Background Children usually refuse to eat and taste fruits and vegetables; and turning unhealthy eating habits around is an important social challenge in industrialized countries. The Dastatuz project aims to study children food neophobia and to enhance fruit and vegetable acceptance. Methods A quasi-experimental, multicentre, controlled and prospective intervention study is proposed, in which early factors influencing new food acceptance will be studied. Mothers in the third trimester of pregnancy (n = 144) and their infants will be the study population. Experimental groups will be established based on mothers´ fruit and vegetable intake (standard or high intake) and weaning method (baby lead weaning vs spoon feeding). The project will assess the possible impact of maternal diet and complementary feeding on infants eating behaviour until 18 months of age. Outcome measures will comprise maternal diet and psychological features during pregnancy and breast-feeding (validated questionnaires). Compositional and physicochemical analysis of milk during breastfeeding will also be carried out. During weaning, until 18 months of age, children’s diet will be assessed with 24 h recalls and acceptance of new fruits and vegetables will be studied using video recording. Discussion If the intervention is effective, this research work would have a high potential to be transferred to future public health programs or nutrition guidelines, as a feasible solution to achieve a higher intake of fruits and vegetables among children. Trial registration This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04262102. Registration date: February 10, 2020 - Retrospectively registered.

BackgroundThe PROFRUVE study is a controlled intervention based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which follows those behavioral theories that have proved to be the most effective at changing infant fruit and vegetable (FV) intake pattern. The main purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention program in increasing FV consumption in schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 and based on TPB.MethodsEligible classrooms within schools from Vitoria-Gasteiz (Basque Country, Spain) will be randomly assigned to the intervention (classrooms n = 4; children n = 86) or control (classrooms n = 4; children n = 86) group. The intervention group will receive 14 sessions of 60 min during an academic year (October to June). These sessions, designed by a multidisciplinary team, are based on TPB and are directed at modifying determinants of behavior (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention of consumption), and intake of FV itself. Both the process and the evolution of consumption and determinants of behavior will be evaluated (before, during, shortly after and a year after) using validated surveys, 7 day food records, 24 h reminders and questionnaires.DiscussionThis study will provide a valid and useful tool to achieve changes in the consumption of FV at school level. A negative result will be helpful in redefining new strategies in the framework of changing habits in the consumption of FV.Trial RegistrationThis study has been retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT03400891. Data registered: 17/01/2018.

Objective To gather consensus on professional competencies and basic public health content for the degree program in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND). Design In 2018, the Fifth Meeting of University Public Health Professors took place in Zaragoza (Spain). Fourteen lecturers in the HND degree program participated from 11 Spanish universities. They identified competencies and basic content for training for the HND degree using group dynamics and consensus strategies. Results The professors identified 51 basic competencies, distributed in the areas of “evaluation of population health needs” (n = 20), “development of health policies” (n = 23), and “guaranteeing provision of health care services” (n = 8). In order to reach these competencies, 35 topics were proposed organized into six thematic blocks: foundations of public health, nutritional epidemiology, health problems and diet and nutrition strategies, food security, health in all policies and health promotion and education. Conclusion The consensus reached serves as a reference to orient and update public health education as a part of the HND degree.

Background During last decade the number of international students is rising not only in developed, but in developing countries. In this matter, Georgia is not an exception. In 2006-2016, country enrolled more than 13 000 International students in 127 English language programs in 33 Higher Education Institutions. Study aimed to investigate health and lifestyle changes among international students of one of the largest universities of Georgia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2018 by web-based anonymous questionnaires among international and local students at the school of health sciences (UoG). Data was obtained on self reported physical health conditions, dietary patterns, physical Activity, sleep, study routine, smoking, alcohol and drug consumption, sexual life and stress factors. Results 112 local and 50 international students of UoG from more than 10 countries participated in online survey. 77% of local and 37% of international participants were female. Students reported health problems related to digestion (43% local, 23% int), musculoskeletal system (20% local, 33% int), sleep (62% local, 43% int ), skin, hair and nail (29% local -28% int) after attending university. 22% of international students reported to start smoking after coming to Georgia and 50% evaluated own stress level as 7 out of 10 point scale. Moderate positive correlation was found between stress and health problems among international students (r = 0.447, p = 0.005). As a main stress factors international students indicated study routine, homesickness, sleep and financial difficulties. Conclusions Survey results indicate that social and physical environment changes as well as busy time schedule can be led to different health problems, and lifestyle changes among international students of UoG. Hence, health promotion campaigns, even among students of health sciences might play supportive role. Key messages 22% of international students of UoG reported to start smoking after coming to Georgia and 50% evaluated own stress level as 7 out of 10. There is a need of health promotion campaigns, even among students of health sciences.