The current study presents results of a midpoint analysis of an ongoing natural experiment evaluating the diet-related effects of the Minneapolis Minimum Wage Ordinance, which incrementally increases the minimum wage to $15/h.

A difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis of measures collected among low-wage workers in two U.S. cities (one city with a wage increase policy and one comparison city). Measures included employment-related variables (hourly wage, hours worked and non-employment assessed by survey questions with wages verified by paystubs), BMI measured by study scales and stadiometers and diet-related mediators (food insecurity, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation and daily servings of fruits and vegetables, whole-grain rich foods and foods high in added sugars measured by survey questions).

Minneapolis, Minnesota and Raleigh, North Carolina.

A cohort of 580 low-wage workers (268 in Minneapolis and 312 in Raleigh) who completed three annual study visits between 2018 and 2020.

In DiD models adjusted for time-varying and non-time-varying confounders, there were no statistically significant differences in variables of interest in Minneapolis compared with Raleigh. Trends across both cities were evident, showing a steady increase in hourly wage, stable BMI, an overall decrease in food insecurity and non-linear trends in employment, hours worked, SNAP participation and dietary outcomes.

There was no evidence of a beneficial or adverse effect of the Minimum Wage Ordinance on health-related variables during a period of economic and social change. The COVID-19 pandemic and other contextual factors likely contributed to the observed trends in both cities.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is a widely implemented 12-month behavioural weight loss programme for individuals with prediabetes. The DPP covers nutrition but does not explicitly incorporate cooking skills education. The objective of the current study is to describe food and cooking skills (FACS) and strategies of recent DPP participants.

Photo-elicitation in-depth interviews were conducted from June to August, 2021.

Baltimore, MD, USA.

Thirteen Black women who participated in DPP.

The DPP curriculum influenced participants’ healthy cooking practices. Many participants reported shifting from frying foods to air-frying and baking foods to promote healthier cooking and more efficient meal preparation. Participants also reported that their participation in DPP made them more mindful of consuming fruits and vegetables and avoiding foods high in carbohydrates, fats, sugars and Na. With respect to food skills, participants reported that they were more attentive to reading labels and packaging on foods and assessing the quality of ingredients when grocery shopping.

Overall, participants reported changing their food preferences, shopping practices and cooking strategies to promote healthier eating after completing the DPP. Incorporating hands-on cooking skills and practices into the DPP curriculum may support sustained behaviour change to manage prediabetes and prevent development of type 2 diabetes among participants.

With the phase-out of the polio campaigns, Burkina Faso has developed a new strategy for routine community-based vitamin A supplementation (VAS) by institutionalising community-based health workers (CBHW) to sustain the gain of two decades of successful programming. Formative research was conducted soon after the strategy was introduced to solicit feedback on the acceptability of the new approach by the implementing actors while identifying the main implementation challenges for improving its effectiveness and sustainability.

This qualitative study was conducted in 2018 through (i) document review, (ii) individual interviews with key informants at the central, regional and district levels, and (iii) focus groups with CBHW and caregivers.

Data collection was carried out at six levels of sites covering the entire country and selected based on VAS coverage rates with the community routine. A total of six health districts were selected.

We conducted 46 individual interviews with health workers and 20 focus groups with 59 CBHW and 108 caregivers.

The study showed good acceptability of the strategy by all stakeholders. In the first 2 years of implementation, the national coverage of VAS was maintained at a high level (above 90 %) and there was a reduction in operational costs. The main challenges included delayed CBHW remuneration and weak communication and supervision

The acceptability of the community-based routine VAS was good and was perceived to have a high potential for sustainability. Addressing identified challenges will allow us to better manage the expectations of community stakeholders and maintain the initial results

To determine the prevalences of overweight and obesity in children aged 4 to 12 years, using the standard definitions proposed by the International Obesity Taskforce.

Population prevalence cross-sectional survey involving measurement of height and weight. Data collection took place in 1998.

Schools in Gibraltar.

In total 2994 children, aged 4–12 years, attending these schools (1540 boys, 1454 girls).

Prevalence of overweight in boys was 19.7%, while obesity prevalence was 10.8%. For the girls, overweight prevalence was 21.4%, while obesity prevalence was 10.6%. There were no significant differences in the proportions of overweight or obesity between boys and girls.

