Donna Matheson

All Publications

• Ultra-processed food consumption and BMI-Z among children at risk for obesity from low-income households. Pediatric obesity Heerman, W. J., Sneed, N. M., Sommer, E. C., Truesdale, K. P., Matheson, D., Noerper, T. E., Samuels, L. R., Barkin, S. L. 2023: e13037

  Abstract

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between baseline ultra-processed food consumption in early childhood and child BMI Z-score over 36months.METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis as a secondary data analysis of the Growing Right Onto Wellness randomised trial. Dietary intake was measured via 24-h diet recalls. The primary outcome was child BMI-Z, measured at baseline and at 3-, 9-, 12-, 24- and 36-month timepoints. Child BMI-Z was modelled using a longitudinal mixed-effects model, adjusting for covariates and stratifying by age.RESULTS: Among 595 children, median (Q1-Q3) baseline age was 4.3 (3.6-5.0) years, 52.3% of the children were female, 65.4% had normal weight, 33.8% were overweight, 0.8% were obese and 91.3% of parents identified as Hispanic. Model-based estimates suggest that, compared with low ultra-processed consumption (300 kcals/day), high ultra-processed intake (1300 kcals/day) was associated with a 1.2 higher BMI-Z at 36months for 3-year-olds (95% CI=0.5, 1.9; p<0.001) and a 0.6 higher BMI-Z for 4-year-olds (95% CI=0.2, 1.0; p=0.007). The difference was not statistically significant for 5-year-olds or overall.CONCLUSIONS: In 3- and 4-year-old children, but not in 5-year-old children, high ultra-processed food intake at baseline was significantly associated with higher BMI-Z at 36-month follow-up, adjusting for total daily kcals. This suggests that it might not be only the total number of calories in a child's daily intake that influences child weight status, but also the number of calories from ultra-processed foods.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/ijpo.13037

  View details for PubMedID 37070567

• Reliability and validity of assigning ultraprocessed food categories to 24-h dietary recall data. The American journal of clinical nutrition Sneed, N. M., Ukwuani, S., Sommer, E. C., Samuels, L. R., Truesdale, K. P., Matheson, D., Noerper, T. E., Barkin, S. L., Heerman, W. J. 2023; 117 (1): 182-190

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: The Nova classification system categorizes foods into 4 processing levels, including ultraprocessed foods (UPFs). Consumption of UPFs is extensive in the United States, and high UPF consumption is associated with chronic disease risk. A reliable and valid method to Nova-categorize foods would advance understanding of UPF consumption and its relationship to health outcomes.OBJECTIVES: Test the reliability and validity of training coders and assigning Nova categories to individual foods collected via 24-h dietary recalls.DESIGN: A secondary analysis of 24-h dietary recalls from 610 children who participated in a randomized controlled trial and were 3-5 y old at baseline was conducted. The Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR) software was used to collect 2-3 dietary recalls at baseline and yearly for 3 y. Trained and certified coder pairs independently categorized foods into one of 4 Nova categories (minimally processed, processed culinary ingredients, processed, and ultraprocessed). Interrater reliability was assessed by percent concordance between coder pairs and by Cohen's kappa coefficient. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing the average daily macronutrient content of foods between Nova categories.RESULTS: In 5546 valid recall days, 3099 unique foods were categorized: minimally processed (18%), processed culinary ingredients (0.4%), processed (15%), and ultraprocessed (67%). Coder concordance = 88.3%, and kappa coefficient = 0.75. Descriptive comparisons of macronutrient content across 66,531 diet recall food entries were consistent with expectations. On average, UPFs were 62% (SD 19) of daily calories, and a disproportionally high percentage of daily added sugar (94%; SD 16) and low percentage of daily protein (47%; SD 24). Minimally processed foods were 30% (SD 17) of daily calories, and a disproportionally low percentage of daily added sugar (1%; SD 8) and high percentage of daily protein (43%; SD 24).CONCLUSIONS: This method of Nova classifying NDSR-based 24-h dietary recalls was reliable and valid for identifying individual intake of processed foods, including UPFs.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2022.10.016

  View details for PubMedID 36789937

• Are mobile phone ownership and age of acquisition associated with child adjustment? A 5-year prospective study among low-income Latinx children. Child development Sun, X., Haydel, K. F., Matheson, D., Desai, M., Robinson, T. N. 2022

  Abstract

  This prospective, longitudinal study examined associations between whether and when children first acquire a mobile phone and their adjustment measures, among low-income Latinx children. Children (N=263; 55% female; baseline Mage =9.5) and their parents were assessed annually for 5years from 2012. Children first acquired a mobile phone at a mean (SD) age of 11.62 (1.41) years. Pre-registered multilevel models tested associations linking phone ownership, phone acquisition age, and the interaction between ownership and acquisition age to levels and changing trends of depressive symptoms, school grades, and reported and objectively assessed sleep. Results showed no statistically significant associations, controlling the False Discovery Rate. Findings suggest an absence of meaningful links from mobile phone ownership and acquisition age to child adjustment.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/cdev.13851

  View details for PubMedID 36056573

• Packaging and Scaling the Stanford Pediatric Weight Control Program: A Family-Based, Group, Behavioral Weight Management Program for Children with Obesity and Their Families: Background, Rationale, and Design of the Stanford CORD 3.0 Project. Childhood obesity (Print) Robinson, T. N., Matheson, D., Haydel, K. F., Flora, J., Desai, M. 2021; 17 (S1): S86-S92

  Abstract

  Efficacious treatments for children with obesity have not been broadly disseminated. The Stanford Pediatric Weight Control Program (SPWCP) is grounded in behavioral theory and prior observations, follows a proven treatment model, and is consistent with the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations. It has shown high levels of participation and retention and reductions in BMI and percent of median BMI for age and sex comparable to many studied programs, as well as improvements in physiological risk factors, psychological measures, and diet, activity, and screen time behaviors in children with obesity when delivered as a real-world clinical program with sociodemographically diverse families in multiple clinic and community settings. The Stanford CORD 3.0 Project proposes to use technology, design, behavioral theory, and biomedical business innovation strategies to package and scale the SPWCP to reach low-income children throughout the United States. Efficacy and success of implementation of the new packaged program will be tested in a one-arm pilot implementation study when delivered by community partners.

