Nutrition education interventions have shown some effectiveness at promoting healthy diets. However, qualitative investigations might enhance understanding of factors that facilitate behavior change. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that facilitate behavior change among participants of a nutrition intervention for underserved citizens in Southern California. A focus group with eight participants suggested themes that included changes in nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and skills; successful program components; and applied knowledge. Participants valued hands‐on learning and indicated use of new food selection and preparation skills outside of class. The results of this program suggest that further study of community‐based dietary interventions in varied settings and with larger samples is needed.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of upper extremity (UE) high intensity interval training (HIIT) to UE continuous training (CT) when training at a similar intensity. 20 participants (mean age = 23 ± 3 yrs) were randomly assigned to either a HIIT (n = 10) or CT (n = 10) group. Participants completed a graded exercise test utilizing arm cranking prior to and following 6 wks (2 sessions · wk-1) of UE training. During sessions, HIIT performed 10 repetitions of 60 s of work at 92.3 ± 1.0% of the arm HRpeak (%aHRpeak) and 60 s of passive recovery (%aHRpeak = 73.0 ± 4.0%) yielding an average training intensity of 82.6 ± 1.5 %aHRpeak. CT exercised for 20 min. at an average intensity of 81.9 ± 2.2 %aHRpeak. Following training HIIT showed greater improvement in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak compared to CT (Δ = 4.1 ml · min-¹ · kg-¹, 95%CI: 1.3 - 6.9 ml · min-¹ · kg-¹, p = .007). Total exercise time during the post-test GXT was also improved as a result of HIIT (Δ = 1.4 min, 95%CI: 0.4 - 2.3 min, p = .008). Both groups improved peak power output, but no difference was observed between them (Δ = 3.3 W, 95%CI: -3.3 - 9.9 W, p = .305). For a similar time investment, HIIT appeared to improve cardiopulmonary capacity and exercise time to a greater extent than CT and may be a time-efficient alternative for those who incorporate UE aerobic activity into a training program.

RESULTS:Study was conducted from April 4 -24, 2020 under "shelter in place" orders. Participants both scored low stress from the stress instruments, while the news sentiment varied, with definite negative scores. While trends in diastolic BP, heart rate and cortisol levels were inconsistent between the interventions of physical activity or yoga compared to sedentary activity, a definite trend was seen between systolic BP and the news sentiment daily measure. As the daily news sentiment score changed from -0.42 to -0.47, SBP increased from -10 to +35 mmHg change between mornings to afternoon. Correlation coefficient was 0.19 for N=11. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of correlation in diastolic BP, heart rate and cortisol levels with intervention was probably due to small participant numbers and short study span. The correlation of systolic BP with news sentiment analysis was surprising, and indicated such measures should be included in human subject's research concerning stress measures as a possible confounder.

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Service learning uses real‐world experience to develop skills, create connections between academic study and public concerns, and foster social change. In Spring 2015, a graduate‐level community nutrition course at a university in southern California was amended to include a research‐focused service‐learning project. Four phases of service learning were included in course content. The phases were as follows: (1) a needs assessment; (2) development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition lessons; (3) reflection; and (4) celebration. Reflective assignments indicated that students valued needs assessment as a basis for program development and growth in assessing program impacts. Modest gains in vegetable consumption patterns were evidenced among program participants.