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Assessing children’s skin carotenoid score (SCS) using reflection spectroscopy (RS) is a non-invasive, widely used method to approximate fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC). The aims for the current review were to (1) identify distributions of SCS across demographic groups, (2) identify potential non-dietary correlates for RS-based SCS, (3) summarize the validity and reliability of RS-based SCS assessment, and (4) conduct meta-analyses of studies examining the correlation between RS-based SCS with FVC. A literature search in eight databases in June 2021 resulted in 4880 citations and peer-reviewed publications written in English that investigated children’s (2–10 years old) SCS using RS. We included 11 studies (intervention = 3, observational = 8). Potential covariates included weight status, ethnicity, seasonal variation, age, sex, and income. Studies reported criterion validity with children’s FVC but not with plasma carotenoid. Additionally, no studies reported the reliability of RS-based SCS in children. Among the 726 children included in the meta-analysis, the correlation between RS-based SCS and FVC was r = 0.2 (p < 0.0001). RS-based SCS is a valid method to quantify skin carotenoids for children’s FVC estimation with the potential for evaluating nutrition policies and interventions. However, future research should use standardized protocol for using RS and establish how RS-based SCS can translate to the amount of daily FVC in children.

The study aims to identify family child care home (FCCH) setting- and environment-level predictors related to providers’ perceived difficulty in implementing the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) recommendations for serving vegetables to children. This was a cross-sectional study, which used a validated paper-based survey with a multi-method data analysis approach. Participants were licenced FCCH providers (N = 943) in Nebraska, who were predominantly White (94%), non-Hispanic (97%), CACFP-participants (89%), and in urban areas (64%). Reflective latent variable modelling was conducted in Mplus to explore associations between dependent variable and predictors. Dependent variable was providers’ perceived difficulty to implement CACFP recommendations for serving vegetables. Predictors were providers’ mealtime practices, perceived barriers to serve healthy foods, CACFP participation, geographic location, food access, food insecurity, and child poverty. Qualitative comments (n=122) from the survey were analysed using direct content analysis approach. Providers’ perceived lack of time to prepare foods and perceived children’s taste preferences increased their perceived difficulty; and CACFP-participation decreased their perceived difficulty to implement CACFP recommendations for serving vegetables. Qualitative comments highlighted that providers felt discouraged to serve vegetables knowing that vegetables would likely be wasted because of children’s preferences. More tailored professional development is required to address FCCH providers’ perceived difficulty and build providers’ skills on preparing time saving, CACFP-reimbursable and appealing vegetable recipes, and on strategies to promote vegetable consumption in children.

To determine whether the 'Read for Nutrition' programme would increase liking and consumption of broccoli (a target vegetable) in preschool children and test acceptability and practicality of the programme. Pilot pre-post intervention study, where childcare teachers received training and coaching followed by reading the book 'Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli' multiple times with the children during a three-week intervention. Five classrooms of Educare, Lincoln, Nebraska in 2018. Sixty-nine (11 to 16 children per classroom) preschool-aged children and sixteen teachers (minimum, three per classroom). Average total consumption of broccoli increased 35 % (0·14 ounces or 0·05th cup) after the 'Read for Nutrition' programme ( = 2·66; = 0·01; 95 % CIs (0·035, 0·246)) for all children. Proportional consumption increased for children who received ≥ five exposures to the book ( = 2·77; = 0·008). Exposures to the book predicted proportional consumption ( = 0·365; = 0·002). Liking of broccoli increased ( = 2·2, = 0·03) as well. Teachers rated the programme as acceptable, practical and enjoyable to children and to themselves. Programmes such as 'Read for Nutrition' have the potential to improve children's vegetable liking and consumption in early care and education settings with only book readings and no exposure to a real vegetable.

Over 93% of preschool children do not meet the United States (U.S.) dietary recommendation for vegetable consumption. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) aims to support childcare providers in offering nutritious meals and snacks to children, with a particular emphasis on serving vegetables daily. However, it is currently unknown whether CACFP effectively improves children's vegetable consumption because of the resource-intensive nature of dietary assessments. Additionally, family child care home (FCCH) providers present a promising opportunity to enhance children's vegetable consumption, yet they have received relatively less research attention. The purpose of this dissertation was to contribute to the methodological approach for measuring and improving preschool children’s (3-5-years-old) vegetable consumption in FCCH, by implementing the following aims: Aim 1. Conduct a systematic review of research using reflection spectroscopy (RS) to measure children’s (1-10-year-old) skin carotenoid scores (SCS) and conduct meta-analyses for assessing correlation between children’s (n = 726) SCS and fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC). There were 11 studies included in the review, which showed limited evidence for validity of RS-based SCS assessment in preschool children. Meta-analysis revealed a positive correlation between RS-based SCS and FVC among 7-10-year-old children (r = .2). Aim 2. Assess evidence for criterion-related validity of RS-based SCS for approximating FVC among preschool children (n = 136) attending FCCHs (n = 46). Children’s SCS were significantly correlated with their total FVC in FCCHs, carotenoid intake in FCCHs, and total fruit and vegetable frequency score at home. Aim 3. Identify predictors related to FCCH providers’ (n = 943) perceived difficulty in implementing CACFP recommendations for serving vegetables to children. Children's taste preferences, CACFP participation, lack of time to prepare foods, and role modeling were significant predictors. Overall, the findings suggested that RS can objectively assess children's FVC, reducing data collection burden. Results also emphasize the need for FCCH providers’ professional development related to vegetable preparation to improve adherence to CACFP recommendations for serving vegetable.