  View details for DOI 10.1089/chi.2021.0166

  View details for PubMedID 34569840

• A community-based, multi-level, multi-setting, multi-component intervention to reduce weight gain among low socioeconomic status Latinx children with overweight or obesity: The Stanford GOALS randomised controlled trial. The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology Robinson, T. N., Matheson, D., Wilson, D. M., Weintraub, D. L., Banda, J. A., McClain, A., Sanders, L. M., Haskell, W. L., Haydel, K. F., Kapphahn, K. I., Pratt, C., Truesdale, K. P., Stevens, J., Desai, M. 2021

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: There are few long-term studies of interventions to reduce in low socioeconomic status children with overweight or obesity. The Stanford GOALS trial evaluated a 3-year, community-based, multi-level, multi-setting, multi-component (MMM) systems intervention, to reduce weight gain among low socioeconomic status, Latinx children with overweight or obesity.METHODS: We did a two-arm, parallel group, randomised, open-label, active placebo-controlled trial with masked assessment over 3 years. Families from low-income, primarily Latinx communities in Northern California, CA, USA, with 7-11-year-old children with overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to a MMM intervention or a Health Education (HE) comparison intervention. The MMM intervention included home environment changes and behavioural counselling, community after school team sports, and reports to primary health-care providers. The primary outcome was child BMI trajectory over three years. Secondary outcomes included one- and two-year changes in BMI. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01642836.FINDINGS: Between July 13, 2012, and Oct 3, 2013, 241 families were recruited and randomly assigned to MMM (n=120) or HE (n=121). Children's mean age was 9·5 (SD 1·4) years, 134 (56%) were female and 107 (44%) were male, and 236 (98%) were Latinx. 238 (99%) children participated in year 1, 233 (97%) in year 2, and 227 (94%) in year 3 of follow-up assessments. In intention-to-treat analysis, over 3 years, the difference between intervention groups in BMI trajectory was not significant (mean adjusted difference -0·25 [95% CI -0·90 to 0·40] kg/m2; Cohen's d=0.10; p=0·45). Children in the MMM intervention group gained less BMI over 1 year than did children in the HE intervention group (-0·73 [-1·07 to -0·39] kg/m2, d=0.55); the same was true over 2 years (-0·63 [-1·13 to -0·14] kg/m2; d =0.33). No differential adverse events were observed.INTERPRETATION: The MMM intervention did not reduce BMI gain versus HE over 3 years but the effects over 1 and 2 years in this rigorous trial show the promise of this systems intervention approach for reducing weight gain and cardiometabolic risk factors in low socioeconomic status communities.FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00084-X

  View details for PubMedID 33933181

• Dietary patterns and associations with body mass index in low-income, ethnic minority youth in the United States according to baseline data from four randomized controlled trials. The British journal of nutrition LeCroy, M. N., Nicastro, H. L., Truesdale, K. P., Matheson, D. M., Ievers-Landis, C. E., Pratt, C. A., Jones, S. n., Sherwood, N. E., Burgess, L. E., Robinson, T. N., Yang, S. n., Stevens, J. n. 2020: 1–26

  Abstract

  Few studies have derived data-driven dietary patterns in youth in the United States (US). This study examined data-driven dietary patterns and their associations with BMI measures in predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minority US youth. Data were from baseline assessments of the four Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium trials: NET-Works (N=534; 2-4-year-olds), GROW (N=610; 3-5-year-olds), GOALS (N=241; 7-11-year-olds), and IMPACT (N=360; 10-13-year-olds). Weight and height were measured. Children/adult proxies completed 3 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary patterns were derived for each site from 24 food/beverage groups using k-means cluster analysis. Multivariable linear regression models examined associations of dietary patterns with BMI and percentage of the 95th BMI percentile. Healthy (produce and whole grains) and Unhealthy (fried food, savory snacks, and desserts) patterns were found in NET-Works and GROW. GROW additionally had a dairy and sugar-sweetened beverage based pattern. GOALS had a similar Healthy pattern and a pattern resembling a traditional Mexican diet. Associations between dietary patterns and BMI were only observed in IMPACT. In IMPACT, youth in the Sandwich (cold cuts, refined grains, cheese, and miscellaneous [e.g., condiments]) compared to Mixed (whole grains and desserts) cluster had significantly higher BMI [β=0.99 (95% CI: 0.01, 1.97)] and percentage of the 95th BMI percentile [β=4.17 (95% CI: 0.11, 8.24)]. Healthy and Unhealthy patterns were the most common dietary patterns in COPTR youth, but diets may differ according to age, race/ethnicity, or geographic location. Public health messages focused on healthy dietary substitutions may help youth mimic a dietary pattern associated with lower BMI.

  View details for DOI 10.1017/S0007114520003852

  View details for PubMedID 32993818

• Applying the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy to Four Multicomponent Childhood Obesity Interventions. Western journal of nursing research JaKa, M. M., Wood, C. n., Veblen-Mortenson, S. n., Moore, S. M., Matheson, D. n., Stevens, J. n., Atkins, L. n., Michie, S. n., Adegbite-Adeniyi, C. n., Olayinka, O. n., Po'e, E. K., Kelly, A. M., Nicastro, H. n., Bangdiwala, S. I., Barkin, S. L., Pratt, C. n., Robinson, T. N., Sherwood, N. E. 2020: 193945920954782

  Abstract

  Applying the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy has the potential to facilitate identification of effective childhood obesity intervention components. This article evaluates the feasibility of coding Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Consortium interventions and compares reliability between external taxonomy-familiar coders and internal intervention-familiar coders. After training, coder pairs independently coded prespecified portions of intervention materials. An adjudication process was used to explore coding discrepancies. Reliability between internal and external coders was moderate (prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa .38 to .55). Reliability for specific target behaviors varied with substantial agreement for physical activity (.63 to .76) and moderate for dietary intake (.44 to .63). Applying the taxonomy to these interventions was feasible, but agreement was modest. Coding discrepancies highlight the importance of refining coding to capture the complexities of childhood obesity interventions, which often engage multiple recipients (e.g., parents and/or children) and address multiple behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity, screen time).

  View details for DOI 10.1177/0193945920954782

  View details for PubMedID 32909523

• Recruitment strategies for predominantly low-income, multi-racial/ethnic children and parents to 3-year community-based intervention trials: Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium. Trials Cui, Z., Truesdale, K. P., Robinson, T. N., Pemberton, V., French, S. A., Escarfuller, J., Casey, T. L., Hotop, A. M., Matheson, D., Pratt, C. A., Lotas, L. J., Po'e, E., Andrisin, S., Ward, D. S. 2019; 20 (1): 296

  Abstract

  BACKGROUND: The recruitment of participants into community-based randomized controlled trials studying childhood obesity is often challenging, especially from low-income racial/ethnical minorities and when long-term participant commitments are required. This paper describes strategies used to recruit and enroll predominately low-income racial/ethnic minority parents and children into the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) consortium.METHODS: The COPTR consortium has run four independent 3-year, multi-level (individual, family, school, clinic, and community) community-based randomized controlled trials. Two were prevention trials in preschool children and the other two were treatment trials in pre-adolescents and adolescent youth. All trials reported monthly participant recruitment numbers using a standardized method over the projected 18-24months of recruitment. After randomization of participants was completed, recruitment staff and investigators from each trial retrospectively completed a survey of recruitment strategies and their perceived top three recruitment strategies and barriers.RESULTS: Recruitment was completed in 15-21months across trials, enrolling a total of 1745 parent-child dyads- out of 6314 screened. The number of children screened per randomized child was 4.6 and 3.5 in the two prevention trials, and 3.1 and 2.5 in the two treatment trials. Recruitment strategies reported included: (1) careful planning, (2) working with trusting community partners, (3) hiring recruitment staff who were culturally sensitive, personality appropriate, and willing to work flexible hours, (4) contacting potential participants actively and repeatedly, (5) recruiting at times and locations convenient for participants, (6) providing incentives to participants to complete baseline measures, (7) using a tracking database, (8) evaluating whether participants understand the activities and expectations of the study, and (9) assessing participants' motivation for participating. Working with community partners, hiring culturally sensitive staff, and contacting potential participants repeatedly were cited by two trials among their top three strategies. The requirement of a 3-year commitment to the trial was cited by two trials to be among the top three recruitment barriers.CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive strategies that include community partnership support, culturally sensitive recruitment staff, and repeated contacts with potential participants can result in successful recruitment of low-income racial/ethnic minority families into obesity prevention and treatment trials.TRIAL REGISTRATION: NET-Works trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01606891 . Registered on 28 May 2012. GROW trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01316653 . Registered on 16 March 2011. GOALS trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01642836 . Registered on 17 July 2012. IMPACT trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01514279 . Registered on 23 January 2012.

  View details for DOI 10.1186/s13063-019-3418-0

  View details for PubMedID 31138278

• Snacking characteristics and patterns and their associations with diet quality and BMI in the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research Consortium. Public health nutrition LeCroy, M. N., Truesdale, K. P., Matheson, D. M., Karp, S. M., Moore, S. M., Robinson, T. N., Berge, J. M., Nicastro, H. L., Thomas, A. J. 2019: 1–11

  Abstract

  OBJECTIVE: To describe snacking characteristics and patterns in children and examine associations with diet quality and BMI.DESIGN: Children's weight and height were measured. Participants/adult proxies completed multiple 24 h dietary recalls. Snack occasions were self-identified. Snack patterns were derived for each sample using exploratory factor analysis. Associations of snacking characteristics and patterns with Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) score and BMI were examined using multivariable linear regression models.SETTING: Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium, USA: NET-Works, GROW, GOALS and IMPACT studies.PARTICIPANTS: Predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic minorities: NET-Works (n 534, 2-4-year-olds); GROW (n 610, 3-5-year-olds); GOALS (n 241, 7-11-year-olds); IMPACT (n 360, 10-13-year-olds).RESULTS: Two snack patterns were derived for three studies: a meal-like pattern and a beverage pattern. The IMPACT study had a similar meal-like pattern and a dairy/grains pattern. A positive association was observed between meal-like pattern adherence and HEI-2010 score (P for trend < 001) and snack occasion frequency and HEI-2010 score (beta coefficient (95 % CI): NET-Works, 014 (004, 023); GROW, 012 (002, 021)) among younger children. A preference for snacking while using a screen was inversely associated with HEI-2010 score in all studies except IMPACT (beta coefficient (95 % CI): NET-Works, -315 (-537, -092); GROW, -244 (-427, -061); GOALS, -580 (-874, -286)). Associations with BMI were almost all null.CONCLUSIONS: Meal-like and beverage patterns described most children's snack intake, although patterns for non-Hispanic Blacks or adolescents may differ. Diets of 2-5-year-olds may benefit from frequent meal-like pattern snack consumption and diets of all children may benefit from decreasing screen use during eating occasions.

  View details for DOI 10.1017/S1368980019000958

  View details for PubMedID 31112114

• Baseline diet quality of predominantly minority children and adolescents from households characterized by low socioeconomic status in the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium. BMC nutrition Truesdale, K. P., Matheson, D. M., JaKa, M. M., McAleer, S., Sommer, E. C., Pratt, C. A. 2019; 5: 38

  Abstract

  Background: The Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) is a measure of diet quality that examines conformance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The objectives of this study were to estimate baseline diet quality of predominantly low-income minority children using the HEI-2010 and to identify the most important HEI components to target for dietary intervention.Methods: Two or three baseline 24 h dietary recalls were collected in-person or over telephone between May 2012 and June 2014 from 1,745 children and adolescents from four randomized clinical trials in the Childhood Obesity Prevention and Treatment Research (COPTR) Consortium. Nine adequacy and three moderation food components were calculated and averaged to determine overall HEI scores. The overall HEI-2010 scores were categorized as ≥81, 51-80, or≤50 based on the HEI-2005 classification. For each study, mean overall and component HEI scores were estimated using linear regression models.Results: Mean (95% CI) overall HEI scores ranged from 47.9 (46.8, 49.0) to 64.5 (63.6, 65.4). Only 0.3 to 8.1% of children and adolescents had HEI-2010 score≥81. The average component score for green and beans was less than 30% of maximum score for all trials. In contrast, the average component score for protein, dairy (except for IMPACT), and empty calories (except forIMPACT) was more than 80% of maximum score.Conclusions: Based on HEI-2010 scores, few children and adolescents consumed high quality diets. Dietary interventions for children and adolescents should focus on improving intakes of green vegetables and beans.Clinical trial registry numbers: GROW study (clinical trial # NCT01316653); NET-Works study (clinical trial #NCT01606891); Stanford Goals (clinical trial #NCT01642836); IMPACT (clinical trial # NCT01514279).

  View details for DOI 10.1186/s40795-019-0302-y

  View details for PubMedID 32153951

• Beyond the dinner table: who's having breakfast, lunch and dinner family meals and which meals are associated with better diet quality and BMI in pre-school children? PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION Berge, J. M., Truesdale, K. P., Sherwood, N. E., Mitchell, N., Heerman, W. J., Barkin, S., Matheson, D., Levers-Landis, C. E., French, S. A. 2017; 20 (18): 3275–84

  Abstract

  Having frequent family dinners is associated with better diet quality in children; however, it is unknown whether the frequency of certain family meal types (i.e. dinner) is more strongly associated with better child weight and diet quality compared with other meal types (i.e. breakfast, lunch). Thus, the current study examined the frequency of eating breakfast, lunch or dinner family meals and associations with pre-school children's overall diet quality (HEI-2010) and BMI percentile.Cross-sectional baseline data (2012-2014) from two randomized controlled childhood obesity prevention trials, NET-Works and GROW, were analysed together.Studies were carried out in community and in-home settings in urban areas of Minnesota and Tennessee, USA.Parent-child (ages 2-5 years) pairs from Minnesota (n 222 non-Hispanics; n 312 Hispanics) and Tennessee (n 545 Hispanics; n 55 non-Hispanics) participated in the study.Over 80 % of families ate breakfast or lunch family meals at least once per week. Over 65 % of families ate dinner family meals ≥5 times/week. Frequency of breakfast family meals and total weekly family meals were significantly associated with healthier diet quality for non-Hispanic pre-school children (P<0·05), but not for Hispanic children. Family meal frequency by meal type was not associated with BMI percentile for non-Hispanic or Hispanic pre-school children.Breakfast family meal frequency and total weekly family meal frequency were associated with healthier diet quality in non-Hispanic pre-school children but not in Hispanic children. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify the association between family meal type and child diet quality and BMI percentile.

