A preliminary study: saltiness and sodium content of aqueous extracts from plants and marine animal shells

To develop a salt substitute with low sodium content, the water-soluble components of seaweed, kelp, clamshell, oyster shell, semen cassiae, cuttlefish bone, inula flower, Arabia cowry shell, and sanna leaf were extracted with water. The aqueous extracts of nine species of plants and marine animal shells were obtained after drying the plants and shells at 105 °C until achieving a constant weight. The hedonic scale test revealed that the clamshell and cuttlefish bone aqueous extracts tasted distinctly salty. The result of the degree of difference test showed that the 1 % clamshell extract solution (m/v) and 0.6 % cuttlefish bone extract solution (m/v) both had equivalent saltiness of 0.6 % NaCl (m/v). In contrast, the sodium content in the cuttlefish bone extract solution was 27 % less than that in a NaCl solution of the same degree of saltiness. Therefore, a novel salt substitute will be developed in future studies in accordance with the principles of bionics and a deep understanding of the salty taste interactions among key salty components in the cuttlefish bone extract

Prevalence and Types of School‐Based Out‐of‐School Time Programs at Elementary Schools and Implications for Student Nutrition and Physical Activity

BACKGROUND Out‐of‐school time (OST) programs are an important setting for supporting student health and academic achievement. This study describes the prevalence and characteristics of school‐based OST programs, which can inform efforts to promote healthy behaviors in this setting. METHODS A nationally representative sample of public elementary schools (N = 640) completed surveys in 2013‐2014. Administrators reported on OST programs and policies at their school. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the prevalence of school‐based OST programs, adjusting for school characteristics. Among schools with OST programs (N = 475), chi‐square tests identified school characteristics associated with having an OST policy about physical activity or nutrition. RESULTS Three fourths of elementary schools (75.6%) had a full‐ or partial‐year school‐based OST program, with 30.8% having both. Full‐ and partial‐year programs were significantly less prevalent in rural and township areas versus urban settings. Only 27.5% of schools with OST programs reported having physical activity and/or nutrition policies. CONCLUSIONS Most US elementary schools have an on‐site OST program, but disparities in access exist, and most lack policies or awareness of existing policies regarding physical activity and nutrition. To maximize OST programs\u27 potential benefits, strategies are needed to increase access to programs and physical activity and/or nutrition policy adoption