Grace Falciglia

Food neophobia in childhood affects dietary variety.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether children with food neophobia (unwillingness to try new foods) have more restrictive diets than children without neophobia. SUBJECTS Seventy children were classified into 3 groups based on scores obtained on the Food Neophobia Scale: neophobic group, score greater than 41; neophilic group, score less than 27; and average group, score of 28 to 40. DESIGN Dietary data were collected and analyzed for 3 days selected randomly. The dependent variables measured were energy and nutrient intakes, servings of each Food Guide Pyramid group, and Health Eating Index (HEI) scores. STATISTICAL ANALYSES chi 2, 1-way analysis of covariance, and Scheffé multiple comparisons tests were conducted. RESULTS The 3 groups were similar with respect to the number of children meeting two thirds of the RDA/DRI for energy and most nutrients. The exception was vitamin E: fewer neophobic children met two thirds of the recommended value for this nutrient than average and neophilic children. The overall HEI score was significantly lower for the neophobic group compared with the average and neophilic groups. The HEI index showed that children with neophobia had a higher intake of saturated fat and less food variety than children without food neophobia. APPLICATIONS Dietitians should emphasize increased food variety for children within the context of a healthful diet. Research should be conducted to determine the effects of dietary variety on quality of diet and health of children.

The Efficacy of a Clinic-Based Behavioral Nutrition Intervention Emphasizing a DASH-Type Diet for Adolescents with Elevated Blood Pressure

OBJECTIVE To examine the efficacy of a 3-month clinic-based behavioral nutrition intervention emphasizing a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy (DASH intervention) versus routine outpatient hospital-based nutrition care (RC) on diet and blood pressure (BP) in adolescents with elevated BP. STUDY DESIGN Fifty-seven adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of prehypertension or hypertension (systolic BP or diastolic BP, 90(th) to 99(th) percentile) were randomly assigned to DASH or RC. SBP, DBP, 3-day diet recall, weight, and height were assessed at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 3 months later (follow-up). RESULTS In completer analysis, DASH versus RC had a greater decrease in SBP z scores from baseline to post-treatment (P < 0.01) and a trend for a greater decrease in SBP z scores from baseline through follow-up (P = .07). DBP z scores changed similarly for conditions from baseline through follow-up. Relative to RC, DASH had a greater increase in intake of fruits (P < .001), potassium and magnesium (P < .01), and a greater decrease in total fat (P < .05) from baseline to post-treatment. From baseline through follow-up, DASH versus RC had a greater increase in low fat dairy (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The DASH intervention proved more effective than RC in improving SBP and diet quality in adolescents with elevated BP.

A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship in Food Preferences between Parents and Children

Abstract Acknowledging the interaction of culture, genetics, and socialization among family members, one would expect to find a strong resemblance in food preferences between parents and children. The present investigation employed the technique of meta-analysis to determine the existence and strength of a correlation in parent-child food preferences. A search of the literature identified seven studies meeting the criteria for inclusion; of these, five studies had sufficient data to be included in the analysis. The weighted effect size was calculated at 0.19 for mother-child pairs and 0.14 for father-child pairs. The overall average weighted effect size was 0.17, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.094 to 0.240. This demonstrated a significant correlation, of small magnitude, in the resemblance in food preferences between parents and children. The strength of correlation is similar when maternal and paternal influence is examined separately. The findings of this meta-analysis indicate that the similarity in food preferences between children and their parents would appear to be of small significance as a factor in predicting childrens food preferences.

Evidence for a genetic influence on preference for some foods

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate genetic influence on preference for 17 foods. The relationship between preference and use of these foods was also examined. The study focused on frequently eaten foods and on foods consumed less frequently but promoted for good health. DESIGN Food preferences were investigated in young monozygotic and same-sex dizygotic twin pairs living at home and sharing the same environment. Subjects provided preference ratings after testing each food. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine whether the genetic component of preference is associated with food use. SUBJECTS Subjects were 14 pairs of monozygotic twins and 21 pairs of same-sex dizygotic twins, aged 9 to 18 years. They were recruited on a volunteer basis from public schools in Cincinnati, Ohio. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We found a greater similarity in food preference between members of monozygotic twin pairs than between dizygotic twin pairs, which suggests an important role for genetics in accounting for individual differences in food preference. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Food preference data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and Fischer z scores. Additional estimates of heritability were obtained by applying the Mann-Whitney nonparametric t test and the Holzinger index. Food use was correlated with preference using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS Significant differences in intrapair correlations for monozygotic and dizygotic twins were found for orange juice (z = 5.39; P < .05), broccoli (z = 2.60; P < .05), cottage cheese (z = 2.54; P < .05), chicken (z = 2.54; P < .05), sweetened cereal (z = 2.00; P < .05), and hamburger (z = 1.95; P < .10). The genetic component of preference was correlated with use for only two foods. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS It is important for nutritionists to realize that heritable factors may influence selection of a range of foods, including some that are promoted for good health. If health-promoting foods are to be included in the diet, accessibility and exposure to these foods must be increased.