  View details for PubMedID 28903804

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5955704

• Reporting of treatment fidelity in behavioural paediatric obesity intervention trials: a systematic review. Obesity reviews JaKa, M. M., Haapala, J. L., Trapl, E. S., Kunin-Batson, A. S., Olson-Bullis, B. A., Heerman, W. J., Berge, J. M., Moore, S. M., Matheson, D., Sherwood, N. E. 2016

  Abstract

  Behavioural interventions for paediatric obesity are promising, but detailed information on treatment fidelity (i.e. design, training, delivery, receipt and enactment) is needed to optimize the implementation of more effective interventions. Little is known about current practices for reporting treatment fidelity in paediatric obesity studies. This systematic review, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, describes the methods used to report treatment fidelity in randomized controlled trials. Treatment fidelity was double-coded using the National Institutes of Health Fidelity Framework checklist. Three hundred articles (N = 193 studies) were included. Mean inter-coder reliability across items was 0.83 (SD = 0.09). Reporting of treatment design elements within the field was high (e.g. 77% of studies reported designed length of treatment session), but reporting of other domains was low (e.g. only 7% of studies reported length of treatment sessions delivered). Few reported gold standard methods to evaluate treatment fidelity (e.g. coding treatment content delivered). General study quality was associated with reporting of treatment fidelity (p < 0.01) as was the number of articles published for a given study (p < 0.01). The frequency of reporting treatment fidelity components has not improved over time (p = 0.26). Specific recommendations are made to support paediatric obesity researchers in leading health behaviour disciplines towards more rigorous measurement and reporting of treatment fidelity.

  View details for DOI 10.1111/obr.12464

  View details for PubMedID 27612933

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5193220

• Deconstructing interventions: approaches to studying behavior change techniques across obesity interventions. Translational behavioral medicine Tate, D. F., Lytle, L. A., Sherwood, N. E., Haire-Joshu, D., Matheson, D., Moore, S. M., Loria, C. M., Pratt, C., Ward, D. S., Belle, S. H., Michie, S. 2016; 6 (2): 236-243

  Abstract

  Deconstructing interventions into the specific techniques that are used to change behavior represents a new frontier in behavioral intervention research. This paper considers opportunities and challenges in employing the Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy (BCTTv1) developed by Michie and colleagues, to code the behavior change techniques (BCTs) across multiple interventions addressing obesity and capture dose received at the technique level. Numerous advantages were recognized for using a shared framework for intervention description. Coding interventions at levels of the social ecological framework beyond the individual level, separate coding for behavior change initiation vs. maintenance, fidelity of BCT delivery, accounting for BCTs mode of delivery, and tailoring BCTs, present both challenges and opportunities. Deconstructing interventions and identifying the dose required to positively impact health-related outcomes could enable important gains in intervention science.

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s13142-015-0369-1

  View details for PubMedID 27356994

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4927444

• Effects of Varying Epoch Lengths, Wear Time Algorithms, and Activity Cut-Points on Estimates of Child Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity from Accelerometer Data. PloS one Banda, J. A., Haydel, K. F., Davila, T., Desai, M., Bryson, S., Haskell, W. L., Matheson, D., Robinson, T. N. 2016; 11 (3)

  Abstract

  To examine the effects of accelerometer epoch lengths, wear time (WT) algorithms, and activity cut-points on estimates of WT, sedentary behavior (SB), and physical activity (PA).268 7-11 year-olds with BMI ≥ 85th percentile for age and sex wore accelerometers on their right hips for 4-7 days. Data were processed and analyzed at epoch lengths of 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 30-, and 60-seconds. For each epoch length, WT minutes/day was determined using three common WT algorithms, and minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, light (LPA), moderate (MPA), and vigorous (VPA) PA were determined using five common activity cut-points. ANOVA tested differences in WT, SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA when using the different epoch lengths, WT algorithms, and activity cut-points.WT minutes/day varied significantly by epoch length when using the NHANES WT algorithm (p < .0001), but did not vary significantly by epoch length when using the ≥ 20 minute consecutive zero or Choi WT algorithms. Minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA varied significantly by epoch length for all sets of activity cut-points tested with all three WT algorithms (all p < .0001). Across all epoch lengths, minutes/day and percent time spent in SB, LPA, MPA, VPA, and MVPA also varied significantly across all sets of activity cut-points with all three WT algorithms (all p < .0001).The common practice of converting WT algorithms and activity cut-point definitions to match different epoch lengths may introduce significant errors. Estimates of SB and PA from studies that process and analyze data using different epoch lengths, WT algorithms, and/or activity cut-points are not comparable, potentially leading to very different results, interpretations, and conclusions, misleading research and public policy.

  View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0150534

  View details for PubMedID 26938240

• Environmental strategies for portion control in children. Appetite Robinson, T. N., Matheson, D. M. 2015; 88: 33-38

  Abstract

  Evidence from laboratory and field studies indicates that large portions lead to greater food and energy intake relative to small portions. However, most children and adults demonstrate limited abilities to estimate and control the amounts of food they serve and consume. Five potential environmental strategies appear promising for improving portion control in children: (1) using tall, thin, and small volume glasses and mugs, (2) using smaller diameter and volume plates, bowls and serving utensils, (3) using plates with rims, (4) reducing total television and other screen watching and (5) reducing or eliminating eating while watching television and/or other screens. Further experimental research in real world settings is needed to test these interventions as strategies for portion control and their roles in prevention and treatment of obesity.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.001

  View details for PubMedID 25485874

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4355088

• Visual illusions and plate design: the effects of plate rim widths and rim coloring on perceived food portion size INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY McClain, A. D., van den Bos, W., Matheson, D., Desai, M., McClure, S. M., Robinson, T. N. 2014; 38 (5): 657-662

  Abstract

  The Delboeuf Illusion affects perceptions of the relative sizes of concentric shapes. This study was designed to extend research on the application of the Delboeuf illusion to food on a plate by testing whether a plate's rim width and coloring influence perceptual bias to affect perceived food portion size.Within-subjects experimental design. Experiment 1 tested the effect of rim width on perceived food portion size. Experiment 2 tested the effect of rim coloring on perceived food portion size. In both experiments, participants observed a series of photographic images of paired, side-by-side plates varying in designs and amounts of food. From each pair, participants were asked to select the plate that contained more food. Multilevel logistic regression examined the effects of rim width and coloring on perceived food portion size.Experiment 1: participants overestimated the diameter of food portions by 5% and the visual area of food portions by 10% on plates with wider rims compared with plates with very thin rims (P<0.0001). The effect of rim width was greater with larger food portion sizes. Experiment 2: participants overestimated the diameter of food portions by 1.5% and the visual area of food portions by 3% on plates with rim coloring compared with plates with no coloring (P=0.01). The effect of rim coloring was greater with smaller food portion sizes.The Delboeuf illusion applies to food on a plate. Participants overestimated food portion size on plates with wider and colored rims. These findings may help design plates to influence perceptions of food portion sizes.

