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A contributing factor to the obesity epidemic is the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods which may contain high levels of saturated fat and added sugars, while devoid of nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Steele, Popkin, Swinburn, Popkin, Swinburn, & Monteiro, 2017). The pathology of obesity is multifaceted and includes behavioral, genetic, and environmental influences (Engel, Kern, Thomas Brenna, & Mitmesser, 2018). It has been reported that obesity and undernutrition are highly correlated (Weegels, 2019). Adhering to

The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of smoking cessation in a sample of male Portuguese Californians using data from the Portuguese Study, a dissertation thesis study with a crosssectional design that assessed 141 smokers and 67 ex-smokers of Portuguese origin residing in Southern and Central California recruited from Portuguese community clubs. Socio-demographics, acculturation, health beliefs, stress, and social support for smoking cessation were assessed and measured in this population. Bivariate predictors of becoming an ex-smoker were being married (p=.01), having a high support index for not smoking (p

Avocado is a nutrient-rich food that has been shown to benefit the health and diet quality of adults. In this paper, we examined if habitual intake of avocado among adolescents is associated with their diet quality, food and nutrient intake, and measures of obesity and body composition. Participants aged 12–18 years old (n = 534) from selected public and Adventist middle-high schools reported their dietary intake in a web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ); anthropometrics were measured during school visits. Diet quality (DQI-I) and avocado intake were calculated from the FFQ; BMI z-scores (BMIz), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and %body fat (%BF) were determined from the anthropometric data. Compared to non-consumers, avocado consumers had significantly higher covariate-adjusted mean scores on total DQI-I (68.3 vs. 64.6) and energy-adjusted mean scores on variety (18.8 vs. 18.0) and adequacy (36.4 vs. 33.4). Avocado consumption was significantly associated with DQI-I components adequacy (β [SE] = 0.11 [0.03]) and moderation (β [SE] = 0.06 [0.03]) but not with BMIz, WHtR, FM, FFM, and %BF. Mean intakes of fruits, vegetables, and plant protein foods, total and vegetable proteins, dietary fiber, retinol, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium were significantly higher for avocado consumers; saturated and trans fats intakes were significantly higher for non-consumers. In our adolescent population, avocado consumption was associated with higher diet quality and intake of plant-based foods and shortfall nutrients, but not with measures of obesity and body composition. Studies are needed to determine the optimal amount of avocado that would confer health benefits during adolescence.

Objectives Avocado is a nutrient-rich food that has been shown to benefit the health and diet quality of adults. Our aim is to determine if habitual intake of avocado among adolescents is associated with their diet quality and food and nutrient intake. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants aged 12–18 years old (n = 534) from selected public and middle-high schools near two major Adventist universities reported their dietary intake in a validated web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Intake of nutrients, food/food groups, and avocado were calculated from the FFQ; diet quality was determined using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, comparison tests, and general linear modeling using SAS 9.3 and R. Results Compared to non-consumers, avocado consumers had significantly higher covariate-adjusted mean scores on total DQI-I (68.3 vs. 64.6) and energy-adjusted mean scores on the DQI-I components variety (18.8 vs. 18.0) and adequacy (36.4 vs. 33.4). Avocado consumption was significantly associated with DQI-I components adequacy (β [SE] = 0.11 [.03]) and moderation (β [SE] = 0.06 [.03]). Mean intakes of fruits, vegetables, and plant protein foods, total and vegetable proteins, dietary fiber, retinol, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium were significantly higher for avocado consumers; saturated and trans fats intakes were significantly higher for non-consumers. Conclusions In our adolescent population, avocado consumption was associated with higher diet quality and intake of plant-based foods and the known shortfall nutrients in this population. Greater exposure to avocado may potentially improve dietary intake of adolescents. Funding Sources Hass Avocado Board.