Paula K. Ritter-Gooder

Food safety knowledge, practices and beliefs of primary food preparers in families with young children. A mixed methods study.

Food preparers in families with young children are responsible for safe food preparation and handling to prevent foodborne illness. To explore the food safety perceptions, beliefs, and practices of primary food preparers in families with children 10 years of age and younger, a mixed methods convergent parallel design and constructs of the Health Belief Model were used. A random sampling of 72 primary food handlers (36.2±8.6 years of age, 88% female) within young families in urban and rural areas of two Midwestern states completed a knowledge survey and participated in ten focus groups. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Transcribed interviews were analyzed for codes and common themes. Forty-four percent scored less than the average knowledge score of 73%. Participants believe children are susceptible to foodborne illness but perceive its severity to be low with gastrointestinal discomfort as the primary outcome. Using safe food handling practices and avoiding inconveniences were benefits of preventing foodborne illness. Childcare duties, time and knowledge were barriers to practicing food safety. Confidence in preventing foodborne illness was high, especially when personal control over food handling is present. The low knowledge scores and reported practices revealed a false sense of confidence despite parental concern to protect their child from harm. Food safety messages that emphasize the susceptibility and severity of foodborne illness in children are needed to reach this audience for adoption of safe food handling practices.

A mixed methods study of food safety knowledge, practices and beliefs in Hispanic families with young children ☆

Children are at a higher risk for foodborne illness. The objective of this study was to explore food safety knowledge, beliefs and practices among Hispanic families with young children (≤10 years of age) living within a Midwestern state. A convergent mixed methods design collected qualitative and quantitative data in parallel. Food safety knowledge surveys were administered (n = 90) prior to exploration of beliefs and practices among six focus groups (n = 52) conducted by bilingual interpreters in community sites in five cities/towns. Descriptive statistics determined knowledge scores and thematic coding unveiled beliefs and practices. Data sets were merged to assess concordance. Participants were female (96%), 35.7 (±7.6) years of age, from Mexico (69%), with the majority having a low education level. Food safety knowledge was low (56% ± 11). Focus group themes were: Ethnic dishes popular, Relating food to illness, Fresh food in home country, Food safety practices, and Face to face learning. Mixed method analysis revealed high self confidence in preparing food safely with low safe food handling knowledge and the presence of some cultural beliefs. On-site Spanish classes and materials were preferred venues for food safety education. Bilingual food safety messaging targeting common ethnic foods and cultural beliefs and practices is indicated to lower the risk of foodborne illness in Hispanic families with young children.

Validity and reliability of an omega-3 fatty acid food frequency questionnaire for first-generation Midwestern Latinas.

This study tested the hypothesis that a culturally developed omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) could be an accurate instrument to capture n-3 fatty acid food intakes of first-generation Midwestern Latinas. The goal of the study was to assess validity and test-retest reliability of an FFQ to estimate total n-3 fatty acid (total n-3), α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intakes. An n-3 FFQ was developed and pilot tested. Two FFQs and 3 nonconsecutive 24-hour recalls were collected from 162 participants. Pearson correlation and paired t test were used to test the hypothesis. Correlation of the 2 FFQs was 0.71 for total n-3, 0.65 for ALA, 0.74 for EPA, and 0.54 for DHA (P < .01). The means of the 2 FFQs and of the 24-hour recalls were not significantly different for total n-3 and ALA (P > .05), but were significantly different for EPA and DHA. The n-3 FFQ had acceptable reliability, validated only total n-3 and ALA, and provided relevant findings about the n-3 eating habits of Midwestern Latinas.

Content Validation of a Standardized Language Diagnosis by Certified Specialists in Gerontological Nutrition

Validation of the nutrition standardized language assures the language is accurate for use in practice, policy, and research, but few validation studies have been reported. The purpose of this descriptive study was to validate content of all components of the nutrition diagnostic term involuntary weight loss using experts providing care for older adults in health care settings. A Nutrition Diagnosis Validation Instrument was developed that contained the definition, etiologies, and signs and symptoms of the diagnosis plus items added from literature review. Questions on clarity and completeness of the language were included. The Nutrition Diagnosis Validation Instrument used a Likert-type scale for deriving a Diagnostic Content Validity (DCV) score for all items in the definition, etiology, and signs and symptoms components to define major, minor, and nonrelevant characteristics and a mean total DCV score for the term. In 2008, all Board Certified Specialists in Gerontological Nutrition (CSGs) were recruited by mail. CSGs (n=110, 73% response) reported 15±10 (mean±standard deviation) practice years in gerontological nutrition. The total DCV component scores were 0.80±0.17 (definition), 0.63±0.08 (etiology), and 0.69±0.12 (signs and symptoms). The mean total DCV score of the diagnostic term was 0.69±0.11. Cognitive decline, poor oral health, and impaired skin integrity were identified as missing language. In conclusion, the majority of the definition, etiologies, and signs and symptoms of the term were content-validated, including seven items derived from literature review. The validated items, including recommendations for added language, need to be retested using the same process.

Obtaining and Using Copyrighted Research Journal Content—Convenience vs Ethics

Members of American Dietetic Association (ADA) or those credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration agree to abide by the ADA/Commission on Dietetic Registration Code of Ethics for the dietetics profession (1). A fundamental principle within the Code is to conduct dietetics practice with honor, integrity, and fairness and to comply with all laws and regulations applicable or related to the profession. Dietetics practitioners read and apply the results of research published in professional journals and other publications to guide their evidence-based practice. Authors of research articles can, in some cases, make their work more accessible to practitioners by amendment of the copyright transfer agreements required by the publisher. And practitioners working in the United States must understand and abide by the US copyright laws that govern the fair use of these resources. In this digital age, inappropriate access to and distribution of copyrighted research content can occur. This article briefly describes the key requirements of current US copyright law, generalized to situations that a dietetics practitioner might encounter, through scenarios that illustrate implications for practitioners and suggests options for the retrieval and use of copyrighted research information while abiding by the Code of Ethics. The discovery, access, and use of freely available literature (“open access”) with proper attribution of authorship is also discussed.

Effect of Medical Nutrition Therapy on Outcomes of Pre-Diabetes Patients in a Rural Nebraska Family Practice Clinic

Methods: This 2010 retrospective study examined electronic health records of newly diagnosed pre-diabetes patients who received MNT (n 20, mean age 61, 85% female) or did not receive MNT (NMNT) (n 22, mean age 63, 82% female). Weight, blood glucose, lipid profile, and medications data were collected at baseline and repeat measurements were recordedwhen available in the health record for up to one year post diagnosis. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure and Chi Square.