Background Early experiences with different flavors play an important role in infant development, including food and taste acceptance. Flavors are already perceived in utero with the development of the taste and olfactory system and are passed on to the child through breast and bottle feeding. Therefore, the first 1000 days of life are considered a critical window for infant developmental programming. Objective The objective of our study is to investigate, both in the prenatal and postnatal period, taste sensitivity, preferences, and dietary diversity of mother-infant pairs. The explorative study design will also report on the impact of these variables on body composition (BC) and biomarkers. In contrast to conventional methods, this study involves long-term follow-up data collection from mother-infant pairs; moreover, the integration of audiovisual tools for recording infants' expressions pertaining to taste stimuli is a novelty of this study. Considering these new methodological approaches, the study aims to assess taste-related data in conjunction with BC parameters like fat-free mass or fat mass, biomarkers, and nutritional intake in infants and children. Methods Healthy pregnant women aged between 18 and 50 years (BMI≥18.5 kg/m2 to ≤30 kg/m2; <28 weeks of gestation) were recruited from January 2014 to October 2014. The explorative design implies 2 center visits during pregnancy (24-28 weeks of gestation and 32-34 weeks of gestation) and 2 center visits after delivery (6-8 weeks postpartum and 14-16 weeks postpartum) as well as follow-up visits at 1, 3-3.5, and 6 years after delivery. Data collection encompasses anthropometric and biochemical measurements as well as BC analyses with air displacement plethysmography, taste perception assessments, and multicomponent questionnaires on demographics, feeding practices, and nutritional and lifestyle behaviors. Audiovisual data from infants’ reactions to sensory stimuli are collected and coded by trained staff using Baby Facial Action Coding and the Body Action Posture System. Birth outcomes and weight development are obtained from medical records, and additional qualitative data are gathered from 24 semistructured interviews. Results Our cohort represents a homogenous group of healthy women with stringent exclusion criteria. A total of 54 women met the eligibility criteria, whereas 47 mother-child pairs completed data collection at 4 center visits during and after pregnancy. Follow-up phases, data analyses, and dissemination of the findings are scheduled for the end of 2023. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Medical University of Graz (EC No 26–066 ex 13/14), and all participants provided informed consent. Conclusions The results of this study could be useful for elucidating the connections between maternal and infant statuses regarding diet, taste, biomarkers, and prenatal and postnatal weight development. This study may also be relevant to the establishment of further diagnostic and interventional strategies targeting childhood obesity and early body fat development. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/37279
Background Nutritional standards in community catering facilities are essential for adequate quality of care. As part of the initiative GEMEINSAM G'SUND GENIESSEN of the Health Fund Styria, minimum standards for nursing homes were published. The aim was to investigate the current situation of the implementation of selected minimum standards for food and drink supply in Styrian nursing homes to create appropriate measures for healthy living for elderly people. Methodology Of 81 defined minimum standards, two thirds were examined in the study (n = 54; 66.6 %). To get detailed insights into the current degree of implementation, the project team worked with a mixed- methods-basis, consisting of an online survey (n = 94; 41.4% of all Styrian nursing homes), 46 guideline interviews and 169 weeks of menu analysis. Results Of the 54 minimum standards analysed, 34 were fulfilled (63.0%), nine were rather fulfilled (16.6%), five were rather not fulfilled (9.2%), four standards could not be fulfilled (7.4%) and two standards could not be investigated (3.7%). Nursing homes prefer seasonal and regional products, but pay less attention to the use of fair trade products or organic food. In addition, the food choice is determined by the preferences and acceptance of the residents, which are the main reasons for the low use of whole grain products and the rare offer of vegetarian dishes. With regard to the design of the menus, almost all plans are age-appropriate and attractively presented, but rarely meet the standard with regard to recommended labelling (e.g. alcohol aromas). Challenges in the daily practise are finding a way between the self-determination of the residents, the arranged diets as wells as meeting the minimum standards. Conclusions Results indicate that minimum standards in nursing homes are taken into account. In order to achieve a comprehensive implementation, further development of the standards as well as information and awareness-building interventions are needed. Key messages Challenges in the daily practise are finding a way between the self-determination of the residents, the arranged diets as wells as meeting the minimum standards. The range of vegetarian dishes, dishes with legumes and wholemeal products should be focused in the future. In addition, the provision of tools (age-and target-group- specific-menus) is recommended.
