020., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A mixed methods study was conducted to better understand food access, food retail store environment, and perspectives of community residents on their grocery store shopping patterns and access to healthy foods in underserved, predominantly African American neighborhoods. GIS mapping, grocery store observations (n = 4), a food access and grocery store environment survey (n = 126), and focus groups (n = 48) were used. The results indicate that these neighborhoods have a low density of grocery stores, and only two out of four grocery stores meet the standard for a healthy retail store. Barriers to getting healthy foods and solutions to improve food access are discussed.

Background: Children with developmental disabilities are at an increased risk of unhealthy eating habits, which may contribute to compromised growth and development. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit unique risk factors for unhealthy dietary patterns, including sensory issues and cognitive rigidity at mealtimes., Objective: This cross-sectional study examined diet quality in a sample of children with ASD in Florida compared to nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014/2013-2014 data using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015)., Methods: A 24-h food record was completed by 41 parents of children with ASD aged 2-17 years, and food and beverage items consumed by each child were reported per standardized 24-h recall protocol. Two models were used to compare mean total and component HEI-2015 scores to NHANES means: (1) comparing means for our full sample to published NHANES means for children aged 2-18 years and (2) a matched model with subjects matched 1:1 by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and parent education level., Results: HEI component scores were significantly lower (poorer) in children with ASD for whole fruit, total vegetables, dairy, total protein foods, and seafood and plant protein. Whole grains, fatty acids, added sugars, and refined grains scores were higher (better) in our sample. However, total HEI scores and HEI scores for all 13 components were similar among children with ASD and the matched cases from the NHANES data., Conclusions: There are potential discrepancies in diet quality between children with ASD and general population. Further research with a larger sample size, reporting both total and component HEI scores, is needed., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although school has been an important intervention venue for obesity prevention, the role of school-level factors in obesity development or prevention has not been well-documented. This study aimed to systematically examine the current evidence on school-level factors associated with obesity outcomes in longitudinal studies. The literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, CINHAL, and PsycINFO. Peer-reviewed articles using longitudinal study designs and published in English from 1991 to 2018 were eligible. Twelve articles met eligibility criteria for final systematic review. Nine studies reported significant long-term associations between school-level factors and obesity outcomes. Higher parental education, longer minutes of recess, meeting recommended recess and physical education time, higher socio-economic status, suburban compared with rural area, higher parental involvement in school, and healthful school food environment were significantly associated with lower rates of obesity or obesity trajectory. However, due to the small number of studies and heterogeneity of measures and variables used in their analytic models, the overall level of evidence from this review suggests the importance of further, systematic study. Empirically rigorous research is needed to identify additional aspects of the school context and environment that may contribute to the risk of obesity throughout the life course., (© 2019 World Obesity Federation.)

This study was a cross-sectional study to examine problematic mealtime behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Florida. Forty-one parents completed a 48-item survey. The mean age of their children was 8.1 years and 73% were male. The data were divided and compared by age group: Ages 2⁻6, 7⁻11, and 12⁻17. Data from the 3- to 6-year-old children were extracted and compared with the references from Provost et al. (2010). There were age differences in eating difficulties at home ( p = 0.013), fast food restaurants ( p = 0.005), and at regular restaurants ( p = 0.016). The total mealtime behavior score was significantly higher in early childhood ( p < 0.001) and mid-childhood ( p = 0.005) than adolescents. More parents of ages 3⁻6 with ASD reported difficulties with breastfeeding ( p < 0.01); concerns about eating ( p < 0.001); difficulties related to mealtime locations ( p < 0.05), craving certain food ( p < 0.05), and being picky eaters ( p < 0.01) compared to typically developing children. The total mealtime behavior score was significantly higher in children with ASD than typically developing children ( p < 0.001). The results indicate that early childhood interventions are warranted and further research in adolescents is needed.