Biomedical subjects

Mary Story

Publications and source records attributed to Mary Story.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Psychosocial and behavioral correlates of dieting among overweight and non-overweight adolescents.

PURPOSE: To examine correlates of dieting behavior in overweight and non-overweight youth. METHODS: Data came from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens), a study of eating and weight-related attitudes, behaviors, and psychosocial variables among 4746 adolescents in public schools. Logistic regression was used to compare dieters and non-dieters, and to examine interactions of dieting and overweight status. RESULTS: Approximately one third (31.8%) of the sample was overweight. Dieting in the previous year was reported by 55.2% of girls and 25.9% of boys. Dieting was associated with similarly elevated rates of extreme weight control behaviors, body dissatisfaction, and depression in both the non-overweight and overweight groups for both boys and girls. Girls reporting dieting behavior in both the non-overweight and overweight groups had similarly elevated risk for cigarette use, alcohol use, and marijuana use. CONCLUSIONS: The negative correlates of dieting are similarly common among teens of varying weight status. These data suggest that dieting may not be a preferred method of weight management, even for overweight adolescents. Regardless of weight status, dieting may be a marker for other unhealthy behaviors and depressed mood in adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Does body satisfaction matter? Five-year longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and health behaviors in adolescent females and males.

PURPOSE: This study addresses the question, "Does body satisfaction matter?" by examining longitudinal associations between body satisfaction and weight-related health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors five years later among adolescents. METHODS: Project EAT-II followed an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of 2516 adolescents from 1999 (Time 1) to 2004 (Time 2). Associations between body satisfaction at Time 1 and health behaviors at Time 2 were examined, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and Time 1 health behaviors, with and without adjustment for body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: In females, lower body satisfaction predicted higher levels of dieting, unhealthy and very unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating, and lower levels of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. After adjusting for BMI, associations between body satisfaction and dieting, very unhealthy weight control behaviors, and physical activity remained statistically significant. In males, lower body satisfaction predicted higher levels of dieting, healthy, unhealthy, and very unhealthy weight control behaviors, binge eating, and smoking, and lower levels of physical activity. After adjusting for BMI, associations between body satisfaction and dieting, unhealthy weight control behavior, and binge eating remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate that, in general, lower body satisfaction does not serve as a motivator for engaging in healthy weight management behaviors, but rather predicts the use of behaviors that may place adolescents at risk for weight gain and poorer overall health. Interventions with adolescents should strive to enhance body satisfaction and avoid messages likely to lead to decreases in body satisfaction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Self-weighing in adolescents: helpful or harmful? Longitudinal associations with body weight changes and disordered eating.

PURPOSE: This study addresses the question: Is frequent self-weighing related to changes in body weight and disordered eating behaviors over a 5-year period among adolescent females and males? METHODS: Project EAT is a 5-year population-based longitudinal study. Participants completed surveys exploring factors associated with eating and weight concerns. Participants included 2516 adolescents who were transitioning from early to middle adolescence (younger cohort) and from middle to late adolescence (older cohort). RESULTS: In the older cohort of females and in both cohorts of males, frequent self-weighing at Time 1 was not associated with weight changes at Time 2 (5 years later), after adjusting for Time 1 weight status and sociodemographic characteristics. In the younger cohort of females, Time 1 frequent self-weighing predicted weight increases at Time 2. In both cohorts of females, but not in males, Time 1 frequent self-weighing predicted higher prevalences of Time 2 disordered eating behaviors, including unhealthy weight control behaviors and binge eating, after adjusting for Time 1 behavioral outcomes, weight status, and sociodemographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent self-weighing was not associated with weight change, with the exception of predicting weight increases in younger females. In females, but not males, self-weighing predicted a higher frequency of binge eating and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Although further research is needed to explore the potential merits and problems associated with regular self-weighing, the findings suggest that population-based obesity prevention strategies targeting adolescents should avoid messages likely to lead to frequent self-weighing.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Relationships between maternal and adolescent weight-related behaviors and concerns: the role of perception.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between maternal and adolescent weight-related behaviors and concerns in a population-based sample. METHODS: Participants were 810 adolescents (n=429 girls and n=381 boys) and their mothers/guardians. Adolescents were part of the Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) study, which was a comprehensive study of eating patterns and weight concerns among adolescents in Minnesota. Outcome variables included child's body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, dieting, and use of healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors. RESULTS: Adolescents reported lower rates of maternal dieting than mothers. Maternal self-report of dieting was not significantly associated with children's weight-related concerns. Children's perceptions of their mothers' behaviors were significantly related to their level of weight concerns and use of weight control behaviors. CONCLUSION: Adolescents' perceptions of maternal behavior affect their weight-related concerns and behaviors. This suggests that mothers who choose to diet should model healthy choices in the areas of nutrition and physical activity.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Parents of elementary school students weigh in on height, weight, and body mass index screening at school.

