Shahla M. Wunderlich

Nutritional quality of organic, conventional, and seasonally grown broccoli using vitamin C as a marker

Organically labeled vegetables are considered by many consumers to be healthier than non-organic or ‘conventional’ varieties. However, whether the organic-labeled vegetables contain more nutrients is not clear. The purpose of this study is to examine the nutritional quality of broccoli using vitamin C, a fragile and abundant nutrient, in broccoli as a biomarker. The vitamin C content was assayed (2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol method) in broccoli samples obtained from supermarkets that are considered the point of consumer consumption. These samples were obtained during different seasons when the broccoli could be either harvested locally or shipped far distances. The findings indicate that vitamin C could be used as a marker under a controlled laboratory environment with some limitations and, although the vitamin C content of organically and conventionally labeled broccoli was not significantly different, significant seasonal changes have been observed. The fall values for vitamin C were almost twice as high as those for spring for both varieties (P=0.021 for organic and P=0.012 for conventional). The seasonal changes in vitamin C content are larger than the differences between organically labeled and conventionally grown broccoli.

Consumer Perception of Genetically Modified Organisms and Sources of Information

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been available for commercial purchase since the 1990s, allowing producers to increase crop yields through bioengineering that creates herbicide-resistant and insect-resistant varieties. However, consumer knowledge about GMOs has not increased at the same rate as the adoption of GMO crops. Consumers worldwide are displaying limited understanding, misconceptions, and even unfamiliarity with GMO food products. Many consumers report that they receive information about GMO food products from the media, Internet, and other news sources. These sources may be less reliable than scientific experts whom consumers trust more to present the facts. Although many in the United States support mandatory GMO labeling (similar to current European standards), consumer awareness of current GMO labeling is low. A distinction must also be made between GMO familiarity and scientific understanding, because those who are more familiar with it tend to be more resistant to bioengineering, whereas those with higher scientific knowledge scores tend to have less negative attitudes toward GMOs. This brings to question the relation between scientific literacy, sources of information, and overall consumer knowledge and perception of GMO foods.

Consumer knowledge and attitudes about genetically modified food products and labelling policy

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the prevalence of GMO labelling in northern New Jersey supermarkets. This cross-sectional study surveyed 331 adults, New Jersey supermarket customers (mean age 26 years old, 79.8% women). The results show a strong, positive correlation between consumer attitudes towards foods not containing GMOs and purchasing behaviour (Pearson’s r = 0.701, p < 0.001) with lesser correlations between knowledge and behaviour (Pearson’s r = 0.593, p < 0.001) and knowledge and attitudes (Pearson’s r = 0.413, p < 0.001). GMO labelling would assist consumers in making informed purchase decisions.

Measuring the impact of nutrition education and physical activity on older adults participating in government sponsored programs.

A longitudinal, four-year study (2004–2007) with a cohort of 139 older adults (majority women;71%) was conducted to examine the impact of community-based nutrition and physical activity programs on health outcome measures. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected and nutrition screening was performed. Blood pressure, serum cholesterol and glucose levels, and pulse rate were also measured. The blood pressure, both mean systolic and diastolic, 141(± 19.0)/79.3 ± 9.7 (2004) vs. 127.8 ± 10.9/73.8 ± 10.2 mm Hg (2007), were improved (p < 0.05) in women. There were also improvements (p < 0.05 in both men and women) in pulse rate between 2004 and 2007. There is no doubt that nutrition education and exercise programs together enhanced the overall health and well being of these older adults. However, our findings emphasize the need for further systematic study and for appropriate biometric assessments to evaluate the full impact of nutrition education and physical activity interventions in older adults.

Workplace Lactation Support by New Jersey Employers following US Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers Law

Background: Returning to an unsupportive work environment has been identified as a major reason for avoidance or early abandonment of breastfeeding among working mothers. Objective: This study aimed to examine the nature and extent of accommodations offered to breastfeeding employees among New Jersey employers since the US federal Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers law enactment. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to measure current lactation support in the workplace in New Jersey. Using convenience sampling, the survey was sent to managerial personnel in hospitals and nonhospitals. The level of support was assessed on company policy, lactation room, and room amenity. A composite lactation amenity score was calculated based on responses about lactation room amenities. Results: Respondents (N = 51) completed a 22-item online questionnaire during fall 2011. The support level was compared by type of organization: hospital (n = 37) versus nonhospital (n = 14). The amenity score of hospitals was significantly higher than nonhospitals (1.44 vs 0.45, P = .002). The mean amenity score (score = 0.95) for all employers was far below comprehensive (score = 3.0). Compared to nonhospitals, hospitals were more likely to offer lactation rooms (81% vs 36%, P = .003), have their own breastfeeding policy (35.1% vs 7.1%, P = .01), and provide additional breastfeeding support (eg, education classes, resources; P < .05). Conclusion: Employers, regardless of the type of organization, need to improve their current practices and create equity of lactation support in the workplace.

