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Biomedical subjects

Jayne A Fulkerson

Publications and source records attributed to Jayne A Fulkerson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Fast food for family meals: relationships with parent and adolescent food intake, home food availability and weight status.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of fast-food purchases for family meals and the associations with sociodemographic variables, dietary intake, home food environment, and weight status in adolescents and their parents. DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional evaluation of parent interviews and adolescent surveys from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens). SUBJECTS: Subjects included 902 middle-school and high-school adolescents (53% female, 47% male) and their parents (89% female, 11% male). The adolescent population was ethnically diverse: 29% white, 24% black, 21% Asian American, 14% Hispanic and 12% other. RESULTS: Results showed that parents who reported purchasing fast food for family meals at least 3 times per week were significantly more likely than parents who reported purchasing fewer fast-food family meals to report the availability of soda pop and chips in the home. Adolescents in homes with fewer than 3 fast-food family meals per week were significantly more likely than adolescents in homes with more fast-food family meals to report having vegetables and milk served with meals at home. Fast-food purchases for family meals were positively associated with the intake of fast foods and salty snack foods for both parents and adolescents; and weight status among parents. Fast-food purchases for family meals were negatively associated with parental vegetable intake. CONCLUSIONS: Fast-food purchases may be helpful for busy families, but families need to be educated on the effects of fast food for family meals and how to choose healthier, convenient family meals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Family dinner meal frequency and adolescent development: relationships with developmental assets and high-risk behaviors.

PURPOSE: To examine associations between family meal frequency and developmental assets and high-risk behaviors among a national sample of adolescents. METHODS: Anonymous surveys were distributed to 99,462 sixth to 12th grade students from public and alternative schools in 213 cities and 25 states across the United States. Logistic regression analyses tested differences in assets and high-risk behaviors by family dinner frequency. RESULTS: Consistent positive associations were found between the frequency of family dinners and all developmental assets, including both external (e.g., support, boundaries and expectations; odds ratio [OR] 2.1-3.7) and internal assets (e.g., commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity; OR 1.8-2.6); relationships were attenuated, but remained significant after adjusting for demographics and general family communication and support. Consistent inverse relationships were found between the frequency of family dinners and all high-risk behaviors measured (i.e., substance use, sexual activity, depression/suicide, antisocial behaviors, violence, school problems, binge eating/purging, and excessive weight loss; OR .36-.58), relationships were attenuated, but remained significant after adjusting for demographics and family factors. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study suggest that the frequency of family dinner is an external developmental asset or protective factor that may curtail high-risk behaviors among youth. Creative and realistic strategies for enhancing and supporting family meals, given the context within which different families live, should be explored to promote healthy adolescent development. Family rituals such as regular mealtimes may ease the stress of daily living in the fast-paced families of today's society.

Achievement↗
PubMed2006

Adolescent and parent views of family meals.

OBJECTIVE: To examine and compare the family mealtime environment from the perspectives of both adolescents and parents. DESIGN: Adolescents completed a school-based survey and parents participated in a telephone interview as part of Project EAT (Eating Among Teens). SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants were 902 adolescent females (n=424) and males (n=478) and one of their guardians/parents. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Frequencies, chi(2) analyses, and Spearman correlations were used to assess relationships. RESULTS: Parents were more likely than adolescents to report eating five or more family meals per week, the importance of eating together, and scheduling difficulties (P<0.001). Younger adolescents were more likely than older adolescents to report eating five or more family meals per week, higher importance of eating together, and more rule expectations at mealtime (P<0.001), whereas older adolescents were more likely to report scheduling difficulties (P<0.001). Girls reported more family meals per week and more scheduling conflicts than boys did; boys reported more rules at mealtime than girls did (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Family meals are perceived positively by both adolescents and parents. Family meals may be a useful mechanism for enhancing family togetherness, and for role modeling behaviors that parents would like their children to emulate. Dietetics professionals can capitalize on positive attitudes toward family meals to help promote their frequency. Helping families learn to cook healthful, quick meals may reduce dependency on less healthful meal options, reduce the frequency of eating outside of the home, and promote greater nutritional intake.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Parents of elementary school students weigh in on height, weight, and body mass index screening at school.