School-based body mass index (BMI) screening and parent notification programs have been recommended as a childhood overweight prevention strategy. However, there are little empirical data available to guide decision making about the acceptability and safety of programs. A pilot study was conducted using a quasiexperimental research design. In fall 2004, children in 4 suburban elementary schools (kindergarten to sixth grade) in the St Paul/Minneapolis, MN, metropolitan area completed height/weight screening. The following spring, parents in 2 schools received letters containing height/weight and BMI results. A self-administered post-only survey examined parents' opinions and beliefs regarding school-based BMI screening and parent notification programs (response rate: 790/1133 = 70%). The chi2 test of significance was used to examine differences in program support by treatment condition, child's weight status, and sociodemographic characteristics. Among all parents, 78% believed it was important for schools to assess student's height/weight annually and wanted to receive height, weight, and BMI information yearly. Among parents receiving the letter, 95% read most/all of the letter. Most parents (80%) and children (83%) reported comfort with the information in the letter. Parents of overweight children were more likely to report parental discomfort as well as child discomfort with letter content. There was considerable parental support for school-based BMI screening and parent notification programs. Programs may be a useful overweight prevention tool for children. However, continued attention to how best to support parents and children affected by overweight is required.

Body Height↗

PubMed2006

The role of schools in obesity prevention.

Mary Story, Karen Kaphingst, and Simone French argue that U.S. schools offer many opportunities for developing obesity-prevention strategies by providing more nutritious food, offering greater opportunities for physical activity, and providing obesity-related health services. Meals at school are available both through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's school breakfast and lunch programs and through "competitive foods" sold a la carte in cafeterias, vending machines, and snack bars. School breakfasts and school lunches must meet federal nutrition standards, but competitive foods are exempt from such requirements. And budget pressures force schools to sell the popular but nutritionally poor foods a la carte. Public discomfort with the school food environment is growing. But can schools provide more healthful food options without losing money? Limited evidence shows that they can. Although federal nutrition regulations are inadequate, they permit state and local authorities to impose additional restrictions. And many are doing so. Some states limit sales of nonnutritious foods, and many large school districts restrict competitive foods. Several interventions have changed school food environments, for example, by reducing fat content of food in vending machines and making more fruits and vegetables available. Interventions are just beginning to target the availability of competitive foods. Other pressures can also compromise schools' efforts to encourage physical activity. As states use standardized tests to hold schools and students academically accountable, physical education and recess have become a lower priority. But some states are now mandating and promoting more physical activity in schools. School health services can also help address obesity by providing screening, health information, and referrals to students, especially low-income students, who are at high risk of obesity, tend to be underinsured, and may not receive health services elsewhere.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The role of child care settings in obesity prevention.

