Scholarly Journal Article Annotation

Search Strategy: I used childhood obesity nutrition prevention as my keywords in the St. Catherine University database search. The search was limited to articles written in 2014 to present and that categorized as peer-reviewed journal articles.

Citation: Aakash P, Deepak S, Dharti P, Smita P, Mir T, Avinash K. Childhood obesity: prevention is better than cure. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy. March 2016:83-89, doi:10/2147/dmso.s90783.

Annotation: This peer-reviewed journal article shows an emphasis on childhood obesity as a problem that needs early recognition and prevention. This is a mix between a randomized controlled trial and a cohort study. Current treatment options are in the preliminary stage, so early prevention shows better results than treatment at later stages. The authors examined previous treatments and preventative measures for childhood obesity that have shown the most promising results. These treatments and preventions include the following: physical activity and behavioral therapy including nutrition counseling, pediatric experience with drugs, and “hunger training.” Childhood obesity is a serious health concern for both the child now and as he/she matures into an adult because obesity will follow with them unless nutrition intervention takes place. The strengths of this study were that it was peer-reviewed and that it included an analysis of previous research. A weakness was that it was summarized and simple, thus not providing specific information that would strengthen the article and its conclusion. Another result is that the authors were able to clearly emphasize childhood obesity as a growing problem that needs early recognition and prevention. This article concludes that nutrition interventions aimed at limiting sugar and calorie intake and increasing vegetable and fruit intake are most effective at preventing and controlling obesity, as well as limiting “screen time for children.” This article is reliable and credible as it was held to a high-standard review process and the authors collaborate across seven different Universities, have nutrition therapy and health backgrounds, and have published several other articles throughout their careers.

Field Testing Nutrition Program to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Search Strategy: I used childhood obesity nutrition prevention as my keywords in the St. Catherine University library/database search. The search was limited to articles written in 2014 to present and that categorized as peer-reviewed journal articles.

Citation: Austin E, Shultz J, Deen M, Cohen M, Johnson B, Power T, et al. Field Testing of a Family-Based Media Literacy and Nutrition Program to Prevent Childhood Obesity. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2017;49(7):S112. Doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2017.05.083.

Annotation: This peer-reviewed journal article from the journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior evaluates the effectiveness of teaching families a curriculum aimed to educate on healthier family food behaviors through improved media literacy. This is a cohort study. Parents and youth (age 9 to 14 years) from five Washington State counties were taught the 6-session program and other parents and youth from the same counties were observed as controls. The evaluation was done by (Message Interpretation Processing Model) observation and recording of the frequency of child-initiated discussion, parental efficacy for resisting food advertising, parental acceptance of healthier foods, and youth support in purchasing fruit and vegetables. Preliminary post-test findings did not show any significant influence on the program. In the end, the results showed that the program compromised media literacy and nutrition education can have positive effects for parents and youth. When comparing the two groups, intervention results of the program educated group included increased frequency of child-initiated discussion about food messages in media and improved parental efficacy for resisting food advertising. Overall, the families that received the education were more accepting of healthier foods and made improvements in the family home and during grocery shopping.

This information is credible, and the authors are reliable sources as they collaborated their backgrounds and knowledge at Washington State University. The article was strengthened by its credibility and admittance to limitations (initial null findings). The article could have been stronger if it had been extended to include families across the nation. Have a study of close proximity can be seen as a limitation because it does not include many families, cultures, ethnicities, etc.

4-H STEM Clubs Have Fitness and Nutrition Programs in Motion

Search Strategy: I used childhood obesity nutrition prevention as my keywords in the St. Catherine University library/database search. The search was limited to articles written in 2014 to present and that categorized as peer-reviewed journal articles.

Citation: Taylor UR, Rodriguez N, Cutz G, Castro L, Mogensen S, Padgett WC, et al. Connecticut Fitness and Nutrition Clubs In Motion – Prevention of Childhood Obesity via 4-H STEM Clubs in Urban Communities. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. 2016;48(7):S131. Doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2916.04.379.

Annotation: This peer-reviewed journal article from the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior tells how the 4-H STEM Clubs of Connecticut are putting efforts into fitness and nutrition clubs to improve behavior, knowledge, and skills for improved fitness and nutrition to prevent childhood obesity in third and fourth-grade students. This is a case report type of study. The youth participated in weekly two-hour weekly sessions for eight weeks. Participants’ baseline measures of nutrition, fitness, self-esteem, flexibility, endurance, and strength were recorded. Leaders educated through hands-on learning about nutrition and included fitness games, active exergames, Zumba dancing, and gardening. A strength of this study was that anthropometric measures were taken to equally evaluate participants. A weakness of the article was that it had less than 30 participants (n=27). As a part of results, preliminary data indicates that programs, like the current 4-H STEM Program, have the potential to reduce childhood obesity through education on healthier food choices, exercise encouragement, and improved flexibility. Also, results included children later cooking a recipe at home. This information aids our current research and may help work toward means of extending life and influence in the prevention of childhood obesity. In the end, a definitive conclusion could not be made. This article is credible by peer-reviewing and authorship. Authors have published a number of studies related to this article and collaborated from two universities, all with a background in health and natural resources. This article has baseline reliability due to sample size.

Childhood Obesity Prevention Knowledge of Non-Nutrition Professionals

Search Strategy: I used childhood obesity nutrition prevention as my keywords in the St. Catherine University library/database search. The search was limited to articles written in 2014 to present and that categorized as peer-reviewed journal articles.

Citation: Eck K, Martin-Biggers J, Povis G, Byrd-Bredbenner C. Childhood Obesity-Prevention Cognitions of Non-Nutrition Professionals Working With Young Children and Their Families. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016;116(9):S63. doi:10.1016/j./jand/2016/06.210.

Annotation: This peer-reviewed journal article examines non-nutrition professionals who work with young children and their families in order to describe the professionals’ obesity prevention-related knowledge, attitudes, and intentions as a part of a cohort study. The specific obesity prevention-related knowledge that this study is examining includes nutrition, physical, activity, screen time, and sleep. The study included fifty-seven non-nutrition professionals (NNPs) from a range of early childhood educators and WIC and SNAP-Ed personnel. Data was recorded through an online survey. Participant results showed 68% white, 93% female, and 70% >6 years of experience working with families of young children.  NNPs showed their knowledge on a five-point scale. In conclusion, NNPs have strong intentions to promote obesity-prevention behaviors and have limited knowledge of some obesity-prevention strategies. As a result, it is indicated there would be a benefit from programs that build childhood obesity-prevention knowledge. Another result is that we can now statistically see how nutritionally educated or uneducated our NNPs are. A strength of the article is that NNPs were surveyed from more than one profession, but the survey was limited to those who chose to complete it. This is a reliable source as it is repeatable, and every author is an RD, suggesting they are up to date in childhood obesity prevention.