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| [Paper Type: Article] AND [Author: McCargar, Linda J PhD RD] (4) | 31 Mar 2025 |
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- Dana Lee Olstad MSc, RD,
- Jessica R.L. Lieffers MSc, RD,
- Kim D. Raine PhD, RD, and
- Linda J. McCargar PhD, RD
Purpose: In this mixed-methods case study, we explored factors influencing the adoption and implementation of the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth within recreational facilities, and assessed the impact of their implementation on the food environment. Methods: Qualitative data were generated via interviews, observations, and document reviews. The quality of the food environment was assessed using validated and newly developed food environment assessment tools. Results: Whereas few barriers existed in terms of adopting the guidelines, implementing them proved much more challenging. Implementation was impeded by concerns about the lack of profitability of healthy items, time, and resource constraints. Guidelines that do not restrict the availability of unhealthy options are better accepted by stakeholders. Implementation of the guidelines supported creation of a healthy food environment, but the availability of healthy items remained very limited within the concession (16%) and vending machines (20%), and children continued to purchase primarily unhealthy items. Conclusions: Findings suggest that children choose healthy options insufficiently when unhealthy items are present. Thus, although introducing the nutrition guidelines in a nonrestrictive format may have been advantageous in some ways, they should be strengthened over time so that they recommend near or total elimination of unhealthy options.- Kate E. Storey PhD, RD,
- Rhona M. Hanning PhD, RD,
- Irene A. Lambraki MSc,
- Pete Driezen MSc,
- Shawn N. Fraser PhD, and
- Linda J. McCargar PhD, RD
Purpose: Dietary intakes and nutrition behaviours were examined among different diet quality groups of Canadian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2850 Alberta and Ontario adolescents aged 14 to 17, who completed a self-administered web-based survey that examined nutrient intakes andmeal behaviours (meal frequency andmeal consumption away from home). Results:Meanmacronutrient intakes were within Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges; however,micronutrient intakes andmedian food group intakes were below recommendations based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating (CFGHE). Overall diet quality indicated that 43%, 47%, and 10%of students had poor, average, and superior diet quality, respectively. Adolescents with lower diet quality had significantly different intakes of macronutrients and CFGHE-defined “other foods.” In terms of diet quality determinants, those with poor diet quality had higher frequencies of suboptimalmeal behaviours. Students with poor diet quality consumed breakfast and lunch less frequently than did those with average and superior diet quality. Conclusions: Canadian adolescents have low intakes of CFGHE-recommended foods and high intakes of “other foods.” Those with poor diet quality had suboptimal macronutrient intakes and increased meal skipping and meal consumption away from home. Adherence to CFGHE may promote optimal dietary intakes and improve nutritional behaviours.- Mark A. Spidel MSc,
- Marie-Claude Paquette PhD, RD,
- J. Dru Marshall PhD,
- Rhonda C. Bell PhD, and
- Linda J. McCargar PhD, RD
Healthy eating and active living have become key concepts in health promotion, and, increasingly, the two messages are being combined. Dietitians are in an ideal position to promote physical activity as an adjunct to nutrition counselling. Focus group interviews were used to identify dietitians’ perceptions and needs related to incorporating active living messages into their practices. Six focus groups, involving 42 participants (40 registered dietitians and two dietetic interns), were conducted in cities throughout Alberta. Issues explored during the interviews included the dietitian's role in promoting active living, barriers to promoting physical activity, opportunities for collaboration between dietitians and exercise professionals, and dietitians’ perceived needs for integrating active living messages into their practices effectively. Findings indicate strong support for incorporating active living messages into nutrition counselling. However, lack of knowledge was identified as a barrier to dietitians’ proactive role, and concerns were raised about public and professional perceptions if dietitians counselled on this issue. Participants felt that they required additional knowledge and training in physical activity in order to promote it effectively. Development and implementation of programs designed to meet these needs would help dietitians integrate active living messages into their practices.- Differences in physical activity, aerobic fitness, self-perception, and dietary intake were examined in a sample of six- to ten-year-olds at risk of overweight, and in normal weight boys and girls. Participants (n=20 at risk of overweight [BMI ≥85th percentile]; n=115 normal weight [BMI <85th percentile]; n=68 boys; n=67 girls) had anthropometric, physical activity, aerobic fitness, self-perception, and dietary intake measurements at zero, three, six, and 12 months. Over the 12-month period, normal weight children were more physically active (F=4.1, p<0.05) and aerobically fit (F=14.3, p<0.001), and possessed higher self-perceptions of social acceptance (F=7.3, p<0.01) than their at risk of overweight peers. Fitness differences between the sexes were not apparent at baseline, but emerged over the long term (F=7.9, p<0.01). Overall, boys consumed more total energy, fat, carbohydrate, and protein than did girls, while the entire sample consumed diets low in vegetables and fruits and meat and alternatives, and high in “other” foods. These observations highlight key disparities in lifestyle-related behaviours and perceptions between groups of children according to overweight status and sex. The findings underscore the importance of longitudinal studies in youth because cross-sectional studies may reflect transient differences.
