Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research

Purpose: Fish and seafood consumption by North American children is low. This is concerning, given the critical role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), found in fish and seafood, in early development. This study aimed to determine whether parental factors related to fish and seafood consumption are associated with frequency of fish and seafood consumption in Canadian children. Methods: A subgroup of parents (n = 28) participating in the Guelph Family Health Study Pilot reported their perceptions and history of fish and seafood consumption, confidence in preparing fish and seafood dishes, and the frequency of intake for their children (n = 40)...

Purpose: To assess knowledge of Canadian dietitians on the topics of food allergy and food allergy prevention guidelines, including introduction of allergenic solids to infants at risk of food allergy. Methods: An online survey was distributed via email listservs targeting Canadian dietitians. Results: In total, 144 of 261 dietitians completed the survey (60.5%). Respondents recommend introduction of peanut (89.5%) and allergenic solids (91.2%) within the recommended age of 4-6 months for infants at high risk of food allergy, but only 26...

Purpose: Co-operative (co-op) education facilitates development of workplace competencies but may have unintended consequences for financial stability and food security. This study examined the association between co-op program enrolment and food security status among a sample of undergraduate students. Financial insufficiency and strategies to cope with it were also characterized. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 167 co-op and 89 non-co-op students at the University of Waterloo from January to March 2019...

Purpose: To examine the level of agreement between a patient-completed food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and assessment of usual intake by a registered dietitian (RD) to score adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MedD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Patients with IBD completed a short FFQ and were subsequently interviewed by an RD. A 12-item MedD score (MDS), adapted from the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), was calculated from the FFQ and RD assessments. To determine agreement between individual items, Cohen's kappa coefficients were calculated...

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Maternal diet during pregnancy can have a significant impact on maternal and offspring health. As nutrition counselling is an important component of prenatal care, registered dietitians (RDs) are uniquely trained professionals who can provide personalized nutrition counselling customized to an individual's sociocultural needs. The objective of this systematic review was to determine if RD involvement during pregnancy is associated with a lower prevalence of adverse birth outcomes in the United States and Canada...

Purpose: School lunches are of poor nutritional quality in Canada. Parents play an important role in the preparation of school lunches for young children. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and helpfulness of the Healthy Lunch Box Booklet (HLBB) to support parents in packing healthy school lunches for their children. Methods: The HLBB was distributed at four schools in London, Ontario to students in full-day Kindergarten to Grade three. Parents were asked to complete an online survey from April to November 2019...

Olo nutritional follow-up care offers vulnerable pregnant women food vouchers, multivitamin supplements, tools, and nutritional counselling to support healthy pregnancy outcomes. Purpose: To evaluate the contribution of Olo follow-up care to nutritional intakes and eating practices, as well as to assess the programme-related experience of participants. Methods: Participants (n = 30) responded to questionnaires and web-based 24-hour dietary recalls and participated in a semi-structured interview (n = 10)...

Purpose: Self-reported coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic effects on dietetic job search, employment, and practice of recent graduates were explored within a national workforce survey. Methods: Graduates (2015-2020) who were registered/licensed dietitians or eligible to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Exam were recruited through dietetic programmes, Dietitians of Canada's communication channels, and social media. The online survey, available in English and French from August through October 2020, included questions about pandemic experiences...

Purpose: To investigate the experiences of dietetic students in a faculty-supervised, noncourse-based service-learning (NSL) opportunity called Nutrition Ignition! (NI!) to understand how NSL activities contribute to dietetic education. Methods: This study used focus group methodology. A convenience sample was recruited from current members of NI!. Participants completed a brief demographic questionnaire and then engaged in a focus group discussion led by a trained moderator who followed a semi-structured guide...

It is important that breast cancer patients know where they can access evidence-based nutrition information because misinformation may lead to confusion for patients regarding dietary requirements, as well as potentially causing harm to health. There are gaps in knowledge about where and when patients seek nutrition information. Our exploratory study used telephone interviews to investigate where patients with breast cancer obtained nutrition information pre and postdiagnosis, and their preferred sources and timing for receiving nutrition information...

