Accompanying the Primary Grocery Shopper Is Positively Related to Requests for Purchase of Fruits &Vegetables in Third &Fourth Grade Students

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is important for growth and development yet intake remains below recommended levels in children in the US. The purpose of this study was to determine whether children accompanying the primary grocery shopper impacts requests for fruit and vegetables and if those children requesting fruits and vegetables like to consume them on a daily basis. A cross-sectional survey design of matched pairs of third- and fourth-grade students and their parents/guardians in an urban Midwest school district was utilized. Third- and fourth-grade participants who asked for fruits and vegetables were more likely to accompany the primary grocery shopper and more prone to liking these key foods as part of their regular diet. Grocery shoppers should consider taking children along when food shopping, emphasizing strategies to find a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport among a Collegiate Cross-Country Team

Objective: To investigate risk for relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S) among a team of female and male collegiate long-distance runners. Methods: North Dakota State University (Fargo, ND, USA) female and male competitive long-distance runners who agreed to participate during fall semester, 2019, completed an electronic survey containing the LEAF-Q and EAT-26 surveys and additionally completed a DXA scan, to screen for low energy availability and RED-S, disordered eating/eating disorders, and bone health, respectively. Participants were required to be 18 - 25 years old, not injured, training a mini-mum of five hours per week, and currently participating as part of a collegiate competitive team. Thirteen participants (male = 3) finished the study which also included energy intake and exercise expenditure self-reported with a three-day food diary and exercise log and estimated with ESHA Food Processor. Response rate was 42% of entire team;mean age 19.8. Results: The LEAF-Q significantly predicted risk for RED-S (p < 0.007). Correlations using the participants EAT-26 score, energy availability levels (p < 0.508), and whether they were at risk for RED-S (p < 0.208) or not were non-significant for all comparisons, although there was a moderate positive correlation between EAT-26 and RED-S risk (R = 0.454). Participants at risk for RED-S had higher occurrences of injuries (p < 0.022) and lower DXA measured Z-scores (p < 0.063) than those not at risk for RED-S. Conclusion: Long distance runners at risk for RED-S may have higher occurrences of injuries and lower bone mineral density, which can be easily measured using available screeners and DXA technology. What are the new findings: · Long distance runners at risk for RED-S may have higher occurrences of injuries and lower bone mineral density then age- and sex-matched individuals. How might it impact on clinical practice in the near future: · This is important for future clinical practice to be aware of the potential negative impacts on the bone development in young adults;· Particularly long-distance runners or athletes in leanness focused sports should be screened for energy availability which can impact performance, and future bone density.