Mary Story, Karen Kaphingst, and Simone French argue that researchers and policymakers focused on childhood obesity have paid insufficient attention to child care. Although child care settings can be a major force in shaping children's dietary intake, physical activity, and energy balance-and thus in combating the childhood obesity epidemic-researchers know relatively little about either the nutrition or the physical activity environment in the nation's child care facilities. What research exists suggests that the nutritional quality of meals and snacks may be poor and activity levels may be inadequate. Few uniform standards apply to nutrition or physical activity offerings in the nation's child care centers. With the exception of the federal Head Start program, child care facilities are regulated by states, and state rules vary widely. The authors argue that weak state standards governing physical activity and nutrition represent a missed opportunity to combat obesity. A relatively simple measure, such as specifying how much time children in day care should spend being physically active, could help promote healthful habits among young children. The authors note that several federal programs provide for the needs of low-income children in child care. The Child and Adult Care Food Program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, provides funds for meals and snacks for almost 3 million children in child care each day. Providers who receive funds must serve meals and snacks that meet certain minimal standards, but the authors argue for toughening those regulations so that meals and snacks meet specific nutrient-based standards. The authors cite Head Start, a federal preschool program serving some 900,000 low-income infants and children up to age five, as a model for other child care programs as it has federal performance standards for nutrition. Although many child care settings fall short in their nutritional and physical activity offerings, they offer untapped opportunities for developing and evaluating effective obesity-prevention strategies to reach both children and their parents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Longitudinal and secular trends in physical activity and sedentary behavior during adolescence.

OBJECTIVE: There is little epidemiologic research on longitudinal and secular trends in weight-related health behaviors throughout the stages of adolescence. In particular, few data are available to assess secular trends in various sedentary behaviors. The objective of this research was to investigate longitudinal and secular trends in physical activity and sedentary behavior in a large, diverse cohort of adolescents. METHODS: Project EAT-II is a 5-year longitudinal study (N = 2516) that includes 2 cohorts that allow for the observation of longitudinal changes from early to midadolescence (junior high to high school; n = 806; mean baseline age: 12.8 +/- 0.8 years) and mid- to late adolescence (high school to post-high school; n = 1710; mean baseline age: 15.8 +/- 0.8 years). EAT-II also examined secular trends in health behavior from 1999 to 2004 in midadolescence. The main outcome measures of the mixed-model regression analyses used in this research were self-reported weekly hours of moderate to vigorous physical activity, television/video viewing, and leisure-time computer use. RESULTS: Our findings indicate substantial longitudinal changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity, particularly among girls (decreasing 5.9-4.9 hours/week from early to midadolescence and 5.1-3.5 hours/week from mid- to late adolescence), and leisure-time computer use, particularly among boys (increasing 11.4-15.2 hours/week from early to midadolescence and 10.4-14.2 hours/week from mid- to late adolescence). Secular trends further indicate dramatic increases in midadolescent computer use from 1999 to 2004; girls increased from 8.8 to 11.1 hours/week, and boys increased from 10.4 to 15.2 hours/week. CONCLUSIONS: These adolescents experienced unfavorable shifts in activity patterns, such as longitudinal decreases in moderate to vigorous physical activity, coupled with longitudinal and secular increases in leisure-time computer use. Developing effective health promotion strategies that address a wide array of changing behavioral patterns will be important in promoting long-term health and active lifestyles among adolescents and young adults.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

School lunch and snacking patterns among high school students: associations with school food environment and policies.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined associations between high school students' lunch patterns and vending machine purchases and the school food environment and policies. METHODS: A randomly selected sample of 1088 high school students from 20 schools completed surveys about their lunch practices and vending machine purchases. School food policies were assessed by principal and food director surveys. The number of vending machines and their hours of operation were assessed by trained research staff. RESULTS: Students at schools with open campus policies during lunchtime were significantly more likely to eat lunch at a fast food restaurant than students at schools with closed campus policies (0.7 days/week vs. 0.2 days/week, p < .001). Student snack food purchases at school were significantly associated with the number of snack machines at schools (p < .001) and policies about the types of food that can be sold. In schools with policies, students reported making snack food purchases an average of 0.5 +/- 1.1 days/week as compared to an average of 0.9 +/- 1.3 days/week in schools without policies (p < .001). In schools in which soft drink machines were turned off during lunch time, students purchased soft drinks from vending machines 1.4 +/- 1.6 days/week as compared to 1.9 +/- 1.8 days/week in schools in which soft drink machines were turned on during lunch (p = .040). CONCLUSION: School food policies that decrease access to foods high in fats and sugars are associated with less frequent purchase of these items in school among high school students. Schools should examine their food-related policies and decrease access to foods that are low in nutrients and high in fats and sugars.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Increasing weight-bearing physical activity and calcium-rich foods to promote bone mass gains among 9-11 year old girls: outcomes of the Cal-Girls study.

