Effects of methionine deficiency and ethanol ingestion on acetaminophen metabolism in mice

The interaction of the effect of dietary methionine (met) deficiency on the maintenance of hepatic glutathione (GSH) concentrations and the effect of chronic ethanol (EtOH) ingestion on the activity of the hepatic microsomal oxidation system were studied in relation to acetaminophen (ACAP) metabolism in mice. In the first study, adult, male mice were fed a diet that provided approximately one-half of the met requirement for 4 weeks and given a 15% EtOH solution as the sole source of drinking water in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The extent of ACAP-induced hepatotoxicity was greater in the met deficient mice, as shown by a reduced median lethal time following a lethal dose of ACAP and an increase in plasma glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (PGOT) activity following a sublethal dose. A more marked increase in PGOT activity was seen as a result of the interaction of met deficiency and EtOH consumption. Initial GSH levels were decreased and depletion following ACAP injection was greater in the met deficient groups. In the second study, mice were pair-fed an EtOH-containing liquid diet for 4 weeks that provided 46 or 100% of the met requirement in a 2 x 2 factorial design. There was an increase in hepatic microsomal protein content, relative liver weight, and hepatic microsomal aniline hydroxylase activity in the EtOH-fed groups indicating induction of microsomal oxidation by EtOH. Serum inorganic sulfate, hepatic free met, and GSH concentrations were decreased following a 300 mg/kg BW i.p. dose of ACAP. As in the first study, GSH depletion was greater in the met-deficient mice. The difference between the extent of (\u2735)S-met and (\u2714)C-methyl-met incorporation into hepatic proteins did not reflect differences in the hepatic transsulfuration pathway activity due to met deficiency. HPLC analysis of urinary ACAP conjugates showed a decrease in the amount of ACAP-sulfate conjugate excreted in the met deficient mice and an increase in excretion of ACAP sulfate and mercapturic acid derivatives by the EtOH-fed mice. These findings indicate that met deficiency compromises ACAP disposition in the mouse resulting in greater ACAP-induced hepatotoxicity and that chronic EtOH consumption may potentiate this effect by causing an increase in the formation of activated ACAP

SHELF LABELING OF ORGANIC FOODS: EFFECTS ON CUSTOMER PERCEPTIONS AND SALES

The organic food industry is undergoing tremendous expansion. Retail grocers and organic food suppliers are interested in promoting organic foods to customers in mainstream grocery stores. The purpose of this study was to determine if point of purchase (POP) signage in retail grocery stores affects customer perceptions of organic foods and organic food purchasing behavior (sales). An experimental study was designed in which control and two levels of POP signage were tested in two grocery store environments in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Ten stores were involved; six from an upscale chain and four from a discount/warehouse chain. A customer intercept interview method was used to determine the perceptions of approximately 400 customers in each store; and sales data were tracked for 14 selected organic food items. Results revealed that customers in upscale stores were more likely than discount/warehouse store customers to recognize signs designating organic foods. Younger people, women and those having larger household sizes recognized organic signage most often. In both chains, signage increased the proportion of customers who reported ever buying and planning to buy organic foods. Sales data suggest a positive effect of POP signage on volume of sales for some, but not all tracked foods. Signage significantly increased the sales of skim milk, butter, eggs, deli bread, fresh carrots, spaghetti and flaked cereal in the discount/warehouse stores. In the upscale stores, significant effects of POP signage were found for skim milk, spaghetti, peach nectar and fresh carrots when the sales figures were adjusted for the store's weekly sales volume. The mixed sales results underscore the dynamic interplay between the store environment, its customers, and POP technology.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Institutional and Behavioral Economics, Marketing,

Perceptions of Members of the American Association of Cereal Chemists Regarding Production of Whole Grain Foods

This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and normative and barrier beliefs of members of the American Association of Cereal Chemists about the production of whole grain foods. A total of 212 returned questionnaires were used in the analyses. Respondents had a fair knowledge of whole grain foods and positive attitudes about consumer-health and personal/company benefits. Scientific findings provided important normative influences for respondents from academia, while consumer needs and interests were influential for those in industry. Barriers included issues regarding consumer needs as well as beliefs about cost and product quality. Industry respondents may need to see stronger consumer demand before promoting production of whole grain foods.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The Go Wild with Whole Grains! school-based program: Positive impacts among children

Whole grain foods have been associated with health benefits, yet are underconsumed by youth compared to recommendations. This study evaluated impacts of a school-based curriculum among children in grades 3-5 to address barriers to intake (2018-2019) (n = 1,748). Surveys before and after the program indicated youth were more willing to try and better able to identify whole grain foods. Open-ended responses confirmed findings regarding increased ability to identify whole grain foods, increased preferences and perceptions of availability. Together, these impacts could increase the likelihood that youth can meet whole grain intake recommendations to improve diet quality and health

