Parental perceptions of school meals can affect student participation and overall support for meal policies. Little is known about parental under universal free (UFSM) We assessed California parents' during the COVID-19 emergency response with federally funded UFSM whether differed by race/ethnicity. Among 1110 parents K-12 students, most reported benefit their families, saving them money (81.6%), time (79.2%), stress (75.0%). Few that child would be embarrassed to eat (11.7%), but more...

ObjectiveTo evaluate if parent perceptions of school meals influence student participation.DesignIn May 2022, an online survey was used to parents' and their children's participation.ParticipantsA total 1,110 California parents kindergarten through 12th-grade students.Main Outcome MeasuresStudent participation in lunch breakfast.AnalysisPrincipal component analysis Poisson regression models.ResultsThree groups parental were identified: (1) positive (eg, liking thinking that they are tasty...

Precision and accuracy in determining rates of Down syndrome at livebirth are indispensible to algorithms which determine eligibility for prenatal cytogenetic diagnostic services. We derived by single year maternal age we propose as a revised rate schedule background risk. Data on European-origin populations were obtained from 5 sources judged most likely have complete ascertainment cases. A "constant plus exponent" regression model variants extending the analysis higher powers applied...

Universal school meals (USM) have the potential to increase access healthy food for millions of U.S. students. This study evaluated authorities’ (SFA) perspectives federal USM in response COVID-19 (school year (SY) 2021−22) and California’s upcoming policy SY 2022−23. In February 2022, all SFAs California (n = 1116) were invited complete an online survey. Descriptive statistics logistic regression examining differences by demographic characteristics used. Five hundred eighty-one completed...

Abstract Current algorithms to determine eligibility for prenatal cytogenetic diagnostic services depend critically on the accuracy and precision of underlying rates abnormality used in calculations. We examine maternal age‐specific Down syndrome livebirths eight studies European‐origin populations, pooled from which are widely baseline calculations biochemical screening. These vary significantly such factors as methods ascertainment cases, likelihood complete ascertainment, correction, if...

Abstract Objectives: To explore best practices and challenges in providing school meals during COVID-19 a low-income, predominantly Latino, urban–rural region. Design: Semi-structured interviews with district stakeholders focus groups parents were conducted to meal provision from June August 2020. Data coded themes identified guide analysis. Community organisations involved all aspects of study design, recruitment, data collection Setting: Six districts California’s San Joaquin Valley....

School meals play a major role in supporting children's diets and food security, policies for universal school (USM) have the potential to contribute positive child health outcomes. During COVID-19 pandemic, schools provided free all students United States, but this national USM policy ended year (SY) 2022-2023; however, few states adopted continue statewide SY 2022-2023. Research examining challenges strategies successful continuation of is essential, along with studying pandemic-related...

States in the U.S. are newly implementing universal school meal (USM) policies, yet little is known about facilitators of their success and challenges they confront. This study evaluated faced by food authorities (SFAs) California’s policy during its inaugural year (2022–2023) using an online survey. In March 2023, 430 SFAs reported many benefits, including increased participation (64.2% SFAs) revenues (65.7%), reduced debt (41.8%) stigma (30.9%), improved quality (44.3%) staff salaries...

To reveal students' experiences and perspectives related to Universal School Meals (USM) under the federal coronavirus disease 2019 waivers during school years 2021-22.

Incorporating scratch-cooked, organic, and locally grown foods into school meal programs can enhance quality support local food systems. 430 California authorities were surveyed to (1) evaluate their use of in programs; (2) identify demographic operational characteristics related this use; (3) analyze the relationship between serving more these perceived barriers student participation. Poisson logistic regression models, adjusted for SFAs' characteristics, used. Most respondents reported...

Abstract Objective: To understand caregivers’ perceptions about their children’s mealtime social experiences at school, and how they believe these impact consumption of meals school (both brought from home meals). Design: Qualitative data were originally collected as part a larger mixed methods study using an embedded-QUAN dominant research design. Setting: Semi-structured interviews conducted with United States (U.S.) caregivers over Zoom TM in English Spanish during the 2021-2022 year. The...

To evaluate students' perceptions of school lunches served when they were offered free charge to all students. Cross-sectional qualitative study using focus groups. California students interviewed virtually. Middle (n = 36) and high 31) from a racially economically diverse sample. Students' lunch. Thematic analysis immersion-crystallization methodology. Students desire fresh healthy lunches. defined as food prepared on-site, scratch, not prepackaged or frozen, that contains fruits...

Receiving free or reduced-price meals (FRPM) at school benefits resource-constrained families financially and nutritionally. However, many in the United States do not apply for FRPM, eligible students eat meals, possibly due to stigma. This study is a secondary qualitative analysis derived from mixed-methods study. Interviews were conducted with 66 parents California Maine during 2021-2022 year when all nationwide through universal (UFSM) policy. Approximately half (56%) of had children who...

Objectives Examine differences in perceptions of tap water (TW) and bottled (BW) safety TW taste their associations with plain (PW) sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake. Design Quantitative, cross-sectional study. Setting United States. Subjects 4,041 U.S. adults (≥18 years) the 2018 SummerStyles survey data. Measures Outcomes were intake TW, BW, PW (tap water), SSB. Exposures BW (disagree, neutral, or agree). Covariates included sociodemographics. Analysis We used chi-square analysis to...

Microbial colonization of the gastrointestinal tract after birth is an essential event that influences infant health with life-long consequences. Therefore, it important to investigate strategies positively modulate in early life. This randomized, controlled intervention study included 540 infants effects a synbiotic formula (IF) containing Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 and galacto-oligosaccharides on fecal microbiome. The microbiota from was analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing...

L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate is the predominant folate form in human milk but currently not approved as a source for infant and follow-on formula. We aimed to assess suitability of infants. Growth tolerance healthy term infants fed formulae containing equimolar doses (10.4 μg/ 100 ml, n = 120, intervention group) or folic acid (10.0 control was assessed randomized, double-blind, parallel, controlled trial. A reference group breastfed followed. Both were well accepted without differences...

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides reimbursements for nutritious foods children with low-income at participating child care sites in the United States. CACFP is associated improved diet quality, health outcomes, food security. However participation rates are declining. Independent centers make up a substantial portion of sites, yet little known about their barriers to participation. Researcher-led focus groups interviews were conducted 2021-2022 16 CACFP-participating...

Background/Objectives: School meals are an important source of nutrition for children and have been found to help mitigate food insecurity. This study evaluated the association between insecurity school meal participation whether parental perceptions about differ by security status. Methods: In May 2022, 1110 Californian parents K-12 students shared their meals, including quality, healthiness, stigma, benefits, as well child’s in online survey. Household was determined using USDA 6-item...

School-based nutrition programs are crucial to reducing food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted students’ school meal participation. This study seeks understand parent views of meals during inform efforts improve participation in programs. Photovoice methodology was used explore parental perception San Joaquin Valley, California, a region predominately Latino farmworker communities. Parents seven districts photographed for one-week period the and then participated focus...

Early life nutrition is crucial for the development of gut microbiota that, in turn, plays an essential role maturation immune system and prevention infections. The aim this study was to investigate whether feeding synbiotic infants follow-on formulas during first year reduces incidence rate (IR) infectious diarrhea compared with standard formulas. Secondary endpoints included IR other diseases as well fecal milieu parameters. In double-blind, controlled trial, 460 healthy, 1-mo-old were...