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a chronic condition requiring continued input from the CF dietitian as an integral part of the CF multidisciplinary team. In recent years, the longer life expectancy experienced by people with CF (PwCF) means that nutrition advice and therapy are evolving from a focus on nutrition support to prevention and management of comorbidities. Little has been reported regarding the perceived role of the CF dietitian amongst PwCF. We report the responses to 11 questions that were part of a larger international survey distributed to members of national CF charities in 2018-2019...

The Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) programme is an accredited obesity prevention programme in the United States, teaching children about nutrition, physical activity, and screen time limits. This study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of undergraduate and graduate student leaders' about their experience delivering the CATCH programme in elementary schools in Northern Illinois school districts during the 2019-2020 school year and its impact on their personal and professional skills and on programme participants...

Purpose: To examine the temporal stability and relative validity of the adapted French version of an English self-reported questionnaire measuring the beverage intake (BEVQ) of adolescents. Methods: The French adaptation of the BEVQ (AF-BEVQ) included conversion from the imperial to the metric system and the adjustment of some formats to those available in Canada. Next, 60 adolescents from two regions in Quebec completed the AF-BEVQ and two web-based 24-hour dietary recalls (R24W) (one for a weekday and one for a weekend day) on two occasions, two weeks apart...

It is not known if nutrition risk screening of older adults should be a standard practice in primary care. The evidence in support of nutrition risk screening of older adults in primary care was examined and critically analyzed using an umbrella review. The peer reviewed and grey literature were searched for clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and systematic reviews (SRs). Titles and abstracts were independently screened by the two authors. Resources were excluded if they did not apply to older adults, did not discuss nutrition/malnutrition risk screening, or were in settings other than primary care...

Older adults are the fastest-growing demographic group in Canada, and the majority of older adults want to age-in-place within their communities. Many older adults live in naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs), unplanned communities with a high proportion of older residents. NORC supportive services programs can help older adults successfully age-in-place. One such program is Oasis Senior Supportive Living, a partnership between older adults, building owners and managers, community partners, funders, and researchers...

Purpose: This study aimed to explore children's lived experiences with the Ontario Student Nutrition Program (OSNP), a free, school-based snack program implemented in elementary schools in Southwestern, Ontario, Canada, to gain insights into future school food programs (SFP). Methods: Focus group discussions (n=17) were conducted with 105 children in Grades 5 to 8 in seven elementary schools. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for themes using inductive content analysis. Results: Overall, children appreciated the OSNP and felt that it filled a need in students...

Purpose: This study compared anthropometric and body fat percent (BF%) equations in relation to measures of metabolic health. Methods: BF% calculations (Bergman, Fels, and Woolcott) and anthropometric measurements were used to determine obesity among a sample of patients attending primary care in Alberta, Canada. Anthropometric variables included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist:hip ratio, waist:height ratio, and calculated BF%. Metabolic Z-score was computed as the average of the individual Z-scores of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fasting glucose and the number of standard deviations from the sample mean...

Purpose: To describe the breastfeeding experiences of a dietitian and mother so as to expose dominant discourses reinforcing expert-driven imperatives to breastfeed. Methods: Professional experiences and personal challenges related to breastfeeding promotion are described, analyzed, and interpreted using autoethnography. The social ecological model (SEM) is used as a sensitizing concept to guide the organization, presentation, and analysis of experiences. Results: Data were organized into two discussion themes: breastfeeding promotion practices and "failure" to breastfeed...

Purpose: FoodNOW (Food to eNhance Our Wellness) engaged in assessment of simulated households that include a person living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nova Scotia to determine if a basic nutritious diet is affordable. Methods: We used supermarket websites to cost food and beverage items listed in the National Nutritious Food Basket (NNFB) for simulated households, each with a PLWHA. Food costing methodologies were co-developed and adapted with community members in response to barriers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic...