This study examines the relationship between family–work conflicts with food habits and physical activity, and whether the relationship is dependent on family structure and work-related factors.

Cross-sectional postal surveys were carried out in 2001 and 2002 among employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, aged 40–60 years (n = 5346, response rate 66%; for women 70% and for men 60%). Dependent variables in logistic regression analyses were nationally recommended food habits and physical activity. Independent variables were work–family conflicts and family–work conflicts. Covariates included age, marital status, number of children, occupational class, working hours, time travelling to work, and physical and mental work load.

Women reporting strong work–family conflicts were more likely to follow recommended food habits (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals 1.49 (1.19–1.86)), but this relationship weakened when adjusting for work-related factors (OR 1.20 (0.93–1.55)). Women and men with strong family–work conflicts were less likely to report recommended food habits after adjusting for family structure and work-related factors (women OR 0.75 (0.61–0.92), men OR 0.57 (0.34–0.96)). Women and men with strong work–family conflicts were less likely to follow the recommended amount of physical activity (women OR 0.76 (0.60–0.96), men OR 0.54 (0.34–0.87)). Additionally, women with strong family–work conflicts were less likely to follow the recommended amount of physical activity (OR 0.77 (0.63–0.94)). Adjusting for family and work-related factors did not affect these associations.

Conflicts between paid work and family life are likely to constitute barriers for a physically active lifestyle and possibly also for healthy food habits. Improving the balance between work and family may provide a route for promoting health-related behaviours.

To characterise misreporters of energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE).

Cross-sectional study, using a validated position and motion instrument, ActiReg®, as the reference method to study misreporters of EI and of EE. EI was measured using a dietary record and EE using a physical activity questionnaire (PAQ). Misreporters were defined as subjects outside the 95% confidence limits of agreement between EI or EE reported/EE measured.

Free-living Danish volunteers.

One hundred and thirty-eight volunteers aged between 20 and 59 years.

Body mass index, smoking, ‘try to eat healthily’ and worries about weight were related to degree of under-reported EI. The percentage energy from added sugar was lowest (P < 0.001) and the percentage energy from protein (P < 0.001) highest in under-reporters compared with acceptable reporters. Subjects who reported being very physically active at work or in leisure time reported a higher EE than measured EE compared with less physically active subjects (P < 0.05). Likewise, subjects who regard themselves as fit or very fit reported a higher EE than subjects who regard themselves as moderately fit (P < 0.05). Possible over-reporters reported less time as very light activity (P = 0.007), more time as moderate activity (P = 0.01) and more time as vigorous activity (P = 0.02) than acceptable reporters.

Under-reporting of EI should always be taken into consideration; however, only a few characteristics of under-reporters are consistent among studies. Misreporting of EI was more prevalent than misreporting of EE. The level of physical activity more than the time spent involved in various activities was misreported.

Previous research on nutrition labelling has mainly used subjective measures. This study examines the effectiveness of two types of nutrition label using two objective measures: eye movements and healthiness ratings.

Eye movements were recorded while participants made healthiness ratings for two types of nutrition label: standard and standard plus the Food Standards Agency's ‘traffic light’ concept.

University of Derby, UK.

A total of 92 participants (mean age 31.5 years) were paid for their participation. None of the participants worked in the areas of food or nutrition.

For the standard nutrition label, participant eye movements lacked focus and their healthiness ratings lacked accuracy. The traffic light system helped to guide the attention of the consumer to the important nutrients and improved the accuracy of the healthiness ratings of nutrition labels.

Consumers have a lack of knowledge regarding how to interpret nutrition information for standard labels. The traffic light concept helps to ameliorate this problem by indicating important nutrients to which to pay attention.

A food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was developed to assess habitual dietary intake in the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), a prospective epidemiological study to analyse disparities in cancer and other chronic diseases between African-Americans and Whites.

Frequency and portion size estimates were obtained for each of 104 foods. Daily intakes of 13 food groups, energy and 18 nutrients were computed. Each participant's rank and quintile classification of nutrient intakes was determined with and without the use of the subject's reported portion size.

The sample was obtained from the SCCS pilot study conducted in Tennessee, Mississippi and Florida, and consisted of 209 adults, 54% African-American, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 57.1 (12.5) years.

