Assessment of household food security among food stamp recipient families in Maryland.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the relationship between food security status and various sociodemographic characteristics among households that include children and that receive food stamps. METHODS: A modified version of the US Food Security Survey Module was implemented by telephone survey with Maryland food stamp recipients. RESULTS: Of the 245 households, 66% experienced food insecurity. Food security status was associated with participation in the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, the summer food program, and a food bank. Food security status was not associated with the number of months households received food stamps. There was no difference between the food security status of households living in urban and rural counties. CONCLUSIONS: A gap exists between the food stamp support provided and some households' nutritional and economic needs.

Development and testing of a nutrition-teaching self-efficacy scale for elementary school teachers.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the Nutrition-Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale (NTSES) and investigate the time spent teaching nutrition and the nutrition-teaching self-efficacy of Maryland elementary school teachers. DESIGN: A questionnaire collected information on teacher demographics. The NTSES was adapted from science- and health-teaching self-efficacy scales, reviewed by experts, and pretested with elementary teachers. Both were converted to an on-line format for distribution statewide. Eighty elementary school teachers participated. ANALYSIS: Cronbach alpha and factor analysis established internal consistency and were used to refine the NTSES. Analysis of variance and independent sample t tests were used to compare mean scores on the NTSES and subscales to time spent teaching nutrition. RESULTS: The NTSES was determined to be a valid measure of nutrition-teaching self-efficacy. Higher nutrition-teaching self-efficacy scores were associated with spending more time teaching nutrition (P <.03). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The NTSES is a useful tool for determining nutrition-teaching self-efficacy in this population and is recommended as part of nutrition education needs assessments among teachers. Higher nutrition-teaching self-efficacy may result in more time spent teaching nutrition.

A new vision for health promotion and nutrition education.

Increased integration and collaboration of health promotion and nutrition education professionals to effectively engage consumers, debunk nutrition and health information, and mitigate the effect of chronic diseases is the vision presented for success in the future. Current and optimal roles of educators are discussed in relation to societal trends and their inherent opportunities and barriers. Recommendations for strengthening the role of health promotion in settings where nutrition educators work are provided and include the need for strong academic preparation, field-based training, and continual professional development. The overall goal of these recommendations is to enable nutrition educators and health promotion professionals to advance their professions and develop effective strategies that support the achievement of improved health for all.

Longitudinal study of diet and iron deficiency anaemia in infants during the first two years of life.

The objectives of this study were: (i) to investigate the energy, iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin C intakes of a group of healthy term Caucasian infants resident in Dunedin, New Zealand, prospectively from age 9 months to 2 years; and (ii) to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia among these infants. A self-selected sample of 74 Caucasian mothers and their infants born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between October 1995 and May 1996 were recruited. Dietary intake was determined using estimated diet records at 9, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. Haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume andzinc protoporphyrin concentration were determined at the same ages. The infants' zinc, calcium and vitamin C intakes appeared adequate. Their median iron intakes ranged from 4.3 mg (at 12 months) to 7.0 mg (at 9 months) per day and were below estimated requirements at all ages. At 9, 12 and 18 months of age, 7% (n = 4) of the infants had iron deficiency anaemia. None of the infants had iron deficiency anaemia at 24 months. The iron intakes of this group of Caucasian infants and young children appeared inadequate. However, their rate of iron deficiency anaemia was lower than has been reported in previous New Zealand studies.

A longitudinal study of breastfeeding and weaning practices during the first year of life in Dunedin, New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate infant feeding practices during the first year of life in a group of white infants in Dunedin, New Zealand. DESIGN: Prospective study of infants from birth to 12 months of age. PARTICIPANTS: A self-selected sample of 74 white mothers and their infants born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between October 1995 and May 1996. Statistical analyses Regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with successful breastfeeding initiation and duration. RESULTS: Among mothers, 88% (n=65) initiated breastfeeding, 42% (n=31) were exclusively breastfeeding at 3 months, and 34% (n=25) were partially breastfeeding at 12 months. Intention to breastfeed increased the likelihood of successful breastfeeding initiation. Mothers who reported that they did not have enough breastmilk tended to exclusively breastfeed for a shorter period of time. Tertiary education and exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month were associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. Perception of breastfeeding in public as embarrassing was associated with a shorter duration of breastfeeding. Among infants, 45% (n=33) were given nonmilk foods before 4 months of age, and 69% (n=51) were given unmodified cow's milk as a beverage before 12 months. APPLICATIONS: Breastfeeding rates in this study, although higher than in many Western countries, were still lower than current recommendations. Our findings suggest that women should be taught how to increase their breastmilk supply. Parents should also be informed of the importance of delaying the introduction of nonmilk foods until their infant is 4 to 6 months of age and cow's milk until they are 12 months of age. Society also needs to address the social issue of embarrassment many mothers feel when breastfeeding in public.