School-based body mass index (BMI) screening and parent notification programs have been recommended as a childhood overweight prevention strategy. However, there are little empirical data available to guide decision making about the acceptability and safety of programs. A pilot study was conducted using a quasiexperimental research design. In fall 2004, children in 4 suburban elementary schools (kindergarten to sixth grade) in the St Paul/Minneapolis, MN, metropolitan area completed height/weight screening. The following spring, parents in 2 schools received letters containing height/weight and BMI results. A self-administered post-only survey examined parents' opinions and beliefs regarding school-based BMI screening and parent notification programs (response rate: 790/1133 = 70%). The chi2 test of significance was used to examine differences in program support by treatment condition, child's weight status, and sociodemographic characteristics. Among all parents, 78% believed it was important for schools to assess student's height/weight annually and wanted to receive height, weight, and BMI information yearly. Among parents receiving the letter, 95% read most/all of the letter. Most parents (80%) and children (83%) reported comfort with the information in the letter. Parents of overweight children were more likely to report parental discomfort as well as child discomfort with letter content. There was considerable parental support for school-based BMI screening and parent notification programs. Programs may be a useful overweight prevention tool for children. However, continued attention to how best to support parents and children affected by overweight is required.

Body Height↗
PubMed2005

School lunch and snacking patterns among high school students: associations with school food environment and policies.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined associations between high school students' lunch patterns and vending machine purchases and the school food environment and policies. METHODS: A randomly selected sample of 1088 high school students from 20 schools completed surveys about their lunch practices and vending machine purchases. School food policies were assessed by principal and food director surveys. The number of vending machines and their hours of operation were assessed by trained research staff. RESULTS: Students at schools with open campus policies during lunchtime were significantly more likely to eat lunch at a fast food restaurant than students at schools with closed campus policies (0.7 days/week vs. 0.2 days/week, p < .001). Student snack food purchases at school were significantly associated with the number of snack machines at schools (p < .001) and policies about the types of food that can be sold. In schools with policies, students reported making snack food purchases an average of 0.5 +/- 1.1 days/week as compared to an average of 0.9 +/- 1.3 days/week in schools without policies (p < .001). In schools in which soft drink machines were turned off during lunch time, students purchased soft drinks from vending machines 1.4 +/- 1.6 days/week as compared to 1.9 +/- 1.8 days/week in schools in which soft drink machines were turned on during lunch (p = .040). CONCLUSION: School food policies that decrease access to foods high in fats and sugars are associated with less frequent purchase of these items in school among high school students. Schools should examine their food-related policies and decrease access to foods that are low in nutrients and high in fats and sugars.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Increasing weight-bearing physical activity and calcium-rich foods to promote bone mass gains among 9-11 year old girls: outcomes of the Cal-Girls study.

BACKGROUND: A two-year, community-based, group-randomized trial to promote bone mass gains among 9-11 year-old girls through increased intake of calcium-rich foods and weight-bearing physical activity was evaluated. METHODS: Following baseline data collection, 30 5th-grade Girl Scout troops were randomized to a two-year behavioral intervention program or to a no-treatment control group. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, one year, and two years. Measures included bone mineral content, density, and area (measured by DXA), dietary calcium intake (24-hour recall), and weight-bearing physical activity (physical activity checklist interview). Mixed-model regression was used to evaluate treatment-related changes in bone mineral content (g) for the total body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), proximal femur, one-third distal radius, and femoral neck. Changes in eating and physical activity behavioral outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Although the intervention was implemented with high fidelity, no significant intervention effects were observed for total bone mineral content or any specific bone sites. Significant intervention effects were observed for increases in dietary calcium. No significant intervention effects were observed for increases in weight-bearing physical activity. CONCLUSION: Future research needs to identify the optimal dosage of weight-bearing physical activity and calcium-rich dietary behavior change required to maximize bone mass gains in pre-adolescent and adolescent girls.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Perceptions of adolescents involved in promoting lower-fat foods in schools: associations with level of involvement.