Much is known about the factors that make some educational psychologists highly productive. Beginning nearly 25 years ago, Kiewra and colleagues began a series of six qualitative investigations to uncover the keys to scholarly success in educational psychology. This series of studies found several common and critical factors related to scholarly productivity, including centers of excellence, mentorship, collaboration, research management, time management, writing, and support. What follows is a thumbnail synopsis of previous fndings.

To: (i) understand the nutrition attitudes, self-efficacy, knowledge and practices of school food-service personnel (SFP) in Nebraska and (ii) identify potential barriers that schools face in offering healthy school meals that meet the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition standards. Convergent parallel mixed-methods study. Kindergarten-12th grade schools in Nebraska, USA.ParticipantsSFP (260 survey participants; fifteen focus group participants) working at schools that participate in the USDA National School Lunch Program. Mixed-methods themes identified include: (i) 'Mixed attitudes towards healthy meals', which captured a variety of conflicting positive and negative attitudes depending on the situation; (ii) 'Positive practices to promote healthy meals', which captured offering, serving and promotion practices; (iii) 'Mixed nutrition-related knowledge', which captured the variations in knowledge depending on the nutrition concept; and (iv) 'Complex barriers', which captured challenges with time, support and communication. The study produced relevant findings to address the barriers identified by SFP. Implementing multicomponent interventions and providing training to SFP may help reduce some of the identified barriers of SFP.

Background: Family style meal service is a nationally endorsed best practice. However, implementation in family child care homes (FCCHs) is low because child care providers are worried that it could increase plate waste. To examine this perceived barrier, the study aims to investigate the association between family style meal service and plate waste in FCCHs in Nebraska. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants included FCCH providers ( n = 46) in Nebraska and 3–5-year-old children attending these FCCH settings ( n = 146). Providers were given a family style meal service score using 11 items from the Mealtime Observation in Child Care tool. Children’s plate waste data over the observed lunchtime were collected using the Dietary Observation in Child Care method. We conducted multivariate, multilevel regression analyses in SAS (v9.4) to assess the relationship between family style meal service score and children’s plate waste, while controlling for child-level characteristics and accounting for FCCH setting-level effects (ICCs 11.3%–31.2%). Results: Increase in family style meal service score was associated with a decrease in vegetable waste ( B = −4.7, p = 0.03), fruit waste ( B = −3.6, p = 0.03), and protein waste ( B = −4.2, p = 0.02). Dairy and grain waste were not associated with family style meal service score. Conclusions: A higher family style meal service score was associated with a 3%–5% reduction in plate waste for three food groups. These findings warrant further research examining the effect of interventions promoting family style meal service in child care on improving children’s dietary intake and reducing plate waste.

Background: Although there is a federal mandate to collect anthropometric data in Head Start (HS), little is currently known about the processes used to collect the height and weight measurements across programs and how the results are communicated to parents/guardians. The goal of this study was to understand anthropometric data collection and dissemination procedures in a sample of HS programs serving children 3–5 years. Methods: A convenience sample of HS Health or Nutrition managers were recruited via personal contacts and HS state directors to complete an electronic survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations and frequencies). Open-ended questions were coded using thematic analysis. All protocols and procedures were approved by the Institutional Review Board at Miami University. Results: Approximately half of the programs reported that they have a protocol in place to guide measurements (57.1%) and those measurements are primarily taken by HS staff (64.5%). Most programs explain measurements to parents (82.3%) and report that collecting height/weight data is helpful in supporting children's health (76.0%). Most programs (80.3%) provide resources to parents of children with overweight or obesity. Four themes emerged from open-ended responses: (1) Role of Community Partners (e.g., providing information that conflicts with others); (2) Communicating Children's Weight Status with Families (e.g., using sensitive communication methods); (3) Challenges Measuring Children's Weight Status (e.g., accuracy of data, children's awareness); and (4) Family Reaction to Weight Status Communication (e.g., positive or negative experiences). Conclusion: Opportunities for quality improvement include wider use of standardized, written protocols and policies on data collection and enhanced communication practices to share information with parents.