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1.
Effectiveness of a Sodium-Reduction Smartphone App and Reduced-Sodium Salt to Lower Sodium Intake in Adults With Hypertension: Findings From the Salt Alternatives Randomized Controlled Trial.
Eyles, H, Grey, J, Jiang, Y, Umali, E, McLean, R, Te Morenga, L, Neal, B, Rodgers, A, Doughty, RN, Ni Mhurchu, C
JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2023;:e43675
Abstract
BACKGROUND Even modest reductions in blood pressure (BP) can have an important impact on population-level morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. There are 2 promising approaches: the SaltSwitch smartphone app, which enables users to scan the bar code of a packaged food using their smartphone camera and receive an immediate, interpretive traffic light nutrition label on-screen alongside a list of healthier, lower-salt options in the same food category; and reduced-sodium salts (RSSs), which are an alternative to regular table salt that are lower in sodium and higher in potassium but have a similar mouthfeel, taste, and flavor. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine whether a 12-week intervention with a sodium-reduction package comprising the SaltSwitch smartphone app and an RSS could reduce urinary sodium excretion in adults with high BP. METHODS A 2-arm parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted in New Zealand (target n=326). Following a 2-week baseline period, adults who owned a smartphone and had high BP (≥140/85 mm Hg) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention (SaltSwitch smartphone app + RSS) or control (generic heart-healthy eating information from The Heart Foundation of New Zealand). The primary outcome was 24-hour urinary sodium excretion at 12 weeks estimated via spot urine. Secondary outcomes were urinary potassium excretion, BP, sodium content of food purchases, and intervention use and acceptability. Intervention effects were assessed blinded using intention-to-treat analyses with generalized linear regression adjusting for baseline outcome measures, age, and ethnicity. RESULTS A total of 168 adults were randomized (n=84, 50% per group) between June 2019 and February 2020. Challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and smartphone technology detrimentally affected recruitment. The adjusted mean difference between groups was 547 (95% CI -331 to 1424) mg for estimated 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, 132 (95% CI -1083 to 1347) mg for urinary potassium excretion, -0.66 (95% CI -3.48 to 2.16) mm Hg for systolic BP, and 73 (95% CI -21 to 168) mg per 100 g for the sodium content of food purchases. Most intervention participants reported using the SaltSwitch app (48/64, 75%) and RSS (60/64, 94%). SaltSwitch was used on 6 shopping occasions, and approximately 1/2 tsp per week of RSS was consumed per household during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS In this randomized controlled trial of a salt-reduction package, we found no evidence that dietary sodium intake was reduced in adults with high BP. These negative findings may be owing to lower-than-anticipated engagement with the trial intervention package. However, implementation and COVID-19-related challenges meant that the trial was underpowered, and it is possible that a real effect may have been missed. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619000352101; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377044 and Universal Trial U1111-1225-4471.
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Tools and resources used to support implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies: A scoping review of grey literature.
Rosin, M, Mackay, S, Ni Mhurchu, C
Nutrition & dietetics: the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia. 2023;(5):452-462
Abstract
AIMS: This study aimed to identify and evaluate tools and resources used to support the implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies, primarily in Australia and New Zealand. METHODS A scoping grey literature review included searches of government agencies and non-governmental organisations' websites in six English-speaking countries, public health nutrition intervention databases and Google search engine queries. Paper-based and digital tools were included if they were written in English, referred to within a policy or on a policy's website, and primarily targeting supply-side stakeholders. Tools were evaluated on two domains: 'Features' (summarised descriptively) and 'Usability and Quality' (with inter-rater reliability scores calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient). RESULTS Twenty paper-based tools were identified relating to Australian (n = 14) and New Zealand (n = 6) policies, and a further six digital tools were identified from Australia (n = 3) and Canada (n = 3). Target audiences included workplace managers, food providers and suppliers. The paper-based tools focused on general implementation guidance. In contrast, digital tools tended to support specific elements of policy implementation. 'Usability and Quality' scores ranged from 2.9 to 4.5 (out of 5.0) for paper-based tools, and 3.9 to 4.2 for digital tools, with a moderate agreement between reviewer scores (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.523, p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS A range of tools have been developed to support the implementation of workplace healthy food and drink policies. Understanding the strengths and limitations of current tools will assist in developing improved aids to support policy implementation.
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Protocol for a novel sodium and blood pressure reduction intervention targeting online grocery shoppers with hypertension - the SaltSwitch Online Grocery Shopping randomized trial.