This article describes perceptions of adolescents involved in peer-led school-based nutrition promotions encouraging lower-fat food purchases and assesses the differences by level of student involvement. Surveys were administered at schools. Data were collected from 397 high school students from 10 Minnesota schools randomized to the intervention condition of the Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools study. Students were categorized as highly involved (n=54) or less involved (n=343) based on their level of involvement in promotional activity implementation. Chi 2 tests were conducted to measure the differences between highly-involved and less-involved students in perceptions and attitudes about lower-fat foods. Highly-involved students were significantly more likely than less-involved students to report more healthful eating behaviors and positive attitudes toward lower-fat foods. Student involvement in nutrition interventions should be integrated into programs aimed at increasing healthful food choices among adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Use of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention with Girl Scouts.

This study describes the development and usage of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention to promote bone health among preadolescent girls. Thirty Girl Scout troops were randomized to either an intervention or control group for a 2-year period. Girls in the intervention troops (aged 10 to 12 years, N=194) were exposed to grade-specific Web sites that were developed to reinforce the content of the broader, face-to-face intervention. In 5th grade, 82% of the girls logged on once and 48% logged on more than once, compared to 56% and 23% of 6th graders, respectively. Results suggest that although Web-site usage decreased over time, a Web-site program may be useful as a component of a face-to-face, multicomponent intervention. More research is needed to determine ways to enhance and maintain Web-site use over time among youth in health-behavior intervention programs.

Calcium, Dietary↗
PubMed2005

Fruits, vegetables, and football: findings from focus groups with alternative high school students regarding eating and physical activity.

PURPOSE: To increase our understanding of factors that may influence the dietary and physical activity practices of adolescents attending an alternative high school (AHS). METHODS: Seventy students (36 girls, 34 boys) from urban and suburban AHSs in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area participated in 7 focus groups to discuss their perceptions and opinions about factors that influence their eating and physical activity behaviors and to offer suggestions regarding school-based strategies to support and to promote healthy physical activity and eating practices among students. Mixed-gender groups were facilitated by a trained moderator by using a set of standardized questions to guide the 45- to 60-minute discussions. Focus groups were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a 3-step process for qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Time, cost, availability, and convenience were identified as key factors that influenced students' food choices and the choice to be active physically. Access to healthy foods and physical activity was problematic, especially at school. Students also reported that social support from their friends, family, and teachers, and role-modeling behaviors of adults enhanced their likelihood of eating healthy foods and being active. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that programs that target social-environmental factors that include norms, role models, social support, and opportunities to practice a health behavior have the potential to affect positively the dietary and physical activity practices of teenagers attending an AHS. Interventions that aim to increase opportunities at school to practice healthy eating and physical activity may be effective, especially in promoting and supporting healthy behavior change among students.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Bone outcomes and technical measurement issues of bone health among children and adolescents: considerations for nutrition and physical activity intervention trials.

Weight-bearing physical activity and calcium intake are two important behavioral influences for bone health. Physical-activity and calcium-intake intervention trials with youth have been implemented to evaluate their efficacy and effectiveness to decrease the risk for subsequent osteoporosis and fractures. Technical aspects of bone measurement have not been routinely reported in published trials of youth, even though they can have an impact on study findings and interpretation. This paper provides an overview of the outcome variables reported, and technical issues--such as software and bone detection, growth, and movement--that affect bone mass measurements among children and adolescents. It describes the implications of these issues for the interpretation of intervention effects observed in intervention trials, and provides recommendations for future research.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2004

Adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods: associations with sex and weight-control behaviors.