Correlations between the ranks from the two methods of estimation were high, ranging from 0.66 to 0.94 for food groups and 0.81 to 0.94 for nutrients. Pearson correlations were similarly high for food groups and nutrients. Concordance in exact quintile rank across the nutrient indices ranged from 52 to 70%, rising to 90–99% for concordance within adjacent quintiles.

To reduce the respondents' burden and to increase data completeness, the assignment of a uniform portion size when scoring the SCCS FFQ was considered acceptable.

To report on the fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool schoolchildren aged 9–10 years over a 5-year period (2000–2005).

Cross-sectional observational study.

Between 75 and 100 Liverpool primary schools took part in each survey year.

Subjects consisted of five separate cohorts of 9–10-year-old children from all areas of the city.

Number and proportion of boys and girls who reported eating fruit, vegetables and salad on the previous day.

There was an upward trend in the reported intake of fruit between 2002 and 2005. Girls were more likely than boys to report eating fruit (P < 0.001). The trend in salad intake was positive. Between 2000 and 2005 there were significant increases in the number of boys (χ2 = 17.57, P = 0.001) and girls (χ2 = 80.56, P = 0.001) eating salad. Girls were significantly more likely to eat salad than boys in all years (χ2 = 58.75, P = 0.001). Trends in vegetable intake were similar to those for salad, with both sexes reporting yearly increases over the 5-year period. The increase in the number of boys who reported eating vegetables between 2000 and 2005 was 23.5% (χ2 = 32.9, P = 0.000). In girls there was a 44.8% increase over the same period (χ2 = 110.3, P < 0.000).

The data reveal positive trends in the fruit, vegetable and salad intakes of Liverpool schoolchildren between 2000 and 2005. Further research is needed to elucidate the specific factors that have enabled the changes to take place.

To examine associations between shopping, food preparation, meal and eating behaviours and fruit and vegetable intake among women.

Cross-sectional survey.

Community-based sample from metropolitan Melbourne, Australia.

A sample of 1136 women aged 18–65 years, randomly selected from the electoral roll.

Food-related behaviours reflecting organisation and forward-planning, as well as enjoyment of and high perceived value of meal shopping, preparation and consumption were associated with healthier intakes of fruits and vegetables. For example, women who more frequently planned meals before they went shopping, wrote a shopping list, enjoyed food shopping, planned in the morning what they will eat for dinner that night, planned what they will eat for lunch, reported they enjoy cooking, liked trying new recipes and who reported they sometimes prepare dishes ahead of time were more likely to consume two or more servings of vegetables daily. Conversely, women who frequently found cooking a chore, spent less than 15 minutes preparing dinner, decided on the night what they will eat for dinner, ate in a fast-food restaurant, ate takeaway meals from a fast-food restaurant, ate dinner and snacks while watching television and who frequently ate on the run were less likely to eat two or more servings of vegetables daily.

Practical strategies based on these behavioural characteristics could be trialled in interventions aimed at promoting fruit and vegetable consumption among women.

To determine the difference in the nutritional status of elderly people depending on their consumption of fruits and vegetables, and to study the possible association between the consumption of these foods and different cardiovascular risk factors, especially total plasma homocysteine (t-Hcys) levels.

A cross-sectional study in 152 institutionalised older people from Madrid aged ≥ 65 years. Food and nutrient intakes were recorded over 7 days using the ‘precise individual weighing’ method. The weight, height, and waist and hip circumferences of all subjects were recorded, as were their α-erythrocyte glutathione reductase, serum B6, B12 and folate levels, erythrocyte folate levels, t-Hcys levels, serum lipids and blood pressure. The experimental population was then divided into tertiles depending on the serving intake of fruit and vegetables (T1, < 2.29 servings day− 1; T2, 2.29–2.79 servings day− 1; and T3, >2.79 servings day− 1).