Maganja, D, Trieu, K, Reading, M, Huang, L, Hart, AC, Taylor, F, Stamatellis, S, Arnott, C, Feng, X, Schutte, AE, et al
American heart journal. 2022;:70-83
Abstract
BACKGROUND High dietary sodium intake is a leading cause of hypertension. A major source of dietary sodium is salt added to processed food products available in retail food environments. The fast-growing online grocery shopping setting provides new opportunities for salt reduction interventions that support consumers in choosing healthier options. METHODS The SaltSwitch Online Grocery Shopping randomized controlled trial is investigating the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a novel intervention for lowering salt consumption and blood pressure amongst people with hypertension who shop for groceries online. The intervention is based on a bespoke web browser extension that interfaces with a major retailer's online store to highlight and interpret product sodium content and suggest similar but lower-sodium alternatives. The primary outcome of interest is change in mean systolic blood pressure between individuals randomized (1:1) to the intervention and control (usual online shopping) arms at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes are diastolic blood pressure, spot urinary sodium and sodium:potassium ratio, sodium purchases, and dietary intake. Intervention implementation and lessons for future uptake will be assessed using a mixed methods process evaluation. Participants with hypertension who shop online for groceries and exhibit high sodium purchasing behavior are being recruited across Australia. A target sample size of 1,966 provides 80% power (2-sided alpha = 0.05) to detect a 2 mm Hg difference in systolic blood pressure between groups, assuming a 15 mm Hg standard deviation, after allowing for a 10% dropout rate. DISCUSSION This trial will provide evidence on an innovative intervention to potentially reduce salt intake and blood pressure in people with hypertension. The intervention caters to individual preferences by encouraging sustainable switches to similar but lower-salt products. If effective, the intervention will be readily scalable at low cost by interfacing with existing online retail environments.
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Exploring the effects of added sugar labels on food purchasing behaviour in Australian parents: An online randomised controlled trial.
Riesenberg, D, Peeters, A, Backholer, K, Martin, J, Ni Mhurchu, C, Blake, MR
PloS one. 2022;(8):e0271435
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence of the effects of front-of-pack added sugar labelling remains limited, especially for foods other than sugary drinks. More information is needed about which labels are likely to be most effective in reducing intended purchases of products with higher added sugar content in realistic contexts to inform policymakers' decisions. OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of added sugar labels on intended purchases of high sugar breakfast cereals, yoghurt, and non-alcoholic beverages. METHODS Australian parents who were regular purchasers of relevant product categories completed an online parallel randomised controlled trial from 31 August 2020 to 13 February 2021. Participants selected their intended purchase from 10 products in each of packaged beverages, breakfast cereal, and yoghurt categories after randomisation to one of seven added sugar labelling conditions in current use or under consideration by the Australian Government. Logistic regressions assessed differences between intervention and control conditions in the odds of intended purchases of a high sugar product. RESULTS 2825 eligible participants were randomised with 2582 valid surveys analysed (Control n = 367; 'Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) with Added Sugar' n = 364; 'Teaspoons of Sugar' n = 369; 'Warning' n = 371; 'Health Star Rating (HSR) using Total Sugar' n = 368; 'HSR with Added Sugar' n = 371; 'Sugar in the Ingredients List' n = 372). No consistent effects were found on intended purchases of high sugar products overall or within product categories for any of the tested labels compared to controls (overall, 'NIP with Added Sugar': OR 1.00 [95%CI 0.83,1.20]; 'Teaspoons of Sugar': 0.94[0.80,1.11]; 'Warning': 1.10[0.93,1.30]; 'HSR with Total Sugar': 1.01[0.85,1.21]; 'HSR with Added Sugar': 1.09[0.92,1.30]; 'Sugar in the Ingredients List': 1.01[0.85,1.21]). CONCLUSIONS Findings reinforce the importance of ensuring nutrition labelling policies are introduced as part of a suite of interventions to influence both consumer and manufacturer behaviour. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12620000858998. Registered 28 August 2020, https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12620000858998.
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5.
Comment on Muzzioli et al. Are Front-of-Pack Labels a Health Policy Tool? Nutrients 2022, 14, 771.
Aguenaou, H, Babio, N, Deschasaux-Tanguy, M, Galan, P, Hercberg, S, Julia, C, Jones, A, Karpetas, G, Kelly, B, Kesse-Guyot, E, et al
Nutrients. 2022;(10)
Abstract
As scientists working and publishing in the field of front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) for many years, we have read with interest and concern the narrative review regarding their effectiveness by Muzzioli et al. [...].
