Pascale Morin

Relationship between Eating Behaviors and Physical Activity among Primary and Secondary School Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND With a view toward developing concerted efforts in fostering healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle among young people, a study was carried out to explore associations between eating behavior and physical activity (PA). METHODS In the school district, questionnaires were completed at home by parents of primary school children (N = 8612) and by secondary school youth (N = 5250) during a break in the schedule. The rates of response were 79% and 83%, respectively. Inferential and descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS The results indicate significant differences between the eating behaviors of young people who engage in 60 minutes of daily PA and those who are sedentary. The physically active children were generally more likely to eat fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain products and to have breakfast (p < .05 among high-school students). The lack of self-confidence (55%) and not enjoying PA (46%) stood out as the greatest obstacles facing adolescents trying to lose weight. CONCLUSION There should be particular actions targeting students in the last half of primary school aimed at developing individual accountability and autonomy with respect to healthy eating and PA. These actions should also consider sex differences and those who have more sedentary lifestyles.

Concept Analysis of Pregnancy Planning Drawn from Women of Childbearing Age

Pregnancy planning is becoming an important issue in preconception health promotion. Unfortunately, its definition and measurement remain imprecise. This article will develop an operational definition and identify essential components of the concept of pregnancy planning. Six steps from Walker and Avant’s concept analysis procedure were used. Data were collected through a literature review, interviews with key informants, and three focus groups. The concept analysis yielded a conceptual framework comprising three essential components: attitude, timing, and sexual behavior. Pregnancy planning is defined as the adoption of an attitude centered on conception, including sexual behaviors (proceptive or contraceptive) and timing. Moreover, pregnancy planning is not a clear-cut phenomenon with questions that can be answered simply with “yes” or “no”. Rather, it is a dynamic process that evolves according to contextual factors. From these results, an instrument evaluating the intensity of pregnancy planning can be developed for epidemiological research and promotional purposes.

Perceptions of Employed Parents About Early Childhood Obesity and the Need for Prevention Strategies

Responses to the increased prevalence of childhood obesity are merging, and employed parents will become targets for strategies designed to prevent childhood obesity. This study aimed at describing their perceptions of employed parents about childhood obesity and determining which prevention strategies they would need the most. In this cross-sectional study, 504 employed parents were recruited from 33 child care centers in Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada) who completed a self-administered questionnaire on their perceptions about childhood obesity and the need for prevention strategies. Logistic regression was used to explore differences in needs for prevention strategies according to participant characteristics. Most participants were female, aged 32.9 ± 4.9 years, and perceived childhood obesity was an important problem. The prevention strategies that seemed most needed were the implementation of (a) physical and nutrition education programs in child care settings and (b) measures that give employed parents more time to cook for and be physically active with their children. Support for specific strategies differed across genders and education levels. Moreover, they depended on the perceived relationship between work and meal preparation. Policy makers should be aware of the needs of employed parents to develop policies that would have the greatest likelihood of success in this population.

L’environnement alimentaire dans les milieux de garde au Québec : résultats d’une étude descriptive

PURPOSE The goal of this study was to describe different components of the food environment in childcare settings. METHODS Visits were made to 33 early childcare centres (CPEs) in the Estrie region of Quebec, Canada. Data were collected between March and July 2008 using a questionnaire based on the Cohen model. The goal of the questionnaire was to collect information about meal organization, menu composition and food preparation methods. RESULTS Although few CPEs had adopted a food policy, descriptive analyses showed that the food environment in these settings was generally adequate. In 97% of the CPEs, menu planning was performed by the food technician. The meals offered as well as the food preparation methods employed were consistent with the general guidelines of Canada’s Food Guide (CFG). However, a lack of professional training was observed. Furthermore, only 25% of the CPEs offered a snack made up of two food groups. CONCLUSIONS Certain improvements must be made to the food environment in Quebec childcare settings, which underscoresthe need to create and implement a food policy for childcare centres.Objectif: Cette etude avait pour but de decrire differentes composantes de l’environnement alimentaire en milieu de garde. Methodes: Trente-trois centres de la petite enfance (CPE) de la region de l’Estrie (Quebec, Canada) ont ete visites. Les donnees ont ete recueillies entre mars et juillet 2008 a l’aide d’un questionnaire inspire du modele de Cohen. Ce questionnaire visait a recueillir des renseignements sur l’organisation des repas, la composition du menu et les modes de preparation des aliments. Resultats: Bien que peu de CPE aient adopte une politique alimentaire, les analyses descriptives ont mis en evidence que l’environnement alimentaire y etait generalement adequat. Dans 97 % des CPE, la planification du menu etait effectuee par le responsable de l’alimentation. L’offre de repas de meme que les modes de preparation des aliments s’averaient coherents avec les consignes generales du Guide alimentaire canadien (GAC). Cependant, un manque de formation professionnelle a ete observe. Par ailleurs, seu...