Modifying Beverage Choices of Preadolescents Through School-Based Nutrition Education

The study reported here implemented and evaluated a school-based, classroom intervention to improve beverage choices of 3rd-5th grade children. Extension Nutrition Education Assistants provided six weekly classroom lessons and pre-post surveys to assess effectiveness. Fewer students reported usually consuming fruit drinks at breakfast, lunch, and in friends\u27 homes and carbonated soft drinks at dinner after the intervention, while overall consumption of fruit drinks and carbonated soft drinks decreased. Reported availability of fruit drinks and carbonated soft drinks in the home was not changed. Further exploration of family and environmental barriers is necessary to influence healthful beverage selection

Lessons Learned for Engaging Latino Families in Community-based Programs

A family-skills program for Latino fathers and youth was implemented to prevent youth obesity. Lessons learned focused on practices to address barriers to engagement and retention among fathers and youth within the Latino community. Program development issues included selection of organizations, facilitators, language, and delivery methods. Implementation issues included timing and location. Cultural issues regarding learner needs, and teaching and implementation methods need to be considered. Using the lessons learned, Extension professionals can create impactful programs that engage and retain Latino fathers and youth

Influence of Parenting Practices on Eating Behaviors of Early Adolescents during Independent Eating Occasions: Implications for Obesity Prevention

Among early adolescents (10–14 years), poor diet quality along with physical inactivity can contribute to an increased risk of obesity and associated biomarkers for chronic disease. Approximately one-third of United States (USA) children in this age group are overweight or obese. Therefore, attention to factors affecting dietary intake as one of the primary contributors to obesity is important. Early adolescents consume foods and beverages during eating occasions that occur with and without parental supervision. Parents may influence eating behaviors of early adolescents during eating occasions when they are present or during independent eating occasions by engaging in practices that affect availability of foods and beverages, and through perceived normative beliefs and expectations for intake. Therefore, the purpose of this article was to describe the influence of parenting practices on eating behaviors in general and when specifically applied to independent eating occasions of early adolescents. This information may be helpful to inform parenting interventions targeting obesity prevention among early adolescents focusing on independent eating occasions

Factors Associated with Fathers’ Attendance in a Latino Family Obesity Prevention Program

Community-based programs may contribute to Latino pediatric obesity prevention; however, attendance remains low. This study aimed to identify factors associated with Latino father/male caregiver attendance in family-based adolescent obesity prevention programs conducted as part of a randomized controlled trial. The study used cross-sectional data from 137 fathers in the program, involving eight weekly sessions to improve their children’s energy balance-related behaviors. Evaluation data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Fathers in a waitlisted control group attended sessions after post-intervention data collection. Attendance patterns were identified using cluster analysis: consistently high attendance (50% of fathers), declining attendance (19%), and non-attendance (31%) clusters. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between attendance patterns and variables. Compared to consistently high attendance, fathers in the non-attendance cluster were more likely to have been assigned to the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 7.86, p \u3c 0.001), tended to have lower household income (OR = 2.50, p = 0.098), and attended the program at a site where the program occurred weekdays (OR = 0.35, p = 0.094). Maintaining contact during waiting periods and providing sessions online or during weekends could reduce non-attendance by enhancing convenience for low-income fathers working multiple jobs

Parents\u27 Calcium Knowledge Is Associated with Parental Practices to Promote Calcium Intake Among Parents of Early Adolescent Children

The study reported here aimed to identify the relationship of parents\u27 calcium knowledge with diet-related parental practices and determinants of calcium knowledge. A cross-sectional survey was conducted measuring parental practices, calcium knowledge, and demographics. A convenience sample of 599 racially/ethnically diverse parents of children 10-13y completed questionnaires. Higher education and having a daughter were associated with higher calcium knowledge; being Asian or Hispanic and born outside the U.S. were associated with lower calcium knowledge. Parents with greater calcium knowledge were more likely to engage in healthy parenting practices. These factors may be important considerations for Extension educators in nutrition education

Latino adolescent-father discrepancies in reporting activity parenting practices and associations with adolescents’ physical activity and screen time

Latino fathers may play important roles in adolescents’ physical activity and screen time. However, informant discrepancies regarding paternal activity parenting practices may challenge studies supporting evidence-based applications. This study examined Latino adolescent-father discrepancies in reporting paternal activity parenting practices, types of discrepancies by participant characteristics, and associations between discrepancy types and adolescents’ physical activity and screen time.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8199-