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The 'Eat Well @ IGA' healthy supermarket randomised controlled trial: process evaluation.
Blake, MR, Sacks, G, Zorbas, C, Marshall, J, Orellana, L, Brown, AK, Moodie, M, Ni Mhurchu, C, Ananthapavan, J, Etilé, F, et al
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2021;(1):36
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful implementation and long-term maintenance of healthy supermarkets initiatives are crucial to achieving potential population health benefits. Understanding barriers and enablers of implementation of real-world trials will enhance wide-scale implementation. This process evaluation of a healthy supermarket intervention sought to describe (i) customer, retailer and stakeholder perspectives on the intervention; (ii) intervention implementation; and (iii) implementation barriers and enablers. METHODS Eat Well @ IGA was a 12-month randomised controlled trial conducted in 11 Independent Grocers of Australia (IGA) chain supermarkets in regional Victoria, Australia (5 intervention and 6 wait-listed control stores). Intervention components included trolley and basket signage, local area and in-store promotion, and shelf tags highlighting the healthiest packaged foods. A sequential mixed-methods process evaluation was undertaken. Customer exit surveys investigated demographics, and intervention recall and perceptions. Logistic mixed-models estimated associations between customer responses and demographics, with store as random effect. Supermarket staff surveys investigated staff demographics, interactions with customers, and intervention component feedback. Semi-structured stakeholder interviews with local government, retail and academic partners explored intervention perceptions, and factors which enabled or inhibited implementation, maintenance and scalability. Interviews were inductively coded to identify key themes. RESULTS Of 500 customers surveyed, 33%[95%CI:23,44] recalled the Eat Well @ IGA brand and 97%[95%CI:93,99] agreed that IGA should continue its efforts to encourage healthy eating. The 82 staff surveyed demonstrated very favourable intervention perceptions. Themes from 19 interviews included that business models favour sales of unhealthy foods, and that stakeholder collaboration was crucial to intervention design and implementation. Staff surveys and interviews highlighted the need to minimise staff time for project maintenance and to regularly refresh intervention materials to increase and maintain salience among customers. CONCLUSIONS This process evaluation found that interventions to promote healthy diets in supermarkets can be perceived as beneficial by retailers, customers, and government partners provided that barriers including staff time and intervention salience are addressed. Collaborative partnerships in intervention design and implementation, including retailers, governments, and academics, show potential for encouraging long-term sustainability of interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ISRCTN37395231 Registered 4 May 2017.
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The Frequency and Context of Snacking among Children: An Objective Analysis Using Wearable Cameras.
Gage, R, Girling-Butcher, M, Joe, E, Smith, M, Ni Mhurchu, C, McKerchar, C, Puloka, V, McLean, R, Signal, L
Nutrients. 2020;(1)
Abstract
Snacking is a common eating behaviour, but there is little objective data about children's snacking. We aimed to determine the frequency and context of children's snacking (n = 158; mean age = 12.6 years) by ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic deprivation and body mass index (BMI) children. Participants wore wearable cameras that passively captured images of their surroundings every seven seconds. Images (n = 739,162) were coded for snacking episodes, defined as eating occasions in between main meals. Contextual factors analysed included: snacking location, food source, timing, social contact and screen use. Rates of total, discretionary (not recommended for consumption) and healthful (recommended for consumption) snacking were calculated using negative binomial regression. On average, children consumed 8.2 (95%CI 7.4, 9.1) snacks per day, of which 5.2 (95%CI 4.6, 5.9) were discretionary foods/beverages. Children consumed more discretionary snacks than healthful snacks in each setting and at all times, including 15.0× more discretionary snacks in public spaces and 2.4× more discretionary snacks in schools. Most snacks (68.9%) were sourced from home. Girls consumed more total, discretionary and healthful snacks than boys, and Māori and Pacific consumed fewer healthful snacks than New Zealand (NZ) Europeans. Results show that children snack frequently, and that most snacking involves discretionary food items. Our findings suggest targeting home buying behaviour and environmental changes to support healthy snacking choices.
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The performance and potential of the Australasian Health Star Rating system: a four-year review using the RE-AIM framework.
