Summary Background Early rapid weight gain (RWG) increases, whereas longer durations of breastfeeding decreases, odds for later obesity. Objectives To determine the independent and interactive effects of early weight gain and diet on infant weight status trajectories and odds for overweight at 1 year. Methods We conducted secondary analysis on data from two longitudinal trials with repeated anthropometric measures. One trial consisted of predominantly or exclusively breastfed (BF, n = 97) infants, whereas the other consisted of exclusively formula‐fed (FF, n = 113) infants. Weight‐for‐length z‐score (WLZ) change from 0.5 to 4.5 months was used to categorize early weight gain as slow (<−0.67; SWG), normal (−0.67 to 0.67; NWG) or rapid (>0.67; RWG). Linear‐mixed effects models were fit to examine the independent effects and interaction of early diet (BF, FF) and weight gain (SWG, NWG, RWG) groups on WLZ trajectories; logistic regression was used to assess odds for overweight at 1 year. Results While similar percentages (41%) of BF and FF infants experienced RWG, we found a significant diet × early weight gain group interaction (P < .001) on weight status. At 1 year, the WLZ of FF infants with RWG (1.57 ± 0.99) was twice that of BF infants with RWG (0.83 ± 0.92). Using BF infants with NWG as the reference group, FF infants with RWG had increased odds [OR: 25.3 (95% CI: 3.21, 199.7)] for overweight at 1 year, whereas BF infants with RWG did not. Conclusions Early diet interacts with early weight gain and influences weight status trajectories and overweight risk at 1 year.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic phytochemicals with health-promoting properties, yet knowledge about their intake in at-risk populations is limited. This study sought to estimate intakes of total flavonoids and six flavonoid classes in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study; determine if differences in intakes exist by race (African American (AA) and White (W)) and income (< or >125% Federal poverty guidelines); and compare intakes to those of a nationally representative population with similar demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Data transformation normalized the flavonoid intake distributions prior to conducting statistical tests. With the exception of the flavanone class, flavonoid intakes of AAs were significantly lower than those of W (p < 0.01), regardless of other potential mediating factors including sex, age, and income. Total flavonoid intakes in HANDLS did not differ from intakes in the nationally representative study, but anthocyanidin and flavone intakes were lower, and race specific differences were found for several flavonoid classes. These findings imply that benefits attributable to flavonoid consumption may not be experienced equally by AAs and Whites, nor in vulnerable populations such as that represented by HANDLS relative to the U.S. population, and may play a role in observed health disparities.

Domestic and international travel study programs have grown in length and popularity since they began in 1923. Regardless of the field of study, the goal of most programs is to enhance student cultural sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to explore the contribution of an undergraduate food-focused domestic travel study program on long-term cultural sensitivity based on the ASKED model. A travel study program focused on transcultural food and cuisine was initiated in 1987 and as of 2017, implemented 22 times. The program length varied between 3 and 5 weeks and was offered in two locations in the United States. A survey developed to explore the long-term impact of the program incorporated the ASKED model of cultural competence. This model includes five domains: cultural awareness, skill, knowledge, encounters, and desire. The survey was validated and found to be reliable. University of Delaware alumni who participated in the travel study program (n = 461) and a comparison group of alumni (n = 402) who did not participate in the program were invited to complete the survey. The majority of respondents majored in nutrition and dietetics. Alumni who participated in the travel study program had significantly higher total cultural sensitivity scores and also higher scores on 3 domains, namely cultural skill, knowledge, and desire compared to those that did not. Of the 11 program activities participants were asked to rank as contributors to cultural sensitivity, dining experiences and farm to table tours were rated as the top two, respectively. The study findings provided evidence that a short-term, domestic travel study program enhanced long-term cultural sensitivity. Since domestic programs may be a more cost-effective option and align more closely with employment opportunities in healthcare than international travel programs for college graduates, educators should provide opportunities and encourage dietetic students to participate in these travel programs.