Compared with T1 subjects, T3 subjects showed consumptions of cereals, pulses, meat, fish and eggs closer to those recommended (P < 0.05). In addition, the contribution of their diet towards covering the recommended daily intake of vitamin B1, niacin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, B12, vitamin A, and P, Mg, Zn and Fe was higher. The intake of fibre increased with consumption of fruit and vegetables (r = 0.6839, P < 0.001). T3 subjects also had better serum and erythrocyte folate levels than T1 and T2 subjects (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the consumption of fruit and vegetables and serum folate (r = 0.2665, P < 0.01) and with erythrocyte folate levels (r = 0.2034, P < 0.05), and a negative correlation with t-Hcys (r = − 0.2493, P < 0.01).

Greater consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with better food habits, increased vitamin and mineral intakes and lower t-Hcys levels. Considering that the fruit and vegetable intake in Spanish elderly people is very low, it is recommended that the consumption of fruits and vegetables by elderly people be increased.

Children's fruit/vegetable intake is still below recommended levels. This study applied Internet-tailored advice for schoolchildren and Internet-supported brief dietary counselling (with child and parent) within preventive health care to promote fruit/vegetable intake.

The study involved 30 seventh-grade classes (16 in the intervention group and 14 in the control group) with a total of 675 children aged 9–12 years, of whom 495 were allowed to participate.

A cluster-randomised baseline–post-test experimental design was applied. During school hours, all children completed Internet-administered questionnaires on fruit/vegetable intake and related determinants. Children in the intervention group received immediate online individually tailored nutrition feedback. For each child in the intervention group, a nurse received information concerning the assessment of fruit/vegetable intake via the Internet to support a 5 min counselling protocol to promote fruit/vegetable intake. Children completed a similar post-test questionnaire 3 months after the first assessment. Intention-to-treat analyses were conducted using multilevel regression analyses.

A total of 486 children (98% of 495) participated (263 in the intervention group, 223 in the control group); 240 child–parent couples in the intervention group attended the counselling. Awareness of inadequate fruit intake (odds ratio (OR) = 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.8–5.3) and knowledge of recommended vegetable intake levels (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.8–4.1) were significantly more likely at post-test in the intervention group than in the control group. No significant effects were found on intake or other determinants.

A compact, integrated two-component intervention can induce positive changes in knowledge and awareness of intake levels of fruit/vegetables among schoolchildren. To induce changes in intake levels, more comprehensive interventions may be needed.

To validate four scales – outcome expectancies for purchasing fruit and for purchasing vegetables, and comparative outcome expectancies for purchasing fresh fruit and for purchasing fresh vegetables versus other forms of fruit and vegetables (F&V).

Survey instruments were administered twice, separated by 6 weeks.

Recruited in front of supermarkets and grocery stores; interviews conducted by telephone.

One hundred and sixty-one food shoppers with children (18 years or younger).

Single dimension scales were specified for fruit and for vegetable purchasing outcome expectancies, and for comparative (fresh vs. other) fruit and vegetable purchasing outcome expectancies. Item Response Theory parameter estimates revealed easily interpreted patterns in the sequence of items by difficulty of response. Fruit and vegetable purchasing and fresh fruit comparative purchasing outcome expectancy scales were significantly correlated with home F&V availability, after controlling for social desirability of response. Comparative fresh vegetable outcome expectancy scale was significantly bivariately correlated with home vegetable availability, but not after controlling for social desirability.

These scales are available to help better understand family F&V purchasing decisions.

To evaluate the nutritional composition of worksite canteen lunches and to examine the impact of two meal serving systems on employee intake, i.e. buffet style with a fixed price for a varied number of dishes and à la carte style with a separate price for each item on the menu.

Laboratory technicians observed employees' food selection and collected identical dishes. Food items were weighed separately to calculate the content of fruit and vegetables. The content of protein, fat and ash of each dish was chemically analysed and the carbohydrate and energy content calculated.

Fifteen randomly chosen worksite canteens in Denmark: eight canteens serving buffet style and seven canteens with an à la carte line.

one hundred and eighty randomly chosen employees having lunch at the worksite canteens.

The average percentage energy from fat was 37 ± 12 among men and 33 ± 12 among women. No association was found between the meal serving system and energy intake or macronutrient composition. Eating at canteens serving buffet style, on the other hand, was associated with an increased intake of fruit and vegetables, on average 76 g, and a lower energy density of the food for both genders.