BACKGROUND: A two-year, community-based, group-randomized trial to promote bone mass gains among 9-11 year-old girls through increased intake of calcium-rich foods and weight-bearing physical activity was evaluated. METHODS: Following baseline data collection, 30 5th-grade Girl Scout troops were randomized to a two-year behavioral intervention program or to a no-treatment control group. Evaluations were conducted at baseline, one year, and two years. Measures included bone mineral content, density, and area (measured by DXA), dietary calcium intake (24-hour recall), and weight-bearing physical activity (physical activity checklist interview). Mixed-model regression was used to evaluate treatment-related changes in bone mineral content (g) for the total body, lumbar spine (L1-L4), proximal femur, one-third distal radius, and femoral neck. Changes in eating and physical activity behavioral outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Although the intervention was implemented with high fidelity, no significant intervention effects were observed for total bone mineral content or any specific bone sites. Significant intervention effects were observed for increases in dietary calcium. No significant intervention effects were observed for increases in weight-bearing physical activity. CONCLUSION: Future research needs to identify the optimal dosage of weight-bearing physical activity and calcium-rich dietary behavior change required to maximize bone mass gains in pre-adolescent and adolescent girls.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Schoolwide food practices are associated with body mass index in middle school students.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between body mass index in young adolescents and schoolwide food practices such as foods used in school fundraising and in the classroom as incentives and rewards. DESIGN: Using a cross-sectional study design, we collected data from both the schools and the students. School administrators provided information on schoolwide food policies and practices. Eighth-grade students provided self-reported heights and weights. SETTING: Sixteen middle schools in the Minneapolis-St Paul metropolitan area. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 3088 eighth-grade students. Students were participants in a school-based dietary intervention study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight data. A 7-item schoolwide food practices scale (Cronbach alpha = 0.83) was created using data collected from school administrators. RESULTS: The mean number of food practices permitted by a school was 3 (range, 0-7). The most prevalent food practices were the use of food as incentives and rewards (69%) and in classroom fundraising (56%). Body mass index (BMI) [corrected] of the students increased a 0.10 BMI unit [corrected] for every additional food practice permitted in their school (P<.03). CONCLUSIONS: Schoolwide food practices that supported frequent snacking and the consumption of foods and beverages high in calories and low in nutrients by students throughout the school day were common and adversely associated with body mass index of the students. Prevention of overweight in childhood must include attention to the nutrition integrity of schools, and school nutrition policies that consistently support and promote healthy dietary practices among young adolescents are urgently needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Soft drinks, candy, and fast food: what parents and teachers think about the middle school food environment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the opinions and beliefs of parents and teachers of middle school students regarding the school food environment. DESIGN: Surveys mailed to parents and placed in teachers' school mailboxes included questions about adolescents' eating practices, food choice at school, and school-related food policies and practices. SUBJECTS/SETTINGS: A convenience sample of parents (n=350; response rate: 350/526=66%) and teachers (n=490; response rate: 490/701=70%) of middle school students from 16 schools in the St Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area who participated in the Teens Eating for Energy and Nutrition at School study. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics examined the prevalence of parents' and teachers' opinions and beliefs about adolescents' eating practices, food choice at school, and school-related food policies and practices. RESULTS: Most parents and teachers agreed that the nutritional health of students should be a school priority. However, only 18% of parents and 31% of teachers believed schools give adequate attention to student nutrition. Among both parents and teachers, 90% agreed that more healthy snacks and beverages should be available in school vending machines and on school a la carte lines. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that parents and teachers are concerned about the nutritional health of students and the "state of health" of the school food environment. Dietetic and other health professionals who work in school settings should actively engage parents and teachers in the process of affecting and monitoring policies and practices that foster a healthy school food environment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Perceptions of adolescents involved in promoting lower-fat foods in schools: associations with level of involvement.

