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BackgroundPlant-based foods, including pulses (dry beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas), have gained worldwide attention owing to their health and environmental benefits. Despite high production, the consumption of pulses is low in Canada. Behavior change interventions systematically designed to promote the consumption of pulse-based foods are scarce. ObjectiveWe describe the utilization of intervention mapping (IM) in the development of a multicomponent nutrition intervention aimed at promoting consumption of pulse-based foods among preschool children in childcare centers in Saskatchewan, Canada. MethodsThe Pulse Discovery Toolkit intervention was developed following the six steps of the IM protocol. Decisions at each step were either based upon literature review, expert consultation, pretesting, or a combination of these. Following the initial phase of the study, which focused on intervention development, phases II and III of the study were concerned with pilot testing and roll-out of the intervention, respectively. In total, one, two, and four childcare centers participated in phases I, II, and III, respectively. A multimethod approach was designed to evaluate the intervention during pilot testing and roll-out. ResultsThe application of IM steps 1 to 3 in phase I resulted in the creation of performance objectives at different levels, including at the individual level (preschool children), and the social and environmental levels (parents, early childhood educators, and cooks). These objectives were then used to create a matrix of objectives matching the constructs of the social cognitive theory while taking Piaget cognitive development into consideration. This step was followed by defining program components, implementation, adoption, and evaluation strategies, which were utilized in phases II and III. Data have been collected from 2015 to 2018 and analyzed. The results will be reported elsewhere. ConclusionsThe IM protocol provided a rigorous framework for the development of a multicomponent evidence-based intervention to promote pulse-based foods in childcare centers. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/22775

This qualitative study investigates the perspectives of urban Indigenous individuals in Saskatchewan, Canada, regarding their consumption of traditional foods. Through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 14 participants across Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert, the research aimed to uncover the benefits, risks, and barriers associated with acquiring and consuming traditional foods. Participants emphasized the nutritional advantages of traditional foods, such as higher nutrient density and absence of industrial additives, which they linked to improved health outcomes and alignment with Indigenous biology. The study also highlighted the vital role of traditional foods in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community connections through practices of food sharing and intergenerational knowledge transfer. However, significant challenges were identified, including economic and physical barriers to access, environmental degradation, and regulatory issues that restrict the availability of traditional foods in urban settings. The findings suggest a complex landscape where cultural practices are both preserved and challenged within the urban environment. This study contributes to the broader understanding of how Indigenous populations navigate the preservation of their culinary heritage in the face of modern economic and environmental pressures, providing insights for policy and community-based interventions aimed at supporting Indigenous food sovereignty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives Identifying groups at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and improving prevention strategies are important due to the high rates of these diseases in the world. We aimed to determine the 10-year ASCVD risk and cardiovascular age gap (CAG) of Canadians 40-79 and the association between prevalent dietary patterns and ASCVD risk, and CAG. Subjects/methods Health measures and dietary intake information were obtained from 2088 respondents representative of 13,655,671 Canadians 40-79 years in the cross-sectional Canadian Health Measures Survey Cycles 1 and 2 (2007-11). The estimated 10-year ASCVD risk and CAG were determined for 40-79 years adults across different levels of sociodemographic/lifestyle factors. Dietary patterns emerged using the principal component analysis from 32 food groups collected using food frequency questionnaire. The association between 10-year ASCVD risk, and CAG, with dietary patterns was investigated controlling for potential covariates. Survey data were weighted and bootstrapped to be nationally representative. Results The mean 10-year ASCVD risk of 40-79 years was 6.9%. The mean CAG for men was -4.1 years (older) and for females was +0.4 years (younger). Four dietary patterns emerged. Of note, the 'High carbohydrate and protein' dietary pattern, which included potatoes, red meat, sausage, egg and ice-cream/frozen yoghurt was positively associated with 10-year ASCVD (P.sub.trend = 0.013). The 'Healthy like' and 'Fast food' dietary patterns had an inverse (p < 0.0001) and positive (p = 0.005) association, respectively, with CAG. Conclusions Dietary patterns prevalent among this population were associated with CAG and ASCVD risk. Interventions for promoting healthy dietary patterns may be beneficial to reduce ASCVD in Canada., Author(s): Zeinab Hosseini [sup.1] , Mehdi Rostami [sup.2] , Arash Shamloo [sup.1] , Susan J. Whiting [sup.1] , Hassan Vatanparast [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University [...]