The results highlight the possibilities of promoting healthy food choices in the catering sector and the need to identify models of healthy catering practice. Serving buffet style appears to be a promising strategy in order to increase fruit and vegetable consumption in food served away from home.

To describe perceptions of weight of adolescents and associated factors.

Cross-sectional survey in 2002.

Eight public middle schools in two distinct socio-economic areas of Jiangsu Province, China.

Eight hundred and twenty-four adolescents (aged 12–14 years) and 628 of their parents.

Self-administered questionnaires for students and their parents were used to collect the data. Height and weight of the students were measured.

One-third of the girls perceived themselves as overweight, while only 8.9% were actually overweight or obese according to the World Health Organization definition. On the other hand, 15.0% of the girls considered themselves underweight, while 5.6% were underweight according to the definition. Among the boys, one-fifth of those defined as overweight perceived their weight as normal. Furthermore, 23.9% perceived themselves as underweight when in fact only 4.9% were classified as underweight according to the definition. About one-quarter of the students dieted in the past year. Adolescents who perceived themselves to be overweight dieted and skipped breakfast more often. They also had lower intake frequencies of animal foods, Western foods and milk/yoghurt. No disparity was observed in the intake frequency of fruits and vegetables between the groups of different weight perception. Parents' weight norms seemed to favour overweight in both genders, but especially among boys.

Both overweight and underweight concerns were common among girls, while a higher body weight was favoured by normal-weight boys and their parents. Distorted weight perceptions in adolescents, as well as dieting, are problems that need appropriate intervention.

To analyse the association between macronutrient intake and body mass index (BMI).

A series of hospital-based case–control studies.

Selected teaching and general hospitals in several Italian regions.

A total of 6619 subjects from the comparison groups of the case–control studies were included in the analysis.

We obtained data from a validated 78-item food-frequency questionnaire submitted between 1991 and 2002. For various macronutrients, the partial regression coefficient (variation of BMI (kg m− 2) per 100 kcal increment of energy intake) was derived from multiple linear regression models, after allowance for age, study centre, education, smoking habits, number of eating episodes and mutual adjustment for macronutrients.

BMI was directly associated with protein intake among women only (β = 0.68) and with unsaturated fats in both genders (for monounsaturated fats β = 0.27 for men and 0.26 for women; for polyunsaturated fats β = 0.27 for men and 0.54 for women), and inversely related to carbohydrates (β = − 0.05 for men and − 0.21 for women) and number of eating episodes in both genders (β =  − 0.42 for men and − 0.61 for women) and to saturated fats among women only (β =  − 0.57).

These results confirm and provide convincing evidence that, after allowance for selected covariates including total energy intake, a protein-rich diet is not inversely related to BMI, and a carbohydrate-rich diet is not directly related to BMI.

To determine the differences in macronutrient and food group contribution to total food and energy intakes between Estonian and Swedish under-, normal- and overweight schoolchildren, and to estimate the association between diet and body mass index (BMI).

Cross-sectional comparison between Estonian and Swedish children and adolescents of different BMI groups.

Twenty-five schools from one region in Estonia and 42 in two regions of central Sweden.

In total 2308 participants (1176 from Estonia and 1132 from Sweden), including 1141 children with a mean age of 9.6 ± 0.5 years and 1167 adolescents with a mean age of 15.5 ± 0.6 years.

Overweight was more prevalent among younger girls in Sweden (17.0 vs. 8.9%) and underweight among girls of both age groups in Estonia (7.9 vs. 3.5% in younger and 10.5 vs. 5.1% in older age group of girls). Compared with that of normal- and underweight peers, the diet of overweight Estonian children contained more energy as fat (36.8 vs. 31.7%) but less as carbohydrates, and they consumed more milk and meat products. Absolute BMI of Estonian participants was associated positively with energy consumption from eggs and negatively with energy consumption from sweets and sugar. Swedish overweight adolescents tended to consume more energy from protein and milk products. Risk of being overweight was positively associated with total energy intake and energy from fish or meat products. In both countries the association of overweight and biological factors (pubertal maturation, parental BMI) was stronger than with diet.

The finding that differences in dietary intake between under-, normal- and overweight schoolchildren are country-specific suggests that local dietary habits should be considered in intervention projects addressing overweight.