This article describes perceptions of adolescents involved in peer-led school-based nutrition promotions encouraging lower-fat food purchases and assesses the differences by level of student involvement. Surveys were administered at schools. Data were collected from 397 high school students from 10 Minnesota schools randomized to the intervention condition of the Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools study. Students were categorized as highly involved (n=54) or less involved (n=343) based on their level of involvement in promotional activity implementation. Chi 2 tests were conducted to measure the differences between highly-involved and less-involved students in perceptions and attitudes about lower-fat foods. Highly-involved students were significantly more likely than less-involved students to report more healthful eating behaviors and positive attitudes toward lower-fat foods. Student involvement in nutrition interventions should be integrated into programs aimed at increasing healthful food choices among adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Use of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention with Girl Scouts.

This study describes the development and usage of a Web-based component of a nutrition and physical activity behavioral intervention to promote bone health among preadolescent girls. Thirty Girl Scout troops were randomized to either an intervention or control group for a 2-year period. Girls in the intervention troops (aged 10 to 12 years, N=194) were exposed to grade-specific Web sites that were developed to reinforce the content of the broader, face-to-face intervention. In 5th grade, 82% of the girls logged on once and 48% logged on more than once, compared to 56% and 23% of 6th graders, respectively. Results suggest that although Web-site usage decreased over time, a Web-site program may be useful as a component of a face-to-face, multicomponent intervention. More research is needed to determine ways to enhance and maintain Web-site use over time among youth in health-behavior intervention programs.

Calcium, Dietary↗

PubMed2005

Dietary intakes of nutrients thought to modify cardiovascular risk from three groups of American Indians: The Strong Heart Dietary Study, Phase II.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality among American Indians. Rates of CVD appear to be increasing among American Indians while they are decreasing among other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Rates of comorbid conditions associated with CVD, such as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and hypertension, are also higher among American Indians than among other racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Dietary factors play a role in the development of CVD and associated comorbid conditions, yet surprisingly few data exist to describe the dietary intakes and nutritional adequacy of American Indian adults at risk for CVD. OBJECTIVE: To describe intakes of nutrients that may affect CVD risk consumed by members of 13 nations of American Indian adults, aged 45 to 70 years, who reside in tribal communities in Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma. A secondary objective was to compare dietary intake estimates to nationally representative data from adults of similar age to determine potential dietary differences that may account for the disparities seen in rates of CVD and related conditions. Finally, dietary intake estimates were compared with national dietary guidance to determine areas for improvement. METHODS: Data from a 24-hour dietary recall provided by 3,482 adults who participated in the Strong Heart Dietary Study, Phase II, were analyzed to describe dietary intakes of nutrients that may alter CVD risk. Nonparametric analyses of variance were used to compare data by center, age, and sex. Dietary intake data for each sex/center group were compared with data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), Phase I, dietary estimates, and to national dietary guidelines. RESULTS: Nutrient intakes varied little between centers. Sex differences were noted in energy and nutrient intakes across all centers. Age-related decreases in energy and total and saturated fat intakes were noted among all sex/center groups. Median intakes of vitamins A and C and folate were low among all sex/center groups. Remarkably few differences in dietary intake were noted between NHANES III and Strong Heart Dietary Study, Phase II, participants. Carbohydrate and sodium intakes were higher among participants compared with NHANES III estimates, whereas intakes of several vitamins were lower. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary intakes of American Indians vary by age, sex, and geographic location, but do not differ substantially from national estimates of dietary intake. The dietary differences noted between NHANES III and Strong Heart Dietary Study, Phase II, participants are not consistent with the remarkably different rates of CVD and associated comorbidities that currently exist.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