BACKGROUND Early experience with different flavors play an important role including food and taste acceptance. Flavors are already perceived in utero with the development of the taste and olfactory system and are passed on to the child through breast and bottle feeding. Therefore, first 1000 days of life are considered to be a critical window for infant developmental programming. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study is to investigate, both in the prenatal and postnatal period, taste sensitivity, preferences, and dietary diversity of mother infant-pairs. The explorative study design will also report on the impact of these variables on body composition and biomarkers. In contrast to conventional methods, the study involves long term follow up data collection from mother-infant pairs as well as the integration of audiovisual tools for recording infants' expressions on taste stimuli is a novelty in this study. Taking this new methodological approaches into consideration the study is aiming to assess taste-related data in conjunction with body composition (fat-free mass or fat mass), biomarkers, and nutritional intake in infants and children. METHODS Healthy pregnant women aged between 18 and 50 years (Body Mass Index ≥18.5 kg/m2 to ≤30.0 kg/m2; < 28 weeks of gestation) were recruited for this pilot study. The explorative design implies two center visits during pregnancy (T1: 24-28 weeks’ gestation; T2: 32-34 weeks’ gestation) and two center visits after delivery (T3: 6-8 weeks postpartum, T4: 14-16 weeks postpartum) as well as follow up visits with 1, 3 and 6 years after delivery. Data collection methods encompasses anthropometric and biochemical measurements as well as body composition analyses with air displacement plethysmography, taste perception assessments and multicomponent questionnaires on demographics, feeding practices, nutritional and lifestyle behavior. Audiovisual data from infants’ reactions to sensory stimuli are collected and coded by trained staff using Baby Facial Action Coding and Body Action Posture System. Birth outcomes, and weight development are obtained from medical records, additionally qualitative data are gathered from 24 semi-structured interviews. RESULTS Our cohort represents a homogenous group of healthy women with stringent exclusion criteria. A total of 54 women met eligible criteria, while 47 mother-child pairs completed data collection at four center visits during and after pregnancy. Follow up data collection and data analyses are still ongoing. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Medical University of Graz (EC No 26–066 ex 13/14), and all participants gave informed consent. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study could be useful in the elucidation of connections between maternal and infants’ status regarding taste, diet, biomarkers, and weight development pre- and postnatal. This study may also be relevant to the establishment of further diagnostic and interventional strategies targeting childhood obesity and early body fat development.
Background Overweight and obesity in childhood and the associated secondary diseases are constantly on the increase. Studies show that the school environment can have an influence on the weight of children. The Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) of the WHO is a Europe-wide epidemiological monitoring of anthropometric sizes of school children aged six to nine, with Austria participating in COSI for the first time in 2016. Methods A retrospective secondary data analysis based on two standardized questionnaires was performed. On the one hand, data on determinants specific to the school field were collected, on the other hand anthropometric data of children in third grade were measured. Across Austria, data from 97 schools and 2530 children were collected and evaluated using descriptive and inductive statistical methods. Results In 43,3 % of the schools, an existing playground can be used outside school opening hours. 73,2 % of the schools integrate nutrition education into their school curriculum either as a separate subject or in combination with another subject. Milk and dairy products are available in 60,8 % of schools, fresh fruit in 63,9 % and vegetables in 51,5 %. 28,3 % of the examined, 8 to 9-year-old children are overweight or obese (n = 658), while boys have a significant higher BMI than girls (p < 0,001). Also, in urban areas children have a significant higher BMI on average than in rural areas (p = 0,025). No significant relationship could be identified between the duration of physical education lessons per week and the BMI. However, a significant difference in childreńs BMI became visible when school playgrounds were also accessible outside opening hours (p = 0,018). Conclusions The alarming number of overweight children in Austria should be diminished through policies and further interventions. Schools can make a substantial contribution to this. The course of the development could be closely observed through possible further surveys by COSI. Key messages 73,2% of the schools include nutrition education in their curricula. Yet, about every third Austrian child aged between 8 and 9 is overweight, with boys being significantly more overweight than girls. If school playgrounds are accessible outside opening hours, the childreńs BMI is significantly lower. In urban areas, children have a significantly higher BMI than in rural areas.
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