Papers by Jennifer Taylor
The objective of this study was to determine if the consumption of certain foods during the year ... more The objective of this study was to determine if the consumption of certain foods during the year prior to diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) was associated with the risk of developing T1D in children and youth residing in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Cases (n = 57) consisted of newly diagnosed patients with T1D during 2001 to 2004. Controls (n = 105) were randomly selected from the province's population, and matched to cases by age at diagnosis and sex. Food consumption in cases and controls was assessed using two previously validated food frequency questionnaires, and a survey was developed to collect information on potential environmental and genetic risk factors. The median age at diagnosis was nine years, and 67% of cases were male. After controlling for the matched variables and four significant environmental and genetic risk factors (family members with T1D, the number of infections during the first two years of life, place of residence, and father's education) in the final logistic regression model, the consumption of regular soft drinks (OR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.21, 6.36) and eggs (OR = 2.50, 95% CI = 1.09, 5.75) were significant risk factors of T1D, when consumed once per week or more often. Diet may play a role in the development of T1D. However, further research is needed to confirm these observed associations.
The Journal of school health, 2007
Schoolteachers can affect students' eating habits in several ways: through nutrition knowled... more Schoolteachers can affect students' eating habits in several ways: through nutrition knowledge, positive role modeling, and avoidance of unhealthy classroom food practices. In this study, the knowledge, attitudes, and eating behaviors of prospective teachers as determinants of intended classroom food practices and the school environment and its potential impact on classroom food practices were examined and explored.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2007
Objective To assess food consumption among aboriginal children living on Mi'kmaq reserves in Prin... more Objective To assess food consumption among aboriginal children living on Mi'kmaq reserves in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Design Data were collected as part of a larger study of health perceptions and behaviors in Mi'kmaq children and youth ages 1 to 18 years. Food consumption was assessed using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire during an in-home interview. Subjects/setting Fifty-five children living on a reserve (53% of total population) ages 9 to 18 years. Statistical analyses performed The number of servings of milk products, vegetables and fruit, and snack foods/ beverages was calculated by adding the responses to the frequency of consumption of foods assessed in each group. 2 analysis was used to assess differences in food consumption according to sex and age. Results Only one child reported consuming the recommended minimum of five vegetables and fruit daily (Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, 1992) (mean [Ϯstandard deviation]ϭ2.8Ϯ1.1 servings). Twenty-five (49%) of the children consumed three or more servings of milk products daily (meanϭ2.6Ϯ1.3 servings). Approximately half of the children had three or more snack foods/beverages daily (meanϭ3.1Ϯ2.2 servings). Younger children (grades 4 to 6) consumed more cereal, peanut butter, and yogurt than older children. There were no significant differences in food consumption between boys and girls. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with past reports in aboriginal children. However, except for higher consumption of french fries, results are similar to recent surveys of other Prince Edward Island school children, suggesting a province-wide rather than cultural health issue. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107:951-955.
The study was conducted to identify the enabling and barrier factors in the development of nutrit... more The study was conducted to identify the enabling and barrier factors in the development of nutrition policies in Prince Edward Island elementary and consolidated schools.
This review outlines the state of knowledge and research gaps in the area of determinants of heal... more This review outlines the state of knowledge and research gaps in the area of determinants of healthy eating among children and youth. The article is structured around individual and collective determinants that affect healthy eating in children and youth. We defined healthy eating as "eating practices and behaviours that are consistent with improving, maintaining and/or enhancing health." Relevant databases were searched for papers published between January 1992 and March 2003 that focussed on children or youth and reported at least one factor relevant to healthy eating. Among collective factors, familial factors and the nature of foods available in the physical environment, including at home, schools and in fast-food establishments, stand out as significant influences on healthy eating in children and youth. The media, particularly television, also have an enormous potential influence and can overshadow familial influences. Individual factors identified include knowledge, attitudes and food preferences; only the latter have been identified as a strong determinant of healthy eating in both children and adolescents. The results of the review identified a significant body of literature in the area of determinants of healthy eating in children and youth; however, very little of this research has taken place in Canada. Only a few determinants, such as economic factors and food security, the content of media nutritional messages, and the issue of flavours, neophobia and food preferences, have undergone some examination by Canadian researchers. Research priorities for Canada in the area of determinants of healthy eating and surveillance of eating behaviours are identified.
Given the increase in the number of Canadian jurisdictions with school nutrition and/or physical ... more Given the increase in the number of Canadian jurisdictions with school nutrition and/or physical activity policies, there is a need to assess the effectiveness of such policies. The objectives of this paper are to 1) provide an overview of key issues in monitoring and evaluating school nutrition and physical activity policies in Canada and 2) identify areas for further research needed to strengthen the evidence base and inform the development of effective approaches to monitoring and evaluation. Evaluation indicators, data sources and existing tools for evaluating nutrition and physical activity are reviewed. This paper has underscored the importance of identifying common indicators and approaches, using a comprehensive approach based on the WHO framework and ensuring that research capacity and funding is in place to facilitate high-quality evaluation efforts in the future.
Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of lunchtime food consumption among elementary-schoo... more Objective: To assess the nutritional quality of lunchtime food consumption among elementary-school children on Prince Edward Island according to the source of food consumed (home v. school). Design: Students completed a lunchtime food record during an in-class survey. Dietary adequacy was assessed by comparing median micronutrient intakes with one-third of the Estimated Average Requirement; median macronutrient intakes were compared with the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to assess differences in nutrient intakes according to source of food consumed. Setting: Elementary schools in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Subjects: Grade 5 and 6 students (n 1980). Results: Foods purchased at school were higher in nutrient density for ten micronutrients (Ca, Mg, K, Zn, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 and vitamin B 12 ) compared with packed lunch foods from home, which were higher in three micronutrients (Fe, vitamin C and folate). School lunches provided sufficient protein but were higher in sugar and fat than home lunches. Foods brought from home were higher in carbohydrates, fibre and Na than foods purchased at school.
We assessed principals' perceptions about the level of school nutrition policy (SNP) implementati... more We assessed principals' perceptions about the level of school nutrition policy (SNP) implementation in Prince Edward Island elementary schools, objectively evaluated how closely elementary schools are following SNP regulations for types and frequency of foods offered at school, and explored principals' beliefs about the key enablers and barriers to SNP implementation.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore parent/student perceptions regarding barriers a... more Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore parent/student perceptions regarding barriers and facilitating factors influencing the implementation of school nutrition policies (SNP), focussing on the changes made to the school food environment and the acceptance of those changes. Methods: This paper reports on the first phase of the qualitative component of a larger five year evaluation of nutrition policies in Prince Edward Island elementary (Grades 1-6) and consolidated (Grades 1-8) schools. Focus groups were conducted with 41 students from four schools; in depth interviews were conducted with 12 parents. Interviews were transcribed and coded, with analysis being informed by interpretive description. Results: Five themes were identified: barriers to effective implementation (inadequate communication with parents/students regarding the policy and menu changes; limited school resources and volunteers; role/responsibility conflict concerning feeding and children and student food preferences). The main facilitating factor was parental and student support for healthy eating at school. Conclusions: Study results add to the limited body of knowledge of stakeholder perceptions during early implementation of Canadian SNP's. Dietitians can play important roles helping to foster communication, engagement and education of stakeholders which will increase the likelihood that SNP will be accepted by students and their families.
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Papers by Jennifer Taylor