Healthy Snack Availability Near High- and Low-Income Urban Schools

Children’s snacking habits are influenced by their immediate food environments. Increasingly, findings show that factors such as corner stores near schools are related to obesity. This study was conducted in preparation for a larger, community-based participatory research project to create healthy snacking zones” near schools in a rural Oregon county. The objective was to assess healthy snack availability in stores located within a half mile radius of high- and low-income elementary and middle schools in Portland, Oregon. Using Geographic Information Systems, convenience and food stores were selected and classified as either high- or low income based on % eligibility to receive free or reduced-price lunch at the proximal school. The SNACZ food store checklist was used to evaluate availability of 50 healthy items in single- and multi-portion servings at these stores. A statistical test for the pairwise difference between two proportions was performed to evaluate the relationship between percentage of each single-serving size available and any size product available in the two location categories. Of the fifty snack items, statistically significant differences in availability between high- and low-income stores were found in eight single portion items, and ten items of any size. Single portion snack items were found less frequently than multi-portion items in both high- and low-income stores. Overall, the lack of single-serving healthy snack items in all stores indicates that children who do consume convenience store foods may benefit from healthier, single portion options to inhibit over-consumption and snacks high in fat, sugar, and sodium

SaludABLEOmaha: Improving readiness to address obesity through healthy lifestyle in a Midwestern Latino community

Background: A community’s readiness for change is a precursor to the effective application of evidence-based practices for health promotion. Research is lacking regarding potential strategies to improve readiness to address obesity-related health issues in underserved communities.Community Context: This case study describes SaludABLEOmaha, an initiative to increase readiness of residents in a Midwestern Latino community to address obesity and adopt healthy lifestyles. Methods: SaludABLEOmaha emphasized 2 core approaches, youth activism and collaboration among public and private institutions, which we applied to planning and implementing tactics in support of 3 interconnected strategies: 1) social marketing and social media, 2) service learning in schools (ie, curricula that integrate hands-on community service with instruction and reflection), and 3) community and business engagement. Following the Community Readiness Model protocol (http://triethniccenter.colostate.edu/communityReadiness.htm), structured interviews were conducted with community leaders and analyzed before and 2.5 years after launch of the program. Outcome: The community increased in readiness from stage 3 of the Community Readiness Model, “vague awareness,” at baseline to stage 5, “preparation,” at follow-up. Interpretation: SaludABLEOmaha improved community readiness (eg, community knowledge, community climate), which probably contributed to the observed increase in readiness to address obesity through healthy lifestyle. Community mobilization approaches such as youth activism integrated with social marketing and social media tactics can improve community responsiveness to obesity prevention and diminish health disparities

Diet composistion, dry matter intake, and diet overlap of mule deer, elk, and cattle

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk (Cervus elaphus), and cattle share rangelands throughout much of interior western North America. Considerable debate exists about the degree to which facilitation or competition occurs for forage between these three species (Nelson 1982, Wisdom and Thomas 1996, Miller 2002). Prior cattle grazing can have beneficial effects on elk nutrition. The removal of forage by cattle can improve forage quality by enhancing regrowth of forage or by changing ratios of live to dead plant material (Cook 2002), and forage quality on elk winter ranges in the interior Northwest can be improved by cattle grazing in the spring (Anderson and Scherzinger 1975, Clark 1996). To date, however, studies have not shown enhancement of forage quality in the summer following late spring or early summer grazing by elk or cattle. Competition for forage between mule deer, elk, and cattle is probably greatest on winter and spring/autumn ranges (Nelson 1982, Wisdom and Thomas 1996), and minimal between wild ungulates and cattle during summer (Miller 2002). Most summer ranges for mule deer and elk are on large areas of public land containing a diversity of habitats and high potential for forage production (Miller 2002). On some summer ranges, however, competition for forage may exist in late summer and early fall because forage quality can be poor and not meet nutritional requirements of wild ungulates and cattle (Torbit 1985, Hanley et al. 1989, Cook 2002). This is especially evident in regions where summer drought is the normal part of the climatic regime (Vavra and Phillips 1980, Svejcar and Vavra 1985). On the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range (Starkey), northeast Oregon, competition for forage may occur in late summer among all three species, especially between elk and cattle (Coe et al. 2001, Stewart et al. 2002). Conditions at Starkey typify those on summer ranges shared by mule deer, elk, and cattle in forests of the interior western United States. Consequently, we conducted a manipulative experiment on Starkey summer range to evaluate the potential for competition or facilitation for forage among mule deer, elk, and cattle in grand fir (Abies grandis) forests. Our specific objectives were to determine diet composition, dry matter intake rates, and percent dietary overlap of all three species in response to prior grazing by elk and cattle. In this paper we focus on results obtained from the bite count data. A detailed analysis of the nutritional consequences of previous grazing by elk or cattle on subsequent diets of mule deer, elk, or cattle will be presented elsewhere (Damiran in prep.). Results from our study could improve range management for mule deer, elk and cattle on public land, especially with regards to allocating forage among these three species when ranges are shared in forested habitats (Ager et al. 2004)

Influence of previous cattle and elk grazing on the subsequent quality and quantity of diets for cattle, deer, and elk grazing late-summer mixed-conifer rangelands