Adolescent girls with high body satisfaction: who are they and what can they teach us?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 2-fold: (1) to determine the prevalence of high body satisfaction in a multi-ethnic, urban population of adolescent females, and (2) to examine the demographic, socioenvironmental, personal, and behavioral factors associated with high body satisfaction among adolescent girls. METHODS: The study population included 2,357 female middle and high school students who completed surveys in 1998-1999. High body satisfaction and its association with a range of socioenvironmental, personal, and behavioral factors were assessed. Associations were examined through comparisons of means (unadjusted and adjusted for grade level, race, socioeconomic status, and body mass index [BMI]) for continuous variables, and percentages and odds ratios for dichotomized variables. RESULTS: Over a quarter (26.7%) of adolescent girls reported high body satisfaction. High body satisfaction was most common among African-American (40.1%) and underweight girls (39.0%). In adjusted analyses, girls with high body satisfaction were more likely to report parental and peer attitudes that encouraged healthy eating and exercising to be fit (p < .001) versus dieting, and less likely to report personal weight-related concerns and behaviors (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The immediate subculture in which adolescent girls exist may play an important role in fostering high body satisfaction. Parents and health care providers often struggle with how to address the topic of weight management in teens without causing further injury to body image. Findings from the present study suggest the importance of providing a social environment that focuses on health and fitness, rather than on weight control, to increase adolescent girls' likelihood of being satisfied with their bodies.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

The role of social norms and friends' influences on unhealthy weight-control behaviors among adolescent girls.

Dieting is common among adolescent girls and may place them at risk of using unhealthy weight-control behaviors (UWCBs), such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diet pills, or fasting. Research has suggested that social factors, including friends and broader cultural norms, may be associated with UWCBs. The present study examines the relationship between the school-wide prevalence of current weight loss efforts among adolescent girls, friends' dieting behavior, and UWCBs, and investigates differences in these associations across weight categories. Survey data were collected in 31 middle and high schools in ethnically and socio-economically diverse communities in Minnesota, USA. The response rate was 81.5%. Rates of UWCBs were compared across the spectrum of prevalence of trying to lose weight and friends' involvement with dieting, using chi(2) analysis and multivariate logistic regression, controlling for demographic factors and clustering by school. Girls with higher body mass index (BMI) were more likely to engage in UWCBs than those of lower BMI. Multivariate models indicated that friends' dieting behavior was significantly associated with UWCBs for average weight girls (OR = 1.57, CI = 1.40-1.77) and moderately overweight girls (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.19-1.82). The school-wide prevalence of trying to lose weight was significantly, albeit modestly, related to UWCBs for average weight girls (15th-85th percentile; OR = 1.17, CI = 1.01-1.36), and marginally associated for modestly overweight girls (85th-95th percentile; OR = 1.21, CI = .97-1.50), even after controlling for friends' dieting behaviors. The social influences examined here were not associated with UWCBs among underweight ( < 15th percentile) or overweight ( > 95th percentile) girls. Findings suggest that social norms, particularly from within one's peer group, but also at the larger school level may influence UWCBs, particularly for average weight girls. Implications for school-based interventions to reduce UWCBs are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Associations between parental report of the home food environment and adolescent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines parental report of household food availability, parent dietary intake and associations with adolescent intakes of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Adolescents completed the Project EAT survey and the Youth Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire at school. Parents of adolescents were interviewed by telephone about the home food environment, eating habits and weight-related behaviours. General linear modelling was used to compare dietary intakes of adolescents across different levels of household food availability and parental intakes. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The study sample included 902 adolescents and their parent or guardian. RESULTS: Many parents were not consuming the minimum number of daily recommended fruit (44.5%), vegetable (69.9%) or dairy (46.9%) servings. While most parents reported that fruits and vegetables were available at home (90.3%) and vegetables were usually served at dinner (87.0%), fewer parents reported milk was served at meals (66.6%). Soft drinks were usually available at home (56.8%). Among girls, household availability was positively associated with fruit and vegetable intake (ttrend=2.70, P<0.01) and soft drink availability was inversely associated with dairy intake (ttrend=2.08, P=0.04). Among boys, serving milk at meals was positively associated with dairy intake (ttrend=3.65, P<0.01). Parental intakes were positively associated with dairy intake for boys (ttrend=2.04, P=0.04), and with dairy (ttrend=2.43, P=0.01), vegetable (ttrend=3.72, P<0.01) and fruit (ttrend=3.17, P<0.01) intakes for girls. CONCLUSIONS/APPLICATIONS: Interventions designed to help adolescents improve consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy foods may be enhanced by including a parental component aimed at increasing household availability and parents' intake of healthful food choices.

Adolescent↗