12 month changes in dietary intake of adolescent girls attending schools in low-income communities following the NEAT Girls cluster randomized controlled trial.
Poor dietary habits and obesity are more prevalent in lower socio-economic status (SES) communities. The NEAT Girls cluster randomized controlled trial was a school-based obesity prevention program targeting adolescent girls in low SES schools in NSW, Australia. The aim was to evaluate the 12-month impact of key nutrition program messages on dietary intake and food behaviors. Diet was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Individual foods were categorized into nutrient-dense or energy-dense, nutrient-poor food groups and the percentage contribution to total energy intake calculated. Participants were aged 13.2±0.5years (n=330). There were no statistically significant group-by-time effects for dietary intake or food related behaviors, with 12-month trends suggesting more intervention group girls had improved water intakes (59% consuming⩽three glasses per day to 54% at 12 months vs. 50% to 61% in controls, p=0.052), with a greater proportion consuming < one sweetened beverage per day (24-41% vs. 34-37% in controls, p=0.057). Further research including more intensive nutrition intervention strategies are required to evaluate whether dietary intake in adolescent girls attending schools in low SES communities can be optimized.
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, HA12 Hunter Building, School of Health Sciences, University Drive, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: clare.collins@newcastle.edu.au.
Clare E
CE
Collins
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, ATC Building, School of Education, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: deborah.dewar@newcastle.edu.au.
Deborah L
DL
Dewar
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, HA12 Hunter Building, School of Health Sciences, University Drive, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: tracy.schumacher@uon.edu.au.
Tracy L
TL
Schumacher
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, ATC Building, School of Education, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: tara.finn@newcastle.edu.au.
Tara
T
Finn
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, ATC Building, School of Education, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: philip.morgan@newcastle.edu.au.
Philip J
PJ
Morgan
Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition, ATC Building, School of Education, University Drive, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: david.lubans@newcastle.edu.au.
David R
DR
Lubans
D000293:Adolescent; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004326:Drinking; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011203:Poverty; D012574:Schools; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D014867:Water
Adolescent; Diet; Female; Intervention; Obesity prevention