Texting Health to Teens: Nutrition Education in 140 Characters or Less

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

RESEARCH & PRACTICE INNOVATIONS: STRATEGIES FOR LIFESTYLE CHANGES (PART 2)

Validity and Reliability of an Instrument on Sports NutritionKnowledge and Practices of Personal Trainers

Author(s): J. Weissman,1 M. Magnus2; 1Nutrition, Florida Internationalniversity, Miami, FL, 2Dietetics and Nutrition, Florida International

University, Miami, FL

Learning Outcome: The participant will be able to explain the frequencyof nutrition counseling among personal trainers despite their lack ofnutrition preparation and nutrition knowledge.

The extent to which personal trainers (PTs) regularly engage in theunlicensed practice of nutrition counseling has not been documented. Thepurpose of this study was to develop and test the validity and test-retestreliability of a questionnaire on sports nutrition practices and knowledgeof PTs. Approximately 60 PTs at 14 fitness centers in South Florida and69 PTs who were attending an annual conference of a national associationcompleted the study. The instrument was developed by two professionals,reviewed by a panel of eight experts, pilot tested, and revised. Statisticalanalysis used Cohen’s Kappa Coefficient, frequencies, percentages,Spearman rank correlations, logistic regression models, and multipleregression models. Test-retest reliability data indicated the questionnairewas in fair to almost perfect agreement. Approximately 91.5% of PTsspend time on nutrition counseling with clients, and 42.6% includenutrition counseling as part of their fees for services. Approximately 60%of PTs demonstrated inaccurate information on protein requirements, and48.1% incorrectly believed dehydration begins to occur when an athleteexperiences a total water deficit of more than 10% of body mass. Althoughthe average sports nutrition knowledge score of the PTs was less thanadequate (59.6545% � 21.87503), and only one PT (of 129) had a nutritioncollege degree, 82.2% described themselves as “somewhat” or “definitelyvery prepared” to teach clients about nutrition. The combination ofinadequate nutrition knowledge, training, and licensure constitutes ahealth risk of unknown dimensions to clients of PTs. Violations are likelyto continue unless PTs are legally sanctioned.

Funding Disclosure: None

Influence of Meal Location and Family Meals on CarotenoidIntake among U.S. Children

Author(s): K. Crowe, L. Knol; Nutrition & Hospitality Management,University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Learning Outcome: The participant will be able to discuss therelationship between carotenoid intake and meal location among youngchildren.

Introduction: Intake of carotenoid-rich foods has been linkedepidemiologically to risk reduction for numerous chronic diseases;however, pediatric intake of these yellow-orange phytochemicals has beenscarcely evaluated. The purpose of this study was to examine the influenceof meal location (meals eaten out of the home, meals eaten in the homewith family, and meals cooked and eaten in the home with family) oncarotenoid intake among U.S. children.

Methods: Two samples of 1-3 (n�229) and 4-8 (n�292) year olds weredrawn from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition ExaminationSurvey (NHANES). Selected children were those whose parents providedtwo 24-hour recalls and answered questions regarding family meals.Linear regression models were used to test for intake differences of �-carotene and lutein � zeaxanthin by meal location while adjusting forgender and ethnicity along with poverty, marital, and educational statusof household adults.

Results: Among children ages 1-3, statistical differences (p�0.05) werenot observed in carotenoid intake based on meal location. In contrast,among children ages 4-8, intake levels of both phytochemical groups weresignificantly lower (p�0.005) if meals were consumed outside the home inexcess of once per week. Frequency of family meals or whether thosemeals were cooked at home was not related to carotenoid intake in theolder children.

Conclusion: Regardless of availability of healthier meal and snackoptions in restaurant and retail establishments, older children whofrequently consume meals outside the home consume significantly less ofthe pro-vitamin A phytochemical �-carotene.

Funding Disclosure: None

A-14 / September 2011 Suppl 2—Abstracts Volume 111 Number 9

Texting Health to Teens: Nutrition Education in 140 Characters or Less

Author(s): M. D. Hingle; Nutritional Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson,AZ

Learning Outcome: Understand the process of developing and testingeducational messages designed to impact nutrition and physical activitybehavior delivered through mobile phones.

Background: The use of mobile technologies has resulted in new challengesrelated to design and implementation of healthy lifestyle interventions. Purpose:The aim of this study was to develop and test the acceptability of messages andan SMS delivery protocol designed to increase nutrition knowledge and impactnutrition and physical activity behavior of adolescents, age 12-18 years.

Design: Formative research to guide the development of messages and adelivery using mobile technologies as part of a youth-participatory, technology-based nutrition and physical activity intervention.

Methods: Following standard procedures and scripts, a series of focus groupsand cognitive interviews were conducted between June 2009 and August 2010with youth recruited from community and school programs, to obtain feedbackon message format, content, sender, and mode and frequency of messagedelivery. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed, and the data werecoded and analyzed by trained qualitative researchers.

Major Findings: 9 focus groups (n�59, ages 12-16 years), 4 classroomdiscussions (n�86, ages 15-17 years), and cognitive interviews (n�32, ages 12-17 years) were conducted. Youth preferred messages with an active voice thatreferenced their peer group and contained specific and achievable nutrition andphysical activity behaviors, to receive the messages from nutrition professionals,and no more than 1-2 SMS messages each day.

Conclusions and Implications for Dietetics Practice: SMS was anacceptable way to receive nutrition education by youth. Future research shouldaddress scalability of this intervention approach, explore the “dose” associatedwith behavior change, and offer customization or subscription options for users.

Funding Disclosure: USDA Human Nutrition and Obesity Initiative#2009-55215-05187