Evolution of meal patterns and food choices of Japanese-American females born in the United States.

Objectives: To examine trends in meal patterns and food choices across two generations of Japanese-American females born in the USA.Design: Cross-sectional cohort study.Setting: Gardena, a suburb of Los Angeles, California.Subjects: One-hundred and seventy-six Japanese-American females, participating in a morning exercise class from December 1998 to January 1999.Intervention: Eighty-eight Nisei (second generation) mothers and their Sansei (third generation) daughters completed a food frequency questionnaire, answering questions regarding meal patterns and consumption frequency of 51 food items.Results: The Sansei ate fewer meals per day compared with the Nisei. Mean frequencies of takeout foods and eating out were higher in the Sansei vs the Nisei. Mean intake of meats and eggs were similar between the two groups. However, mean consumption of traditional Japanese complement foods including fish, vegetables and legumes was lower in the Sansei vs the Nisei. Intake of more ‘Westernized’ accessory foods, including salty snacks, regular soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, was higher in the Sansei vs the Nisei.Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that meal patterns and food choices have changed in succeeding generations of Japanese-American females from traditional fare to a diet containing many complement and accessory foods that are higher in fat, sugar, sodium and calories. Health professionals should be advised to consider the whole diet in making nutrition recommendations to this population as well as providing information to this group on the nutritional benefits of many traditional foods.European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, 665–670.

Impact of Parental Food Choices on Child Food Neophobia

This study examined the impact of parental food choices on childrens willingness to try new foods. The participants were 33 students in Grades 5 and 6 in one public school in Cincinnati, Ohio. One parent per student completed the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and food records. Outcome measures included (a) FNS scores for both parents and children, and (b) Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and number of different foods consumed by parents only. Parent-child FNS scores were significantly correlated. Negative associations occurred between the parent HEI fruit score and the child FNS score and the number of different foods consumed by the parent and the child FNS score. Findings suggest that parental food choices influence childrens responses to new foods.

Dietary Variety Increases as a Function of Time and Influences Diet Quality in Children

OBJECTIVE To investigate the changes in dietary variety over time in children and to determine the relationship between dietary variety and diet quality. DESIGN Dietary data were collected from fourth and fifth grade students for 14 consecutive days by a registered dietitian. SETTING Colerain School District of Cincinnati, Ohio. PARTICIPANTS There were 33 children involved in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two cumulative dietary variety scores were estimated. The first was based on the Food Guide Pyramid groups: grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy, and meat (GFVDM). The second was based on the groups highlighted by the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for variety: grain, fruit, and vegetable (GFV). Diets were analyzed for energy and nutrient content. ANALYSIS Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS Dietary variety increased over time up to 14 days. A significant difference (P <.0001) was found for the cumulative GFVDM and GFV variety scores on days 3, 7, and 14. Positive correlations were found between the GFVDM and GFV variety scores and vitamin C and fiber. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study suggests that a 2-week period is necessary to capture food variety in children. Some associations were found between dietary variety and diet quality. New tools are needed to measure dietary variety in children.

Motivational determinants of food preferences in adolescents and pre‐adolescents

This study explored the relationship between food preference and each of seven motivational factors—healthfulness, parents serve it, peers eat it, price, readily accessible, taste and television advertising—in white, middle‐class subjects aged 9 to 18 years. Subjects tasted and provided preference ratings for 17 foods, and rated the importance of each motivational factor on their preference for these foods. Test foods were representative of foods frequently consumed in this age group, and foods promoted by nutrition educators but infrequently consumed. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for food preference and motivational factor scores. Multiple regression analysis was performed on scores assigned to motivational factors. Taste emerged as the motivational factor with the greatest influence on food preference. If dietary recommendations are to be adopted by this age group, nutrition educators must focus on strategies for enhancing the taste of foods that are promoted for health.

Dietary Antioxidant Intake in Patients at Risk for Second Primary Cancer

Objectives To analyze dietary antioxidant intake for head and neck cancer patients at risk for development of second primary cancers.

Sociocultural influences on the determinants of breast-feeding by Latina mothers in the Cincinnati area.

While breast-feeding initiation and duration among US Latina women appear to decrease with acculturation, health care providers in the Greater Cincinnati area have noted lower rates of breast-feeding among even first-generation Latina immigrants. This studys purpose was to identify determinants of breast-feeding for Latina mothers in Cincinnati through qualitative interviews and Spanish Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale ratings. Our findings suggest that, along with similar levels of breast-feeding self-confidence, foreign-born Latina women in the Greater Cincinnati area share similar breast-feeding determinants with the general population. However, characteristics of these determinants and their impact vary because of unique pressures experienced by this community.