The objective of the study was to examine adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Ninth- to 12th-grade students (n=1,083) in 20 Minnesota high schools completed mail surveys (response rate=74%) as part of baseline measurements (Fall 2001) in a randomized controlled trial (TACOS: Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools). Linear models examined attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Girls were more likely than boys to report positive attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods (all P<.01). Weight-control practices were associated with more positive attitudes about and higher consumption of low-fat foods. Promoting low-fat snacks to adolescents who are interested in weight control may be an effective component of nutrition intervention programs because these students have more positive attitudes about low-fat foods. Dietitians' efforts to educate adolescents about the benefits and healthfulness of low-fat foods would aid intervention programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Are family meal patterns associated with disordered eating behaviors among adolescents?

PURPOSE: To examine associations between family meal patterns (frequency, priority, atmosphere, and structure of family meals) and disordered eating (unhealthy weight control behaviors, binge eating, and chronic dieting) in adolescent girls and boys. METHODS: Survey and anthropometric data were collected from 4746 ethnically diverse adolescents from public middle and senior high schools who participated in the Project EAT study (Eating Among Teens). Variables of interest included family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors. Logistic regressions were performed to examine associations between family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors adjusting for body mass index, sociodemographic characteristics, family connectedness, and weight pressures within the home. RESULTS: In general, adolescents who reported more frequent family meals, high priority for family meals, a positive atmosphere at family meals, and a more structured family meal environment were less likely to engage in disordered eating. For example, 18.1% of girls who reported 1-2 family meals/week engaged in extreme weight control behaviors compared with 8.8% of girls who reported 3-4 family meals/week. Making family meals a priority, in spite of scheduling difficulties, emerged as the most consistent protective factor for disordered eating. Associations between family meal patterns and disordered eating behaviors tended to be stronger among girls than among boys. Family meal patterns were more consistently associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors than with chronic dieting and binge eating. Although associations between family meals and disordered eating were weakened after adjusting for more global familial factors, including family connectedness and weight-specific pressures within the home, a number of the associations remained statistically significant, suggesting an independent relationship between family meals and disordered eating. CONCLUSION: Family meals have the potential to play an important role in the prevention of unhealthy weight control behaviors among youth. Findings suggest that attention needs to be directed toward increasing family meal frequency and creating a positive environment for family meals.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Depressive symptoms and adolescent eating and health behaviors: a multifaceted view in a population-based sample.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown significant associations between depression and substance use and eating disordered behaviors. However, no research to date has described associations between depressive symptoms and nutritional intake or physical activity among adolescents in a nonclinical, population-based sample. METHODS: Classroom surveys were completed by 4,734 ethnically diverse, middle- and high school students. Based on their depressive symptom scores, males and females were categorized with low-, moderate-, or high-depressive symptom status. Linear models were used to examine eating and health behavior variables by depressive symptom groups. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms were positively associated with health-compromising attitudes such as perceived barriers to healthy eating and weight concerns, and health-compromising behaviors such as unhealthy weight-control behaviors and substance use, including caffeine. Depressive symptoms were negatively associated with health-promoting behaviors such as eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, most associations between depressive symptoms and dietary micronutrients were not statistically significant. Health-promoting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was negatively associated with depressive symptoms among males. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who report depressive symptoms are at risk for other health-compromising attitudes and behaviors and are also less likely to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Depressive symptoms may be an underlying trait in the expression of health behaviors among adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Mothers' perceptions of their adolescents' weight status: are they accurate?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of mothers' perceptions of adolescents' weight status. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Parent interviews and adolescent surveys (755) were conducted in an ethnically diverse sample from Project EAT (Eating among Teens). RESULTS: Adolescent weight status was accurately assessed by 60% of mothers, underestimated by 35% of mothers, and overestimated by 5% of mothers. In multivariate analyses, mothers of female adolescents were about half as likely to underestimate their adolescent's weight status as mothers of male adolescents. Nonoverweight mothers were about half as likely as overweight mothers to underestimate their adolescent's weight status. DISCUSSION: Most mothers are able to accurately assess their adolescent's weight status; however, adolescent gender and mothers' weight status are related to accuracy. Mothers were more likely to underestimate their sons' weights than their daughters' weights, and overweight mothers were more likely to be inaccurate in their assessments than nonoverweight mothers. Findings suggest that the majority of parents do not need to be told that their children are overweight; instead, messages to parents of overweight teens should focus on how to provide support for healthy weight management.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Weight-bearing physical activity among girls and mothers: relationships to girls' weight status.