  View details for DOI 10.1038/ijo.2013.169

  View details for Web of Science ID 000335445300006

  View details for PubMedID 24005858

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC3947396

• Family, community and clinic collaboration to treat overweight and obese children: Stanford GOALS-A randomized controlled trial of a three-year, multi-component, multi-level, multi-setting intervention. Contemporary clinical trials Robinson, T. N., Matheson, D., Desai, M., Wilson, D. M., Weintraub, D. L., Haskell, W. L., McClain, A., McClure, S., A Banda, J., Sanders, L. M., Haydel, K. F., Killen, J. D. 2013; 36 (2): 421-435

  Abstract

  To test the effects of a three-year, community-based, multi-component, multi-level, multi-setting (MMM) approach for treating overweight and obese children.Two-arm, parallel group, randomized controlled trial with measures at baseline, 12, 24, and 36months after randomization.Seven through eleven year old, overweight and obese children (BMI≥85th percentile) and their parents/caregivers recruited from community locations in low-income, primarily Latino neighborhoods in Northern California.Families are randomized to the MMM intervention versus a community health education active-placebo comparison intervention. Interventions last for three years for each participant. The MMM intervention includes a community-based after school team sports program designed specifically for overweight and obese children, a home-based family intervention to reduce screen time, alter the home food/eating environment, and promote self-regulatory skills for eating and activity behavior change, and a primary care behavioral counseling intervention linked to the community and home interventions. The active-placebo comparison intervention includes semi-annual health education home visits, monthly health education newsletters for children and for parents/guardians, and a series of community-based health education events for families.Body mass index trajectory over the three-year study. Secondary outcome measures include waist circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, accelerometer-measured physical activity, 24-hour dietary recalls, screen time and other sedentary behaviors, blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, and psychosocial measures.The Stanford GOALS trial is testing the efficacy of a novel community-based multi-component, multi-level, multi-setting treatment for childhood overweight and obesity in low-income, Latino families.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cct.2013.09.001

  View details for PubMedID 24028942

• A Randomized Controlled Trial of Culturally Tailored Dance and Reducing Screen Time to Prevent Weight Gain in Low- Income African American Girls ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE Robinson, T. N., Matheson, D. M., Kraemer, H. C., Wilson, D. M., Obarzanek, E., Thompson, N. S., Alhassan, S., Spencer, T. R., Haydel, K. F., Fujimoto, M., Varady, A., Killen, J. D. 2010; 164 (11): 995-1004

  Abstract

  To test a 2-year community- and family-based obesity prevention program for low-income African American girls: Stanford GEMS (Girls' health Enrichment Multi-site Studies).Randomized controlled trial with follow-up measures scheduled at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.Low-income areas of Oakland, California.African American girls aged 8 to 10 years (N=261) and their parents or guardians.Families were randomized to one of two 2-year, culturally tailored interventions: (1) after-school hip-hop, African, and step dance classes and a home/family-based intervention to reduce screen media use or (2) information-based health education.Changes in body mass index (BMI).Changes in BMI did not differ between groups (adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval] = 0.04 [-0.18 to 0.27] per year). Among secondary outcomes, fasting total cholesterol level (adjusted mean difference, -3.49 [95% confidence interval, -5.28 to -1.70] mg/dL per year), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (-3.02 [-4.74 to -1.31] mg/dL per year), incidence of hyperinsulinemia (relative risk, 0.35 [0.13 to 0.93]), and depressive symptoms (-0.21 [-0.42 to -0.001] per year) decreased more among girls in the dance and screen time reduction intervention. In exploratory moderator analysis, the dance and screen time reduction intervention slowed BMI gain more than health education among girls who watched more television at baseline (P = .02) and/or those whose parents or guardians were unmarried (P = .01).A culturally tailored after-school dance and screen time reduction intervention for low-income, preadolescent African American girls did not significantly reduce BMI gain compared with health education but did produce potentially clinically important reductions in lipid levels, hyperinsulinemia, and depressive symptoms. There was also evidence for greater effectiveness in high-risk subgroups of girls.

  View details for PubMedID 21041592

• Stanford GEMS phase 2 obesity prevention trial for low-income African-American girls: Design and sample baseline characteristics CONTEMPORARY CLINICAL TRIALS Robinson, T. N., Kraemer, H. C., Matheson, D. M., Obarzanek, E., Wilson, D. M., Haskell, W. L., Pruitt, L. A., Thompson, N. S., Haydel, K. F., Fujimoto, M., Varady, A., McCarthy, S., Watanabe, C., Killen, J. D. 2008; 29 (1): 56-69

  Abstract

  African-American girls and women are at high risk of obesity and its associated morbidities. Few studies have tested obesity prevention strategies specifically designed for African-American girls. This report describes the design and baseline findings of the Stanford GEMS (Girls health Enrichment Multi-site Studies) trial to test the effect of a two-year community- and family-based intervention to reduce weight gain in low-income, pre-adolescent African-American girls.Randomized controlled trial with measurements scheduled in girls' homes at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 month post-randomization.Low-income areas of Oakland, CA.Eight, nine and ten year old African-American girls and their parents/caregivers.Girls are randomized to a culturally-tailored after-school dance program and a home/family-based intervention to reduce screen media use versus an information-based community health education Active-Placebo Comparison intervention. Interventions last for 2 years for each participant.Change in body mass index over the two-year study.Recruitment and enrollment successfully produced a predominately low-socioeconomic status sample. Two-hundred sixty one (261) families were randomized. One girl per family is randomly chosen for the analysis sample. Randomization produced comparable experimental groups with only a few statistically significant differences. The sample had a mean body mass index (BMI) at the 74 th percentile on the 2000 CDC BMI reference, and one-third of the analysis sample had a BMI at the 95th percentile or above. Average fasting total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were above NCEP thresholds for borderline high classifications. Girls averaged low levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity, more than 3 h per day of screen media use, and diets high in energy from fat.The Stanford GEMS trial is testing the benefits of culturally-tailored after-school dance and screen-time reduction interventions for obesity prevention in low-income, pre-adolescent African-American girls.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cct.2007.04.007

  View details for PubMedID 17600772

• Effects of fast food branding on young children's taste preferences ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE Robinson, T. N., Borzekowski, D. L., Matheson, D. M., Kraemer, H. C. 2007; 161 (8): 792-797

  Abstract

  To examine the effects of cumulative, real-world marketing and brand exposures on young children by testing the influence of branding from a heavily marketed source on taste preferences.Experimental study. Children tasted 5 pairs of identical foods and beverages in packaging from McDonald's and matched but unbranded packaging and were asked to indicate if they tasted the same or if one tasted better.Preschools for low-income children.Sixty-three children (mean +/- SD age, 4.6 +/- 0.5 years; range, 3.5-5.4 years).Branding of fast foods.A summary total taste preference score (ranging from -1 for the unbranded samples to 0 for no preference and +1 for McDonald's branded samples) was used to test the null hypothesis that children would express no preference.The mean +/- SD total taste preference score across all food comparisons was 0.37 +/- 0.45 (median, 0.20; interquartile range, 0.00-0.80) and significantly greater than zero (P<.001), indicating that children preferred the tastes of foods and drinks if they thought they were from McDonald's. Moderator analysis found significantly greater effects of branding among children with more television sets in their homes and children who ate food from McDonald's more often.Branding of foods and beverages influences young children's taste perceptions. The findings are consistent with recommendations to regulate marketing to young children and also suggest that branding may be a useful strategy for improving young children's eating behaviors.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000248583000010