An exploratory investigation of the risk of pathogenic contamination at selected New Jersey skilled nursing and assisted living residences

Elderly populations are vulnerable and generally have the highest incidence of morbidity related to foodborne illnesses and this problem may be aggravated in institutional or communal eating settings. The objective of this investigation was to examine the potential risk of food contamination in selected skilled nursing and assisted-living residences using bacteria indicator tests for Listeria spp., Salmonella spp. and E. coli. Of the 45 samples tested for Listeria, three (6.67 %) were found to be contaminated; Salmonella or E. coli contamination was not found in any of the samples. Reported incidents of foodborne illnesses are increasing in institutional settings, therefore there is an urgent need to collect information on practices that can prevent bacterial contamination of food served in elderly residences.

Veggiecation: A Novel Approach to Improve Vegetable Consumption Among School-Aged Children

Childrens general preference for sweeter foods and aversion to bitter vegetables is explained partly by fear of new food and social and cultural influences. Reluctance to eat new foods is related to unfavorable facial expressions and is often learned from the childs family, social circle, and culture. Researchers report that the fruit and vegetable consumption of children 6–12 years of age is associated with the accessibility and availability. School-based interventions that combine classroom curricula, parental, and nutrition service components show the greatest promise for fruit and vegetable promotion among children. Because studies indicate childrens preference to fruit over vegetables when offered simultaneously, designing an effective program to improve childrens vegetable intake continues to be a challenge for nutrition educators. New strategies and approaches are needed to encourage a balanced diet and overcome barriers to vegetable intake. Veggiecation is an innovative nutrition education and behavior change program that provides educators and nutrition providers the opportunity for children to learn about and taste new vegetables. The development of this program and the targets for intervention were informed by social marketing theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior

Eating behaviors of older adults participating in government-sponsored programs with different demographic backgrounds.

The purpose of this study was to determine the food behaviors of nutritionally high-risk seniors as a function of their racial background, gender, marital status, and education level. A total of 69 seniors were identified to be at high nutritional risk using the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI) checklist. A supplemental questionnaire (SQ) was created to examine the risk factors in relation to the participant’s demographic background. Key results indicated that Asians practiced healthy food behaviors and women were more likely to eat alone (p≤0.05). Married participants (90.9%) were most likely to consume 2 meals or more each day. College educated individuals practiced healthier eating, eating 5 servings or more of fruits and vegetables (p≤0.01) and 2 or more servings of milk and milk products (p≤0.01). These preliminary findings indicate that more studies should be conducted to focus on the demographic characteristics and food behaviors among older populations.

Alternative Hospital Gift Bags and Breastfeeding Exclusivity

The type of gift bags given to new mothers at the time of discharge from the hospital can influence their confidence in breastfeeding. Most hospitals in the US continue to distribute commercial gift bags containing formula samples despite the reported negative influence of commercial bags on the duration of breastfeeding. This study compared breastfeeding outcomes in women receiving three different kinds of gift bags at discharge. A prospective intervention study was conducted during 2009-2010 in New Jersey. Three breastfeeding cohorts were recruited and assigned to three groups: COMMERCIAL received discharge bags containing formula samples, BF-INFO received breastfeeding information and supplies, and PUMP received breastfeeding information/supplies plus a manual breast pump. Follow-up contacts were at 2, 4, and 12 postpartum weeks to determine breastfeeding outcome. The mean durations of exclusive (EBF) and partial breastfeeding were compared between groups using ANOVA. A total of 386 participants completed the study. The mean EBF duration (weeks) in the PUMP (n = 138, 8.28 ± 4.86) and BF-INFO (n = 121, 7.87 ± 4.63) were significantly longer (P < 0.01) than COMMERCIAL (n = 127, 6.12 ± 4.49). The rate of EBF through 12 weeks in PUMP was most consistent. The mean duration of partial breastfeeding showed similar results: significantly longer in PUMP and BF-INFO than COMMERCIAL (P < 0.01).

Food and Drug Interactions

The relationships and interactions between foods, the nutrients they contain, and drugs have gained tremendous recognition in the healthcare and medical fields. Certain foods and specific nutrients in foods, if ingested concurrently with some drugs, may affect the overall bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and therapeutic efficacy of the medications. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy of many drugs depends on the nutritional status of the individual. In other words, the presence or absence of some nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract and/or in the body’s physiological system, such as in the blood, can enhance or impair the rate of drug absorption and metabolism resulting in treatment failure. These types of interactions are considered to be nutrient–drug interactions.