OBJECTIVE: To assess weight-bearing physical activity (WBPA) barriers, benefits, self-efficacy, social influence, and behaviors [WBPA and physical activity (PA)] among girls and their mothers according to girls' weight status (nonoverweight vs. overweight). RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants were 9- to 11-year-old girls (n = 295) and their mothers who participated in the baseline assessment of a nutrition and PA intervention trial. Girls' and mothers' WBPA attitudes and mothers' WBPA behaviors were self-reported on questionnaires. Girls' WBPA and total PA behaviors were self-reported using a structured interview (Physical Activity Checklist Interview). Stature and weight were measured by standardized anthropometrics. Overweight status was based on BMI. RESULTS: Compared with nonoverweight girls, overweight girls were significantly more likely to report barriers to WBPA participation and perceive social influence from family and friends to do more WBPA. They were also significantly less likely to report self-efficacy regarding WBPA and to believe that they did enough WBPA. Compared with mothers of nonoverweight girls, mothers of overweight girls were significantly more likely to report that it is difficult to persuade their daughters to do more WBPA and significantly less likely to report that WBPA was fun for their daughters. Girls' overweight status was not associated with girls' reports of minutes spent per week in PA or WBPA. DISCUSSION: The present study's findings of lower WBPA self-efficacy, lack of enjoyment of WBPA, and higher perceived social influence to do WBPA among overweight girls suggest that efforts are needed to promote physical competencies and positive perceptions of PA among overweight girls.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Promotions to increase lower-fat food choices among students in secondary schools: description and outcomes of TACOS (Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools).

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe promotional activities, particularly student-led, targeting lower-fat à la carte foods that were conducted in secondary schools; and (2) to describe the relationships between the number and duration of total promotional activities for lower-fat à la carte foods and cafeteria sales of such foods over two years. DESIGN: Promotional activities were implemented in schools that were randomised to the intervention condition of a larger, two-year, school-based, randomised, controlled nutrition intervention trial. SETTING: Ten Minnesota secondary schools. SUBJECTS: Students and school faculty, school food-service and research staff (measured at the school level). RESULTS: Over two years, 181 promotions were implemented (n=49 in Year 1 and n=132 in Year 2). In Year 1, the number of promotions conducted in schools was significantly associated with percentage lower-fat food sales. In Year 2, the duration of promotions was significantly associated with percentage lower-fat food sales. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative efforts among students, school food-service staff and research staff can be successful in implementing a large number of nutrition-related, school-wide promotional activities. These efforts can increase the sales of lower-fat foods in à la carte areas of school cafeterias.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Physical activity, dietary practices, and other health behaviors of at-risk youth attending alternative high schools.

This study assessed the interest of alternative high school staff in intervention research on students' eating and physical activity habits and the feasibility of conducting such research in alternative school settings. A two-phase descriptive design incorporated both quantitative and qualitative methods. In fall/winter 2001-2002, alternative high school administrators in Minnesota were surveyed (response rate = 83%; n = 130/157). During summer 2002, one-on-one, semistructured interviews were conducted with key school personnel (n = 15) from urban and suburban schools. Findings indicated few schools had been invited to participate in research on nutrition (11%) and physical activity (7%). However, more than 80% of administrators reported interest in their students participating in such research. Most schools offered health and PE classes and had access to indoor gym facilities and outdoor play areas. While most schools offered a school lunch program, participation was low, cold lunches were common, and food often was unappealing. Beverage and snack vending machines were common. Overall, the physical environment of most alternative schools did not support physical activity and healthy eating as normative behavior. Interest in interventions on physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary practices, and other priority health-risk behavior common in students attending alternative schools was high among teachers and administrators. Results suggest research in alternative high schools is feasible and successful implementation and evaluation of programs possible.

Adolescent↗