  View details for PubMedID 17679662

• Do Mexican-American mothers' food-related parenting practices influence their children's weight and dietary intake? JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION Matheson, D. M., Robinson, T. N., Varady, A., Killen, J. D. 2006; 106 (11): 1861-1865

  Abstract

  Food-related parenting attitudes are thought to influence children's dietary intake and weight. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between mothers' reports of food-related parenting and children's dietary intake and body mass index (BMI). A sample of 108 Mexican-American fifth-grade children and their mothers were surveyed. Children's height, weight, and three 24-hour dietary recalls were collected. Mothers reported household food insecurity status and food-related parenting attitudes. Correlational analyses were calculated among dietary intake variables, children's BMI percentiles, and food-parenting behaviors. Mothers' pressure on their children to eat was inversely correlated with children's BMI. In food-insecure families, attitudes toward making healthful foods available were inversely associated with children's daily energy intake and BMI. In contrast, in food-secure families, attitudes about making healthful foods available were positively associated with children's fruit intake and percentage energy from fat, and parental modeling of healthful food behaviors was inversely associated with the energy density. In our sample of Mexican-American families, mothers' food-related parenting was associated with their children's weight and dietary intake. These associations differed in food-secure and food-insecure households. Overall, pressure to eat was highly associated with children's weight, but the temporal nature of these relationships cannot be discerned.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jada.2006.08.004

  View details for Web of Science ID 000241715300023

  View details for PubMedID 17081838

• African-American girls' dietary intake while watching television OBESITY RESEARCH Matheson, D. M., Wang, Y., Klesges, L. M., Beech, B. M., Kraemer, H. C., Robinson, T. N. 2004; 12: 32S-37S

  Abstract

  Television viewing has been associated with childhood obesity, although the mechanisms that link television viewing to higher BMI have not been established. Therefore, our objectives, in this report, were to describe the amount and types of foods that African-American girls consume while watching television and to examine the associations between African-American girls' BMI and the food they consume while watching television.Data were collected from 210 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls at four field centers by trained and certified nutritionists. Two nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from each girl. For each eating episode reported, the girls were asked if they had been watching television while eating. Height and weight were collected using standard methods and used to calculate BMI.The data were analyzed separately by field center. The proportion of average daily energy intake that the girls consumed while watching television ranged from 26.9% to 35.0%. At all field centers, 40% to 50% of evening meals were consumed while watching television. None of the Spearman correlations between girls' BMI and the amount and type of foods consumed while watching television or at other times during the day were statistically significant (p > 0.05).This research revealed that a significant proportion of African-American girls' daily energy intake is consumed while watching television. Interventions that target reductions in food consumption while watching television or reducing television viewing may be effective strategies to decrease children's energy intakes. These results support a need for research to test the efficacy of these approaches.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000224581800005

  View details for PubMedID 15489465

• Relationship between physical activity and diet among African-American girls OBESITY RESEARCH Jago, R., Baranowski, T., Yoo, S., Cullen, K. W., Zakeri, I., Watson, K., Himes, J. H., Pratt, C., Sun, W. J., Pruitt, L. A., Matheson, D. M. 2004; 12: 55S-63S

  Abstract

  To examine the cross-sectional relationships between physical activity and dietary behaviors among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls.Two hundred ten 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls from four field centers participated. Computer Science and Applications (CSA) activity monitors were worn for 3 days. CSA data were expressed as mean CSA counts per minute, mean minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day, and mean metabolic equivalents (METS) per minute. Two nonconsecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were analyzed for kilocalories; percent kilocalories from fat; daily servings of fruit, 100% fruit juice, and vegetables; sweetened beverages; and water consumption. Height and weight were measured, and information on household income, material possessions, and participant age were obtained.All three expressions of physical activity were significantly negatively associated with percentage calories from fat (r = -0.147 to -0.177, p < 0.01), and mean METS per minute were significantly positively associated with percentage calories from carbohydrate (r = 0.149, p < 0.05) after controlling for household income, material possessions, field center, and total caloric intake. Income was inversely associated with percentage calories from fat.Physical activity and dietary fat consumption were inversely related among African-American girls. Efforts to prevent obesity in preadolescent African-American girls should focus on increasing physical activity and lowering dietary fat consumption.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000224581800008

  View details for PubMedID 15489468

• Covariability in diet and physical activity in African-American girls OBESITY RESEARCH Thompson, D., Jago, R., Baranowski, T., Watson, K., Zakeri, I., Cullen, K. W., Story, M., Sherwood, N. E., Pruitt, L. A., Matheson, D. M. 2004; 12: 46S-54S

  Abstract

  Our goal was to examine 12-week covariability in diet and physical activity changes among 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls and if these changes predicted percent change in BMI.Covariability among percent changes [(post - pre)/pre x 100] in nutrients, food groups, and physical activity was assessed among 127 8- to 10-year-old African-American girls. Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed.Percent change in percentage kilocalories from carbohydrate was negatively correlated with percent change in both percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.85; p < or = 0.01) and protein (r = -0.51; p < or = 0.01). No statistically significant relationships were observed in percent changes among food group variables. Negative relationships were observed between percent changes in fruit/100% juice and percentage kilocalories from fat (r = -0.20; p < or = 0.05) and between percent changes in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous and sedentary activity (r = -0.60; p < or = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between percent change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and diet variables or percent change in BMI or waist circumference and percent change in diet or physical activity.No relationships were observed between percent changes in physical activity and dietary variables. Percent change in diet and/or physical activity did not predict percent change in BMI. This may have been due to the small sample size, the small changes in diet or physical activity, the short duration of the intervention, or because data from different interventions were combined. Understanding these relationships could have significant implications for addressing the obesity epidemic.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000224581800007

  View details for PubMedID 15489467

• Children's food consumption during television viewing AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION Matheson, D. M., Killen, J. D., Wang, Y., Varady, A., Robinson, T. N. 2004; 79 (6): 1088-1094

  Abstract

  Television viewing is associated with childhood obesity. Eating during viewing and eating highly advertised foods are 2 of the hypothesized mechanisms through which television is thought to affect children's weight.Our objectives were to describe the amounts and types of foods that children consume while watching television, compare those types with the types consumed at other times of the day, and examine the associations between children's body mass index (BMI) and the amounts and types of foods consumed during television viewing.Data were collected from 2 samples. The first sample consisted of ethnically diverse third-grade children, and the second consisted predominantly of Latino fifth-grade children. Three nonconsecutive 24-h dietary recalls were collected from each child. For each eating episode reported, children were asked whether they had been watching television. Height and weight were measured by using standard methods and were used to calculate BMI.On weekdays and weekend days, 17-18% and approximately 26% of total daily energy, respectively, were consumed during television viewing in the 2 samples. Although the fat content of the foods consumed during television viewing did not differ significantly from that of the foods consumed with the television off, less soda, fast food, fruit, and vegetables were consumed with the television on. The amount of food consumed during television viewing was not associated with children's BMI, but in the third-grade sample, the fat content of foods consumed during television viewing was associated with BMI.A significant proportion of children's daily energy intake is consumed during television viewing, and the consumption of high-fat foods on weekends may be associated with BMI in younger children.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000221553500021