This was the first time that the prevalences of overweight and obesity have been estimated in children from Gibraltar. These data provide further information on prevalence rates of overweight and obesity, using defined cut-offs for comparison with data from other countries.

The aim of the present study was to investigate blood pressure (BP) levels and their relationship with different indices of body fat in a group of adolescents, in order to evaluate the prevalence of hypertension and plan preventive and corrective strategies.

Cross-sectional study in primary care.

All high schools in the Aosta Valley region, northern Italy.

Five hundred and thirty-two adolescents of both sexes, aged 15·4 (standard deviation 0·7) years. The following parameters were measured: body weight, body height, body mass index (BMI), four skinfold thicknesses, body fat mass, waist and hip circumferences and BP.

BMI data indicated a high prevalence of overweight subjects in both sexes, but higher in males, while the prevalence rate of obese adolescents was lower. Of the total, 11·8 % of subjects suffered from systolic hypertension, while 6·9 % suffered from diastolic hypertension. In linear correlation analysis, BMI and all adiposity indices, except waist:hip ratio, were found to be significantly associated (P ranging between 0·05 and 0·001) with both systolic BP and diastolic BP in both sexes, with r ranging between 0·152 and 0·359. Multiple regression analysis with the stepwise method showed BMI and body fat mass to have the strongest association (P < 0·001) with BP, with r ranging between 0·275 and 0·359.

Unless reversed, these conditions are worrying and predict the possible development of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. There is a pressing need to develop a comprehensive medical and nutrition plan, together with preventive and corrective strategies, in school programmes.

Neural tube defects (NTD) are potentially preventable by periconceptual folic acid supplementation. Women with obesity are at higher risk of NTD, therefore, are recommended a higher dose of 5 mg folic acid to mitigate this risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal practice of folic acid supplementation amongst the antenatal population in relation to maternal obesity status.

Prospective observational study.

Women ≤18 weeks’ gestation at their first antenatal appointment attending University Maternity Hospital Limerick (Ireland) were recruited. Maternal height and weight were measured. Obesity was defined at a threshold of ≥30·0 kg/m2 and ≥27·5 kg/m2 when adjusting for ethnicity. A two-part questionnaire captured maternal characteristics and assessed supplementation compliance, commencement and dosage. Fisher’s exact test for independence analysed differences in variables. A P value of <0·05 was considered significant.

A total of 328 women participated over a duration of 6 weeks.

Mean gestational age was 12·4 ± 1·4 weeks and mean BMI 26·7 kg/m2 ± 5·2 kg/m2. 23·8 % (n 78) were classified as obese. 96·5 % (n 315) were taking folic acid and 95·7 % (n 314) supplemented daily. 30·2 % (n 99) commenced supplementation 12 weeks prior to conception. Overall, 57·9 % (n 190) of women met folic acid supplementation dose requirements. 89·1 % (n 55) of women with obesity did not. Women with obesity were less likely to meet the higher folic acid supplementation dose requirements (P =< 0·001).

Folic acid supplementation practices within this cohort were suboptimal to prevent their risk of NTD. This study showed inadequate compliance of folic acid supplementation, and inadequate dosage for women with obesity. Increased patient education and awareness are needed within the antenatal period of pregnancy to bring folic acid supplementation practices in line with best practice guidelines.

To explore the relationship between children and their parents in terms of various anthropometric parameters and obesity-related hormone levels and to identify early indicators for child obesity.

Cross-sectional observational study.

Urban areas of Korea in 2005.

A total 124 families with 7-year-old children participated. Anthropometric and blood biochemistry data and information concerning the children’s lifestyles, dietary habits and parental and grandparental weight status were obtained.

The mean values for all anthropometric parameters were greater in overweight children than in children of normal weight. Very close relationships existed between the anthropometric parameters of children and their parents. Children with two overweight parents showed the highest odds for being overweight (OR 7·62). The strong relationship between overweight children and grandparental and parental overweight, especially on the maternal side, suggests gender differences in the intergenerational transmission of body weight. We also noted a greater risk of being overweight in children with a parent with high serum leptin level.

Grandparental and parental weight status and parental serum leptin levels enable us to identify childhood obesity at an early age and may help to counter the current epidemic of adult obesity.