Nutrition Education Resources in North Carolina–Based Head Start Preschool Programs: Administrator and Teacher Perceptions of Availability and Use

Objective: The purpose of this study was to provide new insight into common barriers to the availability and use of nutrition education (NE) resources in Head Start preschool programs based on administrator and teacher perceptions. Methods: In-depth, semistructured phone interviews (n = 63) were conducted with administrators (n = 31) and teachers (n = 32) from North Carolina–based Head Start programs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed qualitatively using content analysis to identify common themes. Results: Five emergent themes were identified within the areas of NE resource availability and use and barriers to NE resource availability and use. Participants expressed desire for greater organization of existing NE material resources, increased community support, and professional development opportunities for teachers specific to NE. Funding and time constraints were reported as affecting NE resources. Conclusions and Implications: Creative strategies for addressing NE resource availability and use and barriers (e.g., NE integration with educational standards) in Head Start are needed

Skin Carotenoid Status Over Time and Differences by Age and Sex Among Head Start Children (3-5 years) Living in Eastern North Carolina

OBJECTIVE: Examine differences in skin carotenoid status (SCS) based on time, age, and sex of preschool-aged children (PSAC) enrolled in Head Start (HS) in North Carolina (NC). DESIGN: Data were collected using surveys from participating families. PSAC’s SCS were measured 3 times over a 6-month period. SETTING: 3 HS centers in NC PARTICIPANTS: 112 children aged 3-5 years old, enrolled in HS MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Differences in SCS assessed using the Veggie Meter® based on time, sex and age ANALYSIS: One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess SCS at Time 1 between sex and age (n=112). Repeated measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction to assess SCS over time (n=45) using Bonferroni correction(b). RESULTS: On average, children were 4 years old, African American (81.3%), male (57%) and mean SCS 266 (SD 82.9). SCS were significantly different over time (p<.001). Significant differences were observed between ages (p=.01) and sex (p=.01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The Veggie Meter® is a promising tool to assess fruit and vegetable intake but needs to be validated in PSAC as has in adults. Sex and age are potential confounders which should be assessed in future studies using the Veggie Meter®

Stigmatizing our own: Self-relevant research (Me-search) is common but frowned upon in clinical psychological science

How often do clinical psychologists have a lived experience with, or close connection, to their research? Does the field of psychology accept this “me-search”? We undertook the first investigation of self-relevant research (SRR; “me-search”) and attitudes towards SRRers in a representative North American sample (N = 1,776) of faculty, graduate students, and others affiliated with doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology. Over 50% of participants had conducted SRR, and those from minorized backgrounds were more likely to conduct SRR. When judging experimentally manipulated vignettes, those who had not engaged in SRR made more stigmatizing judgements of SRR and SRR disclosure than those who engaged in SRR. Psychologists and trainees had more negative attitudes towards SRR on mental health topics (suicide, depression, schizophrenia) than physical health topics (cancer). We discuss how prejudice toward SRR and mental illness negatively impacts ongoing diversity and inclusion efforts from within clinical psychological science

Leveraging the Strengths of Psychologists With Lived Experience of Psychopathology

Psychopathology is a common element of the human experience, and psychological scientists are not immune. Recent empirical data demonstrate that a significant proportion of clinical, counseling, and school psychology faculty and graduate students have lived experience, both past and present, of psychopathology. This commentary compliments these findings by leveraging the perspectives of the authors and signatories, who have personal lived experience of psychopathology, to improve professional inclusivity in these fields. By "coming out proud," the authors aim to foster discussion, research, and inclusion efforts as they relate to psychopathology experiences in psychological science. To that end, the authors describe considerations related to disclosure of lived experience, identify barriers to inclusion, and provide concrete recommendations for personal and systemic changes to improve recognition and acceptance of psychopathology lived experience among psychologists

TestEd Survey of Staff and Student Experiences and Perceptions of Novel Covid-19 Testing Platform

Survey of staff and students at the University of Edinburgh related to their participation in a routine, asymptomatic Covid-19 workplace testing pilot. 522 participants completed a pilot survey in April 2021 and 1,750 completed the main survey (November 2021). Surveys explored: the acceptability of regular PCR testing among students and staff, particularly involving an approach that was less invasive than nasopharyngeal swabbing; barriers and facilitators to participating in a regular university testing programme, including in the context of other testing methods being available; and whether participation in such a programme changed adherence to public health guidelines