A study was conducted to determine foraging efficiency of cattle, mule deer, and elk in response to previous grazing by elk and cattle. Four enclosures, in previously logged mixed conifer (Abies grandis) rangelands were chosen, and within each enclosure, three 0.75 ha pastures were either: 1) ungrazed, 2) grazed by cattle, or 3) grazed by elk in mid-June and mid-July to remove approximately 40% of total forage yield. After grazing treatments, each pasture was subdivided into three 0.25 ha sub-pastures and 16 (4 animals and 4 bouts/animal) 20 min grazing trials were conducted in each sub-pasture using four steers, four tame mule deer (deer), or four tame elk during August 1998 and 1999. A bite-count technique was used to determine foraging efficiency and composition of diet. Crude protein content of deer diets tended to be higher (P 0.20) by previous grazing, but diet ADF, NDF were lower (P 0.10) intake rates of deer and elk. In response to cattle grazing, cattle and elk diets shifted to more (P < 0.10) forbs and shrub/trees. In response to elk grazing, cattle consumed more grasses; whereas elk consumed more (P < 0.10) grasses and shrub/tree. Deer increased (P < 0.10) shrub/tree intake in previously grazed pastures. This study suggests that early summer grazing by cattle or elk has very little effect on the subsequent foraging efficiency of deer and elk. In addition, early summer grazing by cattle improve the quality of subsequent elk diets, but previous grazing by elk may reduce subsequent diet quality for cattle, deer, and elk

Estimating Shrub Forage Yield and Utilization Using a Photographic Technique

We assessed a photographic technique to estimate shrub yield and utilization of common snowberry, snowbrush, and heart-leafed willow found in mixed-conifer rangelands. We determined the correlation between green leaf area size (LA) and forage yield (Y) and compared plant utilization estimated by photographic technique (ULA) to actual utilization (UY) values. Shrub forage yield and utilization were determined by hand plucking in five to eight increments. Before the first plucking, and after each subsequent plucking, we took two photos that were perpendicular to each other at the intersection of the shrub. Each photo was evaluated using image-processing software to produce red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color band images. Green leaf area was determined as follows: pixel = ([G-R] + [G-B])/ (G+R+G+B); Green leaf area, cm2 = (Calibration [C], cm2∙pixel-1) × (LA, pixel). Green leaf area calculated from the photographic technique was strongly correlated (r2 = 0.83-0.94, P < 0.001) with forage yield for all three shrubs. A strong correlation (r2 = 0.95, n = 142) was detected between utilization values estimated through green leaf area size and actual values. Utilization estimated by LA did not differ (P = 0.60, n = 142) from actual utilization values. In summary, our results indicate the photographic technique could be used once calibration curves are developed, to measure available browse yield and utilization of shrubs in a nondestructive approach

How does community context influence coalitions in the formation stage? a multiple case study based on the Community Coalition Action Theory

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Community coalitions are rooted in complex and dynamic community systems. Despite recognition that environmental factors affect coalition behavior, few studies have examined how community context impacts coalition formation. Using the Community Coalition Action theory as an organizing framework, the current study employs multiple case study methodology to examine how five domains of community context affect coalitions in the formation stage of coalition development. Domains are history of collaboration, geography, community demographics and economic conditions, community politics and history, and community norms and values.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were from 8 sites that participated in an evaluation of a healthy cities and communities initiative in California. Twenty-three focus groups were conducted with coalition members, and 76 semi-structured interviews were conducted with local coordinators and coalition leaders. Cross-site analyses were conducted to identify the ways contextual domains influenced selection of the lead agency, coalition membership, staffing and leadership, and coalition processes and structures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>History of collaboration influenced all four coalition factors examined, from lead agency selection to coalition structure. Geography influenced coalition formation largely through membership and staffing, whereas the demographic and economic makeup of the community had an impact on coalition membership, staffing, and infrastructure for coalition processes. The influence of community politics, history, norms and values was most noticeable on coalition membership.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Findings contribute to an ecologic and theory-based understanding of the range of ways community context influences coalitions in their formative stage.</p

Food-Related Practices and Beliefs of Rural US Elementary and Middle School Teachers

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity disproportionately affects rural populations; therefore, promoting healthy eating among rural children is essential. Teachers are important role models for children and can influence children\u27s eating behaviors through their own behaviors and beliefs about food. This study examined the food-related practices and beliefs of rural elementary and middle school teachers. METHODS: Data were used from the SNACZ study, a school- and community-based trial conducted in rural Oregon. Kindergarten through eighth-grade teachers (n=87), teaching students usually aged 5-14 years, from eight rural school districts completed a baseline survey in November 2012 concerning their classroom food practices, eating behaviors at school, beliefs about the school food environment, and nutrition knowledge. Frequencies of responses to each item were calculated. RESULTS: Nearly all teachers (97.6%) agreed that a healthy school food environment is important, but fewer agreed that teachers\u27 behaviors and the foods available at school influence students\u27 eating behaviors (71.0% and 67.0%, respectively). Nearly 86% of teachers used candy as a reward for students, while 78.2% consumed unhealthy snacks and 42.5% consumed sweetened beverages in the classroom. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that most rural teachers recognize that having a healthy school food environment is important, but are less aware of factors within the school that influence students\u27 eating behaviors - including their own eating behaviors and classroom food practices - and, perhaps for this reason, many rural teachers engage in classroom practices and behaviors that do not promote healthy eating. Teacher training and expanded school policies that focus on teacher behavior may be needed to ensure a healthier rural school food environment