  View details for PubMedID 15159240

• Evaluation of quality control procedures for 24-h dietary recalls: results from the Girls health Enrichment Multisite Studies PREVENTIVE MEDICINE Cullen, K. W., Watson, K., Himes, J. H., Baranowski, T., Rochon, J., Waclawiw, M., Sun, W., Stevens, M., Slawson, D. L., Matheson, D., Robinson, T. N. 2004; 38: S14-S23

  Abstract

  Quality control methods are key components of dietary assessment, but have rarely been evaluated.One hundred forty-four 8-10-year-old African-American girls at three field centers completed two 24-h dietary recalls at baseline before a pilot weight gain prevention intervention (one recall collected in-person and one by telephone). The dietary recall data were initially reviewed by the dietary interviewer (Phase 1), then by a local lead nutritionist at the field center (Phase 2), and then by the Nutrition Coordinating Center (NCC) (Phase 3); any differences identified by NCC were reconciled (Phase 4). Bland-Altman and generalizability theory methods were used to assess agreement of consumption for selected food variables and nutrients between phases.Only small differences occurred. Quality control procedures primarily reduced the variances of nutrients rather than caused the means to shift. Most of the variability among phases was due to individual level variability in dietary intake.Decisions to review dietary recall data beyond local review should be based on the level of precision and accuracy required for the study outcomes and the availability of financial resources.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.10.014

  View details for Web of Science ID 000221125700002

  View details for PubMedID 15072855

• Validity and reliability of a behavior-based food coding system for measuring fruit, 100% fruit juice, vegetable, and sweetened beverage consumption: results from the Girls Health Enrichment Multisite Studies PREVENTIVE MEDICINE Cullen, K. W., Himes, J. H., Baranowski, T., Pettit, J., Stevens, M., Slawson, D. L., Obarzanek, E., Murtaugh, M., Matheson, D., Sun, W., Rochon, J. 2004; 38: S24-S33

  Abstract

  This paper presents the rationale, reliability, and validity of a behavior-based food coding system for measuring fruit (F), juice (J), vegetable (V), sweetened beverage, and water consumption in children.Coding algorithms for FJV, sweetened beverages, and water were developed for use with the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDS-R). Two hundred and ten 8- to 10-year-old African American girls at four field centers completed two 24-h dietary recalls at baseline and at 12 weeks follow-up after a weight gain prevention intervention. Differences in mean baseline consumption of selected food variables and other selected nutrients across the four field centers were analyzed. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for reliability across 2 days of food recalls and 12-week test-retest reliability correlations were calculated. For the purposes of this paper, nutrient intake estimates were considered construct validators of food intake, and validity was assessed by correlating the coded food variable servings with nutrient intake.ICCs varied from zero (0.001 for beta carotene equivalents) to moderate (0.44 for sucrose), indicating substantial instability in consumption or reporting. Twelve-week test-retest correlations were slight to moderate (0.09 for lycopene to 0.49 for folate). FJV consumption was negatively related to percent energy from fat (r = -0.28; P = 0.001) and positively related to other nutrients. Sweetened beverage consumption was positively related to energy, sucrose, fructose, and vitamin C consumption.This behavior-based food coding system demonstrated construct validity among 8- to 10-year-old African American girls and can measure the desired food groups.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.05.001

  View details for Web of Science ID 000221125700003

  View details for PubMedID 15072856

• Dance and reducing television viewing to prevent weight gain in African-American girls: the Stanford GEMS pilot study. Ethnicity & disease Robinson, T. N., Killen, J. D., Kraemer, H. C., Wilson, D. M., Matheson, D. M., Haskell, W. L., Pruitt, L. A., Powell, T. M., Owens, A. S., Thompson, N. S., Flint-Moore, N. M., Davis, G. J., Emig, K. A., Brown, R. T., Rochon, J., Green, S., Varady, A. 2003; 13 (1): S65-77

  Abstract

  To test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of after-school dance classes and a family-based intervention to reduce television viewing, thereby reducing weight gain, among African-American girls.Twelve-week, 2-arm parallel group, randomized controlled trial.Low-income neighborhoods.Sixty-one 8-10-year-old African-American girls and their parents/guardians.The treatment intervention consisted of after-school dance classes at 3 community centers, and a 5-lesson intervention, delivered in participants' homes, and designed to reduce television, videotape, and video game use. The active control intervention consisted of disseminating newsletters and delivering health education lectures.Implementation and process measures, body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity measured by accelerometry, self-reported media use, and meals eaten with TV.Recruitment and retention goals were exceeded. High rates of participation were achieved for assessments and intervention activities, except where transportation was lacking. All interventions received high satisfaction ratings. At follow up, girls in the treatment group, as compared to the control group, exhibited trends toward lower body mass index (adjusted difference = -.32 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI] -.77, .12; Cohen's d = .38 standard deviation units) and waist circumference (adjusted difference = -.63 cm, 95% CI -1.92, .67; d = .25); increased after-school physical activity (adjusted difference = 55.1 counts/minute, 95% CI -115.6, 225.8; d = .21); and reduced television, videotape, and video game use (adjusted difference = -4.96 hours/week, 95% CI -11.41, 1.49; d = .40). The treatment group reported significantly reduced household television viewing (d = .73, P = .007) and fewer dinners eaten while watching TV (adjusted difference = -1.60 meals/week, 95% CI -2.99, -.21; d = .59; P = .03). Treatment group girls also reported less concern about weight (d = .60; P = .03), and a trend toward improved school grades (d = .51; P = .07).This study confirmed the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of using dance classes and a family-based intervention to reduce television viewing, thereby reducing weight gain, in African-American girls.

  View details for PubMedID 12713212

• Validity of children's food portion estimates - A comparison of 2 measurement aids ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE Matheson, D. M., Hanson, K. A., McDonald, T. E., Robinson, T. N. 2002; 156 (9): 867-871

  Abstract

  Policy and clinical decisions regarding children's nutrition are often based on dietary intake estimates from self-reports. The accuracy of these estimates depends on memory of both the type of food eaten and the amount consumed. Although children's self-reports of food intake are widely used, there is little research on their ability to estimate food portions.To assess the validity of children's estimates of the food portions they consume by means of 2 types of measurement aids: standard 2-dimensional food portion visuals and manipulative props.Randomized controlled trial.Fifty-four African American girls aged 8 to 12 years.Girls were served a standard meal and actual intake was assessed by weighing food portions before and after the meal. On completion of the meal, dietitians collected food recalls and portion size estimates from the girls by means of both manipulative props and 2-dimensional food portion visuals, administered in a randomized order.Absolute value percentage differences between actual and estimated grams of food consumed averaged 58.0% (SD, 102.7%) for manipulative props and 32.8% (SD, 72.8%) for 2-dimensional food portion visuals. Spearman correlations between actual and estimated intakes with both portion size measurement aids were high (range, r = 0.56 to 0.79; all P<.001), with the exception of bread intake (r = 0.16, P =.43). Correlations with actual intakes did not differ significantly between the 2 methods.Children's self-reported portion size estimates are appropriate for ranking children's relative intakes, but they result in sizable errors in quantitative estimates of food and energy intakes. Caution should be used in interpreting quantitative dietary intake estimates derived from children's self-reports.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000177859400006

