Ready for Policy? Stakeholder Attitudes Toward Menu Labelling in Toronto, Canada.

Ready for policy? Stakeholder attitudes toward menu labelling in toronto, Canada.

Can J Public Health. 2013; 104(3): e229-34
Mah CL, Vanderlinden L, Mamatis D, Ansara DL, Levy J, Swimmer L

The purpose of this research was to assess key stakeholder attitudes regarding menu labelling in Toronto, the largest municipality in Canada. Menu labelling is a population health intervention where food-labelling principles are applied to the eating-out environment through disclosure of nutrient content of food items on restaurant menus at the point of sale. Menu-labelling legislation has been implemented in the United States, but has yet to be adopted in Canada. As provincial voluntary programs and federal analyses progress, municipal jurisdictions will need to assess the feasibility of moving forward with parallel interventions.Data were collected and analyzed in late 2011 to early 2012, including: a consumer eating-out module incorporated into a public health surveillance telephone survey (n=1,699); an online survey of independent restaurant operators (n=256); in-depth key informant interviews with executives and decision makers at chain restaurants (n=9); and a policy consultation with local restaurant associations.Toronto residents, particularly men, younger adults, and those with higher income or education, frequently eat out. A majority indicated that nutrition information is important to them; 69% note that they currently use it and 78% reported they would use it if it were readily available. Resistance to menu-labelling requirements at the municipal level was articulated by franchise/chain restaurant executives and industry associations. Despite overall low interest among independent restaurant operators, 57% reported feeling some responsibility to provide nutrition information and 50% believed it could be good for business.This research supports earlier literature that indicates strong public support for menu labelling alongside perceived barriers among the restaurant and foodservices sector. Leverage points for effective operator engagement for menu-labelling adoption were identified, nonetheless, highlighting the need for public health support. HubMed – eating

Consumer Nutrition Environments of Hospitals: An Exploratory Analysis Using the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan for Cafeterias, Vending Machines, and Gift Shops, 2012.

Prev Chronic Dis. 2013; 10: E110
Winston CP, Sallis JF, Swartz MD, Hoelscher DM, Peskin MF

Hospitals are the primary worksite of over 5 million adults in the United States, and millions of meals are procured and consumed in this setting. Because many worksite nutrition initiatives use an ecological framework to improve the dietary habits of employees, the nutrition values of foods served in hospitals is receiving attention.This study used the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan for Cafeterias, Vending Machines, and Gift Shops to quantitatively describe the consumer nutrition environments of 39 hospitals in Southern California. Data were collected by visiting each facility once from February 2012 through May 2012.On average, hospitals achieved only 29%, 33%, and less than 1% of the total possible points for their cafeteria, vending machines, and gift shops sections, respectively; overall, hospitals scored 25% of the total possible points. Large facility size and contracted food service operations were associated with some healthy practices in hospital cafeterias, but we found no association between these variables and the sectional or overall nutrition composite scores.The average consumer nutrition environment of hospitals in this sample was minimally conducive to healthful eating. Nutrition-related interventions are warranted in hospital settings. HubMed – eating

A systematic review of parent role modeling of healthy eating and physical activity for their young African American children.

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2013 Jul; 18(3): 173-88
Webber KJ, Loescher LJ

We systematically reviewed current literature on parent role modeling of healthy eating and physical activity as a strategy to influence healthy weight of middle school-age African American children.The evidence for parent role modeling is low to average. Most studies did not target African American participants or middle school-age children.Nurses can begin to remedy deficient knowledge of parent role modeling by assessing parent attitudes, beliefs, and healthy behaviors, as well as the children’s. Existing dietary and physical activity guidelines are not specific to African Americans but can be a starting point for educating parents. HubMed – eating

[EATING HABITS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SOCIOECONOMIC LEVEL IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS OF CHILE.]

Nutr Hosp. 2013 Marzo-Abril; 28(2): 447-455
Rodríguez R F, Palma L X, Romo B A, Escobar B D, Aragú G B, Espinoza O L, McMillan L N, Gálvez C J

Introduction: University students are vulnerable to poor nutrition; they don’t eat snacks between meals, don’t eat breakfast or fast for long hours, prefer fast food and don’t exercise. University students is considered the key young adult population group for health promotion and prevention for future generations, so it’s crucial identify the current nutritional status and frequency of physical activity. Objectives: To determine the factors involved in the choice of food and frequency of physical activity in university students. Methods: 799 volunteers were evaluated from four universities of the fifth region of Chile. Instrument was applied to determine the level of physical activity and eating habits, KIDMED test to determine adherence to the Mediterranean diet and Adimark instrument to determinate the socioeconomic status of the subjects. Finally, anthropometric evaluation to determinate BMI, fat mass and muscle mass. Results: Physical inactivity is higher in women than in men and that the main reason for not exercising is lack of time and laziness. In both sexes don’t read nutrition labels and have a low and average adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Discussion: The low knowledge of nutrition is the cause of the poor food quality of subjects and there isn’t greater motivation to perform physical activity.Socioeconomic status isn’t related to eating habits and physical activity. It’s necessary to integrate programs regular and permanent healthy lifestyle in all universities. HubMed – eating