The practice of fasting during the month of Ramadan is an obligation for healthy Muslims and involves abstaining from food and drinks from dawn to dusk for 29–30 consecutive days annually. With changes in dietary and lifestyle patterns, healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a significant role in supporting Muslims health during Ramadan. In this scoping review, we employed a systematic approach to map existing literature on HCPs' knowledge, attitude, practices, and perspectives working with Muslims who fast during Ramadan in Western countries. Our aim was to identify research gaps and opportunities for improving healthcare services for Muslims during Ramadan. Literature searches were generated through multiple scientific literature databases, including Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase and reviewed following The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. From the eight sources included in this review, it was found that HCPs' knowledge of Ramadan fasting practices vary, with many lacking adequate knowledge. While HCPs recognize potential health complications, adjustments to medications for fasting patients, especially those with diabetes, are often neglected. Challenges in care included language barriers, limited cultural training, and resource awareness. Strategies identified to address barriers include reducing language barriers, providing resources in relevant languages, and enhancing cultural competence training. Further research is required on HCPs' knowledge providing care to Muslims during Ramadan, cultural competency training impact, and diverse healthcare interventions for fasting Muslims. Addressing these gaps may enhance culturally safe care and improve patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2019, Health Canada released a new iteration of Canada's Food Guide (2019-CFG), which, for the first time, highlighted recommendations regarding eating practices, i.e., guidance on where, when, why, and how to eat. The objective of this study was to develop a brief self-administered screener to assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG among adults aged 18–65 years. Development of the screener items was informed by a review of existing tools and mapping of items onto 2019-CFG recommendations. Face and content validity were assessed with experts in public health nutrition and/or dietary assessment (n = 16) and individuals from Government of Canada (n = 14). Cognitive interviews were conducted with English-speaking (n = 16) and French-speaking (n = 16) adults living in Canada to assess face validity and understanding of the screener items. While some modifications were identified to improve relevance or clarity, overall, the screener items were found to be relevant, well-constructed, and clearly worded. This comprehensive process resulted in the Canadian Eating Practices Screener/Questionnaire court canadien sur les pratiques alimentaires, which includes 21 items that assess eating practices recommended in the 2019-CFG. This screener can facilitate monitoring and surveillance efforts of the 2019-CFG eating practices as well as research exploring how these practices are associated with various health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interrelation between climate change, biomass production, and rural poverty is an area of growing concern, as these factors are intricately linked and often exacerbate one another. The objective of this critical review is to investigate existing knowledge, identify research gaps, and explore how climate-induced disruptions affect biomass production, exacerbate rural poverty, and increase vulnerability. High-quality peer-review publications were sourced via Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to include the most relevant papers in line with the objective. A bibliometric analysis yielded three key concepts: (i) biofuel innovations and sustainable development, (ii) climate dynamics and biomass environmental impact, and (iii) rural poverty and energy challenges. The review delves into the complex interplay of factors influencing biomass production, climate change, and rural/remote poverty. Climate change intensifies the challenges rural communities face, enhancing their vulnerability to poverty. For these communities, biomass production not only offers a sustainable energy alternative but also a pathway to economic upliftment. Addressing climate change through sustainable biomass production emerges as a vital strategy, providing a dual solution by mitigating environmental degradation and offering a robust framework for poverty alleviation in rural areas. The review emphasizes the urgent need to integrate climate action, sustainable energy production, and rural economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]