Vanessa A. Farrell

Associations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake with Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women

A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was analyzed from 6 cohorts (Fall 1995–Fall 1997) of postmenopausal women (n = 266; 56.6 ± 4.7 years) participating in the Bone Estrogen Strength Training (BEST) study (a 12-month, block-randomized, clinical trial). Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at femur neck and trochanter, lumbar spine (L2–L4), and total body BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Mean dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) intakes were assessed using 8 days of diet records. Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations between dietary PUFAs and BMD. Covariates included in the models were total energy intake, body weight at year 1, years after menopause, exercise, use of hormone therapy (HT), total calcium, and total iron intakes. In the total sample, lumbar spine and total body BMD had significant negative associations with dietary PUFA intake at P < 0.05. In the non-HT group, no significant associations between dietary PUFA intake and BMD were seen. In the HT group, significant inverse associations with dietary PUFA intake were seen in the spine, total body, and Wards triangle BMD, suggesting that HT may influence PUFA associations with BMD. This study is registered with clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT00000399.

Need for Specific Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Lessons for Fourth- and Fifth-Graders

OBJECTIVE Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is linked to obesity. The authors hypothesized that school-based nutrition education would decrease SSB consumption. DESIGN Self-selected interventional cohort with random selection for pre and post measurements. SETTING Arizona Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education Program-eligible schools. PARTICIPANTS Randomly selected (9%) fourth- and fifth-grade classroom students. INTERVENTION The University of Arizona Nutrition Network provided general nutrition education training and materials to teachers, to be delivered to their students. The University of Arizona Nutrition Network administered behavioral questionnaires to students in both fall and spring. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Change in SSB consumption. ANALYSES Descriptive statistics were computed for student demographics and beverage consumption on the day before testing. Paired t tests evaluated change in classroom averages. Linear regression assessed potential correlates of SSB consumption. RESULTS Fall mean SSB consumption was 1.1 (± 0.2) times; mean milk and water intake were 1.6 (± 0.2) and 5.2 (± 0.7) times, respectively. Beverage consumption increased (3.2%) in springtime, with increased SSBs (14.4%) accounting for the majority (P = .006). Change in SSB consumption was negatively associated with baseline SSB and water consumption but positively associated with baseline milk fat (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The results suggest the need for beverage-specific education to encourage children to consume more healthful beverages in warmer weather.

Integrating nutrition and physical activity education into elementary schools serving low-income families

LEARNING OBJECTIVEs From this article, the reader will understand the following concepts: • Overweight and obese children are at increased risk for health problems. • There has been an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children in the United States. • Improving nutrition and physical activity practices can help combat the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, especially in high-risk populations. • A process for developing strategies for how to incorporate sustainable, integrated nutrition and physical activity education into schools and after-school sites that serve elementary-age children from low-income families.