  View details for PubMedID 12197792

• Household food security and nutritional status of Hispanic children in the fifth grade AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NUTRITION Matheson, D. M., Varady, J., Varady, A., Killen, J. D. 2002; 76 (1): 210-217

  Abstract

  Food insecurity is a critical variable for understanding the nutritional status of low-income populations. However, limited research is available on the relation between household food insecurity and children's nutritional status.Our objective was to examine the relations among household food insecurity, household food supplies, and school-age children's dietary intakes and body mass indexes (BMIs).A sample of 124 predominantly Hispanic, fifth-grade children and their mothers were surveyed as part of a school-based obesity-prevention program. Data on the children's weights and heights were collected and three 24-h dietary recalls were conducted. The mothers provided reports of household food insecurity and household food supplies.Food insecurity was negatively associated with the children's BMIs and household food supplies but not with the children's food intakes. However, a secondary analysis showed that as payday approached, children from the most food-insecure households had significant decreases in energy intakes and meat consumption.This is one of the first studies to report a significant association between food insecurity and children's nutritional status. The ages and sex-adjusted BMIs of the food-insecure children were lower than those of the food-secure children but were still within the normal range. The lower BMIs in the food-insecure children may have been due to short-term, yet periodic food restrictions that resulted as household food supplies diminished before payday. Future research is needed to assess the physiologic and psychological effects of periodic food restriction on children's health.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000176378500025

  View details for PubMedID 12081837

• Preschool children's perceptions of food and their food experiences JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR Matheson, D., Spranger, K., Saxe, A. 2002; 34 (2): 85-92

  Abstract

  Developmental theory suggests that children learn from their experiences. However, little is known about preschool children's interpretation of their daily food experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to describe the criteria preschool children use to classify foods and their interpretation of their daily food experiences.Semistructured interviews and observations of children's play in toy kitchens were conducted with children enrolled in public preschool programs.Data were collected over a 2-year period. During the first year of the study, observations and interviews were collected from 24 children. Interviews with an additional 79 children were conducted the following year.The variables measured included the children's criteria for food classification and their play behaviors in a toy kitchen.The children relied primarily on physical characteristics such as color, shape, and texture to classify foods. The activities that children demonstrated during play sessions included meal planning, food preparation, table preparation, serving food, eating, and cleaning. Pattern coding of the observational data revealed variability in (1) boys' and girls' kitchen play, (2) children's food selection and preparation methods and postmeal clean-up activities, and (3) children's responses to picky eating.These data may be used to develop a play-based nutrition education program.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000174928400004

  View details for PubMedID 12047815

• Is parental control over children's eating associated with childhood obesity? Results from a population-based sample of third graders OBESITY RESEARCH Robinson, T. N., Kiernan, M., Matheson, D. M., Haydel, K. F. 2001; 9 (5): 306-312

  Abstract

  Identifying parental behaviors that influence childhood obesity is critical for the development of effective prevention and treatment programs. Findings from a prior laboratory study suggest that parents who impose control over their children's eating may interfere with their children's ability to regulate intake, potentially resulting in overweight. These findings have been widely endorsed; however, the direct relationship between parental control of children's intake and their children's degree of overweight has not been shown in a generalized sample.This study surveyed 792 third-grade children with diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds from 13 public elementary schools. Parental control over children's intake was assessed through telephone interviews using a state-of-the-art instrument, and children were measured for height, weight, and triceps skinfold thickness.Counter to the hypothesis, parental control over children's intake was inversely associated with overweight in girls, as measured by body mass index, r = -0.12, p < 0.05, and triceps skinfolds, r = -0.11, p < 0.05. This weak relationship became only marginally significant when controlling for parents' perceptions of their own weight, level of household education, and children's age. No relationship between parental control of children's intake and their children's degree of overweight was found in boys.Previous observations of the influence of parental control over children's intake in middle-class white families did not generalize to 8- to 9-year-olds in families with diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The present findings reveal a more complex relationship between parental behaviors and children's weight status.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000168685300005

  View details for PubMedID 11346672

• Ecologic study of children's use of a computer nutrition education program JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION Matheson, D., Achterberg, C. 2001; 33 (1): 2-9

  Abstract

  The purpose of this research was to describe the context created by students as they worked in groups on a nutrition computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program. Students worked on the program in groups of three. Observational methods were used to collect data from students in two sixth-grade classrooms that were part of an experimental program designed to restructure the educational process. Thirty-two students, from 12 groups, were observed as they completed the program. The groups were assigned by the teachers according to standard principles of cooperative learning. Students completed "Ship to Shore," a program designed specifically for this research. The program required three to five 50-minute classroom periods to complete. The objectives of the program were to change children's knowledge structure of basic nutrition concepts and to increase children's critical thinking skills related to nutrition concepts. We collected observational data focused on three domains: (1) student-computer interaction, (2) student-student interaction, and (3) students' thinking and learning skills. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data. Specifically, the constant-comparative method was used to develop open coding categories, defined by properties and described by dimensions. The open coding categories were in turn used in axial coding to differentiate students' learning styles. Five styles of student interaction were defined. These included (1) dominant directors (n = 6; 19%), (2) passive actors (n = 5; 16%), (3) action-oriented students (n = 7; 22%), (4) content-oriented students (n = 8; 25%), and (5) problem solvers (n = 5; 16%). The "student style" groups were somewhat gender specific. The dominant directors and passive actors were girls and the action-oriented and content-oriented students were boys. The problem solvers group was mixed gender. Children's responses to computer-based nutrition education are highly variable. Based on the results of this research, nutrition educators may recommend that nutrition CAI programs be implemented in mixed gender groups.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000166922800003

  View details for PubMedID 12031199

• Content analysis of the use of fantasy, challenge, and curiosity in school-based nutrition education programs JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION Matheson, D., Spranger, K. 2001; 33 (1): 10-16

  Abstract

  The objective of this research was to document the extent to which elements of fantasy, curiosity, and challenge are used in existing nutrition education materials. A content analysis of 30 nutrition education curricula designed for elementary and middle-school grades was conducted. Print curricula, computer software, videotapes, and puppet shows were included in the sample. The use of challenge, curiosity, and fantasy, as defined in the Theory of Intrinsically Motivating Instruction (TIMI), was assessed in each curriculum. Approximately half of the curricula included elements of challenge, curiosity, or fantasy. All of the nonprint curricula and 30% of the print curricula incorporated these characteristics. Curiosity was most frequently used in these curricula, followed by fantasy and then challenge. The TIMI provided a useful theory to examine the instructional approaches frequently used in school-based nutrition education programs. Nutritionists may apply concepts from the TIMI to the design of future curricula so that these programs are interesting and entertaining for their target audience.

  View details for Web of Science ID 000166922800004

  View details for PubMedID 12031200

• Description of a process evaluation model for nutrition education computer-assisted instruction programs JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION Matheson, D., Achterberg, C. 1999; 31 (2): 105-113

  View details for Web of Science ID 000079522100007