Jones, A, Thow, AM, Ni Mhurchu, C, Sacks, G, Neal, B
Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. 2019;(4):355-365
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Health Star Rating (HSR) is a front-of-pack nutrition labelling system, implemented voluntarily in Australia and New Zealand since 2014. Our aim was to evaluate HSR's performance. METHOD We used data from peer-reviewed publications and government-commissioned monitoring and evaluation, websites and communiqués to evaluate HSR's performance between June 2014 and October 2018 using the RE-AIM (Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) framework. RESULTS Thirty-three peer-reviewed publications, 21 government and three independent reports informed the assessment. Awareness and trust in HSR was increasing, though campaign reach remained low. Consumers liked, could understand and use the HSR logo, though effects on purchasing were largely unknown. The algorithm was the focus of a formal review. HSR was present on 20-28% of products but biased to those that scored better (HSR≥3.0). Necessary stakeholders were mostly engaged. CONCLUSIONS A substantial body of work supports continuation and strengthening of HSR. Reasonable refinements to HSR's star graphic and algorithm, action to initiate mandatory implementation, and strengthened HSR governance present the clearest opportunities for improving public health impact. Implications for public health: Development and implementation of government-led front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems have the potential to improve public health, while engaging a diverse set of stakeholders.
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A School-Based Comprehensive Intervention for Childhood Obesity in China: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.
Liu, Z, Li, Q, Maddison, R, Ni Mhurchu, C, Jiang, Y, Wei, DM, Cheng, L, Cheng, Y, Wang, D, Wang, HJ
Childhood obesity (Print). 2019;(2):105-115
Abstract
BACKGROUND A comprehensive approach involving both environmental and individual strategies offers opportunities to strengthen school-based interventions for childhood obesity. OBJECTIVES To evaluate a theory-based comprehensive intervention implemented within primary schools for childhood obesity in China. METHODS A 1-year, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in twelve primary schools (7-11 years old) in Beijing, China. Environmental and individual factors were improved in the intervention group (6 schools, 930 children) to promote knowledge and behaviors related to energy balance. The control group (6 schools, 959 children) did not receive any intervention. The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI) and its Z-score at 12 months. Generalized linear mixed models were used controlling for the cluster effect of school. RESULTS No significant differences were found between groups on BMI (0.07 kg/m2 [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.16 to 0.31, p = 0.54]) and its Z-score (0.02 [95% CI: -0.08 to 0.11, p = 0.73]) at 12 months. Self-reported knowledge, daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverage, and frequency of moderate to vigorous physical activity improved at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS The intervention did not mitigate excess weight gain, but did improve children's knowledge and several behaviors related to energy balance.
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Children's healthy and unhealthy beverage availability, purchase and consumption: A wearable camera study.
Smith, M, Stanley, J, Signal, L, Barr, M, Chambers, T, Balina, A, Ni Mhurchu, C, Wilson, N
Appetite. 2019;:240-251
Abstract
Children's sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) consumption presents significant risks for obesity, type 2 diabetes and dental health. But there is a lack of objective data on beverages in children's overall environments. This study aimed to determine the nature and extent of children's beverage availability, purchase and consumption, throughout their day, using wearable cameras for data collection. Data were sourced from 'Kids'Cam NZ', a study in which randomly-selected New Zealand children (n = 168; 11-14y, mean 12.6y) wore cameras for four days (Thursday-Sunday), automatically taking a photo every 7s. Using content analysis, Thursday and Saturday images (n = 700,201) were systematically analysed. On average, 18.9 (95% CI 16.8, 21.4) drinks/day were available to the children (n = 158), of which 7.5 (95% CI 5.8, 9.7; 39.7%) were non-core drinks, including 6.4 (95% CI 5.0, 8.3; 33.9%) SSBs. At school and home, core drinks (water and unflavoured milk) were the most available. In all other locations in which children spent time (e.g., recreation venues and food retail outlets) non-core drinks dominated, at rates 1.5-5 times that of core drinks availability. Almost all drinks (n = 17; 10.8%) the children purchased were non-core. On average, children (n = 111; 70.3%) consumed a drink 2.6 (95% CI 2.1, 3.1) times/day, including one (95% CI 0.7, 1.3) SSB. At school and home core drinks predominated. SSBs were available to most children in all locations in which they spent time, and dominated their drinks purchases and consumption. SSBs appear to be a typical feature of children's everyday environments, almost certainly making it difficult for children's beverage intakes to align with guidelines. The findings support calls for governments to urgently enact the SSB-related actions in the WHO Commission's Ending Childhood Obesity implementation plan and, in turn, improve child health.